NEWS FEATURES, June 19 edition, Acoustic Americana Music Calendar & News 2008

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"Tied to the Tracks"
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC CALENDAR & NEWS
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NEWS FEATURES for June 19, 2008
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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June calendar, as a continuous read, is now at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, along with each day’s updated post of events, and our newest popular feature, the anniversaries of things that happened on that date.
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Each day’s updated events and anniversaries is still at www.myspace.com/laacoustic – for the time being. Because Myspace now accepts only short posts, we must go through the ponderous process of listing events there in small blocks, usually one day at a time – so, the calendar will move to another site, and that will happen soon.
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FUTURE EVENTS and archived NEWS FEATURES are posted into 2009 on our myspace site, where reading them curiously requires that you use the “Older Entries” button that appears when you click “View All” – going “back” to the future… just one of the many myspace aberrations.
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NEWS FEATURES:
June 19, 2008
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1) CONGRESS CAN’T END WAR FUNDING, BUT THEY LIKE MUSIC
We’ll share this as it appeared: “June seems to be music month on Capitol Hill. On Monday, the House passed legislation honoring recently deceased blues legend Bo Diddley. On Tuesday, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) ‘introduced a resolution to make September 'Gospel Music Heritage Month,'’ and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) proposed ‘a bill honoring country singer Toby Keith's commitment to the armed forces.’ ‘Although the troops have been hearing his hit, ‘I Love this Bar,' our office is so proud of our hometown hero that we hope he’ll be singing, 'I love this bill,'’ Cole's spokeswoman said.” (from http://www.americanprogressaction.org/progressreport).
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2) BENEFIT CONCERT FOR STAN BEHRENS IS JUNE 21
There are festivals and events galore on Sat, Jun 21. But, from 7 pm “until late,” there is a benefit in Topanga, about which you need to know. It will be an amazing night of music, with many known and up-and-coming artists performing.
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STAN BEHRENS is Hepatitis C positive. He is a harmonica, saxophone and flute player of the highest order who has played with such notables as CANNED HEAT, THE FOUR TOPS, WILLIE DIXON, and EMMANUEL ORTEGA, along with many others. His most recent work has been with the L.A. BLUES ALLIANCE, and they have a CD, called "What a Life." It features Stan and notables KEB MO, SONNY LANDRETH and SNUFFY WALDEN. Info on that at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=253760722&s=14344 .
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Stan contracted the "hep C" virus during his tour of duty in the US Army during the Vietnam War. The virus was most likely transmitted during mass immunizations, where hundreds of troops were inoculated with the same air gun injectors.
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Last year, hep C started taking its toll on Stan’s liver and he began to suffer complications of liver cirrhosis. There was concern that Stan would require a transplant. The good news is, the prognosis is that he will not need a new liver, but can repair his own with interferon treatments. The bad news is that interferon is a tough way to go, as well. Stan started interferon treatments in February, and he will need 50 weeks of this treatment to rid his body of the virus. Even after he completes these treatments it will take a while to fully recover, but a full recovery is expected.
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As you can imagine, the medical costs are staggering, and Stan can't play music to support himself during the next year. So, many musicians have come together to help him with a fundraiser and to ask that you join them. Amilai Spicer says, “If you can't attend but would like to contribute financially, please let me know. We would be most grateful to accept your donations thru paypal.” Contact her at allspice@amiliaspicer.com.
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PLAYERS & PERFORMERS who are friends of Stan Behrens are invited to contact AMILIA K. SPICER, at allspice@amiliaspicer.com; she is coordinating players and bands. The format is short sets (20 mins max) and blues jams. Amilia says, “We will try to accommodate everybody who wishes to perform, so we will encourage people to play together. Those of you who are musicians and performers lending your talent, we ask to use your names in our promotional efforts for this benefit. There will be FULL BACKLINE at the Roadhouse so we can keep the show flowing and make it as easy as possible for multiple spontaneous performances (drums, bass, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards and just about anything else you might want to play will be on hand.) Bring ONLY what you think you really need to do your thing.”
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MUSIC FANS & GUESTS: All are welcome to bring their own beverages and there will be a full bar and BBQ. The venue holds about 150 people. Eric Rasmussen has generously donated the venue, and all proceeds will go to help Stan. Please RSVP to STEVE MCCORMICK, event organizer, at steve@mccormickaudio.com.
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It all happens at The Topanga Roadhouse, 1704 N Topanga Canyon Bl, Topanga. Suggested donation is $20; all amounts gratefully accepted, in-person or via PayPal.
