MUSICOLOGY 101
Get your earphones out, 'cause class is in session!

News outlets are all a-flutter today with the announcement that Jennifer Lopez will step off of American Idol after this season. For those of us who don’t watch AI, nothing much has changed in the world … at least in this regard. Perhaps die-hard fans will have a stronger, at least measurable, reaction. She’s no Paula Abdul, after all.

J-Lo also made news recently when she announced a Latin-flavored, 20-city joint tour with Enrique Iglesias. The two stars tapped reggaeton duo Wisin Y Yandel as their opener. Lopez is coming off the 2011 release of Love? and the high from her “On the Floor” collaboration with Pitbull which was a pretty massive dance hit for the two. The Iglesias-penned “Dance Again” is their latest partnering.

Iglesias has also worked with Pitbull. Last year, after pulling out of a planned tour with Britney Spears, Enrique went on the road with Pitbull and Prince Royal instead as the Euphoria Tour.

The close ties carry over to Wisin Y Yandel, too. The pair have a new album, Lideres, dropping in June and Lopez guested on the set, as did T-Pain and Chris Brown. During the presser for the tour, all of the artists promised the sets would feature both hits and collaborations – including a new song currently being worked up by Lopez and Iglesias. They also aim to take the show on the road abroad, though the first batch of dates are all in North America.

To prep, Lopez said she has already begun training, re-vamping dance numbers, and working out new arrangements to older songs “so they feel fresh and new.”

Surprisingly, the trek is being touted J-Lo’s first-ever solo world tour, despite having racked up nearly 20 years as a singer and performer and despite a 2007 co-headlining run with Marc Anthony. The pop diva told MTV News, “This is my first tour, but I want to give my fans everything that they’re waiting for.”

For the historic journey, Lopez is hoping to bring her 4-year-old twins, Max and Emme, along for the fun. However, due to divorce proceedings between herself and Anthony, the kids are not allowed outside of California without prior consent from the court. Because of the restriction, J-Lo is lobbying the courts for permission stating that she and Anthony will work out the scheduling between their two conflicting tours.

No doubt she’ll be able to pull off the feat. Forbes just put Lopez at the top of its list of the World’s Most Powerful Celebrities, booting Lady Gaga from the number one spot down to number five. J-Lo’s $52 million earnings and portfolio of endorsements helped push her up the ranks, although the bulk of the credit surely goes to her two-year stint on American Idol. Now that she got her Idol bump, she obviously feels comfortable moving on to other endeavors.

The Latin explosion explodes on July 14 in Montreal and, as of current information, wraps up on August 31 in Miami. More dates are expected to be unveiled, including international legs.

With a name like Chester Bennington, your fate would seem somehow sealed as a financial broker or aristocrat, right? Not necessarily. Apparently, the tag works just fine as a rock star, too. Originally from Phoenix, the singer got connected with a band in Southern California and Linkin Park was born (after several name changes).

Since their 2000 debut, Bennington and company have enjoyed fairly massive success, selling more than 50 million albums worldwide and winning a couple of Grammy trophies along the way. With their latest release, Living Things, they hope to keep that motor running. It’s their fifth CD and third one in a row produced by Rick Rubin.

This summer, Linkin Park is partnering with Incubus for a co-headlining stab at the 2012 Honda Civic Tour of North America. Incubus front man Brandon Boyd – also gifted with a solid, though less-regal moniker – announced the tour alongside Bennington at a recent presser. Though the bands came of age together, this outing will be their first collaboration.

Incubus issued their latest set last July with If Not Now, When?

Mutemath is also on board for the entire run. Incubus joins Linkin Park in Mansfield, Massachusetts, on the third night of the tour. Both Bristow, Virginia, and Mohegan Sun get Linkin Park and MuteMath without Incubus.

Among the other stops on the Honda Civic Tour are Alpharetta, Georgia; Cincinnati, Ohio; Noblesville, Indiana; and Dallas, Texas, where Linkin Park and Incubus land on August 27. The Woodlands, Texas; Tacoma, Washington; Mountain View, California; and a handful of other towns also host the cavalcade of rockers.

