Monday January 25, 2010 Source:MSO PR Location: Germany
After the release of their next album (Sting in the Tail, release date: March 23rd, Universal Music Enterprises) and a three-year mammoth tour, which will take them across five continents, one of the most successful rock bands in the world, SCORPIONS, will be ending their career. The band broke the news on their website on Sunday.
“While we were working on our album these past few months, we could literally feel how powerful and creative our work was – and how much fun we were still having, in the process,” said KLAUS MEINE. “We want to end the SCORPION’s extraordinary career on a high note. We are extremely gracious for the fact that we still have the same passion for music we’ve always had since the beginning.” “So at some point,” added guitarist MATTHIAS JABS, “it came to us to end our career with this exceptional album.” RUDOLF SCHENKER stated, “The three year tour through five continents is meant to be a huge blowout, where we can party with our fans and say good-bye.” “When I started out, I had a lot of wishes,” SCHENKER noted. “It’s crazy, I achieved more than I ever even dreamed of.”
During their 40-year career, SCORPIONS sold over 100 million albums and received many awards, such as the World Music Award and several Echos—the German comparison to the Grammy. Today they still play sold-out venues around the world. Not long ago, 152,000 South Americans came to 15 SCORPIONS concerts between Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City. Their song “Wind of Change” has become an anthem for the fall of the Iron Curtain.
The tour will launch in the band’s home country Germany in May. After that, they will be touring through North America before they continue their journey through five other continents until 2012.
Friday January 22, 2010 Source:Summerfest Location: Milwaukee, WI
MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL, INC. OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL AT HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK FOR 2010 SEASON
Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. officials are excited to announce plans for a new Alternative and Modern Rock music festival that will take place Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5, to kick off the summer festival season at Henry Maier Festival Park.
The management of Summerfest will plan, promote and produce the new music festival which will feature three stages of Alternative and Modern Rock bands, including a nonstop lineup of national and regional headliners, action sports competitions, marketplace shopping and interactive exhibits for young adult music fans. FM102/1 will be the presenting radio sponsor for the festival.
“The first weekend in June will provide music fans with nationally and internationally known alternative and modern rock bands. It will be a fun weekend and a great way to kick-off summer,” said Don Smiley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
The festival is being launched with a public naming contest. Music fans, artists, designers and festival-goers everywhere will have the opportunity to name and brand the festival. The contest begins today at the website www.yourmusicfest.com. Submissions should include a logo treatment and will be accepted online through February 21 with Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. officials determining the top three finalists’ submissions. Starting March 1, the public will have one week to review the finalists’ submissions and vote to determine the name and logo of the new festival at www.yourmusicfest.com.
The naming contest winner, preliminary music lineup and other details will be announced on March 10, 2010, along with the new festival’s official website. The naming contest winner will receive a VIP experience at the festival, including roundtrip airfare for two (originating in the Continental U.S.), hotel accommodations in Milwaukee, tickets to the festival, an assigned parking space, VIP hospitality access, backstage passes, meet & greets, signed merchandise from the bands, and a themed profile on Summerfest.com and the new festival’s website. For more details and contest rules, visit www.yourmusicfest.com.
Tickets for the festival will be available for purchase starting Wednesday, March 10 at 10:00am on www.yourmusicfest.com with no incremental fees and on Ticketmaster via phone at 1-800-745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com, and at Ticketmaster outlets. Advanced single day passes are $25, advanced two-day passes are $40, and day-of admission is $35 per day. Capacity at this event is limited, so patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets early.
Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is the non-profit organization that plans, promotes and produces Summerfest, The World’s Largest Music Festival. This year, Summerfest takes place from June 24th – July 4th, 2010. For more details, visit Summerfest.com.
BILLY CORGAN has announced that Mike Byrne has joined THE SMASHING PUMPKINS as their new drummer. The 19-year-old Portland, OR native will make his debut with the band on the Pumpkins’ next album—about which a major announcement is expected in September—and tour. “I’m super excited to be playing with the band,” says Byrne. “Dream come true, man.”
