Showing posts with label John Fogerty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Fogerty. Show all posts

Friday, April 14, 2023

NAMM 2023: Day 1 in photos

Thursday, April 13 marked the official first day of the 2023 NAMM Show. It was a great day to be inspired by the talent, innovation and diversity of music makers and the music industry. Photographer Bob Steshetz, writer George A. Paul and writer-photographer Robert Kinsler were on hand at the event to capture the action at the Anaheim Convention Center, including the presentation of NAMM's "Music for Life" Award to singer-songwriter/guitar great John Fogerty (get more information on that honor HERE).

Writer George A. Paul, writer-photographer Robert
Kinsler and photographer Bob Steshetz.

John Fogerty, left, being presented the NAMM "Music for
Life" Award by NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Recording artist Alicia Witt performing on the new Casio "Harmonious Mustard"
PX-S7000 Privia digital piano (with her canine friend "Ernest" nearby).
Photo: Bob Steshetz


Cindy Alexander (on right) performing with her band at The NAMM Show on
Thursday, April 13, 2023. Photo: Robert Kinsler


Cecile DeLaurentis performing with Embodme's Midi
PolyphonicExpressive Controller at The NAMM Show. 
(Booth #10102). Photo: Robert Kinsler





Deering Banjo Company Booth #5710.
Photo: Robert Kinsler



Ron Artis II thrilling at NAMM.
Photo: Bob Steshetz


John Fogerty sharing the small notebook he purchased in 1967
that he used to jot down song ideas, including "Proud Mary."
Photo: Bob Steshetz


Ron Artis II & The Truth performing on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage.



One of the beautiful ESP electric guitars
that is impressing NAMM goers.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

A view of Casio America, Inc.'s Booth #9103. Photo: Robert Kinsler 












Tuesday, March 21, 2023

John Fogerty to be honored with the Music for Life Award at the 2023 NAMM Show

I am happy to see Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty will be honored at the 2023 NAMM Show in early April...Robert Kinsler 


John Fogerty to Be Honored With the Music for Life Award at The 2023 NAMM Show 


CARLSBAD, Calif. – March 21, 2023 – 
GRAMMY® winner, composer, and musician John Fogerty will be presented with the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) “Music for Life” award at The 2023 NAMM Show on Thursday, April 13 in Anaheim, California. The award is the music products, pro audio, and entertainment technology industry’s highest honor and is presented in recognition of Fogerty’s lifelong contributions to music and commitment to inspiring music makers everywhere. 

“John Fogerty is a living example of inspiration and character, as a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and artistic visionary,” said NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. “When I was 10, my dad brought home the Creedence Clearwater Revival album Green River and said, ‘Play like this.’ That moment started my own musical journey, and I imagine many walking The NAMM Show floor can say the same thing. Honoring him with the Music for Life Award will be a personal highlight for me and a huge privilege for all NAMM members.” 

 
The award annually recognizes individuals or organizations that exemplify NAMM’s vision of music-making as a precious element of daily living for everyone. In receiving the award, Fogerty will join past recipients, including Quincy Jones, Garth Brooks, Melissa Etheridge, Jason Mraz, Graham Nash, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Yoko Ono, Henry Mancini, Bob Weir, Nancy Wilson, and, in 2022, Kenny Loggins, among others. 
 
This year, Fogerty has another reason to celebrate, having officially realized a decades-long dream of acquiring a majority interest of the worldwide publishing rights of his historic song catalog from Concord, a deal that he hopes will help usher in new “revival” of his most treasured hits.

 
John Fogerty, seen here performing in May 2007,
will be honored at the NAMM Show on April 13, 2023.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

As the leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), Fogerty forged a distinctive, groundbreaking sound all his own — equal parts blues, country, pop, rockabilly, R&B, swamp boogie, and Southern fried rock ’n’ roll, all united by his uniquely evocative lyrical perspective. Fogerty is a Grammy winner and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In addition, he is the only musician to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his song “Centerfield,” a staple at baseball stadiums across the country. He has sold over 100 million albums throughout his career. 

