Bill Belichick is renowned for his expertise in football coaching rather than culinary demonstrations, but this sandwich sure looks great!
Lenny and The Squigtones Performing On American Bandstand In 1979
Lenny and The Squigtones was a fictional musical band featured on the American television sitcom “Laverne & Shirley.” The show, which aired from 1976 to 1983, followed the lives of two friends, Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney, as they navigated their way through life in Milwaukee. Lenny and The Squigtones were portrayed by actors Michael McKean and David Lander, who played Lenny Kosnowski and Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman, respectively.
Lenny and The Squigtones provided a humorous and musically inclined element to the series, often performing in the fictional setting of Arnold’s Drive-In, where the characters frequently gathered. The band’s performances were characterized by their quirky and comedic style, contributing to the overall lighthearted tone of the show. Michael McKean and David Lander’s portrayals of Lenny and Squiggy, along with their musical performances, became memorable components of “Laverne & Shirley,” adding to the show’s popularity during its run.
Here they are making making rock and roll television history, doing two songs from their classic album on Casablanca, King of The Cars (0:51) and the incredible Love Is A Terrible Thing (at 5:33), with an interview on American Bandstand in 1979.
David Bowie and Iggy Pop Are Great Fun On The Dinah Shore Show From 19777
In April 1977, daytime television audiences were treated to an unexpected and memorable moment when Iggy Pop and David Bowie, two decidedly unconventional characters, made a surprising appearance on Dinah Shore’s talk show.
Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album “Nonetheless” Out April 26
Pet Shop Boys are happy to announce the forthcoming release of their brand new studio album, “Nonetheless”, on Parlophone Records on April 26.
The album can now be pre-ordered, which (for Europe and UK stores) will also give access to priority tickets for a very special run of five PSB shows at London’s Royal Opera House from July 23 – 27. The first single from the album, “Loneliness”, is available digitally now and will be released as a CD single on February 16.
“Nonetheless” features ten tracks and will be available digitally and in various physical formats, including CD, black vinyl, clear vinyl, grey vinyl and cassette. Recorded and mixed in London last year, the album is the duo’s first with producer James Ford.
The track listing is:
Loneliness
Feel
Why am I dancing?
New London boy
Dancing star
A new bohemia
The schlager hit parade
The secret of happiness
Bullet for Narcissus
Love is the law
The 2CD and double white vinyl deluxe editions of “Nonetheless“ include the bonus four-track EP, “Furthermore”, featuring completely new recordings of “Heart”, “Being boring”, “Always on my mind” and “It’s a sin”.
More details on the album, the single and the Royal Opera House shows are available through the official Pet Shop Boys store.
Your LASSO Montreal 2024 Lineup Is Here!
MONTREY’ALL TO WELCOME SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN COUNTRY MUSIC, INCLUDING: DUSTIN LYNCH, BRETT YOUNG,TYLER HUBBARD, MEGAN MORONEY, MATT LANG, KIP MOORE, JOSH ROSS, LAURENCE ST-MARTIN and many more!
Get them spurs shined up, because Canada’s most exciting country music festival, LASSO Montréal, presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Original is coming back for an incredible third edition. This year, the massive previously-announced headliners Sam Hunt and Eric Church will be be joined by high-caliber artists: Dustin Lynch, Brett Young, Tyler Hubbard, Megan Moroney, Matt Lang, Kip Moore, Josh Ross, Laurence St-Martin and many more!
With its very first edition in 2022, LASSO Montréal has quickly become a must-see modern country music festival in one of the world’s greatest festival cities. Situated on Montreal’s beautiful Île Sainte-Hélène, North America’s premiere urban country music festival is the ultimate celebration of a musical genre that reaches beyond geographical borders and across generations. Year after year, LASSO Montréal promises an unparalleled experience for fans by honouring traditional country music while at the same time embracing the newest trends! Some of country music’s most renowned artists such as Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Matt Lang, Jake Owen, Dierks Bentley and Brittany Kennell took over the various stages at Parc Jean-Drapeau on a scenic island, within minutes of downtown Montreal. LASSO Montréal is produced by evenko. The third edition will take place on August 16 and 17, 2024, following LASSO in the City on August 15.
