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Universal Music Publishing Signs Classical Music Icon Andrea Bocelli To Exclusive, Global Publishing Agreement

(credit Luca Rossetti)

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the leading, global publishing division of Universal Music Group, today announced that legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing agreement through UMPG’s Classics & Screen department. One of the most successful and influential classical singers in modern history, Bocelli this year celebrates his 30th anniversary in music. Through the new agreement, UMPG will represent Bocelli’s future works, as well as his latest album, “A Family Christmas”.

Having set countless sales records, Andrea Bocelli has sold over 90 million albums to date and generated more than 16 billion streams. The celebrated tenor has become a long-standing ambassador for Italian culture around the world and drew worldwide attention in 2020 with his record-breaking ‘Music for Hope’ event which became one of the biggest musical live stream performances of all-time. Across his illustrious career, Bocelli has received six Grammy Award nominations, six Latin Grammy Award nominations, a Golden Globe, seven Classical BRITs, seven World Music Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

One of the world’s most recognizable voices, Bocelli has performed for four Presidents of the United States of America, three Popes, the British Royal Family, and many Prime Ministers. He has sung at high-profile ceremonies including the Olympics, the World Cup, the UEFA Euro 2020 Opening Ceremony, the Premier League final, the Ballon d’Or, the Universal Expo in Shanghai in 2010 and in Milan in 2015. He has performed in all the greatest concert halls and opera houses around the world, as well as major international arenas. Bocelli recently sang at the 24th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards and the 96th Oscars. He will also become the first classical artist in history to headline London’s BST Hyde Park 2024.

Veronica Berti Bocelli, CEO of Almud Music, and Maverick Management’s Francesco Pasquero said: “We are honoured to be joining the Universal Music Publishing Group family. Building upon our long-standing partnership with Universal Music Group, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in Andrea’s journey. As we celebrate Maestro’s 30th anniversary this year, we are excited to continue expanding Andrea’s legacy and reach even greater heights with the support of UMPG.”

Natasha Baldwin, Executive Vice President of Classics and Screen at UMPG, said: “Andrea Bocelli is not only a legendary tenor, but an artist who has established his place in the canon of classical and popular music. As we celebrate his third decade in the industry and immense contributions to music history, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome Andrea to UMPG Classics & Screen family as his global publisher.”

The new publishing agreement builds upon Bocelli’s historic relationship with Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music-based entertainment company, having distributed his albums for over a quarter of a century through its longstanding relationship with Sugar Music. In 2021, Bocelli signed directly to UMG for the first time after more than 25 years of collaboration (in particular with Decca Records), in a global, multifaceted recording agreement. All of his previous recordings will remain under Sugar Music, in an exclusive license agreement with UMG.

Across his meteoric career, Bocelli’s works have become hallmarks of cultural significance. From his early career singing with Luciano Pavarotti, to major international success with “Con te partirò (Time To Say Goodbye)” with Sarah Brightman, “The Prayer” with Celine Dion, and “Vivo per lei”, among many others. Bocelli is renowned for his unique voice and his collaborations beyond the world of classical music – in particular, he has duetted with such major names as Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Dua Lipa, Bono, Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder, Alison Krauss, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, and even The Muppets.

In 2017, autobiographical film “The Music of Silence” – inspired by Bocelli’s self-penned novel of the same name – was released to resounding critical and commercial success. This year sees the release of a new documentary about the singer, entitled “Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe”, with never-before-seen insights into the singer’s story, on- and off-stage. Bocelli has also sung on the soundtracks to a number of major films, he has had his very own Simpsons Christmas special, and his influence has even seeped into popular culture with references on shows such as “The Kardashians” and “The Bold and the Beautiful”.

