Press illo to play the Overheard theme song!
Or click here to
GARY WILSON ON JIMMY FALLON SHOW 10-27
Local cult icon Gary Wilson sent over these pics of his guest stint with the Roots on the Jimmy Fallon Show 10-27 --
Inaugural Competition For Soloists In FanFaire Foundation’s Messiah Sing-Along Holiday Concert In La Jolla To Be Held November 13 and 14
FanFaire Foundation, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing public appreciation of music and science, will hold a competition at the French Parlor in the University of San Diego’s Founders Hall on November 13th (2 to 5:30 p.m.) and 14th (9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to select soloists for its First Messiah Sing-Along Concert to be held at the Neurosciences Institute Auditorium in La Jolla on Friday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m.
The Sing-Along will feature a full orchestra to be conducted by Dr. Angela Yeung, the Foundation’s newly appointed Ambassador for Community Outreach.
The concert ushers in the holiday season and formally launches FanFaire Foundation’s Outreach program which is designed in part to bring varieties of life-enriching musical experiences throughout the year to people of all ages in San Diego County and to encourage significant community involvement, such as that exemplified by both the Messiah Sing-Along Concert and the search for soloists through a competition open to all interested members of the community.
Singers with voice types in the following categories: soprano, alto, tenor and bass are welcome to join the competition. A $500 cash prize will be awarded to the best soloist. Other winners will receive gift packages.
Complete details and the Application Form which must be postmarked no later than October 29, 2010 are available at www.fanfairefoundation.org/competition.html Tickets ($10) for the Sing-Along Concert may be purchased online or at the door on evening of performance.
Application deadline to enter soloists' competition is October 29. A $500 cash prize awaits best soloist. Competition will be held on November 13 and 14 at University of San Diego’s French Parlor.
About FanFaire Foundation:
A 501(c)(3) organization devoted to music appreciation and strengthening music and science education
Company Contact Information
FanFaire Foundation
Ev Laserna
PO Box 5415 Oceanside, CA
92052
Phone : (760) 666-1810
RATT BREAKING UP - AGAIN!!
It looks like Ratt are not presently going round and round. Robbie Crane told Metal Sludge, "As far as I'm concerned there is no Ratt to be 'fired' from, as Ratt is on an indefinite hiatus as we've finished the Infestation tour in Japan last week. Warren has dates with his and Dee Snider's Christmas band, Stephen has 4 to 6 months of solo dates, Carlos is working with Rudy and Vinny on an awesome new project and I'm touring with Lynch Mob over the next couple of months." more
For the complete story of all their breakups and lawsuits against each other, see Ratt Doesn't Want You to Read This Blog
SLAYER GUITARIST REJOINS MEGADETH FOR FIRST TIME IN 26 YEARS
On Thursday night, Slayer guitarist Kerry King joined his former band Megadeth on stage at the Hollywood Amphitheater for the first time in 26 years. King, who formed Slayer in 1981, performed "Rattlehead" with Megadeth, of which he was briefly a member in 1984.
The reunion comes thanks to a fragile reconciliation recently forged by King and Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine. Though the two duked it out in the press for years, they've expressed mutual admiration in recent interviews and even hit the road together for a four-show Canadian Carnage trek in 2009.
CATHRYN BEEKS WEEKLY LISTEN LOCAL HOTSHEET
Hi friends, join me out and about this week for great music and your chance to win tickets to Massive Attack and Thievery Corportion at SDSU, courtesy of KPRi. See you at a show! Cathryn
Tuesday 10/26 - The House of Blues for our weekly Local Brews Local Grooves showcase, no cover and all ages. Music from 7:00 Ephraim Sommers, 7:30 Lenny Morris, 8:00 Beggar and the Pen, 9:00 Scott West Band, 10:00 Nekter - NO COVER!
Wednesday 10/27 - Meet me at The Stage at 5th and F downtown for dinner and great music. 7:00 Jacqueline Grace, 8:00 Joe Rathburn, 8:30 Lenny Morris, 9:00 Citizen Band, 10:00 Zimbeat, 11:00 Scott West - NO COVER!
Thursday 10/28 - Play Winston's Happy Hour acoustic jam, email me [email protected] to reserve a spot. 5:00 open, 5:30 open, 6:00 open,L 6:30 Craig Furnivall, 7:00 Deblois Milledge - NO COVER
Sunday 10/31 - Don't be scared! Start your Halloween off early celebrating Lindsay White's CD Release at The House of Blues on the Voodoo Stage at 7pm with music from Rob Deez, Veronica May, Kenny Eng and Lindsay and The White Lies play at 10pm leaving you time to hit some other haunts. No cover, costume contest, photo exhibit, barefootkids.org benefit and plenty of love for Ms. White.
Immersing Deep Into Jazz—and Heroin
Captivating tale of addiction and redemption to be featured at this year’s California Library Association Book Exhibit in San Diego November 12-15
From critically acclaimed musician and writer Don Alberts comes an engaging novel about dreams, ambitions, mistakes, and realizations. Released through Xlibris, The Rushing: Manbaby and the Crooked Road to the Big Time follows one man’s journey through fame and its consequences.
Childhood for Louis Parker was pretty normal. He lived in a blissful home with his mother, stepfather, and half-brother, where love and comfort were always offered. Even as a young boy, Louis exuded a special passion for music with his fondness in playing the piano. His teenage life was even more colorful. Dating several girls and riding around town in his Ford convertible was what life was all about, and enlisting in the navy reserve unit during the Korean war was a such a noble act for a happy-go-lucky person as him.
Always the dreamer and the risk-taker, Louis’ life is now slowly led to the side of danger. With a love for music at hand, he gradually finds himself under the spotlight and into stardom. He has made himself to become a mythic icon in the world of jazz music. But along with the promises of fame are the temptations of drugs. How badly does he want to grasp his dream?
The Rushing: Manbaby and the Crooked Road to the Big Time offers readers a glimpse into the tough sub-culture of drugs and jazz music in the 1960s and the “Crooked Road to the Big Time.” Through the depths of heroin addiction, jazz music, tough rehabilitation and self-discovery, readers will be inspired by one man’s struggle to make it back and survive.
This book will be featured at this year’s California Library Association Book Exhibit in San Diego, on November 12-15, 2010. For more information, log on to Xlibris.com.
A jazz musician through most of his life, Don Alberts took up writing soon after leaving San Jose State College, where he studied with concert pianist Thomas Ryan and majored in music composition and English. Ultimately, writing and music became his bittersweet joy. He continued to develop his skills, spending more and more time writing and playing music at night. In 1990, under the pen name Whitney Louis, he completed his first full-length novel, Beyond the Grand Matoeba.
He has written ten volumes of original jazz compositions. Volumes 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 have won the ASCAP jazz composers award for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. His other books include Small Unrested Desires: Short Stories and Poetry, Absolute Time: Poetry, Ancient Warrior: Selected Poems from 1995 to 2005, Play Melancholy Baby: Crime Fiction, The Rushing: Crime Fiction, Bad Boys Fan Club Photo Book: Photo Book, and Don Alberts Original Jazz Compositions Manuscript Workbook.
Alberts has taught jazz composition at the Jazz School in Berkeley California and has published a course book. He has recorded six CDs with his own groups. All CDs are available at http://www.cdbaby.com. He now lives in San Bruno and frequently plays piano at clubs in San Francisco.
