NEWS FEATURES - Dec 19 edition, 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 December 19, 2008
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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Our biggest issue ever! Lots of fresh news for artists and fans…
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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FEATURES!
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HOLIDAY & NEW YEAR’S EVE shows and concerts are in Feature number 1!
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Features 7 and 8 are Christmas-related!
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GREAT GIFT IDEAS for procrastinating Santas are in Features 9 through 17!
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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 NOVEMBER 27, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
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Recent weeks and months’ editions are available on Blogspot at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com where you’ll need to click on past months to access them. Even 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:
December 19, 2008
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*** IF YOU’D LIKE TO RECEIVE A NOTICE when we update the Acoustic Americana Music Guide, and when we post fresh NEWS FEATURES, send your email address to tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com - don’t worry, we won’t sell or distribute your address.
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1) HOLIDAY-THEME SHOWS STILL REMAINING, AND GET READY FOR N.Y.E.!
Way back in our Nov 27 edition, we the barest of bare-bone factoids, extracted from the Guide, for all the CHRISTMAS SHOWS then listed. Though we’re down to a fraction still remaining, there’s still a goodly number of concerts, club gigs, and more with a holiday theme. And, it’s time to think about getting tix for New Year’s Eve events.
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Fri, Dec 19 in Monrovia, 5:30-10 pm:
“MONROVIA FAMILY FESTIVAL” along Myrtle Av, in old downtown Monrovia. Free.
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Fri, Dec 19 in downtown L.A.; a “SHOW OF THE WEEK” pick, 6:30-8 pm:
Annual “MUSIC CENTER HOLIDAY SING-ALONG” on the Music Center Plaza.
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Fri, Dec 19 in Anaheim (Honda Center), 7 pm:
SARAH BRIGHTMAN touring her first Christmas CD, “A Winter Symphony.”
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CANCELLED: Fri, Dec 19 in Santa Monica; 7:30 pm:
“CELTIC CHRISTMAS” with MOLLY’S REVENGE and MOIRA SMILEY.
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Sat, Dec 20 “Youth Program” in downtown L.A. (Pershing Square), 1-3 pm:
JIM GAMBLE SANTA’S WORKSHOP plus LIMPOPO HOLIDAY SHOW
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Sat, Dec 20 in City of Industry (Homestead Museum), 4-8 pm:
“EVENING HOLIDAY TOURS” to enjoy 1840s-1920s period decorations by moonlight.
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Sat, Dec 20 in Inglewood (The Forum), 7 pm:
SARAH BRIGHTMAN touring her first Christmas CD, “A Winter Symphony.”
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Sat, Dec 20 in Hollywood; a “SHOW OF THE WEEK” pick, 7-10 pm:
PIRATES OF THE BLACK SWAN, plus the DOXIE CHICKS, and RON ELY Free.
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Sat, Dec 20 in Pasadena, 7:30 pm:
“CELTIC CHRISTMAS” with MOLLY’S REVENGE and MOIRA SMILEY.
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Sun, Dec 21 in Venice (Venice High School), 5-8 pm:
“WINTER SOLSTICE AT THE LEARNING GARDEN,” at The Learning Garden.
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Sun, Dec 21 in San Pedro (Grand Annex), 7 pm:
“HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY CONCERT” with JIM "KIMO" WEST, & THE POLYNESIAN PARADISE DANCERS & and optional music workshops.
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Sun, Dec 21 in Altadena (Coffee Gallery Backstage), 7 pm:
RENAISSANCE performs “A CELEBRATION OF A CAPELLA CHRISTMAS.”
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Sun, Dec 21 in Culver City (Boulevard Music), 8 pm:
8 pm annual “BOULEVARD MUSIC HOLIDAY SHOW.” Free.
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Mon, Dec 22 in Ojai (Ojai Concert Series, Ojai Valley Woman's Club), 7 pm:
“CELTIC CHRISTMAS SHOW” w/ Portland’s HANZ AKARI BAND & Irish dancers.
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Wed, Dec 24; live and live on KCET TV, in downtown L.A. (Music Center), 3-9 pm:
49th annual “LOS ANGELES COUNTY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION.” Free.
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Thu, Dec 25 in Santa Barbara (Carrillo Recreation Center), 6:30 pm:
A Christmas tradition – “SPECIAL FREE CONTRA DANCE” with BAYOU SECO & FRIENDS, with ERIC HOFFMAN, caller.
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Sat, Dec 27 in Gardena (Elks Lodge), 8 pm-midnight:
“ZYDECO DANCE SERIES CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCE” w/ ANDRE' THIERRY band.
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Sat & Sun, Dec 27 & 28 in Yermo (Calico Ghost Town County Park), Midnight:
LISA HALEY & THE ZYDEKATS play the “CALICO NEW YEARS CELEBRATION.”
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Wed-Sat, Dec 31-Jan 3 in Malibu:
“CALIFORNIA TRADITIONAL MUSIC SOCIETY NEW YEARS CAMP.”
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Wed, Dec 31 in downtown L.A. (Pershing Square), noon-2 pm:
BLUES GYPSIES bring da blues to the “Pershing Square Ice Rink Music Series.”
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Wed, Dec 31 in Upland (Black Watch Pub), 3-7 pm:
PADDY’S PIG plays New Year’s, because 4 pm here is midnight in Ireland and England.
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Wed, Dec 31 in Anaheim (Disneyland), 8 pm:
LISA HALEY & THE ZYDEKATS play “DISNEYLAND NEW YEARS CELEBRATION!”
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Wed, Dec 31 in Burbank (Viva Cantina), time tba:
RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE play the New Year’s Eve party. No cover.
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Wed, Dec 31 in Torrance (Texas Losey’s), 9 pm-1 am:
THE CALIFORNIA COWBOYS play a honky-tonk New Years Eve party.
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Wed, Dec 31 in Sylmar (The Hideaway), time tba:
BIG RED SKY plays for New Year's Eve in Kagel Canyon.
