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The singer and actress is launching a social networking site through Kraft Foods aimed at women, where she and three other personalities issue challenges to members and offer ideas for cocktail parties, personal style and other fun stuff. Upumpitup's decidedly un-Mypsace but still, eh, cute.
Bob Dylan had barely started his show Saturday night at House of Blues when an over-excited female fan ran onstage and tried to get his attention --- a bizarre scene captured on Youtube. (The stage-crashing occurs a minute into the video). At least she didn't rip off her shirt ala the "Soy Bomb" nut case who ran onstage when Zimmy played the '98 Grammys.
(From Dance Halls & Dreamers)
• Review: Pat Green's book sings praises of Texas dance halls
• Blog: Sons of Hermann on danced-out Texas dance hall list
• More info: dancehallsanddreamers.com
Half of Bob Dylan’s show Thursday night at House of Blues came from his last two albums, 2001’s Love and Theft and 2006’s Modern Times. Wonder if he’ll dust off some old rarities Friday and Saturday.
Here’s my review, and here’s Thursday’s set-list:
“Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat,” “It Ain’t Me, Babe,” “Watching the River Flow,” “Girl of the North Country,” “Rollin’ And Tumblin’,” “Workingman’s Blues #2,” “High Water (For Charley Patton),” “Spirit in the Water,” “Can’t Wait,” “Highway 61 Revisited,” “Positively 4th Street,” “Honest with Me,” “Nettie Moore,” “Summer Days,” “Ballad of a Thin Man,”/ENCORES: “Thunder on the Mountain,” “Blowin in the Wind.”
Finally, an R&B success that doesn't involve by-the-numbers production, gimmicky videos or cameos by the spectacularly overexposed Akon or T-Pain.
As of 2/19, R&B band Mint Condition, discovered nearly 20 years ago by Grammy-award-winning songwriting and production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and responsible for enduring hits like "If You Love Me," "What Kind of Man Would I Be" and "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)," became responsible for the # 1-added UAC single with the release of "Baby Boy Baby Girl."
The celebratory uptempo jam, which is now on playlists in 23 markets across the nation so far, is the first single from their upcoming sixth CD, E-Life, scheduled to drop on May 6. A Tribe Called Quest's 'sound provider,' Ali Shaheed Muhammed, soul man Anthony Hamilton and Little Brother's Fonte are also featured.
E-Life the first full-length recording from the self-contained sextet since 2005's Living the Luxury Brown, which debuted at number one on Billboard's Independent Albums Chart upon release.
No Depression, the bible of American roots music since 1995, will publish it last issue in April. In a statement, its publishers blamed the closing on dwindling ads and “the precipitous fall of the music industry.” In other music-biz bad news, TVT Records has filed for bankruptcy. The label – home to Lil Jon, Pitbull and Dallas’ Polyphonic Spree – hopes to keep operating.
Carey Hart and Pink at the '07 Grammys (AP)
• Now you can get your favorite American Idol songs and videos the day after each show on iTunes. Read up here. Thrash and frolic in more Idol news with today's GuideLive story about Rockwall contender Jason Castro.
Phil prances over to the country music market. (Frank Micelotta)
As if the announcements of concerts featuring Celine Dion, Alicia Keys/Jordin Sparks, Roger Waters, Bob Dylan and Kanye West/Rihanna within the past two weeks weren't enough, we get these gems from the Live Nation branch of the grapevine this morning:
Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige are pairing up for a 25-date "Heart of the City Tour" (c'mon: you playas can do better than that cheesy title!) that'll swing through Starp -- oops: I mean the Superpages.com Center on April 12. Tickets, which will range from $35.25 to (gulp) $250, will go on sale Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. through da 'master. Be wary, though: big-money bank Citi is underwriting the tour, and Citi credit card holders will get first crack at tickets beginning on Feb. 20.
That news only slightly dwarfs word that the Police will swing back through town one last time on May 21. Thankfully, this gig won't feature Sting's offspring in the opening act: Elvis Costello and the Imposters will support the Superpages.com Center date, tickets for which will go on sale Feb. 23 at noon through Ticketmaster. Prices? $40 for lawn seats, $225 near the stage. And get this: Citi is also underwriting this victory-lap leg of the Police's world tour, and card holders get first crack at tickets even before Police fan club members. Priorities, priorities ...
South by Southwest has snared Van the Man for the first time. The Belfast Cowboy will open the festival on March 12 at La Zona Rosa. He'll also play Austin Music Hall the previous night. He'll be singing songs from his new CD, Keep It Simple , but don't expect to hear the hits: As we found out at his recent Dallas show, he rarely plays his best-known songs.
OK, that is a cool CD title. (Courtesy of Capitol Nashville)
Songwriter Gretchen Peters, whose compositions have triggered hit records for Neil Diamond, Bonnie Raitt, Martina McBride, Etta James, Faith Hill and Bryan Adams, is quite a singer in her own right. She has made two appearances in the Dallas area in the past year (at Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse and McDavid Studio in Fort Worth), playing tunes from her latest record, Burnt Toast & Offerings. It’s a theme album whose songs were inspired (if that’s the word) by Ms. Peters’ recent divorce. And last week, she was named FolkWax Artist of the Year by FolkWax, which describes itself as the largest subscribed weekly in the singer-songwriter genre. It’s an award voted on by readers, who picked Ms. Peters over Patty Griffin, Matt and Shannon Heaton, Josh Ritter and Eric Taylor.
Just down the pike within the past hour: two huge concert announcements, one in a few months and one very, very, very soon.
First, the quickie: three nights at House of Blues' Music Hall by none other than Bob Dylan, beginning a week from Thursday. The Feb. 21-23 shows are a warm-up for a Central and South American jaunt by he and his Band that will last through March 20. Don't panic, you've got time -- tickets for all three shows won't go on sale until Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster (they'll cost $59.50). But do note that the Feb. 22 show will start at 7 p.m., whereas the other two won't commence until 8 p.m.
Now, the other one: Kanye West will bring his Glow in the Dark Tour through SuperPages.com Center (formerly Smirnoff Music Centre) on May 1, and he's bringing "Umbrella" girl Rihanna, sk8er-boi rapper Lupe Fiasco and hip-hop collective N.E.R.D. with him. Tickets will start at $29.50 (lawn) and $34.50 and will go on sale Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. thru da 'master. Word!
Gruene Hall, north of New Braunfels (Erich Schlegel / DMN)
• Story
I love a random road trip; point your car in any direction and you can experience miles and miles of the state. And as a native Texan, I got a little melancholy at this bit of news. The only actual dance hall I remember visiting is the one in Luckenbach. Talk about a wonderfully rusty, ungilded experience. I'm also fond of the live music at Hondo's in Fredericksburg, too, although I'm not sure if that's considered a dance-hall-per-se (but man, those cheese fries).
Two questions: 1. What Texas dance halls have you been to? 2. Do you know anything about the Cotton Club, listed as on the Fair Grounds in Dallas? It's included on the list, but quick Google and internal DMN electronic library searches turn up only incidental mentions it. (Yes, as a newspaper we have a sophisticated reference staff who could dig up the information for me if I needed it, but I'd like to see what you know about it, first).
The list appeared late this morning on South By Southwest's web site, a few days later than usual -- the lovely folks that run the nation's largest music-industry conference usually get the list of offical showcase music acts out by the first weekend in February -- but it's finally here. And it's quite interesting.
For the first time in my memory, Houston-area acts have claimed more slots than North Texas acts: 45 to 41. The majority of musicians from Space Town appear to be hip-hop acts, a phenomenon surely spurned by the still-strong chopped-and-screwed Houston rap style.
Of the local acts many are sage picks, including Calhoun, the Crash That Took Me, Fishboy, Glen Reynolds, Mom, Record Hop, Play-N-Skillz and a recently re-formed Centro-matic. Others are, well, odd (Ryan Cabrera? Lumba? C'mon). Post-emo act the New Frontiers made the cut, possibly thanks to its helping out down-on-its-luck acts such as Mississippi's the Colour Revolt (which made it again this year) in 2007. Also in: the hyper-artsy ambient electro-noise duo Tree Wave. Big local names: Bowling for Soup, Brave Combo, the Feds, the Drams and classic-rock wayback-machine torch bearers Kenny and the Kasuals.
