RACHAEL YAMAGATA ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE U.S. TOUR   IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

LOS ANGELES, CA - August 6, 2012 - Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata,'the troubadour of heartbreak', today announced an extensive run of U.S. live dates kicking off on November 15th at Electric Owl in Vancouver, BC and wrapping up on 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, TN.  She begins with a NYC September residency at the Rockwood Music Hall. Touring in support of her 2011 independent release Chesapeake and a new fall EP of darker ballads, expect more intimate shows with strings and seated venues calling upon her old soul influences like Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Todd Rundgren and Elton John. She's garnered pop and indie status alike having toured with The Swell Season, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, Sara Bareilles, Liz Phair and Adam Cohen. Collaborations include songs with Jason Mraz, Mandy Moore, Dan Wilson and Katherine McPhee as well as appearances on the records of Bright Eyes, Dave Matthews and Rhett Miller to name a few. Past highlights include opening solo for David Gray at Madison Square Garden, being the guest of Pete Townsend, sharing the stage at Carnegie Hall with R.E.M. and Patti Smith, performing for the President and hosting a tweet dialogue at the White House. Recently, she joined Steve Earle, jazz great Allen Toussaint and The Wood Brothers for a tribute show to Woody Guthrie. This year involved 8 months of worldwide touring and a performance cameo in the new movie 'Renee' (the true story that launched the movement TWLOHA). Australia's The Voice winner Karise Eden reached #1 with Rachael's song 'You Won't Let Me'. Rachael currently has songs placed in the film 'Hope Springs' as well as the show 'Pretty Little Liars'. Appearances on 30 Rock, Carson Daly, The O.C., One Life To Live, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien and placements in 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Brothers and Sisters', 'The L Word', 'How I Met Your Mother', 'Prime', 'Bella', 'Monster in Law' etc. keep broadening her fan base. NPR and Perez Hilton have supported her, famed photographer Jungman Kim calls her 'his muse' and writer/journalist/ broadcaster Katherine Lanpher cites her as the only twice invited guest of "Upstairs at the Square" (first with revolutionary novelist Alaa-Al-Aswany - The Yacoubian Building and more recently alongside Bill Clegg - Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man and 90 Days).         LIVE DATES 9/5, 11th, 19th, 26th - Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 - New York, NY 11/15 - Electric Owl - Vancouver, BC 11/16 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA 11/17 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR 11/19 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA 11/20 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA 11/21 - Anthology - San Diego, CA 11/23 - The State Room - Salt Lake City, UT 11/24 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO 11/26 - The Varsity Theater - Minneapolis, MN 11/27 - City Winery - Chicago, IL 11/28 - Radio Radio - Indianapolis, IN 11/30 - Mr. Small's Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA 12/1 - Virgin Mobile Mod Club - Toronto, ON 12/3 - La Sal Rossa - Montreal, QC 12/4 - Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA 12/5 - Joe's Pub - New York, NY 12/7 - First Unitarian Church - Sanctuary - Philadelphia, PA 12/8 - The Night Cat - Easton, MD 12/9 - U Street Music Hall - Waasshington , DC 12/10 - Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC 12/12 - Vinyl - Atlanta, GA 12/13 - The Bottletree - Birmingham, AL 12/14 - 3rd & Lindsley - Nashville, TN Rachael Yamagata E-mail sign up with Free Track (EMBED CODE):       <script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.topspin.net/javascripts/topspin_core.js?aId=13843×tamp=1344265210"></script><div class="topspin-widget topspin-widget-email-for-media"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="250" id="TSWidget159856" data="http://cdn.topspin.net/widgets/email2/swf/TSEmailMediaWidget.swf?timestamp=1344265210" bgColor="#000000">  <param value="always" name="allowScriptAccess" />  <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" />  <param name="quality" value="high" />  <param name="movie" value="http://cdn.topspin.net/widgets/email2/swf/TSEmailMediaWidget.swf?timestamp=1344265210" />  <param name="flashvars" value="widget_id=http://cdn.topspin.net/api/v1/artist/13843/email_for_media/159856?timestamp=1344265210&theme=white&highlightColor=0x00A1FF" /></object></div>     www.rachaelyamagata.com

  

San Diego quartet Pierce The Veil has premiered their much-anticipated new music video for single "King For A Day"  today on VEVO, featuring Sleeping With Siren's Kellin Quinn. The video, which was first revealed on MTV BUZZWORTHY, features the guys' tongue-in-cheek take on a heist movie.  

"We wanted something that mixes Oceans Eleven with the old school 80's heist movies like Point Break and Gleaming The Cube. It was so much fun shooting all the action in a real bank and getting to work with real actors and actresses. Definitely our best video yet!" - Lead Singer, Vic Fuentes.

The track is featured on the band's critically acclaimed new album Collide With The Sky, which debuted at #12 on the Billboard Top 200, #1 on the Alternative Chart, #1 on the Rock Chart, and #1 on the Hard Music Chart, selling over 27,000 copies in its first week. The album is available now on iTunes.    

 

Pierce The Veil - "King For A Day" Music Video (Ft. Kellin Quinn)    

Following a colossal summer on the main stage of Vans Warped Tour and a UK headline run in September, Pierce The Veil will charge into fall to headline the "Rockstar Energy presents The Collide With The Sky Tour" with direct support from Sleeping With Sirens, labelmates Tonight Alive, and Hands Like Houses.  

     

PIERCE THE VEIL - Vic Fuentes (Vocals), Mike Fuentes (Drums), Tony Perry (Guitar), Jaime Preciado (Bass) - With a unique brand of progressive post-hardcore, Pierce The Veil have captured a rabid fan base across the globe. Gaining a reputation for their explosive live show and the unique vocal style of singer Vic Fuentes, the band has received press support from Outburn, Kerrang!, Revolver, AOL, FUSE TV, warped tour coverage feature by The NY Times, and were recently featured on the cover of the August 2012 issue of Alternative Press Magazine and AMP Magazine's Warped Tour Issue. Primed with an incredible new album and a rigorous tour schedule, Pierce The Veil are truly on fire!

