Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
BLAKE SHELTON INVITES KENNY LOGGINS TO JOIN HIS PERFORMANCE OF "FOOTLOOSE" AS THE OPENING SONG ON "THE 45th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS"
NASHVILLE - Reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton has invited legendary singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins to join him during a performance of the classic hit "Footloose" as the opening song for "The 45th Annual CMA Awards."
"The 45th Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers for "Country Music's Biggest Night(tm)" include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration "You and Tequila;" Vince Gill, Paisley, and Urban performing a tribute to Glen Campbell; Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet "Easy;" Lionel Richie performing select duets with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker; and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song "Remind Me."
Written by Loggins and Dean Pitchford as the title song for the motion picture of the same name, "Footloose" was a No. 1 smash hit for Loggins for three weeks in 1984. With the remake of the movie currently in theaters, Shelton is dancing up the charts with his version of the song.
Loggins has built a successful, decades-spanning career on the foundation of his songs. He first received national attention as part of the duo Loggins & Messina with Jim Messina, achieving hits such as "Your Mama Don't Dance" and selling more than 16 million albums. As a songwriter, he wrote or co-wrote such classics as "Danny's Song" (a Top 10 hit on both the Billboard Country and Hot 100 charts for Anne Murray in 1972), "A Love Song" (also a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Country Singles chart for Murray in 1974), and "What A Fool Believes" (which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1979 for co-writer Michael McDonald's band The Doobie Brothers). As a solo artist, Loggins wrote and/or recorded such favorites as "Whenever I Call You 'Friend'" (a duet with Stevie Nicks), "This is It," "I'm Alright," "Heart to Heart," "Meet Me Halfway," "Danger Zone," "Conviction of the Heart," "For the First Time," "House at Pooh Corner," and more.
Shelton received five CMA Awards nominations this year including Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Album for All About Tonight; and Single and Music Video of the Year, both for "Honey Bee." This feat tied him with Aldean, Paisley, and Swift as the artists who received the most CMA Awards nominations in 2011. This is the first year that Shelton has been nominated in the Entertainer and Album of the Year categories. He has won two CMA Awards thus far in his career. In addition to Male Vocalist, he also won Musical Event of the Year in 2010 for his performance of "Hillbilly Bone" with Trace Adkins. Shelton's current album is Red River Blue, featuring the Platinum-certified digital single "Honey Bee" and his fifth consecutive No. 1 hit "God Gave Me You." In total, Shelton has racked up 10 No. 1 hits.
"The 45th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR DREAM NIGHT WITH THE BLUES
A night of fun with Blues players to benefit
Dream Factory and Camp Rainbow
St. Louis, MO (November 1, 2011) – The St. Louis Blues are once again teaming up with the Dream Factory and Camp Rainbow for Dream Night with the Blues on Sunday, November 13, from 4 – 7 p.m. at Side Pockets in St. Charles. For a small donation, fans can challenge Blues players to video games, billiards and other fun activities. Players will also participate in autograph and photograph stations. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Dream Factory and Camp Rainbow. "Dream Factory and Camp Rainbow are special causes that are close to our hearts," said Mike McCarthy, President and CEO, St. Louis Blues. "Dream Night has been a wonderful event for us over the years and one that the organization, especially the players, look forward to participating in every year."
The Dream Factory is a local nonprofit organization working to turn the dreams of seriously ill children into realities. The Dream Factory has no paid employees and more than 92 cents of each dollar raised goes directly towards granting dreams for children in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Camp Rainbow is dedicated to providing free camping experiences to children who have survived cancer or are currently battling it. Campers can create positive memories, build self-esteem, make new friends and are relieved of the everyday stresses caused by their illness.
A limited amount of tickets for Dream Night with the Blues are still available, and are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. The event is expected to sell out in advance. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.stlouisblues.com/community.
“royal comedy tour” TAKES THE THRONE AT CHAIFETZ ARENA ON SATURDAY, MAY 12
Tickets go on-sale on friday, november 4 at 10 a.m. at metrotix.com
Tickets go on-sale on friday, november 4 at 10 a.m. at metrotix.com
(St. Louis, MO – November 1, 2011) Comedic royalty Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Earthquake, Tony Rock and Mark Curry turn Chaifetz (SHAY-fetz) Arena at Saint Louis University into a grand castle with “The Royal Comedy Tour" on Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $44.50, $55.50 and $75 and go on-sale Friday, November 4 at 10 a.m. at MetroTix.com, charge by phone at 314-534-1111 and the Chaifetz Arena Box Office.
As the undisputed “Queen of Comedy,” Sommore is widely considered one of America’s top comedic female entertainers. She was the first woman to host BET’s “Comic View” and received the Richard Pryor Award for Comic of the Year in 1995. She has hosted Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam” and “Showtime at the Apollo” and broke the Guinness Book of World Records when performing in front of 50,000 people in Atlanta, Georgia. Sommore has been featured in numerous films including Friday After Next, Family Reunion, Soul Plane, Something New and Dirty Laundry. Sommore was also a participant in the sixth season of VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp.”
Bruce Bruce’s steady style of captivating improv skills and larger-than-life comedic style has been showcased across the country. His wit, spontaneity and dazzling personality set him apart from other stand-up comedians. He was host for two seasons of BET’s “Comic View” and has made numerous appearances on television and film. Bruce headlined the 2008 “Just for Laughs Comedy Festival” in Montreal and has appeared in Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, Who’s Your Caddy and Ice Cube’s XXX: State of the Union.
With his sharp one-liners and brutally honest observations, Earthquake often draws on his own experiences on stage while rarely preparing anything in advance. He can be outrageous at times, but shock is never the point of his routines. Inspired by Steve Harvey, Earthquake began to break into television in the early 2000’s appearing in his own stand up show on HBO’s One Night Stand and had roles in Everybody Hates Chris and several Comedy Central programs.
Tony Rock has also hosted several of his own shows, including the Tony Rock Project and a feature on Comedy Central Presents. Mark Curry starred in Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper and was one of the hosts of It’s Showtime at the Apollo.
Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) manages Chaifetz Arena as well as more than 100 other public assembly facilities around the world. Nearly 20-million people attended more than 11,000 events in Global Spectrum venues last year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions, Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company, and Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks.
NASHVILLE, TN (November 1, 2011) – NASCAR announced today that renowned multimedia superstar Reba will serve as the host for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Dec. 2 at Wynn Las Vegas.
The ceremony honors the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and other drivers who finished in the top 10 of the final series standings.Increasingly, it has become a full-fledged entertainment experience with appearances by major celebrities.
Reba indeed qualifies as “major.”
Her Facebook page has nearly 2.5 million “likes” and here’s why:
· 34 albums that have sold more than 56 million copies worldwide, with 64 Top 10 hits and 35 No. 1 singles
· Her reign of No. 1 hits spans four decades and Billboard, Country Aircheck and Mediabase recognized her as the biggest female hit-maker in Country music history
· 15 American Music Awards, 13 Academy of Country Music Awards (in addition to Career Achievement honors), nine People’s Choice Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards and two GRAMMY Awards as well as an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame
· Her television sitcom “Reba,” which ran from2001-2007, was the No. 1 sitcom for six consecutive years on two networks
· A Broadway appearance that garnered a Drama Critics Award
· Reba is one of only four people to be honored with a National Artistic Achievement Award by the United States Congress
· Reba kicked off her ALL THE WOMEN I AM tour in September and will make stops throughout the U.S. and Canada
· The touring industry’s leading trade outlets – Pollstar and Billboard’s Boxscore – have named Reba the No. 1 female Country touring artist, selling a combined total of over 9 million tickets
In addition to her host duties, Reba will perform the song “Turn on the Radio” from her recently released album “All the Women I Am,” on The Valory Music Co. Other special segments involving Reba also are planned for the season-ending celebration that will be broadcast by SPEED, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and MRN Radio (9 p.m. ET) from the Wynn’s LaFite Ballroom.
“Since we moved the awards ceremony to Las Vegas, we’ve really increased our focus on the entertainment value for those in attendance and our fans watching and listening at home,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “Having Reba at our show reflects that; she is unbelievably popular, with wide-reaching mainstream appeal. And of course, we also like the fact that she’s a fan of auto racing.”
