Music News.......updated April 25, 2009...
EAGLES' TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT: UPCOMING SOLO ALBUM TO FEATURE GRAHAM NASH & OTHER GUESTS
When he isn't touring with the Eagles or participating in the Poco reunion shows, Timothy B. Schmit is putting the finishing touches on "Expando," his first solo album in eight years.
The singer and bassist told Billboard.com that the album, which he plans to release in the fall, consists entirely of original songs and features a guest list that includes the pairing of Dwight Yoakam and Kid Rock, plus Graham Nash, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Keb' Mo', Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Van Dyke Parks, and The Band's Garth Hudson.
"I'm really, really happy with this because for the first time I feel like it's totally me," Schmit said. "I wrote the whole thing. I did it at my home studio, and I play as much on it as possible. For the first time I think it's really more me, really what I represent. It's kind of hard to describe, but I would say in many cases it's much more raw than anything I've ever done before."
Schmit added that he had little trouble lining up guests to be a part of "Expando."
"It's pretty great because I didn't even go through management to get most of these guys," he said. "I would call these people myself and just set it all up. ... I thought, 'Why not just try asking some of these people that I really admire?' What's the worst that could happen -- they might say 'no,' and some (others) did, but the people I mentioned were all sitting here in my studio and had a lot of fun."
On 2001's "Feed The Fire," Schmit included his Eagles bandmates, but this time he wanted to put a bit of distance between himself and the band.
"I just decided I was going to do this myself, with other people," he said, "not because there's anything weird going on -- there's not. But it's not the Eagles. It's just me, for better or for worse. It's been a really joyous experience, and it's been taking a long time because I have been so busy with the band -- and that is not a complaint."
The Eagles will be keeping Schmit busy in the future, too. After a May 9th show in Sandy, Utah, the group wings to Europe for a tour starting May 29th in Sweden. But Schmit wasn't predicting whether he'll find his way into the studio again with the Eagles, whose Grammy-winning 2007 album "Long Road Out of Eden" was the group's first studio release in 28 years.
"We're working so much right now on the road that I don't see any (recording) in the near future," Schmit said. "Do I think it will happen someday? You just never know. Right now I just work on my own project when I'm home between tours."
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STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, & 38 SPECIAL TEAM UP FOR "CAN'T STOP ROCKIN'" TOUR
VH1 Classic and Rock Band are proud to bring the CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' 2009 Tour to America, featuring STYX, REO Speedwagon, and 38 Special, three of the hardest working bands in rock'n'roll.
CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' kicks off May 13th in Albuquerque, New Mexico and will feature hit-packet sets spanning the course of these three unparalleled rock legacies. The tour is geared to give the ultimate classic rock experience at a fan friendly ticket price.
To celebrate their upcoming trek together, STYX and REO Speedwagon teamed up to record a new single, "Can't Stop Rockin'," co-written by REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin and STYX's Tommy Shaw.
"Both bands have always tried to keep our ticket prices low so that none of our fans get let out. It's our own personal Rock'n'Roll Stimulus packages," says Tommy Shaw. "It's been nine years since the Arch Allies tour and it just seemed like the right time to team up with our friends REO and hit the road again." Kevin Cronin adds, "The world is going through a weird phase, and everybody needs music now more than ever. We all need to join our friends, pool our resources, combine our energies, because there is power in people coming together. That spirit has brought STYX and REO together to write, record, and tour together, and celebrate it all with the greatest fans in America."
CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' is dedicated to raising awareness about hunger among American school children by partnering with "Blessings in a Backpack," a non-profit organization that provides weekend meals to school children in need. Fans attending the CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' tour will be able to help buy food for this valuable effort. Additional details surrounding the involvement of VH1 Classic and Rock Band in the CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' tour are available on the bands' websites: www.styxworld.com, www.speedwagon.com, and www.38special.com .
Click www.youtube.com/watch to watch the video for "CAN'T STOP ROCKIN'."
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SHAW BLADES TO RELEASE INFLUENCE: VOLUME II
Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades are currently working on the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2007 release Influence, which featured covers of their favorite 60s and 70s songs such as "Dirty Work" by Steely Dan, "California Dreamin'" by the Mamas & the Papas, ELP's "Lucky Man," and Paul Simon's "I Am A Rock." In addition to recording Influence: Volume II, the two continue to maintain a full schedule with their respective bands, STYX and Night Ranger.
Longtime players of Taylor Guitars, Shaw Blades recently performed live at the Taylor Guitars booth at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) tradeshow in Anaheim, California. Here's a link to a video of them performing "Blue Collar Man": www.youtube.com/watch
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40TH ANNIVERSARY WOODSTOCK CONCERTS ANNOUNCED FOR NEW YORK AND BERLIN
Chief Woodstock promoter Michael Lang is planning two free Woodstock concerts in Berlin, Germany and in New York in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the original 1969 festival. According to the press release, the New York show still doesn't have a venue, but will take place on the actual 40th anniversary of August 15th and 16th. The Berlin show will take place at the now-closed Tempelhof Airport on August 22nd and 23rd. Lang and his partners are hoping to snap some of the original participants that performed at Yasgur's farm back in '69, including Santana, The Who, Joan Baez, Joe Cocker, Grateful Dead, Country Joe and the Fish, as well as current top acts.
A new website, www.Woodstock.com , is currently being developed for information on the shows.
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STYX'S TODD SUCHERMAN RELEASES DVD
Todd Sucherman brings the knowledge of thousands of gigs, shows and recording sessions along with over three decades as a professional drummer to a useful and unique DVD package, "Methods and Mechanics." Astonishing technique, power and musicality explode from the various musical and solo performances throughout this presentation. Working with artists over a myriad of genres diverse as Styx, Brian Wilson, Spinal Tap, Eric Marienthal, Peter Cetera, John Wetton, Steve Cole, The Falling Wallendas and countless more, there's a wealth of knowledge imparted that goes way beyond just the technical aspects of drumming. Filmed in 16X9 in High Definition at a stunning location, this DVD features music from Styx, Taylor Mills and Jerry Goodman and contains various solos and playing examples in an array of styles as well as technical lessons to enhance your rhythmic and musical vocabulary.
Methods and Mechanics is a stunning achievement that reminds us the music comes first ,and that the arts are one of life's greatest joys. Entertaining as well as educational, music and truth flow through this epic presentation.
Available worldwide from Altitude Digital Video Production Altitudedigital.com
For more on Todd, pick up the current issue of "Classic Dummer" and/or the October issue of "Modern Drummer" -- both magazines feature Todd on their cover.
Visit Todd online: www.toddsucherman.com