News

Special thanks to my longtime friend Gary Moore at 95.5 KLOS-FM who honored my birthday on Thursday, May 3rd, by giving a shout out and playing “Going to California” and “Friends” by Led Zeppelin during his “Get The Led Out” segment. If I could, I’d play the Zep’s “Thank You” in return. Thanks again Gary!

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR TO CELEBRATE THIRD
CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN “SIXTIES STYLE” BY BRINGING
BACK SOME OF THE DECADE’S MOST POPULAR ARTISTS

THE TURTLES FEATURING FLO & EDDIE,
THE MONKEES LEAD SINGER MICKY DOLENZ,
THE BUCKINGHAMS, THE GRASS ROOTS AND NEWEST
ADDITION, GARY PUCKETT & THE UNION GAP TO EMBARK
ON MAJOR U.S. TOUR BEGINNING JUNE 8, 2012

Here they come again to a venue near you!

In the summer of 2010, the Happy Together Tour — which featured five incredible artists performing some of the greatest pop rock of the sixties — took to the road in celebration of the tour’s 25th Anniversary with many of the same artists that shared the stage together in 1985 including The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams.

To no one’s real surprise, the sixties faithful would show up in mass to see the show, which also included Mark Lindsay, former lead singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders, and The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz.

For last year’s tour, The Association went along for the ride (while Micky Dolenz toured with The Monkees) and it, too, had similar success.

Both tours, encompassing approximately 20 dates each, played to many-a-packed house throughout the United States and, as a result, Happy Together is now returning for its third consecutive year on an extensive 42 date tour beginning June 8 in Columbus, Georgia (see complete itinerary below).

Along with The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, The Buckinghams and The Grass Roots, new addition Gary Puckett & The Union Gap will be a part of the festivities.

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap was one of the most successful musical groups of the sixties. Gary’s unmistakable signature voice garnered six consecutive gold records and top ten Billboard hits such as “Young Girl” and “Woman Woman.” In 1968, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap sold more records than any other artist including the Beatles. Gary Puckett has performed on more than thirty network television shows and prime time specials during his career, even adding a command performance for the President and Prince Charles at the White House. The Union Gap disbanded in 1971. Gary continues to tour nationally and internationally.

“Happy Together” by The Turtles hit #1 on the charts in 1967 (displacing the Beatles’ “Penny Lane”) and remains a staple on classic rock radio to this day. Although their biggest hit and signature song, it’s just one of their nine Top 40 hits, which includes such popular songs as “She’d Rather Be With Me,” “Elenore,” “You Showed Me” and “It Ain’t Me Babe.” In 1968, far ahead of their time, they would release one of music’s first concept albums, The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands, where they pretended to be eleven different bands with different names, each providing a song in a different genre.The album — which showcased their incredible range of vocal talent — spawned the hits “Elenore” and “You Showed Me” (both peaking at #6 on the Billboard charts). Mark and Howard have remained plenty busy over the years with both The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie and their extracurricular music activities. In 2009, a new Turtles compilation CD was released titled, Save The Turtles: The Turtles Greatest Hits, which was issued on their own FloEdCo label. In all, the band has sold over 60 million albums worldwide to date.

In 1966, hot on the heels of their new NBC television show, The Monkees would release a self-titled debut album that would top the U.S. charts for thirteen consecutive weeks and sell an overwhelming 3.2 million copies in just three months. The single, “Last Train to Clarksville,” from the album would be their first #1 hit. Their second #1 hit came quickly with “I’m a Believer” (featured on the band’s second album, More of The Monkees), which had over a million advance orders. The band would continue to put out numerous hits such as “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” among others… In 1986, the four members got together for “The Monkees 20th Anniversary World Tour,” a 145 date trek that would become the largest grossing tour of the year. The band — who reconvened this year for a brief but memorable tour — remain as iconic as ever…

“Kind of a Drag” from The Buckinghams would also reach the pinnacle of chart success, yet mark just one of many popular hits from the band including “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” “Don’t You Care,” “Susan” and “Hey Baby (They’re Playing Our Song).” Their success in 1967 would lead them to be named “The Most Listened To Band in America” by Billboard Magazine.

The Grass Roots burst upon the scene in ’67 and would not only amass over a dozen Top 40 hits, but go on to perform in front of an estimated 600,000 people in Washington, D.C. on July 4, 1982 setting an all-time attendance record for an concert performance consisting of just one act. Between 1967 and 1972 — thanks to numerous hits such as “Midnight Confessions,” “Let’s Live For Today,” “Sooner or Later,” “I’d Wait A Million Years” and “Temptation Eyes,” the band would set a record for being on the Billboard charts for 307 consecutive weeks. Sadly, we lost lead singer Rob Grill in 2010 but the music lives on…

Once again, fans can expect to hear many of their favorite hits this summer!

