Category: Music

A new season of Reading Is Funktamental, A Podcast About Great Books about Music, Including Interviews with Famous Musicians

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, February 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Reading Is Funktamental, the one-hour podcast featuring interviews with authors of the best books about music, including many famous musicians, will return for a third season on March 11.

Since its launch, the podcast has included interviews with authors of exceptional books about the luminaries and history of rock, jazz, experimental, world music, and everything in between. Notable interviewees include Moon Zappa, Traffic’s Dave Mason, Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera, Robyn Hitchcock, and producer Joe Boyd, along with celebrated music journalists Joel Selvin and David Browne. The podcast is available across platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and WGXC-FM 90.7.

Reading Is Funktamental is hosted by Sal Cataldi, a musician, former entertainment publicist, and freelance writer for outlets such as The New York Times.

“The project really came about as a result of my four years of reviewing books for publications like PopMatters and NYSMusic.com, so a podcast seemed like a natural extension,” begins Cataldi. “I’ve been delighted with how it has grown, with more interest from writers, publishers, and the many music lovers who have discovered and subscribed on platforms like Apple and Spotify.”

“My taste is pretty broad, as is that of my audience,” continues Cataldi. “So, we’ll not only explore the best new titles in rock, folk, jazz, world, and experimental music, but, in 2026, also speak with authors of past classics that music lovers would love to know about.”

Reading Is Funktamental has featured interviews with the authors of acclaimed rock biographies on King Crimson, The Zombies, Yoko Ono, The Band’s Richard Manuel, Moby Grape’s Skip Spence, Traffic’s Chris Wood, Ric Ocasek of The Cars, drummer Jim Gordon, and producer Tom Wilson, along with histories of The Fillmore East, Greenwich Village, The Beatles’ films, and the classic song “Hey Joe.” The podcast has also featured interviews with the authors of biographies of jazz greats, including Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler, and John McLaughlin and his Mahavishnu Orchestra, as well as a history of NYC’s Avant Garde of the 1980s. Notables such as Moon Zappa and Dave Mason have spoken with the podcast to discuss their memoirs.

Some highlights on the slate for 2026 episodes include:

• Hole’s Bassist Melissa Auf der Maur on her memoir, Even the Good Girls Will Cry
• Bill Kopp on his book, 30 Great Concept Albums
• Andy Beta on his Alice Coltrane biography, Cosmic Music

In the music world, Cataldi is best known for his genre-hopping solo project, Spaghetti Eastern Music, and is also a member of the ambient guitar duo Guitars A Go Go, the jazz group Hari Karaoke Trio of Doom, the poetry & music duo Vapor Vespers, and the quartet Spaceheater. His writing on music, books, and film has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, PopMatters, NYSMusic.com, Seattle Times, Huffington Post, and Inside+Out Upstate NY.

Sal Cataldi
Reading Is Funktamental Podcast
+1 516-236-3817
email us here
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Reading Is Funktamental Podcast with Moon Zappa

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A Luxury Soap and Perfumed Oil Collaboration Rooted in Heritage, Confidence, and Vision.

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, February 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A new chapter in luxury self-care debuts with The Midnight Men’s Collection, a refined soap and perfume oil collection collaboration launching Wednesday, February 11, 2026, during an exclusive TikTok Live event from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM CST. Created by Southern Belle Melody Shari in collaboration with Nick Cannon, and produced under the luxury beauty house Seventh Avenue Beauty. The collection blends Southern elegance with West Coast confidence, transforming everyday cleansing into a sophisticated ritual grounded in culture, roots, and unapologetic vision.

Raised on grace, hospitality, and timeless Southern refinement, Melody Shari embodies a style of beauty that whispers rather than shouts—elegant, enduring, and deeply rooted. Nick Cannon, known for his bold West Coast presence, brings a confident, unapologetic edge while honoring his own deep Southern roots. When the two connected, a shared realization emerged: there is undeniable power in honoring where you come from while boldly building where you are going.

The Midnight Collection, a signature offering from Seventh Avenue Beauty, represents the embodiment of that realization—where Southern sophistication meets West Coast cool, and heritage meets modern swagger. Known for its commitment to elevated formulations, intentional design, and modern luxury, Seventh Avenue Beauty serves as the creative foundation behind the collection, ensuring that each product reflects refinement, quality, and purpose.