The only date north of the border finds Linkin Park and Incubus in Vancouver on September 4 without Mutemath.

A co-headlining tour like this is perfect for rock fans who can’t quite handle all that a Vans Warped Tour or Mayhem Festival show might throw at them. Still, they get a variety of great, edgy bands in one shot.

With the unveiling of the single, album, and tour plans tied to various promotions, Linkin Park saw a nice bump on Billboard‘s Social 50 chart which tracks artists across a variety of social media sites. Linkin Park jumped from number 24 all the way to number 10.

Living Things doesn’t drop until June 26, but the band coupled the “Burn It Down” single with album pre-orders, an online game, the tour announcement, and other exclusive promotional giveaways, staggering the updates in order to maximize their social media presence. A YouTube promo video was also thrown into the mix.

And it worked … to the tune of 267,000 new fans on Facebook. “Burn It Down” also became Linkin Park’s first chart-topper on the Rock Singles ranking since “The Catalyst” achieved the same feat in 2010. Additionally, the song is being used as part of the promo campaign for the NBA playoffs on TNT.

If he had been an aristocratic financial analyst, Sir Chester Bennington would have certainly recognized the value-adding strategy as a huge boon to his brethren.

Nicki Minaj Leads Artists Who’ve Performed At Events Far Beyond Their Popularity

Thanks to Madonna, the halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI was seen by 114 million people. It’s the most watched event in the history of American television. Performing alongside the legendary Material Girl was M.I.A., LMFAO, Cee Lo Green, and Nicki Minaj. Not that those four aforementioned artists are bad, but they don’t have anywhere near the level of popularity needed to attract the largest television audience of all-time.

While Cee Lo Green and Nicki Minaj will still be selling tickets in 20 years, most of us will have to probe the recesses of our minds to remember M.I.A. and LMFAO. Of course, the halftime show of Super Bowl XLVI wasn’t the first time artists have appeared on ginormous stages, or at humongous events, that far outstrip their notoriety. Below are five other acts who somehow, someway made their way into big time gigs that now make you say “they played there!?!”

For more information about Nicki Minaj tickets for her concert in Chicago on July 16 CLICK HERE!!!

Scott McKenzie at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967

The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 was the first really big rock festival. A long list of legends played the event including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Ravi Shankar, and Scott McKenzie… yes, Scott McKenzie. The Floridian went on after The Jimi Hendrix Experience and before the festival’s final act, The Mamas & the Papas. By the way, McKenzie’s big hit was “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair).” He later co-wrote “Kokomo” for the Beach Boys. Of course, neither can hold a candle to “Purple Haze” or “Foxy Lady.”

For more information about Nicki Minaj tickets for her concert in Detroit on July 17 CLICK HERE!!!

Sha Na Na at Woodstock in 1969

There were a few bands at Woodstock that have fallen through the cracks of time. However, only one makes you say, in shock and awe, “they played Woodstock?!?” Sha Na Na, that 1950s throwback group that later had their own variety show, not only performed at Woodstock but they were the penultimate act of the festival. They went on right before The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

For more information about Nicki Minaj tickets for her concert in Atlanta on July 22 CLICK HERE!!!

The Hooters Playing At Live Aid in 1985

Live Aid was full of shocks and surprises. Led Zeppelin didn’t headline and Patti LaBelle was the third-to-last artist to perform. However, the most astonishing booking—at least on the American side—were The Hooters. How did a band like that make it to Live Aid? Well, The Hooters were from Philadelphia (where the event was being held) and they were managed by one of the concert’s promoters. Bob Geldof was not happy with the selection but oddly enough he opened for them years later.

For more information about Nicki Minaj tickets for her concert in Houston on July 28 CLICK HERE!!!

Living Colour on Main Stage At First Lollapalooza in 1991

While some entries on our list elicit shock and awe, this one is the likely to jar your memory loose and make you say, “Oh yeah, I remember them.” The rock band Living Colour played the main stage at the original Lollapalooza. It was the height of their short-lived popularity as two years later they would drop off the face of the Earth. Living Colour could have been one of the greatest rock bands of all-time. Instead, they’re a footnote.

