THE BEATLES From Beefy’s Point of View I’m kind of avoiding Beatles 50th anniversary hoopla. Big-name commemorative concerts starring multi-genre artists who were born a generation or three later, or even those featuring Beatles contemporaries, I don’t really need to see, so I’ll probably pass on Sunday’s Grammy celebration on CBS. I didn’t watch the CNN special or any of the Letterman tributes. There’s a Beatles fan fest here in New... 

THE 2014 NAMM SHOW AT ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER – JAN. 23-26 Global Gathering for the Music Products Industry NAMM SHOW MEDIA PREVIEW DAY – JAN. 22 A Preview of the Newest & Most Innovative Musical Products DRUM WORKSHOP CAPO Reverse Engineering Rock-n-Roll The Dube SELA SELA SELA SEABOARD SEABOARD Pioneer DJ Pioneer DJ MARTIN GUITAR MARTIN GUITAR KALA KALA KALA IRIG Blue Board IRIG Blue Board IRIG Blue Board IK Multimedia IK Multimedia HOHNER... 

Yale Russian Chorus – credit Andrei Bekrenev YALE RUSSIAN CHORUS 60 Years of Vocal Tradition Let others talk about Lorde, Miley Cyrus’ latest video and the new Beyonce promotion, er, album. Me? I’m still basking in the glow of seeing a bunch of 70-something American men singing Tsarist and Red Army songs along with Russian liturgical and folk music fare at Yale a few weeks ago. Okay, so they weren’t all in their 70s. But it was in fact... 

M Review Playlist No31  Read More →

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Live Music Theater on Television Okay, so I let the first NBC showing of The Sound of Music with Carrie Underwood go. I figured, she’s a good singer, she’ll be good, not great. She’s pretty much just a ratings draw, anyway. Then after reading some of the reviews and seeing how well it did—and that they were going to show it again—I decided to DVR it, which, really, is what I should have done in the first place, when it... 

ENTER TO WIN! Win your own MICROPHONE X and a pair of pro headphones by entering this giveaway at our web site: www.aphex.com/mmicx  Read More →

ENTER THE XL + GUITAR MOVES PLAY LIKE A PRO SWEEPSTAKES XL and Guitar Moves are giving you a chance to win a prize worthy of a pro: • A Gretsch™ White Falcon® guitar autographed by the Guitar Moves artist of your choice • 5 years of strings from XL • A Planet Waves™ accessories pack • A trip to NYC for a tour of the D’Addario factory GO TO DADDARIO.COM/PLAYLIKEAPRO BY 12.20.13 TO ENTER. #PLAYLIKEAPRO Watch Guitar Moves at noisy.com/guitarmoves  Read More →

SKB PRO Series Electric Guitar Case The 1SKB-66PRO Rectangular Electric Guitar Case accommodates Stratocaster and Telecaster shaped guitars.  This PRO Series case is vacuum formed of durable lightweight ABS plastic with molded in stacking ribs for added strength and durability and include SKB’s patented fiberglass reinforced TSA locking trigger latches with a comfortable rubber over-molded cushion grip handle. The interior features a rigid EPS,... 

New ZOOM Cases Protect your ZOOM H6 and H6B recorder with a SKB 3i-0907-4-H6 or the 3i-1209-4-H6B case.  These iSeries Injection Molded cases are molded of ultra-high-strength polypropylene copolymer resin, and are water and dustproof with a patented “trigger release” latch system. The 3i-0907-4-H6 interior features custom cut pockets for the H6 Recorder, XYH-6 X/Y capsule, MSH-6 MS Capsule and an accessory pocket.  The 3i-1209-4-H5B case... 

M Music & Musicians Magazine Americana Portraits Sessions 2013 Nashville, Tennessee The Americana Music Association’s annual Festival was held in Nashville in September 2013 and for the third year our own Jeff Fasano was on hand to capture these vivid portraits showcasing a diverse array of artists. #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width:... 

BOB DYLAN The Lip-Synching Interactive Video True, video killed the radio star—but then it killed MTV, too. Yet music video lives bigtime on the Internet, and especially in the press releases I get daily from publicists wanting my time. Now I loved music videos at the beginning, but not much longer. I was one of the first music video critics, at Danny Fields’ Rock Video magazine in the early 1980s, and reviewed them elsewhere; indeed, I got fired... 

LOU REED On His Way Somewhere Else I got there a couple minutes after 1 P.M. (Nov. 14) so if anything was said I didn’t hear it, but nothing was supposed to be said, according to the posting on Lou Reed’s Facebook page two days earlier: “New York: Lou Reed at Lincoln Center: A gathering open to the public—no speeches. no live performances, just Lou’s voice, guitar music & songs—playing the recordings selected by his family... 

