Another Broken Heart

Billy Winn Returns in Dreamland II, The Final EP of His Two-Part Series

Featuring Debut Single, “Another Broken Heart”

Billy Winn’s Dreamland II picks up where Dreamland I left off.  Thematically, at least.  Sonically, its debut single, “Another Broken Heart,” releasing May 24, turns up the drama with a heavy-octane dance number.  “I love going back to EDM, where it all started for me,” Winn explains.  “High energy dance is always a great place to get things started.”  

Both EPs tell stories from the perspective of a queer kid of color who has had his heart broken.  “It’s the only position that I can write from and it’s one that I can’t recall ever hearing in pop music,” Winn continues.  “My hope is that regardless of where you come from, who you are now, or who you are becoming; you’re able to find something in these songs that resonates and makes you want to play them over and over again.”

“Another Broken Heart” was inspired by a series of circumstances in Winn’s life, including the death of his father.  “He and I weren’t close but at the end of his life, I was asked to return home to take care of him and my family.  It was an extremely emotional situation, and definitely something that I’m still healing from.” 

Billy Winn

He didn’t intend on making “Another Broken Heart” a dance record.  Its original chorus was midtempo.   The idea to speed up the melody and make it a dance record came from his production team, Johnie & Elliot.  “Johnie turned the song into something rare,” Winn reflects.  “It’s a dance track with a strong, relatable message about something we’ve all been through at least once.  I think it’s the perfect summer song.”

Billy Winn is a Billboard-charting singer, songwriter, recording artist, and performer who regularly thrills audiences with his shows and music releases, ranging from high energy dance records to emotionally charged EDM.  With Dreamland II, Winn notes his inspirations as being a mix of 90s R&B and the EDM of the last decade.

“I was listening to a lot of TLC and Janet Jackson while I was working on Dreamland II; specifically, Crazy, Sexy, Cool, Fanmail, and Janet’s Velvet Rope album.  At the same time, I was listening to artists like Flume, Owl City, Robyn, and Tove Lo; trying to find a place musically where all those influences could exist or become something completely different altogether.”

Last year, Billy Winn released Dreamland I, an album that explored life as a perception of fantasy and guilty pleasures.   Singles “Seal It with a Kiss”, “If You Really Cared”, and “Crash” were all presented as chapters in a larger story.    “Another Broken Heart” is the next chapter in Winn’s Dreamland saga. 

“In ‘Another Broken Heart’ and all of the songs in Dreamland II, the idea is that it’s all fun and games until someone catches feelings,” Winn says.  

Dreamland II is a bit angrier than the first EP with a little more underlying pain because the perspective has changed.   “I’m not only talking from one individual’s thoughts or feelings anymore. In Dreamland II, I consider multiple angles.”

It’s been a year since Winn released Dreamland I and the acclaim from the album has allowed him to tour and expand his fan base.  It has also taught him to not doubt or second guess himself.    “I’m trusting my instincts a lot more these days and I have to admit I’m pretty confident in the road ahead.” 

“Things will happen that are outside of my control, but I’m not letting those forces control me.” 

Billy Winn’s Dreamland II is being distributed by Ferocious Music and OneRPM and is available on iTunes, Spotify and all digital platforms.  For more information, visit BillyWinn.com or follow him on Facebook.

 

Let's Get Gastronomical, Taylor Hicks

There's Something About Taylor Hicks

Hey Hicks fans. It's time to get your grub on with your favorite former "Idol"...

Yummy!

Though American Idol came to an end Thursday night, Tayolr Hicks' television career is going full steam ahead. He has recently been announced as the host of State Plate, a new food and travel series on INSP, to premiere this fall.

State Plate will celebrate the unique food traditions of all 50 states. “In each episode we dig into the distinctive foods of a particular state,” said Doug Butts, SVP of Programming at INSP. “Unlike most food shows, we won’t be touring restaurants; this is about the food itself, how it is grown and the people who bring it to our dinner tables. What emerges is the trivia and unknown stories behind our states’ most emblematic foods.” Taylor Hicks is no stranger to great cuisine, as the singer is a partner in Saw's Juke Joint in Birmingham, Ala.

