The Marcus King Band shake up Iowa City

Badlands of Indiana (November 25, 2019) WHR — Iowa City got a visit from arguably one of the most talented modern guitarists in rock ’n’ roll touring today, Marcus King, front man to the Marcus King Band, on November 21 at the Englert Theater.

Before the show, the Englert had hummed with anticipation. A full theater of music lovers had turned out on a chilly November night to see the Nashville music group.

The Marcus King Band performs at the Englert Theatre on Thursday, November 21, 2019. 

Photo: Katina Zentz

The King Band is a Southern rock, blues, and soul fusion band made up of six members. Singer and guitarist Aaron Lee Tasjan took the stage to warm up the crowd before the band came out. The artist’s music was described as “indie folk grit” by Broadwayworld’s in “Aaron Lee Tasjan to Play at the Rockwood Music Hall Stage, 7/6.”

After Tasjan and his band finished their 48-minute set, the swaggering guitar riffs came to an end. The crowd had already given a standing ovation before the headline act walked on stage, something rarely seen for openers.

Yet even more energy burst from the crowd once the King band walked on the purple- and blue-lit stage.

King stepped into the spotlight and began to sing Son House’s iconic song “Grinnin’ in Your Face.” The famous blues song features a sole singer paired with rhythmic clapping. Even with the bare instrumentals, the audience rose and began to scream in excitement.

The band’s sound is a mix of 1970s soul melded with Southern rock from the same era, with a blues twist. In the grorup’s performance, viewers could visualize silhouettes of past artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Aretha Franklin as the band played.


Though the group draws from past musicians for inspiration, the King Band achieves great nuance in both its musicality and attitude.

The way the band connected with the energy of the Englert was an example of how its sound is so complementary and adaptive, flowing in specific ways depending on the crowd.

The energy in the venue was both electric and bold. The crowd members shot to their feet, swaying and dancing as the frontman sang. “We’re one week away from Turkey Day,” King said early to the cheering crowd. “But I want to say how thankful I am for you guys tonight.”

The band plays a sound from the past for today’s audiences, but with the nuance that only comes with time and a deep love for what came before. Its most recent album, Carolina Confessions, was featured often in the Iowa City set list. The band also featured some earlier songs from albums such as Due North.

The most striking aspect of the stellar rock concert was the way King constructed free-flowing solos for his songs. The way the notes rang out from his guitar almost seemed as though he was having a conversation only he could understand.

After a concert filled with cheering, shredding guitar solos, and an insanely funky horn section, the King Band left the stage, leaving the ringing of songs from both the past and present for everyone in attendance.

STORY: Austin J. Yerington
SOURCE: The Daily Iowan

Chris Stapleton sets 2020 tour dates

Badlands of Indiana (November 25, 2019) WHR — Chris Stapleton has unveiled his 2020 spring tour dates. The shows will feature support from Willie Nelson & Family, The Marcus King Band, Yola, Jamey Johnson and Sheryl Crow.

Stapleton’s spring tour will begin on Mar. 11 in Corpus Christi, Texas at the American Bank Center with special guests Jamey Johnson and Yola. The dates continue in Texas with a show in Austin on Mar. 12, followed by a Mar. 14 date in Arlington, Texas at Globe Life Field. The Arlington show – with support from Willie Nelson & Family in addition to Johnson and Yola – will mark the first ever concert at the venue, which is also the Texas Rangers’ brand new stadium.


Stapleton will then venture out of Texas, with stops in Biloxi, Miss., Birmingham Ala., and Columbus, Ohio. These three shows will feature The Marcus King Band and Yola. Finally, Stapleton will head to Lexington, Ky. to headline the previously-announced A Concert For Kentucky benefit. Willie Nelson & Family, Sheryl Crow and Yola will join him at this final show.

Tickets to Corpus Christi, Biloxi, and Birmingham go on sale Dec 6, while Austin & Columbus on sale Dec 13. For more information, visit chrisstapleton.com, and check out a complete list of upcoming tour dates below!

Chris Stapleton Spring 2020

Mar. 11 – Corpus Christi, Texas – American Bank Center*
Mar. 12 – Austin, Texas – Frank Erwin Center*
Mar. 14 – Arlington, Texas – Globe Life Field^
Mar. 20 – Biloxi, Miss. – Mississippi Coast Coliseum+
Mar. 21 – Birmingham, Ala. – Legacy Arena at the BJCC+
Apr. 23 – Columbus, Ohio – Schottenstein Center+
Apr. 25 – Lexington, Ky. – Kroger Field#

*w/ Jamey Johnson and Yola
^w/ Willie Nelson & Family, Jamey Johnson and Yola
+w/ The Marcus King Band and Yola
#w/ Willie Nelson & Family, Sheryl Crow and Yola

TRIUMPH's 'Classics' To Be Re-Released As Double LP

Badlands of Indiana (November 14, 2019) WHR — On December 13th, 2019, TRIUMPH’s 13-track Classics will once again hit the racks (via Round Hill/Triumph Catalog), and all of the expected gems are included - “Lay It on the Line”, “Magic Power”, “A World of Fantasy”, “Fight the Good Fight” and “Hold On”.

Also featured are two special live recordings that close the set - “Never Surrender” (live at the US Festival) and “Blinding Light Show"/"Moon Child" (live at Sweden Rock).

The album will also be available for preorder via the link here: smarturl.it/TriumphClassics

“We are excited to showcase our career on the Classics reissue,” says the band. “It’s a beautiful package and sounds awesome!”

Comprised of drummer/vocalist Gil Moore, bassist/keyboardist Mike Levine, and guitarist/vocalist Rik Emmett, TRIUMPH formed in 1975 (hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada).

With their unique blend of progressive rock, heavy metal and soaring melodies, the band enjoyed a string of rock radio and MTV hits, in the process scoring a string of gold and platinum-certified albums and selling out arenas, thrilling fans with their award-winning live shows.


And in December, rock fans will be reminded once again about the power that TRIUMPH possessed - deep in the grooves of Classics.

TRIUMPH: CLASSICS TRACK LISTING:

"Tears In The Rain"
"Lay It On The Line"
"I Live For The Weekend"
"Magic Power"
"Somebody’s Out There"
"Spellbound"
"A World of Fantasy"
"Follow Your Heart"
"Fight The Good Fight"
"Rock & Roll Machine"
"Hold On"
"Never Surrender" (Live at the US Festival)
"Blinding Light Show"/"Moon Child" (Live at Sweden Rock)

SOURCE: Triumph Music

Kurt Sutter fired from Mayans MC show

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A (October 17, 2019) WHR — The Mayans M.C. show runner has been fired following what sources describe as "multiple complaints" over his behavior on the drama series. Sutter detailed his dismissal by FX CEO John Landgraf and Disney TV Studios and ABC Entertainment chairman Dana Walden in a letter sent to the cast and crew of the Sons of Anarchy spinoff, describing himself as an "abrasive dick."

In spite of Sutter's departure, the writer and exec producer's (who also delivered Bastard Executioner to the network in 2015) overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV has not been affected. Sutter renewed that pact in January 2018 and was the first producer to re-sign with 20th TV amid its impending sale to Disney. Sources note that the decision was made Wednesday and Sutter's memo was sent early Thursday.

Representatives for FX and 20th Century Fox TV declined comment. Representatives for Sutter did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Sutter has been outspoken about his management style. In a September 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sutter shared that he has in his office a framed copy of a letter he received detailing his "unprofessional behavior" on Sons of Anarchy and with executives at Fox 21. (The letter detailed an incident where he told an exec that he'd "crawl the fuck out of my ass" during a discussion about keeping the biker drama on budget.)

"The reason why that letter was hung up in the first place and the reason why it's still there is not about like, 'Fuck you, I'm a bad ass.' It's about, 'I'm a fuckin' idiot and that behavior creates fucking lawsuits,'"

At the time of the interview, Sutter was on the cusp of becoming a Disney employee. When asked about conversations with Landgraf and Walden, his reputation and how he might fit under the more cuddly Disney umbrella, the showrunner made it clear that he was aware of the impending culture shift.

"It was just a conversation about, 'This is the current climate. We don't suspect that you're going to sabotage anything, but we need to do the due diligence," he said at the time. "And at first it was disconcerting because I'm like, 'What does that mean? Does it mean there's a new watchdog on my shoulder?' And it didn't mean any of that. It was basically, 'We know who you are, we know what you can do, we have to make sure that when new entities come in that we can vouch for [you]. And at the very least we can say we have had this conversation.' Then there was, in a very politically delicate way, a 'Are there any skeletons in your closet that are gonna come back and bite us in the ass?' And I was like, 'Well, as far as I know, I didn't Weinstein anybody. I may have upset people, I may have said inappropriate things, but there was not [any of that].' But again, they needed to do the due diligence. And as Landgraf says, 'It's a different climate and you have to acknowledge it and be aware of it and move in step with it.'"


Mayans, currently in the midst of airing its second season, was created by Sutter and Elgin James. A decision on a third season has not yet been determined, but Sutter had already announced that he would be ceding day-to-day showrunner duties to James in the event of its return.

Here's Sutter's letter to cast:

Dear Team Mayans,

Apparently, Disney HR and Business Affairs has conducted an investigation into the unacceptable conditions that have been created on the set of Mayans in season 2. As you know, I’ve removed myself quite a bit this season, allowing others to take a bigger role in producing the show. It appears that philosophy has backfired. It’s been reported by writers, producers, cast and crew that my absence and subsequent behavior when there, has only created confusion, chaos, hostility and is perceived as abandonment. Or at least that’s how Disney has interpreted it. I’m sure it’s true.

This morning I was fired by Dana Walden and John Landgraf for all the complaints levied against me. Not the way I wanted to end my 18 year relationship with FX. At least being fired for being an abrasive dick is on brand.

I deeply apologize if I’ve made people feel less than or unsupported. My intention was literally the opposite. But clearly I’ve not been paying attention. My arrogance and chronic distraction has created wreckage. Just know, I adore this cast and crew.

I’m not sure what the fate of Mayans MC holds. But if it continues, you’ll still be in good hands. As I said at the premier, Elgin is ready to take on the challenge of running the show. I’m sure FX will get him the support he needs to find and follow his vision.

For those of you who wanted me gone, you win! For those of you who didn’t, you win too. Although I will no longer be involved, I have no doubt the new team will move things forward with the same quality fans have come to expect.

Thank you for the honor of working with all of you.

I don’t need, nor want, replies or condolences. I know where the love is. And for those of you who have it, I’m sure our paths will cross again.

Best, ks

SOURCE: TMZ