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Master T Curates Free Black Music Month Celebration at Studio Bell on June 14

Eric Alper
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Master T Curates Free Black Music Month Celebration at Studio Bell on June 14

In honour of Black Music Month, the National Music Centre (NMC) will present a community-driven celebration on Saturday, June 14, featuring free admission all day at Studio Bell, and a lineup of activities curated by MuchMusic legend Master T.

Hosted by acclaimed Alberta hip-hop and R&B artist K-Riz, the event will spotlight the creativity, expression, and heritage of Black music and culture. Neo-soul collective The Rondel Roberts Band will headline, showcasing a blend of ‘70s soul, feel-good funk, classic rock, and golden-era boom-bap rap. Also performing are British-Canadian R&B and grime-infused rap artist Jackie Art, and Nigerian-Canadian Afropop act Skinny Blaiz.

The event will also feature a live talent expo, local food vendors, and a community lane with offerings from Calgary’s Black creative community, from artisans to music industry representatives and recording studio connections. Community lane organizations include RYP Canada, 3rd Verse Studios, and more to be announced.

Emerging Black artists are invited to submit an original song, cover, or spoken word piece by Friday, June 6 at 11:59 pm MT for a chance to perform live at 12 pm on June 14. Selected finalists will perform in front of a live audience and receive real-time feedback from a panel of established musicians. Interested artists can learn more and submit at studiobell.ca/blackmusicmonth.

“As someone who’s spent decades championing Black artists and music in this country, I know how important it is to create platforms that celebrate our stories,” said Master T. “This celebration is about uplifting Black voices and giving young talent the opportunity to shine on a national stage. I’m honoured to curate this event that honours both the legacy and future of Black music in Canada.”

The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.

Peter Jest’s Wild Ride as a Milwaukee Promoter Chronicled in ‘We Had Fun and Nobody Died’ Book

Eric Alper
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Peter Jest’s Wild Ride as a Milwaukee Promoter Chronicled in ‘We Had Fun and Nobody Died’ Book

The entertaining and inspiring story of a stubbornly independent promoter and club owner.

This irreverent biography provides a rare window into the music industry from a promoter’s perspective. From a young age, Peter Jest was determined to make a career in live music, and despite naysayers and obstacles, he did just that, bringing national acts to his college campus at UW–Milwaukee, booking thousands of concerts across Wisconsin and the Midwest, and opening Shank Hall, the beloved Milwaukee venue named after a club in the cult film This Is Spinal Tap.

This funny, nostalgia-inducing book details the lasting friendships Jest established over the years with John Prine, Arlo Guthrie, and Milwaukee’s own Violent Femmes, among others. It also shines a light into the seldom-seen world of music promotion, as Jest attempts to manage a turbulent band on the road, negotiates with agents, deals with fires (both real and metaphorical), struggles through a pandemic, and takes pleasure in presenting music of all kinds—from world-famous acts to up-and-coming local bands. In addition to photos of celebrated musicians, the book includes concert posters, tickets, and backstage passes documenting decades of rock, folk, and alternative shows that helped put Milwaukee on the live music map.

As the music industry has become dominated by profit-driven corporations, We Had Fun and Nobody Died chronicles the career of a one-of-a-kind independent promoter whose hardheadedness and love of music have helped him keep it real and make it in the music business for more than forty years.

John Berry Announces 29th Annual ‘Christmas With John Berry’ Tour

Eric Alper
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John Berry Announces 29th Annual ‘Christmas With John Berry’ Tour

GRAMMY & EMMY award-winning singer/songwriter John Berry is excited to announce the first dates for his 29th Annual ‘Christmas With John Berry’ Tour. With thirteen shows currently slated and more to come, the tour will kick off on November 28 in Sugar Hill, Georgia, and continue through the holiday season.

John Berry takes pride in offering a fresh new show each year while always including popular classics like “Little Drummer Boy,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Let It Snow,” “Mary Did You Know,” and his timeless hit, “O Holy Night.”

“After twenty-nine years, I never could have imagined the incredible blessing of sharing my music while celebrating the birth of Christ,” says Berry. “Robin and I are so grateful to see so many of you return year after year with your loved ones, coming together to embrace the joy of the season. This time of giving means so much to us, and I’m forever thankful for your continued support.”

