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The Blind Boys of Alabama will release their new CD, Duets, on October 27, 2009. This special project features tracks that the Five-Time Grammy winners have recorded with high profile admirers Lou Reed, Bonnie Raitt, Ben Harper, Susan Tedeschi, Randy Travis, Solomon Burke, Marva Wright, Jars of Clay, Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles), Asleep At The Wheel, Dan Zanes and Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals) as well as with fellow Rosebud artists, Charlie Musselwhite and John Hammond. Of the 14 tracks on the compilation, four are from Grammy winning albums, three are from Grammy nominated discs and three songs have never before been released. See The Blind Boys of Alabama live on stage, including shows in Europe and Canada later in the Fall, please see Tour Dates>>
The Blind Boys of Alabama are featured in a new film, Soundtrack For A Revolution, that was shown at the prestigious Cannes and Tribeca Film Festivals. The film focuses on the civil rights movement, using updated renditions of the era's songs performed by musicians including The Blind Boys of Alabama, Angie Stone, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, Richie Havens, The Roots, John Legend and Harry Belafonte. Two-time Oscar and two-time Emmy Award winner Bill Guttentag and partner Dan Sturman wrote and directed the film. The Blind Boys of Alabama were honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award and also won their 5th Grammy for their Down In New Orleans CD in February and they were just honored with two wins at the 2009 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. They continue to tour extensively worldwide, please see tour dates>>
Rosebud Artists could be found performing in a wide variety of formats during the 40th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (April 24 - May 3). Tipitina's also hosted an SRO performance by The Blind Boys of Alabama, joined by special guests The Dirty Dozen, Charlie Musselwhite and Henry Butler... read full story >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama have been honored with wins for each of their nominations in the 2009 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. They won Best Traditional Gospel Recorded Song for "Free At Last" and won Best Traditional Gospel Album for Down In New Orleans, marking their third win in this category since 2003. These wins follow The Blind Boys' 5th Grammy win as well as their 2009 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The 40th Annual Gospel Music Awards were held April 23, 2009 in Nashville and were broadcast live on the Gospel Music Channel. The Blind Boys continue to tour the globe in 2009, please see tour dates>>
Rosebud Artists, Mavis Staples, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Staple Singers and the late John Lee Hooker are featured in the recently released 3 CD set Let Freedom Sing! The Music of the Civil Rights Movement. Highlights include the songs "Free At Last" by The Blind Boys of Alabama, "Down In Mississippi" by Mavis Staples, "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)?" by The Staples Singers and "The Motor City Is Burning" by the late John Lee Hooker. The collection documents music important to the civil rights movement, released from 1939 up through today. "You get the heart, the soul, the sentiment and the struggle of a people," says Public Enemy's Chuck D, a consultant on the project, who also wrote the introduction for the liner notes. A companion documentary DVD originally broadcast on PBS will be released June 2, 2009. Please check the song tracks and video clips at: letfreedomsing.us and imeem.com/letfreedomsing
Grammy Congratulations to Allen Toussaint who was awarded the Grammy Trustees Award, performed on the live TV broadcast and was the featured public interviewee Thursday for the Grammys Legends series! Allen's song "Fortune Teller" is also featured on the Robert Plant / Allison Krauss Raising Sand CD - the big winner at the Grammys this year. The Blind Boys of Alabama were honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award and also won their 5th Grammy for their Down In New Orleans CD. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet were also Grammy winners for their Live CD from the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band joined Allen Toussaint and Lil Wayne on the Grammy telecast. Also nominated for Grammys were Marcia Ball, Bill Frisell and Michael Doucet for his solo CD. Trombone Shorty was featured on Dr. John's Grammy winning City That Care Forgot and James Burton, who performs in Jim Lauderdale's Dream Payers band, shared the Grammy for Best Country Instrumental for Cluster Pluck. In addition, the Grammys Louisiana luncheon featured appearances and performances from The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Allen Toussaint and Michael Doucet. Congratulations All!
Grammy Update: Blind Boys of Alabama To Be Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award, Allen Toussaint To Be Honored With Trustees Award, Trombone Shorty Featured On Grammy Nominated Dr. John Album Four time Grammy Award winners the Blind Boys of Alabama will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. The Blind Boys are also nominated again this year for Best Traditional Gospel Album, for their latest CD, Down in New Orleans featuring fellow Rosebud Artist Allen Toussaint and regular touring partners The Preservation Hall Jazz Band among others. Allen Toussaint himself will be honored at the Grammys with the Trustees Award. The Trustees Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the industry in a non-performing capacity. With a career as a producer, songwriter, arranger, session pianist, and solo artist, Allen Toussaint has become a legend within the recording industry. As a founder of Sansu Enterprises and the Sea-Saint Recording Studio, he has worked with such notable artists as the Band, Paul Simon, Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Raitt and Patti LaBelle. His consistent hit songs and compositions have become one of music's most extensive catalogs, consistently mined for cover material and commercial use. In 1998, Toussaint was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Spring of 2009 will see the release of Allen's new CD on Nonesuch Records featuring guests including Nicholas Payton, Marc Ribot, Brad Mehldau, Joshua Redman, and Don Byron. Trombone Shorty is featured on the Grammy nominated Dr. John CD, City That Care Forgot, that is up for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will be closing out the year with performances on December 30 and 31 at Sullivan Hall in New York City. Following that, Trombone Shorty will be joining Galactic on the Jamcruise and other Florida dates as a special guest. In February he and Orleans Avenue will tour the West coast with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Please see tour dates for The Blind Boys of Alabama >>, Allen Toussaint >> and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue >>.
