end o' week and end o' year musings

This week has gone by in a blink, but not without a bit of fun...

I celebrated Christmas three times, including Tuesday with my mother and brother in Fontana. The best gifts included the old-fashioned Raggedy Ann doll I gave my mum (she's from England and called it a Mary Jane doll and then shared some childhood stories) and the Auto Club membership my mum and I gave my brother (for both his car and his motorcycle). I really didn't have a wish list this year, so I was happy with everything-- honestly, I enjoyed watching everyone open their gifts the most.

I did receive an unusual gift-- a flock of chickens. My friend, Lorna, made a donation to a world organzation for a flock of chickens for a needy family in another country. I was charmed, but I couldn't resist teasing, "When will I get photographs of my chickens?" Lorna laughed and said that one of her other friends wants to know if she can write to her goat.

Last night I practiced with my belly dance partner, Zaynah. We are preparing for our three day stint at the Body Art Expo in Pomona Jan. 12-14. We have new new dance numbers and are working on a third-- I'll keep you posted.

I would like to share a couple of e-mails from my friends:

Hi Michelle..........
Enjoying your 'newsy' BLOG. For your real good JAZZ music readers have them tune in Monday through Fridays 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. to KKJZ 88.1 FM or at 89.1 FM listen to Joni Caryl spin the BEST in Jazz. HAPPY NEW YEAR Honey
LOVE,
Gerry
OXOXOXOX

Hey Mickie, Same thing, pay day here too!! a double lovely and its an extended weekend!! I say you can spoil yourself and do some shopping! I just picked these up, I figured you would appreciate... (see the Puma Pele Brazil shoes from Urban Outfitters at the top of my post or visit http://search.urbanoutfitters.com/exec/?cartpost=0&query=pele ) have a happy new Year and talk to ya in '07 ha ha, brian

FINAL NOTE: I walked in to the office today with a smile on my face and a bottle of sparkling cider in my hand. My co-workers Vernor and Linda joined me in a new year's toast to success, happiness and health. My resolution is to find peace and contentment dispite the obstacles and challenges in my path... and to continue seeking adventure! Yes, I'll sleep when I'm dead...

In rotation this week: I continued to listen to Joan Baez and Tribe of Gypsies, as well as a plethora of holiday tunes...

Have a great New Year's Eve and Day and resolve to make the world a happier place! M

New online network for hip-hop fans is rockin'

CrackSpace.com, the 2 month old, hip-hop on-line social network,has experienced resounding success to date, clocking in 12,000+ MEMBERSIN JUST UNDER 2 MONTHS SINCE LAUNCH!With close to every major (Atlantic, Warner Brothers, Universal/Motown, J Records, Virgin Records & more) and prominent indie label already onboard as content providers, advertisers and/or strategic partners, 2007 looks to be even more explosive.

Members already know that CrackSpace has enabled them to connect with hip-hop fans around the world. All the functions of Myspace and Youtube and MORE, including unlimited audio track uploads, news, hip-hop gossip,video interviews with the hottest established and up & coming artists, a Crack TV section consisting of video clips of all things hip-hop and beyond… there’s just nothing that compares. Also in the works are mobile deals as well as the unveiling of cutting-edge technology and platforms to engender an even tighter knit (and massively growing) community of hip-hop fans, artists, tastemakers and more.

Kicking off ‘07 with a bang, January is indie hip-hop month, highlighting the best that our independent hip-hop culture has to offer, with label and artist profiles, interviews, video interviews, and much more. We’re going indepth the way no one has ever done before. Each day we will highlight a label that’s been doing it dolo, providing insight into the people behind such indie powerhouses as: TVT, Koch, Babygrande, Stones Throw, ABB & many more. Check out some of the superstars that have joined the community in recent weeks: http://www.hiphopcrack.com/trapmuzik http://www.hiphopcrack.com/diddy http://www.hiphopcrack.com/lupefiasco http://www.hiphopcrack.com/trickdaddy

Currently, CrackSpace.com, in conjunction with the Clipse and Jive Records have teamed up to find the Web's hottest emcee and give them the opportunity to drop a freestyle on the Clipse's forthcoming mixtape, "We got it 4 cheap vol. 3-- The Spirit of Competition." Three finalists representing CrackSpace shot their rhymes/freestyles and the public is NOW voting on who will be the emcee to appear on the forthcoming mixtape! NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY AND VOTE FOR A CRACKSPACE FINALIST!! Log onto: http://www.hiphopcrack.com/viewArticle.hhc?articleId=213
and vote for the hottest emcee repping CrackSpace… giving them a shot to appear on the forthcoming Clipse mixtape!!! While you’re there, be sure to check out our news, features, CrackSpace social community network, crack TV video section and more.CrackSpace is truly the next ish in terms of providing a true outlet/community for hip-hop heads...with over 12,000 members in under two months since launch, this is one of many forthcoming opportunities bringing you closer to the artists that define our culture.

www.crackspace.com
www.hiphopcrack.com
www.crackspace.net

Lamb of God announces tour

Lamb of God is one of my favorite hard-core acts. They have ear-catching song writing talents and consistently good live performances. If you haven't seen them before, here's your chance. -M


GRAMMY NOMINEES AND LEADERS IN AMERICAN METAL LAMB OF GOD ANNOUNCE HEADLINING U.S. TOUR FOR 2007

SACRAMENT HONORED BY REVOLVER MAGAZINE AS “ALBUM OF THE YEAR” FOR 2006

Returning to the U.S. after a sold-out tour of Europe, Australia and Japan, Lamb of God is excited to announce a headlining American tour in 2007 with Bay Area Metal Titans Machine Head, modern day metal traditionalists Trivium and France’s heaviest metal export Gojira. Having spent the summer of 2006 on the Unholy Alliance Tour with metal pioneer’s Slayer and joining Megadeth for the Gigantour tour in September, LOG will kick-off this tour in Dallas on February 16 as they bring their pummeling live show across the U.S. and Canada.

Band drummer Chris Adler states, “When you are a kid, you dream of playing your music in an arena. Once you’ve done it, you realize how much you miss the power and energy of a kick ass club show. We’ve been fortunate to be playing some big places as of late, but when we started talking about a spring 2007 Sacrament tour, we agreed (and had heard it repeatedly over the past 2 years from the fans!!!) that it would be incredibly intense for everyone to bring the machine that is LAMB OF GOD back into the clubs. There is no comparing the connection and shared energy of a club show. The blood, sweat, and beer flying – that’s a proper metal show! This is intense music for intense people - we’re sick of the seats, the ushers and the lame security guards telling people to calm down!

We probably should have left it at that, but in true LAMB OF GOD form we pushed it further. With a little help from our friends, we put an arena show bill together and told our booking agent to put it into the clubs and theaters – and oh yeah, not just any clubs – lets make sure to hit a lot of cities that normally get overlooked. Let’s bring the best show we can to the people that have been left waiting for far too long. This is going to be completely out of hand and we can’t fucking wait! You have been warned!!!

“Sacrament”, LOG’s sophomore Epic Records release, has received countless accolades from critics including being named Revolver Magazine’s “Album of the Year” for 2006 and landing at #20 in Blender Magazine’s Top 100 of 2006.

“Sacrament is a speed rush all the way through, with guitars that match the fibrillating drums and trill even faster. The songs are thrashers gone prog-rock: not just verse and chorus but suites of jagged riffs, galloping triplets and squiggling counterpoint...Their music has grown more nimble since the band arrived on a major label with ‘Ashes of the Wake’ in 2004...” Blender Magazine Four Stars

The following tour dates are confirmed:
Fri/Feb-16 DALLAS, TX PALLADIUM BALLROOM
Sat/Feb-17 CORPUS CRISTI, TX CONCRETE ST. AMPHITHEATRE
Sun/Feb-18 AUSTIN, TX STUBBS
Tue/Feb-20 ALBUQUERQUE, NM SUNSHINE THEATRE
Thu/Feb-22 ANAHEIM, CA THE GROVE
Fri/Feb-23 FRESNO, CA RAINBOW BALLROOM
Sat/Feb-24 SANTA CRUZ, CA THE CATALYST
Sun/Feb-25 LOS ANGELES, CA WILTERN
Tue/Feb-27 CHICO, CA THE SENATOR THEATRE
Wed/Feb-28 PORTLAND, OR ROSELAND
Thu/Mar-01 SPOKANE, WA BIG EASY
Sat/Mar-03 EDMONTON, AB ED'S - THE VENUE
Sun/Mar-04 CALGARY, AB MACEWAN HALL
Tue/Mar-06 WINNIPEG, MB BURTON CUMMINGS THEATRE
Wed/Mar-07 FARGO, ND PLAYMAKERS PAVILION
Thu/Mar-08 OMAHA, NE SOKOL AUDITORIUM
Fri/Mar-09 TULSA, OK CAINS BALLROOM
Sat/Mar-10 KANSAS CITY, KS BEAUMONT CLUB
Sun/Mar-11 SIOUX FALLS, SD EMPIRE EXPO HALL
Tue/Mar-13 CEDAR RAPIDS, IA HAWKEYE DOWNS
Wed/Mar-14 MILWAUKEE, WI THE RAVE
Thu/Mar-15 FT. WAYNE, IN PIERRES
Fri/Mar-16 TOLEDO, OH HEADLINERS
Sat/Mar-17 GRAND RAPIDS, MI ORBIT ROOM
Sun/Mar-18 GUELPH, ON COWBOYS BAR
Tue/Mar-20 MONTREAL, QC MEDLEY
Wed/Mar-21 PROVIDENCE, RI LUPOS AT THE STRAND
Thu/Mar-22 NEW YORK, NY ROSELAND
Fri/Mar-23 ATLANTIC CITY, NJ HOUSE OF BLUES
Sat/Mar-24 ALBANY, NY NORTHERN LIGHTS
Sun/Mar-25 ROCHESTER NY HARRO EAST
Mon/Mar-26 WASHINGTON DC 9:30 CLUB
Wed/Mar-28 NORFOLK VA NORVA THEATRE
Thu/Mar-29 MYRTLE BEACH, SC HOUSE OF BLUES
Fri/Mar-30 JACKSONVILLE, FL PLUSH
Sat/Mar-31 ST. PETERSBURG, FL JANNUS LANDING
Sun/Apr-01 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL REVOLUTION
Tue/Apr-03 NASHVILLE, TN CITY HALL
Wed/Apr-04 MEMPHIS, TN NEW DAISY THEATRE
Thu/Apr-05 CINCINATTI, OH BOGARTS

