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April 1 - 10, 2010
These are the scripts Joe Benson used on the air at 95.5 KLOS in Los Angeles. They all received final editing by Jan Benson, without whom the task would have been far too daunting. Remember to give credit where credit is due, and enjoy!
April 1, 2010
John Barbata, drummer with the Jefferson Airplane and Starship, is 65.
The legendary Ronnie Lane, bassist with the Small Faces and owner of one of the first major mobile recording studios, would have been 64.
Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro would have been 56.
On this day in 1985, David Lee Roth officially left Van Halen to pursue a solo career. He was, of course, replaced by Sammy Hagar, who was then replaced some years later by Gary Cherone, who was then replaced by Sammy Hagar, who was then replaced by David Lee Roth, who was then replaced again by Sammy Hagar, who was then replaced again by David Lee Roth. Sounds like someone has a problem holding onto lead singers, doesn't it?
On this day in 1985, the "We Are The World" album was released after three million copies of the single with the same name had been sold. The album was bolstered by the inclusion of previously unreleased material donated by eight rock stars, including Bruce Springsteen.
This weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Journey as well as more of Joe's conversations with Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory and Jonathan Cain. Stream on!
The Most Watched Concert Ever
Last October's Rose Bowl concert that U2 performed to 97,000 in the venerable venue was streamed over 10 million times on YouTube. Shot with 27 HD cameras and directed by Tom Krueger, the "U2360° At The Rose Bowl" DVD and Blu-ray will be released on June 3rd — the day the band launches the 2010 North American leg of the 360° Tour. While you know the sound will be awesome, it will be interesting to see how the band's jaw-dropping "Claw" stage setup comes across on DVD.
Scorpions!
With the success of their newest (and final) album "Sting in the Tail," The Scorpions are set to launch the U.S. leg of their final tour on June 18th in New Jersey. They'll hit the Southland with shows at the Greek Theater on July 29th and the Citizen's Business Bank Arena in Ontario on July 31st. Although there's no indication they'll be back again, the boy's long goodbye tour will run through 2012. Rock on!
Final Quadrophenia
Monday night The Who performed their 1973 rock opera "Quadrophenia" in its entirety for the last time. The massive undertaking at London's Royal Albert Hall served as a fundraiser for singer Roger Daltrey's Teenage Cancer Trust. Roger and guitarist Pete Townshend were backed by their touring band as well as a brass section, two string players and two surprise guest vocalists: Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan. The rave reviews described Townshend's playing as "virtuosic, moving between bluesy licks, shredding solos and savage power chords fueled by an enduring rage." We can only hope it will be released on DVD.
It was Marty Indik who said: "Half of analysis is anal."
It was Frederico Fellini who said: "Life is a combination of magic and pasta."
It was G. K. Chesterton who said: "The reformer is always right about what is wrong. He is generally wrong about what is right."
April Fool's Day
As you know, today is April Fool's Day — another of the Cynthia Fox Holy Days of Obligation! Personally, I live by Mark Twain's observation, "Without fools, the rest of us could not succeed." Just the same, here's a primer on this weird little 'Holiday.'
In sixteenth-century France, the start of the New Year was observed on April 1st much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. But in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and his New Year began on January 1st. Communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people didn't receive the word on the new calendar for several years. As for the more obstinate French folks, they continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1st. Eventually, the general populace labeled these people as "fools." They were subject to ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes. Over time, this kind of harassment evolved into a tradition of prank playing on the first day of April. By the eighteenth century, the tradition had spread to England and Scotland, and was later introduced to the American colonies of both the English and French. April Fool's Day thus developed into an international fun fest, so to speak, with different nationalities specializing in their own brand of humor at the expense of their friends and families.
Around the world these days, April Fool's Day is a "for-fun-only" observance. Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their "significant other" out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off work or school. It's simply a fun little holiday, but one on which we must remain forever vigilant. Now come on mate, pull my finger.
April 2, 2010
Keyboardist Leon Russell is 69.
Drummer David Robinson of The Cars (the guy who came up with the band's name and image) is 59.
Bassist Leon Wilkeson of Lynyrd Skynyrd would have been 58.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles finished recording the "Sgt. Pepper" album.
On this day in 1967, vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Steve Winwood left the Spencer Davis Group to form Traffic with singer/drummer Jim Capaldi, multi-instrumentalist Chris Wood and singer/guitarist Dave Mason.
On this day in 1977, Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" album hit #1 for the first of 37 weeks! (It eventually went on to sell over 17 million copies.)
