Grammy Nominations 2010: Beyonce and Taylor lead the way

   Voting is closed and the results are in! The 2010 Grammy nominations have
officially been announced this past Wednesday night, Dec. 2. Earning a
considerable amount of attention is Taylor Swift, with 8 nominations for her breakthrough album, Fearless. But don’t worry Kanye, Beyonce leads the pack with 10 nominations for her album I Am…Sasha Fierce. The two female singers face competition against each other in the top categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Female Vocal Pop Performance. Also at the forefront of the running are The Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, and Kings of Leon.

   A few surprising contenders appear on the list including The Lonely Island’s “I’m On a Boat”. The SNL parody has been nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Questions also arise at MGMT and Silversun Pickups being nominated for Best New Artist, as both bands have been around for quite some time now with a decent amount of exposure. The Best New Artist category has already faced controversy before, when it was announced that the likely victor Lady Gaga did not qualify for the category this year, with her debut single “Just Dance” already being nominated in 2009.

   The 52nd Grammy Awards airs Jan. 31 on CBS. Click here to see a full list of the nominations.


Kaitlin Southron

December 2009

A Very Lost Gold Christmas

            It’s that time of the year again! The air is growing colder, city streets line with extra lights, and the shopping malls suddenly fill up with crowds of people. Yes, the holiday season is fast approaching and Lost Gold is getting in the spirit! What better way to get in the mood than to listen to Christmas music?

            Lost Gold hosts a variety of artists who have over the years recorded their own Christmas albums. Of course there is Bing Crosby's classic “White Christmas”, but there are also some rising names to check out as well. Todd Taylor covers favorite Christmas tunes and adds a country twist in his album A Christmas Card. Other Christmas albums that add a country flair come from Art Buchanan, Bob Copeland, Kelsey, and Ken Johnson. There’s also Dan Desantis’ A Celtic Christmas, and Charlie Miller’s Christmas Collections Volumes 1, 2, and 3 that will be sure to get anyone in the Christmas spirit.

            If you’re a strong proponent of the holiday season not starting until after Thanksgiving, well no worries. Bob Gallo’s Song of Harvest and Thanksgiving gets in the spirit as well and acknowledges this special holiday.   

Kaitlin Southron

November 2009

Congress Honors Country Music

            A new resolution has just been passed by Washington D.C. this recent week. This new resolution has nothing to do with healthcare, the war, or the economy, but rather country music. Yes, that’s right, Congress has acknowledged the major influence country music has made on American music and our country as whole, by giving it the recognition it deserves.

            Florida Rep. Cliff Steams, who proposed the resolution, states, “Country music traces its roots to the folk tradition of the British Isles and the Celts of central and western Europe. However, here in the United States, early immigrants, as well as African slaves, contributed to a new, distinct style of music that continued to develop through the 18th and 19th centuries…The history of country music is the history of our country.” (CMT) The resolution goes on to mention country music legends Willie Nelson, and Elvis Presley, as well the celebrated Grand Ole Opry and the impact these forces have made.

            It’s hard to deny these assertions when looking at some of the records country artists have broken over the years. Garth Brooks, having sold over 128,000,000 albums, is the top selling solo artist in United States history. (Library of Congress) Taylor Swift is breaking records as we speak, having just earned top honors as the artist with the longest-charting album on Billboard’s Top 200 charts. (Billboard)

            We at Lost Gold Records are very excited about this new declaration, having a great number of country music artists in our catalogue. From big names like Dolly Parton, to rising stars like Todd Taylor, who is currently making his mark in country music today. 

Kaitlin Southron

November 2009

The Grand Ole Opry Commemorates 84 Years

            The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating its 84^th birthday this month. Established in 1925 and starting out as a simple radio broadcast, the Grand Ole Opry has since become one of the most influential forces in country music today.

The building has become a world famous tourist attraction in Nashville, Tenn. Every year, the Opry holds one the biggest shows showcasing some of the most significant country music stars. The likes of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, and Todd Taylor have all performed and made their mark at the Grand Ole Opry.

This October, the Opry continues its tradition with a month long birthday celebration featuring various renowned country musicians performing each day. It’s still not too late to purchase tickets and join in on the festivities! 

Kaitlin Southron

October 2009

Lost Gold Records Podcasts!

          Lost Gold Records has now published our fifth Podcast episode of many to come. Our podcasts are available on our website and on iTunes.

Our Rock Podcast features more contemporary, popular rock songs from Lost Gold Records artists. Listen to Rock Island and Mike Kennedy and Horsepower, bands that have helped to raise the bar for up-and-coming rock artists in the industry. 

Lost Gold Records 3rd Podcast Episode featuring Music News is now available. Check our the Music News Podcast and download it on iTunes for free! You can subscribe to our Podcasts on iTunes or listen to them online.  
Hear exclusive tracks by Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, The Andrews Sisters as well as local artist, Jonathan Miles Freeman.

Lost Gold Records 2nd installment of our Podcast is also available. It is our first V-Disc Podcast! Listen to rare music from the famous Victory Discs!

Or check out our Independence Day Podcast, our first ever, released just in time for the 4th of July celebrations to begin!

