Cool Gizmo Alert: Koch Loadbox II

Cool Gizmo Alert: Koch Loadbox II

by Lou Lomnardi,

We're proud to launch a new product review series sponsored by YourGuitarist. YourGuitarist.com is a web site offering Internet based development of custom guitar tracks for artists worldwide. YourGuitarist.com allows musicians to avoid the high studio fees usually associated with producing guitar tracks for their songs.

The Loadbox II allows a guitarist to couple a tube amp to a mixer, computer or another amplifier directly from the amp's speaker output. There is no need to use a speaker or "dummy load" as the Loadbox II utilizes a reactive load as part of it's circuitry. You can read more out the Loadbox here: http://www.koch-amps.com/products/index.cfm?fa=product&product_id=12341B01-93C0-4E2D-8&product_cat=A

I've been working with this thing for about a month. The sound is very impressive. I am running into my sound card (Aardvark Q10) and the sound coming from my studio monitors sounds like a WELL miked speaker cab. I have used other direct boxes in the past with disappointing results, but this actually delivers. The Loadbox has several connecting and wiring options depending on what you wish to use it for. The only thing you have to beware of is that the output from the Loadbox is still very "hot". I am using my ART Tube eq to reign in the volume and make some minor tone tweaks. Another cool thing is that you can ad any effects or "global" eq after the power amp stage. This means more tone options without tainting the original sound.

I want to ad that the sound is genuinely inspiring. Unlike modeling devices and amp simulating plug-ins, which tend to wear on your ear after a while the Loadbox FEELS much more like what you've come to expect from a good speaker cabinet.

Stay tuned for sound clips!

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2006 - Republished with Permission

You Are What You Look Like On MySpace

You Are What You Look Like On MySpace

by Anne Freeman,

MusicDish Network Sponsor

Yes, I have a MySpace page. And one activity I enjoy immensely is roaming MySpace in search of good indie music. But with so many options, how do I choose whose music site to visit? I check three things:

1. Photo/graphic

2. Band Name

3. Photo/graphic

Make no mistake about it, the first thing I do when confronted with a list of potential bands is look at their photo or graphic. The second thing I do is look at their name. The third thing I do is look at their photo/graphic one last time prior to clicking. That's it, period.

What does or should that say to indie labels and band/artists? Be very careful about your photo/graphic selections and, if you're just starting out, pay attention to the name you choose if you have a band. You must catch a potential fan or music industry professional in a few seconds, unless the myspace scanner is a preteen or teenager with gobs of time to spend roaming.

So what should you do? What kind of photograph or graphic should you use on MySpace, or any other similar social networking site? Use one that best communicates your primary artistic sensibility. Let me give you a few examples of bands and artists who have communicated their primary artistic sensibility in just a photograph and/or their band name as examples:

This is the photo that led me to the band The Pink Spiders. It actually is the photo for band member Matt Frixtion (vox/guitar), but his site led me to The Pink Spider's band site.

I absolutely love this photo! It is eye-catching, the colors are terrific, the pose is perfect, and it oozes mock coolness with a casual playfulness. I had to find out who this guy was. I figured that he had to be a musician from the photo, and that his music was most likely going to be fun. His picture works, as do all the other photos, graphics and the text on The Pink Spiders's site: they got me to their site!

When I arrived at www.myspace.com/thepinkspiders, I was greeted by an alter of Pop Glory in all of its Pinkness! Their look is a perfect match for their pop/punkish music. Everything on the site contributes to their look and sound. Yes, they are signed to Geffen Records, but you don't have to be signed with a major label be as effective as The Pink Spiders with your MySpace site. You just have to intend to be as effective by making smart choices and sticking to a theme that is based upon your primary artistic sensibility when designing your site.

The next example is a graphic that caught my eye for the band Creech Holler. My decision-making process that let to a visit to Chreech Holler's site followed the formula exactly as I described it above: I saw the graphic and was intrigued - read the band name, which confirmed the intrigue - and took one last look at the graphic, then click! I was on their site, exploring. Why did I visit their site?

Their ominous graphic first caught my eye because it recons back to the old snake handlers of the deep South, a small Christian religious cult whose leaders handle rattlers or cotton mouths snakes without being bit ­ I can't remember which ­ as evidence of their protection by the Holy Spirit.

Just from their image I knew immediately that the band had to be Southern, and I guessed that their music was probably blues-based or Southern folk-based. A quick look to the band name, Creech Holler, well ­ what else could they be? I like that kind of music, so I was prompted to pay them a visit.

Their site did not disappoint me. It was what I'd hoped for ­ full of the ominous, dark mysteries of Southern mythic traditions. The graphics on their site are simply terrific, especially against a grey background. The band's photos are also appropriately black & white. And, their music is steeped in old, Southern country-folk blues. Creech Holler's music is actually more traditional folk-based than I anticipated ­ though with plenty of blues groove - which was a nice surprise.

Creech Holler could use a good producer, as their vocals are difficult to hear. But I really enjoyed their musical style and artistic sensibilities. They've effectively married their music with their look and style. Good job! www.myspace.com/creechholler

My next example, above, is the band Rodeo Clown (www.myspace.com/rodeoclown2005). Their photo was so dorky that it made me laugh, and it looked like they were laughing when the photo was taken, too.

When someone demonstrates that kind self-deprecating humor, I am immediately interested in who they are. Their photo worked for me ­ although it may not for everyone. (I happen to be a person for whom "dorky" works.) As there was actually no direct connection from their photo to their name, my visit to their site was completely based upon their photo. The fact that their name and photo didn't jive was a weakness on their part, because someone else may not be so generous with their time as to visit a band's site simply on the photograph.

When I clicked on Rodeo Clown's photo, I landed on the site of a self-described punk/rock/surf band whose site is mostly in Italian. It is a modest site, but they did the trick of getting me there. Their music is fun, but I didn't get a strong sense of musical or artistic direction with Rodeo Clown. It was a fun visit, but they would benefit greatly by making some decisions about who they are and how they want to present themselves. In other words, I didn't get a sense of their primary artistic sensibility. And that would be a killer for many bands if a music industry professional were to visit their site.

Probably the bigger challenge on a site like MySpace is for the individual artist who is trying to stand out, and this is especially for artists in acoustic-based music. Individual artists have a much more difficult time of it when trying to establish a presence. Carie Pegeon is an example of an acoustic-based artist whose photograph worked very well.

Carie Pigeon's photograph is an excellent example of creating an eye-catching image. It is a terrific shot. I saw indie, strong female, probably acoustic-singer/songwriter with a harder, confessional edge. Her photo is well composed and interesting to look at, and it convinced me to take a visit to her site.

Carrie's website states that her influences are Melissa Etheridge, Sarah McLachlin, and Alanis Morissette. You can definitely hear those influences, and they are a good match for her look. Carrie's photo nails who this artist is perfectly. And, her music is very much reflects that genre. While Carie needs to do more work to her MySpace site so that her personality shines through as beautifully as it does through her photo, she accomplished the most important first step: she got me there.

