Flowers?  Chocolates?  Diamonds?  Sure - those are all nice Valentine's Day gifts -but in 2021 - if you want to prove you are the queen of your love's heart - you'll give them the gift of plastic! 

This Valentine's Day, online cassette store Tapehead City is releasing an exclusive "Love Buzz Red' edition of Nirvana's 1989 debut album Bleach.

Bleach" was the debut album from Nirvana released on June 15, 1989, by Sub Pop records and Love Buzz was their first single. Kurt Cobain died 27 years ago at age 27. In homage of Kurt and this historic album we bring you Nirvana "Bleach" Love Buzz red edition for Valentine's Day (FEB 14 2021). Limited to 500 copies, exclusively available at Tapehead City!

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Tapehead City (@tapeheadcity)

Unfortunately - the initial run of 500 tapes is sold out - so you might have to loosen your purse strings on the secondary markets if you want to impress your Valentine :/ 

Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, John Legend Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi, and Demi Lovato will perform on the nationally televised  “Celebrating America,” event for the inauguration of Joe Biden and his vice president–elect,  Kamala Harris, next Wednesday (January 20). 

We are excited for these amazing speakers and performers to join our "Celebrating America" primetime program at 8:30pm ET/PT for #Inauguration2021!@EvaLongoria@kerrywashington@foofighters@johnlegend@springsteen pic.twitter.com/miKo6kbvE7

— Biden Inaugural Committee (@BidenInaugural) January 15, 2021

 Biden and  Harris will also make remarks during the event featuring artists “that represent the rich diversity and extensive talent America offers"  as well as "the American heroes who are helping their fellow Americans through this crisis.”

“Celebrating America” will be hosted by Tom Hanks and air on ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC and PBS, and be streamed on Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing and other platforms including the PIC's YouTube and social media channels - next Wednesday from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET

Billie Eilish has announced plans to release a pair of books this spring -  a photo book and companion audio book. 

Billie Eilish performs at Washington DC's 9:30 Club, photo by Lisa Walker/Shots From the Dark 

The photo book - Billie Eilish - will contain “hundreds of never-before-seen photos” from throughout her childhood and career to date.

Billie Eilish performs at Washington DC's 9:30 Club, photo by Lisa Walker/Shots From the Dark 

The audio book will include “never-before-told stories and recollections from her personal life and career, from the early years to her breakout success,” according to a press release.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Grand Central Publishing (@grandcentralpub)

Both books will be released May 11  via Grand Central Publishing in the United States and Wren & Rook in the United Kingdom.  You can pre-order them HERE

It's Dave Grohl’s 52nd birthday - but we are the ones getting the gifts - in the form of  another new Foo Fighters song called Waiting On A War - from their forthcoming album Medicine At Midnight. 

Grohl detailed the powerful and emotional story behind the track in a statement: 

As a child growing up in the suburbs of Washington DC, I was always afraid of war. I had nightmares of missiles in the sky and soldiers in my backyard, most likely brought upon by the political tension of the early 1980’s and my proximity to the Nation’s Capitol. My youth was spent under the dark cloud of a hopeless future.

Last fall, as I was driving my 11 year old daughter to school, she turned to me and asked, “Daddy, is there going to be a war?” My heart sank in my chest as I looked into her innocent eyes, because I realized that she was now living under that same dark cloud of a hopeless future that I had felt 40 years ago.

I wrote “Waiting On a War” that day.

Everyday waiting for the sky to fall. Is there more to this than that? Is there more to this than just waiting on a war? Because I need more. We all do.

This song was written for my daughter, Harper, who deserves a future, just as every child does.

Dave 

Foo Fighters - Waiting On A War (Audio)

Dave revealed to Kerrang  that after writing Waiting On A War, the band’s reaction was, ‘Oh my god, this is one of the best songs we’ve ever written!’ 

Medicine at Midnight, arrives on February 5.

After moving on from a band - many musicians will continue to play songs from their back catalog during live show - not Dave Grohl.  

Speaking in a new interview - the Foo Fighter frontman explained why he won't play Nirvana songs with his new band

In a new interview with Classic Rock magazine - Dave explained: 

“I wouldn’t feel comfortable singing a song that Kurt sang ... I feel perfectly at home playing those songs on the drums. And I love playing them with Krist and Pat and another vocalist.”

