NewsBLITZ: STAND BY IRANIANS WITH JON BON JOVI & RICHIE SAMBORA

Bon Jovi's Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora have teamed up with Iranian singer Andy Madadian, legendary musician/producer Don Was and others on a cover of the classic Ben E. King song "Stand By Me" as a "musical message of worldwide solidarity with the people of Iran."

The song, recorded in Hollywood on June 24, 2009, features stanzas in both English and Farsi.

"[The song] is not for sale," explains Was. "It wasn't intended to be on the Billboard charts, wasn't meant to be a hit record or even pressed on a CD. It's intended to be downloaded and shared by the Iranian people. The whole idea was to get it into Iran and tell them...to carry on, that the world is watching and we're with you."

The video for the song, filmed in the recording studio, is below and can also be found on MyDamnChannel.com.

TV ALERT: BRYAN ADAMS & JASON ALDEAN ON "CMT CROSSROADS"

Show: CMT Crossroads (with Bryan Adams and Jason Aldean)
Premiere Date: Friday, June 26, at 9PM
Channel: CMT

The popular series CMT Crossroads—which unites a country artist with one from a different genre of music (past episodes featured Def Leppard rocking with Taylor Swift and Bon Jovi grooving with Sugarland)—has come up with another exciting pairing: Pop rocker Bryan Adams and country singer Jason Aldean! Watch as the duo team up on Adams hits like "Summer Of '69," "Run To You" and "Heaven" (see clip below) and Aldean tunes like "She's Country" and "Hicktown." Bryan and Jason will also swap amusing stories and discuss their love of music.

Bryan Adams and Jason Aldean performing "Heaven":

Bryan Adams More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

For more information about CMT Crossroads and additional air times for this episode, visit CMT.com.

NewsBLITZ: TWISTED SISTER TO SIGN COPIES OF "STAY HUNGRY" IN NEW YORK!

Can you believe that it's been 25 years since Twisted Sister first brought classics like "We're Not Gonna Take It," "I Wann Rock" and "The Price" to the masses? Now, the breakthrough album featuring those tunes, Stay Hungry, is being re-released and the New York-based band has planned two hometown celebrations to honor the record!

On Tuesday, June 30, Dee Snider, Jay Jay French, Eddie Ojeda, Mark Mendoza and A.J. Pero will first stop at J&R Music World's Lower Manhattan location at 12:30PM to sign copies of Stay Hungry. Additionally, Broadway star Constantine Maroulis (who performs "I Wanna Rock" in the musical Rock Of Ages) will be on hand to present the five members of Twisted Sister with gold plaques for their single "We're Not Gonna Take It." For more information on this event, visit Jr.com/information/liveEvents.jsp.

That night, at 7:30 PM, Twisted Sister will make their second appearance of the day at Looney Tunes in West Babylon, Long Island. Details about this meet-n-greet can be found at LooneyTunesCDs.com.

Twisted Sister circa 1984

NewsBLITZ: ROB THOMAS TO TOUR IN SUPPORT OF "CRADLESONG"

This fall, singer Rob Thomas will celebrate new album Cradlesong (out June 30) with a 2-month North American tour! The jaunt—featuring opening acts One Republic and Carolina Liar—will kick off September 23 in Hollywood, Florida, and end with a multi-night stand at New York City's Beacon Theater beginning November 11. This is only the second full-fledged solo tour for the man who usually fronts the group Matchbox Twenty.


Cities Rob Thomas will be performing in this fall are as follows:
Sept. 23: Hollywood, FL
Sept. 25: Orlando, FL
Sept. 26: Clearwater, FL
Sept. 28: Raleigh, NC
Sept. 29: Charlotte, SC
Sept. 30: Atlanta, GA
Oct. 4: Houston, TX

Oct. 5: Grand Prairie, TX

Oct. 7: Oklahoma City, OK

Oct. 9: Council Bluffs, IA

Oct. 10: Milwaukee, WI

Oct. 11: St Paul, MN

Oct. 14: Vancouver, BC

Oct. 15: Seattle, WA

Oct. 17: Reno, NV

Oct. 18: San Francisco, CA

Oct. 20: Los Angeles, CA

Oct. 21: San Diego, CA

Oct. 23: Temecula, CA

Oct. 24: Las Vegas, NV

Oct. 25: Tucson, AZ

Oct. 27: Denver, CO

Oct. 29: Kansas City, KS

Oct. 30: Hammond, IN

Oct. 31: St Louis, MO

Nov. 2: Detroit, MI

Nov. 4: Toronto, ONT

Nov: 6: Atlantic City, NJ

Nov. 7: Uncasville, CT

Nov. 9: Boston, MA

Nov. 10: Washington, DC

Nov. 11, 12 & 13: New York City, NY

For more information on Rob and his tour, visit RobThomasMusic.com.