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Wed, Dec 31 in downtown L.A. (Casey's Irish Bar), 9:30 pm-12:30 am:
PADDY’S PIG plays the second of their two New Year’s Eve shows.
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Is that all? All for now. More is bound to be revealed as more venues and acts get booked for New Year’s Eve parties. We’ll do our best to keep you informed in the Guide.
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2) MUSICIAN TO APPEAR ON THE “WHEATIES” BOX
Yes, we thought it was reserved for Olympic medallists and sports celebrities. But musician and songwriter BILL PERE (www.billpere.com) is headed for the legendary box cover, and he’s quite a guy. He’s the IMC Indie Artist of the Year; he’s president and executive director of the Connecticut Songwriters Association (www.ctsongs.com); he’s been an Official Connecticut State Troubadour since 1995; and he’s director of the Connecticut Songwriting Academy (www.ctsongwriting.com). No wonder the December issue of Music Connection magazine names him as one of the year's top 50 "Innovators, Groundbreakers, Iconoclasts and Guiding Lights" in the music industry. (Read the feature at www.musicconnection.com/digital).
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But there is much more to Bill’s story. Beyond those dimensions of his musical persona, Bill is the founder and executive director of LUNCH (www.lunchensemble.com).
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And therein is the connection to the Wheaties box. Sharing with the Music Thoughts group on Yahoo, Bill explained the rest of the story. First referring to his recognition in Music Connection, then going on, Bill says, “I'm on page 48, along with many other names that you'll probably recognize. The reason I'm pleased when mainstream industry publications like Music Connection take note of what I do is that I've made a career of using music to do charitable work and community outreach.”
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He continues, “I've always believed there is a power for social change inherent in music and songwriting that anyone can tap for the greater good as well as for their own career. Along with the Music Connection news, I also learned my work was recognized by food industry giants General Mills Corp and Wakefern Foods, and I go to a photo shoot on Dec 9 to appear on an official special edition Cheerios Box which features ‘Hunger Fighting Heroes.’”
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Bill adds, “I've been getting more requests to teach my seminar on how to do successful benefit events and in this economy. The voices of artists and songwriters can become more influential depending on what we choose to make those voices say. In 2009, I'll be releasing my book on songwriting, which is aimed at enabling songwriters to maximize the power of the message they choose to put forth. Have a great holiday season and a creative new year.”
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Our congratulations, Bill!
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3) LOCAL ARTIST’S SONG ON NPR’S “CAR TALK” THIS WEEKEND
southern Cal singer-songwriter TRISH LESTER has performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” where she performed the world-premiere of her original “Plymouth Benvidere.” It’s the title track of her CD, and “TttT” had the world premiere spin of that, too. Now the guys on NPR’s "CAR TALK" have discovered it. Longtime mechanics RAY & TOM MAGLIOZZI (aka "Click and Clack, The Tappet Brothers") are set to air a piece of "Plymouth Belvedere" on Sat, Dec 20. Expect it about 35 minutes into their show. It’s aired on KPCC 89.3 FM (simulcast at www.kpcc.org) at 10 am in L.A. More at www.TrishLester.com and her "Plymouth Belvedere" CD is available at www.CDBaby.com/TrishLester
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4) STOLEN GEAR ALERT
If anyone in or around Southern Cal hears of any of the following being sold cheap, please call GLENN HATCH at AUDIO WEST, 714-528-2285. Serial numbers and specific models may follow.
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AUDIO WEST owner Glenn Hatch reported his 26' FREIGHTLINER white tour truck with a gray cab, license plate no. GU91747 was stolen from his parking lot in Placentia, California on Sat, Dec 13, 2008.
Among the contents of this Audio West truck, were:
Midas XL8
Yamaha PM1D
6 channels of 3K/5K receivers
8 SKM5000 with KK105 capsules
20 KM184/185
Multiple d+b audioteknik speaker enclosures
Multiple ATA cases - black, filled with equipment
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Please share this information so we can assist a hard-working member of our industry.
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5) “McCABE’S AT 50” RADIO SPECIAL NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE
Word circulated late, just a day or two before Thanksgiving, about the three-hour radio special that aired Thanksgiving morning. It is a highly musical and historic retrospective about McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, and moreover, a radio documentary of the history of McCabe’s concert series. You can listen to the well-produced radio shop, and see the splendid scrolling timeline, at www.kcrw.com/music/mccabes-at-50.
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The show was produced by KCRW, one of two Los Angeles-area NPR affiliate stations. Neither of those stations buys any of the NPR music package offerings, airing only the NPR “talk” package, sometimes skewed an hour or two apart. KCRW airs music programs produced in-house, and none are folk- or folk-Americana friendly.
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It came as a delightful surprise when KCRW aired the McCabe’s special, with its rich lineup of acoustic music icons who hadn’t been heard on the station in years, if ever. Things may be opening-up. Longtime music director (read music czar) Nic Harcourt was replaced recently. Then came the McCabe’s special, and the station got a big positive response.
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So, listen and enjoy the McCabe’s special, then be SURE to register your approval, appreciation, and encouragement for KCRW to add new programming with similar music. It could really make a difference at this time of change at the station. (And see the next feature, for incentive to contact KCRW about what you’d like to hear on L.A. radio.)
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6) INDIE 103.1 FM CANCELS “WATUSI RODEO” & MORNING DRIVETIME SHOW
Just shy of his third anniversary on the air, CHRIS MORRIS notified us that his alt-country roots-Americana show had been dropped by the radio station.
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Chris released a statement that read, “When Max Tolkoff, the program director at Indie, called me… to inform me that my show was being dropped, he told me it was in the interest of making the sound of the station more ‘consistent.’ So far, the Rodeo - the only roots/Americana show on L.A. commercial radio - is the only victim of this drive for consistency.”
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Tolkoff, says Morris, “magnanimously” offered him a midnight slot for no compensation to continue the show, but he declined.
