NYS Music 20​17

Author: Chad Vergine

  • Aaron Lewis Says Staind May Never Tour Again

    Blabbermouth reports on a recent Aaron Lewis  interview by Chris Mathews from the South Carolina classic rock radio station 104.9 The Surf. In the interview, Lewis was asked if he’s ready to return to the road with his old band Staind, which last toured together in 2011, but seems content on where he is  in his solo country music career for the time being.

    Lewis was asked about the “touring machine” that is Staind: He replied:

    The touring machine, as you call it, of Staind will never be again. Not like that, no. Never. Never. I could never go back to playing six shows [a week] eight weeks in a row. I can’t do that. I have grown in my age and become very accustomed to playing Thursday, Friday and Saturday and being able to go home for a few days and unwind and try to kind of have a life aside from doing this. I worked really, really, really hard to get to this point where I can play three days a week and still do just fine.

    In another recent interview conducted by Planet Weekly, Lewis once again talked about the future of Staind. He stated:

    I definitely see it staying on hold for a while. I’ve got to stay focused on this [country career]. I’ve got to take this to where it needs to get to before I can start risking things with the good ole boy network reception and throwing in a handful of Staind shows in the summertime along with all of my country shows. But that’s down the road. I can’t even think about that right now.

    Without reading too much into this, Lewis recently reunited with his old bandmates at his Aaron Lewis and Friends charity benefit concert on Aug. 4, at the Pines Theater in Northhampton, MA. The band played an encore, three-song acoustic set, that included the songs “Outside,” “Something To Remind You,” and “It’s been A While.”

    Lewis released seven studio albums with Staind, and two solo efforts, The Road (2012), and Sinner (2016).

  • Jacoby Shaddix Undergoes Vocal Surgery

    Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix, once again had to go under the knife to fix his vocal cords, prompting the band to scrap the rest of its summer tour dates. No stranger to vocal cord surgery, Shaddix had a similar operation in 2012 to remove a nodule on his vocal cords which Shaddix stated in a past interview with Rolling Stone was like having a callus you would get on your hands, but on your vocal cords instead.

    Canceled dates due to the surgery include Aug. 11 at the Douglas County Fair in Roseburg, OR; Aug. 19, at Moonstock 2017 in Carterville, IL and Aug. 25 at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, AK. Fans who hold tickets for those events are instructed to contact their local ticketing company. Papa Roach hopes to return for their overseas run, and continue to tour in support of the band’s ninth studio album, Crooked Teeth, on Sept. 9, at The Circus, in Helsinki, Finland.

    Papa Roach posted the following statement on social media:

    It is with a heavy heart that we are forced to cancel our upcoming shows in the Oregon, Illinois and Alaska this month due to the need for Jacoby Shaddix to have immediate vocal cord surgery and rest.

    This week, Jacoby was advised by his doctors and vocal specialists to have surgery on his vocal cord and to give his vocal muscles enough time to heal before Papa Roach resumes their current touring schedule in September. Jacoby had a similar surgery about five years ago.

    Fortunately, the diagnosis was made early and full recovery should be soon. The vocal cords are a muscle and like any athlete, muscles can get injured in the course of their profession and we appreciate your understanding this diagnosis.

    We wish to thank all of our fans in advance for your prayers and good wishes. We know some of you had travel plans and we will return next year to perform for you.

    Please contact your local ticketing company for more information on the following shows.

    Thanks again,
    Jacoby, Tobin, Jerry, Tony, & Team Papa Roach

  • Clint Lowery Talks New Sevendust Album, Not Wanting to Record Full Length Albums

    Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery, who is currently on tour as second guitarist with Seether, recently sat down with Scott Bowling, from the website “Good Company.” In the interview, Lowery opens up about Sevendust’s plans to follow up their tenth studio album, Kill The Flaw and his lack of desire to make full length albums in today’s music industry. Lowery will also appear on Seether’s upcoming new music video.

