Shipwreck Island Studios.com - Archive - 01.03.07

Archive - Jan. 3rd - 20th, 2007

Saturday, January 20th, 2007:

● Anberlin - Pre-Ordering Information / Album Artwork (Island Report):

You can now pre-order "Cities" the upcoming album from Anberlin. There are 2 different versions of the album available for purchase, a regular and a special edition. The special edition features 3 bonus tracks, special packaging/artwork, plus a bonus DVD with behind the scenes in the studio footage. If you order from Interpunk.com you will receive for a limited time a free limited edition 7" vinyl! A small number are gold vinyl pressed and the rest are in orange pressing. The album will be released February 20, currently the regular edition is 12.50 and the special edition is running at a cool 14.00. Tracklists and album links are listed below.

Regular Edition: www.interpunk.com

1 (Debut)
2 Godspeed
3 Adelaide
4 A Whisper And A Clamor
5 The Unwinding Cable Car
6 There Is No Mathematics To Love And Loss
7 Hello Alone
8 Alexithymia
9 Reclusion
10 Inevitable
11 Dismantle. Repair.
12 (*Fin)

Special Edition: www.interpunk.com

Bonus 7" Vinyl:
1. Godspeed
* Will contain an unreleased bonus track.

● Yo-Yo Ma - Makes History:

SONY BMG MASTERWORKS is proud to announce that legendary recording artist Yo-Yo Ma is the first in the label's history to have an album sell more digital copies than CDs in its first week. Released on January 9, the Grammy-winning cellist's Sony Classical recording Appassionato also enjoyed the all-time highest percentage of first week digital sales for a Billboard Top 200 release on SONY BMG. The album peaked at No. 2 on iTunes' overall album charts and finished the week at #4 with 57.1% of all sales being digital.

The strong digital numbers helped propel this recording to the #1 spot on Billboard's Top Classical chart and #79 on Billboard's Top 200. In addition, the CD peaked at the #1 position on Amazon.com's classical chart and #15 on the overall album chart during its initial week. Yo-Yo Ma begins 2007 with a new focus on the opportunities afforded in the digital world, and to this end Sony Classical has created a podcast series based around this album, to be featured on iTunes' podcast page. In addition, as part of the label's commitment to Yo-Yo Ma, his entire catalog is now available for digital purchase.

For additional information: www.yo-yoma.com

● Lion's Share Updates:

MEGADETH/EIDOLON guitarist Glen Drover has recorded a guest solo on the new album from Swedish melodic metal band LION'S SHARE. Also scheduled to appear on the CD are drummer Richard Evensand (CHIMAIRA, SOILWORK), guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS), and singer Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION, AT VANCE, KRUX), who is responsible for the backing vocals on the entire CD.

LION'S SHARE has uploaded some photos from the current mixing sessions with Ronny Lahti (ROXETTE, SAIGON KICK, EUROPE, GLENN HUGHES, ELECTRIC BOYS) at www.myspace.com/lionsshare. Lahti previously worked with the group on their third album, "Fall from Grace".

The as-yet-untitled CD, which is expected to be released in April/May, will feature the following tracks (not in final order):

01. Cult of Denial, 02. The Arsonist, 03. The Edge of the Razor, 04. Clones of Fate, 05. Emotional Coma, 06. Toxication Rave, 07. Trafficking, 08. Bloodstained Soil, 09. Soultaker, 10. Hatred's My Fuel, 11. Sorcerers

Bonus tracks:
12. Ring of Stupidity, 13. TV Preacher

LION'S SHARE has been confirmed for this year's Sweden Rock Festival, set to take place June 6-9 in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

LION'S SHARE's new album will be the group's fifth, with the first four having been released by Century Media and Massacre Records between 1995 and 2001. During this period, the band toured heavily with such acts as DIO, MANOWAR, MOTÖRHEAD, SAXON, NEVERMORE, ICED EARTH, U.D.O. etc. www.lionsshare.org

● Keep Your Eyes Open (Island Report):
We touched on Robert Fleischman in our Best Of '06 Awards so we want to make sure to give everyone a little update. He is currently working on a brand new website design, currently there is only some teaser art but make sure you keep your eyes peeled. www.robertfleischman.com

Guitar & Vocalist extraordinaire Pete Lesperance will have a new website as well. A new teaser graphic has appeared on what would be his front page, so make sure you keep checking there for a brand new site and information.
www.petelesperance.com

● News Tidbits:
» Rocker's Inaugural Act Creates Stir

» Rocker John Mellencamp all fired up for 'Freedom'
» Mamas & Papas Member Doherty Dies at 66
» Star Wars actor to play Kurt Cobain?

Friday, January 19th, 2007:

● Velvet Revolver - New Album Updates:

Word hit last year and we touched on it and also mentioned it in our Best Of 2006 Awards that Velvet Revolver was going back into the studio. Out of no where the band has updated their website with a temporary new design. They have added new photo's from in the studio. There are new updates on their MySpace page and as if that wasn't enough there are 3 videos from their recording sessions which feature samples from the upcoming new album.

