Some real quick takes:

Joe Deninzon's Stratospheerius at the Hunter Museum, Chattanooga. (Joe's unplugged in this.)

I'm servicing finally the Joe Deninzon Trio album, EXUBERANCE. It's a terrific jazz album and pays tribute to the late Bob Bowen. Jot me a note if you're interested. http://www.joedeninzon.com/

Tour dates for Grand Funk Railroad are at http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/departures.htm

Strawbs will be here in September and October. Most of the dates will be with the Zombies, and that will include shows in Southern California (to be announced) for the first time in many, many years! Melani Rodgers is the publicist for the Zombies. Her e-mail is melanirogersny@aol.com So far, some dates are up at http://strawbsweb.co.uk/@f/f_1109mp.htm More will be announced soon.

Bruce Pilato (brucetune@aol.com) is handling Carl Palmer's tour this year.
http://carlpalmer.com/tourdates.php

I'll be working two Gentle Giant digital and CD re-releases this September: OCTOPUS and THREE FRIENDS. Fan site for the band: http://www.blazemonger.com/GG/Gentle_Giant_Home_Page

My poetry book, MY BRAIN, THE PARK, AND OTHER THINGS has been bumped to my birthday, October 15. Great way to celebrate. I plan to do a live performance in the Bronx as a celebration around that time. In 2012 I'm arranging shows in New York City and Lehigh Valley/Quakertown/Philadelphia area.

Bronx Music Fans: "Tell Paul McCartney to Have Jann Klose Open The Show at Yankee Stadium, July 15 and 16."

"And Your Jann Can Sing"

Jann Klose performing the Beatles' "Something" at BanglaDesh-revisited, BB Kings, Nov. 2009

Preeminent singer/songwriter Paul McCartney received an offer from the Bronx-based singer/songwriter Jann Klose to open for the legendary Beatles star in the Bronx at Sir Paul's upcoming shows July 15 and 16 at Yankees Stadium. Not for $3000, as the recurring 1970s SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE "Reunite the Beatles" gag used to go, but because the prospect makes sense.

Paul McCartney is performing on Jann's home turf in the Bronx, where Jann has lived for the past 11 years. He has become an international representative of this borough, one of the most multi-cultural cities of the world. He has performed at Bronx Week and An Beal Bocht, and been profiled in Bronx media on TV, radio, internet, and print including a number of Daily News articles. Venues in his community around the Bronx, Manhattan, and Westchester County, include shows at the venerable Tarrytown Music Hall, The Concert Hall, Rockwood Music Hall, the Bitter End, and BB Kings. He's influenced countless residents to make better eating decisions as he appears on the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT along with Julian Lennon, Sweet Honey In the Rock, Russell Simmons, Moby, and St. Louis, MO scenester Beatle Bob.

When he's not in the Bronx, Jann tours throughout North America, France, Germany, Georgia, and the UK--including having performed a number of shows in Liverpool, UK-- two at the Beatles former stomping ground, the Cavern Club. In March 2012, Jann returns to Liverpool, where he'll be teaching a Master Class on DIY touring and the importance of collaboration at the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts (the college Sir Paul McCartney co-founded).

Like the Beatles, Jann started performing in Hamburg, Germany, where he spent his teenage years. Hamburg was also where Jann first heard music by Paul McCartney and the Beatles. Born in Germany, raised in Kenya, South Africa, and Germany, Jann first came to the States as an exchange student in Cleveland. After fulfilling his civil service in Hamburg, he returned to the States to start his career.

After a stint in touring companies of Broadway plays (JEKYLL & HYDE, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR) and portraying the Pinball Wizard in the NJPac production of TOMMY, Jann released BLACK BOX EP and the album REVERIE, both critically-acclaimed. In the past seven years, Jann's shared the stage with and opened for an array of artists, including Rusted Root, Renaissance, Marshall Crenshaw, Jonathan Edwards, Roger McGuinn, Pete Seeger, and the late Les Paul. He is now an eligible artist for the 2011 New York Music Awards, listed right between "Carole King" and "Lady Gaga." His music has been featured on MTV Cribs, the soundtrack to the Paul Sorvino film Dead Broke (Warner Bros), plus on compilations in France, Indonesia, and the UK. Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson found him representation in Germany.

Through the years Jann's praised Paul McCartney in his interviews. On the eve of Paul's 2009 tour, The Washington Examiner asked Jann about the former Beatle's impact and reason for longevity. Jann explained the singer's influence, "The melodies are so powerful and catching without being boring. You just don't forget them. I think more than anything that's what has staying power."

SCORE MUSIC's Paul Barile reviewed Jann's album, REVERIE, and wrote, "This sounds like what the Beatles would have made if they had grown old together." Some of the album's songs can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/jannklose .

Links to live music, including Jann's performance of "Something" from ABBEY ROAD at an annual BANGLADESH tribute and cancer benefit from New York City's BB Kings are at http://www.youtube.com/jannklose.

Paul McCartney and his staff have received invitations to any of Jann's upcoming shows. Come on out.

