More Artists Added to Mississippi Shieks Tribute Concert

Roots music legend Dave Alvin, guitar wizard Bob Brozman and blues performer extraordinaire Alvin Youngblood Hart have been added to the stellar lineup of performing two nights of special tribute concerts saluting the music of the seminal American band, The Mississippi Sheiks, on March 13 and 14 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Presented by the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad in partnership with Capilano University, the two nights will also feature performances by Grammy-nominee John Hammond, Van Dyke Parks (his first-ever shows in Canada), Geoff Muldaur, Danny Barnes, Jim Byrnes, Steve Dawson, Robin Holcomb, Oh Susanna and The Sojourners. Additional artists are expected to be announced. The all-star band backing up these artists for the shows will be Matt Chamberlain – drums; Keith Lowe – bass; Wayne Horvitz – keyboards; Steve Dawson – guitars; and Daniel Lapp – fiddle.

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Blues Foundation Announces Internation Blues Challenge Winners

The Blues Foundation‘s 26th International Blues Challenge ended on Saturday January 23rd, 2010 with two packed shows at the Orpheum Theatre. Out of 224 bands that competed for top honors throughout the weekend only two can be called winner in the solo/duo and band competition.  The solo/duo winner was Matt Andersen, sponsored by Harvest Jazz and Blues from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and second place honors went to Alphonso Sanders and Bill “Howl-n-Madd” Perry from Mississippi’s Crossroads Blues Society. The top prize in the Band competition was awarded to Grady Champion of theMississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola. Second place honors were earned by Karen Lovely Band, Cascade Blues Association, and the third spot went to Cheryl Renee with Them Bones, hailing from the Cincinnati Blues Society.

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No Rothbury Music Festival for 2010

Festival organizers for the Rothbury Music Festival have announced that they will not host a 2010 event.

According to event producers Madison House Presents and AEG Live, a contributing factor in the decision is that, due to various artists’ recording and touring schedules, timing will not allow them to assemble the cutting edge roster that has been associated with Rothbury. Madison House Presents’ Jeremy Stein explains, “The result for this year is that we are not able to move forward with the integrity and high standards that we demand from ourselves and for the festival.”

Despite the 2010 postponement, organizers intend to move toward continuing Rothbury in 2011. According to Stein, “This event is something very special, and we are unwilling to potentially tarnish what Rothbury is, and can become, by working under conditions that will produce anything less than a magical experience. Our efforts are certainly not coming to an end.”

For ongoing information regarding Rothbury, please monitor www.rothburyfestival.com.

Submitted by Madison House Publicity

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Eileen Ivers Tour Dates

Charity from the Choctaws. Repurposed slave ships and New Orleans dance crazes. Icy Canadian islands, Appalachian hollers, railway camps in the desert. These are all scenes and skeins of Irish experience, a trail of tales left by millions of travelers fleeing famine and seeking hope.

Virtuoso Celtic fiddler Eileen Ivers – founding member of Cherish the Ladies, original Riverdance star, and lifelong traveler of Ireland’s musical paths-brings to light the riveting world of Irish stories and sounds, ones that will amaze even the most seasoned travelers through immigrant history.

Ivers is mapping out these compelling tracks for audiences across North America this February and March with a new multimedia concert, Beyond the Bog Road. The images, sounds, and tales of Irish immigrants’ desperate and daring journeys to and in America come together in Ivers’ stunning technique, unique artistry, and deep Irish-American roots. Ivers and her ensemble of musicians and dancers will be performing in Florida, Utah, New Hampshire, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania .

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Willie Nelson Signs with Rounder Records

Rounder Records is pleased to announce the signing of American legend, songwriter, actor, and social activist, Willie Nelson.  Nelson is the creative genius behind many chart toppers including “Crazy,” “Hello Walls,” “Red Headed Stranger,” and “Stardust.”  His career has spanned six decades and more than 200 albums.  He is the President and one of the founding members of Farm Aid, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land.

Produced by T Bone Burnett, Country Music features old-time banjo master Riley Baugus, double bassist Dennis Crouch, and T Bone himself, all musicians featured on Raising Sand, the 2009 Grammy® award-winning Album of the Year by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.  Nelson tours over 200 days a year and will continue to tour throughout 2010.  He will be performing some songs from Country Music while on tour (full itinerary to be announced).

