"That's News to Me" - Archive #7
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A Mix of Music Related Text and Photos That You May
Find Interesting A Mix of Music Related Text and Photos That You May
Find Interesting The 12-Unit Housing Complex Funded by the Elvis
Presley Charitable Foundation is Designed to Meet the Needs of Homeless Families.MEMPHIS - July 10, 2001 - The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation (EPCF), the charitable arm of Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE), and the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) opened Presley Place, a 12-unit transitional housing facility funded by the EPCF today in Memphis. Lisa Marie Presley, chairman of EPE, was present to cut the ceremonial ribbon and to greet the new residents.
In June of 1999, the EPCF announced its commitment to fund the creation of Presley Place, a $1 million plus development that will be managed by MIFA as part of Estival Communities, MIFA's housing program for homeless families. The grand-opening ceremony provided the public an opportunity to view the facility and learn more about this program to assist families in crisis. "All of us with the EPCF and Elvis Presley Enterprises are extremely proud of this amazing facility," stated Presley. "The work that MIFA does truly has an impact on peoples' lives and we look forward to this collaboration."
The 12-unit apartment complex, designed by Looney Ricks Kiss Architects and constructed by Patton and Taylor Enterprises, will contain both four- and two-bedroom apartments as transitional housing for homeless families. The four bedroom units, the first of their size in Estival Communities, will allow MIFA to serve the needs of larger families. The two-story brick apartments have an open floor plan downstairs with living room, dining room and kitchen. The complex's design, with the apartments facing into a courtyard and each unit having a porch, promotes a sense of community among residents.
"The development of Presley Place is exciting on so many levels," said Meghan Altimore, MIFA director of housing. "Transitional housing for families, especially for large families, has been determined to be a high priority need in our city according to an annual report on homeless needs."
The property is located at 709 St. Paul Ave. in the Peabody/Vance neighborhood. Presley Place and its residents will be managed by MIFA. Like the families living in Estival Communities, Presley Place residents will be provided a variety of services. Residents receive up to one year of rent-free housing; child care at the Les Passees Center; employment counseling; life-skills education; and case management to identify the steps that brought them to homelessness and to gain the skills to prevent it from reoccurring.
"Presley Place is going to provide families throughout the Peabody/Vance Neighborhood an
opportunity to grow work toward achieving positive goals," said Margaret Craddock, MIFA
executive director. "These families are trying to overcome powerful barriers: poverty,
homelessness, education opportunities and discrimination. We need to nurture them and
provide them with all we can; especially throughout the early stages of their lives.
If we do that, we're changing the lives of people who otherwise aren't offered some of
life's most important opportunities."
Nick Curran and the Nitelife,
TexJam 0063 CD. With their sophomore release, "Nitelife Boogie," jump blues sensations
Nick Curran and the Nitelife once again prove that they are the hottest band on the
scene today. The Nitelife's sound is quite simply unparalleled. More than just a
rehashed revivalist, Nick manages to breathe new fire and life into a genre that many
had long since proclaimed dead. Of the fourteen tracks, half were penned by Curran,
showcasing his strong songwriting skills. He is also an extraordinary guitar player and
often draws upon his heroes - from Clarence Gatemouth Brown to Charle Christian and all
points in between - to create his own infectous sound. As if those elements were not enough,
Nick also possesses a rough-hewn voice that is reminiscent of the decades past, yet
uniquely his own. Nitelife Boogie is destined to become an instant favorite of everyone who
listens to it. Available at
Hepcat Records, 1-800-404-4117. Released by
Texas Jamboree Records,
PO Box 161148, Austin, TX 78716 USA. PRESS RELEASE, July 9,2001 - Elvis Presley,
who starred in 33 films, and recorded 64 albums and 51 singles, can now be heard
at www.mp3.com/elvis. Presley passed away 24 years ago but still has a huge international
following. It's estimated that more than 600,000 tourists visit his Memphis estate,
Graceland, every year according to Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE). EPE says 625 fan clubs
for Presley are still active worldwide.Music publisher BMG is slated to release a special boxed set, "Elvis Live in Las Vegas," which will hit stores July 10. Elvis fans can order the collection by visiting by www.mp3.com/elvis. Fans of the Mississippi-born artist also can register to win a three-day trip to Graceland and Elvis merchandise, including T-shirts, boxer shorts, gold records and swiveling hip clocks by visiting www.mp3.com/elvis. The MP3.com Elvis site also boasts a rare March 1960 interview with Elvis from Graceland, after his two-year stint in the Army. Fans also can view a virtual Elvis live performance, get information about the original band and take a virtual tour of Graceland.
