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Michael Jackson - Remember His Music

Michael Jackson died yesterday at age 50, and the news left me strangely unmoved. No shock, or grief, just a nagging hum of nostalgia for the days when Jackson’s notoriety was primarily to do with his incredible music, rather than plastic surgery or out-of-court settlements. We must remember that Michael Jackson's name can be said in the same breath as Sinatra, Presley, and The Beatles. He's up there with the absolute cream of the crop of musical greats and I can only hope that decades from now people will remember his music, his dancing and his funk and not his drug abuse, deteriorating white face, or allegations of pedophilia.

Rest in peace, MJ.


Listen / Download:
Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough
Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Somthin'

Phillies / Boston Red Sox Tickets

Buy it now for $150/pair

Who needs tickets? I've got tickets! Phillies / Boston, Friday June 12. Great Seats! Buy it now for $150/pair - http://budurl.com/phillies

The Beatles Rock Band 09.09.09

The Best Rock Band Ever?

The Beatles: Rock Band was unveiled at Microsoft's E3 press conference in a world premiere attended by Sir Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison. According to the rockband.com website, "...every song in “The Beatles: Rock Band” comes directly from the Abbey Road master tapes.

Additionally, the website claims that the fifth Beatles can, "... follow The Beatles from their earliest days to their triumphant Ed Sullivan Show appearance and beyond. Join them in the studio at Abbey Road and experience dreamscapes that put you inside the psychedelic era." The game is going to be released on September 9, 2009(09.09.09) or, if you prefer, number nine, number nine, number nine. Too cool.

Check out the video trailer at http://budurl.com/fabfour

The Beatles Rock Band - Sitting in an English Garden

The Day The Circus of Heaven Came to Town

A splendid time was had by all

My family and I took in the circus today. Michael liked the doggies. Joey liked the elephants. Lisa liked the brothers in the hamster wheel and I thought the whole event was amazing, wonderful, and extraordinary beautiful.

Listen / Download: Yes - Circus of Heaven

Mikey Toothless

My son, Michael, lost his first tooth today. His three year old brother, Joey, punched him and out fell the loose tooth. I took Mike's picture and was immediately reminded of a Phish album cover.

Rock & Roll After School

Opening June 15 in Phoenixville, PA

Rock & Roll After School is Area’s Newest and Most Innovative Music School for Kids

State-of-the-art school will open on June 15 in Phoenixville
PHOENIXVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 14, 2009 – Rock & Roll After School, the innovative new music school where kids ages 8 to 18 can learn to play, perform and create their own music, will open on Monday, June 15 at 400 Franklin Avenue in Phoenixville, PA.

Unlike traditional music schools or lessons, Rock & Roll After School functions as combination music school and after-school community center - where kids interact as they explore their musical pursuits, and where they learn to write and play their own music.

In addition to instruction in guitar, bass, keyboards and drums by such accomplished and recognized musicians as Music Director/Instructor Michael O’Brien (Jealousy Curve), John Lilley (The Hooters) and John Faye (IKE, The Caulfields), Rock & Roll After School also features instruction in DJ techniques and voice. Students are taught music theory and musicianship, as well as songwriting and performance, and perform their original works alongside other selections during concerts held throughout the year. Master classes, workshops and special events are designed to enhance each student’s experience and musical endeavors, and to encompass all popular music genres.

Rock & Roll After School’s brand new, state-of-the art, 5,850-square foot facility features 8 private lesson rooms, a “quiet room” for homework study, a group “hangout room,” and a 4,000-square foot, 300-person capacity performance venue complete with professional staging, 24-channel sound board, and lighting. Expansive, colorful, custom wall murals highlight the school’s open and inviting spaces.

To provide the most professional instruments and equipment, Rock & Roll After School President Erin Riley has secured sponsorships from companies including Bugera amps, D'Addario strings, DW drums, Gallien-Krueger bass amps, Hercules, KORG, Rhythm Tech, Sabian cymbals, Seymour Duncan, Toca Percussion, Ultrasone headphones and Vater drumsticks.

Riley brings more than 30 years’ experience in radio, music and entertainment to Rock and Roll After School (www.rockandrollafterschool.com), which she was inspired to create following her teenage son’s positive experiences in learning piano and guitar. “I’ve seen how learning to play, perform and create music is so enormously empowering for kids,” said Riley, whose goal in establishing Rock & Roll After School is to pass on her love of music in a fun, safe environment that encourages the future rockers of America. “At Rock & Roll After School, they’re learning in a professional, stimulating setting, and are communicating with each other in person, not on the Internet,” she added.

Rock & Roll After School is located at 400 Franklin Avenue (in Franklin Commons), Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460 and is convenient to major routes including the PA Turnpike, I-76, and routes 422, 29, 202, 23 and 113, as well as SEPTA bus and R5 rail service. The hours are 3-8 pm Monday through Friday, and 11am-4pm Saturday. The phone number is 610.983.4650. Rock & Roll After School is not affiliated with any other music school. Complete registration information, photos and more can be found at www.rockandrollafterschool.com.

# # #

About Erin Riley, President, Rock & Roll After School:

Erin Riley began as a disc jockey at the legendary KROQ/Los Angeles before becoming music director for WMMR/Philadelphia, for which she was recognized with Gavin Report’s “Music Director of the Year” award three times, and Billboard’s “Music Director of the Year” award. As executive director of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS, the organization that produces the GRAMMY Awards), Riley increased membership by more than 300% and maintained a 98% annual retention rate, making it one of the most successful chapters in the GRAMMY family. Riley also produced and hosted Xtra Local on WXPN/ Philadelphia, showcasing independent music, and produced the station’s highly successful Singer-Songwriter Weekend music festivals on the Delaware River waterfront. She has also worked extensively in concert, theatre and special event production and marketing for commercial as well as non-profit concerns. More information about Erin can be found at http://erinriley.com.

Photos, media tours and interviews are available upon request. Please contact:

Elise Brown, Drummer PR
elise@drummerpr.com
215.990.6955 or 609.890.8487


Listen / Download:
AC/DC - Let There Be Rock

Wilco (The Album)

Wilco (The Band) is now streaming Wilco (The Album) due in stores June 30. Click http://tinyurl.com/wilco-album to hear the new album.

Not Your Typical Mother's Day Playlist

Happy Mother's Day

While visiting my mother yesterday she explained to my daughter that I don't like to color in the lines. In other words - I'm not conservative. I took that as a compliment. So, in honor of Mother's Day here is my playlist that isn't what you'd expect.

It's not my fault Mom if you don't like my choices. You made me this way. I love you and happy mother's day.

Listen / Download:

• Steve Martin - I'm So Mad At My Mother
  
• Carl Perkins - All Mama's Children
  
• The Band - Rag Mama Rag
  
• Count Basie - Mama Don't Want No Peas 'n' Rice 'n' Coconut Oil
  
• Elvis Presley - That's All Right
  
• Zappa - My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama
  
• James Brown - You've Got To Have A Mother For Me
  
• JJ Cale - Crazy Mama
  
• Savoy Brown - Tell Mama
  
• Beatles - Your Mother Should Know

The Boy and The Joe

The Joe: Daddy, I want to watch Transformers.

The Boy: No you don't Joey. Transformers stinks.

The Joe: It does not Michael. Daddy, I want to watch Transformers.

The Boy: No you don't Joey. You watch it too much. When you do something too much you won't like it anymore. That's what happened to me with grilled cheese sandwiches. I ate too many and now I don't like them anymore.

The Joe: Daddy, I want to watch Transformers.