Norah Jones Live Webcast on Letterman
May 2, 2012 - Norah Jones is set to appear with a Live-on-Letterman webcast, featuring Jones from the prestigious Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, tonight - Wednesday, May 2nd at 8:00 ET. This is a clever, strategic move for Jones to push her next album “Little Broken Hearts” set for a May 1st release.

Norah’s Live-on-Letterman webcast will come after the taping of her gig on the Late Show with David Letterman, which will be aired later that evening on CBS.

Norah will also be part of San Francisco’s 2012 “Outside Lands Festival “ line-up and featured with great artists she has worked with in her career such as Foo Fighters, Beck, Jack White, Santigold and Neil Young. The festival is set to take place August 10-12. MORE

Bob Baldwin – Presents Betcha By Golly Wow – The Songs of Thom Bell – Peak Records (**2 out of 5 STARS)
April 27, 2012 - We live in a world where most instrumental music sounds like it was made for a 5x5 vertically moving room and that includes some Smooth Jazz. Interestingly, most Smooth Jazz musicians are technically some of the best players on the planet but many have fallen into this big vacuous hole, an amnesic state, where channelling Bert Kaempfert is common place. Case in point, the beginning of Bob Baldwin’s new album, “Betcha By Golly Wow,” gave me visions of Ed Grimley swatting fireflies with a spaghetti baton. This Thom Bell salute starts really soft with the Delfonics 1970 hit, ‘Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time).’ It was Bell’s third hit with the band. Russ Freeman’s guitar work is fantastic, as usual, but flautist Ragan Whiteside dresses the tune with a polka dot poncho – I’ll take floor number 4 please! Seriously, doing covers is a tough gig and interpretation with instrumental music is a whole other Matterhorn to climb. It’s just too easy to slip into Muzak and this opening tune is driving way too close to that dotted line. Bell was well known for his lush arrangements but not for putting anyone to sleep. MORE

Elton John Sued Over Allegedly Stealing "Nikita" Lyrics
April 27, 2012- It’s been said that some things in life may come back to haunt you and in this case, Elton John is being accused of stealing lyrics for a hit single he released back in 1985. The man coming out with these accusations is Guy Hobbs, and he says Elton‘s song “Nikita” was a rip off to a song that he wrote back in 1982 called “Natasha.” It does seem highly unlikely, however, that one of the most prolific songwriter’s, along with lyricist Bernie Taupin would ever need to steal a song from anyone!

According to TMZ, Hobbs did file the lawsuit in Illinois federal court claiming the song he wrote was based on an affair he had with a Russian cruise ship waitress…. and three years later....Elton stole his idea! Hobbs said back then he copyrighted his song “Natasha” and sent the lyrics to many publishers and even to Elton’s prominent publishing company, Lucky Pig, but never heard anything back.

When John released his hit single “Nikita” in 1985, Hobbs claims the lyrics have “significant similarities” to his song “Natasha” except Elton’s song was about a German female boarder guard. It is still unclear as to what lyrics were exactly stolen, but what makes it even more unclear is why it took Hobbs so many years to file for copyright infringement. Hobbs says since he has been hanging out in Africa since 1984, news travels slowly over there. TMZ added, that a rep for Elton and Bernie said “they do not know the plaintiff, nor did they make use of any song lyrics he claims to have written” and also the fact that Hobbs waited 26 years before coming forward makes the suit “completely meritless.” MORE

Pink Floyd Set to Release ‘Making of 'Wish You Were Here' on DVD
April 3, 2012 – Great news for Pink Floyd fans. After a slew of re-releases last year there’s more to come with the DVD documentary on the making of another classic album, ‘Wish You Were Here.’

Set for June 26th release, the DVD will feature brand new interviews with surviving members David Gilmour, Roger Waters and Nick Mason as well as archival chats with Richard Wright, who died of cancer in 2008 at the age of 65.

The distributors, Eagle Rock Entertainment, have released some great details on the project. You can also expect folk legend and guest vocalist Roy Harper to appear as well as cover art designer Storm Thorgerson and even the “burning man” dude on the cover of the album, Ronnie Rondell.

Band members will also talk about a very unexpected and infamous visit, to Abbey Road Studios, from original member Syd Barrett who slowly lost his mind after leaving Pink Floyd. The tune, 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond,' was inspired by him.

‘Wish You Were Here’ was released on September 12, 1975. It was the follow-up to their huge hit “Dark Side of the Moon.’ READ MORE

KISS Supports War Veterans Looking For Roadie
April 1, 2012- The band KISS is touring with Motley Crue this summer and they want to hire a veteran to hang out with the band on the road.  KISS is participating in a program called "Hiring Our Heroes."  They are looking for a strong hand that can help in setting up the stage, running effects and breaking it all down.  The winning candidate does not have to have any experience but must be prepared to work long hours.  This all takes place from mid- July to the end of September.

KISS has also donated thousands of dollars to the Wounded Warrior Project and they have been long time supporters of the U.S military.

Up for the challenge? Send an email to hiringourheroes@uschamber.com with your resume and contact details. READ MORE

REVIEW - Esperanza Spalding – Radio Music Society (4 out of 5 Stars) – Heads Up – Concord Music Group
April 2, 2012 – Esperanza Spalding is a groovy chick. I mean, really, when she’s in the room, everyone else disappears and I’m talkin’ more than that big “love-sculpture” hair. She’s the type of musician you might walk up to at a party, ask about her music, and walk away three hours later regretting the question. This lady has a vision so you better have a seat.

