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THE LEGENDARY DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND at The El Mocambo November 25

Eric Alper
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THE LEGENDARY DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND at The El Mocambo November 25

It’s been over 40 years since The Legendary Downchild Blues Band have played the iconic El Mocambo in Toronto, so the band thought it would be fun to play the club one more time on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 8:00 pm with special guest Jeff Rogers.

Tickets for The Legendary Downchild Blues Band’s show go ON SALE Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 10:00 am at https://elmocambo.com Tickets and Seating are very LIMITED, so get them while you can for this NOT TO BE MISSED performance!

Downchild has a long history with the “El Mo”, as it was known back then, as the house band for the club in the early ‘70’s and they recorded their live album But I’m On The Guest List there to a packed house in 1982.

In the early days, the El Mocambo was a lowdown joint on Spadina Avenue that hosted the likes of Downchild, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. In later years bands like Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Joan Jett and U2 graced the stage and of course The Rolling Stones surprise performance at the club with Margaret Trudeau in tow, is a thing of mystical legend.

It’s going to be a nostalgic trip down memory lane for Downchild and their fans to see the El Mocambo one more time, yet it will be a whole new experience to play the club, with its multi-million-dollar renovations and state of the art sound system.

Downchild is the inspiration for Hollywood stars Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s hit film The Blues Brothers. In fact, two Downchild songs “I Got Everything I Need (Almost)” and “Shotgun Blues” are found on The Blues Brothers smash album Briefcase Full of Blues.

Leader and co-founder, Donnie Walsh, often called the ‘Father of Canadian Blues’, is a member of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, alongside some of the greatest songwriters of our time, like Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.

The Legendary Downchild Blues Band is a Canadian blues institution with an international reputation. They have shared the stage with American blues icons B.B. King, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker to name a few and have performed around the world, leaving fans thoroughly entertained wherever the go.

Canadian roots singer/songwriter and keyboard player Jeff Rogers’ unmistakably soulful voice often evokes weighty comparisons to the past – whether that’s Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles or even Otis Redding…. yet, his tone, range, phrasing, and sincerity, all make him unmistakably contemporary – and totally original.

Jeff’s highly anticipated new solo album Dream Job was just released on October 27, 2023 and was recorded in the revered music mecca of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where many of the greats including, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Etta James, Paul Simon, Otis Redding and The Black Keys, have recorded.

For this album, Jeff is accompanied by some of the legendary musicians, including Kelvin Holly (Little Richard, Bobby Bland etc.), Clayton Ivey (The Staple Sisters, Thelma Houston), Justin Holder (Keb Mo’, Delbert McClinton) and Shonna Tucker (Booker T. Jones, Drive-By-Truckers). Dream Job is co-produced by Dick Cooper of The Cooper Brothers and features special guest appearances by Grammy Award winner, Colin Linden, and Juno Award winning singer, Kellylee Evans.

Toronto Rockers Centraal’s New Single “Nobody To You” Celebrates The Unpredictable Beauty of Kismet

Eric Alper
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Toronto Rockers Centraal’s New Single “Nobody To You” Celebrates The Unpredictable Beauty of Kismet

Kismet is a beautiful word that describes fate, which sometimes has an odd way of bringing people together. People who seem insignificant to each other at first can become a vital part of each other’s lives. The Toronto Ontario-based indie rock band Centraal celebrates kismet in their short but sweet new single, “Nobody To You.”

Opening with catchy riffs from guitarist and lead singer Adam Gomori, the song has a garage rock vibe to it. As Gomori sings the first verse, his voice is backed by percussion from Tim Bacon & driving bass from Rob Frasca that punctuates the lyrics.

“There was a time I was not a part of you
Meandering vines together our branches grew
Drawing our lines, I hope they aren’t parallel
Drawing our lines, where they lead I couldn’t tell”

Building to the first chorus, the instrumentation drops to an anthemic gang vocal by Adam and Rob. This brief but impactful chorus contrasts the rest of the song by driving home its message with no extra clutter. The song promptly starts up again to the melodic hook of the song supplied by guitarist Mike Gavrailoff.

At first glance, you’d assume the song was about a romantic relationship, but the song’s true inspiration might surprise you. The band states, “It came from the realization that band members Adam and Rob had to have interacted with one another at a local store that Rob worked at years before ever knowing one another.” It sparked an exploration into the often-spontaneous nature of human connection.

Taking their name from a train station in Amsterdam, Centraal was formed in 2017 with the belief that music can bring people together and take them to different places. After releasing their first single “Cosmic Cars”, they followed that with the EP The All Roads in 2020 and a second single, “Coletta Bay”.

