Music News Net

Old Media Continues to Die Off, Universal Dumps MTV and MTV.com

MUSIC NEWS- Great insight from Yobie Benjamin at SFGate recently on the state of the music and media industry.  He points out another sign that "old media" continues to die out, with Universal Music Group and its's new management cutting its ties to MTV and MTV.com.  With Universal being home to most every big star in the music biz today; including @LadyGaga (who has an amazing 5,533,535 Twitter followers), @KanyeWest (new to the Twitter world, but with 630,819 followers), Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber. MTV may have made Madonna a star, but Twitter gives @JustinBieber 4,472,413 fans that follow everything he tweets.  So instead of putting its content on MTV.com, Universal will show its music videos exclusively online at vevo.com (Uni division, #3 measured video site). The big change will occur after the MTV Video Music Awards on September 21.

Owners of the CBGB Name File for Bankruptcy in NYC

MUSIC NEWS- CBGB Holdings LLC, the company that purchased the license to market the name and brand of the legendary New York City punk rock club CBGB has filed for bankruptcy on Friday in Manhattan court.  CBGB was the East Village (315 Bowery @ Bleeker) NYC club started by Hilly Kristal that give acts such as the Ramones, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Mink DeVille and Blondie their initial start.  The club, which opened in 1973, shut down in 2006.

After the closure, investors bought the name and intellectual property rights in 2008, with intentions of reviving the brand by selling T-shirts and other rock memorabilia. Bravado Merchandising, a divison of Universal Music Group, previously signed merch deals for the iconic CBGB logo and images.  No word from the company on the bankruptcy.

As part of the filing, the firm listed debts of $1 million to $10 million but the filing does not say why the company was seeking bankruptcy protection.

Bonnaroo Adds to the Line-Up; A Ben & Jerry's Flavor

MUSIC NEWS - Bonnaroo organizers announced another addition to the fest line-up: BONNAROO
BUZZ! in a joint venture with Ben & Jerry's.  With this, B&J has once again elevated music and ice cream to another level.  The flavor concoction contains light  coffee and malt ice creams with whiskey caramel swirls and English toffee pieces, though MNN hasn't had the pleasure of a taste test yet (hint, hint).

"To create something iconic like a Ben & Jerry's flavor is a giant highlight in a long list of incredible
Bonnaroo moments," says Superfly Productsion's Richard Goodstone. "We had a great time working with their team to create this flavor. We think our fans are going to love it."

Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Leon Russel, Neil Young, Others Work on New Album

MUSIC NEWS - Billboard Mag reports that Elton John and singer/songwriter Leon Russell are working together on a new album that will feature a number of legendary music guests that includes Neil Young, Booker T Jones, Jim Keltner and others.  Bernie Taupin, long time Elton John collaborator is also involved, noted Taupin's official website, erniejtaupin.com.

"Basic tracks for Bernie and Elton's new album with Leon Russell have been recently completed and the gang is about to start vocals and overdubs immediately," said Taupin's site.

The report says "The trio has cut 15 songs ranging from Stones-like rockers, country-tinged ballads, gospel and even a Sinatra-like weepy similar to something torn from the grooves of 'In the Wee Small Hours' [1955 Frank Sinatra album]."

No word yet on a release date but stayed tuned to MNN, we're looking forward to this one !

Bonnaroo Fest Adds More Acts

MUSIC NEWS  - Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 2010 has added several artists to this years fest, further diversifying an already wonderfully eclectic and stellar lineup. New additions include Bonnaroo veterans Ween, Galactic and Umphrey's McGee as as well as gifted singer/songwriter Brandi Carlisle and the genre- bending, post-punk trio The Gossip. A full list of confirmed acts-

LENNY KRAVITZ on Ellen !

MUSIC NEWS - Catch rocker Lenny Kravitz on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this Friday, March 5 and on TBS’ Lopez Tonight on Wednesday, March 10 at 11 pm.  Lenny's out supporting the DVD release of Precious : Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire" and maybe mention his U2 tour opening slots too!  A multi-talented musician, writer, producer and actor, Kravitz is currently in the studio recording his newest album, which is due out later in 2010. He was recently and nominated and was a presenter at the NAACP Image Awards in February, where he was up for the Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role award for his feature film debut in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, and will also present an award at the Independent Spirit Awards this Friday, March 5^th on IFC .

