5.25.2017

★FREE★ PRE-VIEW OF UNTOLD STORY OF TUPAC SHAKUR BIO-PIC


DATE: THURSDAY, JUNE 1st

LOCATION: EMAGINE THEATER - 200 N. MAIN STREET - ROYAL OAK, MI 48067

OPEN: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

ADMISSION: FREE

ABOUT ALL EYEZ ON ME:
All Eyez on Me, in theaters June 16, chronicles the life and legacy of Tupac Shakur, including his rise to superstardom as a hip-hop artist, actor, poet and activist, as well as his imprisonment and prolific, controversial time at Death Row Records. Against insurmountable odds, Shakur rose to become a cultural icon whose career and persona both continue to grow long after his passing.

All Eyez On Me, helmed by Director Benny Boom, and produced by LT Hutton (Morgan Creek Productions), stars Demetrius Shipp Jr., Danai Gurira, Kat Graham, Dominic L. Santana and Jamal Woolard. #ALLEYEZTOUR

RSVP:  FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

ll Eyez On Me, helmed by Director Benny Boom, and produced by LT Hutton (Morgan Creek Productions), stars Demetrius Shipp Jr., Danai Gurira, Kat Graham, Dominic L. Santana and Jamal Woolard. #ALLEYEZTOUR


5.21.2017

RADIO BIRDMAN: MY GANG DADDY-O! WRITTEN BY CHRIS KLONDIKE MASUAK


Chris Masuak May 21, 2017

Radio Birdman used to mean something...used to stand for something! The band attached concepts like “brotherhood”, “honour”, “loyalty”, and “integrity” to itself while slowly but surely disappearing into the kind of vanity driven and posturing black hole that we used to disdain.

I had just been instructed that I “was not invited to participate” in the upcoming tour to promote the band’s “definitive boxed set” and I was certainly not interested in facilitating the ongoing personal fantasy that the band’s history had been relegated to.


However, the filmmaker Jonathan Sequeira assured me that no one was calling the shots on this project except him! No one had the power of veto…there was no one (and the emphasis was on a particular “one”) running interference.



So, I thought sure…if I’m going to make an asshole of myself at least I’ll be in good company!

Jonathan was circumspect. He never let on what the other guys had to say. He was letting us all reveal ourselves for who we were despite ourselves. He was assiduously objective.

It was crazy timing! Like I said…I had only just “officially” fallen out of favour. It was inevitable and a long time coming and a relief when it finally did. In that culture you’re a bully or you’re a sycophant or you’re simply not in the gang.



I didn’t miss it.

But, it reminded me that it was great being in the gang in the old days. We were comrades, fighting a real and (we truly believed) noble fight. We were different and my new teachers and role models and heroes were patient and tolerant and kind to their young and naïve bandmate.

We were champions of a music that no one else knew about. I learned about all this stuff through the guys and because of my more formal musical training, I had something to give back.

I think that this documentary will capture a sense of that early unity and the genuine excitement that we felt for our music.

I know that the audience felt that, too! I had been in the audience and knew what it was like to be swept along on a tsunami of sound and energy.


In later years I would meet and play with some of the guys who we admired and who we helped introduce into the culture. Ron and Scott from The Stooges, Wayne and Dennis from the MC5. God, I even played in a band that blew Iggy and his band offstage night after night on his first tour of Australia!

I related to them like normal people. It felt like we were friends at the time.

I don’t know if they ever realised how much Radio Birdman did for them. Even before Birdman, Warwick, Ron, and Younger were playing their music in The Rats. I mean…who did that in those days?!

I didn’t really hear any of that stuff until I started hanging out with the guys, even though I’d seen the Raw Power ads and reviews in Time magazine and seen The New York Dolls album covers in record stores back in Canada.


Back at the Birdman “clubhouse” we were always listening to The Stooges, The MC5, The New York Dolls, Alice Cooper, The Velvet Underground, The Rolling Stones and surf music. The Blue Oyster Cult helped up the ante just that little bit!

It was a real education. We were filtering all that stuff through our collective hands and making new music in the process. Those were thrilling times!

And, we were a gang. No one else could join. Everyone wanted to.