There have been several Nirvana 'reunions' - with guest filling in for the late Kurt Cobain - including most recently at 2018's SoCal Jam with Joan Jett and Deer Tick’s John McCauley for a six song set

Dave went on to say 

“I still have dreams that we’re in Nirvana, that we’re still a band... I still dream there’s an empty arena waiting for us to play. But I don’t sit down at home and run through ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by myself. It’s just a reminder that the person who is responsible for those beautiful songs is no longer with us. It’s bittersweet.”

Foo Fighters will release their  10th studio album ‘Medicine At Midnight’  on February 5, 2021 -  the band had originally intended to release it in 2020 to mark their 25th anniversary - but it was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic

Concerts ... we miss them.  But with the roll out of COVID vaccinations - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci seems to think that there is a chance we could be seeing live music again in 2021.  

According to the  New York Times , while speaking at a conference held by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals,  Dr. Fauci said that he thought theaters and music venues could reopen "some time in the fall of 2021."

Of course - that's just an optimistic guess  ... and depends on how the vaccine distribution goes and if it does create 'herd immunity' of about 75-85%

He also told the group - "If everything goes right, this is will occur some time in the fall of 2021, so that by the time we get to the early to mid-fall, you can have people feeling safe performing onstage as well as people in the audience"

Venues would need to have  proper ventilation and air filtration systems set up and audience members would still need to don a mask - but Fauci thinks  "venues could be back to almost full capacity of seating"

It seems that concert promoters and band are acting on the side of pessimism - with venues like Red Rocks in Colorado unveiling their 2021 lineup and festivals like Bonnaroo announcing their dates (Sept 2-5), and others like Firefly and Lollapalooza reportedly finalizing their lineups 

But it is on us to make this happen!  Stay safe,  wash your hands,  get your vaccine, and wear your damn mask

Third Man Vault subscription series has put out some pretty cool exclusive releases over the years - but release 47 has us really excited.  

‘Jack White: Live At The Masonic Temple’ - is an epic album of his July 30, 2014 hometown show.  The 38 song set includes White's solo material, songs from The White Stripes, the Dead Weather and the Raconteurs, plus covers of Beck, Led Zeppelin, Hank Williams and Junior Wells. (see full set list below). 

The release also comes with a bonus 7" single containing White's 2020 Saturday Night Live performance. 

‘Jack White: Live At The Masonic Temple’ will be available on four 180-gram colored vinyl LPs, with a slipcase cover with custom printed photo inner sleeves and will include shots from the night by official tour photographer David Swanson

‘Jack White: Live At The Masonic Temple’ tracklisting:

01. ‘Fell in Love with a Girl’
02. ‘Astro’
03. ‘The Big Three Killed My Baby’
04. ‘High Ball Stepper’
05. ‘Lazaretto’
06. ‘Missing Pieces’
07. ‘Just One Drink’
08. ‘Hotel Yorba’
09. ‘You Know That I Know’
10. ‘Love Interruption’
11. ‘Weep Themselves to Sleep’
12. ‘I Cut Like a Buffalo’
13. ‘Cannon’
14. ‘Hoodoo Man’ (Junior Wells cover)
15. ‘Icky Thump’
16. ‘Screwdriver’
17. ‘Ramblin’ Man’ (Hank Williams cover)
18. ‘Apple Blossom’
19. ‘Three Women’
20. ‘The Same Boy You’ve Always Known’
21. ‘We’re Going To Be Friends’
22. ‘Sugar Never Tasted So Good’
23. ‘Entitlement’
24. ‘Alone in My Home’
25. ‘Steady, As She Goes’
26. ‘Ball and Biscuit’
27. ‘The Lemon Song’ (Led Zeppelin cover)
28. ‘The Hardest Button to Button’
29. ‘Sixteen Saltines’
30. ‘Devils Haircut’ (Beck cover)
31. ‘Hypocritical Kiss’
32. ‘That Black Bat Licorice’
33. ‘Would You Fight For My Love?’
34. ‘Blue Blood Blues’
35. ‘You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You’re Told)’
36. ‘My Doorbell’
37. ‘I Fought Piranhas’
38. ‘Seven Nation Army’

