Thursday, January 22, 2015

BUTCH JONES BRINGS BROADWAY TO BROOKLYN

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180688

Co-Producing, engineering, and facilitating regional performances since March 2014, Grammy Award winning engineer Butch Jones is bringing home an ardent project to complete. From conception to fruition with long-time industry veteran Dodie Pettit, a true labor of love has helped develop an endearing tribute album like no other.

After Broadway actor Kevin Gray's sudden passing in 2013, a sold-out memorial show at The Majestic Theatre in NYC inspired Pettit, Gray's wife, to preserve the magical performances of that night. It was then that Pettit started to produce that magic again in the form of an album, which will honor Kevin's memory and commemorate his 8,200 plus performance career.

Pettit reached out to dear friend, Butch Jones, to help produce, engineer and mix the album. "When you work with the best, you know you are going to get the best. Butch is the best engineer I've ever worked with as well as my best friend," says Pettit. "I knew this was also a work of love for Butch because of his deep connection with Kevin."

Recorded across the country, from Nashville to Los Angeles and of course, New York City; Jones is currently beginning the mixing process at 825 Records' studio. "I want it to be as awesome as Kevin's performances were on Broadway," said Jones. "What better way to accomplish this than by bringing this project home to 825. I can now spend all the time needed in a brand new room with a hybrid console that I helped build."

The upcoming album features over 30 tracks and over 200 Broadway performers. It brings new life to well-known songs and will bring happiness and nostalgia to audiences everywhere.

The album features multiple Tony Award winning entertainers including Bebe Neuwirth, Len Cariou, and Judy Kaye as well as long time friends and Broadway veterans Jack Coleman, Charles Randolph-Wright, Hugh Panaro and Alton Fitzgerald White. It also features almost entire casts of current and long-standing Broadway shows. Well known conductors and session musicians back up every guest with the likes of David Caddick, Kristin Blodgette, and Kevin Stites in front of Bashiri Johnson, Matty Amendola, Ira Siegal, Dunn Pearson, and many more.

Butch says "We have used so many great players that it would impossible to list everyone in one press release. I will say that there will eventually be a full list posted of everyone who helped turn this dream project into reality."

825 Records is extremely proud to support this project and the work of our very own, Butch Jones. Please contact Pettit's publicist OLGATALYN@AOL.COM for additional information about the album.

I'm The King Of Alternative Pop Music The Ugly Superstar Announces As If He Was Leo Standing At The Tip Of The Titantic

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180597

"I know the statement I made was bold, but I feel I am onto something awesome" said the singer, songwriter, music producer, screenwriter, author, poet and human Michael Blaney. "Before CHRONICLES OF AN UGLY SUPERSTAR part one of five, I had done four albums that were folk rock/punk rock oriented. I had some success with songs like WHATS WRONG WITH YOU, WHY, TOMATO, DON'T CALL ME AN ANGEL, RAINSTORM, LITTLE BOY LOST and then a series of personal issues stemming from a stupid attempted suicide, major robberies, i.d. theft, police senseless acts and stupidity to a whole domino effect kept me from music and writing all together, then one day I sat back and created the UGLY SUPERSTAR character, a kids franchise named FROGUEY, three autobiographies and a soon vampire graphic novel franchise all from the situations that occurred," Blaney blurts out. Then why all yourself the king of alternative pop music? "Everything you hear I did alone, and everything from music to the vocals were done in one take, often no lyrics in front of me. But, that's where the beauty of part one of five comes from and songs like I'M A ROBOT,CHRONICLES, PICK UP THE TEMPO, WE ARE ONE, MACHINE, I'M A PROUD AMERICAN And DEVIL KNOWS MY NAME have already found an audience with no marketing. There are lots of flaws and I Do go against the grain to me that's alternative. And I am just getting started." Blaney says. You can check his stuff at amazon http://buff.ly/1C6o0ET or his personal link below.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

WILLIE BASSE Will Be at The 2015 NAMM Show Celebrating His Relationship with AMPEG


Empire Media, Inc.

rockscool@aol.com

January 19, 2015



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



"Cultural Ambassador To The Sunset Strip, WILLIE BASSE Will Be at The 2015 NAMM Show Celebrating His Relationship with AMPEG"



WILLIE BASSE, a professional recording artist best known as frontman of the legendary Los Angeles based rock band, Black Sheep has recently toured the USA & Canada several times. His philanthropy work with his charities, http://rockforrecovery.com and http://FeedAmerica-Now.org is unparalleled.