"Five Guys Named Moe" Back on Stage

            Five Guys Named Moe, the Tony-nominated Broadway musical featuring the music of Louis Jordan, will be revived back on stage at the Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth, TX.

            Billy Porter, who appeared in the original Broadway cast, is responsible for bringing the act back to stage as he is directing this time around. The cast includes renowned gospel singer Zebulon Ellis as “Big Moe”, Bryan Terrell Clark as “Four-Eyed Moe”, Jesse Nager as “No Moe”, Michael Kilgore as “Eat Moe”, Ron Kellum as “Little Moe”, and Ken Robinson as “No Max”.

            Audiences will be pleased to hear some of Louis Jordan’s greatest hits including, “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby,” “Caldonia,” “Let the Good Times Roll,” and “Knock Me a Kiss.”

            Tickets are now on sale and the show will run from October 20-25. Listen to the tunes that inspired the musical on Louis Jordan's exclusive V-Disc available on Lost Gold Records.

Kaitlin Southron

October 2009

Levon Helm Band Tours with Black Crowes

The Black Crowes are back again on their 2009 tour, “Stuck Inside Utopia”. Touring alongside them is the Levon Helm Band, who opened up for the Crowes just this past month in Boston, New York, and Atlantic City.

The Black Crowes just released their newest album, “Before the Frost…”, on Sept. 1. The band recorded the album at Levon Helm’s own personal studio in Woodstock, NY. It features 11 tracks all performed and recorded live in front of an intimate fan-based audience. It follows up last year’s album, “Warpaint”, which was recorded at Levon Helm’s Woodstock barn as well.

The drummer of the long-standing folk country band, Levon Helm takes pride in his timber-framed home built studio located alongside a forest lake in the Catskill Mountains. For over forty years, Helm has hosted a long list of musicians in his barn studio, including his own band. The Levon Helm Band takes part in a tradition every year called the “Midnight Ramble”, where they set out to play a whole night of music for the fans. They’re set to play their next “Ramble” on Oct. 10. You can purchase tickets for this one night event here, or you can get a taste of the band’s music here.

Kaitlin Southron

September 2009

Eco-Friendly Music

Many bands, concert venues, and festivals seem to be going green lately. Performers are starting to become increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, and fairer treatment of the land and animals on our planet. Companies, bands and concert venues that can be considered “green,” are those that do their best to offset their energy use 100% and to use sustainable products. They are recognizing the impact their tour buses, amps, and spotlights are having on the environment and they are also recognizing the impact of their fans and how they feel about these issues.

            Sustainable festivals include Bonnaroo, TN, Clearwater, NY, and Rothbury, MI. Our local Philadelphia Folk Festival even does its share by recycling aluminum cans, discouraging waste, and using water stations to reduce the use of bottled water. The Rothbury Festival gives priority camping sites to attendees who don’t bring cars, use 100% recycled paper for their posters and tickets, and use solar power for amps and lighting.

            There are also quite a few bands who are trying to reduce the negative impact they can have on the environment and make others aware of their responsibility to live sustainably. Cloud Cult, Barenaked Ladies, Jack Johnson, Thom Yorke of Radiohead, KT Tunstall, Green Day, U2, Pearl Jam and The Roots are just a few of the many bands that are participating in eco-friendly practices. These bands use 100% recycled material for posters and tee-shirts, donate money to charities, plant trees to offset their carbon emissions, support organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council, and take part in many other activities to try and be more environmentally friendly. Some bands even use old jewel cases to distribute their CDs instead of having more made.

            Lost Gold Records is also trying to help reduce waste by going digital with our music catalog to significantly reduce the amount of CDs we produce. When we do have to make a CD, we use stickers instead of shrink-wrap on our jewel cases. Lost Gold Records knows it is important to do the little things like recycling at the office and advertising online instead of using fliers helps to decrease waste. Bands and other members of the music and entertainment industries need to realize the impact we have on the environment by living and entertaining sustainably. 

By Katelyn Petherbridge

September 2009

World's Newest Reggae Icon

 Luciano, Jamaican roots reggae singer, scored his first big hit in 1993 off his debut album “After All” with the single “Shake It Up Tonight”, a cover of the R&B classic by Cheryl Lyn. In that same year it became the number one reggae hit in the United Kingdom.

            Luciano has continued to release hits throughout the 1990s in the reggae variety including “Its Me Again Jah”, “Your World and Mine”, “Lord Give Me Strength”, and “Sweep Over My Soul”. These songs restrain from delving out the usual dancehall beats of the time, and rather commit to relaying a more honest and spiritual message. In 1997, he released the single, “Messenger”, which in turn became his new nickname, or as he is sometimes referred to as “Jah Messenjah”.

Luciano was born on October 20, 1964, in the small rural community of Davey Town, Jamaica. Originally given the name Jepther Washington McClymont, Luciano was the seventh of nine children. As he grew older in the 1980s, Luciano moved to Kingston in hopes of beginning a music career. He fluctuated between recording companies for several years while making a living as an upholsterer. During this time his first producer and mentor, Homer Harris, suggested that he change his given name to give him more of a stage presence.                   

