Emily Hurd Introduces Stone Blind Valentine, February 14

Emily Hurd introduces her new band, Stone Blind Valentine (also known as SBV), with the independent release of the album BURN LIKE A FIELD.  The album will be available through iTunes, the band’s website (http://www.stoneblindvalentine.com ), and live shows.

SBV is the acoustic project of longtime Chicago musicians Emily Hurd, Colby Maddox, and Gregg Ostrom.  Gritty lyrics and unruly guitar get a layer of polish from bright mandolin and sharp fiddle licks. The group treads on bluegrass while digging into rock and early American country. BURN LIKE A FIELD was recorded live at Chicago's King Size Sound Labs.

Like all good mountain music, SBV builds their tunes with strong singing, nature imagery, and a lot of twang, but their Chicago roots are unmistakable in BURN LIKE A FIELD.   The bluesy guitar and industrial groove in "Extra Extra" thump defiantly as Hurd belts out "Honey, I can read you like the Sunday Morning Times; I can see you're lying by the headlines in your eyes."  The group sings in three-part harmony about simple city days in "Crown The Kings," and "Whiskey Neat" sounds like late-night Bourbon Street in the July.  

The songs on BURN LIKE A FIELD were penned by Emily, the lead vocalist, piano and banjo player.  A critically acclaimed songwriter, her music has appeared on NPR and TV’s NCIS.  The tunes were then brought to life by Gregg Ostrom (guitar, vocals) and Colby Maddox (mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and vocals).  SBV called on close friend and producer John Abbey to play upright bass on the album.

The BURN LIKE A FIELD recording sessions were filmed and photographed by the crew of Carla Englof Productions.  When the album is released, the video "Extra Extra" can be seen on Youtube and the band's web site: http://stoneblindvalentine.com

The BURN LIKE A FIELD album cover was designed by Chicago artist Dolan Geiman.  Dolan is a nationally recognized mixed media artist creating original paintings, collages, constructions, and limited-edition reproductions. Produced from salvaged wood, found objects, and other recycled materials, his eco-friendly artwork emerges from a folk art tradition infused with a contemporary, urban style.

BURN LIKE A FIELD will be released to the public at two shows.  On February 16th, 2013, SBV will play at 7:30 pm at The Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford, IL.  On February 17th, SBV performs at 2:00 pm at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston, IL.  Tickets are available on the band’s website.

http://www.stoneblindvalentine.com

The music of Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius Performed by (High School) Honors Orchestra at Oklahoma State University, January 26

Stratospheerius leader Joe Deninzon to perform with The OSU Honors Orchestra

Joe Deninzon will be playing electric violin when he joins the best young orchestra (violin, viola, cello, bass) students in Oklahoma as they include orchestral versions of his compositions, most of which appear as rock songs on THE NEXT WORLD (Joe's most recent album with his rock band Stratospheerius). Joe and the OSU Honors Orchestra perform this January 26, at 7:30 pm, in the Seretean Center Concert Hall, at the University of Oklahoma Stillwell under the direction of OSU symphony orchestra conductor Douglas Droste. Professor Droste will also conduct "Perseus" by Soon Hee Newbold.

Joe will be rehearsing with the students on January 25 and during the day on the 26.

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius call themselves a "Rock group," with a musical range that combines jam, fusion, rock, progressive, virtuoso, singer-songwriter, jazz and hard rock. The band is on the soundtrack of the recent Will Ferrell/Adam McKay-produced movie, VIRGINITY HIT. Stratospheerius was a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, won the Online People's Choice Awards in the Cornucopia Festival, and was named "Best Jam Band" in Musician's Atlas Independent Music Awards. The band will be a subject of a feature in an upcoming issue of PROGRESSION magazine, in 2013.

Stratospheerius' new album THE NEXT WORLD is on Steve Vai's Digital Nations and Joe's imprint D-Zone Entertainment. The album was featured on over 80 radio stations and entered at #10 on the Jam Band charts, and stayed there for two months. BLOGCRITICS writes, "If Jeff Beck had been a fiddlemaster with a streak of humor." Binghamton's PRESS & SUN BULLETIN calls the group "innovative."

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER praises Stratospheerius for its "funky electric violins, driving guitar rhythms, and fevered drumming layered in an explosive fashion."

Joe Deninzon has written the book on Electric Violin--literally; Mel Bay books has released his "PLUGGING IN: A Guide To Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist" at NAMM. Often called "The Jimi Hendrix of the Electric Violin," his innovative performances on the electric seven-string violin and his compositions blend rock, funk, jazz, classical, and Eastern European Gypsy influences. While leading Stratospheerius since 2001, Joe has worked with Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Les Paul, Phoebe Snow, and Ritchie Blackmore, and President Clinton. He can be heard on over 100 recordings and jingles as a violinist and string arranger, including the new NIKE commercial which was repeatedly broadcast during the London Olympics.