Byrne—who’s played in such indie Portland bands as Moses, Smell The Roses and the Mercury Tree—heard about the Pumpkins’ open call for a new drummer on the Internet this past April and submitted his materials. Byrne was immediately called to attend an audition in Los Angeles, where Corgan liked what he heard—a lot. “We didn’t actually play songs at the audition,” says Byrne. “We just kind of jammed for about 15 minutes and then talked about Fugazi for the other 15 or so minutes.”
Playing drums since he was 11—“I think if you’re born a drummer, you know you’re going to be a drummer for your entire life”—Byrne formed his first band at 15, Mercury Tree, which played some shows in Portland. His influences include post rock bands like Mogwai, Maserati, and Maps and Atlases as well as the Pumpkins. “It was a really good time in my life to hear the Pumpkins music when I was 13. It just connected with me and it was sort of a window into something really different and eclectic. The band was a little bit more willing to take risks than a lot of the stuff I had been listening to. That was exciting and fresh to me. And then delving into a lot of it just definitely resonated on a creative level with me.” Byrne had the chance to see the Pumpkins two years ago when they performed on tour in the Portland area.
Asked about how he feels his young age plays into the new music the Pumpkins are creating, Byrne says: “I’ve always thought that Billy’s interpretation of music was a real fresh one,” adds Byrne, “and that because the band was so rooted in the idea of kind of being like a musical shape-shifter, I feel that honestly it would work just perfectly. It’s not so much that I have some fresh point of view that he’s not already investigating so much as every time they release something it’s sort of a new direction and so working with him is easy in that we’re not operating on any founded musical principals. We’re starting from scratch and just working our influences up into something totally different.”
Says Billy: ”Through the open audition process, I was astounded by how many great drummers there were that wanted the chance to try out for The Pumpkins. We counted over 1,000 submissions, and what made Mike stand out was he just seemed to have that X-factor that all the great drummers have, a stunning blend of power, speed, and grace. I’m excited to work with him moving forward—he truly deserves this opportunity. I believe in my heart he will push me to be a better musician.”
Byrne will join Billy at six solo Southern California small club dates August 26-31 with special guests Spirits in the Sky—the band Billy assembled to play at a tribute show in Los Angeles at the Echoplex in July for late Seeds frontman Sky Saxon. Spirits in the Sky includes Mark Tulin of The Electric Prunes and Kerry Brown of Catherine and the Ancient Chinese Secrets.
The BILLY solo shows with Spirits In The Sky are as follows:
DATE CITY VENUE
Wed 8/26 Visalia, CA Tazzaria
Thu 8/27 Santa Barbara, CA Muddy Waters
Fri 8/28 Long Beach, CA Open
Sat 8/29 Pioneertown, CA Pappy & Harriet’s Palace
Sun 8/30 San Diego, CA Che Café
Mon 8/31 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Café
Friday July 31, 2009 Source:Comedy Central Location: NYC/Madison
Stephen Colbert, host of the hit Comedy Central show “The Colbert Report,” mentioned legendary Madison, Wisconsin street performer Art Paul Schlosser during the “Tip of the Hat - Wag of the Tail” segment on his July 30, 2009 show.
At the end of the skit segment (officially Schlosser appears at 12:42 minutes) Colbert compares Schlosser to rock band “the Movits!” who have increased their Amazon ranking because of their appearance on the Colbert Report.
“Before Movits! came on my show” Colbert rants, they were Novits! Now, they will be available on iTunes. That’s right, I’ve brought Movits! to the same cultural Everest as, say, Madison, Wisconsin street performer Art Paul Schlosser… You’re welcome, Mr. Schlosser.”
Movits! went from 93,400 to 75, Art currently sits at a ranking of over 200,000 so now we’ll really see how powerful you are Mr. Colbert!
How did Mr. Colbert come across Art Paul Schlosser in the first place? A former writer from The Onion, the weekly satire newspaper founded in Madison, now writes for the Report.