The Happy Together Tour 2012 promises to be another good time had by all.

For further information, photos or interview requests, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com.

www.theturtles.com
www.mickydolenz.com
www.thebuckinghams.com
www.the-grassroots.com
www.garypuckettmusic.com

THIS JUST IN!

BELMONT UNIVERSITY CLASS HITS THE ROAD IN JUNE WITH THE TURTLES FEATURING FLO & EDDIE – 10 students to gain experiential education on Happy Together Tour

This June, 10 Belmont University juniors and seniors will join professor and legendary musician Mark Volman, a founding member of the band The Turtles, on the road for an East Coast run of the Happy Together Tour. The tour’s “classroom” and schedule looks something like this: one tour bus, a precious few hotel rooms, long hours and many stages — for two-and-a-half weeks and a grade.

Please see Belmont University’s press release in its entirety ATTACHED. Thank you.

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR 2012

DATE / VENUE / CITY

Friday, June 8 / River Center / Columbus, Georgia
Saturday, June 9 / Civic Center Arena / Dothan, Alabama
Sunday, June 10 / Riverbend Festival Grounds / Chattanooga, Tennessee
Tuesday, June 12 / The Plaza / Orlando, Florida
Wednesday, June 13 / The Hard Rock / Hollywood, Florida
Thursday, June 14 / Florida Theatre / Jacksonville, Florida
Friday, June 15 / Ruth Eckerd Hall / Clearwater, Florida
Saturday, June 16 / Anderson Music Hall / Hiawasee, Georgia
Sunday, June 17 / Renaissance PAC / Montgomery, Alabama
Tuesday, June 19 / Keswick Theatre / Glenside, Pennsylvania
Wednesday, June 20 / State Theatre / New Brunswick, New Jersey
Thursday, June 21 / Music Hall / Tarrytown, New York
Friday, June 22 / American Music Theater / Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Saturday, June 23 / NYCB Theatre / Westbury, New York
Sunday, June 24 / Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom / Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Wednesday, July 11 / Humphrey’s By The Bay / San Diego, California
Thursday, July 12 / Chumash Casino / Santa Ynez, California
Friday, July 13 / California State Fair / Sacramento, California
Saturday, July 14 / Orange County Fair / Pacific Amphitheatre / Costa Mesa, California
Sunday, July 15 / Fort McDowell Casino / Fountain Hills, Arizona
Monday, July 16 / Buffalo Thunder Casino / Santa Fe, New Mexico
Tuesday, July 17 / Sandy City Amphitheatre / Sandy, Utah
Friday, July 27 / Waterfront Park / Bangor, Maine
Saturday, July 28 / The Paramount / Asbury Park, New Jersey
Sunday, July 29 / Filene Center at Wolftrap / Vienna, Virginia
Monday, July 30 / Musikfest Cafe Artsquest Center / Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Wednesday, August 1 / Cain Park / Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Thursday, August 2 / Fraze Pavilion / Kettering, Ohio
Friday, August 3 / Caesars Windsor / Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Saturday, August 4 / Genesee Theatre / Waukegan, Illinois
Sunday, August 5 / Wisconsin State Fair / West Allis, Wisconsin
Tuesday, August 7 / Sanford Center / Bemidji, Minnesota
Thursday, August 9 / Performance Center / Effingham, Illinois
Friday, August 10 / Iowa State Fair / Des Moines, Iowa
Saturday, August 11 / Little River Casino Resort / Manistee, Michigan
Thursday, August 23 / Cardinal Stadium / Louisville, Kentucky
Friday, August 24 / Paramount Theatre / Aurora, Illinois
Saturday, August 25 / Ho – Chunk Casino / Baraboo, Wisconsin
Sunday, August 26 / Corn Palace Festival / Mitchell, South Dakota
Monday, August 27 / Minnesota State Fair / St. Paul, Minnesota
Wednesday, August 29 / Carnegie Library Music Hall / Homestead, Pennsylvania
Thursday, August 30 / New York State Fair / Syracuse, New York

Artist Quotes regarding this year’s Happy Together Tour

“Who thought it could get any better? Micky Dolenz… Gary Puckett… Wow!
42 cities! And then the regular guys – The Buckinghams, Grass Roots and
The Turtles. Seriously, it does get better. This looks like the best year yet!
Hope everyone makes it out.”

