It's official. Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights!
Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning artist and activist Cyndi Lauper has designed and released her official “Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights” t-shirt. Inspired by the menagerie of protest signs using this empowering slogan during the worldwide Women’s March that took place on January 21st, Cyndi has partnered with Omaze in honor of Women’s History Month to raise vital funding for Planned Parenthood and the True Colors Fund.
“As I marched down the streets of New York City in January amongst a beautiful array of people of every sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and nationality, I was blown away to see so many people embracing the message of “Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights’ on their handmade signs,” said Cyndi Lauper. “Seeing this anthem continue to empower so many people to speak out and get involved, I was inspired to find new ways to further spread this powerful message of equality and justice for all. I am hopeful that this t-shirt will raise much needed funds to support the important work of Planned Parenthood and the True Colors Fund.”
Cyndi’s official “Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights” t-shirt is available starting today at www.omaze.com/fun and can be purchased for $25. A sweatshirt is also available for $39. The net proceeds from each t-shirt and sweatshirt sold will be donated to Planned Parenthood and the True Colors Fund.
About Omaze Founded by Matt Pohlson and Ryan Cummins, Omaze is a fundraising platform that offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive merchandise to raise funds and awareness for today’s most important causes. By leveraging the power of audiences and technology, Omaze is radically changing charitable giving and streamlining public participation with charitable campaigns to create impact in real time. Since launching in 2012, Omaze has impacted more than 200 charities and received donations from over 175 countries. For more information please visit omaze.com.
About Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the statewide public policy office representing California’s seven Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC advocates for sound public policy in areas of reproductive and preventive health care, family planning and comprehensive sexual health education and information. For more information about Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, please visit www.ppactionca.org.
About True Colors Fund The True Colors Fund, co-founded by Cyndi Lauper, works nationally to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth. In America, up to 40 percent of the 1.6 million youth that are homeless each year identify as LGBT. Yet, only seven percent of the general youth population is LGBT. The most cited reason for this disproportionate rate is family rejection due to the young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Through a broad continuum of advocacy, training & education, and youth collaboration programs, the True Colors Fund is creating a world in which all young people can be their true selves. For more information about the True Colors Fund, please visit www.truecolorsfund.org.
Smiles Everyone, Smiles! Dolly Parton & Pentatonix
Dolly Parton scores her eighth Grammy with some help from the Pentatonix gang!
World-renowned singer/songwriter/entertainer Dolly Parton continues racking up the honors! In 2014, The Recording Academy inducted Parton's self-penned hit JOLENE into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Now, in 2017, that same song, released as a collaboration with Pentatonix, was awarded a Grammy in the Country Duo/Group Performance category. Watch the collaborative performance here:
Arranged by PTX
Filmed at NOVE Entertainment Produced by Dolly Parton, Pentatonix and Flyte Vu
"Oh my Lord I am so excited to have won the Grammy with Pentatonix on my old song Jolene," says Dolly Parton. "I am so happy and am so very proud of Pentatonix. The song is one of my favorites. Thanks to the Grammys, but most importantly thanks to all the fans. I love you all."
The award-winning collaboration between Pentatonix and Parton happened through a partnership with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, which has enjoyed success with both acts in the past with exclusive editions of albums from each. In Parton’s case, the partnership stretches back to her 2009 Backwoods Barbie Collector's Edition project, which was followed by the release of An Evening With…Dolly and became the first Gold album-ever certified by the RIAA for Cracker Barrel Music. That relationship has continued with her latest Dolly Records / RCA Records release Pure & Simple. Released in the summer of 2016, the album – which netted Dolly her first chart-topping album since 1991 – was released in a deluxe Cracker Barrel-exclusive edition that featured live performances of her classic hits “9 To 5” and “Jolene” from the Glastonbury Festival, along with a 48-page ZinePak magazine filled with photos and interviews highlighting memorable stories from Parton. The collaboration is not part of any of the packages, however, is available for digital download here:
“Cracker Barrel is thrilled to have brought these two extraordinary talents together, Dolly Parton and Pentatonix, as part of our Spotlight Music Program for the exclusive collaboration of “Jolene." We share in the celebration of their GRAMMY Award win as they are both a special part of the Cracker Barrel family,” said Don Hoffman, VP of Marketing at Cracker Barrel.