"We Are the Future" DVD to be released Jan. 23

IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE
“WE ARE THE FUTURE”
ON DVD JANUARY 23, 2007

DVD DOCUMENTS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME BENEFIT CONCERT
ORGANIZED BY QUINCY JONES AND FEATURING LIVE PERFORMANCES FROM
CARLOS SANTANA, NORAH JONES, ALICIA KEYS, HERBIE HANCOCK, DON WAS, ENNIO MORRICONE, ANDREA BOCELLI, FHER (FROM MANA), JUANES, JOSH GROBAN, PATTI AUSTIN, JULIAN MARLEY AND ANGELIQUE KIDJO,
AMONG MANY OTHERS

Image Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISK), a leading independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming in North America, has announced the forthcoming release of the WE ARE THE FUTURE DVD, out January 23, 2007.
Organized by the Emmy and Academy Award-winning composer, artist, record/film/TV producer, arranger, conductor and multi-media entrepreneur Quincy Jones, the DVD concert film portrays this once-in-a lifetime global event--attended by one roughly million people at the historic and picturesque Circus Maximus in Rome, Italy (May 16, 2004). Proceeds from the WE ARE THE FUTURE DVD and concert (through broadcast rights) raise funds to build and maintain We Are The Future Child Centers--whose goal is to mobilize global resources for the benefit of children in conflict and post-conflict cities--Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Rwanda and Palestine, to name a few.
“During the course of six decades in-and out-of music, I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best talent in the world on some truly inspirational projects,” explains Quincy Jones. “The WE ARE THE FUTURE concert was one of the most profound events of my career. WE ARE THE FUTURE is an example of what I like to call “Global Gumbo”-an amalgamation of talent from all four corners of the globe coming together with a common concern for children at risk all over the world.”
Nearly two decades after producing the historic song “We Are The World,” which became a huge international hit raising over 60 million for famine in Africa, Quincy Jones gathered many of the world’s most-recognized artists and personalities for the WE ARE THE FUTURE concert. Crossing the genres of Rock, R&B, Urban, Jazz and World Music, the concert film is an eclectic blend of some of the most significant artists in these genres.
The WE ARE THE FUTURE DVD features powerful, electric concert performances and collaborations from Carlos Santana, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Herbie Hancock, Don Was (joining Khaled), legendary composer Ennio Morricone, Andrea Bocelli, Patti Austin, Juanes, Josh Groban, Julian Marley, Angelique Kidjo, Carmen Consoli, Fher (from Mana), Take 6, and the percussion group STOMP as well as Israeli, Palistinian, Pakistani, Italian, Columbian and South African artists. Celebrity presenters include Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie. Special bonus features include interviews with Quincy Jones, Nastassia Kinski, Carmen Consoli, Naomi Campbell, Angelina Jolie, and Francesco Totti. In addition, the 46-minute featurette “Global Gumbo: The Making of We are the Future” includes excerpts from three performances not included in the main program: Alicia Keys and Julian Marley (“War”), Herbie Hancock (“Chameleon”) and the “We are the Future” finale, plus behind-the-scenes footage, rehearsal footage and additional interviews.
The WE ARE THE FUTURE DVD runs one hour-and-a-half and is displayed in Widescreen format with enhanced Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. The show was broadcast live on Italian television with portions of the event airing on MTV across the globe, as well as Modern Times Group (MTG-European broadcast) and Al Jazeera (Middle East).
The WE ARE THE FUTURE DVD follows Image Entertainment’s We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song DVD, released in February 2005 to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the Quincy Jones-produced 1985 USA for Africa charity single. The 2-disc Special Edition DVD comprises more than four hours of footage from the song’s historic recording session which featured some of the biggest names in popular music, including Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and Diana Ross. The Grammy-winning “We are the World” single sold over 7 million copies worldwide and raised over $60 million for African famine relief.
Following is the performance track listing for the WE ARE THE FUTURE DVD:

Angelique Kidjo with Soundz of South Afrika Choir-“Afrika”
Stomp- “Poles and Bins”
Kazem Al Sahir with Karina Pasian-"Oh Allah, Let It Be”
Josh Groban-“You Raise Me Up”
Patti Austin-“How High The Moon”
Riffat Sultana and Richard Michos-"Mast Qalander”
Ennio Morricone-"Deborah's Theme (from Once Upon A Time In America)”
Noa with Mira Awad-"Shalom Shalom”
Take 6-“Fly Away”
Carmen Consoli-"L'Ultimo Bacio”
Herbie Hancock with Carlos Santana-“Watermelon Man”
Juanes-“I Ask God”
John Stoddart with Sherry McGhee- “The Prayer”
Andrea Bocelli & Karina Pasian-“The Prayer”
Khaled with Don Was-“Didi”
Caiphus Semenya with the Soundz of South Afrika Choir-"Encome”
Norah Jones-“Peace”
Zucchero-“Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime”
Fher with Zucchero-"Baila Morena”
Carlos Santana with Angelique Kidjo-"Adouma”
Carlos Santana with Fher-“Corazon Espinado”
Carlos Santana with Fher- “Medley: Oye Como Va/ El Pito/ Sunshine Of Your Love”

Good Charlotte single due in January

GOOD CHARLOTTE
CONFIRM MARCH 20 AS RELEASE DATE FOR FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM
‘GOOD MORNING REVIVAL’
OUT ON EPIC/DAYLIGHT;

FIRST SINGLE “THE RIVER” TO ARRIVE AT RADIO IN JANUARY

For the upcoming single off their new album GOOD MORNING REVIVAL, now set for release March 20 on Epic/Daylight, rockers GOOD CHARLOTTE--JOEL MADDEN (vocals), BENJI MADDEN (guitar), BILLY MARTIN (guitar) and PAUL THOMAS (bass)--brought longtime friends and fellow musicians M. Shadows and Synyster Gates (of Avenged Sevenfold) into the mix to collaborate on the album’s first single “The River.” Look for the song--an impassioned rocker about sin and redemption that traverses the dark side of Los Angeles--to arrive at radio in January.
“The River,” which marks the first time GOOD CHARLOTTE has officially collaborated with another artist on an album, seemed to be a natural fit for both bands. “We’ve been friends with Avenged for a longtime. This wasn’t planned, but it ended up working out,” JOEL explains. “We were sitting around listening to some new music and they liked that song so we asked them to jump on. It felt right and sounded really cool. Aside from being friends of ours, we’re also fans of their music and since this is our first collaboration, we couldn’t be happier that they’re a part of our record.”
M. Shadows, who provides some vocals on the song, explains, “We’re always down to try something new. Our new album will feature influences and collaborations with artists whose music is totally different than ours, so playing on ‘The River’ seemed totally natural. The fact that we get to perform with our friends makes it that much cooler. How many friends get to do something like this?”
For the video, GOOD CHARLOTTE joined forces again with director Marc Webb (Good Charlotte’s “Festival Song,” A.F.I.’s “Love Like Winter,” My Chemical Romance’s “Helena”) and shot on location in Los Angeles last week. The video--which includes an appearance from M. Shadows and Synyster Gates--features GOOD CHARLOTTE performing alongside the concrete L.A. river bank that runs through the city, contrasted with classic images of the beauty and history of Los Angeles.
Although sonically different than their previous efforts, GOOD CHARLOTTE reunited with producer Don Gilmore for their fourth studio album GOOD MORNING REVIVAL. Gilmore also produced the band’s self-titled debut in 2000, in addition to working with such acts as Pearl Jam, Linkin Park and Avril Lavigne. GOOD MORNING REVIVAL marks the follow-up to 2004’s platinum-selling Chronicles Of Life And Death, which is part of a body of work that has resulted in worldwide album sales exceeding nine million copies.
Look for GOOD CHARLOTTE to launch a world tour after the album’s release. For the latest news on the band, check out www.goodcharlotte.com and www.myspace.com/goodcharlotte.
Avenged Sevenfold’s City of Evil was one of this year’s most acclaimed albums, described by Kerrang! as "technically dazzling and fiendishly inventive and wholly distinct from everything else (KKKKK).” With sales of over a million worldwide, Avenged Sevenfold was named MTV’s Best New Artist at the 2006 Video Music Awards. The band is currently in the studio working on their highly anticipated follow-up to City of Evil, due out mid 2007.

End o' week musings

This week was full of music and adventure for me. I was introduced to Roy Z (producer for Halford, Judas Priest and Bruce Dickinson). We had a wonderful talk about music, combining genres and the different things we do. Roy has his own project, Tribe of Gypsies, and when he learned I belly danced, he handed me their CD, "Dweller on the Threshold." I've been listening to it and I'm hooked- it's got metal, rock, Latin, gypsy and other influences all set over Latin rhythms. The musicianship is superb! The band plays mostly in Europe, but hopefully we can hook up for an interview soon.

Christmas came early for me in the form of a concert last night at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in Hollywood. The show featured Suicide Silence, Diecast, Sworn Enemy and Sepultura, plus some local bands-- yes, I wore my earplugs!!

It was all metal-core and the mosh pit was groovin'. I began the night in the safe haven of the upper level. The local bands were quite good and Suicide Silence wrangled some crowd appreciation, but my goal was Diecast. I had interviewed their frontman, Paul Stoddard, and wanted to meet him, plus see the group in action. My friend, Valerie, stayed upstairs while I made my way to a nice spot stage center front. As Diecast played, I was definitely in the middle of everything-- I got pushed a few times when the pit got wild and I was splashed by sweat from the Diecast boyz as they headbanged. But it was worth it, Diecast's CD is good and their live performance is even better.

