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Prince spontaneously joined The Blind Boys of Alabama this past Saturday at a showcase performance for their new Down In New Orleans CD at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. Prince showed up unannounced while the Blind Boys were already onstage, asking to join in for a few songs. In fact, band leader Jimmy Carter was performing a song while walking through the audience when Prince jumped onstage and joined in on guitar for one song and on keyboard for a second song before leaving the club and a stunned audience. The Blind Boys of Alabama will be supporting their new CD with touring in North America and Europe throughout this year. ..see tour dates >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama will be featured on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on Friday, February 1 and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Tuesday, March 11. The 4 time Grammy winning gospel legends have just released their new CD, Down In New Orleans, and rave reviews are pouring in. Rolling Stone calls the new CD "A superweapon of roots-music uplift..." and The Washington Post describes it as "Inspired and relevant... borders on the miraculous." The Blind Boys of Alabama are beginning a world tour that will have them busy through 2008 and beyond. - see tour dates >>
Rosebud artists Bettye LaVette and Mavis Staples scored spots in the top 35 of Village Voice's annual "Pazz & Jop Poll" for LaVettes Scene Of The Crime and Staples We'll Never Turn Back. The annual poll combines ballots from 577 critics Top 10 lists to acknowledge the best albums of 2007. Additional Rosebud artists whose CDs were honored were Bill Frisell (for his work with Floratone and with Paul Motian and Joe Lovano) Loudon Wainwright III, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ruthie Foster, Pieta Brown, Ann Savoy and the late Muddy Waters. Compilations that featured Rosebud artists were Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur (Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars), Goin Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino (Allen Toussaint, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Trombone Shorty and Marcia Ball) and Song Of America (The Blind Boys of Alabama and Bettye LaVette). See the full list of albums at: Village Voice's annual "Pazz & Jop Poll" >>
The highly anticipated new CD from four-time Grammy winners and gospel Legends, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Down In New Orleans, will be released by Time Life Music on January 29. The CD marks the first time The Blind Boys have ever recorded in New Orleans and on it they are backed by a trio of world class New Orleans musicians: David Torkanowsky (piano), Roland Guerin (bass) and Shannon Powell (drums). Contributing to the New Orleans spirit that prevails throughout the new disc are such esteemed guests as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and Rosebud client Allen Toussaint, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The Hot 8 Brass Band. In support of their new disc, the Blind Boys will tour extensively throughout 2008 and beyond, including a Fall 2008 co-headline tour with Preservation Hall Jazz Band. see tour dates >>
Song of America, a collection of culturally significant songs interpreted by contemporary artists, will be released September 18. This landmark 50 song, 3 CD set features recordings by Rosebud artists Bettye LaVette and The Blind Boys of Alabama, as well as John Mellencamp, The Black Crowes, Martha Wainwright, Devendra Banhart, The Del McCoury Band, Janis Ian, and Kim Richey. The compilation traces the history of our country through new versions of historically essential compositions. Proceeds from sales are to benefit The Center for American Music, National History Day, and Folk Alliance. Song of America (MySpace) >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama will perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Wednesday, December 20th. This will be the third Tonight Show appearance for the group since 2002. The 4 time Grammy winning gospel legends are in the midst of a highly successful West Coast tour, performing their Go Tell It On The Mountain Christmas show to sellout audiences at venues including Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco on December 17th and The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on December 23rd. Worldwide touring will continue for The Blind Boys throughout 2007. Watch their tour dates page for regular updates.
