Something "Wicked" This Way Comes

 Photo By  Andrew Macpherson

ROCKER CHRIS ISAAK SCHEDULED TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM OF ORIGINAL TUNES IN SIX YEARS

FIRST COMES THE NIGHT
OUT NOVEMBER 13TH ON VANGUARD RECORDS
 
ISAAK TO PERFORM AT 9^TH  ANNUAL ACM HONORS LIVE IN NASHVILLE ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1^ST 

"Wicked!" Chris Isaak is performing in Nashville on September 1st! I have seen Mr. Isaak live and he's da bomb! He also has an album of new music coming in November - 'tis the season of Chris Isaak...!
                                                          

Chris Isaak’s  new album  FIRST COMES THE NIGHT  produced by Paul  Worley (Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum), Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell) and longtime Isaak collaborator Mark Needham will be released on Vanguard Records on November 13th. Recorded primarily in Nashville and Los Angeles, FIRST COMES THE NIGHT is Isaak’s 13th studio album consisting of 12 new songs.  A second configuration - a deluxe version with five additional cuts - will be released simultaneously.  It is Isaak’s first recording of all original songs in over six years. FIRST COMES THE NIGHT is the follow up release to Isaak’s critically acclaimed 2011 BEYOND THE SUN, his breathtaking tribute album to Sun Records, Sam Phillips and the visionary artists who helped shape the early sounds of rock n’ roll.

 
Commented Isaak on his upcoming album: “I totally enjoyed recording in Nashville – a city filled with terrific musicians and what an honor to work with such great producers.  As for the new songs, I like to mix it up so there’s some dark ones, funny ones and romantic ones. You have to absolutely play these songs after the break up while you’re cleaning the house.”
 
With a stellar reputation as one of the best and funniest live performers out there, Isaak, a non-stop touring, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, actor and talk show host is heading to Australia momentarily to take on the role as one of the panel judges on the new season of X Factor Australia.
 
Isaak’s vocal style has garnered enormous acclaim and his songs have been featured in numerous films including “Blue Velvet,” “Married to the Mob” and “Wild at Heart.”  His vast repertoire of long-running hits include “Wicked Game,” “Forever Blue,” “Baby did a Bad Bad Thing” and “Somebody’s Crying.” He has appeared on many TV shows – most recently “Hot in Cleveland”, has acted in several films and starred in Showtime’s The Chris Isaak Show and the Chris Isaak Hour on the Biography Channel.

This Tuesday, September 1st, Isaak is scheduled to perform on the 9^th Annual ACM Honors taking place at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Get "Wicked" with Chris at: http://www.chrisisaak.com/

Caleb Johnson Gets The Led Zeppelin Out!

Caleb Johnson - Live!

Happy Memorial Day Everyone! I hope you are enjoying your Holiday weekend...

So celebrate and give a listen to season thirteen American Idol winner, Caleb Johnson singing a medley of Led Zeppelin songs at Exit Inn in Nashville.

Read my full length interview with him here:

http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2015/04/caleb-johnson-no-gravity-required.html

Check out the video at the link below, have a a good one!

Watch the video here -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxF3ybiEnYM

Follow Caleb on social media here:

Website: http://www.CalebJohnsonOfficial.com 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/IdolCalebJohnson

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CalebJohnson

YT Channel: http://www.youtube.com/CalebJohnsonOfficial

Instagram: https://instagram.com/CalebJohnson/ 

American Idol Live! 2015 Tour

We're Touring in 2015! 

AMERICAN IDOL^® LIVE! 2015 TOUR

AMERICAN IDOL^® returns this summer with its 14th consecutive

American Idol Live! Tour.

For the first time ever, enjoy an up close and personal evening spotlighting all Top 5 finalists from Season 14.

Special Guest Performances From Additional Season 14 IDOLS Confirmed.

37-SHOW TOUR KICKS OFF JULY 7 IN CLEARWATER, FL

Hey everyone, as we all know AI is headed into it's last season next year. So here is the next to the last AI tour you will ever see. It' s the end of one of the most successful shows ever! Lick it up!

AMERICAN IDOL^®, the most successful music competition show in television history, returns this summer with an unprecedented 14th consecutive national tour.  The 37-show concert tour launches Tuesday, July 7 in Clearwater, FL, and stops in major cities, including New York, Chicago, Houston and Nashville before wrapping in Riverside, CA, on Friday, August 28^th.  Tickets are available now via AmericanIdol.com/tour.

