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Sunday, April 3, 2011

News and Site Update for Sunday 3rd April, 2011

Hi folks, sorry for the long absence and I have to also say that my absence from here also means I was away in hospital for the last few days. :(
As I mentioned before I was due to go and see Thin Lizzy in Detroit on Thursday 31st March, to review the gig, well ... It didn't happen, the review or me even making it to the gig on Thursday.
The early hours of Thursday morning, my wife had rushed me into the nearest hospital due to constant and unbearable lower abdominal pains. I was seriously in a bad way ... And would not wish that on anyone!
Suffice to say, after various tests and procedures to treat a blocked lower intestine - Yeah, I know, 'Nice Al!' - they managed to allow me to leave late last night. For now, I don't feel too bad and I am no longer ..., blocked!
Call it what you will, it was nasty and as I said, I would not wish that on anyone and it needed treatment, it wasn't going to right itself.

Really bummed though to have missed that show. Mates of mine went and if they can, they will try to share with me, their take on the gig. Sadly, as it was in a Casino, none of us knew the story on cameras allowed or not, without a press pass, so photo's are unlikely, but Chris and Rob will try to relive the night and put it into words! Thanks guys! I heard it was a killer show!
My sincere thanks to Scott and Marco, the Lizzy boys for their well wishes! Cheers mates! :)
Also to Jen and Chip at Chipster PR and all my friends and family for their well wishes. It means so much. 
So, what can I share for now ... Well, since I've been away from any internet for almost 3 days, where do I start. Oh one last thing, when you read this, maybe go take a look at the sitemeter, as you've just helped me pass the 50,000 mark for views at the site! Thank you all, big time! 
My best to everyone, cheers, Al!



TREVOR HORN To Produce New Album “FLY FROM HERE” To Release on Frontiers Records July 2011



The world's most quintessential Prog Rock band YES, announces today their highly anticipated new album FLY FROM HERE. This marks the first album in ten years with legendary, 2-time Grammy Award winning producer, Trevor Horn.

Horn and YES bassist Chris Squire re-discovered the track FLY FROM HERE which has never been recorded as a studio track. “Chris and I were talking one evening about a song ‘Fly From Here’ that we never recorded,” explains Trevor Horn. “I said I was prepared to spend two weeks with ‘YES’ recording that song. When I arrived in America to record it, I was taken prisoner by the band and only allowed my freedom again in return for producing the whole album. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse!!!”

FLY FROM HERE encompasses YES’ signature brand of mysticism and grand-scale compositions. Maintaining a complex, symphonic sound that features the beautiful harmonies and strong heavy riffs they are known for. “The new album represents the best of YES from the 70s and the 80's with a current twist,” states Squire.

(Photo by Rob Shanahan)

Geoff Downes has also reunited with YES to record FLY FROM HERE, bringing YES' classic symphonic sound with his strong style of playing. Downes had originally joined YES and recorded the album Drama in 1980. YES features a lineup of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire, drummer Alan White, and Geoff Downes on keyboards with lead singer Benoit David.

YES are the pioneers for the use of synthesizers and sound effects in modern music, which produced such timeless, symphonic-rock masterworks as "Roundabout," "Close To the Edge," and "Awaken". YES continued to push the cutting edge of art-rock music to their limits, selling over 30 million albums, reaching platinum status multiple times worldwide.

YES’ powerful mainstream progressive compositions have influenced a generation of musicians with a hugely successful and indelible catalogue of music with hit albums such as DRAMA, FRAGILE, CLOSE TO THE EDGE and 90125. Classics such as “Roundabout,” a seminal hit which consistently appears on “the best songs of all-time” lists, and the group’s #1 hit “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” which Horn is responsible for. Taken from the YES album 90125, this single would form part of a unique double, which would see YES and Horn top both the UK and US charts simultaneously.

FLY FROM HERE will be released on Frontiers Records July 2011.
More details about the album, its packaging and YES’ live plans for the rest of the year will become available shortly.
For additional information please visit http://www.yesworld.com/



Ted Nugent to hit the road on 'I Still Believe tour 2011'

Wild Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent, has recently shared a new track, 'I Still Believe' as a free download at his site - Go here to download the song: http://www.tednugent.com/mailingList/ - for those who sign up for his newsletter. That said, no more word on any new album at this point .... I'm sure it won't long!

