An Early Fireworks Celebration: Marilyn's Birthday

Shore Fire President Marilyn Laverty's July 3 birthday neatly coincides with Independence Day celebrations, so this is always a festive time of the year for all of us at Shore Fire. This year, we partied with an ice cream and coffee spread -- along with fixings like sprinkles, chocolate sauce and whipped cream -- the perfect late afternoon snack combo. Happy Birthday MTL!!

No "Loss" But Good "Eaton" At Nick's Birthday Party

It's a June birthday for Nick Loss-Eaton, who celebrated at the office kitchen table yesterday with an exquisite offering from Teany Cafe -- a scrumptious vegan Vanilla Raspberry Buttercream cake...Happy Birthday Nick!

Shore Fire Proves It All Night at Pianos

You know what's really fun? Music trivia. And you know what's really REALLY fun? Winning. And that's exactly what team Prove It All Night did at Pianos' Monday trivia night.



A group of us from Shore Fire decided to test our music trivia chops at the LES bar and see how many free well drinks and shots we could win. Some of the questions were pretty obvious (who is James Osterberg?) but others (what city is the setting for Deep Purple's "Smoke on The Water") took some deliberating.



Team captain and Shore Fire president Marilyn Laverty performed the first victory dance of the evening:



Here's the winning ballot that brought in those well drinks coming....


Our esteemed colleague Andy Silva looks dapper after taking a shot of free whiskey




Later, (after Prove it all Night won round 2) Steve LaBate of Paste joined us for a game. Here he is talking with our very own Nick Loss-Eaton



It was definitely a great night and I hope to go back again soon. It's great to work with a bunch of bona fide music buffs. It makes getting free drinks at Pianos on Monday night that much easier.

Costello, Lauderdale and gang Sweep the Floor at Letterman

Elvis Costello corralled a few of his musician friends for a jaunty performance of Sulphur to Sugarcane last week on the Late Show with David Letterman. It was all strings for the song from Elvis' new album Secret, Profane & Sugarcane (#13 on the Billboard 200 this week...WOW!). Besides Jim Lauderdale (seen here outside the dressing room), a great singer and writer in his on right, the rest of the band was string slinger extraordinaire Larry Campbell and go-to Nashville double bassist Dennis Crouch. Costello sat for an interview with Dave before his performance.

Elvis and the Sugarcanes (musicians from the new album) played a tour de force two and a half hour set last night at the Beacon Theater, only the second show of the tour...I already got a great email from a Costello-watcher saying "Please tell me that somebody captured last night's show for posterity, whether legally or, uh, otherwise. What an incredible band, and what an amazingly perfect choice of back-catalog material to showcase it." The point is: Don't miss this show when it comes your way.

Cupcakes, Cupcakes Everywhere, With A Few To Spare

We all raised a cupcake in honor of Nora Lyon's birthday yesterday. Nora picked a selection from Sugar Sweet Sunshine, which regular Suite 16 readers might recognize as a staff favorite. As Lauretta Charlton observes elsewhere here on our blog, we all love quality baked goods!

Here we dig in:


Heer's Nora with a little bit of Elizabeth Lutz peeking in from the left, and a bit more of Diana D'Angelo on the right.

Breakfast Spread for Brendan's Birthday

We stuck a candle on a danish and called it a birthday last week, celebrating Brendan Gilmartin's big day with a big and welcome breakfast spread. Hot coffee, cold fruit...a great way to start the day and a big congrats to Brendan.

Juniors, Again? Oh Yeah, Baby, Juniors Again!

Boy are we spoiled, working just blocks away from the famed Juniors in downtown Brooklyn. It means that when the birthday person, in this case Nick Baily, is hankering for cheesecake, it's a breeze to get it. And I can personally vouch that's it's even easier to chow down (nap time anyone?). Anyway, Happy Birthday Nick Baily!


Here's the ritual "viewing of the first cut."

SxSW In Full Swing, And Rock.

It looks like perfect wide open clear Texas skies for the third day in a row now in Austin, as SxSW delivers its usual intoxicating blend of good food, seeing lots of old friends and meeting new ones, and of course more great music packed into one place then you can get your head around. Though this year, the trip started off in pitch black darkness, as my colleague Matt Hanks and I both caught the same pre-dawn flight out of New York.


Thanks to some crack on-time work by the folks at American, I was able to turn an 11:00am landing into an just barely on-time arrival for my noon "Promotions, Publicity, and Press" panel at the convention center. It was a new format for me, instead of the traditional panel with a moderator, the room was set up as a series of round table discussions with attendees, arranged in a "speed dating" format where each of us stopped in to chat with a new group every 10 minutes and share some insights and answer some questions on getting started with music publicity.


It was well timed -- we've been spending a lot of time on the topic lately with the launch of Shore Fire D.I.Y., a one-on-one educational program for the music community designed to help new and up and coming artists learn to do their own publicity and online marketing. Take a look, we're excited about it.

Next up were some musical highlights from artists of our own, starting with a blazing mid-day set from London's Sons Of Albion. Here's (from left) bassist Gones, drummer Francisco De Sousa, frontman Logan Plant, and guitarist Nuno Miguel. They're playing Friday and Saturday night too, followed by a three night stand in New York next week.


Equally hard-working is the lovely and talented "incendiary Telecaster-wielder" (so says the Statesman) Sarah Borges and her band The Broken Singles, who are performing an incredible eight times this week in Austin. I had the pleasure of catching them twice in one night, first as they joined an all star cast including Jimmy Vaughan and a host of Texas Tornados veterans for the Doug Sahm tribute at Antones, and then as they brought they house down for their show at Mother Eagans. Sorry it's a little blurry, they move pretty fast when they get going:



Meanwhile, Tina Dico was having a busy day of interviews and live performances of songs from her "stunning" new release before her showcase set. Here's Tina and bandmate Helgi Jonsson practicing a little harmony on the piano bench:


Later on, I got a chance to catch up with Rocco Deluca, who followed up a scorching performance on Leno last week with a powerful duo set at La Zona Rosa.


