American Rock

Into April with Rusty Bladen

2007-04-02T00:04:00.000-04:00

Greetings y'all. Caught Rusty's debut at the Rock Lobster in Broad Ripple (Indianapolis) Thursday (3.29.07). Highlights: countryfried version of "I Want You to Want Me", a cover of the Kevin Welch song "Millionaire", an improvised Jethro Tull "Locomotive Breath" after an audience-yelled request, plus a whole lot of Rusty Bladen originals (I thought "Just For Awhile" was the highlight of those).

He's back on April 26, one of two Indy dates for the month

Here's the homegrown rock and roll schedule (as of 4.1.07) for
APRIL 2007
5 Kingpin's - Butlerville, IN - 9:30 pm - 812.458.6500
7 The Happy Hour Sports Bar - Celestine, IN - 10p - 812.481.2400
13 The Cricket Bar & Grill - Rising Sun, IN - 10p - 812.438.21
14 Gallagher's II - Indianapolis, IN - 10p - 317.884.3850
26 Rock Lobster - Indianapolis/Broad Ripple - 9:30p - 317.253.5844
28 Pub 51 - Salem, IN - 10p

***
NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW- TRUST ME...
As country music gets wrapped up in demographic studies, chart races and chasing advertising rates all in the pursuit of a younger market, the genre’s elder statesman aren’t content to rest on their laurels or going out with a whimper. Willie Nelson had two albums out last year and Merle Haggard one. This year they team up with long time pal Ray Price to produce a fantastic 2-disc set covering a wide breadth of Country Music.

Last of the Breed (Lost Highway) is the first album to team up all three Country legends and also the first to team Haggard and Price. read more

CD Releases for April 3
Peace, Love and Anarchy by Todd Snider
A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection ~ Alison Krauss
Because of the Times ~ Kings of Leon
Live at Texas Stadium ~ Alan Jackson, George Strait, Jiommmy Buffett
Waking Up Laughing ~ Martina McBride
Traffic and Weather ~ Fountains of Wayne

Finally, here is a classic video we think is still cool, digging the black-and-white approach.

Into 2007 - Bladen, Mellencamp and Super Bowl

2007-01-28T23:53:00.000-05:00

Good Shows over the weekend; had brief report from Rising Sun, at the Cricket Bar. Wanna download a short (:07) cellphone video? click here...

Got some great photos from Cheri Herron last week. We will be using them within the Rusty Bladen site in the coming weeks and months.

Have any photos or video? email me

...Bought the new Mellencamp album...heard it once all the way through... textured rock and roll. Been drawing some comparisons to 60's rock. I hear it. Surf rock guitar in first song.

...Colts in Super Bowl. Think there will be any hype this week? and (besides Go Colts!) most importantly, what about them doggone commercials we love so much?!

Rob

Christmas CD Released - COMPLETE INFO

2006-12-09T17:03:00.000-05:00

Fans:
Merry Christmas Everybody!
It's finally here! My new CD... "Feels Like Christmas"

I am so fired up about this CD!!I think you'll love it. Make it a "CountryFried Rock & Roll Christmas."

Order Yours! Only $12.97 each plus shipping.

For a limited time, I'm offering a special price.
Give this Cd to your loved ones for Christmas.
Buy 2 or more for only $10.38 each.

Here's a link to the website to purchase and hear samples:
http://www.rustybladen.com/

I was so fortunate to work with an all star line up for this CD :
Mastered by Ray Kennedy (producer/engineer for John Mellencamp, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams & Stevie Nicks)
Produced by Dane Clark (drummer for Mellencamp)
Engineered by Mike Petrow (assistant engineer for Lynyrd Skynyrd's Anniversary CD)

(above) Dane, Rusty and Mike mixing in the studio

Here's what Ray Kennedy says about the new CD:
"Feels Like Christmas is the most fun and refreshing Christmas CD I've heard. It has such an upbeat and spirited vibe. My wife and kids start dancing every time I put it on and then they say. "Turn it up!"

The CD features these incredible musicians:
Dane Clark (drums and percussion)
Troye Kinnett (keyboardist for Mellencamp)
Sandy Williams (guitars, mandolin)
John McDowell (back up vocals)
Vernay Reindollar (bass).

Upcoming CD Release Shows:
December 22 at Gallagher's II in Indianapolis, IN.
December 23 at Poppy's in Aurora, IN.
New Years Eve at The Broadway Livery Stable in Madison, IN.
Latest Schedule, CD news, video and audio at http://www.rustybladen.com/

Please pass this email along to all of your friends and family.
(Send it to your ex-wives, ex-husbands, ex-girlfriends, ex-boyfriends and in-laws too!