Presley sold more than 1 billion record units worldwide, more than any artist in
recording history, in addition to receiving 14 Grammy nominations. Presley had no
less than 149 songs appear on the Billboard Hot 100 pop charts, of which 114 were in the
Top 40, and 18 of those hit No. 1.
RICK NELSON WEBMISTRESS ANNOUNCEMENT -
"RickNelson.com now has a completed
discography. Including a Picture Sleeves
archive. New Album cover section forthcoming. *Discog and Sleeves Compliments
of Kenneth Wingate, Kent McCombs and Don McLaughlin.
We need your help! Currently we are listing the photos provided by family and
EMI/EPE right now. What we need from you are any and all photos of Rick
throughout his years! This is not limited to personal photos. So many articles, covers and
memorabilia have been created over the years that we simply don't have copies
of it all! Help make this site a complete complete tribute to Rick's
life.... You can email scans to this address (in JPG format please). Mailing
address is located in the Contact Section of RickNelson.com.
We found a new server for our guestbook so be sure to pop over and leave your
thoughts on Rick. The kids do stop by and read them! Also the Yahoo Group
will remain open. So you can chat, post and mingle with other fans ..."
"The many hopes and dreams that the family shared have
to be sold to cover the 55% "Death Tax."
Yeah, yeah, the Senate has finally passed a bill that will do away with this unfair tax by the
year 2010. That doesn't bring any relief to families now. The business and the few assets it
took their parent's a lifetime to earn have to be sold to cover the debt. However, everyone
involved knows that the property is being offered at an IRS fire sale and the family is forced
to sell for pennies on the dollar. Not only has the family suffered a staggering loss, so
have all of your employees who have relied on your family for their employment for decades.
Now there will be no more business to tax, no income to tax-a loss of revenue for everyone
in the community. But the government really does not care, for they do all of this "for the
good of the country." I really wonder!!!".
The Rogers family is forever trying to keep The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum in Victorville,
California going. It is a wonderful museum full of artifacts and mementos from the long careers
of Roy and Dale. For information about the museum, please visit our website Lioned above.
For information on how you can help the museum by becoming a member or a sponsor, please call
(760) 245-5503, or email: administrator@royrogers.com
From: GlennJPogatchnik@aol.com - 7/4/01.
"I am just heartbroken. I turned on my computer this morning to find out
from my friends the sad news of Roy Nichols passing.He was only 68 and that
was far too young for us to lose him. The first time I met Roy was at that
tribute on May 3,1998 at Trout's in Oildale and even though he didn't know me
he was a very gracious man. He let me take several pictures of him with Bill
Woods and other folks. Then I got to sit down with him and talk about
guitars. He created much excitement that day because he was very rarely seen
since his stroke. The lady next to Roy in this picture I'm sending you is his
lovely wife Quita. In the background is Bill Woods and Mayf Nutter. The story
of Roy's passing is in the Bakersfield Californian at www.bakersfield.com. Go
to local news and then click onto more local news. Rest in peace Roy. I know
there is some great music going on in Heaven today." Thoughts from Bill Kennedy.
Posted July 2, 2001Indeed, Elvis Presley and a host of others whose names are graced on the AM oldies airwaves daily. Most recently Joey Ramone and Carl Perkins. Completely opposites in their approach, but bound together in the furious excitement that only a pounding "E" chord can deliver behind a solid drummer. It goes on, and it will continue until the day the very last of the first generation of those pioneers who created an exciting music for the young, and the young at heart, are gone.
