Wednesday August 27, 2008 Source:PLA Media Location: Madison, WI
A Taste of Madison, the festival that attracts nearly 150,000 attendees each year, welcomes two nights of the Rock and Pop Masters (RPM) legendary hits August 30th and 31st. The RPM shows connect Still the One hit makers Orleans with John Ford Coley, David Pack (Ambrosia), Joe Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult), Jimi Jamison (Survivor) and Pat Travers.
“You could call it a Supergroup,” said Jim Smith of About.com after attending an RPM show in Weston, FL. “The show exceeded all possible expectations. Song after song sounded as if the original band was backing the original lead singer. Best of all, these guys were having a ball.”
Orleans, a band full of acclaimed songwriters, was founded when the Hoppen brothers, Larry and Lance connected with now US Congressman John Hall and deceased drummer Wells Kelly. Throughout their 36 year career, they have acquired more than 7 million airplay spins on their major hits Dance with Me (1975), Still the One (1976) and Love Takes Time (1979). Some of their strongest society advances were made through the efforts of M.U.S.E. (Musicians United for Safe Energy) and the “No Nukes” campaign founded by John Hall, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Graham Nash. They also strongly support organizations that curb food insecurity throughout the U.S. including the Kingston areas Queen’s Galley where they headlined a benefit earlier this year. Jimi Jamison and Survivor gained stardom as Eye of the Tiger became a classic song of inspiration associated with the Rocky films. Ambrosia broke through the charts with the 1978 hit How Much I Feel and 1980’s Biggest Part of Me. Actor, singer/songwriter John Ford Coley continues to find airplay on his classic track “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight.” Joe Bouchard of the Blue Oyster Cult made his lasting impression on the music industry with the 1976 Top 20 hit (Don’t Fear) the Reaper.
A Taste of Madison located on the Capitol Square is open 2-8 PM on Saturday and noon-7 PM on Sunday. The event, which is free an open to the public, will feature 65 local restaurants and four stages of entertainment. Saturday, Orleans, John Ford Coley and David Pack will take the Magic 98 stage at 6 PM. On Sunday, Orleans will join Joe Bouchard, Jimi Jamison and Pat Travers on the 93.1 The Lake stage at 4:30 PM. The festival proceeds benefit the United Cerebral Palsy of Dane County.
Illinois’ The Herald News reports that a 33-year-old Crest Hill man has been sentenced to six years behind bars for sexually assaulting a woman at Tinley Park’s First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre during Ozzfest 2006.
Patrick Miller pleaded guilty Monday (August 4) to one count of criminal sexual assault in a Bridgeview courtroom, according to Cook County state’s attorney’s office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton. Circuit Judge Colleen McSweeney-Moore set Miller’s sentence.
Immediately after the July 16, 2006, concert attack — which occurred in a secluded, grassy area west of the amphitheater, near 191st Street and east of Harlem Avenue — Tinley Park police were able to recover evidence from the victim and the crime scene. However, it took nearly a year for a state-run crime lab to process evidence and match up a suspect, police Cmdr. Phil Valois said. During that time, police continued their investigation trying to track down a suspect.
Sunday August 3, 2008 Source:Blabbermouth Location: Madison, WI
As BLABBERMOUTH.NET Rumor first reported on Blabbermouth as a rumor back on July 11, Century Media Records has now officially announced the signing of the Madison, Wisconsin-based, female-fronted five-piece metal band LUNA MORTIS. Formerly known as THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE, the group prides itself on blurring genre lines to arrive at something both beautiful and aggressive. The band’s ability to capture a progressive and dark sound should appeal to metalheads regardless of their sonic inclinations.
“All of us have been looking up to the artists on the CM roster for years, and to be a part of the family is truly amazing and humbling,” says vocalist Mary Zimmer. “We have put years of hard work into the band and it’s all finally paying off. To the fans that have been with us this far, keep expecting the same kick-ass metal. To people who are hearing of us for the first time, it’s nice to meet you and we’ll see you all out on the road!”
When you’re trying to break into the international music scene from Wisconsin you’re left to claw your way up yourself, and LUNA MORTIS did exactly that with the 2006 release of its self-produced LP, “Way of the Blade” (released under the original band name THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE). As the album made its way through the local grapevine the band had cemented enough of a regional reputation to generate label interest. They began a period of intensive demo production and showcasing, beginning with the recording of their EP, “The Answer: Does Not Exist” (also released as THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE), and culminating in the opportunity to cut four tracks with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA, ALL THAT REMAINS). These efforts ultimately found LUNA MORTIS a home at Century Media amongst a literal pantheon of some of the band’s most respected and admired influences.
LUNA MORTIS is:
Mary Zimmer - Vocals
Brian Koenig – Guitars, Vocals
Cory Scheider - Guitars
Jake Bare - Bass
Erik Madsen - Drums
LUNA MORTIS' video for the song "Anemic World" can be viewed below (note: The clip was shot while the band was still called THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE).
According to a bulletin issued by OZZY OSBOURNE’s MySpace page, the Prince of Darkness will follow up his appearances at the Monsters of Rock show in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Saturday, July 26 and Ozzfest 2008 in Dallas, TX on Saturday, August 9 by returning to the studio to record a new album.
OZZY OSBOURNE’s latest CD, “Black Rain”, was certified gold on December 14, 2007 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States.
“Black Rain” was reissued on November 20 as a “Special Limited-Edition Tour Package” featuring a bonus CD of live tracks and B-sides. The bonus CD includes the following cuts:
01. I Don’t Wanna Stop (live)
02. Not Going Away (live)
03. Here For You (live)
04. Nightmare
05. Can’t Save You
06. Love To Hate
“Black Rain” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart, with first-week sales of 152,000 copies.
Ozzy and his family will return to television in a new reality variety show this fall. The Fox program has the working title of “The Osbournes: Loud And Dangerous” and will feature Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, and their kids Jack and Kelly.
Fox has reportedly ordered six episodes of the series and each episode will run for an hour. “The Osbournes: Loud And Dangerous” will feature musical performances, comedy sketches, and game-show competitions. The show is being produced by FremantleMedia North America, who also produce “American Idol” for Fox.
