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Epica Lose Voice To Illness and Hire Temp for Tour

Blabbermouth reports: Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA, whose lead singer, Simone Simons, was recently infected with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), also known as the hospital bacteria, have issued the following update:

"We have come a great way already and we must continue this way to overcome this. Therefore we have decided to ask our good friend Amanda Somerville to substitute Simone on our upcoming USA tour.

"As you all know, Amanda has been involved with EPICA from the beginning as a vocal coach and can also be heard on every album as backing vocalist as well as part of our choir. - more on this story

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A Marley Film Without Marley Music?

Reuters reports: The family of Bob Marley has refused to license any of his music for an upcoming Weinstein Co. film drama about the late reggae star even though his widow, Rita Marley, is its executive producer.

The reason? There is a competing Martin Scorsese documentary being produced by the Marley family-owned Tuff Gong Pictures and Steven Bing's Shangri La production banner, the first theatrical documentary to license Marley songs.

The family members involved in the Scorsese documentary say they were unaware that the Weinstein project would be unveiled so soon - more on this story

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Wikipedia The Top Source for Music Info?

Reuters reports: Search for an artist on any of the popular search engines, and the top three results are practically guaranteed: the artist's official Web site, Wikipedia entry and MySpace page -- often in that order.

But while artists and their handlers devote massive attention to the Web site and MySpace, the Wikipedia page is often overlooked. Recent data suggests they may want to reconsider their priorities.

According to data provided to Billboard from Yahoo -- the second-most popular search engine on the Web after Google -- those searching for artist information are selecting the Wikipedia entry link over artists' MySpace pages by a factor of more than 2-to-1. - more on this story

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Shannon Noll Turns It Up with Richie Sambora

PR reports: Shannon Noll has already taken Australia by storm and has his eyes set on the States with his third album "Turn It Up," featuring the first single "Loud." The new album also includes the song "Sorry Is Just Too Late" co-written with Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi.

Shannon was particularly thrilled to work with one of rock music's greatest talents, Richie Sambora. The two wrote the blistering power ballad, Sorry Is Just Too Late along with producer Luke Ebbin. Richie also played guitar on the track which is bound to become an instant rock classic. The rock legend has nothing but praise for Shannon. "There are very few current artists that embody the great classic vocalists, but have a contemporary flair," says Richie. "Shannon is that artist."

"Working with Richie was amazing, "says Shannon. "He had no preconceived ideas of where I came from. He just treated me and respected me as an equal." On Everybody Needs A Little Help Shannon's ability to inject pure and honest emotion will again stir hearts and souls. "I wanted to keep the impact going after Lift," says Shannon. "With Everybody Needs A Little Help, I wanted to get that edge back in there, to say no matter what you're going through, it's OK. You don't have to do it alone." - more on this story

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Lita Ford Plots Comeback

Blabbermouth reports: '80s hard rock queen Lita Ford has signed a deal with Coallier Entertainment, the New York-based company whose list of clients include such artists as TWISTED SISTER and SEBASTIAN BACH.

In a statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET today by Lita Ford regarding her comeback performance in July, she had this to say: "It's been way too long since I've rocked a crowd. Broke out my axe and turned it up loud. Always in my heart � forever in my soul. On July 11th I'm gonna rock 'n' roll. At Rocklahoma I'll hit the stage with thousands of you maniacs. Close My Eyes � Kiss Me Deadly � can't forget the leather pants!"

Rocklahoma festival will be held July 10-13, 2008 at the Catch The Fever Festival Grounds, four miles north of Pryor, Oklahoma. TRIUMPH and EXTREME are among the bands reuniting with all or most of their original lineups for this year's festival, which will also feature sets from NIGHT RANGER, CINDERELLA, Bret Michaels, TESLA, ARMORED SAINT, L.A. GUNS and many more. More than 85 bands in all will perform on three giant stages throughout the four days with several more big names to be added in the coming weeks.
- more on this story

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Cobra Starship Are Sellouts

PR reports: Cobra Starship has just sold out every date on its debut headline tour. In fact, the demand for tickets was so great that the band had to add a second show in many markets, as well as scheduling matinees and playing two shows in one day in both Boston and New York.