In the last week we have learned of the loss of two opposite influences in rock & roll. One, a grizzled old black man who wore his life on every line in his face. Growled, mumbled and spit out lyrics about big legged women, cheating and gettin even. Played the most simple of guitar techniques, but made it sound so unique that it was difficult, if not impossible to duplicate. John Lee Hooker was his name. And what a name. Just to say it sounds strong and powerful. A name that would fit a steel driven man on a railroad gang or a prize fighter. He died at peace in bed. How ironic, I always thought he would get shot in a barroom after messin with some mans old lady. Hooker was one of the very last of Chicago blues men. There are dozens of recordings available that showcase his music. Christ, one of his songs, "Boogie Children" or "Chillen" was recorded fifteen times by him at least. Several years ago he released a CD on Capricorn called "The Healer." It has various artist on it. Carlos Santana and Bonnie Raitt are two. Raitts rendition and guitar work with Hooker on "I'm in the mood" is a classic. The CD got five stars from everyone who reviewed when it was released. A good one for any collection.
On the other end was a quiet, shy country guy that everyone who ever met-liked, or even loved. Married to the same woman for a thousand years, no arrest, no dope, no nothing. Chet Atkins was a guitar genius. What Les Paul did for the electric guitar and recording magic, Atkins did for the "picker." While Atkins didn't invent the finger picking method he used, he did refine it to a science. By using the thumb pick to play the bottom lower strings as bass, or counter notes, and using the others fingers to pick the melody of the song. In essence, he could play three parts at once.
In the 50's and 60's he was a producer and guitarist on many early rock & roll records. The majority of the early Everly Brothers records feature his artistry.
There is a Christmas CD that Atkins produced that is beautiful. His version of "Silver Bells" is the best. There was also an album release in 1976 called "Chester & Lester." Yep, Les Paul and Chet Atkins actually together on one album.
So, two more shoot on through to the other side. There sits John Lee Hooker with his hat sitting sideways on his head, a hand rolled cigarette dangling from his mouth, clutching his red Gibson ES-320 looking over at Chet Atkins. Neatly sitting with his legs crossed, picken on a mint green Gretsch Country Gentleman.
They're probably wondering who gonna play first, and what, and in what key. Since John Lee didn't care much about being in tune ... God bless'em.
Bill Kennedy - Bill0666@aol.com
Country fans know the Ryman Auditorium as "The Mother Church of Country
Music" and the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. The National
Park Service recently named the Nashville hall, built in 1892, a National
Historic Landmark. In honor of the designation, the Ryman will host a
ceremony Monday morning (June 25) featuring presentations by government
dignitaries and Opry and Ryman executives. "If I could pick one structure
that truly embodies our country music heritage, it would have to be the
Ryman Auditorium," Congressman Bob Clement said. "The Ryman is a facility of
national significance which elicits a certain devotion and reverence from
country music stars and fans alike." Clement was a driving force behind the
Ryman's citation. 06/22/01
Stuart Keeps Hall of Fame Post, Wendell Elected Chairman
Grand Ole Opry star Marty Stuart will serve a sixth consecutive term as
president of the Country Music Hall of Fame's Board of Officers and
Trustees. E.W. "Bud" Wendell, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in
1998, replaces Bruce Hinton as the board's chairman. 06/22/01
By PETER COOPER, Staff Writer. of The Tennessean
Every year Robot International holds a 3 day
rockabilly festival known as
"The GreazeFest.
The GreazeFest is not a nostalgia festival - it's put on by rockabilly fans
for rockabilly fans who like their music loud and are most likely into
custom car culture.
The GreazeFest is coming up again real soon on August 17 - 19, at Redcliffe,
some 30 minutes north of Brisbane, Australia.
This year, the Hot Rod Girl, Josie Kreuzer, is coming downunder to headline
the weekend. This will be Josie's only Australian show, so all the cats
from around the country and NZ will have to rumble inta Redcliffe to witness
some sizzling hot filly rockabilly.Friday August 17Contact: Lori Lee Cash
4pm Meet and greet at The Fish Bowl
8pm bands:
Satellite V
Johnny Green's Blues Cowboys
Saturday August 18 all day:
Rats'n'Rides Show featuring:
Kustom kulture and vintage vendor stalls
plus live rockabilly:
Tractor Jacks
The Starlite Ramblers
Saturday August 18 from 7pm:
Josie Kreuzer
The Chrome Daddies
The Satellites
The Tailgaters
Sunday August 19 from 11am
Seaside Rat Ride from The Fish Bowl
4pm The Fuellers at The Fish Bowl
Saturday Rats'n'Rides Display
Spaces are very limited for the GreazeFest Rats'n'Rides display - there are only 65 car spaces at The Fish Bowl. Therefore entry has been restricted to GreazeFest patrons only. You can book your vehicle [pre-1969] when ordering tickets. It costs $5 to show your vehicle, with net proceeds being donated to the rockabilly stabbing benefit. www.myrockabilly.com.