NewsBLITZ: SLIPKNOT/ANTHRAX/BLACK DAHLIA MURDER ANNOUNCE TOUR

To mark the 10-year anniversary of Slipknot's landmark self-titled debut, the band is launching a 2-week tour later this summer with Anthrax and Black Dahlia Murder serving as support acts.

The tour dates are as follows:

Aug. 22: White River Amphitheater—Seattle, WA

Aug. 23: Toyota Center—Kennewick, WA

Aug. 24: Four Seasons Arena—Great Falls, MT

Aug. 26: Metra Park Arena—Billings, MT

Aug. 28: Quest Arena—Boise, ID

Aug. 29: The E Center—Salt Lake City, UT

Aug. 31: Colorado Springs World Arena—Colorado Springs, CO

Sept. 1: Casper Events Center—Casper, WY

Sept. 3: Fargodome—Fargo, ND

Sept. 4: Mayo Civic Center—Rochester, MN

Sept. 5: Eagles Ballroom—Milwaukee, WI

For more on Slipknot, visit the band's official website by clicking here.

NewsBLITZ: FREE MUSIC FROM 13TH PLANET RECORDS

Who wants some free music?

Now, thanks to Al Jourgensen's 13th Planet Records and VampireFreaks.com, you can download a free digital EP featuring unreleased songs, remixes and videos from Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Prong, False Icons, Stayte and Ascension Of The Watchers.

Click here for your free music!

NewsBLITZ: THE BLACK CROWES NEW ALBUM(S) + TOUR!

The Black Crowes are gearing up to release two new studio albums and launch a new tour to support it!

The first new record, Before The Frost..., comes out Sept. 1 via Silver Arrow/Megaforce. Inside each album, buyers will find a unique download code to obtain a free copy of the Crowes' second effort, ...Until The Freeze. Both albums were recorded over five nights at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, N.Y, in front of an intimate audience comprised of the band's fans, making them a part of the albums.

Fans not in attendance at the special recordings, will have the chance to see The Black Crowes—Chris Robinson (vocals), Rich Robinson (guitar/vocals), Steve Gorman (drums), Sven Pipien (bass), Adam MacDougall (keyboards) and Luther Dickinson (guitar)—on their 2009 Stuck Inside Utopia Tour beginning Aug. 25. Concertgoers can expect a two-hour-plus performance of music culled from all of the Crowes' releases.

Dates for The Black Crowes' 2009 Stuck Inside Utopia Tour are as follows:
Aug. 25: Wolf Trap/The Filene Center—Vienna, VA
Aug. 26: Cape Cod Melody Tent—Hyannis, MA
Aug. 27: Bank of America Pavilion—Boston, MA
Aug. 29: Borgata Event Center—Atlantic City, NJ
Aug. 30: Ram's Head Live—Baltimore, MD
Aug. 31: American Music Theatre—Lancaster, PA
Sept. 2: Rumsey Playfield @ Central Park Summerstage—New York, NY
Sept. 4: Theatre at Westbury—Westbury, NY
Sept. 5: Stone Pony Summerstage—Asbury Park, NJ
Sept. 6: American Music Festival—Virginia Beach, VA
Sept. 8: The Klein—Bridgeport, CT
Sept. 9: Penn's Peak—Jim Thorpe, PA
Sept. 11: Saranac Brewery—Utica, NY
Sept. 12: Casino Rama—Rama, Ontario
Sept. 13: Centennial Hall—London, Ontario
Sept. 16: Lupo's—Providence, RI
Sept. 17: Higher Ground—Burlington, VT
Sept. 18: Ulster Performing Arts Center—Kingston, NY
Sept. 24: Oklahoma State Fair—Oklahoma City, OK
Sept. 25: Big Spring Jam—Huntsville, AL
Sept. 26: Ryman Auditorium—Nashville, TN
Sept. 28: The Lyric—Oxford, MS
Sept. 29: Tennessee Theatre—Knoxville, TN
Sept. 30: The Fillmore—Charlotte, NC
Oct. 2: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium—Asheville, NC
Oct. 3: Chastain Park Amphitheatre—Atlanta, GA