“I’m excited to announce The Midnight Collection, a collaboration with Melody Shari Rodgers of Seventh Avenue Beauty. This luxury all natural soap and perfume body oil line represents the intersection of West Coast innovation and Southern heritage—two powerful forces in Black culture. Melody is an incredible entrepreneur who understands the importance of authenticity in business. Together, we’ve created something that celebrates the full spectrum of who we are as a people. This is Black-owned, Black-created excellence, and I’m proud to bring it to the world.”-Nick Cannon.

The Midnight Soap Collection introduces a line of luxury soaps and perfume oils designed to elevate the daily routine into a sensorial experience. Crafted with premium ingredients and thoughtful formulation, each bar reflects balance—softness paired with strength, grace layered with power—offering a cleansing ritual that feels indulgent yet grounded, modern yet timeless.
At its core, the vision behind The Midnight Men’s Collection is rooted in Southern Belle energy—elegant, timeless, and sophisticated, with a quiet confidence that never demands attention. It is a presence defined by grace under pressure and strength wrapped in softness. That essence is paired with West Coast cool—bold, unapologetic, and self-assured—bringing together the swagger of the West with the soul of the South. The result is a collection that honors its origins while standing firmly in its power, proving that true luxury is born when heritage and vision move forward together.

The Midnight Collection is more than soap and perfumed oils—it is culture, ritual, and identity bottled. It is a celebration of roots, resilience, and refinement for those who understand that luxury begins with intention.

LaBelleLaDiva Enterprises Public Relations is an award-winning public relations and communications agency known for shaping powerful narratives at the intersection of culture, entertainment, beauty, and lifestyle. Renowned for its strategic media placement, brand positioning, and high-impact storytelling, the agency specializes in elevating founders, celebrities, and luxury brands through purposeful visibility and results-driven campaigns. With a reputation for excellence and influence, LaBelleLaDiva Enterprises continues to set the standard for modern public relations rooted in authenticity, strategy, and cultural relevance.

Media & Partnership Inquiries:
[Yvonne Forbes Labelleladiva Enterprises info@labelleladiva.com)

Yvonne Forbes
LABELLELADIVA ENTERPRISES LLC
+1 516-469-0587
INFO@LABELLELADIVA.COM

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Smartstage’s reliability continues to win the confidence of world-renowned performers and event production partners.

LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES, February 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — From global tours to one-night spectacles, Smartstage’s name has become synonymous with dependability. The company’s recent work with Metallica’s touring team reinforced that trust, providing durable, precision-built systems capable of withstanding months of continuous travel and daily load-ins.
For Smartstage, legacy credibility comes from innovative stage engineering solutions and providing decades of on-site, first-hand support for live concert staging solutions. Each project delivers the same standard of safety, reliability, and audience experience, regardless of scale or client profile.

“Credibility comes from repetition… doing the same thing right every time,” said Nate Smith, Managing Partner at Smartstage. “Our reputation comes from five decades of showing up prepared and delivering under pressure. Smartstage makes experiences, not excuses.”

Smartstage’s long list of touring stage rental partnerships includes live touring acts, corporate showcases, and high-stakes installations for brands that demand certainty under pressure. For more information on Smartstage’s production partnerships, visit https://www.smartstage.com/smartstage-case-study-metallica

About Smartstage: Smartstage is a Las Vegas-based manufacturer and rental partner for portable modular stages, straight and curved box truss systems, ADA access ramps, revolving stages / vehicle turntables, and specialized or custom event hardware. For over five decades, Smartstage has defined reliability in live event staging through design, manufacturing, and on-site expertise trusted by global brands and local crews alike.

Jeven Moravick
Smartstage.com
+1 702-880-0011
email us here
Visit us on social media:
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Earbux.com, a platform dedicated to helping musicians earn the money they deserve, today announced a major $10,000 giveaway designed to reward its users.

ST. LOUIS, MO, UNITED STATES, February 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The giveaway runs from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, and participants can enter by signing up at Earbux.com and publishing a playlist as an Artist or Label. One winner will receive $5,000 prize, which will be awarded on February 1, 2027. The winner will be the playlist with the most cumulative monthly subscribers in 2026. The next 5 top playlists will receive $1000 each.
The $10,000 giveaway reflects the company’s commitment to giving back to artists and building a loyal, engaged community to help all artists earn together.
How to Enter
– Step 1: Sign up for an Artist or Label Membership on Earbux.com
– Step 2: Publish a playlist of your music, and grow your direct subscribers.
– Step 3: The artist with the most cumulative subscribers for 2026 will get $5000
Full rules and details can be found at: https://Earbux.com/Terms

About Earbux.com

Earbux.com is an app dedicated to making independent artists the money they deserve from their art. We offer musicians and podcasters the opportunity to earn paying subscribers directly, selling songs in limited releases, or simply enjoy share in the apps profits. Earbux.com is an artist owned co-op with memberships beginning at $24 per year.