CTK Management CEO Danny Nozell said, "The collaborative video produced by Cracker Barrel between Pentatonix and Dolly has been viewed over 22 million times and has now won a Grammy. Dolly proves, once again, that she is making music that the fans will respond to."
Parton's 2016's Pure & Simple North American Tour was the highest grossing tour of her career, performing over 60 shows.
Performing for LGBT Youth Tomorrow Night in Los Angeles, CA
The True Colors Fund is excited to announce the lineup and honorees for its sold out inaugural Cyndi Lauper’s Damn Gala, taking place at the Hollywood Athletic Club on Sunday, October 9th in Los Angeles, CA. The organization, co-founded by Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winning artist Cyndi Lauper to prevent and end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, will feature a keynote address from Secretary Julián Castro of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“The True Colors Fund is honored that Secretary Castro will provide the keynote at our inaugural Damn Gala,” said Cyndi Lauper, co-founder of the True Colors Fund. “For the past four years, we have had the great privilege to partner with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to pilot and advance new solutions to prevent and end LGBT youth homelessness. We will end youth homelessness in America and, due to the strategic and innovative leadership of Secretary Castro and the team at HUD, tremendous progress has already been made.”
True Colors The Damn Gala, which will feature performances by Ms. Lauper and True Colors Fund Board Member and Tony Award winning artist Sara Ramirez, will pay tribute to USA Network and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. James Paxton and Tyler Young, stars of USA Network’s upcoming series, EYEWITNESS, premiering October 16th, will be presenting the network with its award. The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s award will be presented by Marc Malkin, Managing Editor and Correspondent at E! News, and his husband Fabian Quezada-Malkin. In addition, Phoebe VanCleefe and Kahlib Barton, two of True Colors Fund’s extraordinary youth leaders, will present TED-style talks, while True Colors Fund Board Member and Emmy Award winning personality Carson Kressley will serve as the evening’s host.
“We are excited to honor USA Network and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, two of our longest and closest partners in the effort to end LGBT youth homelessness in America,” said Gregory Lewis, Executive Director & CEO of the True Colors Fund. “For over 40 years, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has been a national leader in providing life-saving services for LGBT youth experiencing homelessness. USA Network has worked tirelessly to open countless hearts and minds through its programming and its public service campaign Characters Unite, which was created to address the social injustices and cultural divides still prevalent in our society. Both USA Network and the Los Angeles LGBT Center have been true leaders in creating a more accepting and affirming society for LGBT youth and we look forward to celebrating them at Cyndi Lauper’sDamn Gala.”
The Damn Gala is supported by Platinum Sponsors NCompass, Pride.com (National Media Partner), and Van Gogh Vodka (National Corporate Partner); and Gold Sponsors Angeleno Magazine, Jason Mraz Foundation, and Tylenol PM (National Corporate Partner).
The Damn Gala is currently sold out, but those interested in attending can join the waiting list by emailing RSVP@truecolorsfund.org. If tickets become available, they begin at $500, and tables of ten start at $5,000. For remaining sponsorship opportunities please contact rob@truecolorsfund.org. The net proceeds from the Damn Gala will benefit the True Colors Fund’s work to prevent and end LGBT youth homelessness in America.
Like a "Bat Out of Hell" Meat Loaf is "Braver" at number 4...!!!
Grammy Award-winning musician and acclaimed film, TV and stage actor Meat Loaf has another hit on his hands as his highly-anticipated new album, “Braver Than We Are” has debuted at #11 on the Billboard Top 200 Current Albums Chart and at #4 on their Rock Chart this week. Working closely again with longtime collaborator Jim Steinman—a key to the magic of multi-platinum selling albums “Bat Out of Hell” and “Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell”—Meat has recorded ten songs written by Steinman—featuring the first song he ever wrote in a storied career to the most recent. 429 Records released “Braver Than We Are” digitally, on CD and vinyl in the U.S. on September 16.
