Friends:

I have been negligent in posting at my site for the past 3 weeks, as my life has taken an unexpected twist. I have been entirely consumed by a deeply personal project and haven’t felt right updating to “promote” any of my own ventures at JBTV, Angels & Kings and elsewhere.

I can’t possibly explain the range of emotions that have come along with this project. Nor can I possibly thank enough those who have joined me in the fight. I can, however, share an overview of what has happened.

with matthew and madina lake at a soccer match in sheffield, UK

One of my dearest friends on the planet, Madina Lake bassist, Matthew Leone, was the victim of an assault at the beginning of July.

Matthew came to the aid of a woman being physically assaulted by her husband on the 1300 block of West Ohio Street. After intervening and calling Chicago police, Matthew was beaten by the man and left unconscious in the street. His brain injuries were so severe that multiple surgeries have been required to remove and reattach portions of his skull. In March, while I was on tour with the band in Europe, Matthew’s health insurance lapsed, leaving him financially uncovered in this horrific situation. He is currently recovering at home.

with matthew and jeezi in paris

In the days following the attack on Matthew, I co-founded Through the Pain – a non-profit benefit alliance created by Matthew’s friends in support of his yet untold medical, legal and rehabilitation costs. Partnering with Sweet Relief, a non-profit charity that maintains a financial fund from which professional musicians can draw from when in need of medical care or financial assistance, we are holding a series of benefit concerts, auctions and special events.

The first concert features an acoustic set from Nathan and Mateo of Madina Lake and performances by AM Taxi, The Fold, The Lifeline and David Costa takes place at Double Door (21+) on Saturday, August 21^st. Tickets are available HERE.

The second show will be held at Hard Rock Hotel Chicago (21+) on Sunday, August 22^nd. The lineup includes The Lovehammers, Kill Hannah, Scott Lucas of Local H, Makeshift Prodigy and The Frantic.  In addition to hosting the concert, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago has created an exclusive room offer whereby the hotel will donate $15 for every room booked during the entire month of August. Tickets for this show go on sale Saturday (7/31) at 10 AM via www.throughthepain.org. Prices for each show are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

In addition to organizing these and other benefit shows, we have launched a big-ticket, International auction which is currently being held through eBay and can be directly accessed via www.throughthepain.org.  Notable auction items include: a one-of-a-kind Lego sculpture commissioned by Pete Wentz for his Clandestine Industries clothing line, a prototype Washburn guitar built exclusively for Dan Donegan of Chicago-based band Disturbed – signed and donated by Dan himself and a signed platinum record from the band A Perfect Circle’s debut, platinum record Mer De Noms.

For the most updated list of active items available, click HERE.

Direct cash donations can also be made to Matthew Leone’s Sweet Relief fund through www.throughthepain.org. As of today, Wednesday July 28th, our Sweet Relief fund is over $34,000. 100% of this money will go directly to Matthew.

There are a million and one things I would like to add, but I wouldn’t even know where to begin. If you have helped Matthew in any way, please know that you are changing his life and the world for the better. I speak for the Leone family, Madina Lake and myself when I say that we are eternally grateful to have experienced such selfless love from people around the world.

Thank you infinitely,

Ryan Manno

Wednesday (6/30) :: Angels & Kings Chicago presents another FREE “One Man(no) Show!”

In an OMS first, it’s an Extreme Makeover: One Man(no) Show Edition! The beautiful stylists from Rock Razor Scissors will be ambushing the AK basement, doing FREE cuts, style and makeup on a handful of the willing. So cool!

And of course, live music from Gunner’s Daughter and Vanity Theft!

PLUS.. I will have the final pair of exclusive, private and VIP passes to see Against Me! perform live on our JBTV HD Soundstage! It’s as simple as filling out a register-to-win form.. be present when I call your name and you’re in to the July 3rd episode taping!

- Seven Ten North Clark Street (Clark / Huron)

- Doors at 9p / Music at 10:30p

- FREE meter parking after 9

- NO cover .. NO ticket needed .. NO drink minimum!

