NEWS FEATURES Oct 29 edition UPDATED, Oct 30 - Acoustic Americana Music News 2008

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"Tied to the Tracks"
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC NEWS
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NEWS FEATURES edition for October 29 (UPDATED Oct 30), 2008
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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OCTOBER 30 - HOT UPDATE:
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So, WHY an update to an edition that just posted? Well, it’s because we just learned that another great band that has performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” is on the preliminary GRAMMY BALLOT, plus another artist we know whose just-released polka album is also on the ballot. See feature number 1 for the additions! (All else remains as posted in the original Oct 29 edition.)
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WELCOME to the ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC NEWS, our weekly news feature companion to the ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE (formerly called the calendar). Here, you’ll find news for artists and music fans alike, ranging from the immediately useful to the merely informative, from gig opportunities and festival deadlines to early bird discounts, from venue openings and closings to career tips, and hot tips for acoustic music fans.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide (formerly called the calendar) with frequently updated posts of upcoming events well into 2009, is available at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com and various other places around the web. We post links for current editions on our Myspace page, but new editions of the calendar are no longer there. Myspace has made changes that limit the size of posts, and that makes it far too time-consuming and ponderous to post the calendar there in far too many small pieces.
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Our myspace site, www.myspace.com/laacoustic is still the place to go for news of the syndicated “Tied to the Tracks” radio show, and its new TV counterpart that launches soon.
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LATEST NEWS FEATURES always post separate from the Acoustic Americana Music Guide (formerly called the calendar).
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MOST RECENT previous News Features posted OCTOBER 17, at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2008/10/news-features-oct-17-edition-acoustic.html
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Recent weeks and months’ editions are available on Blogspot at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com; older archived editions are available on the myspace page (www.myspace.com/laacoustic), by using the “View All” button and scrolling, and if you don’t see what you want, then journey farther back by using the “older entries” button and scrolling, as many times as necessary. You can go all the way back to when acoustic music was made by trees crashing to the floor of the primeval forests when the dinosaurs got too rambunctious.
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COMMUNICATE WITH US about anything related to the Acoustic Music Guide & News, or “Tied to the Tracks,” at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com.
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Please don’t send us anything through myspace email. It’s esoteric, can’t be auto-forwarded into a “real” email account, and we just can’t keep up with it. So, communicate through the above address.
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NEWS FEATURES:
October 29 (updated Oct 30), 2008
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1) GRAMMY NOMINATION BALLOTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED
Artists who are friends of radio’s “Tied to the Tracks” are again among those vying to be Grammy nominees by receiving enough votes on the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) annual nomination ballot. Ballots for the 51st annual Grammys are now in the hands of NARAS members, and are due back to the Academy by November 5. This first round of voting will determine the nominations that will be announced in December.
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First, we are thrilled to see LISA HALEY & THE ZYDEKATS on the ballot once again. You may recall that their 2007 CD, “King Cake,” had its world premiere and five weeks of exclusive airplay of TttT, and all of that on its way to becoming a nominee for the first-ever “Cajun / Zydeco Album of the Year” in the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.
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This year, the new LISA HALEY & THE ZYDEKATS CD, “Absolutely Live!” is on the ballot in Field 14 - Folk, Category 72 - Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album, Position #14. It was produced by Lisa Haley, mastered by Joe Gastwirt, and recorded live at the annual “Bastille Day Festival” in Milwaukee, WI. Lisa tells us that it was “One of our best shows of the year!” It’s on Lisa’a indie Blue Fiddle Records, and you can hear tracks at www.bluefiddle.com
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Next, CHER & GENE KLOSNER also received the exciting news that they are on the preliminary Grammy ballot for their CD, “Stardust,“ and it’s listed in 6 spots in 5 different categories. Here’s the roadmap to their six categories: (1) Field 18 - Children's, Category 77 - Best Musical Album for Children, Position #093. (2) Field 23 – Composing / Arranging, Category 85 - Best Instrumental Composition – and they have two entries in this Category, Position #188 "Pillow Soft, Blanket Warm" - Gene Klosner, and Position #283 "Wynken, Blynken and Nod" - Cher Klosner. (3) Field 23 - Composing/Arranging, Category 86 - Best Instrumental Arrangement, Position #135 Gene Klosner, Arranger. (4) Field 23 - Composing/Arranging, Category 87 - Instrumental Arrangement, Accompanying Vocalist(s), Position #226 - Cher Klosner, Arranger. (5) Field 27 - Production, Non-Classical, Category 92 - Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, Position #307 - Tom Ware, Engineer.
