Music News Net

WILCO's Jeff Tweedy Helps Out Chicago Charity

MUSIC NEWS - Chicago's Northside College Prep high school is pulling out all the normal stops for their benefit auction. Using the BiddingForGood website, who provide opportunities for buyers to put bids on everything from Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field tickets to various kinds of jewelry, the school has gotten help from a famous rocker.  Yes, you can bid on a unique item; a recording session with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy.

The highest bidder will win an eight-hour recording session at the Wilco Loft in Chicago. Tweedy will oversee, help produce and arrange the winner's song during this time. There is even a chance that the winner may get Mr Tweedy to play on the track.

Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert Announced for 2013

MUSIC NEWS - My Morning Jacket’s frontman, a Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame legend, a beatboxing impresario, an indie darling and a legendary music composer. This is just a taste of what can be expected during the eclectic 23^rd Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert on February 21, 2013, at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Jim James, tUnE-yArDs, Rahzel, Patti Smith with Jessie Smith and Philip Glass are confirmed to perform with more artists to be announced soon. Glass is once again the artistic director and curator for the evening.  

Tickets for the show are on sale now and can be purchased via www.carnegiehall.org, through Carnegie Charge by calling 212.247.7800 or in person at the Carnegie Hall Box Office (57th Street and Seventh Avenue). Special packages that include tickets to the concert and dinner reception with the performers can only be purchased through the Tibet House US at 212.807.0563 via www.tibethouse.us.  Proceeds from ticket sales will support the work of the Tibet House US as well as the Hurricane Sandy Relief Foundation and the Tibetan Community of New York & New Jersey.

12.12.12 Concert Announced for Superstorm Sandy Relief

MUSIC NEWS- A stellar lineup has been revealed for the 12.12.12 benefit concert for Hurricane Sandy Relief, scheduled for December 12 at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Sir Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, The Who, Roger Waters, Alicia Keys, Jon Bon Jovi and Billy Joel will top the lineup, with more artists to be announced. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which is granting money and materials to tri-state organizations helping those affected by the storm. Ticket information will be announced soon via www.121212concert.org

12.12.12 is a collaboration between Clear Channel Media, the Madison Square Garden Company and the Weinstein Company, which also joined up for The Concert for New York City in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The MSG event will also get a television broadcast, but details have yet to be determined.

NE YO Releases "Forward" Song and Video for Pres Obama

MUSIC NEWS - FORWARD, a new song performed by Grammy Award winning R&B singer-songwriter NE YO, THE GOO GOO DOLLS’ JOHNNY RZEZNIK , music legend HERBIE HANCOCK, DELTA RAE and NATASHA BEDINGFIELD was released  this week as a grassroots effort to motivate and inspire nationwide voter participation in the upcoming 2012 Presidential election.

The song was written and created by hit songwriters Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois of the The New Radicals, and Fred Goldring, who was behind the 2008 multiple award-winning grassroots music video YES WE CAN with will.i.am. Grammy Award winning producer
John Shanks produced the record, and the powerful music video for the song was produced and directed by Graham Henman and his team at Hello and Company.

Paul Ryan "Lifts" Bean Story from Rocker KURT COBAIN ?

MUSIC NEWS - Mitt Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan, has been accused of stealing an anecdote from the late Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain.  During this week's Vice Presidential debate (October 11), Republican congressman Ryan told a story about how his daughter Liza got the nickname Bean, when answering a question about abortion.   Gawker reports that it was quickly noted  by Twitter users that Ryan's story was very similar to grunge rocker Cobain's, who said he gave his daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, her unique middle name because she looked like a kidney bean on his wife Courtney Love's ultrasound scan images. Curious, because Ryan has stated that he is a big fan of Nirvana, as well as Rage Against The Machine.

In the debate, Ryan said: "You know, I think about ten and a half years ago, my wife Janna and I went to Mercy hospital in Janesville where I was born for our seven week ultrasound for our first born child. And we saw that heartbeat. Our little baby was in the shape of a bean, and to this day we have nicknamed our first born, Liza, 'Bean'."

JIM JAMES to Perform Solo Concert in NH for Obama Campaign

MUSIC NEWS - Jim James, lead singer/songwriter for popular band My Morning Jacket will be joined by the band's guitarist & multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel in a visit to Keene, NH for a rare solo performance on behalf of the Obama campaign on Monday, October 1st, 2012.  The concert will take place at the Colonial Theater, with doors opening at 7:00pm.  Opening for Jim James and Carl Broemel will be Craig Finn of The Hold Steady.  The concert will help raise awareness about what's at stake this election for young Americans.

On his support for the President's reelection campaign, Jim James says, "It is so crucial for us all to work together to help build on and continue the progress we have been making under President Obama's leadership - to get America to be a land that takes care of its own and provides equal opportunity to all - regardless of gender, race, or creed. I believe in President Obama's vision for America - at home and as a better friend to the world - and want to help raise awareness of the importance of a person's right to vote."

GREEN DAY Leader Goes for Re-hab

MUSIC NEWS- Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong has decided to get treatment for substance abuse announced the band's rep on Sunday.  The news, after the 40-year-old frontman had a meltdown onstage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on Friday, doesn't come to a surprise to many. As Green Day was wrapping up its performance during the star-filled, two-day concert, Armstrong profanely complained that the band’s time was being cut short.

“One minute left, one minute (expletive) left. You’re gonna give me (expletive) one minute? ... I’m not (expletive) Justin Bieber, you (expletives)!” he yelled (though Bieber was not even part of the night’s festivities).  After the tirade, Armstrong smashed his guitar before leaving the stage.

