Hard rocking Riot Brides hit the stage for the grand reopening of the Key Club and their EP release party. It didn’t take long to figure out these women are more than just gorgeous and sexy!

Gabriella Demarco fronts Riot Brides at the Key Club.

Click her to see more photos of the show courtesy of Pam Springer.

My love of drummers made me approach a female band with apprehension. If your read my best selling book “Always Fuck The Drummer” you know I don’t take my drummer obsession lightly! Riot Brides drummer Tuesdai Murgia quickly won me over. Murgia  has the strength and technique to play full force! And yes, I would have sex with her and when I write my next book I plan to lie and say I did. (The fact that I have never met her will Not stand in my way.)

Abby Gennet on guitar, Erin Soriano on bass and vocals by  Gabriella Demarco rounds out the Riot Brides lineup.  The tracks on their EP are focused and superbly executed, don’t think GoGos think Areosmith,. “Freakshow”, not currently on their MySpace player, is fun premium strength stuff. “Welcome to the Freakshow. Welcome to  my world.” Sounds like my world too.

“Lost” written with a bruised heart is my favorite track. Don’t expect a mushy ballad though, “Lost” works through the hurt and anger with drive and strength in true Riot Brides style.

Check out Riot Brides on MySpace

RI­OT BRIDES per­form LOST @ the Key Club Feb 6, 2010. The full show is on MySpace & YouTube. This is Song #4 from the show.

Riot Brides – Lost @ the Key Club 2/6/10

Ronster™ | MySpace Video

LUCK Media & Marketing, Inc., a highly recognized Public Relations firm founded by music industry veteran Steve Levesque in 1999, is announcing an expansion of the company’s services in keeping with the modern and ever-changing state of the entertainment business. Services added include Artist Development, Management and Marketing Consultation. One of the highlights of the new services is what Levesque calls the “Virtual Major Label,” where teams of respected industry executives will be assembled on behalf of a particular artist or project. The new LUCK Media & Marketing website, www.luckmedia.com, will be launched this week to reflect the changes, along with www.virtualmajorlabel.com.

Explains Levesque, “We have noticed that many of the artists that are coming to us for media and industry exposure do not have back-office teams in place to assist them with crucial services such as Artist Development, Career Management and other aspects of Entertainment Business Marketing. Due to my extensive background and a strong bench at LUCK Media & Marketing, we can also provide valuable assistance to deserving artists in those areas to complete the package. We have developed the “Virtual Major Label” concept to a fine art and it’s time to implement those activities officially into LUCK Media’s arsenal.”

Levesque commenced his career in the music business straight out of college in a blur of activity that has spanned more than 30 years. He has never held what he refers to a “straight job.” From working in record retail at Wherehouse Records, to managing the Surf Punk band Agent Orange – securing them record deals, radio airplay, tours, and the very first Skateboard endorsement deal- he went on to being the head of Media Relations at Enigma/Capitol Records and then worked his way up to Vice President of Music Department for the legendary PR pro, Lee Solters. Levesque has worked with an eclectic assortment of artists and projects including: Michael Jackson, James Brown, Lollapalooza, Bush, Lit, Moody Blues, Chaka Khan, New York Dolls, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, Kenny Chesney, Rick James, Air Supply, Heart, Rick Springfield, David Cassidy, Sandra Bernhard, Penthouse Magazine, The Cramps, Dick Dale, Residents, Musicians Institute, Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack and many more.

The experienced and motivated staff of LUCK Media & Marketing also includes Jen Onsum, Director of Online PR & Marketing; Account Executives Tasya Swisko and Chrissy Sutphin and Publicist Krysten Kabzenell.

SONGSTRESS, SUSAN CALLOWAY, DEBUTS HER EP ‘CHASIN THE SUN’ AND HEADS TO SXSW TO PERFORM AT THE SENNHEISER’S SPEAKEASY ROOF TOP PARTY THURSDAY, MARCH 18

Winner of 12 Detroit Music Awards, Susan Calloway, has recently released her six-song EP, Chasin The Sun. The title cut and single is currently gaining momentum at Top 40 and Hot AC radio, Pandora.com, and a number of other internet stations. Chasing The Sun was produced by another Detroit-rock-city native Gerard Smerek, who has mixed, engineered, and produced projects for artists such as Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, R. Kelly, and Kid Rock.

Susan takes on 2010 South By Southwest(SXSW) music festival in Austin as she was selected to perform at Sennheiser’s SXSW Speakeasy Roof Top Party, located on 4^th Street, the evening of Thursday, March 18. The Sennheiser event will be packed with industry leading music supervisors, giving a chance for the artists whom are performing to have their highlighted songs placed in national film and television spots. If attending this year’s SXSW, please RSVP to this event by emailing speakeasy@luckmedia.com.

The artist will also make a media appearance on FOX 2 Detroit’s 9 a.m. morning show on Friday, March 26, for an on air acoustic performance and interview, to talk about her new EP project and experiences while showcasing at SXSW. Log on to www.myfoxdetroit.com for more information.

Event Recap

March 18

Sennheiser’s SXSW Speakeasy Roof Top Party

4^th Street

Austin, TX

Time TBD

No Cover

Please RSVP speakeasy@luckmedia.com, no later than March 16

March 26

FOX 2 Detroit

On Air Performance and Interview

9 a.m.

Log on to www.myfoxdetroit.com

This is what I have learned working with bands over the years.

It is fairly easy to get the endorsement rights for your MySpace page or website if you don’t suck. An endorsement says that you use the equipment and the company has agreed to let you advertise that affiliation. No money or equipment changes hands.

BUT if you want sponsorship with  money and equipment you need visibility. Giving a local band equipment or money isn’t a good deal for a company. You are probably already using their equipment and the people you are playing for aren’t their customers. Your fans aren’t going to go out and buy the equipment you are  using.

Zildjian outlines their criteria clearly, “The criteria for evaluating new Artists includes a high profile playing situation, which provides maximum exposure for Zildjian. It also includes, but is not limited to, a record released on a major record label that is charting on Billboard’s Top 200, a video in heavy rotation on MTV/VH-1, other TV exposure and headlining a major tour.”

This is not to say that a few companies won’t work with you.  Jägermeister sponsorships for instance has  relatively easy criteria is to get a sponsorship but, they only give full sponsorships to  about 200 bands.

This is from their website “once we decide we dig their scene, we supply them with giveaway items where legal. Items are branded with the Jägermeister logo and the name of the band. From posters to guitar picks, t-shirts to hats, we cover our bands.

In return, we simply ask for a little love… mentioning Jägermeister between and during sets, imbibing a shot on stage, hanging a few banners, or wearing a t-shirt. ”

You would have to decide if you are willing to do a commercial for Jägermeister at a show.

One band will say it is selling out, another will say it is a good way to get merch for the fans.

Their requirements are easy
*All band members are 21 or older
*You have a LOVE for Jägermeister
*Your band plays at least 6-10 shows per month

Spend a little time on the internet or make a few calls and you can find out the criteria for sponsorships for any major company.

Keep in mind that for a small band to approach someone like Fender for a sponsorship is going to be a waste of time.

Try something a little different, check out the local companies in your area.  Music Shop’s, CD Shop’s, Cafe’s, Bar’s, Restaurant’s, Club’s? Is the drummers dad a dentist? Does the guitar player’s mom own her business? Go to these companies and offer to put up a banner and add their name to your merch if they pay for the merch.

The more shows you play the more likely you are to get endorsements and sponsorships.

• Radio Submission and Publicity
• My Space Plays and Views
  
• Record Label Submissions
• CFM Music Scene on MySpace

Related Links
1.) Ampeg Endorsements For Bands
2.)

It has to be a mutually beneficial relationship for an endorsement to occur normally. Does the artist give the endorsing company the proper amount of exposure to the demographic the company is seeking? Paul Warren

Contestants Invited to Submit Movie Ideas

Contest Runs February 23 – April 15, 2010

Submissions run February 23, 2010 – April 15, 2010

Top ten finalists announced April 26, 2010

Final pitch event May 1, 2010 6pm (PST)

Winners announced May 3, 2010

Milpitas, CA – February 23, 2010 – Vpype, a social video company today announced the first live Screenplay Pitch Contest on Facebook.   The contestants will be competing for the opportunity to have their screenplay reviewed by industry decision makers with the power to Greenlight their creative visions.