It’s clear, after two hugely successful editions of LASSO, that Montreal is becoming a hotbed for country music. For two days this summer, fans from all over will gather to witness the best in country on the iconic festival grounds of Parc Jean-Drapeau (celebrating 150 years in 2024), overlooking the gorgeous Montreal skyline.
This year’s lineup is stacked! A small town boy from Tullahoma, Tennessee, Dustin Lynch plans to bring the party to LASSO. He’s a down home country star with a big sound, a deep voice, and awards from virtually every major country music organization. Lynch will be looking forward to turning the stars above Montreal into confetti for an unforgettable party this summer.
California’s Brett Young will also be on hand, mixing his signature West Coast sound with a heavy dose of southern attitude for a style he refers to “Caliville country”. Young blasted into the stratosphere from the get-go, debuting atop the Billboard Country Albums chart with his Gold-certified “Ticket To L.A.” while his Platinum self-titled debut dominated the Top 20 on the Country Albums chart for 37 weeks, all contributing to over 8.1 billion global streams to date.
Tyler Hubbard, known to many as one half of Florida Georgia Line, a duo responsible for some of the biggest countrified hits of the last decade shines bright as a solo artist (as witnessed by anyone who was lucky enough to be present at his sold out show at Montreal’s Théâtre Beanfield last year). Featuring back-to-bakc #1s, his self-titled debut solo album garnered a Favorite Debut Album nomination at this year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards, and he’s bound to get us all dancin’ in the country when he takes the stage.
From the peach state comes the very talented Megan Moroney. Known for singles like “Tennessee Orange” and “I’m Not Pretty”, the young American singer isn’t just lucky, she’s got an undeniable talent. With a slew of best new artist nominations (at both the CMA Awards and ACM Awards) under her belt, plus her huge win at the CMT Awards for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year, Moroney’s intimate voice and authentic songs make her a rising star in the country genre. Nashville-based singer Kip Moore has been a mainstay in Music City since he released his #1 smash hit “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck” in 2011, and he hasn’t slowed down since.
Maniwaki, Québec’s Matt Lang will continue his domination of the local scene, acting as official spokesperson for LASSO Montreal once again this year. Lang’s straight-ahead country twang has garnered the local singer over 20 million collective streams globally, as well as the title of SiriusXM’s Top of the Country, six prizes at Québec’s Country Gala, SOCAN’s Country Music Prize and two ADISQ nominations. Medicine Hat’s Mackenzie Porter will make her LASSO debut this year. The fresh faced singer has already amassed four Canada Country #1’s (for “About You”, “These Days”, “Seeing Other People”, and “Pickup”), and her upcoming release this year marks a return to a more rootsy sound. Hailing from a town called Paradise, California, Nate Smith is a former praise and worship singer turned rockin’ powerhouse in the country music world. Since becoming a TikTok sensation with the viral hit “Wildfire” (loosely inspired by losing his own home to a devastating fire), Smith has been featured on several important Artists to Watch lists, including Country Now, Country Lifestyle Network and PopWrapped.
Once again this year, LASSO continues to celebrate the immense Canadian talent, with acts like Ontario’s Josh Ross, who won over legions of new fans when he opened for fellow Canadian rockers, Nickelback, and the Bell Centre last year, leading to a packed show at Théâtre Beanfield in January 2024. Quebec’s very own Laurence St-Martin, who hails from the tiny town of Saint-Ignace de Loyola, will surely inject some French flavour into the mix.
At 23 years old, Alana Springsteen is wise beyond her years, having secured a place amongst country icons with hits like “Ghost in My Guitar” (with Chris Stapleton), and “Goodbye Looks Good On You”. The fiercely talented country singer has toured with the likes of Luke Bryan and fellow LASSO performer Tyler Hubbard. The lineup also includes Tennessee-born troubadour Larry Fleet who makes the kind of traditional country that simply feels like home (wherever that may be). There is an authenticity to his songs that cuts through straight to the heart.
In addition to all the great music that fans have come to expect from this musical extravaganza, folks can also look forward to all the country fixins that have now become a part of the festival. So, bring your chair, boots and daisy dukes – and pull up to Parc Jean-Drapeau for a two-day country music experience!