Set the ol' DVR so you don't miss the fun!

EVANESCENCE to Return WIth More Electronic Sound

MUSIC NEWS - After several years keeping a low profile,  Evanescence  is on it's way back with a new album. Amy Lee and company have been through changes in the band's lineup and Ms Lee got married since we've heard from them last.  Word now is that they've recently entered the studio to start work on their newest effort since 2006's The Open Door with producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band) and Will Hunt at the controls.

Lee recently told Rolling Stone that the new material is inspired by electronic-based bands like Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Portishead and MGMT. "There’s a lot of stuff that doesn’t sound like Evanescence, but the heart of the band is still there. This is a really, really, rhythmically driven record. So there’s tons of drum-programming fused with live drums; drums we’re renting a day at a time, like Japanese taiko drums," she said.

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND Announces Extensive Summer 2010 Tour

MUSIC NEWS - Already ranked #1 as top revenue generating performer of the past decade, Dave Matthews Band have announced a new round of 49 tour dates, for spring / summer 2010.  This time, their annual summer run starts up on May 28 & 29 at the Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT and ends almost four months later at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN on September 15 (full itinerary below).  The tour will have several varying support acts, such as Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Gov't Mule and Raphael Saadiq.

Tickets are on sale starting February 26 with word that DMB's mgmt is talking to the Chicago Cubs about a possible Wrigley Field gig, with no deal yet announced.

DEVO Added To Vancouver Winter Olympic Events

MUSIC NEWS - DEVO, post modern civilization's most visionary and influential rock bands, have accepted an invitation to perform live at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver on February 22, 2010.  The performance will conclude a Victory Ceremony and will be broadcast live on NBC. It’s your duty as citizens of the earth to tune in, watch, listen and learn.

 

This is all part of the growing anticipation of the band’s first studio album in nearly 20 years. With an estimated 3 billion worldwide television viewers, this is probably DEVO’s biggest single event audience and one of many future opportunities to expose their music, knowledge and message to the world. It's been reported that DEVO will perform old favorites as well as future favorites from the upcoming album.  

 

The announcement of DEVO completes the lineup of 15 top North American headline acts for the Whistler Victory Ceremonies, which also includes Feist, Usher, Our Lady Peace and The Fray. Each act will perform for one night from February 13 to 27 during the Games at Whistler Medals Plaza (more information on the lineup @ vancouver2010.com.  For DEVO; Gerald Casale, Bob Casale, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Bob Mothersbaugh,  joined now by drummer Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Weezer, Guns N’ Roses) they are also currently activating massive scale maneuvers to be unveiled at the appropriate time and place. De-evolution 2010 will include the release of new musical adventures and recordings (featuring an eclectic cast of producers and collaborators), international festival appearances, and a proper tour of North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America.   

Rockers SCORPIONS to Call it Quits After One More Album & Tour

 MUSIC NEWS - German heavy metal rockers, SCORPIONS has announced plans to shut down after 40 years of rocking.   The band, best known for early 1990s hit "Wind of Change" (and "Rock You Like a Hurricane," "No One Like You" [see them in 2003 at Red Square, below] and "Send Me an Angel." others), posted on its website today Sunday that "we agree we have reached the end of the road." 

They said they'd end their music career with a final album - Sting In The Tail, which will be released in March and with a tour that will start in Germany in May and travel across the world "over the next few years."

SNL's Christine Ohlman To Release New Album This Spring

MUSIC NEWS- Best known as SNL's “The Beehive Queen”, the flashy, gritty long-time featured vocalist with the Saturday Night Live Band, Christing Ohlman has wrapped up her first new album in nearly five years. The April 6 release,  The Deep End will be out via the Music Group through Select-O-Hits and includes a stellar support team. 

