Eric Clapton Special To Air On MTV Live And VH1 Classic On May 20th

MTV Live and VH1 Classic will air ERIC CLAPTON: I STILL DO – AN INTIMATE DISCUSSION ABOUT ROCK, THE BLUES AND SHEPERD’S PIE, an hour-long special on Friday, May 20^th at 8pm on Vh1 Classic and 9pm on MTV Live.  The special coincides with the release of Clapton’s newest album I Still Do.  A music video for the new song “Spiral” is out now on YouTube.

Music legend Eric Clapton has reunited with famed producer Glyn Johns for his forthcoming 23^rd studio album I Still Do, set for release on May 20, 2016 on his Bushbranch Records/Surfdog Records. Clapton and Johns – who has also produced albums for The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and The Who – most famously worked together on Clapton’s iconic Slowhand album, which is RIAA-certified 3x-platinum and topped charts globally. The 12-track record includes some original songs written by Clapton. This album follows his last release, the 2014 chart-topping Eric Clapton & Friends: The Breeze, An Appreciation of JJ Cale.

After his time with the Yardbirds in 1963, Clapton began a career as a professional musician that has seen numerous bands, an abundance of albums, countless worldwide sold out shows, an impressive array of accolades, unwavering critical acclaim and his consistent display of legendary guitar work. Clapton’s career has resulted in 18 Grammy Awards and the distinct honor of being the only triple inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Making Time For Music Edition

Here’s a shocker, kids. Your cousin Ryo listens to a lot of records. I know, you didn’t see that coming. Whether I’m writing reviews for this blog, or reviewing albums for Hard Rock Hideout (http://www.hardrockhideout.com/), or just trying to keep up with the new releases as they come across my desk, a lot of music passes my ears. While this is a blessing at times, it can also be a curse. Listening to all of these albums, leaves me little time to listen to the music that I really enjoy. There are times when I can’t crank the Dave Matthews Band or Kiss because I have to write a review for the latest independent release that was kindly submitted for my approval. While I love discovering new music, there are times when I just want to Rock And Roll All Night.

That having been said, I’ve decided to make a deal with myself – a compromise if you will. I believe it’s one that will be beneficial to both my classic side and my new music side. I’m going to make time to listen to the music I love. On weekends, I will be shutting off all the new material I listen to for review purposes, and will only play the records that I really love, or some great gem from the archives of my vault. During the week, I am going to make more of an effort to listen to the new albums that need to be reviewed (most likely while driving to and from my day job). I think this will provide me the opportunity to appreciate the new music, but still remember the great albums in my collection. If you are a producer, band manager, or entertainer looking to have your music reviewed, feel free to keep sending the albums my way. It may take me a little while to get to them, but I promise that I do listen to everything that comes across my desk.

Here’s what rocked this week:

Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart Touring Together
This is an interesting combination. If Rod Stewart is playing his rock classics, then this would be a great tour to see. However, if Rod Stewart is still doing the crooner songbook thing, then count me out. I’m sure that Stevie Nicks will be playing all of her best known tunes (solo and Fleetwood Mac). The Heart & Soul Tour 2011 kicks off on March 20th. Tickets for most dates are available now via Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com/). Just make sure you have your Gold Card ready, these tickets are not cheap.

You Could Win A Chance To Meet Eric Clapton
Ernie Ball Inc., the world’s premier string, accessory and instrument manufacturer and creators of the iconic Slinky® guitar string, announced Ernie Ball Presents Experience Clapton and the Ernie Ball Eric Clapton Golden Pick, giving Ernie Ball customers nationwide a rare opportunity to meet Eric Clapton in London or win one of thousands of exciting prizes instantly. Fifteen grand prize winners will get unparalleled access to Eric Clapton’s private rehearsal, an exclusive meet and greet and a ticket to see Clapton live at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The London show is the climax of Clapton’s UK tour in support of his 19th studio album, Clapton.

Each and every pack of Ernie Ball electric and acoustic guitar strings purchased at Guitar Center between February 1st and April 30th will give a guitarist the chance to win one of the 15 grand prizes to Experience Clapton in London, simply by visiting www.ernieball.com/ericclapton and entering the unique code provided inside the package. Select packs will also include one of 5 color-coded, instant-winning Eric Clapton guitar picks. Each pick is redeemable for one of thousands of exclusive prizes including free Music Man guitars, VIP trips to the 2012 winter NAMM show and Guitar Center gift cards, depending on the pick’s color.

Some Reviews At Hard Rock Hideout
In the shameless self-promotion category, something I haven’t done in a while, I wanted to share some recent reviews I did for Hard Rock Hideout. The first is for Ginger Lynn’s Baby’s Gone Bad. The other is a link to my review of the latest Gary Cherone project, Hurtsmile. While Ginger Lynn left a little something to be desired, Hurtsmile is just another fantastic musical project from the highly talented Gary Cherone.