Exclusive CD with 3 bonus tracks featuring Imelda May on a new orchestral version of “I Would Do Anything For Love” -hyperurl.co/qdn48r
On "Must Be Free", the Grammy-winning artist, songwriter, and producer doesn't hesitate with his unexpurgated commentary on his spirituality, good and evil, the human condition, and aliens. Featured styles include reggae, dub, dubstep, acid jazz, and electronic music. Special guests include Subatomic Sound System, The Groovematist, and IAmPhloboi.
Perry was one of the pioneers in the development of dub music with his early adoption of effects and remixing to create new instrumental or vocal versions of existing reggae tracks. He has worked with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin, the Congos, Max Romeo and many others.
Perry has over 60 albums to his name, can read minds, once put a curse on the BBC for not playing his records, and was turned into Superman by Haitian zombie drugs. He's the kind of cosmic entity that has inspired everyone from the Beastie Boys, Andrew WK, Animal Collective, to Keith Richards with some of his mystic dub magic.
Smell What Meat Loaf Is Cooking! Photo: Martin Hausler
Meat Loaf, with a side of music...the perfect combo!
If you watch TV, read magazines, listen to the radio or browse the web, chances are you’ll be seeing and hearing Meat Loaf in the coming weeks. To celebrate the release of his highly-anticipated new album Braver Than We Are(available Sept. 9 in Europe and Sept. 16 in the US and the rest of the world), the Grammy Award-winning musician and acclaimed film, TV and stage actor will make appearances on numerous TV shows, including NBC’s TODAY and AOL Build on Sept. 12, Fox & Friends on Sept. 13, ABC’s The Chew Sept. 14, Oprah’s Where Are They Now, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, The Big Interview with Dan Rather, PBS’ Metro Focus, CNBC’s Closing Bell and many more, as well as multiple shows on SiriusXM and The Alan Colmes Show on Fox News Radio. Additionally, interviews with Meat Loaf will appear in upcoming issues of People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Closer Weekly and Parade Magazine, as well as on Billboard and Huffington Post. "People won't believe us but we're more excited about this album than we were Bat 1 and I'm thrilled to be finally sharing it with the world," Meat Loaf stated.
In a career spanning over four decades, Braver Than We Are is Meat Loaf’s fourth album featuring songs exclusively written by Jim Steinman. With a painting featuring Meat and Jim together for the first time gracing the cover, the album hearkens back to the hugely successful Meat-Steinman collaborations Bat Out of Hell (1977) and Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell (1993), which together sold over 67 million units. Braver Than We Are is a testament to Meat’s artistic rapport with Steinman. The songwriter’s strikingly vivid style matched with Meat’s incomparable talents not to mention his wit and grandiosity, results in the two successfully connecting with audiences on an epic scale. 429 Records will release Braver Than We Aredigitally, on CD and vinyl in Europe on Sept. 9 and the US and rest of the world on Sept. 16.
To Purchase “Braver Than We Are” visit: iTunes Bonus Edition including ‘Going All The Way’ radio single hyperurl.co/ilyydm
Remember Ruben Blades? I do, I used to process his checks when I worked in accounting at a talent agency in another life.
Between 1982 and 1984, music filmmaker Robert Mugge produced two feature length music docs for the UK's brand-new fourth TV network, appropriately named Channel 4 Television. Those two films were BLACK WAX with Gil Scott-Heron, now newly re-released on DVD and Blu-ray by MVD Visual, and GOSPEL ACCORDING TO AL GREEN. After both were completed, Andy Park, Channel 4's Commissioning Editor for Music who had funded both films, announced he would soon be leaving the channel. Mugge quickly realized, if he wanted Park to commission another film from him, he would need to act fast.
Therefore, in short order, Mugge proposed a film about the staging of Stephen Sondheim's then forthcoming musical Sunday in the Park with George. But before shooting could begin, the composer grew fearful that cameras could aggravate the stresses of an already challenging collaboration. So, sadly, that proposal was scrubbed.
Next up was a possible portrait of P-Funk mastermind George Clinton. But that proposal, too, was abandoned when the artist's own management noted his tendency not to show up when and where expected. Imagining what could happen to their modest budget if they booked crew, equipment, and supplies for a particular time and place only to have their subject fail to show, Mugge and Park soon abandoned that project as well.
