Farm Report for September

[Sam Walton]

Here is the September edition of Farm Report, a feature in Visions of
Gray magazine. If you are not a subscriber, send email to
audi...@aol.com to get a free three-month trial subscription. If you
have info for the next Farm Report, send email to smud...@aol.com.
Also if you or a band you know is touring anywhere in the Southeast,
zip your schedule and info to the address at the end or
smud...@aol.com.

City Blocks
Piltdown Man's Dave Sutton has left the group and the band is
currently taking a month off to audition new bassists ... Barfly
Records has announced the forthcoming release of Gallery Athens,
Georgia, a compilation of six bands from Athens, Georgia (The
Shadowcaste, Greenhouse, Lime Credo, Dayroom, Grain, Trinket),
produced by Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), Mike Mills (R.E.M.), John Keane
(Robyn Hitchcock, Indigo Girls), Peter Venezio (Herbie Hancock,
Georgia Satellites), and Edd Miller (Black Crowes). The bands will be
playing at the CD release party on November 12 at the 40 Watt in
Athens and at Midtown Music Hall on November 19 in Atlanta. ... At
this year's Inner Seeds Festival, Flying Tart Records unveiled its
latest catalogue of vinyl collectibles: 7" singles by The Throes, Plague
of Ethyls, and sundays child, as well as a full-length release from
scaterd few ... On August 20, sundays child recorded their live show at
The Strand with Chris Colbert engineering. The album is slated for
release on Flying Tart Records later this year. Meanwhile, Flying Tart
has released a very limited number of singles from sundays child's
demo sessions this past April, available for the first time at i.s. fest
and subsequently through the band and through the label's mail order.
The label's version and the band's version differ in cover art. ... Cain's
Pain enters the studio this month to record their first full-length
release. ... Other forthcoming local releases include the Colbert-
produced new release from Joe Christmas (the artists foremerly
known as Crayon) ... Kate Thompson's Out of the Box... Kristen Hall's Be
Careful What You Wish For ...Cranial Captivity Records' James Tuck
and his wife Deena Tuck have given birth to their daughter Danielle
Pierson Tuck, born on August 15, 1994 ...
Chopping Block
Intersound has closed shop on its Christian music wing as quickly as
it opened. (The Gospel label is still active.) The company has
restructured, and Tom Ramsey has left. While no one knows exactly
where artists 20/20 Blind and Ji Lim stand, Intersound is apparently
following through on contractual commitments and has bought ads for
fall releases. ... The Sparrow Corporation and Maranatha! Music have
ceased negotiations originally intended for Sparrow's acquisition of
all Maranatha! labels. (Broken Records is not included.) ... The
Squinternational Tour has dropped Dakoda Motor Company from its
lineup. As it stands, Dakoda will play the tour's first three dates and
subsequently be replaced by Guardian for the remainder of the tour
with Steve Taylor and Hocus Pick.
Mental Block
The Seventy Sevens have been aswirl with rumor lately, things said in
everything from 'zines to the Pure Rock Report about moving in a new
direction, leaving Christian music, etc. The band has recently denied
the rumors, although thay have cancelled their end of a 26-city tour
with Hoi Polloi and P.F.R. this fall. ... Susan Ashton will join Garth
Brooks on the second leg of his European tour this fall, commencing in
September in Madrid, Spain, and continuing to Germany, Scotland,
Denmark, and England. In conjunction with the tour, EMI Records UK
with Sparrow Records will be releasing a European compilation of
Ashton's work. ... Ark/R.E.X. artist Jeff Johnson has been approached
by Mercedes Benz to be included on a special CD for the 90,000
leasees from the company in the last three years. Johnson's cuts for
the compilation will include music fron Songs for Albion and
Similitudes. ... Sixpence None the Richer has been touring with added
rhythm guitarist, Tess Wiley (ex-Nothing in Return).
The Waiting's long-awaited record has finally seen its final mix at
the hands of Steve Griffith and will release on B.A.I. this fall. ... The
Newboys will be opening for Josh McDowell on his 1995-96 Truth or
Consequence Tour. ... The latest in the "you can never have too much
Steve Taylor" campaign, Sparrow's boxed-set CD/cassette/video
release, Now the Truth can be Told, contains the following new
material: songs - "Shark Sandwich," and "Dream in Black and White"
videos - "A Principled Man" (shot in Stockholm Sweden), "Baby Talk"
(a short film shot by Taylor at Colorado University), "Joe's
Disturbing" (a short film shot by Taylor while at Colorado University),
and a Chagall Guevara promotional clip. ... The Throes' Bill Campbell
will fill in Tim Chandler's big bassy shoes for the Choir's tour dates
through October, after Chandler announced a cessation of touring with
the band (see last month's issue). i.s. fest promises to be one of the
last gigs scheduled before the bands takes a respite from the road to
work on the second outing for At the Foot of the Cross. ... Dighayzoose
has hired Jeremy Walla (ex-Ethereal Soul) as a second guitarist for
the remainder of their current tour. ... Funkadelic/Parliament
musician, Bootsy Collins, has announced his conversion to Christianity
and his forthcoming production work on two forthcoming tracks by
D.O.C., covers of Collins' hits, "Wind Me Up," and "Hollywood Squares."
