Social Networking with Neil Young, Again

Neil Young's Facebook status

That social networking genius Neil Young is at again.

Soc-net'g on his latest Facebook post on the upcoming Tour of the Gulf Coast, Neil is racking up thousands of Likes and Comments already.

What strikes us is how overwhelming the vast, vast majority of comments are 100% totally supportive. Compare and contrast with the vitriol, disappointment and accustions which have appeared on Rust and here on TW.

More food for thought, we suppose.

We've been beginning to sense a long time trend in some forums, like ours here, that they're becoming almost a hangout for Neil bashers that is in no way representative of the overall mindset of the typical Neil fan. One would think that the hardcores might be much more critical than the average fan. But some of this seems to have crossed the boundary of normal fan grumbling into something much darker and disturbing.

There. We said it.

More on Neil Young's Gulf Coast Concerts.

Also, see more on Gigs For The Gulf.

Share it, Like it, Re-tweet it, Link it, Digg it, etc. Just spread the word and show your love.

ps - and please spare us the cynicism.

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A Real, True Guitar Hero

So already, much ado about Neil Young licensing "Rockin' In The Free World" for a video game.

But we're bound for moving on since we've been through that a hundred times or more.

Which brings us to our post here on a real, true rock hero.

We've been reading the Washington Post newspaper for literally decades. And this morning a story really jumped out at us that said, this is what guitar heroes are all about. A top of the fold weekend Style section story written by a 14 year old in one of the world's leading establishment mainstream media publications.

The elite professional music critics disdain this type of writing as a "fan-gasm". And we say to them, throw your hatred down.

A must read for any kid who wants to be a guitar hero someday: Guitar Hero: When Heartbreaker Mike Campbell met a young fan, he didn't just string him along by Griffin Black.

After reading article, watch the accompanying video. It is truly an AMAZING dream come true story, once in a lifetime story they we can all dream about. It's just true.

ps - and please spare us the cynicism.

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Updates on Neil Young's Gulf Coast Concerts

Neil Young's Gulf Coast 2010 Tour Poster
via Neil Dancer on Facebook

As we've reported recently, Neil Young has announced a series of concerts in the Gulf Coast region impacted by the BP oil gusher disaster.

It now seems clear that there will be a charitable aspect to these concerts.

The hunger relief effort is the result of the long-standing friendship between Neil Young and John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods, Inc.

From Bad News Beat (Thanks Kathryn "Cinnamon Girl" & bh!)

"Millions of people who live along the Gulf Coast struggle with hunger and the economic impact of the oil spill has only made matters worse," said Young. "I appreciate the willingness of John Tyson and his company to get involved by helping the regional food bank help feed those in need. John is truly a 'southern man' with a 'heart of gold'. We both encourage concert-goers to spend money locally and support local business."

"Neil and I have known each other for many years and both wanted to do something to help those whose livelihoods have been damaged by the oil spill," said Tyson. "We decided it made sense to combine Neil's widely-known musical talents with our company's ongoing commitment to hunger relief."

Tyson Foods plans to donate 100,000 pounds of chicken products in conjunction with special concerts Young has planned in late September in Mobile, Alabama; Panama City and Pensacola, Florida; and Biloxi, Mississippi. The food will be distributed to the Bay Area Food Bank, which serves Central Gulf Coast communities in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.

In addition, concert-goers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which will subsequently be given to the food bank. All proceeds from the sale of unique, limited edition Neil Young t-shirts, available only at the concerts, will also be donated to the food bank.

Just another reason why Neil Young was honored as MusiCares Person Of The Year.

Also, please note top ticket prices for Leg#3:

Biloxi: $70
Pensacola: $65
Panama City: $50

Now, with this said, we've already seen a few snarky remarks about this whole tour leg. So before folks start throwing their hatred down here @ TW, look in the mirror. What have you really done today to make a difference?



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Gigs For The Gulf
Avatar by Jeff Taylor of Neil Young Tribute

So, "Like" us on Facebook and spread the word on Gigs For The Gulf.

"You can make a difference if you really try."


Neil Young
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, Oregon, July 19, 2010
Photo Gallery by Jim Misiano on Facebook

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Gigs For the Gulf & Neil Young?!

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Gigs For The Gulf
Avatar by Jeff Taylor of Neil Young Tribute

Details are a bit sketchy at this point, but it does look like Neil Young's upcoming Gulf state gigs, will have a charitable component to support communities impacted by the BP oil gusher disaster.

From Pensacola News Journal (via Bad News Beat Thanks bh!) according to Pensacola City Councilman Larry B. Johnson:

"Young's concert also will have a charitable aspect, with attendees encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for a food drive."

(Just as an aside, does anyone find the Pensacola City Councilman's name just a bit... eerie??)

Back to Gigs For the Gulf & Neil Young. Well, we just find this to be a really fabulous development to hear that Neil's Gulf tour will have a charitable component.

We've found that putting together the Gigs For The Gulf FaceBook page to be quite a rewarding experience. There are truly a lot folks hurting down in the Gulf region and many are expressing their feelings thru music.

Each day, we see many submissions of homegrown music videos made by ordinary people trying to make sure they are not lost and forsaken. Thus far, we've helped coordinate several dozen G4G events around the country. This weekend's Gigs For The Gulf are:

- Free Concert for Alabama Coastal Foundation - Causeway, AL
- Sandestin Music Festival: August 13-14, 2010 - Destin, FL
- SpillCycle: Bike for Awareness! Dance for Relief! - Washington, DC

So, "Like" us on Facebook and spread the word on Gigs For The Gulf.

"You can make a difference if you really try."

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"Out of the Blue & Into The Black" by The New Retro: A Song for the Gulf

In honor of the Gulf of Mexico which is now out of the blue and into the black, The New Retro perform a rendition of Neil Young's classic, Hey Hey My My.

The song features shocking facts about the oil spill in an effort to promote the Gulf of Mexico benefit gig at U Street Music Hall Washington, DC on August 14, 2010. Proceeds from the show will go to Louisiana Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Rescue Program.

More information on the event can be found at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid...

More info on The New Retro can be found at:
http://www.myspace.com/newretroband

Thanks Mike! Rock on for your gig for the Gulf!



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Gigs For The Gulf
Avatar by Jeff Taylor of Neil Young Tribute

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More Gulf State Gigs Added for Neil Young's Twisted Road

More Gulf state dates added for Leg #3 of Neil Young's Twisted Road Tour.

Includes first possible performance in the state of Alabama.

9/20, Panama City, FL (Marina Civic Center)
9/25, Biloxi, MS (IP Showroom)
9/26, Mobile, AL (Saenger Theatre)
9/28, Pensacola, FL (Saenger Theatre)

Ticket pre-sale info on official Neil Young Tour Page.

Reviews, photos, videos, etc. of legs #1 & #2 of Neil Young's "Twisted Road" Concert Tour.

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