He has though, announced a series of live summer dates on the 'I Still Believe' 2011 tour.
Those dates are as follows:

June 2011
Jun 25 Flaming Gorge Days (Stratton Myer's Park)
Green River, WY
Jun 26 The Depot
Salt Lake City, UT
Jun 28 Celebrity Theatre
Phoenix, AZ
Jun 29 House of Blues
San Diego, CA

July 2011
Jul 01 Canyon Club
Agoura Hills, CA
Jul 02 Sunset Station Casino
Henderson, NV
Jul 03 The Grove
Anaheim, CA
Jul 11 Belly Up
Aspen, CO
Jul 12 Ogden Theatre
Denver, CO
Jul 21 Waukesha County Fair
Waukesha, WI
Jul 29 Mountainfest 2011 (Mylan Mark)
Morgantown, WV
Jul 30 Ridgefest (Freedom Park)
Chicago Ridge, IL
 
August 2011
Aug 14 Penn's Peak
Jim Thorpe, PA

Aug 26 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Biloxi, MS
 
September 2011
Sep 02 The Central Wisconsin State Fair (Grandstand)
Marshfield, WI
For further details on this and all things Ted Nugent related, go to:


STRANGE KARMA RELEASE HARD ROCKING DEBUT, 'VOLUME 1'


There was a time when rock bands weren't so darn one-dimensional. Think back to the days of Led Zeppelin, Queen, etc., and it was a time that it was accepted for a hard rock-based band to be able to mix things up with piano ballads and other musical detours. The Australia quartet, Strange Karma, is a most-welcomed throwback to this aforementioned era, as evidenced throughout their new release, 'Volume 1' (issued via FNA Records – http://www.fnarecords.net/).

Comprised of brothers Martin Strange (singer) and Paul Strange (guitar), as well as Doe Prijono (bass), and Jason McDonald (drums), Strange Karma has just issued their kick ass debut, which runs the gamut from vintage hard rock anthems (the lead-off single/video, "America," and "Harder Than A Stone"), as well as more reflective material ("Time" and "Down and Out," the latter a track that won "Best Unsigned Act" at the 2010 UK MMA MP3 Awards). "13 days to record 3 years to release," says Martin Strange. "Our Music must be heard and our shows must be seen. We make our own dreams. Strange Karma – 'Volume 1'!"

And unlike many other up-and-coming bands, Strange Karma is already a road-tested unit, having already performed extensively in their home country, as well as embarking on tours of both England and the US (including such Stateside hotspots as the Roxy, the Cat Club, and the Whisky A Go-Go). And if everything goes according to plan, Strange Karma will soon be performing the tunes off of 'Volume 1' on a concert stage in your hometown.

Additionally, word of mouth is already strong surrounding Strange Karma, as their near 100,000 friends on Myspace can confirm, as well as over 200,000 plays for the band via their Myspace site. The band has already received coverage on such respected hard rock/heavy metal sites as Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles, and you will soon catch TV spots promoting the band on VH1 in the US.

As Sally Steele from Vegas Rocks Magazine sums up about the band, "Every so often I come into contact with a band that stands above the others with a passion and drive that does not exist very often in this business. Such is the case with Strange Karma. It is rare that every member in a band is at the top of their game and shines like a star in their own special way but Strange Karma glows all the way in that respect.”

To view the "America" video, go here:

For more information, visit the following links:




NARIP 2011 Best In Biz Winners Announced! CONGRATS to Chip Ruggieri & Chipster PR, winner of BEST PUBLICIST 2011!

Per NARIP - The votes are in. Almost 6 times as many people voted in this survey compared to last time. The survey highlights outstanding executive talent within the record and music industries. Innovation and entrepreneurism are growing, and people with creativity, good judgment and solid skills are valued now more than ever. NARIP provides a platform to convey ideas, insights and perspectives on improving knowledge and opportunities, and is gratified to recognize those who have made superior contributions within our profession and our community.

They had ten (10) finalists in every category. Chip Ruggieri and Chipster PR won Best Publicist award, ranking #1 in his field.

Best Publicist
Chip Ruggieri, Chipster PR (19.4%)
Ariel Hyatt, Ariel Publicity (17.7%)
Susan Blond, Susan Blond Inc. (12.9%)

President of Chipster PR, Chip Ruggieri, stated 'I feel very honored to be nominated among my peers, and much appreciated to be recognized. We try our best to exceed our clients expectations, and look forward to many more years of doing business.'
This is the first time Chipster PR has been nominated.

