Author: Christopher Laird Simmons

About Christopher Laird Simmons

https://christophersimmons.com

Christopher Laird Simmons has been a working journalist since his first magazine sale in 1984. He has since written for wide variety of print and online publications covering lifestyle, tech and entertainment. He is an award-winning author, designer, photographer, and musician. He is a member of ASCAP and PRSA. He is the founder and CEO of Neotrope®, based in Temecula, CA, USA.

Posts by Christopher Simmons:

MuseWire Magazine

World’s Only Music Transfer Freeware: Don’t Miss KiwiGeeker’s Groundbreaking KiwiG PhonTunes

Christopher Laird Simmons

HONG KONG and NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2014 (MuseWire) — KiwiG PhonTunes is the must-try free music transfer application launched this week by data specialist software and integrated data solution provider KiwiGeeker. Overcoming many of the greatest music transfer challenges, KiwiG PhonTunes enables users to transfer any music between multiple devices free-of-charge and without fear of file overwriting. This software is absolutely indispensable to any true music lover.

Leawo Gives Out iTransfer as Free Spring Giveaway Gift with Giveaway of the Day

Christopher Laird Simmons

SHENZHEN, China and NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2014 (MuseWire) — Leawo Software is working with Giveaway of the Day to give out Leawo iTransfer as the one-day limited giveaway gift on giveawayoftheday.com on Jan. 27, 2014. Meanwhile, Leawo iTransfer is also available for totally free from Jan. 27 to Feb. 12, 2014 on Leawo’s 2014 Spring Promotion, along with multiple high discounted special offers and bundles.

Children Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Song

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014 (MuseWire) — On February 14, Valentines Day, most people think of romance, flowers, candy, and candlelit dinners. But children also celebrate by sending and receiving valentines, dreaming up DIY projects for their parents, siblings, and teachers — and they are definitely pleased about the candy! Ruth Roberts Music also brings something sweet for the occasion.

MuseWire Magazine

KiwiGeeker Launches KiwiG PhonTunes Freeware to Overcome iTunes and Mobile Device Music Transfer and Management Challenges

Christopher Laird Simmons

HONG KONG and NEW YORK, N.Y., Jan. 22, 2014 (MuseWire) — KiwiGeeker, a software developer and solution provider specializing in data management and data recovery solutions, today announced the launch of their first freeware, KiwiG PhonTunes, to break music transfer barriers for music lovers everywhere. KiwiG PhonTunes allows users to freely and flexibly transfer music (with ratings and other relevant data included) between any iOS and Android device and any PC’s iTunes library.

Baby Boomer Couple Spotlights Homeless through Music and Street Ministry

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 6, 2014 (MuseWire) — SoulDirection1 announced this week the release of a new contemporary Christian album, ‘To the Least of These,’ a compilation of 13 songs they have written to inspire and uplift most anyone who is experiencing a difficult time in their lives or for the simple enjoyment of listening to good music.

MuseWire Magazine

Care Bears Donning Jay Z’s Apparel for Barneys New York Slated for eBay

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW YORK, N.Y., Dec. 18, 2013 (MuseWire) — Artist Daniel Edwards depicts Jay Z as a Care Bear pal with Funshine Bear on the rap mogul’s shoulder wearing Leather Boxing Shorts from the Barneys New York collection, accompanied by six designer ornaments to be auctioned on eBay, with a share of the proceeds going to an organization that supports the ACLU’s policies against racial profiling. The work will be unveiled online this week, announced Cory Allen Contemporary Art.

MuseWire Magazine

Recording Studio Twelve3South Produces Hit Song by Caroline Glaser

Christopher Laird Simmons

TIPP CITY, Ohio, Dec. 18, 2013 (MuseWire) — Producer and musician Donnie Reis of twelve3south studio hits a home run with the Caroline Glaser song ‘Money Tree.’ Recorded and produced in Tipp City, Ohio, ‘Money Tree’ was charting as the number two singer/songwriter single on iTunes as of December 17.

MuseWire Magazine

The Bob Moog Foundation Archives Expand with a Major Gift From UNC-Greensboro

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Dec. 13, 2013 (MuseWire) — The Music Department of the University of UNC-Greensboro has given The Bob Moog Foundation a collection of vintage synthesizer hardware and other equipment. The gift, which will be on permanent loan at the Foundation, was announced today by the Foundation’s executive director Michelle Moog-Koussa.

Ruth Roberts Music Has Bundles of Children’s Songs for Christmas – and Every Holiday!