‘Saturday Night Live’ 7″ single:

‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’ / ‘Ball and Biscuit’
‘Jesus is Coming Soon’ (Blind Willie Johnson) / ‘Lazaretto’

You can preview the album HERE with a clip from Missing Peices 

Lana Del Rey had a busy weekend - revealing the album art and release date for Chemtrails Over the Country Club, her follow up to 2019's Norman F--king Rockwell.  The record, which she describes as "folky, it's beautiful, it's super different from Norman [F---ing Rockwell]" will be out March 19 

She also has shared a the video for the album's title cut -  “Chemtrails Over the Country Club”  Check out the vintage '60s meets 2020's pandemic style video below 

Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country Club  

 Chemtrails Over the Country Club Track List:

1. "White Dress"
2. "Chemtrails Over the Country Club"
3. "Tulsa Jesus Freak"
4. "Let Me Love You Like a Woman"
5. "Wild at Heart"
6. "Dark But Just a Game"
7. "Not All Who Wander Are Lost"
8. "Yosemite"
9. "Breaking Up Slowly"
10. "Dance Till We Die"
11. "For Free"

Maggie Rogers released a new song last month ... called - "New Song" ...  the track - which you can hear below - is a duet with Del Water Gap that was written and recorded in 2013 - but not fully produced until now. 

Maggie Rogers - New Song  

Maggie Rogers fan and TikTok user Emma Ogier (@immaoger) – was looking for a fellow TikTokker to add vocals to her cover of the track - and apparently Maggie saw the post and decided to help Emma out! 

Watch the story unfold below in three parts  : 

Emma's original post: 

@immaoger

New Song- @maggierogers and @delwatergap two of my biggest inspirations!! Please #duet #maggierogers #delwatergap #music #fyp so much love <3

? original sound - Emma Ogier

Maggie's response: 

@maggierogers

#duet with @immaoger hey emma :) i’m not @delwatergap but i know his part ????

? original sound - Emma Ogier

And Del Water Gap even joined in: 

@delwatergap

#duet with @maggierogers ????

? original sound - Emma Ogier

 New Song comes from Maggie Rogers 16-track retrospective Notes From The Archive: Recordings 2011-2016 -  that includes six never-before-heard tracks - that was released in December 

Late last year - The Black Keys announced they would celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Grammy-winning sixth studio album - Brothers - with an expanded reissue that includes three added bonus songs: “Keep My Name Outta Your Mouth,” “Black Mud Part II,” and “Chop and Change” that were not on the original release 

The Deluxe Limited Edition 7” Box Set, 2-Lp Set, Or CD Box Set is out NOW (get it HERE) 

Brothers was filled with some of our favorite songs by The Black Keys - including Howlin For You, Ten Cent Pistol, and Tighten Up ( which spent ten weeks at number one on the Alternative Songs chart in 2010) 

But there were some songs that didn't make the final cut for the album- "Chop and Change" - which appeared on The Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack, and “Keep My Name Outta Your Mouth,” “Black Mud Part II,” - that were never released ... 

And now -  thanks to the internet - you can stream the two unleashed tracks: 

The Black Keys "Keep My Name Outta Your Mouth" Remastered 10th Anniversary Edition [Official Audio]

The Black Keys "Black Mud Part II" Remastered 10th Anniversary Edition [Official Audio]

Here is the track listing and breakdown for the reissue  - which you can purchase HERE 

Brothers (Deluxe Remastered Anniversary Edition) Track Listing:
1. Everlasting Light
2. Next Girl
3. Tighten Up
4. Howlin’ for You
5. She’s Long Gone
6. Black Mud
7. The Only One
8. Too Afraid to Love You
9. Ten Cent Pistol
10. Sinister Kid
11. The Go Getter
12. I’m Not the One
13. Unknown Brother
14. Never Give You Up
15. These Days
16. Chop and Change *
17. Keep My Name Outta Your Mouth **
18. Black Mud Part II ***

*Previously released on The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
**Previously unreleased
***Previously unreleased

Brothers (Deluxe Remastered Anniversary Edition) 7” Box Set
?          Limited edition – only 7500 copies available worldwide
?          Nine 7” singles
?          New liner notes written by David Fricke
?          Three bonus songs
?          60-page book of photos from the archives
?          Limited edition poster
?          Special heat-sensitive ink on cover