For more information about Nicki Minaj tickets for her concert in Phoenix on Aug. 7 CLICK HERE!!!

Black Eyed Peas at the 1999 Vans Warped Tour

Vans Warped Tour is known for its eclectic lineup of punk, metal, and hardcore bands. Yes, a lot of rappers and hip hop artists have been booked over the years but that still doesn’t explain the inclusion of the Black Eyed Peas on the 1999 tour. In fact, you can’t explain why will.i.am and company were booked to play for young punks who drove to shows in their parents’ Volvo. Needless to say, the 1999 tour was their first and only appearance BEP ever made on the Warped Tour.

The televised singing competition shows just really won’t go away. In fact, more of them are coming. For people and artists who have been in the music business a long time, the shows come off as desperate attempts to avoid honest-to-goodness artist development which involves building a career from the ground up.

Nearly gone are the days when singers cobbled their bands together and banged it out in their parents’ garage until they were good enough to land a gig. It worked for the Bangles, the Foo Fighters, and myriad others, but seems to be more than Simon Cowell or the now-incarcerated Lou Perlman could handle. They’d rather see those very same singers go through a manufacturing process that ends in either humiliation or stardom. Having an actual career doesn’t really seem to factor into the X’s formula. Neither does true artistry, when you drill down a little.

How many of the various competition show winners can play an instrument really well? Can write a decent song – let alone an album’s worth? Can captivate an arena audience for a whole set? Can hope to be considered classics somewhere farther down the way into their lengthy careers?

Not many.

But a few have come out of it okay. Just looking at American Idol alumni, non-winner Jennifer Hudson has done well for herself, but really moreso in acting than recording. Kelly Clarkson has carved out a decent niche as both a singer and a songwriter. Clay Aiken, too, but almost more as a gay man than a respected artist. Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Taylor Hicks, David Cook, Lee DeWyze, and others … well, they haven’t necessarily cashed in the way they likely imagined.

Carrie Underwood has, though.

Since winning season four in 2005, Underwood’s star has continued its steady ascent. She has, so far, amassed 11 number one country hits, tying her with Reba McEntire for the record. And, before her new CD was released last week, she had total sales in the U.S. of more than 12 million. No doubt Blown Away will shove that number ever higher. The first single and video, “Good Girl,” came out a few months back and has already moved more than 500,000 units.

Along with the album release came the announcement of the accompanying Blown Away Tour. In her first international headlining run, Underwood’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, on June 21 sold out in a mere 90 minutes. After that, she’ll duck down under for four shows in Australia before coming back to North America.

Once on her home turf, all four corners will be covered as Underwood plays Worcester, Massachusetts; Sunrise, Florida; San Diego, California; and Seattle, Washington, as well as many points in between.

An Oklahoma native, Underwood includes Oklahoma City on her route for October 25. Another personal play date for the country phenom will come on September 23 when Underwood hits Nashville, her new hometown.

In Canada, Underwood hits Saskatoon, Calgary, Vancouver, London, and Kanata in addition to the Boots & Hearts Music Festival in Toronto on August 12.

When the Blown Away Tour is all in her rear view mirror, no doubt Carrie Underwood will continue to be an example of what can come from the new “artist development” tack at its best. We’ll leave its worst to someone else.

Jam Band Timeline: Grateful Dead Forms, Phish’s First Musical Costume, The Last Dispatch…

They’re excellent musicians who rely on their creativity and improvisational skills and not on fancy choreography and elaborate stage shows. We are of course talking about jam bands. These live virtuosos not only create great musical experiences, they also create interesting and unusual subcultures of fans. More like fanatics, these fans don’t just attend one concert they follow their favorite jam band from city to city, from venue to venue, and attend multiple shows.

In the summer of 2012 several major jam bands are selling concert tickets including Dispatch, Phish, and Dave Mathews Band. While these artists may not get much radio time, they are still some of the most vibrant and important figures in the annuals of rock. In honor of jam bands and their historical significance, Musicology 101 decided to look at some of the genre’s major events. Keep in mind that our jam band timeline isn’t meant to be comprehension. Just think of it as an introduction to one of rock’s most influential yet overlooked styles.

