Music Connection – Music Connection Magazine https://www.musicconnection.com Informing Music People Since 1977 - Music Information - Music Education - Music Industry News Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:19:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 Horacio Palencia to Receive President’s Award at 2024 BMI Latin Awards https://www.musicconnection.com/horacio-palencia-to-receive-presidents-award-at-2024-bmi-latin-awards/ Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:19:23 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132352 BMI® (Broadcast Music, Inc.®) will honor esteemed singer-songwriter Horacio Palencia with the BMI President’s Award at the 2024 BMI Latin Awards on March 13. This award celebrates Palencia’s exemplary contributions to the art of songwriting as a luminary in Mexican music. Over his illustrious career spanning over two decades, Palencia has been a driving force in shaping the genre with his timeless lyrics and heartfelt songs, which are deeply rooted in Mexican culture and resonate with listeners worldwide. The private ceremony will be hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Latin, Jesus Gonzalez, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. 

Visit bmi.com

]]> Harbinger Introduces VARI Studio 500 Series Monitors https://www.musicconnection.com/harbinger-introduces-vari-studio-500-series-monitors/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 23:21:25 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132349 Harbinger Pro Audio introduces the VARI Studio 500 Series of nearfield monitors featuring variable DSP voicings to prevent mixing mistakes and ensure that audio productions will reliably translate to any reproduction system so consumers will hear exactly the vision of the artist.

This line of nearfield monitor loudspeakers includes the SM505 (with a 5-inch woofer) and the SM508 (with an 8-inch woofer). Both feature an expertly engineered tweeter waveguide to deliver superior stereo imaging and highly detailed stereo placement across the entire soundfield for more accurate mixing, more satisfying listening and a highly precise balance of all midrange and high frequency audio. A front bass port ensures fuller and more accurate low frequency reproduction, while avoiding sound-altering room interactions that commonly occur with studio monitors with rear-panel bass ports, thereby expanding placement options.

In many studios, mix compatibility checks are accomplished by having multiple sets of speakers, from giant soffit-mount monitors to tiny 3" single-driver speakers. Harbinger’s Perfect Mix DSP offers three loudspeaker voicings: Normal – a classic studio monitor sound also great for entertainment listening; Ref – extremely accurate and uncolored; and Small – a simulation of small speakers to help ensure a mix will translate well to smaller speaker systems, including phones, tablets, laptops, and small Bluetooth® speakers. By switching modes, creators can check for compatibility with every size of system with a single pair of monitors.

For more information, visit guitarcenter.com

]]> The Mechanical Licensing Collective Brings Legal Action for Unpaid Royalties Against Pandora Media, LLC https://www.musicconnection.com/the-mechanical-licensing-collective-brings-legal-action-for-unpaid-royalties-against-pandora-media-llc/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 17:33:13 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132322 The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) announced today that it has filed a legal action against music streaming platform Pandora Media, LLC (Pandora) in the United States District Court located in Nashville. The action seeks recovery of unpaid royalties and late fees due under the compulsory mechanical blanket license obtained by Pandora to reproduce and distribute musical works in the United States via its consumer music streaming platform. 

The MLC was appointed by the Register of Copyrights to administer the blanket license and is the only entity authorized to collect and distribute the license royalties and enforce the license obligations on behalf of rightsholders. The action asserts that Pandora has underreported and underpaid mechanical royalties due in connection with the operation of its ad-supported music streaming offering marketed as “Pandora Free.” The action further explains that Pandora Free is an interactive service under the law, meaning that mechanical royalties are due for all streaming activity on the service, yet Pandora has only reported a portion of the activity on Pandora Free and refused to report and pay mechanical royalties for the rest of the activity.  

“The MLC has worked closely and tirelessly with blanket licensees to ensure their compliance with the compulsory license terms. Our team repeatedly sought to resolve this issue directly with Pandora, but Pandora has refused to correct their reporting or royalty payments,” says The MLC’s CEO, Kris Ahrend. “The MLC is the only entity that has the statutory authority under the Music Modernization Act to take legal steps to enforce the obligations of streaming services. We have brought this action to ensure that our Members receive all the mechanical royalties they are due in connection with the use of their songs by Pandora on the Pandora Free service.”The MLC seeks corrected usage reporting and associated unpaid royalties and late fees for periods dating back to January 1, 2021, along with an order requiring compliance going forward. A copy of the complaint can be found here.

