Short Takes and Notable Links for Saturday, March 31, 2007

John Lennon was not always a gentle peace lover. Hugh Hefner has said that Lennon put out his cigarette on an original Matisse paining at the Playboy Mansion in 1974. Heffner said,

"He was separated briefly from his wife Yoko Ono and was in a very bad mood. He was drinking a great deal. He misbehaved a little bit and a couple of my friends took exception to it. He put a cigarette out on a Matisse and one of my friends was going to kick his butt. But he'd been drinking. He was under tremendous pressure, and Lennon was one of my heroes."

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A guitarist for a local Muscle Shoals, Alabama band is glad to have some fairly powerful friends. Scott Boyer is recovering from surgery for an arterial disease and is in need of financial help. He's getting that this Wednesday at the Shoals Theater in Florence with a benefit concert featuring the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Billy Swan, songwriter Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham (keybaord/organist; Percy Sledge's When a Man Loves a Woman), songwriter Donnie Fritts, Larry Bryom (guitarist for Steppenwolf), Charlie Haywood (bassist for Charlie Daniels) and more.

Another fund raiser will take place on April 18 at the Alabama Theater in Birmingham. Performing will be Greg Allman and Butch Trucks, Bonnie Bramlett, the Amazing Rhythm Aces and others.

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Notable Link:

An affectionate look at a 40-year friendship with Elton John from the Daily Mail.

Read more...

Retro Chart - This Week 31, 41 & 51 Years Ago

31 Years Ago (1976)

1. December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - Four Seasons
2. Dream Weaver - Gary Wright
3. Lonely Night (Angel Face) - Captain & Tennille
4. All By Myself - Eric Carmen
5. Disco Lady - Johnny Taylor
6. Sweet Thing - Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
7. Dream On - Aerosmith
8. Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers
9. Right Back Where We Started From - Maxine Nightengale
10. Money Honey - Bay City Rollers
    

41 Years Ago (1966)

1. The Ballad of the Green Berets - SSgt. Barry Sadler
2. 19th Nervous Breakdown - Rolling Stones
3. Nowhere Man - Beatles
4. These Boots are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra
5. Homeward Bound - Simon & Garfunkel
6. Daydream - Lovin' Spoonful
7. California Dramin' - Mama & Papas
8. (You're My) Soul and Inspiration - Righteous Brothers
9. Elusive Butterfly - Bob Lind
10. Listen People - Herman's Hermits
    

51 Years Ago (1956)

1. The Poor People of Paris - Les Baxter
2. Lisbon Antigua - Nelson Riddle
3. Rock and Roll Waltz - Kay Starr
4. No, Not Much - Four Lads
5. Why Do Fools Fall in Love? - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
6. Great Pretender - Platters
7. I'll Be Home - Pat Boone
8. Theme From the Three Penny Opera - Dick Hyman
9. Hot Diggity - Perry Como
10. Eddie My Love - Teen Queens
    

Read more...

Odd Elvis Memorabilia in Court Fight

Who knew that Elvis Presley's doctor, George Nichopoulos (or Dr. Nick as he is known) had saved up so many things associated with his friendship and treating of the singer? Now, a deal to exhibit those items, is in the Delaware courts. Among the items in the dispute:

• A Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum handgun that was a gift to the doctor from Presley.
• A gold watch with the engraving "from E.P. and Priscilla 10-29-70."
• A laryngeal scope used on the singer.
• A stuffed dog that the singer once threw at Nichopoulos.
• A prescription bottle from the day before the singer's death.

A number of years ago, Robert Gallagher and Betty Franklin struck a deal with Dr. Nick to exhibit his collection and split the profits.

Later, California businessman Richard Long put up $1.2 million towards a company that he would own with Gallagher to display the items. Gallagher never delivered the goods to Long and used $1 million of the money to buy the memorabilia from Nichopoulos.

Long is now in court looking for either a refund of his money or to complete the deal for the exhibit company. If the two partners cannot work together, he wants the memorabilia sold and the profits split between the parties.

If the case does go to court, it most likely will not be tried until late Summer.

Read more...

Short Takes and Notable Links for Friday, March 30, 2007

R.E.M. will premier music from their new album during five shows in Dublin in late-June/early-July. The album will be made over the next few months and should be out before the end of the year. The group says the new material has a lighter, more up tempo feel.

