Page 2481 – That Eric Alper

CCMA Awards Nominees: Dean Brody, James Barker Band & Brett Kissel Lead The Way

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Jul 12, 2017

CCMA Awards Nominees: Dean Brody, James Barker Band & Brett Kissel Lead The Way

The Canadian Country Music Association is pleased to announce the final nominees in 34 CCMA Award categories today, 8 of which will be presented during the 2017 CCMA Awards Show, to be broadcast from the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Sunday, September 10 at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) on CBC.

First-time nominees, the James Barker Band have an impressive five nominations: Album of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, Rising Star, Single of the Year and Video of the Year. Lead singer, James Barker, is also nominated for Songwriters of the Year (presented by ole) alongside Gavin Slate, Travis Wood and Donovan Woods for the James Barker Band single, “Chills”. Dean Brody can celebrate five nominations in the categories of Apple Music Fans’ Choice, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year and Songwriter of the Year (presented by ole) for his single, “Time”. Brett Kissel also boasts five nods including Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year and Interactive Artist of the Year, as well as Songwriters of the Year (presented by ole) with Ted Hewitt and Phil O’Donnell for his single, “Cool With That”.

With four nominations is Dallas Smith, who heads into CCMA Awards season in the categories of Apple Music Fans’ Choice, Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year. And with three nominations each are High Valley: Apple Music Fans Choice, Album of the Year and Group or Duo of the Year and Meghan Patrick: Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and Rising Star.

See the list of nominees below:

ARTIST AWARDS

APPLE MUSIC FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
Gord Bamford
Dean Brody
Chad Brownlee
High Valley
Dallas Smith

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Dean Brody – Beautiful Freakshow
High Valley – Dear Life
Dallas Smith – Side Effects
Meghan Patrick – Grace & Grit
James Barker Band – Game On

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lindsay Ell
Madeline Merlo
Jess Moskaluke
Meghan Patrick
Alee

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford
Brett Kissel
Aaron Pritchett
Tim Hicks
Chad Brownlee
Dallas Smith

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Cold Creek County
High Valley
James Barker Band
The Road Hammers
Washboard Union

ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Lovelocks
Jessica Mitchell
Lindi Ortega
JJ Shiplett
The Washboard Union

RISING STAR
Dan Davidson
Aaron Goodvin
JoJo Mason
Meghan Patrick
James Barker Band

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Autograph – Dallas Smith
Cool With That – Brett Kissel
Lawn Chair Lazy – James Barker Band
Take Me Home – Jess Moskaluke
Time – Dean Brody

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Brett Kissel – I Didn’t Fall in Love With Your Hair
James Barker Band – Chills
Chris Buck Band feat. Kira Isabella – That’s When You Know
Dean Brody – Time
Aaron Pritchett – When A Momma’s Boy Meets A Daddy’s Girl

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR presented by ole
James Barker, Gavin Slate, Travis Wood, Donovan Woods
Song: Chills (Performed By: James Barker Band)
Ted Hewitt, Brett Kissel, Phil O’Donnell
Song: Cool With That (Performed By: Brett Kissel)
Clayton Bellamy, Dan Davidson
Song: Found (Performed By: Dan Davidson)
Dean Brody
Song: Time (Performed By: Dean Brody)
Patricia Conroy, Jessica Mitchell, David Thomson
Song: Workin’ On Whiskey (Performed By: Jessica Mitchell)

INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Shae Dupuy
Tim Hicks
Hunter Brothers
Brett Kissel
Wes Mac

MUSICIAN AWARDS
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chris Byrne
Lisa Dodd
Justin Kudding
James Murdoch
Travis Switzer

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Jimmy Boudreau
Ben Bradley
Jayson Brinkworth
Rich DaSilva
Chad Melchert

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Denis Dufresne
Shane Guse
Julie Kennedy
Mike Sanyshyn
Tyler Vollrath

