Bubblegum

LOS ANGELES- When Kim Cooper, editor of the book "Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth" realized the chances of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fameinducting any of her bubblegum heroes were slim-to-none, she didn't getupset. Instead, she and her colleagues seized the opportunity to launch anall-bubblegum ceremony, the Bubblegum Achievement Awards, where the makersof glorious music beloved by little kids (and open-minded adults) could becelebrated without embarrassment. The biannual event brings original 1960s artists, producers and industry leaders together with contemporaryperformers inspired by the bubblegum sound, for a multimedia happening that's as entertaining as it is unique.

This October (International Bubblegum Month), the whole planet goes onbubblegum alert as Texas documentarian Kier-La Janisse's new film adaptationof the bubblegum book screens in Australia, Canada, Germany, England, Franceand throughout the USA. The month's highlight comes on October 7, with the Bubblegum Achievement Awards ceremony at L.A.'s Bob Baker Marionette Theater, hosted byperformance artist Kelly Kuvo (as The Bubblegum Queen), and Canadian pop duoCanned Hamm. Coveted "Gummy Award" statuettes will be presented to SteveBarri (producer of the all-chimp band Lancelot Link & the EvolutionRevolution), Ron Dante (Archies and Cuff Links singer), Joey Levine (OhioExpress singer-songwriter) and novelty song-loving DJ Dr. Demento. Thebubblegum documentary will screen, and legendary marionette artist Bob Bakerwill debut an original bubblegum-themed puppet spectacular.

Honorees Joey Levine, Dr. Demento and Ron Dante are available forinterviews, as is editrix Kim Cooper, hosts Canned Hamm and the BubblegumQueen, and puppeteer Bob Baker. The Bubblegum Achievement Awards are sponsored by CD-Baby, Chicago ReviewPress, Feral House, K-EARTH 101 FM, Routledge, Thunder Bay Press and Topp's.Bazooka is the official bubblegum of the Bubblegum Achievement Awards. Praise for "Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth": "Book of the Month"(Shindig) "The best rock 'n roll book I've read in many years" (Ear Candy)"immensely enjoyable" (Amplifier) "Any self-respecting pop fan must get itfor their personal library" (Philadelphia CityPaper) "simply the most funmusic book I have ever read" (Bucketfull of Brains) "a scintillating blendof informative essay, fanzine fanaticism, and irreverent kitsch."(Goldmine).