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If you haven’t heard the tracks on “Stardust,” youi can listen to the Grammy entries, “Pillow Soft, Blanket Warm” (instrumental) and “Wynken, Blynken and Nod” (vocal and instrumental versions), on their MySpace page (click on the player) at www.myspace.com/chergeneklosner
In addition, short clips of all the CDs songs are at www.StardustLullaby.com/MusicClips.html
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PLUS, TWO LATE ADDITIONS:
I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. just checked-in to tell us, “Our CD ‘Hallowed Ground’ is on the Grammy ballot in category 69, ‘Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album.’ If you're a NARAS member, we invite you to check out our music on our myspace page and at www.iseehawks.com - Thanks! Paul, Rob, Shawn, Paul”
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The “hawks” have performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” and scored a “Listener Favorite” with their track, “Byrd from West Virginia.”
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IN ADDITION, we just learned from VERONIQUE CHEVALIER that her new album “Polka Haunt Us” is on the Grammy ballot for Best Polka Compilation Album, in Field 17, Category 76, Position #020. Get info at www.polkahaunt.us.
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Only voting members of the Recording Academy are eligible to vote. But most of us know members that we can remind of the deadline: ballots must be received at the Deloitte & Touche office by Nov 5.
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2) DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR “INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION”
The 2008 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has extended its deadline for entries through Nov 30, 2008. This is a well-known annual songwriting arena, which the NY Times has called "the competition to take note of." It offers $150,000 in prizes, including $25,000 cash for the grand prize winner. It boasts “the best judges for any songwriting competition in the world.”
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This year's judges include both prominent recording artists and music industry execs. Among them are Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); Chaka Khan; Tom Waits; KT Tunstall; Robert Smith (The Cure); Loretta Lynn; Neil Finn (Crowded House); Jon Secada; Ricky Martin; Buckcherry; T-Pain; James Cotton; Jerry Lee Lewis; Craig Morgan; Ray Davies (The Kinks); Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Michael W. Smith; Chris Hillman (The Byrds); John Scofield; Mario; Black Francis (The Pixies); Natalie Grant; Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Pitbull; Sandra Bernhard; David Brenner; Jeremy Camp; Angelique Kidjo ; McCoy Tyner; Youssou N'Dour; John Mayall; DJ Tiësto; "Weird Al" Yankovic; and Paul Van Dyk.
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Judges from the music industry are Monte Lipman (President, Universal Records); Nick Burgess (Head of A&R, Virgin Records UK); Renee Bell (Executive VP A&R, SONY BMG Nashville); Rick Krim (Executive VP Talant and Music Programming VH1); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP of A&R, Latin America Sony BMG and President, Discos 605); Cameron Strang (President, New West Records); Amy Doyle (Sr. VP of Music and Talent, MTV); Kim Buie (VP of A&R, Lost Highway); Jon Pikus (Director of A&R, MySpace Records); Mitchell Cohen (VP of A&R, Verve Music Group); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Dan Storper (President, Putumayo World Music); Peter Strickland (Senior VP, Jack Records/Warner Bros.); Steve Lillywhite (Producer - credits include U2, The Rolling Stones, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel, and more); Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Betty Pino (DJ, WAMR Miami); Paul Majors (CEO/Founder Majors Music); Leib Ostrow (CEO, Music for Little People); and Dr. Demento (Radio Host of The Dr. Demento Show).