Thanks so much for your support. I hope you have a great Holiday Season.
Sincerely,
Rusty Bladen

Christmas CD update

2006-10-26T02:55:00.000-04:00

Heading into the last week of October, and the new Rusty Bladen Christmas CD is mixed and mastered. We have heard the entire set of songs, and Rusty fans are going to say this is the best stuff he has ever done. Honestly. No kidding. You'll believe me when you hear it... :)

Let me leak some titles: Frosty the Snowman (which you can hear a piece of on rustybladen.com), Winter Wonderland, Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. If you hear the two cuts that are on the website and linked here, that is the theme of the sound of the rest of the songs: it is all Rusty's homegrown rock and roll sound. It feels right when you hear it. You say "yeah, that is it..."

Of those cuts, The Frosty piece is from the fully mixed and mastered final version, while the original Feels Like Christmas is a rough mix version.

Rusty says artwork is in final stages, and we will sneak some onto here when we get it.

As of now, the CD will feature 12 cuts, though that can change at the last minute if Rusty adds or pulls one late. Look for a Thanksgiving-ish release to the public. He has some CD release shows being booked.

Do you need a Christmas party to make your year the best ever? Rusty says he is booking a few private and corporate parties for the holiday season. He says to call the office at 812.265.3075 to get the info, or you can email RiverRoad Records.

Bladen's Christmas CD; Seger to tour?

2006-09-17T00:18:00.000-04:00

BLADEN IN STUDIO, MIXING CHRISTMAS CD
Rusty Bladen is in the mixing stage with his upcoming Christmas release, a set of holiday and Christmas songs, recorded with producer Dane Clark over the past three weeks.

The record has a decidedly rock and roll sound, and twists songs you may have heard thousands of times into new pieces of work that have a unique american rock sound.

A couple of tracks that are in the set include an unnamed orginal that rocks like Tom Petty during his heyday, and the classic Winter Wonderland.

Clark, the drummer in John Mellencamp's band, plays on the recordings and fit this project into the schedule before he hits the studio himself, focusing on playing with his boss, as Mellencamp is apparently set to work on another record beginning this fall.

Mike Petrow is engineering, and the band recorded the tracks with minimal overdubbing; most of the music was recorded as live takes with the musicians playing at the same time (ain't is sad more records aren't made this way?) rather than adding tracks one-by-one. It lends a live, joyous, happy rock and roll feel to the sound.

Thanksgiving is the tentative release date. Look for a radio push, as, after hearing some tracks, you can't help but think this is the kind of material that would fit perfectly with the always-popular xmas tunes that radio stations roll out each holiday season. Almost every song could sit comfortably next Springsteen's Santa Claus is Coming to Town or Mellencamp's I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, or even the Eagles' Please Come Home for Christmas.

More to come...

SEGER ALBUM OUT - GOOD BLOG LINK
It sounds good. It rocks. It is a return of one of my faves. Interesting comparison between Seger and Springsteen in this blog. Worth a read, really. And talks of his tour as if it is a done deal. And we hear it is.

Americana Rock News: Black Crowes, Bad Reviews, Sam Moore and More

2006-08-29T22:01:00.000-04:00

BLACK CROWES BOUNCE KEYBOARDIST
The Black Crowes have parted ways with longtime keyboardist Eddie Hawrysch due to unspecified "personal issues." Hawrysch has been an intergral component of the Crowes' sound for 15 years. He will be replaced on the band's fall tour by Rob Clores, whose prior credits include Jesse Malin and Blues Travelers' John Popper. In addition, the Crowes have pushed back the planned Aug. 29 release of the double-disc rarities set "The Lost Crowes" to Sept. 26 due to "a recently discovered manufacturing error," according to a spokesperson. Following a summer outing with Robert Randolph & the Family Band and Drive-By Truckers, the Crowes will return to the road Sept. 7 in Richmond, Va.

Maybe that is why the Indy Star reviewer David Lindquist was all pissed about the Black Crowes show in Indy on August 5th
"The Black Crowes turned in a joyless, uninspired effort Friday night at the Lawn at White River State Park.
On the bright side, the weather was pleasant, and a pair of supporting acts made the concert worth the price of admission. The Crowes ran into trouble early, when vocalist Chris Robinson strained to reach high notes. As the performance progressed." Read full story

PAT GREEN
You like Pat Green? Who is Pat Green? I call him the Texas Bryan Adams.
He's opening for Dave Matthews this late summer, and AP says he has to feel as though he'd gained a few more converts. Not a bad opening slot, really, before heading back to Texas to headline arenas and rodeos. Read Associated Press story

MELLENCAMP MP3's
We found a site to download classic Mellencamp MP3 bootlegs. Shhhh. Sharing music is bad. Just like buying and taping albums onto casssettes was bad. And just as DVD's would kill the movie industry, sharing this info will kill the record industry as we know it. Well, good. Die. We don't need another Shakira record anyway.

SPRINGSTEEN ON NEW SAM (of Sam & Dave fame) MOORE CD
Bruce has added his vocals to a duets sort of album by the old soul master Sam Moore . He helps out on the second track, “Better to Have and Not Need”. The album is coming out on August 29, but you can listen to the whole thing as streaming audio here. And let me say, some of it is not half bad. It may not hold a candle against his classic songs like “Soul Man”, and “Hold On, I’m Comin’”, but it’s better than a lot of stuff out there. Bruce does a good job too. The roar in his voice is back. He should use it some more on his next album.