And it's only Friday morning, with a whole slate of interesting shows and appearances still to come. I haven't even had time to dig into some BBQ yet -- we must be just getting started.

A Shore Fire Tour of Borough Hall

This past Wednesday, Shore Fire paid a visit to our next door neighbor, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and received a lovely tour of his offices at Borough Hall. Our tour guide John showed off the building's ceremonial courtroom (site of many Law & Order and film shoots), the old tomb-like jail cells in the basement of the building, the painting of a former Brooklyn mayor with a ghost in the background, and most importantly, the gift shop (which i'm obliged to say is open from 10am-6pm daily).

He also explained the quirky (and heretofore unknown to me) origin of the name of Brooklyn's baseball team, The Dodgers: Back in the old days, Manhattan had the subways while Brooklynites still had to ride on- and avoid getting run over by- street trolleys. Thus, Brooklynites were trolley-dodgers (the first iteration of "Bridge and Tunnel-ers", i suppose). The baseball team co-opted the derogatory term and made it their own.

Mr. Markowitz chatted with us for a bit, took a roll call of Shore Fire Brooklynites, handed out some lapel pins, and congratulated us on almost two decades in the borough.

Luck of The Urges

The Urges, the Irish lads on Little Steven Van Zandt's label Wicked Cool Records, stormed the stage at Music Hall of Williamsburg last night just in time for St. Patty's Day. Chock full of fuzz guitars and thumping drums, The Urges had the Billyburg kids dancing.

If you're headed to Austin, don't miss the two Wicked Cool SXSW showcases and featured speaker Steven Van Zandt.

Eleni Mandell Takes Manhattan

The lovely and talented Eleni Mandell was in town this week to kick off a March US tour at a sold out show at Joe's Pub.

She and her band had a pretty full schedule while they were here, and I was lucky enough to spend some time with them during the trip.

It started at a taping on WNYC Soundcheck, where Eleni spoke to host John Schaefer, and the band performed a couple of songs from Eleni's stellar new album 'Artificial Fire.'


Left to Right: drummer DJ Bonebrake (yes, "that" DJ Bonebrake), Eleni, John Schaefer, bassist Ryan Feves, guitarist Jeremy Drake

Next it was over to a taping for the New York Times Popcast. Eleni performed 'Artificial Fire' standout "Personal" solo, and spoke with Times scribe Ben Sisario.


Left to Right: Eleni and Ben

Then it was off to WFUV for a performance chat with Claudia Marshall.


Left To Right: WFUV's Rita Houston, Eleni and Claudia

The trip concluded with the previously mentioned sold out Joe's Pub gig. Eleni and the band played to a rapturous standing room only audience, performing an 'Artificial Fire' heavy set, but also mixing in deep cuts like "Make-Out King" and closing the show with a raucous "Pauline" (from 200o's 'Thrill').

A Night At the Rink

The entire Shore Fire staff, plus some friends and family, got out of the office last evening for some fun spins around Central Park's Wollman Ring. There were a few beginners and a few who swirled and sped around the ring with ease, but most of us were literally and figuratively in the middle. Though the ice can be dangerous, it was quite a different danger vibe than our last outing at Westside Shooting Gallery! That's first grader Emma Hanks in the lower left and Leo Satlof on the right, also a first grader, with Shore Fire's President Marilyn Laverty, in blue, directly in the middle. Thanks Marilyn!





Above, Leo with Dad Mark.

Chris Chafin and friend, with Nick Baily.

A breather at the boards.

Shore Fire Clients Win Big at Grammys

February 9, 2009

Shore Fire clients last night earned eleven GRAMMY Awards, six of them in Best Album categories. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss swept the five categories in which they were nominated, including Record of the Year and Album of the Year. Plant and Krauss also performed, while last year's Album Of The Year winner and Shore Fire client Herbie Hancock presented an award.

Shore Fire GRAMMY winners:

Record Of The Year:
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss "Please Read The Letter" - from 'Raising
Sand' (Rounder Records)

Album Of The Year:
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - 'Raising Sand' (Rounder Records)

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals:
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss "Rich Woman" - from 'Raising Sand' (Rounder
Records)

Best Rock Song:
Bruce Springsteen "Girls In Their Summer Clothes" - from 'Magic' (Columbia
Records)

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals:
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss "Killing The Blues" - from 'Raising Sand'
(Rounder Records)

Best Bluegrass Album:
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder - 'Honoring The Fathers Of Bluegrass:
Tribute To 1946 and 1947' (Skaggs Family Records)

Best Traditional Gospel Album:
The Blind Boys Of Alabama - 'Down In New Orleans' (Time Life)

Best Regional Mexican Album:
Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano - 'Amor, Dolor Y Lagrimas: Musica
Ranchera Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano' (Smithsonian Folkways Records)

Best Contemporary Blues Album:
Dr. John And The Lower 911 - 'City That Care Forgot' (429 Records)

Best Traditional Folk Album:
Pete Seeger - 'At 89' (Appleseed Recordings)

Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album:
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - 'Raising Sand' (Rounder Records)

When Shore Fire Bands Rock Brooklyn

Chris Chafin and I headed out to Tommy's Tavern on Friday night to see our own Chris Taillie and Nick Loss-Eaton play a packed show together with their bands in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Chris plays keys in Staten Island's psychedelic-surf band Captain Ahab & The Sea Crackens and Nick Loss-Eaton is the charming singer-songwriter of his blues / folk / rock band Leland Sundries.

Here's Captain Ahab & The Sea Crackens, from the shores of Staten Isle, decked out in rain gear:

Here's a shot of Nick and Leland Sundries rocking the Tavern.


Leland Sundries from left: Dan Kaplan (guitar), Adam Blake(drums), David Kross (bass), and Nick Loss-Eaton (vocals / guitar/ harmonica).


Here, Chris Taillie lugs his keyboard out while giving us an enthusiastic 'thumbs up.'