July 1: ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL w/ Tom Brislin, New York, NY
July 2: RECORD COLLECTOR w/ Tom Brislin, Bordentown, NJ
July 3: THE IRIDIUM, sitting in w/ Gary Lucas, New York, NY
July 9: HOUSE CONCERT, Trenton, NJ
August 11: MUSIKFEST 2011, Bethlehem, PA
September 10: STEPHEN TALKHOUSE w/ Jonathan Tiersten, Amagansett, NY
September 11: COFFEE WORKS w/ Jonathan Tiersten, Voorhees, NJ
October 26: IRON HORSE w/ Shawn Phillips, Northampton, MA
November 26: HIGHLINE BALLROOM, BanglaDesh revisited, New York, NY
March 2, 2012: MASTER CLASS, LIVERPOOL INSTITUTE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Liverpool, UK

####

KJ DENHERT, AN INTRODUCTION

http://www.kjdenhert.com
KJ's video and story behind "Let It Go"
http://youtu.be/Ld851jNlSN4
KJ's music video of "Help" http://youtu.be/p-ktZ1jARKQ

This is KJ DENHERT, an urban folk singer/guitarist/songwriter, who performs quite a bit. If you're interested in getting her press kit with her current album, ALBUM No.9.  
 
"Album No.9 is about freedom.” says KJ Denhert. There also is a numerology connection as to how and when the album was recorded; production began on Sept. 9, 2009, continued over the course of nine months with nine musicians, and has nine songs. "My life-path number is 9," says KJ. In less than a year of its release on Sept. 9, 2010, KJ's music video of ALBUM No.9’s yearnful "Help" is becoming a minor hit on youtube. She interprets the Beatles' standard as a plea to the world, because of the many tragedies that were complicated due to man’s inhumanity and greed, most recently in Haiti, Louisiana, and Japan. Other classics on the album are "Alfie;" "Pennies From Heaven,” "The Shadow of Your Smile," and "Smoke on the Water."

The reggae anthem "Choose Your Weapon," which won the 2010 Independent Music Award for ”Sing Out for Social Action," "Let It Go," and her first song in French, "Chanson Baz Bar" are three of ALBUM No.9's originals that have become favorites of KJ's fans.

This November, KJ will be celebrating 15 years fronting her own band KJ Denhert and the New York Unit. But, her career dates back to the '60s when she first started playing guitar at age 10, listening to Sergio Mendes and John Hartford, “As I advanced, books by James Taylor and Joni Mitchell were my first official self-study as a guitarist.”

As a young woman in the ‘80s she played guitar and sang with an all-female band called, “Fire” touring throughout North America and Europe. She also spent time in Cleveland, founding and fronting the group, “Cyclone Sisters.” Upon moving back to NY City in 1997, she formed the “NY Unit.” Since then she’s recorded and toured non-stop, playing overseas as an eight-time artist in residence at Italy’s Umbria Jazz Festival, at prestigious events including The Rochester International Jazz Festival.

KJ is the founder of recording label, Mother Cyclone Records. She was named a winner of the Kerrville New Folk Song contest in June, 2006 for "Private Angel" and won the Mountain Stage New Song contest later that summer for her composition, "Little Mary." The Album, ANOTHER YEAR GONE BY, LIVE won the 2006 Independent Music Award for Best Live Performance.

   
KJ DENHERT ON THE ROAD
June 18: Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival, Croton on Hudson
June 24:12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar, Peekskill, NY
June 25: 55 Bar, New York, NY
July 7: Underground Wonderbar, Chicago, IL
July 8: Club La Salle, South Bend, IN
July 18: Woodsongs, Lexington, KY
July 23: 55 Bar, New York, NY
July 29: Belleayre Music Festival - Belleayre Mountain Ski Resort, Highmount, NY
July 30: Rams Head on Stage w/ Gregory Porter, Annapolis, MD
August 9: Cape Cod Jazz, Chatham, MA
August 11: New Paltz, NY (duo: KJ Denhert & Jennifer Vincent)
August 20: 55 Bar, New York, NY
August 21: Special Event @the Falcon, Marlboro, NY
August 23: Cornwall, NY
September 2: Union Chapel Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA
September 3: 55 Bar, New York, NY
September 10: The Falcon,  Marlboro, NY
September 17: 55 Bar, New York, NY
October 8: Uncommon Ground, Dobbs Ferry (solo w/ Vance Gilbert)

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Henry McCullough Bio

Henry McCullough will appear in Chicago at the FEST for Beatles Fans, Aug. 5-7. http://www.thefest.com 866-THE-FEST 8-4 PM CST


UNFINISHED BUSINESS is both the name of Henry McCullough's current album, and a motto for his career, which has cut through just about every conceivable facet of rock music and some of its most glorious moments. This UNFINISHED BUSINESS album with Henry's roots-inspired genre that combines folk, British blues rock, and party sounds is receiving a deserved boost in North America as Henry will be a special guest at the Fest For Beatles Fans, August 5-7, 2011, in Chicago, IL.

Growing up in the seaside resort of Portstewart, in Northern Ireland, Henry's first musical venture was as guitarist with Irish show band The Skyrockets and the years to follow found him playing the dance hall circuit with similar outfits, including the popular Gene and the Gents. "I don't strictly play in one area of music; I grew up, playing Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley--whatever was in the top charts then, and I was playing with people who were a generation older than me. The apprenticeship I had with music with show bands with people who were a generation older than me."

When the blues boom hit Ireland, Henry became involved with the rougher side of music through the outfit that became Eire Apparent. Managed for a time by Chas Chandler, Eire Apparent were one of the many bands to take part in package tours of Britain, alongside of The Move, Pink Floyd, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Amen Corner... After an untimely exit from the band, Henry nailed down some of the finest mix of traditional and rock with his work as part of the legendary Sweeney's Men in 1968; It is said that this line-up more or less invented the concept of Folk-Rock.

