This new release from America includes collaborations with RYAN ADAMS, BEN KWELLER, and members of FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE, MY MORNING JACKET, SMASHING PUMPKINS, and NADA SURF.
Over 80 minutes of music, on Two CDs!
Translate
Host Your Own Site
This site is hosted at ICDSoft.com. Their service is great and their price is amazingly low!
I'm a few years late to the game, but I've finally jumped into the social networking thing. Let me know what you're up to if you're a Facebooker, too.
Gerry Beckley's Happy Hour
Posted by: admin on 07/22/2009 08:09 AM (Read: )
Of the 18 tunes contained here, the last three were recorded live with Gerry, Hank Linderman, Wil Leacox, Michael Woods and myself.
Review from Bullz-eye.com:
Whatever Beckley’s motives, he’ll get no complaints here. These 18 tracks – sampled equally from the earlier efforts on his own, Van Go Gan, Go Man Go, and Horizontal Fall, as well as a one-album trio project with Chicago’s Robert Lamm and the late Carl Wilson – hold to the same soft rock template on which he and partner Dewey Bunnell fashioned their signature sound, all winsome vocals and easy, engaging melodies, fleshed out by supple arrangements that help ensure that harmonious bond ... the three live tracks – "Submarine Ladies," "Til the Sun Comes Up Again" and "Monster" – show that cushy sentiments and Day-Glo designs can create an emphatic impression when showcased in concert. Likewise, a trio of tunes previewed off an upcoming album – "So Long Marni," "Hang Your Head High" and "Vagabond" – indicate Beckley’s not about to abandon his patented approach any time soon.
Posted by: admin on 07/22/2009 01:55 AM (Read: 321)
America: Live in Concert Wildwood Springs celebrates a line that started with the release of their first album in 1972. Both releases open with Riverside, a song which perfectly captures America’s greatest assets, pure harmonies and damn near perfect songwriting. Inspired by the success with their last release, (2007’s Here and Now), they sound as alive as they did they first formed in high school in 1969. Recorded in front of an intimate audience at Wildwood Springs in Missouri, America has made their finest live release and one of their best albums ever. The 19 songs emphasize the acoustic side of America that first brought them to our attention all those years ago.
While transferring files from a crashed hard drive to a new system, I stumbled upon this news clipping, where I planned to "study physics" and have a career in "research". In some parallel universe somewhere, there's a physicist who wishes he took up the bass guitar. :-)
I don't remember what I did with the hundred bucks...
End Of Year Happenings
Posted by: admin on 12/21/2008 12:16 PM (Read: )
First and most exciting for a proud dad, my daughter Brynna Campbell got her song placed on the DVD extras of the latest Joss Whedon project "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog", which has been number 3 in sales at Amazon for the past few days. Her "application" for entry into the ELE as "Princess Zombie", both acting and singing one of her original compositions, appears on the ELE extras section.
Amazing how time flies when you're having fun! This year closes out with a new release on DVD of America - Live From Chicago
and a new audio CD to be released on iTunes and through Amazon.com and CDBaby.com titled Live In Concert - America - Wildwood Springs
featuring acoustic performances of America's greatest hits and rarities recorded with special guest Rusty Young of Poco fame.
Goings On Summer 2008
Posted by: admin on 07/17/2008 04:00 AM (Read: )
July 12th's Grammy Foundation extravaganza in honor of producer Sir George Martin was quite a "celebrity fest" for a small town kid like me. Personal highlights were conversations with songwriter Jimmy Webb, rehearsal and performance with producer David Foster, an unexpected duet featuring Joe Walsh and Tom Jones, and spending the afternoon with friends and family.
On the "new release" front, PBS is finally releasing America's SoundStage performance on DVD, available at Amazon in September. This HD taping in front of an intimate audience of enthusiastic America fans is a great collection of America classics in full 5.1 surround sound.
Enjoy!
Off topic, but AMAZING!
Posted by: admin on 05/01/2008 06:35 PM (Read: )
This thing blows my mind. Click below to have a computer program read your thoughts:
India Concert Review
Posted by: admin on 12/15/2007 11:45 PM (Read: )
The New India Press has a review of the Bangalore concert in the heart of India. As for our own experience there, everyone was incredibly friendly, the food was absolutely fantastic, the production was top notch, and I, for one, hope they are serious about making this an annual event for the band America to perform in India.
England Tour 2007
Posted by: admin on 11/14/2007 07:56 PM (Read: )
A personal thank you goes out to the GREAT crew and crowds on our second tour of England this year. Beautiful blue skies and full English breakfasts certainly helped to lift all our spirits every day of the tour, too!
Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Rich Campbell at the Roundhouse, London, England 2007
Music Review: America, Philharmonic Hall Nov 14 2007 by Mike Torpey, Liverpool Daily Post
WITH their intricate harmonies and acoustic guitars, America brought a burst of California sunshine closer to home during the early 1970s.
Home back then was the UK, where the sons of US servicemen got together at school and enjoyed instant chart success thanks to Horse With No Name, still their most popular number.
