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Hard Lines(Hard News Headlines)Click here for all your up to date Rock, Hard, Metal & Extreme News! http://www.ballbustermusic.com/hard_news/index.html Music Icons and Industry Executives to Judge 2008 Internation Songwriting Competition (ISC)ISC Announces Complete Line-Up of Judges August 25, 2008 - A total of 55 high-profile music icons and industry executives have joined together to judge the 2008 International Songwriting Competition (ISC). This year's judges include Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), Tom Waits, Ray Davies (The Kinks), Ricky Martin, McCoy Tyner, T-Pain, Loretta Lynn, Chaka Khan, Robert Smith (The Cure), and many more. An equally impressive group of top-level music industry executives rounds out the panel. Consistent in its tradition of having such esteemed judges, ISC continues to raise the bar for songwriting competitions. With this caliber of judges, ISC offers songwriters the unprecedented opportunity to have their music listened to by some of the most high-profile celebrities and industry executives in the music arena. ISC also offers recognition, exposure, and prizes (more than $150,000 in cash and prizes will be shared among the 62 winners in 20 categories - including an overall Grand Prize of $25,000 (US) cash and $20,000 in prizes). ISC accepts original songs from musicians, artists, bands, and songwriters at every level - from amateur to professional. Candace Avery, Founder and Director, states, "The caliber of judges is particularly high this year, and we are really honored that these judges want to participate and listen to the songs of our entrants. This is an excellent opportunity for artists to reach some of the most influential decision makers in the industry." To enter, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com The complete list of 2008 ISC judges include: Recording Artists Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); Chaka Khan; Tom Waits; KT Tunstall; Robert Smith (The Cure); Ricky Martin; Loretta Lynn; Neil Finn (Crowded House); Buckcherry; T-Pain; James Cotton; Jerry Lee Lewis; Craig Morgan; Ray Davies (The Kinks); McCoy Tyner; Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Michael W. Smith; Chris Hillman (The Byrds); John Scofield; Mario; Black Francis (The Pixies); Youssou N'Dour; John Mayall; DJ Tiësto; Paul Van Dyk; Jon Secada; Natalie Grant; Jeremy Camp; Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Pittbull; Angelique Kidjo; Sandra Bernhard; "Weird Al" Yankovic; and David Brenner Music Industry Executives Monte Lipman (President, Universal Records); Nick Burgess (Head of A&R, Virgin Records UK); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP of A&R, Latin America Sony BMG and President, Discos 605); Cameron Strang (President, New West Records); John Echevarria (President, Universal Music Latino); Rick Krim (Executive VP Talent and Programming, VH1); Amy Doyle (Sr. VP of Music and Talent, MTV); Kim Buie (VP of A&R, Lost Highway); Jon Pikus (Director of A&R, MySpace Records); Mitchell Cohen (VP of A&R, Verve Music Group); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Dan Storper (President, Putumayo World Music); Rene Bell (Executive VP A&R, Sony BMG Nashville); Peter Strickland (Senior VP, Jack Records/Warner Bros.); Steve Lillywhite (Producer - credits include U2, The Rolling Stones, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel, and more); Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Betty Pino (DJ, WAMR Miami); Paul Majors (CEO/Founder Majors Music); Leib Ostrow (CEO, Music for Little People); and Dr. Demento (Radio Host of The Dr. Demento Show) ISC offers a total of 20 categories, including: Pop/Top 40, AAA (Adult Album Alternative), Rock, Country, Americana, R&B/Hip-Hop, Blues, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Jazz, Latin Music, Instrumental, Gospel/Christian, Dance/Electronica, Comedy/Novelty, World Music, Children's Music, Lyrics Only, Teen, Performance, and Music Video. For more information, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com ISC 2008 sponsors include Luna Guitars, Berklee College of Music. Shure. D'Addario, M-Audio, Griffin Technology, Hear Technologies, PoBoy Drums, Thayers, Disc Makers, ASCAP, Phase One Studios, Stuph Merch, Sonicbids, Sam Ash, Alphabet Arm Design, Shari's Berries, Cakewalk, Taxi, George Stein, Esq., The Music Business Registry, SongU.com, and Onlinegigs. Classic Rock Group ANGEL Reissued70s rock group ANGEL is having their third album 'On Earth As It Is In