Choosing a Digital Platform for Music Promotion Based on GenreThis post, courtesy of notefornote, talks about the differences between DSPs and why those differences matter for promotion depending on the genre of music you make as an artist.
The post Choosing a Digital Platform for Music Promotion Based on Genre appeared first on Hypebot.

Best of The Band, Robbie Robertson Insomnia, and The Band PhotographsOn December 12, Capitol Records/UMe will release the newly remastered The Best of The Band on vinyl, CD and Super High Material CD. The long out-of-print LP version will be available on standard weight black vinyl, marking the first time it’s been available since the 1980s. Both the CD and SHM CD versions have been mastered for digital format, with the SHM CD utilizing a special polycarbonate material that leads to additional clarity, depth and definition of sound.

At the height of summer of 1976, the sun was setting on The Band. Having ushered in the decade’s folk-rock movement by seamlessly weaving elements of rock, blues, jazz and country, The Band was at its breaking point. Guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson was tired of the road and interested in exploring new musical avenues, pianist Richard Manuel was still recovering from a boating accident, and Garth Hudson, Levon Helm and Rick Danko were all ready to go their separate ways. As the group prepared for their farewell concert, they released The Best of The Band, a retrospective of timeless classics that would influence music for generations to come.

Released on July 16, 1976, The Best of The Band is a precursor to a landmark moment in music history. Having first formed in the 1960s as Ronnie Hawkins’ backing band, The Hawks, the group— Helm (drums, vocals, mandolin), Robertson (guitar, piano, vocals), Danko (bass, vocals, fiddle), Manuel (keyboards, vocals, drums), and Hudson (keyboards, horns)—would back Bob Dylan during his controversial electric “plugged-in” phase.

Rechristening themselves as The Band, the group recorded their landmark debut album, 1968’s Music From Big Pink, featuring “Tears of Rage” and the song that would become the group’s enduring signature, “The Weight.” Drawing from the American roots music panoply of country, blues, R&B, gospel, soul, rockabilly, the honking tenor sax tradition, hymns, funeral dirges, brass band music, folk, and rock 'n' roll, The Band forged their singular sound that would forever change the course of popular music.

The Band followed in 1969 with their masterpiece, their eponymous album, which would go on to be lovingly called The Brown Album for its iconic cover. With classics like “Up On Cripple Creek,” performed in a star-making moment on The Ed Sullivan Show, and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” The Band’s fame skyrocketed and their status was cemented as one of the most respected and exciting bands in years.

Between 1970-76, The Band released four studio albums, including 1970’s Stage Fright (“The Shape I’m In”), 1971’s Cahoots (“Life Is A Carnival”) and 1975’s Northern Lights—Southern Cross (“It Makes No Difference,” “Ophelia”) plus the 1972 live record, Rock Of Ages (“Don’t Do It”), recorded at the Academy Of Music in New York City, until exhaustion and creative differences were too much to handle. They opted to lower the curtain on Thanksgiving 1976 with a performance at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. 

The farewell gala would grow to include performances by friends such as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan. Six weeks before the concert, Robertson reached out to filmmaker Martin Scorcesse to see if he’d film the show for posterity’s sake. The result was The Last Waltz, one of the greatest concert films ever made.

In the decades since their release, both The Last Waltz and The Best of the Band have stood as testaments to The Band’s undeniable place in rock and roll history. In 1994, The Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Though every member has passed on, their legacy endures, and the upcoming The Best of the Band is at once both a perfect primer for those just discovering The Band’s genius and longtime fans eager to have the hits on vinyl once again.

The Best of The Band

Vinyl Track list

Side A

1. Up On Cripple Creek

2. The Shape I'm In

3. The Weight

4. It Makes No Difference

5. Life Is A Carnival

Side B

1. Twilight

2. Don’t Do It

3. Tears Of Rage

4. Stage Fright

5. Ophelia

6 The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

CD Track list

1. Up On Cripple Creek

2. The Shape I'm In

3. The Weight

4. It Makes No Difference

5. Life Is A Carnival

6. Twilight

7. Don’t Do It

8. Tears Of Rage

9. Stage Fright

10. Ophelia

11. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

In other Band news, the sequel to Robbie Robertson’s New York Times bestselling memoir, Testimony, titled Insomnia, will be released November 11 via Penguin Random House. The late rock legend tells the story of his wild ride with Martin Scorsese – as friends, adventure-seekers, and boundary-pushing collaborators.

For four decades, Robertson produced music for Scorsese’s films, a relationship that began when Robertson convinced Scorsese to direct The Last Waltz, the iconic film of the Band’s farewell performance at the Winterland Ballroom on Thanksgiving 1976. Insomnia is an intimate portrait of a creative friendship between two titans of American arts, one that would explore the outer limits of excess and experience before returning to tell the tale.