Sunday Seaside Rat Ride Roll up to The Fish Bowl by 11am on Sunday. Destination to be advised. All pre-1969 vehicles welcome.
Courtesy: Up & Coming Magazine
I recently gave a listen to a CD released by a (somewhat) local boy by the name
of Bobby Joe Swilley, entitled "Mississippi on My Mind." I took the CD,
not really sure what to expect, and popped it into my player and sat back.
Though not really a big fan of the "rockabilly" genre of music, I must say that
I was pleasantly surprises by "Mississippi On My Mind, and maybe you will too.
Swilley grew up in Northern Mississippi, where he used to sneak into the "local black church" because he liked listening to the music they sang there. "I loved that gospel rhythm, harmony and emotion in that music." said Swilley, which :influenced me to form my own rockabilly style."
Swilley's music flowed smoothly, blending obvious elements of blues, country, old-fashioned rock and southern style. Closing my eyes I could easily picture myself sitting in a northern Mississippi honky tonk, tapping my feet after a long, hard dry working in cotton field.
The Music was technically superb. The instruments blended together seemlessly while Swilley crooned with a smooth voice dripping with natural talent and the superb skill that only a veteran craftsman can master. The music was a reminder of a sound long gone in most of the music on the market today. "Mississippi On My Mind" showcases Swilley's powerful voice and is a must have for any "rockabilly" fan or avid country lover.
"Mississippi On My Mind" not only play like a normal CD, but it also has a multimedia section when run on a computer as a DD-ROM. This multimedia section contains a photo, artist information, lyrics and downloadable mp3s that will run on any mp3 player. For more information on Bobby Joe Swilley, you can check out "Mississippi On My Mind" at http://mp3.com/bobbyjoe
There is a new CD now available (just released this month) of my dad's music that I thought you might like to know about. If you have already bought the box set, don't worry ... this CD does not contain any new material. So if you are one of the blessed that have the box set, please forgive this email. Maybe you have a friend who didn't want to pay that much for the box set but they might be interested in a $12 CD.
This is not the "Greatest Hits" CD that I have had my heart set on doing (which is still "in
the works"). But it is a re-release of Wynn Stewart's earlier recordings, similar to the "California
Country" CD that was put out in the early 90's and is virtually impossible to find nowadays.
This CD will be available from my website as soon as I get my shipment (which I just ordered
today and am expecting in 2 weeks). If you want to be put on the reserved list, let me know and
you will be one of the first to receive it. I will be selling it for $12. The following is a list
of the songs included on this CD:
The CD is called "The Very Best of Wynn Stewart (1958-1962)". While it is not what I consider "the very best", it is still some very good music and contains many of the songs that people have selected as their favorites thru my song survey. To those of you who requested that I send them a schedule of when the K-mart commercial featuring "It's Such a Pretty World Today" was playing on TV, I apologize, but I never got one either. The ad was pulled after only being played for 2 weeks. A real bummer since they said it was scheduled to play for 7 months. But, oh well. At least it got played a little bit. It was fun while it lasted.1. Come On
2. The Long Black Limousine Come On
3. How The Other Half Lives - (with Jan Howard)
4. Above And Beyond (The Call Of Love)
5. Wishful Thinking
6. Wrong Company - (with Jan Howard)
7. Heartaches For A Dime
8. Playboy
9. Big City
10. If You See My Baby
11. Big, Big Love
12. I Don't Feel At Home
13. One Way To Go
14. Falling For You
15. Three Cheers For The Losers
16. Couples Only
17. Another Day, Another Dollar
18. Don't Look Back
Country music pioneer and Texas music legend, Marvin "Smokey" Montgomery passed
away on Wednesday, June 6, 2001. A member of one of country music's top
history-making bands since the 1930's and the man known worldwide for introducing
Dixieland-style jazz banjo to western swing music, Marvin "Smokey" Montgomery
has died in Dallas at the age of 88. Since joining The Light Crust Doughboys
band in 1935 and continuing through concert appearances as late as May 2001
with The Light Crust Doughboys, the influence of musician/arranger/composer/producer
Smokey Montgomery can be heard every time western swing music, Dixieland-style
jazz banjo or intricate, swinging banjo solos are played. In an eight-decade-spanning
career which has seen Smokey recognized in virtually every western swing and
banjo hall of fame in the world, he has more than earned the title of "Mr.