John Berry is beloved for his holiday shows, where he blends fan-favorite Christmas classics, his biggest hits, and heartfelt holiday memories, creating a truly special experience for everyone in attendance. This year also marks several 30th anniversary milestones of his hit singles “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye,” “I Think About It All The Time,” “O Holy Night,” and “If I Had Any Left At All.”

The 29th Annual ‘Christmas With John Berry’ 2025 Tour Schedule:
NOV 28 – The Eagle @ Sugar Hill / Sugar Hill, Ga.
DEC 02 – Iron & Oak Event Center / Livingston, Tenn.
DEC 03 – The Etherredge Center / Aiken, S.C.
DEC 04 – Jeff’s Music Hall / Jeffersonville, Ind.
DEC 05 – Hastings Performing Arts Center / Hastings, Mich.
DEC 06 – Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts / Fremont, Mich.
DEC 10 – The Grand Oshkosh / Oshkosh, Wis.
DEC 12 – Historic Holmes Theatre / Detroit Lakes, Minn.
DEC 16 – Majestic Theatre / Chillicothe, Ohio
DEC 17 – Cedartown Performing Arts Center / Cedartown, Ga.
DEC 18 – The Classic Center / Athens, Ga.
DEC 19 – Grand Opera House / Macon, Ga.
DEC 20 – Dothan Opera House / Dothan, Ala.

Jamey Johnson Launches ‘The Last Honky Tonk’ Tour With New Songs and Old Soul

Eric Alper
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Jamey Johnson Launches ‘The Last Honky Tonk’ Tour With New Songs and Old Soul

Award-winning country singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson will launch his 36-city headlining tour, The Last Honky Tonk Tour, on June 4 at Wichita Riverfest in Wichita, KS. Tickets are on sale now and more dates will be announced soon.

“The tour will be a lot of fun,” says Johnson. “It’s a chance for us to hang out every night, where we get to walk onstage and show off what we’ve learned over the past 20 years. This is my 20th year on the road, not counting the road gigs I did in the 10 years before that.”

The tour’s name comes from the song he recently recorded, which was the title track of the 2010 album by The Wayne Mills Band, featuring musician Jason “Rowdy” Cope on guitar. “I thought that the name sounded pretty good as a tour name – The Last Honky Tonk Tour,” he adds.

The tour title’s lyrics include, “I’ll be there when they burn the last honky tonk down/
In body, mind, and spirit, under the table, or under the ground/
The fading echoes of a barroom band might be the only sound/
I’ll be there when they burn the last honky tonk down.”

Johnson’s new recording – which was completed with producer Buddy Cannon a few weeks ago – and the tour name are in tribute to Mills and Cope, both of whom were his dear friends. Mills was murdered at a Nashville bar in 2013. Jason “Rowdy” Cope, a member of The Steel Woods who had previously been a member of Johnson’s band, died in 2021 from complications from diabetes.

“When Wayne and Rowdy got together and did that record, that song made it on my radar,” he says. “Back then, I played that song several times with Wayne. We would do it at shows. So, it is one I haven’t done in a while.

“And now Wayne’s son, Jack, is a badass guitar player. He says he learned it all from Rowdy. I don’t doubt that at all. Jack really is something else!

“I thought, ‘Man, his dad would be proud. Let’s break that song out and get Jack to play guitar on it.’ I am proud to have him playing on it.”

This is one of more than 50 new songs Johnson has recorded since releasing Midnight Gasoline, his first new solo album in 14 years, in late 2024. He will preview some of the new songs during this tour and begin releasing them later this year.

“We are going to do some of the new stuff,” Johnson adds. “We will do some of the songs from Midnight Gasoline from last year and all the years before. Whatever album you like, we will do some of those songs.

“It’s exciting to play the new songs,” he says. “I like it when people tell me they have heard the new stuff and they like it. I like it when people have something else to listen to. Sometimes it’s as simple as that.”

