JoltBlog

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Chicks With Attitude, presented by Maybelline New York and produced by Monarch Entertainment Group and House of Blues Entertainment, Inc., kicks off August 4 in Chicago and winds down September 3 in Washington, DC. Liz Phair is the headliner.

"Chicks With Attitude will be the tour that everyone will be talking about this summer," promised Kevin Morrow, executive vice president of Talent for House of Blues.

The tour was booked by Marty Diamond of Little Big Man Booking; Diamond was one of the creators of Lilith Fair. "The women assembled for the Chicks With Attitude tour are incredibly compelling live performers," said Diamond, "and I am sure that fans who attend the shows will agree!"

Phair and Diamond handpicked The Cardigans and captivating lead singer Nina Persson, provocative teenage singer-songwriter Katy Rose and the piano-playing chanteuse Charlotte Martin to accompany her on the tour. "I'm very excited to join the Chicks with Attitude Tour and Maybelline New York because we both embrace the fundamental underpinning of the tour — to encourage young women to feel good about themselves and express their style with pride and confidence," says Phair. "In 2004, I believe that it should go without saying that this means addressing young women's self esteem as well."

"Maybelline New York is all about energy, attitude and self expression for every woman," notes Cheryl Vitali, senior vice president, Marketing, Maybelline New York-Garnier. "I can't imagine a better synergy than with the Chicks With Attitude tour and its powerful, empowering platform."

Chicks with Attitude was created by Monarch Entertainment Group with Maybelline New York as a way to connect young women with companies that care about who they are and what they want. "Today, young women are a powerful force in the world," said Joseph Bongiovi, president, Monarch Entertainment Group. "Chicks with Attitude is an expression and celebration of that power and what it can mean to brands like Maybelline New York who understand and are aligned with this audience."

Chicks W6th Attitude itinerary:

8/04/04 Chicago, IL House of Blues

8/07 Atlanta, GA Earthlink Live

8/09 uston, TX Verizon Wireless Theatre

8/10 San Antonio, TX Sunset Station-Lonestar Pavilion

8/11 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room & Ballroom

8/14 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre

8/15 San Diego, CA 4th & B Theatre

8/17 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues

8/18 Anaheim, CA House of Blues

8/19 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore

8/21 Las Vegas, NV House Oof Blues

8/23 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre

8/25 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre

8/27 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre

8/28 Toronto, ONT Kool Haus

8/30 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

9/01 New York, NY Webster Hall

9/02 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory

9/03 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

On the Web: Maybelline.com

–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen

Austin City Limits Music Festival Set For Sept. 17-19

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — More than 150,000 concertgoers are expected to converge on Austin, TX on September 17-19 for the third annual Austin City Limits Music Festival. Set in Austin’s beautiful Zilker Park, the Austin City Limits Music Festival returns bigger and better with eight stages, more than 130 music performances, a vibrant art market, exceptional local food vendors and much more.

Building on the excitement of the 30th anniversary of the legendary public television show Austin City Limits, the Festival showcases a diverse lineup of musical talent, including rock, bluegrass, country and funk.

“It’s been truly incredible to watch the Austin City Limits Music Festival grow and receive such a great response from both artists and fans. What started out as an idea to share the show with a large audience has grown significantly into one of the country’s top music festivals,” said Charlie Jones, promoter and principal at Capital Sports & Entertainment, which organizes the Festival (and co-produces the television series with KLRU-TV). “2004 looks to be another amazing year for Austin City Limits. We’re bringing back some of our favorite artists as well as fresh faces to deliver an unparalleled musical experience.”

