Monthly Archives: December 2015

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    Laura B. Whitmore to Host ‘Success Strategies for Women in the Music Industry’ Panel During 2016 Winter NAMM

Laura B. Whitmore to Host ‘Success Strategies for Women in the Music Industry’ Panel During 2016 Winter NAMM

Music industry trailblazers will take center stage to discuss gender equality and achievements during the “Success Strategies for Women in the Music Industry Panel” on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, from 2  – 3 p.m. at the NAMM Idea Center during the NAMM Show.

Hosted by music industry veteran and Women’s International Music Network (WiMN) founder, Laura B. Whitmore, the panel will focus on the challenges and obstacles top women in the music industry have faced—and how they’ve overcome them to create success.

“I’m excited to bring together these powerful role models to share their insights and experiences on this panel. As women, we face unique challenges in our industry and I think it’s important to create awareness, give advice, and affect change. I have no doubt that it will be energetic and informative,” said Whitmore.

Panelists include:

Laura B. Whitmore as moderator, a music industry veteran and the owner of Mad Sun Marketing, a boutique advertising and PR agency that focuses on the music and audio industries. She is the Founder of the Women’s International Music Network, the producer of the She Rocks Awards and the Women’s Music Summit, a journalist, editor and a singer/songwriter.

Jennifer Batten, best known for having played guitar for Michael Jackson, Batten has also toured and recorded with British guitar icon Jeff Beck.

Paula Salvatore, Vice President of Capitol Studios, and an integral part of recordings for some of the industry’s most iconic artists.

Tish Ciravolo, bass player, guitar designer, and the president and founder of Daisy Rock Girl Guitars.

Rebecca Eaddy, Marketing Communications Manager for Roland Corporation U.S., a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments, including keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion, digital recording equipment, amplifiers, and audio processing devices.

The session will be […]

EarthMoments Releases Rututu Music Playground App for iPad

EarthMoments today announced the launch of its unique Rututu Music Playground app for iPad. Rututu offers an easy-to-use, touch-based interface that combines authentic, pristine samples of indigenous ethnic, world and Western instruments, along with several bundles spanning different genres like rock, pop, hip hop, dubstep and more. Its unique, custom-designed control surface and non-linear music composition tools make it extraordinarily easy for both musicians and non-musicians to create original music. The app can be downloaded for FREE from now until midnight December 27, 2015 from the iTunes app store here.

Based around a series of recording sessions with musicians from all over the world, the library in the Rututu app brings a variety of hard-to-obtain sounds to the fingertips of all types of musicians. Combine this with Rututu’s touch-based control surface and the result is an intuitive and easy-to-use tool for beginners and skilled musicians alike.

Users are able to easily incorporate the Rututu app sounds into both traditional and modern music using the loop-based composition and beat-making features in the Rututu app. Listen to demo tracks made using sounds from the Rututu app here.

“The Rututu app offers several things not available in the market today, starting with the ease of producing top-notch, great-sounding music through its unique interface. Additionally, most producers and musicians don’t have access to the kind of instruments made available through Rututu, because they are not available outside of the sacred communities the EarthMoment team visited. It took extensive research to develop an intuitive platform and to locate the best musicians and instruments –– and with Rututu, users can easily add these unique flavours to their songs,” said Rututu Project Manager Yoav Rosenthal.

The Rututu Music Playground samples and loops in the app […]

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    American Icons Releases The 70’s Commemorative Publication

American Icons Releases The 70’s Commemorative Publication

The 70’s were a time of sweeping social, economic, technological and cultural change. Now thanks to Harris Publications’ new commemorative issue, The 70’s – The Sights, Sounds & Scandals of the “Me Decade,” readers can revisit this action-packed decade through 100, full-color pages.

Packed with iconic photos, in-depth features and pop-culture briefs, The 70’s covers topics from far-out fashion to TV, politics, sports and entertainment. Star Wars, the breakup of The Beatles, the uprising at Kent State, a shift in TV programming with the introduction of shows like All in the Family, and Roots, the first Apple computer and VCR and the advent of roller blades and the Walkman – these are the events and innovations that laid the framework for the America in which we now live.

In this special issue, Harris Publications editors turn back the clock and revisit the highs and lows of the decade. Readers should dust off their bell-bottoms and platform shoes and shake their groove thing as they read through the pages of this special celebration of the “Me Decade.”