UK headline tour w/ Crown The Empire

Sept 16 - Leeds @ Cockpit 2 

Sept 17 - Newcastle @ Academy 2 

Sept 18 - Glasgow @ Ivory Blacks

Sept 20 - Nottingham @ Rock City Basement

Sept 21 - London @ Underworld

Sept 22 - Birmingham @ Asylum 

Sept 23 - Manchester @ Moho Live

Sept 25 - Southampton @ Joiners

Sept 26 - Cardiff @ Clwb Ifor Bach

Sept 27 - Bristol @ The Fleece

Sept 28 - Kingston @ The Peel

w/ Sleeping With Sirens, Tonight Alive, Hands Like Houses  

Oct 12 - Pomona, CA @ The Glasshouse 

Oct 13 - San Diego, CA @ SOMA  

Oct 14 - Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater 

Oct 17 - Dallas, TX @ The Door 

Oct 18 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit  

Oct 19 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse 

Oct 21 - Nashville, TN @ Rockettown 

Oct 23 - Orlando, FL @ Plaza Live  

Oct 24 - Ft Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room  

Oct 25 - St Petersburg, FL @ The State Theater 

Oct 26 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade 

Oct 27 - Greensboro, NC @ Greene Street Club 

Oct 28 - Baltimore, MD @ The Recher Theater 

Oct 30 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theater of Living Arts
Oct 31 - Albany, NY @ Northern Lights 

Nov 2 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium  

Nov 3 - Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre (w/ Sleeping With Sirens, Tonight Alive, & I Am King)  

Nov 4 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House (w/ Sleeping With Sirens, Tonight Alive, & I Am King)  

Nov 6 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theater 

Nov 7 - Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues 

Nov 8 - Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot 

Nov 9 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues 

Nov 10 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze
Nov 12 - Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall

Nov 14 - Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue  

Nov 16 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon  

Nov 17 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom 

Nov 18 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades 

Nov 20 - San Francisco, CA @ Slims  

Nov 21 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues 

Nov 23 - Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Cafe - Strip  

RASCAL FLATTS PREP LAUNCH OF NEW “COME WAKE ME UP” VIDEO WITH BEHIND-THE-SCENES SPECIAL – AVAILABLE NOW ONLY AT CMT.COM 

“Come Wake Me Up” to World Premiere on CMT on Friday, August 10
 

Photo Credit: Justin Nolan Key/Big Machine Records
 

NASHVILLE, TN (August 6, 2012) – Country supergroup Rascal Flatts give fans a preview of their new music video for their current single “Come Wake Me Up,” which is on the cusp of Top 20, with a behind-the-scenes special, which launched today at CMT.com.  The full video will make its world premiere Friday, August 10 on CMT at 6 a.m. ET, and run at the top of every hour during music hours.
 

Filmed in Nashville, the video includes a cameo by Joe Don Rooney’s wife, Tiffany Fallon.  Adding to the intensity of the dramatic scenes, two-time female street freestyle world champion Dena Sodano steps in Fallon’s role as the motorcycle stunt driver.  “Come Wake Me Up” was directed by Shaun Silva, who explains the idea behind the video as the fate of two people from entirely different worlds.

“So I had this story unfolding, this moment of – here’s a girl who really is just from a different world than what he’s from,” said Silva.  “Joe Don’s character is doing all the things anybody would want to do for someone they love, but it threatens her identity until one night after an argument, she removes a necklace like breaking free from his lavish grasp.  Her decision to leave, and his to chase after her, only pushes her further towards her foreshadowed fate.”

Rascal Flatts will be featured on CMT all week long as some of their biggest hit videos return to the channel, and will be introduced by the band themselves.  The video premiere will be promoted across all of CMT’s digital platforms including CMT.com, CMT Mobile and nearly 3 million social media fans.

To preview or embed the MAKING OF video, visit: http://www.cmt.com/videos/misc/822686/the-making-of-come-wake-me-up.jhtml

www.cmtpress.com

CMT, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S.  CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand.  The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

UME TO RELEASE LYNYRD SKYNYRD’S
THREE-DISC CD/DVD SET
SOUTHERN SURROUNDINGS
AS A WALMART EXCLUSIVE



Features BBC Footage
And 5.1 Remixes Of Band’s Greatest Hits

LOS ANGELES, Ca. (August 6, 2012) — Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Lynyrd Skynyrd will release a three-disc CD/DVD set, Southern Surroundings, exclusively with Walmart, on August 7, 2012.

The deluxe collection will include a CD featuring 14 of the band’s greatest hits, featuring “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Saturday Night Special,” “That Smell” and a live “Free Bird”; a seven-track DVD-Video from a live performance on BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test, and a 10-song DVD-Audio/Video boasting 10 classic songs newly mixed in 5.1 surround sound by Grammy-winning producer Elliott Scheiner.

The BBC DVD features live performances of “Double Trouble,” “I Ain’t The One,” “Call Me The Breeze,” “I Got The Same Old Blues,” “Every Mother’s Son,” “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” from a performance originally broadcasted on November 11, 1975.

The DVD-Audio/Video disc showcases in 96kHz/24-bit uncompressed and 48kHz/24-bit Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, ”Saturday Night Special,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “Swamp Music,” “Gimme Back My Bullets,” “The Ballad Of Curtis Loew,” “You Got That Right,” “That Smell,” “All I Can Do Is Write About It,” “Simple Man” and “Free Bird” (the complete, 10+ minute extended version).

Southern Surroundings offers a superb overview of their career, both as a live act (which can be seen in the BBC footage) as well as a recording group, with the Scheiner-mixed 5.1 surround sound versions adding a whole new perspective to the group’s groundbreaking catalog. There are also some rare gems, including an acoustic version of “All I Can Do Is Write About It” on Disc 1 and a scintillating take on J. J. Cale’s “I Got The Same Old Blues” from the Old Grey Whistle Test on the BBC DVD disc.

On August 21, Roadrunner/Loud & Proud Records will release the band's new studio album, Last of a Dyin' Breed. The release marks the legendary Southern rockers' first release of new material since Sept. 2009's God & Guns, which debuted in the Top 20 of the Billboard album sales chart, their highest bow since 1977.

