MGD and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announce New Shows for 'Craft' Artist Interview Series
Latest shows include Paul Westerberg in Minneapolis, Aimee Mann in Chicago and Black Francis of the Pixies in San Diego
MILWAUKEE, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Miller Genuine Draft and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame today announced new dates for MGD's "The Craft" artist interview series, featuring some of music's most respected and engaging stars, including a rare performance from Paul Westerberg. Also joining "The Craft" roster this fall are Aimee Mann and Black Francis of the Pixies. The program continues to build on the "Hall of Fame" interview series that the Rock Hall has produced over the past decade in Cleveland, which has featured artists such as Aretha Franklin, Robbie Robertson, Mick Jones of the Clash and Grandmaster Flash. Earlier stops on the tour have allowed music fans to hear incredible stories and see unique performances from the artists, all in intimate settings at some of live music's best performance spaces. "From Elvis Costello to Ben Gibbard, the MGD 'Craft' interview series has already hosted some incredible interviews, and I know these upcoming dates will continue the mission we want to accomplish with this program -- to be the beer that champions great American music," said Randy Ransom, Miller's chief marketing officer. "The stories we have heard -- and the ones we have yet to hear -- illustrate the care these artists take in creating their music, just like the care we take in filtering MGD four times to achieve a smoother, fresher taste." Westerberg will share his "Craft" September 23 in Minneapolis, Black Francis October 17 in San Diego, and Aimee Mann October 23 in Chicago. "The Craft" artist interview series has already hosted Elvis Costello in Las Vegas, followed by Jim James of My Morning Jacket in San Diego, Patty Griffin in San Francisco and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie in Denver. Additional artists and dates will be announced later this fall. Events include an intimate performance, interspersed with conversations and stories behind the creation and production of their music. Each show is moderated by Warren Zanes, education advisor for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and former member of the rock band The Del Fuegos. Video of past "Craft" shows, as well as these upcoming programs, is available for viewing at http://www.mgd.com/craft, as well as on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website, http://www.rockhall.com, and will be preserved in the Museum's library and archives in Cleveland. "These upcoming shows feature artists who really illustrate what 'The Craft' artist series is about," said Zanes. "These are the kind of restless creative spirits who always view their next projects as their most crucial projects -- and in so doing, force their own artistic evolutions. In an age when new artists come and go, this class represents the possibilities of the long, inventive, inspired career. We're really excited about the line-up and are looking forward to getting to know each of these folks -- and their work -- on a deeper level." Westerberg is the former lead singer and songwriter of The Replacements, one of the seminal bands of the 1980s. Following the band's break-up in 1990, Westerberg began a solo career, during which his music generated success in popular film and television soundtracks. In recent years, Westerberg has taken an increasingly private approach, primarily recording his music at home in his basement. Mann is a guitarist, bassist, singer, and songwriter, who began her career in the early '80s with the punk rock band, the Young Snakes. Seeking a different musical style, Mann developed the new wave band 'Til Tuesday, which achieved immediate success during its relatively short lifespan. In 1990, she launched her successful solo career. Preserving her familiar literary style, Mann's recent fifth solo album, The Forgotten Arm (SuperEgo), is the music equivalent of a novella, sustaining its focus on one extended narrative through the course of the recording. Black Francis is best known as the frontman for the '80s band the Pixies. Following the band's breakup in 1993, Black launched his solo career and later formed Frank Black and the Catholics. Since his early years with the Pixies, his vocal style has explored the full dynamic range, from the scream-driven to the restrained ballad, his lyrics often examining unconventional subjects. The Pixies reunited in 2004 for a sold out reunion tour and Black Francis continues to put out engaging solo records, including his latest release, Bluefinger. "Our interview series has been a great success in Cleveland. We've seen some once-in-a-lifetime moments, talking with artists like Chuck D and Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland from the Police," said Zanes. "To be able to take the program on the road furthers our interest in popular music as the most vibrant, strange and meaningful cultural form we have around us every day. Instead of taking it for granted, we want to celebrate its depth and the invention behind it." Tickets to these events are available through local promotions and via radio stations KTCZ in Minneapolis, WXRT in Chicago, and KBZT in San Diego. Additional tickets will be made available via artists' websites and a special auction to support the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's capital campaign. Through a series of week-long eBay auctions (http://www.ebay.com/mgdcraft), music fans age 21 and older can bid on VIP experiences for the "Craft" events. MGD will provide the winning bidders with front row seats, pre- and post-show backstage access including a meet and greet with the featured "Craft" artist and moderator Zanes, complimentary food and MGD and a host of other surprises. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from all auctions will go to the Rock Hall's capital campaign to build a new library and archive. The non-profit Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in the initial stages of its $35 million capital campaign. The new library and archives facility in downtown Cleveland will be a one-of-a-kind academic center where researchers, scholars and music fans from around the world will come to understand the roots of rock music and the impact that it has made in our society. About The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission both through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives, as well as its educational programs. The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, the Museum is open until 9 p.m. Museum admission is $20.00 for adults, $14 for seniors (60+), $11 for children (9-12) and children under eight and Museum members are free. About Miller Brewing Company As one of America's oldest brewers, Miller Brewing Company continues the commitment of founder Frederick J. Miller to brew "confoundedly good beers" with "uncompromising quality." Through more than 150 years of innovation and brewing excellence, Miller has built a broad portfolio of award-winning beers that capture approximately 18 percent of the U.S. beer market. In the past decade, Miller beers have won 105 medals -- more than twice as many as its major competitors -- at the biannual World Beer Cup and annual Great American Beer Fest. An unprecedented four-time gold award winner at the World Beer Cup, Miller Lite is the great tasting, less filling beer that has defined the American light lager category since 1975. Miller also brews smooth, golden rich Miller Genuine Draft using a unique cold-filtering process introduced in 1985. The company's oldest brew is Miller High Life, the champagne of beers. Miller imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Foster's, and it offers regional craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. Near-premium beers include Milwaukee's Best Light, Steel Reserve, Olde English 800, Mickey's Malt Liquor, Icehouse and Sharp's, a non-alcohol brew. Miller also offers the Sparks line of caffeinated alcohol beverages. Miller is a wholly owned subsidiary of SABMiller plc, one of the world's leading brewers with a global footprint spread across six continents. For more information, visit http://www.MillerBrewing.com.
