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My Next Read: “Elvis – The Legend: The Authorized Book from the Official Graceland Archive” By Gillian G. Gaar

Eric Alper
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My Next Read: “Elvis – The Legend: The Authorized Book from the Official Graceland Archive” By Gillian G. Gaar

lvis passed away in 1977 but his spirit lives on. His records still sell, his movies are still hugely popular and his concerts are still discussed by new generations of fans. The Elvis Presley estate has tens of thousands of photographs and miles of video footage from all eras of Elvis’ career and fans’ hunger for new imagery and information on the King remains unsated. This publication is a beautiful, desirable package, ideal for any Elvis fan.

This book tells the personal story of Elvis and his relationships with those near and dear to him and contains more than 150 colour and black and white photographs from the Graceland archives, accompanied by insightful text from an author with a proven Elvis track record.

To take you closer than ever before to the King, 30 items of rare memorabilia are carefully reproduced on the page, including personal letters, receipts, telegrams, publicity material and other fascinating items which provide new insight into the life of a legend.

There are photographs of Elvis himself, Elvis with friends and family, and all manner of personal artifacts, including guitars, jewelry, clothing, vehicles and more.

The Ramones’ “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” Performed On A Ukulele

Eric Alper
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The Ramones’ “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” Performed On A Ukulele

If you need a vivid reminder of just how good The Ramones’ “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” is, here’s Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq. performing it on a uke for you.

I Heard You Like The Beatles, So Here’s A 23-Song Medley In 8 Minutes

Eric Alper
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I Heard You Like The Beatles, So Here’s A 23-Song Medley In 8 Minutes

This is a medley of Freddie Gredde’s 23 favorite Beatles songs, accompanied by an animated story he spent months making.

Indie Rocker Lady Charles Glitters Confidence In “Manic Pixie Dream Boy”

Eric Alper
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Indie Rocker Lady Charles Glitters Confidence In “Manic Pixie Dream Boy”

In pop culture, a manic pixie dream girl is usually a dreamy, troubled girl whose sole purpose is to inspire a male character. Lady Charles takes this archetype and makes it a more gender-fluid and empowering one through their new single, “Manic Pixie Dream Boy.”

The song begins with an 80’s inspired guitar groove that brings to mind bands like Blondie in their “Autoamerican” era. Then, Lady Charles’ sonorous vocals kick in as they casually sing about who they are and why other people shouldn’t bring them down.

“To all those sideways glances
Quit harshing me!
’cause I’m a manic pixie dream boy
Trying to live authentically”

In fact, their vocals are strongly reminiscent of David Bowie, especially once the third verse comes in and they showcase their falsetto range. Yet, the second verse is also very Bowie-esque due to their witty wordplay as they jokingly refer to their depression and gender expression.

According to the artist themselves, the song was inspired by not only Bowie, but also the rock and roll ethos itself. “I always felt that rock music lends itself to androgyny because at its core I think rock music is a genre that cuts across identities and unites people. It doesn’t matter one’s sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, class, or age – if you feel it then you are rock and roll.”

Through the accompanying music video, Lady Charles proudly showcases their gender-fluidity and talent as they appear in various shots. One notable scene involves them performing as an entire rock band, taking on the role of vocalist, guitarist, and drummer all at once. Thus, “Manic Pixie Dream Boy” is about being confident and living for yourself, regardless of what others think.

Lady Charles explains the song further as they state, “When I began working on ‘Manic Pixie Dream Boy’ something clicked. I found myself drawing from Hip Hop punchlines and weirdo indie rock, dropping the hyper-serious statement writing I once felt I had to do to get respect in music. From that point onward, the process of writing lyrics on the record became a joy – I was able to finally translate my sense of humor into the lyrics and I think it’s evident in songs like “Manic Pixie Dream Boy.’”

Lady Charles is a shape-shifting art rock enchanter/ress from Ottawa. They released their self-titled debut EP in 2022, blending elements of folk, indie rock, and electronica with themes of gender, apocalypse, and loss. Their 2022 singles “Godx,” “Noella (Can’t Get Enough Of You),” and “Flower Boy” brought their sound and image to a wider audience, racking up thousands of listens and views.

Bruce Cockburn Is “On A Roll”; Announces 44-Date North American & UK Tour For ‘O Sun O Moon’ Album

Eric Alper
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Bruce Cockburn Is “On A Roll”; Announces 44-Date North American & UK Tour For ‘O Sun O Moon’ Album

“Time takes its toll,” sings the 77-year-old Bruce Cockburn on the opening song, “On A Roll,” his 38th album, O Sun O Moon, out on May 12 via True North Records. “But in my soul / I’m on a roll.”

