New dates announced for "The Craft" artist interview series

In what promises to be a unique experience for music fans, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Miller Genuine Draft today announce new dates for the MGD “The Craft” artist interview series, featuring some of music’s most respected and engaging stars. MGD and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will collaborate on 11 “Craft” events in seven markets over the next several months.

The program builds on the "Hall of Fame" interview series that the Rock Hall has produced over the past decade in Cleveland, featuring artists including Aretha Franklin, Robbie Robertson, Mick Jones of the Clash, and Grandmaster Flash. The Rock Hall is now teaming up with Miller Genuine Draft for the first time to bring music fans “The Craft,” a series of nationwide events that feature a moderated live discussion and performance intended to give fans a deeper understanding of the artist’s work.

The Craft artist interview series kicks-off with Jim James July 9 in San Diego. As the singer, frontman, producer, and songwriter for American rock band My Morning Jacket, James has been essential in defining the sound of the group. My Morning Jacket has grown into one of the most popular and critically acclaimed bands in American music today and with every My Morning Jacket release, James has pushed his band into new creative territory.

In addition to James, upcoming events include Patty Griffin, August 29 in San Francisco and Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard, September 10 in Denver. Additional artists and dates will be announced later in the summer.

Events will include an intimate performance, interspersed with conversations and stories behind the creation and production of their music. Each show will be moderated by Warren Zanes, Education Advisor for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and former member of the rock band The Del Fuegos.

“Kicking off this program with performers like Elvis Costello, Jim James, Patty Griffin and Ben Gibbard really illustrates what the Craft Artist Series is about,” said Zanes. “These are the kind of restless creative spirits who always view their next projects as their most crucial projects – and in so doing force their own artistic evolutions. In an age when new artists fly up the charts only to disappear forever, this class represents the possibilities of the long, inventive, inspired career. We’re really excited about the line-up and are looking forward to getting to know each of these folks – and their work – on a deeper level.”

“Our interview series has been a great success in Cleveland. We’ve seen some once-in-a-lifetime moments, talking with artists like Chuck D and Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland from the Police. To be able to take the programs on the road furthers our interest in popular music as the most vibrant, strange, and meaningful cultural form we have around us every day. Instead of taking it for granted, we want to celebrate its depth and the invention behind it.”

Ben Gibbard is the lead singer and songwriter for Death Cab for Cutie, a band that has gone from indie success to chart success while constantly building on their early artistic ambitions. Over the course of ten years and five albums, Death Cab for Cutie has based its evolution on the strength of Gibbard’s songwriting. Their 2005 release, “Plans,” garnered three Grammy award nominations and has been certified Gold in the US and Canada. The singer and songwriter also fronts the Postal Service, who released the popular album “Give Up” in 2003, which has also been certified Gold in the US.

Patty Griffin, widely considered one of the finest songwriters at work today, has released a number of critically acclaimed albums over the past 15 years. Her songs have been covered by the likes of the Dixie Chicks, Emmylou Harris and Solomon Burke, but it is her own performances of that material that have earned her a fiercely dedicated following. Moving easily between ballads and a tougher sound, Griffin demonstrates the kind of consistency of voice, as a singer and a lyricist, that marks the most lasting performers.

“Through ‘The Craft’ artist interview series, MGD will continue to champion genuine American music and the artists who make it such a vital part of our consumers’ lives,” said Randy Ransom, Miller’s chief marketing officer. “And no beer brand is more suited for this mission. The work that goes into making music of this caliber is a craft and it takes several ‘rounds’ for each song to become great. This attention is the same as MGD’s care to filter its beer four times and we salute that relentless care that each of these musicians put into creating their work.”

The Rock Hall's first event under MGD's "Craft" umbrella kicked off in Las Vegas, featuring 2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Elvis Costello. Video of these programs will ultimately be available for viewing on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website, www.rockhall.com, and will be preserved in the Museum’s Library and Archive Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

About The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission both through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives, as well as its educational programs. The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, the Museum is open until 9 p.m. Museum admission is $20.00 for adults, $14 for seniors (60+), $11 for children (9-12) and children under eight and Museum members are free.

About Miller Brewing Company
As one of America’s oldest brewers, Miller Brewing Company continues the commitment of founder Frederick J. Miller to brew “confoundedly good beers” with “uncompromising quality.” Through more than 150 years of innovation and brewing excellence, Miller has built a broad portfolio of award-winning beers that capture approximately 18 percent of the U.S. beer market. In the past decade, Miller beers have won 105 medals – more than twice as many as its major competitors – at the biannual World Beer Cup and annual Great American Beer Fest. An unprecedented four-time gold award winner at the World Beer Cup, Miller Lite is the great tasting, less filling beer that has defined the American light lager category since 1975. Miller also brews smooth, golden rich Miller Genuine Draft using a unique cold-filtering process introduced in 1985. The company’s oldest brew is Miller High Life, the champagne of beers. Miller imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Foster's, and it offers regional craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. Near-premium beers include Milwaukee's Best Light, Steel Reserve, Olde English 800, Mickey's Malt Liquor, Icehouse and Sharp's, a non-alcohol brew. Miller also offers the Sparks line of caffeinated alcohol beverages. Miller is a wholly owned subsidiary of SABMiller plc, one of the world's leading brewers with a global footprint spread across six continents. For more information, visit www.MillerBrewing.com.