2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony scheduled for March 7

    The 2009 Kansas Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on March 7 at Liberty Hall in Lawrence.  Current plans are to hold future inductions on the first Saturday in March every year.

    KU has released the 2008-09 Men's Basketball Schedule, and KU will be playing Texas in Lawrence at 3:00 on March 7, so we should have a good crowd at the 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony that evening at Liberty Hall. The game will be broadcast on CBS-TV.

Chet Nichols song is honored     Congratulations to 2008 HOF Inductee Chet Nichols, whose song “Walking In Circles” has won the Broadjam.com Lyric Contest. You can hear the song and read the lyrics at www.broadjam.com/chetnichols . You can also purchase the song as an mp3 download for 99 cents at the site. Chet's CD Walking In Circles is available for purchase from Chet at www.chetnichols.net .

Rising country star Sarah Buxton returns home to Lawrence

    Lawrence native Sarah Buxton returned to her hometown for a live show last Friday night at The Bottleneck. Buxton, who moved to Nashville a decade ago, spoke with the Kansas City Star by phone last week: Click here: Back to Rockville: 'Stupid' us: Local gal is a country hit

Two new albums released by Matt Pryor

    Matt Pryor , former lead singer of the Get Up Kids and leader of the New Amsterdams, released two albums on the Vagrant label last week. For more: Click here: www.kansascity.com | 07/23/2008 | Music is all in the family for Matt Pryor, who has two albums coming out

Melissa Etheridge song inspires local musician

    A Lawrence woman finds strength in a Melissa Etheridge song, "I Run for Life." Lisa Covington is a singer and breast cancer survivor. LJWorld.com / No piece of her soul lost: Survivor of breast cancer shares story at tea.

    ... previous Melissa Etheridge news

New CD by Jim McCann

    Former Hall of Fame Board Member Jim McCann of Wichita has a new CD called “Feelin’ Saxy.”  Jim says it’s a smooth jazz collection of original instrumental tunes that are heavy on sax, flute and percussion with a Latin feel.  Several of the songs can be heard on Jim’s MySpace page: www.myspace.com/jimhambonemccann.

Shooting Star adds Janet Jameson

    According to Shooting Star leader Van McCain, Janet Jameson appears to be a permanent addition to the band on violin and vocals.  Van says, “Janet is awesome!  We’ve has so much fun with her.  She is a very good player and singer and has a lot of energy.  We hope she will stay and play with us for years to come.”  Shooting Star is currently touring without bassist Ron Verlin, whose job makes it hard for him to travel with the band.

Topeka Benefit for Danny Tallent this Saturday July 26

    A benefit for Topeka musician Danny Tallent of the band Backlash, who was involved in a car accident May 9 which took the life of his wife Ashley and left Danny with multiple medical expenses, will be held from 4pm to 2am this coming Saturday, July 26, at Spanky’s Bar and Grill, 408 Main, Seneca.  There’ll be music by J.D. Nash, Shot In The Dark, Fates Design, 12 Years Coming and Backlash.  All money donated will go to the Tallent family.  A poker run starts at 11am.  There will also be a raffle.  A $5 cover is being charged.

Workfare Incorporated benefit on August 2

    Blayney’s in Kansas City, MO ( 421 Westport Road ) will be hosting a benefit Saturday, August 2 for Workfare Incorporated from 2-8pm on the deck.  Acts on the bill include Lonesome Hank & The Heartaches, Hall of Fame Board Member Allen Blasco, Shinetop  Jr., Winston Apple, Seedlove and Rivercity Revelators.  Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door.  Advance tickets are available at Blayney’s or online at www.workfareinc.org.  For more information about Workfare Incorporated, visit www.workfareinc.org. 

Last chance to pick up some Music Exchange vinyl

    Your last chance to score cheap vinyl from the Music Exchange inventory is this week as all remaining albums in stock will be sold for a dollar apiece Wednesday, July 23-Saturday, July 26 from 10am to 4pm daily at 1413 West 13^th Terrace in the Kansas City Bottoms.

Tech N9ne Killer album debuts

    KC rapper Tech N9ne has scored his highest-charting album and best sales week ever as Killer (Strange Music/Fontana) debuted at number 12 with sales of 36,000, beating other Billboard 200 debuts by Los Lonely Boys, Vanessa Hudgens, Jim Jones & Byrd Gang and Reliant K. The Kansas City native has been charting since 2001. His previous high came with the number 49 debut and peak of 2007's Misery Loves Kompany : Click here: www.kansascity.com | 07/10/2008 | Tech N9ne, his label a killer combination.