Tenor Banjo" and "Mr. Light Crust Doughboy". As recently as February 2001, Smokey was honored with a Grammy Nomination in the gospel music field for his work with The Light Crust Doughboys, and he has earned Grammy Nominations for the past three out of four Grammy periods, 1997, 1998, and 2000 for best recorded work in his category.
Since turning 80 years of age and in just the last handful of years alone, Smokey and Light Crust Doughboy Art Greenhaw have produced highly-successful musical collaborations with Amarillo's Lone Star Ballet, various orchestras including The Abilene Philharmonic, The Texas Wind Symphony, The Dallas Wind Symphony and others, Southern Methodist University's Mustang Band, gospel music's legendary James Blackwood, The Jordanaires, Ventures' guitarist Nokie Edwards, steel guitarist Tom Brumley and other notables. One of Smokey's major contributions to the legacy of American banjo music is found in his guidance and direction of The Dallas Banjo Band, one of the premier educational and performing banjo ensembles in the country.
The 74th Texas Legislature in 1995 called Marvin "Smokey" Montgomery a "national treasure" along with his fellow Light Crust Doughboys, and The Light Crust Doughboys were designated Official Music Ambassadors for The State of Texas. Bob Wills called Smokey "a genius on that banjo". Countless professional musicians and banjoists call Smokey a major influence, and through motion picture musical performances by The Light Crust Doughboys such as the Gene Autry film "Oh Susanna", Smokey's virtuoso banjo playing launched a thousand tenor banjoists.
In Smokey's last few days of earthly life, he often repeated, "The Light Crust Doughboys have never given anything less than a great performance .... We've always given fans so much more than their money's worth.....We've given 'em everything we had."
Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday June 9, 2001 in the Hall of State Museum located at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas and are open to the public. For information, please call 214-421-0281.
The Light Crust Doughboys have recently released a CD of the Rockabilly
Hall of Fame label.
Whilst I and younger offspring were all for returning to the bright lights of
Las Vegas for the rockin' delights Viva Las Vegas 4, She Who Must Be Obeyed
was not quite so enthusiastic. However steady cajoling and some outright
bribery worked wonders and the end result that was that we were Vancouver and
Las Vegas bound at the beginning of April. After spending a week sampling
what the marvelous city of Vancouver and surrounding area had to offer,
including acouple of visits to 'Krazy Bob's' at Langley, pure vinyl heaven
and whose proprietor had a great line in chat such as 'how do you confuse the
lead guitarist of a rock band? - put some sheet music in front of him', we
boarded the aircraft for the flights to Vegas. Once there, we were again the
guests of Chuck and Linda Baker. Chuck played on the session that
produced Hugh Barrett's & The Victors 'There Was A Fungus Amongst Us' for
Madison Records and he also produced the Barrett follow up on Lucky Four
Records as well as making the answer version 'Return Of The Fungus'. Today
he is a respected writer, journalist and TV presenter as well as running his
own newspaper for US armed forces veterans. (Radio West Suffolk)
Jack Scott and his band left a sold out
crowd at Hemsby cheering for more Saturday Night.
From the minute Jack opened the show with "Baby, She' s Gone" there was magic in the air.
