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Redhead Mack Band Address Canada’s Past Injustices with Reflective Single “Oppression”

Eric Alper
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Redhead Mack Band Address Canada’s Past Injustices with Reflective Single “Oppression”

There’s a classic adage that says those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. And in a world where past injustices and inequalities continue to be uncovered while current injustices remain, that statement unfortunately still rings true. For the Calgary, Alberta rock group Redhead Mack Band, educating youth about rather recent scandals such as Canada’s residential schools and the tragic price paid by Indigenous children is a difficult challenge. But fortunately, they’ve taken a great step towards creating awareness of universal injustices with the single “Oppression” from their latest album You Know That You Want To.

“Teaching children the history of wars, slavery, genocide, etc. is all impactful, but usually refers to events that feel long ago or far away,” lead singer and guitarist Kevin Phillips, who works as a schoolteacher during the day, says of the inspiration for “Oppression.” “Explaining to elementary kids that residential schools happened here in Canada and were still a thing when their parents were kids was interesting. The song doesn’t refer to specific events in history, but states that, along with trying to not be divided and work together, we need to stop treating anybody as ‘other.'”

“Oppression,” brought to Redhead Mack Band by Phillips during a practice, was fleshed out by the rest of the group consisting of lead guitarist Lee Carlson, bassist and backing vocalist Jared Wiebe and drummer Ian Fraser Love. The result is a tender, Southern rock-tinged piece of perfection, which the band says emerges as “a bit more serious and laid back” than the rest of the material on You Know That You Want To. If you were to think of groups like Drive By-Truckers, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, or Band of Horses at their tender roots rock best, you’d recognize just how strong a single “Oppression” is.

One subtle but interesting turn of phrase in “Oppression” is a reference to the late soul singer Solomon Burke and his rendition of the song “None Of Us Are Free.” The song, perhaps first recognized when Ray Charles recorded it, appeared on Burke’s 2002 album Don’t Give Up On Me. “None Of Us Are Free” also featured a guest appearance by The Blind Boys of Alabama. While some might consider it a throwaway line, the lyric shows the depth, care and tact Redhead Mack Band has towards the issue and its music overall.

“Oppression” is the latest single for Redhead Mack Band, a group who returned to action following the global pandemic. Phillips, who performed primarily folk music before joining the group, went electric. And while it might not have had the musical history gravitas compared to when Bob Dylan went electric, it certainly has paid off for Redhead Mack Band. A string of folk-rock EPs and singles emerged as did the band’s 2013 album Born On A Time Machine.

Having performed across Western Canada, the Redhead Mack Band have had their music featured in publications such as Canadian Beats, Record World International, and Maximum Volume. “Being in a band isn’t just about playing shows — it’s about passion, heart, and a love for the music that drives us every day,” the band recently said in an Instagram post. “Each practice, each performance, and every note we hit reminds us why we do what we do. It’s the connection, the energy, and the thrill of creating something that moves people. We pour our souls into every song, and it’s that love for music that keeps us going, no matter what challenges come our way.”

“Oppression,” the follow-up single to “Once Again,” released earlier in 2024, is a potent song that is both timely and timeless. It’s a message for unity and togetherness in a world that’s weary from divisiveness.

Canadian Folk Legend Ken Whiteley Releases Joyful Lullaby Single “Hole In The Clouds” from 35th Album ‘Unseen Hands’

Eric Alper
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Canadian Folk Legend Ken Whiteley Releases Joyful Lullaby Single “Hole In The Clouds” from 35th Album ‘Unseen Hands’

Toronto-based folk/singer-songwriter icon Ken Whiteley has crafted beautiful songs that have piqued the interest of children, gospel fans, and lovers of tasteful, highbrow folk music. Now Whiteley has again added to his rich discography with his latest single “Hole In The Clouds” from his timely, tranquil, and tremendously solid studio album Unseen Hands. For Whiteley, the 12-track effort features Whiteley performing on 12-string guitar for majestic results.

“The recordings all speak to place in one way or another — from the little patch of ground in downtown Toronto where I live, a conversation with the moon, April in Paris, looking at the stars, the soil, the planet, and how we all connect,” Whiteley says. The album, produced by Whiteley and released on Pyramid Records, is a wonderful collection led by the opening track “Hole In The Clouds,” a dreamy lullaby-esque tune that has Whiteley at his best.

