Category: News

  • Billy Joel Announces August Performance at MSG

    By popular demand, long time New York music sensation Billy Joel will continue his concert residency at Madison Square Garden. The venue announced that Joel’s August 29 performance will mark his 93rd monthly and 139th lifetime show at the arena. Named a franchise by MSG in December 2013, the upcoming 93rd performance for Billy Joel comes nearly 10 years after he started his residency.

    Billy Joel MSG
    Billy Joel pictured on the cover of his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, in 1971

    Billy Joel’s career spans more than 50 years, earning him a number of awards. The sixth best-selling recording artist of all time, his song “Piano Man” was chosen for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2016 for its “cultural, historic, and artistic significance.” Joel ranks as one of the most popular and respected entertainers in history.

    Significantly, in Dec. 2013, Joel received one of the top cultural awards in the country, The Kennedy Center Honors. He has won six Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Legend Award, and is a member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Joel has won various industry awards, awards including a Tony Award for “Movin’ Out,” a Broadway musical based on his work.

    In Nov. 2014, Joel received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The award honors living musical artists’ lifetime achievements in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding, entertaining and informing audiences, and inspiring new generations. Moreover, that same month, he won the ASCAP Centennial Award, which is presented to American music icons for their achievements in their respective genres.

    Joel performed at MSG’s benefit concert, “12-12-12, The Concert For Sandy Relief,” to raise awareness and money for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Similarly, he performed at “The Concert for New York City,” to provide aid and relief to the victims and heroes of 9/11. Adding another milestone to his career, Joel has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

    Tickets for the Aug. 29 show go on sale to the general public starting Friday, Feb. 10 starting at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the MSG box office on Saturday, Feb. 11.

  • NYCB Theatre at Westbury to Eight Shows to Catholic Health Concert Series

    Long Island will become a hotspot for music entertainment this year when the NYCB Theatre at Westbury opens its doors to some of the world’s biggest performers. On Jan. 30, the venue announced eight new shows as part of its ongoing Catholic Health Concert Series. The entertainment venue is located just outside Westbury in the hamlet of Jericho.

    NYCB Theatre westbury
    NYCB Theatre at Westbury seating

    The Westbury Music Fair became a reality on June 18, 1956, when the three entrepreneurs opened their first Westbury production. After 10 years of presenting Long Island with the best of Broadway and top-name talent, the theatre was expanded in 1966. This expansion provided the venue with the ability to provide top-tier theatre entertainment all year round. Still in operation today, the NYCB Theatre is now owned and operated by Live Nation Entertainment.

    The new acts will be rolling out from Spring to Fall. Terry Fator on April 23; classic rockers Cheap Trick on May 18, and Chicago on June 23; Pop Icon Johnny Mathis on July 22;  tributes to ABBA and Elvis Presley, on Aug. 9 and 23, respectively; singer-songwriter Peter Noone on Sept. 23; and comedian Howie Mandel on Nov. 19.

    Amongst these acts, also scheduled to perform are Tommy James and The Shondells on March 18; Nick Cannon’s Next Superstar Tour on April 6; Dionne Warwick on April 7; Theo Von on May 11; Kool and The Gang with the Spinners and Average White Band on May 12; The Temptations and the Four Tops on May 14; and Air Supplyon on Aug. 5. A complete lineup is available here.

    Tickets will be made available beginning Friday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m. through LiveNation.com. “Fee fee” tickets to all 2023 NYCB Theatre at Westbury shows will be available from Friday, Feb. 3. until Sunday, Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the theatre box office. A chance to win tickets will take place on Saturday, February 4 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., accompanied by refreshments and music.

  • Beyonce Adds Second Show at MetLife Stadium in July

    Beyonce is returning to the stage for the first in over six years, with her Renaissance World Tour Beginning this Spring. Beyonce will be performing twice at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, as part of the North America Leg of her tour, on Saturday, July 29. Originally only scheduled for one day, high demand from her “Beyhive” prompted the performer to add a second show at the venue, on Sunday, July 30.