The newest edition in Harris’ American Icons series, The 70’s joins the company’s collection of commemorative titles that include Marilyn Monroe – The Private Marilyn, Best of Bond, Sinatra 100 – A Celebration, Albert Einstein – The Essence of Genius, and many more. Each beautifully styled, in-depth issue intelligently covers the title topic with expertly researched and designed content that entertains and informs.

The 70’s retails for $12.99 and is available on newsstands everywhere, or online at www.harrislifestylestore.com.

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    Anthrax to Appear at BackStory Live Interview Event in NYC at AOL Studios

Anthrax to Appear at BackStory Live Interview Event in NYC at AOL Studios

BackStory, a series of curated live, feature-length interviews with iconic artists and musicians, announces thrash metal giants Anthrax as an upcoming guest. The event will focus on the band’s upcoming 11th studio album, For All Kings, and much more, and will take place Wed., Jan. 13, 2016 at the AOL Studios in New York City. Tickets are available at www.backstoryevents.com.

In 2016, Anthrax will celebrate its 35th anniversary as a band, and will release its much-anticipated new album For All Kings on Feb. 26 via Megaforce. Over its 35-year career, Anthrax has been a pioneering band with its unique style, sound and heavy brand of thrash metal, and, as Metallica’s Kirk Hammett put it, “one can hear their influence on any number of up and coming bands.”

The band has sold in excess of 10-million units, received multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, six Grammy nominations and a host of other accolades from the media, industry and fans. Anthrax helped break down the race and genre barriers in 1988 when they collaborated with Public Enemy on “Bring The Noise,” became a card-carrying member of The Big Four – with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth – as one of the four bands that defined the speed/thrash metal genre, and was the first metal band to have its music heard on Mars when NASA played “Got The Time” to wake up the Mars Rover. Anthrax has always occupied a place out there on the edge. Find out more about Anthrax at www.anthrax.com.

Hosted by music journalist Brad Tolinski, the event will allow guests to enjoy a seat at an intimate, career-spanning live interview. Each ticket includes a meet-and-greet with members of the band, a digital download card so attendees can download […]

Nita Strauss to Co-Host 2016 She Rocks Awards

The Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN) is thrilled to announce that Nita Strauss will co-host the 2016 She Rocks Awards. Honoring women who stand out as role models in the music industry, the She Rocks Awards will take place Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, in Anaheim, Calif., during the Winter NAMM Show.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the She Rocks Awards this year, and join Laura Whitmore and the WiMN to honor some of the incredible women in all the different aspects of our industry,” said Strauss.

Hosting duties will be shared between Strauss and WiMN Founder Laura B. Whitmore. “Nita Strauss has serious chops and is a role model for guitarists everywhere. When I asked her to join us for the She Rocks Awards, she didn’t hesitate. It will be a pleasure to share the podium with her!,” said Whitmore.

Strauss has become a force to be reckoned with in the music world, dazzling audiences across the U.S., U.K., Europe, South America, Asia, Australia and Africa, and sharing the stage with a diverse range of artists including legendary R&B star Jermaine Jackson, early MTV darlings Femme Fatale, video game supergroup Critical Hit, and popular tribute band The Iron Maidens.

In 2014 Strauss became the official in-house guitarist for the LA KISS, the arena football team owned by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS. She is currently playing guitar for Alice Cooper on the Mötley Crüe “All Bad Things Must End” Farewell tour.

The WiMN recently announced the lineup for the 2016 She Rocks Awards, including the legendary Chaka Khan, trailblazing guitarist Jennifer Batten, and Amy Heidemann of the chart-topping duo, Karmin. Other honorees include Leslie Ann Jones of Skywalker Sound, Chalise Zolezzi of Taylor […]

  • Permalink Rock Sugah members Divinity Roxx (top left); Kat Dyson (top right); Benita Lewis (bottom left); and Lynette Williams (bottom right).Gallery

    She Rocks Awards Announces Rock Sugah as the 2016 House Band

She Rocks Awards Announces Rock Sugah as the 2016 House Band

The Women’s International Music Network (The WiMN) has announced Rock Sugah as the house band for the 2016 She Rocks Awards. Comprised of Divinity Roxx on bass, Kat Dyson on guitar, Benita Lewis on drums, and Lynette Williams on keyboard, the band will rock the house with funk and soul throughout the awards ceremony.

“We are gonna funk it up at the She Rocks Awards this year!” exclaimed The WiMN founder Laura B. Whitmore. “We are so excited to have these amazing musicians backing some of our other artists and providing music throughout the program. They bring serious chops and musicality that will be a thrill to witness.”