Rosebud Artists Score 5+ Grammy Nominations Rosebud Artists captured 5+ Grammy nominations for the upcoming 51st Grammy Awards. Artists were honored in the following categories. Best Contemporary Blues Album - Marcia Ball's Peace, Love and BBQ Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album - BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet for Live At The 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as well as Michael Doucet’s own From Now On Best Traditional Gospel Album - The Blind Boys of Alabama for their Down In New Orleans CD which also features Rosebud artist and New Orleans legend, Allen Toussaint Best Jazz Instrumental Album - Bill Frisell’s History, Mystery. Best Long Form Music Video category, Respect Yourself - The Stax Records Story featuring Mavis Staples and Booker T Jones (and named after The Staple Singers’ hit) also scored a nomination. Our heartiest Congratulations and sincere Best of Luck to all the nominees.
The Blind Boys of Alabama are nominated for a 2009 Stellar Award for Quartet of the Year. The 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Show will be held, once again, at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on January 17, 2009. This year's list of nominees includes stars from every genre of Gospel music including Traditional, Contemporary, Urban and Rap/Hip-Hop. The awards show will be co-hosted by comedian Sinbad and Dorinda Clark Cole. The Blind Boys were also invited to guest on the Tavis Smiley radio show during their recent California tour. Jimmy Carter & Ricky McKinnie represented the band on Tavis's show, with air dates to be announced soon. The Blind Boys of Alabama continue to tour extensively worldwide on their own and in the highly successful Down By The Riverside package with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band - please see tour dates >>
Prince spontaneously joined The Blind Boys of Alabama this past Saturday at a showcase performance for their new Down In New Orleans CD at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. Prince showed up unannounced while the Blind Boys were already onstage, asking to join in for a few songs. In fact, band leader Jimmy Carter was performing a song while walking through the audience when Prince jumped onstage and joined in on guitar for one song and on keyboard for a second song before leaving the club and a stunned audience. The Blind Boys of Alabama will be supporting their new CD with touring in North America and Europe throughout this year. ..see tour dates >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama will be featured on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on Friday, February 1 and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Tuesday, March 11. The 4 time Grammy winning gospel legends have just released their new CD, Down In New Orleans, and rave reviews are pouring in. Rolling Stone calls the new CD "A superweapon of roots-music uplift..." and The Washington Post describes it as "Inspired and relevant... borders on the miraculous." The Blind Boys of Alabama are beginning a world tour that will have them busy through 2008 and beyond. - see tour dates >>
Rosebud artists Bettye LaVette and Mavis Staples scored spots in the top 35 of Village Voice's annual "Pazz & Jop Poll" for LaVette’s Scene Of The Crime and Staples’ We'll Never Turn Back. The annual poll combines ballots from 577 critics’ Top 10 lists to acknowledge the best albums of 2007. Additional Rosebud artists whose CDs were honored were Bill Frisell (for his work with Floratone and with Paul Motian and Joe Lovano) Loudon Wainwright III, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ruthie Foster, Pieta Brown, Ann Savoy and the late Muddy Waters. Compilations that featured Rosebud artists were Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur (Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars), Goin Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino (Allen Toussaint, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Trombone Shorty and Marcia Ball) and Song Of America (The Blind Boys of Alabama and Bettye LaVette). See the full list of albums at: Village Voice's annual "Pazz & Jop Poll" >>
The highly anticipated new CD from four-time Grammy winners and gospel Legends, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Down In New Orleans, will be released by Time Life Music on January 29. The CD marks the first time The Blind Boys have ever recorded in New Orleans and on it they are backed by a trio of world class New Orleans musicians: David Torkanowsky (piano), Roland Guerin (bass) and Shannon Powell (drums). Contributing to the New Orleans spirit that prevails throughout the new disc are such esteemed guests as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and Rosebud client Allen Toussaint, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The Hot 8 Brass Band. In support of their new disc, the Blind Boys will tour extensively throughout 2008 and beyond, including a Fall 2008 co-headline tour with Preservation Hall Jazz Band. see tour dates >>
Song of America, a collection of culturally significant songs interpreted by contemporary artists, will be released September 18. This landmark 50 song, 3 CD set features recordings by Rosebud artists Bettye LaVette and The Blind Boys of Alabama, as well as John Mellencamp, The Black Crowes, Martha Wainwright, Devendra Banhart, The Del McCoury Band, Janis Ian, and Kim Richey. The compilation traces the history of our country through new versions of historically essential compositions. Proceeds from sales are to benefit The Center for American Music, National History Day, and Folk Alliance. Song of America (MySpace) >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama will perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Wednesday, December 20th. This will be the third Tonight Show appearance for the group since 2002. The 4 time Grammy winning gospel legends are in the midst of a highly successful West Coast tour, performing their Go Tell It On The Mountain Christmas show to sellout audiences at venues including Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco on December 17th and The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on December 23rd. Worldwide touring will continue for The Blind Boys throughout 2007. Watch their tour dates page for regular updates.