Within a year, he drifted to London where he became steeped in the blues scene, rubbing shoulders with some of the greats of the genre who were just coming to the attention of the British revivalists. An encounter with a young Sheffield singer led to a job and Henry's first brush with the realIy big time - as part of Joe Cocker's Grease Band. Tours and albums followed quickly, including an appearance at Woodstock and a lengthy period of work in the States.

Breaking with Cocker, Henry and The Grease Band grooved in its gritty blues music that made them a live favourite that has rarely been equalled. He found himself auditioning for a gig with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. Henry, along with Denny Seiwell, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney were the first - and many say best incarnation of Wings. He embellished the single 'My Love' with a graceful solo that is one of the all-time guitar gems and shows once and for all the expressive power of the instrument. At one Wings session at Abbey Road, when Pink Floyd were in the studio next door, Henry made a spoken contribution to the end of the classic song "Money" on DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.

But musical differences with the headstrong Macca followed, and Henry made the decision to leave. Following his instinct for rock he ended up in some very good company, playing guitar and gigging with the Roy Harper, Marianne Faithfull, Ronnie Lane, Donovan, Frankie Miller, Eric Burdon, Viola Wills, Spooky Tooth...

During a visit back home to see his family in the early '80s, an accident with a knife almost cost Henry his livelihood, severing tendons in his playing hand. The enforced lay-off allowed Henry to re-evaluate his life and his career, and he took the decision to stay home in Ireland. The road to recovery was almost complete when Henry started sitting in with the Fleadh Cowboys for their now legendary Sunday afternoon residency in The Lower Deck in Dublin. It soon became apparent that Henry’s contribution was an attraction in itself, so he formed his own band and toured Ireland in 1988.

In the '90s Henry moved back to Portstewart and formed a new band with Percy Robinson on pedal steel and Roe Butcher on bass and Liam Bradley on drums. More recently the band has featured James Delaney on keys, Chrissy Stewart (Frankie Miller Band) on bass, Chris Probst on guitar and Tony Phillips on Drums.

In 1998 he went to Poland, where he rehearsed a band of Polish session musicians for a tour. At the end of the tour, they went into a studio and played ‘live’ for an afternoon. A resulting CD, BLUE SUNSET was released in Poland, and was followed up by a further successful Polish tour.

On returning home, Henry decided that it was time to do record a few studio tracks. With help and encouragement from his many friends, he released "Failed Christian," a harrowing self-penned song that has since been covered by Nick Lowe on his latest Demon album, DIG MY MOOD.

In addition to "Failed Christian," Henry included some originals and chose songs from other artists he'd worked with through the years--Paul McCartney and Frankie Miller. The Ronnie Lane song, "'Kuschty Rye' is something I played mandolin on the original version; I always liked the lyrics. The Grease Band supported the Faces in America." "I'd Rather Die Young" is a song from the '50s (Johnny Cash, Jean Shepard, George Jones), and I thought it was beautiful as a country song. This album is a tribute to the people I've worked with."

Background information of songs are in the UNFINISHED BUSINESS CD, itself. Below is the track listing and writers' credits.
1. "The Last of the Bluemen" (McCullough)
2 "Josie's In The Garden
"McCullough)
3. "Kuschty Rye"
(Ronnie Lane,Kit Lambert)
4) "Belfast To Boston"
McCullough
5) "I Couldn't Sleep For Thinking of Hank Williams"
(McCullough)
6) Ould Piece of Wood"
(McCullough)
7) Big Barn Bed
(Paul McCartney)
8) "Peacock's Waltz"
(McCullough)
9) "Hollis Brown"
(Bob Dylan)
10) "I'd Rather Die Young"
(Beasley Smith, Billy Vaughn & Randy Wood)
11) Let The Four Winds Blow
(Fats Domino/Dave Bartholmew)
12) "Drunken Nights In The City"
(Frankie Miller)
13) Tumble Dry
(McCullough)
14) Failed Christian
(McCullough)

**In the summer of ‘99 Henry was devastated when his beloved 1963 cherry red Gibson ES335 went missing from a British Midlands flight between Warsaw and Heathrow. (However, he still has his gold-top Les Paul that he played at Woodstock.)

###

Jethro Tull's '71 Red Rocks concert forged a place in rock history - The Denver Post

Ian Anderson remembers violence in Colorado, of all places.
Jethro Tull's '71 Red Rocks concert forged a place in rock history - The Denver Post

The Yardbirds' September 2011 tour dates

http://www.theyardbirds.com
http://www.yardbirds.us/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2207073529&ref=ts


THE YARDBIRDS TOUR THE STATES THIS SEPTEMBER
(Legendary rock/blues band available for interviews in advance of tour)

The Yardbirds will be touring the States this September, from Massachusetts to Hawaii, September 1 through the 23. Dates will be in the east and west coast, plus three days of fun, sun, tropical pleasure and rock and roll that influenced musicians from the 1960s to current day.

The Yardbirds is original members: rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja and drummer Jim McCarty, and a new generation of musicians: singer/acoustic guitarist/harpist Andy Mitchell (since 2009), bassist David Smale (since 2009), and lead guitarist Ben King (since 2005).

The Yardbirds innovated 1960s guitar, with fuzz tone, feedback, distortion, backwards echo, improved amplification….and using a bow to play guitar. The group paved the way for the careers of Eric Clapton (1963-'65) Jeff Beck ('65-'66), and Jimmy Page (66-'68, first as bassist, then guitarist when Beck left). The group drew some repertoire from the blues acts of the day, including Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, and Bo Diddley, and the Yardbirds hits were some of the best songs of the British Invasion: “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” "Shapes of Things," “I'm A Man,” and “Over Under Sideways Down,” “Train Kept A- Rolling,” “Dazed and Confused.” “I'm A Man,” and “Over Under Sideways Down,” and “Better Man Than I.”

The Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Soon after the induction, Jim and Chris reformed the Yardbirds, first playing at London's Marquee club, on a bill with the newly reformed Animals.

In 2003, Steve Vai's Favored Nations label released their album BIRDLAND, an album of new songs that featured guest appearances from Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash, Brian May, Steve Lukather, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, and John Rzeznik. In 2005 guitarist Ben King joined the group, who recorded LIVE AT B.B. KING BLUES CLUB on July 19, 2006. That came out in 2007, included a version of “I'm a Man” that played on the Simpsons that year.

The Yardbirds has continued to tour. An institution in popular music, blues, rock and roll, the group made an indelible mark on the music and culture of both the 1960s and future generations.

CONFIRMED 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, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Sept. 23: Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA


"I'm A Man" performed by The Yardbirds, Live at B.B. Kings, NYC. Recorded by Unsteady Freddie

Grammy Nominated Jann Klose | indystyle.tv

Grammy Nominated Jann Klose | indystyle.tv
Let me set this straight. Jann is on the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

Please share this link with your friends.

Grammy Nominated Jann Klose: wishtv.com

THE YARDBIRDS OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON RUMORS OF ZEP FEST'S DEMISE

The Yardbirds: guitarist Chris Dreja, drummer Jim McCarty, bassist David Smale, singer Andy Mitchell, and guitarist Ben King have joined together to state, "We have heard numerous rumors that ZepFest, which is scheduled to be held at National Harbor, the weekend of May 27, 28, and 29, has been canceled. However, despite our repeated requests, the promoters have failed to confirm or deny the rumors.

"The band is ready and eager to perform under the terms of our fully-executed contract.  All that is needed for our performance to go forward is, among other things, receipt of our international flight tickets -- which we were supposed to receive on May 15, 2011. They were not received.

"We await word from the ZepFest promoters. Only they can confirm or deny whether the rumours of ZepFest's demise are true or untrue. We have been looking forward to playing the Festival and remain ready to do son. We call upon the ZepFest promoters to set the record straight, for performers and fans alike."

###
 

JANN KLOSE AND EMILY HURD TO PLAY SKOKIE THEATRE, MAY 20

Jann Klose and Emily Hurd will be performing at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., in Skokie, IL. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door. The venue phone is 847-677-7761, and the web site is http://www.skokietheatre.com.

The show is being presented by Val's List; Valslist.com is a boutique music website that helps busy adults keep up with the music scene.

Emily and Jann will be raffling off their entire in-print catalogs to a lucky concert goer. The lucky winner will receive a copy of both artists' entire currently available body of work and an autographed copy of their most recent albums: Jann's REVERIE w/ SACRIFICE EP and Emily's DAYTIME FIREFLIES.

Jann is also appearing on area TV and radio. On Thursday overnight, he'll be appearing on Steve and Johnnie's radio show on WGN Radio. Friday at noon, he'll be on WGN TV, performing.

The Washington Post does not cover too many independent artists, but felt compelled to write about Jann, “Klose wins over the listener with his soaring voice, which may well be a staple of chamber pop for a long time to come.”

A citizen of the world, he's lived on three continents, making his home in the melting pot that is New York City. Before coming to the United States as an exchange student in Cleveland, Ohio, he lived in Germany, Kenya, and South Africa. As a singer/songwriter, his music reflects this lyrically, melodically, rhythmically and in his choice of eclectic instruments and musicians.

Jann's most recent recordings, REVERIE (2008) and SACRIFICE EP (2010), have earned him respect as a singer, musician, songwriter, and someone with a new and viable slant on the music business at a time when the industry threatens to collapse under its own weight. Jann's approach to fan sourcing of production money and concerts in areas as diverse as Chicago and Germany is creating a “cottage industry” out of popular music. REVERIE was made largely with fan support.

It also shows in the people who choose to work with him. Jann has worked live or in the studio with artists, including Pittsburgh favorites Rusted Root, pioneers like Pete Seeger and Les Paul, classic rockers Annie (Renaissance) Haslam, Roger (The Byrds) McGuinn, and major country stars like Rosanne Cash and Marty Stuart. WGN-Chicago Radio's Steve & Johnnie, Rock Hall inductee Joey Reynolds and Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson have all personally lent a helping hand in his career.

Jann's music has also been featured on the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT, MTV's Cribs, the soundtrack to the Paul Sorvino film Dead Broke (Warner Bros). He's performed in touring companies of Broadway shows: The Who's Tommy, Jekyll & Hyde, and Jesus Christ Superstar. He also has released three albums and two EPs, which can be heard around the world, on over 140 FM stations and Sirius XM in the U.S., the BBC in England to Prambors Radio in Indonesia. In less than three months thousands have viewed (and reposted) Jann's remarkable video for DOING TIME, now featured on indoorDIRECT's Restaurant Entertainment Network and AOL/Spinner. Watch the video at www.youtube.com/jannklose. Jann is now an eligible artist for the 2011 New York Music Awards, listed right between "Carole King" and "Lady Gaga."

Time Out New York writes, “Jann Klose writes warm, hooky pop music.” The Advance Wire Service states: “The first thing that's totally unmistakable about Jann Klose is that voice - which is just light years beyond that of the typical singer-songwriter … a sound that is classy, distinctive and often irresistible.”

