(Courtesy of The Music Universe)
During the month of August, CBS Mornings is profiling a host of artists in a series entitled "Mornings Mixtape." Beginning on August 1, the longtime sunrise television program will speak with various performers including Hanson and Ashanti. "We’re looking at the musical artists who have stood the test of time and created songs that you just can’t get out of your head, in a good way," host Nate Burleson shared with The Music Universe.
Micky Dolenz will be the subject of the August 16, 2022 edition of "Mornings Mixtape," seen below with host Anthony Mason. Get ready to watch the segment live or set your DVRs now!
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 Since its launch in 2015, 7a Records has earned its superior reputation amongst Monkees fans for its commitment to delivering Monkees solo-related projects on compact disc, vinyl, and DVD, products that are always enshrined in deluxe packaging while paying extraordinary attention to the smallest of details. In 2021, 7a delivered perhaps its most accomplished project to date, the critically and commercially successful Dolenz sings Nesmith, an album that featured Micky Dolenz reimagining select tracks from the songbook of his longtime friend and bandmate, Michael Nesmith. This year alone, 7a, with Glenn Gretlund at the helm, has reissued a pair of classic albums from Michael Nesmith's canon, Tantamount to Treason Volume 1 along with And The Hits Just Keep On Comin'. Just last week, the eponymous album by Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart, long out of print, arrived as a 2-CD and 2-LP collection, remastered from the recently discovered master tapes and featuring a live concert recorded during the group's stop in Tokyo in 1976. Later this summer, 7a will deliver yet another entry in their ever growing catalog. Demoiselle, a collection of demos recorded by Micky Dolenz between 1981 and 1992 that was privately released by Dolenz on compact disc in 1998, will arrive on August 12, 2022 in expanded, remastered form on both red gatefold vinyl and CD, featuring three bonus tracks, a new running order, and a 32-page booklet with extensive liner notes (CD version only). Some of the demos heard on Demoiselle were later unearthed and formally recorded by The Monkees on their 1996 album, Justus ("Never Enough," "Dyin' Of A Broken Heart," "Regional Girl"), while "Beverly Hills" had been featured as the B-side to Micky's 1982 Japanese single, "To Be Or Not To Be." On July 8, "My Heart is Failing Me" and "Piston Power" were issued by 7a Records as a digital single and teaser for the upcoming expanded edition of Demoiselle: G.H. Harding provided more insight into the history, production, and background of Demoiselle in a feature for Times Square Chronicles: Pre-Order Now!
   (All images courtesy of 7a Records)  Monkees fans fondly recall Bill Chadwick from his many associations with The Monkees as a songwriter, TV show extra, studio musician, and confidant of the group throughout its initial run in the 1960s. Bill was a regular along with Michael Nesmith and John London at the famous Ledbetter's club in Los Angeles and the Troubadour in Hollywood during the pre-Monkees era. The three were soon part of a folk group called The Survivors that was assembled by Randy Sparks, who also founded The New Christy Minstrels. Bill auditioned for The Monkees in 1965, making it past the initial round of interviews and being one of the few to participate in an actual screen test with Bob Rafelson. Despite not being chosen, Bill contributed to the Monkees project through multiple avenues. His song, "Of You," was recorded at one of the earliest Monkees recording sessions in the summer of 1966. Bill's other songwriting credits for the group include "If I Knew," "French Song," "Time and Time Again," "You and I," "If You Have the Time," "How Can I Tell You," and "Zor and Zam." Bill also contributed backing vocals and instrumentation on many Monkees tracks. He went on to become a lighting director and tour manager for The Monkees and photographed the group extensively throughout the late 1960s. In the 1970s, Bill's song "Talking to the Wall" was recorded by Michael Nesmith and the Second National Band for their 1972 album Tantamount To Treason Volume 1. Bill recently announced a new project, Time and Again Gallery, which will feature archival vintage photographs of The Monkees and other pop culture icons for purchase. A message and video from Bill can be found below, and be sure to follow Time and Again on Facebook!   