Amazon.com music editors have released their picks for the best releases of the decade (so far) and the list features Rosebud artists The Blind Boys of Alabama, Loudon Wainwright III and John Hammond. The Blind Boys were recognized in both the Popular Music and Christian/Gospel categories for their 2001 release Spirit Of the Century and 2002's Higher Ground, respectively. Loudon Wainwright III's Last Man on Earth (2001) was also recognized in the Popular Music category while John Hammond's collection of Tom Waits songs Wicked Grin (2001) was recognized as one of the best in the Blues Category. In the meantime, Charlie Musselwhite's Delta Hardware has been named one of the best blues CDs of 2006...so far. Be sure to catch live dates with The Blind Boys of Alabama, Loudon Wainwright III, John Hammond and Charlie Musselwhite throughout the year. ...see Rosebud Artists' Tour Dates >> amazon.com: Best of the Decade ... So Far >>
On April 5th The Blind Boys of Alabama took home the Traditional Gospel Album of the Year honor for their current release, Atom Bomb at the 37th annual GMA Music Awards (formerly the Dove Awards) held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. That makes five consecutive albums that have been awarded Grammys and/or GMA Music Awards in the last five years! The Blind Boys are also featured, along with Natalie Merchant, Nick Cave, the Kronos Quartet and others, on Catch That Train! - Dan Zane’s first children's album since his Grammy-nominated House Party. The band joins Dan on a soulful recording of “Welcome Table,” in stores May 16.
The Blind Boys of Alabama will make their second appearance this year on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday, December 22nd. The legendary gospel group performed on the show in February, immediately after their appearance on the worldwide Grammy telecast. The Blind Boys follow The Tonight Show date with a sold out finale of their successful "Go Tell It On The Mountain" Christmas tour at The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on December 23rd. Then it's off to Nashville for a rousing New Year's Eve celebration with The Del McCoury Band. Watch for continued worldwide touring from The Blind Boys throughout 2006. see tour dates >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama, along with Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and the Dixie Hummingbirds are among the artists set to sing the praises of Sam Cooke during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's American Music Masters salute to the quintessential soul man. They'll celebrate Cooke's pop music in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Playhouse Square's State Theatre in Cleveland, OH. Also on the bill are former J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf, Taj Mahal, Cissy Houston, Otis Clay and William Bell. The performances are part of "A Change Is Gonna Come: The Life and Music of Sam Cooke," the 10th annual installment of the Rock Hall's American Music Masters series, presented in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University. Most of those performers will be joined by Lou Rawls for a second show at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at the State Theatre, with the focus on the gospel side of Cooke's career. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's American Music Masters - A Tribute to Sam Cooke >> Playhouse Square Center - A Change is Gonna Come The Life & Music of Sam Cooke >>
Bill Frisell was voted Best Guitarist in the annual critics poll in the current issue (Aug 2005) of Downbeat magazine. Bill also ranks in several other categories including Best Jazz Artist, Best Composer, Best Arranger, Best Electric Group and Best Jazz Album for his 2005 Grammy winning CD Unspeakable. Individual musicians from Bill's various touring bands were also recognized as Jenny Scheinman was voted top Rising Star Violin and Sam Yahel was voted top Rising Star Organ. Brian Blade was also acknowledged in both the Best Drums and Rising Star Drums categories with Ron Miles ranking in Rising Star Trumpet. Rosebud artists Mavis Staples, Bettye LaVette, Charlie Musselwhite, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Duke Robillard also ranked among the best blues artists. Mavis Staples and Bettye LaVette were recognized in the Best Blues Artist and Rising Star Blues Artist categories, respectively. The Best Blues Album category acknowledged Charlie Musselwhite (Sanctuary), Mavis Staples (Have A Little Faith), Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama (There Will Be A Light) and Duke Robillard and Ronnie Earl (The Duke Meets The Earl).
More Blind Boys of Alabama Honors plus Jazz At Lincoln Center Feature Performance On May 5 in New York City, Dan Rather presented The Blind Boys of Alabama with The American Foundation for the Blind's distinguished Helen Keller Personal Achievement Award, presented to individuals and organizations that have improved the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired or disabled. Past recipients include Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and Jose Feliciano. On May 9 in Washington D.C., Her Majesty, Queen Noor of Jordan presented the Blind Boys the First Niarchos Prize for Survivorship. The Landmine Survivors Network awards the prize to an artist whose life's work promotes resiliency and recovery. In addition to the above awards, The Blind Boys and other distinguished artists will help celebrate Jazz at Lincoln Center's annual Spring Gala at the Apollo Theater on June 6. The concert, held at the Apollo Theater, is the centerpiece of Lincoln Center's 4th Annual Spring Gala. In addition to The Blind Boys, the event features The Wynton Marsalis Septet with Lyle Lovett, Robert Downey, Jr., Wynonna Judd, and Tom Jones.
