 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||
|
This popular singer was a regular performer on the Kansas City club scene before being discovered by the British band Tears For Fears . Her platinum debut album Circle of One produced her biggest hit, the Grammy nominated "Get Here," which was the unofficial anthem of the 1991 Gulf War .
Beginning in 1958, this group spread their brand of rockabilly over the region in live shows and on record. Many of their old recordings continue to find fans on European compilations. Lead guitarist Gene Woods died recently in Arma, leaving only one original member, Russell Pryer. 2010 DIRECTORS AWARD: Gary "Igor" Crawford, Kansas City The late Gary “Igor” Crawford was a long-time road manager for Mid-Continent Entertainment, and eventually became the owner of that booking agency. He later founded AME Entertainment, an agency in Kansas City.
The Green River Ordinance began in Emporia , Kansas as a four-piece and played mostly British pop originally. The Green River Ordinance was the opening act for The Outsiders when they toured through the area in 1966. When the band grew to six members the style was focused on West Coast rock and roll including the San Francisco sound. The band toured extensively throughout the Midwest playing in eight states over the years while advertising gigs on KOMA out of Oklahoma City including a series of performances in Grand Teton National Park . They were frequent performers at The Red Dog Inn in Lawrence and Wichita, the Store in Emporia, The Fireside Inn in Hutchinson, The Dark Horse Inn in Hays, The Lampliter in Salina, Me and Ed's in Manhattan, The Hilltop Club in Atchison, as well as many other clubs, VFW Halls, And armories throughout the Midwest. The band had a reunion recently and is looking forward to another opportunity to perform live for their many fans.
They played a British flavored r&b similar to the Stones and Rascals from 1965 to 1971. Too good to be confined to Wichita , they toured as far away as Boston and Tokyo before breaking up. Recent reunions have drawn large, appreciative crowds.
The Dew led the Topeka music scene in the late 60s with cover versions of the latest hits and original songs. Their fuzz and feedback were featured on an album released by Roulette Records , which has been reissued several times over the years. Copies of the original vinyl sell for big bucks on eBay . Cicadelic Records of Tucson has two Morning Dew CDs out currently. Beginning in 1971, this party band went through personnel and style changes, but were always one of the hottest bands around. Based in Topeka , Manhattan and Kansas City over about a decade, they were led by Jimmy Bond and appeared on the soundtrack to the movie "Zapped." Bond was later a part of KC's Liverpool , a Beatles tribute band , until his health forced him to drop out a couple of years ago.
Favorites in Manhattan , Topeka and Lawrence back in the mid-70s, they were a hard drivin' country/bluegrass/rock band. Even with a mandolin and fiddle in the band, they never forgot to rock with a sound that owed a lot to the Dirt Band and the Grateful Dead . This sensational guitarist began his career with Bobby Poe & the Poe Kats in Coffeyville back in the mid-50s. A decade later, Vernon was leading the Chartbusters in Washington , DC , with whom he had a top 40 national hit called "She's The One." He later joined Rodney Lay's band the Wild West and spent many years playing behind Roy Clark , both on TV's " Hee Haw " and in Branson , MO.
This 70s country rock band had large followings in Lawrence and Wichita . They were equally at home playing originals or covers, as they prove every couple of years when they reunite for big crowds. The harmonies on some of the songs they cover are better than the original versions. Their show in Lawrence this past summer was sold out.
|
The stars shine at emotional Haiti benefit Last Wednesday night's Haiti benefit show in Kansas City was truly something special. The Record Bar was packed with standing room only. Bob Walkenhorst and Jeff Porter sounded great as always, but two songs really stood out to one fan. "I was blown away by the emotion in the songs 'Spend it on Love' and 'Stay ahead of the Wolves'." Truly amazing job guys. Danny Cox was up next. He started and ended his set with "his personal anthem" - "If I Had a Hammer". In between he kept things rocking with some really nice songs from a show he has been working on about the KC Monarchs. At the end of Danny's set, Walkenhosrst announced that he had helped remaster Danny's first two albums to CD, which were available for sale at the show. After Danny, was Sara Swenson. Her music wasn't as fast as the other performers so there wasn't a crowded dance floor. Many found theselves just relaxing and thinking while she sang. At the end of her set, she announced that she was donating all the proceeds from her CD sales at the show. The Elders finished the night and their set was as high energy and entertaining as you could imagine. It felt like they were putting the energy from a two hour show into the 45 minutes they had to play. It was truly amazing. Listening to the bar sing "Men of Erin" was as moving and emotional as you would expect under these circumstances. The first two sets are available for streaming online. Walkenhorst & Porter Click here: Bob, Norm, & Jeff 01/20/10 05:09PM, Bob, Norm, & Jeff 01/20/10 05:09PM jayinkc on USTREAM. Folk . For a local KCTV story on the benefit: Click below
After the show Wednesday, Bob Walkenhorst and Jeff Porter played Saturday night in Maryville , MO. Click here: Back where it all began - Maryville, MO - Maryville Daily Forum .
Benefit next weekend for Rockin' Daddy's in Wichita We've just learned that Kent Overaker is organizing a two-day benefit at Rockin' Daddy's in Wichita next Friday & Saturday starting at 8 pm both nights. All interested musicians contact Kent . This is a benefit to raise money to keep Rockin' Daddy's open. It is being held in the memory of Constance Both, Clif Major's girlfriend and helper in running Rockin' Daddy's, who died over the weekend. She was loved by many. We need to spread the word. RD's is a BYOB establishmente with a $5 cover charge for the music. Again, we want to stress the fact that the purpose of this is to raise money, so come out even of you can only stay long enough to make a donation. And be generous. Put in some extra dough with your $5 cover, or add it to the big red donation barrel. We need to be especially supportive of Clif during this time. Thank you very much for your support."
Performance of Pink Floyd's "The Wall" on February 28 in Holton Shawn Ames of Topeka 's Backlash hopes everyone can make it to their next performance of Pink Floyd's The Wall February 28 at the Jolly Troll in Holton. “We still hope that you're all planning to attend THE WALL show in Holton, Ks at The Jolly Troll on February 28. I'd like to share a few details with everyone. As some of you may or may not know we're playing a "regular" rock show the night before (Saturday February 27) from 9-1 at The Jolly Troll. The next day (Sunday February 28) we'll perform THE WALL in its entirety. There have been some people who have inquired about attending both shows and if there was somewhere to stay overnight. Good news...Holton has two hotels, each across the highway from each other. The first is the Super 8. Their rooms start at around $70, but through a discount I've set up with them I can get people attending the weekend a rate at around $62 but the reservation has to be set up by me before February 20. Please contact me if you want the discounted rate for this hotel ( backlash_rocks@hotmail.com ) The second hotel is The Red Roof Inn. A regular rate for that hotel is around $50 (with tax around $55). That rate is without a discount through me and you can call or go online to make your reservation. On the 28th Shawn and Ron are celebrating their b irthdays, so the weekend will be festive for sure!”