Elliot Landy is a celebrated music photography artist and writer, who has captured some of the industry’s greatest names. His iconic works include portraits of rock music giants like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Band, Jim Morrison, and many others. As a photojournalist as well, his early career images documented and supported the rising tide of anti-war sentiment and spiritual awakening throughout the United States during the late 1960s. Since 1967 Elliott’s work has been published and exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide. He has published nine books on his photography.

Elliott Landy has announced a second volume of photos that he took of The Band. Ten years after the first edition that had long since sold out, the legendary photographer will publish The Band Photographs: 1968 – 1969 Two-Volume Set. The hardcover title, 12×12 inches, joins the two editions, with a combined 352 pages and nearly 400 photos. The book, via publisher Weldon Owen, arrives November 25, 2025. The title features a foreword by Eric Clapton and an introduction by Bruce Springsteen.

When you picture The Band, you have Landy’s photographs in your mind. He took the legendary photos in their 1968 debut album, Music From Big Pink, and The Band, their self-titled 1969 follow-up.

“I was the only photographer who had access to The Band during that period while living in Woodstock, NY,” he says. “Because we were friends, I had the freedom to hang out and take whatever pictures I wanted. I shot more than 10,000 frames of film of The Band during this period. Of these, fewer than 25 had been published prior to my 2015 book, The Band Photographs 1968-1969, which contained 200 photographs—most of which had never been published before.”

Want more on The Band? May I humbly suggest The Story of The Band From Big Pink to The Last Waltz that was published in 2018 by Sterling/Barnes & Noble. It’s a hardcover coffee table-size book I wrote with fellow author and musician, my brother Kenneth Kubernik.

Robbie Robertson always knew and respected my knowledge of The Band. Over nearly a half a century from 1976-2017 I conducted three extensive interviews with Robertson who praised my understanding of The Band. 

I saw the group in concert eight times, including three Bob Dylan/Band Inglewood Forum shows on the 1974 tour, and attended The Last Waltz as a reporter for Melody Maker. I’m glimpsed in the documentary.

In January 2017 I interviewed Robertson inside his office at The Village Recorders in Westwood, California, upstairs from where the Band and Bob Dylan recorded Planet Waves in 1973 with engineer Rob Fabroni and the live ’74 Bob Dylan and The Band album Before the Flood was mixed.        

During one chat, Robbie discussedcollaborating with Dylan onThe Basement Tapes.

“But we did have the experience with Bob Dylan and in doing The Basement Tapes with the songs that were supposed to be shared with other artists to record. It was because so many people recorded Bob’s songs and we were hooked up together, you thought ‘Oh. That’s part of it.’ And how that struck me I didn’t think about it in writing the songs or making the records that other people would do. This was a very interior thing. This was a thing between the five of us in the band. Something that we had collected over ages and pulled it together and made this gumbo.

“Bob already had such a track record that you thought people are going to be drawn to this. If he put something out there for people to record, people are going to be drawn to this. It just seemed to me that this was something he’s already established.

“Bob was involved in it. Garth was involved in it. Right? And part of it was just in fun. You know, we would record a song like ‘You Ain’t Going Nowhere.’ And Bob would say. ‘Whatta you think. Ferlin Husky? Right?’ And it was half kidding around and half meaning somebody is going to but with the way that he is and the way that he thinks too Bob that he could insist on sending that song to Ferlin Husky first. You know what I mean? Just because he would do something like that. But when we said ‘OK. We’ve got to pull some of these things. We were recording a lot of stuff. We were covering songs and just having fun. And then, every once in a while, there would be an original one in all of this.

“And when we were doing this not with Bob, this was the germs and the idea and the beginning of Music From Big Pink. That was happening kind of in the back room too. So, when we chose those songs to send out, we were choosing what we liked. We were kidding around. I didn’t notice Manfred Mann could do a really great job on ‘The Mighty Quinn.’ I didn’t know that. But we were saying ‘that ‘The Mighty Quinn’ thing has something to it.’”

The Band’s Music From Big Pink was on everybody’s turntable I knew in 1968. Their debut LP wasn’t really an outgrowth from road work with Dylan. Robertson and group members had previously logged some time in recording studios.

