Corona, CA: Following the Music

The music scene in California is not just clubs and bars. There is something for everyone. Maybe you are not into the club/bar night out. Maybe you have children and need family friendly events. Maybe you just want a change and want to see a live show. I will introduce you to some alternatives to the typical bar and club scene.

If you are a parent, have an interest in kids in music, or just want a change of scenery, a great venue is the Fender Center and Museum in Corona, California. Recently it held a showcase featuring all six of the Kids Rock Free bands for the price of $10 for adults, $5 for kids. Kids in the band are part of the Kids Rock Free program. The bands included the Drum Line (new to Kids Rock Free), Deadline, Unbroken, The Cutting Edge, The Igniters, and The Fender Benders. The most recent event showcased the talent of all the bands but it was a bitter sweet event because some of the kids were aging out. That means by age 18 they are too old for the Kids Rock Free Program. The program offers free and low cost lessons to families and kids age 7 to 17. Class choices include drums, bass, guitar, vocals, and more. The kids that get involved learn from top notch teachers and also get to do gigs with huge talents such as Paul Rodgers and other famous people. Friends, family, and the community are invited to the Fender Center for events that the kids perform in and other events that are adult only shows. The venue, when hosting an event, usually has food and beverage service to go with the shows. The Rhythm Lounge inside the venue is spacious and intimate. The lighting and sound is always top notch. The outside venue, the Steve Miller TLC Amphitheater, is used for larger events.

Corona, CA: An IPO with strings attached - Guitar maker Fender going public

An instrumental piece of rock and roll history is going public.

Fender Musical Instruments, the maker of legendary guitars strummed by the likes of Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, filed papers Thursday for a $200 million initial public offering.

Founded in 1946 by Leo Fender, the company created the Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars in the 1950s.

Corona, CA: The Griff Hamlin Band To Play Concert At Fender Museum To Benefit Music Education For Corona Kids

Griff Hamlin, creator of Blues Guitar Unleashed and lead singer/guitarist of the Griff Hamlin Band, has announced a special show, open to the public, to benefit the Kids Rock Free program at the Fender Center in Corona, CA.

March 06, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Griff Hamlin, creator of Blues Guitar Unleashed and lead singer/guitarist of the Griff Hamlin Band, has announced a special show, open to the public, to benefit the Kids Rock Free program at the Fender Center in Corona, CA.

Griff Hamlin, blues guitarist and creator of Blues Guitar Unleashed, has announced a special performance at the Fender Center in Corona, CA, on Saturday, March 10. Proceeds from the show go to benefit Fender's Kids Rock Free Program which works to provide free and low cost music lessons to local area kids.

Corona, CA: Johnny Cash Museum to Open This Summer on Lower Broad

Well, our city certainly has no dearth of music-themed museums and halls of fame and so forth — even if they do adopt extremely long monikers and feature demos by non-Beatles with Beatle names. But before I go digressing, let me just tell you what's up: As reported by our sister publication, The City Paper, Johnny Cash friend and fan Bill Miller plans to open a museum dedicated to The Man in Black this summer on Lower Broad. The museum will be located near the intersection of Third Avenue South and Broadway, and it will cost about $7 million to construct. Says CP:

“This is the realization of a long term dream,” Miller said. Specifically, that dream consists of a two-floor, 18,000 square foot museum, including a 250-seat music venue, honoring Cash's life and musical legacy. Miller said the project will cost roughly $7 million and open this summer. The museum will be privately-funded by Miller, a former Corona, Calif. mayor, memorabilia dealer and expert. “We can do whatever we want ... We don't have a board to report to,” Miller said. “Johnny always trusted me. Whatever I do, [it will be] how he wanted it to be done.”

Corona, CA: MEGADETH's DAVID ELLEFSON At Jackson Custom Shop In Corona

In the three-minute video clip below, MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and master builder Mike Shannon offer an update from the Fender factory in Corona, California where Ellefson's new signature Jackson guitars are currently being produced. Also available is footage of Ellefson demonstrating his signature Jackson bass at a stop on his recent clinic tour (courtesy of The Music Zoo).

The U.S.A. Custom Shop David Ellefson Signature Model Jackson Concert Bass is based on the Jackson Concert Bass with which Ellefson recorded MEGADETH's landmark 1990 metal magnum opus "Rust In Peace". Further, it's a spot-on replica of the instrument he played during MEGADETH's triumphant "Rust In Peace" 20th-anniversary tour in 2010 (as seen in the MEGADETH "Rust In Peace Live" DVD/CD and "The Big 4" live from Sofia, Bulgaria DVD).