On an international level, second-tier nationalities on the world's popular-culture rubicon appear to be championing their pop-music scenes to SXSW more than ever. Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand and the Netherlands all have multiple acts performing at showcases. Iran's got three (and it may be the last chance for bands from that country to come in quite a while if the political atmosphere continues to devolve in Tehran), and acts from as far away as mainland China (FM3), Slovenia (Volodja Balzalorsky), Latvia (Mona De Bo), Indonesia (the s.i.g.i.t.) and Uzbekistan (Navruz) have snagged spots.
Am I gonna see any of 'em? I doubt it. But judging from this list, SXSW's offerings have leapt to a new level of stylistic broadness in 2008. And I'm not sure that it's a good thing.
Why? 'Cause Roger Waters is coming to town.
Just announced about 10 minutes ago: Dallas will be one of only four U.S. stops for Mr. Waters' raved-about and semi-controversial Dark Side of the Moon Live Tour, which features the ex-Floyd mastermind's take on both the seminal progressive arena rock band's greatest hits and a front-to-back, sequential performance of the band's mega-selling 1973 opus, The Dark Side of the Moon.
The concert will be May 2 at the Superpages.com Center (er, formerly Smirnoff Music Centre and longingly referred to as Starplex in the interest of avoiding a twist of the tongue). Tickets -- no word yet on pricing -- will go on sale on Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. through (who else?) Ticketmaster.
Tapes n' Tapes' people sent out an email today saying that SXSW is one of the band's tour stops, too.
If you're not familiar with this annual interactive, film and music conference and festival, check the site's about page and our blog posts from last year, housed on the original, pre-Playlist mothership of all GuideLive.com blogs, Over the Top.
Confirmed acts for the fest so far include R.E.M., My Morning Jacket, Dolly Parton, David Banner, Bun B, Sia, Black Keys and tons more. Lou Reed will be the music conference's keynote speaker.
Stay tuned.
Is Erykah about to lose her US hip-hop credentials? (Kevork Djansezian)
Yes, another name change for the outdoor concert venue. Coca-Cola Starplex/Starplex/Smirnoff Music Centre is now named after the listings search engine. Check out Thor's story here.
Do you think you'll get used to calling it "SuperPages.com Center"? Tell us what you think.
Earlier I posted a blurb that went something like: Tony Romo sang "Don't Stop Believing" onstage Monday night with parody band Metal Skool at Key Club in L.A. The YouTube link that I provided for your viewing pleasure wasn't the right one (thanks C for the heads-up). Ends up Tony Romo sang the same song with the same band at the Palladium last summer, and that's the video I posted, whoopsie.
But wait, the plot thickens.
Continue reading "Tony Romo, Jessica Simpson sing ... just not here" »
(DMN)
Dr. Siles says the music doesn't replace therapy or medication, but according to one patient in the story, Dr. Siles' music "saved my life. It really did."
What do you think about music therapy? Have you or anyone you know had experience with it?
LCD Soundsystem’s dance-minded CD Sound of Silver was the surprise poll-topper in the Village Voice’s “Pazz & Jop” tally of more than 500 music critics. It’s one of the few times an electronic-oriented album was voted the year’s best (Moby’s Play was No. 1 in 1999). Kanye West – a two-time poll-topper – came in No. 6 with Graduation. Also in the Top 10: Spoon, M.I.A. and Arcade Fire. Dallas’ St. Vincent was a respectable No. 91 for her debut Marry Me. See the whole list here.
The majestic, mystic Sarah Brightman. (Courtesy of EMI/Manhattan Records)
Willie's always all smiles. (Gary Goldberg)
Rest in peace, John Stewart. (Howard Bruensteiner)
The Feb. 28 concert scheduled for Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie sold out quickly, so the Radio Disney darlings have added another Nokia show on March 4.
Listen to jazz guitarist Bill Frisell perform on his Myspace page or watch him on YouTube.
Also, the Bill Frisell Trio performs at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Dan's Silver Leaf in Denton. $20 to $25.
• Story: Read Thor's "Guitarist Bill Frisell's diverse styles defy his jazz label"
MSNBC.com is reporting a cocaine overdose for the notorious ex of Tina Turner. We'll get something up on the site soon.
• Music blog 12/12: Ike Turner dead at 76
50 Cent (mybuddieslive.com)
• Story: Hip-hop insiders say steroids inquiry was inevitable
Expect more local mayhem thanks to the Jonas boys. (Jim Mahoney/DMN)
If you don't already have this CD, get it! (Courtesy of Columbia Nashville)
Annie isn't happy with her record label. (Brandon Thibodeaux/Special to DMN)
Hello, this could compete for Most Random Discovery of Talent for the century. Filipino singer-songwriter Arnel Pineda uploaded performances of his band, the Zoo, onto YouTube. Meanwhile, Journey guitarist Neal Schon was trolling the internet in search for a lead singer and found Arnel's dead-on cover of "Faithfully." The rest, as they say ....
The "Faithfully" cover may have been what wowed Neal Schon, but Arnel's "Don't Stop Believing" is unbelievable.
Ninja Anderson? (Courtesy of Collectors' Choice Music)
(Courtesy of Rounder Records)
Stephen Stills at the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals in Anaheim, California May 28, 2007. (Dave Sandford)
Britney is seen entering Cedars-Sinai in this frame grab. (hollywood.tv)
I've done some post-holiday cleanup of our new nightclubs list. Added some, took some off. BTW, my definition of "new" for this list is roughly nine months or younger. Do you know of a new club, bar, lounge or other nightlife-ish venue that's not on this list? Let me know.
Here it is folks. According to Nielsen Soundscan, these are the Top 10 selling CDs for 2007. The sales figures are next to the titles.
1. Noel, Josh Groban 3,699,000
2. High School Musical 2, Soundtrack 2,957,000
3. Long Road Out of Eden, Eagles 2,608,000
4. As I Am, Alicia Keys 2,543,000
5. Daughtry, Daughtry 2,497,000
6. Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus , Soundtrack 2,489,000
7. Minutes To Midnight, Linkin Park 2,099,000
8. The Dutchess, Fergie 2,064,000
9. Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift 1,951,000
10. Graduation, Kanye West 1,892,000
Any comments? Discuss.
Trent rides onto the movies. (Ron Jaffe/CMT)
He's defined Christmas 2007. (Julie Jacobson)
Our year-end series takes us to pop music and its best in CDs, shows, quotes and awards. Check out Thor's countdown, then comment below and tell us if you agree.
Mary performing at the AMAs on Nov. 18 (my birthday, haaay) (AP)
Mario lays out the top 10 Latin CDs of the year, along with commentary and quotes in the next of GuideLive's end-of-year roundup series. Check it out, then tell us what you think by commenting below.
According to an Associated Press bulletin about 25 minutes ago, the great jazz pianist Oscar Peterson died of kidney failure on Sunday at age 82 at his home in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. He was among the last century's finest North American pop pianists (if not the quickest) and during the course of a 60-plus-year career, he'd played with nearly all of the 20th century's great American jazz musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. He'd earned a Lifetime Grammy and the Order of Canada, our neighbors to the north's highest civil honor.
Swing, bop and boogie were defined by this man. What are your fondest memories of Oscar Peterson? Let us know and share them here.
Noel all the way to the bank. (Courtesy of Reprise/Warner Bros.)
I'll have a glass of Miranda, please. (Courtesy of www.mirandalambert.com)
• For ordering information, go to her website.
Mario rounded up the best of the best in country music for 2007. Read it, then tell us what country concerts, news or albums stood out for you this year.
Also, take another look at the winners of this year's Country Music Association Awards from November.
Bucky's cool! (Kristin Barlowe)
KEGL-FM (97.1) is once again rock station “The Eagle.”
In May 2004, it flipped formats to “Sunny 97” and played music from the’70s through the ’90s. In August of 2005, it became “La Preciosa,” which played regional Mexican oldies.