“When we hooked up with Bob Dylan it was made clear to Bob and to [our manager] Albert [Grossman], ‘this is a whistle stop for us.’ We are on our own path. We’ll do this in the meantime but we’re going to do our own thing. Right?’ After we did the thing with Bob and he wanted to do more. But he had this accident [in July 1966] and so then, and I say this in my book [Testimony], Albert had no idea what we were or what we could do. No idea. He liked us. He thought it was really interesting what we did with Bob. But he said ‘I think I can get you a deal for doing an album of instrumentals of Bob Dylan songs.’ So, I said, ‘All right. Let me talk to the guys about that.’ (laughs). And I thought, ‘Albert has no idea…’

The Band and Bob on stage. There was a thing that happened between Bob and The Band that when we played together that we would just go into a certain gear automatically. It was like instinctual, like you smelled something in the air, you know, and it made you hungry. (laughs). It was that instinctual.

“When we recorded Music From Big Pink, Albert was astonished by the results of that record. And he so embraced it and made it his own and all that other stuff vanished. He was like ‘I knew it all along.’ It fit so perfectly into his scenario. But we had gone to the edge together. And because we had done all that stuff and The Basement Tapes, and through all of this, still had no idea of what this was going to be when we did it. That was thrilling.”  

This century I’ve interviewed the legendary songwriter and record producer Al Kooper a few different times. Last decade he reminisced about Music From Big Pink.  

“I knew what was happening in 1968 with John Simon producing the debut Blood, Sweat & Tears album and the first Band album and should have had an early glimpse of what was going on,” Kooper admitted. “But at the time I was staying home and not going out.

“John used to call me up, right after the first BS&T album. ‘What are you doing?’ ‘You gotta come down to the studio and hear what he called, Robbie’s album.’ 

“I think John zeroed in on like the leader of The Band in this case.   And John would call me over and over again and say, ‘You gotta come hear Robbie’s record.’ That’s what he called it. And I didn’t know what it was.

“John had an understanding of the singer songwriter. He was an erudite musician. And that was the important thing. That was the thing I learned from him. How to use that in the production of the record.

“And then I heard it when it was finished up at Albert Grossman’s office. I went, ‘Holy shit! This is ridiculous.’ I didn’t think it was gonna be like that. I had no idea what that was gonna be like. Up at Albert’s office they just played it. Side one and side two. And I kicked myself for not going to the sessions since I was invited.

“I later reviewed Music From Big Pink for Rolling Stone. ‘Music from Big Pink is an event and should be treated as one… There are people who will work their lives away in vain and not touch it.’”

Released during a long, turbulent season of war and socio-political unrest, and sandwiched between other culture-shifting 1967-‘68 albums by The Beatles (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and ‘The White Album’), Jimi Hendrix (Axis: Bold As Love), and The Rolling Stones (Beggars Banquet), Music from Big Pink astonished critics.

Writing for Rolling Stone, journalist Alfred G. Aronowitz proclaimed that Big Pink was “the kind of album that will have to open its own door to a new category.” 

In his San Francisco Chronicle review, Ralph J. Gleason wrote, “The voices are unique and make a sound not available anywhere else in popular music that I know of. It is a rural sound, not on the country & western stations, yet not rural in the sense of lack of sophistication; I think it is hymnal… The songs are going to be American classics and it will not matter if there is no second album nor if The Band ever appears in person again.” 

The Band album recorded their second self-titled LP inside Sammy Davis, Jr’s pool house in the Hollywood Hills.

I suggested to Robbie in one conversation that The Band and co-producer John Simon had started a new low-fi recording bio-regional process when a signed group with a major label record company moved into a home studio and did masters for albums and not just recorded demos.   

“That’s where that Les Paul thing came back into the picture,” explained Robertson. “Before Big Pink, I had had this dream of having a workshop. A place. A sanctuary where we could go into the privacy of our own world and do something and not be on somebody else’s lawn to really be in our own environment let alone away from studio union breaks, so all of these things played into it a little bit. We go into a studio and the guy is like ‘well, it’s almost 4:00 pm…’ So, all of these things are playing into it and although the experience in the studio of recording Music From Big Pink was fabulous. The producer John Simon was great and the engineers were great at Phil Ramone’s place, all of it, but the idea of having this private sanctuary and that it would have its own sound. Its own sound and its own flavor.

“It would be like Chess Records. We could have our own one and it would not sound like any of these other places. Going into somebody’s environment and then saying, ‘you go over there. You sit here. And we’re gonna use this kind of microphone on you.’ I thought that was what you did with somebody else. ‘I feel like I’m getting seconds here.’

“I was thankful for that period of time too. Because it was now a period where an artist wanted to something that A&R guys like [Capitol Records engineer and staff producer] John Palladino had nothing to do with the music. He was never there when we recorded. No intrusion. So, when I said ‘we want to do this thing that started in the basement of Big Pink we want to bring the equipment to us in our own atmosphere. And we want to record at whatever time we feel the spirit. We don’t want to be on somebody’s clock.’ John was like ‘OK.’ ‘We just need the equipment to come to us.’ And he had to kind of go along with it, you know, but he didn’t understand it.

“We came to do it in Hollywood because it was too cold in Woodstock. [Laughs.] And we were from Canada. So, we knew cold and we knew when to get out of the way. So, we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go and do this thing and go outside, where it feels beautiful and sunny and everywhere else it’s stormy.’ It was a good feeling inside and we felt we were getting away with something.

“Many years later when I went to Dublin, Ireland, to do some experimenting with U2 and they were recording in the living room of Adam [Clayton]’s house, and when I walked in, the producer Daniel Lanois, Edge and Bono said, ‘Does this feel familiar?’ And I didn’t quite understand what they meant.

“What they were saying was, ‘You are the guys who started this whole thing.’ When we did Stage Fright at the Woodstock Playhouse, we brought the equipment into that room. But it’s very common today.”

In my 1976 interview with Robertson for Crawdaddy, I wanted to know about one aspect of his songwriting with The Band, why he employed a third-person perspective on tunes like “The Weight,” “Stage Fright,” and particularly “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”

“It’s just that it’s a part of storytelling. It isn’t anything to put the songs in the third person. Sometimes when you get that little detachment you can write about more. I’m Canadian and I wrote the song about the Civil War. I didn’t know the story, and it fascinated me. Everyone else took it for granted—they read about it in history class. When it’s strictly about yourself, you’re not allowed to deal with fiction. So, it’s something that opens the gates a little bit,” he underlined.

In my 2016 interview with Robbie Robertson for Record Collector News magazine, I asked what was it like for him when he hears The Band recordings on the radio or when compiling reissues. Was it a joyous or sad experience? 

“I just feel extremely proud in the choice that we made to work together,” reinforced Robbie. “I absolutely feel there are moments when I think… ‘Whew…He’s the business. What talent.  What an amazing emotional musical choice was made right there.’  I do feel those things.” 

(Harvey Kubernik is the author of 20 books, including 2009’s Canyon Of Dreams: The Magic And The Music Of Laurel Canyon, 2014’s Turn Up The Radio! Rock, Pop and Roll In Los Angeles 1956-1972, 2015's Every Body Knows: Leonard Cohen, 2016's Heart of Gold Neil Young and 2017's 1967: A Complete Rock Music History of the Summer of Love. Sterling/Barnes and Noble in 2018 published Harvey and Kenneth Kubernik’s The Story Of The Band: From Big Pink To The Last Waltz. In 2021 the duo wrote Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child for Sterling/Barnes and Noble. 

Otherworld Cottage Industries in 2020 published Harvey’s Docs That Rock, Music That Matters. His Screen Gems: (Pop Music Documentaries and Rock ‘n’ Roll TV Scenes) is scheduled for 2025 publication.     

 Harvey wrote the liner notes to CD re-releases of Carole King’s Tapestry, The Essential Carole King, Allen Ginsberg’s Kaddish, Elvis Presley The ’68 Comeback Special, The Ramones’ End of the Century and Big Brother & the Holding Company Captured Live at The Monterey International Pop Festival.

During 2006 Kubernik appeared at the special hearings by The Library of Congress in Hollywood, California, discussing archiving practices and audiotape preservation. In 2017 he lectured at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, in their Distinguished Speakers Series. Amidst 2023, Harvey spoke at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles discussing director Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz music documentary.

Kubernik is in a documentary, The Sound of Protest now airing on the Apple TVOD TV broadcasting service. https://tv.apple.com › us › movie › the-sound-of-protest. Director Siobhan Logue’s endeavor features Smokey Robinson, Hozier, Skin (Skunk Anansie), Two-Tone's Jerry Dammers, Angélique Kidjo, Holly Johnson, David McAlmont, Rhiannon Giddens, and more.

Harvey is interviewed along with Iggy Pop, Bruce Johnston, Johnny Echols, the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs and Victoria Peterson, and the founding members of the Seeds in director Neil Norman’s documentary The Seeds - The Seeds: Pushin' Too Hard now streaming online on Vimeo. This November 2025, a DVD with bonus footage of the documentary is scheduled for release via the GNP Crescendo Company).The post Best of The Band, Robbie Robertson Insomnia, and The Band Photographs first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

BeatStars has paid creators over $400m to date. CEO Abe Batshon wants 1 million musicians to earn a living from his platform1.5 million tracks are downloaded monthly from BeatStars' marketplace of 11 million-plus beats
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Introducing Dune: a New Music Startup Letting Fans Own Stakes in ArtistsA new UK-based app, Dune, is raising seed funding to build a marketplace where artists and fans can connect with revenue-generating opportunities modelled after stocks.
The post Introducing Dune: a New Music Startup Letting Fans Own Stakes in Artists appeared first on Hypebot.

New Data Shows Japan Leading Growth in Premium Music StreamingPremium listeners on streaming services represent a growing consumer market in Japan, leading APAC, according to data.
The post New Data Shows Japan Leading Growth in Premium Music Streaming appeared first on Hypebot.

Ten Great Books Released in 2025Music Connection reviewed six books every month, leading us to discover some gems. Here are 10 of the very best.

"IRON MAIDEN: INFINITE DREAMS" BY STEVE HARRIS, BRUCE DICKINSON, IRON MAIDEN

One of the greatest and most consistent heavy metal bands of all time, the men of Iron Maiden have come together to create this absolutely stunning, photo-heavy history of the group. As well as a mass of photographs, there are some fascinating tickets and flyers from the very early days, some of founding member, bassist and songwriter Steve Harris’ diary entries from back in the day, guitars, t-shirts, battle vests, and so much more. It’s a pricey book, but for hardcore fans it’s a must.

"VENICE PEACH" BY JESSAMYN VIOLET

Movie Club drummer and super-talented writer Violet has a gift for seeing the magic in her home haunt of Venice, CA and realizing it through fantastical tales. “When I first stepped foot in Venice Beach, I felt the greatest gravitational pull to a place that I had ever felt in my life,” Violet says, and that comes through in her work. Venice Peach is her sophomore novel, and it’s a wild journey into a world of robot presidents, where “art meets lust.” Just read it. 

"DECADE OF DISSENT: HOW 1960S BOB DYLAN CHANGED THE WORLD" BY SEAN EGAN

One might think that, at this point, there’s really nothing new to write about the living legend that is Bob Dylan. There are countless books about the man, and every word that Dylan has written and/or uttered has been analyzed to death. That said, noted journalist Egan has found a credible angle. He’s not treading completely new ground, but still, his approach to Dylan’s identity-shifting '60s period is fascinating. “Dylan now occupies an unparalleled role as venerated elder statesman of music,” reads the blurb. “But during his insurrectionary first decade he was the most important artist in popular music—and, by extension, one of the most crucial figures in Western society.”

"GLIDERS OVER HOLLYWOOD: AIRSHIPS, AIRPLAY AND THE ART OF ROCK PROMOTION" BY PAUL RAPPAPORT

During his 33-year career at Columbia Records, Paul Rappaport played an instrumental role in developing the careers of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, Billy Joel, Judas Priest, Alice in Chains, and many more. Gliders Over Hollywood, a book that Rappaport described to MC as “for passionate music lovers,” gives us an up-close look at his many successes, allowing the reader to feel like we were right there with him. If you’re looking for industry tips, you’ll get those. If you’re after rock ‘n’ roll shenanigans, you’ll be satisfied in that regard too. Dig in!

"501 ESSENTIAL ALBUMS OF THE 1980S" EDITED BY GARY GRAFF

MC contributor Graff has played an absolute blinder here, working with a long list of esteemed scribes (Cary Baker, Rob St. Mary, many more) to compile the 501 essential albums of the '80s. Naturally, with any sort of book like this, everyone will point to albums that should be in there but aren’t. That said, this is damned extensive. All the appropriate new wave, new romantic, pop, and hair metal albums from that decade are present and correct. But Graff makes sure that gospel, country, jazz, punk, hip-hop, soul, and just about everything else gets a fair shake too. Essential reading for anyone with even a passing interest in that decade.

SEE PART TWO HERE

The post Ten Great Books Released in 2025 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Peter Edge honored with Sir George Martin Award, as Capitol Records UK sweeps MBW’s Music Business UK AwardsMBW's Music Business UK Awards: All the winners
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Billboard Names Top Music Business Schools in the WorldBillboard has released its 2025 annual roundup of top music business schools globally. It features top players like Berklee, Belmont, MTSU, Loyola, NYU-Tish, and University of Rochester's Eastman. But this year's list goes deeper and includes affordable public universities, HBCUs, and schools outside major industry hubs.
The post Billboard Names Top Music Business Schools in the World appeared first on Hypebot.

From Genuine Story to Repeat Exposure: How Listeners Become FansA singer songwriter shares thoughts on how to turn casual listeners into diehard fans, in a way that's authentic to your artist brand and identity.
The post From Genuine Story to Repeat Exposure: How Listeners Become Fans appeared first on Hypebot.

