WMA Adult Contemporary Newsletter

ADULT CONTEMPORARY NEWSLETTER

2009 OUTLOOK

Next summer's tours are taking shape now. Its never too early to get a good date in the books.

UPCOMING TOURS AND NEWS

BURT BACHARACH - Legendary American songwriter and performer Burt Bacharach opens this year's BBC Electric Proms at the Roundhouse in London. He performs with the BBC Concert Orchestra accompanied by guest vocalists, ADELE, Beth Rowley and Jamie Cullum. Burt's unparalleled six-decade career has defined romantic song with cherished hits such as Walk On By, The Look of Love, and I Say A Little Prayer.

In addition, “Burt Bacharach Live at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra” is the new CD Burt’s fans have been requesting for many years. It’s a CD containing thirty-one tracks of Burt Bacharach classics. This album was recorded live at the Sydney Opera House with his own band and singers along with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The record will be launched live on QVC on October 7 at 10 p.m. (Eastern) with a performance with Burt, his band and singers. QVC buyers will receive a three track bonus CD with the purchase of the live album. The new CD will hit the stores October 28 on the Verve label. The complete double album will be available on ITunes at a later date. The digital download includes an orchestral piece titled “For the Children” that Burt specifically wrote for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. “Burt Bacharach Live” is the best of Burt’s music with the ultimate in sound technology.

LOGGINS & MESSINA - Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina are reuniting again for a summer tour. The time period will be September / October 2009. Their last tour in 2005 was 36 shows strong.

BRIAN WILSON - For the first time, Brian Wilson will be touring PACs nationwide during the 2009-2010 season. The routing is currently under discussion. Wilson, who is one of the founding members and songwriters of the Beach Boys released his most current album, "That Lucky Old Sun" in early September 2008. The show will be comprised of greatest hits and new material.

DAVID CROSBY & GRAHAM NASH- The duo just began their East Coast / Great Lakes PAC tour which runs through October and into early November. The time period for the West Coast leg of the tour is TDB in 2009.

MARDI GRAS MAMBO - The Neville Brothers and Dr. John will go out together for the first time ever during the month of February. The tour, titled "Mardi Gras Mambo", will be finalized shortly and will include these markets: Phoenix, AZ; Houston; TX, Tulsa, OK; Dallas, TX; Saint Louis, MO; Madison, WI; Iowa City, IA; Mount Pleasant, MI; Chicago, IL; Lancaster, PA; New York, NY; Atlantic City, NJ; Newport News, VA; Chapel Hill, NC; Charlotte, NC; Columbus, GA; Sarasota, FL; Tallahassee, FL; Naples, FL; West Palm Beach, FL. The 2010 tour routing is already in the works.

TOM JONES - Tom Jone's new album, 24 Hours, will be released on November 25 on S-Curve Records. This is his first new album released domestically in 15 years. The album was produced by British production duo Future Cat, there are two covers on the album -- Bruce Springsteen's "The Hitter" and "I'm Alive" by Tommy James and the Shondells -- but the rest Jones either co-wrote or collaborated with the songwriters. Bono and the Edge of U2 guest on the song "Sugar Daddy." Tom Jones will be touring amphitheatres the summer of 2009.

NEWS

THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS - Steve Martin applied his droll wit to an ultimately moving introduction of his former employer, Tommy Smothers (receiving a writing Emmy that he should have gotten decades earlier.) "I dedicate this Emmy to all the people who feel compelled to speak out and are not afraid to speak to power and refuse to be silent." - Tommy Smothers

DON RICKLES- Don Rickles, thankfully going off script, unleashed his id to hilarious effect. He got a huge laugh with a line about how his wife sits on the sand with "her jewelry signaling ships". Don Rickles won an Emmy for his HBO "Mr. Warmth: the Don Rickles Project".