Led by core members, guitarist Gary Rossington, vocalist Johnny Van Zant and guitarist Rickey Medlock, Lynyrd Skynyrd's legacy began over 35 years ago in Jacksonville, FL.  After the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, it took more than a decade for the band to regroup. Joining Lynyrd Skynyrd for the new album is bass player Johnny Colt, an original member of The Black Crowes.  The rest of the group features guitarist Mark "Sparky" Matejka, drummer Michael Cartellone, keyboardist Peter Keys and the Honkettes, backing vocalists Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase.

With a catalog of over 60 albums, sales beyond 30 million worldwide and their beloved classic American rock anthem "Sweet Home Alabama" having over two million downloaded ringtones, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to all generations.

The band is currently touring North America and will be on the road throughout 2012 in support of Last Of A Dyin' Breed.

About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned operations in 60 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's leading global music publishing operations.

RANDY BLYTHE OFFICIAL STATEMENT

 

Greetings. This is D. Randall Blythe, checking in from my beloved hometown of Richmond, VA, United States of America. I was recently released on bail from Pankrác Prison in Prague, Czech Republic, after over a month of incarceration. Now that I am out for the moment, I would like to say a few things.

 

1.    While in prison, I had minimal knowledge of how my case was viewed anywhere but the Czech Republic. I was told by my attorney that I had a lot support from peers in the music industry, my hometown, fans, and of course my family.  I cannot express how emotional it made me upon my release to read about even a fraction of the voices that were raised on my behalf. From legends in my music community, to fans across the world, and even people who were previously unaware of my existence but sympathized with my plight- I am truly humbled.  I cannot thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers. I would especially like to thank the people of Richmond, VA, for standing by me. In the 48 hours I have been home, many people I have never met before have stopped me on the street, waved and smiled as I passed by, or said hello in a restaurant. All have said "We are glad you are home, Randy". You all make me proud and grateful that I call Richmond home.

2.    I would like state that I suffered no abuse, from either authorities or inmates, during my incarceration in Pankrác. I received no special treatment, and was in general population with everyone else- make no mistake, it was prison, not some celebrity rehab tv show. But I was treated fairly by the guards and kindly by my fellow inmates. People are dying of starvation all over the world. Men and women are losing their lives daily in the Middle East and other war torn regions. I had food, clothes, shelter, and no one was trying to kill me. I cannot complain over a short stay in prison while many people elsewhere fight to survive on a daily basis.

3.    If it is deemed necessary for me to do so, I WILL return to Prague to stand trial. While I maintain my innocence 100%, and will do so steadfastly, I will NOT hide in the United States, safe from extradition and possible prosecution. As I write this, the family of a fan of my band suffers through the indescribably tragic loss of their child. They have to deal with constantly varying media reports about the circumstances surrounding his death. I am charged with maliciously causing severe bodily harm to this young man, resulting in his death. While I consider the charge leveled against me ludicrous and without qualification, my opinion makes no difference in this matter. The charge exists, and for the family of this young man, questions remain. The worst possible pain remains. It is fairly common knowledge amongst fans of my band that I once lost a child as well. I, unfortunately, am intimately familiar with what their pain is like. Therefore, I know all too well that in their time of grief, this family needs and deserves some real answers, not a media explosion followed by the accused killer of their son hiding like a coward thousands of miles away while they suffer. I am a man. I was raised to face my problems head on, not run from them like a petulant child. I hope that justice is done, and the family of Daniel N. will receive the closure they undoubtably need to facilitate healing. I feel VERY STRONGLY that as an adult, it would be both irresponsible and immoral for me not to return to Prague if I am summoned. This is not about bail money. This is about a young man who lost his life. I will act with honor, and I will fight to clear my good name in this matter. Thank you for reading this, and I wish you all peace

concert date changed

Steve Forbert
The Listening Room Series
Thursday, December 6th
Doors 7pm  Show 8:30pm
$25 Reserved $17 General Admission
All Ages

Steve Forbert is a romantic. The same wry, funny, anecdotal Steve Forbert that we’ve enjoyed over the years is also the songwriter who penned the poignant line “meet me in the middle of the night, let me hear you say everything’s alright, let me smell the moon in your perfume” in his 1981 hit single “Romeo’s Tune.”  And even though these types of songs have lived somewhat in the shadow of his other material, Steve has now written a collection of tender, mature songs about love and relationships.



www.facebook.com/oldrockhouse
www.twitter.com/oldrockhousestl

RANDY BLYTHE RELEASED

LAMB OF GOD to Appear at KNOTFEST

U.S Tour to be Rescheduled for October

 

 

After five weeks in a prison in Prague in the Czech Republic, Randy Blythe has been released on bail and is returning to the United States.  Although LAMB OF GOD has cancelled their summer co-headline tour with Dethklok, the band has agreed to play the KNOTFEST shows on August 17^th in Council Bluffs, Iowa and August 18^th in Somerset, Wisconsin.

 

The band is currently targeting October 26^th as the start date for a U.S tour.  Dates and cities will be released as soon as possible.  Randy will be making a public statement discussing his time in Prague and thanking fans worldwide for their support in the next week.

  

 

 

THE DIRTY HEADS

SET TO RELEASE SECOND SINGLE, “DANCE ALL NIGHT”

FEATURING TOUR MATE MATISYAHU;

“LAY ME DOWN” CERTIFIED GOLD

 

As THE DIRTY HEADS’ co-headlining tour with Matisyahu continues to makes its way across America, the Southern California band has teamed up with their tour mate for “Dance All Night,” the second single from their Top 20 album CABIN BY THE SEA, which was globally released June 19 on Five Seven Music.  The band’s second album debuted at #18 on Billboard’s “Top 200 Albums” chart (their highest chart position to date), #3 on the “Independent Albums” chart, #4 on the “Alternative Albums” chart and #9 on the “Digital Albums” chart.

 

“Dance All Night” (which can be heard on the band’s YouTube page at http://youtu.be/O88utffpFSk) is the follow-up to “Spread Too Thin,” which debuted on Billboard’s “Alternative Songs” chart at #13 with a cumulative audience of over 40 million listeners.  A video for the song can be seen here:  http://bit.ly/Kjexjc, while the “Dance All Night” clip will be released in the coming weeks.

 

In a review of “Dance All Night,” Diffuser.fm’s Joe Robinson wrote:  “…the collaboration may seem spiritually a bit out of whack — but musically it totally makes sense…’Crushed it’ are the words of (singer Jared) Watson and not necessarily ones that should show up in a review of one of the band’s own songs, but we’re including them because he’s dead-on right.”