The Last Honky Tonk Tour Routing:
June 4, 2025 || Wichita, KS || Wichita Riverfest
June 5, 2025 || Round Rock, TX || Round Rock Amp
June 6, 2025 || Bossier City, LA || Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Resort and Casino
June 7, 2025 || Lake Charles, LA || Golden Nugget Lake Charles
June 12, 2025 || Warren, OH || Packard Music Hall
June 13, 2025 || Detroit, MI || Aertha Franklin Amphitheater
June 14, 2025 || Creighton, PA || Pittsburgh Brewing Company
June 20, 2025 || Albuquerque, NM || Isleta Resort & Casino Showroom
June 21, 2025 || Chandler, AZ || Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
June 22, 2025 || Winchester, CA || Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival
June 26, 2025 || Emigrant, MT || The Old Saloon
June 27, 2025 || Emigrant, MT || The Old Saloon
June 28, 2025 || Whitefish, MT || Big Mountain Ranch Indian Relay Races
July 11, 2025 || Danville, VA || The Pantheon at Caesars Virginia
July 12, 2025 || Somerset, KY || Master Musicians Festival
July 25, 2025 || Franklin, OH || JD Legends
July 26, 2025 || Franklin, OH || JD Legends
August 7, 2025 || Webster MA || Indian Ranch Amphitheatre
August 8, 2025 || Quakertown, PA || Univest Performance Center
August 9, 2025 || Charles Town, WV || Hollywood Casino- The Event Center
August 16, 2025 || Petros, TN || Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary Distillery
August 23 & 24, 2025 || N. Charleston, SC || Marcus King Family Reunion
September 5, 2025 || Cherokee, NC || Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center
September 6, 2025 || Cherokee, NC || Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center
September 11, 2025 || Hot Springs, AR || Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
September 12, 2025 || Pryor, OK || Born & Raised Festival
September 13, 2025 || Helotes, TX || Floores Country Store
September 20, 2025 || New Madrid, MO || New Madrid Riverfront Park
September 21, 2025 || Council Bluffs, IA || Harrah’s Stir Cove
September 26, 2025 || Durant, OK || Choctaw Casino
September 27, 2025 || Fort Worth, TX || Billy Bob’s Texas
October 4, 2025 || Atlantic City, NJ || Tropicana Atlantic City
October 5, 2025 || Verona, NY || Turning Stone Resort Casino
October 10, 2025 || Biloxi, MS || Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
October 17, 2025 || Nashville, TN || Schermerhorn Symphony Center
October 18, 2025 || Nashville, TN || Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Kardinal Offishall Drops Fiery New Single “LET EM OUT” Ahead of ‘Everyday, Sometimes’ EP

Eric Alper
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0
Kardinal Offishall Drops Fiery New Single “LET EM OUT” Ahead of ‘Everyday, Sometimes’ EP

Multi-platinum artist Kardinal Offishall releases the debut single “LET EM OUT” from his long awaited and highly anticipated EP, Everyday, Sometimes.

Widely known as one of Canada’s most iconic award-winning hip hop exports, Kardinal Offishall has long been a torchbearer for musical and cultural authenticity, seamlessly blending Hip-Hop, Jamaican Reggae, and Dancehall influences with a unique homegrown Toronto grit and sound, resulting in a voice and sound that’s unmistakably his own. Self-produced and written entirely by himself, “LET EM OUT” showcases Kardinal releasing a timely, fiery new single that acts as a prelude to a forthcoming collection of some of his best work to date.

“This isn’t just about making noise to cut through—it’s about making truth,” says Kardinal, who also works as a Global A&R Executive at Def Jam Records, helping to shape the sound and direction of today’s music. “I’ve spent years creating sounds that move me, that disrupt the system, that remind me why I fell in love with hip-hop in the first place. It’s the raw, unfiltered kind—the kind that doesn’t beg for approval from anybody. Lately, I’ve been surrounded by a powerful mix of new artists who feel deeply and create fearlessly, and many icons who continue to uphold a certain standard…that energy was the perfect storm for me. ‘LET EM OUT’ wasn’t just a song—it was a release. A way to say: this is who I am now. No compromises. Just music that makes you feel alive!”

ABOUT KARDINAL OFFISHALL:
With a career spanning over two decades, from early underground classics like “Ol’ Time Killin’” all the way to hit singles like “Dangerous” featuring Akon – that made him the first Canadian rapper in history to land in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart – Kardinal’s laundry list of notable collaborations with superstars including Rihanna, Drake, Lady Gaga, Daniel Caesar, Ludacris, and exclusive music being featured on a Dave Chappelle Netflix comedy special, has placed his catalogue in the upper echelon of urban music performers of today.