See ya at the circus,

.:: Ryan

I’m really excited and honored to be a featured speaker at this weekend’s MobFest 2010! I’ll be moderating the “Exposure” panel with an incredible roster of successful industry veterans and I highly recommend spending $10 to pick these brains at Elbo Room:

Knowing everyone on these panels, I can say – with 100% certainty – that anyone looking for great insight in the 3 specific fields will find it! Advance ticket sales are done, so show up and grab a spot.

For the 3-day MobFest artist lineup, click HERE!

Have a great weekend,

.:: RJM

I checked in – live from Times’ Square in New York City – with Chicagoist host (and my former WONC radio colleague) Karl Klockars about my oddly-publicized run as a finalist on the Rod Blagojevich jury.

Listen to the full conversation below! Karl did a great interview; he asked real questions – political and fun – about what it was like to sit on the stand in that courtroom. Really enjoyed being a guest on the show! Almost as much as I enjoyed being rejected as a juror..

chicago tribune

Original post, interview on Chicagoist.com ::

"You see, Judge Zagel, when we were saying he's a total idiot, we really meant...oh, forget it."

In this mid-week entry to the Chicagoist Podcast Series, while the rest of the press danced around identifying former Q101 jock Ryan Manno and current JBTV host as a potential juror for the Blagojevich trial, we go right ahead and get his ass on the phone. We talk about the jury process, about being just feet away from our former Governor and discussing radio bits about him with the judge, and about the press’s reaction in the wake of his courtroom experience. And what the hell do you wear when you’re going face to face with the Federal courts? And all this happened in one day’s work.

To listen, just click play: Ryan Manno, Ex-Blago Juror

Recently: Adam Carolla & Chris Hardwick (6/7)
Related: Scott Raab, Esquire’s Blago Profile (1/15)T

- – - – -

For more info, coverage and thoughts on my time as Juror #171, click HERE!

This thing’s golden,

.:: #171

LIVE from Chicago.. it’s this week’s “The Abe Kanan Show” w/ special guest, former Q101 jock.. SLUDGE!

- Sludge makes his AKS debut and it’s a ball-busting fest of epic proportions! Not only was he my mentor at Q101 in Chicago, he was Abe’s morning drive co-host on Richmond’s Y101 – and they were ROOMMATES! Twisted stories of sexual conquests (once with diarrhea), bizarre habits (napping with Pantera cranked to 11, shredding documents at 2 AM) and ordering the entire menu from KFC. It’s weird, disgusting and pathetic.. but all 100% true!

the morning sludge

- I have some more info, thoughts and commentary from my time as Blago Juror #171.

- Danny Gaga has the celeb gossip roundup – did Obama get drunk at the Sox/National game? Plus, Danny’s still standing by his theory on the “Golden Girls Curse” and how did Manute Bol really die?

- From the email bag: We offer useful “rape avoidance” advice to women on Craigslist.

Stream or save and store it >> “The Abe Kanan Show” Episode 26 ::

June 22, 2010: The Abe Kanan Show (NSFW)

Thanks for listening!

.:: Ryan

I guess “anonymity” is all relative..

I’ve been given the all clear to confirm that I was, until yesterday, Blago Juror #171.

chicago tribune

Imagine my surprise when I was randomly selected to serve as a juror on the Blagojevich trial. Imagine anyone’s surprise to get picked for this one!

Imagine my surprise when I made it thru the first round of cuts, even after I had indicated on my questionnaire that I had publicly talked about the case on Chicago’s radiowaves. I thought, for sure, that’d be an automatic DQ.

juror questionnaire

Imagine my surprise when I sat in the front of the courtroom, 10 feet from our ex-Governor and told Judge Zagel that I had often poked fun at Blago on the radio.. all while making direct eye contact with Blago for 8 minutes. Awwwkward.

And imagine my surprise when I got in my car… and heard WBBM-AM reporting on the fact that I had just left the courtroom.

from chicagobreakingnews.com

Of course, WBBM didn’t give my name. Nor did the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, CBS, NBC, NPR, FOX, ABC, WGN, WTTW or the dozens of others outlets who ran with the story. I am surprised, after reading and watching some of the stories, that they didn’t at least try to give it in Pig Latin!?

