Ben Folds News

Below, get a sneak peek of the all-new season featuring a performance by Minneapolis all-male group Home Free performing Florida Georgia Line's 'Cruise,' courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter!

There's something rather unique about having the opportunity to experience the eclectic nature of the American music scene in a matter of three days.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents American Voices hosted by Renee Fleming, a groundbreaking festival of performances, master sessions, and symposia celebrating the rich diversity of American singing, today, November 22-24, 2013. Curated and hosted by world-renowned American singer Renee Fleming, American Voices will bring together some of the biggest names in vocal music for a genre-spanning, landmark concert with the National Symphony Orchestra.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced that a one-hour documentary about its American Voices festival, a weekend-long celebration of singing curated and hosted by Rene?e Fleming, will be broadcast nationally during a special presentation of THIRTEEN/WNET New York's Great Performances on PBS in 2014. In the documentary, camera crews will follow vocal masters, industry titans, and emerging artists as they gather at the Kennedy Center to celebrate, explore, and debate the legacy, landscape, and future of American singing. A precise airdate will be announced in the coming months.

NBC's "The Sing-Off," hosted by multi-platinum recording artist Nick Lachey, returns for its fourth season Monday, Dec. 9 (9-11 p.m. ET).

Sadie & The Hotheads - fronted by Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Elizabeth McGovern - have teamed up with the revolutionary direct-to-fan music platform PledgeMusic, for the release of their new studio album.

Iconic rock pianist and celebrated performing artist Billy Joel will make his triumphant return to New York City to play his first solo concert in seven years when he rings in the New Year at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. Tickets for the Billy Joel Brooklyn show go on sale this Saturday. A native New Yorker, born in the Bronx and raised in Long Island with grandparents in Flatbush, Joel has celebrated the Empire State in several of his classic songs including 'New York State of Mind,' 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,' 'The Downeaster Alexa' and 'Uptown Girl.' Joel is also one of New York's most decorated performers with 23 Grammy nominations, six Grammy awards and membership in both the Songwriter's and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.

The Elios Charitable Foundation announced today the program and honorees for the highly anticipated 9th Hellenic Charity Ball, to be held tonight, November 2, 2013 at Westin St. Francis on Union Square (335 Powell Street, San Francisco).

Grammy-award winning Rickie Lee Jones will release a new record consisting of original material for the first time in 10 years. For the album, due next year, the legendary artist has chosen PledgeMusic's direct-to-fan platform rather than a traditional label release.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents American Voices hosted by Renee Fleming, a groundbreaking festival of performances, master sessions, and symposia celebrating the rich diversity of American singing, November 22-24, 2013. Curated and hosted by world-renowned American singer Reneee Fleming, American Voices will bring together some of the biggest names in vocal music for a genre-spanning, landmark concert with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Never has there been a city so rich in the history of music that it exudes creativity at every turn. For more than 130 years, Nashville, Tennessee has been known as the world's Music City. Now, in the documentary “For the Love of Music: The Story of Nashville,” the story behind the Nashville music scene is told through the eyes of many of the musicians, songwriters, producers and artists who live and breathe its inspiration, airing SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 (3:00-4:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are thrilled to introduce the celebrity guest artists performing the role of SHAMAN in Jake Thomas' horror experience THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, video art by Sean Gill and directed and choreographed by Around the World in 80 Days' Rachel Klein. In the final scene each night, the SHAMAN with sing a gothed out orchestral version of Nick Cave's 'There is a Kingdom.'

NBC has set Monday, Dec. 9 (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) as the premiere episode of the new season of the holiday series 'The Sing-Off.'

Slash, the iconic, Grammy-winning guitarist will release the soundtrack album for the first-ever motion picture he has co-produced, Nothing Left to Fearexclusively on PledgeMusic, choosing the direct-to-fan platform to further engage with fans on this project.

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are thrilled to introduce the celebrity guest artists performing the role of SHAMAN in Jake Thomas' horror experience THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, video art by Sean Gill and directed and choreographed by Around the World in 80 Days' Rachel Klein. In the final scene each night, the SHAMAN with sing a gothed out orchestral version of Nick Cave's 'There is a Kingdom.'

Redeye has signed a deal with PledgeMusic that will provide the indie distributor's labels with an option to utilize its direct-to-fan platform, offering an innovative way to deliver music to fans. PledgeMusic is providing Redeye with a turnkey, direct-to-fan solution and syndication technologies to set up an album well before its release date by offering fans the opportunity to pledge support for unique merchandise and experiences.

Naxos of America, Inc. is partnering with the Nashville Symphony to provide free online music resources to educators who attend the Symphony's Young People's Concerts. Each year, more than 17,000 public, private and home-school students attend this free concert series at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which combines the thrill of live music with key educational concepts. Participating teachers are provided with downloadable curriculum, lesson plans and other classroom materials designed to enrich in-school learning - all completely free of charge.

Haven Theatre Chicago follows their hit run of Hedwig and the Angry Inch with The Wedding Singer, October 13 - November 17, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Based on the 1998 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, The Wedding Singer is directed by Jess McLeod, music directed by Kory Danielson and choreographed by Jim Beaudry. The production has music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. With its second production, the newly formed Haven Theatre continues to conserve, renew and reinvent theatre traditions while providing ongoing support and mentorship to emerging artists. Preview performances are Sunday, Oct. 13 and Monday, Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 17 - Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. Opening night is Sunday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m, Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Preview tickets are $20 and regular run tickets are $42. Senior tickets are $35 and ndustry/Student tickets are $20. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.theaterwit.org or by calling the box office at 773.975.8150. Industry/Student/Senior prices are $20. For more information, go towww.haventheatrechicago.org.

PledgeMusic continues its expansion with the appointment of industry veteran John Lenac. Based in Los Angeles as Head of Business Development, Lenac will be responsible for leading and expanding PledgeMusic's partnerships with major and indie labels along with a variety of DSPs that cater to music fans.

Naxos of America, Inc. is partnering with the Nashville Symphony to provide free online music resources to educators who attend the Symphony's Young People's Concerts. Each year, more than 17,000 public, private and home-school students attend this free concert series at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which combines the thrill of live music with key educational concepts. Participating teachers are provided with downloadable curriculum, lesson plans and other classroom materials designed to enrich in-school learning - all completely free of charge.