It is important to note that my reactions are not everyone elses' reactions when confronted with the many choices on social networking sites. But what is also important to note is that we all must base our decisions whether or not to visit a site on the same two pieces of information: your graphic and your band name. What artists, managers and record labels must think through carefully is how you use those two portals to an artist's site, whether the browser is a fan or a music industry professional.

Who do you want to attract to your site? What are you doing to get them there? How does your photo or graphic and name contribute to motivating someone to visit your site? You must be very clear about your primary artistic sensibility to ensure that every decision you make for your site contributes to your cause. If each choice is not actively contributing to your site, then it's actively detracting from you as an artist. There is no neutral ground in this game.

Finally, congrats to all of the above artists for getting me to their sites. Now take another look and listen at The PinkSpiders myspace site and learn the lessons that they can teach you. Good luck!

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2006 - Republished with Permission

Is This A Business Or A Game?

Is This A Business Or A Game?

by Allen Johnston,

MusicDish Network Sponsor

Karl, the owner of Show Off Records, has made a lot of money. He has worked long and hard to obtain and maintain his money, family, lifestyle and power. Now he believes in the American dream and feels that his "crew" is beyond a doubt the most talented group of producers and rappers in the game. He forms Show Off Records and is determined to make his label the greatest Rap label in history.

He calculates and determines that the yearly SOURCE Awards in Miami is the place to launch his label, so he makes sure that he is prepared.

He first buys a full-page ad in the Special Awards issue of the SOURCE magazine and two Platinum tickets each for himself, his partner and three artists. Now he is guaranteed a chance to walk the red carpet and sit near the front of the auditorium.

He buys two used motor coaches to transport his 60-member crew in, rents a mansion on "Millionaires Row" for three days to house part of his crew and to have a place to hold an exclusive private party. Knowing that the real ballers need to be seen, he rents five rooms at the Loews hotel for three days just for himself and four trusted lieutenants. His three acts must look good, so he gives each act a clothing allowance budget and sends them out to shop. Having seen how the greatest rap artists party, he rents the VIP room at the hottest clubs in town for three nights and makes sure that he has plenty bottles of Moet, Grey Goose and Dom available for his guests. He has setup performances by each of his acts every night, and partnered with the club owner to have a major recording artist "after party" in the club while he hosts their VIP area.

Within his crew are his Street Team members, who will drive two wrapped vans around the event and make sure the city is saturated with flyers, posters and mix CDs. His lieutenants have visited the main strip clubs in Miami, and now he knows that he will have beautiful people at his private party. His party plans are a huge success, and he now knows that his label will be the talk of the weekend.

Let's look at his total expenses:

Transportation:

Motor Coaches: $100,000

Drivers: $1,600 (per diem, driving charge)

Gasoline float: $500

Additional cars: $10,000 (2 used Wrapped Vans)

Gasoline: $250

Parking : $150

Housing

Mansion: $15,000

Hotel: $4,500

Club Rental:$15,000 (3 nights $5,000 each)

Food

Mansion: $2,000 (2 cooks in crew)

Hotel: $1,250 (room service charge)

Club: $1,500 (VIP snacks)

Liquor

Mansion: $2,000

Night Club: $6,000 ($2,000 per night)

Promotion

Street Team: $1,500 (hotel, food, misc.)

Flyers: $3,000

Posters: $1,200

Mix CDs: ($10,000)

Source Ad: $10,000 (full page color ad)

Radio Advertising: $5,000 (3 days on 2 stations)

Artist Clothes: $9,000 ($3,000 each)

Entertainment

Platinum Tickets: $30,000 (10 x $3,000)

Limo: $1,000

Shopping

Clothes: $6,000

Jewelry : $12,000

TOTAL: $245,950

This does not take into consideration studio costs, producer fees and individual artist costs.

What has Karl received for his money outside of a wonderful, fun-filled weekend in Miami?

* Show Off Records' name has been blasted over the radio every night, but none of the Show Off Records music has been played.

* Hip Hop Industry attendees and some Miami fun seekers now have copies of the Show Off Records mix cd, which they may or may not listen to.

* Some industry notables now understand that Show Off Records throws a mean VIP room party, and a few may have even seen there acts perform in the club.

* Karl has personally met a few major recording artists, but doesn't know their management team, booking agent or record label executives.

* The majority of his promotional materials have found their way to Miami Beach & Miami Dade County Sanitation Bureau because his material was just one of several hundred labels' material that was promoted during this weekend.

* The organizational structure of Show Off Records has not been created; there are no products ready for sale and no plan to create either.

If Karl has an accident or for some unforeseen reason cannot function as the head of the label, who will take over and save his investment?

* The creation of a written document outlining the agreement among partners should have been one of the first things he did.

* Next, the organization of his office environment should have been instituted where all mailings, billings, invoices and correspondence can be collected, sorted, acted upon and filed.

* A central phone number and a computer-based office system should have been formed.

How will he keep in contact with the many different individuals and companies he and his crew have come in contact with?

* Incorporation of the business will give Show Off Records the tools needed to create a corporate bank account, savings certificates and a corporate credit card. Additionally, it will also give him the basis for paying his taxes and the ability to keep open and honest legal documents.

* The entertainment industry is based on communication, so a strong, ever-increasing database of radio, retail, publicity and industry executives should be started.

* Every good song needs distribution, and in order to obtain a decent distributor, Show Off Records should have an established marketing and promotional plan available with some type of radio or club play prior to acquiring distribution.

Most important of all is the staff that Show Off Records must utilize to accomplish the type of marketing and promotion they will need to place product into the mainstream.

* Staffing should consist of a primary industry professional (consultant), an office manager, and at least three office workers, all who should be computer literate.

* Duties will include: communication between retail, radio, pools, clubs, publicity and industry contacts on a weekly basis; the ability to get promotional product out and to follow up on the product sent; the ability to get information on upcoming shows, festivals, events, parties and station promotions, disseminate it to the staff; and keep the lines of communication open between record label and ALL others.

Unfortunately, what I am finding more and more of this the young entrepreneur who really only desires the fame and popularity associated with the entertainment industry, and not the basic business acumen needed to initiate and maintain a viable entertainment business.

"BALLIN" has become a game of one-upmanship to see who has the brightest "iced out jewelry," the biggest most expensive cars, and the latest fashions, who can market themselves into a major deal, yet not have any professional team available to maintain a deal.

Recently, I spoke at a conference and during a private networking session, I was asked how to just "jump over" all that old fashioned business and go directly to having a major record deal. My response was that it would be really easy to do if you have met someone in the position of power at the major labels that wanted to immediately sign you and spend their money on making your career. The only issue I can see would be how you would keep a deal of this magnitude without chosen individuals around you that know the business, have connections, and will work on your behalf to ensure your continued success and well being.