 
Among Fogerty’s many hit songs, both as a solo artist and as leader of CCR, highlights include “Centerfield,” “Proud Mary,” “Susie Q,” “Fortunate Son,” “Born on the Bayou,” “Bad Moon Rising,” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” among many others. In 2019, Fogerty celebrated 50 years in music with a worldwide “My 50 Year Trip” tour. That same year, he released “50 Year Trip: Live at Red Rocks,” an album featuring a collection of Creedence Clearwater Revival hits and fan favorites that included songs from the set list of his performance at the legendary Woodstock music festival in 1969.  
 
In April 2020, while self-quarantining, the Fogerty Family, featuring John with his sons Shane and Tyler and daughter Kelsy, gathered in their home studio to play music together. A weekly video series began and became so popular that a digital EP, Fogerty’s Factory, was released via BMG on Fogerty’s birthday, May 28, 2020. An extended Fogerty’s Factory full album was released on November 20, 2020. In December of that year, Creedence Clearwater Revival's Chronicle Vol. 1 hit a milestone after charting more than 500 weeks on the Billboard 200 and becoming only the eighth album to ever do so. At the end of 2022, Chronicle Vol 1. was listed at No. 55 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums year end chart.
 
In January 2023, Fogerty acquired a majority interest in the worldwide publishing rights to his historic CCR song catalog from Concord, giving him control of his music for the first time in 50 years. 
 
In early March 2023, Fogerty joined has joined Spotify’s “Billions Club” with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s enduring recording of his song, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” commemorating an outstanding achievement of over 1 billion streams on the platform, a feat that has been reached by less than 400 songs. His iconic song “Fortunate Son,” also recorded by CCR, is also on track to hit 1 billion streams later this year. 
 
Additionally, when it comes to overall monthly listeners of bands founded in the ’60s, CCR currently ranks in Spotify’s Top 3, landing just behind The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac, and ahead of acts like The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin. Nearly 55 years after their debut, it is a remarkable testament to their timeless appeal.
 
Fogerty and his band will be hitting the road in 2023 for The Celebration Tour, and he will once again be joined by his sons Shane and Tyler, as well as their band, Hearty Har. The tour will make stops in Europe and across the United States. 
 
For more information about Fogerty’s career, please visit www.JohnFogerty.com
 
The NAMM Show will see the return of much-loved industry award events, including the Parnelli Awards, the TEC Experience, and the She Rocks Awards, as well as Hip Hop 50 and MIDI@40 celebrations, networking opportunities, including the Top 100 Alumni, Pro Audio Pool Party, Women of NAMM and NAMM Young Professionals receptions, and more. 
 
In addition to the events and professional development sessions, attendees of The 2023 NAMM Show will enjoy a robust show floor with exhibiting brands, including Adam Hall; ADJ; Allen & Heath; American Music & Sound; Apogee; Avid; beyerdynamic; C.F. Martin & Co.; Casio; Conn-Selmer; d&b audiotechnik; Ernie Ball; ESP; Harman; IK Multimedia; Ibanez; Kala; Kawai; KMC Music; Konig and Meyer; Line 6; Pioneer; Shure; Tama; Ultimate Ears; and Yamaha, among many others.  
 
Registration is now open for The 2023 NAMM Show. To register, please visit https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attend.

Thursday, September 22, 2022

New Music: The Smithereens, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lions & Ghosts

Three unearthed treasures make for fantastic listens, including the latest titles from The Smithereens, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Lions & Ghosts.


