27 Mar 2012

JAZZ TRUMPET PLAYER PERFORMING SATURDAY AT GRIGGS

By Doug Davis

DAVENPORT, IOWA--Jazz fusion artist, Winston Byrd will be performing and presenting a free trumpet clinic on Saturday, March 31st, 11 a.m at Griggs Music, Brady Street, Davenport.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for jazz fans and trumpet players to see this talented musician and learn techniques from this great trumpet player, " says Doug Davis, vice-president of Griggs Music. "We're so lucky he has taken the time from his touring schedule to come to the Quad Cities!"

Byrd has performed, recorded and toured with a wide-variety of highly acclaimed recording hit musical groups and artists, such as the Stylistics, the Chi-Lites, Grammy winning Patti Austin, The Dells, The Grateful Dead, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Michael Bolton, Louis Bellson, Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Mary Wilson (of the Supremes), Usher and many others.

Winston Byrd has since gone on to lead his own big bands  in New York and Los Angeles  for the past five years, and has  recorded his first CD entitled, "Soul Searchin."   Byrd also has a number of his own compositions that have been recorded on T.S. Monk's (the great jazz pianist, Thelonious Monk's son) latest release entitled "Higher Ground" where Winston Byrd (former member) can also be heard.

For more information contact Doug Davis at Griggs Music, 563-391-9000.

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23 Mar 2012

Casting Crowns - Come to the Well Tour This Friday!

By New Anthem

Casting Crowns with Matthew West, Royal Tailor and Lindsay McCaul

Where: iWireless Center in Moline, IL
When: March 23, 2012
Starts: 7:00PM
Doors Open: 6:00PM

Tickets On Sale: Now

Ticket Prices:
Advance - $24.00
Artist Circle - $40.00
Groups of 10+ - $18.00
Advance (limited number) - $15.00

Group Sales: Groups of 10 or more receive 1 free ticket! Call 309-277-1356 or groupsales@iwirelesscenter.com for details.

Phone Sales: 800-745-3000

Mail Order Tickets:
Make checks payable and mail to:

i wireless Center, Attn: Box Office, 1201 River Dr., Moline, IL 61265.
Include a $3 per order handling fee and a $2.50 per ticket facility fee.

Buy Tickets Online:

23 Mar 2012

Cedar Rapids & RAGBRAI® Announce Counting Crows in Concert on July 26

By Jennifer Pickar

Cedar Rapids, IA- On Thursday, July 26, 2012 the community of Cedar Rapids and the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa™ will host Counting Crows in concert.

Registered RAGBRAI riders will receive free admission to this concert and special event celebrating 40 years of Iowa, in downtown Cedar Rapids. Residents of Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities are invited to attend this special evening and tickets will go on sale mid-April. Watch www.cedarrapisdragbrai.com and www.ragbrai.com for details.

"We are excited to celebrate 40 years with Iowans and the communities of Iowa who are the true backbone of this ride," said T.J. Juskiewicz, RAGBRAI Director. "We look forward to working with the community of Cedar Rapids to host this event on July 26."

COUNTING CROWS hails from the San Francisco Bay area and consist of Adam Duritz (vocals), David Bryson (guitar), Charles Gillingham (keyboards), Dan Vickrey (guitar), Jim Bogios (drums), and Millard Powers (bass). COUNTING CROWS success dates back to their 1993 debut release August and Everything After and the hit single "Mr. Jones." The band recently hit #1 with the song "Accidentally In Love," which was featured on the Shrek 2 soundtrack, as well as nominations in 2005 for a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for the track. COUNTING CROWS has sold over 20 million records worldwide. Counting Crows are releasing a new album Underwater Sunshine in April.

Des Moines Register Media owns and produces RAGBRAI, a trek across Iowa that's the world's oldest, largest and longest annual bicycle ride. RAGBRAI riders will overnight in Sioux Center, Cherokee, Lake View, Webster City, Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids, Anamosa and Clinton this year.

###
20 Mar 2012

Quad City Symphony Orchestra partners with Quad City Bank and Trust for 30th annual Riverfront Pops

By Jared Johnson
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra announces Quad City Bank and Trust as its new sponsor for Riverfront Pops. Riverfront Pops is the annual kick-off to the QCSO's performance season and a 30-year Quad City tradition. This new, multi-year agreement will ensure the concert remains a highlight of the summer festival season here in the Quad Cities.


