Cleopatra Blues Imprint To Release “A Double Dose Of The Blues” A Star-Studded Collection Of Blues Legends From Both The US & The UK

Cleopatra Blues Imprint To Release “A Double Dose Of The Blues” A Star-Studded Collection Of Blues Legends From Both The US & The UK

Los Angeles - Cleopatra Blues Imprint is releasing a deluxe 2-for-1 package featuring a star-studded tribute to the music of John Lee Hooker (From Clarksdale To Heaven - Remembering John Lee Hooker) and a superb gathering of UK bluesmen (Knights Of The Blues Table)!

“A Double Dose Of The Blues” features Jeff Beck, John Lee Hooker, Gary Moore, Mick Taylor, Jack Bruce, Gary Brooker, Peter Green, Clem Clempson, Johnnie Johnson, Georgie Fame, and lots more plus a special appearance on harmonica by Mick Jagger!

Track List:

DISC 1

1. Zakiya Hooker, Johnnie Johnson & Bobby Murray - I Want To Hug You

2. Jack Bruce & Gary Moore - I’m In The Mood

3. LLC (Leo Lyons, Ric Lee & Vince Converse) - I’m Bad Like Jesse James

4. Jeff Beck - Will The Circle Be Unbroken

5. Gary Brooker & Andy Fairweather-Low - Baby Lee

6. T.S. McPhee & Dick Heckstall-Smith - Ground Hog Blues

7. Mick Taylor & Max Middleton - This Is Hip

8. Peter Green Splinter Group - Crawlin’ King Snake

9. Clem Clempson, Dick Heckstall-Smith & T.S. McPhee - I’m Leaving

10. Gary Brooker & Andy Fairweather-Low - Little Wheel

11. Gregg’s Eggs - The Business

12. Jeff Beck - Hobo Blues

13. Gary Moore & Jack Bruce - It Serves You Right To Suffer

14. John Lee Hooker, Booker T. Jones & Randy California - Red House

DISC 2

1. Jack Bruce & Clem Clempson - Send For Me

2. Georgie Fame - If You Live (Your Time Will Come)

3. Duffy Power - Go Down, Sunshine

4. Chris Jagger feat. Mick Jagger - Racketeer’s Blues

5. Pete Brown, Phil Ryan & Dick Heckstall-Smith - Rocks In My Bed

6. Miller Anderson - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

7. Maggie Bell & Big Jim Sullivan - Blind Man

8. Peter Green & Nigel Watson - Traveling Riverside Blues

9. T.S. McPhee - Drop Down Mama

10. Jack Bruce & Clem Clempson - I've Got News For You

11. Nine Below Zero - Nine Below Zero

12. The Pretty Things - Judgment Day

13. Paul Jones & Otis Grand - Play On Little Girl / T-Bone Shuffle

14. Mick Clarke & Lou Martin - One More Mile To Go

15. Max Middleton & Mick Taylor - You Shook Me

BONUS TRACKS

16. Tom Killner - Midnight Call

17. Eli Cook - Sweet Thang feat. Tinsley Ellis

Buy the CD here: http://flyt.it/DoubleDoseOfBluesCD

Buy the digital version here: http://flyt.it/DoubleDoseOfBluesDigi

Stolen Hearts - Dirty Southern Soul - New Release Review

With it's "get after it" rock beat, Stolen Hearts opens their newest release, Dirty Southern Soul with The Dream, a radio style rocker featuring Pam Taylor on lead vocal and Eric Lovell laying down guitar riffs and Rick Blacwell on bass. Carolina Days, another rocker, this time with Robert Johnson Jr. on lead vocal, backed by Taylor has a John Cougar casualness about it. Do You No Harm has a homier feel with a slight taste of country mixed into the stew. A catchy hook and smooth backing vocals, with acoustic guitar rhythm makes this track an automatic cross radio track. Bluesy, All I Got Left, has a Tampa Red feel and strong lead vocals from Taylor. With Mike Taylor on sax, Kyle Phillips on guitar, Rusty Gilbreath on bass, and LA Freeman on drums, this track is real nice. Jazzy, Werewolves, has a touch of fuzz and a touch of funk giving it a really interesting texture. With Jason Atkins on keys, Andrew Marcadis on drums and Johnson laying down some real nice guitar riffs, this track is clearly influenced by early rock. Very cool! Bring Your Love is an easy paced rocker with a solid cushion of keys from JoJo Star and solid lead acoustic guitar and vocal by Johnson. Taylor shows the clarity of her voice on pop track, My Johnny, a Stevie Nicks like melody, with Joe Miller on guitar, Johnson on mandolin and Taylor on guitar. C'Mon Baby (I Got Your Shoes) has a distinct R&B feel but kept on a light acoustic style not unlike the Rascals. With Johnson on lead vocal and only a minimum of backing vocal, guitar and percussion, this is a real nice track. Ain't No Man has a more country rock feel,not unlike Steven Stills. Maintaining it's light country influence with mandolin and percussion on a rock platform, this track is solid. Boy They Gonna Own Ya has a real nice southern rock swagger but never crosses over into the triple guitar solo lead but instead into slide guitar and harmonica. Very cool. Already Alright is a soulful track featuring Taylor on lead vocal. With only the most basic of self acoustic guitar accompaniment, this is possibly the strongest track on the release. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Etta James' I'd Rather Go Blind. Mike Taylor opens the door wide with a beefy sax solo riding on solid spiritual styled B3 by James Pace. Taylor does a really nice job on what may be considered one of the all time classics of soul music. With Johnson on guitar and Rome Leach really stating the truth on drums, this track is tight and moving. A very nice close to a solid release.

   

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Severn Records artist: Sam Butler - Raise Your Hands - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Raise Your Hands, from former Blind Boys of Alabama guitarist, Sam Butler, and it's exceptional! Opening with spiritual, blues rocker, Heaven's Wall, penned by Bruce Springsteen and it's off the hook. With it's driving guitar mantra, Butler's bluesy vocals and wild pedal steel work by Roosevelt Collier, this is a great opener. Rocker, The Lord has a driving beat compliments of Marco Giovino on drums. Butler shows his chops on this track with an almost Foghat feel! Johnny Cash's Lead Me Father has a great drum rhythm compliments of Giovino and this track is fat. With it's spiritual melody but rock like vamp, and soaring guitar soloing, this track is cool! Eric Clapton's Presence Of The Lord has a really nice redo. I think most everyone on the planet has heard this track and this is such a soulful makeover, with subtle but tasty guitar work and then meaty guitar frenzy, it is almost unrecognizable. Absolutely remarkable! Tom Waits' Gospel Train has a real theatrical feel and a dark overtone. Butler's vocals riding the bass line of Viktor Krauss and Butler's solitary guitar lead is solid. U2 track, Magnificent, is much more appealing to my ears than ever by U2. A solid rock beat and Collier's pedal steel searing the melody from the bottom carries Butler on lead vocal and guitar for what could be the radio track of the release. Very nice! Van Morrison's Full Force Gale, has an ethereal feel with a lot of open sound and a solid drum pattern. Butler gently lays his vocals on the slipstream as they ride along on a cloud of music. Masterful! Lee Ann Womack's All His Saints builds almost like a the soundtrack for a battle. Slowly gaining power as it goes with tom toms, reverb guitar, and Butlers powerful vocals. Nice Cave's God's Hotel is a stripped down rocker with Howlin' Wolf like gravelly vocals by Butler and well balanced rhythm and pedal steel backing. Curtis Mayfield's Wherever You Leadeth is as sweet as soul music gets. I personally think that Mayfield is one of the great masters and Butler does an excellent job on this classic. With his easy interpretation of Mayfield's sound and lush guitar work under the melody, this is one of my favorites tracks on the release. Swampy, Long Black Cadillac, has such a great feel with strong vocals, a rhythm part and great interweaving of bass, guitar, and pedal steel, this track is super. Wrapping the release is Eliza Gilkyson's Sanctuary, a solemn track featuring Butler's soulful vocals guiding nicely presented pedal steel work. Collier does an absolutely terrific job on this track adding to it's already powerful impact. Excellent!

