Taking the kids down to Paradise City, here are the young ‘uns reaction to Guns N’ Roses.
Fred Penner Announces “Hear The Music” Album Featuring Ron Sexsmith, Basia Bulat, Bahamas, Alex Cuba
3-time Juno Award winning singer-songwriter Fred Penner will release his new star-studded album, Hear The Music, on April 21 via Linus Entertainment. Fred also announces his CD release party will be part of Canadian Music Week, on April 23 at Lula Lounge with tickets onsale now here.
“This album is dedicated to all you ‘Fred Heads,’ young and old who have travelled with me on this musical journey,” Fred says. “Considering I’ve been on the road for 45 years, there are now three generations of families who continue to inspire me to make music.”
Fred Heads are a growing phenomenon – Generation Y and millennial hipsters whose early childhood was spent listening to Fred are now showing up as adoring 18 – 35 year old fans at Fred Penner concerts at clubs, colleges and universities. They include many popular new recording artists, a number of which jumped at the chance to work with Fred on Hear The Music.
Hear The Music features a roll call of marquee Canadian talent including Ron Sexsmith, Alex Cuba, Basia Bulat, The Good Lovelies, Terra Lightfoot, Afie Jurvanen (a.k.a Bahamas) plus backup vocals from Fred’s own family, all tethered to the sterling production of long-time collaborator Ken Whiteley.
Fred Penner could be forgiven for wanting to hang up his guitar and just relax.
As Canada’s foremost family entertainer, the genial singer/songwriter really has nothing left to prove. Witness his 12 previous albums with their 10 JUNO Award nominations and three wins. See also Fred’s 12 seasons (and nearly 950 episodes!) hosting the hit CBC TV show, Fred Penner’s Place.
There’s also his performances alongside luminaries including (but not limited to) Gordon Lightfoot, Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, Raffi, Sharon Lois & Bram and Buffy Sainte-Marie; his status as the first kid’s performer to headline the Los Angeles Amphitheater; his honourary doctorates and his prestigious Member of the Order of Canada and Member of the Order of Manitoba.
Oh, and let’s not forget his winning turn as emcee of the cutting-edge 2015 Polaris Music Prize or his altruistic, globe-trotting work as an Ambassador for World Vision.
All fabulous and notable. But at the end of the day, Fred loves making music and connecting with audiences of all ages. And so, despite a resume as long as it is glittery, Fred Penner is set to return with lucky album number 13, Hear The Music.
Says Fred: “Hear The Music brings me together again with my dear friend, producer Ken Whiteley, who so lovingly guided me through the process of making this album. I am honoured to have worked with him and the wealth of passionate, talented musicians who provided their creativity and support on this exciting project!”
With 14 songs played by an acclaimed roster of musicians (jazz bassist George Koller, saxophonist Mike Murley) and with Fred himself on guitar, ukulele, harmonica, flute and jawharp, Hear The Music truly has something for everyone.
“I’ve known Fred for over 35 years, including making four albums together,” says producer Ken Whiteley who added guitar, banjo, mandolin and piano to the new album. “I’ve watched generations embrace Fred’s music and it’s been wonderful to see not just kids and families but lots of young adults excited by his work.
“Fred came into this project with a batch of great songs. It was fantastic to see his growth as an artist – musically, lyrically and philosophically. The focused, clear voice and the positive twinkle in his eyes were still there but deepened and enriched with maturation.”
No doubt about it: Hear The Music is a wonderful achievement in a career chock-full of them and a terrific reason for Fred Penner to hit the road for a series of highly anticipated shows throughout 2017.
Really, why retire when the ears of the whole world are waiting?
Hear The Music track listing
I Hear The Music (feat. Terra Lightfoot)
Bienvenue (feat. Rosalyn Denett, Damien Penner, Hayley Gene Penner, Danica Penner, Kendra Penner)
This Is My World (feat. Ron Sexsmith)
Working Together (feat. Afie Jurvanen aka Bahamas)
Humility (feat. Terra Lightfoot and The Good Lovelies)
La Vida (feat. Alex Cuba and Basia Bulat)
Hold Your Head Up (feat. Jaron Freeman-Fox)
Children’s Garden (feat. Rosalyn Dennett)
Angels In The Snow (ft. Damien Penner, Hayley Gene Penner, Danica Penner, Kendra Penner, Dan Wiebe)
Courage (feat. Jackie Richardson)
Celebrate Being
Catcher Of The Dreams (feat. Basia Bulat)
Stumble (feat. Damien Penner)
The River Will Bend (feat. Ron Sexsmith and Afie Jurvanen)
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
March 28 – Churchill, MB – Aurora Winterfest- Town of Churchill Complex Gym
April 19 – Brampton, ON – Rose Theatre
April 22 – Ottawa, ON – Shenkman Arts Center
April 23- Toronto, ON – Lula Lounge – Buy Tickets
Ryan Reynolds Just Released The ‘Deadpool 2’ Official Teaser Clip
Deadpool himself, Ryan Reynolds, just shared this hilarious, uncensored sneak peek at Marvel’s Deadpool 2 with this short film. None of its footage will appear in Deadpool 2.