Andrea Bocelli is a record-breaking artist. He made history with his 2018 pop album “Sì,” taking first place in the UK and US charts, the first time ever to be achieved by an Italian artist. He broke records again on Easter Day 2020, uniting millions around the world with his emotionally charged “Music for Hope” performance from the historic Duomo cathedral in Milan, one of the biggest musical live stream performances of all-time. The broadcast saw 2.8 million peak concurrent viewers – the largest simultaneous audience for a classical live stream in YouTube history. In November that year, Andrea Bocelli’s album. “Believe” was accompanied by another major live stream, ‘Believe in Christmas’, which became the most successful classical music live stream to date, selling more than 70,000 tickets to fans in 120 countries.

Musically gifted from birth, Andrea Bocelli is one of the most celebrated singers in modern history. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Opera Singing from the “G. Puccini” Music Conservatory in La Spezia and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Pisa, Italy. He was honoured by the Italian Republic with a Grande Ufficiale Italian Order of Merit (Grand Officer of the Italian Republic) and he was bestowed the title of Ambassador of the Italian Republic of San Marino. During the Opening Ceremony of the World Economic Forum 2015 in Davos (Switzerland), he was given the prestigious Crystal Award, in recognition of his work an artist and philanthropist. In 2016, the University of Macerata awarded him with an Honorary Degree in Modern Philology.

In 2011, he founded the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF) to empower people and communities in vulnerable situations. It has since grown into an independent non-profit led by world-class professionals that oversee the strategic development of projects in Italy and abroad.

Maggie Rogers Announces Her First-Ever Arena Dates For “The Don’t Forget Me Tour, Part II”

Today, GRAMMY Award-nominated songwriter/producer/performer Maggie Rogers announced her first-ever arena outing – “The Don’t Forget Me Tour, Part II.” Tonight’s release of her third studio album, Don’t Forget Me, will kick off a week-long celebration that she’s dubbed “Box Office Week,” which will include pop-up events, special shows taking place over the course of the week at intimate venues in four U.S. cities and a new round of Maggie’s notable in-person ticketing.

“On the last album, Surrender, I decided to go old school and sell tickets in-person in an effort to reduce fees, combat bots and get tickets directly into the hands of fans,” explains Maggie. That process was so fun, this year I’m hosting ‘Box Office Week,’ where I’ve set some special prices for fans who want to come purchase tickets in person. Here’s how it’s going to work… from April 13th to April 20th, in every city where I’m playing an arena this fall, you can go to the local box office to choose your seats and buy your ticket for a special in-person price. You can find all the exact information for your city HERE. In NYC, Philly, Boston, and Chicago, I’m going to be in person selling tickets directly to you at the box office. After the box office day festivities, I’ll be playing a show that very same night in those four cities where me and my band will perform Don’t Forget Me for the very first time.”

Presented by Chase and produced by Live Nation, “The Don’t Forget Me Tour, Part II” will launch on October 9 at Moody Center in Austin, TX and include shows at New York City’s Madison Square Garden (October 19) and the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA (November 2). See below for full itinerary. Ryan Beatty will support on all fall arena dates.

The first chance at tickets for both the “Box Office Week” shows and the fall arena performances will be through in-person box office sales from Saturday, April 13, to Saturday, April 20. Dates vary per city. Release show tickets are limited to two per person at the box office and will be available for $25 with no added fees. Fans can check shop.maggierogers.com/pages/tour to find the box office sale date, time and location in their city. Release shows will take place the very evening of the in-person box office event post the album pop-ups.

For all arena dates, Maggie is partnering with Chase to offer cardholders an exclusive presale starting on Monday, April 22, at 10:00 AM ET. Fans can also access Maggie’s artist presale by registering now HERE. The artist presale will begin Tuesday, April 23. The general on sale for all arena shows on “The Don’t Forget Me Tour, Part II” will begin Friday, April 26, at 10:00 AM local time. For tickets and all tour information, please visit shop.maggierogers.com/pages/tour.

“Come buy a ticket like it’s 1965,” Rogers encouraged fans when her “Summer of ’23 Tour” was announced last year. She even worked the box office at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg where tickets for her Forest Hills Stadium shows went on sale, as Vulture, the Los Angeles Times and others reported. Elle noted, “For fans, waiting in line was part of a greater experience…What she was really doing was curating an experience for us to meet one another.”