Amazon.com music editors have released their picks for the best releases of the decade (so far) and the list features Rosebud artists The Blind Boys of Alabama, Loudon Wainwright III and John Hammond. The Blind Boys were recognized in both the Popular Music and Christian/Gospel categories for their 2001 release Spirit Of the Century and 2002's Higher Ground, respectively. Loudon Wainwright III's Last Man on Earth (2001) was also recognized in the Popular Music category while John Hammond's collection of Tom Waits songs Wicked Grin (2001) was recognized as one of the best in the Blues Category. In the meantime, Charlie Musselwhite's Delta Hardware has been named one of the best blues CDs of 2006...so far. Be sure to catch live dates with The Blind Boys of Alabama, Loudon Wainwright III, John Hammond and Charlie Musselwhite throughout the year. ...see Rosebud Artists' Tour Dates >> amazon.com: Best of the Decade ... So Far >>
On April 5th The Blind Boys of Alabama took home the Traditional Gospel Album of the Year honor for their current release, Atom Bomb at the 37th annual GMA Music Awards (formerly the Dove Awards) held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. That makes five consecutive albums that have been awarded Grammys and/or GMA Music Awards in the last five years! The Blind Boys are also featured, along with Natalie Merchant, Nick Cave, the Kronos Quartet and others, on Catch That Train! - Dan Zanes first children's album since his Grammy-nominated House Party. The band joins Dan on a soulful recording of Welcome Table, in stores May 16.
The Blind Boys of Alabama will make their second appearance this year on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday, December 22nd. The legendary gospel group performed on the show in February, immediately after their appearance on the worldwide Grammy telecast. The Blind Boys follow The Tonight Show date with a sold out finale of their successful "Go Tell It On The Mountain" Christmas tour at The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on December 23rd. Then it's off to Nashville for a rousing New Year's Eve celebration with The Del McCoury Band. Watch for continued worldwide touring from The Blind Boys throughout 2006. see tour dates >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama, along with Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and the Dixie Hummingbirds are among the artists set to sing the praises of Sam Cooke during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's American Music Masters salute to the quintessential soul man. They'll celebrate Cooke's pop music in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Playhouse Square's State Theatre in Cleveland, OH. Also on the bill are former J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf, Taj Mahal, Cissy Houston, Otis Clay and William Bell. The performances are part of "A Change Is Gonna Come: The Life and Music of Sam Cooke," the 10th annual installment of the Rock Hall's American Music Masters series, presented in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University. Most of those performers will be joined by Lou Rawls for a second show at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at the State Theatre, with the focus on the gospel side of Cooke's career. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's American Music Masters - A Tribute to Sam Cooke >> Playhouse Square Center - A Change is Gonna Come The Life & Music of Sam Cooke >>
Bill Frisell was voted Best Guitarist in the annual critics poll in the current issue (Aug 2005) of Downbeat magazine. Bill also ranks in several other categories including Best Jazz Artist, Best Composer, Best Arranger, Best Electric Group and Best Jazz Album for his 2005 Grammy winning CD Unspeakable. Individual musicians from Bill's various touring bands were also recognized as Jenny Scheinman was voted top Rising Star Violin and Sam Yahel was voted top Rising Star Organ. Brian Blade was also acknowledged in both the Best Drums and Rising Star Drums categories with Ron Miles ranking in Rising Star Trumpet. Rosebud artists Mavis Staples, Bettye LaVette, Charlie Musselwhite, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Duke Robillard also ranked among the best blues artists. Mavis Staples and Bettye LaVette were recognized in the Best Blues Artist and Rising Star Blues Artist categories, respectively. The Best Blues Album category acknowledged Charlie Musselwhite (Sanctuary), Mavis Staples (Have A Little Faith), Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama (There Will Be A Light) and Duke Robillard and Ronnie Earl (The Duke Meets The Earl). More Blind Boys of Alabama Honors plus Jazz At Lincoln Center Feature Performance On May 5 in New York City, Dan Rather presented The