NYS Music 202​1

Category: News

  • Central Park Mega Concert to feature Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson and Bruce Springsteen

    Update – 7:57pm, August 21, 2021 – Rolling Stone Magazine reports the ‘We Love NYC’ mega concert has been canceled due to inclement weather.

    https://twitter.com/RollingStone/status/1429230126890373122?s=19

    The Central Park mega concert announced on last month, in celebration of New York reopening and pulling back COVID-19 restrictions, now has a lineup. Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson and Bruce Springsteen will headline the concert. The show is tentatively set for August 21, 2021 on the Great Lawn. 

    Central Park mega concert
    Photo by Rafael Puerto of the Great Lawn at Central Park.

    Mayor Bill de Blasio is planning this mega concert that will host multiple acts. Clive Davis has been chosen by the mayor to pull this mega concert together. Davis is a well known 89-year-old producer and music-industry eminence. Davis has quite a career that has spanned over five-decades. He has worked with big names like Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston. He has hosted the Grammy Gala annually since 1976.

    It’s going to be one of the greatest Central Park concerts in history. This is something you do not want to miss. This is something for the ages.

    Mayor Bill de Blasio

    The New York Times had said Davis “is aiming for eight ‘iconic’ stars to perform a three-hour show for 60,000 attendees and a worldwide television audience.” Some details on the event have been released though including it taking place at the Great Lawn, Live Nation will be involved with the production, and the majority of tickets will be free, although there will be some V.I.P. seating. 70% of all tickets will go to those who have received their COVID-19 vaccination.

    The Great Lawn at Central Park has hosted lots of famous concerts in it’s time. Some of the big names include Carole King who serenaded 70,000 people there in 1973. Elton John played back in 1980 and the following year Simon & Garfunkel reunited for an estimated 400,000 people. Diana Ross performed in 1983, Luciano Pavarotti in 1993 and the Dave Matthews Band in 2003.

    The show is supposed to feel like a homecoming to New York City after the pandemic that has been gripping the world for the last year and a half. In an interview, Mayor Bill de Blasio said that, “This concert is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s going to be an amazing lineup. The whole week is going to be like nothing you’ve ever seen before in New York City.”

    https://youtu.be/mefvCRU22oY

    The concept for the Central Park mega concert came to fruition recently. Davis said that the mayor called him three weeks ago and asked him to present a show in partnership with the city that would celebrate New York’s reopening and emphasize the need to vaccinate more young people.

    It is going to be a great moment for the city, marking our rebirth, marking our comeback. We’re very excited, and it’s going to be a historic event, to say the least.

    Mayor Bill de Blasio

    More details will be shared in coming weeks for the August 21 mega-concert. Stay tuned to NYS Music!

    Update July 27, 2021: The full lineup was announced on July 27, 2021 by Mayor Bill de Blasio, Clive Davis, Live Nation/NYCEDC chair Danny Meyer. The free mega-concert will be taking place on the Great Lawn in Central Park on Saturday, August 21. Although Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson and Paul Simon were hinted as being the headliners previously now the expanded lineup has also been announced and includes big names like Jon Batiste, Andrea Bocelli, Kane Brown, LL COOL J, Elvis Costello, Lucky Daye, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Cynthia Erivo, Jimmy Fallon, Wyclef Jean, Journey, The Killers, Gayle King, Don Lemon, Barry Manilow, The New York Philharmonic, Polo G, Carlos Santana, Patti Smith, and Rob Thomas.

  • Radio Woodstock Showcases Women Artists

    Talk about some girl power. For the first time in station history, Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST has announced that their top 10 slots in power rotation are all women artists.

    Radio Woodstock women

    The current Radio Woodstock top 10 rotation is comprised of female artists across several different genres: St. Vincent, Amy Helm, Allison Russell, Yola, Maia Sharp, Sofia Valdes, Shemekia Copeland, Joy Oladokun (with Maren Morris), Lake Street Dive, and Sean Della Croce. 

    Looks like it is a hot girl summer and a hot girl future.

    Aja Whitney (Music Director)

    Amy Helm, a Woodstock native herself, recently released her latest album “What the Flood Leaves Behind”. Other new releases from St. Vincent, Allison Russell and Yola have caught the attention of Radio Woodstock. The station stated, “Female artists have emerged as leading the sound on one of the most uniquely curated rock radio stations in the world today.”