“It’s a return to our roots for the station,” says J. D. Freeman of Clear Channel Radio, which owns KEGL. Mr. Freeman says the station will have folks on the air in January. Expect to hear artists such as Metallica, Nirvana and Ozzy Osbourne.
Kanye West's Graduation makes our list of 2007's best hip-hop albums. (The New York Times)
A high point of Marcia Ball's show Saturday at the Granada arrived during "Sea Cruise," the Big Easy classic that was a hit in '59 for Frankie Ford. It was a fitting encore: On January 26, Ms. Ball hops aboard the Sandy Beaches Cruise, the annual floating music party featuring Delbert McClinton, Raul Malo and dozens of others. The rockin' sea cruise leaves from San Diego and stops in Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan. For more info, visit http://www.delbert.com/index2.htm.
How to dress for a funeral: Slim Thug and LeToya Luckett (Destiny's Child) (AP)
Then at the end, things apparently got real classy:
"Bishop Don Magic Juan, a former pimp turned rap celebrity, arrived just before the ceremony ended, causing a stir as he sauntered down the aisle with an entourage of women who were scantily clad in gold and red. He wore a foot-tall crown and a blue velvet cape."
How to look a fool at a funeral: Bishop Don Magic Juan (AP)
An entry titled "Disrespectin'" has already made it onto the "Bishop's" wikipedia entry.
Ike Turner (right) in 2003 with director John Singleton (AP)
• Report
Grommer Jeffers (a star DMN metro reporter and not-infrequent music critic up here for the arts department) had this thought about the controversial Ike:
Most people will remember Ike Turner as the man who slapped around Tina Turner.
He was also a decent guitarist and a guy who discovered dozens of musicians, primarily when he was the most popular act in St. Louis.
Good clean fun for the kiddies: Katelyn Hubbard and Dezi Eriksson dance to live music last year at Rock Steady. (DMN / File 2006)
For those of you who don't fall into any of these categories ... got any suggestions for soon-to-be-orphaned-teen-nightclub-goers?
• Story: Teen nightclub Rock Steady may close
Sad (but hardly unexpected) news.
• Report 12/11: Quiet Riot singer died from accidental overdose, coroner says
• Report 11/27: Quiet Riot lead singer Kevin Dubrow found dead
• Blog: Original post
Thoughts?
The music-y Nigel (courtesy)
The TV Nigel (nbc5i.com)
Who knew the broadcast cutie had this other life? I gave the band's music a listen on myspace.com/egressmusic, and it's actually pretty great.
HOUSTON — Pimp C, found dead in bed in a Los Angeles hotel room last week, will be remembered with a public memorial service Thursday.
• Read more from the Associated Press
• More posts about Pimp C
Here's Mario's wrap-up of the Grammy noms from today's paper, which were announced yesterday. It's got everything you need: analysis, a list of noms in the top categories, a list of noms from Texas. It also includes links to the full list on Grammy.com and to yesterday's stories.
Maroon 5: Seriously good workout music. (Damian Dovarganes)
Tell us your fave workout music.
Mario compiled a nifty list of nominees who'll be representing the Lone Star State at the Grammys. UGK, Leann Rimes, Kelly Clarkson and tons more from Texas will be crossing their fingers on Feb. 10.
Don't miss Mario's Grammy analysis piece tomorrow on GuideLive.com. For now, here's the AP story, with a link to the full list of nominees.
List of locals:
Beyoncé, record of the year, “Irreplaceable”
Beyoncé, best pop collaboration with vocals, “Beautiful Liar” (with Shakira)
Lucinda Williams, best solo rock vocal performance, “Come On” ......
(Courtesy of Warner Music Latina)
While perusing the complete nominee list ...
• Best spoken word: So strange to see Barak Obama, Maya Angelou Bill Clinton, Alan Alda and Jimmy Carter competing for a Grammy.
• Instrumental noms: Harry Connick, Jr., one of my favorite people at the piano (or anywhere else, actually), nabbed nods for best instrumental composition and best instrumental arrangement.
• Best blues traditonal album: Up for the prize are the artists behind Last Of The Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live In Dallas, including Pinetop Perkins and other greats. I remember the show coming to town this year; who knew a Grammy nom would come of it.
• Best gospel song: Casting Crown's "East to West" is darn moving. Definitely the best song in Christian music this year. I'm glad to see it recognized.
Were there any surprises for you on the list?
"That b*tch! That blonde b*tch! She's going to take it away from Miranda again!"
— a to-remain-annonymous staffer
Bonus points if you can tell us who TRAS is talking about.
Fergie: Faux surprise. (AP)
Below is just enough to give you a peek, but you can check out our story for more. Here's the full list of nominees (in case you're wondering who got a nod for Best Historical Album or Best, ahem, Package).
Also, Quick staffer and resident local-music guru Hunter Hauk is highlighting the DFDubbers (other Texans, too) over on the Blah Blah Blah blog.
Tittering, porcelain country hottie Taylor Swift, 17, ran up to the podium to hug presenter Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, along with everyone else on stage, when her named was announced.(AP)
Nominees for Album Of The Year:
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace — Foo Fighters
These Days — Vince Gill
River: The Joni Letters — Herbie Hancock
Graduation — Kanye West
Back To Black — Amy Winehouse
Juanes at the MTV Latin America 2007 Music Awards (Alfredo Estrella)
Pimp C (left) and Bun B (the-ugks.com)
If the name doesn't sound familiar, Pimp C and partner Bun B were very Dirty and very South. Their rap hits included "Front, Back & Side to Side," "Ridin' Dirty," Let Me See It" and Pimp C's remix of "Something Good." They got some mainstream exposure when they cameo'd on Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'" back in 2000. They're also the dirty mouths behind the current "International Players Anthem," along with Outkast, and won Best Collaboration at this year's BET Hip Hip Awards for it.
I was just thinking of UGK (Underground Kingz) in the car on the way to work this morning as "International Players Anthem" played on the radio ...
Continue reading "Rapper Pimp C from Houston's UGK found dead" »
First Victoria Beckham was so freaked about the first show (this Sunday) that she didn't want hubby David Beckham to attend. Now she just better pray a nasty case of shingles doesn't sideline the concert altogether.
Keeping that head of hair upright for three days straight — now that's a feat.(AP)
Amy Winehouse, the British R&B/soul/jazz singer with the deliciously rugged vocal cords but a mean problem with the drink, stayed up for three nights in a row and now can't fulfill her performance obligations. Her husband's in the clink, and she's reportedly upset to the point of marathon insomnia over it.
So, who's your favorite F.T. today? "Favorite" meaning "makes me feel exceptionally functional," that is.
More: Amy Winehouse calling off rest of British tour for sleep
Nooooo ... not again (CBS)
• More: Victoria Beckham bans husband David from seeing Spice Girls' first show
MSNBC.com's story, Britney Spears: ‘Predictably unpredictable’ reports
Spears’ problems at best stem from deep issues with fame, or at worst, indicate a serious drug or mental health problem.
What do you think is causing the star's weird behavior?
Commenter Okkervil River, below (are you a fan of Okkervil River or, like, actually part of the band? Curious), reminded me of a big bit of music news we didn't blog about. We covered the death of Casey Calvert on the website and in the band's event record (they were going to perform here Monday), but didn't make mention of it here. But I'm curious — who was planning to attend the HH concert next week?
(Courtesy of Essential Records/Sony)
Or so Jermaine Jackson told BBC Radio Monday. Read the story here.
(And before you ask, yes. Michael Jackson would join Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and younger brother Randy on the road.)
What do you think? Should the Jackson Five reunite?
Country? Nah, we're really just slick pop singers. (Chapman Baehler)
Extreme (Courtesy of Billboard.com)
Two bits of news from 1980s hair band land.
— Kevin Dubrow, lead singer for Quiet Riot, was found dead at his Las Vegas home. He was only 52. No cause of death yet. Read the story here. Share your favorite Quiet Riot memories and songs with us.
— Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx signs copies of his new book, The Heroin Diaries, at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Borders in West Village. Word is that the collection of diary entries, which focuses on his drug addiction, is supposed to be a pretty telling tome. There is also a companion CD that he'll be selling/signing, too (read Mike's previous post about it here). Just don't bring memorabilia/paraphernalia/previously-bought CDs for Nikki to sign. Call the bookstore for more details.
Billy Joe Shaver (Allison V. Smith / DMN)
For those of you asking, "Billy Joe who?" ... His honky-tonk, athentico country influenced the likes of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard back in the '70s. Without Billy Joe, there might not have been the Willie-as-we-know-him-today. Which would have been a terrible thing.
Last week, I took advantage of the Dallas Museum of Art's free-after-5 p.m. Thursday extended hours to check out the "Phil Collins: the world won't listen" exhibit. British artist Phil "Not the Guy from Genesis" Collins filmed Smiths fans in Bogota, Colombia; Istanbul, Turkey; and Jakarta, Indonesia, singing tracks from the Smiths' 1986 album, The World Won't Listen. Three screens in three connected rooms show three performances of the same song simultaneously. For example: During "London," on one screen, a brash guy screams out the lyrics and jumps around. On another, a shy fellow self consciously tries out his Morrissey impersonation. Contrast and compare.
Continue reading ""Phil Collins: the world won't listen" exhibit" »
Dr. Fernando Siles (Joel Hodge)
Call her Ms. Keys, please! (Courtesy of J Records)
(Courtesy of Jive Records)
You knew it'd happen. Bruce Springsteen's bringing the E Street gang to Dallas for a concert on April 13. The venue's not set yet, but judging from the sites listed for his tour's second leg, it'll be a big arena and not a mid-sized spot such as Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie.
What still bums me out: Van Halen still hasn't added Dallas to its ongoing reunion tour. Houston is now on the docket (Jan. 28 at the Toyota Center; tickets go on sale Dec. 1), as is Oklahoma City (Jan. 22 at Ford Center; tickets will be available on Dec. 8), but nothing here. Looks like if you're hot for teacher, you'll have to road trip it.
What's your Jordin prediction? Does she have what it takes, or is she no Kelly Clarkson (or for that matter, Carrie Underwood)?
Watching the Eagles soar! (Andrew Macpherson)
Always reaching, huh Garth? (Vernon Bryant/DMN)
Kanye broke down Saturday night while trying to perform his song "Hey Mama" in Paris.
The funeral for his mom, Donda West, is tomorrow in Oklahoma City.
To catch you up: Kanye West's mom died Saturday after a tummy tuck and breast reduction by "plastic surgeon to the stars" Dr. Jan Adams ... who, in retrospect, had a long line of red flags like malpractice suits, DUI convictions and more. That's where we pick up:
• Story: Donda West's plastic surgeon says procedure not to blame for death
• More: Previous Donda West udpates
(AP)
• Fan sues Miley Cyrus in Tennessee court
Do you agree with the charge or think it's stupid?
Also: All Hannah Montana posts
In addition to several other accomplishments, Donda West wrote a book about bringing up Kanye. (amazon.com)
Continue reading "Updates on death of Kanye West's mom, Donda" »
Talk about "All Falls Down." Sincere condolences go out to Kanye West and his family re the loss of his mother, Donda.
A spokesman for West said Donda West died Saturday night in Los Angeles.
Donda West served as chief executive of West Brands LLC, the parent company of her son's business enterprises, according to a biography on the Web site of the Kanye West Foundation, which she chaired.
Acc. to the AP, Kanye West often spoke of his close relationship with his mother, who raised him alone after her husband left when Kanye was 3.
The ever quirky Aterciopelados won Best Alternative Album for Oye. (AP)
Did you see the show? Think someone should have won or lost? Comment and let us know.
Miranda doesn't win the Best CMA Hair Award, though. (AP)
Mike and Mario both e-mailed me with gentle chastisement for thinking Carrie's "Before He Cheats" was any kind of "I'll Show Him" anthem. After reading Miranda's songs just now ... I have to say, she would definitely win Mike's Celebrity Death Match against Carrie, hands down.
As Mario put it: "Oh honey, Miranda bypasses the truck and goes for the DUDE!"
"Oh good, more implements with which to exact revenge." (AP)
• Roundup: Chesney, Underwood, Paisley win top country-music honors
Manhattan Criminal Court turned into a reunion for the Naughty Rappers Club yesterday. Busta, Ja Rule, Lil Wayne and Remy Ma all showed up to answer for accusations ranging from kicking a fan to shooting an aquaintance.
• Story: Rappers fill the courthouse in NYC
Hank Thompson in 2000. (Ariane Kadoch/DMN)
From 1948 through 1980, Mr. Thompson scored 60 Top 40 hits on the country charts, most notably his novelty staples "Humpty Dumpty Heart," "Whoa Sailor" and "A Six Pack to Go." His monster 1952 single, "The Wild Side of Life," spent 15 weeks at No. 1 and spawned an answer song in Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels." In 1989, Mr. Thompson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
While digging through archived Grateful Dead material recently, someone unearthed a trio of recordings by the Flying Burrito Brothers when it was headed by Gram Parsons -- yep, the same guy that's considered by many to be the godfather of alt-country.
Two of those opening-slot performances for the Dead in early April 1969 at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco were released today as downloads here. Touted as "the highest quality Gram Parsons live material available," the 27-track release is titled (deep breath) Gram Parsons Archives, Vol. 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers Live at the Avalon Ballroom 1969 and includes two Jimmi Seiter home recordings as well.
Sara Watkins, Chris Thile and Sean Watkins say buh-bye. Boo-hoo! (Danny Clinch)
Just in case you consider yourself a fan of Avril Lavigne (and there are many out there; The Best Damn Thing hasn't exactly been a duffer sales-wise), visit this site at 6:30 p.m. CST today. You'll be treated to a live acoustic concert by Ms. (er, that'd really be Mrs. since she wed some Sum 41 Sk8 er boi dude) Lavigne from the Whiskey a Go-Go in L.A. as well as a "special announcement" which, considering that Live Nation is hosting the webcast, probably has to do with a tour. Enjoy.
Never underestimate the enduring Eagles phenom! (Andrew MacPherson)
In case you missed Mike's retrospect Saturday of her albums through the years:
Errr ... wrong blog? Naww, this is the right one ...
I took in the last hour of ZZ Top's shotgun show at Nokia Theatre last night, expecting fireworks, megawatts of flashing lights, vintage hot rods and women who know how to use their legs. I really saw only one of those things (the cars), and most of those were parked outside.
For a band that's known for milking the "everything's bigger in Texas" aesthetic for every ounce that it's worth, ZZ Top's DVD filming session at Nokia was disarmingly subdued. The stage setup was minimal though cool: dual asymmetrical tweed-colored amp stacks, an LED-curtain backdrop and big rig exhaust pipe-look mike stands that doubled as tube lights. The crowd was subdued, too, considering that they all knew they were being filmed; that the average age was in the 40s definitely had something to do with it. Guitarist Billy Gibbons appeared a tad frustrated with it, too: "Help me out here, just once," he pleaded just before playing "Gimme All Your Lovin'".
The two-hour set's second half had glitches as well as highlights, too. The bad: Mr. Gibbons let his verse chords ring during "Sharp Dressed Man," robbing the song of much of its drama; "Rough Boy" came off as half-conceived, especially since portions of the crowd decided to sit or leave; feedback and poor soundboard work ruined the set's closer, "Legs." The good: Mr. Gibbons' awesome slide playing during "Just Got Paid" and a terrific closing medley of "Tube Snake Boogie," "La Grange" and "Tush."
Weekend rescheduling alert: Smashing Pumpkins has postponed its concert this Saturday, Nov. 3 at Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie to Nov. 18.
On Oct. 30, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was hospitalized for chest discomfort in Atlanta. Though an angiogram revealed a partially blocked artery, he was released on Wednesday but ordered by doctors to rest for a week.
