Thursday, August 30, 2012

Little Big Town and ConAgra Foods Partner This Fall for Child Hunger Ends Here® Campaign

OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy-nominated country group Little Big Town and ConAgra Foods today announced a partnership in support of the company's nationally recognized Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.  The partnership will drive awareness of the shocking fact that more than one in five American children does not know where their next meal is coming from, and will inspire people to get involved in their local communities to help end child hunger in the United States.
As part of the partnership, Little Big Town is recording an exclusive video of the original song "Here's Hope" in the style of their popular web series "Scattered, Smothered, and Covered." Fans can visit the ConAgra Foods Facebook page in September to see the video, check out exclusive content and participate in a Q&A session with the band.  Check in with the Facebook page regularly to get updates on the program, including timing for a live chat with Little Big Town musician Phillip Sweet in October. By joining the community, fans can rally around the issue of child hunger, share their personal stories and discover ways to get involved in the cause within their community.
ConAgra Foods and Little Big Town connected earlier this year during the Academy of Country Music Awards 'Lifting Lives' segment where they developed a real connection and dedication to the Child Hunger Ends Here message while performing a touching version of "Here's Hope"— an anthem developed in support of the Child Hunger Ends Here cause.
"It is a privilege to partner with our friends at ConAgra Foods and participate in the great work they are doing every day to end child hunger," said Phillip Sweet.  "Having gone through difficulties with my own family and growing up in a single-parent household with five siblings, I've had first-hand experience with not knowing sometimes where our next meal was coming from.  We had to be creative and work together as a team and a family to make ends meet. We could not have done it without the help of friends and our community.  Our children should never have to wonder where their next meal is coming from, and with the passionate work and generosity of everyone involved with ConAgra Foods and this endeavor, hopefully child hunger will one day be a thing of the past."
"When we heard Little Big Town perform 'Here's Hope' on the ACM Awards we saw our message come to life and everyone listening imagined a time when every child in America would have enough to eat," said Chris Sinta, Director of Sponsorships for ConAgra Foods. "We immediately saw the bands' passion around the issue and knew they'd be powerful voices in the fight to end child hunger in the United States.  Together we will spread this message and show how the power of music can inspire action and raise awareness for this important cause."
The Child Hunger Ends Here initiative is part of ConAgra Foods' ongoing efforts to end child hunger in the United States.  There are more than 16 million children in the U.S. impacted by food insecurity or the inability to access enough food to live active, healthy lives.
ConAgra Foods is Feeding America's Leadership Partner in the fight to end child hunger. The company and the ConAgra Foods Foundation have collectively donated more than 275 million pounds of food and invested more than $36 million dollars to combat child hunger since 1993. The Foundation, the philanthropic organization primarily funded by ConAgra Foods, is in the midst of a $10 million, 5-year commitment to Feeding America, the largest donation ever made to Feeding America specifically to fight child hunger.
For more information, visit www.ChildHungerEndsHere.com. You can also follow the discussion at Facebook, or tweet along by following @ConAgraFoods and using #ChildHunger. 
About ConAgra Foods
ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG), is one of North America's leading food companies, with brands in 97 percent of American households. ConAgra Foods provides some of America's long-time favorites. Consumers can find Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Hebrew National, Hunt's Tomato Sauces and Ketchup, Marie Callender's, Orville Redenbacher's, PAM, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim Meat Sticks and Beef Jerky and many other ConAgra Foods brands in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores. ConAgra Foods operates ReadySetEat.com, an interactive recipe website that provides consumers with Easy Dinner Recipes and more. ConAgra Foods also has a strong business-to-business presence, supplying frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers. For more information, please visit us at http://www.conagrafoods.com.
About Little Big Town
Critically acclaimed group Little Big Town first entered the music scene over 13 years ago with hits such as "Boondocks," "Bring It On Home," and "Little White Church." The group's fifth studio album entitled Tornado was produced by Jay Joyce and is set for a September 11 release date. The album's first single "Pontoon" is currently #3 on the radio charts and has sold over 1 million digital singles. The official music video has been viewed over 4.3 million times and was shot on a lake outside of Nashville, TN. Collectively, the group has earned over 25 award show nominations and has taken home the award for ACM Top New Vocal Group. The foursome has played in front of over 4 million people and is currently on Rascal Flatts CHANGED tour where they will hit over 40 cities nationwide.
DISPATCH'S CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN DEBUTS AT CAREER HIGH #24 ON BILLBOARD TOP 200 CHART

BAND ANNOUNCES TOUR AROUND THE WORLD 
LOS ANGELES, CA - - Circles Around The Sun, the new album from Dispatch has debuted at Number 24 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, marking the band's highest chart entry in their 16-year history. The album also debuted as the Number 10 Digital Album in the U.S. and earned the band career high debuts in Germany, Canada, and Austria.   