RONNIE WOOD & MICK TAYLOR Playing Jimmy Reed Tunes One particularly music-knowledgeable witness of last week’s Ronnie Wood/Mick Taylor shows at the Cutting Room, which focused entirely on the music of the great Chicago bluesman Jimmy Reed and also featured Al Kooper on Hammond and Bad Company’s Simon Kirke on drums, was none other than the great Troy Sharmel. That’s right, guitarist/pianist Troy Sharmel of the legendary Dr. Bop & the... 

ALAN JACKSON Among Country Greats I generally make it a point not to read other reviewers if I’m writing about a show, so as not to be influenced. Maybe I’ll skim it to see if they got a song title that I missed, but that’s about it. But I did go to The New York Times’ review of Alan Jackson last week at Carnegie Hall when I saw it pop up on Twitter, mainly because I didn’t see anyone I knew there, not from the Times or anywhere, which... 

Newport Folk Presents WAY OVER YONDER Celebrated Music Festival Headed West To LA’s Iconic Santa Monica Pier on October 5-6, 2013  Featuring Performances by Newport Folk Alumni Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, Neko Case, Brett Dennen, First Aid Kit, Shovels & Rope, Justin Townes Earle, Calexico and more America’s legendary Newport Folk Festival®, which was named “Music Festival of the Year” at the 24th Annual Pollstar Awards, brought... 

Blue Microphones Nessie, USB mic for fearless recording      Read More →

LA Jazz Festival Jazz Themes From Hollywood West Coast Jazz At The Movies A Four Day Jazz Festival! October 24-27 Los Angeles Airport Marriott Individual tickets available for all concerts, films and panels range from $10-$50. The Platinum VIP registration fee is $450 or $425 for Jazz Institute members. The VIP registration also includes reserved priority seating which is assigned in the order received. For tickets (562) 200-5477 For full details... 

Machine by Electrio OFFICIAL VIDEO   For your viewing pleasure. The first video from Electrio. Go to itunes to get the debut release “The Cut” featuring the singles “Machine” and “Bells”. Available now on Darc Records. Electrio is the brainchild of drummer/beat-makers, Bryan “Brain” Mantia (Primus/Tom Waits/Bill Frizell, BT), Scott Donnell (Deep Audio) and singer/composer/PT wizard, Melissa Reese. The Electronica... 

NEW VIDEO BY SARA HICKMAN Check out singer-songwriter Sara Hickman’s new video “Selfish Freak”—released exclusively by M Music & Musicians—from her latest album Shine. Sara Hickman : Selfish Freak from Kirtland Records on Vimeo.  Read More →

THE SUBURBS Fans Crowd-Funding Through Kickstarter Seems lately like every other day brings a new Kickstarter campaign to my Inbox, and while I’m all in favor of keeping my favorite artists going in this era of declining CD sales and record labels and opportunities to produce a professional music product and get it out there, I had to shake my head at the news that even Spike Lee is looking for a $1.25 million Kickstarter handout for his next film. And... 

CBGB MOVIE TRAILER Plenty of great music  The trailer for the upcoming CBGB movie has just gone up and not surprisingly, people who were there are already complaining. Roger Friedman’s Showbiz411.com entertainment news site reports that “everyone who ever went there is ducking and hiding,” notably including Linda Ramone, widow of Johnny Ramone. She doesn’t like the casting for Johnny (he’s played by Puerto Rican actor Julian Acosta, who... 

FIGAT7TH DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL WRAPS FIRST ANNUAL SUMMER FETE WITH SOUL, JAZZ AND HIP HOP FEATURING JOSÉ JAMES & CAROLYN MALACHI Friday, August 2, 2013, Los Angeles — Hundreds of enthusiastic music lovers flocked to FIGat7th in downtown Los Angeles, California, to experience the closing night of the final free summer concert of the inaugural FIGat7th Downtown Festival.  “For us music is freedom,” declared Grammy nominated songstress,... 

THE 2013 SESAC SONGWRITERS BOOTCAMP JULY 26 @ LA’s SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER Grammy Award-Winning Songwriter/Producer Rico Love as Featured Speaker SESAC, the nation’s most progressive performing rights organization, will present the 6th Annual Songwriters Bootcamp on July 26, 2013 at LA’s Skirball Cultural Center.  The event will feature a variety of sessions and panels covering all aspects of the music and entertainment industry... 

HMMA: Final Days for Success Summit – July 28  Read More →

  This Friday the headliners include AKRON/FAMILY, PEAKING LIGHTS, along with an extremely rare Los Angeles appearance and performance by Lonnie Holley.  Holley has been making music for some 30 years.  “He sings with an intense, emotional voice and unleashes lyrics without consistent meter or rhyme over gossamer keyboard lines that hang in the ether. His music is a blues nebula, splotched with riffy word jazz that shares in some... 