We were a gang and an alchemical reaction. I think that the documentary will finally make that clear. I think everyone’s getting a bit tired of that tired lone gunman's attempts at re-imagining the band’s history.
Chris Masuak

5.19.2017

TOM GUERRA: TRAMPLING OUT THE VINTAGE


Detroit Music has influenced millions including East coast lead guitarist Tom Guerra (Mambo Sons). Chatted online with Tom last night and he released a new LP a few months back "Trampling Out the Vintage"...Click the links to listen to each track. We loved it! 


Popa Chubby with Tom Guerra

Creem Magazine was the bible that I grew up on, and some of my all time favorite guitarists are Jim McCarty and Steve Hunter (who both did time in Mitch Ryder's bands!). From a songwriting perspective, the great Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland who wrote many of Motown's greatest hits were huge influences. Tom Guerra




ABOUT THE ALBUM: “Trampling Out the Vintage” is the second solo album from Mambo Sons’ guitarist Tom Guerra. The title is from a line in “Battle Hymn of the Republic” aka “Glory Glory Hallelujah”), and refers to the old guitars and amps used in the recording process. Like “All of the Above” (Tom’s first solo disc), “Trampling…” is an old school rock and roll record, but one written for these times. Joining Tom in the studio this time was…

Kenny Aaronson and Tom Guerra

"Most recently, Tom has been busy writing new original music with world class bassist Kenny Aaronson (currently touring with The Yardbirds) for a future recording project. "

• Kenny Aaronson – Bass guitar
• Morgan Fisher and Matt Zeiner – Piano and Hammond
• Mike “Double Dog” Kosacek – Drums and percussion

Here’s a blurb about each track in Tom’s own words…

All Purpose Song – In the old days, we’d have to tune our radios to pull in a song, and then “static evolved into grace.” This is a sort of riff rocker about how music can mean so many different things to people.

Dr. Nick and Elvis – I had a dream that Elvis and his good friend Dr. Nick ran a church to help cure the type of ills detailed in the verses. While writing it, I heard Lemmy had passed, so I included a line in about “The Ace of Spades.”

Purchase Click the Icon Below


Tell the World – The conflict between being feeling guilty to be happy when the world is going to hell in a handbasket, set in a 2 minute 43 second pop song.



BYOB – I’ve read that the NYC rock scene had some great parties in the ‘70s, and this is how I imagined them to be...

Make Your Own Kind of Music – As a kid, I fell in love with Mama Cass’ version after seeing her sing this Mann/Weil pop ditty on the Sammy Davis Jr. show. It is re-imagined here as a rock and roll tune.

Love Will Forget You – The flip side of love, in a funk styled tune. Kenny’s bass sort of propels this song along.


Pay In Blood – My favorite guitarists have all covered Bob Dylan, so here’s my contribution to that list, re-arranged with a more “Stonesy” vibe in open G tuning.

Supermoon – I was thinking of David Bowie and his space themed songs when I wrote this, about a rare celestial happening (also called a blood moon) that according to legend is a sign of the End of Days. Side Note: The ’63 Strat I played on this was formerly owned by Howlin’ Wolf, and is now on loan to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame until 2018.

Grow On Your Own – I wrote this about a friend of mine who was afraid to be alone.

Hard to Love – A simple ballad I wrote on piano about a not-so-nice guy that leaves his bride at the altar and ultimately realizes he’s the problem.

TG with vintage Gibson Firebird

More About Tom:

Since the late 1970s, Guerra has been on the New England club circuit, playing blues, rock and roll and R&B acts. Influenced by Rory Gallagher, Paul Kossoff, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Joe Walsh, Guerra first gained notoriety after being featured in Guitar Player (March 1991).

Over the years, Guerra has recorded or played with Rick Derringer, The Dirty Bones Blues Band', Max Weinberg, Mark Nomad, Sticky Fingers (for which he wrote and arranged original music for the group's debut CD), The Easton Brothers with Muddy Waters bassist Charles Calmese, Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson from The Allman Brothers Band, Second Son, Guitar Shorty, Adolph Jacobs of The Coasters, Kenny Aaronson, and The Delrays.

Since 1998, he has written for Vintage Guitar, and has endorsed Brian Moore Custom guitars, Colby and DST-Engineering amplifiers and a variety of guitar related effects.