Fans of VR get ready for what the band is saying a "New World."

Official Website: www.velvetrevolver.com
Official MySpace Page: www.myspace.com/velvetrevolver
Videos: #1 #2 #3 - Candid Footage

● Y&T - DVD & New Album:

This year is already starting out busy for the Y&T camp. Dave, Phil, John, and Mike plan to spend the first few months of the new year viewing every frame of last October's 7-camera DVD shoot in preparation for the upcoming Y&T DVD (scheduled to be released this summer). And if that's not enough to keep them busy, they also plan to hunker down in the studio during these cold winter months and write some new material.

News Source: Meniketti Newsletter

● Fighting Instinct - Radio Interview Today:

8:30/8:45am EST Fighting Instinct will be on the WBFJ Morning Show and will perform "Back To You" and "Just To Please You."

If you live in North Carolina, you can tune in to these stations-
89.3 - Winston-Salem
103.5 - Greensboro
102.7 - Archdale/Trinity
101.3 - North Wilksboro
104.9 - Pilot Mountain
103.1 - Mount Airy
101.3 - Salisbury

If you live out the area, you can visit www.WBFJ.org and click on the "Listen Live" link.

● John Waite - Missing You Video Update:

On Tuesday, January 25th CMT and GAC will be adding the new "Missing You" music video to their rotations. CMT will feature the video in their "hot shot" (26 to 32 views a week) rotation and GAC will place it into medium rotation (12 to 18 views a week).

This music video was shot in/around the Los Angeles, CA area and features John Waite with bluegrass/country singer Alison Krauss.

● John Mellencamp - Freedom's Road - Best Buy Exclusive:
Save on John Mellencamp's Freedom's Road, and get a free Best Buy exclusive bonus CD featuring four acoustic tracks. Plus, get free shipping.

His first new album of original material in five years, this new collection reflects the climate and concerns of present day America.

Best Buy Exclusive
The album's tone and themes are underscored by Mellencamp-penned songs such as "Ghost Towns Along the Highway," "Rural Route," "The Americans," and the already released single, "Our Country." Listen for Joan Baez on "Jim Crow."

The Best Buy exclusive free bonus CD features acoustic versions of "Ghost Towns Along the Highway," "Someday," "Rural Route," and "Americans."

www.bestbuy.com

● News Tidbits:
» Queen plan comeback (New Album In Works)

» '60s Garage Rocker Loses Home, Pets to Fire
» Guitarist Josh Ramos New MySpace Page
» Guitarist Stef Burns New MySpace Page
» Van Morrison "At The Movies: Soundtrack Hits" Sweepstakes

» Classic Journey Ringtones VH1

» Goo Goo Dolls on road, build hometown studio

» Richard Marx - New Album Updates (MySpace Blog - Candid)

Wednesday, January 17th, 2007:

● Sting Set To Release A Special DVD/CD Package (Press Release):

On the heels of his acclaimed recording, Songs From The Labyrinth, Sting furthers his fascination with Elizabethan composer John Dowland (1563-1626) on the forthcoming, The Journey And The Labyrinth: The Music Of John Dowland. This new DVD/CD package includes an extended, 90-minute version of Sting's first-ever PBS special from Thirteen/WNET New York's Great Performances, (airing February 26th), as well as a live bonus audio CD. The Journey And The Labyrinth: The Music Of John Dowland will be released by Deutsche Grammophon on February 20th.

Sting recently released the striking CD, Songs From The Labyrinth, which introduced audiences to his passion for Dowland. With an astounding thirteen weeks and counting as Billboard's #1 Traditional Classical album, the record, called "vivid and romantic" by the Wall Street Journal, has resonated with Sting and Dowland aficionados alike. The album also captured the top spot on the classical charts not only in the U.S. but also in England, Canada, France and Germany.

The Journey And The Labyrinth: The Music Of John Dowland, directed and produced by the Emmy-award winning team, Jim Gable and Ann Kim of Graying & Balding, Inc., delves deeper into Sting's relationship with the sixteenth century figure, who has captivated generations with his songs composed primarily for lute, which Sting tackles along with esteemed lutenist Edin Karamazov. Filmed appropriately at Lake House, Sting's 16-century manor house in Wiltshire, and in the ancient gardens of Il Palagio, his home in Italy, the DVD also features the performers before a live audience at St. Luke's Church in London.

Interspersed between performances of such timeless Dowland songs such as "Can She Excuse My Wrongs," "Come Again," and "Flow My Tears," are discussions with musicologists David Pinto and Anthony Rooley of the composer's place in music history and his relevance today, plus recitations by Sting from Dowland's personal correspondence.

In a rare live appearance performing Dowland's music, Sting and Karamazov's concert at St. Luke's Church in London was also captured as a live audio recording and serves as the bonus CD included in the package. Featuring selections from Labyrinth, the CD also contains the consummate hit "Message In A Bottle," arranged for lute, as well as a rendition of the Robert Johnson blues classic, "Hell Hound."

