Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and actress Rebecca Pidgeon has a lot going for her these days. Somewhere between filming the Phil Spector biopic for HBO alongside Al Pacino and Helen Mirren, recording her 6th solo album, and touring, she also manages to squeeze in learning music theory and stresses the importance of putting family first.

TimesSquare.com recently caught up with Rebecca prior to her May 10th performance at The Highline Ballroom where she will be opening for Rusted Root.

TimesSquare: You’ve been making albums for over two decades, and this is your sixth solo effort. The album is being described as a creative breakthrough… very easy listening, some a capella. Bring us trough the creative process of creating this album.

Rebecca Pidgeon: I had made records with Larry Klein before, he’d produced records for me but we’ve never written together before, so we wanted to do that, and bring in other writers as well, and get a big collection of songs together.

TS: I read you had about 35 songs written for the album.

RP: Yes, we wrote 35 songs, and then showed what would be the best collection together.

TS: It must have been tough narrowing them down?

RP: Yes, but the ones that really wanted to be on somehow kind of poked their heads through.

TS: Where does the name of the album, Slingshot come from?

RP: That’s the name of a song, and it’s a love song that says you’re my slingshot, sling me… you make me high… you’re slinging me into this stratosphere of joy.

TS: I’ve been hearing nothing but rave reviews from The Boston Globe, The San Fransisco Chronicle, The Chicago Tribune. Did you expect such praise?

RP: No, I didn’t! I’m really overcome by the gratitude. I’m so pleased that people are enjoying it and hopefully they can spread the word and get it out there into the world. I really hope that people can hear it.

TS: You mentioned Larry Klein before, and this is your third collaboration with him. What does he bring to the table during the creation of an album?

RP: He is a wonderful songwriter, and a great producer and musical arranger. He has a wonderful ear for arrangement that are surprising and beautiful. I think he’s particularly strong as a lyricist, so I can bring a lot of stuff to him and he’ll say, this needs to go, that can stay, change this, change that. He’s very, very, helpful. I regard him really as my musical mentor.

TS: You also co-wrote one of the tracks on the album with your husband David [Mamet].

RP: Yes, we co wrote one of the tracks called Baby Please Come Home, and we were inspired to write that by Hank Williams. I thought, wow, Hank Williams writes the perfect simple song… so deep and so simple at the same time. Surely that must be easy to write, so I tried and found it wasn’t easy to write, and listed the aid of my husband. Together we made this song. It’s got the most country feel of all the songs on the record.

TS: You have two children, you have a stage career, a film career, a music career. How do you manage to balance all these elements in your life?

RP: Yes I am a bit busy, but I have a lot of help. My husband and I are very involved with our family… family comes first for us. Our daughter is now 17 … our son is 13.

TS: Are your children following in the creative footsteps of their parents?

RP: Yes they are. My daughter is writing plays and performing them… she’s acting and doing all that!

TS: With so much going on and trying to balance all these elements, do you sometimes feel that you’re either neglecting the music, or the writing, or the acting?

RP: Oh, I always feel as if I’m neglecting something. You know, you can’t do everything. I feel that as long as I’m doing right by my family, then everything is ok.

TS: I heard you’re working on guitar theory. How is that coming along?

RP: [laughing] I’ve given myself cubital tunnel syndrome! So I have to rest up a bit. I’m taking a guitarist on the road with me. I usually play my own guitar, but I have to have somebody play so I can rest it.

TS: When did you start playing the guitar?

RP: I started when I was 20… I didn’t take guitar lessons or learn music theory. I just kind of wrote without knowing what I was doing. So then lately, I decided that I wanted to learn music theory, which I really love doing.

TS: Talk to me about your upcoming performance in New York City, what should audiences expect?

RP: I’m playing with a lovely guitarist Mark Goldenberg, who’s stepped in to play for me while I’m resting my arm. I hope I get to play with him a lot in the future, he’s terrific. It’ll be an intimate and acoustic performance of some of the songs on the new record.

TS: Any of your older material?

