Vacationer will be on the road in support of their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Relief, this fall headlining a series of dates beginning September 29^th in Charlottesville, VA. They will also play select dates with St. Lucia (tour dates listed below) and just announced, Vacationer will play the countdown to kickoff event at Power Plant Live! in Baltimore, MD with Fitz & The Tantrums on September 4^th.

Relief was released, June 23^rd on Downtown Records and has since been getting a lot of airplay across the country , especially on Sirius XM’s Alt Nation, as well as garnering stellar reviews.  The band recently performed on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic (listen HERE) calling the album “… a perfect soundtrack to summer…”  while KCRW’s music blog declared it, “…a breezy, feel good pop record that I highly recommend.”  The Boston Globe says the “…songs unfurl at a leisurely pace, sounding like interludes in old movies about exotic locales, but topped with samples, hip-hop beats, and dreamy guitar lines” while The Guardian (UK) stated “If Vampire Weekend started purveying 1950s-style exotica, it might sound a bit like the music made by Vacationer, …expansive, lushly orchestrated…”

See the band perform this fall in select cities across North America. Brick + Morter will open for the band during their headline run. 

Vacationer is a collaborative effort with vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli and his production partners Grant Wheeler and Matthew Young from the band Body Language.                                

Tour Dates:

September 4 – Baltimore, MD @ Power Plant Live w/Fitz & the Tantrums

September 29  - Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern  - Brick+Morter Support

September 30 - Washington DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel  - Brick+Morter Support

October 1 – New Haven, CT @ BAR  - Brick+Morter Support

October 2 - Providence, RI @ Fete Ballroom  - Brick+Morter Support

October 3 - New York, NY @ Marlin Room at Webster Hall / Downtown Festival

October 19  - St. Louis, MO @ The Demo - Brick+Morter Support

October 20 – Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room - Brick+Morter Support

October 21 - Denver, CO @ Hi Dive

October 22 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court - Brick+Morter Support

October 25 – Santa Ana, CA @ Beach Goth at The Observatory Grounds (2:00pm)

October 25 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah - Brick+Morter Support

October 26 – West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy - Brick+Morter Support

October 27 - San Francisco, CA @ Slims - Brick+Morter Support

October 29 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios - Brick+Morter Support

October 30 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza - Brick+Morter Support

November 1 - Vancouver, BC @ Electric Owl - Brick+Morter Support

November 4 - Edmonton, AB   @ The Starlite Room w/St. Lucia

November 5 - Calgary, AB @ The Republik w/St. Lucia

November 7 - Winnipeg, MB @ Pyramid Cabaret w/St. Lucia

November 8 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue w/St. Lucia

November 10 - Chicago, IL @ Metro w/St. Lucia

November 11 - Chicago, IL @ Metro w/St. Lucia

November 12 - Detroit, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom w/St. Lucia

November 14 - Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall w/St. Lucia

November 15 - Albany, NY @ The Hollow w/St. Lucia

November 16   Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse - Brick+Morter Support

November 17   Boston, MA @ The Sinclair - Brick+Morter Support

Today, The String Cheese Incident announced the first leg of their national headline tour.  They will be playing several dates this fall and winter beginning November 4, 2014 in Washington DC.  The second leg of the tour will be announced soon. Tickets are available Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 1:00pm EST/Noon CST/11:00am MST/10:00am PST through the band’s website -  www.stringcheeseincident.com.  The String Cheese Incident also has some upcoming shows including headlining performances in September at Lockn’ Festival in Virginia and Phases of the Moon Festival in Illinois as well as their three night Halloween extravaganza Suwannee Hulaween in Florida late October / early November.

The String Cheese Incident released Song In My Head, the band’s first studio album in nine years, April 29, 2014 on SCI Fidelity Records/Loud & Proud Records.  The album was produced by Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads and includes 10 new songs written collaboratively by the group over the past few years.  The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.

Song In My Head is perhaps the band’s tightest and most skillful yet. After years of feeling more like live players than studio musicians, the band members finally tapped into the skill that two decades’ worth of performing brings. There’s also an overarching sense of joy and renewed passion throughout. “We felt really comfortable making this record,” drummer Michael Travis says. “This album feels more genuinely us. It’s everything we’ve learned about making an album.  The band is in a great space right now.  We are really excited about hitting the road for a few weeks in the fall and getting back at it in early 2015.”

The String Cheese Incident formed in the Colorado mountain ski towns of Crested Butte and Telluride in 1993, has built on those 20 years of experience to become the musicians they are today.  Over those years, the band, Bill Nershi (guitars and vocals), Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, guitar and vocals), Keith Moseley (bass & vocals), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Kyle Hollingsworth (keyboards & vocals) and Jason Hann (percussion), has played over 1,500 shows, including their own festivals and happenings across the country and they have been hailed for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, community spirit, philanthropic endeavors and their innovative approach to the business of music. 

In December of 2012, the musicians went into a rehearsal studio in Boulder, the Colorado city they’ve called home since the early days of the band. Although they initially went in to practice for a series of upcoming tour dates, the band decided to use the time to record a few tracks.  They had performed much of the material live, but it hadn’t yet been recorded.  Inspiration was immediate and the experience was notably enjoyable, a sensibility they felt has been missing previously in the studio.  It was then they knew, Song In My Head was born.

Tour Dates:

9/4/14 & 9/5/14 – Arrington, VA @ Lockn’ Festival

9/11/14 & 9/12/14 - Danville, IL @ Phases of the Moon

10/31/14 – 11/2/14 – Live Oak, FL @ Suwannee Hulaween (headling all three nights)

11/4/14 - Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theatre      

11/5/14 - Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theatre      

11/6/14 - Ledyard, CT @ The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort 

11/7/14 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theatre        

11/8/14 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom        

11/10/14 - Ithaca, NY @ State Theatre                   

11/11/14 - Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theatre     

11/12/14 - Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theatre     

11/13/14 - Portland, ME @ State Theatre   

11/14/14 - Portland, ME @ State Theatre   

11/15/14 - Burlington, VT  @ Memorial Auditorium

The String Cheese Incident will return to Broomfield, Colorado and the 1stBank Center for the third year in a row to play a series of New Year’s Eve headline Incidents – December 29, 30 and 31. The Incidents will be presented by AEG Live and KBCO, tickets go on sale beginning Wednesday, October 8th at 11am MST via SCI Ticketing through the band’s website, followed by a general public on-sale on Saturday, October 11th at 10am MST.

Single day tickets will be available as well as a discounted three-day ticket package, with both GA Floor & GA Bowl options available.  The NYE Incident will feature three full sets from SCI, and 12/31 has sold out the last two years, so tickets are expected to sell quickly. Ultimate Incident VIP Packages will include tickets and hotel accommodations - stay for up to three nights at the luxurious Westin Westminster Hotel just minutes from the venue. Enjoy VIP access and seating at the Incidents including a special “meet and greet” pre-party and private acoustic set with SCI, and limited edition NYE merchandise and gear. For more information go to the band’s website.

For a taste of the event, watch a clip of band performing the song “Rivertrance” from last year’s festivities:

The band had a big summer headlining several major festivals including Electric Forest in Michigan, Lockn’ Music Festival in Virginia, Wakarusa in Arkansas and Phases of the Moon Festival in Illinois.  The band will also be headlining their three-night Halloween extravaganza Suwannee Hulaween in Live Oak, Florida on October 31, November 1 and 2 before hitting the road for their own East Coast headline tour, which begins November 4, 2014 in Washington DC (tour dates listed below).  All tickets are available through the band’s website. 

The String Cheese Incident released Song In My Head, the band’s first studio album in nine years, April 29, 2014 on SCI Fidelity Records/Loud & Proud Records.  The album was produced by Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads and includes 10 new songs written collaboratively by the group over the past few years.  The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.

The String Cheese Incident formed in Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado in 1993.  Over the years, the band, Bill Nershi (guitars and vocals), Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, guitar and vocals), Keith Moseley (bass and vocals), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Kyle Hollingsworth (keyboards and vocals) and Jason Hann (percussion), has played over 1,500 Incidents, including their own festivals and incidents across the country and they have been hailed for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, community spirit, philanthropic endeavors and their innovative approach to the business of music.

The String Cheese Incident announced their Winter Carnival headline tour today.  They will play several Incidents in 2015 including Seattle, Eugene, Boise, Reno and Chicago as well as Sin City Incidents in Las Vegas.   Fan Club members can buy tickets on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 11:00am MST; the public on sale date is Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22, 2014 through the band’s website: http://stringcheeseincident.com. 

The String Cheese Incident is currently on the road on their East Coast headline tour and will return to Broomfield, Colorado and the 1stBank Center for the third year in a row to play a series of New Year’s Eve headline Incidents – December 29, 30 and 31. The Incidents will be presented by AEG Live and KBCO.  Tickets are on sale now through the band’s website: http://stringcheeseincident.com.

The String Cheese Incident had a big 2014 headlining several major festivals including Electric Forest in Michigan, Lockn’ Music Festival in Virginia and Wakarusa in Arkansas.  They also headlined their three-night Halloween extravaganza Suwannee Hulaween in Live Oak, Florida October 31 - November 2.

Song In My Head, The String Cheese Incident’s first studio album in nine years, was released on April 29, 2014 through SCI Fidelity Records/Loud & Proud Records.  The album was produced by Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads and includes 10 new songs written collaboratively by the group over the past few years.  The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.

Tour Dates:

11/11/14 - Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, NY    

11/12/14 - Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, NY    

11/13/14 - State Theatre  - Portland, ME

11/14/14 - State Theatre  - Portland, ME 

11/15/14 - Memorial Auditorium - Burlington, VT 

12/29/14 – 12/31/14 - 1stBank Center - Broomfield, CO 

1/16/15 - Paramount Theatre - Seattle, WA

1/17/15 - Paramount Theatre - Seattle, WA

1/18/15 - McDonald Theatre - Eugene, OR

1/19/15 - McDonald Theatre - Eugene, OR

1/21/15 - Knitting Factory Concert House - Boise, ID

1/22/15 - Knitting Factory Concert House - Boise, ID

1/23/15 - Grand Theater Grand Sierra Resort - Reno, NV

1/24/15 - Grand Theater Grand Sierra Resort - Reno, NV

1/29/15 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL

1/30/15 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL

1/31/15 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL

2/13/15 - Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV

2/14/15 - Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV

2/15/15 - Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV

The String Cheese Incident formed in Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado in 1993.  Over the years, the band, Bill Nershi (guitars and vocals), Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, guitar and vocals), Keith Moseley (bass and vocals), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Kyle Hollingsworth (keyboards and vocals) and Jason Hann (percussion), has played over 1,500 Incidents, including their own festivals and Incidents across the country and they have been hailed for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, community spirit, philanthropic endeavors and their innovative approach to the business of music.

24 year-old singer / songwriter Emily Hearn will release Hourglass on March 10, 2015. Hourglass, which was produced by Chad Copelin (Green River Ordinance, Ben Rector), and written in her native Athens, GA as well as Michigan, Tennessee and North Carolina with her bassist husband, Michael Harrison as well as collaborations with Ben Rector, is an assortment of twelve beautifully poignant and effervescent songs that came together from one inspiration: time and how it affects us.

Hourglass is a collection that has encompassed almost two years worth of conversations, musings, inspirations and defining moments in Hearn’s life. “We fall in or out of love as time moves us. We learn life-changing lessons as time goes on. We figure out how to handle important relationships as time shapes us. We decide who we want to be and what we believe as time reveals our priorities. And ultimately, we grow older as time goes by,” said Hearn.

Hearn will be on taking these songs on the road for three months to play several dates with Tyrone Wells beginning March 18, 2015 at The Independent in San Francisco. The tour will be hitting over thirty tour markets throughout the United States and will be going to many west coast cities Hearn has never played before.  The tour will go through mid-May.

Hourglass is the follow up to her October 8, 2013 Promises EP which Billboard described as, “It might be a little bit tough to label the music of Emily Hearn…We just prefer to call it good, and maybe a little bit eclectic.”

HOURGLASS TRACK LISTING:

1. Waking Up Again 

2. Can’t Help Myself 

3. The Oak Tree 

4. Please, Don’t Take My Love Away 

5. Save Me 

6. Thank God You’re Holding Me 

7. Volcano 

8. Give It Up 

9. Without You 

10. Annie 

11. Long Summer 

12. Worth Fighting For 

TOUR DATES WITH TYRONE WELLS:

3/18 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent 

3/20 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater

3/21 - Seattle, WA - Neumos

3/22 - Spokane, WA - The Bartlett

3/24 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory 

3/26 - Sacramento, CA - Harlow's 

3/27 - San Luis Obispo, CA - SLO Brewing Company

3/28 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues

4/7 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom 

4/9 - Dallas, TX - The Kessler Theatre

4/10 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues- Bronze Peacock 

4/11 - Austin, TX - The Parish

4/14 - Birmingham, AL - WorkPlay Theatre

4/16 - Orlando, FL - The Social 

4/17 - Atlanta, GA - Eddie's Attic 

4/23 - Atlanta, GA - Eddie's Attic 

4/24 - Nashville, TN - City Winery 

4/25 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle- Back Room 

4/29 - Washington, DC - The Hamilton 

5/1 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall 

5/2 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live Downstairs

5/3 - New York, NY - City Winery 

5/4 - New York, NY - City Winery 

5/6 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio

5/7 - Chicago, IL - City Winery

5/8 - Evanston, IL - SPACE

5/9 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center 

5/10 - Iowa City, IA - The Mill 

5/12 - Denver, CO - The Soiled Dove

5/13 - Denver, CO - The Soiled Dove 

5/14 - Provo, UT - Velour 

5/16 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues

Loud & Proud Records is proud to partner with Blackbird Presents to release the CD/DVD “Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans!,” a celebration of the band’s incredible musical legacy.

On one special night last November 12, 2014, an extraordinary collection of artists came together at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA to honor Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the most influential bands of our time. The unique concert featured performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, along with special guests Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gregg Allman, BlackberrySmoke, Cheap Trick, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Randy Houser, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson, Aaron Lewis, moe., O.A.R., Robert Randolph and Donnie Van Zant. Keith Wortman, creator and executive producer of the concert event, broadcast special and music release worked with Ken Levitan and Ross Schilling who also served as executive producers of the show. Don Was led the all-star house band as musical director for the evening.

As part of the campaign to save the Fox Theatre from demolition, Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their 1976 live album, One More From The Road, at the landmark theatre. The title “Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans!,” was inspired by that legendary album’s title.

Tom Lipsky, President of Loud & Proud Records, says “Lynyrd Skynyrd has been the foundation of our label since the late 90’s, and it is a true honor to continue our relationship into the future.  “Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans!” is an incredible moment in the band’s history and we are thrilled to partner with Keith Wortman and Blackbird Presents to bring this release to the Skynyrd Nation!”

With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million worldwide, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to multiple generations. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to build on the legacy that began over 40 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.  Their last album, Last of a Dyin’ Breed, debuted at #14 on the Billboard Top 200, making it their highest charting album since 1977.

Led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, the band also includes Mark "Sparky" Matejka (guitar), Johnny Colt (bass), Peter Keys (keyboards), Dale Krantz Rossington (Honkettes backing vocals) and Carol Chase (Honkettes backing vocals).

The release date, track listing, album art and tour dates will be revealed soon.  Loud & Proud Records will release One More For The Fans! – Celebrating The Songs & Music of Lynyrd Skynyrd in North America through RED Distribution (a division of Sony Music Entertainment) and earMUSIC will release it in the rest of the world.

On one special night last November, an extraordinary collection of artists came together at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA to perform and celebrate the songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the most influential bands of our time.  This unique concert event centered around performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, including a special rendition of “Travelin’ Man” with Johnny Van Zant singing along with an archival video of his late brother, Ronnie performing, as well as a rousing rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” with Skynyrd inviting the entire star-studded line-up up on stage to perform along side them.

The show will be available July 24, 2105 as a two CD/DVD set titled Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans on Loud & Proud Records in partnership with Blackbird Presents.  The band will also be hitting the road this spring and summer (tour dates below) and will return to the CMT Crossroads stage for a taping with Brantley Gilbert.

One More For The Fans features performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd as well as music legends and young talent, culled from multiple genres including Classic Rock, Country and Americana with Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gregg Allman, Blackberry Smoke, Cheap Trick, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Randy Houser, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson, Aaron Lewis, moe., O.A.R., Robert Randolph and Donnie Van Zant all coming together to perform songs from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s extensive catalog of music.  

“Hearing all of these incredible musicians sing our songs was unforgettable,” says Rossington.  “It was a really special night and I’m so happy our fans will now get to enjoy the show at home.”

Keith Wortman, creator and executive producer of the concert event, broadcast special and music release worked with Ken Levitan and Ross Schilling who also served as executive producers of the show. Don Was led the all-star house band as musical director for the evening.

As part of the campaign to save the Fox Theatre from demolition, Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their 1976 live album, One More From The Road, at the landmark theatre. The title Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans! was inspired by that legendary album’s title.

Joining in the celebration of the legendary band is AXS TV as it serves as the official broadcaster of Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans. AXS TV will premiere the concert event on Sunday, July 19 at 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST, allowing fans nationwide to enjoy these remarkable performances.

With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million worldwide, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to multiple generations. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to build on the legacy that began over 40 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.  Led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, the band also includes Mark "Sparky" Matejka (guitar), Johnny Colt (bass), Peter Keys (keyboards) and The Honkettes-Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase-on background vocals.

“Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans” Track Listing:

1. Whiskey Rock A Roller – performed by Randy Houser                 

2. You Got That Right – performed by Robert Randolph & Jimmy Hall           

3. Saturday Night Special – performed by Aaron Lewis                   

4. Workin’ For MCA – performed by Blackberry Smoke         

5. Don't Ask Me No Questions – performed by O.A.R.  

6. Gimme Back My Bullets – performed by Cheap Trick

7. The Ballad of Curtis Loew – performed by moe. & John Hiatt

8. Simple Man – performed by Gov't Mule                  

9. That Smell – performed by Warren Haynes           

10.  Four Walls of Raiford – performed by Jamey Johnson               

11.  I Know A Little – performed by Jason Isbell  

12.  Call Me The Breeze – performed by Peter Frampton

13.  What's Your Name – performed by Trace Adkins           

14.  Down South Jukin’ – performed by Charlie Daniels & Donnie Van Zant

15.  Gimme Three Steps – performed by Alabama                 

16.  Tuesday's Gone – performed by Gregg Allman              

17.  Travelin’ Man – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd With Johnny and Ronnie – Ronnie on big screen

18.  Free Bird - performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd

19.  Sweet Home Alabama – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd and the entire line-up

Lynyrd Skynyrd 2015 Tour Dates:

5/28 - Westbury, NY – Theatre at Westbury

5/29 - Mashantucket, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino

5/30 - Virginia Beach, VA – Patriotic Festival

6/11 - Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – The Joint

6/12 - Grande Prairie, TX – KZPS / Bo and Jim Bash @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

6/13 - Austin, TX – 20^th Anniversary ROT Rally @ Travis County Expo Center

6/19 - Alpharetta, GA – Kicks Country/Rock 100.5 CROCK FEST – Verizon Amphitheater at Encore Park

6/20 - Bluefield, WV – “Second Chance Rocks The Two Virginias” @ Mitchell Stadium

6/26 - Dover, DE – Big Barrel Festival

6/27 - Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook

6/28 - Cohasset, MA – South Shore Music Circus

7/14 - Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Bluesfest

7/16 - Oshkosh, WI – Rock USA


7/17 Chillicothe, IL – Country Life Music Festival – 3 Sisters Park

7/31 - Morton, MN – Jackpot Junction Casino

8/1 - Council Bluffs, IA – GrassRoots II Festival @ River’s Edge Park

8/2 - Littleton, CO – The Hudson Gardens & Event Center – Outdoor Amphitheatre

8/4 - Sturgis, SD – Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground

8/6 - Roseburg, OR – Douglas County Fair

8/7 - Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino

8/8 - Billings, MT – Montanafair

8/14 - Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

8/15 - Watertown, NY – Freshener/F.X. Caprara Summer Concert Series presented by DPAO at Watertown Fairgrounds

8/18 - Lewiston, NY – Artpark

8/19 - Harrisonburg, VA – Rockingham County Fair

8/21 - Avondale, IL – Eastbound Hoedown Music Festival

8/28 - Huber Heights, OH – Music Center at The Heights

9/3 - St. Paul, MN – Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

9/4 - Alton, IL  - Liberty Bank Amphitheater

9/5 - New Lenox, IL – New Lenox Commons – Community

9/6 - Wauseon, OH – Fulton County Fair

9/15 - Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery

9/17 - Jackson CA – Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel

9/20 - Scottsdale, AZ – Talking Stick Resort & Casino

10/2 - Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater

Loud & Proud Records today announced the signing of Nashville-based band, The Delta Saints and will release Bones on August 7, 2015, the follow up to 2012’s Death Letter Jubilee that Pop Matters hailed saying the band, “…mix Lynyrd Skynyrd swagger with Kings of Leon angst and a touch of that old-time gospel to create a heady, intoxicating mix.”

Produced, engineered and mixed by Third Man Records alum, Eddie Spear [Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, Neil Young], Nashville’s Sputnik Sound studio provided a ghostly, psychedelic atmosphere for the recording of Bones, yielding a sound uniquely their own. Stripping their roots/blues sound down to its essence, The Delta Saints’ second full-length effort expands on that sound and explores influences such as Jack White, The Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses and Led Zeppelin.

“Loud & Proud’s history is rooted in releasing new music from celebrated veteran artists.  But in some instances, such as with The Delta Saints, we can’t resist signing exceptional new talent” said Tom Lipsky, President of Loud & Proud Records. “This band impresses in every way with their original style of songwriting, fantastic individual and collective musicianship and electrifying live performances. Additionally, they have built a legion of loyal fans from several years of relentless touring across the country as well as from successful touring of international markets on their own.  With their tough work ethic and global solid foundation, The Delta Saints will undoubtedly earn respect and success for years to come, with Loud & Proud as their long time label partner."

Ringel adds, “We are extremely excited to announce our signing with Loud and Proud Records. They are a great company who believes in good music and hard work. We're honored to have them behind the release our new album Bones and can't wait to get this record in your speakers."