... Charlie Daniels has been named the official spokesperson for a new
country music trivia board game, "Trivia - Country Style." ...
September's edition of Release Magazine features new poems and art
from the Kevin Smith/Jimmy A. collaboration (selections not included
in the duo's new book). ... Lust Control, fronted by Doug Van Pelt,
played an unmasked show at the Texas Rock Fest '94. ... For what it's
worth, Sandi Patti is now Sandi Patty, the last name's original
spelling. No explanation was provided in any press release. Michael
Jackson marries a Presley and Sandi changes a letter. Scandal,
scandal, scandal ...
Auction Block
Stunt Records is releasing a new Daniel Amos live album from 1978-
1979 and a comedy project from The Reverend Doctor Edward Daniel
Taylor in September. ... Fingerprint Records is promising a new
release from Harrod and Funck in the next six months ... Mark Heard's
High Noon is being released in mainstream markets on SKY-Ichiban
Records. With Strong Hand of Love's release on Epic, radio should
shortly have a number of his songs in hand to play upon request. ...
Fingerprint Records has begun circulation of the 13-song pre-release
cassette from The Parmin Sisters. ... Gloria Gaynor is set to release
her latest ... ... Tooth and Nail's Helpless Amongst Friends compilation
with Focused, Unashamed, The Blamed, and Mend is also forthcoming ...
Building Block
R.E.X. has finalized a distribution agreement with Platinum
Entertainment's Light Distribution, who will also distribute Street
Level Records, Grrr, and Storyville. The first R.E.X. projects to see the
fruits of the new deal will be by Kerry Livgren, Sixpence None the
Richer, and Circle of Dust ... Last month the word on the Farm was
that Tooth and Nail had signed Luxury at Cornerstone '94. The latest is
that Tooth and Nail also signed Strong Arm at the festival as well. ...
August 25 marked the first release from Indie Empire, Microphone
Technology, a compilation of twelve Gospel rappers including: SFC,
Evangelist M.C., E-Roc, S.S. Mob, D.J. Rubadub, D.D.C., Fros'T, King J-
Mack, Joyful Noiz, Geno V, Disciple, and Strength of Three. Indie
Empire is a new sub-label of Metro One run entirely by interns
volunteering their work. ... Patriot Records has been acquired by
Liberty Records' Jimmy Bowen, and Patriot's name was subsequently
changed to Rugged Records. ... Brainstorm, newly liberated from their
agreement with WAL (Word's Alternative Label), has reached a
distribution agreement with Diamante Distribution. The last vestiges
of the BAI/WAL agreement will see the release of Undercover's Forum
and the Adam Again project currently described as "up in the air." The
first releases under the new agreement are said to be four
compilations featuring new tracks by Adam Again, Deliverance,
SFC/Freedom of Soul (collaboration), and alternate versions, including
DA's acoustic "Buffalo Fields." ... Rugged Records has inked a deal
with Diadem Distribution. ... Grrr Records has signed a deal with
Nelson/Word/GMI Music Partners in Holland for Europe and UK
distribution. In support of the agreement, REZ is touring a major
European tour in September and October. ... Despite speculation as to
exactly what percentage of their listeners are active Christians,
Vigilantes of Love now have a record in Christian bookstores, thanks
to R.E.X.'s distribution of Welcome to Struggleville (a
Capricorn/Fingerprint release) into the Christian market....
Starting Block
The World Cafe, American Public Radio's two-hour daily music show
will air a one-hour tribute special for Mark Heard. The show will air
on 80 affiliates nationwide in late August. A limited quantity of CDs
of the show are circulating throughout the industry and among
collectors. The end of August also saw the release of Stong Hand of
Love, the compilation record, on Epic Records. ... Former frontman for
The Alarm, Mike Peters has released a new single, "Back Into The
System" backed with "A New Chapter," with his new backing band
Poets of Justice (surely to be shortened to The Poets) and has
recently toured with Amiee Mann, formerly of Til Tuesday. ... Tooth
and Nail's Plank Eye are currently in studio with Gene Eugene
recording a new release. ... Canadian rockers, The Undertakers have
completed work on their forthcoming project at Neverland studios
with Steve Hindalong and Chris Colbert at the helm (see above photo).
... The word is that Kenny Tamplin will be releasing a "lost tracks of
Magdalen" project sometime this fall. Bassist Steve McCormack has
been added to Tamplin's lineup for a mini-tour of Europe through
September, followed by the fall Testify Tour. ... Guardian has recorded
an acoustic album that bassist David Bach has described as a collision
of Led Zeppelin III, Sergeant Pepper's ..., and "Sweet Mystery." The
album is also rumored to include a Dixieland Trio. ... Sunday Blue will
soon be recording a worship record in the studios of Bill Campbell.
The limited cassette release will only be available at Sunday Blue
shows. ... Over the Rhine has released eve on I.R.S., with an initial
single, "Happy with Myself," as well as a boxed set of "the story of
eve," (the making of the record in photo form) also known as the Over
the Rhine trading cards. Currently the band is working with writer and
filmmaker, Jeffrey Bell (Radio Inside, Hymntime in the Land of
Abandon) on a moving picture entitled, Shall We Gather at the River,