On this day in 1977, "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney & Wings peaked at #10 on the charts, "Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas topped out at #11, and "Do Ya" by the Electric Light Orchestra peaked at #24 on the charts.
Slowhand To Summerfest
Milwaukee's 11 day Summerfest along the shores of Lake Michigan already had Jeff Beck, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and ZZ Top scheduled to play. Now comes word that they've scored Eric Clapton, with support from The Who's Roger Daltrey, to headline on June 28th — just two days after his Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago. Cold beer, brats and Slowhand — indeed!
New Steve Miller
Hard to believe, but it's been 17 years since the last new Steve Miller Band studio album. But that will change on June 15th when Steve Miller releases the first of two new albums recorded at George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch. He describes "Bingo!" as, "a party record, man. It's about getting up and getting ready to dance. It's like the fraternity party gigs I used to play in college. I went through and picked all my favorite tunes that I really, really loved." Recorded with co-producer Andy Johns (who's famously worked with Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Van Halen), Steve and his band recorded 42 songs live on a sound stage. B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby" (with a contribution from Joe Satriani), Lowell Fulson's "Tramp" and Jimmy Reed's "You Got Me Dizzy" are among the songs on "Bingo!"; the untitled companion Blues and R&B cover record will be out next Spring.
Spidy's Back On
After a rough gestation period, rehearsals for U2's "Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark" Broadway musical are finally underway, and the world premiere has been rescheduled for this Fall. Besides lining up financing for the multi-million dollar production, Bono wrote music for the show with The Edge and continues to be involved in its production. Stay tuned!
It was Erica Jong who said: "Advice is what you ask for when you already know the answer, but wish you didn't."
It was Abraham Lincoln who said: "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
It was famed race car driver Cale Yarborough who said: "Don't ever wrestle with a pig. You'll both get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it."
April 3, 2010
Dee Murray, Elton John's long time bassist, would have been 64.
Grand Funk bassist Mel Schacher is 59.
KLOS' own Cynthia Fox is 29.
On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan appeared on the music charts for the first time with the song "Subterranean Homesick Blues."
On this day in 1971, "Oye Como Va" by Santana peaked at #13 on the charts.
On this day in 1976, David Bowie's "Golden Years" peaked at #10 on the charts.
On this day in 1982, "Juke Box Hero" by Foreigner peaked at #26 on the charts.
On this day in 1991, Paul McCartney did an acoustic performance for "MTV Unplugged," and then became the first artist to release an "Unplugged" performance as an album.
April 4, 2010
Blues great Muddy Waters would have been 95.
Original Allman Brothers bassist Berry Oakley would have been 61.
On this day in 1964, The Beatles held the Top 5 slots on the American singles charts with "Can't Buy Me Love," "Twist and Shout," "She Loves You," "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "Please, Please Me." Pretty good for a boy band from Liverpool.
On this day in 1964, The Rolling Stones released their first, self-titled album. It initially sold dozens.
On this day in 1981, Styx's "Paradise Theater" album hit #1.
On this day in 1987, Genesis' "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" peaked at #3 on the U.S. singles chart.
On this day in 1987, U2's incredible "The Joshua Tree" album entered the U.S. album chart at #7, the highest new entry on the chart since 1980.
On this day in 1996, Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia's ashes were spread over the river Ganges in India by his widow and bandmate Bob Weir. However, Jerry's ex-wife and four daughters said he actually wanted to be sprinkled over the Pacific. Don't you just hate when that happens?
April 5, 2010
Singer Alan Clarke of The Hollies is 68.
Former Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland is 64.
Mike McCready, Pearl Jam's blazing lead guitarist, is 44.
On this day in 1969, The Who's "Pinball Wizard" entered the singles charts.
On this day in 1980, R.E.M. played their first public gig at a private party in an old Athens, Georgia church.
On this day in 1986, John Mellencamp's "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." peaked at #2 on the singles chart.
On this day in 1994, Kurt Cobain, the guitarist behind the groundbreaking band Nirvana, committed suicide at the age of 27 in his Seattle home.
On this day in 1998, legendary drummer Cozy Powell died at the age of 50 in a high-speed car crash near Bristol, England. Cozy had played with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Jeff Beck and Whitesnake, among others.
Huge Sturgis Line-Up
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota just gets bigger and bigger every year. For the 70th annual event this August, Motley Crue are making a special trip back to rock just four days after a gig in Sweden. Other less jet lagged bands on the bill include ZZ Top, Dave Mason, Tesla, Kid Rock and The Doobie Brothers. A Harley-Davidson is not required to attend, but you may feel kind of silly without one.