Kick Off To BELIEVE IN THE CURE, In Akron, January 12

Cancer Charity raising funds for education and research for cancer prevention

Contact: Believe In The Cure
email jojo@believeinthecure.org
http://www.believeinthecure.org
https://www.facebook.com/believeinthecure
There will be a benefit to introduce the community to the new charity, Believe In The Cure, at Church Of Our Savior, 471 Crosby Street, in Akron, Ohio, on Saturday, January 12th, 2013 at 5:00pm. Tickets are $40 each ($50 each after December 15th or at the door) which includes authentic Greek food (appetizers, beverages, dinner, dessert and coffee). Tickets can be purchased on the website at http://www.believeinthecure.org by credit card or through PayPal.

Founded in June 2011, by Joanne Filina, after a personal battle with Leukemia (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia), Believe in the Cure's mission is to fund the research, education, and prevention of cancer. Believe In The Cure is raising funding for adolescent and young adult cancer research including but not limited to The Solove Research Center at The James Cancer Center in Columbus Ohio. Among its other missions are to help provide medical bill relief for those suffering from cancer.

Says Ms. Filina, "You must believe in the cure for there to be a cure. It's as important to stay healthy on the inside as it is on the outside, which includes choosing healthy foods and creating and maintaining positivity and wellness in our lives. Cancer prevention is the cure for which we strive."

The Believe In The Cure's January 12 event will feature guest speakers Dr. Joseph Flynn and Dr. Nick Parasson. Dr. Joseph Flynn of The James Cancer Center OSU Medical Center; he specializes in CLL, Lymphadenopathy, and researches therapeutics for non-Hodgkins Lymphoma as the quality of life for survivors. Dr. Nick Parasson of Summit Natural Wellness Center Akron, is a licensed and board-certified Naturopathic Physician.

Singer-songwriter Jann Klose, who started his career in Youngstown, will be the featured performer. He sings Tim Buckley's parts in the upcoming Jeff Buckley biopic, GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY, and his music is heard on the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, on MTV's CRIBS, and in the Paul Sorvino's movie, DEAD BROKE.

The Believe in the Cure benefit will also be a silent auction, 50/50 raffle. Special donations for the auction and raffle are being sought from community businesses.

Emily Hurd Releases ANY GIVEN DAY Original Christmas Music For Year 'Round Listening

http://www.emilyhurd.com

Singer-songwriter available for interviews

Emily Hurd releases a full-length live studio album of original Christmas music on December 7th, 2012. The cost of the album is $10 and is available through the artist’s website (emilyhurd.com) and cdbaby.com.

Unlike other Christmas records, listeners can enjoy ANY GIVEN DAY beyond the holiday season. Emily Hurd’s sultry vocals deliver messages of spontaneous celebration, humble gifts, and fundamental good will on a backdrop of vintage soul arrangements.  Hurd gives a voice to her desire for human empathy in songs like “Chain of Light” and “In The Spirit of Giving,” and she creates clever rhymes of winter love in “Cold Outside” and “Glögg.” This collection of music has a clear message: any common day is worth reveling in like Christmas.

Emily Hurd wrote the songs from ANY GIVEN DAY—her ninth studio album—in the month of October, 2012. The tunes were recorded live on the evening of November 13th, 2012 at Chicago’s Kingsize Sound Labs. The record was mixed and mastered in one afternoon, and sent to be manufactured the same day. This whirlwind process was captured on film by Chicago videographer Mark Helenowski. Emily will be releasing music videos to her fans throughout the month of December.

ANY GIVEN DAY was engineered and produced by Emily’s long-time producer, John Abbey. The album includes a line-up of well-established Chicago musicians: Gerald Dowd (Justin Roberts, Sons of The Never Wrong), Gregg Ostrom (Tom Comerford, Covered In Honey), and John Abbey (Robbie Fulks, Amy Speace).

Over the course of her career, Emily has shared the stage and/or opened for Irma Thomas, Bettye Lavette, and Roger McGuinn. 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. “Irreparably Yours” from Long Lost Ghosts was a Semi-Finalist in 2011’s Great Lakes Songwriting Contest. In 2013, Emily and her country band Stone Blind Valentine—will be releasing their first album, ‘Burn Like A Field,’ on Valentine’s Day.  Emily has released 10 albums since 2005.

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 14, 2013).

THE GONG SHOW LIVE Partners with Area Businesses to Give 300 Tickets to Area Sandy Victims, December 6

(Suggest a friend-in-need-of-a-fun-night-and-good-laughs at http://www.gongshowlive.net )

People hardest hit by Sandy can enjoy the Off-Broadway show, THE GONG SHOW LIVE and food and drink on December 6 at the new The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, in New York City, at 7:30 PM.

THE GONG SHOW LIVE--the Off Broadway stage show of the iconic TV series, THE GONG SHOW-- has partnered with five sponsors, to give 300 tickets to unlucky victims of horrible Hurricane Sandy, who can sign up via the NEWS page at http://www.gongshowlive.net

The partnership of THE GONG SHOW LIVE and area businesses was inspired by a theatergoer, Mary from Staten Island, who lost her ticket to the Dec. 6 show, when she lost her home in the storm. Mary declined a refund, explaining that attending the show was very important to her, "It's going to be one night to have fun, laugh and feel normal."