   

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Nov 15 event

BLUES STUDIO FOR SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL MN, September 30, 2015 — Music matters, especially to kids. Music education is a valuable part of any well-rounded education. In an effort to bring music to the lives of children growing up in many communities in MN as well as economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, MN Blues Society’s Blues for Kids program addresses this issue by providing programs to teach children the value and joy of making music.

Joe Filipovich, local musician, music teacher, and chairman of the Blues for Kids program, has created a six-week program to work with two of the jazz bands at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, MN. The program will be conducted from February to April 2016. After this pilot program, Filipovich plans to implement the program in other schools in the Twin Cities and across the state of MN. To ensure the success of the program, Filipovich is holding a fundraiser to raise money and awareness of the program and the MN Blues Society. (501c3  non-profit organization)

The fundraiser will be held on November 15 with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the project. The suggested donation is $10. The "Blues Studio for School," is a six-week workshop that seeks to instill in children a deeper appreciation and awareness of blues music, its history, and influence in contemporary culture. The event will feature live performances by Filipovich’s band, The Blue Cities. Squishy Mud, Armadillo Jump and Joyann & Sweet Tea are also scheduled to perform. In addition to live music, there will be a bake sale, auction and a cash lottery.

Support for the Blues for Kids program can also be shown by contributing to the Kickstarter campaign https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1932846301/blues-for-kids

About Blues Studio

The Blues Studio features the best professional blues musicians in Minnesota. Classes are held once a week with students learning blues scales, chord progressions, improvisation theories and the blue’s history. The class will learn blues songs which they will perform with their band for the public. The students will receive a Blues Studio booklet that includes resources for further blues study and which will help them participate in local blues competitions, and perform onstage at many of the local “open blues jams.”

Upcoming Events

Filipovich isn’t stopping at youth education. He is in the process of creating an annual “Best of MN Blues” compilation CD, featuring many of the best local blues musicians in the state. All of the proceeds for this CD will also go to the MN Blues Society to help fund future projects. He is also creating his “Music in the Parks” series which will host live music, open jams, and youth education classes all free and open to the public.

BLUES STUDIO FOR SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

Sunday, November 15
at 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Minnesota Music Cafe

499 Payne Ave.

St. Paul, MN 55130

Facebook Event Page

https://www.facebook.com/events/1617987871785246/

12:30-1pm Free blues harmonica workshop for kids and free harmonicas

1-2pm Joey Flip and The Blue Cities, featuring Tony Houle, Mike Fugazzi

and open jam with youth blues musicians - www.TheBlueCities.com

2-3pm Squishy Mud www.facebook.com/SquishyMud

Arlo Guthrie Releases New Children's Book "Monsters"

A very young Arlo Guthrie confronts the monsters in his bedroom
with help from his father, Woody Guthrie

Monsters
Arlo Guthrie (author) and Kathy Garren (illustrator)

Hardbound
ISBN 978-0-9961358-2-5
8.25" x 8.25" - 32 pages
Publication date: Nov. 10, 2015
Publisher: Rising Son International
Printed in the USA at a solar-powered plant

Also available for Kindle and iBooks)

"I've said more than a couple of words during my life. Much to my surprise a few of those words have made it into books of quotations. Finally there's an actual story to go along with the quote: You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in." -Arlo Guthrie

Washington, MA -- Tuesday, November 10, 2015 -- Rising Son International announces today the release of author and folksinger Arlo Guthrie's fifth children's book, Monsters. In his latest book for children, Guthrie recounts the tale of seemingly real monsters lurking in and around his bedroom. His descriptive verse is wonderfully captured by longtime friend and illustrator, Kathy Garren (her third collaboration with Guthrie). The tale builds to a climax when Arlo's father, Woody Guthrie, walks into the room and helps his young son understand the nature of monsters, and how to deal with them. The fictional account will leave readers of every age comforted and ready for a good night's rest.

