TODD RUNDGREN & RIVERS CUOMO TEAM UP FOR NEW SINGLE

Todd Rundgren photo credit: © Lynn Goldsmith

Los Angeles, CA - Music hipsters of the world UNITE and celebrate what is sure to be one of this year’s most talked-about musical collaborations. Multi-hyphenate Todd Rundgren, famously heralded by Rolling Stone as Rock’s Renaissance Man meets up with the equally iconoclastic Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo on “Down With The Ship,” a new song that is being released today on all digital platforms. 

The duo share writing duties as well as trading vocal roles on the track, which draws inspiration from reggae and African rhythms not unlike Rundgren’s evergreen 1983 hit “Bang The Drum All Day.” Lyrically, however, the song cuts with a much sharper edge, as Rundgren puts it, “It’s just a little parable about what happens when you align yourself with a treacherous leader.”

Listen to the initial installment from Rundgren, featuring Muslim hip hop artist Narcy, here: https://orcd.co/todd_rundgren_narcy_espionage

? AND THE MYSTERIANS AN AMERICAN ICON STORY: NEW BOOK!

? Mark and the Mysterians

? and the Mysterians are an American garage rock band. from Bay City and Saginaw in Michigan who were initially active between 1962 and 1969.

Much of the band's music consisted of electric organ-driven garage rock and an enigmatic image inspired by the 1957 Japanese science fiction film The Mysterians.  In addition, the band's sound was also marked by raw-resonating lead vocals of "?" 

Their original line up consisted of Question Mark (Rudy Martinez) (lead vocals), Frank Rodriguez (Organ Keyboards), Frank Lugo (bass guitar), Robert Martinez (drums), and Bobby (Robert Lee) Balderrama (lead guitar),

Great News!! Lead guitarist Robert Lee Balderrama (Bobby) just published an autobiography about the history of ? and the Mysterians and you can order your copy today! It is an exciting story about this group of young guys from the Saginaw Bay area, whose parents were farmworkers that came to Michigan for work and stayed. These guys followed their dream to large success!

Robert Lee (Bobby) Balderrama author/lead guitarist

Their most famous song, 96 Tears was recorded in a basement in Bay City, Michigan for just $50.00. The only Garage Rock tune to go to NUMBER ONE in the nation . . . 

Robert Lee Balderrama owns his own publishing company and he direct mails his books straight to the reader! 

Information about ordering the book

RLB Publishing, PO Box 106, Essexville, MI. 48732, 

Book special! $25 for the book with 2 commemorative pens that feature the  ? and the Mysterians LOGO

Please send a check or money order to the author, Robert Lee Balderrama, and include if you would like an autograph. 

Order Tee Shirts and other Merch HERE

JAZZ LEGEND GROVER WASHINGTON JR. NEW VINYL RELEASE!

Studio City, CA – Lightyear Entertainment announces that it will release a commemorative double vinyl of beloved artist Grover Washington, Jr. on Black Friday for Record Store Day.

This release marks 20 years since the passing of the immensely popular artist who was largely responsible for creating a bridge between jazz and R&B.

Grover was well loved by his fans but also by the many musicians who worked with him over the years. He was a contemporary jazz artist whose music topped the “Smooth Jazz” charts, but his sound was funky, and his music was respected in all jazz and R&B circles. His live performances and worldwide success prove that he was a timeless gem of an artist who entertained his audiences with a powerhouse band of some of the best players in the business.

This superb live recording – cut in June 1997 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, upstate New York – captures the essence of Grover’s greatness. With a coterie of ‘A’ class musicians in support, the legendary sax man’s work on this album demonstrates why he was not only a leader in his field but a pioneer capable of blending the subtleties of jazz with the funk and sweat of soul music.

In addition to Grover himself on tenor, soprano, alto, and baritone sax, the album features Donald Robinson on keyboards, Gerald Veasley on bass, Richard Lee Steacker on guitars, Steven Wolf on drums, and Pablo Batista on congas and percussion. It was produced by Grammy winner Jason Miles, and Executive Produced by Christine Washington, Jason Miles and Tim Ryan.

“We released a CD of these recordings in 2010, which has sold well for 10 years,” said Lightyear President Arnie Holland. “But when Grover’s family suggested we do a vinyl, we were thrilled to do it. The album was lovingly remastered for vinyl by Peter Humphreys at Masterwork, and lacquers cut by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound. The result sounds amazing and feels like you are at the show.”

The Double Vinyl with download card is in a gatefold jacket with satin coating and metallic gold highlights. The vinyl itself is 180 Grams audiophile quality and gold metallic opaque colored vinyl was utilized, to match the gold on the cover of the album.

The album will be released on November 27 to Record Store Day retailers on an exclusive basis for 90 days, after which it will be available generally.

KIMMER'S DAY BETTING ON HORSES AT CHURCHILL DOWNS

THE CYRKLE TO RELEASE NEW GREATEST HITS RECORDINGS

THE CYRKLE Opened for The Beatles at Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park!

Studio City, CA – Lightyear Entertainment announces a new agreement with The Cyrkle to release new 2020 recordings of their huge pop hits of the 1960’s.

The Cyrkle opened for The Beatles at Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park in 1966, and were managed by Brian Epstein and Nat Weiss. They were originally called The Rhondells, but John Lennon suggested that they change their name to The Cyrkle, and they took his advice.

Their biggest hit, Red Rubber Ball, was written by Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley, and rose to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lightyear will release the 2020 recording of Red Rubber Ball on October 2, 2020.

The band’s other huge hit was Turn Down Day, written by Jerry Keller and David Blume, which rose to #16 on the Hot 100. This has also been newly recorded and will be released through Lightyear in November.