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He continues, “Max is under extreme duress to improve Indie's numbers, which accounts for the current overload of ‘rock of the '90s’ tracks and the disappearance of specialty shows like ‘Camp Freddy Radio,’ ‘Feel My Heat,’ ‘Community Service,’ and my show. Morning show host Joe Escalante - who ran the only a.m. drive-time program that didn't lower your IQ - was also a casualty, though he continues to do his weekly one-hour legal show ‘Barely Legal’ on Fridays. My former longtime producer-engineer Jose Galvan, who had moved to the morning show, was also canned. Darren Revell's shoegaze / dreampop show "Big Sonic Heaven" was axed, though Darren continues as the evening jock.”
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Morris continues, “The specialty shows are what made Indie special - that's why I went after ‘Watusi Rodeo’ after Michael ‘Doc Holiday’ Whited, the original host, moved to Tennessee in 2005. Indie's original PD Michael Steele had enough faith in me to let me take a weekly shift after 30 years off the pro airwaves. It was a pleasure to experience the kind of programming freedom I had in free-form FM radio during the '70s, and I had a hell of a lot of fun for 148 broadcasts and almost three years. Many thanks to all my wonderful guests and my devoted listeners.”
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“I fully anticipate that some of the other specialty programmers will eventually be fired or shuttled into the midnight hour with their salaries cut,” says Morris.” Max is no fan of the specialty shows -- in fact, he complained about them in the very first conversation I had with him, in the spring of 2007. Some vestiges of the old Indie days -- Jonesy, of course, and some of the shows hosted by full-time staffers like Mr. Shovel (the station's music director) and Chuck P (Indie's great and godlike production director, and producer of my friend Henry Rollins' fine show) -- will likely remain. But I figure that's about as "indie" as it's going to get. Indie 103.1 is now being styled as KROQ Jr. Get used to it.”
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“What's happening over at Indie is downright sad, but I'll save further thoughts about that for another time,” said Morris.
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BRIGHT NOTE OF CONCLUSION?
Morris says, “In a happy coincidence of timing, Scion Radio, the online outlet of the Scion auto line, has offered me a monthly Web country/rockabilly show, and we're talking right now. If all proceeds as planned, I'll make my bow there in February.”
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Chris Morris writes the column, "Sonic Nation," in LA CityBeat, every other week. Keep up with him at www.myspace.com/morrisaurus
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7) HOLIDAY CAROLING FOR SHUT-INS BRINGS OUT CELEBRITIES ONCE AGAIN
He does this in 17 cities, and it was the 27th Annual Los Angeles “Holiday Caroling Festivities” organized and presented by “VINCENT J. LEINEN and Friends.” About as low-key a guy as you’ll ever find, Vincent is a consummate organizer with a built-in knack for getting people to say “yes” when he asks them to take part, as he says, in “sharing the joy and spirit of the Holiday Season.”
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Sunday, December 7, brought the 2008 edition to L.A. And it’s safe to speak for everyone who participated as a caroler, and say it was amazing. Split into groups, the carolers go room-to-room and perform in two separate facilities for people who can’t leave their rooms, then the cast combines to do stage shows in the dining halls of two assisted living facilities.
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Those stage shows included stars from the L.A. Opera, and recognizable musicians from the L.A. music scene including ALEX DEL ZOPPO (from Sweetwater, the band that opened the original Woodstock), ALAN O’DAY (famous for the number-one hit “Undercover Angel,” and for writing Helen Reddy’s number-one “Angie Baby”), lots of Grammy nominees including fiddler LISA HALEY (Lisa Haley & the Zydekats, whose Grammy-nom album debuted on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks”), the drummer and other players from the Johnny Carson “Tonight Show” Band, four big band horn players, a bunch of cast members from TV shows (“Boston Legal,” “My Name is Earl,” some Nickelodeon kids shows, and more). There were rockers who are on the periphery of our acoustic musical awareness, including the lead singer from Bonham (John Bonham's son's band) and those rockers and the opera stars were certainly among the cast members who sang the most movingly and dramatically. A bunch of R&B singers with records on the charts were being oohed and ahhed by other carolers, too. But, completely in the spirit and purpose of the event, the Christmas carols and Hanukah songs were the common ground, and the very special audiences brought out the best the musicians had to offer.
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One impromptu celebrity was 93-year-old caroler Ken DeVault, winner of four gold medals in the Senior Olympics earlier this year. As the oldest caroler they've ever had, Ken observed, “I’m much older than most of the shut-ins we sang for.”
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After the shows, the cast met for dinner. That’s part of the annual tradition, as well. If you’d like to participate next year, contact Vincent, at bd754@lafn.org
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8) CHRISTMAS MUSIC PERFORMANCES ON THE WEB
Here are a few recommendations:
a) We found and enjoyed a mini concert from last year - Dec 20, 2007 - by DON SHETTERLY of some of his “favorite childhood Christmas songs,” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjCVtZi3mUs. There’s more on “Don Shetterly Relaxing Piano Music” at www.donshetterly.com
b) “Carol of the Bells,” in a fine performance on piano by 19-year-old TAMÁS VITÁR, is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjGBfctNP1U&feature=related and there is more about him at http://vitartamas.extra.hu/aboutme.html
c) there’s a digitally restored duet of JOHN DENVER and OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN from Denver’s 1976 TV Christmas Special, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLuRxZikJ5A&NR=1 and in high quality at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLuRxZ
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9) LAST-MINUTE SANTA! …NEED A HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA?
“Trying to decide what to give your favorite friends and family as a holiday gift? No need to fret. Treat them to concerts they will remember well into 2009!” – Joy Felt, board member, Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest, and California Traditional Music Society.
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Just have a look through the ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE editions for December and next year and find a show that offers advance tix. Some venues will let you pay for tix, and then allow the gift recipient to decide which show they want to see; just call your favorite venue and ask them.