Fresh Bad Co.
Seems that somebody in Bad Company doesn't want to tour the States — or perhaps he doesn't want to tour the States with the other guys in the band. But just the same, they'd all like to share their latest live show with us. In the midst of a mini-tour of England, original Bad Co. singer Paul Rodgers, drummer Simon Kirke and guitarist Mick Ralphs (bassist Boz Burrell is long deceased) recorded their April 1st show in Birmingham and April 2nd show in Manchester. Next they'll record their April 11th show at London's legendary Wembley Arena. Fans are encouraged to buy the live CDs following the gigs, but you can purchase all three recordings online just in case you won't be anywhere near England this month.
Sir Elty/Gaga/Bond
This should be interesting! Word is that Elton John will collaborate with Lady Gaga on the theme song to the next James Bond movie. The first Bond duet was featured in the last movie, "Quantum Of Solace," when Jack White and Alicia Keys collaborated. The next as yet untitled Bond installment will be directed by Sam Mendes, who won an Oscar for "American Beauty." Yes, it will be released next year and will feature many, many explosions and bodacious babes.
Sorry Bob
Although they say it isn't his singing that's the problem, the Chinese government will not okay Bob Dylan's proposed shows in Beijing and Shanghai. It seems that China's Ministry of Culture has concerns over Dylan's status as part of the counterculture movement. And the times they are a-changing!
It was skating superstar/cancer survivor Scott Hamilton who said: "The only disability in life is a bad attitude."
It was David Allen who said: "You can do anything, but not everything."
It was Fran Lebowitz who said: "Life is something to do when you can't get to sleep."
April 6, 2010
Allman Brothers/Govt. Mule guitarist Warren Haynes is 50.
On this day in 1974, the Eagles, Deep Purple, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Black Sabbath played at the first Cal Jam at the Ontario Motor Speedway (about where you'll find the Ontario Mills outlet mall today). If you have any friends born in January '75... well, that Cal Jam parking lot was a wild, wild place!
On this day in 1984, guitarist "Little" Steven Van Zandt announced that he was leaving The E Street Band to pursue solo projects.
On this day in 1991, R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" entered the singles charts.
Scorps Today!
You should join your Uncle Joe and KLOS' legendary Jim Ladd at noon today for the induction of the Scorpions into the Guitar Center's Rockwalk Of Fame on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The Scorpions' 17th (and final) studio album "Sting In The Tail" has just come out, and they're bringing their 3-year/five continent Get Your Sting & Blackout World Tour to the Southland in June.
Tyler Now/Aerosmith Later (Maybe)
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler performed "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch at the Boston Red Sox's winning season home opener against the New York Yankees on Sunday — and he might be back soon with his buddies. After a long year of rehab and rumors, Tyler and the band will be heading out to Venezuela next month for their Cocked, Locked, Ready To Rock tour. There's also a good chance that Aerosmith and the Red Sox are close to a deal that would see the Hall Of Famers perform at Fenway Park on August 13th and 14th with The J. Geils Band opening both nights. No word (yet) on more U.S. concert dates, but you know how these things tend to grow and grow!
Sting For The Earth (Day)
Occasional Police frontman Sting will be one of The Climate Rally's headliners on April 25th on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The event, which is part of a nine-day celebration of Earth Day 2010, is being staged to raise environmental awareness. R&B star John Legend, Booker T. Jones and the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir will be among the other performers.
It was Robert Benchley who said: "Anyone can do any amount of work provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at the moment."
It was Billy Connolly who said: "Marriage is a wonderful invention, but, then again, so is a bicycle repair kit."
It was Mae West who said: "It takes two to get one in trouble."
April 7, 2010
Drummer Spencer Dryden, who most notably played with the Jefferson Airplane, would have been 72.
Original Jethro Tull guitarist Mick Abrahams is 67.
Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann is 64.
John Oates, of Hall & Oates, is 61.
Bruce Gary, the original drummer for The Knack and an ace session man, would have been 59.
On this day in 1962, at London's Ealing Blues Club, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards first met Brian Jones. Within the year, they formed The Rolling Stones.
On this day in 1973, David Bowie's "Space Oddity" peaked at #15 on the U.S. singles chart.
On this day in 1979, "Sultans Of Swing" by Dire Straits peaked at #4 on the charts.
On this day in 1987, after preacher Oral Roberts told his TV congregation that God would kill him if he didn't raise $1 million in donations, Ozzy Osbourne sent him a dollar to be put toward psychiatric treatment.
