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Blacksburg, VA - The Lantern in downtown Blacksburg is going mad in March--musically mad, that is.


Dedicated to delivering top touring musical entertainment to residents of the New River Valley and beyond, it is also offering a chance for local musicians to compete in a "Battle of the Burg".  The competition will take place on consecutive Monday nights beginning March 16th, with grand prizes ranging from studio time to coveted opening slots on national bills and the possibility of regular stage time at the Lantern, not to mention local bragging rights. The Lantern hopes to showcase similar sounds on each Monday's Battle Board, with the top two bands out of six moving on to a semi-final round of longer sets, with a finale in April to determine the best Blacksburg area band. Bands interested in entering the competition should contact Abby Schoenfeld at: aschoen@vt.edu. The deadline for entering the preliminary round of battle is Friday, March 6th.


Not limited to local acts, the Lantern brings into the area regional and nationally touring bands.  Promoting itself as a place "featuring an eclectic menu of music and munchies to satisfy body and soul," the Lantern makes good on its promise in March.  Beginning the month with Benyaro, a "soulful acoustic phenomenon" according to Roanoke Times music reviewer Amy Matzke, the schedule for the first four days includes a no-limit Texas Hold-Em Tournament, local DJ act Boogieburg and Holy Ghost Tent Revival-- a band from Greensboro playing a wild fusion of ragtime, bluegrass and big band.  Only a venue dedicated to the unexpected would offer a reggae-funk band--Roots of Creation--as the headliner for St. Patrick's Day, jam-trance sensation Perpetual Groove, New Jersey bluegrass band Railroad Earth and Greensboro, retro-funk outfit Hot Politics thrown in for good measure at the end of the month.

The Lantern does have a soft spot for a traditional breakfast of bacon and eggs, though. They are proud to introduce a weekend post-show event called "Breakfast Clubbin" with area DJ's spinning music on Friday and Saturday night while their kitchen provides standard breakfast fare as well as regular Lantern menu items. "It gives people a chance to stay a little longer and enjoy themselves, maybe meet the bands and have a bite to eat all at the same time," says Dan Chastain, one of the owners of the downtown Blacksburg nightspot. "One of the best things about seeing music live instead of just downloading it is getting to interact with the musicians." The "Breakfast Clubbin" menu will also offer vegetarian substitutes for meat.

"The beauty of this venue is it gives everyone a place to go in Blacksburg to see great live music from places like New York; Athens, Georgia; Miami--without traveling to D.C. or Greensboro to see them," adds co-owner Brian Turner. "We've actually had Basshound from Maryland, holding a monthly residency since mid-December and they've been killing it." With plans to offer more opportunities for local musicians and DJ s, the sounds coming up the stairs of the Lantern will always be different, and something worth hearing.

Tickets are currently available for the following events at the In-Ticketing links provided below. As with all In-Ticketing on-line ticket sales, a tree will be planted for every ticket sold.

Perpetual Groove :: Thunder Construction Tour 2009
Special Guest: DJ Rhabee
Weds. March 18, 2009 at 9PM
Tickets: $15
On sale now here: http://www.inticketing.com/evinfo.php?eventid=30688
Ages 18 and up welcome.
www.pgroove.com

 
An Evening with Railroad Earth
Special Guest: TBA
Fri. March 20th, 2009 at 9PM
Tickets: $17/$20
On sale now here: http://www.inticketing.com/evinfo.php?eventid=31228
Ages 18 and up welcome
www.railroadearth.com

 
Toubab Krewe
Special Guest: TBA
Weds. April 1st, 2009 at 9PM
Tickets: TBA
Ticket On Sale Date: Monday February, 16th, 2009 at Noon

 
Pnuma Trio
Special Guest: Damn Right!
Weds. April 8th, 2009 at 9PM
Tickets: $10
On sale now here: http://www.inticketing.com/evinfo.php?eventid=32194
Ages 18 and up welcome.
www.pnumatrio.com


