5 August 2013

JJ Cale is best-known for writing classic songs including “After Midnight” and “Call Me The Breeze,” covered by Eric Clapton and Lynyrd Skynyrd, respectively. But the influence of the GRAMMY-winning musician and songwriter, who died at age 74 on July 26 at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California, crossed over into country as well. The Tennessean reports via the Associated Press that JJ’s manager, Mike Kappus, confirmed the legend died of a heart attack. Born John Weldon Cale in Oklahoma City, he influenced some of the most famous rock ‘n’ roll musicians in the 1970s. In addition to Clapton and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Neil Young, Mark Knopfler and Bryan Ferry count themselves among his fans. Additionally, JJ was once a former member of the Grand Ole Opry touring company. As news of JJ’s passing spread on Twitter, stars tweeted their respects. “We really lost a great artist today,” said Steve Wariner. His great recordings live on. RIP JJ Cale.” “J.J. Cale was my dad’s favorite,” said Shooter Jennings. “He studied his songs and his singing. He was the king, the smartest & the slickest of all. R.I.P.” “Our music family has lost a great one,” said Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney. “My thoughts & prayers are w JJ’s family.” “One of the American songwriting greats has passed,” said Radney Foster. “JJ Cale wrote hits for Clapton, Waylon, Poco and songs for so many others. I loved his writing so much. He will be missed.” “Just landed and read the news about JJ Cale,” said Sheryl Crow. “Sad to hear of his passing. His songs brought me lots of joy. RIP.” While JJ never reached the level of success of his some of his fellow musicians, his fingerprints were all over the genre in the 1970s. His album with Eric Clapton, The Road to Escondido, won a GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2007. “I’d probably be selling shoes today if it wasn’t for Eric,” he told the AP in 2007. Eric Clapton also recorded JJ’s “Cocaine,” ”Travelin’ Light” and “I’ll Make Love To You Anytime.” Santana, The Allman Brothers and Johnny Cash are among those who have covered his songs. On his website, JJ was asked if it bothers him that though he’s listed among legends, fans don’t know his name. “No, it doesn’t bother me,” he said. “What’s really nice is when you get a check in the mail.”

Shania Twain will soon be back at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Her award-winning show Shania: Still The One returns to the stage this October. In celebration, she has released an exclusive behind-the-scenes video giving fans an inside look of her journey from backstage to the spotlight. After a four-month hiatus, Shania will begin her next run of 22 performances on October 15 with shows scheduled through December 14. Shania: Still The One takes guests on a journey through the various stages of Shania’s life and career in an evening filled with music, multi-sensory experiences, fashion and a few unexpected surprises. Tickets for the show can be purchased here.

Lady Antebellum have announced the first leg of a headlining tour in support of their current smash album, ‘Golden.’ The trio revealed the cities and dates for 17 shows of a 40-date-plus tour that kicks off Nov. 8 in Southaven, Miss. Special guests Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves will join Lady Antebellum for the Take Me Downtown 2013 Tour. The ‘Downtown’ hitmakers’ last tour performed to more than a million fans in 11 countries, earning them the Billboard Touring Breakthrough Award and the CMA’s International Artists Achievement Award. They plan to top that show this time around. “We spent almost every day last year backstage writing for our album ‘Golden,’ so we were really focused on writing songs that would connect with the fans in these arenas,” Charles Kelley says in a press release. “We definitely learned a lot about ourselves as live performers and the type of catalog we wanted to have so that we could go out and try to give the fans the best show they’ve ever experienced.” He adds, “All of that was the jumping off point for this tour, and now it’s time to take it to the next level.” Tickets and special VIP experiences go on sale beginning on Sept. 13. Visit the group’s website for updated on-sale information, and click here for more information about VIP opportunities. More dates will be announced soon. Lady Antebellum Take Me Downtown 2013 Tour Dates: 11/8 – Southaven, Miss. – Landers Center 11/9 – St. Louis, Mo. – Chaifetz Arena 11/10 – Evansville, Ind. – Ford Center 11/12 – Grand Rapids, Mich. – Van Andel Arena 11/15 – Chicago, Ill. – Allstate Arena 11/16 – Toledo, Ohio – Huntington Center 11/17 – Cleveland, Ohio – Quicken Loans Arena 11/19 – Fargo, N.D. – Fargodome 11/21 – Rapid City, S.D. – Rusmore Plaza Civic Center 11/22 – Denver, Colo. – Pepsi Center 11/23 – Salt Lake City, Utah – EnergySolutions Arena 12/3 – Springfield, Mo. – JQH Arena 12/5 – Minneapolis, Minn. – Target Center 12/6 – Kansas City, Mo. – Sprint Center 12/7 – Omaha, Neb. – CenturyLink Center 12/12 – Cincinnati, Ohio – US Bank Arena 12/14 – Peoria, Ill. – Peoria Civic Center