Confirmed artists include Sheryl Crow, The Pixies, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Trey Anastasio, Wilco, Pat Green, Jack Johnson, Dashboard Confessional, The Roots, Toots & The Maytals, Solomon Burke, Los Lonely Boys, Modest Mouse, Cake, G. Love and Special Sauce, Patty Griffin, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Ben Kweller, Drive-By Truckers, Medeski Martin & Wood, Shelby Lynne, Franz Ferdinand, Gomez, The Beta Band, Broken Social Scene, The Wailers, Old 97's, Howie Day, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, The Holmes Brothers, Josh Rouse, My Morning Jacket, Neko Case, Particle, Sloan, The Killers, Cat Power, Spoon, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Slightly Stoopid, Mason Jennings, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Mindy Smith, North Mississippi Allstars, Jack Ingram, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Calexico, Ray Lamontagne, Joe Ely, Terry Allen, Asleep at The Wheel, The John Butler Trio, Ollabelle, The Gourds, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Donavon Frankenreiter, The Legendary Soul Stirrers, Mofro, Doyle Bramhall, The Slip, Louque, Butch Hancock, Reckless Kelly, Marcia Ball, Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison, David Garza, American Analog Set, Centro-matic, Monte Montgomery, Patrice Pike, Guy Forsyth, Endochine, Earl Harvin Trio, Rose Hill Drive, Dale Watson, Abra Moore, New Monsoon, Troy Campbell, Coopers Uncle, Tea Leaf Green, Terri Hendrix, Dayna Kurtz, Tucker Livingston, The Pierces, The Bells of Joy, The Durdens, The Mighty Sincere Voices of Navasota, The Shields of Faith, The Gospelaires, Electric Church, Warrior, The Greencards, Kacy Crowley, John Dee Graham, Samantha Stollenwerck, Davis Raines, J.T. Van Zandt, Marc Broussard, Papa Mali, Willy Mason, Jason White, Trish Murphy, Deadman, Bobby Bare Jr., Holly Williams, Star Kid's Yoga, Palm Elementary Choir, Joe McDermott, Anthropos, Lucas Miller, and The Biscuit Brothers.

The official ACL Festival Live CD from the 2003 Festivalis produced by New West Records. The CD will be released on July 27 with songs from: REM, Bright Eyes, Ben Harper &the Innocent Criminals, Steve Winwood, Robert Randolph, Jack Johnson, Abra Moore, Steve Earle, Jack Ingram, Kings of Leon, Drive-By Truckers, Martin Sexton and Nickel Creek.

Official stage sponsors include SBC, Cingular, Heineken, Bank of America, Austin Ventures, Capital Metro, BMI and HEB. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner

P. Diddy To Go On Tour This Summer

NEW YORK (AP) — Rap mogul Sean Combs is about to assume his P. Diddy persona again. Combs has been starring as Walter Lee Younger in the Broadway revival of "Raisin in the Sun," and was recently named menswear designer of the year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America for his Sean John clothing line.

Now, he's about to go on tour, his publicist said in a statement Monday.

Combs will launch the Daddy's House Dance Party world tour this summer, along with a new CD. He'll preview what fans can expect at a party in Manhattan Thursday for Entertainment Weekly's upcoming "Must List" issue. The issue will be on newsstands Friday.

Combs, 34, hasn't released an album since 2002's "We Invented the Remix," on his Bad Boy record label.

"We are thrilled to have this multifaceted Must-Lister headlining our event," said Paul Caine, publisher of Entertainment Weekly, in a statement.

Madison Blues Festival Canceled

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The 7th annual Madison Blues Festival scheduled for August 28-29 in Madison, WI has been cancelled by the promoters, Jam Productions and Last Coast Productions. "As a result of our inability to reach a new and equitable agreement with the City of Madison in a timely matter," The Madison Blues Festival stated, "the proposed 7th annual Madison Blues Festival will not take place this year."

"We wish to thank the many thousands of music fans from Wisconsin and around the country, who were in attendance for the six festivals commencing in 1998, and our sponsors for their support. Our intent is to return next year for a Madison Roots, Rhythm and Blues Festival in late August."

Some of the artists who performed at the Madison Blues Festival from 1998-2003 include B.B. King
Ray Charles, The Allman Brothers Band, Al Green, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Lyle Lovett, Jonny Lang, Dr. John, Susan Tedeschi. George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Taj Mahal, Delbert McClinton, Keb' Mo', Robert Cray, Marcia Ball, The Neville Brothers, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Mavis Staples, Bo Diddley, Maceo Parker, Little Richard, The Funky Meters, Indigenous, Shemeika Copeland and North Mississippi Allstars. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen

Bon Jovi Hosts $1M Fund-Raiser For Kerry

MIDDLETOWN, NJ (AP) — Musician Jon Bon Jovi says criticism and intimidation won't stop him from speaking out in support of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, who raised $1 million at the singer's home Monday night.

"I've received hate mail at my house. I've had people drive by my home and shout things out," Bon Jovi told guests gathered outside his home along the Navesink River. "And I think that they question my patriotism because I decided to stand up and have a voice. And I stood up to have a voice because I think that's the most American thing that you can do."

More than 300 people attended the fund-raiser, including actors Meg Ryan, James Gandolfini and Steve Buscemi, both of HBO's "The Sopranos," and Richard Belzer of NBC's "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit."

