COVER STORY: IT’S GOOD TO BE KING

More than 50 years after making his first guitar out of a broom handle and some wire, B.B. King has become the most commercially successful blues musician ever. Most of that time he has been on the road, and–even at the age of 75–he’s still going strong.

By Sean S. McDevitt

EYEBALL TO EYEBALL

David Byrne has always made it his business to surprise. On Look into the Eyeball, his first album since 1997’s technology-driven Feelings, the former head Head revisits his pop and rock roots–with a classical twist. He talks about his latest tour: an excursion through the United States and Europe with a four-piece band and a string section.

By Gregory A. DeTogne

LOOK, MA, NO HANDS!

Many prominent acts use backing tracks to supplement their concert performances. You can do it, too, and it doesn’t require a major investment in gear. Here’s a step-by-step guide with plenty of advice from touring pros.

By Robert Hanson

c o l u m n s

BACKSTAGE: Hometown Heroes Hit the Big Time
Does having a solid live act help you get signed? It sure did for pete, a hard-rocking band from New Jersey that recently released their first CD for Warner Brothers.

BANDWIDTH: Make It Easy
Put audio on your site using RealNetworks’ RealSystem.

INDIE INK :Even
This Melbourne-based trio plays songs–got a problem with that, mate?

r e v i e w s

MACKIE SR24-4 VLZ PRO mixing console

TC ELECTRONIC G-MAJOR guitar effects processor

BOSS RC-20 LOOP STATION phrase sampler pedal