A Reminder

It is Memorial Day weekend in America. This is a time when people remember lost loved ones, especially veterans. This Memorial Day sees many families worldwide remembering those lost from COVID-19.

America is quickly closing in on 100,000 officially reported dead from the pandemic. We were supposed to hit this number in August. Now we will likely be at 150,000 dead by Independence Day.

This is a reminder why concerts and other big events are canceled this summer. Stay safe, keep your distance from people, wash your hands and look out for each other. At this point, I would say we are all on our own. The federal response was botched and slow to get started. States acted in a mismatched way. Now things are "opening" and case numbers are rising once again. In some parts of America, people threaten to kill or spit at you for wearing a mask. Keep your wits about you and protect yourself. Nothing is more important than your health. Nothing.

'Lazy Days' - Tesla

This one is just for Metalboy!

Tesla recorded "Lazy Days" - quarantine style for us to enjoy this Memorial Day weekend. This is part of their Home to Home sessions series, which is a pretty fun idea.

Stream Tesla, 'The Great Radio Controversy' and Support BBG!

Tommy Shaw Releases 'Going To California' Cover

Happy Friday. This weekend in America, we officially kick-off our (lost) summer. Here is some new music to get us going. From my inbox:

May 22, 2020 -- During these crazy and surreal times, music is the grand healer. While bands can’t be on tour right now bringing music to their fans directly, STYX singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw recognizes the continuing vital and soothing need for new music by releasing a previously unreleased acoustic version of the Led Zeppelin classic, “Going to California” via STYX’s label, Alpha Dog 2T, Inc. 

Stream Shaw-Blades 'Influence' and Support BBG!

While it was recorded many years ago, Shaw thought it was the perfect time to pull it out of the vault for fans to enjoy.

 

As he explains:

 

"After touring behind two Shaw-Blades albums, we discussed a second album of covers and actually recorded a few more, but we never officially set a project into motion. Styx would soon get back together and hit the road with the “Return to Paradise” tour. Will Evankovich and I decided to cut “Going to California” and did it at my home studio in the Hollywood Hills.

 

We recently gave it a listen and when Styx manager Charlie Brusco suggested we release it now to help fill the musical void that the lockdown had created, it suddenly had a new purpose. We had it mastered here in Nashville and created some artwork and got it placed on all the streaming platforms. Robert Plant’s original vocal is stellar, but I tried to make it my own while honoring its essence. I hope you enjoy it!"

Scorpions Las Vegas Residency Postponed

Finally. Not sure what took this one so long, but the Scorpions have postponed their Las Vegas residency called "Sin City Nights." The shows were to begin July 4. New dates are coming soon.

As of this post, Las Vegas casinos and resorts are still closed because of COVID-19. Some casinos and resorts may reopen in June. My guess is capacity will be limited when the casinos do reopen, so do not expect a huge horde of people all at once. Expect to wear a mask, get your temperature checked and say goodbye to the famous buffets.

Stream The Scorpions '20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of Scorpions' and Support BBG!

Things are starting to slowly reopen but that does not mean business as usual. We are in for a long slog of "new normal." Keep your patience and respect the health and rights of others.

Our Vegas Residency at @PHVegas is postponed, new dates to be announced soon. We want our fans & everybody involved to be safe during these uncertain times.
Please take care of yourselves, stay healthy and we will see you again when times are better.Lots of Love. Scorpions pic.twitter.com/F2N5oeN7hG

— Scorpions (@scorpions) May 20, 2020

Nickelback Cancels Tour

Another one bites the dust. Nickelback has officially canceled the All The Right Reasons 15th anniversary tour. I have tickets via Groupon for the Cincinnati date. I expect getting the money back from Groupon will not be fun or easy. Otherwise, if you bought tickets directly, your refunds should be quick and note Nickelback did the right thing by canceling so people can have their cash back during this odd time for so many. Stone Temple Pilots were to provide support. One thing is for sure, it is going to be a boring summer without shows.

Stream 'All the Right Reasons' and Support BBG!

David Ellefson Covers Post Malone

David Ellefson, best known for being the bassist of Megadeth, has just released a cover of the Post Malone track "Over Now. The song will also appear on Ellefson's upcoming and yet-to-be-named solo album.

Stream Post Malone 'Beerbongs & Bentleys [Explicit]' and Support BBG!

You know, I am ambivalent about Post Malone. Famous rockers seem to love him. The twenty-somethings love him. I just do not care much either way. I think he is talented. Some of his songs are okay. There is just nothing there to set my world on fire. Not surprising, I prefer Ellefson's version of the track.

Here it is! The full version of our #Ellefson cover of @PostMalone "Over Now"!!! Huge thanks to #Posty #JoeHellow, and everyone else for the amazing support!! @thomfnhazaert @bumblefoot @andymartongelli @PaoloCaridi https://t.co/TOgFAIj6Vi

— David Ellefson (@ellefsondavid) May 8, 2020

A Dire Prediction

Lzzy Hale of Halestorm predicts a lot of bands won't survive the post COVID-19 fallout. She may be right but musicians are insanely innovative, entrepreneurial and typically scrappy. I do think we will see an even bigger divide between the legacy big bands and newer, underground artists. Tour support dollars have already dried up and small clubs will close but things always come back! I have hope that a lot of musicians we love will hang on and will weather this odd storm. Ditto for the small bars and clubs that host so many bands as they move up the talent ladder. None of us can predict the future but I am hoping Ms. Hale is wrong on this one.

Remember, most bands these days make their money from touring. Do your part and buy a CD, download or sweatshirt when you find an artist you connect with on a special level.