1906 – Red Rocks Opens
It’s hard to believe but our first entry in the history of jam bands dates all the way back to 1906. That’s the year Red Rocks Amphitheatre, located in Morrison, Colorado, began staging concerts. The breath-taking venue nestled between natural rock croppings is a fan and jam band favorite. By the way, the jam band Widespread Panic holds the record for most sold out concerts at Red Rocks with 36 (that includes one show as an opening act).

1965 – Grateful Dead Founded in San Francisco Area
The Grateful Dead were founded in the San Francisco area by Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, and Bill Kreutzmann. Their first gig was in 1965 in Menlo Park and at the time they were called “The Warlocks.” Good thing they changed their name to “The Grateful Dead” because “Warlock-heads” doesn’t really roll off the tongue.

For more information about Dispatch tickets to their Sept. 26 concert in Los Angeles CLICK HERE!!!

1971 – The Allman Brothers Band release At Fillmore East
What The Grateful Dead were to the West Coast, The Allman Brothers Band were to the South. Their seminal release was a double-live album recorded at New York City’s famous concert hall. Bottom line, At Fillmore East is one of the greatest albums ever released by any type of band in any genre. The album came out in July and sadly, the band’s legendary guitarist, Duane Allman, died the following October.

July 28, 1973 – Summer Jam at Watkins Glen
In 1973, more than 600,000 fans rolled into Watkins Glen Grand Prix Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York to attend the Summer Jam music festival. Performing extremely long sets were The Grateful Dead, The Band, and The Allman Brothers Band. For an encore, all three groups got together on stage for a massive jam. Thousands of attendees arrived early and were treated to extra sets during the sound checks.

For more information about Dispatch tickets to their Oct. 5 concert in New York City CLICK HERE!!!

Jan. 26, 1989 – Phish performs at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston
In 1989, Phish were unknowns. So much so, that in order to perform at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston they had to rent the venue—owners wouldn’t book them. Remember when we said Phish were unknowns in 1989? Well, they weren’t because Phish fans came from all over to pack the Paradise. That is of course one of the great things about jam band fans, they are willing to travel.

Oct. 31, 1994 – Phish plays its first musical costume
On Halloween night 1993, at the Glens Falls Civic Center in New York State, Phish played its first musical costume. A “musical costume” is where Phish performs an entire album by another artist as selected by their “Phans.” On the aforementioned night, they played The Beatles’ White Album in its entirety. Since then they’ve performed The Who’s Quadrophenia, Talking Heads’ Remain in Light, and Velvet Underground’s Loaded—just to name a few.

For more information about Dispatch tickets to their Oct. 6 concert in Boston CLICK HERE!!!

Aug. 9, 1995 – Jerry Garcia Dies
If jam bands believed in artificial hierarchies then Jerry Garcia would be the “King of the Jam Bands.” He was one of the founding members of the Grateful Dead (as well as several other jam bands), a terrific session musician, and one of the greatest guitarists of all-time. He left this mortal coil on Aug. 9, 1995 after suffering a fatal heart attack. If you’re in a jam band you owe Mr. Garcia a huge debt. He paved the way so you can jerk around on your guitar and get paid for it.

2002 – The first Bonnaroo Music Festival
The Bonnaroo Music Festival, held in Manchester, Tennessee, began in 2002 and quickly became a hot spot for jam bands. Notables that have played the festival include Phish, Dave Matthews Band, The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, and The Dead. Yes, the festival feature a range of artists and styles but it will always have a soft spot on its stage for groups that specialize in 20-minute guitar solos.

For more information about Dispatch tickets to their Oct. 8 concert in Toronto CLICK HERE!!!

July 31, 2004 – “The Last Dispatch”
Dispatch scheduled a free show at Boston’s Hatch Shell on the last day of July 2004. The band thought it was a fitting way to end their run (although they would reunite in 2011). Promoters guessed that about 10,000 fans would show up although they hoped for 30,000. Their calculations were a bit off. An estimated 110,000 people attended what was at the time considered to be Dispatch’s farewell concert. Nowadays, the so-called “Last Dispatch” is widely regarded as the biggest independent music concert of all-time.

