Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Brief Rock News update for Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

KANSAS MERGE ROCK AND SYMPHONIC SOUNDS ON JUST-LAUNCHED TOUR, HONORED BY MASSIVE CROWD AT ALABAMA FOOTBALL GAME


As first reported several months ago, world renowned classic rockers Kansas have launched a highly anticipated "Collegiate Symphony Tour" (Presented by D'Addario), which in turn would help raise funds for school music programs. And the lads are certainly proving that they are men of their word, as they recently played to two packed houses at the University of Alabama. Additionally, the band was honored as musical guests during halftime at the Alabama vs. Penn State game (which Alabama won, 24-3). With a mammoth crowd of 106,000 looking on, spectators were treated to renditions of two Kansas classics performed by Alabama's Million Dollar Band - "Carry on Wayward Son" and "Point of Know Return." Video of the pep rally where band were guests and over 40,000 attended can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELN21WI4rgY

"We were extremely excited to have the opportunity to feature the members of the band Kansas as guests of the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band during the halftime show of the Alabama vs. Penn State football game," says Alabama's School of Music Director, Skip Snead. "These guys are one of the best-known, iconic groups of classic rock and it was a treat for the marching band members and all of the fans to have them introduced and honored during halftime."

Adds Kansas drummer Phil Ehart - "Standing in the middle of that stadium, surrounded by over 100,000 people, and the Million Dollar Band blasting away on 'Wayward Son' and 'Point of Know Return' was truly one of the most unique experiences of my life. It was goose bump time!"

During the 1970s, KANSAS went on to become one of the decade's most popular rock acts. The band - which is comprised of singer/keyboardist Steve Walsh, guitarist Rich Williams, bassist Billy Greer, violinist David Ragsdale, and drummer Ehart - continue to rock on to this very day.

With the success of the Alabama shows under their belt - 'Kansas Collegiate Symphony Tour' may point to the band's future. And Ehart agrees with this assessment - "This is going so well, that other schools are contacting us for 2011 and 2012. City orchestras are even calling us about doing the same for them. Kansas has always been a symphonic rock band. We have found our niche!"

Confirmed 'KANSAS Collegiate Symphony Tour' dates and venues (Remaining shows below): 
(The shows at University of Texas, San Antonio and Wichita State University, Park City, KS were on 17th and 18th Sept. respectively)  

September 23 & 24, 2010 - Oklahoma State University (Stillwater High School Performing Arts Center - Stillwater, OK)
September 25, 2010 - Hardin-Simmons University (Behrens Chapel Auditorium - Abilene, TX)
October 9, 2010 - Truman State University (The Family Arena - St. Charles, MO)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

An update from UK melodic rockers FM

FM have just shared another update with fans of the band through their newsletter. Read on folks!


FM Official Newsletter 14: 20th September 2010

We realise our promise of newsletters via email to you good people who have taken the time and trouble to sign up has been average to say the least, some might say an atrocious lie. Our hands are up in total agreement. We do deeply apologise and today is the day we start to redeem ourselves with the following and more to come:

After the fantastic success of the WILDSIDE EP, and from talking to fans at recent live shows, we are happy to announce we will be releasing the stonking CITY LIMITS EP.

The EP - featuring 9 incredible tracks - includes the radio edit of 'Bring Back Yesterday' and a brand new song 'Start It Up'. This fantastic track will only be available on the CITY LIMITS EP and as a download - it will not feature on the band's next studio album. Also included is a stripped down and sexy acoustic version of the FM classic 'That Girl'. As if that wasn't enough there's more....

During the band's recent live activity selected shows were recorded and the EP features live versions of 'Wildside', 'Hollow', 'Metropolis', 'Over You' and 'Flamingo Road', all from this year's acclaimed METROPOLIS album. Bringing up the rear is another extended mix - this time 'Bring Back Yesterday' gets the DJ Juppy knob-twiddling treatment.

The CITY LIMITS EP will be officially released and on sale in the FM official shop on October 11th for £6.00 + P&P. Those wishing to get their hands on a copy prior to the general release date can do so as the EP will be sold at the band's forthcoming October UK live shows.

Full track listing as follows: Bring Back Yesterday (Radio Edit), Start It Up, That Girl (Acoustic Version 2010), Wildside (Live), Hollow (Live), Metropolis (Live), Over You (Live), Flamingo Road (Live), Bring Back Yesterday (City Limits Extended Mix).

While we are here - we should remind you all that there are only 10 days left to get in your Meet & Greet applications for the October shows. The deadline is midnight 30th September 2010.
Thanks for your continued support.

Steve, Merv, Pete, Jem and Jim.

Alice Cooper new DVD / CD set available
 
Not too much other information available on this new Alice Cooper DVD / CD release, except that it's titled, 'Alice Cooper - Theatre of Death  - Live at Hammersmith 2009!'
There is a 'tiny' - I kid you not! - video screen clip trailer of the show at his website too.
 

That website address is:
 
 
BLUES ICON BUDDY GUY
SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM “LIVING PROOF”
ON OCTOBER 26TH


First Single “Stay Around A Little Longer” Features Legendary Bluesman B.B. King

New York, NY –Five time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Buddy Guy, will release his new album, Living Proof on October 26th. His 11th Silvertone/Jive studio release marks an historic first as it brings together the incomparable B.B. King and Guy on the introspective and moving lead single, “Stay Around a Little Longer.” The landmark single represents the first time that these two blues titans have ever joined together on a studio release.

Asked what he considers himself Living Proof of, Buddy Guy answers modestly. “Do you know how many guys I started out with who just threw up both hands and quit?” he says. “My first wife said to me, ‘It’s me or the guitar,’ and I picked up my guitar and left. We still laugh about that. But I’m still picking away at it, I don’t know nothing else.” In addition to the collaboration with B.B. King, Guy recruits fellow guitar legend Carlos Santana, who joins him on the slinky tune “Where The Blues Begins."

At 74-“years young,” he’s been a major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West Side sound and a living link to that city’s halcyon days of electric blues. In a career than spans nearly 50 years he has received 23 W.C. Handy Blues Awards (the most any artist has received), the first annual Great Performer of Illinois Award, the Billboard magazine Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement, and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. Rolling Stone ranked him in the top 30 of its "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

Recently, Buddy Guy wrapped shooting the “Stay Around A Little Longer” video with B.B. King in Las Vegas and just held “An Evening With Buddy Guy” at the Gammy Museum’s theater in Los Angeles where he discussed his storied career and performed a selection of songs. Right now the indefatigable musician is on tour throughout North America.
Go to: http://www.buddyguy.net/ for more information

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