Emily Hurd is a Chicago-based songwriter and pianist with vocal chops that both Rick Kogan of WGN and Richard Milne of WXRT have likened to musical icon Janis Joplin. The wordsmith is well-respected for her cutting, intelligent lyrics and inimitable live showmanship. Like Russian-American piano-pop diva Regina Spektor, Hurd’s style is a raw mix of rock piano, soul singing, and roots songwriting. Hurd caught her break in 2005 when she joined forces with other greats from the Old Town School of Folk Music to create her first original album.  Eight albums later, her songs have won three international songwriting competitions, and she has shared stages with various legends, including Bettye Lavette and soul-queen Irma Thomas. Her web site is http://www.emilyhurd.com.

JANN KLOSE TOUR DATES

May 17: INDY STYLE TV 8, Indianapolis, IN
May 17: BIRDY'S, w/ Jenn Cristy and Chad Mills, Indianapolis, IN
May 18: BEATNIK'S CAFE, Marion, IN
May 19: STEVE AND JOHNNIE SHOW, WGN RADIO, Chicago, IL
May 20: WGN MIDDAY NEWS, WGN Superstation, Chicago, IL
May 20: SKOKIE THEATRE, w/ Emily Hurd, Skokie, IL
May 21: THE WINCHESTER w/ Cuda, Renko, Cuda, Cleveland, OH
May 27: MAYFAIR FESTIVAL, Allentown, PA
June 12: STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, Beacon, NY
June 17: GODFREY DANIELS, w/ Cliff Eberhardt, Bethlehem, PA
July 1: ROCKFORD MUSIC HALL w/ Tom Brislin, New York, NY
August 11: MUSIKFEST 2011, Bethlehem, PA
October 26: IRON HORSE w/ Shawn Phillips, Northampton, MA
March 2, 2012: MASTER CLASS, LIVERPOOL INSTITUTE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Liverpool, UK

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Jann Klose at the Lemon Grove, Youngstown, May 15

LaToya Jackson, Role Model With Determination

Determination is the most important factor in making things happen for your life. When I was in high school, and wasn't picked for All County Chorus, I went to my guidance counselor and asked him to talk with my choir teacher, and got in to All-County three years in a row. As a publicist, I call journalists instead of just sending e-mails. If I'm booking my artists, I send e-mails every month to venues, asking them to book my artist. I make follow-up calls. When we get gigs, I start calling and e-mailing my friends, asking them to come to shows; sooner or later, some of them make it. I have checklists of people to contact. Persistence makes a difference in achieving results. Talent only works a little, but speaking up for yourself will set you apart from everyone else.

This is the story of LaToya Jackson and how she set a deserved precedence on TV's Celebrity Apprentice. She was asked back to the show after Donald Trump fired her the previous week. Why? Because she believed so much in her talent and abilities that she went back, and asked to be hired.

I know some regard her as "the untalented Jackson, standing in the shadow of Michael, Janet and the other Jacksons," just because she once posed in the buff for PLAYBOY. Even so, that particular issue of the magazine sold more than any others up to that point in history. LaToya is intriguing, eclectic, and bohemian, co-writing "Reggae Nights” with Amir-Salaam Bayyan (who has a big catalog of songs by name acts) for Jimmy Cliff, speaking out for gay rights, and has made albums, appeared on reality TV in the States and abroad. She even has a dessert named after her at West Hollywood's Millions of Milkshakes. She's adorable, soft-spoken, her music is sweet.

She's one hell of a role model to me--smart, creative, gentle, and diplomatic. I started noticing LaToya's quiet, but strong leadership abilities in this year's season. Twice, when she was a team leader, her team (ASAP) beat the men (BACKBONE). She has a very humane outlook, and able to tell which women were the manipulators, the followers, and who were good sports. If lawyer/TV personality/writer Star Jones wanted a team member eliminated, Star encouraged that person to be the team leader, "Well, it's time for your charity to make money." Then she'd encourage the rest of the team to argue with one another.

Because of ASAP's bad vibes, the team created flawed product. Sub par product is bad customer service, bad business.

On Easter, April 24, ASAP and BACKBONE's assignment was to design advertising pages for one of Donald Trump's hotels. Star was in charge, and wanted LaToya and Nene Leakes (one of the Desperate Housewives of Atlanta) to run some errands. LaToya was uneasy about working with Nene, who had come down hard on LaToya previously, arguing the "untalented Jackson" had gotten by all these years because of her family name; Nene called her "old." On that Easter Sunday, Star suggested a "Come to Jesus" meeting to clear the cobwebs of hate. The two developed an appreciation for one another as they completed their project.

LaToya, who studies people and is a bit analytical, zoned in on Star's weaknesses that episode. It included taking charge of everything, working too much to the point that her product was weak. ASAP's presentation had each woman stating singular words to describe the luxury of Donald's hotel. After the presentation, LaToya had her own word to describe it, "corny."

Donald had to fire someone from Team ASAP. Of course the women pointed to LaToya as a "weak player." LaToya's voice was extra weak that day as she had laryngitis. Softly she explained that Star's work was poor because she was just doing too much. Star became more irate. Despite Donald's awareness that LaToya's talents and team leadership was equal, if not "sometimes greater than her team members," he decided that the women's team would be more formidable if the members got along. "Your team doesn't seem to like you, and they like Star. LaToya, you're fired.”