Blind Boys of Alabama with The American Foundation for the Blind's distinguished Helen Keller Personal Achievement Award, presented to individuals and organizations that have improved the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired or disabled. Past recipients include Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and Jose Feliciano. On May 9 in Washington D.C., Her Majesty, Queen Noor of Jordan presented the Blind Boys the First Niarchos Prize for Survivorship. The Landmine Survivors Network awards the prize to an artist whose life's work promotes resiliency and recovery. In addition to the above awards, The Blind Boys and other distinguished artists will help celebrate Jazz at Lincoln Center's annual Spring Gala at the Apollo Theater on June 6. The concert, held at the Apollo Theater, is the centerpiece of Lincoln Center's 4th Annual Spring Gala. In addition to The Blind Boys, the event features The Wynton Marsalis Septet with Lyle Lovett, Robert Downey, Jr., Wynonna Judd, and Tom Jones. The Blind Boys perform on NAACP Image Awards - March 25 on FOX
LEGENDARY BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA VOCALIST GEORGE SCOTT DIES AT 75
"We're grateful to the Lord for letting us have George for as long as we did," said Blind Boys leader Clarence Fountain, who was one of the last people Scott spoke to before his death. "He and I grew up together and sang together from little boys to old men. George was a great singer, he could sing any part in a song. We loved him and he was one of the 'Boys.' He lived a life of service and now he's gone on to his reward." Though Scott retired from touring last year, he continued to record with the group and will be heard on its new album, Atom Bomb, due Tuesday (March 15) from Real World Records. No changes are planned in the Blind Boys' touring schedule, which picks up again with a March 18 showcase at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday (March 15) at Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Durham. His family has asked that mourners make donations to the American Diabetes Associations or send flowers to the city's Holloway Funeral Home. For more details see George Scott Obituary >> The Blind Boys of Alabamas Atom Bomb follows fourth consecutive Grammy win
The Blind Boys of Alabama Score 4th Consecutive Grammy!, New CD in March
The Blind Boys on Tonight Show Tue. February 15
Mavis Staples and The Blind Boys of Alabama to Perform at Grammys
Rosebud Agency Artists Receive / Collaborators in 8 Grammy Nominations Rosebud artists have once again scored big in the just announced Grammy nominations as they have been honored directly, or as participants in 8 nods spread over the Blues, Gospel, Folk and Alternative categories. The Blind Boys of Alabama follow their back-to-back-to-back Grammy wins with shared nominations for both Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for their collaboration with Ben Harper on There Will Be a Light and for Best Gospel Performance for the title track from that album. Charlie Musselwhite scored his 7th Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album with Sanctuary. Beausoleils Gitane Cajun garnered their 10th Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album. Mavis Staples makes an appearance in all three genres. She received a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance for her collaboration with Dr. John on the song "Lay My Burden Down," (which also features The Dirty Dozen Brass Band) from Dr. Johns "Nawlinz Dis Dat Or Dudda," additionally nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Mavis is also the featured artist performing "Hard Times Come Again No More" from the album Beautiful Dreamer - The Songs of Stephen Foster which has been nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album. In addition to backing Mavis and Dr. John (as well as Dr. John, B.B. King and Willie Nelson on another track from the same CD) The Dirty Dozen are also featured on Modest Mouses Good News For People Who Love Bad News which scored a nomination for Best Alternative Album. The Grammy Awards will be held on February 15, 2005. more info at Grammy.com >> Ben Harper/Blind Boys "There Will Be A Light" #1 Gospel CD! After selling over 25,000 units in the US alone in the first two weeks since the release on 9/21/2004, There Will Be A Light featuring Ben Harper and The Blind Boys, remains the #1 selling Gospel CD in the US with a top 100 position on the pop charts for the second consecutive week as well. The much anticipated collaboration is also the #1 selling CD in both France and Italy and was a Top 10 entry in Switzerland, Australia and Portugal's pop charts. Blind Boys of Alabama and Ben Harper Join Forces - Virgin releases "There Will Be A Light" on September 21st.