Best known as the bass player and musical director for Beyoncé’s all-female band for five years, Divinity Roxx has toured across the world and played on various television shows such as The GRAMMY’s, Saturday Night Live, and Good Morning America. Divinity got her start touring and appearing on albums with legendary bassist, Victor Wooten, and has since then backed up music giants like Patti Labelle, Kelly Rowland, and Ledisi. Learn more at http://www.divinityroxx.com.

Guitar player Kat Dyson has worked alongside renowned artists like Cyndi Lauper, Prince, Mick Jagger, Sting, Chaka Khan, and many others. Throughout her musical journey, she has appeared on many television talk and awards shows, as well as recording with artists and composing music for films, documentaries, and television. Dyson has an EP titled Colour Kommentary, and is part of two all-female jazz/R&B bands, Jazz in Pink and Hit Like a Girl. For more on Dyson, visit www.katdyson.com.

Drummer Benita Lewis has been among an amazing group of talent as the drummer for several touring gospel stage plays/musicals including Lead Poisoning, Beauty Shop 2, Perilous Times, and […]

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    Chaka Khan To Be Honored at 2016 She Rocks Awards by The Women’s International Music Network

Chaka Khan To Be Honored at 2016 She Rocks Awards by The Women’s International Music Network

The Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN) is thrilled to announce acclaimed singer-songwriter Chaka Khan as a 2016 She Rocks Award recipient. The live awards event takes place on Jan. 22, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the Anaheim Hilton Hotel during the NAMM Show, and honors women in the music industry who are pioneers and role models.

With smash hits such as “I’m Every Woman,” “I Feel For You” and “Through the Fire,” Khan has sold over 70 million records. With a career that has spanned over 40 years in the music industry, she has received the Soul Train Legend Award (2009), The BET Lifetime Achievement Award (2009), has written an autobiography, Through the Fire, and is a 10-time GRAMMY Award-winner. Khan is currently in the studio at work on a new album to be released in 2016. For more information, visit www.chakakhan.com.

“Chaka Khan is an iconic, respected artist and role model. I can’t even begin to express how thrilled we are to have this opportunity to honor her and celebrate her career,” said Laura B. Whitmore, founder of the WiMN.

The WiMN recently announced the lineup for the 2016 She Rocks Awards, including trailblazing guitarist Jennifer Batten, and Amy Heidemann of the chart-topping duo, Karmin. Other honorees include Leslie Ann Jones of Skywalker Sound, Chalise Zolezzi of Taylor Guitars; Cathy Carter-Duncan of Seymour Duncan; Mindy Abovitz of Tom Tom Magazine; and many more.

The She Rocks Awards pay 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, and more. The […]

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    Tom Jones to Appear at BackStory Live Interview Event in NYC at AOL Studios

Tom Jones to Appear at BackStory Live Interview Event in NYC at AOL Studios

BackStory, a series of curated live, feature-length interviews with iconic artists and musicians, announces renowned singer Tom Jones as an upcoming guest. The event will focus on Jones’ new album Long Lost Suitcase, and much more, and will take place Wed., Dec. 16, 2015 at the AOL Studios in New York City. Tickets are available at www.backstoryevents.com.

At 75 years of age, Tom Jones – the man, the legend, the voice – is in fabulous shape. In the latest upturn in his fabled career, Sir Tom has been more acclaimed than ever before, thanks to a series of roots albums he’s recorded in collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Johns. Their third effort, Long Lost Suitcase, may just be their best, explicitly keying into Jones’ own long and eventful life, and drawing from him performances of consummate maturity, but also pulsating vitality.

Released as a companion soundtrack to coincide with the publication of Over The Top And Back: The Autobiography, Long Lost Suitcase finds Tom letting rip on the kind of R&B and early rock & roll classics, which originally fired his passion to sing, some sixty years ago.

Hosted by music journalist Brad Tolinski, the event will allow guests to enjoy a seat at an intimate, career-spanning live interview. Each ticket includes an autographed copy of Long Lost Suitcase, a meet-and-greet with Jones (as time permits), and complimentary beverages. Jones will be interviewed one-on-one by Tolinski as they discuss the new album and much more. The interview will be live streamed as part of the AOL Build series. Tickets are available at www.backstoryevents.com.

The BackStory series is produced by Tolinski and music industry pioneer Laura B. Whitmore. Past guests have included Roger Waters, Joe Satriani, Warren Haynes, […]