Reba’s son Shelby Blackstock competes in GRAND-AM Road Racing competition and she attended several of his events this year. She also performed “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America” prior to this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Brickyard 400 Presented By BigMachineRecords.com.
“I’m delighted to be hosting the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards this year,” Reba said. “Country Music and NASCAR have shared fans for many years so I’ll feel right at home. My family and I have gotten to meet so many nice people in the racing industry this year with my youngest son, Shelby, being one of the competitors. We appreciate so much the super hospitality.”
Other entertainment-related announcements regarding the awards ceremony are expected in the near future.
ELI YOUNG BAND IS CERTIFIED PLATINUM – HEADED TO NYC TO PERFORM ON LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN – EARNS AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARD NOMINATION FOR
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Nashville, Tennessee (October 31, 2011) – Republic Nashville artist Eli Young Band has much reason to celebrate. The band has been certified PLATINUM by the RIAA for sales of over 1 million downloads of their runaway hit “Crazy Girl.” The song climbs to #2 this week on both the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart and the USA Today/Country Aircheck powered by Mediabase Chart and continues to grow.
“Crazy Girl” has been embraced by fans nationwide who have called into radio stations and have tracked over 6,000,000 views of the video on YouTube alone. The band is scheduled to perform their smash hit next Thursday, November 3 on Late Show With David Letterman.
“The saying be careful what you wish for because you just might get it, is really coming true this year for us,” said James Young. “Having a platinum single is one of the things we’ve always dreamed about. Thank you to the fans and country radio for allowing us to do what we love night after night, and for truly making our dreams come true.”
EYB recently earned their career first American Country Award nomination for Breakthrough Artist Of The Year and is currently on tour opening for Dierks Bentley. This week the band will take a short break from touring to head to New York for their appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman, then will continue touring with Dierks through November 19 where they will make their final appearance of the tour just outside of Denver in Broomfield, CO.
For more information about Eli Young Band or a complete list of tour dates, log onto www.eliyoungband.com.
VINCE GILL, BRAD PAISLEY, AND KEITH URBAN PAY TRIBUTE TO GLEN CAMPBELL ON "THE 45TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS"
NASHVILLE - Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley and former CMA Entertainers of the Year Vince Gill and Keith Urban will pay tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member and former CMA Entertainer of the Year Glen Campbell during "The 45th Annual CMA Awards." The three guitar virtuosos' performance saluting the legendary singer/musician will be a highlight of "Country Music's Biggest Night(tm)."
"The 45th Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration "You and Tequila;" Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet "Easy;" Lionel Richie performing a medley of hits with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker; and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song "Remind Me."
Campbell was named both CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year in 1968, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. The legendary performer has sold more than 45 million albums and recorded such classic hits as "Wichita Lineman," "Gentle On My Mind," "Galveston," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Southern Nights," and "Rhinestone Cowboy." As a musician, Campbell was part of the much-heralded Wrecking Crew that performed on a variety of artists' albums. His guitar prowess is featured on the Beach Boys' seminal album Pet Sounds and on Frank Sinatra's megahit "Strangers in the Night," among others. He acted alongside John Wayne in the movie "True Grit," and hosted "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" on television from 1968-1972. Earlier this year, Campbell announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He is in the midst of his successful Goodbye Tour after releasing his final album, the critically-acclaimed Ghost on the Canvas.
Gill is No. 3 on the list for the most career wins in CMA Award history, having won 18 CMA Awards thus far, including two Entertainer Awards (1993, 1994), five consecutive Male Vocalist Awards (1991-1995, tying him with George Strait for the most wins in that category), two Album Awards (1993 for I Still Believe in You and 1994 for Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles), and a record-holding four Song of the Year Awards (1991 for "When I Call Your Name," 1992 for "Look at Us," 1993 for "I Still Believe In You," and 1996 for "Go Rest High On That Mountain"). Gill served as host of the CMA Awards for 12 consecutive years (1992-2003), a record for hosts of any nationally televised Awards show. He released his new album, Guitar Slinger, last week.
The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Paisley received five nominations in 2011 for Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Album for This is Country Music; and Musical Event and Music Video of the Year for "Old Alabama," featuring Alabama. Paisley has won 14 CMA Awards to date, including three consecutive Male Vocalist Awards (2007-2009) and Album of the Year (in 2006 for Time Well Wasted). This is his fourth consecutive year to co-host the CMA Awards with Underwood.
Urban received two nominations this year: Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year. He has won four CMA Awards to date: Entertainer in 2005 and three consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year Awards (2004-2006). Urban's current album is Get Closer.
"The 45th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
REIGNING CMA “MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR” BLAKE SHELTON HEATS UP CHAIFETZ ARENA JANUARY 13
tickets go on-sale on Friday, november 11 at 10 a.m. at metrotix.com
(St. Louis – October 31, 2011) Country music singer Blake Shelton, the reigning CMA “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Entertainer of the Year” nominee, heats up Chaifetz Arena with his “Well Lit & Amplified Tour” on Friday, January 13 at 7:30 p.m. Justin Moore and Dia Frampton from NBC’s “The Voice” are also scheduled to perform.
Tickets are $27 and $51.75 and go on-sale on Friday, November 11 at 10 a.m. at MetroTix.com, charge by phone at 314-534-1111 and the Chaifetz Arena Box Office. VIP tour packages are available for purchase through BlakeShelton.com.
Blake Shelton heads into next week’s CMA Awards with a total of five nominations including one for “Entertainer of the Year” and looks to repeat as winner of “Male Vocalist of the Year.” Shelton received nominations for “Album of the Year” for All About Tonight¸ his sixth studio album which was released in July and quickly reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Shelton’s hit single from the album, “Honey Bee” yielded CMA Awards nominations for “Single of the Year” and “Music Video.”
Shelton holds the record for the fastest-selling digital Platinum single for a male country solo artist. The single held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country chart for four weeks in a row with over 40 million in audience. No country artist has held this record in almost six years. The single marks Shelton’s fourth consecutive No. 1 hit “Honey Bee,” “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking,” “All About Tonight” and “Hillbilly Bone.” Shelton has nine No. 1 hits and has not had a single peak outside the Top Ten since 2007.
Justin Moore heats up the stage with his recent #1 hit, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away.” Having come a long way since his days in Poyen, Arkansas with a population of 300, Moore has been taking country music by storm since the release of his self-titled album in 2008. Hits such as, “Backwoods”, reaching #6, “How I Got to Be This Way” (#17) and “Back That Thing Up” (#38) have made Justin a true country music contender. Blake Shelton was the coach of Dia Frampton on the past season of NBC’s hit show “The Voice,” where the Utah-native was the runner-up.
The Rolling Stones Release "No Spare Parts"
LTD EDITION 7" VINYL TO CELEBRATE RECORD STORE DAY'S "BLACK FRIDAY"
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group has announced that The Rolling Stones will issue the previously unreleased track "No Spare Parts" on exclusive limited edition 7" vinyl to mark Record Store Day's "Black Friday", Friday, November 25. A digital download version of the single will be available the week commencing November 14.
"No Spare Parts" is one of twelve bonus tracks that have been unearthed for inclusion on the forthcoming deluxe and super deluxe reissue of The Rolling Stones' Some Girls – widely regarded as one of the band's greatest albums. Some Girls will be released on November 21.
"No Spare Parts" captures the daring and diverse spirit of the album's legendary sessions. Recorded in Paris in 1978, the song tells the story of a trip from Los Angeles to San Antonio, Texas featuring Mick Jagger on electric piano, Keith Richards on acoustic piano, Ronnie Wood on pedal steel guitar, Charlie Watts on drums and Bill Wyman on bass. With a country guitar twang, subtle groove, and soulful storytelling, it's a powerful and poignant acoustic tune from The Rolling Stones, and an essential addition to any fan's catalogue.
The limited edition 7" version of the single will also include Some Girls album track "Before They Make Me Run" on the B-side.