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 9, 2013 (MuseWire) — When elementary school teachers plan for their holiday entertainment programs, they turn to the Ruth Roberts’ children’s music catalog of song collections for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, and more.

Sandra Piller Invites You to Celebrate the Season in ‘Mistletoe and You’ Song and Video

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 4, 2013 (MuseWire) — The magical time of year between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day is filled with thoughts of family celebrations, colorful decorations, gift-giving, gatherings of friends, and the fun of kissing under the mistletoe. ‘All of those wonderful things are in this song,’ states country music artist Sandra Piller, singer of ‘Mistletoe and You,’ now available on iTunes, Amazon, and the website of her record label, Shady Hill Records.

MuseWire Magazine

Atlanta-Based Valiant Horizon Announces Dutch DJ-Producer Rodger Forrest as the Latest Artist to Join Its Label Roster

Christopher Laird Simmons

ATLANTA, Ga., Nov. 26, 2013 (MuseWire) — Valiant Horizon today announced that Rodger Forrest is the latest musician to join its artist roster. With a number of EDM recordings and European DJ performances already under his belt, Rodger is positioned to take the dance music world by storm. Influenced by many genres, he comfortably produces music in a number of spaces including electro, trance, deep house and progressive. In addition, Rodger’s DJ work includes performances in Holland and on the Baeleric island of Mallorca right near Ibiza.

In the beginning: ‘An Adventure in Space and Time’ reveals the roots of Doctor Who

Christopher Laird Simmons

REVIEW: I was pleasantly surprised by the new BBC TV production of Doctor Who “An Adventure in Space and Time” when it was announced. I am not a huge fan of “docu-dramas” as they often have little relationship to the actual events, and instead slant toward reality TV melodrama. Thus, I was very happily entertained …

MuseWire Magazine

The Bob Moog Foundation Announces Raffle for Iconic Minimoog Model D Signed by Gary Numan

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Nov. 20, 2013 (MuseWire) — The Bob Moog Foundation is proud to announce a raffle for a vintage Minimoog(R) synthesizer, signed by English electronic pop icon Gary Numan. The raffle runs from November 20, 2013 through December 31, 2013.

Ruth Roberts Music Brings the Magic of ‘The First Thanksgiving’ to Your Family

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Nov. 13, 2013 (MuseWire) — It’s never too early in your child’s development to teach them the meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday and Ruth Roberts Music is making it fun with the release of ‘The First Thanksgiving,’ a collection of sing-along songs, all newly digitized and available on iTunes.

Music Industry Book ‘The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business’ released today by Greenleaf Book Group Press

Christopher Laird Simmons

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 13, 2013 (MuseWire) — Greenleaf Book Group Press announces the release of ‘The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business’ by Loren Weisman. ‘The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business’ (ISBN: 978-1608325788) is available nationwide today, November 13, 2013 and will be published in an eBook edition and an audio book edition in January 2014.

Shane Barrett presents Jane Bach, Brian White, Shaye Smith, and Tammy Hyler at Douglas Corner Cafe in Nashville

Christopher Laird Simmons

The songwriter round is set for Friday, August 9 from 9-11pm in the famed Nashville venue NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 3, 2013 (MuseWire) — When Nashville’s finest songwriters are also singers, sooner or later they will be showcasing their creations in a writers round like the Shane Barrett-produced show set for Douglas Corner Cafe on […]

View all current news at: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/ .

Down the rabbit hole: tech guru David Ciccarelli sees the future as Canada’s first Google Glass Explorer

Christopher Laird Simmons

If you are even remotely interested in tech gadgets you may have heard of a strange new thing called Google Glass. “Glass” is a proof of concept wearable computing technology given to 8,000 “test heads” to wear, share, and socialize with starting Spring/Summer 2013. I spoke with David Ciccarelli, Canada’s first “Google Glass Explorer,” as […]

MuseWire Magazine

Chicago’s Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival Creates Three Fun-Filled Days for Fest-Goers July 26-28, 2013

Christopher Laird Simmons

CHICAGO, Ill., July 10, 2013 (MuseWire) — Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival features something for everyone from dancers to musicians, actors and artists, and a hands-on community paint project. The three-day festival kicks off Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28, 2013. Located on the grounds of Jefferson Memorial Park on Chicago’s Northwest side, Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival has become one of Chicago’s most highly anticipated neighborhood music festivals of the summer.

View all current news at: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/ .