"The Black Crowes fearlessly continue to search for the self made utopian ideals that makes rock 'n' roll music the last true real American adventure."
—Chris Robinson

For more information, go to The Black Crowes official website.

NewsBLITZ: AEROSMITH'S BRAD WHITFORD SITS OUT TOUR

When Aerosmith launch their tour with special guests ZZ Top on June 10 in St. Louis, the band will be hitting the stage minus one member—guitarist Brad Whitford. The 57-year-old is taking time off to recuperate from a recent, undisclosed surgery. Guitarist Bobby Schneck—who has played with Green Day and Weezer—will fill in for Whitford on the tour, which ends in Detroit on Sept. 16. In a press release, Aerosmith's Whitford, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer say that they "regret any inconvenience to their fans and thank everyone for their support."

TV ALERT: Z ROCK'S SECOND SEASON PREMIERE

Show: Z Rock
Premiere Date: Sunday, June 7, at 11PM
Channel: IFC

The second season of the rock 'n' roll comedy Z Rock kicks off Sunday night. The series follows Brooklyn musicians Paulie Z, David Z and Joey Cassata during the days as kids' party band Z Brothers and during the nights as rock outfit ZO2.

Look out for special appearances this season from the likes of Joan Rivers, Hall & Oates' Daryl Hall, Jane's Addiction's Dave Navarro, Blues Traveler's John Popper, The Ramones' Marky Ramone, Constantine Maroulis, Twisted Sister's Dee Snider and J.J. French, Frank Stallone, The Real Housewives Of New York's Bethenny Frankel, Howard Stern Show producer Gary Dell'Abate and That Metal Show's Eddie Trunk.

Here's a sneak preview of Z Rock:

NewsBLITZ: RATT & EXTREME TOUR TOGETHER!

Hard rockers Ratt and Extreme are teaming up this summer for their first ever tour together!

Ratt, who will close the shows, will be playing their popular album Out Of The Cellar—featuring hits like "Round & Round," "Wanted Man" and "Lack Of Communication"—in its entirety on the tour to mark the record's 25th anniversary. The band is currently in the process of recording a brand new disc that they plan on releasing in the fall via Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records.

Extreme's latest release, Saudades de Rock, came out in 2008. The band behind such songs as "Hole Hearted" and "Rest In Peace" have recently had their 1990 No. 1 hit "More Than Words" featured in blockbuster movies Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Love Guru. Additionally, young rock fans are being exposed to the music of Extreme via Guitar Hero's inclusion of the group's song "Play With Me" on the video game.

Drummer Bobby Blotzer of Ratt is stoked about having two amazing guitarists on the same bill. "[Ratt's] Warren DeMartini and [Extreme's] Nuno Bettencourt on [the] same stage, same night? 'Nuff said! We'll see you there," he exclaims.


The Ratt/Extreme tour dates are as follows:
July 12: Midnight Rodeo—Amarillo, TX
July 13: Scout Bar—San Antonio,TX
July 14: Dos Amigos—Odessa, TX
July 16: Marquee Theater—Tempe, AZ
July 17: Wiltern Theater—Los Angeles, CA
July 18: Hard Rock—Las Vegas, NV
July 19: House Of Blues—Anaheim, CA
July 22: Ogden Theater—Denver, CO
July 23: Crossroads—Kansas City, MO
July 24: House Of Blues—Chicago, IL
July 26: Ches-a-rena—Cheswick, PA
July 28: Nokia Theater—New York City, NY
July 30: The Capital One Bank Theatre @ Westbury—Westbury, NY
Aug. 2: Crock Rock Festival—Allentown, PA
Aug. 6: Starland Ballroom—Sayerville, NJ
Aug. 7: Hampton Beach Casino—Hampton Beach, NH