In 2023, they released their first single “This Place” from their upcoming debut album Nobody To You. “This Place” explores the complex facets of modern urban life with cutting lead guitar, bass, and drumming driving the song.

To support the upcoming album release, the band also began touring across Southern Ontario, at venues that include Painted Lady, Phog Lounge, Corktown Pub and more.

Jazz Trumpeter Mike Herriott Releases Second Single “Puss, in Boots” from New Album Tales of Tricksters and Vagabonds

Eric Alper
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Jazz Trumpeter Mike Herriott Releases Second Single “Puss, in Boots” from New Album Tales of Tricksters and Vagabonds

Award-winning jazz multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer Mike Herriott has always had a certain fascination with the more troublesome characters of the fictional world. His first solo album project since 2016, Tales of Tricksters and Vagabonds is a suite of dedications to Herriott’s top favorite swindlers from classic literature.

A follow up to “Rumpelstiltskin”, Herriott’s second release from this album, “Puss, in Boots” is a musical illustration of the original tale of Puss and Boots, where a bold and confident cat manipulates an ogre and a king in order to gain his master’s happiness. Herriott admits that he cannot help but find himself entertained by the fact that this particular trickster is, indeed, a cat.

“He’s crafty, manipulative… but you gotta love him. He’s a cat. As Puss navigates his various plots to raise the station of his master, he does so in such catlike ways, right down to the chasing and devouring of the ogre-turned-mouse, in the end.” Herriott himself shares his home with two cats and found watching their movements to be a great inspiration for his latest release. “In this piece, we hear the slow and calculated movement, interrupted with the “zoomies”, the juxtaposition of the two energy levels, only to return to slowing down and eventually curling up for a nap at the end.”

“Puss in Boots”, which features Herriott all the instruments on this track including trumpets, french horns, trombones, acoustic bass, and piano with Jacob Slous on drums, captivates our ears with loose yet sharp, sudden and mysterious back and forth melodies from start to finish. Not only do we hear Puss leading us on his journey of well-intended deceitment, we also sense his quick reflexes and confident catwalk through the pace of the music.

Herriott explains “One melody starts and makes a full statement, then that melody is passed to another instrument, while the first takes on a secondary melody… and, then, it is followed again by a third subject which also roughly answers the first and second.”

Herriott, who has also collaborated musically with his wife Orfa Harnoy since 2018, admits that his new solo album was a challenge in exploring the “seedier sides of our imagination”. Listening to his latest single “Puss, in Boots”, it rapidly becomes clear why Puss made the cut as a favorite charlatan. “As you listen, imagine any cat you have ever known” Herriott says. “You’ll smile as I do.”

Tate McRae Announces Sophomore Album ‘Think Later’ And 2024 Global ‘Think Later Tour’

Eric Alper
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Tate McRae Announces Sophomore Album ‘Think Later’ And 2024 Global ‘Think Later Tour’

Today, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Tate McRae announces her sophomore album THINK LATER to be released December 8th via RCA Records. Executive produced with hitmaker Ryan Tedder (Taylor Swift, Beyoncé), THINK LATER and its songs are steeped in pop appeal and infectious toplines. Showcasing Tate’s boundless vocal talent and evolution as a songwriter, this new body of work explores the all-too-relatable feelings of falling in love and embracing the raw emotions that you experience as a result of leading with your intuition and heart. Pre-save HERE.

THINK LATER features Tate’s latest single “greedy” which earned the star her first #1 on the Spotify Global chart and top 10 on the Billboard Global 200 chart hitting #3. The self-assured hypnotic offering has garnered over 313 million streams to date and hit #14 on Hot 100 along with #1 most added at Top 40 and Hot AC radio upon release. Making it her biggest debut to date, “greedy” has been called “an artistic turning point… a propulsive self-empowerment anthem built around a firecracker of a pop hook that finds McRae dipping in and out of a falsetto while exuding unshakeable confidence” by Billboard.

Most recently, she performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and received a 2023 Billboard Music Award nomination in Top Dance/Electronic Song for her collaboration with Tiësto on “10:35.” Watch Tate make her musical guest debut on Saturday Night Live November 18th with host Jason Momoa.

Next year, Tate will embark on her first global outing with the ‘THINK LATER TOUR” spanning 53-dates throughout Europe, UK, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on Wednesday, April 17 in Dublin, Ireland at 3Olympia Theatre, with shows in London, Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, and many more before wrapping up in Wellington, New Zealand at TSB Arena on Thursday, November 21. charlieonnafriday will be joining as support on all dates across Europe, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Presley Regier will join Tate across all North America dates.