]]> TASCAM February 2024 News: TASCAM Announces the MA-BT240 Multifunctional Mixing Amplifier https://www.musicconnection.com/tascam-february-2024-news-tascam-announces-the-ma-bt240-multifunctional-mixing-amplifier/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 17:18:38 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132319 TASCAM is pleased to announce the MA-BT240 Multifunctional Mixing Amplifier. Part of the company’s Compact Commercial Series, the new MA-BT240 offers a rich feature set that includes the ability to switch between low and high amplification impedance, Bluetooth reception for content streaming, a microphone input for convenient paging, ducking capability, and more—making it an ideal choice for commercial spaces including retail stores, restaurants, cafes, office environments, educational facilities, and similar spaces.

With its compact ½ rack form factor that enables it to be placed on a table, shelf, or rack mounted with the optional AK-RS05*, the MA-BT240 delivers a powerful 240 watts high impedance amplification for powering 70V or 100V loudspeaker arrays in distributed audio systems. Further, the MA-BT240 makes a compelling choice as a low impedance (120 W x 2 channels) amplification solution for driving loudspeakers that use 4- or 8-Ohm loads.

The new MA-BT240 includes a switchable front panel MIC/LINE input and a rear panel MIC/LINE input that supports Paging. A Ducker function is available for the mic. Hence, for environments where background music is playing, the system automatically ducks the music (lowers the volume) when an announcement is made—ensuring crystal clear announcements. Further, this amplifier has two additional RCA line inputs on the rear panel. With its integrated mixing function, the MA-BT240 makes it easy to control the levels of the various sources feeding the amplifier.

For added versatility, the MA-BT240 has a built-in Bluetooth receiver that makes it a snap to feed the amplifier with background music and other sources wirelessly. Providing even greater flexibility, the MA-BT240’s Bluetooth antenna can be wired for extension** and the pairing point can be changed to a preferred position, thus ensuring optimum signal reception. On the output side, the MA-BT240 is outfitted with EQ and a High Pass filter for optimum control of sound quality and to avoid overload of a high impedance system. Further, the amplifier’s output supports Mono L+R/Stereo switching in Low Impedance mode. Providing still greater control of the

output sound, Master volume can be adjusted from external controllers***. There is also a Line Output to facilitate the addition of more zones by cascading the output signal to another power amplifier(s).

*           Optional AK-RS05 rack mount kit sold separately.

**          Use RP-SMA cables. Extension is possible up to approx. 20 m.

***        External controllers must conform to the control terminal specifications of the unit. Euroblock 3.81 mm pitch 3 pin (1: Vcc 5 V/2: Control/3: GND).

For additional information about the TASCAM MA-BT240 Multifunctional Mixing Amplifier, visit https://tascam.com/us/product/ma-bt240/top

]]> Legendary GRAMMY-nominated Hip-Hop Producer Focus…, of Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment https://www.musicconnection.com/legendary-grammy-nominated-hip-hop-producer-focus-of-dr-dres-aftermath-entertainment/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 17:14:59 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132316 Solid State Logic recently launched the PURE DRIVE OCTO 8-channel preamplifier and one special early adopter in particular is welcoming the new SuperAnalogue™ hardware addition to their hybrid production workflow. “I've always worked on SSL consoles,” says Bernard “Focus…” Edwards, Jr., the GRAMMY-nominated staff producer at Hip Hop legend Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment. “Everybody here in the camp stays as close to SSL as possible, and the new Mic Pre’s with built-in interface is going to give us a little bit more of an ability to get that sound within the DAW.”

Twenty-three years after he got into music production, Focus… says, “The difference between me and a lot of young producers, the reason that I have staying power, is because of my past. I still implement my past and my present. A lot of the kids are not going to sound like me, because I'm going to mix outside of the box. I want to give you a feeling, but I want to get a feeling as well. So we need the things that give us that inspiration, that motivation, and SSL equipment has been one of the biggest and best for my entire career.”

​The new PURE DRIVE OCTO rack unit (a 4-channel PURE DRIVE QUAD model is also available) includes an integrated USB soundcard and a flexible digital and analogue I/O section for easy integration into a hybrid workflow. This comprehensive I/O allows Focus and other staff engineers and producers at Aftermath to incorporate the SSL sound into whatever they are working on, even when the studio’s SSL console is busy being used on a session. “If I were going through an SSL board, I could get some of the filters, some of the attack and some of the warmth. Now I can get that through my PURE DRIVE OCTO interface. I love that; I think that's phenomenal!” he says.