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3) PIRATE FESTIVAL SEEKS ENTERTAINMENT & VOLUNTEERS, JUNE 21 & 22
This arrived VERY late. THIS Sat & Sun, Jun 21 & 22, in Blue Jay / Lake Arrowhead, is the “BLUE JAY SWASHBUCKLING FESTIVAL” with RON ELY, PIRATES OF THE BLACK SWAN, THE DOXIE CHICKS, and others, at Blue Jay Village (near Lake Arrowhead), 23707 State Rte 189, Blue Jay 92317. Event runs 10 am-6 pm on Sat, 11 am-4 pm on Sun. Includes the Southern California Pirates Coalition (not affiliated with the big record labels), “Jack Sparrow look-alike” contests for adults and kids, belly dancing, a modern jester, face paintin' for whelps, swashbuckling entertainment, vendors specializing in pirate ware from across the Seven Seas. Pirates and landlubbers alike are welcome. Camping and other overnight accommodations “are within stumblin' distance,” and they tell us, “all are welcome, pirate costumes or not!” They also tell us they are still seeking “entertainment and volunteers,” so if you arrrrrh right for the role, here are the contacts: Bad Jack, 909-986-7882 or dragonjam@aol.com ; Mike & Bernice, 562-698-9400 or piratesnplunder@yahoo.com. Festival admission is free.
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4) BERNIE PEARL PRE-“BAYOU FESTIVAL” NEWS
He’s been around as a highly respected and fun-to-hear bluesman for a long time, and he’s played live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” He expanded his fan base with his major role in the recent “Ash Grove 50th Anniversary Reunion” weekend at UCLA. Now, Bernie tells us, “I've just been notified that selections from ‘Old School Blues, Acoustic/Electric,’ have begun airing on XM Satellite Radio's ‘Bluesville’ channel. Bluesville will feature them on its ‘Pick to Click’ segment. Selections from the acoustic disc will also air on their Acoustic Blues show. If you have XM in your vehicle or at home you will be part of a national blues audience listening to the Bernie Pearl Blues Band, or just me and my guitar, for the first time. I'm thrilled.” So are we Bernie! Catch him when he plays the LONG BEACH BAYOU FESTIVAL this weekend. (See our calendar listing.)
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5) WIL FORBIS’ NEW BOOK
You’ve heard that fine banjo player, WIL FORBIS, playing live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks” as a member of DAFNI’s band. You can catch him Sat, Jun 28, at 8 pm, with his other band, GRIEVOUS ANGELS, on a bill with ALICE WALLACE, plus THE COASTS, at The Pig 'n Whistle, 6714 Hollywood Bl, Hollywood 90028; www.pignwhistle.com. You’ve heard Wil on DAFNI’s and the GRIEVOUS ANGELS’ CD tracks on the radio show, as well. But there’s another side altogether to the talented Wil Forbis. He’s an author.
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Wil tells us, “Folks, my new book, 'ACID LOGIC: A DECADE OF HUMOROUS WRITING ON POP CULTURE, TRASH CINEMA AND REBEL MUSIC' is now available from fine Internet booksellers, brick-and-mortar bookstores and the author himself! What is 'Acid Logic'? Why, it’s 288 pages of humorous writing on film, music and the world we live in. It's celebrity profiles, feature writing, reviews, interviews and fiction. Look no further than the back cover blurb for more details!”
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And what does it say there? “From the pages of Acidlogic.com, underground author WIL FORBIS collects his most shocking and funniest material into one volume! Gasp at comic essays on the impending threat of cloning and the commodified brilliance of the blaxploitation film movement. Swoon over profiles of the entertainment industry's most eccentric stars, from adult film auteur Doris Wishman to ninja actor Sho Kosugi to shock punk GG Allin. Thrill to interviews with cultural stalwarts like hard rock drummer Rikki Rockett, actor Curtis 'Booger' Armstrong and horror director Stuart Gordon. Squeal with delight at fiction ranging from the horrifying to the absurd. THE ACID LOGIC REVOLUTION HAS ARRIVED!!!” More at www.acidlogic.com.
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So how do you get a copy? You can order from Amazon at
www.amazon.com/Acid-Logic-Humorous-Writing-Culture/dp/1434357007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209704613&sr=8-1
or slightly cheaper, direct from the publisher, at www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~47272.aspx
or see Wil at his show, or contact him by email at forbisthemighty@hotmail.com and he’ll get it to you at the publisher’s price of $12, without any additional postage costs.
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x) WESTERN MUSIC SOUGHT FOR SOUTHERN RADIO SHOW
Eddy Leverett, from "Around the Campfire" with Ed and Terry, [on] 92.1 FM in Cullman, Alabama, tells us, “We are always looking for some new folks to play on our show.” Send your CD and on-sheet to them at Campfire Productions, 1623 County Road 820, Cullman AL. Eddy also shared this bit of wisdom: “Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.”
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x) RENÉE HERMAN SUCCESSFULLY DOES CD RELEASE AS CHARITY SHOW
Renée checked in to say “We raised over $500 for the Odi Eco-village Project in Nigeria for Earth Rights Institute which will go a long way in assisting their goal to rebuild their village, using cutting-edge green technology. Thank you to everyone who came out to my CD Release Fundraiser! It was such an amazing turnout and such a fantastic show, it couldn't have gone better and I was so humbled by your love and support. I should have video footage from the show up on my myspace page in the next few weeks (www.myspace.com/reneehermanmusic) and for those of you who didn't grab one, I have plenty of my gorgeous new CDs available. I'll also have the tracks for sale of my myspace page soon as well. If any of you grand folks have any pics you'd like to share from the show, PLEASE, PLEASE send them along as I totally forgot to have some taken for me. Thanks again for all your love and support.”