Artist:
The Smithereens
Title: The Lost Album (Sunset Blvd. Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Beatles, The Who, Buddy Holly
Tell me more: When Pat DiNizio passed away in December 2017, it appeared that the Smithereens' aptly-titled 2011 would serve as the final statement from the original lineup of the top-tier band. Fast forward to 2022 and the release of the truly miraculous The Lost Album (set for release on Sept. 23 via Sunset Blvd. Records). Recorded in the fall of 1993 when the New Jersey-spawned quartet was between record labels, the full-length set of songs is a bona fide masterwork featuring a dozen melodic rockers courtesy of the aforementioned DiNizio on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, lead guitarist Jim Babjak, bassist Mike Mesaros and drummer Dennis Diken. The parade of great originals includes the tender "Dear Abby," melodic rocker "A World Apart" (bolstered by an especially tuneful guitar solo), heavy "Stop Bringing Me Down," fiery garage rocker "Monkey Man," Beatlesque "Face the World With Pride" and confessional closer "All Through The Night." My favorite track on the album is the wistful and haunting "Don't Look Down," with DiNizio's signature baritone probing self-doubt with the stylish candor that fueled many of the Smithereens' most beloved classics. Information: OfficialSmithereens.com.





Artist: 
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Title: At The Royal Albert Hall (Craft Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: John Fogerty, Creedence Clearwater Revival
Tell me more: The long-awaited release of Creedence Clearwater Revival's legendary April 14, 1970 performance at London's Royal Albert Hall is an absolute joy. Grammy-winning producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell mixed and restored the original multitrack tapes; the result is a recording that spectacularly captures the legendary quartet (singer-lead guitarist John Fogerty, rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty, drummer Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, bassist Stu Cook) at the height of their powers. The fast-moving 12-song set on At The Royal Albert Hall finds the El Cerrito, California-spawned outfit tearing through a mix of timeless hits and lesser known nuggets with bona fide zeal. While casual rock fans will love the powerful takes on "Born on the Bayou," "Green River," Travelin' Band," Bad Moon Rising" and "Proud Mary," aficionados will be equally thrilled by the Lew Herman-penned blues-rock juggernaut "The Night Time Is the Right Time," rollicking take on Little Richard's "Good Golly Miss Molly" and the ferocious Southern-fried closer "Keep on Chooglin'," the latter bolstered by John Fogerty's impressive work on both blues harmonica and lead guitar. In addition to the concert recording being available on audio CD and vinyl, Netflix subscribers can view the full concert that anchors the excellent Jeff Bridges-narrated documentary "Travelin' Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall." Information: CraftRecordings.com.




Artist: 
Lions & Ghosts
Title: Velvet Kiss, Lick of The Lime (Sparkle Plenty/Deko Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Simple Minds, Altered State, The Replacements, The Church
Tell me more: Signed to EMI for two albums that were issued in the late 1980s, Los Angeles-based Lions & Ghosts' wonderful 1987 debut Velvet Kiss, Lick of The Lime has been reissued digitally with bonus tracks and even a new single (the shimmering "Gurl I Luv You"). Thirty five years after it was originally released, Velvet Kiss, Lick of The Lime delights and will leave listeners wondering why the quartet didn't garner more attention. The enthralling opener "Passion," bouncy "Man In A Car," driving '80s-styled rocker "Mary Goes Round," and harpsichord-anchored chamber pop gem "Stay" are early standouts on the reissue. The jazzy detour "Girl On A Swing," propulsive "Love & Kisses From The Gutter," yearning "Wilton House" and funky "Contradiction" keep up the disc's power in its last half. Lions & Ghosts featured the talents of singer-songwriter Rick Parker, guitarist Michael Lockwood, bassist Todd Hoffman and drummer Micheal Murphy. Information: DekoEntertainment.com.

Robert Kinsler

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Charlie Watts Remembered

Charlie Watts / Photo shared via 
Twitter by Mick Jagger


Like millions of other music fans, I am devastated by today's news that Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has passed away (I last saw him perform with the band two years ago in Glendale, Arizona. See my review of the concert event HERE). Here is the official statement from the band and Watts' spokesperson: 

"It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.

"Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also a member of the Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation. We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time."

