Clark County Attendance Record

Amphitheater breaks attendance record
By MATT WASTRADOWSKI
Columbian Staff Writer

The Amphitheater at Clark County’s final show of the summer drew more fans than any other concert in the venue’s five-year history.

Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick attracted more than 17,300 fans to the venue on Sept. 21, said amphitheater marketing manager Keevin Wagner.

The trio of classic rock bands brought out more fans than any act at The Amphitheater at Clark County since Jimmy Buffett, who performed before a crowd of more than 16,000 in 2003.

Wagner didn’t expect Journey to headline the season’s most-attended show, but said he wasn’t surprised at its popularity, due to Northwest connections in the bands.

Heart, which rose to prominence in the 1970s, formed in Seattle. And Journey drummer Deen Castronovo lives in Salem, Ore.

Wagner also said it helped that the amphitheater offered discounts on blocks of four lawn-area tickets for the show.

The Police headlined the amphitheater’s second most-attended show of the season. The classic rock group drew more than 15,000 fans. Read the entire article here.

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Wheatland, CA video

Never - Wheatland, CA - Sept 26, 2008
One of the last shows of this amazing tour.

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Sleep Train Pavilion video

September 24, 2008 - Sleep Train Pavilion Concord, CA

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Riverbend Photos

Cincinnati, Ohio 9/7/08
see more

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Sleep Train Pavilion Review

Fans greet Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick with open arms
By Jim Harrington
Contra Costa Times

The tour has surpassed all expectations at the gate, becoming, believe it or not, the most successful road show to hit local amphitheaters in 2008. It's the only tour this year to post sell-outs at both Sleep Train and the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View (where the bands perform Saturday), something the Police, Stevie Wonder and the Jonas Brothers all failed to accomplish. Factor in the date at the Sleep Train Amphitheater in the Sacramento area, set for Friday, and this tour has sold some 55,000 tickets in Northern California alone.

Perhaps the ailing economy had something to do with this success of this tour, since it promised plenty of bang (i.e., big hits) for the buck (ticket prices were reasonably priced, starting at roughly $25).

Whatever the reason, the tour worked, especially once opener Cheap Trick got off the stage. The group's performance was surprisingly sloppy, rough and unexciting, especially during the first half of the short set, and the audience reacted appropriately. The band members definitely realized that they had failed to connect with the fans.

"I'm not trying to pick on anyone," commented Rick Nielsen, Trick's guitarist. "But this is the quietist crowd we've had in the last three months."

The audience would find its voice, and its feet, once Heart came on. The Wilson sister act, featuring vocalist Ann and guitarist Nancy, turned the evening around by performing solid versions of "Magic Man," "Never" and "These Dreams." When it ran low on its own batch of big hits, Heart pumped up the covers collection and thrilled with renditions of the Who's "Love Reign O'er Me" and Led Zeppelin's "Going to California."

Read the complete review here.

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Alone video

White River Ampitheatre 9/19/08

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White River Reviews

So Worth It: Journey, Heart At White River Amphitheatre

Heart's eleven-minute encore brought tears to our eyes for sheer love of the Wilson sisters and their effortlessly talented, unapologetic ally rocker chick existence. Those eleven minutes were musical perfection. Ann's voice is big and powerful, Nancy's classical/flamenco-inspired guitar solo was damn good, and even the strains Seattlest & Co. could hear as we scurried from the gravel parking lots towards Will Call gave us chills. "Hip" would not be a good way to describe either the crowd or the music, but was it "awesome"? In a huge, big-hair, jeans-and-a-bustle way. Heart's still got it.

See the full review on Seattlest.

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Heart is from the Seattle area, and so they treat shows here like homecoming events. They were absolutely amazing - it’s hard to believe that Nancy Wilson is 54 and sister Ann is 58. Ann’s voice has gotten deeper, raspier, a little rougher and more bluesy with time, and it suits some of their music really well. Her version of “Alone” was amazing.

I think Nancy Wilson is my new girl crush. She absolutely kicked butt up there on stage, she played the guys half her age into the ground. She swapped guitars for nearly every song - electric, acoustic, mandolin, even added a harmonica, and played them all until they smoked. She looked 25, dressed like a bohemian grunge goddess, danced, leaped, kicked and jammed every minute, and never once looked tired.

When you consider that she’s married to writer/director Cameron Crowe, gave birth to twins 8 years ago at 46, and leads a whirlwind life touring, recording with Heart, and composing & recording for the movie industry, it’s amazing she hasn’t keeled over from exhaustion.