“The good news is that my heart checked out. No damage,” Mr. Chamberlin wrote in a message to fans on the Smashing Pumpkins’ web site. “[It’s] basically a small build up of plaque on one of my arteries. This combined with stress, fatigue and all of the other good things that go along with being on tour was the cause of my pain.
“It should only be a week or so until J.C. is ready to rock again.”
Shows in Atlanta, Austin and Nashville were also postponed.
Tickets for the Saturday show will be honored on the new date. For more information, contact the lovely lads and lassies at Ticketmaster.
Any news item that starts off:
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway wants urban youths to improve their image by hiking up their pants. But a local hip-hop artist is using homophobia as a tool to get that message across.
... is bound to anger and intrigue. For instance, Dooney da' Priest's new rap song associates low-slug pants with being "on the down-low."
• Read: Gay groups critical of hip-hop song targeting saggin' pants
• Hear: "Pull Your Pants Up"
What do you think about this tactic?
J.Lo last night at American Airlines Center (Rex C. Curry / Special to DMN)
• Read about how designer Roberto Cavalli spilled the beans here.
My deal is: Hopefully the secrecy was about maintaining a modicum of privacy, not because her people were afraid her newly maternal state would be an image-dampener. A) I hope we are well evolved past that, and B) Hello ... is she not still hot or what?
Golden Gate Funeral Home
4155 S. R.L. Thornton Frwy. @ Ann Arbor, Dallas
214-941-7332
• Wake: 6-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 at the funeral home
• Service: 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5 at the funeral home
• Obituary
We're getting inquiries about Marchel Ivery's funeral info, which we don't have yet. As soon as we can secure some details, we'll put it here. Meanwhile, read the Dallas jazz man's obit here.
UPDATE:
Golden Gate Funeral Home
4155 S. R.L. Thornton Frwy. @ Ann Arbor, Dallas
214-941-7332
• Wake: 6-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 at the funeral home
• Service: 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5 at the funeral home
Update: As of 1:30 p.m.: Arrangements expected to be finalized in about another hour.
Update: Looks like Golden Gate Funeral Home is handling services, which are still pending as of noon.
Ivery at Sammons Center for the Arts in '99. (Staff)
According to msnbc.com's 'The Scoop':
Jennifer Lopez might have to start looking for a new label if she wants to make another original record. A source close to Epic Records and Epic’s parent company, Sony BMG, says that the label is fed up not only with J.Lo’s paltry album sales, but with the amount of money it’s costing to promote the diva.
Porter Wagoner at New York's Madison Square Garden in July. (Stephen Chernin)
(Courtesy: Saenz of the Times PR)
On its way to perform at the CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival in New York last week, the band lost its RV to a fire. While on Interstate 81 in far eastern Tennessee, bassist Jim Taylor, who was driving, noticed smoke in the cabin. The other members were all asleep. He pulled over and got the others out, but minutes later, despite extinguisher help by a delivery truck driver and a policeman, the RV was nothing but a twisted metal shell (see above). Fortunately, no one was injured and the band's trailer survived thanks to three fire trucks and a temporary shutdown of the highway. But it did lose several guitars as well as its cash, food, clothes and such.
But: the band did rent a truck the next day and made its CMJ gig. The Red Cross even pitched in for clothes and a hotel after the blaze. Smokin.'
While perusing Ticketmaster for Concert Calendar fodder, I stumbled upon this gem: the great Texas rock trio ZZ Top is pit-stopping at Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie on Nov. 1 to shoot footage for a DVD. I guess the Boys Named Gibbons, Hill and Beard are feelin' fresh after a three-and-a-half-month U.S. tour ... No details can be found beyond the fact that tickets are only $25 (!!!) and have been on sale since Saturday; nary a word about it exists on the band's official web site. Sneaky, sneaky ...
(Courtesy of ERC)
On the heels of a sold-out memorial concert for the revered local musician comes a bit of somber news. Carter was drunk three times past the legal limit when he was shot and killed last month while trying to break down a neighbor's door. Did the prescription drug Chantix cause that fatal bout of rage, or was it a bad (and voluminous) mix of booze? That's still being determined.
The whole entire scenario is a shame. Even though I'm sure his family, fans and friends' good memory of him will remain intact regardless, I was really hoping Chantix would be the clear source of blame, or something else out of the ordinary.
But if the sole cause was a grown man drinking too much during a night out on Greenville? Nothing's worth that. What a total waste of life.
• Read the story about the autopsy findings here
• Read other blog posts about Carter Albrecht here
On the heels of a sold-out memorial concert for the revered local musician comes a bit of somber news. Carter was drunk three times past the legal limit when he was shot and killed last month while trying to break down a neighbor's door. Did the prescription drug Chantix cause that fatal bout of rage, or was it a bad (and voluminous) mix of booze? That's still being determined.
The whole entire scenario is a shame. Even though I'm sure his family, fans and friends' good memory of him will remain intact regardless, I was really hoping Chantix would be the clear source of blame, or something else out of the ordinary.
But if the sole cause was a grown man drinking too much during a night out on Greenville? Nothing's worth that. What a total waste of life.
• Read the story about the autopsy findings here
• Read other blog posts about Carter Albrecht here
R&B singer R. Kelly certainly hasn't let his legal troubles get in the way of his music. Next month, he will launch a two-month tour that includes Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday. The show is Dec. 1 at American Airlines Center. No word yet on when tickets go on sale.
The Bomb. Apparently. (AP)
Parents are frothing at the mouth and paying ticket prices into the $jillions so their daughters can say they saw Billy Ray Cyrus' offspring and her hair extensions in concert. And this is if they're even able to find tickets to buy at all. I mean, stubhub.com's got tickets for the Disney star's concert in LA on sale for over $9,000!
What's wrong with people? What ever happened to, "Wow, Madison, the news just reported that tickets for that Hannah Montana concert you wanted to attend sold out in the first four minutes. That's a shame, honey. Looks like you'll have to find something else to do."
I'm sure she's a nice girl, and yes, she's immensely popular with the tween set. But even she seems to have some fiscal prudence: "It’s going to be a good show, but I don’t think it’s worth what it’s going for."
• Video: Hannah Montana tickets: Parents and their need to please
• Story: Hannah Montana: Hardest ticket to score
• Blog post: Even Miley thinks the price is too high
With all the static we give Britney, I have to get her back on this one. She accidentally ran over a stalkery photographer's foot with her Mercedes. Oh well; boo hoo. If you can't take the heat ...
Watch: Photog's tootsies go owie
(Courtesy)
Britney drives from family court on Oct. 11 in L.A. She made a surprise appearance in court after a commissioner declined to rule on her emergency motion requesting monitored, overnight visits with her children. (AP)
• Court order: Britney Spears can't see kids
• Read the court document
Leave comments about Britney's latest debacle below.
Soulja Boy (AP)
The entire audience joined in as Soulja Boy Tell Em' and his peeps reenacted the ubiquitous dance step-for-step; he's got the hottest song in the country right now, and I guess that it's better than one called "Bustin' Caps" or "The Ho is Mine," but, to us hip-hop purists, nothing can match the ingenuity and free-spirited fun found on 'oldies' like "The Humpty Dance." Oh well, keep crankin'.....
Katt took a moment from cutting up to speak on the "systematic racism" running rampant in recent months and called the Jena 6 case "straight criminal." Two of the case's young defendants dwarfed----er---joined the comedian on-stage and earned a standing ovation as they thanked viewers and the music industry for their support.
What the.......Kanye "I am the best rapper ever" West TRYING TO GIVE ONE OF HIS AWARDS AWAY??!!?? He was almost humble and at a loss for words as he proclaimed that he didn't deserve this honor and offered it to UGK, who modestly declined, but it didn't stop the entire crew from getting back on stage and thanking everyone from their homies to their goldfish swimming in the tank at the crib. "They always cut the mic off on me," Bun B asserted.....while showing the reason why. We know you got mad love for your play cousin's granny Bun, but enough already!!!
Lil Wayne (AP)
Lil' Wayne brought the North and South together by performing the inescapable "Duffle Bag" song, that was a raucous and energetic collabo.