The Blind Boys of Alabama will perform at the 36th Annual NAACP Image Awards, airing March 25 from 8pm to 10pm on FOX. The band will sing the slow blues-cum-gospel song "Faith & Grace," from their new album Atom Bomb on Real World Records. The performance will pay homage to those who passed on in 2004 including Ray Charles, Ossie Davis, Rick James and The Blind Boys' own founding member George Scott who passed away peacefully on 3/8/2005.
George Scott of The Blind Boys of Alabama passed away on peacefully Wednesday (March 9) at his home in Durham, N.C. He was 75. "We're grateful to the Lord for letting us have George for as long as we did," said Blind Boys leader Clarence Fountain, who was one of the last people Scott spoke to before his death. "He and I grew up together and sang together from little boys to old men. George was a great singer, he could sing any part in a song. We loved him and he was one of the 'Boys.' He lived a life of service and now he's gone on to his reward." Though Scott retired from touring last year, he continued to record with the group and will be heard on its new album, Atom Bomb, due Tuesday (March 15) from Real World Records. No changes are planned in the Blind Boys' touring schedule, which picks up again with a March 18 showcase at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday (March 15) at Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Durham. His family has asked that mourners make donations to the American Diabetes Associations or send flowers to the city's Holloway Funeral Home. For more details see George Scott Obituary >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama’s Atom Bomb is set for release March 15. The new CD, features special guests, Los Lobos guitarist, David Hidalgo, Billy Preston, Charlie Musselwhite, and Gift of Gab from Blackalicious. The CD release follows on the heels of the band’s fourth consecutive Grammy win for their collaboration with Ben Harper, There Will Be a Light. The band will follow recent performances on the worldwide Grammy telecast and The Tonight Show with an extensive worldwide tour in support of the new release. - see press release >>.
The Blind Boys of Alabama were honored with a rare 4th consecutive Grammy for their collaboration with Ben Harper, There Will Be a Light . The Blind Boys followed the win with a performance on the Grammy telecast along with Mavis Staples, Kanye West and John Legend. Two nights later the legendary gospel singers appeared on The Tonight Show. The Blind Boys continue their steady pace with another new CD release, Atom Bomb, on March 15 featuring special guests Los Lobos guitarist David Hidalgo, Billy Preston, Charlie Musselwhite and Gift of Gab from Blackalicious. Atom Bomb, their 4th release for Peter Gabriel's Real World Records, will once again be supported by worldwide touring throughout the remainder of 2005 and beyond. - see tour dates.
The Blind Boys of Alabama have been invited to perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Tuesday, February 15. Their appearance on the Tonight show follows Mavis Staples who is featured on the show the preceding night. Both artists will also be featured on the worldwide broadcast of The Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 13. The Blind Boys are nominated for both Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for their collaboration with Ben Harper on There Will Be a Light and for Best Gospel Performance for the title track from that album. The Blind Boys' new CD, Atom Bomb, will be released on March 15.
Mavis Staples and The Blind Boys of Alabama will perform on the 47th annual Grammy Awards telecast at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13. Performing with Mavis and the Blind Boys will be multiple-nominee Kanye West and R&B newcomer John Legend. Staples, as a member of The Staple Singers, is also being honored this year with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She has also received a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance for her collaboration with Dr. John on the song "Lay My Burden Down," from Dr. John’s "N’awlinz Dis Dat Or D’udda," and is the featured artist performing "Hard Times Come Again No More" from the album "Beautiful Dreamer - The Songs of Stephen Foster" which has been nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album. The Blind Boys Of Alabama are nominated for both Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for their collaboration with Ben Harper on "There Will Be a Light" and for Best Gospel Performance for the title track from that album. Catch Mavis Staples and The Blind Boys of Alabama on tour throughout 2005 -- see tour dates.
Rosebud Agency Artists Receive / Collaborators in 8 Grammy Nominations Rosebud artists have once again scored big in the just announced Grammy nominations as they have been honored directly, or as participants in 8 nods spread over the Blues, Gospel, Folk and Alternative categories. The Blind Boys of Alabama follow their back-to-back-to-back Grammy wins with shared nominations for both Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for their collaboration with Ben Harper on There Will Be a Light and for Best Gospel Performance for the title track from that album. Charlie Musselwhite scored his 7th Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album with Sanctuary. Beausoleil’s Gitane Cajun garnered their 10th Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album. Mavis Staples makes an appearance in all three genres. She received a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance for her collaboration with Dr. John on the song "Lay My Burden Down," (which also features The Dirty Dozen Brass Band) from Dr. John’s "N’awlinz Dis Dat Or D’udda," additionally nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Mavis is also the featured artist performing "Hard Times Come Again No More" from the album Beautiful Dreamer - The Songs of Stephen Foster which has been nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album. In addition to backing Mavis and Dr. John (as well as Dr. John, B.B. King and Willie Nelson on another track from the same CD) The Dirty Dozen are also featured on Modest Mouse’s Good News For People Who Love Bad News which scored a nomination for Best Alternative Album. The Grammy Awards will be held on February 15, 2005. more info at Grammy.com >>
Ben Harper/Blind Boys "There Will Be A Light" #1 Gospel CD! After selling over 25,000 units in the US alone in the first two weeks since the release on 9/21/2004, There Will Be A Light featuring Ben Harper and The Blind Boys, remains the #1 selling Gospel CD in the US with a top 100 position on the pop charts for the second consecutive week as well. The much anticipated collaboration is also the #1 selling CD in both France and Italy and was a Top 10 entry in Switzerland, Australia and Portugal's pop charts.