Charlie Watts performing at a livestream coronavirus
benefit in April 2020. Photo: YouTube

However, the outpouring of tributes and remembrances of the 80-year-old legend was immediate. Below are a few of the countless Tweets sent out today...Robert Kinsler





















Wednesday, December 09, 2020

Sights and Sounds: Joe Walsh's Fourth Annual VetsAid 2020 Lineup; Creedence Clearwater Revival 180-Gram Vinyl reissues; Béla Fleck documentary

 More than a little news here to share!! Robert Kinsler


Joe Walsh presents updated final lineup and details for this Saturday's Festival Livestream –
His Fourth Annual VetsAid 2020 - Home For The Holidays:
 
NEARLY 50 PERFORMANCES AND APPEARANCES
FROM ARTISTS ACROSS THE USA INCLUDING:
 
NEVER BEFORE BROADCAST FROM THE VETSAID ARCHIVES:
SHERYL CROW, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS, HAIM, DON HENLEY,
JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT, BRAD PAISLEY, RINGO STARR,
JAMES TAYLOR, KEITH URBAN, JOE WALSH AND ZZ TOP
 
AND NEW PERFORMANCES AND/OR APPEARANCES FROM:
RYAN BINGHAM, JON BON JOVI, THE 5 BROWNS, JIMMY BUFFETT, 
DREW CAREY, KENNY CHESNEY, ALICE COOPER,
KENNY “BABYFACE” EDMONDS, MELISSA ETHERIDGE,
BRANDON FLOWERS, MARY GAUTHIER, VINCE GILL,
PATTY GRIFFIN, DARYL HALL, BEN HARPER,
JAMES HETFIELD, JEWEL, AMJAD ALI KHAN, AMAAN AND AYAAN, THE LUMINEERS, RICHARD MARX, TIM MCGRAW,
WILLIE NELSON AND THE BOYS, PHILLIP PHILLIPS,
NATHANIEL RATELIFF, JOSH RITTER, BLAKE SHELTON,
JAKE SHIMABUKURO, AMANDA SHIRES, GWEN STEFANI,
BILLY BOB THORNTON/THE BOXMASTERS, STEVEN VAN ZANDT,
EDDIE VEDDER, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, 
JOE WALSH AND VERDINE WHITE 
  
VETSAID 2020: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
TO BE STREAMED ONLINE DECEMBER 12, 2020
AND AVAILABLE FOR RESTREAM THROUGH DECEMBER 14, 2020
 
Tickets on-sale now at vetsaid.veeps.com






Wednesday, December 9, 2020 (Los Angeles, CA.) – Joe Walsh reveals the final artist lineup and details for this Saturday’s VetsAid 2020: Home for the Holidays today, boasting nearly 50 performances and appearances, the multi-hour music festival will raise sorely needed funds to veterans services groups across the country. Join Joe and his friends December 12 for a worldwide broadcast of unique performances, never-before-seen VetsAid footage from years past and great stories from some of the greatest musicians in the world. VetsAid is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and multi-GRAMMY Award winning musician's national 501(c)3 non-profit veterans organization.
 
“Wow – what a show we have this year! Such a diverse and wonderful line up!” Walsh explains, “When you have something like this you humbly ask your friends and colleagues and hope a couple will sign on – kind of like going fishing – but this year everyone I asked said yes! And now it’s turned into a virtual music festival like no other. We know the plight of our vets is hard enough in the best of times, and they are especially vulnerable during this pandemic.
 
“I am proud of this nationwide tradition we’ve created and I’m so glad we can have this show during the holidays featuring all these artists that I love. I’ve got a great feeling about it and know fans will too. I hope it shows the Vets how many people care and want to help - I can’t think of a better way to remember and honor the men and women who have served our country this holiday season than by helping us raise funds to support their essential and basic needs.”   
  
This ticketed event will be streamed on December 12 starting at 6pm ET via vetsaid.veeps.com and will also be available for restream through December 14.
 
Tickets and merch bundles are available now at vetsaid.veeps.com and will be priced from $20 with discounts available for active duty military and veterans using the promo code VALOR.
 