This made Chris Chafin laugh.

Unfortunately, The Suite 16 wasn't on the bill but Chris and I had a great time regardless.

Dollars to Doughnuts it's Diana's Birthday

Diana D'Angelo picked a big spread of offerings from the Lower East Side's popular spot the Doughnut Plant for her birthday party yesterday. Cut in pieces, the assembled staff made short work of the delectable array...take a look at the remains. Happy Birthday Diana!

Birthday Cake Cage Match: Old School vs New School

In the left corner, it's Lauretta Charlton, with a Fruit Surprise cake from the venerable East Village bakery Veniero's squaring off with Maggie Poulos and her L.E.S. upstart Babycakes' vegan, everything-free-but-the-taste chocolate cake. The winner? All of us here at Shore Fire who got a flavorful and sweet start to the new year courtesy of these two birthday girls. See the action shots below.

The Return of the Suite 16

Watch the return of Shore Fire's house band, the magnificent The Suite 16, here featuring the three Sweetettes (Lauretta Charlton, Diana D'Angelo, Miya Hannan). With Chris Brudzinski and Mark Satlof on guitars and vocals, Chris Taillie on keys, Nick Baily on drums and the ringer, true bass legend Tony Maimone, whose fluid work on this song, recorded at his Brooklyn studio, is a standout. Video directed by Diana D'Angelo



And click here for the band's past releases.

2008 Wanes But the Party Continues: Slipper Room Pix Part II

We're blessed that many friends old and new were able to make it to our holiday party last week at the Slipper Room. Speaking for myself, it was a whirlwind night so I didn't get as much time as I'd have liked to meet and greet, but I did have a blast. Here's some of the Shore Fire staff in moments of fun with our guests:

SFM's Brendan Gilmartin with Meridith Ochs and her husband "Julio" (Larry, really)

"Sunday Morning's" Ramon Parkins (center) with me and Bert Dahl of Madison House.

The Impact Artist Management team, Ed Gerrard (left); their newest employee; Aki Odoule; and Savoy Label Group's Stu Fine.

Nick Baily's wife Becky, with SFM's Nora Lyons and Nick Baily
Arthur Levy with SFM's Lauretta Charlton and Premiere's VP Ira Robbins.

SFM's Nancie S. Martin with Michael Mooney and Jeff Iorio from OK
Magazine.

It's About the Talent: Slipper Room Pix Part I

A couple of hundred friends made it to Shore Fire's annual holiday party last week at the Slipper Room, but it's always an extra special treat when our musician clients are able to make it. It can never be said enough that it's the artists who come first in our book. Without you guys, we might as well be pushing toothpaste. So from us to you: a sincere, a hearty, a big-headline-in-the-press-release-worthy "THANKS."

Here's Ben Allison with Shore Fire's Rebecca Shapiro, who stopped in on a break from working on new music.


A new client, Anne Heaton, quieted a tough, end-of-party crowd with her supple, must-hear voice and piano-based songs from her upcoming album Blazing Red. She definitely walked out that evening with some important new fans in the press...stay tuned.

Sarah Borges (on right, with SFM's Maggie Poulos) drove down from Boston just for our party, a wonderful surprise. She came with some of her band and their presence was very welcome, lending a black leather jacket vibe to the event...and you gotta check out her black leather jacket album that's coming next year with her band The Broken Singles, The Stars Are Out.


When Maiysha arrived, she was the automatic center of attention, and hands down winner of the "Best Subject Of A Snapshot Taken by a Teetering Amateur Photographer" Award. Here she is with her producer Scott Jacoby (far right) along with guest Shawn Greenbaum and a sliver of Rebecca Shapiro.



I missed seeing her and snapping a shot, but Jersey rocker Danielia Cotton was also in the house.

Blues Foundation Honors Muddy Waters With Blues Trail Marker

On December 3rd Blues Foundation members gathered in Rolling Fork, MS with the Morganfield family and local students to commemorate the late blues legend McKinley Morganfield (better known as Muddy Waters) with a Blues Trail Marker. The marker identifies the site of Muddy’s home and details the immense contribution he made to the blues genre throughout his life. The state of Mississippi and the Blues Foundation continue to preserve and honor the legacy of blues musicians with new additions to the Blues Marker Trail. Check out photos from the unveiling below.

Muddy Waters' Rolling Fork, MS Blues Trail Marker

Blues Foundation dignitaries, including Executive Director Jay Sieleman (far right), gather for a photo-op behind the marker.

The Morganfield family poses with students who won the Muddy Waters essay competition at the unveiling ceremony in Rolling Fork, MS

Let Them Eat Cupcakes. And Ice Cream Cake too.

Shore Fire staff got to choose between cupcakes (Red Velvet or White Cake) and ice cream cake yesterday as we celebrated Rebecca Shapiro and Nancie S. Martin's December birthdays. Some had both (no names please!).


Here's Nancie and Rebecca.

Ledisi Lights Up Bryant Park, and NYC Rocks

Diana D'Angelo and I had a pretty awesome New York night yesterday, and we've got the pictures to prove it.

First stop was the live broadcast of CBS 2's Holiday In Bryant Park, where Ledisi gave an amazing performance of "Give Love on Christmas Day" from her new album 'It's Christmas.' Diana and I had no idea that our VIP seats would be quite so…visible. Specifically, we sat onstage right behind the Barenaked Ladies' drummer.

You can watch the broadcast here (including the third-time's-almost-a-charm tree-lighting):
http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=120787@wcbs.dayport.com

Ledisi's performance is about 37 minutes in (but don't skip past the synchronized skating routine because it's pretty rad). I'm the girl in the orangey-red hat and Diana's in the black coat to my right.

Here's a shot of Ledisi right before she sang:



Me, Diana and the giant tree:


After sitting outside for about an hour and a half, Diana and I decided to warm up with a carousel ride in Bryant Park:


Wheeee!!!

Next stop was the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's NY Annex. A fabulous soirée featuring a performance by Debbie Harry. Here's one Diana took of me pretending to be famous:

The Name Is Jones, Tom Jones...