Read the entire review at Smugpuppies.com

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Rock Hall of Fame 2009 Inductees

Metallica, Run-DMC, The Stooges Nominated For 2009 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame
by Gil Kaufman
MTV News

The Stooges buzz-sawed through a pair of Madonna songs at her induction last year, but maybe, hopefully, possibly, 2009 will be their turn to take the stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The legendary Detroit punk band, which reunited in 2003, is among the nominees for the 2009 Hall of Fame, along with Metallica, Run-DMC, guitarist Jeff Beck, disco-funk band Chic and “Low Rider” rockers War. Other nominees include 1950s doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials, early rock singer Wanda Jackson (often referred to as “The First Lady of Rock and Roll”) and 1970s soul singer Bobby Womack.

Five of the nine nominees will be inducted in the ceremony, to be held on April 4 at the Public Hall in Cleveland, the Hall of Fame’s hometown, where the ceremony has only been held once before, in 1997. Should Run-DMC make the cut, they will be the second hip-hop group to make it in after 2007 inductees Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Metallica made the cut in only their second year of eligibility — acts must have released their first single or album in 1983 to be eligible this year — while the Stooges have been eligible for more than 10 years, but have never before made the ballot. Beck was already inducted in 1992 as a member of the Yardbirds, but he is up this year for his work with the Jeff Beck Group and lengthy solo career.

Ballots will soon be sent to the more than 500 voters who will select inductees for the 24th annual induction ceremony, and the results will be announced in January.

***Of course Ann and Nancy Wilson/Heart have been overlooked AGAIN. RUN DMC over Heart? I thought after last years fiasco with Madonna being nominated that the RHOF couldn't get any more ridiculous. Guess I was wrong.

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Never live in Syracuse, NY

I am still crossing my fingers that somehow the Heart camp will release this new version of Never, even if it's a live recording. The way Heart re-invents their music still amazes me. I actually think I like this version better than the original.
Boomp3.com

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Never in Cincinnati

A closer shot of the show at the Riverbend Music Centre in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Riverbend Music Center Video

Cincinnati, Ohio 9/7/2008

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What 20,000 people sound like

This is what the crowd sounded like just before Heart took the stage in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, on September 6, 2008.

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Nancy Wilson Myspace

Have you added Nancy to your friends list? Click on the photo to visit her Myspace page.

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St. Louis Review

This is a review from Brian over at cantstoprockin.com

The second act of the night was Heart. This band showcases two talented sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson. I can’t stress the word talented enough. This band is probably my wife Britne’s favorite band of all time. She kept saying “I can’t wait to see Heart, they’re awesome.” I have to admit I was skeptical during the drive to the concert, but after witnessing them live, I was wrong. I’ve never been a huge fan of female rock singers until tonight! Ann Wilson has the most powerful and beautiful voice I think I’ve ever heard, but don’t count out her sister Nancy Wilson either. Her vocals on “These Dreams” and the harmonizing with her sister was spectacular.

“Magic Man” rocked followed by “Never” which featured Nancy playing a harmonica solo. Next came “Straight On”, “Alone” which was played acoustically and then Ann sang an astonishing cover of The Who’s hit “Love Reign O’er Me”. There wasn’t a lot of movement on the stage, but the music was amazing. During “Barracuda”, Nancy flipped her guitar around and there was a big United States Marine Corp sticker on the back of it. Ann sang a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California” and it was incredible. The last song was “Crazy On You” and the crowd went crazy.

Britne says she wished they had been the headliner because she could have listened to them for hours. Yes, I am now a big Heart fan too!

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Chicago Tribune Review

A night of Heart, followed by a lack of soul
By Andy Downing
Special to the Tribune

Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson made no mention of the recent hubbub surrounding Heart's 1977 hit "Barracuda" during an hour long performance at a near-capacity First Midwest Bank Amphitheater on Friday.

The controversy arose after "Barracuda" was played at the Republican National Convention following presidential nominee John McCain's acceptance speech: a nod to running mate Sarah Palin's nickname as a high school basketball player. The song's usage drew a quick rebuke from the band, but when the Republican camp persisted in playing the tune at campaign events, the Wilson sisters followed with an even more strongly worded statement to EW.com that read, in part, "Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women."So it was odd that the group launched into the familiar, asphalt-shredding riff of "Barracuda" (familiar to a new generation as "that song from 'Guitar Hero II' ") without so much as a word about current politics.

Indeed, this was a performance that could have taken place during either of the Bush administrations, as the group capitalized on a workmanlike greatest-hits set. "Never," an acoustic power ballad, found Nancy Wilson laying down creaky blasts of harmonica; "Magic Man" soared on Ann Wilson's powerhouse vocals, the 58-year-old sounding half her age as she brought the song to its climax. A cover of the Who's "Love Reign O'er Me," with its gurgling electronics and horror-show synths, found the six-piece band briefly flirting with progressive rock.

