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THE HOOTERS BEGIN WORK ON NEXT RELEASE
By Rob Nagy

On February 28 and March 1 the Hooters played to an intimate invitation only live audience at keyboard player Rob Hyman’s recording studio in suburban Philadelphia. Friends, family, local media and fans were treated to two nights of all the Hooters standards, in an unplugged story tellers format, as well as songs off their current release “Time Stand Still”. The audience was encouraged, through-out the performance, to clap and sing along when appropriate. While many of the songs were noticeably a musical departure from the original recordings, offering different vocal arrangements, instrumentation and timing, they were well thought out and impressive in their delivery. It was obvious through-out the set that all five members of the Hooters were visibly appreciative and highly stimulated with the presence of a live studio audience. Their one time producer Rick Chertoff manned the mixing board for these sessions having last worked with the band twenty years prior producing their Columbia releases, “Nervous Night”(1985), “One Way Home” (1987) and “Zig Zag” (1989). Highlights from these recent sessions will become part of the Hooters next double CD release, which will include portions of their 2007 Thanksgiving week shows at the Electric Factory. While this project is still very much in the production stage, look for a possible release date later this year. On the heels of these recording sessions, the Hooters made their long awaited return to New York City on March 6, 2008 playing to a capacity audience at B.B. Kings Club on 42nd Street. Many of the fans in attendance had traveled from Philadelphia to witness the triumphant return of a band that last played the New York's Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in 1994. After a marathon day of travel, interviews and an accoustic unplugged show, the Hooters hit the stage at 8:15 P.M. to a thunderous ovation. They opened their ninety minute set with “I'm Alive”, off their current release “Time Stand Still” followed by all the Hooters classics including “And We Danced”, “All You Zombies”, “South Ferry Road”, “Satellite” and “Johnny B”. A two song encore closed out the night followed by the band greeting fans and friends at the adjoining restaurant Lucille's. The Hooters are currently working with promoters to put together a national U.S. concert tour., which would be their first in a number of years. For more info on the Hooters go to www.myspace.com/thehooters or www.thehooters.net

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Rob Nagy