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Another idea is the gift of recorded music. Many indie labels ans artists are offering holiday discounts and specials, so browse-around. Ones we have recently received come from www.ruralrhythm.com and
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In 2008, Strictly Country Records released the double CD, “10 YEARS OF EUROPEAN WORLD OF BLUEGRASS.” With “48 bands from 15 lands,” it shot straight to #1 on the Folk Radio charts in the USA and Canada. As the label justifiably boasts, “The music world got its first taste of European bluegrass - and they love it.” The album includes the top European bluegrass bands, plus 15 artists from the US & Canada, on two hours of live performance recordings. It includes KATE MacKENZIE, CLAIRE LYNCH, COUNTRY GENTLEMEN, LAURIE LEWIS, JOHN REISCHMAN, CHRIS & SALLY JONES, THE CHAPMANS, and more. A fine gift for any bluegrass lover, it’s “a banjo-laden ramble through the far corners of Europe, along with some of your favorite American touring artists.” "The language of Bluegrass transcends borders on this collection. For your introduction into the European World of Bluegrass, this is the place to start your world tour!" ~ Folkwax, USA. “EUROPEAN WORLD OF BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL” is held in Voorthuizen, the Netherlands; www.ewob.eu
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MOIRA SMILEY & VOCO have performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” and at venues coast-to-coast and overseas. Their new live EP got a national feature on NPR’s "Harmonia," and, says Moira, “people from nearly every state in the union have been getting in touch, ordering CDs, asking questions like ‘why don't "shape notes" include trapezoids and ovals?’” (You either get that one or you find it too esoteric.) The new EP has been called a "spare, elegant, lush" collection. You can order it, and Moira says, “We'll probably be able to get it to you BEFORE CHRISTMAS!” At www.cdbaby.com or www.moirasmiley.com
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Numerous artists and bands are offering holiday special merch, or specials on their regular year-‘round merch…
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Ukulele diva VICTORIA VOX is offering a holiday card with a CD in it (quite clever) and beyond that she tells us, “I just can't throw these away... not like I had to when I worked at other retail store chains and if the product wasn't in perfect condition, we'd destroy it and trash it. I don't want to waste. So... there are 14 copies of my songbook that were damaged in shipping and the corners got a bit bent-up. The inside and the music is in fine shape... it's just the outside... so... if you want to save a few bucks (like 50%) you can order one of the ‘imperfect’ songbooks.” Both items are available in her online store at www.victoriavox.com (look in the drop down menu at the books). And as always, Victoria is performing all over the map, so you might catch her at a festival of quality venue near you.
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Banjo virtuoso BILL EVANS is offering a special through Dec 31. Buy the brand new BILL EVANS & MEGAN LYNCH CD “Let’s Do Something,” and get “Bill Evans Plays Banjo” included for free. The latter features Rob Ickes, John Reischman, Darol Anger and many more bluegrass greats. Phone orders only. Call 510-559-8879, talk to Bill and mention this offer when ordering. $17 total, includes postage and shipping. "Bill Evans has created an instrumental masterpiece...His ability to pull from myriad musical sources for inspiration and distill elements of jazz, rock, classical, you-name-it down to their essential truths places him in the ranks of the greats." - David Royko, Chicago Tribune. More at www.nativeandfinerecords.com/BillEvansPlaysBanjo and check out BILL EVANS & MEGAN LYNCH myspace page to hear selections from their new CD, at www.myspace.com/billevansandmeganlynch
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Any bluegrass folks looking for a holiday gift might want to take a look at the “HOOT IN A HOLE” DVD. This recommendation comes from FolkWorks, who tells us, “Click on their ad on our site, www.FolkWorks.org and listen/watch a preview.”
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Bluesman BERNIE PEARL has performed several times on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” Joel Okida of FolkWorks has named Bernie’s latest CD, "Old School Blues, Acoustic / Electric" one of his Top 10 picks of 2008, and his favorite blues release of the year. It would make a fine gift for the blues fan. We’ve brought you the urls for numerous stellar reviews of the album, as well. Get it at www.berniepearl.com or at CDbaby or Amazon.
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Finally, here’s a “gift tip” from DAFNI, the delightful singer-songwriter who has twice performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” In addition to noting the availability of her CDs at www.dafni.us, she tells us, “If you're looking for other great holiday finds check out www.borondarecords.com - a CD from any one of the artists on this site would make a wonderful gift this Christmas.”
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10) LISBETH SCOTT RELEASES HER FIRST CHRISTMAS CD
Known for singing in the Mel Gibson film, “Passion of the Christ,” the talented LISBETH SCOTT has performed multiple times on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” where she has talked thoughtfully about issues of positive spirituality that have confounded fundamentalists whose Christian radio hosts haven’t known what to make of her. Now, Kosmic Music and Zone Records have released Lisbeth's first ever holiday album, "Peace On Earth." It’s available at Amazon and Kosmic Music, and it’s “A gorgeous collection of old classics and new originals,” produced and performed by Lisbeth. Composer JOHN WILLIAMS has worked with her, and he calls Lisbeth, "...absolutely ravishing!" More at www.lisbethscottmusic.com where you can hear some samples. All of Lisbeth's previous CDs are available, as well: “Rough and Steep,” “Passionate Voice,” “Dove,” and “Climb” are available at amazon.com, iTunes, Cdbaby.com, and on Lisbeth’s website.