containing interviews, videos for "Jacksie," and for "Happy With
Myself??," live footage from "If I'm Drowning," European trip
footage, acoustic versions of songs, and unreleased songs. The videos
will be made available through the band only. ... Barren Cross is
currently in studio recording an album for December release. ...
September should see the release of River Disturbance, the latest
from Deliverance, out on Brainstorm/Diamante. ... The Brave have
released Trust. ... Fat and Frantic have once again announced a hiatus
from their retirement to record another quirky do-wop record for
Kingsway Records. ... Atlantic is releasing a radio-only-best-of from
King's X. ... Jan Smith has released Rain. ... Forthcoming from the N-
Soul label: World Wide Message Tribe's Dance Planet, SOZO's Purity,
Prophecy Of P.A.N.I.C.'s Manic Panic. ... Jerusalem has broken a seven-
year silence with the release of Prophet on Europe's ICC label. ...
SFC, hot on the heels of their latest independent release, has agreed
to another label project on Brainstorm this fall. ... JPUSA's Gospel
choir is slated to go into the studio to record their first release in
September. ... Greg Strange's One Step Closer is slated for a winter
release. ... Poole is recording. ... Robert Sweet's new band is Danger
Angel, with Michael Bailey on guitars and the ex-singer of Asphalt
Ballet.. Michael Knott says he's very busy working on the Alternative
Worship project with Terry Taylor and Gene Eugene. ... Tooth and Nail
Records has reported new signee, Magnified Plaid, has tracked twenty
songs for a fall debut. ... This Train's Mark Robertson (fresh from the
Rich Mullins Ragamuffin tour) says to expect a CD called
Sanitized...for your Protection within a few months from Etcetera.
Illegal Block
Dighayzoose has announced forthcoming restructuring at year's end as
well as the forthcoming live release from Cornerstone '94 in October
on Flying Tart Records. The live set included appearances by Alan
Aguirre from scaterd few and Dan Michaels of The Choir. ... South
London songwriter, Donald Swan has passed away at the age of 70. The
comedian-turned-Quaker was known for his work with Archbishop
Donald Coggan of St. Paul's Cathedral, for setting to music the works
of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and his collaboration with Arthur
Scholey of the BBC.
Eastern Bloc
This month Decision-D begins recording their third release, The Last
Prostitute, in Hamburg, Germany. ... Amy Grant hits the road this fall
in support of her House of Love project, touring in Europe, Australia,
Asia, and the Pacific Rim. In January 1995, Grant returns for a 35-
city U.S. tour. with husband Gary Chapman opening. Grant has also
announced plans to allow long-time fans access to tickets before they
go on sale to the general public. ... Rez and Cauzin' Efekt have
scheduled stays in Europe this fall, since Grrr has signed a deal with
Nelson/Word/GMI Music Partners in Holland for European and U.K.
distribution. When Rez returns, it will be to record their next project,
Lament, for a Cornerstone release ...
Cheese Block
Heaven's Metal Press has released its first book, Rubber Meets the
Road, by Paul Doty, a book of sound engineer war stories he's had the
time to experience as soundman for Bloodgood and Barren Cross.
... Nelson Word Records have announced the appointment of a new
managing directore, Graham Williams, formerly the founder and
managing director of South Africa's Grace Music, and also formerly
executive with Warner Brothers and with Phillips Media. ...
Minneapolis' Kamakazie Magaine is expanding its focus to national
music as well as regional. ... The official first issue of the slick new
magazine, 3.16, will see release on September 15. ... Europe's Cross
Rhythms magazine has announced the appointment of Marie-Louise
Flint to the assistant editor position vacated by Jonathan Bellamy, ...
Cornerstone once again captured this year's blues jam to 24-Track
and are planning another live release. ... Congratulations to Brian
Grover (Crashdog) and his wife Leah on the birth of their first baby,
Meghan. ... America's Christian Music Awards, will be televised
Sunday, September 18 at 9pm on The Family Channel. Ballots are due
September 1, and are available at area Christian retailers, national
magazines, or by calling 800.299.6299. For information regarding
other promotions associated with the awards (i.e., the free vacation
to Walt Disney World), call 615-386-9113. ... Heaven's Metal is
coordinating another showcase stage at Foundation's Forum, an annual
convention for the mainstream music industry. Dream Theater,
Queensryche, and others will be involved. Doug Van Pelt still needs
two bands to complete the lineup, which last year included Precious
Death, Deliverance, and Mortal. Bands interested will be able to
perform a full hour set, beginning at noon on Thursday, September 8.
512.929.9279 for more info. ... The Refuge in St Petersburg, Fla. has
moved into their own building and will be booking bands soon, Contact
Bruce Wright at 328 9th St N, St Petersburg, Florida. 33705
813.328.1025. ... Northern Colorado now has its first progressive-
minded Christian club, The Docks, seating 240. Interested bands can
contact at 2100 West Drake Road, Suite 192, Fort Collins, Colorado
80526.
We hanker for a hunka, slaba, slicea chunka news. Contact the Farm at
900 Mountain Creek Road, Suite C-44, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
615.875.9722 or E-Mail to: smud...@aol.com