Fans hung on to his every lyric, sang along with many of their favorites and renewed a long-standing
love affair with an artist whose talent has not diminished over time. The audience consisted of ages ranging from 10 years to 75. The veteran fans did not, at first, believe this was truly Jack Scott. He looked too young, his voice too pure and the band too "spot on" to be an old artist revisiting his past. No, this was a brand new talent who sang with clarity and strength and they loved every minute of it because it was the songs they loved and wanted to hear. Jack's 75-minute show was a non-stop list of songs he had written and recorded. His encore included a rocking rendition of Elvis Presley's "I'm Evil" and he walked off stage leaving the fans truly breathless.
Pete Owen, DJ on 1350am - Radio West Suffolk writes: "Seeing Jack Scott. I was not disappointed - he was brilliant. The repertoire of songs was just what I had hoped for, and the re-creation of the sound achieved on record was amazing, including the American band backing him and 'deputizing' for the Chantones. Thank Jack on behalf of all his fans for coming to the UK again."
Willie Jeffries, Promoter of the Hemsby shows: "I thought Jack and his excellent band with their fine back up vocals gave a superb show. Over the past 23 years I have seen Jack many times in Paris, Detroit and London and his his performance at Hemsby was by far the best. Writer, Ian Wallis and I both rated Jack's show the highlight of the weekend."
Jack's band consists of Rudy Varner (Standup Bass), Steve Nardella (Lead Guitar), Lonnie Varner (Drums), and a special appearance by Clive Osborn (Saxophone).
Jack ended the evening after spending over two hours at the autograph table visiting with fans who had come from all over the world to see their hero. Had time allowed, it would have lasted well into the next day, as the line had not diminished. Some Love affairs never die; they simply lie dormant in anticipation of the next rendezvous.
Contact: Chuck Kaiser, 248-644-2885 - kaiser_c@msn.com
James E. Myers had handled a Mickey Mouse toy lovingly recently at his home in Bonita Springs,
Florida, and smiled. "Mickey," he told me, "will rock soon. He is in production right now." Then
he pushed a button and the robotic Mickey Mouse began to rock to the tune of the 1950s hit Rock
Around the Clock.
The robotic Mickey Mouse copyrighted to Disney and designed by Blue Ridge Design, rocks to the original song of Bill Haley and His Comets.
It was almost 50 years ago that James E. Myers (a.k.a. Jimmy DeKnight) co-wrote this song with the late Max Freedman. Years later the Guinness Book of World Records called it the "Biggest Pop Record."
In less than half a century, James E. Myers had figured that the song had earned him about $10 million. Myers had told me, "It is still going strong around the world and the royalties are still coming in. A little here, a little there, they add up."
James E. Myers, 81, who made millions of people so happy for so long with his music that they just wanted to dance and rock, died on Wednesday, May 9, at Hospice of Fort Myers, Florida. Catherine Brookshaw, Myers' 16-year companion, said in Bonita Springs: "He was a fantastic man. We found out 8-weeks ago that he had leukemia. Doctors had said then that James could live only 3 to 4 weeks. Philadelphia was his hometown, and we are taking him there. He will be buried in Philadelphia next to his mother's grave."
James E. Myers still owns the copyright to the song Rock Around the Clock. The success of Rock Around the Clock was a pleasant surprise to Myers. He had said: "We never knew when the song came out that it was to become the anthem of Rock 'N' Roll. Its success even surprised me, although I had a good feeling about it. You could tell that people liked it, because when it played, they all wanted to sing and dance."
Rock Around the Clock has been recorded in more than 30 languages, it was performed in more than 40 movies and recorded on about 500 record labels.
Myers had said: "The song's melody had developed in my mind over several years. One day, long after my World War II service in the South Pacific, I was in my music publishing business in Philadelphia, playing the tune. My friend Max Freedman came in."
"We collaborated and Rock Around the Clock was born. I had Bill Haley in mind to sing the song. It didn't happen that way at first. I had the song copyrighted in 1953 and it was first recorded by Sonny Dae and His Knights. When Bill Haley, who loved the song, recorded it with the Comets in April 1954, the song took off and gained world fame. And that was it."
According to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Rock Around the Clock is the most played rock song in the world. Rolling Stone Magazine estimates that the song had more than 25 million in sales. Myers used to say that was a low figure.
