Author Archives: RockStarPR

May 28, 2015

TIME TO LET YOUR FREAK FLAGS FLY AS HIPPIEFEST TOUR

RETURNS THIS SUMMER TO CELEBRATE ONE OF GREATEST ERAS IN MUSIC

DANCE TO THE MUSIC AS THE LEGENDARY GROUP, THE FAMILY STONE,

HEADLINES HIPPIEFEST TOUR 2015 WITH RICK DERRINGER,

MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS AND BADFINGER FEATURING JOEY MOLLAND

Hey, all you former hippies and hipsters, it’s time to let your freak flags fly once again, as the popular Hippiefest tour returns this summer to celebrate an incredible era in music and American culture.

To say that it will be “hot fun in the summer time” and a “family affair” would be an understatement, as the legendary group, The Family Stone, will headline this year’s ten year anniversary Hippiefest tour that will feature Rick Derringer, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland.

If you’ve attended a Hippiefest show in the past decade, you know what to expect… an incredible evening full of good time, on your feet, rock and roll.

If you haven’t, it’s time to turn on, tune in and see what it’s all about!

Beginning in early July, “flower power” returns for its seventh tour in ten years on a psychedelic journey that will likely encompass twenty dates spanning the United States throughout the beginning of October (see current itinerary below).

The Family Stone — featuring original founding members Jerry Martini, Cynthia Robinson and Greg Errico — will be performing the music of Sly & The Family Stone including such classics as “I Wanna Take You Higher,” “Everyday People,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” “Family Affair,” “Everybody is a Star,” “Stand!” and “Dance to the Music.” The group recently welcomed Phunne Stone, daughter of Sly Stone and Cynthia Robinson, as their new female vocalist leading them into their 50th Anniversary in 2016. The band initially hit the scene in 1966 and was the first major American rock band to have an “integrated, multi-gender” lineup. In 1993, Sly & The Family Stone were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, who would eventually cite two of their songs, “Dance to the Music” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again),” among The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. In 2001, they were awarded the R&B Foundation Pioneer Award and, in 2004, Rolling Stone ranked them 43rd on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time. In 2006, Sly & The Family Stone would make a memorable appearance at the Grammy Awards. Joining Cynthia, Jerry, Greg and Phunne is the powerful lead vocalist, Alex Davis, Musical Director and bassist Blaise Sison and lead guitarist Nate Wingfield.

It’s doubtful that anyone will be sitting down when Rick Derringer breaks into his well-known rock anthem, “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” Forty plus years after its release, the song continues to be a staple on classic rock radio and was featured in several movies including The Spirit of ’76, Rush, Stag, What A Girl Wants and the cult classic, Dazed and Confused. It’s a little known fact that years before his success as a solo artist, Rick had a band at the age of 17 called The McCoys that had a #1 hit in 1965 called, “Hang on Sloopy.” The song would eventually be knocked out of the top spot by The Beatles’ “Yesterday.” A year after its release, The McCoys would find themselves as the openers for the entire Rolling Stones American tour. Although “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” was written and recorded a few years earlier with friend Johnny Winter, it would be Rick’s solo version in 1973 that would propel him into the stratosphere of rock. In 1977, he would appear on the last Led Zeppelin North American Tour. In the years to follow, Rick would perform with such artists as Alice Cooper (“Under My Wheels”), Steely Dan (“Show Biz Kids” and “Chained Lightning”), Todd Rundgren, Richie Havens, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter and Weird Al Yankovic among others. In 2011, Rick toured as a part of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band just prior to embarking on that year’s Hippiefest tour. In recent years, Rick has performed on the popular Rock’n’Blues Fest tour that has included Edgar and Johnny Winter.

The hits began for Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels at the tail end of ’65, with the release of their first hit single, “Jenny Take a Ride!”. In 1966, they recorded and began to perform a medley featuring Little Richard’s “Jenny Jenny” and Chuck Willis’ classic R&B song, “C.C. Rider.” The song would quickly enter the Top Ten charts, setting the stage for what was to come that year. Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels would follow up their initial hit with two more in ’66 including a rendition of the Righteous Brothers’ “Little Latin Lupe Lu” and the song that would, ultimately, be their biggest hit, “Devil With A Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly.” A year later, in typical Detroit fashion, Mitch and the band kept their pedal to the metal and delivered another Top Ten song called “Sock It To Me-Baby!” Shortly after his success with The Detroit Wheels, Mitch Ryder would experience a Top 40 hit as a solo artist with “What Now My Love.” At the end of 1979, Bruce Springsteen would pay tribute to the band by performing the “Detroit Medley,” a selection of the band’s greatest hits including “Devil With A Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Jenny Take A Ride!” and “C.C. Rider” for the triple live No Nukes album. In 1983, Mitch released an album titled, Never Kick A Sleeping Dog, produced by John Cougar Mellencamp that thrust him back into the spotlight with the Prince-penned song, “When You Were Mine.” Mitch has recorded over two dozen albums in his illustrious career and continues to tour all over the world. Known for his incredible live show, Mitch is coming at you with all his hits in a night to remember.