While Heart skirted any mention of current events in its set, Journey's headlining performance could never have taken place without an assist from modern technology. Read the rest here.

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Tinely Park, IL Video

Never - First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre, Tinley Park - 9/12/2008

Watch it here

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Heart Resurgence

‘Barracuda’ helps Heart’s resurgence
By Kevin C. Johnson
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Rock band Heart is out on the road at just the right time. The band is seeing a resurgence of its music, and it’s riding that wave.

And that’s all before last week, when Heart sent out a cease-and-desist order to John McCain’s campaign to stop using the song “Barracuda” to promote vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The band said Palin’s views didn’t represent theirs.

Even before the Republican National Convention, the band has been more visible over the past couple years.

“VH1 Rock Honors” paid tribute to Heart in May last year, and the band performed “Barracuda” with Fergie on the “Idol Gives Back” fund-raising special this year.

The song also is used on the video game “Guitar Hero III,” which shows the band’s new appeal with younger audiences.

And there’s the new tour with headliner Journey and Cheap Trick.

“A lot of young kids are coming out to see a real rock band, and they’re playing their ‘Barracuda’ air guitars,” says singer-guitarist Nancy Wilson, who shares core member status with her sister, Ann.

“We’re [one of] the last remaining true rock bands out there,” Wilson says. “Most people don’t know how to do it anymore, the way Ann sings, the way we write and how we use all live music.” -link

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Clarkston, MI Photos

DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Mich., on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. This is the night Heart had to gracefully bow out of the show due to Ann having a cold. No worries though, Ann and the rest of the band are now back rockin'.

Heart original members sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson announce to the audience that they would not perform at the show due to vocal problems suffered by Ann Wilson.

Copyright 2008

The Detroit News

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Win Tickets to the Sacramento show

Are you ready to rock and roll? This week, News10 Good Morning is giving away 10 pairs of lawn tickets to see Journey with Heart and Cheap Trick at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre on Friday, September 26th at 7:30pm. PLUS, we'll be giving away a Grand Prize of one VIP prize pack with 4 VIP box seats, VIP parking plus food tent privileges!

Click here for the entry form.

The drawing will close on Thursday, September 25th at Noon (PST). We'll choose the 10 winning entries and the Grand Prize during the period of Friday, September 19th through Thursday, September 25th. Watch News10 Good Morning where they'll announce two winners of the lawn tickets daily the week of September 22nd and announce the Grand Prize winner on Friday, September 26th. Winners will also be notified by phone or e-mail.

You must be 18 or over to enter. One entry per household per day, please. Tickets must be picked up in person weekdays at the News10 Studios, 400 Broadway in Sacramento, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.before or on Friday, September 26th.

News10/KXTV

Good luck to the California Heart Mongers!

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Ann Wilson Throat Problem

Heart failure gives fans more Journey time at DTE
By GARY GRAFF
Of the Oakland Press

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP -- Heart's pain turned into Journey fans' gain on Tuesday night at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.

Heart singer Ann Wilson developed a throat problem early Tuesday evening and was pronounced unfit to perform by an ear, nose and throat specialist -- who was already backstage to examine Cheap Trick singer Robin Zander. All six members of Heart trooped on stage after Cheap Trick's opening set to tell fans the bad news, but guitarist Nancy Wilson told the sold-out DTE crowd that Journey would play a longer set to compensate and urged them to "enjoy the show. It's a rock show. Have fun."

Read the entire article here.

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Thank You to Ann and Nancy

I couldn't have said it any better.

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Toronto Video

September 5, 2008 Toronto, Canada Molson Amphitheatre


Ann still sends chills up my spine when she sings Alone. As far as Nancy, I can't think of another female guitarist that is as amazing as her. Her new intro to Crazy on You is mind blowing. Notice how she doesn't get her first signature "kick" right during Crazy on You, but she nails it the second time!

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New Album News

TDHS over at the Heartlinker has reported a great article from Billboard with and interview from Nancy Wilson! It has been rumored that the next album would be a concept album. Some are speculating that this album might tell the the story of Ann and Nancy Wilson and their journey through their musical career. Whatever the concept is, it is sure to be amazing. With all the brouhaha surrounding the use of Barracuda, I am sure this has supplied a lot of fuel for Ann and Nancy as far as writing is concerned. Lets keep our fingers crossed that they add a few good rockers into the mix!

Read the article here.

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The show goes on...

Nancy Wilson playing her amazing opening to Crazy on You.If you listen towards the end she even throws in a little bit of Mistral Wind. This is from the show at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto,Canada on 9/5/08.