“It is an invitation to open wide,” Whiteley says of “Hole In The Clouds.” “It is musically anchored in Ken’s 12-string guitar, Ben Whiteley’s upbeat bass lines, Georgia Harmer’s expanding background vocals, and Bucky Berger’s bongos and drumming.” The fact that such a simple yet stellar piece of music was derived from simply recognizing the sun breaking through clouds is a testament to Whiteley’s wonderful way with words and his almost instinctive, incredible approach to the craft of songwriting.

Unseen Hands, recorded and mixed by Whiteley and Nik Tjelios at Toronto’s Casa Wroxton Studio and mastered by Harris Newman at Montreal’s Grey Market Mastering, is a lovely, serene 12-track affair. It speaks to simple truths of love, nature, and life in these somewhat trying times with political turmoil, the climate crisis, and people seemingly wrapped up in technology around every corner. From the folksy “Here I Stand,” which celebrates where he resides in downtown Toronto and its Indigenous history before Toronto existed, to the soulful cover of Bobby Womack’s “That’s The Way I Feel About You,” Whiteley is masterful regardless of the song, the topic, or in some cases the choice of covers.

Although Whiteley wrote nine of the 12 songs from Unseen Hands himself, including a co-write with Berger on “Fast Freight Train,” another cover included is a magical, dreamy rendition of “Stars” originally found on The Weather Station’s 2022 album How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars. Here, Whiteley has a sparse amount of instrumentation for a dreamy effect while addressing the issue of climate change.

Meanwhile, other spectacular nuggets include Whiteley’s intricate finger-picking during the chugging “Fast Freight Train” and the blues-tinged “Mixed Up World.” Not to be outdone, Whiteley oozes French flair during the American Songbook standard “April In Paris,” and “New Growth,” which seems to meld world music influences for a song Whiteley penned as a birthday gift to his wife Ellen Manney (who sings on “So We Sing”). In short, fans of any great folk musician or singer-songwriter from Bruce Cockburn to Ron Sexsmith, Bob Dylan to James Taylor would be wise to seek Unseen Hands.

Additional musicians on Unseen Hands include Sundar Vishwanathan on bansouri flute and soprano sax, harmony vocalists Ciceal Levy and Adrienne Mackenzie, accordion player Tom Szczesniak, harmonica player Roly Platt, and string bassist Gord Mowat. As well, Whiteley has a bevy of backing vocalists for the closing “So We Sing,” including Anna Pappas, Keith Kemps, Lia Pappas Kemps, Nastasia Pappas Kemps, Joel Archimbeault, Catherine Stockhausen, Daisy Archimbeault.

Unseen Hands, the follow-up to 2023’s So Glad I’m Here, is another fine addition to Whiteley’s rich history. Having shared the stage with Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton and John Hammond Jr., among countless others, Whiteley has seven JUNO Award nominations in Blues, Roots and Traditional and Children’s genres. He has also earned two GRAMMY Award nominations and 22 JUNO Award nominations in various collaborations and was part of the dynamic trio Scarlett, Washington, and Whiteley alongside the late Mose Scarlett and Jackie Washington. Having received a Genie Award, 18 Maple Blues nominations and Lifetime Achievement Awards from various organizations including the Mariposa Folk Festival and with over 400 songs written, Ken Whiteley is a Canadian folk institution.

Now with a lovely lead single “Hole In The Clouds” and an equally inviting studio album in Unseen Hands, Ken Whiteley continues to both inspire and question like all great artists should.

Ken Whiteley Tour Dates:
November 24, 2024 — Hugh’s Room Live (2 p.m. start) — Toronto, ON (CD Release show with special guests Garnetta Cromwell, Georgia Harmer, Ciceal Levy and Bucky Berger)
December 7, 2024 — Metropolitan Community Church (two shows, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.) — Toronto, ON (with the Metropolitan Community Church Choir, Kim Doolittle, Jason Jestadt music director)
December 12, 2024 — Shenkman Hall — Ottawa, ON (with Sultans of String Christmas Caravan)
December 19, 2024 — Victoria Hall — Cobourg, ON (with Sultans of String Christmas Caravan)
December 20, 2024 — Nineteen on the Park — Stouffville, ON (with Sultans of String Christmas Caravan)
December 21, 2024 — Hugh’s Room Live — Toronto, ON (with Sultans of String Christmas Caravan)

Blues Rocker Stefan Palicki Delivers Gritty Power in New Single “Blue-Eyed Devil”

Eric Alper
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Blues Rocker Stefan Palicki Delivers Gritty Power in New Single “Blue-Eyed Devil”

Sometimes, what people say to your face and what they say behind your back are more often than not two totally different things. Only true friends or loved ones will be direct. It’s the sentiment that Oshawa, Ontario blues rock guitarist Stefan Palicki used as inspiration for the meaty blues rock diamond and his latest single “Blue Eyed Devil.” Palicki says the song’s title originated from a phrase his late grandfather used to say regarding people being somewhat two-faced.