Other never-heard-before tracks featured on the Some Girls reissue will include "We Had It All", "I Love You Too Much" and "Don't Be A Stranger".
www.rollingstones.com
www.facebook.com/therollingstones
http://twitter.com/Stones_dot_com
SOURCE Universal Music Group
"No Spare Parts" is one of twelve bonus tracks that have been unearthed for inclusion on the forthcoming deluxe and super deluxe reissue of The Rolling Stones' Some Girls – widely regarded as one of the band's greatest albums. Some Girls will be released on November 21.
"No Spare Parts" captures the daring and diverse spirit of the album's legendary sessions. Recorded in Paris in 1978, the song tells the story of a trip from Los Angeles to San Antonio, Texas featuring Mick Jagger on electric piano, Keith Richards on acoustic piano, Ronnie Wood on pedal steel guitar, Charlie Watts on drums and Bill Wyman on bass. With a country guitar twang, subtle groove, and soulful storytelling, it's a powerful and poignant acoustic tune from The Rolling Stones, and an essential addition to any fan's catalogue.
The limited edition 7" version of the single will also include Some Girls album track "Before They Make Me Run" on the B-side.
Other never-heard-before tracks featured on the Some Girls reissue will include "We Had It All", "I Love You Too Much" and "Don't Be A Stranger".
www.rollingstones.com
www.facebook.com/therollingstones
http://twitter.com/Stones_dot_com
SOURCE Universal Music Group
VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul With Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Florence + The Machine, Kelly Clarkson and Jessie J
"VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul" Pays Tribute to the Great Cities of Soul Music Including Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia
The Roots Confirmed to Perform as House Band
Special will air Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1
To Tweet This Release: http://bit.ly/divaspr
VH1's beloved, popular franchise, " VH1 Divas ," returns and will pay tribute to the cities where soul gave birth to music's most powerful classics and inspired today's divas. Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Florence + The Machine, Kelly Clarkson and Jessie J will pay homage to these cities and soul music's timeless classics at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom. " VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul " premieres Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1.
"This year's telecast will showcase the vast impact soul music has had on the 21st century's music and pop culture landscape as our talented and diverse lineup will attest," said Lee Rolontz, EVP, Original Music Production & Development, VH1 and VH1 Classic. "This year's 'Divas' offers a modern twist on soul music, all while tipping its hat to the legacy of key cities that created this musical heritage."
"VH1 Divas Celebrate Soul" will bring together some of the best singers across the globe, men and women alike, to honor the soulful cities that inspired these divas and their art. The cities honored include: Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia. Accompanied by one of the most exciting groups of modern soul, The Roots, with Questlove as musical director, each diva will pay tribute through not only their own soul-inspired songs, but some of the greatest classics that have shaped a genre.
As in previous years, this edition of "VH1 Divas" will benefit VH1 Save The Music Foundation and its programs to restore music education in public schools. For more information, please visit www.vh1savethemusic.org.
This year's sponsors for "VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul" include: COVERGIRL, GEICO, Hershey ®'s, Old Navy and The Wendy's Company.
Additional performers, presenters, special guests and sponsors will be announced as they are confirmed.
Visit DIVAS.VH1.com and Twitter at @VH1 and #VH1DIVAS for more information.
LIONEL RICHIE TO DEBUT SONGS FROM HIS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED COUNTRY DUETS ALBUM - TUSKEGEE - ON "THE 45th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS" AIRING NOV. 9 ON ABC
NASHVILLE, TN- International icon Lionel Richie will release Tuskegee, his much-anticipated Country duets album, in March on Mercury Nashville, after debuting songs on the national broadcast of "The 45th Annual CMA Awards," airing live Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
During the broadcast Richie will perform select duets of his runaway hits with Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, and Rascal Flatts. Richie is no stranger to the CMA Awards stage. In 1984, Richie performed "Lady" with Kenny Rogers and in 1986, he performed "Deep River Woman" with Alabama.
"Twenty-five years is too long to wait and we are thrilled to have Lionel back on the CMA Awards stage performing alongside our superstar acts," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. "This is what the CMA Awards are known for. Those one-of-a-kind collaborations you don't want to miss because everyone will be talking about it the next day."
"The 45th Annual CMA Awards" is hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and features performances by Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration "You and Tequila," Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet "Easy," and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song "Remind Me."
Surpassing his creative and personal boundaries, Richie comes full circle with the innovative and personal Tuskegee, performing 13 of his most revered "anthems of our day" with some of the biggest names in Country Music, including Aldean, Chesney, Billy Currington, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts, Rucker, and Blake Shelton. On this worldwide, multi-genre album, Richie is also joined by the likes of such superstars as Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Buffett.
Tuskegee is an exciting and transcendent arc in a career that has seen album sales of more than 100 million, 22 Top 10s, five Grammys, an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe, and a host of other awards from virtually every major entertainment organization.
While defying boundaries and breaking barriers throughout his storied career, Richie reveals once again that Tuskegee will join the ranks of his timeless body of work that touches people of all faiths, ages and demographics across the world.
"As my songwriting progressed, I realized that my songs perfectly translated to the Country genre," says the living legend as he taps on the keys of the piano in his state-of-the-art recording studio. It was when Conway Twitty sang "Three Times a Lady" along with songs such as "Lady" and "Deep River Women" that Richie knew Country Music was clearly omnipresent in the lyrics he wrote.
"I was born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama. I am a country boy and proud of it. To do this project just felt natural," says Richie.
"Growing up with Country, R&B, gospel, and classical music from my grandmother and pop, Tuskegee was the perfect melting pot for my influences as a writer," he says, "and the title, Tuskegee, is a validation of my growing up there-the place I call home."
Envisioning and bringing Tuskegee to life with such grace and passion has been a rewarding, revelatory time for Richie.
"What began as a collaboration of talented people ended up being a great group of friends getting together to make great music," says Richie.
"Tuskegee is a state of mind as it is a place," he adds," a place of possibility, hope, promise, self-empowerment, and where dreams come true."
Lionel Richie's Tuskegee Track-Listing:
"You Are" with Blake Shelton
"Say You, Say Me" with Jason Aldean
"Stuck On You" with Darius Rucker
"Deep River Woman" with Little Big Town
"My Love" with Kenny Chesney
"Dancing On The Ceiling" with Rascal Flatts
"Hello" with Jennifer Nettles
"Sail On" with Tim McGraw
"Endless Love" with Shania Twain
"Just For You" with Billy Currington
"Lady" with Kenny Rogers
"Easy" with Willie Nelson
"All Night Long" with Jimmy Buffett
"The 45th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE NATIONAL TOUR OF GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT
Casting has been announced for the upcoming North American tour of Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT,
the two-time Tony Award®-winning Broadway hit called “wonderfully raucous” and “emotionally charged”
by The New York Times, which will premiere in Toronto December 28 – January 15 before continuing on
to 14 other markets across the United States.
Original Broadway cast member Van Hughes will star as Johnny, the role in which he concluded
AMERICAN IDIOT’s Broadway run, along with Jake Epstein as Will, Scott J. Campbell as Tunny,
original Broadway cast member Leslie McDonel as Heather, Gabrielle McClinton as Whatsername
and Nicci Claspell as The Extraordinary Girl.
AMERICAN IDIOT will also feature ensemble members Talia Aaron, Krystina Alabado, Gabriel
Antonacci, Larkin Bogan, Matt DeAngelis, Dan Gleason, Kelvin Moon Loh, Tommy McDowell,
Jillian Mueller, Vince Oddo, Okieriete Onaodowan and Kaitlyn Terrill. Additional casting will be
announced shortly.
"I am thrilled that soon we will get to share AMERICAN IDIOT with audiences across North America,"
said director Michael Mayer. "The creative team and I couldn't be happier with the stellar group of actors
we've assembled which includes original Broadway cast members Van Hughes and Leslie McDonel along
with many wonderful and talented new additions to the AMERICAN IDIOT family."
AMERICAN IDIOT, a 2010 Tony Award®-nominated Best Musical and 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best
Musical Show Album, features the music of Green Day with lyrics by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The
book is by Armstrong and Michael Mayer and direction is by Tony Award®-winner Mayer (“Spring
Awakening”).
