Press Releases - Page 108 of 171

January 24, 2022

From Beyond, “The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert” Residency at Harrah’s

1/24/22

With the real world really bumming people out more than ever, the virtual world is holding lots of interest these days. There’s so much chatter about the Metaverse, NFT’s, etc., for which video games + holograms have helped set the stage. So with that in mind, I decided to check out the “The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert” residency at Harrah’s.

Whitney did not disappoint. Her crystalline voice (with “original, never-before-released live vocal tracks woven throughout”) swooped + soared. She didn’t miss a note, didn’t forget a lyric, and got a loud standing ovation from the packed audience on a Thursday night. It was exactly this version of Whitney—moving + grooving + elegant, with no lines on her face—that everyone wants to remember.

She danced, bowed + changed costumes, with her centerstage hologram seamlessly appearing + disappearing throughout the show. And her in-between song patter (via show recordings from when she was on planet Earth) was warm + inviting, if surreal. Supported by a four-piece live band + six dancers, virtual Whitney opened with her 2019 posthumous collab with EDM artist Kygo, “Higher Love” (her original recording of it from 1990 had only been available in Japan as a B-side). From there, it was hit after hit, with the funky “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” How Will I Know” + “I’m Every Woman” eclipsing (for me) the ballads.

This was high-end “virtual entertainment,” and all of it, including the staging + lighting, was done really well. So what is the in-the-clouds Whitney thinking about all this? Probably that this was a hassle-free gig with no pre-show nerves or career anxiety about where her next hit is coming from.

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January 20, 2022

Singer-Songwriter ABE GROSSMAN Q&A In Advance Of Release Of His Debut Album ‘Night Window’ Out January 25

DATE: JANUARY 20, 2022

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN

READ
ABE GROSSMAN
Q&A
IN ADVANCE OF RELEASE OF HIS DEBUT ALBUM
‘NIGHT WINDOW’
DUE OUT JANUARY 25

Abe Grossman Press Photo

In advance of next week’s release of his debut album, NIGHT WINDOW, singer-songwriter and alternative rock musician ABE GROSSMAN sat down to give some insight into the album, his creative process and more. Read the Q&A below and watch a clip about the album here.

The sound throughout NIGHT WINDOW drips with classic nostalgia–a rich tapestry of 70’s classic rock and heartstring-pulling acoustic folk, stitched together by GROSSMAN’s distinctive, smokey lead vocal and lush orchestral arrangements. Subtle hints of familiar sounds, from Pink Floyd and John Mayer to Bob Dylan, may peek through here and there, and yet there’s some fresh unknown that makes the songs on NIGHT WINDOW their own instant classics. Read more about the album here.

ABE GROSSMAN
Q&A

What initially attracted you to playing an instrument and writing songs?

“I’ve always loved listening to music, but it wasn’t on my radar to learn to play music and express myself as a musician. I’d never thought, ‘Hey, I’m going to be a musician.’ When I was about 12, I was in Africa and I was in a hotel that was bombed and I survived, while many people didn’t, and it had a profound effect on me. When I got home, I went to a therapist who said, ‘give this kid an instrument or something.’ And I ended up going to this music store down the street and buying a guitar. I started playing and then took lessons from a local musician who taught me how to play guitar.”

At what point did you decide that songwriting was going to be a part of that?

“I didn’t make a decision. I think I just learned the chords and it was really Bob Dylan that had a great effect on me. I love Bob Dylan and many other seventies artists like Cat Stevens and Jim Croce who were making music when I was really young. They were on the radio and I think I just learned a couple chords and I had an idea of something different to say than anyone else said. I made up some words and a melody and it just came naturally.”

What makes a good song?

“Everything in life needs a crescendo. Sometimes that means a big chorus or an arrangement that opens the song up, or sometimes it can be simply in the poignancy of the lyrics. I think Lou Reed was very good at that. He was such a great lyricist and leaned on textural instrumentation, like ‘Take A Walk on the Wild Side’ with that great bass line. Lou Reed never pushed his vocals. He just talked. A singer like Lou Reed can make it work.”

Let’s talk about Night Window. You say it’s a 10-song homage to the light of life that can only be found on the other side of darkness. Did making it serve as a catharsis to a part of your life?

“Yeah, absolutely. I had cleaned up my act and the experiences that I had got me to realize what was true about myself, which allowed me to make some changes and see the truth about my own condition and addiction in my life. And that moment sort of ended another moment. So the pain and suffering and all the behaviors and things I was doing prior to stopping drugs and alcohol was this incredible journey to the truth. It’s like sandpaper. All beautifully carved wood and sculptures need sandpaper. You don’t move the wood without it. And so my life was no different. I needed to go through these very difficult experiences. And a lot of those experiences are in the songs.”

