San Francisco, CA – Blue Bear School of Music, the original school of rock and roll since 1971, is pleased to present the 8th annual Blue Bear Benefit featuring Robert Randolph & The Family Band on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco. Talented Blue Bear Youth Bands will jump start this special evening with rocking performances. Tickets are $75 general admission, $150 VIP (includes complimentary catered cuisine, exclusive non-reserved VIP seating opportunities, non-hosted VIP bar and more) and $60 general admission for Blue Bear Members. Tickets can be purchased at the front desk or via phone at Blue Bear School of Music (Fort Mason Center, Building D in San Francisco, 415-673-3600, bluebearmusic.org/benefit) or at the box office and online at Bimbo’s 365 Club (1025 Columbus at Chestnut in San Francisco, bimbos365club.com).

The annual Blue Bear Benefit provides crucial funding for the school’s nonprofit mission and music education programs that enrich the lives of more than 800 Bay Area youth, including hundreds of kids from low-income families and at-risk communities. Proceeds support all of Blue Bear’s music programs including Rock Band Ensemble, Group Guitar and Keyboard Lab programs at public school partner sites, their new Digital Studio Program at Bayview Hunters Point YMCA, and youth scholarships and sliding scale tuition support for low-income students of all ages receiving high-quality music instruction at Blue Bear’s Fort Mason Center campus.

Headlining this year’s Blue Bear Benefit – in the band’s only Bay Area appearance this spring – is Robert Randolph & The Family Band, a group well known for their powerhouse live performances and led by a pedal steel guitar virtuoso who has been called one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone. Blue Bear’s Development Director and benefit Executive Producer Marcus Yelton says, “We’re very excited to present Robert Randolph and his band at our 8th annual Blue Bear Benefit. His incredible musicianship will make for an amazing night of music and celebration, plus his background and his road to success is really an inspiration for our young students, several of whom will be performing on stage that evening.”

A nonprofit organization founded in San Francisco in 1971, Blue Bear School of Music is the original “school of rock and roll” and one of California’s largest community music schools. Blue Bear is the Bay Area’s leading destination for aspiring musicians of all ages and skill levels who want to learn and play rock, pop, blues, jazz and folk music. The school’s commitment to providing superior quality and affordable popular music education has helped more than 30,000 students achieve their musical goals, regardless of their financial means.

Please join Blue Bear School of Music for this year’s Blue Bear Benefit and help the school continue its 42-year legacy of bringing innovative and affordable music education programs to anyone who is motivated to sing, play or craft a song. For more information on the Blue Bear benefit, please visit bluebearmusic.org/benefit.

Cabins go on sale Wednesday May 30, 2013 at noon est.

GO TO Jam Cruise 12 for all the details and to get your place on this amazing musical adventure!

There is gonna be a party up in here!

SET TO RELEASE LICKETY SPLIT JULY 16 ON BLUE NOTE RECORDS

FIRST NEW STUDIO ALBUM IN THREE YEARS

April 15  – New York – Robert Randolph, the slide guitar jam/rock/blues phenomenon who’s been captivating global audiences for a decade, announced to reporters assembled at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Music Festival in Madison Square Garden that his long-awaited new album is titled Lickety Split. The new record is Randolph’s first for Blue Note and is to be released July 16. Lickety Split represents the first new studio album for Randolph & The Family Band in three years.

“This record has elements from all of our earlier records,” Randolph explains. “There are cool songs with lots of guitar and we can see the growth of our band in the new recordings.” “With this record we got to reconnect with the originality and creativity that fans fell in love with from the very beginning. This is the music that we started out playing and now that we are back on a roll I’m sure we won’t keep our fans waiting three years for the next album.”

Randolph co-produced the 12-track album and co-wrote 9 of the 12 songs.  Randolph has reconnected with songwriting partners such as Drew Ramsey and Shannon Sanders, with whom he composed such Family Band hits as “Ain’t Nothing Nothing Wrong With That” as well as Grammy Award winner Tommy Sims, perhaps best known for “Change The World”.  Any one familiar with Randolph’s high energy live performances are familiar with his love for reinterpreting classic songs Family Band style.  Lickety Split honors that tradition with enthusiastic interpretations of The Ohio Players’ dance-groove “Love Rollercoaster” and The Rascals’ (and Olympics’) “Good Lovin’.” Randolph recorded the album with his longtime bandmates and actual family members, The Family Band, including Marcus Randolph (drums), Danyel Morgan (bass, vocals), Brett Haas (guitar, keys) and Lenesha Randolph (vocals) along with special guests Trombone Shorty and Carlos Santana. The album was engineered by Eddie Kramer [Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin] and mixed by Jim Scott [Tedeschi Trucks].