Kardinal’s first official release since 2019, “LET EM OUT” fuses heavyweight rhythms with an urgent message. Sonically, it lands where Timbaland meets Burna Boy meets Busta Rhymes meets Bounty Killer — a propulsive blend of Hip-Hop, Dancehall, and UK grime influences that feels global yet grounded. Thematically, “LET EM OUT” is about birth and rebirth, street wisdom, and cultural pride. It’s a motivational anthem for those who’ve faced struggle and come out stronger — a soundtrack for staying true, rejecting corruption, and claiming success without forgetting where you come from.

This release comes after years of achievements for Kardinal that include an honorary Doctorate from York University, hosting Canada’s Got Talent alongside stars like Howie Mandel and Shania Twain, and a UWI Luminary award, to name a few. A true multi-hyphenate — artist, producer, executive, and cultural architect — he’s been a voice for the streets, a leader in boardrooms, and a relentless champion for artists and communities alike. From top to bottom, it’s a deeply personal, proudly independent work that reasserts Kardi’s role not just as a hitmaker — but as a visionary. And this track serves as a prelude to a big summer coming from one of Toronto’s most notable musical sons.

Lamb of God’s Mark Morton Chronicles Addiction, Grief, and Redemption in ‘Desolation’ Memoir

Eric Alper
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Lamb of God’s Mark Morton Chronicles Addiction, Grief, and Redemption in ‘Desolation’ Memoir

A gritty, revealing heavy metal memoir by Lamb of God’s guitarist and lyricist, Mark Morton, which explores both his life in music and his tumultuous path through addiction and into recovery

For a band as extreme as Lamb of God, mainstream success and touring the world to massive audiences was an almost surreal achievement. But for guitarist and lyricist Mark Morton, the triumph was dulled by the pain of addiction and loss.

In DESOLATION: A Heavy Metal Memoir, Morton traces the highs and the lows of his career and personal life, revealing how the pressures of success and personal battles eventually came into conflict with his dedication to the creative process. Morton writes about the greatest personal tragedy of his life: the death of his newborn daughter, which plunged Morton further into hopelessness. Surrounded by bandmates living their wildest dreams, Morton wanted nothing more than to disappear, ingesting potentially lethal cocktails of drugs and alcohol on a daily basis.

And yet intertwined with self-destruction and harrowing heartbreak, there were moments of joy, self-acceptance, and incredible connection. Morton developed close relationships with his bandmates and crew members, sharing experiences that have made for some strange and hilarious tales. He also gained a greater sense of purpose through interactions with his fans, who remind him that his work reaches people on a deeply personal level.

DESOLATION is, at its core, about Morton’s journey as a musician navigating self-doubt, anxiety, and the progressive disease of addiction, and ultimately finding relative serenity and gratitude.

UFO’s ‘No Place To Run’ Gets 45th Anniversary Reissue With Unreleased 1980 Live Show

Eric Alper
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UFO’s ‘No Place To Run’ Gets 45th Anniversary Reissue With Unreleased 1980 Live Show

Chrysalis Records are proud to present UFO’s classic 1980 album ‘No Place To Run’, newly remastered from the original production tapes transfers at AIR Mastering and reissued on stunning 3LP tri-fold sleeve 180gm vinyl and 2CD Digipak formats on August 15th, 2025.

‘No Place To Run’ was the eighth studio album by UFO and the first with Paul Chapman on guitar, following the departure of Michael Schenker. It was produced by legendary Beatles producer George Martin and recorded at his newly launched AIR Studios in Montserrat in the Caribbean, a stark difference from the bands’ usual surroundings.

Reflecting on the album forty five years later Phil Mogg said: “The thing that sticks in my mind from recording ‘No Place To Run’ was the complete miss match with UFO / George Martin (who was a lovely chap) and nothing summed it up more than when George would say to Geoff (sound engineer): ‘Well Geoff, it’s six o’clock, time for a G&T out on the veranda.’ How very civilized!”