Heaven' reissued this week as a Limited Edition by Lovember Records. Long out of print and very hard to find, this reissue has been digitally remastered and includes a 16-page booklet with liner notes by journalist Dave Reynolds (Classic Rock Magazine/Kerrang), a track-by-track run down by singer Frank DiMino, all lyrics, and unreleased photos…making for a sought after collector's item. Originally released in 1977 and produced by legend Eddie Kramer (KISS, Jimi Hendrix) this album features the rock classics 'Can You Feel It', 'On The Rocks', 'Telephone Exchange', and 'White Lightning'. Now available at www.LovemberRecords.com. For more information visit http://www.myspace.com/AngelOfficialSite. http://www.LovemberRecords.com New 'Metal Fest' TV Show Searches for HostTRENTON, N.J. Monolith Entertainment Group is calling on all metal fans with an insatiable love of metal and a tremendous personality to take a shot at being the next great television host for its new "Metal Fest" TV program, which is currently in development. The weekly two-hour-long program, co-produced by company founder and Indianapolis Metal Fest promoter Rob Mason, is slated to premier on August 28(?) show on IMC TV (WDNI Indianapolis). The show will feature music videos from some of the biggest bands in the heavy metal genre, as well as cutting-edge underground metal bands, and will include artist interviews, news about upcoming local and regional concerts and metal-related events, as well as coverage of key events around the city of Indianapolis. Auditions and screen tests will be held (when?) at the IMC TV studio in Indianapolis. Those interested in auditioning for the position should live and breathe metal and have knowledge of the genre to back it up. Potential hosts must also possess a quick wit, spontaneous nature, and an exuberant personality. An online application is available at http://www.metalfesttv.com. Mason's concept was born out of his love of the music and the success of Indianapolis Metal Fest (IMF), now in its second year. "IMF was created as a means of spotlighting the local metal scene, something I'm very passionate about and committed to," Mason said. "And while I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far, IMF is a yearly event. 'Metal Fest' TV, on the other hand, is a weekly event. It's an opportunity to shed some light on what's going on within the genre and what's going on around town no less than 52 times a year." Naturally the idea has drawn the inevitable comparisons to other network hard music shows, but while Mason concedes to being inspired by them, he insists "Metal Fest" will offer something more. "'Metal Fest' is definitely inspired by programs like 'Uranium' and 'Headbanger's Ball,' but it will have a local and regional flavor and will actually cover the local scene." Mason also promises that "Metal Fest" will be both fun and exciting, with a crazy and spontaneous flair, in stark contrast to subdued and scripted in-studio interviews. "This show is being produced by people who truly love metal and that will show in the presentation," said Mason. Additionally, "Metal Fest" will air episodes with an emphasis on its namesake and inspiration prior to and following the IMF, which will take place on September 26 and 27 at the Madame Walker Theater. The episodes will feature videos, interviews, and special segments co-hosted by some of the festival's performers, which include Dew Scented, Kittie, Green Jelly, F5 (featuring Dave Ellefson, formerly of Megadeth), Threat Signal, The Absence, Daylight Dies, Into Eternity, Divine Heresy, Bleed the Sky, The Destro, Level-C, Skeletonwitch, and Gigan, among many others. Tickets for IMF are available at www.indianapolismetalfest.com, by phone at (888) 690-9875, and select retail locations for $30 in advance or $40 at the door. "Metal Fest" will air on IMC TV on Thursday nights at 11 p.m. EST and will re-air on Saturday nights. IMC TV is available on Channel 65 (broadcast television) and on Comcast channel 99 and 245 and Brighthouse channel 165. IMC specializes in rock, pop and hip-hop videos 24-hours a day. Indy's Music Channel is a 24-hour music video television station covering the Indianapolis Market. Indianapolis is market #25 and the 12th largest city. IMC targets the 18 to 34 demographic. http://www.metalfesttv.com Helloween - Gamma Ray North American TourHelloween comes to North America on the Hellish Rock Tour...featuring special guests Gamma Ray. The most influential power metal band of all time, Helloween is returning to North America on the Hellish Rock