Search This Site

Custom Search

                               Find Us On

Erie Beat

February 16, 2012 | Volume 8 Issue 8

Gone Country Crazy
By Jenna Croyle

Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music.
 

Vocals, along with Thomas “Spike” Buzard on Drums and Percussion.

Next of Kin covers the music of Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Keith Anderson, Chris LeDoux, Tim McGraw and many more.

With a stunning and energetic stage show, a remarkably magnetic connection with the audience and a smooth and powerful delivery of the music, Next of Kin is truly the total Country music package.

Having won the 2005 WOLF 93.9’s People’s Choice Award for favorite Country Band, and being nominated several times, and being honored in 2010 and 2011 as the RockErie Music Award’s Best Country Band, Next of Kin is without doubt the best of the best that Erie music has to offer.

The vocals of Michael Mannarino are simply stellar, from the classic sound to the new, more modern country technique, Mannarino hits all the right notes and picks off every song with perfection.

The note for note perfect Fiddle frenzy of Bill Garfield is sincere and electrifying, giving a nice spice to the music that might make even the great Charlie Daniels say, “Well you're pretty good ol' son.”

The multi-talented Bill Krasinski plays both the Slide Guitar and Lead Guitar like a man possessed, for the biggest and best sound with beautiful tone and exceptional vibrato on the bottleneck.

The Bass lines of Jeff Wiesen are passionate and intense with Wiesen being a high-energy dynamo of a Bassist, creating his own unique bass lines in various situations and styles.

The key work of Andy Gerbik is pulsating and intense as he releases some serious virtuosity with every note he plays. Gerbik gives a life to the music that just will not stop with flavors ranging from smooth and vibey, to tough and gritty. Gerbik’s smok’n keys set every song on fire.

Thomas “Spike” Buzard sets the tone and carries the beat like no other, hammering out the hard-hitting chops and radical rhythms that catch people off guard and turns everyone’s legs to Jell-o.

You do not have to be a “Country” fan to enjoy Next of Kin. If you love a Rock’n crazy party, or just love to hear a tight live band do what they do best, Next of Kin is your one stop shop, full service explosion of the most hard-hitting, superstar style good time power Country band that you will ever see without paying forty dollars a ticket.

For more information on Next of Kin and their show dates, please visit their Facebook page.

Private Funeral for Houston Set for Saturday in NJ

Whitney Houston's funeral will be held Saturday in the church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child, her family choosing to remember her in a private service rather than in a large event at an arena.

The owner of the Whigham Funeral Home said Tuesday that the funeral will be held at noon at Newark's New Hope Baptist Church, which seats up to 1,500.

The family said no public memorial service is planned at this time. Officials had discussed the possibility of holding a memorial at the Prudential Center, a major sports and entertainment venue that can seat about 18,000 people, but the funeral home said it had been ruled out.

Funeral home owner Carolyn Whigham said the church service will be by invitation only, reflecting the family's decision to keep the memorial more personal.

"They have shared her for 30-some years with the city, with the state, with the world. This is their time now for their farewell," she said.

"The family thanks all the fans, the friends and the media, but this time is their private time," she said.

Houston, 48, died Feb. 11 at a hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., just hours before she was set to perform at producer Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Awards bash. Officials say she was underwater and apparently unconscious when she was pulled from a bathtub.

After an autopsy Sunday, authorities said there were no indications of foul play and no obvious signs of trauma on Houston. It could be weeks, however, before the coroner's office completes toxicology tests to establish the cause of death.

Los Angeles County coroner's assistant chief Ed Winter said bottles of prescription medicine were found in the room. He would not give details except to say: "There weren't a lot of prescription bottles. You probably have just as many prescription bottles in your medicine cabinet."

Houston's body was returned to New Jersey late Monday.

Houston was born in Newark and was raised in nearby East Orange. She began singing as a child at New Hope Baptist Church, where her mother, Grammy-winning gospel singer Cissy Houston, led the music program for many years. Her cousin singer Dionne Warwick also sang in its choir.

Houston's family asked Tuesday that any donations in her memory be sent to the arts-focused public school that she attended as a child and that was named after her in the late 1990s.

In lieu of flowers, they said mourners should donate to the Whitney Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts in East Orange, a school serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Houston attended the school as a girl when it was named the Franklin School and was a regular visitor for many years afterward. On Monday, students held an outdoor service in her memory.

An impromptu memorial for Houston was held Sunday during a sadness-tinged Grammys, with Jennifer Hudson saluting her memory with a performance of "I Will Always Love You." Viewership for the awards show soared over last year by 50 percent, with about 40 million viewers tuning in to the program on CBS.

