Denny Laine of Wings in Concert at Lincoln Park with the British Invasion
Category: Music
Pete Bennett's
British Invasion
Starring
Denny Laine
Founding Guitarist of the Moody Blues and Paul McCartney's Wings
Sat Oct. 11
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center
935 Ohio Avenue - Midland, Pa.
7 P.M. How the British Invasion Happened 8. PM. British Invasion Concert
At 8 P.M - Enjoy an evening of classic British Rock and Roll with Denny Lane
The First Family of Western Pennsylvania Rock: the Granati Brothers and
The Students of the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School
At 7 P.M. - Enjoy the fascinating enlightening inside stories behind the British Invasion from one of its architects Pete Bennett, who promoted the Rolling Stones and was the promotions director of Apple Records. Pete promoted the music of the Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, the Dave Clark Five, Eric Clapton, Eric Burdon and the Animals, Peter and Gordon, and many other artists
Tickets On Sale Now
Call the Lincoln Park Box Office at
724-643-9004
Tickets $20 and $25
Pete Bennett's British Invasion Featuring Legendary British Rocker Denny Laine
Legendary British Rocker Denny Laine to Perform in Midland, PennsylvaniaLincoln Park Performing Arts Center to present an evening of classic English rock and roll(Midland, PA)
Denny Laine, the British guitarist and singer who founded the Moody Blues and was Paul McCartney's right-hand man in Wings, will headline an evening of classic British rock and roll on Saturday, October 11 at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center. Tickets for Pete Bennett's British Invasion are $25 and $20 and will be available from September 5 by calling the box office at (724) 643-9004.
Pete Bennett's British Invasion is being presented by former Apple Records top executive and promotional manager and world-renowned music promoter Pete Bennett. Bennett, who promoted hit records by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, the Kinks, the Dave Clark Five, Eric Burdon and the Animals, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Chad and Jeremy, Peter and Gordon, and others, is considered by many to be one of the main architects of the British Invasion. He was hailed by Billboard as "the most powerful man in show business who has made unknowns into stars and stars into superstars." After the breakup of the Beatles, Bennett helped guide the solo careers of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Bennett also promoted hit records for Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, and other pop luminaries. While many think of Presley as "the King of Rock and Roll," that title is actually owned and trademarked by Pete Bennett.
"I am very excited to be bringing the timeless music of the British Invasion to a new generation at such a unique and spectacular place as the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center," Bennett said. "I've had the pleasure of visiting Lincoln Park on a number of occasions and I am blown away by the facilities, but more so by the energy, talent, passion, and creativity of its students and staff."
At 7 p.m., Bennett will participate in a pre-show discussion of his stellar career, including inside stories from his years with the Beatles and Stones, how he helped launch the British Invasion of America in the 1960s, and tips on how up-and-coming bands and performers can promote themselves and their music. All events for Pete Bennett's British Invasion will take place in Lincoln Park's 750-seat mainstage theater.
Denny Laine joined the Moody Blues in 1964, and wrote and sang their early smash hit "Go Now." He later formed the pioneering Electric String Band. In 1971, he was invited by Paul McCartney to join his post-Beatles band Wings. Denny stayed with the group until it disbanded in 1981, recording several hit records including "Band on the Run," "Jet," "Live and Let Die," "Silly Love Songs," "Listen to What the Man Said," "Let 'Em In," and "Mull of Kintyre" (which Laine co-wrote with McCartney).
Joining Laine onstage will be western Pennsylvania's First Family of rock, the Granati Brothers. Lead guitarist David Granati, who serves as visiting artist and instructor in rock guitar at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and the Henry Mancini Arts Academy (two programs based at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center) will open the show by performing British Invasion-era songs with some of his students.
Heavily influenced by the British Invasion, and known for their melodic songs and soaring riffs, the Granati Brothers were signed to A&M Records and Atlantic Records 1986. They performed 78 sold-out dates with Van Halen, and have performed or recorded with a number of artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Peter Frampton, Boston, J. Geils, Heart, and Def Leppard.
Rick Granati, percussionist with the band and a close friend of Bennett's, is helping produce Pete Bennett's British Invasion at Lincoln Park.