Executive Producer Leslie Gold (The Radiochick) put the project of distributing tickets in motion. The mission and the motivation for the project was simple: to provide a warm, welcoming, hilarious evening out to those who desperately need one.

"I wouldn't normally think attending our show would be helpful to those in such terrible circumstances, but Mary's story touched me, and reminded me that laughter can heal" said Gold.

The sponsors who stepped up immediately are Neutocrete Company (Danbury CT), ITU Agency (Washington DC), Andy Troy's TastingNYC.com (NYC), Gabor and Assoc (NYC), The World of Ed Heck (artist, NYC), good samaritan Scott Butler (Westchester NY), and The Lippincott Center (Somerville, NJ). The special show will be presented at the brand new Cutting Room on Dec. 6 at 7:30 PM. To add to the generosity of area businesses, The Cutting Room is welcoming Sandy attendees with a free drink and appetizer.

THE GONG SHOW LIVE now is seeking names of 300 people kicked in the gut by Sandy for these tickets. Send in the name and contact information of someone you know, who experienced severe losses in Sandy, via the NEWS page at http://www.gongshowlive.net .

THE GONG SHOW LIVE is a hilarious and loving recreation of one of television's most entertaining and outrageous cult classics – and is the only authorized stage production of the original GONG SHOW. It's been described as "Jaw-droppingly hilarious" by critics. This theatrical Off-Broadway show at the Cutting Room stars Ray Ellin, Chuck Nice, Dan Naturman, Mason Reese, THE GONG SHOW 10 Live Band, Gene Gene the Dancing Machine and the Unknown Convict. THE GONG SHOW LIVE is appropriate for the whole family.

Gold, and select castmembers – including The Amazing Amy (an 80-year-old contortionist), Manolo Blank (a disco/balloon dancer) and "Illusionist" Chipps Cooney are available for interviews/mini-performances to help spread the word.

Tickets to regular performances at http://www.gongshowlive.brownpapertickets.com/ The phone number for the Cutting Room is 212-691-1900.

Richard Barone Releases Three Recordings--One With Pete Seeger

Contact for Richard Barone:
Michael Jensen 626.585.9575, mj@jensencom.com
Lisa Nauful: 805.473.3205, lisa@jensencom.com

Contact for Pete Seeger's "God's Counting On Me"
BillyBarone Productions:
212.851.3886, press@richardbarone.com
http://www.facebook.com/PeteSeegerMusic?fref=ts
http://RichardBarone.com

Multi-talented singer-songwriter Richard Barone available for interviews and appearances.

Innovative singer/songwriter/producer/author Richard Barone is involved with three projects--two are based on his career and now even-more-relevant-than-ever 1987 album, COOL BLUE HALO, and one is with legendary folk singer-songwriter Pete Seeger.

The DigSin label is releasing the 25th Anniversary Limited Box set of COOL BLUE HALO which features a 2 CD/DVD 2012 Anniversary concert he presented, along with guest performers The Band's Garth Hudson and producer Tony Visconti, plus a documentary (I BELONG TO ME: THE COOL BLUE HALO STORY) on the history of COOL BLUE HALO, a T-shirt, and the original album.

I BELONG TO ME: THE COOL BLUE HALO STORY will be held at Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, in New York City, on December 10th, with a special live performance in the theater.

Initially ROLLING STONE contributor Anthony DeCurtis reviewed COOL BLUE HALO in 1987, and dubbed Richard's music "chamber pop" for it made an interesting use of a cello and percussion as opposed to electric guitar, bass, drums. That 1987 review was one of the first times the term had been used in a critical review. Since then the genre has come into popularity with today's popular artists: The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Antony and the Johnson, Rachel Platten, DeVotchKa, the Decemberists. In reconnecting with Richard's music, Anthony stated, "there is great beauty to this album tht find completely undminished since it first came out... the music is so timeless."

On Election Day, Nov. 6, 2012, Legendary folk singer Pete Seeger released a new single and his first-ever music video "God's Counting On Me, God's Counting On You" (Sloop Mix) filmed and recorded live on the historic Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. The video is available on YouTube; the song will be available at iTunes, Amazon.com and all digital retailers on Tuesday. VIDEO - YouTube: http://bit.ly/seeger1
SONG - iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/gods-counting-on-me-gods-counting/id571104299
RADIO - Audio file for Radio Stations: http://soundcloud.com/richard-barone/pete-seeger-gods-counting-on/s-2sDn7

Pete Seeger co-wrote "God's Counting On Me" with his long time friend Lorre Wyatt after the BP Oil Crisis in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. Richard Barone and Matthew Billy produced the song. Wings drummer Steve Holley and the Roches Terre Roche are among the musicians lending their support on the recording.

At age 93, Pete Seeger has had a broad influence on the development of contemporary folk music in a career that has stretched from before World War II to after the turn of the 21st century. Songs he's written include: "If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," and "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)," all have became major hits; his words and music have have helped unite causes including building unions, ending wars, supporting the rights of the oppressed, and saving the environment.