Anyone who was somebody in the entertainment business praised the song. Dick Clark called Rock Around the Clock "The national anthem of Rock and Roll." Al Martino said, "The song of the century" and Alan Freed described it as "The Daddy of Rock 'n' Roll." According to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, "Throughout the years, the importance of this song has grown ..."
The Rockabilly Hall of Fame has a big section on their website rockabillyhall.com about James E. Myers and Rock Around the Clock.
During an interview with Playboy magazine in January 1981, the late John Lennon of Beatles fame, said, "I had no idea about doing music as a way of life until Rock 'n' Roll hit me." Lennon explained that it was Rock Around the Clock that had impressed him.
Myers began playing his father's drums when he was only 2 years old. "When I was 6," he had said, "I played in a school band in Northfield, New Jersey."
While living in Bonita Springs, Florida, James E. Myers always remembered his four years service in the South Pacific during World War II and receiving numerous medals for his bravery. He was commissioned a lieutenant while still in combat. As a long time movie actor and song writer, he also met famous Hollywood stars and movie producers. The pictures of himself in their company, the awards he received for his songs, and his medals for his World War II bravery, cover the walls of his home in Bonita Springs. Myers also wrote his war experiences in a book titled "Hell is a Foxhole."
Mike Kaylan Copyright © 2001
9395 Pennsylvania Ave #26
Bonita Springs, Florida 34135
E-mail: makaylan@aol.com
Phone: (941) 992-8061
M.C. Records exclusive artist Sleepy LaBeef is hitting the road this summer
to promote his hot Americana CD Tomorrow Never Comes. You can also catch
Sleepy LaBeef will be live at a computer near you. The Human Jukebox
recorded the April 30 concert at The Casbah in San Diego and is available
now at www.dcn.com, You can also catch Sleepy with his band on The
Woodsongs Radio Hour starting the week of June 23 on over 200 outlets across
the U.S. and in Canada. Sleepy LaBeef's latest CD Tomorrow Never Comes
was released in August of 2000 features special guest Maria Muldaur on two
songs. 
Brian Setzer, the man credited with single-handedly briging two forgotten genres
of music back to the popular forefront, is shifting gears once again. The new
project, "Brian Setzer '68 Comeback Special." features Brian along with
two members of the Brian Setzer Orchestra, drummer Bernie Dresel, and slap-bassist Nashville's
Mark Winchester.What started out as a fun diversion has turned into a new album and full-fledged U.S. tour for the pompadoured, tatooed guitar slinger who helped revive rockabilly in the '80s and launch the swing explosion of the late '90s. Just for kicks, a couple of Southern California shows were set up in November 2000 for the sole purpose of getting out and playing a bunch of new songs Brian had written, Brian had so much fun and the audience response to the new line-up was so overwhelming that the decision was quickly made to book a world tour, which will begin on the U.S. West Coast June 15 and run for 2 month, followed by a month of dates in Europe.
The new three-piece "'68 Comeback Special" will give Setzer an opportunity to serve up his very unique brand of hot-rodded rockabilly-roots music and, at the same time, demonstrate what a versatile musician he really is, as he will be bringing out his banjo and pedal steel to add even more flavor. Audiences can expect a lot of great new songs, some revived-up Stray Cats classics, and stripped-down versions of their favorite BSO tunes.
With all of the excitement building around the "Brian Setzer '68 Comeback Special," it seemed natural to record the new material and release a new record. The album, titled "Ignition." has a release date set for June 12, 2001 on Encinitas, CA-based independent, Surfdog Records. Brian co-produced the CD with John Holbrook who (engineer of "The Dirty Boogie" and "Vavoom!"). To capture excitement and feel of the live show, the album was completely recorded and mixed in 10 days. The new disc features all-new Setzer original "Hot Rod Songs and Make-Out Tunes."
Because of the name, many people ask if this going to be some kind of Elvis Presley tribute and tour. Brian's response: "Isn't all music an Elvis Presley trubute?" As for why he picked the name: "Because it's cool." The same criterion he's always used.
