Don Henley Working On Country Covers Album
January 24, 2011 – Don Henley is working on, only, his fourth solo album since 1982. The Eagles lead singer is in Nashville with producer/drummer Stan Lynch from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers fame.

The new project, set for release later this year, will be a country covers album featuring an all-star cast.

Like the Eagles, Henley has not exactly been prolific having only released 4 albums, 'I Can't Stand Still' (1982), 'Building The Perfect Beast' (1984), 'The End of the Innocence' (1989) and 'Inside Job' (2000).

The new project is not exactly a stretch but more like a natural fit considering the Eagles influenced so many young country-rockers in the early seventies.

New Don Henley “Best of” in Stores June 16th    
May 29, 2009 – Even though Don Henley released his “Greatest Hits” package “Actual Miles” on November 20th, 1995, the Eagles lead singer has released only one album after that. It’s probably reason enough for the Texan to think about a new version of his “Best of.”

“The Very Best of Don Henley” will be released on June 16th and feature tunes from the Asylum, Geffen and Warner Brothers record labels. It will also include a deluxe CD/DVD with the usual hits and a cover of Leonard Cohen's classic "Everybody Knows” (it was also on “Actual Miles”)

Henley has done lots of soundtrack tunes and you’ll hear them on here like "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" ("Love Rules"), "The Color Of Money" ("Who Owns This Place?"), "Leap of Faith" ("Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat"), and "Michael" (Through Your Hands").

The videos on the new package include, "The Boys of Summer" and "All She Wants To Do Is Dance.”

A real gem, “For My Wedding” (which my wife Shannon and I used for our ceremony) was Henley’s first Country charted solo tune. It will also be included. – by John Beaudin

Eagles’ Timothy B Schmit Set for 1st Solo Album in 8 Years
April 22, 2009 – In 2001 Timothy B Schmit enrolled most of his Eagles bandmates on ‘Feed the Fire’ but this time around the bassist/vocalist says he wanted to round up his own posse. "I just decided I was going to do this myself, with other people," Schmit told Billboard.com, "not because there's anything weird going on -- there's not. But it's not the Eagles. It's just me, for better or for worse. It's been a really joyous experience, and it's been taking long time because I have been so busy with the band (Eagles) -- and that is not a complaint." His new entourage includes Dwight Yoakam and Kid Rock plus Graham Nash, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Keb' Mo', Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Van Dyke Parks and The Band's Garth Hudson. Schmit says it was great connecting with everyone, especially because he didn’t go through management to enlist everyone, he just called the artists directly.

The new CD, ‘Expando’ his first in eight years is his clearest vision of what’s going on in his head, "I'm really, really happy with this because for the first time I feel like it's totally me," Schmit says. "I wrote the whole thing. I did it at my home studio, and I play as much on it as possible. For the first time I think it's really more me, really what I represent. It's kind of hard to describe, but I would say in many cases it's much more raw than anything I've ever done before."

Schmit is a busy boy, this week he plans to rejoin his Poco bandmates at the Stagecoach festival in Indio, California and then the Eagles head to Europe for a huge tour starting in Sweden in May.

Don Henley Suing Republican Candidate for the U.S. Senate    
April 18, 2009 – Don Henley is pissed and he has reason to be. The founding member of the Eagles is suing a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, claiming that he is misusing two of Henley`s  popular songs.

The suit was filed yesterday in California and it claims Charles DeVore used two of Henley's biggest hit songs "The Boys of Summer" and "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" without authorization.

In fact DeVore made YouTube videos of the songs in his bid to unseat California Senator Barbara Boxer.

Mike Campbell, Henley’s producer is also a plaintiff in the case.

A spokesman for Henley said, "Don Henley and Mike Campbell brought this action to protect their song, 'The Boys of Summer,' which was taken and used without their permission, the infringers have vowed to continue exploiting this and other copyrighted works, as it suits them, to further their own ambitions and agenda. It was necessary to file a lawsuit to stop them."

DeVore is running against Boxer in 2010 in California.

Henley had complained to YouTube about the videos so the site took both clips down and then DeVore reposted the videos. YouTube then told Henley if he filed a lawsuit, something could be done.

DeVore had this to say on his website:

"We're responding with a counter-claim, asserting our First Amendment right to political free speech," the site said. "While the legal issues play out, it's time to up the ante on Mr. Henley's liberal goon tactics. By popular request, I have penned the words to our new parody song." – by John Beaudin

Former Eagles Guitarist Don Felder Felt Controlled by Don Henley
Feb. 19, 2009 – It’s no secret that Don Felder’s exit from the Eagles was anything but smooth. He was kicked out of the band in 2001 and after an out-of-court settlement he wrote the tell-all book (Heaven & Hell “My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001). Felder told Ross Cat from Nightlife Magazine that improvisation has always been part of his life but with the Eagles and Don Henley, it was totally restricted.

