Hope Radio, the new CD from the celebrated guitarist Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters was recorded and filmed live (with a separate DVD, now available) in the studio before an audience at Wellspring Sound in Acton, Mass in April of 2007.

Hope Radio features 11 songs that showcase Ronnie Earl at his amazing best, backed by long-time members of The Broadcasters: Dave Limina – keyboards, Jim Mouradian – bass and Lorne Entress – drums. Guests include Michael “Mudcat” Ward on bass and piano and Nick Adams on second guitar.  

To read more: CLICK

Click to see intro: CLICK
 

GravelRoad emerged from its hidden-in-plain-site womb around 2005. The music that had begun under the influence of modern Dark Blues masters Junior Kimbrough, RL Burnside, T-Model Ford, and Mississippi Fred McDowell was just our hobby. But what began in "The House" that we shared in Seattle, WA in 1999 has evolved to where we are today - writing our own music, playing with everything we've got for our live shows, and delivering something DIFFERENT musically.

Now we have our voice. The energy within the Vocals, Guitars, and Bass combined with Words that are deep and raw and hypnotic, spinning tales of sex, murder, death, love, redemption, and madness ring together as true as we can make it. We believe our music - where it comes from, where it is right now, and where it is going - is without limits .

Spring 2008 has seen GravelRoad on tour throughout the US. Highlights included a March tour spanning all US time zones, marked by dynamic live shows, sparkled with numerous other alt-blues bands in our contemporary musical community. The momentum continued this summer as we undertook a July 2008 tour with legendary Mississippi alt-bluesman, T-Model Ford.

Shot The Devil was released August 2008 on Uncle Larry's Records

http://www.myspace.com/gravelroad

In just three years, the Ruf Records BluesCaravan has become an extremely popular musical event reaching more and more blues fans in more parts of the world. After stopping off in Paris, London and Berlin, the 2007 edition played over a dozen concerts in the USA and was a featured attraction at the renowned Notodden Blues Festival in Norway. Setting off under the title "Guitar’d and Feathered", the trio of outstanding artists on the 2008 BluesCaravan tour promises to continue the trend.

On board for this release is, Candye Kane, Deborah Coleman, & and new comer to the blues scene British singer/songwriter & guitar player Dani Wilde. All 3 play solo sets as well as a jam session finale. Candy is riding high with her Ruf release, Guitard and Feathered, Deborah Coleman is featured on the Ruf release Time Bomb and twenty-one year old Dani Wilde first ever solo CD will be released In the fall of 2008.

http://www.rufrecords.de/

FROM THE ROOTS MUSIC ASSOCIATION:

We are putting the finishing touches on our first annual, much anticipated Music Festival, Conference and Awards Ceremony to be held in beautiful San Marcos, Texas on November 14 -16th. The ground has been broken and cleared, the performers are being firmed up and slotted into the three day schedule and conference plans are falling firmly into place. We couldn't have done this without the stellar, committed staff of the RMA and our dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. Our fullest gratitude is extended to everyone who has contributed to help pull this momentous event together.

We also would like to thank the generosity of our sponsors and their dedication and support in assisting us these past few months. We are pleased to have both the United States Entertainment Force and Budweiser on board with us and we are honored to be assisting in raising funds through this event that will serve to benefit the troops as they return home to their families.

We have some details to share with you!

First, the most exciting!!Thanks to a generous benefactor (Tridas Inc.) we have been able to offer a limited number of free conference registrations to radio broadcasters and personnel. There are a few remaining spots available and we are now able to open them up to our general membership. Availability is limited and spots will be given away on a first come, first serve basis so please contact the office asap if you would like to attend.

Artists and band members who have been scheduled as performers are also invited to attend the conference free of charge but they must register so that we can have an accurate number of people for planning purposes. Please register at: http://worldunitedmusicfestival.com/index.php?page=conreg Each person, artist or panelist attending must fill out a separate registration entry.  You will be registered and can pick up badges at the conference entrance at the Embassy Suites hotel.

The conference portion of our event will be held November 14 and 15th at the new Embassy Hotel in San Marcos.  Please keep an eye on our website for the latest updates on the panels and panelists. We have an informative and entertaining series of panels planned, intertwined with acoustic showcases and culminating with our award presentation ceremony on Saturday afternoon after the last panel is completed.

We will also be hosting a meet and greet for artists and radio after Friday afternoon's conference panels. We are pleased to have a wide breadth of radio formats represented during the three day event. A sampling of radio stations expected to have representatives attend include: KYXX, KHOS, KMBL, KOOP, KCLC, KLVT, KCLW, KFAN, KFXZ, KHTZ, KLBJ, KOPN, KSYM, KTSW, SIRIUS SATELLITE, CSB – School of Broadcasting (Austin), SU RADIO, KERV , WMSU, KOOK, WPOE, COLLECTIF DES RADIOS BLUES, KRVL, BLUES DELUXE and many more.