“The lyrics were written drawing upon an expression Stefan’s grandfather had about this common thing that people do and the kind of personal experiences we all have had,” the artist says. “He would say, ‘If they’re talking badly about me, they’re leaving some other poor soul alone.’ “This is paraphrasing as grandpa would use much more colorful language.”

Although Palicki’s grandfather passed in 2021 before “Blue Eyed Devil” was written, the musician says the “song isn’t just a response to negative experiences but it’s also kind of a tribute to him as well.” Palicki, who wrote the song, was given a week by producer Rob Laidlaw to create a riff that would work with the lyrics. Although initially frustrated with not finding that perfect riff, Laidlaw and Palicki worked on tweaking the track resulting in a gem that oozes “very southern rock” while being “bluesy and a bit gritty.”

“Blue Eyed Devil,” written by Stefan Palicki, Kelly Palicki, and Laidlaw, wastes little time delivering a big, robust sound and atmosphere. From the opening 15 seconds, you know this single is going to deliver and deliver in spades thanks to Palicki’s confident but beefy approach on guitar, while the drum steadies the course for a musical path groups like Big Sugar and Big Wreck have made careers from. Palicki hits the chorus perfectly as he describes the “Blue Eyed Devil” which is surrounded by saints. If you’re not moving some limb, nodding your head, or doing your best air guitar listening to this, check your pulse.

Palicki worked with Adam Newcomb at The Chalet, who mixed “Blue Eyed Devil.” But recording was a bit of a challenge during the pandemic as often one of Palicki, Laidlaw, or Newcomb was under the weather, preventing any progress on the song. Fortunately, the song was released, and audiences and fans of beefy, blues-tinged rock are better off for it.

Palicki first became interested in music not from picking up an instrument but from the BBC television series Top Gear and seeing host James May drive a Bugatti Veyron at maximum speed. Although not quite music-related, Palicki discovered May had a degree in piano, which sent Palicki off on his musical odyssey. After six years of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s piano instruction, Palicki earned his seventh level with first class honors. Around the same time, Palicki began guitar lessons, leaving the piano for the love of another instrument. His influences range from the late greats like B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Gary Moore to Jimmy Page and more modern blues guitarists including John Mayer.

After playing in school bands and playing a variety of horns in high school (saxophone, trumpet, trombone) as well as bass and percussion, Palicki graduated high school with honors and received a music award. Performing around the Durham Region of Ontario including spots in Ajax and Oshawa and developing his name as a quality guitarist, Palicki released his debut EP of original material produced by Rob Laidlaw.

Now with the “Blue Eyed Devil” musically resembling a bull in a China shop, Stefan Palicki is intent on taking the bull by the horns with this fantastic, finely tuned track. Saying it straight, “Blue Eyed Devil” is a song that will put Stefan Palicki on the Canadian and international blues rock map.

Stefan Palicki’s Tour Dates:
November 23, 2024 — Two Blokes Cider — Seagrave, ON
November 29, 2024 — Old Flame Brewery — Port Perry, ON
December 6, 2024 — Old Flame Brewery (Distillery District) — Toronto, ON
December 20, 2024 — Old Flame Brewery — Port Perry, ON
December 21, 2024 — Old Flame Brewery — Newmarket, ON
January 24, 2025 — Old Flame Brewery — Port Perry, ON

Folk Roots Group ENGAGE Release Double A-Side Singles “Guitar Strings” And “Mirage”

Eric Alper
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Folk Roots Group ENGAGE Release Double A-Side Singles “Guitar Strings” And “Mirage”

Sometimes, a great single is only usurped by having two great singles simultaneously, and that’s what New Brunswick/Ontario-based folk roots group Engage have done with its latest double A-side singles “Guitar Strings” and “Mirage.” The songs each stand on their own fantastic merit but when combined make for an enjoyable and alluring one-two punch.

Engage features singer, keyboardist and guitarist Carla Bonnell, singer/guitarist Rick Bartlett, drummer Greg Mansfield, and, for these two songs, guest bassist Peter Sisk (who played with Bartlett in the ’80s with the Howard Brook Band). The band has made two uniquely intriguing songs, each teeming with standout moments that would satiate the tastes of folk/roots/country listeners. And according to Engage both “Guitar Strings” and “Mirage” were created in far more peaceful circumstances than the 2023 album The Time Has Come, the Bronze winner of at the International Singer Songwriters Association Awards in Atlanta, Georgia. “The first album was recorded in part during the 2022 hurricane,” the band says. “This time, we have avoided driving into one to meet our deadline.”