Brian Setzer '68 Comeback Special TOUR DATES:
7/11 - Westbury, NY - Music Theater
7/12 - Late Night with Conan O'Brien
7/13 - Atlantic City - Caesar's Casino (BSO)
7/14 - Atlantic City - Caesar's Casino (BSO)
7/15 - Atlantic City - Caesar's Casino (BSO)
7/16 - David Letterman (Tentative>
7/17 - Albany, NY - McGeary's
7/19 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Ballroom
7/20 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Casino
7/21 - Boston, MA - Avalon Ballroom
7/22 - Hyannis, MA - Cape Cod Music Theater
7/24 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Laga
7/25 - Cleveland, OH - Odeon Club
7/27 - Dayton, OH - Courthouse Square
7/28 - Chicago, Il - House of Blues
7/29 - Kansas City, MO - Beaumont Club
7/31 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
8/1 - Beaver Creek - Vilar Theatre
8/4 - Los Angles, CA - Greek Theatre (BSO)
8/9 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
8/10 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
8/11 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
8/15 - San Mateo, CA - San Mateo County Fair
8/16 - Santa Cruz, CA - Catalyst
8/17 - Santa Ynex, CA - Gainey Vineyard
8/18 - Reno, NV - Sliver Legacy Casino
Contact information: SURFDOG, 1126 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024, phone
769-944-SURF (7873), fax 790-944-7808 - www.surfdog.com.
ALSO SEE:
Brian Setzer 68 Comeback Special, by Shaun Mather
The play, "Nighty Nite San Fancisco" will run
at the Shelton Theater in San Francisco near Union Square, Thursday, Friday
& Saturday nights 8-10 PM October, November, December. Tickets $30.00. Play
is sponsored by AIRBORNE, the natural cold remedy. For tickets or information
please call the AIRBORNE hotline 800-590-9794. Nighty Nite SF is a broad
hilarious parody of a late night talk show and stars Johnny Whitaker (former
child star of Family Affair), and Rudy Tutti Grayzell, as musical director.
Rudy sings DUCKTAILS during the performance! A piece of American music history will be honored and resurrected with the
Soulsville GroundShaking on April 20th. The event will mark the
groundbreaking for Soulsville U.S.A.'s site for the Stax Museum for American
Soul Music and the Stax Music Academy, at the site of the original legendary
Stax Records, the Capitol Theater, on 926 E. McLemore Avenue in Memphis.The museum will pay tribute to one of America's unique and beloved musical institutions. Beginning in the late-Fifties, Stax came to define gospel-influenced southern soul music, and featured a roster that included Otis Redding, Booker T. and the MGs, and Sam and Dave, to name just a few of the artists who helped the label produce 300 albums and more nearly 800 singles (167 of which reached the Top 100) during its sixteen-year existence.
Stax legends Isaac Hayes, Steve Cropper and William Bell will all speak at the groundbreaking, as will Estelle Axton, who co-founded the label with her brother Jim Stewart. Also attending will be a number of state and local officials, a representative for Fantasy Records (who hold the rights to the Stax catalog) and a group of local youths (four each on guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and brass) recruited to serve in a new Stax house band. Gospel great Anita Louis will lead the group, who will be armed with instruments provided by Play it Again Memphis, a local organization that distributes musical instruments to aspiring musicians who can't afford them.
Plans for the museum were announced in February of 2000, as part of a cooperative agreement between Soulsville (formerly the Ewarton Museum), the city of Memphis and LeMoyne-Owen College. Preliminary designs for the actual building, which will include a performance center, were designed last year, though a finalized blueprint was delayed until certain Stax artifacts were found due to structural and design issues. "The museum, to some extent, has to be build around the pieces we're able to get," says Deanie Parker, a Stax recording artist and publicist during the label's heyday and now, as the President and Executive Director of Soulsville, one of the primary driving forces of the project. "Because once you break ground you have to keep moving."
Plans call for a complete restoration of the Capitol Theater, which had fallen into a state of immense disrepair after the closing of the label in January 1976, as well as the adjacent performing arts center and the Music Academy. The Academy will host its second summer program this year. "One of the things that we have stressed is that we're looking for diversity," Parker says of the education programs. "Racial diversity, because that's what Stax promoted, harmony among people who enjoyed making music and sharing their creative knowledge and talent. We're going to stay with that philosophy."
For more information on the project visit www.soulsvilleusa.com.
(RS)