Are there contemporary artists that you also admire.

“I love Sufjan Stevens. And I think his Carrie & Lowell album was just brilliant. I saw him at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2015. I think that album is as good of an album as any album ever. It’s so consistent and so beautiful. Really all the songs. It’s flawless from the beginning to the end. I’m also a big Elliott Smith fan. I think that Either/Or is this a great record. I love that album.”

What would you say is your biggest guilty pleasure?

“So…I’ve taken most of those out of my life. It seems ridiculous to say but, I like popcorn at night…’Night Carbs,’ my follow-up record.”

If you could have a conversation with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

“My grandma. I didn’t get to have her in my life, she died at 65 of cancer, when I was 20 and I didn’t get to know her as an adult. I wish I could just talk to her about her life and who she was and tell her about myself. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in me, she just had this undying belief in me.”

What’s next for you musically?

“I think I have the best songs in my life on my next record. I think I’ve evolved as a musician. I had to get sober for me to get out of my own way. And once I did, a lot of it, you know, it was like if you train forever for something, and then you finally get the chance to do it, but you’ve always stayed physically in shape for it. You’ve gotten stronger, but you haven’t applied that strength to anything. That’s what happened to me. I continued to play, but I never got out of my own way. But once I had a spiritual sort of change in my life, I was able to write at a much higher level as a songwriter.”

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January 20, 2022

JACK KEROUAC Centennial Birthday Event Schedule Announced via THE JACK KEROUAC ESTATE & KEROUAC @ 100 COMMITTEE

DT: JANUARY 20, 2022
FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

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THE JACK KEROUAC ESTATE AND KEROUAC @ 100 COMMITTEE
SHARE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR
CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
FOR FAMED NOVELIST, WRITER, POET AND ARTIST
JACK KEROUAC
TAKING PLACE IN HIS LOWELL, MA HOMETOWN
STARTING IN MARCH

EVENTS TO INCLUDE RETURN OF ORIGINAL
‘ON THE ROAD’ SCROLL
ON LOAN FROM THE JIM IRSAY COLLECTION, GUIDED BUS TOURS, MUSICAL EVENTS, READINGS, ART GALLERIES & MORE

To mark the centennial birthday anniversary of world-renowned “Beat Generation” pioneer, novelist, writer, poet and artist JACK KEROUAC, THE JACK KEROUAC ESTATE and the Kerouac @ 100 Committee have planned an array of events and happenings to take place in his Lowell, MA hometown starting in his birth month of March. See a full list of happenings and details below.

“March 12^th, 2022 will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lowell, Massachusetts’ favorite native son, Jack Kerouac, and folks the world over are weighing in on the enduring legacy of his work,” states Jim Sampas, Literary Executor of the Estate of Jack Kerouac. “The celebration of his centennial this March in his hometown will include important artifacts, such as an exhibit of the original ‘On the Road’ scroll manuscript, and for the first time ever in one place, all the photographs of Kerouac taken by one of his dearest friends, Allen Ginsberg. There will be readings, film screenings, and musical performances, all paying tribute to one of the most important authors of our time, and the versatility and openness of Kerouac’s work.”

Kerouac has been praised and cited as an influence for several of the most well-known public figures in music, entertainment, literature, fashion, and politics ranging from President Barack Obama to David Bowie to Francis Ford Coppola to Hunter S. Thompson and many more. Kerouac was recently the inspiration for DIOR HOMME creative director Kim Jones’ 2022 fall show with a collection that nodded to the Beat Generation style and featured an 80-meter-long facsimile of Kerouac’s generation-defining literary classic ‘On The Road.’ See photos from the show in London via Vogue HERE.

The upcoming festivities will feature the return of a portion of the original 120-foot-long ‘On The Road’ scroll–which Time Magazine included as one of the best novels of the last 100 years—on loan from The Jim Irsay Collection as part of the exhibit ‘Visions of Kerouac’ which will be free to the public on Friday, March 18 at the Lowell National Historical Park’s Boott Cotton Mills Gallery. Further details are included below.

“The ‘On the Road’ scroll manuscript is one of the most important and fascinating manuscripts in American literary history,” proclaims Michael Millner (Director, UMass Lowell Kerouac Center). “American literature and American culture more broadly were never the same after ‘On the Road,’ and this is rare opportunity to experience the manuscript–and it is certainly an experience.”