THE RUSHING * by Don Alberts
Manbaby and the Crooked Road to the Big Time
Publication Date: May 17, 2010
Trade Paperback; $19.99; 255 pages; 978-1-4500-9320-0
Trade Hardback; $29.99; 255 pages; 978-1-4500-9321-7
eBook; $9.99; 978-1-4500-9322-4
Local Grace Digital Audio Unveils Tabletop Internet Radio
The first tabletop Internet radio that allows 1-button control of your Pandora music directly from the front of the radio, the remote control, or the free iPhone® remote app
Grace Digital Audio, who specializes in Wi-Fi connected home audio solutions, is launching a new all-in-one advanced tabletop radio featuring Pandora. Grace’s Model# GDI-IR2550p is a tabletop radio that incorporates the same features that Pandora listeners use on computers and smart phones, including 1-button access to the thumbs up/down song selection and play/pause functions. Listeners can also skip, play, pause, and even bookmark songs directly from the remote and front control panel.
Grace Digital’s Wi-Fi Internet Radio featuring Pandora additionally provides over 50,000 radio stations, podcasts, and on-demand content including NPR / NPR on-demand, FOX News, CNN, BBC, CBS, iheartradio, NOAA Weather Reports, Live365, KROQ, and Sirius Premium Internet radio. For customers who desire to listen to their digital music collection wirelessly anywhere in their home, Grace’s GDI-IR2550p will also connect and play music direct from your iTunes library stored on your PC or MAC.
Grace Digital’s CMO, Greg Fadul, thinks functionality is what sets Grace’s new Wi-Fi radio apart from the competition. “In the transition of bringing Pandora radio from the computer to the tabletop, most Internet radios lose the simple functions that the computer provided. “We’ve created a stylish Wi-Fi enabled tabletop radio with high-grade audio that reflects the same simple and easy-to-use functions of Pandora that are available on the computer.”
Grace’s GDI-IR2550p is available at www.gracedigitalaudio.com and www.amazon.com for $169.99.
Based in San Diego, Grace Digital Audio designs and manufactures Internet radios featuring Pandora, outdoor speakers, USB archival solutions, media players, wireless speakers and other indoor/outdoor audio products. Learn more at www.gracedigitalaudio.com .
SASSY VEE: "DORKINESS MAKES PEOPLE SMILE!"
Singer/songwriter Sassy Vee says her interest in the arts was inspired by her third grade elementary school creative writing teacher. “Mrs. Janet Mishler in Beaverton, Oregon, helped spark my love of music, poetry, and writing.” While attending middle school, high school, and college in San Diego, Vee originally thought she’d pursue a career in radio, especially after landing a slot as a guest DJ on local Z-90.
“I performed solo for the first time at a Hoover High talent show, singing ‘Get Closer to You Baby’ by Surface.” She went on to perform at San Diego Job Corps, and on the local TV show Rhythms.
She recorded professionally for the first time at age eighteen with singer/songwriter/label owner Harold Whaley. After signing with Mighty Plump Records in the late 1990s, she sang with Leon Gillian of the Platters and Travis Ray Lane of the rap group KMC.
“I really love to mix it up, because I love all types of music. If it makes my foot tap or my head bop, I love it. My rhythms are a mixture of rock, pop, neo, soul, jazz, and I even do electronic dance music. My musical message is always about not letting things in your past get you down and close you up. I want to inspire people, but I also don’t know what will inspire me from day to day. Every day is a new song to me.”
Sassy Vee is currently recording with Italian DJ Alexx Dee, known for dance/electronic/techno hits.
YOUR MOST-PLAYED CDS?
1. The Script, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved. “I fell in love with this CD the first time I heard it. It really takes my breath away.”
2. Sade, The Best of Sade. “Sade’s music is what love is made of, and you can’t help but fall in love with yourself, life, or with someone else while listening to her.”
3. John Mayer, Room for Squares. “Whenever I want to take a mentally relaxing trip to a quiet place and I need to meditate, I listen to this CD.”
4. Kaskade, Strobelite Seduction. “My favorite song on this album, ‘Move For Me,’ is my feelgood song. It moves me. It’s food for my soul.”
5. Incognito, No Time Like the Future. “I love how you can hear each instrument, each vocal.”
MOST EMBARRASSING SONG IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?
“Chowder, I’m Not Your Boyfriend (dance mix).”
WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE?
1. “Go to the UK.”
2. “Sit on the beach and drink piña coladas on a Virgin Island.”
3. “Write a song for someone famous, and have a celebrity sing the song on their album.”
MOST VISITED WEBSITES?
1. AllTalkRadio.net. “You can get a little entertainment and information at the same time; they have lots of great shows.”
2. DandyId.com. “Keep track of all of your social network accounts online, and you can also learn about new ones.”
3. Facebook.com. “It helps me stay connected to people who would normally be strangers.”
4. Google.com/buzz. “It’s a great marketing tool for people who need it.”
5. Ebay.com. “You can shop the green way, which saves gas and saves the planet. Hey, the mail person is coming to my block, whether I have mail or not, so I might as well use their vehicle to get the things I want and need.”
WORST BAND NAME?
“The Lonely Island. I personally feel that their album title Incredibad would have been a better name for the band.”
FAVORITE CONCERT?
“Last year, I saw KC and the Sunshine Band. I’m a big fan of ‘70s music, and he’s an awesome entertainer. And funny, too!”
YOUR GOLDEN TURKEY MOVIE AWARD?
“Napoleon Dynamite. It was so dry and boring, until he danced. It was the only cool part of the movie. Trust me, I’m a way bigger dork than he was, and ten time the nerd, but I’m proud of it.”
PHRASE YOU NEVER WANT TO HEAR AGAIN?
“‘I was discovered.’ Some people are, and some people aren’t. Either way, there was most likely a lot of work involved. You have to go out there yourself and make your dreams come true, rather than waiting for your dreams to come find you.”
WHAT’S YOUR POISON?
“My favorite drink for the daylight hours is Glacier Vitamin Water’s Revive. It really works to revive you. At night, my partying drink is Vodka Peach Schnapps and Sprite. Another version of the drink with OJ is called a Hairy Navel, but this particular mixture doesn’t have a name. I think I’ll name it a Fizzy Peach.”
SONG LYRIC THAT BEST DESCRIBES YOUR LIFE?
“Unwritten, by Natasha Bedingfield. ‘I am unwritten, can’t read my mind, I’m undefined…I break tradition, sometimes my tries are outside the lines/ We’ve been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can’t live that way.’”
ANY FEARS OR PHOBIAS?
“Bubbles in my tub water, and too much quiet.”
POOREST YOU’VE EVER BEEN?
“I was homeless before. When you get into such a dire place, you have to get creative and draw from it. In that situation, I had to tap into my hidden talents. I hope that’s an inspiration or a clear message to others going through the same thing now, with our economy the way it is. No matter how small or trivial it may seem to you, someone needs your skills, help, and expertise. Someone, somewhere in the world, is getting paid to do what you can do.”
THREE THINGS WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
1. “My dorkiness has a habit of making people smile. I considered it a hidden talent. I don’t try, it’s just a part of who I am.”
2. “I hate shoes. Whenever I can walk barefoot, I do, and when I sing, it’s no shoes for me.”
3. “I can’t live without composition books. I can’t seem to not buy one when I’m at the store, they’re irresistible.”
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
HALFORD'S 12-18 SAN DIEGO SHOW TO INCLUDE SLAYER SPINOFF BAND PHILM
Part-time Hillcrest resident and Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford is back on tour with his solo band Halford to promote their newest release Halford IV - Made Of Metal. They're on tour with Ozzy Osbourne this fall, and have announced a headlining performance (minus Ozzy) on Sat. December 18 in San Diego, CA at 4th & B. Dave Lombardo from Slayer's new band PHILM has been confirmed as an opening act, one of only five dates to include them!
Halford’s new NASCAR-themed, animated-music video ‘Made Of Metal’ created by London-based Animator Dean Wright debuts September 13, 2010, now available at www.robhalford.com/madeofmetal. The single 'Made Of Metal' digital download available at iTunes and www.HalfordMusic.com.
