 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
October, 2006
 
Operation: Tunes Sends Music to Troops
Los Angeles Duo Bolstered by Finalist Status by ICX The most popular entertainment item asked for by the military personnel who miss home is music. In an effort to bring music to U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan and to wounded soldiers back home, the Rock Ridge Music label has launched >Operation: Tunes<. The label is enlisting the help of some of their current business partners and organizations that can help place the music accordingly. Rock Ridge Music will share music with all arms of the military via a number of military and civilian organizations, including www.Give2thetroops.org and www.TreatAnySoldier.com (via care packages to specific groups and platoons overseas), http://SemperFiFund.org and Fort Sam Houston's Brooke Army Medical Center (www.bamc.amedd.army.mil/; discs will be given to injured Marines and Army soldiers). While this project is spearheaded by Rock Ridge Music label principals Tom Derr, Jason Spiewak and Chris Henderson, who is also guitarist for multi-Platinum band 3 Doors Down, they will accomplish this effort through the help of some of their current business partners, including >Alternative Distribution Alliance< (ADA), Astro-Dynamic Printing, Five.Bolt.Main, Stroke 9 and Sister Hazel. RRM hopes labels that feature a variety of music will participate, since all music genres are being requested by the troops. Anyone interested in joining the cause, whether to donate music or to help in distributing music to the troops, should contact Derr directly at tom@rockridgemusic.com. Beck has just released his new album, The Information. Three years in the making, the CD is comprised of 15 songs and a DVD featuring homemade videos for each of the songs shot in-studio during the actual sessions. The artwork is either nonexistent or infinite, depending on one's point of view: Each copy comes in a blank package with one of four collectible sticker sheets specially designed by American and European artists handpicked by Beck. Good Charlotte have staked early 2007 for their forthcoming Epic/Daylight album. The yet-to-be-named album will be the group's fourth release and first since 2004bs Platinum Chronicles of Life and Death. In the meantime, fans can look forward to the band previewing some of the songs this fall when they mount a special club tour. &nbseets specially designed by American and European artists handpicked by Beck. Good Charlotte are recording their new album with Don Gilmore, who produced the band's self-titled debut, in addition to working with such acts as Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne and Pearl Jam. Grammy-nominated Killswitch Engage are back in the studio recording As Daylight Dies, the follow-up to their 2004 breakout album, The End of Heartache, and 2005b's Gold DVD, (Set This) World Ablaze. The quintet will release the album on November 21. Guitarist >Adam Dutkiewicz< is handling production and mixing duties, as he has on all previous KsE releases. Multi-Platinum artist and four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year >Martina McBride< is once again preparing to dazzle fans with her critically lauded Christmas spectacular, The Joy of Christmas. Now in its fourth year, the show kicks off a 16-city tour in Chicago on Nov. 24 and runs through Dec. 22. The Joy of Christmas, sponsored in part by CMT, is a two-hour multimedia event with elaborate sets, impressive special effects and a talented cast of actors that complement McBride's powerful voice. The groundbreaking production features 18 seasonal classics, many of which can be found on her Platinum %White Christmas album%, caroling with the children and audience sing-alongs. As bassist for one of rock's hardest-touring and historic bands, Phil Lesh has performed over 2500 concerts, both with the Grateful Dead and as leader of his own band, Phil Lesh & Friends. Lesh's fans will have the chance to experience his live performances with Phil Lesh & Friends: Live At The Warfield, a two-CD set, with bonus DVD, and two-DVD set being released October 31. Recorded in May 2006, Lesh is joined by Joan Osborne (lead vocals), John Scofield (guitar), Larry Campbell (guitar, pedal steel, fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Greg Osby (saxophones), Rob Barraco (keyboards, vocals) and John Molo (drums). The group performs original compositions, Dead favorites, select covers and intricate jam sessions. Bonus material on the second DVD includes The Art of Improvisation: Jazz and Rock, where Lesh interviews Scofield and Osby, plus backstage rehearsal and an improv jam session. Look for these features on the bonus DVD that comes with the two-CD set along with two extra tracks, "Passenger" (not on the DVD) and "All Along The Watchtower." Rita Marley on behalf of the >Bob & Rita Marley Foundations<, announced at a press conference in South Africa that in February 2007 they will bring Africa Unite 2007 to South Africa. Through a series of benefit concerts, symposiums, fundraisers and events, Africa Unite 2007 will encourage peace, education and empowerment for youth in Africa while reinforcing the significance of Bob Marley's Songs of Freedom to manifest change throughout the world. Rita Marley is executive director of Africa Unite 2007. |