    Bowling asked Lowery about performing as a singer with his side project Call Me No One, with Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose:

    It made me understand and respect what Lajon [Witherspoon] goes through or any other singer you know. When you have to cover an entire record, you know, how you make your voice not get redundant, how do you make it interesting, and not use the same melodies, it’s just different. I write for singers a lot, but singing them myself, and really developing myself as a singer, it was a learning experience man.

    When asked if he and Morgan toured the album:

    We did like a three week run with Nonpoint. That was humbling man. I’m not a huge live singer, I love going to the studio, and I can write melodies and all that stuff, but its a lot of pressure, and a certain confidence that singers have to have man, so I learned a lot about that too, and it made me understand and respect what Lajon does on that side, delivering these songs live.

    Lowery on if there is new Sevendust in the works:

    We’re gonna do another record in November man. We just started writing for it. It’s a different era, man. It’s, like, I’m touring with Seether, so there’s that; I’m really focused on that. But we’ve been demoing some stuff out, the same kind of creative team, and we’re gonna see what happens. We’re excited about it. We have a new label, Rise, and they’ve got some great bands, a great, creative team over there. So this will be our first real label that the band’s ever had.

    With the multiple ways music is released these days, Lowery was asked if he would consider releasing music through a streaming service like Spotify. He commented:

    I don’t wanna do full-length records anymore. I mean, I’m old school — I love vinyl and I love the whole presentation of a full record — but I do wanna be open to new ways to release music. I don’t feel like going in and taking a full year and this huge production and doing a full record. I mean, I believe in doing those, but I also believe that between these record cycles, just throw in a couple of sprinklings of new songs. I’m never gonna be one of those guys that will say, ‘Oh, don’t try it. Let’s just stick to the old thing until it’s completely ran into the ground.’ I’m open for new guys, a new energy and a new release strategies.

  • Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington Commits Suicide At 41

    Music fans have lost another amazing artist that helped reshape the rock genre since coming on the scene in 1996. The music world is in shock with the news of Linkin Park frontman, Chester Bennington, committing suicide by hanging at his private home in the Palos Verdes Estates in California. He was only 41 years old.

    chester benningtonBennington had struggled with drugs and alcohol for years and had stated at one time that he once considered suicide because of abuse that occurred when he was a child by an older male.

    Coincidentally, Linkin Park released their new music video “Talking To Myself,” around 9 a.m., just minutes after Bennington’s body was found according to TMZ. It is also reported that Bennington committed suicide on what would have been Chris Cornell‘s 53rd birthday. Bennington wrote an open letter to Cornell after his passing from suicide by hanging in May. In that letter, Bennington stated that he couldn’t imagine the world without Cornell in it.

    Blabbermouth has compiled early tweets by shocked artist and TV personalities, including bandmate Mike Shinoda.

    Mike Shinoda tweeted: “Shocked and heartbroken, but it’s true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.” 

    TV host Jimmy Kimmel tweeted: “Bennington was one of the kindest people he has ever had on his show.”

    Lacuna Coil frontwoman Christina Scabbia posted: “Lost for words. Why why why.”

    Skillet’s John Cooper posted: “Absolutely no words. Speechless and so sad. I am such a fan.”

    Slipknot/Stone Sour singer Corey Taylor stated: “Jesus no.”

    Also in the report, the article touched on some past interviews Bennington has had. Bennington stated to The Guardian in 2011 about the abuse he went through as a child:

    When I was young, getting beaten up and pretty much raped was no fun. No one wants that to happen to you and honestly, I don’t remember when it started. I remember that stuff happening to me at that stage and even thinking about it now makes me want to cry. My God, no wonder I became a drug addict. No wonder I just went completely insane for a little while.