Tuesday June 9, 2009 Source:Summerfest Location: Milwaukee, WI
Summerfest officials have announced Admission Promotions for 2009, providing low or no-cost alternatives to paying the full gate price at this year’s festival. All exchanges, unless otherwise stated, will take place at the Mid-Gate promotions tent located across the street from the Summerfest Mid-Gate. All Admission Promotions start at Noon and run while ticket supplies last OR through 3:00 pm, whichever comes first, unless otherwise noted. Patrons can also visit Summerfest.com for complete details on all Admission Promotions.
New in 2009, the first 5,000 patrons who enter the Summerfest gates on select dates will receive a complimentary item as an added value. All Gate Giveaway items are while supplies last.
ADMISSION PROMOTIONS / GATE GIVEAWAYS OVERVIEW:
Thursday, June 25 is Stomp Out Hunger Day with FOX 6. All patrons arriving between Noon and 3:00 pm who donate three (3) non-perishable food items will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket! Donations will be accepted at the Mid-Gate promotions tent as well as the North Gate. All donations will benefit the Hunger Task Force.
GATE GIVEAWAY - On Thursday, June 25, the first 5,000 patrons will receive one (1) co-branded U.S. Cellular®/Summerfest Window Cling with special service and accessory offers, compliments of U.S. Cellular® and Summerfest. The giveaway starts at 5:00 pm while supplies last.
Friday, June 26 is Cedar Crest “Flip your Lid at Summerfest” Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket at the Mid-Gate promotions booth when they turn in a lid and receipt from Woodman’s or Sendik’s Food Markets, dated June 1 – June 26, for the purchase of one (1) 48 oz. Cedar Crest ice cream. No copies or handwritten receipts will be accepted.
Friday, June 26 is Time Warner Cable Customer Appreciation Day. Present your Time Warner Cable Summerfest bill stuffer at any ticket window from Noon – 3:00 pm and you may purchase one Adult weekday admission ticket and get one FREE!
GATE GIVEAWAY - On Friday, June 26, the first 5,000 patrons will receive one (1) co-branded guitar shaped DeVry University/Summerfest Key Chain compliments of DeVry University and Summerfest. The giveaway starts at 5:00 pm while supplies last.
GATE GIVEAWAY - On Saturday, June 27, the first 5,000 patrons will receive one (1) Marcus Hotels & Resorts gift card booklet valued at over $75. Offer includes coupons to Mason Street Grill, Milwaukee Chop House, Kil@Wat, Miller Time Pub, Blu, Paradise Landing Indoor Waterpark, WELL Spa + Janice Salon and more. The giveaway starts at Noon while supplies last.
Sunday, June 28 is Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Newspaper Coupon Discount Day from Noon – 3:00 pm. Purchase a $15 admission for only $8 ($7 savings) when presenting an original 2009 Summerfest coupon from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at any ticket window. Copies of coupon will not be accepted. One discounted admission per coupon, per person.
GATE GIVEAWAY - On Sunday, June 28, the first 5,000 patrons will receive one (1) co-branded Chipotle/Summerfest Cup Koozie with a special offer from Chipotle included, compliments of Chipotle Mexican Grill and Summerfest. The giveaway starts at Noon while supplies last.
Monday, June 29 is Time Warner Cable Children’s Fest Day with TODAY’S TMJ4. All patrons arriving between Noon and 3:00 pm will be admitted FREE! Spend a fun-filled day with the family enjoying free Children’s Fest activities including the Map of Fun and Family Ticket Package giveaways at 3:15 pm. Select food vendors will offer discounts on food & beverage items.
Tuesday, June 30 is Kapco’s 2 Buck Tuesday at Summerfest from Noon – 8:00 pm. All Patrons attending Summerfest on Tuesday, June 30 between Noon and 8:00 pm can purchase an admission ticket for only $2 compliments of Kapco! Purchase tickets now at Summerfest.com.
