Bob Dylan News

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced that the second season of American Songbook at NJPAC will air beginning January 28th at 8pm on NJTV. The series will also air weekly on THIRTEEN beginning Saturday, March 21 at 1pm (check local listings), and be scheduled on WLIW21 in the spring.

Multiple Grammy award winner as the lead vocalist and songwriter for Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler has released seven solo albums as well as recording Neck And Neck with one of his guitar heroes, Chet Atkins and collaborated with Emmylou Harris on All The Roadrunning. He has created soundtracks for Local Hero and The Princess Bride and is currently working on a new film, Altamira. In addition to producing his own records Knopfler has also produced albums for Bob Dylan and Randy Newman amongst others. He was made an OBE in 1999 and was given the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the Ivor Novellos in 2012.

Pamela Lewis (a.k.a. Champagne Pam), the 2013 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Award winner for "Best Female Vocalist" (for her show Daddy's Little Girl), performed her new solo cabaret show, New York State of Mind: The Songs of Billy Joel, in front of a rowdy, revved-up, packed house at the Metropolitan Room on Friday and Saturday, January 16 and 17. The singer with champagne-colored streaks in her long brown hair, Lewis embodies cool. And hot. She's a brassy chick from Long Island who knows who she is and she wants to party with you. In this show, she celebrates her roots, singing the songs of another Long Islander she grew up loving, first for his tuneful pop melodies and later for his words. It's cool when a woman sings an entire show of songs written by a man, doesn't fear using the "wrong" pronouns, and puts her own spin on them by changing the feel, the tempo, and the arrangements. Pamela Lewis does all that with verve and then some in this show.

Christine Pedi recently took to Facebook to share a tribute to the late radio/TV host Joe Franklin.

Whether he's swingin' like Frank Sinatra or sizzlin' like Jerry Lee Lewis, internationally acclaimed singer/pianist Tony DeSare will thrill The Philly POPS audiences in American Songbook, Then and Now on Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 15. Conducted by Philly POPS Music Director Michael Krajewski, DeSare will perform the great jazz standards from the classic American Songbook and add new standards that bring a contemporary touch to this collection of music. The concerts will take place in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, March 13, at 8 p.m.; and on Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15, at 3 p.m.

As the days dwindled down to a precious few in 2014, a few cabaret goers and performers in what is affectionately but also self-mockingly called the “cabaret community” would sidle up and ask if I was planning my annual end-of-the year “Best Of” column, similar to the “Top 20 Bests and Favorites” piece over the first half of the year I posted back in early July. I would respond in the negative with very reasonable and believable excuses, but the truth is I didn't want to reveal my “Bests” of the year until the voting for the 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards had ended. There's enough baggage and backstage whispering that comes with administering the BWW Awards, so I wasn't about to publish any opinions that might influence the vote while it was in process. I may be crazy but I'm not masochistic. But now all bets are off. You want lists? I'll give you lists.

Minneapolis, MN - Diana Krall, multiple Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist and world-renowned vocalist, will showcase her stunning new album, Wallflower, in an 'evening with' concert at 8 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2015 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis.

Michael Bolton is a multiple Grammy Award-winning Singer/Songwriter who has sold more than 53 million records around the world, where he continues to tour every year. He holds a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is known as 'People Magazine's Sexiest Man' as well as the sensational 'Captain Jack Sparrow' in Saturday Night Live's viral video with 110 million YouTube views. He will perform at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall tonight, January 21 at 8pm.

One of the first - if not the first jukebox musicals, The Buddy Holly Story is short on plot and high on the unique rock and roll music of Buddy Holly. This is my second time seeing the show - I first saw it on its American tour in 1999. The music I grew up with in the 50s is so appealing, that I sing along to every tune and move and groove in my seat from start to finish. If you are of that nature - and it seemed that many in the audience on opening weekend fit the bill - then you will have a really good time at Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre through February 22. Remember, it's enjoyable fare with no need to think, just set your mind to the relax mode!

Currently wowing audiences eight times a week as the sassy and tenacious Cynthia Weil in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Anika Larsen recently released her debut solo album, SING YOU TO SLEEP. Sprinkling in subdued jazz, Anika Larsen invites us to loosen our ties, kick off our shoes, and cuddle up with her gentle crooning as we listen to the deliciously soothing SING ME TO SLEEP.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its nightly performances, January 14 - 25, 2015. Details below!

Acclaimed downtown New York City chanteuse Amanda Thorpe, who recently relocated to Paris, has announced the release of Bewitching Me: The Lyrics of Yip Harburg, a new recording showcasing her reinterpretations of beloved and obscure gems from the legendary American popular song lyricist E.Y. Harburg, including “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?, 'April in Paris,' and 'It's Only a Paper Moon,' among others.

Michael Bolton is a multiple Grammy Award-winning Singer/Songwriter who has sold more than 53 million records around the world, where he continues to tour every year. He holds a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is known as “People Magazine's Sexiest Man” as well as the sensational “Captain Jack Sparrow” in Saturday Night Live's viral video with 110 million YouTube views. He will perform at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Wednesday, January 21 at 8pm.

Originally from New Haven and now a resident of Westport, CT, Bolton continues to tour the world every year while writing, recording and taping for a wide array of music, film, television and theater projects. Known for his soulful voice and poignant lyrics, his timeless style, charm and good looks have also earned him a spot in several “People Magazine's Sexiest Man” issues, including the distinction of 2012's “Sexiest Man Alive”.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its nightly performances over the next couple weeks, January 6 -18. Details below!

SHOWTIME will be available to over 70 million households during a Free Preview Weekend this Friday, January 9 through Sunday, January 11. Viewers nationwide will be able to sample the network's award-winning programming on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME On Demand, SHOWTIME ANYTIME and select distributors' TV Everywhere portals. The Free Preview weekend will include sampling of the season premieres of the hit comedy series SHAMELESS, HOUSE OF LIES and EPISODES, hard-hitting sports programming, as well as feature films, including the television premieres of Philomena and Last Vegas.

Recording artist, songwriter and two-time Grammy Award winner Rita Coolidge will set a romantic tone at her Valentine's show, “Rita Coolidge: A Special Valentine Evening,” at the Suncoast Showroom February 14 and 15.