Dispatch will tour the world in support of the new release. In addition to previously announced U.S. dates (including SOLD OUT shows at New York City's Radio City Music Hall and Washington DC's Constitution Hall), the band today announced European dates in early 2013. Kicking off on January 23rd in Vienna, Austria, Dispatch will also visit Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, wrapping up on February 4th in Dortmund, Germany. See below for a complete list of international dates.

Circles Around The Sun was released on August 21st via the band's own Bomber Records and is available in stores and at all digital retailers now. Produced by Peter Katis (Interpol, Jonsi, The National), the album is an eclectic rock and roll record that delivers on the gutsy storytelling, compelling songwriting, and radiant harmonies that earned the band its diehard fanbase.
    
DISPATCH 2012/2013 TOUR DATES
  
SEPTEMBER 2012

20th                  Vancouver, BC                         Commodore Ballroom
21st                  Seattle, WA                              Moore Theatre
22nd                 Portland, OR                            Roseland Theatre
26th                  Los Angeles, CA                      Hollywood Palladium
29th                  Broomfield, CO                       1st Bank Centre

OCTOBER 2012

1st                    Minneapolis, MN                     Orpheum Theatre
2nd                   Chicago, IL                                Riviera Theatre
3rd                    Chicago, IL                                Riviera Theatre
5th                    New York, NY                           Radio City Music Hall [SOLD OUT]
6th                    Boston, MA                              Agganis Arena
8th                    Toronto, ONT                           Sound Academy
9th                    Philadelphia, PA                      Tower Theatre
11th                  Washington, DC                      Constitution Hall [SOLD OUT]
12th                  Atlanta, GA                              Fox Theatre

JANUARY 2013

23rd                  Vienna, Austria                        Arena
24th                  Stuttgart, Germany                 Longhorn
26th                  Berlin, German                        Huxley's Neue Welt
28th                  Copenhagen, Denmark          Vega
29th                  Hamburg, German                  Gruenspan
30th                  Frankfurt, Germany                Batschkapp

FEBRUARY 2013

1st                    Zurich, Switzerland                   Komplex
2nd                   Amsterdam, Netherlands       Melkweg
4th                    Dortmund, Germany               FZW

 
 
 PURCHASE CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN ON ITUNES | AMAZON  

"Dispatch fans old and new will embrace Circles Around The Sun."
Relix

"[Circles Around The Sun] is, without hyperbole, one of the best tracks Dispatch has ever written, and if there's a better way to kick off your first album in over ten years, it's hard to imagine."
Consequence of Sound
     
Dispatch prepare for an impromptu live performance in NYC's Washington Square Park
Credit: Vicki Pon  


 
ABOUT DISPATCH
Dispatch is Chad Stokes, Brad Corrigan, and Pete Francis.  After forming in New England in 1996 and through intense word of mouth and fan loyalty, Dispatch went on to become one of the biggest draws on the live music scene, and arguably one of the biggest independent rock bands in History.  The band released their debut album in 1996, an acoustic-driven folk-pop affair called Silent Steeples, on their own Bomber Records followed by 1998's reggae-flavored Bang Bang. In 1999 the band released their third album Four Day Trials. After a brief hiatus during which various members pursued solo endeavors, in 2004 the group organized a free show in Boston on the Esplanade, anticipating perhaps 20,000 people would turn up. The concert became the largest show in independent music event history (documented in the feature film The Last Dispatch). In 2011 the trio decided to record new music, which led to last year's Dispatch EP and now Circles Around The Sun.
SUNFLOWER DEAD: Revolver Magazine Exclusively Unveils New Music Video for “Make Me Drown” Today
 
Description: SFD_COVER
 
New Self-Titled Album In Stores Now!
 
SUNFLOWER DEAD and Revolver Magazine are pleased to unveil the band’s brand new music video for the track ‘Make Me Drown’ today! The video is directed by Danny "Ham Cam" Hamilton. The track is cut from the band’s brand new self-titled album, which was named Revolver Magazine’s “Album of the Week” last week in a reader poll that pinned them against the likes of The Darkness, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more. Head to this location to view the brand new music video!
 
Additionally, GuitarWorld.com recently posted a one-on-one guitar solo tutorial for ‘Make Me Drown’ featuring SUNFLOWER DEAD guitarist Jaboo. Watch the full-length music video at the provided locations above and learn the solo right here.
The band's debut album is out now on Bloody Bat Records and available via iTunes, Amazon and directly through the bands website.  You can also follow the band on Facebook at this location for the latest news regarding the band's upcoming music and touring plans.
SUNFLOWER DEAD released their new self-titled album last Tuesday, August 21st with Bloody Bat Records. The album was recorded at Temple Studios (owned by Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory and B Real of Cyrpress Hill) with Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory). Co-produced and mixed by Jeremy Blair (Guns N’ Roses, DevilDriver) at Temple and House of Blues Studios, and mastered by Robert Hadley (Korn) at The Mastering Lab, the album has a tight, punchy sound with crushing low end and ultra wide sonics.
 