    Amy Helm in Woodstock, photo by Peter Ross

    Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST has emerged as one of the most influential radio stations in the Hudson Valley, winning regional and national awards for its eclectic programming. Their DJ staff focuses on discovering new and emerging artists while continuing to showcase musical legends and other established talent. Radio Woodstock also produces several concerts and festivals around the Hudson Valley, including the Mountain Jam Festival.

    Throughout the pandemic, Radio Woodstock posted “Sofa Session” performances to their YouTube channel, where some of the station’s favorite artists shared short and intimate sets.

    Visit the Radio Woodstock website to listen live and celebrate these powerful women in music!

  • Turning Stone Showroom Undergoes Renovation

    The Turning Stone Resort Casino Showroom in Verona is undergoing an electrifying renovation in anticipation of the return of live events. Turning Stone surveyed 30,000 guests and found that the majority of guests simply cannot wait to attend live music events post-COVID.

    The results are especially exciting for Turning Stone as it is an award-winning destination for live entertainment in the state of New York.

    Turning Stone

    After surveying more than 30,000 guests, Turning Stone found that 92% of respondents miss attending live entertainment and events, 76% are looking for live events in intimate venues (less than 1,000 people), 73% are eager to attend live events again, and 65% are willing to travel more than 120 miles to attend live events.

    Turning Point recently announced that it is unveiling a series of multi-million dollar renovations across the resort, focusing on a significant overhaul of The Showroom. The Showroom will become much more modernized and will create an all-new intimate environment for live events.

    Specific features of the new Showroom include: a state-of-the-art sound system that will provide perfect acoustics for every performance genre; new contemporary design, featuring dark mahogany woods and shades of deep purples and violets; more than 650 premium stadium-style seats; and an all-new bar in the newly added atrium.

    Turning Stone
    Benny Mardones at Turning Stone Showroom

    “These survey results are very encouraging as they indicate our guests are eager to attend live performances again, which we know is also a significant driver of tourism in our region,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Oneida Nation Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter. “This is also great news for the local music scene in Central New York. We take great pride in showcasing local talent in our venues and introducing our guests who come from all over the county to the best our region has to offer.”

    The Showroom construction will be completed before September, when live entertainment will resume at Turning Stone. Shows being hosted here will be announced shortly. Get ready for a music-filled fall at Turning Stone!

  • Thursdays on the Village Green concert series returns to Hamilton in July

    After a year’s hiatus due to COVID-19, Thursdays on the Village Green is back on Hamilton’s Village Green. In addition to performances every Thursday, each night will includes family-friendly events arranged by the Hamilton Public Library. Live Music At the Village Green dates back to 1902 and is a great place to get together as a community.

    Thursdays on the village green
    photo credit to Scrap Paper Social.

    The series will begin on July 15th with Chris Eves and the New Normal, followed by Leon Etienne. July 22nd brings Stephane Wrembel, one of the foremost master guitarists in the world specializing in the Django Reinhardt style. Next is July 29th with Realtime Dixieland Band and August 5th features Nate Marshall & the Family Band. August 12th brings 90s cover band Lazer Dad along with the Robert Rogers Puppet Show “Just So Stories.” August 19th will feature Opus Black String Quartet with the Utica Zoomobile “Amazing Animal Tails” for the activity.

    Thursdays on The Village Green will give locals and visitors alike a chance to enjoy downtown Hamilton’s eateries and boutiques. Ranging from home goods and fashion to antiques and gifts, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

    The audience is encouraged to dine on the Village Green or enjoy the music from the patio of the Colgate Inn. The evening’s concert and activities are free for all to enjoy. Blankets, chairs and dancing are encouraged!

    Activities for events will begin at 5:30 PM and music will run from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM. For more information, please visit their Facebook page
    or the event website.

  • The Roots ‘Do You Want More?!!!??!’ Deluxe Edition Out Now

    The album that solidified Neo-Soul/Hip Hop outfit, The Roots, as a force in the hip hop realm is being redistributed. Considered a staple of the Jazz-rap subgenre, Do You Want More?!!!??!, achieved cult-like status despite not selling an immense amount of units. The group’s major-label debut was released over 26 years ago on January, 17 1995 and didn’t reach Gold status until 2015, over 20 years later. 

    Nonetheless, the album’s merits are never to be questioned. In an era of machismo and increasingly violent tales in hip hop, the Philadelphia bred ensemble managed to entrench themselves in music history in their own way. Their blend of live instrumentation, story-telling along with the introspective and technically proficient lyrics of Black Thought and Malik B. made them a first of their kind. 