On Tuesday, a steady stream of well-wishers continued to stop at the New Hope Baptist Church, where the front fence was adorned with dozens of flowers, balloons and oversized cards, some with hundreds of signatures and condolences written on them.

Several people expressed disappointment that a public memorial had not been scheduled. But they also said they understood why the funeral was being kept private.

"Maybe at some point down the road, they might do something," said B.J. Frazier, of East Orange, who said she had performed as a singer with one of Houston's aunts. "But it's like they're saying today, they shared her for a long time and they just want her to themselves for now."

Gov. Chris Christie ordered flags flown at half-staff Saturday at state government buildings, describing Houston as a "cultural icon" who belongs in the same category of New Jersey music history as Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Bruce Springsteen.

"Her accomplishments were a great source of pride for the people of the state," he said.

Houston, a sensation from her first album, was one of the world's best-selling artists from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, turning out such hits as "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," "How Will I Know," "The Greatest Love of All" and "I Will Always Love You." But as she struggled with drugs, her majestic voice became raspy, and she couldn't hit the high notes.

Houston left behind one child, daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18, from her marriage to singer Bobby Brown.

Ray Charles Foundation Wants $3 Million Gift Back

The Ray Charles Foundation is demanding the return of a $3 million gift given to Albany State University a decade ago because the organization says the college has yet to use the money to build a performing arts center in the late artist's name.

In 2001, Charles gave the south Georgia school $1 million and donated another $2 million a year later after receiving an honorary doctorate from the college. The native of Albany, Ga., died in 2004 at age 73.

The money was given solely for the construction of the performing arts center, yet it only exists "on the drawing board and in an unapproved downsized plan," the foundation said in a statement.

Charles was specific on how the money was to be spent, said foundation president Valerie Ervin.

"It is incomprehensible that Albany State University failed to use the money in the manner Mr. Charles wanted. Mr. Charles would find ASU's behavior unacceptable," she said.

Albany State University spokesman Demetrius Love said the gift was never restricted and that the school continues to pursue additional funding for the building, which is expected to cost at least $23 million.

The 2001 donation still is in a bank and the $2 million gift was given to 125 students chosen to be Ray Charles Presidential Scholars, according to the university. Officials said the donation was the largest gift the university has ever received.

"It has been a long and tedious process, but strides have been made in accomplishing this goal," Love said in an email statement. "Albany State University will continue in its efforts of honoring Mr. Ray Charles by constructing a fine arts building in his name."

Plans for the project have stalled in recent years because of a lack of state funding amid budget cuts.

In October, the university's legal counsel sent a letter to the foundation reiterating their desire to move forward with the building project, which also includes a theater to be named for Charles' mother. The university has received additional state funding to support the design phase of the building, the letter said.

"When Mr. Charles made the two separate gifts to the University, he did so without restrictions," the letter reads. "The University does believe that a Fine Arts Building named after Mr. Charles, with a theatre named in honor of Mr. Charles' mother, Mrs. Aretha Robinson, is one of the ways to do `the right thing.' The University has been working tirelessly towards that goal."

McCartney Receives Star Alongside Fellow Beatles

It's been a long time coming for 69-year-old Sir Paul McCartney, and on Thursday afternoon in sunny Los Angeles, the music legend was finally immortalized in cement on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

An impressive crowd gathered before the famed historic Capitol Records building to witness the former Beatle receive his honor. Sporting a rock-star leather jacket and hip shades, McCartney accepted the star with his son, James, and wife, Nancy Shevell, which sits firmly alongside the plaques of his fellow Beatles, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon.

"I'm a star on the pavement," he exclaimed, telling ET the ceremonious honor made him feel "beautiful."

Neil Young gave McCartney a stirring introduction, while Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock and Traveling Wilburys member Jeff Lynne stuck to the sidelines, watching with pride.

This week marks the 48th anniversary of the Beatles' 1964 performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," which helped to propel the group to enormous fame in America and around the world.

"Kisses on the Bottom," McCartney's newest release, is available now. The collection boasts McCartney's take on a handful of standards as well as two new compositions, "My Valentine" and "Only Our Hearts."

Kenny Rogers Sues Capitol Records Over Royalties

Kenny Rogers is suing Capitol Records, claiming the company has not properly paid him for digital downloads, ringtones and other uses of his songs.

Rogers in the lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Nashville is seeking a declaration that under his contract, he is owed 50 percent of net royalties for the licensing of his master recordings to third-parties like iTunes and Verizon Wireless. Rogers' hits include "The Gambler" and "Lady."