Bruce Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career shaped by politics, spirituality, and musical diversity. His remarkable journey has seen him embrace folk, jazz, rock, and worldbeat styles while earning high praise as a prolific, inspired songwriter and accomplished guitarist. He remains deeply respected for his activism and humanist song lyrics that thread throughout his career. On all his albums Cockburn has deftly captured the joy, pain, fear, and faith of human experience in song.

Bruce Cockburn has won 13 JUNO Awards, an induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, and has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada, among many other accolades. He has 22 gold and platinum records including a six-times platinum record for his Christmas album. Cockburn continues to tour internationally.

He’s on a roll.

BRUCE COCKBURN 2023 NORTH AMERICAN & UK TOUR

JUN 1 PLYMOUTH NH FLYING MONKEY CENTER
JUN 2 BEVERLY MA THE CABOT
JUN 3 HARTFORD CT INFINITY HALL
JUN 4 NEW YORK NY CITY WINERY
JUN 7 BETHLEHEM PA MUSIKFEST CAFÉ
JUN 8 PHOENIXVILLE PA COLONIAL THEATRE
JUN 9 WASHINGTON DC WARNER THEATRE
JUN 10 GREENSBURG PA PALACE THEATRE
JUN 12 BUFFALO NY ASBURY HALL BABEVILLE
JUN 13 KENT OH KENT STAGE
JUN 14 ROYAL OAK MI ROYAL OAK THEATRE
JUN 16 CINCINNATI OH LUDLOW GARAGE
JUN 17 NASHVILLE TN CMA THEATRE
JUN 18 ATLANTA GA VARIETY PLAYHOUSE
JUN 24 KENSINGTON CA COVENTRY GROVE
AUG 10 WHISTLER BC OLYMPIC PLAZA
AUG 24 OXFORD UK ACADEMY 2
AUG 25 LONDON UK SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE
AUG 26 KETTERING UK GREENBELT FESTIVAL
AUG 30 BOULDER CO ETOWN HALL RADIO TAPING
SEP 1 PEGOSA SPRINGS CO 4 CORNERS FOLK FESTIVAL
OCT 11 HAMILTON ON FIRST ONTARIO HALL
OCT 12 MONTREAL QB GESU-ELISE
OCT 14 QUEBEC CITY QB IMPERIAL BELL
OCT 16 FREDERICTON NB THE PLAYHOUSE
OCT 17 CHARLOTTETOWN NB CONFEDERATION CENTRE
OCT 19 MONCTON NB CAPITOL THEATRE
OCT 20 NEW GLASGOW NS WELLNESS CENTRE
OCT 21 HALIFAX NS REBECCA COHN
OCT 23 PORTLAND ME STATE THEATRE
OCT 24 OLD SAYBROOK CT KATHARINE HEPBURN ARTS
OCT 25 NORTHAMPTON MA ACADEMY OF MUSIC
OCT 27 RUTLAND VT PARAMOUNT THEATRE
OCT 28 NY HANGAR THEATRE
OCT 30 NELSONVILLE OH STUART’S OPERA HOUSE
NOV 1 CARMEL IN TARKINGTON CENTRE
NOV 2 MILWAUKEE WI SOUTH MILWAUKEE PAC
NOV 3 CHICAGO IL OLD TOWN SCHOOL
NOV 4 CHICAGO IL OLD TOWN SCHOOL
NOV 17 SANTA MONICA CA McCABES
NOV 18 SANTA BARBARA CA LOBERO THEATRE
NOV 30 SACRAMENTO CA CREST THEATRE
DEC 1 BERKELEY CA FREIGHT & SALVAGE
DEC 2 BERKELEY CA FREIGHT & SALVAGE

Poly Voyager Free 60 Series Earbuds Are Astonishingly Great

Eric Alper
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Poly Voyager Free 60 Series Earbuds Are Astonishingly Great

Styled in carbon black and loaded with features that both business leaders and audiophiles will love, the Voyager Free 60+ UC from Poly are a pair of in-ear earphones with adaptive hybrid ANC technology for stunning sound and three beamforming microphones per earbud with WindSmart technology for crystal-clear, hands-free telecommunication. The centerpiece of these sophisticated earbuds is the Smart Charge Case, which, along with providing up to 24 hours of noise-canceling playback and 16.5 hours of talk time, sports an advanced touchscreen for keeping your settings and vital information at your fingertips. You can get them here.