This is a five-minute pitch contest using the Vpype Live Broadcaster Application on Facebook. 

To enter it’s as easy as these three simple steps:

1.       Join The Hollywood VPYPE Pitch Contest group on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=259144206323

2.      Visit the Vpype Live Broadcaster Application on Facebook and click on “go to app” http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=126457550345&ref=ts

3.      Once you’re at the app, click on “Start Your Show”.  Be sure to share with “everyone” and add “Pitch” to your show name!  Now, record your five- minute pitch!

Submissions for the competition begin February 23, 2010 and end at midnight on April 15, 2010.   

“The revolutionary VPYPE broadcasting technology connects creative minds from around the country and provides aspiring screenwriters with the invaluable opportunity to get their script in front of an elite group of studio decision makers,” said Julie Richardson, Producer of Collateral and host of the contest events. 

A-List industry professionals from Fox, MGM, William Morris Endeavor and other top rate production companies will review each and every pitch before narrowing it down to ten finalists.  For more information on the judges go to http://hollywoodvypyepitchcontestt.blogspot.com/.

Each contestant is allowed to record as many five-minute pitches as they’d like, but if submitting multiple pitches, each one must be posted separately.  By posting their pitches, they’re also agreeing to the terms of our waver, which can be reviewed at http://hollywoodvypyepitchcontestt.blogspot.com/2010/02/to-enter-contest-join-our-facebook.html

The five-minute pitches must be in English using the Vpype Broadcaster Application template designed for the contest.  Each pitch will be judged on their originality, commercial viability and the writer’s unique point of view.   This is the opportunity of a lifetime for aspiring screenwriters to get that meeting they’ve always dreamed of!

On April 26^th, 2010 the top ten finalists will be announced on the Contest Group page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=259144206323.

The ten finalists will be given their specific slot for the live pitching event finals to be held on May 1^st, 2010 at 6pm PST. 

Using the Vpype Live Broadcaster Application, each finalist will pitch their five-minute script idea to the panel of judges who will provide live feedback.  The judges will then choose the top three winners who will be announced on the group page on May 3^rd, 2010.

“Vpype is thrilled to provide a way to open doors for fresh and emerging screenwriting talent,” said Shoeib Yunus, founder and CEO, Vpype.  “This contest represents my love of the movie industry and commitment to advancing creativity in the industry at large.”

Prizes include Final Draft Version 8 Screenwriting Software and Save The Cat Screenwriting Structure Software.  The grand prize includes a free consultation with a Save The Cat professional script consultant and the opportunity to submit their screenplay for consideration by our judges! 

For more details and to enter the contest, join the group on Facebook, The Hollywood VPYPE Pitch Contest at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=259144206323.

Also check out our blog at http://hollywoodvypyepitchcontestt.blogspot.com/.

About Vpype:

Vpype is a social video company committed to helping people tell their story to the world. Based in Milpitas, Calif., the company was founded in 2009 by entrepreneurs with expertise in video technology, consumer and enterprise software as well as broadcasting and entertainment. Visit www.vpype.com, our Facebook Fan Page or Facebook Application for more information.

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA – Mike Mullis is known as the Gator Chomp Guy and also puts on a fantastic musical show! Mike will be at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) this Friday night, Feb. 26,m to hold open mic and also perform some great music for listening and dancing.

Mike co-wrote words and music for the song, “GatorChomp,” a rollicking song about the University of Florida football program.

Mike and his band, WhooWhee, recently won first place in the Battle of the Bands at the Annual Ham Jam in Green Cove Springs! They took the prize over 10 great bands, taking home $2,000 in prize money and a guaranteed slot to play at the 2010 Suwannee River Jam at the SOSMP!

Mike’s fans also love to visit with him at the SOSMP where they can hear him sing and play his awesome music. He’ll be doing just that this Friday night in the Music Hall.

There will also be time for talented audience members to take the mic. If you’re a polished performer and would like to try the open mic, come on out. You could be the next big star!

Admission Friday night is $5 per person. However, Friday night only, the $5 can be applied to your food and beverage tab. Doors to the Music Hall open at 5 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m.

For more information about this exciting event or the upcoming Springfest, Wanee, 8^th Annual Rock-N-Wheels or the biggest country music jam in the South, the Suwannee River Jam, call the SOSMP at 386-364-1683, go to the SOSMP website at www.musicliveshere.com or email the SOSMP at spirit@musicliveshere.com. We’ll be looking for ya’ll!

MEET TONIA TECCE! THE PHILLY BASED “CROSSOVER SOPRANO,” WHO LAUNCHED HER PERFORMING CAREER AFTER RAISING SIX CHILDREN, HAS PLENTY TO ‘SMILE’ ABOUT ON HER LATEST TIMELESS COLLECTION OF STANDARDS

In 2009, the global phenomenon of Susan Boyle—who rose to fame after her stunning audition appearance on “Britain’s Got Talent”—tapped deeply into the world’s fascination for wonderfully inspiring human interest stories.

But it wasn’t simply the 40-something Scottish singer’s voice and charm that drove hundreds of millions to tears watching clips on YouTube and made her debut recording the year’s biggest selling album in the world. To borrow from the song that made her famous, it was all about her daring to dream a dream before our eyes. And reminding us that the only expiration dates those dreams have are the ones we put on them.

Long before Boyle took the stage and shocked Simon Cowell, Tonia Tecce was living her own dream, embodying the exciting truth that it’s never too late. The Philadelphia based crossover soprano was captivating thousands of fans everywhere from the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philly to Carnegie Hall with her powerful, soaring vocals and the tale behind the amazing journey which led her to center stage.

Anyone who thought Tecce was crazy to start pursuing her singing career in the early 1980s after deferring her lifelong dream to raise six kids might think she’s madder yet to launch a recording career at an age when most people are settling into retirement. The singer, who also has 12 grandchildren, has two responses for them: What A Wonderful World, her 2006 independent debut and Smile, her glorious new, ten-track collection of uniquely selected secular and spiritual songs that, like Tecce herself, can’t help but lift us during these uncertain, troubling times.

While Tecce may be a new name to those outside her regular performing base on the East Coast, her collaborators on both projects are world renowned. Grammy nominated arranger/accompanist/conductor Byron Olson has worked with legends of opera (Placido Domingo), pop (Gloria Estefan, Johnny Mathis), jazz (Carmen McRae) and folk rock (Richie Havens) and The London Symphony. Repertoire consultant Ettore Stratta has conducted The London Symphony, The English Chamber Orchestra and The Royal Philharmonic.

John Vanore, producer of both What A Wonderful World and Smile, was a featured trumpet soloist with the Woody Herman Orchestra and has accompanied everyone from Tony Bennett and Sammy Davis, Jr. to Nancy Wilson. He also earned a gold record for producing Michael Crawford’s 1998 inspirational album On Eagle’s Wings.

With a set list that includes Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” the Disney classic “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “His Eye Is On The Sparrow,” “Amazing Grace,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child,” Vanore is helping Tecce tap into the same emotional longings and spiritual aspirations as the Crawford project. A reviewer from Midnight Jazz once compared Tecce’s voice to that of Julie Andrews, which makes the artful medley of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Climb Every Mountain” all the more appropriate and poignant.

Tecce says, “For me, this is about uplifting people and I truly believe in the sentiment that we can always find a way to ‘Smile’ through the hard times. My hope is that listeners who hear my interpretation will experience a positive moment that makes them feel better. The album can work on that level or simply be a nice afternoon of easy music to listen to. I wanted to keep it secular but spiritual, simply reflecting how we feel in times of trouble. I closed What A Wonderful World with just Byron on piano and we took the same route this time, wrapping Smile with Irving Berlin’s “Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep” from ‘White Christmas.’”

Speaking of Christmas, when Tecce was originally tossing around ideas for the follow-up to What A Wonderful World, her older daughter urged her to do a holiday album. “Needless to say,” Tecce says, “I would have loved to make a Christmas album and hope to do so someday. But I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to touch the hearts of my listeners in a very special way – to give them something that went beyond the music. Because so many wonderful people have drawn me into their lives and shared with me their personal stories, both happy and sad, I began to think of making a recording dealing with a wide range of emotions and feelings. I think Smile conveys the fact that I’m a very optimistic person at heart. I firmly believe if you want something badly enough you can get it. You may not always get the gold at the end of the rainbow, but it’s important to reach for your dream and passion.”