World/Inferno Friendship Society
Featuring Brian V of the Dresden Dolls
Special Guest: TBA
Thurs. April 23rd, 2009 at 9PM
Tickets: $10
On sale now here: http://www.inticketing.com/evinfo.php?eventid=32193
Ages 18 and up welcome.
www.worldinferno.com
www.getplugged-in.com

www.thelanternblacksburg.com

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For press or other inquiries please contact: Brian Zickafoose promo@getplugged-in.com

Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain CD

Ray LaMontagne’s release, “Gossip in the Grain,” presents a finely crafted album of wistful ballads and emotive songs that draw from a rich legacy of styles and influences
Year two of the ground breaking festival happens 4th of July Weekend, 2009 at the Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan.
LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT AND TICKET ON-SALE INFORMATION COMING SOON

ROTHBURY, last year's break-out festival hit, returns to the Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan on July 2-3-4-5, 2009. Look for artist line-up announcement and ticket on-sale information coming soon.

Building on the outstanding success of its inaugural year, ROTHBURY once again harnesses the unique 21st century American festival spirit to create an event unlike any other. With music at its core, ROTHBURY continues its mission to create a state-of-the-art large scale sustainable event and to organize and nurture community involvement that makes a difference. ROTHBURY is a huge party with a purpose.

This announcement ends months of speculation as to whether or not this highly anticipated festival gem would resurface.   No two ROTHBURY festivals will be the same. 2009 attendees can look forward to even more over-the-top entertainment experiences and broadened VIP offerings unmatched by any other U.S. festival.

ROTHBURY's bold social and environmental mission continues to manifest in 2009, building on last year's topic of Climate Change and Clean Energy Solutions. Within the festival, look for expanded ROTHBURY Think Tank activities and even more cutting-edge festival implementation of ever-changing technologies in the quest for energy independence. Beyond the festival, via innovative community projects and local partnerships, ROTHBURY 09 offers increased involvement opportunities to make a positive impact locally, nationally, and globally.

As ROTHBURY Producer Jeremy Stein explains, "ROTHBURY is proud to host a community of conscious and involved fans who strive for a better future. We're also extremely grateful for the support of our local neighbors and the greater Michigan community.  Together - we're raising the bar."

Indeed, such unparalleled community support and involvement led to huge successes for ROTHBURY's 2008 philanthropic programs and on-site environmental festival initiatives.  Such initiatives included ROTHBURY's Music in Schools Program, ROTHBURY's Solar Schools Program, the ROTHBURY Food Drive and The Conscious Alliance Can Sculpture, and ROTHBURY's Greening and Sustainability Initiatives.  For details on these 2008 programs visit www.rothburyfestival.com

Stay tuned for 2009 ROTHBURY lineup announcement and ticket on-sale information, including ROTHBURY's Ticket Layaway Plan.

ROTHBURY is produced by Madison House Presents and AEG Live.

www.rothburyfestival.com
Ticketmaster bought secondary seller TicketsNow and now they scalp their own tickets and many don't think its fair.

PASCRELL SEEKS INVESTIGATION INTO TICKETMASTER BUSINESS PRACTICE

WASHINGTON-- U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) today requested that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)  and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division investigate Ticketmaster's relationship with its subsidiary company, TicketsNow, following the company's handling of ticket sales for the Bruce Springsteen tour that became available on Monday February 2.    

 

Dear Chairman Kovacic:

I am writing today to direct your attention to a potential conflict of interest regarding Ticketmaster and its affiliate company, TicketsNow.  This issue has been brought to my attention through constituent complaints and press reports regarding the online sale of Bruce Springsteen concerts tickets at the IZOD Center in New Jersey and other locations all across the country.

