Ewing High School, Ewing, NJ, Receives 50k Grant For Music Programs

Here are the Ewing High School Kids Loving Their Support.
Miss Amy says, "Help the kids in your schools. Find a grant for something important to build their talents."

A donation of $50,000 was made today to the Ewing Education Foundation, earmarked for the Ewing High School Music department, made possible by the Rowe Carter Charitable Trust.

Presentation of this grant was made at Ewing High School auditorium by GRAMMY® Nominated Recording Artist Miss Amy, who played a key role in bringing together the donor and the school. “As parents, teachers, administrators and a community, we support this music program. We understand the potential that studying music can bring forth in kids. There is power in music!” Miss Amy explained in the presentation to the students and factulty. “It is our hope that this will inspire all of the other schools who did not place, to not give up, but to inspire organizations in the position to help to step-up and take action.”

School music programs need funding, but the story of how this grant emerged is an interesting one. In November a team of Ewing High School (EHS) students produced a video submission for the Glee Give-A-Note contest that awards cash prizes for the best videos. Many in the school started posting the contest entry to Facebook for visibility. The video caught the attention of Miss Amy, who reached out to the members of the Rowe Carter Charitable Trust, who were also moved by it. Miss Amy, also, called Wayne Staub, President, and Heather Kerns Latini, Executive Director of the Ewing Education Foundation, and organized a time for them all to see the music program in action, to observe the orchestra and choirs.

A representative of the Rowe Carter Charitable Trust interviewed music students about their experiences in the Ewing district elementary schools and Fisher Middle School, who explained why music is important to them.

Student responses ranged from, “music teaches about different cultures and languages” to “it teaches about history, and helps us understand other subjects like math.” Another replied, “Music is everything, a vital thread that connects humankind throughout time.”

When asked what the music department needed, the students collectively explained there is need for repair, replacement of instruments, newer tools and technology, such as sound equipment. When asked what they would spend the Glee money on if they won, the reply was that, although the need is great in the high school, it would be best spent on the feeder music programs in the elementary and middle school in the district.

On December 15th the students were disappointed to find out they did not place in the Glee contest. However, the Rowe Carter Charitable Trust has stepped up to provide a consolation prize of equal magnitude to first place. The grant is to be allocated by a committee of high school students, Mr. Olson, EHS Band Director and Mrs. Forness, EHS Choir Director.

Emily Hurd's two area shows: CD release on Jan. 20, at SPACE w/ Raul Midon on Jan. 27

Chicago-based Emily Hurd will be performing and throwing a CD Release Show for her album, LONG LOST GHOSTS at Strobe Studios, 2631 W. Division Street, in Chicago, on January 20th at 8:00 pm. This show will be video taped and recorded. Admission is $10. Seating is limited, and people must RSVP to attend via e-mail at contact@emilyhurd.com. You can also call 773.486.1459 for more information. The web site is http://stroberecording.com/.

On January 27, Emily opens for Raul Midon, at Evanston Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., in Evanston, IL. Showtime is 8 PM, and the venue phone is 847-492-8860. The web site is http://evanstonspace.com/

LONG LOST GHOSTS is Emily's latest album, featuring her signature voice and folk-pop songs that tell stories of old-fashioned love and its bittersweet triumph. Highlights include the irresistible blues-tinged hit, "Irreparably Yours" and the palpable nostalgia of the cross-country driving tune "Long Lost Ghosts." Emily's fervent crooning uplifts in "My Favorite Part," "Silent Conversations," and "I Won't Tell a Soul." Emily's music echoes the uptempo balladry and intelligent anthems often linked to kindred troubadours Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle.”

Emily wrote LONG LOST GHOST's songs on her ukulele and recorded them on the vintage grand piano at Chicago's King Size Sound Labs. The record features an all-star line-up of Chicago musicians: John Abbey (Robbie Fulks, Amy Speace), Darren Garvey (Cameron McGill and What Army, Miles Nielsen), Sue Demel (Sons of the Never Wrong, Come Sunday), and Maria McCullough (SleepyLou, Jonas Friddle).

Over the course of her eight full-length studio albums, Emily has shared the stage and/or opened for Irma Thomas, Bettye Lavette, Roger McGuinn, and Ozomatli. Her music is featured on the popular CBS crime drama NCIS. She appears on the prestigious Old Town School of Folk Music "Songbook" collection (released by Bloodshot Records). She is a winner/finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, NPR's NewSong Contest, and The International Songwriting Competition.

Touring across the heartland, the wild west, and east coast parts of America, Emily has been meeting new fans at every show she plays, from coffeehouses and schools, to TV and radio shows and festivals, including events that fans have organized, most notably an annual “Emilyfest” in rural North Carolina (the next one is scheduled for October 13, 2012).

EMILY HURD ON TOUR

JAN. 20: CD RELEASE PARTY, STROBE STUDIOS, CHICAGO, IL
JAN. 27: W/ RAUL MIDON, SPACE, EVANSVTON, IL
MARCH 7: THE ARK, ANN ARBOR, MI
MARCH 11: BUTTONWOOD TREE, MIDDLETON, CT
MARCH 12: ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK, NY
SEPT. 10: BEAN RUNNER CAFE, PEEKSKILLE, NY
SEPT. 11: THE ROSENDALE CAFE, ROSENDALE, NY
OCT. 13: EMILYFEST, ADVANCE, NC

THE SMITHEREENS WINTER TOUR 2012

Band Available For Interviews In Advance of Shows, Which Feature Special Guest Keyboardist Andy Burton!


The Smithereens are kicking off the new year with something special for their fans. From January 13-21, The Smithereens Winter Tour 2012 will feature special guest Andy Burton on keyboards! Singer/guitarist Pat DiNizio, guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken, and bassist Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion are excited to share the stage with Andy, who's played with Ian Hunter, Robert Plant and Southside Johnny (to name just a few). It's the first time The Smithereens have had a keyboard player in the band, and they're going to take advantage of their expanded sound by digging deep into their catalog for some rarely heard tracks to complement their fan-pleasing set that features 30 years of hits and songs from their critically acclaimed current album "SMITHEREENS 2011."

The new album, "2011" reunited the Smithereens with producer Don Dixon (R.E.M.) who helmed the group's first two albums, the power-pop masterpiece ESPECIALLY FOR YOU and GREEN THOUGHTS. USA TODAY's BRIAN MANSFIELD wrote, "From start to finish, '2011' is classic Smithereens: Marshall-amped post-mod power-pop."  Little Steven's Underground Garage channel on Sirius XM dubbed the single "Sorry" "as the coolest song on the planet."  FRESH AIR & NPR commentator Ken Tucker, said, "'2011' is hypnotic...everything in Smithereens world is like a film noir shot in psychedelic colors.  A great Rock 'n' Roll band!"  And the Chicago Sun Times declared, "The Smithereens haven't aged a day."

The Smithereens first performed in March 1980 in Hillside, N.J. Over the next five years, the group played both in the States and overseas, and released the EPs: GIRLS ABOUT TOWN (1980) and BEAUTY AND SADNESS (1983), and did a stint as Otis Blackwell's backup band.  Pat sent a cassette of the band’s material to Enigma Records, which was distributed by Capitol/EMI. The executive, who signed them, was a fan of the band's when he was in college radio. The Smithereens finally had a record deal.  ESPECIALLY FOR YOU was released in July 1986.  GREEN THOUGHTS, 11 followed, all netting top 40 hits.  It's said that Nirvana's Kurt Cobain listened to the Smithereens as he wrote 'NEVERMIND."

In all, the group's releasd nine albums, with titles that include GOD SAVE THE SMITHEREENS, ATTACK OF THE SMITHEREENS (RARITIES), A DATE WITH THE SMITHEREENS. The Smithereens have two gold albums, have sold 6 million albums worldwide. They have appeared on every major television show including SNL, Tonight Show, Arsenio Hall, and live on National Public Radio.  Such memorable Smithereens songs as "Girl Like You," "Blood & Roses," and "Only A Memory" have become FM staples.


THE SMITHEREENS' EAST COAST DATES

Fri., Jan. 13:  Rams Head Tavern, Annapolis, MD   
Sat., Jan. 14: The State Theatre, Falls Church, VA  
Fri.,  Jan.  20: World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
Sat., Jan. 21: BB King Blues Club, New York, NY  

KJ Denhert

KJ Denhert is celebrating her 15 years as a working urban folk jazz singer-songwriter on March 16, 2012, at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. She is in the studio with Tomas Donker, and there's a video of her in the studio at her youtube page.

There's a great quote from KJ in the video, "Life is scary now, but the joyous part is the art you get from it."

