Over the course of his long career, James Taylor has earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and 5 Grammy Awards for a catalog running from 1970′s Sweet Baby James to his Grammy Award-winning efforts Hourglass (1997) and October Road (2002). Taylor’s first Greatest Hits album earned him the RIAA’s elite Diamond Award, given for sales in excess of 10 million units in the United States. For his accomplishments, James was honored with the 1998 Century Award, Billboard magazine’s highest accolade, bestowed for distinguished creative achievement. The year 2000 saw his induction into both the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the prestigious Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. In February 2006, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences selected James as its MUSICARES Person of the Year. In September 2008 James Taylor’s One Man Band (2007) was nominated for an Emmy® Award for “Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special”. The last few years have seen two remarkable releases; Taylor’s One Man Band CD/DVD accompanied by a world tour and the album Covers (2008). Covers was nominated for two Grammy® Awards and features Taylor’s full band and is his own musical interpretation of tunes from the 50s, 60s and 70s. He most recently released Other Covers in April 2009. …continue reading
Folk
The Cyrkle
Don Dannemann and Mike Losekamp, two original members of the Legendary 60’s band The Cyrkle, best known for the hit songs “Red Rubber Ball” and “Turn Down Day,” have decided to reunite, add a couple of new members, and reinvent themselves around the 50th anniversary of the bands success. Coupling extraordinary musical talent and legendary music, The Cyrkle promises to electrify fans today just as they did when they were the opening act for The Beatles (Yes, THOSE Beatles) in 18 concerts in 1966.
They were the Beatles opening act on tour dates including August 23, 1966 at Shea Stadium, as well as August 29, 1966, for the Beatles’ famous final concert at Candlestick Park. If you were moving and grooving to the Beatles and the English Invasion in the mid 1960’s, then you are no doubt familiar with the music of the few bands to open for the greatest group of all time.
Earle Pickens and Tom Dawes formed the band as the Rhondells at Lafayette College in 1961. They soon added Don Dannemann and drummer Jim Maiella. In 1963, Maiella was replaced by Martin “Marty” Fried, and it wasn’t long before they became one of the most popular bands on the East Coast. This led to them being noticed by a couple of very influential men in the world of rock music. …continue reading
The Tillers
The Tillers have come a long way from those earliest gigs for coins and burritos on the Cincinnati’s famous Ludlow Street. Their vintage repertoire includes songs older than their grandparents— from Woody Guthrie to anonymous relics of Appalachia and riverboat country. Featured in Tom Brokaw’s “American Character,” their original music is now a part of highway 50.
The Tillers’ signature “stomp and bite” treatment of these folk songs have become the preferred versions of Cincinnati locals. Described as “American Folk or old time depression music,” their timeless songs don’t just hearken back to an earlier time, they speak to a new generation of Americans. In addition to their stylings of old-time folk, The Tillers’ own original music moves through the vein of Delta blues, ‘30s-style jazz, and mountain gospel. Truly a rare treat!