NARM | Live Performances

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Live Performances

	Algebra, Kedar Entertainment Group Celebrating Independent Music: Center Stage Showcase & Video Presentations May 6, 9:30 PM As the first artist to be released on Kedar Entertainment Group (whose legacy includes the likes of D'Angelo, Erykah Badu and India.Arie), soulful Atlanta native Algebra enters the world of R&B music on February 26, showcasing her definitive voice and identity on her debut album, "Purpose," distributed through Fontana.

	Anna's Brother, MFA Records Celebrating Independent Music: Center Stage Showcase & Video Presentations May 6, 9:30 PM Anna's Brother is a band from "the O.C," that has a very simple formula — let the songs and the stage speak for themselves. They have showcased for Sony Emerging Artists and American Idol Underground, and has opened festival shows for acts like The Black Crowes, LIVE, and Blues Traveler. The band is currently a Top 5 Favorite LA indie band according to Star 98.7 FM — one of the largest stations in the largest market in the country. Producer Sylvia Massy Shivy has been working with the band on their full-length album to be released in the MFA format in Spring 2008. A nationwide tour will follow the album release.

	Blind Melon, Melonex Audiological Laboratories/Adrenaline Music Group Celebrating Independent Music: Center Stage Showcase & Video Presentations May 6, 9:30 PM In recent years, the tale of Blind Melon has taken a dramatic turn - from an abrupt and tragic end, to a rebirth and reconnection with their legions of fans. No matter how you slice it, the group was responsible for some of the most memorable and pure-sounding rock music of the '90s. And with its reformation in 2006 with singer Travis Warren, Blind Melon is poised to pick up exactly where the group left off a decade earlier - as evidenced by its new single, "Wishing Well," and their fourth full-length overall, "For My Friends," released on April 22 via Adrenaline Records. Before issuing "For My Friends," the group decided to introduce its newest member via a highly successful and completely sold out club tour in late 2007. If the strong response from fans at these shows is any indication, the group's 2008 tour and new album will spread the word further. Without a doubt, Blind Melon is back.

	Mikal Blue, Immergent Celebrating Independent Music: Center Stage Showcase & Video Presentations May 6, 9:30 PM Amazingly appealing Brit-Pop producer, writer and musician Mikal Blue breaks from producing records for the likes of Colbie Caiilat, OneRepublic, Five For Fighting, Augustana, and Brenden James to release his own debut album, "Gold," on April 15 through Koch Distribution.

	Carolina Liar, Atlantic Records Opening Night Musical Event, sponsored by WEA Corp. May 4, 9:30 PM At the age of 22, South Carolina-born Chad Wolf grabbed his guitar, boarded a plane and moved to Los Angeles. To make ends meet, he held a string of odd jobs — working as an extra on a Celine Dion video, cleaning toilets in exchange for studio time — and eventually landed an internship with renowned songwriter Diane Warren. It was then that Wolf honed his own writing while anxiously absorbing any and all advice that Warren had to offer. It was a house-sitting gig for a friend of famed Swedish producer Max Martin that set his career into motion. He soon pulled together guitarists Jim Almgren Gandara and Rickard Gransson, keyboardist Johan Carlsson, bassist Erik Singer and drummer Max Grahn to form Carolina Liar. The band's debut album, “Coming to Terms” is due in June 2008. A single, "I'm Not Over," was utilized in commercials for the ABC series “Eli Stone” and included in the Ashton Kutcher/Cameron Diaz film “What Happens in Vegas.”