The Monkees Pad Show has returned with a very special episode that features the final interview with a member of The Monkees' extended family, Keith Allison. On November 17, 2021, Mr. Allison passed away from natural causes in California at the age of 79. Keith was a friend of Michael Nesmith's from Texas who acted as a session musician on several Monkees recordings, including "Auntie's Municipal Court," "Zor and Zam," "D.W. Washburn," "Rosemarie," the studio version of "Circle Sky," and "Through the Looking Glass." Mr. Allison composed "Auntie's Municipal Court" with Nez, and this enduring track from The Monkees' fifth album, The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees, was performed at every stop on the 2021 Monkees Farewell Tour. "I came up with the intro and I played two guitars on the track - one tuned down a full step," recalled Allison in an interview with Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval. "We broke for lunch and Mike had written most of the lyrics. He said, 'I'd better call Micky [Dolenz],' and he came down from Horseshoe Canyon and did the vocal right then and there. We finished the whole thing in one afternoon." Ultimately enjoying a prolific career in music, Mr. Allison appeared on recordings by Sonny & Cher, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, The Righteous Brothers, Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, and many others. Keith also toured with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart in the mid-1970s and played on the group's eponymous album. Enjoy this interview with Keith Allison via the link below, and be sure to follow The Monkees Pad Show on Facebook and Twitter!  Monkees fans in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas: a special treat is coming to a drive-in theater near you! On Sunday, August 14, 2022, Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, Pennsylvania is hosting "Mahoning Monkeemania," a one night only celebration of The Monkees that will include screenings of two episodes of The Monkees television series along with the group's 1968 feature film, Head. Check out the press release below, show your interest on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to reserve your tickets early! Thanks much to Mark Nelson, the general manager of The Mahoning Drive-In Theater, for alerting the Live Almanac about this unique event. Mahoning MONKEE-MANIA (Monkees Fan Event + HEAD on 35mm)Here they come… on the big screen!  In 2000, Davy Jones self-published Daydream Believin', an update to his well-received 1987 autobiography They Made a Monkee Out of Me. Throughout the late 1980s, Davy undertook numerous book signing tours and made multiple television appearances to promote his original book, and that tradition continued when Daydream Believin' arrived in the first year of the new century. Last month, the publisher Book's Mind reissued Daydream Believin' in both paperback and hardcover editions, featuring a new introduction by Ann Moses, the editor of Tiger Beat from 1966–1972 who wrote countless stories about The Monkees during their heyday. Links to order your copy can be found below, and don't forget to follow Davy's official Facebook page! ORDER NOW!  In 1975, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork gathered together to consider several offers to reunite The Monkees. "We met up at my house, up in the Hollywood Hills," Micky told Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval in a previously published interview. "I think it was William Morris [agency] or something expressed an interest in putting the act back together. Everybody was very enthusiastic about it on the surface. You know, 'Oh great, great idea,' but when it got down to the nitty-gritty there were too many conflicting feelings and attitudes. Actually I remember it being really exciting. We all got together for the first time in quite a few years in the same room and there was a hell of a buzz." Despite friendly discussions between the ex-Monkees during this time period, the group ultimately did not reform. "They wanted to do something different and new," said Jones of Nesmith and Tork to Steve Hoffman in September 1976. "They forgot the audience has been waiting out there for The Monkees to return." However, Micky and Davy were interested in teaming up once again and instead turned to Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart was the idea of Christian DeWalden, a music publisher, producer, and friend of Bobby Hart. Boyce & Hart were responsible for writing and producing some of The Monkees' greatest hits ("Last Train to Clarksville," "Steppin' Stone," "Valleri"), and had a successful recording career of their own. The foursome created a new act and toured as The Great Golden Hits of The Monkees - The Guys Who Wrote 'Em and the Guys Who Sang 'Em. Their concert show combined Monkees classics, new material, and Boyce & Hart hits. "It was based on the idea of having the guys who wrote a lot of songs and the guys who sang them perform together," Davy explained in 1975. "So we talked about it and agreed and went into rehearsals for three weeks, and then we went to St. Louis and pulled 22,000 kids in two shows." The Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart act would record and perform together through 1976.  This July, 7a Records will officially re-release the recorded legacy of Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart. The UK-based label, headed by Glenn Gretlund, will deliver a 2-CD and 2-LP deluxe edition of the group's 1976 studio album originally issued by Capitol Records, along with Concert in Japan, taped in Tokyo that same year, which was ultimately released in that country in 1981 (and later on compact disc by the label Varese Sarabande in 1996). Both albums are remastered from the original tapes. The CD edition will include a 40-page booklet with brand new liner notes and previously unseen photographs, while the LP edition will be housed in a gatefold sleeve on green, yellow, and black "quad" vinyl.
