Category: Newswire

As part of his continued recovery from Hepatitis C,Gregg Allman recently underwent a successful liver transplant operation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. The singer, keyboardist, songwriter, and guitarist had been on a waiting list for the transplant and is looking forward to a speedy recovery.

"I feel pretty good, considering everything that’s happened," says Allman, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. "Everybody involved – my doctors and nurses in the hospital and all the Allman Brothers fans – they’ve just all been great." The surgery the morning of June 23, after Allman was notified that an appropriate liver had been donated.

The transplant comes as a result of the artist’s previous battle with Hepatitis C, a liver disease. In late 2007, Allman began a series of treatments, but chronic damage of his liver led to doctors recommending a transplant. "I changed my ways years ago, but we can’t turn back time," Allman said. " Every day is a gift, and I can’t wait to get back on the road making music with my friends."

Updates on his recovery will be posted on greggallman.com and allmanbrothersband.com.

It’s not uncommon for a musician to record more work than they release. In Vai’s case, the Grammy® award-winning guitarist has a digital ocean of snippets in various degrees of completion. Some are leftovers from assorted sessions, projects that were never completed, soundcheck jams, or songs that were specific to a particular venture. "There are enough lonely, unreleased notes in my world to fill an infinity shelf," says Vai. In between composing new scores for his upcoming performance with the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, Vai has transformed these snippets into full, lush songs and these rarities are being released as a series of single digital downloads called VaiTunes.

Each release comes with a PDF booklet containing detailed notes about the creation of the song, the story behind the recording, and gear involved. The latest release from the series, "The Moon and I" evolved from a soundcheck jam in Athens, Greece in the spring of 2000. The PDF liner notes allow the listener to follow Vai as he birthed the chord changes in Greece and subsequently watered and fertilized the song ten years later half way around the world in his Encino studio. Equally fascinating is the story of the guitar used to finish "The Moon and I." Under unique circumstances, Vai recently purchased an original Desert Yellow Ibanez JEM 777DY guitar, a guitar he designed in 1987, from a local pawnshop and named the guitar "Moon."

Vai plans to offer one track every month or so, each one representing a unique moment in his personal musical history. The releases can be purchased via iTunes and other digital music providers worldwide through www.vai.com/vaitunes.

Backbeat Books is proud to present three new titles from vintage-instrument authorities George Gruhn and Walter Carter!

Over the years the <em>Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage Guitars</em> has come to be the bible for collectors, retailers, and guitar enthusiasts alike. Originally published in 1990 and revised in 1999 this updated and expanded third edition includes a wealth of key info not included in the previous editions. The book is the most extensive and detailed list of specifications ever published on guitars and is the last word with regard to identifying, dating, and establishing an instrument’s authenticity. The book’s coverage extends to all major collectable brands including but certainly not limited to Gibson, Fender, Martin, Rickenbacker, Mosrite, and Dobro as well as vintage and highly sought after amplifiers.

And for the first time ever Backbeat is pleased to offer a pocket-sized field guide edition packed with the same info as the full-sized with detailed specs on every model’s frets, wood type, body shape and size, pickups, serial numbers, date of manufacture, and other significant features.

Also due out from Backbeat is a revised and expanded edition of Gruhn and Carter’s <em>Electric Guitars and Bases: A Photographic History</em>. Both Gruhn and Carter have lived and worked inside the guitar universe for many years and this lavishly illustrated volume offers a unique insider’s look into the rich history of countless rare and iconic makes and models. Gruhn and Carter trace the evolution of the instrument from a couple of copper wire wrapped magnets nailed onto a wooden plank to the beautiful sunbursts, goldtops, Korinas, and hollowbodys beloved by players and collectors alike.

A bright red Gretsch Brian Setzer Nashville model guitar autographed by Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush-better known as Atlanta-based country music super-duo Sugarland-will be auctioned on eBay between June 23 through June 30. The proceeds will go to support educational music programs sponsored by AthFest, Athens, Georgia’s long-running music festival.

The guitar was donated to AthFest by The Gretsch Foundation, an organization chartered by Savannah’s Fred and Dinah Gretsch to help promote music and arts education programs. Says Fred Gretsch, "When folks who understand the value of music as a way to enrich people’s lives work together, amazing things can be accomplished."

The Gretsch Foundation donates Gretsch guitars to programs like AthFestAfterSchool, AthFest InSchool, and Keys For Kids. The guitars are decorated by major artists and/or signed by prominent musicians, and then auctioned off on eBay to raise funds. Over the past two years The Foundation has donated guitars signed by the members of R.E.M., Widespread Panic, and The Drive By Truckers.

Gretsch’s Nashville model guitar was first built in 1954 in collaboration with Chet Atkins. It’s been offered in many deluxe versions over the succeeding years. Current prices on Gretsch Brian Setzer Nashville models start at $4,100. The auction will commence at 8 p.m. PDT/11 p.m. EDT June 23.

For more information go to athfest.com and gretschguitars.com.