These newer '106 & Park' hosts just don't do it for me, but whatever; Birdman and Lil' Wayne brought their extensive posse back onstage to accept their award for "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" as Birdman expressed his love for the fans and gave a heartfelt R.I.P. to his sister and others who passed away or lost it all during the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.
Some of the awards catagories are a bit, um....overreaching; I can see Best Ringtone (T.I.) and Best DJ (DJ Khaled), but Best....Hustler (Fiddy)? Um....we've got to do better.
Dr. Cornel West was just as passionate, if not as poetic, as Professor Dyson, when he praised the intellect and the impact of KRS-ONE; (of the lengendary Boogie-Down Productions; the creator of 'edutainment' and 1988's Stop the Violence Movement) "He is my brother, my commerade and my teacher---he is hip-hop!!!" He exclaimed. "We love you, we salute you, we stand proud because of you!!!"
KRS One, now an esteemed lecturer on the genre, said that hip-hop is being made responsible for problems that it didn't create, but it still had the obligation "to unite and display the true intentions of its culture." I hope that his younger desendants in the game heed this truth (*hint, hint T.I.P.*).
Who knew that Mike Dyson had mic game? WOW!!! "Go faster, Grandmaster, go faster, Grandmaster..."
He dropped some serious science on how rappers drop "words over beats, truth over lies" and that hip-hop should have never reduced itself to creating "beefs between rival teams, taking pot shots and killing dreams." He showed love to artists that have endured over the years and proclaimed that "hip-hip is glorious when it reaches the sky, hip hop is its most alive when it refused to die." Well preach it man, preeeeeeeeeeach!!!
Cee-Lo, already less than svelte, was so out of order in that chessboard-looking shirt next to rap video Queen Melyssa Ford. When UGK won for their comeback summer single, "Player's Anthem (I Choose You)," Bun B and Big Boi both showed love to the newly freed Pimp C and Andre 3000 and were genuinely excited to get recognition after being underground for so long.
Common (AP)
Wyclef blazed a blinged-out guitar and wore a bandanna around his clean-shaven head while giving clear warning to hip-hop creators and consumers; "It's hip-hop vs. America; the camera are on you." It's unfortunate that T.I. didn't learn this crucial fact a bit sooner.
Speaking of the locked-down rapper, Busta came out and repped for his boy, who had been arrested before he could even perform on fderal weapons charges (a story in progress). The locks are gone and he's not as lanky as he used to be while a member of the Flip Mode Squad and LOTNS, but he can still spit rhymes ferociously like back in the day.
Ciara and Hill Harper were an interesting pair to give away the MVP award to Lousiana-bred lyricist extraordinaire, Lil' Wayne, who was nice enough to stop sipping on whatever was in that foam cup to accept it. "When you hear Lil' Wayne, it's representing every other member of the Cash Money Clique right along with me." he said of the entourage that surrounded him at the podium. "Thank y'all, I love hip-hop and I won't let it die, I promise!!!"
So MC Lyte makes a heartfelt speech about lovin' hip hop and calls for responsible lyrics: "To my sisters who love hip hop: Be wise about who you support. Learn to love those who love you." How ironic that those words are immediately followed by a performance by Shreveport, La.'s, Hurricane Chris singing the radio popular "Aye, bay bay."
MC Lyte (AP)
That would have been the perfect segue to watch another old school idol, KRS-ONE, recieve his Icon award, presented by the one and only Dr. Cornel West, but instead of doing the logical they decided to go to Hurricane Chris' performance of the tired "Ay Bay Bay"; showing this buffoonery before KRS-ONE and Dr. West is just all types of wrong.
Other awards that didn't get airtime: Best Hip-Hop Movie ("Stomp The Yard"), Best Rookie ("Rich Boy") and Best Hip-Hop Director (Hype Williams). If I hear '"Ay Bay Bay" one....more....time....
Is host Katt Williams wearing enough clothes? With all of the layering, he looks ready for a Colorado ski trip, not an awards show in the balmy ATL, but I digress. At least roc the gear in your size ,sheesh.
Nelly has returned to rep the Midwest with "his single Wadsyaname." Girlfriend/actress/singer Ashanti was repping in the audience for her boo like a zealous cheerleader and he is one of the many rappers paying homage with the puffy Troop jacket and oversized gold dookie chain and medallion.
The preteen dancer was a cute touch, keeping it krunk without getting too low with it or stank. Is that a female marching band in the background? Niiiiiiiiiiiice!!!
Movie newcomer Lauren London (who made the big film debut in last year's 'ATL') looked cute and coy as she presented with the ever political Wyclef; "Bring the troops home Bush! That wasn't on the teleprompter."
Common actually beat out Kanye on the lyrical front; modest and humble as usual, he called all of the nominees his "inspiration" and thanked the world "for appreciating my music." Will hip-hop listen to him and upgrade the quality of their rhymes? Time will tell.....
So I'm paging through the mostly dated and rounded-off drivel in Entertainment Weekly last night when I came across this
It's Britney Spears's new perfume, "believe" (no caps on the 'b', please), which is being made by Elizabeth Arden. First reaction: "Oh, is this gonna STOINK!"
The ad's in first person: "My New Fragrance," it says. Surely Brutney wrote that all by herself. Then I notice her given name, as printed in the ad, has that ominous little 'TM' after it. She's trademarked her own name!. Which means we have to capitalize that now ...
Then there's the pictures, which are, shall we say, embellished (though not overly so). And the perfume? Not bad, to be honest. A little sharp, but not bad. It wouldn't cause me to black out (ahem).
But I can't get over the name and the slogan: "The greatest freedom is to believe in yourself." How poetic. Yeah OK, Ms. Spears. You're definitely the poster child for that these days.
Sergio Garcia's mural of Norah Jones on what used to be the Green Room (Courtney Perry / DMN)
In Barcelona, Spain, last month (Getty)
• Read more here
• Check out Blender's list
• Lyrics to Sting songs
Do you agree?
This could be Nostradamus' predicted Third Antichrist. Scary. Well, actually it's Posh. Oh, never mind. (Courtesy)
Victoria's Secret, founded in the late 1970s as an alternative to uncomfortable department-store lingerie shopping, is America's largest undies dealer by the early 1990s. It goes into overdrive as it starts using supermodels in its catalog and advertising. Soon afterward, the Spice Girls, founded in 1994 as an alternative to the uncomfortably droll British pop music scene and featuring one Victoria Adams as Posh Spice, is the world's top pop act for two solid years.
Then, the Spice Girls go under, and Victoria's Secret goes on cruise control. The former Posh Spice marries this ball-kicking bloke named David Beckham, a.k.a. the best soccer player in the world and one of the globe's most recognizable sports figures, and has his kids. V.S. keeps the ship steady and refuses to allow celebrities to model its wares. Profits soar.
In 2007, the Spice Girls reunite, record two new songs and plan a world tour -- but not until after Poshy-poo has moved to L.A. so that her beau can help save American pro soccer. Then, today's announcement that Victoria's Secret will roll like Starbucks and be the U.S.'s lone retailer for Spice Girls: Greatest Hits, which will be released on Nov. 13, and that v2.0 of the whirly-girl pop act will make its TV debut during the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on Dec. 4 on CBS.
I smell a conspiracy. I think Victoria Beckham is bent on world domination. Be very, very afraid. Or spicy, because resistance will be futile.
Billboard.com reports that seminal British punk band the Sex Pistols are finally acqiescing to the times and allowing Never Mind the Bullocks ... Here's the Sex Pistols to be available on iTunes beginning today.
Not that this is truly news. The band's surviving members (minus Sid Vicious, of course) re-recorded "Anarchy in the U.K." and "Pretty Vacant" for use in the upcoming Activision video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (the original masters were lost in a London fire many years ago), so it's not like the old farts had no clue what the internet was. It does -- especially cantankerous L.A. radio host John Lydon, known to most as Johnny Rotten -- and it's savvy enough to know how to market itself as critical cogs in rock history's annals.