For more information on SUNFLOWER DEAD, please visit these websites:
 

Darius Rucker Helps Launch New College Fantasy Football Concept

Draft teams instead of players for a fantasy game all college fans can enjoy

DALLAS -- College fantasy football has not caught on like its NFL brethren. The traditional format where one drafts players does not translate well when there are more than 124 FBS teams and players typically only start for two years. But this month's launch of Pigskin Fantasy U (PFU) brings a fun new twist to college fantasy sports – a league that allows you to draft entire teams to create your roster.
The concept is very simple, making it fun for college football fans of all levels. During an online, real-time draft, participants select teams to make-up their roster for the season. Each week, the participant selects teams to either start or bench. Points are given when a starting team wins.
"I can't wait for football season to start," said country star and PFU Celebrity Commissioner Darius Rucker.  Rucker, a University of South Carolina graduate and avid Gamecocks fan continued, "Watching games on Saturday is one of my favorite things to do and adding Pigskin Fantasy U to the mix is going to be awesome.  My buddies and I needed another reason to talk about football and trash talk each other," joked Rucker.
PFU resides at www.PigskinFantasyU.com, where you can start or join a league for free through October 31 st, long after the season starts. When you start your own league, you set your own rules regarding the number of teams each person drafts, whether you play a head-to-head or one-vs.-all format, as well as many other options. The live, online draft feature lets friends and foes alike join together from far away places.
"It's the perfect combination – the fantasy fun of making every game meaningful but without the nerve-wracking experience of researching a backup running back or wondering whether your guy is healthy enough to play," said Brad Miller, president and founder of recently launched PFU.

PIGSKIN FANTASY U, INC. WAS OFFICIALLY FORMED IN JANUARY 2012 AND IS A REGISTERED C-CORPORATION BASED IN DALLAS. PFU'S ROOTS DATE BACK MANY YEARS AND ARE BUILT UPON A UNIQUE CONCEPT DEVELOPED BY MILLER AND PLAYED OFFLINE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD.
SOURCE Pigskin Fantasy U, Inc.
LAMB OF GOD Announces eBay Memorabilia Auction for Randy Blythe Defense Fund
 
MACHINE HEAD’s Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel, MEGADETH’s David Ellefson, Slash, and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Also Contribute
 
While LAMB OF GOD singer Randy Blythe is back home in America after five weeks in prison in the Czech Republic, his legal problems are far from over.  Manslaughter charges are still hanging over Blythe and at some point over the next few months he will have to return to Prague and stand trial.  Faced with continuing massive legal bills, LAMB OF GOD has decided to create an eBay auction of equipment and memorabilia to raise money for Randy’s legal bills. All equipment was either used on tour or in the recording studio or in a video.  The auction features items provided by all five members of LAMB OF GOD.
 
In addition, a number of musicians have offered equipment to be used in the auction.  Guitars have been donated by Machine Head’s Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel as well as Slash and Five Finger Death Punch. Megadeth’s David Ellefson and Five Finger Death Punch’s Chris Kael have each contributed a bass and the members of Five Finger Death Punch also have contributed a signed skateboard. 
 
Justice Now, the site set up for donations, will remain open for those wishing to donate to Randy’s defense fund.  The band appreciates all of the support Randy has received since his arrest on June 28th and is thankful for all of the donations that have been made in these tough economic times.  As stated before, without the fans, there is no LAMB OF GOD
 
Click here for the link to the LAMB OF GOD Memorabilia site and here for the link to the Justice Now site.
 

AEROSMITH To Release 'MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION' November 6 On Columbia Records

Marks Band's First Studio Album Of All-New Material In 11 Years

Album's First Two Singles Simultaneously Impacting Radio This Week: "What Could Have Been Love" And "Lover A Lot"


NEW YORK -- There has been a witch's brew boiling for 10 years, and America's greatest rock band is about to blow the cover off.