More music news ... Martina McBride was back in the area over the weekend. Click here: Country singer Martina McBride keeps shining - KansasCity.com . The Kansas City Star'sTimothy Finn discussed songs about drinking in his “Back to Rockville ” blog last week. He asked some area musicians, including Martina McBride, about their favorites. Click here: Back to Rockville: Singin' about drinkin' . The Max Floyd Celebrity Roast at KC's Uptown is this coming Saturday night, January 30. 2009 inductees Shooting Star will provide the music for the event. Click here: Incoming: The Max Floyd Celebrity Roast at the Uptown, January 30 - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog Jazz drummer Richie Pratt has released a new album called Olathe , after his hometown. Pratt was a starting lineman on the KU football team back in the sixties, blocking for Gayle Sayers. In his spare time, he played music both on campus and off. In the new album's liner notes, he talks about the KU groups he played with, but fails to mention The Furys, al Lawrence rock band with whom he recorded a single. After living and playing in New York City , Pratt moved to Hawaii , where he still makes his home. Click here: Richie Pratt | Olathe | CD Baby . Pat Metheny continues to get attention for his Orchestrion album and upcoming tour. Click here: One-man band scores one for jazz guitarist Pat Metheny - KansasCity.com . Multiple Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Fox Higgins (Soul Express, Spider & The Crabs, The Red Dogs) is busy with a new project. He's written a new song that he is recording with the help of other Hall of Fame inductees, who are recording their parts separately. Dennis will put them together in Albuquerque later this year. Among those contributing are: Don Wierman, Mike Schmidt, Jake Jacoby, Mike Finnigan, Terry Moore, Chris Cruz, Jon Hischke, Beth Scalet and a lead singer to be named later. Drummer Mike Schmidt (Soul Express & Dinks) recenty retired from working for the state of Kansas , and is getting married! Congratulations, Mike. Long-time Lawrence and Kansas City musician Andy Curry moved to St. Louis a few years ago. Andy has let us know that one of his original songs was chosen for inclusion on a compilation CD called Havdalah Under The Stars , which will be released next month in St. Louis . Curry notes that he is now the leader of a worship band at his synagogue, where they perform once a month. The band features guitar, bass, trumpet, two violins and four singers. The members include a rabbi and a cantor. They play some of Andy's original material and arrangements. KC's Riverrock played for the Kansas and Nebraska Fairs Convention showcases. Dan Smith reports that they've already picked up some bookings and hope to get more as a result. Singer Dillon Devoe played KC's RecordBar with two bands last Saturday night. It was his last appearance with his old band, The Josephine Collective, and his first with his new band, Black Oxygen. Click here: Singer Dillon Devoe rides Josephine Collective into the sunset as he joins Black Oxygen - KansasCity.com . Friday night Wichita 's singer-songwriter Michelle Monger had a release party for her new CD Ghost Demand at the Artichoke Sandwich Bar. Click here: SINGER-SONGWRITER MONGER PURSUES HER OWN AGENDA | Wichita and Kansas entertainment | Restaurants, movies, events,. The list of stops on this year's Lilith Fair is long and the closest is St. Louis , but three Kansas City artists are on the tour: Janelle Monae, Julia Othmer and Vedera. This fact might lead to a stop in Kansas City . Martinez Hilliard is determined to build up Kansas City 's music scene. Click here: Kansas City Music - Martinez Hillard is building Kansas City's music community, one show at a time - page 1 . Wichita State University's Music Department has received ten new Yamaha pianos with more on the way. Click here: Gift of 21 new pianos to WSU benefits music majors | Top Stories | Wichita Eagle .
Reviews ... Click here: Present Magazine Kansas City Music - Music Review: Kick Kick - Powerplay Click here: Blogs | Local album review: Stik Figa & D/Will | Ink Click here: Blogs | Local album review: Bleach Bloodz | Ink Click here: Kansas City Music - Bleach Bloodz - page 1 Click here: Kansas City Music - The Kansas City Bear Fighters - page 1
Walkenhort & Porter release new album in Norway A new version of Walkenhorst & Porter 's album No Abandon will be released in Norway on February first. It should be available everywhere in the country, including the major record store chain Platskompaniet, both online and in their shops. Universal Norway will distribute. According to Walkenhorst, the biggest difference is that they've changed the order of the songs. Bob says that they were in kind of a hurry when they finished the American album, and after living with it for seven months, decided to switch a couple of songs around. They also did some very slight remixing on four songs to tighten up the EQ a little bit. To promote the release, Bob Walkenhorst & Jeff Porter will tour Norway for ten days beginning March 10. Walkenhorst & Porter have been booked onto a national radio show in Norway called ?Herreavdelingen (The Gentlemen's Department)? on March 9, where they will play songs and be interviewed. The show will air at 10pm local time and is supposed to be streamed online. Bob's old band, the Rainmakers, remain one of the biggest bands of all time in Norway . There are even Rainmakers cover bands there.
Haiti benefit in KC on January 20 A concert to benefit Haiti will be held this Wednesday, January 20, in Kansas City at the RecordBar, 1020 Westport Road . Admission is $10, but feel free to donate more. Music will be provided by Bob Walkenhorst & Jeff Porter, KMHOF inductee Danny Cox, Sara Swenson and local Celtic rockers The Elders. The music starts at 6:30 , but if you want to sit down, arrive early as seats are limited and will fill quickly.
January 23 benefit for Buhler music teacher Debra Spencer A chili supper and local talent show will be held January 23 to benefit Buhler Grade School teacher Debra Spencer , who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Money raised will go help pay her medical bills. The event is sponsored by The Old Mill Theater, 111 Old Mill Lane , with doors opening at 5, with chili served from 5-7:30 pm . Local talent will perform during the evening. Donations are also being accepted and can be sent to Farmer's National Bank, Buhler, KS 67522. Many Kansas Music Hall of Fame inductees were first inspired by teachers like Ms. Spencer, and some have gone on to become music teachers themselves.
Tickets on sale for this October's Legendary Pacific Rhythm & Blues Cruise Tickets have gone on sale for the October 17-24 Legendary Pacific Rhythm & Blues Cruise sailing from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta , Cabo San Lucas, and more stops aboard Holland America 's ms. Zaandam . Artists performing on the cruise will include Irma Thomas, Los Lobos, Elvin Bishop, Kim Wilson, Marcia Ball, Coco Montoya, Tommy Castro and KMHOF inductee Kelley Hunt. More information about booking a cabin can be found at www.bluescruise.com .
More music news ... The House of Sight and Sound , a Salina music store serving the area since 1971, is struggling financially so a benefit concert was held last Friday. Click here: salina.com - an online service of the Salina Journal . Another longtime Kansas institution is moving. KJHK Radio is leaving its home in KU's Sudler House for new digs in the Kansas Union. Click here: Long live the Shack | Kansan.com . Over the years, KJHK Radio has had a big impact on the region's music scene. This past Friday, January 15, a battle of the bands was held at Kansas City 's Crosstown Station. What made this one different from most is that the bands were all female. The Bliss Battle of the Babes celebrated women while raising funds for the Human Rights Campaign. LINK Click here: Battle of the babe bands celebrates women, raises money for Human Rights Campaign - KansasCity.com . Over in Topeka on Saturday, the two bands representing the Topeka Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge this year performed. Josh Vowell & The Rumble and The Nick Hern Band played at Uncle Bo's, the blues club on the lower level of the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center. In Memphis , the Nick Hern Band will be participating in the IBC's youth showcase. Josh Vowell & The Rumble will compete against blues acts from around the world. The Pat Metheny media blitz is in full swing. The BBC offers a podcast . Metheny's segment begins at the 6:05 mark and ends at 12:45 . An Australian publication marvels at Metheny's new project. Further evidence that the Orchestrion mania is real is the fact that this YouTube preview was viewed over 30,000 times in six days. There's a young sax player getting a lot of attention in Kansas City , and his name is Matt Chalk. Click here: Plastic Sax: Matt Chalk: The Plastic Sax Interview . Martina McBride is GAC's Artist of the Month! Click here: Martina McBride Artist Page: Bio, Photo Gallery, Downloads, News, Tours and More . Sharon , KS , musician Darryl Schiff and his daughter Martina on YouTube. Click here: YouTube - MARTINA MCBRIDE SINGING WITH HER DAD Dana Cooper has a new album, his first since Made of Mud was released four years ago. The new one is called The Conjurer . The official release date will be in late March, but Cooper has made a few songs available on his website, and he'll have copies for sale at his upcoming dates starting this week. A free download is available of the song ? Good Place to Begin? is available at www.danacoopermusic.com . In addition to this track, which Dana made available at Christmastime, he's also posted a live, acoustic version of ?Leave a Little Mark,? another song from the new CD. The only thing he asks is that you join his mailing list. Michael Brewer , half of Brewer & Shipley, has a new CD called It Is What It Is . It can be purchased at www.villagerecords.com . The release date for Melissa Etheridge's new single "Fearless Love" has been pushed back from January 26th to February 2nd. The single will now be available for purchase on the new release date. http://tinyurl.com/y9mdbq4 The Dead Girls have dropped off Radio City 's Kansas City release show at the RecordBar on February 12. They're being replaced by the Hot Dog Skeletons. The Dead Girls will be across town at the Uptown instead as part of the 5 th Annual Jayrock benefit concert, which also features Thieves and Generationals. Jayrock is a benefit to raise funds for the Jay Doe Free Clinic. Run by students at the KU Medical Center, the clinic is open Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-9:30 pm . A couple of the more anticipated releases this month include musicians with connections to Lawrence . Click here: New releases include musicians with connections to Lawrence - KansasCity.com . Lawrence 's Mahoots have made their albums Resurrection Lilly , Sweet Suburban Mothers, and Between the Gluttons available on iTunes, as well as other online music retailers, including Aimee Street , MySpaceMusic, Rhapsody, Limewire, etc. Click here: The Mahoots - Download The Mahoots Music on iTunes . Spencer Goertz-Giffen teaches guitar at Richard's Music in Lawrence . She and her band The Kinetiks recently released their second album, and they have big plans for the future. LINK Click here: Kinetik Energy: Lawrence's The Kinetiks up the ante and the tempo on second album ?Science Is Magic? / LJWorld.com .
