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Legendary Drummer Prairie Prince Announces Debut Solo Album ​
"Colours and Passions"
"COLOURS AND PASSIONS" – A DECADE IN THE MAKING TRIBUTE TO KEN
NORDINE'S "COLORS" 

10 years, 50 musicians, 20 drums, 14 tracks, Colours and Passions, the debut solo album by acclaimed drummer Prairie Prince takes up where the original record by spoken word legend Ken Nordine left off.

DENVER, CO / SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 27, 2026 – After a lifetime behind the drums for some of rock's most iconic acts, Prairie Prince steps into the spotlight with his debut solo album, "Colours and Passions," releasing March 20, 2026, on Label 51 Recordings. The ambitious project—ten years in the making and featuring 50 musicians across 14 tracks—pays homage to spoken word legend Ken Nordine's landmark 1966 album "Colors."
Recorded at the historic site of Wally Heider's Studios in San Francisco, where Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young captured their classic sounds, "Colours and Passions" represents an imaginative fusion of percussion artistry and collaborative improvisation. Each track explores a specific color and its emotional resonance, creating what Prince describes as an almost Jungian journey through the collective subconscious.
"I started off with drum tracks and then added different percussion," Prince explains. "I would have other people put some bass or some guitar and tried to follow whatever melodies they made up on top, trying to make songs you could actually sing. Chords and keys I don't know much about—I'm a drummer."

THE JOURNEY FROM WORD JAZZ TO COLOURS AND PASSIONS
Prairie Prince first encountered Ken Nordine's work as a youth through his older sisters, who introduced him to the Chicago voiceover artist's beatnik-era spoken word albums "Word Jazz" and "Son of Word Jazz." Nordine's original "Colors" featured thirty-four individual tracks, each devoted to a specific color. Prince's "Colours and Passions" concentrates on fourteen shades that spoke directly to the drummer's imagination and experience.
The recording process, interrupted by the pandemic, unfolded organically over more than a decade. Much of the album was improvised on the spot, with Prince's percussion work serving as the foundation for contributions from an extraordinary roster of collaborators including Todd Rundgren, Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Ross Valory (Journey), Chris von Sneidern (The Flamin' Groovies), members of The Tubes, and gonzo guitarist Buckethead.
The album will be accompanied by drawings of the drums used on each track, created by Prince himself—a visual artist as accomplished as he is a musician.

A LEGENDARY CAREER BEHIND THE KIT
Prairie Prince's résumé reads like a who's who of rock history. Beyond his work with The Tubes and the Todd Rundgren band, he was the original drummer in Journey and belonged to Jefferson Starship for several years. As one of Northern California's most sought-after session drummers, he has recorded with Chris Isaak, Tom Waits, George Harrison, Dick Dale, and countless others.
With his creative partner Michael Cotten of The Tubes, Prince has designed and built stage sets for Bette Midler, Billy Joel, and NSYNC. The duo worked with choreographer Kenny Ortega on the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Super Bowl XXX halftime show with Diana Ross, Michael Jackson's "This Is It" show, and numerous Las Vegas spectacles. Their mural of flying record albums hovered over the A&M Records lot in Hollywood for many years.

SINGLES ROLLING OUT TO ALBUM RELEASE
Label 51 Recordings has been rolling out singles from "Colours and Passions" in advance of the March 2026 album release:
• "BLACK HORROR" (Released September 2025)
• "TRASHWHITE ANGER" (Released November 2025)
• "ORANGE JOY" (Released December 2025)
• "FLESH TERROR" (Released January 2026)
The fourth single, "FLESH TERROR," tackles themes of racial violence and segregation with a tempo that gradually accelerates from largo through presto, climaxing with a musical implosion. The track features Chris von Sneidern on samples, Bobby Strickland on flute, and Buckethead on acoustic and electric guitar, with comedian Neil Hamburger making a surprise appearance.

About Label 51 Recordings Label 51 Recordings is reimagining the music industry through artist-first principles and community-driven ownership models.

Fan Ownership Opportunity Label 51 Recordings is currently conducting a fan-funding campaign on We-funder, offering fans the opportunity to become actual co-owners of the label. Unlike traditional crowdfunding rewards, investors receive equity stakes in the company, aligning their interests with the label's success. The campaign represents a new model for independent music, where fans can directly support and benefit from the artists they believe in.

"We're building something different – a label where artists keep their masters and fans can own a piece of the company," Zicklin said. "It's about disrupting the traditional music industry model and creating genuine partnerships with both artists and music lovers."

For more information about investing in Label 51 Recordings, visit https://wefunder.com/label51recordings.
 

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Why Do Old Songs Suddenly Come Back on the Charts?

Ever notice how a song you forgot about suddenly pops back up on the charts like it never left? One minute you're scrolling, the next minute an "old" song is sitting right next to brand-new releases on Spotify or Apple Music. That's not random it's how today's music culture works.

Social Media Runs the Playlist
One of the biggest reasons songs return to the charts is social media. A single TikTok trend, dance challenge, meme, or viral clip can turn a years-old song into a moment again. When millions of people start using the same track in videos, streams spike fast - and charts follow the numbers.