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=uROfXQML7NY

    Led once again by, MC Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the Philadelphia rap crew are going back to where it began with a 3LP, 4LP and a digital deluxe collection of Do You Want More?!!!??! to be released on June 25, 2021 via Geffen/Ume records. 

    This deluxe edition draws from the original recordings and features 18 bonus tracks curated by Questlove, ranging from unreleased records to songs that have never made it to streaming platforms. The 3LP deluxe vinyl edition features five bonus tracks — “Proceed II Feat. Roy Ayers”, “Proceed III”, “Proceed IV (AJ Shine Mix)”, “Proceed V (Beatminerz Mix),” along with five remixes of “Silent Treatment,” with the “Street Mix” made available for streaming before the project’s release.

    The Roots Do You Want More

    Also included, is a 24-page booklet featuring images taken by Mpozi Tolbert, essays by Questlove and Black Thought as well as track-by-track commentary. The 4LP edition features all of the above plus another additional eight bonus tracks; “In Your Dreams Kid (I’m Every MC),” “The Ultimate (Original ’94 Version),” “……(dot dot dot…on & on),” “Pffat Time,” “Swept Away (Original Draft),” “It’s Coming,“”Lazy Afternoon (Alternate Version),” and two remix versions of “Distortion To Static.” 

    By way of their innovative and breakthrough blend of hip hop and other black genres, The Roots have cemented themselves as an important part of rap’s evolution, distinguising themselves as the first true hip hop band. Their success as artists have also spawned other opportunities. They also serve as the house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and held the same role on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon from 2009 to 2014. 

    The Roots Do You Want More

    With the deluxe edition of Do You Want More?!!!??!, a classic album is revisited. While it can be a risk to dabble with an album held to such prestige, fans should have trust in the group’s combined musical connaissance. 

    The deluxe version of Do You Want More?!!!??! can be streamed here.

  • Four Long Island Seniors Named 2021 Long Island Music Hall Scholars

    The Long Island Music Hall of Fame has announced the awarding of its 2021 student scholarships. This year LIMHOF acknowledged four students with the $500 Distinction in Music award for their accomplishments.

    LIMHOF

    This year’s winners are Elias Giuliano of Northport; Emily Howell of Plainview; Lauren Enos of Riverhead; and Anthony Barone of Mastic.

    “The Long Island Music Hall of Fame is honored to have the opportunity to support and acknowledge accomplished high school seniors who are pursuing a future in music… The talent that exists on Long Island is something we at LIMHoF want to celebrate. In addition to following their own dreams, we believe these students will encourage and inspire others.”

    LIMHoF Education Chairman Tom Needham
    2021 Long Island Music Hall of Fame Distinction in Music Award winners LIMHOF
    Left to right, top to bottom: Elias Giuliano of Northport; Emily Howell of Plainview; Lauren Enos of Riverhead; and Anthony Barone of Mastic, were the recipients of the 2021 Long Island Music Hall of Fame Distinction in Music Award.

    Here are the for LIMHoF award winners:

    Elias Giuliano, who attends Northport High School, plays viola in the symphony orchestra and piano in the jazz ensemble. He received accolades for his original compositions of piano music. “Elias possesses the versatility of a first-rate composer, performer, and mentor to so many students. He is an outstanding musician and person,” said Dr. Frank Doyle — who was awarded by LIMHoF as Music Educator of Note in 2016.

    “I am honored and thrilled to be a LIMHoF scholarship recipient,” Giuliano said. “As an aspiring music teacher who wants to make music a lasting part of my life — and hopefully the lives of many others — I am humbled to be recognized by some of Long Island’s most amazing talent.”

    Giuliano plans to attend SUNY Fredonia this fall and major in Music Education.

    Emily Howell, who attends Plainview Old Bethpage High School, plays the French horn. In addition to recognition as a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-Eastern Symphony Orchestra, she was also a member of the 2019 All-State Wind Ensemble and 2020 All-State Symphony Orchestra as a principal horn.

    “Music provides a mode of expression and gives hope in a way that nothing else can; it truly enriches my life,” Howell said. “Music provides comfort and solace at all times — and especially in today’s unsettled times. Whether it might be at a funeral (where music truly heals), or a wedding (where music commemorates and celebrates), or simply in my living room or kitchen (where some type of live or recorded music is always going), music has an emotional role and influential presence. It is a vehicle for communication, an art of sound that expresses emotions, thoughts, and ideas through harmonies, rhythms and melody: The ultimate universal language that speaks to everyone.”

    Howell plans to attend Julliard School of Music and major in performance on French horn.