While touring, opening for Ex-Dokken virtuoso, George Lynch and his band, Lynch Mob, bassist ROBBIE CRANE allowed Willie to use his Ampeg Bass rig to cut down on set up change time.



"I was reminded of the power and tone I had in the early Black Sheep days."

Willie explains, "It was like going home, very warm and very distinct. So I got in touch with Ampeg and have enjoyed using the V4-B model."



The Ampeg V-4B 100W All-Tube Bass Amplifier is a remarkable reissue of the legendary 1971 original, delivering the pure tube tone and unmistakable grind that earned the classic model a place in bass history.



Willie says, "The V4-B has a Pre-Amp stage with Master Volume that allows me to dial in the saturation of my desire, creating grit and sustain, while at the same time the sound is Big, Clear and Distinctively Pronounced."



Basse has also been using Schecter Guitar Research basses. When he recorded his single, "BREAK AWAY" with Led Zeppelin/Van Halen engineer/producer ANDY JOHNS, Andy introduced Willie to Schecter basses and guitars.



WILLIE said,

"On my song, "BREAK AWAY"

(hear it at http://williebasse.com )

I take a short bass solo in the middle. The Schecter bass & 12-string guitars cut through, while maintaining a warm balance and pronounced tone throughout the whole song.



Catch up with WILLIE BASSE at The NAMM Show, January 23-25, 2015 in Anaheim, CA. BASSE will be at the http://ampeg.com upstairs booth #209 A/B and at http://schecterguitars.com



Stay Tuned for touring updates starting this February through Summer 2015. http://thegypsyexperience.com is the current WILLIE BASSE musical adventure headed to a venue near you.

His weekly Podcast is at:

http://thesunsetstriponline.com




http://www.artistecard.com/williebasse

Monday, January 19, 2015

M.C. Records To Release "Rise And Fall" From Dayna Kurtz On March 31

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180576

M.C. Records is proud to announce they'll be releasing "Rise and Fall" by genre outlaw Dayna Kurtz on March 31. This marks the 2nd recording that Dayna and M.C. Records have released together. In 2013 M.C. Records issued her R&B recording, Secret Canon Vol. 2 to critical acclaim.

Rise and Fall, is Dayna's first album of originals in 4 years. Says Kurtz, "This album is the most like (debut) Postcards From Downtown in that it covers such a long span of collected original material. Rise and Fall covers these last few years of my life and they were pretty heavy years; My father died, my marriage ended. I moved to New Orleans. I had a couple years of wild oat-sowing and then found a grand new love. There’s been a lot to think about, to write about.”

With roots in New Jersey, a lengthy New York City past, and her time now divided between her family’s cabin on a river in Vermont, and a home on another river in New Orleans, she is an entirely American creature -yet her greatest successes and most regular touring have happened in in theaters and rock clubs in European cities such as Barcelona and Amsterdam.

She had a top 10 hit song in the Netherlands with the gorgeous and beguiling, "Love Gets in the Way." She has toured with Richard Thompson, Elvis Costello, Richie Havens, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Dr. John, Rufus Wainright and Mavis Staples. She’s recorded a duet with Norah Jones, and both Ms. Jones and Bonnie Raitt have sung her praises in interviews. She has appeared at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival, The Celebrate Brooklyn Festival, Mountain Stage, Austin City Limits Festival and World Café.

"Rich as the darkest Godiva chocolate, the voice gets into your bones until you can barely sleep at night and can’t get through the day without it." – Paste

"Kurtz's voice is a potent thing. She projected that voice like a stage actress; the occasional glint of grit made it all the richer."
Keith Spera, Times-Picayune (Jazzfest 2012 review)

"When Kurtz sings, one of two things typically happens. Either she lets out a deep, husky croon that seems to bubble up from her toes, or she unleashes a full-throttle roar that’s more inviting than imposing…There’s no logical reason why Dayna Kurtz is not a full blown star." - James Reed, Boston Globe

Dayna Kurtz Tour Dates

For bookings contact Mark Carpentieri at M.C. Records, mc@mc-records.com

Tues Jan 20 New Orleans LA Café Istanbul 9pm (w/special guests)

Thurs Feb 5 San Antonio TX The Cove (Greenhouse Concerts)

Sat Feb 7 LaGrange TX The Bugle Boy (anyone can watch this show live via concert window!)