The reissue includes a new and previously unreleased mix of ‘Live at The Marquee, London, November 16th 1980’, mixed by revered engineer Brian Kehew from the original multi-track tapes, giving a powerfully fresh sound. Only three tracks have ever been officially released before (‘Lettin’ Go’, ‘Mystery Train’ and ‘No Place to Run’). The other eleven tracks from this legendary show have not been available until now. The set will take fans right back to the electric atmosphere of the Marquee, with a band at the very top of their game.

Brian Kehew said, “Paul Chapman’s guitar sound here is really superb, a thick and singing B.C.Rich-into-Marshall tone… No Place To Run is certainly a special time for the band, the peak of their public acceptance. With the music world shifting into new wave and synth-pop around them, they stayed true to their roots and delivered yet another classic album.”

Both formats feature new liner notes by Michael Hann featuring interviews with front-man vocalist Phil Mogg and drummer Andy Parker.

TRACKLISTING

LP1 / CD1: No Place To Run – 2025 Remaster:
Alpha Centuri
Lettin’ Go
Mystery Train
This Fire Burns Tonight
Gone In The Night
YoungBlood
No Place To Run
Take It Or Leave It
Money, Money
Anyday

LP2 & LP3 / CD2: Live at The Marquee, London, November 16th, 1980 – Newly Mixed / Previously Unreleased:
Introduction
Chains Chains
Lettin’ Go
Long Gone
Cherry
Only You Can Rock Me
No Place To Run
Love To Love
Hot And Ready
Mystery Train
Too Hot To Handle
Lights Out
Rock Bottom
Doctor Doctor

Winnipeg Folk Festival Unveils Full Schedule for 50th Anniversary Celebration

Eric Alper
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Winnipeg Folk Festival Unveils Full Schedule for 50th Anniversary Celebration

The much-anticipated full weekend schedule for the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival is now live on the festival website and app. Celebrating five decades of music, people, and creativity, this year’s milestone event promises a dynamic blend of concerts, workshops and celebrations.

In true festival tradition, the schedule is packed with the hallmark of folk festivals – workshops. They offer a rare and intimate experience: artists— some of whom may be playing together for the first time — share stories, collaborate spontaneously, and jam live on stage.

These unique sessions are where musical magic happens — unexpected pairings, fresh arrangements, and unforgettable moments that create lifelong memories for audiences and artists alike.

“There are a lot of great concerts and workshops each day. We’ve put special care into the daytime schedule — you won’t want to miss any of it,” said Chris Frayer, Artistic Director. “This year’s workshops will be something truly special, from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings with their old friend Robyn Hitchcock, to Ani DiFranco and Allison Russell alongside Christopher Paul Stelling and Leonard Sumner, singing protest songs in the spirit of Pete Seeger’s folk tradition. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Some Workshop Highlights: 

Bantu Lullabies, Griot Blues and Wagogo Styles
Friday, July 11, at 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Snowberry Field Stage
An all-African workshop celebrating the rich musical styles of Tanzania, Congo, and Senegal.
Artists: Les Mamans du Congo X Rrobin, Sousou & Maher Cissoko, and The Zawose Queens.

50th Hootenanny
Friday, July 11, at 11:00 am-12:45 pm
Big Bluestem Stage
We made it to 50 against many odds, so let’s have a party with some of the artists who were at the first Winnipeg Folk Festival and many beyond!
Artists: Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian, David Essig, Peter Paul Van Camp, The Black Sea Station, and The Duhks.

What Side Are You On
Friday, July 11 at 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Green Ash Stage
A protest songwriters’ circle, inspired by folk legend and Festival friend Pete Seeger.
Artists: Allison Russell, Ani DiFranco, Christopher Paul Stelling and Leonard Sumner.

Beats Don’t Fail Me Now
Saturday, July 12 at 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Snowberry Field Stage
Cambodian psych rock, Indigenous futurism, and global electronica all collide on one stage.
Artists: Beats Antique, Dengue Fever and Ombiigizi

Home to Manitoba
Saturday, July 12, at 11:15 am-12:45 pm
Big Bluestem Stage
An all-Manitoba love letter featuring homegrown talent from the heart of the country.
Artists: Begonia, Dominique Adams, Fred Penner, Leonard Sumner, Slow Spirit, Two Crows for Comfort and Zackery.