AMERICAN IDOL^® LIVE! will give fans an opportunity to get up close and personal with the Top Five IDOLS from Season 14.  Entertainment Weekly said “Idol’s 14^th season is pitch-perfect with finalists who truly command the stage.”  Newly crowned winner Nick Fradiani along with Jax, Tyanna Jones, Rayvon Owen and Clark Beckham will showcase their individual artistry and talents in a never before “Storytellers” style show all set to a live band. 

In addition, 19 Entertainment, Inc. has also confirmed that select IDOLS from Season 14 will join the tour in various cities as special guest performers.  To kick things off, Top 10 favorite Joey Cook will join the tour for the first 6 nights in Clearwater, Sarasota, Melbourne, Orlando, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale, FL.  

AMERICAN IDOL^® LIVE! 2015 Tour Dates:

DATE                    CITY                                     VENUE

July 07                   Clearwater, FL                     Ruth Eckerd Hall

July 08                   Sarasota, FL                         Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

July 09                   Melbourne, FL                     King Center For The Performing Arts

July 11                   Orlando, FL                          Hard Rock Live

July 12                   Fort Myers, FL                     Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

July 14                   Fort Lauderdale, FL            Parker Playhouse

July 15                   Jacksonville, FL                   Florida Theatre

July 17                   Nashville, TN                        Ryman Auditorium

July 18                   Louisville, KY                       The Kentucky Center – Whitney Hall

July 19                   Durham, NC                         Durham Performing Arts Center

July 21                   Richmond, VA                     Carpenter Theater

July 22                   Morristown, NJ                     Mayo Performing Arts Center

July 24                   Chautauqua, NY                 Chautauqua Institute Amphitheatre

July 25                   Bethlehem, PA                     Sands Bethlehem Event Center

July 28                   Worcester, MA                     Hanover Theatre For The Performing Arts

July 29                   Hampton Beach, NH         Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

July 30                   Portland, ME                        Maine State Pier

August 01              Atlantic City, NJ                  Caesars Atlantic City - Circus Maximus

August 02              Red Bank, NJ                       Count Basie Theatre

August 03              Providence, RI                     Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The VETS)

August 05              New York, NY                      Beacon Theatre

August 07              Detroit, MI                            MotorCity Casino Hotel

August 08              Chicago, IL                           Chicago Theatre

August 09              Indianapolis, IN                   Murat Theatre

August 10              St. Louis, MO                       Peabody Opera House

August 12              Grand Prairie, TX                 Verizon Theatre At Grand Prairie

August 13              Houston, TX                         Bayou Music Center

August 14              San Antonio, TX                  Majestic Theatre

August 16              Mesa, AZ                              Mesa Arts Center

August 18              San Diego, CA                      Humphrey's

August 20              Los Angeles, CA                 Orpheum Theatre

August 21              Reno, NV                              Silver Legacy Resort & Casino

August 22              Santa Rosa, CA                   Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

August 23              San Francisco, CA               Warfield Theatre

August 25              Seattle, WA                           McCaw Hall

August 27              Saratoga, CA                        The Mountain Winery

August 28              Riverside, CA                       Fox Performing Arts Center

Tickets are subject to applicable service charges.  Event times and dates subject to change.

For the latest tour and ticketing information please visit: www.americanidol.com/tour

Andrew McMahon Plays With Toys

Andrew McMahon Shares His Toys

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Debuts New Video

for Special "Cecilia and the Satellite" Performed on Toy Instruments

"Cecilia" Top 10 at Alternative Radio This Week,
Climbing at Hot AC Format

Gorgeous New Live Session Featuring "Cecilia" and "High Dive"
Available Now on The Wild Honey Pie

The first time I have heard of this artist was in an E-mail today from his publicist, I found him unique, talented and interesting. Thus I am foisting him on you, enjoy!

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness has shared a new video for his chart topping hit, "Cecilia and the Satellite" today. The clip features a re-recorded version of "Cecilia" created entirely with toy instruments. Andrew re-arranged the song and recorded and filmed it in a single day. He said of the experience: 

"What do you do when you have a spare afternoon in Nashville?  Find a studio, a camera, a box of toy instruments and see if you can't make something cool happen. I had no idea what I was getting into when I showed up for this experiment, but I'm so pleased with how it all turned out." 