If you’re aware of such classic rock songs as “Come and Get It,” “No Matter What,” “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue,” then you’ll thoroughly enjoy the Hippiefest performance of Badfinger featuring Joey Molland. A veteran of Hippiefests past, Molland returns with the music he helped make famous. At the end of 1969, Joey auditioned for a band called The Iveys that would soon be renamed Badfinger. As they say, the rest is history. From 1970 to 1972, the band would experience four consecutive worldwide hits. Joey departed in 1974, quickly forming another band called Natural Gas that would go on to tour with Yes and Peter Frampton. In the years to follow, Joey would perform with various incarnations of Badfinger in addition to putting out a few solo projects. Due to its use in the finale of the hugely popular TV show, Breaking Bad, “Baby Blue” has had a recent resurgence of sorts, being introduced to a whole new audience and generation. On March 31 of this year, a song Joey wrote years ago titled, “Sweet Tuesday Morning,” was released on iTunes to benefit WhyHunger (www.whyhunger.org), a grassroots support organization started by the late, great Harry Chapin. Recorded by Mary Ramsey (10,000 Maniacs) and a new songstress by the name of Savannah, the song features Joey on guitar and harmony vocals.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…

Bring your parents, your grandparents and bring the kids!

Great music and tie-dye never go out of style… no shoes, no shirt, no problem!

Peace, Love and Happiness.

See you there!

If you’d like to interview one of the artists regarding the tour or need additional press materials, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com.

Hippiefest Tour 2015

July 9 – Fox Tucson Theatre in Tucson, Arizona

July 10 – Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa in Ferndale, Washington

July 11 – Crossroads KC at Grinders in Kansas City, Missouri (The Family Stone, Rick Derringer, Badfinger featuring Joey Molland and Peter Rivera)

July 12 – Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas

July 25 – Tioga Downs Casino & Racetrack Grandstand in Nichols, New York (Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, Lovin’ Spoonful, Rick Derringer and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland)

August 8 – Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton, Minnesota (The Family Stone, Rick Derringer and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels)

August 13 – The Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Florida

August 14 – Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

August 15 – Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida

August 16 – The Plaza Live Theatre in Orlando, Florida

August 20 – South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, Massachusetts

August 21 – Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, Massachusetts

August 22 – NYCB Theatre at Westbury in Westbury, New York

August 23 – Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey

October 2 – Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, New York

October 3 – Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois

October 4 – Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois

October 6 – Norfolk County Fair in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada (Rick Derringer, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland)

*Additional dates likely to be announced.

Individual Artist Websites are as follows:

www.thefamilystonemusic.com

www.rickderringer.com

www.mitchryder.net

www.badfingersite.com

May 27, 2015

DAVE MASON’S TRAFFIC JAM,

FEATURING THE LEGENDARY GUITARIST AND VOCALIST DAVE MASON,

TO PERFORM ON FOUR DIFFERENT HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

OVER FOUR CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS BEGINNING THURSDAY, JUNE 11

Aloha!

It’s been over three years since legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Mason has performed in the Hawaiian Islands and he’s looking forward to his long-awaited return next month.

Beginning Thursday, June 11, Dave and his band, Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam, will be hitting the stage at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theatre for his first of four shows in four consecutive nights on the Hawaiian Islands.

The performance in Maui will be followed by shows at the Kauai Community Center on Friday night (6/12), the Honokaa Theater on the Big Island on Saturday night (6/13) and the Mamiya Theatre in Honolulu on Sunday night (6/14).

The last time Dave island-hopped was in December 2011, when he joined the Steve Miller Band for performances on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.

The performance at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Oahu was particularly memorable as he, along with Jack Johnson and Henry Kapono, joined Steve Miller on stage for Steve’s classic song, “The Joker.”

Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam takes fans on a journey back to the greatest days of rock with a show full of music history as Dave retraces the earliest days of his career with Traffic and the works that launched his successful solo career.

A career that now spans over an incredible five decades.

Dave, of course, co-founded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band with Steve Winwood while both were still teenagers, creating music that would find its way into the hearts of generations of music lovers.

He would go on to further establish himself as a successful songwriter, guitarist and solo artist.

Over the years, Dave has penned several hits along the way including classic rock radio favorite “Feelin’ Alright” (originally recorded by Traffic in 1968 and a year later by Joe Cocker), “Only You Know and I Know” and “Hole in My Shoe” among others.

He enjoyed seeing “Feelin’ Alright” performed by Barry Minniefield and Jack Gregori on NBC’s immensely popular TV show, The Voice, in March and, ultimately, gave both an open invitation to join him on stage at some point this year.

During his illustrious career, Dave has performed and recorded with such rock and pop legends as Paul McCartney, George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, David Crosby, Graham Nash, “Mama Cass” Elliot, Derek and the Dominos and Delaney and Bonnie.

Yes, that’s Dave playing the 12-string acoustic guitar on Jimi’s classic rendition of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.”

The year’s already been a busy one for Dave as he has performed dozens of dates thus far including a special engagement on the Rock Legends Cruise III in February.

In September, Dave will be a special guest performer at the Lockn’ Festival’s Mad Dogs & Englishman tribute to the late, great Joe Cocker that will feature the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, Chris Robinson, Doyle Bramhall II and friends, taking place at the Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, Virginia.

In addition to his own music endeavors, Dave is heavily involved with Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organization that provides free musical instruments and lessons to children in public schools throughout the United States. He sits on the organization’s Board of Directors as an honorary member.

More recently, Dave has focused some of his off-stage efforts towards a charity called Work Vessels for Veterans (WVFV), an all volunteer movement that provides veterans transitioning to civilian work with tools that have ranged from computers to boats to tractors.

“Thank You” — a song written and recorded by Dave as a tribute to our Vets — can be downloaded for free at this link – http://www.davemasonmusic.com/thank-you-veterans.

A true rock and roll road warrior, Dave likes to perform upwards of 100 dates a year or more…

Traffic Jam pulls out all the stops and is one show that shouldn’t be missed this year.

For further information, please see Dave’s official website at www.davemasonmusic.com.