Corona, CA: Don't miss the KRF segment on PBS-So Cal this Friday! "Women Who Rock" 9pm-10:30pm

Don't miss the KRF segment on PBS-So Cal this Friday! "Women Who Rock" 9pm-10:30pm

Corona, CA: Fender Designs Custom Guitar for Love Ride 28: Donates as One of Top Prizes for 2011 Event Attendees

Fender Musical Instruments Corp. has created a custom-designed Telecaster® guitar specifically for Love Ride 28, a major donation anyone can win, that's expected to promote even greater attendance in support of the fight against autism as the 2011 version of the world's largest charity motorcycle ride returns to Castaic Lake, California on October 23.

"Fender's donation is exactly what the spirit of Love Ride is all about," said Love Ride founder Oliver Shokouh. "The company's generosity and involvement are exemplary and an inspiration in these challenging times, bringing more people to Love Ride and helping to make a larger difference in the struggle against autism."

Corona, CA: Fender Visitor Center Grand Opening In Corona, CA Features Buddy Guy & Raphael Saadiq

Four words: Buddy Guy & Fender Guitars. Damn do those two names lead to a damn fine night.

Starting at 6 PM, the famous guitar manufacturer Fender in Corona, CA opened the doors of its brand-new Visitor Center to a small group of media, VIPs and music lovers.

Upon arrival, guests sauntered through its museum-esque collection of fender guitars and basses, signature series guitars, and Buddy Holly-to-Kurt Kobain memorabilia, while filling themselves to the brim with limitless brews and buffet food - ( including sushi, which is essentially the Cristal of Buffet Food, right?). This of course was all really in preparation for the night’s biggest gift: live performances from Dave Mason, Raphael Saadiq, and the legendary Buddy Guy.

Corona, CA: Redlands musician and his band to play at Inland Empire Blues and Roots Festival

Local musician Chris "Big Papa" Thayer and his band - Big Papa and the TCB - will perform Saturday at the Inland Empire Blues and Roots Festival at the Fender Center for the Performing Arts in Corona.

The band will be joined on stage with other blues acts including Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Kelly McGuire, the Jumpin' Jack Benny Blues Band and the Cold Comfort Blues Band.

Corona, CA: Steve Miller Rock Symphony September 17, 2011

Indulge in a hip romantic evening, hosted by Cynthia Fox 95.5 KLOS.

Steve Miller TLC Amphitheatre

365 N Main Street

Corona, CA 92880

Saturday, September 17, 2011

“Roll Over Beethoven!” Classic Rock meets Classical Music when Steve Miller joins the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra for the premiere of ROCK SYMPHONY at the Steve Miller Amphitheatre at the Fender Center in Corona on Saturday September 17th. The stage was named in Miller’s honor for his decade of dedicated work on behalf of the Fender Center’s KIDS ROCK FREE music education program.

Steve Miller will perform some of his greatest hits including “The Joker,” “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Abracadabra,” and “Hey Yea,” off his critically acclaimed blues album BINGO arranged like never before by Conductor, Rune Bergmann with jubilant participation by the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra and Fender Center’s KRF® rock band, the Fender Benders. For special treats, audiences will enjoy the music and interaction of Violin virtuoso David Coucheron and concert pianist Julie Coucheron.

Steve Miller Rock Symphony is a call of Giving to Help KIDS ROCK FREE®

This exclusive VIP fundraising event is dedicated to raising money for the now 1,000 child waitlist for KRF® and celebrates its 800 children who received free & low-cost music lessons as a result of the fundraising efforts since 2009 and further bring awareness to the Fender Center Museum’s Kids Rock Free® National Educational Program.

The event is even more special because the rock symphony arrangement by Mr. Rune Bergmann is a tribute to Steve Miller and a gift to the Kids Rock Free music education program from John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Mentor, Jens Moe and his lovely wife, Karin.

This black tie/leather optional event will be unlike any other as Fender Center takes its concert content and educational quality to the next level. The event will feature all access to the museum exhibits, a silent and live art auction.

For more Media information, contact Debbie Shuck at 951.735.2440, ext. 200

dshuck@fendermuseum.com

General Admission Prices: Grandstand $35; Preferred Lawn GA are $50-$100;

Plus Limited Exclusive VIP Seated Sponsorships available

For Ticket & Reservations, contact Amy Sanders at 951.735-2440, ext. 207

amy@fendermuseum.com http://www.fendercenter.org/

 

Corona, CA: The Sedans Tomorrow Night in the Rhythm Lounge ~ Get your Tickets Now !

