Tuesday, November 27, 2012

UPDATED 12/7: Rolling Stones, Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder added to Sandy benefit concert 12-12-12

UPDATED 12/7: The Rolling Stones will join the artists already booked for next week's televised Superstorm Sandy benefit show in New York City, which producers said Friday would be the most widely available live concert ever. Read more.


Foo Fighter Dave Grohl and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder have signed up for next month's Superstorm Sandy benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, which could be one of the great televised live music events of recent memory.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/11/27/4294575/bon-jovi-grohl-added-to-sandy.html#storylink=cpy

A news release says the rock stars will join Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band and Kanye West.

Billy Joel, The Who, Alicia Keys, Jon Bon Jovi and Roger Waters are also confirmed to perform at the New York City show dubbed "12-12-12."

The Rolling Stones, who just stormed London, might even make an appearance, according to a report last week from the magazine of the same name. WILL MAKE AN APPEARANCE

As a huge Stones fan, I'd really like to see this happen.

Proceeds from 12-12-12 will go to the Robin Hood Relief Fund to benefit those affected by Sandy in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Information regarding the telecast of the concert will be posted at www.121212concert.org.

On Nov. 2, Springsteen, Jovi and Joel played NBC's live one-hour benefit telethon, "Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together."

Christina Aguilera, Sting and Jimmy Fallon also performed.

NBC reported the event raised nearly $23 million for the American Red Cross relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy.

—In this handout photo issued by LD Communications on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, the Rolling Stones in their promotional video for their new Rolling Stones single "Doom and Gloom," filmed in Paris, France. Rollingstones.com — AP Photo.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/11/25/4292283/rolling-stones-mark-50th-year.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Monday, November 26, 2012

Bon Jovi announces Tampa show; film screening in Sarasota

Good news for Bon Jovi enthusiasts.

The hair metal band that survived the 1980s to fill arenas in the 2000s has another area concert coming up and special film screening at a local theater confirmed for Tuesday.

“Bon Jovi Because We Can – The Tour” has a March 1 date at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, the venue announced late today.

Tickets, which start at $19.50, go on sale 10 a.m. Dec. 3.

Bon Jovi will debut new songs from the band's upcoming album "What About Now," due out in the spring of 2013.

I'm sure 1980s smashes like “Livin’ on a Prayer," “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” will make the setlist, too.

In related news,  "Bon Jovi: Inside Out" will be screened 8 p.m. Tuesday at Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20, Sarasota.

In a first-ever interactive theater event for the band, Bon Jovi fans will have the opportunity to submit their questions for a Q&A with Bon Jovi, hosted by Allison Hagendorf of The CW's "The Next: Fame Is At Your Door Step." The Q&A will be broadcast live from Times Square and fans can submit questions now via Twitter using the hashtag #AskBonJovi or text in questions during the event. Featuring a hand-selected set list from their catalog of hits, "Bon Jovi: Inside Out" includes performances from recent shows in London, New Jersey and New York.

Sarasota movie details. 

Read more here: http://events.bradenton.com/sarasota_fl/events/show/294316047-bon-jovi-inside-out#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

—Photo of Jon Bon Jovi by David Bergman//www.TourPhotographer.com

Sunday, November 25, 2012

TODAY: Bradenton musicians at Aces' Hurricane Sandy Relief Benefit concert


As Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close, local musicians are giving back.

And we all stand to benefit as they donate their time to help those affected by Superstorm Sandy.

Many of the Bradenton area's top purveyors of rock, soul and blues will be performing at Aces Live, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., from noon until midnight today.

Attendees are asked to donate $5 at the door.

The benefit is the result of Bradenton resident and Aces regular Joy Fitzpatrick wanting to help people living in demolished areas like her hometown of East Rockaway on Long Island.

A few words with Aces owner Renee Bennett was all it took to make today's event happen.

"I'm really good friends with Renee and she told me right away we could use Aces," Fitzpatrick said.

"There are so many little towns that have been forgotten and we'd just appreciate any help to raise money to be distributed through the relief funds."

RJ Howson, a singer/guitarist from Chicago who hosts the Wednesday blues jams at Aces, assembled the impressive entertainment roster.

"The musicians are lining up for this one," he noted last week. "So far (we have) Kettle of Fish, RJ Howson Band, Justin Layman Band, Lauren Mitchell, Kara Nally, Betty Fox, and more."

Former Oakland Raider, NFL Pro Bowler and soul singer Henry Lawrence, who is part of the Dec. 1 Bradenton Blues Festival lineup, has also been confirmed to perform.

Read more.

—Henry Lawrence sings May 18, 2011, for a lunchtime crowd gathered on the square outside the Historic Manatee County Courthouse. He was performing as part of a Realize Bradenton concert series. HERALD FILE PHOTO

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/11/25/4290427/bradenton-area-musicians-unite.html#storylink=cpy

Friday, November 23, 2012

INTERVIEW: Easton Corbin, DeSoto Music Fest headliner, 'honored' by George Strait comparisons


Gilchrist County native Easton Corbin has shunned the contemporary country trend toward pop and arena rock, winning fans over with neo-traditionalist tunes like his current smash "Lovin' You is Fun."

