Motley Crue to Co-Headline Ozzfest

Ozzfest sure is going to be short this year with only six dates listed (at least, for now). Who is playing? Ozzy Osbourne of course, plus Motley Crue, Rob Halford, DevilDriver, Nonpoint, Black Label Society, Drowning Pool, Kingdom of Sorrow, Goatwhore, Skeletonwitch, Saviours and Kataklysm.

Each Ozzfest date will include 13 bands on two stages. Music begins early at 1p.m. Tickets go on sale May 22nd.

Aug 14 San Bernardino, CA San Manuel Amphitheater
Aug 17 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
Aug 19 Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion
Aug 21 Hartford, CT Comcast Theater
Aug 22 Camden, NJ Susquehanna
Aug 24 Boston, MA Comcast Center

Ozzfest Announcement Today: Let's Guess!

Tonight, Ozzfest 2010 will finally be revealed. Like any fest, there's been a ton of speculation of who will play and on which stage. So far I've heard just about every rock band mentioned, including Metallica, Hellyeah, Three Days Grace, Mastodon, Godsmack, Mudvayne, Saliva and more. Some bands have been more heavily rumored than others, especially Metallica and Black Label Society. I can see BLS more than Metallica but I hope they both make it on. I've never seen either band live and would love to get a chance to see Metallica and Ozzy on the same night.

Routing is another issue. It's already nearly May and festival season starts in like two seconds. Tons of bands and venues are already tied up, so I don't see Ozzfest as being a ton of dates this go 'round -- but of course I could be wrong.

One thing I'm expecting for sure is for Ozzfest to completely bypass southern Ohio. I don't know what the deal is this year but all the major rock tours seem to be skipping Cincinnati (and Columbus and Dayton and even Cleveland in many cases) and it sucks. Traveling to shows is awesome but it also costs a bomb and isn't feasible for every event. 

So, let's play a game: list your five picks of who will be on Ozzfest 2010. It seems like we're getting a late start on this one but the suspense is killing me. I can't wait to get the official press release!

Rocklahoma Ticket Increase Soon, Another Band to be Announced

If you're still on the fence about Rocklahoma, here's some additional information. Also, if you're planning on attending, come find me...I'll be around.

Pryor, OK – Discount tickets are still available for Rocklahoma, the nation’s biggest Memorial Day party, which will kick off summer May 28-30, 2010 at “Catch the Fever” Festival Grounds in Pryor, OK.  The multi-day destination camping rock festival is only one month away and features an all-star roster of 35 top rock artists from the past three decades performing on three stages, including ZZ Top, Godsmack, Tesla, Buckcherry, Cinderella, Chevelle, Theory of a Deadman, Saliva, Saving Abel, Fuel, Sevendust and more.  An exciting additional Main Stage band will be announced on May 10.

Current Weekend GA ticket prices of $110 plus service fees are good through May 11.  Tickets will then increase to $125 and will be available for $150 at the gate.  Weekend VIP ticket prices are now only $290 plus service fees through May 11 and will rise to $320 and then $350 at the gate.  Single day tickets range from $35-$45 plus service fees and will go up by $5 on May 12. 

As part of the second annual Miss Rocklahoma contest, the top ten finalists who best possess the spirit of Rocklahoma have been revealed at www.rocklahoma.com.  It is now up to rock fans from around the world to vote online for their favorite choice for “Miss Rocklahoma.”  The top five finalists will be announced on May 20 and will be introduced on-stage at Rocklahoma on Friday, May 28.  One lucky contestant will be crowned the winner and ambassador for Rocklahoma 2010.  For more details, please visit www.rocklahoma.com.

Established in 2007 as a classic rock destination festival with the motto “life, liberty and the pursuit of rock,” Rocklahoma organizers teamed with AEG LIVE to revamp the 2010 event to encompass a much broader mix of classic, current and up-and-coming rock artists. 

The current line-up for Rocklahoma 2010 is as follows: ZZ Top, Godsmack, Tesla, Buckcherry, Cinderella, Chevelle, Theory of a Deadman, Saliva, Sevendust, Fuel feat. Brett Scallions, Saving Abel, Adelitas Way, Janus, Aranda, The Veer Union, Burn Halo, Richy Nix, Shaman’s Harvest, Lacuna Coil, Taddy Porter, Like A Storm, Taking Dawn, New Medicine, Year Long Disaster, Gypsy Pistoleros, Nigel Dupree Band, Brookroyal, Within Reason, The Last Vegas, Wildstreet, Firstryke, Krank, The Glitter Boys, O’Dette, Problem Child, Black Tora, Mad Max, Bad Things and a very special guest to be announced on May 10.  Gates will open at 2:30pm on Friday, and 12:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Rocklahoma is located just 45 minutes northeast of Tulsa, in Pryor, OK.  The “Catch the Fever” Festival Grounds is a premiere destination for a multi-day festival, and includes on-site camping with access to restrooms and shower house, a general store for campers, VIP reserved seating, hospitality areas & much more.

For additional information, please visit www.rocklahoma.com. 

Buckcherry's Josh Todd Guest Stars on 'Bones' Tonight

If you like Buckcherry and watch the crime show Bones on Fox, this release is for you:

Buckcherry’s Josh Todd guest-stars as a rock star when Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Booth (David Boreanaz) investigate the death of a rich adventure seeker, and are led to a rock-and-roll fantasy camp in the Bones episode "The Rocker in the Rinse Cycle" airing Thursday, April 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Buckcherry have just completed their upcoming record and the first single/video both titled “All Night Long,” an instant top down summer anthem. The album follows late summer and tour in mid-June follow from one of America’s most identifiable vocalists and bands.

