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Since our inception in January we have published 589 music related news stories.

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Memphis-Bound Get-Down Blues Show and “Diamonds on the Desert Floor” CD Launch Event Comes to Columbus, Ohio January 9

Special event features band and solo winners of the 2009 River City Ohio Blues Competition and CD Launch party for “Diamonds On the Desert Floor” by Long Tall Deb and the Drifter Kings.

COLUMBUS, OHIO, January 2, 2010–Award-winning Columbus act Long Tall Deb and the Drifter Kings have teamed up with Detroit bluesman Paul Miles for a special show at the Thirsty Ear Tavern in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday January 9, from 9:00pm- 1am. Tickets are $7 at the door.

This show will help to raise travel funds for both acts as they get ready to compete in the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee at the end of January. Both acts won their respective band and solo categories at the 2009 River City Ohio Blues Competition held in Marietta, Ohio, this past February. Long Tall Deb and the Drifter Kings will also debut their CD “Diamonds on the Desert Floor” on this evening.

The show will open with a strong acoustic set by multiple Detroit Music Award winner Paul Miles. He will be followed in the second set by the dynamic four-piece electric blues act Long Tall Deb and the Drifter Kings. The closing set will feature the two acts together onstage.

LONG TALL DEB AND THE DRIFTER KINGS have crafted a delicious blend of blues and soul topped with the rich, soulful vocals of “Long Tall” Deb Landolt. Featuring bassist Melvin Powe, drummer Doug Oscard and guitarist Richey B, the band’s strong original music and dynamic performances are the reason many folks call them a group on the rise.

Their debut CD “Diamonds on the Desert Floor”, produced by Michael Hill, features eleven distinctive original songs that stand out from one to the next. What appeals is a well-crafted CD blending gutbucket rhythm and fermented blues.

PAUL MILES has self-produced seven albums of original blues music and is a highly respected performer on the Detroit blues scene today. As an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter, he has enjoyed numerous musical collaborations while also continuing his solo career. He has played all over the United States and in Germany, France and Switzerland where he played the Lucerne Festival for five consecutive seasons. His infectious musical style and trademark high pitched squeal is a delight and inspiration to people all over the world.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release (or for a sample, copy or demo),
Visit http://www.longtalldeb.com

or
Contact: Deb Landolt
Telephone:614-598-2909

Venue Information:
Thirsty Ear Tavern
1200 West Third Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43212
Telephone: 614-299-4987
Time: 9pm
Tickets: $7 at the door

Eight Alligator Artists Receive 14 Blues Music Award Nominations

On Wednesday, December 09, 2009, the Blues Foundation announced the nominees for the 2010 Blues Music Awards. Eight Alligator recording artists received a total of 14 nominations. Soul and R&B guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro and harmonica master/songwriter/vocalist Rick Estrin (of Rick Estrin And The Nightcats) each received four nominations, tying for the most nominations given to any artist this year (two other artists also received four nods apiece).

Soul and blues singer Janiva Magness, electric blues guitar master Michael “Iron Man” Burks, Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women, Ann Rabson (of Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women), Buckwheat Zydeco, and Tinsley Ellis each received one nomination. In addition, the DVD, Hot Flash-The Documentary (a film about Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women) also received a nod.

The Blues Music Awards are recognized as the highest honor given to blues artists. The Blues Music Awards ceremony a! nd concert will be held May 6, 2010 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis.

Alligator artists and nominations are as follows:

RICK ESTRIN AND THE NIGHTCATS
B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year
Band Of The Year
Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year – Twisted
Instrumentalist Of The Year – Harmonica

TOMMY CASTRO
B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year
Band of the Year
Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year – Hard Believer
Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year

JANIVA MAGNESS
Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year

MICHAEL “IRON MAN” BURKS
Contemporary Blues Ma! le Artist Of The Year

SAFFIRE–THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN
Acoustic Album Of The Year – Havin’ The Last Word

ANN RABSON (of SAFFIRE–THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN)
Traditional Blues Female Artist Of The Year

BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO
Instrumentalist Of The Year – Other (Acco! rdion)

TINSLEY ELLIS
Rock Blues Album Of The Year – Speak No Evil

Who Do You Love Presents An Intimate Look At Leonard And Phil Chess, Legendary Founders Of Chess Records

