Bill Miller and Ken Lingad Featured Performance at 29th Folk Alliance International Conference

Over the course of the last few years, many of the artists I manage enlist me to accompany them on-stage, in addition to the business executive duties I perform. It was certainly more of my pleasure than usual, having performed an intimate set with 3-time GRAMMY-winner Bill Miller for the 29th Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, Missouri last weekend!

It all started when Aengus Finnan, Executive Director of Folk Alliance International (FAI) called me in early October, 2016, to discuss their sponsoring a special performance and panel to feature Bill Miller. This was not a typical request for FAI to make because they offered to partner with 1680Entertainment to sponsor his entire participation (FAI Official Showcase Artists always pay their own expenses: travel, lodging, membership dues, etc.) in the conference events as a "headline" artist.

Bill and I hit the road in my War Pony last Thursday morning, departing from Nashville with a Yeti mug full of hot coffee and an iPod programmed to shuffle. We hit the ground running as soon as we entered the lobby of the Westin, and continued to field press interviews, photo ops, and the like, until late into the evening.

Friday morning started with a pop-up recording session sponsored by Sweetwater Sound. Bill and I recorded a few tracks live, with no dubbing, with some of the tracks featuring his legendary Native Flute playing. I can't wait to release them later...

We had what I have been saying was "THE BEST LUNCH EVER" at Anton's Taproom and Restaurant, so next time you are in Kansas City, Missouri, visit them here. You can see what we enjoyed on 1680PR's Instagram - you won't believe that meat!

Bill and I performed an extended set on Friday evening for a standing-room-only crowd. It was the first larger-scale appearance the legendary talent has fielded since his brush with death last year, and he was DEFINITELY in rare form. One fan later said he "still has goosebumps" because of the all-encompassing beauty that Bill's music evokes...

Our featured appearance on the "Indigenous Gathering" Official Panel was an absolute joy to experience, and concluded our FAI Events schedule. So many brilliant sparks of dialog were jumpstarted - I do hope we will continue them for future generations!

STAY TUNED FOR VIDEO AND PICTURES IN A FUTURE UPDATE...

The Roosevelts to be Featured on Hit TV Series NASHVILLE - Again

My personal management clients, The Roosevelts, will be prominently featured on the hit TV series, NASHVILLE – again.

While avoiding any spoilers for fans of the show, I can say that The Roosevelts will be featured in connection with the series lead character, Rayna Jaymes, in a featured spot. This marks the second time in one year the TV series’ brass tapped the band’s well of talent, and we are all quite proud that both ABC Television and CMT (the new home for the series) have taken serious notice of The Roosevelts’ unique musical voice.

You can see The Roosevelts on the season premiere of NASHVILLE on January 5th, 2017, on CMT.

Recognition and demand of The Roosevelts’ sound across the US was significantly boosted during 2016 with placements in two pop culture broadcast juggernauts. Featured on the band’s first full-length album, The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn, tracks “This Is Life” (featured on ABC TV’s hit series NASHVILLE) and “Ashes” (recently featured on Netflix hit series The Ranch) are among the most popular singles found via the Shazam music locator mobile app, and streaming services such as Pandora.

Indie-Rock Act The Roosevelts at Austin City Limits Festival

Touring in support of their recent full-length album drop, The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn, Ken Lingad's personal management clients, The Roosevelts, performed an incendiary set on stage of the prestigious Austin City Limits Festival last weekend!

A “live” band if there ever was one, this year found The Roosevelts completing a run of at-capacity tour dates and one-nighters with Robert Earl Keen, Green River Ordinance, and Grace Potter; a featured spot at the BMI Songwriters Festival in Key West; and hard-earned feature spots at world-famous, tastemaker festivals Austin City Limits Festival, and South by Southwest (SXSW).

The Roosevelts’ show experience always provides a rousing, dance-worthy compilation of songs, but also features poignant tunes that scale the depth of their personality and communicate their story with remarkable power. Having a charismatic ability to connect with fans, and a delightful set of songs, concert-goers can’t help but smile – making The Roosevelts a band that music fans of any genre can’t afford to miss.

ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM

Currently touring in support of their first full-length release, The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn, The Roosevelts have surpassed the popular cult-following status they achieved with their freshman effort, earning a distinctive spot on the stage of the Austin City Limits Festival 2016 along with heavyweight acts such as Radiohead, Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, Cage The Elephant, Young The Giant, Band of Horses, and Willie Nelson.

Released earlier this year and already featured in Hollywood’s top TV shows, such as NASHVILLE and Netflix’s The Ranch, The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn peaked at #5 on the iTunes charts.

See The Roosevelts Latest Video Single

See the latest video single release, Belly of the Beast, by my personal management clients, The Roosevelts! Make sure to turn this up LOUD!

Signed Hardback Editions of Bestselling Book Contemporary Native American Artists Available Now

Get your signed copy of the landmark book about Ken Lingad's Artist Management success, Contemporary Native American Artists (Gibbs Smith Publishing), in the Books and Records Store today!

Now in its 3rd printing, the bestselling book takes readers into Ken Lingad's world of high-end fine art dealing, while profiling a select roster of the most famous Native American fine artists under his specific direction and guidance: Jody Naranjo, Kevin Red Star, Malcolm Furlow, Rhett Lynch, Fritz Casuse, Upton Ethelbah, Jr., Jhane Myers, and more.

New Rare and Collectible Books and Music Available In My Store

I invite you to peruse my Books and Records Store for a small selection of rare and collectible merchandise from artists I am affiliated with: Bill Miller, and others! For a limited time, orders over $49.99 will receive FREE SHIPPING in the continental US only.

Click HERE to check it out!

Native American Music Artist Bill Miller Hospitalized

Last week, my personal management client and 3-time GRAMMY-winner - and more importantly, my Native brother - Bill Miller was admitted to a Nashville hospital, and subsequently rushed into surgery to address what medical personnel found to be multiple blood clots around his heart, lungs, and leg. While I've remained close to his hospital bed navigating the many issues involving his hospitalization, it has been a blessing to see so many of his fans and friends around the world pour out their thoughtful prayers, kind words, and gifts in support of this man who is truly an American treasure.

As a response to the great many who have reached out to offer their support in his time of need, I have created a GoFundMe campaign to assist with what will surely be an exhaustive amount of aftercare expenses when Bill is released from the hospital. Please visit the campaign page below and join others around the world in channeling back some of the healing that Bill has provided through his music and live performances to millions of people.

Many thanks and blessings, in advance,

KL

Don Henley Talks New Album Release, Cites The Dillards As Major Influence

Music luminary, Don Henley, has been fielding tons of print, radio, and television interviews to promote his latest release, Cass County, and I am honored and proud to report he's also one hell of a super fan of the super group I manage and produce: The Dillards.

While noting his intention to explore his musical roots and inspiration with the new album's works - which also features many other artists who were directly influenced by The Dillards: Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Dixie Chicks, et al - Henley continues to highly regard Rodney Dillard and The Dillards, citing the legendary bluegrass group as a major influence in his musical direction, and also that of his mothership band, The Eagles.

...the Dillards did it first. That first album — the Dillards’ album called Wheatstraw Suite, which came out in 1968 — was as a very influential album in my life … as was Jesse Winchester’s first album. I was a big fan of the Dillards. In fact, I drove through a snowstorm to hear them play in Fort Worth back in 1968. … I just thought it was the most interesting song and they were an interesting band.

Read the latest interview with CMT here.