Alfred Music Publishing, the leader in educational music publishing since 1922 and the exclusive print publisher of thousands of popular artists, is excited to announce the release of <em>Sue Foley: Guitar Woman</em>, the latest DVD from Alfred’s Artist Series.

Join award-winning guitarist Sue Foley as she shares her influences and teaches the techniques behind her unique blues sound. Sue Foley: Guitar Woman explores the history of women in blues music, told through Sue’s live performances and candid stories. Discover Texas blues, Piedmont blues, Hill Country blues, and even flamenco guitar, and find out about great female artists like Memphis Minnie, Jessie Mae Hemphill, and many others.

Learn how to play six of Sue’s songs, including "Goin’ Down the Road Again," "Two Trains," "Doggie Treats," "Let Me Drive," "New Used Car," and "Mediterranean Breakfast." Whether you want to play the blues or enjoy learning about the journey of the female guitarist in blues history, you’ll get it all in this video.

Organizers of the SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL have confirmed that THE SMASHING PUMPKINS will headline the street festival on Saturday, August 28, with a live performance on the legendary Strip, which is being closed to traffic for the second time in its history. The iconic band will wrap up the third annual SSMF, set to include a special tribute event for SLASH at House of Blues on August 26; live performances in The Roxy Theatre, the Whisky A Go-Go, Viper Room, Key Club, Cat Club and House of Blues on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights; plus more than 50 bands, two outdoor stages and a full day of music in the venues on Saturday, August 28.

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS–who have created one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in musical history and sold more than 30 million albums–are touring this summer in conjunction with their <em>TEARGARDEN BY KALEIDYSCOPE</em> project. It’s a collection of 44 songs being released online for free one at a time as well as in installments of specially packaged four-song EPs for sale in record stores. In late May, the Pumpkins released the project’s first EP <em>TEARGARDEN BY KALEIDYSCOPE VOL.1: SONGS FOR A SAILOR</em> (Martha’s Music/Rocket Science Ventures) to critical acclaim, with Jerry Shriver of <em>USA Today</em> hailing the music as "a delicious swirl of howling psychedelic rock and melodic ballads (5/25/10)." Look for leader Billy Corgan and his band mates–guitarist Jeff Schroeder, drummer Mike Byrne and new bassist Nicole Fiorentino–to hit the road for an array of intimate shows across the U.S. beginning July 6 in Cleveland, to be followed in August by two headline festival appearances in Tokyo and Osaka.

As in year’s past, the SSMF will honor a figure who is synonymous with The Sunset Strip for their contribution to the history of The Strip as well as the music industry. This year’s honoree: SLASH. Previous recipients of this honor have been Ozzy Osbourne (2009) and Sunset Strip club owners Lou Adler, Mario Maglieri and Elmer Valentine (2008).

Last year’s street fair drew 10,000 people to The Strip, which was closed between San Vicente Boulevard and Doheny Drive and filled with two full-scale stages, fans, food vendors and a VIP beer garden. "We are ecstatic to be able to bring this caliber of talent to the street and create what will undoubtedly become the ultimate end-of-summer music festival experience for our attendees," says SSMF Festival Managing Director Karmen Beck. Following the Smashing Pumpkins’ show, bands will continue to play into the night in venues within the street closure, all of which will be free of charge to SSMF attendees.Learn more at .sunsetstripmusicfestival.com.

Buckcherry are taking their desire to help raise awareness for the tragedy in the Gulf Coast one step further: as of today, a new version of the track "Our World," from the forthcoming album <em>All Night Long</em>, will be available for purchase as an iTunes exclusive with all of the band proceeds from the sales to go to charities devoted to helping victims of the oil spill – both human and animal. To download the new version of "Our World," fans can visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/our-world-gulf-spill-awareness/id378504791.

Last week, the band posted the album version of "Our World" as a free download on buckcherry.com as their offering of support, but decided that they wanted to do more. "Our World" was originally written as an anthemic cry out to help right the social, environmental, economic and other wrongs of this world.

The band reworked the lyrics to represent their commitment to expose the BP disaster and to bring awareness and support to the crisis and its victims. The track was just rewritten and recorded for this unique and unfortunate situation. Please see below for the new lyrics to "Our World."

Buckcherry’s new album, <em>All Night Long</em> is set for an August 3rd release via original independent label, Eleven Seven Music. The title track has been called "The top down anthem" by <em>Billboard</em>. In their more than decade-long career, multi-platinum artists Buckcherry have established themselves as a definitive hard rock band with a massive presence at radio. Hits such as "Lit Up," "Crazy Bitch," and "Sorry" have propelled the band’s sales to more than 3 million albums worldwide and have garnered Buckcherry two Grammynominations.

For more information, visit buckcherry.com.