The Delta Saints are a global touring band, having spent the last eight years playing the U.S. and Europe averaging about 200 shows per year, organically growing their audience fan by fan, city by city, and country by country.  They have made several major festival appearances in the U.S. at Wakarusa (which they played again this year), Summer Camp, Harvest, The Ride, Summerfest and The Simple Man Cruise.  A testament to their mixed appeal, they have opened for such diverse acts as Blackberry Smoke, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Taj Mahal, Dickey Betts and Michael Franti & Spearhead.  Having a large international fan base as well, The Delta Saints have toured Europe a total of six times, selling out countless venues and playing hundreds of shows in Spain, Sweden, France, Switzerland and Germany, as well as several festivals in Holland (Moulin Blues, Ribs and Blues), Belgium (Gevarenwinkel) and Germany (Grolsch Blues Fest).

Loud & Proud Records will release Bones in North America through RED Distribution (a division of Sony Music Entertainment) and earMUSIC will release it in the rest of the world.

U.S. TOUR DATES 

Wed Jun 10 - Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall                    

Thu Jun 11 - Hattiesburg, MS @ Marlins Grill             

Fri Jun 12 - New Orleans, LA @ Parish at House of Blues

Sat Jun 20 – Chicago, IL @ Wicker Park's Green Music Fest              

Fri Jun 26 - Raleigh, NC @ Kings Barcade                            

Sat Jun 27 - Kill Devil Hills, NC @ Port O Call           

Mon Jul 06 - Crested Butte, CO @ Alpenglow             

Tue Jul 07 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge              

Thu Jul 08 - Mountain Village, CO @ Sunset Concert Series             

Sat Jul 11 - San Luis Obispo, CA @ Seven Sisters Craft Beer And Music Festival      

Tue Jul 14 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep    

Thu Jul 15 - Omaha, NE @ Slowdown                       

Fri Jul 16 - Dubuque, IA @ The Busted Lift                  

Sat Jul 17 - Painesville, OH @ Painesville Party in the Park              

Sun Jul 18 - Indianapolis, IN @ Joker's Live               

Fri Jul 24 - Chattanooga, TN @ Camp House                        

Sat Jul 25 - Macon, GA @ Bragg Jam at The Hummingbird              

Sat 8/1 - Mammoth Lakes, CA @ Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza

Mon 8/3 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar

Tue 8/4 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Mint

Fri 8/7 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza

Sat 8/8 – Portland, OR @ Dante's

Mon 8/10 – Missoula, MT @ The Real Lounge

Tue 8/11 – Bozeman, MT @ Zebra Cocktail Lounge

Wed 8/12 – Billings, MT @ Pub Station

Fri 8/14 - Fargo, ND @ Dempsey’s Public House

Sat 8/15 – Williston, ND  @ Light Up The Wild West

Mon 8/17 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

Wed 8/19 – Madison, WI @ The Frquency

Thu 8/20 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen

Fri 8/21 - Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar

Sat 8/22 – Akron, OH @ Musica

Sun 8/23 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe

Tue 8/25 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge

Wed 8/26 – Philadelphia, PA @ MilkBoy

Thu 8/27 – Washington, DC @ DC9

Fri 8/28 - Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe

EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:

Wed 9/9 – Amsterdam, Holland @ Radio 6 live session

Thu 9/10 – Verviers, Belgium @ Spirit of 66

Fri 9/11 - Alkmaar, Holland @ Poppodium Victorie

Sat 9/12 – Zoetermeer, Holland @ Boerderij

Sun 9/13 – Koln, Germany @ Die Kantine

Tue 9/15 – Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang

Wed 9/16 – Bordesholm, Germany @ Albatros

Thu 9/17 – Krefeld, Germany @ Kulturrampe

Fri 9/18 – Isernhagen, Germany @ Blues Garage

Sat 9/19 – Worpswede, Germany @ Music Hall

Sun 9/20 – Breda, Holland @ Breda Barst Festival

Tue 9/22 – Ashaffenburg, Germany @ Colos-Saal

Wed 9/23 – München, Germany @ Garage Deluxe

Thu 9/24 – Kufstein, Austria @ Kulturfabrik

Fri 9/25 - Lyss, Switzerland @ KuFa

Sat 9/26 - Winterbach (Stuttgart), Germany @ Salierhalle

Sun 9/27 – Petershagen, Germany @ Petershagen Bluesnacht

Tue 9/29 – Fürth, Germany @ Kofferfabrik

Thu 10/1 – Oostende, Belgium @ De Post

Fri 10/2 - Beauvais, France @ Ouvre Boîte

Sat 10/3 – Limoges, France @ Espace Confluences

Sun 10/4 – Turnhout, Belgium @ OC De Djoelen

Thu 10/29 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Underbara

Fri 10/30 – Avesta, Sweden @ Bjurfors

Sat 10/31 – Oslo, Norway @ Buckley's

Sun 11/1 – Göteborg, Sweden @ Sticky Fingers

Tue 11/3 – Malmö, Sweden @ Grand Öl & Mat

Thu 11/5 – Amsterdam, Holland @ Paradiso

Fri 11/6  - Den Bosch, Holland @ W2

Sat 11/7 – Olten, Switzerland @ Schützi Olten

Sun 11/8 - Beaumont en Veron, France @ Temps des Crises

Tue 11/10 – Bilbao, Spain @ Stage Live

Wed 11/11 – Zaragoza, Spain @ Sala Lopez

Thu 11/12 - A Coruña, Spain @ Mardi Gras

Lynyrd Skynyrd One More For The Fans will be available tomorrow, July 24, 2105 on Loud & Proud Records in partnership with Blackbird Presents.  The two CD/DVD set was filmed during one special night last November as an extraordinary collection of artists came together at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA to perform and celebrate the songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the most influential bands of our time.  This unique concert event centered around performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd and features performances by music legends and young talent, culled from multiple genres including Classic Rock, Country and Americana with Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gregg Allman, Blackberry Smoke, Cheap Trick, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Randy Houser, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson, Aaron Lewis, moe., O.A.R., Robert Randolph and Donnie Van Zant all coming together to perform songs from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s extensive catalog of music.  Highlights include a special rendition of “Travelin’ Man” with Johnny Van Zant singing along with an archival video of his late brother, Ronnie performing, as well as a rousing rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” with Skynyrd inviting the entire star-studded line-up up on stage to perform along side them.

Keith Wortman, creator and executive producer of the concert event, broadcast special and music release worked with Ken Levitan and Ross Schilling who also served as executive producers of the show. Don Was led the all-star house band as musical director for the evening.

As part of the campaign to save the Fox Theatre from demolition, Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their 1976 live album, One More From The Road, at the landmark theatre. The title Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans! was inspired by that legendary album’s title.

Joining in the celebration of the legendary band was AXS TV as it served as the official broadcaster of Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans. AXS TV premiered the entire concert event July 19, allowing fans nationwide to enjoy these remarkable performances. Leading up to broadcast though were a series of clip premieres through  Yahoo! Music, Classic Rock Revisited, Relix, Rolling Stone Country and Billboard.  Lynyrd Skynyrd also recently returned to the CMT Crossroads stage with Brantley Gilbert for a performance which aired on June 27, 2015.

With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million worldwide, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to multiple generations. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to build on the legacy that began over 40 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.  Led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar),

Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, the band also includes Mark "Sparky" Matejka (guitar), Johnny Colt (bass), Peter Keys (keyboards) and The Honkettes-Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase-on background vocals.

Lynyrd Skynyrd be on the road this spring and summer (tour dates below) in select cities across the U.S.

“Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans” Track Listing:

1. Whiskey Rock-A-Roller – performed by Randy Houser

2. You Got That Right – performed by Robert Randolph & Jimmy Hall

3. Saturday Night Special – performed by Aaron Lewis

4. Workin’ For MCA – performed by Blackberry Smoke

5. Don't Ask Me No Questions – performed by O.A.R.

6. Gimme Back My Bullets – performed by Cheap Trick

7. The Ballad of Curtis Loew – performed by moe. & John Hiatt

8. Simple Man – performed by Gov't Mule

9. That Smell – performed by Warren Haynes

10.  Four Walls of Raiford – performed by Jamey Johnson

11.  I Know A Little – performed by Jason Isbell

12.  Call Me The Breeze – performed by Peter Frampton

13.  What's Your Name – performed by Trace Adkins

14.  Down South Jukin’ – performed by Charlie Daniels & Donnie Van Zant

15.  Gimme Three Steps – performed by Alabama

16.  Tuesday's Gone – performed by Gregg Allman

17.  Travelin’ Man – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd With Johnny and Ronnie – Ronnie on big screen

18.  Free Bird - performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd

19.  Sweet Home Alabama – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd and All-star ensemble

Lynyrd Skynyrd 2015 Tour Dates:

7/31 - Morton, MN – Jackpot Junction Casino

8/1 - Council Bluffs, IA – GrassRoots II Festival @ River’s Edge Park

8/2 - Littleton, CO – The Hudson Gardens & Event Center – Outdoor Amphitheatre

8/4 - Sturgis, SD – Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground

8/6 - Roseburg, OR – Douglas County Fair

8/7 - Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino

8/8 - Billings, MT – Montanafair

8/14 - Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

8/15 - Watertown, NY – Freshener/F.X. Caprara Summer Concert Series presented by DPAO at Watertown Fairgrounds

8/18 - Lewiston, NY – Artpark

8/19 - Harrisonburg, VA – Rockingham County Fair

8/21 - Avondale, IL – Eastbound Hoedown Music Festival

8/28 - Huber Heights, OH – Music Center at The Heights

9/3 - St. Paul, MN – Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

9/4 - Alton, IL  - Liberty Bank Amphitheater

9/5 - New Lenox, IL – New Lenox Commons – Community

9/6 - Wauseon, OH – Fulton County Fair

9/15 - Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery

9/17 - Jackson CA – Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel

9/20 - Scottsdale, AZ – Talking Stick Resort & Casino

10/2 - Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater

The String Cheese Incident announced their fall headline tour today.  They will play several Incidents beginning with two nights in Minneapolis on October 14.  They will also play Milwaukee, Detroit, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston and finally New York where they will play two nights at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

"There is nothing like touring through the Midwest and Northeast in the fall,” said bass player Keith Moseley. “We are psyched to get on the bus for a few weeks and hit some places we have not been to in a while.  It all leads into the third annual Suwannee Hulaween in Florida which we expect to be next level this year."

Pre-sales for these Incidents will begin on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 11:00 AM MST at https://sci.frontgatetickets.com.  Tickets will go on sale to thepublic on either Friday, August 7, 2015 or Saturday, August 8, 2015 (depending on the market).  Check www.stringcheeseincident.com for more information.

In addition to their fall headline tour, The String Cheese Incident will be playing two nights at Lockn’ Music Festival September 10-11, 2015 in Arrington, VA, one night of which they will be playing with The Doobie Brothers under the name, The Doobie Incident.  They are also headlining their three-night Halloween extravaganza Suwannee Hulaween October 30 – November 1, 2015 in Live Oak, FL which will feature performances by Pretty Lights, Primus, Chance The Rapper & The Social Experiment, STS9, ODESZA, Slightly Stoopid and many more.  The String Cheese Incident will end the year with their fourth annual New Year’s Eve headline shows in Broomfield, CO December 31 – January 2, 2016.

The String Cheese Incident have been playing many dates and festivals this year so far bringing their hugely successful Winter Carnival tour across the western half of the U.S. They have also headlined three nights at Electric Forest, two nights at High Sierra Music Festival, Gathering of the Vibes and three nights at Red Rocks which Jambands.com said, “…delivering three nights of virtuosic playing vibes to a sold-out crowd… amplified by a crystal-clear sound system and a spectacular light display which swathed the stage…the concert was raucous celebration of everything SCI fans have come to expect from the band over its 22-year career: a wide-ranging setlist, inspired jamming, and a reason for everyone with two legs in the vicinity of the stage to dance…SCI was simply on fire, and seemed to tap every measure of creativity and musicianship they brought with them to the stage.”

The String Cheese Incident released Song In My Head, their first studio album in nine years on April 29, 2014 through SCI Fidelity Records/Loud & Proud Records.  The album was produced by Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads and included 10 new songs written collaboratively by the group over the past few years.  The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.

The String Cheese Incident formed in Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado in 1993.  Over the years, the band, Bill Nershi (guitars and vocals), Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, guitar and vocals), Keith Moseley (bass and vocals), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Kyle Hollingsworth (keyboards and vocals) and Jason Hann (percussion), has played over 1,500 Incidents, including their own festivals and Incidents across the country and they have been hailed for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, community spirit, philanthropic endeavors and their innovative approach to the business of music. 

2015 Fall Tour Incidents:

October 14 – Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN

October 15 – Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN

October 16 – Riverside Theatre – Milwaukee, WI

October 17 – The Fillmore Detroit – Detroit, MI

October 19 – Lifestyle Communities Pavilion Indoors – Columbus, OH

October 20 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA

October 21 – F Shed at the Market – Syracuse, NY

October 22 – Orpheum Theatre – Boston, MA

October 23 – Theater at Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

October 24 – Theater at Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

Additional Dates/Festival Shows:

September 10 & 11 – Lockn’ Music Festival - Arrington, VA

October 30 – November 1 – Suwannee Hulaween – Live Oak, FL

December 31 – January 2, 2016 – 1STBANK Center – Broomfield, CO

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s One More For The Fans makes an impressive debut entering the Billboard Top 200 chart at #80, #41 on Top Current Albums Chart, #15 on Top Current Rock Albums chart, #14 on Album Core Genre chart and #9 on Record Label Independent chart in the U.S.

Internationally, the band topped several charts as well including nabbing the #1 spot on the UK DVD Music Video chart, #2 on the Music Video chart in Sweden, #8 on the German Top 20 Musikvideo-Charts, #5 on the Austrian TOP 40 Musik-DVD, and #67 on the Official German charts.

The two CD/DVD set, was released July 24, 2015 on Loud & Proud Records in partnership with Blackbird Productions via RED Distribution in the U.S. & Canada, and through earMUSIC, the exclusive international licensing partner to Loud & Proud Records, in the rest of the world. The concert was filmed during one special night last November as an extraordinary collection of artists came together at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA to perform and celebrate the songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the most influential bands of our time.  This uniqueconcert event centered around performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd and features performances by music legends and young talent such as Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gregg Allman, Blackberry Smoke, Cheap Trick, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Randy Houser, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson, Aaron Lewis, moe., O.A.R., Robert Randolph and Donnie Van Zant all coming together to perform songs from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s extensive catalog of music.  Highlights include a special rendition of “Travelin’ Man” with Johnny Van Zant singing along with an archival video of his late brother, Ronnie performing, as well as a rousing rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” with Skynyrd inviting the entire star-studded line-up up on stage to perform along side them.  Keith Wortman, creator and executive producer of the concert event, broadcast special and music release worked with Ken Levitan and Ross Schilling, who also served as executive producers of the show. Don Was led the all-star house band as musical director for the evening.   

Classic Rock Revisited gave One More for The Fans an A+ hailing it as, “…hands down, the BEST tribute to a band that this writer has ever seen, or heard.  It's done in a unique way, presented in stunning visual glory and contains audio so damn fine that you will swear you're sitting smack dab in the middle of Row number 10… To say this is a 'must-own' is an understatement.”

As part of the campaign to save the Fox Theatre from demolition, Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their 1976 live album, One More From The Road, at the landmark theatre. The title Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans! was inspired by that legendary album’s title.

Joining in the celebration of the legendary band was AXS TV as it served as the official broadcaster of Lynyrd Skynyrd -One More For The Fans. AXS TV premiered the entire concert event July 19, allowing fans nationwide to enjoy these remarkable performances. Leading up to broadcast though were a series of clip premieres through Yahoo! Music, Rolling Stone Country, Relix, Billboard and Classic Rock Revisited,.  Lynyrd Skynyrd also recently returned to the CMT Crossroads stage with Brantley Gilbert for a performance which aired on June 27, 2015.

With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million worldwide, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to multiple generations. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to build on the legacy that began over 40 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.  Led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, the band also includes Mark "Sparky" Matejka (guitar), Johnny Colt (bass), Peter Keys (keyboards) and The Honkettes-Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase-on background vocals.

Lynyrd Skynyrd be on the road this spring and summer (tour dates below) in select cities across the U.S.

“Lynyrd Skynyrd -One More For The Fans” Track Listing:

1.Whiskey Rock-A-Roller – performed by Randy Houser               

2.You Got That Right – performed by Robert Randolph & Jimmy Hall        

3.Saturday Night Special – performed by Aaron Lewis        

4.Workin’ For MCA – performed by Blackberry Smoke                   

5.Don't Ask Me No Questions – performed by O.A.R.  

6.Gimme Back My Bullets – performed by Cheap Trick

7.The Ballad of Curtis Loew – performed by moe. & John Hiatt

8.Simple Man – performed by Gov't Mule                

9.That Smell – performed by Warren Haynes          

10.  Four Walls of Raiford – performed by Jamey Johnson             

11.  I Know A Little – performed by Jason Isbell  

12.  Call Me The Breeze – performed by Peter Frampton

13.  What's Your Name – performed by Trace Adkins         

14.  Down South Jukin’ – performed by Charlie Daniels & Donnie Van Zant

15.  Gimme Three Steps – performed by Alabama               

16.  Tuesday's Gone – performed by Gregg Allman            

17.  Travelin’ Man – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd with Johnny & Ronnie 

18.  Free Bird - performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd

19.  Sweet Home Alabama – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd and All-star ensemble

Lynyrd Skynyrd 2015 Tour Dates:

8/6 - Roseburg, OR – Douglas County Fair

8/7 - Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino

8/8 - Billings, MT – Montanafair

8/14 - Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

8/15 - Watertown, NY – Freshener/F.X. Caprara Summer Concert Series presented by DPAO at Watertown Fairgrounds

8/18 - Lewiston, NY – Artpark

8/19 - Harrisonburg, VA – Rockingham County Fair

8/21 - Avondale, IL – Eastbound Hoedown Music Festival

8/28 - Huber Heights, OH – Music Center at The Heights

9/3 - St. Paul, MN – Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

9/4 - Alton, IL  - Liberty Bank Amphitheater

9/5 - New Lenox, IL – New Lenox Commons – Community

9/6 - Wauseon, OH – Fulton County Fair

9/15 - Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery

9/17 - Jackson CA – Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel

9/20 - Scottsdale, AZ – Talking Stick Resort & Casino

10/2 - Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater

Nashville band, The Delta Saints will release Bones on Loud & Proud Records tomorrow, August 7, 2015. Bones was produced, engineered and mixed by Third Man Records alum, Eddie Spear who has assisted on projects with Jack White, Arctic Monkeys and Neil Young to name a few. The band has been garnering praise from the press for a sound that recalls the likes of My Morning Jacket and The Black Keys.

Today, Elmore Magazine, is streaming the entire album referring to its “…roots-y vocals, gritty lyrics, and expansive, rollicking instrumentation” ahead of tomorrow’s release – listen HERE.

Popmatters premiered the track, “Heavy Hammer” saying, “…it finds the Nashville band doing what they do best: Melding barroom rock with swampy blues…With its wicked use of slide guitar and undeniable groove, it echoes the Black Keys, Clutch, and Led Zeppelin all at once…” while Relix recently premiered the video for the song – watch it HERE.

The Delta Saints are a global touring band (see all upcoming tour dates below), having spent the last eight years playing the U.S. and Europe averaging about 200 shows per year, organically growing their audience fan by fan, city by city, country by country.  They have made several major festival appearances in the U.S. at Wakarusa (which they played again this year), Summer Camp, Harvest, The Ride, Summerfest and The Simple Man Cruise. Having a large international fan base as well, The Delta Saints have toured Europe a total of six times, selling out countless venues and playing hundreds of shows in Spain, Sweden, France, Switzerland and Germany, as well as several festivals in Holland (Moulin Blues, Ribs and Blues), Belgium (Gevarenwinkel) and Germany (Grolsch Blues Fest).

Loud & Proud Records will release Bones in North America through RED Distribution (a division of Sony Music Entertainment) and earMUSIC will release it in the rest of the world.

U.S. TOUR DATES 

Fri 8/7 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza

Sat 8/8 – Portland, OR @ Dante's

Mon 8/10 – Missoula, MT @ The Real Lounge

Tue 8/11 – Bozeman, MT @ Zebra Cocktail Lounge

Wed 8/12 – Billings, MT @ Pub Station

Fri 8/14 - Fargo, ND @ Dempsey’s Public House

Sat 8/15 – Williston, ND  @ Light Up The Wild West

Mon 8/17 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

Wed 8/19 – Madison, WI @ The Frquency

Thu 8/20 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen

Fri 8/21 - Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar

Sat 8/22 – Akron, OH @ Musica

Sun 8/23 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café

Tue 8/25 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge

Wed 8/26 – Philadelphia, PA @ MilkBoy

Thu 8/27 – Washington, DC @ DC9

Fri 8/28 - Columbus, OH @ Rumba Café

Thu 9/3 – Nashville, TN @ Live on The Green 

EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:

Wed 9/9 – Amsterdam, Holland @ Radio 6 live session

Thu 9/10 – Verviers, Belgium @ Spirit of 66

Fri 9/11 - Alkmaar, Holland @ Poppodium Victorie

Sat 9/12 – Zoetermeer, Holland @ Boerderij

Sun 9/13 – Koln, Germany @ Die Kantine

Tue 9/15 – Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang

Wed 9/16 – Bordesholm, Germany @ Albatros

Thu 9/17 – Krefeld, Germany @ Kulturrampe

Fri 9/18 – Isernhagen, Germany @ Blues Garage

Sat 9/19 – Worpswede, Germany @ Music Hall

Sun 9/20 – Breda, Holland @ Breda Barst Festival

Tue 9/22 – Ashaffenburg, Germany @ Colos-Saal

Wed 9/23 – München, Germany @ Garage Deluxe

Thu 9/24 – Kufstein, Austria @ Kulturfabrik

Fri 9/25 - Lyss, Switzerland @ KuFa

Sat 9/26 - Winterbach (Stuttgart), Germany @ Salierhalle

Sun 9/27 – Petershagen, Germany @ Petershagen Bluesnacht

Tue 9/29 – Fürth, Germany @ Kofferfabrik

Thu 10/1 – Oostende, Belgium @ De Post

Fri 10/2 - Beauvais, France @ Ouvre Boîte

Sat 10/3 – Limoges, France @ Espace Confluences

Sun 10/4 – Turnhout, Belgium @ OC De Djoelen

Thu 10/29 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Underbara

Fri 10/30 – Avesta, Sweden @ Bjurfors

Sat 10/31 – Oslo, Norway @ Buckley's

Sun 11/1 – Göteborg, Sweden @ Sticky Fingers

Tue 11/3 – Malmö, Sweden @ Grand Öl & Mat

Thu 11/5 – Amsterdam, Holland  @ Paradiso

Fri 11/6 - Den Bosch, Holland @ W2

Sat 11/7 – Olten, Switzerland @ Schützi Olten

Sun 11/8 - Beaumont en Veron, France @ Temps des Crises

Tue 11/10 – Bilbao, Spain @ Stage Live

Wed 11/11 – Zaragoza, Spain @ Sala Lopez

Thu 11/12 - A Coruña, Spain @ Mardi Gras

Fri 11/13 - Vigo/Cangas, Spain @ Salason

Sat 11/14 – Aviles, Spain @ Centro Niemeyer

Sun 11/15 – Leon, Spain @ Espacio Vias

Tue 11/17 – Valladolid, Spain @ Porta Caeli

Wed 11/18 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Caracol

Thu 11/19 – Estepona, Spain @ Louie Louie

Fri 11/20 – Alicante, Spain @ Sala Caja Negra de Las Cigarreras

Sat 11/21 – Barcelona, Spain @ Music Hall

Sun 11/22 – Valencia, Spain @ Rock City

VEVO has exclusively premiered the new music video from GRAMMY award-winning band Blues Traveler for the song “Blow Up The Moon” off their April 7^th release of the same name, Blow Up The Moon.  “Blow Up The Moon,” featuring Blues Traveler with JC Chasez and 3OH!3 – watch it HERE, was created using the new Rockstar Games Rockstar Editor, a special feature in Grand Theft Auto V for PC that allows players to record, edit, and share videos created from footage in both Story Mode and GTA Online.  All of the live action shots were filmed on GoPros.