The Sedans Tomorrow Night in the Rhythm Lounge ~ Get your Tickets Now !

Corona, CA: Teacher Workshop Led by Blues Artist Fernando Jones

Fernando Jones is offering a very special opportunity for teachers! Please be sure to share this with all of the teachers in your local area!

Come see "Chicago's Own", Fernando Jones, perform in the Rhythm Lounge on Wednesday, June 29th! Click on the poster below to purchase tickets online. They are just $10.00 for Adults, and $5.00 for children 16 and younger.

Corona, CA: Seeking Vendors for Fender Centers event July 30th, 2011

Seeking Vendors for Fender Centers event July 30th, 2011

Corona, CA: Kids Rock Free program coming to charter school

Kids ages 7 to 17 will soon have a chance to rock in Temecula.

The Corona-based Fender Center is partnering with a new charter middle school to offer the popular Kids Rock Free program in Temecula.

Through the program, free and low-cost music lessons will be offered after school at Context: Middle School, Temecula, said Michele Smith, founder of the school. Context students also will use the Kids Rock Free curriculum for music instruction during the school day, she said.

The after-school lessons are not limited to Context students.

Context is set to open in August on a site next to the Temecula Valley Unified School District offices and will serve 300 students in sixth to eighth grades. Potential Context students need not live in the Temecula Valley district. Enrollment is now under way.

The school's partnership with Kids Rock Free, which is still being finalized, marks the Fender Center's first expansion of the music education program, Executive Director Debbie Shuck said.

Until now, the program has only been offered at the Fender Center in Corona, but has drawn youths from 7 to 17 from more than 100 cities in Southern California for guitar, bass, drum, piano, voice and other lessons, Shuck said.

Kids Rock supporters, including musician and Fender Center trustee Steve Miller, hope to expand the program across the country and even internationally, she said.

"We want to move beyond our own backyard," Shuck said. The organization decided to begin with Temecula in part because the new program would be close to the original program in Corona, she said.

"This is a perfect fit," Shuck said.

In the Fender Center program, the initial lessons are free. A small fee is charged, $150 for eight weeks, for further lessons, Shuck said. The program began 12 years ago and has served more than 14,000 students, she said. More than 1,000 children are on the waiting list, she said.

Students and parents can learn more about the Kids Rock Free program and Context: Middle School during a kickoff meeting Wednesday at the Context site. Representatives of Context and Kids Rock Free will be on hand to answer questions.

A Fender guitar valued at more than $1,000 will be raffled off Wednesday, Smith said. Students who have completed "intent to enroll" forms for Context will be eligible to win the guitar, she said.

Corona, CA: Fender Museum Coming Attractions (5th Annual Woodie Johnson Summer Music Festival and Jammin' For Japan)

Corona, CA: Schick® Disposables Turn Up the Amps With Their Play it Smooth Promotion

The Schick® brand of men's and women's disposable razors, Quattro for Women® Disposables, Quattro Titanium™, Xtreme3®, and ST2™, announces today a promotion that really rocks.

Let's Get This Party Started

Schick Disposables officially kicks off the first Play it Smooth promotion today, in conjunction with Rock Band™3, the next iteration in the ultimate music video game, and the ultimate in rock 'n roll, Fender®. The partnership will be promoted on-pack, giving consumers a chance to enjoy their love of music with the brand they rely on for their shaving needs.

Beginning February 2011 and continuing through April 2011, specially marked Schick disposable razor packs will include a special code to download FREE Exclusive Rock Band 3 PROTRACKS at www.schickplayitsmooth.com. This site will give fans a chance to embrace their love of music through song downloads, games and a unique sweepstakes. A stop by the Schick Play it Smooth Facebook page offers even more opportunities to win (www.facebook.com/schickplayitsmooth).

Backstage Pass

Music lovers vying for the next great act will take the Stairway to Heaven when they check out the microsite www.schickplayitsmooth.com. Using the on-pack promo code, consumers can download three songs exclusive to Schick, featuring Pro instrument parts to play in Rock Band 3. Exclusive songs available are from the talented emerging artists: Hourcast, The Gracious and Johnny Cooper.