Sting and Karamazov, joined by the formidable choir, The Concord Ensemble, will be performing music off Songs From The Labyrinth at The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on January 11th, marking only their second live concert in the United States, which sold out in minutes.

Additional details can be found at: www.iclassics.com

● New TV Captures:

» America With Ryan Adams - Letterman - 01.15.07

● John Mellencamp - Freedom's Road Information & Additional Updates:
John Mellencamp is putting the finishing touches on Freedom’s Road, the new album that includes the current single “Our Country.” Billboard called the song “an appreciable fable of tolerance, hope and empowerment,” citing his latest offering as “a jubilant return.” To be released worldwide on January 23 through UMe/Universal Republic, Freedom’s Road is the first album of all new John Mellencamp’s songs in more than five years.

Freedom’s Road, the culmination of a year’s worth of composing, arranging, recording and mixing is a collection of songs that reflect the climate and concerns of present day America. The recording process began early last spring when Mellencamp’s band members gathered at Belmont Mall, the studio located near his home in Bloomington, IN. The group, with Mellencamp producing, actually recorded the album in the garage/rehearsal room that adjoins the studio. Post production and mixing moved inside the facility earlier this fall.

Lyrically, the album is not overtly political but offers an insightful, plain-spoken perspective on contemporary conditions. The lyrics, contemplative and hopeful, are set off by the garage-born organic sound of Mellencamp and his band. Band members participating in the sessions for Freedom’s Road included Mike Wanchic (guitar, vocals), Andy York (guitar, vocals, flute-a-phone), Miriam Sturm (violin), John Gunnell (bass), Dane Clark (drums), and Troye Kinnett (keyboards).

Additional backing vocals were provided by Little Big Town, the hit country vocal group that had toured with Mellencamp in early 2005 when he first started performing “Our Country” in concert. Also of note is the fact that Joan Baez duets with Mellencamp on “Jim Crow.” The album’s tone and themes are underscored by such Mellencamp-penned originals as “Ghost Towns Along The Highway,” “Rural Route,” and “The Americans.” Of the album’s title track, Mellencamp notes, “’Freedom’s Road’ is a promise that you have to go though hell to redeem.”

UMe/Universal Republic is supporting the release of the album with a broad based retail, radio and new media campaign designed to highlight the album’s release to both long term Mellencamp fans and new adherents. Mellencamp plans to tour in support of Freedom’s Road after its release with the marketing effort on behalf of Freedom’s Road continuing in support.

Track listing

1. Someday

2. Ghost Towns Along The Highway

3. The Americans

4. Forgiveness

5. Freedom's Road

6. Jim Crow

7. Our Country

8. Rural Route

9. My Aeroplane

10. Heaven Is A Lonely Place

Listen to Freedom's Road NOW on Clear Channel's Sneak Peek!
Click here to listen to a sneak peek of John's new album!

Freedom's Road AM Radio Interview & Premiere:
Visit the RADIO section of Mellencamp.com to hear our exclusive Freedom's Road Premiere on AM Radio. We will play each cut from the new album along with AM Radio host Dennis Elsas' recent interview with John. The ninety-minute special airs at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Tuesday, January 16, and repeats again at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on Wednesday, January 17.

TONIGHT! - "Inside Freedom's Road with John Mellencamp" on Sirius Satellite Radio: John is going to sit down with the folks at Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 18 (The Spectrum) and personally discuss every song on the new album, Freedom's Road, before it hits stores on January 23rd! In conversations with Sirius DJ, Meg Griffin, he will relay stories behind each of the songs on this incredible new CD. John will also provide an inside firsthand account of the process involved in the recording of the album.

"Inside Freedom's Road with John Mellencamp" airs 1/17 @ 7 p.m. ET, 1/18 @ Noon ET, 1/20 @ 8 a.m. ET, 1/21 @ 5 p.m. ET, 1/22 @ 2 p.m. ET, and 1/23 @ 9 p.m. ET. Click here to sign up for three free days of Sirius Radio so you can listen online.

For additional information and believe me there's a ton more, head on over to Mellencamp's Official MySpace Page: www.myspace.com/johnmellencamp

● News Tidbits:
» Vote for 7th*db in the Ernie Ball battle of the bands

» New Avril Photoshoot, Photo's Pertain To Her Upcoming Album
» Switchfoot - Walmart Soundcheck
» 50th Anniversary for Beatles-Famous Club

» Sammy Hagar Updates, Featuring Photo's & Setlists

» Emmy-Winning Composer Harvey Cohen Dies

Tuesday, January 16th, 2007:

● New Album Review:

To really like this album I suppose you would have to look at each song as an individual and understand that the next song doesn't match the previous. Once you get into this album you start to understand that this isn't a ...

» Read Our Full Review Of Oh! Gravity by Switchfoot.