Rolling Stone.com caught KJ live in concert as she performed at the 90th Anniversary of the Local 802 (Musicians Union) benefit that Steve Earle organized for the Union. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/pete-seeger-honored-at-musicians-union-benefit-20111205/kj-denhert-0204468
In addition to KJ and Steve, the show included Rosanne Cash, Paul Shaffer, Pete Seeger , Nelly McKay....

http://www.kjdenhert.com
http://www.youtube.com/kjdenhert

Miss Amy, GRAMMY Nominee and Lehigh Valley Music Award Winner

(left to right: Miss Amy, NARAS' Mark Schultz, Lehigh Valley Music Award organizer Gloria Domino).

Heads up on Amy Otey (Miss Amy), who--alongside of Lady Gaga, Kanye West, the Yellowjackets, LL Cool J., and Amy's friend Ledisi--is a multiple GRAMMY nominee this year. Her album, FITNESS ROCK & ROLL has been nominated for Best Children's Album. She also appears on another nominated album by the same crew who produced HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, the GRAMMY-nominated album I'm on (with Moby, Julian Lennon, Michael O'Keefe, Tom Chapin, Cathy Fink, and Jann Klose) from last year.

This past Sunday, Dec. 4, Amy won Best Children's performer in the Lehigh Valley Music Awards. She says, "Today Lehigh Valley, tomorrow the Grammys, and next year--all the kids of America will be more fit and rockin'!"

I don't remember what it was we said to each other the moment we met, but in the second moment, we each declared, "I love you!" to each other at the same time!  And by the end of the night, we were dueling splits on the floor together in a bar!

In addition to taking advantage of Amy's well-earned nomination, we're working on Amy's inner city schools' appearances where she performs dynamic work outs and concerts with the kids at the same time. Whether they're in the audience or on stage with her, for them Amy's shows have the same dynamic power we get from going to KISS and Garth Brooks' concerts. She's a 40-something year old Mom, with a sense of humor, inspiration, and wow!

Lonnie Hill

Occasionally a journalist turns me on to a new artist that inspires me.  Anne Raso, the celebrity editor for TEEN STAR magazines, introduced me to an American Country Music Artist  who has a "Waltz Across Texas" kind of vibe.  

Lonnie is based in Franklin, TN, near Nashville Music City U.S A, and has songs on his web site, http://www.lonniehill.net. He's been playing in Nashville and Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, Tennessee for years, and in Las Vegas, March 2005. He finds a great deal of satisfaction performing for people from all walks of life from all over the world.

I hear quite a bit from his fans in the Philippines.

Lonnie had the privilege of meeting country music star Buck Owens at his Crystal Palace Club in Bakersfield, CA. Before Buck died, the two became friends. Lonnie is involved with fundraising for Mercy Children's Clinic Hospital, a non-profit for children who don't have insurance. He has also helped raise money for the American Red Cross.

He's a lifer, and I'm looking to find allies for him, folks who really enjoy his music.   So if you're interested in helping me share his great music, let me know.

http://www.lonniehill.net
Friend Lonnie on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002929177532

The Smithereens on the road in January

I'm promoting shows for the Smithereens' January 2012 tour. Leadsinger Pat Dinizio, drummer Dennis Diken, guitarist Jim Babjak, and bassist Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion will be available for interviews. Dates are: Rams Head (1/13), The State Theater (1/14), World Cafe Live, Philly (1/20), and BB King Blues Club (1/21).

(Our friends in Las Vegas should check out Pat's Confessions of a Rock Star, Wednesdays through Mondays at the Riviera Hotel Casio. http://www.rivierahotel.com/las-vegas-entertainment/confessions-of-a-rock-star/)

The Smithereens - Jim, Dennis, Pat, The Thrilla


A new video from the Smithereens' called "Sorry."

http://www.officialsmithereens.com

The Kinetic King

The Kinetic King recently broke the world's record for blowing up 6818 tongue depressors, and you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/lunatim

We've got an EPK at http://thekineticking-epk.blogspot.com/
I'm looking to get him booked at colleges for workshops and performances. If you've suggestions, please let me know.

http://www.lunatim.com
http://www.facebook.com/TheKineticKingAGT
http://www.youtube.com/lunatim

Jann Klose

Jann is currently in the studio working on a new album with multi-platinum award winning producer David Bendeth (Bruce Hornsby, Elvis Presley, Breaking Benjamin, Paramore). There's a teaser on soundcloud.com of one of the new songs, called "Falling Tears," on which Jann plays electric guitar.
Jann Klose - Falling Tears by jannklose

Jann is now the proud owner of a curvaceous Epiphone Casino! It's been a very busy fall for him, playing shows in California, Canada (w/ The Yardbirds' Jim McCarty) and the Midwest. There are some new live performances up on his YouTube page from an interview with Martin Guitars earlier this year. Jann and his band will be performing at Rockwood Music Hall's Stage 2 on Saturday, Dec 10th from 7-9 PM before he heads to his native Germany to play Hamburg on Dec 23rd. 

http://soundcloud.com/jannklose/falling-tears
http://youtube.com/jannklose
http://www.jannklose.com

Emily Hurd

I met Emily Hurd and Vonda Shepard through my work promoting Jann Klose all these years.  It was a co-bill at Chicago's Skokie Theater.   She seemed like a female Randy Newman, with elements of Nanci Griffith a young Olivia Newton-John, and Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore).  She loves fry boots, animals, yoga.  She's rescued dogs. Her video for the title track of her new album, LONG LOST GHOSTS. 

Emily wants to stay on the road no matter how much or little money she makes. I'm looking for shows, co-bills, openers, house concerts from the Midwest on out, on the East coast, West coast, the South.

We're having a record release party on January 14 at Strobe Studios, Chicago! Admission is $10. Seating is limited, and people must RSVP to attend via e-mail at contact@emilyhurd.com.

EMILY HURD BIO

A little over a year in the making, Long Lost Ghosts is the album Emily Hurd’s fans have been waiting for, featuring her signature voice and folk-pop songs that tell stories of old-fashioned love and its bittersweet triumph. Highlights include the irresistible blues-tinged hit, "Irreparably Yours" and the palpable nostalgia of the cross-country driving tune "Long Lost Ghosts." Emily's fervent crooning uplifts in "My Favorite Part," "Silent Conversations," and "I Won't Tell a Soul." For the first time in a long time, she trades in her regular heartbreaker imagery for a welcome dose of contentment in "Brand New," "Skipping Stones," and "Easy Call." The songsmith sings it like she feels it.

Over the course of her eight full-length studio albums, Emily's singer-songwriter stylings have effortlessly fused pure vocals and chillingly sparse music with chamber pop, indie soul, and gypsy jazz. On Long Lost Ghosts, she does what she does best: combining acoustic instruments and vivid nature metaphors—singing of winter wheat, crickets, gravel roads, and skylarks—to connect with her audience.

The lilt in her voice is as endearing as ever, and the support of her backing band enhances without distracting from the delicate and hopeful vibe that has come to define Emily Hurd’s music.

Lush vocals, vibrant acoustic production, and tones of defiant optimism run through all the songs on Long Lost Ghosts, echoing the uptempo balladry and intelligent anthems, often linked to kindred troubadours Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle. Emily wrote the songs on her ukulele and recorded them on the vintage grand piano at Chicago’s King Size Sound Labs. The record features an all-star line-up of Chicago musicians: John Abbey (Robbie Fulks, Amy Speace), Darren Garvey (Cameron McGill and What Army, Miles Nielsen), Sue Demel (Sons of the Never Wrong, Come Sunday), and Maria McCullough (Sleepy Lou, Jonas Friddle).

Emily Hurd is an inspirational national indie act, performing for growing pockets of loyal followers who revel in her ample cache of new and old original songs. She's shared the stage and/or opened for Irma Thomas, Bettye Lavette, Roger McGuinn, and Ozomatli. Her music is featured on the popular CBS crime drama NCIS. She plays live on WGN TV and radio, WXRT radio, amongst other acclaimed Chicago music institutions. She appears on the prestigious Old Town School of Folk Music "Songbook" collection (released by Bloodshot Records). She is a winner/finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, NPR's NewSong Contest, and The International Songwriting Competition.