I went back upstairs for Sworn Enemy, who I think sounded terrific. I preferred them in this intimate venue as opposed to some of the larger places I've seen them. And Sepultura- what can I say? They have been one of my faves for years and I was not disappointed.

To make my night complete, I met Clint Mayher of Century Media Records. He's cool and we had a nice chat about the scene and then he introduced me to Paul of Diecast! We talked a tad, but he was very busy so I had to let him go do business. Paul promised me that we'll have a good conversation next time Diecast is out here (sometime toward spring, I'll keep you posted.) For now, enjoy this photo Valerie Liebe snapped of me and Paul outside the Whisky.

For some Internet holiday fun, I'll share two of my favorite Web sites.

First, Barney, the Bush's Scottish terrier, shares an adventure through the beautifully decorated White House. It's a cute film (about nine minutes long) no matter how you feel politically.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/barney/barneycam2005.wm.v.html

Second, every year I visit the Norad site for Santa Watch. On Christmas Eve you can find out where he is with all the toys, watch clips from where he's been already around the globe and more.

http://www.northpole.com/NoradSanta.asp

Lastly, as Christmas draws near, perhaps we need to look a bit deeper into the Santa side of things....

Santa and Satan - One and the Same? (courtesy of Doctor Dream Records)

Santa: Nickname is Saint Nick

Satan: Nickname is Old Nick

Santa: Red is favorite color

Satan: Red is favorite color

Santa: Hangs around deformed, pointy-eared men

Satan: Is a deformed, pointy-ear man

Santa: Sees you when you're sleeping, knows when you're awake

Satan: Ditto

Santa: Enjoys children sitting on his lap, telling him secrets

Satan: Enjoys women sitting on his lap, telling him secrets

Santa: Participates in yearly ritual involving small forest animals

Satan: Participates in yearly ritual involving small forest animals

Final proof: By transposing one letter in his name, Satan can instantly cash his social security checks made out to Santa!

In rotation this week: Tribe of Gypsies "Dweller on the Threshhold," Diecast "Internal Revolution," Sepultura "Roorback," Ken Waldman "Music Party," Joan Baez "Diamonds & Rust," Solillaquists of Sound "As If We Existed" and "Santa and Satan: One and the Same?" Doctor Dream Records compilation.

Happy holidays and keep on rockin'

Mickie

Broken Teeth on tour; new album

BROKEN TEETH RING IN 2007 ON THE ROAD; NEW ALBUM TO HIT STORES IN THE NEW YEAR

“AC/DC don’t really have to make a great album anymore because Austin’s Broken Teeth are making them for ‘em.” -KNAC.com

Austin rockers Broken Teeth will be wasting no time ringing in 2007 in the only way they know – on the road. The band will be taking a break from recording their third album tentatively titled Electric to head out to the West Coast to bring fans a taste of some of the new songs. Broken Teeth recently struck a new distribution deal with Corporate Punishment Records, which is distributed by Navarre. The new deal will ensure that fans all over the country will be able sink their teeth into Electric when it hits stores later this year. Fans will also be able to hear Broken Teeth on the debut edition of XM Radio’s new show The Breaking Bones Hour on The Boneyard Channel which debuts January 7.

As Broken Teeth won "Best Metal Band" of 2005 in the Austin Chronicle Awards during the annual SXSW Music Conference, they hit an increasingly prolific stride in their career thanks to their live release Blood On the Radio and its accompanying DVD. Broken Teeth’s live set has been injected with new songs that lean into an upper pace reaching for more Judas Priest/Motorhead style power with tracks that are slated for Electric coming in 2007 such as "Bonfire", “Blood on the Radio,” “Bullets & Booze,” “Roll Over” and “Electric.” As David Beeson and fellow guitarist Jared Tuten tackle the crackle of the hard-bitten Broken Teeth front man and resident screamer Jason McMaster (ex-Dangerous Toys), bassist Brett McCormick, banging Bruce Rivers (drums) culminate the band’s sound and continue to unleash brass-knuckle knockouts in your scene, and beyond.

With the new album in the works and new distribution fans can be sure that things are looking up for Broken Teeth and that 2007 will be opening a new and sure to rockin’ chapter for the band. So crack open a cold one and head on out to check out Broken Teeth at one of the dates below or visit www.myspace.com/brokenteeth for an updated itinerary. For more information on Broken Teeth visit www.brokenteeth.com or www.perrisrecords.com.

Date Venue City
1/19 Burt’s Tiki Lounge Albuquerque, NM
1/20 Surly Wench Pub Tucson, AZ
1/21 Knitting Factory Los Angeles, CA
1/22 Elbo Room San Francisco, CA
1/23 Uptown Oakland, CA
1/24 Dante’s Portland, OR
1/25 El Corazon Seattle, WA
1/26 Neurolux Boise, ID
1/27 Burt’s Tiki Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
1/28 Bender’s Tavern Denver, CO
1/29 The Hurricane Kansas City, MO
1/30 The Dart Room Fayetteville, AR

Van Wilder film sparks rock tour

MOVIE SOUNDTRACK MORPHS INTO FULL BLOWN ROCK TOUR FEATURING EVERCLEAR & JONNY LIVES!

TIX FOR “VAN WILDER ROCK TOUR” ON HOB.COM (TUES. DEC. 12); TICKETMASTER (SAT. DEC. 16)

EVERCLEAR’S LATEST, WELCOME TO THE DRAMA CLUB FEATURES UPCOMING SINGLE, “GLORIOUS”

JONNY LIVES! STEPS INTO SPOTLIGHT WITH “GET STEADY” – MUSIC VIDEO ON MTVU, MTV2, FUSE; BAND FEATURED AS SPIN.COM’S “ARTIST OF THE DAY”; “GET STEADY” FEATURED AS LEAD SINGLE ON VAN WILDER SOUNDTRACK

(December 11, 2006) – New York, NY – The indie-rock movie soundtrack to National Lampoon’s Van Wilder; The Rise of Taj has morphed into a full-fledged music tour featuring Everclear and Jonny Lives!. Additional artists from the soundtrack will join Everclear, the rock band whose consistent hits have made them a college rock favorite for over a decade – and Jonny Lives!, the NYC buzz-band whose single, “Get Steady,” is the lead track on the Van Wilder soundtrack. Advance tickets for the Van Wilder Rock Tour can be purchased at HOB.com (http://hob.com/) on Tuesday, December 12th. Tickets become available via Ticketmaster on Saturday, December 16th. The tour will hit cities across the country, kicking off at the House of Blues Sunset Strip in Hollywood, CA on January 26. The tour is a joint marketing effort between label, Eleven Seven Music; management company 10th Street Entertainment; House of Blues; and MGM.

Throughout November, Van Wilder soundtrack artists and Eleven Seven Music labelmates Art Alexakis (Everclear) and Jonny Dubowsky (Jonny Lives!) joined Van Wilder lead actor Kal Penn at college campuses and radio and tv stations across the country.

Atlanta’s 99X morning radio show reported, “Art and Jonny gave one of the best and most energetic performances I’ve ever heard on my morning show. I can’t believe they can rock this early in the morning!.”

“Jonny and Art both played live and there was a great response to both!” said Dee, the producer of the “The Lex & Terry Show” on KDGE in Dallas, TX, who recently invited both rockers onto his popular radio morning show.

The Van Wilder soundtrack, in stores now, kicks off with the Jonny Lives! single “Get Steady,” which is a blaring hallelujah to the weekend. It also includes never-before released tracks from Hanson and The Exies, as well as Buckcherry’s smash “Crazy Bitch.” The track listing includes: Everclear - "Hater"; Buckcherry - "Crazy Bitch"; The Exies - "Different Than You"; Jonny Lives! – “Get Steady” ; Hanson – “The Ugly Truth”; Marion Raven - "Heads Will Roll"; Punchline - "Green Light"; Brandtson - "Who Are You Now?"; The Starlight Mints - "Eyes of The Night"; The Lashes - "Pop Song"; The Alternate Routes - "Aftermath"; The Ordinary Boys - "Boys Will Be Boys"; Reuben - "A Kick In the Mouth"; The Skies of America - "Shine"; David Hopkins - "Amber & Green"; The Tossers - "Buckets of Beer"

Jonny Lives! first single, “Get Steady” has been featured in the Van Wilder movie, tv/radio spots and movie trailers. The music video, co-directed by and featuring Kal Penn is currently airing on MTVu and the song “Get Steady” was featured in MTV’s The Real World Denver premiere episode. The band’s debut album includes cameos from Nick Valensi (The Strokes), Jody Porter (Fountains Of Wayne) and Sammy James Jr. (The Mooney Suzuki) and will be released in stores on March 2007 but is available through iTunes starting Tuesday, December 5th. UK rock journal N.M.E. Magazine, and US hit-predictors CMJ, Billboard, The Village Voice, and The New York Daily News have all weighed in and program directors from some of the hottest rock radio stations have predicted a hit with “Get Steady” from Jonny Lives!.