Music Memorabilia

Make music memories when you visit Schickplayitsmooth.com. Twitter fans will be surprised with special musical giveaways weekly. Groupies can enter the instant win sweepstakes daily for a chance to win one of the following prizes:

Rock Band 3 Squier® by Fender Stratocaster® Guitar Controller

Rock Band 3 Software

Rock Band 3 Mad Catz Wireless Keyboard

Rock Band 3 Software and Keyboard Bundle

Rock Band™ Country Track Pack™2

Setlist Battle Men and women seeking to indulge in their inner rock star will have the chance to participate in a Schick-sponsored Rock Band Setlist Battle from April 6th – April 13th. Consumers can preregister as early as today and start practicing to play against other teams to win the title of Schick Play it Smooth Rock Band 3 Setlist Champion. The winner of the Setlist challenge will win the "Ultimate Rock 'n Roll Trip" to visit the Fender guitar factory in Corona, California and a stay at the music hotel – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

News From the Tour Bus

Stop by the Microsite to see what's spinning or head to Facebook.com/schickplayitsmooth to catch up with the band! Find out when Hourcast, The Gracious and Johnny Cooper will be coming to a town near you.

"Schick is thrilled to bring this promotion to our consumers," says Maria Lovera, Group Marketing Director, Schick Disposable Razors. "This is the first time Schick Disposables has combined all of our brands to offer both men and women a fun and engaging sweepstakes. We are looking forward to the Setlist Battle and seeing our talented consumers compete for this exciting prize."

About Schick®

Schick® is manufactured by Energizer Personal Care. A leading manufacturer of razors and blades around the world, Energizer Personal Care is a division of Energizer Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ENR - News), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. It ranks as the world's second largest manufacturer and marketer of wet shave products for men and women under the Schick and Wilkinson Sword brands. For more information on shaving visit www.schick.com

Merle Haggard Coming to Fender Museum in Corona, CA

April 6 - Corona, CA @ Fender Museum for the Arts

Man in Black Birthday Party

Johnny Cash's children John Carter Cash and Cindy Cash will join the late singer's associates, friends and fans at a birthday celebration to be held at the Fender Center in Corona, CA on Feb. 22-24.

The event is being held at the Fender Center which is the home of the museum exhibit Cash An American Icon which features the singer's stage worn costumes, instruments, handwritten song lyrics, awards and memorabilia from his career including his handwritten lyrics to the last song Cash ever wrote.

The celebration will feature seminars, Q & A sessions with John Carter and Cindy Cash, Cash's longtime manager Lou Robin and presentations on the Johnny Cash ABC TV series.

Margie Perkins, the widow of the late Luther Perkins, the man credited with creating Cash's unique guitar backing, will unveil one of Perkins' guitars for display at the museum.

A complete collection of gold and platinum awards representing the sales Cash achieved during his career will be unveiled during the celebration.

Cash has sold over 90,000,000 records.

Fans will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with celebrities and special guests and even bring their own guitars to sing and play for one another during a guitar pull.

Event organizer, Bill Miller, a longtime friend of Cash's and operator of Johnny Cash Radio and JohnnyCash.Com, the Official Johnny Cash Site said, "This is an unprecedented opportunity for Johnny's fans to get together and hang out with Johnny's family, friends and intimates. It's a time to celebrate one of the largest musical icons in the world at an event the entire family can enjoy."

The event will culminate with a musical performance by the Johnny Cash Tribute band Cashd Out of San Diego.

Cash was born February 26, 1932 and passed away on September 12, 2003.

Smashing Belt-buckles on a Brand New Fender Guitar?

Developing products is a strange business. There are the obvious product capabilities (where most of us spend most of our time), the competitive environment, and in this particular product development case the priorities are twisted around just a little bit, and the smart guys at Fender have found a way to capitalize on those aesthetic preferences.

Indulge me for just a second with a portion of a David Wilcox song named “Guitar Shopping”. The song describes how a 17 year old David Wilcox intentionally bought his first guitar that was well used, road weary and oozing with character, that David hoped to develop over a lifetime as a professional guitar player and singer. After over a dozen successful albums, David spies an old guitar from his time as an aspiring guitar player, in the window of an old guitar store. Here’s a portion of David Wilcox’s song that beautifully describes the evolution of his guitar preferences.

“Guitar Shopping”

“…Course back then, I didn’t want it,it was way too new for me,I needed something old and righteous, with it’s own authority,So the first guitar I ever bought was twice as old as me,Because it’s life was full of music, as I as I dreamed that my life might be…I still like the look of road wear, but the roles have been reversed, The old ones still have their stories, but by now… so do I…”.