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Michael DesRosier Calls Seattle Radio Show

Michael DeRosier, former drummer and co-writer of Barracuda called into the Dori Monson Radio show in Seattle, WA and gave his comments on the controversy. Check out the podcast on MyNorthwest.com here. The call is at the end of the first hour. Roger Fisher, former guitarist for Heart, also called into the Dori Monson show and is at the beginning of the second hour.

Link

Just a side note. This blog in no way advocates the bashing that Ann and Nancy have endured since this started. My reason for posting some of the information on this blog is just to report the news.

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Roger Fisher Chimes In

Despite the Wilson sisters’ objections, one of the song’s co-writers said he was “thrilled” that the song was used.

In an e-mail to Reuters, the band’s former guitarist, Roger Fisher, said it was a win-win situation. Heart gets publicity and royalties, while the Republicans benefit from “the ingenious placement of a kick-ass song,” Fisher said.

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Message Board

I set up a message board for those that feel like they have to discuss Heart and the recent news concerning the use of their song Barracuda. This forum might be just temporary, or it might stay if it's used enough. The Official Heart boards were shut down due to the traffic and unflattering comments being made about the Wilson Sisters. Hopefully this will help give us mongers a temporary place to talk, vent, or just get things off our chest.

My thoughts go out to Ann and Nancy during this crazy time and hope their tour continues to go smooth. I am saddened that Heart seemed to be on their way, finally, to an amazing comeback. They have been selling out shows across America touring with Journey and Cheap trick. Ann has been getting standing ovations night after night. For those that feel the need to diminish Heart's career and bash them, remember that this is a FREE country. They have a right to their opinions just as you do yours. That doesn't mean if you disagree that you can't share the love of their music. Ann and Nancy are peace loving, Birkenstock wearing moms who love their country. They don't deserve the backlash they have gotten, especially from fans who have turned their backs.

This storm shall pass, and we all have the new Heart album to look forward to, also! Peace and love to the Heart Mongers out there and even to those who seek to harm others for their own political gain.

***the board has been taken down***

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Heart Backlash?

Hopefully Heart will not have to deal with any right wing drama while they finish up the rest of this tour.

Mr.L of Mr.L's Tavern tackles the Ann&Nancy Wilson BARRACUDA Sarah Palin controversy over rights to use their song at the GOP convention.

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Heart Statement

Taken from the Official Heart Website at www.heart-music.com

Heart Codemns the Use of the Song Barracuda at the Republican Convention

Rock Group Heart Condemn The Use of The Song Barracuda at The Republican Convention
Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart have informed the McCain/Palin Campaign that Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have sent a cease-and-desist notice to not use one of Heart's classic songs "Barracuda," as the congratulatory theme for Sarah Palin.
The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission.
"We have asked the Republican campaign not to use our music.

We hope our wishes will be honored."

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EW.com - Nancy Wilson Responds

Heartlinker has reported an interview done for EW.com and she has some scathing words for Palin and the Republican party.

"Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song 'Barracuda' no longer be used to promote her image." Check out the entire article here.

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Fox News

The issue about the RNC using Barracuda was talked about on FOX News. Ann and Nancy are both mentioned.

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Video of the Convention

Video of the song being used.

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Barracuda on Fire on Amazon

The song 'Barracuda' is now the second most downloaded song on Amazon. (I checked Amazon.com for the listing and was unable to corroborate this report)

Reports are that Capital records is copyright claimant on the song.

From Boston.com - Sarah Palin was just nominated by acclamation as the Republican vice presidential candidate.

A delegate from her home state of Alaska made the motion, which was seconded and approved with wild cheers.

Utah Governor Jon Huntsman nominated her, calling her a hockey mom, hunter, and reformer who will "kick a few fannies" in Washington.

After the order of business, Heart's "Barracuda" was played over the loudspeakers -- a reference to Palin's nickname as a high school point guard, Sarah Barracuda.

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Palin the "Barracuda"

Palin's nickname in high school was "Barracuda". Hence the song "Barracuda" by Heart in the video.

I am not posting this to promote McCain/Palin, nor am I supporting Obama/Biden. This is just to report what was found online and what is now exploding all over the blogosphere.

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Heart gets Political

In case you missed the Republican National Convention, the song Barracuda was played after presidential nominee John McCain gave a moving speech and accepted his party's nomination. Of course the Heart Message Boards are going wild over this, some support the song being used, and some opposed. TMZ has reported on this very issue.

Republicans Lack Heart....read the article here.

TMZ obtained a statement from Heart's rep, who says "The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission."

Thanks to Heart Monger eves3faces for the great scoop!

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