I congratulate Tom Jones on his soulful new album '24 Hours' following interviews with LA Times' Geoff Boucher and some other print publications. Tom proved totally gracious and indeed dapper, living up to his reputation as larger than life. Directly after this photograph was taken, he said, of my tie, "We used to call those slim jims in the '60s."



If you haven't yet seen it, you must check out Tom Jones absolutely killing on Jools Holland (BBC2).

A Pair of November Birthdays, Celebrated as One

The kitchen was full this afternoon for the dueling birthdays of Matt Hanks and Miya Hannan. We were forced to choose between the former's rich Peanut Butter Pie and the latter's scrumptious Pumpkin Cake, still appealing even though the Halloween season's overpa.

Interviewing Susan Tedeschi For NY1

Matt Hanks and I went to Susan Tedeschi's show at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza on Wednesday night. She rocked the nearly sold out crowd playing tracks from her new album 'Back To The River.' Her five song encore was killer including a cover of one of my favorite songs, "Evidence" by Candi Stanton.



After the show I filled in for George Whipple and interviewed Susan for NY1. No, not really I was just holding the mic while the camera man asked the questions.

Morrison Hotel Brings Music Back To The Bowery

Last Night Matt Hanks and I attended the Django James and the Midnight Squires show at the Morrison Hotel Gallery's Bowery location. The gallery now occupies what used to be part of CBGB's and last night's show was the first live musical performance in the space since CBGB's shut its doors. Check out some photos from the show below.

Django James and the Midnight Squires perform. Photo by Rick Edwards

Django James, Goergina Jagger and Jordan Hewson hang out after the show. Photo by Rick Edwards

Costello Kicks it on Letterman

Jenny Lewis and Elvis Costello kicked it out of the ballpark last night when they performed "Carpetbaggers." The song appears on Jenny's new album Acid Tongue, but the impetus for last night's gig was its inclusion on an upcoming episode of Elvis' TV show, "Spectacle, Elvis Costello With...." Costello also had a sit down segment with Dave to talk about Spectacle, which debuts December 3 on Sundance in the US.



Jenny Lewis is terrifically sweet and it was a pleasure to get to meet her before the taping.

Steven Van Zandt Talks Halloween on CW11

I love watching live TV from the set, and Steven Van Zandt is a hero, so this morning was extra special when I got to be with the all-around rock and roll missionary for his appearance on CW11 News here in New York. Steven's generally got a dozen or more amazing things on his plate at a time, but here he was discussing his new holiday compilations, Halloween A Go-Go and Christmas A Go-Go.

The first shot is Steven with CW's reporter Emily Frances in the green room, where Steven and I shared a chuckle at how many scary/creepy/Halloweeny songs there are to choose from in Roky Erickson's catalogue (he picked "I Walked with a Zombie" but says he'll consider my suggestion of "Don't Shake Me Lucifer" for Vol. 2).

Below that are Steven and Emily with me and Shore Fire's Nora Lyons added to the mix (thanks to our friend, talent exec Spencer Mindich, at the show for snapping the shot!).

A Visit to Westside Rifle and Pistol Range

There aren't many shooting ranges in New York City let alone Manhattan. In fact, it's pretty much down to the venerable Westside Rifle & Shooting Range, located on 20th St near 5th Ave. Last night, most of the Shore Fire staff visited the range for a fun evening of shooting, though several folks decided to bare arms rather than bear arms. Afterward we retired to the equally classic throwback bar Peter McManus bar for burgers, bourbon and beer.

Here's the shooters during our training session.


Rebecca, Nancie and Carrie

Shore Fire President Marilyn Laverty taking aim:

Ledisi @ The Blue Note with the Count Basie Orchestra

R&B, soul, gospel, jazz and even music theater - Ledisi can do it all and do no wrong. Not only is her GRAMMY nominated album 'Lost & Found' still on the Billboard charts, and her first holiday album 'It's Christmas' in stores now, but the Best New Artist nominee is also performing with the Count Basie Orchestra at the Blue Note in NY all this week.

She wowed a packed house at the legendary venue last night with her humble presence, outstanding vocal range, and awe-inspiring scatting. A few times she fought back tears of joy as she expressed her excitement about this special occasion. In a fierce strapless pink dress and silver stilettos Ledisi dazzled like a jazz vet.

Bon Voyage and Happy B-Day to Chris Brudzinski

Our indefatigable Director Of Business Affairs Chris Brudzinski is the second recipient of a month-long sabbatical here at Shore Fire. He's heading to Australia next week, so we moved his birthday celebration up a bit. We decided to get him his last decent bagel for a while..so here he is blowing out a candle stuck into a bagel with cream cheese.

Get your Reload Button Ready for Juke.com

Those of us left here in the office -- our staff was decimated by sickness and vacation days - gathered last Friday in the conference room to hear from long time music journalist/editor Craig Marks. Marks is editor- in-chief of a soon-to-be-launched music news site, juke.com, which he described as 3/4 Blender (which he formerly edited) with some Gawker added in. Aimed at a mainstream but music loving audience, and owned by CBS Interactive, Juke will feature all original writing and news reporting, covering all popular genres. But no inside baseball....very little in the way of music business reporting. They've got their staff in place.... We've got our fingers on the reload button in anticipation of the site's launch later this month.



Here's Marks at the head of the table (squint for a sneak peek at Juke's home page)

Krauser's Karrot Kake...

We crowded around The Kitchen Table -- the animated staff discussing Main Street vs. Wall Street - while Rob "Joe Six Pack" Krauser winked at us all, gathered his breath, and blew out the birthday candles on a delicious carrot cake:

Here's Rob preparing for the first cut

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Usually our fearless vice president Mark Satlof posts the Shore Fire birthday blog entries. As he is enjoying his sabbatical, I have the honors this time.


That's the birthday girl, Elizabeth Lutz, looking smashing in orange with Shore Fire president Marilyn Laverty to the right, Nora Lyons on the left and Rebecca Shapiro in the foreground.



And what would a birthday celebration be without a delicious cake? Elizabeth chose a decadent black forest cake for her birthday. Here she is blowing out the candles before we all dig in. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELIZABETH!

Brooklyn to the Core: Carrie & Mark Pick Juniors for B-Day Celebration

Who knew that the famous Brooklyn culinary landmark Juniors did frosting on their cheesecake? Not me, so it was a nice surprise yesterday when Carrie (August 5) and me (August 7) actually got the icing on our cakes. Mine was the traditional plain while Carrie picked chocolate swirl. I swear they each weighed 30 pounds. Man are they heavy, in a good way.





Here we are in action. I guess turnabout is fair play...since I usually take the pictures and they're often embarrassing I got the same (maybe worse!) in return from fill-in photog Rob Krauser.


And here's the assembled staff in our lunch room

Joan Osborne Debuts 'Little Wild One' Live

Last night in a private WFUV members show at the Cutting Room, Joan Osborne debuted material from her upcoming album 'Little Wild One,' out Sept 9. It was an incredible set, ending with a goosebump-inducing version of "Cathedrals." The riveting "Hallelujah in the City" was another highlight, a song that Joan labeled a "secular hymn." Tune into WFUV on Sept 9 at 9pm to hear them for yourself.

Here's WFUV's Rita Houston with me.














After the show, George Whipple of NY1 interviewed Joan.














Here's Joan w/ me, Matt Hanks, and Maggie Poulos (L-R).

Rockin' W.H.Y. Dinner, Costello Gets Ascap Honor

I was very (extremely even) fortunate to be able to attend last night's World Hunger Year/WHY-Chapin Awards benefit dinner, which honored Elvis Costello, Senator John Edwards, the National Farm Worker Ministry and WCBS Newsradio 880. Through a private foundation that I'm involved in, I got a table and invited a few people who I thought would enjoy the evening but more importantly who I'd be into spending the evening with.

Senator Edward's speech was electrifying, topped only by Costello's heartfelt address. But all of it was trumped by Elvis' thrilling 3-song set - Costello on his signature Gibson guitar with Allen Toussaint on stand up piano - of songs from the River in Reverse: the title track, Nearer To You, and a rollicking Who's Gonna Help Brother. Me, maybe ten feet from the stage.

Here's the table sans Shore Fire president Marilyn Laverty who snapped the shot, clockwise, the seated Elyssa Gardner, Nell Mulderry, Bill Zuckerman, Rob Santos, me, Peter Himberger, Bill Bragin and Bill Flanagan.




Here's VH1's Bill Flanagan with Marilyn Laverty during the cocktail hour.


Guests at play: Bill Flanagan, Elyssa Gardner and Nell Mulderry.



Here's a quick on the fly shot of me with Elvis and my old college friend and bandmate Bill Zuckerman. You can just spot the back of Allen's head behind us.


So how do you make an exciting, great night even better? Answer: Get Rob Santos to introduce you to totally cool songwriter and producer Richard Gottehrer (you could start with his songs My Boyfriend's Back and I Want Candy and just go from there...)



All in all, I'll be putting last night into the "pinch me moment" category.

A Sugar Sweet Sunshine Birthday

Earlier this week we gathered 'round the table for cake in honor of Nora Lyons' birthday. We spend many a night on or around Ludlow Street, where our clients often play at clubs like Arlene's Grocery and the Living Room. So we're well acquainted with the L.E.S. cult baker Sugar Sweet Sunshine. Well at least Nora is, because she chose a dense and not-too-sweet Red Velvet cake for her blow-the-candle-out moment. Happy Birthday Nora!

Chip Taylor and Lenny Kaye Rock "Wild Thing"

Chip Taylor's performances of songs from his upcoming album New Songs Of Freedom were the highlight of his all-to-brief set last week at NYC's Living Room. But that said, I won't complain that Taylor ended the set with a raucous version of his own famous song, Wild Thing joined by none other than another NY rock legend, Lenny Kaye, who jumped in on the backup singing. That encore got me to thinking how Wild Thing has got to be one of the greatest songs ever written...it's completely indestructible. Try as you might, you just can't ruin it (believe me, I tried. But that's another story entirely. Have you ever played it yourself on an instrument and /or in a band? Believe me too, it's a blast).

Talk about completing the circle. Kaye, among other achievements, is lauded for his 1971 garage-rock defining compilation Nuggets. Nuggets didn't include Wild Thing, but it was the start of the canonizing of such 65-68 era guitar rock hits.



Above: Chip Taylor, the man in black, with Kaye , the man in white.


I've met Lenny Kaye every two or three years since I first ran into him in 1983 or 4 at a record store in Greenwich Village. My friend recognized him and we introduced ourselves, complimenting him on how great Nuggets was. A sweetheart then and a stand up guy now too.

Anchors Aweigh Rob Krauser...A Toast

We gathered recently to offer a toast to Shore Fire's Rob Krauser on the occasion of his marriage. That's Krauser, mimosa in hand, grinning in anticipation of his wedding and honeymoon (in Thailand). Congrats Rob.

My New Favorite Photographer

NYC's Davey Wilson is my new favorite photographer after watching him action at a Chip Taylor photo shoot last week. Actually, he was great to work with but the shots were even better. Taylor is such an intriguing person. He carries himself with gravitas, poise and authority, and the shots I'd seen of him didn't reflect this. With Davey, I got what I wanted to help with publicizing Chip's upcoming album New Songs Of Freedom. I can't recommend Davey highly enough and I hope that he'll be able to shoot many more of our clients.

Another "Night To Remember..."

The annual benefit dinner for The Kristen Ann Carr Fund, 'A Night To Remember,' was recently held at the Tribeca Grill in Manhattan and members of the Shore Fire family made sure not to miss the occasion. From left to right - Nick Baily's wife Rebecca Phillips, Brendan Gilmartin, Rebecca Shapiro, Rebecca's empresario husband Peter Shapiro and Nick Baily. Shore Fire President Marilyn Laverty, who was honored last year, and Director of Online Marketing Nancie S. Martin were also in attendance. To find out more about The Kristen Ann Carr Fund and its mission to fight Sarcoma click here.

Stomping In New Orleans

Just got back from New Orleans where I was working at the Ponderosa Stomp. Two nights of insane rock n' roll is their motto, and it's spot on. The music started around 6:30 each night and didn't finish until about 3:30. Musical highlights were numerous: Wardell Quezergue's set with Mac Rebennack (aka Dr. John), Jean Knight ("Mr. Big Stuff"), Tammy Lynn, and Tony Owens; the incredible delta blues of Louisiana Red; supercharged rockabilly from the Collins Kids; Eddie Bo showing us a history of funk; the Tail Dragger (a Howlin' Wolf protege) crawling onstage; Barbara Lynn ("We Got A Good Thing Goin'"); and the highly energized ? and the Mysterians; and many more.

The beauty of the Stomp is that it's all there at once and you can literally see and hear the connections between blues, rockabilly, swamp pop, girl groups, surf, funk, soul, gospel, garage rock and psych. The downside is that at any given time, there are often two or three amazing acts playing; it's an embarrassment of riches! Other amazing moments included joking around with Roy Head ("Treat Her Right") and eating a new dish called Pasta-laya backstage with Stomp organizer Grace Callahan. Congratulations to Stomp curator Dr. Ike on an incredible festival. My advice to you? Start planning a trip to New Orleans in late April next year.

Here's Bill Kopp of SKOPE Magazine following an interview with the Green Fuz.








Here's Mac Rebbenack, better known as Dr. John, sitting in during the Wardell Quezergue Rhythm & Blues Revue, one of the highlights of the Stomp for me.










Curator Dr. Ira "Dr. Ike" Padnos was interviewed by Phillip Rollins of MTV.com's Street Team at the Louisiana Museum Cabildo.







Here's swamp blues legend Lazy Lester (original singer of the song "Ponderosa Stomp"), New Orleans electric bluesman Little Freddie King, and Mrs. Samantha Padnos (Stomp organizer and Dr. Ike's wife).







Here's Lester, ? (of Question Mark and the Mysterians) and yours truly backstage.

P-Stomp, Day 1

It's no secret that the average age of the performers at the Ponderosa Stomp is well north of your average festival. Collectively though, these artists put on a show that's more unhinged, more high energy, more insane (!!!) than comers half - or even a third - their age.

Day One of the P-Stomp was a runaway sucess. The first ever slate of P-Stomp day panels (held in the historic Cabildo building on Jackson Square, where the Louisiana Purchase transfer took place in 1803) drew SRO crowds. My favorite panel featured southern guitar legend Travis Wammack, who told the audience that his other passion is rattlesnake hunting. With a slingshot!

The P-Stomp itself was a marathon nine hour blowout. Here's a few highlights:


Former Shore Fire client Mary Weiss had the crowd in the palm of her hand. She played lots of Shangri-Las songs, including my fave, "Out in the Streets." Yeah!


Legendary rockabilly sibs The Collins Kids Tore. It. Up.


Wildman Roy Head moved so fast I still couldn't get a good pic of him. Even with flash!


Backstage with "Mojo Hannah" herself, Tammy Lynn. Tired, but happy.

Down At The Union Hall

How much do I love my job? Yesterday I attended a pre-P-Stomp rehearsal for Wardell Quezergue's Rhythm & Blues Revue, at the New Orleans Musicians Union and was one of roughly a dozen people who saw history first-hand.

Known as the Creole Beethoven, Wardell is one of the great architects of the New Orleans groove. He has arranged historic sides for Fats Domino and Professor Longhair, not to mention out-of-towners like Paul Simon and Willie Nelson. Though now blind, his ears are sharper than ever, and yesterday he presided over a rehearsal that included Jean Knight belting out her monster hit "Mr. Big Stuff" and, in the pic below, Tammy Lynn tearing up her classic "Mojo Hannah."

That's Wardell in the center of the frame with his back to the camera, white hair, plaid shirt. On the drums? Zigaboo Modeliste, arguably the greatest percussionist ever to hail from the Crescent City. On the piano? Yep, Dr. John, who's scheduled to play a special P-Stomp exclusive set of his early Mac Rebennack material.

Wardell & co. hit the stage tonite at the House of Blues for the first night of the 7th Annual Ponderosa Stomp. I can assure you from first hand experience, it'll be all killer, no filler.

It's Another Party Time at Shore Fire

It's not all fun and games at Shore Fire. Oh, wait maybe it is. But seriously, celebrating staff birthday's is a longtime tradition here. Today is was Staten Islander Chris Tallie's turn to blow out the candles on a delicious carrot cake.

My New Favorite Restaurant in Brooklyn

So the Krauser family legacy runs pretty deep in Brooklyn. My father was raised here, and my grandfather actually had a hardware store on Atlantic Avenue. I recenlty found out from my Dad that the store was at 81 Atlantic.

After a little sleuthing, I discovered that the new tenants are the Mark Satlof approved Moxie Spot, a great little restaurant that is very kid friendly. What I also discovered (and what makes me more than a little excited) is that when they bought the building and stripped the paint off the sign that was up, they found the old "Krauser Hardware" sign underneath! And then they made it into a table!



That's me in front of the Krauser table! Nat the owner decided the old sign was so cool he wanted to incorporate it into the space. he's also got the "Hardware" part of the sign up on the wall.


And Lost City has a picture of the sign after they uncovered it.

So anyway, go eat at the Moxie Spot and think of me and my family when you do. The Krauser legacy comes full circle in Brooklyn.

Shameless Shore Fire Promotion

I happen to be doing a little googling of Shore Fire Media and discovered this juicy and insightful Q & A with our Vice-President Mark Satlof on Mediabistro's PR Newswer. Click here if you want to know whether Mark prefers coffee or tea, how he feels about the closing of Yankee and Shea stadiums, his favorite parts about working in the music biz, his first time seeing Elvis Costello, and what Ike Turner wrote on his signed photo.