In other words, where is your trusted team?

Why not develop the business structure you will need now, acquire your trusted team, develop your database of industry connections, and prepare yourself for success?

Here is a basic Record Label startup expense sheet based for a six (6) month plan. The difference between the two expense sheets is phenomenal.

Office

Rent: $9,500

Lights: $1,200

Multi phone line with paging/intercom/hold system:$3,000

5 lines with account codes: $1,500

DSL: $600

Hardware

Microwave oven: $200

Coffee Pot: $50

Stereo system: $1,000

DVD system with monitor: $1,000

Copy machine: $250

Computer 5 each, $5,000

Pentium 3 or better

40 gig hard drive

17" monitor

Laser printer

Multi function printer/flat bed scanner/fax

3D accelerator

Sound cards with speakers

Microphone Video camera

DVD/CD player

DVD/CD burner

Server system for marketing, promotion teams

Software

Microsoft Office XP Professional: $800

Right Track royalty/accounting: $3,000

Salaries

Professional Consultant: $50,000

Office Manager: $19,500

Office Workers (3): $39,000

TOTAL: $142,600

This does not take into consideration studio costs, producer fees and individual artist costs, but now you still have money to create product, test it, sell it, market and promote.

So my question becomes, IS THIS A BUSINESS OR A GAME? Why venture into the entertainment industry if what you really want is your personal 15 minutes of fame? The duties of a record label are to produce, manufacture, market, promote, sell and collect monies on the music that is created by the company. Anything less is not a record company!

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2006 - Republished with Permission

The 10 Most Common Publicity Mistakes - Don't Sabotage Your Success!

The 10 Most Common Publicity Mistakes - Don't Sabotage Your Success!

by Bill Stoller,

MusicDish Network Sponsor

The number one rule of being successful in the world of publicity (or in just about any other field, for that matter): Don't sabotage your efforts with dumb -- and easily correctable -- mistakes. Here then are the dumb things that publicity seekers do. Avoid them, and you'll be well on your way to scoring great coverage!

1. Thinking Like an Advertiser

The more you remind a reporter that you're a commercial entity seeking promotional exposure, the less chance you have. Blatant ad copy, excessive use of trademark symbols, overblown quotes, puffed-up claims and other techniques better suited for advertising copy are sure ways to assure that your release gets trashed. You must think like an objective journalist and have a sense of perspective about who you are and what you sell, and communicate that in your materials. If you just can't do that, chances are you've been...

2. Getting Too Close to Your Product

If you spend all day eating, breathing and sleeping packing tape, it's easy to start believing that the slight change you made in the thickness of your company's new packing tape is an advance on par with the printing press and the polio vaccine. Now, if you're planning on working with Packing Tape Monthly, perhaps the editors of that fine publication will agree. But the guys down at USA Today may hold a different opinion.

In deciding (a) what's newsworthy and (b) how to present this news to the media, it's vital that you take many steps back and view your company as a marginally interested outsider might. If you can't do that, ask friends, family and other outsiders to help.

3. Getting too Close to a Journalist

I've worked with lots of reporters whose company I enjoyed. I've shared meals and drinks with a bunch of them. One thing I've never done, however, is forget who they are and what their jobs are. If a reporter is interviewing you, whether in person or on the phone, never say anything you wouldn't want to appear in a story. Journalists have different interpretations of what "off the record" means, and it's foolish to try to test those limits.

Carefully think about everything you say, don't be pressured into commenting on things you don't feel comfortable about, stay on message, don't gossip, backbite or share secrets. In short, just as the journalist has his or her job to do, so too do you. Stay smart.

4. Obsessing Over the Big Hits

Maybe you really will get on Oprah. And maybe you'll win the lottery and never have to work again. In either case, it's probably a good idea to have some backup plan in place in case you don't beat out the 10 million or so other folks who harbor the same dreams.

It's fine to think big, but smart publicity seekers know that time spent getting actual press coverage is a better investment than chasing dreams. So go ahead and send that press kit to Oprah but, in the meantime, work your butt off to get placement in weekly papers, syndicates, e-zines, local radio and other less glamorous places. Scores of successful businesses have been built on such "small" publicity. You don't need Oprah or Newsweek or The Today Show. You need coverage - anywhere and anyway you can get it. Dreamers dream. Publicists get publicity.

5. Reading from a Script

It's pretty annoying to pick up the phone at dinner time only to have some guy reading a script about how great vinyl siding is. Now imagine how a journalist, who's busy working on deadline, feels about "publicists" calling up to do the same thing again and again.

If you're planning to phone pitch a journalist, never read from a script or repeat a rehearsed spiel. She's a human being, so talk to her that way. (And always start your call with "Is this a good time to talk?". Never just launch into your pitch.)

6. Using Outdated Media Lists

News flash: Look magazine is out of business. So too are about half of the new magazines launched in the past decade, for that matter. Your media list is the lifeblood of your publicity seeking efforts. Take the time to keep it fresh and up to date, or you'll be wasting your time.

Invest in Bacon's media guide (www.bacons.com), visit websites of publications that interest you, visit your local library or bookstore's magazine rack. Do a little homework and you'll get a big edge.

7. Not Understanding Timing

A non-savvy publicity seeker would ask, "Why do a story about Christmas publicity in June?" A smart publicity seeker understands completely. It's all in the timing. If you're not thinking months ahead, then it's probably too late. In early summer, you should be working on "back to school" releases for newspapers and other short-leads (it's already too late for long- lead magazines). Have something to offer for Thanksgiving? Start planning now. Learn the lead times for various publications, plan out a yearly schedule. Plan ahead. Plan ahead. Plan ahead.

8. Not Being Accessible

If a journalist wants to use your release, he may call to get some more information, get some clarification or even to see if you actually exist. If he gets voice-mail (or a busy signal) and doesn't hear back from you, you've probably blown it. On your releases and pitch letters, include the most accessible phone number you have (your cell phone, perhaps, if you're on the road a lot) and an e-mail address you check throughout the day.

If you miss a call from a journalist, or receive an e-mail, get back to him immediately. Don't put it off -- he could be on deadline and have calls in to your competitors.

9. Not Telling the Truth

There may be worse people to lie to than journalists -- detectives, IRS agents, the guy who's administering your lie detector test -- but not many. Think about it folks: these men and women are trained to discover the truth. They know how to do research and how to talk to others in your fields to determine whether or not you're being truthful. So don't take any chances.

Don't even think about inflating your sales numbers, or making up a story, or pitching something that's mostly BS. Not only will they figure it out, your attempts to bamboozle them may even make it into the press.

10. Being Sloppy

Typos, bad printing, hideous press kit covers, poorly shot photos, improperly formatted press releases...these are the signs of an amateur. Amateurs don't get coverage. Before you send out anything, proof it. Then proof it again. Then give it to someone else to proof. Then proof it again.