Reviews ... Click here: Present Magazine Kansas City Music - Music Review: The Belated - Belief in the Process Click here: Blogs | Local album review: thePhantom | Ink Click here: Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Freedy Johnston: Rain on the City
Marva Whitney suffers stroke in Australia ?Soul Sister #1,? Kansas City r&b singer Marva Whitney , suffered a stroke on December 28 while on tour in Australia . She has returned to her home in Kansas City and has issued a statement to her fans. Click here: Back to Rockville: Marva Whitney: 'I am so thankful' .
Kerry Livgren continues recovery The latest report on Kerry Livgren 's recovery from his stroke is that he's started playing guitar again. He's using a pick and can't play complex riffs, but he's making obvious progress.
Kenny Tuna injured in auto acident Kansas City musician Kenny Tuna , who's known for playing in The Dixie Cadillacs, The Bourbon Cowboys and the Tuna Boat Band, was in a terrible automobile accident in October. He suffered major injuries, spent more than seventy days in the hospital, and, like most musicians, has no health insurance. A benefit concert was held for Kenny in December. A Kenny Tuna update from Dan Smith's Facebook post: Kenny has suffered a set-back. He had to go back into the hospital. Kenny lost his right leg below the knee and may have to lose more if his infection can't get under control.
David Cook teams up for "Extreme Makeover" David Cook helped out on "Extreme Makeover" recently. The "American Idol" winner teamed up with rapper Xzbit to auction off pillows and help raise money for a cause close to Cook's heart. He had emotional words about late brother. Click here: Cancer Fund - 'Extreme Makeover' Video | AOL Television .
Lee McBee plans album reissue and special shows 2010 is shaping up to be a big one for Lawrence 's Lee McBee . The KMHOF inductee is planning to reissue his long out-of-print album 44 . Lee's planning on a series of ?15 th Anniversary Performances of 44 , ?which will feature Lee and his band the Confessors playing the album in its entirety. Some special shows are in the works that will include some special guests. This will be the first stateside release of the CD in over ten years. There is a potential European tour in the works for McBee this summer, and possible dates are being discussed for shows with Mike Morgan & the Crawl and some shows with Anson Funderburgh after the positive feedback from the shows Lee did with both bands last year. Don't forget Lee & the Confessors continue to play every Sunday from 6-9 pm at BB's Lawnside Bar-B-Que in Kansas City .
MIke Finigan recording with Curtis Salgado Mike Finnigan has been recording with blues singer/harp player Curtis Salgado before heading off to join Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band on the latest Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise later this month. Curtis Salgado Official Web Site
More music news ... ?Big? John Amaro has let us know that he won't be playing in Kansas City anytime soon, but has a new jam over in Jefferson City , MO. Beginning January 14, he'll be at a new club called The Mission every other Thursday. The jams begin at 8 o'clock . The Architects will be opening every date of Flogging Molly's Green 17 tour this year. Every year, Flogging Molly plays a series of dates leading up to a big St. Patrick's Day blowout. The dates start in Dallas on February 9, and run thru March 15 in Tulsa . They'll be in Kansas City at the Uptown on March 14. Folk-punker Frank Turner will also be a part of the tour. Melissa Etheridge 's new single "Fearless Love" will be available from her website January 26. http://www.melissaetheridge.com/melissa/
2010 Inductee Tom Foltz loses battle to cancer Tom Foltz of the Pott County Pork & Bean Band passed away the day after Christmas after a battle with cancer. He had hoped to make an appearance at the upcoming Kansas Music Hall of Fame show March 6, when Tom and the rest of the band will be inducted. He will be missed. Click here: Thomas Foltz Obituary: Thomas Foltz's Obituary by the Topeka Capital-Journal. .
Mike Finnigan plays the Kremlin 2005 Inductee Mike Finnigan made a whirlwind trip to Moscow last week to play with Joe Cocker at the Kremlin. According to Mike, both President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin were in attendance at the black tie affair. Mike played a rented organ that a guy had built from parts. It supposedly sounded pretty good. Finnigan has finally opened his online music store. There are a limited number of items available so far, but Mike promises there will be more in the near future Click here: Mike Finnigan Online Store .
Pat Metheny on the charts 2008 Inductee Pat Metheny ranks #21 on Billboard 's chart of the 25 best-selling jazz artists of the decade. A Swingin' Christmas, by Tony Bennett and the Count Basie Orchestra, ranks #40 on Billboard 's chart of the best-selling jazz albums of the decade. And Ray Sings, Basie Swings comes in at #47 on the same chart. No other artists with Kansas City ties are listed. It's telling that not a single living purely acoustic jazz instrumentalist made either list.
More music news ... Former Kansas lead singer John Elefante posted the following on Facebook recently: ?Hey guys, I really need your prayer!! I have a pinched nerve in my neck. Very sharp pain down my left arm and and numb fingers. I would so much appreciate a petition to the Lord to remove this nasty distraction. A happy, healthy 2010 to all. John...? Jam4Dan III , the annual celebration and fund raiser for the late Topeka guitarist and teacher Dan Falley will be held at the Celtic Fox January 16-17. All proceeds go to the Dan Falley Memorial Musician Scholarship Fund. Click here: Jam 4 Dan . On Wednesday KKFI's ?Wednesday MidDay Medley? will celebrate the birthday of Iris DeMent , who was born on January 5, 1961, in Arkansas. After living briefly in Topeka, she settled in Kansas City, where she played open mike nights. DeMent made her recording debut in 1992 with her album Infamous Angel, which was picked up a year later by Warner Brothers. She did three albums for the label. Her most recent album, 2004's Lifeline , was released independently. The radio show will feature music from all four albums, plus her work with other artists and songs from compilations. The show airs from 10-Noon CST on 90.1 FM in Kansas City or streams online at www.kkfi.org . Kansas City jazz great Bobby Watson celebrated the new year with a reunion of his band Horizon. The Lawrence native is director of jazz studies at the University of Missouri at Kansas City . Click here: Plastic Sax: Bobby Watson & Horizon Thrill at the Blue Room . The Count Basie Orchestra is under new management. Here's the press release . There's a vastly superior new site as well. Another KC jazz legend, Bob Brookmeyer , turned 80 in December. Click here: Secret Society: Spirit Music: Bob Brookmeyer at 80 . The Plastic Sax, an online guide to jazz in Kansas City , has named trumpeter Herman Mehari its 2009 Person of the Year. Click here: Plastic Sax: Hermon Mehari: The Plastic Sax Person of the Year . Details continue to come in about the upcoming celebrity roast of former KY-102 disc jockey and program director Max Floyd on Saturday, January 30, at Kansas City 's Uptown Theater. Click here: Max Floyd | KC Confidential.com . The Pitch , on the other hand, has looked forward by naming five acts to watch in 2010. Click here: Kansas City Music - Five Kansas City acts to watch in 2010 - page 1 . Topeka 's J.D. Nash & Red Circle had a CD release party at the Jolly Troll in Holton this past Saturday night for the album Get Off My Lawn .
Strange Music and Tech N9ne are bringing some heat to the frigid North this winter. Beginning late January 2010, they kick off their winter tour schedule, starting in Kansas City and then hitting Colorado with a vengeance. This winter tour features Tech, Krizz, Kutt and Scoob in a bit more intimate club atmosphere. All you Colorado Technicians and Strange Music fanatics have seen Tech rock Red Rocks and the Fillmore, now see what it's like to get up close and personal with the King Of Darkness... Get even closer than that when you meet Tech N9ne with your VIP ticket, available as part of your Winter Shows VIP Package !