Her supporters in the Southeast run the annual “Emilyfest” in an open barn down in a holler of rural North Carolina. The big skies and high country grass at Emilyfest serve as the perfect backdrop for her fans to listen and lose themselves for a while in her inimitable lyrics. Just listen...

http://www.emilyhurd.com
http://www.facebook.com/emilyhurdfans

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius

Stay tuned for an announcement on Stratospheerius' next album, THE NEXT WORLD. In January we'll have Joe's electric violin method book, "PLUGGING IN: A Guide to Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist," on Mel Bay Books. Download the photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8320698@N05/6194339498/sizes/l/in/photostream/

New video of Joe jamming on mandolin with Stratospheerius on the instrumental "Gutterpunk Blues" at


Hear Stratospheerius live Friday night, Dec. 9th, first at the Shrine in Harlem at 8 PM, and then in Nyack, at Olive's at midnight. January 11, Stratospheerius and Out of the Beardspace rock Philadelphia's North Star Bar.

http://www.stratospheerius.com
http://www.facebook.com/stratospheerius

Vonda Shepard

My Vonda story started with seeing her at BB King Blues Club in New York City, and she changed my life, awakened something deep within me. In concert she was singing songs that related to some of my relationship issues and also hit home with all the nostalgia that springs up when dear friends (including pets) die. She was magnanimous on stage--talking with her audience, celebrating people's relationships, and singing her heart out with a natural and powerful voice. She has her own sound that--to me--seems to combine soul and country and pop and jazz in her music. Very earthy presence, and a raw and straight forward alto voice. After the show, I saw how she listened to her fans and took time to get to know them. I had to ask her, "Are you a student of people?"

I realized why David E. Kelley cast her as the bar singer on the TV series, Ally McBeal--she's a person who really listens to others.

VONDA SHEPARD BIO
Vonda and her piano. That's SOLO, the new album which features many of Vonda’s originals ("Lose My Way," "Don’t Cry Ilene," "The Sunset Marquis," "Soothe Me," "I Know Better," ) as well as some favorite cover ballads ("Walk Away Renee" and "You Belong To Me").
 
SOLO provides the perfect opportunity to get to know Vonda's earthy and accessible style and her intimate interaction with her audience. During the coming year, most of Vonda's shows will feature just her heart, voice and piano. This includes more openers with Sugarland, with whom she’s worked since 2010. The clarity of her voice and the grace of Vonda at her piano on SOLO shows the beauty and richness of Vonda’s music. Says RED at Redhotvelvet.co.uk: “It’d be hard to argue that the Californian is a bad performer. She’s incredible… Shepard gracefully pounds the grand piano and manages to ooze a presence which seeps into the spellbound audience… it’s thoroughly refreshing to see such inherent talent performed naturally with such sunny disposition… Delectable.”

With over 12 million album sales to her name, two Golden Globes, two Emmy Awards, two Screen Actor’s Guild Awards as well as the Billboard prize for selling the most television soundtrack records in history for the hit TV series “Ally McBeal,” Vonda is a world-renowned artist who continues to delight audiences with her magnanimous live performances.  She dedicates songs, tells stories, and—at the same time—projects dynamic charisma and intimacy with her audience.
 
Just as Vonda's songs reflect an independent woman with profound and self-reflective insights on relationships, her approach to running her career in today's ever-changing music scene is based on that same strength and sense of purpose. She is a consummate artist and businesswoman with her own label, Hotele´ Records.  "I love the idea of making and releasing my own records exactly the way I envision them, then going on the road, getting the music out there and having a blast doing it all.  I have a tremendous amount of energy for music and life.”

Born in New York City, Vonda's family moved to Los Angeles when she was a child, and by age 14, she was performing original material at small L.A. clubs. She played keyboards and sang with Rickie Lee Jones, Al Jarreau, and Jackson Browne, eventually opening for Browne in the U.S. and Asia. She has also performed with the Indigo Girls and The Funk Bros. (a highlight of her life), and she has shared the stage at music festivals with Sting, The Eurythmics, Santana, and Matchbox 20.  

"Can't We Try," her duet with Dan Hill, hit number 6 in 1987. In that same year, Vonda secured her first solo deal with Reprise Records and two years later her eponymous album was released. The Top 10 AC Radio and VH1 hit single “Don't Cry Ilene” brought her outstanding and unmistakably bluesy voice to a wide audience and caught the attention of the critics.  In 1992, her follow-up album, THE RADICAL LIGHT was released.

Vonda has always taken a unique approach to her career, attracting everyone from established music artists to television producers to rally behind her. In 1995, no longer with Reprise, Vonda borrowed money (and Jackson Browne's studio) to make her third recording, IT'S GOOD, EVE, and released it independently.  It was this album that caught David E. Kelley's ear right at the moment he was searching for a voice for his new TV show “Ally McBeal.”  Throughout the show’s five year run, Vonda performed on each episode and produced the show's music, recording almost 500 songs featuring artists including Gladys Knight, Sting, Barry Manilow, Al Green, Chubby Checker and Jon Bon Jovi.

Along with her six Ally McBeal Soundtracks, Vonda also recorded BY 7:30, produced by Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Elvis Costello, Randy Newman). The two went on to make 2002’s CHINEATOWN, FROM THE SUN (2008), and now SOLO.

Most recently, in addition to opening for Sugarland's summer 2010 and 2011 tours, Vonda has been performing at her own international and domestic concerts, plus numerous private and fund-raising events. Vonda has also been in the studio recording her next album.
 
http://www.vondashepard.com
http://www.facebook.com/vondashepard

FITNESS ROCK & ROLL by Miss Amy Is Nominated for A GRAMMY®

Miss Amy's FITNESS ROCK & ROLL has been nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for the 54th Grammy Celebrations to broadcast on CBS-TV and the internet at http://www.grammy.com on February 12, 2012.


Known as "The First Lady of Musical Fitness" by the National Children's Entertainment Guide, Miss Amy is THE Kids Rocker/Fitness Guru. This GRAMMY Nominated Featured Artist, Miss Amy also serves as an Official Advocate for the President's Challenge Program, and PC All-American in September 2010,  encouraging families to stay physically active through her warm engaging manner and positively enriching original music.

Honored to have performed at The White House Egg Roll 2010, Miss Amy is a singer/songwriter, an accredited music educator and a fitness instructor. She earned her BBA in Strategic Management at University of North Texas and her Certificate of Gerontology at Rutgers University. Additionally Miss Amy has over 20 years of fitness instruction experience being accredited for Kids & Teen Fitness, Yoga I & II, Pilates, Tai-Chi, Strength Training, Primary Aerobics and Pre/Post Natal Fitness, and she is a certified Youth/Adolescent Fitness Trainer.

As an Advocate for the President's Challenge Program (a program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports), Miss Amy encourages families to work toward earning the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award while inspiring and motivating young people to learn about their bodies and build healthy habits for life through her interactive Fitness Rock & Roll shows.

In addition to Miss Amy's nomination for FITNESS ROCK & ROLL, she's contributed work to the Wildflower CD (2010) in support of Women in Art in Pennsylvania and recorded on the International Baby 101 (English/Japanese/Spanish) project which earned the NAPPA Gold Award in 2004 and the Creative Child Excellence Award of 2006. Her I Wanna Know How It Works! song was included in the award-winning, WXPN Kids Corner, 20th Anniversary Celebration CD and ranked #5 for the Kids Corner top 10 songs of 2009. She has been featured in several books most notably; Singing; A Practical Guide to Pursuing the Art (The Performing Arts) (2009) for young adults by Rebecca Friskin and Shake & Shout: 16 Noisy, Lively Story Programs ( 2008) for children by Rob Reid.

An active member of the Philadelphia NARAS Chapter, Miss Amy also serves on the NJ Partnership For Healthy Kids committee, and volunteers with Musicians On Call at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

FITNESS ROCK & ROLL is the third album Miss Amy is on that's been nominated for a GRAMMY. She appears also on HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, as well as on another project this year, ALL ABOUT BULLIES... BIG AND SMALL.

####


http://www.MissAmyKids.com/

SEVERN RECORDS SIGNS THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS; LEGENDARY AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC BAND WILL BEGIN RECORDING LABEL DEBUT SHORTLY FOR RELEASE IN EARLY 2012

Media Contact for Severn Records: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/

Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Severn Records has announced the signing of legendary American roots music band The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and will begin recording their label debut CD shortly at Severn’s new state-of-the-art studio in Annapolis for release in early 2012.

In addition to The Fabulous Thunderbirds co-founder, singer/harmonica player Kim Wilson, the band members are the brothers Moeller – Johnny (guitar) and Jay (drums) - as well as Mike Keller (guitar) and Randy Bermudes (bass). Severn Records also released Johnny Moeller’s critically-acclaimed CD, BlooGaLoo, in 2010.

More Information
“We are thrilled to have The Fabulous Thunderbirds as part of the Severn family and to have the opportunity to give Kim and the band’s music a home,” said Severn Records president David Earl. “Their style will fit in perfectly with what we do and we are looking forward to the first studio sessions in the creation of a new Thunderbirds album.”