	Henry Cho, Warner Bros. 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner May 7, 7 PM “I’m an Asian with a Southern accent,” remarks Henry Cho. “To a lot of people, that right there is funny.” Always making the most of who is, Cho recently inked a deal with ABC and Touchstone Studios to co-create and star in his own sitcom based on his life as a Korean-American born and raised in Tennessee. In 2006, Cho had his own one hour comedy special titled "What’s That Clickin’ Noise?" on Comedy Central. WB Records released the DVD and CD of the show in May 2006. Cho is on the big screen as well, starring opposite Hilary Duff and Angelica Houston in "Material Girls." Cho's other comedy credits include NBC’s "Bob Hope’s Young Comedians Special," MTV’s "½ Hour Comedy Hour," and several appearances on "The Tonight Show." He also hosted NBC’s "Friday Night Videos" for two years and had many guest roles on various sitcoms such as CBS’ "Designing Women." Henry’s other film credits include FOX’s TV movie, "Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation," Universal’s "McHale’s Navy" and the Farrelly brothers’ movie "Say It Isn’t So."

	The Crystal Method Scholarship Foundation Cocktail Reception, sponsored by Rocket Science May 5, 5:30 - 7 PM The Crystal Method is an American electronic music duo consisting of Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland. They were pioneers of the big beat electronic dance genre and one of its few American proponents. During the reception, The Crystal Method will be spinning and debuting music from their upcoming release.

	Delta Goodrem, Decca Records 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner May 7, 7 PM At 23, Delta Goodrem has already achieved success well beyond her years. As Australia's highest-selling female vocalist ever, Goodrem has amassed eight number one singles in her native country. She has also garnered top positions on the charts in both the United Kingdom and Japan, making her a multi-million selling artist worldwide. She is now poised to match her international success in the United States with the release of her Decca debut, "Delta." The new album, which is scheduled for release in June through UMGD, is a collection of 12 songs dealing with life, love, and relationships.

	Will Hoge, Ryko Distribution Opening Night Music Event, sponsored by WEA Corp. May 4, 9:30 PM In life, and on his brilliant new album, "Draw the Curtains," which was released in October 2007, Hoge follows in the footsteps of musical archetypes like Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Hank Williams, Van Morrison, Patty Griffin, Neil Young and Bob Dylan. The album, his first in nearly two years and his fourth collection overall, is a tour de force of authenticity, covering sounds from Country and Roots to Rock, Soul and R&B. It's music the way it was meant to be played, with a rock-is-my-life, let's-hit-the-road attitude.

	Stanley Jordan, Mack Avenue Records Celebrating Independent Music: Center Stage Showcase & Video Presentations May 6, 9:30 PM From the moment he made his debut in 1985 with the gold-selling album, "Magic Touch," guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan has proven himself as a forward thinking innovator. With his nimbly executed “touch” or “tap” technique, he ushered a dazzling and spellbinding new sound into the world of progressive instrumental music. Over the course of five major recordings and several smaller independent releases, Jordan has explored earthly and astral musical trailways. Because of the extraordinary originality of his approach to guitar, he has been looked upon first and foremost as a musical original, orbiting in an artistic universe without predecessor or immediate successor. With his groundbreaking new album, "State Of Nature," Jordan makes another bold step by using his music to aurally illustrate profoundly unifying truths about man's relationship to nature and humankind. "State Of Nature" is scheduled to be released on April 22 through Ryko Distribution.

	Elijah Kelley, New Line Records Celebrating Independent Music: Center Stage Showcase & Video Presentations May 6, 9:30 PM "Elijah Kelley has the total package," says USA Weekend. "[He] sings, dances, and steals the show." TIME magazine hails him as a "breakout, who's suave, athletic performance provides sizzle". After receiving critical praise for his breakout performance as Seaweed Stubbs in the 2007 hit movie, Hairspray, Elijah is eager to showcase his own style of Pop-Soul. Currently in production, Elijah's debut album is a contemporary Pop take on the classic soul sounds of Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. The album is scheduled for release this summer through ADA.

