Jessy Lynn Martens of Orlando is musical voice for 'Archer'

March 6, 2014

Pop crooner Kenny Loggins has become hip again, at least for fans of the FX animated series "Archer," but he's not the only musician who has enjoyed a boost from the show's buzz.

Jennifer Nettles Orlando show features music from solo debut

February 27, 2014

Like Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland was one of those country-music duos that seemed unbalanced: Why was powerhouse vocalist and mega-watt personality Jennifer Nettles sharing the spotlight with the guitar-strumming Kristian Bush?

'One Way Out' is definitive Allman Brothers biography

February 20, 2014

A concert hall isn't the only place to appreciate rock music.

Savoy Brown in Orlando: Simply the blues

February 13, 2014

All the hoopla about the 50th anniversary of the Beatles arrival was a reminder that British musicians of the 1960s helped America appreciate its own definitive music.

Ralphfest 3 Orlando helps with healing again

February 6, 2014

When dozens of musical acts convene this weekend to honor the legacy of slain Orlando musician Ralph Ameduri, two words will be on everyone's mind:

Andy Matchett taking 'Key of E' to New York

January 30, 2014

Andy Matchett has swept away the last confetti left behind by his beloved Orlando band, the Minks, clearing the path for new challenges ahead

Bill Allred brings the Big Easy to Flying Horse Big Band in Orlando

January 23, 2014

On his Facebook timelinel, veteran jazz trombonist Bill Allred recently posted advice he once received about his instrument from an early music teacher:

Like fans, Manilow loves the hits

January 20, 2014

Barry Manilow has put 50 songs into Billboard's Top 40 Adult Contemporary Chart, a total that trails only four other singers

Solillaquists celebrate '4th Wall'

January 9, 2014

"High, high energy," rapper Swamburger says by phone about the vibe surrounding Saturday's CD release show for "The 4th Wall,'

Anticipating Ralphfest, quick exits

January 2, 2014

One of the big shows in 2014 didn't make last week's list of promising concerts for the new year, so let's shine a light now

McCartney among 2013 high notes

December 26, 2013

I touched Paul McCartney's ukulele case, so that's my highlight of 2013.

Looking ahead: 2014

December 26, 2013

Lennon, Hendrix live in Orlando

December 19, 2013

Two pillars of Orlando's tight-knit musical community have put together formidable concert lineups

TSO embraces change for holidays at Orlando concert

November 28, 2013

Nobody knows finales like the guy behind Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as anyone who has witnessed the lasers, fire, fog and sensory overload of TSO's arena concerts can attest.

Precious reunion for a good cause

November 7, 2013

Orlando musician Steve Garron returns to the stage Sunday, headlining a benefit reunion show with his much-beloved Orlando band Precious

New Paramore looks to future

October 31, 2013

Yet Paramore's latest eponymous release also marks a new start for the veteran band after the acrimonious departures of two founding members

Serendipity finds Kopp on new CD

October 24, 2013

The songs showcase engaging production that ranges from the acoustic to irresistible melody

Avenged Sevenfold likes to go big

October 10, 2013

Avenged Sevenfold touring behind 'Hail to the King,' their new chart-topping studio album

Local musician's 'Bad Chicken' movie will screen at Orlando Film Festival

October 3, 2013

A few years ago, Orlando musician and producer Davey Schweizer was sharing the spotlight with a cow, pig, goat and chicken as part of his "Barnyard Jam," a kid-friendly combination of puppetry and music.

Complaints from concert fans, music critic

September 26, 2013

Il Volo fans don't like me much since I confessed that I was bored during the Italian trio's concert on Sunday at Orlando's Amway Center.

OneBeat speaks language of music

September 19, 2013

The collaboration involving 25 musicians from 16 countries will launch an East Coast tour this weekend in Central Florida

Orlando's Solillaquists of Sound ready new album 'The 4th Wall'

September 12, 2013

"The 4th Wall," the upcoming double album by Orlando's Solillaquists of Sound, is a sonic feast of intricate wordplay atop a foundation of funk, rap, rock and pop influences

The pretzel logic of Steely Dan

September 5, 2013

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, architects of the jazz-infused rock of Steely Dan, also are known as famously difficult interview subjects.

Fantasia: In it for the long haul

August 29, 2013

"Side Effects of You" is the fourth studio album for Fantasia since the singer launched her career as the winner of the third season of American Idol in 2004

Old is new for Fitz, Tantrums

August 22, 2013

The high energy, infectiously melodic songs garnered comparisons with classic 1960s acts on Motown Records

Locals kick new projects into gear

August 8, 2013

For singer-songwriter Ashley Dudukovich, the notion of involvement is essential to her push to relaunch Chasing Jonah

Old sounds new to Laney Jones

July 11, 2013

Central Florida singer-songwriter Laney Jones explored an infatuation with traditional folk ballads, jazz and blues of the early 20th century on her way to an international business degree

Matt Pond's love letter to Orlando

July 5, 2013

Although singer-songwriter Matt Pond lives in New York, the indie-pop fixture has become an enthusiastic ambassador for the charms of Orlando's independent music scene.

Make a return to AAHZ once more

June 27, 2013

Gazing upward at the high ceiling inside The Beacham, DJ Kimball Collins reflects on the role that the building itself had on the mystique of AAHZ, the progressive house-music parties that put Orlando on the international map as a hotbed of electronic music in the early 1990s.