"Cecilia" is also now Top 10 at Alternative radio and Top 15 at Triple A radio. The song is gaining at Hot AC and on course to top the charts soon. 

WATCH: "Cecilia and the Satellite" on Toy Instruments

The Wild Honey Pie also released their Buzzsession with Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness this week. The sessions highlight Andrew's glorious wail and deft piano-playing on a gorgeous grand piano at Douglass Street Records.

WATCH: Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness on The Wild Honey Pie
 

McMahon's self-titled album,  Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, is out now on Vanguard Records. The disc had smashing Top 5 debuts upon release where it was #2 on the iTunes Alt Albums chart, #3 on the Billboard Indie Albums chart, #4 on the Billboard Alt Albums chart and #5 on the Billboard Rock Albums chart.  

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness will also play several festival dates including Firefly and Summerfest along with a string of one-off US shows this summer, before heading to Australia and Japan. All current tour dates are listed below.  

For updates and more information visit:  http://www.andrewmcmahon.com/ 
 

TOUR DATES

05/30/15 – Virginia Beach, VA @ 17th Street Park (Patriotic Festival)
06/05/15 – Bloomington, IN @ The Castle Theatre
06/06/15 – Kalamazoo, MI @ District Square
06/07/15 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park (Alt 103 ALT-imate Birthday)
06/19/15 – Richmond, VA @ The National w/ X Ambassadors & Grizfolk
06/20/15 – Dover, DE @ The Woodlands (Firefly Music Festival)
06/21/15 – Scranton, PA @ Pavilion at Montage Mountain (92.1 FUZZ Fest)
06/23/15 – Lansing, MI @ The Loft w/ X Ambassadors
06/25/15 – Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest 2015
06/26/15 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly's w/ X Ambassadors
06/27/15 – Lincoln, NE @ The Bourbon
07/10/15 – Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre
07/11/15 – Denver, CO @ Fiddler's Green Amphitheater (KTCL Channel 93.3's Big Gig)
07/18/15 – Maryland Heights, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater (Point's Big Summer Show)
07/25/15 – Kansas City, KS @ Sporting Park (96.5 The Buzz Beach Ball)
08/21/15 – Brisbane, AUS @ Max Watt's (The Hi-Fi)
08/22/15 – Sydney, AUS @ The Factory Theatre
08/23/15 – Melbourne, AUS @ 170 Russell
08/25/15 – Adelaide, AUS @ Fowlers Live
09/01/15 – Tokyo, JP @ Club Quattro
09/02/15 – Osaka, JP @ Soma
09/04/15 – Honolulu, HI @ The Republik
09/06/15 – Columbus, OH @ Arena District (Fashion Meets Music Festival)

LINKS

http://www.andrewmcmahon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/andrewmcmahonmusic
http://instagram.com/amnthewilderness/
http://youtube.com/andrewmcmahonmusic
https://soundcloud.com/andrewmcmahon

Throwback Thursday: Tanya Tucker On Tour

Tanya Tucker Is Awesome! Yeah, You Heard Me.

TANYA TUCKER LAUNCHES INITIAL TOUR DATES FOR 2015

Country Star Sets Performances for First Time in 3 Years;
Kicks off Tour with two SOLD-OUT shows
 