Part 1 of “The Don’t Forget Me Tour” will kick off May 23 at Gallagher Square at Petco Park in San Diego, CA and include two nights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado (May 27 + May 28). The Japanese House will support from May 24 – June 22. Rogers will also perform at Lovin’ Life Festival and Bonnaroo.

Don’t Forget Me will be released tonight via Capitol Records/Universal Music Canada. Rogers co-produced her new album with Ian Fitchuk (Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris) at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, writing eight of its 10 songs with him and penning two alone. Shawn Everett (Brittany Howard, The War on Drugs) mixed. The album was mastered by Emily Lazar (Beck, Coldplay), who has mastered all of Rogers’ albums to date. Pre-order / pre-save Don’t Forget MeHERE. Watch the official video for the title track HERE.

“I wanted to make an album that sounded like a Sunday afternoon,” Rogers explains. “Worn in denim. A drive in your favorite car. No make up, but the right amount of lipstick. Something classic. The mohair throw and bottle of Whiskey in Joan Didion’s motel room. An old corvette. Vintage, but not overly Americana. I wanted to make an album to belt at full volume alone in your car, a trusted friend who could ride shotgun and be there when you needed her.”

Don’t Forget Me is the follow-up to 2022’s Surrender, which earned widespread praise, with Rolling Stone hailing Rogers as a “pop music prodigy…an artist who’s in it for the long haul.” She recently celebrated the 5th anniversary of the release of Heard It In A Past Life, her 2019 debut album. Now certified Gold by the RIAA, the album has sold nearly a million copies worldwide and accrued one billion combined global streams.

Originally from Maryland, GRAMMY® Award-nominated producer/songwriter/performer Maggie Rogers released her breakthrough EP Now That The Light Is Fading in 2017. Widely hailed as an artist to watch, Rogers released her critically acclaimed Capitol Records debut album Heard It In A Past Life in January 2019 and immediately found tremendous success: entering Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart at No. 1 and debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The album earned praise from the likes of NPR, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, TIME Magazine, Vogue, and many more. Heard It In A Past Life also landed Rogers a nomination for Best New Artist at the 62nd GRAMMY® Awards and led to performances on major TV shows including “Saturday Night Live,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “Austin City Limits,” “Today” and more. The album, which contains the Platinum hits “Light On” and “Alaska,” has amassed over one billion combined global streams and is certified Gold in the U.S. In 2022, Rogers released her follow up album, Surrender, to widespread acclaim and embarked on two sold-out headline tours across Europe and North America including her Summer of ’23 Tour which included stops at legendary venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, Forest Hills Stadium in NYC and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Rogers’ Don’t Forget Me, her third studio album, will be released April 12.

Maggie Rogers – Tour Dates
*IN-PERSON BOX OFFICE ONSALE WITH ALBUM POP-UPS

RELEASE SHOWS
4/13 New York, NY* Irving Plaza 4/13 at Irving Plaza
4/14 Philadelphia, PA* Theatre of Living Arts 4/14 at The Fillmore Philadelphia
4/16 Boston, MA* Paradise Rock Club 4/16 at Paradise Rock Club
4/19 Chicago, IL* House of Blues 4/19 at House of Blues

“The Don’t Forget Me Tour, Part I” (Including Festival Appearances)
5/4 Charlotte NC Lovin’ Life Festival^
5/23 San Diego, CA Gallagher Square at Petco Park
5/24 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre
5/27 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
5/28 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
5/31 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
6/1 The Woodlands, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
6/3 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
6/5 Indianapolis, IN Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
6/7 Cincinnati, OH The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park
6/8 Milwaukee, WI BMO Pavilion
6/9 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
6/11 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
6/14 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival^
6/16 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
6/19 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park
6/20 Charleston, SC Credit One Stadium
6/22 Miami, FL FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park

Support for 5/23 show to be announced.
Support for 5/24 – 6/22 shows – The Japanese House
^Festival Performance