"Quad City Bank & Trust is excited to partner with the Quad City Symphony and it's Riverfront Pops concert," said John Anderson, President and CEO of Quad City Bank and Trust. "We deeply believe in strengthening the community in which we work and play. We recognize the vital role music education can play in success in school, in life, and in our society, and we want to ensure that programs such as Instruments for Kids and Youth Orchestra scholarships are maintained, and perhaps even increased. It is our hope that with our commitment to this event, every child who wishes to play a musical instrument will be able to do so."

"We are very excited to announce our new partnership with Quad City Bank and Trust," said Jeff vom Saal, Executive Director of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. "As budgets at home and school get stretched thin, the community is increasingly looking to us for support. Our instrument lending program, school outreach tours, and annual Symphony Day concert have become integral parts of the Quad City music education landscape. Partnerships like this new Riverfront Pops sponsorship allow us to maintain and even look to expand our current educational offerings."

The Quad City Bank and Trust Riverfront Pops concert is scheduled to host is 30th annual concert on Saturday, September 8, in LeClaire Park. The concert draws thousands of people every year to the Mississippi riverside where they can enjoy an afternoon in the park, an evening of live music from the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, and fireworks over Centennial Bridge. Popular events like the Riverfront Pops concert, and the Holiday Pops concert a couple months later, allow the QCSO to maintain their high standard of artistic excellence and provide free education programs to thousands of students in the Quad Cities.

In 2012, the Quad City Bank and Trust Riverfront Pops is proud to be the kick-off event for the East West Riverfest, a 10-day arts festival in the Quad Cities that encompasses Viva Quad Cities, the Beaux Arts Fair, the Celtic Festival and Highland Games, Riversance, and many other festivals, events, and activities.

19 Mar 2012

Funktion plays free show at Rock Island, March 22, in support of "Step Into It" album

By Wide Awake Publicity
Funktion
Rock Island Brewing Company (RIBCO) (1815 Second Ave., Rock Island, IL)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Price: FREE
Age: 21+
Doors: 7pm
Show: 8pm

Funktion takes kinetic live performances, 'fireball of funk' on the road across country

Seven-member band Funktion is a funk-making machine. The band's kinetic live performances are fueled by a densely layered, harmonic funk-rock music with an upbeat, dance-inducing rhythmic groove including hints of hip-hop and jazz. No form of the funk genre is off limits, whether it's a smooth R&B vibe, cool island dub rhythms, rowdy hip-hop or its own unique, unhinged, guitar-fueled fireball of funk.

When it comes right down to it, however, the band's multifaceted sounds are simply dance music. The band's main intention is to get people up and grooving on the dance floor.

The band's sound includes smooth brass grooves with percussive vocals and hip-hop themes intertwined with retro funk bass lines, but it's energy and vibe also create a type of venue-wide positive energy. Funktion members say there's also positive energy when they are just hanging out or on the road and it translates on stage through the music straight to the audience.

Funktion's music, groove and vibe is ultimately shaped by all the musical elements that influences its members. These influences include the great funk and groove artists from the past and present including everyone from James Brown, Parliament, Herbie Hancock and Sly and the Family Stone to The Roots, Maceo Parker, 311 and Soulive.

"We've got seven guys whose passion is to play music," percussionist Jeremy Reisig said. "The reason we want to get it out there at a high level is that we love playing music with each other. We love messing around and we love that energy on stage."

The act, in May 2011, released its "Step Into It" album to high acclaim. It features the band at its best in the studio and features several special guests on horns and vocals. Ultimately, however, the band must be seen live to fully understand its impact and talent for extended cross-genre improvisations.

FUNKTION:
Andrew Schrock (Lead Vocals)
Terrence Massey (Trumpet, Vocals)
Hugh Little (Keyboards, Vocals)
Nate Heymoss (Guitar)
Neal Conway (Bass)
Sean Reisig (Drums)
Jeremy Reisig (Percussion, Flows)

ONLINE:
• www.funktionmusic.com/
• www.facebook.com/Funktionkzoo
• www.youtube.com/user/funktionkalamazoo
• www.reverbnation.com/funktionkalamazoo

MUSIC:
• music.funktionmusic.com/

VIDEO:
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLXoHkyshA
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=v38QrCKZ9WA&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AV4oVf-d_DwKDu2ifMFiHNfVIkfSzU5JVM
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=34vNBa6SSbU
• www.archive.org/details/WyceJammiesXiFunktion
19 Mar 2012