JACK KEROUAC CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY EVENT SCHEDULE

FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL EVENTS

MARCH 4 – MAY 1: “Reflections from the Road” Art Exhibit

Arts League of Lowell Gallery – 307 Market St. (Lowell), All Ages

An art exhibit featuring regional artists who create works of art inspired by specific passages of Kerouac’s writing. Held in Greenwald Gallery, paintings by Judith Bessette, photography by Paul Bessette.

FRIDAY, MARCH 11: “Kerouac Night of 100 Poems: Blues & Haikus”

Pollard Memorial Library – Ground Floor Meeting Room Lowell

6:00-9:00 PM, All Ages

Join us on the eve of Kerouac’s 100^th birthday as we read aloud 100 of his musical blues choruses and American haiku poems. Light refreshments and musical accompaniment. For further info and reader signup, please visit LowellLibrary.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12: JACK KEROUAC CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY

“Kerouac Sites of Lowell Tour”: Guided bus tour of the Jack Kerouac sites of Lowell. 1:00-3:00 PM

“Kerouac Biographers Panel”: Featuring Dennis McNally and Holly George-Warren, moderated by Todd Tietchen. Academic Arts Center – 240 Central St. (Lowell) – 4:00 PM, All Ages

“Poetry Reading”: An evening of poetry with Anne Waldman, Scarlett Sabet and Paul Marion. Academic Arts Center – 240 Central St. (Lowell) – 7:00pm, All Ages

“Musical Event”: A night of music with Frank Morey and Willie Loco Alexander. Warp And Weft – 197 Market St (Lowell)- 9:00 PM (directly following Poetry Reading), 21+ event

“Music was important to Jack Kerouac as Jack was to countless music makers,” says Chris Porter, President of the Jack Kerouac Foundation Board of Directors. “Both Willie Loco Alexander (who released his well-known song ‘Kerouac’ in the 1970’s) and Frank Morey have been significantly touched by Jack’s writings and their respective performances will be perfect finales to a special day of talk, poetry, and song celebrating Kerouac’s 100th birthday.”

SUNDAY, MARCH 13

“Kerouac Sites of Nashua Tour”: Guided bus tour of the Jack Kerouac sites of Nashua, NH. 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, starts & ends in Lowell

“Jack Kerouac’s Road – A Franco-American Odyssey” film screening

Luna Theater at Mill No. 5 – 250 Jackson St., Lowell

2:00 PM

Part documentary, part drama, this 1987 Canadian Film Board production weaves reenactments, archival film and photographs, and interviews with French-Canadian and American writers and artists of the 80’s (including Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti) to paint a portrait of Lowell’s thoroughly Franco-American novelist and poet.

TUESDAY, MARCH 15: “Tribute to Jack Kerouac: 100 Years, Still Alive”
Virtual Panel, 6:00 PM (ET)

A virtual bilingual panel on Jack Kerouac moderated by cultural journalist Tanya Beaumont (Radio-Canada) with panelists Herménégilde Chiasson (director of the film ‘Le grand Jack,’ based in New Brunswick), Susan Pinette (Director of Franco-American Studies at Canadian-American Center & Professor of Modern Languages at University of Maine, based in USA), Jean-Christophe Cloutier (Author La Vie est d’hommage and Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature at University of Pennsylvania, based in USA)

FRIDAY, MARCH 18 – Week of APRIL 25: “Visions of Kerouac” Special Exhibit

Lowell National Historical Park – Boott Cotton Mills Gallery – 115 John Street, Lowell, MA 01852

12:00 – 5:00 PM daily

This unique special exhibit will include the return of a portion of the original “On The Road” scroll. The scroll in its entirety stretches to 120 feet and is one of the most extraordinary and highly valued manuscripts in American literary history. It will be on loan from The Jim Irsay Collection. Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, has a renowned collection which includes historic and iconic artifacts from rock music, American history and pop culture. The 24-foot portion will be available for viewing along with archival books, writings, personal objects, and photographs including never-before-seen images of Jack Kerouac taken by fellow Beat Generation pioneer Allen Ginsberg. There will also be a collection of photographs by John Suiter. More details on the exhibit location can be found here: www.nps.gov/lowe/planyourvisit/boott-cotton-mills-museum.htm

SATURDAY, MARCH 19: “An Evening with David Amram”

Luna Theater at Mill No. 5 – 250 Jackson St, Lowell (Time TBA)

Acclaimed composer and jazzman David Amram–now in his 92nd year–will reflect on his days with Kerouac as he recounts them in his book ‘Offbeat: Collaborating with Kerouac.’ He will also show the film ‘Pull My Daisy,’ in which David appears and Jack Kerouac narrates.