On November 6, Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums) will release MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION on Columbia Records.  It marks the band's 15th studio album and their first studio album of all-new material in 11 years. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and at the band's studio in Massachusetts ; it was produced by Jack Douglas, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry , with the exception of three tracks produced by Tyler and Marti Frederiksen .
MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION's first two singles have been released simultaneously to radio this week. "What Could Have Been Love" is now impacting at Hot AC and "Lover A Lot" at Rock, Active Rock, and Classic Rock.  The album features 15 new tracks, including two songs that audiences in North America were treated to on the first leg of the band's triumphant, sold-out "Global Warming Tour": "Oh Yeah" and "Legendary Child."
MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION presents AEROSMITH in ferociously fine form and at the peak of their powers.  They're the only band of their stature with all-original members and who are playing better than ever have before.  The album abounds with one highlight after another, including "Out Go The Lights," "Oh Yeah," "Luv XXX," "We All Fall Down," "Street Jesus" and "Can't Stop Loving You," on which Tyler duets with Carrie Underwood.  The album also includes "Freedom Fighter" which features Johnny Depp on backing vocals.  See the full track listing below.
AEROSMITH wrapped their U.S. tour August 12 in Bristow, VA. The dates included the band's triumphant, sold-out return to the legendary Hollywood Bowl (August 6) in Los Angeles , where Depp joined the band onstage (http://www.msopr.com/n/client-roster/aerosmith/).  A new leg of fall dates will soon be announced to support the release of MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION.
"It's not that it took ten years," STEVEN TYLER says, "but that we were busy getting ready!"
"This is the album we wanted to make since the band got back together in 1984," JOE PERRY says.  "Can't complain about number one singles or album-driven sold-out world tours, as we blaze the Aerosmith trail with our fans.  But this is the record that when the five of us are in a room yelling turn up the volume, that room could be 1325 Commonwealth Avenue (a reference to the band's first apartment where they lived and wrote their first song)."
A deluxe version of MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION will include:
● Four live performance videos: "Rats In The Cellar," "Train Kept A Rollin," "Oh Yeah" and "Same Old Song and Dance"
● Exclusive interviews with the members of AEROSMITH band members
● Three exclusive new bonus tracks: "Up On A Mountain," "Oasis" and "Sunny Side of Love"
The MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION track listing is as follows:
1.                LUV XXX
2.                Oh Yeah
3.                Beautiful
4.                Tell Me
5.                Out Go The Lights
6.                Legendary Child
7.                What Could Have Been Love
8.                Street Jesus
9.                Can't Stop Loving You
10.              Lover A Lot
11.              We All Fall Down
12.              Freedom Fighter
13.              Closer
14.              Something
15.              Another Last Goodbye

AEROSMITH are a living piece of American music history, having sold over 150 million albums worldwide and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  They are the recipients of countless awards including four GRAMMYs, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Video Music Awards among many other honors.  Proving that they can cross genre-boundaries with ease, these rock legends have even taken home a Soul Train Award for Best Rap Single for their remix of Run DMC's "Walk This Way." With scores of multi-platinum albums, AEROSMITH continues to inspire generations to get their wings, get a grip and just push play. It is no wonder why they are one of the most beloved bands of all time.
For more information, check out the following sites:
www.aerosmith.com
www.aeroforceone.com
www.facebook.com/aerosmith
https://twitter.com/#!/Aerosmith
www.youtube.com/theofficialaerosmith

Imagine Entertainment's Ron Howard and Brian Grazer Sign on to Film Jay-Z's Budweiser Made in America Festival

In partnership with Anheuser-Busch, Ron Howard to Direct with Brian Grazer, Steve Stoute, Jay-Z and @radical.media Producing.

NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine Entertainment partners, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, have announced that they are filming Jay-Z's Budweiser Made in America music festival, September 1-2 in Philadelphia.
Steve Stoute, founder and CEO of Translation will be co-producing alongside Grazer and @radical.media, with the legendary Howard directing.  Along with headlining and curating the festival, Jay-Z is also taking on an executive producer role in the film along with Paul Chibe, Anheuser–Busch's U.S. Marketing vice president. 
"This will not be a concert film; it's a reflection of the fabric of what it means to be Made in America – what the festival represents, why Jay is doing it and how he relates to each artist," said Howard.
The two-day festival will feature artists such as Pearl Jam, Run-DMC, Drake, Skrillex, Rick Ross, Miike Snow, Odd Future, and Janelle Monae, all who speak to a new generation of fans.
"The film is going to be born through Jay-Z's perspective…how he puts the event together and creates this musical event that defies all genres.   We will hone in on the meaning of the festival and how Jay-Z has become a voice and icon for this generation," said Grazer.
Grazer has had previous success with merging music into film with hits such as 8 Mile (in collaboration with Stoute) and with his TV series Friday Night Lights in which music was a central focus.  Producer @radical.media has had a long track record of producing award-winning music films including the Grammy-winning, Concert for George, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, Jay-Z's Fade to Black and the recent Emmy-nominated Paul Simon documentary, Under African Skies.
"Made in America is the soundtrack to pursuing your passion, excelling at your craft, being authentic and embracing cultural diversity.  It's the tapestry that ignites new ideas and brings us all closer together.  That's what we're setting out to accomplish with this festival and film and we're proud to have an iconic American brand like Budweiser as our partner who truly stands for what it means to be Made in America," said producer Steve Stoute.
"Budweiser has a long tradition of being an influencer and enabler in music and pop culture", said Paul Chibe of Anheuser-Busch, "We are proud that the Budweiser Made in America Festival is a vibrant platform for creative expression in both music and film."
The film is set to be released in 2013.
SOURCE Imagine Entertainment
CMT HOSTS 72-HOUR EXCLUSIVE WORLD PREMIERE OF RANDY HOUSER’S NEW MUSIC VIDEO, 
“HOW COUNTRY FEELS”
 