This will mark the first time in ten years that the group has played any new music live before the release of the recording.

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An unreleased ABBA song is about to see the light of day. Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus wrote the song Crush On You while the group was recording its Super Troupers LP, but the track was never recorded. Now Andersson is recording the song for his next Benny Andersson Orkester album.

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It's being reported that Gary Glitter, in a Vietnamese prison for obscene acts with children, is doing hard labor by cutting down trees for lumber in a nearby forest.

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Tony Bennett will be the mentor for next week's American Idol and will perform on Wednesday night's results show.

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Notable Links:

Stories of recording with some of the biggest acts of the 60's and 70's by engineer Eddie Kramer from Rider News.

The transcript of an on-line chat with James Sullivan, the man who shot the Sgt. Pepper album cover forty-years ago Friday, at Boston.com.

Donovan from the Chicago Tribune.

Bo Diddley from the West Australian.

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March 30 is a Bad Day in Osmondville

Donny Osmond's new TV show, The Great American Dream Vote, has been pulled from the ABC schedule after just two airings. The show, which used a studio audience vote to grant people's wishes, pulled a weak 4.2 rating for it's preview show on Tuesday night (10th out of 13 shows for the night) and an even weaker 3.1 during its regular timeslot on Wednesday night (12th out of 15).

Meanwhile, Marie Osmond has announced that she is getting a divorce from her husband of twenty-years, record producer Brian Blosil. They have eight children, including adoptions.

The couple said, "Though our marriage is ending, we continue to have a very amicable relationship. Our marriage has always been a faithful one and neither of us is assigning fault for the divorce. Our children, as always, are our top priority and in our deep love for them we will continue to jointly fulfill our roles as active parents in their daily lives."

This was Marie's second marriage.

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Heart Sets Tour Dates for 2007

The Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, have announced 29-dates spanning April through September. Heart is not supporting any new releases, so expect shows spanning their thirty-plus year career.

The group will also be honored on May 24 at the VH1 Rock Honors.

The itinerary:

• 4/6 - Canyon Club - Agoura Hills, CA
  
• 4/7 - Cow Palace - San Francisco, CA
  
• 4/20 - Tim's Toyota Center - Prescott Valley, AZ
  
• 5/1 - King Center For Performing Arts - Melbourne, FL
  
• 5/2 - Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, FL
  
• 5/4 - Beau Rivage - Biloxi, MS
  
• 5/5 - Wild Adventures Theme Park - Valdosta, GA
  
• 5/6 - Hard Rock Live Orlando - Orlando, FL
  
• 5/31 - Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie - Grand Prairie, TX
  
• 6/28 & 29 - Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort - Niagara Falls, Ontario
  
• 6/30 - Woodstock En Beauce - Saint Ephrem, Quebec
  
• 7/2 - Milwaukee Summerfest - Milwaukee, WI
  
• 7/3 - Naperville Ribfest - Naperville, IL
  
• 7/4 - Blue Ash Sports Center - Blue Ash, OH
  
• 7/26 - Celebrity Theatre - Phoenix, AZ
  
• 7/27 - Orange County Fair - Costa Mesa, CA
  
• 7/29 - Konocti Harbor - Kelseyville, CA
  
• 8/3 - Peppermill Concert Hall - West Wendover, NV
  
• 8/5 - Sandia Casino Amphitheatre - Albuquerque, NM
  
• 8/24 - Oregon State Fair - Salem, OR
  
• 8/25 - Monterey Fairgrounds - Monterey, CA
  
• 8/28 - Antelope Valley Fair - Lancaster, CA
  
• 8/30 - Chumash Casino - Santa Ynez, CA
  
• 8/31 - Pala Casino - Pala, CA
  
• 9/9 - Humphreys Concerts by the Bay - San Diego, CA
  
• 9/27 - Turning Stone Casino - Verona, NY
  
• 9/28 - Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion
• 9/29 - Atlantic City, NJ - Trump Hotel

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Chart Watch for March 30, 2007

Our weekly recap of classic artists on the current music charts.