Following its acclaimed premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Who Do You Love-the new film from four time Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks (Marvin’s Room)-will open in theaters beginning in March/April 2010. The film, which presents an intimate look into the lives of Leonard and Phil Chess, legendary founders of Chess Records, stars Alessandro Nivola (Coco Before Chanel, Junebug), Jon Abrahams (Meet The Parents), acclaimed musicians Robert Randolph (as Bo Diddley) and Keb’ Mo’, David Oyelowo (Last King Of Scotland), Chi McBride (“Pushing Daisies,” “Boston Legal”), Megalyn Ann Echikunwoke and Marika Dominczyk.

The film features authentic musical performances and a score steeped in hits from the Chess Records canon including Muddy Waters’ “Stuff You Gotta Watch,” Etta James’ “At Last,” and Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love.” The score is assembled by renowned music supervisers Budd Carr-who has provided his expertise to over 70 films including every Oliver Stone film (JFK, The Doors, Born on the Fourth of July, Natural Born Killers, etc.)-and Nora Felder, who has overseen A&R efforts for Paul Simon, Sinead O’Connor, Les Paul and Iggy Pop.

Who Do You Love tells the story of Leonard Chess, a Polish immigrant living in Chicago, who becomes enamored with the new blues sound emanating from the city in the mid-1940s. Chess and his brother Phil open a club called Macomba and gamble on producing “race records” with the help of bass player and songwriter Willie Dixon. After initial failure, they find tremendous success with the iconic bluesman Muddy Waters, and on the strength of his popularity, started Chess Records.

Chess Records quickly grew into an influential label, launching the careers of Waters, Bo Diddley, Etta James, Chuck Berry, among others, and introducing the Blues to American audiences on a broader scale. Who Do You Love tracks the growth of Chess Records, but more importantly, presents a poignant look into the strains the label placed on Leonard Chess’ family, namely his wife Revetta and his son Marshall.

Of the film, Marshall Chess says, “Who Do You Love is a great snapshot of the era in which the music that was to become the foundation of Rock & Roll was created. The music, the cars, the clothes, and the many amazing characters of my childhood are brought to life in this film, which also gives a taste of the many roads traveled by my family to make Chess Records one of the greatest record labels of all time.”

Jerry Zaks most recently directed Chazz Palminteri’s A Bronx Tale on Broadway. He has received four Tony Awards, four Drama Desks, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, an Obie and an NAACP Image Award Nomination for his national tour of The Tap Dance Kid. Who Do You Love is Zaks’ first feature film since Marvin’s Room. Directed by Zaks, Who Do You Love is written by Peter Wortmann and Bob Conte and produced by Les Alexander, Andrea Baynes and Jonathan Mitchell. David Franco is the director of photography and the original music is by Jeff Beal.

Legacy Recordings Commemorating Elvis Presley’s 75th Birthday With the Release of Elvis 75 – Good Rockin’ Tonight, The Ultimate Career-Spanning Boxed Set

Legacy Recordings is proud to announce the release of Elvis 75 – Good Rockin’ Tonight, the ultimate career-spanning collection of seminal recordings by Elvis Presley, in commemoration of the King of Rock & Roll’s 75th birthday (January 8, 2010). Elvis 75 – Good Rockin’ Tonight — a four CD, 100 song collection — will be available everywhere on Tuesday, December 8.

The first major Elvis Presley retrospective to cover the full spectrum of the artist’s world-changing career, Elvis 75 – Good Rockin’ Tonight runs from “My Happiness,” the acetate Elvis himself paid nearly four dollars to record at the Memphis Recording Service on July 18, 1953, a year before signing with Sun Records, to “A Little Less Conversation (JXL Radio Remix Edit),” a posthumous #1 hit for Elvis in the UK, Australia and more than 20 other countries in 2002.

Offering fans an unprecedented range of essential material, Elvis 75 – Good Rockin’ Tonight provides a generous selection of the electrifying earth-shattering primal rock & roll of young Elvis; the swinging good vibes of Elvis’s soundtrack recordings; the heartfelt humility of his gospel performances and the intimacy of his ballads; the pure pop power and show biz magic of Elvis in Vegas; and a record-setting number of #1 and Top 10 international smashes.