Richard Barone is an acclaimed recording artist/performer/producer/author. Since fronting Indie-pop icons The Bongos, Barone has produced countless studio recordings and has collaborated with artists in every genre--from Lou Reed and Moby to Liza Minnelli, Tiny Tim, and of course--most recently--Pete Seeger. As a musical and theatrical director, he has scored shows and staged all-star concert events at such venues as Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. His memoir FRONTMAN: Surviving the Rock Star Myth was published by Hal Leonard Books. He was recently appointed to the Board of Advisors for Anthology Film Archives and as a Professor at New York University's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. Pete Seeger "God's Counting On Me, God's Counting On You."

Scientific Thinker Howard Bloom Doing Interviews For New Book, THE GOD PROBLEM: HOW A GODLESS COSMOS CREATES

Here is a media release on Howard Bloom's new book, THE GOD PROBLEM: HOW A GODLESS COSMOS CREATES.

Howard was a major music publicist in the 1980s and early '90s. He handled Tower of Power, Focus, plus Michael Jackson, Prince, Horslips, Renaissance, Billy Joel, John Mellencamp...

Contact: Howard Bloom
howlbloom@aol.com

http://www.howardbloom.net
Prometheus Books' page for THE GOD PROBLEM: http://www.prometheusbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35_6&products_id=2136
Video on The Big Bagel Theory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdJyafSBCb0

THE BIG BAGEL THEORY: THE END OF THE UNIVERSE IS SOONER THAN YOU THINK
(Scientific Thinker Howard Bloom Doing Interviews For New Book, THE GOD PROBLEM: HOW A GODLESS COSMOS CREATES)

Watch out. The end is coming.

Howard Bloom is available for interviews for his new book, THE GOD PROBLEM: HOW A GODLESS COSMOS CREATES on Prometheus books.

Most cosmologists feel the end of the cosmos will not arrive for hundreds of trillions of years. But Bloom's "Big Bagel Theory--The Bloom Toroidal Model of the Uiverse" predicts the end of the universe may be as little as 1.68 billion years away.

The Big Bagel Theory has already proved its predictive powers. Bloom, the author of THE GOOD PROBLEM, THE LUCIFER PRINCIPLE, GLOBAL BRAIN, and THE GENIUS OF THE BEAST, pieced together his bagel theory in 1959. Bloom has been involved in theoretical physics and cosmology since he was ten years old. In 1959, at the age of sixteen, he was working for the summer at the world’s largest cancer research facility, The Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Bloom conceived his toroidal model of the universe in a two and a half month period of brainstorming with other Roswell Parkers on the implications of CPT (charge, parity, and time) symmetry. At the end of the summer, Bloom finished his Big Bagel Theory, then threw it away, convinced that it was comic book science.

But then other experts noted two of the Big Bagel Theories' predictions were--indeed--on target: 1) the cosmos had apparently expanded at unbelievable speed in the first flash after the big bang; 2) and the Cosmos’ expansion had slowed down, then accelerated again.

In 1980, Alan Guth confirmed prediction number one--the extraordinary speed of expansion in the newborn universe--with his theory of inflation, a theory that is now standard in cosmology. Then, in 1998, Adam Reiss and nineteen collaborators measured type 1a supernovas, standard candles, and discovered that the cosmos’ expansion had begun to pick up speed 6.02 billion years ago. Which left a question: where did the energy for that acceleration come from? Big Bagel Theory answers that question brilliantly.

So Bloom resurrected his 52-year-old Big Bagel Theory and made it the maraschino cherry on the cake, the ending concept, in his newest book, THE GOD PROBLEM: HOW A GODLESS COSMOS CREATES. Penn State loop quantum gravity cosmologist Martin Bojowald calls THE GOD PROBLEM, "Rigorous, and thoroughly mathematical." Harvard's Dudley Herschbach, a 1986 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, says THE GOD PROBLEM is, "Truly awesome. Terrific." “I like the model," states NASA Goddard Space Flight Center systems engineer Mark Lupisella, "I’ll never look at bagels the same way again.” And National Magazine Award winner and science-junkie Barbara Ehrenreich says, "If Howard Bloom is only 10 percent right, we'll have to drastically revise our notions of the universe… Bloom’s argument will rock your world.”

The Big Bagel theory is explained in a new YouTube animation (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdJyafSBCb0), a video that pulled in over half a million hits in its first thirteen days online. Says Bloom, "the public appears to be hungry for a simple explanation of dark energy."

Concludes Brian Smith McCallum in Library Journal, "Bloom, an iconoclastic and seminal thinker, has been mentioned in the same breath as Stephen Hawking, Sigmund Freud, and Charles Darwin; this contribution is paradigm-shifting.”

###

Musician/Author Elliott Murphy Awarded the "Medaille de Vermeil de La Ville de Paris" in Grand Ceremony at Hotel de Ville, in Paris

http://www.elliottmurphy.com
For more information please contact:
info@elliottmurphy.com

Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter and author Elliott Murphy, who has been living in Paris, France for 22 years, was awarded the prestigious Medaille de Vermeil de la Ville de Paris in recognition of his career achievements in a formal ceremony on October 1 at the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) presided over by Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë.

