Carrie Underwood, All-American Rejects, OneRepublic and more to play Sunday’s “MDA Show of Strength” TV special
Carrie Underwood (AP file)
Carrie Underwood, who hails from Checotah; the All-American Rejects, who have Stillwater roots; and OneRepublic, the band fronted by Tulsa native Ryan Tedder, are among the performers set for this year’s Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Labor Day weekend entertainment special, now called “MDA Show of Strength.”
The show, featuring more than a dozen of today’s top entertainers, also will include inspirational “stories of strength” about families affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases.
“MDA Show of Strength,” a three-hour primetime broadcast special, will air at 7 p.m. Sunday. The show will include performances and celebrity appearances from Hollywood, Nashville and New York.
The show will be broadcast over MDA’s “Love Network” of almost 150 television stations across the country, including Oklahoma City’s CW station KOCB-TV. It also will be streamed from mda.org. Local cutaways in each market will feature area families, sponsors and MDA service programs. For a list of stations, visit mda.org/showofstrength/love-network.
“We couldn’t be more excited about the show and the incredible talent we have lined up this year,” said MDA Interim President Valerie Cwik, M.D., in the news release. “MDA is in business to save and enhance lives. Our show will both entertain and urge the American public to answer the call to support critically important research and services for more than a million Americans affected by neuromuscular diseases.”
Along with Underwood, Pitbull, Will.i.am and Carole King are set to headline the show. Plus, the following stars also are scheduled to appear: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, B.o.B, Brandy, Luke Bryan, Gavin DeGraw, Hot Chelle Rae, Karmin, Alanis Morissette, Eva Simons, Paula Abdul, Max Adler, Jann Carl, Diana DeGarmo, Lou Ferrigno, Benji Madden, Joel Madden, Jesse McCartney, Tim McGraw, The Miz, Nancy O’Dell, Khloe Kardashian Odom, Alison Sweeney, Ace Young and more.
“This year’s show gives everyone involved a unique opportunity,” said “MDA Show of Strength” Executive Producer RAC Clark in the release. “We have a chance to tell a series of compelling stories about MDA families while delivering quality entertainment. In doing so, we can raise public awareness of MDA’s long-standing mission of help for today and hope for tomorrow.”
Clark is a longtime executive producer of the Academy of Country Music Awards and the son of the late Dick Clark.
“RAC has a history and knack for making shows and events successful, and ‘MDA Show of Strength’ will benefit from his talent,” said Pete Fisher, vice president and general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, in the release. “MDA is in good hands with RAC. He’s done a phenomenal job with the ACM Awards and has helped continue country music’s growth and popularity. He’s connected with the biggest names in the business.”
Through the years, MDA’s iconic fundraising show has presented some of TV’s most memorable moments. What started as a 21-1/2-hour Labor Day weekend telethon was shortened to six hours in 2011 in response to changing television viewing habits.
“The broadcasting and entertainment industries have experienced dramatic change; as a result, our show has changed with it,” said MDA Executive Vice President of Business Development Kevin Moran, in the release. “But our cause remains the same and our commitment to our families is unwavering. MDA has assembled an outstanding team focused on putting together a jam-packed, three-hour special that drives home our mission and inspires our audience to contribute generously.”
Joining Clark as co-producers are Los Angeles-based entertainment professionals Suzanne Bender and Debbie Williams, a popular TV stage director. Some of Bender’s current credits include the “Golden Globes,” “American Idol,” the “Academy of Country Music Awards” and “America’s Got Talent.” Williams’ credits also include the “Golden Globes,” “American Idol,” the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” as well as the “Academy Awards” and the “MTV Video Music Awards.”
Six “stories of strength” will be told from the individuals’ and families’ perspectives. They include MDA’s new National Goodwill Ambassador Bryson Foster, a spunky 12-year-old who envisions a future as an NFL quarterback; Veronica Nino, a 45-year-old mother of three who is fighting for one more day with her family after being diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease); and a teacher affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who credits MDA summer camp with giving her the confidence to pursue and achieve her dreams.
“Of the utmost importance is that our show audience be introduced to the incredible individuals and families served by the Association,” Cwik said in the release. “Their stories of strength are what inspire all of us at MDA to seek out and fund the most promising research in muscle disease, and to improve their daily lives through our services programs and advocacy efforts.”
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
In addition to funding some 300 research projects worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of 200 medical clinics; facilitates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and provides local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters living with progressive muscle diseases.
For more information, go to www.mda.org.
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Wednesday Video Spotlight: All-American Rejects’ “Walk Over Me”
DGC/Interscope Records recording artists The All-American Rejects, who have Oklahoma ties, get animated in their new music video “Walk Over Me,” which debuted today at www.RollingStone.com. To view the video, click here.
The rollicking song is the second single from the Rejects’ fourth CD, “Kids in the Street,” which was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Greg Wells (Adele, Katy Perry, and OneRepublic).
“This video is 5,312 pictures that Jon Danovic the director, myself, our friends, and some sweet people we found on Craigslist.com animated together to marry a song about losing your mind,” frontman Tyson Ritter tells Rolling Stone. “It took four mind-numbing weeks, piles of cigarettes, loads of beer and a spiritual adviser to complete.”
