– It has been nearly two years since world-renowned guitarist John McLaughlin released To the One, his highly acclaimed, first studio recording, with The 4^th Dimension.  The veteran guitar aficionado celebrates his 70^th birthday year with his newest studio recording, Now Here This (Abstract Logix) set for release tomorrow, October 16^th as he ups-the-ante even further with greater fire, finesse and freewheeling interplay.

Simply put, pretty, is the location.  Smiles, sounds and relaxation are the destination. To be more specific Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance is located approximately fifteen to twenty miles from the intersection of U.S. 15-501 and U.S.

Connoisseur Kulture “C.K. Expo” welcomes the artwork of world-renown painter Alex Grey to participate in this year’s expo at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, LA October 25 – October 27.  C.K. Expo also just announced their pre-party celebration presented by ERB Magazine at the famous Howlin’ Wolf in the French Quarter on Thursday, October 25 at 10PM; with performances by electronic/reggae artist DJ Gaudi (from London, UK) and psychedelic rock group MOTH XP (from Maui, Hawaii). Howlin’ Wolf is located at 907 South Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.

Donna The Buffalo kicks off for their Fall tour this weekend starting with the last festival of the season at Magnolia Fest in Live Oak, Florida! Then the band makes their way to the west coast for the first time in a few years with stops in Mobile, New Orleans, Austin, Albuquerque and Flagstaff before few shows in southern California.

Throughout much of its history, bluegrass music has been lumped into the category of Country music; however, the last two decades have brought bluegrass out of the shadow of Country with bands like Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Infamous Stringdusters and The Avett Brothers, and in the process has won over throngs of younger fans with a sort of “New Grass Revival.”  You can now officially add another band to that list – Cincinnati, OH’s Rumpke Mountain Boys.  With their first new release since the departure of bassist Travi

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the leading global music rights organization, presented Sir Paul McCartney with a BMI Million-Air Award to honor over 4 million U.S. broadcast performances of his James Bond film song, “Live and Let Die.” The designation has been bestowed on many of BMI’s iconic songwriters, including Dolly Parton, Isaac Hayes and Roy Orbison. Sir Paul McCartney has received a staggering 75 BMI Million-Air Awards throughout his career, including one for achieving 5 million U.S.

Dark Star Orchestra shared the stage with Grateful Dead founding member, Phil Lesh, as he sat in with the band at their performance Saturday, October 13 at The Fillmore in San Francisco.Joining DSO on bass for the first time, Lesh held court at the historic venue performing during the entire end first set which included: Jack StrawHere Comes SunshineFeel Like A StrangerDark Star>Playin’ In The Band>Two Souls In Communion>Eyes Of The World>Morning Dew>Playin’ (reprise)Bay Area photographer Bob Minkin was there to capture the magic, attached.

On the heels of a triumphant pair of performances on Saturday Night Live, Passion Pit announce their first of many 2013 tour dates:  a headline performance on February 8^th at New York City’s Madison Square Garden with very special guests Matt & Kim.  With a capacity of over 13,000, the Madison Square Garden show will be the bands largest headlining show to date.  Tickets for the MSG show will be available via presale on Thursday, October 18^th, with the public on-sale se