Having earned herself the respect of many fellow artists over the years, Ohlman has been able to assemble an amazing group of them to pitch in on the new album, including - Marshall Crenshaw, Dion DiMucci and Ian Hunter as duet partners, along with some imprssive players: G.E. Smith, Eric “Roscoe” Ambel from the Del-Lords, NRBQ veteran Big Al Anderson, Catherine Russell, the Asbury Juke Horns (Chris Anderson and Neal Pawley) and others.

PHOEBE SNOW Suffers Brain Hemorrhage

MUSIC NEWS- Folk singer Phoebe Snow, 58, suffered a brain hemorrhage at her NJ home this Tuesday and has undergone emergency surgery, her manager has said.  Her manager, Sue Cameron,  has reported that doctors for Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter said that the surgery went well, and Snow was hospitalized Thursday in intensive care at an undisclosed location.

"It is too early to assess any residual motor damage, and we are taking it day-by-day, but doctors are hopeful for a complete recovery," Cameron said.

Her big hit, "Poetry Man", was released in 1975 and got her world wide acclaim. She has nominated for Grammys twice and has released 16 albums during her career while composing 100+ songs.  Her latest album release was 2008's "Phoebe Snow Live at Woodstock". 

More @ PhoebeSnow.com

UPDATE 4/11/10 - Phoebe's manager, Sue Cameron reports that Phoebe is in a rehab facility that will teach her to  walk, talk, etc so that she can get back her life.  Ms Cameron writes; "It will take a long time and she'll be working very hard, but the doctors (and I :) believe she'll be ok. Her progress back from a very big stroke is totally remarkable. I've never seen such strength. All your good wishes are being read to her." 

She asks that fans STAY TUNED TO PHOEBE's WEBSITE AS WELL AS HER FACEBOOK AND TWITTER PAGES ABOUT A STAR-STUDDED BENEFIT FOR HER COMING UP SOON.

INGRID MICHAELSON's TV Appearances This Week !

MUSIC NEWS-  Ingrid Michaelson has announced two big TV appearances this week! Tomorrow, January 22, Ingrid, along with her full band will perform "Maybe" on the Ellen Degeneres Show, while tonight "Everybody" will be featured in an all new episode of Grey's Anatomy.  The songs are the first and second singles, respectively, from her August 29, 2009 release, Everybody (out via Original Signal/Universal Motown).

Coming soon, Ingrid has more news about Lilith Fair and her new tour, stay tuned!

COACHELLA 2010 Line Up Revealed

MUSIC NEWS- COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL's 2010 edition (their 11th event) will feature a wide range of performers - Pavement, Thom Yorke????, Vampire Weekend, Them Crooked Vultures, LCD Soundsystem, Phoenix, Tiësto, Faith No More, Deadmau5, David Guetta, MGMT and Public Image Limited (a total over 130+ acts)

The music fest is booked for Friday, April 16, Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA; the same spot where COACHELLA debuted in 1999.

Folk Singer Kate McGarrigle Dead at 63

MUSIC NEWS- Talented Canadian folk and roots music singer Kate McGarrigle, who was best known for her music with sister, Anna (the McGarrigle Sisters), died on Monday evening at the age 63 at her Montreal home, just a few weeks before her birthday.  Kate was born in Montreal had been disagnosed with sarcoma three and a half years ago but preferred to keep it private, died after a battle with the rare form of cancer.  The news has been confirmed by  journalist Dane Lanken, her brother in law and by her doctor, Robert Tabah who and said: "Kate McGariggle passed away yesterday (Monday 18 January) as a result of sarcoma, a form of cancer that she was first diagnosed with three and a half years ago." Ms McGarrigle was the mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright from her prior marriage to singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III.

The McGarrigle sisters recorded 10 albums, with several of their songs covered by artists Linda Ronstadt, Billy Bragg, Emmylou Harris and others

News of the seriousness of her illness was circulated over the weekend as Rufus cancelled his February tour of Australia and New Zealand, to be with her.

No word yet on funeral arrangements, in the meantime, donations to the Kate McGarrigle Fund can be made by telephoning 514-931-5656 or online at Muhcfoundation.

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