 Luciano continues to release albums today through LionI Records and has received a variety of awards and nominations for his work. In 2001, Luciano’s “A New Day” was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Reggae Album. On October 15, 2007, he received the Jamaican Order of Distinction for his influential role in the reggae music scene.    

In addition to songs of his own, Luciano’s albums also feature a variety of covers of popular artists including Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman”, Cat Stevens’ “Peace Train”, and John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

             In tribute to the recent passing of Michael Jackson, Luciano has released a cover of the single, "We Are The World" under DMusic Records and LionI Records. Through the collaboration of Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, the 1985 hit showcased over 40 popular recording artists of the time in efforts to raise money for hunger and AIDS relief charities in Africa. Luciano has taken this enduring tune and transformed it into his own personal style of a soulful reggae solo.


By Kaitlin Southron
September 2009

Philadelphia Folk Festival is a Hit in 2009

The Philadelphia Folk Festival began in 1962 and is known as the oldest running folk festival in the country. In 2009, even with the excessive heat and sun, the 3-day festival was still as popular as ever.

Popular bands such as The Decemberists, Iron and Wine, The Del McCoury Band and The Derek Trucks Band were at the show this year, bringing fans from all over the area to experience the folk festival.

One folk festival attendee, Troy Byker, was really pleased with the way the festival turned out and enjoyed his first experience at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Byker said that his favorite performers at the festival this year were the Del McCoury Band, a popular bluegrass band, and Caravan of Thieves, an acoustic string band. Byker also thought that The Decemberists performed well and was happy to see lead singer, Colin Meloy, a friend from Troy Byker's college.

The Lewis Brothers were another popular bluegrass band that played at the festival. Fiddle player for the band, Larry Feldman, and friend Eric Bazillian, significant song writer, musician and member of The Hooters are some other artists that attended the festival.

Overall the Festival was a hit and everyone who attended it enjoyed the experience. Mark your calendar for the 49th annual Folk Festival next year from August 20-22, 2010.

And learn more about the Philadelphia Folk Festival at their website.

By Katelyn Petherbridge

August 2009

Duke Ellington’s $150 Cognac is Apparently Not All That Jazz

On August 6^th , 2009 Duke Ellington’s grandson, Edward K. Ellington II, and the Ellington Estate, executed by Paul Ellington, filed a law suit against the makers of Duke Ellington XO Cognac, which was introduced in 2006 by Harbrew Imports, LTD.

The packaging depicts the face and signature of Duke Ellington, a highly influential American Jazz musician and composer. According to the Estate, Harbrew Imports, LTD. did not get permission to use the image or signature of Duke Ellington on the packing or the bottle and Ellington’s Estate commented, saying that they “once attempted to negotiate with [the estate] ... but no agreement was ever reached between the parties¹."

According to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac there are three official quality grades of cognac, which are VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Special, Old Pale), and, the highest quality, XO (Extra Old). The Duke Ellington cognac is a 20-year-old XO blend, and is being sold at $150 dollars for a 750ml bottle.

The Estate and family of the late Duke Ellington are suing for all of the profits from sales of the Duke Ellington XO Cognac. Despite the cognac being a limited release, the high price of one small bottle of this elusive cognac may lead to a rather large lawsuit.

Support Duke Ellington and his estate by buying these classic Duke Ellington Tunes.

By Katelyn Petherbridge

August 2009

A Reggae Tribute to Michael Jackson by Luciano

Earlier this summer the world was taken aback by the sudden and tragic death of legendary artist and performer, Michael Jackson. In the past month, as everyone has slowly recovered from the shock of his death, Michael Jackson fans have been searching for and creating ways to honor his memory and keep his music alive for the next generation.

It seems that many artists in the reggae world have sought to give Michael Jackson’s songs new meaning and depth, while honoring the late King of Pop. Among Michael Jackson tribute covers there are Tarrus Riley’s “Human Nature” and Shinehead’s “Billie Jean” as well as Luciano’s “We are the World.”Luciano.  “We are the World,” one of Michael Jackson’s more meaningful songs that he wrote along with Lionel Richie for the USA for Africa Foundation, has been reborn as a reggae tribute to Michael Jackson by renowned reggae artist,

The “We are the World” reggae cover is being released by Dmusic Productions and LionI Recordings and has already begun to cause a stir on YouTube. Fans have left comments saying that this version is “Better than the original!” Michael Jackson’s lyrics easily lend themselves to the humanitarian message of reggae songs, and the smooth, Jamaican style of Luciano’s music seems to take the song even further into its original role of benefiting those in need. DMusic and LionI records will be releasing a t-shirt dedicated to Michael Jackson, and with the purchase of a t-shirt customers will be able to receive two MP3 versions of the song. A portion of the proceeds will also be going to charity in honor of the late King of Pop.

Buy a Michael Jackson Commemorative Tee-Shirt and get 2 MP3s of the reggae version of "We Are the World" free at Bestreggae.com 

By Katelyn Petherbridge
July 29, 2009

Katelyn@dmusic.com