2/21/08

Jethro Tull's 40th Anniversary!

Niki Chopra Richardson, the event planner for Jethro Tull’s Thousand Oaks, CA show at the Alliance for the Arts, worked to have Ian autograph a flute that would be auctioned off for the venue’s charity.

When she showed up at soundcheck for Ian’s autograph, he asked to meet her.  They spoke about her life growing up in India, a country Ian truly enjoys.  He asked her questions about Mikhail Gorbachev, another person who had appeared at the venue (Ian is very interested in Russian politics).
 
Then Niki asked if he could announce on stage that the flute was up for bids. Ian said, "Let's dramatize the flute to the audience, why don't you come on stage at a certain point, and I'll play it for everyone.  Then you'll bring it off stage, because I don't have a holder for it."

Ian increased both the charitable and entertainment value of an auctionable item by making the flute a piece of the show, encouraging the audience to get involved with the venue’s charity.  

Jethro Tull will be touring all over the world for its 40th Anniversary this year.  The group will be in the States with mainly east and west coast dates this August.  Please check for updates at http://www.jethrotull.com for shows.

The two new members of Tull are bassist David Goodier and keyboardist/accordionist John O’Hara, who were interviewed for Psychobabble TV by Mike Preston.  I placed that interview on my site, http://www.youtube.com/anneleighton, because David and John offer strong insight on career survival as musicians.  There’s a wonderful quote in the interview from David about the importance of making music as opposed to being a pop star.
 
David sent me a gorgeous album that he plays on called MY CRESCENT CITY by Carmina. Its vibe borrows from traditional folk, chamber music and Fairport Convention. Hot Press wrote that the group’s lead singer Pippa Marland has a “real autumn leaf of a voice—parched and papery, but with a gorgeously rich depth of colour.” If you’re interested in the CD, please contact Pippa at bookings@carmina.co.uk.
   
Here are her web sites:  http://www.myspace.com/carminamusic
http://www.carmina.co.uk

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