The show is choreographed by Olivier Award-winner Steven Hoggett (“Black Watch”) with music
supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal”). The tour
features Tony Award®-winning scenic design by Christine Jones and Tony Award®-winning lighting design
by Kevin Adams.
The acclaimed creative team also includes costume design by Andrea Lauer, sound design by Brian
Ronan, video and projections design by Darrel Maloney, music direction by Jared Stein, associate
choreography by Lorin Latarro and associate direction by Johanna McKeon.
Winner of two Tony Awards®, AMERICAN IDIOT is the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for
meaning in a post 9-11 world. Through incredible spectacle, thrilling performances and with the hope
embodied by a new generation, AMERICAN IDIOT will give audiences the time of their lives night after
night on tour in the same way it did during its acclaimed Broadway run at the St. James Theatre from March
2010 to April 2011.
The musical features the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday”
and the blockbuster title track “American Idiot” from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning, multiplatinum
album. Also included in the score are several songs from Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning 2009
release “21st Century Breakdown” including “21 Guns” and an unreleased love song, “When It’s Time.”
AMERICAN IDIOT premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009 and played through
November of that year. In April 2010, the musical opened on Broadway where reviews were unanimously
positive with Charles Isherwood of the New York Times calling the show “the most adventurous musical to
brave Broadway in the past decade” and the Toronto Star naming it “the first great musical of the 21st
century!”
For more information on AMERICAN IDIOT, visit www.americanidiotthemusical.com.
AMERICAN IDIOT 2011-2012 National Tour Dates
Utica, NY 12/21-12/22 Stanley Theatre
Toronto, ON 12/28-1/15 Toronto Centre for the Arts
Detroit, MI 1/17-1/22 Opera House
Boston, MA 1/24-1/29 Opera House
Raleigh, NC 1/31-2/5 Memorial Auditorium
Chicago, IL 2/7-2/19 Oriental Theatre
Minneapolis, MN 2/21-2/26 Orpheum Theatre
State College, PA 2/28-2/29 Eisenhower Auditorium
St. Louis, MO 3/2-3/4 Peabody Opera House
Denver, CO 3/6-3/11 Buell Theatre
Los Angeles, CA 3/13-4/22 Ahmanson Theatre
Tempe, AZ 4/24-4/29 ASU Gammage
Dallas, TX 5/8-5/20 AT&T PAC
Costa Mesa, CA 5/29-6/3 Segerstrom Center
Seattle, WA 6/5-6/10 Paramount Theatre
San Francisco, CA 6/12-7/8 Orpheum Theatre
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
VAN HUGHES (Johnny) recently starred as Johnny opposite Billie Joe Armstrong in the Broadway
production of American Idiot. Other Broadway credits: 9 to 5 and Hairspray. He originated the role of
Patrick in Saved at Playwrights Horizons, NYC and performed in Hairspray Las Vegas. Film: Sex And The
City: The Movie and SATC 2, Tenure, Rachel Getting Married, Book of Love. TV: Royal Pains, voice of
"Chibila" on Nickelodeon, Law & Order: SVU & Criminal Intent, Six Degrees, As the World Turns, One Life
To Live, NASA Connect, Step Toward Tomorrow, and Araby. B.A. in Theatre, Fordham University.
JAKE EPSTEIN (Will) went to see Green Day when he was 12, and it blew his freaking mind. Theatre:
Tony in Billy Elliot and Melchior in Spring Awakening (1st National Tours), Dani Girl (world premiere), Dog
Sees God, Dangerous Liaisons. Film/TV: Craig on Degrassi: The Next Generation (Gemini Award), Charlie
Bartlett, Being Erica, My Babysitter’s a Vampire, Living In Your Car, Radio Free Roscoe, and The Zack
Files. Graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. Big thanks to Michael, Tom and Ira for the
chance, Shari and Joannie for the support, and Mom, Dad and Gubs for all the love in the world.
SCOTT J. CAMPBELL (Tunny) is thrilled to be part of the 1st National Tour of American Idiot.
Broadway: Jersey Boys; International: Disney Cruise Line; TV: White Collar; Graduate of Sheridan
College, Canada. scottjcampbell.net
LESLIE MCDONEL (Heather). Leslie spent the last exciting year in the Original Broadway Cast of
American Idiot, performing with Green Day at the Tonys, the Grammys, Jets Monday Night Football, and
numerous other TV appearances. Other Broadway/Tours: Hairspray (LouAnn) and Legally Blonde
(Kate/Chutney). Regional: Grease (Marty), Two Gentlemen of Verona: the Musical (Julia), Chicago
(Velma). A Dallas native, she has also appeared numerous times at the Dallas Theater Center and Casa
Manana. BFA from the New School University. Many thanks to Green Day for their heart and the whole
American Idiot family. Missing Sissies, but glad to have lesmueschies.
GABRIELLE MCCLINTON (Whatsername). Gabrielle is a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University
with a BFA in Drama and could not be more thrilled or blessed to be a part of American Idiot. Regional:
MUNY-Hairspray, Annie, The Music Man; PCLO- West Side Story, The Producers, Mame, Annie Get Your
Gun, Joseph…, The Student Prince, Oliver. Film: Fun Size, Steel Town. She would like to thank the
American Idiot team for this incredible opportunity, BRS, her teachers, friends, family, boo bear, and
most of all her parents for their constant guidance, support, and endless love.
www.GabrielleMcClinton.com.
NICCI CLASPELL (The Extraordinary Girl). Nicci is a native of California and graduate of AMDA in Los
Angeles & is very excited to be on national tour with American Idiot! She has appeared in regional
productions such as: Rent (Mimi), Chicago (Velma Kelly), and Chess (Florence). Other favorite
performances include City Of Angels, A Midsummer Nights Dream, and West Side Story. Nicci also
continues to build her film/TV work and was the female lead in the award winning musical comedy film
Zombo. Nicci is repped by Shelter Entertainment and would like to extend many thanks to friends, family,
and all those close to her for their constant love and support.
TALIA AARON (Ensemble; u/s Extraordinary Girl). Favorite credits: Scaramouche/Oz understudy in We
Will Rock You (Original Canadian Company, Canon Theatre), Ali/Lisa understudy in Mamma Mia! (Royal
Alexandra Theatre), Ensemble in Grease (Elgin Theatre), Narrator in Joseph… (Leah Posluns Theatre),
three seasons as Madison in Strange Days at Blake Holsey High (NBC/Discovery Kids, Young Artist Award
Nomination). Love and admiration to B&Z, heartfelt gratitude to Mom, Dadheart, Doodle, my beautiful
friends and family, agent Shari Quallenberg at AMI and The Big Light.
KRYSTINA ALABADO (Ensemble; u/s Whatsername, The Extraordinary Girl). Krystina is so happy to be
an Idiot once again!! Broadway: American Idiot. 1st National Tour: Spring Awakening. Off-Broadway:
Camp Wanatachi. NY Workshops: Pregnancy Pact, Freckleface Strawberry. Love love love and thanks to
the incredibly supportive people in my life: my family, Matt (kees kees), my managers Terry and Marilyn,
and the whole Idiot team! I couldn't do it without you guys! Check out www.krystinaalabado.com.
GABRIEL ANTONACCI (Ensemble; u/s Johnny, Tunny) is so excited to be doing this show. Originally
from Toronto, ON Canada. Theatre credits include Hank Majewski in the Original Canadian cast of Jersey
Boys, Big Deal in West Side Story, Ethan in The Full Monty and Richie Cunningham in Happy Days.
Thanks to friends and family for their support and his love Robin for everything always and their best
dogs in the world Sophie and Bella. www.twitter.com/GabrielNacci
LARKIN BOGAN (Ensemble) made his Broadway debut in HAIR and later toured the country with the
show performing eight different roles including Claude and Woof. Having first cultivated his love for
music with a rock band growing up in SC, he is excited to show some of his roots in this show. Love to
Nicolosi, NYC, SC, all the Bogans, and a beautiful Gemini. Proud member of AEA. Buttery beats, crunchy
grooves, tasty tunes.