“Guitar Strings,” written by Bonnell and produced by both Bonnell and Bartlett, lends itself more to a lighter, breezier arrangement complementing Bonnell’s voice. Lyrically, the slightly country-leaning gem addresses heartache and the need to strum your guitar sometimes and write a song about it. It’s a song Bonnell wrote in 2014 but “was revisited and recorded in New Brunswick with a whole new feel thanks to Rick’s guitar work on the lead.”

The new rendition came after Bonnell asked friends and fans which earlier song they’d love to see revisited, and “Guitar Strings” got the thumbs up. “The biggest influence in putting this on the album was my mother, Bonnell says. “It’s her favorite of the songs I have written.” As for the inspiration, Bonnell adds it originated from “a situation where I thought someone had my back and they walked away from me.”

Meanwhile “Mirage,” composed, written and produced by Bartlett and Bonnell, is an earthy, rootsy nugget featuring Bartlett and Bonnell swapping verses for a sweet-sounding result. Chugging along with great guitar works in the bridge from Bartlett, “Mirage” is an endearing, earnest piece of work whose seed of inspiration came from a riff Barlett had in his head for some time.

“One night, while we were hanging out, he mentioned again that he would like me to come up with the melody line and words,” Bonnell says of “Mirage.” “I always had huge anxiety about co-writing, so I had put off previous requests. This night I just said, ‘Well heck, okay!’ I wrote the lyrics and the melody line in five or ten minutes, and ‘Mirage’ was born.”

Using Bartlett’s guitar like a painter’s canvas, Bonnell was able to paint “Mirage” perfectly with her lyrics as the song was culled from finding “a sparkle of hope” in the “middle of darkness” or a trying period Bonnell experienced. Stylistically, the single’s music conjures a mix of the Old West but also some Middle Eastern accents sprinkled in. “We both felt that we leveled up our skills in ‘Mirage’ by combining our styles and the way we see our world,” Bonnell says.

Engage, seen as a “project” band in 2021 by Bartlett and Bonnell, formed in New Brunswick and features a newly added bass player Vernon Daigle alongside Mansfield. Bonnell, inducted in 2014 into the Minto Country Music Hall of Fame, has two solo albums to her credit including 2014’s The Liberator. She has also worked with producer J.P. Cormier. Meanwhile Bartlett played in many bands in and around his hometown of Williamsburg and saw his 2015 album with Colton Craft entitled Brighter Days released “under the production” of Billy Sherwood of prog-rock legends Yes.

Since forming Engage the group earned a bronze for The Time Has Come at the 2024 International Singer Songwriters Association awards in Atlanta. And both Bartlett and Bonnell earned top ten mentions in the 2023 World Song Writing Contest for their songs “So Long,” “This One,” “Raven’s Song” and “Dirty Water” off the 2023 effort.

Engage was named after Star Trek’s character Jean Luc Picard’s command, “Engage!” during many episodes. Now with two solid A-side singles in “Guitar Strings” and “Mirage,” the time has come for Engage to make it so when it comes to growing its international fan base with passionate, pristine songs.

Step Back to 1991 with Hanna-Barbera’s Home Video Marketing Guide

Eric Alper
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Step Back to 1991 with Hanna-Barbera’s Home Video Marketing Guide

Take a nostalgic dive into Hanna-Barbera’s 1991 home video marketing guide, where the VP of marketing presents a toolkit for video store success! From the Flintstones and Scooby-Doo to Yogi Bear, this guide highlights classic Hanna-Barbera characters and shows off the brand’s creative strategies for promoting beloved animated titles on VHS.

Watch “Can’t Stop the Music” TV Special Featuring The Village People, Cher, Sammy Davis Jr. And More

Eric Alper
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Watch “Can’t Stop the Music” TV Special Featuring The Village People, Cher, Sammy Davis Jr. And More

Get ready for a throwback with the one-hour TV special promoting Can’t Stop the Music! Join the iconic cast—The Village People, Valerie Perrine, Steve Guttenberg, and Caitlyn Jenner—as they take us behind the scenes of this disco classic. Featuring guest appearances by Cher, Hugh Hefner, and Sammy Davis Jr., plus vintage commercials, it’s a nostalgic peek into a one-of-a-kind era in entertainment.