Kick off the festival early with LASSO in the City hosted by SiriusXM on August 15 at a concert venue downtown (more details to come). Plus, exciting acts will be announced shortly to complete the festival lineup!
LASSO MONTRÉAL 2024 TICKET PRICES
(taxes and service fees included)
GENERAL ADMISSION/ SINGLE-DAY TICKET: starting at $140 CAD
GENERAL ADMISSION / 2-DAY TICKET: starting at $240 CAD
CASINO DE MONTRÉAL GOLD TICKET/ SINGLE-DAY: starting at $305 CAD
CASINO DE MONTRÉAL GOLD TICKET / 2 DAYS: starting at $450 CAD
SKY SALOON TICKET/ SINGLE-DAY: starting at $385 CAD
SKY SALOON TICKET/ 2 DAYS: starting at $590 CAD
American Express Cardmembers can get Front Of The Line® presale tickets starting today, January 30 at 10 a.m. ET until
Thursday, February 1 at 10 p.m. ET.
Click HERE to take advantage of the offer.
Klarna offers to secure your tickets now and pay in 4 interest-free payments.
Info: lassomontreal.com
Single-day tickets on sale this Friday, February 2 at 10 a.m.
2-day tickets already on sale
The Lightfoot Band presents The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot – March 28 at Flato Markham Theatre
The Lightfoot Band presents The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot
Featuring the Original Gordon Lightfoot Touring Band: Rick Haynes, Barry Keane, Mike Heffernan & Carter Lancaster
Thursday, March 28 / 8PM : Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, ON. Tickets Available Here
This original lineup with their newest member, lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Andy Mauck, will perform selected songs from one of the world’s greatest songwriters. Featuring classics like Sundown, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, If You Could Read My Mind, Beautiful & Carefree Highway. The classic repertoire of songs will come to life through the live performance of the band that helped create the unforgettable ‘Lightfoot Sound”.
This unique show has been built around The Band that was at Lightfoot’s side for thousands of shows for over a half century.
The show will feature all of the favorites as well as some deep cuts that will deliver the ultimate Gordon Lightfoot fan experience. This is a Must See for Gordon Lightfoot fans as well as music lovers who never saw him in person!
Jay Douglas Honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Toronto’s Musical Landscape with The Mabel-Helen-Rose Foundation Stone Award
Led To Love : A Black History Month Celebration
11:00am – Sunday, February 18th 2024
11:00am Worship Service at Verity Centre For Better Living – 449 Vaughan Road, Toronto
Guest Speakers: Eddie Bullen ~ Jazz Pianist; Dani Elwell and John Devenish ~ JAZZ.FM91
Guest Performers Drummers From The Community Verity Community Choir, Derrick Sweet & Son, and Kolette Easy
Jay Douglas first appeared on stage in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Throughout his time of entertaining, Jay has developed into an Internationally idolized musical renaissance man thanks to his wide-ranging repertoire of Reggae, American blues, West Indian rhythms, and jazz standards — including the Light in the Attic’s “From Jamaica to Toronto” concert series. In the late ’60s, Jay fronted the R&B group “The Cougars” who with their skill and verve lit up the city of Montreal as well as Toronto’s Yonge Street nightclubs and the first ever Caribana Festival with, Soul Funk and Reggae. Jay has performed around the world, and at annual Toronto events such as the Beaches Jazz Festival, Jerk Fest, Canadian National Exhibition, Yonge and Dundas Square, Koener Hall, Roy Thompson Hall, Island Soul Harbourfront festival and the Rastafest Festival. Jay Douglas is a 3-time JUNO Award nominee and has also won NOW Magazine’s ‘Best R&B Act,’ the Annual Toronto Reggae Awards’ ‘Male Reggae Vocalist of the Year,’ and the BBPA Harry Jerome Awards’ G98.7 Entertainment Award.
Jack White’s Third Man Hardware Creates Triple Threat, A 3-in-1 Analog Multi-Effects Pedal
Third Man Hardware has partnered with Donner to create the Triple Threat, a 3-in-1 analog multi-effects pedal.