Tecce has told her story on local media and before live audiences throughout the Delaware Valley. Accompanied by her heart-filled renditions of favorites from Broadway and the Hollywood screen, as well as classical songs and arias, her story has captivated listeners and enhanced her reputation as one of the most popular –and beloved– performers in the region.

Lest anyone think her emergence as a popular song stylist was anything but a too-long-delayed destiny, it’s important to note that she began singing onstage when she was eight years old and planned to head to New York to pursue her career. But her family, including her father– a small town New Jersey doctor who came from an era when they still made house calls–placed greater value on education. So she went off to Rosemont College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Tecce employs the romantic imagery of Cupid’s arrow to explain how her dream got sidetracked for very worthwhile reasons—seven of them, in fact: her husband (whom she married six days after graduation) and the six wonderful children they raised.

More than 20 years after putting her dreams on hold, and as her family responsibilities lessened, Tecce auditioned for master voice teacher Florence Berggren (Julliard), who accepted her as a student and referred her to voice coach Martin Rich, conductor of the Metropolitan Opera. Maestro Rich was so impressed with her voice that he began working with her immediately. One of her fondest onstage moments was performing at Carnegie Hall with Rich in 1991; a few years ago, after he passed away, she sang there for the third time in tribute and was the only singer onstage who was not from the roster of the Met Opera.

To draw from an old showbiz cliché, the “practice” that got her to Carnegie Hall also earned her performances at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where she made her debut as a headliner in “Tonia Tecce Sings!” She’s done eighteen seasons with the Ocean City Pops and has performed at the French Embassy in Washington D.C. and for the President of the United States (at a Presidential Salute and Inaugural Ball) and two inaugural ceremonies for the Governor of Pennsylvania. In addition to appearing onstage with leading operatic voices, Tecce also finds time to perform at benefit concerts and fundraisers for colleges, churches and hospitals. The Scleroderma Federation of the Delaware Valley awarded her its Humanitarian Award in recognition of her artistry and her dedication to this worthy cause.

The key philosophy she uses in all of her motivational talks is: “Living your dream takes determination and hard work, but if you want it badly enough, nothing can stop you. Life is not a dress rehearsal, so if you have a dream, follow it…”

“If the fact that I’m fulfilling my dream of being a recording artist at this age can inspire someone in their 60s, 70s or even 80s to live their life fully and passionately, that would make me very happy,” Tecce says. “One woman who read my story in the Philadelphia Inquirer went back to get her master’s in English, which she had begun pursuing long ago. So take that cover off your piano, pull that violin out of your closet, begin writing that book. When I auditioned for the Met, I didn’t let anything hold me back. If you’ve always thought you can do it, you can. If someone walks away from one of my performances or talks and thinks, ‘Well she did it, why can’t I?’ that’s the kind of thing that makes me truly Smile.”

David Church

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA – RFDTV’s most requested artist, David Church, will perform in the “Road to Branson Tour” Sunday evening, March 7, at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Fla. Also on the program will be David’s wife, Terri Lisa Church, a talented singer/songwriter. “We are honored to be performing at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park on our “Road to Branson Tour,” David Church said.

David is a featured artist on RFDTV’s popular show, “Midwest Country.” The show is broadcast to more than 130 million via satellite and cable networks both nationally and regionally. RFDTV is broadcast from Nashville, TN to Dishnet, DirecTV, Comcast and Mediacom Cable customers. The show features major artists such as Bill Anderson, Jean Shepard and numerous others. The producer of Midwest Country, Joe Jenson states, “David has something special, that same charisma that Hank (Williams Sr.) had. When he walks on stage, the audience is spellbound! He is our most popular act!”

David will be singing some of the music from his latest CD, There You Are, along with a tribute to Hank Williams Sr.

Church has been featured in major country magazines like Country Weekly, Front Row News, Country Music Report, Nashville Music Guide, The Tub Magazine and recently, DREAMWEST, the Premiere Country Music Magazine in Europe. The two page article was included among major artists from Taylor Swift to Dierks Bentley. As a result, Church recently performed to a sold out show in Le Mans, France.

Rare Sunday night event with guest performer Terri Lisa Church

Terri Lisa Church will be debuting songs from her new CD, I Find Myself In You, which includes some Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette music and a duet with David Church. Terri Lisa originally performed with the popular gospel group, “The King’s Heirs” throughout Northern Indiana. She started a variety group in the mid 90s called, “Joyful Noise,” featuring gospel, country, 50/60s and pop music. In 1998 the group performed at a huge RV rally in Central Indiana where she met and eventually married singer/songwriter David Church.

Bob Everhart, president of the National Traditional Country Music Association, states, “It is indeed my pleasure to inform anyone who likes traditional country music that the David & Lisa Church musical presentations are a double whammy of the best traditional country music available today.”

Admission is $15 advance and $18 at the door. Doors to the Music Hall open at 5 p.m. and show begins at 7 p.m. As always, the SOS Café and Restaurant will have available delicious food and beverages from its menu.

If you have questions about this event or any of our exciting events coming up or would like to purchase advance tickets, call the SOSMP at 386-364-1683, go to the website at www.musicliveshere.com or email the SOSMP at spirit@musicliveshere.com

Releasing Their Odds On Records Debut ‘Mumbo Jumbo’ In Early 2010, The ‘80s Hitmaking Duo Creates ‘The Ultimate Fan Experience’ And Will Perform With John Waite, Christopher Cross And Others On Royal Caribbean’s “Liberty Of The Seas” October 31-November 7

Air Supply is planning an ultra romantic musical voyage next fall—and you’re invited!

In celebration of their 35^th year as a duo, Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock are creating “the ultimate fan experience” with a seven-day Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s “Liberty Of The Seas” October 31-November 7, 2010.

The 80’s hitmakers, who are set to release their highly anticipated Odds On Records debut Mumbo Jumbo early in the year, invites devoted fans and special guests to join them for this spectacular week onstage and at sea.

The ship sets sail from Miami for three spectacular ports of call: St. Maarten, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Royal Caribbean’s private island.

“Rather than just having a fan club meeting at a hotel to commemorate this very special anniversary, we thought a cruise to the Caribbean would be much more exciting,” says Graham Russell.

Russell Hitchcock adds, “We would love all of our fans to come and share this occasion with us, along with some very special musical guests. This will be a once in a lifetime experience and we want to see you there!”

The duo will perform two shows during the week and host concerts featuring special guests *Christopher Cross, John Waite and others each night of the excursion. There will also be a Halloween party opening night, and fans are invited to wear costumes!

During the days at sea, there will be a variety of exclusive events to keep everyone excited and offer fans a sense of intimacy with the duo that they can’t find anywhere else. These include autograph sessions, intimate Q&As and get-togethers with fans and other special surprise activities.

Beyond the Air Supply happenings, those on board will enjoy all the amenities that Royal Caribbean has to offer.

For more information, please visit airsupplyatsea.com.

CONFESSIONAL SINGER/SONGWRITER FILLS HEARTS, MINDS AND HER HOT AC AND AC SINGLE “EMPTY BOTTLES” WITH AN INFECTIOUS POP/ROCK CATHARSIS ON HER INDIE DEBUT ‘I RHYME WITH ORANGE’

From the heady superstar company that Christa Borden has been keeping, it looks like those “Empty Bottles” she sings about on her HOT AC AND FMQB AC single are quickly being filled with mainstream success.

She’s done a radio tour for her debut album I Rhyme With Orange (David Carver Music) in 15 states, performed shows everywhere from Los Angeles to South Carolina and opened for Aerosmith in front of 35,000 people. Six of the 11 tracks on the collection were helmed by renowned songwriter/producer Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Counting Crows) and mixed by Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams, Pretenders).

“Empty Bottles”’ is currently rising on the HOT AC and FMQB AC chart among some of today’s biggest pop artists: Lady GaGa, Taylor Swift, Black Eyed Peas, Nickelback, The Fray, Creed, Kings of Leon, All-4-One and Jason Mraz.

