Monthly Archives: September 2015

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    108 Rock Star Guitars Exhibit at RONROBINSON Ultimate Lifestyle Store on Display Through October 10

108 Rock Star Guitars Exhibit at RONROBINSON Ultimate Lifestyle Store on Display Through October 10

108 Rock Star Guitars author and photographer Lisa S. Johnson has partnered with ultimate lifestyle shopping destination RONROBINSON in Santa Monica, Calif., to display Johnson’s original photography showcasing the instruments of guitar gods such as Jimmy Page, Slash, Carlos Santana and more. The photography will be available for viewing and purchase through Saturday, October 10 at RONROBINSON, located at 1327 Fifth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

Earlier this month, Johnson held an exhibit kickoff event at RONROBINSON, which featured music by DJ Apollo Starr, guitar-themed refreshments by Wines That Rock, and a Jimmy Page Gibson SG EDS 1275 double-neck cake by renowned bakery Brie Darling Cakes (formerly Cakesheads L.A.).

108 Rock Star Guitars is an embossed, red leatherette book by photographer and author Lisa S. Johnson launched in 2013 (hardcover) and 2014 (softcover). Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, Nancy Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Slash, Carlos Santana, Jack White, Ronnie Wood, Lou Reed, Ace Frehley, Billy Gibbons, Don Felder, Joe Walsh, Robby Krieger, Willie Nelson, Johnny Winter, and Les Paul, who also wrote the foreword, are among the rock stars whose instruments are featured.

Ron Robinson began his Los Angeles retail career in the late 1960’s, and in 1978, RONROBINSON, Inc. opened its doors at Fred Segal on Melrose Avenue. With the store’s reputation for a curated selection of high-quality merchandise and outstanding service, RONROBINSON captured a quintessentially California aesthetic and quickly became a Los Angeles retail icon and destination for musicians and stars such as Elton John, Janis Joplin, and the Beach Boys. In November of 2014, Ron Robinson opened a 5,500 square foot, free-standing, open-concept storefront in Santa Monica. The eponymous store, features a unique shopping experience, with the same expertly selected […]

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    Timbaland to Launch New Book, The Emperor of Sound, at BackStory Live Interview Event

Timbaland to Launch New Book, The Emperor of Sound, at BackStory Live Interview Event

BackStory, a series of curated live, feature-length interviews with iconic artists and musicians, announces world-renowned producer Timbaland as an upcoming guest. The event will focus on Timbaland’s new book The Emperor of Sound, and much more, and will take place Wed., Nov. 18, 2015 at the Highline Ballroom in New York City. Tickets are available at www.backstoryevents.com or http://highlineballroom.com.

World-renowned producer Timbaland has been a fixture on the pop charts, with more top-ten hits than Elvis or the Beatles. An artist whose fans are multi-racial and multi-generational, Timbaland works with the hottest artists, from Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott to Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Madonna, and his childhood friend, Pharrell Williams. Yet this celebrity is a uniquely private man who shuns parties, stays out of gossip columns, and rarely gives interviews.

In The Emperor of Sound, his new book coming out in November via Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, Timbaland offers fans an unprecedented look into his life and work. Completely uncensored and totally honest, he reveals the magic behind the music and the layering of sounds that have created dozens of number-one hits. The Emperor of Sound showcases this master’s artistry and offers an extraordinary glimpse inside a great musical mind. You can pre-order The Emperor of Sound today at http://bit.ly/1I3IGgg.

Hosted by legendary music journalist Brad Tolinski, the event will allow guests to enjoy a seat at an exclusive, career-spanning live interview. Each ticket includes a copy of The Emperor of Sound. VIP experience tickets also include a meet-and-greet with Timbaland and premium seating. Timbaland will be interviewed one-on-one by Tolinski as they discuss the new book and much more. Tickets are available at www.backstoryevents.com or http://highlineballroom.com. A portion of the proceeds of the […]

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    BackStory Events Hosts Giveaway for a Chance to Win a Meet-and-Greet Prize Package with The Zombies

BackStory Events Hosts Giveaway for a Chance to Win a Meet-and-Greet Prize Package with The Zombies

BackStory, a series of curated, live, feature-length interviews with iconic artists and musicians, is giving one lucky fan the opportunity to win a meet-and-greet prize package for a live interview event with Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent of The Zombies, at the AOL Studios in New York City on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015.