    Then in an interview with Metal Hammer last year, Bennington talk about his substance abuse problems. He stated:

    I was on 11 hits of acid a day. I dropped so much acid I’m surprised I can still speak! I’d smoke a bunch of crack, do a bit of meth and just sit there and freak out. Then I’d smoke opium to come down. I weighed 110 pounds. My mom said I looked like I stepped out of Auschwitz. So I used pot to get off drugs. 

    In 2006… I did some counseling with the guys and they really opened up and told me how they felt. I had no idea that I had been such a nightmare. I knew that I had a drinking problem, a drug problem and that parts of my personal life were crazy but I didn’t realize how much that was affecting the people around me until I got a good dose of ‘Here’s-what-you’re-really-like.’ It was a shock. They said that I was two people — Chester and then that fucking guy. I didn’t want to be that guy.

    In an interview with The Pulse of Radio he said:

    I lived on alcohol. It was either beer, or Jack and Coke, or Jack Daniel’s in a pint glass with ice. And then it got to the point where my wife said to me about seven months after we got together, she goes, ‘I don’t think there’s been a day since I’ve known you that you haven’t drank.’ And I was like, ‘What are you talking about? That’s crazy’ — as I’m drinking a Jack and Coke. That was where my life went.

    Besides Linkin Park, Chester Bennington has also fronted the bands Dead By Sunrise and Stone Temple Pilots. He also appeared in a few motion pictures including Crank, Crank (High Voltage), Saw 3D, and Artifact. He and his bandmates in Linkin Park have released seven studio albums and won two Grammy Awards. They have sold over 70 million albums worldwide.

    Bennington leaves behind his wife, Talinda Bentley, and six children, three with Bentley and three from a previous marriage.

    Please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273- 8255 if you feel you need help and someone to talk to.

  • Erie Canal Bicentennial Inspires Statewide Music Celebration

    Upstate NY music lovers can catch a unique experience while celebrating a part of history. The Albany Symphony, along with the New York State Canal Corporation, will present Water Music New York, a celebration to commemorate the bicentennial year of the Erie Canal. Organizers of the week long event ask music lovers to “follow the barge.”

    Erie Canal BicentennialMusical history buffs across the state will have the chance to experience live music canalside at several different locations across the state, as the Albany Symphony‘s week long barge adventure on the Erie Canal will run from July 2-8, making stops in Albany, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Little Falls, Baldwinsville, Brockport, and Lockport. All shows are free.

    The celebration will kick off on July 2 at Jennings Landing in Albany, and also make stops on July 3 at the Mabee Farm in Schenectady, July 4 at the Riverlink Park in Amsterdam and July 5 at the Rotary Park in Little Falls.

    During the week-long Erie Canal Bicentennial journey, the Albany Symphony will collaborate with local art groups and debut seven world premieres by up and coming composers. The composers found their inspiration in the culture, history and stories of each canal community while composing their works of art that celebrate New York and the Erie Canal.

    Erie Canal BicentennialCommunities taking part in the event will present a full day of block parties and activities that are centered around the communities’ historic character and cultural highlights. Grammy award winning conductor, David Alan Miller, will head up the conducting duties during the week long event. Miller and the Symphony will also perform selections from Handel’s Water Music, and American favorites including the “Superman March,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Raiders Of The Lost Ark,” “March, and Hoedown from Rodeo. The events will also feature Daniel Schlosberg in his composition, “Work Song,” and collaborating artist such as the ESYO Youth Jazz Ensemble, and the Skidmore Storytellers Institute.

    More information on this historic tour can be found at the Albany Symphony Orchestra’s website.

  • Corey Taylor Responds to Chad Kroeger’s Comments

    You knew it wouldn’t be long before Stone Sour/Slipknot frontman, Corey Taylor, would enlighten everyone with his thoughts about Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger and his recent comments about him and Stone Sour. Kroeger’s comment about Taylor starting Stone Sour to get away from being under a mask is not accurate, as Taylor started Stone Sour just before getting involved with Slipknot.