“Taylor’s wide popularity, experience as a restaurateur, and down-home charm make him an ideal host for a traveling food series.” Butts said. “In each episode of State Plate, he travels to a particular state, where he will ‘assemble’ a plate filled with the food most associated with that state. He’ll sample everything from crab cakes in Maryland and peaches in Georgia; to chili in Texas and potatoes in Idaho. As he makes his way from coast to coast, Taylor will visit farms, ranches, markets, festivals, and other diverse and unusual locales. In the process, viewers share in the journey as he uncovers the rich details behind each state’s unique food traditions. It’s a heaping helping of America’s most beloved cuisine, rich in history, folklore, and flavor.”

“State Plate has tested very well, and audiences agree that this series complements and enhances INSP’s family-oriented schedule,” Butts said. “We are thrilled that viewers will be taking this journey with such a beloved personality as Taylor Hicks.

State Plate is produced by RIVR Media.

As the nation said a fond farewell to FOX-TV's American Idol, Hicks returned to the show that made him a star, one last time.

Taylor was among those that performed on the series' final episode.

"I'm so grateful for the platform that American Idol gave me as a performer and a recording artist," said Hicks. 

Taylor also has a fast-filling slate of tour dates woven into his taping schedule, stretching well into the fall. His 2016 tour includes more stops next week in his hometown of Birmingham, continuing on through Georgia, Tennessee, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and more!

TAYLOR HICKS ON TOUR:
Apr. 14 Cox Capital Theatre / Macon, Ga.
Apr. 15 Lyric Theatre / Birmingham, Ala.
Apr. 16 Franklin Theatre / Franklin, Tenn.
Apr. 17 Lyric Theatre / Birmingham, Ala.
Apr. 21 StageOne - Fairfield Theatre / Fairfield, Conn.
Apr. 22 World Cafe Live / Wilmington, Delaware
Apr. 23 Avalon Theatre / Easton, MD
Apr. 24 New Hope Winery / New Hope, Pa.
May 04 Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre / Branson, Missouri
May 26 The Tobin Center / San Antonio, Texas
Jun. 04 PRIVATE / Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Jun. 11 Flat Rock Summer Blast / Flat Rock, Mich.
Jun. 16 Daryl’s House / Pawling, N.Y.
Jun. 17 Flying Monkey Performance Center / Plymouth, N.H.
Jun. 24 Center for the Arts / Natick, Mass.
Jun. 25 Opera House / Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Jul. 08 Downtown Rutland / Rutland, VT
Jul. 09 Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center / Old Saybrook, CT
Oct. 29 Halloran Centre at the Orpheum / Memphis, Tenn.
Nov. 26 Island View Casino / Gulfport, Miss.
Dec. 01 Black Oak Casino / Tuolumne City, Calif.
Dec. 04 Cache Creek Casino Resort / Brooks, Calif.


For more 411 visit TaylorHicks.com and follow him onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.

These "Sick Puppies" Don't Need A Vet

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One On One With Tanya Tucker

Hit It Tanya!

Tanya Tucker Talks One on One with Tavis Smiley this Friday, July 10th

 

Tanya selected as July Artist for "An Intimate Evening with Eddie Stubbs" airing TONIGHT live from The Country Music Hall of Fame on 650 AM WSM 

The Unsinkable Tanya Tucker!
 