Like the recent CFM IV 1955 D-28, the CFM IV 1955 D-18 commemorates the 55th birthday and ongoing contribution of Christian Frederick "Chris" Martin IV to the company that bears his name. But this is not just the mahogany version of the CFM IV D-28. Since its introduction in 1935, the D-18 has been one of the major stalwarts of the Martin line, and for many years outsold the more costly D-28. In 1955, the year of Chris Martin’s birth, Martin sold 1,103 D-18s versus 806 D-28s. Prized for its bright treble, crisp midrange and clear bass, the D-18 is a favorite of many bluegrass, folk and country musicians. Its strong, loud voice is meant to be heard and hold its own over banjoes, mandolins, steel guitars – and, yes, raucous rock n’ roll. It’s also excellent recording guitar offering exceptional balance and distinct articulation. Elvis Presley played a 1942 D-18 during his early career (it can be heard in on all of his Sun recordings, including the classic "That’s Alright Mama"). Hank Williams also played a D-18 that he rotated with his D-28 (Hank’s 1947 D-18 is now owned by the Martin company and is on permanent display in the Martin Museum). Oh, and you remember that great rockin’ guitar intro on Eddie Cochran’s "Summertime Blues"? That’s a D-18, too. In creating the CFM IV 1955 D-18, we carefully replicated D-18 specs in place during 1955. This includes Sitka top with non-scalloped top braces, small maple bridgeplate, elegant old style 18 rosette and tortoise body binding &amp; pickguard, cedar ribbons, cloth reinforcement strips, ebony bridge (with long bone saddle) and fingerboard, bone saddle, rounded headstock (from template wear) with old style C. F Martin &amp; Co. scroll decal and other authentic 1955-specific details.So choosing the D-18 as the other half of the CFM IV 1955 celebration set was a natural.

Special features including back and sides of rare quilted Mmogany (dark stain), adjustable 14-fret neck (with two-way truss rod), old style "waffleback" tuners, figured Madagascar rosewood back strip and head plate veneer (similar in look to the original Brazilian rosewood headplate), and a small paper label specially designed by Dick Boak and signed by C.F. Martin IV in numbered sequence. The guitar is finished in premium high-gloss polished lacquer.Only 55 of these superb instruments will be offered, delivered in our highest grade Cabernet plush, 5-ply, hard shell case. And if you already own the CFM IV 1955 D-28, the CFM IV 1955 D-18 will make a perfect matched set. The CFM IV 1955 D-18. Another extraordinary Martin collectable – 55 years in the making.

On his latest studio album, <em>Tomorrow’s Children</em> out July 27 on Appleseed Recordings, the indomitable Pete Seeger continues his life’s work of communication and inspiration to action. The new album is the first new studio recordings by the iconic folksinger and political activist since his 2008 Grammy-winning album <em>At 89</em>, and it’s like a joyful town picnic. It features 91-year-old Pete as a (global) village elder, assembling his neighbors to appreciate their past and present, to celebrate their triumphs against environmental threats, to swap old and new stories, to appreciate the natural glories surrounding them and to make sure that the following generations "carry it on."

When Beacon, NY, fourth-grade teacher Tery Udell began teaching her students about the Hudson River, class sessions became songfests, and where there are songs, there’s Pete Seeger. He became a regular visitor to the kids’ classroom in 2007. The classroom gatherings and performances inevitably led to a series of recordings by Pete, Clearwater educator and singer Dan Einbender, musician and CD co-producer (with Dan) David Bernz, the children (known as "The Rivertown Kids"), as well as adult musicians, high schoolers and even 14 grammar school percussion students. The 19 newly recorded songs on <em>Tomorrow’s Children</em>, testify to Seeger’s long-held credo, "Think globally, act locally."

Pete is on every track of the CD, singing, storytelling, playing banjo and 12-string guitar, but he shares the studio spotlight with all of his guests. Their voices, instruments and the songs they have adopted or adapted are woven into a colorful quilt depicting our nation’s history ("Take It from Dr. King," the tribute to Pete’s fellow civil rights warrior performed on the "Late Night with David Letterman" show; "I See Freedom," the true story of a runaway slave who settled in Beacon); the possibilities of an ecologically clean world (the newly co-written Seeger song "Solartopia" featuring guest vocalist Dar Williams), and the natural beauty worth preserving ("Down by the River," "The River that Flows Both Ways," and others).

Perhaps most importantly, <em>Tomorrow’s Children</em> contains songs of empowerment and cooperation adapted or written by the kids themselves such as "We Sing Out" ("…so our voices can be heard," with a melody borrowed from Tom Paxton), an updated version of the old gospel and union song, "We Shall Not Be Moved," and a set of new verses to Seeger’s Biblically-inspired standard, "Turn, Turn, Turn," added for the children by Pete’s wife of more than 60 years, Toshi.

In response to suggestions from Martin Owners Club members, the new 00-15M offers an authentic blues-type guitar reminiscent of small bodied Martins of the 1930’s. Favored by legions of blues players, these mahogany bodied guitars have a warm tone and clear voice all their own. The 00-15M is further enhanced tonally by Martin’s A-frame Sitka bracing. A single ring wood rosette is used in keeping with the old 30s tradition. The genuine mahogany 14-fret neck has the classic solid headstock with vintage-style Gotoh tuners. Fingerboard and "belly" bridge are East Indian rosewood. Nut and compensated saddle are bone. This beautiful, soulful guitar is finished in satin lacquer over a rich dark-stained body. All you need to add the blues.