We Know Why the Turnip Truck Sings
Sunday, July 13, at 1:00 pm-2:15 pm
Big Bluestem Stage
Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, meet up with old friend and neighbour Robyn Hitchcock to decode this wonderfully weird title through song.

View the full schedule now on www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca and official Winnipeg Folk Festival app: Apple Store and Google Play

Spotify’s Du Québec Playlist Just Got a Whole Lot Louder (and Lou-Adrianer!)

Eric Alper
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Spotify’s Du Québec Playlist Just Got a Whole Lot Louder (and Lou-Adrianer!)

There’s something magical happening in Québec—and this May and June, it’s got a soundtrack.

Spotify’s Du Québec playlist is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a celebration of everything bold, beautiful, and unapologetically Francophone in today’s music scene. And for the next two months, it’s getting a personal touch from one of the province’s most compelling voices: Lou-Adriane Cassidy.

Yep, the Journal d’un loup-garou singer-songwriter is taking the reins as guest curator, and it’s already clear— this is a mood.

With emotionally raw lyrics, a genre-fluid sound, and the kind of storytelling that makes you pause mid-step, Lou-Adriane is curating a love letter to Québécois music in real time. Her handpicked selections shine a light on the rising stars, seasoned legends, and hidden gems who are shaping the evolving soundscape of Québec—one note at a time.

As Exclaim! put it, Lou-Adriane has “blossomed into one of Québec’s most compelling voices.” This playlist proves it—and amplifies the voices of the artists who’ve inspired, challenged, and moved her along the way.

Spotify Canada continues to be a proud champion of homegrown talent, and Du Québec is a perfect example of how music can connect cultures, communities, and continents.

The playlist is live. The songs are fire. The vibe is pure Québec.

Listen now: Du Québec on Spotify.

Guzman’s ‘Family Values’ Book Captures Tender Moments With Kurt, Courtney & Frances Bean

Eric Alper
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Guzman’s ‘Family Values’ Book Captures Tender Moments With Kurt, Courtney & Frances Bean

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were notorious for representing the opposite of “Family Values.” To reframe their notoriety, they consented to a rare photoshoot for Spin magazine with their newborn, Frances Bean. Only 5 images were originally published; the rest of the photoshoot is seen here for the first time.

“Now the entire family was in bed together, and Hansen remembers how beautiful it was to see everyone in sync. “They just were loving Frances. It was really so apparent,” she said. “It was really about her. They were oblivious to us in a lot of cases, anytime they had the baby,”’ said Guzman in an interview with CNN.

“Three decades later, Hansen and Peacock are revisiting this fabled shoot for the first time in their new book, Family Values (powerHouse Books), an intimate chronicle of a young couple driven by passion and love that eschewed the trappings of fame and celebrity for truth and art. Through Guzman’s portraits, we see the last of a fading breed: the true rock star who spoke for outsiders, misfits and radicals who wanted nothing more than to live by their own rules,” says AnOther.

With an ineffable ability to connect with people through his music, Kurt Cobain was charismatic and full of pathos, something of a lost boy poet struggling against his personal demons while holding the world in thrall. And yet in the midst of his struggles with success, fame, fortune, drugs, and the wounds of a traumatic childhood, he managed in his brief adulthood to get married to Courtney Love—who of course had her own accomplishments as an electrifying and unrestrained lead singer and lyricist. The couple had already emerged as a cultural touchstone when their baby, Frances Bean, was born in 1992. Photographers Guzman captured, amidst toys and pajamas, the sweetness, humor, irony and the simple happiness of a new mom and dad at home with their baby girl.

Family Values is a photography book presenting approximately 90 images featuring Kurt, Courtney, and their baby Frances, one morning in their modest Hollywood home selected from a photoshoot that Guzman did for Spin magazine in 1992. Only five photographs from the shoot were published in the magazine at the time, including the cover. Another appeared in Rolling Stone at the time of Kurt Cobain’s death. In Spin, the photos originally accompanied an interview by Jonathan Poneman, which Guzman plans to license to reprint in the book. The book will also include a memoir of the photo shoot written by Guzman and an introduction by curator and music journalist Michael Azerrad.

Family Values is a photographic assignment that revealed two famous rock stars who during one brief moment transcended the magnifying glass of fame and were revealed, amidst all the chaos, as being just a mom and dad.

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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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