After a history of live performances and studio collaborations, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Ben Harper will release a new studio album on September 21st entitled "There Will Be A Light" (Virgin) which features eleven tracks, mostly Ben Harper originals, but also includes covers of the traditional gospel song “(If I Could Hear My) Mother Pray” and the country folk classic "Satisfied Mind.” Initially, “There Will Be A Light” began as Ben Harper working with the Blind Boys on two songs for the Blind Boys next studio release. However, there was magic in the studio, and the sessions quickly turned into a full-blown collaboration. “They’re one of the musical wonders of the world,” Harper explains. A national television appearance is already confirmed; The Blind Boys will appear with Ben Harper on The Late Show with David Lettermen on October 11.
New York's legendary Apollo Theater welcomes the return of The Gospel At Colonus featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama, opening October 25th, 2004 and running through November 7th, 2004. Marking it's 20th Anniversary, this OBIE Award winning and Pulitzer and Tony Award nominated musical production transforms Sophocles' classic Greek tragedy (Oedipus at Colonus) into a contemporary, foot-stomping gospel masterpiece. The Apollo return also features noted theater, film and television actor Charles. S. Dutton, The Soul Stirrers and several New York choirs. -- see press release.
The Blind Boys of Alabama won their third consecutive Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for this year’s Go Tell It On the Mountain, their first ever holiday CD. The CD features guest vocal appearances by Solomon Burke, George Clinton, Michael Franti, Chrissie Hynde, Shelby Lynne, Les McCann, Meshell Ndegeocello, Aaron Neville, Mavis Staples, and Tom Waits. The win follows on the heels of their previous Grammy honors for their last two CDs, Higher Ground and Spirit Of The Century. The Blind Boys will be on tour throughout 2004 including a performance at the Olympic Games in Athens this summer -- see tour dates.
Rosebud Agency Artists Score Grammy Nominations in Pop, Blues and Gospel Categories Once again this year, Rosebud artists have been nominated for Grammys in a variety of categories. The Blind Boys of Alabama follow their back-to-back Grammy wins with a third consecutive nomination for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for this year’s "Go Tell It On The Mountain". Marcia Ball's "So Many Rivers" is nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Mavis Staples has been nominated for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for her duet with Bob Dylan entitled "Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking". The song appears on the album "Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan" which was also nominated for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. Also, Jay McShann's "Going To Kansas City" (featuring Rosebud artist and previous McShann producer, Duke Robillard, on guitar) was nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album. Deceased long-time Rosebud Agency artists Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Willie Dixon are featured in "The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Volume 1" which was nominated for Best Long Form Music Video. Also nominated in this same category is Muddy Waters who is, of course, the focus of "Muddy Waters, Can't Be Satisfied". A number of artists featured on the Earthjustice benefit CD "Where We Live - Stand For What You Stand On" compiled by Rosebud founder, Mike Kappus, were also among the nominees. Earthjustice contributors Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, and Bob Dylan were all nominated in a variety of categories. The Grammys will be awarded February 8 in Los Angeles.
The Blind Boys of Alabama will appear on NBC's Weekend Today Show on Saturday, September 20 with a live interview and accapella performance at The Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The Blind Boys are promoting their appearance in the Cuba Gooding, Jr. / Beyonce Knowles film "The Fighting Temptations" out Sept. 19, as well as the release of their star-studded Christmas CD, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" which was just released on September 16. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" features guest appearances by Aaron Neville, Tom Waits, Chrissie Hynde (of The Pretenders), Mavis Staples, and many others. Rosebud’s Duke Robillard is also a key member of the studio band for the CD. Catch the Blind Boys foot-stompin' gospel concerts throughout 2003 as well as their "Go Tell It on the Moutain" Christmas Tour this holiday season -- see tour dates.
The Blind Boys of Alabama's "Oh Lord Stand By Me/Marching Up To Zion" and The Staple Singers' (featuring Mavis Staples) "Uncloudy Day" have been ranked #2 and #5 respectively in a listing of the Top 10 Essential Gospel Albums of all time in the July 2003 issue of Mojo Magazine. Also included on the list is gospel great and mentor to Mavis Staples, Mahalia Jackson ("Best of", #4). Mavis can be seen performing her show "A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson", as well as shows with her band performing the hits of The Staple Singers. Look for a new Christmas release from The Blind Boys of Alabama in September as well as live performances from both artists throughout the year.
The Blind Boys of Alabama were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in a ceremony held April 10 at the 34th annual Dove Awards. They also received the Dove Award for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year for their latest release "Higher Ground". The ceremony was carried live on more than 60 radio stations nationwide and featured performances by The Blind Boys of Alabama, Amy Grant with Vince Gill, Sixpence None the Richer and Cece Winans, among others. The Trinity Broadcast Network will re-broadcast the show on April 25 and April 26. Please check your local listings for broadcast times.