Top 100 Albums

19. Live at Massey Hall 1971 - Neil Young - Down from 6 (2 weeks)
42. In My Songs - Gerald Levert - Down from 35 (6 weeks)
63. Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Down from 55 (46 weeks)
64. Last of the Breed - Willie Nelson / Merle Haggard / Ray Price - Premier (1 week)
    
80. West - Lucinda Williams - Down from 66 (6 weeks)
    
94. Duets: An American Classic - Tony Bennett - Down from 89 (26 weeks)
96. At The Movies: Soundtrack Hits - Van Morrison - Down from 78 (6 weeks)

Top 50 Singles

• None

Top 50 R&B Albums

13. In My Songs - Gerald Levert - Down from 8 (6 weeks)

Top 25 Country Albums

7. Last of the Breed - Willie Nelson / Merle Haggard / Ray Price - Premier (1 week)
21. The Legend of Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash - Up from 27 (74 weeks)
24. It Just Comes Natural - George Strait - Down from 21 (25 weeks)

Top 25 Pop Catalog Albums

2. Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd - Up from 3 (1,547 weeks)
8. Back in Black - AC/DC - Up from 13 (771 weeks)
9. Greatest Hits - Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band - Down from 5 (644 weeks)
13. Grease- Soundtrack - Up from 14 (332 weeks)
14. Best of the Doors - Doors - Down from 12 (335 weeks)
15. Legend - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Up from 21 (887 weeks)
16. Greatest Hits - Queen - Up from 23 (675 weeks)
18. Elvis: Ultimate Gospel - Elvis Presley - Up from 19 (3 weeks)
20. Greatest Hits - Journey - Up from 27 (699 weeks)
    
21. Metallica - Metallica - Down from 16 (787 weeks)
22. Every Breath You Take: The Classics - Police - Up from 30 (12 weeks)
24. Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits - Creedence Clearwater Revival - Up from 25 (531 weeks)
25. Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix - Jimi Hendrix - Up from 41 (206 weeks)

Top 50 European Albums

2. Stay - Simply Red - No Change (2 weeks)
5. 12 - Herbert Grönemeyer - Up from 7 (3 weeks)
15. Very Best of - Dolly Parton - Up from 19 (4 weeks)
22. Live at Massey Hall 1971 - Neil Young - Up from 83 (2 weeks)
24. Dylanesque - Bryan Ferry - Down from 18 (3 weeks)
34. Hoch Wie Nie - Falco - Down from 26 (7 weeks)
    
42. The Confessions Tour - Madonna - Down from 33 (8 weeks)
47. Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Down from 43 (47 weeks)

Top 50 European Singles

• None
  

Top Concerts

2. Eric Clapton/Robert Cray Band - Staples Center - Los Angeles, CA - $1.325 million
   
3. Eric Clapton/Robert Cray Band - Pepsi Center - Denver, CO - $1.256 million
   
6. Eric Clapton/Robert Cray Band - KeyArena - Seattle, WA - $.999 million
   
9. Eric Clapton/Robert Cray Band - ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena - San Diego, CA - $.838 million
   
10. Eric Clapton/Robert Cray Band - EnergySolutions Arena - Salt Lake City, UT - $.836 million
    

Read more...

Ten From Dionne Warwick's Catalog To Be Reissued By Collector's Choice

Ten albums from Dionne Warwick's long career are being reissued by Collector's Choice Records on May 15. Included in the issue are her first six and nine of her first ten albums for Scepter (only The Windows of the World is missing) along with one from Warner Brothers. Each includes new liner notes from Ritchie Unterberger but no additional cuts.

The albums:

• Presenting Dionne Warwick (1963)
• Anyone Who Had a Heart (1964)
• Make Way For Dionne Warwick (1964)
• The Sensitive Sound of Dionne Warwick (1965)
• Here I Am (1965)
• Dionne Warwick in Paris (1966)
• Here Where There Is Love (1966)
• On Stage and in the Movies (1967)
  
• The Magic of Believing (1968)
• Love at First Sight (1977)
  

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Blind Faith Reunion at Clapton's Crossroads Concert

Eric Clapton has invited Steve Winwood to play at this summer's Crossroads Festival. Clapton has said that he has "unfinished business" with his Blind Faith partner.

It is expected that the two will perform some of the songs from the group's only album during the concert. It is unknown whether drummer Ginger Baker will be coming in for the show. Clapton played with Baker back in 2005 during the reunion tour of Cream. The fourth member of Blind Faith, Ric Grech, passed away in 1990.

Read more...

Short Takes and Notable Links for Thursday, March 29, 2007

It's being reported in the news that Michael Jackson is sick with the flu or a cold but is not in the hospital.