"The actions of Capitol Records was part of an ongoing and deliberate attempt by record labels to deprive artists, like Kenny Rogers, in California, and elsewhere of their rightful royalties for music downloads, ringtones, and mastertones," according to the lawsuit.

A spokesman for Capitol Records did not return a call seeking comment.

The lawsuit states that Rogers began an audit of Capitol's books back in 2007 and was engaged in fruitless settlement negotiations with the company for about three years before suing.

Rogers, who lives in Atlanta but maintains offices in Nashville, claims the company owes him at least $400,000. He said he does not know the total amount because Capitol has withheld some financial records.

He is asking for restitution as well as compensatory damages, attorneys' fees and interest.

Charles Anthony, Met Record-Holder, Dies at 82

Charles Anthony, a character singer who set the record for most appearances at the Metropolitan Opera — 2,928 — during a career that spanned from 1954 to 2010, died Wednesday. He was 82.

Anthony, a tenor, died at his home in Tampa, Fla., from kidney failure following a long illness, Met spokesman Peter Clark said.

"Your talent, demeanor, joy and heart will be missed," mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer wrote on Twitter. "What a loss."

Beginning his career at the old Met on Broadway and moving uptown with the company to its new home at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in 1966, Anthony was a "comprimario," or supporting singer.

Bing: More on Charles Anthony's career

He shared the stage with the greatest classical artists of several eras, performing in the Met debuts of Marian Anderson, Birgit Nilsson, Jon Vickers, Leontyne Price, Franco Corelli, Joan Sutherland, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Jose Carreras.

"It's no exaggeration to say that Charlie Anthony is the soul of the Metropolitan Opera," Joseph Volpe, then the Met's general manager, said when Anthony was honored during an intermission in Puccini's "Tosca" in 2004.

Born Calogero Antonio Caruso in New Orleans in 1929, Anthony entered the Met's Auditions of the Air competition in 1952.

Met general manager Rudolf Bing feared that the public would think he was related to the great tenor Enrico Caruso and that the young singer would be burdened with expectations — so Bing persuaded him to change his name a half-hour before air time.

Milton Cross, the Met's broadcast host, apparently played a role in the decision on what name to take.

"I couldn't think of anything, so we just dropped Caruso, which made grandfather furious," Anthony told The New York Times in 1992.

Anthony made his Met debut as the Simpleton in Mussorsky's "Boris Godunov" on March 6, 1954, with George London in the title role.

"Probably few who saw the performance will forget him," the Times wrote two days later. "Anthony had better be careful. If he does other bit parts so vividly, he'll be stamped as a character singer for life."

Which is exactly what happened.

His most frequent roles were the Innkeeper in Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier" (159), Ruiz in Verdi's "Il Trovatore" (141), Gastone in Verdi's "La Traviata" (136) and Spoletta in "Tosca."

He did have a few appearances in leading roles, including two performances of Ernesto in Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" in 1956, one of Rodolfo in Puccini's "La Boheme" in 1959 and two of Ferrando in Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte" in 1962.

On Feb. 17, 1992, singing the role of Borsa the courtier in Verdi's "Rigoletto," Anthony made his 2,396th appearance, breaking the record baritone George Cehanovsky set from 1926-66. Conductor James Levine is now second at 2,442.

Anthony sang his farewell as Emperor Altoum in Puccini's "Turandot" on Jan. 28, 2010.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor; son, Anthony Caruso; daughters Anna Beth Burgmeier and Barbara Liriano; seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. A private funeral is scheduled for Saturday.

New Music on the Way From Late Waylon Jennings

The family of Waylon Jennings will soon release songs the country music icon recorded shortly before his death 10 years ago.

At least eight of the 12 songs on the tentatively titled "Goin' Down Rockin': The Final Recordings" were written by Jennings, and eight have not been released in any version before. The simple vocal and guitar tracks were cut at steel guitarist Robby Turner's studio before Jennings' death in 2002, and musicians who worked with Jennings have gathered to finish the tracks.

The release later this year is part of a new effort by Jennings' family to establish a Waylon business brand similar to the booming estates of artists such as Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams.

Jenning's son, Shooter Jennings, also plans to launch a clothing line, a redesigned community-based website and finalize plans for a biopic. All this coincides with the second installment of the three-part tribute, "Waylon: The Music Inside," released last week and featuring songs from Hank Williams Jr., Dierks Bentley and Jewel.