Joe Walsh launched VetsAid on September 20, 2017 with an inaugural concert at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA. The second festival event was in Tacoma, WA and the third in Houston, TX.  VetsAid typically seeks to host the events in cities across the country with large veteran populations. The shows have included performances by musicians including James Taylor, Chris Stapleton, Don Henley, ZZ Top, Sheryl Crow, The Doobie Brothers, Zac Brown Band, Jason Isbell, Keith Urban, Haim, Gary Clark Jr. and Joe’s brother-in-law Ringo.
 
VetsAid has raised nearly 1.5 million dollars and supports veterans and their families.

All net proceeds from the 2020 festival will go directly to the veterans’ services charities selected through a vetting process coordinated in tandem with the Combined Arms Institute.
 
For more information, please visit www.vetsaid.org.


CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL’S PENDULUM AND MARDI GRAS
SET FOR HALF-SPEED MASTERED 180-GRAM VINYL REISSUES

Band’s sixth and seventh studio albums include classic hits
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” “Hey Tonight,” and “Sweet Hitch-Hiker”


Click here to pre-order


Los Angeles, CA (December 9, 2020)—Craft Recordings continues their salute to the enduring musical legacy of Creedence Clearwater Revival with the release of half-speed mastered editions of the band’s two final albums: Pendulum, which was released exactly 50 years ago today (December 9, 1970), and their closing studio album, 1972’s Mardi Gras. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl and set for release February 12th, both records were mastered by the award-winning engineer Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. Available for pre-order beginning today, these audiophile-quality LPs come housed in beautifully crafted jackets (tip-on gatefold for Pendulum and embossed for Mardi Gras), replicating the albums’ original packaging.

Pendulum, which marked CCR’s second release of 1970—following Cosmo’s Factory—was a unique title in the band’s catalog for several reasons. First, the album was the group’s sole LP to feature all original material. Typically, CCR sprinkled covers of blues songs, traditional material, and rock ‘n’ roll standards into each of their albums, putting their own spin on classic favorites. Pendulum also found the guitar-heavy group expanding their sonic palate—experimenting with new sounds (including the use of saxophones, vocal choirs, and keyboards) and even venturing into psychedelia.

The quartet’s musical explorations paid off. Not only was Pendulum a critical success, but it also spawned two global Top Ten hits: the reflective “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and the upbeat “Hey Tonight.” The singles, released as a double A-side in 1971, peaked at No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other highlights included the stomper “Molina,” the bluesy “Pagan’s Groove” and the twangy “Sailor’s Lament.” Recently, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” gained renewed popularity with the 2018 launch of a new official music video featuring Sasha Frolova, Jack Quaid, and Erin Moriarty (the latter two also featuring in Amazon’s smash hit series, The Boys), introducing the song to a new generation. To date, the video—available on the official CCR YouTube channel—has received over 61 million plays.

Creedence Clearwater Revival’s seventh and final studio album, 1972’s Mardi Gras, followed the departure of founding member and rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty. The album, however, found the remaining trio of musicians taking a more collaborative approach to songwriting. Prior to Mardi Gras, frontman John Fogerty was the band’s creative leader—writing, arranging, and producing the majority of every album. For Mardi Gras, bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford not only penned many of the tracks (including Cook’s hard-driving “Door to Door,” and Clifford’s rollicking “Tearin’ Up the Country”) but also sang on them. Other highlights off the album include a cover of the rockabilly classic “Hello Mary Lou,” as well as the Fogerty-penned rocker “Sweet Hitch-Hiker”—a Top Ten hit in the US, Australia, Canada, and across Europe. The poignant “Someday Never Comes,” meanwhile, marked the group’s final single.

While the band members went their separate ways after Mardi Gras, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s legacy only continued to grow. Today, CCR remains one of the best-selling groups of all time, thanks to their trove of generation-defining hits and their singular, roots-rock sound.