 

Now comes word that THE DIRTY HEADS’ smash hit “Lay Me Down,” from their critically acclaimed ANY PORT IN A STORM debut album (released via the Executive Music Group label via Fontana/Universal), has been certified Gold.  The song spent 11 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s “Alternative Songs” chart, holding the record for the longest reign at #1 for an indie label and remained in the chart’s history.  It remained in the Top 12 for another 39 weeks after that.  And the song has been heard over 250,000 times on radio stations across the U.S.  The album itself has sold nearly 200,000 copies nationwide. 

 

The press is saying about CABIN BY THE SEA:

 

“Whether you’re headed to the beach, the mountains, or the desert, Cabin By The Sea is the perfect summer record.” – Drum!

 

“Summer 2012 officially has its soundtrack.” – A-Sides with Jon Chattman, Huffington Post

 

"Cabin is the perfect summer album." – The DeadHub

 

With Matisyahu:

 

** 8/1 – Ocean City, MD – Seacrets

8/5 -- Detroit, MI – Fillmore Auditorium

8/7 – Chicago, IL – Congress Theater

8/8 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave  

8/9 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

8/12 – Des Moines, IA – Simon Estes Amphitheatre

* 8/14 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

* 8/15 – Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion

* 8/16 – St. Louis, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

8/18 -- Raleigh, NC – The Lincoln Theatre (outdoors)

8/19 -- Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore

8/20 -- Norfolk, VA – The NorVa

8/21 – Glen Allen, VA – Innsbrook Pavilion

8/22 -- Chattanooga, TN – Track 29

8/23 -- Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Music Park

8/25 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues

8/27 -- Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen

8/29 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre

8/30 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues

* 8/31 -- Boca Raton, FL- Sunset Cove Amphitheater (also Cypress Hill)

* 9/1 – St. Petersburg, FL – Vinoy Park (also Matisyahu and Cypress Hill)

** 9/2 – Tallahassee, FL – Coliseum Tallahassee

9/4 – Austin, TX – Austin Music Hall

9/5 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom

9/6 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Casino/Stir Cove

9/8 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium

9/9 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen

9/10 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Rail

9/11 – Albuquerque, NM – The Sunshine Theatre

9/12 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee

** 9/14 – Tucson, AZ – The Rock

9/15 – Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock Hotel Pool Stage

** 9/16 – Ventura, CA – Majestic Ventura Theatre

9/18 – Los Angeles, CA -- Palladium

9/19 – San Diego, CA -- Humphrey’s

9/20 – Anaheim, CA – The Grove

9/22 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom

9/23 – Seattle, WA – The Moore

9/24 – Vancouver, BC – The Vogue

9/26 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory

9/27 – Lake Tahoe, CA -- MontBleu Outdoor Amphitheater

**9/28 – Chico, CA – Senator Theatre

9/29 – Mountain View, CA – Harmony Festival at Shoreline

 

* Indicates with Sublime With Rome.

** Indicated headlining shows.

www.dirtyheads.com

www.facebook.com/DirtyHeads

@dirtyheads

"TONY BENNETT: VIVA DUETS" To Be Released Worldwide On October 23rd On Columbia Records

Bennett's Latest CD Features Duets with Top Latin Recording Artists Including Marc Anthony, Roberto Carlos, Gloria Estefan, Vicente Fernandez, Juan Luis Guerra, Romeo Santos, Thalia and Many Others

Tony Bennett Celebrates his 86th Birthday on Friday, August 3rd

NEW YORK,  -- Legendary performer and 17-Time GRAMMY winner Tony Bennett, who celebrated his 86th birthday on Friday, August 3rd, released his latest CD, TONY BENNETT: VIVA DUETS, worldwide on Tuesday, October 23rd on Columbia Records.  VIVA DUETS, is the singer's third duets-themed project, following the platinum selling and critically praised DUETS and DUETS II CDs. Featuring many top names in the Latin recording industry, VIVA DUETS finds Bennett performing his greatest hits with a celebrated roster of artists including Marc Anthony, Miguel Bose, Robert Carlos, Ana Carolina, Chayanne, Franco DeVita, Gloria Estefan, Vicente Fernandez, Maria Gadu,  Juan Luis Guerra, Dani Martin, Romeo Santos, Thalia and Vicentico, with additional duet guests to be announced. A truly international endeavor, VIVA DUETS, features performances in English, Spanish and Portuguese with artists representing eight countries and three continents.  TONY BENNETT: VIVA DUETS can be ordered for pre-sale on Amazon now at http://amzn.to/OptuTc.