● New TV Captures:

» Switchfoot - Letterman - 01.04.07

Captures Tomorrow, "America" On Letterman - 01.15.07

● Crash Romeo Answers Fans Questions:
Here's the bands official responses to some questions that have come up lately, including the big one in "Are You Breaking Up?"

A lot of people have been asking us recently about a few things concerning Trav and Ryan's mom, Adam, and tour. Here's what we have to say about all of it;

-Trav and Ryan's mom is doing completely better. She had a full recovery and is completely healthy. We thank all of you for your prayers and messages.

-Here is our "official statement" concerning any questions about adam:
In the past two years as a band, we (Crash Romeo) have gone through a lot together. We signed to Trustkill Records and put out our first album “Minutes to Miles”, toured the country and have played countless shows. There were fun times and hard times but no matter what was going on, we always worked things out. Unfortunately, sometimes situations get too complicated and things and people change. Recently, Adam Nordmeyer has chosen to leave Crash Romeo due to private and personal reasons. We wish him the best of luck and all the success in the world in his new endeavors.

As for the rest of us in Crash Romeo, we are NOT breaking up. We’re stickin to it. We all have the dedication and drive to keep rockin and bringing you great music. We plan on touring as much and as often as possible through-out the New Year. There is just one complication; we no longer have a mode of transportation. We know it’s a lot to ask, but we are putting our faith into the fans and friends that we have made and are asking you to help us out. We will be setting up a Pay-Pal account for any sort of donations that you might be able to send our way so that we can buy a new vehicle. Anything that you could donate would help us out a great deal. We really want to get back out on the road and play for all of you again (or for the first time).

We are working as hard as humanly possible and at full force to be the best band out there. Thanks to everyone for your support. We hope to see you all out at the shows. Check our myspace page regularly for updates on tours and other things that we will have going on.

See you all soon. Yours truly,
Crash Romeo: Steve, Travis, Ryan and Little Steve

To donate check Crash Romeo's MySpace Page: www.myspace.com/crashromeo

● Eric Martin Updates Fans With New Website:
Hey gang, I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend. I wanted to make sure everyone checked out the new website, www.ericmartin.com and if you haven't please check in. We'll be making changes much more often.

If you're on myspace, add me as a friend and meet my other friends at www.myspace.com/ericmartinband

I'm doing my second Wooden Music night series next Sunday, January 21st at the Sweetwater in Mill Valley. The show will start at 8pm and features me and the Mrs., Taylor Cutcomb on upright bass, Greg Scott and Angeline Saris, Loralee Christensen and her gang of music men and my favorite toddler (all grown up at 18) Chris Wilson on guitar. I met this kid when he was 12, showed him a few guitar chords and turned him on to Mr. Big and other rock bands and he's on his way to stardom now. He will be sitting in with me as well as showcasing some of his own songs.

The last Wooden Music Night was supposed to start at 8pm but was delayed due to ticketmaster printing 9pm on tickets. My goal is to get everyone out to see some good music and be home in bed in time for work Monday! This show WILL start at 8pm.

I've got some new news cooking and will release it as soon as I'm allowed to!
Until then...hope to see you all Sunday.
~E~

● News Tidbits:
» Jazz performer Alice Coltrane dies at 69
» Underwood Getting Busy On New Album
» Spector Stepping Out With New CD, Hall Of Fame Nod

Monday, January 15th, 2007:

● 25th Anniversary Tour and Record Announcement:

Jack and Mark will be RE-joined by Michael Lardie, Sean McNabb and Audie Desbrow for Great White's 25th Anniversary Tour and a new record! More details, new photos and lots more to follow.

Make sure you check their official website for additional details:
www.mistabone.com

This is great news for this group, it seems they are finally pushing forward after their hellish experience that occurred just a few years ago.

● Liberty N' Justice Update:
Hey Guys and Girls,

Hope you had a great Holiday Season and praying you guys have an even better 2007! Before we get into the update I just wanted to say "thankyou" to everyone for their prayers and emails concerning the accident I was in on Dec 21st. I am doing fine now. The staples were removed on New Year's Eve and my vision is fine now. Looking at the pictures (I will post soon on my website) it looks like we should have been hurt a lot worse than we were and I'm grateful for God's hand of protection on my life. It really strikes a reality check into your own mortality. I am very proud of the reviews and websites that have recognized "Soundtrack Of A Soul" as one of the better releases of 2006. For me and what I have been through in my musical career, it is a real eye opening, humbling experience and I want to publicly thank Mr. Mike Layne ( the producer) for all his hard work in letting my vision become a reality. And just wait until you guys hear "Independence Day"!!! It's going to blow you away.... it is really coming together nicely!

For Liberty N' Justice's seventh studio album we have decided to do a full production acoustic rock record. "Independence Day" will be released mid 07' and we have already announced five songs and there singers..... Jack Russell (Great White), Jamie Rowe (Guardian), Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge), David Raymond Reeves (Neon Cross), and Mark and Shannon Hovland (Hovland) .