    Beyonce Metlife
    Metlife Stadium lit up for Rammstein in June 2022. Photo by Joshua Davis.

    The tour is in support of her seventh studio album, Renaissance, which came out last summer. Preceding Renaissance‘s release, the single “Break My Soul” has received acclaim. Following the album’s release was “Cuff It” to a similar reception.

    Ticketing begins Monday, Feb. 6, starting with an exclusive presale to BeyHive members. The North American leg of the tour utilizes Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan technology to ensure more tickets get sold. Fans can register here.

    Produced by Parkwood Entertainment and promoted by Live Nation, the 2023 world tour kicks off on May 10, 2023, at Friends Arena in Stockholm, SE. Outside MetLife Stadium, once Beyonce starts the North American leg of the tour, she will be performing in Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, Nashville, San Francisco, Tampa, and more.

    Since 2013, Beyonce’s tours have partnered with BeyGOOD, an initiative she founded to support people and programs around the world. Continuing its legacy of philanthropy, BeyGOOD will support entrepreneurs in various cities along the tour. In total, 1,000 small businesses will have been supported through grant opportunities with a commitment totaling $1,000,000.

    BeyGOOD will support students through scholarship funds. A total of 10 colleges in different cities will have received $100,000 to give to one student of their choice. BeyGOOD’s total scholarship commitment during Renaissance World Tour will be $1,000,000.

    In partnership with Beyonce and the BeyGOOD foundation, Citi and Verizon will purchase 100 tickets combined across the U.S. for distribution to local community initiatives.

    North American Dates: Verified Fan Registration is open now and closes at different times based on city. Visit beyonce.livenation.com for the exact details as ticketing on sale timelines vary by city. 

    European Dates: Check local event listings for complete ticket information regarding the European dates of the tour.

    RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR DATES:

    EUROPE

    May 10, 2023 – Stockholm, SE – Friends Arena

    May 14, 2023 – Brussels, BE – King Baudouin Stadium

    May 17, 2023 – Cardiff, UK – Cardiff Principality Stadium

    May 20, 2023 – Edinburgh, UK – BT Murray Field Stadium

    May 23, 2023 – Sunderland, UK – Stadium of Light

    May 26, 2023 – Paris, FR – Stade de France

    May 29, 2023 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

    May 30, 2023 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

    June 08, 2023 – Barcelona, ES – Olympic Stadium

    June 11, 2023 – Marseille, FR – Orange Velodrome

    June 15, 2023 – Cologne, DE – Rhein Energie Stadion

    June 17, 2023 – Amsterdam, NL – Johan Crujff Arena

    June 21, 2023 – Hamburg, DE – Volksparkstadion

    June 24, 2023 – Frankfurt, DE – Deutsche Bank Park

    June 27, 2023 – Warsaw, PL – PGE Narodowy

    NORTH AMERICA

    July 8, 2023 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre

    July 12, 2023 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field

    July 15, 2023 – Nashville, TN – Nissan Stadium

    July 17, 2023 – Louisville, KY – L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium

    July 20, 2023 – Minneapolis, MN – Huntington Bank Stadium

    July 22, 2023 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field Stadium

    July 26, 2023 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field

    July 29-30, 2023 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium

    Aug. 01, 2023 – Boston, MA – Gillette Stadium

    Aug. 03, 2023 – Pittsburgh, PA – Acrisure Stadium

    Aug. 05, 2023 – Washington, DC – FedEx Field

    Aug. 09, 2023 – Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium

    Aug. 11, 2023 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium

    Aug. 16, 2023 – Tampa, FL – Raymond James Stadium

    Aug. 18, 2023 – Miami, FL – Hard Rock Stadium

    Aug. 21, 2023 – St. Louis, MO – Dome at America’s Center

    Aug. 24, 2023 – Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium

    Aug. 26, 2023 – Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium

    Aug. 30, 2023 – San Francisco, CA – Levi’s Stadium

    Sept. 02, 2023 – Inglewood, CA – SoFi Stadium

    Sept. 11, 2023 – Vancouver, BC – BC Place

    Sept. 13, 2023 – Seattle, WA – Lumen Field

    Sept. 18, 2023 – Kansas City, MO – Arrowhead Stadium

    Sept. 21, 2023 – Dallas, TX – AT&T Stadium

    Sept. 23, 2023 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium

    Sept. 27, 2023 – New Orleans, LA – Caesars Superdome

  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2023 Nominees, Including NY Artists A Tribe Called Quest and Cyndi Lauper