"Our video director, Will Schmidt, came to us with the idea of using Rockstar Editor in Grand Theft Auto V and we were intrigued and psyched to try it out,” said the band. “We thought it would be a cool idea to create a music video using the technology they provide and since we haven’t seen anyone else out there doing this yet, we thought it would be a great idea for the song.   We are over the moon with the results.  We think the video turned out great and hope our fans and the fans of GTA will love it too."

Blues Traveler released Blow Up The Moon on April 7th on Loud & Proud Records and features clever collaborations between various artists including Thompson Square, Plain White T’s, 3OH!3, Hanson, Jewel, Secondhand Serenade, JC Chasez (*NSYNC), Bowling for Soup, New Hollow and Thomas Ian Nicholas.  Blow Up The Moon sees Blues Traveler keep an open-minded perspective on making music and enlists an eclectic mix of songwriters influenced by the band’s remarkable 25+ year career that includes multi-platinum albums and a commanding live show that continues to draw thousands of fans.

Blues Traveler have been on the road in support of Blow Up The Moon playing for massive crowds and spurring amazing off-the-cuff and unexpected collaborations between John Popper and such artists as Passion Pit, Foo Fighters (see it HERE) and at Red Rocks with Hanson, JC Chasez, Guster, 3Oh!3 and Rome Ramirez from Sublime (see it HERE) to name a few.  For all Blues Traveler tour dates click HERE.

http://vevo.ly/YnP6nr

Indie folk-pop husband and wifeduo Jenny & Tyler sign with upstart record label Residence Music and will team up to release Of This I’m Sure on October 16, 2015.  The twelve-song set was produced by Gabe Scott (with the exception of one track), who has played on various albums by such artists as The Civil Wars, Ingrid Michaelson and Matt Kearney.  Vast, lush and soaring at times, their easy voices blend in harmonies that suggest a deep hope and a deep ache intertwined.

Of This I’m Sure is representative of Jenny & Tyler’s diverse set of musical influences which are deeply rooted in the lyrically emotive stylings of such artists as Glen Hansard, Foy Vance and Laura Marling who have all provided sonic inspiration for the duo.  The album’s first single, “Song For You,” produced by Gabe Scott and Joe Causey, is a haunting entreaty of unrequited love that begins in sparse simplicity and steadily builds to a vast crescendo of emotion.  The track can be heard today exclusively on Popmatters (Listen HERE) who says of the track, “With a similar vocal chemistry to Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová but also a real knack for the dynamic bombast of Coldplay…”and will go to AAA radio on September 21, 2015.

Of the signing, Andrew Lambeth, Manager, Artist Development Residence Music says, “We are excited for the launch of Residence Music and to partner with Jenny & Tyler on the release of Of This I’m Sure.  In our high-risk industry, the push to have a blockbuster can hurt the real growth of talented artists. With Residence Music, our goal is to partner with artists such as Jenny & Tyler who have a clear vision of what they want to do with their music and our hope is to build careers over time rather than swinging for the fences. These artists make their music with a powerful purpose, and with that same purpose we know we can grow sustainable careers. "

“We’ve been doing music independently for years and didn’t know if it would ever make sense to sign with a label,” says Tyler.  “But the people who started Residence Music have an artistic vision that matches up perfectly with our own. They want to make music without boundaries, and that’s what we’re all about too. It seemed like a perfect fit.”  Jenny adds, “They’re taking artists that don’t fit in a box and trying to help them flourish. We trust the people at the label and believe that they can take our vision as artists, and help translate it into something even bigger.” 

Pre-orders for Of This I’m Sure begins September 18, 2015. "Song For You" and "Walk With You" will be available as instant grat tracks on Amazon & iTunes and as stand alone singles through all other outlets.

Though Jenny & Tyler agree that their previous indie release, Faint Not, is the one that really marked the beginning of their careers, they both see their official label debut with Residence Music as a huge step forward. On Of This I’m Sure, Jenny & Tyler’s vocal pairings take center stage.  While the songwriting chemistry that exists between them is evident, it goes back to their college days when they first met on a bus and started backing each other up as solo performers. 

Jenny & Tyler, who moved to Nashville from Delaware, have already won a dedicated following of fan-friends on tour by crisscrossing the country. They will take their new songs on the road beginning September 25, 2015 in Nashville.

Residence Music is distributed by Caroline Distribution (a division of Universal Music) who will handle all retail and online music distribution to the marketplace.

TOUR DATES:

9/25 – Nashville, TN @ SoulShine 

9/26 - Chattanooga, TN @ Camp House 

9/27 – Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic

10/2 - Naperville, IL @ The Union at Naperville University 

10/3 - Upland, IN @ Taylor University 

10/7 – St. Paul, MN @ Northwestern University

10/8 – Marshfield, WI @ Vox 

10/10 - Green Bay, WI @ Cup O Joy 

10/11 - Ames, IA @ Zeke’s 

10/21 – Buies Creek, NC @ Campbell University 

10/23 – Knoxville, TN @ Johnson University 

10/25 – Greenville, SC @ Moe Joe’s 

10/30 - Washington, DC @ Ebenezers Coffeehouse 

11/4 – Wilmington, DE @ World Cafe Life 

11/5 - Steubenville, OH @ The Harmonium Project 

11/7 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Jacob’s Well 

11/11 – San Antonio, TX @ Sam’s Burger Joint 

11/12 – Waco, TX @ Common Grounds 

11/13 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues 

11/14 – Austin, TX @ The Parish

The String Cheese Incident is thrilled to announce the release of Rhythm of the Road: Volume 2, Live In Las Vegas – the second installment of SCI’s live archival series that highlights the band’s most celebrated concerts with re-mastered limited edition releases.  The three-disc set will be released on October 9, 2015 on SCI Fidelity Records.

The String Cheese Incident were in the middle of their 2001 coast-to-coast summer tour when they pulled into Las Vegas for the band’s first ever, “Sin City Incidents.” Touring in support of the band’s new studio album “Outside Inside,” and a couple days after the live Austin City Limits TV taping, the band settled into the Aladdin Theatre in July 2001 for two incredible late-night Incidents. Rhythm of the Road: Volume 2, Live In Las Vegas features the best moments of that two night run and includes fan favorites such as “San José” and “Howard,” as well as rare bust-outs like “SKAT” and more. The audio has been completely re-mixed and re-mastered, creating a listening experience that all SCI fans will enjoy.

“We are excited to be releasing the second installment of our Rhythm of the Road live series,” said bass player Keith Moseley.  “It’s always fun to listen back through the archives and find old shows that we consider to be important shows in our band’s history. Las Vegas is always a big party and these shows in 2001 were no different.  It was July in Vegas so it was really hot.  Everyone was really going for it musically, stretching out some long jams during these late night shows.  This compilation features some songs we’ve never really officially released like ‘Dirk,’ ‘Cedar Laurels,’ ‘Howard,’ ‘Windy Mountain,’ ‘Turn This Around’ and many others.  We are real proud of it.”

Pre-orders for album are available now through the official SCI online store: http://bit.ly/1VNANEU. Those who pre-order the album will automatically be entered to win one of several prizes – one hundred people will be randomly selected to receive a signed copy Rhythm of the Road: Volume 2, Live In Las Vegas.  Ten second prize winners will receive free MP3 downloads of every Las Vegas show that is available on LiveCheese.com, five first prize winners will receive the MP3’s as well as the official Aladdin Theatre show poster from 2001 signed by the band.  One grand prize winner will win a pair of tickets to all three SCI NYE shows in Colorado as well as the MP3’s and signed poster.

The String Cheese Incident released Song In My Head, their first studio album in nine years in 2014 through SCI Fidelity Records/Loud & Proud Records.  The album was produced by Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads and included 10 new songs written collaboratively by the group over the past few years.  The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.  For more information please click HERE.

The String Cheese Incident formed in Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado in 1993.  Over the years, the band, Bill Nershi (guitars and vocals), Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, guitar and vocals), Keith Moseley (bass and vocals), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Kyle Hollingsworth (keyboards and vocals) and Jason Hann (percussion), has played over 1,500 Incidents, including their own festivals and Incidents across the country and they have been hailed for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, community spirit, philanthropic endeavors and their innovative approach to the business of music. 

The band will begin their fall tour in Minneapolis on October 14.  Track listing for Rhythm of the Road: Volume 2, Live In Las Vegas and all tour dates are listed below.

Rhythm of the Road: Volume 2, Live In Las Vegas Track Listing:

Disc 1

01.    Intro

02.    San José

03.    Got What He Wanted

04.    Freedom Jazz Dance

05.    Why You Been Gone So Long

06.    Cedar Laurels

07.    Sittin’ On Top of the World

08.    SKAT

09.    Black and White

Disc 2

01.    Get Down Tonight

02.    Howard

03.    Windy Mountain

04.    Turn This Around 

05.    Daryl

Disc 3

01.   Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

02.   Desert Passage Jam 

03.   Come As You Are

04.   Let It Go

05.   Dirk

06.   Mouna Bowa 

07.   Aladdin Jam 

08.   Shantytown

Tour Dates:

October 14 – Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN

October 15 – Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN

October 16 – Riverside Theatre – Milwaukee, WI

October 17 – The Fillmore Detroit – Detroit, MI

October 19 – Lifestyle Communities Pavilion Indoors – Columbus, OH

October 20 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA

October 21 – F Shed at the Market – Syracuse, NY

October 22 – Orpheum Theatre – Boston, MA

October 23 – Theater at Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

October 24 – Theater at Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

October 30 – November 1 – Suwannee Hulaween – Live Oak, FL

December 31 – January 2, 2016 – 1STBANK Center – Broomfield, CO

Indie folk-pop husband and wife duo Jenny & Tyler will release Of This I’m Sure tomorrow, October 16, 2015 through upstart record label Residence Music.  The twelve-song set was produced by Gabe Scott (with the exception of one track), who has played on various albums by such artists as The Civil Wars, Ingrid Michaelson and Matt Kearney.  Vast, lush and soaring at times, their easy voices blend in harmonies that suggest a deep hope and a deep ache intertwined. Popmatters says the duo has “…a similar vocal chemistry to Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová but also a real knack for the dynamic bombast of Coldplay…”

Of This I’m Sure is representative of Jenny & Tyler’s diverse set of musical influences which are deeply rooted in the lyrically emotive stylings of such artists as Glen Hansard, Foy Vance and Laura Marling, to name a few, who have all provided sonic inspiration for the duo.  The album’s first single, “Song For You,” produced by Gabe Scott and Joe Causey, is a haunting entreaty of unrequited love that begins in sparse simplicity and steadily builds to a vast crescendo of emotion.

On Of This I’m Sure, Jenny & Tyler’s vocal pairings take center stage. The songwriting chemistry that exists between them is evident as it goes back to their college days in Delaware when they first met on a bus and started backing each other up as solo performers.

Jenny & Tyler now reside in Nashville and have been touring with their two young daughters throughout the country; remaining U.S. tour dates are listed below.  They also just announced that they will be playing a special show in New York at Rockwood Music Hall on November 3, 2015.

Residence Music is distributed by Caroline Distribution (a division of Universal Music) who will handle all retail and online music distribution to the marketplace.

TOUR DATES:

10/21 – Buies Creek, NC @ Campbell University

10/23 – Knoxville, TN @ Johnson University 

10/25 – Greenville, SC @ Moe Joe’s

10/30 - Washington, DC @ Ebenezers Coffeehouse

11/3 – New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall

11/4 – Wilmington, DE @ World Cafe Life

11/5 - Steubenville, OH @ The Harmonium Project

11/7 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Jacob’s Well

11/11 – San Antonio, TX @ Sam’s Burger Joint

11/12 – Waco, TX @ Common Grounds

11/13 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues

11/14 – Austin, TX @ The Parish

Nashville band, The Delta Saints, who recently released their album, Bones on August 7, 2015 has been touring the world in support of their debut album with Loud & Proud Records.  Bones was produced, engineered and mixed by Third Man Records alum, Eddie Spear who has assisted on projects with Jack White, Arctic Monkeys and Neil Young to name a few. 

The band has been garnering praise in the press (see below) for a sound that is all their own but with hints of My Morning Jacket, The Black Keys and The White Stripes thrown in for good measure.  Recently, Chrissie Hynde was a guest on Bravo’s "Watch What Happen Live" and told a caller that she saw The Delta Saints play Akron, OH, that they are a “great band” and suggested that people buy Bones -  watch HERE.   And today, Daytrotter released their live session with the band.  Listen to it HERE.

The Delta Saints are a global touring band having spent the last eight years playing festivals and sold out headline shows in the U.S. and across Europe averaging about 200 shows per year, organically growing their audience fan by fan, city by city, country by country.  They are currently on tour playing several dates in Europe but will be back in the States to play a headline tour beginning December 3, 2015 in Lawrence, KS and will finish up in Nashville to play a special New Year’s Eve show at Marathon Music Works (all dates listed below). If you can’t make it out to a show this run, watch a special Audiotree Live session of the band performing songs off Bones HERE.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

DECEMBER U.S. TOUR DATES:

Thurs 12/3 - Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck          

Fri 12/4 - Columbia, MO @ Rose Music Hall            

Sat 12/5 - St. Louis, MO @ Duck Room at Blueberry Hill                 

Mon 12/7 - Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco          

Tue 12/8 - Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5                   

Wed 12/9 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits                       

Thur 12/10 - St Petersburg, FL @ Local 662            

Fri 12/11 - Orlando, FL @ BackBooth                       

Sat 12/12 - Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall                      

Thur 12/31 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

CURRENT EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:

Sun 11/1 – Göteborg, Sweden @ Sticky Fingers

Tue 11/3 – Malmö, Sweden @ Grand Öl & Mat

Thu 11/5 – Amsterdam, Holland @ Paradiso

Fri 11/6 - Den Bosch, Holland @ W2

Sat 11/7 – Olten, Switzerland @ Schützi Olten

Sun 11/8 - Beaumont en Veron, France @ Temps des Crises

Tue 11/10 – Bilbao, Spain @ Stage Live

Wed 11/11 – Zaragoza, Spain @ Sala Lopez

Thu 11/12 - A Coruña, Spain @ Mardi Gras

Fri 11/13 - Vigo/Cangas, Spain @ Salason

Sat 11/14 – Aviles, Spain @ Centro Niemeyer

Sun 11/15 – Leon, Spain @ Espacio Vias

Tue 11/17 – Valladolid, Spain @ Porta Caeli

Wed 11/18 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Caracol

Thu 11/19 – Estepona, Spain @ Louie Louie

Fri 11/20 – Alicante, Spain @ Sala Caja Negra de Las Cigarreras

Sat 11/21 – Barcelona, Spain @ Music Hall

Sun 11/22 – Valencia, Spain @ Rock City

Following their upcoming “March Madness” tour and three nights of headlining Electric Forest, The String Cheese Incident will celebrate Independence Day by kicking off their summer tour in Asheville, NC where they will play two “Independence Incidents” in Asheville and two in Atlanta, GA followed by dates in Cooperstown, NY, Columbia, MD and Portsmouth, VA.  SCI will return to Red Rocks Amphitheatre in July for three nights at the famed venue in Morrison, CO, followed by two dates in Missoula, MT, one night in Redmond, WA, two dates in Eugene, OR, a headline slot in Scranton, PA at The Peach Music Festival and finally two nights at the newly reopened historic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, NY to conclude the tour.

Tickets are available for the Red Rocks dates now.  SCI Fan Club members can purchase tickets for the rest of the tour beginning Wednesday, March 9 at 10:00am PST/ 11:00 MST / 1:00pm EST with the general public on sale Friday, March 11.  All tickets can be purchased through the band’s ticketing site: http://stringcheeseincident.com/tour/.  

The String Cheese Incident are also in the process of recording a new studio album working for a second time with producer Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads.  More information will be announced soon.  The String Cheese Incident released Song In My Head, their first studio album in nine years in 2014 which was also produced by Harrison.  The album included 10 new songs written collaboratively by the group and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.   

The String Cheese Incident formed in Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado in 1993.  Over the years, the band, Bill Nershi (guitars and vocals), Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, guitar and vocals), Keith Moseley (bass and vocals), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Kyle Hollingsworth (keyboards and vocals) and Jason Hann (percussion), has played over 1,500 Incidents, including their own festivals and Incidents across the country and they have been hailed for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, community spirit, philanthropic endeavors and their innovative approach to the business of music. 

Tour Dates:

Friday, June 24, 2016 – Rothbury, MI @ Electric Forest

Saturday, June 25, 2016 – Rothbury, MI @ Electric Forest

Sunday, June 26, 2016 – Rothbury, MI @ Electric Forest

Friday, July 1, 2016 – Asheville, NC @ US Cellular Center Exploreasheville.com Arena

Saturday, July 2, 2016 – Asheville, NC @ US Cellular Center Exploreasheville.com Arena 

Sunday, July 3, 2016 – Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park

Monday, July 4, 2016 – Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park

Friday, July 8, 2016 – Cooperstown, NY @ Brewery Ommegang w/ Twiddle

Saturday, July 9, 2016 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion

Sunday, July 10, 2016 – Portsmouth, VA @ Portsmouth Pavilion w/ Yonder Mountain String Band

Friday, July 15, 2016 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ TAUK

Saturday, July 16, 2016 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Kamasi Washington

Sunday, July 17, 2016 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Hot Rize

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 – Missoula, MT @ Big Sky Brewing Company

Thursday, July 21, 2016– Missoula, MT @ Big Sky Brewing Company

Friday, July 22, 2016 – Redmond, WA @ Marymoor Amphitheater

Saturday, July 23, 2016 – Eugene, OR @ Cuthbert Amphitheatre

Sunday, July 24, 2016 – Eugene, OR @ Cuthbert Amphitheatre

Friday, August 12, 2016 – Scranton, PA @ The Peach Music Festival Montage Mountain

Saturday, August 13, 2016 – Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre

Sunday, August 14, 2016 – Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre

Jonathan Jackson + Enation have returned to the studio with Grammy nominated producer Greg Archilla (Matchbox 20, Collective Soul) to record Blame-shifter, their new EP they’ll self –release on their own label, Hilasterion Records (distributed through Sony RED) on May 13, 2016. Jonathan, on break from filming his hit TV show, recorded five new songs for the band’s EP plus a cover of “Unchained Melody” recorded live at The Grand Ole Opry.  The new songs will also be a part of their next full length album which will be announced later this year. 

The past two years have been a whirlwind for the band. They partnered with Loud & Proud Records to release Radio Cinematic, which Billboard Magazine called “…contemporary, anthemic rock -- Jackson proudly wears the influence of U2, Peter Gabriel and Coldplay on his sleeve as influences -- is certainly something different…” and Rolling Stone said is “Filled with electric guitars, chest-beating vocals and swirling synths…” 

For this release, the band decided to be fully independent again so they can be more interactive with their fans. They created a PledgeMusic pre-order campaign to allow their fans to be a part of the making of Blame-shifter.  Their fans will be the first to get the new EP as well as have access to exclusive experiences and items, which will only be available until April 5, including a variety of autographed merchandise options, a making of Blame-shifter documentary film, VIP meet & greet opportunities and even an executive producer credit on the album among other great selections that are still available.

"We’re so excited about our brand new music and the opportunity to hit the road and share it with our fans,” says the band. “We made a record that has its roots in the kind of alt rock and live energy we grew up with. Partnering with our fans through Pledgemusic has been invigorating and we can’t wait to play the new music on tour this summer!” 

Jonathan Jackson is a five-time Daytime EMMY® Award-winning actor for his role in General Hospital. He is also known for his roles in many other projects, including Deep End of the Ocean, Tuck Everlasting, Insomnia and currently stars as “Avery Barkley” in the primetime drama Nashville. Following Jonathan’s solo dates with his TV show, Jonathan Jackson + Enation will take their new songs on the road this spring and summer. 

Jonathan Jackson + Enation is Jonathan Jackson (vocals, guitar), Richard Lee Jackson (drums) and Daniel Sweatt (bass).

Blame-shifter Track Listing:

1.     “Ascending”

2.     “Blame-shifter”

3.     “Alleluia”

4.     “Let The Beauty Out”

5.     “Wasteland”

6.     “Unchained Melody” (Live At The Grand Ole Opry)

Jonathan Jackson Solo Tour Dates:

‪April 14‪ – San Jose, CA @ City National Civic

April 15 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian

April 16 – Los Angeles, CA @ Microsoft Theater

April 17 – Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre

April 19 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre

April 21 – Tulsa, OK @ Brady Theater

‪May 3‪ – Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall

May 5 – New York, NY @ The Theater at MSG

May 6 – Boston, MA @ Wang Theatre

May 7 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena

Jonathan Jackson + Enation Tour Dates (More Dates TBA):

May 19 - Indianapolis, IN @ The HI-FI       

May 20 - Columbus, OH @ A and R Music Bar

May 21 - Pittsburgh, PA @ The Club at Stage AE

June 4 - Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads Saloon                 

June 18 - Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre

Loud & Proud Records will release Red White & Blue (Live), a recently unearthed live Van Zant show recorded on January 28, 2006 at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia and is the only concert recording in existence from the only tour by brothers Johnny (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie (38 Special).