Brothers (Deluxe Remastered Anniversary Edition) 2-LP Set
?          140 gram vinyl
?          12” vinyl tip-on gatefold double-pocket album jacket
?          New liner notes written by David Fricke
?          Three bonus songs
?          Insert with photos

Brothers (Deluxe Remastered Anniversary Edition) CD
?          Single CD
?          Booklet with new liner notes written by David Fricke and photos from the archive
?          Three bonus songs

On what would have been his 74th birthday (Jan. 8), Rhino Records released (and sold out of) a limited edition 7-inch single featuring two previously unheard studio covers by David Bowie. 

If you missed out on ordering the vinyl (they only pressed 8,147) - you can stream Bowie's interpretations of Bob Dylan’s “Tryin’ To Get To Heaven” and John Lennon’s “Mother” below.  In regards to the Lennon cover -it apparently was a part of an entire tribute album to the Beatle, which Bowie never completed.  

Tryin' To Get To Heaven

Mother

Both tracks were recorded in 1998 and somehow have never been heard ... until now.  

Kings of Leon  are back with new music for 2021.  The band announced they will release their eighth studio album (and first album in four years) When You See Yourself on March 5, 2021, via RCA Records. (pre order here) 

The announcement comes with the release of two tracks from the album - “The Bandit” and “100,000 People” - which you can stream below.  

The band also revealed a new line of merch for the release - that includes the limited edition KOL x CrewNation T-shirt.  All proceeds from the shirts sales will go to the CrewNation charity - helping out of work roadies and concert venue workers (order HERE)

Kings Of Leon - The Bandit (Official Video)

Kings Of Leon - 100,000 People (Audio)

When You See Yourself – Tracklist

1.  When You See Yourself, Are You Far Away
2. The Bandit 
3. 100,000 People
4. Stormy Weather 
5.  A Wave 
6. Golden Restless Age
7.  Time in Disguise 
8.  Supermarket 
9.  Claire and Eddie
10. Echoing
11. Fairytale

The 2020 summer concert series was gearing up to be an epic one ... but it never was to be.

As we enter 2021 - we've seen lineups for festivals announced, European tours announced, and now - Colorado’s beloved Red Rocks Amphitheatre has revealed its schedule of shows for April through September 2021 - with a bunch of show's we'd love to see - like Lord Huron with Black Pumas, Brandi Carlile, Michael Franti, Nathaniel Rateliff, Kaleo with Matt Maeson and Belle Mt, The Avett Borthers,  Citizen Cope and more! (see the full schedule below)  

Some of the shows are rescheduled from 2020 and some are new - but it certainly is a promising sign that bands are getting their tour schedules together with hopes of being able to play shows this summer! 

The venue recently said in a statement: 

“As we transition into 2021, we’re hopeful for the road ahead ...We are looking forward to live music. And lights. And energy. And most of all — you: artists, friends and fans.”

If you've never been to the iconic venue - 2021 might be the year to make the pilgrimage! 

Red Rocks 2021 Schedule

April 16 – Ganja White Night (rescheduled from 4/17)

April 17 – Ganja White Night (rescheduled from 4/18)

April 18 – Ganja White Night (rescheduled from 4/19)

April 23 – Galantis and 3Lau with Mat Zo, KLO

April 30 – Trevor Hall/Citizen Cope with Rising Appalachia

May 6 – Hippie Sabotage with Two Feet, Sebastian Paul

May 7 – Brantley Gilbert with Chase Rice, Brandon Lay

May 8 – Brantley Gilbert with Chase Rice, Brandon Lay

May 9 – Die Antwoord 2021

May 11 – Russ with Benny The Butcher, Bia, and Rugus

May 15 – Global Dub Festival, Liquid Stranger, Subtronics, and special guest Herobust

May 30 – Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Ben Harper, The Innocent Criminals

June 2 – Lord Huron with Black Pumas

June 3 – Lord Huron with Black Pumas

June 4 – Joe Russo’s Almost Dead

June 5 – Michael Franti & Spearhead with Galactic featuring Anjelika

June 6 – Stick Figure with very special guests

June 10 – Brit Floyd

June 11 – The Revivalists with Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Neal Francis