Meanwhile, Bruce is denying rumors of a marital split. Whatta I think? Trust the art, not the artist.

BLADEN'S FULL SEPTEMBER
Twelve shows dot the September calendar, including three band gigs in a row, and four shows this weekend, over three days, including a Saturday Madison doubleheader.

And check out the burgeoning postings of YouTube rock videos on rustybladen.com. Bootleg stuff, Fogerty, Bowie, alt-country. Mucho mas. It' s cool and classic and hip and rewound-ish.

Rock on, my brothers and sisters.
Rob

Rusty Bladen Update: Mt. Adams Report; Website Tweaks

2006-08-17T01:55:00.000-04:00

Exchanged email with Rusty Bladen this week. Mt. Adams Music Festival, which he headlined with the band, rocked, according to Rusty.

"Mt. Adams was awesome," he wrote. "Huge stage and PA. Over 800 people. Sound was awesome too."

Tony Burton, longtime guitarist with Rusty's previous band, the Shakin Jakes, subbed for Designated Driver guitarist Mark Hamilton. All was well. "It was as if Tony Burton never left. He sounded great," Rusty wrote.
***

Friday night blowout? The Magic 8-Ball says...most likely. Always a rocking, enthusiastic, singing crowd at O'Shea's Irish Pub in Lousiville this Friday (Aug. 18) - solo - 10p -map

note: OB's in Seymour gig on Aug. 24 is not happening - they closed da business. Rusty always drew well there, including the last time in...

Just added:
September 1 @ The Cellar -North Vernon, IN - 10p - - (Rusty goes punk clubbin', at this low-ceiling up-close/most intimately-rocking place you will see Rusty do at this stage of his touring career.)
September 23 @ The Chicken Place - Ireland, IN - 10p - outdoor solo concert -(See the gig at the early leader in the "2006 Best Name for a Club" sweepstakes

website tweaks are complete and online. Video, audio and latest schedule updates are the guts of the site, with new areas for fans to add their own photos and show review.
Wanna see? CLICK HERE to eyeball it.

Americana News for a Hot August Night

2006-08-14T01:07:00.000-04:00

Hey all,
Diggin some new tunes and really liking the new Chris Knight album ("Enough Rope") . Pick it up at iTunes or at your favorite little CD store. Album sounds like Steve Earle with better production and less anger and also reminds one of Mellencamp, should he be living on a dirt road and still writing "Scarecrow"-ish anthems. Ray Kennedy (ironically of the same Earle fame.. ex-half of the Twang Trust production team) makes this one sound clean and dirty all at once on the mixing board.

As for the rest? We've got some Americana/rock/country info grabbed from the web. We agree with a lot of it, except for the Petty thing; review is a little too kind to the icon from Florida. The album doesn't rock hard enough for these headphones...but read on, friends. Judge for yourself, because we like it when you do.

HAVE YOU HEARD...?
New CD release
American V: A Hundred Highways
Johnny Cash
When Johnny Cash teamed up with producer Rick Rubin and American Recordings to release the first of his “American” series, he managed to both resurrect his career and earn genuine indie cred at the same time. The four records that followed 1994’s “American Recordings” have all pretty much kept to the same formula of sparse, stripped down arrangements that lay bare both the singer’s voice and the raw emotion of the songs.
He’s produced the best work of his entire catalog in the process. His last release, “American V: A Hundred Highways” is a beautiful final chapter to a truly original American artist’s long and influential life.
(read full review)

Highway Companion
Tom Petty
Tom Petty's never made a bad album. Some flirt with greatness, others simply deliver the goods (his last release, 2002's The Last DJ, was actually one of his weaker efforts), but the man's consistency is pretty astounding. Highway Companion not only keeps his winning streak intact, it even rates above average by these standards. The album is Petty's third release under his own name, minus the Heartbreakers. Highway Companion doesn't reach the towering heights of those two knockouts, but it shares their combination of stylistic range and rock-solid songcraft.
(read full review)

A Blessing and a Curse
Drive-By Truckers
The Truckers' seventh album isn't as detail-rich as 2004's The Dirty South, but it's another engaging variation on old-school Southern rock.
(read full review)

***
CLASSIC ELTON?
Elton John has set a Sept. 19 release date for his new studio album, "The Captain and the Kid." The Rocket/Island set is a sequel to the artist's 1975 album "Captain Fantastic and the Dirt Brown Cowboy." First single "The Bridge" will be available Aug. 22 from Apple's iTunes Music Store.
(read full story)

BRUCE RELEASE DELAYED
The expanded American Land Edition of Bruce Springsteen's We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, originally scheduled to hit stores on September 5, will now arrive on October 3.
The new version of the widely hailed roots album will include a Springsteen original titled "American Land" that he debuted towards the end of this summer's North American tour. The disc also features covers of Blind Alfred Reed's "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live" and Pete Seeger's "Bring 'Em Home" with modified lyrics by Springsteen, as well as "Buffalo Gals" and "How Can I Keep From Singing." The last two were previously only available on the DVD side of the original DualDisc edition that was released on April 25.

