Tom Petty and Gatorland, ville

Scott Powers - Orlando Sentinel

Contrary to reports, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers aren't doing any shows with Gatorland, but the rockers send their regards.

Earlier this week a new music TV channel, called Rave HD, announced it would present the world premiere of "Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: Live From Gatorland."

What's this? Is the Florida native doing a benefit show for the old Florida attraction, damaged and temporarily closed by a Nov. 6 fire?

Turns out, the "Gatorland" in the title referred to the land of the Gators, as in Gainesville, hometown to both Petty and the Florida Gators, where the show was recorded on Sept. 21.

Advised there existed a real Gatorland (one with a long history, a current news issue and a legal trademark) Petty's manager said Friday they would change the name of the show.
Now it will be billed "Petty & the Heartbreakers: Live from Gatorville," said manager Tony Dimitriades.

They're changing the name out of respect for to the park, Dimitriades said.
Meanwhile, Gatorland is pushing forward on its Nov. 24 reopening. Spokeswoman Michelle Harris said a Petty representative she spoke with sounded sympathetic about the attraction's plight, so she tried to work with that.

"We said we'd love to have them play Gatorland's grand opening next weekend," she said. "We extended the offer to them. Maybe they'll take us up."
Click here for RaveHD

Here's the Press Release from the 15th

VOOM'S RAVE HD SCORESWORLD BROADCAST PREMIERE OFTOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS'SOLD-OUT HOMECOMING CONCERT"TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS: LIVE FROM GATORLAND" ON DECEMBER 15

New York, November 15, 2006 - Solidifying its emerging status as the prime television destination for top music acts, VOOM HD Network's RAVE HD-the first and only 24/7 high definition music channel-will present the world premiere of "Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: Live From Gatorland," a special concert featuring Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. On December 15th at 9 P.M. ET and again at 9 P.M. PT, catch the band as they return to Gainesville, FL, where it all started, to play their first hometown show in 13 years. The performance, part of their current North American concert tour, was shot on September 21st, with Stevie Nicks joining the band on stage for several songs.

RAVE HD will air additional showings of this two-hour special event during the holiday season.
Rave HD is a new way to experience music on television. The first-ever 24/7 high definition music channel, Rave HD offers commercial-free programming that harnesses the surround-sound power of Dolby Digital 5.1, and the breathtaking depth and clarity of state-of-the-art HD video technology, to showcase music with a physical and emotional impact that television has never delivered before. Rave HD is one of the VOOM HD Networks, a critically acclaimed collection of 15 high-def channels with programming that also covers sports, video games, movies, art, family fare and news. Rave HD is currently available on channel 9470 on the DISH Network.

For Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, The Gainesville concert was an emotional and electrifying evening, as it was for the many family, friends, fans and media who attended from all over the world. The band performed songs from their three-decade career, including rarely played gems, influential covers, and songs from Petty's new solo album, Highway Companion. The Gainesville Sun's front-page headline review described the show as "a raucous triumph." To commemorate their return to Gainesville and the band's 30th anniversary, Gainesville's Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan presented the band with the key to the city and proclaimed September 21 "Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Day."

Since his band's self-titled debut in 1976, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers have sold more than 50-million records, been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards, and as a group in 2002, were inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Petty's third solo release, Highway Companion, became Petty's highest-ever chart debut when it was released earlier this year to tremendous critical acclaim. Associated Press calls it "one of Petty's finest albums" and People gave it four stars, citing it as "most definitely worth the journey." Highway Companion is out now on American Recordings.
Additional holiday airings include

December 24th at 10 P.M. ET,
December 25th at 8 P.M. ET,
December 27th at 3 P.M. ET and
December 29th at 9 P.M. ET.

2005 Grammy Nominees

The Concert for George is up for a Grammy.
Tomorrow night on CBS.
The DVD is up for a Grammy in the category of "Long Form Video."

Back in October(?!?!) 2003, gonegator.com got to get some fans into the UK premiere. Here's an email I got from one of the lucky fans.

Sean,I had a great time. I got there at 7.20 p.m. There were barriers up and fans screaming, just like at a "proper" premiere, it was kind of freaky, and went and waited in the foyer where I happened to be standing next to Nick Rees (on your list) + his girlfriend (you and Tom brought us together as TP fans, ha ha). We managed to stay put in the foyer (they were trying to move everyone into the auditorium, but we hung on in there. So we saw most of the "stars" arrive. Dhani Harrison stood in front of me but I couldn't bring myself to say anything to him out of respect and because I didn't want to be moved on. He was very fresh-faced and innocent looking, quite small, and of course looks exactly like his father. Ringo Starr and his wife came in, Eric Clapton - and then Paul McCartney and his wife. Nick and his girl got Paul's autograph, just about the only one Paul signed. Paul said hullo to me and asked how I was and said it was nice to see me! (Wow!). We went into the auditorium then and sat in the front row. Olivia Harrison came onstage and made a little introductory speech, thanking all those who contributed to the concert and film.

The film was really great. The sound is great. Taxman and Handle with Care with TP & The HBs were on it. I was wanting to get up and dance again, like I did at the time; they lowered the sound in Handle With Care for bits of an interview with Tom talking about how they composed the song in the garage, throwing lines at each other. It was kind of a shock seeing Tom with all his long blonde hair and unshaven face and beard, looking like he could have auditioned for a Harry Potter film, he looked like a wizard, like Merlin! I got a thrill at hearing the band as I did at the time. It brings home to us over here what we are missing, I can tell you that! I was bug-eyed. You don't know how lucky you Americans are! I'm looking forward to seeing the complete dvd of the concert, rather than a documentary sort of version which is what this film is.

After the film the audience applauded the stars who were sitting half way back in the auditorium. Well, thanks very much for the tickets, I am so grateful - it was a big thrill to go there. It was a special occasion. As far as Tom in concerned, it is so difficult in this country where the band hardly ever comes. I love reading up what is going on on your website but of course everything, even TV appearances, is always over there, and I don't have any kind of advanced technology, like satellite tv or internet at home, so I can never download any of the audio or video bits. So I feel really pretty much left out of things. I guess if I knew TP fans in the US I'd have come over to see him on tour, but it's not that easy. I am getting desperate! SO - what I wanted to say is, that even though Tom wasn't there in person, it was still something for us, and I am grateful for it. Also it was nice to meet Nick Rees (unfortunately he is in Liverpool, but we have exchanged email addresses). So I feel I am not quite alone in the UK!

Thanks again,Katherine.

The Last DJ Live DVD

The Last DJ Live DVD is on the WEA (Warner, Elektra, Atlantic) schedule for a 6/10 release date.

But by now, you all know what that means. Could be June, Could be September. I don't know any more specifics. They haven't made a sell sheet for the DVD yet. When they do, I'll get one on the site.