But that move just isn't, well, punk. This is even less so: the reunited band will perform on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Oct. 30 and on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson (the Scottish host is himself a former punk rocker) on Halloween, six days after performing at a private Roxy show sponsored by Mr. Lydon's radio station, Activision and upstart cell-phone company Helio on Oct. 25. Never mind the bullocks, here's the greenbacks!
Retire? I can't retire! (Mark J. Terrill)
(Courtesy)
To follow his multimillion-selling two-CD set 50 Number Ones, George Strait offers another compilation of radio staples to fans in the form of 22 More Hits, which arrives in stores Nov. 13. 22 More Hits includes such classics as "Amarillo By Morning," "The Fireman," "Gone As a Girl Can Get," "Drinking Champagne," "Unwound," "Cowboys Like Us" and the new single, "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls." Meanwhile, the mighty Strait is nominated for seven Country Music Association Awards, which will be presented Nov. 7 in Nashville, and his upcoming tour begins Jan. 10 in Austin.
Robert Plant, left, and guitarist Jimmy Page (AP)
TELL US: What Zeppelin songs, if any, will you add to the ol' iPod? Comment below.
• Read about the band's 21st century entrance here
• Led Zeppelin's wiki entry
• Hear a little Led on allmusic.com (type the band's name into the search bar)
Radoslav Lorkavic, on the accordion, and Jimmy LaFave played at Crossroads recently. (Randy Eli Grothe / DMN)
Who would have thought prime singer-songwriters like Ray Wylie Hubbard, Sara Hickman, Billy Joe Shaver, Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines (Natalie's dad) would fill up the performance calendar at a coffeehouse in Winnsboro? Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Co. is located in the isolated, small Texas town about 100 miles east of here, offering performances in a laid-back, authentically Texan atmosphere. Our staff writer Michael Granberry has a story coming out Sunday (check back on GuideLive.com) about how these kinds of venues are popping up in small towns all over the state.
• Tell us: What's your favorite coffeehouse for enjoying live music?
• Video: Go to GuideLive.com/video and see what the buzz is about.
• FYI: Here's a link of a few coffeehouse/music venues in the area.
(Paul Westenberg)
On Jan. 22, she's reissuing The Purple Tape, the 10-track collection that she used to hand out at New York City coffeehouse performances in the early 1990s. To be included with the re-tracked tunes (re-mixed by then-boyfriend Juan Patino, who's apparently still a buddy) are acoustic versions of "Stay (I Missed You)," an interview, photos and extended liner notes.
Not that she's giving up on recording new material; she's planning a follow-up to the indie 2003 children's album Catch the Moon and a fresh studio CD for 2008. But please, avoid the reality TV game from now on, Lisa. It's not very flattering.
It's no secret that Blackout is being blackballed by some. Image-conscious radio is showing neither love nor air time to Britney Spears and her upcoming CD's hit, "Gimme More." (Yes, it's a hit: it's No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart almost solely due to digital downloads).
Yet there's a second victim: J.Lo. "Do it Well," the first single off of Jennifer Lopez's three-day-old English-language album Brave, is also being shunned by dance and Top 40 radio.
This raises a couple of issues for me. First, this is proof that radio can break and maintain a major music artist but can't kill one, at least in the short term (and especially if said artist has a reputation beyond that of just a musician). I mean, sheesh; Bruce Springsteen's Magic sold 335,000 copies in its first week with no airplay except on satellite radio, and I bet it goes platinum by early 2008 if not before. Second, radio may be at least as fickle, bloated and holier-than-thou as the major labels are. If people want to hear a song that's obviously doing at least decently -- for whatever reason and through whatever medium -- wouldn't they want to play it? Aren't they missing out on potential listeners (and, therefore, ratings points and ad revenue)?
Don't get me wrong: "Gimme More" is a horrible track, and though I haven't heard J.Lo's single yet, I'm betting that it's humdrum. But a critical part of a working capitalist economic model, even in the digital age, is giving people what they want, and radio appears to not be doing that. At least this week.
Neat-o music-broadcast bit of the day: HDNet documented Lindsey Buckingham's sold-out Jan. 27 concert at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, and the hi-def channel will premiere the performance on Oct. 14 at 8 p.m.
For those that weren't there: "Lindsey Buckingham -- Live at the Bass Performance Hall" features Fleetwood Mac's mack daddy performing mostly acoustic versions of both his own and FM hits, including "Tusk," "Go Your Own Way" and "Big Love." Of course a few cuts are from his most recent solo foray, Under the Skin. But don't let that dissuade you from watching if you're fortunate to have HDNet and a 1080i flat-screen.
Since R.E.M. is debuting a new song, "Until the Day is Done," on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 tonight at 9 p.m. (or so, since the show's an hour long), and since AC360 debuted an R.E.M. video for the single "Bad Day" back in 2002, Playlist figures that the metrosexual talking head must have a man-crush on Michael Stipe.
Some deets: the song is from a just-completed new R.E.M. album that will hit stores in 2008. It will also accompany a four-hour CNN documentary about the globe's environmental crises, "Planet in Peril," that's narrated by Mr. Cooper and that premieres on Oct. 23 at 8 p.m.
Random related thought: is Mr. Stipe still bummed that he lost the simmering alterna-softie sex symbol war with Bono back in the 1980s? I mean, shoot: Bono's been nominated for a freakin' Nobel Peace Prize, and Mr. Stipe's ... well ... just occasionally noble.
Fergie's up for Best Steven Tyler Duet Survival. (AP)
• What cagtegories do you care about? Who's going to win them? Holla.
This next story makes John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" look and sound like a day hike that barely makes you break a sweat:
The Love Hope Strength Foundation was founded several years ago by Mike Peters of once-lauded Welsh rock band the Alarm and James Chippendale, president of Dallas-based CSI Entertainment Insurance (which, uh, insures entertainers). Both are cancer survivors, and they formed the group to help provide cancer treatment to underprivileged patients around the world.
Starting today, both men, as well as Dallas resident Dan Sullivan and several other rock stars -- Nick Harper, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, Cy Curnin and Jamie West-Oram of the Fixx -- are traveling to Nepal to hike/climb to Mount Everest Base Camp, which is just short of 18,000 feet above sea level. The entire trip will be captured by a documentary film crew, and the musicians will record acoustic music that will be podcasted each day here (followers can see photos and blog items, and even send text messages to the climbers). On Oct. 23 at the base camp, the musicians will perform a show -- which should break the record for the highest public concert ever -- and then will hike back down to Kathmandu for an Oct. 29 gig.
The purpose? To raise money for the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital in Kathmandu to update its infrastructure. That's a plenty-worthy cause for rockin' the tallest rock on the planet.
Sometimes the do-it-yourself ethos of modern-day indie bands makes me smile ... and regret that I wasn't quite as free-wheeling in my younger days:
On Oct. 4, eclectic and spacey heritage-rock act Portugal. The Man and nuanced Seattle singer-songwriter Rocky Votolato (who was born in Frost, about 100 miles south of Dallas, incidentally) had a gig at the Rex Theatre in Pittsburgh. For some reason, the club refused to let about 50 under-21 concertgoers into the show, which had been advertised as all-ages. One of the underaged kids half-jokingly suggested that both acts could play at his apartment, which was about two blocks away, as penance for being shut out.
The acts did just that. After performing at the Rex, they threw down acoustic sets at the tiny apartment, which P. TM frontman John Baldwin Gourley said literally shook as the band closed its strumfest with a cover of the Beatles' "Helter Skelter." How's that for being responsive to your fans?
Programming note: both Votolato and P. TM come through town on Oct. 18 to play at House of Blues' Cambridge Room. That gig is definitely all-ages.
I have a theory about Britney Spears titling her upcoming album Blackout, Mario. I think she just wants to black out the past three years of her life.
Or here's a thought: maybe she's a closet Scorpions fan? In that case, "Big City Nights" would be a better theme song for her ... or perhaps "The Zoo."
(dailymail.co.uk)
Aw, come on, Mario. Stop hating. Britney is well on her way to a successful comeback.