Monsters is available now at Rising Son Records, and for Kindle and iBooks.

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ELROB Records artist: Zora Young & Little Mike and the Tornadoes - Friday Night - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Friday Night, from Zora Young & Little Mike and the Tornadoes and it's got texture! Opening with the dynamic, I've Been A Fool Too Long, Tony O Melio gets a great guitar groove going. With Jim McKaba on organ and piano, Robert Piazza on drums and Brad Vickers, Zora leads the way on vocals for a real nice shuffle track. Slowing down a bit R&B track, A Fool's Lament is really designed to showcase Young's vocals. With Little Mike Marknwitz adding some key harp work and Rick Johnson on sax and Gary Smith on trumpet, this track drips soul. Howlin' Wolf's 44 Blues is up next with strong piano work from McKaba. With strong a Chicago feel, this track is perfect for Young's voice, complimented nicely by Mike on harp and McKaba on piano. Easy swinging, True Love Is Hard To Find, plays the horns nicely against Young's perfect vocal phrasing. McKaba takes a real nice piano solo on this track as does O Melio. Very nice! Excellent blues track, I Love Chicago, has just that right feel with Vickers and Piazza setting the pace. McKaba lays down another super piano solo leading the way for Little Mike. Melio sets up some really hot guitar riffs of his own making this a well balanced track. With some funky rock in the air, title track, Friday Night hits the ground running. Little Mike gets a real nice opportunity to play some of the tastiest riffs on the release, with Johnson and Smith keeping it moving. McKaba jazzes up the piano a bit and Melio sets the closer. Piano Man Walls' track, Chains Of Love, maintains it's traditional arrangement with Young delivering a deep blues feel. Melio, McKaba and Little Mike each get a swat at the wall, and each hits it deep. Very nice! Little Walter's Just Your Fool and it's shuffle pace gives the release the just right boost to get it rolling. Little Mike and McKaba stretch a bit making this a real nice harp jam. Otis Spann's Country Girl has a nice easy blues saunter. Being a Spann track, McKaba has a ready made spot to show his stuff. Melio hits a particularly nice stretch of guitar on this track giving extra spice. It's the bass of Vickers that sets the pace on I'm Good punched by Johnson and Smith. Young leads on vocal giving way to McKaba and a real nice piano solo and ultimately Little Mike who cleans the bases. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Spann's Boogie (Otis Spann) and McKaba is off the hook! Excellent closer for this well done release.

   

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Allen Toussaint has passed - My thoughts and prayers are with his family

MADRID (AP) — Legendary New Orleans pianist, songwriter, producer and performer, Allen Toussaint, who penned or produced such classics as "Working in a Coal Mine" and "Lady Marmalade," has died after suffering a heart attack following a concert he performed in Spain. He was 77. Rescue workers were called to Toussaint's hotel early Tuesday morning and managed to revive him after he suffered a heart attack, Madrid emergency services spokesman Javier Ayuso said. But Toussaint stopped breathing during the ambulance ride to a hospital and efforts to revive him again were unsuccessful, Ayuso said. Toussaint performed Monday night at Madrid's Lara Theater. "He was a legend in the music world," said Quint Davis, who produces the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Toussaint performed there so often — frequently as a headliner — that Davis said he referred to it as his "annual concert." Toussaint was born in New Orleans' Gert Town, a working class neighborhood where he lived in a "shotgun" house — so-called because you could stand at the front door and fire a shotgun through to the other side of the house. He went on to become one of the city's most legendary and celebrated performers and personalities. At first he worked as a producer for the New Orleans-based Minit Records in 1960 before being drafted in the Army for two years. He later went on to create his own recording studio in 1973 with fellow songwriter Marshall Sehorn, called Sea-Saint Studio. There he worked with a succession of musicians including Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Patti LaBelle, the late Joe Cocker and Elvis Costello. Toussaint has hundreds of hits to his name and received the Recording Academy Trustees Award during the 2009 Grammy Awards. He penned the 1966 Lee Dorsey classic "Working in a Coal Mine" and produced Dr. John's 1973 hit "Right Place, Wrong Time" and 1975's "Lady Marmalade" by the vocal trio Labelle. In 1998, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He's also a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. In 2013 he was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama at a ceremony in Washington. He worked with some of the greatest names in music: Irma Thomas, the Meters, Cocker and the late Ernie K-Doe. Approaching 80, he was still active touring and performing. He had been expected to perform a benefit concert along with longtime friend Paul Simon in New Orleans on Dec. 8 at Le Petit Theatre to raise money for the organization, New Orleans Artists Against Hunger And Homelessness. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 flooded not only his home but his legendary studio, forcing Toussaint to flee to New York. Davis, from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, said during Katrina he also lost most of his manuscripts, his gold records and the often elaborate outfits in which he performed onstage. "You always saw Allen with a coat and tie and wearing sandals," Davis said. In New York, Toussaint focused largely on performing, often taking the stage at Joe's Pub on Lafayette Street in solo concerts. But like many New Orleanians, Toussaint was not able to stay away forever. Nearly eight years after Katrina, Toussaint returned permanently to the city of his birth and so much of his musical inspiration.

   

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Brown Cow Productions artists: The Jimmys - Hot Dish - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Hot Dish from The Jimmys and hot it is! Opening with Lose That Woman, is a Latin influenced number with a swing. Featuring Jimmy Voegeli on keys and lead vocal, this track is hot out of the gate. With John Wartenweiler on bass, Perry Weber on guitar and Mauro Magellan on drums this unit is tight. Mike Bowman on trumpet, Darren Sterud on trumpet, trombone and backing vocal and Pete Ross on sax each add slick riffs of their own even venturing into surf territory with backing vocals from Al Falaschi, Alison Margaret and Faith Ulwelling making this a great opener! I really like You Say You Will which has attitude. With Roy Head style guitar riffs from Weber and Voegeli's rolling piano riffs, pushed over the top by the horn section (The Amateur Horn Stars) this track rocks. R&B style Freight Train has a blend of Wilson Pickett, Al Green and Booket T. You're kidding me ...right? No. This track is super. Solid horn lead and Weber throwing down fluid guitar riffs gives this track a real nice balance. Big swing, I Wonder, gets into big band blues style with excellent vocal and guitar phrasing. The horn section is so tight they almost sound like one fat, powerful instrument. One thing that I feel is lacking in contemporary is trombone soloing. Sterud takes care of that with a stand up blow out with the trumpets pushing him along. Excellent! Funk Schway is really smooth with a great rich horn melody. Weber takes a short guitar of his own and Magellan spices up the bottom. Ross gets his chance at the mic rolling in a real sexy sax solo followed by Voegeli on Hammond. Dig it! Texas style blues track, What Gives has a real nice lope led by Weber. The Amateur Horns fill the place with sound and Voegeli, Falaschi, Margaret and Ulwelling blend vocals nicely and again Sterud gets that fat bone back in front of the mic. These guys have a great formula for balance and know when to kick it. Excellent! Jacqui Juice leads off with a real nice Ronnie Earl style guitar intro and Voegeli comes in on Hammond. Continuing to build with orchestral precision, the horns hit the track and then recede giving the floor to Weber. Ross really swings it on sax getting it squealing more than a couple of times before handing over the floor to Voegeli on Hammond. Reuniting on lead the band takes it home. Very nice! What Chur Doin' has a solid R&B feel with James Brown structured horn work and Weber putting up a stinging guitar solo. Sterud is hitting the trombone again and it sounds great! Sit still... I dare you! Wrecking Ball is a blues based rocker with SRV like guitar riffs over a a solid bottom. Saddest Man highlight Voegeli on lead piano with T-Bone Walker like warmth from Weber. With Voegeli on lead vocal the band falls back giving the solo floor to Weber and Voegeli. Digging into a little dixieland on What My Baby Wants the band gets a real swing going with Ross on clarinet, Sterud on trumpet and trombone, Bowman on trumpet, Wartenweiler on bass, Magellan on drums and Weber on guitar. Great sound. Rockin' boogie, She's Wild, gives Voegeli on piano and Ross on sax the floor in front of a punchy brass section. Tight! Wrapping the release is Freight Train Reprise. Smooth, soulful vocals and warm organ carry the track with nice lead guitar work and crowning brass adding dynamics and a little revival. Excellent completion to a really special release!

   

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Ruf Records artist: Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado - Songs From The Road - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Songs From The Road by Thorbjorn Risager & Black The Tornado and it's terrific! I gotta say I am really looking forward to getting home and reviewing the DVD concert but I am currently on the road so the CD will have to do for now.  Opening with If You Wanna Leave, a solid blues rocker, Risager's vocals are incredible from the first note! Supported by Peter W. Kehl on trumpet, Hans Nybo on Tenor sax, Kasper Wagner on alto sax and Emil Balsgaard on keys this train moves! Risager shares guitar duty with Peter Skjerning and is backed by Lisa Lystam and Ida Bang on vocal giving the track a real fullness. Excellent opener! Paradise has a real nice strut and hot jazz interweave, punctuated by the horn section, Soren Bajgaard on bass and Martin Seidelin on drums. Very nice! Drowning has the flare of a cabaret but Risager's thick, rugged vocals nicely with the trumpet carrier, sax solo and sweet melody. A real nice cover of Big Joe Turner's Baby Please Don't Go has a driving pace with trumpet and flaming guitars. With an almost surf style guitar solo, this track rocks! Too Many Roads has warm slide work under the melody and caressing gospel like vocal backing presenting a rich envelope. Victor Young's China Gate maintains a stately ballad feel, accented by unearthly slide guitar tones. Excellent! Rock n' Roll Ride rolls out on strong tom tom work by Seidelin and great slide guitar but Risager's voice is so strong that he could perform alone! Backed by horn, piano,Lisa and Ida, this track swings. Excellent R&B track, Through the Tears, is such a terrific track to highlight Risager's vocal talent. With slide guitar riffs & tight horn punctuation, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Long Forgotten Track has the of feel a cowboy song but with an easy swing. On My Way is a very rudimentary take on the primitive blues. With only bass, percussion, and basic piano, Risager and his slide deliver the word. Very nice! Rocker, All I Want, in contrast, is full out driving with backing vocals and horns. Risager and Skjerning get into a nice guitar duel on the track showing real pyrotechnics. High Rolling is a strong rocker with a Keith Richards basis. Risager's dominent vocal style and Balsgaard's organ work is nicely carried by Bang & Lystan on background vocal. Risager throws down a few good guitar riffs. Seidelin's drum work is particularly effective on this track punched up by Kehl, Nybo and Wagner. Classic, Let The Good Times Roll is a perfect track for this band to start it's wrap up. Risager and Skjerning show their guitar chops delivering the good without stepping on each other and as they peak, Balsgaard on piano, and full horn compliment set the place on fire. Very nice!! Nicely executed, I Won't Let You Down is a softly delivered duet with only the minimal of guitar and instrumentation. Wrapping the release is funky, Opener, with grinding guitar riffs and hot horn solos, supporting background vocals and tight bass and drums. A great closer to a super concert. Can't wait to get home and watch!

   

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”