Andrea Bocelli Announces February and June 2025 North American Tour Dates

Eric Alper
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Andrea Bocelli Announces February and June 2025 North American Tour Dates

Today, Iconic Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli announced new 2025 North American tour dates for February and June. The new tour includes ten show dates in major cities across the US, including Omaha, Tampa, Savannah, New Orleans, Houston, Austin, and Denver. The February dates will once again honor Valentine’s Day with Bocelli’s first time in Omaha, NE with the Omaha Symphony and in Knoxville, TN with the Knoxville Symphony. The June tour will see Bocelli return to New Orleans, LA with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Houston with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Denver with the Colorado Symphony, while also marking his first visit to Tulsa, OK with the Tulsa Symphony. All shows will be conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio.

Tickets for Bocelli’s 2025 North American tour dates go on sale to the public Monday, October 28 at 10AM local time. For all upcoming tour routing, please see dates listed below and visit www.andreabocelli.com/tickets  for more info.

The tour will feature performances from Bocelli’s beloved repertoire, including music to celebrate Valentine’s in February. All newly announced dates will feature selections from his uplifting solo album Believe, as well as a selection of arias, his beloved crossover hits, and famed love songs.

This tour is sponsored by global investment firm Stifel. The Stifel pre-sale begins Tuesday, October 22 at 10AM local time, alongside a special early on-sale for Citi cardholders, with access to pre-sale tickets at www.citientertainment.com. Andrea Bocelli Fan Club members will gain access on  Wednesday, October 23 at 10AM local time.

Meanwhile, tickets for Bocelli’s upcoming 2024 fall and winter tour dates in North America are currently on sale now. The US dates include two nights in New York City as Bocelli returns to the famed Madison Square Garden for his annual holiday show on December 18 and 19, celebrating his #1 album, A Family Christmas. Tickets are available at www.andreabocelli.com/tickets.

2024 officially marks 30 years of Andrea Bocelli’s iconic career. To commemorate his 30th anniversary, Bocelli is set to release a new Duets album on October 25th via Decca Records / Sugar Music, featuring a variety of Bocelli’s most beloved collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Celine Dion, and Luciano Pavarotti, among others, as well as newly recorded tracks with Shania Twain, Chris Stapleton, Karol G, and more. The celebration will continue throughout the fall with the release of his concert film, Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration, which chronicles Bocelli’s three-day July concert event in Italy, in theaters this November.

As one of the most recognizable voices in the entertainmen industry and revered by fans internationally, Andrea Bocelli has been entertaining audiences for  30 years, counting nearly 90 million records sold worldwide. In addition to his soldout arena-sized concert events and record-breaking live-streams, Bocelli has shared his talents at many major events including the Olympic Games, the World Cup, and Global Citizen. He has earned a Golden Globe, seven Classical BRITs and seven World Music Awards, plus a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

ANDREA BOCELLI February 2025 U.S. Tour
Thursday, February 6, 2025 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center *with Omaha Symphony
Saturday, February 8, 2025 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center *with Knoxville Symphony
Thursday, February 13, 2025 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Friday, February 14, 2025 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena
Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Sunrise, FL – Amarent Arena

ANDREA BOCELLI June 2025 U.S. Tour
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center *with Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Thursday, June 12, 2025 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center *with Houston Symphony Orchestra
Friday, June 13, 2025 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Sunday, June 15, 2025 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center *with Tulsa Symphony
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena *with Colorado Symphony

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ANDREA BOCELLI November and December 2024 U.S. Tour (all tickets currently on sale)
October 30, 2024 – Charlotte, NC – Opera Carolina *Special operatic repertoire performance in honor of the 75th anniversary of Opera Carolina
November 1, 2024 – Highland, CA – Yaamava’ Casino *An Intimate Evening with Andrea Bocelli
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena
Thursday, December 5, 2024 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
Saturday, December 7, 2024 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden
Sunday, December 8, 2024 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum *First performance at The Forum
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Thursday, December 19, 2024 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Sunday, December 22, 2024 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Arena

Clay Aiken Returns To Music After Over a Decade With New Holiday Album ‘Christmas Bells are Ringing’ Out November 22

Eric Alper
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Clay Aiken Returns To Music After Over a Decade With New Holiday Album ‘Christmas Bells are Ringing’ Out November 22

Multi-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken is back with a stunning new version of the Bing Crosby classic “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” the first single from his highly anticipated Christmas album ‘Christmas Bells are Ringing,’ set to be released on November 22nd. Aiken’s unique interpretation infuses the classic carol with his signature vocal warmth and emotional depth making it a song for our times.

