Paco De Lucía has became the first Spanish man to receive this distinction.

The guitarist Paco de Lucia rose to the Olympus of the prestigious Academic University Berklee College of Music in Boston (USA) in May 2010. He received the Doctorate Honoris Causa, in a massive ceremony in the Agganis Arena, with more than 6,000 spectators and nearly a thousand students celebrating their graduation.

The Andalusian musician, which becomes the first Spanish man to receive this award, thanked, with a brief, emotional speech, delivered entirely in English, the university recognition, recalling their "difficult early days, when he was a child and flamenco was considered "the music of the Andalusian". Today is "a universal expression, sufficiently known and appreciated everywhere,"

With him were also endowed African singer Angelique Kidjo, jazz pianist Kenny Barron and the creators of the famous 'Sound of Philadelphia', Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.

The decision taken by the U.S. institution responds to the proposal made by the the Board of Trustees (Governing Council) of the Berklee College of Music, Eduardo Bautista, who promoted the granting of this credit to Andalusian musician.

Bautista also said about Flamenco as "kind of extraordinary uniqueness as hallmark of the Spanish musical heritage." In this sense, Paco de Lucia is the universal symbol of flamenco. It should be remembered like when Duke Ellington was the first musician to receive the Doctor Honoris Causa in 1971. After him, others such as Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Juan Luis Guerra, David Bowie, the Edge, Michel Camilo, Quincy Jones, Sting, Phil Collins, Chick Corea and George Benson, Rubén Blades, has been honored with equal distinction.

The Spanish Paco de Lucia is one of the best guitarists in the world. Latin Grammy winner, Paco de Lucia is the Flamenco artist's most innovative and influential of his generation. His albums have had a revolutionary impact, arousing interest in flamenco worldwide.

Born into a family of flamenco singers and guitarists from Algeciras, Cádiz, Spain, Paco adopted a gypsy lifestyle associated with flamenco, which is the spirit of community. he has an Inspired improvisation and defined style, rather than an academic training.

Paco de Lucia recorded his first album in 1968, made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1970, and he has recorded over 30 albums. He has collaborated with many artists, from Spanish to American stars from Jazz to Pop, like Ricardo Modrego, Camaron de la Isla, Larry Coryell, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Bryan Adams.

Paco refined his influential sound while remaining true to his Flamenco roots, while expanding his artistic talent, following inspiration, he recalled in a note to the Berklee College of Music.

More info: Paco de Lucia Website

In late August 1970, Derek and The Dominos - Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon, Carl Radle and Bobby Whitlock - convened in Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida with producer Tom Dowd to record "Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs." Following an invitation from EC, Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band joined in on the now-historic sessions. The band finished recording in September and the double LP was released that December. To mark the 40th Anniversary of the now-classic album, three different anniversary editions will be released in March 2011. Although track lists have not been announced yet, expected are a CD remaster from the UK master tapes, a two-disc "Deluxe Edition" and a "Super Deluxe Edition" with 4 CDs, 1 DVD and 2 LPs.

More info: Eric Clapton Official Website

Heavy metal guitar enthusiasts rejoice! The world will soon be able to experience the stunning new album from guitar legend and classical metal master Yngwie Malmsteen. "Relentless" will hit streets on November 23 via Malmsteen's own Rising Force Records. The CD contains more than 60 minutes of brand new material and showcases the guitar great at his best with the signature virtuosity and mind-blowing technical speed for which he has come to be known.

"Relentless" also features striking vocals from Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), who first collaborated with Malmsteen on 2008's critically-acclaimed "Perpetual Flame" (Malmsteen's first album for the Rising Force Records label). Of the new album, Malmsteen commented,

"The album title really says it all. The drive to surpass my own accomplishments can best be described with one word — relentless. After all these years of composing and playing music, I still am passionate about pushing myself to the limit — to the highest, most demanding level of playing possible."