Various media outlets have reported on 7a's revival of the long out of print Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart albums, the latest in a very busy year for the label: Here's a sneak peak at the rear covers for the vinyl and compact disc editions:  (Click images to enlarge)  Pre-Order Now!
 Cleveland, Ohio 2014 (Photo by Sherri Hansen)  Earlier this week, MeTV announced its annual "Summer of Me" event, and Monkees fans will be happy to hear that The Monkees television series will be featured occasionally throughout the summer during the channel's "Sunday Block Party" programming. Read more about the "Summer of Me," follow the Sunday Block Party schedule, and find MeTV in your area. UPDATE 7/5/2022: The Monkees makes its first appearance on MeTV's Summer Block Party schedule this Sunday, July 10 beginning at 12pm ET:     Earlier this month, the vinyl-only label Run Out Groove released The Monkees' second album, More of the Monkees, as an expanded deluxe limited edition double LP featuring bonus tracks and deluxe packaging. For this release, Monkees historian and author Andrew Sandoval, along with mastering engineer Kevin Grey, cut lacquers from the original stereo analog tapes. More of the Monkees was originally issued in January 1967 on Colgems and became one of the best selling Monkees albums (certified quintuple platinum by the RIAA). It was the longest to stay at #1 on the Billboard chart (eighteen weeks), and it contains The Monkees' biggest hit single, "I'm a Believer," which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks. Run Out Groove's version of More of the Monkees arrived on two 180 gram records, featuring a gatefold jacket, never-before-seen photos, and new liner notes by Sandoval. And now, you can check out this Run Out Groove exclusive below, courtesy of Live Almanac contributor Ben Belmares. Copies of the limited edition transparent green vinyl version are long sold out, but the standard black vinyl is available via Amazon.     (Click most images to enlarge)              The latest episode from the Cut Out Bin, produced by Derek Miner, examines a missing link in the history of The Monkees' TV show: One of the lesser discussed aspects of the Monkees television series is that the episodes evolved over the band's career. At various times, new songs were dubbed into the show to promote new records. But some of these alternate versions were never seen again . . .  Last night in Madison, Wisconsin at Overture Center for the Arts, Micky Dolenz and his band concluded a string of limited engagement shows meant to honor the legacy of The Monkees. "Micky Dolenz Celebrates The Monkees," produced by Monkees historian and author Andrew Sandoval, opened on April 5 at the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee (where The Monkees performed live in 2013 and also filmed an appearance with Johnny Cash in 1969). The Live Almanac covered the Nashville debut, complete with video footage, photographs, set list, and a look at the tour merchandise. Joining Micky onstage for these special shows were members of The Monkees' touring band, featuring Coco Dolenz, Wayne Avers, John Billings, Rich Dart, Pete Finney, Alex Jules, and Emeen Zarookian. At each stop, Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork were honored with individual video and song tributes, and the set list included numbers that haven't been aired in some time, with "Valleri" (performed in the style of the first recorded version), "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)," "Saturday's Child," "Can You Dig It," "Sometime in the Morning," "No Time," "Let's Dance On," "D.W. Washburn," and "That Was Then, This Is Now" all making appearances. During the pre-show, fans were treated to rare and unique audio selections playing over the house speakers, carefully curated by producer Sandoval in playlists that varied from city to city. The promotional materials for the "Celebrates The Monkees" shows also advertised rare photos and film from Micky's personal archives. Some of the highlights projected on the screen behind the band included footage of The Monkees rehearsing at the Hollywood Bowl in 1967, Micky, Davy, and Michael atop the RCA Building, filming a Kool-Aid commercial and more all from 1969, home movies, outtakes from the 1986 video shoot for "That Was Then, This Is Now," and The Monkees inside the recording studio. Micky will return to the road later this month, performing concerts and making various personal appearances throughout the summer. Check out Micky's current itinerary to see if he is coming to your town! In the meantime, enjoy some performances below from different cities on Micky's "Celebrates The Monkees" tour (tribute videos screened for Michael, Davy, and Peter can be seen in the Akron, Ohio footage) and don't forget the Live Almanac's previous coverage of opening night in Nashville, Tennessee. April 6: Richmond, Kentucky @ EKU Center for the ArtsApril 8: Nashville, IN @ Brown County Music CenterApril 9: Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J Brady ICON Music CenterApril 11: Wheeling, West Virgina @ The Capitol Theatre (more)April 12: Akron, Ohio @ Goodyear TheaterThanks to the Monkees Forever YouTube channel for providing the complete show in Akron, Ohio. Watch the tribute videos for Michael Nesmith (11:50) and Davy Jones (29:00) below, as well as footage of The Monkees rehearsing at the Hollywood Bowl (45:10): The tribute video for Peter Tork begins at 14:10: April 15: Riverside, IA @ Riverside Casino & Golf ResortApril 16: Madison, WI @ Overture Center for the Arts
The wait is over. The Monkees: The Complete Series, housed in a lenticular box and including 10 Blu-ray discs, a booklet, as well as a bonus 45, is once again available via the official Monkees online store.
The set features all 58 episodes of The Monkees (newly remastered in HD from the original negatives for the very first time), the group's 1968 feature film Head (with never-before-seen outtakes), and the 1969 television special, 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee, along with a wide array of bonus materials. Previously unreleased mixes of both "Star Collector" and "Goin' Down" appear on the bonus 7" record. The former is an alternate mono mix and the latter is a mono vocal mix, featuring Micky Dolenz singing live in the TV studio to the backing track of "Goin' Down." Both versions of these well-known Monkees songs were heard exclusively on the soundtrack of the second season of The Monkees.
UPDATE 4/22/2022: The Blu-ray set is now out of stock. Shoppers are being asked to subscribe to an email list to receive a back in stock notification.
UPDATE 4/27/2022: The Blu-ray set has been removed from the online Monkees store. UPDATE 4/29/2022: The online Monkees store now lists the Blu-ray set as "currently not available."