A friend texted me yesterday afternoon and said, “I think they’re talking about you on NBC. At least it sounds like you. And they showed a courtroom sketch of the side of your head. At least it looked like your head.” Anyone know where I can buy courtroom sketches?

chicago sun-times

I do find it interesting that such an epic legal case, with so much emphasis on the anonymity of jurors (it’s all we were told for more than a week), would allow the media to thoroughly detail a jurors well-publicized and easily searcheable professional history.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that it’s fair game to disclose identity after a juror has been dismissed. At that point, you’re 100% irrelevant. But I was still very much in the prospective pool until late yesterday afternoon; long after the local news had all played connect the dots.

I don’t mind so much for me, primarily because I was excused from serving (plus a little media massage is good for business). But having just experienced, first-hand, the implications of being flooded with random people asking “You’re on the Blago jury?,” I feel that it’s a rather sloppy precedent to set and allow going forward. What if it had been a trial for a famous mob boss who had henchmen with a penchant for making house calls? I wouldn’t have gone home.

Maybe this helps to better illustrate my point.. How did I find out I was dismissed as a juror? By watching the 5 o’clock news. That seems broken to me.

chicago tribune

Again, I don’t mean to get too far away from the lighthearted nature of my personal experience. I’m talking more about the principle.

I know, on a journalistic level, having a member of the media on Blago’s jury makes for a snazzy feature piece du jour. But the civil fundamentals of guarding anonymity, while someone is still up for high-profile (or low-profile) jury selection, should be considered on an integral level by a media granted access to report. At least in my naive little world, constitutional protection trumps a headline grab.

I’ve been contacted by some outlets asking to do interviews about the entire experience. And I’m happy to oblige now that it’s over. I’ll post the links to anything, if you’re curious in hearing more about the wild process.

** While I was typing this, one of my Mom’s co-workers emailed me this clip from last night’s episode of “Chicago Tonight,” where Phil Ponce asks the reporter to give my identity on live TV.

Oh, and Rod’s hair looks even more ridiculous when he’s sitting next to you.

All rise,

.:: #171

2 days before Christmas in 2007, Chicago’s Spitalfield bid a sad so-long from a sold-out stage at Metro. The band had one hell of a 9-year run; they’d signed with Victory Records, played on 3 continents in 10 countries and sold nearly a quarter-million records worldwide. A great band made up of better people, Spitalfield was one you really wanted to see succeed!

12.23.07: spitalfield says goodbye

Following the split, singer Mark Rose pushed on in pursuit of solo work while TJ and JD surprised even themselves when their “fun project,” Thrillage turned into a Chicago band more in-demand than planned. The parts of the sum found their new grooves, leaving Spitalfield to its due in the rear-view.

Fast forward 2.5 years to last week (6/2) at Angels & Kings.. my free “One Man(no) Show” featured a double-bill of Mark Rose and Thrillage. Separate, but together. Savvy minds saw the flier, heard the buzz, connected the dots and packed AK to see a third, ‘unannounced’ band take the stage.. Spitalfield!

They made it official with a set heavy on hits and a crowd reception that more than justified their decision to dust off the old hat. More official still? Their mid-set announcement that Spitalfield will properly test the waters of reunion at Beat Kitchen on August 28th.

** Tickets go on sale HERE this Saturday (6/12) **

I talked to the guys plenty and I don’t think any of them know exactly what will happen in the weeks or months ahead. And I assume that’s probably for the best. The element of “unknown” seems to bring out the best in any situation like this; it allows so much more room to just have fun and let it unfold.

So, if you missed the Angels & Kings show.. take comfort in at least one more chance to see Spitalfield back together. Also enjoy this bootlegged vid from inside the club of “I Loved the Way She Said L.A.” The sound is sketchy, but you can appreciate the passion regardless.

Note: In all of my time hosting shows here, we’ve never had crowd-surfing! Not even close. For a few minutes, we turned the joint into a Knights of Columbus hall or something!?

Big thanks again to my pals in the band(s) and to everyone who shared such a special night with us!

Better than knowing where you are,

.:: Ryan

For the past 14 months, every Wednesday night, Angels and Kings Chicago has been home to the “One Man(no) Show.