The Van Wilder Tour Featuring Everclear & Special Guest Jonny Lives!
Friday, Jan. 26 – House of Blues Sunset Strip West Hollywood CA
Sunday, Jan. 28 – The Independent San Francisco, CA
Monday, Jan 29 – House of Blues San Diego San Diego, CA
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – House of Blues Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
Thursday, Feb. 1 – The Big Easy Concert House Spokane, WA
Friday, Feb. 2 – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
Saturday: Feb. 3 – The Big Easy Boise Idaho
Wednesday, Feb. 7 – Gothic Theater Englewood, CO
Friday, Feb. 9 – Harpo’s Detroit, MI
Saturday, Feb. 10 – House of Blues Chicago Chicago, IL
Sunday, Feb. 11 – House of Blues Cleveland Cleveland, OH
Tuesday, Feb. 13 – House of Blues New Orleans New Orleans, LA
Thursday: Feb. 15 – House of Blues Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach, SC
Friday, Feb. 16 – The Loft (Earthlink Live) Atlanta, GA
Saturday, Feb. 17 – The Culture Room Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Sunday, Feb. 18 – House of Blues Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Fl
Wednesday, Feb. 21 – BB Kings Blues Club & Grill New York, NY
Thursday, Feb 22 – Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
Friday, Feb. 23 – House of Blues Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ
Saturday, Feb. 24 - Crocodile Rock Café Allentown PA

On Wednesday, 11/29 Jonny Lives! was Spin.com’s “Artist Of The Day.” http://www.spin.com/features/band_of_the_day/2006/11/061129_jonnylives/

Listen to Everclear’s new single “Glorious”:
http://newmedia.10thst.com/everclear/album/glorious.mp3

Van Wilder Jonny Lives! Get Steady Music Video Links:
http://newmedia.10thst.com/jonnylives/JohnnyLives!_GetSteady_Clea.wmvhttp://newmedia.10thst.com/vanwilder/jonnylives!_get_steady_clean.mov

About ELEVEN SEVEN MUSIC:Founded by Allen Kovac, CEO of 10th Street Entertainment, a leading music marketing and management company, Eleven Seven Music was developed in association with ADA, a Warner Music Group company, as an incubator label to develop bands for potential “up streaming” to the WMG family. Artists also include Buckcherry, Everclear, The New Cars, Marion Raven, The Exies and Jonny Lives! The label’s inaugural release (Buckcherry’s new album 15) features the smash hit single “Crazy Bitch” which has earned a Grammy nomination from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences® in the category of Best Hard Rock Performance. The lead single from the gold certified release, 15 (Eleven Seven Music/Atlantic Records), “Crazy Bitch” is currently the most played song at Rock radio along with The Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Dani California.” 15 is the band’s first studio album in four years released in the U.S. in April 2006 with a debut at #2 on the Independent Album Chart.

For more info on Everclear visit: http://myspace.com/everclear
For more info on Jonny Lives visit: http://myspace.com/jonnylives
For more info on the Van Wilder soundtrack: http://myspace.com/vanwilder2

"100 Albums That Changed Popular Music" book

Here's the perfect book to help you settle those musical disagreements or to provide more notes for thought. Unfortunately, it won't be released until February, so try to talk nice when you nipping the eggnog at those holiday gatherings. -M

Whether on vinyl or in digital form, the album has become an integral part of our cultural history. "100 Albums That Changed Popular Music: A Reference Guide" (Greenwood Press) tells the stories behind the most groundbreaking, influential, and often controversial albums ever recorded. Narrative chapters in this chronologically organized volume describe how the albums reflected the political, social, and economic culture of the era. Individual entries discuss these albums histories, the inspiration behind their creation, and why they continue to stand the test of time. Selected on the basis of their popular appeal, historical significance, and influence on later genres, the albums included represent a wide variety of genres, such as blues, jazz, rock, reggae, rockabilly, folk, soul, hip-hop, and country.
Among the featured are releases from the hard-blues explosion of the '60s, including Robert Johnson's "King of the Delta Blues Singers," a landmark album whose songs were later covered by the likes of Cream, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones. Punk made its mark in the '70s with such albums as Patti Smith's "Horses" and the Clash's "London Calling." In the '80s Michael Jackson's blockbuster LP, "Thriller," not only topped the charts, it become the best-selling record of all time. Diversity defined the '90s, with the most influential albums ranging from Garth Brooks' "No Fences," which made country one of the hottest musical genres of the decade, to Dr. Dre's debut, "The Chronic," a multi-platinum smash hit that brought West Coast hip hop into the mainstream. Each album entry in this book lists the publication information, including release date, label, and producer. A timeline of important events, a selected bibliography for further reading, and an appendix of albums that almost made the cut round out this volume, making it an ideal resource for students, music fans, and general readers alike.
CHRIS SMITH is a Vancouver-based writer and photographer whose credits range from Rolling Stone, Billboard, and MTV to the University of Chicago Magazine and the Journal of Visual Anthropology. In addition to music and film journalism, he has worked as a combat correspondent, a festival producer, a travel writer, an anthropologist, a wildlife photographer, and a musician. He is the author of two volumes of the Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History, (Greenwood, 2005) and currently teaches cultural criticism at the University of British Columbia.

Busdriver announces new tour dates

BUSDRIVER
ROLLS OUT NEW DATES

Anti- Debut ROADKILLOVERCOAT Yields Advance Acclaim


Los Angeles-based Busdriver will launch his 2007 tour initiative on January 24th at his hometown’s El Rey Theatre. In celebration of RoadKillOvercoat, his fifth solo album and first for the groundbreaking Anti- label, BD will also perform high profile promotional shows in New York, Chicago and San Francisco in the week leading up to the disc’s January 30th release. He will then resume roadwork when a tour of the South gets underway on February 16th in Jacksonville, FL.

On the heels of his club-banging single “Kill Your Employer (Recreational Paranoia Is The Sport Of Now),” which was released in October, the man born Regan Faquhar upholds his ironclad reputation as a chop maestro and style monster on his adventurous and contagious new disc. And advance reviews of RoadKillOvercoat – which was produced masterfully by L.A.’s own beat champion DJ Nobody (Plug Research, Ubiquity) and multi-instrumentalist/programming whiz, Boom-Bip (Lex) have been epic.

Calling Busdriver “one of underground hip-hop’s most dynamic, if not intriguing, personalities,” Black Book praised the rapper’s efforts on RoadKillOvercoat. “[He] spits his rapid-fire bookworm verses over decidedly difficult space age beats that laugh in the face of mainstream appeal,” the magazine wrote in its Fall 2006 “Guide To Hot Bands”

Elsewhere, Scratch raved “he’s a proud new-era MC” adding, “he’s got plenty of skill and charisma.” And Filter gave RoadKillOvercoat an 84 out of 100, calling Busdriver’s flow “ridiculous, articulate, erudite and blistering” and touting it as “his most palatable work.”

“This is the grassroots, off-kilter, rap intelligentsia… undertow that your friends talk about,” BD says proudly of RKO, which affirms his universal appeal while building off of his recent triumphant, set-mingling tour with rising indie rockers Islands.

No mere overnight success, BD has been wowing unsuspecting audiences with his patented visceral onslaught of rants, rhyming and displaced musical sensibility for more than a decade. Whether sitting-in with unlikely cohorts such as Daedelus, Z-Trip, TTC, Boom-Bip, 2mex etc., or plowing throw his enthralling solo sets, his distinct brand of showmanship has germinated over the course of the past 13 years.

With a depth and stadium-sized bombast that has only been hinted at on earlier independent efforts like 2002’s definitive Temporary Forever, 2003’s The Weather, ‘04’s Cosmic Cleavage and last year’s Fear of a Black Tangent, Busdriver’s all-encompassing wares are evident on RoadKillOvercoat. Be it the 80’s rock-tinged tour-de-force ”Sunshowers”, the aforementioned “Kill Your Employer” or the psychedelic touched “Secret Skin,” BD – who went so far as to tour with indie rockers Islands in early 2006 –is sure to defy any categorizations created by his existing output.

Here are Busdriver’s upcoming live dates:

01-24 El Rey Theater Los Angeles CA
01-26 Irving Plaza New York NY
01-27 Metro Chicago IL
01-30 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
02-16 Jack Rabbits Jacksonville FL
02-17 The District Miami FL
02-18 Crowbar Tampa FL
02-18 The Social Orlando FL
02-20 Common Ground Gainesville FL
02-21 40 Watt Club Athens GA
02-22 Mercy Lounge Nashville TN
02-23 The Warehouse Baton Rouge LA

New guitar pick from Santa Cruz Light Wells

If you're still seeking a little something for your favorite guitarist's stocking, this might be the answer. I'd sure like to try one of these picks out- What do you think, Santa, Was I nice enough? -M

Santa Cruz Light Wells, Inc. releases latest innovation, the Light PickT Light Show
SANTA CRUZ - Where would the greatest guitarists be without their favorite tool, the guitar pick? Now the guitar pick is no longer just a tool, it's part of the show. Santa Cruz Light Wells, Inc. (www.SCLW.net) announces their latest product release, the Light Pick Light Show. The Light Pick Light Show is a high performance guitar pick that lights up with a tap of your finger. Guitar players, bands, and students can enhance their performances and audience entertainment by adding entrancing visual effects to their shows.
Michael Herring, CEO of SCLW, explained, "We put a lot of product research into the design of the Light Pick, from the feel of the pick to the replaceable tips. At $19.95, we expect the Light Pick Light Show to be in the hands of many guitar players."
With a simple tap of your fingers, the Light Pick Light Show turns on and flashes at 240 beats. Guitar players have a choice of yellow, green, blue and other fun colors for their Light Pick. The Light Pick Light Show includes all the state-of-the-art technology and design that comes in every Light Pick product line. Each high performance guitar pick features a new string shock technology (SST) that allows the tip to absorb a large percentage of sting shock while playing. With SST, the result is an ergonomic kick that helps propel the arm for the next strike. The Light Pick comes with a replaceable tip that is responsive while also increasing one's accuracy, harmonics, timbre, timing, and string articulation.
Sam Sever, lead guitarist of Resolve to Burn, states, "Whether you're strumming, alternate picking, sweep picking, etc..., you get a great 'feel' due to this SST technology."
Adds Matt Fury, guitarist and performer, "I have enjoyed the reaction from the crowds when I fire up my Light Pick on stage. It makes killer tracers when you're shredding, and everyone wants to know how I did it."
SCLW has three product series to serve every guitar player, the Light Pick Light Show, the Metronome series, and the Pro series. With the Metronome series, the Light Pick visually displays tempo and beat patterns. It makes available beat patterns, 2-8, and any desired tempo ranging from 20-400 beats per minute. It's a great tool for the practicing player.
The Pro series includes both the advanced Light Show features and Metronome features in one pick. This pick has more programmable features and all the color accessories that allow the performer to customize it to his/her needs.
Steve Beck, President and founder of OnlineRock, declares "SCLW's Light Pick takes innovation to the next level by adding useful functionality to pizzazz. I've never seen anything like it. It's something every guitar player should have."
About Santa Cruz Light Wells, Inc. (www.SCLW.net) Launched in 2003, Santa Cruz Light Wells, Inc. is the leading innovator of music instruments to enhance players' performance and fun. SCLW is the creator of the Light Pick product line, which includes metronome and flashing light features. The Light Pick includes multiple color accessories and replaceable tips.
Visit www.sclw.net

The Shoes Have It!