Video to Debut on Friday, Aug. 31 During CMT’s "Top 20 Countdownat 11 a.m. EDT / 10 a.m. CDT and Repeat All Weekend
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn.  – On Friday, August 31, CMT will host the 72-hour exclusive world premiere of Randy Houser’s new music video, “How Country Feels.” Fans can tune in during CMT’s Top 20 Countdown at 11 a.m. EDT / 10 a.m. CDT to watch. The video will repeat all weekend through Sunday, Sept. 2 and be cross-promoted all this week on CMT.com, CMT’s social networks, CMT Radio's Live with Cody Alan, CMT Radio Networks, and CMT mobile platforms and webtools. View the video teaser here: http://on.cmt.com/RgDvPv.
 
Wes Edwards of Ruckus Film directed the new video, and it was filmed at Glenn Leven Farm in Nashville, Tenn.
 
"Wes took the story in the song and delivered a concept video that we both envisioned," Houser shares. "I think he captured it in a way that will hopefully allow viewers to experience that much more of  'How Country Feels.'"
 
“How Country Feels” is Houser’s current Top 30 and climbing Billboard Country single, and the coinciding video paints a picture of a girl who has never experienced anything other than urban life. This song animates her to step into the country and experience things from a new perspective. The single is Houser’s first release on Stoney Creek Records and is the follow-up to his No. 2 Billboard Country hit, “Boots On,” and hits, “Anything Goes" and “Whistlin’ Dixie.”
 
For more information on Randy Houser, visit www.RandyHouser.com.
 

CHICKENFOOT TO RE-RELEASE FIRST
ALBUM WITH LIVE BONUS TRACKS
(NEW YORK, NY) - Having established themselves in record time as one of the earth’s premier rock bands with their Gold-certified self-titled debut, CHICKENFOOT will be re-releasing their  self-titled, "Chickenfoot," as a deluxe double disc version on October 16th, 2012. Frontman Sammy Hagar comments:
"Chickenfoot 1 will always be special to me for exactly what it is. Our former label went out of business and the album had been discontinued. You could not find the album anywhere, which is crazy!  We got the masters back and our new label will re-release the 1st album and we thought we should include some live tracks from 'Chickenfoot lll'.”
The release will feature live tracks recorded on the "Different Devil" tour this past spring while supporting their latest record, "Chickenfoot III.




DISC 1
Avienda Revolution
Soap On A Rope
Sexy Little Thing
Oh Yeah
Runnin Out
Get It Up
Down The Drain
My Kinda Girl
Learning To Fall
Turnin Left
Future Is The Past
DISC 2
Bitten By The Wolf
Lighten Up (Live in Chicago 5/12/12)
Big Foot (Live in Seattle 6/6/12)
Last Temptation (Live in Seattle 6/6/12)
Something Going Wrong (Live in Boston 5/16/12)
CHICKENFOOT released "Chickenfoot III" late last year to much critical praise. "It's hard to hate big-boned butt rock from guys clearly making it because they still love the form," said  ROLLING STONE.
BILLBOARD said, “It’s a rare case of a group that’s equal to – or perhaps even greater than – the sum of its parts…this is an album that really wins hearts with its granite thump’n’roll.” USA TODAY went as far to say that "Chickenfoot III" could be "the beginning of a riff-driven renaissance."
In addition to a GRAMMY Nomination for "Best Recording Package," "Chickenfoot III" saw two top five singles on the Classic Rock charts with "Big Foot" and "Different Devil."
CHICKENFOOT IS: Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith.
AARON LEWIS AND COUNTRY RADIO PLANNING TO
MAKE IT AN “ENDLESS SUMMER”


First Single From Forthcoming Album, The Road, Enters The Top 40

Nashville, Tenn. (August 28, 2012) - You can forget what your calendar says as country radio stations and music fans alike are keeping the onset of Autumn at bay with the ongoing success of “Endless Summer,” the first single from Aaron Lewis’ forthcoming album, The Road.

Country radio programmers have been steady in their praise of “Endless Summer.” “It’s been our top testing song through all of July and August,” says Bob Walker, Program Director of WCTK/Providence of the single, which has climbed to 39* on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

“I think this truly is a hit single and Aaron deserves that shot,” add KBEQ Program Director Mike Kennedy.  “He came in here, grabbed a guitar and mesmerized the crowd for 30 minutes.  You could really feel his star power in that moment!”

The song is also a reflection of where Lewis is now as a songwriter.  Known for more melancholic hits like “It’s Been a While” and “Outside,” “Endless Summer” is decidedly upbeat and infectious.  “This proves I can write a happy song,” says Lewis, with a laugh.  “It’s just the story of the weekend trips I take with my wife and my daughters to our little beach cottage.  It’s hard not to be happy when I think about that.”

