ULTRAX RECORDS INC. & TQ MANAGEMENT

NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES

 

For Immediate Release

 

THESE KIDS WEAR CROWNS sign with Capitol Records

Posted by kurtmichael - 08/11/2010 - 9:50pm CST

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First Single/Video “Break It Up” Available Digitally On August 17th

MuchMusic TV Special: DISBAND DISCOVERED: These Kids Wear Crowns Airs August 18th at 8 p.m. ET
These Kids Wear Crowns EP In Stores August 31st


Toronto, ON (August 9, 2010) – These Kids Wear Crowns - the latest success story to emerge from MuchMusic’s Gemini-nominated breakout series DISBAND, have signed an exclusive worldwide deal with Capitol Records/EMI Music Canada.


“These Kids Wear Crowns are an incredibly talented and innovative band who are on the rise, and we are thrilled to have them as part of the EMI family. I can’t wait for them to be introduced to music fans around the world,” says EMI Music Canada President, Deane Cameron.


Hailing from Chilliwack, British Columbia, singer Alex Johnson, guitarists Joshua McDaniel and Joe Porter, bassist Alan Poettcker, synth/programmer Matt Vink and drummer Josh Mitchinson were featured on Season 2 of the MuchOriginal series DISBAND. The show helps develop young, struggling Canadian bands by providing them music industry exposure with honest critique.


“DISBAND is an original series that helps discover and develop young unsigned Canada artists,” said Brad Schwartz, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Much MTV Group, CTV Inc. “We are thrilled that DISBAND has connected so many amazing bands to Canadian fans and I’m certain These Kids Wear Crowns is the show’s next big success story.”


These Kids Wear Crowns will be featured in the MuchMusic TV special: DISBAND DISCOVERED: These Kids Wear Crowns on August 18th at 8 p.m. ET. The video for their official first single “Break It Up” will premiere on MuchMusic immediately following the special.


On August 17th, EMI will release the single and video (‘Break It Up’), digitally, and will quickly follow with the band’s self titled EP (These Kids Wear Crowns EP) on August 31st.


These Kids Wear Crowns are currently working with producers GGGarth Richardson (Hedley, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine) and Matt Squire (Katy Perry, 3OH!3, Panic At The Disco), on their yet to be titled debut album, scheduled for release this fall.


The band play two dates in Ontario and 1 in Alberta before joining Hedley on their Canadian tour:

August 28 - Street Show  - Sudbury, ON
August 29 - Yonge/Dundas Square - Toronto, ON
September 9 - Grant MacEwan University - Edmonton, AB
September 11 - Deer Lake Park - Vancouver, BC
September 13 - Interior Savings Centre - Kamloops, BC
September 14 - Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC
September 16 - Enmax Centrium Arena - Red Deer, AB
September 17 - Medicine Hat Arena - Medicine Hat, AB
September 19 - Keystone Centre - Brandon, MB
September 22 - Essar Centre Sault Ste. - Marie,ON
September 23 - General Motors Centre - Oshawa, ON
September 25 - Credit Union Centre - Windsor, ON
September 27 - Cornwall Civic Complex - Cornwall, ON


For more information about These Kids Wear Crowns contact:
Charlotte Thompson / EMI Music Canada / 416-583-5019 or Charlotte.Thompson@emimusic.ca
 

www.myspace.com/thesekidswearcrowns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shorelines End with Island / Def Jam / Mercury Records

Posted by kurtmichael - 11/29/2009 - 8:30pm CST

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TQ Management Agency is pleased to announce the official signing of Dallas based rock band, Shorelines End with Island/Def Jam/Mercury Records, a division of Universal Music Group.

The official announcement was made last night (11-23-09) at a sold out show with Shorelines End performing with Train at the House of Blues/Dallas. It was an exciting evening for Shorelines End to perform with one of their favorite veteran bands!

Shorelines End members include Patrick Alan, John Gomez, Ryan Patrick, Justin Burns and Jonathan Burns. The band is honored and excited to become members of the Island/Def Jam/Mercury Family.

Signed by Mercury A&R, Evan Lipschutz, the album will be produced by Jeff Blue (Linkin Park, Macy Gray, Better Than Ezra) with contributions from Shorelines End and other writers to be named on the album. Dan Friedman is entertainment attorney for Shorelines End that worked the deal.