APRIL 8 & 9: “The Town And The City” Festival”

This two-day music and arts festival produced by Chris Porter will take place in various event spaces, bars, cafes and galleries throughout downtown Lowell, MA. The festival is named after Jack Kerouac’s earliest novel which was primarily set in this historic mill city. More info at www.thetownandthecityfestival.com

OCTOBER 6-10: “Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival”

Location & times TBD.

The October Festival features tours of Kerouac’s Lowell places–including many sites described in his Lowell-based novels-panel discussions, reading, jazz and folk music, films, open mike events, as high poetry competition, book signings, and more. Kerouac fans and scholars from across the United States and around the world travel to Lowell for the festival. More info at www.lowellcelebrateskerouac.org

Some additional events transpiring around the centennial celebration will include:

– Famous quotes from Kerouac’s works being made as banners and hung on light poles in downtown Lowell, MA

– The Jack Kerouac Foundation has been created to establish a Jack Kerouac museum and performance venue in Lowell, MA. Their first initiative will be funding to pursue the establishment for the museum and performance center in the magnificent St. Jean Baptiste Church where Kerouac was an altar boy and the site of his funeral in 1969.

– Adventure Lab is a new app and platform in development from the team at Geocaching HQ that allows you to play and share unique outdoor scavenger hunts, experiences, and games. The free Adventure Lab® app guides players through the process of finding clues, solving puzzles, and completing adventures one location at a time. Jack Kerouac‘s Adventure Lab has between 5-8 points located in Lowell which will allow visitors to discover places important to Jack Kerouac‘s story while having fun!

– DIY Lowell will work with Kerouac @ 100 Committee on various historical markers, a “little library” and chalk walk.

– Unreleased works of Kerouac, as well as authors who were inspired by Kerouac, will be published via Sal Paradise Press—the content development arm of The Jack Kerouac Estate formed by Sampas and music industry veteran Sylvia Cunha (Director of Marketing and Development for The Jack Kerouac Estate).

– Launch of the Kerouac And Me podcast/audio project which will see stars of music, film/tv, literature, politics, sports and business share stories of how their work was inspired by Kerouac and was created by Sampas and Cunha for Sal Paradise Media and New York Times bestselling authors Dave Wedge and Casey Sherman for Fort Point Media.

About the KEROUAC @ 100 Committee:

The Kerouac @ 100 Committee consists of The Kerouac Center at UMass Lowell, Lowell Celebrates Kerouac, Lowell National Historical Park, Lowell Office of Cultural Affairs, the Pollard Memorial Library, Lowell’s Franco-American Day Committee, and Québec Delégation of Boston .

KEROUAC @ 100 is funded in part by The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, The Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kerouac Center at UMass Lowell, Allen Ginsberg Estate, Massachusetts State Senator Edward Kennedy, City Of Lowell, Pollard Memorial Library Foundation, Lowell National Historical Park, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, George Duncan/Enterprise Bank, Lowell Cultural Council, Greater Lowell Health Alliance, Québec Delégation of Boston, and Moses Greeley Parker Lecture

Series.

A person with his arms crossed Description automatically generated with medium confidence Credit: Tom Palumbo

For more information on THE JACK KEROUAC ESTATE, please visit: https://jackkerouac.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KerouacEstate
http://www.instagram.com/KerouacEstate
https://twitter.com/kerouacestate

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For press inquiries regarding THE JACK KEROUAC ESTATE, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com

January 18, 2022

Old School Thrills At The Mob Museum + Casa di Amore

Had a terrific old-school Vegas Sunday. Started out downtown at The Mob Museum, coming up on its 10th anniversary this February. Then we headed to the east side for dinner at Casa Di Amore…”Vegas the way it used to be,” in its own words.

The four floors of the Mob Museum, on the site of the first U.S. Courthouse and Post Office in Vegas, expertly tell the history of the Mob, Prohibition bootleggers and organized crime’s hand in creating Vegas. Our visit to the museum was well-timed—America took its last drink 102 years ago yesterday (1/16/1920) before Prohibition took effect the following day.

Next up: drinks + dinner at Casa di Amore, which instantly stole our hearts. It’s a beautifully lit dining room/bar with tufted banquettes and a vocalist/pianist + drummer conjuring a Rat Pack aura, plus slide show images throughout of classic Vegas. And the food delivered old school thrills. We had Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, Baked Clams Oreganata, Stuffed Bell Peppers, Chicken Piccata—and finished it off with an excellent cannoli. Love this place!

