With a new wife, new twin sons and even a new band, veteran pop troubadour James Taylor is spending most of the next few months touring the amphitheaters of North America, a summer ritual as dependable as sunscreen and inflated concession stand prices. “I’m kind of grooved in on that kind of evening and a sort of summer-night experience,” says Taylor, 53, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who in February this year married Boston Symphony Orchestra publicist Caroline Smedvig. The couple’s sons were born in early April, via in vitro fertilization of a surrogate mother. The veteran singer-songwriter… Read more »
Mest has just put the finishing touches on their brand new album, “DESTINATION UNKNOWN,” set for release August 14, with the album’s debut single, “Cadillac,” which features hip-hop legend Young MC, cruising into radio the first week of July. Produced by Goldfinger’s John Feldmann and recorded at his Marina Del Rey studio, “DESTINATION UNKNOWN” is the latest step in the Illinois-based band’s journey across the punk-time continuum. Comprised of singer/guitarist Tony Lovato, bassist Matt Lovato, guitarist Jeremiah Rangel, and drummer Nick Gigler, Mest drew national attention last year with their debut album WASTING TIME. The new album fulfills all the… Read more »
Kellogg’s ® Pop-Tarts ® toaster pastries have signed on as the Presenting Sponsor of the SFX-produced Backstreet Boys “Black & Blue Summer Tour,” granting Kellogg USA an array of marketing and on-site promotional benefits. The second leg of Backstreet Boys North American tour will kick off June 8 in the their hometown of Orlando and hit 45 cities before concluding August 31 in Dallas. Backstreet Boys have been on the road in support of the eight-times platinum Black & Blue CD since January 22, performing an array of sold-out and critically acclaimed shows in the U.S. and South America. “The… Read more »
For teens, summertime not only means that school’s out, but it also means there are new movies to see, concerts to attend, and CDs to buy. The July issue of J-14 (on sale June 8) makes it easy for kids to sort through the choices with “Your Best Summer Ever,” a 12 page J-14 cover story that includes dozens of previews, exclusive interviews with the stars, tour schedules, CD release dates, movie premiere dates, and giveaways. According to Janet Giovanelli, J-14 Editor-in-Chief, “There’s plenty of new rock, pop and r & b music this summer. ‘N Sync is the hardest… Read more »
Chart-topping musical group O-Town will set out on an impressive nationwide summer tour in support of their Platinum selling debut album O-Town. The tour launches in Los Angeles, CA on July 6th and rounds out in September in Boston, MA. Following the success of their #1 selling single “Liquid Dreams”, O-Town are enjoying the success of their second smash single “All or Nothing” which is among the top three most requested songs on Top 40 radio. Concurrently, the stunning “All or Nothing” video directed by Marcus Raboy has been a top five request on MTV’s Total Request Live for over… Read more »
Multi-faceted Coke Campaign Puts the Spotlight on Christina and Her Fans, Even Giving Fans the Chance to Win a Visit to the Set of One of the Singing Sensation’s Upcoming Music Videos The singing sensation will star in a new campaign for Coca-Cola to support its huge summer promotion, which will give fans the chance to win a backstage tour and meet Christina on the set of one of her upcoming music videos. The campaign also includes: * A television commercial breaking next week that shows how one fan reacts after winning the chance to hang with Christina. * Radio… Read more »
“I want people to know that we’re still a notch above a garage band,” John Mellencamp says about his summer tour in support of his forthcoming release Cuttin’ Heads, which is due this summer. “No cars dropping down from the ceiling, none of that shit. No, everything’s gonna be black – the whole stage is gonna be black.” Mellencamp’s no frills show will hit twenty-seven cities through the late summer with another straight up rock & roll band, the Wallflowers, opening. Nearly 200 songs and eighteen, going on nineteen, albums later, the challenge for him comes in choosing what to… Read more »
July 24 will be ground zero for Slipknot’s as-yet-untitled second album, according to a Roadrunner Records spokesperson. The follow-up to their eponymous 1999 debut was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Ross Robinson. Next week production will move cross-country to New York, where Andy Wallace will start mixing new songs “People Equal Shit,” “The Heretic Anthem,” “Disaster Piece” and just-announced “New Abortion” among other album tracks, with the help of two unnamed band members. The nine masked Iowans, who’ll take to the main stage of this year’s Ozzfest, might also be simultaneously making the club rounds this summer. A tour… Read more »
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have appeared at a lot of venues in their decades performing together – but this spring will see the Boss and his posse bringing their live show to a venue they’ve never visited before: television. Two of the classic rock act’s shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden last summer will be broadcast April 7 on HBO, the cable station announced today. This marks the first time that a concert by Springsteen and the E Street Band has been broadcast on the tube. The special was taped at the final two concerts –… Read more »
Jess Bowen & Bowie Jane chat about tour bus toilets vs big brother toilets, the importance of working out on the road, Jess’ upcoming gigs with the Summer Set, dry (or should we say damp January) as well as her electronic drum kit!