All of Donald's people seemed disappointed in the decision to the point he was even justifying himself to them. Still showing dignity at the elevator down, LaToya ignored Star, and hugged Nene, nodded to the elevator attendant, and left. In the limo ride, LaToya stated, "Truthfully, I think Mr. Trump made a mistake. I am not a weak player, and it's not a good feeling to be fired when you know you have something to offer."

Then she tweeted, "Most of you R as surprised & shocked as I was 4 getting fired. But keep N mind, I'm Joe Jackson's daughter, I was raised to NEVER give up!"

Then Nene gave Star notice, "I got my eye on you. You orchestrated all this, and you're willing to cut off your head to win." I don't know if Star was giving Nene lip service or sincere when she responded, "This is something I can learn from."

The following week, Star suggested Nene be a team leader, which made Nene believe that Star was throwing her under the bus.

Nene did some good work, and also noticed that the men's team brought in ASAP's former team member Niki Taylor to model for their presentation. She let all the women know and to be aware that she was working for the other team, "Don't tell her what's going on."

Of course Team BACKBONE beat ASAP. Nene complained that Star was indeed not playing fairly, and taking charge when she should not have.

Right before the firing debate portion of the show, Donald said he's doing something for the first time ever in the show's 11-year history, bringing back a team member. Everyone turned their heads, expecting to see Niki. Nope. Instead, my heroine, the accomplished, determined, and self-assured LaToya Jackson strutted into the meeting. She sat down with the BACKBONE men. She smiled. So did the men. Nene smiled. Star closed her eyes; maybe she was praying, maybe seeing red.

Donald said, "LaToya came to my office, and made a strong case as to why she should be allowed back, and I respected that. Never give up. People say, 'How do you become successful, Mr. Trump?' Never ever quit. Never ever give up."

HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHIC ART OF YARDBIRDS GUITARIST CHRIS DREJA TO BE SHOWN AND SOLD AT ZEPFEST, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 27, 28, 29

Valuable Historic Art of The 1960s Rock Elite by Acclaimed Musician/Acclaimed Photographer At ZepFest, 2011

Chris Dreja will be presenting and selling his art--historical photographs from London in the 1960s-- at the ZepFest, May 27, 28, and 29, at the National Harbor, on the Potomac River, at Waterfront Street and St. George Blvd., in Prince George’s County, MD. There are a variety of tickets and pricing plans available for the Fest, including one-day events and VIP get-togethers.  The full Fest is $325.00, and tickets are available at http://www.missiontix.com/events/product/10641 or http://zepfest2011.eventbrite.com/ .  For more information, please e-mail info@zepfest.com and visit the web site, http://ZepFest.com or http://ZepFest2011.com.
 
Dreja's classic historical art focuses on legendary portraits of Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, including the back portrait from Led Zeppelin 1. One photograph, featuring Jimmy, has been autographed by both Chris and Jimmy for the event. Dreja will privately sell this at the Fest, and make others available in a special section of the Festival's Merchandise Table.

Dreja has been the Yardbirds rhythm guitrist since the group formed in 1963.  He was also always a talented photographer, chronicling London and theYardbirds' experience in the 1960s.  After the group broke up in 1968, Jimmy Page offered him the position of bassist in a new band he was forming (later to become Led Zeppelin). Dreja declined in order to pursue a profession in photography.  Only occasionally did he took breaks to play in Box of Frogs in the 1980s and the Yardbirds since 1992.  in addition to being a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chris has received acclaim and an award from the UK's Designers and Art Directors Association.
 
A sampling of Chris Dreja's photography can be seen on his web site, http://www.chrisdreja.com.

The ZepFest features over 50 bands on five stages. It’s also a completely Green festival.  ZepFest CEO and Festival Director Mark Boudreau says the Fest will include, “Descendants, disciples and influences.” There’ll be blues artists the Night Hawks and Willie Big Eyes Smith, contemporaries Vanilla Fudge, and fans Dread Zeppelin, tribute bands. The late Pinetop Perkins was scheduled to perform, and the entire ZepFest will be dedicated to him.

Other Yardbirds’ members will be on hand throughout the day to connect with fans.   The band’s tour manager, Henry “The Horse” Smith, an original Led Zeppelin roadie, will share stories.  Jim McCarty will be giving a Q&A Session. 

The Yardbirds is original members: rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja and drummer Jim McCarty, and a new generation of musicians: singer/acoustic guitarist/harpist Andy Mitchell (since 2009), bassist David Smale (since 2009), and lead guitarist Ben King (since 2005).

The Yardbirds innovated 1960s guitar, with fuzz tone, feedback, distortion, backwards echo, improved amplification….and using a bow to play guitar.  The group paved the way for the careers of Eric Clapton (1963-’65)  Jeff Beck (’65-’66), and Jimmy Page (66-’68, first as bassist, then guitarist when Beck left).  The group drew some repertoire from the blues acts of the day, including Elmore James, Howlin’ Wolf, and Bo Diddley, and the Yardbirds hits were some of the best songs of the British Invasion: “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” “Shapes of Things,” “I’m A Man,” and “Over Under Sideways Down,” “Train Kept A- Rolling,”  “Dazed and Confused.” “I’m A Man,”  and “Over Under Sideways Down,” and “Better Man Than I.”

The Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.  Soon after the induction, Jim and Chris reformed the Yardbirds, first playing at London’s Marquee club with the newly reformed Animals.

In 2003, Steve Vai’s Favored Nations label released their album BIRDLAND, an album of new songs that featured guest appearances from Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash, Brian May, Steve Lukather, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and John Rzeznik.  In 2005 guitarist Ben King joined the group, who recorded LIVE AT B.B. KING BLUES CLUB on July 19, 2006.  That came out in 2007, included a version of “I’m a Man” that played on the Simpsons that year.