    Blabbermouth reports that in a recent interview with Sweden’s Metal Covenant, Kroeger blasted Taylor when he asked the interviewer to name another band that’s as diverse as they are[Nickelback]. Kroeger stated before being cut off: “I can’t think of another band that’s as diverse as we are. I can’t. And I don’t think that’s me talking from pride or ego. I mean, you’re sitting across the table. You know what you’re talking about. Can you name me another band who can play.”

    After the interviewer cut off Kroeger, and spit out Stone Sour as his answer, Kroeger quickly responded: “Stone Sour? Yeah, ’cause they’re trying to be Nickelback. Corey Taylor has said some really nasty things about me before in the press. He talks about how easy it is to write a hit song. Well, show me. Show me. Write one. I have yet to hear one. They’re okay. But they’re not as good as Nickelback. They sound like ‘Nickelback Lite.’”

    Kroeger continued to bash Taylor while talking about Taylor’s other band Slipknot. He said: “They had to put on masks and jump around. How good can your music be if you’ve gotta beat each other up on stage, throw up in your own masks every night…? I mean, music shouldn’t come with a gimmick; music should just be music. None of my favorite music comes with a gimmick. And he got tired of sitting behind a mask — he wanted people to know what he looks like — so he started Stone Sour.”

    Arizona radio station KUPD, had the honor to be the first ones to ask Taylor about Kroeger’s recent comments. Taylor on saying it was easy to write a hit song: “You know what? I’ve never said it was easy to write a hit song, I don’t know what the hell planet he’s living on. Apparently it’s Planet Kroeger, and there must be good weed there, ’cause he’s an idiot.”

    Taylor was set to give a verbal onslaught when hearing the comments, but after seeing fans reactions, Taylor stated: “I don’t have to say a damn thing — he is not a liked person. That’s all we have to say about it.”

    Taylor’s response about Slipknot wearing masks, and jumping around: “You can run your mouth all you want. All I know is I’ve been voted ‘Sexiest Dude In Rock’ wearing a mask. You’ve been voted ‘Ugliest Dude In Rock’ twice without one. Stick that up your ass.”

    He added that it seems Kroeger is the only member of Nickelback that has the problem with him. “I love Mike [Kroeger, Nickelback bassist and Chad’s brother], I love… Everybody else in that band I’m very, very cool with; I’ve hung out with them. It’s just ‘Face Like A Foot’ who I can’t really hang out with. He’s got a face like a foot. Am I wrong? See, that’s the hard thing: I can’t even say anything about the band, Nickelback, because none of ’em have an issue with us. It’s him. So, dude, curl up in bed with your Hello Kitty pillow and shut up.”

    Taylor even brought up a past statement he from over 10 years ago about when both bands shared the same label: “Let’s just say Roadrunner took all the Slipknot money and gave it to Nickelback to sign them. That’s all I’m gonna say about it.”

    In that interview in 2002 with Rock Sound, Taylor suggested that Roadrunner put their promotional machine behind Nickelback instead of supporting Slipknot:

    I’m glad they could use our money to make fucking Nickelback happy. That’s a very, very bitter subject for me, and if I ever see any of those fuckers, it’s going to be brutal. I’m happy for them, but at the same [time], we went out and bust our asses to make what we did. If they’re still here in a couple years then, hey, good for them, but this band isn’t going anywhere, and when the record label basically fucks your loyalty in the ass, it’s really bitter — especially when we went out and fucking bled, sweat and earned every fucking album that we sold. MTV won’t fucking touch us, radio barely fucking touches us and here comes those fucking pretty boys… and the lead singer looks like Shaggy from ‘Scooby Doo’… and what the fuck am I supposed to do? Am I not supposed to feel bitter when I have broken bones and fucking torn corneas? It’s bullshit, and the record label just smiles at you and goes ‘Yeah, yeah whatever…’ It’s fucking not right, dude.