If you’d like to conduct an interview with Dave, please contact Jeff Albright at The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com.

Mahalo!

Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam Tour Dates 2015 (through September)

June 11 – Maui Arts & Cultural Center / Castle Theatre in Kahului, Maui

June 12 – Kauai Community Center in Lihue, Kauai

June 13 – Honokaa Theater in Honokaa, Hawaii

June 14 – Mamiya Theatre in Honolulu, Oahu

June 19 – The Golden State Theatre in Monterey, California

June 20 – Harrah’s Tahoe South Shore Room in Stateline, Nevada

June 25 – City Winery in Chicago, Illinois

June 26 – City Winery in Chicago, Illinois

July 7 – Opera House at Boothbay Harbor in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

July 9 – Cavendish Beach Events Center in Prince Edward Island

July 16 – New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey

July 17 – The Flying Monkey Performance Center in Plymouth, New Hampshire

July 18 – Lowell Summer Music Series in Lowell, Massachusetts

July 19 – Payomet Performing Arts Center in Truro, Massachusetts

July 21 – City Winery in New York, New York

July 25 – The Paramount in Huntington, New York

July 27 – Ocean City Music Pier in Ocean City, New Jersey

September 10 – Lockn’ Music Festival in Arlington, Virginia (Dave solo as special guest)

September 11 – Lockn’ Music Festival in Arlington, Virginia (Dave solo as special guest)

September 17 – The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia

September 18 – Landis Theater in Vineland, New Jersey

September 19 – Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania

September 20 – Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

*Please see Dave’s site for confirmed dates beyond September.

May 20, 2015

LOU GRAMM, THE VOICE OF FOREIGNER, TO EMBARK ON

EXTENSIVE NORTH AMERICAN SUMMER/FALL TOUR IN 2015

LEGENDARY LEAD SINGER OF ONE OF ROCK’S GREATEST BANDS

TO PERFORM AN EVENING FULL OF HITS WITH THE ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

AT DELTA CLASSIC CHASTAIN PARK AMPHITHEATER IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA ON FRIDAY, JUNE 5

If you listen to classic rock radio on a daily basis, you’d be hard-pressed to go a full day without hearing the distinctive and powerful vocals of Lou Gramm blasting through your speakers.

As the voice of Foreigner, one of rock’s most popular and successful bands, Lou can be heard on every single one of the band’s classic hits, which includes sixteen Top 30 songs and nine Top 10’s over the years. For those into chart success, that’s one less than the Eagles and the same as Fleetwood Mac.

Here are the Top 10’s: “I Want To Know What Love Is,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Double Vision,” “Hot Blooded,” “Urgent,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “I Don’t Want To Live Without You,” “Say You Will” and “Cold As Ice.”

You know them well.

And let’s not forget “Head Games,” the rock anthem, “Juke Box Hero” and other rockers such as “Dirty White Boy,” “That Was Yesterday,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day,” “Long Long Way From Home” and “Break It Up” that cracked the Top 30.

By 1980, Foreigner’s first eight singles (from their first three albums, Foreigner, Double Vision and Head Games) entered the Billboard Top 20 charts, making them the first band to achieve that feat since the Beatles.

On Friday, June 5, fans are in for a real rock and roll treat as Lou will performing a vast selection of those Foreigner hits, along with such solo hits as “Midnight Blue” and “Just Between You and Me,” with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (Guest Conductor: Brent Havens) and his band at the Delta Classic Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia.

One hit after another.

In 1978, shortly after the release of “Hot Blooded,” Circus magazine remarked that Lou had a voice that Robert Plant might envy.

Of course, the rest was rock and roll history as when all might have been said but not yet done, Foreigner would join Led Zeppelin on the Atlantic Records label as one of the most successful artists ever on the imprint.

In May of 2013, Lou, with the help of writer Scott Pitoniak, released a must-read autobiography titled, Juke Box Hero: My Five Decades in Rock ‘n’ Roll (Triumph Books).

A month later, he would be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Lou and his band — currently comprised of brother Ben Grammatico on drums, Michael Staertow on guitar, AD Zimmer on bass and Andy Knoll on keyboards — have been on the road since the beginning of the year and have already performed a few dozen shows to date.

After the Chastain Park Amphitheater performance in early June, Lou will continue to tour throughout the year (see current itinerary below).

Come out and hear the voice behind the songs that have propelled Foreigner’s worldwide album sales to exceed 75 million units, making them one of the world’s best-selling artists of all-time.

Get your tickets now!

Urgent.

If you’d like to do an interview with Lou regarding his career or tour dates, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com.

Lou Gramm Official Website and Links

www.lougramm.com

www.lougramm.com/tour

www.lougramm/discography

Lou Gramm Tour 2015*

Thursday, May 21 – Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie, Washington

Saturday, May 23 – Bakersfield Rockin Country Festival in Bakersfield, California

Friday, June 5 – Chastain Amphitheatre with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in Atlanta, Georgia

Saturday, June 6 – Old Shawnee Days Festival in Shawnee, Kansas

Saturday, June 20 – Hard Rock Rocksino in Northfield, Ohio

Saturday, June 27 – Rockin Ribs Festival in Augusta, New Jersey

Saturday, July 4 – Sun Peaks Concert Series in Sun Peaks Village, British Columbia, Canada

Friday, July 10 – Peacefest in Peace River, Alberta, Canada

Saturday, July 11 – BobStock in Fort Morgan, Colorado

Thursday, July 16 – La Fete Du Lac Nations in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Sunday, July 19 – Great S. Bay Music Fest in Patchogue, New York

Monday, July 27 – Olds Agricultural Grandstand in Olds, Alberta, Canada

Friday, July 31 – Rockin on the River Series in North Tonawanda, New York

Friday, August 14 – Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis, Wisconsin

Friday, August 28 – Beacon Theatre in Hopewell, Virginia

Saturday, August 29 – DeKalb Corn Festival in DeKalb, Illinois

Wednesday, September 2 – Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, Minnesota

Thursday, September 3 – Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, Minnesota

Saturday, September 12 – Clovis Music Festival in Clovis, New Mexico

*Additional dates to be announced.