Past recipients of the award have included Jane Fonda, Gianni Versace, Kevin Liles (former Def Jam President) and Johnny Depp.

Elliott began his career with the classic album “Aquashow” in 1973 and has released over 30 albums as well as being the author of two novels and numerous short story collections. He has often joined his long time friend Bruce Springsteen on stage in Paris.

Elliott will make his yearly East Coast tour in December 2012.

6 Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA [Band]
7 Rockwood Music Hall, NY, NY [Band]
8 Stephen Talkhouse, Amagansett, NY [Band]
9 Live @ Drews, Ringwood, NJ [Band]
12 The Turning Point, Piermont, NY [Band]
13 Iron Horse, Northampton, MA [Band]
15 Mexicali Blues, Teaneck, NJ [Band]

Los Angeles' Cat Writers Writing Conference is Cat’s Meow (and a Steal), Nov. 2 & 3

For more information, contact:
Sharon Melynk
cwaconfregistrarsam@gmail.com

Su Ewing, President, Cat Writers' Association
dogwriter@windstream.net
www.catwriters.org

www.catwriters.org/12conference-registration.pdf
Conference info: www.catwriters.org/annual-info.html
Cat Writers’ Association home page: www.catwriters.org
Hotel reservations: 800-228-9290 or 310-337-2800

A star-packed writers’ conference loaded with professional seminars by nationally known speakers will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2 - 3, 2012 in Los Angeles – and it’s an extreme bargain. Sessions cover writing for (and publishing on) the Web, social media, self publishing, blogging, photography and more (partial menu below). For registrations made by Sept. 15, the cost for both days is $125, including dinner Friday and three meals on Saturday (single-day registration is $55). The conference, organized by the Cat Writers’ Association (CWA), a nonprofit group, is open to anyone interested in writing.

The fun includes a book signing party on Saturday, November 3 – open to the public – just in time for holiday gift buying. Jackson Galaxy, star of Animal Planet’s “My Cat from Hell,” will be there autographing his new book, "Cat Daddy." So will veterinarian Dr. Karen Halligan, author of Doc Halligan's "What Every Pet Owner Should Know," and Bob Walker, whose spectacular photo books highlight the home he and his wife transformed into The Cats’ House, the ultimate kitty playground.

In addition, on Saturday night CWA will present cash prizes totaling $10,000 for the year’s best writing, broadcasting and graphic arts about cats.

All events take place at the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel (Marriott), 9620 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at a discount rate of $105.

“It’s a two-day pep rally for writers,” says Su Ewing, President of the Cat Writers’ Association. She explains that the conference is inexpensive because speakers are not paid. “All of them want to share,” she says. “That’s what our organization is all about. The conference is our once-a-year time to get together to learn, network, be recognized, be inspired and celebrate.”

Founded in 1992, the Cat Writers' Association, Inc. (CWA), is an organization of professionals writing, publishing and broadcasting about cats. Members receive a quarterly newsletter plus access to the e-group. Besides the annual conference, CWA runs a mentoring program and a yearly contest.

Conference speakers include:
-Arden Moore, award-winning author and podcast host, on how to land deals for websites, radio, TV and being hired as a media consultant and professional speaker (appearing with Zeki, a feline ambassador)
-Patricia Fry, literary and manuscript consultant, editor, public speaker, teacher, and author of 35 books (and executive director of SPAWN [Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network]), on self-publishing
-Sandy Robins, whose work appears on MSNBC.com, TodayShow.com, AOL's Pawnation and regularly in multiple national publications, on rewriting and reselling the same topic to different markets
-Lee Wardlaw, award-winning author of close to 30 books for young readers, on writing for children, tweens and teens
-Melissa Kauffman, Website Editorial Director for the websites of 16 BowTie Inc. publications, on website management
-Amy D. Shojai, certified animal behavior consultant, co-founder of Cat Writers' Association and author of 24 nonfiction pet books, on e-publishing and "Kindle-izing” books
-Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behavior consultant, owner of The Cat Coach, LLC®, Web and magazine columnist and award-winning author, on changing unwanted cat behaviors through clicker training and other gentle methods (appearing with her Bengal cat)

 

Bruce Conte Needs Help (Tower of Power's recent and original guitarist)

A note from Tower of Power's Web master, Brian Rachlin

I am sending this email to all of the people in my address book that have any connection to me regarding music.

Former Tower Of Power Guitarist Bruce Conte has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He is in treatment and his condition seems to be stabilizing with some very expensive medication. To complicate things, Bruce has been an insulin-dependant diabetic for many years and has been unable to maintain suitable health insurance due to his condition. We all know about insurance companies and pre-existing conditions.

I have set up a Facebook Page to make people aware of Bruce's condition and financial need. Right now, there are two ways to donate funds:
1. PayPal. If you have a PayPal account, log on and send money to " bruceconte@towerofpower.com ".
2. Go to this Tower Of Power page, and click DONATE: http://www.towerofpower.com/news-and-updates/
3. Mail donations payable to Bruce Conte to: Bruce Conte c/o Brian Rachlin
4201 Neshaminy Blvd #223 Bensalem, PA 19020

Most importantly, please spread the word by visiting the Friends Of Bruce Conte Facebook Page and clicking "like" and send the link to your friends on Facebook as well as forwarding this email.

