Go "Barenaked"!

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Dive into the Barenaked Ladies pond!

Barenaked Ladies have announced a very special collaboration with the legendary “Kings of A cappella” titled, Ladies And Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies And The Persuasions to be released April 14, 2017. Produced by Gavin Brown, the album features 14 tracks re-imagined BNL’s award-winning catalogue and the classic ‘Good Times’. BNL recorded the album live off the floor with The Persuasions last Fall at Noble Street Studios in Toronto.

Ladies And Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies And The Persuasions is available to pre-order on iTunes on March 10. Album and bundles featuring exclusive merchandise of Barenaked Ladies and The Persuasions will also be available worldwide through PledgeMusic. Each pre-order includes four instant-grat downloads of “The Old Apartment”, “Odds Are”, “Keepin’ It Real”, and “Don’t Shuffle Me Back”.

The video streaming app Sessions X filmed the entire session and will feature full-length performances, interviews, and behind the scenes moments. Sessions X will launch their BNL content on Wednesday, March 22.

WATCH + SHARE SESSIONS X TEASER TRAILER HERE

The seed for Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies & The Persuasions was planted when Kevin Hearn befriended The Persuasions at Lou Reed’s memorial held at the legendary Apollo Theatre in 2013. The friendship led to an invitation for The Persuasions to perform with BNL at Central Park Summerstage during the Barenaked Ladies 2016 Last Summer On Earth tour. Both bands had such a fun time, they all agreed to “do more” together. Before hitting the studio together, and after running through about 25 songs from the BNL catalogue, both BNL and the Persuasions’s excitement grew and the songs were narrowed down to the final 15 tracks featured on the LP.

Can We Persuade You To Get "Barenaked"?
Barenake Ladies & The Persuasions
Photo: Matt Barnes

Although The Persuasions enjoy a long, storied career, the group has admittedly never recorded an album in a room live, with the band performing the songs. Says Dave Revels, lead vocalist for The Persuasions “…with Barenaked Ladies, [their] music is passionate so I guess that’s why we identify with it…because we can feel passion so I think that’s why it was a natural union.” Says BNL drummer Tyler Stewart, “To actually play with these guys who are veterans of music making for so long… everything that comes out of their mouths is dripping with soul and you can’t help but absorb some of that when you’re in the room.” 

Considering the once-in-a-lifetime feel of a musical project between two groups who have collectively released 40 albums across their careers, Sessions X, which is an online subscription music series that features intimate performances straight from the stage or studio, was an opportunity to document the recording session, all of which was recorded over two days in October, 2016 in Toronto. Tyler Stewart described the collaboration as “Top three most fun things I’ve done” in his twenty six years of performing. Dave Revels, lead singer for The Persuasions described the collaboration as a “beautiful chemical reaction”.

Founded in 1962, The Persuasions first came together on the street corners of Brooklyn with a musical inventory deep rooted in gospel, with a major measure of soul, and a dose of pop. Featuring original members Jimmy Hayes and Jayotis Washington, along with Raymond Sanders and Dave Revels, their eclectic repertoire has drawn from country to blues to gospel to rock to jazz. The group has released 26 albums, performed in concert halls worldwide, and shared stages with such seminal artists as Lou Reed, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Richard Pryor and Frank Zappa.

Currently, Barenaked Ladies are putting the finishing touches on their 16^th studio album, Fake Nudes, expected to be released later this Fall. More information will be announced in the coming weeks.

  

Catch the Barenaked Ladies and The Persuasions (select dates only) on tour this spring.

4/21/17	Albany, NY	The Egg w/The Persuasions
4/22/17	Valley Forge, PA	Valley Forge Casino
4/25/17	Huntington, NY	Paramount Theatre w/The Persuasions
4/27/17	Ridgefield, CT	Ridgefield Playhouse
4/28/17	Englewood, NJ	Bergen PAC w/The Persuasions
4/29/17	Burlington, VT	Flynn Theatre
4/30/17	Ithaca, NY	State Theatre
5/2/17	Rocky Mount, VA	Harvester Center
5/4/17	Catoosa, OK	The Joint at the Hard Rock
5/5/17	Tunica, MS	Bluesville at Horseshoe Casino
5/10/17	Des Moines, IA	Hoyt Sherman Palace
5/12/17	Deadwood, SD	Deadwood Mountain Grand
5/13/17	Colorado Springs, CO	Pikes Peak Center
5/15/17	St.Louis, MO	Peabody Opera House
5/16/17	Waukegan, IL	Genesee Theater

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Spencer James Please "Don't Shake A Baby"

Spencer James "Don't Shake A Baby"  available digitally on November 4th It's Martin and Lewis, with a little dash of Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. mixed in.  James blends both music and dance into his stand-up for a show that's  both anti "jobs" and yet pro "fat kids." Yeah it's Sunday, November 2nd that calls for a martini.