“For me improvisation is what turns me on as a musician. That being said it's not easily attainable and it's not a zone that everyone feels comfortable in. That's not to say you can't be a gifted artist without having the propensity to improvise. A prime example is Don Henley, he has to have a controlled environment as a songwriter and drummer. As a vocalist Don is brilliant and he's one of the most prolific songwriters ever, but his dexterity as a drummer is limited. I love his style but Don tends to keep it simple and contained so it's difficult for him to just jam. While the music of the Eagles is exceptional, every song and every show was literally scripted, that took away the opportunity for myself and Joe Walsh to be spontaneous which was most definitely frustrating at times.”

Felder says he’s still in close contact with the other ex-Eagles, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner. In fact, Meisner helped him with his book. Expect a new album from Don Felder in late 2009 or early 2010. – by John Beaudin

Eagles Add More Dates Including CMA Awards
Nov. 11, 2008 – ‘The Long Road Out Of Eden’ tour just keeps going on and on. The Eagles have just added dates in Hershey and Philadelphia, PA; as well as Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando, FL.

Interestingly, it was a year ago this month that the Eagles were No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 and the Top Country Albums chart with the “Long Road..” album. It has since gone platinum seven times over.

The current line-up including Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit are still promoting the album, their first in 28 years. The single ‘How Long’ won a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The Eagles also plan to perform at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards this Wednesday. They are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year.

The band is also nominated for four American Music Awards for Favorite Album Pop or Rock music, also Artist of the Year, Favorite Band, Duo or Group -- Pop or Rock music, Favorite Artist -- Adult Contemporary music. The ceremony will be held Nov. 23 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Alicia Keys, Eagles, Coldplay Lead American Music Awards Nominations
Oct. 14, 2008 – Alicia Keys topped nominations for this years American Music Awards with 5 for artist of the year, favorite female artist -- pop or rock music, favorite female artist -- soul/rhythm & blues music and favorite album in pop or rock music and soul/R&B music for "As I Am."

The Eagles who had a huge comeback year had their album, ‘Long Road Out of Eden’ nominated for favorite album pop or rock music, also artist of the year, favorite band, duo or group -- pop or rock music, favorite artist -- adult contemporary music.

Coldplay's nominations include artist of the year, favorite band, duo or group -- pop or rock music, favorite artist -- alternative rock music and favorite album -- pop or rock music for "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends."

Many artist received multiple nominations including,  Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, Daughtry, Flo Rida, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Usher, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown.

You know music is in trouble when what rises to the top as the best is freakin Alicia Keys?

You can vote online at ABC.com's American Music Awards website. The ceremony will be held Nov. 23 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. – by John Beaudin

Don Felder’s Love and Hate of The Eagles
Oct. 24, 2008 – It’s easy to liken Don Felder’s experience in the Eagles to the quite genius in high school finally dating the prom queen only to be dumped before he gets lucky. The guitarist says his years in the band were some of the highest and eventually lowest points in his career. Last year Felder released his book ‘Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001).’ Though he looks at Don Henley and Glen Frey, the two main songwriters in the Eagles, as brilliant, he’s quick to point out that Frey's personality was "bipolar" and Henley's, “a difficult guy to hang out with.”

So what went wrong? Felder says it was a question of greed. When the band reunited in the 90’s, huge amounts of money began to flow in but the distribution was a little lopsided. He discovered that both Frey and Henley were getting paid double his wages. After hiring an attorney to look into the matter he was quickly fired. Felder says the original agreement between members was that everyone gets the same amount. Considering Henley and Frey sang and wrote most of the songs it’s not a big jump to think maybe that agreement became null and void at some point.

Felder says he joined the band through his connection with original Eagles lead guitarist Bernie Leadon. After watching the group open up for Yes in Boston in 1974, he was invited backstage and started jamming with Leadon. Henley and Frey were impressed, inviting him to move to California and after providing guest guitar work on some Eagles sessions, was invited to join the group full time.

He says it boiled down to, “five huge egos in the band that eventually led to problems.” Adding every member “brought brilliance musically to the band.”

Felder has great praise for one member of the group, Joe Walsh, who he calls one of the “best rock and roll guitarists alive today.” The two were best friends while touring together. He adds that he did enjoy the new Eagles CD, “Long Road Out of Eden” except the fact that Walsh’ playing in not highlighted enough.

In his book, Felder is also tough on his own indiscretions during the Eagles years including his drug use and infidelity.

He credits Duane Allman as his best slide guitar teacher. Felder is considered a driving force in the Eagles switch from acoustic to more of an electric sound. – by John Beaudin

Eagles Turn Down Super Bowl and Wish for Grand Ole Opry
December 27, 2007 - Don Henley says the Eagles have a goal for 2008 and that's to play the Grand Ole Opry. The Eagles front man says the group recently turned down a stint at the Super Bowl. The sports even is the most watched on television but Henley said that the real honour for the band would be to play Nashville's Opry. It's not a stretch considering the band is often named as an inspiration for many country artists. The Eagles also have the biggest selling country album right now with the comeback CD "Long Road Out Of Eden." The CD is currently # 3 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts. - by Kari Graham

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