OK. Let's get it out of the way -- the cutest/oddest thing about Nick's Mega Music Fest are these backstage/VIP passes. I can't decide if they're exclusionary because, y'know, not everybody gets to go backstage, or inclusionary because, y'know, everybody can make one.
In any case, the previously-recorded Mega Music Fest will make its broadcast premiere Labor Day -- Monday, September 6 at 8 PM ET/PT on Nickelodeon.
There were a lot of press clips of the performance available for posting, but unfortunately they're mostly just 30 seconds in length... so here's 30 seconds of the Laurie Berkner Band playing "My Family."
For those of you looking for a little more Laurie time in advance of the show, she'll be part of an online "Mega Music Party" at ParenstConnect on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 11 AM ET.
But there was one clip definitely worth watching even at 30 seconds in length...
Instructional Video: "House Party Time" - Dan Zanes
Dan Zanes continues on his family band promotional endeavors. As noted last month, he's started a series of YouTube music lessons covering his favorite songs. This week, it's "House Party Time," off House Party. As with his other lessons, they're not for the beginner, but even a beginner would appreciate the detailed explanation of what is probably Zanes' most famous family music riff, the bass run from the beginning of the song...
Dan Zanes - "House Party Time" (instruction) [YouTube]
Fresh Freat Beat Band - Season 2 Premieres Next Week
As previously reported, Nick, Jr. greenlighted Season 2 of their show The Fresh Beat Band. And now their "hijinks and high-energy music" (which, y'know, is not a bad description of the show) will be featured in four new Season 2 episodes premiering Monday, Aug. 30 - Thursday, Sept. 2, at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT. And while future episodes promise that the band will "learn and play new styles of music, including Jazz, Conga, Bluegrass and Motown," for now fans will have to be satisfied with these 4 shows.
The Fresh Beat Band - "You Got It" [Posted with permission of Viacom]
PR descriptions of the 4 premiere episodes after the jump. Note: one sentence in each description may be less than totally truthful.Video: "The Little Blue Doggy" - Michelle Campagne
For those of you who think family music's become edgier over time, the following kids' song, written a half-century ago by Canadian songwriter Lionel Daunais features:
1) a locked-up kid-dog,
2) humans in cages,
3) dustmites who eat the title character, and, perhaps worst of all,
4) pipe smoking.
In spite of all this, The Secret Mountain has put together The Little Blue Doggy, a book lovingly illustrated by Marie Lafrance including a CD with songs by Daunais performed by Canadian musician Michelle Campagne and her family. You can get an idea of what you're in for by watching the video below. (Warning: includes pipe smoking.) The Little Blue Doggy is out in October.
Michelle Campagne and Family - "The Little Blue Doggy" [Vimeo]
(Yay for HTML5!)
Live Video: "Sojourner Truth" - Deedle Deedle Dees / Dean Jones
I know, I already mentioned the Elizabeth Mitchell / Frances England release concert for the release of Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti. But the Boston-area show last weekend, featuring The Deedle Deedle Dees (and a bunch of other folks), featured another collaboration -- the aforementioned Dees along with Many Hands creator/producer Dean Jones on trombone for their unrecorded (though couple years-old) tune "Sojourner Truth." Good stuff.
The Deedle Deedle Dees with Dean Jones - "Sojourner Truth" [YouTube]
Following the jump, another tune from the show, a raved-up (relatively) version of a track from the Dees' latest album, plus their contribution to Many Hands
Please Release Me: August 2010 Edition
Updating last month's list of upcoming releases once more...
Matt Clark: Funnier Little Fella (Aug. 28)
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo: Underground Playground (Aug. 31)
Meredith LeVande: What Are the Odds? (Aug. 31)
Bill Harley: The Best Candy in the Whole World (Sept. 14)
"Doc" Dauer and others: The Body Rocks! (Sept. 14)
Oran Etkin: Wake Up Clarinet (Sept. 14)
The Squeegees: Meet the Squeegees (Sept. 21, Target exclusive)
The Boogers: Title TBA (fall)
Jeremy Zmuda: Title TBA (fall)
Laurie Berkner: Let’s Hear it for The Laurie Berkner Band! DVD (Sept. 28)
Elizabeth Mitchell: Sunny Day (Oct. 5)
Jim Cosgrove: Swimming in Noodles (Oct. 5)
Maria Muldaur: Barnyard Dance: Jug Band Music for Kids (Oct. 12)
Flannery Brothers: The New Explorers Club (Oct. 19)
Keller Williams: Kids (Oct. 26)
Caspar Babypants: This Is Fun! (Nov. 2)
Buckwheat Zydeco: Buckwheat Zydeco's Bayou Boogie (Nov. 2)
Frances England: Mind of My Own (Nov. 9)
Jamie Broza: I Want a Dog (Nov. 23)
David Weinstone: Title TBA (November)
Didi Pop: Didi Pop Goes to Hawaii (Dec. 1)
Meredith LeVande: Monkey Monkey Music: The Videos with Meredith LeVande (DVD, Dec. 1)
Gustafer Yellowgold: Gustafer Yellowgold's Infinity Sock (Feb. 22, 2011)
Others working on albums with potential 2010 releases? Lunch Money (Original Friend), Ella Jenkins, Big Don