The lavish Elvis 75 – Good Rockin’ Tonight box set includes an 80-page booklet featuring many rare photographs and a new essay by musical and cultural critic Billy Altman (Rolling Stone, The New Yorker).
A single disc edition of Elvis 75 – Good Rockin’ Tonight, featuring key tracks culled from the four-disc set, will be released on January 5, 2010 (the week of Elvis’ birthday: January 8).

Legacy’s release of Elvis 75 – Good Rockin’ Tonight kicks off a year-long celebration of the life and music of Elvis Presley, the world’s first rock & roll star.

Elvis 75 – Good Rockin’ Tonight – tracklisting
DISC 1 01 My Happiness 02 That’s All Right 03 Blue Moon Of Kentucky 04 Good Rockin’ Tonight 05 Baby Let’s Play House 06 Mystery Train 07 I Forgot To Remember To Forget 08 I Got A Woman 09 Heartbreak Hotel 10 I Was The One 11 Blue Suede Shoes 12 My Baby Left Me 13 One-Sided Love Affair 14 I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You) 15 Lawdy, Miss Clawdy 16 I Want You, I Need You, I Love You 17 Hound Dog 18 Don’t Be Cruel 19 Love Me Tender 20 Love Me 21 Paralyzed 22 Too Much 23 All Shook Up 24 Mean Woman Blues 25 (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) 26 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 27 One Night 28 Jailhouse Rock 29 Treat Me Nice 30 Blue Christmas 31 Don’t

DISC 2 01 Hard Headed Woman 02 Trouble 03 King Creole 04 Wear My Ring Around Your Neck 05 I Need Your Love Tonight 06 A Big Hunk O’ Love 07 (Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I 08 Stuck On You 09 A Mess Of Blues 10 It’s Now Or Never 11 Thrill Of Your Love 12 Such A Night 13 Are You Lonesome Tonight? 14 Reconsider Baby 15 Doin’ The Best I Can 16 Pocketful Of Rainbows 17 Surrender 18 Crying In The Chapel 19 I Feel So Bad 20 There’s Always Me 21 Judy 22 Can’t Help Falling In Love 23 (Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame 24 Little Sister 25 Good Luck Charm 26 Suspicion 27 She’s Not You 28 Return To Sender

DISC 3 01 Bossa Nova Baby 02 (You’re The) Devil In Disguise 03 (It’s A) Long Lonely Highway 04 I Need Somebody To Lean On 05 Viva Las Vegas 06 It Hurts Me 07 This Is My Heaven 08 Adam And Evil 09 How Great Thou Art 10 Tomorrow Is A Long Time 11 Guitar Man 12 Big Boss Man 13 Too Much Monkey Business 14 U.S. Male 15 If I Can Dream 16 Memories 17 Don’t Cry Daddy 18 In The Ghetto 19 Suspicious Minds 20 Stranger In My Own Home Town 21 Kentucky Rain 22 Only The Strong Survive

DISC 4 01 Polk Salad Annie 02 The Fool 03 Funny How Time Slips Away 04 I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water 05 I Just Can’t Help Believin’ 06 I’m Leavin’ 07 An American Trilogy 08 Burning Love 09 Always On My Mind 10 Steamroller Blues 11 Loving Arms 12 Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues 13 Promised Land 14 T-R-O-U-B-L-E 15 For The Heart 16 Hurt 17 Way Down 18 Unchained Melody 19 A Little Less Conversation (JXL Radio Remix Edit)

For more information:
http://www.LegacyRecordings.com
http://www.MySpace.com/LegacyRecordings
http://www.YouTube.com/SonyMusicUSA

The York Theatre Company and Documentary Arts In Association with Central Track Productions Presents Blind Lemon Blues a New Musical by Alan Govenar & Akin Babatunde

Blind Lemon Blues pays homage to Blind Lemon Jefferson, America’s best-selling country blues singer of the 1920s.

The New York Times called this new musical “lively and intelligent . . . an inspiration.”Briefly at the York in 2007, Blind Lemon Blues combines blues, gospel, R&B, soul, doo-wop and rap to evoke the enduring legacy of Blind Lemon and his contemporaries.