We’ve proudly put together and promoted local and national two-band bills, and presented them all.. for FREE!

Over the course of the rewarding run at AK, the following artists, in no particular order, are among those who have made music on our stage: Fall Out Boy, Butch Walker, Plain White T’s, Cobra Starship, Samantha Ronson, the GZA, Tokyo Police Club, Gym Class Heroes, AM Taxi, Kill Hannah, Janus, The Audition, Empires, The Academy Is…, Catfish Haven, The Lifeline, Madina Lake, The Fold, Makeshift Prodigy, The Hush Sound, Treaty of Paris, Tiger Spirit, The Frantic, Local H,  David Costa and Death on Two Wheels. The list goes on and on and on.

A few familiar faces who’ve joined us to take it all in: Kiefer Sutherland, Metallica, Lindsay Lohan, Chad Kroger of Nickelback, the Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp, Jared Leto, Danny Masterson, the 2009 Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs, Shiny Toy Guns, Alice in Chains and Ashlee Simpson. Again, the list goes on.

We’ve broadcast our shows live on Q101. We’ve streamed our concerts live on JBTV. Record labels, managers, musicians, tastemakers and anyone paying attention has learned that we’re a vital checkpoint on the checklist. People are paying attention.

The night has vitalized both players and patrons who, together, deal a similar passion for sharing music that spans genres and memories that span lifetimes.

If you’ve been, you know. If you haven’t, you should.

If you’ve played there, you get it. If you haven’t, you can.

For a minute there, it kinda sounded like  ‘goodbye.’ Quite the opposite.. We’re just getting started! And we’re looking to open up our talent pool to the most promising Chicago artists who deserve and need to have their name added to the dignified list above.

Are you in a band that doesn’t suck? Do you know a band who would be a perfect fit? Good. Send us your stuff!

Email the following 6 things to ryan@ryanmanno.com AND jason@angelsandkings.com :

- Band name

- Photo

- 150-200 word bio

- Last 5 shows played

- Website / Myspace

- MP3 of your best song

That’s it. Simple, right? We’ll review each submission and, assuming we dig it, get back to you ASAP about lining up an Angels and Kings showcase in the weeks and months ahead.

Our passion is exposing the best bands to the brightest people. That we get to do it in Chicago is the greatest gift. Our family includes AK NYC, Los Angeles and Barcelona. We want you to be part of it.

Making room in our inboxes,

.:: Ryan Manno and Jason Merz

Like most rock music-obsessed, curious kids in the Midwest, I grew up watching Jerry Bryant host JBTV …

JBTV : Multiple EMMY Award Winner

It always felt underground; like some killer little renegade secret that only we were in on. Jerry always played the coolest videos – stuff that MTV was either too afraid or too cool to play. To me, JBTV was what I wished MTV had the balls to be.

They always had the most cutting edge bands in-studio, often times before they exploded to iconic status worldwide.

JBTV first exposed me to so many bands that I still regard as favorites, so it goes without saying that THIS has been one wild week for me!

I’m not 100% sure that it’s fully sunk in yet .. that I am the new host of JBTV!? Here is the press release put out this past Tuesday:

To say that I am humbled, honored, blessed and excited would be an understatement!

We have an amazing new management team in place, comprised of proven successful winners in the arena of music business, who I believe are the right people to take this show to truly new heights. Just in the first week, JBTV has partnered with Apple to feature the show as a weekly video podcast on iTunes! Details on this will come next week. And THIS is only the beginning …

Today – Friday January 15th, – we’ll be filming a soundstage performance with Janus and for the first time ever, you’ll be able to stream our in-studio interview LIVE as it happens from the JBTV studio right HERE:

The interview should get going around 5:30 PM (CST) and the private Janus soundstage performance will follow shortly after around 6:15. I’m excited to invite you to have this unprecedented access inside the JBTV studios!

In the meantime, check out Janus’ incredible new video for “Eyesore” : :

I urge you, as a fan of music, to keep a watchful eye on this entire JBTV project .. things are about to get bigger than you possibly know!

Thanks for ALL of your support,

.:: Ryan