Call him Santeria Elvis (www.myspace.com/spyche)
P.S. For the Hispanic set, we'll call him Santeria Elvis.
Christy, if Chris Crocker is supposed to be her guardian angel, my girl might as well box up her bustier and wave tah-tah to the celeb free ride. She's doomed!
You're playing, Mario. Blackout? Does it end? Somebody is NOT looking out for that girl. I thought Chris Crocker was supposed to be taking care of her.
Blame it on my...blackout! (Courtesy)
Gary Goldberg, a photography professor at Midwewstern State University in Wichita Falls, has spent the past four years shooting and compiling casual outdoor portraits of Texas' regional country, folk and Americana musicians. He's been so engulfed by the project, he took developmental leave from his employer at one point to complete the project. The resulting exhibit, "Texas Singer-Songwriters: An Americana Portrait," looks to be a fascinating winner as it takes up the Irving Arts Center's Main Gallery for a month beginning Saturday.
He focused on 100 musicians and shot more than 10,000 images, but cut the final exhibit's subjects in half to 50. Accompanied by music snippets and biographical trivia bits written by Shelby Morrison, a curator at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the exhibit is a treat for anyone fond of Texas' roots music.
The subjects range from the internationally revered (Willie Nelson, Delbert McClinton, Kinky Friedman) and freshly famous (Pat Green, Jack Ingram) to the barely emerging (Hayes Carll, Becca Dalrymple, Max Stalling) and criminally overlooked (Joe Ely, Jon Dee Graham, Butch Hancock). Yes, there are some glaring omissions (Where the heck is Bruce Robison if Kelly Willis is represented?), but taking in this exhibit is a fine way to famillarize oneself with the richness of this state's down-and-dirty musical aesthetic. The exhibit's up through Nov. 4, and admission is free.
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Tony Romo and Kelly, having some Salvation Army fun. (AP)
Burleson native and original Idol Kelly Clarkson is coming home for Thanksgiving to sing at halftime during the Cowboys home game. Click on the audio and find out what she was responding to when she replied, "Honey, they don't make those for big booties!" We've also got video that shows her kicking off the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign and being cool to some kiddos.
Those that missed my review of cathartic Long Island post-screamo outfit Brand New's show in March at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth should be ashamed. Its show at the 1,600-capacity Music Hall at House of Blues sold out late last weekend, six weeks before the Nov. 11 appearance, so you're scot out of luck now.
Granted, primary openers Thrice have gained a higher profile now that the follow-up to Vheissu is nigh, so its presence on the bill surely helped ticket sales. But that Brand New gig in Cowtown is still the best concert I've seen this year (that show sold out the 1,000-capacity Ridglea a few weeks in advance as well), and the fact that it has gained such a following with virtually no press or radio presence is a testament to the power of both word of mouth and the internet (uh, word of keyboard?)
Actually, three of the 'new guard' of hard rock's most endearing live bands are playing at House of Blues within five days of each other. In addition to Brand New's date, New Orleans-conceived post-popsters Mute Math will take it over on Nov. 10 (with Tyler-sourced all-in-the-family outfit Eisley as the opener), and the proggy collective Coheed and Cambria wil engulf it on Nov. 15, after releasing the last chapter of its four-album sci-fi concept story, No World For Tomorrow, on Oct. 23.
A fledgling Ellum: Onstage appeared was pretty precocious when it conceived last March's under-attended North By Southwest music festival at Life in Deep Ellum. That venue, which has been re-organized and is now dubbed Live@Mokah (the church-initiated, soon-to-be autonomous community center has a coffeeshop called Mokah Coffee Bar), is thinking big again.
The Mokah Music Summit & Showcase (M2S2) has a better chance of immediate flight thanks to the involvement of the Carter Albrecht Music Foundation, though. Formed by Ken Albrecht as a way to continue the music scene-nurturing legacy of his slain son, local musican Carter Albrecht, the foundation will eventually be a major beneficiary of the event, which wants to serve as an annual summit on the state of Dallas indie music community.
Set to occur during three weekends in November, the event will have a local-band competition (top prizes include pro video and photo shoots as well as 10 hours of studio time at Crystal Clear Studios) as well as discussions among pros, musicians and fans on scene issues. The first two days (Nov. 9 and Nov. 16) will feature band-contest semifinals and open moderated forums for topic discussion. The final day (Nov. 30) will be the band-battle finals and a summit with topics determined from the previous days' talks.
The Albrecht connection should attract a few major local indie acts to the performance and appearance fold (and yours truly will serve as a judge for the band finals). At next month's inaugural version, a Carter Albrecht Award will be announced that'll be given out yearly. Now, the venue's looking for bands to compete (and so am I, actually; the more, the merrier!). Interested acts must have three original recorded songs posted somewhere online (MySpace, or elsewhere) or mail-able to M2S2's organizers; the submission rules are here, and deadline is Oct. 17.
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Rihanna stuns on a Milan catwalk. Watch the video.
Also, Marc-Antony and the Missus, or J.Lo and the Mister, give Britney advice on how to avoid the cameras. Read their wise words. (And maybe it's just me or the angle of the image, but, really, does that look like J.Lo's normal nose to you?)
The bizarre turn of events caused one GuideLive.com staff to quip," It's a sad day when Kevin Federline is officially a better parent than you."
Yeah, it kind of is.
Thom Yorke's never been accused of thinking conventionally, that's for sure. But even in this new age of music-biz decentralization, his method of releasing Radiohead's new studio album, In Rainbows, next week is kinda kooky.
First off, the music will be made public on Oct. 10, which is a Wednesday instead of the traditional Tuesday. OK; Mr. Yorke wants attention; we can't fault him for that.
On that day, the album's 10 tracks will be released on this web site as a DRM-free (no digital copyright tags, folks!) mp3 download. That's not all that unusual ... but this is: the band is going all Priceline on us by suggesting that purchasers name their own price for the tracks. The traditional CD won't hit stores until early 2008, since the band is still without a label after leaving EMI in 2005.
Then there's the special-edition "Discbox" of the album, which will include two CDs -- one of the album and another with seven additional songs as well as digital photos, artwork and lyrics -- as well as two vinyl discs of the aural content for lo-fi turntable freaks. It won't be available until "on or before Dec. 3," according to the band's web site -- meaning that most fans will buy the digital download to get the new music first, then shell out 40 pounds more (that's about $80 these days; yes, the British Pound pounds ya hard) for the Discbox. And no, that price isn't negotiable.
Finally (and this matter little to y'all civvies): no advance copies of In Rainbows are available. To anyone. Even Radiohead's publicist won't hear the new stuff until Oct. 10. At least the band tested a good chunk of the content live last year.
Check the box next to "Best-selling Author" on the resume of Nikki Sixx, the longtime bassist for hair-metal bad boys Motley Crue. The Heroin Diaries: A Year In the Life of a Shattered Rock Star, a memoir of a year spent addicted to drugs in the late 1980s, debuted at No. 7 on The New York Times bestseller list for non-fiction this week. On top of that, a companion CD, The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack -- believed by his management to be the first-ever soundtrack to a literary work -- by his band Sixx: A.M. has sold well and has produced a single ("Life Is Beautiful") that's rapidly climbing active rock radio charts. Cool liner note: a quarter of the book's profits (looks like there will be some) benefits Covenant House California, a hostel for runaways and abused kids in the L.A. area.
Upstart progressive hotel chain NYLO Hotels has released a compilation CD of unsigned Texas music artists to accompany the Atlanta-based company's first property, which is being finished up in the Legacy area of Plano and should open in December. NYLO Uncovers, Summer Vol. 1 features cuts by area singer-songwriters Patrick Alan (also frontman of sticky-sweet emo-ish trio Shoreline's End) and Johnny Lloyd Rollins. Plans are to play CD tracks in a common area at the hotel (which will also feature local artworks), and new NYLO Uncovers CDs will be released quarterly by NYLO Music, a subsidary label to the hotel. Interested in making the cut? Send mastered tracks to: NYLO Music, LLC
Attn: Michael Mueller
260 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 2301
Atlanta, GA 30303
