Later this year, a young batch of folksy troubadors will pay tribute to this Nash classic on a tribute album co-executive produced by (((folkYEAH!))) promoter Britt Govea. Govea is working with Nash's daughter on the project, and the crew he's gotten together for the recording is impressive. Artists on board for Nash-athon include Bonny 'Prince' Billy, Vetiver, Devendra Banhart, and Fleet Foxes, according to Govea, who says the Beginners redux record will come out on the Grass Roots Record Co label.
DJ Quik and Kurupt have announced a San Francisco date--June 11 at Ruby Skye--for their official record release for their new collaboration, Blaqkout. The record is said to be Quik's most creative, cutting-edge release to date, and the two will be joined live onstage by a full band, performing album cuts like "9 Times out of Ten" and "Hey Playa (Moroccan Blues)" as well as classics from both artists' catalogues. Just as exciting is the all-local undercard of Trackademicks with Honor Roll, the Kev Choice Ensemble, and DJ Mr. E. This show offers further proof of hip-hop's growing musicality through the use of live musicians in stage shows, which makes for a more interesting---and funkier concert experience--than hearing some rapper yammer over prerecorded backing tracks. $20 presales are here.
Former Rolling Stone scribe Ben-Fong Torres' radio column in the Sunday Chron is usually an easy, breezy read. It tends to mark comings and goings in the commercial radio scene in an industry-friendly way without any in-depth analysis of what current trends in the industry--musical or otherwise--might mean. These past few years, it's been interesting to read Fong-Torres' accounts, which were as notable for what they didn't say as what they did.
Last Sunday, Fong-Torres actually reported some news. Apparently, Clear Channel's revenues are down almost 25 percent, which forced the conglomerate to lay off 500 folks nationwide. Among those layoffs was Sana G., the popular KMEL air personality, who was among a handful of Latina females on commercial radio. Another casualty was Sylvia Chacon, another Latina air personality and one of only two actual DJs on Star 103.
The implications of this move are considerable. It's unfortunate that a once-mighty corporate behemoth like Clear Channel is suffering in the current economic climate. But to axe not just one, but two Latina DJs--in California, no less--adds insult to injury.