June 12 – Big Head Todd and The Monsters with Violent Femmes

June 15 – Glass Animals with Denzel Curry

June 16 – Glass Animals with Denzel Curry

June 17 – An Evening With Chicago and Their Greatest Hits

June 22 – Barenaked Ladies with Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket

June 23 – Andrew Bird and Calexico and Iron & Wine

July 1 – Dirty Heads with G. Love & Special Sauce

July 2 – Zeds Dead

July 3 – Zeds Dead

July 7 – Lindsey Stirling with Kiesza, MAKO

July 9 – The Avett Brothers with G. Love & Special Sauce

July 10 – The Avett Brothers with Rachael & Vilray

July 11 – The Avett Brothers with Mark Lenagan

July 12 – Rainbow Kitten Surprise with Mt. Joy

July 13 – Rainbow Kitten Surprise with Mt. Joy

July 15 – Trampled by Turtles / Caamp

July 19 – Kaleo with Matt Maeson and Belle Mt.

July 21 – Foreigner

July 22 – David Gray

July 23 – STS9 with Shpongle, MIZE

July 24 – STS9 with Tycho DJ Set, Chrome Sparks

July 25 – Colorado Symphony & Chorus Perform: Beethoven 9

July 26 – Halsey with blackbear and PVRIS

July 27 – Halsey with blackbear and PVRIS

July 28 – Goo Goo Dolls with Lifehouse, Forest Black

July 30 – Tedeschi Trucks Band with St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Gabe Dixon

July 31 – Tedeschi Trucks Band with St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Gabe Dixon

Aug. 1 – Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit with Lucinda Williams

Aug. 5 – Dermot Kennedy: Without Fear Tour with Bishop Briggs, Mallrat

Aug. 8 – Joe Bonamassa

Aug. 9 – Joe Bonamassa

Aug. 10 – Wilco & Sleater-Kinney (rescheduled from 2020)

Aug. 11 – Rufus Du Sol

Aug. 12 – Rufus Du Sol

Aug. 14 – Slightly Stoopid with Pepper, Common Kings, Don Carlos

Aug. 15 – Slightly Stoopid with Citizen Cope, Fortunate Youth, The Hip Abduction

Aug. 19 – “1964” The Tribute

Aug. 26 – Big Wild with Bob Moses (Club Set), Crooked Colours, Mild Minds

Aug. 21 – Reggae on the Rocks with Rebelution, Steel Pulse, Inner Circle, The Green, Israel Vibration, Keznamdi, Judge Roughneck, DJ Mackle

Aug. 22 – Reggae on the Rocks with Rebelution, Steel Pulse, Third World, The Green,

Mykal Rose, Keznamdi, Judge Roughneck, DJ Mackle

Aug. 23 – A Special Evening of Music with Nathaniel Rateliff

Aug. 24 – A Special Evening of Music with Nathaniel Rateliff

Aug. 26 – Louis The Child

Aug. 27 – Louis The Child

Aug. 29 – The Black Crowes

Aug. 30 – The Black Crowes

Sept. 2 – Rezz with Rusko Lucii, Champagne Dip, Meso, sfam

Sept. 3 – Rezz with Lo, Golden Features, Ivy Lab, X&G, Sara Landry

Sept. 5 – Kidz Bop World Tour 2021

Sept. 6 – Maren Morris with James Arthur

Sept. 7 – Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band

Sept. 9 – Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band

Sept. 11 – Brandi Carlile with The Colorado Symphony, Tanya Tucker

Sept. 12 – Brandi Carlile with The Colorado Symphony, Tanya Tucker

Sept. 15 – Alison Wonderland

Sept. 17 – Greensky Bluegrass with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real

Sept. 18 – Greensky Bluegrass with Circles Around the Sun

Sept. 19 – Greensky Bluegrass with Railroad Earth

Sept. 23 – Get The Led Out

Sept. 24 – Rowdytown IX: Gigantic Nghtmre with GoldFish, Covex

Sept. 25 – Rowdytown IX: Gigantic Nghtmre with Peekaboo, slenderbodies, Dreamers

Delight

Sept. 26 – Lake Street Drive with special guests the Wood Brothers

Sept. 27 – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Oct. 3 – Mandolin Orange with The Tallest Man on Earth, Bonny Light Horseman