Wednesday, July 1 is Johnsonville & Pick ‘n Save/Copps Partyville Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 2,000 patrons who show their receipts from any Pick ‘n Save or Copps Food Centers that specify the purchase of two (2) Johnsonville Party Packs (fresh Brats or Italian sausages) at the Mid-Gate promotions tent will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket. Receipt must be dated between June 14 and July 1. No copies of receipts will be accepted.
Wednesday, July 1 is Wisconsin Lottery Discount Day from Noon – 3:00 pm. Purchase an $8 adult admission ticket for only $3 ($5 savings) by presenting a non-winning Wisconsin Lottery Summerfest instant scratch ticket at any window. One discounted admission per lottery ticket, per person.
Thursday, July 2 is Northwestern Mutual “Make a Child Smile Day” from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons who donate any new, indoor children’s toy, book, art supplies or children’s G or PG rated DVD movie with a $5 minimum value will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket: All books donated will benefit the Next Door Foundation’s Books for Kids program. All other items collected will be used throughout the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin system. All items must be new with original tags attached and/or original packaging.
Thursday, July 2 is H.O.G.® Day from Noon – 3:00 pm. Patrons will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket when presenting a valid H.O.G.® (Harley Owners Group®) card at the tent located on the northwest corner of Chicago Street and Harbor Drive. One admission ticket per card, per person.
Friday, July 3 is Malt-O-Meal Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket when presenting an original receipt from any Wisconsin grocer that specifies the purchase of any two (2) Malt-O-Meal Bag Cereals 10 oz. or larger. Receipt must be dated between June 25 and July 3, 2009. No copies or handwritten receipts will be accepted. To find the store nearest you go to Maltomeal.com.
Saturday, July 4 is CBS 58 Milwaukee / MDA Day from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supplies last. The first 1,500 patrons contributing $10 or more to the Muscular Dystrophy Association will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket.
Sunday, July 5 is We Energies Day from Noon – 3:00 pm. All patrons attending Summerfest on the final Sunday between Noon and 3:00 pm will receive FREE admission compliments of We Energies!
Tuesday May 12, 2009 Source:Summerfest.com Location: Milwaukee, WI
Summerfest officials today announce the lineup of headliners slated for the U.S. Cellular® Connection Stage with Leinenkugel’s and FM 102.1 during Summerfest ’09. The stage will once again prove to be a primary attraction for new and alternative music as well as interactive entertainment technology.
The following headliners are slated to perform this year:
June 25 - 8:00 pm - Meat Puppets, 10:00 pm - Matthew Sweet
June 26 - 10:00 pm - Carolina Liar
June 27 - 10:00 pm - TBA
June 28 - 8:00 pm - Cage The Elephant, 10:00 pm - The Airborne Toxic Event
June 29 - 10:00 pm - The Gufs
June 30 - 10:00 pm - Staind
July 1 - 10:00 pm - Asher Roth
July 2 - 10:00 pm - Shiny Toy Guns
July 3 - 10:00 pm - Shinedown
July 4 - 10:00 pm - TBA
July 5 - 10:00 pm - G. Love & Special Sauce
Headliners for June 27 and July 4 will be announced in the near future. Please check Summerfest.com for details. All performers and times are subject to change.
In addition to the above headliners, the stage will again feature the Emerging Artists Series each day from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. Not only will fans be able to use their cell phones to vote for their favorite bands in the series, but U.S. Cellular will again offer Pix-2-ScreenTM and Text-2-ScreenTM, which allow patrons to send pictures and text messages to a large screen next to the stage.
Summerfest 2009 will take place June 25 – July 5 from noon until midnight daily. The World’s Largest Music Festival and Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer celebration attracts the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites. The Marcus Amphitheater and 10 additional stages, along with a diverse selection of
food and beverage vendors, marketplaces and interactive exhibits, are set against the Lake Michigan and downtown backdrops, creating a festival experience like no other. Patrons can also enjoy Miller Lite, the Great Taste of Summerfest. For more details visit Summerfest.com.