Reprinted with permission from "Free Publicity, The Newsletter for PR-Hungry Businesses." For more information, to contact the author, and to sign up for the author's newsletter, click on the author's name at the top of the page.

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2006 - Republished with Permission

Indie News Beat

INDIE NEWS BEAT

July 10, 2006 Edition

* Avenue 707 Announces Release Of Much-Anticipated First Album

* Gisele Scales 2 Think

* Who Invented Rock Cello?

* Operation Hero Miles Fundraiser Begins July 4, 2006

* Billy Bragg Wins Lawsuit Agaisnt Myspace TOAs

* Kevin Lee Releases "Flip The Switch" On Sigus Records

* Angela Carole Brown Wins With Her Debut Novel, Trading Fours

* Rap Group Accuses Snoop And The Dogg Pound Of Jacking, Order Cease And Desist

* Dolemite's Legendary Original Motion Picture Soundtrack To Be Reissued For The First Time On CD

Avenue 707 Announces Release Of Much-Anticipated First Album

Newly formed West Coast rap/urban hip hop group Avenue 707 celebrates the release of their first album, Avenue 707, on Hangout Records. The Bay Area group brings together four talented members, each with rich and diverse musical experiences: Vallejo-based rapper and songwriter D.K. Hogg, whose R & B background adds strength of vocals and depth of style to the mix;
singer/songwriter Nay, whose participation in church and school choirs from an early age provides soulful style to the lyrics and composition; rapper, producer, and songwriter Yung E who looks to his jazz roots to add rhythm to the group's dynamics; and the youngest band member, Ms. Day, who electrifies listeners with her personal combination of poetry, soul and song.

The result of this unification of soul and spirit is an album that demonstrates that diverse interests and talent, mixed with common goals, leads to a successful group of friends showcasing their faith in music and in one another. The seventeen-track album highlights the individual talent of each member, while at the same time creating an album representative of the group's goal‹bringing "young school and old school together."

One reviewer writes: "[It's] not the overworked, over-produced, commercial hype you're used to. Lots of groups talk about 'keepin' it real;' Avenue 707 does. A sound that's tight and arrangements that let the feelings of the artists themselves come through. An excellent debut, and good reason to look for future trips down 'the avenue.'"

The arrangements vary from softer, soulful songs like "Heart Still Remember" and "This Life" to rhythmic, hip hop tracks like "Get Wit It" and "Round Here." This diversity lends a feeling of old-meets-new to the album, making Avenue 707 the culmination of a true musical journey.

Avenue 707 represents more than a debut album for a group of talented singer/songwriters and rappers. It is the result of hard work and determination by Elwin Maiden and Jeff Nixon, two longtime friends and band mates who came together to start a family-run label, Hangout Records, in 2005. Maiden and Nixon decided to create an enterprise where their creativity and funk background could work with fresh talent to produce records that represented their own ideas of musical freedom.

The result is Avenue 707, a unique blend of singing, songwriting, artistic freedom and creation, and heartfelt music that brings together history, family, love of music, and the goal of spreading the funk around. As the band says, "Whoever you are, whatever you do, everyone likes to hangout!"

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Gisele Scales 2 Think

It's now official! Gisele Scales is billed as one of "the hottest unsigned dance artists from all over the globe" with the inclusion of her track Versuch es on the Tunetank MMC10 Dance 2006 CD. Add to this the inclusion of her track Café on the AIR Annual Vol.8 Electronica/Hip Hop compilation, and you'll appreciate the amazing effect her music is having on movers and shakers worldwide.

Gisele Scales "2 Think" CD is an inspirational journey. Of driving beats, irresistible electric violin breaks, and uplifting vocals in English, French, Italian and German. This is a journey that will have you reaching for the play button, over and over again.

Having had success with the European No.1 funk single "Mother Egypt" by Vega, as well as a string of album credits with the likes of Midnight Oil, Eurogliders and Jeannie Lewis, Gisele now unleashes her solo dance CD on an unsuspecting public. Think Kraftwerk meets Deep Dish meets Les Rythmes Digitales.

Possibly best known as a music presenter with BBC & ABC Radio and Qantas Inflight, composer/violinist/vocalist Gisele Scales has come up with a dance music CD, that will engage lovers of electro, techno, breakbeat, rock, pop, tango, world music, the blues and classical alike.

Aware of the power of music to change lives, the "2 Think" lyrics motivate even the most hardened of cynics. Universal themes of love and respect, dedication to a higher power, and recognition of the individual's unique place in this world, leave you with the feeling that you can achieve absolutely anything! Happiness is but a state of mind.

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Who Invented Rock Cello?

Who was the teenager who virtually invented rock cello in the 1970's? Yes, there were a few cellists playing rock back then, but most were classical cellists lucky enough to get a gig with an established band. This cellist was already an accomplished rock guitarist when he decided to study the cello with the expressed desire of making the cello into a rock instrument. It all started one day when he took home a cello from school, placed it over his knees, pulled out a guitar pick, and started strumming.

He called his new style, "celtar". He went on to publish over a dozen music books with Oxford University Press that created a blue print for his new style. He is a Yamaha Artist, a D'Addario Artist, in Who's Who in America, and the International Who's Who. He has performed on FOX and Friends, Good Day New York, the Joey Reynolds Show, among other s. Have you guessed it yet? He is Von Cello, the leader of the Von Cello Band, the first cello fronted power trio in history! The band released their first CD, "Von Cello Rules!", a few years ago, and just released their second CD, "Excalibur" (), this year. Vermont DJ, Edward Burke (WWPV 88.7-FM) reviewed the CD and wrote the following:



"At first glance, Von Cello may seem no more than a mere novelty - cello and rock music? Total gimmick, right? That's where you'd be wrong. Von Cello, aside from spending years of honing and developing his cool Œceltar' style, is an actual, accomplished classical cello composer. This album proves that fact by taking three, note-worthy classic rock songs, (as well as some unique original tunes), and making them Von Cello's own. The slow groove on the instrumental cover of the Beatle's "Dear Prudence" makes the cut, in this reviewer's opinion, much more powerful then the original. Von Cello takes the Dead's "The Other One" to new heights, and the frantic version of Hendrix's "Purple Haze" must be just plain possessed....as if Hendrix's version wasn't frantic enough."



After the heyday of classic rock, the major record companies turned away from instrumentalists and started promoting singers who dance, dancers who sing, and entertainers who rap. Finding no industry interest in revolutionary rock cello playing, Von Cello went back to performing classical music, his cello etudes, and American standards. But when the internet heated up, he joined the indie revolution. He launched voncello.com and soon rose to the top of most search engines. Just do a Google search on "rock cello" and see who comes up first! There are now thousands of pages on the web that mention him.