The Triple Threat is an analog multi-effects pedal designed by Third Man Hardware and manufactured by Donner. White Stripes lead man and the founder of Third Man Hardware Jack White took interest in Donner’s Alpha series pedals released in 2017. Jack felt that the quality, versatility, price point and value was perfect for any of Third Man Hardware’s beginner guitar players, so the two brands collaborated, and the Triple Threat was born.
“It has been my hope for a while to make an affordable pedal for beginning musicians.” White tells Donner why he would want to make a pedal like Triple Threat. “When I approached Donner they knew what I was aiming for and we were able to make something very cool that was also not going to break the bank for a beginning musician.”
Triple Threat starts with a wide-range high gain distortion, with volume, gain, and tone controls to create a threatening rock sound. A classic phaser upgraded from the Pearl Tremor pedal by Donner is next with extended mod controls. Third in line is an analog voiced echo, originated from Donner’s first ever pedal, the Yellow Fall Delay released in 2013, with warm analog tone and rich feedback.
“All three effects: the distortion, phaser and echo are all heavy duty. I was very impressed with them the first time I plugged into the prototype version that Donner had sent. ” White talks about the three effects. “This set of effects is for all kinds of music, all genres. Maybe not opera though.” He adds, “The Triple Threat will fit very comfortably on my pedal board.”
Third Man Hardware designed the external appearance of The Triple Threat, adding its signature patterns such as lightning bolts from the Tesla tower on the panel, three sharp stripes in front and the signature diagrams from Third Man Hardware’s logo on both sides of the pedal. With upgraded circuit design and tuning the tone to Jack’s specifications, Donner combined three analog circuits into one metal enclosure, delivering simplicity, unique analog sounds and versatile utility for all beginner musicians on the go.
Music Superstars Eric Church and Morgan Wallen Unite to Revive Field & Stream, Beloved Outdoor Brand
Country music artists Eric Church and Morgan Wallen, along with a group of experienced brand builders, announce today the acquisition and relaunch of Field & Stream, the pre-eminent outdoor lifestyle brand with origins back to 1871. The group, led by Church and Wallen, purchased the retail side of the trademark from DICK’S Sporting Goods, as well as the media platform from Recurrent in a move that not only unifies the legacy brand under the same ownership for the first time in its 150-year history, but also leads to the resurrection of the print magazine through a membership community.
“I can remember my grandfather kept a few of his favorite Field & Stream magazines on the dash of his truck,” said Church. “That truck took us on hundreds of outdoor adventures and I all but memorized every story and every picture on every page. They were my Bible. It is the honor of my life to make sure that legacy carries on. It is both this responsibility to an American Icon and also to a young boy in his papaw’s truck that will be the compass that guides our steps.”
Church and Wallen are vested in the brand as avid outdoorsmen, conservationists, and storytellers. The new ownership will take a hands-on approach to preserving the authenticity of Field & Stream, solidifying its authority in the outdoor space, and ensuring it stays true to its roots.
“There’s nothin’ I love more than being with friends around a campfire, on a boat or in a deer stand — and Field & Stream represents all of those to me,” said Wallen. “Being part of its future is incredible and we want to keep bringing people together outdoors, makin’ memories, for generations to come.”
Key aspects of the relaunch include the Field & Stream 1871 Club, a refreshed digital platform, a limited-edition apparel collection inspired by Church and Wallen, and the announcement of an outdoor music festival co-produced by Southern Entertainment coming this fall.
In a groundbreaking move for both the brand and the industry, today also marks the launch of the Field & Stream 1871 Club, a membership community that pays homage to its storied history and brings back the distinguished, high-quality print publication. Members will enjoy exclusive access to a large-format print magazine, published twice annually, filled with the brand’s signature storytelling and captivating outdoor photography. Alongside the magazine, 1871 Club members will receive premium benefits, including priority ticket access to the Field & Stream Music Festival, members-only gear, a limited-edition Honor Badge (a revived F&S tradition now offered as a members-only pin), VIP entry into outdoor experiences, exclusive discounts, and digital content. Additionally, 10 percent of the net profits from the 1871 Club will be directed towards non-profit organizations actively contributing to the support of outdoor causes.
