Todd On Monday : All The Children Sing, Or At Least The Ones With $4,999

SACRAMENTO, Calif. and NEW YORK, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Gigatone Entertainment, a next generation entertainment company based in Sacramento and Hollywood announced the signing of famed artist, producer, composer, and digital pioneer Todd Rundgren to its label. Rundgren will be recording a new 15-track album and will invite fans into the studio to participate in the project via Gigatone's myRecordFantasy three-day fantasy camp.

Rundgren's new album project will be the subject of a new myRecordFantasy event where he will be in the studio along with fans participating in the studio. Held at The Track Shack Studios in Sacramento, Rundgren will lead a once-in-a-lifetime event for his most devoted fans to see and live the experience of a rock star making a new album. These fans will be the lucky few that not only live it, but also have the opportunity to perform on the album.




Of course, my first reaction to this bit of tid was a perfunctory eyeroll, a snort, and a couple of "Oh Jeezes." I just want a new Todd Rundgren record with new songs and a band consisting of musicians, not Mickie and Margaret from Ho-Ho-Kus, banging away with a modicum of rhythm, on a drum all day. I want to hear some rockers, and ballads with some harmonies and lyrics that make me shudder. You know, a Todd Rundgren record.


I did feel a bit better a week or so after reading this press release, realizing that this new project would at least take my mind off of the imminent Robert Johnson tribute that Todd has recorded. As I may have mentioned on these pages, I am looking forward to this Johnson tribute record about as much as a walking tour of Staten Island.



Then I saw this:


"Get into The Track Shack Studios in Sacramento, CA for what will be a life-changing event with Todd Rundgren through myRecordFantasy. Todd will lead a once-in-a-lifetime event for his most devoted fans to see and live the experience of a rock star making a new album. These fans will be the lucky few that not only live it, but also have the opportunity to perform on the album. This project is the ultimate Todd super fan experience during a 3 day studio recording event, giving you the behind the scenes look at how his genius works and being a part of the final product, a brand new album!"

No Experience Necessary!
(IS THAT GOOD NEWS?)


Jan 17-19, 2011
Location: The Track Shack Studios, Sacramento, CA

Hurry, Space Is Limited and Early Bird Pricing Ends 12/17/10!
Three Days Deluxe 1/17-1/19 – $4,999.00 (Best Value – Save $1,000!)
(LIFE CHANGING, INDEED!)
One Day – Mon 1/17 – $2,100.00 (Save $300!)
(IF THAT'S THE DAY THE DRUMMER HAS TO HIT HIS RIGHT TOM 851 TIMES, SOMEONE'S GONNA BE PISSED.)
One Day – Tue 1/18 – $2,100.00 (Save $300!)
One Day – Wed 1/19 – $2,500.00 (Save $400!)
Regular Pricing:
Three Days Deluxe 1/17-1/19 – $6,000.00
One Day – Mon 1/17 – $2,400.00
One Day – Tue 1/18 – $2,400.00
One Day – Wed 1/19 – $2,900.00
Register Now!
(COMING! JUST NEED TO SCRAPE UP ANOTHER $4800)


Here’s a closer look at what myRecordFantasy packages include.

Search: Packages 3-Day 1-Day
Autographed Guitar
(DO THEY SAY WHOSE?)
Co-Star in Reality Show
("America's Next Larry Tagg")

Attend Finale Concert Day 3 Only
Autographed Hardbound mRF Memoir Book
myRecordFantasy VIP Concert Satin Patch Day 3 Only
(HMMMM....SATIN.)
Experience the artist Recording


Audition to perform on album
Sneak Peek Listening
Preview
(I'D PAY $35 TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "SNEAK PEEK" AND "PREVIEW.")
*Special Friends* Credit On Album
Daily Breakfast
Transportation to and from all
camp events
Autographed Drumhead
Surprise Guest
(IF IT'S DOUG HOWARD, I MAY RETHINK ALL OF THIS.)
Appearances
Meet and Greet with the Band
Artist-Fan Adventure
Activities
Meals and Drinks
(SEE BELOW)
Collectable Prizes and
Giveaways
Daily Lunch
(SEE ABOVE)
Swag Bag on
Arrival
myRecordFantasy T-Shirt
myRecordFantasy
Cap
myRecordFantasy Commemorative Picture
Frame
myRecordFantasy Shot Glass
myRecordFantasy Coffee
Mug
Daily Dinner
Evening
Activities
Pre-Release CD
Autographed
Photo
Photo with artist
myRecordFantasy Laminate
Pass
myRecordFantasy DVD Highlight
Video
Autographed DVD upon Release
Free Copies of Album"

~PHEW~

I have a question.

Is this the only way our fearless leader, legendary singer-songwriter, famed producer, pioneering video artist, and one of the greatest voices in pop music, Todd Rundgren, can get an album made and released?

Like Robert Johnson, Todd made his own deal with the devil in order to get his last record "Arena" released. It included delivering this upcoming blues tribute. He basically could not get distribution for one without completing the other. Now, this genius and innovator has to play organ-grinder monkey, surrounded by distractions, while creating his art?

"Rundgren will be recording a new 15-track album."

Does this mean he's got 15 new songs already in the can? Or is this what he is supposed to have written by January of 2011? Hopefully, it's the former and not the amazing race possibility of the latter.

Of course, I could be wrong here. Rundgren may be thrilled by the challenge of all of this, in which case we should just sit back and have faith in this wizard we have been loyal to for so many years. I'd like to see the good in all of this.