 

 

 

 

 

Dan Spitz (of Anthrax) and his

new band DeuxMonkey sign

with TQ Management

Posted by kurtmichael - 07/18/2009 - 1:30pm CST

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TQ Management has signed DeuxMonkey, the band of Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz.  To hear the music of DeuxMonkey, check out their MySpace page, www.myspace.com/deuxmonkey or their official website, www.deuxmonkey.com!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanilla Ice / MC Hammer July 4th

concert at MGM Grand in Las Vegas

Posted by kurtmichael - 07/07/2009 - 4:00pm CST

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On Saturday, July 4th, Vanilla Ice performed at his second concert with MC Hammer.  This concert took place at an outdoor club at the MGM Grand called Wet Republic.  This sold-out show was not only attended by several thousand enthusiastic fans, but was also attended by several celebrities.

 

Lebron James, Rhianna, and Jay-Z were all in attendance for the concert which was electrifying!

 

Pictures from the concert have been added to the Concert Photos section of VanillaIce.com or check out the article in the Las Vegas Sun and see their Pictures as well.

 

The next Vanilla Ice / MC Hammer concert will be on November 14th at the Civic Center in Idaho Falls, ID.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forever The Sickest Kids

Magazine Appearance

Posted by kurtmichael - 07/11/2007 - 11:30am CST

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Vanilla Ice to be on new

CMT Reality Show

Posted by kurtmichael - 05/30/2007 - 10:30am CST

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No bull: CMT taps Garrett, Baldwin, Ice

By Kimberly Nordyke

May 30, 2007

 

Rapper-musician Vanilla Ice (aka Rob Van Winkle), actor Stephen Baldwin and actor-musician Leif Garrett are among the celebrities set to take part in CMT's upcoming series "Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge," set to debut at 9 p.m. Aug. 10.

The six-part unscripted show -- in the vein of sister network VH1's "The Surreal Life," albeit with a much different setting -- features rodeo athlete Ty Murray, a seven-time All-Around World Champion, trying to teach nine celebrities the dangerous sport of bull riding.

Other celebrities taking part will be former NFL player Rocket (Raghib) Ismail, Moto-X rider Kenny Bartrum, actor "Nitro" Dan Clark ("American Gladiator"), reality star Jonny (Dalton) Fairplay ("Survivor"), UFC fighter Josh Haynes and actor Francesco Quinn.

" 'Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge' might be the most loud, over-the-top series we've ever done on CMT," said Bob Kusbit, the network's head of development. "Ty Murray is the brightest star there is in bull riding, a true world champion, but he's got his work cut out for him training a cast of celebrities who are certainly brave -- but way out of their element. It's definitely the most dangerous celebrity competition on television."

The celebrities will be tested physically and mentally for 10 days with daily tutorials where they will be taught how to mount the bull in the chute, take a fall, focus their concentration and survive an intense eight seconds on a bull. As their days on the ranch progress, the challenges become more intense, and those who last will compete at a Professional Bull Riders event in Nashville. The show also will feature the cast rivalries and squabbles that arise throughout the training.

"Teaching anyone to ride a bull in 10 days is a challenge, so I hope these celebrities are in good shape and ready to get roughed up cowboy style," said Murray, who will get help from Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame member Cody Lambert and other guest bull riders.

The series, which is shooting in Texas, is produced by Scott Messick at Mess Media. Kusbit and Melanie Moreau executive produce for the network.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forever The Sickest Kids

sign to Universal/Motown Records

 

Posted by kurtmichael - 04/25/2007 - 9:30pm CST

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FROM THE BAND:

Hey Guys!

 

We are totally stoked an honored to be able to announce our signing with Universal/Motown Records. We would like to thank all the fans, anyone who has ever listened to us, and anyone who will continue to support us in the future. Thanks for all the encouragement and we can't wait to hit up every city, province, and country we can to show our love for you guys.


FTSK!

 

 

 

 

 

Vanilla Ice, Fame Games Cast

on Tyra Banks Show

Posted by kurtmichael - 01/29/2007 - 7:50pm CST

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Vanilla Ice along with other cast members of The Surreal Life Fame Games will be appearing on the Tyra Banks show.

Listed below are the airing dates:

 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2007

Los Angeles on Fox11 @ 11am
New York on MY9/Fox5 @ 5pm

Check local listings for other markets
-It is also on the Oxygen Network one week after first airing @ 12am

 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2007 (Second Airing)

Los Angeles on Fox11 @ 4pm
New York on MY9/Fox5 @ Noon

*Second Run info is subject to change
Check local listings for other markets

 

For more information, visit the Tyra Banks Show Official Website:

www.tyrashow.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Surreal Life Fame Games

Posted by kurtmichael - 12/13/2006 - 9:15pm CST

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December 12, 2006

By Shae of VH1

 

 

The Cast: Brigitte Nielsen, Ron Jeremy, Chyna Doll, Vanilla Ice, Traci Bingham, Verne Troyer, Jordan Knight, Pepa, Emmanuel Lewis, Andrea Lowell and C.C. Deville.

The Host: Robin Leach.

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Audience favorites from all six seasons of Surreal Life kick-off 2007 in a new competition series. VH1’s first ever “The Surreal Life Fame Games” hosted by the certified bearer of champagne wishes and caviar dreams, Mr. Robin Leach himself (Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous), determines who is an A-list celebrity and who is a B-list wanna be.

Premiering Sunday, January 7 at 9PM ET/PT on VH1, “The Surreal Life Fame Games is a competitive twist on Celebreality. This time, eleven of the most memorable cast members from Surreal Life will come together in Las Vegas to compete in a series of “fame games” which will whittle them down to just one winner of a $100,000 grand prize.

 

 

 

 

 

VH1 enlists former Badd boy as live-in ‘Man Band' TV star

Posted by kurtmichael - 12/02/2006 - 9:00am CST

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MICHAEL DOWNES / THE OKLAHOMAN

Bryan Abrams

December 1, 2006

By Heather Warlick / The Oklahoman

 

 

What becomes of boy bands when their members outgrow their highlights and bubble- gum status? When their bands break up, and their fans all but forget about them? Some sign up for "Man Band," one of six new VH1 musical reality TV shows set for next year's lineup.
 

Oklahoma City native Bryan Abrams did just that. The former Color Me Badd singer said he hopes to make a comeback with the show, which will pit him and four other ex-boy-banders together in a house for three weeks during which they will write new music and ultimately perform a new stage show.

The former boy-band superstar is best known for his hit songs "I Want to Sex You Up" and "All 4 Love." Color Me Badd broke up in 1998. Since then, Abrams has moved back to Oklahoma City, married Kim Abrams and fathered his third child, Kadence, 7 months.

 

Rich Cronin from LFO, Chris Kirkpatrick from 'N Sync and Jeff Timmons from 98 Degrees will co-star with Abrams in "Man Band," which will be filmed in Florida in January. The fifth man has yet to be announced.

The show is part of "VH1's Wild Life," next year's answer to this year's "Celebreality" series.

 

Abrams has been out of the limelight lately, having worked some less glamorous jobs, including in a tire shop in Oklahoma City. He said he was chosen for the show because he did not "put up any fronts."

 

A VH1 film crew recently spent two days in Abrams' Oklahoma City home, filming him and his family for the "Man Band" pilot.

 

"I was like, this is my house; this is my crib. It's not a million-dollar home, but that's OK. I drive a Ford F-150. I'm from Oklahoma. I'm a cowboy at heart. So what? I don't drive a Bentley, I don't have Cristal (champagne) in my fridge. I've got some Slim Fast, and some roast and potatoes. I'm just a regular guy. I've had some hits, I've made some money, and I've done some cool things. But I don't think I'm better than anybody else. I'm not afraid to go and work in a tire shop and get my hands dirty," Abrams said.

"Man Band" is scheduled to air on VH1 in April.

 

Abrams is working on a solo album and an autobiography that he hopes to have ready for release to coincide with the series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dura Hale featured in the Dallas Morning News

Posted by kurtmichael - 05/14/2006 - 8:30pm CST

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Rapper's versatility gets him noticed

HIP-HOP MUSIC: Local rapper Dura Hale has the talent and the team in place to break out

 

May 9, 2006

By HUNTER HAUK / The Dallas Morning News

 

It's Friday afternoon at a small recording studio called the Kitchen, but nothing's cooking just yet. Representatives of a local upstart record label, a music producer and several others are waiting for Dura Hale to show up for a photo shoot and interview.

Mr. Hale, 25, is a Dallas rapper whose year-old debut CD is finally getting the promotional push it deserves. He's running late, someone says, "because he just got a new car that's a standard, and he doesn't know how to drive a stick yet. He's probably stalling somewhere."

Nathan Hunsinger / DMN

Dura Hale
 

"Or he's just being a diva," someone else jokes.

Minutes later, the artist walks in and greets everyone in the room with playful insults and intricate handshakes. It becomes apparent that the people gathered for Mr. Hale aren't there because they have to be – they're all good friends committed to nurturing his music career. Many would say a team like this is all an artist needs to succeed. But lucky for Mr. Hale, his music's as impressive as his crew.