"It is probably the most personal release of my solo career; in terms of my writing and performances. Halford IV - Made Of Metal hits hard on many musical and emotional levels. I’m certain it will be recognized as one of the band’s best releases, and I’m looking forward to performing the new tracks this year, and re-connecting the Halford band with its legions of Metal fans."
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
Republic of Letters Begins Local Community College Tour
Three-time San Diego Music Award nominee Republic of Letters will begin a tour of San Diego community colleges starting with Mira Costa College on Oct. 14, Grossmont College on Oct. 21 and Palomar College on Oct. 27. The band is collaborating with local music retailer, M-Theory, to be present at the shows to promote local artists and sell merchandise. The shows will be free for students.
Fans can also catch Republic of Letters when they play the Ruby Room on Thursday, October 28 for a suicide prevention benefit.
“Our music sounds like four guys creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts,” according to Republic of Letters singer/guitarist Chris Venti. “The songs can be characterized as a combination of melodically driven Brit pop, ambient rock, and post indie rock…imagine if Death Cab for Cutie, the Editors, and Nada Surf got together for a beer.”
The atmospheric art-rockers were founded in 2004 by Venti and his drummer/brother Nick Venti. Bassist Martin Niwinski joined the band in 2005, with guitarist Adrian Thorstensen added to the lineup in early 2006.
In March 2007, Republic of Letters released a six-song Spirit or a Ghost EP, recorded at Big Fish Recording Studios with producer Ben Moore (Switchfoot, Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes, etc.). Around the same time, they embarked on a mini tour to play the Texas RockFest at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin.
Nominated Best Alternative Band at the San Diego Music Awards in 2008 and 2009, and Best Alternative Album in 2010, they've opened for acts such as Hot Water Music and Unwritten Law. Their 2010 release Painted Hour was promoted with a related video for the song “Stories,” shot at the Ruby Room.
“It was a monumental effort and the best time we’ve had recording to date,” says drummer Nick Venti of the album. “We really wanted to push our sound on this one. We stripped away a lot of the guitar effects and focused on the songwriting and tons of other intricacies and details that we never had studio time to focus on in the past.”
The 11-song album, recorded with Brian Karscig (Louis XIV, Nervous Wreckords) at Blue Roof Studios (owned by Sean Cornell of Transfer), is the result of a year and a half of songwriting that produced over 30 songs.
“We spent the entire month of July tracking,” says Venti. “Twelve-hour days, six days a week, hammering out this recording.”
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
DUM DUM GIRLS DRUMMER MAKING ANOTHER DUM MOVE?
Village Voice reports: One detail stood out when fuzz-pop band Dum Dum Girls - featuring almost-famous former neighbor Kristin Gundred, formerly of Grand Ole Party - played a thunderous set opening for Vampire Weekend at Radio City Music Hall last month: Frankie Rose wasn't there. The noise-pop go-to drummer had apparently quit the band to focus on her own project, Frankie Rose and the Outs, who stop at Coco 66 this week on a tour promoting their new self-titled debut, a tight set of tunes rife with reverb and ghostly harmonies.
The record is Rose's latest step in her pursuit of perfectly washed-out dream pop; her Dum Dum departure wouldn't be terribly notable if this weren't the third fast-rising band she has ditched in as many years. The others are Vivian Girls, who Rose co-founded in 2006, and Crystal Stilts, who she joined in 2007, both popular indie-pop outfits that made her a venerable fixture on the fuzzed-out circuit.
She also points out that the bands she's played in are merely Pitchfork-famous, and don't make much money—at least not yet. (Read more - Frankie Rose Isn't Going Anywhere )
Kristin Gundred - who is married to Brandon Welchez of the Crocodiles - moved to L.A. in early 2009, where she co-founded the Dum Dum Girls.
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
AS I LAY DYING SIGER FORMS HIS OWN CLOTHING LINE
Tim Lambesis launches Modern Rebellion with commitment to donate profits to non-profit Trees Of Glory.
Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying has formed a new clothing company called Modern Rebellion. The company has launched an official website and merch store through 3rd Degree Merch.
The mission of the clothing line is to spread a positive message of charity and to often put one’s personal needs second to those of others. With that mindset Modern Rebellion will be giving profits to Trees Of Glory, a non-profit dedicated to providing clean water for Children in Duber, Ethiopia.
Says Lambesis, “For many of us growing up, rebellion was a way to fight against what we felt were pointless and oppressive rules. Times have changed. Today we often submit to popular thinking without notice and believe that our greatest purpose is to serve ourselves. The truest form of rebellion left is to reject this mindset and live for something more.”
“That is why I have partnered in starting Modern Rebellion. What I profit from this endeavor goes to support orphanages that I have personally visited and benefits a group of people much more deserving than myself. Beyond that, I think the apparel and designs themselves create a style that well represents my personal taste.”
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
UCSD GOES FROM 20 CAMPUS CONCERTS PER YEAR TO OVER 200!
The University of California, San Diego is known for its Nobel laureates and cutting-edge research, but the campus also has become a hot spot for concerts and a variety of live musical performances, especially at the Rimac Arena (pictured above).
Concert bookings on campus have dramatically increased over the years and several alumni such as Bill Silva of Bill Silva Entertainment, Marc Geiger of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Jaime Sarachit of the Recording Academy/Grammy Awards have successful careers in the music industry through their experience organizing concerts at UC San Diego.
“I worked for the University Centers Marketing and Programming Office and booked more than 100 shows in three years,” said Brooks Roach, who graduated from UC San Diego in 1998 and now works at The Agency Group, one of the world’s largest booking agencies. “Through my contacts and professional development at UC San Diego, I was able to secure internships for agencies and now I am doing what I love working in the music industry.”
Alumni such as Silva and Geiger are just a few of the many UC San Diego graduates who are members of the UCSD Alumni Entertainment Alliance which is comprised of alumni working at all levels in television, film, music, theater, gaming, performing arts and media.
UC San Diego’s University Events Office works with the university’s Associated Students organization to provide programming for students including a growing number of live music events, according to Martin Wollesen director of the University Events Office. “We have gone from having 20 concerts a year to 250—the assortment of shows has spiked. On the west coast other schools are looking at UC San Diego as a model since we’ve been able to grow the number of live shows so well.”
One of the university’s most revered traditions for students is the Sun God Festival, an annual concert established in 1984 that has evolved into one of the largest student-organized music festivals in the United States. In 2010, a record 20,000 UC San Diego students, alumni and guests attended the event which featured three stages, comedic acts, a dance tent and the popular hip-hop artist, Drake.
With the support of the University Events Office, Associated Students hosts music festivals every fall and winter and Sun God every spring. On Oct. 15, hip-hop artist Big Boi of Outkast, the rock band, Mutemath among others will play this year’s Fall Fest. In addition to general campus concert bookings, each of UC San Diego’s six colleges has its own annual music festival.
Roach said that campus’ various concerts and music festivals have created a sense of school spirit for UC San Diego students.
“We don’t have a football team,” he said. “But the campus comes together for a lot of events like Sun God that create really memorable experiences and give students a sense of pride to be a student at UC San Diego.”
The Che Café and Porter’s Pub were among the first concert venues at UC San Diego, now music acts can be caught at the Price Center, RIMAC Arena and The Loft, a night club, restaurant and performance lounge. UC San Diego’s ArtPower! program, which provides multidisciplinary art programs for students and the San Diego community, also sponsors classical, jazz and contemporary performances.
The exciting new increase of concerts has enhanced UC San Diego’s nightlife and helped create an identity for the university’s students, according to Wollesen. “New venues, such as The Loft have really brought so much activity to campus and the additional programming has engaged a lot of students and enhanced student life at UC San Diego.”
