Here are a few media releases of interest to rock music fans...
AT&T and AUDIENCE® Network Present:
"BLUE ÖYSTER CULT"
Exclusive Interview and Performance with the Classic-Rock Band
Airs Friday, September 2, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
On DIRECTV and U-verse (DIRECTV Ch 239/U-verse Ch 1114)
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| Blue Öyster Cult performs on AUDIENCE Network at Red Studios. Photo credit: Aaron Farley, AT&T and AUDIENCE Network. |
Watch a Preview as BLUE ÖYSTER CULT Performs Their Classic Hit
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" on ULTIMATE CLASSIC ROCK (here)
Tune in to the AUDIENCE Network concert special "BLUE ÖYSTER CULT"airing Friday, September 2, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (DIRECTV Ch 239/U-verse Ch 1114). The classic rock band stopped by Red Studios in Los Angeles to perform their seminal album Agents Of Fortune in it's entirety live. In the episode, the group sits down with Ted Stryker for an in depth interview spanning their history.
For a preview of the AUDIENCE Network concert special "BLUE ÖYSTER CULT," watch an exclusive "First Look" as the band performs their classic hit"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" on ULTIMATE CLASSIC ROCK (here)..
View the trailer for "BLUE ÖYSTER CULT" airing Friday, September 2, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on AUDIENCE Network, DIRECTV Ch 239/U-verse Ch 1114(here). Watch and share behind-the-scenes clips of the episode (here) and(here).
AUDIENCE Network's new music slate continues to deliver groundbreaking concerts, unique stories and exclusive performances across all genres, plus select programming in ultra high-definition/4K*, to audiences nationwide since multiple series began airing this past January. Recent concert specials include: CeeLo Green, Hank Williams Jr., Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton, Flo Rida, Martina McBride, Lukas Graham, Kelsea Ballerini, Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco, 2 Chainz, Keith Urban, The Lumineers, Cole Swindell, Cypress Hill, Dan + Shay, Josh Kelley, Andra Day, JR JR, Young The Giant and others. New shows premiere via national broadcast Friday at 8:00 PM ET/PT on DIRECTV Ch 239/U-verse Ch 1114,as well as streaming on directv.com, uverse.com and on smartphones and tablets, via the DIRECTV and U-verse apps.**
AUDIENCE Network's multiple series of original and exclusive performances give music fans an intimate view of music's most influential artists today. The network collaborates directly with musicians to create a unique show from their perspective.
For over four decades, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT has been thrilling fans of intelligent hard rock worldwide with powerful albums loaded with classic songs. Indeed, the Long Island, NY-based band is revered within the hard rock and heavy metal scene for its pioneering work. BLUE ÖYSTER CULToccupies a unique place in rock history because it's one of very few hard rock/heavy metal bands to earn both genuine mainstream critical acclaim as well as commercial success. The band is often cited as a major influence by other acts such as Metallica, and BÖC was listed in VH1's countdown of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. Upon the release of BÖC's self--titled debut album in 1972, the band was praised for its catchy--yet--heavy music and lyrics that could be provocative, terrifying, funny or ambiguous, often all in the same song. BÖC's canon includes three stone--cold classic songs that will waft through the cosmos long after the sun has burned out: The truly haunting "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" from 1976's Agents of Fortune, the pummeling "Godzilla" from 1977's Spectres and the hypnotically melodic "Burnin' for You" from 1981'sFire of Unknown Origin. The intense creative vision of BÖC's original core duo of vocalist/lead guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Eric Bloom are complemented by Richie Castellano on guitar and keyboards, and the longtime rhythm section of bass guitarist Kasim Sulton, and drummer Jules Radino. For the taping of this special performance, they are joined by former member Albert Bouchard (guitar, percussion, vocals).
For more information on BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, visit: http://www.blueoystercult.com/, and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueoystercult/.