    It’s just the fact we could have used the help. We have fucking fought for everything we have fucking made, when is someone going to help us, and when is someone going to step up and fight for us? The record label doesn’t do that for us. It’ll go to bat for fucking Nickelback, but when it comes to us, it’s fucking shutdown. It’s, like, what the fuck? I’m fucking proud of what we’ve done, but goddamn it, when are we going to get given a hand? I’m so fucking tired of it.”

    During the interview with KUPD, the host joked that Stone Sour should open up for Nickelback during their Canadian tour, which made Stone Sour guitarist Josh Rand reply that they were actually asked a couple of months ago to open for them on that tour, but they of course declined Nickelback’s offer. With that being said, maybe hard feelings are starting to set in.

  • 2017 NBT Bank Summer Concert Series in Norwich Announced

    NBT Bank summer concert series in Norwich will see a diverse mix of genres during this years lineup, every Thursday night during the months of July and August. These free shows will see a mix of Grammy winners/nominees, and young up and coming artists.

    Hartford, CT area band, McLovins, will kick off the summer festivities in Norwich’s East Side Park on July 6, at 7pm with a block party. Rotary Club will be serving free hotdogs, while the Norwich Cheer Team, will be serving free ice cream by Gilligan’s, along with other treats.

    The 2017 lineup will also consist of Grammy nominated blues artist Kenny Neal. Neal was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album, for his 2016 release Bloodline. Grammy nominated guitarist, singer/songwriter Bill Kirchen. In 2002, Kirchen was inducted into the Washington D.C Area Music Association Hall of Fame along with Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters/Nirvana). Two time Grammy award winner Terrance Simien will close out the summer series on Aug.31. His band, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience Band have toured in more than 45 countries and performed over 7000 shows in their 30 plus year career.

    Rain will not stop performers from taking the stage, as Chenango County Council of the Arts Auditorium in Norwich will serve as the rain location if inclement weather happens.

    The event is brought to you by the Chenango Blues Association with support from corporate sponsor NBT Bank. Grants from the Greater Norwich Foundation and the R.C. Smith Foundation were also provided. The program is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Chenango County Council of the Arts, with support by Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the New York State Legislature.

    NBT Bank Summer Concert Series Lineup:

    July 6 – McLovins
    July 13 – John Brown’s Body
    July 20 – Kenny Neal
    July 27 – Dangermuffin
    Aug 3 – Bill Kirchen
    Aug 10 – Vanessa Collier Band
    Aug 17 – Honey Island Swamp Band
    Aug 24 – Billy Strings
    Aug 31 – Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience Band

  • Slipknot Documentary to Hit Theaters

    Maggots of the world get ready to see Slipknot in a different light. The bright lights to be exact. Well, sort of. Slipknot has announced that the band’s documentary, Day of the Gusano, will come to the big screen at the end of summer.

    slipknot documentaryThe documentary, produced by MusicScreen, and directed by Slipknot’s Shawn “Clown” Crahan, will hit over a thousand screens world-wide on a very limited ‘one night only’ showing on Sept. 6. Cities that will be lucky enough to hold screenings and ticket information will be announced sometime in July for the one day only event.

    Day Of The Gusano, features the band’s first ever visit to Mexico City in December 2015. The documentary consists of exclusive interviews with band members expressing how important Slipknots fan base is to them. The documentary also shares interactions with band members listening to stories from their fan base in Mexico City during the inaugural Knotfest.

    When talking about the upcoming documentary, Clown stated,”Slipknot still has dreams for itself. Finally playing Mexico was one of them. It’s been a surreal life of rock and roll for Slipknot and the fact that the dreams still go on for us is simply incredible. Thank you.”

    Guitarist Jim Root added,”We had such a great time at Knotfest Mexico… Not only with all the friends and bands that were there, but with the fans and the crowd we had to document it with. Now we get to share it with the world.”