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Thanks to Los Angeles WoMen in Music (LAWIM) for the info. Info on ISC and contest entry rules are at www.songwritingcompetition.com
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3) YOU CAN VOTE IN KWEEVAK MUSIC AWARDS
"Kweevak Music Magazine" has been around long enough that it’s now presenting its 9th Annual “Kweevak.com CD of the Year Awards.” They invite you to choose one artist from the nominated list of music, music that is all over the map of musical genres. There are a few acoustic / acoustic renaissance and Americana artists in there, so we’re letting you know about it. In fact, it could be huge, if acoustic artists finish ahead of pop rockers, when everyone is bobbing for apples in the same tub. Kweevak will post the Top 20 winners on their site in December. Only one vote per IP is counted, so multiple voting has no effect on results. (Are you listening, Diebold?) But hurry, because voting for this ends on Election Day, Nov 4, at 11 pm EST (that’s 8 pm Pacific time). Info and voting are at www.kweevak.com/index.php#CYA
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4) WESTERN SONG AND POETRY CONTEST ACCEPTING ENTRIES
The Western Writers of America are now accepting entries for the 2009 “Spur Awards,” for the categories of “Best Western Poem” and Best Western Song.” To be eligible, “works submitted must be set in the American West, the early frontier, or relate to the Western or frontier experience.” Non-members, as well as members, of the WWA, Inc., are encouraged to enter. Works submitted for this competition must have been first published or aired during the 2008 calendar year. Authors may submit multiple works in any category; each submission must be a separate entry. Complete rules and entry forms can be found at www.westernwriters.org/awards.htm
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5) CTMS MUSICAL NEW YEAR’S CAMP NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS
The California Traditional Music Society is now accepting reservations for its annual music camp. While it is a four-day affair, they also offer single-day options. They tell us, “Pack up your hitch and gittle, grab your best buddy, tune your voice or instrument and give yourself the best holiday gift ever! The gift of music at the CTMS NEW YEAR'S CAMP!”
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JOY FELT, from the Bluegrass Society of Southern California, says, “Last year I went for the very first time since New Year's Camp began dozens of years ago. I cannot believe I missed this incredible event all these years. It was great fun, set at Camp Hess Kramer, in a rustic canyon just a 5 minute walk to the Pacific Ocean. A wonderful respite from ‘city life’ for listener, singer, dancer and player. For years I fought sleep at a friend's house waiting for the coming of the New Year. Well - NO more!”
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The whole experience, or single-day tickets “with vittles” are available. See the CTMS website for all the details, at www.ctms-folkmusic.org - click the link for the New Year's Camp, or call the CTMS Center for Folk Music, at 818-817-7756.
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Confirmed participants / leaders are TOM & PATRICK SAUBER (banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin); AMBER & JIM MUELLER (fiddle, clogging); BANSHEE IN THE KITCHEN (all 3 members) - BRENDA HUNTER (fiddle, hammered dulcimer) - JILL EGLAND (flute, accordion, whistle) - & MARY TULIN (six-and twelve-string guitar, bouzouki); THE PRIVY TIPPERS (all four of ‘em) - CRAIG TINNEY, (guitar & banjo) - JERRY RAY WEINERT (bass) - JACQUIE WOHL (fiddle) - & DAVE FIRESTINE (mandolin); plus others to be announced. Oh, and bring a costume for the big New Year's Eve Party, which includes prizes and a silent auction.
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6) NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPONSORS PHOTO CONTEST
Many of our readers are multidisciplinary artists, combining their music careers with other artistic endeavors. All who are serious photographers should know about this contest, and the chance to have your work published in one of the world’s most acclaimed forums for photography. Get the details at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/photo-contest/silverlight/seeall.html?Gt1=34125
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7) MORE FROM McCABE’S FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY SHOW
Speaking of photographs… Photographer ROMAN CHO has posted his remarkable photo essay, documenting the all-star show at UCLA’s Royce Hall, from set-up through post-show backstage. Last week, we told you about McCabe’s 50th anniversary commemorative book, and we reported in advance on the anniversary concert that included headliner JACKSON BROWNE. It’s been quite a celebration of, and for, McCabe’s Guitar Shop and its long-running concert series. (Thanks to George McCalip for the info on this photo essay.) View Cho’s fine selection of black & white and color photos at http://romancho.com/mccabes50th
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8) A WINNING PROMO IDEA: COMPASS RECORDS’ MUSIC VIDEO CONTEST
Why not let your fans make videos for one of your songs, then award the winner of the best one (or two), and get the videos without paying a crew to make them? On Oct 27, Compass Records (compassrecords.com) announced the winners of a make-a-video contest they sponsored on behalf of one of their artists, CATIE CURTIS. Back on September 9, when Catie’s new “Sweet Life” album was released, the label launched an international "Sweet Life Video Contest,” inviting fans and filmmakers to create a video for the album's title track “about their own sweet lives.”
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Compass Records tells us, “After combing through the entries, we have chosen two sweet selections: Grand Prize winner PETER MUSURLIAN, and the recipient of Catie's Choice, ANGIE HARRIS.” Links for both videos are below. But first, there’s more.