These earbuds offer multipoint support for connecting up to two devices at once, such as your smartphone and laptop. The supplied USB-A dongle plugs directly into a compatible computer or mobile device to ensure wireless connectivity for older devices. The wireless Qi charge-compatible Smart Charge Case features a common USB-C connection for 3 hours of charging, or a 15-minute fast charge for 1.2 hours of talk, and also includes a 3.5mm audio input, so you can enjoy content, like inflight entertainment, with wireless convenience. The Voyager Free 60+ UC includes three pairs of silicone eartips (small, medium, large), a USB charging cable, a BT700 Bluetooth adapter, and a USB to 3.5mm audio cable.

Lift Your Voice, Lose the Noise
With a three-mic array in each earbud triangulating on your voice and minimizing the surrounding noise, you’re loud and clear wherever you take your calls. And with WindSmart technology, you can breeze through conversations as you move through your day without interruption.
Tune In, Tune Out
Whether it’s a crowded cafe or bustling commute, forget the commotion around you. The adaptive hybrid ANC automatically adjusts to your wearing style and cancels out just the right amount of noise for a quiet and comfortable experience. And with two-setting transparency mode, you can tune back into your natural surroundings without taking out your buds.
Status and Audio Controls at Your Fingertips
With the Voyager Free 60+ UC you can mute calls, adjust volume, connect to external sources, and switch devices without dropping a call or what you’re doing. The touchscreen case puts the information you need, and the ability to quickly do something about it in your hands, thanks to its color touch display and intuitive icons. The fast charging gives you an extra hour of talk time for every 15 minutes and will fully recharge your buds two times for up to 16.5 hours of active call use.
Hits All the Right Notes
Go from work to playlists without missing a beat. The hi-fi sound and 10mm speaker drivers transform your buds into a portable stereo; so, you can stream your music, shows, podcasts, and games when you need a break.
Won’t Wear Out Your Welcome
Discreet and lightweight, these 5.8g wireless earbuds come with three conical-shaped earbud tip sizes engineered to minimize pressure in the ear while also providing ideal audio isolation. The advanced, adjustable sidetone technology (low, medium, or high) keeps you aware of how loud you are speaking, so you aren’t straining your voice.
Multipoint Support
The multipoint technology lets you connect to up to two Bluetooth devices at a time without resyncing, wheel spinning, or searching for a signal. Seamlessly manage calls between your mobile phone and PC without missing a beat.
Go Wireless with Wired Sources
The touchscreen charge case includes a 3.5mm audio port, so you can connect an external source, like an inflight entertainment system, and enjoy the movie without wires. The version includes a USB-A dongle that transmits wireless audio from USB devices.
Engineered for Enterprise Use
The Voyager Free 60+ UC comes with Poly Lens desktop, iPhone, and Android apps, so users and IT can customize the experience. And because they were optimized for use with communications platforms and have certifications from the leading virtual meeting providers, they will deliver the highest standard of audio quality on their platforms. Using the Lens Cloud management software, IT can also proactively provision and manage an entire deployment of Poly headsets, and gain insights and analytics on the health of the entire estate.

Rock Duo The Manic Boys And Girls Club’s “We’ll Be Fine” New Single Is Out Now

Eric Alper
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Rock Duo The Manic Boys And Girls Club’s “We’ll Be Fine” New Single Is Out Now

Canadian rock duo The Manic Boys and Girls Club consists of co-fronts and siblings Bela and Fernando Ferreira, whose haunting music is a mix of her vocals and his harmony blended with synth, guitar, and undertones of rock and pop. Their personal, introspective lyrics are informed by the pair’s upbringing as strict Catholics in rural Portugal. “The Manic Boys and Girls Club is more than a band,” they explain. “It is an escape from the submissive existence that was reality, an escape from the disposable music packaged for the masses, and an escape for any misfit looking to join the club.”

“We’ll Be Fine” the latest single from their acclaimed self-titled EP, the collection of five songs recounts the two loners’ experiences touring in a van, as well as interpersonal relationships. “Every song starts with a lyric and a melody,” they say. “No matter how it is produced, every one of our songs can be a lullaby.”

But they did lose some sleep perfecting “We’ll Be Fine.” There are songs that “come together super-fast and you know exactly what you hear in your head; this was not the case for ‘We’ll Be Fine.’ I think,” offers Fernando, “because it has always been a pretty important song to us, since the first demos or voice memo versions of its existence. So… we explored and spent many hours messing around with guitar tones and ambient soundscapes, we rearranged and made rewrite after rewrite a lot before mixing. Bela wanted to go back into the studio and re-do some vocals. Gavin Brown (who was producing and mixing) was very much against the idea. So, we did the obvious appropriate thing: We waited till he was away for a weekend, booked the studio and engineer, and, on our own, did it anyway!”