Thursday Apr 03, 2008

PRNewser Interview: Mark Satlof, Shore Fire Media VP

It doesn't take a genius to understand that the music industry game is changing. Just yesterday, Jay-Z announced he would be leaving Def-Jam, his longtime record label in favor of an unprecedented $150 million deal with concert promoter Live Nation.

If anyone can provide an inside look into this world, it's Shore Fire Media. The music focused PR and Online Marketing agency represents artists including Bruce Springsteen, Norah Jones, Elvis Costello and Paul Simon.

VP Mark Satlof recently talked to PRNewser about client Billy Bragg's Op-Ed in the New York Times, working Grammy night and changes in the music industry from a PR perspective.

Up with McRae at the Living Room

Last night, at her fourth showcase in a month at the Living Room on Ludlow St. in NYC, Hilary McRae came into her own. From a pretty terrific start, I've watched Hilary get better and better each time I've seen her there. Perched front and center behind her keyboard, the young songwriter, singer, bandleader and multi-instrumentalist has got her guys dance-band tight...the three man horn section punches, the rhythm section's funky and rock solid, and the guitarist punctuates Hilary's key's perfectly. Keep an eye out in the next few weeks as Hilary, signed to Hear Music, will be making an appearance on CBS Saturday Early Show. Her Stevie Wonder/Earth Wind and Fire/70s horn- inspired debut Through These Wall, is out next Tuesday.

Here's me, Hilary, and Shore Fire's Carrie Tolles after the show.

Doucet Tunes Up at Shore Fire

One of our newest clients Luke Doucet flew in the other day from Toronto for a gig at Joe's Pub. White Gretsch Falcon in tow, Luke pulled a rockin' Billy Bragg move onstage, bashing that sweet sounding guitar solo for a too short set of songs from his upcoming Blood's Too Rich album. (Think loping Crazy Horse rhythm section, with some extra hollow body guitar twang, meets tales of dusty, beat down drifters and ne'er-do-wells).

On Thurday, Luke came to visit. So what's the thing to do when one of Canada's most in-demand guitarists is sitting in your office? Get him to tune up your early 60s Gibson, of course. Thanks, Luke.


We pulled some interesting stories out of Luke, like the one about the first time he traveled across Canada by himself...at age 11. But more of that later. Before he left, we got Luke to visit our mailroom. Here's Luke with me and Diana D'Angelo.

Tap Lives, Shore Fire b-day Celebrated

We rented a theater in our local Cobble Hill Cinema last night for a big screen showing of This Is Spinal Tap, the movie for which no adjectives are needed modify its greatness. Shore Fire staff and journalist and music industry friends, as well as our client, the songwriter and singer Tina Dico, mingled in space. Conceived as just a fun night out, we realized later that the timing was right to celebrate Shore Fire's 18th birthday. Marilyn Laverty started the company just a couple of blocks from our current Court St. location in early April 1990. Eighteen was certainly a step up from last year's more modest affair.

Anticipation built...and we had a couple of our own Spinal Tap moments. We'd gotten everyone seated, and then the projectionist disappeared. It took a few long minutes before he returned and got the movie going. Then, wouldn't you know it, the dvd started skipping, luckily at the very end over the credits. Anyway, me = This is Spinal Tap never gets old, but it does get better.

L-R, here's Shore Fire's Nora Lyons, Michael Lavigne, Chris Tallie and Rebecca Shapiro.

Marilyn Laverty blows out a birthday candle. Onlookers include Chris Tallie, musician Tina Dico and Shore Fire's Matt Hanks (sweater).

A radiant Tina Dico talks to her publicist here at Shore Fire, Maggie Poulos.

Dapper Office Visitor

We were happy to have manager Juan Luis Carrera stop by our office yesterday, to get loaded up with CDs. We're working with Juan on The Hold Steady, who've got an album coming out later this year. Here he is resting in Nick Baily's office.

Diana and Clooney sitting in a tree

My week in Los Angeles has been amazing!
After an early morning flight on Monday I headed to a photo shoot with the B-52s for Interview magazine (the photos are fierce!) and that evening I escorted Ledisi to the premiere of the film Leatherheads.

Check out this great red carpet moment captured on film. Clooney is so into me!


More news from LA to come.

Wild Times at Ralph's World, or....

..."Where's my kids?"

I had a few panicked moments when I lost track of my two kids during a mob scene, kiddie-riot this past Saturday at the SRO Ralph's World show at Symphony Space in New York City. Ever been to a Stooges show, where Iggy exhorts -demands- the audience to join him on stage? Things get scary up there, with a mob/scrum dancing and shouting, pushing and shoving.

Ralph's World's Ralph Covert does the same to close his shows, and every time I've seen him, the scene has been getting more and more raucous. This past weekend, I hoisted my boys up into the crowd...and then they disappeared. I'd lost sight of them up there. I took a few steps back, and wouldn't you know it, Leo and Eli had wormed their way through the other kids to end up planted directly in front of Ralph. Phew.

Ralph's World was incredible as usual, and they played a few terrific new songs from their upcoming new album "The Rhyming Circus" (May 20. Disney Sound). I can't get "Gotta Be Good" outta my head. We're psyched to be working with Ralph's World again (and so are our kids):

Here's my bored-looking kids Eli, the little kid w/ the horizontal striped shirt, standing right next to Leo (holding the camera). Rest assured they has a blast at the show.

Here's a wonderful shot of rock star Ralph, taken from the stage by 6 1/2 year old Leo:


An overview of the on stage crowd.


One sweet shot from the stage, taken again by Leo:


Ralph, Leo, Eli, and Eli's friend Skyler.

Went to the Colbert Report and all I got was this Lousy

...tote bag, plus a "wriststrong" charity bracelet and a baseball cap.