Any help in any amount will be appreciated!

Thank you,
Brian Rachlin
Web Admin For Tower Of Power

Chamber Pop Rock and Roll History: The Zombies Meet The Left Banke, 2012

The founding members of the 1960s classic chamber pop/baroque pop acts, The Left Banke and the Zombies taken at New York City's Highline Ballroom by Daniel Coston.

Both bands played shows in New York City (August 5 and 6) at the Highline Ballroom and will be performing in Washington DC at the Howard Theatre (August 9).

Left to right: George Cameron (Left Banke), Rod Argent (Zombies), Tom Finn (Left Banke), Colin Blunstone (Zombies).

Blunstone says, " It was great playing with The Left Banke....great tunes, lovely people!"
Tom Finn and George Cameron were equally impressed with the Zombies.

The Left Banke Performs Baroque Pop

Five-part vocal harmony, violin, cello, bass, drums and percussion, guitars, keyboards is the 10-piece band The Left Banke. Acknowledged as the forerunners of the Baroque Pop genre, which is finding its way into popularity through musicians including the Decemberists, the Shins, Fleet Foxes, and Regina Spektor, The Left Banke is experiencing a renaissance as two of the orignal members Tom Finn and George Cameron are leading the band these days.

The Left Banke finds support from the music world, including contemporaries The Zombies, who the band is sharing bills with this summer in New York City and Washington, DC. Sundazed Records has re-mastered PRETTY BALLERINA and THE LEFT BANKE TOO on CD and 180gr vinyl; the collection has never-before-seen pictures and extensive recording information. HUFFINGTON POST praises The Left Banke's live shows, "Each song sounded as fresh as the last time it was played onstage, and if you squinted and didn't look too clearly at the stage or register the drink prices it could have been 1968 again."

Since 2011, when the group sold out shows in New York City's DROM and Joe's Pub, and collaborated on a Christmas program with WNYU's Choir, Finn and Cameron have been honing their touring chops, adding shows in the Mid-Altantic and New England, and rehearsing a band with musicians of several generations.

Finn and Cameron have received MORE than just the blessings of original members Michael Brown and Steve Martin as both have been writing new songs with the band. Brown also joined the group on stage to play piano when the group played at BB King Blues Club.

Originally formed in New York City in 1965, The Left Banke came to prominence with the orchestral and melodic "Walk Away Renee," which featured a harpsichord and a string quartet. “Walk Away Renee” was shopped to every major label, and turned down by all except Smash, a subsidiary label of Mercury Records. It charted in 1966, reaching #5 on the Billboard charts.

Leonard Bernstein (Conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and brilliant composer of many musicals including WEST SIDE STORY and CANDIDE), stated"The Left Banke and 'Pretty Ballerina' are an example of what good pop music can be" on his CBS-TV special, INSIDE POP - THE ROCK REVOLUTION. Two albums were released: WALK AWAY RENEE/PRETTY BALLERINA and THE LEFT BANKE TOO. Bad management and poorly-planned tours broke up the group in 1968.

Through the years, the music of The Left Banke has gained legions of new fans and a lot of newfound credibility, as evident by Oasis' front man Noel Gallagher's recent comments in the press, where he praises The Left Banke, as "the best f*****g record I've heard in my life!" A wide range of artists have covered "Renee," including the Four Tops, Tori Amos, Frankie Valli, Vonda Shepard, Billy Bragg, The Association, Linda Ronstadt, Marshall Crenshaw, Southside Johnny, Badly Drawn Boy, Bon Jovi, and Rickie Lee Jones. It's performed in the Dolly Parton/Queen Latifah movie, JOYFUL NOISE.

In 2008, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it #220 in their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is in the movie THE BODYGUARD and on the soundtrack of ADDICTED TO LOVE. "Pretty Ballerina" appears in APOCALYPSE NOW, while Alice Cooper, John Mellencamp, and the Dickies kept the beauty and mystique in their covers of the song in their versions. The Bangles Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet (as Sid 'n' Susie) and also Anne Murray covered "She May Call You Up Tonight."

So many artists have been part of the Left Banke's history. In addition to "Martin," there was a Steven Tallarico who sang back up on the album LEFT BANKE TOO. The other Michael than Brown, who sang with the band was "McKean," who we now know as a great actor. So as The Left Banke continues to create music, we'll see discover new stories of this growing group.

THE LEFT BANKE ON TOUR

August 5 & 6: Highline Ballroom, New York, NY w/ The Zombies

August 8: World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA

August 9: Howard Theater, Washington, DC w/ The Zombies

###

http://www.leftbankeband.com

http://www.facebook.com/LeftBanke

 
 

Powderfinger Radio Promotions Breaking Ground on Stratospheerius' album, "The Next World"

Stratospheerius' Leader Joe Deninzon available for interviews in support of album

Powderfinger Promotions, who is promoting Stratospheerius' new album, THE NEXT WORLD to AAA Radio, Jam Band and College Radio, is getting adds out-of-the-box from many stations, including heavy rotation on WNSU-Ft. Lauderdale and KPFK-Los Angeles, and other indicators KUMD-Duluth, WERS-Boston, WAER-Syracuse.