Tour. This highly anticipated tour kicks off on September 18th in Quebec, and after tearing across the continent, will finish up on October 11th in Guadalajara, Mexico. Helloween is touring in support of their most recent release Gambling with the Devil, which is in stores now. October 7, 2008 will see the release of the Gambling with the Devil Tour Edition. Featuring unreleased songs and enhanced videos, this is a must have for the true Helloween fan. Sure, Helloween may be headlining, but don't forget about Gamma Ray. Fronted by original Helloween lead singer Kai Hansen, this band is another favorite of the power metal genre. With Kai being there with Gamma Ray…the possibility exists that he may make a “special” appearance with Helloween. http://www.hellishrock.com Additions Announced to Indianapolis Metal Fest II:The Indianapolis Metal Fest has announced the names of more bands to perform during its two-day run at the Madame Walker Theater on September 26 and 27. More than 60 bands will grace the stage at IMF, including Dew Scented, Kittie, Green Jelly, Threat Signal, The Absence, Daylight Dies, Into Eternity, Divine Heresy, Bleed the Sky, The Destro, Destrophy, Ekotren, Psyopus, Woe of Tyrants, Level-C, Skeletonwitch, Gigan, Wykked Wytch, Shadowside, Obszon Geschopf, Demiricous, Gates of Slumber, Black Chapel, Rosemary's Billygoat, The Radioactive Chicken Heads, Soldiers of Scrape, I Decay, Battlecross, Conquest, Pist, Abacinate, Maggot Twat, Remain, Set Fire to Athens, The Informant, And Hell Followed With, Dawn of Correction, Redeemer, David LaDuke Group, HTTH, Samahdi, The Covenance, Lowa (featuring Steve Tucker [Morbid Angel] and Jason Viebrooks [Grip, Inc]), Eleckrik Chair, Sacred Dawn, The Clincher, Dark Mirror, Mercykill, Plagusayer, Geomancer, Cryogen, Dunwich, Purgatorium, Betrayed with a Kiss, Anthem for a Massacre, Blood Tribe, Deliver Us from Evil, Amarna Reign, Opiate, Threat Level, Everwrath, Phoenix Bodies, Signs of Decay, ! Shunned, Judegment, Dying Earth, Big Bang Fury, Born Under Burden, Rejicide, and Gash Hound. "The lineup is extremely diverse with major label bands, indie bands and unsigned bands," said promoter Rob Mason. "There's a little something for everyone." The Indianapolis Metal Fest made its debut last year to much acclaim: "By the time headliners Alabama Thunderpussy and Obituary rocked the Knights of Columbus ballroom late Saturday night, it was already apparent the inaugural running of the Indianapolis Metal Fest was a hit," wrote Indianapolis' Nuvo News Weekly. "Indy Metal Fest was a well organized event that rivals most festivals in the U.S." said Frank Watkins of Indianapolis Metal Fest I headliner Obituary. This year's festival remains true to Mason's vision, while the success of last year's show has allowed the festival to grow. "I'm really excited that we're able to expand the size and scope of IMF this year, which is due in large part to the support we've received from the community," Mason said. "The Indianapolis metal scene is definitely alive and well." The Indianapolis Metal Fest, in conjunction with Halo Custom Guitars, will be giving away a custom guitar made specifically for the Indianapolis Metal Fest. It is one of only three customs available with the Indianapolis Metal Fest "Psycho Bunny" logo. Visit http://www.indianapolismetalfest.com to enter. No purchase necessary -- must be 18 years or older to win. Indianapolis Metal Fest II is presented by Roaring Lion Energy Drink, and will be hosted by Mistress Juliya. Other sponsors include: Sam Ash Music, Jagermeister, Marshall Amplification, DiscMakers, BraveWords.com, 1Vision Records, Blind Prophecy Records, Statik Factory Records, Metal City, Halo Custom Guitars, Divirta, Ltd.,Candlelight Records, Dark Star Records, Epitomite Productions, Airplay Direct, Project Independent, Anchor Recordings, Tech 21 NYC, Soul Asylum Poetry and Publishing, Blastzone Entertainment, Perish Music Group, The Jimmy Whip Project, Streamline Communications, Dust 2 Dust Music Network, and BallBuster Magazine. The show will take place at Madame Walker Theater, located at 617 Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis. Two-day tickets are $30 in advance/$40 at the door. Tickets are available at http://www.indianapolismetalfest.com or by phone at (888) 690-9875. Tickets are also available at select retails locations listed below: Twenty Past Four & More Midian Media Music Hollywood Tatoos Vibes Music All tickets are general admission. Indianapolis Metal Fest II is an all ages show. http://www.indianapolismetalfest.com |