I have to ask, why is this news (on a number of news services)? Is there something more significant to his cold then the tens of thousands of other people with colds? Will the germs be sold on eBay or something?

There are also reports that he wants to build a fifty-foot robot of himself in the desert outside of Las Vegas. Maybe they can use it in Wild Wild West II.

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In news on July's Live Earth concerts, Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) is doing everything possible to block the Al Gore led festival from using the lawn of the capitol. It is his feeling that the concert is a partisan event and that they have no place on the Capitol property.

Also, the Rolling Stones are denying a Fox News report that they have joined the line-up for the festival.

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Mavis Staples will be playing a two-night stand at the Apollo Theater with guests Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner, the Freedom Singers and others. The May 14 and 15 shows are in support of her new album We'll Never Turn Back, due April 24.

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Dave Diamond, a member of a fan club for the Doors, is petitioning the new governor of Florida to clear Jim Morrison's criminal record in the state.

The request to Governor Charlie Crist asks that he set aside Morrison's 1969 charges of indecent exposure and public profanity. Per Diamond's post on the Doors Collector's Magazine web page, "No matter what happened at that concert or how you feel about the man himself, the prosecution and agencies involved in this matter denied James Douglas Morrison his constitutional rights."

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R.E.O. Speedwagon is performing the National Anthem at the Kansas City Royals opening day next Monday.

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Notable Links:

Harp talks with Terry Lickona who has been in charge of PBS' Austin City Limits for 30 years.

Gary U.S. Bonds from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Read more...

Catching Up With...Beverly Bremers

Don't say you don't remember,
I'll never love anyone else.

Beverly Bremers beautiful voice filled the airwaves in the winter of 1971 with her number fifteen hit, Don't Say You Don't Remember. It would be the biggest hit recording she would have, but only the beginning of a career that has found her successful in a number of different fields of entertainment.

Bremers actually recorded earlier in her life, as a teenager under the name of Beverly Ann. Three records were produced, one on the small Showcase Records and the other two for RCA. While none made a dent in the charts, Beverly reports that they have become popular on the Northern Soul circuit with two sides, He's Coming Home and You've Got Your Mind on Other Things, finding a home on recent Northern Soul compilations.

In late-1971, Scepter Records released Don't Say You Don't Remember as Bremers first record under her own name, which not only went to fifteen on the pop charts, but peaked at number five in Adult Contemporary. Nine more singles followed on Scepter with two charting, We're Free (1972/number 40) and I'll Make You Music (1972/number 63). She also released the album, I'll Make You Music, in 1972.

Columbia Records signed Bremers in 1975 where she released two more singles, including a recording of What I Did For Love from A Chorus Line.

While that would be the end of her career as a solo recording artist until today (more on that later), Bremers has kept very busy in a variety of other entertainment fields.

• Even before her first hit, she made her Broadway debut as Sheila during the original run of Hair and starred in the original cast of The Me Nobody Knows, along with Irene Cara and Hattie Winston (Margaret on Becker). She received the Obie award for the latter.
  

• She has stayed very active in West Coast theater in shows like A Midsummer's Night Dream, In Gay Company, O'Mary's and Menopause: The Musical.

• Beverly recently made a couple of appearances on Veronica Mars.
  

• She wrote a number of songs, including the theme from the Disney Mousercise franchise, for which she received a platinum record and the theme from the movie Hopscotch. She has also written the scores for a number of musicals, including O’Mary’s, The Glitter Palace, Have A Jewish Christmas, and Born A Unicorn. All were produced in the Los Angeles and San Diego area. Beverly's won best song at both the American Song Festival and the Seoul International Song Festival and composed the music for her latest CD.
  

• She has done extensive voice-over work in commercials (voice and jingles), promos (Lifetime, Cartoon Network, Discovery Health, local TV), industry, narration (children's recordings), and character voices.

• Beverly developed the Voicercise system to teach proper voice technique for both speech and singing (www.voicercise.net).
  

Recently, Bremmers released a new album, Don't Say You Don't Remember, which compiles a number of recordings from over the years, a new mix on her classic hit and a few new recordings. She wrote all of the songs except for the title and produced or co-produced all of the cuts. We'll soon have a complete review of the album posted.

For more information about Beverly, to hear her voice work and to see photos from throughout her career, check out her website at www.beverlybremers.com.

