Memphis, TN Musician Isaac Hayes died early Sunday afternoon, according to Shelby County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Steve Shular.

A Shelby County sheriff’s deputy responded to Hayes’ home after his wife found him on the floor near a treadmill inside his home.

Hayes was taken to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:08pm.

Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department are continuing their investigation into Hayes’ death, but they believe no foul play was involved.

Hayes was 65-years-old.

From Wikipedia:

Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008)[1] was an American soul and funk singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger, composer and actor. Hayes was one of the main creative forces behind southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served as both an in-house songwriter and producer with partner David Porter during the mid-1960s. In the late 1960s, Hayes became a recording artist, and recorded successful soul albums such as Hot Buttered Soul (1969) and Black Moses (1971) as the Stax label’s premier artist.

Alongside his work in popular music, Hayes was a film score composer for motion pictures. His best known work, for the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft, earned Hayes an Academy Award for Best Original Song (the first Academy Award received by an African-American in a non-acting category) and two Grammy Awards. He received a third Grammy for the album Black Moses.

In 1992, in recognition of his humanitarian work, he was crowned an honorary king of Ghana’s Ada district. From 1997 to 2006, he provided the voice for the character “Chef” on the Comedy Central animated TV series South Park.

The following statement was released by Soulsville USA:

The Soulsville Foundation, which operates the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Music Academy, and The Soulsville Charter School, is so deeply saddened by the passing of Isaac Hayes that we are in state of shock. Isaac is one of the most beloved members of the Stax family and we all cherish him. He will be missed not only by us, but also by the entire world and the millions of people who love him as much as we do.

Marc Willis, CEO of the Soulsville Foundation, said, “Isaac was unique and an inspiration to us all. His accomplishments as a musician are unparalleled. But more than that, he was a very dear friend and great supporter of the Soulsville Foundation mission, particularly the work we do with children. We will miss him and his wonderful presence more than we can convey at this time.”

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On this week’s show Rachelandthecity folks things up! The theme seems to be solo artists who took a name and then a band. Listen up for new music from The Boy Bathing including an interview with singer/songwriter David Hurwitz from the band. Also on this week’s show, some fantastic live tracks from Oh No! Oh My!, Vending Machine and The Silent Parade.

Setlist:
00:00 Thursdays with Rachelandthecity
01:00 Big Mistake - Tim Fite
04:26 Simple Heart - The Hereafter
09:40 Heart-Shaped Stone - Freddie Stevenson
12:35 The Backseat - Oh No! Oh My! (Live from the Hitone)
17:18 Interview with David Hurwitz of The Boy Bathing
33:24 The Beaches Meet the Sea - The Boy Bathing
36:55 A Fire - the Boy Bathing
42:50 Black Dirt - Sea Wolf
46:29 Better to Be - Liam Finn
50:14 When Will I See You Again - Vending Machine (Live from the Hitone)
54:24 Sing Along - The Silent Parade

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• Oh No! Oh My!, Corto Maltese, Legs Against Arms at Emo’s Lounge!

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Setlist:

01:16 Blood, Sweat & Fears
06:16 Mercy Me
09:22 Almost Always Never
14:04 Cheap Wine
18:17 Sultan
22:05 The Jeopardy of Contentment
27:37 Self-Destruct
31:10 Curtains!
36:53 Sweet Lady
40:11 Hellodrama
43:05 To Each His Own
46:26 Right Place
49:01 For the Birds
52:49 Resistance

The cool thing about watching Television on DVD is that you can skip all the annoying parts, especially the recap of the previous episode that is attached to the beginning of each show. The beginning of this article is akin to one of those annoying recaps – tailor-made for those of you just now tuning in. Anyone who is a longtime fan can fast-forward through the first few paragraphs.

What Made Milwaukee Famous was formed in Austin, TX in 2003. Named for the song originally made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis about Schlitz Beer, the original line-up included Michael Kincaid (vocals, guitar), John Farmer (bass), Drew Patrizi (keys and guitar), and Josh Vernier (drummer) who would later be replaced by Jeremy Burch. The foursome spent two years playing locally and experimenting with their sound – a contemporary blend of alt-rock and synth-pop. Their varied style dabbles in radio friendly choruses, but also explored the classic loud-quiet-loud song structures that have earned Kincaid many Jeff Buckley comparisons.