Like jeans that must look well worn and unique, so to does it appear it must be so for guitars as well, even Fender guitars!

WSJ reported recently on the Fender guitar factory in Corona, CA and the decision to intentionally age brand new guitars in order to provide customers with relic-like guitars at (over) new guitar prices (and of course new guitar capabilities). Fender marketers have watched as the price of vintage guitars have skyrocketed, propelled by collectors who like the look of character that comes with well-aged guitars. It turns out that the difference between a new Fender and a faux-vintage guitar can be over $500.

The tools required to bestow a soulless guitar into one with a pedigree and a cool, aged patina, include industrial solvents, a tumbler for some of the metal parts and a bit of sub-freezing aerosol to give the lacquer the “weather checking” spider like cracks. And of course you need the belt-buckles to provide the “cymbal stand” gashes.Customers say that they get the best of both worlds with an artificially distressed guitar - a new product that works well and doesn’t have any functional problems, and that broken-in feeling that plays better than a brand new guitar.As you develop your new products, keep the customer in mind – and remember to never get caught stuck, thinking only inside of the box! Know thy customers, Chris Hawkes.

AURALEX ACOUSTICS CREATES A SOUND ENVIRONMENT AT THE FENDER CENTER FOR MUSIC EDUCATION

Auralex Acoustics, Inc., the industry leader in innovative sound control solutions, recently installed an assortment of its best-selling acoustical products at the Fender Center for Music Education, a 501 C3 not-for-profit public benefit corporation that provides free and low cost Kids Rock Free® educational opportunities, including piano, guitar and drum lessons, to over six hundred children per week.

The museum and educational facility, located in Corona, CA, houses Kids Rock Free® classrooms, Studio FM — a 48-track digital recording studio, an outdoor TLC Amphitheater, a visual arts gallery, and the Celebrate the Legacy…the Fender Story exhibit, which presents a 50-year history of the famous Fender electric guitar and its impact on the world of entertainment.

Most recently, the Rhythm Lounge was constructed as an indoor performance center for benefit concerts, name artists, and local bands to perform throughout the winter months. Due to its big box construction and parallel walls, acoustical treatments were needed in order to tame the spaces’ first reflections and echoes. Auralex provided the sound solution with [18] Elite C24 ProPanels, one box of SonoFiber and several spot treatments above the stage area.

Auralex’s Elite C24 ProPanels are 2” thick versions of the company’s popular B24 ProPanels. The C24 is available in a 2’x4’ size with a beveled edge, but due to its 2” thickness it has an overall Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 1.05, greatly increasing its ability to control lower frequencies. SonoFiber is a 1” thick charcoal gray natural fiber acoustic absorptive panel that offers the perfect solution for budget-conscious projects requiring a Class A fire rating without the aesthetic demands of designer treatments such as fabric-covered panels.

“We worked with Auralex during the construction of our Studio FM digital recording facility and were really impressed with the outcome,” said Kelly McGuire, Chief Audio Engineer at the Fender Center for Music Education. “When it came time to treat our new indoor performance stage, Auralex was the obvious choice. Once all the treatments were installed, there was an immediate sound difference.”

The lounge features couches, bistro tables and futons for a sleek and relaxed feel. The decor also includes custom Fender Shop guitars mounted on the walls. When orchestrating the rooms’ acoustical treatments, Fender wanted the treatments to blend, versus sticking out, which is why they decided on using the obsidian colored fabric on the ProPanels for an appealing, yet consistent look.

“Our entire facility at the Fender Center for Music Education is outfitted in Auralex products,” continues McGuire. “They have offered us quality workmanship and impeccable sound control. We are already looking into acoustically treating our lesson rooms as well as several other projects. As the facility continues to expand, Auralex will be our first and only choice for acoustical treatments.”

About Auralex Acoustics, Inc.

Located in Indianapolis, Auralex Acoustics was founded in 1977 with a mission to provide top-performing acoustical treatment products at the best value. Since then, thousands of satisfied Auralex customers have experienced improved acoustics, expert advice and exceptional customer service. Auralex products enjoy widespread use among prominent artists, producers, engineers, corporations, celebrities and government agencies.

Auralex Acoustics has become the industry leader in innovative sound control solutions and continues to enjoy rapid growth through an international network of authorized dealers. Visit the Auralex web page at www.auralex.com. Auralex can be reached via email at auralexinfo@auralex.com or by calling 1.800.959.3343.