January 13, 2022

THE BLACK MOODS Reveal “Saturday Night” Video Teaser; VIP Upgrade Added for 2/19 Headlining Show @ Talking Stick (Scottsdale)

DT: JANUARY 12, 2022

FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

ARIZONA’S
THE BLACK MOODS
TEASE NEW TRACK “SATURDAY NIGHT”
IN ADVANCE OF VIDEO PREMIERE
@ TALKING STICK RESORT (SCOTTSDALE) SHOW
FEBRUARY 19

LISTEN TO A PREVIEW HERE

VIP TICKET UPGRADES INCLUDING PRIVATE ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE NOW AVAILABLE
TICKETS & UPGRADES ON-SALE HERE

Tempe, AZ modern classic rockers THE BLACK MOODS are excited to hit the stage on Saturday, February 19 for a headlining hometown show at Talking Stick Resort where the band will premiere the music video for their anthemic new track “Saturday Night” in advance of its February 25 digital release. The song is the second sampling of new music from their anticipated third full-length album due out this spring via Wit Hustle / The Orchard / Steelhorse Entertainment following its debut track “She Gets Out” which premiered via Loudwire last November. Listen to a teaser clip of “Saturday Night” HERE.

THE BLACK MOODS have also announced a limited run of VIP upgrades for the 2/19 show which are on-sale today and include:

A private acoustic performance from the band following soundcheck
Invite-only screening of the “Saturday Night” music video with the band
Socially distanced meet & greet and photo opp + exclusive VIP laminate
An exclusive VIP merch item
Priority entry into the venue
Early access to merchandise before general admission doors open.

For tickets, please visit: https://www.talkingstickresort.com/phoenix-scottsdale-concerts-entertainment/entertainment-listing/the-showroom/the-black-moods, for VIP upgrades, please visit the band’s website: www.theblackmoods.com.

Vocalist/guitarist Josh Kennedy, drummer Chico Diaz and bassist/backing vocalist Jordan Hoffman have continued to “lead(ing) the charge in bringing back melodic rock here in the 21st Century” (Loudwire) despite the onset of a global pandemic attempting to halt their momentum. The trio released their critically acclaimed sophomore album SUNSHINE in 2020 which saw them grace the cover of their hometown weekly paper Phoenix New Times (May 7, 2020) and achieve radio success with their first-ever Top 20 Billboard Active Rock single, title track “Sunshine,” as well as land four of the records previous singles in the Top 30.

Unable to tour due to the halt of the live entertainment industry, THE BLACK MOODS, kept writing new material and temporarily moved their makeshift home studio from AZ to Kennedy’s hometown of Wheaton, MO (population 690) to remotely record the new songs with Sunshine’s Grammy award-nominated producer Johnny K. (3 Doors Down, Disturbed, Pop Evil). They also enlisted legendary Grammy award-winning producer Eddie Kramer (Led Zeppelin, The Beatles) who worked with the band completely virtually as he was based in Canada using new, state-of-the-art computer technology. Stay tuned for details on the new album in coming weeks.

A picture containing text, person, net Description automatically generated Lineup (l-r): Josh Kennedy, Jordan Hoffman, Chico Diaz
Photo Credit: Jim Louvau

For more information on THE BLACK MOODS, please visit:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE

SRO PR Assets + Releases: http://sropr.com/portfolio/the-black-moods/

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For press inquiries or review ticket requests, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com

January 12, 2022

Dave Navarro And Billy Morrison Offer Thanks For December Sold-Out “Above Ground” Benefit Concert; Organization Makes $50,000 Donation To Musicares®

DATE: JANUARY 12, 2022

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH

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DAVE NAVARRO AND BILLY MORRISON
OFFER THANKS FOR DECEMBER sold-out “ABOVE GROUND”
BENEFIT CONCERT; ORGANIZATION MAKES $50,000 DONATION TO MUSICARES^®

IN ONGOING EFFORT TO
PROMOTE AWARENESS AND RAISE FUNDS
FOR THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH

As Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) and Billy Morrison (Billy Idol) look forward to the fourth “ABOVE GROUND” benefit concert later this year (date TBA), the guitarists and “ABOVE GROUND” co-founders want to thank the artists who supported the third event last month (December 20) at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA, the fans who attended and the team involved in putting together another successful benefit. Following the sold-out event, ABOVE GROUND made a $50,000 donation to MusiCares^® (the leading music charity that acts as a safety net for the music community) in ongoing effort to promote awareness and raise funds for the treatment of mental health. (See full set list below.)