    The 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees includes a mix of new timers and old timers, with eight of the 14 artists being first. Included in the mix of talent are New York-born musicians A Tribe Called Quest and Cyndi Lauper.

    rock hall of fame
    Cyndi Lauper.

    Some nominees are in their first year of eligibility, very unlike last year’s nominated acts, which mostly featured previously nominated acts. The “rock” qualifications for this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are becoming increasingly flexible, with the lineup containing rap legends, pop superstars, country icons, R&B hitmakers, and artists who don’t fit into one genre box. Of course, there are traditionally rock-based acts, but none of the older generation bands that have comprised the foundation of the Hall for its 35-plus-year existence were seen.

    Acts that aren’t considered traditional rock bands that were voted into the Hall last year included Dolly Parton, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, and Eurythmics. Acts like Duran Duran and Pat Benatar would’ve not been conceived as “rock” until recently as they got little respect from traditional rock media during their peaks. This year’s nominees feature two NY-born musicians, A Tribe Called Quest and Cyndi Lauper.

    A Tribe Called Quest

    A Tribe Called Quest is one of the most influential, enduring, and acclaimed rap groups of all time, born out of Queens in the 90s. The group was originally composed of rapper and main producer Q-Tip, rapper Phife Dawg, DJ and co-producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and rapper Jarobi White. They confronted social issues and incorporated elements of jazz and alternative rock into their music. They have been nominated for the Hall of Fame before.

    A Tribe Called Quest.

    Cyndi Lauper

    Cyndi Lauper is one of the greatest pop stars of the mid-’80s, and her music included the hit singles “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” She also won the 1984 Grammy Award for best new artist. Born in Brooklyn, she has sold over 50 million albums worldwide. In June 2013, Lauper’s musical Kinky Boots won six Tony Awards, including for best musical, which makes Lauper the first female to win this category by herself.

    Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy.

    Other nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, ranked from lowest odds to get into highest are: The Spinners, Iron Maiden, Joy Division / New Order, Warren Zevon, Rage Against the Machine, Missy Elliot, Soundgarden, George Michael, Kate Bush, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, and The White Stripes.

    Fans are invited to vote for who they want to see inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You can vote for that here.

  • moe. Announce Permanent Addition of Keyboardist Nate Wilson and Added Tour Dates

    moe. has announced that keyboardist Nate Wilson, who toured with the group last summer, will become a permanent member of the group. They also announced added tour dates for their Winter/Spring tour, in addition to Albany dates on Feb. 24 and 25.

    moe., with Nate Wilson joining.
    moe.

    Nate Wilson (Percy Hill) has been playing with the group since guitarist Chuck Garvey suffered a stroke in November 2021. Garvey is still recovering but joined back with the group for their NYE concert. In a December 2022 interview with Relix and talked about his recovery, and how he is relearning his fine motor skills, and says that music has been a huge help in his recovery.

    moe. has had a lot of success and longevity since its creation due to its engaged fanbase, aka the fa.moe.ly which has led them to do headline tours, international festival sets, music-themed cruises, and sold-out shows alongside countless household-name artists. They have even promoted and headlined multiple festivals of their own, including snoe.down and moe.down.

    moe., now with the addition of Nate Wilson, is comprised of Al Schnier (guitar, vocals), Chuck Garvey (guitar, vocals), Rob Derhak (bass, vocals), Jim Loughlin (percussion, vibes), and Vinnie Amico (drums). Derhak commented about Wilson joining the group in a statement. “We are thrilled to announce that our long-time friend, keyboardist Nate Wilson will be joining moe. full-time moving forward,” he says. “Former founding member of both Percy Hill, and Assembly of Dust (and current band leader for Ghosts Of Jupiter), Nate has been part of our lineup since our first shows without Chuck Garvey.  He has since proven himself a valued contributor to our sound, and now with Chuck back in the groove, he compliments our overall style.”