Springsteen diehards may also be interested in picking up A Good Life, the new album from his blues-rockin' buddy, Joe Grushecky. The Boss guests on three songs on the record, which will be out on August 15.
(read full story)

That's as close to rock and roll as we can get in 2006. Turn up the Telecaster.
Call your local radio station (do we all still have one?) and request some new Bottle Rockets - bet they don't know what the hell you are talking about. Make it a learning experience for them. ...Bitches.
Rob

American Rock Notebook: Seger audio interview

2006-07-18T01:20:00.000-04:00

New album from Bob Seger coming September 12th. Tour too, if Bob thinks rehearsals go well. First single "Wait for Me" is getting country(!) radio play. Here is 13-minute interview from Bob on Detroit classic rock station WCSX.

Johnny Cash's American V disc was the #1 album on the Billboard chart in the first week of release last week (second week of July)...sold 88,000 copies. Cash- appreciated, but not fully respected until it was too late. His final single released while he was still living ("Hurt") hit #58 on the country chart when it was released, and then dropped off. Now radio is playing some of his new stuff. Fine. Should have been all along, instead of a Jessica Andrews song. Or in-addition-to would have been fine with me.

Todd Snider is at Broad Ripple's Street Fest on July 22nd...set from 8:30p-10p. The Elms, the Seymour band who have a marvelous new release on major label Universal South called "The Chess Hotel", play a 5:30 set.

Much love from the Rusty Bladen band coming soon...check out the schedule page at rustybladen.com. Band shows abound in August and September, in addition to the solo gigs. And back in Seymour for the WJAA Bustock in August too.

New Bladen Promo Video Online

2006-06-24T02:20:00.000-04:00

A new Rusty Bladen solo promo video is now online at rustybladen.com. The video promotes Rusty's live show and is a fun piece that fans will get into, and will also be used as part of Bladen's promo package to venues and bookers.

Fan Challenge: Know a club owner or a venue that would be a good spot for a Rusty Bladen show? Use the new video (and the website for more info - there an electronic press kit on the site) and take the lead in getting Rusty booked for a show at a new club. We will award $25 cash and two official RB concert t-shirts to every lead that results in a booking. Get the club's interest and tell them to let Rusty know your name when they call Rusty's River Road Records at 812.265.3075.

***

Odds and sods: Aerosmith and Motley Crue will be touring North American arenas this fall, and tickets for many shows are about to go on sale. Saturday (6/24) on-sales are set for the tour's stops in Camden, NJ; Mansfield, MA; Bristow, VA; Tinley Park, IL; East Troy, WI; and Clarkston, MI; while Monday (6/26) on-sales are planned for shows in Holmdel, NJ, and Wantagh, NY.

Watch the new Bruce Springsteen video for "Pay Me My Money Down" recorded on his tour of the US. Always good to see a new Boss video, and his performance on Friday night's (6.23) Late Night with Conan O'Brien was killer. Played the above song as a finale after performing his straight-to-the point new song "Bring 'Em Home".

We told you about Jack Ingram's upcoming song "Love You" in an earlier post. Well, it is out and a video is available online at wsix.com. Watch it here. You can also see an in-studio video interview at hankfm.com. He's gonna be a big thing in country in 2006-07...you watch. I ain't wrong.

That's all. Rock on and spread the buzz about RB.

-R

June Rusty Bladen | Rock News

2006-06-09T01:24:00.000-04:00

latest from rustybladen.com and the world of American Rock:

Rusty had surgery on Tuesday, June 6 to remove much of the remaining plate and screws from his arm that was injured in his tour bus crash in October, 2004. Got a voice mail from him Thursday. He said he is doing well... and feels pretty good. As you will note from the schedule, he has no dates for the June 9/10 weekend, so he can rest. Dates are booked for the remainder of June in some of Rusty's favorite haunts in Southern Indiana. Check the page. And wish him luck in a speedy recovery.

***

Working on a video that was filmed in Indianapolis in May - part hotel room interview, part behind-the-scenes before a show. Will be posted to rustybladen.com when completed, which is expected to be within the next two weeks (sooner if editing can go quicker)

***

Of American Rock note, check out the Bruce Springsteen web video that is on AOL Music - a video for each night of his American Tour, including a stop on May 31 in Indianapolis. Tremendous quality and powerful performance - with 17-piece Seeger Sesions Band he has put together. Here is the link.

OTHER ROCK RUMBLES:
New Cheap Trick album "Rockford" out this week. Live Daily is calling it the best Cheap Trick since 1979's "Dream Police". I heard it. It's really a pretty good release. Powerpop/rock like the good old days. They played a show at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during a rainy qualifications day this year and still had a spark. Good for them, I say... "rolling numbers, rock and rolling , got my KISS records out"....

