This week in RCS Music News Weekly: Four more summer concerts coming to Royal City Studios, BOGO rehearsal time all August at RCS (discount code included with this blog), and “pharma bro” gets poned by the U.S. government. But first…
The Blue Brothers Get the Band Back Together to Help Support Restorative Justice in the Cannabis Industry
In support of the Last Prisoner Project, the Blues Brothers are getting the band back together on Oct. 21st, 2021, at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Exclusively available to registered attendees of MJ Unpacked, the first cannabis event to connect retailers, brands, and investors from around the world, the concert is designed to support restorative justice in the cannabis industry and dedicated to releasing non-violent cannabis prisoners and helping them rebuild their lives.
“It’s our combined efforts that will lead to the release of all non-violent cannabis prisoners,” said Jim Belushi (a.k.a. Zee Blues), who was bestowed his role in the Blues Brothers in honor of his late brother, John Belushi (a.k.a. ‘Joliet’ Jake Blues).
Backed by the Sacred Hearts Band, the Blues Brothers (including Dan Aykroyd, a.k.a. Elwood Blues) will perform hits from the official Blues Brothers canon like “Soul Man” and “Sweet Home Chicago,” as well as classics from the vast catalog of great American roots music.
“For me, and I think many others, the Blues Brothers evoke the brash exuberance and fun and joy of our earliest experiences with cannabis,” said Steve DeAngelo, founder of the Last Prisoner Project. “The Blues Brothers have always told it the way they see it and walked whatever they talked, So, it’s an honor to stand beside them in this important cause.”
“As our event creates the opportunity for this high-impact executive level audience to gather, it’s both an honor and an obligation for us to support the hero work of the Last Prisoner Project,” said George Jage, CEO of Jage Media. “It is a collective responsibility of everyone in our industry to reverse the injustices of the war on drugs.”
The Last Prisoner Project’s mission is to secure full freedom for the 40,000 U.S. cannabis prisoners and countless others worldwide.
For more info, visit The Last Prisoner Project.
4 More Summer Concert Announcements
In the last issue of RCS Music News Weekly, we promised more info about live concerts coming this summer to Royal City Studios. Here it is:
- August 14th – Ian Andrews
- August 20th – Tiger Suit (with Make.Shift)
- August 21st – LUVR (with WAIVERS) — (SOLD OUT)
- 4th – Coywolves
Visit Royal City Studios’ event page for ticket and ordering information. Order tickets in advance. Some performances are sold out and tickets for other performances will go fast.
Also, Paige Rutledge may be returning to Royal City Studios in late October for another performance. To stay in the loop, subscribe to Royal City Studios’ newsletter.
BOGO Rehearsal Time Only Until August 31st at RCS
ICYMI: Until August 31st, 2021, Royal City Studios is offering BOGO rehearsal time. Book 1 hour of rehearsal time in a small, medium, or large studio and get the second hour free.
This unprecedented offer is a scalable offer. The more time you book, the more free time you get.
Book 2 hours, get 2 hours free. Book 3 hours… well, you get it.
Simply use the code AUG21BOGO when you book online. Or call (226) 314-2177, email info@royalcitystudios.ca, or DM RCS on social.
Book ahead to grab this BOGO offer and secure your rehearsal time. No charge for cancellation. Masks still required.
Bandcamp Again Waives Revenue Share
To further support musicians during COVID, Bandcamp is again waiving revenue share this Friday (August 6th) from midnight to midnight, Pacific Time.
For more info, visit the Bandcamp page.
U.S. Government Sells Unique Wu-Tang Clan Album to Pay Debt of “Pharma Bro”
In the category of execs who give people all the more reason to mistrust Big Pharma: In 2018, former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli (notorious for price-jacking, mounting sneering defenses for his actions, and even issuing a bounty) was sentenced to seven years in prison for defrauding pharmaceutical investors out of more than $10 million. As part of a $7.4-million forfeiture judgment against the so-called “pharma bro,” the U.S. government has sold off a one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album called Once Upon a Time in Shaolin that the government seized from Shkreli in 2018.
Dubbed “the most hated man in America” in 2015 for jacking up the price of a life-saving AIDS drug by %5,000 (not a typo), Shkreli bought the album for $2 million and refused to share it with anyone.
While the government’s sale price for the album is not known, U.S. attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis said in a July 27th statement, “With the sale of this one-of-a-kind album, his payment for the forfeiture is now complete.”
Share the Music News Love!
Share RCS Music News Weekly with a friend. Remember that earlier story of “pharma bro” that essentially got Wu-Tanged to balance the scales of justice—all thanks to… well, music? Who doesn’t love hearing stories like that? Share RCS Music news with a friend and they’ll say, “Awesome! This totally lets you off the hook for any future seasonal gifts!” (It could happen.)
As always, stay awesome, and long live rock, jazz, blues, country, or whatever kind of fuel fires your jets.
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