2011 – Dave Matthews Band Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The year 2011 was bitter sweet for fans of Dave Matthews Band. The band announced in early 2010 that they would not be touring in 2011 (for the first time in two decades) yet the year marked the group’s 20th Anniversary. To celebrate the milestone, and to keep their promise of not touring, DMB staged four musical festivals. The multi-day shows were held throughout the year in Atlantic City, Chicago, New York City, and The Gorge at George, Washington.

Train On Track To Support ‘California 37’ With Summer Tour Of North America

This summer Train is launching a tour of North America to support their latest opus, California 37. Their 40-plus trek begins July 10 in Montreal and ends Sept. 30 at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. Also on Train’s schedule are stops in Charlotte, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Berkeley.

Surprisingly, the band’s most interesting offering in 2012 isn’t their new album (which is really good) or the chance for fans to buy
Train concert tickets. Instead, it’s their chocolate bar.

For more information about Train tickets to their Aug. 31 show in Lenox CLICK HERE!!!

Already, the “Meet Virginia” performers are in the wine business. Recently on their Web site, Train posted a picture of their new California 37 Cabernet Sauvignon from their very own Save Me, San Francisco Wine Company. Their company debuted last year with the release a Drops of Jupiter Petite Sirah. Now, in 2012, the band is looking to further diversify by releasing a chocolate bar. Their confection will be made by Ghirardelli.

The band made the decision to peddle wine and chocolate as a way to connect with their fans, market their band, and give back to San Francisco. They also donate a portion of their profits to Bay Area charities.

For more information about Train tickets to their Sept. 1 show in Atlantic City CLICK HERE!!!

Train is following in the footsteps of Jimmy Buffett. Under the “Margaritaville” banner, Buffett has launched a restaurant chain, a brewing label, a brand of tequila, footwear, and a myriad of other products. Buffet is of course a walking and talking symbol of the carefree “beach lifestyle.” Although not as obvious, Train too symbolizes a way living.


Now, keep in mind we’re not talking about merchandizing. Train, like Buffet, is doing more than just slapping their name and logo onto posters, t-shirts, mugs, and bumper stickers. They are trying to connect with people. Merchandizing is nothing more than a way for fans to tell the world they like a particular artist. Train is trying to do something far more substantial.

For more information about Train tickets to their Sept. 7 show in Atlanta CLICK HERE!!!

Besides being a band, Train is also a brand. And they’re using their brand to sell products that create a two-way relationship with fans. When you buy Train’s wine or chocolates you become their customer and share in their “lifestyle,” the same one we mentioned two paragraphs earlier. Wearing a band’s t-shirt only makes you a follower—no relationship is created.

Anyone with an internet connection and an address can order any type of product from just about any retailer in the world. A great way for consumers to narrow down a literal world of choices is by selecting the product associated with their favorite recording artist.

For more information about Train tickets to their Sept. 19 show at Red Rocks CLICK HERE!!!

If done properly what Train is doing is a win-win. Their fans get a quality product and the opportunity to get closer to the band they adore. Meanwhile, Train gets an additional revenue stream and a way to increase the recognition of their brand.

Rush is one of those bands that just won’t go away. REO Speedwagon, Chicago, Def Leppard, and so many more … even though they are well past their heydays – and, indeed, their primes! – they continue to slog it out on the road and, sometimes, in the studio in an effort to please an ever-dwindling number of fans.

To be fair, every now and then, one of these old-timer groups gets a boost from having their music included in a hipster film or some other such thing. Exposure like that can both remind long-time music lovers of a band’s existence and introduce a new generation to an artist. But, other times, “classic” bands just have to stick it out until they manage to come back into vogue for reasons unclear or, alternately, be satisfied with making a living doing what they love.

Rush falls somewhere in the middle of all those theories. Adored and admired by cutting-edge artists from The Smashing Pumpkins to Metallica to Dream Theater, the men of Rush are considered pioneers in the arts of progressive rock and heavy metal. And so it is that Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart can continue to carry the Rush torch without becoming a punchline.