I saw Guns &Roses show live from Rio online last week. Not good. Blame it on the rust of 15 years off and a band featuring none of GnR's originals, save a still throaty though now cartoonish Axl. Lots of smoke and lights and four guitar players. Didn't feel right or sound particularly good.

New Jack Ingram (country radio) single "Love You" is the best song of the year. Hear it here.

That's all for now. Rock on.
Rob

April update

2006-04-24T13:38:00.000-04:00

Back to the Road in May
After a weekend off and a trip to Florida, Rusty busts back out on April 28 in Bedford, Indiana, at the old haunt Rusty's Place. Classic building and Bedford audiences are always great Rusty fans, so this'll be a good one.

Here's what's on the schedule as it stands on April 24:
MAY
5 Derby Eve - O'Shea's Irish Pub - Louisville, KY - 10p - website - map
6 Lambda Chi Pig Roast - Rose Hulman - Terre Haute, IN
12 Gallaghers II - Indianapolis, IN - 10p - 317.884.3850 - map
20 Time Out Lounge - Batesville, IN - 10p - 812.934.3441 - map
27 Olde Downtown Tavern - Bedford, IN - 10p - 812.275.5507 - map
The website will show any additions: go to www.rustybladen.com

DVD update:
Working on it. Titled "One Live Night".

New Video update:
New projects include behind-the-scenes with Rusty, on the road and on-stage. Stay tuned. Not been taped yet. Currently, in pre-production.

dot com needs:
looking for fan video and pics from early days (1987-1992). Got any in the archives? For upcoming project.
Contact rob@rustybladen.com

DVD Preview Posted; Show reviews/previews

2006-02-01T00:58:00.000-05:00

Catch a sneak peek of the upcoming live DVD release from Rusty Bladen. The rustybladen.com site has added "Down That Road Before" from the DVD and you can watch the complete song free online as of midnight on February 1.

***
In other RB news, a smashing night at the It's All The Buzz club in Columbus on January 28. A small club that was packed with fans that danced and happily rocked during a three-hour performance. He is back there in March. Word from those at the show who contacted us here (you know who you are...) was that Rusty was in top form, and blew the crowd away.

Rusty makes his return to New Washington this weekend (Friday, Feb. 10). See the show at Hoopsters. Show at 10pm. Call the club at 812.293.9002. Map and directions here.

It's a full band Rusty Bladen and the Designated Drivers show at the Electric Lady in Madison, Indiana on Saturday, February 11 at 10pm . Map here. See you there. Club phone number is 812.265.3390.

Email us Rusty news anytime. See a show and want to post a review? Bring it on. We are here for you.

January Update

2006-01-08T00:05:00.000-05:00

For the month of January, Rusty is spending time working on video editing, writing new songs and working on artwork for upcoming online releases. He has a light schedule this month, though the three gigs are going to be rocking, including a new club in Columbus, IN, always a city that has supported Rusty's music.

Here it is...print it and save...
JAN 13 The Beach - Greensburg, IN - 9p - 812.663.5554
JAN 21 Time Out Sports Bar - Batesville, IN - 10p - 812.934.3441
JAN 28 It's All The Buzz - Columbus, IN - 10p - 812.342.6400

VIDEO:
If you haven't seen it yet, log onto rustybladen.com and watch a video pulled from the archives, featuring Rusty with his trio (Vernay on bass and Kevin on drums) live at the Electric Lady in Madison last August. We posted on January 4 and it's the band's version of one of Rusty's favorite's: Todd Snider, with the guys rocking "Allright Guy".

We will continue to pull odds 'n sods from archives, giving our friends who surf to rustybladen.com some stuff that needs to be seen.

Keep rocking.

Bladen news/rock and roll updates

2005-12-05T14:03:00.000-05:00

Rusty Rock News
The road to Christmas (Rusty pulled out "Merry Xmas from the Family" at his shows last week)continues at The Beach in Greensburg this Thursday and a semi-private show at former Mellencamp bass player Toby Meyer's retreat on Saturday, (dubbed Toby's Bar & Grill)...get more info and reserve a spot here. I think there are 30 tickets left.
***

Outstanding show at Gallagher's II on Friday night; Rusty was in great spirits, had wife ANdra with him, and played a show that featured a newer original song called "Cumberland Lake", plus great covers of "Forty" by John Eddie, Shooter Jennings' "4th of July", and a ripping version of Stevie Wonder's "Livin' for the City" .... many more highlights too numerous to mention, but best show I have seen in more than a year.
***

Rusty continues to work on DVD and live CD. We are not rushing anything out and will have something available to tease online soon, and sales to begin after the new year. CD will be released online-only, so get your iTunes figured out.

***
More rock news
Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, and Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers have unveiled plans for a six-week North American tour, following up on a pair of recent, sold-out U.S. showcases. Tour stops include Washington, DC; the Chicago area; Milwaukee; the Phoenix area; Seattle; and Portland, OR.