The Road, co-produced by Lewis and Nashville legend James Stroud (Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Chris Young), was originally scheduled for release in early September via Stroud’s R&J Records label but is now planned for a November 13 release on Blaster Records through Warner Music Nashville.

“I really hate that we’ve had to move the record back,” says Lewis.  “We’ve been playing these songs live on tour all summer and I know there are people who are frustrated they can’t get the album yet.  I’m frustrated, too, but there have been a bunch of positive changes in my world and in the long run, the delay is really for the best.”

The Road features ten new songs, including “Granddaddy’s Gun,” written by Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Bobby Pinson.  It marks the first time in his career that Lewis has ever recorded a song he didn’t write.  “Rhett is a friend of mine and played the song for me when we were on a hunting trip,” says Lewis.  “The lyrics really tell my story.  It’s a song that I could have written.”

"I hope people hear the record and realize it’s a total reflection of me," Lewis says of the songs on The Road.  "I'm writing songs about who I am and where I am, just like I've done my whole career.  The setting for the songs might be different but they're as honest as anything I've ever done."

The complete track listing for the album is:

1.  75
2.  The Road
3.  Endless Summer
4.  Red, White & Blue
5.  Lessons Learned
6.  Forever
7.  Grandaddy’s Gun
8.  State Lines
9.  Anywhere But Here
10.  Party In Hell

Lewis’s debut solo release, Town Line, bowed at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and #7 on the Top US Albums chart in March of 2011.  The first single from that EP, “Country Boy,” has been certified Gold and its video has received over 15,000,000 online views to date, reaching #1 on CMT.com.  The song, which features guest appearances from George Jones and Charlie Daniels, also earned Lewis nominations from the Academy Of Country Music for “Vocal Event of the Year” as well as two CMT Music Awards nominations for “Breakthrough Video of the Year” and “Collaborative Video of the Year.”

Lewis will resume his tour in support of The Road in November.  Information on ticket on-sale dates and special fan club opportunities will be available at www.aaronlewismusic.com as dates are confirmed.

THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE RELEASE NEW ALBUM TEASER
"DEAD YEARS" AVAILABLE 9/25/12
(NEW YORK, NY) - Lancaster's finest, THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE, have released a second album teaser in anticipation of their new record, "Dead Years," due out next month.
Click HERE or the image below to view.



This or the Apocolypse’s new ablum will be released on September 25, 2012.  Front man Ricky Armellino states:
"'Dead Years' is full of some of the most painfully honest material we've ever written." 
This will be the band's first release since "Haunt What's Left," produced by Josh Wilbur and Lamb Of God's own Chris Adler in 2010.
Produced by Kevin Lankford and engineered by Andreas Magnusson, this is some of the band's most aggressive material to date. Armellino continues:
"The album features both some of the saddest, most melodic songs we've ever played and it also holds some of the angriest."




1. Hell Praiser
2. Power Hawk
3. In Wolves
4. Americans
5. Hate the Ones You Love
6. You Own No One but You
7. A Damn Moment
8. Gaunt and Fierce
9. Kill'em With Guidance
10. Hard Branch to Snap

THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE is: Ricky Armellino (Vocals), Jack Esbenshade (Guitar), Matthew Marcellus (Bass/Vocals), Aaron Ovecka (Drums) and Rodney Phillips (Guitar/Vocals).




Josh Turner Scores a Knockout on “HSN Live”