    Wilson commented about how excited he was to join the group, saying “The band and their fans are legends. Can’t wait to hit the road this spring!” moe. will be embarking on a Winter/Spring tour, with stops in Albany at the Palace Theater on Feb. 24 and 25. A special artist pre-sale will begin this Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. local time – click here for more information. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday, Feb. 3rd at 10 a.m. local time. 

    moe. Winter Tour Dates
    Friday, February 17th – State Theatre – Portland, ME*
    Saturday, February 18th – State Theatre – Portland, ME*
    Friday, February 24th – Palace Theater – Albany, NY*
    Saturday, February 25th – Palace Theater – Albany, NY

    Thursday, March 9th – Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN
    Friday, March 10th – Mars Music Hall – Huntsville, AL
    Saturday, March 11th – Minglewood Hall – Memphis, TN
    Sunday, March 12th – Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL
    Wednesday, March 15th – Music Hall – Charleston, SC
    Thursday, March 16th – The Plaza Live – Orlando, FL
    Friday, March 17th – Culture Room – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Saturday, March 18th – Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL
    Sunday, March 19th – PV Concert Hall – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
    Tuesday, March 21st – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
    Wednesday, March 22nd – Jefferson Theatre – Charlottesville, VA
    Thursday, March 23rd – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
    Friday, March 24th – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
    Saturday, March 25th – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
    Wednesday, April 26th – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
    Thursday, April 27th – The Echo Lounge – Dallas, TX
    Friday, April 28th – Paramount Theatre – Austin, TX
    Saturday, April 29th – Tipitina’s – New Orleans, LA
    Sunday, April 30th – Tipitina’s – New Orleans, LA
    Tuesday, May 2nd – JJ’s Live – Fayetteville, AR
    Wednesday, May 3rd – The Truman – Kansas City, MO
    * with Karina Rykman

  • Young The Giant Announces North American Tour With Milky Chance In New York

    Multi-platinum selling artist Young The Giant has announced a 2023 summer tour along with rock band, Milky Chance, making across the United States and Canada beginning May 30th in Montreal. In New York, you can catch the tour at Manhattan’s iconic Rooftop at Pier 17 and Niagara County’s Artpark. The tour will also feature special guests TALK and Rosa Linn. 

    The summer tour follows the release of American Bollywood, Young The Giant’s first album in four years. Established in 2004, the band showcases vocalist Sameer Gadhia, guitarist Jacob Tilley and Eric Cannata, Francois Comtois on the drums and bass player Payam Doostzadeh. American Bollywood was co-produced by John Hill and members of Young The Giant. 

    The four-part album can be enjoyed here via AWAL/Jungle Youth Records. With a majority of the lyrics written by the band’s lead singer with Indian ancestry, Sameer Gadhia, the album tells the multi-generational saga of the American immigrant, and the origins, exiles, battles, and denouement of reclaiming their collective identity. “This is not just the story of an Indian-American caught in between two worlds,” the band’s Sameer Gadhia previously said, “it’s also our universal search to find meaning in chaos.”

    “Epic doesn’t even begin to describe American Bollywood. Seismic in scope and intimate in nature, Young the Giant’s fifth studio album is a massive artistic statement; it’s the band’s most ambitious and sprawling project of their career”

    – Atwood Magazine

    The band unites with REVERB to reduce the tour’s environmental footprint and engage with fans to take action for people and the planet. Visit here for more details.

    The Young The Giant’s advanced ticket presale is available from January 31st at 10am to Thursday, February 2 at 10PM. Powered by seated, presale tickets are available here.  General tickets will be available Friday, February 3rd at 10 am. Tickets can be purchased here.