At this time we are "Warranted" to inform you of the next two singers and there songs. On the track "Addiction" is Jani Lane (former lead singer of Warrant) and on the song "Bullet, Train, Breakdown" is Jamie St. James (current lead singer of Warrant/ Black N' Blue). This song also features Jerry Dixon of Warrant on bass. Both songs were written by Justin Murr and Mike Layne. On Wed. Jan. 10th go to our myspace page at www.myspace.com/libertynjustice2 and check out the tunes and go to our message board at www.liberytynjustice.net and let us know what you think!

● Frontiers Records Updates:
JADED HEART signed recently a new agreement with Frontiers Records for the production of their forthcoming studio album.

The group has been busy writing new tracks recently and among the new titles there are "See The Light", "Crazy", "Crush That Fear" and "You Can't Deny". The new album will be recorded during the spring 2007 for a release pencilled in the fall. You can expect another solid and riveting melodic Hard Rock album from Germany's finest !

Norwegian progressive metal band CIRCUS MAXIMUS will enter the studio in early January to begin recording its sophomore album for a tentative June 2007 release on Frontiers Records. A video compilation from the group's latest pre-production sessions for the new CD can be viewed at this location (Windows Media).

CIRCUS MAXIMUS released its critically acclaimed debut album, "The First Chapter", in 2005 via Frontiers Records.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS has been confirmed for the ProgPower Europe 2007 festival, set to take place October 5-7, 2007 in Baarlo, Netherlands. Also scheduled to appear are SIEGES EVEN, JON OLIVA'S PAIN, DREAMSCAPE, HEAVEN'S CRY, MECHANICAL POET and MEYVN. CIRCUS MAXIMUS is also one of the confirmed acts for next year's Sweden Rock Festival, which will be held June 6-9, 2007 in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

● Rachel Bolan To Produce The Luchagors:
Skid Row bassist/songwriter Rachel Bolan has started pre-production with Atlanta based punk-pop hardcore band The Luchagors who feature former WWE superstar Amy “Lita” Dumas on vocals. The band will be heading into the studio with Bolan at the production helm late January.

The Luchagors line up includes Atlanta horror king Shane Morton on guitar along with Troy King and Jay Leslie Hedberg on drums and bass. “They are real. Its honest, aggressive punk that sticks in your head. They’re great players with great songs” Bolan said.

When asked about the transition from wrestling ring to the concert stage Dumas replied “Music has always been such a big part of my life. I am excited about immersing myself into The Luchagors full time now. I can't wait for my fans that have stuck with me for so long to see me take on something totally different."
The Luchagors yet untitled debut will be out before summer.

News Source: Skid Row Bulletin

● John Waite - Video & Late Night Performance:
As we mentioned before, John Waite was working on a new music video for his duet version of "Missing You." The video will be airing on CMT very soon, dates and further details to come. Look for John and Allison Krauss on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, February 5th, 2007. Of course we'll have screen captures from this performance on the website the day after.

● Deborah Gibson - Radio Interview & Christmas Video Performance:
KBIG INTERVIEW (CA):
Be sure to tune in to KBIG 104.3 FM on Monday, January 15 when Deborah will stop by for a chat during the noon hour. You can also listen live at KBIG.com - The original link was confusing, I've since corrected this so that everyone can enjoy this broadcast.

KURT BESTOR CHRISTMAS VIDEO:
Check out Deborah's performance from the Kurt Bestor Christmas Concert.

● Fraze Gang - Live Concert Reminder:

Fraze Gang are playing their first local concert since the release of their cd. It will held at :

Club Belvedere
57 John St.
Thorold Ontario
Saturday Jan. 20, 2007

Tickets are available at the door.
Directions are available on the Fraze Gang site "Concerts" page.
www.frazegang.com

● News Tidbits:

» New Review & Screen Captures Tomorrow, there have been power outages all over the St. Louis area due to some ice storms. Because of this I was unable to finish my review and captures as part of today's update, tomorrow for sure! Thanks so much for the amazing responses to our Best Of 2006 Awards. We had a great time putting it together. We will be responding back to everyone's emails this week!

» Sammy Hagar Fears The Worst About Hall of Fame Performance
» New Website Look - Aly & AJ
» AOL Scraps Music Now in Favor of Napster

» Yvonne De Carlo, 'Munsters' star, dead

» Road warrior Tom Petty robbed of recognition
» Bon Jovi Headlining Governor's Inauguration

Monday, January 8th, 2006:

● Shipwreck Island Studios Presents The Best Of 2006 Awards:

After months of categorizing, searching, listening and writing we are finally ready to bring you our Best Of 2006 Awards. This year's awards tops all out preview by far! Everything has been neatly placed on a brand new website layout and can be viewed at the link listed below. Thanks Again to all those artists who have come forward and shared information and their music. As always we also want to thank our readers because without you there would be no driving force to continue forward.