Tony Bennett is known for recording duets live and VIVA DUETS was no exception, with sessions recorded in Ft. Lauderdale, New York, and in the case of famed Mexican performer Vicente Fernandez, on his 400 acre ranch in Guadalajara. All of the tracks are from Bennett's extensive hit catalog, with the exception of the duet with Vicente Fernandez, which features an English/Spanish version of the song, "Return To Me," originally recorded by Dean Martin. VIVA DUETS presents Bennett's classic songs with an international flavor that will generate widespread appeal for this unique multi-lingual presentation. Working with this unprecedented list of Latin artist, many of whom he met for the first time in the recording studio, Bennett commented, "Each of these artists were so warm and welcoming that there was an instant rapport. Latin music has always been about melody and harmony and a lot of soul, so there was a very close artistic connection with each duet guest.  I am absolutely thrilled about the record."
Tony's first two duet projects, DUETS and DUETS II, both achieved platinum sales, multiple GRAMMY awards and were the best selling albums in his career to date. Bennett made music industry history when DUETS II  entered Billboard's Top 200 at the #1 position, making him the oldest artist, at the age of 85, to have a CD in the top spot.  The DUETS project also had international acclaim, hitting the top of the charts in several countries including Portugal and Mexico.
The current track listing for TONY BENNETT: VIVA DUETS is as follows:
"For Once In My Life" with Marc Anthony
"Don't Get Around Much Anymore" with Miguel Bose
"The Very Thought of You" with Ana Carolina
"The Best Is Yet to Come" with Chayanne
"The Good Life" with Franco DeVita
"Who Can I Turn To?" with Gloria Estefan
"Return to Me (Regresa A Mi)" with Vicente Fernandez
"Blue Velvet" with Maria Gadu
"Just in Time" with Juan Luis Guerra
"Are You Havin' Any Fun?" with Dani Martin
"The Way You Look Tonight" with Thalia
"Cold, Cold Heart" with Vicentico
(Song selections for Roberto Carlos and Romeo Santos TBD)
ABOUT TONY BENNETT:
Just days before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Italy, the great-grandparents of the singer Tony Bennett took a major leap of faith and embarked on steamship, along with hundreds of other Italian immigrants of limited means, seeking a better life in America.  Little did they know that their great-grandson would make the American Dream come to life as an Italian-American born in New York City during The Great Depression, to become one of the most legendary singers of popular song in the world…..TONY BENNETT.
No one in popular American music has recorded for so long and at such a high level of excellence than Tony Bennett.  The essence of his longevity and high artistic achievement was imbued in him in his loving childhood home in the Astoria section of Queens where he was born on August 3, 1926 under his given name, Anthony Domenick Benedetto.  His father died when Tony was 10 and his mother, Anna, raised Tony and his older brother and sister, John and Mary, in a home surrounded by loving relatives who were Tony's first fans filling him with encouragement and optimism.  Each Sunday, his family would gather in a circle while Tony and his siblings performed for them.  "Although these were very tough times for everyone, our family connection was so strong and positive that I felt very lucky and it was during those Sundays of my childhood that I knew being a performer was what I was meant to do with my life."  He attended the High School of Industrial Arts in Manhattan, where he continued nurturing his two passions, singing and painting, but at the age of 16 he had to leave school to find a job to assist his widowed mother, who worked as a seamstress, with meeting their expenses.  As Tony recalls, "It was a regret that I was not able to finish my formal education, so ever since then, every day, I am still studying and learning things, and I am always reading books. Even today as I approach 86 years of age, I am still learning more and more -- I am what I call a perpetual student.  My education really was the "school of life."
As a teenager Tony sang while waiting on tables and then enlisted in the Army during World War II and while in Europe he performed with military bands.  He later had vocal studies at the American Theatre Wing School. The first time Bennett sang in a nightclub was in 1946 when he sat in with trombonist Tyree Glenn at the Shangri-La in Astoria. Bennett's big break came in 1949 when comedian Bob Hope noticed him working with Pearl Bailey in Greenwich Village in New York City.  As Bennett recalls, "Bob Hope came down to check out my act.  He liked my singing so much that after the show he came back to see me in my dressing room and said, 'Come on kid, you're going to come to the Paramount and sing with me.'  But first he told me he didn't care for my stage name (Joe Bari) and asked me what my real name was.  I told him, 'My name is Anthony Dominick Benedetto' and he said, 'We'll call you Tony Bennett.' And that's how it happened. A new Americanized name -- the start of a wonderful career and a glorious adventure that has continued for over 60 years."
With millions of records sold world-wide and platinum and gold albums to his credit, Bennett has received seventeen Grammy Awards -- including a 1995 Grammy for Record of the Year for his "MTV Unplugged" CD which introduced this American master to a whole new generation -- and the Grammy Lifetime Award.  His 2007 prime-time special, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," won seven Emmy Awards. His initial successes came via a string of Columbia singles in the early 1950's, including such chart-toppers as "Because of You," "Rags to Riches," and a remake of Hank Williams "Cold, Cold Heart."  He had 24 songs in the Top 40, including "I Wanna Be Around," "The Good Life," "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" and his signature song," I Left My Heart In San Francisco," recorded 50 years ago this coming January 2012.  This song garnered him two Grammy Awards.  Tony Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and now in the first two decades of the 21st century.  He has introduced a multitude of songs into the Great American Songbook that have since become standards for pop music.  He has toured the world to sold out audiences with rave reviews whenever he performs.
Tony Bennett is a dedicated painter whose interest in art began as a child.  He continues to paint every day, even as he tours internationally.  He has exhibited his work in galleries around the world.  The United Nations has commissioned him for two paintings, including one for their 50th anniversary.  His original painting, "Homage to Hockney," is on permanent display at the Butler Institute of American Art and the landmark National Arts Club in New York is home to Tony's painting "Boy on Sailboat, Sydney Bay."  Three of his paintings are part of the Smithsonian Museums permanent collections including his portrait of his friend Duke Ellington that became part of the National Portrait Gallery's collection in 2009.
Throughout his career, Tony Bennett has always put his heart and time into humanitarian concerns.  He has raised millions of dollars for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which established a research fund in his name.  His original paintings each year grace the cover of the American Cancer Society's annual holiday greeting card, proceeds from which are earmarked for cancer research.  He is active in environmental concerns and social justice. He marched with Dr. King in the historical Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights movement and the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta bestowed upon him their "Salute to Greatness Award" for his efforts in fighting racial discrimination.  Bennett founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in 2001 and in 2009 a state-of-the-art permanent facility was built in his hometown of Astoria, Queens.  With his wife, Susan Benedetto, he established Exploring the Arts, a non-profit organization that supports arts education in NYC public schools. By the fall of 2011, Exploring the Arts will be partnering with 14 public high schools in every borough of New York City to enhance and foster the arts.
www.tonybennett.com
www.exploringthearts.org
www.zenofbennett.com
SOURCE RPM/Columbia Records

Mariah Carey's New Single, "Triumphant (Get 'Em)" Featuring Rick Ross and Meek Mill Hits Radio August 2nd and Goes Up For Sale at iTunes on August 7th

FOLLOWS UP ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SHE WILL JOIN JUDGES PANEL OF FOX's AMERICAN IDOL FOR 2013 SEASON

"TRIUMPHANT (GET 'EM)" IS FIRST ADVANCE SINGLE FROM UPCOMING NEW STUDIO ALBUM, DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER THIS YEAR

NEW YORK,  -- Just days after the earth-shaking announcement that she will join the judges' panel of FOX's American Idol when the series returns in 2013, multi-platinum global superstar Mariah Carey  announces the release of her first new single in more than two years, as "Triumphant (Get 'Em)" featuring [fellow Island Def Jam artist] Rick Ross and Meek Mill went to radio Thursday, August 2nd, and went up for sale at iTunes Tuesday, August 7th.