Ardent Sessions: What Made Milwaukee Famous “Sultan”

As the story goes, their lucky break came when Josh Rosenfeld of Seattle’s Barsuk Records saw them at South by Southwest. This led to a slew of opportunities that led to many more. Their connection with Rosenfeld led to their opening for Arcade Fire during a warn-up show for ACL which led to them being in the right place at the right time when a spot opened up during the Austin City Limits Music Festival. After they signed to a management deal, they became the first band without a record label to play the Austin City Limits television show. Barsuk later signed them and re-released their self-released 2004 album Never Trying to Catch Up in 2006. When the album was released they became the darlings of the blogosphere and played Lollapalooza. It’s a scenario that every band dreams of, but one that rarely actually happens.

The band added guitarist Jason Davis last year as they began working on their follow-up disc, What Doesn’t Kill Us, which was released in March, again on Barsuk. Produced by the band and Sparklehorse guitarist Chris Michaels, the new album delves into a more contemplative and less happy-go-lucky side of the band, which makes sense considering the title. However, WMMF is certainly not afraid to hop, skip and jump across the indie-rock tapestry. The music is still varied in style and tone and Kinciad’s voice feels just as authentic enveloped in sing-along choruses as it does when wrapped in epic, heart-wrenching pain. The music can be earnest and thoughtful, but overall WMMF manages to not fall into the sad sap category of music that label mates Death Cab for Cutie have opted for on their latest endeavor. Instead WMMF have sprinkled the new disc with enough lighthearted fair for the listener to understand that just because you’ve have a bad day, it doesn’t mean it’s time to give up. Let’s not forget the second half of the well-known cliché is the “makes us stronger” part.

Ardent Sessions: What Made Milwaukee Famous “Self Destruct”

WMMF have already been on tour for most of the year, landing not only across the nation in mid-sized indie rock halls, but also at Washington’s Sasquatch and Tennessee’s Bonnaroo. They’ll continue touring through the end of the summer which will include a stop at Lollapalooza and they’ll end their tour with where it all started at Austin City Limits Music Festival. . If there was any band on the scene today that deserves the title “almost famous,” it would be hard to argue that band is not WMMF.

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ATO Records is proud to announce that Ben Kweller has just confirmed tour dates throughout the fall with Whitley. This special tour will kick off in Dallas, TX, on September 25th, and come to a close on November 2nd in Austin, TX.  Kweller will be previewing new material from the highly anticipated fourth album, Changing Horses, tentatively scheduled for a January 2009 release.

The venues featured will be intimate club settings. Fans will get the chance to hear new music for the first time, as well as the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise.

Ben Kweller tour dates:

09/25 Dallas, TX–Pontiac Garage at House of Blues
09/26   Houston, TX - Walters On Washington
09/27   Oklahoma City, OK - University of Oklahoma
09/30 Tucson, AZ–Club Congress
10/01 Pomona, CA–The Glass House
10/02 West Hollywood, CA–Troubadour
10/04 San Francisco, CA–Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Fest at Golden Gate Park
10/06 Eugene, OR–W.O.W Hall
10/07 Seattle, WA–Chop Suey
10/10 Denver, CO–Bluebird Theater
10/11 Omaha, NE-Slowdown
10/13 Minneapolis, MN, TBA
10/14 Chicago, IL–The Bottom Lounge
10/16 Boston, MA–Paradise Rock Club
10/17 New York, NY–Bowery Ballroom
10/20 Philadelphia, PA–Johnny Brenda’s
10/21 Washington D.C–Rock and Roll Hotel
10/23 Nashville, TN–Mercy Lounge
10/24 Atlanta, GA–The Earl
10/25 Birmingham, AL–WorkPlay Theater
10/27 Orlando, FL–The Social
10/28 Ybor City, FL–Crowbar
10/29 Tallahassee, FL — Florida State University, Club Downunder
11/02 Austin, TX - Antone’s

 

 Ice, Ice Baby - Ben Kweller: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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“$5 Cover” will be shooting footage of Harlan performing on Monday night at the Hi-Tone.

This will be a free, 18+ shoot, and we would like to invite those who love Harlan and his music to participate.

Please be at the Hi-Tone @ 6:30pm tomorrow. Please be prepared to stay until shooting is over, approximately 11. You are welcome to imbibe as normal.

IMPORTANT:

Please dress accordingly for a Harlan show. Think darker or muted colors, no really bright stuff.

Please also avoid the following things, as they
do not show well on the camera:

Black, white, red
Logos/Writing
Small stripes/patterns (1/2inch or larger, fine)

PLEASE BRING CLOTHING OPTIONS.

Feel free to bring a friend as long as they are aware of the wardrobe constrictions.

Thanks!

Local movie-maker Craig Brewer says he has joined with MTV to create a “groundbreaking episodic serial” set in Memphis and cast entirely with Memphis musicians and actors “as they fight for love, inspiration and the money to pay the rent.”