Many students have been a driving force in the growing concert trend and organizing live shows has become ingrained in UC San Diego’s culture, according to Alex Kushner, a 2004 alumnus and campus events manager for the University Events Office.
Kushner got his start as a concert organizer for the campus’ annual Fall Fest. “In 2004, I had just booked Queens of the Stone Age when the single ‘No One Knows’ came out and then the band exploded,” he said. In his current position, Kushner books bands for RIMAC Arena and has helped bring acts, such as Phoenix and the Pixies to campus. Bands such as Massive Attack and Thievery Corporation are slated to perform in the arena this fall.
In 2008, the campus opened the doors to the Conrad Prebys Music Center. The facility’s crown jewel—a world-class, 400-seat concert hall designed by Seattle-based LMN Architects in collaboration with Cyril M. Harris, Ph.D., one of the most respected acoustical engineers in the world—is considered one of the finest small concert halls in the world.
Since moving to the Conrad Prebys Music Center last year, UC San Diego's Department of Music has vastly expanded its concert offerings to 150 for the 2010-2011 academic year. The music center is part of an emerging pedestrian friendly village at the heart of campus centered around the Price Center. The area is designed to provide a lively cluster of restaurants, shops and evening attractions such as music department concerts. The Loft at the Price Center provides a wide variety of provocative performances, art films, various arts openings and special events.
Kushner said through RIMAC, UC San Diego has formed stronger relationships with a lot of booking industries, such as Nederlander Concerts and Live Nation and students can look forward seeing more popular artists perform at the venue.
Although concerts at RIMAC, The Loft and Porter’s Pub are open to the public, because they are located on the campus of UC San Diego, there is often reserved seating and discount pricing for students.
NOCHE de PASION COVERS 100 YEARS OF EXOTIC GUITAR HISTORY
Gypsy/jazz/Flamenco guitarist David Maldonado heads up a stage show called Noche de Pasion. The cast of musicians and dancers unfolds a hundred year history of Spanish and Flamenco guitar, a musical evolution that winds through Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Asia, and beyond.
“The show was first debuted at the Tower Theatre in Fresno as a test run,” says Maldonado. “It received such a great response that I decided to go ahead an keep letting it grow.”
Staged from time to time in North County San Diego, Noche de Pasion also includes local star bassist Nam Chi Vu. “My role is to represent the Asian culture in the show, and the link of my people and their role in this journey of song and dance, and how all cultures of Europe and the Middle East have come together with the rest of Asia in unity for this one special occasion of self expression. We have all inspired each other in order to provide entertainment to soothe our souls, along with those around us, while we live our lives.”
Other star guests have taken part in the production. “This whole production has been a dream of sorts. My manager continues to ask me who I want in the show, and I say my dream musicians and dancers. Then, before I know it, I have one of my idols on the stage with me! I grew up in the 1980s, so I’m an ’80s rock child. I’ve had members from Quiet Riot, Slaughter, and Mr. Big in the group. Getting the best artists in this show is easy, because they tend to fall in love with the show and embrace the musical challenge.”
As for his role as central guitarist, Maldonado says “Although it’s difficult for guitarists to be able to switch from classical, to Flamenco, to modern Spanish guitar, I was fortunate enough to learn all styles, growing up in a musical family with different techniques and tastes.”
“The switching of styles is completely unheard of, and there isn’t anyone in the world doing it, or can do it with mastery. That’s why I didn't think the show would gain success. However, since our test run in Fresno, we’ve performed all over California and Nevada, filling theatres.”
“I didn’t choose to cover so much musical ground -- I just happen to live and breathe a hundred years of the Spanish guitar. It chose me.”
NOCHE de PASION - Saturday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. Admission: $25 - $45 -- Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park
1200 Vale Terrace
Vista, CA 92084
760-724-2110 Get Directions
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
LOCALS IN THE NEWS 9-29-10
HALFORD SOLO: Metal Injection has an exclusive first-listen stream of Rob Halford's new single, "Undisputed," which comes off the Metal God's forthcoming release, Halford IV - Made Of Metal, out September 28th in the U.S. Listen here
In other Halford news, they have scheduled an in-store autograph session at Best Buy in Northridge. Details here
TOM WAITS: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, has announced famous former neighbor Tom Waits is among its nominees for the 2011 induction ceremony. The list includes five first-time nominees and 10 previously nominated artists.
First-timers include Bon Jovi, Donovan, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper and Tom Waits. Nominees who have gone through this process before range from Dr. John to the Beastie Boys, Chic to The J. Geils Band, as well as LL Cool J, Donna Summer, Laura Nyro, Darlene Love, Chuck Willis, and Joe Tex.
The final list of 2011 inductees will be announced toward the end of this year. The induction ceremony will be held on March 14 at New York City's Waldorf Astoria. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's class of 2010 included The Stooges, Genesis, The Hollies, ABBA and Jimmy Cliff.
MEGADETH: Jim Florentine of VH1's That Metal Show is set to emcee the Jagermeister Fall Music Tour featuring the 1991 original Clash of the Titans lineup of Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax.
The tour will feature complete performances of Slayer's much lauded Seasons in the Abyss album from 1990, Megadeth's landmark 1990 album Rust in Peace, and the return of Anthrax's singer Joey Belladonna.
The tour kicked off September 24th and will play 20 venues across the nation, 14 of which will be hosted by Florentine. - more on this story
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club has postponed their headline shows scheduled amidst their run with Stone Temple Pilots on their U.S. tour, due to a recent announcement by Stone Temple Pilots to re-route a portion of their tour. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club will do the same, and pick back up in October.
The trio recently returned from an extensive overseas run and completed two headline shows on the West Coast before joining Stone Temple Pilots in Houston. Their Little Rock headline show originally scheduled for September 24 will now take place October 17 with their Dallas headline performance now happening October 24 at Trees. They will pick back up with STP on October 8 in Tampa when that tour resumes following a brief postponement. - more on this story
SWITCHFOOT: The upcoming Germs of Perfection: A Tribute to Bad Religion will include Switchfoot covering a track.
JASON MRAZ: Life Is Good, a live digital EP available October 5, was recorded earlier this month on Jason Mraz’s tour. It will feature live versions of four new songs, as well as a live version of “Coyotes” from Mraz’s last studio album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. Mraz and his band recorded the EP on the first three dates of his current tour, in Bangor, Maine, Utica, NY, and at the Life Is Good Festival in Canton, MA.
***********************************
NEW BLINK SONG LEAKED
Someone sent Antiquiet what is allegedly the long-awaited new blink-182 single, "Up All Night." Have a listen here.
EDDIE VEDDER MARRIES
Pearl Jam frontman and former San Diego surfer Eddie Vedder wed longtime girlfriend, model Jill McCormick, in Hawaii Saturday. more
LAMBERT FIGHTS THE PHOTOG?
Adam Lambert has dismissed allegations he grappled with a photographer during a scuffle in Florida on Thursday - calling the incident "harmless" more
***********************************
STP IN THE SAME TROUBLE AS VELVET REVOLVER??
Stone Temple Pilots have scrapped a trio of Texas shows, sparking rumors of trouble on tour. Jam! reports that the news, announced by the El Paso Times newspaper on Tuesday, comes less than two days after the rockers hit the stage in Houston, Texas an hour late and frontman Scott Weiland rambled on about his drug addiction and marriage breakdown. Their cancelled San Diego show at Viejas Arena (formerly Cox Arena at SDSU) has been rescheduled for October 16. more
TRAVIS BARKER AND THE COOL KIDS
blink-182's Travis Barker has teamed up with Chicago's The Cool Kids to release the song "Jump Down".
The release includes a special embeddable widget that allows fans to enter their email address, download the track, and get a pair of 3D glasses mailed to their house, if they share the widget with friends. The 3D glasses will come in handy for the video premiere of the "Jump Down", slated for October 11th. Done strictly for the fans, the entire "Jump Down" project is completely free.