Roughly half a century later, CCR fans can enjoy a new vibrancy when they revisit Pendulum and Mardi Gras, thanks to the exacting process of half-speed mastering. Using high-res transfers from the original analog tapes, the process involves playing back the audio at half its recorded speed while the cutting lathe is also turned to half the desired playback speed. The technique allows more time to cut a micro-precise groove, resulting in more accuracy with frequency extremes and dynamic contrasts. The result on the turntables is an exceptional level of sonic clarity and punch.

Both of these special pressings were previously released only as part of Creedence’s collectible, seven-LP The Studio Albums Collection box set, and follow standalone reissues of the band’s first five albums—available here.

Earlier this year, the three surviving members of CCR spoke with Uncut and reflected on their time in the band. “We didn’t get to where we got just falling off a log,” said John Fogerty, as he spoke of the band’s tireless work ethic. “It’s a wonderful thing to have a goal and then to attain it, more or less.” Stu Cook compared the band’s rise to “a rocket ride, we went up so fast. We burned until we burned out, in three-and-a-half years from start to finish.” But, while brief, those years together brought the group unparalleled creative achievement and global success. “We had a magic band,” recalled Doug Clifford. “We got high playing the music.” Fogerty added that he was “humbly pleased” knowing that, 50 years later, CCR’s music “is still relevant, that people still care about it. That’s just so satisfying.”

Pre-order Pendulum or Mardi Gras half-speed masters, with special bundles offered via the Craft Recordings store. A limited gold vinyl edition of Pendulum is also available exclusively via Vinyl, Me Please.


Tracklist - Pendulum:

Side A:
1. Pagan Baby
2. Sailor’s Lament
3. Chameleon
4. Have You Ever Seen the Rain
5. (Wish I Could) Hideaway

Side B:
6. Born to Move
7. Hey Tonight
8. It’s Just a Thought
9. Molina
10. Rude Awakening #2

Tracklist - Mardi Gras:

Side A:
1. Lookin’ for a Reason
2. Take It Like a Friend
3. Need Someone to Hold
4. Tearin’ Up the Country
5. Someday Never Comes

Side B:
1. What Are You Going to Do
2. Sail Away
4. Hello Mary Lou
5. Door to Door
6. Sweet Hitch-Hiker


FREE LIVESTREAM OF DOCUMENTARY FILM
THROW DOWN YOUR HEART
WITH Q&A FROM BÉLA AND DIRECTOR SASCHA PALADINO
 
TUNE IN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 @ 7:00PM ET
 
CELEBRATING GRAMMY® NOMINATION FOR BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM




Los Angeles, CA (December 9, 2020)─Bringing good cheer for the holidays, Béla Fleck and his brother, director Sascha Paladino, will be hosting a live screening of their acclaimed documentary film Throw Down Your Heart this Friday (12/11) at 7:00 pm ET via Facebook Live and YouTube. The free event, in association with NPR Live Sessions, the Americana Music Association, and co-presenter Folk Alliance International, will include an introduction from Béla followed by an interactive Q&A with Béla joined by Sascha.

Released earlier this year, Throw Down Your Heart: The Complete Africa Sessions is the comprehensive film and music collection from Béla Fleck’s remarkable journey across Africa to explore the roots of the banjo. The expanded collection includes the three-time GRAMMY®-winning albums Tales from the Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3—Africa Sessions and Africa Sessions Part 2: Unreleased Tracks, as well as a previously unreleased duo album with kora master Toumani Diabaté, titled The Ripple Effect. The package also offers the complete film Throw Down Your Heart, with commentary from Fleck and Paladino, along with 14 bonus performances.

The 3-CD/1-DVD boxed set, also available digitally, has been nominated for the 2021 Best Historical Album GRAMMY® Award.

Watch the trailer for the Throw Down Your Heart film here, or stream/order Throw Down Your Heart: The Complete Africa Sessions album here.