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11) CALIFORNIA TRADITIONAL MUSIC SOCIETY OFFERS “CD WITH A SHOW”
CTMS is enticing you to part with the price of concert tix with their new special offer: If you purchase (or have already purchased) advance tix to one of their upcoming concerts, CTMS offers you, upon request, a CD for each ticket purchased (regardless of the level of the ticket); the CD comes from their vast collection. They say, “When you arrive at the concert, simply give us your name and mailing address and we’ll make a selection that will be sure to please.” The schedule for the CTMS concert series is always included in the ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE, and you can find it on the website of the nonprofit CTMS, at www.ctmsfolkmusic.org
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12) DEEP DISCOUNT FOR SEASON TIX / THEATRE MEMBERSHIP
Big sales at the mall aren’t the only holiday deep discounts with the economy on the tank. The splendid, still-new (five-years-old) Boston Court Performing Arts Center (formerly, and still including The Theatre at Boston Court), 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; 626-683-6883; www.bostoncourt.org is offering a chance to becoming a member of the nonprofit 501(c)3 theatre, and get two tix to any “Music at the Court” performance of your choosing, plus a ticket to each of four theatre productions, plus one complementary companion ticket to the play of your choice. It’s a $210 value for $100.
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Act before Dec 31 to satisfy your cultural cravings, or give a membership as a gift. (They provide a beautiful certificate suitable for gifting.) Boston Court Performing Arts Center offers the “Zebulon Productions” music series that ranges from folk to classical to world to jazz, usually on their smaller stage, while the main stage (they have two) offers a variety of theatrical productions, including many world premieres that have earned critical acclaim and awards for productions and feature award-winning cast members. (See the next feature for an example.) Boston Court Performing Arts Center is “dedicated to presenting works that are creative, bold and daring.” They “strive to challenge audiences… with diverse programs in an intimate setting.” You can make a tax-deductible donation, volunteer time, or get info by phone (above).
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13) HILA PLITMANN’s DYLAN CONNECTION EARNS GRAMMY NOMINATION
Nominated for a GRAMMY for her singing of John Corigliano’s “MR. TAMBOURINE MAN: SEVEN POEMS OF BOB DYLAN” is soprano HILA PLITMANN in a recording made with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. The nomination is in the “Best Classical Vocal Performance” category. Locally, you may have seen Hila when she portrayed “Extasis” in the 2007 world premiere production of “Paradise Lost: Shadows & Wings,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena (www.bostoncourt.org; more on the theatre in the preceding feature item).
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14) BOB DYLAN AUDIO BOOK AVAILABLE FOR FREE
Audible.com offers free downloads of Mark Polizzotti's “Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited” Audio Book. No credit card information is required. But you do need to create an Audible account. It’s all at http://tinyurl.com/6q67zw
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15) AMOEBA RELEASES STEPHANE WREMBEL TRIO / DAVID GRISMAN CD
“Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” the hot new Woody Allen film, contains the track, "Big Brother." It’s from the recently released album “Gypsy Rumble” by the STEPHANE WREBEL TRIO with special guest player DAVID GRISMAN, on Amoeba Record store's indie label.
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The album highlights the career of French gypsy jazz fusion artist Stephane Wrembel and includes bluegrass legend and master mandolinist David Grisman. "Gypsy Rumble" has been described as “a quintessential album of gypsy jazz fusion and traditional melodies with contemporary jazz, Indian, African and Middle Eastern musical influences.”
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Read about the recording and the ensemble at www.amoeba.com/content/stephane-wrembel-trio_gypsy-rumble.html
There’s more about other offerings on Amoeba’s label at www.amoeba.com/content/amoeba-records.html
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16) DISCOUNT TIX TO SEE THE MUSICAL “ANNIE”
Leapin' lizards! ANNIE is coming to Los Angeles Jan 13-18, and you can get $15 off ticket prices. The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including "It's the Hard-Knock Life," "Easy Street," "N.Y.C." and the ever-optimistic "Tomorrow," ANNIE is a delightful theatrical experience for the entire family. Don't miss this all-new production at the legendary Kodak Theatre that Variety calls "a winner!" Info at www.kodaktheatre.com
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To get the discounted tix, go to www.Ticketmaster.com and enter code SANDY to get $15 off each ticket; discount valid on Tue, Wed, Thu, and Sun evening performances, and applies to all levels except Pit, Orchestra and Mezzanine 3. (The site will tell you other things about restrictions that may apply, subject to availability, cannot be combined with any other offer, and customary fees apply to all Ticketmaster orders, and theatre restoration fees apply to all orders.
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17) 5th annual “CALIFORNIA LISTENING ROOM INT’L SONGWRITERS RETREAT”
It happens every year on the Central California Coast, and it’s the only US venue in the series of weeklong retreats. Other venues are quite literally all over the planet, always in other beautiful places.
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At press time, FOUR spots remain available the January 18-25 California retreat. Participants include 2008 Troubadour Competition winner Nanna Larsen (DK) and Sonicbids Listening Room Retreats Winner Colin McGrath (NYC).
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Founding host of the immensely popular series is the globetrotting BRETT PERKINS, known for years as the founding host of the “Listening Room Concert Series” in Southern California. That series now operates worldwide (but not locally) – except once a year, when Brett brings songwriters from all over he world after their time together at the California Retreat. The concerts, known for excellent new music created at the Retreat, are listed in the Acoustic Americana Music Guide (Jan & Feb, 2009). More info on the concert tour, and attending the Retreat, is available at www.brettperkins.com.
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Brett tells us, “The Listening Room Retreats are a great way to network with writers from other countries through co- writing, as well as a powerful source for new inspiration. They're also a way of rapidly developing ones' work in the company of other writers - and getting a fresh perspective on how to make the songs as effective as possible in communicating your intentions to an audience.”
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Want to attend? Brett says, “I'm offering the California Retreat this year at $975 (US) - including seven nights shared housing, group dinners, all workshops and concerts. Transportation is also available to and from the retreat for those flying into Los Angeles prior to the event - and assistance is available with setting up additional performance opportunities pre and post retreat. You can now use credit cards, via Paypal, to make the 50% required deposit to secure one of the 4 remaining spots on this event of maximum 20 participants. Interest Free Payment Plans are also offered for those who want to attend and need a bit of help to make that happen.”