MATT DEANGELIS (Ensemble; u/s St. Jimmy, Will) comes direct from spreading love on Broadway,
West End, and Nat'l Tour of HAIR as Woof. He's blessed to be performing with this new bunch of crazy
rock stars. He believes in Optimism, Kindness, Spirituality, Marriage Equality, Actors’ Equity Association
and the Red Sox! Thanks to Leading Artists and my amazing family. www.mattdeangelis.com
DAN GLEASON (Ensemble; u/s Tunny). Dan is thrilled to rock out across the country with American
Idiot! Regional credits include My One and Only (Goodspeed Opera House), Shenandoah, The King and I
(Mount Gretna Theatre), and Baby (Pennsylvania Centre Stage). A graduate of Penn State University’s
BFA Musical Theatre program, he would like to thank the faculty and MTX! A special thanks to family,
friends, Julia, Bobbie Merritt and The Entertainment Goup, Jim Carnahan Casting, and FSPA.
KELVIN MOON LOH (Ensemble; u/s Will). After back to back tours in Siam and Saigon, Kelvin is
pumped to represent his surburbia Long Island roots with American Idiot. Kelvin is also a “free”lance
musical librettist, a Marvel comics enthusiast, and a former guy-liner addict. Rage and love to The Mine,
Matt Corozine Studio, Jen Waldman, Sheri Sanders, Peter and Liza, Carnahan/Gardner and co., and the
Idiot crew! NYU Steinhardt. www.kelvinmoonloh.com
TOMMY MCDOWELL (Swing). Credits include -- New York: Urinetown, Hudson Guild Theatre (Bobby
Strong); National Tours: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley (Flat Stanley), A Year With Frog and
Toad (Snail); Regional: The Who's TOMMY (Tommy), Hairspray (Link Larkin), Grey Gardens (Joe
Kennedy, Jr.), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Levi), A Funny Thing Happened on the
Way to the Forum, La Bohéme, and Sweeney Todd. Many thanks to SG, my loving family, and of course
my lil' onion.
JILLIAN MUELLER (Swing; u/s Whatsername) is ecstatic to finally be able to do this show! Broadway:
Bye Bye Birdie, two holiday seasons of How the Grinch stole Christmas. New York Theatre: Susan
Stroman's new show Dancer Project. TV: A Gifted Man (CBS). Many thanks and love to Carnahan and the
American Idiot team, Liz, Aimee, Erin and everyone at CESD. And of course Mom, Dad and Jack.
VINCE ODDO (Swing; u/s Favorite Son) hails from Buffalo, NY and is a graduate of Fredonia State
University. Favorite credits include: Hairspray (Link Larkin), Cabaret (Cliff/Fight Director), Rocky Horror
Show (Rocky), Little Shop Of Horrors (Orin Scrivello), a few operas, couple plays, and one amazing
journey so far. Would love to thank Matt Farnsworth, The Luedtke Agency, Scotty Kriendler, and of
course my wonderful family, Dad, Momma, and Nicholas, who have supported me through my endeavors.
This one is for my rock, MJ.
OKIERIETE ONAODOWAN (Ensemble; Rock & Roll Boyfriend, u/s Favorite Son). Okieriete is excited to
be going on tour with American Idiot. Off Broadway: Neighbors, The Public; Langston in Harlem, Urban
Stages. Off Off Broadway: The Shipment, Young Jean Lee/The Kitchen; Pontious Pilate The Last Days of
Judas Iscariot, Richmond Shepard Theatre; Regional: Ruined, Huntington Theater Co., Berkely Rep, La
Jolla Playhouse; Coalhouse in Ragtime, NJPAC; Okieriete is excited, enthused and honored to be a part of
this wicked production.
KAITLYN TERRILL (Ensemble; u/s Heather) is excited to be on tour with American Idiot. She has
appeared in various roles in San Diego over the last four years. Roles include Eileen in Irving Berlin's I
Love A Piano, Rosemary in Angel's Arms, Alice in Alice: A Wonderful New Musical, Gertrude McFuzz in
Seussical: The Musical, and Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly. She could not have gotten this far without the
loving support of her family, agents, and God.
###
Casting has been announced for the upcoming North American tour of Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT,
the two-time Tony Award®-winning Broadway hit called “wonderfully raucous” and “emotionally charged”
by The New York Times, which will premiere in Toronto December 28 – January 15 before continuing on
to 14 other markets across the United States.
Original Broadway cast member Van Hughes will star as Johnny, the role in which he concluded
AMERICAN IDIOT’s Broadway run, along with Jake Epstein as Will, Scott J. Campbell as Tunny,
original Broadway cast member Leslie McDonel as Heather, Gabrielle McClinton as Whatsername
and Nicci Claspell as The Extraordinary Girl.
AMERICAN IDIOT will also feature ensemble members Talia Aaron, Krystina Alabado, Gabriel
Antonacci, Larkin Bogan, Matt DeAngelis, Dan Gleason, Kelvin Moon Loh, Tommy McDowell,
Jillian Mueller, Vince Oddo, Okieriete Onaodowan and Kaitlyn Terrill. Additional casting will be
announced shortly.
"I am thrilled that soon we will get to share AMERICAN IDIOT with audiences across North America,"
said director Michael Mayer. "The creative team and I couldn't be happier with the stellar group of actors
we've assembled which includes original Broadway cast members Van Hughes and Leslie McDonel along
with many wonderful and talented new additions to the AMERICAN IDIOT family."
AMERICAN IDIOT, a 2010 Tony Award®-nominated Best Musical and 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best
Musical Show Album, features the music of Green Day with lyrics by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The
book is by Armstrong and Michael Mayer and direction is by Tony Award®-winner Mayer (“Spring
Awakening”).
The show is choreographed by Olivier Award-winner Steven Hoggett (“Black Watch”) with music
supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal”). The tour
features Tony Award®-winning scenic design by Christine Jones and Tony Award®-winning lighting design
by Kevin Adams.
The acclaimed creative team also includes costume design by Andrea Lauer, sound design by Brian
Ronan, video and projections design by Darrel Maloney, music direction by Jared Stein, associate
choreography by Lorin Latarro and associate direction by Johanna McKeon.
Winner of two Tony Awards®, AMERICAN IDIOT is the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for
meaning in a post 9-11 world. Through incredible spectacle, thrilling performances and with the hope
embodied by a new generation, AMERICAN IDIOT will give audiences the time of their lives night after
night on tour in the same way it did during its acclaimed Broadway run at the St. James Theatre from March
2010 to April 2011.
The musical features the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday”
and the blockbuster title track “American Idiot” from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning, multiplatinum
album. Also included in the score are several songs from Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning 2009
release “21st Century Breakdown” including “21 Guns” and an unreleased love song, “When It’s Time.”
AMERICAN IDIOT premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009 and played through
November of that year. In April 2010, the musical opened on Broadway where reviews were unanimously
positive with Charles Isherwood of the New York Times calling the show “the most adventurous musical to
brave Broadway in the past decade” and the Toronto Star naming it “the first great musical of the 21st
century!”
For more information on AMERICAN IDIOT, visit www.americanidiotthemusical.com.
AMERICAN IDIOT 2011-2012 National Tour Dates
Utica, NY 12/21-12/22 Stanley Theatre
Toronto, ON 12/28-1/15 Toronto Centre for the Arts
Detroit, MI 1/17-1/22 Opera House
Boston, MA 1/24-1/29 Opera House
Raleigh, NC 1/31-2/5 Memorial Auditorium
Chicago, IL 2/7-2/19 Oriental Theatre
Minneapolis, MN 2/21-2/26 Orpheum Theatre
State College, PA 2/28-2/29 Eisenhower Auditorium
St. Louis, MO 3/2-3/4 Peabody Opera House
Denver, CO 3/6-3/11 Buell Theatre
Los Angeles, CA 3/13-4/22 Ahmanson Theatre
Tempe, AZ 4/24-4/29 ASU Gammage
Dallas, TX 5/8-5/20 AT&T PAC
Costa Mesa, CA 5/29-6/3 Segerstrom Center
Seattle, WA 6/5-6/10 Paramount Theatre
San Francisco, CA 6/12-7/8 Orpheum Theatre
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
VAN HUGHES (Johnny) recently starred as Johnny opposite Billie Joe Armstrong in the Broadway
production of American Idiot. Other Broadway credits: 9 to 5 and Hairspray. He originated the role of
Patrick in Saved at Playwrights Horizons, NYC and performed in Hairspray Las Vegas. Film: Sex And The
City: The Movie and SATC 2, Tenure, Rachel Getting Married, Book of Love. TV: Royal Pains, voice of
"Chibila" on Nickelodeon, Law & Order: SVU & Criminal Intent, Six Degrees, As the World Turns, One Life
To Live, NASA Connect, Step Toward Tomorrow, and Araby. B.A. in Theatre, Fordham University.