While she’s enjoying being around big names both literally and by association, Borden attributes the rise of “Empty Bottles” and the strong reception to I Rhyme With Orange to the fact that long before she could drop such names, she approached the writing of the album with an edgy, realistic DIY attitude, centered around the importance of standing out. Kind of like the one word in the English language that is so unique and special, there is no word to rhyme it with: orange.

“In this day and age of widespread digital distribution,” she says, “there are millions of artists creating wonderful projects they’re sending out online without ever leaving home. In this changing industry, aware of the cost of trying to promote myself as an artist, I figured there was a chance that I Rhyme With Orange could be my one album, or at least my best shot. I tried to be a realist and choose songs that were truest to my heart so that in 15 or 20 years someone could look back on it and say this was an honest album, this is who I am and the discoveries that the characters in my songs make are very personal and important to me.””

In a section of her website called “The Journey,” the confessional singer-songwriter makes no bones about being in a very dark place in her life at the start of the emotionally cathartic project. She explains that we need only to listen to the heartrending, penetrating lyrics of “Empty Bottles,” “Drowning,” “Homesick,” “Cut Me Loose” and “I Will Wait” to know what she was going through. At some point after writing the first few songs, it occurred to her that the writing of the project as a whole would be have to be done in synch with her own healing, self-acceptance and desire to reach out and offer help to anyone who connected with her struggles and ultimate triumph over these dark places.

It’s possible that had Borden not been in those trenches with the choice to either confront and conquer her demons or wither away, she might have chosen a different path of musical expression. Her classical training as a kid and the degrees she earned in music (major in vocal performance, minor in ethnomusicology) made her think she might one day pursue a career as an opera singer. Fate obviously had other plans, and now she is hopeful that her songs can motivate, inspire and encourage people to plant “their own orange seeds” and seek happiness in their lives.

“I sometimes like to say that when my heart starts to bleed, there’s no clotting mechanism,” Borden muses. “It just keeps bleeding. When most people are upset, and there is a breakup or death, their healing mechanisms evolve, but mine seem non-existent. Because of this, I don’t know what I would do or how I would survive without the gift of songwriting. Making the songs personal yet poppy and infectious is where my years of musical training come in. To me, being a smart writer means understanding that this world is full of people who hurt, love, laugh and cry. Sometimes they might be hurting so much inside that it’s a relief for them to listen to a sad song that matches their inside with what they hear outside, and creates a release for them.

“With me, they’re always going to be hearing a song from the point of view of a girl who doesn’t always get what she wants,” the singer adds. “I will write songs about how wonderful life is but continue to venture into themes about being broken and learning to love myself even with all the faults and mistakes I have made. I have forgiven myself and by doing so was able to write the album from the point of view of a girl who left her home to find success.”

Borden felt that as a first single, “Empty Bottles” was a good introduction to this inner reality because the lyrics are catchy and witty and the music shows she can indeed write an upbeat song. The topic is devastating, but the video is fresh, beautiful and finds moments in which she can smile. It’s a good example of the way she has forgiven herself—and by doing so, was able to pen the album from the point of view of a girl who left home to find success.

In one sequence of songs, the character doesn’t change who she is, she simply transfers herself and those insecurities, bad habits and crippling addictions to a new place. The girl later looks deep inside and realizes that everything she ever wanted to be was within her reach—she just had to accept herself, recover from her addictions and work on the process of self-forgiveness. “Not all the songs are me, though,” Borden says. “As a writer and artist, I see myself as a tree and the base of the tree is what I have lived and experienced. The branches are the possibilities out there, the good and bad things that could have happened.

“It all boils back down to when I was in school years ago and my teacher told us that nothing rhymed with the word ‘orange,’” Borden adds. “I was a straight A student but a precocious child who never fit in and who found classical and pop music as solace. I always had a thing for the ‘orange’ imagery. It represented something special and unique, but in a good, not socially awkward way. So rhyming with ‘orange’ is ultimately about just loving yourself and wanting to be the best, brightest version of yourself—not accepting the status quo. It’s about having high ambitions and achieving goals one step at a time.”

Among those who have helped her along the way are Trott and Clearmountain, who were so impressed with Borden’s raw original material that they cleared time from their schedule to work with her when she visited Los Angeles. Trott, who loved “I Will Wait” so much that he agreed to produce it even after the end of their scheduled sessions, says: “Positive energy! It’s such a rarity nowadays but it’s the driving force behind Christa. You mix that with a tremendously powerful and expressive voice and you can’t go wrong. For me to work with this type of artist is a dream because she’s not afraid to try anything and is completely fearless.”

Likewise, one of Borden’s fondest memories of making I Rhyme With Orange was listening back to some of their mixes in Clearmountain’s studio in Pacific Palisades and just laughing out loud with him because they were sounding so good. That same positive energy carries stays with Borden any time she goes to one of her favorite places in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. “When I go there, I realize I am in the presence of people’s artistic output of the last 5000 years, and I am in awe,” she says. “We all know that the quality of life for these artists hasn’t always been great, but there is some common muse that permeates them, maybe even all of humanity, and reaches out to every culture during every time to inspire wonderful artistic expression. I feel so at home with the ghosts of these artists. Much like them, what I want to leave the world is an example of a woman who went through a lot, picked herself up and wrote great songs using her formal training and with the help of a great team of people around her.

“In a world of glitz and glamour and pop and bling and fake,” Borden adds, “I want people to know that I put out an album that came from the heart and was about real life experiences…that it reached people and reminded them that songwriting is not dead but alive for people to enjoy through the generations.”

THE MULTI-TALENTED INDIE COUNTRY CROSSOVER SINGER/SONGWRITER PUTS THE PIECES OF SUCCESS TOGETHER WITH HER LATEST RADIO SINGLE “SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED,” HELMED BY SUPERSTAR PRODUCER KEVIN BEAMISH (REO SPEEDWAGON, KENNY CHESNEY, MARTINA MCBRIDE)

“Some Assembly Required” by Marthia Sides is more than simply a witty and rollicking new single about the frustrations of finding a perfect man. Its title is also a spot on reflection of the many different ways to approach the story of the multi-talented, classically trained singer/songwriter’s rise as an indie artist since the release of her 2006 debut Born Again In The Country.

As Grassroots Promotion in Nashville promotes the track onto pop and country airwaves nationwide, we can start with the whimsical, not so “Crazy” notion that she was born to be a country crossover star. Among Sides’ musical heroes is Patsy Cline, another Virginian whose music spanned the country and pop idioms effortlessly. It would be easy to jump from there to the singer’s current home of Nashville, where she recorded her first album with producer Larry Rogers, whose legendary credits include Ricky Nelson and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Her first single “Picture Perfect Girl” got radio play at small and large market stations—including KGYO, the biggest station in Denver—and she toured the Midwest extensively. A Jefferson Pilot station jumped all over Sides’ music and the station’s support helped her get into the prestigious Taste of Colorado festival. In Arizona, the song won a station make it or break it contest before the Eager County Festival.

These successes led to her working with multi-platinum producer Kevin Beamish, who helmed REO Speedwagon’s classic Hi Infidelity album and who has scored over 45 #1 and Top 5 singles by top country artists like Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Clint Black and Martina McBride. Beamish helmed Sides’ prophetically titled follow-up collection I Got Faith in addition to “Some Assembly Required.”

It might also be appropriate to mention the way serendipity works in Sides’ burgeoning career, particularly in the way she discovered the song that became her new single. “I write a lot of my own material,” she says, “but if I hear an outside song that I identify with or think I could have written myself, I’m going to take notice. I found it on the desk of Jim Vest, a veteran Nashville music guy who produced the ‘American Beauty’ track I recorded to promote the U.S. Beauties Pageant event. The title ‘Some Assembly Required’ intrigued me and the lyrics were unexpected and knocked me out. He told me that it was going to be recorded by a 15 year old singer, and I said it’s too edgy for a kid, that I would love to bring my own life experience to it. Ultimately, it was the perfect fit.”

