Isaac Hayes News

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.

We want the same songs we (or our parents or grandparents, as the case may be) grew up with, every note of the horn arrangements, and the original singer's voices, imparting each smidgen of intonation and pacing that the original singe added to the song. A historical frame for the musical is perfect for catering to that simple but demanding taste: You want to see Otis Redding singing (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay? Fine, we've reached 1967 in the story, so here he is! And damn, doesn't he sound good?

It is always exciting when you sit in a theater to see the world premiere of a new musical. The Arena Stage's Kreeger Theater was a buzz in anticipation of SNOW CHILD which is a co-production with Alaska's Perseverance Theatre. Why Perseverance? Well, Arena Stage's Artistic Director Molly Smith actually grew up in Alaska, returned there after schooling and founded the Perseverance Theatre in Juneau. She served as Artistic Director there for 19 years before coming to Arena Stage. Four years ago, Smith and Perseverance Artistic Director Art Rotch discussed the idea for an adaptation for SNOW CHILD.

Six-time GRAMMY-winning bassist Christian McBride will headline a concert to benefit Luna Stage on Friday, June 1 at the Montclair Women's Club. This jazz luminary will be joined onstage by special guests. The program will include cocktails, dessert, a silent auction and dancing after the concert. Proceeds will support development of Luna's cutting-edge theater productions, classes in local schools, and community programming.

Once again Toby's Dinner Theatre presents top flight entertainment for the entire family.

The intimate, indoor Event Gallery at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will host An Evening with Jimmy Webb on Saturday, November 3 at 8:00 p.m. and Judy Collins: Holiday & Hits on Friday, December 14th at 8:00 p.m. Reserved seating tickets will go on-sale to the general public on Friday, April 20th at 10:00 a.m. at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org.

Selected as one of NPR Tiny Desk Concert Contest's favorite California entries, she recently toured as an opening act for Patrick Sweany (Dan Auerbach, The Black Keys), as well as in Europe with her dear friend Jonah Tolchin (Thousand Mile Night, Clover Lane). Her song 'Glory Be' will be featured in the critically acclaimed film Driver X. 

Neil Diamond To Receive Highest Honor At Songwriters Hall of Fame

You're invited to Light Up Your SOUL Baltimore Center Stage, in conjunction with Light City Baltimore, will host a flashback party celebrating the music of Stax Records and our upcoming produc tion SOUL The Stax Musical.

Sara Bareilles Earns Songwriters Hall of Fame's 2018 Hal David Starlight Award

There's an old Jimmie Rodgers song called “Blue Yodel #1 (T for Texas)” - Waylon Jennings did a wonderful version as well. He sings “T for Texas, T for Tennessee” and injects a heap more honky tonk than the original, in keeping with his native Texas musical heritage. One could easily make the jump that the shared musical language of these two states has coalesced in ways that create family from folks who've just met. Memphis' Sun Studios brought together musicians like Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, while Stax was one of the other original integrated musical stables with Booker T & the MGs, Isaac Hayes and Otis Redding.

Craft Recordings, the Catalog Division of Concord Music, is pleased to announce the release of Stax Singles, Vol. 4: Rarities & The Best Of The Rest, a 6-CD box set that delves deep into the Stax Records archives, and explores the label's efforts to diversify their output.

A live band on hi-tech hyperdrive, EOTO has forged new territory in the electronic dance music movement. Locked and loaded with computers, loopers, midi controllers, routers, software, mixers, and the latest in music technology, multi-instrumentalist Michael Travis and percussionist/vocalist, Jason Hann have sent a speeding bullet through the electronic dance community due to their innovative 100% improvised approach and as a result, their exclusive sound. Not just a haphazard foray into experimental music, the duo starts their musical adventure from scratch (there are no pre-recorded loops, no backing tracks, and no pre-constructed songs in their live production) building each set, note-by-note, beat by beat, live before the audience as each show explodes into a full-scale dance party.

On February 23rd, Craft Recordings will release newly remastered editions of three classic albums from soul icon Isaac Hayes: Hot Buttered Soul, Shaft, and Black Moses. Each LP boasts audio remastered by leading engineer Dave Cooley at Elysian Masters from the original analog tapes and comes housed in a faithfully reproduced package, complete with old-school style tip-on jacket, and in the case of Black Moses, a replica of the legendary, iconic four-foot cross-shaped fold-out image of Isaac as Black Moses.

On February 23rd, Craft Recordings will reissue the definitive version of one of the most ambitious, groundbreaking records in the Stax catalog: The 24-Carat Black Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth.

Superstar songwriters Rafe Van Hoy, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Dale Dodson, Waylon Payne, Don Sampson and Ronnie Bowman will pay tribute to Hank Cochran and Red Lane at 3rd & Lindsley (816 3rd Ave. South) on Wednesday, January 17 to benefit The Hank Cochran Pen Fund. Tickets are $10; doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30. The 501(c)(3) charity focuses its efforts on financially assisting songwriters with cancer.

Craft Recordings, the Catalog Division of Concord Music, is pleased to announce the release of Stax Singles, Vol. 4: Rarities & The Best Of The Rest, a 6-CD box set that delves deep into the Stax Records archives, and explores the label's efforts to diversify their output.

The Natural Four was his group and in his newly released memoirs 'Music Saved My Life, From Darkness Into The Light, My Life As A 70's R&B/Soul Singer' (ISBN: 978-0998795003) he takes us on an intimate trek through his life and times.

A good old school love song can take you on a journey and incite the resurgence of memories long gone. The 1973 hit 'Can This Be Real' is a prime example. The melody was a Top 40 break through on the R&B charts and The Natural Four were the singular force behind the hit. Ollan Christopher Bell, better known at Chris James knows first-hand about song-induced travels. The Natural Four was his group and in his newly released memoirs 'Music Saved My Life, From Darkness Into The Light, My Life As A 70's R&B/Soul Singer' he takes us on an intimate trek through his life and times.