Kerry arrived via helicopter from Atlantic City, where he was staying the night and speaking to an AFL-CIO convention Tuesday morning.

"I know it makes a lot of you nervous," Kerry told the guests, "the idea of my coming here to a fund-raiser, leaving at 8:30 with a million dollars and then 11 o'clock I'm on the news at the blackjack table in Atlantic City. I promise I will not gamble with your money the way George Bush has gambled with the money of this country."

——

On the Net:

Kerry campaign: http://www.johnkerry.com

Resource Entertainment Group Tapped To Produce 50th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll Reunion

CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Resource Entertainment Group (REG) has been contracted by Sun Studio to produce the 50th Anniversary of Rock 'n Roll Reunion on July 5 at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis.

The concert will feature renowned Sun artists, including Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, Sonny Burgess &the Pacers, Billy Lee Riley, Ace Cannon, and more.

July 5, 1954 is considered the "big bang" of
rock 'n roll, when Scotty Moore, Bill Black, and Elvis Presley recorded "That's All Right" at a tiny recording studio near downtown Memphis. Fifty years later, the day will start with "The Global Moment in Time," as Scotty Moore will broadcast the historic song from Sun's control room. Hundreds of radio stations worldwide are expected to air the song simultaneously, resulting in the largest broadcast of the same song in radio history.

The rest of the day's festivities will include a massive outdoor party, culminating in a reunion concert in front of Sun Studio in the evening.

"Resource Entertainment Group is honored to produce this event that celebrates a moment so important to Memphis and the world's modern musical heritage," said REG President, Howard Stovall, who was recently profiled on CelebrityAcess (May 28, 2004). — Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner

Rapper Snoop Dogg Performs At Maxim Party

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Snoop Dogg made a surprise performance at the Hard Rock hotel's new nightclub during Maxim magazine's annual "Hot 100" party.

The rap star played for about an hour Saturday night to a crowd packed with celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Vin Diesel and Josh Duhamel, star of the NBC show "Las Vegas."

About halfway through the show, Snoop Dogg pulled Hilton, the New York socialite and reality TV show star, on stage and paraded her in front of the crowd, praising her beauty.

Hilton, clad in a slinky pink dress, made the "Hot 100" list, Maxim's annual roundup of the year's most sexy and intriguing women in entertainment.

Also on the list is Carmen Electra, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and "Survivor" winner Amber Brkich.

The party was held at the sprawling, multi-storied Body English, Hard Rock's newly renovated nightclub.

Guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd Tours, Works On Blues Movie

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — A movie crew is documenting every stop of guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd's tour of the South and Midwest, which includes concerts and visits with blues legends.

Filming started in New Orleans with a segment with Gatemouth Brown, then moved to Shepherd's hometown of Shreveport for a stop at the grave of bluesman Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Leadbelly. Shepherd had a tour date set for Friday with B.B. King in Indianola, Miss.

"I searched out some guys that I think are like the hidden treasures of the blues today," Shepherd said. "The majority of the artists are people who I feel are like very talented musicians who have contributed a lot to the music business but maybe haven't gotten all the recognition they deserve."

After visits to Alabama, North Carolina and Missouri, the trip will end with a concert June 18 in Salina, Kan., where Shepherd will play with blues veterans including musicians who played with the late Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf.

Noble Jones, who has directed music videos for singer Mary J. Bilge and others, is directing the movie, which is expected to be released on DVD with a companion compact disc in 2005.

Fans And Artists Have An Exhausting Good Time In Nashville

NASHVILLE (AP) — The C-M-A Music Festival, formerly known as Fan Fair, has brought scores of artists and thousands of fans to dozens of venues in Nashville.

The four-day event puts fans in direct personal contact with their favorite performers, getting autographs and photos with their favorite singers.

Of course, since the artists also perform during the day and in the evenings, it takes endurance in the heat and humidity. Singer-songwriter Jeff Bates says, "I'm glad my daddy brought me up with a good work ethic!"

The festival runs through Sunday night, throughout downtown Nashville.

ncG1vNJzZmiblaGyo77IrbCam5OawLR6wqikaJuRlr%2BktMivnGisn6q%2FqrrGZp2eq6Sew6K4jKecsKtdoba7ec%2BhmKKqXZa7pXnMmqmtsV2ZtqK5zqebZpuYpLy0sYycn6Kbm6h6uLXToWSarKSewbawxGg%3D