–Mark Volman / The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie–

“Hey, hey, here I come! I’m so looking forward to this year’s Happy Together Tour!
I can’t wait to hang with all the guys for some great music, great times, and
truck stop chili dogs at 4:00am!”

–Micky Dolenz / The Monkees Lead Singer–

“The Buckinghams are excited to, once again, be a part of the Happy Together Tour
for 2012! This is the third year for the tour and for us, which is a testament to how
our fans feel about our music and still embrace these songs. What better tour is
out there? Close to 40 major hits in a two-and-a-half hour concert. We are proud
to, once again, share the stage with The Turtles and Grass Roots and this year we
have the one and only Gary Puckett and the fabulous Micky Dolenz joining us…
The Buckinghams are proud to be a part of it!”

–Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna / The Buckinghams–

“The Happy Together Tour is an excellent and diverse line-up from our era.
People of all ages love the music of the Boomer generation and this year’s tour
will, once again, be an evening full of the great songs and hit records that are
representative of the time. Come and join us! It WILL be a GREAT night!”

–Gary Puckett / Gary Puckett & The Union Gap–

Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones once said, “If you don’t know the blues… there’s no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music.”

Beginning in late July, the Rock’n’Blues Fest will debut featuring five well-known players who were initially inspired to pick up their instruments due to their love for rock and blues: Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, Leslie West and Kim Simmonds (see tour itinerary below).

“I think the blues will always be around,” says legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter, who will be performing as part of the Johnny Winter Band and headlining the Rock’n’Blues Fest tour. “People need it.”

As the story goes, at the age of 17, Johnny went to see B.B. King in his home state of Texas, and requested a turn at the mic. King eventually gave in and handed his guitar to Johnny, who ended up getting a standing ovation for his performance. Needless to say, it wouldn’t be long before Johnny had his own legion of followers.

Johnny released his first solo album, The Progressive Blues Experiment, and the music world took notice, leading to his historic performance at Woodstock. Twenty years and several successful solo albums later, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. In the late 70’s, he collaborated with another blues legend, Muddy Waters, on three separate albums of Waters’, including the Grammy-winning Hard Again (1977). Over the years, he put out approximately two dozen solo albums including his most recent highly-acclaimed recording entitled, Roots, which he and his band recently performed a track from on Late Show with David Letterman. Named as one of Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, Johnny Winter still remains one of the top blues/rock guitarists touring today.

Joining Johnny for the Rock’n’Blues Fest “ride” will be his younger brother, Edgar Winter, who has certainly met with considerable acclaim in his own right with such monster hits as “Free Ride” and the chart-topping rocker, “Frankenstein.”

“As far as I’m concerned, blues and jazz are the great American contributions to music,” comments Edgar, who will be bringing the Edgar Winter Band along for the almost two-month trek.

A multi-instrumentalist (keyboards/sax/percussion) whose music encompasses many different genres including rock, blues, jazz and pop, Edgar first hit the national spotlight with his early recording of “Tobacco Road,” featured on his 1970 debut album, Entrance. Edgar would soon form the band White Trash and release two hit albums in ’71 and ’72 titled, Edgar Winter’s White Trash and Roadwork. Hot on the heels of the certified gold album, Roadwork, Edgar would put together an entirely new outfit called The Edgar Winter Group that would originally feature guitarist Ronnie Montrose. The band’s first effort, They Only Come Out at Night, would spawn both the hit singles, “Free Ride” and “Frankenstein,” and remain on the charts for an incredible 80 consecutive weeks. The pivotal album would eventually reach double-platinum status, selling more than 2 million copies. More recently, Edgar achieved chart success in 2003 with the song, “Dying To Live” — featured as “Runnin” (Dying to Live) in the film Tupac Resurrection — as the Eminem-produced song hit #5 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles sales chart. With over 20 albums and numerous collaborative efforts to his credit, Edgar Winter has not been satisfied to ride the wave of popular music stardom. His music has been featured in several major national television and radio and advertising campaigns. In addition, his music can be heard in no fewer than fifteen film and television projects.

Next on the bill is rock guitarist Rick Derringer, who’s had an illustrious career as both a solo artist and critical band member.

Air guitarists will surely be out in force when Rick breaks into his well-known rock anthem, “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” The song continues to be a staple on 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 written and recorded a few years earlier, Rick released his most famous version of the song in 1974 and never looked back… 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”), KISS, Todd Rundgren and Weird Al Yankovic among others including both Johnny and Edgar Winter. From 1986 to 1992, Rick would tour with Cindy Lauper and co-write a song from her True Colors album titled, “Calm Inside The Storm.” Before embarking on last year’s Hippiefest tour, Rick toured Europe with Ringo Starr as a member of Ringo’s All-Starr Band.