“I’m really excited about being a part of Severn Records,” said Kim Wilson. “We have a great rapport with David Earl and I feel at home already. The creative family atmosphere he provides is something that is very rare in any business these days.”
Founded in Austin, Texas, in 1974, the Grammy-nominated Fabulous Thunderbirds have evolved over the years from the group’s original blues sound. “We started as a straight blues band,” said Kim Wilson. We now incorporate a mixture of a lot of different styles. We’re an American music band and we’re much higher energy than we were before. To be in the T-Birds, you need to understand the different styles of music and different ways of playing it. You have to be willing to adopt a more contemporary style. The guys we have now are able to do that.”

Through consistent touring and the release of such landmark albums as Butt Rockin’,
T-Bird Rhythm, Tuff Enuff and Powerful Stuff, The Fabulous Thunderbirds garnered international stardom with the hit singles, “Tuff Enuff,” “Wrap It Up and “Look at That.”

The Fabulous Thunderbirds are managed by Skip Taylor of Two Goats Entertainment and booked in the U.S. and Canada by Bill Monot at Paradise Artists. The band has an upcoming tour of Australia in April, 2012 and will also support the release of their new Severn Records album with extensive touring in both the U.S. and Europe.

For more information on The Fabulous Thunderbirds, visit www.fabulousthunderbirds.com.
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Even hard times can bring some happiness

I didn't want to work on my finances, but I did. And a reward came when I called my bank. One of the cool things is they hire people from different countries so I can call at 4 in the morning and talk with a human being in India, for instance.

This time I got Ashrith, (meaning, "one who gives shelter") on the phone. I could have sworn I had spoken with him before, said, "We talked about music, you had a band. You knew who the guy was that wrote the movie about the homeless kid who won the TV game show. You know the movie, what's it called?"

He said, "no, that was my friend Ashith (which means "happiness")."

Even so Ashrith and I talked about everything from music to what bands really make in India, and how it costs the equivalent of four or five dollars to hear Jethro Tull in concert iwith other bands) in Bangalore.

And then he turned me on to two bands:

Bhoomi


and Parikrama

The Kinetic King Plans to Break Another World Record, Oct. 7

The Kinetic King is on youtube!
St. Paul's very own The Kinetic King (Tim Fort) plans to break the world record for the largest amount of sticks used in a stick bomb at the Saint Paul Art Crawl, taking place at the Northern Warehouse Artists' Co-Operative, 308 Prince Street in the Lowertown neighborhood of Saint Paul, MN, on October 7, at 7:00.  Please direct all press inquiries to lunatim@infionline.net

The Kinetic King has two official Guinness certificates for previous world records involving 2250 and 3864 sticks set in 2009 and 2010  (http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/set-record/).  The Kinetic King's's unofficial personal best is 4242 sticks set last October 8th ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cskPGN5FJw ) and was an unofficial world record until just recently when a group of kids set another unofficial world record of 5076 sticks.  During the quarter-finals on America's Got Talent, the Kinetic King attempted a new world record of over 7000 sticks, but met with disaster due to bad paint and humidity. 

The Kinetic King was a semi-finalist and audience favorite on America's Got Talent this summer, making it to the 13th spot.  AGT Judge Howie Mandel states, "There is no man in America that you can hand soda cans, balls, oranges and sticks to, and he can do something entertaining with it.  There is only one man in America that can do that, and he is the Kinetic King." 

Born and bred in Saint Paul, the King earned his Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota, and became a professional artist in his late 30s.  

"The number of chain-reaction techniques is virtually limitless," he says, and his kinetic gadget inventions are more advanced than domino tumbling and Rube Goldberg machines, encompassing a wide variety of chain-reaction techniques.  He has given them Dalíesque names like Experimental Polymodal Slack-Generating Apparatus #9 and Test Detonation of 0.2 Kilostick Boosted-Yield Xyloexplosive Device #1.  They explode, collapse, play musical tunes, and even have animation in them.  The Kinetic King has worked gigs from Belgium to Seattle and last year had an exhibition in the Corcoran Gallery, Washington DC.  

A brief head's up on some of my artists.

Deni Bonet is an eclectic pop/singer-songwriter that both Jann Klose and Joe Deninzon turned me onto. Her album, IT'S ALL GOOD is coming early 2012, and was produced by a mutual friend, Richard Barone, who you know from the Bongos. I'm just going through photos of the album's sessions that included B-52s Fred Schneider, REM's Peter Buck, John Wesley Harding, and Wings' Steve Holley. Deni has excerpts of her songs at her web site http://www.denibonet.com.

Tim Fort is best known to people (especially those who watched this season's AMERICA'S GOT TALENT) as the Kinetic King. He's planning on beating the Guinness World Record of knocking down 5067 tongue depressors with the knocking down of 6000 tongue depressors this Oct. 7 in Saint Paul, MN. More info by Monday. This is Tim's youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/lunatim and web site is http://www.lunatim.com

The photo for Joe Deninzon's electric violin method book, “Plugging in: A guide to Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist," on Mel Bay books over the holiday season is up at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8320698@N05/6194339498/in/set-72157611847817960

Joe Deninzon is the music world's "go to" guy for all things strings and violin, doing sessions, arrangements, live performances. Some of the acts he's worked with: Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Everclear, Ritchie Blackmore, Smokey Robinson, President Clinton, Johnny Matthis, Les Paul, Phoebe Snow, Robert Bonfiglio... http://www.joedeninzon.com

Ed Arnold Heads to Gentle Giant in-store in Philadelphia, October 1

Phoenixville, PA's Ed Arnold once met Gentle Giant guitarist Gary Green ("he's great, laid back"). Now Ed wants to meet the group's leadsinger Derek Shulman, "he was an interesting vocalist; I'm gonna encourage him to play live again. He always seemed so intense... it might be intimidating."

Back in the late 1970s, Ed discovered the music of Gentle Giant, a progressive rock band whose Octopus and Three Friends are available as special digipacks on the band's label Alucard and distributed through EMI Records. These re-masters are from the original 1/4 inch tapes of these Seminal British Progressive Rock Recordings. As he did for Gentle Giant's earlier re-releases, Fred Kevorkian re-mastered these two additions to the available Gentle Giant catalog. Ecstatic music fans of many generations, most notably contemporaries of the UK-based group who recorded and toured from 1970 till 1980, have been excited about the new releases.

In the case of Ed Arnold, it was in homeroom, 1978, "I had a cool teacher who had a record player, and he always brought in interesting music for us."

This Saturday, October 1, at 2 PM, Ed will have taken the bus, train or maybe have driven in to "Philly." He hasn't quite decided how he's getting to the City of Brotherly Love, but he will be at F.Y.E. Music, 100 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, for Gentle Giant's first in-store in 30 years. Gary and Derek will be on hand to autograph THREE FRIENDS and OCTOPUS. The phone number for F,Y.E. is 215-496-8338.

The albums are available on at
http://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312829910&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Friends-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312828329&sr=1-1

One of the most renowned bands that came out of the British Progressive Rock Movement, Gentle Giant spent their decade together pushing musical boundaries and continually taking chances. Their music, while rooted in rock, had overtones of classical European composition, American jazz, British soul, medieval and even blues. They seamlessly integrated these disparate styles into the melting pot that epitomized the essence that was Gentle Giant.

Gentle Giant fans range from Ozzy Osbourne, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Trey Anastasio of Phish, Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold, Kerry Livgren of American progressive rockers Kansas to guitarist Peter Banks of Yes, and--of course--Ed Arnold!

Gentle Giant's media tour

Gentle Giant will be making a number of public media and marketing appearances that fans world-wide can tap into in support of new re-releases of the group's OCTOPUS and THREE FRIENDS (coming out on Gentle Giant's imprint Alucard through EMI on September 27).

OCTOPUS and THREE FRIENDS are already listed as pre-sales on Amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312829910&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Friends-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312828329&sr=1-1
Ray, Derek, and Phil Shulman, Kerry Minnear, Gary Green, Malcolm Mortimer and John Weathers are available for interviews on these blockbuster re-releases.

