Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt To Perform National Anthem At Fenway Park

HOLLYWOOD, CA (May 23, 2012) – Boston’s very own Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt of multi-platinum recording band EXTREME are performing the National Anthem this Saturday, May 26^th at 7:00 PM at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays game.

Most recently, in the celebration of Fenway Park’s centennial, Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt and Daniel Bard joined forces and recorded a version of the song “Let The Good Times Roll” available on the 100 Year Anniversary Red Sox Commemorative album. A portion of proceeds benefits the Red Sox Foundation.

Bettencourt will also be celebrating his special fan Darren Parker, who has self-proclaimed himself as one of Nuno’s biggest fans. The band and fans know him as NunoFreak. Darren has an inoperable brain tumor rendering him unable to work as his medical bills are mounting.

A fundraiser is being held on June 23 at Sleep’s Bar & Grill in Bluffs, IL which will include an auction, donations and freewill. Darren’s dream was to have Nuno show up but unfortunately he will be in London on tour with Rihanna. Bettencourt came up with a solution to help.

Last Friday, Nuno surprised Darren by calling him on the phone and invited him to be his special guest with Gary for the Red Sox game. This generous offer includes Darren to  be on the field when they perform the National Anthem. After the Anthem, Nuno will gift him one of his Washburn Nuno Bettencourt N4 guitars so Darren can auction it on eBay to help cover his medical expenses. The Red Sox has kindly agreed to let Darren come in the afternoon to watch sound-check and then stay in the park to watch batting practice. “We are making this real special for him.” states Bettencourt.  After the phone call with Nuno, Darren sent management an email saying that he “Literally had to pull the car over on the side of the road for 20 minutes to just process the conversation he just had with Nuno.”

Here is Darren’s website to learn more about his situation and the fundraiser.

www.donations4darren.com

Aerosmith Performs on 'American Idol' Finale

Finally, Aerosmith perform on American Idol! The band performed "Legendary Child" and "Walk This Way." Shortly after the performance, it was announced that Aerosmith's new album will be out August 28 and be called Music From Another Dimension.You can pre-order the new album now on iTunes.

Blessed By A Broken Heart - Totally Bringing Back Glam!

Oh my glam! My friend Alan shot me a link to a video from Blessed By A Broken Heart. I'm not sure he actually likes them mind you. I think it was more amusement/confusion/general interest. But I love them! Wiki says they are Metalcore. I say they are Glam! Ok, maybe they are both. Oh, they are Christian metal too. But still. Guitarist Shred Sean (yeah, that's his name) can play. So recognize. This Canadian band is the real deal.

I want to interview this band. Right after I buy the entire Blessed By A Broken Heart collection.

Tesla Release 'I Love You' Video

Tesla just released an official video for the single "I Love You." The song is off the album Twisted Wires & the Acoustic Sessions. The video comes right before the band hits the road with the Scorpions in early June.

Dead Sara Added to ShipRocked Lineup

A newish band called Dead Sara was just added to ShipRocked.

The cruise already features Godsmack, Five Finger Death Punch, P.O.D., Sevendust, Filter, Fuel, Lit, Black Stone Cherry, Geoff Tate, Gilby Clarke and In This Moment. I hadn't heard of Dead Sara before learning the band was going to be on ShipRocked, but a little research lead me to a nice Rolling Stone article about the band. I really like them and I think you will too. Check them out.

ShipRocked sails November 27 - December 1, leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, and making stops in Key West and Nassau.

Rock on the Range Day 2 Recap In Under 3 Minutes

Artisan News Service filed a nice day two wrap of Rock on the Range. The recap is under three minutes and has highlights and band interviews.

Today I will finally get to see Attack Attack! live as well as Escape the Fate, Megadeth and Anthrax.

Rock on the Range 2012 This Weekend!

I'm at Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio this weekend. There are lots of good acts on the bill including Slash, Anthrax, Attack Attack!, Shinedown, James Durbin, Black Stone Cherry, Escape the Fate and many more. Our favorite Australian Christian is with me to add to the fun.

Last night I saw Black Tide and Foxy Shazam during the kick-off party. Today the weather is predicted to be perfect and the crowds will be big! Soon I'll have photos and a review for you. My sunblock is packed and I'm ready to go! Until then...