DiscWatcher REVIEW: A Good Day to Die Hard proves it’s time to let McClane ‘Die Easy’

Christopher Laird Simmons

REVIEW: It’s safe to say that “A Good Day to Die Hard” was on my “most wanted to see” list for films headed to Blu-ray for Spring 2013. However, to get to the heart of this review in the second sentence: this movie totally sucks. There are so many flubs, continuity problems, poor filmmaking, terrible […]

elysia expands 500 Series with xfilter 500 true stereo EQ

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire: High-end studio processor manufacturer elysia is proud to announce availability of the xfilter 500, a true stereo EQ in 500 series format. The entire audio path of the xfilter 500 consists of 100% Class-A circuitry, resulting in an exceptionally open ‘boutique’ sound with impeccable transient projection and solid punch. These sensational sonic characteristics combine […]

XILS-lab launches XILS V+ virtual instrument and effects plug-in, recreates Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire: XILS-lab is proud to announce availability of its XILS V+ virtual instrument and effects plug-in, a faithful emulation of a well-known keyboard vocoder classic, as of May 27, 2013. Following a year of intense instrument modelling deep inside XILS-lab’s ear-opening laboratories, the XILS V+ virtual instrument and effects plug-in has finally emerged, sounding nigh […]

MuseWire Magazine

InfoComm Approves AV Networking World for RU Certification Credits

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire: AV Networking World 2013, which will be held in Orlando, Florida on June 11, has been approved by InfoComm International as a CTS accredited training program. Certified Technology Specialists (CTSÒ) who participate in this informative networking training will be eligible to receive 4 RU Credits upon completion of the class. This free all-day training […]

MuseWire Magazine

Arturia memorialises Moog’s birthday with Dr. Bob’s Collector Pack promotion

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire: Music software and hardware company Arturia is introducing a timely time- limited pricing promotion for its limited-edition Dr. Bob’s Collector Pack produced in collaboration with — and in aid of — The Bob Moog Foundation as a tribute to synthesizer pioneer Dr. Bob Moog who would have been 79 on May 23, 2013. Arturia’s […]

MuseWire Magazine

Focusrite Introduces Scarlett 18i8 and 6i6 USB 2.0 audio interfaces

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire: Focusrite is pleased to announce the introduction of two new members of its Scarlett range of USB 2.0 audio interfaces: the Scarlett 18i8 (18 in, 8 out) and Scarlett 6i6 (6-in, 6-out). Both feature award-winning Focusrite mic pres, designed specifically for Focusrite’s computer music interfaces, and Focusrite’s renowned precision 24bit/96KHz conversion for maximum transparency. […]

UVI releases Demo Version of their Electro Suite collection dedicated to Electro, EDM and Dance music

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire: UVI has released a Demo Version of their Electro Suite collection dedicated to Electro, EDM and Dance music. The 5 instruments of Electro Suite – DrumShaper, DirtyMONO, CarminePoly, SweepMachine and MissionControl – come packed with nearly 4.5 GB of sample material carefully recorded from over 2 decades of choice equipment at 24-bit / 96 […]

Waldorf boosts Rocket hardware synthesizer higher with free iOS app

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire NEWS: Today, synthesizer developer Waldorf is proud to announce availability of Rocket Control, a free iOS assistant app for iPad that boosts the capabilities of its Rocket hardware synthesizer. Earlier this year, Waldorf went “hell for leather” (according to the company press release) to break the price/performance sound barrier when launching its revolutionary Rocket, […]

MuseWire Magazine

News: TC Electronic announces free Gary Lucas TonePrints

Christopher Laird Simmons

Risskov, Denmark (MuseWire) – The spotlight moves on to the next guitarist in the runaway success TonePrint series – and lands on Gary Lucas. Gary is a Grammy(R) -nominated songwriter, composer for film and television, and an international recording artist with over twenty solo albums to date. His TonePrints for Hall Of Fame reverb, Flashback […]

MuseWire Magazine

News: Native Instruments Introduces KAOZ THEORY Expansion for iMASCHINE

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today launched a new range of iMASCHINE Expansions with the release of KAOZ THEORY – created by the much-lauded DJ and producer Kerri ‘Kaoz’ Chandler. These new iMASCHINE Expansions will be created in collaboration with internationally renowned artists from different genres, and will be available for iMASCHINE only. Users can […]

News: ‘The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business’ by Loren Weisman slated for national release in August

Christopher Laird Simmons

AUSTIN, Texas (MuseWire) — Greenleaf Press announces the upcoming release of ‘The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business’ by Loren Weisman. ‘The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business’ (ISBN: 978-1-60832-578-8, 7×9 Paperback, 446 pages, $19.95) will be available nationwide on August 13, 2013 and will be published simultaneously in an eBook edition (ISBN: 978-1-60832-579-5, $7.99) and an audio book edition.

Clay Aiken’s National Inclusion Project Receives 2013 Neotrope NonProfit PR Grant

Christopher Laird Simmons

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (MuseWire) — The National Inclusion Project, co-founded by entertainer Clay Aiken, is pleased to announce it is one of 10 recipients for 2013 of Neotrope’s annual J.L. Simmons Non-Profit PR Grant award. With this commitment, Neotrope(R) will provide public relations (PR) and cause-marketing support to the National Inclusion Project over the next year to raise awareness around its programs and accomplishments.

Who-do Review: Doctor Who ‘The Bells of Saint John’

Christopher Laird Simmons

REVIEW: Having grown up with Doctor Who in the ’70s here in California, where the local PBS stations would run the program on weekends, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the “new Who” series (SERIES 1 to 7), and while it took me awhile to warm up to Matt Smith’s incarnation, I believe he’s now fully […]

Muse Research shipping rack-mount RECEPTOR QU4TTRO and RECEPTOR TRIO Music Systems

Christopher Laird Simmons

SAN JOSE, Calif. (MuseWire) — Music and audio technology developer Muse Research & Development is proud to announce availability of RECEPTOR QU4TTRO and RECEPTOR TRIO, the latest additions to its line of dedicated hardware plug-in players.

Electronic Synthesizer Pioneer Bob Moog Inducted Into Inventors Hall of Fame

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (MuseWire) — According to a newsletter from Moog Music today, “It is with great honor that we announce that Bob Moog is one of the United States Patent and Trademark Office 2013 National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees.” This is an honor that is bestowed to “individuals who conceived, patented, and advanced so many of the great technological achievements that have changed our world.”

Country Singer Sandra Piller Joins Her Mom, Actress Sandra Giles, at The Hollywood Show 2013

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) — Featuring in-person appearances of more than five dozen celebrities from classic motion pictures and television, The Hollywood Show has emerged as one of the world’s most celebrated autograph and photo-opportunities for fans, and the upcoming event will feature country singer, and Shady Hill Records recording artist, Sandra Piller on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 19, 20, and 21, 2013.

Ruth Roberts – Children’s Music Songwriter for All Seasons

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) — Whatever holiday pops up on your calendar, two things are always true: kids are happy about it and the late Ruth Roberts wrote kids’ music to help you celebrate it. ‘Children’s music was the special province of Ruth Roberts,’ says Susan Nicoletti, Director of Operations for Goldenrod Music.

KV331 Audio announces SynthMaster 2.61 with 750 Factory Presets

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire NEWS: The busy bees at KV331 Audio continue to hone their formidable virtual synth instrument with yet another periodic update, now at v2.6. There is likely no other bit of music making software out there with this many continuous enhancements made in response to both user input and actual feature additions. This update brings […]

JMWest Entertainment Announces Single Release Party for JUSTICE’s ‘By My Side’

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) — JMWest Entertainment announced today that they will host a release party for signed recording artist JUSTICE and her new single “By My Side.” The event will be held at the Gibson Showroom in Beverly Hills on March 19, 2013.

MuseWire Magazine

Rob Papen announces two limited-edition virtual instrument synth bundles

Christopher Laird Simmons

ECHT, The Netherlands (MuseWire) – Respected virtual instrument and plug-in developer Rob Papen has this week announced availability of two limited-edition synth plug-in bundles, EDM Synth Bundle and Urban Synth Bundle, each comprising three carefully-chosen Rob Papen virtual instruments with combined savings of around 45 percent. The aptly-named EDM Synth Bundle is a highly-flexible, Herculean […]

Helios Ray expansion for Maschine announced by Native Instruments covers Broken Beat scene

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – Today, Native Instruments announced “HELIOS RAY” – a new MASCHINE Expansion providing sounds and beats drawing from London’s broken beat scene and LA’s abstract beat producers. Containing three separate styles of drum kits as well as unique Melodic Kits and new MASSIVE presets, HELIOS RAY is out now for MASCHINE and […]

Audinate and Innovative Electronic Designs Announce Licensing Agreement for Dante digital-media networking technology

Christopher Laird Simmons

PORTLAND, Ore. (MuseWire) – Audinate is pleased to announce that Innovative Electronic Designs, LLC has licensed Audinate’s Dante digital-media networking technology and will incorporate Dante into several exciting new products. Audinate’s patented Dante solution is a media networking solution suite designed to transport many channels of high-resolution, uncompressed, low-latency digital media over relatively long distances […]