Calgary native singer/songwriter/dancer Tate McRae has become the artist to watch with over 6.7 billion career streams, over 945 million video views, a #1 Top 40 hit and multiple #1 dance hits. She’s received countless accolades including nominations for two Billboard Music Awards, an MTV VMA Award, a People’s Choice Award, four iHeartRadio Music Awards and nine JUNO Awards among others. She’s been featured on Variety’s 2022 Power of Young Hollywood list, Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list for the past three years along with Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2021 where she was the youngest musician on the list.

Her #1 RIAA certified 3x Platinum single “you broke me first” has amassed over 1.9 billion streams since its release in 2020. She’s collaborated with various artists including Regard & Troye Sivan on their #1 dance hit “You,” along with Khalid on their track “working,” Tiësto’s “10:35” and Jeremy Zucker on her viral single “that way.” Tate has toured the world and performed at various music festivals including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Firefly, The Governor’s Ball, Austin City Limits and more.

Last year, Tate released her highly anticipated debut album, i used to think i could fly which landed at #1 on Spotify’s Global Top Albums Debut Chart, charted in the top 10 in multiple countries upon release and has garnered over 1.5 billion streams to date. Featuring RIAA certified Platinum single “she’s all i wanna be” and certified Gold track “feel like shit,” the album showcased Tate at the top of her game with all-star writing collaborators and producers including Greg Kurstin, Finneas, Charlie Puth, Alexander 23, Blake Slatkin, and more. The stunning album received praise from the likes of Billboard who said “…Tate McRae steps into stardom on her long-awaited debut album” while GRAMMY.com stated, “…each track shows McRae is ready to be one of her generation’s most raw-and-real superstars.”

The ‘THINK LATER TOUR’ will see Tate playing the biggest and most iconic venues of her career thus far, including her first headline show at Madison Square Garden. On sale info and full routing below.

NORTH AMERICA TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with an AMEX presale (details below) beginning Tuesday, November 7. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, November 10 at 10 AM Local Time at TateMcRae.com.

  • AMEX PRESALE: American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, November 7 at 10 AM local time through Thursday, November 9 at 10 PM local time.

EUROPE + UK TICKETS: Fans will have a chance to pre-order THINK LATER for access to a presale starting on Wednesday, November 8 at 10 AM local time for dates in UK and Ireland. The general on sale will begin Friday, November 10 at 10 AM local time for all cities in Europe and the UK at TateMcRae.com.

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND TICKETS: Fans will have a chance to pre-order THINK LATER for access to a presale starting on Monday, November 13 at 9 AM local time. The general on sale will begin Tuesday, November 14 at 3 PM local time at TateMcRae.com.

‘THINK LATER TOUR’ GLOBAL 2024 DATES
Wed Apr 17 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Olympia Theatre
Thu Apr 18 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Olympia Theatre
Sat Apr 20 – Glasgow, UK – Glasgow Academy
Mon Apr 22 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo
Wed Apr 24 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo Manchester
Fri Apr 26 – Wolverhampton, UK – The Civic At The Halls
Sun Apr 28 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium
Mon Apr 29 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – AFAS Live
Tue Apr 30 – Antwerp, Belgium – Lotto Arena
Thu May 02 – Stockholm, Sweden – Annexet
Fri May 03 – Oslo, Norway – Spektrum
Sat May 04 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Falkonersalen
Mon May 06 – Hamburg, Germany – Sporthalle
Tue May 07 – Berlin, Germany – Verti Music Hall
Wed May 08 – Prague, Czech Republic – Forum Karlin
Fri May 10 – Warsaw, Poland – COS Torwar
Sun May 12 – Zurich, Switzerland – Halle 622
Mon May 13 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
Tue May 14 – Munich, Germany – Zenith
Thu May 16 – Milan, Italy – Fabrique
Fri May 17 – Paris, France – Zenith
Mon May 20 – Barcelona, Spain – Sant Jordi Club
Tue May 21 – Madrid, Spain – Palacio Vistalegre
Wed May 22 – Lisbon, Portugal – Coliseu de Lisboa
Fri Jul 05 – Calgary, AB – Hometown Show*
Sun Jul 07 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste Michelle
Tue Jul 09 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Thu Jul 11 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
Sun Jul 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
Wed Jul 17 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
Fri Jul 19 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
Sat Jul 20 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Sun Jul 21 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Wed Jul 24 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center
Sat Jul 27 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Sun Jul 28 – Sterling Heights, MI– Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
Tue Jul 30 – Saint Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park
Thu Aug 01 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
Tue Aug 06 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
Wed Aug 07 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
Fri Aug 09 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Tue Aug 13 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
Wed Aug 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at Mann
Fri Aug 16 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
Sat Aug 17 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
Thu Aug 22 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden**
Fri Nov 08 – Perth, Australia – Red Hill Auditorium
Sun Nov 10 – Brisbane, Australia – Riverstage
Tue Nov 12 – Sydney, Australia – Hordern Pavilion
Fri Nov 15 – Adelaide, Australia – AEC Theatre
Sun Nov 17 – Melbourne, Australia – Margaret Court Arena
Tue Nov 19 – Auckland, New Zealand – Spark Arena
Thu Nov 21 – Wellington, New Zealand – TSB Arena
* Venue TBA
** Additional support TBA