Itching to see the video before it hits the web? Catch it at the "Jump Down" video launch party, Thursday, Oct. 7th at the Music Box in LA. The party features live performances by Travis Barker and The Cool Kids, themselves. - Get the song here
THREE OUT OF FOUR AIN'T BAD
Megadeth hits the road again this week for the 20-city U.S. Jagermeister Fall Music Tour. The tour features 1991's original American "Clash of the Titans" lineup: Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. Megadeth's lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine has posted a new video here where he talks about what you can expect from the band on the tour, including details about what is sure to be an epic set list.
Rumors are still circulating that another Big Four show - with the three bands joined by hard rock heroes Metallica - may be in the works. - dates
SWITCHFOOT BEING FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. PERKINS' FOUNDATION
On Wednesday, September 29th, Switchfoot will play a special concert at Belhaven University in Jackson, MS which is set to be webcast
All proceeds (after expenses) will be donated to the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development. A recent robbery severely impacted the Foundation's music studio.
Formed in 1983, the Foundation is dedicated to developing the lives of youth, leaders and the underprivileged in Jackson and around the world and advancing racial reconciliation. - more on this story
***********************************
DOWNLOAD MP3 AND GET FREE 3D VIEWER
This is not your average MP3 giveaway. Always keeping things interesting, Travis Barker teamed up with Chicago’s The Cool Kids to release the (obviously) beat heavy, grumbly, p-funk bass, synth-happy “Jump Down”, premiering yesterday.
The release includes a special embeddable widget that allows fans to enter their email address, download the track, and get a pair of 3D glasses mailed to their house, if they share the widget with friends. The 3D glasses will come in handy for the video premiere of the “Jump Down”, slated for October 11th. Glasses will also be included with every order from the equally as fresh, Karmaloop.com. Done strictly for the fans, the entire "Jump Down" project is completely free.
Itching to see the video before it hits the web? Catch it at the “Jump Down” video launch party, Thursday, Oct. 7th at the Music Box in LA. Hosted by Sneaker Pimps, the party features live performances by Travis Barker and The Cool Kids, themselves.
******************************
MARK HOPPUS TV SHOW DEBUTS
Big news for Blink-182 fans: FUSE launched A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus September 16th at 7pm ET and we have a little sneak peak for you to check out.
Hosted by musician (blink 182 and +44) and producer Mark Hoppus, along with his co-host, comedian Amy Schumer, this one-hour, innovative weekly show will cover everything in the world of music with a humorous twist. Get a taste here
Every week, Hoppus will offer a place for music fans to discover and indulge their passions through interviews with artists and celebrities and musical performances by mainstream and emerging bands. - more on this story
ROB HALFORD GETS ANIMATED
Rob Halford has premiered a new animated video online for the song "Made Of Metal." The track comes from the new album from the Judas Priest frontman's solo band Halford.
That album, "Halford IV - Made Of Metal" is set for release on September 28, 2010 but you check out the video - here.
********************************
JASON MRAZ GOES ALL SOCIALLY RELEVANT
Jason Mraz opens up about his visit to Ghana with Free The Slaves and shares how a YouTube musician's "Freedom Song" shows the power of what music can do in a great new online video. It's pretty powerful stuff, check it out here.
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
********************************
IRON BUTTERFLY VIDEO-FEST
By Bart Mendoza: Longtime local heroes Iron Butterfly are getting a Lifetime Achievement award at tonight's San Diego Music Awards show at Humphrey's. Bassist Lee Dorman will accept the award, Mayor Sanders and longtime local DJ Jim McInnes will present it. As for other band members showing up and/or performing, no confirmations yet.
Many bands have had more hits than Iron Butterfly, but few have had the cultural impact. From the quasi-classical intro to the extended drum solo, the group’s influence still resonates. Here is a baker’s dozen clips related to Iron Butterfly, proving the point.
1) The song “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” has appeared in lots of TV shows and movies, but none is better than this scene from the Simpsons. Not sure why the image is reversed, but this is the full skit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4QnVoH8omw
2) Iron Butterfly performing “In The Time of Our Lives” in the 1970 movie, Musical Mutiny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfRDfDIO6Ck
3) Nas and Will.I.Am sampled “In A Gadda Da Vida” for the hit song “Hip hop is Dead” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAKxjTRV6ms
4) An incredible, for all the wrong reasons, seventies era disco version of “In-A-Gada-Da-Vida” from European hitmakers, Boney M.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbMJJNqUKFw
5) Ever wonder what Iron Butterfly would be like in concert if they were made of Lego’s? Here you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ttUZ7Lkz_I
6) A short, but nifty, ukulele version of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBBOymHPozY
7) A nice promo clip for the Iron Butterfly song “EZ Rider” – including a bit with the band in front of a Billboard advertising their headline show at the Los Angeles Forum!
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1bl7o_iron-butterfly-easy-rider_music
8) Jan 31, 1969 Silent footage of Led Zeppelin and headliner Iron Butterfly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4yTZqvrQdY
9) Iron Butterfly – Unconcious Power, live in Europe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJhIb60MrwM&feature=fvsr
10) The ultimate Iron Butterfly TV appearance would be on “Playboy After Dark” complete with Hugh Hefner cameo! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xtf0w_iron-butterfly_music
11) A nicely shot 2004 festival gig, featuring “Butterfly Bleu” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JcGr3C69sA&feature=related
12) Iron Butterfly at the 2009 San Diego County Fair, with “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – so long it’s split up into two videos – the keyboard intro alone clocks in at over three minutes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKDg-iWXLSE
13) Ron Bushy’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” drum solo has inspired a legion of drummers to take up the challenge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsGT3U9TUzw
Bonus Music Only Clip:
14)The Incredible Bongo Band – “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – just music for this link, but this is so “groovy” it should’ve shown up on an Austin Powers soundtrack. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfDzOGCizmI
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
********************************************************
WANT SOME FREE OVERHEARD IN SAN DIEGO ARTWORK?
This week's new Reader contains the 1000th comic strip I've done for the paper - wow, suddenly my drawing hand is tired!
As you may or may not know, I depend on tipsters to email me stuff they've overheard around town, for me to draw in the Overheard in San Diego comics. Whoever sends me a tip that gets illustrated gets to keep the original artwork for that week's comic strip - at this point, I've given away the majority of Overheard artwork (which made it hard to come up with recent art to display in gallery showings!)
If you're interested in becoming a regular tipster, the things we look for are:
1) The strip should somehow be music related, and it must definitely be local-centric
2) A locale setting that'd be fun to draw (club with unique decor, an iconic local landmark or building, lots of interesting looking people, etc)
3) Dialogue that comes across as either funny, head-scratching, utterly inexplicable, or so perfectly suited to its locale and/or the speakers that it's almost like illustrating a cliche
4) "Guest stars" that are well-known locals or visiting celebs
If you think you have good bits of overheard chatter, feel free to email directly to me at [email protected] -
Overheard in San Diego and Famous Former Neighbors are anomalies in the comic strip world – they’re based on real people, places, and events. Overheard made its debut in early 1996. Originally, I was only the writer – Scott Pentzer drew the first few Overheards, and then Paradise was aboard for around two years.
When Paradise could no longer work on it, I was stuck with the unenviable task of either finding another artist or drawing the thing myself. I hadn’t drawn a comic strip since some crude gag strips I’d done in high school for the school paper and yearbook.
When I realized that drawing it myself meant I no longer had to split the paycheck, I decided – at the age of 38 – to become a cartoonist. My crash course involved consuming and all but memorizing several highly recommended books on the art of comics, including/especially Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud and Comics & Sequential Art by Will Eisner. After studying those two industry bibles, and a series of How To Draw books by Tarzan artist Burne Hogarth, my first solo Overheard comic debuted in 1998.