Trailer
Finally, in early 1985, Mugge proposed, and Park approved, a portrait of Panamanian-American singer, songwriter, musician, activist, essayist, lawyer, and politician Ruben Blades, who could rightly have been named "The Most Interesting Man in the World" decades before the tongue-in-cheek Dos Equis commercials dubbed actor Jonathan Goldsmith as such. At the time, Blades was the darling of American rock critics thanks to release of the 1984 Elektra album Buscando América, Blades' most successful attempt yet at "crossing over" into mainstream Anglo acceptance, even as his longtime Latin fans stayed with him. His previous albums on salsa label Fania Records, with and without Nuyorican musician and bandleader Willie Colón, had made him a household name among Spanish-speaking salsa fans worldwide. But Blades was looking for far more, both musically and otherwise, and he seemed on the verge of becoming a multi-hyphenated, bilingual superstar.
The release of Buscando América, with its intricate Latin dance rhythms, its rocklike intensity, and its poetic, Spanish-language reflections on the often turbulent relationship between the U.S. and Latin America, showed Blades to be a major cultural force. But what made him so much more "interesting" as a film subject was that, simultaneously, he was starring in a highly autobiographical independent film titled CROSSOVER DREAMS which he himself had co-written, was earning a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in International Law from Harvard Law School, was publishing political essays in both Spanish and English, was splitting his time between the U.S. and his native Panama in anticipation of future political ambitions, was reading scripts for additional acting roles in the hope of improving the image of Latinos in Hollywood films and TV series, was touring internationally with his superb band, and was planning ever new material he hoped would further dissolve barriers between the English-language and Spanish-language music industries. As a documentary filmmaker seeking to capture the life and career of Rubén Blades on film, Mugge saw his own biggest challenge as simply keeping up with this seemingly tireless potential subject.
Happily, Blades, Mugge, and Park did come to terms, after which Mugge and his crew spent the spring and summer of 1985 shooting the following: a concert by Blades and his band Seis del Solar at New York City club S.O.B.'s (Sounds of Brazil); an interview with Blades at his New York City apartment; a conversation between Blades and author Pete Hamill in a New York City park; Blades' graduation from Harvard Law School (including conversations with his mother and his dean); a Spanish-language recording session in Los Angeles featuring Blades and guest vocalist Linda Ronstadt; a joint interview with Blades and Ronstadt (who was then contemplating recording her own albums of Mexican songs she learned at home as a child); and a trip by Blades to his hometown of Panama City. In Panama, Blades was filmed on the balcony of his new high-rise apartment overseeing his city's changing landscape, in front of the bank where he once worked as an attorney, joining his father for a visit to the neighborhood where he grew up, in a courtyard discussing his intention to run for president of Panama one day, and walking along the Panama Canal discussing the sometimes tense relations between his native and adopted countries.
In the three decades since this film was made, Blades has accomplished much of what he set out to do, including (1) becoming a respected actor in Hollywood and independent films and television series; (2) continuing to serve as an effective political essayist and activist; and (3) continuing to record and perform powerful world music with both Spanish and English lyrics, and winning eight Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammy Awards along the way. Among his other awards and honors are a 2005 honorary degree from the Berklee College of Music and a 2011 Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award presented by ASCAP and partner Why Hunger for his international charity work. Just a few of the many films and TV programs in which he has starred or appeared are THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR, MO' BETTER BLUES, THE TWO JAKES, PREDATOR 2, THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY, CRAZY FROM THE HEART, THE SUPER, X-FILES, CRADLE WILL ROCK, COLOR OF NIGHT, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, and FEAR THE WALKING DEAD. In 1997, Blades also headed the cast of The Capeman, Paul Simon's first Broadway musical. Although his run for the Panamanian presidency in 1994 was unsuccessful, he served as Panama's minister of tourism from 2004 through 2009 and, reportedly, is considering another run for the presidency in 2019. For more career highlights, please explore Blades' Spanish-language website and his English-language Wikipedia page. Blades has been married to singer LubaMason since August 4, 2006.