By Lorie Hollabaugh
© 2012 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
Given the title, it’s no surprise that Josh Turner pulls no punches on his latest album. Punching Bag impacts with some of the most authentic, stirring music of his decade-long career.
As a fan of boxing’s glory days, Turner looked toward some of his heroes from the ring for inspiration. “I’m definitely a fan of fighters like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Evander Holyfield,” he said. “To me, they were the greats. People considered them gods in some ways. They were so iconic in the ring, and everybody made such a big deal about each fight they had. With this record, I wanted to express the idea that life is tough. You get a lot of punches thrown at you and you have to take those punches and keep moving forward. So I just kind of channeled all of that.”
The results draw from despair on “Pallbearer” (written by Turner), which features Marty Stuart on mandolin and Iris DeMent on harmony vocal in a lonesome account of a longtime family friend’s death. They also bubble over with joy on “Find Me a Baby” (Turner and the album’s producer, Frank Rogers), on which the voices of his wife and kids appear, along with their new baby’s gurgling laugh.
Turner wrote eight of its 11 tracks and is particularly proud of the two he created on his own, “Pallbearer” and the upbeat, gospel-infused “For the Love of God.” It also powerfully affirms his roots in classic Country, from the keening steel and weeping fiddle of “Cold Shoulder” (Turner and Mark Narmore) down to Ricky Skaggs’ vocal and instrumental contributions to “For the Love of God.”
“The inspiration behind asking Ricky to be on this record was from a record he had done called Solo,” Turner noted. “It was a record of songs his daddy had loved. Ricky had sung everything and used all kinds of crazy instruments on it. It was really earthy, very traditional old-timey bluegrass. You don’t hear those kinds of records anymore, especially new records. And I fell in love with that record. So when I wrote ‘For the Love of God,’ I thought it would be great to have Ricky come in and play some of those instruments that nobody else can play. And we wanted him to sing on it too because he’s got such a great voice, so that was a dream come true too.”
Even at this stage of the game, Turner admits that it’s not easy to come up with a song that completely satisfies him. “It’s never been easy for me, from day one,” he said. “I guess I’m more critical of each song I write because I try to make each one better than the last. Sometimes that’s a hard thing to do. It’s a constant challenge. I started writing at 17, so I feel like I got somewhat of a late start at that, but I’ve always worked at it and tried to get better. I’ve always been in love with words; I love word games and crossword puzzles, and I’m always looking for new ways to use words and rhymes and little twists on titles. A lot of times, certain words will mean something totally different to me than they would to a normal person,” he added, laughing.
“But when I go in to make a record, I don’t necessarily have a direction I want to go in. I just write the songs that come from my heart. I listen to thousands of songs in preparation for a record and choose the ones I really feel strongly about. When I put this record together, I noticed right off that this was probably one of my most Country records I’ve ever done,” he reflected. “I didn’t start out with that in mind; it just kind of happened that way. “
In many respects, then, Punching Bag is Turner’s most personal as well as most traditional effort to date. That’s one reason why Cracker Barrel is sponsoring his current tour and also released its own Turner CD, Josh Turner Live Across America on Aug. 27 for sale exclusively in Cracker Barrel Old Country Stories. The company had previously issued another Turner concert album, Live at the Ryman.
“With Josh we looked at his success, his authenticity, his country roots and family values, and all of that obviously was a brand fit for Cracker Barrel,” said Julie Craig, Marketing Manager, Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores. “We knew that his success as an artist was going to marry up wonderfully with what we could do on projects and his tour sponsorships as well.”
Though steeped in Country tradition, Punching Bag represents a departure from tradition in marketing through its use of the multi-channel retailer HSN.
When Turner called in as a guest in 2011 during an HSN broadcast in May 2011, he had no idea he’d be starring someday in an HSN special of his own. In May this year, he appeared on the network’s “HSN Live” show to promote a bundle that included Punching Bag and a best-of CD, Icon: The Best of Josh Turner. Like Lionel Richie, whose previous appearance on HSN helped build awareness of his Country Music album Tuskegee, Turner found this an effective way to market a new album to a bevy of home shoppers who might not have been familiar with his music.
“I knew Randy Travis had done it because I actually had made a call in to his live show,” Turner said. “Outside of that, I didn’t know a lot about HSN. But as I prepared for the show, I learned that HSN has started to get into introducing products for artists and they’ve been having a lot of success. So I was kind of excited about the whole venture. It’s great for music. It’s great for HSN. It’s great for the fans to be able to get a sneak peek into a piece of new product and decide whether or not they want it and then go ahead and order it — and then get some extra stuff along with the new album. So it’s a win-win situation for everybody.”
HSN’s earlier, ultra-successful experience with Lionel Richie primed them to get ready for Turner’s appearance and concert. “Obviously, Lionel was the biggest one we’ve had so far,” said Andy Sheldon, Executive VP, TV/Live Events/Creative, HSN. “His integration into Country Music was so spectacular, and it just felt that getting to Josh now would be the right thing to do. He’s at the prime of his career. He’s loved and adored and has had such huge success. This was a great way to introduce him to our audience and also bring his audience to HSN.”
“We’ve been turning the network around in the last five years,” Sheldon continued. “We’ve made some significant changes, and one of the areas of real growth for us has been to merge entertainment retail with lifestyle. A lot of people thought we were crazy, that it wouldn’t work. But actually, it categorically does work. We’ve become a much more accessible, more user-friendly, sharper platform that really understands the brand, whether it’s Lionel or Josh or Badgley Mischka (fashion). It’s my job to understand the DNA of that brand and bring it to life, so there’s individuality but it fits within the brand that we work to create — and that’s HSN.”
For his May 25 appearance on “HSN Live,” Turner performed a 60-minute concert, which also streamed live on www.HSN.com and HSNMobile and included a live Twitter feed. The electronic retailer has become particularly adept in recent years at producing top-rate music specials, according to Sheldon.
“We know how to produce content that viewers respond to,” he said. “Our objective with ’HSN Live’ is to provide an environment where artists can showcase their music in a way that is compelling, entertaining and ultimately drives sales. Our crew understands the art and nuances of live stage production and executes flawlessly. Top artists like Lionel, Tony Bennett and a number of others have said their HSN appearances are some of the best produced shows they’ve ever been on. That’s great to hear and clearly demonstrates that HSN knows how to produce live music events for television, as well as our digital platforms.”
The success of “HSN Live” has triggered a flood of requests from artists and labels eager to participate in the special. “Absolutely, we want to explore more and work further on the Country scene,” Sheldon said. “We’ve been working with Tom Lord (VP, Marketing, Universal Music Nashville) about various opportunities and ideas because Country Music is so important to the music scene in the U.S. and shouldn’t be ignored. So many people love Country, so we’re glad we’re able to provide a platform and give the artists the exposure and the opportunity to perform. There are very few opportunities for artists and the fans to talk to each other during a live TV show. That’s an engaging element we’re able to provide. And as we continue to develop that, we’re talking to so many labels and artists about opportunities right now.”
For Turner, the HSN special is just one more step in a career that he feels is only just starting. “It’s hard to believe I’ve been around as long as I have been, because I still consider myself a new artist,” he said. “I still feel young, so looking back on 10 years of being in this business is kind of surreal. In some ways, it feels really short. In others, it feels like it’s dragging on. But it’s cool to be able to see or listen to the music I started making when I came to town and how much I’ve grown from that time. For instance, because I was so close to ‘Long Black Train’ — I wrote it, I was the singer on it – I always experienced it from a completely different angle than anyone else. Now, when I go back and listen to ‘Long Black Train,’ I can almost start to hear what people heard in the beginning. It’s a good place for me to be.”
On the Web: www.JoshTurner.com
On Twitter: @JoshTurnerMusic