About Tate McRae:

Hootie & The Blowfish To Embark On 43-City ‘Summer Camp With Trucks’ Tour In 2024 With Collective Soul and Edwin McCain

Eric Alper
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Hootie & The Blowfish To Embark On 43-City ‘Summer Camp With Trucks’ Tour In 2024 With Collective Soul and Edwin McCain

Iconic pop-rock band Hootie & the Blowfish return to the road in 2024, as the foursome sets out on the Summer Camp with Trucks Tour produced by Live Nation featuring special guests Collective Soul and Edwin McCain. This marks the first full tour since 2019 for the band whose chart-topping, GRAMMY-award winning career has featured more than 25 million albums sold and 17 Billboard-charting songs to date.

Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, Darius Rucker and Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, who formed the band during their time as students together at the University of South Carolina, will visit 43 cities across the U.S. and Canada to mark the 30th anniversary of their 2x Diamond-certified debut album Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling albums in all of music history.

“Basically overnight, our lives changed when Cracked Rear View did what it did – and yet as we quickly moved from vans and college bars to tour busses and arenas, not much else changed with how we approached making music and sharing it with our fans,” reflects Bryan. “Edwin McCain told someone at the time that touring with us felt like summer camp with trucks… and that’s exactly how we want next year to feel, too. We can’t wait for you to join us!”

The tour kicks off May 30 in Dallas and runs through Sept. 28 in West Palm Beach, visiting arenas, amphitheaters and select stadiums such as Boston’s iconic Fenway Park (with special guests Barenaked Ladies) along the way, including a homecoming to Columbia, S.C.’s Colonial Life Arena for the Gamecock alumni. General onsale begins this Friday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. local time via Hootie.com, with presale access for Hootie & the Blowfish e-newsletter subscribers beginning tomorrow, Nov. 7, at 12 p.m. local time until Thursday, Nov. 9 at 10 p.m. local time.

Citi is the official card of the Summer Camp with Trucks Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning tomorrow, Nov. 7, at 12 p.m. local time until Thursday, Nov. 9 at 10 p.m. local time through the Citi’s Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit citientertainment.com.

The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but may include premium tickets, a backstage tour and photo on stage, VIP lounge access, autographed merch and more. For more information, visit vipnation.com.

In addition to playing limited engagements, including their annual Monday After the Masters charity event which raises funds to support educational programs and the South Carolina junior golf program, Hootie & the Blowfish most recently embarked on the sold-out Group Therapy Tour in 2019, with the Atlanta Journal Constitution praising the “well-produced nostalgic romp featuring a setlist stacked with singalongs, an effective stage show… and a band that sounds record perfect,” the Arizona Republic celebrating “the band’s tight harmonies and crunchy guitar solos, making it hard to believe they ever took a break,” the Dallas Observer remarking, “whatever the descriptive shorthand used — roots rock, alt-country, jangle-pop or country-rock — Hootie & the Blowfish’s material has aged extraordinarily well” and the Austin American-Statesman declaring, “Hootie & the Blowfish are getting the credit they always deserved.”

With the rich, bluesy vocals of Darius Rucker and gleeful harmonies of guitarist Mark Bryan, bassist Dean Felber and drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, Hootie & the Blowfish have sold over 25 million records worldwide to date after their infectious melodies hit the airwaves in 1994 with hits such as “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” The quartet met at the University of South Carolina where endless gigs at frat houses and local bars built a major local buzz. Their blend of pop, folk, blues, soul and rock made them hard to pigeonhole, but easily accessible to anyone who loved good music.

Atlantic Records, impressed by their regional draw, signed them and released Cracked Rear View in 1994. The album had been out for six months before the band played on the Late Show with David Letterman which sent sales skyrocketing, eventually landing at No. 1 on the Billboard chart the following spring. Cracked Rear View and the band went on to win two GRAMMY Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, a Billboard Music Award and multiple People’s Choice Awards. Cracked Rear View also earned the band Billboard’s Band of the Year Award in 1996 and the RIAA’s Diamond Award for sales in excess of 10 million units. At 21x Platinum, Cracked Rear View remains among the Top 10 best-selling studio albums in music history.