Songs performed in the THE RETURN OF RUBÉN BLADES are "Todos Vuelven," "Buscando América," "Tiburon," "Muévete," "Silencios," and "Pedro Navajo" (with "Mack the Knife"). Here is Blades introducing and then performing "Buscando América" in the film https://vimeo.com/156288935
The Blu-ray can be pre-ordered at the MVD Shop or on Amazon.
Remember the days of yore when Will Smith was the Fresh Prince and he had a sidekick named DJ Jazzy Jeff?
Enjoy the Ride Records has released a 12" vinyl single re-issue of DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Price's "Yo Home To Bel Air" on a very awesome 90's graffiti swirl variant.
This heavyweight 12" re-issue features the extended radio mix of the iconic theme song from the beloved 90's sitcom "The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air" and includes two rarely heard additional verses further explaining how he became the 'Prince of Bel Air.' The b-side features the Grammy Award-winning hit single "Parents Just Don't Understand." This release marks the first time the song has been re-issued in over 20 years.
A Side
Yo Home To Bel Air (Extended Radio Mix)
B Side
Parents Just Don't Understand
ETR Webstore Exclusive 3 Color Swirl (Green/Pink/Blue) is limited to 500 total copies.
CYNDI LAUPER KICKS OFF INTERNATIONAL 'DETOUR' TOUR IN NASHVILLE, TENN.
Lauper's 27-City Tour Includes May-July Dates
Detour Tour, say that three times fast. Do it, and do it now!
Music icon Cyndi Lauper will take a southern DETOUR across the U.S. and Europe during her 2016 tour as the Grammy®, Emmy® and Tony®-winning singer-songwriter promotes her upcoming country record (tour dates below). DETOUR, available May 6, includes her signature spin on a dozen classics from the 40s, 50s and 60s.
The 27-city tour kicks off in Nashville, Tenn. at the Ryman Auditorium. “There’s something so very magical about the Ryman and all the rich history there. Just to think it’s the same stage where Wanda Jackson and Patsy Cline performed so long ago and here I am singing songs they made famous on this record - it’s such an honor,” Lauper said.
DETOUR features guest appearances from country music stars Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, and Willie Nelson. Lauper recorded the album in Nashville alongside a band comprised of the city’s top session players.
Growing up, Lauper recalls listening to country music on her Aunt Gracie’s kitchen radio. “When I was a really young kid, country music was pop music, so this is what we grew up listening to. These songs are part of some of my earliest memories so it has been an absolute thrill to revisit them.”
CYNDI LAUPER DETOUR TOUR: *denotes shows with Boy George
May 09 Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, Tenn. May 11 Palace Theatre - Louisville, Ky. May 13 Carnegie Music Hall Homestead - Pittsburgh, Pa. May 14 Michigan Theater - Ann Arbor, Mich. May 16 Chicago Theatre - Chicago, Ill. May 17 Hard Rock Live - Cleveland, Ohio May 20 Mohegan Sun - Uncasville, Conn.* May 21 Wang Center - Boston, Mass.* May 25 Beacon Theatre - New York, N.Y.* May 28 Sands Bethlehem Events Center - Bethlehem, Pa.* May 29 Borgata - Atlantic City, N.J.* Jun 01 Wolf Trap Filene Center - Vienna, Va.* Jun 02 Charleston Music Hall - Charleston, S.C. Jun 04 Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts - Raleigh, N.C. Jun 05 Atlanta Symphony Hall - Atlanta, Ga. Jun 08 Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, Fla. Jun 09 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts - Orlando, Fla. Jun 11 Mizner Park Amphitheatre - Boca Raton, Fla. Jun 12 St. Augustine Amphitheater - St. Augustine, Fla. Jun 22 Symphony Hall - Birmingham, United Kingdom Jun 23 Royal Concert Hall - Glasgow, United Kingdom Jun 25 Newcastle City Hall - Newcastle, United Kingdom Jun 30 Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith - London, United Kingdom Jul 03 Jazz Fest Wien - Vienna, Austria Jul 06 Parco Della Musica Auditorium Cavea - Rome, Italy Jul 07 GRU Village - Torino, Italy Jul 11 Grand Rex - Paris, France
Opening with AC/DC pleased this Rock N Roll dudes heart, yes, it truly is a Highway To Hell people! While I was a huge Madonna fan once that was so Confessions On A Dance Floor ago. Madonna so sucked last night it was like a vacuum on it's last legs - I am over gay men who are drooling over her performance. (hey being one I have a lot of them on my Facebook page, so this is first hand experience.)