“The Don’t Forget Me Tour, Part II” WITH CORRESPONDING IN PERSON BOX OFFICE DATE
10/9 Austin, TX Moody Center 4/17 at Moody Center
10/15 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center 4/14 at The Fillmore Philadelphia
10/17 Boston, MA TD Garden 4/16 at Paradise Rock Club
10/19 New York, NY Madison Square Garden 4/13 at Irving Plaza
10/22 Toronto, ON Coca-Cola Coliseum 4/14 at Coca-Cola Coliseum
10/24 Chicago, IL United Center 4/19 at House of Blues
10/25 Minneapolis, MN Target Center 4/20 at Target Center
10/29 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena 4/20 at Climate Pledge Arena
10/30 Portland, OR Moda Center 4/20 at Moda Center
11/1 San Francisco, CA Chase Center 4/20 at Chase Center
11/2 Inglewood, CA Kia Forum 4/17 at Kia Forum
Support for 10/9 – 11/2 shows – Ryan Beatty

Photo Gallery: Lil Tjay with Kalan and Dina Ayada at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre

Lil Tjay

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X.

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The rise of the bouncy castle with slide: a festive jump into the world of recreation

By Mitch Rice

When you think of parties and recreation, you quickly think of music, dance and games. But did you know that one of the most iconic symbols of children’s parties and events – the bouncy castle and slide – has a fascinating history that is as colorful as the castle itself? Today i take you on a step back in time to discover how the bouncy castle with slide came into being and how it has developed into an indispensable element of fun.

The origins of the bouncy castle, or as it is known in some countries, the ‘bouncy castle’, date back to the late 1950s. It was john scurlock, an engineer from louisiana, who accidentally discovered the concept. Scurlock was designing inflatable covers for tennis courts when he saw his employees having fun jumping on the inflatable structures. This gave him the idea to create an inflatable platform especially for jumping and playing.

The first commercial bouncy castles were simple, inflated mattresses without walls or themes. But it wasn’t long before scurlock and his wife frances, who took over renting out the bouncy castles, began experimenting with castle-like structures and colorful themes. This laid the foundation for the bouncy castles we know today.

In the years that followed, the popularity of bouncy castles increased. They became a regular part of birthday parties, church festivals, school functions and even major events. But there was one innovation that took the bouncy castle to the next level of fun: the addition of a slide.

The bouncy castle with slide, or ‘slide combo bouncy castles‘ as they are often called, combined the best of both worlds. As well as jumping and bouncing in a safe, inflated environment, children could also slide and dive, adding an extra dimension of excitement. This combination turned out to be a hit and bouncy castles with slides soon became a standard option at rental companies.

One of the companies that has embraced this trend and developed it further is jb-inflatables. On their website,, you can find an impressive range of bouncy castles with slides, each with unique themes and designs that meet the wishes of children and event organizers. Whether you’re looking for a pirate themed castle, a jungle adventure or even a custom design, jb-inflatables has it all.

The standard bouncy castle also remains as popular as ever. On the jb-inflatables main page you will find a wide range of options perfect for any event. From classic castles to interactive game castles, the possibilities are endless.

The bouncy castle with slide is more than just play equipment; it is a symbol of joy, a place where children can release their energy and let their imagination run wild. In the world of music and recreation, where fun and relaxation are central, the bouncy castle offers a unique form of entertainment that will last for generations.

So the next time you see a bouncy castle and slide at a party or event, remember the creative mind of john scurlock and the joy his invention brought. And if you’re organizing an event yourself, consider adding this timeless attraction to capture the hearts of young and old. Because honestly, who doesn’t like to jump and slide in a world of color and fun?

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Starmus Announces ‘Bridge From The Future’ Opening Concert By Jean-Michel Jarre, Brian May, And Laurie Anderson

STARMUS Festival co-founders Garik Israelian, PhD, Sir Brian May, and Jean-Michel Jarre, along with ESET CEO Richard Marko, and VÚB CEO Joseph Kausich, unveiled exciting details concerning the upcoming STARMUS VII edition in Bratislava, Slovakia on April 11, 2024.