As you know, Ticketmaster is a large ticket sales and distribution company that often serves as a venue's sole ticketing agent.  A large percentage of their sales are made online through Ticketmaster.com.  In a recent effort expand its business Ticketmaster acquired TicketsNow, a website which specializes in the secondary, resale market for tickets.

When tickets for Bruce Springsteen's new tour went on sale exclusively through Ticketmaster at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2009, scores of fans in New Jersey were met with technical difficulty on Ticketmaster.com that impaired them from making a purchase.  Thousands of others who were fortunate enough to get beyond the technical problems were informed that the shows were sold out.  Conspicuously placed on the same screen that informed fans of ticket unavailability was an alternative purchasing option from TicketsNow.com.  It offered the same tickets at a value marked up hundreds of dollars beyond their original face value.

I am troubled by how quickly tickets priced exponentially higher became available on the secondary market to thousands of rejected fans, many who also endured unfortunate technical problems on Ticketmaster.com. 

I am concerned that the business affiliation between Ticketmaster and TicketsNow may represent a conflict of interest that is detrimental to the average fan.  There is a significant potential for abuse when one company is able to monopolize the primary market for a product and also directly manipulate, and profit from, the secondary market.  Additionally, the speed with which tickets were made available on Ticketmaster's official resale affiliate site raises questions about whether TicketsNow brokers were given preferential treatment instead of competing on a level playing field with average consumers to purchase the tickets.

With so many families struggling in this economy, I am outraged by how expensive tickets to ball games, concerts and other shows have become.  I understand the economic principles that have driven up the cost of entertainment, but will not tolerate unjust business practices that put regular Americans at a disadvantage.

I respectfully request that your office investigate the relationship between Ticketmaster and TicketsNow to ensure that the procedure for purchasing tickets remains fair to the average consumer.  If you require any additional information or have any questions, please contact Arthur Mandel on my staff at (202) 225-5751.  I look forward to the favor of your reply.

Sincerely,

 

Bill Pascrell, Jr.

Member of Congress


Editor's note:  Fans in our music scene have also been complaining about this for months while trying to get tickets for Phish and other high - demand artists. Today the Wall Street Journal also announced that Ticketmaster and LiveNation were discussing a merger of their ticketing divisions, effectively creating a monopoly of most of the large concert and sporting event ticket sales. Please write your local members of congress and let them know how you feel.

The 2009 Langerado Music Festival is cancelled due to sluggish ticket sales.
The 7th annual event was slated to happen March 6-8 at their new home in downtown Miami's Bicentennial Park.

Langerado's independent local promoters, faced with a very tough decision in a dismal economy, cancelled the 2009 event only after every possible option was exhausted.

As Langerado Co-Promoter Ethan Schwartz explains, "Langerado has always put the fan experience first.  Unfortunately, during these difficult economic times, and facing a first year in a new venue, it's become apparent that we cannot execute a production that lives up to the high standards of our past events. Putting Langerado on hold was the toughest decision we have ever had to make.  We are very grateful for the support of the greater-Miami community and the music community during this difficult time."

All tickets purchased will be refunded.  Please look for ticket refunds to be processed in the next 5-7 business days.   Each order will be refunded to the credit card in full, minus the included order processing fees.  Shipping fees will also be credited for those orders that did not select the free shipping promotion.  
Visit www.musictoday.com for more information.
http://www.langerado.com
Event is scheduled for June 11-14, 2009 in Manchester, Tennessee.

    * Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band    * Phish (2 shows)    * Beastie Boys    * Nine Inch Nails    * David Byrne    * Wilco    * Al Green    * Snoop Dogg    * Elvis Costello Solo    * Erykah Badu    * Paul Oakenfold    * Ben Harper and Relentless7    * The Mars Volta    * TV on the Radio    * Yeah Yeah Yeahs    * Gov't Mule    * Andrew Bird    * Band of Horses    * Merle Haggard    * MGMT    * moe.    * The Decemberists    * Girl Talk    * Bon Iver    * Béla Fleck & Toumani Diabate    * Rodrigo y Gabriela    * Galactic    * The Del McCoury band    * of Montreal    * Allen Toussaint    * Coheed & Cambria    * Booker T & the DBTs    * David Grisman Quintet    * Lucinda Williams    * Animal Collective    * Gomez    * Neko Case    * Down    * Jenny Lewis    * Santogold    * Robert Earl Keen    * Citizen Cope    * Femi Kuti and the Positive Force    * The Ting Tings    * Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3    * Grace Potter and the Nocturnals    * Kaki King    * Grizzly Bear    * King Sunny Adé    * Okkervil River    * St. Vincent    * Zac Brown Band    * Raphael Saadiq    * Ted Leo and the Pharmacists    * Crystal Castles    * Tift Merritt    * Brett Dennen    * Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue    * Toubab Krewe    * People Under The Stairs    * Alejandro Escovedo    * Vieux Farka Touré    * Elvis Perkins in Dearland    * Cherryholmes    * Yeasayer    * Todd Snider    * Chairlift    * Portugal. The Man.    * The SteelDrivers    * Midnite    * The Knux    * The Low Anthem    * Delta Spirit    * A.A. Bondy    * The Lovell Sisters    * Alberta Cross
    * More Artists to Be Announced!
More details at http://www.bonnaroo.com

Kick off your festival season with Jibberjazz Productions.
jibberSome Kind Of Jam 4, April 24-26, Kempton, Pa, will be a full-weekend music & camping festival featuring 25 bands, 2 stages, late-night music, light shows, kids activities, food & craft vendors, fire performances, and a sprawling 60-acre campground. Presale tickets are $40.
 
The 2009 SKOJ 4 line-up is the most diverse assortment of bands in the history of Jibberjazz and includes: The Breakfast, Chicago Afrobeat Project, Splintered Sunlight, Jazzam, Post Junction, Cabinet, Codename, The Big Dirty, Jimkata, The Hustle, Free Grass Union, Dakini, MJ Project, Mason Porter, Dr. Ketchup, Beaucoup Blue, The Hoppin' John Orchestra, Wandering Root, The Pluckin' Grassholes, The Lumber Truck, Pa McClenny's Downtown Washtub Losers, The Lawn Boys, Anthony Fiumano and the Medicine Chest, Mystery Fyre, The Backroad, Tomm Dunn, Kelly Carvin, Kyle Morgan, Mike Narvaez, Erik from Baltimore, and Will Bowers.
 
Join us for a weekend of camping and music in a hassle-free, BYOB environment. Both stages are fully protected from the elements of weather. The outdoor stage rests beneath a huge pavilion which extends over the audience, while the indoor stage is inside a spacious banquet hall for a more intimate experience. Patrons may camp with their vehicles and each stage is in close proximity to the camping area.
www.jibberjazz.com
HGMN's founder reminisces about some unforgettable days in DC with the Obamas, Jack Johnson, The Dead and a million or more positive people.

My wife & I departed NC on Saturday after dropping off our toddler with my sister. The local news channels had reported the prior evening that the DOT was projecting traffic delays "up to 75 miles" approaching DC.  Luckily that was not the case and we cruised into Alexandria with no problems. Some good friends we hadn't seen in a few years graciously hosted us for the next few days. Our hostess proved to be an excellent cook and our host worked at Shenandoah Brewing. He and some pals presided over one of the best impromptu beer tastings I've ever enjoyed.

 

bethechangeThe next morning it was off to work. We had been hired to do official merchandise sales for the Presidential Inauguration Committee. There was a wide variety of items offered featuring the inaugural seal, Obama or Biden or all of the above. Some of the offerings included T shirts, coffee mugs, stickers, paperweights, hats, rock glasses, Champagne glasses, plates, coins, buttons, blankets, posters, coloring books, designer totes, lapel pins and much more.  Check out the full selection here.