Tom and Scott Lawson

In 1999, he formed Mambo Sons with singer Scott Lawson, based upon a songwriting partnership that dated back to the early 1980s. Their debut album, released in 1999, featured Rick Derringer. This twelve-song effort contained both new music as well as songs the two had originally written a decade before. Read Full Bio on WIKI

5.18.2017

DRC ANNOUNCES MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT 2017 RIVERDAYS FULL LINEUP!


DETROIT (18 May 2017) - The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy is excited to share the complete national and local music lineup of nearly 50 musicians and bands, as well as exciting programming for the 11th annual GM River Days presented by Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Many local favorites, as well as new acts, will perform on the Michigan Lottery Stage and Chevrolet Stage, which feature a mix of rock, pop, blues, alternative, soul, funk, and country.

This year’s GM River Days festival will feature a star-studded music lineup on the Quicken Loans National Stage, including rock superstar Ann Wilson of Heart along with local tribute band FiftyAmpFuse on Friday evening. Soul sensation The Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley, along with Grammy-nominated Soul and R&B singer Freddie Jackson, will perform on Saturday night. Grammy-winning R&B group 112 will perform on Sunday evening, followed by Grammy-nominated R&B singer Joe.

While all GM River Days performances are included with admission to the festival, VIP premier seats are now available for the headlining performances taking place on the Quicken Loans National Stage. The limited VIP premier seat tickets are available for purchase from RiverDays.com/Music. VIP tickets are $35 and include admission to the festival and seating for the national entertainment. These tickets are only available for purchase in advance of the festival, and quantities are limited.

QUICKEN LOANS NATIONAL STAGE SCHEDULE:

Friday, June 23
1:00 p.m. Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
4:30 p.m. The Gia Warner Band
6:15 p.m. FiftyAmpFuse
8:30 p.m. Ann Wilson of Heart

Saturday, June 24
3:30 p.m. Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
4:30 p.m. Notorious
6:25 p.m. Freddie Jackson
8:30 p.m. The Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley

Sunday, June 25
3:30 p.m. Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
5:00 p.m. Brielle Lesley
6:50 p.m. 112
8:45 p.m. Joe

MICHIGAN LOTTERY STAGE SCHEDULE:

Metro Detroit’s R&B, reggae, rock & roll and country acts will fill the Michigan Lottery Stage, located along the Detroit Riverfront just east of Beaubien Street, featuring:

Friday, June 23
12:00 p.m. Josh Birdsong (Indie Pop)
1:00 p.m. Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
2:00 p.m. Sami Mei (Pop/Rock)
3:45 p.m. Speak Easy (Rasta-Funk)
5:00 p.m. Madelyn Grant (Neo-Soul/R&B)
6:45 p.m. Jennifer Westwood & The Handsome Devils (Roots Rock/Americana)
8:30 p.m. The Persuasion Band (High Energy Party)

Saturday, June 24
11:30 a.m. Ali McManus (Americana)
1:00 p.m. Lilac Lungs (Alternative Pop)
2:30 p.m. King Mellowman and Mellow Runnings (World/Reggae)
3:30 p.m. Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
5:00 p.m. Scarlet Lies (Glam Pop Rock)
6:45 p.m. LaShaun Phoenix Moore (R&B/Soul)
8:30 p.m. Matt Austin (Young Country)

Sunday, June 25
11:30 a.m. Zander Michigan (Singer/Songwriter)
1:00 p.m. The Boa Constrictors (Rockabilly)
2:30 p.m. Fangs and Twang (Monster Country)
3:30 p.m. Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
5:00 p.m. New World Soul (R&B Soul)
6:45 p.m. The Messenger Birds (Rock/Alternative)
8:30 p.m. The Orbitsuns (Outlaw Country)

CHEVROLET STAGE SCHEDULE:

The best of metro Detroit’s alternative, country, funk and soul bands will play on the Chevrolet Stage, located along on the GM Plaza in front of the Renaissance Center, featuring:

Friday, June 23
11:45 a.m. Grace Elizabeth (Indie Pop)
12:45 p.m. Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by EyeGlass World (Trivia Contest)
1:00 p.m. Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
2:00 p.m. Escaping Pavement (Americana)
3:05 p.m. Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by EyeGlass World (Trivia Contest)
3:30 p.m. Rev. Marc Falconberry (Blues)
5:30 p.m. Harlow (Hard Rock/Alternative)
6:40 p.m. Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by EyeGlass World (Trivia Contest)
7:00 p.m. The Ruiners (Party Punk)
8:30 p.m. Kaleido (Rock)

Saturday, June 24
9:30 a.m. 3rd Annual Outdoor “Yoga on the River”
11:15 a.m. Maticic (Folk/Americana)
12:20 p.m. Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by EyeGlass World (Trivia Contest)
12:45 p.m. Jaime Marvin (Singer/Songwriter)
2:15 p.m. Melophobix (Reggae/Rock/Funk/Fusion)
3:30 p.m. Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
4:30 p.m. Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by EyeGlass World (Trivia Contest)
4:45 p.m. Austin Scott (Family Friendly Country)
6:05 p.m. Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by EyeGlass World (Trivia Contest)
6:30 p.m. Stewart Francke (Rock & Soul)
8:30 p.m. Stone Clover (Paddy Slag)

Sunday, June 25
9:30 a.m. 3rd Annual Outdoor “Yoga on the River”
11:30 a.m. Acoustic Ash (Singer/Songwriter)
12:35 p.m. Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by EyeGlass World (Trivia Contest)
1:00 p.m. Al Bettis (Soul-Funk)
2:05 p.m. Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by EyeGlass World (Trivia Contest)
2:30 p.m. The Reefermen (Rock)
3:30 p.m. Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
4:45 p.m. The Flutter & Wow (Americana)
6:05 p.m. Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by EyeGlass World (Trivia Contest)
6:30 p.m. Alise King (R&B Soul)
8:30 p.m. Larry Lee & Back in the Day (Funk/R&B)

FLAGSTAR BANK KIDZONE

Located at Rivard Plaza, the Flagstar Bank Kids Zone produced by The Parade Company is introducing a new carnival-themed kids zone. This year’s Kids Zone will include a larger-than-life “Monster Mural,” as well as face painting, craft stations and interactive activities with the Detroit Institute of Arts, Michigan Science Center, Arts & Scraps and more. New this year to the Kids Zone, families will be able to enjoy carnival games and strolling carnival buskers. Additionally, an entertaining lineup will perform on the Meijer Kids Stage including DynaMike, Storytime with VB and Animal Magic. Parents can pick up a free sticker for additional activities in the Kids Zone from the Flagstar Bank booth at the festival.

MEIJER KIDS STAGE SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, JUNE 23
11:00 AM GM River Days Kickoff Ribbon-Cutting
12:00 AM Michigan Science Center Stage Show
1:00 PM Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
2:00 PM DynaMike, Master Magician
3:00 PM Michigan Science Center Stage Show
3:45 PM Storytime with VB
4:45 PM DynaMike, Master Magician
6:00 PM Storytime with VB
7:00 PM DynaMike, Master Magician

SATURDAY, JUNE 24
11:15 AM Michigan Science Center Stage Show
12:00 PM DynaMike, Master Magician
1:00 PM Michigan Science Center Stage Show
1:45 PM Storytime with VB
2:45 PM DynaMike, Master Magician
3:30 PM Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
4:30 PM Storytime with VB
5:00 PM DynaMike, Master Magician
6:30 PM DynaMike, Master Magician

SUNDAY, JUNE 25
11:15 AM Storytime with VB
12:00 PM Michigan Science Center Stage Show
12:45 PM Storytime with VB
1:45 PM DynaMike, Master Magician
2:45 PM Michigan Science Center Stage Show
3:30 PM Emcee for Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow
4:30 PM Animal Magic
5:45 PM DynaMike, Master Magician
7:00 PM Animal Magic

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will provide a variety of hands-on activities, including a rock climbing wall for children and adults in the William G. Milliken State Park & Harbor during the festival. Guests can stroll through the park and talk with wildlife and fish experts, foresters, and conservation officers. There will also be a laser gun trailer to educate families on hunting. Booths will be set up across the park with education games tables, live animals and fishing demonstrations. Festivalgoers will also have a chance to try their hand at archery and other outdoor skill challenges.