The band remained a top draw nationwide following their debut and released five more albums for Atlantic: Fairweather Johnson, Musical Chairs, Scattered, Smothered & Covered, Hootie & the Blowfish and The Best of Hootie & the Blowfish, as well as Looking For Lucky on their own Sneaky Long Records and LIVE in Charleston, The Homegrown Concert Event DVD and CD. The band took a break from full-time touring in 2007, reuniting annually for a variety of philanthropic events while also pursuing solo projects. 2019 marked the band’s first full-time touring year in over a decade as they embarked on the sold-out Group Therapy Tour in support of Imperfect Circle, released in late 2019 under a new record deal with Universal Music Group’s Capitol Nashville, and 2024 will see them return to the road once again for the upcoming Summer Camp with Trucks Tour.

Hailing from Atlanta, Ga., Collective Soul is Celebrating their 30th anniversary! With 11 studio albums and eight No. 1 hits under their belt, frontman and chief songwriter Ed Roland is unwaveringly driven in his desire to double down on doing more of what he does best – making music, sweet music, both in the studio and onstage. Seeing eye to eye, and ear to ear, is part of the secret sauce of why Collective Soul continues to both record and play together at an uncompromised level of high quality. With electrifying newer material such as their most recent 2022 release of Vibrating, along with the everlasting Collective Soul classic hits like “Shine,” “December,” “The World I Know,” “Heavy” and “Where The River Flows,” these five fiery rockers are only just getting started with the next phase of their thriving career that has moved millions of records and wowed multitudes of fans across the globe. Working in tandem, sharing unbridled opinions, and listening to what everyone else has to say without recrimination are all key proponents in fostering Collective Soul’s perpetual harmony. As 2024 unfurls, it’s clear that heaven continues to shine its light down on Collective Soul, a formidable five-man band humming along in unison with many more good vibrations of their own to share with the masses far and wide.

From Charleston, S.C., Edwin McCain is going on over 30 years of hits and worldwide touring. He has been called a “street corner prophet” by USA Today, an “aching tenor” by Slate Magazine and a “great American romantic” by the New York Times, but McCain is much more than those things. After a long ride on a wave created by recording two of the biggest love songs in the history of music (“I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More”) and producing and starring in a TV series (“Flippin’ Ships” on Animal Planet), McCain slowed his road schedule to dedicate more time to his primary roles as husband to his wife and father to their three young teenagers. Well, the kids are grown-ish and McCain’s fans are still clamoring for more as his hit songs, authentic spirit and surprisingly affable sense of humor keep everyone coming back time and time again; not that McCain’s music ever slows down. “American Idol” and “The Voice” contestants still turn to his ballads year after year to help them win over judges and fans. Millions more have been turned on by pop icons Justin Bieber and Charlie Puth who have both covered his hit songs. McCain shares, “15-year-old me would have crawled through a river of fire to be the singer/songwriter that I am today, and I remember that. I am incredibly grateful to be able to do this.”

Over the course of 35 years, Barenaked Ladies have sold over 15 million records worldwide and built up an arsenal of hits such as “If I Had $1,000,000,” “One Week,” “Pinch Me” and “The Big Bang Theory Theme.” Widely acknowledged as one of the best live acts on the planet, BNL has hosted a cruise, had their own Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor and participated in the first-ever “space-to-earth musical collaboration” with astronaut Chris Hadfield. To date, BNL has amassed eight JUNO Awards, garnered two GRAMMY nominations and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In 2023, BNL released In Flight, their eighteenth studio album.

Summer Camp with Trucks Tour
May 30 Dallas, Texas Dos Equis Pavilion
May 31 Rogers, Ark. Walmart AMP
June 1 St. Louis, Mo. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
June 6 Detroit, Mich. Pine Knob Music Theatre
June 7 Cincinnati, Ohio Riverbend Music Center
June 8 Indianapolis, Ind. Ruoff Music Center
June 13 Gilford, N.H. BankNH Pavilion
June 14 Bangor, Maine Maine Savings Amphitheatre
June 15 Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Broadview Stage at SPAC
June 21 Boston, Mass.* Fenway Park
June 27 Bethel, N.Y. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
June 28 Hershey, Pa. Hersheypark Stadium
June 29 Burgettstown, Pa. The Pavilion at Star Lake
July 10 Denver, Colo. Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 11 Salt Lake City, Utah USANA Amphitheater
July 13 Phoenix, Ariz. Footprint Center
July 16 Anaheim, Calif. Honda Center
July 17 Mountain View, Calif. Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 19 Portland, Ore. RV Inn Styles Amphitheatre
July 20 Seattle, Wash. White River Amphitheatre
July 26 Birmingham, Ala. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
July 27 Nashville, Tenn. Bridgestone Arena
Aug. 1 Hartford, Conn. The XFINITY Theatre
Aug. 2 Holmdel, N.J. PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug. 3 Columbia, Md. Merriweather Post Pavilion
Aug. 8 Somerset, Wisc. Somerset Amphitheater
Aug. 9 Chicago, Ill. Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Aug. 10 East Troy, Wisc. Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Aug. 15 Cleveland, Ohio Blossom Music Center
Aug. 16 Philadelphia, Pa. Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Aug. 17 Bristow, Va. Jiffy Lube Live
Aug. 29 Columbia, S.C. Colonial Life Arena
Sept. 5 Wantagh, N.Y. Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Sept. 6 Syracuse, N.Y. Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview
Sept. 7 Toronto, Ontario Budweiser Stage
Sept. 12 Knoxville, Tenn. Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Sept. 13 Raleigh, N.C. Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Sept. 14 Virginia Beach, Va. Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Sept. 19 Charlotte, N.C. PNC Music Pavilion
Sept. 20 Alpharetta, Ga. Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sept. 26 Tampa, Fla. MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sept. 27 Jacksonville, Fla. VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Sept. 28 West Palm Beach, Fla. iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
* also featuring special guests Barenaked Ladies; general onsale Friday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m. local time