Oct. 5 – Heilung

Oct. 10 – Opiuo and Clozee with LSDREAM, Of The Trees, K+L

Oct. 11 – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard with Leah Senior

Oct. 12 – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard with Leah Senior

The second half of Austin City Limits' 46th season rolls on this weekend with Foo Fighters Rock Austin City Limits  

The special serves a silver anniversary celebration of the Foos and features performances from Dave and crew's 2008 and 2014 ACL appearances (you can see the full set list below) 

On performing for ACL - Dave Grohl had this to say

“I’m sure I can speak for every musician when I say that being asked to come play Austin City Limits is practically like getting a medal.  As a musician it’s something to aspire to and if you actually achieve that then you wear it like a badge.”

ACL has given us a teaser for this weekend's show - with a clip of the band performing 'My Hero'

If you want to catch the full episode here in Maryland - set the alarm or DVR - MPT is airing the special at 5am on Sunday morning 

Foo Fighters Rock Austin City Limits setlist:

All My Life (2008)

My Hero (2008)

Everlong (2008)

Monkey Wrench (2008)

The Pretender (2008)

Times Like These (2014)

Rope (2014)

Walk (2014)

Best of You (2014)

If you are reading this - there's a good chance you miss going to concerts and seeing your favorite (or next favorite) musicians perform live.  And as we've seen over the past 9 months - the artists miss performing as well .... but you know who really misses the concerts - are the roadies and venue staff who depend on these concerts to make a living.  

Early on in the pandemic - concert promoter started Crew Nation - to help raise money for these out of work individuals.  Like similar charities, they have come up with creative fundraisers for these causes (have you seen the IMP custom concert posters?!) 

Another creative fundraiser was 'One for the Roadies'  - where  YETI sent artists a Roadie® Cooler to personally customize for their fans that were auctioned off with the proceeds going to Crew Nation. 

Well - the first fundraiser was so successful - they're back for round two - with One For the Roadies Encore Edition 

Through January 12 - you can bid on customized coolers by some amazing musicians (and apparently artists) like Beastie Boys, Wilco, Phoebe Bridgers, Fleet Foxes, My Morning Jacket, Brittany Howard, Brandi Carlile,  Billie Eilish, Natanthiel Rateliff and more! 

Yeti will make its own donation matching all proceeds up to $100,000!!!

So if owning a cooler customized by one of your favorite artists - and knowing it is helping out of work roadies sounds like something you'd like to start your 2021 with -  head over to the One For The Roadies (Part 2) site  ... and happy bidding! 

After providing over $100,000 in assistance to local musicians who had lost gigs due to the Spring 2020 shutdown - local nonprofit Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians, Inc. (AMFM) has launched a new initiative to assist musicians whose livelihoods have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund is to provide a significant, one-time benefit to qualifying musicians who have suffered financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

More information, including eligibility requirements, are posted on the AMFM website. The application will be posted on January 10, 2021, and the deadline for applying for benefits is 11:59 PM on January 31, 2021.

AMFM also plans to continue its youth scholarship and award programs in 2021. Because the organization’s overhead is extremely low, over 94 percent of donations received go directly to musicians

AMFM’s goal is to reciprocate the efforts shown by the hardworking musicians of Annapolis -  who are continuously giving back to our community  - by ensuring the musicians who work and perform in the Annapolis area can continue to maintain a quality of life during unexpected hardship that will keep them financially viable and the music in the city of Annapolis thriving.

Its no wonder AMGM was named nonprofit of the year by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County !!! Thank you AMFM and all who have suppored them over the past 14 years! 

The second half of Austin City Limits' 46th season kicks off this month with a stellar lineup that includes a mix of new performances (taped during the pandemic without an audience) and installments featuring highlights from ACL favorites  ..  

Season 46 Broadcast Schedule:

January 9 Foo Fighters Rock Austin City Limits

January 16 The War And Treaty | Ruthie Foster

January 23 Ray Wylie Hubbard

January 30 The Best of Spoon

February 6 Texas Icons: Jerry Jeff Walker & Billy Joe Shaver

February 13 Allen Toussaint: New Orleans Legend

Foo Fighters Rock Austin City Limits is a silver anniversary celebration of the rock superstars, featuring a performances from Dave and crew's 2008 and 2014 ACL appearances .