The Blind Boys of Alabama won their second consecutive Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for this year’s Higher Ground CD which also features guests Robert Randolph and The Family Band as well as Ben Harper. The win follows on the heels of the Grammy win for their last CD, Spirit Of The Century. The Blind Boys also appeared on Solomon Burke’s Grammy winning CD, Don’t Give Up On Me. Rubén Blades won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album for Mundo, his acclaimed new CD featuring Editus Ensemble, Boca Livre, De Boca en Boca, Eric Rigler, and Luba Mason. The Grammy is the 5th win for Rubén Blades who is also an award winning actor and former presidential candidate in his home country of Panama. Tony Bennet also won the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Album for Playing With My Friends. The title track was co-written by Robert Cray and Dennis Walker.
Rosebud Agency Artists Score Grammy Nominations in World, Folk, Blues and Gospel Categories Once again this year, Rosebud artists have been nominated for Grammys in a variety of categories. Rubén Blades’ Mundo CD has been nominated as Best World Music Album. The Blind Boys of Alabama follow their Grammy win for Spirit of the Century with a nomination for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for this year’s Higher Ground. Charlie Musselwhite’s One Night In America is nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Charlie also contributes a track to Preachin' The Blues: The Music Of Mississippi Fred McDowell which is nominated in the Best Traditional Blues album category. Fiddler’s 4 (Bruce Molsky, Michael Doucet, Darol Anger & Rushad Eggleston) are nominated in the category of Best Traditional Folk Album for their debut eponymous CD. Also nominated in the same category is Evangeline Made produced by Ann Savoy of the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band. Ann performs a track on the CD with Linda Ronstadt as well as one with Savoy Doucet backed by a rhythm section featuring Sonny Landreth on guitar. Also, Tony Bennett's "Playing With My Friends" (the title song was co-written by Robert Cray) was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Album. The Grammys will be awarded February 23 in New York City.
The Blind Boys of Alabama have been nominated for a 2002 NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Gospel Artist". The NAACP Image Awards honor projects and individuals of all races who have helped promote positive images of people of color. The 34th NAACP Image Awards will be held on Saturday, March 8th at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and will air in prime time on the FOX Television Network.
Austin City Limits presents two bands that are taking gospel music to new levels by incorporating elements of modern popular music and traditional hymns for a sound that could make even a non-believer say “Amen!” The Blind Boys of Alabama have been on the gospel music scene for decades, while Robert Randolph & The Family Band are on a newly discovered mission to take the pedal steel guitar sounds of their church services out to the people. Austin City Limits featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama and Robert Randolph & The Family Band airs December 21, 2002 on PBS (check local listings for time and date in your area). Austin City Limits: 12/21/02 Blind Boys of Alabama, The with Robert Randolph & The Family Band >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama’s Higher Ground has just been named the #1 Christian/Gospel Record of The Year by the editors of Amazon.com. The band continues to pile up the accolades as they begin their North American tour in support of Peter Gabriel. See tour schedule. Amazon.com: The 10 Best Christian & Gospel CDs of 2002 >>
Nationally syndicated radio program, E-Town, recently aired segments by JJ Cale and band, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Rosebud founder/owner, Mike Kappus. The features were taped on two separate nights in front of sold out audiences at the Boulder Theatre in mid August. JJ Cale performed with his band and was also joined by host Nick Forrester. The show’s other featured guest, Beth Orton, joined Cale on his classic, “Cajun Moon”. Two nights later, The Blind Boys of Alabama taped their performance. Mike Kappus was interviewed during that show about his environmental commitment and Rosebud’s solar powered office.
Blind Boys of Alabama have been invited to tour on Peter Gabriel’s entire "Growing Up Live" tour. The tour is Gabriel’s first in North America in nearly 10 years and starts November 13 in Chicago and currently runs through December 15 (see tour dates). In addition, the Blind Boys "Amazing Grace" is featured in the upcoming Sigourney Weaver and Anthony LaPaglia film "The Guys".
The new issue of Rolling Stone magazine (Sept 19, 2002 cover) raves about the Blind Boys of Alabama’s Higher Ground as “another stunning set of songs from Alabama’s finest” and that this new set of “funkified gospel is even better than the first”. They further proclaim that The Blind Boys’ version of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” “is actually an improvement on the original”. Watch for the Blind Boys on tour world wide this year. Rolling Stones CD Review / Higher Ground >>
The Blind Boys of Alabama follow their critically and commercially acclaimed Grammy Award winning Spirit of the Century CD with Higher Ground, out August 27, 2002. The record has already won praise in the current Time Magazine with features coming soon on 60 Minutes II, The New York Times, and a performance on David Letterman 11/6. See tour dates for extensive world wide tour plans being updated weekly.
On September 3, Real World Records will release HIGHER GROUND, the new album by The Blind Boys of Alabama. This 12-track collection is founded on an extraordinary pairing of young and old souls. The original Blind Boys - Clarence Fountain, Jimmy Carter and George Scott, all in their seventies - are backed here by pedal steel phenom Robert Randolph and his Family Band. Acclaimed singer and guitarist Ben Harper also contributes to three tracks. The result is an album that is by turns traditional and playful, but always inspired.