No, I will not reproduce it here – believe me, you wouldn’t be impressed. I’m frankly still amazed the Reader didn’t fire me. The pressure of a weekly deadline, coupled with my weak art skills, kept me chained to the drawing board over the next few months. I recycled a lot of Paradise's backgrounds and setups, as I studied how to render art in a style similar to his.
Once I finally got the hang of using a brush with a bit of flair, rather than the rapidograph technical pen that made my drawings look like woodcuts, the Overheard comics grew from barely competent to halfway decent to, I hope today, not at all terrible.
I particularly enjoy drawing iconic locales around town, tho - as you'll see below - I completely rely on good photo references to work up from.
(Air Conditioned Lounge back wall) 
********************************
LOCALS ART ---- a few locals who've appeared in the Reader comix ---
More later!
********************************
>
LOCALS IN THE NEWS 9-1-10
ADAM HAS A HEART-ON FOR FREDDIE: Gibson.com reports - In a recent NPR piece about Queen frontman Freddie Mercury's legacy, former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert praised the gifts of the late singer. "He was completely over the top in the best possible way," Lambert said. "Music, most of the time, is about sexuality, whether you are straight, gay or in between. It's about love and sex.
Lambert said that it makes him unhappy that few of his contemporaries embrace Freddie's style.
"There's definitely something missing in today's music scene," he said. "We don't have a lot of men on stage doing flamboyant or theatrical. We have a lot of female pop stars doing it, but where are the guys? Where's the classic pop-rock showman?" - more on this story
**********************************************
WEILAND'S XMAS SPIRIT: ExploreMusic reports - Last year Stone Temple Pilots/ex-Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland surprised fans by releasing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" as a single (see story here). Now he apparently wants to do a full Christmas album. ExploreMusic's Alan Cross sat down with Weiland to talk about the launching of English Laundry apparel in Canada – and more specifically his own clothing line. Other than Rock and Roll fashion, the two talked about the future of the Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver, and Scott's next project: a Christmas album. more
*****************************************************
MEGAHEROES: Activision has released a new video game trailer highlighting Megadeth's involvement in the upcoming release of Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, which is due out on September 28. Check it out here
********************************************************
ALMOST SWITCHFOOT: AntiMusic reports - Switchfoot are apparently hungry for the road. They just finished a summer run with the Goo Goo Dolls but they are turning right back around and heading out on the road again this fall. This time they'll be touring with The Almost.
The tour will kick off October 1st in Lynchberg, VA. The band will also perform at Celebrate Freedom Atlanta, the largest free one-day concert in Atlanta, on September 4th, and the Austin City Limits Festival on October 10th.
"The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)," the band's current single, is one of eight songs included on the new Switchfoot iTunes Session, which was released yesterday. - more on this story
**************************************************
RIHANNA CAN'T MAKE UP HER MIND? AceShowbiz reports - Amid confusion when the first offering from Rihanna's new album will arrive and whether it is "Only Girl" or "Cheers", All Access brought a new report. The publication scheduled to debut the Barbadian singer's new single on September 14 and listed it under the title "Only Girl (In the World)". more
**************************************************
DID CANNON MISFIRE? Billboard reports - While Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon continue dodging questions about whether they're expecting a child, sources close to the couple have confirmed to the Juice that Carey is indeed pregnant. more
***************************************************
GET CREMATION ASHES PRESSED INTO A VINYL LP!!! Company will press 30 copies, with 25 minutes of your chosen music...
Wired UK has a story about a company that will press the cremated remains of your body into a vinyl record. Your body will be part of a vinyl pressing of 30 records and you can put up to 25 minutes of music on the record. Somewhere in Norway a kvlt kid in a black metal band is hearing dollar signs.
The company, And Vinyly, was founded by techno pioneer and Subhead band and label founder Jason Leach. As ghoulish as this might sound the story, not to mention the idea itself, it’s a great piece that’s worthy of your time.
LOCALS FEATURED IN NEW SURF MOVIE
The new surf film Highwater chronicles the Triple Crown at a notable milestone, the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters' 35th anniversary.
Local musico Al Guerra supervised the film’s soundtrack, which includes songs from locals Billy Shaddox, Ryan Ferguson, Slightly Stoopid, Steve Summers, Switchfoot, as well as Matt Costa, Rodrigo y Gabriela, the Mother Hips, Wolfmother, and Xavier Rudd. The filmmakers are also known for their earlier movies, Step Into Liquie and Dust to Glory.
<EM>Highwater</EM> makes its local public debut on Friday, September 3, at the AMC Fashion Valley theater.
From the start, Pipeline Masters contests drew attention from national media, including the likes of the New York Times and CBS. ABC's Wide World of Sports covered the event for nearly a decade, and a network popularity poll ranked the event only behind Olympic figure skating and ski jumping. More and more surfers journeyed forth to the North Shore, attendance grew, tourists and enthusiasts followed.
Women’s Surfing has also grown considerably over the past decade and the Triple Crown offers a women’s title, showcasing the world's top pro female surfers concurrently with the men's Series. The Roxy Pro at Haleiwa and the Billabong Pro offer prizes of over $120,000. These two events determine the women's ASP World Champion and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing champion, as well as the WCT lineups for the next season’s circuit.
The Triple Crown has also grown into a major corporate party, attracting the top surf industry corporations: Van’s , Rip Curl, Billabong, Quicksilver, Roxy, Red Bull, Foster’s and virtually every action sports apparel manufacturer on earth; exemplifying the growing clout and mess of the surfing industry and it’s lure.
CANDYE KANE SAYS "GENE SIMMONS HIT ON ME!"
Antimusic reports: Blues diva Candye Kane, recent cancer survivor and 2010 nominee for the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award, becomes the final name player added to the upcoming tribute album Whole Lotta Love: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks.
The voluptuous and curvaceous Candye appears courtesy of her size-positive original recording "You Need A Great Big Woman," as showcased on the Lifetime network and "The Maury Povich Show." This guitar-laden swing rocker features the incomparable Ms. Kane belting out the benefits of loving a large and luscious lady like herself. A sample of the song is now available at the official "Whole Lotta Love" MySpace page.
Candye is one of but few women on the roster, which consists largely of members of such hard rock bands as Quiet Riot, Cinderella
, Twisted Sister, Danger Danger and L.A. Guns performing songs about plus-sized women like her. Despite her minimal association with the genre, she does recall an encounter she once had with Kiss bassist Gene Simmons (who has publicly acknowledged his own appreciation of full-bodied women).
"Even though I'm honored to be included here, I'm not normally in the company of rockers," admits Kane. "I think the closest I got was back in the '80s when Gene Simmons hit on me! This was when I was recording my first album and he was producing some Japanese band (EZO) in the same studio. I turned him down, so I'm probably one of the few women who can say that! Back then I was more into country music so I said, 'Maybe if you were Dwight Yoakam!' I'm sure he wasn't accustomed to hearing that!" - more on this story
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
STP SINGER FALLS OFF STAGE WHILE VOCALS CONTINUE - LIP SYNCHING, OR ???
Antiquiet reports: Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland fell off the stage at a concert on Wednesday night. As if that isn't bad enough, fan filmed video of the incident has caused some to speculate that Weiland might be lip synching in concert.
Skwerl from Antiquiet posted the video and had these comments about it: "At last night's show at the PNC Pavilion in Cincinnati, Scott Weiland took a really hard spill into a hole during Crackerman. Like, a really bad one. Skip to 1:25 in the video to see (and hear) for yourself.
"He's down there for awhile as the crew tries to help him out. And yet, the vocal performance doesn't falter in the slightest, and continues on sounding exactly like my copy of Core the entire time, as if not a breeze had swayed the frontman."