Focus…s’ entire career — in fact, his entire life — is inextricably intertwined with Hip Hop, which celebrates its milestone fiftieth anniversary this year. He was born nine months before what is now recognized as the birth of hip-hop the August 11, 1973 party in the Bronx where DJ Kool Herc used two turntables to extend a song’s instrumental break. This party launched a global cultural revolution, starting from these early days of beat juggling vinyl record breaks, to early trailblazing producers in the ’80's, competing to find the rarest records to sample with the advent of samplers/drum machines. It’s no surprise that Focus… would grow into becoming one of Hip Hop’s most iconic producers — he is practically hip-hop royalty, the son of the late Bernard Edwards, co-founder and bass player with R&B icons Chic, whose “Good Times” was turned into rap’s first mainstream commercial hit in 1979 by The Sugarhill Gang on “Rapper’s Delight.”
Focus… has produced groundbreaking tracks for a long list of prominent artists, including Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Anderson Paak, Rick Ross, John Legend, The Game, Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, 50 Cent, ScHoolboy Q, Joe, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, Amerie, Christina Milian, Mac Dre, Marsha Ambrosius and many others.

An existing SSL lineage
​The first Solid State Logic mixing console that Focus... ever got to work on belonged to Dr. Dre, whose Aftermath Entertainment company he joined in 2002. Dr Dre is a longtime SSL user and has worked on or owned nearly every model of SSL large format music console since the E Series. The first SSL console that Focus... ever encountered, he says, was when he visited his father in the studio while he was working with the late recording engineer and mixer Jason Corsaro on a 4000 E Series at the Power Station in New York City during the 1980s.

“Large format mixing consoles are not for everyone,” Focus… says. “For the latest generation of producers, digital natives who have grown up working exclusively in-the-box, SSL’s new PURE DRIVE Pre’s enables them to introduce a sonic character that isn’t easily replicated with plug-ins. Hip Hop productions are returning to more of a live feel,” he continues, “and SSL’s PURE DRIVE units have a place in that workflow. This is not just a studio component; this is an on-stage component. There are so many things that you can do with this box. This hardware is giving these kids, who are trying to get our sound without going to the pieces that made our sound, a different feel for music.”

QUAD and OCTO: three distinct sonic flavors
​"The OCTO is great for recording my analog pieces within my Logic DAW," Focus... says. "I have gone back into retrieving old MPC 3000 files to update and I love that OCTO allows me to do this with each channel. Certain kicks have great body when I engaged the Asymmetric Drive while using the Classic Drive on my snares and hats. I also love being able to record bass and guitar onto my tracks with OCTO. Both the PURE DRIVE QUAD and OCTO units include three different modes that deliver the flavor of SSL’s iconic mixing console. Clean mode delivers SSL's signature ultra-low noise floor, linear preamp, recognized for its ability to faithfully capture the sound of the source with exceptional clarity and detail. Classic Drive is the symmetrical mode that generates predominantly odd harmonics, the same drive sound found on SSL’s ORIGIN console. Finally, Asymmetric Drive makes the even harmonic content dominant, providing more pronounced thickness, coloration and softening of transients.

"I have an aggressive sound/push in my music, regardless of genre so I would tend to use the Classic and Asymmetric Drive a lot more on the OCTO," Focus... continues. "Working with Dr. Dre, I have always known how important it is to have clarity and presence in my tracks. The presence/detail with the Classic Drive is important when laying poignant parts such as guitar, synths with highly resonant attributes, or even vocals. I am known for hard-hitting drums, so however I choose to color each part, I have the ability to engage the appropriate drive on each separate selection."

"By using this PURE DRIVE hardware, these new kids are going to start to understand how to work a board just by plugging in a USB cord. So this is really a cool way for them to dial sounds in and find out how to make this thing work for them. OCTO is a perfect piece for this generation.”

About Solid State Logic
​Solid State Logic is the world’s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for music, broadcast, live and post production professionals. For more information about our award-winning products, please visit: www.solidstatelogic.com.

]]> H.E.R. SIGNS WITH LIGHTHOUSE MANAGEMENT + MEDIA https://www.musicconnection.com/h-e-r-signs-with-lighthouse-management-media/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 17:08:30 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132309 Multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, and actress H.E.R. has signed with Lighthouse Management + Media for management across all areas of her career. Known for her soulful voice and virtuosic musical talent, H.E.R. is set to embark on a new chapter in her career, underscoring her commitment to expanding her artistic reach and exploring new creative avenues.

H.E.R. has won five GRAMMY awards, an Academy Award, and an EMMY award before age 26.  She has released multiple critically acclaimed music projects, ranging from her debut EPs H.E.R. Vol.  1 & Vol. 2 to the full-length album Back Of My Mind, as well as an eclectic array of featured singles with artists including Usher (“Risk It All”), Foo Fighters (“The Glass”) and others.  

In December 2022, H.E.R. made her acting debut as Belle in ABC’s “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” and in December 2023, she appeared as “Squeak” in the acclaimed musical film adaptation “The Color Purple.” 

H.E.R. joins an impressive roster at Lighthouse Management + Media, whose clients include Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Selena Gomez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Olivia Rodrigo, Paul Rudd, Mark Ruffalo, artist Petra Collins, and supermodel Miranda Kerr, among others.

Photo by MTV International, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

]]> Peter Frampton Nominated to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame https://www.musicconnection.com/peter-frampton-nominated-to-rock-roll-hall-of-fame/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 01:00:50 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132305 Grammy Award-winning guitarist Peter Frampton is amongst the nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2024. The nomination marks the musician’s first appearance on the ballot to be considered for induction. 

“That’s really great!” says Peter. “Wait, you mean I’m not already in the RRHOF!?”

Frampton is gearing up to celebrate his 60th year of touring, embarking on the “Never EVER Say Never Tour” this spring. Fresh off the heels of his nationwide headline run last year, the 2024 tour will see the acclaimed artist playing at venues across North America, including a stop at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at peterframpton.com.

Peter Frampton is one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history. In 2007, Frampton won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album for Fingerprints and in 2014 was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. He received the prestigious Les Paul Innovation Award from NAMM’s TEC Awards in 2019 and his album All Blues was #1 for fifteen weeks on Billboard’s Blues Chart. In 2020 Frampton was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, his autobiography Do You Feel Like I Do?: A Memoir debuted on The New York Times Bestsellers list, and his 2021 album Frampton Forgets The Words was released to widespread critical acclaim. 

Most recently, Frampton appeared on Dolly Parton’s new album, Rockstar, which was released last November, as the only artist featured on two tracks. Frampton also performed at the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, joining the stage with fellow lauded musicians Sheryl Crow and Stevie Nicks—watch here. 

Read MC's 2019 Cover Story with Peter Frampton

]]> 45th Annual Blues Music Awards Nominations Announced https://www.musicconnection.com/45th-annual-blues-music-awards-nominations-announced/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:49:01 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132300 The Blues Foundation has announced the Nominees for the 45th Annual Blues Music Awards, taking place Thursday, May 9 in Memphis, TN.

AND THE NOMINEES ARE…

Acoustic Album
Wild Ox Moan, Catfish Keith
Raw Blues 1, Doug MacLeod
Sticks & Strings, EG Kight
Ridin' the Blinds, Hudspeth & Taylor
Ghost Hymns, William Lee Ellis

Acoustic Artist
Catfish Keith
Doug MacLeod
Eric Bibb
Keb’ Mo’
Kevin Burt

Album of the Year
TEARDROPS FROM MAGIC SLIM, John Primer
Live In London, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
SoulFunkn'BLUES, Blackburn Brothers
Soul Side of Sipp, Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Get Your Back Into It!, Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling

B.B. King Entertainer
Beth Hart
Bobby Rush
Lil’ Ed Williams
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Vanessa Collier

Band of the Year
Larkin Poe
Nick Moss Band
Selwyn Birchwood Band
Southern Avenue
Tedeschi Trucks Band

Best Emerging Artist Album
When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie, Candice Ivory
The Right Man, D.K. Harrell
Up Next, Mathias Lattin
Everybody's Buddy, Nic Clark
Tony Holiday, Mississippi Motel

Blues Rock Album
POWER, Anna Popovic
Writing On The Wall, Coco Montoya
Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, Joe Bonamassa
Blood Brothers, Mike Zito/ Albert Castiglia
What Key Is Trouble In?, Nick Schnebelen

Blues Rock Artist
Ana Popovic
Joe Bonamassa
Kenny Wayne Shepard
Mike Zito
Warren Haynes

Contemporary Blues Album
Live In London, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Ridin', Eric Bibb
Behind The Veil, Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind
Healing Time, Ruthie Foster
Exorcist, Selwyn Birchwood

Contemporary Blues Female Artist
Carolyn Wonderland
Danielle Nicole
Janiva Magness
Teresa James
Vanessa Collier

Contemporary Blues Male Artist
Chris Cain
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Marquise Knox
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Selwyn Birchwood

Instrumentalist - Bass
Bob Stroger
Larry Fulcher
Michael “Mudcat” Ward
Rodrigo Mantovani
Willie Weeks

Instrumentalist - Drums
Derrick D’Mar Martin
June Core
Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
Tom Hambridge
Tony Braunagel

Instrumentalist - Guitar
Christoffer “Kid” Andersen
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Derek Trucks
Laura Chavez
Sue Foley

Instrumentalist - Harmonica
Billy Branch
Bob Corritore
Dennis Gruenling
Jason Ricci
Kim Wilson

Instrumentalist - Horn
Deanna Bogart
Jimmy Carpenter
Mark Kaz Kazanoff
Trombone Shorty
Vanessa Collier

Instrumentalist - Pinetop Perkins Piano Player
Ben Levin
Dave Keyes
Jim Pugh
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Mitch Woods

Instrumentalist - Vocals
Billy Price
Diunna Greenleaf
John Nemeth
Ruthie Foster
Shemekia Copeland

Song of the Year
“Bobby's Blues” performed by the Blackburn Brothers,
written by Brooke Blackburn
“Horns Below Her Halo” performed by Selwyn Birchwood,
written by Selwyn Birchwood
“Midnight Heat” performed by Christone “Kingfish” Ingram,
written by Tom Hambridge & Richard Fleming
“The Bait In the Snare” performed by Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling,
written by Nick Moss
“What Kind Of Fool” performed by Ruthie Foster,
written by Ruthie Foster, Hadden Sayers & Scottie Miller

Soul Blues Album
Stuff I've Been Through, Alabama Mike
SoulFunkin' BLUES, Blackburn Brothers
All My Love For You, Bobby Rush
Walking Heart Attack, Johnny Rawls
Soul Side of Sipp, Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)

Soul Blues Female Artist
Annika Chambers
Kat Riggins
Terri Odabi
Thornetta Davis
Trudy Lynn

Soul Blues Male Artist
Alabama Mike
Billy Price
John Nemeth
Johnny Rawls
William Bell

Traditional Blues Album
TEARDROPS FOR MAGIC SLIM: John Primer
Nothing But Time, Monster Mike Welch
Get Your Back Into It!, Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
Savoy, Taj Mahal
Oscar's Motel, The Cash Box Kings

Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female Artist)
Diunna Greenleaf
Rhiannon Giddens
Shaun Murphy
Sue Foley
Teeny Tucker

Traditional Blues Male Artist
Billy Branch
Cedric Burnside
John Primer
Jontavious Willis
Nick Moss

The Blues Foundation 

]]> H.E.R debuts customized red Stratocaster guitar at surprise Big Game halftime performance https://www.musicconnection.com/h-e-r-debuts-customized-red-stratocaster-guitar-at-surprise-big-game-halftime-performance/ Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:44:31 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132295 If you saw the surprise guest performance at this weekend’s big game, you saw the ultimate reveal of H.E.R.’s customized red Stratocaster guitar. 

The guitar was made specifically for H.E.R.'s surprise halftime show performance at the big game with Usher and was designed with her style inspiration and performance needs in mind. The body and matching headstock include never-been-done before transparent paint with finish that replicates her chrome aesthetic.

“I imagined a chrome red, I love a good texture,” said H.E.R. “We also made the neck a little slimmer to make it easier for my solos, I wanted it to be effortless.”

In addition to the unique finish, the design behind the customized Stratocaster guitar also includes:

  • Chrome Glow H.E.R. Signature Strat body with transparent red paint over it, and matching headstock 
  • Anodized aluminum black pickguard 
  • Black Noiseless pickups with matching black knobs
  • Modern D shaped neck with satin finish 
  • Rosewood fretboard 
  • Modern vintage tuners

]]> Americanafest 2024 Showcase Submissions Now Open https://www.musicconnection.com/americanafest-2024-showcase-submissions-now-open/ Mon, 12 Feb 2024 18:13:16 +0000 https://www.musicconnection.com/?p=132291 Interested in playing for some of the most influential people in the Americana community?

Showcase submissions for AMERICANAFEST 2024 are now open through March 8 at 10 pm CT.

Official showcases take place on Wednesday, September 17, through Saturday, September 21, at venues throughout Nashville. Why should an artist showcase at AMERICANAFEST? Find out here.

BECOME A MEMBER TO SUBMIT FOR AN OFFICIAL SHOWCASE

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