Kerry Livgren shares story of his recent stroke 2005 Inductee Kerry Livgren ("Kansas") has finally written down an account of his ordeal with the stroke he suffered a few months ago. You can read it here: http://www.numavox.com/mystroke.html .
Derek Loux dies in auto accident Kansas City Christian singer Derek Loux died last Wednesday, December 23, on an icy I-80 in Nebraska . Click here: Christian singer killed in I-80 crash in Nebraska | News Updates | Wichita Eagle .
Melissa Etheridge news The second season of Showtime's critically acclaimed series Nurse Jackie is going into a "new gear of gay" when it premieres in March, complete with a big gay love triangle and a musical contribution from out rocker Melissa Etheridge . Click here: "Nurse Jackie" going into a "new gear of gay" in second season | AfterEllen.com . Melissa's recent appearance at the Lincoln Center as part of the salute to Bruce Springsteen will be televised on CBS tomorrow night, December 29.
Mike Finnigan and Joe Cocker head to Moscow Mike Finnigan is flying out of LAX today (Monday, December 28) to join Joe Cocker in Moscow for a concert. If the weather and hijackers cooperate, they'll be home for New Year's Eve.
More music news ... As he get closer to the release of his latest album, Freedy Johnston was back in Kansas for a couple of shows over the weekend. Click here: Kansas City Music - With his first album in eight years, Freedy Johnston finds home is where it all begins (again) . Click here: Seven years reappear: Former Lawrencian Freedy Johnston resurfaces with ?Rain on the City' / LJWorld.com. Kansas City songwriter John Nolan and his wife Camille have hit the road to support the release of John's new album Height. Click here: New album, tour find local songwriter at the peak of his game | KCFreePress.com . The lineup of KC's Sexy Accident has changed again with the recent addition of Camry Ivory. Click here: Kansas City Music - The Sexy Accident gets some lady in the lineup - page 1 . Bassist Scott Martinez of Alice Sweet Alice recently spoke with The KC Free Press about the band's plans for the new year. Click here: Alice Sweet Alice prepares for first gig, new year | KCFreePress.com . Songwriter Brian Frame has been playing around Kansas City for a few years, and he with his band, The Blessed Broke , debuted a new self-titled album Sunday night. Click here: The Blessed Broke | KCFreePress.com . Among the area bands looking ahead to 2010, KC's Architects are also looking back on a very busy 2009. Click here: The Architects: A year of hard rock, sweat and a little danger - KansasCity.com . Timothy Finn of the Kansas City Star recently recapped the 2009 local music scene in a couple of articles. Click here: Local music: There was plenty to love in 2009 - KansasCity.com . Click here: A year of firsts for pop music in KC - KansasCity.com As 2009 is about to end, we have a few suggestions for how to spend New Year's Eve in Kansas City, Wichita or Topeka. Since many of the events listed may be sold out or require reservations, please call ahead. Click here: New Year's Eve events - KansasCity.com ; Click here: WICHITA TO HAVE PLENTY OF PARTIES NEW YEAR'S EVE | Wichita and Kansas entertainment | Restaurants, movies, events ; Click here: Nightspots greet new year | CJOnline.com . According to Randy Raley's Facebook page, Shooting Star will be playing at the upcoming roast of long-time KC radio dj/programmer Max Floyd on January 30. Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster on January 2. We mentioned last week that KC's Vedera and Janelle Monde will be performing on the 2010 Lilith Fair. Chanute's Jennifer Knapp will be joining them on the tour.
Reviews ... Click here: Concert Review: Vedera at the Beaumont - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog Click here: Kansas City Music - The Belated - page 1 Click here: Kansas City Music - American Low Life - page 1
Hall of Fame member Danny Cox will be featured in Christmas Eve service
Few tickets remain for Kelley Hunt's New Year's Eve benefit gala
More music news ... Danielle Schnebelen from TUF (Trampled Under Foot), Janet Jameson & Dennis Laffoon from Shooting Star and Mike Doss from Broomstick were special guests at Sunday's Christmas Concert for the Animals featuring the Jeff Scheetz Band. Another KC benefit that drew media attention and a good crowd was the effort to raise funds for Kenny Tuna , a longtime Kansas City singer and guitarist who was seriously injured this fall in a car wreck and was hospitalized for more than two months. The show at RG's Lounge included music from Riverrock, Camp Harlow , Midnight Review, The Dan Doran Band , Loose Change, Nate Dean, Unfinished Business and Carl Butler & Friends. Five years after the release of the critcally acclaimed Made of Mud, Dana Cooper 's new CD, The Conjurer is ready to deliver new musical magic. If you're already a Dana Cooper fan -- that is, if you're on his e-mail list -- you can listen to or download a free copy of ? A Good Place to Begin .? If you're not already on Dana's mailing list, you can get on board at his website www.danacoopermusic.com . Yucca Roots , a Lawrence-based reggae act, will be opening for Bunny Wailer on New Year's Eve. Click here: YucaRoots opening for Bunny Wailer on New Year's Eve - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog . In February Topeka 's Backlash will be performing Pink Floyd's The Wall live at The Jolly Troll in Holton. The show is scheduled to Sunday, February 28 at 7 pm . The Lilith Fair returns in 2010, and a couple of Kansas City acts will be a part of the tour. Click here: Vedera, Janelle Monáe perform with this year's Lilith Fair - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog . The fact that the music industry has been going through major changes lately should come as no surprise. Kansas City duo Biarchy is among the bands that are marketing their own music instead of depending on signing with a major label to find success. Click here: Kansas City Music - Two-man band Biarchy works with filmmakers to show Strength in Numbers - page 1 . Oriole Post plays the second of two shows in Kansas City tonight, December 21, to promote the band's debut album Silver City . Click here: Kansas City Music - Oriole Post releases debut album of twangy folk, breaks up fights . Kansas City 's Elders had a great 2009 and are looking forward to 2010. Here are some of the Celtic rockers highlights of the year past...
Reviews ... Click here: Back to Rockville: Review: Vedera Click here: Review: Metal band's album ?Xenophobia' anything but cacophony / LJWorld.com Click here: Review: "Science is Magic," by The Kinetiks | Lawrence.com Click here: Blogs | Local album review: Shay Estes & Trio ALL | Ink Click here: Blogs | Local EP review: Ghosty | Ink Click here: Kansas City Music - Rondoe - page 1
Good news for Kerry Livgren and Kansas There was great news from Hall of Fame inductee Kerry Livgren last week on Facebook: ?Graduation Day. I have finished the re-hab program at Kansas Rehabilitation Hospital .? Kerry continues to recover from a stroke he had earlier this year. A release date of February 23, 2010 has been announced for the film The Imposter , which features Kerry Livgren. It was made two years ago and has been showing in churches and private screenings. There is a new version of "Carry on Wayward Son" with Kevin Max singing the vocals. There are two Kerry Livgren songs in the movie from his solo work. Kerry is an important part of the movie. Click here: EMI CMG Distribution . In the US it appears Kansas ' There's Know Place Like Home has been released as a single CD, a single DVD, and blue-ray. In Europe it appears to have been released as a double CD, single DVD, and "Deluxe Edition" with 2 CD's and 1 DVD.
Melissa Etheridge video news Earlier this year, Universal Music Group (which owns Island Records, Melissa Etheridge 's record label) announced that it was creating a new premium video service called VEVO along with other record companies in partnership with YouTube (see the press release at http://new.umusic.com/News.aspx?NewsId=772 )..
Chuck Mead joins Opry Country Classics Cruise In January, Chuck Mead will be joining country legends Larry Gatlin, Jeannie Seely, Gene Watson and Jim Ed Brown for the 2010 Opry Country Classics Cruise. The cruise departs from Miami with stops in Grand Cayman , Isla Roatan , Belize and Cozumel . On board, you will get loads of classic country music, karaoke, guitar pulls, and with Jeannie Seely along, some great Nashville stories. The cruise takes place from January 24 ? 31 and Chuck will be performing with the fabulous Opry band, singing his favorite classic country songs. For more information or to book a cruise, call 866-653-OPRY or visit www.oprycruise.com .
