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The Who Releasing New Hits Album

For many, the World's Greatest Rock Band, The Who, will be seen by one of the largest television audiences in history when the group headlines the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLIV Halftime Show on CBS Sports at Dolphin Stadium in South Florida on Sunday, February 7. The Bridgestone Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most anticipated musical events of the year. More than 151 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year's show. The Super Bowl and halftime show will be broadcast worldwide in more than 230 countries and territories.

Many of the classic songs the band will perform are just a few of those included on Greatest Hits (Geffen/UMe), to be released on December 21, 2009. The largest single-disc "best of" collection from The Who in more than ten years, it is the first to span the group's entire recording career to date, from 1964 to 2006. The 19-selection Greatest Hits brings together some of rock's most important, influential and incandescent touchstones, along with an essay by renowned music critic Dave Marsh.

The Who stands alone in rock music. The most explosive live act ever to appear on stage, propelled by the most staggeringly brilliant rhythm section in all popular music, layered with deafening power chords and thunderous vocal fury, The Who transcended its original billing as "Maximum R&B" to become the most musically inventive and structurally innovative band of all time. Together, the four divergent personalities of The Who produced a hurricane. Each of them was a pioneer. Wildman drummer Keith Moon beat his kit with a chaotic elegance; stoic bassist John Entwistle held down the center with the melodic virtuosity of a solo guitarist; raging intellectual Pete Townshend punctuated the epic universality of his songs with the windmill slamming of his fingers across his guitar strings; and Roger Daltrey roared above it all with an impossibly virile macho swagger. They exploded conventional rhythm and blues structures, challenged pop music conventions, and redefined what was possible on stage, in the recording studio, and on vinyl. Never before or since has spiritual and intellectual brilliance sounded so gloriously furious. - more on this story

More on Who - Who" >Who CDs

The Word Announce Three-Off Reunion

Longtime friends and collaborators Chris Chew, Cody Dickinson & Luther Dickinson (of North Mississippi Allstars), John Medeski (of Medeski Martin & Wood), and Robert Randolph (of Robert Randolph & the Family Band) will be reforming THE WORD for three very special shows this December/January.

Avant-jazz keyboardist John Medeski is known for his work with improvisational trio Medeski Martin & Wood. In 2000, Medeski produced and played on the self-titled debut by The Word, a gospel-meets-rock collective with North Mississippi Allstars that introduced the secular world to pedal-steel guitar phenomenon Robert Randolph. The band released a self-titled album and toured in support. The band reunited in the summer of 2005 at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, and again briefly in 2007 for four shows in the Northeast.

"The history of The Word reached back to our early years," says North Mississippi Allstars' Luther Dickinson. In 1998 we toured with Medeski Martin & Wood and came up with the idea. This tour means a lot to us and we're looking forward to getting back together with old friends." - more on this story

More on Word - Word" >Word CDs

Joe Pug Sets New Release

Joe Pug will release Messenger on February 16, 2010 on Lightning Rod Records. Messenger is the long awaited follow-up to his highly acclaimed self-released EP Nation of Heat.

After playing over 200 shows, including runs with Steve Earle, M.Ward and Josh Ritter, Pug took to the studio to record his sophomore release. While Nation of HeatMessenger solidifies his spot among the finest songwriters of his generation. Pug's soulful voice and lyrical vignettes guide listeners through the album's ten tracks, none of which retreat to the comfortable and familiar haven where typical singer-songwriters rest. may have earned him the title of talent to watch,

With Messenger, Pug explores new territory, sneaking pedal steel guitar into "The Sharpest Crown" and backing "The Door is Always Open" with a powerhouse rhythm section. The album's subtle beauty is showcased through the supporting cast Pug uses to expand his sound. However, he does not let his solo charm escape the album. Songs like "Bury Me Far (From My Uniform)" and "Unsophisticated Heart" make it obvious that Pug is still master of the-guy-and-the-guitar song. - more on this story

More on Joe Pug - Joe+Pug" >Joe Pug CDs

Sister Hazel Mountain Stage Appearance To Air This Month

Sister Hazel continues to promote their latest album, "Release". The appearance they taped in November at Mountain Stage on will air the weekend of December 11th � 13th, 2009.

Their "Release" tour continues (please see tour dates below), and while in Chicago, Sister Hazel will perform the national anthem for the Chicago Bulls/Atlanta Hawks basketball game on December 19th. The band will also be hosting the 10th annual Rock Boat aboard the Carnival Inspiration, which hits the high seas January 7 � 11, 2010. This time, the boat sails from Tampa to Cozumel, Mexico. Sister Hazel co-founded the cruise with Sixthman in 2001.

The band's online presence continues to grow: they have over 654,000 followers on Twitter (@sisterhazelband). All five band members update their Twitter feed regularly, with everything from information about upcoming appearances, shows, and special offers to fans; the five guys also offer fans a glimpse into more personal thoughts regarding their interests, hobbies, what it's like to be in a touring band, and their families. - more on this story

More on Sister Hazel - Sister+Hazel" >Sister Hazel CDs

Reel Big Fish Rocking Into The New Year

Reel Big Fish had a bang-up 2009 with not ONE, but TWO releases: the studio album, Fame, Fortune, and Fornication and the Live! In Concert! DVD, as well as a U.S. tour with Two-Tone legends The English Beat.