The Best of Spoon, offering a retrospective look at the Austin based band’s career - with highlights from their four appearances - dating back to their debut on the series in 2003

Americana Music Awards 2019 Emerging Act of the  Year  husband-and-wife duo The War And Treaty,  deliver a show-stopping ACL debut as well 

ACL executive producer Terry Lickona comments: 

“In a year like no other, we’re proud that we were able to capture seven brand-new performances for our 46th season ... As always, they include a mix that’s eclectic, electric and even a touch eccentric. On top of that, we were able to pull some gems out of the ACL goldmine to celebrate some highlights from the past, and honor those who helped to create the ACL legacy.”

Be sure to visit acltv.com for news regarding live streams, future tapings and episode schedules 

Monica Alvarado may not be officially recognized by the church as a saint ... but to many in Anne Arundel County she is. 

The Eastport restaurateur was awarded the first ever Annapolis Person of the Year award last week for her amazing philanthropic work during the pandemic.  Last spring, when the community and the restaurant business  were suffering  Alvarado decided to step up and start an organization that would help both. 

She began Feed Anne Arundel, a charitable organization who's goal was to keep  restaurants in business (and in turn -  their workers employed)  by paying them to make hot meals for families in need.  The idea was that community members would make donations to the organization - that would in turn invest the donations back to the community - giving them to local restaurants who would use the money to prepare hot meals to be served to those in need   

The results were astonishing -  Feed Anne Arundel was able to have over 100 restaurants involved in the project  and provide more than 120,000 meals since starting (and they are still going!).  

Upon receiving the award Alvarado - 

“When I am not actively helping or doing something to fix the problems that we’re facing, then I kind of feel lost,..So for me, it’s given me a drive and a direction. Fighting back tears, she said, “2020 sucked, but good God did it also really rock.”

You can donate to Feed Anne Arundel HERE

So 2020 might have been a forgettable year for many reasons - but one thing it was good for was the music.  With bands being home and not touring - we sure got a TON of new music from some of our favorite artists

As always we'll reveal our top 103.1 songs of the year - as voted for by you and the RNR DJs on New Years Eve ... so before we reveal the full list, we'll give some insight as to our staff picks ... 

Bob Waugh's Top Songs of 2020 

Olympik- EOB  

The Adults Are Talking - The Strokes 

Ferris Wheel - Sylvan Esso  

4 American Dollars  

Scared of Heights - Citizen Cope  

Honorable mentions: 

Basement Tapes - Semisonic 

Slow - Matt Costa 

Fire - Black Pumas

You can  let us know what your favorite songs of the year were - to help us compile the top 103.1 songs of the year HERE

Always the overachiever – Mike Ondayko has submitted his ten top tracks from 2020 … don’t miss the top 103.1 songs of the year – as voted by you and the RNR staff starting new year’s eve at 3pm.

CAAMP- Peach Fuzz

Bakar - Hell and Back

Black Pumas- Colors

Shaed- No Other Way

Semisonic- You’re Not Alone

Killers- Own Soul’s Warning

Matt Maeson- Hallucinogenics

White Reaper- Might Be Right

Major Lazer w/Marcus Mumford- Lay Your Head on Me

Michael Franti- I Got You

There's still time to let us know what your favorite songs of the year were  and  help us compile the top 103.1 songs of the year HERE

.

So 2020 might have been a forgetbable year for many reasons - but one thing it was good for was the music.  With bands being home and not touring - we sure got a TON of new music from some of our favorite artists

As alway's we'll reveal our top 103.1 songs of the year - as voted for by you and the RNR DJs on New Years Eve ... so before we reveal the full list, we'll give some insight as to our staff picks ... 

