Category: Newswire

OZZY OSBOURNE will return to North America for a month-long arena tour launching November 12 in Victoria, B.C. and concluding December 12 in Minneapolis. These shows–in support of his album <em>SCREAM</em> (Epic Records) and latest single "Life Won’t Wait"–are part the of the Rock Legend’s in-progress 18-month world tour on which he’s earning some of the best live reviews of his career (including raves for new guitarist, Gus G). HALFORD, featuring legendary Judas Priest front man, Rob Halford, will perform on all dates. The first leg of arena dates will mark OZZY’s first headlining North American tour since 2007’s trek for his <em>Black Rain</em> album. Tickets for the Live Nation-produced tour go on sale beginning Friday, September 17.

OZZY is now on a run of acclaimed festival appearances and headlining overseas performances, including two OZZFest dates: London at O2 Arena September 18 and Tel Aviv, Israel at Heyarkon Park September 28. This overseas trek includes stops in Russia, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Finland, Norway, Germany, Romania and Turkey, before wrapping October 4 in Hungary. OZZY then heads to Japan (October 13, 16 and 17) before returning to the U.S. to headline the Voodoo Experience festival Halloween weekend in New Orleans, LA. Learn more at ozzy.com.

Richard Thompson released a new album, <em>Dream Attic</em>, September 7. Recorded during a West Coast tour in February, the bulk of the performances were at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.

Produced by Thompson and longtime cohort Simon Tassano, <em>Dream Attic</em> captures the interaction of the musicians. "The thing about recording live is that you lose accuracy but you gain energy; you lose choices but you gain immediacy," Thompson says about his decision to work in a live setting. But at the same time, the accuracy is marvelously maintained thanks to the elevated musicianship, frequently leading to extended passages of eruptive forcefulness topped by one after another of Thompson’s incomparable solo forays.

Read more, including a list of fall/winter tour dates, at RichardThompsonDreamAttic.com.

The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase is an alternative guitar show, featuring fine, handmade acoustic guitars and stringed musical instruments exhibited by their makers. Show and sale with continuous live acoustic music performances, Luthier Mini-Concerts, and Special Appearances, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, October 23 and 24 at The Bearsville Theater &amp; Utopia Soundstage, Woodstock, New York.

The Showcase presents a gathering of some of the best contemporary stringed-instrument makers in the USA, and the finest examples of the luthiers’ art. Fine handmade instruments such as these are not usually available in music stores or other retail environments, and this is a rare opportunity for the public to see, play and experience the instruments, meet with their makers, discuss custom options and one of a kind creations, and to buy or order a dream guitar from dozens of master builders, gathered together in one place. Nylon-stringed classical and flamenco style guitars, steel-string flattop and archtop guitars, crossovers and hybrids, mandolins, banjos, and more will be on display. This year we are pleased to welcome a number of significant builders from the West Coast, eminent innovators all. Thirty Luthiers exhibiting in Bearsville Theater, with more Luthiers and other vendors in the Vendors Annex, next door in Utopia Soundstage. More than Fifty Exhibitors in all, including wood dealers, parts and tool suppliers, inlay artists, and lutherie services, string and accessories manufacturers, magazines and publications, lutherie schools and our Sponsors. Also included is a Special Exhibit of significant historic, vintage and contemporary acoustic guitars and stringed instruments loaned by major collectors, a mini-museum of spectacular stringed exotica. Learn more at woodstockinvitational.com.

In the wake of Mike Portnoy’s announcement that he is leaving Dream Theater, the remaining members of the band have issued the following statement about the matter:

"To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness – regret – we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. Mike’s stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band.

While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity — and in the same musical tradition — that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us. Fans and friends: File this episode under Black Clouds and Silver Linings. As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we’ll follow that with a full-on world tour. "The Spirit Carries On."

All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed."

The hidden artillery of professional touring musicians, the Budwah™ Budda Wah has long been regarded as one of the finest Wah-Wah pedals available. Now Budda has updated and improved the Budwah with major enhancements, taking the same tried and true sound to an even higher level of quality and durability at the same great price.

Upgrades include a Military-grade, sealed potentiometer,
heavy-duty switch with improved duty cycle, superior wiring with heavy-duty RF shielding, and hand soldered connections, double-reinforced with commercial-grade adhesive, heavier case for enhanced stability in live performance, and a new battery compartment with door and battery cradle.

The Budwah’s popularity comes from its use of a custom inductor voice that produces the midrange honk of vintage wahs without the top-end harshness. At bass settings, the Budwah’s tone is thick without losing note clarity. When accentuating the highs, a carefully selected roll-off frequency ensures the Budwah isn’t piercing.

The pedals are now in stores.

Guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn of San Francisco Bay Area group Machine Head was the victim of a robbery at his home September 7, sometime between 1:15pm and 3:15pm PST. Flynn and his family were not present. Stolen items include the guitar Flynn used to record Machine Head’s first album and a guitar given to Flynn by late Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, and Flynn’s son Zander’s mini Flying V. Other items stolen include Flynn’s wife’s jewelry, laptops, wakeboards, and cash.

"I am offering a $1,000 reward for the return of the black Ibanez Strat along with many stickers, a ‘Designated Drinker’ sticker," announces Flynn. "Additionally, I am offering a $2,000 reward for the safe return of the blue Washburn Dimebolt prototype.

"An APB has been put out to every Guitar Center in Northern California and the police were able to get several fingerprints off of the two acoustics that the thieves handled, yet bizarrely left behind. Sightings of two suspicious vehicles have been reported, one a green/teal U.S.-make pickup truck, the other a white full-size work van.