A brand new hoodie and T-shirt celebrating the Monkees Blu-ray collection also debuted today and can be purchased online while supplies last:
(Click images to preview and order)
7a Records announces 50th anniversary edition of Nesmith's lone Second National Band album (UPDATED)4/12/2022  7a Records just announced a special 50th Anniversary Edition of Michael Nesmith's fourth album for RCA Records, Tantamount to Treason Volume 1. It will be made available on both compact disc and 180 gram aqua splatter vinyl on June 17, 2022. Originally released in 1972, Tantamount is the only album Nez recorded with the Second National Band, which included O.J. "Red" Rhodes (pedal steel), Michael Cohen (keyboards and Moog), Jack Ranelli (drums), José Feliciano (congas), and Johnny Meeks (bass). The First National Band, which had backed Michael on his initial solo efforts (Magnetic South, Loose Salute, and Nevada Fighter), disbanded in 1971. Red Rhodes was the only FNB member to soldier on with Nez. The album also features a contribution from Bill Chadwick ("Talking to the Wall"). 7a Records also recently announced a 50th Anniversary Edition of Michael's 1974 album And The Hits Just Keep On Comin'. Read more about the reissue of Tantamount To Treason Volume 1 and its updated cover art below, courtesy of 7a's official press release. Pre-orders are now available via Deep Discount and Amazon worldwide.  TRACK LISTING
PRESS RELEASEWe are proud to announce the 50th Anniversary Edition of "Tantamount To Treason, Volume One" by Michael Nesmith & The Second National Band - released on June 3rd. The 1972 album has been remastered, expanded with bonus tracks and given a brand new cover painting by Wilson McLean, who also painted the original album sleeve. The CD comes with a 32 page booklet, including extensive liner notes, previously unpublished photos and lyrics to all of the songs. The Vinyl is presented in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on 180g Aqua coloured splatter Vinyl. The bonus tracks have never previously been released on vinyl. You can pre-order the album here: THE ALBUMBy late 1971, Michael Nesmith found himself confronted with dissenting opinions of his First National Band releases on RCA Records. Though critics generally lauded the music, radio audiences and the record buying public became less interested in the material with each subsequent release. Contemplating his next move under his RCA contract, Nesmith made some significant changes to his approach in recording new material, which would ultimately yield Tantamount to Treason, Volume One. Gone would be a supporting “band” in the sense of a collective partnership of musicians. Rather, an eclectic group of session musicians would be gathered to lay down what were arguably Nesmith’s most free-form, jazz-influenced and psychedelic country tracks of his career.  (Courtesy of 7a Records) UPDATE 5/30/2022: The latest issue of Uncut features a rave review of 7a's 50th anniversary edition of Michael Nesmith's Tantamount To Treason Volume One. Thanks to Glenn Gretlund for sharing it on 7a's Facebook page:  (Click to enlarge) Earlier this week, Micky Dolenz debuted his new concert show, "Micky Dolenz Celebrates The Monkees," at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The photos below of Micky and the band at the Ryman are courtesy of Sherri Hansen, a longtime Monkees fan and friend of the Live Almanac who for years has provided this site (and fans worldwide) with numerous photos and videos from Monkees concerts, group and solo. Sherri's photography was also featured in the compact disc and vinyl editions of The Monkees Live: The Mike & Micky Show that was released by Rhino Records in 2020. Thanks very much to Sherri for sharing her photos from Tuesday's performance at the Ryman, showcasing Micky, Coco Dolenz, Wayne Avers, John Billings, Rich Dart, Pete Finney, Alex Jules, and Emeen Zarookian. This evening, Micky Dolenz debuted his new concert show, "Micky Dolenz Celebrates The Monkees," at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Thank you to Andrew Sandoval for sharing a copy of the night's set list, and be sure to get your tickets for this special limited run engagement!  Here's a look at items for sale at the merchandise booth, which includes copies of the long out-of-print The Monkees: The Complete Series Blu-ray recently discovered by Rhino/Warner. Other pieces include vinyl and CD copies of Dolenz Sings Nesmith along with a T-shirt featuring the album's cover art, Monkees tour programs from 2012 and 2013, and Monkees Farewell Tour shirts from 2021:  (Photo courtesy of The Monkees' official Facebook page - click image to visit) Thank you to Sherri Hansen, Alan Adkins, Michael Lawson, Jill Mitchell, The Junk Rocker, Derek Miner, and others for sharing some of their footage from the performance at the Ryman: And Happy Birthday to Coco Dolenz, who was serenaded by Micky, the band, and the crowd during the show in celebration: Micky Dolenz's latest release, Dolenz sings Nesmith - The E.P., arrived last week from 7a Records on 10" colored vinyl, compact disc, and digital/streaming platforms. Read more about the extended play and listen to a sample below, featuring Micky's interpretation of "The Crippled Lion." Thank you to Live Almanac contributor Ben Belmares for sharing his scans of the E.P.! THE VINYL  (Click to enlarge)    THE COMPACT DISC    (Click to enlarge)  PopMatters on Circe Link & Christian Nesmith's new album: "First Great Prog Album of the Century"3/25/2022 
Listen to an engaging and spirited conversation with Monkees author and producer Andrew Sandoval as he joins hosts Joe Kennedy and Dave Gebroe on an episode of the Discograffiti podcast. The trio assess the recorded works of The Monkees beginning with their 1966 debut all the way through 1967's Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., and everything in between. And be sure to stay tuned for Part 2!