Although perhaps best known as a founding member of the band Mountain, guitarist Leslie West began his musical career with an R&B/Blue-eyed soul rock outfit called The Vagrants, who would quickly enjoy a few hits. Shortly after the formation of Mountain with bass guitarist/producer Felix Pappalardi, keyboardist Steve Knight and drummer N.D. Smart in 1969, the band would find themselves performing on day two of the legendary Woodstock festival in August of that year. Not too long after the event, new drummer Corky Laing would join the fold and the band would release their first Billboard Top 40 single, “Mississippi Queen.” The rest is rock history as the song would be played on rock radio for years to come. Mountain would follow-up that hit with the Jack Bruce-penned, “Theme for an Imaginary Western,” one of the eleven songs they performed at Woodstock. Considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal, Rolling Stone magazine once identified them as a “louder version of Cream.” In the early seventies, Mountain would temporarily disband with Leslie and Corky collaborating with Creem bassist Jack Bruce for a cutting-edge group called West, Bruce and Laing. In 1976, West would play guitar for the track, “Bo Diddley Jam” on Diddley’s 20th Anniversary of Rock’n’Roll all-star album. In 2005, he contributed to Ozzy Osbourne’s Under Cover album, performing guitar on a remake of “Mississippi Queen.” The following year, he immersed himself in the blues, once again, with his latest solo album titled, Blue Me, on the Blues Bureau International label. Later that year (2006), he would be honored by being inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. In addition to fronting Mountain, Leslie continues to record and perform on his own.

Considered one of the architects of British blues, Kim Simmonds began performing professionally in London in the mid-60’s after learning how to play guitar by listening to his brother’s blues records as a teenager. As leader and founder of the legendary blues rock band, Savoy Brown, he has 49 album releases currently available and continues to tour all over the world with the band as well as a solo acoustic act. In 1967, the band would help propel the UK blues boom movement that brought blues music back to the United States, invigorating the style forever. In the process, Savoy Brown became part of the framework that launched the rock and roll music of the 1970’s, with their vast influence stretching into modern rock as we know it today. In 2011, the band celebrated its 45th anniversary by releasing a new CD titled, Voodoo Moon. Later in the year, Kim would release his most recent effort, Out Of The Blue, a collection of varied material that placed him in a new setting as both singer and songwriter. Among the most loved, most respected and longest running of its genre, Savoy Brown is one of the magical names in blues rock. Kim Simmonds will be performing the best of the best at this year’s Rock’n’Blues Fest.

Due to their close involvement with each other throughout their careers, it’s likely that various artists on the forthcoming Rock’n’Blues Fest will unite on stage to perform some unexpected classic songs together.

One can only hope.

Five great musicians… one incredible tour of rock and blues music.

Who said, “There ain’t no cure for the summertime blues?”

www.johnnywinter.net/backstage_press
www.edgarwinter.com
www.rickderringer.com
www.mountainrockband.com
www.kimsimmonds.com

ROCK’N’BLUES FEST TOUR 2012*

DAY / DATE / VENUE / CITY

Sunday, July 29 – Pantages Theater in Tacoma, Washington (w/o Leslie West)
Wednesday, August 1 – The Winery in Saratoga, California
Friday, August 3 – Sam’s Woodsite in Mammoth Lakes, California
Saturday, August 4 – The Grove in Anaheim, California
Sunday, August 5 – The Palms Concert Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevada
Thursday, August 9 – Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, Massachusetts
Friday, August 10 – Newport Yachting Center in Newport, Rhode Island
Saturday, August 11 – Spy Class Ridge Winery in Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Sunday, August 12 – County Center in Westchester, New York
Tuesday, August 14 – Bergen Performing Arts Center in Bergen, New Jersey
Wednesday, August 15 – Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania
Thursday, August 16 – Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey
Friday, August 17 – South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, Massachusetts
Saturday, August 18 – NYCB Theatre in Westbury, New York
Sunday, August 19 – Mount Laurel Performing Arts Center in Bushkill, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, August 21 – Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey
Friday, August 24 – The Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, Florida (date billed as “Hippiefest”)
Wednesday, August 29 – Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio
Thursday, August 30 – DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan
Friday, August 31 – Country Club Hills Theatre in Chicago, Illinois

*More Dates To Be Announced (http://www.pollstar.com/resultsArtist.aspx?ID=271301&SearchBy=rocknblues)

QUOTES FROM THE ARTISTS REGARDING ROCK’N’BLUES FEST 2012

“The Rock’n’Blues Fest is my kind of festival series! It’s always great playing shows with my brother and, add to that, all the other great artists and their bands and this should make for one historic round of concerts.”