The concert opens with the crowd-pleasing “Takin’ Up Space,” and includes their 2005 hit “Help Somebody,” which reached #7 on the Country Singles chart. The brothers also perform fan-favorite versions of 38 Special’s “Wild Eyed Southern Boys,” which Johnny sings for the first time, as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Call Me the Breeze” and “Sweet Home Alabama.”

One of the most telling lines is from the title track, “Red White & Blue,” a song the Van Zants wrote which first appeared on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 2003 album Vicious Cycle is, “We’re trying to sing the truth to you.” That line alone encapsulates exactly why the Van Zants have always had such a deep connection with their audiences. But Red White & Blue (Live) may have been lost if it hadn’t been for the man known as “LJ,” Donnie’s longtime 38 Special bandmate, bassist Larry Junstrom. LJ had just bought some mobile recording equipment and asked permission to record the show with his then-new Pro Tools rig. He recorded the concert and then some months later called Donnie and urged him to listen to what he captured.  Donnie knew it was a good show, but he couldn’t believe how good. The plan was always to release it, but somehow the recording was forgotten about until recently. After fans had been repeatedly asking for another Van Zant project, LJ reminded the brothers of the live concert’s existence.  “The plan was always to enjoy ourselves and have fun,” says Donnie, “and this recording captures a moment when we had a great night.”

The brothers joined together over twenty years ago to form Van Zant and have delved deep into the family’s country-tinged roots. The two were inspired by the fact that their late brother, Ronnie, the spiritual leader and original lead vocalist and chief songwriter for Lynyrd Skynyrd, had always wanted to do a country record. “Let’s do it for Ronnie,” avowed the brothers. The Van Zant’s significant contribution to southern rock, country and popular music across the board has created an unparalleled legacy and is the reason they have been dubbed The First Family of Southern Rock. “It has been quite a while since Donnie and I have worked together on a project,” says Johnny Van Zant. “We can't wait to see what the fans think. We love it, so we hope they do too.”

Red White & Blue (Live)Track Listing:

1. Takin’ Up Space

2. Ain’t Nobody Gonna Tell Me What To Do

3. Sweet Mama

4. Wild Eyed Southern Boys (originally performed by 38 Special)

5. Things I Miss The Most

6. I Know My History

7. Help Somebody

8. Plain Jane

9. I Can’t Help Myself

10. I’m Doin’ Alright

11. Red White & Blue

12. My Kind Of Country

13. Call Me The Breeze (originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd)

14. Sweet Home Alabama (originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Blackfoot, the Southern American rock band who were originally formed in 1970’s by current lead guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rickey Medlocke, are back with a new line-up and will release Southern Native on Loud & Proud Records, August 5, 2016.  Over the last two years, Medlocke wrote, performed on and produced Southern Native.

Blackfoot has always been defined by their hard rock edge as evident on their most successful singles “Train, Train” and “Highway Song.”   In 2012, under Medlocke’s sturdy guidance, he recruited a completely new ensemble. The Jacksonville, Florida-based foursome, including lead guitarist/vocalist Tim Rossi, guitarist/vocalist Rick Krasowski, bassist Brian Carpenter and drummer Matt Anastasi, are carrying the torch for the next generation with their hard-driving sound.

"This record is head to head old school meets new school, classic to new rock for a brand new generation!" says Medlocke, “Turn it up loud!”

“Rickey bridged the generations by having his grandfather Shorty Medlocke play on those early Blackfoot records,” said lead guitarist/vocalist Tim Rossi “so having Rickey play slide and other guitar with us on this record bridges the modern gap. It’s a full-circle kind of thing.”  That forward-moving proof can be found deep within the music of Southern Native, from the proud heritage callbacks of the title track to the tasty slide-driven travelogue of “Take Me Home” to the harmonic ramrod-riffage twist on Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s powerful “Ohio” (which includes quite a shrewd lyrical shout-out at the end).

Blackfoot have toured extensively over the past few years re-igniting their fanbase while introducing the new Blackfoot music and its members to fans of other Southern rock artists such as Skynyrd.  Blackfoot will be touring all summer in support of Southern Native.

Track Listing:

1. Need My Ride

2. Southern Native

3. Everyman

4. Call Of A Hero

5. Take Me Home

6. Whiskey Train

7. Satisfied Man

8. Ohio

9. Love This Town

10. Diablo Loves Guitar

Tour Dates:

June 15 - Westland, MI @ The Token Lounge

June 16 - Saint Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre

June 18 - Brooklyn, MI @ Jerry’s Pub

June 19 - Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum Center

July 2 - Guntersville, AL @ Lake City Amusement Park

July 8 - Bonner Springs, KS @ Providence Medical Center Amphitheater (w/ Lynyrd Skynyrd)

July 9 – Fremont, NE @ John C Fremont Days

July 15 -  Mebane, NC @ Whiskey Sours

July 16 - Greenville, SC @ Gottrocks

July 21 – Salisbury, MD @ Headquarters Live

July 22 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance Theater

July 24 - Long Branch, NJ @ Brighton Bar

Aug 13 - Ringle, WI @ Q and Z Expo

Aug 19 – Dallas, TX @ Trees

Aug 20 – San Antonio, TX @ Cadillac Bar

Aug 27 - Oxford, AL @ Rumble Motorcycle Rally

Sept 2 - Tazewell, TN @ Smoke In The Valley

Sept 17 - Bainbridge, GA @ Flint River Jam

Sept 23 - Stafford Springs, CT @ Palace Theater

Sept 24 - Kent Narrows, ND @ Island Bay Day

Loud & Proud Records will release Red White & Blue (Live) tomorrow, July 1.   The album is a recently unearthed live Van Zant show recorded on January 28, 2006 at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia and is the only concert recording in existence from the only tour by brothers Johnny (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie (38 Special). 

"We are really excited for this album to come out right before the Fourth of July, to celebrate the independence of our country,” says the Van Zant brothers. “We hope everyone rocks out to RED WHITE and BLUE all day!” 

Watch the patriotic lyric video for “Red White & Blue (Live)” HERE.

Red White & Blue (Live) is available for purchase through Amazon and iTunes while the webstore is offering an exclusive bundle with CD.  Late patriarch Lacy Van Zant, father of brothers Ronnie, Donnie and Johnny, compiled family photographs and memories and put together The Van Zant Family Southern Music Scrap Book. Lacy said, “I have written this book for you, the fans." The book chronicles the family history, with 200 photographs of family members and memories. Each book is personally autographed by Johnny and Donnie Van Zant.  Purchase it HERE.

Red White & Blue (Live) opens with the crowd-pleasing “Takin’ Up Space,” and includes their 2005 hit “Help Somebody,” which reached #7 on the Country Singles chart. The brothers also perform fan-favorite versions of 38 Special’s “Wild Eyed Southern Boys,” which Johnny sings for the first time, as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Call Me the Breeze” and “Sweet Home Alabama.”

One of the most telling lines is from the title track, “Red White & Blue,” a song the Van Zants wrote which first appeared on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 2003 album Vicious Cycle is, “We’re trying to sing the truth to you.” That line alone encapsulates exactly why the Van Zants have always had such a deep connection with their audiences. But Red White & Blue (Live) may have been lost if it hadn’t been for the man known as “LJ,” Donnie’s longtime 38 Special bandmate, bassist Larry Junstrom. LJ had just bought some mobile recording equipment and asked permission to record the show with his then-new Pro Tools rig. He recorded the concert and then some months later called Donnie and urged him to listen to what he captured.  Donnie knew it was a good show, but he couldn’t believe how good. The plan was always to release it, but somehow the recording was forgotten about until recently. After fans had been repeatedly asking for another Van Zant project, LJ reminded the brothers of the live concert’s existence.  “The plan was always to enjoy ourselves and have fun,” says Donnie, “and this recording captures a moment when we had a great night.”

The brothers joined together over twenty years ago to form Van Zant and have delved deep into the family’s country-tinged roots. The two were inspired by the fact that their late brother, Ronnie, the spiritual leader and original lead vocalist and chief songwriter for Lynyrd Skynyrd, had always wanted to do a country record. “Let’s do it for Ronnie,” avowed the brothers. The Van Zant’s significant contribution to southern rock, country and popular music across the board has created an unparalleled legacy and is the reason they have been dubbed The First Family of Southern Rock. “It has been quite a while since Donnie and I have worked together on a project,” says Johnny Van Zant. “We can't wait to see what the fans think. We love it, so we hope they do too.”

Red White & Blue (Live)Track Listing:

1. Takin’ Up Space

2. Ain’t Nobody Gonna Tell Me What To Do

3. Sweet Mama

4. Wild Eyed Southern Boys (originally performed by 38 Special)

5. Things I Miss The Most

6. I Know My History

7. Help Somebody

8. Plain Jane

9. I Can’t Help Myself

10. I’m Doin’ Alright

11. Red White & Blue

12. My Kind Of Country

13. Call Me The Breeze (originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd)

14. Sweet Home Alabama (originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Nashville band, The Delta Saints, who released their album Bones last August with Loud & Proud Records, just released a special edition version of it digitally on July 15, 2016.  The Bones special edition includes six bonus tracks - three b-sides and three live versions of album tracks, that were recorded during the filming of live performance music videos at Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville.  Relix Magazine is premiering the live video for “Berlin” today.  Watch it HERE.  Bones was produced, engineered and mixed by Third Man Records alum, Eddie Spear who has assisted on projects with Jack White, Arctic Monkeys and Neil Young to name a few.

The Delta Saints have been garnering praise (see below) for a sound that is all their own but with hints of My Morning Jacket, The Black Keys and The White Stripes thrown in for good measure.  They even received an stellar endorsement from the legendary Chrissie Hynde who was a guest on Bravo’s "Watch What Happen Live" last year telling a caller that she saw The Delta Saints play Akron, OH, that they are a “great band” and suggested that people buy Bones -  watch HERE.

The Delta Saints have spent the last nine years playing festivals and sold out headline shows in the U.S. and across Europe averaging about 200 shows per year, organically growing their audience.  They have performed at several festivals in the U.S. including Summer Camp, Harvest, The Ride, Summerfest, Wakarusa and The Simple Man Cruise.  They have also been selling out countless venues in across Europe, including Spain, Sweden, France, Switzerland and Germany, as well performing at several festivals in Holland (Moulin Blues, Ribs and Blues), Belgium (Gevarenwinkel) and Germany (Grolsch Blues Fest).  They just returned from a European tour and will begin their U.S. summer tour playing Elliston Place Street Fest in Nashville on July 23 playing show with Diarrhea Planet (see dates below).

Purchase the Bones special edition through iTunes now.

Blackfoot, the Southern American rock band who were originally formed in 1970’s by current lead guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rickey Medlock, are back with a new line-up and will release Southern Native on Loud & Proud Records, August 5, 2016.  Over the last two years, Medlock wrote, performed on and produced Southern Native.  Fans can watch the music video for the title track, “Southern Native” today exclusively on Ultimate Class Rock, who said of the song , “…it’s clear that Blackfoot retain the hard-edged Southern rock sound that defined earlier favorites…” Watch it HERE. 

Blackfoot has always been defined by their hard rock edge as evident on their most successful singles “Train, Train” and “Highway Song.”   In 2012, under Medlock’s sturdy guidance, he recruited a completely new ensemble. The Florida-based foursome, including lead guitarist/vocalist Tim Rossi, guitarist/vocalist Rick Krasowski, bassist Brian Carpenter and drummer Matt Anastasi, are carrying the torch for the next generation with their hard-driving sound.  Pure Grain Audio praised the band for their “…raw energy and enthusiasm…this assured-sounding foursome undoubtedly possess the talent required to take southern rock deeper into the 21st century.”

Blackfoot has toured extensively over the past few years re-igniting their fanbase while introducing their new music and its members to fans of other Southern rock artists such as Skynyrd.  Blackfoot will be touring for the rest of the year in support of Southern Native beginning August 18 in Tulsa, OK at The Vanguard (tour dates below).

Fans can pre-order the album now through iTunes or Amazon.

Southern Native Track Listing:

1. Need My Ride

2. Southern Native

3. Everyman

4. Call Of A Hero

5. Take Me Home

6. Whiskey Train

7. Satisfied Man

8. Ohio

9. Love This Town

10. Diablo Loves Guitar

Tour Dates:

Aug 18 – Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard

Aug 19 – Dallas, TX @ Trees

Aug 20 – San Antonio, TX @ Cadillac Bar

Aug 21 – San Leon, TX @ 18^th Street Pier Bar And Grill

Aug 27 – Castle Hayne, NC @ Redneck Yacht Club

Sept 2 - Tazewell, TN @ Smoke In The Valley

Sept 17 - Bainbridge, GA @ Flint River Jam

Sept 23 - Stafford Springs, CT @ Palace Theater

Sept 24 - Kent Narrows, ND @ Island Bay Day

Sept 25 – Stanhope, NJ @ The Stanhope House

Oct 1 – Marietta, GA @ 120 Tavern And Music Hall

Oct 2 - Knoxville, TN @ The Open Chord

Oct 6 – Blackfoot, ID @ Blackfoot Performing Arts Center

Nov 15 – New York, NY @ BB Kings

Nov 23 – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre

Nov 26 – Palm Bay, FL @ Space Coast Harley Davidson

Irish band, Bell X1, undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most beloved bands, is back with their seventh studio album, ARMS, out October 14, 2016.  ARMS is the follow up to their 2013 critically acclaimed album Chop Chop, which became the trio’s third #1 album on the Irish Album Charts and their fourth consecutive album to be nominated for a Choice Music Prize for “Irish Album of the Year.”

ARMS is a nine-song collection radiating with shabby grace and soft-focus elegance, but there’s also a bruised, bittersweet, romantic mood throughout. Melancholic and lovelorn in places but also spirited, determined and optimistic which speaks volumes about how the band has grown sonically over their storied career.  “This has been the most difficult record we’ve made, in terms of feeling like it was good enough to share, to let it go and no longer be just ours. That we’d made something different to what’s come before” says Noonan.  “I know we’ve been crazed with doubt, occasional bum steers and misguided conviction along the way and we say thank you to those who’ve calmed the waters…”

Stand out tracks include “The Upswing” which Hozier recently tweeted about, describing it as “…New beautiful greatness…” – watch the video from director / animator Anna Eijsbouts HERE and “Out of Love” which The Last Mixed Tape calls, “…a stylistically bold song that moves from dynamic drops and lifts...”

Produced by the band and recorded in Dublin and Donegal by Tommy McLoughlin (from the Villagers) and Glenn Keating (from Jape), ARMS was mixed by Peter Katis (The National, Jónsi) with Ross Dowling mixing the song “Out of Love.”  “The title ARMS is about the idea that, as the world feels like it’s becoming a harsher place (maybe there’s just more damn noise?),” says singer Paul Noonan. “We seek out the comfort of the familiar and familial…arms.”

Bell X1 will be on tour throughout Ireland, The UK and Australia for the rest of the year with more dates to be announced.  This year, they’ve headlined sold out shows at Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens and Galway Arts Festival and had top billing at the 2016 Indiependence Festival in Cork.  In 2015, Bell X1 played a fully sold out acoustic tour and supported Ed Sheeran for two big shows at Croke Park, one of the largest stadiums in Europe. 

Pre-order ARMS now through ITUNES HERE and receive three new tracks instantly.

Gary Rossington, the legendary founding member and guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd along with his wife, Dale Krantz-Rossington, whom many call The First Lady of Southern Rock, release the heartfelt, soul-grabbing, bluesy new album Take It On Faith, November 4, 2016 on Loud & Proud Records.  The duo has been making beautiful music together for over 35 years beginning when Dale opened for Skynyrd in ’77 while she was singing with 38 Special, then as part of Rossington Collins Band in the ‘80s and then and now as part of the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd family.

Take It On Faith is comprised of 12 songs that are all ably supplemented by an ace studio band that was put together by the album’s producer and engineer, David Z (Prince, Etta James, Buddy Guy).  The line-up reads like a who’s who of studio masters (full list below) including Ben Fowler (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams, Billy Currington, Sara Evans), who provided additional mixing and production, players such as the late Richie Hayward on drums, Jack Holder on guitar, Bruce McCabe on piano and keyboards and David Smith on bass as well as some great guests including ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons who co-wrote “Good Side of Good,” Delbert McClinton blowing a mean harp to butter up some tasty guitar licks from two-time Grammy-Award winning producer, hit songwriter, recording artist and session guitarist, Gary Nicholson on “Dance While You’re Cookin’” as well as Bekka Bramlett, who has sung with everyone from Fleetwood Mac to Billy Joel to Robert Plant over the years.

As a guitar player, Gary is a master and it’s evident on tracks like “Shame on Me” and “Good Side of Good,” reinforcing the man’s expertise on his chosen instrument.  From the unstoppable drive of “Highway of Love” to the gritty lament of “Shame on Me” to the gutsy guitar showcase on “Too Many Rainy Days,” Take It On Faith spotlights the many facets of Gary and Dale’s intuitive chemistry, hearkening back to the roots of fine Rossington Collins Band hits like “Don’t Misunderstand Me,” “Prime Time,” and “Opportunity.”

Gary co-founded The Rossington Collins Band with Collins in 1980. The band released two albums, including the 1981 Gold album Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere which yielded the rock hit “Don’t Misunderstand Me,” featuring Gary’s wife Dale on lead vocals.  But they disbanded in 1982 after the death of Collins' wife, Kathy. Gary and Dale then formed The Rossington Band, which released two albums in 1986 and 1988, respectively.

For years, neither Gary nor Dale had any plans to cut another record together under the Rossington umbrella, content to share both stage and studio with their fellow Lynyrd Skynyrd brothers and sisters. Eventually, though, they realized they couldn’t ignore the wishes of their ardent fans any longer. “We do meet and greets every night when we’re on tour,” says Gary “and fans just kept asking us if we were ever going to do anything again, and we kept saying no but even the Skynyrd band would say during those meet and greets, ‘Hey, go do something — the fans want to hear it.’ Finally, we thought, ‘Well, let’s just do it.’  “Right now, we consider it a gift to the fans. We did it for them, and I hope they like it. They asked us to do something again, so we did it. We seized that opportunity, and ran with it. And we’re real excited it’s finally coming out.”

Tom Lipsky, President of Loud & Proud Records, commented “It is a joy and an honor to bring this very special music to the fans. Take It On Faith is beautiful and personal, full of emotion crafted with superb musicianship, and it showcases the extraordinary talent of both Gary and Dale."

Gary Rossington, the legendary founding member and guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd along with Dale Krantz-Rossington (also his wife), whom many call The First Lady of Southern Rock, release the heartfelt, soul-grabbing, bluesy new album Take It On Faith, November 4, 2016 on Loud & Proud Records.  The duo has been making beautiful music together for over 35 years beginning when Dale opened for Skynyrd in ’77 while she was singing with 38 Special, then as part of Rossington Collins Band in the ‘80s and then and now as part of the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd family.

Gary and Dale started the songwriting, collaboration and recording process for Take It On Faith about 10 years ago but only recently felt like their body of work was complete.   Because of the commitments they have had with Lynyrd Skynyrd over the years, they put the project on hold but eventually, though, they realized they couldn’t ignore the wishes of their eager fans any longer so they decided to release the album. They refined their ideas over time and completed the album this year.  Please have a listen when you can.

Take It On Faith is comprised of 12 songs that are all ably supplemented by an ace studio band that was put together by the album’s producer and engineer, David Z (Prince, Etta James, Buddy Guy).  The line-up reads like a who’s who of studio masters (full list below) including Ben Fowler (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams, Billy Currington, Sara Evans), who provided additional mixing and production, players such as the late Richie Hayward on drums, Jack Holder on guitar, Bruce McCabe on piano and keyboards and David Smith on bass as well as some great guests including ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons who co-wrote “Good Side of Good,” Delbert McClinton blowing a mean harp to butter up some tasty guitar licks from two-time Grammy-Award winning producer, hit songwriter, recording artist and session guitarist, Gary Nicholson on “Dance While You’re Cookin’” as well as Bekka Bramlett, who has sung with everyone from Fleetwood Mac to Billy Joel to Robert Plant over the years.

As a guitar player, Gary is a master and it’s evident on tracks like “Shame on Me” and “Good Side of Good,” reinforcing the man’s expertise on his chosen instrument.  From the unstoppable drive of “Highway of Love” to the gritty lament of “Shame on Me” to the gutsy guitar showcase on “Too Many Rainy Days,” Take It On Faith spotlights the many facets of Gary and Dale’s intuitive chemistry, hearkening back to the roots of fine Rossington Collins Band hits like “Don’t Misunderstand Me,” “Prime Time,” and “Opportunity.”

Gary co-founded The Rossington Collins Band with Collins in 1980. The band released two albums, including the 1981 Gold album Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere which yielded the rock hit “Don’t Misunderstand Me,” featuring Gary’s wife Dale on lead vocals.  But they disbanded in 1982 after the death of Collins' wife, Kathy. Gary and Dale then formed The Rossington Band, which released two albums in 1986 and 1988, respectively.