Written in 1962 by Noël Regney and Gloria Shayne as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” is timeless in its message, yet even more resonant today. Aiken reflects, “The whole American political climate over the past few years hasn’t really given us much in the way of hope or optimism. As much as I wanted to believe I might be able to make some positive change in that world, I’ve realized that music often does a better job of that.”

Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Ron Fair, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” is the first release from Aiken’s first studio album in over a decade, following a hiatus from music which found Aiken running for Congressional office in North Carolina, and raising his now teenage son.

The album, ‘Christmas Bells are Ringing’, marks a return to the holiday music that solidified Aiken’s place as a household name in 2004, when his debut holiday album Merry Christmas With Love broke records, selling nearly 300,000 copies in its first week. That album went platinum, becoming the best-selling holiday album of 2004 and earning Aiken three Billboard Music Awards.

The new record boasts fresh takes on holiday staples like Nat King Cole’s “Caroling, Caroling” and Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime”, as well as a lush reinvention of “Merry Christmas, Darling” by the Carpenters (one of Clay’s musical inspirations) and a show-stopping rendition of “Pure Imagination” which reimagines the Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory-classic as a fitting soundtrack for the holiday season.

Clay Aiken is also set to perform at Sonic Sunshine’s special live-stream benefit event on October 18th, aimed at providing much-needed support and encouragement to those affected by the recent hurricanes. You can find more info HERE.

Clay Aiken’s rise to stardom began in 2003 as the runner-up on season two of American Idol. His debut single, “This Is the Night” debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, while his debut album Measure of a Man was certified triple platinum. Aiken has since sold millions of albums, launched national tours, starred on Broadway, and made his mark as a philanthropist and politician.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Merry Christmas With Love, Clay Aiken’s new album, ‘Christmas Bells are Ringing,’ promises to bring the same joy and spirit to listeners, making it the perfect soundtrack for the 2024 holiday season.

Clay Aiken most recently joined forces with friend and fellow American Idol Ruben Studdard for a highly anticipated North American, 82-date concert tour, reuniting the pair twenty years after their appearance on the show. Clay starred on Broadway in Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show at the Imperial Theater. The New York Times called the production ‘A Christmas Miracle’. This came ten years after Clay’s critically lauded Broadway debut in Monty Python’s Spamalot. Catapulting to fame on season two of American Idol, he became the first Idol alum in history to have his first single debut at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, to have a single certified platinum and to have an album certified triple platinum. As a concert artist he’s played some of the most iconic venues in North America, including on the 2003 Independent Tour which Clay co-headlined with Kelly Clarkson.

Clay’s album, Measure Of A Man, also debuted at #1 with the highest first week sales by a debut artist. His 2004 holiday release, Merry Christmas With Love, set a record for the fastest selling holiday album of the SoundScan era and remains tied for the highest charting debut of a holiday album in Billboard history. He served 9 years as a UNICEF Ambassador and in 2003, he co-founded, with Diane Bubel, what is now the National Inclusion Project to advocate and increase opportunities for children with disabilities to be included in extracurricular activities (such as summer camps and after-school programs) with their non-disabled peers. Additional TV appearances include: 30 Rock, The Office, Scrubs, Days Of Our Lives, and Law & Order: SVU. Additional 2nd place finishes include: The Celebrity Apprentice in 2012 and the NC 2nd District US House race in 2014. Beyond all of his successes (and near successes) his proudest accomplishment remains his son, Parker.

TRACK LISTING FOR ‘Christmas Bells are Ringing’ 

  1. Merry Christmas, Darling
  2. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
  3. Caroling, Caroling
  4. Do You Hear What I Hear?
  5. Pure Imagination
  6. Ave Maria
  7. All Year Long
  8. Wonderful Christmastime
  9. Magic Moments
  10. On This Silent Night

 

Rhiannon Giddens Announces Her First-Ever Festival

Eric Alper
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Rhiannon Giddens Announces Her First-Ever Festival

GRAMMY and Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens proudly announces the launch of her first-ever festival, Biscuits & Banjos. A celebration of Black music, art and culture, it will take place from April 25-27, 2025, in downtown Durham, in her home state of North Carolina. Giddens will serve as the Artistic Director for this one-of-a-kind bespoke festival, created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Black Banjo Gathering, celebrating the legacy of the event that launched Giddens’ tremendous career and the formation of her GRAMMY-winning band Carolina Chocolate Drops.