Classical Highlights for October 2025A handful of noteworthy classical albums to sample: Alexander Gergelyfi plays a clavichord owned by Mozart himself in a recording that also features baritone Georg Nigl; Vox Clamantis once again sings music by Arvo Pärt (both pictured), this time to mark the composer's 90th birthday.

BLUE ÉLAN RECORDS SIGNS MAN BOY BROWNBlue Élan Records announced on Tuesday the signing of Man Boy Brown, "the new solo project from Raul Pacheco, vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and co-founding member of the three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning band Ozomatli. Pacheco introduces his alter ego with the debut single, 'Moving On, out today on all streaming platforms.""The track marks a powerful new chapter for Pacheco, blending his warm, soulful baritone with lyrics that question nostalgia while embracing change: 'Are you ready to move on / From glory days and same old songs.' The song reflects his desire to explore a fresh artistic identity while continuing to perform with his longtime Ozomatli bandmates.""Under the moniker Man Boy Brown, Pacheco channels the spirit of eternal youth and creative freedom—what he calls his 'forever in his crown' outlook," a statement reads. "His forthcoming album, set for release in 2026, offers a playful yet reflective journey through the sounds that shaped him—from romantic Latin ballads and Mexican corridos to the grooves of ‘70s R&B and rock. The project brings together a global cast of collaborators, underscoring the cross-cultural storytelling that has always defined Pacheco’s music."“This is me reconnecting with my roots while also allowing myself to try new things,” says Pacheco. “I’m still part of Ozomatli, but Man Boy Brown is about giving myself space to grow and to see where that creativity leads.”"With 'Moving On,' Pacheco reaffirms his place as one of Los Angeles’ most distinctive musical voices—honoring the past while boldly stepping into the next phase of his career." The post BLUE ÉLAN RECORDS SIGNS MAN BOY BROWN first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Jody Gerson vows to ‘protect human songwriters’ in the age of AI, as UMPG boss accepts International Executive of the Year honor at MBW’s Music Business UK AwardsMBW's Music Business UK Awards took place in Covent Garden this evening (November 4), celebrating the very best that the UK music biz has to offer
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The Volume of Canceled Gigs Grows Louder Than EverWith Morrissey and Benson Boone's recent cancellations due to exhaustion and vocal strain respectively, a growing concern in the music industry around how much is too much...
The post The Volume of Canceled Gigs Grows Louder Than Ever appeared first on Hypebot.

Live Nation and Ticketmaster Lawsuits: Tracking The Legal BattlesLive Nation and Ticketmaster are facing increased scrutiny and multiple lawsuits that could reshape concert ticketing and the entire live music industry in 2026.
The post Live Nation and Ticketmaster Lawsuits: Tracking The Legal Battles appeared first on Hypebot.

Gibson Generation Group (G3) Mentors the Next Generation of MusiciansAccording to news from Gibson on Monday, "For over 130 years, Gibson has shaped the sound of music across generations. Today, Gibson proudly introduces the Gibson Generation Group (G3) Class of 2027— a global artist development program dedicated to mentoring the next generation of exceptional young musicians."

"Music that inspired generational movements has been written and performed by young artists with their Gibson and Epiphone guitars, and with its artist-first culture, Gibson is dedicated to developing the next generation of music players and creators with the Gibson Generation Group, aka Gibson G3. This curated group of emerging guitarists, songwriters, and music creators will embark on a two-year journey of growth, collaboration, and career-building."

"A powerful two-year mentorship program for emerging musicians, the Gibson Generation Group (G3) fosters a new generation, encouraging them to pursue careers in music. Through one-on-one artist relations support, instrument loans, collaborative social media promotions, and performance opportunities alongside music superstars at festivals and events, G3 members also participate in global marketing campaigns with Gibson and other iconic brands in the music and entertainment industry—launching them onto the worldwide stage."

"Gibson G3 members receive artist development with songwriting and coaching sessions from Gibson artists such as program mentors Emily Wolfe and Toby Lee. They also benefit from career guidance provided by Gibson’s Cultural Influence and Executive Leadership teams. G3 musicians learn to produce high-quality content and build promotional awareness, empowering them to grow a global fanbase reaching hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide."

"Gibson G3 artists remain an enduring part of the Gibson family, with the brand team continuing to support their career growth and champion their success."

“We are honored to welcome this talented group of musicians,” says Jenny Marsh, Global Director of Cultural Influence and Artist Programs at Gibson. “Working with a carefully curated group every two years allows us to build meaningful relationships and provide deep, ongoing support. Our commitment to artist development doesn’t end after the program—we’re here to champion their growth throughout their entire careers.”