The Extraordinary Sound Of A Piano With No Black Keys

Eric Alper
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The Extraordinary Sound Of A Piano With No Black Keys

This ‘Sinhakken’ model has the usual 88 keys of a piano… but every single key is white.

The one-of-a-kind instrument was found at a fair in Japan. The pianist here plays Debussy’s ‘Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum’ in a special arrangement for the white-keyed piano.

Son of John Releases “When You Come Back Down” From Upcoming ‘Lucky’ Album

Eric Alper
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Son of John Releases “When You Come Back Down” From Upcoming ‘Lucky’ Album

Venture into the heart of British Columbia’s southern interior, and you’ll find Son of John, a duo that purposefully shatters the mold in the realm of Alternative Country Americana/Roots. Their music, steeped in the rich traditions of country music, refuses to conform, embodying a truly authentic and genre-defying spirit.

On November 3rd, Javan and Johnny are bringing to the world their album Lucky, a compelling ten-song album, offering a captivating journey through a range of emotions. From the lively, toe-tapping bluegrass-folk-alternative country tunes to the soul-stirring ballads, this album covers the entire spectrum of feelings. Its meticulously crafted lyrics delve into life’s complex issues, sparking deep introspection.

The final track is a heartfelt cover of “When You Come Back Down,” originally performed by the award-winning bluegrass band Nickel Creek, a significant source of inspiration for Javan. Penned by the talented duo of Tim O’Brien and Danny O’Keefe, the lyrics resonate with the theme of a profound relationship, where the narrator lovingly encourages their dearest one to spread their wings and embark on their own journey.

‘Your memory’s the sunshine every new day brings
I know the sky is calling
Angel, let me help you with your wings

When you’re soarin’ through the air
I’ll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I’ll still be there
When you come back down’

“The first time I heard the song – I fell in love with it, especially the instrumentation. But it was truly the melody that captured my attention, and it was probably also the first song I learned to analyze the lyrics of. When recording the album, it was a no-brainer that we’d record this one to put it on the album”, tells Javan about his passion for the track. Another incredible fact on this track is that, although Johnny does most of the singing on the album, Javan sings this one.

In “That Feels Right,” Son of John explores the age-old concept that opposites attract, offering a refreshingly simple take on the idea of two people with differing interests finding love in each other. “Money Tree” originates from Johnny’s poignant observation of a homeless person collecting bottles, evolving into a commentary on the daily struggles faced by individuals from various walks of life, be they well-educated or hardworking blue-collar citizens. Track number 5, “Lonely Door,” speaks to the profound experience of those who have lost a loved one, navigating life through a metaphorical “Lonely Door” and adjusting to a new reality without their cherished companions.

The birth of Son of John can be traced back to June 2019 when they unveiled their debut single, “Country Pure.” This unique duo features Javan Johnson, a four-time nominee for BC Country Music Assocation Fiddle/Mandolin Player of the Year, and Johnny P. Johnson, a music veteran with a remarkable 25-year career as a solo artist, songwriter, and frontman.

Rooted in rich storytelling and an ensemble of traditional instruments like fiddles, mandolins, steel guitars, banjos, dobros, and harps, Son of John’s music is a testament to a family’s musical journey spanning almost two decades. With their official collaboration beginning in 2017, the duo’s unmistakable harmonies, born from the same bloodline, breathe life into the name ‘Son of John.’

“It’s a common thread and technically misconception that the name Son of John is a reference to me, as I’m quite literally the son of John. But the literal translation of the Johnson last name is Son of John, therefore becoming the duo’s official band name after years of playing together”, says Javan Johson.