The Cyrkle were offered another Paul Simon song but regretfully turned it down back in the day. But they have finally recorded The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) now, for the first time, and Lightyear will release it in January, 2021.

The recordings feature original members Don Dannemann and Mike Losekamp, joined by Pat McLoughlin, Mike Shoaf, Don White and Scott Langley.

Lightyear has quietly amassed a collection of big hit re-recordings by the original artists during the past few years, all released through the company’s longstanding distribution deal with Caroline/Universal Music Group. They include Jay Siegel’s Tokens (The Lion Sleeps Tonight), The Searchers (Needles and Pins), Irene Cara (Flashdance…What a Feeling), Rick Derringer (Rock & Roll Hootchie Koo), The McCoys (Hang On Sloopy), Jay & the Techniques (Apple, Peaches Pumpkin Pie), Herman’s Hermits (I’m Into Something Good), the Shadows of Knight (Gloria), the Rip Chords (Hey Little Cobra), Frank Stallone (Far From Over), and the Beau Brummels (Laugh Laugh).

FULL HUNTERS MOON OCTOBER 1 2020

The exact time of the next full moon is: Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 5:05:15 pm (EDT)
Moon sign: Aries 09° 08'

September's Harvest moon received its name because farmers depended on the full moon to harvest crops. October's Hunter's Moon was given its name because it was at this time when tribes gathered meat for the long winter ahead.

Here you find this time converted into different timezones for other cities:
WELLINGTON = Friday * 2 October 2020 * 10:05:15 am (NZDT)
SYDNEY = Friday * 2 October 2020 * 7:05:15 am (AEST)
TOKYO = Friday * 2 October 2020 * 6:05:15 am (JST)
BEIJING = Friday * 2 October 2020 * 5:05:15 am (CST)
BANGKOK = Friday * 2 October 2020 * 4:05:15 am (ICT)
DELHI = Friday * 2 October 2020 * 2:35:15 am (IST)
DUBAI = Friday * 2 October 2020 * 1:05:15 am (GST)
MOSCOW = Friday * 2 October 2020 * 12:05:15 am (MSK)
BERLIN = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 11:05:15 pm (CEST)
LAGOS = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 10:05:15 pm (WAT)
LONDON = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 10:05:15 pm (BST)
RIO = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 6:05:15 pm (BRT)
SANTIAGO = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 6:05:15 pm (CLST)
NEW YORK = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 5:05:15 pm (EDT)
MEXICO CITY = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 4:05:15 pm (CDT)
CALGARY = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 3:05:15 pm (MDT)
LOS ANGELES = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 2:05:15 pm (PDT)
ANCHORAGE = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 1:05:15 pm (AKDT)
HONOLULU = Thursday * 1 October 2020 * 11:05:15 am (HAST)

KIMMER'S TOP 5 TV SERIES FOR ESCAPING THE PANDEMIC!

During this hideous COVID 19 Pandemic the best thing for me is having all the time in the world to stream all my favorite tv series over and over! So in no particular order, here are my top 5. I seem to be escaping into Britain. They take me away...

THE CROWN ( Netflix)

The Crown is a historical drama web television series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, created and principally written by Peter Morgan, and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix. It grew out of Morgan's film The Queen (2006) and his stage play The Audience (2013), and is credited as based on the latter. The first season covers the period from Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's marriage in 1947 to the disintegration of her sister Princess Margaret's engagement to Group Captain Peter Townsend in 1955. 

The second season covers the period from the Suez Crisis in 1956 to the retirement of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1963 and the birth of Prince Edward in 1964. The third season spans the period between 1964 and 1977, including Harold Wilson's two periods as prime minister, and introduces Camilla Shand. The fourth will include Margaret Thatcher's premiership and introduce Lady Diana Spencer. Watch on Netflix 

BREAKING BAD (Netflix)

Breaking Bad is an American neo-Western crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. The show aired on AMC from January 20, 2008, to September 29, 2013, consisting of five seasons for a total of 62 episodes. 

It was set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), an underpaid and dispirited high school chemistry teacher who is struggling with a recent diagnosis of stage-three lung cancer. White turns to a life of crime, partnering with his former student.

THE SOPRANOS (HBO)

The Sopranos revolves around fictional New Jersey-based, Italian American mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). The series portrays the difficulties that he faces as he tries to balance his home life and his criminal organization. 

These are often highlighted during his therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). The series features Tony's family members, mafia colleagues, and rivals in prominent roles and story arcs, most notably his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and protégé Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli).

DOWNTON ABBEY (Amazon Prime/PBS)

Downton Abbey is a British historical drama television series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. 

The series, set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926, depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era—with the great events of the time having an effect on their lives and on the British social hierarchy. Events depicted throughout the series include news of the sinking of the Titanic in the first series; the outbreak of the First World War, the Spanish influenza pandemic, and the Marconi scandal in the second series; the Irish War of Independence leading to the formation of the Irish Free State in the third series; the Teapot Dome scandal in the fourth series; the British general election of 1923 and the Beer Hall Putsch in the fifth series. The sixth and final series introduces the rise of the working class during the interwar period and hints at the eventual decline of the British aristocracy.

The Forsyte Saga, (Amazon Prime/PBS)

First published under that title in 1922, is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921 by Nobel Prize–winning English author John Galsworthy. They chronicle the vicissitudes of the leading members of a large, upper-middle-class English family, similar to Galsworthy's family.[1] Only a few generations removed from their farmer ancestors, the family members are keenly aware of their status as "new money". The main character, Soames Forsyte, sees himself as a "man of property" by virtue of his ability to accumulate material possessions – but this does not succeed in bringing him pleasure.