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“When you are fortunate enough to do something you love, and simultaneously spread a positive message and raise much needed funds at the same time, it can never be called work,” Billy Morrison says. “Above Ground has become just such an event for Dave and I. Our third show exceeded all my expectations, both in terms of the incredible musical performances by our core band and all of our guests, and in the amount of love and support we got from our audience, our partners and our sponsors. I’m proud of what Above Ground is achieving in the mental health space and urge us all to keep the dialogue flowing. Roll on Above Ground 4!”

“This year‘s Above Ground event has to have been my favorite so far,” Dave Navarro says. “Not only were we able to create an environment to share our love of music with the people closest to us in our lives but we did it for such an important cause. Spreading awareness and raising funds in support of mental health makes these events so fulfilling for us. On a personal note, I never thought in 1 million years I would share the stage with Perry Farrell and Anthony Kiedis in the same night. A lot of healing took place on that stage as well. None of that would have happened had we not had the honor of participating in this annual event. Being in a position to offer support and help to others while simultaneously walking away enriched and full of gratitude is a very special, magical thing. I will never forget Above Ground 3 and cannot wait for Above Ground 4.”

Hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky with an art installation by Risk Rock, the evening featured performances of two musically/culturally seismic albums: Lou Reed’s Transformer (1972) and Sex Pistol’s Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977). The all-star line-up–led by Navarro and Morrison–featured special guests (alphabetically) Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction), Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Courtney Taylor-Taylor (The Dandy Warhols), Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver, Sons Of Anarchy), Dexter Holland (The Offspring), Donovan Leitch, Franky Perez, Jason Aalon Butler (Fever333), Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads), Josh Freese (The Offspring, A Perfect Circle, Danny Elfman), Laura Mace, Mark McGrath, Mickey Avalon, Otep, Perry And Etty Lau Farrell, Piggy D (Rob Zombie) and Steve Stevens (Billy Idol).

The ABOVE GROUND 3 set list is as follows:

Lou Reed’s Transformer
“VICIOUS,” Corey Taylor
“ANDY’S CHEST,” Courtney Taylor-Taylor
“PERFECT DAY,” Billy Morrison
“HANGING AROUND,” Mark McGrath
“WALK ON THE WILD SIDE,” Anthony Kiedis
“MAKE UP,” Mickey Avalon
“WAGON WHEEL,” Laura Mace
“SATELLITE OF LOVE,” Perry and Etty Farrell
“NEW YORK TELEPHONE CONVERSATION,” Donovan Leitch
“I’M SO FREE,” Corey Taylor
“GOODNIGHT LADIES,” Franky Perez
**“SWEET JANE,” Billy Morrison

**Bonus track

Sex Pistols’ Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
“HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN,” Corey Taylor
“BODIES,” Corey Taylor
“NO FEELINGS,” Mark McGrath
“LIAR,” Jason Aalon Butler
“PROBLEMS,” Billy Morrison
“SEVENTEEN,” Franky Perez
“SUBMISSION,” Jason Aalon Butler
“ANARCHY IN THE U.K.,” Perry and Etty Farrell
“NEW YORK,” Mark McGrath
“GOD SAVE THE QUEEN,” Dexter Holland
“PRETTY VACANT,” Dexter Holland
“EMI,” Billy Morrison/Mark McGrath

Here’s some critical feedback on ABOVE GROUND 3:

It doesn’t take long for the concert to begin when, almost quietly, Dave Navarro calls the first super-guest of the evening to the stage: and it’s none other than Anthony Kiedis. The amazement of the public, but also of us photographers placed at the foot of the stage, is tangible. No one had any idea that the Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman had been invited to sing ‘Walk on the Wild Side,’ the most iconic track on Lou Reed’s album and career. The presence of Kiedis, the melancholy atmospheres of the song and the soft lights make the moment magnetic, at the end of which Kiedis and Navarro embrace and the latter reaches the microphone to remind everyone that they had not been on stage together for 25 years.

“With the second set the pace is definitely changed. The introspective and minimalist sounds of Transformer give way to the cheeky ones of the Sex Pistols. Corey Taylor is back, and after him also Perry Farrell, the ‘usual’ McGrath and a real stage animal like Jason Butler of Fever 333, who devours that same stage on the notes of ‘Submission.’”

“Nowadays, the mere fact that these kinds of events are still a reality should cheer us up. And all the better if they are linked to an important cause. Maximum support, therefore, to Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison. The world of rock needs people who believe in it. People like them.”