He wrote “Wade and the other girls from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants plan a trip to Cabot Cove.”
Yeah, exactly.
President George W. Bush Reveals If Impressions Bothered Him
Being president comes with having many impersonations done of you. President Bush reveals whether or not Will Ferrell’s impression bothered him.
The story behind the iconic music ice cream trucks play
Yes, there is a good reason that ice cream trucks generally sound the same in every city and town across America, at least the ones where such vehicles are still welcome. (Phooey on Bloomington and its fancy-schmancy noise ordinances.) Apart from a few rogue trucks that play their own music, most professional ice cream distribution vehicles come complete with a music box from Nichols Electronics. Today, Mark Nichols and his wife, Beth, are carrying on a business founded by Nichols’ father back in the 1950s. The company’s “all-star” model is something called the Digital II, capable of playing eight different songs. And how, exactly, did the company decide on which songs to use? “The Entertainer” became a staple after it was reintroduced in 1973’s The Sting. As for the other songs, what’s important is that they’re not copyright protected. “It isn’t worth getting in trouble over rights issues,” Nichols explains. Besides, by using the same few songs over and over, those very tunes have become virtually synonymous with ice cream consumption in the minds of many.
The History of the Boombox
Before iPods (or even CDs) there were boomboxes. It’s been 20 years since they disappeared from the streets, but the nostalgia they evoke is about more than stereo equipment. We’ve changed the way we listen to music — and to each other.
Video: Sandy Pearlman Explains It All
A world-class raconteur with a depth of musical knowledge that is still virtually unmatched today, Sandy Pearlman was best known as a producer (Blue Oyster Cult, The Clash, Dream Syndicate, Black Sabbath, Dictators, and many others). He was described as the “Hunter Thompson of rock, a gonzo producer of searing intellect and vast vision,” in the Billboard Producer Directory. He taught at McGill, Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley, the New School and many other institutions, and owns Alpha and Omega Recording Studio in San Rafael, California. Pearlman sat down for a fast-moving conversation with Casey Rae, executive director of the Future of Music Coalition, during the 2013 Future of Music Summit in Washington, DC and well worth a watch.
Steve Martin Joins MasterClass to Teach Comedy
MasterClass announced today that actor and comedy legend Steve Martin will offer his first ever online class exclusively with MasterClass. Pre-enrollment for the class begins today at www.masterclass.com/sm.
Considered one of the greatest standup comedians of all time, Martin is also an actor, writer, producer and musician. He broke out into the comedy business in the 60s as a writer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” and later as a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show.” Since the 80s, Martin branched off from the comedy realm becoming a successful actor, author, playwright, and banjo player who has earned Emmy, Grammy and American Comedy awards among others. In 2004, Comedy Central ranked Martin at 6th place in a list of the 100 greatest stand-up comics. He was awarded an Honorary Academy Award at the Academy’s 5th Annual Governors Awards in 2013. Martin holds the 2nd highest record for the most times guest hosting “Saturday Night Live,” 2nd only to Alec Baldwin.
In his first-ever MasterClass, Steve Martin will share insights from his 50-year career spanning sold-out arenas and blockbuster films. Students will gain access to the mind of a comedy genius and learn how to find their voice, gather material, develop an act, and take their writing to the next level.
“I’m so honored to be invited into your home, phone, or wearable,” said Steve Martin, MasterClass instructor.
MasterClass provides online classes from world-renowned instructors, making it possible for anyone to learn from the best. Each class offers a unique learning experience which includes video lessons from the instructor, interactive exercises, course materials, peer interaction, and more. All classes are available online for individual purchase at www.masterclass.com for $90 each.
That Time Grace Jones Did A TV Ad For The Citroen CX Car
Randked on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll, and honored with a Q Idol Award, Grace Jones has been an inspiration for artists including Annie Lennox, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Lorde, Róisín Murphy, Brazilian Girls, Nile Rodgers, Santigold, Basement Jaxx and so many more. In the ’80s, she took some time out to do a car ad asking you again to Pull Up to the Bumper.