OK, I'll confess one of my dirty little secrets- I love shoes! My friends all know it, because I have way over the one-woman, two-feet limit and I will be grumpy all day if I decide I haven't selected the right pair to go with my outfit. Also, they've heard that weird whimper of delight I make when I find can't-live-without-'ems. So I was excited when my editor asked me to write a story about shoes and the company was practically in our backyard.

Prima Royale creates and distributes for Kenzie, Mudd and Prima. I was invited on a mini-tour and saw the "shoe rooms." Every wall had shelves full of shoes and each pair was different! I really liked the mix of textures and colors that Prima Royale uses in its designs, but what made my day was the detailing. There was beading, rivets, jewels, ribbons, leather lacing and strips, embroidery and more than you can imagine.

During my visit, I also learned that the women who work there and wear size 6 shoes get to try out the prototypes. I mentioned that I wear 6 and that I would be happy to help test their shoes, but my phone hasn't rung yet...

I've posted a photo of one of the pairs I liked the best at Prima Royale. It's in the Kenzie line and there were plenty more from all of the lines that I would have loved to have taken home.

Among the favorites in my personal collection:

*Clear acrylic spike heeled platform pumps with fake fish floating in the footsole (think of snowglobes).

*Furry zebra patterned Mary Janes (a thrift shop steal at $2 brand new).

*Pink furry boots (like wearing slippers!).

*Studded red leather platforms with a wooden sole boasting a teardrop cutout in the heel (what better way to say cool?).

*Traditional Vans sneakers with a flame pattern (comfy and everyone comments on them).

Take a minute and check out my story Shoes Rule at Prima Royale online at www.sgvn.com and

Keep on rockin',

Mickie

Endavo launches itsCrunkTV.com

Endavo Delivers "it’s Crunk TV"
—Top Hip-Hop Group Launches On-Demand Music Video Service and Online Community for Fans -

Atlanta, Georgia, Friday, December 18, 2006 – Fans of Hip-Hop superstars Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz, E-40, and Lil Scrappy can now enjoy exclusive, on-demand music videos from these and other popular artists in DVD-quality, delivered direct to their personal computers, TVs or handheld media players with the launch today of itsCrunkTV.com.
Founded by Hip-Hop presario Vince Phillips — who also co-founded BME Recordings with Lil Jon, Emperor Searcy and Rob McDowell — and operated by Hit Radio and Television LLC (HRT), It’s Crunk TV (www.itscrunktv.com) is an online hip-hop music and lifestyle community that will leverage the popularity of BME Recording artists as well as many other Hip-Hop and Crunk music genre artists and producers who want to contribute to the "Crunk" community by providing content for the service. The basic service will be free to registered members, supported by advertising and premium services and merchandise offered to its’ members.
"We’re launching the first online Hip-Hop music community of its kind to deliver on-demand, DVD-quality videos from our top recording artists and other producers of Hip-Hop entertainment programming to millions of fans," said Vince Phillips, president of Atlanta-based Hit Radio & Television and CEO of BME Recordings. "It’s Crunk TV leverages our market-leading content to a whole new audience and gets us even closer to our existing fan base."
"itsCrunkTV.com will raise the bar on how music fans access and watch their music videos and stay in touch with the Crunk Nation community and lifestyle, as well as provide HRT, their partners and advertisers a viable platform to market their products, increase brand recognition, and connect to fans of this popular music genre in a more direct and interactive environment," said Endavo and I-Media CEO, Paul D. Hamm.
In addition to streaming and on-demand music videos from Hip-Hop’s top artists, itsCrunkTV.com also features "The Daily Grustle" - news from the Hip-Hop and Crunk music community; behind-the-scene video footage of Hip-Hop music and video production; exclusive interviews with artists, concert tour coverage, "Crunk" lifestyle videos, exclusive parties, video games and merchandise.
"With artists such as Lil Jon drawing millions of plays on social websites like MySpace.com," commented Mario J. Pino, Endavo’s VP of Media and Entertainment, "it was a natural evolution to provide a platform for them and other artists and producers to extend their reach globally with a service that provides a direct link to registered fans who want more of the Crunk music lifestyle on-demand."
Fans can visit www.itscrunktv.com today and register free to begin receiving high-quality music videos and entertainment, including exclusive content and offers available only to registered members.
The itsCrunkTV.com community is another Endavo-Powered Community and an exciting addition to the portfolio of broadband entertainment services delivered by Endavo Media & Communications, an I-Media company (OTCBB: IMHI.OB), over its digital broadcast network and using its EnHance™ content delivery solution. Endavo generates monthly revenue for making content deliveries on a per-subscriber basis, as well as online customer support, d-commerce transaction processing and additional service fees.
itsCrunkTV.com uses Endavo’s EnHance solution, which provides a cost-effective and viral method for Website owners to keep users online and coming back to their sites with on-demand video services that are custom designed for their community. EnHance enables content owners to monetize their audiences with a turnkey advertising, subscription or purchase platforms and by increasing their distribution globally to reach any broadband Internet user. EnHance delivers video, audio or any form of digital media directly to end users at a fraction of traditional distribution costs and without the typical hassles of buffering or stuttering streaming video.
About itsCrunkTV.com
Founded by Vince Phillips, one of Hip-Hop music’s most dynamic entrepreneurs, itsCrunkTV.com is the first On-Demand DVD Quality portal for Crunk music fans and features unique, free content to fans of BME Recording artists as well as access to some of the crunkiest, coolest merchandise not found anywhere else. For more information, please visit www.itscrunktv.com.
About Endavo
Endavo Media and Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of I-Media (OTCBB: IMHI.OB), is a leading architect of Internet entertainment and information communities that helps content owners monetize, enable social networking and distribute content to broader audiences with revenue-generating, turn-key solutions a through the Internet, IPTV, broadband TV, and portable handheld consumer electronics. The Company’s new digital broadcast network is providing multiple solutions for distributing digital content and programming directly to online consumers/subscribers through syndicated communities. Today it serves customers in the music, religious, retail, online gaming, health and fitness, film, travel and fashion industries. For more information about Endavo’s products and services, please visit www.endavomedia.com.
About Integrated Media Holdings (I-Media)
I-Media (OTCBB: IMHI.OB) develops, operates and integrates technologies and network infrastructure to form a digital broadcast network and EcoSystem™ for the distribution of entertainment and media services over broadband. For more information, please visit http://www.agoracom.com/ir/imedia and www.i-mediaholdings.com.
,

The Applicators go on tour

THE APPLICATORS
GO FOR THE THROAT OF ROCK N ROLL
AS THEY KICK OFF U.S. TOUR
BRINGING MY WEAPON TO A STAGE NEAR YOU


THE APPLICATORS will soon hit a stage near you performing their latest batch of snarling pop narcotic from their new King Fing'r/Hairball 8 Records release MY WEAPON.

Fresh off a run of December 'go for the throat of rock n roll' tour dates supporting old school punk legends Circle Jerks in the Southwest, the five Austin Texas ladies known as THE APPLICATORS will soon hit the road on their own keeping alive the spirit of rock n roll as they walk tightrope between sex appeal, fun, chaos and infectious beats.

Coupled with a fun loving philosophy and a knack for both catchy pop and loud, gritty guitar rock. The Austin Chronicle surmises "MY WEAPON is a wild ride that accents the quintet's road-honed punk chops with snap-crackle production and unabashed emotion."

MY WEAPON includes tracks like “Bad Infection” and “Shove U Out” and the title track “My Weapon,” (as featured on MTV’s Parental Control).

Don't miss THE APPLICATORS on tour:

1.05.07 House Of Rock And Roll El Paso, TX
1.06.07 The Launchpad Albuquerque, NM
1.07.07 Benders 13th Ave. Tavern Denver, CO
1.08.07 Burts Tiki Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
1.09.07 Grove St. Boise, ID
1.10.07 The Funhouse Seattle, WA
1.11.07 Sabalas Portland, OR
1.12.07 Annies Social Club San Francisco, CA
1.13.07 Alex's Bar Long Beach, CA
1.15.07 Chain Reaction Anaheim, CA
1.18.07 The Surely Wench Tucson, AZ
1.20.07 The Kooler Lounge Las Vegas, CA


what they're saying about THE APPLICATORS:

"classic punk superstars in waiting" "4 out of 5 star cd review"-ALTERNATIVE PRESS MAGAZINE

"Like a catfight between the Runaways and the Donnas, or Be Your Own Pet's Jemina Pearl fronting the Cramps"
-THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE
"Five Texan Ladies Make Rock 'N' Roll A Little Bit Sweeter. Twelve new tracks are consistently catchy"-KERRANG! MAGAZINE
"A band of punk rock princesses"-STRIP WAX
“My Weapon is a giddy 12-song rush of catchy hooks, dazzling melodies, infectious harmonies and unabashedly enthralling musical genius…one gloriously rockin’ swirl of frantic pogo-bouncing energy!”
-UNDER THE VOLCANO

www.myspace.com/theapplicators

Journey names new lead singer

This is interesting, as I am quite familiar with both Soto and Augeri. I haven't heard any music yet, but if Soto is half as good as the critics claim, I think I'll make plans to see Journey next time they come around in concert. -M