Gracing a Liverpool stage for the first time in almost 36 years, founder members Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, backed by Michael ‘Woodsy’ Woods (guitar), Rich Campbell (bass) and drummer Willie Leacox, the band played a blistering 20-song set at the Phil.
While material from their latest album Here And Now – their first recording in nine years – adorned the evening, the bulk of the performance featured songs from the more prolific early day, when Dan Peek was still a part of the line-up.
Ventura Highway, with its cinematic imagery, the gorgeous bluegrass feel of Don’t Cross The River and the Beatles-influenced I Need You brought the crowd to its feet before a more intimate spell with Beckley switching from guitar to keyboards.
The 54-year-old’s voice is so effective on songs like Daisy Jane and Muskrat Love.
Hold Me Tight with its reggae beat brought an extra touch of fun to the gig and a surprise inclusion was a cover of The Mamas and the Papas classic California Dreaming.
The best was left for last with storming, rocked-up versions of Sandman and the exquis- ite Sister Golden Hair and the predictable encore Horse With No Name.
America/ Philharmonic Hall Nov 13 2007 by Peter Grant, Liverpool Echo
IT has been more than 30 years since America played Liverpool, when they supported the band Family.
Last night’s triumphant return was the final gig in a sell-out UK tour and they showed why they have remained one of the most respected of US bands over three decades.
They still play 100 gigs a year back home and overseas.
Founders Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell said that after Thanksgiving celebrations (you can’t get more American than that) they will embark on a tour of the Far East.
They promised a show that would contain oldies and some new material from their first album in nine years – Here and Now – which features songs from the likes of Ryan Adams, as well as live recordings of their greatest hits.
Gerry and Dewey, friends since their parents were stationed on a US base in England, were joined by their stalwart team: drummer Willie Leacox, Michael Woods on guitar and keyboards and Rich Campbell on bass.
This band presented one of the slickest shows I have ever seen and heard at the Philharmonic.
I closed my eyes and it was like listening to their albums – some of which were produced by the great George Martin.
The hits were sandwiched in between the newer material, such as Chasing The Rainbow and Ride On.
Their crafted classic pop songs, from Ventura Highway to Daisy Jane and the Beatle-esque I Need You, all flowed magically.
Sandman was given extra guitar verve while the acoustic Lonely People was sublime.
They name-checked promoter Chas Cole of Summer Pops fame for bringing them over. Quite right too – a real coup.
Throughout, Gerry and Dewey made it all look so easy, notably on their cover version of the Mamas and Papas’ California Dreaming.
For the encore they invited superb support act Gary Daly – taking a solo break from China Crisis – and the very talented Lipa student Megan Kovac to perform on the classic Horse With No Name.
America are one of the major acts who sound as good live as they do in the studio
It was a faultless concert showcasing peerless musicianship and master-class harmonies.
Another nice review from Down Under
Posted by: admin on 05/12/2007 06:06 AM (Read: )
The Australian covers the our recent tour, and again... Will Ferrell?
Nice review from Down Under
Posted by: admin on 05/12/2007 05:58 AM (Read: )
PubsAndClubs.net.au has a brief, pleasant writeup of our recent Australia tour. But, really? Wil Farrell?
America Is On The Charts
Posted by: admin on 01/28/2007 07:15 AM (Read: )
-ENTERS THE BILLBOARD ALBUMS TOP 200 CHART AT #52
-HIGHEST ALBUM DEBUT IN 30 YEARS
-CRITICAL PRAISE FOR "HERE & NOW" BUILDS
Marking their highest album debut since 1977, AMERICA celebrates the release of their latest album HERE & NOW (Sony BMG/Burgundy Records), which entered Billboard's "Top 200 Albums Chart" at #52. The critically acclaimed double CD HERE & NOW is the group's 16th charting album and sold 14,399 copies in its first week in stores. This is their first Top 100 charting release since 1982. The band launched the album Monday, January 15 on the "Late Show With David Letterman," performing "Ride On" with two of the album's guests, Ryan Adams and Ben Kweller.
The two-disc HERE & NOW set features one CD of new studio recordings by AMERICA co-founders GERRY BECKLEY and DEWEY BUNNELL and was produced by James Iha (ex-Smashing Pumpkins) and Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) plus a bonus CD of greatest hits material recorded at the XM Performance Theater. In addition to Schlesinger and Iha, special guests appearing on the new material include RYAN ADAMS, who plays on "Ride On," BEN KWELLER who joins JIM JAMES and PATRICK HALLAHAN of My Morning Jacket on a cover of their haunting acoustic tune "Golden," and IRA ELLIOT and MATTHEW CAWS of Nada Surf who join the group on their own rendition of Nada Surf's hit "Always Love."
Too much free time can be a dangerous thing.
Posted by: admin on 01/07/2007 12:57 PM (Read: )
Life on the road is a mixture of unexpected travel glitches with frantic soundchecks and shows interrupting long stretches of waiting and flying and vanning and checking in and out of hotels and generally finding things to occupy your mind.