–Rolling Stone Italy, 12/22/21

“Navarro and Morrison took turns introducing vocalists for each of the songs throughout the evening. Corey Taylor led the evening off as he covered Lou Reed’s ‘Vicious.’ The next highlight and first surprise of the night came during ‘Walk On The Wild Side’ as Navarro welcomed Anthony Kiedis, the Red Hot Chili Pepper frontman and former bandmate. After giving Navarro a big hug, he brought life to the classic song that was easily the biggest hit off this iconic album. Perry Farrell and his wife Etty later joined the party on ‘Satellite Of Love.’”

“A confetti blast kicked off the second half of the show with Corey Taylor again on-stage, this time representing the Sex Pistols 1977 release, Never Mind The Bollocks. The punk rock vibe was alive and well as Mark McGrath, Jason Butler, Billy Morrison and Franky Perez all took turns covering songs from the album.”

“Together Navarro and Morrison have created a solid platform and great annual tradition. Partnering with MusiCares, this benefit show has quickly proven itself and continues to improve with each iteration.”

– Live Music Today , 12/22/21

“Billy Morrison blew the crowd away with his beautiful rendition of ‘Perfect Day,’ and we couldn’t have been happier as it is a favorite among Lou Reed fans.”

“Singer Franky Perez was the album closer and was dressed in his late-night crooner attire with fitted suit pants, button-up shirt, and undone tie. Perez sang “Goodnight, Ladies” and left the crowd and other musicians in utter shock of his immeasurable voice.”

“To bring it all home, Morrison invited all the musicians that had been on stage that night to join Mark McGrath in singing ‘EMI.’ It was a lovely evening, all in the name f helping others and knowing you and the people onstage were joining together to do good things and help people struggling with mental wellness.

Sometimes, big events don’t live up to the hype. On December 20th, Above Ground definitely lived up to all expectations. It was an event we won’t forget any time soon.”

– OC MUSIC NEWS, 12/25/21

ABOUT ABOVE GROUND
Founded in 2018, by Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison and manager Rick Canny, Above Ground is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to raising funds for and awareness to the issues of mental health.

ABOUT MUSICARES
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: https://www.musicares.org/

For ABOVE GROUND press inquiries, please contact SRO PR:
Marcee Rondan, marcee@msopr.com
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@msopr.com
Kelly Walsh, kwalsh@msopr.com

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January 11, 2022

Watch Kaskade And Chandler Kimball Foundation’s Founder Jason Kimball Talk About This Month’s “Life’s Big Win” Benefit Concert For Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Awareness

DATE: JANUARY 11, 2022

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN

KASKADE AND
CHANDLER KIMBALL FOUNDATION’S FOUNDER
JASON KIMBALL
TALK ABOUT
THE SATURDAY, JANUARY 15
“LIFE’S BIG WIN”
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR
CHRONIC TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (CTE) AWARENESS
AT TEMPE, ARIZONA’S SUNBAR

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Multi-Grammy Award-nominated musician, DJ and record producer Kaskade is the confirmed headliner for “Life’s Big Win” benefit for the Chandler Kimball Foundation for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Awareness. He recently sat down to talk about the event–taking place this Saturday, January 15 at Tempe, Arizona’s Sunbar–with Chandler Kimball Foundation’s Founder Jason Kimball. Watch the clip here.

The event will also include performances from chart-topping reggae band The Expendables and live electronic artist Bardz, along with appearances from the renowned forensic pathologist and neurologist, Dr. Bennet Omalu (the subject of Sony Pictures’ 2015 film Concussion), who will be speaking about youth tackle football and the risks of developing CTE, and former Arizona Cardinal and 12-year NFL veteran, Eric Hill.

The Chandler Kimball Foundation was founded in honor of Arizona native Chandler Kimball to raise awareness of (CTE), a brain disease caused by repeated blows to the head including concussive and sub-concussive hits. Kimball, who played tackle football from the age of nine, began to develop CTE symptoms in his early twenties and as his condition began to rapidly decline, his family sought treatment with therapists and specialists. Despite these efforts, Chandler succumbed to this preventable disease and took his own life on January 15, 2019. Read more here.

Tickets are on sale here. All of the event’s net proceeds will go directly to the Chandler Kimball Foundation to help educate and inform parents about CTE, and to provide family members tools and guidance they can utilize to support their decision to find alternative and safer sports for their children.