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This fall, CATIE CURTIS unveiled her youth music fund, “Aspire to Inspire,” through which she awarded 15 guitars to underprivileged youth, via The ASCAP Foundation. Catie was recently featured in “Performing Songwriter” and “Curve” magazines, and she’s appeared on etown, on New York City’s WFUV, Nashville’s WRLT, and Boston’s WUMB. Catie continues to tour through the fall, with upcoming gigs on “Acoustic Café” and on Pittsburgh’s WYEP, and print media promised in the “Boston Globe” and the “Washington Post.”
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Watch winning entries in the video contest:
“Sweet Life" by PETER MUSURLIAN at http://compassrecords.com/uploads/5282-_sweet_life_smaller.mov (requires Quick Time) OR, the same with cross-platform compatibility and a faster load time at www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMI4m3ORZlE&feature=related
and "Sweet Life" by ANGIE HARRIS at http://compassrecords.com/uploads/5282-_sweet_life_smaller.mov (we don’t have a You Tube url for this one).
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More videos from the contest are on You Tube, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zAUlF3pwiY&NR=1 and www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zAUlF3pwiY
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It’s interesting to see how different videographers interpreted the same song. In addition to the contest-winning videos, there’s another new video of Catie performing her song, "Happy," on You Tube, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQJ5UsBBuJY
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More info on Catie, including her Fall 2008 tour dates, at www.catiecurtis.com
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9) RED HOUSE RECORDS TO RELEASE 25th ANNIVERSARY BOX SET
The Minnesota-based label is one of the top names in roots / acoustic / Americana music. We’re tempted to add “Canadiana,” since the label’s stable includes many Juno winners, but their music has always fit comfortably alongside the label’s formidable artists form both sides of the border. Red House has orchestrated a series of multi-artist concerts around the country throughout this, their 25th Anniversary year, and now comes word they will release “Red House 25: A Silver Anniversary Retrospective” box set on November 25.
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It’s truly a deep-catalog anthology with premium packaging, a high-end product that will retail at $69.98. They tell us that the label’s president, Eric Peltoniemi, “coordinated every last detail of the project.”
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Ellen Stanley, Director of Publicity & Promotions for Red House Records, tells us, “We are very proud of this collection and feel that it exhibits the label’s important contributions to folk, roots, blues, bluegrass and Americana music. Beautifully and thoughtfully packaged in a silver-embossed leather-patterned slip case, the 3-CD set features 64 tracks and includes previously unreleased material. The 48-page perfect-bound book that accompanies this collection includes an extensive history, liner notes, rare photos, staff commentary and testimonials from DJs, writers and artists that have been admirers of the label, including DAR WILLIAMS, JOSH RITTER, MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, and JACK JOHNSON. It’s a unique project like no other one we’ve done, and we hope you and the rest of our fans will enjoy it.”
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Radio’s “Tied to the Tracks” has brought listeners live performance-interviews with a number of artists who share the Red House label, including THE BILLS, ELIZA GILKYSON, DAVID FRANCEY, LYNN MILES, JIMMY LaFAVE, and THE WAILIN’ JENNYS, and played CD tracks from over a dozen more.
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The new box set includes all of them, plus GREG BROWN, JOHN GORKA, PAT DONOHUE, BILL STAINES, LUCY KAPLANSKY, RAMBLIN’ JACK ELLIOTT, SPIDER JOHN KOERNER, DAVID WILKIE & COWBOY CELTIC, GUY DAVIS, LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, SUZZY & MAGGIE ROCHE, STORYHILL, ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMS, and more.
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You should also check-out the new Red House CD from Grammy-nominated folk artist ROSALIE SORRELS: it’s a tribute to the late UTAH PHILLIPS, featuring lesser-known Utah songs and performances by special guests KATE & ANNA MCGARRIGLE, PEGGY SEEGER, JAY UNGAR & MOLLY MASON. More at www.redhouserecords.com and www.myspace.com/redhouserecords.
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10) TOM RUSSELL IN THE NEWS
He’s a transplant to Texas who grew up in the L.A. area, and his songs have been recorded by a whole bunch of other artists, and have moved and entertained many, many fans, worldwide. He checked-in to tell us that "Veteran's Day," the two disc, 37-track Tom Russell anthology, is now available at www.villagerecords.com. Tom adds, “All songs are re-mastered; there's plenty of surprises and a big book of notes. Great photos.”