Prepare to “go weak at the knees” as Variety said, “Blind Lemon Jefferson’s voice emerges with full force.”

Special Offer for Members of NY Blues and Jazz Society!

Order Now and Pay Only $43 (regular price $67.50)

When Ordering, Use Code: NYBLUES

To purchase tickets visit http://www.yorktheatre.orgor call the York’s Box Office at 212-935-5820 and use code: NYBLUES. You can also bring a printout of this page to the York Theatre Box Office. (Hours are Monday through Friday 12 Noon to 6 PM.)

Tuesday through Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2:30 and 8 PM, Sundays at 2:30 PM

THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY in Saint Peter’s Theatre
54th Street Just East of Lexington
E or V train to Lexington Avenue or 6 train to 51st Street

Offer valid for all performances through 10/04/09 (excluding 9/15/09). Tickets must be purchased by 9/29/09. Normal service charges apply to phone and Internet orders. Offer subject to availability and prior sale. All sales are final; no refunds or exchanges. Offer may be modified or revoked at any time without notice. Offer Expires 9/29/09.

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In Your Ear: The Thirsty Ear Tavern Presents an Evening of Americana and Blues

Americana and Blues will come together at the Thirsty Ear Tavern at 9:30pm on Saturday, August 28. The show will open with a set by Matt Monta and the Hot Coal Band playing their own whiskey-soaked, gut-bucket original Americana music. They will be followed in the second set as the dynamic four-piece electric blues act Long Tall Deb and the Drifter Kings who are gearing up to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next January present their special brand of “Blues For the People” Tickets are $7 at the door.

What is the difference between Americana and Blues?

Americana music has been loosely defined through the years to include the fundamentals of American roots music based in classic-style country, but including all the influences that converged to give birth to early rock and roll.

Blues music is a blending of African and European traditional music characterized by its melancholy (or blue) notes expressing suffering and deprivation. Songs are typically structured in three-line verses, with the third line summing up, or rephrasing, the sentiment expressed in the first two.

Matt Monta and the Hot Coal Band
Led by Matt Monta on the guitar, harmonica and lead vocals, a prolific songwriter with a catalog of material that grows daily, he is a storyteller, a poet, and a righteous rebel. The Hot Coal Band is a group of keen, experienced musicians who are multi-instrumentalists that also write outstanding material and provide top-notch vocals.

On supporting vocals and cello, Bree Frick adds a beauty and harmony that is simply unparalleled Chris Shaw bows the fiddle with such adeptness and precision that he can make the heartiest of listeners shiver with delight. Andy Shaw drives the stories forward with aggressive moving bass lines, but will also deliver a spirited trumpet solo on other numbers. Pete Vogel ignites a toe-tapping rhythm that is infused with the best of the blues, honky-tonk, and rock-and-roll.

For further information on Matt Monta and the Hot Coal Band:  http://www.myspace.com/mattmonta

Long Tall Deb and the Drifter Kings
Blendkng a unique and tasty mix of Delta, Piedmont, Texas and Chicago blues, boogie-woogie, New Orleans style, and classic R&B and soul with generous helpings of original music, this band is quickly gaining a loyal fan-base and acclaim for their dynamic and soulful live shows that range from intimate club settings to large outdoor festivals. Members of the band include vocalist Deb Landolt, guitarist Richey B, Melvin Powe on bass and Doug “New York” Oscard on drums.

The band is currently in production on their debut CD with bluesman and producer Michael Hill as well as  gearing up to compete in the 2010 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee. Over 100 Bands and 60 solo/duo acts will attend the 26th International Blues Challenge January 20-23.  

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release (or for a sample, copy or demo), contact Deb Landolt at 614-598-2909 or visit http://www.longtalldeb.com.

For Additional Venue Information:
Thirsty Ear Tavern
1200 West Third Avenue
Columbus, OH 43212
Telephone 614-299-4987
Website: http://www.thethirstyear.com

Treasa Levassuer—Back From Memphis — Brings Full Band Early Show

Toronto’s most independent songwriter brings sweet soul music to the city’s home of the blues.