The duo, a 3x BC Country Music Association Gaylord Wood Traditional Country/Roots Artist of the Year nominee has appeared at multiple venues across Western Canada with notable performances at the iconic Dream Cafe in Penticton, BC, the Roxy Cabaret in Vancouver, Gabby’s Country Cabaret in Langley, The OK Corral in Kelowna, and the Calgary Stampede.

The deep melody and storytelling in each of Son of John’s songs is a testament to their genuine connection with the stories they tell. Johnny’s hands-on farming experience in the Saskatchewan prairies, where he was born and raised, and Javan’s upbringing on a family farm in rural BC, situated along a river in the mountains, are the foundations upon which their authentic country sound is built.

Their music is a reflection of their roots, and there’s no pretense in it. Drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Blue Rodeo, Neil Young, and Ian Tyson, Johnny P. Johnson, the primary songwriter, weaves tales of love, life, and loss that capture raw emotions through the lives of his song’s characters.

Their debut album, “Lucky,” featuring ten carefully crafted tracks, produced by John Ellis, is set to be released on November 3rd, 2023. Son of John beautifully marries two generations of country music, creating a timeless and honest musical journey.

Folk & Soul Artist Oliver Pigott Shares Heartfelt Reflections in ‘Eyes My Daddy Gave Me’

Eric Alper
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Folk & Soul Artist Oliver Pigott Shares Heartfelt Reflections in ‘Eyes My Daddy Gave Me’

Toronto-born, Nashville-based Folk & Soul artist Oliver Pigott takes listeners on a journey of self-reflection in his first U.S. single, “Eyes My Daddy Gave Me,” out now.

Drawing from his personal life and journeyman experience, Oliver Pigott has penned an Americana-inspired song that transcends genres, offering listeners a soulful journey through life’s trials and triumphs. The lyrics, which speak to the importance of fatherhood, resilience, and the light within, resonate with authenticity and universal themes.

Oliver Pigott shared his insights about the song, saying, “The first song I wrote on American soil was ‘Eyes My Daddy Gave Me.’ As a new father of twin sons, I was aware of the responsibility that lay before me to guide them and lead the way.” This sentiment forms the emotional core of the song, making it a touching tribute to the transformative power of fatherhood.

The song’s genesis was particularly poignant for Pigott. “Having lost my father to cancer when I was eight, music was my way of remaining connected to his musical spirit,” he revealed. It was in a quiet moment of reflection that the idea for the song emerged. “Sharing what I had with my wife, she encouraged me to highlight the line ‘Eyes My Daddy Gave Me.’ Within thirty minutes, the song emerged,” he added.

With its emotive lyrics, soulful melodies, and Oliver Pigott’s captivating vocals, “Eyes My Daddy Gave Me” is poised to make a significant impact on the music scene.

Legendary Canadian Jazz Artist Molly Johnson Releases Vinyl Edition Of It’s A Snow Globe World + Announces Holiday Shows

Eric Alper
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Legendary Canadian Jazz Artist Molly Johnson Releases Vinyl Edition Of It’s A Snow Globe World + Announces Holiday Shows

Renowned Canadian jazz vocalist, Molly Johnson, officially releases the vinyl edition of her most recent full-length album, It’s A Snow Globe World, today for the first time via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. You can purchase it here.

It’s A Snow Globe World was initially released by the JUNO-Award winner on October 29, 2021 on CD and digital formats. Her first holiday-themed album includes favourites “Don’t You Know It’s Christmas,” “This Holiday Season,” and more. The project was produced by John “Beetle” Bailey and executive produced by Johnson herself.

The new vinyl edition arrives several months after the iconic singer-songwriter was awarded the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Johnson was also honoured this year as a Chevalier in l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France.

Molly Johnson’s voice is a distinctive national treasure. A singer-songwriter, artist, broadcaster, and philanthropist, Johnson’s roots are Canadian while her reach is worldwide. Perhaps most associated with the iconic jazz vocal styling she has honed, Johnson has performed with such diverse artists as Tom Jones, Céline Dion, Anne Murray, Lenny Kravitz, Tom Cochrane, Stéphane Grapelli, Jackie Richardson, Peter Appleyard, and many more. Molly Johnson has performed for the legendary Quincy Jones as well as the late Princess of Wales and Nelson Mandela. In 2009, she received the JUNO Award for Best Vocal Jazz Album and the National Jazz Award for Best Female Vocalist. Johnson is a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, was honoured with the Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of her charitable work and contributions to the arts, and recently she was presented with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime artistic achievement.

The 6-time JUNO-Award nominee will be performing a string of magical holiday shows between December 11-13 at Roy Thomson Hall with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and the Etobicoke School of the Arts Holiday Chorus. Tickets are available here.