–Johnny Winter–

“This year’s Hippiefest tour is truly a ‘Rock’n’Blues Fest’ — a landmark, historic, musical celebration of which my band and I are proud to be a part. It’s going to be a Guitar Guru Gala of Gargantuan proportions. For me personally, it will simply be the Greatest! So, see you at one of the dates on the tour. Believe me, this is not one you want to miss. All I can say is … Get Ready To Rock’n’Roll!!!”

–Edgar Winter–

“This Rock’n’Blues Fest / Hippiefest roster promises a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of the best, legendary artists of our lifetime. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

–Rick Derringer–

“I am happy to be able to be part of this Rock’n’Blues Fest as the first tour since the amputation of my right leg. I hope this gives me a leg up on the new year!”

–Leslie West–

“This is my first time performing in Rock’n’Blues Fest / Hippiefest and it was an offer I couldn’t refuse… I’m a big fan of all the other musicians participating, having played gigs with most of them in the 1960’s. It’s a great feeling of continuity, knowing we’re all still around playing better than ever.”

–Kim Simmonds–

Dear Friends:

As a friend of legendary rock vocalist and guitarist Mark Farner, I wanted to make you aware of a documentary that’s in the works regarding his life called, I’m Your Captain – The Mark Farner Story.

Slated for release in September 2013 to celebrate both Mark’s 65th birthday and the 40th Anniversary of Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re An American Band” hitting #1 on the Billboard charts, this movie should be a riveting ride.

The producers of the film have a website where fans can participate in funding the project and investors can get involved to the help fund the film – http://www.indiegogo.com/Im-Your-Captain-The-Mark-Farner-Story.

If you know anything about Mark’s history with his band, Grand Funk Railroad, or his life in general, you know this has the makings to be an excellent documentary.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mark over the past dozen years on various tours and benefit concerts, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more genuine individual.

Please help spread the word on the project and join the journey on getting this done.

Thank you for your support.

Jeff

*Producer press release available via PDF.

www.markfarner.com
www.markfarnermovie.com

PIONEER IN RFID FOR THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SECTOR
TO SHOWCASE ATTRIBUTES AND IMPORTANCE OF HAVING
INSTRUMENTS IMPLEMENTED WITH MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY

Although SNAGG has been present at virtually all the NAMM shows since its inception in the year 2000, Winter NAMM 2012 will mark the first time the company has been an exhibitor.

From Thursday, January 19 through Sunday, January 22 at the Anaheim Convention Center, various company executives will be on hand to talk about SNAGG technology and answer all questions at Booth #1580 in Hall E.

SNAGG’s unique, secure musical instrument registry enables owners of SNAGG-enabled musical instruments to enjoy theft deterrent protection; enhanced property recovery (should an instrument be lost or stolen); protection of provenance (necessary to prove authenticity when assets are sold or traded); and, discounted musical instrument insurance rates.

SNAGG is the world’s premiere musical instrument registry based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) technology and remains the only web-based system tracking ownership of an asset throughout its lifetime using a “peer-to-peer” transfer of ownership capability.

SNAGG Microchips are used in Carvin guitars, Fender Custom Shop guitars, Baden guitars, Acoustic Music guitars, DeTemple guitars, Baker guitars, Linda West Cellos, David Nordschow bass amps, Chicago pianos (a prominent piano retailer) and hundreds of custom-built instruments created by the finest luthiers in America.

Since its inception in 2000, the company has been featured in such media as Entrepreneur.com (http://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/205899), PC Magazine (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1612809,00.asp), Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Business Journal and all of the major guitar publications.

SNAGG continue to lead the industry and have recently made their acclaimed microchip technology available via its online store at Snagg.com (please see direct link at http://www.snagg.com/ezStore123/DTProductList.asp?p=1_1_1_1_0_0_521).

Earlier in the year, SNAGG entered other markets and began implementing its microchip into such products as bicycles, antiques, firearms, laptops and other tech devices.

SNAGG’s goals are accomplished by employing superior technology; building long-lasting comprehensive relationships with law enforcement-based property recovery groups; establishing and maintaining secure high-end technical registration and recovery systems; and finally, providing comprehensive service to our customers.

For further information on SNAGG, please visit www.snagg.com.

GEOFF TATE “AND FRIENDS”
TO PERFORM SELECT, ALL-ACOUSTIC DATES
ON THE WEST COAST BEGINNING ON JANUARY 26TH

Shortly after Queensryche’s Geoff Tate heard that American Idol’s James Durbin was going to sing the band’s song, “Take Hold of the Flame” to his new bride, Heidi Lowe, at their wedding reception on New Year’s Eve, he started making arrangements to join the festivities.