Our booth was set up in the swank Omni Shoreham Hotel in downtown DC. There were portraits of the many dignitaries and celebrities that had visited the hotel in the past, including many presidents, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and omni1Julia Roberts (portions of the Pelican Brief were filmed there.) There we met great folks of all ages and races from all over the world. Everybody was excited to be in DC for history in the making. It was pleasantly surprising that many foreigners also made the trip, excited at the possibilities of an Obama administration creating positive change for the USA and the world at large. We also received first hand reports of that day's big concert at the Lincoln Memorial and everyone said it was a great time despite the extremely cold temperatures. Our hosts had recorded it so we also got to enjoy the concert when we got in from work, but in a warm cozy environment. We returned to the Omni on Monday for more merchandising and met many more great folks, including hundreds from Indiana who were attending a ball in the ballroom that evening.

jackj2Tuesday was the big day! We were scheduled to be at the Convention Center from 2pm to 2am so we opted to skip the super-crowed main event that required one to arrive hours ahead of the 11:30am start time. We arrived at the convention center about 12:30 and had a great hot lunch at the Euromarket cafe with about a dozen members of the Secret Service - who were also happy to be in out of the cold.  Earlier that morning they had helped with security for the main event and would also help secure the Inaugural Balls happening later. We all watched the remainder of the Inaugural proceedings on the cafe's big screen HDTV.

zachgill3At 2pm we met up with our team and headed into the Convention Center. Security was tight (much like airports), but getting through was quick and easy. We found our hall which would later host the Obama Home States Ball. This ball hosted invited guests from Illinois & Hawaii. Over the next couple of hours we got our area setup and solved all the minor issues that arose. During our setup we were treated to a soundcheck from Jack Johnson and our buddy Zach Gill (of ALO). Gill has been Jack's right hand man for several years providing piano, accordion and harmony vocals. Later that evening they would perform to a packed house.

lee-hill

 

During our setup we paused for this photo opportunity:

 

 

 

 

 

After our setup was done I took advantage of my bit of free time and the fact that I had a pass for "ALL BALLS". I checked out the rest of the balls being hosted in the Convention Center (six total). Here's a picture of one:

neighborhood

The Neighborhood Ball - some of you may have caught footage from this one on MTV or BET. Performers included Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira and Stevie Wonder.

After scoping out the rest of the Convention Center and figuring out the most direct route from our ball to the Mid-Atlantic Ball (where the Dead would play later), I headed back to my post.  On the way I snapped this shot of folks waiting to enter their ball.

waitingline

Back at the Obama Home States Ball things were in full swing with great dance music provided by the Don Cagen Orchestra.

doncagen

wyclef

I had gotten a tip from a co-worker that The Dead was to start at 8:30pm.  At that time I headed back to Hall A.  When I arrived Wyclef Jean and his group were performing. I checked in with my co-workers in that hall and they agreed to call me when the Dead took the stage.

 

 

I headed back to the Home States Ball and soon after the Honor Guard appeared on stage signaling that something important was about to happen.

 

 

readyforpres

Moments later....  The President of the United States of America!

barack

The President speaks (click for video)

obamas

The President with wife and First Lady Michelle Obama.

At around 10:30 I got the call that the Dead were on stage. 

dead1

When I arrived they were playing Sugar Magnolia. 

First set:

Dancin' In The Streets>
Uncle John's Band>
Sugar Magnolia
Eyes of the World

Second set:

The Wheel>
Touch of Grey
Box of Rain

Between sets Vice President Joe Biden gave a quick speech

bidens2

and danced with his wife

bidens1

After a long pause

More The Dead!

dead2

This was definitely the most unusual Dead show I've ever attended. You couldn't buy tickets to this one. There were no tie dyes, no clouds of pot smoke, no dancers spinning out of control. Only people dressed to the hilt in tuxedos, suits and ballgowns.