Take It On Faith Track Listing / Label Copy:

1.  Highway of Love

Billy Burnette (Beaubilly Music/Still Workin’ For The Man BMI)

Rafe Van Hoy (Cottage House Music/Bonedoggy Music c/o Morgan Music Group Inc SESAC)

2.  I Should’ve Known

Tom Hambridge (Tom Hambridge Tunes ASCAP)

Richard Fleming (Richard Fleming Music BMI)

3.  Take It On Faith

Kevin Bowe (Bashti Music SESAC)

Dale Rossington (Elk Refuge Music BMI)

Gary Rossington (ASCAP)

4.  Light A Candle

Jeff Silbar (Silbarsongs ASCAP)

5.  Dance While You’re Cookin’

Dale Rossington (Elk Refuge Music BMI)

Gary Rossington (ASCAP)

Delbert McClinton

Gary Nicholson (Gary Nicholson Music BMI)

6.  Shame On Me

Tom Hambridge (Tom Hambridge Tunes ASCAP)

Dale Rossington (Elk Refuge Music BMI)

Gary Rossington (ASCAP)

7.  Good Side of Good

Billy Gibbons (Gibbons/Billy G's Hollywood Productions Inc. BMI)

Tom Vickers (Mild Man Music ASCAP)

8.  Through My Eyes

Bruce McCabe (Ryan Cory Music BMI)

David Gearheart (David Ashley Music BMI)

Susan Branham (Susan Shepherd publishing BMI)

9.  Something Fishy

Gary Nicholson (Gary Nicholson Music BMI)

Tom Hambridge (Tom Hambridge Tunes ASCAP)

10.  Too Many Rainy Days

Bruce McCabe (Ryan Cory Music BMI)

11.  Where Did Love Go

Don Goodman, Wayne Perkins (Reigning Music ASCAP)

12.  Two Very Different Things

Bruce McCabe (Ryan Cory Music BMI)

Rossington is:


Gary Rossington - guitar

Dale Rossington - vocals

Jack Holder - guitar

Richie Hayward - drums

Bruce McCabe - piano, keyboards

Michael Rojas - piano

David Smith - bass

Reese Winans - organ

Kenny Greenburg - guitar overdubs

Gordon Mote - piano and B3 overdubs

Shawn Camp - dobro

Delbert McClinton- harmonica

Gary Nicholson - guitar

Bekka Bramlett & Vicki Hampton - additional vocals

Fort Worth, TX alternative rock band, The Unlikely Candidates will release Bed Of Liars, a six-song EP, on February 17, 2017 – the band is currently streaming the entire EP on their website and on soundcloud now – listen  HERE.

Having built a strong following, winning over fans in every city they play in with their infectious songs, the band signed to Another Century Records in 2016 and hit Alternative Rock radio with two singles, “Your Love Could Start a War” (over 2 Million Plays On Spotify) and “Ringer”, which is currently top 40 at Alternative Radio.

The Unlikely Candidates are headlining their “The People’s Choice” tour beginning February 17 in Tulsa, OK (dates below) and will be playing SXSW – more info coming soon.  The last time they played SXSW they were mentioned in The New York Times as one of the dozen bands to watch and Esquire Magazine in their “The SXSW 2014 Bands You Need to Hear, A-Z” piece.  Vanyaland described them in a piece about their “five new favorite rock and roll bands after leaving Austin” as “…a better, cooler Kings of Leon.”  Elsewhere, Perez Hilton said “This American band sounds a lot like Mumford And Sons with a bit more fun!”

The band has played Bonnaroo, Firefly, Riot Fest and have toured with St. Lucia, Nothing But Thieves, Weathers, and The Moth & The Flame. Most recently, The Unlikely Candidates were selected as part of Taco Bell’s Feed The Beat program, and “Ringer” has enjoyed extensive in-store play with major brands including Whole Foods and Guess Jeans stores nationwide.

Bed Of Liars is available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon, including an instant download of “Ringer,” and will launch on all major music streaming services on street date.

The Unlikely Candidates Tour Dates (More TBA):

February 17 @ The Vanguard - Tulsa, OK

February 18 @ Bottleneck - Lawrence, KS

February 23 @ Sam’s Burger Joint – San Antonio, TX

February 24 @ Stubb’s Jr - Austin, TX

March 01 @ George’s Majestic Lounge - Fayetteville, AR

March 02 @ Dada - Dallas, TX

March 8 @ Bootleg - St. Louis, MO

March 9 @ Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL

March 14 @ SXSW - Austin, TX

March 23 @ Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO

March 24 @ Moxi Theatre - Greeley, CO

March 25 @ Lost Lake - Denver, CO

April 01 @ House Of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX

April 07 @ Vinyl - Atlanta, GA

April 14 @ Gasa Gasa - New Orleans, LA

Other Tour Dates:

February 10 @ The Fillmore – Detroit, MI (89X Show)

April 15 @ Buzzfest / Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston, TX

Nancy Wilson, one of the founding members of the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Heart, has teamed up with former Prince’s New Power Generation band member and R&B singer Liv Warfield to form the soulful, rock super group, Roadcase Royale. The band recently signed with Loud & Proud Records and plan to release their debut album, First Things First, September 22, 2017. The album was produced by fellow Roadcase Royale band member Dan Rothchild (Heart) along with the band.

“Nancy and Liv are magic together, and the musicianship is outstanding,” said Tom Lipsky, President Loud & Proud Records. “The interesting blend of talents and influences is what makes Roadcase Royale special.  Most importantly, there is a fire within this group to do something original, to feed off each other and explore new creative directions. It is exciting to see that kind of passion and drive in artists that have already accomplished so much. We are proud to be their label partners.”

“Roadcase Royale is a band I've always wanted to be in,” says Nancy Wilson. “We all write and create songs as a unit. It's an inspired democracy. Liv and Ryan both bring a whole new level of magic to our new sound. I'm amazed after devoting my life to rock music how it now feels so brand new. That's why our first album is called First Things First.”

Earlier this year, Rolling Stone premiered the live performance video of their debut single “Get Loud” saying, “…the band builds a funky, nimble groove, led by Warfield's soulful belting and the acoustic/electric guitar attack of Wilson and Prince protégé Ryan Waters.”  The video was shot by celebrated photographer, Neal Preston. Watch it HERE.  “Get Loud” with its laid-back groove, provides a solid acoustic and electric foundation for Warfield’s vocals – all about getting loud and standing up for women’s equality. “Get Loud” blends this important message with the group’s R&B and rock influences, resulting in a uniquely powerful track.

The name of the band, Roadcase Royale came to the group during a backstage meeting they had last year.  Wilson said, “When I came up with the name Roadcase Royale it was an interesting symbol to me since the big heavy-duty road cases that our amps drums and guitars travel in are much like the musicians they accompany on the road. Strong and regal looking yet all scuffed up and dented, covered in funny stickers that tell the story of a crazy traveling circus.”

In addition to Wilson (guitar) and Warfield (vocals), Roadcase Royale features Ryan Waters (lead guitarist) along with Heart members Chris Joyner (keys), Dan Rothchild (bass), and Ben Smith (drums). The sextet made their live debut March 25, 2017 at the 5th Annual Rock Against MS Benefit Concert in Los Angeles.

The band will play several headline dates beginning September 10, 2017 at The Gramercy Theatre in New York and will embark on a major U.S. tour this fall, dates to be announced soon.

Nancy Wilson, one of the founding members of the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Heart, has teamed up with former Prince’s New Power Generation band member and R&B singer Liv Warfield to form the soulful, rock super group, Roadcase Royale. The band will release their debut album, First Things First, this Friday, September 22, 2017.  The album was produced by fellow Roadcase Royale band member Dan Rothchild (Heart) along with the band.

Roadcase Royale has been busy doing press interviews and radio visits including NPR Weekend Edition, who recently interviewed Wilson - listen HERE, Billboard, who is premiering “The Dragon” today - Read/Listen HERE, a song written for the late Alice In Chains frontman, Layne Staley before his death. Other press such as Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Sirius XM, and Associated Press. BackStory Events recently live streamed a Q&A with Wilson & Warfield via Guitar World - watch it HERE.  Earlier this year, Rolling Stone premiered the live performance video of their debut single “Get Loud” saying, “…the band builds a funky, nimble groove, led by Warfield's soulful belting and the acoustic/electric guitar attack of Wilson and Prince protégé Ryan Waters.”  The video was shot by celebrated photographer, Neal Preston. Watch it HERE.  “Get Loud” with its laid-back groove, provides a solid acoustic and electric foundation for Warfield’s vocals – all about getting loud and standing up for women’s equality. “Get Loud” blends this important message with the group’s R&B and rock influences, resulting in a uniquely powerful track.

Roadcase Royale’s version of the Heart song “These Dreams” is featured in the new Aaron Sorkin film, Molly’s Game, starring Idris Elba, Jessica Chastain, and Kevin Costner. The film will make its official U.S. release nationwide on November 22, 2017.

“Roadcase Royale is a band I've always wanted to be in,” says Nancy Wilson. “We all write and create songs as a unit. It's an inspired democracy. Liv and Ryan both bring a whole new level of magic to our new sound. I'm amazed after devoting my life to rock music how it now feels so brand new. That's why our first album is called First Things First.”

The name of the band, Roadcase Royale came to the group during a backstage meeting they had last year.  Wilson said, “When I came up with the name Roadcase Royale it was an interesting symbol to me since the big heavy-duty road cases that our amps drums and guitars travel in are much like the musicians they accompany on the road. Strong and regal looking yet all scuffed up and dented, covered in funny stickers that tell the story of a crazy traveling circus.”

In addition to Wilson (guitar) and Warfield (vocals), Roadcase Royale features Ryan Waters (lead guitarist) along with Heart members Chris Joyner (keys), Dan Rothchild (bass), and Ben Smith (drums).

The band will play several headline dates and Nancy is also the special guest on the Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Silver Bullet Tour.  She’ll be playing with Roadcase Royale and performing songs off the new album as well as classic Heart favorites (see dates below)

Roadcase Royale Headline Tour Dates:

Sept 24 @ The Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI

Sept 26 @ The State Theatre – State College, PA

Oct 1 @ Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC

Oct 4 @ Bijou Theatre – Knoxville, TN

Oct 8 @ City Winery – Nashville, TN

Oct 15 @ Tower Theatre – Oklahoma City, OK

Oct 17 @ Joy Theater – New Orleans, LA

Bob Seger Dates:

Sat 9/23/17 - Auburn Hills, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills

Thu 9/28/17 - Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena

Sat 9/30/17 - Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena

Thu 10/5/17 - Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Sat 10/7/17 - Duluth, GA @ Infinite Energy Center

Tue 10/10/17 - Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena

Thu 10/12/17 - Saint Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center

Sat 10/14/17 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center

Thu 10/19/17 - Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Sat 10/21/17 - Frisco, TX @ The Star

Tue 10/24/17 - Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center

Thu 10/26/17 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center

Sat 10/28/17 - Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Arena

Thu 11/2/17 — Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena

Sat 11/4/17 – Inglewood, CA @ The Forum

Tue 11/7/17 — Boise, ID @ Ford Center

Thu 11/9/17 — Portland, OR @ Moda Center

Sat 11/11/17 — Seattle, WA @ KeyArena

Grammy-Nominated artist’s John Ondrasik aka Five For Fighting and Jim Brickman have announced a special collaboration to send a message of thanks, love, and support to the troops this holiday season with the song, “Christmas Where You Are.”  Watch a snippet of the lyric video, featuring soldiers and their families, HERE. The song will be released on November 3rd across all digital platforms as well as the forthcoming Jim Brickman album, A Joyful Christmas, featuring classic hymns & carols mixed with new original songs and duets.  The album is out on digital formats November 10th via BMG.

“The holidays can be an especially hard time for our troops and their families,” says Ondrasik and Brickman, “’Christmas Where You Are’ is a thank you and reminder to soldiers that we are with them in heart and spirit, wherever they stand, in service and sacrifice to our nation. We hope that no matter where these brave men and women are stationed, the warmth and love of family transcends the miles. We want them to know that a grateful nation holds them close to our hearts.”

Ondrasik and Brickman witnessed first-hand the raw emotions of families being apart during the holidays through the work they’ve both done with the USO and “Operation Care Package.” The experience was so meaningful and humbling to both of their lives that they wanted to do something special to honor them. Since Brickman has recorded dozens of Christmas songs, Ondrasik asked him if he’d want to collaborate on a holiday song for the troops.  So, Brickman started noodling on the piano, then they came up with a musical framework, and that night Ondrasik wrote the lyrics.  The call to serve in the military takes so many men and woman far from home and especially during the holiday season, it leaves an emptiness felt by both the troops and their families. “Christmas Where You Are” reaches out with a thank you to the them and is a gentle reminder that though they may not be sitting in our living rooms on Christmas morning, they are always front and center in our hearts and minds.

A percentage of the proceeds of the song will go to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honors defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities as well as What Kind Of World Do You Want, an initiative Ondrasik created which raised more than $250,000 for five designated charities — Augie’s Quest, Autism Speaks, Fisher House Foundation, Save the Children and Operation Homefront.

Loud & Proud Records have signed a label and management deal with Raleigh, NC Americana / Alt-Country band New Reveille. Tom Lipsky, President of Loud & Proud Records will manage the band; the first deal of its kind for the label.  “New Reveille draws you in with its honesty, beauty and incredible natural harmony,” says Tom Lipsky. “The artists themselves are as genuine as the words in their songs. We are proud to be their career partner and excited to share what we love about this band with music fans everywhere.”  "We couldn’t be more excited for our new partnership with Tom Lipsky and Loud & Proud Records,” adds the band. “We liked Tom immediately upon meeting, and it was clear that he was, first and foremost, a music fanatic. We feed off of that energy. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Loud & Proud team on this new adventure, and humbled to be part of a roster that includes some of our biggest musical influences.”

New Reveille, Amy Kamm (lead vocalist), Daniel Cook (banjo / guitar), George Hage (lead guitar), Kaitlin Grady (cello), and Autumn Brand (violin), self-released their debut album, Cannonball in 2013.  They sold out their very first show at Deep South The Bar and soon were playing to standing room only crowds with their powerfully crafted songs, incredible showmanship, and eclectic live shows.  They also won the prestigious American Advertising Gold Addy award for their “Babylon” video (153,000+ views on YouTube) which Daniel Cook wrote and directed.

Nashville based Producer / Engineer Ben Fowler, a Multi-Platinum, Grammy Award winning, ACM Engineer of the Year nominee, has signed on to produce their debut Loud & Proud Records release. Fowler most recently has made albums with Jerrod Niemann, Sarah Evans, Lucy Hale, Kip Moore, Rascal Flatts, and Ruby Amanfu to name a few. In the past, he’s worked with Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and George Harrison, among others. “I'm incredibly excited about working with New Reveille,” says Ben Fowler. “They have a depth to their sound vocally and instrumentally that is uniquely their own, and I look forward to getting in the studio with them.”

The band name, New Reveille, a tribute to Cook’s military grandfather who played reveille in the mornings, could also mean a “new awakening,” which is how the band members view their signing to Loud & Proud Records, and what it means for their future.

New Reveille will soon be launching an album pre-order through Pledge Music, with exclusive offerings, merchandise, and experiences.  More information will be announced soon.

Raleigh, NC Americana band, New Reveille, who recently signed a label and management deal with Loud & Proud Records, have launched their PledgeMusic store today where fans can pre-order their debut album. Exclusive items are also available including signed vinyl test pressings, hand-written lyrics, instruments, unique experiences such as Skype cello or violin lessons, an acoustic house concert, and more.  All pledgers will get an instant track download of an early recording of the song, “Miracle.”

Yesterday, the band premiered their first “Living Room Sessions” video for “Miracle” with Americana blog, Mother Church Pew who said, “These days, having a banjo in your band doesn’t make you Americana. All the elements have to be in place—stellar songwriting, outstanding musicianship, creative innovation, and a unique ability to connect with those who listen. Raleigh, North Carolina-based Americountry outfit New Reveille has it all, banjo included... With sweetly-rendered multi-part harmonies, yearning string arrangements, and lyrical depth, ‘Miracle’ gives us a glimpse of the raw talent and stripped-down beauty New Reveille possesses.” Watch it HERE and on their PledgeMusic page now.

Nashville based Producer / Engineer Ben Fowler, a Multi-Platinum, Grammy Award winning, ACM Engineer of the Year nominee, has signed on to produce their debut Loud & Proud Records release. Fowler most recently has made albums with Jerrod Niemann, Sarah Evans, Lucy Hale, Kip Moore, Rascal Flatts, and Ruby Amanfu to name a few. In the past, he’s worked with Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and George Harrison, among others. “I'm incredibly excited about working with New Reveille,” says Ben Fowler. “They have a depth to their sound vocally and instrumentally that is uniquely their own, and I look forward to getting in the studio with them.”  Singer Amy Kamm adds, “we are inspired by the opportunity to tell our stories through our songs, both in the studio recording our new album and on the road performing for fans. We’ve prepared for this moment, and 2018 is the time for New Reveille to take a major step forward.”

New Reveille, Amy Kamm (lead vocalist), Daniel Cook (banjo / guitar), George Hage (lead guitar), Kaitlin Grady (cello), and Autumn Brand (violin), self-released their debut album, Cannonball in 2013.  They sold out their very first show at Deep South The Bar and soon were playing to standing room only crowds with their powerfully crafted songs, incredible showmanship, and eclectic live shows.  They also won the prestigious American Advertising Gold Addy award for their “Babylon” video (155,000 views on YouTube) which Daniel Cook wrote and directed.

The band name, New Reveille, a tribute to Cook’s military grandfather who played reveille in the mornings, could also mean a “new awakening,” which is how the band members view their signing to Loud & Proud Records, and what it means for their future.

On January 1, 1976 Stephen Holden of Rolling Stone magazine called the debut album by West Virginian prog-rock pioneers Crack The Sky “…one of year’s most impressive debuts.”  Today, some 40 years later the band will release a pair of albums:  Living In Reverse, a new studio album; and Crackology, a collection of the band’s 12 career favorites, both out August 24, 2018 on Loud & Proud Records.

Living In Reverse showcases 12 new genre-defying Crack tracks, while the cleverly-titled retrospective Crackology chronicles a dozen of the best re-recorded gems as culled from the band’s rich and storied 40-year catalog. Track listings for both albums are below.  Pre-orders for both albums begin June 15, 2018, however, fans can get tracks from Crackology in advance (one track per week leading up to release day) exclusively on PledgeMusic beginning May 22, 2018.

Electrifying Living In Reverse cuts like the full-on groundswell of “Raining Rain,” the modernized new-wave sonic uniform that envelops “Jacket,” and the spoken-word seduction of “Home Tonight” all match up quite beautifully with the recast Crackology versions of Crack classics like the one-two punch ’n’ crunch of “Hold On” and “Surf City” alongside the overdriven depth of “Skin Deep” and the reactor-fueled crackle of “Nuclear Apathy.” The latter track is as relevant today as when it was first written and performed in 1978. “They have more of an edge than the originals,” singer / guitarist / keyboardist John Palumbo affirms of the tracks on Crackology. “Those tracks all have more life to them now, and we play every one of them live.”

“I have admired Crack The Sky since their beginning, and have always appreciated their incredible musicianship and sense of innovation,” says Tom Lipsky, President, Loud & Proud Records. “We look forward to bringing fans of progressive rock music the exciting next chapter in the band’s continuing legacy.” 

Named by Rolling Stone in their 2015 list of 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums Of All Time and in their 20 Rock Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the 1970s That You Never Heard, the magazine’s very first review in 1976 went on to say, “Like the first albums of Steely Dan, 10cc, and the Tubes, Crack the Sky's debut introduces a group whose vision of mid-Seventies ennui is original, humorous and polished without seeming too arty…writer / lead singer / keyboardist / guitarist John Palumbo, whose lyric gift for dark satire, written in the flip argot of rock, is second to none…If Palumbo's lyrics are the latest in Seventies cynicism, their darkness is countered by the light-spiritedness of most of the music. Palumbo avoids conventional melodies, preferring to repeat a tuneful phrase and then abruptly break the mood he's established with something nearly opposite in spirit…Crack The Sky’s ensemble singing and playing are impeccable…Palumbo’s lead vocals are chameleonlike, sometimes resembling Ian Hunter’s and Bowie’s…"

“We’ve been going back in time to try and find ourselves, even while we’ve been looking ahead to the future,” observes guitarist/producer Rick Witkowski. “And we’re looking to bring in new fans who’ve never heard what we’ve done before.” Adds lead vocalist/chief songwriter John Palumbo, “Eventually, you find that everything comes full circle, so it’s fair to say we’ve been quite reinvigorated as artists these past few years.”

Crack The Sky will be playing a special show on Saturday August 25, 2018 at MECU Pavilion (formerly Pier Six Pavilion) in Baltimore, MD for the 4th Annual Veteran’s Benefit Concert presented by Music Healing Heroes to benefit K9s for Warriors and the Wounded Warrior Project.  They will be performing songs from the new album, as well as from Crackology.

Crackology Track Listing:

1.         Hold On / Surf City

 2.        She’s A Dancer

 3.        Ice

 4.        Robots For Ronnie

 5.        Nuclear Apathy

 6.        Lighten Up McGraw

 7.        Long Nights

 8.        Skin Deep

 9.        Hot Razors

10.       From The Greenhouse

11.       Rachel

12.       The Beauty of Nothing

Living In Reverse Track Listing:

1.         Talk Talk

2.         Living In Reverse

3.         Raining Rain

4.         Red Rosary

5.         Hit

6.         Big Dipper

7.         I’m On The Radio, Mom

8.         Jacket

9.         I’m Alright Now

10.       Bang

11.       I’m A Good Man

12.       Home Tonight

Crack The Sky is

John Palumbo - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keys

Rick Witkowski - Guitars & Vocals

Joey D’Amico - Drums & Vocals

Bobby Hird - Guitars & Vocals

Glenn Workman - Keyboards & Vocals

Dave DeMarco - Bass & Vocals

Grammy-Nominated singer-songwriter, composer John Ondrasik, aka Five For Fighting, will be releasing a new album Five For Fighting Live With String Quartet. Together with the FFF string quartet Ondrasik will be on tour playing a series of unique and intimate dates beginning September 12, 2018 in Franklin, TN (tour dates below and here).  The new album will be exclusively available to those attending the shows until its release later this fall.  Five For Fighting will be playing the hits, such as “Superman” and “100 Years” along with fan favorites, "Chances,” "Two Lights,” "What if,” and "I Just Love You,” as well as adding songs from Ondrasik’s twenty year+ catalogue.

“I've been blessed to work with world class composers throughout my career and this permutation of Five For Fighting allows me to present a selection of songs that highlight their amazing arrangements,” says John Ondrasik.  “The new album allows me to pull a catalogue of songs that presents my music in a way never heard before.  Of course, we play the hits, the misses, and tell some stories along the way.  And what a group of players we have!  I'm humbled and inspired by their musicianship and fiddle mastery every night.”

Five For Fighting was recently the musical voice of season three of the Rob Lowe, Marcia Gay Harden show Code Black (CBS) performing four cover songs as well as co-producing a special gospel version of “Superman” which was the series finale featured end title.  The soundtrack is available on iTunes now.  Five For Fighting has also written "Song of the Innocents," the end title to the upcoming film Gosnell, out October 12, about the shocking true story of the investigation and trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell. “Song of the Innocents" will be available on all music platforms October 5.