A great way to end 2011 and bring in the new year!

Known to representatives, but unbeknownst to James and Heidi, Geoff and his wife, Susan, flew from Seattle to Northern California for the big surprise.

The Durbins walked into the reception where Geoff quickly introduced himself.

A dream come true for James, both he and Geoff hit the stage and sang “Take Hold of the Flame’ together with Heidi just a few feet away.

A truly memorable evening, indeed, for the newlyweds who had publicly stated that the song was one of their favorites.

See the People magazine coverage for more details – http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20557815,00.html / http://www.queensryche.com/2012/01/09/an-idol-rocker-wedding/

This was just the beginning of what promises to be another exciting year for Geoff Tate.

After touring extensively in 2011 with his band, Queensryche, Geoff recently announced that he will be doing a handful of acoustic solo dates billed as “Geoff Tate and Friends” beginning on Thursday, January 26 at Anthology in San Diego, California.

What can fans expect on the brief run of dates?

According to Tate, he’ll be “playing acoustic versions of all my favorite Queensryche songs as well as some songs from my solo album.” And that certainly gives him a lot to choose from…

Not one to remain idle, Tate is anxious to hit the road again next year despite an incredibly busy 2011 that found the band performing over 75 dates along their 30th Anniversary tour primarily in support of their 12th studio album, Dedicated to Chaos (Roadrunner Records/Loud & Proud), that was released in the summer.

Towards the end of the tour, Geoff and the band pulled out “all the stops” by performing Rage for Order in its entirety for the first time ever (New York City on Halloween) and Operation: Mindcrime from beginning to end on this year’s ShipRocked Cruise (with In This Moment’s Maria Brink handling vocal chores as “Sister Mary”) for the first time in three years. Both shows were a pure treat for fans!

“Mindcrime” (1988) is universally respected as a classic concept release about rock, revenge and redemption and, ultimately, regarded as one of the most important and essential hard rock records in the genre’s expansive canon. 1990’s follow-up, Empire, yielded a number one single, the Grammy-nominated ballad “Silent Lucidity,” which Queensryche performed at the 1992 Grammy Awards accompanied by a supporting orchestra.

In 2006, the band released Operation: Mindcrime II, a scorching sequel to their original. The band then hit the road performing both albums Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II back-to-back in their entirety in an incredible theatrical presentation throughout the year. The final performance was recorded at The Moore Theatre in Seattle that October and the Mindcrime at the Moore double CD/DVD release debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Music DVD Chart and eventually reached gold status.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years and more than 20 million albums sold worldwide later…

For 2012, Queensryche has plenty up its sleeve.

For more information, please view the official Queensryche website at www.queensryche.com.

TOUR DATES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 – ANTHOLOGY IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 – THE CANYON CLUB IN AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 – SLO BREW IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 – THE COACH HOUSE IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 – CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN GRASS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 – EL REY IN CHICO, CALIFORNIA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 – UPTOWN IN NAPA, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 – FINAGHTY’S IN SNOQUALMIE, WASHINGTON

THE TURTLES FEATURING FLO & EDDIE,
THE MONKEES LEAD SINGER MICKY DOLENZ,
THE BUCKINGHAMS, THE GRASS ROOTS AND NEWEST
ADDITION, GARY PUCKETT & THE UNION GAP TO EMBARK
ON MAJOR U.S. TOUR BEGINNING IN EARLY SUMMER 2012

Here they come again to a venue near you!

Last year, the Happy Together Tour — which featured five incredible artists performing some of the greatest pop rock of the sixties — took to the road in celebration of the tour’s 25th Anniversary with many of the same artists that shared the stage together in 1985 including The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams.

To no one’s real surprise, the sixties faithful would show up in mass to see the show, which also included Mark Lindsay, former lead singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders, and The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz.

For this year’s tour, The Association went along for the ride (while Micky Dolenz toured with The Monkees) and it, too, had similar success.

Both tours, encompassing approximately 20 dates each, played to many a packed house throughout the United States and, as a result, Happy Together is coming back for a third consecutive year with dates expected to begin in early summer of 2012.

Along with The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, The Buckinghams and The Grass Roots, new addition Gary Puckett & The Union Gap will be a part of the festivities.