	Lisa Loeb, Furious Rose Productions Digital NARM Interview & Performance May 7, 11:15 - 11:45 AM Grammy® nominated singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb started her career with the platinum-selling No. 1 hit song "Stay (I Missed You)" from the film Reality Bites. To this day, she is still the only artist to have a No. 1 single while not signed to a recording contract. Following her debut, Loeb released two Gold-selling CDs - "Tails" in 1995 and "Firecracker" in 1997. Loeb reunited with her college music partner, Elizabeth Mitchell, on the children's CD and companion book "Catch The Moon" (2004), which earned the prestigious Parent's Choice Award. Her other releases include: "The Way It Really Is" (2004), "The Very Best of Lisa Loeb" (2006), "Cherries (2007), and "The Purple Tape" (2008), a re-issue on CD of her first recording made in 1992.

	Michael McDonald, Universal Motown 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner May 7, 7 PM A fixture in American Pop music for the past three decades, Michael McDonald was part of music history in the 1970s with both Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers and in 1982 began using his signature baritone vocals to carve a legendary solo career that earned him five GRAMMY Awards. McDonald will showcase his latest endeavor, "Soul Speak," which is being released March 11. This collection of interpretations is the story of McDonald's musical life, of the thoughts and sounds and influences that helped shape his renowned career. "Soul Speak," which also includes three original songs by McDonald, is the natural follow-up to McDonald's two smash explorations of the Motown Records songbook - the platinum-selling "Motown" from 2003, which was nominated for two Grammy awards, and the next year's gold-selling "Motown Two."

	Hilary McRae, Hear Music/Stone Road Records Opening Session & Annual Meeting May 5, 9 - 11:15 AM The first developing artist to be signed to Hear Music, Hilary McRae is a 21-year-old writer/singer/pianist who seems to have time-traveled to this decade from the 1970s. Her debut album "Through These Walls" stirs the soul with the vibrant rhythms and textures of old-school, horn-drenched, uptown R&B, a dynamic setting for the timelessly bittersweet songs and rich, dusky alto of this stunningly accomplished newcomer. McRae's vocal instrument is capable of invoking intensity one moment, hushed intimacy the next - a perfect match for these songs of uncommon candor and humanity, songs that could only have emanated from an old soul.

	Janelle Monáe, Atlantic/Bad Boy Opening Night Music Event, sponsored by WEA Corp. May 4, 9:30 PM Janelle Monáe is an experience: a charismatic singer, songwriter, producer, and performer whose innovative style crosses musical genres in a captivating postmodern merger of R&B, Funk, and Rock 'n' Roll. She makes her solo recording debut with the groundbreaking "METROPOLIS" project. An epic musical journey into the future, the project will be unveiled with the release this June of the "METROPOLIS SUITE" EP - which introduces Monáe's android alter ego, Cindi Mayweather, as she lures the listener into her sci-fi inspired world of cybersoul. "Metropolis is the place I've been dreaming about all these years - a city inside your head," says Monáe. "It's an adventure the music brings to life." Monáe's debut full-length album will follow in September.

	Alanis Morissette, Warner Bros. Records Opening Night Musical Event, sponsored by WEA Corp. May 4, 9:30 PM A dozen years after the breakthrough debut of "Jagged Little Pill," an album which earned four Grammys and spawned a dedicated worldwide fan base, Alanis Morissette remains not only an enduringly popular artist, but one whose success stems from a fierce commitment to authenticity and, to an equal extent, vulnerability. Both of these traits enable her to climb to new ground with her forthcoming album, "Flavors of Entanglement," due in 2008 from Warner Bros. Records. Her penchant for eclecticism, whether musical, spiritual or otherwise, brought new sounds and styles into this latest effort, her first original studio album in four years.

	The Morning Benders, Highwire Music/+1 Records Virgin Megastore Jam, 2 Stockton St (one block from the San Francisco Marriott) May 5, 9:30 PM Chris began writing songs as “The Morning Benders” in October 2005. The first EP, “Loose Change,” was recorded at home on a laptop with one microphone, and was released in September 2006. In December 2006, Chris met Joe, Julian, and DP while attending classes at UC Berkeley. The next EP was a collaborative effort that was recorded at the band’s home practice space. Released in February 2007, the EP, “Boarded Doors,” gained the boys recognition throughout the Bay Area for their ‘perfectly percolating Pop thrills’ with ‘brilliant building-like melodies.’ Excited to showcase their tunes for fans, The Benders began playing gigs locally and eventually along the west coast. In May 2007, the guys started work on their full-length album, “Talking Through Tin Cans.” The record is slated for a 2008 April Fool’s Day release.

