Here’s the latest on Ping’s Jeff Elbel: ‘m making a whirlwind trip through Los Angeles for the job this week, arriving Wednesday night and wrapping up on Friday.  Thursday and Friday will be long work days, so time to visit old haunts and old pals will be exceedingly slim.  My friends at the Talking Stick have offered a fun opportunity, though.  Ellen has booked thirty minutes for me at the end of her regular open mic night.  My flight arrives at LAX at 7:30pm.  I’ll go straight to the Talking Stick from there, and will play a short set beginning at 9:30pm. 

Since it’s open mic night, feel free to jump in with your own music, or let me know if you’d want to play with me.  Otherwise, I plan to play a handful of new PING songs you haven’t heard, and visit as much as possible before and after.  There’s no cover charge, and all ages are welcome.  I’ve missed palm trees, Amoeba Records, Talking Stick’s awesome Caprese sandwiches, and especially my good friends in California.  Hope to see you there. - - - In general news, there has been a recent surge of progress on Ping’s “Meet Your Maker” album project.  The brilliant Phil Madeira (Buddy Miller’s band, etc.) has tracked Hammond B3 for seven songs, and I’m expecting guitar tracks from Ping veterans Peter Rhee and Matt McCabe soon.  Mike Roe of the Lost Dogs and 77’s played a heroic blues-rock guitar solo on “Here Comes the Sunburn” last month. 

This project has been back-burnered countless times while I concentrate on other people’s projects, but it’s been great fun to tinker with.  I know it’ll be done someday, and will be a blast to hear. “Meet Your Maker” is a concept album. If you want to read about the story or see the lyrics, visit http://www.marathonrecords.com/ping then click on “albums.” - - - In the past few weeks, Tom Sharpe’s SharpeWorldMusic ensemble has played to 1300 friends at the Sinnissippi Park bandshell in Rockford, and performed on the Great Lawn at Chicago’s Millennium Park.  On Sept 29, we’ve got a good ol’ pub gig.  It should be great fun, knocking about with a big band in close quarters.  

I play double bass for Tom’s music, which has been described as “Beethoven meets Kodo Drums,” and sometimes gets compared to Blue Man Group - though none of us paint our heads blue.  It’s thrilling stuff, and well worth checking out. ————————— SHOW SUMMARY: ————————— 

Jeff Elbel @ The Talking Stick Wednesday, August 22, 2007 @ 9:30 pm 1630 Ocean Park Boulevard Santa Monica, CA  90405 

(310) 450-6052 http://thetalkingstick.net Admission: FREE Open Mic begins @ 7pm: You should play, too! 

All ages welcome map: http://tinyurl.com/2y6fr3 SharpeWorldMusic ensemble @ Maple Avenue Pub Saturday, September 29, 2007 @ 10:00 pm 

1227 Maple Ave. (corner of Maple and Rte 53) Lisle, IL 60532 map: http://tinyurl.com/35m3ab    

The street date of Steven’s new album THIS MOMENT isn’t until October 23rd, but purchasers can hear the entire album now through an exclusive pre-sale opportunity at StevenCurtisChapman.com. Right now, pre-purchasing Steven’s new album gives the ability to stream and listen to the entire album on a computer immediately.

Plus, pre-purchasers of THIS MOMENT exclusively at StevenCurtisChapman.com also receive a free bonus track, not available anywhere else, and previously unreleased, entitled “Beautiful Scars.”

Fauxliage is the first full length collaboration between former Sixpence None the Richer singer, Leigh Nash, and Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber of Canadian ambient pop outfit Delerium. Nash’s voice will be instantly recognizable to Delerium fans, having sung on their hit single “Innocente (Falling In Love)” from the album Poem and contributed two songs, “Run For It” and “Orbit of Me” to the band’s subsequent Chimera.  Fauxliage was recorded in Vancouver while Nash contributed ideas and vocals from her home in Nashville, and also features multi-instrumentalist Roy Salmond, bassist Leah Randi and Sarah McLachlan drummer Ash Sood.

The 2007 Cornerstone Festival Label Showcase Stage Manager, Decapolis.com’s very own Corand Tolusa, has announced his picks for this years best bands:

1. The Myriad
2.  The Winston Jazz Routine (The Record Machine)
3. Flatfoot 56 (Flicker Records). 
4.  Luminate
5.  Write This Down
6.  Deas Vail (Brave New World Records)
7.  Future of Forestry (Credential Recordings). 

At long last, Seabird finally finished their debut album!  Allen Salmon and the guys just put the finishing touches on their upcoming  project and while the release date is is still to be announced, we are super excited that it’s finally on it’s way!  More about Seabird in the very near future.

Future of Forestry is sad to say goodbye to Nick and Luke.  The band’s vision seemed to be going in different directions, and the guys will be greatly missed.  Nick and Luke are going to be playing for some other artists such as Bethany Dillon, so you’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the near future.  The bands still has their last shows with this lineup this weekend – Aug 10 in Orange County and 11 in San Diego, and then Eric and Spencer will begin working on the next chapter of the band.  Be looking for a tour coming up in December

The Myriad’s cover of the classic Smashing Pumpkins’ song “Perfect” is featured on the Pumpkins myspace page!  So head over to myspace.com/smashingpumpkins and give their cover a listen.

Here’s something to remember Buck Owens’  Sunday, August 12 birthday.  

On behalf of his many loyal fans, Phantom Tollbooth writer, Dr Bruce L. Thiessen, aka Dr BLT would like to offer this musical Birthday wish:

Buck, if you’re looking down from heaven or you have your ear turned towards earth, this birthday tribute song is for you:

Don’t Forget Buck’s Birthday!
Dr BLT
words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2007 New Nashville West Records
http://www.drblt.net/music/DforgetB.mp3

Now we’re bringing it to Oak Canyon Ranch, Orange County, CA.

With great bands like Underoath, Demon Hunter, Anberlin, Emery, Disciple, Falling Up, Project 86, Thousand Foot Krutch, Showbread and many more to come Cornerstone California is sure to be a great time for everyone.

We are pleased to bring you Demon Hunter’s only show in 2007. This is your only chance this year to see this great band live, exclusively at Cornerstone California.