Mercedes Flips for 'Cool Town Rock'

Holy Hail's UK-charting single 'Cool Town Rock' has been tapped for use by Merceds-Benz 'Mixed Tape Vol. 6' music website. The 30 minute long Mixed Tape music magazine highlights video clips, album tips, and artist portraits, as well as a slide show in the download area. With 2.5 million users and 28 million downloads, Mercedes-Benz Mixed Tape has been one of the most successful legal music download platforms in the world since its launch in 2004.

Full program is online here.

In other HH news, the band have been selected as songwriter and publisher affiliates of SESAC, the second oldest performing rights organization in the United States.

Look for details of the band's debut full length due in Fall 2008.

Pic: Holy Hail singers Cat Hartwell (L) and Kevin Cooke (R) in a still from Mirrorshade's video.

Mavis Live Recording Review on Daytrotter

Daytrotter's Allison Felus has posted a heartfelt review of Mavis's recent live recording at the Hideout in Chicago at the end of June.

Allison writes, "Ms. Staples can also put on one hell of a show. Her voice rises up like the Chicago skyline—full of steel and majesty and sharp edges that let the stars know she has their number. She’s also assembled an ace band possessed of coolly controlled good taste."

Read the full post called "Mavis Staples Goes On Moving You" here.

Pic: Illustration by Ally Trigg.

Booker T. Jones Named to Musician's Hall

Booker T. Jones will be honored with induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville as a member of Booker T. & the MG's. The group helped create the famed Memphis/Stax sound in the 1960s, playing on recordings by Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, The Staple Singers, Albert King and Rufus Thomas among many others. They were also stars in their own right with legendary hits including "Green Onions," "Time Is Tight," and "Hang'Em High."

Other 2008 inductees include the Memphis Horns, the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Buddy Holly's band the Crickets, Al Kooper and producer Billy Sherrill. A formal induction ceremony will be held in October. Booker is currently writing and recording material for a new solo album as well as on the road playing tour dates with the MG's and his own band.