The new album kicks off with the vigorous anthem “Amped Up” capturing the high-energy excitement that is so identified with Randolph’s legendary stage performances. That celebration of creative renewal continues with “Born Again.” “It’s about finding the joy again,” says Randolph. “At first it was more of a love song, about the sense you get when you find the right person. Then, as we were recording this new music with a whole new sense of direction and feeling free again it all came together. It’s not a religious thing, it’s just new energy—which is really the old energy that I had at the beginning of my career.”

Randolph also notes that the title track of Lickety Split is one of his favorites.  The song features Randolph joined by his sister Lenesha on vocals.  “What’s great about that one is that it’s something we actually played in church, just like that,” he says. “There’s a section in the service called the ‘Jubilee Jam Session Time’.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band first gained national attention with the release of the album Live at the Wetlands in 2002. The concert recording was taped at New York’s historical Wetlands Preserve Club before it closed in 2001. The band followed that acclaimed live album with their first studio recording Unclassified, attracting the attention of Eric Clapton. Since then, the band has toured with Clapton, Santana and the Dave Matthews Band and, as a headline act, has developed a large, passionate following built upon legendary performances at such major festivals as Bonnaroo, Crossroads, Hard Rock Calling, Montreux Jazz, Austin City Limits and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.   Later albums, Colorblind and We Walk This Road, enjoyed critical and commercial success led by signature Randolph composed songs such as “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That”. Rolling Stone named Robert Randolph one of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists,” the only pedal steel player so honored, calling him “one of the most intense live acts in all of jamdom” and citing his solos as “perpetually cresting, lightning-fast explorations.”

“Robert Randolph is an American Original,” says Don Was, President of Randolph’s new label, Blue Note Records. “He has mastered what is, arguably, the most complex instrument in the world and developed a unique voice that is equal parts street-corner church and Bonnaroo. This album finally captures the energy and excitement of his legendary live performances.”  Fans worldwide have taken notice of this American original, with audiences and critics alike singing the praises of this unique superstar. “I’m the only one who does what I do,” sums up Randolph, simply. After years away from the recording studio, Robert Randolph & The Family Band have finally come back with Lickety Split.
Track listing for Lickety Split:

1. Amped Up                                                3:18
2. Born Again                                               4:20
3. New Orleans                                            4.11
4. Take The Party                                        4:09
5.  Brand New Wayo                                    4:36
6. Lickety Split                                              4:01
7.  Blacky Joe                                               5:49
8. Love Rollercoaster                                    3:12
9. All American                                              2:43
10. Get Ready                                                5:07
11. Welcome Home                                        6:11
12. Good Lovin’                                              2:55

For more information please contact:
Amy Treco
M.f.h.
(p) 323.962.6887
(e) amy@bobmerlis.com

JR Rich
Blue Note Records
(p) 212.786.8628
(e) JR.Rich@umusic.com

ROCK/SOUL/FUNK SUPERSTAR RETURNS WITH A NEW ALBUM THIS SUMMER

April 2nd, 2013 – New York, NY – Robert Randolph, the virtuoso pedal steel guitarist whose distinctive mix of rock, funk and rhythm & blues has built a fervent, international audience has signed with Blue Note Records. The signing is a precursor to the release of Randolph’s highly anticipated new studio album – his first since 2010’s We Walk This Road.  “Robert Randolph is an American Original….he has mastered what is, arguably, the most complex instrument in the world and developed a unique voice that is equal parts street-corner church and Bonnaroo. Robert’s  new studio album finally captures the energy and excitement of his legendary live performances…we are honored that he has chosen Blue Note Records as his new home.” says label President Don Was.

The new album is being produced by Randolph and showcases his Family Band, the powerhouse ensemble that has backed him throughout his career. The Family Band is comprised of actual family members Marcus Randolph, Danyel Morgan, Lenesha Randolph together with guitarist Brett Haas. The new album features special guest appearances from Trombone Shorty and Carlos Santana and signifies a return to the joyful, high energy music that has become Randolph’s trademark. “Blue Note is a true music label with a 75-year history of working with great musicians like John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Al Green and the head of the label is a real musician and songwriter,” explains Randolph. “It’s really an honor to sign with Blue Note and to have them share my vision.” The new, as yet untitled, album was engineered by the legendary Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin) and mixed by Jim Scott [Tedeschi Trucks].