The initial line-up, announced today, includes a much-anticipated reunion of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, playing together in their original lineup plus members from over the years, for the first time since 2014, as well as Rhiannon Giddens, Taj Mahal, Leyla McCalla, Christian McBride, Rissi Palmer, The Legendary Ingramettes, and New Dangerfield. More performers, authors and chefs will be announced soon.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on October 25. More info here: http://biscuitsandbanjos.com/

Biscuits & Banjos, curated by Giddens, will span three days at multiple indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown Durham, offering a unique festival experience where attendees can walk from location to location to watch performances, hear talks, and participate in interactive sessions that celebrate the rich tapestry of Black culture – including music, literature, food, and visual arts – while showcasing the diversity of voices and traditions that exist outside the mainstream narrative. Giddens emphasizes that “Black culture is not a monolith,” and Biscuits & Banjos will provide a space for underrepresented creators to shine.

Throughout the weekend, attendees will enjoy an eclectic blend of musical performances, lectures, workshops, and readings. Unique programming includes a celebrity chef biscuit bake-off, square dances, and free banjo lessons. Giddens will perform multiple times in different formats, including leading a revue-style show with special guests and friends.

“This festival has been a long-time dream of mine,” says Giddens. “It’s about honoring the connections that tie Black culture together across time and geography, whether it’s through music, food, or storytelling. The Black Banjo Gathering was such an important milestone for me personally, and I want Biscuits & Banjos to bring that same spirit of discovery and community to today’s generation of artists and fans,” says Rhiannon Giddens.

Rhiannon selected Durham as the festival’s home due to her deep personal connection to the city and its thriving contemporary culture, rooted in a rich Black heritage. “Durham is the perfect place to launch Biscuits & Banjos,” Giddens explains. “It has a vibrant community, an incredible artistic scene, and a history that aligns with the festival’s mission to uplift and honor Black culture.”

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, now more than ever Giddens is focused on the mission of uplifting and preserving North Carolinian culture. A portion of both ticket sales and merchandise income will go to hurricane relief efforts at next year’s festival; the recovery of Western North Carolina will be measured in years, not months.

Rhiannon Giddens has made a singular, iconic career out of stretching her brand of folk music, with its miles-deep historical roots and contemporary sensibilities, into just about every field imaginable. A two-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer and instrumentalist, 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, and composer of opera, ballet, and film, Giddens has centered her work around the mission of lifting up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been overlooked or erased, and advocating for a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins through art. Her most recent release is 2023’s You’re the One, Giddens’ first album of all original songs, her banjo can be heard on the history-making song “Texas Hold ‘Em” and she is the Artistic Director of Silkroad Ensemble. In addition to her musical pursuits, Giddens has published two children’s books featuring her lyrics, hosts the Aria Code podcast on WQXR, has composed music for ballet and film, and one of her songs is featured in the hit video game Red Dead Redemption 2. Her musical versatility has led her to collaborations with Questlove, Yo-Yo Ma, and Samuel L. Jackson; she also has fans in Elvis Costello, John Turturro, and Lucy Liu.

Biscuits & Banjos is a non-profit, community responsive festival. Funding for Biscuits & Banjos is made possible in part by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, North Carolina Humanities, the Danielle Rose Paikin Foundation, the Harper House Foundation, Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund, and other generous individual donors, civic, and community partners. On the state’s partnership, Secretary Reid Wilson said, “The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is excited to help sponsor Rhiannon Giddens’ new Biscuits & Banjos festival in 2025. The festival will give North Carolinians an opportunity to immerse themselves in our state’s vibrant music and arts, rich history, and diverse culture. Music provides common ground for all of us, and we’re proud to be a part of this innovative event.”

Unmanageable, a 501(c)3 organization, is Biscuits & Banjo’s non-profit partner. Donations to support Biscuits & Banjos are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Unmanageable’s EIN is 85-1193914.

 

Hopeless Records Opens Hopeless Music Academy in LA for Under-Resourced Youth

Eric Alper
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Hopeless Records Opens Hopeless Music Academy in LA for Under-Resourced Youth

This Fall, Hopeless Records and its nonprofit arm The Hopeless Foundation will launch The Hopeless Music Academy, a transformative program in Los Angeles designed to provide education and opportunities in music creative & music business to youth in under-resourced positions. The initiative is a collaboration between Hopeless, the Van Nuys, California-based independent label, and New Directions for Youth, a non-profit organization that has served under-resourced youth and families for 48 years. Since its founding, the Hopeless Foundation has donated over three million dollars to more than 150 charity initiatives.

Opening in November, the Hopeless Music Academy’s offerings for youth ages 13-18 will include after-school programs, mentorship and internship opportunities, job placements, apprenticeships, scholarships, and more. The Hopeless Music Academy’s space (co-located at New Directions for Youth in North Hollywood, and Hopeless Records in Van Nuys, CA) features a state-of-the-art recording studio with top-of-the-line equipment and software.