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There’s more, including a new DVD, "Ian Tyson and Tom Russell: Mano a Mano," a songwriter workshop done in Elko that is "unplugged and unleashed." Tom says, “Much talk of songs and Bob Dylan and the early days. Great footage. Cool song swapping and singing of the old Cowboy songs. Vintage footage and a special Tyson interview.” Also at www.villagerecords.com.
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Tom tells us there are still seats aboard the “2008 SONG TRAIN,” Toronto to Vancouver, with TOM RUSSELL and THE FLATLANDERS - JOE ELY, BUTCH HANCOCK & JIMMIE DALE GILMORE, Mon-Fri, Nov 10-14, across Canada: It’s in our calendar, but Tom says, “ask about specials," so go to www.rootsontherails.com.
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Finally, Tom’s big West Coast tour is coming, late Nov-early Dec. Locally, Tom will perform Sat, Nov 29, at 8 pm at McCabe’s in Santa Monica; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403 (see calendar listing), and Sun, Nov 30, at 8 pm at the Concerts at The Bodie House series in Agoura Hills; reservations get directions, at 818-621-8309 or BodieHouse@aol.com. Check all the other dates and venues at www.tomrussell.com or www.myspace.com/russelltom..
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11) HARRIET SCHOCK HONORS HAVE ARRIVED ON YOU TUBE
Harriet, the songwriter who wrote the multi-platinum hit, “Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady,” checked-in to tell us, “I’m very excited that the 6-minute video recap of the black tie event where L.A. Women In Music honored me on May 6th, 2007, is finally edited and up on You Tube thanks to Kamala Lopez Dawson and Joel Marshall. You can see it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_t2DCYlF6U. It’ll be like you were there except you’ll save yourself 2 hours and 54 minutes and you don’t have to wear heels or a tux.” Nothing like old news made new, Harriet. But there is up-and-coming news: Harriet has shows in L.A. on Nov 8, where she is included in November’s “Grassroots Acoustica,” lineup, and on Nov 15, when she shares the bill with BOB CHEEVERS. See calendar listings.
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12) “A SINGLE WOMAN” WILL SCREEN IN D.C., FOR CONGRESS
Back in September, we were privileged to make our readers “insiders,” with an invitation to go see the advance screenings of "A Single Woman," the independent film about JEANNETTE RANKIN, the first U.S. Congresswoman and co-founder of the ACLU. Now, word comes from KAMALA LOPEZ, president of Heroica Films and the film’s producer / director, that the project “is finished at last and about to go out into the world.”
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The film’s original soundtrack by JOHNNY WILSON includes the haunting flute theme, "Circle The Wagons." It’s the musical backdrop to the Native American story that is woven throughout the film, narrated by actress PATRICIA ARQUETTE. You can subscribe to the film’s newsletter and receive a free MP3 of that instrumental piece at www.asinglewomanmovie.com/subscribe-asw.html.
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The project’s big news is, as Kamala shares, “Our first public screening of the film will take place in the United States Congress! We have been invited to screen for members of the U.S. Congress and their guests at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on Thursday, October 30th at 3:30 pm.”
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The production already has one friend and fan there. Congressman DENNIS KUCINICH (D), Ohio, winner of the 2003 “Gandhi Peace Award,” says, "Jeannette Rankin's life was a hymn to peace, sung sweetly amidst the chaos of war. This work is a fitting testimonial to Jeannette Rankin's courageous public service, the never-ending song of the dove."
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If you plan to be in the D.C. area and would like to attend the screening with members of Congress, immediately email DCScreening@asinglewomanmovie.com - Kamala says, “We will do our best to find you a seat.”
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If you missed the L.A. advance premiere screenings, learn more about the film, and explore the Cast and Crew link at www.asinglewomanmovie.com.
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13) FRANK WOLKING, WESTERN MUSICIAN, MAKES HIS LAST RIDE
In a year that has seen the Western / cowboy music world lose far too many talented artists and all-around good people, we must report the latest loss. FRANK WOLKING, 1955-2008, founder of the Colorado-based band SONS AND BROTHERS, died on Wednesday, October 15, at the end of a long, brave, battle with cancer. Just days before, he and the band had performed at the 8th Annual “HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL” in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. In April, Frank and the band performed at the annual “SANTA CLARITA COWBOY FESTIVAL,” where they gained many new fans and friends in Southern California. This past January, they played the “BLYTHE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL,” on the California-Arizona border, and they also performed in 2008 at the famed “Cowboy Gathering” in Elko, Nevada.