One of our faves, Keith Urban, announced some February Midwest tour stops, including in Indiana
Feb.1 Evansville, IN - Roberts Stadium
Feb. 10 Rosemont, IL- Allstate Arena
Feb 11 East Lansing, MI - Jack Breslin Arena
Feb 12 Muncie, IN - John E Worthen Arena

October Notes: Benefits and Live Recordings

2005-10-10T01:33:00.000-05:00

We post tonight, marking the one year anniversary of Rusty's tour van accident, which happened last year enroute from a gig in Fort Wayne to Chicago, when he broke two arms, and eventually endured a pair of operations. He made note of the anniversary from the stage at the Gulf Coast Benefit at the Hamilton County Fairground Auditorium show (pictured at right, taken from behind monitor soundboard) on Sunday afternoon (Oct 9).

After an excellent 30-minute set (with included a new song written about coffee "but doesn't have a thing to do with coffee", Rusty announced; and included excellent versions of "Just For Awhile, Red, White and Blue and a set-closing version of Stevie WOnder's "Livin' For The City"), Rusty and roadie Chris hopped into the van to head two + hours home to play a Cancer benefit in Rusty's hometown of Madison, at the Electric Lady club Sunday night.

***

Final audio mixing is 99 percent completed for the DVD/Audio release of the live concert from Scottsburg, recorded in June. We will have a press release in the coming weeks with complete details, but RB fans will be able to purchase the concert in DVD form at some point in the near future, and the audio tracks will be released more quickly, as downloads from iTunes and the major music sites.

Stay tuned for release dates and details.

***

Two shows this week: at The Beach (solo) in Greensburg on Thursday night (9pm start) and a full band show Saturday night at The Olde Downtown Bar in Bedford (10pm start). Details on the schedule page at rustybladen.com

August Update

2005-08-22T01:18:00.000-05:00

Some news to use for August:
Mixing continues on the live tracks from Scottsburg, recorded in late June. Best live recording we have heard from Rusty -- ever. It's clean, it rocks, and listeners can feel the good groove and band vibe.

No final decision yet on release, though online through iTunes, MSN, etc...is what we are still hearing.

For the first taste of the show, rustybladen.com users will see a highlight video. The first project from the audio and video recording from the night is a DVD piece to be used for marketing and promotion of his live show. Could be available in September.

***
Make a Note Dept.
Circle Labor Day weekend for a great Sunday night (September 4) show from Rusty in Madison at the Broadway Hotel/Tavern. Starts at 7pm and the holiday weekend crowd at that joint will be rowdy, playful and fun...just like the show, right?

Classic Video?
rustybladen.com is working on some archival, classic RB footage to go online in September. We have uncovered some great old video, mostly from the 90's, and are formatting some for the website. Mostly bootleg stuff, it is fun, and we promise to keep any of the shaky webcam footage on the editing floor...

rusty mixing video and audio; band show coming up; new CD?

2005-07-09T00:24:00.000-05:00

After a break for the 4th of July holiday and hanging with his family during the Madison Regatta during the time (Rusty parked his tour bus along RV row on the riverbank, and it was a gathering spot for many of Rusty's family and friends), news is now rumbling out of the River Road camp, and there are a couple of things that are a couple bits of news and rumor that Rusty Bladen fans should be interested in hearing.

If you attended the theatre show in Scottsburg on June 24, you saw a video crew and cameras there. What you may not have seen was the audio truck grabbing a 48-track digital recording of the night. The video was shot for promo purposes, and Rusty is going to join the engineers to mix the audio captured.

While we haven't seen or heard any of it yet, it is coming to the interactive world sometime in July. Look for an MP3 on rustybladen.com for download, and we'll see what happens with the audio once it gets mixed. River Road has talked about releasing an MP3-only product on iTunes, etc...this may or may not be that project. And I bet the video leaks out to us too.

***
Is a Christmas album in the works? No promises, but it was talked about last year, and the idea shelved when Rusty had his tour van accident. And it is being talked about again this year. We hear something that is a combination of band and solo, with the "rusty-fied" versions of Christmas classics plus at least one orginal holiday tune. Still only rumors for now....

***
Did You Know Dept?...
You can now download (in .pdf form) the official promotional posters for upcoming shows. Grab the poster file from the website, print off a couple with the ink jet or laser, and take the posters, some tape and staple gun around the area where Rusty is playing. He is in Aurora July 15 and New Washington on July 30. Live close? You know what to do...

That's all. Rock on and keeping logging on.
Rob

video posted to rustybladen.com | new fan bulletin boards

2005-05-28T00:15:00.000-05:00

There is a new fan bulletin board now online at rustybladen.com. Much cleaner and better than the old setup, with none of the annoying pop-ups we were getting with the previous board system we were using. Go there now and post with other fans about your favorite Rusty songs, shows, venues, plus post setlists and show reviews and a bunch more. Or create your own topic.

***
A live video for "Uppacrick" is now online at rustybladen.com. Watch a streaming version of it, or steal the video by right-clicking on the link with your mouse. We don't care. It's free. Excellent video.
***

Memorial weekend concert at Broadway Hotel on Sunday night in downtown Madison. It's an historic bar, and a show that should be good and filled with surprises. Setlist anyone? If you can, post it and/or reviews to the bulletin boards, and we will give you tickets to the June 24 show in Scottsburg at the Scottsburg Jamboree.