Powderfinger Promotions, helmed by David Avery, has worked a number of charting campaigns including releases from: Medeski Martin & Wood, Esperanza Spalding, Gov't Mule (w/ Ben Harper), String Cheese Incident, Victor Wooten... David says Powderfinger's slogan is "nurture the urge," and he was compelled to work with Stratospheerius' album THE NEXT WORLD because of its variety, "It's a great pleasure to be promoting a group as talented and exciting as Stratospheerius. I see great things for them and am thrilled to be part of the team that's bringing their music to the public."

The album is being worked to college, AAA, and jam band radio. Plug songs to jam band radio from the album are:
the glorious RELEASE, the genre bending--electronic/ska-inspired TECH SUPPORT, and, the whiplash-inducing ROAD RAGE. Other songs receiving attention from radio programmers are: "The Prism," "One Foot In The Next World," "The House Always Wins," "Climbing," and "The Missing Link.

Stratospheerius' new album THE NEXT WORLD is on Steve Vai's Digital Nations and Joe's imprint D-Zone Entertainment. Generally Steve signs metal/hard rock acts, but in addition to the great singing/songwriting on this album, Joe shreds on electric violin.  Stratospheerius generally shares bills or opens for bands from fusion, jam, progressive, rock, and hard rock. 

Stratospheerius just calls itself a "Rock group," with a musical range combines jam, fusion, rock, progressive, virtuoso, singer-songwriter, jazz and metal. The group was a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, won the Online People's Choice Awards in the Cornucopia Festival, and was named "Best Jam Band" in Musician's Atlas Independent Music Awards. THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER praises Stratospheerius for its "funky electric violins, driving guitar rhythms, and fevered drumming layered in an explosive fashion."

Critics continue to weigh in on the album, Progressive Ears' Angel Romero says THE NEXT WORLD is “A leading contender for the best rock album of 2012… Joe Deninzon’s dazzling violin solos, creative loops and effects are clearly spectacular and demonstrate that he is one of the most talented instrumentalists in the current rock scene.” MUSIC STREET JOURNAL's G.W. Hill writes, “You just can’t go wrong with this outfit. Nor can you assume what you are going to hear when they release a new disc. While the fusion elements of previous releases are still present, this one has more pure rock in it, too. Frankly, this might be the best Stratospheerius disc yet!”BLOGCRITICS writes, "If Jeff Beck had been a fiddlemaster with a streak of humor." Binghamton's PRESS & SUN BULLETIN calls the group "innovative."

Stratospheerius members are: Joe Deninzon-electric violin/mandolin/vocals, French guitarist Aurelien Budynek (Cindy Blackman, Vernon Reid), bassist Jamie Bishop (The Syn, Francis Dunnery), and drummer Lucianna Padmore (praised by Modern Drummer Magazine for her “Deep grooves and serious fusion chops.” The group's leader Joe Deninzon has written the book on Electric Violin--literally; Mel Bay books has released his "PLUGGING IN: A Guide To Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist." Often called "The Jimi Hendrix of the Electric Violin," his innovative performances on the electric seven-string violin and his compositions blend rock, funk, jazz, classical, and Eastern European Gypsy influences. While leading Stratospheerius since 2001, Joe has worked with Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Les Paul, Aretha Franklin, Ritchie Blackmore, and President Clinton. He can be heard on over 100 recordings and jingles as a violinist and string arranger, and receently on the soundtrack of the Will Ferrell/Adam McKay-produced movie, VIRGINITY HIT.

http://www.stratospheerius.com

http://www.powderfingerpromo.com

South Africa's Number One Flautist Wouter Kellerman To Tour The United States, July 26-August 12

"Wouter" pronounced "VO-ter."

In-Person Media opps available in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City, Woodstock, Boston, Southern California, Las Vegas

After wowing audiences at SXSW in 2010 and 2011, South Africa’s Top Flautist Wouter Kellerman returns to the United States this July and August. Shows include dates at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage July 26, Summerstage and Joe’s Pub in New York City on August 6 and 7. These shows, in particular, were booked by Wouter and his manager Tholsi Pillay from their homebase in Johannesburg, South Africa. More shows are being scheduled now along the East coast, in Las Vegas, and Southern California.

Wouter’s album “Two Voices” won the 2011 SAMA (South African Music Award, the SA equivalent of the Grammy) for “Best Instrumental Album,” and reinforces his status as one of South Africa’s foremost musicians. Inspired by styles and cultures drawn from South Africa and around the world, Wouter Kellerman takes his listener on a musical journey through African, Latin, jazz and Celtic sounds, with classical inflections.

His debut album, “Colour,” enjoyed rave reviews, topped the charts and was nominated for a 2008 SAMA for “Best Instrumental Album.” His DVD “Kellerman Colour Live” won the 2010 SAMA for “Best Jazz/Instrumental/Popular Classical DVD.”