Shooting begins July 18 on “$5 Cover,” a 15-episode — or “webisode” — online program funded by MTV that will be made available to viewers later this year via personal computers, cell phones, iPods and other digital devices that offer an alternative to watching films on TV or in movie theaters.

The program is the centerpiece of an effort by MTV New Media to enhance the company’s efforts to create original online programming. At the same time, the series will promote Memphis and especially Midtown Memphis music and culture to a worldwide audience.

“We want to make Memphis an integral part of the experience, and a compelling character in the stories,” said David Gale, executive vice president for MTV New Media and former head of MTV Films, the company that was a distributor of Brewer’s 2005 Oscar-winning movie, “Hustle & Flow.”

When the episodes become available for viewing, fans will be able to download songs by the featured artists, click onto interactive maps to take a “virtual tour” of Midtown and otherwise access a multitude of Memphis-related features and options.

Before its premiere, “$5 Cover” will be promoted by many of the nearly 150 international television networks owned by MTV.

Brewer, 36, said the series would promote contemporary Memphis music to a world that mostly knows only the city’s rich musical past.

“MTV is giving us a small chunk of change and complete control to highlight the artists of our community in a fun, sexy new way, and on our own terms,” he said.

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Team Clermont, the Athens, GA-based PR firm, has announced the dates and lineup of its newest Summer Festival: Team Clermont Summer Camp!  Summer Camp will be held from July 31-August 2nd around Athens, Georgia.  This year’s event marks the 11th year of the company’s operation and features some of Team Clermont’s favorite musical acts as well as showcasing the various talents of TC Summer Campers through arts, crafts, karaoke, kickball, Four Square, Corn Hole, dancing, drinking, and more.  Team Clermont Summer Camp offers an opportunity to tour the finer clubs and sights of beautiful, bucolic Athens, Georgia, where Team Clermont makes its home.  And it all culminates in a night of sing-alongs featuring members of Elf Power, of Montreal, Elf Power, We Versus the Shark, Cinemechanica, Casper & the Cookies, Dark Meat, and more covering ESG, Mclusky, Sonic Youth, and Paul Mccartney and Wings songs!  That’s quite a diverse lineup of favorites.  Add to that performances by So Many Dynamos, Megafaun, Mostly Bears, Benji Hughes, and more, and you’re gonna want your parents to drop you off here right away!

Come to the camp where it’s towel poppin’ and panty raids 24 hours a day: Team Clermont Summer Camp!

Check out the Team Clermont Summer Camp Muxtape!

FESTIVITIES

Thursday - 07/31
“Camp Orientation” at Caledonia Lounge, Athens, GA

So Many Dynamos
Mostly Bears
Megafaun
Benji Hughes
(18+ , 256 W Clayton St)

Friday - 08/01
Scavenger Hunt - 12PM-2PM

“Talent Night” at Little Kings featuring…
Karaoke
Dance Party with DJs Cookies & Cream
Arts & Crafts
Four Square and Corn Hole tournaments
Face Painting Station

Saturday - 08/02
Koalas vs. Walruses Kickball Showdown - 10AM-2PM
(All ages, East Athens Community Park, 705 Sunset Drive)
w/ musical performance by Graham MacRae

“Campfire Sing-Along” concert at The 40 Watt Club
(18+ , 10PM - 285 W Washington St)

Tiny Sticks (ESG cover band featuring Josh McKay of Macha/Seaworthy, Bryan Poole, Heather Heyn formerly of Dark Meat, Aaron Wegelin formerly of Elf Power)

Hi Hi Hi (covering Paul McCartney & Wings, featuring Bryan Poole from of Montreal/Dark Meat/Elf Power/the Late BP Helium and Jason Nesmith of Casper & the Cookies)

F*ck This Band (Mclusky cover band featuring Jeff Tobias of We Versus The Shark, Dark Meat and Pegasuses-XL, Scott Smith of We Versus The Shark, Andy Pruett of Cinemechanica, and Brion Kennedy)

Nic Fit (Sonic Youth cover band featuring members of Dead Confederate)

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This just in:

Check out the brand new self-titled album from Conor by streaming it here.

Produced by Conor Oberst with the help of engineer and longtime associate Andy LeMaster, the album was recorded in Tepoztlán, Morales, Mexico. Creating a temporary studio in a mountain villa for a one-month period this winter, Conor and a tight-knit group of fellow musicians, who aptly call themselves The Mystic Valley Band, crafted a lush and beautiful record that evokes the deep sense of harmony in which they lived and worked during that month. … [read more]

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See Tour Dates:

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