Our awards will be decided by our membership and the voting is open NOW. Congratulations to all our nominees. You can vote for your picks by http://www.worldunitedmusicfestival.com/?page=vote
The complete list of nominees can be found there as well.
The three day music festival promises to be memorable as it showcases over 150 bands and artists from far-reaching locations in one place on eight stages. You'll be able to hear some a mix of well known artists across many roots based genres alongside of some exciting new, groundbreaking performers who are anxiously preparing to share their music with the masses.

TO JOIN THE ROOTS MUSIC ASSOCIATION: CLICK, MEMBERSHIP IS FREE

JEFF HEALEY’S FAMILY “DEEPLY
DISAPPOINTED” BY THE UNATHORIZED
RELEASE OF A DOUBLE ALBUM OF OLDER MATERIAL


On November 4th, Arbor Records, a small Winnipeg label specializing in Aboriginal recordings, plan to release a double CD/DVD set of material by the Jeff Healey Band, which broke up in 2002.

The release consists of early singles and unreleased live material, and is being released in collaboration with the former drummer in the Jeff Healey Band, Tom Stephen,

The release of this compilation, titled "Legacy Volume One".
is being done against the wishes of the Healey Estate and his family.  By the time of his death last March, Jeff had long ceased to have any association — creative or otherwise — whatsoever with Mr. Stephen, and had long endured a bitter feud with the former drummer, who claimed he was owed monies and rights to Jeff’s music. 

Cristie Healey, Jeff Healey’s widow, released a statement that she was “deeply and sadly disappointed” that the label, who were notified of the Estate’s objections, went ahead with the release — and that EMI Canada saw fit to handle the distribution of the record.

“We ask that Jeff’s fans please refrain from purchasing this compilation out of respect for Jeff and his family. This release is NOT authorized or supported in any way by Jeff’s estate.”

Ms. Healey said the family felt that the collection lacked the care and attention that any “legacy” project should deserve. One disc consists of “yet another ‘hits’ compilation and the bonus disc is an assembly of inferior tracks that have been readily available for download for years.”

Aside from the ‘Mess of Blues’ CD that was released with Jeff Healey’s active participation and approval this past spring on Stony Plain in Canada, and Ruf Records in Europe and the U.S., there have been no other releases since his death.

However, the Healey Estate does plan to authorize the release of other Jeff Healey recordings in the future, including a Jeff Healey Jazz Wizards release to join the three already available on Stony Plain.

Said Ms. Healey: “The estate will ensure that future releases are assembled with the care and attention that they deserve out of respect for Jeff and his fans around the world. 

“Other releases, which have not been authorized or approved by the Healey Estate, do not honour Jeff's memory or the legacy of his art, and are merely being released to exploit Jeff’s name.”

WASHINGTON (AP) - It’s a decision that may end up affecting everyone from Broadway actors, to pastors of large churches, to karaoke DJs.

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing a ban on certain types of wireless microphones. At the center of the controversy are wireless mikes that operate on radio frequencies that are also used by broadcast TV stations.

Most of the owners of the microphones are unaware that FCC rules require them to have a license to operate the devices. The FCC is also investigating how the wireless mike industry markets its products. A coalition of consumer groups complained last year that when parts of the broadcast spectrum are opened up after TV stations switch to digital broadcast early next year, the mikes can interfere with the new license holders of those frequencies.

Dallas, Texas – On November 7, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. two of America’s greatest treasures, Blues legends and Grammy Award winners Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins, 95, and David “Honeyboy” Edwards, 93, will perform for over 4,000 students as part of The Blue Shoe Legends Program™ in Dallas, Texas. This event will give students a rare opportunity to glimpse into the past and experience when and how the Blues was born.

“This is the largest event of this kind ever held. At 93 and 95 years of age, we’ve only got one shot at this and the time is now!” Michael Dyson said, 23-year-old Grammy Award winner and co-founder of The Blue Shoe Project.

The Blue Shoe Legends Program™, an educational initiative of The Blue Shoe Project, is an exciting live and interactive storyteller performance event that brings legends and high profile artists of the music industry into an educational setting to share their lives, experiences, music and wisdom with students. On the web at: http://www.BlueShoeLegends.com

Pinetop Perkins, two-time Grammy Award winner and National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow began playing blues around 1927 and is widely regarded as one of the best Blues pianists. He has created a style of playing that has influenced three generations of piano players and will continue to be the yardstick by which great Blues pianists are measured.