After all, Rush comes in third behind the Beatles and the Rolling Stones for rock bands having the most consecutive gold or platinum records. (They have 24 golds and 14 platinums over the course of their 44-year career.) And they aren’t yet finished.

On the heels of 2011′s Time Machine Tour, Rush is gearing up for the release of a new studio album, Clockwork Angels, on June 12 and a 33-city supporting tour which begins on September 7. Their 20^th release – and first set of new material in five years – is led by the “Headlong Flight” single which debuted on April 19.

Word on the street is that Clockwork Angels is something of a concept piece tracing a young man’s journey toward his dreams. Rush lyricist/drummer Peart is collaborating with science fiction author Kevin J. Anderson on a novel that expands the album’s storyline.

Clockwork Angels Track Listing:

1. “Caravan”

2. “BU2B”

3. “Clockwork Angels”

4. “The Anarchist”

5. “Carnies”

6. “Halo Effect”

7. “Seven Cities of Gold”

8. “The Wreckers”

9. “Headlong Flight:

10. “BU2B2”

11. “Wish Them Well”

12. “The Garden”

The 2012 tour starts up in Manchester, New Hampshire, on September 7 and winds down on December 2 with Rush in Houston, Texas. In between those two points, the Canadian rockers will touch down at various stops spread judiciously across North America. In their homeland, Rush covers Winnipeg, Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal.

The U.S. gets a broader treatment. Among the many plays, Rush hits Pittsburgh, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and more. One interesting stop, on October 22, finds Rush in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center. That borough doesn’t often see bands much above the club level as Manhattan gets all the glory.

Boston, Cleveland, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Tampa host Rush just prior to a leap across the span of the U.S. to Seattle. Once on the West Coast, Rush rocks San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles before hitting Las Vegas and Phoenix en route to the closers in Texas.

Keep up with all of that, Speedwagon!

Jimmy Buffett is stepping up to fill Eddie Vedder’s shoes on May 3 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Vedder is suffering from nerve damage in his right arm following back surgery last year. He was forced to postpone his solo tour and cancel his Jazz Fest appearance.

Never fear. Buffett’s here. But without the Coral Reefer Band. The set will be an acoustic one with Mac McAnally in tow.

After that one-off gig, it’s back to business for Buffett. He and the band have added more dates to their 2012 Lounging at the Lagoon Tour which is already underway and a new live CD/DVD coming this summer to follow up what Volcano – Live 2011 started last September.

Ever tropical in his thematic approach, Buffett’s last outing was anointed the the Welcome to Fin Land Tour. One of the coolest stops happens on May 30 when Jimmy Buffett plays Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater. After that, shows are sprinkled across the Southeast and up into the Northeast.

Among them, is a June 23 date in Mansfield where Buffett plays Comcast Center. A week later, it’s into the upper Midwest. June 30 finds Buffett in Tinley Park, just outside of Chicago.

He then doubles back into the Northeast for shows in Camden and Wantagh. In the middle of that, Jimmy Buffett hits Atlantic City‘s Boardwalk Hall on August 4. The last entry on the current itinerary puts Buffett in Bristow on September 1.

You’d think, after all these years, that Buffett’s appeal would have worn somewhat thin. Not so, say the Parrotheads that form the core of his fan base and live by their “Party with a purpose” creed. They still turn out in droves to support their dear leader. When Buffett issued his last studio album in 2009, Buffet Hotel, those very same hardcores helped it peak at number 17 on the Billboard 200.

Buffett was recently nominated – in conjunction with the Zac Brown Band – for a CMT Music Award for Collaborative Video of the Year for their “Knee Deep” project. That means the “Margaritaville” legend is being introduced to not only a whole new generation, but a whole new genre, as well.

Another collaboration finds Jimmy teaming with pop icon Lionel Richie for a duet of “All Night Long” on Richie’s new Tuskegee set. Other duet partners include Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, and Shania Twain.

