The Silent Years Get Signed! 

Detroit, MI- Detroit’s own The Silent Years have signed a new record deal with Defend Music out of New York City, and will release their upcoming album “The Globe” on August 12^th via iTunes with the “Hard Copy” out August 26^th. Reportedly Defend Music will also re-issue The Silent Years self titled debut album, which currently can be downloaded for free on the Defend website. Check these guys out over on the Silent Years website as they certainly do not lack the energy that we’re so accustomed to here in Detroit! DetroitRockReview.com- The Only Place For Local Music News & Reviews!

The Hard Lessons Lose Their Anvil! 

Detroit, MI- After 5 years of learning “Hard Lessons” together in and around Detroit and lately across the US and Europe, the Hard Lessons this morning have announced  the imminent departure of their beloved drummer, aptly referred to as “The Anvil”. The groups lead singer, “Augie” made the announcement early this morning via their MySpace website. Stating that the split is totally amicable, they also referred to “creative differences” between the larger than life drummer and the direction the band wants to go. Apparently The Hard Lessons remaining members, Augie Visocchi, and his soon to be wife (as reported by Dr2 last July, they’ll be married this August) Korin Cox (aka Ko Ko Louise) what to stick to Rock & Roll roots as only the Hard Lessons can. Christophe (aka The Anvil) will be relocating to California later this year where we’re sure he’ll spend a good portion of his time breaking waves with his surf board between his music and a possible return to his teaching career. The timing of this announcement seems quite suspect as they are preparing for their latest release, B&G Sides this Saturday up at the Crofoot in Pontiac, as well as Landing on the cover of  this weeks Metro Times due out today. This is saddening news to all of us here at Dr2 as we’ve always believed they’d bust out onto the National Scene in a huge way in the very near future. But as Augie has proclaimed many a time, he’s from Detroit and he’ll never leave Detroit, so we’re sure they’ll come through this just fine as they’re already writing tunes for their next LP. We wish The Anvil the best of luck with what ever path he takes, and I’m sure he’ll always be welcomed back anytime he wishes to “sit in” with The Hard Lessons. Head on over to the Metro Times site to check out their cover story on The Hard Lessons, and check them out this Saturday up at the Crofoot in Pontiac as it may be your last chance to catch The Anvil anchoring this power trio! DetroitRockReview.com- The Only Place For Local Music News & Reviews!

Detroit Country Artist Makes Semi-Finals of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” 

Hometown Honky Tonk Hotty, Sarah Lenore, scored a solid 4 ½ minute feature on NBC’s summertime hit series America’s Got Talent last Night in front of an estimated 40 million viewers nationawide. Produced by Simon Cowell (American Idol) and hosted by Jerry Springer, America’s Got Talent also has an all star set of celebrity judges that includes Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff, & Piers Morgan. With auditions held in a variety of cities around the country, the judges decide which of the acts that make it through to the Vegas Callbacks, and will then move on to the live semi-final performance episodes where the American viewing audience will vote for their favorites each week. The series culminates with a live finale where one act will walk away with a million-dollar prize. Suffice to say that if you’ve followed the career of Sarah, then you know what we mean when we say “Sarah’s Got Talent”, and on top of that she has that all important “look” that everyone so adamantly admits is necessary in today’s media driven music world. During last nights episode, Sarah was featured extensively, garnering abundant praise from all three judges from her rendition of Before He Cheats, getting the nod that indeed Sarah would be heading to Las Vegas for the semi-finals. Check out her Network Tv Debut in the below video. Last years season 2 winner, Terry Fator, not only walked away with $1,000,000 and a stint on the Vegas Strip, Fator signed a $1,500,000 contract for three months at the Las Vegas Hilton, leading to a recent signing of a $100,000,000 contract to perform at the Mirage for 5 years! Check out her Network Tv Debut in the below video. Tune in to NBC every Tuesday and see for yourself whether or not our not so Jack like “Nashville” transplant makes it through to the finals! Until then check her out on the Sarah Lenore MySpace Page and as always, remember Detroit Rock Review is The Only Place For Local Music News & Reviews!

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The Pony Express Wins Fox Rocks Online Competition

DETROIT – The Pony Express, a local garage-rock quartet, was announced the winner of the Fox Rocks competition this week, earning a spot to open for Peter Frampton at the DTE Energy Music Theater on July 29th.

"We are extremely proud of this accomplishment," says lead singer/guitarist Douglas Bannerman. "There are so many talented musicians in this city."

The Ponies garnered 26 percent of all votes cast in Fox's online competition that ran from June 16-29. Participants were able to vote once per hour for the local band of their choice. Twenty-five other bands competed.

The 4,994 votes cast for The Pony Express came after supporters heard their song No Home, a local favorite earning consistent rotation on 101.1 WRIF's "Motor City Riffs" show. In addition to the supporting spot with Frampton, Fox News Detroit will air a segment on The Pony Express as well as an in-studio performance on a date to be determined.

"Detroit has such a unique endowment of musical talent," said drummer Johnny Dakota. "We have had the kind fortune of working with the very best this city—or this country for that matter—has to offer, and we're looking forward to taking our music to a larger audience."

The Detroit Pony Express is currently recording their first full-length album titled Slow Motion Explosion. The album is being produced and recorded by industry legends Vinnie Dombrowski (Sponge, Crud, The Orbitsuns) and Andy Patalan (Sponge, The Bob Guiney Band).

"The Pony Express has a collection of rocking tunes and tender jams," Patalan said via email. "Vin and I are having a gas recording with them."

The Pony Express formed in 2005 with one aim, to create sonic manifestations of the collective experiences and insights shared by Douglas Bannerman (Guitar/Vocals), David Brantley (88s), Eric Alan (Bass) and Johnny Dakota (Drums). Visit www. myspace. com/thedetroitponyexpress for their story. 

Motor City Music Foundation

Detroit Music Awards

http://www.detroitmusicawards.com 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

JAZZMATAZZ 2008 

Thursday July 3, 2008 @ Cliff Bells7:00 p.m. 

The Motor City Music Foundation/Detroit Music Awards proudly presents its annual benefit showcasing some of Detroits most talented Jazz artists.  This year, the event will be held at 7 p.m. July 3rd at Cliff Bells, 2030 Park Ave. at Elizabeth St., in downtown Detroit. The evening will include performances by: Sheila Landis,The Jeffrey Newton Group, & Brazil & Beyond. 

Sheila Landis has been performing her unique style of Jazz, Latin and Blues since 1973. Her current schedule has her performing at Michigan's most prestigious festivals, concert venues and nightclubs. Clearly one of the area's finest vocalists, Sheila has been chosen as the "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist by The Detroit Music Awards on seven occasions including 2001, 2002 and 2003. Her catalog of recorded work on her own SheLan Records has received extensive airplay in local, national and international markets.  Check her out at http://www.sheilalandis.com. 

Brazil and Beyond specializes in jazz-influenced Brazilian music, this group delves especially into the musical styles of northeastern Brazil. The performances present a pleasant mix of Brazilian classics by such big names as Heitor Villa-Lobos, Edu Lobo and Joao Bosco.  Visit their website http://www.brazilandbeyond.com.  

Jeffrey Newton is a professional Jazz saxophonist from the suburban Detroit area and an alumnus of the fabled Oakland University Jazz Studies program of the 1970's.  At the time, the program was considered to be the finest in the country and produced numerous great Jazz musicians. Jeffrey has performed with some of the greats of Jazz including, Dizzy Gillespie, Branford Marsalis and Dave Brubeck. 

Cliff Bells is located at 2030 Park Avenue in Detroits historic entertainmentdistrict.  As one of the premier Jazz venues in the city, the fully restored art-deco nightclub will provide a spectacular backdrop for this fine evening.  Learn more about this gem of Detroit music history from their website http://www.cliffbells.com. 

The Motor City Music Foundation is a Michigan 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation, whose mission is to recognize Detroit area musicians working on a national, regional and local level. Its purpose is also to support and nurture the musical community in the Detroit metropolitan area, and to create a network for musicians that cut across genres and styles.  Benefits such as this help us to honor outstanding achievements and support worthy musical causes throughout SE Michigan. 

The suggested donation is $5 and up. The event will begin @ 7pm.

TNT’s, 89X, & Live Nation Team Up For Something BIG! 

TNT’s, 89X, & Live Nation have teamed up to bring you their newest contest called “The Next Big Thing”! Has your band ever dreamed of opening up a concert on the big stage for the likes of a Metallica, Disturbed, STP or even Linkin Park? If so then this contest is for you as the winning band will open for one of the biggest artist in the world at either DTE Energy Theater, The Fox, or maybe the Fillmore-Detroit! Not only will you get to perform in front of thousands of screaming fans, the winning band will be driven to the show in style, as they’ll arrive via their own personal Limo! Want more? How about 10 free tix to the event for your fans & a VIP After Party at TNT’s hosted by 89X! The Format is simple-They will be doing four bands every Thursday - one band each week will advance to the semi-finals. The voting is 100% done by the fans. Every person at the show will get a ballot with all the names of the bands that are playing that night. The one with the most votes moves on. Each week all the bands will be featured on the 89x commercials, their web site and 89x will be hosting each night. To enter just head on over to TNT’s Bar & Grill MySpace site and shoot them a message! You better hurry though, competition starts July 17th, see ya there!