The Yardbirds has continue to tour.  An institution in popular music, blues, rock and roll, the group made an indelible mark on the music and culture of both the 1960s and future generations.



  
  

JANN KLOSE’S DOING TIME TO AIR NATIONWIDE ON THE RESTAURANT ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

Heralded Music Video To Reach an Audience of 13 Million Monthly Viewers

Jann Klose’s video for “Doing Time” will be airing to an audience of more than 13 million monthly viewers on The Restaurant Entertainment Network located in over 1,000 Quick Serve Restaurants (Arby’s, Carl’s, Hardee’s, McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Taco Bell) across the country.

indoorDIRECT’s Vice President of Strategic Alliances, Jonna Birgans, said that “Jann Klose is an up-and-coming artist and we are happy to provide new artists such as Jann exposure to millions of our viewers at restaurants nationwide.” Birgans elaborated, “We pride ourselves on not just working with national and international acts such at Weezer and the Parlotones but also unsigned bands and artists that our viewers would enjoy hearing while they are enjoying a meal at the nation’s leading quick service restaurants.”

The music video for "Doing Time," a fan favorite from Jann Klose’s critically acclaimed album, REVERIE, was produced by the New York Film Academy on the streets of New York City. Producer Tamara Gunashvili and director Addison Neville incorporated Stop-Motion style filming, using state-of-the-art photographic equipment. Over 9000 individual pictures were taken during the two-day shoot 4000 ended up in the 3 minute 40 second long video. Members of Jann's band (bassist Chris Marolf; accordionist Lars Potteiger; violinist Leah Potteiger; drummer Patrick Carmichael) are also seen in the video that was shot entirely in Manhattan at three different locations, including Union Square.

(Online, view http://www.indoordirect.com/watch )

The song “Doing Time” resonated quite nicely with music critics, as well: The Washington Post's Alexander Remington picked the song as his favorite, “His songs' immaculately tasteful orchestration sounds like Eric Matthews crossed with Nick Drake, best of all on the waltz 'Doing Time.' Klose wins over the listener with his soaring voice, which may well be a staple of chamber pop for a long time to come.”

Jann produced "Doing Time." Stewart Lerman (The Roches, Loudon Wainwright III, Dar Williams, and films THE AVIATOR and THE LIFE AQUATIC) mixed it.

Jann's music has also been featured on the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, MTV's Cribs, the soundtrack to the Paul Sorvino film Dead Broke. He's performed in touring companies of Broadway shows: The Who's Tommy, Jekyll & Hyde, and Jesus Christ Superstar. He also has released three albums and two EPs, which can be heard around the world, on over 140 FM stations and Sirius XM in the U.S., the BBC in England to Prambors Radio in Indonesia. In less than three months thousands have viewed (and reposted) Jann's remarkable video for DOING TIME, now featured on AOL/Spinner. Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/jannklose.

A citizen of the world, he's lived on three continents, making his home in the melting pot that is New York City. Before coming to the United States as an exchange student in Cleveland, Ohio, he lived in Germany, Kenya, and South Africa. As a singer/songwriter, his music reflects this lyrically, melodically, rhythmically and in his choice of eclectic instruments and musicians.

Jann will be touring this spring, starting April 29 in New York City, with Midwestern dates in May.

About indoorDIRECT
indoorDIRECT (www.indoordirect.com) is the owner of the Restaurant Entertainment Network, a powerful digital media network that delivers Internet-based entertainment and advertising to more than one thousand major brand quick-service restaurants nationwide. The Network entertains more than 150 million viewers annually at Wendy’s, Denny’s, Arby’s, Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, McDonald’s and Taco Bell and other restaurants in America’s top Designated Market Areas (DMAs). indoorDIRECT is privately held and based in Dallas, with additional offices in New York and Los Angeles.

JANN KLOSE TOUR DATES

April 27: VALERIE'S NEW YORK, WOR RADIO, New York, NY
April 27: MARIANNE MORRISON SHOW, www.centannibroadcasting.com, New York, NY
April 28: ALL NIGHT WITH JOEY REYNOLDS on NBC NY Non-Stop
April 29: ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL STAGE 2, New York, NY
May 7: LEHIGH VALLEY MUSIC CONFERENCE
May 13: CLUB CAFE w/ Colter Harper and Preach Freedom, Pittsburgh, PA
May 14: LOVELIGHT BOUTIQUE, New Castle, PA
May 15: THE LEMON GROVE, Youngstown, OH
May 17: INDY STYLE TV 8, Indianapolis, IN
May 17: BIRDY'S, w/ Jenn Cristy and Chad Mills, Indianapolis, IN
May 18: BEATNIK'S CAFE, Marion, IN
May 19: STEVE AND JOHNNIE SHOW, WGN RADIO, Chicago, IL
May 20: WGN MIDDAY NEWS, WGN Superstation, Chicago, IL
May 20: SKOKIE THEATRE, w/ Emily Hurd, Skokie, IL
May 21: THE WINCHESTER w/ Cuda, Renko, Cuda, Cleveland, OH
May 27: MAYFAIR FESTIVAL, Allentown, PA
June 12: STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, Beacon, NY
June 17: GODFREY DANIELS, w/ Cliff Eberhardt, Bethlehem, PA
August 11: MUSIKFEST 2011, Bethlehem, PA
October 26: IRON HORSE w/ Shawn Phillips, Northampton, MA
March 2, 2012: MASTER CLASS, LIVERPOOL INSTITUTE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Liverpool, UK

###

IAN ANDERSON’S OUT OF THIS WORLD CONCERT

Colonel Catherine Coleman Taking Ian Anderson's Stance To The Universe
 
When worldwide fame and notoriety have been achieved, taking your music into outer space is the only place left to go.
 