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

ARTIST MARC LACOURCIERE OF MUSIC FINE ART

TO UNVEIL EPIC TRIBUTE PAINTING TITLED “FENDER LEGENDS”

FEATURING THIRTY-TWO FENDER GUITARISTS

ON BOARD THIS WEEK’S ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE III

ONE-OF-A-KIND CANVAS, OVER TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING, TO FEATURE SUCH

FENDER GUITAR GREATS AS JIMI HENDRIX, KEITH RICHARDS, ERIC CLAPTON,

JEFF BECK, GEORGE HARRISON, BOB DYLAN, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN,

PETE TOWNSHEND AND STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN AMONG OTHER LEGENDS

“I’ve always been a huge music fan and thought that it would be a personal challenge to depict some of the great music legends that I have always admired,” states fine artist Marc Lacourciere, who will be unveiling his latest, and perhaps greatest, painting titled, “Fender Legends,” on board this week’s Rock Legends Cruise III.

Lacourciere, considered one of the world’s most sought after fine artists, has combined his passion for music with an extraordinary artistic talent to create the ultimate expression of musical performance art.

Over the years, he’s painted everyone from Aerosmith to ZZ Top… many a rock notable from A to Z, including the Beatles, the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones.

It’s now the beginning of 2015 and to kick off the year, Marc is proud to announce his unique collaboration with the iconic musical instrument manufacturer, Fender, and his new “Fender Legends” painting honoring the greats.

Since 1946, Fender has defined the signature sound of music.

With its illustrious history, their instruments have touched and transformed music worldwide, transcending into almost every genre of music, making it a cultural icon.

Two years in the making, Marc Lacourciere’s “Fender Legends” painting features music pioneer Leo Fender and the following guitarists:

Jeff Beck

James Burton

Eric Clapton

Kurt Cobain

Robert Cray

Sheryl Crow

Bob Dylan

David Gilmour

Buddy Guy

George Harrison

Jimi Hendrix

Dusty Hill

Buddy Holly

James Jamerson

Mark Knopfler

Yngwie Malmsteen

Johnny Marr

Marcus Miller

Tom Morello

Malina Moye

Brad Paisley

Jaco Pastorius

Bonnie Raitt

Keith Richards

Bruce Springsteen

Joe Strummer

Pete Townshend

Keith Urban

Stevie Ray Vaughn

Muddy Waters

Brian Wilson

Ronnie Wood

Truly an epic tribute featuring some of the greatest legends to ever strap on, or plug in, a Fender guitar!

All immortalized on canvas to celebrate Fender’s rich history and the artists that helped create it.

There will be 32 highly-collectible individually embellished artist proof (Exhibition Edition) canvases in all, numbering 1 through 32, each measuring 40″ x 53″.

All licensed prints come framed with a Certificate of Authenticity (C.O.A.) and begin at $7500 (S & H not included).

What makes these prints even more collectible is the fact that each piece features an individual sketch on the back of one of the artists featured, making each truly unique… no two are the same.

In addition to the 32 prints offered to the public, Marc created a special “Leo Fender” print (with sketch) numbered “O” that is already spoken for…

As the official artist for all three Rock Legends Cruises (www.rocklegendscruise.com), Marc will be donating partial proceeds from this week’s onboard auction (and partial proceeds from sales through March 1, 2015) to the Native American Heritage Association, the charitable organization hosting, and benefiting from, the Cruise.

On the original Rock Legends Cruise in the fall of 2011, he did a painting of ZZ Top, the featured headliner, that was followed by a painting of Foreigner who headlined RLC II in January of 2013.

This year, Marc will be displaying his painting of Alice Cooper, who will not only be rocking the boat but signing one of Marc’s “Welcome to my Nightmare” prints for charity.

In addition to the Fender painting, Marc will be unveiling two other new art pieces on board RLC III including a non-music painting titled, “Spiritual Harmony.”

Orders can be placed before or after the cruise for any of Marc’s fine art prints by calling 519.735.7779.

For additional information on artist Marc Lacourciere, please see his official websites at www.musicfineart.com and www.motormarcart.com or contact Jeff Albright at The Albright Entertainment Group at RockStarPR@aol.com.

About The Artist – www.musicfineart.com/about-the-artist.php

“Fender Legends” Information – www.musicfineart.com/art/fender.php

“Welcome to my Nightmare” Painting – www.musicfineart.com/art/alice-cooper.php

Native American Heritage Association – www.naha-inc.org

# # #

January 21, 2015

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES THE “MIDNIGHT RIDER” GREGG ALLMAN

AS FIRST ARTIST “ON BOARD” FOR ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE IV IN JANUARY 2016

LEGENDARY SINGER-SONGWRITER AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND

TO BE JOINED BY OTHER POPULAR CLASSIC ROCK ARTISTS ON WHAT HAS BECOME THE LARGEST

MUSIC FESTIVAL AT SEA ABOARD ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS

If you often feel “tied to the whipping post” just after the holidays, then we’ve got just the rock cruise vacation for you next January!

