Friday, April 16, 2010

Switchfoot and Parachute to Headline “NASCAR Rev’d Up” Concert; "Dare You to Move" up for American Idol consideration again?

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Press Release:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 14, 2010) – Performances by alternative rockers Switchfoot and pop-soul band Parachute will headline this year’s “NASCAR Rev’d Up,” a six-hour fan-friendly event that celebrates the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The eclectic North Carolina-based group Paper Tongues has signed on as the opening performance. In addition to the free concert, the event will feature driver appearances, NASCAR show cars and interactive displays.

NASCAR Rev’d Up will take place Thursday, May 20, between Third and Mint Streets in uptown Charlotte from 4-10 p.m. In 2009, the NASCAR Rev’d Up concert drew more than 13,000 fans in preparation of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The 2010 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will take place Saturday, May 22, at Charlotte Motor Speedway (SPEED, 9 p.m. ET), which will also feature an at-track concert performed by a popular rock band.

“NASCAR has worked with many amazing bands in the past, so it’s an honor to be a part of the All-Star week festivities,” said Jon Foreman, lead singer for Switchfoot. “We are looking forward to entertaining those descending upon Charlotte for this week of fun.”

Multi-Platinum band, Switchfoot, released their seventh full-length album, Hello Hurricane, with Atlantic Records late last year. Recorded with producer/bassist Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Rilo Kiley, Eminem, and Pink), Hello Hurricane is Switchfoot’s first album with Atlantic Records. The album was a critic’s pick in USA Today’s Fall Music feature and Alternative Press hailed the title track as “an uplifting, hope-giving affirmation of resurgence.” In recent months, Switchfoot has performed on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” The band is currently on tour in the U.S.

“As NASCAR fans, we’re looking forward to performing at their biggest event of the year,” said Will Anderson, lead vocalist for Parachute. “We are excited to share our music with the NASCAR nation.”

Signed to Mercury / Island Def Jam in 2007, Parachute spent the past three years sharing the stage with such acts as Dave Matthews Band, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, and The Script. The band toured the U.S. with Kelly Clarkson in 2009, and joined her in the United Kingdom and Europe in February and March 2010. Parachute’s debut album, Losing Sleep, shot to No. 1 on iTunes and Amazon and has sold more than 96,000 units to date. The band’s hit single “She is Love” garnered more than 460,000 downloads and their third single “She (for Liz)” will be released in April 2010.

The Paper Tongues, best known for blending rock n’ roll melodies with hip hop beats, was born in the streets of Charlotte, N.C. in 2007. Managed by music icon Randy Jackson, the band is currently working with some of the industry’s leading producers, including Brian West (Nelly Furtado, K’Naan, Bela Fleck), Mark Endert (Maroon 5, Gavin DeGraw, Madonna), John Fields (Switchfoot, Jimmy Eat World), and Billy Hume (Ying Yang Twins, Bone Crusher, David Banner). The Paper Tongues are also scheduled to perform at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 22. The band’s debut album hit stores on March 30, 2010, earning No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.

“NASCAR Rev’d Up has established itself as a big part of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Week celebration,” said Steve Gaffney, vice president of corporate marketing for Sprint. “It gives fans a great atmosphere to have some fun and get geared up for some of the most exciting racing of the season, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.”

ABOUT SPRINT NEXTEL
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services
bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving more than 48 million customers at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company’s customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

- Sprint Nextel, Press Release


^Cool.

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There's a new Drewcast episode to watch.

Photoshoot:



^That looks like a ton of fun!

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And lastly, looks like "Dare You to Move" is back in the American Idol scene. The upcoming week on the popular television show will feature an "Inspirational" theme. Switchfoot's cathartic hit is on the list of songs for the remaining Idol contestants to choose from. Check out the list on iTunes or below:

* Your Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher and Higher) – Jackie Wilson
* A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
* Amazing Grace – Susan Boyle
* Angels – Robbie Williams
* Anyway – Martina McBride
* Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In – The Fifth Dimension
* Better Days – The Goo Goo Dolls
* Bridge Over Troubled Waters – Simon & Garfunkle
* Calling All Angels – Train
* Changes – David Bowie
* Dare You To Move – Switchfoot
* Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House
* Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac
* Dream Weaver – Gary Wright
* Drive – Incubus
* Everyday People – Sly & The Family Stone
* Flying Without Wings – Ruben Studdard
* From a Distance – Bette Midler
* Go the Distance – Michael Bolton
* Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston
* Hands – Jewel
* Heaven Help Us All – Stevie Wonder
* Hero – Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott
* Higher – Creed
* Holding Out for a Hero – Bonnie Tyler
* I Am Changing – Jennifer Hudson
* I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly
* I Can See Clearly Now – Jimmy Cliff
* I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
* I Turn To You – Christina Aguilera
* I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
* I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
* If You Believe – The Wiz Original Broadway Cast
* I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders
* I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
* It’s My Life – Bon Jovi
* I’ve Had The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
* Lifted – Lighthouse Family
* Live Like We’re Dying – Kris Allen
* Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw
* Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
* Living in America – James Brown
* Lovely Day – Bill Withers
* My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
* My Wish – Rascal Flatts
* Only Hope - Mandy Moore
* Over the Rainbow – Judy Garland
* People Get Ready – The Impressions
* Rainbow – Sugar Ray
* Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand) – Diana Ross
* Reflection – Christina Aguilera
* Return to Innocence – Enigma
* The River of Dreams – Billy Joel
* Show Me What I’m Looking For – Carolina Liar
* So Small – Carrie Underwood
* Stronger – Mary J. Blige
* That’s The Way God Planned It – Billy Preston
* That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight
* The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkle
* The Impossible Dream – Frank Sinatra
* The Prayer – Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion
* The Time of My Life – David Cook
* The Is My Now – Jordin Sparks
* Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
* Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
* We Are the Champions – Queen
* What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstong
* What the World Needs Now is Love – Jackie DeShannon
* When you Believe – Mariah Carey
* Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
* World – Five for Fighting
* You Light Up My Life – Debby Boone
* You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
* You’ll Never Walk Alone – Barbara Streisand
* You’re My Best Friend – Queen
* You’re the Inspiration – Chicago
* You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King

(SOURCE)

^Notice "Only Hope" is also on the list... under Mandy Moore. Are you kidding me?

^Anyways... we'll see. What do you all think about the possibility of another "Dare You to Move" performance on the country's most popular karaoke contest? I'm not sure what I think yet... help me out in the comments below! :)

Two years ago, David Cook lent his talents to performing the song. Check it out:

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