Confirmed so far:
September 21: 12 noon EST: Gary Green and the band's catalog marketing gal Anne Leighton
online radio interview, INSIDE THE MUSIC with Nick Katona and John Orr Franklin at http://aiiradio.net
iPhone or other smart phone 3g plus or higher: http://mobile.livestream.com/aiiradionet
here is the show link https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193991367335625
(Join the radio chat board at http://chat.aiiradio.net/)

September 25: 11 AM EST: Band member: John Weathers
WLVR-BETHLEHEM, PA's Ear Responsible Radio w/ Jon
http://www.wlvr.org and at 91.3 FM in the LeHigh Valley, PA

September 25: 4:07 EST: John Weathers
with Mark From Holland
104.5 Mhz (cable) and 107.4 FM in the Ijmond Region of N. Holland
http://www.markfromholland.com/

THIS WILL BE RESCHEDULED: Derek, Malcolm
Yowie, on line video conference
http://www.Yowie.com

October 1: 2 PM: Derek and Gary
FYE Music, 100 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA

Oct. 2: 10 PM PST, Derek
Danny Zelisko's show, KDKB-Phoenix

PM EST: Derek: TBA
East Village Radio's "Beyond is Beyond" w/ Mike Newman
http://www.eastvillageradio.com/

October 11: 10 PM EST: Band member: Gary
WBWC Radio-Cleveland's "Somewhere Between Sunrise & Sunset, your program of progressive rock,
88.3 FM, http://www.wbwc.com


TBA: ECHOES with John Diliberto, NPR
One of the most renowned bands that came out of the British Progressive Rock
Movement, Gentle Giant spent their decade together pushing musical boundaries
and continually taking chances. Their music, while rooted in rock, had overtones of classical European composition, American jazz, British soul, medieval and even blues. They seamlessly integrated these disparate styles into the melting pot that epitomized the essence that was Gentle Giant.

Please stay tuned to this page for updates!
###

MIKE KENEALLY BAND & BRYAN BELLER BAND TO TOUR WEST COAST IN OCTOBER

World-renowned virtuoso guitarist and multi- instrumentalist/composer Mike Keneally is set to launch his first West Coast full-band tour in years, bringing his remarkably inventive musical vision to nine cities in October in support of the Keneally Band's latest Exowax Recordings DVD/CD live release, bakin' @ the potato!

From Keneally’s well-documented recorded work as a guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist in Frank Zappa’s last touring band, to his recordings and performances with Robert Fripp, Dethklok, Wayne Kramer, Steve Vai, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Joe Satriani, Andy Partridge and many others, he’s earned a reputation as someone who brings an intense, original musical voice to any and all musical happenings. His extensive and wildly diverse original catalog of 20 albums (and counting) defies traditional classification, and concertgoers are regularly left awestruck by his band’s high-wire-act execution of the eclectic material. Time Out New York says "this band, with such a peculiar genius leading it, is a thing to savor."

In a unique twist, this tour’s Mike Keneally Band members also comprise the opening act, the band of Keneally’s longtime bassist Bryan Beller (Steve Vai, Dethklok), whose intricate jazz/rock compositions and tasteful playing earned his third and latest album Wednesday Night Live widespread acclaim (“Beller is part of a new elite in the world of jazz-rock fusion.” – Jeff Miers, The Buffalo News.) The Keneally/Beller Band West Coast 2011 Tour features Keneally, Beller, drummer Joe Travers (Zappa Plays Zappa), and guitarists Rick Musallam (Ben Taylor, Byrd York) and Griff Peters (Billie Myers, Anika Paris).

Tour dates:
October 12: Don Quixote's International Music Hall, Felton, CA
October 13: Biscuits & Blues, San Francisco, CA
October 14: Music Max, Palo Cedro (Redding), CA
October 15: Humbrew's, Arcata, CA (Presented by the Arcata Eye, the weekly newspaper
October 17: Mt. Tabor Theater, Portland, OR
October 18: The Rendezvous, Seattle, WA
October 21: Winstons, San Diego (Ocean Beach), CA
October 22: The Baked Potato, Studio City, CA
October 23: HOUSE CONCERT: Anaheim, CA

###
Tour press info, posters, videos and hi-res photos can be found at www.keneally.com/promo
http://www.keneally.com

GENTLE GIANT'S DEREK SHULMAN AND GARY GREEN AT IN-STORE, FYE MUSIC, PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 1

Former Gentle Giant Lead Vocalist Derek Shulman and Guitarist Gary Green to make rare appearance in support of new digital and physical re-masters of OCTOPUS and THREE FRIENDS

Gentle Giant's Derek Shulman and Gary Green will be hosting their own in-store at FYE Music, 100 South Broad Street, in Philadelphia, on Saturday, October 1, at 2 PM. The store's phone number is 215-496-8338.

Gentle Giant's Octopus and Three Friends are being released as special digipacks on September 27 on the band's label Alucard and distributed through EMI Records. These re-masters are from the original 1/4 inch tapes of these Seminal British Progressive Rock Recordings. As he did for Gentle Giant's earlier re-releases, Fred Kevorkian re-mastered these two additions to the available Gentle Giant catalog.

The albums are already listed as pre-sales on Amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312829910&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Friends-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312828329&sr=1-1

One of the most renowned bands that came out of the British Progressive Rock Movement, Gentle Giant spent their decade together pushing musical boundaries and continually taking chances. Their music, while rooted in rock, had overtones of classical European composition, American jazz, British soul, medieval and even blues. They seamlessly integrated these disparate styles into the melting pot that epitomized the essence that was Gentle Giant.

Gentle Giant fans range from Ozzy Osbourne, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Trey Anastasio of Phish, Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater,
Avenged Sevenfold, Kerry Livgren of American progressive rockers Kansas to guitarist Peter Banks of Yes.

After Gentle Giant disbanded in 1980, Derek became a hugely successful A&R Executive, starting careers and signing Bon Jovi, Cinderella, Edwin McCain, Slipknot. He is available for interviews in advance of the in-store.

####

LITTLE STEVEN WELCOMES THE YARDBIRDS

Left to Right: Yardbirds singer: Andy Mitchell, bassist David Smale, guitarist Ben King, rhythm guitar Chris Dreja, Little Steven, and Yardbirds' drummer Jim McCarty

Little Steven will always rave about the Yardbirds, singing the group's praises from the rafters and to the world. Generally he plays the band in heavy rotation on his Sirius XM channel, Little Steven's Underground Garage. On Wednesday, September 7, he was declaring the band's place in music history when he emceed the Yardbirds at BB King Blues Club and Grill, in New York City. In fact Steven's "rave up" of the band was caught on youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu8TtILThUw&feature=share

GUITAR WORLD editor Brad Tolinski was also in attendance at the show, and he immediately reviewed the show on his blog, stating, it was "one of the best gigs I've seen this year."

ALL YARDBIRDS NORTH AMERICAN DATES

Sept. 1: Summer Music Series, Springfield, MA
Sept. 2: Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT
Sept. 3: Tupelo Music Hall, White River Junction, VT
Sept. 4: Tupelo Music Hall, Londonerry, NH
Sept. 5 Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT
Sept. 7 BB Kings, New York, NY
Sept. 8: Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, PA
Sept. 9: NYCB THEATRE at WESTBURY, Westbury, NY
Sept. 10: Parilla Center, Rockville, MD
Sept. 11: Rams Head, Annapolis, MD
Sept. 15: New Showroom, Hawaiian Brians, Honolulu, HI
Sept. 16: Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Maui, HI
Sept. 17: Horoka Peoples Theatre, Big Island, HI
Sept. 21 Key Club, Hollywood, CA
Sept. 22: Coachhouse, Santa Ana, CA
Sept. 23: Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA  
Sept. 24: El Rey Theatre, Chico, CA
 
 

CHAMBER POP SUMMIT: JIM MCCARTY, JANN KLOSE AND JOHN HAWKEN PERFORM AT HUGH'S ROOM, OCT. 5

Jim McCarty headlining at Hugh's Room w/ bassist George Koller and guitarist Jean-Michel Kajdan.
photo by Jon Richard, © 2011

Panoramic of Jann Klose performing Yardbirds songs at Hugh's Room, Toronto, the 2nd date of the Canadian tour 2011. L TO R: John Hawken, Ron Korb, Jim McCarty, Jann Klose, Larry Crowe, George Koller, Jean-Michel Kajdan. (October 5th, 2011).
(C) 2011 Jade Yeh


John Hawken, Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja, and Jann Klose at BB King Blues Club, New York, NY, Sept. 7

Jim McCarty, Jann Klose, and John Hawken will be performing at Hugh's Room,2261 Dundas Street, W., in Toronto, on October 5 at 8:30 PM. Admission is $20 in advance and $22.50 at the door. The web site is http://www.hughsroom.com, and the phone number is 416-531-6604.

Jim McCarty and Jann Klose, and their bands create unique styles of "chamber pop." This style uses interesting musical instruments, classical and other genre influences (blues, jazz, multi-cultural, folk, theatre) to create beautiful melodies with international overtones. Their works, which have unintended parallels, have been critically acclaimed.