Annie Lennox was IT last night, she had the last werd!
Have loved her since the Eurythmics and all of her solo work is bomb!
Although Hozier is very talented I was annoyed and over hearing his song Take Me To Church. My spin instructor has been playing it every class for the last 3 months, I go Saturday and Sunday, do that math!
Note to Kanye West, quit always defending Beyonce you jackhole. She was tre' boring last night. If people weren't already asleep by the end of the show, they sure would have dozed off then.
Taylor Swift, quit getting down, white girl you have no rhythm and it's uncomfortable when the camera cuts to you and you pretend to.
Katy Perry is a lovely and gracious loser.
Congratulations Sam Smith, the appeal is lost on me.
Love Beck, but I did not even know he had an album out last year.
Jessi J. & Tom Jones, that was cool. Not a show stealing performance like Annie Lennox, but fifty shades of cool none the less. Pentatonix so glad you won, you deserved it for your Daft Punk medley.
Yeah, I'm done, I said it was a quick take, capice? Until next year!
Once upon a time... Singer/Songwriter/Actress Naama Kates had a chance meeting with Cyrus Melchor, an award-winning producer/composer, resulting in the release of her first album, The Unexamined Life. The Unexamined Life was a critical success, earning rave reviews from national and international press. The single “Before You Lose It” was featured on the CW's drama Ringer, and heard on the hit show, CSI. Kates' self-produced second album, King for the Day, mixed and recorded by three-time Grammy Award-nominee Scott Fraser, was another critical success, which helped Kates earn a new following in South America and Europe. In 2014, she reunited with Melchor for her upcoming third album, Souled.
I recently got together with Naama at Intelligentsia in Silverlake, CA to discuss Souled, Kate Bush, her movie Reinventing Chloeand why we both hate flying. MS: Hey Naama, it sounds like you have more production value on Souled than you did on your previous efforts. NK: Well I'm glad that it sounds that way. A lot of things didn't cost nearly as much as my first record. It was a lot of myself and Cy working together on sounds, even though there are some bass players on it. The mastering job was a top new hot up and coming guy, The Unexamined Life was my most expensive effort Souled is a lot more electronic and done in the studio. MS: It sounds more produced than King for the Day. NK: I produced that myself. It was basically a really good live recording. I didn't really have the time or the means to do all of that production. I'm not really a Producer, I'm not sure how I end up in the Producer role all of the time. The musicians were great! The album was recorded by a real bad ass Producer, Scott Fraser, he did two songs on Souled - the last record since I produced it myself, how much could that have cost? (laughs) But The Unexamined Life in terms of how much it costs? A lot more than this one, it's my most expensive album to date. MS: Souled has a really awesome Kate Bush influence to it. NK: I love that!
MS: OK, since you are much younger than me, how do you know her music? NK: You know? I would be really miserable if the only music I knew, was the music that came out after I was in my teens. MS: I hear that! So how did you first hear Kate Bush? NK: Someone awesome, I can't remember who, did a great cover of Running Up That Hill. I was like, "Who did this bad ass song?" so I checked it out. MS: Too bad she only tours overseas, she is afraid to fly.
NK: Is she English? MS: Yeah. NK: Oh, I didn't know that. MS: Flying doesn't bother me. NK: Me either. Well it does now actually, because of all the nonsense you have to put up with before you board the plane. MS: That is annoying, but as far as the actual act of flying, no big thing. NK: I agree.
MS: The thing I don't like about flying is it is so claustrophobic. NK: It's sooooooo claustrophobic. I've actually flown a plane, it's really fun and it's really easy.