Movies, TV Shows, and Games Bring Songs Back
When a song is featured in a movie scene, TV show, trailer, or even a video game, it can feel brand new to a whole generation. Fans hear it, search it, stream it - and suddenly it's charting again. Music doesn't age the same way it used to.

Playlists Are Powerful
Curated playlists are a huge deal now. When an older song gets added to a popular playlist especially ones made for moods like "Late Night Vibes" or "Throwback Hits" it reaches listeners who may have never heard it before. New ears = new streams.

Artists Go Viral Too
Sometimes the artist becomes the reason the song comes back. A live performance, an interview clip, a freestyle, or even a random viral moment can send fans searching through their catalog. When people discover an artist late, they often start with the songs that already proved themselves.

Streaming Changed the Rules
Back in the day, charts mostly followed radio play and physical sales. Now, charts are based on what people actually listen to anytime, anywhere. There's no rule saying a song has to be "new" to be popular. If people are pressing play, the song earns its spot.

Nostalgia Hits Different
Let's be real - nostalgia is powerful. Sometimes people just want music that feels familiar, comforting, or reminds them of a moment in their life. When enough people feel that at the same time, those streams stack up quickly.

What This Means for Teen Artists and Fans
For artists, it means your song can have multiple lives. One viral moment can change everything even years later. For fans, it means the charts aren't just about what dropped this week. They're a real-time reflection of what people actually love right now.

Old songs don't come back because the industry forces them they come back because listeners do. And that's the power of streaming culture.

The Rhythm Keeper of Zydeco

By Don Samuel, Zydeco &
Southern Soul Column (Part 1 of 2)
Rideau
Step Rideau: The Rhythm Keeper of Zydeco

When you think of modern zydeco that honors tradition while bringing its own soulful fire to dance floors across the South, few names resonate like Step Rideau. Born Stephen Joseph Rideau in 1966 in the Creole heartland of Lebeau, Louisiana, Step has spent decades turning the accordion into an instrument of pure emotion, culture, and unbridled rhythm. From grassroots house dances in Louisiana to major stages nationwide, Rideau personifies zydeco's spirit - joyous, resilient, and forever moving feet and hearts.

Roots and Rise
Growing up steeped in Louisiana's rich musical traditions, Rideau was surrounded by Creole culture from the start. Though music was always a part of the fabric of his youth, it wasn't until adulthood after relocating to Houston in the mid-1980s that he picked up the accordion and began to carve out his own musical destiny. What might have remained a hobby for others became a lifelong calling for Step, who soon formed Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws a band that would take traditional zydeco rhythms and broaden them with soulful vocals, tight grooves, and a stage presence that demands attention.

Rideau's sound bridges the old and the new, honoring zydeco's roots while expanding its reach. With a band that complements his accordion with strong backing vocals and vibrant rhythms, he brings energy and authenticity to every performance whether at outdoor festivals, community dances, or cultural showcases.

Musical Journey and Style
Step Rideau's music is deeply connected to zydeco's history: the blend of traditional Creole melodies, blues inflections, and dancefloor-ready rhythms that first emerged in southwestern Louisiana. Unlike many accordionists who lean solely on speed and tricks, Rideau sings with soul articulating both English and Creole lyrics that evoke joy, heartache, celebration, and storytelling. His bandmates particularly long-time collaborators like drummer Jean-Paul Jolivette help sculpt the sound into something that feels both timeless and fresh.

Throughout his career, Rideau has shared stages with legends and brought zydeco to wider audiences. His extensive touring and festival appearances have helped carry the music beyond its regional home, resonating with fans around the country and abroad.

Discography Highlights
Over the years, Step Rideau has built a catalog filled with groove-driven tracks and albums that capture the heart of zydeco culture. Classics like Steppin' On and Standing Room Only remain fan favorites, while albums such as Like Never Before showcase his versatility and enduring passion for the genre. But even as he honors the past, Rideau continues to create new music that connects with contemporary audiences.

Latest Release: "Step Rideau Outlaw 4 Life"
In 2025, Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws dropped their latest single, "Step Rideau Outlaw 4 Life" - a high-energy track that captures the essence of zydeco life: movement, celebration, and musical identity. Released on May 28, 2025, the single continues Rideau's tradition of crafting music that keeps listeners dancing while staying rooted in the rich Creole heritage from which zydeco sprang. "Outlaw 4 Life" is not just a song title - it's a statement of artistic commitment, encapsulating Rideau's role as a keeper of the zydeco flame and as a musician whose sound proudly stands on its own in today's cultural landscape.

Legacy and Influence
Over the decades, Step Rideau has become more than a performer - he's an ambassador of zydeco music. His commitment to both traditional roots and contemporary expression ensures that zydeco remains a vibrant, living art form. Whether he's playing a crowded dance hall in Louisiana, a festival stage in Texas, or lighting up the digital airwaves with his newest single, Rideau's music embodies the soul of zydeco - joyous, relentless, and always ready to dance.