Forget about the life we left behind
Forget about the drugs that kept us high
We were born for so much more
Our time is now
Forget about the books we never read
Forget about the words we could have said
We were born for so much more
Our time is now

The inspiration behind the song is just personal experience, says Fernando. “I don’t think either of us is really able to give life advice to anyone… but the idea is to have hope in the future. It’s like, ‘Yeah, we’ve made mistakes,’ but all we can do is live in the present, look forward, and not have our future affected by whatever regret, or past, is weighing us down.”

Country Blues Rockers The Prairie Dogz Can “Almost See The Sun” In New Single

Eric Alper
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Country Blues Rockers The Prairie Dogz Can “Almost See The Sun” In New Single

Okotoks, Alberta-based country-rock and blues band The Prairie Dogz announce the release of their new single, “Almost See the Sun,” this month. The song is a hard-driving, heartfelt exploration of how to cope with the feelings of isolation and lack of connection that have no-doubt plagued many over the past few years.

The song’s narrator “finds himself in a dystopian world, in a society suffering from years of oppression,” vocalist and co-writer Keith Hambrook says. “He sees the loss of hope on peoples’ faces but finds solace and peace by seeing the woman he loves. He gains a brighter perspective because of his connection with her.” It’s that holding out for hope of a happier future that keeps him going in bleak times, with the hard-rock riffs and rhythms bolstering the emotional lyrics.

“Break down these walls that kept us alone/ Through the grace of God, I’m coming home,” Kohen sings.

The track was produced in collaboration with Calgary’s Jeff Muller and the Oregon-based Ron Nevison (Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, Heart). It was Nevison’s idea to recruit the participation of renowned drummer Denny Fongheiser (Heart, Tracy Chapman, Counting Crows, Theme song from “Friends,” “Hakuna Matata”).

“It was humbling to work with people responsible for so much iconic music,” Hambrook says.

The current five-piece lineup of The Prairie Dogz includes Kohen on lead vocals, Hambrook on guitar, vocals and keyboard;; Terry Studd on guitar and vocals; Dave Fast on bass; and Martin Wright on drums.

Hambrook, Kohen and Studd first met as members of a successful classic-rock cover band and decided after years of touring together that it was time to strike out on their own. They owe their sound in part to the blend of Kohen’s blues-influenced vocals and Hambrook’s rock guitar stylings, while their country credibility comes straight from lives spent on those wild Alberta prairies.

From party anthems to moving ballads, The Prairie Dogz aim to not only entertain but also challenge themselves – and each other – to express themselves the best they can.
“We are constantly pushing each other to share our deepest thoughts, fears, joys and sorrows in our lyrics,” according to the band. “We talk about it all the time and dare each other to take more risks.”

With “Almost See the Sun,” they invite listeners to stand with them as they battle the darkness and look toward the light.

Warner Bros. Discovery Unveils Max Streaming Service

Eric Alper
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Warner Bros. Discovery Unveils Max Streaming Service

Warner Bros. Discovery today introduced Max, its enhanced streaming service, which will launch in the U.S. on May 23. Max is the destination for HBO Originals, Warner Bros. films, Max Originals, the DC universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an expansive offering of kids content, and best-in-class programing across food, home, reality, lifestyle and documentaries from leading brands like HGTV, Food Network, Discovery Channel, TLC, ID and more. Max will stand out amongst streamers by uniquely combining unrivaled breadth and superior quality with iconic franchises and strong product experience, all for great value.

The event included a sneak peek at the launch campaign for Max, which kicks off tomorrow and celebrates the different moods, fandoms and genres that represent Max viewers. The campaign will invite new subscribers to experience Max’s improved product experience and expanded content for everyone in the household.

Max will offer three pricing options, giving subscribers the choice to select which plan best fits the needs of their household.

  • Max Ad-Lite | $9.99/month or $99.99/year
    2 concurrent streams, 1080p resolution, no offline downloads, 5.1 surround sound quality
  • Max Ad Free | $15.99/month or $149.99/year
    2 concurrent streams, 1080 resolution, 30 offline downloads, 5.1 surround sound quality
  • Max Ultimate Ad Free | $19.99/month or $199.99/year
    4 concurrent streams, up to 4K UHD resolution, 100 offline downloads, Dolby Atmos sound quality

Existing HBO Max subscribers will have access to Max at the same price as their HBO Max subscription and can visit http://help.hbomax.com/introducingMax to find out more. Additionally, HBO Max subscribers will still have access to their current plan features for a minimum of six months following launch. HBO Max subscribers’ profiles, settings, watch history, “Continue Watching,” and “My List” items will also migrate to Max so they can pick up streaming right where they left off.