Legend and amazing vocalist, Tanya Tucker is back on tour! Love this woman, and she's Sold Out, shows that is! Happy Throwback Thursday!  Tanya Tucker – the sultry voiced female vocalist behind such hits as “Strong Enough To Bend” and “I’ll Come Back As Another Woman” – is back. After a lengthy hiatus from the road, the legendary songstress returned to the road this past weekend with two sold-out shows in Illinois and Indiana. And, she’s only beginning. Tucker has a slate of shows lined up for the spring and summer months with dates continuing to be added to the schedule. Having recently signed with APA, Tucker returns to performing armed with a virtual arsenal of some of the biggest classics in Country music, such as “The Jamestown Ferry,” “Soon,” and “Texas (When I Die).” Of course, no Tucker performance would be complete without “Delta Dawn,” the Alex Harvey-written classic that launched her career into the stratosphere in 1972 – when she was only thirteen. In between the hits, Tucker will share many stories and anecdotes of her iconic career. Though she has been away from the stage for a while to spend time with her children, she says she’s excited to be back in the spotlight.  “I am so excited about the upcoming tour,” says Tanya Tucker.  “Being in front of a live crowd is something that I feed off of. From the reception I felt from the first two dates, I think it’s definitely going to be a lot of fun returning to performing. I’ve missed the fans a lot.” Steve Lassiter, SVP/Partner and Head of Concerts at APA Nashville, says Tanya Tucker and live performing are two things that simply go together. “There is something electric about a Tanya Tucker performance. She’s one of the most legendary recording artists of all time. She’s not just singing the music. She’s lived these songs. Some sad. Some happy. But all throughout the show, she sings and performs as only Tanya Tucker can. Returning to the road is something we all are very excited about.” Tanya Tucker Concert Dates: Apr 24 – Wendover, NV -  Peppermill Concert Hall Jun 20 – Laughlin, NV -  Avi Resort & Casino Jun 27 – Petaluma, CA - Sonoma Jun 28 – Pleasanton, CA - Alameda County Fair Jul 01 – Del Mar, CA - Del Mar Fairgrounds - Paddock Jul 17 – The Villages, FL - Sharon L. Morse Jul 24 – Lake Charles, LA - Golden Nugget - Grand Jul 25 – Biloxi, MS - Golden Nugget Grand Aug 05 – East Sturgis, SD - Full Throttle Saloon Aug 14 – Havelock, ON - 26th Annual Havelock Aug 16 – Erie, PA - Celebrate Aug 29 – Baraboo, WI - Ho-Chunk Gaming Sep 11 – Warroad, MN - Seven Clans Casino Sep 13 – Macomb, IL - Texas Tranzplants Oct 10 – Russellville, AR - Center for the Arts Oct 11 – Branson, MO - Andy Williams Moon River Oct 24 – Renfro Valley, KY - New Barn Oct 31 – Carmel, IN - The Palladium Twitter: @tanya_tucker Facebook: /TanyaTuckerOfficial Instagram: /TheTanyatucker

Faye, Connie, My Sister, My Daughter

Connie Britton: I'm Faye!

We go together like Connie Britton & Faye Resnick, huh? 

Yes, it's true Connie Britton & Ryan Murphy are reuniting, and it feels so good. 

Connie as you American Horror Story fans know was in it's virgin season: Murder House, the current star of Nashville will portray Faye Resnick, who Camille Grammer notoriously described as: "The morally corrupt Faye Resnick," on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. 

Britton will get her moral corruption on the freshman season of Murphy's American Crime Story: The People v O.J. Simpson.

As you may recall, Resnick was OJ's slain wife Nicole Brown Simpson's friend. 

OJ was acquitted - and the killer has never been found...go figure.

Connie on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0110168/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

The Troops Honor Kid Rock

Rock On! Kid Rock & Mark Woods

OPERATION TROOP AID HONORS KID ROCK
WITH 2014 "PATRIOT AWARD"