Sun Feb 8 Austin TX Strange Brew 4pm afternoon show!

Fri Feb 20 Bluffton SC UU Low Country Concert

Thur March 19 Kansas City MO. Folk Alliance Conference

Sun March 22 Breda Netherlands MEZZ

Mon March 23 Amsterdam Netherlands Paradiso "Rise and Fall" ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

Tues March 31 Brooklyn NY (Gowanus) "Rise and Fall" ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

Saturday April 11 New Orleans LA Louisiana Music Factory
IN STORE PERFORMANCE 2pm-2:45pm (during FQF!)

The Premier Of "Light Girls" On Own. Directed By Bill Duke

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180595

On Monday January 19th

"Hooked On Onyxx" presents "Smile You Are Beautiful" Movie Night! Sponsored by Onyxx Unlimited and Snow Orthodontics.

She has invited friends and business owners to come out and watch it with her in Palmdale will be playing at the Snow Orthodontist Movie theatre. Sorry no small children.

From the creator and director of the critically acclaimed documentary “Dark Girls”, award-winning filmmaker Bill Duke continues the conversation on colorism with Light Girls. Sharing the untold stories and experiences of lighter-skinned women, Light Girls dives deep into the discussion of skin color, preference, privilege, pain and prejudice. The documentary features interviews with Russell Simmons, Soledad O'Brien, Diahann Carroll, India Arie, Iyanla Vanzant, Michaela Angela Davis, Kym Whitley, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Onyxx Monopoly and more.

Tune in January 19 at 9 p.m. ET 6 p.m. PST on OWN.

Also join in on the twitter conversation during the premiere & chat time at 6pmPST! With @RealBillDuke and @BraveChickTweet @onyxxmonopoly and more

#bravelightgirls #lightgirls #lightgirlsmovie #Selma50

#Lightgirls #DarkGirls #HookedOnOnyxx #OnyxxMonopoly #HookedonOnyxxLA #selma #MLK #MartinLutherKingJr

Bring your Dark Girls Book and have it signed personally by Mr. Duke himself.

If you haven't purchased one yet, you will have the opportunity to buy one from Barnes & Noble at the event.

Press inquiries and information Contact Events at info@onyxxunlimied.com

Cost: Suggested donation $10.00 proceeds benefitting The Bridge Program a program that places homeless families back in homes. RSVP mandatory.

Location: 868 Auto Center Dr, Ste C, Palmdale, CA 93551

Time:

Dress attire: Business Casual

Carpet: 5:00-5:45pm

Show Time: 6:00 pm PST

Product sponsors include, Popcornopolis, Brave Chick N'Dulge Cupcakery Bhcosmetics Barnes & Noble @onyxxunlimited and many more!

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/%E2%80%A6/Light-Girls-Documentary-Airs-January…

Tune in January 19 OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network #LightGirlsMovie http://www.oprah.com/…/Light-Girls-Documentary-Airs-January…

"Tell me I cannot do something... And I will move the heavens and earth, just to prove you wrong. I am Unlimited, one woman many possibilities…"

Media Contact
LRT PR
818-302-0110
lisathomas@lrtentertainment.com

A Family Valentine With Jon Samson And Lucy Kalantari At ShapeShifter Lab

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180537

Award winning children’s artist and music therapist, Jon Samson, has teamed up with Lucy Kalantari to deliver a rare and enchanting musical performance for families at ShapeShifter Lab in Brooklyn, NY, February 15th at 11:00 am – Love & Joy: A Family Valentine.

“[Jon Samson] will get little heads bopping without alienating grown-up listeners.”
–Timeout NY Kids

Jon Samson, two-time ISC winner and NAPPA award winning artist, has moved the kindie community with his latest release, A New Kids Album. Featured in Time Magazine's TFK Family Edition, A New Kids Album is a selection of original and familiar stories with an abundantly rich sound and an ingenious delivery that quickly becomes an addictive treat for children and adults alike.

“The best jazz album of the year brings forth the roaring 20′s with no prohibition on juice boxes.” –Jeff Bogle, Cooper & Kid

Lucy Kalantari’s newest release, Pockets Full of Joy has been making some noise. Earning a spot in The Best Kids Music of 2014 by Cooper & Kid, Pockets is a collection of ukulele ditties with a 1920s flair about being a mom, love and babies. Her sound is sophisticated for adults and irresistible to babies. She’ll perform with her full lineup of drums, upright bass and clarinet.