“It’s about damn time somebody drew the line back!” 
– Pete Seeger

“This is a story of how Béla Fleck, America’s most celebrated banjoist, went on a quest in search of his musical soul mate’s African roots—and wound up discovering himself… Throw Down Your Heart is not just a stunning documentary and soundtrack, but an important work of artistic memory and conscience.” 
– Los Angeles Times

“Traditional African music turns out to suit him beautifully… At every turn Mr. Fleck works respectfully, learning and adapting, trusting sameness over difference.”
– The New York Times

“…a dazzling film. Throw Down Your Heart is proof positive that music is life.”
– Michael McKean

“With Throw Down Your Heart, Béla Fleck has contributed significantly to the history of the banjo, as well as inventing a style of music never before played on this great instrument.”
– Steve Martin

“Throw Down Your Heart speaks to your heart all along the way, making the case, subtly but clearly, that we are connected… A beautiful, poignant and well-crafted film.”
– Zakir Hussain

“...inspiring, touching, and filled with moments that celebrate life. The connection between music and the essence of human existence has been beautifully captured…”
– Christopher Guest

“Today in the world everything seems to be about quantity, but I think the quality is the most important thing. This film is quality. I learned things that I did not know about Africa and African music. It will help social and cultural development... people without culture are people without soul!”
– Toumani Diabaté

“It’s the living of a dream. The genuine warmth, affinity, respect and love between Béla and the amazing African musicians he met is beautifully captured. Very inspiring and uplifting.”
– Chick Corea

“I thought it was so strange and moving and beautiful.”
– Neil Gaiman

“Love the movie! Beautiful and inspiring. In some of those improvs I asked myself, ‘How did he ever figure out where ‘one’ was?’... Great playing, and a stunning documentary.”
– Joe Satriani

“Throw Down Your Heart is a passionate exploration of music and the connections it seems to instantly and effortlessly form between cultures. Hooray for Béla Fleck for packing up his banjo and taking it to Africa.”
– Ann Patchett

“It completely blew me away. I don’t think I have ever seen such a complete musician at work, what a joy it was to behold.”
– Billy Connolly


About Béla Fleck:
15-time GRAMMY® award winner Béla Fleck has reinvented the image and the sound of the banjo through a remarkable career in bluegrass, jazz, classical, pop and beyond, and has been nominated in more categories than any other artist in GRAMMY history.  

About Folk Alliance International:
Folk Alliance International (FAI) was founded in 1989 to connect folk music leaders aiming to sustain the community and genre. Today FAI is the leading international voice for folk music with a network of more than 3,000 members. Folk Alliance International’s mission is to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation, and promotion. FAI defines folk broadly as “the music of the people” (reflective of any community they are from), and programs a diverse array of subgenres including, but not limited to Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Hip-Hop, Old-Time, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word, Traditional, Zydeco, and various fusions.

About Rounder Records:
Rounder Records is one of the world's most historic Americana and bluegrass record labels. Rounder’s rich catalog includes critically-acclaimed offerings by iconic artists like Gregg Allman, Alison Krauss, and Steve Martin as well as rising stars Samantha Fish, Sierra Hull, I’m With Her, Sarah Jarosz, Ruston Kelly, the SteelDrivers, Billy Strings, and The War And Treaty. Rounder has consistently demonstrated a commitment to nurture and develop careers over the long haul—a number of artists who got their start at Rounder are still recording with the label today, including Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck, and George Thorogood. A leader in the preservation of precious historic recordings, Rounder has brought the music of the Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Jelly Roll Morton back to vibrant life and released epic anthologies from the Library of Congress and the Alan Lomax Collection that have been universally acclaimed.

About Craft Recordings:
Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most prestigious collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its rich and storied repertoire includes legendary artists such as Joan Baez, Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, Nine Inch Nails, Thelonious Monk, Otis Redding, R.E.M. and Traveling Wilburys, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Concord, Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, Milestone, Musart, Nitro, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Sugar Hill, Vanguard, Vee-Jay and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation—ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover. Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord Recorded Music. For more info, visit CraftRecordings.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify.