SXSW opens Showcase and Panel applications for 2025Registration for SXSW 2025 does not open until August 6th, but the gathering’s community Panel Picker and Music Showcase applications are open now. The next U.S. edition of the SXSW. Continue reading
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Donner Adds New Guitars to Its Seeker Series ElectricsDonner has introduced two new additions to its DST Seeker Series electric guitar lineup: the DST-600 and DST-700. By adding these two new models, Donner's time-tested Seeker Series has reached new heights with a balance of vintage and modern design, providing contemporary players with the ultimate playing experience and versatile tones, from warm blues or clean style to shred-heavy metal sounds.

The DST-600 has an alder body, C-shaped maple neck and comes in either SSS or HSS configurations with a maple or rosewood fretboard. The models featuring the rosewood fretboard come with 22 frets, while the maple fretboard version features 21 frets. Boasting special tuning on each pole piece, the vintage staggered SSS/HSS configured DST-600 gives an authentic 60s sound that is sparkly clean, while providing a rich and smooth tone when pushed with some overdrive. The DST-600, with a trio of alnico V single coils, marks Donner's faithful attempt for the vintage aesthetics while maintaining versatile play capabilities by providing an alternative HSS configured option.

Crafted with several differences from the original Seeker series, the DST-700 is Donner’s bold offering for aggressive players. First, the DST-700 boasts a 5-piece neck made with roasted maple bolted on a basswood or mahogany body, offering supreme stability and aesthetics for shred guitarists. Second, new pickups designed by Donner Lab come in two configurations: HH and HSS with coil switch. These new Donner Lab pickups are designed, made, and tuned for high-output fatter tones, yet deliver tremendous dynamic range.

Finally, the fingerboard utilizes a compound radius of 10"-14" resulting in a neck that achieves an ideal ergonomic equilibrium, suitable for producing both clear melodies and chordal playing, as well as lightning-fast solos played on the higher frets.

Other features include an easily accessible truss rod adjuster that sits next to the neck pickup, allowing players to make adjustments without removing the neck, high-quality hardware, including steel medium frets, Donner 18:1 locking machines, 2-point synchronized tremolo with block saddles, and a steel plate.

Availability:

The Donner DST-600 and DST-700 electric guitars carry suggested retail prices from $429.9 to $499.9, varying from models of different setups, and are available from donnermusic.com and selective retailers.

4 models, including DST-600 in Fiesta Red (SSS) pricing $429 USD, DST-600 in Sunburst (HSS) pricing $439 USD, DST-700 in Natural (HH) pricing $499 USD and DST-700 in Forest Green (HSS) pricing $499 USD, are now available onDonnermusic.com.

For prices and availability of other models please check out more information on www.donnermusic.com or contact your local retailers.The post Donner Adds New Guitars to Its Seeker Series Electrics first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

How the major labels plan to cost Suno and Udio billions (and why it all rests on Michael Bublé)The AI music companies' business model "threatens to eliminate the existing market for licensing sound recordings"
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Live Music grosses break records, but many shows are struggling [Pollstar Mid-Year Report]Live music trade Pollstar’s annual Mid-Year 2024 Report shows a sector with its highest total grosses ever while showing real signs of a slowdown. Overall, the live music industry is. Continue reading
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Is Spotify’s CEO richer than any musician in history?There’s a lot more money to be made in streaming music than there is in creating it. Spotify CEO Daniel EK has an estimated net worth of $4.9 billion dollars.. Continue reading
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How to nurture SuperfansWe’ve all chased that elusive viral moment, but real longevity comes from nurturing your biggest supporters. Here’s how top artists are building long-lasting, direct fan connections. by single.xyz We’ve all. Continue reading
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Create Music Group, at $1 billion valuation, raises $165 million investment roundCreate says money will help fuel growth in scale and its global acquisition strategy
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The Doobie Brothers at the Forum, Los AngelesLegendary rock band the Doobie Brothers played the KIA Forum on Sunday night and it was their first time at that venue in three years. For the first half of the tour, blues legend Robert Cray opened the show, and the second half will see Steve Winwood take over. 

Back in 2019, to celebrate the Doobie Brothers' 50th Anniversary, the group announced a tour with Michael McDonald to take place in 2020 which had been postponed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 also happened to be the year that the Doobie Brothers were finally inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame along with McDonald.

Before the pandemic, they had most recently played the KIA Forum in 2018 with Steely Dan and in 2017 with Chicago. The Doobie Brothers also played Classic West at Dodger Stadium in 2017. The Doobie Brothers have gone through a number of lineup changes over their 50 year history but have always included founding members Tom Johnston (Guitar/Vocals) and Pat Simmons (Guitar/Vocals).

From 1971 to 2016, there had always been two drummers in the group, but in 2016 Ed Toth, who joined in 2005 (Vertical Horizon), became the sole drummer and in 2018, former Allman Brothers percussionist Marc Quinones joined the group.

In the past decade, there was another lineup change when Guy Allison, the group’s keyboardist of nearly 20 years, left the group and former Little Feat. Keyboardist Bill Payne joined from 2015-2021. The Doobie Brothers also include John McFee (guitar/violin/harmonica), who was a member from 1979-1982 and joined again in 1993. 

Bassist John Cowan was a member from 1993-1995 and then again starting in 2010. Since 1998, Marc Russo has been the sax player. McDonald joined in 1975 and in the seven years he was a member until the band split up. In that time the group released four of their biggest selling albums. McDonald had a majorly successful solo career following the end of the group and has appeared with the Doobie Brothers on and off since they reformed in 1987, and this is the longest tour he's had with Johnston and Simmons in around 40 years.  

The Doobie Brothers played a set of 19 songs, full of hits. The Doobie Brothers had over 30 charting singles. A Doobie Brothers show is all about the music and no special effects or guests. The set was all Doobie Brothers songs rather than including songs from McDonald's highly successful solo career. The last time they played the KIA Forum, it took place just a week after the release of their first album in seven years Liberte, but it was their first release with McDonald since One Step Closer (1980) with the exception of Southbound in 2014 which was a duets album of the group’s classics. 

The opening song was “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While).” Other hits included “It Keeps You Runnin’,” “Minute By Minute,” and “Jesus Is Just Alright." McDonald wad featured on songs "Minute By Minute," "What a Fool Believes," and "Takin' It to the Streets." I would call the last seven songs the sing-a-long portion of the show since they spaced out some hits earlier.

Three of those songs made up the encore. McFee delivered an outstanding harmonica solo for “Long Train Runnin’” and also included a drum/percussion solo from Toth and Quinones. Throughout the show, McFee played several instruments including guitar, pedal steel guitar, harmonica, and for “”Black Water” played the fiddle. McDonald played both keyboard and organ. The second to last song of the encore was “Takin’ It to the Streets,” which started with an extended saxophone and keyboard intro between McDonald and Russo. The final song of the evening was a song that can always make people happy, "Listen to the Music.”

The post The Doobie Brothers at the Forum, Los Angeles first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Denis Ladegaillerie’s consortium now owns 94.99% of Believe, as ex-Shazam boss joins company boardFour months after Ladegaillerie launched bid with EQT and TCV, we're nearly at the finish line
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Audius signs licensing deals with ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESACThe artist-centric streaming platform Audius has signed licensing agreements with all four U.S. Performing Rights Organizations (PROs): ASCAP, BMI, GMR, and SESAC. Songwriters whose songs are played on Audius will. Continue reading
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Virgin Music Group, Island sign agreement with Carín León’s Socios Music to release new materialThe first release under the new partnership has already resulted in León’s best first-week album debut to date
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New Spotify subscription tiers unintentionally confirm Music’s ValueAfter raising the price of Premium US subscriptions twice in the last year, Spotify has added new plans with and without audiobooks.....
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Grants are available for Musicians and Artists: How to ApplyFunds are limited, but some grants are available for indie artists and musicians. Keep reading to see how you can get your share.....
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First million hacked Ticketmaster user records released for freeHacker Sp1d3r has made the first 1 million records stolen as part of more than 560 million Ticketmaster user records taken earlier this month by infamous hackers ShinyHunters, available free. Continue reading
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Getting It Done: Last Week in D.I.Y. & Indie MusicLast week, our tips and advice for independent, do-it-yourselfers covered growing a fanbase, Marveille’s secret to millions of Spotify streams, top AI tools, and more.
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