It’s A Snow Globe World Tracklisting:

Side A:
1. Don’t You Know It’s Christmas
2. Painted Blue
3. I Don’t Like Christmas (When You’re Not Around)
4. This Holiday Season
5. Christmas in Hopetown

Side B:
6. Winter Wonderland
7. Brighter Day (feat. Billy Newton-Davis)
8. Maybe This Year
9. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
10. Winter’s Got Spring Up Its Sleeve

Tommy Emmanuel With Special Guest Gareth Pearson Announces St. Catharines And Oshawa Concert Dates

Eric Alper
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Tommy Emmanuel With Special Guest Gareth Pearson Announces St. Catharines And Oshawa Concert Dates

The real-time exuberance Tommy Emmanuel brings to every note of every song he plays is palpable and infectious. His fans are in love with his unbound talent as a guitarist of multitudes, his ability to play three parts at once, always with pure heart and real soul. He is a true virtuoso. But he seems as delighted always with the magic of the music as the audience, if not more, and his joy illuminates everything.

It’s one thing to play these multi-dimensional arrangements flawlessly on an acoustic guitar. But to do it with that smile of the ages, that evidence of authentic, unbridled delight, is an irresistibly infectious invitation to feel his music as deeply as he does. “The joy, ” he says, “is there always because I’m chasing it through music. Seeing the surprise in peoples’ eyes is worth living and working for… I can’t help but play to the people with all my heart, which is overflowing with joy of being in that moment that I’ve worked all my life for. And here it is!”

That authentic exuberance Tommy brings to every show and every record is especially powerful, given the profound deficit of real joy in so many lives. Tommy’s happiness, like his music, is pure and expressed in real-time. Nothing is phony. It’s a quality that does reach far beyond any one language, and it’s instantly understood by all his fellow humans. It’s the reason he smiles so much while playing, and why his audience does as well. As many have said, it’s hard not to be happy at his shows. Because his joy, and the timeless river of inspiration, which is the source, is universally recognized. And it feels good.

In 2018, Tommy made the great album, Accomplice One, a series of duets with musicians great and varied, and all at his level. It’s a concept that worked, as the range of artists reflected Tommy’s expansive love of all kinds of music, including Rodney Crowell, Mark Knopfler, Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell, Jerry Douglas, Jake Shimabukuro and more. Each of his accomplices seemed as inspired by his energy and passion as much as Tommy was by theirs, and he played with effortless grace.

Now comes the long-awaited sequel, Accomplice Two. It shares the same exuberance, diversity, and sense of adventure as the first album, with a great range of artists. This album features rock legends Michael McDonald, Jorma Kaukonen, and Little Feat; bluegrass superstars such as Billy Strings, The Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Sierra Hull, and David Grisman; country icons such as Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jamey Johnson, and Raul Malo; and guitar heavyweights like Yasmin Williams, Larry Campbell, and Richard Smith. The first single “White Freight Liner Blues” is out now and features the Grammy award winner and claw hammer guitarist, Molly Tuttle.

Tommy also has a new television special called Accomplice LIVE! which begins airing on PBS in March of 2023. This special features some of Tommy’s best-known songs and duets with his accomplices such as Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Sierra Hull, Yasmin Williams many others.

Tommy was born in 1955 in Muswellbrook, New South Wales Australia, and started playing the guitar at age four. In his twenties, he was the most sought-after performer and session musician in Sydney. By age 30, he was burning on electric guitar with several rock bands in stadiums across Europe. He could have gone on to live the rock star life. Yet, he yearned for something purer and closer to his heart. Casting off the reliable rock band engine of monstrous sonics blasting, Tommy went acoustic.

The inspiration for Tommy’s transformation was his hero, Chet Atkins, who represented the purity of one man, one guitar, and unlimited passionate for serving the song. Eventually Tommy met his hero and started a lifelong friendship which shaped Tommy’s music forever. Chet welcomed Tommy into guitarist knighthood by bestowing upon him the coveted title of CGP (Certified Guitar Player), an honor awarded only to four other humans ever, and they recorded an album together, The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World.

Receiving the love and esteem of Chet lifted Tommy into a different realm. Because, as Chet recognized instantly and told the world, musicians like this don’t come along that often; pay attention to this man. And people have paid attention from sold out shows all over the world to multiple Grammy nominations, ARIA Awards, IBMA Awards, and countless “Best Acoustic Guitarist” wins in numerous music magazine readers polls…. the world is taking notice.

May 22, 2024 – St. Catharines, ON: FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Tickets Here

May 23  2024 – Oshawa, ON: Regent Theatre. Tickets Here

 

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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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