    Slipknot has been nominated for several Grammy awards throughout its career, taking one home in 2006 for the song “Before I Forget.” Four of the band’s five studio albums, have reached platinum status by the RIAA, with the band’s debut album reaching two times platinum status. Slipknot has earned 13 platinum and 44 gold certifications from around the world with over 17 million unit sales.

    Slipknot is: Corey Taylor (vocals), Shawn”Clown” Crahan (custom percussion), Jim Root (guitar), Mick Thomson (guitar), Craig “133” Jones (samples, media, programming), Sid Wilson (turntables), Chris Fehn (custom percussion), Alessandro Venturella (bass), and Jay Weinberg (drums).

  • 71st Annual Tony Award Wrap-Up

    New York’s annual celebration of Broadway theater has once again come and gone. The 71st annual Tony Awards, hosted by Kevin Spacey, showcased the best Broadway has to offer in theater, awarding the past calendar year’s best productions and performers. Dear Evan Hansen (6), and Hello Dolly!(4), took home the most awards at the 71st ceremony.

    71st Tony Award winners and nominees:

    Best Musical:
    Winner: Dear Evan Hansen
    Come From Away
    Groundhog Day The Musical
    Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical:
    Winner: Bette Midler, Hello Dolly
    Christine Ebersole, War Paint
    Patti LuPone, War Paint
    Denee Benton, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
    Eva Noblezada, Miss Saigon

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical:
    Winner: Ben Platt, Dear Evan Hansen
    Josh Groban, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
    Andy Karl, Groundhog Day The Musical
    David Hyde Pierce, Hello, Dolly!
    Christian Borle, Falsettos

    Best Revival of a Musical:
    Winner: Hello Dolly!
    Falsettos
    Miss Saigon

    Best Play:
    Winner: Oslo
    Indecent
    A Doll’s House Part 2
    Sweat

    Best Revival of a Play:
    Winner: August Wilson’s Jitney
    John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation
    Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
    Present Laughter

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical:
    Winner: Rachael Bay Jones, Dear Evan Hansen
    Stephanie J. Block, Falsettos
    Jenn Colella, Come From Away
    Kate Baldwin, Hello Dolly!
    Mary Beth Pell, Anastasia

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play:
    Winner: Laurie Metcalf, A Doll’s House Part 2
    Jennifer Ehle, Oslo
    Sally Field, The Glass Menagerie
    Laura Linney, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
    Cate Blanchett, The Present

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play:
    Winner: Kevin Kline, Present Laughter
    Chris Cooper, A Doll’s House, Part 2
    Corey Hawkins, John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation
    Denis Arndt, Heisenberg
    Jefferson Mays, Oslo

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play:
    Winner: Cynthia Nixon, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
    Jayne Houdyshell, A Doll’s House, Part 2
    Johanna Day, Sweat
    Condola Rasha, A Doll’s House, Part 2
    Michelle Wilson, Sweat

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical:
    Winner: Gavin Creel, Hello, Dolly!
    Mike Faist, Dear Evan Hansen
    Andrew Rannells, Falsettos
    Lucas Steele, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
    Brandon Uranowitz, Falsettos

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play:
    Winner: Michael Aronov, Oslo
    Danny DeVito, Arthur Miller’s The Price
    Nathan Lane, The Front Page
    Richard Thomas, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
    John Douglas Thompson, August Wilson’s Jitney

    Best Book of a Musical:
    Winner: Dear Evan Hansen, Steven Levenson
    Come From Away, Irene Sankoff and David Hein
    Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Dave Malloy
    Groundhog Day The Musical, Danny Rubin

    Best Original Score:
    Winner: Dear Evan Hansen, Music & Lyrics: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
    Come From Away, Music & Lyrics: Irene Sankoff and David Hein
    Groundhog Day The Musical, Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin
    Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Music & Lyrics: Dave Malloy

    Best Direction of a Play:
    Winner: Rebecca Taichman Indecent
    Ruben Santiago-Hudson, August Wilson’s Jitney
    Bartlett Sher, Oslo
    Daniel Sullivan, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
    Sam Gold, A Doll’s House, Part 2

    Best Direction of a Musical
    Winner: Christopher Ashley, Come From Away
    Rachel Chavkin, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
    Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen
    Matthew Warchus, Groundhog Day The Musical
    Jerry Zaks, Hello, Dolly!