As tweeted from @MariahCarey: "I wrote TRIUMPHANT when I was going through a difficult time & it helped me get through it. When u hear it, pay attention 2 the lyrics #WIN."  "Triumphant (Get 'Em)" is the first advance single from five-time Grammy Award®-winner Mariah's 14th studio album, whose release will be announced in the months ahead.
Mariah, who boasts an unparalleled music catalog with #1 hits in multiple formats on the Billboard charts, will follow the original version of "Triumphant" with a set of exclusive, re-sung dance remixes produced by some of the hottest names in the dance world. Mariah, who continues a long-time tradition of re-inventing her songs in the format, said: "I've always had so much fun re-singing my songs for the club/dance mixes. It gives me the freedom to sing as powerfully as I want and to rewrite the songs specifically for the genre." Mariah has 15 #1 hits on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play chart, including "Dreamlover," "Fantasy" and "Obsessed."
Her upcoming new album follows up Mariah's worldwide multi-million-selling Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (released September 2009), her multi-platinum E=MC² (2008), and worldwide 10 million selling The Emancipation Of Mimi (2005).
The Emancipation Of Mimi generated three Grammy awards (including Best Contemporary R&B Album), two #1 singles, and countless more honors during its 18-month chart stay.  Soundscan's biggest-selling album of 2005, Mimi featured "We Belong Together" (Grammy winner for Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song) and "Don't Forget About Us," Mariah's 16th and 17th  #1 career singles respectively.  They tied one of the most enduring chart records in Billboard Hot 100 history, Elvis Presley's 17 #1's.
Three years later, Mariah surpassed Elvis when "Touch My Body" (from E=MC²) became her 18th #1 Hot 100 hit.  "Touch My Body" spent two weeks at the top, Mariah's 78th and 79th cumulative career weeks at #1, which tied Elvis' long-standing all-time high of 79 weeks at #1, as calculated by Billboard.  Mariah is now positioned as the only active recording artist in the 50 years of the Hot 100 (which began in 1958) with the potential to surpass the Beatles' all-time high of 20 #1 hits.  The success of E=MC² brought total sales of Mariah's albums, singles and videos to more than 200 million worldwide, distancing her even further from the pack as the top-selling female recording artist in history.
With a distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting and producing talent, Mariah has defined the modern pop performance.  As a singer/songwriter/producer, she has been honored with five Grammy Awards®, nine American Music Awards, Billboard's Artist of the Decade Award, the World Music Award for World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium, and BMI's Icon Award, to name a few.
She has two consecutive and unparalleled Billboard Song of the Decade titles: "One Sweet Day" (with Boyz II Men, 1995); and "We Belong Together" (2005), further marking her massive presence on the charts since her 1990 song debut "Vision of Love."  Mariah's original holiday classic, "All I Want For Christmas is You," redefined its place in pop culture as one of the greatest holiday hits of all time when it reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 2011, 17 years after its debut.  Mariah's influential and stellar contribution to music spans multiple genres and is showcased through her multifaceted hit catalog and a long list of diverse collaborations.
Mariah's ongoing impact transcends the music industry and has left an indelible imprint upon the world at large.  In 2009, she made a substantial mark in film with her critically acclaimed role as a social worker in Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire.  A Congressional Award recipient, Mariah has generously donated time and energy to a range of domestic and international philanthropic causes near to her heart, including the Fresh Air Fund/Camp Mariah (a retreat where inner-city children explore career development), Save the Music Foundation, and Make-a-Wish Foundation, among several others.
SOURCE The Island Def Jam Music Group

SCUM OF THE EARTH

SET TO LAUNCH THE “ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE TOUR” AUGUST 31

TO PROMOTE THE RELEASE OF ‘THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT,’

DUE OUT AUGUST 28 WORLDWIDE ON GOOMBA MUSIC

 

August  2012 -- Be warned.  Hell hath no fury like the “Zombie Apocalypse Tour” led appropriately by SCUM OF THE EARTH (@scumoftheearth), with Blue Felix and Athel.  The onslaught commences August 31 in Kansas City, MO at Aftershock. 

 

SCUM OF THE EARTH is invading America in support of the August 28 worldwide release of THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT on the Chicago-based Goomba Music, Inc. label (with distribution through eOne in North America).  Joining singer/guitarist/band mastermind RIGGS on the trek is bassist Nick Mason (who doubles as a tattooist at RIGGS’ Monster Tattoo shop in Branson, MO), guitarist Virus (who also plays guitar in Dope) and drummer Eddie Travis.  A trailer for the tour can be seen here:  http://bit.ly/L7Y2oz.

 

The first single, “The Devil Made Me Do It III,” was released last month and was heard during the New Jersey Devils’ Stanley Cup playoff games.  It was recorded at the Mansion Studio in Branson, MO by RIGGS and Brandon Mashburn (Trust Company, The Dreaming).  A video for the song was recently shot in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at The Native Village, which is where part of “Jackass 3D” was filmed.  Directed by Tim King (SOiL bassist and Director of A&R at Goomba Music, Inc.), viewers get exactly what they expect (and more) from SCUM OF THE EARTH, including live snakes, RIGGS in an alligator pit, zombie voodoo girls, fire breathers, lots of blood, and wild animals.  The clip can now be seen on the Goomba Music’s YouTube here:  http://bit.ly/PuFe2H.

 

Meanwhile, fans who purchase a CD copy of THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT will have access to a coupon for a free SCUM OF THE EARTH devil tattoo at Monster Tattoo.  As RIGGS exclaims, “It’s their chance to bankrupt me!”