His band tours the country and gets radio play around the world. By now Von Cello should be a household name, yet he still suffers from the narrow-mindedness of a music industry that keeps releasing endless versions of what has already been done. So, despite years of indie success, Von Cello remains, "almost famous". If you haven't heard of him yet...that is why. But now you have heard of him! So spread the word! Help Von Cello go from almost famous to really famous. Then his innovative, genre busting ideas will finally get their due, and the cello will take its place next to the guitar and the other great instruments in the rock n' roll instrument hall of fame!

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Operation Hero Miles Fundraiser Begins July 4, 2006

July 4, 2006, is the official start of the "Let Them Go First" fundraiser for Operation Hero Miles, the designated charity for LTG1 that permits you to donate frequent flier miles to the families of soldiers injured during service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Your unused frequent flier miles are used to fly injured soldiers families to the military hospital where they are being cared for, wherever that might be.

To donate your frequent flier miles to this noble cause, visit the Fisher House Foundation at HeroMiles. You can now purchase the song "Let Them Go First" as a download! $1.00 from each download sold is donated to Fisher House Foundation/Operation Hero Miles. Let Them Go First is available for sale as a download on the official LTG1 website at www.letthemgofirst.org.

Proceeds donated to Operation Hero Miles from the sale of "Let Them Go First" will be used by Operation Hero Miles to pay for related flight expenses, such as ticket taxes, airport fees and airport security for the families so that the families do not incur any expenses, and a small portion of the funds goes to support Operation Hero Miles. Operation Hero Miles works in conjunction with the major U.S. airlines, and is operated by the Fisher House Foundation.

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Billy Bragg Wins Lawsuit Agaisnt Myspace TOAs

I am very pleased to see that MySpace have changed their terms of agreement from a declaration of their rights into a declaration of our rights as artists, making it clear that, as creators, we retain ownership of our material. Having been adopted by the biggest social networking site on the block, I hope their recognition of the right of the artist to be sole exploiter of their own material now becomes an industry standard because there is much more at stake here than just the terms and conditions of a website.



In the past, songwriters and performers needed a record company to manufacture, market and distribute their work, and in exchange for that, the company expected to own the rights to exploit the recordings for as long as the material was capable of earning royalties - life of copyright in legalese which currently means 50 years.



I've always had a problem with that arrangement, arguing that the recordings I've made should provide my pension not that of some record company executive. In order to achieve this, I have held on to my rights, signing licensing deals in which ownership of the records reverts to me after a stipulated period, usually ten years. I figure that if a company cant make their money back after that time, they dont deserve to put out my records anyway.



Every few years, the reversion clause kicks in, my back catalogue returns to my ownership and I begin the licensing process all over again. Not only does this strengthen my hand in contract negotiations, it also allows me to take account of new technologies in a rapidly changing industry.



Now that the popularity of downloading has made physical manufacturing and distribution no longer necessary, the next generation of artists will not need to surrender all of their rights in order to get their music into the marketplace. It is therefore crucial that they understand, from the moment that they first post music on the internet, the importance of retaining their long term right to exploit the material that they create. This is doubly important on a networking site where many of the songs posted will be by unsigned artists. Ownership of the rights to such material is somewhat ambiguous. Thats why I hope that the groundbreaking decision of MySpace to come down on the side of the artists rights will be followed throughout the industry.



I also welcome the new wording of the terms and conditions in which MySpace clarify exactly why they require specific rights and how they intend to use them. Again, I hope more sites follow the lead of MySpace in ensuring the use of clear and transparent language in contracts. The last thing any of us wants to see is a situation in which everyone posting a song on the site has to have a lawyer sitting next to them.



Im glad my music is available to the community again and Im glad that MySpace chose to act on my concerns. In order that we might avoid any such confusion in future, can I suggest that MySpace notify its members of any changes in the terms and conditions whenever they take place.



Billy Bragg

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Kevin Lee Releases "Flip The Switch" On Sigus Records

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Kevin Lee checks back in with his faithful with the release of his third solo cd "Flip the Switch" on Sigus records. The disc is another leg of Lee's lifetime journey through the land of melodic pop/rock and showcases his songwriting and vocal talents to great effect. Lee's sound is anchored in the last 30 years of pop songwriting and expanded by his unchecked rock and roll influence, creating music with ties to it's classic past as well as a modern rock edge. Co-produced with Josh Shapera, "Flip the Switch" leans more heavily on the rock side of Lee's musical personality and delivers a satisfying blast of melody and unbridled rock energy. Songs like "Built To Burn", "Save Me Tonight", and the radio-ready "All I Want" show Lee at the top of his artistic and commercial game.



Kevin Lee is an experienced rock musician and songwriter with the power to craft timeless music that appeals to the head as well as the heart. "Flip the Switch" is Lee's strongest effort to date and is the most fully realized version of his musical vision to hit the streets. It's only a matter of time before "Flip the Switch" is blasting out of radios all over the world.

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Angela Carole Brown Wins With Her Debut Novel, Trading Fours

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Angela Carole Brown, who has been an active fixture on the L.A. music scene for over two decades, has released her debut novel, TRADING FOURS, on Infinity Publishing.



As featured on KPFK's Arts in Review with Julio Martinez, KUCI's BlackListed with TR Black, and with an honorable mention in Music Connection Magazine,TRADING FOURS has already been hailed a "'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' for musicians."



In TRADING FOURS, Angela brings a bit of her own experiences and those of her musical comrades to light in this fictional tale that sets itself on one day in the life of four Los Angeles musicians, whose lives intersect, much like the very intersection of a musical trading fours that builds to a great dramatic cadence.

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Rap Group Accuses Snoop And The Dogg Pound Of Jacking, Order Cease And Desist

Godz Gift, a Los Angeles based rap duo, has issued an immediate cease and desist order to Doggy Style Records and Koch Entertainment that could halt the release of The Dogg Pound's sophomore album Cali Iz Active, which hits stores next week.



The group is alleging that "Hard On A Hoe," a song off Cali Iz Active, uses the same beat and chorus off one of the duo's songs posted on their myspace.com web page.



"The actual court filing has not taken place as of the memo, however, the group (Godz Gift) has issued an immediate cease and desist to Doggy Style Records and Koch Entertainment," the group's representative confirmed with SOHH.



The duo is presently trying to settle the issue. If all the parties fail to come to an agreement in the next few days, an injunction will be sought.



"These young men (Godz Gift) aren't looking for 5 minutes of fame, at the expense of The Dogg Pound; they simply seek justice for work earnestly created" added the representative. "It's difficult enough in the music business, one so rooted by deception; we now have established artists feeling the pressure to meet deadlines that the creative process has to be compromised."



Koch representatives were not available for comment.

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Dolemite's Legendary Original Motion Picture Soundtrack To Be Reissued For The First Time On CD

Relapse Records is proud to present the complete soundtrack to the legendary 'blaxploitation' film classic DOLEMITE.