STP appears at Viejas Arena, Thursday, September 16 -- as for the video of him falling off the stage while his vocals continue unaffected, Watch it here and judge for yourself
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
TRAVIS BARKER RECRUITING FOR ALL-HIP-HOP LALBUM
Gibson.com reports: Travis Barker has recruited some big name stars for his new solo project. But these big names don't rock. The blink-182 drummer is preparing to release a new solo album. But fans expecting the pop punk of Barker's day-job band will be in for a surprise. Keeping with the tone of his more hip-hop oriented side projects, Transplants and Expensive Taste, Barker has recruited some of the biggest names in rap and hip-hop.
Collaborators will include Eminem (fresh off his own chart-topping album, Recovery), Lil Wayne and the ubiquitous Snoop Dogg. Also making guest appearances are Drake, T.I., The Game, Pharrell Williams, RZA, Lupe Fiasco, Rick Ross, The Cool Kids and Clipse.
Fans of Blink 182 needn't worry, though. The band has a host of European dates still on the slate, including Chiemsee Rocks in Germany, the Paris Rock En Seine Festival, and the Reading Festival in England. - more on this story
Related Links
Sign up for a search alert to get notified when new content is added for this artist.
LOCAL TAKELESSONS LEAPS FROM 'PUTER SCREENS TO CITIES NATIONWIDE
Headquartered in San Diego, TakeLessons is a full-service music and voice lessons provider. With lessons taught by TakeLessons-certified instructors in over 2,800 cities nationwide, the company was founded in 2004 as an internet-based operation, designed to help people discover their creativity and pursue their passions. TakeLessons also offers turnkey music programs for schools and community centers, as well as at-work lessons programs for corporate clients and their employees.
Learning Care Group, the second largest for-profit early education and child care provider in North America, and TakeLessons have partnered to provide at school or in-home music lessons to children ages 5-12 at select schools within the Learning Care Group umbrella of brands, including The Children's Courtyard, Childtime Learning Centers, La Petite Academy and Tutor Time Child Care/Learning Centers.
"We recognize there is an artist inside of everyone," said Steven Cox, TakeLessons' Founder and CEO. "The opportunity to take music lessons ( http://www.takelessons.com ) at an early age not only equips children with music skills, but also with self confidence and a higher likelihood of academic success."
Whether music students want to be the next American Idol, be a real-life guitar hero or become the modern-day Mozart, they will have the opportunity to foster these skills. Beginning September 1st, TakeLessons instructors will be providing voice lessons ( http://takelessons.com/category/singing-lessons ), guitar lessons ( http://takelessons.com/category/guitar-lessons )and piano lessons ( http://takelessons.com/category/piano-lessons ) onsite in over 75 participating Learning Care Group, Inc. locations, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio and Seattle with plans to expand into other locations.
"Research continues to demonstrate a strong correlation between quality music learning programs and academic achievement," said Amy Hellebuyck, Marketing Communications Manager for Learning Care Group ( http://www.learningcaregroup.com ), Inc. "Our partnership with TakeLessons is one more way we inspire and impact lifelong learning for our students."
Top 3 Benefits of TakeLessons Learning Programs 1. Safety First: Instructors are interviewed by professional recruiting specialists before they are hired. Criminal background checks are conducted annually. 2. Talented Teachers: Music instructors are selected based on educational and professional backgrounds. Many have played with famous musicians, been on television and still perform live. 3. Comprehensive User Experience: Personal online accounts assist parents and students with goal setting, scheduling, lesson tracking, payments and more.
TakeLessons Student on NBC News
TakeLessons was recently featured on NBC San Diego's Morning News. The segment aired on March 5, 2009 and featured Steven Cox, CEO of TakeLessons and TakeLessons student, Kyle Riley who played a beautiful self-composed piece on his keyboard.
Learning Care Group operates approximately 1,050 schools (corporate and franchise) across 36 states, the District of Columbia and internationally, and has a system-wide capacity to serve 160,000 children.
TODAY'S "WHAT THE F-CK" ALBUM COVER
All the green grass in the world isn't gonna make this dork crew look any cooler - hey, in the lower right corner, isn't that "Newman" from Seinfeld?!
"Let's get that photo I took of the pervert stalker hiding in the bushes and make it our album cover...."
Sears must've been having a sale on those suits!
You laugh, but you should hear this soulful mama belting out "These Boots Were Made For Walking" and "Hard Day's Night"! You'll laugh even harder...
And this is AFTER he pimped his ride!
What makes this so WTF isn't the clothes - it's the medieval dungeon they look so comfortable in...
And OTHER skiing songs?!?!?! That first one killed the dude!!
Where oh where to start - the guy's giant pointy elf shoes? The mysterious brown liquid seeping out from between the girl's legs and onto the floor? The Beep Beep poster with inexplicable ocean motif? The hemorroid donut mounted on a wall with garden trellis?
If Love Ain't Nothin' But a Business, guess who just declared bankruptcy?
Gene Simmons' Family Jewels - in an alternate HELL DIMENSION! Why do they make their women dress as couches that someone threw up on?
Previous WTF Album Covers: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/may/31/worst-album-covers-ever-strange-bizarre-and-butt-c/
Because who can get any work done with all THIS going on????
NEW COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL MUSIC DATABASE IS LAUNCHED
If you wanna see a list of over 2,100 San Diego bands, with links to full profiles, photos, discographies, articles, MP3s, etc, checkout http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/search/
Believe it or not, you can click on ANY LOCAL MUSICIAN'S NAME (around 4,900 musicos listed!) and bring up bios of every notable band they've ever been in! Try it here with Rob Crow ---
AND, if that wasn't cool 'nuff, click on an instrument, say like this here link to "Drums" - BAM, a list of EVERY DRUMMER IN SAN DIEGO!!!
We've been working on this massively cross-linked Local Music Database for over two years now, covering a century of San Diego history --- if you're a local performer who wants to add or edit a page, go to http://www.sandiegoreader.com/band/edit/
More soon!!!! JAS
********************************************************
MARKY MARK'S SON ATTACKED BY LOCAL OCTOPUS?!
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
*************************************
LOCAL "PERSONAL RADIO" FIRM PARTNERS WITH HOT TOPIC
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
**************************************
NEW CASBAH WEBSITE - A BRIEF TUTORIAL
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
***************************
SCOTT WILSON: FLAME-ON, CRAIGSLIST!! (BUT DON'T TOUCH MY EMMY) -
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
**************************************
42 YEARS AGO – THE VELVET UNDEGROUND IN SAN DIEGO
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
***************************************
TOP 10 WEIRDEST LOCAL VIDEO 
s!
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
*********************************************
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Overheard and Famous in San Diego art gallery opening on Monday, March 29th at the Ruby Room! Bunches of photos and video clips at http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
OWES IT ALL TO THE MAN WITH NO NAME....