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Space at the Retreat is limited, and rooms must be reserved asap, so contact Brett right away at brett@brettperkinspresents.com
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18) AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE FOR YOUR FANS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Here’s the list of things for which one band is thankful, as the holiday season ensues. They’re PROJECT MERCURY, a great little band from New York’s Hudson River Valley, heard many times on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.”
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Now, even if ya don’t know them or the people they mention, you’ll surely get ideas how you can express gratitude to your fans for their support:
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“In numbers, some of the things we are thankful for this year!”
1st birthday of Emily, Charlene's little girl, December 1st
2 new songs written by Marian this year - not especially prolific, but better than zero!
3.5 years on earth for Charlene's son Tonik, not counting time in-the-tummy
4 years of Jeanne's cello, bass and stylishness
5 pm, when it's the end of the workday (ok, so number 5 was a challenge)
6 years of music and mischief with Craig
7th gig at Starving Artist, details in the gig calendar
8 pm - showtime!
9 drummers drumming (but not during our shows!)
10 years of Marian & Charlene working/playing happily together
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the countless amounts of joy, laughter and music we are able to share with each other & you!
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More on the band at www.projectmercury.net and www.myspace.com/projectmercuryny
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19) WESTERN MUSIC FESTIVAL AWARDS - RESULTS & MORE
Since the GRAMMYS offer no awards for western music – not for western swing, or honky-tonk, or traditional or contemporary Western artist, or band, or song – that leaves it to the Academy of Western Artists (AWA) and the Western Music Association (WMA) to recognize the best artists and music in the western genres. The WMA awards were presented at the 20th Annual Western Music Festival held in Albuquerque, NM at the Marriott Albuquerque, Nov 23. The entire WMA Awards show is archived on the “Ralph’s Back Porch” radio show site for your listening pleasure, at www.ralphsbackporch.com/western_music_association_awards_show.html and they add, “There is a bunch more to come,” at www.ralphsbackporch.com/western_music_association_festival_2008.html
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To read William Merritt's report from the Festival, accompanied by Lori Faith Merritt's photos, go to www.CowboyPoetry.com and browse, or go directly to www.cowboypoetry.com/wma08.htm
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The feature also includes links to video and audio from the festival on YouTube and at Ralph's Back Porch, the winners' and top-five nominees' list, and Albuquerque Mayor Chávez' Executive Order.
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Here are the Award winners (“TttT” denotes the winning artist has performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks”):
> TRADITIONAL DUO/GROUP: Belinda Gail & Curly Musgrave (TttT)
> FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Belinda Gail (TttT)
> MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Dave Stamey (TttT)
> TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “Oklahoma, Where the West Remains” - R. W. Hampton (TttT) – R.W.’s second “Album of the Year” win
> INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR: Jeanne Cahill, for “Call of the West”
> WESTERN SWING DUO/GROUP: Wylie & The Wild West (TttT)
> WESTERN SWING ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “Bucking Horse Moon,” Wylie & The Wild West (TttT)
> CRESCENDO AWARD: The Tumbling Tumbleweeds
> SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Juni Fisher (TttT)
> SONG OF THE YEAR: “If I Hadn't Seen the West,” Joyce Woodson
> ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Dave Stamey (TttT)
> RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR: KFDI, Wichita, Kansas
> RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR: Johnny Western
> MALE POET OF THE YEAR: Les Buffham
> FEMALE POET OF THE YEAR: Yvonne Hollenbeck
> BEST COLLABORATION OF POET & MUSICIAN: “Dining Out,” Yvonne Hollenbeck & Jean Prescott
> COWBOY POETRY CD OF THE YEAR: “Pieces of the Past,” Yvonne Hollenbeck
> COWBOY POETRY BOOK OF THE YEAR: “Arizona Women,” Buckshot Dot
> BILL WILEY AWARD: Mary Ryland
> YODELING AWARDS: Youth - Cora Wood (8 years old); Male - Larry Wilder; Female - Judy Coder
> HARMONY AWARDS: Youth - Carin Mari & Pony Express; Duo - Vince & Mindy; Trio - Journey West; Best of the Show - Tumbling Tumbleweeds
> WMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: Bing Crosby; Ian Tyson; Lloyd Perryman; Dale Warren; Tommy Doss
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Want to see performances from the Conference?
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The TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS are great performing “Ghost Riders in the Sky” (until the video cuts off) at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh2jbroegSc&NR=1
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The harmony trio of MARILYN TUTTLE, AUDREY McLAUGHLIN, & JUDY CODER is beautiful, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=jODbb_XUHFM
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DENNIS JAY, Virginia’s only cowboy singer, is fine leading a jam of “All By My Lonesome Feeling Blue,” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiUrUxxCAKA&NR=1
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Watch JON MESSENGER playing and singing at www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9u_3nzL-ZI&NR=1
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And, you can go to Youtube and look for "banjojudy" for a list of additional videos from the WMA Festival.
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20) SIMILAR SOUNDING SONG, OR RIP-OFF?
Pop music band COLDPLAY’s “Viva la Vida” is up for a Grammy. But when guitar impresario JOE SATRIANI first heard the track a couple of months ago, he believed he had reason to contact Coldplay. But, uhh, they never got back to him. So last week, he filed a copyright infringement suit. Seems the song has the same melody line as Satriani’s 2004 instrumental, “If I Could Fly.” Exactly the same melody line, including all those little details that are the signature of any piece of music. Will the courts make it yet another case of something that just “sounds similar,” or is Joe looking at some serious revenue? Stay tuned.
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21) CUSTOM SEARCH ENGINE FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN SHEET MUSIC
Musician LUCAS GONZE says, “Searching for public domain sheet music is a drag because the results are always dominated by commercial providers who stink. So I created this custom search engine to limit the search results to sites in the ‘Sheet Music Sources’ list in the right side of the page.” It’s at http://soupgreens.com
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On behalf of a LOT of people who will find and use it, thanks, Lucas!
