Monthly Archives: October, 2012

OCT 26, 2012 - Pitchfork has a cool article on how The Nationals found out that a pro-Romney video made by Ohio University Students for Romney was using their song "Fake Empire" and they were furious. The group is not officially tied to the Mitt Romney campaign, but nonetheless frontman Matt Berninger issued a statement saying, "Our music was used without our permission in this ad. The song you’re using was written about the same backward, con game policies Romney is proposing. We encourage all students to educate themselves about the differences between the inclusive, pro-social, compassionate, forward-thinking policies of President Obama and the self-serving politics of the neo-conservative movement and Mitt Romney. Every single person involved in the creation of the music you're using is voting for President Obama."

Read more on Pitchfork.com here.

OCT 26, 2012 - Janis Joplin's influences, talent and remarkable life are being put on stage by Cleveland native Mary Bridget Davies, along with Randy Johnson creating, writing and directing the "One Night With Janis Joplin" show. The Arena Stage, Cleveland Play House and Premiere Media put together a show to remember and honor one of rock's giants. The show will show the legends she was influenced by, from Bessie Smith, to Etta James, to Aretha Franklin and more; and of course TONS of awesome Janis Joplin music.

Mary Bridget Davies also starred as Janis Joplin in the national tour of Love, which was nominated for the Austin Circle of Theaters’ B. Iden Payne Award as well as voted “Best Moment in Theater” by Kansas City’s The Pitch newspaper. Ms.Davies has also received numerous awards for her voice and band, most recently winning second place at International Blues Challenge 2011. She tours internationally with Joplin’s original band, Big Brother & the Holding Company.

Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene, and plowed her way to the top in a music scene dominated by men both in the studio and the stage. She sang her heart out, and touched millions of peoples' lives and the ripples from her life continue to this day. She was a centerpiece of the 1960's, and even sang at Woodstock, but she didn't let them use the footage because she said she "had a cold". To discover or RE-discover Janis Joplin, check out the official Janis Joplin website here. Check out more info about "One Night With Janis Joplin" on the Arena Stage show website here, and check out the awesome singer Davies who plays Janis on the Mary Bridget Davies website here. Below is a video of Janis' brother Michael who comments on the show and you can get a small taste of the show.

OCT 25, 2012 - Katy Perry performed at an Obama rally in Las Vegas earlier, and here are some pics. We will post the video as soon as it comes out. Photos from DemocraticUnderground.com.

OCT 23, 2012 - Bruce Springsteen, and the bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley, were in Virginia today, helping to Get Out The Vote. 

Ralph Stanley is a bluegrass legend, having a career of over 60 years with songs like, "Ridin' That Midnight Train" to his work with "O' Brother Where Art Though?". He has always been involved with politics, and played at a John Edwards rally, and later endorsed Barack Obama for President. He is a TRUE, old school "Southern Democrat". Currently Mr. Stanley is helping Wayne Powell with the "O'Cantor Where Art Thou?" tour, who is challenging Eric Cantor for the 7th Congressional District seat in Virginia.

Read more on NBCWashington.com here, and here is a great video  by jbf3t of Bruce in Virginia below singing an AWESOME acoustic guitar version of "Thunder Road". Below that is a 30-second AD for Ralph Stanley's "O Cantor Where Art Thou?" tour, showing how Cantor is never in the state of Virginia helping out Virginian constituents. (photo credit: CC/Ralph Stanley)

OCT 22, 2012 - Pearl Jam's Mike McCready has made a video with filmmaker Jesse Dylan to ask voters to make a pledge on SignOn.org to support the issue of people with pre-existing medical conditions having access to affordable healthcare. On the Pearl Jam website they say:

"The truth is, everyone is better off when everyone is healthy. Especially those of us who have been dealt a rough hand – people with conditions or diseases like cancer, diabetes, Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s, HIV, asthma or arthritis.

The insurance networks that control our doctor’s offices, hospitals and emergency rooms have a more difficult time-sharing our pro-health perspective. Not because they’re bad people, but because their focus is on profitability, and they haven’t found a way to be as profitable off of the sick as they are off the healthy. Which is not to say they aren’t profitable. 

We are a musician and a filmmaker, who are also fathers and businessmen, who are living with chronic illnesses. We know firsthand of what we speak. We were also friends with the late Jennifer Jaff who, through her organization Advocacy for Patients, fought tirelessly with insurance companies on behalf of chronically ill patients who had been denied payments or coverage. Our friend Jennifer imagined a day when her services would no longer be needed, when health care for all Americans would be seen as both good business and good values.  If you share this vision and these values, watch and share this little video we created as a tribute to Jennifer, and help elect a President this November who shares these values as well.

Sincerely,

Jesse Dylan, Founder of Wondros, Filmmaker, inspired by his son’s illness to found Lybba, at lybba.org, creating compassionate communities of care to redesign healthcare for good, Mike McCready, Pearl Jam, Guitarist, living with Crohn’s disease"

Mike McCready is asking you to TAKE ACTION and sign the pledge to support the issue of people with pre-existing medical conditions having access to affordable healthcare. Also, check out this great new organization called LYBBA that is trying to "transform healthcare for good", and is creating an "open source health and learning network" to make healthcare better, more affordable, and reaching more people.   Watch the video below, and sign the pledge here."