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
*******
Get Uked to It (or San Diego Gets Uked) - 15 San Diego artists have their songs covered on Ukelele
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
******
MUSTAINE MAKES ROCK VIDEO BASED ON SAN DIEGO TANK ATTACK
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
****** 
14 Things You Might Not Know About Jim Croce!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/oct/04/ucsd-music-events-jump-from-20-per-year-to-over-20/
******
WHY AL KOOPER HATES LOCAL WRITERS (BUT LOVES SAN DIEGO)
Legendary keyboardist Al Kooper has played with Dylan, the Stones, George Harrison and countless others, but he still has time to beef about local music reporters like Buddy Blue and a certain Reader columnist... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar
***************************************************
Rollingstone.com has added Anya Marina to their "breaking artist" profiles - http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar
***********************************************
THE BEATLES IN SAN DIEGO
8-28-65 – the Beatles: For the Beatles' one and only local appearance, at Balboa Stadium, radio station KCBQ declared that Saturday "Beatle Day" and gave out pins saying so to attendees. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar
***********************************************
UNEXPECTED BEATLES ART - The Fab Four turn up in the oddest places... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar
*********************************************
MAHARISH COMIX AND STORIES, OR "YOGI MAKES A BOO-BOO"
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar
********************************************
WEIRD BEATLES MERCHANDISE - WTF were these licensors (and bootleggers) thinking... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/feb/06/my-brunch-with-yoko-plus-weird-beatles
MY BRUNCH WITH YOKO - Brunch with a Beatle bride... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/feb/06/my-brunch-with-yoko-plus-weird-beatles
YOKO ONO COMICS AND STORIES - When Johnny Met Yoko, with dialogue and captions paraphrased from published Lennon interviews. Plus John Lennon: A Life in the Day
... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/feb/06/my-brunch-with-yoko-plus-weird-beatles
LENNON OR McCARTNEY?? --We asked 25 local performers about their fave Beatle (and why), and got some surprising (and frequently revealing) answers...
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/dec/13/we-asked-25-local-musicos-lennon-or-mccartney
CELEBRITY HOUSE HUNTING IN SAN DIEGO - Real estate broker Jeff Paiste has squired several famous musicians around San Diego in their search for decent digs to lease or rent, including Bread frontman David Gates and the late George Harrison.... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/13/celebrity-house-hunting-in-san-diego
*******************************************
JOEY MOLLAND/BADFINGER INTERVIEW - Badfinger's last man standing, Joey Molland, reveals more about the tragic story of Badfinger, as well as meeting and working with John Lennon, George Harrison, and Todd Rundgren, plus the Concert for Bangladesh, and more. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/21/x-jam-cancellation-controversy-plus-how-i-snuck-in/
THE DAY JOHN LENNON WAS SHOT - Local celebs share their recollections of December 8, 1980, plus guest essays from Al Kooper (who was recording with George Harrison that day) and others.... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/25/john-lennon-12-8-1980-we-ask-local-celebs-where-we/
LEGO ALBUM COVER RECREATIONS! Those wacky kidsters at toyzone.com put together this great tribute to OCD Legoholics everywhere... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar
***********************************************
Exclusive preview and new interview with one of the creators/performers behind the new internet Trek series - click for more ---http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/oct/04/happy-rons-hormonal-harem---loving-san-diegos-musi/#
READER EXCLUSIVE - For the first time anywhere on the web, here's the promo trailer for Star Trek: The Continuing Mission, episode six: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/audioclips/66/
************************************************
The Twilight Zone made it's TV debut 50 years ago, on 10-2-59 - we asked local musicos to tell us their own favorite Zone episodes --- (more "What's Your Favorite Twilight Zone?" )
***********************************************
THE ROCKETEER AND OTHER FAMOUS '80S COMICS BEGAN RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO - Here's a detailed history of local Pacific Comics, who recruited comic superstars like Jack Kirby to create one of the first successful indie comic book lines. Pioneers in the fight for comic creators' rights and royalties, former employees and operators reveal how they did it, and what went so terribly wrong...
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/08/pacific-comics-the-inside-story-jay-allen-sanford
THE KOMPLETE KISS KOMIX KRONICLES - Comprehensive collection of stuff I’ve done about working with Kiss on a comic book series in San Diego, along with a bunch of never-before-seen artifacts from the Kiss Komix archives AND an article by Kiss comic author Spike Steffenhagen, offering his own very-different take, ala Rashomon, on the same events I describe in my essay...
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/12/komplete-kiss-komix-kronicles
ROCK 'N' ROLL COMICS: THE INSIDE STORY - In 1989, San Diego's Revolutionary Comics ("Unauthorized And Proud Of It") launched Rock 'N' Roll Comics, featuring unlicensed biographies of rock stars, most of which I wrote. Some performers, like Frank Zappa and Kiss, were supportive, while others like New Kids On The Block considered our comics akin to bootlegs and sued. In June 1992, publisher Todd Loren was found dead in his San Diego condo, brutally murdered...
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/12/rock-n-roll-comics-the-inside-story
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK VS REVOLUTIONARY COMICS - The inside story of how a hugely successful boy band tried to sue local-based Rock 'N' Roll Comics over an unauthorized biography of the group, sparking a court case that established, for the very first time, first amendment rights for comic books. Illustrated by comic superstar Stuart Immonen (Superman, etc.)...
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/13/new-kids-on-the-block-versus-revolutionary-comics
OVER A MILLION CARNAL COMICS ARE IN PRINT - Here's how and why we made some of the top-selling erotic comics of all time, right here in San Diego, including what Gene Simmons has to do with it all, backstage tales of porn stars, and more confessions of a comic pornographer...
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/08/carnal-comics-the-inside-story-jay-allen-sanfor
COMICS AND CENSORSHIP - DON'T BE AFRAID, IT'S ONLY A COMIC BOOK - A local-centric history of comic book censorship, and the fight for the rights of comic creators...
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/06/comics-and-censorship-a-local-centric-illustrated
TWILIGHT ZONE AND STAR TREK WRITER GEORGE CLAYTON JOHNSON PRESENTS - The inside story of a local horror comic book series featuring Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, plus sci-fi king Larry Niven, Zap Comix co-founder Spain Rodriguez, Matthew Alice artist Rick Geary, Vampire Lestat painter Daerick Gross, yours truly JAS, and many more...
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/05/deepest-dimension-terror-anthology-twilight-zone
THE BIRTH OF IMAGE COMICS: INSIDE STORY OF A LOCAL PUBLISHING POWERHOUSE - Illustrated tale revealing how Spawn creator Todd McFarlane and local comic artist Jim Lee (the Punisher, etc.) conspired to create the ultimate creator-owned comic books...
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/03/the-birth-of-image-comics-an-illustrated-history
Down the Slippery Slope - Arrested For the Crime of Viewing Manga
On March 30, 2004, when Dwight Whorley found the Japanese website of Fractal Underground Studio via Yahoo and clicked on a couple of the thumbnail images... ( http://comipress.com/special/miscellaneous/down-the-slippery-slope-the-crime-of-viewing-manga )
**********************************************
"Before It Was The Gaslamp: Balboa's Last Stand" - Cover story 6-21-07: In the late 70s/early 80s, I worked at downtown San Diego's grindhouse all-night movie theaters, for the owner of the Pussycat Theatre chain, Vince Miranda - this detailed feature recalls those dayz, the death of the Balboa Theatre, etc.
"Battle Of The Peeps" - feature article about a weird gig I had in the mid-'80s, running a strip club called Jolar, for the nation's second biggest pornographer, Harry Mohney (Deja Vu Showgirls founder).
"Field Of Screens" - Cover story 7-6-06: Complete theater-by-theater history of San Diego drive-ins thru the years, including a few which screened X-rated fare for awhile.
"Pussycat Theaters - When 'Cathouses Ruled California" -- for the first time, the detailed inside story of the west coast Pussycat Theater chain of adult moviehouses, which peaked in the '70s but later died out. Told by those who actually ran the theaters!
****************************************************
More Music on the Reader Website:
Find a Band
****************************************************
***************************************************
Like this blog? Here are some related links:
OVERHEARD IN SAN DIEGO - Several years' worth of this comic strip, which debuted in the Reader in 1996: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/photos/galleries/overheard-san-diego/
FAMOUS FORMER NEIGHBORS - Over 100 comic strips online, with mini-bios of famous San Diegans: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/photos/galleries/famous-former-neighbors/
SAN DIEGO READER MUSIC MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/sandiegoreadermusic
JAY ALLEN SANFORD MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/jayallensanford