JOURNEY NAMES JEFF SCOTT SOTO OFFICIAL NEW LEAD SINGER
December 19, 2006 -- Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey. He had been filling in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the U.S. tour with Def Leppard shortly after it began on June 23 due to illness.
“We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to Journey,” says Journey in a joint statement. “We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we’ve come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we’re happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We’re excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we’re excited about what the future may bring.”
Steve Augeri states: “Singing for Journey these last eight years have been the most challenging and the most rewarding of my career. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the band, and especially the fans, for the privilege of being part of a musical legacy that has touched so many hearts and souls. I wish my fellow bandmates success and happiness as they continue to make great music in the future, as I will strive to do the same myself.”
Jeff Soto also adds, “With delight & pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with Journey now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour. I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping Journey continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive Journey into the next stage of this band's future.”
Since Soto’s first appearance with Journey on July 7 in Bristow, VA, his performances have been garnering rave reviews. To wit:
“Right off the bat, Journey's new lead singer is fantastic. Jeff Scott Soto is a supremely talented vocalist who handled with ease the many sky-high notes and the mile-long range in Journey's repertoire. Steve Perry fans have never gotten over the original lead singer's departure from the band, but I'm here to tell you this guy rocks the role. And yes, if you close your eyes he sounds just like Perry, but -- dare I say it? -- maybe even more passionate and full of verve. Hits such as ‘I'll Be Alright Without You’ and ‘Wheel in the Sky’ showcased his mighty voice.”--Lorilee Craker, Grand Rapids Press
“The one-time Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist channeled (Steve) Perry flawlessly, nailing all the high notes and then some…Soto’s got it going on.”--Christopher John Treacy, Boston Herald
“Could Soto cut it? Yes. And then some. His vocals and stage presence were impressive.”--Dave Ferman, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
“Soto is a really strong vocalist, so instead of struggling to emulate (Steve) Perry’s laser-beam vibrato, he can get away with a style that mixes grainy power with effortless key changes.”--Johnny Loftus, Metro Times Detroit
Steve Augeri is currently recording his debut solo album, IN THE MOMENT, due out the summer of 2007. He’s also putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated follow-up to the AOR classic TALL STORIES album, launching early next year. For more info, visit www.steveaugeri.com.Journey--Neal Schon (guitar), Ross Valory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals)—are currently mapping out plans for 2007.
www.journeymusic.com

iTunes releases Top 100 downloads chart

For the first time ever iTunes has released a chart of the Top 100 downloaded tracks and albums for the year - Daniel Powter and The Fray topped the lists, respectively, for 2006.
With over 1.5 billion songs downloaded, and more than 3.5 million tracks available, iTunes is the most popular music jukebox and online music store in the world and the iTunes Store Best of 2006 charts provide a strong indicator of trends for legal music downloads in the US and around the world.
Since The Fray's single "Over My Head" debuted sales for the band have climbed steadily driving "How To Save A Life" to its position as the most downloaded album of the year and pushing sales of "Over My Head" consistently up, to land the single at #7 on the iTunes Top 100 Tracks chart.
Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" was the top track of the year, Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous" landed at # 2 and sales of James Blunt's "You're Beautful" were strong enough to secure the #3 download of the year. The album and the single were two of the strongest sellers on iTunes in 2006, with "Back to Bedlam" becoming iTunes fourth biggest album of the year.
The Dixie Chicks, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer and Justin Timberlake all had strong first sales weeks on iTunes when their albums were released, driven by digital pre-order campaigns. With those strong starts behind them, all landed in the Top Albums chart. Here are the 10 most downloaded albums and tracks in the US, for 2006 on iTunes:
Top 10 Tracks
1. Daniel Powter - Bad Day
2. Nelly Furtado - Promiscuous
3. James Blunt - You're Beautiful
4. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
5. Sean Paul - Temperature
6. Justin Timberlake - Sexyback
7. The Fray- Over My Head (Cable Car)
8. Shakira - Hips Don't Lie
9. Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
10. Chamillionaire - Ridin'
Top 10 Albums
1. Fray - How To Save A Life
2. John Mayer - Continuum
3. Jack Johnson & Friends - Curious George
4. James Blunt - Back To Bedlam
5. Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Love Sounds
6. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
7. Dixie Chicks - Taking The Long Way
8. High School Musical - Soundtrack
9. Panic! At The Disco - Fever You Can't Sweat Out
10. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
For full list of Top 100 Singles and Albums or more information please visit www.itunes.com

Volkswagen supports LIttle Kids Rock

VOLKSWAGEN SUPPORTS YOUNG ROCKERS THROUGH SPONSORSHIP
OF LITTLE KIDS ROCK

VW to help nonprofit music education program positively affect the lives of interested
and aspiring child musicians

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Building upon its rich history of supporting and encouraging an interest in music, Volkswagen of America, Inc. announces it will begin sponsoring Little Kids Rock (LKR), a nonprofit organization that provides free instruments and music lessons for children who attend public schools around the country. The organization helps students learn to play and enjoy music. Through its efforts, LKR has been able to directly affect the lives of over 12,000 students on the East Coast, in California, Louisiana and Tennessee.
The partnership with Little Kids Rock is the latest endeavor into music for Volkswagen in 2006. In October, Volkswagen teamed up with First Act Inc. for a first-of-its-kind musical collaboration that is rocking potential car buyers and creating a whole new segment of players. Through December 31st, any customer that purchases or leases a Volkswagen model from the new 2007 line - including Jetta, Jetta GLI, GTI, Rabbit, New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible – will receive their own completely customized First Act GarageMaster electric guitar that will play seamlessly through the car’s existing audio system. The 2006 Jetta, Jetta GLI, GTI, Rabbit, New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible will also come with a custom-made First Act GarageMaster guitar. In order to continue to extend its musical efforts into the community, Volkswagen wanted to join forces with a charitable service organization that had music at its core.
"Music has always been a part of the culture at Volkswagen," said Volkswagen's Director of Brand Innovation Kerri Martin. "Volkswagen is thrilled to help support Little Kids Rock to keep music education alive. We recognize the positive impact music makes in children's lives."
Little Kids Rock is well recognized for its work in musician circles and enjoys consistent support from honorary board members including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Satriani and other award-winning and iconic musicians. Volkswagen hopes that the program will continue to grow and expand its services as a result of its support.
“The music education I received at my public school saved my life,” said Joe Satriani. “Those were different times. Today, teachers and schools need our help to meet the challenges, and real costs of providing a well-balanced education. Little Kids Rock can really make a difference. I'm thrilled to be part of this great organization and to learn that VW has decided to support our cause.”
For more information about Volkswagen and music, visit www.V-dubsrock.com.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, Touareg and Phaeton through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

About Little Kids Rock
Little Kids Rock (LKR) is a nonprofit organization that restores and revitalizes music education. Music classes are disappearing at an alarming rate at public schools across the nation. Little Kids Rock is working hard to reverse this trend by providing free instruments and music lessons for public school children. To date, LKR has served more than 12,000 students in NJ, NY, CA, LA and TN. In the Bay Area, Little Kids Rock serves students in San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, Santa Rosa and Clear Lake. For more information about Little Kids Rock, visit www.littlekidsrock.org.

IK Multimedia'a 10th anniversary sale

IK Multimedia Launches 10th Anniversary Promotion10 Years or Music. 10 Amazing Deals
December 2006, Modena, Italy - IK Multimedia is proud to announce the launch of its 10th Anniversary Promotion. To celebrate our 10th anniversary, IK Multimedia is bringing you 10 years of music products - with 10 amazing deals. From 1st of December 2006 until 31st of January 2007, customers will be able to further experience IK Multimedia’s range of powerful and easy-to-use instruments and effects with 10 incredible offers. Plus, offers can be combined for truly unique savings. With the help of hundreds of thousands of musicians, artists and producers across the world, IK has been able to fulfill its dream of offering revolutionary new products that change and enhance the way people make music. IK Multimedia’s 10th Anniversary Promotion is a one time opportunity to get all of the great IK music making tools you need in one shot and for the best price ever! 10 Years of Music. 10 Amazing Deals.1) Buy any IK product at a special upgrade/crossgrade price, providing you are already the registered owner of at least one IK product (free versions excluded) 2) Buy any IK product over €150/$200 and get a T-RackS 24 standalone mastering station FREE3) Buy Total Workstation Bundle full/upgrade and get 5 Expansion Tanks/Sonik Capsules of your choice FREE4) Buy Total Studio Bundle full/upgrade and get 10 Expansion Tanks/Sonik Capsules of your choice FREE 5) Buy Ampeg SVX full/crossgrade and get AmpliTube 2 Live FREE6) Buy Classik Studio Reverb full/crossgrade and get AmpliTube 2 Live FREE 7) Buy Ampeg SVX full/upgrade and enter a contest to win a BA500 Bass Amp by Ampeg8) Buy any Expansion Tank/Sonik Capsules at the special reduced price of only €29/$39 (70% off) and 3-Packs for only €59/$79 9) Buy any Miroslav Refill at the special reduced price of €79/$99 each (over 50% off) 10) Buy the Miroslav Refill Gold at the special reduced price of €299/$399 (50% off) and get a Sonic Refill Silver FREE For more information on IK Multimedia’s 10th Anniversary Promotion, please visit:http://www.ikmultimedia.com/10AnniversaryPromo/index.php For a list of IK dealers and distributors, please visit:http://www.ikmultimedia.com/IKDistributors.htmlTo take advantage of these amazing savings through IK’s Online Store, please visit:http://www.ikmultimedia.com/Sales.php

End o' week musings

It's been a big week for me. I was in an "encore" performance of "Through the Eyes of a Child" Monday night for the Masons in Arcadia. The show went well and the audience was very receptive. Here's a photo by my friend George Ogden, who was also in the play. My "daughters," Josephine (Emily Whitmore), left, and Elizabeth (Jennifer Benn) and I are smiling-- very uncharacteristic for Victorian times, but we just couldn't stop giggling during the photo shoot! It's a good thing George has a sense of humor.