Initially, There Will Be A Light began as Ben Harper working with the Blind Boys on two songs for the Blind Boys next studio release. However, there was magic in the studio, and the sessions quickly turned into a full-blown collaboration. Theyre one of the musical wonders of the world, Harper explains. A national television appearance is already confirmed; The Blind Boys will appear with Ben Harper on The Late Show with David Lettermen on October 11. The Blind Boys of Alabama Rejoin The Award Winning Gospel At Colonus At The Legendary Apollo Theatre!
Congratulations to Grammy Winners The Blind Boys Of Alabama!
Rosebud Agency Artists Score Grammy Nominations in Pop, Blues and Gospel Categories Once again this year, Rosebud artists have been nominated for Grammys in a variety of categories. The Blind Boys of Alabama follow their back-to-back Grammy wins with a third consecutive nomination for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for this years "Go Tell It On The Mountain". Marcia Ball's "So Many Rivers" is nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Mavis Staples has been nominated for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for her duet with Bob Dylan entitled "Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking". The song appears on the album "Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan" which was also nominated for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. Also, Jay McShann's "Going To Kansas City" (featuring Rosebud artist and previous McShann producer, Duke Robillard, on guitar) was nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album. Deceased long-time Rosebud Agency artists Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Willie Dixon are featured in "The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Volume 1" which was nominated for Best Long Form Music Video. Also nominated in this same category is Muddy Waters who is, of course, the focus of "Muddy Waters, Can't Be Satisfied". A number of artists featured on the Earthjustice benefit CD "Where We Live - Stand For What You Stand On" compiled by Rosebud founder, Mike Kappus, were also among the nominees. Earthjustice contributors Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, and Bob Dylan were all nominated in a variety of categories. The Grammys will be awarded February 8 in Los Angeles. The Blind Boys Of Alabama on NBC's Weekend Today Show Sept. 20
The Blind Boys of Alabama and Mavis Staples Included Among Mojo Magazine's Top Ten Essential Gospel Albums
The Blind Boys of Alabama Inducted Into Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Grammy Winners Rubén Blades & The Blind Boys Of Alabama!
Rosebud Agency Artists Score Grammy Nominations in World, Folk, Blues and Gospel Categories Once again this year, Rosebud artists have been nominated for Grammys in a variety of categories. Rubén Blades Mundo CD has been nominated as Best World Music Album. The Blind Boys of Alabama follow their Grammy win for Spirit of the Century with a nomination for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for this years Higher Ground. Charlie Musselwhites One Night In America is nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Charlie also contributes a track to Preachin' The Blues: The Music Of Mississippi Fred McDowell which is nominated in the Best Traditional Blues album category. Fiddlers 4 (Bruce Molsky, Michael Doucet, Darol Anger & Rushad Eggleston) are nominated in the category of Best Traditional Folk Album for their debut eponymous CD. Also nominated in the same category is Evangeline Made produced by Ann Savoy of the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band. Ann performs a track on the CD with Linda Ronstadt as well as one with Savoy Doucet backed by a rhythm section featuring Sonny Landreth on guitar. Also, Tony Bennett's "Playing With My Friends" (the title song was co-written by Robert Cray) was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Album. The Grammys will be awarded February 23 in New York City. The Blind Boys of Alabama Nominated for NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist
The Blind Boys of Alabama on Austin City Limits Dec. 21
Austin City Limits: 12/21/02 Blind Boys of Alabama, The with Robert Randolph & The Family Band >> Amazon Editors Name The Blind Boys of Alabama #1 Christian/Gospel Record of The Year
Amazon.com: The 10 Best Christian & Gospel CDs of 2002 >> E Town Airs Rosebuds J.J. Cale, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Mike Kappus
The Blind Boys of Alabama to Tour With Peter Gabriel. Song In Upcoming Sigourney Weaver Film
Rolling Stone Gives Blind Boys a Four Star Rave
Rolling Stones CD Review / Higher Ground >> Blind Boys of Alabamas Higher Ground Welcomed with Extensive Media - Time Magazine, 60 Minutes II, Letterman