Kansas City Blues Caravan sets January tour dates The Kansas City Blues Caravan will showcase top blues artists from the Kansas City area, with shows at venues in Kansas City, Columbia , MO , St. Louis , MO , before finishing as part of the "Blues Weekend" slate of blues events in Chicago , IL , on January 15, featuring sets from the Samantha Fish Band, and Lewis Cordrey. The schedule of shows :
Blues fans can join in on the caravan by reserving a package that includes transportation and lodging at the official website, http://www.kcbluescaravan.com . Tickets for individual shows are available by contacting the venues. The "Blues Weekend" in Chicago ( www.chicagobluesweekend.com) includes a " Real Guitar Heroes " autograph session at the Congress Plaza Hotel on Saturday, January 16, which will include Caravan artists Lewis Cowdrey and Samantha Fish. Lewis Cowdrey became a fixture on the Austin , Texas blues circuit where he released a critically-acclaimed CD, "It's Lewis" before migrating to Wichita in 1999. The Samantha Fish Band has built a strong following in Kansas City , with regular gigs at BB's Lawnside BBQ, Longbranch Saloon, and radio play on KKFI 90.1 FM radio station. This will mark the debut appearance in columbia and st. louis for Lewis Cowdrey and Samantha Fish. It will also mark the debut performance in Chicago of Samantha Fish and the reappearance of Lewis Cowdrey in Chicago after a four years absence.
More music news ... The former lead singer with Wichita's 60's surf band The Breakers , Charles Comley, passed away last Monday, December 7, in Arizona. Click here: Charles Comley Death Notice: Charles Comley's Obituary by the Wichita Eagle. Congratulations to Lawrence 's Dead Girls , who won an online contest by KC radio station 101 the Fox to open for Kiss this past Thursday at the Sprint Center . Other bands competing for votes were: The Isaac James Band, Xavier Sun, The Tommy Lee Flood Project and Under the Influence. KKFI Radio's Holiday Online Auction in underway. Bidding is now open. Check it out at www.kkfi.cmarket.com . New items are added daily. KKFI is Kansas City 's all-volunteer community radio station. Freedy Johnston will play a Christmas Day show at Wichita 's Blue Lounge promoting his soon-to-be released album. He'll be backed by the Honky Tonk Devils. The show will start around 9:30 pm , and admission is $5.00 at the door. Freedy's new CD is coming out on Razor and Tie Records on February 23, and he'll be playing a release party on that evening at New York City 's Highline Ballroom. His friend Johnny Dickinson will open the show. This gig will be the beginning of a national tour which should bring him back to Kansas for a few dates. One of the musical highlights of this past weekend was Mark Lowrey 's tribute to Radiohead at the RecordBar in KC's Westport district. Click here: Tribute Friday gives a new sound to Radiohead - KansasCity.com . KC's Capybara celebrated the release of their debut album Try Brother by being a part of the Record Machine Holiday Showcase at the Czar Bar last Friday. Click here: Kansas City Music - Capybara lets its ?sunmusic? shine on debut album, Try Brother - page 1 . Vedera returns to Kansas City to headline at the Beaumont Club on Saturday, December 19. They've been giving away tickets to the show and will continue to do so this week. Click here: Back to Rockville: Tweet some KC love, win Vedera tix . Another of Kansas City 's ex-patriots has returned for a performance. Jazz singer and composer Carol Duboc celebrated the release of her new album of Burt Bacharach songs with a show at the Folly Theater on Saturday, December 12. Click here: Carol Duboc releases a CD of Burt Bacharach tunes - KansasCity.com . The opera world has lost a singer, but Kansas City has gained a minister in the process. Mic McClure recently opened Living Water Methodist Church at 300 W. 115 th Street . Click here: Opera singer hears, heeds call / LJWorld.com .
Reviews ... Click here: Blogs | Local album review: H Stewart | Ink Click here: Blogs | Local album review: Deep Thinkers | Ink Click here: "Ad Astra Arkestra" by I Heart Local Music | Lawrence.com Click here: Kansas City Music - Stik Figa and D/Will - page 1 Click here: Present Magazine Kansas City Music - Music Review: Jillian Riscoe - eleven:eleven
2010 Induction Ceremony update So far we have confirmations from The Green River Ordinance, The Moanin' Glories, The Morning Dew, Plain Jane, Vernon Sandusky and Tree Frog that they will perform at the induction ceremony in March. We're still waiting to hear from Oleta Adams and The Pott County Pork and Bean Band. TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW. They can be ordered by phone or in person from the Liberty Hall Box Office at 644 Massachusetts Street or 785-749-1972, or from Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com .
Martina McBride tour news Marina McBride was back in Kansas recently and spoke with the Wichita Eagle about her latest album and the direction her music is going these days. Click here: McBride still shines | Music | Wichita Eagle . Due to a scheduling conflict, Martina McBride's ?Shine All Night Tour? has rescheduled the following three stops:
The lineup for the new shows will be Martina, Blake Shelton, and a third act to be named later. Tickets already purchased for the December dates will be honored for the re-scheduled dates.
More music news ... Five Kansas City-area jazz stars were in Topeka yesterday, December 6, to perform the fifth concert of the 2009-10 Topeka Jazz Workshop Inc. Concert Series. Singer Kathleen Holman, who also plays piano and trombone, and sax player Bobby Watson joined the PBT Trio ? pianist Paul Smith, bassist Bob Bowman and drummer Tim Cambron ? to perform in the Regency Ballroom of the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center. Click here: Series brings KC jazz to Topeka | CJOnline.com . The 6 th Annual Holiday Hoedown was one of many holiday celebrations in Lawrence over this past weekend. Click here: Ho-Ho-Hoedown: Lawrence old-time and bluegrass bands throw holiday party for the whole family / LJWorld.com Kansas City jazz singer Shay Estes is getting a lot of attention for her new CD and her live performances. Click here: Jazz singer Shay Estes' first CD shows she's here to stay - KansasCity.com ; Click here: Articles | Shay Estes and Trio ALL release album | Ink . Ever since the band Stella Linda went on hiatus in 2006, its members have become better known for what they've done since then, but they insist the original band never broke up. Click here: KC supergroup Stella Link is making music again - KansasCity.com . Kansas City 's Pitch is looking for a music editor. If you have writing experience and an interest in covering the area's music scene full-time, they're taking applications. Click here: Pitch Music Editor: The Search for Rock - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog . Two local music acts are offering download specials of some stellar new music. The indie-band Ghosty is letting fans name their price for its three-song "O Foolish Pride " EP. And local rappers/producers D/Will & Stik Figa are offering a free download of the hip-hop project "hellogoodbye." Click here: Free LP: Stik Figa & D/Will's Hellogoodbye - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog . An even bigger story about the KC hip hop scene concerns that fact that local rappers are frustrated with the little attention paid to local efforts by ?Hot 103? KPRS Radio. Click here: Kansas City Music - Kansas City's hip-hop wants a piece of Hot 103 - page 1 . If you are in the KC area on Dec 12th - Jeff Scheetz will be playing with a Tommy Bolin band reunion show at the Crosstown Station. Tommy's original drummer Bobby Berge who played on "Teaser" and "Private Eyes", along with keyboardist Tommy Stephenson from his first band Zephyr and Tommy's brother Johnnie along with some others will be playing Bolin tunes from his solo days and others including the killer tunes from the Billy Cobham record "Spectrum". This should be a fun show with tons of extended fusion jamming just like Tommy would have liked it! Tommy Bolin passed away in 1976 after a brief but fiery solo career and stints with the James Gang and Deep Purple. The Wichita Blues Society's 12th Annual Blues Ball is set for Saturday, January 16. Doors will open at 7:00 pm . The show starts at 8:00 . Tickets are $12 in advance at Select-a-seat. The headliner this year is Blues Masters of Wichita featuring Berry Harris, Ray Drew, Henry Walker, Rudy Love, D.D. Dunn and Mr. Lee. Big Clyde Sheedy and Rib Bone are backing them up. The WBS Blues Challenge winners Rachelle Coba and Jimmy Lewin & The Kingtones will also perform.