UPDATE 3/28/2022: Andrew Sandoval joins Joe and Dave to continue the saga of The Monkees, covering the years 1968 to the present:
Here he comes! This spring, Micky Dolenz will pay tribute to his fellow Monkees bandmates, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, during a special limited run of shows. "Micky Dolenz Celebrates The Monkees" opens on April 5, 2022 at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
"We will be fully delving into The Monkees' songbook, as well as Micky's personal archive of films and photos to create a unique evening of memories," said manager Andrew Sandoval when the tour was announced in February. "It will give Micky and the band an opportunity to share the music he made alongside Davy, Peter, and Michael and reminisce on their journey as brothers for five decades. We have also been talking about Micky singing some songs he's never done on stage before, as well as pulling out older Monkees album tracks that have not been performed in many years." Watch Micky talk about the "Celebrates The Monkees" show in the video below, which includes some snippets of rare footage from his archives featuring The Monkees, Jack Nicholson, and more:
Joining Micky onstage will be members of "The Mike & Micky Show" band: Wayne Avers, Coco Dolenz, Emeen Zarookian, Rich Dart, Alex Jules, John Billings, and Pete Finney. Tickets are currently on sale.
To commemorate Micky's opening night at the Ryman in Nashville, several fan festivities are being planned by Wine Down Nashville, which has been owned and operated by Amy and John Billings since 2019. John is a veteran musician with a long list of credits who was the bass player in The Monkees' touring band and continues to perform at Micky's solo shows. This weekend on Facebook, he previewed the unique events that will take place in the lead up to the performance at the Ryman:
As John said in the video above, be sure to like and follow the "Monkee Mania Weekend" page on Facebook for updates on guests, events, and all the fun that will usher in the Nashville concert.
In what surely will be an entertaining event, John will share the stage at Wine Down Nashville on Saturday, April 2 with drummer Rich Dart, who has performed with The Monkees since 2012 and with Micky Dolenz for even longer. (UPDATE: This event is now sold out.)
(Click image above to RSVP)
On Sunday, April 3, Wine Down Nashville will welcome Pete Finney, the pedal steel extraordinaire who was a member of Michael Nesmith's First National Band Redux and also played with Micky and Michael on the various "Mike & Micky Show" tours, along with the multitalented singer-songwriter Chris Scruggs. Pete and Chris will be joined by host Jay McDowell for an evening of music and memories of Michael Nesmith. Purchase your tickets to this event by clicking the image below:
On the day of Micky's show at the Ryman, take a moment at Wine Down Nashville to celebrate Coco Dolenz's birthday with a special "Birthday Brunch" in Coco's honor. Tickets are now available!
And if that's not enough to get you ready for Micky's Nashville opener on his "Celebrates The Monkees" tour, Jodi Ritzen of Monkee Meet and Greets is sponsoring several different get togethers (featuring the likes of Wayne Avers and Sandy Gennaro), including a preshow event at Wine Down Nashville before Micky's concert at the Ryman.
(Click image above to RSVP)
Be sure to watch this post for future updates, and get your tickets now for "Micky Dolenz Celebrates The Monkees"!
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