"The Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking Tour" � which celebrated the dance-punk sensations' critically acclaimed second album, "�VIVA LA COBRA!" � blew away fans in 50 cities, and Cobra Starship has no intention of kicking back and resting on its laurels.

Far from it, in fact � already on their dance card are appearances at mtvU's Campus Invasion, slated for Friday, May 2nd at University of Maryland College Park's Byrd Stadium, and Saturday, May 3rd at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia; the Bamboozle Festival set for Sunday, May 4th at New Jersey's Meadowlands Sports Complex; and the UK's annual Give It A Name extravaganza, slated to rock London and Sheffield on May 10th and 11th. Cobra Starship will also spend the entire summer on the Vans Warped Tour. - Myspace

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Illness Sidelines Mountain Goats Tour

punknews.org reports: Due medical reasons, John Darnielle has been forced cancel the Australian The Mountain Goats tour scheduled for April. Darnielle had this to say:

As some Australian ticketholders have already heard, we have had to cancel the Australian tour. This is really devastating for us to do. Everybody knows I don't cancel a show unless I absolutely have to; what's worse, coming to Australia is the highlight of our year. So many of our favorite shows ever are from our Australian tours, and we were excited about showing everyone the full-band lineup.

"The note sent out by our wonderful Australian agents, Handsome Tours, says 'for personal medical reasons,' and that says as much as need be said; if it weren't serious, I would be leaving for Oz next week, believe me." - more on this story

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What Happened to the CBGB's Gallery?

PR reports: On March 27, The Morrison Hotel Gallery, the world's leading purveyor of fine art music photography, will open an exhibition space at 313 Bowery, former home to the famed CBGB's Gallery. At nearly 3000 square feet, 313 Bowery will be the Morrison's largest space, over twice the size of their existing galleries in NYC's Soho neighborhood, Los Angeles, and La Jolla.

The size of the space at 313 Bowery will allow the Morrison to mount their most ambitious exhibitions to date. "This new space will enhance our line of fine art music photography and puts us in a historical space where people can experience some very different shows than at our other locations," says Peter Blachley, co-owner of the Morrison. While the interior of the 313 Bowery space will change with each show, the Morrison plans to maintain many original elements of the CBGB's Gallery, including the bathroom graffiti, an original wall logo stencil and a panel of show posters and hand-bills from CBGB's 10th anniversary that were buried in an inner wall. - more on this story

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Newton Faulkner Books Festival Gigs

PR reports: Columbia recording artist Newton Faulkner was newly announced as performing at two of the summer's hottest music festivals, Bonnaroo and Sasquatch!

Faulkner will be performing at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, TN on June 12th, and at the Sasquatch! Music Festival at The Gorge Ampitheater in George, WA on May 24.

Newton Faulkner will release his U.S. debut album, Hand Built By Robots, on April 29. A 3-song iTunes exclusive EP is available now, featuring Faulkner's first single, "Dream Catch Me".

- Check out an EPK to learn more and hear Newton

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Karaoke Nights with MxPx Details

PR reports: The competition for "Karaoke Nights with MxPx" has begun! It's time to dust off your karaoke machine and try your chops; you have less than one month until the first winner is chosen to sing on stage with MxPx in Logan, UT.

MxPx has embarked on their first "Karaoke Nights" tour, giving fans the chance to sing onstage with their favorite band. With 14 tour dates up for grabs, fans can duke it out for their chance in the spotlight choosing one of the song options provided. Competition begins today and ends on the final solo tour date, Thursday, May 8.

MxPx will choose one lucky fan online in each city, through a video submission process, which will guarantee them a slot onstage with the band to sing their favorite MxPx songs. The online winner will also receive free access into the show for them and a friend, MySpace snap shots with the band, and an extremely, limited edition commemorative t-shirt. - more on this story

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Feudal A Modern Day Sun Studios?

PR reports: Former Columbia Records A&R-turned-SonyBMG music producer, Robert Shahnazarian Jr., launches Feudal Records headquarters in Burbank, CA. Shahnazarian previously worked with artist such as Incubus, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Plain White T's, The Killers, Snow Patrol, Keane, Sara Bareilles, and more.