It's also been what I would call a "red letter" week for me, with an e-mail inbox overflowing with news and goodies from my friends... In the spirit of the holidays, local axeman/singer/songwriter Joe Walla sent me one of his latest tunes, "Lonely Christmas." It's obviously on the sad side of things, but it's quite good. You can check it out at

http://www.broadjam.com/transmit/transmit.asp?txygnbz=23383&chkldsxv1=293410&yhgbndsq=1

Speaking of the holidays, many of you might be surprised that I am among those who have a hard time during this happy season. Despite the bright lights and pretty ribbons, many people find the holidays depressing for a plethora of reasons. I've been giving this a lot of though and I'm asking all of you to do me one small favor- LISTEN. Take the time and pick one person and really listen to what they have to say. No cheating by hearing your friend describe that sexy rocker they saw on stage last weekend!

* Listen to your co-worker. Because when they tell you that their dog got loose and they spent two hours trying to bring him home, they might be telling you that they need a friend.

* Listen to your neighbor. Because when they spend a half hour telling you how to perk up the roses in your garden, they might be telling you that they're lonely.

* Listen to your parent or sibling. Because when they repeat that same story about how you looked silly when you tried to dance the limbo at grandfather's birthday party 20 years ago, they might be telling you that they miss you.

Your time is the most important gift you can give. Be a giver this season and lift someone's heart....

Alaska's fiddling poet has been busy

Yesterday I received an e-mail from my friend and fellow musician, Ken Waldman. Known as Alaska's Fiddling Poet, Ken makes his living mostly on the road with his talent with words and strings. I have been following his career for a few years now and I always make a point to see him when he's in town. I think you might be interested in Ken, so here are some excerpts from his letter:

Hi Michelle--
How goes it? Hard to believe it's been about 9 whole months since I'vebeen through your way.... I'll be back at Coffee Gallery Backstage on Thursday, February 8. And here's what I'm mailing folks here and there the past few weeks, when I get to it, with the subject: Perfect Presents for Some People You Know. It's about my brand new book and CD.

Going to www.kenwaldman.com/astheworldburns gets you more information about the project. There's no link from www.kenwaldman.com, so you can only get to that new information by typing the URL or going through a search engine (Why is that? Since I do work in a variety of settings, if folks found the information from clicking somewhere on the homepage, it could make things difficult or cost me work on some of my jobs in more conservative areas.)

About the book, AS THE WORLD BURNS: 64 sonnets--41 in George W. Bush's voice (including several dream poems); 23 others functioning as commentary. Earliest readers have been very enthusiastic....

....About the CD, AS THE WORLD BURNS: Chicago's Jordan Wankoff joins me on this. He's playing banjo - and fiddle on one track - while I do my fiddling and poetry thing. Yep, came out well, and in its first few weeks out has already received a good bit of radio airplay on public and community radio....

...About the videos: Mid-August I was filmed by Ms. Mars (www.cenozoic.com)and for now there are three videos on site. More will be posted. Web site was upgraded by the very fine guitarist, banjo player, bass player, and renaissance man, Michael Woods, Random Art, Erie, Colorado.

What you can do: 1) Visit the site! 2) Tell others to visit the site!! 3) Buy book(s) and CD(s)!!! www.kenwaldman.com/astheworldburns
What else? There's always something. You'll just have to ask. Hope you're well! Happy holidays to you!
-Ken

Ghostface Killah tour

GHOSTFACE KILLAH COOKS UP ‘MORE FISH’ AND “ROCKS” THE ROAD

SURPRISE SEQUEL TO INSTANT CLASSIC ‘FISHSCALE’ SET FOR
DECEMBER 12 RELEASE ON DEF JAM RECORDINGS

JOINS THE ROCK THE BELLS TOUR WITH RAEKWON, REDMAN,
BOOT CAMP CLIK’S SMIF-N-WESSUN, SUPERNATURAL AND DJ KOOL

New album highlights Ghost’s crew The Theodore Unit and his son, Sun God

“Ghostface remains perhaps the most lovable rapper in the world: a wounded warrior with raps to match his speeding heartbeat.” – The New York Times

Ghostface’s emotionally charged stream-of-consciousness flow is as off-the-wall and amazing as it’s ever been.” – Rolling Stone

“…as a must-hear street storyteller, he's still at the top of his game.”– Entertainment Weekly

“His voice is a gorgeous instrument, mellifluous even when he’s yelling.” – The New Yorker

December 12, 2006 – Staten Island, NY – Someone forgot to tell Ghostface Killah it’s OK to rest on your laurels. Less than 10 months after releasing the most critically acclaimed album of the year – Fishscale – Ghost is back and as strong as ever with the surprising and equally stunning sequel, More Fish. Released today on Def Jam Recordings, More Fish finds Ghost on a creative roll, and picks up right where Fishscale left off – with the kind of raw, uncut, uncompromising, soulful street rhymes only Tony Starks can deliver.

On Fishscale, The New York Times wrote: “When you get a new Ghostface Killah album, the only reasonable reaction is to get lost in it.” Getting lost in More Fish, what’s immediately striking is Ghost’s artistic consistency; he continues to put out great music at an alarmingly prolific rate. Tracks like the Rakim inspired “Ghost Is Back,” and the albums’ first single – the dancefloor burner “Good” – bristle with energy, Ghost’s legendary mic skills in top form. This time around, however, Ghost has a little help; the album showcases Ghost’s longtime Staten Island crew, The Theodore Unit: Trife Da God, Cappadonna, Shawn Wiggs, and Ghost’s 17-year-old son, Sun God – who’s deep, gravely flow shows brilliant promise on tracks like “Miguel Sanchez” and “God 2 God.”

Revered in beat-junkie circles for his soulful, sample-heavy soundbeds, Ghost returns to the same well of underground producers who made Fishscale an instant classic. MF Doom mans the boards on “Cartoonz” and the Hardy Boys-themed “Stones From Greece.” Madlib contributes “Untitled,” while Pete Rock lays down “Chunky.” On “Josephine,” one of the album’s standout tracks, Ghost laments life in the drug-addled projects over a deep, mid-tempo soul sample from Hi-Tek.

While many in hip-hop mourn the passing of the glory days, More Fish is another classic album from one of the genre’s true legends, and one of its greatest talents. But for Tony Starks, it feels easy – like shooting fish in a barrel.


Date City Venue______
12-12 Vancouver, British Columbia Plush Nightclub
12-13 Seattle, WA The Showbox
12-14 Portland, OR Roseland
12-15 San Jose, CA Avalon Nightclub
12-16 San Francisco, CA Mezzanine
12-17 Las Vegas, NV Empire Ballroom
12-20 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
12-21 San Diego, CA House of Blues
12-22 Anaheim, CA House of Blues

Porter Wagner signs new record deal

PORTER WAGONER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH THE GRAND OLE OPRY
BY SIGNING NEW RECORD DEAL WITH ANTI RECORDS
New album produced by Marty Stuart due out in May 2007

Los Angeles based Anti Records announces the signing of Country Music Hall of Famer, Porter Wagoner in celebration of his 50th year with The Grand Ole Opry in 2007. The project entitled “Wagonmaster” will be produced by Marty Stuart and is the first in a series of events celebrating Porter’s anniversary. Porter will join a label roster that features such distinguished artists such as Tom Waits, Bettye Lavette, and Neko Case.

“Porter Wagoner’s music is timeless and truly a piece of America’s musical tapestry.” Says producer Marty Stuart. “He is a poet and one of the last Artists standing from Country Music’s golden era.”

Anti- prez, Andy Kaulkin notes that “Porter is one of those special artists that have always defied boundaries and categories. His music touches on every conceivable human emotion and this new work with Marty is particularly powerful and poignant.”

The songs on “Wagonmaster” are mostly from Wagoner’s pen, but one song of note, “Commited to Parkview” was written by Johnny Cash.
Stuart recalls the songs’ origin, “I was a member of Johnny Cash’s band in the early 1980’s. While on tour in Europe, Cash and I became very intrigued with some of Porter’s concept records such as “The Rubber Room”, “The Soul of a Convict”, and “Confessions of a Broken Man”. John said ‘I’ve got a song for Porter; it’s about a stay in Parkview, which is an asylum at the edge of Nashville. Porter and I both have been guests there.’ Cash gave me a cassette of the song in 1981 and asked me to get it to Porter. I never got around to it until we started collecting songs for this project. I searched my warehouse and found the envelope with ‘Committed to Parkview’ on it, with a note from John to Porter. Twenty-five years after I was supposed to and three years after his death, I did what I told John I would do. I delivered the song and Porter loved it”.

Porter Wagoner was born August 12, 1927 of Irish-German heritage in the Ozarks of Missouri. In 1949, Porter visited Nashville and witnessed Hank Williams singing “Lovesick Blues” at the Grand Ole Opry. By 1952, Porter found himself recording his first RCA release, William’s “Settin’ The Woods On Fire”. 1953 gave Porter his first songwriting success with the Carl Smith hit, “Trademark”. During this time The Porter Wagoner Trio, with Don Warden (steel guitar) and Hershel “Speedy” Haworth (electric guitar) was formed and began touring. 1954 brought Porter his first hit with “Company’s Comin’” and “A Satisfied Mind” came next and went to number one for 4 weeks and stayed on the charts for over 8 months. On February 23, 1957 Wagoner joined the Grand Ole Opry where he remains one of its most popular stars fifty years later.

Wagoner, a four time GRAMMY award winner, also expanded the role of music on television. He pioneered syndicated music programming with “The Porter Wagoner Show” in 1960. The extremely popular show remained on the air for an amazing 21 years in two hundred markets and was seen by an estimated 4 million viewers. The show solidified the legendary status of his full band, the Wagonmasters and started Dolly Parton on her rise to super-stardom. “The Porter Wagoner Show” now airs Fridays at 7:30pm EST on the RFDTV network.