"In addition to presenting a great evening of classic rock and roll, I want to expose the students at Lincoln Park to the art and artistry of Pete Bennett, the world's greatest talent scout," Granati said. "Pete has done so much to give the world great music, and it is important that his legacy continue through the next generation of artists. That's why we are doing this exciting event."
The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center is located 50 minutes northwest of Pittsburgh in Midland, Beaver County. A new $30 million facility, it hosts the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, a Pennsylvania public charter school providing professional training in music, theater, dance, creative writing and media arts, along with a rigorous academic program, and is home to the Henry Mancini Arts Academy. For more info, visit the Center's Website.
In Americana song Happy Birthday to Pittsburgh Mike Stout salutes an historical parade of Pittsburgh heroes from the earliest indigenous natives (Guyasuta, the Shingas, Queen Aliquippa), through the abolitionists leaders Martin Delany and George Vashon, the heroic women union activists (Fannie Sellins, Crystal Eastman, Nellie Bly, Lizzie Butler, and Mother Jones), the millions who worked in the steel, glass, and coal industries, to the displaced refuges of the Steeler Nation spread across the globe. Their city and it's people are celebrated with the chorus …"From the North Hills to the South Hills to the East and West End….Happy Birthday to Pittsburgh from your family and friends."
To commemorate Pittsburgh 250th anniversary, historian Charles McCollester's new book on the history of Pittsburgh and singer-song writer Mike Stout's latest CD about Pittsburgh heroes and are being jointly released under the title "The Point of Pittsburgh". For Charles McCollester and Mike Stout, the Point of Pittsburgh is the unconquerable spirit of the people of Pittsburgh who forged the modern world. During its 250 year history Pittsburgh's inventors, industrialists, abolitionists, union activists, musicians, sports heroes, educators, doctors, and blue-collar workers fought and struggled to improve life on this planet. The contributions of leaders, crusaders, and innovators such as Martin Delany, George Vashon, Crystal Eastman, George Westinghouse, Stephen Foster, Jonas Salk, Phil Murray, Earl "Fatha" Hines, and Kenny Clarke changed the world.
Inspired by historian Charles McCollester's forth coming book of Pittsburgh history, Mike Stout has composed a CD of songs commemorating the hard working people of uncommon valor who shaped Pittsburgh and the world. Celebrated are the Pittsburghers who risked their livelihoods and lives to battle for the end of slavery, civil rights, worker safety, child labor laws, the 40 hour work week, fair wages, freedom, and justice. Mike Stout sings the stories of unsung heroes from Pittsburgh's past.
Celebrated in song are abolistionist Martin Delany, boxer Billy Conn along with labor leaders Fannie Sellins (written by Anne Feeney), Crystal Eastman, The Cotton Mill Workers, Monsignor Charles Own Rice, and Sean George.
The 8,000 McKees Rocks immigrant workers who struck for worker safer and equitable pay are remembered in "Blood on the Rocks". In 1909 the dreaded Coal and Iron Police invaded Mckees Rocks to break the strike and a two hour gun battle erupted in which six strikers and five constables were killed, and more than fifty were wounded.
The folkie fiddle flavored tune "Homestead Town" recalls the Glory Boom Town - the forge of the universe - where the union took on the Pinkertons and the streets where full of people in the middle of the night. In the Dylanesque song "When the Heyday Was Here" Stout remembers the winning fights for democracy and workers rights in Pittsburgh and exclaims even through the mills and the unions are gone they can't take back the history and accomplishment we made here.
Watch Great Performances on Pgh Music Hall of Fame TV
Watch Pgh Music Hall of Fame TV for Great Performances Category: Music
The Pittsburgh Music Hall of Fame TV Channel launches today via Youtube.com
It features over seventy videos or Pittsburgh artists including
Jazz greats like George Benson, Billy Eckstein, Ahmad Jamal, Art Blakey, Slide Hampton, Roy Eldrige, May Lou Williams, Terry Clark, Eddie Jefferson, Dakota Stanton, and more
Pop singers Phyllis Hyman, Christine Aquilera, Shanice, Syreeta Wright, Bobby Winton, Adam Wade
Vocal Groups: The Vogues, the Skyliners, the Marcels, The Letterman
Rock & Pop Stars Tommy James, Wild Cherry, Donnie Iris, the Clarks, Rusted Root, Joe Grushecky, Anti-Flag, Punchline, Girl Talk and more
Movie greats Gene Kelly, Dean Martin, Shirley Jones, Oscar Levant
Tune in on the Pittsburgh Music Hall of Fame Myspace page
Featuring magical performances from Tina Dico, Kelly Sweet, Anna Lovelis, Natalie Walker, Emily Easterly, Aly Cook, Marina V, Beth Hirsch. Alice Peacock, Ann Wilson, and more.