Feudal "models a modern day Sun Studios," says Feudal President, Robert Shahnazarian Jr. Similar to Sun Studios, Shahnazarian has his own simple three step motto: "sign exceptionally unique artists, produce great records, and release it to the public."

Currently Shahnazarian works with Los Angeles based pop music ensemble, The Library, Detroit born electronic artist Orka Veer, and female artist silentviolet. Shahnazarian prefers recording at Hollywood's Westlake Studios (site of Michael Jackson's Thriller) and North Hollywood's Bill Schnee Studio (site of Miles Davis' Amandla) and often records from his home studio. - more on this story

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Old Forest's First Release in 7 Years

PR reports: Easter Sunday 2008 saw the release of the first material from obscure cult Black Metal group Old Forest in over 7 years. This is the first part of a trilogy exploring the pre-Christian / post-Christian myths of the Susex Weald. According to vocalist Kobold ;

"..The Sussex Weald (historically known as the Forest of Anderida or Andredsweald) was a vast forest that stretched from Pevensy Castle (the earlier roman settlement that was called the Fortress of Anderida) right along the spine of the south downs to what became the New Forest which was historically a private royal hunting ground, (and also the resting place of the master-tapes of Old Forest's ill-fated 2nd and unreleased album).

The 5-track EP is now available exclusively from DEATH TO MUSIC Prod. as a limited edition Mini CD - only 222 copies of this will be made available. The first 100 European orders will recieve a free 24 page booklet recounting the myths that the music of "Part 1" explores (unfortunately due to postage costs, this is not available to non E.U customers). - more on this story

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Elysium's Godfather Getting Proper Release

PR reports: Metal Mind Productions presents a first official release of the album "Godfather" taken from the discography of Elysium. The album will be available on 7th April 2008 in Europe and 10th June 2008 in USA (via MVD).

The material was released in December 2005 as an enclosure to the Polish metal magazine - Thrash'em All. Vicious mixture of death, thrash metal elements blended with exploding production, powerful drums, super heavy riffs and crushing vocals - that's what "Godfather" is all about. Melodic death metal, especially recommended to fans of Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates or In Flames. - more on this story

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Troy Gentry a Patient Advocate

PR reports: The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)-a national non-profit organization providing direct case management services and healthcare information to millions of patients with life-threatening, debilitating and chronic diseases each year who are unable to obtain access to healthcare because of financial issues or insurance denials � today announced a formal educational partnership with Grammy-nominated country music star Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry.

The partnership will be featured in a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign � to be launched at the beginning of March 2008 and distributed to radio and television stations throughout the country � describing the services PAF provides to uninsured and insured patients in need of help securing access to medical care. Together, PAF and Troy hope to provide important information to the millions of Americans who are suffering from illnesses and who must also struggle with healthcare access issues that block their path to the timely receipt of the medical care that they need and deserve.

"It's an honor to work with the Patient Advocate Foundation on an issue that is important to so many Americans," said Gentry. "Unfortunately, I know from personal experience how the complications of securing healthcare coverage can make an already trying time that much more difficult � it's great to be working with an organization like PAF that is able to fight successfully on patients' behalf." - more on this story

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.... Albert Collins - Live at Montreux 1992

This album was recorded live at Montreux only sixteen months before Albert Collins died. I can assure you, the man showed no signs of slowing down in this performance. This is an all-out, blues to the bone performance from one of the giants. (5 stars) - Read the full Albert Collins - Live at Montreux 1992 review

.... Silent Fate - The Autumn Machine

The one-line review of this CD is "the most schizophrenic completely derivative work I've ever heard." Maybe if you're not as jaded as I am by listening to so much music, and for that matter so much good music, you could dig some of these tracks. - Read the full Silent Fate - The Autumn Machine review

.... Armory - The Dawn of Enlightenment

Maybe you'll find this a great catch if power metal makes you happy like an alcoholic finding a spare bottle of vodka, but calling this CD masterful is a mammoth exaggeration, and I honestly doubt most will be blown away from Armory's run-of-the-mill attack. - Read the full Armory - The Dawn of Enlightenment review

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