Have a great weekend and watch the Indianapolis 500; we like to think it is the best one-day sporting event of the year. And be safe.

Bladen offers free download of new song; returns to the stage May 28, with a live video filming in June

2005-05-13T12:20:00.000-05:00

Fans who log onto rustybladen.com have an opportunity to download a free MP3 of Rusty's brand new song "25 Years" recorded live at the "Madison" movie premiere concert in April, 2005. A full band version featuring Rusty Bladen and the Designated Drivers, it is a very clean soundboard tape. We will have the song available online for two weeks, so get it while you can. The next place you will hear the song is on a new album. We will be adding other music from the concert over the next few weeks, so be ready to download this summer...

***

Rusty continues his recovery from a second surgery to correct more of the injuries suffered in his tour van accident in October, 2004. On May 3, he had part of a bone taken from his hip and placed into his right (strumming) forearm. The surgery was a success, and after a week of pain, Rusty is now shooting for a May 28 return to the stage, at Joe's in Fishers, Indiana on the night before the Indy 500. He will play a special Sunday night show on the 29th at the Broadway Tavern in Madison.

***

Rusty and the band will be filming a live video at the Scott Theatre on the Square in Scottsburg, Inidana on June 24. Stay with the website for details on tickets. We will be offering 100 free soon. Make plans now. You can see more on the homepage at rustybladen.com

"Madison" movie premiere info; Bladen to headline gala party on Main Street

2005-04-06T01:20:00.000-05:00

“Madison” the movie will premiere Sunday, April 17, in Madison
from Madison Courier
The film, which tells a fictionalized account of the true story of Miss Madison’s 1971 season, will be premiered at 5 p.m. at the Ohio Theater and at Great Escapes movie theaters.

A limited number of tickets will be available to the general public after April 12. They will cost $40 each and will be available at the Madison Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, 601 W. First St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Organizers of the event are expecting to seat about 880 moviegoers. Ticket holders will also be able to attend a gala on Main Street, following the premiere.

Actors who are expected to attend the premiere are Jim Caviezel, Jake Lloyd, Bruce Dern, Mark Fauser, Frank Knapp, Chelcie Ross, Brent Briscoe and Paul Dooley.

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
From Roundabout Madison

• The Madison Main Street Program’s “Calendar Committee” is decorating the Gala tent in a black-and-white race flag Regatta theme and throwing a free party on Main Street between Jefferson and Mulberry streets, which will be blocked off to traffic and feature live music by Rusty Bladen. Main Street bars and restaurants are being asked to stay open late. The Madison Regatta Committee plans to sell souvenir buttons at an information booth on Main Street. Main Street Program also will staff an information booth.

• A premiere screening of the movie is set for 5 p.m. Sunday, April 17, shown simultaneously at both Ohio Theatre screens and two screens at the Madison 6 Cinemas on the hilltop, followed by a “Gala” reception on Main Street between Mulberry and West streets. Tickets are limited and cost $40. A total of 880 Gala/Screening tickets will be available but only about 200 will be sold on a first-come, first serve basis to the public after April 12 at the Madison Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. (812) 265-2956 or 1-800-559-2956.

• Madison city officials plan to unveil a granite Hollywood-type star on the sidewalk in front of the Ohio Theatre to commemorate the movie “Madison.” The star is being created and donated by Jim Holt of Madison Monument Co. The unveiling will take place sometime after the premiere weekend and is to be placed next to the existing star for the 1958 movie, “Some Came Running.”

• “Hydroplane Heritage” authors Fred Farley and Ron Harsin will sign their book prior to and after the movie premiere in front of Gifts That Last, 120 E. Main St.

• Several people who worked on the movie as extras are planning an "Extras' Holding Party" from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Tugboat's Eatery on Vaughn Drive. Special drink prices, music, photo displays and an 8 p.m. prize drawing are planned. The restaurant was used as a staging area for extras during the movie's filming. For information, call Annalisa Strickland at (812) 273-2696 or Tugboat's at (812) 273-4180.

• The movie “Madison” is scheduled for a limited national release on April 22. In Madison, the movie will be shown at Great Escape’s Madison 6 Cinema. Tickets are $6.50 adults and $4.50 for children (ages 3-11) and seniors (65-over). Matinees are $4.50 for all ages. The movie will be shown at a later date at the Ohio Theatre unless special arrangements are made to show the film beginning April 22.

official "Madison" movie website

rock and roll hall of fame inductions

2005-03-15T11:04:00.000-05:00

The 20th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Awards were highlighted Monday night by Ireland's U2, which topped a list of inductees that included the Pretenders, the O'Jays, Buddy Guy, and Percy Sledge.

Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders jokingly summed up the event at the Waldorf-Astoria ballroom by saying the score was ''Ohio 2, Ireland 1," since the Pretenders and the O'Jays were both from that Midwestern state.