2007 should be quite a year for music fans as even more Classic Rock bands are getting ready to unleash their new studio albums. We will continue to bring you a variety of information, from not just music but history and additional world news that is relevant to everyday life.

As always this is the time of year where we take a week off to collect additional information, work on new reviews and complete other projects outside this website. News updates will return Monday January 15th, this update will contain our first 2007 album review, screen captures and regular news information.

And now we present to you... The Best Of 2006 Awards (Opens In New Window)

We hope you enjoy all our Best Of, Tony & Jere.

Saturday, January 6th, 2007:

● Best Of 2006 - 01.08.07:

On Monday our Best Of 2006 Awards will be made available for everyone to view. Our teaser video has been making its way around MySpace as well as other video sites. To answer the 1 big question from the video, "What Song Is In This Video?" The song is called "Pulsar Burn" and it was written & recorded by our in house band ForeLife. The full length track was originally released on ForeLife's debut EP entitled "Exit 12." New music is currently being written & recorded and should be made available for purchase by the end of 2007.

» Video Can Be Viewed Here

● Mellencamp On Sirius:
John Mellencamp will premiere his new album Freedom's Road exclusively on
SIRIUS Satellite Radio, the week before it will be available in stores and digitally.

Mellencamp will play and discuss the story behind each of album's tracks, in order, with SIRIUS host Meg Griffin. He wrote and produced all of the songs on Freedom's Road, his 21st album to be released in a career that now spans four decades. Freedom Road is his first album of original material in more than five years, and will be available from UMe/Universal Republic on January 23.

Freedom's Road, the culmination of a year's worth of composing, arranging, recording and mixing, is a collection of songs that reflect the climate and concerns of present day America. The album finds Mellencamp backed by his touring band members. The group, with Mellencamp producing, recorded the album in the garage/rehearsal room that adjoins his studio near Bloomington, IN. Post production and mixing moved inside the facility earlier this fall. Additional backing was provided by Little Big Town, the hit country vocal group with one song, "Jim Crow," featuring the legendary Joan Baez.

Inside Freedom's Road with John Mellencamp will be broadcast on The
Spectrum, channel 18 on Wednesday, January 17 at 7 pm ET. It will be re-
broadcast on January 18 at 12 pm ET; January 20 at 8 am ET; January 21 at 5
pm ET; January 22 at 2 pm ET, and January 23 at 9 pm ET.
For more information, visit http://www.sirius.com/thespectrum.

● News Tidbits:

» Creed's Scott Stapp Welcomes Baby Girl

» Eric Clapton to play Shanghai this month

» Tom Petty insists he's not retiring

Thursday, January 4th, 2007:

● Carly Simon - Into White & QVC:

Columbia Records announces the release of Into White, a new collection of beloved pop standards and touching traditional lullabies performed by the Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy winning singer and composer Carly Simon.

The quintessential performer follows up Moonlight Serenade, her 2005 best-selling collection of pop music standards, with Into White, a soothing return to her primary musical roots, a pure and evocative showcase of best-loved songs, old and new, performed in the trademark dusky vocal style that's unmistakably Carly.
Taking its title from a wistful Cat Stevens song from the legendary 70's singer/songwriter's Tea For The Tillerman album, Into White conjures a series of dreamy gentle moods in a collection of unforgettable tunes drawn from a variety of sources including Cat Stevens ("Into White"), Judy Garland ("Over The Rainbow"), the Everly Brothers ("All I Have To Do Is Dream"/"Devoted To You"), The Beatles ("Blackbird"), Harry Belafonte ("Jamaica Farewell"), James Taylor ("You Can Close Your Eyes"), Stephen Foster, the 19th century father of American song ("Oh! Susanna"), and Gaelic traditional folk airs ("Hush Little Baby"/"My Bonnie," "I Gave My Love a Cherry [The Riddle Song]," "Scarborough Fair").

Carly rounds out the album with a pair of new self-penned compositions: "Love of My Life," and "Quiet Evening."

Produced by Carly Simon & Jimmy Parr (who worked on Carly's seasonal collection, Christmas Is Almost Here), the songs on Into White are performed by a small intimate ensemble including Teese Gohl (who also arranged strings on the album) on keyboards, synths, kalimba and flute; Peter Calo on guitar and dobro; Jan Hyer on cello; David Saw on guitar; and Jimmy Parr on percussion, kalimba and heartbeat.

Sally Taylor and Ben Taylor (each an accomplished songwriter and performer in her/his own right) join their mother on a familial rendition of James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes," from 1971's Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. Ben Taylor contributes vocals to several other songs on Into White including an enchanting new version of "Devoted To You," the Everly Brothers classic Carly first covered in 1978 with then-husband and frequent singing partner James Taylor on her best-selling Boys In The Trees album.