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6) THIS WEEK, 2 FROM YOU TUBE, PLUS ONE MORE PICK
First, DALE LaDUKE (Kaedmon, BeaTunes) told us about this one. He enticed us with the statement, “This kid is crazy good. Deserves to be seen.” Watch the kid play guitar, and spend the time to watch all his videos, if you can. Start with Dale’s choice, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4CR3GoB3YY&feature=related
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Next, check-out BRAD COLERICK’s latest music video, "Let Her Fall In Love," at www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QdUwd72Tfo.
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Finally, if you missed the incredibly funny archival piece that surfaced a few weeks ago, depicting the bloviating BILL O’REILLY’S BLOW-UP (or even if you saw it), you should see this version, with the modern addition of a “producer” added, cleverly cut-in to appear as if O’Reilly’s blow-up is in the context of a dialog between the two. Really, really, funny, at www.barelypolitical.com .
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7) FOLK MUSIC SITE WITH LOTS TO EXPLORE
The San Diego Folk Heritage organization has a fine concert series and a website with nice discoveries, including archived episodes of the “WOODSONGS OLD TIME RADIO HOUR,” heard all over the world, but not in L.A. Check it out. www.sdfolkheritage.org.
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8) HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN’S NEW CD DUE AUGUST 19
Fans of the great Austin-based trio were in apoplexy when they broke-up, and overjoyed when they reunited. Between those two events, ELANA JAMES (aka Elana Fremerman) left to be BOB DYLAN’s fiddle player on his round-the-world tour, and two-thirds of HCOC (Elana and WHIT SMITH, with BEAU SAMPLE) toured and performed on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks” as ELANA JAMES & THE CONTINENTAL TWO. Now, Elana and Whit are reunited with JAKE IRWIN as HCOC once again. They’re touring internationally, with a bunch of dates across the US this summer, and they sent us more good news: Shout! Factory Records is releasing “DEAD RECKONING: THE BEST OF HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN,” Aug 19. This 20-track album has the very best material from the band's five previous albums, hand-picked by ELANA JAMES and WHIT SMITH themselves. (So, where was JAKE IRWIN, one of the best slap bass players on the planet?) The retrospective contains HCOC’s covers of classics, including "Ida Red" and "Orange Blossom Special," and originals including "Forget-Me-Nots" and "It Stops With Me." It’s all in the enthusiastic Django-infused western-swing style that’s their trademark.
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9) NEW CD EXPLORES AFRICAN AMERICAN FOLK TRADITION
In “Bound To Go: Illuminating Legacy of African American Folk Tradition,” ANDREW CALHOUN & CAMPGROUND breathe new life into spirituals, secular songs, prison ballads, and shout songs from the sea islands. “Bound To Go” is a landmark collection of 35 songs. Lovingly compiled, created and produced by Andrew Calhoun, a working folk singer, the collection shines new light onto some of the most moving and important songs in the American folk music tradition. The record was released on Andrew’s own Waterbug Records, an artist collective label he started in 1992. Calhoun’s mission with “Bound To Go” is to revive the legacy of the African American folk tradition.
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Many of these songs have never been recorded. The songs and the styles can no longer be de-emphasized by regarding them as simply the root source for more popular and well-known styles such as blues, country or gospel. Calhoun says, “The African American spiritual is its own art form, which remains unsurpassed in its ability to communicate profound truths about existence in quickly apprehended, memorable forms.” These are heartfelt, soulful and moving songs. We haven’t seen the packaging, but we’re told it’s “a work of art in its own right.”
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The instrumentation is rather unique, featuring trumpet, not a common instrument in folk arrangements, together with cello, fretless gourd banjo (an instrument slaves would have played), fiddle, hambone and more. As one earlier listener commented, this project has “all the freshness of a field recording, with the polish of a studio production.” Look for it in all the usual places.
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10) “TIED TO THE TRACKS” ON TV
On Monday, June 16, we worked with the folks at the My Record Label studios (www.myrecordlabel.net) and filmed the first episode of the new TttT TV show. Our performing guests were multi-year Florida Banjo and Dulcimer champion MARY Z. COX and her guitar accompanist husband, BOB COX. The half-hour weekly series is due this fall. But we may have a pre-premiere or two before then. We’ll let you know. Film at eleven.
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NEXT WEEK, we’ll bring lots more news.
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Meantime, be sure you read our #1 news feature in the June 6 edition, and CONTACT CONGRESS to protect your rights to your created works from the piracy that will result if the “Orphan Arts Act” is passed.
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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Be sure to check EVERY WEEK for
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+ the extensive and always huge Acoustic Americana Music Calendar’s event listings
at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, or at www.myspace.com/laacoustic.
+ news of the “TIED TO THE TRACKS” radio & TV shows coming soon in syndication
+ the latest NEWS FEATURES from the acoustic music universe!
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WANT TO CONTACT US?
tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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