Thomas Dolby Steps Down from Music Director Post with TED

MUSIC NEWS - TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design), the nonprofit organization whose long-running conference series is devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading,” announced today that Thomas Dolby, TED’s Music Director since 2001, is stepping down from his duties forthwith.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of TED’s astronomical growth over the last twelve years,” said Dolby recently. “But now’s the right time for me to move on. I’d like to thank the whole TED team, my TED house band musicians, and all the great musical guests we’ve brought to the conference over the years. It’s been a wonderful ride.”

James Taylor, Foo Fighters, Delta Rae, and Others at Democratic Convention

MUSIC NEWS - Singer/songwriter James Taylor, the Foo Fighters , The B-52s and Mary J. Blige have been booked to perform at next week's Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, organizers report.  Politico also stated that Earth, Wind and Fire, Delta Rae, Marc Anthony, Branford Marsalis and Amber Riley are also scheduled to take the stage at the Dems big show!

"This roster of performances only adds to the excitement building in Charlotte for the historic week ahead of us," DNC Chairman and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a statement. "The tens of thousands who will attend convention events in person, and all those tuning in across the country, should be ready for quite a show." 

No mention of any empty chairs on stage.

New Yorker Writer Resigns After Fabricated BOB DYLAN Quotes Are Revealed

MUSIC NEWS - Writer Jonah Lehrer has been dumped at The New Yorker after allegations that he made up Bob Dylan quotes in his article; “Imagine: How Creativity Works,” according to Poynter.  Back in June, it came out that Mr Lehrer had previously reused his own material in The New Yorker’s blog from material he published previously in The Wall Street Journal.  Poynter also noted that Lehrer’s resignation came a little less than an hour after the new charges against him became public.

FARM AID 2012 Drops Hints

MUSIC NEWS - The big reveal; concert lineup, venue, and more for FARM AID 2012 will take place in just a few days. But we wanted our loyal Farm Aid supporters to be the first to know: Farm Aid 2012 is coming to Pennsylvania this September!  Organizers have told us they're thrilled to be returning to the Keystone State, where innovation and ingenuity of family farmers is building a better food system for all of us.  But will the event be near the 'Burgh, Poconos, Amish Country or near the state capitol?  We don't know (or at least aren't telling).

Once again the organizers are giving you the chance to get the best seats in the house. To order pre-sale tickets on Tuesday, July 10, renew your Farm Aid membership or become a member now.

All-American Rejects' TYSON RITTER and Valiant Watchers Promote Haitian Charity

MUSIC NEWS - The All-American Rejects’ lead singer Tyson Ritter and Valiant Watches have launched a partnership campaign to support of Ritter’s charity Don’t Hate on Haiti, along with a touching video about the campaign. Twenty-five percent of proceeds from sales of Valiant’s featured BE.REAL Watch, as well as from sales using promotional code DHOH, will be donated to the organization, which is dedicated to bringing clean and safe drinking water to remote communities in Haiti.

“I’m so fortunate to have Valiant Watches partner with me to keep up awareness for those doing without in Haiti,” said Ritter, who confirms that 100% of donated funds go directly to building clean water projects for the people of Haiti.  Every $5,000 raised translates into a clean water well built in Haiti. In addition to supporting DHOH, Valiant customers who purchase the featured watch or use the promo code will be entered for a chance to win a guitar signed by The All-American Rejects.

 

PATTERSON HOOD to Fight Downtown Athens, GA Walmart

MUSIC NEWS - Some of the greatest songs were written to give voice to anxiety, despair and unwanted change. “After it’s Gone”, a new single just released by Patterson Hood and the Downtown 13, was inspired by the threat of a Walmart in the heart of downtown Athens, GA.  The city that nurtured the band’s career. Hood, singer, writer and guitarist for the band Drive-By Truckers assembled The Downtown 13, a musical collective made up of some of Athens, GA's finest musicians to celebrate Athens, GA's beauty and vibrant musical heritage and to protest a developer's proposed building of a massive mixed use development in downtown Athens, anchored by a 94,000 sq. foot Walmart.

The small and eclectic university town of Athens is a hotbed for national musical acts and many of these local luminaries, including R.E.M.’s Mike Mills and Widespread Panic’s John Bell and Todd Nance.  They all came together on the new track to express their opposition to a proposed development by Atlanta-based Selig Enterprises. The back wall of the anchor tenant, Walmart, would be within stone’s throw of Hood’s home and it would tower over the greenway trail along the Oconee River, and is the very embodiment of inappropriate development.

MY MORNING JACKET To Headline Benefit for Alabama Tornado Victims

MUSIC NEWS-  The United Way of West Alabama have announced that My Morning Jacket, Neko Case and Phosphorescent will healine a benefit concert to help bring relief to the recent tornado victims in Tuscaloosa, AL.   The indie rockers will play the fundraiser at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater on Friday, August 19, to benefit United Way of West Alabama.

As you recall, in late April, a record breaking 53 tornadoes ripped through Alabama, with 7,000 homes destroyed and 41 people killed.  The destruction hit home for Phosphorescent, as one of the band members recently wrote:

NEVER SHOUT NEVER Help Raise Funds for Joplin, MO

MUSIC NEWS -  Never Shout Never and Christofer Drew call Joplin, Missouri home.  Singer/songwriter Drew grew up and currently live in Joplin.  Fortunately for them, Drew and his family were not harmed by the devastating tornados, many of his friends and band members were greatly affected.

 

"Joplin is my home. It is the place where I find comfort and rest. The tornado that hit our community was not only devastating to the city's prosperity, but also the lives of the victims. My greatest hope is that after the cameras leave, we will not be forgotten.  I love this city and plan to stand by its side until it is completely restored and livable.  We are all encouraged by the help we've received.  Thank you everyone." said Drew.