I've always knew who Kid Rock was, a successful Rock Star who was in a relationship with one of my favorite people & interview subjects, Pamela Anderson. However I had never heard his music... That was until my friend, publicist extraordinaire, Ken Phillips gave me one of his CD's. Listening to Kid Rock's music for the first time was a religious experience that made me a fan for life. Well Ladies & Gentlemen it's time you know about his giving back to others who truly deserve your respect and gratitude, carry on... Operation Troop Aid(OTA), a nonprofit organization which supports U.S. Troops, honored award-winning, multi-platinum selling humanitarian Kid Rock, last week in Nashville, Tennessee, with the 2014 Operation Troop Aid “Patriot Award.” Presented annually by OTA to celebrities that champion the men and women serving in the American Armed Forces, the rock star was awarded the Eagle Trophy for his countless endeavors to support troops overseas and at local hospitals and for supporting numerous military charities. Well known for his role as an American Patriot, Kid Rock, has performed at various military bases and continues to meet military personnel at every concert appearance. "Kid Rock is one of the most giving entertainers I have ever met,” says OTA founder and executive director Mark Woods.  "He really gets it…  Last year, Kid Rock challenged his fans to help raise money to send care packages to the troops.  In one short month, we were able to ship over 500 care packages just in time for the holidays. His art, legacy of family and Spirit of Patriotism is exactly why this award exists.” Kid Rock joins past Patriot Award recipients Hank Williams Jr., Toby Keith, Darryl Worley, Aaron Tippin, Gary Sinise, Charlie Daniels, Mark Wills, and KISS. About Operation Troop Aid: Founded in 2004 by 21-year military veteran, Mark Woods, Operation Troop Aid provides entertainment initiatives and care packages for U.S. Service Members with revenue generated through professional concert promotions and public financial generosity. OTA is a nonprofit corporation striving to make a positive difference and inspire the Armed Forces by letting them know Americans stand with them. OTA is a certified IRS approved charity. As an entertainment based charity, each year OTA selects and presents The OPERATION TROOP AID Patriot Award to an entertainer / artist that best exemplifies the spirit of Patriotic service to our Troops and Americanism in their art.  It does not necessarily reflect events in that year, as it may be a historical grouping of their achievements to promote our Troops and American Patriotism.  It is an award that embodies a sense of service, supporting our American Troops and an overall outlook of honoring our Constitution and promoting the Freedom that our Troops provide. For more information on OTA, visit www.OperationTroopAid.org.

Yes, Hayden Panettiere, There Is A Stork

Hayden Panetierre & Wladimir Klitschko 

Hayden Panettiere who plays my favorite character on Nashville Juliette Barnes is pregnant in public, OMG! although she has not verbally addressed the impending bundle of joy via the media, the bump in her midriff says it all.

The petite actress flashed her burgeoning belly while strolling the streets of Porto Cerve, Italy, with her fiancé, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Hayden modeled a midriff-baring top and matching pants, soon to be all the rage for the petite and pregnant that will be sold at a Target near you. OK, kidding, or am I?

Ms. Panettiere said to Glamour Magazine recently: 

"I've lived a very big life, and I don't feel my age, and I feel like I was born to be a mother. Sometimes people speak about [having kids] like, 'Your life ends—you're never going to be able to do anything again!' And I'm like, 'What are you talking about?' Motherhood is the most beautiful, exciting thing, and there's nothing that I feel like I can't accomplish while having children in my life."

She also joked about what a child with Klitschko might look like on The Ellen Degeneres Show: "He's got bowlegs and I've got knocked knees, so they're going to have straight legs." 

Congratulations Hayden & Cheers!

Hayden Panettiere on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0659363/?ref_=tt_cl_t2
Wladimir Klitschko on the Net: http://www.klitschko.com/

Time To "Celebrate" With James Durbin

James Playing The Viper Room - January 3rd 2014

Season 8 "American Idol" finalist James Durbin has come a looooooong way baby! With the success and critical acclaim for his debut album "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster" to touring around the world & getting married to the love of his life, Heidi.

Mr. Durbin is living his dreams. Well it's time to "Celebrate" Durbinators as James sophomore CD "Celebrate" drops April 8th, yep that's one week from today! "Celebrate" has already spawned the hit single "Parachute"- here he is the man of the hour, the guy you have all been waiting for, Mr. James Durbin!

MS: How cool was it to be on Conan O'Brien for you? You seemed to really enjoy doing it.

JD: Yeah dude, it was really awesome. I had done the show before with a song from my first album "Love Me Bad" I didn't have the same connection with the song that I did when I performed "Parachute" this time because I didn't write it. It was a lot fun going back, and I got to have a lot more fun with "Parachute" it was a little goofier than "Love Me Bad" was.

MS: Well you were the "Rocker Dude" when you were on "American Idol" and with your first album. With your current album you seem to have taken a turn to pop, why the switch?

JD: I don't really see it as a "Pop Turn" it's just sprinkling a little more mainstream on top of it all. Yeah I am toning it down a little bit, it's kind of hard to play with my son wearing a lot of rings & earrings. (laughs)

MS: Last time I saw you was in Los Angeles, CA at The Viper Room to kick off your acoustic tour. How did the rest of it go?

JD: The last date of the tour was in my hometown, Santa Cruz, CA and it was sold out!

MS: Awesome! You were talking about writing songs on your album this time out of the gate, did you write all of the songs on "Celebrate?"