The one, the only, the legendary Gregg Allman has just been announced as one of the headlining artists for the forthcoming Rock Legends Cruise IV, the largest music festival at sea.

Talk about a ship-load of fun!

From such great songs as “Midnight Rider,” “Whipping Post” and “Ramblin’ Man” to “Melissa,” “I’m No Angel” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” fans of Gregg and The Allman Brothers Band can expect to hear him perform many of these songs and other classics on board the cruise.

Like you, we hope he plays all of ’em!

“I’ve heard great things about the Rock Legends Cruise from some close friends,” says Allman, adding “I look forward to being a part of it next year.”

“I, personally, have been a HUGE fan of Gregg Allman for more years than I’d like to admit,” states Pam Myers of the Native American Heritage Association. “I am beyond thrilled for him to join us on Rock Legends Cruise IV. His legions of fans span many generations and we are certain they will jump at the chance to book this opportunity to see him in such an intimate setting.”

Like Rock Legends cruises past, Gregg Allman will be part of another amazing line-up presented by NAHA that is expected to feature several other well-known classic rock artists from the 70’s and 80’s, who will be performing their most popular songs over the four-night excursion. All Rock Legends Cruises have featured over twenty artists, each performing at least two sets, amounting to over 60 performances in all.

To give you an idea of what’s in store, some of the artists featured on previous Rock Legends Cruises include ZZ Top, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, The Marshall Tucker Band, John Kay and Steppenwolf and the late, great Johnny Winter on RLC I (December 2011); Foreigner, Paul Rodgers, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Kansas and Bachman & Turner on RLC II (January 2013); and The Doobie Brothers, Alice Cooper, Paul Rodgers, 38 Special and Don Felder on RLC III (February 2015).

Is it any wonder that Rock Legends Cruise III sold out nine months in advance?

Tickets went on sale for “IV” last October 1, 2014, with 1/3 of the available cabins selling the first week, yet there are many great cabins still available with pricing beginning at $899 per person (double occupancy) and as low as $599 per person if four people per cabin. Deposits can be made to hold cabins and monthly payments can be arranged.

Rock Legends Cruise IV — aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class Independence of the Seas — will depart Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Thursday, January 21, 2016, then dock in Grand Turk on Saturday, January 23, before returning to Fort Lauderdale on Monday morning, January 25, 2016.

In between the concerts, meet & greets, Q&A forums and everything else “Rock Legends,” passengers will be able to enjoy such onboard activities as surfing and Boogie-boarding (thanks to the ship’s FlowRider surf simulator), basketball (full court), a mini golf course, rock-climbing, cantilevered whirlpools and a variety of gourmet restaurants and casual dining.

Although a year away, it’s worth the wait!

Just ask the many passengers who come back year after year after year!

For further details on Rock Legends Cruise IV (including artists, specific details, cabin pricing and purchase, what’s included and answers to frequently-asked questions, please see www.rocklegendscruise.com or call 888-666-1499.

For information on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, please see http://www.royalcaribbean.com/independence .

For interviews regarding the Cruise, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at RockStarPR@aol.com .

ABOUT THE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

The Native American Heritage Association is celebrating its 22nd year working on reservations in South Dakota and has been a 4-star charity with www.charitynavigator.org for a total of ten years. Native American Heritage Association tractor trailers are on the road daily with supplies to the various far flung communities and 94% of the organization’s total budget goes towards program services which provide basic life necessities, including fuel assistance, food and clothing to 45,000 people. Many of these residents face an 80% rate of unemployment; 70% don’t have transportation and many of those who do, don’t have the means to purchase gas. Many Lakota Sioux live in abandoned school buses, shacks or government housing with no insulation, some live without indoor plumbing, in homes with dirt floors, no beds or furniture.

For information on the Native American Heritage Association, please see www.naha-inc.org and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHD7S7I5j5k .

BLUES AT THE CROSSROADS – THE SOUL OF THE BLUES

FEATURING IRMA THOMAS, LEE FIELDS, ERIC KRASNO, ALECIA CHAKOUR

AND THE DYNAMITES TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT SOUL SINGERS

OF OUR TIME WITH U.S. TOUR TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY

THIRD ANNUAL TOUR TO FEATURE SONG SELECTIONS

FROM SUCH ARTISTS AS JAMES BROWN, STEVIE WONDER,

ARETHA FRANKLIN, MARVIN GAYE, OTIS REDDING,

ETTA JAMES, BILL WITHERS, DUSTY SPRINGFIELD,

THE SPINNERS AND ISAAC HAYES AMONG OTHER SOUL LEGENDS

Somewhere at the intersection of the Blues and Soul lies the Crossroads.

Beginning in February, the two popular genres of music will meet, once again, with the third annual tour, Blues at The Crossroads – The Soul of the Blues.

The tour will encompass a dozen dates throughout the U.S. and currently includes such cities as far west as San Francisco, California and as far east as Roanoke, Virginia (see itinerary below).

Blues at The Crossroads is a tribute to the great soul singers of our time, with an evening full of covers performed by five artists who know how to do it right – Irma Thomas, Lee Fields, Eric Krasno, Alecia Chakour and The Dynamites.