... previous Tech N9ne news

Marilyn Maye this week at Jardine's

2007 KMHOF Inductee Marilyn Maye opens a four night stand at KC's Jardine's in KCMO tonight (Monday July 14).  The shows will have a theme - "It's My Party, and I'll Sing Cause I Want To."  Don't expect Maye to sing a medley of Lesley Gore's biggest hits, but she'll be singing classic songs with exquisite taste and swing.  She'll perform two shows nightly at 6 and 9 p.m. through Thursday. For reservations, call Jardine's at 816-561-6480.

This week's Melissa Etheridge update

According to the Los Angeles Times , Hall of Famer Melissa Etheridge will unveil a new song at the Democratic Party's national convention next month in Denver . Etheridge says she's looking forward to singing in Denver.     “We should all become involved in politics,” the singer-songwriter said by phone from the New York City stop on her current tour. “It's a government of ‘us.'”     In addition to touring this summer, Melissa is working on a Christmas album, A New Thought For Christmas , which will be out this fall.     ... previous Melissa Etheridge news

Martina McBride on tour     After taking her Waking Up Laughing Tour to a series of arena in the winter and spring, Martina McBride has returned to the road, beginning a 30-show run that concentrates on outdoor venues. She played Detroit last Friday evening, and will wrap up the tour October 18 at the Treasure Island Resort in Red Wing, Minnesota . Most fo the shows will feature Jack Ingram, with an additional opening act. Chris Young fills that slot in July and August, and Michael Carroll takes over in September and October.

Benefit concert and auction for Cowtown Ballroom documentary film

    Joe Heyen is having a fundraiser for his documentary film on the Cowtown Ballroom (www.cowbr.com) on Friday, July 18. Every penny raised that night will go toward music rights for the film. Joe could use portions of songs under the fair use provisions of the copyright law, but would like to "give something back" to the people who wrote and performed them. It will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Record Bar, 1020 Westport Rd. ( Westport and SW Trafficway) in Kansas City . Musicians who have generously volunteered their time and talent include:

• Howard Iceberg 6:30
           
• Pendergast 7:15
           
• Kasey Rauch and Friends 8:15
           
• Chet Nichols 9:15
           
• Mad Libby 10:15
           
• The Cowtown Allstars hosted by Camp Harlow (a jam of musicians who played there in the day) 11:15
                 

A small sample of items for the auction:       

• Alvarez guitar autographed by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
           
• Brewer and Shipley photo cover of Weeds autographed by Dan Moriairty, Michael Brewer and Tom Shipley
           
• Book: Les Paul: In His Own Words numbered autographed by Les Paul and Michael Cochran
           
• Original Good Karma handbills 2 each
           
• It's A Beautiful Day and Stoneface at Cowtown
           
• Procol Harum and Head, Hands and Feet at Music Hall
           
• Paul Butterfield and Dr. John at Memorial Auditorium
           
• Nitty Gritty Dirtt Band and Peter Yarrow and Lazarus at Cowtown
           
• New Riders of the Purple Sage and Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina at Memorial Hall
           
• Black Oak Arkansas and White Eyes at Cowtown
           
• Charlie Daniels first album on vinyl autographed
           
• Framed Copy of Blue Oyster Cult/Charlie Daniels Cowtown poster autographed by both
           
• Framed Copy of Foghat Cowtown poster autographed
           
• Original Freedom Palace bumper sticker
           
• Original Cowtown Ballroom bumper sticker
           
• Original Freedom Palace lapel pin
           
• Autographed CD's by Kinky Friedman, Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, Steve Miller
           
• Gale Sayers autographed football
           
• Bill Self autographed basketball
           
• Restaurant, concert and hotel gift certificates

More music news

    Isy Martin of the Coffeyville Rising Suns will have a new album out in August. It's been four years since his last CD. Unlike his work with the Suns and The Undisputed Truth, the new album will have a county pop sound. He will be playing some live gigs to promote the new album.