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Derek Caven
Ryan Davidson
Matt McKay
Darren Savard
Brennan Wall

KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Scott Galloway
Mike Little
Bart McKay
Carly McKillip

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Denis Dufresne – Banjo
Shane Guse – Mandolin
Tyler Vollrath – Mandolin

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
John Ellis
Smokey Fennell
Mitch Jay
Doug Johnson
Scott Smith

RADIO AWARDS

MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR- LARGE MARKET
Larry Donohue – CFCW – Edmonton, AB
Steph Hansen – CKRY-FM/CISN-FM – Calgary, AB/Edmonton, AB
Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON
Brittany Thompson – CKKL-FM – Ottawa, ON
Peter Walker – CJKX-FM – Oshawa, ON

MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR- MEDIUM OR SMALL MARKET
Shilo Bellis – CJXL-FM – Moncton, NB
Paul Ferguson – CHCQ-FM – Belleville, ON
Cal Gratton – CJVR-FM – Melfort, SK
Roo Phelps – CIGV-FM, Kelowna, BC
Brendan Seeley – CKGY-FM – Red Deer, AB

INDUSTRY AWARDS

BOOKING AGENCY OF THE YEAR
The Feldman Agency
Invictus Entertainment Group
Paquin Artists Agency
Sakamoto Agency
United Talent Agency

COUNTRY CLUB OF THE YEAR
Boots & Bourbon Saloon – Toronto, ON
Cook County Saloon – Edmonton, AB
Cowboys Dance Hall – Calgary, AB
Knoxville’s Tavern – Edmonton, AB
Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall – Calgary, AB

COUNTRY FESTIVAL, FAIR, OR EXHIBITION OF THE YEAR
Boots And Hearts Music Festival – Oro-Medonte, ON
Big Valley Jamboree – Camrose, AB
Calgary Stampede – Calgary, AB
Cavendish Beach Music Festival – Cavendish, PE
Rockin’ River Country MusicFest – Merritt, BC

COUNTRY MUSIC PROGRAM OR SPECIAL OF THE YEAR
Brett Kissel – Home Movie – Corus Entertainment
Canadian Coast To Coast – Fabmar Communications
Chevy Top 20 Countdown – Corus Entertainment
Coors Banquet One Horse Town – Corus Entertainment
The Casey Clarke Show With Roo Phelps – Casey Clarke Productions

MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Chief Music Management
Gold & Gold Productions Ltd.
Invictus Entertainment Group
MDM Recordings Inc.
RGK Entertainment Group Inc.

MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR
ole
Royalty Music Publishing Inc.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Canada
Universal Music Publishing Canada
Warner/Chappell Music Canada

RECORD COMPANY OF THE YEAR
MDM Recordings Inc.
ole red dot
Open Road Recordings Inc.
Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc.
Warner Music Canada

RECORDING PACKAGE OF THE YEAR
Design Team: Mitchell Nevins Photography: Phil Crozier
Album: Beautiful Freakshow (Artist: Dean Brody)
Design Team: Mitchell Nevins
Album: Echo Road: The Best of Doc Walker (Artist: Doc Walker)
Design Team: Mitchell Nevins Photography: Phil Crozier
Album: Shake These Walls (Artist: Tim Hicks)
Design Team: Janelle Shiplett Photography: Brent Mykytyshyn, Ari Heinikainen, Mike Peleshok
Album: Something To Believe In (Artist: JJ Shiplett)
Design Team: Mitchell Nevins, Madeline Merlo
Single: War Paint (Artist: Madeline Merlo)

RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR
Bark McKay Productions – Saskatoon, SK
Barrytone Studios – St. Clements, ON
MCC Recording Studio – Calgary, AB
OCL Studios – Chestermere, AB
Revolution Recording – Toronto, ON

RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR
Chris Baseford, Vince Gill, Jeff Johnson, Chad Kroeger, Carly McKillip, Justin Niebank
Album: Grace & Grit (Artist: Meghan Patrick)
Scott Cooke
Album: The Score (Artist: Aaron Pritchett)
Scott Cooke, Ben Glover, Mitch Merrett
Album: Hearts On Fire (Artist: Chad Brownlee)
Joey Moi
Album: Side Effects (Artist: Dallas Smith)
Phil O’Donnell
Album: Tin Roof (Artist: Gord Bamford)

RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Apple Canada
Spotify Canada Inc.
Sunrise Records
Walmart Canada

RON SAKAMOTO TALENT BUYER OR PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Kelly Berehulka – Casinos Of Winnipeg
Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency
Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment Group
Adam Oppenheim – Stampede Entertainment Inc.
Emmanuel Patterson – Live Nation Entertainment

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Stephano Barberis
Video: I Hate You For It (Artist: Chad Brownlee), Video: One Little Kiss (Artist: Dallas Smith), Video: Red Dress, (Artist: JoJo Mason), Video: Somethin’ We Shouldn’t Do (Artist: Chad Brownlee), Video: Summer Girl (Artist: Bucko & Toad), Video: Time (Artist: Dean Brody)
Emma Higgins
Video: Still Loving You (Artist: Meghan Patrick)
Ben Knechtel
Video: Chills (Artist: James Barker Band), Video: Cool With That (Artist: Brett Kissel), Video: Drive Me Away (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: Elevator (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: Every Week’s Got A Friday (Artist: High Valley), Video: Starts With A Girl (Artist: David James)
Travis Nesbitt
Video: Found (Artist: Dan Davidson)
Joel Stewart
Video: I Didn’t Fall In Love With Your Hair (Artist: Brett Kissel)
Forty-two (42) CCMA Awards will be given out over three (3) awards ceremonies during PotashCorp Country Music Week in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, September 7-10. Ticket and event information regarding PotashCorp Country Music Week can be found at ccma.org. Performers for the 2017 CCMA Awards Show will be announced in the coming weeks. Already announced to perform are Dean Brody, Brett Kissel and Jess Moskaluke.

Tickets for the 2017 CCMA Awards Show are still available and can be purchased online HERE, by calling 1-800-970-7328, or by visiting the SaskTel Centre Box Office (3515 Thatcher Ave., Saskatoon, SK).

For more information on the 2017 CCMA Awards Show or PotashCorp Country Music Week, visit ccma.org.

Sass Jordan’s Acclaimed “Racine” Album To Be Re-Imagined As “Racine Revisited” Released September 15

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Jul 12, 2017

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Sass Jordan’s Acclaimed “Racine” Album To Be Re-Imagined As “Racine Revisited” Released September 15

Sass Jordan’s breakout major-label masterpiece, Racine, is being re-imagined and released as Racine Revisited, a brilliant record with updated versions of each song on September 15 via Linus Entertainment.

This classic album signified an evolution for Jordan and a critical turning point in her career, reaching #2 on the Billboard US Heat Album Chart, the highest position so far in her esteemed career.

Racine was released March 31, 1992, just a few weeks after Jordan entered the spotlight with her 4 Top 15 Canadian hits “I Want to Believe”, “Goin’ Back Again”, “Make You a Believer”, and “You Don’t Have to Remind Me”, with the latter two hitting #11 and #12, respectively on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. With the resources of her new label MCA Records and the help of producer Rick Neigher, Jordan embraced the opportunity to create a brassy, swaggering nugget of electric barroom crunch that draws from the same well as Rod Stewart and The Faces. Racine found Jordan with swagger to spare, barbed one-liners, and shades of rich, spirited rock.

Universally hailed upon release, Racine topped the critics best of lists in 1992 and continues to resonate on rock radio, 25 years later. So, why go back? As Jordan says in her own words, the album’s release date is “A milestone for any musical recording that sold as much as it did. So, we decided to throw a year long celebration in it’s honour, which gives all the fans a chance to connect and reminisce about where you were, what you were doing, and how far you’ve come since then.”