JD: Most of them. Ten of the eleven songs were co-writes, I have much more of a connection with this record. I still love my first record, but with "Celebrate" it's more my story, more my experiences, so I have more attachment to them.

MS: For the track "Children Under The Sun" I heard you posted an image of the roller coaster from the boardwalk in Santa Cruz to inspire your writing of it.

JD: All the songs that I wrote on the album with a guy named Ted Bruner - every time we would write we would put up a visual that we could base the song around. So for "Children Under The Sun" it was a picture of the biggest drop on the roller coaster itself, it's where my mind exploded and it's pretty much what that song is about. I really wanted to go into "Celebrate" with more involvement in songwriting than my last album, I had already written thirty songs in Nashville.

MS: Wow! Every artist I know gets sent to Nashville, it's like songwriting boot camp, I hear it's very creative, collaborative and supportive.

JD: It is, I wrote a different song every single day. Pretty catchy songs and for the most part they were all pretty rock. Some were punk rock, pop rock - some were very Green Day, some were very Fall Out Boy... (laughs)

MS: I love Green Day!

JD: The songs were all over the place. When I went to Nashville, I was told: "Go Write Songs" but I was not given any kind of direction or ideas that were interested in me writing. It was kind of lame that no one told anything like that, they waited until my two and a half months in Nashville was up - and they did not like any of the thirty songs I had written. I was afraid I was going to get dropped from my label. They asked me to try to go a little bit more radio, mainstream...I was like "You Know What?" I'm open to anything. Hey bring me good songwriters and if we get along and we find magic, you can't fight it.

MS: Everyone who has worked in Nashville tells me how productive the atmosphere is.

JD: Me and my wife want to move there. We want to have a summer house there. Most tours are based out of the East Coast. People usually tour the most in the Midwest and the East Coast. The Nashville house would be the main base for touring and when I'm home and not busy I can go write songs a couple days a week.

MS: It's the "it" place to create.

JD: And you can drink and drive. I'm not saying it's good, I'm saying it's another thing you can do in Nashville. (laughs)

MS: You've got to be kidding me.

JD: No, there has to be one less container of alcohol in the car than the number of people in it to make it legal.

MS: I felt the title track of your current album "Celebrate" was written to your wife, Heidi on some level.

JD: Yeah. There are definitely a lot of levels to that song, layers like a parfait. (laughs)

MS: Well the first thing I thought of when I heard it was Heidi.

JD: Good. (laughs)

MS: Are you going to tour nationally to support your latest?

JD: My booking agent is looking at some tours right now, it's going to depend on what's the right timing and what's the best market that allows me to share as much music as possible.

MS: What would you like people to take away from "Celebrate?"

JD: That it's another piece of the puzzle, another step in the journey. It's not a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn for me. For example, The Beatles, I'm no comparing myself to them, I'm using them as an example. They are country, rock, blues and punk and everything in between. When I last toured all I had to perform from was "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster" and all of those songs were at level ten and they really didn't take you anyplace.

"Celebrate" has more levels to it, it takes you places it has quieter moments. I'm thinking the bigger picture here. My next record could be something completely different than "Memories" or "Celebrate." Who knows where I'll be at by then, I'm going to just go with the flow.

"Durbin Rocks" at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DurbinRock
Online: https://shop.durbinrock.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DurbinRock

"Celebrate" on the 8th at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/celebrate/id825143445

Time To Get Wyze, Lee DeWyze

Check it, don't wreck it with Mr. Lee DeWyze...!!

Grace Valerie Lays It Down! "Not For Love"

I've known the lovely and talented Ms. Grace Valerie since June 2011, when I first interviewed her for Chorus and Verse about her then hot single "When The Lights Go Down." Wow time flies!

Read It Here: http://www.chorusandverse.com/content.php?id=20110607A

She Tweeted me the other day with the video for her latest song "Not For Love" for those of you who are not familiar with her, you are going to love it! For those of you who are already fans, prepare yourself for a whole new side of Grace Valerie and this time it's personal. Grace stopped by "Entertain Me" for a quick chat about her latest, and some laughs, and here is what went down...

MS: Hey Grace, how are you?

GV: Hi Michael, it's so good to hear you.

MS: It's been a while.

GV: Right?