Since forming in Stillwater, in 1999, The All-American Rejects have released four studio albums: their platinum self-titled debut, featuring the breakthrough hit “Swing Swing,” followed by 2005′s double-platinum “Move Along,” which spawned the Top 10 hits “It Ends Tonight,” “Dirty Little Secret,” and “Move Along,” as well as the gold-certified “When The World Comes Down,” featuring the 4-million seller “Gives You Hell,” and their latest, “Kids in the Street.”
The All-American Rejects, which includes lead singer, lyricist, and bassist Tyson Ritter, guitarist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor, have sold more than 4 million albums and 16 million singles worldwide.
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All-American Rejects releasing new video “Walk Over Me” Wednesday, announce summer tour
DGC/Interscope Records recording artists The All-American Rejects announced today their return to the road this summer in support of their latest release, “Kids In The Street.” The headline tour, with the support of EVE 6, commences Aug. 8 in Costa Mesa at the OC Fair and wraps Aug. 30 in Louisiana.
Unfortunately, no Oklahoma dates are planned for this summer, but the Rejects’ home state fans will be pleased to learn that the group is releasing a new music video this week. The video for their new album’s second single, “Walk Over Me,” will premiere Wednesday at www.RollingStone.com, according to today’s news release.
The All-American Rejects have been busy performing at European festivals as well as accompanying Blink-182 on their international tour. “After spending the summer overseas, we’re looking forward to coming home and having a little fun this August playing… Couldn’t ask for a better summer vacation,” said Nick Wheeler in today’s release.
The All-American Rejects fourth CD, “Kids in the Street,” was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Greg Wells (Adele, Katy Perry, and OneRepublic). Alternative Press says Kids In The Street is “easily their most ambitious and praiseworthy effort to date” and Rolling Stone calls Tyson Ritter “a hook-wielding bard.”
Since forming in Stillwater, in 1999, The All-American Rejects have released four studio albums: their platinum self-titled debut, featuring the breakthrough hit “Swing Swing,” followed by 2005′s double-platinum “Move Along,” which spawned the Top 10 hits “It Ends Tonight,” “Dirty Little Secret,” and “Move Along,” as well as the gold-certified “When The World Comes Down,” featuring the 4-million seller “Gives You Hell,” and their latest, “Kids in the Street.”
The All-American Rejects, which includes lead singer, lyricist, and bassist Tyson Ritter, guitarist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor, have sold more than 4 million albums and 16 million singles worldwide.
See their summer tour dates after the break.
All-American Rejects to play tonight on “Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
The All-American Rejects, who have their roots in Stillwater, will perform tonight as the musical guests on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” The show airs 10:35 p.m. weekdays on NBC (KFOR-4 in Oklahoma City).
The band will perform a song from its new album “Kids in the Street.”
Gen. Colin Powell and Col. Greg Gadson also will be guests tonight on Leno’s show.
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Video: All-American Rejects “Kids in the Street”
Check out the video for The All-American Rejects’ “Kids in the Street.” The song is the title track from the Stillwater-born band’s fourth album, which was released last month.
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Video: All-American Rejects talk new album “Kids in the Street,” playing Oklahoma shows
The All-American Rejects, who hail from Stillwater, returned to their home state show to play a show Friday night at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave.
The Rejects are touring in support of their fourth studio album, “Kids in the Street,” which was released late last month. It is the follow-up to their gold-certified 2008 album “When The World Comes Down,” which featured their first international hit single, “Gives You Hell” — the No. 1 most-played song on Top 40 radio throughout 2009.
“I don’t think it’s a complete departure but I think it’s a case of us finally finding our voice,” AAR frontman Tyson Ritter recently told The Oklahoman Entertainment Editor Gene Triplett. “Music and truth have to really collide in order for me to believe the artist I’m listening to. I think there’s a lot of truth in this music and a lot of personal investment that I’ve never given to a record before.”
Along with interviewing the band at the Diamond Ballroom after their Friday sound check, Gene wrote a great preview feature about the band’s show. To read Gene’s story, click here.
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All-American Rejects play Oklahoma show tonight in support of new album “Kids in the Street”
The All-American Rejects, who hail from Stillwater, will play a home state show at 7 tonight at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave.
The Rejects are touring in support of their fourth studio album, “Kids in the Street,” which was released late last month. It is the follow-up to their gold-certified 2008 album “When The World Comes Down,” which featured their first international hit single, “Gives You Hell” — the No. 1 most-played song on Top 40 radio throughout 2009.
“I don’t think it’s a complete departure but I think it’s a case of us finally finding our voice,” AAR frontman Tyson Ritter recently told The Oklahoman Entertainment Editor Gene Triplett. “Music and truth have to really collide in order for me to believe the artist I’m listening to. I think there’s a lot of truth in this music and a lot of personal investment that I’ve never given to a record before.”
To read more of Gene’s interview with Ritter, click here.
For more information on tonight’s show, go to www.diamondballroom.net.
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New releases for March 27, 2012: All-American Rejects release new album “Kids in the Street,” playing Jimmy Kimmel tonight
All-American Rejects (AP)
Interscope Records recording artists The All-American Rejects, who have Stillwater roots, released Monday their fourth studio album, “Kids in the Street,” the follow-up to their gold-certified 2008 album “When The World Comes Down.”
The albums’ first single, “Beekeeper’s Daughter,” along with the rest of the tracks on “Kids In The Street,” was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Greg Wells, who is known for his work with Adele, Katy Perry, and OneRepublic, among many others. Billboard called the single “a fun and memorable romp that brings out the best of the group’s pop side.”
The Rejects will perform as the musical guests tonight on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” which airs at 11 p.m. weekdays on ABC.
In addition, the band is returning to the road this spring with an extensive six-week North American tour launching Saturday in Flagstaff, Ariz. The “Kids In The Street Tour” will include an April 6 stop at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom. For more information, go to www.diamondballroom.net.
CDs
The All-American Rejects, “Kids in the Street.” (Monday)
Josh Sallee, “Probable Flaws” (free download at www.joshsallee.com).
Lionel Richie, “Tuskegee.” (Monday)
Madonna, “MDNA.” (Monday)
Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection.” (Tuesday)
The Mars Volta, “Noctourniquet.” (Tuesday)
Clay Aiken, “Steadfast.” (Monday)
Iron Maiden, “En Vivo!” (Monday)
Justin Townes Earle, “Nothing’s Going to Change The Way You Feel About Me Now.” (Monday)
Shinedown, “Amaryllis.” (Tuesday)
DVDs
Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Bending the Rules
Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel
A Dangerous Method
Eureka: Season 4.5
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Soda Springs
South Park: The Complete Fifteenth Season
Books
The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism by Kate Winslet
Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #11) by Charlaine Harris
Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series #10) by J. R. Ward
The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods by Hank Haney
Guilty Wives by James Patterson
The Affair (Jack Reacher Series #16) by Lee Child
Dropped Names: Famous Men and Women As I Knew Them by Frank Langella
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All-American Rejects bringing spring tour to Oklahoma City for April 6 show; tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday
Interscope Records recording artists The All-American Rejects, who have Stillwater roots, are returning to the road this spring with an extensive six-week North American tour commencing March 31 in Flagstaff, Ariz.
The band’s “The Kids In The Street Tour” will include an April 6 stop at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. They will be available at Buy For Less locations in Oklahoma City, Reasor’s and Starship Records in Tulsa, by phone at (866) 977-6849 or online at www.protix.com.
Tickets are $22 in advance and $24 day of show. For more information, go to www.diamondballroom.net.
With the support of rockers A Rocket To The Moon, “The Kids In The Street Tour” will support the upcoming release of the Rejects’ new album and visit major cities in the U.S. and Canada before wrapping May 13 in Cincinnati.
“If you want to see this band at their best, and probably the best they’ll ever be and hear all the songs you want to hear and all the songs you haven’t heard yet then you should make it a point to come out. It will be the show you tell your children you saw. It will be a great evening and a lot of fun with your four favorite Okies,” said Rejects’ frontman Tyson Ritter in the tour announcement.
“Kids in the Street” is due out March 26 on Interscope. The All-American Rejects’ first single, “Beekeeper’s Daughter,” along with the rest of the tracks on “Kids In The Street,” was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Greg Wells, who is known for his work with Adele, Katy Perry, and OneRepublic, among many others. Billboard called the single “a fun and memorable romp that brings out the best of the group’s pop side.”
Since forming in Stillwater, in 1999, The All-American Rejects have released three studio albums: their platinum self-titled debut, featuring the breakthrough hit “Swing Swing,” followed by 2005′s double-platinum “Move Along,” which spawned the Top 10 hits “It Ends Tonight,” “Dirty Little Secret,” and “Move Along,” as well as the gold-certified “When The World Comes Down,” featuring the 4 million seller “Gives You Hell,” – the most-played song of 2009 at Top 40 radio – which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Top 40 charts, and more than 13 weeks in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The All-American Rejects – which include lead singer, lyricist, and bassist Ritter, guitarist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor – have sold more than 4 million albums and 16 million singles worldwide. The All-American Rejects are ranked in both the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 Artists of the Decade.
The All-American Rejects are scheduled to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, March 27. After their spring tour, The All-American Rejects join Blink-182 on the road and make a return visit to Bamboozle on Saturday, May 19.
Click here to read Ritter’s new interview with Rolling Stone about the upcoming album.
See the dates for the Rejects’ upcoming tour after the break.
Wednesday Video Spotlight: All-American Rejects release “Beekeeper’s Daughter” video, new album art
The All-American Rejects, who formed in 1999 in Stillwater, have released the music video to their new single “Beekeeper’s Daughter.”
“Beekeeper’s Daughter” is the first single from the band’s long-awaited new album “Kids in the Street,” due out March 27 on Interscope Records. The band also has revealed in a YouTube video the cover art for “Kids in the Street.”
“Kids in the Street” is the band’s first album since 2008′s “When the World Comes Down,” which spawned the smash “Gives You Hell.”
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