Press conference introduced the STARMUS VII full program with its opening concert, insights on the STARMUS Camp & City Program, Sonic Universe Concert, and Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication Ceremony agenda promising to unite intellect, creativity, and wonder in the world of science and music.

Powered by ESET, STARMUS VII will kick off with an exclusive live performance titled “Bridge from the Future” on May 12th by renowned electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre, joined by special guest Sir Brian May, legendary guitarist of Queen and STARMUS co-founder. Set against the breath-taking backdrop of the SNP Bridge over the Danube River, this monumental event will be open for the public and STARMUS ticket holders will have privileged access closer to the stage.

In addition to announcing Jarre as the headliner, it was announced that Jean-Michel Jarre is joining the STARMUS Advisory Board. The prestigious Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, will be hosted at STARMUS VII and concluded by one-of-a-kind Sonic Universe Concert hosting Laurie Anderson with her ‘Ark’/’Lifeboat’ performance, promising an unforgettable fusion of music and science.

Complementing the STARMUS Concerts and Lectures Program is the STARMUS Camp, a vibrant hub of exploration and learning designed to ignite curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists. Located in the Main Square of Bratislava, it will offer innovative exhibitions, immersive experiences, and a dynamic live entertainment program open to attendees of all ages. The STARMUS City Program is tailored specifically for partner universities and will feature more than 40 captivating lectures by renowned experts and researchers. The lectures will cover a range of topics, including space exploration and environmental science, among others. Students will have the chance to engage with experts and enrich their academic experience.

Finally, during the press conference, it was announced that VÚB Banka, second largest bank in Slovakia, has joined as a sponsor for STARMUS VII to inspire individuals to make a difference in the world.

The upcoming STARMUS VII edition promises to be an unparalleled experience, bringing together the world’s brightest minds in science and music to ignite curiosity and inspiration for the next generation.

Photo Gallery: Benson Boone with Mimi Webb at Toronto’s History

Benson Boone

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X.

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Dixie D’Amelio To Launch Caffeine-Free Soda Flavor “Passion”

MyMuse, the innovative beverage brand dedicated to sparking creativity and delivering better-tasting, better-for-you functional beverages, proudly announces its collaboration with social media phenomenon, singer and reality star, Dixie D’Amelio. Together, they present “Passion,” an inspired caffeine-free, adaptogenic soda flavor crafted by Dixie and brought to life by MyMuse, now available at Target, Sprouts, GoPuff, and Amazon.

Passion will be released alongside two additional new MyMuse flavors, Black Cherry and Orange U Glad. This launch marks MyMuse’s first-ever lineup of caffeine-free Inspired Sodas. The scientifically formulated Inspired Sodas feature a distinctive blend of adaptogens, electrolytes, zinc, potassium, and magnesium, offering a refreshing and functional beverage experience that supports a happy body and mind.

The limited-time product, “Passion,” is a bubbly, subtly sweet passion fruit soda flavor that embodies D’Amelio’s creativity and individuality. This launch celebrates her passions and creative pursuits, focusing on her blossoming music career and artistic collaboration with MyMuse, where she personally formulated and designed her own flavor of inspired soda.

“I am very fortunate to collaborate with a brand that gave me complete creative freedom by ensuring that my true self was represented in the final product,” said D’Amelio. “From the taste tests, design meetings, to content production, I had so much fun creating my Passion inspired Soda flavor with MyMuse and can’t wait for everyone to try it!”

MyMuse continues to disrupt the beverage category with fresh and innovative approaches that resonate with the desire from consumers for better-for-you beverages. With just 5 grams of sugar and a mere 25 calories, the new Passion, Black Cherry and Orange U Glad flavors deliver a guilt-free indulgence for those seeking a full-flavor, better-for-you soda, with no caffeine. This reformulation also extends to MyMuse’s existing consumer favorites, Strawberry Guava and Tropical Citrus.