Oh, and then there’s Buffett’s appearances as helicopter pilot Frank Bama on the new Hawaii Five-O, as well as the casino he’s opening in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The 2012 live CD/DVD package on Buffett’s horizon was recorded in Las Vegas last October. Like its predecessors, it will be released on his on Mailboat Records label. As of yet, there’s not title or street date known. He’s also been penning some new tunes, so Parrotheads surely have their fingers crossed for an album of new material to come in the fairly near future.

In the meantime, several of his Lounging at the Lagoon shows will be broadcast in various formats.

The 47^th annual Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony that took place recently in Las Vegas got infiltrated, photo bombed, and more by some surprise guests – KISS. Among the cowboy hats and denim jeans, there they were in their full black, white, and silver KISS regalia, arriving in a monster truck (the Raminator) for added effect.

After strutting their rocking stuff down the red carpet – where Las Vegas legend Wayne Newton posed for photographs with them – the guys presented the Vocal Group of the Year award to Lady Antebellum. Charles Kelley, of Lady Antebellum, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm and shouted, “Look, mom… KISS!” at the end of their acceptance speech.

Among the other non-country presenters this year were LL Cool J, Grace Potter, Marc Anthony, and Ashton Kutcher. But it was Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer who stole the show, as usual.

Even Vince Neil tends to agree, recently calling them “the baddest band in the f-ing world.” Fans of Motley Crue, though, can judge for themselves this summer when the two bands tour together. The 40-date trek is being dubbed simply The Tour and is a redux of Motley Crue’s first tour ever back in 1982 opening for KISS.

Drummer Tommy Lee said he was obsessed on that first run with seeing what the KISS guys looked like without their makeup. Alas, he never found out as they donned bandanas to preserve the illusion. Bassist Nikki Sixx admitted to having a KISS poster on his wall as a kid.

KISS plans to “level each city” on The Tour, possibly as a way to vent their anger over being excluded from induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet again. They have been eligible since 1999 and continue to be overlooked each year, a fact that doesn’t sit well with Simmons. He also takes issue with some of the inductees who, he believes, are anything but rock and roll, despite being great artists in their own rights. Simmons singled out Madonna and Blondie as examples.

In other recent KISS news, the band needed a set carpenter for The Tour and set their sights on hiring a military veteran as part of the national Hiring Our Heroes initiative.

The Tour kicks off on July 20 with KISS and Motley Crue in Bristow, Virginia and runs until September 23 when the rockers land in Hartford, Connecticut. A slew of standard itinerary stops fill the space in between.

Out West, KISS and Motley Crue hit Phoenix, Albuquerque, Englewood, Las Vegas, Irvine, and Chula Vista. Back East, the KISS/Motley route includes Jones Beach, Holmdel, Camden, Scranton, Mansfield, Ridgefield, and more.

As for the Heartland, Tulsa, Dallas, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Clarkston, Cuyahoga Falls, and Nashville made the KISS/Motley Crue cut.

KISS 2012 Tour Dates with Motley Crue:
07/20 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA
07/21 – Farm Bureau Live – Virginia Beach, VA
07/22 – Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion – Raleigh, NC
07/24 – Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood – Atlanta, GA
07/25 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre – Charlotte, NC
07/27 – Cruzan Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, FL
07/28 – 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheater – Tampa, FL
07/31 – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre – Pelham, AL
08/03 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Woodlands, TX
08/04 – Gexa Energy Paviliion – Dallas, TX
08/07 – Hard Rock Casino Presents: The Pavilion – Albuquerque, NM
08/08 – Comfort Dental Amphitheater – Englewood, CO
08/10 – Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ
08/11 – Mandalay Bay Arena – Las Vegas, NV
08/12 – Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre – Chula Vista, CA
08/14 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater – Irvine, CA
08/16 – Sleep Train Pavilion – Concord, MA
08/18 – White River Amphitheatre – Auburn, WA
08/19 – Sleep Country Amphitheater – Ridgefield, CT
08/24 – Rock Jam – Grand Junction, CO
08/26 – BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
08/27 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre – Maryland Heights, MO
08/29 – Minnesota State Fair – Minneapolis, MN
08/31 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
09/01 – Klipsch Music Center – Noblesville, IN
09/02 – First Niagara Pavilion – Burgettstown, PA
09/04 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
09/05 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI
09/07 – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre – Tinley Park, IL
09/08 – Alpine Valley Music Theater – East Troy, MI
09/11 – Allegan County Fair – Allegan, MI
09/12 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH
09/13 – Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON
09/15 – Darien Lake PAC – Darien Lake, NY
09/16 – Comcast Center – Mansfield, MA
09/18 – Toyota Pavilion – Scranton, PA
09/19 – Susquehanna Bank Center – Camden, NJ
09/21 – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
09/22 – Nikon at Jones Beach – Wantagh, NY
09/23 – Comcast Theater – Hartford, CT