Who: Toronto’s most independent songwriter and singer, with full band; soul mother for the city’s indie scene.
What: Stax-oriented tunes, old-school soul, and songs of lost-and-found love and lust delivered by a powerful singer.
Where: Silver Dollar Room, 486 Spadina Ave. at College St.
When: This Saturday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. show (doors at 6 p.m. for dinner service) NOTE EARLY SHOW
Tickets: $12.00 at door.

Treasa Levasseur, one of Toronto’s best known independent singers, musicians and songwriters returned this week from her fourth trip to Memphis — with an offer to record at the famed Ardent studios with Stax soul artists Willie Mitchell and Teeny Hodges.

After playing half a dozen powerhouse showcase performances in Memphis, she’s back home and ready to rock out again at the Silver Dollar Room. This will be an early show, starting at 8 p.m. sharp (doors open at 6 p.m.)

Levasseur earned three nominations at the recent Maple Blues Awards, but her background is in the acoustic folk field — and she still plays and records as a side musician with numerous local artists, including Justin Rutledge, David Baxter, Claire Jenkins, Corin Raymond, The Undesirables and many more.

She’ll be playing at the Dollar on Saturday with a full band, including horns — and spotlighting material from her second (and most successful) album, Low Fidelity. And the song “Stuck in Soulsville USA” — which garnered the enthusiasm of Memphis soul fans — is likely to stop the show, as it usually does.

Her new album is a collection of powerful and frequently autobiographical songs, notably including Big Fat Mouth, Good Ones Never Share, Stuck in Soulsville and the title track. Musicians on the CD include a wide range of other independent artists, including
guitarist and co-producer David Gavan Baxter, soul crooner DK Ibomeka, harmonica ace Paul Reddick, and keyboard players Bill King, Derek Downham and Julian Fauth.

Websites: http://www.treasalevasseur.com

For media information, copies of her CD, interviews and (terrific) high-res photographs, media invitations to the show please contact:
Richard Flohil or Jadea Kelly
Telephone: 416-351-1323, Fax: 416-351-1095,
Email: jadeakelly.rflohil@sympatico.ca

NOTE: Treasa’s name is pronounced “Tresser Levvasir” – not, as some have asserted, “Theresa Levvasewer.”

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research Hosts Benefit Concert in Honor of Sean Costello

ATLANTA, GA – The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research will hold its first benefit concert Sunday, March 1, 2009 at the North Atlanta High Center for the Arts. Sean was a beloved blues musician from Atlanta, who was internationally acclaimed, and in his honor, fellow musicians Lurrie Bell [2008 Living Blues Awards for Blues Artist of the Year and Most Outstanding Guitarist], The Wood Brothers [debut disc named one of National Public Radio’s top ten discoveries of 2006], King Johnson, Felix and the Cats with Jon Liebman and the Soul Shakers will lend their time and talent to this cause. Doors will open at 4p.m. and music begins at 5p.m. Tickets are $30 and will be available online [ http://www.seancostellofund.org ] and at the door. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Donations are tax deductible.

The original lineup also included Jason Ricci, who will no longer be able to perform due to a conflict in his performance schedule. Although Ricci will not be part of the lineup, he will be donating the proceeds of his alternate performance to The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research. Ricci hopes to lend his time in the second annual benefit concert.

The benefit emerges as the first project of The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research, an organization founded by his mother, Debbie Costello Smith, upon Sean’s untimely passing. Sean was acclaimed for his musical prowess at a very early age. He was designated the Beale Street Blues Society Best Performer at age 15; was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award for his album Cuttin’ In in 2000; was voted Best Blues Band in Creative Loafing and Atlanta magazine; was featured on the cover of Blues Revue in February of 2002; and was named the Best New Act by the French Blues Feste in 2003. Most recently, Sean was nominated for two Blues Music Awards: Best Contemporary Blues Album and Best Contemporary Blues Male Artist of 2008.

Sean resided in Atlanta, but was known throughout Europe and the U.S. as a talented, but humble musician who readily shared his talent with young and old. He played with musical greats BB King, Buddy Guy, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Hubert Sumlin, Elvis Costello, Etta James, Pinetop Perkins, Bo Diddley, Little Jimmy King, Nappy Brown, Bob Margolin, and many others. He formed special and lasting relationships with Felix Reyes, Donnie McCormick and Levon Helm. Sean had the honor of playing for James Cotton’s birthday, as he was Mr. Cotton’s favorite band.