Komplete 9 announced by Native Instruments featuring new Monark analog-modeling synth and Battery 4 Virtual Drum Machine

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – Today, Native Instruments announced the latest generation of its two industry-standard KOMPLETE software bundles. KOMPLETE 9 includes 33 instruments and effects with six new additions, including the brand-new MONARK monosynth, plus the completely redesigned BATTERY 4 drum sampler. KOMPLETE 9 ULTIMATE includes all 65 current KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects at the […]

Hollywood Meets Nashville as Jane Bach, Sandra Piller and Special Guests Perform a Songwriter’s Round at Genghis Cohen

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) — Hearing great songs in an up-close-and-personal setting is common in music-friendly towns like Nashville, but Hollywood is not to be outdone as Genghis Cohen presents a special Monday evening “songwriter’s round” on March 18 featuring Jane Bach, Sandra Piller, Kaela Gardner, and Kyle Megginson. “We love this location for […]

Philly Teen Country Music Phenom Releases Debut Album – ‘Torri Melhart – The Acoustic Sessions EP’ Hits iTunes, Amazon Worldwide

Christopher Laird Simmons

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (MuseWire) — Meet Torri Melhart, a 14-year-old Country singer and songwriter from the Philadelphia area who is having a great year. More than 50,000 Twitter followers and 3,000 Facebook fans make up her “Melhearts” and are helping her generate tremendous buzz as a young performer trying to prove herself on the national country music scene.

Korg Finally Updates ‘Legacy Collection’ to 64-bit, previously announced before ready

Christopher Laird Simmons

MELVILLE, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Today, Korg announced their virtual instrument Legacy Collection is finally available in 64-bit. The collection is a complete software recreation of five legendary KORG Synthesizers – the MS-20, Polysix, Mono/Poly, M1 and WAVESTATION – complemented by the included MDE-X Effects Suite, which boasts 19 different effects algorithms. Although previously announced as […]

Haken Audio announce new firmware version for the Continuum Fingerboard instrument, version 5.50

Christopher Laird Simmons

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (MuseWire) — Today, Haken Audio announced a new firmware version for the Continuum Fingerboard, version 5.50. Among the updates, the number of “carefully crafted internal preset sounds” for the EagenMatrix has been increased by 16. Included in these new sounds are designs using the new timbre elements available in the GrainSilo.

Calculate Royalties with QuickBooks Data – DashBook Software Extends Integration with Widely-Used Accounting System

Christopher Laird Simmons

HOUSTON, Texas (MuseWire) — Financial Softworks, LLC announced today the release of the latest enhancements to their popular DashBook Royalty Pro system, which now includes the ability to directly create royalty checks or bill payments within Intuit’s QuickBooks.

UVI announces JX3P-inspired UVX-3P Virtual Vintage Synth Instrument

Christopher Laird Simmons

Paris, France (MuseWire) — Adding to their recent lineup of classic (“vintage”) synth sound instruments based on ’70s and ’80s synthesizers, UVI has released the “UVX-3P” which is clearly inspired by the Roland JX-3P, one of the first MIDI-enabled analog-digital keyboards.

Youth Musicians ‘Heartbeat’ from Israeli and Palestinian to Perform at US Department of State in Washington, DC

Christopher Laird Simmons

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) – Musical group and interfaith non-profit organization HEARTBEAT will perform and participate in a discussion at the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday, March 6, at 3 p.m. in the Dean Acheson Auditorium. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will host the Jerusalem-based organization that unites Israeli and Palestinian youth musicians […]

Audinate Updates Dante Virtual Soundcard with WDM to support latest Windows Applications

Christopher Laird Simmons

PORTLAND, Ore. (MuseWire) – Today, Audinate shared the news that they have updated their Dante Virtual Soundcard software for Windows, with version 3.2.0. According to the company announcement, “The Dante Virtual Soundcard allows your PC or Mac to connect your favorite audio application directly to a Dante audio network. Dante Virtual Soundcard uses the standard […]

Akai Pro announces new Version 1.3 MPC Software for Renaissance, Studio and Fly

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire NEWS: Today, Akai Pro has announced updated MPC Software with a “completely redesigned plugin architecture,” now with support for multi-timbral VST and AU plugins, and access to the same plugin across multiple sequences. Also notable is the SP1200 Ring, offering an all-new “Vintage Mode” with a classic SP1200 trick to give you raw 12-bit […]

«< 8 9 10 11 12 >»