“MyMuse aims to fuel creativity with every sip and Dixie’s Passion soda embodies this ethos through sparking her own creativity with her hydrating soda innovation,” said Megan Robles, Vice President of Marketing at MyMuse. “Our collaboration with Dixie D’Amelio marks a significant milestone in MyMuse’s journey to provide consumers with unique and inspiring beverage options.”

MyMuse’s full portfolio includes a line of Enhanced Organic Waters and Inspired Sodas that provide targeted functionality, without compromising on taste. Designed to hydrate, refresh and inspire, these immunity-supporting and adaptogenic beverages offer delicious natural flavors.

The limited-time-only “Passion” flavor by D’Amelio, alongside the complete caffeine-free Inspired Soda lineup is available at Target, Sprouts, GoPuff, and Amazon. To learn more about MyMuse, visit https://drinkmymuse.com.

BSB Whiskey x Jamie Foxx Officially Unveil Their Collaboration With Iconic New Packaging

Fast-growing spirits incubator WES Brands, known for brand acceleration and innovation, has joined forces once again with award-winning actor, musician, and entrepreneur Jamie Foxx for the exclusive release of BSB Whiskey, an ultra-smooth flavored whiskey. Dedicating two years to the design and development of the new look and flavor, Brown Sugar Blend, affectionately dubbed “BSB,” is ready to debut and shake up the whiskey category. Foxx joins as brand owner and creative director.

“Life is precious, so I’ve always tried living it to the fullest. As an avid whiskey drinker, owning a brand that is sippable and unlike any other has been a life goal of mine; with BSB, I’m finally making that happen,” says Foxx, BSB Owner & Creative Director. “BSB is an ode to my personal philosophy – it’s about bringing people together to celebrate life and have fun.”

Embodying the essence of bolder, stronger, and better, BSB Whiskey’s 70-proof liquid is a masterpiece that perfectly blends the aromatic spice of cinnamon with the rich, comforting sweetness of brown sugar. BSB Whiskey comes in dynamic new packaging that is as innovative as the whiskey itself. The sleek, matte black bottle proudly wears a “BSB” chenille letter patch on its chest that glows in the dark, designed to captivate and intrigue. This unique, revamped touch ensures that BSB Whiskey stands out on the shelves and lights up any social gathering, making it the most coveted centerpiece of the night.

“Last year was a record year for flavored whiskies. U.S. depletions reached 18.25 million cases in 2023, up from 14 million cases in 2019*,” said Lauren Kiyak, SVP of Marketing at WES Brands. “We knew we had an incredible opportunity on our hands. With Jamie’s creative lead, BSB now sits at the intersection of fashion and sports, a modern tribute to nostalgic tech and delicious flavors.”

BSB Whiskey is a key priority in the rapidly growing WES Brands portfolio. To support the national rollout, Naeemah Leonard, a 15+ year veteran in the wine and spirits industry, joins WES Brands as their new Senior Brand Director of Whiskey. Stepping into the newly created role as Senior Brand Director of Whiskey, Naeemah will support the company’s focus on the brand, having worked in brown spirits and managed many celebrity partnerships over her career.

BSB Whiskey blends and bottles in Columbia, TN. BSB Whiskey is sold in 750ml at 70% ABV and is available nationwide online and in limited quantities in the U.S. at select retailers for $24.99.

Little Big Town Announces ‘Take Me Home’ Tour With Sugarland and The Castellows

Celebrating their 25th anniversary as one of country music’s most successful groups, multi-platinum GRAMMY Award-winning four-piece Little Big Town – comprised of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook – joined forces with longtime friends and collaborators Sugarland at last night’s CMT Music Awards to deliver a stunning world premiere performance of their new song “Take Me Home.” The two powerhouse groups are also set to embark on a U.S. tour titled Take Me Home Tour.

Little Big Town and Sugarland’s rendition of “Take Me Home”, originally written and released by Phil Collins in 1985, gives the song a fresh new meaning but leaves us with a familiar longing. The performance served as a monumental homecoming for the two country music giants as they last shared the CMTMA stage in 2008 for a rousing rendition of “Life In A Northern Town.”