    Lauren Enos, who attends Riverhead High School, has been playing music since the third grade. She currently plays bass clarinet, and she participated in the All-State 2020 Wind Ensemble and was principal clarinet in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State 2019 Symphony Orchestra.

    “It is a great honor to receive an award from the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and to be among some of the most distinguished musicians on Long Island,” Enos said. “I appreciate the generosity of this organization in their efforts to help musicians like me further their musical endeavors.”

    Enos plans to attend Eastman School of Music in Rochester.

    Anthony Barone, who attends William Floyd High School, plays double bass in the William Floyd High School Symphonic Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. He also participated in the All-State 2019 and 2020 Symphony Orchestra and the New York Youth Symphony. “Anthony is the real deal,” said William Floyd Symphonic Orchestra Director Christopher Shaughnessy about Barone, “…One of the hardest working students I have ever met.”

    “Music has made me what I am now, and in my heart of hearts, music is who I am,” said Barone. “I will become a teacher to not only spread my appreciation of music, but to also help those, like me, through music.”

    Barone plans to attend Ithaca College this fall and major in Bass Performance.

    Students in Brooklyn, Nassau, Queens, and Suffolk counties are eligible to apply for the scholarships. This program is in addition to other education acknowledgments that the Long Island Music Hall of Fame sponsors, including the Music Educator of Note and the High School Recognition Awards. Learn more about LIMHoF’s scholarship program HERE.

  • Guernsey’s “A Century of Music” Auction now underway

    Personal instruments, rock memorabilia, and music-inspired items from Woodstock Festival, Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beatles, and many more will hit the block in a mostly unreserved online auction. The “A Century of Music” auction hosted by Guernsey’s will be held over June 23-24

    A Century of Music

    Fans will have the chance to bid on guitars owned by Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Bo Diddley, and Allen Collins, as well as a Daisy Rock Guitar autographed at the 2006 Grammys by Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. 

    Other instruments that will hit the block include Bill Clinton’s saxophone that he played at his Inaugural Ball, which is signed, Paul Butterfield and James Cotton’s harmonicas, and Chick Corea and Elton John’s pianos. 

    There is also a rare 18th century harp and the remarkable Meisel Collection, with more than 500 vintage violins and bows, banjos, ukuleles, mandolins and autoharps up for grabs. Other personal items include Billie Holiday’s gown, Buddy Holly’s performance jacket, original art work by John Lennon, the only known test pressing of Miles Davis playing “Meaning of the Blues” at Carnegie Hall, original Robert Freeman Beatles’ photos, memorabilia from the Fontaine Collection, the front doors from the Chelsea Hotel, and more available for the first time at this very special, music-inspired auction.

    The most famed concert in history – Woodstock – also plays a big part in this auction. Guernsey’s will offer a variety of one of a kind memorabilia and art from the 1969 festival, including a hand painted directional map, sections of the stage, and photos from the official photographer. Many of the hand-painted panels by famed artists including Robert Indiana created during the 25th anniversary Woodstock Concert to restrain the 500,000 attendees will also be up for bid.

    There are a pair of control room monitor speakers from Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios on West 8th Street in New York. They were given to the original designer, who then loaned them to the Experienced Music Project, created by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, which is now known as the Museum of Pop Culture (or MoPOP). These will be sold side-by-side with Paul Butterfield’s Blues Band speakers that were on the stage at Woodstock, and the stage speakers used by Lynyrd Skynyrd prior to the band’s tragic 1970s plane crash.

    Jason Becker, a virtuoso musician, songwriter and composer who is the world’s longest living survivor of amyotrophic literal sclerosis (ALS), is selling his guitars to raise funds to battle this debilitating disease, including his much-beloved “Numbers” guitar that has been played by several noted musicians, including KISS’ Paul Stanley, and Jason and Eddie Van Halen. 

    Beginning June 15, items for the A Century of Music auction can be viewed at Guernseys.com, liveauctioneers.com, and invaluable.com.

  • Kentö Embraces Himself in his New Single “Silhoutte”

    Kentö, NY-based multilingual singer, songwriter and producer, has released his new single “Silhouette.” Kentö has been creating his own music for the past 8 years, developing songs that tell stories about his own life experiences.

    Born in Northern Maine to a half Japanese/half French Dad and a Brazilian/French Canadian Mom, Kentö’s upbringing and travel have shaped him into the artist he is today. While living between Maine, Brazil and Canada, Kentö predominantly spent his childhood and teenage years in Japan, where he learned about music from all over the world at a young age.