To see all the results, visit http://www.narip.com/?p=5018
For more information on Chipster PR and Consulting, visit http://www.chipsterpr.com/

My own personal congratulations to Chip! He runs his business so well, a real personal touch, great guy and he's certainly worked with and still works with so many of the best.
Although many of you won't know this, but Chip was instrumental in encouraging me to kick off my own site and helped stick with me, ever since the start and set me up with many of the excellent interviews I've done, that you folks have told me you enjoyed, so hats off to the man! Chip, good job man, you deserve it!


KILLINGER ARE HERE TO ROCK YOU! SELF-TITLED
DEBUT ALBUM FROM ANTHEMIC HARD ROCK BAND
DUE OUT JULY 19TH


(New York, NY) - With a contemporary sound that incorporates the best elements of classic 80s hard rock and metal, Killinger are here to rock you! Hailing from the Western Canadian frontier that is Edmonton, Killinger is the raucous quartet comprised of frontman Dave Williams, lead guitarist Kevin Morin, bassist R. J. Killinger (whose last name serves the band well as its moniker) and drummer Chris Challice. Killinger's self-titled debut album is due out on July 19th in North America via Sunmor Entertainment/BDG. BDG is distributed by RED Distribution, LLC (a division of Sony Music Entertainment).

Produced by Rick Plester (Michael Schenker, George Lynch) and mixed by Mike Fraser (Aerosmith, AC/DC, Metallica), KILLINGER features catchy melodies, big guitar riffs and a guest appearance by guitar great George Lynch. With an over-the-top live show, the band has already established a solid fanbase in Western Canada, touring with the likes of Lynch Mob. Of Kilinger, Exclaim! best describes their sound as "gritty, double-time rock with soaring vocals and dive-bomb guitar solos...", while The Belleville Intelligencer avowed, "Laden with crunching guitars, thunderous drums and old-school lyrics...the sound is huge like the classic arena rock albums of the 1980s..."

KILLINGER track listing:

1. We Are Here
2. Never Change
3. Holding On
4. The Gun
5. Crazy Things
6. I Don't Care
7. King Of The Hill
8. The Sky
9. You Still Love Me
10. Listen
11. Got To Have You
12. Illuminati

For more information please visit:


Peter Frampton North American Tour Dates 2011

Peter Frampton, the multi platinum recording artist, who last year released the critically acclaimed 'Thank You Mr Churchill' album, has lined up a number of US - And two Canadian - summer tour dates for 2011.
Those dates are as follows:

June 2011
06.15.2011Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ
06.17.2011The Beacon Theater, New York City, NY
06.18.2011Paramount Center For The Arts, Peekskill, NY
06.21.2011Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, PA
06.23.2011The Filene Center, Vienna, VA
06.24.2011Borgata Spa & Resort, Atlantic City, NJ
06.30.2011Place Des Arts, Montreal, Canada
July 2011
07.01.2011Charles Ives, Danbury, CT
07.02.2011Meadowbrook-US Cellular Pavilion, Gilford, NH
07.05.2011Ravinia Pavilion, Highland Park, IL
07.08.2011DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI
07.09.2011Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, ON, Canada
07.12.2011Wellmont Theater, Montclair, NJ
07.15.2011Bank of America Pavilion, Boston, MA
07.16.2011MGM Grand @ Foxwoods Resort, Ledyard, CT
07.17.2011Pier 6 Pavilion, Baltimore, MD
07.19.2011House Of Blues, Myrtle Beach, SC
07.21.2011Chastain Park Amphitheater, Atlanta, GA
07.22.2011Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, MS
07.27.2011Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre, Tucson, AZ
07.29.2011Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
07.30.2011The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, CA
07.31.2011Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA
August 2011
08.02.2011Balboa Theatre, San Diego, CA
08.03.2011Fox Performing Arts Center, Riverside, CA
08.05.2011The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
08.06.2011Thunder Valley Casino Resort, Lincoln, CA
08.07.2011Wells Fargo Center For The Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
08.09.2011Wente Vineyards, Livermore, CA
08.12.2011Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville, WA
08.14.2011Coeur D'Alene Casino Resort, Worley, ID
08.16.2011Wood River Cellars, Eagle, ID
08.18.2011Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, CO
08.21.2011The Hudson Gardens & Event Center, Littleton, CO
08.23.2011Hard Rock Casino & Hotel, Catoosa, OK
08.26.2011Stiefel Theatre For The Performing Arts, Salina, KS
08.27.2011Riverside Casino & Resort, Riverside, IA
08.28.2011PNC Pavilion @ Riverbend, Cincinnati, OH

For all news on Peter Frampton go to: http://frampton.com/

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