Reviews ... Click here: Kansas City Music - Radio City - page 1 Click here: Kansas City Music - Skiem Hiem & Killa Tay - page 1 Click here: CD Review: Fountains of Folly compilation - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog
2010 Induction Ceremony update So far we have confirmations from The Green River Ordinance, The Moanin' Glories, The Morning Dew, Plain Jane, Vernon Sandusky and Tree Frog that they will perform at the induction ceremony in March. Sandusky has indicated that he'll be doing songs from when he led the Chartbusters. We've also learned that two of the members of Conny & The Bellhops who were thought to have passed away are alive, and we hope they will be able to attend. Conny Conrad's widow Maxine has confirmed that she will be at the show. Tickets to the 2010 Kansas Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony and concert go on sale this Thursday, December 3. They can be ordered by phone or in person from the Liberty Hall Box Office at 644 Massachusetts Street or 785-749-1972, or from Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com .
Holiday shows by The Wilders, Jeff Scheetz and Kelley Hunt
More music news ... For the holidays, the new eponymous Backlash CD can be bought for a discounted price exclusively at CD Baby for only $5.99. This included the physical album and/or digital download, with individual tracks priced at 50 cents each! Go to www.cdbaby.com/backlashrock . This is a limited time offer from the longtime Topeka rockers, and will only last until December 25th! Among the younger acts in Kansas and Kansas City with new releases are Danny Pound ( Click here: Pound by Pound: Danny Pound confronts his 'existential angst,' emerges with intimate second solo album / LJWorld.c ), Rooftop Vigilantes ( Click here: Kansas City Music - Lawrence's Rooftop Vigilantes record second album with rock-star producer J. Robbins - page 1 ) and Queens Club ( Click here: Kansas City Music - Queens Club strikes a deal with Tooth & Nail and hammers the social media - page 1 ) . Longtime UMKC music teacher Richard Cass has died at the age of 78. Click here: Richard Cass, influential KC musician and teacher, dies at 78 - KansasCity.com .
Reviews ... Click here: Kansas City Music - The Liquid Kids - page 1 Click here: Kansas City Music - Waiting for Signal - page 1 Click here: Kansas City Music - The Deep Thinkers - page 1 Click here: Blogs | Local EP review: Greg Enemy | Ink Click here: Blogs | Local EP review: Thieves | Ink Click here: New Mac Lethal Video: "Speak Low" - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog
More music news ... The Kansas song "Point of Know Return" is garnering a lot of attention in a new commercial from State Farm. Click here: YouTube - State Farm® - "Being Cool" Commercial . Curtis Prosser and Maggie Robinson perform as the acoustic duo Canyon Zepher . They played the Celtic Fox in Topeka last Friday night. Click here: Catch the Canyon Zephyr | CJOnline.com . It was a busy weekend in Wichita , with "Rhythm & Blues for Christmas" featuring music by The Macy Brothers and RKO at Mosley Street Melodrama. This was a benefit for the Maude Carpenter Children's Home and Henlock Price Boys Ranch. Nikki Moddelmog had a CD release party for her new album Revolve at Abode Home. Generation Bluegrass , a band made up of the Yoder brothers Isaac (age 10 on fiddle), Adam (age14 on fiddle and mandolin) and Chris (age 19 on guitar) played the Artichoke on Friday. Richard Gintowt's current band Hidden Pictures played at the KJHK Farmers Ball over the weekend. A part of the area music scene for more than a decade, he writes for the website www.Lawrence.com and Kansas City 's Pitch . Click here: After 10 years, Richard Gintowt still gets a thrill out of the music and perks such as free beer - KansasCity.co . One of Gintowt's former bands, Ghosty , released its second digital mini-EP online last week. Click here: Ghosty drops second name-your-price digital EP - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog . A variety of jazz numbers will be performed by the Kansas Wesleyan University Jazz Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. tonight, November 23, in Sams Chapel. The concert is free and open to the public. Three jazz bands and some talented soloists will highlight the fall jazz concert tomorrow night, November 24, at Hutchinson Community College . Click here: The Hutchinson News Online Edition . Tuesday night will also see the return of 2001 Sterling High School graduate Erin Kruse , who'll present a recital called "Musical Stage" in Culbertson Auditorium on the Sterling College campus. Click here: Sterling native to perform at college . Hume Music has closed its Lawrence store, but will still operate stores in Topeka , Lenexa and Overland Park . The company will continue to serve Lawrence schools and will have a road representative. Lawrence customers can call 785-843-2644 for more information about the closing and future assistance. CEO Bill Vance says they can also call the Lenexa store at 816-474-1960.
Reviews ... Click here: Review | Tech N9ne at the Independence Events Center - KansasCity.com Click here: Articles | Local EP review: Ghosty | Ink Click here: Articles | Local album review: Moonshine Romance | Ink Click here: Kansas City Music - The Runaway Sons - page 1 Click here: Kansas City Music - Capybara - page 1 Click here: Kansas City Music - The Beatbox: Ron Ron - page 1
More music news ... Aaron Newton returned to Wichita for a performance Saturday at the Riverside Perk to promote his new EP Two Rivers . Click here: Many rivers to cross | Wichita Entertainment - Restaurants, Movie Theaters. Jeremy and Kaci Neely came home to Kansas over the weekend, too. The couple from Bennington played songs from their new CD at the Ramada Hotel & Convention Center in Salina . Click here: salina.com - an online service of the Salina Journal . In Kansas City Friday night, The Throttlers played their farewell show at Davey's Uptown. Click here: Tonight: The Throttlers' Farewell Show at Davey's - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog . KC's Riot Room was the scene for a release party by hip hoppers Deep Thinkers . Click here: Deep Thinkers release Make It Quake - Kansas City Music Wayward. Another Kansas City band, The Grisly Hand , is hard at work on their debut recording, which they hope to have finished by the end of the year. Click here: Kansas City Music - Brand-new KC band the Grisly Hand wants to lead you onto the dance floor - page 1. A video by Pittsburg singer/songwriter Dustin Treiber has made it to the third round of CMT's "Music City Madness." Click here: Video by Pittsburg musician in third round of CMT voting - Pittsburg, KS. John Elefante 's new record is now available for downloading from the former Kansas lead singer's new and improved website www.JohnElefante.com . The site has a new music player that will allow you to hear the entire record before buying. You'll also find some rare video footage of John with Kansas in 1982 Karl Berkebile 's new CD Merry Christmas, Baby is now available from his website at www.karlberkebile.com . It's a blues Christmas solo piano and vocal effort at $10 plus $3 S&H. You can pay through Paypal or send a check.
REVIEWS ... Click here: Kansas City Music - Tech N9ne - page 1 Click here: Kansas City Music - Angela Hagenbach - page 1 Click here: Kansas City Music - Kick Kick - page 1 Click here: Articles | Local album review: Mouth | Ink Click here: Articles | Local album review: Echo of the Elms | Ink Click here: Articles | Local album review: Mixed Method | Ink Click here: Local album review: Sam Billen
2010 Inductees are announced The results of the recent voting are that the following will be inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame on March 6, 2010 at Liberty Hall in Lawrence , Kansas :
Every act that was on the ballot received votes, and one write-in received enough votes to be guaranteed a spot on next year's ballot. For the first time in Hall of Fame history, each inductee is from a different city. We hope most of the inductees will be able to attend the ceremony and will perform. Next week's newsletter will contain the names of the acts that received enough votes to be on the ballot for 2011. The board of directors will announce the Directors Award and Bob Hapgood Award inductees later this month. Congratulations to all of the new inductees!
Upcoming TV apearances by Martina McBride
New releases by area musicians Kansas City 's Angela Hagenbach has been making waves on the local music scene for 20 years, but now her new album is opening up new possibilities. Click here: Angela Hagenbach's new CD is making waves nationwide - KansasCity.com . Several other area musicians have new releases of interest. They include Barclay Martin , Click here: CD and film tell story of KC musician Barclay Martin's trips to Philippines - KansasCity.com ; Spoon , Click here: Incoming + new album: Spoon - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog ; and Topeka native Dave Stuckey. To promote his new EP, Stuckey recently reunited with Deke Dickerson for a set at the Goofin' Records 25 th anniversary party in Helsinki , Finland . Tech N9ne 's latest, K.O.D. , has debuted at #1 on Billboard 's Independent Albums chart. Area acts getting attention in the local papers include KC's Sons of Great Dane Click here: Kansas City Music - KC's Sons of Great Dane represents a new breed of alt-country rock - page 1 and 2007 KU grad Rusty Scott Click here: Stage Presence: Rusty Scott | Kansan.com .