 

Check out the “Zombie Apocalypse Tour” at any of the following stops, with more to be announced soon:

 

DATE               CITY                             VENUE

Fri 8/31             Kansas City, MO           Aftershock

Sat 9/1              St. Joseph, MO             Tremors

Sun 9/2             Steger, IL                      Another Hole In The Wall

Tue 9/4             Barrington, IL                Penny Road Pub

Wed 9/5            Newport, KY                 Thompson House

Thu 9/6             Ft. Wayne, IN                Hammerhead's Music Hall

Fri 9/7               Detroit, MI                     New York New York

Sat 9/8              Louisville, OH                Carriage House

 

###

 

www.facebook.com/scumoftheearth

www.twitter.com/scumoftheearth

www.myspace.com/scumoftheearth

LYNYRD SKYNYRD’S GARY ROSSINGTON
TO BE HONORED IN SONGWRITING CATEGORY
AT THE 34TH ANNUAL GEORGIA MUSIC
HALL OF FAME AWARDS

Show and Concert Scheduled for Sunday, October 14
On-Stage at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
and Live GPB Broadcast

ATLANTA, Ga. (July 31, 2012) – Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member Gary Rossington will join a distinguished roster of Georgia performing artists and music industry leaders in accepting awards on-stage at the 34th Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Concert and Show, scheduled for Sunday, October 14 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Rossington will be honored in the Songwriter Category having written well over 120 songs throughout his career including classic iconic songs like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Simple Man,” and “What’s Your Name.” Lynyrd Skynyrd release their new album, Last of a Dyin’ Breed, on August 21, 2012.

Atlanta’s celebrated television icon Monica Pearson will be Mistress of Ceremonies of the event.  A Special Performance by American Idol stars and recording artists Snellville, GA-raised Diana DeGarmo and her fiancée Ace Young, who met while appearing in the Broadway revival of “Hair,” will be another highlight of the evening.  Many of the inductees will also perform during the Concert.

At the Concert and Show, to be televised live by GPB (Georgia Public Broadcasting), artists representing extraordinary talent in classical, contemporary, country and Southern Rock music will be saluted and will perform on-stage during the evening.  According to Dr. Bobbie Bailey, President of Friends of Georgia Music Festival, Inc., “Since the first presentation in 1979, at which the legendary Ray Charles was an inductee, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show and Concert has emerged as the premier forum for recognizing the scope of the performing virtuosity of Georgia-born-or-based music professionals.”  Dr. Bailey thanked Jack Sawyer of Wilmington Trust, Joel Katz of Greenberg-Traurig, Delta Air Lines and Michael Taormina of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre for “their generous and loyal sponsorship support.”

The 2012 inductees include, in addition to Robert Spano, recipient of the Chairman’s Award, musical and artist living legends as well as three giants of the Georgia entertainment arena being recognized posthumously:

·      Performer – Sugarland, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush:  From the Platinum-selling #1 hit “Stay,” 22 million worldwide sales of albums and singles and five Country Music “Vocal Duo of the Year” Awards to Grammy and Academy of Country Music accolades, the duet partners combine vocal, songwriting, production and multi-instrumentalist greatness.

·      Group – 38 Special:  Bringing a strong Southern Rock influence to American music, 38 Special’s breakthrough hit “Hold On Loosely” has been followed by #1 Billboard albums and hits including “Back Where You Belong” and “Second Chance.”

·      Non-Performer – Alex Hodges:   A native Georgian, Alex Hodges is CEO of Nederlander Concerts and started his career as an agent at Walden Artists where he introduced Georgia’s Otis Redding and other R&B legends to the world.  As principal at Paragon Agency and later Empire Agency, he guided the illustrious careers of stars including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gregg Allman and groups such as Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Police, The Allmann Brothers Band, Atlanta Rhythm Section, The Outlaws, Sea Level, The Marshall Tucker Band and The Charlie Daniels Band, among others.

·      Songwriter – Gary Rossington:  A founding member of the legendary band Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Rossington has contributed to the group’s 30 million+ worldwide album sales, three 2x Platinum records and a position among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.  He has created songs that cement him as a cultural icon, including “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Simple Man” and “What’s Your Name” among many others.

·      Horizon Award – Riley Biederer:  Riley Biederer is a singer/songwriter from Atlanta, USA, with a voice bigger than her ex-gymnast’s frame and a resume beyond her fifteen years.  Since winning Georgia state titles in the vault and the floor exercise, she has been focusing exclusively on her music.  In addition to writing prodigiously on her own, she has collaborated with a host of well-known songwriters in the pop, rock and country genres, and recorded with producer/engineer Matt Still.  (Elton John, Outkast).  She is currently writing and recording songs for her debut album.

·      Posthumous:  Blues guitarist Jonny Jenkins, Fox Theatre’s organist and WSB personality Bob Van Camp and Atlanta’s beloved DJ Skinny Bobby Harper.

The honorees and luminaries of Atlanta’s entertainment, cultural and philanthropic scenes will walk the Red Carpet, beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 14.  For early arrivals, a cash bar will open at 4:00 p.m.  The Awards Concert and Show will begin at 5:00 p.m. Tickets starting at $60 per person and $20 per student are available for sale from August 4th onwards through www.cobbenergycentre.com or www.ticketmaster.com  or call 1-800-745-3000.

About Friends of Georgia Music Festival, Inc.
Friends of Georgia Music Festival, Inc. has been keeping the arts alive in Georgia communities by recognizing and promoting artists and the music industry for the past 34 years. Friends of Georgia Music Festival, Inc. is a non-profit organization that honors the many achievements of Georgia musicians, songwriters, composers, conductors, publishers and agents. Each year, Friends of Georgia Music nominates, elects and inducts honorees into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, celebrating individuals who have made a significant contribution to Georgia’s musical traditions.

HEIDI NEWFIELD'S NEW VIDEO
"WHY'D YOU HAVE TO BE SO GOOD"
DEBUTS

Nashville, Tenn.  - Heidi Newfield’s dramatic new video, “Why’d You Have To Be So Good”, is now showing on CMT Pure, GAC and The Country Network.  Fans can see the video on those networks or on heidinewfield.com.

The power ballad, which deals with heartbreak, loss and hope, is getting great reviews.  “I first heard this song about eight years ago, if you can believe that.  It has always been special, and I had hoped it would come home to me someday.  So, here we are.” Heidi says.  “I think this video is amazing and so different than anything else out there.  I got the chance to dig deep and pull from some real emotions.  It was also fun to play with the hair and makeup and fashion forward look throughout.  I think my fans will get it and love it and I hope to make a lot more new fans with this one as well.”

Directed by Eric Welch, the video features Heidi in two settings: one totally black and one totally white.  “There’s a constant struggle between hope and fear within all of us.  This video allows the viewer to watch that internal struggle play out.  The black represents the sadness you feel when you lose someone or a fear that has its grip on us,” Heidi says.  “The white represents hope which will always exist even in the midst of fear if we only allow it.”  Heidi describes the dramatic nature of the video as a departure from anything her fans have seen from her in the past. “It was fun to act a little bit,” she added.