Jordan explains this was not a throwaway idea. “Re-recording such a landmark album was not a venture that we took lightly, because once you release your music to the world, it becomes the emotional property of anyone who connects with it, and rightly so. We wanted to be true to the original recording, but to do something we had never heard of before.”

That doesn’t mean using updated technologies or in-fashion sounds of today. Jordan says, “Instead of doing the obvious, and updating the vibe, and making it all shiny, sparkly, hissy and huge – why don’t we recreate the record as if we were IN the ‘70’s, and try to make it sound like it would have if it had been recorded during that seminal decade – where the original recording drew its roots from? What would THAT be like?”

With an all-star and confident cast of Rudy Sarzo on bass, Brent Fitz on drums and percussion, Chris Caddell on guitars and Derek Sharp on guitars, keyboards and production duty, one listen and you’ll know this were the combo that made sense for this delicate undertaking.

What you hear in Racine Revisited is what happened – no click tracks and no auto-tune. This record was made with great care and precision to be played LOUD and PROUD.

Racine Revisited Track Listing:
Make You a Believer
If You’re Gonna Love Me
You Don’t Have to Remind Me
Who Do You Think You Are
Windin’ Me Up
I Want to Believe
Goin’ Back Again
Do What Ya Want
Cry Baby
Where There’s a Will
Time Flies

Sass Jordan Tour Dates:
August 11, 2017 Cold Lake Energy Centre Cold Lake, ON
August 12, 2017 Prospera Place Kelowna, BC
August 19, 2017 William Hawrelak Park Edmonton, AB
September 9, 2017 CFB Kingston Family Fun Festival Kingston, ON
September 14, 2017 Paard Van Troke Den Haag, NLD
September 15, 2017 Luxor Live Arnhem, NLD
September 16, 2017 Jungle Club Koln, DEU
September 17, 2017 Breda Barst Breda. NLD
September 19, 2017 Quasimodo Berlin, DEU
September 21, 2017 Neushoorn Leeuwarden, NLD
September 22, 2017 De Spot Middelburg, NLD
September 23, 2017 Metropool Hengelo, NLD
September 24, 2017 Bosuil Weert, NLD
November 2, 2017 Market Hall Peterborough, ON
November 4, 2017 Avalon Lounge Whitby, ON
November 7, 2017 National Arts Centre Ottawa, ON
November 9, 2017 Old Town Hall Bayfield, ON
November 10, 2017 Heartwood Concert Hall Owen Sound, ON
November 11, 2017 Deerhurst Resort Huntsville, ON
November 15, 2017 Aeolian Hall London, ON

The Vans x Peanuts Collection Has Launched

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Jul 12, 2017

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The Vans x Peanuts Collection Has Launched

With a partnership dating back to the early 1980’s, Vans brings forth the third installment of Vans x Peanuts designs, highlighting characters from Charles M. Schulz’s beloved Peanuts gang. Using vintage illustrations from the late ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, Vans designers bring “Off The Wall” elements to iconic Peanuts moments that remain true to Vans’ unique design aesthetic. The Vans x Peanuts collection of footwear, apparel and accessories launches in Canada June 16th.

The Vans x Peanuts collection features six core designs across a variety of silhouettes within the Vans Classics, Surf and Apparel collections. Peanuts protagonist, Charlie Brown, kicks off the collection quite literally as he is seen on a men’s pocket tee and raglan pushing his way on skateboard in pair of Old Skools. Cop his steez with a pair of Old Skools outfitted in yellow canvas and black suede, showcasing a chevron Sidestripe and “Good Grief” embroidered atop the tongue of each shoe.