Ginger Lynn: http://hardrockhideout.com/2011/01/20/gynger-lynn-babys-gone-bad-2010

Hurtsmile: http://hardrockhideout.com/2011/01/26/hurtsmile-st-2011

For more shout outs, reviews, rants, raves, news, blurbs, and musical updates, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

2010 Grammy Award Predictions

Here we are again, another Grammy Awards show coming up fast. On Sunday, January 31st, CBS will be airing this year’s Grammy Awards. As I do every year, I’ll be watching and commenting on the program in the days following. I still don’t know what compels to watch every year, but I strap in and do it and will be doing it again come January 31st.

Some interesting nominees are up for awards this year. I’ve listed the major ones below with who I would like to see win and who I think will win. We’ll see how I fair, come the end of the month.

Here are Ryo’s predictions:

Record of the Year
Halo – Beyonce
I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift

Cousin Ryo wants: The Black Eyed Peas. I’ve always liked them and I Gotta Feeling is a solid song that was (is) a monster hit for the band.

The Grammy will go to: Lady Gaga. Although Taylor Swift is a Grammy favorite, Lady Gaga gets all the buzz this year. She is 2009’s Katie Perry. That’s not meant to be a compliment.


Album of the Year
I Am…Sasha Fierce – Beyonce
The E.N.D. – The Black Eyed Peas
The Fame – Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King – Dave Matthews Band
Fearless – Taylor Swift

Cousin Ryo wants: OK, anyone who knows anything about this site knows that I want Dave Matthews Band to win this one. Not just because I am a huge fan, but also because the record was incredible (it was in my top 10 of 2009). The band worked hard on that album and Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King is one of their best records ever.

The Grammy will go to: Unfortunately, Grammy darling Taylor Swift will win here, to placate the fact that Record of the Year went to Lady Gaga. It’s all a conspiracy! I hope I’m wrong, but my gut says Taylor Swift wins.

Song of the Year
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
Pretty Wings – Maxwell
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Beyonce
Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift

Cousin Ryo wants: I’ve always liked this award because it recognizes the lyrics of the song rather than the performance (or performer). Here I’d like to see Beyonce win. Single Ladies was a well written song and her co-writers deserve the recognition.

The Grammy will go to: Another Lady Gaga win.

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
We Weren’t Born To Follow – Bon Jovi
Never Say Never – The Fray
Sara Smile (Live) – Hall & Oates
Kids – MGMT

Cousin Ryo wants: The Fray, although it’s a tough choice between them and Bon Jovi. Never Say Never is an amazing song though.

The Grammy will go to: The Fray. This song is too good not to win.

Best New Artist
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Cousin Ryo Wants: MGMT. Out of these 5, they are the band I know the most.

The Grammy will go to: The Ting Tings. They’ve gotten a lot of recognition this past year and the kids love them.

Best Hard Rock Performance
AC/DC – War Machine
Alice In Chains – Check My Brain
What I’ve Done – Linkin Park
The Unforgiven III – Metallica
Burn It To The Ground – Nickelback

Cousin Ryo Wants: AC/DC. Good song, love this band, and they deserve the recognition, even if they won’t be there to accept their award live (although this year they might be).

The Grammy will go to: Nickelback. Theirs is a great song too, though, so I’ve no complaints here.

Best Rock Song
The Fixer – Pearl Jam
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight – U2
21 Guns – Green Day
Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
Working On A Dream – Bruce Springsteen

Cousin Ryo wants: The Fixer, hands down. One of the best songs I heard in 2009, and I love Pearl Jam.

The Grammy will go to: Bruce. Working On A Dream is a great song on an otherwise lousy album and the Grammy’s love their Bruce Springsteen.

Best Rock Album
Black Ice – AC/DC
Live From Madison Square Garden – Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
21st Century Breakdown – Green Day
Big Whiskey & The Groogrux King – Dave Matthews Band
No Line On The Horizon – U2

Cousin Ryo wants: This is a close one. I want DMB, but if they win for Record of the Year, then I would rather see this Grammy go to U2. No Line On The Horizon is another incredible CD that was in my top 10 for 2009.

The Grammy will go to: Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, which is total BS. A live album shouldn’t even be allowed in this category. If they want a live album in there so badly, then the committee should come up with a best live album category. Recording a concert and then releasing it is nowhere near as difficult as recording a brand new album. It’s like nominating a greatest hits album for record of the year. Come on!

Those are my predictions for this year’s major categories. For a complete listing of all the Grammy categories, goo to http://www.grammy.com/nominees.

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.