On this day in 1998, pop star George Michael was arrested for lewd conduct in a public restroom in a Beverly Hills park.
Lollapalooza For You
Remember way back when Lollapalooza was the most electrifying festival of all? This may be the year it finally happens again. The recently reunited Soundgarden and future Hall Of Famers Green Day will be headlining this year's three-day Lollapalooza. Dozens of others like Lady GaGa, Arcade Fire, Social Distortion, Wolfmother and Devo will contribute enough diversity to make your head spin! The party will run from August 6th through the 8th at Chicago's Grant Park.
Gonna Blow It Up
Unless they release it on a DVD, we'll never know just how big AC/DC's special performance at this year's Download Festival really was. Tying in with their soundtrack work on the new "Iron Man 2" movie, the boys are promising "super-charged boogie and super-heroic stunts" for their huge June 11th gig in Donington Park, U.K. It probably doesn't hurt the hype that their latest compilation, "AC/DC: Iron Man 2," will be available on April 19th.
Rocking The CMTs
An interesting threesome have been nominated for the CMT Music Award for Collaborative Video of the Year. John Mellencamp got the nod for his work with Karen Fairchild, ZZ Top's nom came for "Honky Tonk Stomp" with Brooks & Dunn, and Dave Matthews collaboration with Kenny Chesney are all in the running for the trophy. You'll have to wait until the Music Awards air on June 9th to find out who won.
Don't Need No Stinking Practice
Sometimes you just have to shake your head and say, "whatever." It seems that the first three shows of the 20-date Keith Emerson/Greg Lake tour were abruptly canceled at the absolute last minute last week. Keith finally released a statement yesterday saying, "The production we had hoped to put on was lacking in its musical and technical preparations." OK... Meanwhile, Emerson, Lake and their legendary drummer Carl Palmer will finally reunite at the High Voltage Show in London in July. Palmer has repeatedly said that he won't tour with Emerson and Lake in North America because of his commitments to his band Asia. Let's hope that for the July gig everyone actually shows up for the rehearsals!
It was Will Rogers who said: "Everything is funny as long as it is happening to someone else."
It was Henry Brooks Adams who said: "No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean."
It was Voltaire who said: "Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game."
April 8, 2010
Yes guitarist Steve Howe is 63.
John Lennon's eldest son Julian is 47.
This weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Jethro Tull as well as more of Joe's conversation with group leader Ian Anderson and guitarist Martin Barre. Stream on!
New/Old Stones For Record Store Day
The Rolling Stones are getting involved with this year's Record Store Day on April 17th. Established to support independent music stores, the event will see exclusive releases from many bands like R.E.M., Soundgarden and Them Crooked Vultures. To that end, The Stones will release a limited edition 7" single featuring the previously unreleased "Plundered My Soul" from the upcoming "Exile On Main Street" reissue. That special single — individually numbered for collectors — will be backed by the remastered album track "All Down the Line."
Cleveland's Boss Weekend
Providing honest Americans a rare reason to travel to Cleveland, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Museum is hosting a Bruce Springsteen weekend June 4th through June 6th. There'll be special events, tours and screenings all in connection with the museum's upcoming exhibit, "From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen."
Sharon's Old Girls
God bless Sharon Osbourne for her sense of humor! Having decided to downsize from her 34DD breast implants, the 57-year-old will be presenting one of the old implants to her husband Ozzy Osbourne to use as a paperweight and the other to her publicist to use as a "stress buster." "It's a little something — or in my case big — I've meant to get off my chest for a while," Osbourne says.
A Book On Edward
"Guitar World" magazine has always kept an eye focused on guitar god Eddie Van Halen, but who knew they had a secret stash of stories? Their new book "Guitar World Presents Van Halen: Eddie Van Halen" contains 13 interviews with Edward, including three from the late Seventies/early Eighties that have never been published. The complete history of Eddie's career plus his somewhat predictable thoughts on David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar are also featured in the tome.
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "Never mistake activity for achievement."
It was Robert F. Kennedy who said: "About one-fifth of the people are against everything all the time."
It was Kin Hubbard who said: "When a fellow says, "It ain't the money but the principle of the thing," it's the money."
April 9, 2010
Hall of Famer Carl "Blue Suede Shoes" Perkins would have been 78.
On this day in 1977, less than an hour into a Led Zeppelin concert in the Chicago Stadium, guitar god Jimmy Page collapsed onstage with stomach cramps. I was there and saw him drink that entire bottle of J&B scotch whiskey. It was the last time the Zep ever played the Windy City (and they really weren't very good for that 40 minutes!).