Now, the perennial Ska Masters will be ringing in the holidays with a series of three Southern California shows (LA, OC and San Diego) that the band is dubbing the Winter Informal, and a headlining gig at the KEDJ-sponsored, Ultimate New Years Eve Block Party in Scottsdale, AZ on 12/31.

In 2010, the 'Fish will play a short string of US dates before kicking off a ginourmous overseas tour that will find them playing for audiences in Russia, the UK, Scotland, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Australia. - more on this story

More on Reel Big Fish - Reel+Big+Fish" >Reel Big Fish CDs

Railroad Earth Announce Final Shows of 2009

After a largely successful fall tour, Railroad Earth is wrapping up a momentous 2009 with performances on both coasts before heading to the studio for their forthcoming album. The six-piece Americana outfit is scheduled for a short east coast run before heading to the Pacific Northwest for a four-night New Years Eve Bash. A bittersweet tour, the New Years run will also mark the final show for stand-up bass player Johnny Grubb.

Railroad Earth's most successful year to date, the band has graced the stages at some of the country's most prestigious festivals including Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Rothbury and the 10,000 Lakes Festival. And this past September, Railroad Earth performed for the first time at the legendary amphitheater, Red Rocks in Morrison, CO. In their relatively short tenure, the band has released five critically acclaimed albums and amassed an impressive national following with sold-out shows from coast-to-coast.

Their last collective tour of 2009, the New Years performance will mark the final show with long-time bass player and friend, Johnny Grubb, who recently resigned from the project. With numerous sell-out performances around the country, the final performances with Grubb are not to be missed. The band will be taking the first part of 2010 to focus on the creation and release of their sixth album before hitting the road again in the summer. - dates

More on Railroad Earth - Railroad+Earth" >Railroad Earth CDs

Machine Head Expand The Black Procession Tour

Due to overwhelming demand, the five dates have been added to Machine Head's "The Black Procession" tour, kicking off January 23rd, 2010, featuring Machine Head, Hatebreed, Bleeding Through and All Shall Perish.

"The Black Procession" will cap off what has been an incredible 3 year journey for Machine Head in support of their highly acclaimed, Grammy nominated album "The Blackening". Machine Head drummer Dave McClain states "It's going to be awesome to get out there and rock a full set, to mix it up night after night, and be able to do things 100% our way! It's really just dawning on us that after almost 3 years of touring on "The Blackening" that "The Black Procession" will be the final tour of this cycle� but instead of being in wind-down mode, we're super excited to get out there and crush it! Our fans have been asking for a full-fledged Machine Head tour and we are ready to bring it!"

Singer/Guitarist Robb Flynn adds "It's been an amazing album cycle and we are thankful for the relentless support we have from our fans. We are all well aware of the fact that the touring market around the world is in a tough spot due to economic conditions, and it's great and humbling to be able to actually add dates to this tour in spite of that fact. We can't wait to see all you crazy ----ers!" - more on this story

More on Machine Head - Machine+Head" >Machine Head CDs

They Might Be Giants Late Night and Live Gigs

They Might Be Giants will conclude the year with a bang. The band will appear on "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson" on December 11 with special guest John Hodgman!

Later this month, they will play two special family shows at the New York Hall Of Science in Queens, New York on December 13. The band will take the family show to Washington, DC's 9:30 Club on December 28, playing one show for kids in the afternoon and one for adults later that night. Finally, TMBG wraps up their tour with two New Year's Eve shows - one for kids and one for adults - at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton, Massachusetts.

2009 was a remarkable year for They Might Be Giants. The year included winning the Grammy Award for Best Children's Album for Here Come the 123s, and releasing the acclaimed follow-up Here Comes Science in September, supported by a national tour that included performing for both kids and adults. - more on this story

More on They Might Be Giants - They+Might+Be+Giants" >They Might Be Giants CDs

Brand New Are Confirmed Sell Outs

Brand New Sells out Nassau Coliseum. Band Completes Successful US Headlining Tour Selling Out Nearly Every Date & Gears Up for a Wembley Arena Headlining Show in the UK on January 23rd!

The four guys of Brand New have had a stellar fall. Their success started with the release of their fourth album, Daisy � which sold close to 50K first week out, debuted at # 6 on the Billboard 200 and had SPIN raving, saying "the sound is old-fashioned but the fury is fresh."

Brand New's success continued through the months - check out these SOLD OUT dates on their headlining tour - list is here if you care to read it

More on Brand New - Brand+New" >Brand New CDs

. Grunge is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music by Greg Prato

Instead of coming across as a history lesson, a reading of Grunge is Dead is more like sitting around and having a few beers with all these folks while they speak candidly. Over a hundred musicians and scenesters were interviewed for the book. - Read the full Grunge is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music by Greg Prato review

. Greg Koons and the Misbegotten - Welcome to the Nowhere Motel

Koons is a talented songwriter who delivers is tunes in a really simple melodic style. If you like rootsy songs with familiar themes, Koons is an artist you should check out. (3.5 stars) - Read the full Greg Koons and the Misbegotten - Welcome to the Nowhere Motel review

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