Tribute to Tigers Guitarist Paul Shook on Radio Free Pittsburgh
Category: Music
A sold-out memorial show was held at Moondogs on September 28 in honor of guitarist Paul Shook who played with Norman Nardini and the Tigers, Gunslinger, Torn and Frayer, Luther Russell, Vince Macy, Resistance, and other bands. Paul passed away this past summer.
His lifelong friend Steve Acri put the show together and compiled a 22 song CD with 21 recordings that featured Shook and a new song written by Norman Nardini in tribute to his friend and bandmate.
A selection of ten cuts from the tribute CD featuring Paul Shook and several of the bands that he performed with are now on Radio Free Pittsburgh:
High Times - Norman Nardini and the Tigers Call Of the Dog by Resistance Give It Everything You Got -Norman Nardini and the Tigers Gunslinger -The Apaches Happy Right Here -Torn and Frayed Rock'N' Roll Man - Norman Nardine and the Tigers Live Burgundy St. - Luther Russell Hit Me- Wiz In The Know Band Tonight This Bottle -Vince Macy and the Rabble Rousers You Can't Kill Love With A Gun -The Tigers
Thanks Paul for all the great gigs back at Nick's Fat City in Swissvale and Morrey's Speakeasy back in the 80's when we were youngin's.
Corey Harris, Marco Mahler, Wil Deynes now on Tunes
Category: Music
Selections from the lastest Corey Harris release "Zion Crossroads" can now be heard on station Rado Free Tunes.
"You Never Know" and "Keep Your Culture" are featured.
Corey Harris is an acclaimed blues and reggae musician, music educator, and radio host. Corey has released 8 CDs on the Alligator, Rounder, and Telarc labels.His recordings spans the musical landscape melding reggae, ska, hip-hop, country, ragtime and Delta blues.The New York Times wrote that hisblues invoke the ghosts of Robert Johnson, Lightnin' Hopkins and Howlin' Wolf.He's performed at many of the world's most well-known venues, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />London's Royal Albert Hall, New York's Lincoln Center, Washington, D.C.'s KennedyCenter, Nashville's Ryman Auditorium and Tennessee's Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. As the star of Martin Scorsese's segment of the PBS series, The Blues, Corey traveled to Mali to play with Ali Farka Toure, a voyage he repeated for his album of field recordings called Mississippi to Mali, in which he explored the connections between African music and the blues. Working with Billy Bragg and the Wilco band Harrs played guitar and sang on the Grammy nominated Woody Guthrie tribute CD Mermaid Avenue.Harris has appeared on CNN's Showbiz Today, NPR's Weekend Edition, Fresh Air, and World Café, as well as CBS Radio's House Of Blues Radio Hour.He is a part-time music teacher at the Field School of Charlottesville, VA and has hosted a weekly radio show, "Blues and the Abstract Root", on WTJU radio.In September of 2007 The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced that Harris is among 24 people named MacArthur Fellows for 2007.
Zions Crossing is his first release on the Telarc label. Inspired and informed by his travels to various parts of Africa over the past decade, the album captures some of the most enduring elements of African-American music - blues, reggae, soul and so much more - and infuses them with a sense of history, social consciousness and spirituality.
Marco Mahler
Songwriter, guitarist, and singer Marco Halker creates intimate music with gentle melodies, whispery vocals, and catchy rock hooks.A dual citizen of Switzerland and the U.S. his music is influenced by indie pop, to traditional Irish folk, to mainstream Hip Hop. Fans have described his music as "handcrafted beautifully meditative""lullabye-esque" songs.
Station Radio Free Tunes features the catchy song "Orange Chinese"
Station Americana Folk Alternative features the tunes Fields and Hike the Lakes
Wil Deynes
Blender Magazine describes singer Wil Deynes's music as "Songs with a pop sensibility that appeal to all ages". Wil brings a soulful pop sound to modern rock. His music has been compared to Dashboard Confessional and Ben Folds. His single "Stay" charted 2 on American Idol Underground; As well as his follow up single "Super Wonderful" charting in the top 10.