This website is my mind-occupier of choice. It's sort of a collection of footprints I've left through time documented and sorted in an attempt to make some sense of it all. Along the way I've met a lot of good people, and drank a lot of great coffee, my two favorite activities on the road.
If you enjoy these peeks backstage just half as much as I do capturing them, you'll have a good time here at AccessBackstage.com!
XM Radio and the New America Double CD
Posted by: admin on 12/14/2006 04:01 AM (Read: )
XM Radio will be replaying the in-studio re-creation of "History - America's Greatest Hits" in January. I just like the "Princess Leia" headphones in this photo courtesy of XM Radio...
America, featuring Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, is releasing a brand new double CD set titled "Here And Now" on the Sony/Burgundy label. Scheduled release date is in mid January 2007, and the set includes brand new song collaborations with Adam Schlesinger, James Iha, Ryan Adams and many others, as well as a live recording of America's best-selling album "History - America's Greatest Hits" performed for XM Radio's series "Then...Again Live" with Willie Leacox, Michael Woods and Rich Campbell backing Gerry and Dewey. See Sony/Burgundy's website for more.
Dave Mason Live At Sunrise DVD
Posted by: admin on 10/17/2006 04:33 AM (Read: )
Dave Mason sounds as good today as he did 30 years ago. This live concert "Live At Sunrise" shows that this legendary rock guitarist has not lost a step in his ability to play or sing. The DVD quality is crystal clear with superior digital surround sound.
Recorded live at the Sunrise Theater, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Dave Mason (Vocals & Guitar), Richard Campbell (Bass Guitar, Vocals), John Sambataro (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals), Bobby Scumaci (Keyboards, Vocals), Greg Babcock (Drums). Songs: Let It Go Let It Flow, Only You Know and I Know, World in Changes, We Just Disagree, 40,000 Headmen, Look at You Look at Me, Dear Mr. Fantasy, All Along the Watchtower, Feelin' Alright. CLICK HERE for more...
America And Friends
Posted by: admin on 10/16/2006 07:15 PM (Read: )
After three days of rehearsals in the San Fernando Valley, a crack team of musicians accompany Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, joined by their friends Stephen Bishop and Andrew Gold, for a performance of classic hits from the 70's and 80's at the Ventura Theater in Ventura, California. CLICK HERE for more from Amazon on this project.
The setlist for this performance:
1. Introducing Andrew Gold
2. Thank For Your Being A Friend (And Band Introduction)
3. Final Frontier (Theme From "Mad About You")
4. Bridge To Your Heart
5. Lonely Boy
6. Introducing Stephen Bishop
7. On & On
8. It Might Be You (Theme From "Tootsie")
9. Save It For A Rainy Day
10. Separate Lives
11. Introducing America
12. Ventura Highway
13. I Need You
14. Three Roses
15. Baby It's Up To You
16. Sister Golden Hair
17. Horse With No Name
Chuck Negron Live In Concert
Posted by: admin on 10/16/2006 04:53 PM (Read: )
I am very proud of the energetic performances my fellow band mates and I achieved on the live tracks of this album released on Sindrome Records, recorded while on tour with Chuck Negron, as well as the engineering finesse my good friend Jeffrey Worrell and I brought to the mix. The reviewers all seem to agree the band kicked booty!
There are plenty of sound bytes posted at Amazon. Click here if you'd like to hear for yourself. Click on the big CD title, then scroll down to "Listen To Samples."
The Chico Enterprise Record interviews Rich Campbell
Posted by: admin on 10/16/2006 04:46 PM (Read: )
Former Butte County resident tours with rock band America
By HEATHER GAMBERG - Buzz Editor
Rich Campbell has toured with Natalie Cole, Three Dog Night, Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band and Edgar Winter. And he's currently on tour with classic rock band America, of "Sister Golden Hair," "Ventura Highway" and "Horse With No Name" fame...CLICK HERE for story.
Copyright Appalachian State University 2002 - 2004
This Site is powered by phpWebSite The Web Technology Group, Appalachian State University
phpWebSite is licensed under the GNU LGPL
Of the 18 tunes contained here, the last three were recorded live with Gerry, Hank Linderman, Wil Leacox, Michael Woods and myself.
Dave Mason sounds as good today as he did 30 years ago. This live concert "Live At Sunrise" shows that this legendary rock guitarist has not lost a step in his ability to play or sing. The DVD 
quality is crystal clear with superior digital surround sound.
After three days of rehearsals in the San Fernando Valley, a crack team of musicians accompany Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, joined by their friends Stephen Bishop and Andrew Gold, for a performance of classic hits from the 70's and 80's at the Ventura Theater in Ventura, California. 
I am very proud of the energetic performances my fellow band mates and I achieved on the live tracks of this album released on Sindrome Records, recorded while on tour with Chuck Negron, as well as the engineering finesse my good friend Jeffrey Worrell and I brought to the mix. The reviewers all seem to agree the band kicked booty!
There are plenty of sound bytes posted at Amazon. 