JAKE EPSTEIN (Will) went to see Green Day when he was 12, and it blew his freaking mind. Theatre:
Tony in Billy Elliot and Melchior in Spring Awakening (1st National Tours), Dani Girl (world premiere), Dog
Sees God, Dangerous Liaisons. Film/TV: Craig on Degrassi: The Next Generation (Gemini Award), Charlie
Bartlett, Being Erica, My Babysitter’s a Vampire, Living In Your Car, Radio Free Roscoe, and The Zack
Files. Graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. Big thanks to Michael, Tom and Ira for the
chance, Shari and Joannie for the support, and Mom, Dad and Gubs for all the love in the world.
SCOTT J. CAMPBELL (Tunny) is thrilled to be part of the 1st National Tour of American Idiot.
Broadway: Jersey Boys; International: Disney Cruise Line; TV: White Collar; Graduate of Sheridan
College, Canada. scottjcampbell.net
LESLIE MCDONEL (Heather). Leslie spent the last exciting year in the Original Broadway Cast of
American Idiot, performing with Green Day at the Tonys, the Grammys, Jets Monday Night Football, and
numerous other TV appearances. Other Broadway/Tours: Hairspray (LouAnn) and Legally Blonde
(Kate/Chutney). Regional: Grease (Marty), Two Gentlemen of Verona: the Musical (Julia), Chicago
(Velma). A Dallas native, she has also appeared numerous times at the Dallas Theater Center and Casa
Manana. BFA from the New School University. Many thanks to Green Day for their heart and the whole
American Idiot family. Missing Sissies, but glad to have lesmueschies.
GABRIELLE MCCLINTON (Whatsername). Gabrielle is a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University
with a BFA in Drama and could not be more thrilled or blessed to be a part of American Idiot. Regional:
MUNY-Hairspray, Annie, The Music Man; PCLO- West Side Story, The Producers, Mame, Annie Get Your
Gun, Joseph…, The Student Prince, Oliver. Film: Fun Size, Steel Town. She would like to thank the
American Idiot team for this incredible opportunity, BRS, her teachers, friends, family, boo bear, and
most of all her parents for their constant guidance, support, and endless love.
www.GabrielleMcClinton.com.
NICCI CLASPELL (The Extraordinary Girl). Nicci is a native of California and graduate of AMDA in Los
Angeles & is very excited to be on national tour with American Idiot! She has appeared in regional
productions such as: Rent (Mimi), Chicago (Velma Kelly), and Chess (Florence). Other favorite
performances include City Of Angels, A Midsummer Nights Dream, and West Side Story. Nicci also
continues to build her film/TV work and was the female lead in the award winning musical comedy film
Zombo. Nicci is repped by Shelter Entertainment and would like to extend many thanks to friends, family,
and all those close to her for their constant love and support.
TALIA AARON (Ensemble; u/s Extraordinary Girl). Favorite credits: Scaramouche/Oz understudy in We
Will Rock You (Original Canadian Company, Canon Theatre), Ali/Lisa understudy in Mamma Mia! (Royal
Alexandra Theatre), Ensemble in Grease (Elgin Theatre), Narrator in Joseph… (Leah Posluns Theatre),
three seasons as Madison in Strange Days at Blake Holsey High (NBC/Discovery Kids, Young Artist Award
Nomination). Love and admiration to B&Z, heartfelt gratitude to Mom, Dadheart, Doodle, my beautiful
friends and family, agent Shari Quallenberg at AMI and The Big Light.
KRYSTINA ALABADO (Ensemble; u/s Whatsername, The Extraordinary Girl). Krystina is so happy to be
an Idiot once again!! Broadway: American Idiot. 1st National Tour: Spring Awakening. Off-Broadway:
Camp Wanatachi. NY Workshops: Pregnancy Pact, Freckleface Strawberry. Love love love and thanks to
the incredibly supportive people in my life: my family, Matt (kees kees), my managers Terry and Marilyn,
and the whole Idiot team! I couldn't do it without you guys! Check out www.krystinaalabado.com.
GABRIEL ANTONACCI (Ensemble; u/s Johnny, Tunny) is so excited to be doing this show. Originally
from Toronto, ON Canada. Theatre credits include Hank Majewski in the Original Canadian cast of Jersey
Boys, Big Deal in West Side Story, Ethan in The Full Monty and Richie Cunningham in Happy Days.
Thanks to friends and family for their support and his love Robin for everything always and their best
dogs in the world Sophie and Bella. www.twitter.com/GabrielNacci
LARKIN BOGAN (Ensemble) made his Broadway debut in HAIR and later toured the country with the
show performing eight different roles including Claude and Woof. Having first cultivated his love for
music with a rock band growing up in SC, he is excited to show some of his roots in this show. Love to
Nicolosi, NYC, SC, all the Bogans, and a beautiful Gemini. Proud member of AEA. Buttery beats, crunchy
grooves, tasty tunes.
MATT DEANGELIS (Ensemble; u/s St. Jimmy, Will) comes direct from spreading love on Broadway,
West End, and Nat'l Tour of HAIR as Woof. He's blessed to be performing with this new bunch of crazy
rock stars. He believes in Optimism, Kindness, Spirituality, Marriage Equality, Actors’ Equity Association
and the Red Sox! Thanks to Leading Artists and my amazing family. www.mattdeangelis.com
DAN GLEASON (Ensemble; u/s Tunny). Dan is thrilled to rock out across the country with American
Idiot! Regional credits include My One and Only (Goodspeed Opera House), Shenandoah, The King and I
(Mount Gretna Theatre), and Baby (Pennsylvania Centre Stage). A graduate of Penn State University’s
BFA Musical Theatre program, he would like to thank the faculty and MTX! A special thanks to family,
friends, Julia, Bobbie Merritt and The Entertainment Goup, Jim Carnahan Casting, and FSPA.
KELVIN MOON LOH (Ensemble; u/s Will). After back to back tours in Siam and Saigon, Kelvin is
pumped to represent his surburbia Long Island roots with American Idiot. Kelvin is also a “free”lance
musical librettist, a Marvel comics enthusiast, and a former guy-liner addict. Rage and love to The Mine,
Matt Corozine Studio, Jen Waldman, Sheri Sanders, Peter and Liza, Carnahan/Gardner and co., and the
Idiot crew! NYU Steinhardt. www.kelvinmoonloh.com
TOMMY MCDOWELL (Swing). Credits include -- New York: Urinetown, Hudson Guild Theatre (Bobby
Strong); National Tours: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley (Flat Stanley), A Year With Frog and
Toad (Snail); Regional: The Who's TOMMY (Tommy), Hairspray (Link Larkin), Grey Gardens (Joe
Kennedy, Jr.), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Levi), A Funny Thing Happened on the
Way to the Forum, La Bohéme, and Sweeney Todd. Many thanks to SG, my loving family, and of course
my lil' onion.
JILLIAN MUELLER (Swing; u/s Whatsername) is ecstatic to finally be able to do this show! Broadway:
Bye Bye Birdie, two holiday seasons of How the Grinch stole Christmas. New York Theatre: Susan
Stroman's new show Dancer Project. TV: A Gifted Man (CBS). Many thanks and love to Carnahan and the
American Idiot team, Liz, Aimee, Erin and everyone at CESD. And of course Mom, Dad and Jack.