Critic isn't done with boy bands yet

June 20, 2013

New Kids on the Block are back to fan the flames 'The Package Tour'

Tori Amos inspires Orlando author

June 13, 2013

Orlando author's new book looks at the healing power of the alternative singer-songwriter's music

A kid-friendly show for good cause

June 6, 2013

Richard Peeples has offered highly elevated, rock 'n' roll whimsy to pint-sized audiences for more than 15 years in Orlando

Blues captured in sights, sounds

May 30, 2013

Dozens of Brittany Schweizer's images of blues icons will adorn the walls of Lil Indies at "The Sights and the Sounds of Early 20th Century Blues Music"

Expect Beebs and Her Money Makers CD release to be hot

May 23, 2013

When the goal is world domination, sometimes you need to turn up the heat

Matchett's world ends in 'Key of E'

May 9, 2013

Apocalyptic rock musical 'Key of E' debuts Thursday, May 16 at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival in Loch Haven Park

Jambando still jams after 10 years

April 25, 2013

More than 20 local bands on four stages at Plaza Live

Beebs: A music fest success story

April 18, 2013

For Orlando singer Michelle Beebs, the day that would open the door to her band's stint on the 2013 Vans Warped Tour didn't unfold the way she had hoped

FMF does more than rock

April 11, 2013

Festival organizers promise a diverse lineup that shines a spotlight on country, hip-hop and electronic dance music

Taylor Swift and avoiding the unhappy ending

April 4, 2013

Whatever toll the singer's always-fragile love life takes on her emotions, it always has been balanced by songs that spin those heartaches into gold

'Sunday Morning' comes down again

March 28, 2013

The inaugural 10-hour music marathon will showcase two dozen Orlando acts in Loch Haven Park

Art, rhythm rock UCF Jazz Fest

March 21, 2013

It never has been easy to define jazz, but the task won't be any simpler at this weekend's UCF Orlando Jazz Festival, which aims to introduce music fans to the scope of the genre's influences.

Matchbox Twenty sails into future

March 14, 2013

Saturday's show will be another homecoming for Matchbox Twenty, which emerged out of the Orlando music scene of the mid-1990s

A broad look at America's music

March 7, 2013

'America's Music' is a six-week educational series under way at the Orlando Public Library

Summer inspires Actomatics CD

February 28, 2013

"Summer Is Risky," to be celebrated at a CD release show Saturday at Will's Pub in Orlando, is more than just a catchy phrase

Fiction Family go 'Heavy and Light'

February 14, 2013

For Central Florida music fans, "Heavy and Light" concerts to raise awareness for the nonprofit support organization To Write Love On Her Arms are already an annual tradition

Stick to the classics for Valentine's Day

February 7, 2013

Here's a can't-miss list of romantic mood music

Time for critic to face the music

January 31, 2013

This past weekend will go down in history as the occasion when I actually enjoyed a Justin Bieber concert

Orlando musician Andy Matchett stars in 'Buddy Holly Story'

January 17, 2013

Orlando singer, songwriter Andy Matchett will be starring in the lead role of "Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story," a rock 'n' roll musical that runs through Feb. 17 at the IceHouse Theatre in Mount Dora

Arts advocate: '13' aims to inspire

January 10, 2013

It takes a particular mindset to be a Renaissance man, someone willing to wear the hats of playwright, music producer, freelance writer, radio personality, spoken-word performer, photographer and self-promoter.

Earle makes his own musical mark

January 3, 2013

The son of politically charged singer-songwriter Steve Earle has managed to forge his own successful career outside of his father's formidable shadow

2012 concerts: The kids are all right

December 27, 2012

When it comes to the Central Florida concert scene in 2012, the spotlight was shared by the kids and the classic stars

Trans-Siberian still shines brightly

December 13, 2012

Trans-Siberian Orchestra's popular retelling of the Christmas story has become a modern tradition for many families

Imagine: John Lennon tribute at 9

December 6, 2012

By the numbers alone, this year's version of the long-running John Lennon Tribute Concert has a few serendipitous connections that the legendary rocker might appreciate

For Lee Boys, music is family affair

November 23, 2012

The Sacred Steel-Southern rock ensemble is taking the night off to avoid competing with Ralphfest 2

Ralphfest 2 seals Ameduri's legacy

November 15, 2012

He has been gone for more than a year, but Ralph Ameduri and his musical spirit loom large over the presentation of Ralphfest 2

Battaglia in spotlight with solo CD

November 9, 2012

For a guy involved with hit records by everyone from the Backstreet Boys to pop star Mandy Moore and rock outfit Shinedown, Tony Battaglia has no commercial expectations for his first solo album

Daumen's vision: 'Finding Flowers'

November 1, 2012

Daumen hopes that the music will conjure images among listeners

He puts beat to Zac Brown Band

October 25, 2012

The freewheeling Southern-flavored country act is more about twangy guitars than Latin-tinged rhythms

Stop stupid arena names now

July 19, 2012

I used to think that the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre in Tampa was the most embarrassing name ever for a concert venue.

Music and love are blessings in 2011

November 24, 2011

So it's time to count your blessings on Thanksgiving.

Ameduri: A musical 'cornerstone'

September 15, 2011

Embrace every day.