"Feb. 13 will be 10 years since he died and I do feel like it's time for him to have a presence," Shooter Jennings said. "It should have been before, but I don't think anybody was ready to take it on. I certainly wasn't. I know this year we're about to bring him back, you know what I mean?"

Jennings died from complications of diabetes at 64.

He left behind one of country music's most important legacies. He fiercely fought for his artistic freedom, creating the so-called "outlaw" movement — a term he chafed under — that would eventually envelop artists like Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. The four toured together as "The Highwaymen."

Just as importantly for modern country music, however, he was a voracious listener who wasn't afraid to incorporate folk or rock or pop into his voluminous repertoire. He had many different sides and many different kinds of artists claim him as an inspiration.

His unwillingness to bend to the will of record labels in Nashville was country music's highest-paying gamble. He held out for a better contract, then turned around and released "Wanted: The Outlaws," the first platinum-selling country album. Albums like "Honky Tonk Heroes" and "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" helped redefine country music, moving it from regional art form to pop culture phenomenon.

It was never easy, though.

As his widow, Jessi Colter, noted: "It's the curse of the trailblazer to have the highest walls, the hardest knocks. ... His choices were different. His offers were different. His story is yet to be told. And I actually have confidence that it will be."

New music will surely spur a little buzz for one of the most name-checked artists by modern country musicians. After making his guide recordings, Jennings discussed how to flesh out the songs on "The Final Recordings" with Turner before his death. Turner called in Jennings friends like guitarist Reggie Young and songwriter Tony Joe White to finish off the tracks.

The album will include White's "Goin' Down Rockin'" and Willie Nelson's "Sad Songs and Waltzes" and is described by Turner as similar in spirit to the work Cash did with Rick Rubin during the American Recordings sessions at the end of his life. It will join "Waylon Forever," an album cut with Shooter Jennings when he was 16 and reworked and released in 2008, as Jennings' only posthumously released music.

Shooter Jennings hasn't heard all the songs, but says those Turner played for him in the past have included interesting interpretations.

Shooter Jennings also says he's been working with T-shirt designer Blood is the New Black on a Waylon clothing line that will go beyond the basic-black merch tee.

"There will be Waylon shirts next to the Cash shirts at Hot Topic, and our shirts will be cooler," he joked. A high-end line of clothes is in the works, too.

Jennings wasn't ready to give too many details about a possible biopic, but said he believes he's found a producer who is in tune with what the family wants and hopes to have a script by the end of the year. Colter said the topic of biopics came up over the years and Jennings, who broke into music as Buddy Holly's bassist, didn't want the usual Hollywood treatment.

"The way it will happen with him won't be like any of the others," Colter said. "He didn't like those. In fact, when he saw 'The Buddy Holly Story,' he just cringed because they didn't begin to get his character."

Keeping things authentic is the key to success in these types of ventures, says Cash's son, John Carter Cash, who helps oversee his father's thriving estate.

Cash's image, story and music still produce millions of dollars a year for his heirs. But John Carter Cash says he must remain vigilant in business dealings so that he honors what would have been his father's wishes. For instance, Cash's likeness wasn't used for alcohol and tobacco while he was alive and that hasn't changed after his death. But authenticity isn't the only driver for Cash's posthumous success.

"It's also that mystery that is so appealing to people," Cash said. "Music is timeless. I believe also in the Waylon, as you say, brand — I don't know if that is the right word. It's his character and his spirit carrying on. No matter what we do as a family in the decision making, that was all set forth by the person — Waylon, my dad, whoever they may be. And No. 1 to me is to be respectful. Not to exploit. That's most important. I'd rather not get the deal — and I've turned many down — because I felt like it exploited him."

Initially, Colter and Jennings had little stomach for the business side of Jennings' legacy. The singer always adhered to a different beat when it came to business dealings and managers, and it took some time for his family to deal with the loss emotionally.

The Country Hall of Fame member died when his youngest son was just 22. At the time, Shooter Jennings had no interest in preserving his father's image. Over time, though, he has come to feel his father deserves a place in the American popular culture discussion.

"A lot of it is maybe where I am in my life, with my kids and everything," said Jennings, who has a daughter and son (also named for Waylon). "I'm at a place where I really appreciate my dad and I really appreciate his part of my life and my kids knowing who he is even though he'd never met them. I felt like I'd grown into a place where it was time for me to take over getting his name back out there in the right way."