Rita Coolidge Puts Finishing Touches On 429 Records Debut "A RITA COOLIDGE CHRISTMAS" Which Is Set For Release October 30th

Annual Christmas Tour Kicks Off In October

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Two time Grammy Award winner Rita Coolidge has signed with 429 Records and is preparing to release her first project for the label, "A RITA COOLIDGE CHRISTMAS."  The long-time hitmaker is known for her inspiring and unique annual Christmas tours and she's now decided to capture the spirit and magic of those shows on her new album.  Working with her stalwart band featuring John McDuffie (guitar), John Thomas (keyboards), Lynn Coulter (drums) and Randy Landas (bass), Coolidge has put together a 12 track set of standards and several originals that seamlessly blend all of the styles that have defined her solo career since the 70's: pop, blues, jazz, country and notably, the Native American music of her Cherokee heritage.  Like all of her musical endeavors, "A RITA COOLIDGE CHRISTMAS" is a project that comes straight from the heart reflecting the love she feels for the holiday and the many memories that are evoked by these performances.  Coolidge will kick off her holiday tour in Cleveland, Ohio on October 12 and continue on through December.   "A RITA COOLIDGE CHRISTMAS" is available on 429 Records on October 30 th.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090208/LA67886LOGO)
Rita Coolidge's storied career has included twelve solo albums which launched the smash hits "We're All Alone," "Higher and Higher" and "The Way You Do The Things You Do" resulting in a plethora of awards including two Grammy Awards, a Native American Music Award for "Lifetime Achievement" and "Lifetime Musical Achievement Award at the 2002 First Americans in the Arts Awards to name a few.  She's worked alongside legendary performers along  the way including Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Robbie Robertson and Kris Kristofferson (with whom she was married for eight years).
Says Rita:  "Everyone who knows me or has seen me perform knows I love Christmas and the music of the season.  The Christmas show is very eclectic and I think the album reflects all the different styles we do very well."
A RITA COOLIDGE CHRISTMAS Track Listing:
1)
Rockin' Around The Xmas Tree
2)
Santa Baby
3)
Let It Snow
4)
Winter Wonderland
5)
Baby It's Cold Outside
6)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
7)
Little Drummer Boy
8)
Jingle Bell Rock
9)
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
10)
Circle Of Light
11)
Amazing Grace
12)
Love In This Room

Christmas Tour Dates:
10/12   
Cleveland, OH         
Night Town
10/13    
Patchogue, NY       
Patchogue Theatre
10/27   
Las Vegas, NV         
Suncoast Casino
10/28    
Las Vegas, NV         
Suncoast Casino
11/29    
Derry, NH                
Stockbridge Theatre
11/30  
Williams, MA        
Sterling and Frances Clark Art Institute
12/1    
Fall River, MA          
Narrows Center for the Arts
12/6   
Woodlands, TX           
Dosey Doe
12/14    
Harrisburg, PA            
Whitaker Center
12/15   
Jim Thorpe,  PA           
Penn's Peak
12/16  
Annapolis, MD            
Ram's Head
For more information, visit:
www.429records.com
429 Records is a unit of the Savoy Label Group (SLG).  SLG is the North American based division of Nippon Columbia, the oldest music company in Japan.  The Savoy Label Group has evolved into a Grammy Award winning and chart topping independent music company consistently outperforming competitors in key music categories as monitored by Billboard Magazine. SLG is led by Steve Vining and is based in Los Angeles, CA.
SOURCE 429 Records