Country Music Track Listing:

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Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert Album

On March 2nd, Rounder Records will release Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert, an album of the concert that celebrated the label’s 40 years in the music industry.  Recorded in October 2009 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, the concert will also be presented as a PBS television special that will begin airing on the network in March, 2010 and released on DVD May 4th.

The event is a superb exhibition of Rounder’s diverse roster, and features Grammy® winning Rounder artists Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck, and Irma Thomas along with musical host Minnie Driver, and special guests Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas and Jazz/R&B pianist, Henry Butler. The CD will include performances by these artists as well as select performances from Steve Martin’s show at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, from Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s 2008 CMT “Crossroads” special, and from Madeleine Peyroux’s 2009 concert in Los Angeles.

The event was filmed in high definition by High Five Entertainment, and a portion of the ticket proceeds were donated to NARAS’ Grammy® in the Schools Programs to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture. The Grammy® Foundation influences the lives of young people by opening the windows of opportunity that music can provide for their futures.

CD Track Listing:

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Alligator Records’ March 2nd Releases

Alligator Records has set a March 2, 2010 street date for new releases from American roots masters The Holmes Brothers and legendary blues-rock guitarist/vocalist Guitar Shorty. The Holmes Brothers’ Feed My Soul, produced by platinum-selling artist (and longtime friend) Joan Osborne, is a joyous and moving blend of blues, gospel, soul, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Their amazing, signature three-part harmony singing, mixing Wendell Holmes gruff and gravelly vocals with Popsy Dixon‘s soaring falsetto and Sherman Holmes‘ rich baritone brings the soul and spirit of gospel music into everything they perform. Guitar Shorty’s Bare Knuckle, produced by famed songwriter and bassist Wyzard (a member of Mother’s Finest who has toured with Stevie Nicks and others) burns with heavy blues-rock fire from start to finish, putting Shorty’s infectious energy and guitar pyrotechnics on full display.

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Roy Orbison to Recieve Star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

On January 29, 2010 Rock and Roll legend Roy Orbison will receive his Star on the Walk Of Fame.

Roy Orbison was one of the very first rock and roll stars, and was an international household name by the time he was 21.  Loved the world over for a soaring 5 octave voice, and his incredible and innovative way of writing songs, Orbison was an artist without limits. Orbison is one of the very few artists to have been accepted by the world in all forms of popular music, and Roy is one of the exceptional artists to have won Grammys in pop, rock and roll and country categories.

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Pieta Brown to Tour with Mark Knopfler

Celebrating the April 6th release of her new full-length album One and All, Red House Records artist Pieta Brown will support Mark Knopfler on his spring tour. Playing 28 dates from coast to coast, Pieta will open up all the North American shows for the British guitarist-songwriter, who headed up the rock band Dire Straits.

Pieta’s new album follows closely on the heels of her highly acclaimed EP Shimmer, which was released last fall. Charting on Americana and college radio, the CD received rave reviews in the Boston Globe, All Music Guide and iTunes and has become a favorite on tastemaker stations like KCRW.

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MARK KNOPFLER with PIETA BROWN – 2010 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

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14th Annual USA Songwriting Competition Winners Announced

Teen phenom Sarah Lonsert won the Overall Grand Prize of the 14th Annual USA Songwriting Competition along with co-writers Jonathan George and Jami Templeton. Her winning song Dancing Through Life will be on the USA Songwriting Competition’s compilation CD this year.  Sarah is only 17 years old and she not only broke the first prize record of being the youngest winner but also the overall grand prize winner of being the youngest winner ever. The previous youngest first prize winner was Kate Voegele, who won in 2005 at 18 years old. Adrianne Gonzalez was the youngest overall grand prize winner at 22 years old when she won in 1999. Sarah also won first prize in the Dance/Electronica category, making her the first from that category to ever win the overall grand prize. Sarah Lonsert will be releasing a full length CD earlier next year. Although Sarah suffers from autism, she is a budding singer-songwriter and has also won the L.A. Music Awards last month.

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