Aerosmith Vs. KISS: Whose Concert Are You Going To Attend?

I need your help.

I need you to either get this economy up and roaring so I can make more money or I need you to help me decide which show I should attend this summer, Aerosmith or KISS and Motley Crüe.

Aerosmith launches their “Global Warming Tour” on June 16 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There are 18 markets on their itinerary and Cheap Trick has been tasked to warm up the audience.

For more information about Aerosmith tickets to their June 26 show in Atlanta CLICK HERE!!!

KISS and Motley Crüe have routed a massive 40-date trek of the continent that they promise will be the big event of the summer. So confident in their ability to exceed their fans’ expectations, they have dubbed their excursion, “The Tour.” It begins July 20 in Bristow, Virginia and ends Sept. 23 in Hartford, Connecticut. Each band will play a 90-minute set.

I live near Portland, Oregon. Aerosmith and Cheap Trick conclude their Global Warming Tour Aug. 8 in Tacoma, Washington. It’s a bit of a drive, but completely doable. On Aug. 19, KISS and Motley Crüe roll into Ridgefield, Washington. For me, that’s only a 20-minute drive.

For more information about Aerosmith tickets to their June 27 show in Toronto CLICK HERE!!!

Unfortunately, I can only afford to see one show. So which concert should I attend? Do I plunk my hard earned money on Aerosmith tickets or do I fill the coffers of KISS and Motley Crüe.

If we rank the four bands—using factors like album sales, influence, musicianship, and songwriting—Aerosmith, as the top selling American rock band of all-time, is the obvious choice to be number one. Kiss and Motley Crüe are two and three (I’ll let you decide who goes where), and Cheap Trick is four. So at one concert, I can see a one and a four while at the other I get to experience a two and a three. Either way, both shows equal five.

For more information about Aerosmith tickets to their July 1 show in Uniondale, NY CLICK HERE!!!

I’ve seen Aerosmith before. I’ve never seen KISS or Motley Crüe. Also, the Sleep Country Amphitheater in Ridgefield is a little more intimate than the Tacoma Dome. Even better, it’s not in Tacoma.

I’m not keen on the drive up to Tacoma but it’s the final show of their tour and it should be epic.

KISS and Motley Crüe will melt my face and blow my mind. Their show will have more pyrotechnics than a Michael Bay movie. Meanwhile, Aerosmith and Cheap Trick are great musicians and always sound wonderful live. So with KISS and Crüe I get a spectacle and with Aerosmith and Cheap Trick I get a night of great music.

For more information about Aerosmith tickets to their July 28 show in Dallas CLICK HERE!!!

Ultimately I think the dates will help me decide which show I’m going to attend. Aerosmith plays on Wednesday Aug. 8 while KISS and Motley Crüe will be in town on Sunday, Aug. 19. You might think I would go with the Sunday show but I’m actually leaning towards Aerosmith and their Aug. 8 concert.

Yes, it will be tricky to drive up to Tacoma, see Aerosmith and Cheap Trick in concert, drive back home, and be ready for work the next day. However, if I spend my money on that show then I might get lucky and stumble across the necessary funds to also see KISS and Motley Crüe eleven days later. Hey, stranger things have happen.

I’m not the only one having this dilemma. For the most part, the “Global Warming Tour” and “The Tour” are visiting the same markets.