Rosanne Cash is up for what could be her second GRAMMY AWARD with her critically acclaimed Nonesuch release “Black Cadillac”. Nominated for Best Contemporary Folk / Americana Album, it’s production shared by her husband, NY NOISE composer/producer John Leventhal (himself a three time Grammy winner) and legendary Nashville producer Bill Bottrell. “Black Cadillac” explores Rosanne’s reflections on being a member of such a storied musical family. “John (Leventhal) and I reconvened at NY Noise with engineer / shaman / hornman Rick DePofi and uber - drummer Shawn Pelton. Recording continued thru the new year til we had “These Four Walls” and “Tuff Kid” as well as Paul Westerberg’s “Even Here We Are”. I have such affection for those days walking over to Gansevoort street working with John & Rick.” David Kahne has been trying to keep his schedule as together as he can. With the help of NY Noise Creative Director Rick DePofi helping out with the new Kelly Clarkson record and NY Noise Exec Producer Craig Bishop with the “anti-folk” singer / songwriter Regina Spektor and London based rocker Butterfly Boucher, drummer Shawn Pelton (SNL Band, Sheryl Crow, Rod Stewart) played on all three projects. David currently resides in the decidedly atmospheric basement studio at NYN. With GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group, The Wreckers (Michelle Branch & Jessica Harp) debut release “Stand Still, Look Pretty” has been successful beyond all expectations. The Rick DePofi & John Leventhal produced album took Billboard’s Hot Shot Debut honors, entering The Billboard 299 at #14 and Top Country Album chart at #4. The re album release single “Leave The Pieces” hit #1 on Billboard’s Country Singes. The Wreckers remain solidly on Billboard’s charts over six months into their release. Back from an extended tour in support of their current release "Deja Voodoo", longtime NYN composer and Govt Mule keyboardist Danny Louis stopped by to collaborate with NYN CD. Rick DePofi on another of the many Trix spots they've done for Saatchi... Then off to Texas where Mule cut tracks for their new cd at Willy Nelson's Pedernales Studios in Austin. With its own private 9 hole golf course, it was the perfect setting for golf junkie Louis to whack balls between takes... Last we saw of Danny, he and Mule's frontman, guitar great Warren Haynes, were holed up for some additional writing sessions in DL's old digs, NYN Studio B. AMERICAN EXPRESS “OPEN” - “Gimmie Some Money” (from the film Spinal Tap) is the song chosen to represent the cash back business card from AmEx.

NYN CD Rick DePofi journeyed to Guinea last year with NYN recording artist Sidiki Conde. Sponsored by Islamic Arts Council and Pew Charitable Trust grants, the goals were: reunite Sidiki with fellow handicapped West African musicians; write a series of songs about their life experiences growing up as virtual outcasts in an impoverished third world country; present the material in a concert series as "Le Message D'Espoir" (the message of hope)... beginning with Sidiki's tribal village deeeeeeep in the bush. RD's gig was multifaceted: music director; record producer; documentary filmmaker; sax playerŠ 1 year later. Rick and Sidiki (who is considered a national treasure in Guinea) returned at the government's invitation. Reunited with the troupe, "Le Message" performed at the French Cultural Center, Guinea's equivalent to Carnegie Hall... In addition to Sidiki's completed studio album (featuring some of the finest West African musicians in NYC), there is a documentary in the works that conveys Sidiki's personal message of hope: "Look at me. My body's a wreck. So, if I can do it, you can too."

SEXY CHAMPIONS is the outgrowth of Dynasty Electric, a New-York avant-garde rock band founded in 2001 which had released 3 albums, toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Taiwan, performed in many of New York's best clubs including Bowery Ballroom, Knitting Factory. Production has just begun on a 3 song EP at NY Noise. "Jennifer DeVeau's powerful vocal performance is reminiscent of P.J. