Down On The Corner

By Paul Moffett

Some explanation of the cover photo is in order: Ms. Cheyenne Marie Mize showed up for her cover photo shoot with two friends Joan Shelley and Julia Purcell (plus infant Maya), who play in Maiden Radio with her. She had the three paper-masks-on-a-stick with her photo and politely insisted that the photos be taken with them holding the masks, as it appears on the cover. Faced with the alternative of using a publicity photo, I relented. She apparently dealt with cover story writer Kevin Gibson in the same way, first scheduling, then canceling an interview and finally settling on an email exchange, finished at the last minute.

Now you know.

Drag City is touting the June 21 release of a new Bonnie ‘Prince' Billie EP, There Is No God, by releasing the video of the title tune. The proceeds will benefit "Save Our Gulf" and the Turtle Hospital. Involved in the project are Emmett Kelly, Ben Hall, Pete Cummings, Peter Townsend, Billy Contreras, Cassie Berman and Rachel Korine. The songs were recorded by Mark Nevers and mastered by Paul Oldham. There's a free ringtone at http://www.dragcity.com/products/there-is-no-god

Royal Buttons has expanded its Vend-A-Pin sites, which is helpful if you are interested in getting the vinyl compilation that is being offered to those who collect a pin for each of the bands on the compilation. What on earth, you ask, am I talking about? The full explanation can be found at http://www.louisvillehardcore.com/.

Super group jamband Trigger Hippy, which features Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman, former Black Crowes guitarist Audley Freed and bassist Nick Govrik has added Joan Osborne to the band, according to Jambands.com

Tara Jane O'Neil and Nikaido Kazumi don't speak the same language but nevertheless, they got together and made an album, apparently without benefit of a translator. The CD will be released on May 24.

The Louisville Orchestra has announced the 2011-12 Classics schedule and is seeking subscribers. In a tacit recognition of its ongoing financial problems, the LO has also announced that for any concert that gets canceled, subscribers will receive full refunds for that performance. Full information and subscription forms are available at http://www.louisvilleorchestra.org/?page_id=8103 .

Brigid Kaelin has once more gone on a tour of the United Kingdom, where she has built up a considerable fanbase, among them Elvis Costello. As is her practice, she began her trip with a blog post at http://louisvilleky.com/2011/05/a-louisville-musician-begins-the-trek-across-the-pond/

The Royalty Network, a New York-based independent publishing house, has announced the formation of a sister record label called Krian Music Group, which will release a project by VHS Or Beta, the formerly Louisville-based dance/pop band now at home in New York, among other artists. The label seeks to develop greater markets in film, television and commercials for song placement for existing acts without a record label.

The Louisville Master Chorale, a newly formed classical mixed choral group, will hold auditions for all choral sections for their upcoming 2011-2012 Season at the Cathedral Of The Assumption on June 5, 6 and 9.
The ensemble will perform music selected from seven centuries and will stage a December performance of Handel's "Messiah." Singers will need to demonstrate range, tone and sight-reading ability.
For more information, contact LMC Conductor and Artistic Director Mark Walker at 502-797-2716 or LouisvilleMasterChorale@yahoo.com

CODAS

Howard, James "Big Jim", 77 of Westview, Ky. Died on May 10, 2011. He was a country musician and singer.

Kays, Almedia Catherine (Grace) "Kitty," 83, of Okolona, died Saturday, May 21, 2011. She was co-owner with her husband, Bill, and manager of Kays Music Shop in Okolona for nearly 30 years

Brown, Odell Elliott Jr., a Grammy Award-winning musician, died on May 3, 2011 in Richfield, MN. A native Louisvillian, he worked as a musical director and performer in Chicago, Hollywood, and Europe. His compositions included the classic song "Sexual Healing," co-written and performed by Marvin Gaye.

Stam, Carl "Chip," died on May 1, 2011. He was Professor of Church Music and Worship at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and served as the Minister of Music & Worship at Clifton Baptist Church.