Archive for the ‘Music Industry News’ Category

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The Blue Man Group has arrived

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Blue Man Group

We know that the Blue Man Group is not strictly live music.

But what exactly is Blue Man Group, then?

It’s comedy, music and drama in equal parts, and it’s coming to our area for the first time. And for our purposes, it fits just fine on our blog.

The Blue Man Group’s new national tour kicked off last night (Sept. 2) and continues through Sept. 11 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, where the group has been in residence for the past several weeks working to build the new show.

After its debut here in Fayetteville, the tour will then depart for cities across the country.

It is a first for the company, which was formed about 20 years ago in New York. Although the group has successful shows in New York, Las Vegas, Zurich and elsewhere, this show is being designed for the road, and Fayetteville is the first city in the world to see it.

I chatted with one of the original Blue Men, Phil Stanton, who told me that the new show will feature about 60 percent new material, with the rest of the show being popular segments from existing programs.

Stanton, who will not be one of the three Blue Men in the touring production, also chatted with me about expanding the company’s brand, the material in the new show (it’s based on adapting to technology) and the joys of being a Blue Man. You can read the story here if you are a subscriber to our print products or our online edition.

We understand that all of the tickets for the Blue Man Group’s shows here have been sold. The Walton Arts Center has a few suggestions for those hoping to find a seat.

We’ll see you at the show.

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Barracuda!

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Ann Wilson, left, and Nancy Wilson of Heart

What’s Up! editor Becca Martin snagged an interview with Nancy Wilson of the classic rock band Heart, which performs Sunday (Sept. 5) at The Venue at Downstream Casino.

The two chatted about the band’s new album, “Red Velvet Car,” and how life has changed for the Wilson sisters after years on the road.

You can check out her story here, if you subscribe to our paper.

Tickets to Sunday’s 8 p.m. show are $20-$60 and available at the venue or its website.

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The weekend in live music

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Randy Rogers Band

Want to know what to do this weekend? There are plenty of choices.

The red dirt rockers Cross Canadian Ragweed originally formed in Stillwater, Okla., more than 15 years ago. Recently, the group has announced it will take a hiatus to spend more time with family, but not before they complete their tour, which comes to the Arkansas Music Pavilion tonight (Sept. 3). They will be joined by Reckless Kelly. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show are $25.

If you didn’t get enough Red Dirt rock on Friday night, the Randy Rogers Band will be at George’s Majestic Lounge on Saturday night (Sept. 4) for a show in support of their new album “Burning The Day.” Tickets to that show are $15.

Elsewhere, country fans can catch Easton Corbin is at Neumeier’s Rib Room tonight.

Blues rockers The Eoff Brothers Band will be at the ROTC/Grill on Saturday night.

None of those seem to be the right gig? Take a look at the calendar to the right for some more options.

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‘Asleep,’ but very much alive

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Asleep at the Wheel

Asleep at the Wheel is capable of many styles of music: jazz, country and even rock (among their first gigs was as an opening act for Alice Cooper).

But more so than anything else, the group is known for one thing: Western swing.

And specifically, the Western swing of Bob Wills.

Asleep at the Wheel, who will perform at Second Street Live in Fort Smith tonight (Sept. 2), has earned a reputation as the greatest reinterpreter of classic swing music. But the band’s lead singer, Ray Benson, tells me he doesn’t want to be seen as part of a living museum.

The music he and his band plays is fresh and lively, he says, although it certainly draws inspiration from the classics. Judging by the numbers, Asleep at the Wheel is doing something right. The band, on the strength of a new album with Willie Nelson and its ongoing theatrical product “A Ride With Bob,” played before more people in 2009 than it ever had in any year before, Benson says.

Benson also told me about the first time he listened to a Bob Wills song, his take on being an entertainer above being a history lesson and the musical prowess of his band members.

That turned into a story that we published last weekend in What’s Up!, which you can read here if you are a subscriber to our newspaper or its print products.

Tonight’s show in Fort Smith is the first in Second Street Live’s new season. Sometime next week, we’ll fill you in on the other shows on the bill for the 2010-11 series.

Tickets for tonight are $50 and are available at 719-8783.

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Ticket update: Chris Isaak

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Just as we hinted at on Tuesday, it appears that Chris Isaak is indeed coming to the Walton Arts Center on Oct. 12.

His performance is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Sept. 2) through the WAC box office, through the venue’s website or by calling 443-5600.

Tickets will be $48-$88.

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