Spencer James's comedy career started very early on. At eleven years old, he was the fat kid always getting picked on by school bullies and being ignored by every girl around. An army brat who moved frequently throughout the US as well as internationally, he used stand-up to provide comic relief. 

James has entertained audiences all over the country. He was the Winner of the 2014 World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas, Nevada and  "Best of the Fest" at the 2014 Burbank Comedy Festival. He was also recently seen on the Fox television show "Laughs".

A sort of "personal reveal", his comedy reflects a variety of influences - Bill Cosby's storytelling; Mitch Hedberg's one liners; Richard Pryor's vulnerability. He admires Bill Hicks, Bill Burr and Christopher Titus for the openness they all share. His comedy gives us his unique perspective on those things in life that he finds funny or weird - stuff like guys in wheelchairs buying ladders at Home Depot.

He discusses his warped reactions to first time relationships. No longer the "fat kid", he continues to feel its influence on his life and uses it to fuel his comedy.

Currently residing in Denver, CO, where beautiful women abound, he still finds it difficult to relate to them and this provides an endless stream of comic opportunities. 

Pre-order: http://bit.ly/1u4e5yc

Website:  http://www.thatguywiththetie.com/ 

Honoring Richard Pryor

The Great Richard Pryor

CEDRIC 'THE ENTERTAINER', D.L. HUGHLEY, EDDIE GRIFFIN, GEORGE LOPEZ AND MIKE EPPS SET TO HONOR RICHARD PRYOR

What an amazing event for a one of a kind comedic legend!


"A Night For Richard" To Take Place
November 2nd in Peoria, Illinois
Tickets On Sale Wednesday, October 1 at 10 AM at
TicketMaster.com, 1-800-745-3000, Peoria Civic Center Box Office

Spearheaded by George Lopez, “A Night For Richard” will honor the legacy of Richard Pryor in a historic,one-night-only show at the SMG managed Peoria Civic Center, in Peoria, Illinois, on Sunday, November 2nd to benefit the Richard Pryor statue. Lopez has invited some of the biggest names in comedy to join him in honoring Pryor, including Cedric ‘The Entertainer’, D.L. Hughley, Eddie Griffin, and Mike Epps. The seven-and-a-half foot clay carving of Richard Pryor by Peoria-based artist Preston Jackson will serve as the gateway to the city’s developing Warehouse District. It is slated for unveiling at the end of 2014. The late comedian's wife, Jennifer Lee Pryor, has also given her support to the event. “There is no greater tribute than when your hometown honors you. I am thrilled and moved by this beautiful work of art by Preston Jackson. I know Richard is happy too and is smiling down. Thank you to George Lopez and all of the other comics for coming together to remember Richard and to the African American Hall of Fame Committee and the City of Peoria for this great honor!” “Richard Pryor deserves a statue in his hometown. I am honored to be involved in making that happen,” says George Lopez. About “A Night For Richard” Entertainment: George Lopez’s career spans numerous standup specials and late night television appearances. He lent his voice to filmssuch as Rio, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Smurfs, and their sequels. And he also starred in and produced his own sitcom,“George Lopez” which ran for six seasons on ABC and hosted late night talk show “Lopez Tonight” on TBS. Cedric ‘The Entertainer’ is an actor and game show host, best known for co-starring along with Steve Harvey on “The Steve Harvey Show” and starring as ‘Eddie’ in the Barbershop films. D.J. Hughley was a member of The Original Kings of Comedy, a correspondent for The Jay Leno Show, host of D.L. Hughley Breaks The News on CNN and the original host of BET’s Comic View. Eddie Griffin appeared on the big screen in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Scary Movie 3, John Q, and Armageddon to name a few. Griffin performed on Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam,” many standup specials and starred in hit comedy series “Malcolm and Eddie” he even wrote and produced four episodes, one of which featured his mentor, Richard Pryor. Mike Epps got his big break as ‘Day-Day’ in Next Friday and Friday After Next. Epps has also appeared in Hangover and Welcome Home,Roscoe Jenkins in addition to voicing ‘Boog’ in Open Season 2 and ‘Sonny’ in Dr. Dolittle 2.