Join The Elders on Irish Festival Cruise Make plans now to join The Elders on the 19 th Annual Irish Festival Cruise, January 23-30. It's a week of Irish music, dance, storytelling, humor and conviviality. From Fort Lauderdale , you'll sail the Caribbean for a week-long hooley, stopping in San Juan , St. Maarten, Tortola and Nassau . Rates are $1099 per person. Get details at www.irishtours.com or 1-800-441-4277.
More music news ... The Young Raiders' Chris "Capt" Shafer, had heart surgery in Wichita last Monday, November 2. We all wish him a speedy recovery. The competitors for Farmers Ball , KJHK's annual battle of the bands, have been announced. They are: Cloud Dog, Burger Kingdom , Dutch Newman, Katlyn Conroy, Hidden Pictures, The California Craisins, Eagle Us Pets and DJ Avi. This year's competition will differ from the past. Rather than have two nights of competition, whith two finalists from each nigh moving on to a third night of finals, this year will feature "a UFC-style cage match with eight bands in a frentic single night of preliminary competition." Preliminaries are November 20 at the Jackpot in Lawrence , and finals are November 21 at the Bottleneck Cicadelic Records of Tucson has a new retrospective album by 2010 inductees The Morning Dew available. This is the same label that put out the double CD set by the Blue Things that is available through the Hall of Fame. www.cicadelic.com .
More music news ... Last week we mentioned that the new Kansas DVD, There's Know Place Like Home , debuted at number five on Billboard 's Top DVDs chart. It's no surprise then, that the DVD has met with good reviews. The DVD was recorded at Washburn University back in February. Click here: Review: Kansas concert DVD rocks | CJOnline.com . The Topeka band That Damn Sasquatch had a CD release party for their new album About Damn Time last Friday. Click here: It's 'About Damn Time' | CJOnline.com . Friends University in Wichita will present their newly reformed Jazz Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Craig Curry, this Wednesday evening, November 4, in Sebits Auditorium at 7:30 . Joining the vocalists, will be one song from each of the four jazz combos (directed by Lisa Hittle, David Lord, Beau Jarvis and Jeff Gordon). Tickets will be available at the door or by calling (316) 295-5537. Tickets prices are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, and ALL STUDENTS GET IN FREE! Two Wichita musicians, Craig "Twister" Steward and Rochelle Coba working together in a new group called Bluesette Boogie. Coba will be representing the Wichita Blues Society in Memphis in the Single category at the upcoming competition in Memphis. Leslie Mangrum is an assistant professor of music at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina . One of the things that attracted her to the job was the school's opera program. Click here: salina.com - an online service of the Salina Journal . Three women from Kansas and one from Oklahoma make up the Sweet Adelines group Zing! The foursome won the title "Queens of Harmony" at the recent championship in Nashville . Click here: Ives crowned singing queen again | CJOnline.com .
Wichita Museum features guitar heroes The “Guitar Heroes of Wichita” exhibit at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum celebrates electric guitar players in the city where the instrument was first introduced to the world on Halloween 1932. This temporary exhibit, which opened October 17, runs through November 13. Wichita's “guitar heroes” celebrated include Gage Brewer (who introduced the electric guitar to the world), Floyd Dalrymple, Bud Victory, KMHOF inductee Jerry Hahn, Barry Harris, Clif Major, Pat McJimsey, Mark “Shark” Shelton, and the Embarrassment's Bill Goffrier. Friday November 6 th from 7:00 to 10:00 pm there will be a musical performance and demonstration with the electric guitar by internationally known guitarist and music historian Deke Dickerson. On Saturday, November 7th at 1:00 pm , at the Historical Museum , there will be a presentation by Dickerson, who will speak on the culture and origin of the electric guitar and guitar heroes.
Mick McTell of the Soulful Seven passes away One of the top bands in Hays back in the sixties was the Soulful Seven. The band recorded a single for MGM that is now a highly sought collectable among “Northern Soul” fans. The band's lead guitarist Mick McTell died Monday, October 19, in Rapid City , SD. Click here: Obituaries for Wednesday, October 21, 2009 .
The Get Up Kids schedule November benefit for the Anne Winter fund The Get Up Kids have announced via Twitter that they will donate all the money from their upcoming Record Bar shows on November 20 and 21 to the Anne Winter Fund. Click here: Anne Winter, 1964-2009 - Kansas City Music - Wayward Blog .
New Kansas DVD in Billboard's top five The new Kansas DVD There's Know Place Like Home has debuted in the top five on Billboard 's DVD top sales chart. Featuring guest appearances by former members Kerry Livgren and Steve Morse, spectacular lighting, and songs not previously recorded with an orchestra, this High Definition video and Surround Sound audio experience has become the highest charting Kansas DVD. For more information, visit www.starchityrecording.com or www.kansasband.com .
Musician and artist Bob Walkenhorst profiled In addition to music, painting is a big part of the life of former Rainmaker Bob Walkenhorst . Click here: Painting history: Forsyth House is subject of new downtown mural - Maryville, MO - Maryville Daily Forum
More music news ... Former KU student Mandy Patinkin will be guest starring in an episode of the CBS series “Three Rivers.” The network says that the former “Criminal Minds” star will play an aspiring organ donor. Patinkin has personally received corneal implants, donated by the families of a 13-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, to correct a disease that distorts the shape of the cornea and severely impairs vision. The 56-year-old actor, who attended the University of Kansas in the early seventies, asked to be released from his role as FBI profiler Jason Gideon on CBS' “Criminal Minds” in 2007, citing creative differences. “Three Rivers” airs on Sundays. Josh Vowell & The Rumble will be representing the Topeka Blues Society at the upcoming International Blues Challenge in Memphis January 20-23. Until then, they'll be making several appearances around their hometown and nearby cities to raise funds for their trip. Click here: Rumbling the blues scene | CJOnline.com . Another Kansas act that will be hitting the road in January is Wichita 's Tony Ngo and his band. The band has been working on a seven-song EP that will be released in late November. Click here: Road next step in musical journey | Wichita Entertainment - Restaurants, Movie Theaters | Wichita Eagle . Chris Crisci, frontman for Lawrence's Appleseed Cast and The Old Canes, has been busy of late. In addition to playing at a recent Appleseed Cast reunion, he's been playing with The Old Canes and released a second Canes album Feral Harmonic on October 20. Will all that's he's still found time to build himself a new guitar. Click here: Kansas City Music - Family man Chris Crisci finds time to carve out Old Canes' second album - page 1 . Vedera 's second album for Epic Records, Stages, was released this month on the same day they appeared on TV's “The Hills.” Click here: Kansas City Music - Vedera vies for the limelight with major-label debut LP - page 1 . BCR (Black Crack Review), a Kansas City afro, nuclear, wavabilly, funk, swing, reggae, turska band, bill perform its unique brand of music at a benefit concert for KKFI Radio October 30 at The R Bar and Restaurant in Kansas City , MO. Admission is $7.00 at the door. A Tommy Bolin reunion concert with members of Tommy's legendary bands Energy and Zephyr plus Kansas City guitarists Jeff Scheetz and Fast Johnny Ricker will take place at Crosstown Station on Saturday, December 12. Shannon & The Rhythm Kings will open the night's music. Tickets are $10, and this is a benefit for KC's community radio station KKFI. Among the Energy alums appearing is Kansas Music Hall of Fame nominee Tommy Stephenson from Ottawa , KS . Chet Nichols reports that his song “Kilimanjaro Moondance” won the Broadjam September 2009 “Best Exercise Song of the Month” honors. The song can be heard at www.broadjam.com/chetnichols . Inductee Martina McBride 's performance at the Texas State Fair aired on “Oprah” Monday, October 26.