    Guests searching for an enhanced experience can purchase VIP Packages which include a private pre-show performance,Q&A with the band, premium tickets, an exclusive poster signed by the band, early venue entry and merchandise shopping. On January 31st at 10am packages from 100X Hospitality will go on sale For full details, click HERE 

    YOUNG THE GIANT US AND CANADA TOUR 2023 WITH MILKY CHANCE

    MAY

    30 – Montreal, QC – Place Bell *

    31 – Toronto, ON – RBC Echo Beach *

    JUNE

    2 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage *

    3 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *

    4 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *

    7 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *

    9 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion

    10 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion *

    11 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at the Mann *

    13 – Niagara, NY – Artpark *

    16 – Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill *

    17 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! *

    18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE *

    20 – Cincinnati, OH – Andrew J Brady Music Center *

    21 – Cleveland, OH – Jacob’s Pavilion *

    23 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island *

    24 – St. Louis, MO – St. Louis Music Park *

    25 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River Stage Park *

    27 – Minneapolis, MN – Surly Brewing Festival Field *

    28 – Des Moines, IA – Water Works Park *

    30 – Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheatre *

    JULY

    1 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre *

    13 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park ^

    14 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater ^

    15 – Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre

    16 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheatre ^

    18 – Richmond, VA – Brown’s Island ^

    20 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre ^

    21 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center ^

    22 – Miami, FL – FPL Solar Amphitheatre ^

    25 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company ^

    27 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall ^

    28 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater

    29 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory ^

    AUGUST

    1 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel ^

    3 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Great SaltAir ^

    4 – Flagstaff, AZ – Pepsi Amphitheater ^

    5 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre ^

    10 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre ^

    11 – Seattle, WA – Marymoor Live ^

    12 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Edgefield ^

    14 – Boise, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater ^

    15 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater ^

    17 – San Francisco, CA – The Greek Theatre at Berkeley ^

    18 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl ^

    19 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre ^

    20 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Amphitheater ^

    30 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre *

    31 – Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater *

    * with special guest TALK and special guest Rosa Linn

  • Jon Spencer & The Hitmakers To Play Albany, Rochester and Ridgewood on 2023 Winter Tour

    Jon Spencer and the Hitmakers will unite for a 2023 winter tour across New York. The tour features the incendiary talents of Bob Bert, Sam Coomes, last but not least the original jet-scream, Jon Spencer. The musicians will visit Albany, Rochester, and Ridgewood (Queens) and more. Fans can enjoy this exuberant starting from late January to early February. 

    jon spencer

    The rockstars will be performing Spencer’s latest album, Spencer Gets It Lit and will feature songs like Junk Man, Death Ray, WormT own and more. The album is a classic Jon Spencer taken to the extreme, it emphasizes a sound of electro-boogie, constructivist art pop, a psychedelic swamp of industrial sleaze and futurist elegance. The album is recognized as an epic master work of freak beat from the world’s weirdest garage. 

    Spencer Gets It Lit features mind-boggling layers of fury, fuzz guitar a crash-bang battery of phaser blasts and photon torpedoes. Jon Spencer is the ultimate performer; he frantically spits, croons, rhapsodizes, and seduces. The album is his most complex and sensational album in years. It is a dark, danceable odyssey, and a celebration of the place where electricity meets the mind.

    Jon Spencer and the Hitmakers are here to crank it up and blow our pants off, … Anyone who has the chance to see this current ensemble, must do so immediately. Peppered with rarities, Blues Explosion songs, even Pussy Galore cuts, Spencer was a bewitching figure on stage, ripping through all the tracks with raw grit and fury

    -Gun Control Magazine

     Come watch the true heroes of the underground perform hits that will rock your world. Spencer’s says “We are back – primed and loaded – ready to bring the HITS to all the rockers!” Spencer Gets It Lit can be streamed here.  