Not to be outdone, Snoopy, his alter ego Joe Cool and his pal Woodstock are featured throughout the men’s and women’s apparel offering. Joe Cool is highlighted in an allover character print on a men’s white button down and hangs out on a Vans’ flying “V” logo on the back of the Torrey coach’s jacket. Within the women’s selection, Joe Cool is featured on a black and white striped backpack, polo dress and crew sweatshirt. The monotone assortment matches down to the sole with a black and white Sk8-Hi and Slide-On Sandal that shows the profiles of a shade-clad Woodstock and Joe Cool.

The loveable Snoopy can be found skateboarding holding his checkerboard water bowl across the Authentic and Old Skool II backpack, sleeping on a Sidestripe of dog bones on the SK8-Hi Reissue, and hiding in a red fringe dog house on the Sk8-Hi Moc. His playful nature is perfectly showcased on the Classic Slip-On as he tries to steal a kiss from Lucy on the vamp and puts the lip smack on Charlie Brown on the heel counter.

For a limited time, Vans Customs will offer two exclusive Vans x Peanuts prints that will allow you to create your very own Vans x Peanuts design.The two exclusive prints include an all-over collage of the entire Peanuts Gang atop a white canvas backdrop and a Checkerboard Snoopy and Woodstock print. For the first time ever, you are able to mix and match both of the Vans x Peanuts custom prints together alongside a range of colors, materials and patterns on the Vans Customs website. To create your very own Vans x Peanuts Customs please visit Vans Customs beginning June 16th!

Peanuts fans will be able to choose from countless renditions of the limited Vans x Peanuts designs across men’s and women’s footwear, apparel and accessories, while tiny tykes will get a downsized assortment of the Classic footwear options.

Ever Want To Hear Lou Reed Reading Out Porn Ads? Here You Go

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Jul 12, 2017

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Ever Want To Hear Lou Reed Reading Out Porn Ads? Here You Go

Ok, so. Here’s Lou Reed reading various taglines from XXX movies and advertisements. It’s NFSW, and I’ll likely be banned forever from WordPress for this. So. Yeah.

Watch Jason Isbell on Charlie Rose

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Jul 11, 2017

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An interview and performance from Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Isbell.

National Music Centre launches special exhibition dedicated to k.d. lang on July 11

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Jul 11, 2017

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National Music Centre launches special exhibition dedicated to k.d. lang on July 11

The National Music Centre is pleased to launch a new temporary exhibition honouring iconic Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang.

The exhibition, called Big, Big Love: k.d. lang on Stage, will be in the National Bank Private Banking 1859 Special Exhibitions Gallery on Level 5 of Studio Bell, and trace the versatile performer’s evolution as one of Canada’s most-loved artists.

“Working on this exhibition with NMC made me look back a bit on my life as a performance artist challenging norms, and how my evolving style became just as important as the performance itself,” said k.d. lang. “I hope the public enjoys the exhibition as much as I’ve enjoyed performing in those pieces and playing those instruments over my career. I can’t think of a place more suited than Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, to preserve those memories and share them with my fans.”

Through a range of visual displays, visitors will experience lang’s eclectic repertoire, from cow punk to Nashville country classics to Broadway standards and cabaret-influenced tunes—and the thrift store finds and unique designer pieces to match, among them clothing designed for her hit songs, “Miss Chatelaine” and “Constant Craving.”

“NMC worked closely with lang to develop the exhibition and showcase over 20 artifacts, including an array of textiles that capture shifts in her sense of style and individuality as a performer,” said Adam Fox, NMC’s director of programs. “We are thrilled to celebrate the career and creativity of a true Alberta original.”

The exhibition also includes instruments owned and used by lang, and touches on her breakthrough album Ingénue (1992)— which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2017 with an extensive Canadian tour—along with back stories about her performance at the Calgary Olympics (1988), and insights shared by lang herself during a recent NMC exclusive interview about the impact of place and home on her career.
Big, Big Love: k.d. lang on Stage is accessible with paid admission to Studio Bell, and will run from July 11, 2017 to June 1, 2018. Studio Bell will be open seven days a week for the month of July 2017 and is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Regular admission to Studio Bell is $18 for adults, $14 for students/seniors, $11 for children (3-12 years of age), and free for children under 3 years of age.

