The majority of footage has never been seen before and features live performances and stills featuring artists including Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, The Doors and Donovan.

Filmmaker Anthony Stern says:

“The film came about after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s encouraged me to make sense of the last 50 years of my life. Delving through my cellar, I found suitcases full of tapes, film reels and over 7000 still photographs from the period 1963-1970.

This film is a homage to that time, capturing the dreams, memories and reflections that sprung from a moment when we really thought we could change the world. Fifty years on, I’m starting to think these values are starting to reemerge.”

Keyboardist Jordan Rudess said of the record: “I think this is a particular creative adventure for us, to write a concept album very much like a musical or a rock opera.”

“I think that whatever we decide to do next – which we haven’t really decided – will be something very different.” He added: “It’s not going to be another concept album. I don’t think that would be the best thing to do. But it will be some creative adventure that we’ll feel like we want to put our energies behind.”

Dream Theater tour dates 2016:

Jul 08: Mexico City Pepsi Center, Mexico

Jul 09: Mexico City Pepsi Center, Mexico

Jul 11: Guadalajara Teatro Diana, Mexico

Acting Librarian of Congress David S. Mao said regarding Robinson’s award: “As a singer, songwriter, producer, and record executive, Smokey Robinson is a musical legend. His rich melodies are works of art — enduring, meaningful, and powerful. And he is a master at crafting lyrics that speak to the heart and soul, expressing ordinary themes in an extraordinary way. It is that quality in his music that makes him one of the greatest poetic songwriters of our time.”

Robinson said in a statement: “It gives me such joy and gratitude to be included among the past recipients of this most prestigious songwriting award.” Robinson will receive the award in the nation’s capital Washington D.C. in November.

Robinson came to the public’s attention in the ’60s with his group The Miracles. The group had hits like “Shop Around” and “The Tears of a Clown”. The singer also had a successful solo career including hits like 1979’s “Cruisin” and 1981’s “Being With You”. The Miracles song “The Tracks of My Tears” was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2007.

Beck is featured in the upcoming new issue of Classic Rock magazine, which is out next week. In the interview, he reveals that he and Loud Hailer collaborators Carmen Vandenberg and Rosie Bones got together last December and “sat down by the fire with a crate of prosecco and got right to it.”

He adds: “The songs came together very quickly – five in three days.” One of the tracks, The Ballad Of The Jersey Wives, is about the widows of the 9/11 victims.

Beck adds: “We don’t actually make reference to 9/11. The songs are about a general disgruntlement and dissatisfaction with things.” Read more and stream the song here.

Already announced are forthcoming albums from Darius Rucker and Tim McGraw. Others, like Brad Paisley and LeAnn Rimes, have promised new projects before the azaleas bloom. George Strait, the Band Perry, Faith Hill … all have hinted that they will release a new album before year’s end. 

The Taste of Country list of new country releases this year is an evolving list that will be updated with each new album announcement. Bookmark this page and come back often to find out when your favorite artist is going to release new music. Thompson Square, Chris Young and Brantley Gilbert are a few more artists rumored to be putting out new material before long. If it is true, you can learn about it here first.

• November 11
  Kellie Pickler, ‘The Woman I Am’
• November 25
  Danielle Bradbery, ‘Danielle Bradbery’
  Florida Georgia Line, ‘Here’s to the Good Times … This is How We Roll’ (Deluxe CD/DVD)
• November 28
  Garth Brooks, ‘Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences’
• December 3
  Carrie Underwood + More, ‘The Sound of Music Live!’
  Jake Owen, ‘Days of Gold’
• December 10
  Krystal Keith, ‘Whiskey and Lace’
  Parmalee, ‘Feels Like Carolina’

They may be long past their prime and some of them didn’t even go to college, but their talents and cultural contributions live on in support of education and non-profit causes. The Blowing Rock Community Foundation is awarding more than $100,000 in college scholarships THIS YEAR and over $35,000 in grants to various Blowing Rock area non-profit agencies.  And much of the Foundation’s largesse stems from “Groovy Nights”, the colorful, energizing (and sometimes a bit raunchy) collection lip-synching musical skits performed by local folks.

Few Blowing Rock events are as much fun as the “Groovy Nights”, now in its 7th year and once again being hosted at the Blowing Rock Country Club.

All shows are at 6:30 pm on Sunday, September 20th; Tuesday, September 22nd; and Friday, Sept. 25th.

Admission is $35 per person.

This year’s banner sponsor is First Citizens Bank of Blowing Rock.