Nathan Smith
Earbux.com
earbux@earbux.com
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Do music better. Earn paying subscribers. Resell songs anytime.

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Atlanta-based company blends country storytelling tradition with ethical use of artificial intelligence

ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, February 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — ATLANTA — Black Buckle Records officially launched this week in Atlanta, introducing a new independent record label positioned at the intersection of country music tradition, cultural inclusion, and emerging technology. Led by President and CEO Carl Ray Williams, the company enters the industry as the first Black-owned hybrid AI country music label.
Founded by Williams—an award-winning songwriter, recording artist, and entrepreneur—Black Buckle Records was created to expand access, ownership, and creative opportunity in country, Americana, and roots music while preserving the genre’s long-standing emphasis on authenticity, craft, and storytelling. “Country music has always been rooted in truth and lived experience,” Williams said. “This label is about honoring that foundation while responsibly using modern tools to open doors for voices and stories that have too often been left out.”

Country Music’s Audience and Market Reach:

Country music remains one of the most powerful and far-reaching genres in the United States. According to industry data, more than 60% of U.S. adults identify as country music fans, spanning urban, suburban, and rural markets. Country consistently ranks among the top three most-consumed music genres in the U.S., with particularly strong engagement among listeners aged 25–54 and significant crossover growth among younger and more diverse audiences through streaming platforms.
Despite this broad and evolving listenership, ownership and representation within the genre have remained narrow—making the launch of Black Buckle Records a notable moment in country music’s business and cultural evolution.

Historical Context and Industry Legacy:

Black participation in country music has deep roots, even if often overlooked. In the late 1960s, Motown Records quietly entered the country space with the launch of Melodyland, its country-focused imprint. Melodyland released country recordings from artists including Dorsey Burnette and others, marking one of the earliest efforts by a Black-owned music company to engage the country market at the label level. Black Buckle Records builds on that legacy—bringing modern tools, transparency, and a renewed focus on ownership and authorship into a genre that continues to shape American culture.

Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence:

Black Buckle Records will release music from both human and AI-assisted artists, operating under a transparency-first model that emphasizes ethical use of technology. Artificial intelligence is used as a collaborative creative resource, not a replacement for songwriters, musicians, or artistic intent. All projects prioritize songwriting integrity, clear credits, and responsible innovation.
Beyond recorded releases, the label plans to support songwriter development, publishing initiatives, visual storytelling, and strategic partnerships that connect Nashville’s songwriting heritage with Atlanta’s entrepreneurial and cultural influence.

Black Buckle Records’ inaugural roster includes AI-driven artists designed to represent distinct lanes within country and Americana storytelling:

Reign — Cinematic modern country focused on resilience, faith, and redemption
South Park — Blue-collar, small-town country rooted in grit, humor, and everyday life
River Oaks — Americana-leaning storytelling centered on nostalgia, family, and reflection
Cane — Outlaw-influenced country exploring temptation, consequence, and survival
Jessie Raye — A soulful female voice emphasizing vulnerability, growth, and emotional clarity
Sage — Introspective, roots-forward songs focused on wisdom and lived experience
Drahgo — Cowboy to the heart with songs about the cowboy life.

About Carl Ray Williams:

Carl Ray Williams is an award-winning country songwriter, recording artist, and cultural curator with decades of involvement in country, bluegrass, and Americana music. His work is grounded in traditional songwriting values and long-form storytelling, shaped through years of collaboration within the Nashville songwriting community alongside respected hit writers and industry veterans.
Williams has received multiple songwriting and creative achievement honors for his contributions to independent country and roots music and is widely recognized for his advocacy around inclusion, songwriter rights, and artist ownership.
He is also the creator and curator of Carl Ray’s Black Country Music Radio Playlist, a groundbreaking discovery platform featuring more than 1,500 country songs performed exclusively by Black country music singers. The playlist has gained national attention for challenging long-held assumptions about who makes country music and who listens to it—while introducing audiences to both legacy and emerging artists.

Carl Ray Williams
Black Buckle Records
+1 865-696-8415
email us here
Visit us on social media:
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“I Want A Lot Of The Little

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