Van Morrison announces his 37th studio album “Roll With The Punches” and 2017 Tour

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Jul 11, 2017

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Van Morrison announces his 37th studio album “Roll With The Punches” and 2017 Tour

Van Morrison has announced the release of his 37th studio album entitled Roll With The Punches.

Working with Chris Farlowe, Georgie Fame and Jeff Beck, Van the Man is mixing new tunes with classics from the likes of Mose Allison, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bo Diddley and Lightnin’ Hopkins.

“From a very early age, I connected with the blues,” Van reflects. “The thing about the blues is you don’t dissect it – you just do it. I’ve never over-analysed what I do; I just do it. Music has to be about just doing it and that’s the way the blues works – it’s an attitude. I was lucky to have met people who were the real thing – people like John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Bo Diddley, Little Walter & Mose Allison. I got to hang out with them and absorb what they did. They were people with no ego whatsoever and they helped me learn a lot.

“The songs on Roll With The Punches – whether I’ve written them or not – they’re performance oriented,” he continues. “Each song is like a story and I’m performing that story. That’s been forgotten over years because people over-analyse things. I was a performer before I started writing songs and I’ve always felt like that’s what I do.”

Roll With The Punches Track Listing:
‘Roll With the Punches’ (Van Morrison & Don Black)
‘Transformation’ (Van Morrison)
‘I Can Tell’ (Bo Diddley & Samuel Bernard Smith)
‘Stormy Monday/Lonely Avenue’ (T-Bone Walker/Doc Pomus)
‘Goin’ To Chicago’ (Count Basie & Jimmy Rushing)
‘Fame’ (Van Morrison)
‘Too Much Trouble’ (Van Morrison)
‘Bring It On Home To Me’ (Sam Cooke)
‘Ordinary People’ (Van Morrison)
How Far From God (Sister Rosetta Tharpe)
‘Teardrops From My Eyes’ (Rudy Toombs)
‘Automobile Blues’ (Lightnin’ Hopkins)
‘Benediction’ (Mose Allison)
‘Mean Old World’ (Little Walter)
‘Ride On Josephine’ (Bo Diddley)

Van Morrison 2017 Tour Dates:
09/10 – Hershey, PA @ Outlaw Music Festival
09/14 – Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater
10/13 – Rancho Mirage, CA @ The Show At Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa
10/14 – Rancho Mirage, CA @ The Show At Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa
10/20 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
10/21 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
11/06 – Edinburgh, UK @ Edinburgh Playhouse
11/07 – Glasgow, UK @ Glasgow Royal Court
11/12 – London, UK @ London Eventim Apollo
11/13 – Birmingham, UK @ Birmingham Symphony Hall
11/15 – Liverpool, UK @ Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
11/20 – Cardiff, UK @ Cardiff St. David’s Hall
11/21 – Bristol, UK @ Bristol Colston Hall
11/24 – Torquay, UK @ Torquay Princess Theatre
11/25 – Plymouth, UK @ Plymouth Pavilions
12/04 – Belfast, UK @ Belfast Europa Hotel
12/05 – Belfast, UK @ Belfast Europa Hotel

Photo Gallery: Gorillaz at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre

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Jul 11, 2017

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Photo Gallery: Gorillaz at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre

All photos taken by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her a minismemories@hotmail.com

The Most Popular Drum Beat In The World

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Jul 10, 2017

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Drumming is Easy: The Most Popular Drum Beat In The World

