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Cheap (and stoked) labor

It's tough to get kids to put down the new Panic at the Disco! album and pick up the Moody Blues' Days of Futures Past. But Rockola frontman Bob Tedde has found a way to get the kiddos to help him perform classics by the Moody Blues, Bowie and, soon, The Beatles.

Last year, Tedde created The Magical Symphony Orchestra to bring fresh blood to Rockola's themed concerts-specifically, standout young musicians from area symphonies. On Aug. 5, the band will perform The Beatles' 1966 album Revolver in its entirety at the refurbished North Park Theatre, with three-dozen musicians on stage.

“Working with kids has been great,” he said. “Their enthusiasm for the music and ease at playing before an audience, gives the show an extra spark.”

For past events, Rockola has used studio musicians who are paid day rates and often watch the clock during rehearsals to estimate their paycheck. In comparison, the kids' involvement is a bit more pure. In return for their services, Rockola gives them gas money and some tickets to the show for their family and friends. So while the kids are psyched about the experience, Rockola also saves money on the project.

Violinist Ray Suen is in charge of finding the kids, scouring the ranks of local youth symphonies for candidates. One of the most prolific local performers in town, Suen has performed along with everyone from the La Jolla Symphony to Matt Curreri and the Exfriends.

“It is a lot of work and stress,” he said of finding his pint-size bandmates. “But the end result can be pretty spectacular, and with so many young artists involved, very rewarding.

“I've been playing the violin since I was 3. But I never had an opportunity to be in a rock show. I think that's what's exciting to the kids.”

Violinist Insha Ahmad agrees: “It's a chance to use our instruments on songs that are less than a few hundred years old. Classical musicians don't usually get to play music known by so many people.” www.rockola.com.

Candye for sale

The old cliché about “starving artists” is getting truer by the day. The economics are simple: music sales are down while costs and gig competition is up. For blues diva Candye Kane, the situation is dire enough that she has opted to put many of her worldly goods on the auction block.

“I am just finding ways to make money,” she said. “Things are slow. Gas prices are soaring. I am a single mom with a son entering college and no tours on the horizon until fall. I just need to survive.”

In her eBay approach to life, Kane is selling a vintage apron, purses, her black doll collection (over 500 pieces) and even custom outfits she's worn on stage throughout the world.

“There have been other lean times,” she remarked. “I have worked numerous day jobs in between tours-as a secretary, Tupperware lady and even a cashier. Survival means being able to roll with the punches.”

Kane will next head out on tour in October to the Netherlands, as part of the “United by Music” tour, which gives people with disabilities the chance to play with an established blues band. Although we doubt any of them could fit into Kane's voluptuous stage costumes. www.candyekane.com.

Gimme that trophy, fool

Tickets for the 16th Annual San Diego Music Awards go on sale Aug. 11. Held at Humphrey's by the Bay for the past decade or so, the venue decided that the music scene's annual bash was a bit too PG-13 for hotel residents to endure. So this year the awards will be held at Viejas Casino's Concerts in the Park venue on Sept. 18.

This year's nominees for “Artist of the Year” are As I Lay Dying, Jason Mraz, Louis XIV, Pinback, Slightly Stoopid and Switchfoot.

The new blood is represented in the “Best New Artist” category by UV Tigers, Kite Flying Society, Sirhan Sirhan, Grand Ole Party, Evan Bethany and The Prayers.

Other newcomers in various categories include MC Flow, Timz, Pearl, The Donkeys, Goddamn Electric Bill, Old Man Hands, The Power Chords, bill, The Bloody Hollies, Swim Party, Fifty On Their Heels, Goblin Cock, Nihilist, Higher Minds, The Kneehighs, The Jade Shader, Steph Johnson, Vision of a Dying World and The High Rolling Loners.

So far, the artists scheduled to perform at the event are Switchfoot, P.O.D., Transfer, Arabella Harrison and a one-off collaboration between A.J. Croce, Gilbert Castellanos and Gregory Page. Proceeds from the SDMA will once again benefit the “Taylor Guitars for Schools” program, which so far has donated more than 1,000 free instruments to 40 schools in San Diego County. Music fans can vote for their favorites online until Aug. 31, and unlike in local politics, write-in votes are allowed. www.sandiegomusicawards.com.

Notables...

A Buddy Blue tribute album is in the works, hopefully to be released later this year. No details yet, except that it was put in motion by the regular posters to the website of the former Beat Farmer and music critic. www.buddyblue.com.

Leaving no question as to whether they are tits or ass guys, hip-hop group South Psycho Cide have just released a 12-inch single called “Ghetto Booty.”

Tubby will have their song “On Fire” used for an upcoming video promotion in Foot Locker stores. The clip will include footage of the band shot at this year's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. www.myspace.com/tubbyfunk.

Recently reunited '80s garage band The Morlocks will be included on the upcoming tribute album dedicated to The Fuzztones. The band will perform the song “Black Box,” originally penned by frontman Leighton Kozumi and Fuzztones guitarist Jordan Tarlow. web.tiscalinet.it/wrongway/leighton/index.htm.

On Aug. 8, buzzy little indie band neontheif releases their debut EP, Stranded Strangers, on Loud & Clear Records. We've heard it, and it makes us happy. www.myspace.com/neonthief

On Aug. 5, Brick By Brick hosts a benefit concert dedicated to the memory of Paulette Valenzuela-the singer for hard rock band The Abuse who was murdered in 2004. On hand will be Endrone, Six Foot Death Trap, Unset, Mother Mae I, Lesson in Pain, Aghori, Sic (monic) and 33 Degree. www.brickby brick.com.

On July 31, guitarist Mark Goffeney and his band Big Toe were among the contestants auditioning for Grammy-winning producer David Foster on NBC-TV's Star Tomorrow talent contest. The performance by Goffeney, who was born without arms and plays the guitar with his feet, made quite an impression on Foster, who called it "inspirational." Big Toe passed the audition, and will be part of the show's starting line up. www.nbc.com/StarTomorrow.

Evan Bethany is one of six finalists in the annual “Billboard Magazine Independent World Series,” being held at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood on Aug. 3. Also up for “Best New Artist” at the San Diego Music Awards, it looks like a decent second half of 2006 for the singer-songwriter. www.evanbethany.com.