"Relentless" track listing:

01. Overture

02. Critical Mass

03. Shot Across The Bow

04. Look At You Now

05. Relentless

06. Enemy Within

07. Knight Of The Vasa Order

08. Caged Animal

09. Into Valhalla

10. Tide Of Desire

11. Adagio B Flat Minor Variation

12. Axe To Grind

13. Blinded

14. Cross To Bear

15. Arpeggios From Hell (Bonus track)

More info: Yngwie Malmsteen Official Website

Tony MacAlpine's group CAB will play in two shows in Russia. These are the dates and the venues:

• July 16: Igor Butman's Club - Moscow, Russia
• July 18: Festivalny Concert Hall, Sochi, Russia

More info: Tony MacAlpine's website

Greg Howe has just confirmed that he will be performing 2 live performances with virtuoso's drummer Marco Minnemann and Bassist Bryan Beller this September 24th and 25th in Vladivostok, Russia. These performances will consist of a few of each players tunes and will be held at the Primorye Regional Philharmonic Hall!

Greg Howe also will perform at Eddie Lang Festival. Greg will be performing with his band on August 6th at the Eddie Lang Festival in Monteroduni, Italy. Band members include Greg Howe, Jon Reshard (Bass), Dennis Hamm (Keyboards), and Gianluca Palmieri (Drums). Greg will also be conducting three different Masterclasses/Clinics at the festival on August 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Venues To Be Annouced and for more information visit Greg Howe's website

Guitar virtuoso Richie Kotzen will be hitting the road to support his latest release, entitled Peace Sign. A stunning mix of Rock, pop, blues and soul, Peace Sign (Kotzen’s 20th solo album), has been receiving a great deal of critical acclaim. The Tour will start in South America.

Following the success of last years UK Tour, Richie Kotzen has just announced three UK dates for June as part of the 2010 Peace Sign World Tour. The tour is in support of Richie’s latest release, ‘Peace Sign’, a milestone album for Richie as it marks his 20th solo release. Peace Sign has already received a great response from both critics and fans alike:

“This type of album doesn’t come along every day folks. What we see here is perhaps the natural progression of Richie’s career. Somehow, his voice has gotten even better, and his guitar skills are still up there with the best.” (digstation) “Tons of amazing guitar work, all based around great songs and stunning vocals.” (Eddie Trunk – Radio/Television Personality)

Last October saw the first live dates that Richie had played in the UK since 2004 resulting in a ‘Sold Out’ London performance. One reviewer at that London show described it as “moments of a pure force of nature taking over, that primary impulse, that intuitive magic which is at the heart of all improvised music. You can’t put a price on these flashes of artistic insight, especially these days when they are becoming increasingly rare in live situations, so the audience instantly recognised those spontaneous gems and responded fabulously, welcoming Kotzen with the best response and English crowd could give.” (Alissa Ordibai – Hardrock Haven)

Richie is touted as one of the best guitar players in the world. He possesses a voice on par with some of the greatest rock and soul singers and is highly regarded as a gifted songwriter. He is one of very few Artists to have been graced with not one, but two, Fender Signature Guitars. Some of his many career highlights include having written numerous hit songs (include a #1 hit with ‘Shine’), appearing on platinum selling albums and touring as the opening act for the legendary Rolling Stones during their 2006 “A Bigger Bang” tour.

Richie is a guitar virtuoso, who writes and sings soulful songs that bring to mind the very best of both early 1970’s rock and the current crop of emerging young blues rock guitar players. His voice has been compared to Steve Marriott, Paul Rodgers and early Rod Stewart.

South America Tour:

April 22 - Bolshoi Pub Goiania, BRAZIL

April 23 - Blackmore Rock Bar Sao Paulo, BRAZIL

April 24 - Blackmore Rock Bar Sao Paulo, BRAZIL

April 25 - Teatro Odisseia Rio De Janiero, BRAZIL

April 28 - Drakkar Music Hall Porto Alegre, BRAZIL

April 29 - Hangar Bar Curtiba, BRAZIL

May 1 - Guitar Fest Valparaiso, CHILE

May 2 - Teatro Collegiales Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA

USA Tour:

May 10 - *Sam Ash Guitar Clinic Orlando, FL

May 11 - Skipper’s Smokehouse Tampa FL

May 12 - Club 57 West Orlando FL

May 13 - Freebird Live Jacksonville, FL

May 14 - The Local Marietta, GA

May 15 - *Sam Ash Guitar Clinic Madison, TN

May 16 - Mercy Lounge Nashville, TN

May 18 - Jaxx Night Club West Springfield, VA

May 19 - The North Star Bar Philadelphia, PA

May 20 - *Sam Ash Guitar Clinic King of Prussia, PA

May 21 - The Works Reading, PA

May 22 - Diesel Club Lounge Pittsburgh, PA

May 24 - *Sam Ash Guitar Clinic New York, NY

May 25 - Highline Ballroom New York, NY

May 26 - Toad’s Place New Haven, CT

May 27 - Showcase Live Foxboro, MA

UK Tour:

June 17th - 02 Academy Islington, LONDON

June 19th - Club Academy, MANCHESTER

June 20th - The Classic Grand, GLASGOW

• For more information visit Richie Kotzen's website

Guitar nation is a two day music festival of performances, demonstrations, seminars and cutting edge debates for guitarists and musicians serious about music. It brings together the people who make the industry happen; world class musicians, band managers, top producers, media professionals, music industry guru’s and many more.

Guitar Nation will get musicians closer to music and its industry than ever before. A broad variety of master classes, tutorials, seminars, performances and forums are planned, covering a wide range of hard hitting topics in a fun, innovative and creative environment.

Master classes and seminars already confirmed are:

- Guitar God Steve Vai’s Only UK appearance in 2010 : Making it in the Music Industry

- Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain : Touring the world with Iron Maiden

- Toto’s Steve Lukather : masterclass with Grammy award winning guitarist

- Bernie Marsden : ex-Whitesnake guitarists killer blues workshop

- Phil Hilborne : How to become a session musician

- Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd) and guests : My bass and other animals

- Ace (Skunk Anansie) : The ultimate guide to guitar effects

- Ruta Sepetys (manager Steve Vai, Desmond Childs) : The new most important power in music: what to expect from your manager, advice and discussion panel.

- Meet Jon Morter (Founder of Rage Against the Machine to number 1 campaign ) : What's next in social networking media

- John Webster (CEO, Music Managers Forum; founder, Mercury Music Prize) presents Meet the bookers : an insight into the inside of the live music industry.

- Total Production magazine Editor Mark Cunningham present series of hard hitting debates with top MI professionals

- ‘Meet the Men Behind the Glass’…Youth - uber-producer (U2/ The Verve ), composer and bassist with seminal post-punk rockers Killing Joke : See how he makes music and talks about the role of the producer in the creative process.

- Earn a living without record company support with Barry Martin
( The Hamsters )

The festival's mission is to empower musicians, help them make a living from music and improve their playing. Issues covered include making money as a songwriter, planning your first tour, how publishing works as well as innovations in music technology; the depth and breadth of what you can learn will be truly invaluable.

Guitar Nation is a consumer conference giving the public seamless access to musicians and experts in a way they could only ever dream about.

Serious about music – You have to be at Guitar Nation 2010!

For further information and news updates see www.guitarnation2010.com and for ticket information contact Clive Morton clivemorton@musicnation.eu on
01572 757 775

Jimi Hendrix's previously unreleased studio album, Valleys of Neptune, is a collection of 12 previously unreleased Jimi Hendrix studio recordings. Available for the first time ever, features over 60 minutes of unheard Jimi Hendrix, including the new single “Valleys Of Neptune,” plus exciting 1969 arrangements of classic signature songs “Red House,” “Fire” and “Stone Free” and more! Available on CD and limited edition180-gram LP. complete track list (IN STORES & ONLINE, MARCH 9):

1. Stone Free

2. Valleys Of Neptune

3. Bleeding Heart

4. Hear My Train A Comin'

5. Mr. Bad Luck

6. Sunshine Of Your Love

7. Lover Man

8. Ships Passing In The Night

9. Fire

10. Red House

11. Lullaby For The Summer

12. Crying Blue Rain

Source: www.jimihendrix.com

The MAB “Backing Tracks” CD are already here! This CD is made up of all of Michael’s best clinic tracks. These are the exact tracks that Michael uses for his shows! The “Backing Tracks’ CD is in stock and available NOW!

Also, the “Backing Tracks” CD is available for downloading directly from MAB site with one addition: A bonus track; The original version of MAB’s "No Boundaries" backing track will only be available for download.

The backing tracks include, in order:

1. Hands Without Shadows
2. Burn
3. Zeppelin Forever
4. No Boundaries (newer version with extended intro)
5. Tribute to Dimebag
6. Wherever I May Roam
7. Rain Forest
8. Dream On
9. The Finish Line
10. China
11. Time Traveler
12. Prog
13. Tribute to Randy

Source: www.angelo.com