Prince’s Paisley Park Announces Battle of the Bands Event

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Jul 10, 2017

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Prince’s Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota has announced dates for a special four-day Battle of the Bands event, titled MUSICOLOGY – Summer 2017, to be held August 31^st through September 3^rd at Paisley Park. This unique live performance event will highlight “Real Music by Real Musicians” – an ethos Prince consistently championed through his life, creative works and incendiary live performances. Nine finalists will be selected from an open pool of video submissions and invited to Paisley Park to perform for a live audience in the legendary Soundstage, the site of countless iconic Prince performances, including the Sign O’ The Times and Rave Un2 the Year 2000 concert films. Music groups interested in participating are invited to enter a video submission today via Paisley Park’s Facebook page; please visit facebook.com/officialpaisleypark for full details and submission criteria. The deadline for submissions is July 30, 2017.

Three artists will perform and one winner will be selected each night between August 31 – September 2, with three overall winners advancing to the final band battle on Sunday, September 3. Between these three finalists, one artist will be crowned the champion and will receive a unique Artist Development award package, consisting of studio recording time at Paisley Park, a mentorship session with members of Prince’s supergroup New Power Generation, and additional career development opportunities soon to be announced.

As a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, producer, band-leader and creative maverick, Prince is an eternal inspiration to musicians everywhere. His creative sanctuary, Paisley Park, is an especially appropriate place to continue fostering music development initiatives – celebrating new artists, new songs and the art and craft of live performance. The MUSICOLOGY event will provide an exclusive opportunity for musicians to connect with new fans, showcase their talents and – through friendly competition – elevate their abilities.

In spirit, the MUSICOLOGY event will be rooted in the band battles that were commonplace in North Minneapolis in the 1970s. Jam sessions among high school friends in basements and community centers, most notably The Way on Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis, evolved into competitive band battles at outdoor parks like North Commons (North Minneapolis) and Phelps Field Park (South Minneapolis). The history is deep, and the competitive spirit at that time helped push forward an incredible mix of musicians, including Prince, André Cymone, Sonny Thompson, Morris Day, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Jellybean Johnson, to name just a few. It was a hugely formative time musically and culturally in Minneapolis, with band battles indelibly shaping the fabric of what was to become the “Minneapolis Sound.”

Sonny Thompson, who would later join Prince in his super-group New Power Generation, notes of that time, “Back in the day, we would often practice at The Way preparing for the Battle of the Band events. I remember other bands would always try to sneak into our space to see what we were doing, but we were always the funkiest! The Family was the name of our band.” Similarly, Jellybean Johnson, who played in Flyte Tyme which later evolved into The Time, adds, “When I grew up in the North Side the competition was fierce! It helped my musical growth immensely! The Family, Grand Central, Flyte Tyme, Cohesion, Mind & Matter, it was a great time in my life! We need that feeling again in our musical community!” And as an inspired call-to-action to musicians and artists everywhere, Prince’s close friend and early band mate in Grand Central, André Cymone, adds, “Music has taken me and my best friend and first bandmate Prince from virtual obscurity to world-wide fame, and it all started with the inspiration of competition. The Minneapolis Sound was born from the Battle of the Bands contests – we took the step and jumped into the game, who’s next?”

The MUSICOLOGY event at Paisley Park will carry on in this spirit – providing an exciting opportunity for new acts and a welcomed live performance experience for fans. In addition to the evening music performances, beginning on August 31^st new exhibition elements will be introduced into the Paisley Park Museum tour that will reflect Prince’s early life and the formative experiences he had in his first band, Grand Central, which included members André Cymone, Chazz Smith, Morris Day, Terry Jackson, Linda Anderson and William “Hollywood” Doughty.

Tickets to MUSICOLOGY – Summer 2017 are now available while supply lasts at the Paisley Park website, OfficialPaisleyPark.com. Single day passes are available for $100. Each daily ticket will include a Special Paisley Park Museum Tour and access to the evening concert between 7-10pm, followed by a dance party in the Soundstage concluding at 11pm. For the latest updates, please visit Paisley Park’s official pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and sign-up for the official newsletter at OfficialPaisleyPark.com.