    Best Choreography:
    Winner: Andy Blankenbuehler, Bandstand
    Peter Darling & Ellen Kane, Groundhog Day The Musical
    Kelly Devine, Come From Away
    Denis Jones, Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical
    Sam Pinkleton, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

    Best Orchestrations:
    Winner: Alex Lacamoire, Dear Evan Hansen
    Larry Hochman, Hello, Dolly!
    Bill Elliott & Greg Anthony Rassen, Bandstand
    Dave Malloy, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

    Best Scenic Design of a Play:
    Winner: Nigel Hook, The Play That Goes Wrong
    David Gallo, August Wilson’s Jitney
    Douglas W. Schmidt, The Front Page
    Michael Yeargan, Oslo

    Best Scenic Design of a Musical:
    Winner: Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
    David Korins, War Paint
    Rob Howell, Groundhog Day The Musical
    Santo Loquasto, Hello, Dolly!

    Best Costume Design of a Play:
    Winner: Jane Greenwood, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
    Susan Hilferty, Present Laughter
    Toni-Leslie James, August Wilson’s Jitney
    David Zinn, A Doll’s House, Part 2

    Best Costume Design of a Musical:
    Winner: Santo Loquasto, Hello Dolly!
    Linda Cho, Anastacia
    Paloma Young, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
    Catherine Zuber, War Paint

    Best Lighting Design of a Play:
    Winner: Christopher Akerlind, Indecent
    Jane Cox, August Wilson’s Jitney
    Donald Holder,Oslo
    Jennifer Tipton, A Doll’s House, Part 2

    Best Lighting Design of a Musical:
    Winner: Bradley King, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
    Natasha Katz, Hello, Dolly!
    Howell Binkley, Come From Away
    Japhy Weideman, Dear Evan Hansen

  • Godsmack Frontman Backpedals On 20th Anniversay Plans

    In a recent interview with Nivens from Kansas City rock radio station 98.9 The Rock, Godsmack frontman, Sully Erna, talks about working on the band’s seventh studio album, when fans can expect to hear new music from the new album, and back pedals a bit on his past comments regarding Godsmack’s plans to celebrate band’s 20th anniversary in 2018.

    After asking Erna if his statement about working on a new album was legit, Nivens asked when fans can expect new music from the band. Erna replied: “I’ve been working on it all year. Everyone’s been writing. That’s our main focus again right now – getting a new record out. Definitely next year. We’re gonna try to time this so we can drop the single right at the beginning of the year, January, and maybe drop the record by first week in April at the latest.”

    Blabbermouth reports that in a recent interview with Wisconsin radio station 93X, Erna back tracked on previous comments about the bands plans to tour and perform the bands self titled 1998 debut album in it’s entirety to celebrate the bands 20th anniversary. Erna stated: “We don’t know that yet. That’s been circulating, ’cause I opened my mouth a little bit soon, but as we get deeper into writing this new record, that may change. So we’re not making any promises on that yet.”

    In March, Erna told Houston radio station 94.5 what Godsmacks original plans were. Erna stated: “We’re gonna do a massive production. We’re gonna kind of base it around the theme of the first record. We’re even talking about coming out and doing the first record front to back to open the show.”

    Erna added the reason why the band has held off writng the new album until recently. Erna commented: “We wanted to do something this year, but we were just, like, ‘You know, let’s just wait another second, because if we release this at the top of 2018, it will be our 20th-year anniversary of the first record, and we wanna do something special.”

    Erna then added: “I have to write a really great record for us, and that’s the tough part.”