The Yardbirds’ Jim McCarty's history is phenomenal, having been partially responsible for discovering Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and reuniting with Page in a 1980s group called Box of Frogs. He's been making music every decade, with emphasis on creation. He and the other original Yardbirds members have been inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jim founded Renaissance with Yardbirds' mate, the late Keith Relf in the late 1960s. This band was a classical rock band that was fronted for the first album by Keith's sister Jane. After Jane left, Jim and Keith auditioned Annie Haslam, who fronted the line-up of Renaissance that became popular in the States.

Jim McCarty's current album SITTING ON THE TOP OF TIME features Toronto flautist Ron Korb, pianist Donald Quan, guitarist Ray Hickey and bassist George Koller. Much of it was recorded in Quan's studio, Q Music, “There seemed to be a good group of session players available, very much like in London in the ‘60s and thanks to Ron, I soon had a good team together: Ron, Donald, Ray, and George.”

Joining Jim’s band for this show is John Hawken. John was in Renaissance and Illusion with Jim (2001), and most recently in the Strawbs. He has also played with The Nashville Teens, Spooky Tooth, Vinegar Joe (with Robert Palmer), Third World War, and Renaissance Illusion.

Renaissance's Annie Haslam was one of the music business people who discovered Jann Klose, and collaborated with him and John Tout (from Annie's Renaissance lineup) in the fall of 2008. Jann then opened for Renaissance's 40th Anniversary comeback tour, Fall 2009. He has opened for the Strawbs a few times, and has shared the stage and/or opened for Pete Seeger, the late Les Paul, Rusted Root, Shawn Phillips, Marty Stuart, Roger McGuinn, Rosanne Cash, Marshall Crenshaw, Vonda Shepard, Elliott Murphy.

Genya Ravan, who recently featured Jann's "Waiting For the Wave" on her Sirius XM show "Goldie's Garage" on Little Steven's Underground Garage channel says, "Gee, if I had a label I would sign Jann immediately, this is a hit song.  I am going to play it, even though its not garage, too damn beautiful to pass on." Jann music is on the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT, his music's been featured on MTV's CRIBS and Paul Sorvino's movie, DEAD BROKE (Warner Bros.) His most recent recordings are REVERIE (2008) and SACRIFICE EP (2010). and he's releasing a new album in 2012.

Jann Klose & Jim McCarty, photo by Steven Triolo

TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM IAN ANDERSON AND JETHRO TULL

"Thick as a Brick" Played in Special 2012 Tour and AQUALUNG-Special Edition in October

Ian Anderson Announces the Thick As A Brick Tours for 2012.

Ian Anderson performs Thick As A Brick in its entirety for the first time since 1972, going out for a world tour commencing in Great Britain in Mid-April. Then, it's on to European countries in the late Spring and Summer before landing in the USA for two tours spanning September, October and early November.

This tour will feature a more theatrical production with video, additional musicians and a troupe of dancing elephants. (Just kidding about the dancing elephants: they don't dance...)

In 1972, Ian wrote the music (and the lyrics which were credited at the time to the fictitious character, 8 year-old Gerald Bostock, whose parents lied about his age) and recorded with Jethro Tull, Thick As A Brick. The record became a number one Billboard album and enjoyed huge commercial success in most countries of the world. The album featured only one song, lasting nearly 45 minutes. To accommodate the album on LP vinyl and cassette, the seamless track was split on both sides of the record. It reached number one on the US Billboard Pop Albums chart.

Tull then dutifully took the somewhat theatrical show on the road in the Great Britain, USA, and other world markets.

Since 1972, the album has never been performed in its entirety although a few minutes of the material have been a regular repertoire staple in both Tull and IA solo shows over the years.

Now, scheduled for performance again in 2012, Ian will take the original album to a theatre near you. It will be performed in its entirety in a theatrical setting with band, and additional guests.

BACKGROUND on Gerald Bostock: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Gerald Bostock is the fictional author of the poem used as the lyrics for the 1972 Jethro Tull album Thick as a Brick. The album cover is designed to look like a small village newspaper, the St. Cleve Chronicle & Linwell Advertiser. The front page story describes how eight-year-old Gerald, nicknamed "Little Milton," received an award for his poem.


Due Fall 2011, The Aqualung 40th Anniversary Collector's and Special Editions

"Aqualung" is Tull's most recognized album and a definitive rock classic. Now, 40 years after its release, this prized recording gets a collection worthy of its historic status.

This is not a simplistic rehashed remastering aimmed at squeezing another few pounds, dollars, euros, etc. out of the recording. Want proof? The limited collector's edition's contents include:
• 180g heavyweight LP, 2CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray including various unreleased materials, a new stereo mix, the original Quad mix, and 5.1 DTS and Dolby Digital Surround. The "special edition" includes just the two CDs.
• 12"x12" 48-page hardback book featuring liner notes and an interview with Ian, Q&A with engineer John Burns, Don Lawson (initially written for 'Classic Rock Presents Prog' in March 2011), memoirs from band members (Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond (Bass Guitar), Martin Barre (Guitar), Clive Bunker (Drums), Barrie Barlow (Drummer following Clive Bunker’s departure), Glenn Cornick (Original Bassist on early recordings), Terry Ellis (Manager)) and Jennie Franks (Ian's first wife who wrote the lyrics for the title track), rare photos, notes on the new mixes by producer Steven Wilson, and Billie Ritchie (from 60s rock band & label mate ‘Clouds’), rare photos, album lyrics, and more.

Ian's Comments "Well - it's finally here! The superb remixes by Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson in both stereo and 5.1 Surround. Plus the re-mastered original mixes, bonus tracks, alternative versions and takes of the classic Aqualung material from 40 years ago.

When I wrote and recorded these songs and slaved over a hot audio-mixer in Island Records' Basing Street Studios, I never thought we we would be celebrating this 40th Anniversary release, soon to be released in October. But you can't keep a good song down. Many of these are still favourites on stage today in our concerts throughout the world.

I hope you enjoy this splendid EMI release and, if there's someone out there you really love, then why not treat them to the Collector's Edition in all its glory. Or, come to think of it, if there's someone out there you really dislike, then the same might apply. Each to his own. Me - I kinda like it.....

For those of you easily confused about such things, a 'remix' is not the same as a 're-master.' Remixing involves going back to the original studio multi-track masters and balancing and perfecting the sound on all the individual instrumental and vocal tracks and creating from them a new stereo or 5.1 surround master.

'Re-mastering' is just the cleaning up and making a new copy of the original stereo master - which usually results in a clearer and more sparkling listening experience than the original, when CDs were usually just the vinyl master copied straight to the then new CD medium. These days, with digital audio, we can afford to get more dynamic range and frequency response compared to the vinyl album and (God forbid) cassette versions of old.

Many thanks to Tim Chacksfield and Steve Davis at EMI for all their hard work and initiative in making this happen. And to the enthusiastic and respectful Steven Wilson. Who has just sent me the remixes of another album to listen to, which he has been working on. But, another year, another story....
Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull


TRACKLISTING

VINYL

Side 1
1. Aqualung (New Stereo Mix)
2. Cross-Eyed Mary (New Stereo Mix)
3. Cheap Day Return (New Stereo Mix)
4. Mother Goose (New Stereo Mix)
5. Wond'ring Aloud (New Stereo Mix)
6. Up To Me (New Stereo Mix)

Side 2
1. My God (New Stereo Mix)
2. Hymn 43 (New Stereo Mix)
3. Slipstream (New Stereo Mix)
4. Locomotive Breath (New Stereo Mix)
5. Wind-Up (New Stereo Mix)

CD 1 – New Aqualung Stereo Mix (Previously Unreleased)
1. Aqualung (New Stereo Mix)
2. Cross-Eyed Mary (New Stereo Mix)
3. Cheap Day Return (New Stereo Mix)
4. Mother Goose (New Stereo Mix)
5. Wond'ring Aloud (New Stereo Mix)
6. Up To Me (New Stereo Mix)
7. My God (New Stereo Mix)
8. Hymn 43 (New Stereo Mix)
9. Slipstream (New Stereo Mix)
10. Locomotive Breath (New Stereo Mix)
11. Wind-Up (New Stereo Mix)

CD 2 – Additional 1970 &1971 Recordings include some Previously Unreleased New Stereo Mixes.
1. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix)
2. Just Trying To Be (New Mix)
3. My God (Early Version)
4. Wond'ring Aloud (13th December 1970)
5. Wind-Up (Early Version - New Mix)
6. Slipstream (Take 2)
7. Up The 'Pool (Early Version)
8. Wond'ring Aloud, Again (Full Morgan Version)
9. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix)
10. Up The 'Pool (New Mix)
11. Dr Bogenbroom (2011 - Remaster)
12. From Later (2011 - Remaster)
13. Nursie (2011 - Remaster)
14. US Radio Spot