Website
Facebook
Instagram

About the Chandler Kimball Foundation

The Chandler Kimball Foundation was founded in 2021 with a mission to raise awareness of CTE and share medical evidence and personal stories of families devastated by Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) caused by youth tackle football. Chandler Kimball, a talented Arizona athlete loved all sports, but his passion was football–exclusively playing tackle football at an elite level since the age of nine and winning the Arizona State Championships at the Pop Warner and High School levels. Kimball graduated from Arizona State University in 2017. Minor symptoms of CTE began manifesting in Kimball around the age of 22 and continued to gradually worsen over the next three years. Kimball succumbed to this preventable disease and took his own life on January 15, 2019. The Chandler Kimball Foundation aims to educate and inform parents about scientific studies showing that enrolling their child in youth tackle football significantly increases the risk that their child may eventually develop CTE, and to provide family members tools and guidance they can utilize to support their decision to find alternative and safer sports for their children.

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January 6, 2022

Nashville Singer-Songwriter MACKENZIE GRANT Shares Video for Motivational Country Track “Putting Down Some Things”

DT: JANUARY 6, 2022

FM: KELLY WALSH, MITCH SCHNEIDER/ SRO PR

MACKENZIE GRANT
–NASHVILLE SINGER, SONGWRITER AND MUSICIAN–
RETURNS AFTER 15 YEARS WITH NEW ALBUM
‘WONDER WORLD’
DUE MARCH 18 VIA
BLACKBIRD RECORD LABEL

SHARES VIDEO TODAY FOR THE ALBUM’S MOTIVATIONAL FIRST SINGLE
“PUTTING DOWN SOME THINGS”
OUT THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 7

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

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Photo Credit: Ashley Hylbert

Nashville-based singer, songwriter and classically trained pianist MACKENZIE GRANT has returned to music after a 15-year break with the upcoming release of her sophomore full-length album WONDER WORLD due March 18 via BlackBird Record Label. Produced and engineered by Phil Dubnick, the album was inspired by GRANT’s time away from music working as a school counserlor in a high-poverty and high-trauma preschool covering themes suchs as self-reckoning, feminine empowerment and overcoming negative mindsets.

WONDER WORLD features songs written by MACKENZIE plus a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Borderline.” The album’s first single is “Putting Down Some Things,” the video for which was premiered yesterday by Americana Highways. Beautifully written and sung by MACKENZIE, the song is a moving and infectious country song about self-renewal which Americana Highways praised, stating that “Grant’s songwriting is informed by witnessing a wave of these elements of the human experience, and the gentle easiness of her vocals helps to soothe the soul.” Watch the music video streaming below or HERE.

“Putting Down Some Things” will be released digitally this Friday, January 7 and can be pre-saved at this link: https://linktr.ee/mackenziegrantmusic.

“As a former counselor, I worked with children affected by poverty, marginalization, domestic violence, generational trauma–all things that were not their fault or theirs to carry as innocents,” shares GRANT. “I tried to foster resilience and self-compassion in them. When I took a break from this work, I found I was crippled by many of the mindsets they lived with on a daily basis: shame, self-blame, fear, criticism, etc. I knew I had to give the same allowance and self-compassion to myself that I had encouraged in them.”

She continues to share the meaning behind the track, stating that “‘Putting Down Some Things’ is born of the idea that the way so many of us treat ourselves, the mental self-degradation, is ultimately just our brain trying to stay safe and protected. But that’s the big lie; that we have to beat ourselves up in order to find motivation and growth. I had to start putting down that self-criticism because it no longer worked. We’re all connected in our suffering and with the events of the past couple of years, we’ve experienced it exponentially. But for most of us it’s our own inner voice doing the most damage. It’s accepting ourselves and giving our suffering compassion that is needed to heal us, individually and collectively.”

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As a naturally gifted musician, GRANT has been writing and singing for as long as she can remember. A native of Syracuse, New York, and the daughter of two classically trained musicians, she effortlessly blends the clarity of her singing voice with the raw emotion in her lyrics. After three years at the University of Michigan, she transferred to Berklee in Boston, where she received positive feedback on her songwriting from her professors and peers alike. GRANT relocated to Nashville in 2000 after visiting the city with friends on spring break and discovering that it immediately felt like home.

Just before moving, she’d made an independent album that attracted the attention of a hit songwriter in Nashville, who invited her to write and record together if she ever came to town. That connection helped open the doors to the city’s songwriting community, as she developed an audience through playing writers rounds and releasing the 2006 album, The Laundry Room Glamour Hour. Around this same time, she also married and started a family, but gradually she became disillusioned with the music industry and her first marriage ended.

Now remarried and raising three children (a high schooler, a middle schooler, and a preschooler), she is once again using music as a way to connect with others and herself.

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For more information on MacKenzie Grant, please visit:
WEBSITE | IG | FB | TWITTER

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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
Mitch Schneider – mschneider@sropr.com

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