With a history of platinum selling albums and Top 20 singles, Heidi Newfield drew rave reviews for her debut solo album, “What Am I Waiting For”.  The album contained the hit single, “Johnny and June”, which was RIAA certified gold and received four ACM award nominations.   Now the flagship artist for Sidewalk Records, Heidi’s new album will follow the lead single, “Why’d You Have To Be So Good”, which was written by hitmakers Jeffrey Steele and Jeremy Popoff (lead guitarist for heavy metal band, Lit.)  Fans can download the single at iTunes.

THE CHARIOT RELEASE COVER, TRACK LIST & PRE-ORDER INFO NEW ALBUM "ONE WING" AVAILABLE 8/28/12 (NEW YORK, NY) - THE CHARIOT have revealed the cover art, track listing and pre-order info for their upcoming record, "One Wing" due out August 28th, 2012 via eOne/Goodfight Music.  In addition to pre-order packages with brand new merch designs, the band is offering a deluxe bundle limited to only 100 copies. It will include a one of a kind "One Wing" style drawing by Trey Moseley, the artist who created the original work for the new album. Each will be signed by the artist. Lastly, each physical preorder from the band will receive a link to a live version of "Speak" and the track "and" from the "One Wing" demo recording sessions. PRE-ORDER ON ITUNES PRE-ORDER BUNDLE PACKAGES PRE-ORDER DELUXE BUNDLE PACKAGE

The band goes into great depth explaining their cover art with artist Trey Moseley providing his own words. Click HERE or the image to view a behind the scenes video on the making of the artwork that became, "One Wing."

TRACK LISTING: 1. Forget 2. Not 3. Your 4. First 5. Love. 6. Speak 7. in 8. Tounges 9. and 10. Cheek. In a recent interview the band was asked what their mindset was when going into the studio on "One Wing," and front man Josh Scogin commented, "Let's get weird." THE CHARTIOT recently finished dates on the successful SCREAM IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT TOUR alongside WE CAME AS ROMANS, OCEANO and ATTACK ATTACK!. THE CHARIOT are true artists whose determined passions lead them down winding pathways as they buck trends and avoid formulas. The noisy, rambling, shambling, Southern-­‐fried, punk-­‐infused, heavy metal hardcore band has long rejected the conventions of the genre that surrounds them by refusing to conform to established structures. After all, THE CHARIOT is the band whose debut was recorded live in the studio in one take, whose frenetic and often destructive live shows are the stuff of underground legend and whose evolving lineups have generated a body of work as vibrant in the hearts and minds of those who’ve witnessed the mayhem live as those who own the discography. THE CHARIOT is: Josh Scogin (vocals), Stephen "Stevis" Harrison (guitar), David Kennedy (drums) and Brandon Henderson (guitar).

THIRD DAY FRONTMAN MAC POWELL RELEASES
SELF-TITLED DEBUT COUNTRY PROJECT – AUGUST 21, 2012

More Than Two Dozen Dates Already Booked For Fall Solo Tour

 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mac Powell, front man of the multi-platinum selling, four time GRAMMY and American Music Award winning rock band Third Day, releases his self-titled debut country music album on August 21, 2012. The CD features twelve songs by the #1 hit songwriter including his first single, “June Bug” which he released last month through his Twitter account (@macpowell) to his more than 80,000 followers.
 
His recent solo country performance debut at the 2012 CMA Music Festival in Nashville resulted in a host of media and fan accolades. Of his song, “One Mississippi,” USA Today’s Lucas Hendrickson writes, “Note to country radio programmers: keep an ear out for ‘One Mississippi.’ And keep a spoon handy, for you will be eating this song up with it.”
 
"I grew up listening to country music," Powell tells Billboard. "It was a big part of shaping me musically and I think that's pretty evident in Third Day music. There's always been little tinge of it."
 
To help further shape the sound he was looking for, Powell worked with producer Jason Hoard who has been touring with Third Day since 2010. Hoard, a multi-instrumentalist, played banjo and mandolin on the album and also contributed to the songwriting credits along with famed tunesmith Brett James (“Jesus Take the Wheel,” “Love You Out Loud,” “Out Last Night,” “When the Sun Goes Down”). 
 
"I started writing with Brett. He was really the first step," says Powell in his Billboard interview. "We just hit it off really well and came up with a lot of ideas in a short amount of time, and then Jason worked on a few of those ideas as well. We started recording them and it just started feeling great.
 
“There have been so many times in the past that I had song ideas that didn’t really fit lyrically or musically with Third Day,” Powell wrote on his personal Tumblr site, announcing the project. “I filed those songs away to the ‘maybe sometime’ category. Well, that time is now.”
 
Powell is already booked for over two dozen shows this summer and fall to introduce fans to his new music. He’s back by a seasoned group of country musicians, affectionately named The Backsliders, and although it’s a bit of a change for an artist whose primary outlet puts him in front of thousands of fans a night, it’s a change he clearly feels led to follow. “It’s different to think about getting in a van with a trailer and driving five to eight hours a night,” Powell told USATODAY.com. “It’s something I never thought I would do again, but when you’re driven to get this music out, you’ll do it.”
 
Powell also stresses that his work with Third Day continues, with the band putting the finishing touches on a new album – helmed by veteran rock producer Brendan O’Brien – that’s due for release this fall, with a Spring 2013 tour to follow.
 
About Mac Powell:
As front man for Third Day, Powell has contributed to the Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum act’s 27 No. 1 radio singles and more than seven million album sales, including two RIAA Platinum as well as eight Gold certifications. A Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee (2009), Third Day has garnered 24 career GMA Dove Awards from 42 nominations, four GRAMMY Awards (with 11 career nominations), an American Music Award (with three American Music Award nominations) and multiple ASCAP honors, including its coveted Vanguard Award, for songwriting.
 
Long known as Christian music’s premier live band, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions all around the world.
 
Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, the New York Times, and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine, which called Third Day “one of the best rock bands.”
 
For more information on Mac Powell, please visit www.macpowell.com andwww.facebook.com/macpowell and www.twitter.com/macpowell.