It’s an interview you won’t want to miss! Country music superstar Tanya Tucker appears July 10 on Tavis Smiley, the nationally distributed PBS talk-show hosted by Tavis Smiley. During the program, Tanya and Tavis discuss her career, the ever-evolving world of country music, and Tanya’s future--including her current tour and recording plans. Tavis Smiley is known as one of television’s best interviewers, and he has been a fixture on the PBS late-night lineup since 2004. Recent guests on his show include musician Boz Scaggs, actress Susan Sarandon, and current presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders. Tavis Smiley airs on PBS affiliates across the country, and broadcast times vary. So check your local listings for the time. Tanya’s appearance on Tavis Smiley is just one of many media appearances she’s made. Additionally, she’s appearing on Fox News affiliates across the nation, and she will be featured in an upcoming broadcast of Reflections with Keith Bilbrey. If you don't see Tanya on Tavis, you can see her live! July 17 – Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts  Center – The Villages, FL July 18 – The Ranch – Fort Myers, FL July 24 – Golden Nugget Ballroom – Lake Charles, LA July 25 – Golden Nugget Ballroom – Biloxi, MS July 31 – Downstream Casino and Resort – Quapaw, OK Aug 1 – Billy Bob’s Texas – Ft. Worth, TX Aug 5 – Full Throttle Saloon – East Sturgis, SD Aug 14 – 26th Annual Havelock Country Jamboree – Havelock, ON CA Aug 16 – Celebrate Erie – Erie, PA Aug 29 – Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells – Baraboo, WI Sep 11 – Seven Clans Casino – Warroad, MN Sep 12 – Royal River Casino – Flandreau, SD Sep 13 – Texas Tranzplants – Macomb, IL Oct 10 – Center for the Arts – Russleville, AR Oct 11 – Andy Williams Moon River Theatre – Branson, MO Oct 24 – New Barn – Renfro Valley, KY Oct 30 – State Theatre – Eau Claire, WI Oct 31 – The Palladium – Carmel, IN For current tour dates, and to keep abreast of when Tanya will be appearing near you, visit www.tanyatucker.com. Twitter: @tanya_tucker Facebook: /TanyaTuckerOfficial Instagram: @TheTanyatucker

Marcus Goldhaber Veterans Day Charity Release

Marcus Goldhaber

New Patriotic Standard COME HOME AMERICA

Aims to Ignite Movement to Serve Military

as They Serve Our Nation

Acclaimed New York Singer-Songwriter MARCUS GOLDHABER Launches ‘Home for the Holidays’ Season for the Troops with Veterans Day Charity Release

Proceeds from Song, Concert Tour and Upcoming Album

to Benefit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

With thousands of American combat troops about to spend another holiday season far from their families, COME HOME AMERICA has been crafted by acclaimed New York singer-songwriter MARCUS GOLDHABER as a new patriotic standard aimed at launching a movement to repair our increasingly damaged connections with those who’ve sacrificed during our decade at war.

Available Veterans Day to jump-start the “home for the holidays” season, COME HOME AMERICA (Fallen Apple Records) is Goldhaber’s stirring ode to our nation’s two million service members across the globe, as well as the 24 million veterans back home, both embraced and discarded. The mission is simple: to benefit the needs of this new generation of returning veterans, while improving and strengthening the dialogue between civilians and military families for years to come.

Proceeds from COME HOME AMERICA benefit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.iava.org), which strives to build the “New Greatest Generation” as the first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Goldhaber will be participating with IAVA in New York City’s Veterans Day Parade.

                                                            "Come Home America" Video

                                               

Remembering the troops at the holidays is just the beginning for COME HOME AMERICA. Produced and arranged in Nashville by Cliff Goldmacher (Ke$ha) with the stylish accessibility that has earned Goldhaber high praise from People Magazine to Jazz Times as a recording artist and fixture on Manhattan’s jazz-cabaret circuit, COME HOME AMERICA is being released for the holidays as a precursor to the 2014 COME HOME AMERICA Concert Tour and a like-minded album of Goldhaber originals due Memorial Day 2014. The album, the followup to last year’s highly praised Almost Love, will be arriving as the yearlong COME HOME AMERICA Tour, starring Goldhaber and the COME HOME AMERICA Band, will be hitting stride in concert halls, stadiums, military bases, and parades around the world – all while continuing to benefit IAVA.

“Much of this comes down to education and the absence of a continuing dialogue between civilians and military families,” says Goldhaber. “I have a strong wish to bridge this gap so that we can all feel more connected to each other.”

 

Goldhaber was careful to construct a broad, sweeping melody and rousing chorus that “you want to wrap people in like a blanket,” to help transmit his message in an inclusive and accessible way. By countering his vocals with restrained nuance, Goldhaber was able to marry the intimate approach more natural to his style with the expansive message of COME HOME AMERICA.

“I needed to connect people who don’t know a lot about this subject and help bridge that gap,” he says. “If it’s something that’s accessible and memorable, it’s something that people can get closer to.”

Come Home America is out today Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, 2013, through iTunes, CDBaby, and Amazon.

Come Home America on the web at:

www.comehomeamericatour.com

www.facebook.com/comehomeamericatour

www.twitter.com/comehomeamericatour