The new Field & Stream brand will be led by Doug McNamee, former president of Magnolia, the media and lifestyle brand cofounded by Chip and Joanna Gaines. Colin Kearns, who has served as editor-in-chief for Field & Stream since 2016, will remain in his position alongside his editorial team.
“We are committed to reinforcing Field and Stream’s legendary status as the authoritative voice of the American outdoors,” said McNamee. “We look forward to unifying our passionate enthusiasts under a single canopy as we steward this trusted brand toward a thoughtful and expansive revival. As the latest in the lineage of caretakers, we aim to restore and amplify Field & Stream’s authentic voice with our extended storytelling family.”
Looking ahead, Field & Stream has ambitious plans to form strategic partnerships and pursue thoughtful brand alignments to highlight its signature storytelling. These partnerships will include a new online marketplace to spotlight and elevate craft makers and artisans in the outdoor lifestyle space.
For more information about the new Field & Stream, visit www.fieldandstream.com.
New Partnership Between Precious Sound and Apple Corps Ltd Celebrates Beatlemania
The four Liverpudlians stood in the airport, wide-eyed and chuckling. Three thousand screaming fans had traveled to JFK to see the landing of the plane carrying the Beatles, as their single “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” rocketed to the top of the US charts.
The tousle-headed foursome, in their first visit to the US, lapped up the adoration. “Are you a little embarrassed by the lunacy you cause?” asked one journalist at the JFK press conference. “No,’ said John. ‘It’s great.” “Marvelous,” added a beaming Ringo. Smiling, George said: “We love it.”
February 7th will mark the 60th anniversary of their arrival in the United States – and the begining of Beatlemania. And to celebrate the momentous moment, Precious Sound has teamed up with the Beatles’ company, Apple Corps Ltd, to release a limited edition Beatles vinyl record stabilizer set. The deal was brokered by Bravado International, The Beatles North American licensing agent.
The stabilizer is a vital addition to any vinyl lover’s kit: the 375gm (13.2 oz) stainless aluminum base, topped with a silver-coated copper Beatles insert, sits on top of the vinyl, helping to create a more steady, resonant sound and delighting the eye. Each stabilizer comes with 3 inserts, featuring iconic Beatles designs, including the Sgt. Pepper’s drum skin and Abbey Road crosswalk image. The swirling scenes and musical notes combine for a mesmerizing experience – truly taking Beatlemania to the next level. For Precious Sound, which specializes in creating playable gold, silver and platinum records and has just announced its first collaboration with Third Eye Blind, the stabilizer set is the obvious progression in creating musical magic.
‘We’re thrilled to be working with Bravado to produce these stabilizers – especially at such a significant anniversary in musical history,’ said Ursina Beerli, CEO and co-founder of Precious Sound. ‘The impact of that 1964 trip genuinely cannot be overstated. And we’re over the moon to be able to share these stabilizers – 1,964 of them – and these designs with the Beatles’ fans,’ adds Mark Sutton, Creative Director and co-founder of Precious Sound.
Joe Marziotto, who works with Apple Corps Ltd on the Beatles merchandising, said “the resurgence of interest in vinyl and our fan’s desire to own vinyl, made the collaboration an obvious one.” Three Beatles compilation albums were in the top 20 Billboard vinyl charts over Thanksgiving of 2023, and in 2022 43 percent of all albums sold in the US were vinyl LPs. The vinyl boom is not going bust anytime soon: In the first half of 2023, vinyl LP sales were up 21.7 percent from the same period the year before.
“Beatles fans want the best listening experience possible, and we think the stabilizer is a big part of this,” said Marziotto. “We’re bringing together classic Beatles style with the best in analog listening experience, to mark a hugely significant musical milestone. The timing could not be better.”
The stabilizer set – three silver-coated inserts which can be swapped as a ‘lid’ to the aluminum stabilizer – is the first offering from Apple Corp and Precious Sound’s new partnership. And it is the first time music lovers will be able to buy directly from Precious Sound’s website, precioussound.com, in addition to select retailers.
The stabilizer set will be available for pre-sale on the Beatles website and Precious Sound website on January 17, 2024. The products will start shipping late January, in time to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Beatles arrival in the US.