RP: Yes, we might do a song from another record, but mainly songs from slingshot.

Rebecca Pidgeon opens for Rusted Root at The Highline Ballroom on May 10th, Doors open at 6:00pm, Showtime is at 7:30PM. Tickets are 25$. For more information visit highlineballroom.com or rebeccapidgeonmusic.com.

For more Times Square articles like The multitalented Rebecca Pidgeon, please visit the Music Interviews Section of TimesSquare.com

Remi gave the audience an intimate look into his creative process, and brought never-before-seen or heard recordings and videos from his vast catalogue. He played for the audience the original Amy Winehouse recording of, “Me and Mr. Jones”, and explained its development from an acoustic, raw recording of Amy and her guitar, to the polished recording that ended up on her multi-GRAMMY winning album, Back to Black.

Salaam had just completed scoring Rush Hour 3 when he was introduced to Jazmine Sullivan, a brand new artist signed to J Records. Remi decided to record tracks for Jazmine’s debut album in Prague with a full orchestra and showed the audience videos of the initial recording of the track “Bust Your Windows,” and broke down the logistics of recording with an orchestra for a R&B/Hip-Hop album.

Salaam Remi then answered questions from the audience about his development as a producer, and advised GRAMMY U students to utilize social media to get their music noticed. After answering questions, Remi gave the audience something to think about. He said, “An artist wants to be inspired… a robot wants to be programmed.” Salaam only works with artists, and thrives on the ability to bring out the best within them to share with the world. For Salaam, it was not about how many records that an artist sells, or their placement on the Billboard Charts… it is about how they inspire others.

Special thanks to Salaam Remi, James McKinney, and Omega Studios for their time and efforts on this hugely successful event.

Article Source: Grammy365.com

“This is just another game to Deion Sanders, his court room and media antics are part of his touch down dance,
and he looks at our children as just another trophy for his shelf; something that helps him sell his next product, his next reality show,” says Pilar Sanders.

Court tells Sanders to stay 100 yards away from his wife

Both parents have CUSTODY of their children

(Dallas, TX, May 9, 2012): Deion “Primetime” Sanders used the media, visiting national TV, posting on his various social media sites and telling reporters outside of court to “report it like you would the Super Bowl” to defy the court and dishonor a gag order to trash Pilar Sanders, his wife of 13 years. Pilar sat quietly by the “sidelines” during this terrible gameplay in hopes of keeping her personal life private during this sad time. “I’ve been silent since September. Once Deion’s secret life was revealed and he laid all of his cards on the table, I just wanted a civil divorce for the sake of my children. This didn’t have to go down like this,” explains Pilar. “I obeyed the court, tried to protect my kids from hearing all of the trash talk, but still their father approached it like another ball game.”
“There are no winners in the divorce process, and there’s nothing that justifies an adolescent dance in a retired football uniform to taunt Pilar,” said Larry Friedman, Mrs. Sander’s attorney. “The focus should be on the best interest of the children and not on Mr. Sanders’ glorious past, forgotten football career,” he continued.
The judge ordered the couple to stay 100 yards from each other and he lifted the Gag Order, now Pilar can speak the truth in the recent assault case ruling this week. “Seeing that Deion uses our children and the word ‘God’ in trying to disguise his image, I think enough is enough. He only cares about himself, manipulating and cheating to distract from the truth and let’s not forget about his open and flagrant philandering. No one deserves to be treated like this, no one. I need the facts known,” says Pilar, “and hopefully Deion’s public will convince him to just stop showing off, handle this situation fairly like a real man, and let my children and me get on with our lives.”
FACTS:
1.) Deion Sanders was NOT granted temporary custody. Both parents have access to their children.
2.) Deion Sanders is NOT allowed to take the children out of school and out of state, without advising Pilar. He had been doing this in violation of Texas law, the State’s truancy laws, and the Court’s Orders.
3.) The Protective Order that Deion previously obtained against Pilar through the Prosper Police when she was arrested on April 23rd, was VACATED.
4.) Deion’s application for A Protective Order against Pilar For Family Violence in the Family Court was DENIED. Both Deion and Pilar Sanders have been told to stay 100 yards from each other making Deion’s assault charges against Pilar groundless.
5.) The Court awarded Deion the exclusive possession of the house in Prosper that he owned before he was married to Pilar which was his separate property with or without a premarital agreement. That ruling was nothing either way.
6.) The Court did NOT grant Pilar’s application for A Protective Order against Deion For Family Violence in the Family Court even though Pilar sustained serious injuries in the incident, including a broken thumb, a broken arm, a disjointed elbow, and bruises and contusions on her arms, shoulders, back, and neck. (Medical documents are available.)
7.) And, lastly the Court RESCINDED AND VACATED the Gag Order. That was an important ruling because Deion had continued to violate this Order with his relentless assaults against Pilar in the media while she continuously obeyed the Order. Now it allows her to defend herself against his verbal abuse.

