4CDMusic.com - Our Life is Music

Merge Records started 20 years ago in Chapel Hill, NC with some 4-track recordings, a couple cassette tapes, and some hand-stuffed 7" vinyl. Many singles, albums, and late nights later we're happy to be here and happy that you're still here for us! All year we'll be celebrating the past, present, and future of Merge but this summer we're throwing a party to mark this anniversary: XX Merge, five days of music by Merge artists past and present in the summer heat of sunny North Carolina - July 22-26, 2009.

Put it on your calendar now! Lineup and ticket information to be announced soon!

Subscriptions to SCORE! Merge Records: The First 20 Years have been extended to January 11th. This is your last chance to receive a year of Merge goodies delivered to your door and computer all year long!

...RIVERS IN THE '09 CELEBRITY SOCCER GAME:
People, once again Rivers is playing in the Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer Challenge! This star studded charity benefit soccer game takes place on January 17th at the Home Depot center in Carson, Cali. Tickets are just $20 on Ticketmaster and proceeds go to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the Mia Hamm Foundation.

As you may recall, last winter's Rivers Video "Lover In The Snow" featured footage from last years event, in which Rivers scored the first goal of the game for his team. This years game is sure to be great fun for all, and it's for a great pair of causes. Come on down!

...PORK AND BEANS REDUX:
Okay, the long rumored "second version" of the Pork and Beans video is finally on our doorstep. A lot more stuff got filmed last May than what you saw in the now famous version. So check back shortly here and on our Youtube page for this all new yet oddly familiar video!

...THE GREATEST MAN THAT EVER LIVED:
Folks, if you havent seen the "Children Of Winter" movie trailer AKA a special "Greatest Man That Ever Lived" video, wait no longer and click it here!

"The Greatest Man..." is the new radio single from "The Red Album", so tell your station they need to play it so all the world understands the JAM.

...Heres something different: A Weez-inspired comedy/music show featuring the excellent Weezer cover band "The Little Bitches". Jacob Sirof Presents "Undone - The Sweater Show", March 5th, 2009 at the San Jose Improv, San Jose, CA. Check it out!

artistDIRECT, one of our favorite online buddies, have posted an exclusive interview with Sam and Herman from DragonForce. Watch the DragonForce due rap about riffing here.

Also stroll by the main page to see Slipknot's "Dead Memories" featured.

Here's something you may not see every day. Type 3 Media hosted a poll to find out what the best live photo of 2008 was, and Kristen Pierson's taken on the Mayhem Festival on August 5th took the top slot.

See Herman Li, Corey Taylor, and more right here.

Anonymous sent us this easy-to-follow how-to guide to getting flamed on RoadrunnerRecords.com after being one of the thousands and thousands of people to read our Roadrunner Records Staff & Artist Top Ten Albums of 2008.

1: disparage Metallica
2. mention Chinese Democracy
3. give Nickelback even the most minor, lukewarm praise

IGNITION

Bonus: Post pic of self in a suit for additional personal insults.

Get lost in the psychadelic world of Black Stone Cherry's new video for "Please Come In", off of their new album Folklore and Superstition, in stores now.  GO HERE to check it out.  You can also embed the video right onto your Myspace or Facebook pages...give it a shot!

New Mickey Avalon video "Fuckin Em All" premiering Tuesday 1/13!

Check out the new teaser for Lady GaGa's impromptu, stripped down performance of "Poker Face" and "Just Dance" (also featuring Space Cowboy) for Martin and the rest of Cherrytree Records!


And head over to the Cherrytree Records where these two exclusive performances are available for you to watch: http://www.cherrytreerecords.com/cherrytreehouse

P.S. - "Just Dance" is the #1 U.S. hot digital track again this week!

» www.cherrytreerecords.com

Pick up the January 2009 issue of Foundation Magazine to read a 'Streets Are Watching' feature on Charles Hamilton!