‘Radio Music Society’ is Spalding’s third album and the follow to ‘Chamber Music Society,’ the titles are way too similar but the singer says the new album is meant as a companion, rather than a sequel to the last one. “Originally I thought it would be fun to release a double album,” she explains, “One disc with an intimate, subtle exploration of chamber works and a second one in which jazz musicians explore song forms and melodies that are formatted more along the lines of what we would categorize as “pop songs.”

REVIEW – Van Halen – A Different Kind of Truth (***3 out of 5)
Unwrapping this one might bring back Christmas-past memories of a re-gifting faux pas. As they say it must be a great gift if they are giving it back to you? Sure, you will feel a certain déjà vu with the new Van Halen album, “A Different Kind of Truth.” That classic sound is certainly there. The problem? This album is watered down. These are mostly old demos – tunes that didn’t make the grade the first time. There is nothing that sounds remotely like “Jump,” on this album, not even close. Though it’s somewhat unfair to compare anyone’s former greatness, especially when they peaked 28 years ago, it still needs to be said. So have Van Halen given you a gift that you gave back? It’s hard not to ask but for a comeback, that’s so important, why couldn’t the band start from scratch? Can Roth and Eddie Van Halen stand each other enough to write a freakin’ new tune?

First off, it’s great to hear David Lee Roth back with the band. He does sound like his former self, albeit without some of the edge, but lets remember he is 57. Noticeably absent is bassist and backing vocalist Michael Anthony who left (well, he was kicked out) after the reunion tour in 2006. I agree with many die-hard fans that this is not a true Van Halen reunion without Anthony’s contributions. I really miss his backing vocals, which were a bigger part of that classic sound than most people think. READ MORE

It’s “Van Halen Day” on Rock History Book – Check out the New Album Today – CLICK TO LISTEN
It’s safe to say that Rock History Book Radio has tons of Van Halen fans listening everyday and it was a no-brainer to pronounce, today, “Van Halen Day!” All day hosts John Beaudin and Shannon Edwards will feature two tracks, every hour, from the new Van Halen album, “A Different Kind of Truth.”

In Fact, John and Shannon will do it all over again tomorrow for our second of two Van Halen Days. “On Tuesday we will play the new album throughout the day but will also feature more classic Van Halen,” says Rock History Book Radio host and Program Director John Beaudin. “Also expect to hear the whole new album in it’s entirety at 12-Noon (eastern),” adds Beaudin.

The new disc, as it turns out, is a rehash of some old demos polished off to 2012 standards and is the first full album with, original lead singer, David Lee Roth in 28 years. “Ok, this will not be the album of the year,” says Beaudin, “But it’s certainly a huge Rock-Event and we want to be there for the fans and, of course, the band.

Beaudin will feature a review of the disc later today on Rock History Book.

Death of the CD Expected By 2013.
November 22, 2011 - Industry insiders are saying that the compact disc may be a thing of the past within 2 years! I remember when that little shiny disc wiped out the cassette tape and I thought that would never happen.

According to Side Line Music Magazine, the CD is set to expire by 2013 and will be in motion to start elimination sometime into 2012. The only CD’s that will be out there will be limited edition prints from major record labels. Here we are now left wrapping our minds round streaming and digital download options with retailers such as iTunes and Amazon. The truly bad news is a digital download has inferior sound to a CD, so once again I guess speed kills.

The magazine tried to get a statement from some of the big labels to confirm the extinction of the CD and no one would come forward but some employees and associates of the labels said indeed things are in the works.

So, like all things, time will tell if our CD’s will be collecting dust on our shelves and if inevitably we will be clicking a link on our computers for our song selection.   - By Shannon Edwards
t have to stay tuned! MORE

The Air-Com Radio Network Introduces Our Own-A-Radio-Station Package
November, 2010 – Ever notice how bad most Internet radio stations are? Unfortunately, most sound like bad mix tapes and most have very little listener ship.

This is where the Air-Com Radio Network can help. Let us build the station for you from the ground up. Everyone on our staff are radio veterans – we know how to do this. We will do everything for you. In fact, in the end, you will receive a brand new laptop via courier and all you need to do is hook it up to the Internet and start it. It will sound better than most Internet stations in the world and certainly as professional as any terrestrial station.

This package is available for any radio format from Rock, Pop, AC, Hot AC, CHR, Gold Jazz, World etc. and is available for anyone around the world.

With our “Own-A-Radio-Station” package you get a fully functioning radio station that will include:

• Professional Imaging (that’s the branding in between the songs – It’s what sets your station apart from other stations and it’s what gives your station it’s individual personality.
• Radio station software for both creating the daily music logs and to run the radio station.
• We will build hourly clocks with a tight rotation suited for your needs.
• Purchase all the music with metadata included and all volume levels equalled.
• Create a very affordable streaming package for you.
• A new name-brand computer with a 500 GB hard drive.
• Will teach you how to reach your target audience and advertising customers.
• We will teach you some of the secrets of radio, how and when to talk, how to relate to your audience etc.
• Plus 3 months of support with our professional team of Broadcasters.

Talk to us about one of the fastest growing fields in entertainment – Internet Radio!

Contact John Beaudin, Operations Manager of Air-Com Radio Network  (917) 310-7625