	Naturally 7, Festplatte/EMM 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner May 7, 7 - 11 PM Incredible vocal harmonies and their ability to imitate literally every instrument make Naturally 7 truly unique — way beyond traditional a cappella. Be it Jazz, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Funk or Pop, they combine a wide range of musical styles in a new musical direction, which the group calls “Vocal Play.” Naturally 7’s musical diversification has high commercial appeal; their own version of Phil Collins’ “Feel It (In the Air Tonight),” taken from their latest album “Ready II Fly,” which was released March 25, became a Top 3 hit in international markets such as France, Italy, Belgium and South Africa, to mention just a few. Their famous “rush hour” live vocal performance in a Paris subway has garnered over 5 million viewers — 2 million on YouTube alone. In Canada, their spectacular live performances across the country in January 2008 resulted in three albums on the Canadian charts, with their latest release, “Ready II Fly,” peaking at No. 11.

	Parlor Mob, Roadrunner Records Opening Night Musical Event, sponsored by WEA Corp. May 4, 9:30 PM The Parlor Mob infuses raw Rock & Roll with a modern edge. It is quite fitting that the band derived its moniker from a notorious 19th century gang of the same name. Around the mid 1800s, the historical New York hoodlums were commissioned by other street gangs to incite riots. Today, these five musical renegades - Mark Melicia, Dave Rosen, Paul Ritchie, Nick Villapiano, and Sam Bey - spark a similar explosion, but with verbose riffs, thought-provoking vocals and a smooth yet raucous groove. On their Roadrunner Records debut, "And You Were A Crow," which hit stores May 6, the New Jersey quintet conjures a vibrant mystique and smoky Blues sensibility. The focus track "Can't Keep No Good Boy Down" channels that enigmatic power. The song blends pensive piano playing with a powerful acoustic melody, and its infectious but veiled lyrics hypnotize.

	Randy Travis, Warner Bros. Records Nashville Opening Session & Annual Meeting May 5, 9 - 11:15 AM When Randy Travis released "Storms of Life" in 1986, Country music was still wallowing in the post-urban cowboy recession, chasing elusive crossover dreams. Travis' baritone vocals brought the music back to its basics as the album eventually sold over three million copies and Travis became the first Country artist to go multi-platinum. Travis won the CMA's Horizon Award in 1986 and was the Association's Male Vocalist of the Year in 1987 and 1988. To date, Travis has sold more than 21 million records, has 22 No. 1 hits, has accepted five CMA Awards, six GRAMMYs, nine ACM Awards and 10 American Music Awards, and has become one of the 10 top-selling solo Country artists of all time. He is poised for the summer release of his first new album in eight years, "Around The Bend." His vocals have never sounded more expressive, better phrased or more soulfully shaded. The CD's production is a model of crisp clarity. Each instrumental texture is placed just right.

	The Vowels Virgin Megastore Jam, 2 Stockton St (one block from the San Francisco Marriott) May 5, 9:30 PM The idea is simple: The Vowels at its core includesJoe Rapolla, John Esposito, Adam Mirabella and Larry Mattera. Also in the band are some other very talented musicians from the music (or related) industry, such as: Pat Hughes (Drums), Diane Doolittle (Sax/Flute), Jordan Katz (Lead Guitar), Andy McDonough (Keys) and others. The Vowels are dedicated to bringing good people together for an upbeat, interactive, social gathering focusing on the music ... while doing some good. To date, The Vowels has collected and donated enough money for over 30 children, born with Cleft Lips and/or Palates, to have corrective operations! Check out The Vowels at www.MySpace.com/LoveTheVowels.