    Jon Spencer & The Hitmakers 2023 Tour Dates

    01/24 Cambridge, MA Middle East

    01/25 Portland, ME One Longfellow Square

    01/26 Burlington, VT Higher Ground Lounge

    01/27 Montreal, QC Bar Le Ritz PDB

    01/28 Ottawa, ON Club SAW

    01/29 Rochester, NY Bug Jar

    01/31 Albany, NY Lark Hall

    02/01 Hamden, CT Space Ballroom

    02/02 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s

    02/03 Atlantic City, NJ Anchor Rock Club

    02/04 Ridgewood, NY TV Eye

  • Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Announces Partnership With TeachRock

    The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHoF) is proud to announce a partnership with rock and roll legend Steven Van Zandt’s TeachRock organization. In recognition for his work to promote music education on Long Island, Van Zandt was presented with LIMEHoF’s Harry Chapin Award in 2016.

    Left, Steven Van Zandt at TeachRock event credit TeachRock, Right, Steven Van Zandt at LIMEHOF awards ceremony 2016, credit LIMEHOF Photographer Arnie Goodman.

    “TeachRock aligns perfectly with LIMEHoF’s educational commitment to education and encouraging more music, arts, and culture being taught in local school districts,” said Tom Needham, LIMEHoF’s Educational Programs Director. “Our shared goal is to encourage more Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens school districts to adopt the TeachRock curriculum and lesson plans for the cultural enrichment of its students.”

    “We know that if you want a kid to succeed, you don’t tell her to take her earbuds out,” said TeachRock founder Steven Van Zandt. “You ask her what she’s listening to, and then you trace it back together. Kids come to us with the natural gift of curiosity, and the TeachRock curriculum helps teachers meet them there on the way to meaningful learning.”

    Launched in 2002 by Van Zandt and the Founders Board of Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese, and Bruce Springsteen, TeachRock provides free, standards-aligned resources that use music to help K-12 students succeed in science, math, social studies, and language arts, among other subjects. TeachRock improves students’ lives by filling every classroom with the sound, stories, and science of music. Nearly 60,000 educators—representing all 50 states—are registered at Teachrock.org.

    One example of how the program has been successfully incorporated on Long Island is in the Freeport School District. Stephanie Arnell, a Freeport-based teacher, has been using TeachRock with her students for years, and she’s now leading professional development sessions with teachers throughout her district.

    “Personally, I think every teacher should be using the TeachRock curriculum, and we have found that our Freeport students in all grades LOVE the content,” Arnell said.

    LIMEHoF also plans to promote the TeachRock curriculum throughout the Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens school districts. Promotion strategies include the deployment of a LIMEHoF monthly email blast/web, as well as posting a monthly webpage news blast to highlight different TeachRock lessons for each month. Starting in the fall of 2023, LIMEHoF plans to host TeachRock teacher training sessions at its recently opened home base location in Stony Brook village. There is hope that participating schools will be encouraged to visit LIMEHoF via class field trips.

    “We hear so much about declining participation and engagement, and how that results in lower math and reading scores,” said Bill Carbone, Executive Director at TeachRock. “But nearly everywhere a TeachRock class is implemented we see the opposite: Engagement and grades are rising, and often the school ends up adding additional TeachRock courses to meet student demand. It’s a paradigm shift: Students aren’t cutting class; they’re clamoring to get in!”

    Teachers interested in learning more about the training and in signing up for the newsletters can email info@limusichalloffame.org. For more information about LIMEHoF’s education programs please visit limehof.org

  • New York Heavy Metal Band Prong releases single, tours Europe

    While you wouldn’t know from their cutting lyrics and grating sound, Prong stands out from most heavy metal bands in that they lead with a down-to-earth attitude and prioritze forming relationships with their fans. The themes in the New York born and bred band’s newest single are angry and loud, but eloquent at the same time. “Breaking Point” marks the band’s return to the scene as they set off on a European tour this month. 

    Prong Europe

    Prong was formed in 1986 by singer and guitarist Tommy Victor, who still is lead singer today, the only member from the original line-up still active. He is joined by bassist John Christopher of the Corey Taylor Band and drummer Aaron Rossi of Ministry. The three come together harmoniously, equal parts energy and technicality.