A Time Machine Rush
Great news from the Great White North! Rush's highly anticipated Summer/Fall "Time Machine Tour" will see the boys rocking their classic tunes and unheard songs from their upcoming album as well as their first ever performances of their iconic 1980 "Moving Pictures" album in its entirety! The Canadian trio's 37-city jaunt will run between June 29th and October 2nd with Southland stops at the Forum on August 11th and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on August 13th.
Home Field Advantage
Balls to the wall! Aerosmith will perform at Boston’s Fenway Park for the first time ever on August 14th with fellow Bostonians the J. Geils Band opening the show. The presence of Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler and the J. Geils Band's singer Peter Wolf in the announcer’s booth during Wednesday’s Red Sox/Yankees game to announce the concert marked the first time wild bands of women had ever mobbed the announcer's booth!
Jovi Grows
This Bon Jovi "Circle Tour" is getting pretty serious! The tour in support of "The Circle" album kicks off on May 19th and will feature at least 135 shows in 30 countries throughout much of the next two years. Kid Rock will open the Jovi's recently-added fourth New Meadowlands Stadium concert in addition to shows at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts; Soldier Field in Chicago; Canada Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, Canada; Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada; and Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Canada.
Joey's New Game
Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer has just released an iPhone app that will provide stress relief as you irritate those around you! Joey's "Hit Hard" the game requires you tap out the requisite beats per minute... probably not for use in a library or church!
It was Dorothy Parker who said: "Brevity is the soul of lingerie."
It was G. K. Chesterton who said: "It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged."
It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said: "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."
April 10, 2010
Guitarist/singer Brian Setzer of Stray Cats fame is 51.
On this day in 1956, Leo Fender patented the Stratocaster guitar — THE Rock & Roll guitar!
On this day in 1962, Stu Sutcliffe — The Beatles' original bass player — died of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 22. He had actually left the group several months earlier, suffering from chronic headaches. He also originated the "Beatles haircut," pioneering the look of shaggy, brushed forward hair.
On this day in 1968, Mickey Hart joined the Grateful Dead at the invitation of drummer Bill Kreutzmann.
On this day in 1970, newspapers around the world carried Paul McCartney's statement that he was quitting The Beatles and that the group would never work together again. He cited personal differences with John Lennon and disapproval of John's wife, Yoko, and the Beatles' financial advisor, Allen Klein, as his reason for the split. The next week, he released his debut solo album. But 30 years later, this week in 2000, the story came out that McCartney was most reluctant to have the group dissolve. It was actually John Lennon who had walked away a couple of months earlier.
On this day in 1971, The Doors' "Love Her Madly" entered the singles charts.
On this day in 1974, Eric Clapton began the recording sessions for what became his "461 Ocean Boulevard" album. Although the album was named for the home that he was staying in, the music was actually recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami.
On this day in 1976, Aerosmith's "Dream On" peaked at #6 on the singles chart.
On this day in 1976, Peter Frampton's "Comes Alive" album began 10 weeks at #1 on the charts.
On this day in 1982, The J. Geils Band's song "Freeze-Frame" topped out at #4 on the singles chart.
2012
Feb. 1 - 15
Feb. 16 - 29
2011
Dec. 1 - 10
Dec. 11 - 20
Dec. 21 - 31
Nov. 1 - 10
Nov. 11 - 20
Nov. 21 - 30
Oct. 1 - 10
Oct. 11 - 20
Oct. 21 - 31
Sept. 1 - 10
Sept. 11 - 20
Sept. 21 - 30
Aug. 1 - 10
Aug. 11 - 20
Aug. 21 - 31
July 1 - 10
July 11 - 20
July 21 - 31
June 1 - 10
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June 21 - 30
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March 1 - 10
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March 21 - 31
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Feb. 11 - 20
Feb. 21 - 28
Jan. 1 - 10
Jan. 11 - 20
Jan. 21 - 31
2010
Dec. 1 - 10
Dec. 11 - 20
Dec. 21 - 31
Nov. 1 - 10
Nov. 11 - 20
Nov. 21 - 30
Oct. 1 - 10
Oct. 11 - 20
Oct. 21 - 31
Sept. 1 - 10
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Sept. 21 - 30
Aug. 1 - 10
Aug. 11 - 20
Aug. 21 - 31
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July 21 - 31
June 1 - 10
June 11 - 20
June 21 - 30
May 1 - 10
May 11 - 20
May 21 - 31
April 1 - 10
April 11 - 20
April 21 - 30
March 1 - 10
March 11 - 20
March 21 - 31