The Pretty Reckless score fourth consecutive #1 rock hit with new single "Take Me Down"
The new album 'Who You Selling For' will be released by Razor & Tie on October 21, 2016
The Pretty Reckless smashes it! "Take Me Down," the first single from the upcoming album Who You Selling For, has reached #1 on the rock chart, after just 7 short weeks. This milestone marks the fourth consecutive #1 for the band who broke records as the first female-fronted band to have three chart toppers in a row with "Heaven Knows," "Messed Up World" and "Follow Me Down" (all from 2014's Going To Hell) - a feat that has not been accomplished since The Pretenders in 1984, over 30 years ago.
"The Pretty Reckless are the most exciting new band in rock. Taylor Momsen is a star, and we take a great deal of pride in helping the band break through in a genre largely dominated by male artists," says Razor & Tie Co-founder Cliff Chenfeld. "This is just the beginning."
The Pretty Reckless's extraordinary third studio album Who You Selling For is set for release on October 21. Produced by longtime collaborator Kato Khandwala, Who You Selling For expands the band's sound to encompass soul, blues and rock and roll. The songs were written by front woman Taylor Momsen and guitarist Ben Phillips. Momsen's dark lyrics and raw, charismatic vocals are on full display and the band delivers at full intensity with a level of musicianship that raises the bar.
TPR hits the road this fall in support of the album, hitting major markets in the US and wrapping on December 6th in Los Angeles.
The Pretty Reckless is managed by DAS Communications, Ltd.
Full routing is as follows:
| October 20 | Tulsa, OK | Brady Theater (Wizard World) |
| October 22 | Elverta, CA | Discover Park (Aftershock Festival) |
| October 23 | Las Vegas, NV | House of Blues |
| October 24 | Scottsdale, AZ | Livewire |
| October 26 | Lubbock, TX | Wild West |
| October 27 | Dallas, TX | Gas Monkey Live! |
| October 29 | New Orleans, LA | City Park (Voodoo Festival) |
| October 30 | Houston, TX | House of Blues |
| November 1 | Atlanta, GA | The Buckhead Theatre |
| November 3 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Revolution Live |
| November 4 | Orlando, FL | House of Blues |
| November 5 | Destin, FL | Club LA |
| November 7 | Nashville, TN | Cannery Ballroom |
| November 10 | Detroit, MI | St. Andrews Hall |
| November 11 | Chicago, IL | House of Blues |
| November 12 | Cleveland, OH | House of Blues |
| November 13 | Toronto, ON | The Phoenix Concert Theater |
| November 15 | Boston, MA | Paradise Rock Club |
| November 16 | New York, NY | Terminal 5 |
| November 18 | Baltimore, MD | Rams Head Live! |
| November 19 | Niagara Falls, NY | The Rapids Theater |
| November 21 | Omaha, NE | Sokol Auditorium |
| November 22 | Clive, IA | 7 Flags Event Center |
| November 23 | Minneapolis, MN | Myth Live Event Center |
| November 25 | Green Bay, WI | The Sandlot Entertainment Complex |
| November 26 | Sioux City, IA | Anthem @ Hard Rock |
| November 28 | Denver, CO | The Ogden Theatre |
| November 30 | Salt Lake City, UT | The Depot |
| December 1 | Boise, ID | Knitting Factory |
| December 2 | Seattle, WA | The Showbox |
| December 3 | Portland, OR | The Roseland Theater |
| December 6 | Los Angeles, CA | Mayan Theatre |
Michael Nesmith to receive the Ernie Kovacs Award from Dallas VideoFest 29 at Kessler Theater on October 1, 2016
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| Michael Nesmith |
DALLAS, TX. (MONDAY AUGUST 29, 2016) - The Video Association of Dallas announced today that former Dallasite, Michael Nesmith will receive the Ernie Kovacs Award on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Kessler Theater (1230 W. Davis St.), prior to Dallas VideoFest 29, which runs Oct. 18-23. Nesmith is being recognized for a career that spans more than 50 years, including acting, producing, songwriting and his breakout role with The Monkees band and widely popular 1960s TV show.
The Ernie Kovacs Award recognizes the career and talents of some of television’s greatest visionaries. Kovacs’ work in the 1950s and early 1960s summed up the spirit of innovation and the development of the language of television art. Past award recipients include “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” creator George Schlatter, Joel Hodgson, Robert Smigel, Terry Gilliam, Harry Shearer, Chris Elliot & Bob Elliot, Martin Mull and Mike Judge.