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap was one of the most successful musical groups of the sixties. Gary’s unmistakable signature voice garnered six consecutive gold records and top ten Billboard hits such as “Young Girl” and “Woman Woman.” In 1968, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap sold more records than any other artist including the Beatles. Gary Puckett has performed on more than thirty network television shows and prime time specials during his career, even adding a command performance for the President and Prince Charles at the White House. The Union Gap disbanded in 1971. Gary continues to tour nationally and internationally.

“Happy Together” by The Turtles hit #1 on the charts in 1967 (displacing the Beatles’ “Penny Lane”) and remains a staple on classic rock radio to this day. Although their biggest hit and signature song, it’s just one of their nine Top 40 hits, which includes such popular songs as “She’d Rather Be With Me,” “Elenore,” “You Showed Me” and “It Ain’t Me Babe.” In 1968, far ahead of their time, they would release one of music’s first concept albums, The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands, where they pretended to be eleven different bands with different names, each providing a song in a different genre.The album — which showcased their incredible range of vocal talent — spawned the hits “Elenore” and “You Showed Me” (both peaking at #6 on the Billboard charts). Mark and Howard have remained plenty busy over the years with both The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie and their extracurricular music activities. In 2009, a new Turtles compilation CD was released titled, Save The Turtles: The Turtles Greatest Hits, which was issued on their own FloEdCo label. In all, the band has sold over 60 million albums worldwide to date.

In 1966, hot on the heels of their new NBC television show, The Monkees would release a self-titled debut album that would top the U.S. charts for thirteen consecutive weeks and sell an overwhelming 3.2 million copies in just three months. The single, “Last Train to Clarksville,” from the album would be their first #1 hit. Their second #1 hit came quickly with “I’m a Believer” (featured on the band’s second album, More of The Monkees), which had over a million advance orders. The band would continue to put out numerous hits such as “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” among others… In 1986, the four members got together for “The Monkees 20th Anniversary World Tour,” a 145 date trek that would become the largest grossing tour of the year. The band — who reconvened this year for a brief but memorable tour — remain as iconic as ever…

“Kind of a Drag” from The Buckinghams would also reach the pinnacle of chart success, yet mark just one of many popular hits from the band including “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” “Don’t You Care,” “Susan” and “Hey Baby (They’re Playing Our Song).” Their success in 1967 would lead them to be named “The Most Listened To Band in America” by Billboard Magazine.

The Grass Roots burst upon the scene in ’67 and would not only amass over a dozen Top 40 hits, but go on to perform in front of an estimated 600,000 people in Washington, D.C. on July 4, 1982 setting an all-time attendance record for an concert performance consisting of just one act. Between 1967 and 1972 — thanks to numerous hits such as “Midnight Confessions,” “Let’s Live For Today,” “Sooner or Later,” “I’d Wait A Million Years” and “Temptation Eyes,” the band would set a record for being on the Billboard charts for 307 consecutive weeks. Sadly, we lost lead singer Rob Grill this year but the music lives on…

Once again, fans can expect to hear many of their favorite hits next summer!

The Happy Together Tour 2012 promises to be another good time had by all.

FIRST FULL STUDIO ALBUM IN FIVE YEARS FEATURES SUCH MUSIC ICONS AS LOU GRAMM, SAM MOORE AND PAUL RODGERS

It’s been five years since the release of Nils Lofgren’s last studio album featuring his own songs and, with his forthcoming release titled, Old School, he’s got something to say.

An effort that’s been in the works since the culmination of Springsteen’s Working on a Dream Tour in November of 2009, Lofgren’s Old School covers a variety of topics including desperation, self-doubt, true love, departed friends, holding on to your dreams and the world gone mad… along with a tribute to the late, great Ray Charles.

“These songs reflect characters with some radical feelings and beliefs,” states the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lofgren. “They’re definitely thought-provoking.”

The CD — due out on Tuesday, November 1st — will be his eighth studio release on Vision Music, the label also responsible for 2008’s The Loner – Nils Sings Neil (an homage to Neil Young, whom Nils started his career with over four decades ago) and 2006’s Sacred Weapon.

“Old School has many different types of songs and feels… some rough, bluesy tracks to haunting acoustic songs,” continues Lofgren. “There’s some interesting and controversial characters in these songs and I look forward to everyone’s reaction.”

The album starts off with the controversial title track, “Old School,” which features former Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm.

“our spineless Congress should all be fired
get some women and men
with balls and sense hired
child rape and murder
one strike and you’re down and out
with our kid’s lives at stake what’s to figure out
oh no ain’t no old school anymore…”

It’s not for the timid.

Old School features a total of a dozen songs (see below for track listing), all produced by Nils with the exception of the song, “Why Me,” which was produced, recorded and mixed by Brian Christian (Alice Cooper/KISS/The Babys fame).