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22) THIS WEEK’S “NOTHING-TO-DO-WITH-CHRISTMAS” VIDEO MUSIC PICKS
We met SCOTT “THE G MAN” (www.golosio.com) when mingling with other presenters and panelists at the L.A. WoMen in Music Conference earlier this month. He sent us some videos, and we know you’ll enjoy these two.
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"Beautiful World" is very Bob Wills-y, big band with a country twist, and the music is fabulous. The video’s images caused us to immediately send it to CHRIS VALENTI, that singer-songwriter-comic who is the patron saint of the failed relationship. Chris immediately responded, “Wow. Great video. It brings a tear to my eye.... from the smoke, of course. When the passion stops burning, the photos and letters start.” Go watch it, and you’ll see why. The song & video artists are SCOTT JOSS & DOUG COLOSIO, and it’s at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnOnE0SYE8c
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“One and Only Girl" is in the genre of classic ‘40s-‘50s-style country swing, complete with some quiet horns. It’s by SCOTT JOSS & DOUG COLOSIO, and the visuals are right from the L.A. Auto Show, “some gleaming objects of affection.” It’s at www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwW36tdyxmk
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And, there is this one from FolkWorks: an old video of BARRY McGUIRE singing his famous song “Eve of Destruction,” available at the bottom of www.FolkWorks.org
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23) PIRATE BAND PLAYS 77th HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE ON TV
We didn’t get the news in time to tell you in advance, but PIRATES OF THE BLACK SWAN, an L.A.-based “pyrate” band, played one song for the TV cameras, then did a one-hour show after the parade on the Winter Wonderland Stage. With the deadly real pirates infesting the horn of Africa, it’s a fine thing to have the musical, fun kind, like the pirate ride used to be at Disneyland. Decidedly rock, they’re also vaudeville, and the band is inclusive of traditional sea chantey musicians, as well.
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24) UNPUBLISHED CARTER FAMILY PHOTOS (AND EVERYTHING ELSE), ALL THE BLASTS FROM THE PAST, FROM LIFE MAGAZINE’S PHOTOGRAPHERS
This is the December “Link of the Month” in the Bluegrass West newsletter (www.bluegrasswest.com), and it’s something we just had to pass it along…
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Some of us old timers were fond subscribers to ‘Life’ Magazine, now long-gone into the musty corridors of history. But wait! The digital age has revived one of the finest parts of this magazine, its photographs, which are available for viewing at a brand new website: http://images.google.com/hosted/life
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”Not only are all the photos from the magazine's trove, dating from the 1860s to the 1970s, available for browsing, but a huge number of unpublished photographs (reportedly, 95% of the images on this website were never published before) are there as well, now available for viewing for the first time.
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”As an example, [in] the fall of 1941, photographer Eric Schaal visited Poor Valley, Virginia, for a photo session with the original CARTER FAMILY: A.P., SARA, and MAYBELLE. This was from a time when they were still recording 78s for Victor (their last session was in 1941). Here are rare photos of this group and family members, at home, close-up and personal!
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”Why weren't these images published? Well, the Japanese decided to launch a war with the USA in early December that year, and these images were pushed-off Life's pages to make space for one of the 20th Century's biggest news stories. But you can see the pictures now, simply by visiting the site and typing in ‘Carter Family.’
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”Highly recomended.” – Peter Feldmann.
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25) ODETTA, MUSIC LEGEND, IS DEAD AT 77
This has been a year in which the world has lost far too many fine artists. This loss came early this month. We hadn’t published since then, so we hadn’t yet been able to note the passing of one of the greats, a truly iconic artist of the 20th century. If you are not aware of Odetta’s magnificent and inspiring career, you can read the New York Times obituary at www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/arts/music/03odetta.html?_r=1
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26) “THE OLD-TIME RUCKUS REVIEW” HEADED BACK TO L.A.?
It was a show done here with SCOTT MCDOUGALL (www.myspace.com/ssmmusic) before his move to Portland, Oregon. Seems he’ll be back in Southern Cal recording, and he’ll take time to host a little show with the locals who have old-time music inclinations. Past “Ruckus Reviews” brought FUR AND STEVE, TRIPLE CHICKEN FOOT, BARREN FOOTHILL BREAKDOWN, DOC FOSHEE, AJ AND PAULY. More when we know it.
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27) ANGIE STEVENS GETS NEW PRODUCER
Denver-based ANGIE STEVENS (Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck; www.angiestevens.com) repeatedly gets named the best singer-songwriter in the Mile High City, and her music has been heard on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” In Colorado, she plays at, and she recorded a live album at, Red Rocks (Colorado’s Hollywood Bowl). In L.A., where she is still trying to find a fan base, she plays an early set a few times a year at Hotel Café in Hollywood. But her latest news has significance everywhere.
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Angie will do her next CD with Grammy-Award winning producer MALCOLM BURN (www.malcolmburn.com), known for his work with EMMYLOU HARRIS, PETER GABRIEL, JEFF BUCKLEY, BOB DYLAN, STRING CHEESE INCIDENT, SHAWN COLVIN, TRACY CHAPMAN, RACHEL YAMAGATA, THE BOSS, PATTY SMITH, and other stars.
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Angie tells us, “I couldn't be more excited right now and well, completely scared silly (in a good way:)! So after 6 months of soul searching to figure out what I was looking for in this next record, meeting wonderful producers galore, traveling and writing, I am proud to announce I am going to be working with Malcolm Burn! I was lucky enough to get to spend some time with him and jam a little with the new tunes. The energy was second to none and I knew that was where I needed to be. We are both really excited for what this record will become!”
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Angie will be recording and residing the month of January in Kingston NY in Malcolm’s “beautiful studio/mansion” with her band, THE BEAUTIFUL WRECK, together with Jen Gilleran (Gregory Alan Isakov) who will take part on drums, together with Los, the band’s usual drummer. They hope for a May release date, and Angie promises to keep us posted.