DVD
1. Aqualung (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
2. Cross-Eyed Mary (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
3. Cheap Day Return (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
4. Mother Goose (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
5. Wond'ring Aloud (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
6. Up To Me (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
7. My God (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
8. Hymn 43 (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
9. Slipstream (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
10. Locomotive Breath (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
11. Wind-Up (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
12. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
13. My God (Early Version) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
14. Up The 'Pool (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
15. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
16. Aqualung (New Stereo Mix)
17. Cross Eyed Mary (New Stereo Mix)
18. Cheap Day Return (New Stereo Mix)
19. Mother Goose (New Stereo Mix)
20. Wond'ring Aloud (New Stereo Mix)
21. Up To Me (New Stereo Mix)
22. My God (New Stereo Mix)
23. Hymn 43 (New Stereo Mix)
24. Slipstream (New Stereo Mix)
25. Locomotive Breath (New Stereo Mix)
26. Wind-Up (New Stereo Mix)
27. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix)
28. Just Trying To Be (New Mix)
29. My God (Early Version)
30. Wond'ring Aloud (13th December 1970)
31. Wind-Up (Early Version - New Mix)
32. Slipstream (Take 2)
33. Up The 'Pool (Early Version)
34. Wond'ring Aloud, Again (Full Morgan Version)
35. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix)
36. Up The 'Pool (New Mix)
37. Dr Bogenbroom (2011 - Remaster)
38. From Later (2011 - Remaster)
39. Nursie (2011 - Remaster)
40. Aqualung (Quad Mix)
41. Cross-Eyed Mary (Quad Mix)
42. Cheap Day Return (Quad Mix)
43. Mother Goose (Quad Mix)
44. Wond'ring Aloud (Quad Mix)
45. Up To Me (Quad Mix)
46. My God (Quad Mix)
47. Hymn 43 (Quad Mix)
48. Slipstream (Quad Mix)
49. Locomotive Breath (Quad Mix)
50. Wind-Up (Quad Mix)

BLU RAY
1. Aqualung (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
2. Cross-Eyed Mary (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
3. Cheap Day Return (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
4. Mother Goose (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
5. Wond'ring Aloud (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
6. Up To Me (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
7. My God (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
8. Hymn 43 (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
9. Slipstream (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
10. Locomotive Breath (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
11. Wind-Up (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
12. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
13. My God (Early Version) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
14. Up The 'Pool (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
15. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
16. Aqualung (New Stereo Mix)
17. Cross-Eyed Mary (New Stereo Mix)
18. Cheap Day Return (New Stereo Mix)
19. Mother Goose (New Stereo Mix)
20. Wond'ring Aloud (New Stereo Mix)
21. Up To Me (New Stereo Mix)
22. My God (New Stereo Mix)
23. Hymn 43 (New Stereo Mix)
24. Slipstream (New Stereo Mix)
25. Locomotive Breath (New Stereo Mix)
26. Wind-Up (New Stereo Mix)
27. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix)
28. Just Trying To Be (New Mix)
29. My God (Early Version)
30. Wond'ring Aloud (13th December 1970)
31. Wind-Up (Early Version - New Mix)
32. Slipstream (Take 2)
33. Up The 'Pool (Early Version)
34. Wond'ring Aloud, Again (Full Morgan Version)
35. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix)
36. Up The 'Pool (New Mix)
37. Dr Bogenbroom (2011 - Remaster)
38. From Later (2011 - Remaster)
39. Nursie (2011 - Remaster)
40. Aqualung
41. Cross-Eyed Mary
42. Cheap Day Return
43. Mother Goose
44. Wond'Ring Aloud
45. Up To Me
46. My God
47. Hymn 43
48. Slipstream
49. Locomotive Breath
50. Wind-Up
51. Aqualung (Quad Mix)
52. Cross-Eyed Mary (Quad Mix)
53. Cheap Day Return (Quad Mix)
54. Mother Goose (Quad Mix)
55. Wond'ring Aloud (Quad Mix)
56. Up To Me (Quad Mix)
57. My God (Quad Mix)
58. Hymn 43 (Quad Mix)
59. Slipstream (Quad Mix)
60. Locomotive Breath (Quad Mix)
61. Wind-Up (Quad Mix)
Jethro Tull – "Aqualung" 40th Anniversary Special Edition
Alongside the Collector’s Edition, is a 2CD Special Edition, containing CD1 and CD2 plus a 36 page booklet, in a digipack sleeve.


####

Strawbs to Tour North America This Fall

Getting Ready to Hit the Road with Pride, Prejudice and THE ZOMBIES!

“They have broken new ground by harnessing the power of their electric incarnation in an acoustic setting.”
- The Chicago Tribune

East Coast, West Coast and all across Canada, the Strawbs plan to spend a serious amount of the Fall of 2011 in the USA and Canada. Singer guitarist David Cousins, guitarist Dave Lambert and bassist Chas Cronk just won't necessarily be doing the same shows. On the one hand, there will be nights like their September 14th tour debut at the Town Crier in Pawling, where the Acoustic Strawbs will hold court all by themselves. And then there will be fall evenings when the Strawbs are pursued by The Zombies. Either way, you're in for a night of superb British rock.

Coming out of the early days of the British folk movement, David Cousins, Tony Hooper formed The Strawberry Hill Boys (it was shortened to the Strawbs) to play bluegrass. For a while, they counted Sandy Denny as a member (before she went on to Fairport Convention). As the group got deeper into a more “progressive” sound, they also featured Rick Wakeman, before he went on to Yes.

As their music became more complex, and compared more to the Moody Blues, King Crimson, and Pink Floyd than to Fairport Convention and Steeleye Spann, they recorded extensively for A&M, earning UK hits with “Lay Down” and “Part of the Union,” and getting album rock raves on this side of the pond for “Down By The Sea.” This year the group tours in support of a new album, ACOUSTIC GOLD that features favorites, including "Grace Darling,' "A Glimpse of Heaven," and "Ghosts" in an acoustic setting.

On this tour, they will play acoustic (but definitely NOT unplugged), sifting through 40 years worth of music. As Record Collector described their show, “Carefully selecting their repertoire from less obvious sources they invest the rarely performed material with considerable energy and thoughtful arrangements.”

The Strawbs will be touring with The Zombies on a leg of their 50th anniversary tour, for both East Coast, West Coast, and Canadian dates. The schedule is as follows:

Sept 14 The Town Crier Pauling NY Acoustic Strawbs only
Sept 15 MusikFest Café w/The Zombies Bethlehem PA
Sept 16 Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center w/The Zombies Silver Springs MD
Sept 17 Keswick Theater w/The Zombies Glenside PA
Sept 18 Tarrytown Music Hall w/The Zombies Tarrytown NY
Sept 19 Rams Head On Stage w/The Zombies Annapolis MD
Sept 21 Showcase Live w/The Zombies Foxboro MA
Sept 22 Tupelo Music Hall w/The Zombies Londonderry NH
Sept 23 Infinity Hall w/The Zombies Norfolk, CT
Sept 24 Wolf Den @ Mohegan Sun Casino w/The Zombies Uncasville CT
Sept 25 Strand Theater w/The Zombies Lakewood NJ Acoustic Strawbs Only
Sept.26 City Winery w/The Zombies New York NY
Sept.27 City Winery w/The Zombies New York NY
Sept 28 State Theater w/The Zombies State College PA
Sept 30 Celebrity Theater Phoenix AZ
Oct 1 Canyon Club Agoura Hills CA
Oct 2 The Coach House San Juan Capistrano CA
Oct 3 Acoustic Music San Diego CA Acoustic Strawbs Only
Oct 5 McPhillips Station Casino w/The Zombies Winnipeg MB
Oct 7 Casino Regina w/The Zombies Regina SK
Oct 9 Century Casino w/The Zombies Edmonton AB
Oct 12 Convention Center w/The Zombies Kamloops BC
Oct 13 River Rock Casino w/The Zombies Richmond, BC

http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/125319430894924/

GENTLE GIANT'S ALUCARD MUSIC RELEASE OCTOPUS and THREE FRIENDS, DISTRIBUTION THROUGH EMI RECORDS.