MS: Oh wow! That sounds fun, I would love to do that! Also I would love to parachute out of a plane. NK: I've done that a couple of times. It wasn't an adrenaline rush for me, maybe for some people it is, it for me was actually very peaceful. MS: For some reason I have really taken to the title track of your latest record, Souled. NK: That's not a bad thing, I obviously feel rather strongly about it, since it's the title track. Everyone has their favorites with this record and really strong opinions as to what song that is. Which is really great. it's not that one song is better than the other, it's a matter of taste. People's favorites from the album also change, certain songs are growers, not showers. (laughs) MS: Chat a little more about the song Souled. NK: Do you get the lyrics and what I am saying in that song? MS: Yes, the lyrics are below the song on the play list on Sound Cloud. NK: The play on words confuses a lot of people, but if you have the lyrics in front of you and have read them... MS: I did, I get it, it's a play on words. NK: Good for you! A lot of people don't get it even if they know what the explanation is. When it comes to my music it matters to me if the listener enjoys it. I don't write songs in that regard thinking about how others will like it, but when it's finished and they are hearing it of course I care. MS: Are you performing live anytime soon? NK: Yes, on August 6th at the Silverlake Lounge at 9 pm. It's going to be the first time with the new material, we're going to have projection, a DJ and a back-up Keyboard player so I don't have to play on everything, I can stand up and not be behind the piano all the time. (laughs)
MS: Awesome! I am so going to be there! What about your film Reinventing Chloe hows that going? NK: Reinventing Chloe is a movie I acted in, produced and wrote. The director is a friend of mine Princeton Holt. It's very autobiographical. It's about a singer that comes to Nashville, the songs I am playing in it are from The Unexamined Life - we submitted the film to a bunch of film festivals and it won nine jury awards, Best Feature, Best Actress and Screenplay. That was pretty awesome! It got a lot of attention and the film is getting picked up for distribution by a production company.Chloewill be released later this year. Get Souled with Naama at: https://www.facebook.com/NaamaKates http://www.naamakates.com/ Go Chloe at: https://www.facebook.com/ChloeMovie2014
Cardinal Releasing Ltd., MVD Entertainment Group, and Syndctd Entertainment are pleased to announce the US release of The Life of Riley, the much-lauded feature documentary film on the extraordinary life of Blues legend B.B. King. The film will be in theaters nationwide starting on May 21st, on VOD June 1st, and on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms on June 17th. Tickets for the theatrical screenings will go on sale beginning May 1st only at www.BBKing.com
King worked closely with Director Jon Brewer for 2 years to create this powerful film. The heartfelt contributions from a plethora of music's superstars were a vast indication that this was the time for his story to be told. At 88 years old, King, his family, friends and contemporaries unveil the true-life drama that was the springboard for the future 'King of the Blues'.
Battling unrelenting racism and the humiliation of segregation whilst working in the cotton fields as an orphaned child, Kinglived to overcome the toughest critics in the entertainment industry and ultimately be hailed as one of the kingpins of an entire genre of music. This candid biopic of the life story of one of our living legends is highlighted by rare archive footage and beautifully shot scenes of the deep American south. Informative and visually stunning, The Life of Riley is the definitive document of a true American treasure.
"We all have idols," said King. "Play like anyone you care about, but try to be yourself while you're doing so."
The Life of Riley includes appearances and contributions from: Aaron Neville, Bill Cosby, Bill Szymczyk, Bill Wyman, Bono, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Willis, Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Carver Randle, Derek Trucks, Dr. John, Eric Clapton, George Benson, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Walsh, John Mayer, John Mayall, Johnny Winter, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Mick Taylor, Morgan Freeman, Paul Rodgers, Rev. David Matthews, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, Slash,, Susan Tedeschi, Tina France, Walter Trout, and Wayne Cartledge.
The DVD and Blu-ray release features live footage from the Royal Albert Hall, some of which includes special guests Ronnie Wood, Susan Tedeshci, Derek Trucks, Mick Hucknell, and Slash. In addition, there are bonus interviews from Buddy Guy, Mick Hucknell & Ronnie Wood, Bonnie Raitt, Derek Trucks, Bobby Bland, Walter Trout, Susan Tedeschi, Carlos Santana, Joe Bonamassa, Dr John, John Mayall, Slash, and Leon Russell.