Irma Thomas is the unrivaled “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” a title officially bestowed by local officials, no less. She ranks among Crescent City R&B’s greatest and most enduring musical ambassadors, never enjoying the coast-to-coast commercial success of contemporaries like Aretha Franklin and Etta James but nevertheless breathing the same rarified air in the minds of many soul music aficionados. In the spring of 1960, Thomas would score her first hit with the saucy debut single, “You Can Have My Husband (But Don’t Mess with My Man),” quickly propelling her album to the number 22 spot on the Billboard R&B chart. In the years to follow, Irma would put out several releases on a variety of labels including Minit, Imperial and Chess among others. In early 1964, Irma recorded a gospel-influenced cover of “Time Is on My Side,” the song later made famous by the Rolling Stones. In 1985, she was approached by a producer at Rounder Records to make a “comeback record.” The New Rules appeared the following year, earning solid reviews and selling respectably. Just a few years later, in 1991, Irma would earn her first-ever Grammy nomination with Live! Simply the Best. Her second nomination would come fifteen years after that when After the Rain would be nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Simply Grand, one of her more recent efforts, features Irma in an acoustic setting accompanied by a host of well-known piano players including Dr. John, Ellis Marsalis, Randy Newman and others. Sixty years after she first started singing, Irma still enjoys performing live.

There aren’t too many artists making soul music today who had a release in 1969, way back when R&B was first beginning to give the drummers some. Lee Fields, however, is one such artist… or maybe he’s better labeled a phenomenon. Since the late sixties, the North Carolina native has amassed a prolific catalog of albums and has toured and played with such legends as Kool & the Gang, Sammy Gordon and the Hip-Huggers, O.V. Wright, Darrell Banks and Little Royal. With a career spanning 45 years, releases on twelve different record labels and having toured the world over with his raucous-yet-tender voice, it’s nothing short of mind-blowing that the music Lee Fields is currently making with Brooklyn’s own Truth & Soul Records is the best of his career. This past June, Fields released his latest CD with The Expressions titled, Emma Jean. With a catalogue that ranges from James Brown-style funk to lo-fi blues to contemporary Southern soul to collaborations with French house DJ/producer Martin Solveig, Lee Fields has done it all. Today, with The Expressions — Truth & Soul’s house band — Lee Fields continues to evolve, enmeshed into the group’s sweeping string-laden, cinematic soul sound.

Founding member and guitarist of beloved bands Soulive and Lettuce, Eric Krasno took his fifteen-plus-year career in a new direction with his first solo record, Reminisce, released on Royal Family Records in 2010. “I called it Reminisce because I felt like the record represented many different eras and styles of music and guitar playing that influenced me growing up,” says Krasno. “From covers like ‘Manic Depression’ to originals like ’76’, the record is a nod to those greats that came before me while adding our flavor to the music.” With the forthcoming Blues at the Crossroads tour, he will continue to pay homage to the greats. Since forming Soulive in 1999, Krasno, organist Neal Evans and drummer Alan Evans have toured the globe spanning small rock clubs to major festivities in such places as Africa, Japan, Russia, Brazil and more. With releases on Velour Recordings, Blue Note, Stax and their own Royal Family Records, and a resume that includes opening spots for the Rolling Stones and Dave Matthews Band, it’s little wonder that the group has developed a reputation as one of the most celebrated instrumental soul-funk trios in the world.

Dubbed a “breakout young artist” by the New York Times, Alecia Chakour is a blues siren. Armed with a gritty, bellowing voice, she tells stories of love, heartbreak and struggle with the timelessness of an old soul reincarnate. Alecia coalesces gospel harmonies and an ardent rock and blues feel to make remarkably honest music that echoes influences such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Mavis Staples, The Band, Bobbie Gentry and Joe Cocker, but with a raw vulnerability all her own. The daughter of a musician, Alecia grew up in R&B and has found her home there. The past several years have seen her with a diverse roster of exciting artists, most recently as a member of The Warren Haynes Band. Alecia is now preparing her first full length album along with her extended musical family to create a unique sound that has been deftly described as “sultry badass-ness.”

The Dynamites have evolved from a neck-jerking, backbone-slipping high octane funk/soul freight train to a well-rounded soul machine that takes very seriously its sacred mandate of carrying the torch of “real” soul music forward… with plenty of the high octane backbone-slipping still in there.

And there you have it…

The Blues at the Crossroads – The Soul of the Blues tour comin’ at ya in February.

“I feel good, I knew that I would, now.”

As the late, great James Brown, “The Godfather of Soul,” also once sang, “GET UP. GET ON UP!”

Come on out.

Your soul searching is done.

For artist interview opportunities and additional information, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com .

Photos of all artists available upon request.

www.irmathomas.com

www.leefieldsandtheexpressions.com

www.royalfamilyrecords.com/erickrasno

www.aleciachakour.com

www.thedynamites.net

Blues at the Crossroads Tour 2015

February 4 – Mondavi Center in Davis, California

February 5 – The Addition in San Francisco, California (formerly Yoshi’s – two shows)

February 6 – The Addition in San Francisco, California (formerly Yoshi’s – two shows)

February 7 – Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa, California

February 8 – Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, California

February 14 – North Central College in Naperville, Illinois

February 15 – Thalia Hall in Chicago, Illinois

February 17 – Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

February 25 – B.B. Kings in New York, New York

February 26 – Howard Theater in Washington, DC

February 27 – Jefferson Center in Roanoke, Virginia

February 28 – Kentucky PAC in Louisville, Kentucky

# # # # #

September 29, 2014

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

ANNOUNCES ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE IV FOR JANUARY 2016

HOT ON THE HEELS OF ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE III SELL OUT

CABINS FOR ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE IV —

ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST POPULAR CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC FESTIVALS AT SEA

ONBOARD ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS —

TO GO ON SALE THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1ST

Full speed ahead!

Here comes Rock Legends Cruise IV!

Hot on the heels (or should we say “waves”?) of next February’s Rock Legends Cruise III sell out, the Native American Heritage Association has announced that its fourth cruise will be taking place aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas in January 2016 with cabins going on sale this Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 9:00am eastern.