The Hopeless Music Academy is tailored to support youth from the San Fernando Valley community in Los Angeles who face significant challenges, such as those living in high-crime areas, who may have tough home lives, navigating financial barriers, or those who have been involved with the juvenile justice system. Through its programming and community, the Academy will provide students with a structured and supportive environment where they can develop their musical talents and gain valuable industry experience.

The Hopeless Music Academy curriculum will include music industry workshops and courses for students to gain exposure to various career paths in the music industry, such as learning skills for performance-related roles (songwriters, producers, recording artists, engineers) and education on the possibilities in music business jobs (A&R, marketing, sales, operations, etc.). The studio is equipped with a MacBook Pro loaded with Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, along with a midi keyboard and external hard drive.

One of the Academy’s goals is to establish a mock artist project, allowing students to release the music they create during their time in the program and get hands-on experience on all aspects of creating, releasing, and marketing records. The Hopeless Foundation has named music industry and youth programming specialist Rheanna “caedance” Lauren as the full-time Program Director of the Academy. A Canadian-American songwriter, youth director, and project producer based in LA, she’s worked with adolescents both directly, and in programming via summer camps, after-school care, social-emotional learning, and arts and sports education.

To enhance the Academy’s impact, the Hopeless Foundation is also building partnerships with other organizations and schools to expand its reach and resources. A host of college preparation services and internship opportunities will be available through partner universities and community colleges, as well.

A pilot program launching next month will run through December and involve up to ten students per month. This initial phase will help refine the Academy’s offerings and ensure the program meets the needs of its participants. The full program will officially commence in early 2025.

Hopeless Records Founder and CEO Louis Posen said “Ever since I started Hopeless thirty years ago, ‘paying it forward’ in the industry and beyond has been a top priority, and one that’s woven into everything we do at The Hopeless Foundation. Partnering with New Directions for Youth on the Hopeless Music Academy, and working to make a difference for kids in the community who want to be in this business, is a true honor.”

Executive Director Monica Asutin-Jackson from New Directions for Youth said “Getting to partner with a label like Hopeless, which has such amazing connections in the industry, and a leader like Louis – someone who really cares, and is willing to put in the work to do his part – is a privilege. We are excited to help even more students tap into their creativity and skills through the Academy.”

The Hopeless Foundation is committed to making a positive impact through music. In addition to the Hopeless Music Academy, the Foundation’s work on projects such as its “Songs That Saved My Life” series (which benefits mental health and suicide prevention charities), and other artist-driven initiatives has earned Hopeless Records recognition from the US Congress, the State of California, and the City of Los Angeles.

Learn more about the Hopeless Music Academy at https://www.hopelessmusicacademy.com/

Founded in 1993 as an excuse to release a Guttermouth seven-inch, Hopeless Records has been a defining force in alternative music for more than three decades. In that time, the Van Nuys, California-based indie label has sold more than fifteen million albums, and guided the careers of influential acts ranging from platinum and gold-selling bands like All Time Low and Avenged Sevenfold, to Thrice, Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, Sum 41, and New Found Glory. Today, Hopeless’ roster features an array of the hottest emerging acts like Illuminati Hotties, Neck Deep, The Wonder Years, Stand Atlantic, Waterparks, Scene Queen, NOAHFINNCE, and Tx2, and aims to reflect the increasing diversity of the alternative genre – women make up 50% of the roster, and more than 40% of Hopeless’ artists identify as LGBTQ+.

Through it all, Hopeless has stayed true to founder and CEO Louis Posen’s mission to make a positive impact through music. The Hopeless Foundation has donated over three million dollars to more than 150 charities, connecting artists and fans with impactful causes and cementing Hopeless as a leading name in both music and philanthropy.

New Directions for Youth is a non-profit, recognized as a 501 (c) (3), tax exempt organization, that serves thousands of under-served young people ages 09-24 and their family members with age-appropriate delinquency prevention, diversion and early intervention services annually. These programs include counseling, job training, academic support, family education, conflict resolution, youth development, and reentry programs that are provided through a menu of comprehensive evidence-based activities. NDY’s programs target low-income youth and their families who live in the San Fernando Valley community in Los Angeles. These areas include North Hills, Panorama City, Van Nuys, Pacoima, Sylmar, San Fernando and other neighborhoods with high crime, high immigrant populations, high gang activity and poverty.NDY’s target communities primarily include youth and families of color who are suffering from food and housing insecurity and educational deficits.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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