John Ondrasik has spent the past two decades writing deeply personal songs that include social messages, invoke the human spirit and make an emotional connection. With the past six albums selling over three million records.  Five For Fighting's breakthrough came in 2001 with the Grammy-nominated song “Superman,” and his performance at The Concert for New York. Ondrasik proceeded to become part of the American songbook with the hits “100 Years,” "World," "The Riddle,” “Chances,” and “What If.” Ondrasik has also been deeply involved in philanthropic efforts highlighted by his CD for the Troops project that distributing over a million free CD’s featuring the biggest songs of superstar artists to servicemen and their families around the world.  Most recently John has added keynote speaking to his repertoire, speaking and performing to a diverse group of companies and organizations around the world.

Tour Dates – Purchase Tickets HERE:

September 12 @ Franklin Theatre - Franklin, TN

September 14 @ McGlohon Theatre - Charlotte, NC

September 15 @ The Artscenter – Cat’s Cradle - Carrboro, NC

September 16 @ Lincoln Theatre - Washington, DC

September 18 @ Appell Center for the Performing Arts - York, PA

September 20 @ Kent Stage - Kent, OH

September 22 @ Buskirk-Chumley Theater - Bloomington, IN

October 23 @ Cascade Theatre - Redding, CA (Chico, CA)

October 24 @ Gallo Center For the Arts - Modesto, CA                                                                   

October 25 @ Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza - Thousand Oaks, CA

October 26 @ Coach House Concert Hall - San Juan Capistrano, CA

October 27 @ Scherr Forum/Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza - Thousand Oaks, CA

On January 1, 1976 Stephen Holden of Rolling Stone magazine called the debut album by West Virginian prog-rock pioneers Crack The Sky “…one of year’s most impressive debuts.”  Today, some 40 years later, Rolling Stone Magazine is calling them “…the Best U.S. Prog Band You’ve Never Heard,” and the band is cracking the charts with their highest charting debut in 40 years with their new studio album Living In Reverse.  It charted at #7 Heatseekers, #31 Independent Current Albums, and #40 Top Current Albums.  The band also released Crackology, a collection of some of their 12 career favorites.  Both came out on August 24, 2018 on Loud & Proud Records.

Living In Reverse showcases 12 new genre-defying Crack tracks including “Talk Talk” – the lyric video was included in the recent Rolling Stone feature, “Raining Rain” which Billboard Magazine recently premiered, and “Living In Reverse” which Relix recently premiered.   The retrospective Crackology chronicles a dozen of the best re-recorded gems as culled from the band’s rich and storied 40-year catalog. “They have more of an edge than the originals,” singer / guitarist / keyboardist John Palumbo affirms of the tracks on Crackology. “Those tracks all have more life to them now, and we play every one of them live.”

Named by Rolling Stone in their 2015 list of 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums Of All Time and in their 20 Rock Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the 1970s That You Never Heard, the magazine’s very first review in 1976 went on to say, “Like the first albums of Steely Dan, 10cc, and the Tubes, Crack the Sky's debut introduces a group whose vision of mid-Seventies ennui is original, humorous and polished without seeming too arty…writer / lead singer / keyboardist / guitarist John Palumbo, whose lyric gift for dark satire, written in the flip argot of rock, is second to none…If Palumbo's lyrics are the latest in Seventies cynicism, their darkness is countered by the light-spiritedness of most of the music. Palumbo avoids conventional melodies, preferring to repeat a tuneful phrase and then abruptly break the mood he's established with something nearly opposite in spirit…Crack The Sky’s ensemble singing and playing are impeccable…Palumbo’s lead vocals are chameleonlike, sometimes resembling Ian Hunter’s and Bowie’s…"

“We’ve been going back in time to try and find ourselves, even while we’ve been looking ahead to the future,” observes guitarist/producer Rick Witkowski. “And we’re looking to bring in new fans who’ve never heard what we’ve done before.” Adds lead vocalist/chief songwriter John Palumbo, “Eventually, you find that everything comes full circle, so it’s fair to say we’ve been quite reinvigorated as artists these past few years.”

Crack The Sky just played a special headline show on August 25, 2018 at MECU Pavilion in Baltimore, MD for the 4th Annual Veteran’s Benefit Concert presented by Music Healing Heroes to benefit K9s for Warriors and the Wounded Warrior Project.  They also have some select tour dates coming up (see below).

Tour Dates:

November 2, 2018 & November 3, 2018 @ Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD - 8:30pm

November 4, 2018 @ Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD - 12:00pm

Crack The Sky is

John Palumbo - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keys

Rick Witkowski - Guitars & Vocals

Joey D’Amico - Drums & Vocals

Bobby Hird - Guitars & Vocals

Glenn Workman - Keyboards & Vocals

Dave DeMarco - Bass & Vocals

Prog-rock pioneers Crack The Sky, who Rolling Stone Magazine calls “…the Best U.S. Prog Band You’ve Never Heard,” return to New York for the first time in over 20 years to play a special show at The Loft At City Winery Saturday, April 20, 2019.  “For the last 20 years, our New York-area fans have had to travel south to come see us, so we are all very excited to finally bring the party to them,” said the band.  “We couldn’t be more thrilled to play for them and return to New York City after all of these years. It’s long overdue!”

On January 1, 1976 Stephen Holden of Rolling Stone magazine called the debut album by Crack The Sky “…one of year’s most impressive debuts.”  Now, some 40 years later, the band cracked the charts with their highest charting debut in 40 years with their new studio album Living In Reverse.  It charted at #7 Heatseekers, #31 Independent Current Albums, and #40 Top Current Albums.  The band also released Crackology, a collection of 12 career favorites.  Both came out on August 24, 2018 on Loud & Proud Records.

Living In Reverse showcases 12 new genre-defying Crack tracks that Vintage Guitar calls “…heavy Beatlesque pop” including “Talk Talk” – the lyric video was included in the recent Rolling Stonefeature, “Raining Rain” which Billboard Magazine premiered, and “Living In Reverse” which Relix premiered.   The retrospective Crackology chronicles a dozen of the best re-recorded gems as culled from the band’s rich and storied 40-year catalog. Goldmine Magazine said, “…on both albums, Crack the Sky surges with the vitality and energy of a young band, bringing so much ‘crack’ to the older songs that Crackology sounds just as fresh as Living in Reverse.”  Vintage Guitar said “…Crack The Sky is rockin’ better than ever.”

Tickets for their April 20 New York show are on sale now through The Loft At City Winery here.

Crack The Sky is

John Palumbo - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keys

Rick Witkowski - Guitars & Vocals

Joey D’Amico - Drums & Vocals

Bobby Hird - Guitars & Vocals

Glenn Workman - Keyboards & Vocals

Dave DeMarco - Bass & Vocals

Oklahoma husband / wife duo, The Imaginaries, Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) and Maggie McClure (keys, piano, vocals), recently finished recording their debut album, their first together as The Imaginaries, in famed Muscle Shoals, AL.  It serves as both an introduction to their music together and the beginning of their journey as a band after both singer songwriters have had their own successes as solo artists.  Maggie, with her subtly sweet vocals and piano style blends seamlessly with Shane’s blues-rock grit to form their own unique blend of Americana music.

It all began when The Imaginaries traveled to Muscle Shoals, AL for a performance on Grammy-Award winning engineer John Cuniberti’s YouTube series called “The OneMic Series” which showcases recording artists performing two songs each around one AEA R88 stereo ribbon microphone – watch them perform “Revival” and “Thinking ‘Bout You.”  They had such an amazing experience being there that the duo decided to return to record their album.  They enlisted the help of legendary Muscle Shoals “Swamper,” bassist David Hood (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Paul Simon), and session musicians such as Little Richard guitarist Kelvin Holly (Jason Isbell, Gregg Allman, Neil Young), bassist Shonna Tucker (Jason Isbell, Drive By Truckers, John Paul White), and keyboardist NC Thurman (Hank Williams Jr, Gregg Allman, Little Richard).  They also flew in drummer Rob Humphreys (Leonard Cohen, Jason Mraz) for the recording and worked with Chad Copelin (Sufjan Stevens, Christina Perri, Ben Rector) back in Oklahoma for keys and additional production as well as keyboardist Dan Walker (Heart).

Their experience in Muscle Shoals left a profound effect on the duo and what came out of those recording sessions were songs filled with effortless harmonies combined with heartfelt lyrics and real-life lessons like “Thinking 'Bout You," a sincere acoustic-driven song about missing someone you care about but don't get to be with because of distance and "Revival,” a spiritual swampy roots song about finding hope and salvation.  It’s “about overcoming challenges,” says Maggie.  “The songs are inspired by personal experiences, our relationship, our struggles, and our journey.”

Growing up in Oklahoma, Maggie from the large city of Norman and Shane from the tiny 700-person town Verden, both caught the music bug early and built their solo careers racking up quite a few milestones along the way.  Maggie has opened for Sara Bareilles and Walk Off The Earth and has had over 45 original song placements.  She also had a small recurring role on ABC's The Middle and was cast in the Disney show Violetta as the lead character's English singing voice.   Shane moved to Minneapolis at age 19 to work and record with songwriter/producer Kevin Bowe (Etta James, Joe Cocker) and from there his career took off.  He’s since played a 30-date B.B. King tour and also toured with Etta James, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Johnny Winter, Edwin McCain, the Neville Brothers, and Grand Funk Railroad to name a few.  He has had song placements on NBC, CBS, Discovery Channel, Hallmark Channel, and the E! Television network, as well as in feature films.

Watching the husband and wife duo perform you instantly see the chemistry, the love in their eyes, and the deep commitment they share with each other and to their music.  Their love of performing, writing music, and their faith all make up the glue that keeps them grounded and focused on the dream of turning what they’ve imagined for themselves into the reality of The Imaginaries.  More information about the album will be announced soon.  In the meantime, they just performed at Toby Keith’s OK Kids Korral Fundraiser After Party, and will be playing select dates throughout the summer including two big headline shows in their home state - Sat, Aug 17 at Grand Casino Hotel & Resort in Shawnee, OK  for their – “Play It Loud” series – watch a special documentary shot by film maker Adam Hampton for the casino HERE and Sun, Aug 18 at Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City, OK  for the Twilight Concert Series (more dates to be announced soon).  They also performed four songs for One On One Cellar Sessions at City Winery – watch it HERE.

Oklahoma Americana husband / wife duo, The Imaginaries, Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) and Maggie McClure (keys, piano, vocals), release their latest single “Revival” today.  American Songwriter Magazine is exclusively premiering the O Brother, Where Art Thou? meets Bonnie and Clyde themed music video now – watch it HERE.  “Revival” will make its network TV debut on DittyTV’s The Curve Wednesday, June 17 at 10:00pm CT with a rebroadcast on Thursday, June 18 at 10:00am CT.

The video shows the duo on the run after quitting their outlaw lifestyle to live up to their true calling of spreading their newfound message of love, faith, perseverance, and positivity through their music. “’Revival’ is a spiritual song about finding hope and salvation,” says Maggie and Shane. “Our faith has an impact on our everyday lives and in our songwriting.  ‘Revival’ is complete with biblical references from ‘not storing up treasures on earth,’ the warnings of ‘the love of money,’ and the mission of 'spreading the good news.'  We all need a revival now more than ever!”

American Songwriter says, “Presented with a brief but instantly adventurous and gripping introduction for the first two minutes of the video, once the music of ‘Revival’ kicks in, the full strength of The Imaginaries’ musical skill…from delta blues to harmonizing gospel, to a touch of outlaw country colliding with Baptist lyrical metaphors. Moment to moment, the energy and performance personality put forth by McClure and Henry also flash moments reflecting Lindi Ortega’s vintage, southern-focused sound and aesthetic, Miranda Lambert’s unyielding vocal sass, Dan Tyminski’s unapologetically religious-minded messaging, and James Bay’s slick but sensitive crooning.”

Filmed all over Oklahoma, the video was also selected to be screened at Oklahoma’s virtual deadCenter FIlm Festival this weekend, June 13 at 10:00am CT along with a free outdoor screening of the video at 9:00pm CT during the Okie Shorts Mixtape Screening at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City that night (social distancing will be observed). “Revival” was also selected to be screened at Tokyo’s Lift-Off Film Festival this month too.  The Imaginaries have been promoting the song, video, and screenings all week.  They were on Good Day Tulsa (KTUL-TV ABC) – watch it HERE and Living Oklahoma (FOX) performing for their “Morning Inspiration” segment – watch it HERE yesterday.  Today, they will be doing a Facebook Live "Revival" Single + Music Video Release Celebration Livestream and Q&A at Noon CT from their Facebook page.  On June 18 at Noon CT, they will also do a Facebook Live Show on their Facebook page in conjunction with deadCenter film festival & Arts Council OKC for their Art Moves series.

The Imaginaries were gearing up to release their debut album last year and go on tour when they had a series of setbacks.  Shane had to have an emergency appendectomy.  What seemed like a routine surgery and recovery turned into many grueling months of pain and a long process to get back on his feet to be able to perform again.   Once he finally recovered the duo got the news that they were chosen to open for Brian Setzer Orchestra’s “Christmas Rocks! Tour” only to have it be canceled suddenly because Brian came down with a severe case of tinnitus.  Then Maggie had to have unexpected invasive gum surgery which kept her from singing for two months.  During this time, they worked diligently on booking shows for Spring/Summer 2020 to support their pending album release when Covid-19 took hold of the world.  With everything on hold, The Imaginaries have been doing a string of livestream performances including their Facebook Live Concert Series “Quarantunes,” Rockwood Music Hall’s Rockwood Livestream Concerts series, Monday Monday at the Hotel Café, as well as local Oklahoma performances for the city of Norman for their Stay Home Be Social Facebook live concert series, Norman NEXT for their Quarantiny Desk Facebook Live Concert Series, and for Stillwater’s Gypsy Cafe Reimagined, a benefit concert for the Red Dirt Relief Fund, which aired on O’Colly TV (ROKU, Apple TV, etc.) April 29.

The album (release date TBD / pre-order HERE) was recorded in Muscle Shoals, AL enlisting the help of legendary Muscle Shoals “Swamper,” bassist David Hood (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Paul Simon), and session musicians such as longtime Little Richard guitarist Kelvin Holly (Jason Isbell, Gregg Allman, Neil Young), bassist Shonna Tucker (The Secret Sisters, Drive By Truckers, John Paul White), and keyboardist NC Thurman (Hank Williams Jr, Gregg Allman, Little Richard).  They also flew in drummer Rob Humphreys (Jon Foreman, Leonard Cohen, Jason Mraz) for the recording and worked with Chad Copelin (Sufjan Stevens, Christina Perri, Ben Rector) back in Oklahoma for keys and additional production as well as keyboardist Dan Walker (Heart).  Their first single and video, “Thinking ‘Bout You” premiered with DittyTV (watch HERE), the Americana and Roots Music Network, just before Thanksgiving last year.   The release dates for more upcoming singles and the album will be announced soon.

Storyteller, singer, and songwriter Lauren Calve releases her Wildfire EP today, June 23 – stream / listen HERE. Calve’s musical compositions blend blues and Americana, guitar and lap steel, but their strength lies in how they go beyond tradition into innovative melodies, structures and arrangements that define their originality.  Her lyrics, intonation, and songwriting resonate with the listener leaving them to ponder what they’ve just heard and wanting more. 

On Wildfire, Calve delves into interesting territory as she uses memorable imagery and meter to write about complex issues. Tracks like “On And On” with its Wilson Pickett style, was inspired by the documentary Muscle Shoals and is an anthem for anyone who has witnessed a loved one stuck in a vicious cycle. “Shock Time,” gets its name from one of Woody Guthrie’s journal entries referencing the electroshock therapy he almost underwent. The song formed after Calve read Naomi Klein’s book Shock Doctrine which highlights the social and environmental “shock” strategies of those in power to keep the rest of us scared and ignorant. In the song, Calve brings together Klein and Guthrie’s “shocks” in a fearful contemplation of misdeeds and the retribution for it. “She Loves Waterfalls,” the only ballad on the EP, is a beautiful song written after seeing a photo of her mother standing in front of a waterfall, happy, after finding love again. Calve’s lead track and current single, “Better Angels” has taken on many new connotations and iterations since she wrote it.  What was conceived from an Abraham Lincoln speech on the eve of the Civil War, took on new meaning during the rise of a global pandemic, and has now forged into a call for the better angels in all of us to come together to battle the systematic racism that has plagued our country since Lincoln was in office.

“Better Angels” was written after listening to a radio interview with Jon Meacham who cited Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address as inspiration for his book, The Soul of America: The Battle For Our Better Angels. “Meacham applied Lincoln’s message of ‘the better angels of our nature’ to the courage of the American people who dealt with the unprecedented crises of their era,” says Calve. “As I listened to this, immigrants were being contained, families were being separated, children were held in cages. Lincoln's words still held a powerful resonance, and they gave me a deep hope that I hadn’t felt in years. ‘Better Angels’ was born from that surge of hope and optimism. It was a reminder that we would always rise to the occasion, no matter what.”

Once Covid-19 started spreading Calve couldn’t stop thinking about Lincoln’s message and it reminded her of the everyday people on the front lines in the battle against the pandemic. “For me, they symbolize the angels that Lincoln talked about,” says Calve.  “The qualities of our better nature - courage, leadership, resolve, resilience, empathy, compassion, and altruism are all exemplified in the nurses, doctors, janitors, grocery store clerks, mail carriers, delivery truck drivers, pharmacists, and other essential workers.  They are the ‘better angels’ in the lyrics while embodying the true spirit of the song and of Lincoln's famous words: ‘The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.’" Seeing the havoc the pandemic brought to her family and friends, and throughout the world, she wanted to make a lyric video to express what she was feeling and express the gratitude she had for the people who are “out there every day, in my neighborhood, in my town, and throughout the world selflessly serving our communities,” says Calve.  “I wanted to say thank you to them, the better angels in my life that were helping me get through this rough time and still are today.”  The video features Calve and her family as well as photos of her Mailman, police chief, food clerks, pharmacist, and even her cat Loretta Lynn among others in her MD town that borders DC.

“Better Angels,” is at Americana and AAA radio now with early airplay in Charlottesville (VA), Cleveland (OH), Columbus (OH), Akron (OH), Knoxville (TN), Richmond (VA), Roanoke (VA), New Concord (OH), Paonia (CO), and Carmel (CA).  She recently performed the song and was interviewed by Z100’s Garrett Vogel of The Elvis Duran Show on his Instagram LIVE . The song has also been featured on Spotify playlists such as CMT’s Next Women Of Country and The Round Up as well as DittyTV’s Ditty Dozen.  “Wildfire” is being featured on Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine’s Trail Mix VI for this month.

Raleigh, NC roots-rockers Jack the Radio are releasing their album Creatures, today, July 10, 2020 – listen HERE.  The band recently released the title track for “Creatures” (featuring soul singer Tamisha Waden) along with the fantastical animated music video – watch it HERE.  The video will be making its network TV debut with DittyTV tomorrow, July 11 on ELEVEN at 11:00pm CT, with a re-airing on July 12 at 11:00am CT.   Singer, George Hage will be performing songs off the album during a special live stream from The Pour House in Raleigh on Friday, July 10 at 8:00pm.

"We’ve put the better part of three and half years into making this the best album we could,” says Hage.  “From the songs to the lyrics to the artwork and packaging, we’re excited for people to finally experience it with us."

The video provides a teaser for the companion comic book, Jack The Radio: Creatures Anthology (published by A Wave Blue World), which came out June 24.  “The artwork for the video was plucked right from the pages of the comic book that’s based on the album,” says singer / songwriter / artist George Hage.  “The song is based off the classic story of A Christmas Carol, and the video, like the tale, captures Jack on his journey of self-discovery as he is faced with his past, present, and future.  The song is about finding peace and balance in the world and Jack’s quest for that balance.” The idea of the comic book was born from Hage’s passion for art & design. He’s not only created artwork for Jack The Radio but has also done work for Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), American Aquarium, and festivals such as Hopscotch Music Festival and IBMA’s World of Bluegrass among others.  The collection of cosmic-country-fried sci-fi short stories catalogs the adventures of the ever-resilient character, Jack the Radio, and includes comics and pinups from 30+ professional artists from around the world.

Jack The Radio recently premiered their lyric video for “Getting Good” featuring Lydia Loveless with Cowboys And Indians Magazine – watch it HERE.  The video for the song, a country tongue-in-cheek tale about the bright side of failure, features behind the scenes footage from the recording studio. Jack The Radio also released their first single “We’re Alright” (featuring Tamisha Waden), watch the lyric video HERE. It was featured on DittyTV’s Ditty Dozen Spotify playlist the week of June 1, 94.7 QDR Homegrown Country show, WNRN's Fresh Roots, New Blues show, and the band performed it on WNCN-TV’s (CBS 17)  My Carolina Today.  The song was written about the increasingly polarized state of our country and the desire to reconnect and support each other regardless of our cultural or geographic differences.  This particularly hits home with Hage who grew up in the south as the son of Puerto Rican and Lebanese parents. "I was exposed to a lot at a young age with my family speaking a combination of English, Spanish, Arabic, and Armenian," says Hage.  "I knew I was different to the other kids I went to school with and because of this I experienced the good and the bad, the love and the hate in people.  My hope now is the same as it was then that our country's differences must be what brings us together."

Creatures was recorded at Warrior Sound in Chapel Hill, NC with engineer Al Jacob and blends rock and blues sensibility with Americana, folk, and country to create a tapestry of swampy southern-tinged sounds.  All of the songs on the album were written by George Hage with a common thread that weaves its way through telling us to stand strong as we ride out the highs and lows of what life throws at us.  And with the state of the world today, it’s even more poignant to relay this message and to remind us that we are all creatures of this earth and we can overcome anything.

Other tracks on the album include “Trouble” (featuring Jeanne Jolly) which was featured on Visit Raleigh, about persevering during times of struggle, “Don’t Count Me Out,” about an unlikely hero saving the day, “Let’s Be Real” with its message of “…life ain’t kind It’s messed up but we’ll be fine,” and “Paint The Sky” about how the moments in our lives will live on in the memories of our family and friends long after we pass on. It’s currently on Blueridge Outdoor Magazine’s “Trail Mix Vol.VI” now – listen HERE.

Over the years, Jack The Radio has shared the stage with The Avett Brothers, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Cold War Kids, George Thorogood, Rayland Baxter, and American Aquarium to name a few. Their music has been featured in countless commercial, film, and TV projects including Modern Family, Boardwalk Empire, Graceland, Beverly Hills 90210 as well as in sports programming for NASCAR, NFL, and PGA among others. Jack The Radio is George Hage (Vocals, Guitar), Danny Johnson (Guitar,  Keyboard, Lap Steel, Vocals), Dan Grinder (Bass), and Kevin Rader (Drums, Vocals).