In March 2010 and 2011 he performed at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, in Texas. SXSW is the biggest music festival in the USA. Wouter’s flute-playing can be heard on the soundtrack of the Emmy Award-winning film “Eye of the Leopard.” His albums “Colour” and “Two Voices” were mixed in Los Angeles by Grammy-winning engineer Husky Hoskulds.

In 2010 Wouter performed at the FIFA Soccer World Cup Closing Ceremony for a global TV audience of 700 million people, followed by Concerts at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in Johannesburg and two performances at the Shanghai World Expo, China.

Passionate about teaching and empowering young people, Kellerman has sponsored the living expenses of 10 children in the SOS Children’s Village in Ennerdale for the past 14 years, and also financed the building of a house in the SOS Children’s Village in Rustenburg. For his continued efforts in helping give these children a better life, Kellerman was nominated by the SOS Children’s Villages for the Inyathelo Special Recognition Award for Philanthropy. He continues to facilitate the teaching of young dance and music students.

Wouter Kellerman started playing the flute at the age of 10, and in 1981 appeared as a soloist with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra. He went on to feature in several South African orchestras, scooping musical accolades along the way. Among these was winning the Perrenoud Foundation Prize during the 1997 Vienna International Music Competition.

Using his classical training as a foundation, Wouter focuses his attention on world music, exploring the versatility of the instrument and fusing classical and contemporary sounds, resulting in a potent and thrilling musical encounter. He is taking his crossover world music to a global audience, having gained a solid following in South Africa. He has already released the album in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and most recently in Australia, where he combined his release with a nationwide tour, which included a support slot on Johnny Clegg’s Down Under tour.

WOUTER KELLERMAN CONFIRMED TOURDATES
July 26: The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Washington DC
July 27: North East Jazz & Wine Festival, Syracuse, NY
August 3: The Lily Pad, Cambridge, MA
August 4: Harmony, Woodstock, NY
August 6: Summerstage, Marcus Garvey Park, New York City, NY
August 7: Joe’s Pub, New York City, NY
August 9: Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
August 10: Caesars Palace, National Flute Convention

###Wouter Kellerman's "Mama Tembu"

Joe Deninzon, Tracy Silverman, Chuck Bontrager Together, July 16, Olathe, KS

PLEASE DOWNLOAD THIS E-FLYER AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.

The MWROC Faculty Concert Series begins Monday July 16, at 7:30 PM with three of the music world's most prestigious electric violinists (who are also counselors at Mark Wood's camp this summer): Joe Deninzon, Tracy Silverman, Chuck Bontrager.

This takes place MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS (just outside of Kansas City) – in the brand-new, 40,000 sq ft acoustically engineered masterpiece, Bell Cultural Events Center Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $60 for entire week. Call 913-971-3636, Email bellboxoffice@mnu.edu, or visit www.mnu.edu/events for ticket info (Ask About Special Student Pricing)

If you are ANYWHERE near the Kansas City area, make sure you get tickets to any or all of the FIVE concerts at the Bell Center while Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp is in town! Performers will include The Mark Wood Experience, Rachel Barton Pine, Tracy Silverman, Joe Deninzon, and will culminate with all campers and faculty sharing the stage for the LOUDEST ROCK ORCHESTRA IN THE WORLD!! For more information on all the performers, please visit the camp website and/or click on the concert flyer!

SPREAD THE WORD! SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW! LET'S PACK THE JOINT!

Mark has brought together some of the country's most revered musicians and educators to work with the camp attendees, and they will be offering performances - open to the public - throughout the course of the week. Special reduced tuition to MWROC is available for area residents.

All concerts will take place in the state-of-the-art concert hall at the Bell Cultural Events Center on the campus of MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS 66062.

Other shows run July 17, 18, 19, and 20 at the MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS.

Joe Deninzon, electric violin--hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin” because of his innovative style on the electric seven-string violin and his compositions combining jazz and rock with Gypsy influences. A musician who transcends many genres, he has worked with artists such as Sheryl Crow and Bruce Springsteen.

  Tracy Silverman, electric violin--lauded by the BBC as “the greatest living exponent of the electric violin.” The world’s first concert electric violinist, he has worked with artists such as the Turtle Island String Quartet, Jim Brickman, and Bob Geldof.

Chuck Bontrager, electric violin--Chuck Bontrager uses his electric violin to play lower than most cellos and louder than most guitars. He obviously chose the wrong instrument. He’ll keep it up until his students, friends, bandmates, and old teachers (like Myron Kartman from Northwestern) tell him to stop. You can also find him playing “regular” with the Lake Forest Symphony, the Chicago Sinfonietta, and the occasional Broadway in Chicago production.

Contact for Joe Deninzon: Anne Leighton
718-881-8183
LeightonMedia@aol.com
http://www.joedeninzon.com

For more info on Tracy Silverman, please visit:
http://www.tracysilverman.com/

Chuck Bontrager's web site is
http://nmorchestra.org/chuck-bontrager-violin-electric-violin

MWROC (Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp)
http://www.mwroc.com/
1-516-767-6677, MWROC@markwoodmusic.com