ProgDay Announces MIRTHRANDIR

ProgDay is thrilled to announce the addition of MIRTHRANDIR to this year’s lineup. With a style in the tradition of classic symphonic, melodic, driving progressive rock, the band also features a unique twin lead guitar attack that allows for added complexity and density. The band formed back in the early 70’s and released “For You The Old Women” in 1976, generally ranked as one of the top American progressive rock albums of the time. For a while it looked like MIRTHRANDIR would join the top tier of U.S. based progressive rock acts, but unfortunately the band broke up before that happened. Reunited in the new millennium, critically acclaimed performances at the New Jersey Proghouse, Baja Progressive Rock Festival, and The Rights Of Spring Festival have gained the band a whole new generation of fans. ProgDay is proud to welcome this classic ensemble to the Storybook stage.

ProgDay, the world’s longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands announced so far are Ain Soph (Japan), Canvas Solaris (US), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), VonFrickle (US) and Abigail's Ghost (US).

To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit their website at www.progday.com

Bassist Dave Carpenter Passes At The Age Of 47

The Los Angeles based bass player Dave Carpenter, sadly passed away tuesday night from a heart attack at the age of 47. Carpenter was an accomplished bass player and musician who played on over 100 albums with Allan Holdsworth, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, Joel Taylor, Mike Stern, Scott Henderson, Mitchel Forman, Eric Marienthal, Jeff Golub, Dave Liebman, Lee Ritenour, Ilona Knopfler, Dianne Reeves, Tom Scott, Masanori Sasaji, Joe Mazzone, Rita Coolidge, Russ Freeman, Rod Stewart, Johnny Mathis, Barbara Streisand, David Benoit, Boz Scaggs, Skakira and many more.
Chiefly a jazz musician, Dave left his hometown of Dayton, Ohio in 1983 to move to New York City. It was here that he first toured and recorded with artists such as Buddy Rich, Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson. Frank Gambale commented, "I am deeply saddened. He was a terrific human being and has died waaaaaay too young. No one played like he did. It just goes to show that this traveling, touring lifestyle takes it's toll...sleeping in airports after two hours in a bed that's not your own, trying to sleep on airplanes, playing your heart out no matter how you feel.... Every day is precious my friends... RIP Dave, we love and miss you already. My sincerest condolences to his family." It was also heard hear that the Tierney Sutton Band announced it at her performance in New York City. Prior to her encore, she announced that bassist Dave Carpenter passed away. She dedicated the tune "We Will meet Again," a piece by Bill Evans with lyrics by Karen Gallinger, to his memory. Gary Carpenter passed away June 24, 2008.

Tom Gagliardi

Ohm To Release New Album In August

OHM, the progressive rock fusion project of Chris Poland of Megadeath fame, will release its new studio CD, "Circus of Sound", on August 26 on the Shrapnel/Tone Center Records. "Circus of Sound" marks OHM:'s third studio album and fourth release overall and sees the band "exploring a heavier sound overall while retaining the classic OHM: sound and direction," according to a press release.

"Circus of Sound" track listing:
01. Fun House
02. System Of A Clown
03. Photograph
04. Circus Of Sound
05. Point Omega
06. Abracadabra
07. The Shortest Straw
08. The Black Hand
09. You Don't Know
10. Steps From Home
11. Mr. Brown
12. DD214
13. Leap Of Faith
14. Pan's Plan
Recording lineup: Chris Poland - guitars Robby Pagliari - bass
Joel Taylor - drums on tracks 1-3
Frank Briggs - drums on tracks 4-7
Kofi Baker - drums on tracks 8-14
There are some tour plans in the making and well as a slew of promotional radio interviews that will coincide with the release. The band will also start gigging again regionally in its homebase of the Los Angeles area soon.
For more information visit http://chrispoland.com

Steve Nardelli Makes Expansion Announcement

June 23, 2008, New York – Pioneering entrepreneur Steve Nardelli, lead writer and vocalist for the legendry `60s band The Syn, has earmarked $12M of a total investment portfolio of $600M to expand the operations of his New York-based Umbrello Music Entertainment. With this infusion of capital and two major new contracts to add to their growing client list, UME is now in a prime situation to solidify a leading market position. Umbrello Music Entertainment is working with production house Edpic to supply targeted video and music content to Nokia, the world's largest manufacturer of mobile telephones, and to Amazon.com, the major online retailer. These agreements will be further supported by Umbrello's record label and Umbrello.tv. (http://umbrello.tv). Nardelli states that Umbrello will offer a true alternative to mainstream chart music and video. "Through our global digital portal agreements, we will supply quality broadcast content to a worldwide audience of millions." "Steve identifies change before change happens," says UK billionaire Mike Ashley who partnered with Nardelli to purchase and re-build Donnay, a leading manufacturer of sports racquets. The Donnay brand became a cornerstone of Sports Direct bringing their company forward into international retail superstardom. Nardelli has started to invest the bulk of the $600M into property development projects in the UK with an emphasis on "green and planet friendly" social housing developments through his Evergreen Homes Company.
About Umbrello Music Entertainment:UME is an independent producer and distributor of high-quality content for diverse digital entertainment platforms worldwide. With production studios in London, Philadelphia and New York, UME's library of premium short form programmes is extensive with unending additions. UME offers their clients a competitive advantage with unique,attention-grabbing content that gives their viewers more choices. As a video partner, UME works with clients to assess their needs and develop effective quality programming for maximum impact to their target markets.
www.umbrello.tv
www.umbrellorecords.com