“Last night felt like a real homecoming for us and a full circle moment. When we toured with Sugarland last, we would all be backstage harmonizing different cover songs to try and surprise the audience every night. There’s something about this song that feels so nostalgic of that time. It really is like coming home,” says Little Big Town. “The Take Me Home tour feels like a celebration of being a band for 25 years and we’re so excited to throw this party with our great friends Sugarland. We’ll both be playing all our biggest hits and then some. Can’t wait to see everyone!”

Fans will hear the newly released single live this fall on the Take Me Home US tour, produced by Live Nation and Sandbox Live, with special guest Sugarland and support from The Castellows. Various ticket pre-sales for the Take Me Home Tour will run throughout the week, ahead of the general sale beginning on Friday, April 12 at 10am local time at www.littlebigtown.com. The fall trek kicks off on October 24 in Greenville, SC at Bon Secours Wellness Arena and runs through December 2024, with stops in Boston, Pittsburgh, Austin, and more, before concluding on December 13 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. The closing night is a special Nashville homecoming for the band as it’ll be their first show in town since 2017’s iconic sold-out 10-night residency at Ryman Auditorium.

GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, AMA, and Emmy Award-winning group, Little Big Town – consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook – first entered the music scene 25 years ago with hit songs “Boondocks,” “Bring It OnHome,” “Good As Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church.” The band’s breakthrough albums Tornado and PainKillerproduced multiple No. 1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of the year (2015) “Girl Crush.” 2017’s The Breaker debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Charts to critical acclaim. The album features their GRAMMY-winning, multi-week #1 single, “Better Man,” as well as the 2019 GRAMMY-nominated, “When Someone Stops Loving You.” The band’s self-produced ninth studio album, Nightfall, was released January 2020 and hit the top of the Billboard Country Charts. The record included critically acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated songs “The Daughters,” “Over Drinking” and “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” – the latter of which has reached almost 400 million global streams. In September 2022, they released their tenth studio album, Mr. Sun, which debuted as the Top Country Album released by a Group in 2022. Little Big Town has earned more than 45 award show nominations and has taken home over 20 awards, including multiple GRAMMY, AMA, People’s Choice, CMA, and ACM Awards, in addition to an Emmy award.

Since the band’s inception in 2002, Sugarland has sold nearly 10 million albums domestically, achieving high-mark sales with PLATINUM-certified THE INCREDIBLE MACHINE, 2X PLATINUM LOVE ON THE INSIDE and 3X PLATINUM TWICE THE SPEED OF LIFE as well as ENJOY THE RIDE. Their most popular songs include PLATINUM-certified “All I Want to Do” and “Stay,” 2X PLATINUM “Stuck Like Glue” as well as GOLD-certified “Baby Girl,” “It Happens,” “Settlin’,” “Something More” and “Want To.” Sugarland has also earned seven No. 1 singles to date and amassed over 600 million on-demand streams. Their critical and mainstream appeal have been magnified with industry accolades – five consecutive CMA Awards for Vocal Duo of the Year (2007-2011), five ACM Awards (including Song of the Year and Single of the Year) and GRAMMY® Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Country Song for “Stay.”

Neo-Traditional Country music trio, The Castellows, bring a literal meaning to the phrase, “family tradition.” The band comprised of sisters Ellie (lead guitar), Powell (banjo) and Lily (vocals), hail from small rural Georgetown, Georgia, but now call Nashville home. The Castellows’ sound is traditional, yet modern. Authentic, yet harnessed. The common thread among the trio, other than their DNA, is their masterful three-part harmonies which blend together to create one singular, almost angelic, voice. The Castellows’ craft as songwriters is as robust as their voices, which is evident across the trio’s debut EP, A Little Goes A Long Way, which was released worldwide on February 9, 2024. The band wrote/co-wrote six of the seven songs that make up the project, with the promise of much more music to come. The band began turning heads of music industry insiders in January 2023. When spring arrived, The Castellows had signed a record deal with Warner Music Nashville & Warner Records, collectively. Wasting no time on pleasantries, The Castellows immediately got to work writing, recording, and performing live. Tapping veteran producer Trina Shoemaker (Sheryl Crow, Nanci Griffith, Queens of the Stone Age), the first fruits of labor to be harvested from 2023 is the debut A Little Goes A Long Way. One year later, the three sisters from a cattle farm in Georgia are still turning heads, landing on multiple 2024 ‘Watch Lists’ including CMT Next Women of Country, CMT ‘Listen Up,’ Pandora, Country Now, Nashville Lifestyles’ ‘Five Groups You Need To Know,’ in addition to receiving a nomination for the CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year at the 2024 CMT Music Awards.