The giveaway includes a meet-and-greet with Blunstone and Argent of The Zombies, an autographed copy of their new album Still Got That Hunger, and a chance to be a part of the studio audience at the interview event conducted by music journalist Brad Tolinski. Find out more about the event here.

Fans can enter for a chance to win through September 23, 2015. The sweepstakes is open to entrants from the United States.  A complete list of rules and regulations can be found by visiting the giveaway page here.

For more information about BackStory, visit www.backstoryevents.com.

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    Jennifer Batten Selected as 2016 She Rocks Award Honoree by The Women’s International Music Network

Jennifer Batten Selected as 2016 She Rocks Award Honoree by The Women’s International Music Network

The Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN) is extremely pleased to announce acclaimed guitarist Jennifer Batten as a 2016 She Rocks Award recipient. Recognizing women who stand out as role models in the music industry, the live awards event takes place on January 22, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the Anaheim Hilton Hotel during the NAMM Show.

Best known for having played guitar for Michael Jackson’s three solo world tours as well as the Superbowl XXVII, Batten has also toured and recorded with British guitar icon Jeff Beck for several years, recorded three solo CD’s, written two music books, and released three instructional DVD’s with  truefire.com. Batten continues to tour the globe with performances and music seminars. For more information, visit www.jenniferbatten.com.

“Jennifer Batten is one of the most deserving and hard-working women in our industry. She blazed the path for today’s female guitarists, inspiring a legion of players. For that, and many other reasons, we are so excited to honor her with an award,” said the WiMN Founder, Laura B. Whitmore.

The WiMN recently announced 2016 She Rocks Awards honoree Amy Heidemann of chart-topping pop duo Karmin. More honorees will be announced soon.

The She Rocks Awards pays tribute to women who display leadership and stand out within the music industry, and has become a standard at the NAMM Show. Previous award recipients include female industry leaders such as Colbie Caillat, Sheila E, The Bangles, Orianthi, Dinah Gretsch, Craigie Zildjian, Janie L. Hendrix, Amani Duncan, Mary Peavey, and more. The event brings together industry professionals, music icons, artists, fans and media to celebrate women in music.

The She Rocks Awards will take place on Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel at 6:30 p.m. Tickets go […]

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    The Women’s International Music Network Announces Amy Heidemann of Karmin as a 2016 She Rocks Award Recipient

The Women’s International Music Network Announces Amy Heidemann of Karmin as a 2016 She Rocks Award Recipient

The Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN), producer of the annual She Rocks Awards, is pleased to announce Amy Heidemann of Karmin as its first selected award recipient for the upcoming 2016 She Rocks Awards. Now in its fourth year, the event will take place during the NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif., on the evening of Friday, January 22, 2016. Tickets go on sale October 1, 2015.

“It’s an incredible honor to be a recipient of a She Rocks Award and to be listed among such stunning musicians,” said Heidemann.

Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan of Karmin launched to stardom through their dynamic covers of popular songs such as “Look At Me Now,” “Super Bass,” and “Party Rock Anthem.’ After skyrocketing to success, the duo released their debut EP Hello in 2012, featuring their double-platinum hit “Brokenhearted.” Their talent landed them an appearance on Saturday Night Live, accolades from Diplo, Questlove, and The Game, and a Rolling Stone cover. In 2014, the duo released their full-length release Pulses, featuring chart-topping lead single “Acapella.”

With their second LP Leo Rising due out soon, the two broke off from their former label Epic Records to have complete creative austerity of their music. And with their new lyric video for “Didn’t Know You,” Heidemann is more exposed than ever, defiantly showing herself as sexy and confident, a theme that rings true for the new album. Learn more about Karmin at www.karminmusic.com.

“I’ve followed Amy’s career since before Karmin’s videos went viral. I am thrilled to honor her as an example of a savvy, talented performer and inspirational role model for musicians worldwide,” said Laura B. Whitmore, founder of the Women’s International Music Network and co-host of the She Rocks Awards.

The She […]