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The day after Frank’s passing, RON THOMASON wrote, “Frank was a master plumber, and his work was highly respected and sought after throughout the construction industry in an area which spanned several very large counties. About the same time that the family was putting down roots in Westcliffe, Frank founded a band which he called The SONS AND BROTHERS. The band, which included his three sons and his brother, Fred, (who was also with him when he died) provided an avenue for him to do the two things he loved most—perform music and share it with his sons. In 2005, in conjunction with his wife and sons, Frank founded Sons and Brothers Events which provided equipment, shelters, counseling, staging, and sound reinforcement for many area events, including the acclaimed ‘High Mountain Hay Fever Festival’ for which Frank also served on the Board of Directors. The Sons and Brothers Band hosts the festival, which is a non-profit event that provides financial support for the Custer County Community Clinic. Frank and his company were also instrumental in the production of the ‘Wet Mountain Western Days,’ an annual community celebratory event for Westcliffe, CO.
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“…at his very core—in his soul—he was a musician. He was a dynamic multi-instrumentalist and a soulful vocalist. He had a rare gift for selecting songs that the Sons and Brothers’ audiences reacted to with sheer delight and heartfelt emotion. His greatest joy was in making music and it always showed. In less than a decade The Sons and Brothers Band became known throughout the region, and they were just breaking onto the ‘national scene’ when Frank contracted cancer. Still, he lived the dream of all musicians--to go out with a bang. Throughout his illness, Frank never missed a gig. His final performance was his best. It occurred at the largest ‘Americana’ festival in the country, which is held annually in San Francisco. Frank and his boys overwhelmed the crowd with their trademark drive combined with soulful harmonies. And then they went on to play for the all-star musicians that such a festival draws at the “cast party” and got a standing encore from the stars themselves. That last performance was just 11 days before he left us.
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“He is survived not only by his wife and sons but also by his brother, Fred; his sister, Jackie; two daughters-in-law, Lindsay and Callie; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and by many, many fans who still have his fine recordings to remember him by.
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“His was the strongest hand I ever shook. His fight was the bravest I ever saw. I cannot believe that a heart so big, so generous, so loving, so true could ever stop. I know the Angel Band is better than ever now, pushing the beat like never before--throwing out all the stops.”
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And, like so many musicians and others who have bravely fought terrible diseases, there are medical bills left behind. Gifts may be sent to the “Frank Wolking Medical Fund,” c/o Colorado Mountain Bank, 1000 Main St, Westcliffe, CO 81252.
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There’s more about Frank and the band, and a link to order their CDs, at www.sonsandbrothersband.com.
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14) NO PRO-CONSERVATIVE ELECTION ’08 MUSIC VIDEOS?
Last edition, we presented the latest in our recommendations among the “short shelf life” political and election-oriented music videos. Knowing that we were offering an array of mostly pro-Obama selections, we asked our readers to send us any pro-Republican acoustic music videos – if indeed, any exist. Apparently, they don’t. Sure, you can find plenty of Nashville clone red-state-trailer-park-rock songs by Nashville’s usual suspects, the purveyors of that soundalike formulaic sameness that is the product of Mew-sick Row. But anything pro-Republican that’s remotely folk-Americana or singer-songwriter acoustic renaissance? We can’t find it, and it seems, you can’t, either.
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15) POLITICAL HUMOR THAT’S HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Okay, okay, but the election is so close that we’ve got to get the best of these in, while we still can. This is one of our favorites. Singer-songwriter DAVE MORRISON forwarded it to us with the following comment: “Lotsa hidden stuff, so poke around with the old cursor and click as needed.” Gads, Dave, that sounds so Palinesque! Appropriate though, as you’ll see if you spend some time at www.palinaspresident.us
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Then, new at cartoonist MARK FIORE’s site, www.markfiore.com is “Palin’s Afghanistan.”
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Finally, the spouse of bagpiper ERIC BOYD sent us one that most of you have seen, but if you haven’t, note her recommendation and go watch it. VICKIE BOYD says, “Gotta admire SARAH SILVERMAN for trying to change the world, one grandparent at a time. If you haven't already seen or heard about this, you've got to check it out. No matter what your political affiliation, this is hilarious.” www.thegreatschlep.com
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16) CHE ZURO’S “ELECTION SPECIAL” RADIO SHOW
Southern California music fans and artists know CHE ZURO as a fine performing songwriter who is always there to support a charitable cause with her music. Lately, she’s added duties as a co-host, and then as host of her own once-a-month radio show on WPMD (www.wpmd.org). A couple Saturdays back, she picked music with political themes to enable her to present a music-based “election special.” You can hear that show by streaming or downloading it, view the songs she played, and learn more about the artists whose music was included. Stream the show and get the song list at http://secondhour.blogspot.com or download / stream / songlist are at http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheSecondHour.