“As the global mentor for the Gibson Generation Group, I’m continually inspired by the extraordinary talent and passion these young musicians bring,” adds Emily Wolfe. “It’s a privilege to help guide their artistic journeys and witness the rise of future legends. Gibson’s dedication to nurturing creativity and supporting artists from the very beginning is what makes this program so powerful—and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Stay tuned for updates and behind-the-scenes moments as these rising stars begin their journey and visit Gibson Generation Group (G3) for more information.

Gibson welcomes the Gibson Generation Group Class of 2027:

OLLY PEARSONUnited Kingdom

IG | FB | YT

"At just 12 years old, Olly Pearson is already making waves in the UK guitar scene. Inspired during lockdown by a neighbor’s driveway performances, Olly began learning guitar with help from his grandad over Zoom. His passion quickly evolved into public performances, starting in Chester in 2022, where his rendition of “Apache” gained over 15 million views on YouTube."

"Since then, Olly has performed solo at guitar shows across the UK and earned multiple endorsements, including Fairclough Guitars, Scan Pro Audio, Patrick Eggle Handmade UK Guitars, and Scott Dixon Guitar Flight Cases. He regularly demonstrates gear live at events and has shared the stage with local rock band The Swillers, highlighting his versatility and stage presence."

"In 2024, Olly was selected as an understudy for an EDF Energy commercial and performed solo at Deva Fest, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star. Now, as a member of the Gibson Generation Group Class of 2027, Olly continues to grow as a performer, creator, and future leader in music."

RUSSELL WATSON

Southern California

RUSSELLWATSON GUITAR.COM | IG

"Russell Watson is a young guitar prodigy from Southern California with a deep love for heavy metal and a mission to heal through music. He began playing guitar at age 8, shortly after the loss of his father to cancer—a moment that sparked his belief in music’s power to heal. Metal became his medicine, his voice, and his connection to something greater, inspiring him to dive into songwriting, composition, drumming, and more."

"Russell is deeply rooted in the metal community and spends hours each day practicing, exploring new sounds, and writing original music. While he respects the greats, he believes in breaking rules to find what feels right—channeling raw emotion and soul into every riff. His influences span legends like Dimebag Darrell, Randy Rhoads, Jimi Hendrix, and Eddie Van Halen, as well as modern icons like Zakk Wylde, Mark Morton, and Kirk Hammett."

"Living on a ranch with his mom and surrounded by animals and nature, Russell finds inspiration everywhere. He has homeschooled to balance his education with his musical journey and travels to perform and connect with fellow artists. With a foundation in metal and a love for grunge and blues, Russell is determined to keep rock music alive and authentic—one powerful note at a time."

LUDOVICK TSHISWAKA

Brazil

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"Ludovick Tshiswaka is a remarkable 13-year-old multi-instrumentalist whose musical identity is deeply rooted in his Brazilian and Congolese heritage. Immersed in music from birth, Ludovick began playing drums at age 2 and quickly expanded his talents to guitar, keyboard, melodica, ukulele, percussion, and cajón. Largely self-taught after learning foundational concepts from his father, Ludovick’s primary focus is the bass guitar, which he began playing at age 7."

"His natural versatility and soulful groove have shaped his unique sound across bass, guitar, and keyboards. Beyond performance, Ludovick is a skilled composer and producer, with a deep understanding of musical structure and expression. His passion for music is matched by his dedication to preserving its cultural roots while pushing creative boundaries."

"At just 10 years old, Ludovick contributed guitar work to Thalles Roberto’s Grammy-winning DVD Deixai Vir (2022), marking a major milestone in his professional career. He has since toured Brazil with Roberto and earned praise from legendary guitarist Tom Morello. With a growing presence in both live performance and production, Ludovick continues to build an impressive trajectory as one of the most exciting young artists in music today."

MELIS OGUT

Istanbul, Türkiye

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"Melis Ogut is a 16-year-old guitarist and artist from Istanbul whose passion for music began at an early age. She started playing guitar around age 9 and quickly devoted herself to the instrument, developing a distinctive style that blends blues rock with jazz fusion. Her expressive playing and creative approach reflect the depth of her musical influences, which include Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Marcus King, Mike Stern, and the Brecker Brothers."

"Melis aspires to continue her musical education in the United States, with dreams of attending renowned institutions like Berklee College of Music or the New School of Jazz. Her ultimate goal is to form her own band, write original music, and become a touring artist known for her soulful sound and dynamic performances."

"In addition to music, Melis is passionate about art and fashion, which she seamlessly integrates into her personal style—a vibrant mix of vintage and glam. She believes that music, art, and fashion are deeply interconnected, each inspiring the other and contributing to a richer creative expression. Melis is a bold and multidimensional artist with a clear vision and a bright future ahead."