Bret Michaels to Resume Tour Next Month?

Talk about a stunning revelation. Bret Michaels' handlers just released a statement saying Bret may resume his tour next month. Considering Bret nearly died just a couple days ago - and is not out of the woods yet - this would be considered a miracle recovery. I know some have said that Bret needs the road and I get that, but man, I wish the guy would just rest.

Here's the statement:

To all of Bret’s friends and fans,

We thank you all for your continued support and outpouring of well wishes for Bret.

While additional studies are planned throughout the week to hopefully detect the exact cause of the rupture Bret will remain monitored closely by his medical team to make sure no further complications occur. He is responding well to tests and treatments. Even though yesterday was a minor setback Doctors remain hopeful for a full recovery and plan to release more specific information next Monday.

While Bret is recovering we obviously have some shows that are being rescheduled. We are working to reschedule dates from now until May 21st. At this time we are planning to resume the tour May 26th in Ft. Smith Arkansas provided there are no further complications or setbacks. We will then continue with all scheduled dates throughout the summer and fall, including the June and July tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Look for additional information in the days and weeks to come. For those of you with tickets for shows that are being rescheduled, your tickets will be honored on the new dates. Tickets remain on sale for the shows which are being rescheduled although the new dates have yet to be announced.

Regarding Bret Michaels: We're Being Watched

The amount of traffic to this site since Bret Michaels was rushed to the ICU with a brain hemorrhage has spiked tremendously. It's fascinating how many people are coming out of the woodwork in support of Bret and just expressing general concern for his well-being. Of course, Bret's condition also puts a spotlight on Glam metal in general and should remind us all that we're being watched.

Suddenly, clips of vintage Poison videos are rotating on CNN with surprising regularity. Satellite radio is playing more Poison than ever before. Metal websites that normally mock Poison suddenly post updates. Obviously, this is a direct result of Bret's illness - but this renewed exposure could also have some really positive ramifications for our favorite genre of music. The way we represent our music and continue to support our favorite acts will go a long way toward shaping how the mainstream media reports on Bret's condition.

I use the quantifier "mainstream" to signal cable news and print outlets. Obviously, anyone who has been paying attention during the last decade or so knows that online media is where its at - especially when it comes to music. I'm amazed at the sheer number of errors cable outlets have made when referring to Bret. The number one error is calling him the "former" Poison frontman. Then there's referring to him as the singer of "Cherry Pie." Really, the list goes on and on. A lot of what people know about Glam is second-hand garbage. You either love this music, or you don't but I've come to learn that a lot of the people in the "don't" category are really just uneducated of the genre. They either came to the party too late or they never liked Glam much to begin with. Then there are those who actually believe grunge killed Glam, an incorrect thought people like me are still trying to clean up all these years later. No, not one thing "killed" Glam as the genre isn't dead and grunge certainly didn't wipe Motley Crue off the face of the earth, either. For awhile, grunge and Glam happily coexisted -- oh the discussions we'd be having if that had remained the case for the long haul!

When someone asks you a question about Bret - and if you wear your music on your sleeve, you'll be approached - please remember to give the man and the genre some dignity. Don't let the haters wear you down and pay it forward: offer some tips about some new Glam bands, too. Bret's illness is horrible and I am getting flooded with emails asking for updates on his condition. The fact is, I just don't have any special pipeline to the news and I get my updates just like you: from Bretmichaels.com and even TMZ.com. Maybe the best thing we can do for Bret right now is to keep hoping for a positive outlook while promoting Glam. After all, Bret never turned his back on the genre and a whole new flock of kids could be discovering Look What the Cat Dragged In right now. We need to welcome those fans into our special fraternity don't you think?

Click for the latest on Bret Michael's condition.

SongVest To Auction Rights To Next Stryper Release Plus Exclusive In-Studio Session With The Band

For all my Stryper fans - and some of you are particularly vocal via email - this is for you! Check out this release:

SongVest, the company that reinvented the music memorabilia business by offering the ultimate fan collectible -- the songs themselves -- has announced their next major online auction will take place May 15-22 at songvest.com and will include "God," a new track from the upcoming album of cover songs from Christian hard rock icons Stryper.

After recently partnering to sell 50% of "Alive," Stryper singer and songwriter Michael Sweet has again joined with SongVest to offer fans, collectors, and investors two unique packages to bid on:

Platinum Edition (2 Lots):

·12.5% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
·Exclusive studio access to witness the final mastering of "God" to take place sometime between June 18 and June 21 (travel and accommodations paid for by purchaser)

·Special acknowledgment in the album credits
·Personalized, one-of-kind platinum album award with handwritten lyrics and signed CD

Gold Edition (10 Lots):

·2.5% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
·Album award signed by Michael

"After the Alive auction went so well, we decided to offer fans something no one has ever done before: the rights to a song before it’s released. We’re very excited about being the first," said lead singer Michael Sweet.

The auction will end at 3PM EST on Saturday, May 22. Fans can register now at http://www.songvest.com and go behind the scenes with Michael to learn how and why the song was written.

Since 2007, SongVest has offered music fans, collectors, and investors the unique opportunity to share the royalties with the writers of their favorite music. Past auctions have included the rights to songs recorded by Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne and The Monkees.