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Don't Call Him SIR Bono

Bono has been crowned Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The ceremony, held in Ireland at the home of British Ambassador David Reddaway, proved to be much more informal the one would expect, with Bono cracking jokes at a number of junctures.

"You have permission to call me anything you want — except sir, all right? Lord of lords, your demigodness, that'll do."

In reality, Bono cannot have use Sir before his name as he is not a British citizen.

Reddaway spoke on Bono's continuous work against poverty and disease in Africa. The singer was accompanied by his wife, their four children and U2 members the Edge and Adam Clayton.

Read more...

Short Takes and Notable Links for Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Dame Shirley Bassey has confirmed that she will be performing at this year's U.K. Glastonbury Festival. Bassey, who is 70, will be soon be releasing her first new album in a decade, The Living Tree.

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It looks like Paul McCartney may tour in the Fall in support of his forthcoming album. His lead guitarist, Rusty Anderson, posted the following on MySpace:

"On the Paul McCartney scene, last I heard the tour is postponed 'til the fall. I'm not quite sure where yet. The record that we started and got over half done with Paul at Abbey Road (Studios) a while back should be finished by now. It sounds amazing. Very dynamic and colorful."

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Marc Almond, formally of Soft Cell, is releasing a new album in June on Sanctuary. Stardom Road includes covers of a number of songs, including Frank Sinatra's Strangers in the Night, Petula Clark and Andy William's Happy Heart, Bobby Darin's Dream Lover, T. Rex's The London Boys and Dusty Springfield's I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten.

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Country's Marty Stuart is releasing a duets compilation, Compadres: An Anthology of Duets, on June 5 via his Superlatone Records and Hip-O. Duet partners include B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Lester Flatt & the Nashville Grass, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Del McCoury, Old Crow Medicine Show, Earl Scruggs, Connie Smith, Mavis Staples, the Staples Singers and Travis Tritt.

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Back in the 60's, Motown records was famous for their touring reviews featuring many of the labels great artists. That tradition is being revived this summer with the Motown Legends Tour. The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, the Miracles, the Contours and Spyder Turner are making their first stop on May 19 in Youngstown, Ohio. An official itinerary for the rest of the tour has yet to be released.

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Andy Williams is being considered for a cameo on the daytime soap As the World Turns. The soap will be shooting in Branson, Missouri in early June and may also use Williams' Moon River Theater.

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Stevie Nicks says that she lost eight years of her life when he doctor kept her on the prescription tranquilizer Klonopin. What's worse, she has no idea why it was prescribed to her. She eventually went in the hospital to get off of the drug.

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Notable Links:

Jerry Greene and his Collectables label from the Philadelphia Daily News.

A short interview with Joan Jett from After Ellen.

For those that think the CD is dead, Daniel Gross of Slate points out why you are wrong.

Meanwhile, the New York Times has declared the album dead, with which Holly Hughes of BlogCritics takes issue.

Chuck Brown from the Washington Post.

Emmylou Harris from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

An article on the recent benefit concert for Dennis Yost (Classics IV) from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

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Jones Advised to Not Go Under the Knife Again

According to Pagesix.com, Tom Jones has been told to stay away from any further plastic surgery as doctors are concerned about permanent damage. Jones has had eyelifts, chin tucks, and many other procedures in the past.

The article quoted Jones, "I went to see a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and he told me, 'You've got to be careful with your eyes.' He advised me against having anything else done. He said I should try to look as natural as I can."

Read more...

Auction of Notable Memorabilia Set for April 21

Julien's Auctions will be selling almost 200 lots of rock memorabilia on April 21 to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. Highlights of the auction include:

• Bono's Irish Falcon Guitar - Estimated $80-100,000
• The Edge's 1975 Cream Gibson Les Paul Guitar - $60-80,000
• Jimi Hendrix studio used guitar - $60-80,000
• Bob Dylan concert used guitar and case - $40-60,000
• The Edge's stage Gibson ES295 Archtop guitar - $40-60,000
• A Live 8 guitar in the shape of Africa signed by the artists who played in Germany - $40-50,000
• Rolling Stones signed Les Paul guitar - $20-30,000
• Adam Clayton's Concert and Studio played guitar - $20-30,000
• The Edge's signed Music Rising Gibson guitar - $20-30,000
  