EMI Unleashes New Digital and physical remasters from the original 1/4 inch tapes of these Seminal British Progressive Rock Recordings on September 27, 2011

Hollywood, California - September 27, 2011 Roger Dean's infamous Octopus and Martin Birch's original Three Friends artwork will adorn the special digipacks which are heading to your favorite music store on September 27th 2011. You can acquire another taste of Gentle Giant with the original U.K. Artwork and remastered music on CD or via digital download.

The albums are already listed as pre-sales on Amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312829910&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Friends-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312828329&sr=1-1

One of the most renowned bands that came out of the British Progressive Rock
Movement, Gentle Giant spent their decade together pushing musical boundaries
and continually taking chances. Their music, while rooted in rock, had overtones of classical European composition, American jazz, British soul, medieval and even blues. They seamlessly integrated these disparate styles into the melting pot that epitomized the essence that was Gentle Giant.

Gentle Giant fans range from Ozzy Osbourne, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Trey
Anastasio of Phish, Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater,
Avenged Sevenfold, Kerry Livgren of American progressive rockers Kansas
to guitarist Peter Banks of Yes.

Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater said, “Gentle Giant was one of my biggest musical
Influences in the days when I left Juilliard and my classical path of becoming a
concert pianist. My mom wouldn't like Gentle Giant because of that fact, but
hell, I am at least making a living playing music!”

Peter Banks called them “ahead of most of those groups at the time - they were
quite exceptional.”

Livgren said, “Gentle Giant was one of my favorite groups. Their albums Three
Friends and Octopus had a remarkable originality, good musicianship, and
philosophically interesting lyrics. I also had the pleasure of seeing them in
concert, and appreciated the energy of their performance.”

Three Friends, the group's first self-produced work (after two times in the
studio with Tony Visconti) and their first-to-be-released in the US, propelled
the group into one of the hardest edged progressive bands of their day. Of
Octopus, the All Music Guide's Dave Thompson says “…it's astonishing just how
little Octopus has dated…an album that has withstood the test of time a lot
better than anyone might have expected."

As he did for Gentle Giant's earlier re-releases, Fred Kevorkian re-mastered
these two additions to the available Gentle Giant catalog.

Complete with the original Roger Dean artwork (on Octopus) and Martin Birch
cover (on Three Friends), these two epic Gentle Giant recordings also include
over 30 minutes of rare bonus music. The packaging also features special booklets
with up-to-date reminiscences of these albums by the band members, as well as rare
photos from the time.

Ray, Derek, and Phil Shulman, Kerry Minnear, Malcolm Mortimer and John Weathers
are all available for interviews in anticipation of these blockbuster re-releases.

Track line up (note: Bonus track only on digital albums)
Octopus, 1972:
1. The advent of Panurge.
2. Raconteur Troubadour.
3. A Cry for Everyone.
4. Knots.
5. The Boys in the Band.
6. Dog's Life
7. Think of me with Kindness.
8. River.
9. Bonus Track-"Excerpts from Octopus" recorded live at the Calderone Theatre,, Hempstead, NY, July 3, 1976

Three Friends, 1972:
1. Prologue
2. School Days
3. Working All Day
4. Peel The Paint
5. Mister Class and Quality.
6. Three Friends.
7. Bonus Material.
i. Prologue from Concert tour in New Orleans September 1972.
ii. Peel the Paint-recording drums and bass in studio.
iii. alternative guitar and drum solo recording Peel the Paint.
iiii. Recording vocals harmonies on "Three Friends".

Web site: http://www.gentlegiantmusic.com
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/GENTLE-GIANT/121160188790
Twitter twitter.com/ggiantmusic
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/gentlegiantplaying

GET THE LED OUT TO FEATURE HENRY SMITH, YARDBIRDS AND LED ZEPPELIN LONG TIME ASSOCIATE & ROAD MANAGER

...And now a word from GET THE LED OUT, who is sponsoring the September Yardbirds' tour in the United States! The contact for the GET THE LED OUT radio show is Denny Somach (610-446-7100, denny@dennysomach.com. The web site is http://www.ledzeponline.com. Note that I'm your contact for The Yardbirds, Denny's your man for the radio show!

Denny Somach Productions (DSP) today announced that it would feature an exclusive interview with Led Zeppelin and Yardbirds' associate Henry Smith. Excerpts will be featured on Carol Miller's Get the Led Out radio show during the week of August 22, 2011. Currently back with the reformed Yardbirds, Smith will be overseeing their fall tour, which commences in September.

Carol Miller's Get the Led Out will also serve as the national tour sponsor and help to get the word out when
the legendary Yardbirds begin playing concerts mostly in the Northeast, West Coast and Hawaii. GTLO affiliated stations will be able to tie in with shows and include VIP seats, unique merchandise giveaways and a meet and greet. The tour includes two New York City area dates at BB Kings on September 7 and the NYCB Theatre at Westbury, on September 9.

The current Yardbirds include founding members and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja. The two were responsible for many of the classic Yarbirds hits including, Shapes of Things, Over Under Sideways Down, Happenings Ten Years Time Ago, Heart Full Of Soul, and For Your Love. Rounding out the band is Andy Mitchell, lead vocals, harmonica; Ben King, lead guitar; and David Smale, bass guitar.

Smith was a concert promoter in the New England area in the late '60s, and used to put a band called the Chain Reaction on as opening act. That band included one of his best friends, Steven Tallarico. One of those concerts was with the Yardbirds, which is how he first met Jimmy Page. In the early seventies he left his job with Led Zeppelin to work for a new band that his friend Steven Tallarico was launching. Tallarico also changed his name to Steven Tyler and the band was called Aerosmith.

“Henry's stories are unique and for the most part unheard,” said producer Denny Somach, “and he is one
of the best behind the scenes guests we have ever had on the radio program.” According to Smith, “my role with Zeppelin was, I was hired by Jimmy to be a roadie. I didn't have anything to do with the business affairs, and I didn't have anything to do with booking. I was involved in my job and I was involved in the fun.”

Carol Miller's Get the Led Out is a programming package of long and short-form features hosted by New York Radio legend Carol Miller. Affiliates are provided a one-hour weekly program and five weekly short features that can double as podcasts, all of which examine the career of the band that is generally acknowledged as the greatest hard rock band of all time, Led Zeppelin.

The program is about to celebrate its second anniversary and airs on over 100 radio stations including WAXQ in New York and KLOS in Los Angeles.

Carol Miller is one of the longest-running New York radio personalities, from years at WPLJ and WNEW and currently Clear Channel's WAXQ-FM. She began her career as a rock jock at WMMR, Philadelphia. She has hosted numerous nationally and internationally distributed radio specials and TV like Entertainment Tonight, VH-1 and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is an acknowledged expert on Led Zeppelin, and has interviewed the surviving members numerous times over the years.

The program is distributed by United Stations Radio Network. It is produced by Denny Somach Productions. Andy Denemark serves as executive producer for USRN.

Denny Somach Productions maintains one of the largest archives of classic rock content and has
a long history of creating some of the most memorable programs in rock radio. DSP produced feature programming for NBC's The Source, NBC Radio Entertainment, ABC Radio, CBS, MTV and the highly acclaimed award winning Beatles program, Ticket to Ride. Most recently Denny Somach founded the Classic Rock Society of America.

United Stations Radio Networks, Inc., is the nation's leading independently owned and operated radio network. The company currently distributes and produces dozens of format specific programs and services to nearly 4500 rated radio stations across the country including Adult Contemporary, Album Rock, County, Contemporary Hit, Oldies, Country, Smooth Jazz, Urban and Talk. Carol Miller's Get the Led Out joins USRN's other rock programming which includes Nights with Alice Cooper, The House of Hair with Dee Snider, Racing Rocks with Riki Rachtman among others. The New York-based company was founded in 1994 by radio pioneers Dick Clark and Nick Verbitsky.

THE YARDBIRDS ON TOUR

Sept. 1: Summer Music Series, Springfield, MA
Sept. 2: Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT
Sept. 3: Tupelo Music Hall, White River Junction, VT
Sept. 4: Tupelo Music Hall, Londonerry, NH
Sept. 5 Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT
Sept. 7 BB Kings, New York, NY
Sept. 8: Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, PA
Sept. 9: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, Westbury, NY
Sept. 10: Parilla Center, Rockville, MD
Sept. 11: Rams Head, Annapolis, MD
Sept. 15: New Showroom, Hawaiian Brians, Honolulu, HI
Sept. 16: Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Maui, HI
Sept. 17: Honoka Peoples Theatre, Big Island, HI
Sept. 21 Key Club, Hollywood, CA
Sept. 22: Coachhouse, Santa Ana, CA
Sept. 23: Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA

http://yardbirds.us/
http://www.theyardbirds.com