Although it’s sixteen months until January 2016, cabins are expected to go fast!

“We are proud to have such a dedicated following… we like to say our passengers are ‘legendary’,” states Pam Myers of the Native American Heritage Association, the charitable organization that hosts and benefits from the cruise. “If you’ve been on one of our previous cruises, you know it’s non-stop fun, filled with four days of unbelievably great music. If you’ve never been, you don’t know what you’re missing! It really is the ultimate classic rock vacation at sea and one you’re likely to remember the rest of your life.”

The original Rock Legends Cruise in December of 2011 featured the likes of ZZ Top, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, The Marshall Tucker Band, John Kay and Steppenwolf and Johnny Winter.

Rock Legends Cruise II in January of 2013 brought you such artists as Foreigner, Paul Rodgers, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Kansas and Bachman & Turner.

The forthcoming Rock Legends Cruise III in February 2015 will be rocking with The Doobie Brothers, Alice Cooper, Paul Rodgers, 38 Special and Don Felder among others (see complete line-up at http://rocklegendscruise.com/artists/).

More than twenty artists on every cruise with all performing at least two concerts each!

Is it any wonder that it sells out quickly?

Who knows what’s in store for “IV,” but one can be rest-assured that it’ll be another great line-up of classic rock artists!

There’s really no guess-work, just read the stellar reviews!

Rock Legends Cruise IV will depart Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Thursday, January 21, 2016, then dock in Grand Turk on Saturday, January 23, before returning to Fort Lauderdale on Monday morning, January 25, 2016.

2016’s RLC IV will sail aboard Independence of the Seas, the newer Freedom-class sister ship to RLC I, II and III’s Liberty of the Seas.

In between the concerts, meet & greets, Q&A forums and everything else “Rock Legends,” passengers will be able to enjoy such onboard activities as surfing and Boogie-boarding (thanks to the ship’s FlowRider surf simulator), basketball (full court), a mini golf course, rock-climbing, cantilevered whirlpools and a variety of gourmet restaurants and casual dining.

A variety of cabin levels will be offered with pricing beginning at $899 per person (double occupancy) and as low as $599 per person if four people per cabin.

Deposits can be made to hold cabins and monthly payments can be arranged.

Stay tuned for the initial line-up!

When was the last time you had a party with 4,000 friends?

For those about to sail, we salute you.

For further details on both the Rock Legends Cruise III and Rock Legends Cruise IV (including artists, specific details, cabin pricing and purchase, what’s included and answers to frequently-asked questions, please see www.rocklegendscruise.com or call 888-666-1499.

For information on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas (Rock Legends Cruise IV in January 2016), please see http://www.royalcaribbean.com/independence.

For artist interviews regarding the Cruise (after line-up is announced), please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at RockStarPR@aol.com.

ABOUT THE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

The Native American Heritage Association is celebrating its 21st year working on reservations in South Dakota and has been a 4-star charity with www.charitynavigator.org for a total of ten years. Native American Heritage Association tractor trailers are on the road daily with supplies to the various far flung communities and 94% of the organization’s total budget goes towards program services which provide basic life necessities, including fuel assistance, food and clothing to 45,000 people. Many of these residents face an 80% rate of unemployment; 70% don’t have transportation and many of those who do, don’t have the means to purchase gas. Many Lakota Sioux live in abandoned school buses, shacks or government housing with no insulation, some live without indoor plumbing, in homes with dirt floors, no beds or furniture.

For information on the Native American Heritage Association, please see www.naha-inc.org and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHD7S7I5j5k.

AUGUST 26, 2014

QUEENSRYCHE STARRING GEOFF TATE TO AUCTION OFF
QUEENSRYCHE STAGE BACKDROP FEATURED ON SEVERAL TOURS
WITH PROCEEDS GOING TO DEVOUT FAN, BRYAN STOW

GEOFF TATE TO ALSO DONATE PROCEEDS OF SONG,
“FACING MY DEMONS,” TO STOW, WHO CONTINUES TO MAKE
PROGRESS AFTER BEATING AT DODGER STADIUM IN 2011

On opening day of the baseball season in 2011, San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow was beaten in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium by two individuals, who are currently serving a sentence for their actions.

Stow, a proud father of two and a paramedic, sustained severe injuries to his brain and was placed into a medically-induced coma after the incident.

It would be months before he would go outside and, ultimately, more than two years before he would go home.

Shortly after the occurrance, while Stow was in the hospital, Queensryche became aware that he was one of their biggest fans, sporting a sizeable tattoo of the Queensryche logo on his left arm.

At the request of a friend, the band made a surprise visit to Bryan in the hospital that September, which ended up being an experience that both will never forget.

“We were incredibly inspired by his love for life, his love for his family and his love for our music,” states original Queensryche lead singer, Geoff Tate.

With a week remaining in their Farewell tour, Geoff’s version of Queensryche (which will continue on as Operation: Mindcrime after the tour ends) will be auctioning off the Queensryche stage backdrop that has been featured on several tours. “It’s truly a special part of our musical history and we’d like to raise some much-needed funds for Bryan so he can continue his progress.”

The auction will begin at 3:00pm PDT on Sunday, August 31, the day after the very last performance of Queensryche Starring Geoff Tate – The Farewell Tour, and will end at 3:00pm PDT the following Sunday, September 7, 2014. “We’re honored and thankful to have fans like Bryan in our life and would like to present him with a check just prior to Thanksgiving. Every little bit helps at this point and we hope to continue our efforts for Bryan and his family down the road.”

