— The DN-X1700 is an ultimate DJ tool for the top flight professional, incorporating powerful performance features and levels of sound quality and control exceeding anything that has come before —

ITASCA, IL, June 24, 2009 — Denon DJ, a leading manufacturer of reliable, premium-grade DJ equipment, is now shipping its flagship DN-X1700 Digital Mixer. The DN-X1700 represents an important achievement by Denon’s R&D department, which, during the development process, worked closely with some of the top professionals in the industry, gaining key input on its design and functionality. The result is a market driven professional digital mixer that is best in its class. Years of consultation and design have gone into the development of a mixer of this caliber, and nothing in its specification and construction has been sacrificed. Meticulous attention to detail, layout and component quality make operation of the DN-X1700 extremely intuitive, and Denon’s engineers have provided every capability professional DJs will require: working with vinyl, CD, digital files, DJ software applications via laptops and USB storage devices. more

Presented by Red Bull Music Academy and Last of the Record Buyers

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, June 24, 2009 — The Institute of Production and Recording (IPR) in Minneapolis will host “Content Under Pressure,” a one-time exclusive event in which 14 up-and-coming national and local independent hip-hop emcees and producers will be paired up to lay down their beats and rhymes at the school on Thursday, June 25. more

Vocalist / Guitarist Ben Nichols Co-Stars in MTV’s “$5 Cover”

Pictured (L-R) are keyboardist Rick Steff, drummer Roy Berry, assistant Mike Wilson, bassist John C. Stubblefield, guitarist Brian Venable, vocalist Ben Nichols, producer Ted Hutt, and engineer Ryan Mall.

Memphis rockers Lucero have tracked their new album in Studio A at Memphis’ renowned Ardent Studios. Lead singer Ben Nichols currently co-stars in MTV’s “$5 Cover,” a Craig Brewer-produced quasi-fictionalized series about the Memphis music scene that debuted in May. A performance of Lucero’s song “San Francisco” at the Young Avenue Deli in Memphis is featured in the trailer for the series.

The members of Lucero are Ben Nichols (guitar and vocals), Roy Berry (drums), John C. Stubblefield (bass), Brian Venable (guitar), and Rick Steff (piano, organ, accordion). Producer on the new album was Ted Hutt, who also produced last year’s album “The ‘59 Sound” from New Jersey rockers The Gaslight Anthem. Ryan Mall engineered, with Ardent’s Mike Wilson assisting.

Lucero’s punk rock roots flavor their now “country-ish” music, while their Southern roots give them the twang that they have come to be known for. The band played for the first time in early 1998. Since 2001, they have played between 150 and 200 shows a year across the United States and Canada. They have released six full length albums, the latest entitled “Rebels, Rogues, and Sworn Brothers.”

In late 2008 the band announced they had signed a 4 album deal with Universal Music Group. Their major label debut is due out this summer.

For more info about Ardent Studios, visit: http://www.ardentstudios.com