Learn more about the talented Che Zuro and her own music at www.checheche.com and www.myspace.com/chezuro.
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17) RACHEL SEDACA’S TOUR ENDS IN HOSPITAL
When you see an email with the subject, “I'm in the hospital in Denver,” it does get your attention. It was a message from Ventura, California-based singer-songwriter RACHEL SEDACA (www.rachelsedacca.com), a talented artist who makes the rounds of quality venues and house concert series across America. Rachel is well-known for her reports from the road, and for the old school bus that she rebuilt herself into a tour bus. Along the way, she named that bus “Patience,” since that’s what it takes to do something as ambitious as a mechanical rebuild and interior redesign like that.
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Rachel wrote, “Well, I had an accident stepping out of the bus and I broke my ankle. The spot where the sidewalk meets the grass was my trouble and I rolled my ankle, hurt it and felt it. I knew it was broken. I had surgery Tuesday night and with pins and plates they were able to set and secure my three fractured anklebones. Ouch! We've been trying to figure out a way to handle the pain with lot of different analgesics including one that made me crazy with itchyness. I'm hangin' tough, though, and at least I'm in a safe place with one of my best friends, Rachel Keller, and her family, and not off highway 80 in Wyoming. I stayed in a Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado. I had a visit from Matt and his friend Caleb. We went for a spin around the block in a wheelchair in the beautiful Colorado October weather.”
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A week later, Rachel reported, “Thank God I have been convalescing at a friend's house here in Denver. I am just about totally bedridden save a couple trips to the bathroom each day. i see the surgeon for a follow up, redressing and xray tomorrow so hopefully this week of laying down will pay off.”
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Then she wrote, “My brother is flying out Friday night to drive me home in the bus.”
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We wrote to tell Rachel that we were glad to hear that she was with friends, and that her brother was coming to drive her home aboard “Patience,” that big bus of hers. We said, “Great that he can come and get ya, and pilot Patience and its patient, now matter how impatient its patient might be by now.” She seemed to enjoy that.
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Rachel tells us that she can use words of encouragement and support. Send her your good wishes at rachel@rachelsedacca.com
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18) THIS WEEK’S MUSIC VIDEO PICKS
The folks at the California Traditional Music Society (www.ctmsfolkmusic.org) publishes a monthly e-newsletter, and this week we are choosing their monthly pick for “Traditional Music Video.” It features performers they met at this year's “Irish Fair” in Milwaukee. We’re sure you will enjoy the splendid fiddles of LIZ & YVONNE KANE - THE KANE SISTERS - from Dawros, on the outskirts of Letterfrack, a village in Connemara along the West coast of Ireland. In 1992, Liz won the “Fiddler of Dooney” prize in Sligo, and went on to win the “All-Ireland” Senior Fiddle and Duet titles, as well as the “Fiddler of Oriel” prize, both in 1995. Liz returned to Monaghan the following year and regained the “Fiddler of Oriel” title. View the 5 min+ video of The Kane Sisters performing a medley of “Paddy Fahey's / Mullingar Lea / Paddy Fahey's” in New Jersey in 2007, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVWF-l5nnHw
More music and info is on their myspace page at www.myspace.com/thekanesisters. The folks at CTMS add, “They have produced two CDs that are highly rated on Celtic lists, but we could not find them on sale in the US.” Let us know if you find a source.
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19) A LITTLE DIVERSION FOR HALLOWEEN
Try it: http://stuff.pyzam.com/toys/tictacscare.swf
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That’s it for this week. And if you’re out there on All Hallow’s Eve, happy haunting!
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NEXT WEEK, we’ll bring lots more news.
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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 GUIDE’s event listings at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, or at www.myspace.com/laacoustic.
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+ news of the “TIED TO THE TRACKS” radio & TV shows coming soon in syndication.
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+ the latest NEWS FEATURES from the acoustic music universe!
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WANT TO CONTACT US?
tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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