Two cuts from his "Stay" EP are featured
Radio Free Tunes - "Superwonderful"
Radio Free Rock features his song "Another Way"
Radio Free Tunes - Your Gateway to Great New Music
Ann Wilson and Heart now on Radio Free Tunes
Category: Music
Radio Free Tunes brings you selections from two new releases from Ann Wilson and her band Heart.
Hope and Glory is Ann Wilson's new solo release in which she teams with Alison Krauss, Rufus Wainwright, Gretchen Wilson, Wynonna, Deana Carter, kd lang, Nancy Wilson, and Sir Elton on some classic rock tunes.
Featured on Enchantress Radio are
Little Problems, Little Lies by Ann Wilson
Get Together
Featured on Radio Free Tunes is
John Lennon's "Isolation"
Featured on the Americana Folk Alternative
Is "Bad Moon Rising"
Heart - Dreamboat Annie Live
Dreamboat Annie was recorded live in in April 2007 and is being released as a CD in October.
Dreamboat Annie is the first release in Shout! Factory's new DVD/CD series "Legendary Albums Live--," which will feature unforgettable bands performing their quintessential albums live, in sequence, and in their entirety. The artists will also perform songs by the musicians they were listening to at the time for inspiration, and give exclusive interviews. "Legendary Albums Live--" is a partnership between Shout! Factory and DirecTV, and the recordings are produced by Shout! Factory-owned Blaze TV. DirecTV will air these memorable performances, and they will subsequently be made available for purchase on DVD and CD through Shout! Factory.
Dreamboat Annie, released in 1976, was the foundation of Heart's legacy and went on to sell over 3 million copies. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, the creative spark behind Heart, wrote all of the songs on the album, including the hits "Crazy on You" and "Magic Man." As part of the "Legendary Albums Live--" program, fans of the band will also be treated to rousing renditions of songs by The Who and Led Zeppelin, and an interview with the band in which they will put the album in historical context.
Hear "Dreamboat Anne" the title song on station Radio Free Tunes
On Radio Free Rock hear "White Lightning and Wine"..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
A New American Classic from Terence Blanchard
Category: Music
Stations Radio Free Jazz and Radio Free Classical are priviledged to bring you selections from the very moving and lush "A Tale of God's Will" by trumpet master Terence Blanchard.
Featured are
Wading Through and Dear Mom on Radio Free Jazz
Ashe and Funeral Dirge on Radio Free Classical
"Terence Blanchard's promise as a total artist is brought to resounding fruition on this majestic recording."
"A Tale Of Gods Will (A Requiem For Katrina) is more than just another jazz record and much more than a soundtrack recording; it is an epic recording that, while rooted in jazz, reaches far beyond any single genre. Multi Grammy winner and New Orleans native Terence Blanchard and company have taken the material he wrote for Spike Lee's documentary "When the Levees Broke" and expanded it into a collection of tracks that is simply beyond category. The album reminds us of the musical gifts that New Orleans has given us, what has been lost, and what we are in jeopardy of losing in the aftermath of the flood."
When Spike Lee decided to make his HBO documentary, "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts," about the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, he wanted to capture the authentic voice of New Orleans through its native form of expression, and who better to speak for the Crescent City than jazz musician and Katrina refugee Terence Blanchard? Lee and Blanchard have a long history of collaboration with Blanchard providing the musical scores for many of Lee's films beginning with "Mo' Better Blues" in 1990.
When Blanchard returned to New Orleans to begin work on the soundtrack in 2006, he was stunned by the emptiness and the silence that occupied the once vibrant and musical landscape, and he became determined to fill the quiet with a musical tribute to his beloved city. Using the score of "When The Levees Broke" as a springboard he has expanded on the themes of the film, and has included more original material. A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina) also features a 40 piece orchestra string section.