But perhaps the most intriguing part of Sides’ story is how a multi-talented performer who lived in New York for seven years and found success in every area of the entertainment world ultimately became a formidable country/pop singer/songwriter. One of her notable roles in her Off Broadway career was in “Alice in Wonderland,” and her film and TV roles included appearances on HBO, Comedy Central, TLC and HGTV. This leap from the Big Apple requires a bit of off road traveling to the small town of Vega, Texas, population 900, the site of Country Music Television’s reality performance competition show “Popularity Contest.” Her agent suggested she audition for any show where she could show off her musical talent. When she got picked, her unique performance background earned her the nickname “the NYC Opera Singer”—even though she hadn’t sung opera in years.

27-year-old songwriter Doug James, a native of Vega who was back home visiting during this time, saw Sides doing one of her concerts in town and asked her to check out a few of his tunes. Before she even heard the songs, she committed to recording “Already Gone” and “Dreamin’ Out Loud” live on the show. She liked the Americana flavored tunes so much that she later invited James to sing duets on these songs when she recorded them several months later (as “Popularity Contest” was about to air on CMT) on Born Again In The Country.

“I had been developing my confidence as a songwriter for quite some time and always wanted to record my own full CD,” she said. “The fact that Doug’s songs went over so well really inspired me to move in that direction,” says Sides. “I had gotten back heavily into country music by then and so it seemed like the perfect path to travel. My opera training is helpful in making my vocal timbre unique from other singers in this genre and, more importantly, it makes me understand the voice from a different perspective so I will be able to sing for years without hurting my voice in any way.

“My music is pretty modern,” she adds. “I most admire the female singers who bring a range of real life experiences to their art along with their innate talent. I Got Faith has a lot of women empowerment songs that reflect me finally coming into my own and knowing what I want out of life as both an artist and person. Even with 15 years of vocal training, I realize that if you are good at your instrument, you are always working to make it even better. I’ve worked hard to get my voice to this point, but I realize that it’s never perfected. I have many hard memories of Broadway auditions with 800 other girls, another thing that keeps me very humble. There is always further to go and others out there who want these opportunities. I’ve been singing onstage pretty much my whole life, so this makes performing now seem very comfortable, a natural extension of that.”

While pursuing her musical dreams, Sides has never been shy about giving her time and talent to the needs of those less fortunate. Her sister runs a New York based organization called Operation Smile, which raises funds for large reconstructive surgeries on children with facial deformities; Sides has performed numerous shows and participated in many fundraising events for them. In September 2009, she joined her best friend, opera singer Jessica Johnson (who co-wrote “I Got Faith” with Marthia) on a march dedicated to the cause of anti-human trafficking that took place in Washington, D.C., New York and Los Angeles. Sides also performed for her fellow participants in the event, which was sponsored by Virginia Stop Modern Slavery (VASMS), a grassroots community organization promoting anti-human trafficking efforts in Virginia.

The assembly of the parts of Marthia Sides’ life wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the amazing performing and musical talent that’s part of her family history. Her great grandma was a young, Italian born vaudeville star who sang and danced under the name “Barazzo” at places like the Beale Street Palace. Her grandmother was an opera singer who was once asked to participate in the Met’s Young Artist program. And her paternal grandfather was Elvis Presley’s engineer at American Studios, where The King recorded after his years at Sun Studio. Her dad was also an engineer who sang.

Looking back on the greatest piece of advice she was ever given, Sides says, “My dad told me from a very young age, ‘No matter how talented you are, no matter what you do, no matter how successful, you’re going to be lacking something if you sing only for yourself.’ He told me that as a singer, my work was all about making people happy. He would say, ‘You’re there because at the end of the day, your audience is out there because they want their lives to be better. They’re looking to you to help them escape what may be the worst week of their lives.’ I remember a show I played in a college town called Manhattan, Kansas, where a friend had, ironically, moved after studying in Manhattan, New York. After the show, a guy literally came up to me and said, ‘I have had the worst week of my entire life and you have made it better.’ Turns out my dad was right, and it’s my pleasure to get out there now and bring as much joy as I can to people who need to hear it most.”

Fresh off his win for “Best Adult Contemporary Song” at the First Annual Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA), “ICONMAN” star Greg London has been selected to co-host the third annual event at The Highlands in the Hollywood & Highland Kodak Theatre Complex on November 18, 2010.

Besides winning in his category for his hit version of Bread’s “Everything I Own” and being congratulated by actor Eric Roberts—brother of superstar Julia Roberts–the master musical impressionist dazzled the crowd at the Awards as a presenter, leading the packed house in an a capella version of “American Pie” and doing his classic impressions of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ozzy Osbourne.

The multi-talented entertainer also charmed journalists with his wit as he walked the red carpet, conducting numerous media interviews.

London then jetted back to Reno, where his critically acclaimed show “ICONMAN” wrapped its record breaking two and a half year run in Sammy’s Showroom at Harrah’s Reno November 28.

Stopping In Labadee, Haiti, The Master Musical Impressionist—Greg London Who Is Performing His Renowned Show Aboard The Celebrity Solstice—Joins Israeli Volunteers On Jet Skis To Deliver Food, Water and Inoculations to Five Villages

Suffering villagers in post earthquake Haiti may never have seen London perform, but they are no doubt grateful that “ICONMAN” is now in huge demand as top cruise line entertainment. Recently, London was headlining on the Celebrity Solstice when it made a stop in Labadee, Haiti. The Greek captain asked for volunteers to help unload medical supplies, clothing and water into Haitian trucks purposed for earthquake relief.

London joined some Israelis who were on board in commandeering 25 jet skis  and delivering these necessary supplies to five local villages where fishermen have had no way to get their fish to market due to devastated roads to the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Last year, the success of “ICONMAN” led to London’s being voted “Best Entertainer In Nevada” in Nevada Magazine’s 2009 Best of Nevada Readers Survey and appearing on the publication’s cover; the magazine’s 2009 cover subjects included Carlos Santana and Britney Spears. London also recently made Music Connection Magazine’s list of Hot 100 Unsigned Artists of 2009.

John Fogerty

John Fogerty, an American treasure, achieved fame as the lead singer/songwriter and guitarist in one of the all time great bands, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and has since gone on to a chart-topping solo career. Fogerty and his brother Tom organized the group that would become Creedence in the late 50s. As Creedence, they released nine Top 10 singles, all written by Fogerty, including “Proud Mary,” and earned eight gold albums. Creedence split up in 1972. Fogerty has been a solo act since, putting out his most recent album The Return of the Blue Ridge Rangers, as well as numerous other albums over the years. Fogerty performed at the 2010 Grammys in a tribute to Neil Young Jan. 31. You don’t want to miss this performance!

Proceeds From The Concert Directly Benefit The American Red Cross Haiti Relief Effort

Making their hometown debut, the rising Baltimore-based Indie pop/rock band Nuke the Soup will headline an incredible evening of entertainment on Friday, March 12 at the historic Senator Theatre for Baltimore’s Haiti Relief Project in partnership with the American Red Cross of Central Maryland. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. and is sponsored by BandChi! Tickets and Cheech’s Underground Live.

Joining lead singer/guitarist Mark Davison and guitarist Rennie Grant that evening are special players Jimmy Charlsen (bass), Jason Heiser (drums) and Glenn Workman (keyboards).

The band is also gearing up for their official South by Southwest (SXSW) Make Waves Not War party. The can’t-miss SXSW event will take place on Friday, March 19 at Kenichi in downtown Austin featuring live, feel-good music and some of the city’s tastiest sushi.

BALTIMORE BASED ROCKER NUKE THE SOUP MAKES THEIR HOMETOWN DEBUT HEADLINING A LIVE MUSIC SHOW AT SENATOR THEATRE ON MARCH 12

Davison and keyboardist Brian Simms recently set out to New York City on January 20 for a performance at the Best Buy location in Union Square for its popular music series, Live at Best Buy series.

The band’s lead singer/guitarist Mark Davison wrapped the music video in Los Angeles earlier this month for the band’s latest single “Yin and Yang,” directed by George Rausch. Rausch is also credited for creating the video for the band’s first single “Filled with Dread,” also one of the most added radio tracks on FMQB’s Triple A chart its first week out. These singles and other great tunes can be found on their debut album, also the title to their debut album, Make Waves Not War, on Meteor Records.

