Isaac Hayes News

Sam & Dave's 1967 hit single “Soul Man'; the classic radio western “Gunsmoke”; Ritchie Valens' groundbreaking 1958 sensation “La Bamba”; the revolutionary 1968 Broadway musical “Hair”; and Neil Diamond's 1969 “Sweet Caroline,” which became a popular sports anthem, are the newest recordings inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today named these and 20 other recordings as aural treasures worthy of preservation because of their cultural, historic and aesthetic importance to the nation's recorded sound heritage.

Lauded jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, accompanied by THE MEMPHIS SOULPHONY, will be bringing her latest show MEMPHIS: YES, I'M READY, based on her latest musical release Memphis: Yes, I'm Ready to The Wallis for one night only March 23, 2019. The most warm and delightful Ms. Bridgewater managed to entertain and enlightened me on the phone for an informative, heartfelt forty-five minutes.

It's the right time to resurrect the 1982 off-Broadway phenomenon LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. It's a catchy little musical that says a lot about greed combined with materialism, and it reminds audiences of how brilliant Howard Ashman and Alan Menken have always been.

The La Jolla Music Society continued its eclectic 50th anniversary season with 'Jazz in the Key of Ellison,' a multimedia concert at the Balboa Theatre featuring music made popular by author Ralph Ellison's favorite artists including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Thelonious Monk. Ellison loved jazz. He often wrote about it, and it plays an important role in Invisible Man, his best known work. Jazz influenced his approach to life. He said, 'The real secret of the game is to make life swing.'

Martin Bandier, Chairman and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, will be awarded the Visionary Leadership Award at the 50th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner slated for Thursday, June 13th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.  

Rip It Up The 60s is unabashed entertainment full of great songs, plenty of dancing and a handful of stars from Strictly.

New Line Cinema's action comedy Shaft will open the 2019 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) on June 12 at the New World Center in Miami. Opening nationwide on June 14, the latest film in the popular franchise is directed by Tim Story (“Ride Along,” “Think Like a Man” franchises) and stars three generations of John Shaft: Samuel L. Jackson (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Glass”), Jessie T. Usher (“Independence Day: Resurgence”) and Richard Roundtree (“What Men Want”); along with Regina Hall (“Girls Trip”). The ABFF runs from June 12-16.

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) proudly announces a world-class musical tribute to Stax legend and Hall of Fame Songwriter, David Porter, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 at 7:30pm. The tribute is set to be conducted by Music Director, Robert Moody.

Red Bull Music Festival Los Angeles (RBMF LA) returns to the City of Angels next Thursday, February 7. Today, additional programming for the ambitious Center Channel film series--taking place at the historic Ukrainian Culture Center from February 8 - 20--has been announced. Tickets for all RBMF LA events are now available via www.redbullmusic.com/los-angeles.

The Cleveland Blues Festival featuring Sir Charles Jones, Pokey Bear, Shirley Brown, Theodis Ealey, Calvin Richardson and Lenny Williams returns to Playhouse Square on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. at the KeyBank State Theatre. Tickets are on sale now and are available at 216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org.

Ari 'Dick' Rubin formed MINKA in Philadelphia six years ago, and while his band has gone through several incarnations, the city's native son has been the one constant, serving as the collective's ringleader and bearded lead vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist - equal parts madcap Hassidic rabbi and whirling dervish holy fool. Today, MINKA announces their new EP, End of the Affair out February 14, 2019, debuting a video for first single 'Sugar & Cream' - watch and share via Youtube.

The Hackensack Main Street Business Alliance and the City of Hackensack are excited to announce the latest group of musical artists to participate in second annual 'PAC the House' series at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC). Tickets for the performances range from $40 to $60.

While Lady Rizo is bidding New York a (temporary) adieu, her latest show, LADY, LADY, LADY, proved she's determined to make the city miss her every single second she's away.

Deborah Allen, the fiery country singer who stole America's hearts with her cross-over smash, “Baby I Lied,” was recently honored by BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) at their Nashville offices.  Deborah was presented with the coveted Million-Air certifications for Janie Fricke's “Don't Worry 'Bout Me, Baby” and John Conlee's “I'm Only In It For The Love” by BMI executive David Preston. A Million-Air Award is given to songwriters, composers, and publishers whose songs accumulate over one million U.S. broadcast performances. The acknowledgement is a mark of praise.

Virtuoso vocalist Zeshan B is widely being recognized as one of the most unique singers to come out of Chicago. He will be at the Marcus Center's Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall for one night only on Saturday, September 15 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee, online at MarcusCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 414-273-7206. Groups 10 or more should call 414-273-7121 x210 or x213. This performance is a collaboration between the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition.

When it comes to soul, Stax Records owned the '60s. Classic records from Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Rufus & Carla Thomas, and a legion of others helped transform what was once known as rhythm 'n' blues into rugged, emotionally bare 'soul' music. This made Stax one of the decade's most influential labels of any genre. It all crescendoed in 1968, a tempest-tossed year when the label redefined its own sound and, in the process, channeled a larger historical zeitgeist.

Five-time Grammy-Award nominated musician and singer/songwriter, GORDON LIGHTFOOT, returns to Minneapolis as part of the BMO Harris Bank Living Legends series at the historic State Theatre (805 Hennepin Ave.) on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The evening of classic hits includes "If You Could Read My Mind," "Carefree Highway," "Sundown", as well as deep cuts for lifelong fans.  He'll also share behind the scenes stories from his legendary 50 year career.

This Summer 2018, the talent performing at New Hope's RRazz Room at The Clarion is a diverse mix of world class artists. There is something for all entertainment tastes at the intimate and comfortable Rrazz Room New Hope, located within the Clarion Inn & Suites. Since opening the Rrazz Room New Hope space in November of 2013, the venue has presented legendary artists who have brought patrons to their feet nightly.

Craft Recordings proudly announces the 50th anniversary of America's greatest rock band, Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was in the summertime half a century ago that CCR, a group that would reach sky-high success while retaining a resolutely rootsy, earthbound sound, released their debut album. This marked the beginning of an incredible legacy that was formed over just four years of unbridled creative output (1968-1972).

I cannot think of a more fitting way to say thank you to Baltimore Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah than attending SOUL THE STAX MUSICAL which runs to June 10, 2018.