    American Idol winner David Cook of Blue Springs will appear in Skechers Footwear campaigns.  www.kansascity.com | 07/09/2008 | American Idol David Cook signs endorsement deal with Skechers   

Allen Blasco celebrates special performance this Sat July 12

Fifty-five years ago this month, an eighteen-year-old Elvis Presley walked into Sun Studios in Memphis and made the first recording of his career.  That song, "My Happiness," was co-written by Betty Peterson Blasco, recipient of the KMHOF Director's Award in 2008.
Betty's son, Allen Blasco, will be celebrating the event with a live performance at The Corner, 304 W. 85th Street, Kansas City, MO this Saturday, July 12 at 8:30.  A number of well known musicians have promised to join Allen ... with his blessings ... for what promises to be a special night.     Allen Blasco is a member of the KMHOF Board of Directors.

Gigantic auction of records and music memorabilia Sat July 12

    Greg Pfister of Sunflower Auction says his auction house is working with former Music Exchange employee Steve Franz and the widow of the store's late owner Ron Rooks, Nancy Rooks, to sell off the hundreds of thousands of records plus all of the posters, flyers and memorabilia in the building to which Ron had moved in May of 2006, five months before he died.  The two-story complex at 1412 W. 13th Terrace in Kansas City, MO holds about a quarter million LPs, a hundred thousand 78s and 20-30 thousand 45s, plus CDs and cassettes.

    The auction will be held Saturday, July 12, at 10 am with a preview showing Friday from 1-4 pm. The majority of the records will be on sale for a dollar each on the following days: Wednesday, July 16 - Saturday, July 19; and Wednesday, July 23-Saturday, July 26 (10am to 4 pm daily).

    DIRECTIONS: I-35 to 12th Street Bridge, go across the bridge and turn left on Liberty, go two blocks south, and take a left on W. 13th Terrace.  Signs will be posted on sale days.

Rodney Lay stars in new film     The movie "Palo Pinto Gold" starring Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, Kinky Freidman and Rodney Lay will premier in Tulsa, OK, on July 25 at the Circle Cinema Theater for two showing (4 & 7 pm).  Roy and Rodney, with the dirctor Anthony Henslee will be available for a Q & A session between showings.  Roy Clark will also be honored with a star in the sidewalk in front of the theater at 2nd & Lewis in Tulsa.
Rodney Lay is a member of the KMHOF Board of Directors and a 2005 inductee into the Hall of Fame with Rodney and the Blazers.

More music news

    In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, Leavenworth rocker Melissa Etheridge recalls a meeting with Phil Keaggy.  Her memories of the event are somewhat controversial, and Keaggy has responded: Click here: Mark Joseph: Melissa Etheridge & Phil Keaggy...Round 2 - The Huffington Post

    The Kansas Music Heritage Center's Summer Jam and membership drive will be held at Wichita's Lamplighter, July 12 from 1-8:30 pm.  It'll be eight hours of fun with burgers, brats & the fixings.  Covered dishes or donations will be welcomed but are not required.  Entertainment will be provided all day by Robin Roberts, Robert Stark, Jim McCann, The Rachelle Coba Band, The Derek Bentivegna Band, Julie Sutton, Mauri Rains & others.  It sounds like fun.

    The Friends University Jazz Ensemble will go to Italy and France this summer, leaving this Saturday, July 12.  You can help support them at a Bon Voyage Benefit Concert & Silent Auction on Thursday in Riney Fine Arts Center on the Friends University Campus in Wichita.

    Topeka band Backlash will perform Pink Floyd's The Wall live at the Boobie Trap this Friday, July 11 at 9 pm.  This is a one time only show for all ages with a special appearance by Shot In The Dark.

    The leader of Wichita's 60s surf band The Breakers, Bob Garvey, has died.  Garvey passed away on Monday, June 30.  A guest book has been posted at www.watsonfuneral.com for sharing memories of Bob.

    A young Topeka musician, Rodney Jennings, was the victim of gang violence recently: CJOnline / The Topeka Capital-Journal - Slaying silences musician

    According to the Kansas City Star, Tech N9ine 's latest album is an important release: Click here: www.kansascity.com | 06/30/2008 | Tech N9ne's newest makes its mark as one of the most important hip-hop albums.

    A donor has given Pittsburg State University ten million dollars for the construction a new fine arts and performing arts center.  The donation is the largest ever for the university.  The new performance center will replace Carney Hall, which was demolished nearly 30 years ago because of structural concerns.