Today is the release date for Rob Thomas’ new album Cradlesong. Check this out… I have a handful of FREE digital downloads and here’s how you can have one (WHILE THEY LAST).

Be one of the first 30 (thirty) people to make a comment on this blog entry and you’ll receive the free download. Make your comment something about Rob (how much you love him, his music… etc)!

IMPORTANT: When you comment-don’t forget to enter your email on the form (It won’t show up on your comment unless you put it there so it will be just between you and me.. but it must be correct on the form or I won’t be able to send you the info you need to get the album). 

If you are one of the first 30 to comment, I will send you an email with instructions and a special code to redeem your FREE copy of Cradlesong!

Again- I only have 30 codes so only the first 30 people will get one.

Enjoy and let me know what you think of Rob’s new solo album!

xo,

Sam

Here are the new releases for today, June 30, 2009.

Rob Thomas- Cradlesong
This is Rob’s second solo album (following 2005’s Something to Be). He holds the honor of having the first album by a male artist from a rock or pop group to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 since the chart was launched.

Rob Thomas- Something To Be Tour (Live at Red Rocks)
This was filmed at Rob’s Red Rocks stop in 2006.

Additional Releases:
Beegie Adair- Parisian Café
Karrin Allyson- By Request: The Best of Karrin Allyson
Jon Balke- Siwan
Crucified- Complete Collection
Delain- April Rain
Lila Downs- The Very Best of
Four80east- Roll On
Levon Helm- Electric Dirt
Ace Hood- Ruthless
Hypnogaja- Truth Decay
Jefferson Airplane- Jefferson Airplane: The Woodstock Experience (Limited Ed.)
Jefferson Airplane- Flight Box (Boxed Set)
Janis Joplin- Janis Joplin: The Woodstock Experience (Double Disc)
Jeremih- Jeremih
Killswitch Engage- Killswitch Engage **Sam’s Pick**
Lillian Axe- Sad Day on Planet Earth
Maino- If Tomorrow Comes
Moby- Wait for Me (Also on vinyl)
Jason Nevins- Ultra Weekend 5
Obituary- Darkest Day
Greg O’Quin and iPraize- After the Storm
Brad Paisley- American Saturday Night
Evan Parker- The Moment’s Energy
Santana- Santana: The Woodstock Experience (Double Disc)
Andy Sheppard- Movements in Colour
Sly & The Family Stone- Sly & The Family Stone: The Woodstock Experience
Stephen Sondheim- Road Show
Suicide Silence- No Time To Bleed
Tanya Tucker- My Turn
Various- Now, Vol. 31
Various- Now That’s What I Call the 80s, Vol. 2
Wilco- Wilco (The Album)
Johnny Winter- Johnny Winter: The Woodstock Experience (Double Disc)
Wu-Tang Clan- Chamber Music

Soundtracks:
Dust of Time by Eleni Karaindrou
Public Enemies by Elliot Goldenthat

Reissue/Remastered:
Albert Kind and Stevie Ray Vaughan- In Session (Remastered)
Rod Stewart- A Night on the Town (2 CD Limited Ed)
Twisted Sister- Stay Hungry (2 CD Deluxe Ed- Remastered)
Whitesnake- Slip of the Tongue (20th Anniversary Deluxe Ed)
Whitesnake- Slide It In (25th Anniversary Deluxe Ed)

These are the songs from this week’s Sunday School! (June 28, 2009)

1. Jessie James- Wanted
Another one of Jessie’s tunes was featured on the soundtrack for Confessions of a Shopaholic (Blue Jeans). Her debut album is scheduled for release August 11th and she’s currently hosting the Jonas Bros tour. Click HERE for her webpage. 

2. Boys Like Girls- Love Drunk
The newest from Boys Like Girls- it will be on their Sept. 8th release of the same name. The single is currently available for download on Amazon.com. Click HERE for their webpage.

3. A Fine Frenzy- Blow Away (AuNaturAlice Recording)
A Fine Frenzy is the work of Alison Sudal. Her new album is called Bomb in a Birdcage. It will be released September 8th. Click HERE for AFF’s page.

4. A Fine Frenzy-   Believe  (AuNaturAlice Recording)

5. Collective Soul- Staring Down
Collective Soul’s new album will be out August 25th. They are summer touring with Gavin DeGraw. Click HERE to keep up with them!

6. Metric- Help, I’m Alive
Metric’s new album Fantasies is one of my favorites of this year so far! Get to know Metric HERE.

7. Eric Hutchinson- OK, It’s Alright With Me
This is the latest single from Eric’s album Sounds Like This. Visit his website HERE.

8. Wham!- Careless Whisper (History Song)

9. Rascal Flatts- Here Comes Goodbye
Unstoppable is the title of the newest album from Rascal Flatts. The band has been successful across music genres (while still holding their popularity with their country fanbase) for a few years now and this is the latest in what we in the radio business call “crossover” tunes. Click HERE for their official website.

10. Skyfox- Twilight  **Local Artist**
January 8th, the boys of Skyfox signed their record deal and are now a part of Crappy Records (Bowling for Soup).  On the 19th of this month they celebrated the release of their new EP Twilight at The Gothic Theater.

If you want to find out more about Skyfox including some upcoming shows click HERE.  

11. Skyfox- Punk Rawk Gentleman **Local Artist**

12. Tinted Windows- Kind of a Girl
This song is on Tinted Windows debut album. I would consider them a kind of supergroup. Tinted Windows members are: Taylor Hanson (from Hanson, yes), James Iha (original member of the Smashing Pumpkins), Adam Schlesinger (in Fountains of Wayne) and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick). Visit their website HERE.

13. Landon Pigg- Falling In Love at a Coffee Shop (AuNaturAlice Recording)
This was recorded in our studio April 24th, 2008 prior to his appearance at AuNaturAlice 3. This song has been used on a lot of TV campaigns so you will likely recognize it though you might now know much about Landon. Click HERE to get to know him better!

Michael Jackson died today…in case you haven’t heard.  It’s not everyday that the world loses a person that is a true international phenom.  And, no matter what your personal opinion is of the man, he was a true living legend.  He, in some way, affected any person reading this.  I’d like to share some of mine…

   I actually rememeber the first time I heard Michael Jackson, really.  It was “Rock With You”, and my sister had it on a single…an LP 45 single that you had to use the adapter to play in the record player.  It blew my mind, literally.  You see, until then, I was raised on a strict musical diet of Crystal Gayle, John Denver and The Eagles (Thanks Mom and Dad!) and it opened my mind to a whole new layer of music…and I liked it…a lot.  It was my first epiphany, well before I knew what that meant.

#1                                       #2

“     “Thriller” wasn’t the first record I owned, but it was close.  I had picked up the “Smurfs-Smurfing Sing Song” previously…Thiller was #2.  Thriller ended up doing better in the charts, and eventually become the best selling album of all time.  We all remember the “Thriller” zombies and the lights popping up under his feet during “Billie Jean”, but I’ll always remember my buddy Michael Gonzalez actually DOING THE MOONWALK…WOW!  I tried, and finally perfected the move myself…as long as I was in my socks, on the carpet. 

    “Bad” is sometimes most often remembered for the song “Bad”, which is kind of, well, too bad.  It took a few more listens to get into it, but tracks like “Dirty Diana”, “Smooth Criminal”, “Leave Me Alone” and “The Way You Make Me Feel” are absolute MJ gold.  “Man in the Mirror” was another #1 hit and provided an optimistic anthem for a generation in flux…we could use another one of those right about now. 

    “Dangerous” is one of MJ’s most overlooked releases..if debuting at #1 and selling a subsequent 32 millon albums nationwide could be considered overlooked.  But the Title track, “Jam”, and “Remember the Time”…again, WOW!   And remember the video for “Black and White”?  That CRAZY morphing of faces…video technology ahead of it’s time, it was magnificent and kept MJ related work on the leading edge of what was cool and new in more than music.  It also had a track called “In the Closet”, hmm….

After that, who cares?  The music wasn’t as good, and any publicity he got was even worse.  I don’t think I need to tell anybody the details.  But those aren’t the things that will last in my mind.  It will be memories of dancing with my sister in the living room, hearing “We Are The World” on the radio during a family roadtrip, the countless times I’ve heard any number of bands bust into any number of MJ covers to rowdy applause, bouncing down the side of mountain in a truck, in the dark, with “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” blaring from the speakers…some memories are clearer than others.

    So thanks Michael, for the memories…

Do you know how lucky you are?  You live within a short drive to one of the best concert venues in North America…in the WORLD.  I’m, of course, speaking of Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Morrison. 

U2 helped cement the legend of Red Rocks with their live video for Sunday Bloody Sunday (This, is RED ROCKS!), from the film “Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky”.  Shoot, the video alone was labeled by Rolling Stone as one of “50 Moments that changed the history of Rock and Roll.  But it’s story of being a world class concert venue began well before that, with music being performed at the location since the early 1900’s.

I’ve personally seen almost 300 different bands and musical artists perform at venues large and small all over the world.  And maybe it’s a little homerism, but Red Rocks puts all other venues I’ve been to to shame.  There’s not a bad seat in the house.

The scenerey is spectacular, inside and out of the venue.  It looks great if you get up close and take look  back at the crowd towering over you.  It looks incredible if you are further up in the crowd and can peer over the backdrop rocks at the skyline of Denver.  Wherever you are, you can just be in awe of the magnificent natural structures around you and imagine that these have been this way for millions of years…mindblowing.  And the design of the park, right down to the trees planted along the rows, add the acoustic quality.

I take personal pride in my own history with Red Rocks.  I’ve seen every type of show imaginable (rock, hip-hop, country, classical, comedy) from every angle imaginable (first row, last row, all in between, right, left, backstage, sidestage, UNDER THE STAGE, the hill behind the venue).  As well as my my own stash of Red Rocks knowledge(Get a whiskey drink with no line at the inside bar, take the side entrance from the Upper North Lot, the SECRET BATHROOM!). 

As a bonus, whenever you see a show at Red Rocks, the artist performing knows that they are AT RED ROCKS!  And, they will almost always mention how in awe they are to be there.  Subsequently, you usually get an A Game performance from whomever you are seeing…win win. 

So do it, check the calendar and pick something out, and just go.  They have the concerts, movies, tours…you can just go for free during the day and wander around. It’s yours, you pay taxes that help support it, just go! 

See you at the show…

-Brody

Brody@Alice1059.com

Well, I’ve officially embarked on my new adventure of learning the cello. My friends and family are excited because many of them have heard me talk about playing the cello for years. No bones about it though- I am a beginner. My dreams of being a prodigy are indeed only that- dreams.

Earlier today my best friend asked me how many lessons I was into it. I responded “just a few.” He said, “So you’re about 3 weeks away from being in the Denver Philharmonic?”

Haha. Well- if the Philharmonic wants to have me join in on a rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star I might be able to participate- but doubtful! My teacher plays cello in the Denver Philharmonic (Kenny Martin) and I all ready wonder how he puts up with me.

When I had my very first lesson he said something interesting to me regarding adults taking up a new instrument. He said that adults have a lot more hangups in the way that we are a little more afraid to mess up and fail while children are often gung-ho on something new- generally unaware of the embarrassment of hitting a sour note or not improving quickly enough.

It’s true though. Somewhere along my lifespan so far, I’ve lost a bit of patience with myself. I want to be better- faster. I don’t want to struggle remembering how to read music. I don’t like striking a note on my cello that makes me cringe because it sounds like I”m torturing a cat. I wonder how many times I have to play the same song before I don’t mess it up.

Another thing I’ve noticed since beginning my lessons: I haven’t actually stopped and MADE TIME for a new hobby in a really long time. It’s been a challenge reminding myself that it’s time to practice. Since it’s something I want to do I don’t complain to myself at all. It’s just a matter of making the time! I guess I didn’t realize how much I have going on and how tired I am when I finally get home at night. I’m learning to fit it in though- because after all- it is something I’m enjoying and something I’ve wanted to do for a really long time!

I’m realized I’m learning much more than just the cello. I’m learning how to be patient with myself again and I’m learning how to create time for something that is just for me. It’s slow-going but I’m going to keep at it! And it won’t be long before I can blast out something other than a squeaky bedtime song.

I hope!

Thanks for reading,

Sam

Here are the new releases for today- June 23, 2009.

Tonic- A Casual Affair: The Best of Tonic
On this greatest hits album you’ll get all the hits plus a few previously unreleased cuts. The reunited Tonic is currently touring. Click HERE for their myspace page.

Cheap Trick-The Latest
The new album from CT features the original line-up. One of the coolest features of this new work is there is a song included that was originally recorded in 1976 but never made it on a record! Click HERE for their site.

Additional Releases:
Alexisonfire- Old Crows/Young Cardinals
Amazing Baby- Rewild
Astra- The Weirding
Neal E. Boyd- Neal E. Boyd
Kendel Carson- Alright Dynamite
Cindy Bradley- Bloom
The Cliks- Dirty King
Shawn Colvin- Live
Darkest Hour- Eternal Return
The Dear Hunter- Act III: Life and Death
Deer Tick- Born on Flag Day
Dinosaur Jr.- Farm
Dream Theater- Black Clouds & Silver Linings (3 CD Special Ed. Available too)
Escala- Escala **Sam’s Pick**
Future of the Left- Travels With Myself and Another
Ginuwine- A Man’s Thoughts
Goatwhore- Carving Out the Eyes of God
God Help The Girl- God Help The Girl **Sam’s Pick**
A Hawk and a Hacksaw- Delivrance
Patterson Hood- Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs)
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster- 3 **Sam’s Pick**
Michael Johns- Hold Back My Heart
The Lemonheads- Varshons **Sam’s Pick**
Bob Marley- B is for Bob
The Mars Volta- Octahedron
John Mellencamp- Life Death Live & Freedom
Andy Narell- University of Calypso
Charlie Robison- Beautiful Day
Pauline Rubio- Gran City Pop
Phenomenal Handclap Band- Phenomenal Handclap Band
Leon Russell- Best of Hank Wilson
The Sa-Ra Creative Partners- Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love
Regina Spektor- Far (Special Ed. Available too)
Spinnerette- Spinnerette
Sunset Rubdown- Dragonslayer
Al B. Sure- Honey I’m Home
Otis Taylor- Pentatonic Wars and Love Songs
Tortoise- Beacons of Ancestorship
VNV Nation- Of Faith, Power and Glory
Voivod- Infini
Eric Woolfson- Woolfson Sings the Alan Parsons Project That Never Was
Pete Yorn- Back and Fourth

Soundtracks:
Away We Go
25 by Cirque du Soleil
Hair (The New Broadway Cast Recording)
The Hangover: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs by John Powell
Land of the Lost by Michael Giacchino
My Sister’s Keeper: Music from the Motion Picture
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- Score by Steve Jablonsky
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- the Album

Reissue/Remastered:
Def Leppard- Pyromania (Remastered w/ bonus disc of previously unreleased concert material)
Def Leppard- Adrenalize (Remastered w/ bonus disc of previously unreleased concert material)
Thomas Dolby- The Flat Earth (Remastered & Expanded)
REM- Reckoning (Remastered w/ bonus disc of previously unreleased concert material)

Here is the playlist for Sam’ Sunday School- June 21, 2009. Thanks so much for listening!

1. Uncle Kracker- Smile
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from Uncle Kracker! Uncle Kracker’s new album will be out September 15th. It’s called Happy Hour. Click HERE to check up on him.

2. Aimee Allen- On Vacation
From the album A Little Happiness- in stores July 21st. Visit her website HERE.

3. Mestizo- Fade  **Local Artist**
This Boulder band just released their self-title debut last month. If you’ve spent some time at the Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder, chances are you’ve seen these guys performing on the outdoor terrace. To find out where they are playing and to link up to order their new CD, click HERE.

4. Mestizo- Love  **Local Artist**

5. Kelly Clarkson- I Do Not Hook Up
All I Ever Wanted is the title of Kelly’s latest release and this is single number 2. HERE is her official website.

6. David Cook- Come Back to Me
This is the newest single from his debut self-titled album. Click HERE for his website. And remember, David will be here in concert on June 26th at the Odgen. Click HERE to be re-directed to our concert page.

7. A Fine Frenzy- Blow Away
A Fine Frenzy is the beautiful work of Alison Sudol. She is an incredibly talented young singer/songwriter originally from Seattle, WA. Next weekend on the show I’ll be featuring an acoustic studio performance from Ali. Click HERE for her website.

8. New Kids On the Block- You’ve Got It (The Right Stuff) *History Song*

9. Gary Go- Wonderful
Gary is currently touring with Take That and has worked with bands like The Script and The Fratellis. Check him out HERE. His album is out in the UK (yes, I had to order it as an import) but will be released in the US in Sept.

10. Wendy and Robin- Country Song **Local Artist**
This pair is well-known Denver artists Wendy Woo (of the Wendy Woo Trio) and Robin Hoch. The ladies have done a lot of work together and their new compilation Saving Grace has songs penned by each, songs written together and even a couple fun covers including the next song on the list. Click HERE to find out where you can catch them live in the coming weeks!

11. Wendy and Robin- Hey There Delilah  **Local Artist**

12. Hoobastank- The Reason (AuNaturAlice Version)
These are live cuts from our first Live @ 5 party two Fridays ago at the Tavern Tech Center. The video from the event is on the front page of our website on the Alice TV player. Click HERE for the guys’ website.

13. Hoobastank-  So Close, So Far (AuNaturAlice Version)

I LOVE to eat.  But then, doesn’t everybody?  I don’t know anybody that HATES to eat, except Nicole Richie..and mummys.  And Nicole Richie is just a myth. 

A few thoughts on food:

I mostly eat Pop Tarts cold, ’cause I don’t have the TIME be cookin’ Pop Tarts all day.  Until recently I have never read cooking instructions for Pop Tarts either, just like I’ve never read cooking directions for toast…But I just did, and here’s what I found-

Microwave time for Pop Tarts;  3 SECONDS!  Now that fits my busy lifestyle.

The menu at Taco Bell looks like it was created by locking wasted people in the kitchen and just seeing what they come up with…”What if we put a taco, IN A TACO!”  Which would make sense, because that would be creating items for their target audience. 

I’m not big into sweets, but I do like cookies, chocolate, peanut butter, Jolly Ranchers, ice cream, Big Hunk, Hot Tamales, Gummy Bears, Pie, gumdrops, licorice, sugar on a spoon, candy corn, taffy, Fun Dip and Dots.

And cake…

If Buger King was REALLY interested in making it MY way, they’d learn how to make some sausage gravy. 

My favorite food is lobster.  Because it satisfies my craving for seafood AND sadism all at once.   

Real verbiage on the A&W sign in Frisco:  FishChiliCheeseCurdsCorndogIcecreamJesus loves you!

So, life is ever getting you down, just remember….no matter what – FishChiliCheeseCurdsCorndogIcecreamJesus loves you too.

-Brody

Brody@Alice1059.com

Movie time! I’m telling you right now- few things are as fun as seeing a movie before anyone else! And… here’s your chance! Read the whole entry because at the end there’s something special.

I have reserved seat tickets to the Denver screening of My Sister’s Keeper- the new flick starring Cameron Diaz and Abagail Breslin. The story is based on the novel by Jodi Picoult. Click HERE to watch the trailer.

Here’s how you can win a pair (keep reading… till the end… TRUST ME). Listen to me at 12:30pm today and Monday and I’ll give you a shot at a pair of tickets and enter you for the Grand Prize- a beautiful bouquet of flowers from More Flowers for your own sister (or someone you think of like a sis!)

The screening is Tues, June 23rd, 7pm at The Denver Pavilions.

Ok, with that said- your reward for checking out the blog is: The first person to call me at 303-631-ALICE (2542) and tell me you read the blog about the movie gets a pair of reserved tickets for next Tuesday’s screening!

As always- thanks for reading,

Sam