• Jim Croce stage played Martin D-21 Guitar - $10-12,000
  
• Jimi Hendrix Cerise Pink Stage Worn Pants - $8-10,000
• Lou Reed stage and studio played guitar - $8-10,000
• Larry Mullen, Jr. concert used tom drum - $8-10,000
• Beatles Let It Be Academy Award Plaque - $8-10,000
  
• Paul McCartney's 1964 Texan Model Epiphone Guitar - Hand painted by McCartney - $6-8,000
• Eric Clapton guitar and original photograph - $6-8,000
• Beatles Swan Gold Single Award for She Loves You - $6-8,000
• Lebo painted LL Cool J Signed Epiphone Flying V - $6-8,000
• Peter Max hand-painted and signed Gibson guitar - $6-8,000
• Les Paul signed Gibson Les Paul guitar - $4-6,000

The complete catalog can be seen at eBay Live Auctions.

Read more...

Music City Walk of Fame Names Second Induction Class

Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame was created last year to salute musicians from all genres who have made a significant contribution to the industry through their connections to Nashville. Last November, the first six artists (Boudleaux & Felice Bryant, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Roy Orbison and Maestro Kenneth D. Schermerhorn) were inducted and their star placed on the sidewalk along the Music Mile, which connects downtown Nashville with Music Row.

On April 22, the second group of performers will be honored:

• The Crickets
• Emmylou Harris
• John Hiatt
• Wynonna Judd
• Frances W. Preston (former president and CEO of BMI)
  
• Michael W. Smith

The Music City Walk of Fame is sponsored by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Gibson and GAC (Great American Country)

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Short Takes for Tuesday, March 27, 1007

Patti Labelle received a special achievement award at GLADD's annual awards on Monday night. Presented by recent Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, the award saluted Labelle's championing of gay and lesbian rights and the fight against AIDS.

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There are reports that Deep Purple plans on performing their album Machine Head in it's entirety and in sequence during their upcoming European tour.

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The Four Tops will sing the National Anthem on Monday at the Detroit Tigers season-opener.

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Foreigner is in the studio recording a new album for Fall release. They will follow with a tour of the United Kingdom in celebration of thirty years since the release of their first album.

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Television is reforming for at least one appearance this summer. They will be playing June 15 at New York City's Central Park Summerstage. Best part is, it's free. Richard Lloyd and his group, the Sufi Monkeys are also out touring North American in May.

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Record producer and composer Charles Richard Cason passed away on Monday of Cancer at the age of 61.

Cason won Producer of the Year at the 2005 Blues Critics Awards. During his career, he wrote and/or produced for artists like the 5th Dimension, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland, Ray Charles, the Temptations, Al Wilson, Sam and Dave and many others.

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Capitol Losing Another Major Act?

There are indications that Bob Seger may be following Paul McCartney out the door at Capitol Records and possibly onto Starbuck's new Hear Music label.

Seger has been with Capitol for over forty years (except for three albums in the early-70's), but was not happy with the recent cutbacks during the merger of the label with Virgin. Part of the carnage included a number of people that Seger had worked with over the years, including his label publicist and the vice-president of sales.

Billboard.com reports that they were told by a Seger source "We don't know anybody there anymore. All the guys that got us to do ('Face the Promise') are gone."

Seger's management company issued a photo of the the singer with his band accepting a platinum record for Face the Promise, stating in the press release that "ironically, new label representatives for Capitol Records, which has been Seger's home for more than 40 years, did not attend."

Seger is currently not officially signed with Capitol. As a matter of fact, he hasn't had a contract for eleven years. He owns the masters for the live shows which he plans on releasing on CD and DVD.

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Henson Cargill (1941-2007)

Country music's Henson Cargill passed away last Saturday from complications of sugary. He was 66.

Cargill's music career came after the singer took courses towards being a lawyer and tried out ranching and law enforcement. In the mid-60's, he moved to Nashville, eventually finding work with Fred Foster and Monument records. His first (and biggest) chart hit came in 1968 with Skip a Rope, a simple song with deeper meaning about current social problems. The song spent five weeks at the top of the country chart and hit number 25 on the pop charts.

Cargill put seven songs on the country charts over the next three years, including his number eight hit, None of My Business. He also was the host of a syndicated music show, the Country Hayride.

In all, he had ten top forty country hits with the last coming in 1980. After that time, Cargill moved back to Oklahoma City and continued to perform in Las Vegas and Reno. He also owned the live music establishment Cargill's in Oklahoma City.

Read more...