It's a wonderfully basic celebration of romance. A peppy melody kissed with steel guitar and honky tonk piano. The kind of song that will surely elicit a big, smiley sing along when Corbin performs the ditty Saturday during the debut of the DeSoto Music Fest at the Manatee County Fairgrounds.

"I love when the crowd gets in and starts singing," Corbin said during a recent phone interview. "It's very flattering."

The great Nashville songwriter Bob DiPiero, whose credits include the George Strait hits "Clear Blue Sky" and "Cowboys Like Us," co-wrote "Lovin' You Is Fun."

Listening, it's easy to imagine the song being sung by King George.

Since he broke on the scene in 2009, Corbin has been regularly compared to the traditionalist titan.

"I'm honored to be mentioned with him," Corbin said. "But nobody will ever replace George Strait."

Read more.

—Publicity photo of Easton Corbin.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving Day playlist: Songs for cooking, eating, drinking and dealing with weird relatives

Here are 20 songs to help you with the cooking, coping and all the other fun that goes with the fourth Thursday of November.

It's a time to give thanks, stuff your face and make sure there's enough wine around to deal with hearing your aunt complain about her ailments.

And block out the cacophony being created by your brother's bratty kids.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Thanksgiving Theme," Vince Guaraldi Trio 
"Turkey In The Straw," The Skillet-Lickers 
"Home Cookin," The Band
"Mashed Potatoe Time," James Brown 
"Nicotine & Gravy," Beck
"Cornbread and Butter Beans," Carolina Chocolate Drops
"Beans And Cornbread," Louis Jordan & His Tympani Five
"Country Pie," Bob Dylan
"Apple Pie À La Mode," Destiny's Child – A
"Pudding Time," Primus 
"Sangria Wine," Jerry Jeff Walker
"The Thanksgiving Filter," Drive-By Truckers
"Leftovers," No Doubt 
"The Kids Are Alright," The Who
"My Cousin in Milwaukee," Ella Fitzgerald
"Uncle Salty," Aerosmith
"Aunt Hagar's Blues," Louis Armstrong
"When I Was Young and Grandma Wasn't Old," Willie Nelson
"Twistin' In The Kitchen With Dinah," Sam Cooke 
"Alice's Restaurant Massacre," Arlo Guthrie  

Top 25 reasons to watch 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' on its 25th anniversary
John Hughes comedy starring Steve Martin and John Candy is greatest Thanksgiving Day movie of all time.

—Photo: This open-face sandwich is comprised of turkey leftovers, mashed potatoes and gravy. McCLATCHY TRIBUNE

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/11/21/4287107/stuff-your-face-with-leftover.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Gasparilla Music Festival returns to Tampa


The second annual Gasparilla Music Festival returns to downtown Tampa on March 9 with Grammy Award-winning band Ozomatli. The genre-hopping, Latin-funk-hip hop outfit is the first of several acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

The L.A.-based band will headline GMF's Kiley Gardens Stage, playing an evening set along with a special family-friendly set earlier in the day.

Advance general admission tickets can be purchased at $20 for a limited time beginning today. Prices will increase as more bands are announced. Tickets are available through the GMF website (gasparillamusicfestival.com) and at select local ticket outlets. Admission is free for children ages 12 and under.

Along with cutting edge bands on four stages throughout downtown Tampa, this year's GMF expands upon its children's festival-within-the-festival from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Kiley Gardens, located between Curtis Hixon Park and Rivergate Tower. In addition to family-friendly entertainment on the Kiley Gardens Stage there will be arts and crafts, games and other activities for children.

"We're thrilled to enhance GMF's family-friendly component with Ozomatli's 'Ozokidz' show, and we wanted to get the tickets out early at a reduced price so that parents could take advantage," said GMF president David Cox in a statement.

Bradenton's Have Gun, Will Travel played the inaugural Gasparilla Music Festival.

—Ozomatli publicity photo by Christian L.

UPDATED 11/21: Thanksgiving Eve bash in Bradenton will feature Beatles cover band on Old Main St.

UPDATED 11/21: Beatles cover band to headline Bradenton Thanksgiving Eve bash on Old Main Street


It's party time again on Old Main Street.

The downtown Bradenton road is closing down to vehicular traffic Wednesday to allow for a Thanksgiving Eve celebration with live music as well as food, drink, arts and crafts vendors.

Sarasota-based Beatles cover band Glass Onion will be performing.

Old Main Street between Manatee Ave. and 3rd Ave. W. closes to ve­hicles around 2 p.m. If your vehicle is parked on Old Main when the traffic barricades go up or your car could get towed.

Bar hopping is permitted while the street barricades are in place. Just remember to keep your drink in a plastic cup.

There is no charge or age limit to attend the event but you must be at least 21 years old to get into the bars on Old Main Street.

The Christmas tree and the other lighted holiday decorations surrounding Bradenton City Centre along 12th Street West and Barcarrota Boulevard will come to life when the sun sets on Thanksgiving Day.


Details: 5-10 p.m. Nov. 21, Old Main St., Bradenton. Admission: Free. Information: 941-896-8860 or www.obricks.com.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/09/20/4206937/popular-bradenton-street-party.html#storylink=cpy

—Music fills the air as the Michael Mac Band plays during sunset on Old Main Street in Bradenton. HERALD FILE PHOTO

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/09/20/4206937/popular-bradenton-street-party.html#storylink=cpy