In addition to her legendary status as one of America's definitive female singer/songwriters -- having penned such classic pop songs as "You're So Vain," "Anticipation," and "Let The River Run" -- Carly has also authored several award-winning children's books beginning with the best-seller "Amy The Dancing Bear" in 1989 and including "The Boy of the Bells" (1990), "The Fisherman's Song" (1990), "Nighttime Chauffeur" (1993), and "Midnight Farm" (1997).

From her sly version of "Itsy Bitsy Spider" in the soundtrack to Nora Ephron's "Heartburn" (1987) to her songs in the Disney Winnie the Pooh films, "Piglet's Big Movie" (2003) and "Pooh's Heffalump Movie" (2005), Carly Simon has shown an uncanny ability to connect with audiences of all ages.

Into White is executive produced by Jay Landers, who first worked with Carly on "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry"/"In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning," her duet with Frank Sinatra on Ol' Blue Eyes' 1993 Grammy winning Duets album. Landers -- who has supervised records with Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Celine Dion and many others -- provided musical supervision for numerous original cast recordings and soundtracks including "Miss Saigon," "Carousel," "A League of Our Own," "Remember the Titans" and others. He has also worked on a number of children's recordings including Disney's Lullaby Album and the Grammy winning "Woody's Roundup" from Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 2."

1. Into White
2. Oh! Susanna
3. Blackbird
4. You Can Close Your Eyes (Carly Simon,Ben Taylor & Sally Taylor)
5. Quiet Evenin'
6. Manha De Carnaval (Theme from "Black Orpheus")
7. Jamaica Farewell
8. You Are My Sunshine
9. Devoted To You / All I Have To Do Is Dream
10. Scarborough Fair
11. I Gave My Love A Cherry (The Riddle Song)
12. Over The Rainbow
13. Love Of My Life
14. I'll Just Remember You

Music lovers worldwide have enjoyed the sounds of Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer and songwriter Carly Simon for more than four decades. Now QVC viewers will get a special treat as Simon is scheduled to make her QVC debut on Friday, January 5 at 7 PM (ET). During the 30-minute broadcast, Simon, accompanied by her two kids, Sally Taylor and Ben Taylor, is scheduled to perform a selection of songs from her recently released "Into White" CD.

» Audio Samples & Purchasing Information

● News Tidbits:

» Police reunion rumors reaching fever pitch

» Studios OK technology for movie downloads

» Killers to record next James Bond theme?

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007:

● A Few 2007 Releases (Island Report):

Our Best Of 2006 will have a pretty big list focusing in on 2007 releases but for now here are a few albums to look for:

Dokken: Lightning Strikes Again

Legendary band Dokken have signed a new deal with Rhino Records to release their upcoming studio album “Lightning Strikes Again.” When asked about the new album and the direction that Dokken would be going vocalist Don Dokken had this to offer: “The new record will be a classic Dokken style release, something that all the fans have been asking for. We hope to be done with the production of the record within January 2007."

Duran Duran: "Currently Untitled"

The kings of English new wave intend to follow up their stunning comeback album “Astronaut” with a new studio release in 2007. The new material is said to pay homage to the band’s roots. This is clearly a more direct way for the band to return to the "new wave" origins they are known for. It has been rumored that the band has shown interest in working with Justin Timberlake. Duran Duran and Justin met in New York to work on 3 new songs, 1 of which is a duet piece. Some fans are already crying foul, saying the band has “Sold Out.” Music fans could find out as early as February but ultimately there is no official release date yet just the usual “Sometime This Year” timetable.

The Eagles: The Long Road To Eden

The long awaited 7th studio album that has been nearly five years in production. If released this year the disc would be the first new Eagles studio release in 28 years. Don Henley has commented recently that the band is in the final stages of preparation. Originally a Christmas 2006 release date was mentioned. But now that window has past, signs point to a late February, early March 2007 release. The album will be reminiscent of the classic Eagles material and have a country-rock tone.

Reminder: Best Of 2006 will be released on January 8th.

● Full Out Freak - Loser Any Way:
The New Jersey 4-piece’s name is a contradiction that came from a song written in the band’s early days. “When you hear FULL OUT FREAK you think crazy, insane, off the charts, out there, etc,” explains bassist Eric. “We are a band that thrives on just being ourselves. We write straight up, in your face, pop rock songs. We liked the irony of people thinking FULL OUT FREAK is going to be this out of control band, when in fact our music is all about melody, structure and feel.”

From the 3 year old version of vocalist Joey, singing at his parent’s kitchen table, to an adolescent Eric, slapping his bass to the sounds of Aerosmith, to the 12 year old drummer Justin, trying his damnedest to twirl his sticks like Tommy Lee, this band has been ‘at it’ their whole lives. “It never occurred to me NOT to do it,” says Joey when asked about what drew him to music as a career. Eric echoes that by adding “At an early age music grabbed me tightly and never let me go.” New guitarist, Dalio, a native of Lisbon, Portugal, brings a passion for music that has taken him to a new country. “I knew that there would be much more to offer in terms of musical opportunities here in America. I found what I was looking for in FULL OUT FREAK.” Dalio was made an official member in October of 2006.