Tour Dates
October 24 – Bon Secours Wellness Arena – Greenville, SC
October 25 – PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC
October 26 – Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
October 31 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
November 1 – PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
November 2 – KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY
November 7 – Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
November 8 – Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI
November 9 – Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI
November 14 – T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO
November 15 – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center – Sioux Falls, SD
November 16 – Vibrant Arena at The MARK – Moline, IL
November 21 – Moody Center – Austin, TX
November 22 – Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX
November 23 – BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
December 11 – Mississippi Coast Coliseum – Biloxi, MS
December 12 – Gas South Arena – Duluth, GA
December 13 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN

Ringo Starr Releases “February Sky” On April 12 From His Upcoming EP ‘Crooked Boy’

Today Ringo Starr announces “February Sky,” the first single from his upcoming EP, Crooked Boy. This will be his fourth consecutive EP, and it includes 4 original tracks. All songs were written and produced by Linda Perry for Starr to make his own, adding vocals and playing drums. The EP will be released on a limited-edition marble vinyl on Record Store Day, April 20, 2024. The following Friday, April 26, it will be released digitally. Fans can pre-order the black vinyl and CD now, releasing May 31.

After previously collaborating on two songs that appeared on earlier Ringo EPs (“Coming Undone” on Change the World and “Everyone and Everything” on EP3), Linda approached Ringo and asked if she could produce an entire EP – and Crooked Boy, consisting of “February Sky,” “Gonna Need Someone,” “Adeline,” and “Crooked Boy” is the result.

“Linda made me a great EP – she produced it in her studio and then sent me the tracks and I added the drumming and my vocals,” Ringo said. “’February Sky’ is great – very moody – but since Linda wrote these specifically for me – it of course has to have a positive peace & love element.”

“Gonna stand up rise above the rain
Start a revolution in these brighter days
Found the missing pieces
That were vacant to the eye
Well I Had enough of February sky”

“February Sky” is available to stream and download Friday, April 12 on all platforms; fans can pre-save the track now. A visualizer was also created that includes never seen clips from Ringo’s archives.

Fans can get a first listen to the entire EP at Amoeba Music Hollywood on April 18th. Amoeba will have an exclusive “February Sky” red vinyl 7” single available for sale at this event in limited quantities. Details for the playback and single are available here.

In other Ringo news: Through Julien’s Auctions Ringo recently published his 8th book, Beats & Threads. Ringo’s trend setting threads were as signature as the beat of his drums and this book features over 200 images including never before seen photos and extensive details on his drums. Ringo–in collaboration with noted historian, author, speaker, drummer, and vintage drum collector, Gary Astridge–offers for the first-time the most comprehensive look at his legendary

Beatles-era drum kits containing decades of research-based information with curated and detailed photographs of these pieces of music history. It is available now through www.juliensauctions.com

Ringo will also be taking his All Starr Band back on the road for 12 shows this Spring – dates listed below – with additional dates in the Fall coming soon.

May 22 Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian
May 25 Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian
May 26 Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian
May 29 Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian
May 31 Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian
Jun 1 Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian
Jun 5 Mexico City, MX – Auditorio Nacional
Jun 6 Mexico City, MX – Auditorio Nacional
Jun 7 Hidalgo, TX – Payne Arena
Jun 8 Austin, TX – The Moody Theater

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That Eric Alper
6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week, a 16-time JUNO Award winner overseeing PR campaigns, and have also been truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

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