Melissa Etheridge updates The Chicken Soup for the Soul series will visit music in the book due out in November. Among the stories behind the songs, Melissa Etheridge tells about the writing of her hit single, "Come to My Window." Click here: Melissa Etheridge on writing 'Come to My Window': Exclusive 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' excerpt | EW.com . Melissa's new album Fearless Love , which is due out in March, and she says it will rock out a lot harder than her last few have. Click here: Melissa Etheridge Returns to "Slamming" Rock on March LP "Fearless Love" : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily . Etheridge will be a phone-in guest on two SIRIUS Satellite Radio shows this week: Tune in on Wed, Oct 14 at 1:00pm ET to Dr Radio: Oncology Show. The show is hosted by Dr. Abraham Chachoua, a lung cancer specialist, and Dr. Silvia Formenti whose specialty is breast cancer. Listeners can call in with questions/comments. Dr. Radio . Melissa will also be a guest on SIRIUS Satellite's Jane Pratt Radio Show on Oct 16 (6:15pm ET). Jane Radio .
Kelley Hunt news Kelley Hunt returns to the Blue Room in KC October 15-16 for three shows. Kelley's Blue Room reprise follows a sold-out first-time November 2008 duet performance. For these neew shows she'll bring an outstanding trio with herself on acoustic piano and acoustic and electric guitars along with LA. drummer/percussionist Bryan Head and Nashville bassist Kenny Ames. Although some material will be common to all three shows, she plans to give each one it's own unique identity. "Last November we learned just how much fun we could have exploring new ideas and formats at The Blue Room. I'm expanding my thinking in these three shows - trying some new material out, looking over all parts of my catalog, new arrangements and hopefully some spontaneous sparks of inspiration with these other two great players. Last year's show was so energizing for me. We're going to take things further, see what we can get away with," said Kelley. Expect a new look and new sound at Kelley's live appearances. She is now an artist/endorser of Tree House Custom Drums. This outstanding high-end boutique custom drum maker based in Topeka has made a drum kit to Kelley's custom specs in consultation with her and the drummers who are part of her touring band. "We had one of their kits as a backline rental not long ago. I remember Bryan Head cranking up with that kit in sound check the first time - you should have seen all the heads turn that direction. That motivated us to investigate further. They've made us a great custom kit - warm sound, punchy, lot's of personality. Something our drummers can really dig in with and our production people absolutely love. It's a pleasure to make a Tree House kit part of our on-stage sound," said Kelley.
More music news ... More women are finding a home in Wichita 's music scene. Click here: Band of sisters | Music | Wichita Eagle . KC's Spencer Brown and his San Francisco based acapella group, the Kinsey Sicks, were in town over the weekend for two shows. Click here: Kansas City Music - The Kinsey Report: KC homegirl Daisy Bucket drags all over the country with the Kinsey Sicks - . Also back in town Saturday was jazz pianist Eldar , who spent his teen years in Kansas City , learning his craft and getting his career started. He showcased music from his new album, Virtue , his sixth overall and fourth for Sony. LINK We've mentioned former Rainmaker Bob Walkenhorst and his Wednesday night gigs in Westport before, but he recently shared his thought on them with Tim Finn. Click here: Former Rainmaker Bob Walkenhorst's weekly gig gives songs room to grow - Kansas City Star#Comments_Container . The trials of two men accused of killing Lawrence rapper Anthony Vital have been delayed until May of next year. Click here: Murder defendants' trial dates coordinated / LJWorld.com . A month after the release of their debut album Moon Phases , Everyday/Everynight is enjoying the success of record sales, online merchandise sales and show bookings. Click here: Kansas City Music - Everyday/Everynight launches Moon Phases - page 1 . Fans of Celtic rock music have a lot to enjoy from the Elders these days as the Kansas City band is finding success with their latest album Gael Day , their seeming non-top touring, a cruise coming up in January ( www.irishtours.com ) and their annual tour of Ireland next summer. Check it all out at www.eldersmusic.com . Topeka 's Bath House Players fundraising Battle of the Bands was supposed to be held Saturday, but weather forced a postponement until October 17 at Gage Park . Tickets will be sold at the gate for $6.00. Bands playing are The Antics, Don't Mention the Massacre, Part Deus, The Pudd'n Poos and Telegram for a Cute Girl. KC's Neon Blue continues to get favorable reviews for Stories, Grooves & Melodies . The latest appeared in this week's Pitch . Click here: Kansas City Music - Neon Blue - page 1 . The new 5,800 seat Independence Events Center is going to hose more than minor league hockey. It's also signing up concerts, including Tech N9ne on November 23 and Martina McBride and Trace Adkins on January 23. It's nice to have another venue in the KC area with live music. On Saturday, October 17, the Delano District of Wichita will be alive with bikes, blues and food. The first "Blues in Delano " music and food crawl in the 500-1700 blocks of West Douglas will take place from 1-10 pm. Admission is free with a non-perishable food item to any of the venues. All donations will be given to the Kansas Food Bank. Kansas University will be hosting the 18 th annual Heart of America Marching Festival on October 17 at Memorial Stadium. Twenty high school marching bands from Kansas , Missouri and Nebraska will perform starting at 11 am. The top ten scoring bands will move on to the finals at 6:30 pm, which will be followed by the awards ceremony at 9:45. The KU Marching Jayhawks will perform at 9:30. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and senior. Preschoolers get in free. Sunday, November 1 at 7:30 pm, the Lied Center on KU's West Campus will host the first ever indoor concert by the Kansas Marching Jayhawks , conducted by David Clemmer. In addition to "Sunflower Song" and "I'm a Jayhawk," the band will play Saturday morning cartoon favorites, the music of Blood, Sweat & Tears, and a Latin jazz tribute. Hank Booth with serve as emcee. Time is approaching for the annual KJHK Farmer's Ball , but there is still time for bands to submit entries. Local bands, rappers and musicians need to submit 2-3 songs by October 23. Send submissions by email to the radio station at kjhkliveevents@gmail.com or mail them to: Stan Ellman's final Stan's Kansas City Area Record & CD Show of 2009 will be Sunday, October 18 from 9am to 3:30 pm in the Convention Center at The Crowne Plaza (formerly Radisson Hote) at 95 th and I-35 in Lenexa . Admission is $3 at the door. For more info, call Stan at 913-492-1058.
Gordon Parks Celebration in Fort Scott this week
The Gordon Parks Celebration begins this Wednesday, October 7, at Fort Scott Community College and honors the work and creativity of Fort Scott 's most famous native son, the extraordinary photographer, writer, poet, musician and filmmaker who died in 2006 at age 93.
2010 KMHOF Nominees announced Voting is currently underway to select the 2010 inductees into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. Voting by the prior inductees and all dues paying members of the Hall of Fame will continue until midnight October 31. The induction ceremony will be held on March 6, 2010, in Lawrence at Liberty Hall. The results of the voting will be announced in early November, and tickets to the show will go on sale in December. The ballot contains the names of thirty (30) nominated acts, but write-ins are accepted and encouraged. The names on this year's ballot are:
Congratulations to all of the 2010 nominees.
Kerry Livgren posts after suffering stroke
Martina McBride and Trace Adkins join up for tour
October 18 benefit for Mike Roark A six-hour benefit is being held at Unity on the Plaza Sunday, October 18 for Mike Roark , the Rain Dog's piano player, who is undergoing treatment for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. There will be two stages of entertainment, a silent auction, BBQ meals and a bake sale. Among Mike's friends who will be performing are Kelley Hunt, The Rain Dogs, The Retro Rangers, Fabulous Freddy & The Doo Wops, The Bluegrass Tornados & Uncle Baccey Juice and Graybill, Gruenbaum & McSpadden. Click here: Mike Roark Benefit Against Cancer .
More music news ... 13 bands are set to “Wake the Dead” October 10 at the Bison Arena on the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson . The rock and metal music starts at noon and runs until midnight. The headliner will be Seasons After. The five-piece band from Wichita has been on the Warped Tour twice and on the Taste of Chaos tour. Tickets are $10. Visit www.kansasstatefair.tix.com or call (800) 362-3247. Jason Harper of The Pitch in Kansas City recently checked out the local singer-songwriter scene, and liked what he heard. Click here: Kansas City Music - Towers of Song: Three new singer-songwriter showcases prove our local bards ain't slouchin' -.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