Fans of the legendary 'blaxploitation' film classic DOLEMITE can now experience, for the first time ever on CD, the wild and funky sounds of this hugely influential piece of cinematic history. DOLEMITE's original motion picture soundtrack is to be reissued on June 27 in North America (July 3 Internationally) courtesy of Relapse Records.



This deluxe reissue also includes rare and exclusive bonus tracks and radio ads from the film and its sequel THE HUMAN TORNADO, as well as an extensive 28 page booklet with never before seen 'behind the scenes' photos, exhaustive liner notes on the film and Moore's career written by his official biographer Mark Jason Murray, and much more. DOLEMITE's original motion picture soundtrack also features the recording debut of Grammy Award winning artist James Ingram ("Just Once", "Yah Mo Be There", etc.). The soundtrack will also be issued in a deluxe gatefold vinyl version limited to 1,000 copies.

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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © Tag It 2005 - Republished with Permission

July 2006 Top 100 Songs Chart at Artistopia

Todays current Top 100 Songs Chart at Artistopia - The Ultimate Music Artist Resource, by up and coming indie and unsigned artists. Listen in at Radio Artistopia or browse artist profiles at Indie Music Artists by Last Active, Music Genres, A - Z, Top Ranked, Most Viewed and Rank Movers. Join Artistopia and be seen and heard today!

1. Mr Imagination Claudia
2. Kiss from a rose Claudia
3. Dance with my father again Claudia
4. I'm Wishing On A Star Claudia
5. My Sweet Love Claudia
6. Silent Night Acappella Claudia
7. Fever Acappella Claudia
8. Fever D&B Remix Claudia
9. Rock A Bye Baby Claudia
10. Danza e ridanza Antonio Bruno & Bellitamburi
11. I Love You Claudia
12. Ready For Love Debbie Rocks
13. Sneak Preview Claudia
14. so blue, i'm feeling red Bohannon
15. i sing the perfect stroke Antonio Bruno & Bellitamburi
16. Walking Alone Claudia
17. Never Let Go Claudia
18. Running With Scissors Cindy Nelson
19. Non dirmi mai Antonio Bruno & Bellitamburi
20. Ain't No Sunshine Debbie Rocks
21. Libre de ti Gospel N.o Subject
22. Feel It Pop & Rock Muhammad Abdul Jami
23. 8 Mins of Death Hip Hop/Rap Missiles
24. the legend of bohannon Pop & Rock Bohannon
25. Fever remix by 'Jesse the mind... Hip Hop/Rap Claudia
26. But I Do Blues Allen Talbott
27. Shy Girl Electronic Debbie Rocks
28. storia della terra mia Alternative Antonio Bruno & Bellitamburi
29. Friend or foe clip Gospel N.o Subject
30. No matter , rain or shine Alternative N.o Subject
31. Unbreak My Arms Urban/R&B Flynt Marco
32. She's Opaque Alternative Frank Lordi
33. Out of your mind Country Chris Vaughn
34. Did you ever really care Urban/R&B Claudia
35. alcohol Undetermined Bohannon
36. e dai e vai remix Undetermined Antonio Bruno & Bellitamburi
37. Art of War Metal Losing Another Battle
38. I Could Be There For You Alternative Cindy Nelson
39. Chill Electronic Debbie Rocks
40. Without You Pop & Rock Loz
41. VICTORY DANCE Gospel Yvonne Perkins
42. Shootin' From the Hip Jazz Allen Talbott
43. Crackhead Blues Blues Allen Talbott
44. Hush Urban/R&B Julia
45. Intimate Undetermined Julia
46. Landslide Easy Listening Debbie Rocks
47. Mind Right Urban/R&B uBay
48. Lull Jazz Ben Bowen Project
49. Absolution Metal Losing Another Battle
50. annie Undetermined Bohannon
51. SCREAM LIKE CRAZY Metal Rainsweep
52. He's Still On My Mind Country Ernie Redquest
53. Thinking Of you Hip Hop/Rap Legitimate Generalz
54. true Alternative Bohannon
55. Requiem Alternative Cindy Nelson
56. All I Need Pop & Rock Muhammad Abdul Jami
57. At Last Jazz Debbie Rocks
58. The Peacock Jazz Marco Lopomo
59. Worst of Days Urban/R&B Muhammad Abdul Jami
60. Hung Up Pop & Rock Muhammad Abdul Jami
61. What You Ridin Hip Hop/Rap Moe-D
62. Love Is The Key Country Chris Balatgek
63. Street Life Hip Hop/Rap Vinny Rebel
64. cheeze machine Alternative Bohannon
65. il fattore di potenza Alternative Antonio Bruno & Bellitamburi
66. FOR YOU, MY TIME IS GRANTED Electronic Rainsweep
67. GOOD GIRLS ARE BAD GIRLS Country Shane & Blane
68. [O.O.M.P.] Occupational Overri... Electronic Rainsweep
69. I LEARNED TO REST Christian Yvonne Perkins
70. Last Fair Deal Blues Allen Talbott
71. I Can't Make You Love Me Easy Listening Debbie Rocks
72. The Wind Country Chris Vaughn
73. I'm Threw Urban/R&B Katrise
74. Street Life Hip Hop/Rap 2007 WorldWide
75. As we go on through the night Country Bob Richard's
76. In The Nazarene Church Pop & Rock Mike Visaggio
77. 'Walk Away' shortened edit Pop & Rock Jamie
78. OVERTURE IMAGE INFINITE Undetermined Rainsweep
79. Tell Them So Classical Debbie Rocks
80. State Of Being Pop & Rock Muhammad Abdul Jami
81. Remember - [Instrumental] Arct... Christian Rainsweep
82. The Vicarage Jazz Ben Bowen Project
83. bitter sweet lovely Alternative Bohannon
84. FRONT'N Urban/R&B David G.
85. Hello Alternative Cindy Nelson
86. Remember Gospel Rainsweep
87. huggy bear Alternative Bohannon
88. Materia World Antonio Bruno & Bellitamburi
89. Music's Coming To Us Pop & Rock Mike Visaggio
90. Knockin Heads Off Hip Hop/Rap Moe-D
91. Hey DJ - The Booker Mix Comedy Debbie Rocks
92. pretty things Alternative Bohannon
93. hey bohannon Alternative Bohannon
94. Create not to Destruct Hip Hop/Rap 2007 WorldWide
95. Under The Mountain Country Ernie Redquest
96. ChipHop Hip Hop/Rap Trezay
97. Count Your Blessings Country Chris Balatgek
98. The Last Whale Classical Ken Mahren
99. Higher Pop & Rock Muhammad Abdul Jami
100. Picture Country Debbie Rocks

Indie News Beat

INDIE NEWS BEAT

June 26, 2006 Edition

* Bandit A&R Newsletter Redefines "A&R"!

