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British guitarist and singer John Tams is, according to Mojo magazine, "one of the unsung gods of folk." Although his debut solo album, Unity, wasn't released until 2000, Tams has made his presence felt among the British folk community for more than three decades. A member of Ashley Hutching's Albion Band from 1976 until 1987, he continued his musical assault as leader of the political British folk-rock band Home Service and pit director of the National Theater. Launching a record label, No Masters Co-operative, with producer Jim Boyes in the early '90s, he worked with several folk artists, including Lal Waterson. Music has provided only one outlet for Tams' creativity. A highly skilled actor and theatrical producer, he served as an associate director of the Crucible Theater and has been a regular producer of dramas for Radio 4. In addition to appearing in a lead role on the popular TV show Sharpe, he composed and performed the show's soundtrack. Born and raised in a Northern England pub, Tams spent many childhood hours listening to jam sessions in the room below his bedroom. His grandfathers further strengthened his love of music: one played concertina and mouth organ while the other played trumpet and violin and conducted a brass band. Although he played trumpet in a brass band at the age of 11, he found his natural musical voice after switching to the guitar. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
MP3 News Breakers: Ginger Spice, Clapton, Elton John
Geri Halliwell names baby Bluebell Madonna; AMG buys Moodlogic; Brother of Police drummer dead at 57; Clapton to kick off tour in Minneapolis; Elton John gets $188,000 in libel damages.
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has bestowed her baby daughter, born May 14, with a flowery name. Inspired by the flower, the not-so-spicy-anymore Halliwell named her daughter Bluebell Madonna. Britain's Hello! magazine quotes the ex-singer as saying, "What really clinched it for me was my mother telling me that the bluebell is increasingly rare--so it's a precious flower, which seems just right for my daughter." Halliwell, now 33, says Madonna, one of her heroines, is the inspiration for the child's middle name.
All Media Guide (AMG), arguably the industry's largest entertainment content database/metadata provider, has completed its purchase of San Francisco-based MoodLogic. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The companies' joint areas of expertise now include "CD, DVD and music file recognition; rich metadata at the artist, album and song level; personalized recommendation services; mood and theme-based playlisting; album art clip streaming; and in-depth editorial content," according to an AMG statement.
Ian Copeland, a pioneering booking agent and music impressario has died at age 57, according to reports. Copeland is credited with helping launch the "new wave" alternative rock movement of the '70s and '80s He was associated with bands including the B-52's, the Police, and R.E.M., and was the brother of Police drummer Stewart Copeland and IRS Records founder Miles Copeland.
Clapton's tour kicks off Sept. 16.
The first leg of Eric Clapton's North America tour is slated to kick off on September 16 in Minneapolis, MN. It will move on to cities that include Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York City, where the guitarist will settle in to the cozy digs of Madison Square Garden, the singer's agent said today. Twenty-two dates were announced today, but, reportedly, more shows are expected to be added to the city lineup. Robert Cray will open for the US dates.
Elton John was paid $188,000 in libel damages today over allegations that he asked guests at his annual "Tie and Tiara" annual charity event not to approach him. The Associated Newspapers Ltd. (publishers of The Daily Mail), ponied up the coin, according to John's attorney, Hanna Basha, say reports. The Sunday Times, which reprinted the Mail article, reportedly agreed on a settlement earlier this year. The amount of that settlement has not been disclosed.
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