Producer, Marty Stuart is a GRAMMY winning Country artist, producer, writer, and photographer who starts this project on the heels of releasing three albums in the past year on his own Superlatone Records. His recent album “Souls’ Chapel” was nominated for 2006 Album of the Year by The Americana Music Association. Stuart is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Jim & Anne Curry's new cruise and CD

I received this letter from my friends and fellow musicians Anne and Jim Curry. If you're planning a cruise or looking for a great CD, please take a moment to visit their Web site- you just might find the perfect fit! ~M


Hello and Happy Holidays (Holy days) to everyone!

We hope this letter finds you all healthy and happy. Of course, time continues to speed by, and Jim and I continue to scramble to keep the pace. Jim is a much better scrambler, but I am usually just a few steps behind him!

We spent most of our year performing our “Tribute to John Denver” on the Holland America Cruise Line. Holland America told us that any time we are available; they would put us on one of their ships. We put them to the test! We spend some of the spring in Hawaii, most of our summer in Alaska, the fall in New England/Montreal and we just got back from the New York to Caribbean run. Whew! We are so happy to tell you all that John Denver’s music is still enthusiastically accepted wherever we go in the world! We feel so fortunate to be able to do what we do. During our summer run in Alaska, we hosted a special “John Denver Alaska & Me Cruise” with our tribute show as the main event and some sing-alongs and other additional activities for our group only. We had a blast! It was so much fun; we are going to do it again in ’07. The room availability goes fast and early in the year so reserve your room soon! Check our website for details.

Somehow, in the midst of all the traveling, we were able to complete a new CD! Our new CD was produced by our friend (and long time John Denver fan) Gordon Lustig, who we met at a John Denver memorial at the Claremont Spring Folk Festival in 1998. Jim and I were amazed (totally blown away) by Gordon’s musical abilities, but we were also impressed with his admiration and respect for John’s music and career; we knew we had to do something big with him! Well, we finally got that chance, and our new CD “John Denver Tribute 2” is the product of the passion we feel about John Denver’s musical legacy.

We have the big hits: Sunshine on My Shoulders, Back Home Again, Grandma’s Feather Bed (with the new verse) and Calypso. There is also a beautiful medley of 3 of John’s love songs (My Sweet Lady, Perhaps Love, For You) very cleverly arranged (by Gordon) and Jim sings this one with a string quartet – nice! There are some great surprises too! There is a wonderfully jazzy version of “Home Grown Tomatoes,” and the biggest surprise is a sweet little song that Jim wrote for me, called “Childhood Sweetheart.” But wait! There’s more! (Hee Hee!) Check out our new CD on our website www.jimcurrymusic.com and listen to some sound bytes and order a few CDs, I hear that they make wonderful Christmas Presents!

God Bless.
All of our best to you and your family in 2007.

Love,

Anne Curry

Students selected for Grammy ensembles

Congratulations to all these talented kids!! - M

THE GRAMMY FOUNDATION® SELECTS STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE NATION TO PARTICIPATE IN PRESTIGIOUS
GIBSON/BALDWIN GRAMMY JAZZ ENSEMBLESSM PROGRAM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2006) — The GRAMMY Foundation® announced today that 30 talented high school students from across North America have been selected for positions in the 2007 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz EnsemblesSM. Their selection launches them into the spotlight surrounding the 49th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, and provides them with unparalleled opportunities to rehearse and perform in front of some of music's biggest names. Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano have partnered with the GRAMMY Foundation since 2003 to provide students with this extraordinary musical experience.
The students, who represent 25 cities, 14 states as well as two Canadian provinces, will travel to Los Angeles for a weeklong musical adventure under the direction of Justin DiCioccio of the Manhattan School of Music and Dr. Ron McCurdy of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. The Ensembles will then perform at various GRAMMY Week events including public performances at Catalina Bar and Grill (Feb. 7) and the Vic (Feb. 9). As a grand finale, they will perform at the GRAMMY Celebration after party, as well as attend the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 11 as guests of The Recording Academy®.
"The Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles provide the kind of once-in-a-lifetime adventure for young artists that can be transformative," said GRAMMY Foundation and Recording Academy President Neil Portnow. "These talented young vocalists and instrumentalists come to Los Angeles during GRAMMY Week to experience the power and possibility of music firsthand — playing with their peers from across the country and with GRAMMY-nominated artists in several GRAMMY Week events — and many say it is the most positive and influential career opportunity they've had to date."
Again this year, Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano have teamed up with the GRAMMY Foundation to sponsor the 2007 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles. "Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano have a longstanding commitment to music education and to demonstrating the lifelong benefits music can offer a student," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "Each year, the Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles program brings together gifted young musicians and rewards them with a chance to perform with some of the world's greatest talents."
The International Association for Jazz Education provides outreach to the music education community to help ensure the program’s success. The Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles selectees are eligible for more than $2 million in college scholarships made possible through the GRAMMY Foundation's college partners: Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, New School University and USC Thornton School of Music. In addition, every Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles program applicant and their high school will receive music product from MakeMusic!, including subscriptions to SmartMusic®, the complete music practice system by MakeMusic! Additionally, each selectee’s school will receive a professional cymbal courtesy of the Zildjian Company.
The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with The Recording Academy to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com.
Gibson Guitar is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos. Gibson's HD.6X-Pro Guitar System represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in more than 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Mich., and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.'s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton, Chickering and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson Guitar at www.gibson.com or www.gibson.com/press.
The mission of the International Association for Jazz Education is to assure the continued worldwide growth and development of jazz and jazz education. As a part of that mission, the Association initiates programs which nurture and promote the understanding and appreciation of jazz and its heritage, provides leadership to educators regarding curricula and performance, assists teachers and practitioners with information and resources, and takes an active part in organizing clinics, festivals and symposia at local, regional, national and international levels. Presently, active memberships total upwards of 7,000 teachers, musicians, students, music industry representatives, and enthusiasts in 35 countries.
The 2007 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles are listed by each student's name, hometown, school, and instrument or voice:
2007 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Choir
Julia Easterlin Augusta, Ga. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School Soprano
Hilary Johnson Edmonds, Wash. Edmonds-Woodway High School Soprano Denise Washington Miami, Fla. New World School of the Arts Alto Emily Elbert Coppell, Texas Coppell High School Alto Richard Saunders Simsbury, Conn. Simsbury High School Tenor Michael Gullo Seattle, Wash. Roosevelt High School Tenor Quentin Bethea Charlotte, N.C. Northwest School of the Arts Bass Jonathan Dendy Sarasota, Fla. Booker High School Bass
2007 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Combo
Eli Bennett Vancouver, B.C. Heritage Christian Online School Tenor Sax Yuma Sung Los Altos, Calif. Valley Christian High School Piano Gregory Chaplin Hopedale, Mass. Milford High School Bass Corey Fonville Virginia Beach, Va. Governors School for the Arts Drums John "Logan" Strosahl Seattle, Wash. Roosevelt High School Alto Sax Hailey Niswanger West Linn, Ore. West Linn High School Alto Sax Jonathan Ragonese New Cumberland, Pa. Trinity High School Tenor Sax Jovan Alexandre Wallingford, Conn. Mark T. Sheehan High School Tenor Sax John Palowitch Pleasanton, Calif. Amador Valley High School Baritone Sax Chazz Canney Rutland, Vt. Northfield Mount Hermon School Trumpet Nick Frenay Syracuse, N.Y. Manlius Pebble Hill School Trumpet Aaron Kleinstub Chagrin Falls, Ohio Kenston High School Trumpet Aaron Bahr Lafayette, Calif. Campolindo High School Trumpet Charlie Fisher Seattle, Wash. Roosevelt High School Trumpet
Eric Miller Huntington Stn., N.Y. Walt Whitman High School Trombone Isaac Kaplan Rossmoor, Calif. Long Beach Polytechnic High School Trombone
Joanna Sabater Miami, Fla. New World School of the Arts Trombone Christopher Hernacki Castaic, Calif. Valencia High School Bass Trombone Lee Dynes Tipp City, Ohio Tippecanoe High School Guitar Christian Sands Orange, Conn. Amity Regional Senior High School Piano Jeff Picker Beaverton, Ore. Arts and Communication Academy Bass Adam Arruda Toronto, Ont. Humber College Community Music Sch. Drums

Aggrolites on tour

THE AGGROLITES RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH DIRTY REGGAE
Rolling Stone Calls Hellcat Debut “Ideal For Your Next Soul Shakedown Party”
The Aggrolites – leading purveyors of dirty reggae – will be ringing in the New Year with their fusion of late ‘60s Jamaican Reggae, funk and classic American soul. Commencing December 29 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, the Southern California-based quintet’s four night trek wraps January 1 at the Alpine in Ventura.
Led by guitarist Brian Dixon and frontman Jesse Wagner, the band – which also counts bassist J Bonner, keyboardist Roger Rivas and drummer Korey “Kingston” Horn – skillfully adds their own brand of raw intensity and grit to an authentic stew that’s been compared to the likes of Lee Perry, Bob Marley, James Brown, WAR and Toots & The Maytalls.
Reflecting a deep love for reggae, rocksteady and ska, The Aggrolites, which dropped on May 9, 2006, is a nineteen-song mix of sing-alongs and instrumentals that sounds as if it could have emerged out of Kingston circa 1967.
Praise for the band has been weighty. Rolling Stone gave the disc three and a half stars, calling it, “a glorious surprising treat” and “ideal for your next soul shakedown party.” Meanwhile, Aversion wrote, “[it is] so true to form that, were it not for the modern production, they would be virtually indistinguishable from lost Studio One tracks.” With exposure via L.A.’s influential Indie 103.1, plus opening stints for Madness, Rancid, Flogging Molly, The Selecter and The Slackers, The Aggrolites are on the move. Catch ‘em if you can.
The Aggrolites Tour Dates Are As Follows:
12/29/2006 House of Blues Anaheim CA
12/30/2006 House of Blues West Hollywood CA 12/31/2006 Slim’s San Francisco CA 01/01/2007 Alpine Ventura CA