In "Ova Load," the first track on The Adventures of Dura Hale, Mr. Hale bursts into the forefront with a manic rap vocal that incorporates the styles of many seminal MCs. A minute into the song, soulful singers break in to testify: "He's electric, he's fire / burnin' inside ya." It's all set to a bouncy, electro-funk-tinged backing track. Timbaland would be proud.

But "Ova Load" is only the beginning. Throughout the album, Mr. Hale moves from cocky defiance ("Rock Star") to subtle social commentary ("Move Back") to the joy of creation (first single "In the Kitchen"). If Mr. Hale somehow broke nationally, he'd represent Dallas' diverse, unsung hip-hop scene.

 

Musically inspired

 

Mr. Hale moved to Dallas in 1989 with his mother, Brenda Hale, from St. Petersburg, Fla. His father, also named Dura, lived in Milwaukee and was never a daily part of his son's life, although he did provide some musical inspiration, having played with several R&B groups, including fronting a couple of his own.

"I didn't grow up with him, but I did visit occasionally," Mr. Hale says. "I would hang around his house, and there would be song lyrics written on pieces of paper everywhere."

Mr. Hale watched his dad's career from afar while developing his own love of music in a church choir: "I just loved the soul of it."

After attending several different schools in the Dallas area, Mr. Hale spent his class time mostly daydreaming. "I would zone out in class, just writing raps and not paying attention to the teachers. Sometimes I wrote two or three pages of stuff in class," he says.

His older brother, Gary, was also into writing rap lyrics, and the two enjoyed friendly competition. They made countless tapes on a two-deck karaoke machine. "We'd get in the mode, just bouncing ideas off each other."

Mr. Hale says he lost some of his musical momentum temporarily when he got out of school and faced the realities of supporting himself. He also got more involved in the church.

"I thought that I needed to give up my loyalty to music and focus on God again," he says. "But it didn't take long before people were asking me to do gospel raps in church. I later decided to just really go with my own ideas about the music I wanted to make."

Mr. Hale began paying to record rap tracks at the Kitchen. That's where he met Chris Billick, who produced The Adventures of Dura Hale with Josh Loudermilk.

"When Dura first came in to record a track, he was dressed like he was going to church, so I didn't know what to think. But then he got in the booth and started spittin', and I knew he had something," Mr. Billick says.

 

The creative process

 

Mr. Billick and Mr. Loudermilk, then a producing duo called the Elements, agreed to work on Dura's full-length album at the Kitchen. They saw in Dura a versatile rapper who refused to stick to one style, a skill they encouraged.

"I try not to do the same rhyme schemes on different songs. I'll hear the beat, and I'll experiment with ways to approach the beat. Josh and Chris were always telling me to switch it up more," Mr. Hale says.

In 2004, Dallas rap label Wreck tha Mic signed Mr. Hale and agreed to release The Adventures. The CD is just now ready for a release and a full-press promotional campaign. It comes with a companion DVD that chronicles Mr. Hale's efforts to pursue his rap dream. There are interviews with his producers, managers and even his mother.

Mr. Hale no longer has a day job. Wreck tha Mic supports him so he can have freedom to record, make appearances and perform live. He says he is living in "three different places." (Mr. Billick butts in: "That's what's called a player.")

"To get noticed, you can make a big buzz with sales and radio, or you can go against the grain with a new style," Mr. Hale says. "I'm trying to do a little of both."

Mr. Hale says his career role model is the group OutKast, because they have achieved mainstream success while being artistically adventurous.

"They are always growing artistically, always trying to go somewhere else," he says.

The OutKast influence is apparent in Mr. Hale's music. He throws in quite a few out-there verses that could have come straight from the lyric sheets of Andre 3000 and Big Boi. When told that, Mr. Hale says he considers it both a compliment and a curse.

"If you can hear my influences in my music ... I haven't come into myself as an artist yet."

 

Taking the stage

 

A few days after the meeting at the Kitchen, most of the rapper's crew have shown up to see him perform at Denton's Texas Jive. There are other supporters there, too, including new manager Tommy Quon, a Dallas institution best known for overseeing the career of Vanilla Ice. Mr. Quon tells those nearby that Mr. Hale is "an original, and you'll love him."

Later, Mr. Hale takes the stage alone and moves through three or four songs for a small crowd. It's his last local appearance before going out on a short stint opening for hip-hop artist Pretty Ricky.

"I really want to get out there and make things happen now," Mr. Hale says. With an eclectic offering like The Adventures and his group of die-hard supporters, he should feel good about his chances.

Dura Hale's CD can be purchased at www.CDbaby.com. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/durahale or www.wreckthamic.com.

 

 

 
 

 

 

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