“Michael Nesmith is being recognized for his efforts as a video pioneer,” said Bart Weiss, director of Dallas VideoFest. “He understood the future of home video and formed Pacific Arts Video, which was a high point for great video that could be viewed at home.
“In looking back at the comedy of The Monkees and his other work, you can see the visual puns that came from Ernie Kovacs,” Weiss said. “More than that, he, like Kovacs, saw what video and television could be and took us to that new place.”
“It’s immensely gratifying that Michael Nesmith is the latest recipient of Ernie Kovacs Award,” said Josh Mills, president of Ediad Productions and the Estate of Ernie Kovacs. “Nesmith’s innovation in the early years of home video with ‘Elephant Parts’ and his Videoranch Productions showed his cockeyed sense of humor and his creativity were aligned with Kovacs’ vision. He embodied the spirit of Kovacs by pushing the boundaries and asking ‘What if?’.”
Nesmith is a former Dallas resident best known for his work with the hugely popular The Monkees band and television show. His other contributions in film, television and music include serving as executive producer of cult films REPO MAN, TAPEHEADS and TIMERIDER. Moreover he developed Pop Clips in 1980, which was the inspiration for MTV and his video “Cruisin” was Pop Clips first video. He won the first Grammy Award given for Video of the Year in 1981 for his hourlong Elephant Parts. He served on the board of trustees for the American Film Institute for 10 years.
Nesmith will reunite with former Monkees Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork for a concert Sept. 16 at Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles to mark the 50th anniversary of the TV show and plans a book tour to promote “Infinite Tuesday” - an autobiographical riff, which is due for release in 2017.
The award presentation will take place as a stand-alone event, Saturday, Oct. 1, at The Kessler, 1230 W. Davis St. in Dallas. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is at 8 p.m. Tickets available:http://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/24545708305417863
“We saw an opportunity to elevate the Ernie Kovacs Award to a higher level by separating it out from the Dallas VideoFest and creating its own event,” said Bart Weiss, director of Video Association of Dallas and creator of the Kovacs Award for Dallas VideoFest.
History of DVF’s Kovacs Awards
The Dallas Video Festival and the Video Association of Dallas announced the first Ernie Kovacs Award at the 1997 festival. Comedian Joel Hodgson of “Mystery Science 3000” was the first recipient and subsequent annual honorees include Terry Gilliam of “Monty Python;” Robert Smigel, writer/performer of “Saturday Night Live” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien; Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens; Martin Mull; Mike Judge and George Schlatter of “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.”
Actress Edie Adams, Kovacs’ wife, came to host the awards program every year until her death in 2008.
About Ediad Productions, Inc.
Formed by the late entertainer & Muriel Cigar girl Edie Adams and currently run by her son Joshua Mills, Ediad Productions is home to what is likely the largest independent archive of early American television in existence. With more than 100 hours of audio airchecks and 150 half-hours of content from legendary comedian Ernie Kovacs as well as two seasons of Edie Adams’ prime time variety show from the mid-1960’s, Ediad Productions is a treasure trove of classic popular entertainment. Titles in the archive include, The Ernie Kovacs Show, Ernie in Kovacsland, Take A Good Look (clues), the Kovacs specials for ABC, The Edie Adams Show, Here’s Edie! And much more. It is based in Los Angeles, California.
About Michael Nesmith’s book: “Infinite Tuesday”
The long, strange journey of Michael Nesmith is as fascinating as it as was fraught--from fleeing Dallas as a young man with his pregnant girlfriend, to gaining international fame as a member of the Monkees, to falling deep into the grips of what he calls Celebrity Psychosis, to finally achieving inner peace and finding a creative wellspring in the teachings of Christian Science. Influenced in equal parts by the consciousness-expanding ambitions of Timothy Leary and the cerebral humor of Douglas Adams, in Infinite Tuesday, Nesmith spins a spellbinding tale of an unexpected life, in which stories about meeting John Lennon, or recording with Nashville greats, or inventing the music video trace an arc from Hollywood to Silicon Valley, illuminating a remarkable mind along the way.