Nuke the Soup recently unveiled the official music video for the reflective love song “Blind” from Make Waves Not War. “Blind delves into the reality of true love by realistically expressing one man’s tendency to forget why he loved, only to grasp glimpses of it now and again,” describes Surfrock.org.

The emerging rock group also caught the attention of Skope Magazine, which praised the band for their refreshing album: “Excellent musicianship mixed with a rock-solid performance = 1 big, wholesome bowl of Nuke The Soup.” Read the complete album review here.

EVENT RECAP:

Friday, March 12

Senator Theatre

5904 York Road
Baltimore, MD 21212

8 p.m.

Also appearing: White Shadow, Critical Element, the JV Myka Project, & One of Guitar Player Magazine’s Top Ten Guitarists of 2009, Wayne Johnson
Tickets: $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Click here to purchase tickets.

All Ages Welcome

Along with the band 1946 will be the famous Charlie Cushman, one of America’s best banjo pickers!

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA – It will be great music all weekend Feb. 19-20 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Fla when David Peterson and 1946 bring fantastic bluegrass Friday night and Stephen Combs brings his own brand of country and rock-a-billy Saturday night.

A rare combination of savvy independent recording artist and a bluegrass singer who cherishes tradition, David Peterson and 1946 are among the hottest bluegrass bands around and will be at the SOSMP Friday night, Feb. 19, to entertain you in style! Don’t miss this grand opportunity to hear Peterson and 1946, which includes one of America’s best banjo pickers, Charlie Cushman. Cushman has played with the best of the best and will keep you entertained. You will have a great time of you love bluegrass!

Stephen Combs will feature country music Saturday night at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

A country boy raised in Northeast Florida, Stephen Combs enjoys bringing music to his fans about everyday life. Writing stirring songs related to love, heartbreak and simple life excitement, Stephen brings sweet harmonies into his unique style of country ballads and rock-a-billy music.

Admission is only $5 per person at the door Friday night. However, the $5 can be applied to your food and beverage tab Friday night only. Admission Saturday night is $10 per person. Doors open to the Music Hall at 5 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m.

As always, the SOS Café and Restaurant will have available delicious food and beverages at regular prices during these event at the SOSMP located on the banks of the legendary Suwannee River. Our menu includes many favorites, as well as nightly.

David Peterson & 1946 to bring bluegrass Friday night while Stephen Combs will feature country music Saturday night at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

If you would like to make reservations for a cabin, RV parking or primitive camping or if you have any questions about this weekend’s events or our many other exciting upcoming events such as Wanee, Springfest or the Suwannee River Jam, please call the SOSMP at 386-364-1683, go to the website at www.musicliveshere.com or email the SOSMP at spirit@musicliveshere.com. We’ll be looking for ya’ll!

MI ADDS LIVE SOUND PRODUCTION PROGRAM TO ITS AUDIO ENGINEERING CURRICULUM BEGINNING SUMMER 2010

Musicians Institute is pleased to announce the Live Sound Production Program joining its renowned Audio Engineering Curriculum, beginning with the summer quarter of 2010.

Students working towards a certificate in Audio Engineering (Live Sound Production) will have a curriculum that combines two quarters of comprehensive training in audio recording and production with an additional quarter of intensive, hands-on study in all aspects of audio production for live events from clubs to large concerts.

Courses in Sound Reinforcement, Live Recording and Mixing, Console Operation (Digidesign Venue®), Monitors, Live Recording and Mixing, Lighting and Video, and Stage and Tour Management prepare graduates to apply for entry-level positions in the field.

The complete program is three quarters long and students earn 45 credit units.

The program objective is to provide students of audio engineering with additional knowledge and skill in order to prepare them for careers in Sound Reinforcement, including: Front of House and Monitor Engineer, Live Recording and Mixing Engineer, Sound Reinforcement Design and Installation Engineer, Lighting Technician, Live Video Production Director, Tour or Road Manager, and Stage Manager.

The Live Sound Production Program joins two other certificate programs in MI’s Audio Engineering department. The Certificate in Audio Engineering offers focused, hands-on training for careers in the fields of professional audio engineering and music production. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions as Assistant Engineers, Live Sound Engineers, Music Producers, Post-Production Engineers, Mastering Engineers, Sound Designers, Studio Technicians, Studio Managers, Studio Designers and more.

The Certificate in Audio Engineering (Post-Production Audio) combines two quarters of comprehensive training in audio recording and production with an additional quarter of intensive study in the art of recording, editing and mixing music, dialogue, and sound effects for film and television. Courses in Background and Sound Effects Editing, Location Sound Recording, Music Editing, ADR Recording and Editing, and Foley Recording and Editing prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial post-production facilities.

Since 1977, Musicians Institute (MI) has trained thousands of graduates for careers in every genre of contemporary music. From the beginning, MI revolutionized music education with hands-on, intensive, performance-based programs taught by working professionals. Today, MI’s unique, innovative approach includes degree and certificate programs for career-minded guitarists, bassists, drummers, vocalists, keyboardists, audio engineers, independent artists, guitar makers, music business professionals and filmmakers.

MODERN DAY MOUNTAIN MAN’ BRYAN RAGSDALE WYOMING BASED SINGER/SONGWRITER AND U.S VETERAN WILL PERFORM AT FE WARREN AFB AND A VA HOSPITAL IN CHEYENNE— AND GIVE AWAY A FREE DOWNLOAD OF “WHAT HEROES DO” TO ALL MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Bryan Ragsdale, the Wyoming based singer-songwriter and U.S. Veteran who is redefining “cowboy cool” with his latest indie CD Where Cowpokes Grow, is spending the rest of his winter performing for soldiers and veterans and conducting a newly launched songwriting workshop.

From February 11-13, the “Modern Day Mountain Man”—which is, coincidentally, the name of his album’s first single—will participate in Arts Advocacy Day at the Governor Arts Awards in Cheyenne, WY.

After an all day visit and concert at Cheyenne’s VA Hospital, plus giving every patient a copy of Where Cowpokes Grow, on March 16, Ragsdale will spend St. Patrick’s Day at Wyoming’s FE Warren Air Force Base, where he will teach a Youth Center songwriting class at 4 p.m. and do a public performance at 7 p.m. at the base’s Community Center. The audience will include military personnel from the National Guard, Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force. At this show, the charismatic singer will give away copies of the “military release” of Where Cowpokes Grow, which features the bonus track “What Heroes Do,” a touching tribute to firefighters and troops overseas.

Ragsdale will be giving away a free download of “What Heroes Do” to all military and first responders and their families. Ragsdale’s music video for “What Heroes Do” can be viewed at  http://www.bryanragsdale.com/media/.

On March 22, he travels to Fort Collins, Colorado for a school performance at Eyestone Elementary, along with conducting songwriting classes with the students.

During his February travels to Nashville, Ragsdale will be meeting and collaborating with different writers on new material. He is setting himself apart from the most of today’s indie artists via his innovative songwriting workshops.

Teachers can choose a curriculum from the following programs, all of which conclude with an anti-drug segment: Songwriting 101 (An Introduction to Songwriting), “Nashville, NY and LA” (The Ins and Outs of the Music Biz), “The Language of Modern Music,” “The Math of Music,” “Dr. Hendrix and the Science of Music” and “Music, Theoretically Speaking…”

Best New Artist GRAMMY winners Zac Brown Band will be rocking the Jam field when it performs at the 2010 Suwannee River Jam!

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA the biggest country jam in the South runs April 21-24.

Zac Brown Band will be rocking the Jam field! The  Best known for its #1 Platinum single “Chicken Fried,” Zac Brown Band’s major label debut The Foundation (Atlantic Records) has sold more than 1.5 million copies nationwide and has been critically acclaimed. After an eventful year on the charts and on the road, Zac Brown Band has proven that “overnight success” can be years in the making. In addition to its three GRAMMY nominations, four Country Music Association and three American Music Award nominations, the 2009 breakthrough act captured the Top New Vocal Group Award at the Academy of Country Music Awards and the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year at the CMT Awards for “Chicken Fried.” Among its #1 singles are “Chicken Fried,” “Whatever It Is” and “Toes.” With bass, fiddle, guitar, organ, mandolin and pedal steel, this band appeals to a huge group of music lovers, including Americana and bluegrass.