TV ALERT—IRON MAIDEN: FLIGHT 666 DOC ON VH1

Show: Iron Maiden: Flight 666
Premiere Dates: Saturday, June 6, at 9PM on VH1 Classic
and Palladia; 12AM on VH1


The documentary Iron Maiden: Flight 666 premieres this
Saturday night, June 6, on VH1 Classic, Palladia and
VH1. The film centers around the first leg of the
legendary heavy metal band’s 2008 Somewhere Back In
Time World Tour, which had them play 23 sold-out
shows on five continents in just 45 days. And how
did they travel around the world for this tour? On
a customized Boeing 757—Ed Force One—piloted by
lead singer Bruce Dickinson!

"Having what is basically a flying 'splitter bus'
with all our gear and crew on board allowed us to
undertake a touring schedule the likes of which has
never been attempted before," says frontman/Astraeus
Airline Captain Dickinson. "By being independent of
flight and freight connections and schedules, we could
literally go where we wanted when we wanted. And so
we did. It was quite a journey—exhausting at times
with jet lag taking its toll—but our fans everywhere
were magnificent which made all the effort and planning
and time well worthwhile. It really was a unique
experience until, that is, we did it again earlier this
year!"

Iron Maiden: Flight 666 chronicles the rigorous tour life
of a classic band, capturing behind-the-scenes footage
from both on and off the stage. The film won the SXSW
Festival Award for Best Music Documentary.

John McMurtrie/Iron Maiden Holdings Ltd.

NewsBLITZ: PAUL MCCARTNEY TO ROCK CITI FIELD!

Music icon Paul McCartney will be the first artist to play a full-length concert at the recently-opened Citi Field in Flushing, New York.

Photo By Kevin Mazur

The home of the New York Mets will be transformed into a concert venue on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, for the legendary Beatle. McCartney first played Flushing at the Mets' old home, Shea Stadium, with The Beatles back on Aug. 15, 1965 to more than 55,000 fans, marking the first time a sporting arena was used for a concert. Last summer, he appeared as a special guest during Billy Joel's farewell concerts to Shea.

"I am really excited about playing Citi Field," says Sir Paiul, who promises to perform all the hits from his extensive catalog (including Beatles, Wings and solo tunes). "The Beatles were the first to play at Shea Stadium and, along with Billy Joel, I was the last to sing at the old Shea. So to be the first to play this stadium is incredible. I am really looking forward to a buzzing show."

"There's no more appropriate artist in the history of rock 'n' roll to play the first concert at Citi Field," says New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. "The era of big-time rock 'n' roll concerts started with Paul and The Beatles at Shea and we're thrilled to continue that tradition at our new home."

Tickets for this historic events go on sale Monday, June 15, at 10AM online at 507TIXX.com and by phone at 718-507-TIXX.

NewsBLITZ: NEW ROCK BABY BORN!

Congrats go out to My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way and his wife, Mindless Self Indulgence bassist Lyn-Z, on the birth of the couple's first child! Daughter Bandit Lee Way was born on May 27 at 2:57PM in Los Angeles and weighed 6 lbs., 5.6 oz. at birth. "Everyone is healthy and happy," says the couple's rep.

NewsBLITZ: GG ALLIN & TESCO VEE MEMENTOS

Fans of GG Allin and the Meatmen's Tesco Vee can now collect limited-edition "Throbblehead" figurines of their heroes thanks to Aggronautix (along with MVD Entertainment Group and DKE Toys).

Each "Throbblehead" is 7-inches tall, individually numbered, made of lightweight polyresin and comes in a tri-windowed box. There are 2,000 of the GG Allin "1991" figurines available and only 1000 of the Tesco Vee figures.

The feces- and blood-splattered GG Allin figure has been approved by his brother, Merle Allin. "I had been thinking about doing a GG figure for a while, so when the guys [at Aggronautix] came to me with the idea, I was into it," he says. "We got it right—the doll looks really good and I'm happy with it."

And how does Tesco Vee feel about his collectible? "As a toy collector of two decades—and classic bobble head collector—imagine just how geeked I became when informed that yours truly would enter the pantheon of 'Throbblehead' punk rock losers along with poopy soulmate GG Allin."

To purchase either or both of these $14.95 "Throbbleheads," visit Aggronautix.com.

BUCKCHERRY'S "HIGHWAY STAR" VIDEO

Buckcherry has recorded its own version of the Deep Purple classic “Highway Star” as the anthem for TNT's 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage. The revamped tune will be featured during NASCAR telecasts on TNT and in the network's marketing campaign.

"We are big fans of Turner Sports, specifically their NASCAR coverage," explains Buckcherry singer Josh Todd. "We are stoked to be chosen as the featured band of the season. 'Highway Star' is a killer rock song and the video we made for it is bigger and badder than anything we have done before. We are looking forward to working with Turner as the campaign runs on TV, radio and online and to getting to the race in Daytona during a break in our touring this summer."

Watch the high-energy video for "Highway Star" here:



The song "Highway Star" will be available for purchase via iTunes beginning June 16th.

And, you can catch Buckcherry performing live at the Daytona International Speedway on July 4 as part of TNT's pre-race coverage of the Coke Zero 400.

HEY NEW ARTISTS—WIN A MYSPACE RECORDS CONTRACT!

Think you have what it takes to win a recording contract with MySpace Records? If so, you need to enter the Rock The Space contest right away!

Sponsored by MySpace, MySpace Records and Toyota Motor Sales, the Rock The Space contest is open to unsigned bands and solo artists. To enter, visit MySpace.com/ToyotaMusic (before July 1) to submit an original song via MP3. All who enter can then create a viral music widget (with an easy embed code) to spread their music across MySpace and the web. Additionally, MySpace users can add the music widgets to their profiles and post comments on the Toyota Music profile.

In July, five finalists will be selected to be featured prominently on the Toyota Music profile. Then, the MySpace community will vote on a winner, who will be announced in September. In addition to the MySpace Records recording contract, the winner will also receive $10,000 worth of musical instruments from Fender and the winner's song will be available for download on the MySpace Music Home Page.

"Rock The Space allows the MySpace Music platform to do what it does best—enable new music and new artists to be discovered," says Jeff Berman, President of Sales and Marketing for MySpace. "MySpace is excited to offer these artists a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to take part in their journey from the very first step."

For more information, to enter or to hear some of the submissions, visit MySpace.com/ToyotaMusic.

NEW ALBUM RECOMMENDATIONS!

Here are MusikBLITZ's top picks from all of the new releases that have come out in April and May:

The Devil Wears Prada's With Roots Above and Branches Below (Ferret Music): "[The album] is much more mature [than our previous two releases]," says singer Mike Hranica of the Christian metalcore band. "I know that's cliché and it's what everyone says, but we've really grown as songwriters. There are songs that are heavier than anything we've ever written.... You'll find lots of orchestral add-ins on the record and the production quality on this record is really special." The Devil Wears Prada will spend the summer performing live as part of the Vans Warped Tour.
Great White's Rising (Shrapnel Records): The "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" rockers are back with a brand new album featuring 11 hot blues-influenced tracks. Produced by keyboardist Michael Lardie, Rising also showcases the talents of other original band members Jack Russell (vocals), Mark Kendall (lead guitar) and Audie Desbrow (drums).
Heaven & Hell's The Devil You Know (Rhino): The first album of all new material in 17 years from legendary Black Sabbath members Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler (along with new drummer Vinny Appice), comes on the heels of the quartet's highly successful 2007 reunion tour. "The band had gotten too good to just walk away," says Dio. "We wanted to show people that we were still capable of giving them new music that measured up to what we'd done in the past."
Hedley's Never Too Late (Fontana International): The Canadian pop/rock outfit's first U.S. release contains 12 songs, including Hedley's seven No. 1 hits from their two double platinum Canadian albums Hedley (2005) and Famous Last Words (2007). Singer Jacob Hoggard, who placed third during the second season of the reality competition Canadian Idol, fronts the band who has opened for such diverse acts as Bon Jovi, Nickelback and Sum 41.

Into The Presence's Into The Presence (Razor & Tie): This experimental mid-tempo rock record featuring drummer Tim Alexander (Primus/A Perfect Circle) and frontman/guitarist Luis Maldonado (a studio/session player who, at 12 years old, studied classical guitar at the University of Arizona) was a longtime coming as the two met over a decade ago and had hoped to work on a major project together ever since. The disc was recorded at Alexander's Arizona home studio with APC's Paz Lenchantin playing bass and her sister Ana Lenchantin on cello.

Lenny Kravitz's Let Love Rule (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition): Kravitz celebrates 20 years after the release of his critically acclaimed debut album with this special 2-CD collection. The original album—featuring songs like "Let Love Rule," "Freedom Train" and "Mr. Cab Driver"—has been re-mastered and includes 18 bonus tracks (13 previously unreleased demos, rare B-sides and live tracks).

The Last Vegas' Whatever Gets You Off (Eleven Seven Music): Dirty, sleazy, fun, party rock songs in the spirit of the '80s hair metal bands is what you get when you listen to The Last Vegas' debut. The Chicago-based band was handpicked by Mötley Crüe during Guitar Center's On-Stage promotion to open up for the Crüe this past winter and the group also received a record and management deal. As an added bonus, Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx co-produced the effort along with Sixx:AM's DJ Ashba and veteran producer Marti Frederiksen.
Duff McKagan's Loaded's Sick (Century Media Records): The 11-year-old punk rock band lead by the ex Guns N' Roses/current Velvet Revolver bassist has finally released its sophomore full-length record. The Seattle-based group—McKagan (lead vocals and guitar), Mike Squires (guitar), Jeff Rouse (bass) and Geoff Reading (drums)—started when McKagan became "sickened by all the crap music going around at the time… So, I put together Loaded to play rock music the way I wanted to do it. We had no great game plan or philosophy. We just wanted to get into the rehearsal room, begin writing songs and play music we felt."

Prong's Power Of The Damn MiXXXer (13th Planet Records): This collection features alternate takes of songs from industrial metal act Prong's 2007 CD Power Of The Damager remixed by industrial, metal and experimental artists such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Revolting Cocks and Anthrax’s Rob Caggiano.

Queen's First EP (Hollywood Records): The legendary British band first released this EP in the U.K. on vinyl in 1977. Now it's getting a numbered, limited-edition release in America. The EP features "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy," "Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To…)," "Tenement Funster" and "White Queen (As It Began)," four tunes recorded in the mid-1970s by the band's original lineup of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon.

Billy Sheehan's Holy Cow! (Mascot Records): The much-revered bassist (Mr. Big/David Lee Roth/Talas) delivers a new rock album showcasing his amazing talents on both bass and vocals. Contributing to their friend's record are musicians Ray Luzier (Korn), Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big) and Doug Pinnick (King's X).

Jeff Scott Soto's Beautiful Mess (Frontiers Records): This is the first new album in four years from the soulful vocalist who has worked with the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Journey. "This is the album I always wanted to make," Soto says. "Beautiful Mess is all about songs and the singer, not guitar solos and big riffs. The songs are also more soul and R&B laced, as well. I wanted the diversity it has, but I didn't want it to sound confusing to old fans while I am trying to gain new ones."

Various Artists' True Blood—Music From the HBO Original Series (Elektra/Atlantic Records): This CD features music heard during the first season of the much-loved series about vampires in Louisiana, including Jace Everett's sultry theme song "Bad Things," tunes from the Bayou State's natives (like Dr. John, Lucinda Williams and Slim Harpo) and an exclusive new song written expressly for the series, "Bleed 2 Feed," by Lafayette-based swamp rocker CC Adcock.

NewsBLITZ: GET STRYPER'S NEW ALBUM, MURDER BY PRIDE, TRACK-BY-TRACK BEFORE IT'S RELEASED

Stryper's new studio album, Murder By Pride, won't be released in its entirety until July 21. However, BIG3 Records is making one new track from the record available each week from now until then via iTunes!

Fans can go to iTunes every Tuesday to purchase a new track. Each song, though, will be sold for one week only; the following Tuesday a new track becomes available. If you make a purchase every week, you will have the full album by July 21.

Here is the release schedule for Murder By Pride:
May 5: "Eclipse of the Son"
May 12: "Murder By Pride"
May 19: "4 Leaf Clover"
May 26: "The Plan"
June 2: "Alive"
June 9: "I Believe"
June 16: "Love Is Why"
June 23: "Mercy Over Blame"
June 30: "Run In You"
July 7: "Everything"
July 14: "My Love (I'll Always Show)"

Besides the 11 songs listed above, Murder by Pride also includes a cover of the Boston song "Peace of Mind," which is already on iTunes.


This fall, Stryper will embark on a 25th Anniversary Tour, hitting 50 cities in North Ameica. The band will play two separate sets during each concert—the first will feature new Stryper material and include current bassist Tracy Ferrie along with original members Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet and Oz Fox; and the second set will feature all four original Stryper members, including original bassist Tim Gaines, and they will be wearing the yellow and black jumpsuits that made them (in)famous while performing the songs fans have come to know and love over the last 25 years.

For tour dates and other information, visit Stryper's official website.

NewsBLITZ: CALL ME INVINCIBLE TOUR

Women rock this summer as legendary artists Blondie and Pat Benatar share the stage together for the first time on the Call Me Invincible Tour! The female rock icons—along with all-female quartet The Donnas as openers—will take on a month's worth of tour dates during July and August.

Blondie—known for hits like "Call Me," "Heart Of Glass" and "The Tide Is High"—is led by the iconic Deborah Harry who calls Benatar a "friend" and "a fearless female rocker who has entertained me and her wealth of fans." She adds: "Being able to bring our two shows to fans across the country is very exciting!"

"Deorah and I have been friends forever," elates Benatar, the voice behind hits like "Love Is A Battlefied," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "Heartbreaker." "I'm thrilled that we're finally getting an opportunity to tour together—it should be a blast!"


Call Me Invincible Tour 2009 Dates

July 21: The Mountain Winery—Saratoga, CA
July 22: The Concerts at Wente Vineyards—Livermore, CA
July 25: Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino—Lemoore, CA
July 26: Pacific Amphitheater—Costa Mesa, CA
July 28: Dodge Theater—Phoenix, AZ
July 29: Isleta Casino-The Lakes—Albuquerque, NM
Aug. 1: Mud Island Amphitheater—Memphis, TN
Aug. 2: Chastain Park Amphitheater—Atlanta, GA
Aug. 4: The Filene Center—Vienna, VA
Aug. 5: Meadowbrook-US Cellular Pavilion—Gilford, NH
Aug. 7: Bethlehem Musikfest—Bethlehem, PA
Aug. 8: Bank of America Pavilion—Boston, MA
Aug. 11: Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center—Canandaigua, NY
Aug. 13: Asser Levy Park—Brooklyn, NY
Aug. 15: Riverbend Music Center—Cincinnati, OH
Aug. 17: Ravinia Pavilion—Highland Park, IL
Aug. 20: Austin Music Hall—Austin, TX
Aug. 21: Beau Rivage Resort—Biloxi, MS
Aug. 23: The Arena Theater—Houston, TX

NewsBLITZ: COLLECTIVE SOUL AND GAVIN DEGRAW TO CO-HEADLINE SUMMER TOUR

Collective Soul and Gavin DeGraw are teaming up for a summer co-headlining tour.

"We are excited to gt back out on the road this summer, and are delighted it's with Gavin," says Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland, whose band is known for hits like "Shine," "The World I Know" and "Gel." "The band has always been big fans [of Gavin's], and we look forward to some great shows." In August, Collective Soul will release a brand new album for new label Loud and Proud/Roadrunner Records.

DeGraw—who released the album Free this past March—has this to say: "Collective Soul is a great group of guys with a great sound. I partied with them in the fabulous city of Atlanta. It's going to be an exciting tour and I am looking forward to it."

Collective Soul/Gavin DeGraw tour dates:

June 22: House Of Blues—Cleveland, OH

June 23: Piere's—Fort Wayne, IN

June 24: The Egyptian Room—Indianapolis, IN

June 26: Des Moines Arts Festival—Des Moines, IA

June 29: The Beaumont Club—Kansas City, MO

July 7: Spirit Bank Event Center—Tulsa, OK

July 9: Snowden Grove Amphitheater—Southhaven, MS

July 10: World’s Largest Block Party—Chicago, IL

July 11: Lifestyle Communities Pavilion—Columbus, OH

July 13: House of Blues—Myrtle Beach, SC

July 14: House of Blues—Lake Buena Vista, FL

July 15: Revolution—Fort Lauderdale, FL