Listen To Me: Buddy Holly - The PBS Concert Special - Sneak Preview

We have already published a post about the September-released “Listen To Me: Buddy Holly” CD album, a star-studded tribute to one of the great heroes of rock’n’roll, issued by Verve and executively produced by Peter Asher. Now, as previously announced, comes the TV special, in the form of a concert which was taped with some of the stars originally included in the CD recording along with some other high-caliber guests. You can check out Lee and all the players from this event in the above-embedded sneak preview, read the in-depth CD album post by clicking → here and watch the original behind-the-scenes EPK of the album itself at this → link.

The performers in the TV special, which will be premiered on PBS Television next December, include Stevie Nicks, Lyle Lovett, Chris Isaak, Graham Nash and Patrick Stump, with superstar guests like Boz Scaggs, Raul Malo, Michelle Branch, Shawn Colvin, Paul Anka, Cobra Starship, Phil Everly, and famed guitar virtuosos James Burton and Albert Lee. With special appearances by Keith Richards, Ringo Starr, Jackson Browne, Brian Wilson, and Eric Idle. The DVD of the show is available exclusively through PBS. Every “Listen to Me” DVD will benefit PBS and, along with every “Listen to Me” CD, will benefit the next generation of music's greats. Check local listings.

Update: here is a → link to a Los Angeles Times article indicating December, 3 as the date of first airing of the concert special, and that the DVD will be offered during pledge drive as a thank you to PBS subscribers.

Hal David & Leland Sklar

Our roving reporter at large, BeardBassman (wonder who is hiding behind that nickname…) took this lovely picture of our Leland Sklar and Oscar- and Grammy-winning lyricist Hal David about one week ago. Picture was taken behind the scenes of “Love, Sweet Love”, the Mark Taper Forum event held on October 17th, 2001, celebrating Mr. David’s 90th birthday. Leland was one of the players in the concert, a star-studded tribute to one of the most legendary wordsmiths in the history of American popular music. You can read more about the event by clicking → here. Happy Birthday Mr. David! (and thank you, Mr. BB!)

Today, October 22nd, 2011 - Bass Clinic w/ Lee Sklar, Steve Bailey & Jonas Hellborg (JoStLe) - Bass Player Live! Los Angeles

Lee is one of the musicians participating in the Bass Player Live! event taking place today and tomorrow (October 22-23, 2011) in Los Angeles. A bass clinic with him, Steve Bailey and Jonas Hellborg (JoStLe) is scheduled to be held in Clinic Room “A” today, Saturday, October 22nd, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. For more details and clinic schedules you can read the relative Bass Player Live! webpage by clicking → here. For checking out prices, event calendar, and for buying clinic and exhibit tickets you can look up the Bass Player Live! website links on → this page.

Bass Player LIVE! 2011 is a star-studded two-day event of clinics, exhibits, and floor and booth demos. Other artists appearing this year are Larry Graham (Sly & the Family Stone/Graham Central Station), Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna), Anthony Jackson, Tonight Show Musical Director Rickey Minor, Hadrien Feraud, Janek Gwizdala, Andrew Gouche, and many more. A Saturday night concert will include Lifetime Achievement Award presentations to Jack Casady and Larry Graham, with performances to follow, and a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award to James Jamerson, accepted by his son, James, Jr. The concert will conclude with an all-star jam led by Steve Bailey.

“Love, Sweet Love” - A Hal David Event

Lee is one of the musicians participating in the forthcoming Hal David tribute taking place on October 17 to benefit the ASCAP Foundation and the Blue Ribbon of the Music Center of Los Angeles. The event, named “Love, Sweet Love”, will pair a concert at the Mark Taper Forum with a gourmet dinner at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

David, one of the most beloved songwriters of all time, whose lyrical repertoire is full of gems such as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”, “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before,” “We Have All the Time In the World,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Close to You” and “Walk on By,” turned 90 in May.

The celebration concert will include a whole group of world-renowned musical talents, from David’s long-time collaborators, composer Burt Bacharach and singer Dionne Warwick, to Kristin Chenoweth, Herb Alpert, Dwight Yoakam, Freda Payne, Jackie DeShannon, Lani Hall, Michele Lee, Smokey Robinson, Valerie Simpson, B.J. Thomas, Steve Tyrell, Albert Hammond, the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) Vocal Jazz Ensemble and others. Academy Award-winning composer Paul Williams will preside as emcee.

Please stay tuned to these pages for some more post-event treats and surprises.

You may read a full press release about the event by clicking → here. For more information about the tribute, call 213 972-3347.

Click → here for a behind-the-scenes image of Leland with Hal David.