Nothing else was decided. All of the matters relating to temporary orders will be determined on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.
For the record, Deion’s attorney has a conflict of interest, while representing Deion he also represents the town of Prosper, The Prosper Police Department, and the Prosper Independent School District. That speaks for itself.

By CRISTINA JALERU, Associated Press

Monday, April 16, 2012

Rebecca Pidgeon, “Slingshot” (Decca/Universal)

Rebecca Pidgeon surfaces for the sixth time from her other artistic career — acting — to put together an easy listening album that showcases her crystalline voice, guitar and songwriting skills. Recorded with Grammy Award-winning producer Larry Klein, the utterly calming “Slingshot” marks their third collaboration.

“Slingshot” includes a co-production between Pidgeon and her husband, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright/film director David Mamet. The largely a cappella “Baby Please Come Home” showcases Pidgeon’s vibrating vocals and opens a strange time capsule where one hears echoes of Sarah McLachlan’s hit “Angel.”

The album features songs written by Pidgeon, including “Get Up, Get Out,”"A Lonely Place” and “I Loved No-One.” In fact, the eerily dark lyrics are the strong suit of the record. The singer manages to lend the pop production extra depth that comes from longing (“I’ll stop this sighing/I’ll break this sadness/Something calls me/In the darkness”), loving (“But you are picture perfect/And we talk into the night”) and living (“You couldn’t find the corkscrew/So we drank beer instead/Then we played catch until morning”).

“Get Up, Get Out” sets an upbeat tone in the beginning, while “A Lonely Place” charms with its noir feel.

One of the highlights of the record is a rendition of Warren Zevon’s “Searching for a Heart” that was also featured in the television show “Covert Affairs.” Pidgeon’s gentle voice matches the tune to a tee.

The only letdown is the title track. Despite its best of intentions, the song ends up monotonous and wailing.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: “Disintegration Man” melds melody and lyrics in such a way that it sounds like a joyous party firework that can both light up the evening or blow torch your face.

Read more:SFGate.com

NEW YORK — The parents of Amy Winehouse officially launched the U.S. branch of a foundation named for their daughter at New York’s Joe’s Pub, where the embattled pop star made her American debut five years ago.

The Amy Winehouse Foundation – aimed at assisting disadvantaged youth – raised $1 million dollars in the United Kingdom, Mitch Winehouse said at Wednesday night’s event.

He says in the United States the organization will focus on children “without access to music education and music therapy.” The family announced a donation of $10,000 to the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.

Mitch Winehouse said he spoke to his daughter through a psychic Tuesday, saying that she “is fully behind everything that we’re doing and she’s up in heaven waving her magic wand.”

Mitch Winehouse was joined by Amy’s mother, Janis, and her younger brother, Alex. He performed four songs with a jazz band, at one point kissing his cellphone which had a photo of his daughter on it.

He’ll release a book about his relationship with his daughter, who died of accidental alcohol poisoning on July 23 at her London home. It’s titled “Amy, My Daughter” and will be released on June 26. All proceeds will benefit the foundation, he said.