    Tommy Victor said his single, “Breaking Point,” came about in the final stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, when there was a growing sense of exhaustion and frustration so palpable that Prong was almost overwhelmed during their last tour. The lyrics and Victor’s vocal tone are reminiscent of Fugazi’s “Break,” where Ian Mackaye sings, “Can’t ask for more so why unfulfilled / We take apart everything we build.” These themes have endured, making their way into Prong’s contemporary work; in “Breaking Point” Victor sings: “The denial / it’s the breaking point / It’s going to end / it’s going to stop / so many people have had enough.” 

    Joining Prong on tour is Life of Agony and Tarah Who?. Though the tour is in Europe, with this new single Victor is bringing New York with him. I think moving back to New York has helped with these. I’m really happy where I’m at all around. I think it’s coming across in the new songs and showing a rejuvenated attitude,” Victor said on “Breaking Point.” Tour dates are listed below; tickets can be purchased here

    January 13 – Bochum, DE – Matrix

    January 15 – Aarhus, DK – Voxhall

    January 17 – Hamburg, DE – Grünspan

    January 18 – Berlin, DE – Astra

    January 19 – Warsaw, PL – Proxima

    January 21 – Prague, CZ – Palac Akropolis

    January 22 – Vienna, AT – Arena

    January 23 – Munich, DE – Backstage

    January 25 – Zurich, CH – Dynamo

    January 26 – Bulle, CH – Ebullition

    January 28 – Antwerp, BE – Trix

    January 29 – Vaureal, FR – Le Forum

    January 31 – Wasquehal, FR – The Black Lab

    February 1 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg

  • Leon Russell Biography By Buffalo Tom’s Bill Janovitz Out March 14

    Hachette Books has announced the March 14 publication of Leon Russell: The Master Of Space And Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History, a comprehensive new biography of the legendary musician, composer, and performer Leon Russell by acclaimed author and founding member of Buffalo Tom, Bill Janovitz.

    Bill Janovitz leon russell
    Leon Russell: The Master Of Space And Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History by Bill Janovitz

    Bill Janovitz is an American musician and writer. He is the founding guitarist and singer in alternative rock band Buffalo Tom, and has also released three solo albums. He is the author of The Rolling Stones Exile On Main St. (Bloomsbury 33 1/3, 2005) and Rocks Off: 50 Tracks That Tell The Story Of The Rolling Stones (St. Martin’s, 2014).

    Told with the support of Russell’s estate, Leon Russell: The Master Of Space And Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History stands tall as the definitive, never-before-told chronicle of one of the most important music makers of the 20th century, a genre-defying, multi-talented artist whose wildly diverse body of work has affirmed him as a one-of-a-kind Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and truly mythical figure in American music.

    Leon Russell is an icon and a perhaps the most accomplished and versatile musician in the history of rock ‘n roll. In his distinguished and unique 50 year career, he has played on, arranged, written and/or produced some of the best records in popular music and involved with various genres including pop, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, standards, gospel, and surf records.

    His career is like a roadmap of American music, while he is influencing a great amount of artists and works. Russell’ collaboration over the years spans such giants as Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, and countless others. His mark can also be found in the work of British rock royalty like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Elton John, the latter of whom later inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.

    His is also renowned for his highlights with the awards. His recordings earned six gold records. He received two Grammy Awards from seven nominations and was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

    A committed proponent of cultural diversity, Russell spent his 2x GRAMMY® Award-winning career assembling wildly diverse bands and performances, laughing in the face of musical and social barriers. Sadly, Russell struggled with demons, including substance abuse, severe depression, and a crippling stage fright that wreaked havoc on his psyche over the long haul.

    Leon Russell: The Master Of Space And Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History now tells this incredible story with the same passion, creativity, and scope that rang out throughout Russell’s life and six-decade career, affirming him as a landmark artist whose impact can still be felt today throughout rock ‘n’ roll, Americana, and beyond.

    For more information, please visit Bill Janovitz’s website.