The Blind Boys of Alabama Featuring Clarence Fountain are featured on the CNN Entertainment website. The article includes an interview with Clarence Fountain done just before a recent concert at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium. For full article, please check CNN Entertainment 6/30/02: Blind Boys of Alabama: Men on a mission.
The Blind Boys Of Alabama's "Way Down In The Hole" will be the main title theme song for HBO's new series "The Wire". The riveting drama series depicts a world where distinctions between good & evil and crime & punishment are blurred.Ê The show premiered June 2nd at 10pm.
The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain performed on April 13th at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's fundraising dinner entitled, "A Salute to 50 Years of Rock and Roll." The event was hosted by Blind Boys' fan, Drew Carey, and also featured Joan Jett, Gerald Levert, and Ian Hunter. Fresh off their grammy win, the Blind Boys have set an intense schedule touring the US and Europe throughout the year.
The Blind Boys of Alabama, fresh from their Grammy win for their Spirit Of The Century CD, appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on March 6 on NBC.
The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain won this year's Grammy for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for their acclaimed Spirit Of The Century CD. Congratulations also to Rosebud artists John Hammond, David Lindley, and Charlie Musselwhite who played on the CD as well as Rosebud agent Chris Goldsmith who conceived the project and acted as executive producer.
The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain performed at the White House on February 14. The concert was hosted by CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith and also features performances from fellow gospel artists Shirley Caesar, Gaither Vocal Band, Jump5, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jaci Velasquez, Twila Paris, and Yolanda Adams. A one hour version of the concert will air on PAX TV March 5 at 5 and 8 pm ET followed by a two hour presentation on March at 10pm ET.
The Blind Boys of Alabama Triumphs Continue To Pour In - NAACP Image Award Nomination, Grammy Nomination, Featured Collaborations, More Top 10 placings and Award Nominations The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain continue to gain impressive fans, in particular for their Spirit of The Century CD. The group has just been nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist - Traditional - this on the heels of their Grammy nomination. Year End Top 10 placements continue to pour in including topping the list at the Washington Post as well as being #1 Customer's Pick for gospel on Amazon.com and being named named an album of the Year by Wanderlust magazine (UK). Other award nominations include: the Virgin Shortlist Prize for Artistic Achievement, Best of 2001 Editor's Pick on Amazon.com, and BBC3 Awards (UK). Watch for some very special collaborations to be released in 2002 including projects with Lou Reed - on his upcoming album, Poetry, with Ibrahim Ferrer - on his upcoming album produced by Ry Cooder, as well as on Peter Gabriel's upcoming album and a track with Robert Plant for a movie soundtrack! In the meantime, The Blind Boys with The Spirit Band (including Charlie Musselwhite, David Lindley, John Hammond as well as Danny Thompson and Michael Jerome from Richard Thompson's band) just performed a series of shows on the West Coast to sold out ecstatic houses at The Fillmore and UCLA's Royce Hall among others.
Grammy Nomination for The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain were nominated in the Best Traditional Soul category for their acclaimed Spirit of the Century CD. The Spirit of the Century Band also includes Rosebud artists John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite and David Lindley, as well as Richard Thompson rhythm section Danny Thompson and Michael Jerome.
Amazon.com just released their top 100 CDs of 2001 and Loudon Wainwright III's Last Man on Earth was named #13, followed by John Hammond's Wicked Grin at #14, and The Blind Boys of Alabama's Spirit of the Century at #73. All three artists continue to tour heavily behind the new releases.
See The Blind Boys of Alabama on CBS Saturday morning. The Blind Boys continue to score raves worldwide as well as the admiration of their peers.
The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain will appear on David Letterman on May 7 in support of their new CD, Spirit Of The Century. Appearing on the show with the band will be guests from the CD including David Lindley and Charlie Musselwhite as well as Danny Thompson and Michael Jerome (Richard Thompson's rhythm section). Watch for The Blind Boyson tour in North America and Europe.
The April 7, 2001 issue features two major pieces on The Blind Boys of Alabama's new CD, Spirit of The Century. Highlights are a color picture of The Blind Boys and photos and quotes from Peter Gabriel, whose Real World Records is releasing the new CD. An additional piece centers around Tom Petty, who contributes raves about The Blind Boys shows supporting him and The Heartbreakers.
The Blind Boys of Alabama Add More Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Dates Tom Petty added The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain to another 19 dates on his current tour (marking a total of 30 dates for The Blind Boys on the tour). The Blind Boys finale with Petty will be an appearance at The Hollywood Bowl on October 16.
The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain will join Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers for at least six dates on their current tour including stops in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Reno. The Blind Boys supported Petty at Irving Plaza in New York in April and the show went so well the additional shows were planned shortly thereafter.
The Blind Boys Of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain support Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Al Green Legendary High Energy Gospel Stars, The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain recently opened two shows for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at New York's Irving Plaza. They were also featured guests for Al Green's two late May shows at the Beacon Theatre in New York.