The organization also announced the Amy Winehouse Inspiration Awards and Gala, to be held on Sept. 10 in New York.

Read more here:MiamiHerald.com

Image FILE- In this Jan. 8, 2011 file photo, British artist Amy Winehouse performs during her show in Florianopolis, Brazil. The parents of late singer Amy Winehouse officially launched the U.S. branch of the Amy Winehouse Foundation Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at New York’s Joe’s Pub, where the embattled pop star made her American debut five years ago.
Nabor Goulart, File / AP Photo

Mitch and Janis Winehouse, proud parents of Amy Winehouse, have launched The Amy Winehouse Foundation at the Joe’s Pub Press Conference in NYC!

This is the same venue where Amy debuted in the US in 2007. They spoke about their daughter and and Amy’s friends and fans, in setting up the Foundation in Amy’s memory and keeping with her passion of wanting to help children in need — all very amazing things.

The UK branch of the same foundation, her parents said, has brought in £275,000 to a slew of causes. The US Foundation’s mission is the same, essentially — to support and empower children in need through music therapy and music education, the only difference being that the money raised in the US will go to US programs.

That’s not it, either: The AWF-US will host the Amy Winehouse Inspiration Awards and Gala on September 10, 2012 at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC! There will be special guest performances and special honorees to get the awards for helping inspire others. Honorees will be announced soon!

So amazing — and we’re so happy at how quickly they’ve set all this up. It’s truly a great thin in Amy’s memory!

[Image via WENN.]

Article Source:Perez Hilton

Before she died last year at age 27, Amy Winehouse told her family that she wanted to one day open a music school in St. Lucia, preserve jazz culture in New Orleans, and help heal children globally through the power of music. Her father, Mitch Winehouse, who has headed the U.K.-based Amy Winehouse Foundation since its inception nine months ago, pledged to grant all three wishes during last night’s U.S. launch in New York.

The stage at Joe’s Pub served as a fitting venue for the announcement: it was this intimate East Village club that hosted the late singer’s American debut in January 2007, two months before Back to Black was released here.

“Unfortunately, Amy was not the biggest believer in rehab, and she thought that she could do it herself,” her brother, Alex Winehouse, 32, told the group of foundation directors and guests. He said the family last saw Amy alive when they took her to a treatment facility in London last year. She died from alcohol poisoning in July.

“Only one person was responsible, and that’s Amy,” Mitch Winehouse told Rolling Stone following the event, during which he sang a few numbers backed by a five-piece jazz band. “She came from the most loving family, and that didn’t protect her from her addictions. It can affect anybody. And I want to get that message across.”

Mitch Winehouse, a former cab driver in London, now dedicates his time to the foundation, which has raised one million pounds for U.K.-based children’s hospices. Its newly announced U.S. arm will lend support to music therapy and after-school programs for disadvantaged children, he explained.

Last night the foundation made its first U.S. pledge: $10,000 to the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. “We feel that if you put a musical instrument in somebody’s hand, they’re never going to put a gun in their hands,” Winehouse said.

Amy’s mother, Janis Winehouse-Collins, attended the event and stood by her former husband as he unveiled the title and cover of his forthcoming memoir, Amy, My Daughter, due through HarperCollins on June 26th. Sales will benefit the foundation; recent reports value Amy Winehouse’s estate at more than $4 million.

Monte Lipman, president and CEO of Universal Republic Records, home to artists including Jack Johnson and Florence and the Machine, recalled spending time backstage with Winehouse following that first U.S. show at Joe’s Pub. “She was unlike any other artist we had ever seen,” he told Rolling Stone. “Here’s an artist that just had the absolute opposite approach to things. And we loved it.”

The foundation also announced its first Amy Winehouse Inspiration Awards and Gala, which will feature performances in her honor on September 10 at the Waldorf Astoria. Tony Bennett is expected to perform, a source familiar with the gala plans told Rolling Stone, adding that Adele and Coldplay are among those being courted.

Read more: Rollingstone.com