The song, “Amy Joan Blues” features legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers while the cut, “Ain’t Too Many Of Us Left,” features Rock Hall of Fame inductee Sam Moore from the popular sixties duo Sam & Dave.

Sam Moore comments about the collaboration, “It hit me when I was in the studio with Nils that we’ve lost so many of our friends, peers and colleagues in the past few years… The Big Man, Billy Preston, Wilson Pickett, George Harrison, Solomon Burke, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes. It hit me how true it is that there ‘ain’t too many of us left.’ I was flattered and honored that Nils asked me to join him to pay a little honor and remind everyone in some way to remember our dear but departed friends and loved ones.”

“Ain’t Too Many Of Us Left” has been made available as a free download at www.nilslofgren.com for fans to enjoy and the entire CD can be pre-ordered on the site as well.

Also appearing on Old School is the song, “Irish Angel” (written by the great Bruce McCabe) that Nils has been singing for years at his acoustic shows along with a ballad Nils wrote with an old friend and great DC-area artist, Root Boy Slim, called, “Let Her Get Away.”

“I’ve always wanted to share that particular song but never got it together until now,” says Nils. “Sadly, Root Boy’s not with us any longer, but I know there are fans out there that will appreciate this touching, haunted country-type ballad of ours.”

Speaking of old friends near and dear… Old School is dedicated to Nils’ dear friend and band mate, Clarence “Big Man” Clemons.

As an integral member of the Bruce Sprngsteen’s E Street Band since 1984, Nils has remained consistently busy as part of the group, and as a solo artist.

In addition to songwriting and performing, Nils also devotes substantial time to his online guitar school (http://www.nilslofgren.com/Lessons07.html), which has garnered tremendous response from guitar players all over the world. Beginner lessons are offered in English, Spanish and Italian…

In early September, Nils released “When You Are Loved” (via free download on his site), a 9-11 song that honors heroes, victims and families.

Beginning today, Nils hits the road for a few dates (see full itinerary below) to talk up the album and have some fun.

He’ll travel from town-to-town, playing his favorite songs in intimate venues, talking to friends and fans… something he’s enjoyed for 43 years now.

Call it “Old School.”

For further information or to set up an interview with Nils, please contact Jeff Albright at The Albright Entertainment Group via e-mail at RockStarPR@aol.com.

OLD SCHOOL TRACK LISTING

1. Old School
2. 60 Is The New 18
3. Miss You Ray
4. Love Stumbles On
5. Amy Joan Blues
6. Irish Angel
7. Ain’t Too Many Of Us Left
8. When You Were Mine
9. Just Because You Love Me
10. Dream Big
11. Let Her Get Away
12. Why Me

TOUR DATES

Wednesday, October 19 – Abbey Bar – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Thursday, October 20 – BB King’s – New York, New York
Friday, October 21 – Bolton Center for the Performing Arts – Long Island, New York
Saturday, October 22 – Fete Music Olneyville – Providence, Rhode Island
Sunday, October 23 – Blue Ocean Music Hall – Salisbury, Massachusetts
Thursday, October 27 – Havanna New Hope – New Hope, Pennsylvania
Friday, October 28 – Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University – West Long Branch, New Jersey
Saturday, October 29 – Rams Head Tavern – Annapolis, Maryland
Sunday, October 30 – Rams Head Tavern – Annapolis, Maryland

HIPPIEFEST, “A CONCERT FOR PEACE & LOVE,”
CELEBRATES SIXTH ANNIVERSARY WITH TWENTY-DATE TOUR BEGINNING
IN AUGUST FEATURING DAVE MASON, MARK FARNER,
RICK DERRINGER, FELIX CAVALIERE’S RASCALS AND GARY WRIGHT

Let your freak flag fly!

Although it’s been almost 45 years since the Hippie movement began, there’s been an annual concert event since 2005 that celebrates the music of the era and the lifestyle revolution it represented – HIPPIEFEST.

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QUEENSRYCHE TO ONCE AGAIN ROCK
THE HIGH SEAS ABOARD SHIPROCKED 2011 CRUISE

THIRD ANNUAL ROCK CRUISE TO SET SAIL TOWARDS THE
MAYAN RIVIERA FOR FIVE FUN-FILLED NIGHTS
BEGINNING NOVEMBER 14, 2011

It was announced today that Queensryche — Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Parker Lundgren — has been added to this year’s ShipRocked cruise, which will feature a mix of high-intensity rock bands including Buckcherry, Hinder, Hellyeah!, Sevendust, Living Colour and In This Moment among others.

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