Oklahoma Americana husband / wife duo, The Imaginaries, Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) and Maggie McClure (keys, piano, vocals), release their third single, “Walking On A Wire” today August 14, a song written about facing obstacles head on and pushing through, no matter what, to overcome them.  Listen to the song on Spotify HERE.  "’Walking On A Wire’  is about the balancing act that artists face daily,” says Maggie McClure. “It's about opportunities that we've been given that have then been taken away due to circumstances completely out of our control. But it’s also a song about keeping the faith and staying the course, no matter what.”

To celebrate the release, The Imaginaries held a special Facebook Live Celebration, August 14 at 12:00pm CT on their Facebook Page.  They perform, discuss the songwriting and recording experience, and talk about their stunning video for "Walking On A Wire” shot in Little Sahara State Park in Waynoka, OK and Gloss Mountain State Park in Fairview, OK- watch the :30 trailer HERE.  The video once again pairs Maggie and Shane with director Reagan Elkins who directed the duo’s previous two videos “Revival” and “Thinking ‘Bout You.”  The Imaginaries recently released the song “Revival,” with its O Brother, Where Art Thou? meets Bonnie and Clyde themed short film “Revival”.  It’s no wonder the Bella Thorne crime movie Infamous (out now) chose “Walking On A Wire” for a featured scene in the Bonnie and Clyde-esque film. The placement of “Walking On A Wire” in the film runs parallel but counter to the message of the short film for “Revival.”  The couple in Infamous head down a dark path of crime and destruction while The Imaginaries in “Revival” follow the path to new beginnings and salvation.

“Revival” has gained a lot of attention among the film festival circuit.  It was chosen to screen at Oklahoma’s deadCenter FIlm Festival, Tokyo’s Lift-Off Film Festival, and New York Lift-Off Film Festival.  It also made its network TV debut on DittyTV’s The Curve and featured in American Songwriter who said, “Presented with a brief but instantly adventurous and gripping introduction for the first two minutes of the video, once the music of ‘Revival’ kicks in, the full strength of The Imaginaries’ musical skill and stylistic differences swirl together to give listeners glimpses of several southern and Black-driven genres, from delta blues to harmonizing gospel, to a touch of outlaw country colliding with Baptist lyrical metaphors. Moment to moment, the energy and performance personality put forth by McClure and Henry also flash moments reflecting Lindi Ortega’s vintage, southern-focused sound and aesthetic, Miranda Lambert’s unyielding vocal sass, Dan Tyminski’s unapologetically religious-minded messaging, and James Bay’s slick but sensitive crooning.” Their debut single and video for “Thinking ‘Bout You”, a sweet song about missing a loved one you cannot be with because of distance, came out late 2019.

The couple have been walking on a wire over the past several months with more than their share of personal setbacks.  Shane had to undergo an emergency appendectomy which was followed by a few grueling months of pain and complications during a longer than expected healing process.   Once he recovered they received news that they were chosen to open for Brian Setzer Orchestra’s annual “Christmas Rocks! Tour” only for it to be suddenly canceled because Brian came down with a severe case of tinnitus.  Then Maggie had unexpected invasive gum surgery which kept her from singing for two months.  During this time, they worked diligently on booking shows for Spring/Summer 2020 to support their pending album release when Covid-19 took hold of the world.  So they switched gears and decided to release a series of singles to get their music out there.  Listen to Maggie on the We’re Only Human podcast (Apple Podcasts and Spotify) talking about their journey HERE.

Fans will have to wait a little longer to get the full length debut album (pre-order HERE) which was recorded in Muscle Shoals, AL.  There they enlisted the help of legendary Muscle Shoals “Swamper,” bassist David Hood (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Paul Simon), and session musicians such as longtime Little Richard guitarist Kelvin Holly (Jason Isbell, Gregg Allman, Neil Young), bassist Shonna Tucker (The Secret Sisters, Drive By Truckers, John Paul White), and keyboardist NC Thurman (Hank Williams Jr, Gregg Allman, Little Richard).  They also flew in drummer Rob Humphreys (Jon Foreman, Leonard Cohen, Jason Mraz) for the recording and worked with Chad Copelin (Sufjan Stevens, Christina Perri, Ben Rector) back in Oklahoma for keys and additional production as well as keyboardist Dan Walker (Heart). 

The release dates for more upcoming singles and the album will be announced soon. With everything on hold, The Imaginaries have been doing a string of livestream performances including their Facebook Live Concert Series “Quarantunes,” Rockwood Music Hall’s Rockwood Livestream Concerts series, Monday Monday at the Hotel Café, as well as local Oklahoma performances.  More performances will be announced soon.

See The Imaginaries (more livestreams TBA):

8/14 – Facebook Live – 12pm CT – Listen HERE

10/3 - Oklahoma Food Truck Championship in Chickasha, OK 3-5pm CT

10/4 - Tulsa State Fair in Tulsa, OK 

Alan Williams is set to release Evidence Unearthed (Blue Gentian Records), an album that was shelved for 25 years, this Friday, August 28 digitally and on CD/Blu-Ray (pre-order HERE). Today, American Songwriter is giving a sneak peek into the story behind each song with their exclusive track by track feature – read it HERE.

Williams released his debut single “Anniston” on August 14 -  listen HERE. The video, watch HERE, made its national broadcast debut on DittyTV, Monday, August 17 premiering on their “Rhythm Roots” channel at 7:00pm CT, with a rebroadcast on August 18 at 7:00am CT - see it HERE.  “Anniston” is named for a small city in Alabama and tells its story from the perspective of a narrator whose dreams of escaping it seems as doomed to evaporate as the smoke from the train engines pulling out of town. The energetic drive of the track exhibits one of the benefits of the album’s long-delayed release as Williams reconsidered the original arrangement, replacing key guitar parts to provide a more muscular, more aggressive tone that better serves the feeling of frustrated rebellion at the heart of the story.

Fans will have a chance to see a brand new online live streaming concert series, Live From The Aviary, featuring the music of Williams, performed in various musical configurations beginning this Sunday, August 30 at 4:00pm ET.  Williams leads a band that includes long-time friend and collaborator, Greg Porter and several graduates of the music program at UMass Lowell. With multiple cameras and professional audio, each performance will highlight the interaction between musicians, bringing the viewer right into the music, allowing for a more intimate connection. Somewhere between Live from Daryl’s House, Snarky Puppy’s We Like It Here, and Sigur Ros’s Heima, each one-hour live performance will focus on a different theme presented in a different musical setting.

Evidence Unearthed was conceived 25 years ago.  The year was 1993 and Alan Williams had just reached what most musicians only dream of achieving when his band Knots and Crosses (along with his then wife and bandmate) signed to Island Records.  Then in 1994, it all came crashing down.  After getting lost in the fray when Chris Blackwell sold Island Records to Polygram, the band was dropped, they decided to call it quits (cancelling their slated appearance at The Newport Folk Festival), and his marriage dissolved.  To put into words what he was feeling, Williams assembled a group of friends and headed to the Portland Performing Arts Center in Maine to record Evidence, the initial collection of twelve tracks he wrote in response to all of the upheaval. But after sending out promotional copies and despite getting positive reviews in the local Boston press, Williams lost faith in the project and shelved the album. For more than two decades, he hauled a thousand CDs (which he still has today) from apartment to apartment as some kind of penitence for having such musical aspirations.

Fast forward to today, the stunted release of his 1995 album quietly gnawed at him so he dusted it off, gave it a good listen, and to his surprise, the songs held up, and the contributions of his fellow musicians were unquestionably strong but the one flaw, in his mind, was his vocal performance. Incorporating all that he had learned in his time as a freelance engineer and producer, as well as his work with current band Birdsong At Morning, a solution emerged, redo the vocals, rework some arrangement ideas, remix the whole thing, then finally release it. A study in contrasts, Evidence Unearthed pushes the elements familiar to fans of Birdsong to wider extremes – louder and softer, more complex yet comfortable in simplicity. Now this album that both reclaims the past and points to future directions, has been resurrected.

The original sessions for Evidence Unearthed were recorded live in 1994 by Coleman Rogers (Knots and Crosses sound engineer) at the Portland Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Portland, Maine with guitarists Rick Harris and Thomas Juliano, and Ben Wittman and Tom Hambridge on drums.  The initial round of overdubs were recorded in Williams’ apartment with “questionable electrical wiring,” says Williams, along with contributions from Laurie Sargent, Leslie Smith, Ducky Belliveau and Gene Elders. String arrangements were written and conducted by Alan Williams in 2019 by Antonio Oliart at Fraser Performance Studio, WGBH, Boston, MA.

Growing up in Asheville, NC and now making his home in Lowell, MA, Alan Williams has been writing, recording, and performing music for over forty years. He studied classical and jazz piano. His first foray into original music yielded the Hang, a band of he and fellow precocious teenagers from across the state of North Carolina, featuring lifelong collaborator Greg Porter (Aimee Mann, Patty Griffin), Holden Thorp (former Chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill and Provost at Washington University), and Nick Robinson (practicing attorney, and father of EDM star Porter Robinson). Williams left NC to attend the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where he majored in Third Stream Studies, now known as Contemporary Improvisation, a program that has launched many talented musicians from Don Byron and John Medeski to more recent alums Aoife O’Donovan and Lake Street Dive.  Upon graduation, Williams formed the folk-rock band Knots and Crosses with Carol Noonan and Rick Harris.  They built a career in the Boston and Portland, Maine rock scene during the late ‘80s, early ‘90s and self-released two albums, Creatures of Habit (1990) and Curve of the Earth (1992), which led to the ill-fated signing with Island Records in 1993 and thus ultimately breaking up in 1994.  Despondent and at a loss for direction, Williams began working as a freelance recording engineer and producer, and after serving as musical director for Dar Williams’ first full-band tour, shifted direction and enrolled at Brown University eventually earning a PhD in ethnomusicology. Along the way he played in a number of world music ensembles and re-discovered the joys of music making. In 2008, inspired to pick up the guitar after a decade of silence, he found a new songwriting voice, and enticed Darleen Wilson and Greg Porter to join him in forming Birdsong At Morning, a band the Boston Herald described as “…music that is gentle and mellifluous, a slow drift down a lazy river,” Electronic Musician says “…is the greatest act you’ve never heard of,”  while Pop Dose said “These Massachusetts based visionaries have created a compelling and expansive sound… that will make you stop in your tracks and pay very careful attention.”  Williams continues to release albums under his own name and as Birdsong At Morning.  He is also a Professor and Coordinator of Music Business at UMass Lowell.

When you enter the mystical world of River Sultan, you’re immediately transported to the Middle East as you meander down the river Nile in a vessel filled with atmospheric tones and transcendent sounds steeped in rich color.  Opulent layers of delicate textures fill the sonic space with a tapestry of synthesizers, drum machines, guitars, bass, and piano blending together to softly cradle Sultan’s gentle vocals. River Sultan creates music as a means to tell stories that intertwine the human experience at the center where east meets west.  He’ll release “Falling Out Of Time,” a song that he wrote, performed and self-produced, on October 9 - pre-save HERE.

Growing up in Jordan, San Diego, and Egypt, the dichotomy of straddling those worlds has allowed Sultan to create music that comes from a very distinct vantage point, derived from the influences of both cultures and combining his love of western artists such as Pink Floyd, David Gilmour (the reason he began playing guitar), Thom Yorke, Radiohead, Björk, Suicide, and David Bowie with eastern classical Arabic singers and musicians such as Lebanese singer Fairouz as well as artists from the golden era of Egypt including Um Kulthum, Farid El-Atrach, Abdel Halim Hafiz, and renowned composer Mohammad Abdel Wahhab.  Living in those places has given Sultan a greater sense of love and appreciation for Arabic and English music. “While I was living in Egypt I performed with various Arabic musicians and bands and played many different styles of music.”

But for Sultan, music means so much more.  It’s a safe space and a place of healing, after overcoming multiple traumas and personal struggles including taking care of his brother who suffers from psychosis.  And for every trauma he goes through and overcomes, a new song is born. “I was sexually assaulted at three years old. It made me very aware at a very early age,” says Sultan.  “I developed a stutter, PTSD, disassociation, social anxiety, and other difficulties. Plenty to heal from, plenty of songs.”  He used to hold everything in to the point that he couldn’t cry for several years. “Now I cry all the time and my music keeps getting more honest.”  Caring for his brother the past five years has also had a profound effect on Sultan.  “There were many sleepless nights and upsetting events linked to his condition,” says Sultan. “So I put my l life on hold to take care of my family until my brother was more stable. He is now doing a lot better but it was the most difficult five years of my life.  During that time, making music was the only thing that helped me cope.”

River Sultan’s musical journey has only just begun.  He released his very first single “Purple Shelter” during the beginning of the pandemic and the start of his healing process when he realized he could just let all of his anxiety go. On his latest single, “Falling Out Of Time,” Sultan laments about his fear that it may be too late for him live out his dream of making music his career after all he’s been through and that his absolute passion for creating music will never be fulfilled because of it. “I cried through every step of the process making this song.  With every note and sound I added, I was in complete tears.”

River Sultan makes music with an open heart and from a place of vulnerability which allows for something very honest to be produced. Born Fadi Masad, he chose to change his name to River Sultan to remind him that he is in control and the ruler of his own destiny. “The name ‘River’ always captivated me. It is my favorite western name. Very mystical, constantly flowing. I chose ‘Sultan’ to always remind myself of the power that I hold. A reminder that I can overcome any situation no matter how difficult. I don’t see myself regal or better than anyone else, but I am the sultan of my own inner kingdom that I’ve created.” And after all he has learned and been through he would love nothing more to make music to help people through difficult situations and to let them know that growth and even beauty can be pulled from even the darkest of places.

When you enter the mystical world of River Sultan, opulent layers of delicate textures fill the sonic space with a tapestry of synthesizers, drum machines, guitars, bass, and piano blending together to softly cradle Sultan’s gentle vocals. River Sultan creates music as a means to tell stories that intertwine the human experience at the center where east meets west.  He releases his second single “Falling Out Of Time,” a song that he wrote, performed and self-produced, today, October 9 – listen HERE.  The song recently premiered on San Diego’s 91X “Loudspeaker” show.

River Sultan performed a two-song set with The Record by USRN (United Stations Radio Network) which airs today at 2:00pm ET – watch HERE.  He’ll also be performing a live show with Launch Global November 12 at 7:00pm ET HERE.

Growing up in Jordan, San Diego, and Egypt, the dichotomy of straddling those worlds has allowed Sultan to create music that comes from a very distinct vantage point, derived from the influences of both cultures and combining his love of western artists such as Pink Floyd, David Gilmour (the reason he began playing guitar), Thom Yorke, Radiohead, Björk, Suicide, and David Bowie with eastern classical Arabic singers and musicians such as Lebanese singer Fairouz as well as artists from the golden era of Egypt including Um Kulthum, Farid El-Atrach, Abdel Halim Hafiz, and renowned composer Mohammad Abdel Wahhab.  Living in those places has given Sultan a greater sense of love and appreciation for Arabic and English music. “While I was living in Egypt I performed with various Arabic musicians and bands and played many different styles of music.”

But for Sultan, music means so much more.  It’s a safe space and a place of healing, after overcoming multiple traumas and personal struggles including taking care of his brother who is now recovering from psychosis.  “There were many sleepless nights and upsetting events linked to his condition,” says Sultan. “So I put my l life on hold to take care of my family until my brother was more stable. He is now doing a lot better but it was the most difficult five years of my life.  During that time, making music was the only thing that helped me cope.”

River Sultan’s musical journey has only just begun.  He released his very first single “Purple Shelter” during the beginning of the pandemic and the start of his healing process when he realized he could just let all of his anxiety go. On his latest single, “Falling Out Of Time,” Sultan laments about his fear that it may be too late for him live out his dream of making music his career after all he’s been through and that his absolute passion for creating music will never be fulfilled because of it. “I cried through every step of the process making this song.  With every note and sound I added, I was in complete tears.” 

River Sultan makes music with an open heart and from a place of vulnerability which allows for something very honest to be produced. Born Fadi Masad, he chose to change his name to River Sultan to remind him that he is in control and the ruler of his own destiny. “The name ‘River’ always captivated me. It is my favorite western name. Very mystical, constantly flowing. I chose ‘Sultan’ to always remind myself of the power that I hold. A reminder that I can overcome any situation no matter how difficult. I don’t see myself regal or better than anyone else, but I am the sultan of my own inner kingdom that I’ve created.” And after all he has learned and been through he would love nothing more to make music to help people through difficult situations and to let them know that growth and even beauty can be pulled from even the darkest of places.

Formed on the open plains of their home state of Oklahoma, husband and wife duo The Imaginaries’ Maggie McClure (piano, keyboard, vocals) and Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) are finally set to release their long-awaited self-titled debut album, The Imaginaries on March 26, 2021 through ONErpm. Fans can pre-order special signed copies of the album now HERE.

Their single "Revival," a spiritual swampy roots song about finding hope and salvation, will be impacting Americana, AAA, and college radio on February 22, 2021. Listen to it on Spotify HERE.  “It came to be as a merging of three separate song ideas,” says Maggie. “Our faith certainly has an impact on our lives and therefore our songwriting, so the themes of the song are complete with biblical references from ‘not storing up treasures on earth’ to the warnings of ‘the love of money’ with an adventurous undertone of spreading the good news.”  The video / short film has received a lot of attention on the film festival circuit with its O Brother, Where Art Thou? meets Bonnie and Clyde theme.  Watch it HERE (155K+ Views).

Produced by the duo, the album marks the beginning of their journey as a band after both singer songwriters have enjoyed their own successes as solo artists.  It began when they traveled to Muscle Shoals, AL to perform a couple of songs for Grammy-Award winning engineer John Cuniberti’s YouTube series called “The OneMic Series.”  They had such an amazing experience being there that they decided to return to record their album enlisting the help of session musicians and legendary Muscle Shoals “Swampers,” including bassist David Hood (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Paul Simon), Little Richard guitarist Kelvin Holly (Jason Isbell, Gregg Allman, Neil Young), bassist Shonna Tucker (John Paul White, The Secret Sisters), and keyboardist NC Thurman (Hank Williams Jr, Gregg Allman, Little Richard).  They also flew in their drummer Rob Humphreys(Leonard Cohen, Jason Mraz) for the recording and worked with Chad Copelin (Sufjan Stevens, Christina Perri, Ben Rector) back in Oklahoma for keys and additional production as well as keyboardist Dan Walker (Heart).  Watch the EPK style documentary about the album for the Grand Casino Resort’s “Play It Loud” series HERE.

The experience left a profound effect on the duo and what came out of those recording sessions were songs filled with effortless harmonies combined with heartfelt lyrics and real-life lessons inspired by personal experiences. “And we’ve had a lot of those on our journey to release this album,” says Shane.  Originally planned for a 2019 release date, the album had several major setbacks beginning when Shane was struck with a serious illness that sidelined him for many months. Following his recovery, the duo was chosen from dozens of competing artists to open for the 16th Annual Brian Setzer Orchestra’s annual Christmas Rocks Tour only for it to be suddenly canceled because Brian came down with a severe case of tinnitus.  Then Maggie had unexpected invasive gum surgery which kept her from singing for two months.  During this time, they worked diligently on booking shows for Spring/Summer 2020 to support their pending album release when Coronavirus pandemic took hold of the world, so the duo decided to switch gears and release three singles and three videos to build up to the album release.

In addition to “Revival,” The Imaginaries released “Walking On A Wire,” a song written about facing obstacles head on and pushing through to overcome them along with the stunning video shot in the dunes of Little Sahara State Park in Waynoka, OK and Gloss Mountain State Park in Fairview, OK – watch it HERE. "Thinking 'Bout You" is a sincere acoustic-driven song about missing someone you care about but don't get to be with because of distance – watch the video HERE.

After multiple challenges, many career ups and downs, and with the new reality of virtual performances and press interviews, the duo, are looking forward to finally releasing their debut album.   "We are so excited for the world to hear The Imaginaries' debut album in its entirety,” says the duo.  “The recording experience was amazing, having had the opportunity to collaborate with so many incredibly talented individuals, and we are so proud to finally release this collection of songs.”

Oklahoma’s favorite Americana husband / wife duo, The Imaginaries, Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) and Maggie McClure (keys, piano, vocals), are back for the second year in a row to partner with the Chickasha Economic Development Council with the release of their festive new original holiday song “Christmas Town” out today – Listen HERE. The song and upcoming video will help celebrate the Chickasha Festival Of Light, named by Forbes Magazine  and USA Today as one of the best light displays in the United States. Click HERE to see a peak of the festivities including the iconic 40-foot giant leg lamp.

"Christmas Town" was co-written by Grammy-award winning songwriter Jeff Silbar, who may be best known for writing Bette Midler’s classic “Wind Beneath My Wings,” along with Maggie McClure and Shane Henry.  It was recorded at Cardinal Song in OKC and Windjammer Studios in Norman, OK.  The cover art was designed by famed Disney animator James Lopez.

“We were inspired to write ‘Christmas Town’ after spending many holiday seasons in Chickasha and experiencing the magic of the holiday season they bring firsthand,” says Maggie McClure.  “Chickasha truly is the quintessential ‘Christmas Town’ with the Festival of Light, the giant Leg Lamp downtown, the warm and welcoming community, and so much more. We are excited to partner with the Chickasha Economic Development Council once again to help promote all that Chickasha has to offer throughout the holiday season.”

The Chickasha Festival Of Light is a free event taking place from November 20 – December 31 and will transform Shannon Springs Park’s 43 acres into a magnificent walk and drive thru light display.  The Festival expands this year to beautiful Downtown Chickasha with “December at the Depot” beginning Friday, December 3..  There will be new attractions, pop up shops, food trucks, a shuttle that transports passengers out to Shannon Springs Park to avoid the line, and a chance to get your picture taken with Santa, the Downtown Christmas Tree, or the leg lamp.

And on December 4, The Imaginaries will participate in the annual Chickasha Christmas Parade down Main Street, showcasing around 40 floats from businesses and community groups. The Parade starts at 7:00pm and will be followed by a special performance by The Imaginaries as well as a screening of the “Christmas Town” Music video at the Chickasha Community Theatre (Historic Washita Theatre) at 8:00pm.  Tickets are only $10 and 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Chickasha Soup Kitchen and Life Skills Institute – Purchase HERE.

Last year, The Imaginaries partnered with the Chickasha EDC to release their original holiday song and video for “Hometown Christmas,”  the title track off their 2020 album by the same name, Hometown Christmas (listen HERE).  The album features 13 tracks of originals and some of the duo’s holiday favorites.

“After the huge success of last year’s partnership, we were excited to collaborate again with The Imaginaries this year,” says Jim Cowan, Chickasha Economic Development Director. “Their song captures all that the holiday season brings to Chickasha and makes us truly feel like ‘Christmas Town.’ They will always be a local favorite during the holidays.”

Oklahoma’s favorite Americana husband / wife duo, The Imaginaries, Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) and Maggie McClure (keys, piano, vocals), are partnering with the Chickasha Economic Development Council for the release of their festive new video (directed by Reagan Elkins with Intellego Media) for their original holiday song “Christmas Town”– Watch Here.  The video for the song helps to celebrate the Chickasha Festival Of Light, named by Forbes Magazine  and USA Today as one of the best light displays in the United States. It was filmed all around the city at local attractions and businesses with members of the community including Oklahoma City’s KFOR-TV meteorologist Emily Sutton. Click HERE to see a special video of last year’s event which showcases the festivities and the city’s famous iconic 40-foot giant leg lamp.

“The Imaginaries’ video showcases Chickasha as the true ‘Christmas town’ and all of the festivities that the city has to offer this time of year,” says Jim Cowan, Director of Chickasha Economic Development Council.  “The Imaginaries will always be a local favorite during the holidays, but we love that their music is heard all over the world too.”

"Christmas Town" was co-written by Maggie McClure and Shane Henry as well as Grammy-award winning songwriter Jeff Silbar, who’s worked with Kenny Rogers, Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton, and wrote Bette Midler’s classic “Wind Beneath My Wings.”  It was recorded at Cardinal Song in OKC and Windjammer Studios in Norman, OK.  The cover art and Candyland style boardgame featured in the video was designed by famed Disney animator James Lopez.

Lauren Calve has been undergoing a metamorphosis in her life, a massive shift. You can hear it seeping through every song, oozing out of every lyric, and feel the shedding of her skin with every note on her first full-length album Shift out September 1. The subtle and understated yearning in her voice, the intonation in her haunting vocals and delivery, Calve is longing for something more. Through the ten-track collection of songs on Shift, she invites the listener to come along on her journey of self-discovery and change, demonstrating a musical masterclass in the art of emotional storytelling.

Shift was recorded in Nashville at 3Sirens Music Group with producer, engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Dex Green (Margo Price, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Allison Russell) along with a stellar line-up of musical talent including Fred Eltringham on drums (ACM Drummer of the Year, Drumeo Country Drummer of the Year, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson), Audley Freed on guitar (Sheryl Crow, The Black Crowes), Robert Kearns on bass (Sheryl Crow, Lynyrd Skynyrd), Marlon Patton on drums (Larkin Poe, Lera Lynn), Jared Reynolds on bass (Ben Folds) and engineer Joe Costa (Ben Folds).

The sound reflects the environment in which the songs were written, in quarantine, mainly, and therefore in periods of silence and self-reflection.  The result is a collection of songs that include the title track and first single “Shift,” out May 26, with its dramatic imagery of a literal tectonic plate shift and asteroids colliding in space that illustrate her state of mind in the middle of an emotional shift.  "'Shift' is the linchpin of the album,” says Calve.  “It sets the tone and introduces a recurring theme in Shift: facing inevitable change.  The chorus line, ‘Will it take me or break me under its weight, or will I take it and break away?’ poses existential questions that I work through in the remaining songs.  ‘Shift’ is the preamble that states my intention for the album: change is inevitable; the question is how do we respond in its wake?"

Shift is the follow up to her 2020 Wildfire EP, which featured the stand-out lead track, “Better Angels,” written by Calve after listening to a radio interview with Jon Meacham who cited Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address on the eve of the Civil War as inspiration for his book, The Soul of America: The Battle For Our Better Angels and it reflected what the world was going through during the pandemic.  With Shift, it’s different from her past releases primarily because it’s her first full-length and complete album of work.

Now, with the new album coming, Calve is building off the momentum she’s gained with her music, from touring with the likes of Rhett Miller (she was a guest on his podcast - listen HERE), Ray Wylie Hubbard, Tom Paxton, Justin Townes Earle, and Amythyst Kiah, to name a few, recent writing sessions with Grammy-Award winning songwriters Jon Vezner and Don Henry,  and a performance on the prestigious Mountain Stage.  Calve will be on tour the rest of the year (dates below).  More dates to be announced soon HERE.

Tour Dates:

WED, June 14 at Grey Eagle Patio Stage @ 4:00pm in Asheville, NC

THU, June 15 at Bird's Nest Listening Room @ 7:00pm in Dunn, NC

SAT, June 17 at The Carroll Arts Center @ 7:30pm in Westminster, MD

SUN, June 18 at The Room at Cedar Grove @ 6:30pm in Lewes, DE

Raleigh-area duo The One Eighties (Daniel Cook and Autumn Brand) will finally release their long-awaited debut album Minefields August 18 (pre-save HERE).  Today, they are premiering their Living Rooms Sessions video of “Two Jet Planes” exclusively with Americana UK - Watch HERE.  Alfitude says the song, which was released on July 7, is “simply sublime. By fusing elements of Americana with indie and pop, the track feels sincere, heartfelt and emotive.” York Calling says it’s “…told through an emotive Americana pop arrangement with beautifully compelling vocal harmonies. Its lyrical storytelling is rich and its chorus is wonderfully memorable.”  Up To Hear says it boasts, “… dreamy vocal harmonies that have been deployed in all of the right areas…”

Minefields was mastered by Grammy-Award winners Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone (Kacey Musgraves, The National, Father John Misty) and features key players such as award-winning drummer Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow, Amanda Shires, Carrie Underwood) and bassist Mark Hill (Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson) among others.

In addition to “Two Jet Planes” July 7, they released two tracks in 2022 including their beautiful debut single “Dead Star Light,” a song that combines traditional roots instrumentation with 80’s synths and orchestral strings. The video was seen on CMT.com and DittyTV, they performed the song on My Carolina Today (CBS) – watch it HERE, were included in No Depression “What We’re Listening To” Column HERE, and featured in Raleigh Magazine HERE, among others.  Their second single, the genre defying Disco-Americana “No King,” is a tongue-in-cheek song about the demise of an oppressor.  Minds Behind The Music said, “This is what the new ABBA songs should have sounded like…‘No King’ is a perfectly produced and written pop gem. It's got great vocals, great orchestration and great guitars too. Love it!” The video, watch HERE, was co-directed by Cook, art-directed by Brand, and produced with the support of Myriad, a Raleigh-based video company.  It made its national television debut on DittyTV show The Curve.

And to celebrate their album release, The One Eighties will be playing a special album release party at Kings in Raleigh at 8:00pm on August 25.  Tickets are on sale now HERE.  “The album has some big instrumentation and production, so we’re excited to bring it to the stage and to Raleigh for the very first time,” said Brand. “Along with a seven-piece band joining us on stage, the audience can expect a few surprises.”   They will also be playing Sofar Sounds in Raleigh September 14, location to be announced soon.  Catch The One Eighties on the road later this year.  Tour dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

DMV-area singer / songwriter Lauren Calve has released a special stripped-down “Home Planetarium Version” video for her song “Subtle Alchemy” today - Watch HERE (directed by Elena Lacayo).  The song was released last Friday, August 18 (listen HERE) and is her third single ahead of her upcoming long-awaited debut album Shift (Pre-Save HERE) out September 1.

Says Calve, “’Subtle Alchemy’ is the trailblazer of the record and is most representative of where I’m headed sonically and thematically.  I wrote the music and lyrics while observing my surroundings from my dining room table on a quiet Winter morning.  The process was a kind of open-eyed meditation; every observation became another line in the song.  At the time, I was immersed in reading about alchemy and its relevance in the modern age.  While observing the dynamism of my surroundings, I felt that the melting snow, smoke dissipating into the atmosphere– even love itself– were all forms of alchemy.  I wanted to create a stripped down, stylized video for the song that would reflect this.  I have a home planetarium and always wanted to use it in one of my videos. The two seemed to be a perfect match!  The projection of constellations onto my basement wall along with the colorful lighting really highlight the song’s underlying message that there is alchemy, or magic, happening all around us, all the time.”

Shift was recorded in Nashville at 3Sirens Music Group with producer, engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Dex Green (Margo Price, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Allison Russell) along with a stellar line-up of musical talent including Fred Eltringham on drums (ACM Drummer of the Year, Drumeo Country Drummer of the Year, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson), Audley Freed on guitar (Sheryl Crow, The Black Crowes), Robert Kearns on bass (Sheryl Crow, Lynyrd Skynyrd), Marlon Patton on drums (Larkin Poe, Lera Lynn), Jared Reynolds on bass (Ben Folds) and engineer Joe Costa (Ben Folds).

The sound reflects the environment in which the songs were written, in quarantine, mainly, and therefore in periods of silence and self-reflection.  Through the ten-track collection of songs on Shift, she invites the listener to come along on her journey of self-discovery and change, demonstrating a musical masterclass in the art of emotional storytelling.

Calve will be on the road for the rest of this year playing one off dates as well as co-headlining the “Bound For A Shift” tour with Joey Frendo. Cities include Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Washington DC, Nashville, Boston, and more.  Tour dates are below.  More dates to be announced soon HERE.

“Bound For A Shift” Tour Dates - Co-Headline Dates With Joey Frendo:

Sept 13 - City Winery - Philadelphia, PA

Sept 14 - Metro Gallery - Baltimore, MD

Sept 15 - Sleepwalk - Brooklyn, NY

Sept 17 - City Winery Loft - Boston, MA

Sept 18 - Higher Ground - S. Burlington, VT

Oct 13 - Still Partners - Sea Cliff, NY (not part of “Bound For A Shift” Tour)

Oct 18 - DC9 - Washington, DC

Oct 19 - The Collective Encore - Columbia, MD

Oct 22 - The Heist - Bowling Green, VA

Oct 26 - City Winery Loft - Nashville, TN

Oct 27 - The Nick - Birmingham, AL

Oct 29 - Eddie’s Attic - Decatur, GA

Stephen Holden of Rolling Stone magazine called the debut album by prog-rock pioneers Crack The Sky “…one of year’s most impressive debuts.”  Today, some 45+ years later, the band celebrates their milestone June 9 release of their 20th studio album From The Wood (Listen on Spotify HERE or HERE) with a special acoustic performance video for the song “Don’t Close Your Eyes” – Watch HERE. The song tells a somber tale about teenage suicide and the toll it can take on loved ones set to melodic guitars, gently strumming along to Palumbo’s temperate vocals.

From The Wood sees Crack The Sky breaking new ground, surprising fans with a mostly acoustic album.  Acoustic guitars, piano, dobro, ukulele, banjo, accordion, mandolin, bass, toy piano, djembe, and drums, the result is a ten-track opus (plus two bonus tracks) that inspires, enflames, and reassures the listener with twists and turns along the way.  From The Wood is introspective but still unique and progressive. John Palumbo continues to shape his vision of a world with his unique writing style. The guitar interplay from Rick Witkowski and Bobby Hird continues to propel the band in both new and familiar directions.

Songs cover an array of poignant topics including isolation (as experienced from the pandemic), teenage suicide, and social and political commentary on songs such as “Don’t Feed The Tigers” about how we, as a society, put our blind faith in the government and those who run things.  “Fun In Isolation” is a rocking track about the desperation of wanting to be left alone during pandemic to get away from the circus that went on politically surrounding it.  “Heart Of The Lion” with its classic rock sound and smooth vocal harmonies,  pays homage to Ukraine. “My New World” is a lament on how much things have changed told from the perspective of a skeptical man. The album’s hopeful closing track, “Circle Of Life” is about the feeling of being in a state of Zen and being one with the universe.

Some bands have the innate ability to put their collective finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist, and then be able to channel that level of awareness into poignant, affecting music that transcends the bounds of the here and now. Crack The Sky is just such a band.

Though the Weirton, West Virginia-bred rock outfit respectfully celebrated the 45th anniversary of their critically acclaimed self-titled 1975 debut album in 2020, an album that Rolling Stone magazine called “…one of year’s most impressive debuts,” Crack The Sky have no intention of gliding by on the past accomplishments of a deep-rooted career, but rather have their respective sights set on conquering the road that lies ahead.

See Crack The Sky in select cities through 2024. All dates are listed below, more dates will be announced soon.

TOUR DATES:

October 7, 2023 at Sellersville Theater in Sellersville PA (8:00pm show)
November 3 + 4, 2023 at Rams Head Onstage in Annapolis, MD (8:00pm show)
November 5, 2023 at Rams Head Onstage in Annapolis, MD (1:00pm all-ages show) Matinee
November 24, 2023 at State Theater of Havre de Grace in Havre de Grace, MD (8:00pm show)
January 12, 2024 at The Paramount in Huntington, NY (8:00pm show)
January 13, 2024 at Club in Edgewood, MD (8:00pm show)
January 14, 2024 at Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA (7:00pm show)

Crack The Sky:

John Palumbo – Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keys

Rick Witkowski – Guitars & Vocals

Joey D’Amico – Drums & Vocals

Bobby Hird – Guitars & Vocals

Glenn Workman – Keyboards & Vocals

Dave DeMarco – Bass & Vocals

Brian K. Pagels and Stephen Russ, the DC-area duo, Brian K & The Parkway, are releasing their second single, “Straight Through” featuring Cat Popper, known for her band Puss N Boots with Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson and for her work with Jack White, Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, among others, who provides guest vocals on the track out March 1, 2024 – Pre-Save HERE.

But how did a new band that’s just starting out secure Popper on their debut album?  The answer is simple, just ask. Pagels has been a fan of Popper’s vocals since he first heard her sing on Ryan Adams & The Cardinals’ album Cold Roses. “I was immediately struck and moved by her voice,” says Pagels. So, when he heard she was working on releasing her own solo material, he decided to take a chance and reach out. “I filled out a form on her website and asked her if she would consider singing a duet with me,” says Pagels thinking the message would go into a black hole of webforms. “Instead, she responded within an hour with ‘damn dude, I love this tune!,’” says Pagels. After emailing back and forth and talking on the phone “everything came really naturally from there, including the vocal arrangement which I was honored to lay out for Brian and Cat,” says Russ. “They both brought their own touch to it, Cat delivered an incredible vocal take, and that’s the magic you hear on the song.”  Adds Popper, “This song was so fun to sing on and was stuck in my head for weeks!”

Brian K & The Parkway just released their debut single “Wind The Clock” January 12 – Listen HERE. On release day, Unrecorded named it a “best new track.” Mayhem Rockstar Magazine said it’s “…a light, infectious composition” while Alchemical Records says the song, “…really highlights this focus on songwriting and storytelling while embracing an energetic and uplifting musicality that is guitar driven, rooted in rock and roll…” “Wind The Clock” which opens with a lilting guitar riff and drum groove, is a commentary on tribalism and the extreme black and white thinking that has materialized in society today. The song offers a means to expel the frustration of it all while expressing a spirit of hope and solidarity with those actively fighting for a better world despite all the forces working against them. “I wanted it to be an anthem for ‘my people,’ those who value peacebuilding, justice, equality, democracy, and universal human rights,” says Pagels.

The duo are set to release their debut album, Killing The Bear, March 29, 2024. Most of the work on Killing The Bear was done by Pagels and Russ, but it was mastered by Justin Perkins (North Mississippi Allstars, The Replacements, Lydia Loveless), co-engineered by Zac Thomas at The Jam Room in Columbia, SC, and co-produced and mixed by Collin Derrick. The nine-song collection, a nod to the ‘70s rock sound of artists like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and Warren Zevon, is guitar-based, roots-oriented rock, infused with a healthy dose of soul and R&B. Piano and organ play a critical role in establishing the sound along with some horns thrown in for good measure. The duo dubs their sound “coastal heartland rock,” reflecting the fact that their major influences are artists that hail from coastal areas such as New Jersey, Florida, and California, but are known for their own mix of classic heartland rock.

Pagels and Russ formed Brian K & The Parkway in 2021. Pagels is from Springsteen’s hometown of Freehold, NJ, Russ is from the Carolinas, both share an innate connection to The Boss and are acutely inspired by him. Although the guys refer to the band name fondly as “very Jersey,” it denotes Pagels‘s name and the fact that The George Washington Memorial Parkway connects the route between their Northern Virginia homes; Pagels lives in Alexandria, Russ lives in Arlington.

Killing The Bear’s overarching theme is about our ever-increasing inability as humans to deal with the source of our problems and instead, look to surface-level, near-term solutions, and then declare immediate victory. The songs serve as vignettes about the things we do to cope, for better or worse. Now, with their debut coming, Brian K & The Parkway can’t wait to get out on the road to play it for audiences up and down the east coast beginning this March. They will be kicking off their east coast tour with a special all ages album release party at Jammin Java in Vienna, VA on March 29. Tickets are on sale now HERE. Additional dates below, including a stop in Brooklyn, NY with Diane Gentile. More dates to be added soon.

TOUR DATES:

March 29 - Jammin Java, Vienna, VA – All ages album release show

April 25 - Tin Roof, Charleston, SC

April 26 - Curiosity Coffee, Columbia, SC

April 28 - The Pinhook, Durham, NC

April 30 - The Camel, Richmond, VA

May 1 - Quarry House Tavern, Silver Springs, MD

May 3 - The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Asbury Park, NJ

May 4 - Faces Brewing, Boston, MA

May 5 - Sleepwalk, Brooklyn, NY (with Diane Gentile)

Brian K. Pagels and Stephen Russ, the DC-area duo, Brian K & The Parkway, will release their second single, “Straight Through” featuring Cat Popper, known for her band Puss N Boots with Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson and for her work with Jack White, Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, among others, who provides guest vocals on the track out March 1, 2024 – Pre-Save HERE.

Today, Glide Magazine is exclusively premiering the lyric video for the song – Watch it HERE.  It features footage of Pagels and Russ as they both meander through beautiful landscapes, hiking in Northern Virginia and Texas respectively, until they finally meet up. Says Pagels, “Although we were thousands of miles apart and in vastly different settings, we’re both trying to find our way straight through. In the end, we find each other, and it symbolizes our friendship which is a key theme of the song.”

Pagels, having been a fan of Cat Popper’s vocals since he first heard her sing on Ryan Adams & The Cardinals’ album Cold Roses, was floored when she said yes to singing on the track. “I was immediately struck and moved by her voice the first time I heard it,” says Pagels. So, when he found out she was working on releasing her own solo material, he decided to take a chance and reach out. “I filled out a form on her website and asked her if she would consider singing a duet with me,” says Pagels, thinking the message would go into a black hole of webforms. “Instead, she responded within an hour with ‘damn dude, I love this tune!,’” says Pagels. After emailing back and forth and talking on the phone “everything came really naturally from there, including the vocal arrangement which I was honored to lay out for Brian and Cat,” says Russ. “They both brought their own touch to it, Cat delivered an incredible vocal take, and that’s the magic you hear on the song.”  Adds Popper, “This song was so fun to sing on and was stuck in my head for weeks!”

Brian K & The Parkway released their debut single “Wind The Clock” January 12 – Listen HERE. On release day, Unrecorded named it a “best new track.” Mayhem Rockstar Magazine said it’s “…a light, infectious composition” while Alchemical Records says the song, “…really highlights this focus on songwriting and storytelling while embracing an energetic and uplifting musicality that is guitar driven, rooted in rock and roll…” “Wind The Clock” which opens with a lilting guitar riff and drum groove, is a commentary on tribalism and the extreme black and white thinking that has materialized in society today. The song offers a means to expel the frustration of it all while expressing a spirit of hope and solidarity with those actively fighting for a better world despite all the forces working against them. “I wanted it to be an anthem for ‘my people,’ those who value peacebuilding, justice, equality, democracy, and universal human rights,” says Pagels.

The duo are set to release their debut album, Killing The Bear, March 29, 2024. Most of the work on Killing The Bear was done by Pagels and Russ, but it was mastered by Justin Perkins (North Mississippi Allstars, The Replacements, Lydia Loveless), co-engineered by Zac Thomas at The Jam Room in Columbia, SC, and co-produced and mixed by Collin Derrick. The nine-song collection, a nod to the ‘70s rock sound of artists like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and Warren Zevon, is guitar-based, roots-oriented rock, infused with a healthy dose of soul and R&B. Piano and organ play a critical role in establishing the sound along with some horns thrown in for good measure. The duo dubs their sound “coastal heartland rock,” reflecting the fact that their major influences are artists that hail from coastal areas such as New Jersey, Florida, and California, but are known for their own mix of classic heartland rock.

Pagels and Russ formed Brian K & The Parkway in 2021. Pagels is from Springsteen’s hometown of Freehold, NJ, Russ is from the Carolinas, both share an innate connection to The Boss and are acutely inspired by him. Although the guys refer to the band name fondly as “very Jersey,” it denotes Pagels‘s name and the fact that The George Washington Memorial Parkway connects the route between their Northern Virginia homes; Pagels lives in Alexandria, Russ lives in Arlington.

Killing The Bear’s overarching theme is about our ever-increasing inability as humans to deal with the source of our problems and instead, look to surface-level, near-term solutions, and then declare immediate victory. The songs serve as vignettes about the things we do to cope, for better or worse. Now, with their debut coming, Brian K & The Parkway can’t wait to get out on the road to play it for audiences up and down the east coast beginning this March. They will be kicking off their east coast tour with a special all ages album release party at Jammin Java in Vienna, VA on March 29. Tickets are on sale now HERE. Additional dates below, including a stop in Brooklyn, NY with Diane Gentile. More dates to be added soon.

TOUR DATES:

March 29 - Jammin Java, Vienna, VA – All ages album release show (With Cat Popper, Karen Jonas)

April 25 - Tin Roof, Charleston, SC

April 26 - Curiosity Coffee, Columbia, SC

April 27 - West Salem Public House, Winston-Salem, SC

April 28 - The Pinhook, Durham, NC

April 30 - The Camel, Richmond, VA

May 1 - Quarry House Tavern, Silver Springs, MD

May 2 - Fringe Bar, Philadelphia, PA

May 3 - The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Asbury Park, NJ

May 4 - Faces Brewing, Boston, MA

May 5 - Sleepwalk, Brooklyn, NY (with Diane Gentile)