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CONTENTS
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CD RELEASES

CONTESTS

NEWS FLASH

HOUSE OF BLUES RADIO HOUR

ROOTS BLUES AIRPLAY CHARTS

FESTIVALS

Magic Slim & the Teardrops "Anything Can Happen" DVD from Blind Pig Records. Magic Slim is the greatest living proponent of the intense, electrified, Mississippi-to Chicago blues style that spawned much of the music played by modern blues artists and rockers alike. It's no wonder that Magic Slim & The Teardrops, considered by many to be "the last real Chicago blues band," have become one of the busiest and best-loved touring units today. This live recording, taped in 2005 at the Sierra Nevada Brewery, showcases Slim's slashing, vibrato-drenched guitar and mountain-moving vocals, and presents an authentic South Side, back-alley excursion into the true blues. The DVD includes extra selections and an interview.
 

The Blues Music Foundation Announces Major Blues Grants; Nearly $200,000 to be Distributed to Organizations Dedicated to Keeping the Blues Alive
The Blues Music Foundation, a non-profit organization launched during 2003's "Year of the Blues" celebration, is set to distribute this year $195,000 in grants, a foundation spokesperson announced today. The money is to go to organizations and museums that celebrate and preserve the blues, one of America's most important music treasures.

The available money comes from the net proceeds of the "Year of the Blues" kick-off concert, held at Radio City Music Hall in February, 2003, and from CD/DVD royalties of the critically acclaimed 2004 blues documentary, "Lightning in a Bottle", directed by Antoine Fuqua and executive produced by Martin Scorsese.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to distribute funds to blues organizations that are dedicated to keeping the blues a vibrant music form in the 21st century," said Robert Santelli, Executive Director of the Blues Music Foundation and EMP's Artistic Director. "The Blues Music Foundation extends its gratitude to the many great blues artists who played the concert and appeared in the film, and to Martin Scorsese, whose generosity and vision have been the cornerstones of this fund-raising effort."

The Blues Music Foundation is currently accepting applications to underwrite projects that promote blues education, assist organizations with special blues-related needs, and support other worthy blues causes.

Applications and funding criteria are available online at www.EMPlive.org/BMF or by writing to: The Blues Foundation c/o Experience Music Project, 330 Sixth Avenue North, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109. Applications must be postmarked no later than July 31, 2006. Grant winners will be announced in the fall.
 

Bruce Willis joins the ALLMAN BROTHERS Bruce Willis thrilled fans of the ALLMAN BROTHERS in New York on Friday night (24MAR06) when he joined the classic rockers onstage at the city's Beacon Theater. The Die Hard star appeared unannounced at the group's gig to play harmonica on a rendition of blues great Stevie Ray Vaughn's THE SKY IS CRYING. The actor, dressed in oversized jeans and a T-shirt, spent most of the rest of the gig dancing behind the band.

 BOB DYLAN'S XM SHOW DEBUTS IN MAY ON "DEEP TRACKS"    Bob Dylan will host a weekly, hour-long music show exclusively on XM beginning in May on XM's deep album rock channel Deep Tracks (XM Channel 40). The program marks the first time the music legend has ever hosted a radio show. The show features an eclectic mix of music hand-selected by Dylan.  He will offer regular commentary on music and other topics, and interview special guests, including fellow musicians.