Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Inbox Update: Tim McGraw, 'Holidays Rule' collection, Levon Helm documentary

There are a number of new and upcoming releases set to land between now and early 2013. Here are some recent highlights pulled from my inbox.

Tim McGraw unveils details for his next album, 'Two Lanes of Freedom,' set to land on Feb. 5, 2013

McGraw to debut brand new single "One Of Those Nights" live on the CMA Awards on Nov. 1, 2012

Nashville, TN - Oct. 30, 2012 – Country music icon Tim McGraw announced today that his first album on Big Machine Records TWO LANES OF FREEDOM will be released Feb. 5, 2013. The new single "One Of Those Nights" will make its national television debut on ABC's live broadcast of the 2012 CMA Awards this Thursday night (Nov. 1, 2012), as it will simultaneously be delivered to country radio.


"I always go into the studio to make the best record I can possibly make, and this one is no different. But 'Freedom' is a powerful word," said McGraw. "To come into a situation where there's some weight lifted, some refreshment going on, you can feel that in the music. I think you can feel the horses gallop on this record, and where I might go and what I might do when my engines are revving."

For 20 years, McGraw has been providing a powerful connection with his audience. With TWO LANES OF FREEDOM, the singer returns as co-producer with long-time friend Byron Gallimore. The album covers his broadest emotional range yet, with a set of songs that looks forward and back, gets deep and gets loose, and reveals that even the biggest stars can continue to grow with consistency and maturity.

"I feel like we really found some great songs for this record, and 'One Of Those Nights' perfectly sets the tone for the project," explained McGraw. "It's about reflecting on old times with a sense of nostalgia, but it's also about creating new memories and living in the moment and looking towards the future. I am doing that in my own life and career now, and I can't wait for my fans to hear the single and album. It's an unbelievably exciting time for me!"

Fans will have the first chance to preview the upcoming album’s carefree new single “One Of Those Nights” today when McGraw appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He'll also surprise some unsuspecting fans in Las Vegas and chat with Ellen about the new album (check local listings).

In his record-shattering career, McGraw has sold over 40 million albums, and dominated the charts with 32 No. one singles. Since the release of his debut album in 1993, he has won three GRAMMY’s, 14 ACM Awards, 11 CMA Awards, and 10 AMA’s, while simultaneously maintaining a parallel career as a successful actor in such films as The Blind Side, Country Strong, and Friday Night Lights—as well as hosting Saturday Night Live, a rare honor for a singer in any genre. McGraw has never been afraid of breaking new ground; over the years, he has collaborated with musicians from Nelly to Tony Bennett to Def Leppard.

For more information on the new album and single, visit www.timmcgraw.com.


'Holidays Rule' kicks off season with tracks courtesy of Sir Paul, the Civil Wars, the Shins and more!

With Halloween set to arrive tomorrow (where the heck has 2012 gone?), today marks the release of one of the most high profile holiday-minded music releases of the year. Holidays Rule (Hear Music/Concord Music Group) features new recordings from Paul McCartney, Americana favorites the Civil Wars, the James Mercer-led Shins, fun., the Punch Brothers, the Fruit Bats and many others.

Click here to read writer George A. Paul's full-length overview on his Music Minded blog.

'Ain't In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm' to be released in 2013

Kino Lorber has announced the acquisition of all North American distribution rights to the documentary AIN’T IN IT FOR MY HEALTH: A FILM ABOUT LEVON HELM, an in-depth and intimate look at music legend Levon Helm, who died of cancer in April 2012.


This announcement comes on the heels of the recent “Love for Levon” tribute concert in New Jersey earlier this month where nearly 20,000 Helm fans packed the Izod Arena to hear musicians including Roger Waters, Gregg Allman, Mavis Staples, Joe Walsh, Lucinda Williams, and many others celebrate the legacy of the much beloved founding member of The Band who died earlier this year.

Kino Lorber is planning to release the film in theaters across North America in early 2013, followed by a VOD and home video release set for the summer along with other digital and television distribution.

Levon Helm was in the middle of an intensively creative period in the years just before his death. In addition to establishing the Midnight Ramble concert series as a must-see music experience, Helm’s Dirt Farmer (Vanguard/Dirt Farmer Music) earned the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in February of 2008, and in November of that same year, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him among The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. In 2010, his follow up album Electric Dirt, also won a Grammy Award in the inaugural category of ‘Best Americana Album.’ In 2011, his live album Ramble at the Ryman was nominated for the Grammy in the same category – and won.

Director Jacob Hatley's intimate documentary finds Mr. Helm at home in Woodstock, NY, in the midst of creating his first studio album in 25 years. Shot during the course of two-plus years, this highly anticipated film focuses in on the four-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member after his 2007 comeback album, Dirt Farmer, brought him back to the spotlight.

While this period was artistically productive, AIN’T IN IT FOR MY HEALTH: A FILM ABOUT LEVON HELM also shows Helm dealing with the burdens of renewed celebrity, continuing financial obligation and returning health problems. The man known worldwide for his soulful voice, (as well as his singular and unparalleled drumming and multi-instrumental skills), permitted a camera crew inside his home to show the world an intimate side of his art and life.

Of the film, longtime Helm collaborator and musical director Larry Campbell says, “Jacob was the perfect fly on the wall for many months as we experienced the ups and downs of a wonderful time in all our lives. The result is a rare, artful, and honest glimpse into the fascinating world of one of our true American treasures, Levon Helm.”


The deal was negotiated between Kino Lorber CEO Richard Lorber and Stephen Brower, Senior VP of the Welk Music Group/Sugar Hill Records/Vanguard Records.

Mr. Lorber commented: “It was a privilege to meet Levon at one of his last Midnight Rambles and verify personally how insightfully this music-packed film captured the generosity of spirit, the humanity and the immense talent of one of America’s greatest musical artists. We see this as a mission now to be able to open the film, and Levon’s life, to legions of fans, followers and new audiences, who will be thrilled to discover the scope and depth of his contribution.”

About Kino Lorber

Kino Lorber, Inc. was founded in 2009 by industry veterans Donald Krim and Richard Lorber, combining the staffs, libraries and resources of Kino International, Lorber Films and Alive Mind to create the new leader in film distribution. Through its varied group of labels, Kino Lorber, Inc. offers the best in contemporary, classic and documentary films that aim to engage, provoke, stimulate, and entertain today's audiences.

With a library of more than 700 titles, Kino Lorber, Inc. releases over 20 films per year theatrically under its Kino Lorber, Kino Classics and Alive Mind Cinema banners. Moreover, the company brings over 60 new titles per year to the home entertainment market through Blu-ray, DVD and digital distribution on Internet platforms and VOD services. www.kinolorber.com


Additional Information:
www.levonhelm.com

www.vanguardrecords.com





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