Sean passed away suddenly in April last year on the eve of his 29th birthday, after quietly battling depression and anxiety for more than 10 years. It was only a year before his passing that Sean was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. At the time of his passing, he was in treatment to overcome the debilitating symptoms of this mood disorder and the often associated self-medication.

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research is a non-profit organization that has attracted a dedicated Board of Directors and an Advisory Board of renowned clinical researchers as a direct result of Sean’s reputation as an artist, an exceptional person and friend. In creating the fund, the board hopes to increase research for treatment, develop and support education for early diagnosis and intervention, and eventually create a program for musicians and artists seeking holistic support in their effort to lead functional, healthy lives.

For more information, please visit http://www.seancostellofund.org

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research Logo:
http://seancostellofund.org/mediakit/SCMF-logo.eps
Media Contact:
Debbie Costello Smith
President/CEO
Email: info@seancostellofund.org Website: http://www.DeltaGrooveMusic.com

Cross Harp Chronicles Update, December 09, 2008

Here is an update of our website. Each of these posts can be reprinted for what ever purpose providing pertinent facts are not altered and Cross Harp Chronicles is properly credited.

To start this week’s updates off, it should be noted that the Blues community has again lost valuable members. Both of these individuals were relatively young. We are all that much sadder by this loss. RIP Chicago Guitarist Chico Banks Dies At 47 Years of Age Although an annoucement of his death may have been pre-mature, announcement was made of Chico Banks arrival at a Chicago hospital. When admitted, by some accounts, he was brain-dead. He died after admittance. Peoria Blues Singer Bobbye King Dies at 54 PEORIA — Blues singer Bobbye A. King, known to some as the “Queen of the Peoria Blues Scene,” died Saturday morning, December 6th, of natural causes after being rushed to a Peoria hospital with breathing difficulties. She was 54. For more on Bobbye King, go to: http://tiny.cc/GwqXQ A member of the Blues community in the New Jersey areaA Tribute-Benefit for Living Legend Drummer and Teacher Russ Moy Friday, December 19th, Rob Poparozzi and the Hudson River Rats will play A Tribute-Benefit for Living Legend Drummer & Teacher Russ Moy at Lana’s in 1300 Raritan Rd. Clark, New Jersey. Russ has serious health issues and needs our help, he can no longer work or play drums and has very large medical bills and is in assisted living housing which is very expensive

In Time For The Holidays, New releases
For fans of southern soul and R & B Tyree Fuller Releases Debut Album “Love The Music” His impressive debut, “Love the Music,” is an album forged from his passion for music, self-reliance, and steely determination. Tyree’s hypnotic, emotive vocals smoothly course like a river of honey through the album’s 11 cuts, which he describes as R&B/Pop influenced by softcore rap and soul. http://tiny.cc/Sm0PsBoosweet Records Release a Tribute to Stevie Wonder There’s plenty of excitement at Los Angeles based label Boosweet Records these days as they have released award winning guitarist, producer, and label CEO Vernon Neilly’s newest project titled, “Vernon Neilly & Friends: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder”. The new CD was recorded on three different continents as Vernon was able to tap the shoulders of a few friends and magnificent musicians to come up with a musical experience as diverse as it’s participants. For more on this release: http://tiny.cc/TmkQw For another new CD released in time for Holiday giving: Buddy Ivory Band Releases Much-Anticipated Debut CD “Rough Cut” Buddy Ivory is proud to announce the potent, soul-shaking release of the debut CD, “Rough Cut,” by The Buddy Ivory Band. Helmed by Buddy and Ivory, who are both six-string wizards and singers, the band expertly lays down grooves that are tastier than an all-you-can-eat buffet. Their songs, described by publicist John Mahoney of Artistpr.com as, “a kaleidoscope of rock, country, funk and rhythm and blues,” say more with less – they ditch the pitch, and get right down to the sale. http://tiny.cc/FBtOO The Legendary Henry Stone Presents His Newest Hit Artist Big Nox HENRY STONE – 60 years in the music biz – two dozen gold and platinum records – a legend in the business! BIG_NOX – hard-hitting street artist – little bit rap – little bit soul – little bit R&B – all Obnoxious! Now, these two have teamed up to produce the ground-breaking album ENAMOROUS. You can listen to full tracks and see the videos of the hot singles “Say What U Wanna Say” and “Fantasies” at http://www.henrystonemusic.com And lastly, a release that is making a big splash for Nellie “Tiger” Travis Release “I’m A Woman” is Number 1 On Southern Soul Top 20 http://tiny.cc/KhAD7