[JERRY BLANCHARD RAY JR]

In article <34v1nh$h...@crl.crl.com> s...@crl.com (Sam Walton) writes:
> The
> Squinternational Tour has dropped Dakoda Motor Company from its
> lineup. As it stands, Dakoda will play the tour's first three dates and
> subsequently be replaced by Guardian for the remainder of the tour
> with Steve Taylor and Hocus Pick.

This really disappoints me-I really like Steve Taylor, but I like his
older stuff better than Squint, truth be told. His performance at
Atlanta Fest, while nostalgic, really didn't excite me like the
first (other...) time I saw him, on the I Predict 1990 tour. But I really
like Dakoda and was looking forward to seeing them. Guardian doesn't
do much for me.

> The latest in the "you can never have too much
> Steve Taylor" campaign, Sparrow's boxed-set CD/cassette/video
> release, Now the Truth can be Told, contains the following new
> material: songs - "Shark Sandwich," and "Dream in Black and White"
> videos - "A Principled Man" (shot in Stockholm Sweden), "Baby Talk"
> (a short film shot by Taylor at Colorado University), "Joe's
> Disturbing" (a short film shot by Taylor while at Colorado University),
> and a Chagall Guevara promotional clip. ... The Throes' Bill Campbell

I was going to mention that I was also disappointed that "Still Know
Your Number By Heart," a sort of rare Chagall Guevara b-side, was
not going to be included on this compilation. Then I read the newest
CCM, which mentioned that a possible upcoming Chagall compilation
prevented any C.G. rare stuff being included in the box set. That's
pretty cool, but how much stuff could there be to include on a Chagall
Guevara compilation. After all, they only had one album (plus the
odd b-side and live track)...

JRjr
--
'Summer's going fast, nights growing colder
Children growing up, old friends growing older
The innocence slips away...'--Rush, Time Stand Still
##### vap...@prism.gatech.EDU ######## Jerry B. Ray, Jr. ################