Rachel Yamagata at The Troubadour June 25 2013  Read More →

Dan Wilson with the Lester Sill Workshop Class of 2012 ASCAP Foundation Lester Sill Songwriters Workshop Now Accepting Submissions The 2013 ASCAP Foundation Lester Sill Songwriters Workshop is now accepting submissions. Geared toward advanced songwriters, the Workshop is designed to enrich participants’ knowledge of the industry, help them establish contacts and confidence and expand their collaborative partnerships. The Workshop will take place... 

On one day a year, NAMM opens its doors to all musicians and pro-light, sound and staging professionals from Music City and beyond. Meet the artists and engineers designing the equipment of the future, network with other musicians and attend workshops designed to further careers in music or a passion for music making. At NAMM’s Music Industry Day on July 13: Demo the latest products and technology Tune in to live music Attend musician’s... 

Songwriter Doug Strahm says “‘Leaving It Behind’ is a song for our U.S. Servicemen: for everyone who has sacrificed … everyone.” After over 11,000 views on YouTube, people have responded by saying “Wait for the ending of this powerful music video about a US serviceman who is deployed and missing the one he loves who is back home.” Strahm’s song is from his new album Everything Has Changed recorded at Sweetwater Studios in Fort Wayne,... 

INSIDE COLLINGS GUITARS |  VIDEO FEATURE   Selecting the perfect spruce top is one of the most important steps in crafting a great guitar, as it can have tremendous impact on the tone of the instrument.  Master luthier and wood expert Bruce VanWart discusses spruce varieties used at Collings Guitars as well as the importance of proper cutting, selection, and individual hand-voicing.    Read More →

The M.I.C Event – June 12, at The Conga Room at LA Live The M.I.C presented by The Senate Music Group Candice Pillay Born in South Africa, Candice is a South African Pop and R&B singer, songwriter, and model that is based in Los Angeles, California. After leaving South Africa at the age of 17, Candice was discovered by Quincy Jones at a choir competition due to her 5 octave voice. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Candice has worked with the... 

ASCAP Katie Cole Jon Lind Steve Lilywhite Jenni Alpert Judy Collins Zuri Star Jon Lind, Gretchen Peters, Randy Goodrum Gretchen Peters Randy Goodrum Judy Collins    Read More →

ASCAP Expo Day 3 The Chambers Group’s Chris Chambers, ASCAP’s Nicole George-Middleton, Sweeny, Johnson & Scares, LLP’s Matthew J. Middleton, Esq. and ICM Partners’ Robert Gibbs ASCAP’s Nicole George-Middleton moderates the panel Building Your Team for Success, with The Chambers Group’s Chris Chambers, ICM Partners’ Robert Gibbs and Sweeny, Johnson & Scares, LLP’s Matthew J. Middleton, Esq. EXPO attendees cheer during the Interactive... 

ASCAP Expo Day 2 PHOTO CREDITS, PICTURE GROUP SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste and PRS for Music CEO Robert Ashcroft during their panel Think Local, Act Global: PROs and Digital Rights Licensing ASCAP’s Andrew Sparkler moderates the panel Laying Down the Law: A Legal Q&A for Music Creators with Ken Abdo, Esq.; Steve Butler, Esq.; and Zeina Grenier, Esq. SACEM’s Cecile Rap Veber, ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento, SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste, PRS for Music... 

ASCAP Expo Day 1 ASCAP’s Brendan Okrent, Katy Perry, ASCAP’s Loretta Munoz and Sue Drew Judy Collins, John Lind, Gretchen Peters and Randy Goodrum perform at the “I Create Music” Center Stage Judy Collins, John Lind, Gretchen Peters and Randy Goodrum perform at the “I Create Music” Center Stage Performers at the “I Create Music” Center Stage Gretchen Peters, John Lind, Judy Collins and Randy Goodrum Stargate’s Tor Hermansen... 

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BMI’s “Powered By” Campaign Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), a global music rights organization, announced various new technical upgrades and highlighted its new corporate positioning campaign at a “Powered By” focused press briefing at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin. The briefing featured not only BMI executives, but also top-earning BMI Live singer/songwriter Granger Smith, who has benefited directly from the... 

PAUL REED SMITH GUITARS @ NAMM 2013  Read More →

Guitartown/Conqueroo In Conjunction w/M Music and Musicians and AllMusic Present Block Party Kickoff 2013 11am – 9pm, Wednesday, March 13 at The Dogwood/Molotov, 715 W 6th St./ 719 W. 6th St. Austin, TX 78701 OUTSIDE STAGE DOGWOOD: 11am TBA 12pm SHURMAN 1pm JAMES MCMURTRY 2pm HOWLIN’ BROTHERS 3pm MIKE SCOTT & STEVE WICKHAM of THE WATERBOYS 4pm AMERICAN AQUARIUM 5pm TBA 6pm CHUCK MEAD & THE GRASSY KNOLL BOYS 6:55pm BILLY JOE SHAVER 8:00pm... 

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