ShapeShifter Lab is a large, open space perfect for listeners of all ages to enjoy the fun sounds of these two dynamic performances while dancing about. Enjoy hot cocoa, valentine’s treats and a chance to win an autographed ukulele!

For tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1128853

Love & Joy: A Family Valentine
Sunday, February 15th
ShapeShifter Lab
18 Whitwell Place, Brooklyn, NY 11215
$10 advanced tickets
$15 at the door
(Free for children under 2)
Doors: 11am
Show Time: 11:30am

Lucy Kalantari - www.LucyKalantari.com
Jon Samson - www.CoCreativeMusic.com

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Classical Trumpeter Mary Elizabeth Bowden Signs With Summit Records

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180490

Classical trumpeter and Yamaha Performing Artist, MARY ELIZABETH BOWDEN will release her debut album, RADIANCE, on Summit Records on April 14, 2015.

Bowden has emerged as a brilliant, young soloist, well known and highly regarded for her artistry and virtuosity, as well as the clarity, purity and power of her sound. RADIANCE features Bowden’s interpretations of compositions written by some of the most innovative modern American composers. Ranging from Barber to Ludwig and Hallman to Stephenson, the album is filled with exciting new works, many of which have never been recorded until now.

A promotional music video directed by Pablo Camacho is available here: http://youtu.be/7j6zDMuiGxw. Bowden performs a selection from the upcoming RADIANCE entitled “Totem Voices for Trumpet and Piano, II. Beluga” by composer Catherine McMichael.

Bowden’s 2015 tour highlights include Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 with the Chrysalis Chamber Players on January 25th in Naples, Florida and the premiere of Joseph Hallman’s Sonata for Trumpet and Piano at the Velika Gorica Brass Festival in Croatia on May 14th. For a full 2015 tour schedule and information visit: www.marybowden.com

A Yamaha Performing Artist, Bowden is an award-winning trumpet soloist who performs internationally with orchestras and chamber groups. She is a regular guest artist at the Marlboro Music Festival and is a founding member of Seraph Brass and the Chrysalis Chamber Players. She has performed as Principal Trumpet with the Artosphere Festival Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Daejeong Philharmonic, and Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra, among others.

The artist has recently signed with Cubides Artist Management for international representation and continues to be repped in North America by Thomas F. Parker at Parker Artists.

More about Mary Elizabeth Bowden:
Bowden is the First Prize winner of the 2012 International Women’s Brass Conference Trumpet Competition. She has performed as a soloist with the Naples Symphony, Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra, San Juan Symphony, Springfield (OH) Symphony Orchestra and New Haven Chamber Orchestra, among several others. At The Banff Center in Alberta, Canada, she performed Vivaldi’s Concerto for 2 Trumpets with trumpeters Jens Lindemann and Ryan Anthony. She was also awarded the Public Prize from the 2009 Perrenoud Foundation International Music Competition. Bowden frequently performs in recital both in solo programs and in a duo with her husband, trumpeter David Dash.

Bowden is a founding member of Chrysalis Chamber Players, a recipient of a Yale Alumni Grant. She is also a founding member of Seraph Brass. She has collaborated in chamber music programs at the Marlboro Music Festival, The Banff Centre and at the Sydney Opera House under the baton of Håkan Hardenberger. She frequently tours with Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass. She has served on the adjunct faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University and at The Curtis Institute of Music’s Young Artist Summer Program.

An experienced orchestral musician, Bowden has served as Principal Trumpet of New Zealand’s Auckland Philharmonia, the Artosphere Festival Orchestra in Arkansas, the Daejeon Philharmonic in Korea, and with Seraphic Fire’s Firebird Chamber Orchestra. At the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, she held the principal chair in Pierre Boulez’s performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 6, released on CD in 2011. The Luzerner Zeitung described her playing in one word - “outstanding.” Bowden is also a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra.

Bowden began full-time college studies at the age of 14, receiving an Associate degree from the Joliet Junior College. Subsequently, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree from The Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with the principal trumpeter of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Bilger. On a full scholarship to the Yale School of Music for studies with Allan Dean, Bowden was awarded her Master of Music degree in 2006.

About Summit Records: Summit Records is distributed exclusively in North America by the Allegro Media Group. Summit Records’ catalogue can also be found on online at www.summitrecords.com, and at all notable download sites including iTunes.