ZIXUAN “ANGELA” LI

Beijing, China

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"Zixuan Li is a gifted young musician from Beijing, China, born in 2014. From an early age, she displayed an extraordinary passion for music, beginning piano lessons at age four and picking up the ukulele just months later. Before turning five, she had already composed several original songs, displaying a natural talent for melody and expression."

"At age five, Zixuan Li began learning guitar under the guidance of her father, and by age 10, she composed her first original fingerstyle piece, titled Memory. Her primary focus is fingerstyle guitar, and her dedication has led to numerous accolades and high-profile performances. She won first place in national guitar competitions hosted by Japanese masters Masaaki Kishibe (2022) and Kotaro Oshio (2024) and has performed on major stages, including CCTV’s Super Baby, the Viper Room in L.A., and concerts alongside renowned artists such as Jeong Seong-ha and Masaaki Kishibe."

"In August 2025, Zixuan Li won the national championship in the Primary School Group C (Guitar Major) at the Central Conservatory of Music’s Yangyin Showcase, earning an invitation to perform at the prestigious Zhizhen Award Concert. With her growing list of accomplishments and a deep love for music, Zixuan Li is quickly emerging as one of China’s most promising young musical talents."

JAYDEN ENGLISH

Seattle, WA

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"Jayden English is a rising guitarist and vocalist from the Seattle area, born in 2014. From the moment she could make a sound, music has been her passion. She picked up the guitar at age 8 and quickly began channeling her love for rock through influences like Nirvana and KISS, later expanding her musical palette to include legends such as Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, Halestorm, and more."

"In 2024, Jayden took a major step in her musical journey by attending the Women’s Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, where she performed alongside iconic artists including Nancy Wilson, Lita Ford, Nita Strauss, Sheila E., and Rhonda Smith at renowned venues like Lucky Strike and the Viper Room in Los Angeles. These experiences helped shape her confidence and stage presence, and she continues to grow as both a performer and songwriter."

"Jayden is deeply grateful for the mentors and supporters who have guided her path, including Amanda Peters, Randy Hansen, Britt Lightning, Bella Perron, Rudy Sarzo, Moa Munoz, Liv Slingerland, Samantha Maloney, and Bob Daisley. With her powerful voice, dynamic guitar skills, and unwavering passion, Jayden is poised to inspire a new generation of rock fans."

SAWYER LEE

Nashville, TN

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"Sawyer Lee is an eleven-year-old guitarist from Nashville, Tennessee. Sawyer first picked up a guitar at just five years old, and it's been his constant companion ever since. By age six, he was already rocking his first stage performance. Sawyer's first love is rock 'n' roll, with legendary bands like The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd inspiring his sound."

"You'll often catch him at open mics, jamming with local musicians, or performing alongside his favorite band, The Hippies and Cowboys. When he's not playing music, Sawyer is front row at concerts, soaking up every riff and solo from his guitar heroes. For him, the best part of playing guitar is connecting with new friends and celebrating his love of music with them. Driven by a passion to learn and grow, Sawyer is always exploring new styles and techniques. The stage feels like home, and he's excited for every opportunity to perform. Right now, he's hard at work writing original music, with plans to release his debut song next year."

ZACH KRYS

Miami, FL

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"Miami raised Zach Krys’ musical journey began at age seven, inspired by his first musical love, The Beatles. That spark grew into a deep passion and a near-encyclopedic knowledge of music across genres. At 13 years old, he is a rocker and metalhead at heart, while always curious to explore his musical vocabulary. Zach loves being on stage, where his energy and connection with the audience truly shine."

"When Zach was eight years old, his uncle Sebastian gifted him a Gibson Firebird, a defining moment that changed everything and fueled his dedication to the guitar. Since then, Zach has devoted countless hours to mastering his playing, performing, and sharing his love of music. Influenced by icons such as Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Jimmy Page, and Slash, Zach has crafted a distinctive sound that reflects both his heroes and his own creative voice."

"Zach's love for performing has taken him to some incredible stages and experiences at such a young age. He has earned a coveted spot in the Florida All-State Jazz Band and proudly has performed the National Anthem at the Miami Heat. Zach has had the opportunity to play throughout Miami including the Montreux Jazz Festival, MODA Miami and at Los Producers during the Latin Grammys."

"For Zach Krys, Gibson isn't just a guitar brand, it's part of his musical identity and he is honored to be a member of the 2027 Gibson Generation Group (G3)."The post Gibson Generation Group (G3) Mentors the Next Generation of Musicians first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.