The Blind Boys of Alabama's New CD due on September 3 from Real World Records
Blind Boys of Alabama featured on CNN Entertainment Website
The Blind Boys Of Alabama's "Way Down In The Hole" Is Theme For HBO's "The Wire"
The Blind Boys of Alabama featured at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Blind Boys Of Alabama on Tonight Show
Blind Boys "Spirit" Scores Grammy Win
The Blind Boys of Alabama perform at White House - Airs On PAX In March
The Blind Boys of Alabama Triumphs Continue To Pour In - NAACP Image Award Nomination, Grammy Nomination, Featured Collaborations, More Top 10 placings and Award Nominations The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain continue to gain impressive fans, in particular for their Spirit of The Century CD. The group has just been nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist - Traditional - this on the heels of their Grammy nomination. Year End Top 10 placements continue to pour in including topping the list at the Washington Post as well as being #1 Customer's Pick for gospel on Amazon.com and being named named an album of the Year by Wanderlust magazine (UK). Other award nominations include: the Virgin Shortlist Prize for Artistic Achievement, Best of 2001 Editor's Pick on Amazon.com, and BBC3 Awards (UK). Watch for some very special collaborations to be released in 2002 including projects with Lou Reed - on his upcoming album, Poetry, with Ibrahim Ferrer - on his upcoming album produced by Ry Cooder, as well as on Peter Gabriel's upcoming album and a track with Robert Plant for a movie soundtrack! In the meantime, The Blind Boys with The Spirit Band (including Charlie Musselwhite, David Lindley, John Hammond as well as Danny Thompson and Michael Jerome from Richard Thompson's band) just performed a series of shows on the West Coast to sold out ecstatic houses at The Fillmore and UCLA's Royce Hall among others. Grammy Nomination for The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain were nominated in the Best Traditional Soul category for their acclaimed Spirit of the Century CD. The Spirit of the Century Band also includes Rosebud artists John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite and David Lindley, as well as Richard Thompson rhythm section Danny Thompson and Michael Jerome. Amazon Names Rosebud Artists Loudon Wainwright III, John Hammond and The Blind Boys of Alabama's Releases Among Year's Best CDs
The Blind Boys of Alabama are featured on CBS' Saturday Morning October 20
The Blind Boys of Alabama Letterman Appearance May 7
Billboard Magazine Spotlights The Blind Boys
The Blind Boys of Alabama Add More Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Dates Tom Petty added The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain to another 19 dates on his current tour (marking a total of 30 dates for The Blind Boys on the tour). The Blind Boys finale with Petty will be an appearance at The Hollywood Bowl on October 16. The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain join Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Tour
The Blind Boys Of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain support Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Al Green Legendary High Energy Gospel Stars, The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain recently opened two shows for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at New York's Irving Plaza. They were also featured guests for Al Green's two late May shows at the Beacon Theatre in New York. Highway 61 Tour features Rosebud Artists, The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain, Booker T. Jones and John Hammond
New Release from Rosebud artists The James Taylor Quartet, The Blind Boys Of Alabama and Loudon Wainwright III The Rosebud Agency is proud to announce that we now represent legendary blues artist Charles Brown for exclusive worldwide bookings. Charles will celebrate his 75th Birthday this Fall with a Tribute from the San Francisco Jazz Festival as well as a National Endowment For The Arts Heritage Fellowship Award presented by President Clinton. The James Taylor Quartet has just released,Creation, their latest from Hollywood Records. The group is currently on only their second tour of the United States in support of the record. Loudon Wainwright III has just releasedLittle Ship in Europe. He is touring the UK and select Europe dates in support of the CD. Little Ship will be released by Virgin in the US, Canada and "Down Under" in early 1998 with extensive touring to follow. The Blind Boys of Alabama have also just released a new CD, Holdin' On, on the House of Blues label and are touring continuously. Brendan, Donna, Kelly...Clarence?
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