Best Suwannee River Jam yet will feature Zac Brown Band, John Fogerty, Travis Tritt, Kansas, John Michael Montgomery, Colt Ford, Justin Moore, LoCash Cowboys, Jason Michael Carroll, Josh Thompson, Mountain Heart and David Cooler

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FLA – Hold on to your hats, Suwannee River Jam fans, the best Jam ever at the biggest country jam in the South is about to happen April 21-24! Performing artists will be 2010 Best New Artist of the Year Grammy winner Zac Brown Band, John Fogerty, Travis Tritt, Kansas, John Michael Montgomery, Colt Ford, Justin Moore, LoCash Cowboys, Jason Michael Carroll, Josh Thompson, Mountain Heart and David Cooler.

This year’s Jam will mix high energy music and entertainment with some of the biggest artists in country music at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP). The South’s biggest country music festival, the Suwannee River Jam, will be four days of fun and great music. Thousands upon thousands of country music fans will converge on North Florida to enjoy the atmosphere along the banks of the historic Suwannee River and gather family and friends to enjoy camping and their favorite country music superstars.

The Suwannee River Jam gets underway Wednesday night, April 21, at the SOSMP Music Hall, where weekend ticket holders will be treated to a free kick-off party with a scorching hot, emerging regional artist. Thursday night, April 22, on the outdoor 1st Street Music & Sound Party Zone stage there will be a jamming good time where you will see some of the most up- and-coming country artists on stage. Friday and Saturday nights, April 23-24, will showcase some of the biggest names in country music and southern rock on the Jam stage, as well as the brand new Ms. Suwannee River Jam contest. It’s a week that is not to be missed!

Early Bird Weekend tickets priced at $90 ends at midnight, Thursday, Feb. 4. Get your tickets now by calling the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park office at 386-364-1683 or go to suwanneeriverjam.com. Advance ticket prices begin Friday, Feb. 5: Adult weekend ticket $130; Kids (6 -12) $45; single day adult $75; Gold VIP $400 and Silver VIP $200. Tickets may be purchased at www.musicliveshere.com; by calling the SOSMP at 386-364-1683; in person at the SOSMP front office; or online at suwanneeriverjam.com. Weekend and single day tickets may be purchased at all S&S Food stores at reduced rates (Weekend $110 and Single Day $65, taxes and processing not included). All tickets are priced per person; tickets are non-transferable; camping is not included in ticket price.

While at the Jam, you may want to enjoy jam sessions with other musicians, check out the Country Store, Craft Village or just hang out and reminisce near the crackling campfires. The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park offers canoe trips, biking, putt putt or pro quality disc golf, swimming pool for overnight guests, endless mesmerizing trails, golf cart rental to tour the park for miles and miles of pristine woods, delicious foods and beverages at the famed SOS Café and Restaurant or you can just sit, relax and enjoy the sights and sounds on the banks of the beautiful Suwannee River… the possibilities are endless! Camping, RV and recreational vehicle parking sites are available, but you must hurry as these sell out quickly for Jam week.

Located between Interstates 75 and 10 in North Florida, there are hundreds of improved campsites, park model rentals and nearly 1,000 acres of primitive camping, all on the banks of the historic Suwannee River. The SOSMP is close to most every big city in North and Central Florida and South Georgia.

For more information, call us at 386-364-1683, go to the website at www.musicliveshere.com or email us at spirit@musicliveshere.com to find out more about Jam tickets, primitive camping, RV parking or cabin accommodations. Ya’ll come now, you hear!

KING HELL EXPLOSIVE, MEGA-THEATRICAL NEW YORK INDIE ROCKERS MIX THE POWER OF METALLICA, THE PARLIAMENT GROOVE, AND A TONGUE IN CHEEK “CARNIVAL” VIBE ON THEIR FREEWHEELING FULL LENGTH DEBUT ‘RHYTHM & BRUISE’

Legendary “gonzo journalist” Hunter S. Thompson made up his own adjective anytime he tried to describe the ultimate of something: “It was the king hell of all parties.” “This bastard was a serious, king hell crazy.” No doubt, the late great author of Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas would feel the same sense of visceral energy if he’d had the chance to check out King Hell, the furious and funky, intensely tongue in cheek New York based indie powerhouse named after his turn of phrase.

Drawing soul and inspiration from Metallica, Parliament-Funkadelic, as well as Art Neville’s New Orleans blues-funk band The Meters, King Hell blazes into 2010 with their popular as ever theatrical stage carnival and a highly anticipated debut album, aptly titled Rhythm & Bruise—the follow-up to their popular self-titled 2007 EP.

King Hell are anchored by the dueling vocals of Samwell and Doc Thompson. Along with guitarist Mötherfökker (aka Möfö), they first bonded over a mutual love of Black Sabbath and Metallica, and started jamming in high school in Cambridge, MA years ago. “We were originally called Longinus“, says Samwell, “but everyone thought that was a venereal disease—which is very metal, but not in a good way.”

Eventually moving to New York and renaming themselves King Hell—“which sounded commanding instead of contagious,” says Doc—the band has come a long way from their first gig at The Continental in NYC two and a half years ago. Fans find it hard to believe that back then, Doc wore a business suit and, with an admittedly “half baked” presentation, they took themselves way too seriously. Quickly figuring out that audiences were hungry for a real alternative to mopey, navel gazing bands whining about old girlfriends, the group—rounded out by death metal bassist Zigabot and drummer Shille-Lee, a refugee from the 80s hardcore outfit The Abused—went campy and got in touch with their inner Freddie Mercury and Gene Simmons.

“People long for bands like Queen and KISS because they were larger than life,” says Samwell. “Plugging into that was liberating. At some point, rock got really self-conscious. We’re confident enough in the quality of our music to embrace carnival. We’re like Cirque du Soleil, minus the elegance and trapeze, which we’re barred from using. So, more like Berserk du Soleil.” Drawing on their love of comics, a unique concept for a rogue team of rock avengers emerged. “It started under control, but by our second show, Doc was in a zoot suit waving a Tommy gun and I found myself standing on a horned anvil in Batman’s pants.”

With their stage show taking on a life of its own, King Hell began playing across NYC, New England, and the Tri-State area, and eventually scored a full calendar of gigs that included sharing a bill with reunited schlock rockers Green Jelly, and opening for horror legends The Misfits at their 30^th anniversary show in front of 2,000 people. Already this year, King Hell gave their first performance at NYC’s Gramercy Theatre, and will be hitting the road for Harrisburg, PA to play the 2010 Millennium Music Conference. In April they will appear at the Jerkus Circus in Worchester, MA, awarded “Best of 2009” by The Boston Phoenix, which calls it “a fantasyland for connoisseurs of real-deal performance art”. And to keep their local base satisfied they have upcoming performances in NYC at The Delancey and the Gotham Rocks Showcase at Crash Mansion.

Over time, five distinct characters have emerged for the band members. Samwell is the heavy metal hero, protector of Earth’s most extensive Judas Priest album vault. Doc Thompson is the gangster avenger punishing crimes against rock; he keeps that persona when he makes his racy “King Hell Reports” on YouTube, with 300,000+ views (and twice the complaints). Möfö is the vigilante from a post apocalyptic future ruled by an evil cyborg Justin Timberlake. Zigabot is the escaped clone of Dr. Funkenstein armed with a bionic afro, while Shille-Lee is the master of Irish Kung Fu, which consists primarily of Guinness and meditation.

Zigabot explains: “Our characters are just superhuman exaggerations of ourselves. They give people permission to dance and sing along with our often bugged out lyrics, because no matter how goofy they act they can always point to us and say, ‘Now those guys look ridiculous.’”

A clever, larger than life quality blasts through from the get go on Rhythm & Bruise, highlighted by an infectious cover of Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like The Wolf,” a track Doc calls “a piece of the familiar, and our attempt to put some humor back into metal. They’re the least metal band on the planet, and the irony is part of the fun. It usually goes over great, depending on the percentage of Slayer shirts in the audience.” Musically, however, their determination to capture the broad spirit of their new material led them to work with engineer and co-producer Sal Mormando, whose diverse resume includes hard rock bands like Clutch and a Grammy nominated project by Latin jazz percussionist Raphael Cruz.