Dave Z's Top Songs of 2020 

EOB - Brasil 

Tame Impala - Is It True 

Bakar - First Time 

Michael Kiwanuka - Rolling  

Nada Surf - So Much Love 

And some honorable mentions:

Coriky - Clean Kill

Hum - Cloud City

Doves - Carousels

Bob Mould - Siberian Butterfly

Westerman - Confirmation (SSBD)

Parquet Courts - Total Football

TRAAMS - The Greyhound

Pomplamoose - Harder Better, Faster, Stronger (Daft Punk Cover)

Pomplamoose - Lovely Day/Good As Hell Mashup (Bill Withers/Lizzo Mashup)

You can  let us know what your favorite songs of the year were - to help us compile the top 103.1 songs of the year HERE

So 2020 might have been a forgettable year for many reasons - but one thing it was good for was the music.  With bands being home and not touring - we sure got a TON of new music from some of our favorite artists

As always we'll reveal our top 103.1 songs of the year - as voted for by you and the RNR DJs on New Years Eve ... so before we reveal the full list, we'll give some insight as to our staff picks ... 

Michael Buckley's Top Songs of 2020 

Ray Lamontage - We'll Make it Through

Nicole Atkins - Domino 

Black Pumas - Fire 

Kurt Vile and John Prine - How Lucky 

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Overseas 

You can  let us know what your favorite songs of the year were - to help us compile the top 103.1 songs of the year HERE

So 2020 might have been a forgetbable year for many reasons - but one thing it was good for was the music.  With bands being home and not touring - we sure got a TON of new music from some of our favorite artists

As alway's we'll reveal our top 103.1 songs of the year - as voted for by you and the RNR DJs on New Years Eve ... so before we reveal the full list, we'll give some insight as to our staff picks ... 

Phil Harrlel's Top 5 Tracks I Enjoyed Playing This Year: 

Fiona Apple - Shameika

Phoebe Bridgers - Kyoto

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Be Afraid

Pearl Jam - Dance Of The Clairvoyants (Mach III)

Fiona Apple - Under The Table

You can  let us know what your favorite songs of the year were - to help us compile the top 103.1 songs of the year HERE

Since the pandemic hit in March - Annapolis musician Dan Haas hasn't been able to gig as much as he used to - so he, like many of his contemporaries, took his music to the web - recording stream-of-consciousness songs and posting them online. 

His latest song - about of all things, the Bombas socks he was wearing, caught the eye of the sock makers.

Now if you aren't familiar with Bombas - for every pair of socks they sell - they donate a pair to someone affected by homelessness.

So when Dan sang - 

“Put them on in the morning, they fit like a glove. There isn’t many things I love as much as my Bombas socks, it’s true. The ones I’m wearing now are blue”  

Bombas took notice and responded with a song of their own singing - 

“You put our socks on your feet, now your song’s in our head,”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by bombas (@bombas)

They also committed to donating 1000 pairs of socks to the Light House Shelter in Annapolis .  Socks are one of the most coveted items for those living on the street - so with the cold weather setting in - the donation comes at the perfect time!  Thank you Dan and thank you Bombas 

The National Independent Venue Association scored a major victory this week - by having the Save Our Stages Act included in the COVID-19 Relief Bill ... with a little help from the 2.1 million of you who sent emails to your elected officials expressing your support for the Save Our Stages Act :) 

So what does this mean?  As part of bill -  emergency relief funding will go to independent venues and promoters that have been devastated by the pandemic’s shutdown. This legislation will enable these mom-and-pop businesses to hold on until it’s safe to gather, reopen fully, and once again return to serving as the economic engines for their communities. Read NIVA's full statement and thanks here.

The legislation provides critical help to shuttered businesses by providing a grant equal to 45% of gross revenue from 2019, with a cap of $10 million per entity. This grant funding will ensure recipients can stay afloat until reopening by helping with expenses like payroll and benefits, rent and mortgage, utilities, insurance, PPE, and other ordinary and necessary business expenses.  

NIVA will work with the Small Business Administration to ensure the emergency relief is dispersed as Congress intended, that the instructions and process to apply for grants ensure that the process is implemented accurately, fairly and as expediently as possible.

But the work's not done -since it could take weeks or even months for the funding to flow, the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund, with The Giving Back Fund as its 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor, continues to raise money to assist the venues at greatest risk of permanently going under as we wait for the grants to be issued. Anyone wishing to donate can do so here

You can also continue to purchase some of the sweet merch NIVA is offering 

So keep on doing your part to stay safe, wear your mask, and we'll see you in the pit soon!