deadcrowd

Still, there were hundreds in the crowd singing along! And I even met a taper (TBone). As you can see from the photo above we were all packed in tight which kept any boogieing to a minimum. Shots of Bob Weir and Phil Lesh below. By this point they had shed their jackets but were still looking more dressed up than usual.

weir

phil_0

After the second set was done I had to rush back upstairs to check on my crew and get back to work.  Chicago's own Common was on stage laying down the rhymes for the audience.

common

After the ball concluded and we had completed our break-down and finished up with all the details - it was time for more photo opps.  The picture below is our crew on the very stage the Obamas were on earlier.

group3

It was time to say our farewells, job well done and boy was that lots of fun! We headed out for our last chance to catch the Metro home. Hoping that we'll get to do it again in 2013!

- by Lee Crumpton

- photos & video by Lee Crumpton, except crew and Common photo Heidi Franz, photo of Lee by Hill Goodwin, photo of Lee & Hill by Colleen Mulcrone

- special thanks to Marcie Vogel Frahm

Denver non-profit, Rock the Earth, has announced that they have selected music industry veteran Shawn Kilmurray to serve as its new Executive Director.

RtE-screen-logoTogether with the support of Rock the Earth's Board of Directors, he will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the organization as well as raising brand profile, diversifying sources of funding and developing strategic alliances.

Mr. Kilmurray joins Rock the Earth after nearly two-decades in the recording industry. He has held senior Marketing, Production and Operations roles at Sony BMG, Universal and Warner Music, and is a voting member of numerous industry professional organizations. Active in the music community, Mr. Kilmurray will seek to expand RtE partnerships with artists and other music-related entities. Kilmurray shared "While the record business is currently undergoing tremendous change, a new day has dawned in this country and people recognize what can be accomplished when we work together. My challenge is to create synergistic opportunities to involve artists and the music industry at-large to increase environmental awareness that educates and inspires fans and artists alike to take action and produce quantifiable results on important values-driven environmental issues that directly impact our lives, our children's lives and their children's lives."

 

On the selection of Mr. Kilmurray as Executive Director, John Fleckenstein, Senior Vice President at BMG Label Group notes, "I've had the pleasure of working with Shawn frequently over the years; he's a passionate music guy with deep contacts in the industry. I cannot think of a better fit for Rock the Earth. I have no doubt he'll prove to be a tremendous asset to them."

 

Having crossed paths with each other last summer while actively involved with the Obama campaign, founder Marc Ross looks forward to the future of the organization with Kilmurray as Executive Director. "All of us in Rock the Earth are very excited about the addition of Shawn Kilmurray as our new Executive Director. It is our belief that given his passion for the environment as well as his management experience and deep connections within the music industry, Shawn will be able to elevate Rock the Earth to the next level in our goal to become the pre-eminent environmental advocacy organization working with the music community."

 

Enthusiastic about the opportunity, Kilmurray explains, "I am delighted to be asked to lead the organization at what is a critical time for the global environment. Whether it's climate change, chemicals in our food, water issues, deforestation, air pollution, extinction of species or the lack of government action, few of us truly take ownership and act on these issues, foolishly believing others will do it for us. Music has the power to open the heart and touch the soul. Artists have always been at the forefront of social change so they understand the importance of taking action. My objective is to develop collaborative alliances with those members of the music community dedicated to the pursuit of environmental solutions. "

 

Supporting renewable energy, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, sustainability, widespread recycling and increased responsiveness, Shawn Kilmurray and Rock the Earth will continue to promote activism that produces clear-cut results. Bill Sondheim, President of Entertainment and Worldwide Distribution at Gaiam, Inc. reflects on his professional relationship with Kilmurray, "I have known Shawn in various music positions over the last fifteen years. During that time he has consistently demonstrated an ability to balance creative integrity with strong fiscal results. At this critical time when our planet is in peril, I rest easier knowing that he will bring that same passion and intelligence to this worthy cause."

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