MS: It was so great that you Tweeted me the video for "Not For Love" out of all the songs you have done, this is my favorite, it has an edge to it!

GV: Exactly! I love all my songs, but this is my favorite too!

MS: This song works because it is who you are.

GV: Yes, I have found who I am, as an artist I am growing.

MS: Are you still with Randy Jackson's label?

GV: I had a record deal with Randy and we did all of the songs we were supposed to do. This song was done by another producer, his name is Busbee, who has worked with Pink, Hunter Hayes and is producing Shakira's  new album right now. I've changed my music direction a little bit because I want to experiment and create different styles of music. To stay relevant you have to be open to new things.

"Amazing Grace!" 

MS: Absolutely! I loved the video by the way. (laughs) I didn't see that ending coming! (laughs)

GV: (laughs) That was the point. When we did that video we really thought about the story, we wanted people to watch it as a mini-movie. The ending was meant to shock people, no one would ever thought that the ending would be what it is. It makes me happy that you were surprised by it. (laughs) It was really fun creating the whole video.

MS: You shot this in Nashville, what was it like creating in the music capital of the world?

GV: It was exciting! I love the city so much! My first time there was performing last April, I met a lot of people there, including Michael Stryker the director of the "Not For Love" video. So, when I went back to Los Angeles I was really excited to work with the people I had met in Nashville. When we decided to film "Not For Love" my first idea was to go to Nashville and work with Michael and his team. It was a pleasure to work there, it was so much fun!

MS: A friend of mine went to work in Nashville for the first time a few years ago and she loved it!

GV: It's so great, the city is so soulful!

MS: Can you tell everyone any other fun things you have coming up in 2014?

GV: There are a lot of surprises including another track and another video. There will also be a tour that my team is setting up, also a press tour and radio tour. In fact this Monday I'm going to be on "Dirty Pop Live" the radio show Lance Bass has on Sirus Radio XM. I'm very excited about that and I will be doing an interview with him and singing live on the show. This is a little surprise for everyone because the only song I know I will be singing for sure is "Not For Love" you will have to tune in to hear what other songs I am going to sing. (laughs)

MS: (laughs) Well Ms. Valerie I think this song is going to do a lot for you, I see big things coming!

GV: Thank You Michael, I appreciate your support!

Pssssst, find out the twist ending and watch "Not For Love" here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoEW9aTbFoc

Keep up with "Amazing Grace" here: http://www.gracevalerie.com/

Blow "Blue Smoke" With Dolly Parton

That force of nature known as Dolly Parton is coming your way this year with a new album and a tour, nothing slows her down it seems... You Go Dolly!

Iconic singer, songwriter, musician, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton is proud to announce her latest recording endeavor, a partnership between her own label Dolly Records and Sony Masterworks.  The label deal will launch her new album Blue Smoke in New Zealand/Australia on January 31, 2014, to coincide with her international Blue Smoke World Tour which will hit New Zealand, Australia in February.  In addition, Blue Smoke will be released in the United States and Europe in May 2014, in advance of the Blue Smoke World Tour hitting England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden.
 
Dolly is the most honored female country performer of all time. Achieving 25 RIAA certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards, she has had 25 songs reach number 1 on the Billboard Country charts, a record for a female artist. She has 41 career top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she has 110 career charted singles over the past 40 years. All-inclusive sales of singles, albums, hits collections, paid digital downloads and compilation usage during her Hall of Fame career have reportedly topped a staggering 100 million records worldwide. She has garnered 7 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, 5 Academy of Country Music Awards, 3 American Music Awards and is one of only five female artists to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award. 
 
As a zenith crown to the dreams of country music that originally brought her to Nashville, Dolly was inducted as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.  And the litany goes on.   
Dolly’s career has spanned nearly five decades and is showing no signs of slowing down.  An internationally-renowned superstar, the iconic and irrepressible Parton has contributed countless treasures to the worlds of music, film and television.  Some of her hit films have included Nine to Five, Steel Magnolias, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Rhinestone.  Parton received two Oscar® nominations – one for writing the title tune to Nine to Five and the other for Travelin’ Thru from the film Transamerica.  
 
For more information on Dolly Parton please visit: 
www.dollypartonmusic.net
Facebook:   Facebook.com/DollyParton
Twitter: Twitter.com/DollyParton