Songwriting is a collaborative process for FULL OUT FREAK. “I always want to complement everything Joey does and try to make the drums speak in a way that best captures the feeling, vibe or emotion that he wants to convey,” says Justin. Those emotions – particularly on songs like “Photograph” – are universal sentiments. The track deals with the disappointment in trying to re-connect with people you had to leave behind to pursue your dreams. The thrust behind “After All” is summed up by the outro – “sometimes late is better than never.” The newly featured song “Loser Anyway,” speaks to “that friend we all have who's with someone they shouldn't be with but they're the only one's who don't seem to know that,” says Joey. “This is a song inspired by the situation of one such friend (names omitted to protect the guilty). I actually heard the opening guitar riff and melody while walking through the mall and left immediately to go home and work on the song....which was nearly done by the time I pulled up to my front door.” The resulting sound is memorable, energetic and sure to endure through time.

It is a rare band that understands that a record deal is a beginning of the next-level process, not the end goal, FULL OUT FREAK is ready, willing and abundantly able to win over rock radio, the press and lovers of music worldwide in the long-term sense. “We want to become a staple in American music,” says Joey. “a band with staying power and we will work hard to make that happen. It’s that simple.”

1. Loser Any way (Radio Edit)

2. This Time

3. Photograph

4. What It's Worth

5. I'll Be Damned

To Purchase, Audioclips are also available:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/fulloutfreak2

4 Full Tracks:

www.myspace.com/fulloutfreak

Official Website:

www.fulloutfreak.com

● More REO Speedwagon Updates:
As posted on www.kevincronin.com

I had a quick chat with kC about the new CD and rumors about cool things they have planned for next year. Kevin told me that they have the first official deadline on the music and artwork for the new CD. The past deadlines they were working with were "band imposed". January 19th is the deadline for REO to turn over the record and artwork for an early spring release. Kevin said he just finished the liner notes and they are real close on the artwork.

Also, the rumor of the XM radio taping of Hi Infidelity is, in fact, being finished. This will be an enhanced video with backstage video and interviews as well as the entire audio performance. Kevin tells me that this will be sold in Wal Mart stores as a limited release bonus package with the new CD.

A "Making Of" DVD will also be in the works later in the year. If this wasn't enough,.... keep your eyes on Speedwagon.com over the next several days for MORE snips from the new CD!

Kevin want's to thank everyone for a great year and a Rockin' new year in 2007!

Keep Rockin',
DD...

If you listened to the XM performance when it originally aired you know how good the show was. While some of the commentary from Kevin during the show will more then likely be edited, the bonus video footage will make up for it. 2007 should be a great year for REO Speedwagon.

● Machine Men - Circus Of Fools:
MACHINE MEN Frontman:

New CD 'Is Heavier And Has More Metal Power Than Ever Before.'

Finnish metallers MACHINE MEN, who stormed into the Finnish single charts' Top Five with their 2005 single "Falling", are ready to deliver the highly anticipated follow-up to their much lauded last album "Elegies" (2005). Set for a February 14, 2007 release via Century Media, "Circus of Fools" is destined to top the success of its predecessor by taking influences from classic metal gods like IRON MAIDEN and QUEENSRŸCHE to a completely new powerful and timely level. To properly preview the new masterpiece of MACHINE MEN you can check out the title track at the band's MySpace profile.

Commented vocalist Antony: "Finally those hard and metallic studio sessions are over and it's time to tell you something about the new album. Of course, I will praise it to the skies to get your attention, but it's true - it sounds awesome! The album is heavier and has more metal power than ever before though it retains our typical melodic feel. We haven't forgotten to include some of those emotional, more ballad-kind of songs either. The album starts off with the title track 'Circus of Fools' and after that another fast ass-kicking song follows. Then slower and more massive tracks ensue before the album gives you another dose of faster headbanging songs. You can also hear melancholic mandolins and sing along passages that are purely acoustic. After that, the album hits you straight in the face again with some harder tunes until you'll drown in the waves in the end. We really hope you'll enjoy your time with our new album; we are sure we delivered our best!"

"Circus of Fools" was recorded at Fantom Studios (ROTTEN SOUND, NEGATIVE) with Samu Oittinen turning the knobs. A Finland-only single, "No Talk Without The Giant", will precede the album on January 17, 2007.

Check out their website: http://koti.mbnet.fi/~jvh/machinemen/index.php

MySpace Page: www.myspace.com/machinemenband / Title Track Is Available

● Site Speed:

For those who could not access the website yesterday, we are sorry. The web servers were being updated and from 8:30am till just before 3:00pm Central Time the website was offline. You should now notice a faster speed, thanks for your understanding. - Tony

● News Tidbits:

» Rod Stewart honored by queen

» Def Leppard Frontman Prefers Elton to Sabbath

» Jackson Surfaces to Eulogize Brown