I was there today with Carole King for her first appearance on the Colbert Report. She did great with Stephen during his sit down interview, and her performance of I Feel the Earth Move was powerful and rocking. Carole spoke of her work with the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, now working its way through congress, as well as of her recent DVD Welcome to My Living Room and the upcoming reissue of Tapestry.

The crowd roared for Carole, and after she walked backstage, she decided on the spot to return for another song for the audience. I don't think there was a body in the house who wasn't floored by a stunning You've Got a Friend, replete with sing along. As usual, it was a thrill to get to hang out with Carole and watch her perform, while on the Colbert side, the entire staff was was a good bunch and treated Carole very well. Lots of fans up there.



Oh yeah, I also got to meet Stephen for a fleeting moment, but long enough to get this photo.


Oh, and this picture too of Carole with Kareem Abdul Jabar

SXSW Day 2

You snooze, you lose! It was well worth the early call time this morning to see Eli "Paperboy" Reed serve up a soul breakfast on Austin radio KGSR, live from the lobby of the Four Seasons.

Lyle Lovett co-hosted the broadcast with Austin's own Andy Langer. Here's a shot of Lyle and Eli, with members of his band The True Loves, right after the show.

With more performances from Eli, Billy Bragg, and Liam Finn on the docket for later today, I'll report back soon.

When the Big Man Blows....It's Party Time

Chris "Big Man" Thieke, the heart and soul of our operation as the guy in charge of what comes into the office and what goes out, got his pick of Brooklyn's own Steves Authentic Key Lime Pies for his birthday celebration the other day. Praised by pundits and the American Pie Council alike, Steve's pies were a delicious and tart way to wind down the afternoon. Here's Thieke in action, with Michael Lavigne, Rebecca Shapiro, and Shore Fire President Marilyn Laverty.

SXSW Day 1

My SXSW 08 began with a 3:45AM wake-up call in Brooklyn this morning. Such is life when you have to make a noon panel in Austin. By mid-afternoon, I was front and center (well, rear and stage right, truth be told) for Liam Finn's killer set at the Austinist party. Here's a shot of him a split second before giving his drum kit a good punishing.

By early evening Nick Baily, Brendan Gilmartin and I were ensconsed in the Driskill piano bar for drinks with some FOSF (Friends of Shore Fire).

Here's a shot of Ira "Dr. Ike" Padnos - founder of the mighty Ponderosa Stomp - and Eli "Paperboy" Reed.


And get a load of Harp's Fred Mills and Shore Fire's Brendan Gilmartin mugging for the camera.

And last but certainly not least, give it up for (L-R) Gary Graff, Alan Sculley and Lynne Margolis.


Watch this space for more news from Austin.

Michael's Birthday....Breakfast?

We broke from the mold a bit earlier this week in celebrating Michael Lavigne's birthday. This time, on Monday, we went with bagels and cream cheese to start the week off. But the candle stayed, stuck into a bagel hole.

Shore Fire Style

In honor of New York's Fashion Week, we're providing these fashion tips for men as a public service from some of Shore Fire's nattiest employees. Watch and learn.

1. Grow a beard. It goes with everything.
2. Stripes, stripes, stripes.
3. Untucked shirts rule.
4. Folded arms are the new black.
4. When you're smiling, when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you.
5. Accessorize with the beer of your choice.

From left: Nick Loss-Eaton, Chris Thieke, Chris Taillie and "The" Rob Krauser, scoring style points at Shore Fire's holiday party.

Up Early and Out Late with the Blind Boys

The Blind Boys of Alabama kept us busy last week, in town promoting their new album ‘Down in New Orleans’ on Time Life. Among other things, they performed on Imus in the Morning, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and gave a knock-out live performance from the Cutting Room in Manhattan that aired live on WFUV.

Here’s a shot snapped just after the WFUV gig with, from left to right: WFUV’s Rita Houston, Blind Boys Joey Williams and Jimmy Carter, Time Life’s Bas Hartong, Blind Boys drummer Ricky McKinnie, me, and BBs bassist Tracy Pierce.

You can’t really tell from the photo, but Jimmy Carter’s cap reads “Jimster.” He is the coolest septuagenarian I know.

Diana and her Birthday Doughnuts

We gathered 'round the kitchen table yesterday to celebrate Diana D'Angelo's birthday, and this time we did things a little different. Eschewing our traditional cakes, Diana went for an awesome selection of doughnuts from the highly touted Doughnut Plant, on Grand St. in the heart of the old Jewish Lower East Side (in fact, a couple doors down from the last great bialy baker, Kossars).



Notice the cleverly placed Shore Fire-branded water bottles!

First Shore Fire Birthday of the New Year, Prize goes to...

...Maggie Poulos, who was rewarded with a tasty cake last week at the Shore Fire Brooklyn HQ! Happy Birthday, Maggie

Giving Back in Brooklyn

According to the Coalition for the Homeless, there are over 35,000 homeless New Yorkers who sought the aid of shelters in 2007. Last Friday I had the opportunity to meet a small fraction of Brooklyn’s homeless community by spending the day volunteering at Park Slope Christian Help’s (CHIPS) soup kitchen. I didn’t even realize a shelter existed right in my neighborhood until Shore Fire made a holiday donation to the charity.

CHIPS is lucky to have a number of regular volunteers who quickly put me to work making an enormous salad. There was no dressing so I had to get creative and concoct my own from lemons, spices and oil and vinegar. During meal service I ran dishes back and forth between the cafeteria and the kitchen. Even though I haven’t had a dishwasher since moving to New York, I definitely topped my dishwashing record and didn’t break a single one in the process. It was all in a day’s work for CHIPs and the volunteers to feed about 100 hungry mouths in the local community who really appreciate the help.

For more information on donating or volunteering at CHIPS: http://www.chipsonline.org/

Coaltion for the Homeless:
http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/

Lunch service at CHIPS soup kitchen.

Roseanne, a weekly volunteer spooning butternut squash into a serving pan.

Volunteers serve Friday's menu of chicken with rice and beans cafeteria style.