The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain, Booker T. Jones and John Hammond make up three fourths of the bill (Billy Boy Arnold rounds out the bill) for the Highway 61 Tour heading to Fine Arts Centers across the country. The Blind Boys will play on the entire tour while Hammond and Jones will perform only through October 26 after which Buddy Guy joins the bill. See Itineraries for specific dates, cities and venues.
New Release from Rosebud artists The James Taylor Quartet, The Blind Boys Of Alabama and Loudon Wainwright III The Rosebud Agency is proud to announce that we now represent legendary blues artist Charles Brown for exclusive worldwide bookings. Charles will celebrate his 75th Birthday this Fall with a Tribute from the San Francisco Jazz Festival as well as a National Endowment For The Arts Heritage Fellowship Award presented by President Clinton. The James Taylor Quartet has just released,Creation, their latest from Hollywood Records. The group is currently on only their second tour of the United States in support of the record. Loudon Wainwright III has just releasedLittle Ship in Europe. He is touring the UK and select Europe dates in support of the CD. Little Ship will be released by Virgin in the US, Canada and "Down Under" in early 1998 with extensive touring to follow. The Blind Boys of Alabama have also just released a new CD, Holdin' On, on the House of Blues label and are touring continuously.
The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain will be singing holiday cheer and gospel on the December 18 Christmas episode of Beverly Hills 90210.
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The Blind Boys of Alabama Release New CD, Duets, October 27, 2009
The Blind Boys of Alabama Featured In Documentary Screening At Cannes & Tribeca Film Festivals
Rosebud Artists Everywhere At New Orleans Jazz Fest
The Blind Boys of Alabama Winners Again With Two 2009 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards
Mavis Staples, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Staple Singers and The Late John Lee Hooker Featured On Civil Rights Box Set
Grammy Congratulations! Allen Toussaint, The Blind Boys of Alabama, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Marcia Ball, Bill Frisell, Trombone Shorty, and James Burton
The Blind Boys of Alabama Nominated for 2009 Stellar Award, Featured on Tavis Smiley Radio Show
Prince Joins The Blind Boys of Alabama Onstage in Hollywood
Blind Boys Featured Guests On Late Night and The Tonight Show
Bettye LaVette, Mavis Staples And More Rosebud Artists Recognized In Village Voice Pazz & Jop Poll
Blind Boys of Alabama's, Down In New Orleans, Out January 29
Song of America, featuring tracks from Bettye LaVette and The Blind Boys of Alabama, out September 18
Blind Boys of Alabama perform on Tonight Show, December 20th
Rosebud Artists Featured on Amazon.com's Best of the Decade (So Far) List
Blind Boys awarded GMA Album of the Year / Featured on new Dan Zane's release
The Blind Boys of Alabama Return Appearance On The Tonight Show
The Blind Boys of Alabama Featured In All Star Tribute to Sam Cooke at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Bill Frisell and other Rosebud Artists Honored in Downbeat Critics Poll
The Blind Boys perform on NAACP Image Awards - March 25 on FOX
LEGENDARY BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA VOCALIST GEORGE SCOTT DIES AT 75
The Blind Boys of Alabama’s Atom Bomb follows fourth consecutive Grammy win
The Blind Boys of Alabama Score 4th Consecutive Grammy!, New CD in March
The Blind Boys on Tonight Show Tue. February 15
Blind Boys of Alabama and Ben Harper Join Forces - Virgin releases "There Will Be A Light" on September 21st.
The Blind Boys of Alabama Rejoin The Award Winning Gospel At Colonus At The Legendary Apollo Theatre!
Congratulations to Grammy Winners The Blind Boys Of Alabama!
The Blind Boys Of Alabama on NBC's Weekend Today Show Sept. 20
The Blind Boys of Alabama and Mavis Staples Included Among Mojo Magazine's Top Ten Essential Gospel Albums
The Blind Boys of Alabama Inducted Into Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Grammy Winners Rubén Blades & The Blind Boys Of Alabama!
The Blind Boys of Alabama on Austin City Limits Dec. 21
Amazon Editors Name The Blind Boys of Alabama #1 Christian/Gospel Record of The Year
E Town Airs Rosebud’s JJ Cale, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Mike Kappus
The Blind Boys of Alabama to Tour With Peter Gabriel. Song In Upcoming Sigourney Weaver Film
Rolling Stone Gives Blind Boys a Four Star Rave
Blind Boys of Alabama’s Higher Ground Welcomed with Extensive Media - Time Magazine, 60 Minutes II, Letterman
The Blind Boys of Alabama's New CD due on September 3 from Real World Records
Blind Boys of Alabama featured on CNN Entertainment Website
The Blind Boys Of Alabama's "Way Down In The Hole" Is Theme For HBO's "The Wire"
The Blind Boys of Alabama featured at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Blind Boys of Alabama perform at White House - Airs On PAX In March
The Blind Boys of Alabama are featured on CBS' Saturday Morning October 20
The Blind Boys of Alabama Letterman Appearance May 7
Billboard Magazine Spotlights The Blind Boys
The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain join Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Tour
Highway 61 Tour features Rosebud Artists, The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain, Booker T. Jones and John Hammond
Brendan, Donna, Kelly...Clarence?