On a night when The Pretenders, The O'Jays, Percy Sledge and blues legend Buddy Guy received keys to rock's exclusive club, U2 was clearly the star attraction.

"They are the keepers of some of the most beautiful sonic orchestration in rock and roll," said while being inducted by Bruce Springsteen.
read full story

Speaking of the Boss...
New Jersey's Asbury Park Press reports that Bruce Springsteen was rehearsing at Asbury Park's Paramount Theater last week in preparation for a tour supporting his forthcoming album, "Devils & Dust."

After a four-hour rehearsal that reportedly included E Street Band guitarist Nils Lofgren, Springsteen signed some autographs.

Dates for the tour--which Springsteen is expected to embark upon without the E Street Band--are still being finalized, but the new album is due April 26.
See New Album Cover

classic rusty bladen mp3 available FREE online

2005-03-07T14:51:00.000-05:00

Recorded live in the WORX studios in Rusty's hometown of Madison, Indiana, "Don't Blame it on Me" was originally broadcast live in January, 1990. Rusty was the show's musical guest, and played eight songs. At the time, Rusty was still two years away from recording his debut CD Are You Happy Now? and had just recently recorded a full-band studio version of "Don't Blame it On Me" for WORX, and that recording had been getting steady airplay, leading to the appearance you will hear.

The version you can download (size: aprox 4 mb) was recorded during the "Sunday Night Recliner" program that aired 9pm-midnight each Sunday in 1990. It was a program that played a mix of Americana/roots rock tunes and deep album cuts. Rusty is joined in the radio studio by percussionists Berry Burleson and Termie Walters.
GET MP3 AUDIO
Enjoy.

roots rock news/update

2005-03-06T00:41:00.000-05:00

Roots Rock We Like: Reckless Kelly
The five guys in Reckless Kelly have one main goal: "We want to get a bus," says lead singer and principal songwriter Willy Braun. "That's been the main goal of the band since we've started."

There's some elbow nudging among the other four guys until Braun adds one more thing: "Well, eventual world domination is the ultimate goal."

Talking to Reckless Kelly - one of Texas' most popular exports on the national roots-rock club scene -- is a lot like this. First you get a straight answer and then you get a funny answer. Or maybe it's the other way around.

Asked to describe a typical day in the life of the band, Braun says, "We wake up, hit the gym, put in some community service at the church or the local shelter. Giving back, basically. And then we hit church."

Everybody cracks up, but then he gives the real story. "Lately, we've been getting up driving somewhere, doing some radio interviews, go to a soundcheck, grab a bite to eat. Have a few cocktails, do the show and do it all over again."
READ FULL STORY

Black Crowes Reunite
What started out as a handful of getting-to-know-you (again) dates, has grown into a full-blown reunion tour for Southern rockers the Black Crowes.

Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson will take the stage with a number of old bandmates and a few new faces for their first shows since October 2001. Following a previously announced sold-out seven-night residency at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom in March (see "Black Crowes To Reunite — For Five Shows, At Least"), the band will play 24 headlining shows and festivals through a June 11 date at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, with more shows expected to follow, according to a spokesperson for the group.
READ FULL STORY

Funeral Services Set for Son of Carter Family Founders
Funeral services will be held Sunday (March 6) for Joe Dougherty Carter, 78, the last living link to the original Carter Family's historic Bristol Sessions in 1927. The son of A.P. and Sara Carter died Wednesday (March 2) of pancreatic cancer. He was the nephew of Maybelle Addington Carter -- June Carter Cash's mother -- the other founding member of the musical trio.

Tom T. Hall, Marty Stuart and John Carter Cash, son of Johnny and June Carter Cash, will serve as pallbearers during the funeral.

new bladen song debuts; springsteen CD release info

2005-02-16T23:15:00.000-05:00

Rusty Bladen has debuted a new song, titled "25 Years", at his live shows. Though we haven't heard it yet, reports have called it an Americana-type song: some country tinges and a rock and roll heartbeat. Sounds good. Post reports to the guestbook when you hear it, or with any other road reports.

****In other rock news****
Columbia Records will release Bruce Springsteen's new album, 'Devils & Dust,' on April 26, with 12 new Springsteen songs.

'Devils & Dust' Track List
1. Devils & Dust
2. All The Way Home
3. Reno
4. Long Time Comin'
5. Black Cowboys
6. Maria's Bed
7. Silver Palomino
8. Jesus Was an Only Son
9. Leah
10. The Hitter
11. All I'm Thinkin' About
12. Matamoras Banks

'Devils & Dust' was produced by Brendan O'Brien, who first worked with Springsteen on 'The Rising' CD. The new album was recorded at Thrill Hill Recording Studios in Los Angeles and New Jersey (two of Bruce's home studios) with additional engineering at Southern Tracks Recording in Atlanta.

Springsteen is planning a tour to accompany the release of the album. Details will be announced shortly. We hear it will be theaters and either acoustic or a small band show.