Honeyboy Edwards is one of the most sought-after Bluesmen in the world for his eyewitness accounts of Blues history as it happened. Honeyboy, who remembers playing in Deep Ellum near downtown Dallas in the 1930’s recounts the death of legendary Bluesman Robert Johnson who also recorded in Dallas.

Pinetop and Honeyboy received Grammy awards this year for the album Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen – Live in Dallas, produced by The Blue Shoe Project.

About The Blue Shoe Project™

The Blue Shoe Project is a Texas-based 501 ( c )(3) donor support charitable non-profit organization founded with the mission of educating the coming generations on the importance of Blues music. Since its inception in 2004, over 30,000 students have experienced programs presented by The Blue Shoe Project. On the web at: http://www.BlueShoeProject.org

With Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant not wanting to tour or record with the band, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham are "trying out a couple of singers".

Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Jones said: "We want to do it. It's sounding great and we want to get on and get out there."

He continued: "It's got to be right. There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be on board."

Led Zeppelin reunited for a one-off concert in London last December which Jones described as "wonderful".

He said: "The most pleasure is making music. I love listening to it, but nothing is as much fun as having an instrument in my hand and communicating with people."

The University of Southern California (USC) has announced that it will be the first major US university to offer a bachelor's degree in popular music.

The prestigious school, which boasts Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea as one of its students, will offer instruction to instrumentalists and vocalists in popular music genres including rock, R&B, folk, blues and country.

"Why shouldn't a programme like this start in Los Angeles?" said Robert Cutietta, dean of the school that houses the programme. "I've been I higher education for 20-some years and it's been talked about, but everyone has been afraid to do it. No one wanted to be first," he told the Los Angeles Times.

Students in the popular music programme will be required to study music theory, history and songwriting as well as entertainment law, record promotion, marketing and publicity.

CHICAGO - Two of Chicago's popular summer music festivals will be downsized next year.

Chicago officials say the Blues Fest and Jazz Fest will be reduced from four days to three and will have fewer stages. The changes are the result of spending cuts in city's 2009 budget.

Other festivals being shortened by the city include the Holiday Sports Festival, the Viva Latin Music Festival and the Celtic Fest.

Megan McDonald of the Mayor Office of Special Events says the city can't move forward with programs and festivals that cost the city more to operate than it brings in in revenues. McDonald says in addition to reducing the number of days, the size of the festivals will be condensed and operational changes made to cut costs further.

[Press Release] We are very proud to announce that in October 2008 The Blues Audience newsletter 1991-2008 is now archived at The Department of Archives and Special Collections at the John Davis Williams Library at the University of Mississippi!

I feel their acceptance of my work gives The Blues Audience newsletter and all the bands and clubs who have been in it over the years a permanent place in the history of Blues in America!

Please take a minute to read the letter at:http://www.bluesaudience.com/newspage.html

The Blues Audience newsletterNew England's only independent Blues publication.
Celebrating 17 years of promoting the New England Blues scene!

Diana Shonk- Publisher
The Blues Audience newsletter
62 Cricket Hill Rd.
Harrisville, NH 03450

603-827-3952
http://www.bluesaudience.com

The Blues Festival Guide

The annual “Blues Artist on the Rise” competition, now in its third year, gives blues artists a chance to be evaluated against other up-and-coming blues artists. 12 semi-finalists will be selected to receive FREE advertising/promotion “showcases” in the E-guide. Each showcase will include the artist’s bio, at least one photo, and a song performed by the artist.

At the end of the submission period overall winners will be named in the categories of Solo/Duo and Band. Those overall winners will be heavily publicized in the E-guide as officially winning “The 2009 Blues Artist On the Rise” competition. PLUS each category winner will receive free banner ad space on the Blues Festival Guide website for 6 months as well as free banner ad space on the E-guide for 6 months. Each category winner's prize package is valued at $1,000.

The “2008 Blues Artists on the Rise” winners were Laurie Morvan Band in the Band category, and Sonny Moorman in the Solo/duo category.

If you think you are a Blues artist “on-the-rise”, promotional coverage in the E-guide, and 6 months of free advertising could be a priceless boost to your career.

Blues artists are evaluated based on:
1. The content and completeness of their Sonicbids EPK (i.e. songs, photos, gig schedules, bios etc.)
2. The content and completeness of their own websites (similar criteria)
3. Originality
4. Talent
5. Production Quality
6. Overall Impression

A Semi-finalist (one of 12) will be announced weekly and will receive their advertising/promotion “showcase” in the E-Guide starting early in the submission period. Overall category winners will be announced in January 2009.

Entering artists will need to stipulate if they are entering as a Solo/duo or a Band. If you choose to be considered in both categories you will need to enter twice. To enter the contest you must have an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) through Sonic Bids. Click Here to enter: SONIC BIDS