Rascal Flatts in the theater April 5

By Fathom Events
Country supergroup Rascal Flatts brings a high-energy fan experience to movie theaters nationwide with Rascal Flatts-CHANGED: One Night Exclusive Theater Event on Thursday, April 5 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. PT (tape delayed). NCM Fathom, Big Machine, and AEG Network Live present this in-theater concert and all-access event that will feature exclusive concert performance footage of the group's biggest hits, along with new music from their upcoming album entitled Changed. Additionally, fans will get a peek backstage for rare interviews with band members Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus. The event will also include a special Q&A session with the band, featuring questions submitted in advance by their fans via social media networks.
Tickets for Rascal Flatts-CHANGED: One Night Exclusive Theater Event are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.
Rascal Flatts-CHANGED will be playing at the following theaters in your area:
RVE Davenport 53 18 with IMAX 3601 E 53Rd St Davenport IA 52807 7:00 PM
19 Mar 2012

UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 11, 2012

By Candace Avery
Nashville, TN, USA - March 12, 2012 - Due to overwhelming demand, the inaugural Unsigned Only Music Competition has extended its deadline to enter until April 11, 2012. Designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major record label, Unsigned Only's goal is to find an outstanding, talented performing artist: a band, singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the "gem" that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total package. Judging criteria includes vocals, performance, songwriting, and originality.

Created by the same team who founded the International Songwriting Competition (ISC), Unsigned Only offers great prizes, recognition, exposure, and the chance to be heard by a group of judges consisting of high-profile recording artists and industry professionals. It also takes it a step further, however, and offers the Grand Prize winner the unprecedented opportunity to be mentored by a group of record company presidents, A&R reps, and more. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for an artist to directly network with the top echelon of record company professionals and get guidance, advice, feedback, and networking opportunities.

The founders of Unsigned Only, Jim Morgan and Candace Avery, talk about the new venture: "We are pleased to introduce a new music competition of this caliber to artists throughout the world. Having worked with a wide variety of artists over many years, we know that what artists want most is access to record label professionals. However, it is virtually impossible for most up-and-coming artists to have direct access to this elite and elusive group of decision makers. So, Unsigned Only is offering the unprecedented opportunity for the Grand Prize winner to network with and be mentored by a prestigious group of record label executives. This has never been done before, and we are excited about the possibilities it affords the Unsigned Only winner."

The judging panel is comprised of an impressive group of recording artists, producers, and top-level music journalists. They include : Cyndi Lauper; Kenny Rogers; Angie Stone; 3 Doors Down; Charlie Daniels; Jeremy Camp; Manchester Orchestra; Craig Morgan; Robert Smith (The Cure); Kelly Clarkson; Musiq Soulchild; Aaron Shust; Steve Lillywhite (Producer); G. Love; Matt and Kim; St. Vincent; The Mountain Goats; Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Scott Lapatine (Founder/Editor-In-Chief, Stereogum) and Lorraine Ali (Pop Music Editor, Los Angeles Times).

The panel of mentors who have signed on to participate is equally impressive. Included are: Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic); Pete Ganbarg (Executive Vice President/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); David Wolter (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, RCA Records); David Wilkes (VP of A&R, eOne Music); Pete Giberga (Head of A&R, Razor & Tie Records); Jason Geter (President, Grand Hustle Records); Jason McArthur (VP of A&R, Provident Label Group); and Josh Bailey, SVP A&R, Word Label Group.

The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded $5,000 in cash (plus additional prizes) and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives. First Place and Second Place winners will also be selected in each category. Entries are being accepted now until April 11, 2012.  Winners will be announced in July, 2012. Categories include : AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian Music, Country, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop/Top 40, and Vocal Performance.

All entries must be original music except for the Vocal Performance category which accepts original or cover songs. Judging criteria in the Vocal Performance category will be based solely on the quality of the vocals, thereby allowing singers who do not write their own songs the opportunity to enter.

For more information, please contact Candace Avery at 615.251.4441 or cavery@unsignedonly.com.
For entry and general information, please go to http://www.unsignedonly.com
19 Mar 2012

Film Makes its Debut in the Quad Cities

By Roseanne Krubsack
The film, Miss Representation, will have its first showing in the Quad City area on Tuesday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Rogolski Center Ballroom on the SAU campus. "Miss Representation" is a 2011 American documentary film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011. It has been winning awards at festivals all over the world. The film explores the distorted way in which the media portrays women, and the effects this has on girls as they develop their own self-images. A discussion will follow the screening of the film. The film is being brought to the area by the Davenport-Bettendorf branch of AAUW, and Women's Studies, the SAAT team and Her Campus from St.Ambrose University. The public is invited to attend. There is no charge.
14 Mar 2012