Robert Randolph & The Family Band first gained national attention with the release of the album Live at the Wetlands in 2002. The concert recording was taped at New York’s historical Wetlands Preserve Club before its closing in 2001. The band followed this acclaimed live album with their first studio recording Unclassified, attracting the attention of Eric Clapton. Since then, the band has toured with Clapton, Santana and the Dave Matthews band and, as a headline act, has developed a large, passionate following built upon legendary performances at such major festivals as Bonnaroo, Crossroads, Hard Rock Calling, Montreux, Austin City Limits and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.   Two further albums Colorblind and We Walk This Road enjoyed critical and commercial success led by signature Randolph composed songs such as “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That”. Rolling Stone named Robert Randolph one of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists,” the only pedal steel player so honored, calling him “one of the most intense live acts in all of jamdom” and citing his solos as “perpetually cresting, lightning-fast explorations.”

With a new label, a new record and a summer-long schedule of tour dates, Robert Randolph & The Family Band stand ready to return into the limelight bringing steel-fueled, funky guitar rock back to longstanding fans and fresh ears, alike.

Artists confirmed for the two-day festival include: Robert Plant & Sensational Space Shifters, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Slightly Stoopid, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, G. Love & Special Sauce, STS9, Galactic, Railroad Earth, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Lettuce, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers and ALO, along with a local stage featuring regional acts.

Two-day festival passes to JamBase Live are $75 and go on sale March 16 at LiveNation.com. An early bird discount of $15 a ticket will be offered for the first weekend of the on sale (March 16 & 17). No single day tickets will be sold.

“For over a decade, JamBase has been a prime resource for all things live music. For years we have wanted to take the online experience offline and make it unforgettable. A partnership with Live Nation and The Gorge has given us the perfect opportunity to do exactly that. Between our lineup and one of the most beautiful venues in the world, I am certain that this festival will blow people’s minds,” said Casey Shafer, Director of Marketing at JamBase.

Located in the high desert of Central Washington State, The Gorge Amphitheatre provides a picturesque backdrop for another magical gathering to accompany the award winning venue’s Sasquatch!, Paradiso and Watershed Festivals.

“Over the last decade, we’ve transitioned The Gorge from not just a picturesque amphitheatre but also a world-class festival destination. We set out this year to create a unique event that expands on the success of our Sasquatch!, Paradiso and Watershed festivals. JamBase has proven to be a great cyber gathering place for like minded music fans. We wanted to tap into that trust that JamBase has cultivated with their followers and together create a truly unique musical gathering. We couldn’t be more thrilled with what we’ve come up with together,” said Jeff Trisler, longtime promoter of The Gorge concert series.

For more information please visit JamBase Live

The first studio album by pedal steel icons the Slide Brothers incorporates the sacred steel tradition in gospel music with rock, funk, and blues. The quartet and like-minded co-producers John McDermott and Robert Randolph — the pedal steel guitarist and leader of the Family Band — embrace the philosophy that traditional gospel and secular music should not be divided but celebrated. That diversity is reflected in the tasteful union of material linking the Allman Brothers classic “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’,” Fatboy Slim’s trip-hop hit “Praise You,” two Elmore James tracks, George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord,” and an instrumental version of the spiritual “Wade in the Water.” No matter what categorization this music is relegated to, it doesn’t change the genuine celebratory nature the Slide Brothers bring to the listener. Making special appearances with the band are Calvin Cooke, Chuck Campbell, Darick Campbell and Aubrey Ghent, the Blind Boys of Mississippi, Shemekia Copeland, Billy Cox, and the aforementioned Robert Randolph & the Family Band.

Available on iTunes, Amazon.com and in fine record stores nationwide – $9.99

SEE Robert Randolph and the Slide Brothers:

02/20/13 – Rio Theater  Santa Cruz, California

02/21/13 – Crystal Bay Crown Room Crystal Bay, Nevada

02/22/13 – UC Davis Mondavi Center  Davis, California

02/23/13  Royce Hall   Los Angeles, California

Check out the interview HERE

The Slide Brothers are out on the road supporting this new release with live performance…check out where and when SHOWS

The Slide Brothers Official Website

The Slide Brothers Official Facebook Page

Follow them on Twitter