“We didn’t want every song to sound the same,” says Samwell, “and we don’t like the synthetic production value on most hard rock records today. Sal got that and managed to capture how we sound live. Also, at no point during the recording process did he lose patience and shoot us, which was a big plus.”

Perhaps Möfö sums it up best when he explains, “Die Zukunft ist invertiert und bald auch der Disco-Beats der drecksack Justin Timberlake wird brennen. Dröhnen Schwein!” Möfö speaks only in his native tongue of Future German. Unfortunately, no translation is possible as this language has yet to exist.

The ‘Epic Defenders Of Metal and Funk’ Throw Off The Chains Of ‘Mopey, Uptight’ Rock And Create Five Unique Stage Personas That Have Shared Bills With Reunited Schlock Rockers Green Jelly And Horror Punk Legends The Misfits

To maximize the “live” vibe that is King Hell’s bread and butter, they took a recording route usually reserved for jazz artists and actually sang, jammed and played their instruments in the studio at the same time—with Samwell and Doc facing each other in their respective vocal booths—at Kaleidoscope Sound in New Jersey. Their vocal interplay on Rhythm & Bruise is tuned up several notches from the way they worked together on the King Hell EP. “We busted ass on harmonies,” says Samwell, “and when we weren’t singing together we created a better dynamic with me stretching my voice higher and Doc dipping down into Barry White territory. I got to live out my Ian Gillan fantasies, and Doc got to live out his fantasies with women.”

Musically, the 13 tracks perfectly embody King Hell’s mission to fuse metal and funk into something fresh, gleefully unrecognizable and hard to pigeonhole. The chugging, ultra percussive “Oblivion” is a cool reimagining of contemporary Swedish heavy metal, while “Mr. Fancy Pants” is pure classic rock meets edgy funk. The hard driving opener “Brooklyn” is lyrically an autobiographical romp through their fascinating musical experiences, from the time the three founders were kids playing in their Boston area basement to their stint playing as another band in Chicago and the emergence of their current incarnation in Brooklyn. “Bad Mofo” is an intense rocker with an uplifting message designed to inspire musicians to follow their own road and make the best music they can no matter what critical obstacles get in their way. “A Bastard Like Me” is an overtly rhythmic, muscular and brutal song that tells a cartoonish, noirish tale, a la “Sin City”.

The members of King Hell can’t decide just where and when they added funk to their early love of metal. It might have been through a jazz bassist they once played with who smoked a lot of weed and loved to play The Meters for everyone. Or maybe it was through Doc, who scammed his way into being a DJ at Tufts University, and through that discovered a trove of obscure blues and funk from the 70s.

Either way, as Samwell says, “Metal became an addiction. Then we discovered Funkadelic’s album Maggot Brain, Sly and The Family Stone, and that whole world of theatrical funk. Funk was a revelation. Experiencing groove for the first time blew our exceedingly white minds. We were excited to fuse both influences, and funk and metal dovetailed perfectly. If you’re banging your head while shaking your ass, it’s doubly devastating. When we added Zigabot and Shille-Lee, they were the perfect complement and the chemistry was complete. They could groove like pimps, but when we wanted to step on the gas, they were capable of going absolutely ape shit.”

Doc adds, “At the end of one of our shows, if Samwell and I haven’t sweated out half our body weight and aren’t struggling not to pass out, we haven’t done our job—and that’s to get audiences so engaged and excited that they forget their troubles, cut loose, and have an absolute blast. King Hell is here to tear the roof

The Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) announces the organization is now accepting music submissions for nomination consideration. Submissions are accepted exclusively through the HMMA web site (www.hmmawards.com)

The 2010 HMMA ceremony will take place Thursday, November 18 at The Highlands, located in the Hollywood & Highland / Kodak Theatre Complex in Hollywood. The accompanying Music In Media Interactive Conference(MIMICON) is scheduled to occur Friday through Sunday, November 19-21, once again at the world-renown Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa. Registration opportunities for the conference will be announced in the coming months.

After a tremendously successful 2009 HMMA event, boasting over 1000 attendees, and the equally impressive 2009 MIMI Conference, the HMMA organization has received unprecedented raves and accolades from the global artistic community and industry alike for its unique recognition of the continually evolving music business.  Here is just one of the many unsolicited testimonials from the Best New Composer award recipient:

“I want to share with you the overwhelming response that is a direct result of my winning Best New Composer. This week has been back to back meetings with people who were exposed to my work during the three days of the conference. Agents, Managers, Music Supervisors and even Directors- simply wild!  I’m not sure if you really understand how much exposure your event has given me, but it’s surreal,” says film and TV composer Zain Effendi.

The Hollywood Music in Media Awards recognizes and honors the music of visual mediums, the talented individuals responsible for creating and selecting it, and the music of artists, both mainstream and independent, from around the globe. HMMA is the first music awards event to recognize and honor excellence in music supervision and to place video games alongside TV and film in terms of importance. Iconic artists will also be presented with a variety of awards, including an award for Outstanding Career Achievement in honor of their accomplishments and longevity in the entertainment field. The evening will feature live music performances, celebrities appearances, award presentations, an exclusive VIP reception, and a special dinner banquet . The entire event will be shot with multiple HD cameras for digital and cable broadcasts in 17 countries and U.S. territories (120 Million households).

To be a part of this truly unique and groundbreaking opportunity, or to submit for nomination consideration, visit the HMMA website at: www.hmmawards.com.

SANDY HACKETT'S RAT PACK SHOW Moves

In a dynamic move that must be making the legendary Buddy Hackett beam up in comedy heaven, The Sahara in Las Vegas—by popular demand—is relocating his son’s hit “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show” from the Congo Room to the hotel’s main showroom.

It’s the perfect prelude to the launch of the show’s national touring company. The production has been recognized and distinguished as far more than a tribute show. It’s a theatrical production with a strong narrative element that includes extraordinary, never-before-heard original songs written by Producer Lisa Dawn Miller’s father, legendary songwriter Ron Miller.

The shift takes place March 2 at the show’s new daily time of 5 p.m., the perfect hour for both longtime fans and newcomers to the classic Rat Pack experience to enjoy highballs, hi-jinks and happy hour with Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean! The new move allows for a greatly increased seating capacity to meet the escalating demand for this well-received, contemporary take on the beloved Rat Pack.

“The high spirited, classic and magical retro vibe of “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show” is perfectly in line with The Sahara’s vision and focusing of its resources to its greatest asset– its history,” says Miller.

“We see an organization making smart decisions in tough economic times and we are proud to be partners with The Sahara as we all look forward to continual success together,” Miller adds. “As part of our move, we are thrilled to be opening the first ever Rat Pack retail store located just outside of the main showroom.”

Produced by Sandy Hackett, a powerhouse veteran writer, producer, and film and TV actor, and his wife, singer/songwriter/producer Lisa Dawn Miller, the show is unsurpassed with the extraordinary talents of Buddy Hackett and Ron Miller weaved throughout the production. The unparalleled chemistry, relationship and connection of the show’s remarkable cast, David DeCosta, Doug Starks, Tony Basile, Lisa Dawn Miller and Sandy Hackett, is headed up by killer director, Billy Karl. The show’s musical team is incomparable with Maestro Christopher Hardin, Music Director and Joey Singer, Conductor.

Hackett is the only producer of a Rat Pack-related live performance theatrical production who actually grew up with these legends in their heyday. “My father had great friendships with them all. They were my family.” Hackett said. For several years, Hackett starred as Bishop—who he knew fondly as “Uncle Joey” in earlier versions of the show, which he wrote, produced, directed and performed in at various cities throughout the U.S. The new show brings the legacy of the Rat Pack and both, Hackett’s and Miller’s beloved fathers full circle. Hackett is Back!

Tickets for “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show” are on sale now and can be purchased at www.saharavegas.com or by calling 1-866-830-0287.

CFM Wants to let everyone know that Cheryl W. is the lucky winner of our great DVD prize pack which includes a ticket to see the new film “Dear John” courtesy of Sony Pictures and MPRM.

Thanks to everyone to who entered and stay tuned for our next great giveaway!