VINCE ODDO (Swing; u/s Favorite Son) hails from Buffalo, NY and is a graduate of Fredonia State
University. Favorite credits include: Hairspray (Link Larkin), Cabaret (Cliff/Fight Director), Rocky Horror
Show (Rocky), Little Shop Of Horrors (Orin Scrivello), a few operas, couple plays, and one amazing
journey so far. Would love to thank Matt Farnsworth, The Luedtke Agency, Scotty Kriendler, and of
course my wonderful family, Dad, Momma, and Nicholas, who have supported me through my endeavors.
This one is for my rock, MJ.
OKIERIETE ONAODOWAN (Ensemble; Rock & Roll Boyfriend, u/s Favorite Son). Okieriete is excited to
be going on tour with American Idiot. Off Broadway: Neighbors, The Public; Langston in Harlem, Urban
Stages. Off Off Broadway: The Shipment, Young Jean Lee/The Kitchen; Pontious Pilate The Last Days of
Judas Iscariot, Richmond Shepard Theatre; Regional: Ruined, Huntington Theater Co., Berkely Rep, La
Jolla Playhouse; Coalhouse in Ragtime, NJPAC; Okieriete is excited, enthused and honored to be a part of
this wicked production.
KAITLYN TERRILL (Ensemble; u/s Heather) is excited to be on tour with American Idiot. She has
appeared in various roles in San Diego over the last four years. Roles include Eileen in Irving Berlin's I
Love A Piano, Rosemary in Angel's Arms, Alice in Alice: A Wonderful New Musical, Gertrude McFuzz in
Seussical: The Musical, and Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly. She could not have gotten this far without the
loving support of her family, agents, and God.
###
Vince Gill’s Floor Plan for "Guitar Slinger"
By Bob Doerschuk
© 2011 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
“And this,” said Vince Gill, “is the LeAnn Rimes Memorial Bathroom.”
It’s a small but comfortable room, just a few steps away from the 32-track recording studio that the CMA Country Music Hall of Fame member built in his Belle Meade, Tenn. home. The only thing that attracts attention is the amplifier positioned just to the left of the doorway.
It seems that Rimes was visiting one day during the sessions for Guitar Slinger, Gill’s new album on MCA Nashville. Musicians were gathered in the studio, going over parts and tweaking their sound. She had just gone into the restroom when a guitarist decided to check his tone. Unfortunately, his microphone and amp were in that restroom, the volume pumped up pretty high.
Gill, remembering that moment, mimed playing a bent-note, upper-neck feedback screech. “And LeAnn said she hit the ceiling,” he remembered. “I don’t know whether that’s true or not, but she was out of there pretty quick.”
Such are the things that can happen when an artist transforms part of his home into a working space. At the very least, you come up with stories you’re not likely to hear about tracking in commercial studios. At best, you save on multiple fronts, including travel time, rental costs and more.
“I haven’t found any minuses to recording at home, to be honest,” Gill said. “My biggest concern is, is it going to sound great? That’s the whole purpose of any studio. At the same time, if you’ve got a great song, it doesn’t matter where you record it. People are going to respond to a great song every time. If the bass sound isn’t just so good, if the kick drum doesn’t sound just so great, or if the guitar tone is a little thin, most people don’t ever hear any of that. The mantra should be ‘serve the song.’”
Gill’s priorities don’t diminish the importance of having a great production with state-of-the-art gear. Rather, they indicate that the purpose of production is to bring out the expressive potential of the tune. This has guided Gill on all of the sessions he’s had, though with Guitar Slinger he took the concept further by doing some of the recording outside the studio doors, in an add-on acoustically dry room, at the end of a hallway, in his living room, even in a closet and of course in the Memorial Bathroom.
To put the conversion of these areas in context, go back to Gill’s and his wife Amy Grant’s decision to make a few changes in their living space. ���We lived here for nine years before we even thought about putting a studio in here,” he recalled. “I said to Amy, after we’d been married a few years, ‘How are things?’ She said, ‘Well, to be real honest, there are times when I still feel like a stranger in my own house.’ So after living here for a little bit of time, we said, ‘Okay, we don’t really need a pool table in this room. Nobody plays pool here.’ We’d go through the house and ask, ‘Do we really need a fancy dining room here? Let’s make it a sitting parlor and I could have my desk in there.’ Little by little, I felt like this part of the house could finally serve what would benefit me the most. You find ways to connect what you do and love and make them a part of your home.”
That meant building a studio. Gill invested in the best equipment, relying on advice from friends who kept informed on gear. Eventually, anchored by a 32-channel API board, it took shape in a high-ceilinged space, with a sunken area next to a big working fireplace. It’s as much a place to hang out with friends as it is a facility for top-notch tracking, with tiny amps and car models, a clock with hands set against a Fender logo and amplifier grill cloth and other details enhancing the cozy, vintage décor. He’s even stowed active amps in the bottom of cabinets that line one wall within soundproofing that allows tracks to be captured without any audio bleed.
Eventually, Gill began thinking about expanding his recording options beyond the studio doors. “I’m grateful that I went up to Sheryl Crow’s house,” he said. “She had a fantastic studio built in her basement. I was working on mine, and I was like, ‘Man, she’s got two rooms to do overdubs in. She’s got a lounge. I could do this too; I could build a room onto the side of my studio.’ I realized that if I didn’t take it to a certain level, I’d always be trapped by headphones. That just didn’t sound like fun to me, so I went further than I probably ever intended. I don’t know if I ever intended to put a whole keyboard world in another room. I didn’t think the API desk would be as big as the one I wound up buying. I wound up buying some really big speakers that could crank it up so it sounds like a million bucks. And I never intended to build an extra room. Why not? I’ll be making music in there for 20 years or more.”
That room, acoustically dry, is lined by amplifier grill cloth on the ceiling and the double walls, one external and the other internal, to keep sound from transferring from the inside or the outside. The floor is similarly layered, with two made of cement and two more of wood. “You can do guitar overdubs in here,” Gill noted. “But I set up the drums in here more often than not. The first thought was that, with these two big windows, it was going to be too reflective and live, but as it turns out drummers freak out about the sound in here. They say there’s a bigger depth in the bottom end of the kick drum. We do a lot of vocals in here too. If you need separation, if something needs to be on its own, this works.”
The selection widened as one room led to the next. Just outside the studio door, the end of a hallway, with high ceilings and wood floor, is live enough to add depth to acoustic guitars and upright basses. A nearby closet proves perfect for miking a Leslie speaker, which connects to the Hammond B-3 organ in the living room, just steps away from a Yamaha concert grand piano.
John Hobbs, who has played piano, organ and other keyboards on many of Gill’s sessions as far back as Turn Me Loose in 1983, sees one reason why the idea of “studio” has morphed into this network of rooms. “People that just have their home studios all in one room aren’t usually cutting a band live, which is very much what the approach to this album was — and it always is with Vince,” he said. “He doesn’t like to do a lot of overdubbing, apart from taking vocal passes and doing the background vocals or maybe allowing for an instrumentalist that’s not available on the day of tracking that he really wants to get on a particular song. But the piano really needs to be in a different room. Acoustic piano mics are really hot, so leakage is always an issue. Even the leakage from my headphones, if they’re turned up loud while I’m sitting at the piano, can be an issue. And with the Leslie in a cabinet by itself, it’s really a function of keeping the leakage down.”
Produced by Gill, Hobbs and Justin Niebank, Guitar Slinger is sonically impressive, intimate and romantic on ballads (“True Love,” written and sung by Gill and Grant), majestic where gospel exultation meets searing lead guitar (“Threaten Me with Heaven,” by Gill, Grant, Will Owsley and Dillon O’Brian) and shimmering with steel and triple fiddles on the waltz-time “Buttermilk John” (Gill). But the composer/ singer/guitarist proves correct in asserting that every note played and every knob turned takes the listener deeper into the music and the lyric.
Much of the material is narrative, from the (true) story of a friend’s sad demise in “Billy Paul” (Gill) to its retrograde, chronicling the salvation of a hopeless man at the end of his journey in “Bread and Water” (Gill and Leslie Satcher). It’s not just the quality of this work that distinguishes Guitar Slinger; it’s the fact of its being done at all.