Also New on Radio Free Jazz are selections from
Jae Sinnet's latest release The Sinnett Hearings
As a recording artist, Jae Sinnett has 8 recordings out as a leader, the first of which was released in 1986 - called "Obsession." Featured on this project were: The former director of the Count Basie Orchestra - Frank Foster playing saxophone, John Hicks, piano, Wallace Roney, trumpet, Steve Wilson, saxophone and Clarence Seay, bass. The swinging sextet release "Blue Jae" followed in 1992. "House and Sinnett" came out in 1994 and featured Cyrus Chestnut and Steve Wilson. "Listen" was released in 1997 with Jesse Davis, alto, John D'earth, trumpet, Billy Pierce, tenor saxophone, Allen Farnham and Cyrus Chestnut, piano and went to the number one slot on the Gavin Jazz radio charts in July of that year. His fifth recording "The Better Half" was released in April 1999 featuring the sensational saxophonist Chris Potter and his current working trio with pianist Allen Farnham and bassist Terry Burrell. "The Better Half" made it to number 10 on the charts in June of 1999 and this recording represented a different musical direction with Jae's writing. Following in the footsteps of "The Better Half," "Off the Myopic Avenue" was released in 2000 - which also features the trio and special guest saxophonist Elias Haslanger. "Confluence" the seventh was released in 2003. This is the first release that solely features the trio. "The Sinnett Hearings" is the latest and features some of Jae's best writing, arranging and drumming. This is the first of his eight releases where he wrote and arranged every composition and "The Sinnett Hearings" became the first jazz cd to debut number one on the national jazz radio charts in January of 2006! The CD is sonically beautiful and is a wonderful vehicle in showcasing the groups high-level musicianship. It is a powerful and soulful mix of thought provoking grooves and improvisation.
Hear Grammy Winner Thelma Houston’s New Release
Category: Music
Tune into stations Radio Free R&B, Radio Free Blues, and Enchantress Radio to enjoy selections from Thelma Houston's new release "A Women's Touch"
Hear "Distant Lover", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Never Too Much" and "Ain't It Peculiar"
70's Diva Thelma Houston Gives Her Favorite Songs A Woman's Touch
Features Soulful Versions of Songs Originally Recorded by Male Singers Including Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye and Sting
Due In Stores nationwide August 14th
Los Angeles, CA – Thelma Houston, the dynamic voice behind the disco anthem "Don't Leave Me This Way," is back with her first album in over 17 years. In a clever twist, Houston uses A Woman's Touch (in stores August 14th via Shout! Factory) to transform songs made famous by some of the biggest singers – male singers - in R&B and pop.
The new Cd was entirely conceived by Thelma Houston, as well as executive produced by Thelma in association with Stephen Ford of Diva Central, Inc. A Woman's Touch is filled with songs she has long been a fan of. "They are songs I always wished I had recorded," she explains, "and I loved doing them from a woman's standpoint." But Houston doesn't just put a female spin on the lyrics, she takes over and completely reworks the songs through soul, R&B, blues and dance floor filters. "Ain't That Peculiar" and Sting's "Brand New Day" get bluesy, sassy make overs, while "Disco Heat/Mighty Real" (a nod to Houston's disco past and tribute to her old friend Sylvester) starts out a poignant gospel song and closes with Studio 54-era exuberance. Houston revisits another friend from her early career, covering Jimmy Webb's "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" (Webb wrote and produced Houston's 1969 debut album), rebuilding it with incredible old school R&B flair. And then there's Thelma triumphant return to her dance floor roots with a fierce version of Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much"
A Grammy Award winning artist who has released more than a dozen albums, "I feel blessed because I've never stopped working and I love what I do. I can truly say that I appreciate my career and sometimes it really feels like I'm just getting started" says Houston.
In the years since "Don't Leave Me This Way" topped the pop and dance charts, Houston has toured incessantly, performing over 200 shows each year, including an opening slot on Cher's Farewell tour. She was recently inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame and honored on the television show Showtime at the Apollo as an Apollo Legend. Most recently she was cast in the role of Madam ZinZanni in the highly popular play, Teatro ZinZanni, performed internationally in the touring cast of Fame, starred in the musical Big Otis' Jump Up Blues Revue (by Tony Award winning director Otis Sallid) and appeared in OprahWinfrey's Beloved. A tireless supporter of AIDS related charities, Houston was honored by the City of West Hollywood (CA) in 2003, when it declared January 29th "Thelma Houston Day."