Come Sunday, fans desiring to bid can enter “Queenryche Stage Backdrop” on eBay or go to the direct link at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261574477081.

In addition to the money raised from the auction of the backdrop, Geoff will, personally, be donating his proceeds from a song titled, “Facing My Demons,” that he sings with The Voodoos, who are currently out on tour with him. The song can be downloaded at https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/facing-my-demons-single/id788709857.

Earlier this month, Bryan came out for the Queensryche Starring Geoff Tate performance in Morgan Hill, California and, more recently, made a clubhouse visit with his son to the San Francisco Giants clubhouse on Sunday, August 17, where he was guided by longtime third base coach Tim Flannery and Giants relief pitcher Jeremy Affeldt.

Flannery, a musician himself, has performed a series of Northern California concerts over the past three years to raise money for Bryan, and plans to continue his efforts as well.

To all music fans… to all sports fans… to all those who just want to do some good…

Get out there and bid!

For more information, please see www.operationmindcrime.com or contact Jeff Albright at The Albright Entertainment Group – RockStarPR@aol.com.

For specific information about Bryan and his progress, please see www.support4bryanstow.com.

# # # # #

July 30, 2014

QUEENSRYCHE WITH ORIGINAL LEAD SINGER GEOFF TATE
TO CHANGE ITS NAME TO “OPERATION: MINDCRIME”
AFTER CURRENT FAREWELL TOUR ENDS

“OPERATION: MINDCRIME”
FEATURING GEOFF TATE, RUDY SARZO, SIMON WRIGHT,
RANDY GANE AND KELLY GRAY TO ENTER STUDIO
SHORTLY AFTER TOUR TO BEGIN RECORDING TRILOGY PROJECT

On the very day his “Farewell Tour” as Queensryche begins, Geoff Tate – one of rock’s quintessential front men and the lead vocalist heard on all Queensryche hits since the inception of the band – has announced that his current version of Queensryche will be forging ahead as OPERATION: MINDCRIME after the tour ends.

Named after Queensryche’s epic concept album from 1988, OPERATION: MINDCRIME — a band consisting of Geoff Tate, Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake), Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio), Randy Gane (Myth) and Kelly Gray (Queensryche 1998 – 2001, 2012 – present) — will be entering the studio in September to begin recording a trilogy project that Geoff’s been working on for the past two years.

Tate, who has always enjoyed telling stories through music, considers the creation of the forthcoming trilogy one of his biggest and most ambitious works to date.

“I tried to reduce the story and eventually got it down to 37 ideas that needed representing to complete the story,” comments Geoff. “I knew that one record wouldn’t cover it and that it would have to be a trilogy. It’s an exciting project and one we’d like to release the first part of sometime next spring.”

With the evolution of his band, Geoff would like to concentrate on concept and story albums in the years to come. Fans like to call it, “Thinking Man’s Metal” and Geoff plans to continue expanding the musical dimensions of your mind.

“It doesn’t seem that long ago when I first brought the Mindcrime story to the band… they were, initially, against it. Chris DeGarmo was the first one to get on board and, once he did, we were able to move forward with what became one of our greatest achievements as a band.”

With the release Operation: Mindcrime – which won critical and popular acclaim and comparisons to the Who’s Tommy and Pink Floyd’s The Wall – Queensryche went on to bring their progressive music to sold-out audiences the world over.

With Geoff at the helm, Queensryche sold over 20 million albums worldwide and performed in over 46 countries.

That was then, this is now and Geoff Tate is looking forward to what lies ahead with his trilogy project.

“It is so refreshing to be able to concentrate on the many stories and ideas that I have been working on with no boundaries or restrictions,” states Tate, further adding, “With the newly-named band, I think fans will continue to enjoy the music we create and perform together and hope they share this new musical journey with us.”

Beginning July 30, Geoff Tate and his band mates will be spanning the states for a 22-date trek of what will be Geoff’s remaining performances as Queensryche Starring Geoff Tate – The Farewell Tour.

While the name has changed, the distinctive rock vocals of Geoff Tate remain the same.

Turn it up.

Come on out.

It’s time to enjoy what is now known as the band, OPERATION: MINDCRIME.

Stay tuned.

For more information, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at RockStarPR@aol.com.

www.queensryche.com

www.facebook.com/GeoffTateOfficial

www.twitter.com/GeoffTate

QUEENSRYCHE STARRING GEOFF TATE / 2014 FAREWELL TOUR

Wednesday, July 30 – Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, California

Thursday, July 31 – The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California

Friday, August 1 – Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, California

Saturday, August 2 – House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada

Sunday, August 3 – The Canyon Club in Agoura, California

Thursday, August 7 – Strummer’s in Fresno, California

Friday, August 8 – Theatre Deville in Vacaville, California

Saturday, August 9 – Downtown Amphitheater in Morgan Hill, California

Tuesday, August 12 – Music Marathon Works in Nashville, Tennessee

Wednesday, August 13 – Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina

Thursday, August 14 – The Chop Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina

Friday, August 15 – Ziggy’s by the Sea in Wilmington, North Carolina

Saturday, August 16 – Ziggy’s in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Sunday, August 17 – Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia

Tuesday, August 19 – Trees in Dallas, Texas

Wednesday, August 20 – Aztec Theatre in San Antonio, Texas

Friday, August 22 – Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona

Saturday, August 23 – Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona

Sunday, August 24 – Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Tuesday, August 26 – The Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah

Thursday, August 28 – The Cotillion in Wichita, Kansas

Saturday, August 30 – Tailgaters in Bolingbrook, Illinois