"If anyone sees or hears of anything on Craigslist, eBay, at their guitar shop… anything, anywhere, Please contact us at mike@machinehead1.com immediately."

Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead) has confirmed to play along with Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, David Lee Roth), Michael Graves (The Misfits), Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint), Marko DeSantis (Sugarcult), Andy Hilfiger (bassologist/Fashion Guru) and Marky Ramone himself for a full concert of The Ramones. You will hear the music that defined many generations and inspired many bands. Marky’s set list is comprised of 31 historical Ramones songs such as "Sedated", "K.K.K.", "Psychotherapy", Blitzkreig Bop", Pinhead" and more!

The drummer for The Ramones is performing a special all-star fund-raising concert on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 8pm in the MI Concert Hall. Doors open at 7:30pm. The concert is in benefit for the newly-created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship for Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. "I am much honored to be chosen as an artist for the scholarship program. Music for kids is very important to have," explains Marky. 100% of the event proceeds will fund the newly-created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship at MI. Learn more at mi.edu.

Come wag your tail and rock-out in Hollywood on November, 6th at the First Annual "Humanity Thru Music" concert and paw-sta dinner in benefit of Fur &amp; Feather Animal Sanctuary a 501c3 dedicated to much needed animal welfare in California. Come help save the lives of our homeless animals from having to enter shelters and face needless euthanasia by supporting the building of Southern California’s first full NO-KILL animal sanctuary, medical and educational center.

The night will dazzle you with bright lights and stars as you cross the green carpet to the corridor off of Hollywood Blvd for fun, food and a paw-stompin concert with Platinum super-group players from Yes &amp; Toto – Yoso – playing hits from both bands <em>Roundabout, Owner Of A Lonely Heart, Rosanna, Hold The Line</em> and more! Learn more at furfeather.org.

Suicidal Tendencies will embark on a U.S. tour staring October 15 and rolling through late November with additional dates to be announced. The trek coincides with the <em>No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family</em> offering released September 7.

<em>No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family</em> features re-recorded tracks from Suicidal Tendencies’ second album, <em>Join The Army</em> originally released in 1987, as well as tunes from the second full-length from No Mercy, Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Mike Clark’s speed metal band (which found ST vocalist Mike Muir on vocals) from 1986. Also included is a new version of the classic ST track, "Possessed To Skate." A video for the song is also in the works. Get ready for the cyco invasion! Learn more at www.suicidaltendencies.com.

The year was 1947. TV’s were just being tested, the phrase "baby boomers" was years away from being coined, and a little getaway town in the Ozarks held its first folk festival. 63 years later TV’s are omnipresent, baby boomers are seniors, and that little gathering in Eureka Springs has become the country’s oldest continuously running folk festival.

When the 63rd Annual Original Ozark Folk Festival takes place here Nov. 4-6, it will include the appearance of a folk icon, the return of a revered tradition, and the birth of a new one. Eliza Gilkyson headlines the featured show at the Auditorium Nov. 6. The Barefoot Ball returns to the 1905 Basin Park Hotel by popular demand Nov. 5. And a talent show competition will be inaugurated Nov. 4 as part of a free show at the Auditorium.

Gilkyson is a politically minded, poetically gifted singer-songwriter who has become one of the most respected musicians in roots, folk and Americana circles. Over the course of 13 albums, Eliza Gilkyson has built a reputation as one of the most original and influential folk artists of our time. In 2006, she was recognized with 3 Austin Music Awards and 4 Folk Alliance Music Awards, one for Song of the Year for her tune, "Man of God".

Opening for Gilkyson will be 3 Penny Acre and Wes Casto, who won last year’s Ozark Folk Festival Singer-Songwriter Contest.

A short performance by the Hedgehoppers precedes the talent competition. A student group has performed under that name each year since the festival’s earliest days. This year, Eureka Springs Elementary School teacher Sheila Payne leads this music and dance group of elementary school students. Doors open at 5:30 and the Hedgehoppers take the stage at 6 p.m.

The Youth Talent Show, for ages 17 and under, will be from 6:15-8 p.m. The Adult Talent Show, for ages 18 and over, begins at 8:30. The talent shows have been added to allow more individuals the opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities.

A staple of nearly every Ozark Folk Festival has been the craft show, celebrating the diverse skills of our many local craftspeople. This year the free Back to the Ozarks Craft Show happens Nov. 5 and 6 from noon until 6 p.m. There will be displays of historic Ozark arts and crafts in Basin Spring Park, and artisans will be demonstrating their skills. Visitors to the crafts show will also be entertained by free live folk music in Basin Spring Park from noon until 6 p.m.

Since its inception as part of the folk festival on June 23, 1948, the Barefoot Ball has had a long and rich, if not uninterrupted, history. Doors open at 6 p.m. Nov. 5 for the 2010 edition of this festive, unpretentious dance. The 1905 Basin Park Hotel’s Barefoot Ballroom, named after the event, will once again be the venue. Fayetteville’s Cletus Got Shot opens, and regional favorites Big Smith, from Springfield, Missouri, headline. Despite the event’s name, shoes are optional.

The festival’s final day, Nov. 6, is the fullest. The free concerts and craft show continue in Basin Spring Park from noon until 6 p.m. The Singer/Songwriter contest finals are from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Auditorium. Admission is free. The folk festival parade winds its way through historic downtown at 2 p.m.

Tickets for the Barefoot Ball and the Ozark Folk Festival Featured Show with Eliza Gilkyson go on sale Sept. 13. For tickets, entry forms, rules for the contests and schedule updates, go online to www.ozarkfolkfestival.com.