On April 12th Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson will be taking part in a duet with US astronaut Colonel Catherine Coleman to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin’s first manned space flight in 1961.
 
However, this duet is no ordinary collaboration. Whilst Anderson will be live on stage in Perm, Russia, Coleman will be in orbit in the International Space Station as she contributes to Ian’s truly out of this world concert.
 
Coleman’s part of the performance will be screened by video link to the audience in Perm from somewhere in the galaxy as part of this gravity defying gig.
 
The pair will be playing an excerpt from Bouree from Tull's STAND UP album.
 
Coleman has been practising her Ian Anderson trade mark of playing the flute whilst standing (or in her case floating) on one leg. For 3 months, Anderson's flute accompanied Cady Coleman and her own flute in orbit allowing her to perfect her Anderson stance ahead of the duet.
 

THE YARDBIRDS HEADLINE ZEPFEST, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 27, 28, 29

left to right: Ben King, Jim McCarty, David Smale, Chris Dreja, Andy Mitchell

The Yardbirds will be headlining the first annual ZepFest, playing all three nights May 27, 28, and 29—Memorial Day Weekend, at the National Harbor, on the
Potomac River, at Waterfront Street and St. George Blvd., in Prince George's County, MD.

There are a variety of tickets and pricing plans available for the Fest, including one-day events and VIP get-togethers. The full Fest is $325.00, and tickets are
available at http://www.missiontix.com/events/product/10641 or http://zepfest2011.eventbrite.com/ . For more information, please e-mail info@zepfest.com and visit the web site, http://ZepFest.com or http://ZepFest2011.com.

The ZepFest features over 50 bands on five stages. There’ll be speakers, authors, secret shows. It’s also a completely Green festival. ZepFest CEO and Festival Director Mark Boudreau says the Fest will include, “Descendants, disciples and influences.” There’ll be blues artists the Night Hawks and Willie Big Eyes Smith, contemporaries Vanilla Fudge, and fans Dread Zeppelin, tribute bands, and guest speakers most notably Atlantic Records’ Jerry Greenberg.

The late Pinetop Perkins was scheduled to perform, and the entire ZepFest will be dedicated to him.

The Yardbirds’ band members will be on hand throughout the day to connect with fans. Guitarist Ben King will be part of the Ultimate Dream Band in which a lucky fan gets a shot at playing before the Yardbirds. The band’s tour manager, Henry “The Horse” Smith, an original Led Zeppelin roadie, will be on hand to tell stories. Jim McCarty will be giving a Q&A Session. Rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja, who became a professional photographer after the Yardbirds broke up in 1968, will be showing (and selling) photographs, including the iconic back lit shot of Jimmy Page, which will be signed by both Jimmy and Chris. A sampling of Chris’ work can be seen on his web site, http://www.chrisdreja.com.

The Yardbirds is original members: rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja and drummer Jim McCarty, and a new generation of musicians: singer/acoustic guitarist/harpist Andy Mitchell (since 2009), bassist David Smale (since 2009), and lead guitarist Ben King (since 2005).

The Yardbirds innovated 1960s guitar, with fuzz tone, feedback, distortion, backwards echo, improved amplification….and using a bow to play guitar. The group paved the way for the careers of Eric Clapton (1963-‘65) Jeff Beck (’65-‘66), and Jimmy Page (66-’68, first as bassist, then guitarist when Beck left). The group drew some repertoire from the blues acts of the day, including Elmore James, Howlin’ Wolf, and Bo Diddley, and the Yardbirds hits were some of the best songs of the British Invasion: “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” "Shapes of Things," “I'm A Man,” and “Over Under Sideways Down,” “Train Kept A- Rolling,” “Dazed and Confused.” “I’m A Man,” and “Over Under Sideways Down,” and “Better Man Than I.”

The Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Soon after the induction, Jim and Chris reformed the Yardbirds, first playing at London’s Marquee club with the newly reformed Animals.

In 2003, Steve Vai’s Favored Nations label released their album BIRDLAND, an album of new songs that featured guest appearances from Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash, Brian May, Steve Lukather, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, and John Rzeznik. In 2005 guitarist Ben King joined the group, who recorded LIVE AT B.B. KING BLUES CLUB on July 19, 2006. That came out in 2007, included a version of “I’m a Man” that played on the Simpsons that year.

The Yardbirds has continued to tour. An institution in popular music, blues, rock and roll, the group made an indelible mark on the music and culture of both the 1960s and future generations.



Please check out these fan videos from the Yardbirds on tour:

“For Your Love” – 7/10/09 Fillmore New York
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkdvX0EnuTk

“Shapes of Things” – 7/14/09 Ottawa Blues Fest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gPXRfqXNWE&feature=related

“Heart Full of Soul” – 7/10/09 Fillmore New York
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRHY8B7VJXM

“Dazed and Confused” – 7/6/09 Mohegan Sun Casino
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Ue36zn8c4
“Train Kept A Rollings” 5/26/2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2OhdlQ1lQI

“You’re a Better Man Than I” 5/26/2010, BB Kings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_k4b1RMUS0&feature=related