In the works:
New Big Shanty Album Due for Release January 6th 2009 For more information: Big Shanty’s sonic rain of acid guitars and synth beats blasted across the Internet, Satellite and College radio in ’07 with his anti-war song “Killing Fields” and went number-one for five-weeks on “Blues Critic” singles chart. Big Shanty’s CD “Ride With The Wind” stayed top-ten in their album chart for five-months, his single was nominated as “Best Blues Song and Shanty was nominated as “Best New Artist”. Topping the list of amazing kudos for the year “Real Blues Magazine” selected renegade blues-rocker Big Shanty’s album as the “#1 Blues Album of 2007”.
http://www.kingmojo.com/big_shanty_home.htm Another worth looking for, but a bit further off: ‘Keep Your Soul: A Tribute To Doug Sahm’ To Be Released March 24, 2009 on Vanguard Records http://tiny.cc/LoLHl

Activities
How Do You Fit 500 Bands In A Stocking? NXNE 09 promises to be the biggest summer music festival yet. In addition to 5 days in the clubs and cinemas with over 500 local and international bands and 25 music-related films This holiday season, NORTH BY NORTHEAST (NXNE) makes it easy for music fans to give and receive the best new music: rock, hip-hop, electro and more. For just $50, the 2009 5-day NXNE wristband gives holders unfettered access to one of the world’s most exciting music and film festivals. It’s the only way to fit 500 bands into a stocking! For more information: http://tiny.cc/aImwE.

North by Northeast is still some months off, but there are several upcoming that are worthy of note:The River City Blues Society Presents Wednesday Night Blues Series The River City Blues Society presents Chicago Blues Legend Nick Moss and the Flip Tops, December 10, 2008 – 7:00pm to 11:00pm, Captain’s Wheel, 2801 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554 Telephone (309) 346-1154 Thurman Barker’s Strike Force + Douglas Ewart’s Inventions, Dec. 11th, Roulette, NYCCelebrating his 6Oth birthday, Thurman Barker brings his mighty percussion quintet Strike Force to town. Employing multiple mallet instruments, tympani, congas, drum set, and yet other percussion, Strike Force creates a fresh combination of notated and improvised music. http://tiny.cc/DSsuJ Tucson Film & Music Festival Presents the “Best Of The Fest” the weekend of December 12 through the 14! Back by popular demand, the weekend long event features some of this year’s most popular programs and films and offers a special screening of A Deal Is A Deal starring Quantum of Solace’s Bond Girl Gemma Arterton.

After the First
e Magic Bag Kicks Off the New Year with the 15th Annual Anti-Freeze Blues Festival, January 2nd and 3rd The Magic Bag kicks off the New Year with the 15th Annual Anti-Freeze Blues Festival. The festival, always held the first weekend in January, features the best national and local blues bands. Past headliners include Bettye LaVette, Koko Taylor, Johnnie Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Robert Jr. Lockwood, The Black Keys and Roomful of Blues. Always one of the hottest tickets in town, the Anti-Freeze Blues Festival sells out every year. So get your tickets early! For more information: http://www.themagicbag.comRoll with the Blues on the Winter 2009 Chicago Blues Tour Blues University® and the City of Chicago invite music fans to warm up with a busload of blues on Saturday, January 17th when the Chicago Blues Tour™ departs from the “hub” of the tour, Alcock’s Inn, at 411 S. Wells St. The Chicago Blues Tour™ is a “pub crawl” event connecting 9 of Chicago’s famous south-side lounges featuring live blues, with 12 live blues bands performing all night long. For more information: http://tiny.cc/mnIwJ

These and other stories can be found in full as always by going to http://www.crossharpchronicles.com. Follow our updates and we receive them at Twitter @justrootspr