Ringo Starr Announces New All Starr Band Lineup, Tour Dates
By Andy Greene

Ringo Starr has announced the lineup for the newest All Starr Band. It will feature Todd Rundgren, Gregg Rolie (Santana), Steve Lukather (Toto) and Richard Page (Mr. Mister) alongside saxophonist Mark Rivera and drummer Gregg Bissonette. The tour launches June 14 at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and runs through July 21 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, though a press release states that more dates will be added. Ringo is touring in support of his new album, "Ringo 2012."

Ringo began touring with a constantly rotating crew of All Starr bands in 1989. Numerous musicians have been in the mix over the years, including Joe Walsh, Levon Helm, Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, Sheila E and Paul Carrack. The musicians come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds, but they were all the lead vocalist on at least two big radio hits. The setlist mixes in those songs with hits from Ringo's solo career and a handful of Beatles classics.

Rundgren and Page have both participated in previous All Starr Band tours, but this is the first outing for Steve Lukather and Gregg Rolie, who was the lead vocalist in the original lineup of Santana. In 1973, he co-founded Journey with Neal Schon. He left the band in 1980.

Here is our best guess at what this year's setlist will look like:

"It Don't Come Easy"
"Act Naturally"
"Honey Don't"
"Rosanna"
"Oye Como Va"
"I Saw the Light"
"I Wanna Be Your Man"
"Wings"
"Kyrie"
"You're Sixteen"
"Yellow Submarine"
"Hold the Line"
"Bang on the Drum All Day"
"Black Magic Woman"
"Broken Wings"
"Boys"
"Photograph"
"With a Little Help From My Friends"

Here are the tour dates:

June 14, 15: Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, Ontario
June 16: Bethel Woods PAC, Bethel, N.Y
June 17: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
June 19: Bank of America Pavilion, Boston
June 22: Jones Beach Ampitheater, Wantagh, N.Y.
June 23: Ceasar's, Atlantic City, N.J.
June 24: Meyerhoff, Baltimore
June 26: State Theater, Easton, Pa.
June 27: Mayo Center, Morristown, N.J.
June 29: St Augustine Theater, St. Augustine, Fla.
June 30: Seminole Hard Rock Arena, Hollywood, Fla.
July 1: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Fla.
July 3: Tuscaloosa Ampitheater, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
July 4: The Wharf, Orange Beach, Ala.
July 6: Fox Theater, Atlanta
July 7: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
July 8: Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Ill.
July 11: Usana Ampitheater, Salt Lake City
July 13: Northern Quest, Spokane, Wash.
July 14: St Michelle Winery, Seattle
July 15: Edgefield, Portland, Ore.
July 17: Mountain Winery, Saratoga, Calif.
July 19: Humphrey's, San Diego
July 21: The Greek, Los Angeles

Beach Boys, Radiohead, Bon Iver, Red Hot Chili Peppers to Play Bonnaroo

The reunited Beach Boys will celebrate sunshine and summer at the 2012 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival with Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish and Bon Iver.

The always eclectic four-day festival also will include Skrillex, Foster the People, the Avett Brothers, The Shins, The Roots and Alice Cooper on the 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn. Bonnaroo will be held June 7-10.

The lineup has something of a ripped-from-the-headlines feel. Several acts had notable nights at the Grammy Awards. The reunited Beach Boys lineup of Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks made their live debut at the awards, joined onstage by Foster the People.

Bon Iver won Best New Artist, Skrillex took home three trophies and two-time Grammy winners The Civil Wars are scheduled to play just a few weeks before singer Joy Williams' baby is due.

The Chili Peppers will play Bonnaroo as new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members.

About half of the lineup was announced Tuesday and additions will be made later. Bonnaroo will feature about 125 music acts and 30 comedians. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

Other acts include comedian Aziz Ansari, Feist, Dispatch, the reunited Ben Folds Five and Dawes.

There's a little bit of something for everybody.

Skrillex will be leading a wave of electronic dance music acts and exotic DJs, including SBTRKT, Flying Lotus and Major Lazer.

Acoustic music fans can look forward to the Punch Brothers, Trampled by Turtles, Laura Marling, the Devil Makes Three and Sarah Jarosz. There will be a heavy dose of roots rockers, too, including Delta Spirit, the Alabama Shakes, Gary Clark Jr. and the Word featuring John Medeski, Robert Randolph and North Mississippi Allstars.

Neo soul fans can turn to Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires, Darondo, Little Dragon and the Soul Rebels.

And a year after rap dominated the 10th anniversary of Bonnaroo with Eminem, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Big Boi and others headlining, it remains a large part of the Bonnaroo lineup. Ludacris, Black Star, Mac Miller, Childish Gambino, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Das Racist and others are on the schedule.