“That’s important to me because I learned that great stories make great songs,” he explained. “It’s not very prevalent in what’s going on today; instead, it’s a little more attitude and a little more swagger. What shocks me is a song like ‘The House That Built Me’ (Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin), that Miranda (Lambert) recorded. I just want to go, ‘Guys! Look at this! This should teach you. People are still moved.’ Guy Clark taught me that if you’re not able to really see the picture that the words say, then find a way to say it where those pictures come alive. That, to me, is great songwriting: If somebody hears a song, they can perceive it any way they want and paint their own pictures. That’s why I don’t like videos: You don’t give the imagination a chance to work.
“I think it would be so easy to put this music back on a great path with people writing and recording great songs again,” he summed up. “It’s not that hard.”
On the Web: www.VinceGill.com
By Bob Doerschuk
© 2011 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
“And this,” said Vince Gill, “is the LeAnn Rimes Memorial Bathroom.”
It’s a small but comfortable room, just a few steps away from the 32-track recording studio that the CMA Country Music Hall of Fame member built in his Belle Meade, Tenn. home. The only thing that attracts attention is the amplifier positioned just to the left of the doorway.
It seems that Rimes was visiting one day during the sessions for Guitar Slinger, Gill’s new album on MCA Nashville. Musicians were gathered in the studio, going over parts and tweaking their sound. She had just gone into the restroom when a guitarist decided to check his tone. Unfortunately, his microphone and amp were in that restroom, the volume pumped up pretty high.
Gill, remembering that moment, mimed playing a bent-note, upper-neck feedback screech. “And LeAnn said she hit the ceiling,” he remembered. “I don’t know whether that’s true or not, but she was out of there pretty quick.”
Such are the things that can happen when an artist transforms part of his home into a working space. At the very least, you come up with stories you’re not likely to hear about tracking in commercial studios. At best, you save on multiple fronts, including travel time, rental costs and more.
“I haven’t found any minuses to recording at home, to be honest,” Gill said. “My biggest concern is, is it going to sound great? That’s the whole purpose of any studio. At the same time, if you’ve got a great song, it doesn’t matter where you record it. People are going to respond to a great song every time. If the bass sound isn’t just so good, if the kick drum doesn’t sound just so great, or if the guitar tone is a little thin, most people don’t ever hear any of that. The mantra should be ‘serve the song.’”
Gill’s priorities don’t diminish the importance of having a great production with state-of-the-art gear. Rather, they indicate that the purpose of production is to bring out the expressive potential of the tune. This has guided Gill on all of the sessions he’s had, though with Guitar Slinger he took the concept further by doing some of the recording outside the studio doors, in an add-on acoustically dry room, at the end of a hallway, in his living room, even in a closet and of course in the Memorial Bathroom.
To put the conversion of these areas in context, go back to Gill’s and his wife Amy Grant’s decision to make a few changes in their living space. ���We lived here for nine years before we even thought about putting a studio in here,” he recalled. “I said to Amy, after we’d been married a few years, ‘How are things?’ She said, ‘Well, to be real honest, there are times when I still feel like a stranger in my own house.’ So after living here for a little bit of time, we said, ‘Okay, we don’t really need a pool table in this room. Nobody plays pool here.’ We’d go through the house and ask, ‘Do we really need a fancy dining room here? Let’s make it a sitting parlor and I could have my desk in there.’ Little by little, I felt like this part of the house could finally serve what would benefit me the most. You find ways to connect what you do and love and make them a part of your home.”
That meant building a studio. Gill invested in the best equipment, relying on advice from friends who kept informed on gear. Eventually, anchored by a 32-channel API board, it took shape in a high-ceilinged space, with a sunken area next to a big working fireplace. It’s as much a place to hang out with friends as it is a facility for top-notch tracking, with tiny amps and car models, a clock with hands set against a Fender logo and amplifier grill cloth and other details enhancing the cozy, vintage décor. He’s even stowed active amps in the bottom of cabinets that line one wall within soundproofing that allows tracks to be captured without any audio bleed.
Eventually, Gill began thinking about expanding his recording options beyond the studio doors. “I’m grateful that I went up to Sheryl Crow’s house,” he said. “She had a fantastic studio built in her basement. I was working on mine, and I was like, ‘Man, she’s got two rooms to do overdubs in. She’s got a lounge. I could do this too; I could build a room onto the side of my studio.’ I realized that if I didn’t take it to a certain level, I’d always be trapped by headphones. That just didn’t sound like fun to me, so I went further than I probably ever intended. I don’t know if I ever intended to put a whole keyboard world in another room. I didn’t think the API desk would be as big as the one I wound up buying. I wound up buying some really big speakers that could crank it up so it sounds like a million bucks. And I never intended to build an extra room. Why not? I’ll be making music in there for 20 years or more.”
That room, acoustically dry, is lined by amplifier grill cloth on the ceiling and the double walls, one external and the other internal, to keep sound from transferring from the inside or the outside. The floor is similarly layered, with two made of cement and two more of wood. “You can do guitar overdubs in here,” Gill noted. “But I set up the drums in here more often than not. The first thought was that, with these two big windows, it was going to be too reflective and live, but as it turns out drummers freak out about the sound in here. They say there’s a bigger depth in the bottom end of the kick drum. We do a lot of vocals in here too. If you need separation, if something needs to be on its own, this works.”
The selection widened as one room led to the next. Just outside the studio door, the end of a hallway, with high ceilings and wood floor, is live enough to add depth to acoustic guitars and upright basses. A nearby closet proves perfect for miking a Leslie speaker, which connects to the Hammond B-3 organ in the living room, just steps away from a Yamaha concert grand piano.
John Hobbs, who has played piano, organ and other keyboards on many of Gill’s sessions as far back as Turn Me Loose in 1983, sees one reason why the idea of “studio” has morphed into this network of rooms. “People that just have their home studios all in one room aren’t usually cutting a band live, which is very much what the approach to this album was — and it always is with Vince,” he said. “He doesn’t like to do a lot of overdubbing, apart from taking vocal passes and doing the background vocals or maybe allowing for an instrumentalist that’s not available on the day of tracking that he really wants to get on a particular song. But the piano really needs to be in a different room. Acoustic piano mics are really hot, so leakage is always an issue. Even the leakage from my headphones, if they’re turned up loud while I’m sitting at the piano, can be an issue. And with the Leslie in a cabinet by itself, it’s really a function of keeping the leakage down.”
Produced by Gill, Hobbs and Justin Niebank, Guitar Slinger is sonically impressive, intimate and romantic on ballads (“True Love,” written and sung by Gill and Grant), majestic where gospel exultation meets searing lead guitar (“Threaten Me with Heaven,” by Gill, Grant, Will Owsley and Dillon O’Brian) and shimmering with steel and triple fiddles on the waltz-time “Buttermilk John” (Gill). But the composer/ singer/guitarist proves correct in asserting that every note played and every knob turned takes the listener deeper into the music and the lyric.
Much of the material is narrative, from the (true) story of a friend’s sad demise in “Billy Paul” (Gill) to its retrograde, chronicling the salvation of a hopeless man at the end of his journey in “Bread and Water” (Gill and Leslie Satcher). It’s not just the quality of this work that distinguishes Guitar Slinger; it’s the fact of its being done at all.
“That’s important to me because I learned that great stories make great songs,” he explained. “It’s not very prevalent in what’s going on today; instead, it’s a little more attitude and a little more swagger. What shocks me is a song like ‘The House That Built Me’ (Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin), that Miranda (Lambert) recorded. I just want to go, ‘Guys! Look at this! This should teach you. People are still moved.’ Guy Clark taught me that if you’re not able to really see the picture that the words say, then find a way to say it where those pictures come alive. That, to me, is great songwriting: If somebody hears a song, they can perceive it any way they want and paint their own pictures. That’s why I don’t like videos: You don’t give the imagination a chance to work.
“I think it would be so easy to put this music back on a great path with people writing and recording great songs again,” he summed up. “It’s not that hard.”
On the Web: www.VinceGill.com
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