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28) MARTIAN ROCK? THIS RECORD HAS TEN BEATS TO THE BAR
Yep, that’s what NASA is saying. “It's like trying to identify a song -- it's easier if there are multiple instruments playing different parts, rather than just a single rhythm," says Kevin Lewis of Caltech, lead author of a report on the periodic layering published in the Dec 5 edition of the journal, “Science.”
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NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has found a record of rhythmic patterns in thick stacks of sedimentary rock layers, revealed in three-dimensional detail by a telescopic camera. Ancient Mars had climate cycles that persisted for millions of years, leaving a “10 beat to the bar record.”
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Wait, are we talking pictures, or rhythms?
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Geologists commonly find "rhythms," or repeating patterns, in sedimentary layers on Earth. Determining the source of the rhythms can be difficult. Some result from annual or tidal cycles, or from episodic flooding that may not be periodic at all, but the role of longer-term astronomical cycles has been debated. One step in showing that astronomical cycles can leave their mark in sediments came from finding repeating five-layer sets in some terrestrial bedrock, matching a known five-to-one ratio of two cyclical variations in Earth's orbit.
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Lewis and colleagues found something similar on Mars. Layers of similar thickness repeat dozens to hundreds of times in rocks exposed inside four craters in the Arabia Terra region of Mars. In one of the craters, named Becquerel, “bundles of a 10-layer pattern repeat at least 10 times, which could correspond to a known 10-to-one pattern of changes in the tilt of the planet's rotation axis,” says NASA.
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Researchers using the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera reported the first measurement of a “periodic signal” in the rocks of Mars. This pushes climate-cycle fingerprints much earlier in Mars' history than more recent rhythms seen in Martian ice layers. It also may rekindle debates about some patterns of rock layering on Earth.

"Our findings suggest that cycles of climate change led to the patterns we see recorded in the Mars rock layers today, possibly as a result of similar variations in Mars' orbit," said Lewis. "Mars has a 10-to-one ratio in cycles of how its tilt changes -- smaller wobbles within larger packages. Sure enough, we see a 10-to-one ratio in one of these layered deposits. It's like trying to identify a song -- it's easier if there are multiple instruments playing different parts, rather than just a single rhythm."
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In addition to having a rhythm of 10 beats to the bar instead of Earth's five-beat pattern, Mars has characteristics that make it a good laboratory for studying how astronomical cycles affect climate. The tilt of Mars' axis varies much more than the axis of Earth, because Earth's relatively large moon provides a stabilizing effect. And, at least for most of its history, Mars has lacked the oceans and thick atmosphere that, on Earth, modulate the effects of orbital variations and add their own cyclical patterns.
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One thing is certain: the “music” of Mars is too long to get radio play. The 10-beat pattern of Mars' wobble lasts about 1.2 million years. If the 10-layer bundles in Becquerel crater are indeed signatures of that cycle, the 10 or more bundles stacked on each other are a record of about 12 million years “when environmental conditions affecting sedimentation were generally steady except for effects of the changing tilt.” For more about the mission go to www.nasa.gov/mro
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29) ACCLAIM AND SADNESS FOR CAJUN MUSIC’S HACKBERRY RAMBLERS
It’s a time of triumph and mourning for The HACKBERRY RAMBLERS. Along with other Cajun musicians, past and present, they are a focus (with their own chapter) in the new anthology, “Accordions, Fiddles, Two Steps and Swing: A Cajun Music Reader,” (www.louisianabookfestival.org/lbf2006/Featured%20Works/featured_works.htm#Accordion). The new book was edited by historians Ryan Brasseaux and Kevin Fontenot, and published by the “Center for Louisiana Studies” (http://cls.louisiana.edu ) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
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The Hackberry Ramblers are featured in the book thanks to a history of the band written by fiddler LUDERIN DARBONE in 1991. Word arrived of the band’s prominent presence in the book, then almost right away, news followed that Darbone had died Nov 21 at Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital in Sulphur, Louisiana - just as the book was reaching bookstores and readers.
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In addition to chapters by Ryan Brasseaux and Kevin Fontenot, contributors include Barry Ancelet, John Broven, Erik Charpentier, Brenda Daigle, Mike Leadbitter, Lauren C. Post, Ann Savoy, and Michael Tisserand, among many others.
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Darbone speaks with considerable authority on this topic, since he co-founded The Hackberry Ramblers in 1933 and has led the band ever since. Darbone's essay follows a detailed introduction by the Ramblers' drummer and manager, Ben Sandmel. Sandmel's previously-published works on Louisiana music include the book “Zydeco!” (www.upress.state.ms.us/books/z/zydeco.html) published in 1999 by the University Press of Mississippi. Sandemel is currently at work on a book about the New Orleans rhythm & blues singer Ernie K-Doe.
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Southern Cal Cajun musician LISA HALEY (Lisa Haley & the Zydekats) said of the passing of Luderin Darbone, “He and the band were truly a national treasure. I will never forget the Hackberrys performance for the International Cajun Zydeco Festival in Raamsdonk, Holland in June 2002. Grown men were crying as the Hackberrys performed their passionate, intense, joyful music for a hugely enthusiastic crowd. The Hackberrys are an inspiration to us all. To keep performing continuously for 75 years is a one-of-a-kind accomplishment.”
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That’s it for this edition of the News Features. We’ve heard that some of you print it out and read it on the light rail or the bus, and some of you read it on those itty bitty PDA screens. While we don’t know how anybody can do the latter, we do appreciate that you include us in your quest to be informed and entertained. Drop us a note, and let us know what you like and don’t like about what’s here, or in past editions. (Email address below.)
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NEXT WEEK, or whenever we can, we’ll bring lots more NEWS features.
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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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And, when we have the time to compile all of it, we’ll bring you updates of more, like:
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+ news of the “TIED TO THE TRACKS” radio & TV shows coming soon in syndication.
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+ the latest ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC NEWS with features from the acoustic music universe!
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WANT TO CONTACT US?
tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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