    Kentö

    After working on a punk/pop project for four years in Japan, Kentö realized he wanted to branch out and discover a more timeless sound that felt more authentic to him, rather than what managers and labels decided on his behalf. In 2012 Kentö decided to take a chance, move to LA, call his own shots and start diving into a more diverse range of music. While doing so, he met artist/producer Frankmusik, and recorded/released his debut EP Complicated. From there Kentö was born, and his electro-edged pop music started grabbing the attention of media.

    I am LGBTQI+ and I’m on the autism spectrum, and I think these are all my superpowers. I think pop music tends to have trends that all sound like one thing, and then someone comes along and shakes things up with a timeless sound. That’s the kind of music I want to make. I have overcome a lot in my life, my parents passed when I was young, I’ve battled Cancer, and navigating the world not only as an LGBTQI+ person, but also one on the spectrum has really given me a lot of perspective on the world, life, and music. The amount of joy I feel being able to even be writing this right now that I have is immense. I’m so proud of myself, and I want to just share my music and positivity to the world.

    -Kentö

    In 2019 Kentö was selected to join Them [Condé Nast], as one of the first of 30 LGBTQI+ ambassadors for the launch of their new publication and initiative. Being a strong voice for others to receive inspiration from has always been a shining light throughout any project he takes on. 

     

  • Ronnie James Dio Autobiography “Rainbow in the Dark” due out July 27

    The long-awaited autobiography from heavy metal music icon Ronnie James Dio, the powerhouse voice of Elf, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his long-time bespoke band DIO, will be published on July 27. Co-written with British music journalist Mick Wall and Dio’s widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio, Rainbow in the Dark: The Autobiography is officially available for pre-order.

    ronnie james dio autobiography
    Ronnie James Dio

    Ronnie James Dio had begun writing the manuscript several years before being diagnosed with cancer. Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and raised in an Italian-American family in the upstate New York town of Cortland, his journey to international fame was hardly pre-ordained. He first began playing trumpet and then guitar and bass in local bands at parties, bars, and clubs while still in high school. It also tells the tales of him surviving life-changing setbacks. Among them the loss of his bandmate and best friend in a car accident that put his own life in jeopardy. These events only made him more focused and determined to succeed. He documents how he evolved from sideman into singer and frontman to not one, but three, internationally-renowned multi-platinum-selling bands.

    The autobiography is illustrated throughout with photographs, largely never-before-seen, derived from family photo albums and personal archives, plus an eight-page color insert devoted to additional rare photographs from Ronnie’s life and career.

    To celebrate the publication of the book, Wendy Dio will participate in an hour-long LiveSigning.com event on Wednesday, July 28 beginning at 3:00 PM (Eastern time). Those who have pre-ordered the book will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance for Wendy to answer during the event, which will stream live via the Ronnie James Dio Facebook page.

  • Chad Galactic Sparks Fundraising Efforts for Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca

    As his quarantine beard grew, his anxieties and frustrations with stagnation also grew and Chad Galactic racked his brain to come up with ideas to raise funds for out-of-work artists. Feeling inspired, he started by designing stickers with artist and friend “PickleKing,” which created a stream of income for those in need.

    Chad Galactic

    Galactic kept the ball rolling and was motivated to assemble an all-star band that recorded a cover of the song “Shake Your Rump” by the Beastie Boys. Joining him from The Mother Hips, guitarist Greg Loiacono and bassist Brian Rashap, Tea Leaf Green drummer Scotty Rager, and Jack Johnson/ALO keyboardist Zach Gill. Even Beastie Boys’ own DJ/Producer DJ Hurricane participated on the track. And in true Galactic style, Chad took on all three of the Boys’ vocal parts.

    To accompany the track, Galactic also created a YAUCH Love Merch Store where half of the proceeds are being donated to the Tibetan Monks that Adam “MCA” Yauch loved so dearly. Yauch’s life accomplishments have been so influential on Galactic that he felt very deeply to find a way to honor him.

    Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca was established in 1992 as the North American seat of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s monastery in Dharamsala, India. Between 1992 and 2014 the monastery was housed in an old Victorian era house in downtown Ithaca, NY and today has since moved to a larger complex on 28 acres of land, three miles south of Ithaca. The monastery offers retreated, weekend intensives on a variety of subjects in Tibetan Buddhism, as well as evening classes in the fall and spring.

    An upcoming live stream by The FoodRap Duo features Chad Galactic & Reed Mathis on Wednesday, June 23 at 6:23 PM PT on Facebook Live.

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