* Lee Lindsey Warms Rainy Pacific Northwest With Sunny Acoustic Pop At Borders

* 'By The Tree' To Perform June 29th in Phoenix

* New Group Lunapark Records with Fran Ashcroft

* Latin Music Download Site Rolls Out Reggaeton Internet Radio Station

* Rob Zombie On The 'American Witch' Tour With Special Guest Anthrax

* NYC's Hottest Indie Female Rock Showcase Hits The Road This Summer!

* Olympic Champion Launches Music Career

Bandit A&R Newsletter Redefines "A&R"!

A&R has always stood for Artists & Repteroire, ie. the person or dept that puts together the creative output of a company. Now, The Bandit A&R Newsletter which has been bringing world-wide A&R opportuinties to the attention of acts, songwriters and producers for over 18 years has redefined the abbreviation to focus on what the Newsletter actually provides to its songwriter, band, singer and producer subscribers.

A&R is - Access (to opportunity) & Research.

Access

The world-wide music industry is a huge thing with tens of thousands of music companies and individuals inventing, developing, and marketing new music every day in a wide range of genres aimed at diverse markets. Bandit A&R Newsletter provides acts, writers and producers access to the much smaller set of companies and people who are ready to listen to and sign new projects in any month. Anyone with a viable act or songs, who takes a subscription, gains a ready and continuous audience of people looking to invest in new talent.

Research

As a writer or performer you could spend vast amounts of time or money promoting your music to music companies in the hope that they will sign you. The average directory will have thousands of listings under labels, publishers, managers etc and every country will have at least one directory. Its impossible to send demo's to every listing. You can try to filter the information through phone calls and email but this again takes massive amounts of time and money. Research is what the Bandit A&R Newsletter is doing all the time, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year to identify those people and companies that are ready to receive new music and talent.

The end result is the monthly edition of the Bandit A&R Newsletter which can be received as a pdf attachment to an email or as a paper publication in the regular mail. Bandit aims to include detailed information from 30 companies every month spilt across all kinds of company and all commercial genres, in the UK, US and world-wide.

The Internet and technology has made doing all kinds of thing easier - recording, promotion, distribution so that artists can get a long way on their own - if they have the range of talent needed. To reach the mass audiences though and therefore the top revenues it helps to have the backing of a person, company or companies which can provide the capital, contacts and committment to open those big national and international media and distribution doors.

Bandit does not promise instant major label deals, in fact it rarely features major labels as the chances of it happening for someone with little of no track record is almost nil. Bandit concentrates on REAL opportunities which can get you established in the business perhaps though single song deals with a publisher, a development deal with a manager, a production deal with an up and coming producer, a one off record deal with an indie label or a track licensing deal on a compilation. All these are paths that lead to bigger things as your reputation and profile expands.

If you are a singer, songwriter, band or producer that has got tot the stage where you know you have a commercial act or material check out The Bandit A&R Newsletter. Regular subscriptions come with your first 2 monthly issues free!

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Canadian Singer/Songwriter Lee Lindsey Warms Rainy Pacific Northwest With Sunny Acoustic Pop At Borders

The beginning of summer is marked not only by the sun's heat but by the arrival of Canadian singer/songwriter Lee Lindsey and her style of folksy acoustic pop, an intoxicating mix of golden harmonies, jangling guitars, and upbeat, invigorating songs. Blessed with a pleasingly melodic and soaring voice, the blonde beauty recently performing at Borders locations in the following mocations:

Friday 6/9 - Redmond

Saturday 6/10 - Everett

Friday 6/16 - Tacoma

Saturday 6/17 - Puyallup

Friday 6/23 - Federal Way

Friday 6/30 - Redmond

Already receiving airplay on local radio stations such as KAOS 89.3 FM and KSER 90.7 FM, these free, all-ages performances will mark Lindsey's Washington State debut.

For Lee Lindsey, life began on the Ottawa River in Canada. At the age of 15, having difficulties with her father, she ran away from home. Since that time Lindsey has modeled and performed around the world, from New York to Paris and Nashville to London. It was in London where Lindsey formed her own label Tall Poppy Records with renowned producer Jack Guy of INXS and All Saints fame.

Lindsey's new album, Above the Madding Crowd, is being played on Triple A and Americana radio stations nationwide. Soaked in folk, roots rock, and country flavors, Lindsey's music is a refreshing anecdote to the rage and gloom that defines most contemporary music. From the exhilarating soul searching of "Journey" to the unapologetic confessions of "Wild Child," Lindsey writes with a poet's ear and an adventurer's heart.

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Two Time Dove Award Winner, 'By The Tree' To Perform June 29th in Phoenix

Black Dog Promotions announced that By The Tree will be performing at Mountain Park Community Church in Phoenix on Thursday, June 29th at 7 p.m.



Two-time Dove Award winning By The Tree mixes the splendor of quality pop-rock melodies with the redeeming character of honest worship. Beyond the entertaining value of the band's hook-laden tunes lies a truly refreshing breath of air for the soul. Check out By The Tree at www.myspace.com/bythetree.



This will also be the CD Release Show for local artist, Jeff Eaton (www.myspace.com/jeffeaton) for his latest release, 'Wish You Were Here.' Eaton's new release has been garnering rave reviews and airplay throughout the country and he is beginning his national tour in support of this release.



Additional performers include, Reigndown, Wahba, Kelly McAnly, & Gabriel Seacrest.

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New Group Lunapark Records with Fran Ashcroft

Lunapark are Polina Golubkova (21, vocals) & Dmitry Demchenko (21, guitars, keys, lyrics, music). There is also a third member Oleksa Volinsky (22) who creates drums & bass. Between the members, personal influences range from Avril Lavigne, Dido and Joan Osborne to Keane, James Blunt or Nickelback. Combination of tastes, perception of music & skills of members create Lunapark's music. They use to call it Rock'a'Pop style.

Sensitive voice, sometimes calm, sometimes powerful with unusual soft timbre enchantingly melodies & emotions of love happyness in all its variety If you close your eyes, while listening to their music, you will find yourself in the world of colourful images and love, full of bright and light emotions calm happyness Lunapark's songs are finished with modern pop-rock sound.

Polina, Dmitry and Oleksa were friends long before they became Lunapark. Dmitry met Oleksa on the party dedicated to finishing the record of the band called dominion (Dmitry's first band). Many beer, conversations about music and the next day they tried to play together. They were both pleasently surprised with the result. Polina & Dmitry knew each other since school. Once Polina stayed in Italy at her friends. There she took part in singers competition, just for fun. And to her own surprise she won. When Polina came home, they play together and the result was amazing.

'I write songs based on my owm emotions and life situations' ' Dmitry says. And Polly adds. 'There is always a place for positive way of thinking and accepting things in our life. Music is something that comes from the inside'

In 2005 Lunapark had a chance to work with a famous british producer Fran Ashcroft, who's credits include such bands as Damon Albarn (Gorrilaz), Dandy Warhols and others. 'We have sent him a demo-cd' ' Dmitry remembered ' 'He liked our music and proposed to work together'. The result was 'PopSong / BeatifullStares' single. This cooperation brought Lunapark's music to a brand new level. Finally it contributed to signing the digital distribution deal with Black Wasp LLC/IODA (USA company ran by former manager of Eminem's Band D12). And a record deal with Clearstream records (USA).