TIME Reveals the 2023 TIME100 List of the 100 Most Influential People in the World

Eric Alper
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TIME Reveals the 2023 TIME100 List of the 100 Most Influential People in the World

Today, TIME reveals the 2023 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The issue has 4 worldwide covers, each highlighting a member of the TIME100: actor Jennifer Coolidge, recording artist Doja Cat, CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger, and actor Michael B. Jordan.

To celebrate the 2023 TIME100 list of the World’s Most Influential People, TIME will host the annual TIME100 Summit Featuring TIME CO2 on April 25 and the TIME100 Gala on April 26.

For the fourth year in a row, TIME Studios and ABC will present a “TIME100” primetime television special, and for the second year in a row, the television special will bring viewers inside the 17th annual TIME100 Gala, airing Sunday, April 30 (7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC, which will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+. The gala will be hosted by Jennifer Coolidge, and feature performances by Doja Cat and Lea Michele, as well as honorary tributes from members of this year’s list, remarks from TIME CEO Jessica Sibley, and more.

The third annual TIME100 Summit Featuring TIME CO2 will convene leaders from the global TIME100 community to spotlight solutions and encourage action toward a better world. Speakers for the day-long event include: filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House, Nancy Pelosi, President and CEO, GLAAD, Sarah Kate Ellis, Founder and President, Dolores Huerta Foundation, Dolores Huerta, and more. Visit Time100summit.com for program and speaker updates.

This year’s TIME100 list includes surprising pairings of the list members and the guest contributors TIME selects to write about them. The twentieth annual list features: Mia Farrow on Jennifer Coolidge, Mary Barra on Bob Iger, Mila Kunis on Zoe Saldaña, Amy Poehler on Aubrey Plaza, Hillary Rodham Clinton on Oleksandra Matviichuk, Tina Turner on Angela Bassett, Sue Bird on Brittney Griner, Yo-Yo Ma on Laurene Powell Jobs, Jimmy Fallon on Drew Barrymore, Emma Stone on Nathan Fielder, Bill Frist on Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi on Hakeem Jeffries, and more.

The 2023 TIME100 features 16 climate leaders, a record number for the list, including Anthony Albanese, Gustavo Petro, Catherine Coleman Flowers, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Robin Zeng and more.

Entertainers on this year’s list include: Jennifer Coolidge, Michael B. Jordan, Austin Butler, Zoe Saldaña, Angela Bassett, Aubrey Plaza, Colin Farrell, Drew Barrymore, Jerrod Carmichael, Ali Wong, Salma Hayek Pinault, Nathan Fielder and more.

Athletes on this year’s list include: Patrick Mahomes II, Lionel Messi, Brittney Griner, Iga Swiatek, Kylian Mbappé and Mikaela Shiffrin.

Journalists on this year’s list include: Evan Gershkovich, Elaheh Mohammadi, Niloofar Hamedi, Imara Jones and more.

This year’s list features 50 women, including Jennifer Coolidge, Beyoncé, Laurene Powell Jobs, Karen Lynch, Doja Cat, Lea Michele, Kate Orff, Colleen Hoover, Brittney Griner, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Cindy McCain, Sarah Kate Ellis, Angela Bassett, Bella Hadid and others.

The list features U.S. President Joe Biden, and other U.S. political figures including Hakeem Jeffries, Mitch McConnell, Janet Yellen, Samuel Alito and more.

Other notable writers include Nicole Kidman, Justin Trudeau, Tina Turner, Penelope Cruz, Tom Hiddleston, Mila Kunis, Taika Waititi, Jamie Lee Curtis, Venus Williams, Tiffany Haddish, Sue Bird, Yo-Yo Ma, Peyton Manning, Cate Blanchett and more.

Joe Biden is on the list for the 6th time, more than any other person on the list this year. Other repeats include: Elon Musk (5), Janet Yellen (4), Lionel Messi (3), Beyoncé (3), Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (3), Mitch McConnell (3) and more.

Iga Swiatek, 21 years old, is the youngest person on this year’s list. The oldest person on this year’s list is Judy Blume,  who is 85 years old.

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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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