Donny Osmond in Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Coming to 500+ U.S. Movie Theaters on 3/26 & 4/4

By Rick Martin
Movie theater audiences nationwide will sing along with Donny Osmond this spring in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. NCM Fathom and Omniverse Vision present this fully staged pre-recorded production in more than 500 movie theaters on Monday, March 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p. m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. PT/HI/AK; and again on Wednesday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. (all time zones). This exclusive never-before-seen sing-along version with subtitles for audiences to join in also features an introduction and question-and-answer session with Osmond live from Salt Lake City.
Tickets for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be playing at the following theaters in your area on Mar. 26:
RVE Davenport 53 18 with IMAX 3601 E 53Rd St Davenport IA 52807 7:00 PM
Click here for tickets on Apr. 4.
14 Mar 2012

Rock Group Journey Completes Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up

By Lori Chappell

Grandstand Tickets On Sale April 14

DES MOINES, IA (03/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Journey with Pat Benatar and Loverboy will bring their classic rock to the Iowa State Fair Grandstand August 18. The show completes this year's Grandstand line-up. Tickets for all shows go on sale at 10 a.m. on April 14 through all Ticketmaster outlets. The 2012 line-up is presented by U.S. Cellular.

With hits like "Don't Stop Believing", "Any Way You Want It" and "Faithfully", Journey has firmly established its musical legacy during its three decade career. The band is also among the best-selling artists with two gold, three platinum and eight multi-platinum albums. Four-time Grammy winner Pat Benatar has been rocking the stage since the early 1980s, emerging as one of music's top-selling female artists and a leading vocalist in the industry. Loverboy's anthems became the party songs of an entire generation of rock fans.

Country superstars Rascal Flatts takes the stage August 19. Their numerous hits like "These Days," "Bless The Broken Road," and "Take Me There" have made them the most awarded group in country music history. The group will perform with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge.

Contemporary Christian artist TobyMac with special guests Tenth Avenue North and Jamie Grace bring their upbeat tunes to the stage opening night, August 9.

Miranda Lambert turns up the heat with her chart-topping country hits August 12. The Band Perry has taken country music by storm and they're not slowing down. The group performs August 14 with Easton Corbin. August 17 features country icon Hank Williams Jr. and his "Taking Back the Country" tour.

Launched into stardom with their hit show on Nickelodeon, Big Time Rush has quickly made their mark on the music scene and brings their show to the stage August 16.

The Grandstand will be filled with hits from the 60s and 70s on August 10 with the Happy Together Tour 2012 starring The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams.

Larry the Cable Guy brings his brand of comedy to the stage August 11 with special guest Reno Collier.

Motor sports action kicks into high gear Monday, August 13 with the Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models. Tumultuous Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pulling roars into the Grandstand Wednesday, August 15. A demolition derby tears up the track for a morning session Saturday, August 18.

Tickets for all concert and track events will go on sale Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. All concert events are reserved seating; track events are general admission. Beginning July 9, the Fair's Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays - Fridays and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays for walk-up orders only (no mail, phone or fax orders). Convenience charges will apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include Fair admission.

Today is the last day to join Fan Fair, which allows patrons to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the public. All proceeds benefit the Blue Ribbon Foundation. For more information visit http://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/ways-to-give/membership-programs/fan-fair.

A complete listing of event dates, times and ticket prices follows:

2011 Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up

presented by U.S. Cellular

Thursday, August 9 TobyMac with special guest Tenth Avenue North and Jamie Grace, 8 p.m., $32

Friday, August 10 Happy Together Tour 2012 starring The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams, 8 p.m., $25

Saturday, August 11 Larry the Cable Guy with special guest Reno Collier, 8 p.m. $35

Sunday, August 12 An Evening with Miranda Lambert, 8 p.m., $48

Monday, August 13 Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models, 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps, 6 p.m. Races, $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Tuesday, August 14 The Band Perry with special guest Easton Corbin, 8 p.m., $35

Wednesday, August 15 Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull, 2 p.m. $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Thursday, August 16 An Evening with Big Time Rush, 7 p.m., $38

Friday, August 17 Hank Williams Jr. "Taking Back the Country Tour," 8 p.m., $39

Saturday, August 18 Demolition Derby, 11:30 a.m., $12 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Saturday, August 18 Journey with Pat Benatar and Loverboy, 8 p.m., $48

Sunday, August 19 Rascal Flatts with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge, 7 p.m., $59

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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