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Latin Music Download Site Rolls Out Reggaeton Internet Radio Station

Latin music download store, Musica360, announces the beta launch of it's free "Reggaeton Radio" streaming internet radio station. Reggaeton Radio's target market listeners who are fed up with the same old songs being played on terrestrial radio day in and day out and are searching for variety.



"We aim to please listeners by playing songs from their favorite artist such as Calle 13, Daddy Yankee, and Don Omar along with those of the next breed of up and coming talent." states Christoper English, Musica360's CEO.



Launched as a beta program, Musica360 will expand it's programming to include more sub-genre based stations as well as user customization features.



Musica360.com is a bilingual Spanish-English download music store and online community that focuses on the Hispanic market. Unlike other music services who target a broad market and try to encompass every genre, Musica360.com's focus is mainly on independent Latin music artists. Instead of promoting and selling the same mainstream hits that you hear every day on the radio or see on MTV, we cater to an under-served market segment, users seeking great Latin music that's outside the commercial mainstream. We cater to customers looking to discover new music.

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Rob Zombie On The 'American Witch' Tour With Special Guest Anthrax

Rob Zombie's single American Witch hit the airwaves April 24th and is the latest release off the Educated Horses CD (Geffen Records). American Witch is currently on Billboards Top 20 Mainstream chart after only five weeks out. Educated Horses entered the Billboard Top 200 at #5.



The American Witch Tour slated to start June 30th in El Paso, TX at the County Coliseum. Joining Zombie will be metal icons Anthrax.



AMERICAN WITCH TOUR DATES ' MORE TO COME:



Date: City/State: Venue:

6/30/06 El Paso, TX County Coliseum

7/01/06 Lubbock, TX Lone Star Amphitheater

7/02/06 Wichita Falls, TX Kay Yeager Coliseum

7/05/06 McAllen, TX La Villa Real Special Events Ctr.

7/07/06 North Little Rock, AR North Shore Riverwalk

7/08/06 Springfield, MO Jordan Valley Festival Grounds

7/09/06 Wichita, KS Kansas Coliseum

7/11/06 Council Bluffs, IA Mid-America Center

7/12/06 Oklahoma City, OK Fairgrounds Arena

7/14/06 Grand Rapids, MI DeltaPlex

7/15/06 Cleveland, OH Tower City Amphitheater

7/16/06 Fort Wayne, IN Allen County War Mem. Coliseum

7/18/06 Evansville, IN Roberts Stadium

7/19/06 Moline, IL The Mark Of The Quad Cities

7/20/06 Green Bay, WI Resch Center

7/22/06 Mankato, MN Midwest Wireless Civic Center

7/23/06 Fargo, ND Fargo Civic Memorial58102

7/24/06 Sioux Falls, SD Ramkota Exhibit Hall57103

7/26/06 Rapid City, SD Rushmore Hall

7/27/06 Casper, WY Casper Events Center

7/28/06 Billings, MT Shrine Auditorium

7/30/06 Saskatoon, SK Prairieland Park

7/31/06 Edmonton, AB Shaw Conference Center

8/01/06 Calgary, AB Stampede Corral

8/03/06 Vancover, BC Pacific Coliseum

8/4/06 Salem, OR Salem Armory Auditorium

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NYC's Hottest Indie Female Rock Showcase Hits The Road This Summer!

Girls Rock & Girls Rule (GRGR) will hit the road this summer and continue its mission of creating awareness and exposure for independent female artists while at the same time helping women in the community. GRGR will make multiple stops along the East Coast with several events currently scheduled in NY, NJ, and PA. The showcase has a history of featuring the best female rock musicians on the music scene today. Past shows have raised thousands of dollars for local charities and this tradition will continue. Most of this summer's events will benefit local chapters of Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program and other local charities.

At each GRGR event Revolutionary Records partners with local organizations and charities to offer a fantastic evening of entertainment by featuring both local bands as well as artists from previous GRGR shows. This insures a strong local audience and gives bands the opportunity to gain exposure with new fans while offering live music lovers fresh new bands they might not otherwise have had a chance to hear. Some of this summers featured artists include; Emiko (NYC), Edible Red (NYC), Loki the Grump (NYC), Tang (NJ), Head PA), Lindsay Rush (PA), G-spot (NYC), Hollis (PA), SuperDrive (Upstate NY), Black Flamingo (NYC), The Others, Haunted by Voices (Upstate, NY) , Terminal Inertia (PA), Bern (NJ) and many more to be announced in the coming months.

The tour is currently scheduled to kickoff at the Sterling Hotel in Allentown, PA on July 15 with stops in upstate NY, NJ, Long Island and Philadelphia (see schedule below). We are finalizing the itinerary and more shows are being added, so be sure to visit www.myspace.com/girlsrockgirlsrule for updates and details and to see if GRGR is coming to your town. If we don't make it this year, don't worry, plans are in the works to grow GRGR year after year till it's a national tour so we're bound to get there eventually.

Tour Schedule

Date Venue City/State

July 15, 2006 The Sterling Hotel Allentown, PA

July 29, 2006 The Hot End Elmira, NY

August 3, 2006 Maxwell's Hoboken, NJ

TBA Eisenhower Park Long Island, NY

TBA TBA Philadelphia,PA

Sept. 29, 2006 The Haunt Ithaca, NY

November 30, 2006 - 5th Anniversary Show The Canal Room NY, NY

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Olympic Champion Launches Music Career

Olympic boxing gold medalist Howard Davis Jr. has teamed up with longtime buddy Ray Brown (Tokyo Flash) to form the "Tokyo Flash - Howard Davis Jazz Project". Ray is a former member of the hit disco band Ecstasy,Passion & Pain and the legendary funk band The Jimmy Castor Bunch.

Unknown to most of his fans, Howard played drums and bass guitar in his own band early in his career and has always had a burning desire to show off the creative side of his personality through his music. He has joined the Tokyo Flash Band as his vehicle to express himself musically. The Tokyo Flash Band is made up of Ray Brown (Keyboards), Ron Richardson (Bass), Chango Everett (Drums), Robert Wells (Guitar) and Carlos Figue (Percussion). Collectively, these musicians have performed with artists such as Roy Ayers, Phyllis Hyman, P-Funk, Mary J. Blige, Stacy Lattisaw, and Johnny Gill.

Howard's music is a blend of funk and cool jazz. His creative sense of rhythm and melody together with Ray Brown's arrangements sends listeners on a mystical journey that touches the roots of many cultures.

The "Tokyo Flash - Howard Davis Jazz Project" will be debuting in New York City later this summer.

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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2006 - Republished with Permission