Saturday January 3, 2009 Source:The Blues Foundation Location: Memphis/Milwaukee
25th International Blues Challenge—The World’s Largest Gathering of Blues Bands February 4-7, 2009
The program for the 25th International Blues Challenge (IBC), set for February 4-7, 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee, is taking shape, full information of which is posted at www.blues.org. The 25th edition of the world’s premier Blues music competition will feature more than 100 bands and 60 solo/duo acts from 36 states and nine countries. Blues musicians will be attending from Australia, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, United States and, for the first time, Croatia. The winners receive cash prizes, professional services and appearances at top Blues festivals. Advance tickets are available at www.blues.org.
The events begin Wednesday evening with the Beale Street Merchants hosting a Meet ‘n Greet at the New Daisy Theater, the Memphis Grizzlies presenting four IBC participants during its Blues night at the FedEx Forum in conjunction with their NBA game against the Houston Rockets. Following the game, a special 25th IBC Kick Off Concert, featuring a number of top finishers from recent Challenges, including Trampled Under Foot (2008 IBC 1st Place), Sean Carney Band (2007 1st Place), Homemade Jamz Blues Band (2007 2nd Place), Jonn Richardson (2005 IBC 1st Place and Best Guitarist), Zac Harmon (2004 IBC 1st Place). Friday afternoon will see the first-ever FedEx International Showcase, featuring many of the acts from outside the United States, and the Smokin’ Bluz Youth Showcase, featuring more than a dozen acts whose members are under 21.
The IBC semi-finals commence at 5:00pm Thursday evening in 16 Beale Street clubs and continue before a different set of judges in those clubs Friday evening. The ten band finalists will begin at 2:00pm Saturday afternoon at The Orpheum Theatre while the six solo/duo finalists will commence at 8:30pm Saturday night at the Orpheum. The judges will also present a custom Gibson guitar featuring The Blues Foundation logo to the most promising guitarist. Blues musicians Cassie Taylor and Jason Ricci will host the band finals and Delta Groove Music’s Randy Chortkoff will be master of ceremonies for the evening finals. A complete list of participating acts can be found at www.blues.org.
The weekend also features the prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) awards that honor the men and women, who have made significant contributions to the Blues music world, in 22 categories such as journalism, literature and photography and to the best clubs and festivals, as well as managers, promoters and producers. The Blues community will recognize its peers in a moving Saturday morning ceremony at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel.
The 25th International Blues Challenge is sponsored by Arts Memphis, band Village, Beale Street Merchants Association, Budweiser and its local distributor, D. Canale Beverages, FedEx, Gibson, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Smokin’ Bluz, Sonicbids, T. Clifton Art, Tennessee Arts Commission, Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
Media Sponsors include Beale Street Caravan, Big City Rhythm and Blues, Blues Blast, Blues Festival Guide, Blues Revue, BluesWax, Downtowner, House of Blues Radio Hour, Living Blues, Memphis Flyer and WREG-TV and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
The International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards are produced by The Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization established to preserve Blues history, celebrate Blues excellence, support Blues education and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form. The Foundation consists of a worldwide network of 165 affiliated Blues societies and has individual memberships spanning the globe. In addition to the, the Foundation also produces the Blues Music Awards and the Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. For more information or to join The Blues Foundation, log onto www.blues.org.
Milwaukee’s Sue DaBaco & Wise Fools will be representing Wisconsin at the IBC event in Memphis, and a fundraiser to help the Grafton Blues Association with expenses for the trip will take place on January 24th at the Black Swan Banquet Hall in Grafton (13th Avenue) at 7pm.
January 24, 2009 7pm
Sue DaBaco & Wise Fools, T-Man and the Young Guns
Black Swan Room
13th Avenue (next to Grafton Alehouse)
Grafton, Wisconsin
$5 donation at door
Movits! went from 93,400 to 75, Art currently sits at a ranking of over 200,000 so now we’ll really see how powerful you are Mr. Colbert!