AARP Block Party

For the first time ever, AARP will be bringing its Block Party to GM River Days. The Block Party will feature radio personality Donnie Simpson, a virtual reality experience, special prizes, and other activities for the entire family. The AARP Block Party is a traveling exhibit that engages attendees with interactive experiences that relate to AARP’s programs and mission. Visitors who stop by the AARP Block Party can experience virtual reality and receive a free AARP-branded Google Cardboard VR viewer.

The Block Party will also include a photo booth, prize wheel, a free ice pop stand, and a “commitment wall,” where attendees can leave heartfelt messages to the city. As a part of AARPs efforts to support the local Detroit community, they will be making a $1 donation for every ice pop given away at the AARP Block Party (maximum donation of $5,000) to the Neighborhood Services Organization (NSO), a nonprofit, multi-service agency founded in 1955 in response to the needs of low-income families and communities in Detroit. The check will be presented to NSO on Sunday, June 25. Simpson, a long-time radio DJ and movie and TV personality with Detroit roots, will have a meet and greet at the Block Party tent. Check aarp.org/mi for his appearance schedule.

Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by Eyeglass World®

Festival guests will be invited to compete in Eye on Detroit Trivia presented by Eyeglass World, a contest challenge with a focus on Detroit music and sports. The winner of each trivia contest will receive VIP tickets to the Main Stage performer for that evening of GM River Days. The Grand Prize Winner on Sunday will receive a weekend getaway to Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, a $750 value.

Airshow by the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum

The air show, a crowd favorite, will return over the Detroit River for its third year. Staged by the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum, show performances will be at 1 p.m. on Friday and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. New this year, the show will include a Heritage Flight which consists of a WWII aircraft and its modern equivalent flying individually and then joining together for passes with the modern aircraft flying on the wing of the WWII aircraft. Also scheduled to appear are aerobatic pilots flying upside down and sideways, jets from the World Heritage Air Museum, an airplane flown by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, several racing airplanes and a demonstration of precision formation flying by the museum’s own four-aircraft demo team. The airshow will feature emcees at all festival stages. This is one of the very few airshows in all of North America that features mostly local performers.

Coast Guard Cutter Tours

A fixture on the Detroit River since 1874 and a unique representation of Detroit’s distinction as being an international border, the United States Coast Guard will have a presence this year at GM River Days. The USCGC BRISTOL BAY (WTGB-102) will be onsite and free to tour during the festival. The cutter will be docked at GM Plaza. Tours take place on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 from 11am-5 pm.

The primary mission of USCGC BRISTOL BAY (WTGB-102) is icebreaking. The 140-foot cutter, which is homeported in Detroit, conducts its icebreaking mission in the Great Lakes.

Detroit Marriott – The Official Hotel of GM River Days

As the official hotel of GM River Days, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center invites families to explore the Detroit Riverfront during the festival or any weekend this summer and stay downtown in their guestrooms. For reservations visit DetroitMarriott.com or call 1-800-352-0831.

Presented by the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, buskers and street performers are back at GM River Days. The entertainment will include circus-style performances including stilt walking, aerialists, fire-breathing and more. Scheduled performances will be located at the GM Fountain area and on the RiverWalk west of Rivard Plaza.

Volunteer positions for GM River Days are still open for afternoon and evening shifts. Volunteers receive a GM River Days Festival Volunteer T-shirt, complimentary parking, and opportunities to receive festival food vouchers and more. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit riverdays.com/volunteer/ for more information.

GM River Days presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is supported by General Motors, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Flagstar Bank, AARP, Pepsi, Michigan Lottery, SPAM®, Meijer, Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, National Vision, Imperial Beverage, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Sprint, L.L. Bean, MetroPCS, T-Mobile, Eagle Security, Help Eliminate Auto Thefts, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Barefoot Winery, Made in Detroit and Detroit Pistons.

5.15.2017

SEAN PAUL: SOUND BOARD MOTOR CITY CASINO JULY 28


Sean Paul
July 28 - Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel
Special Presale Opportunity
Tuesday, May 16 at 10 a.m. - Wednesday, May 17 at 10 p.m.
Use Code: PAUL
Please Note: There is a four-ticket limit for this presale.


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...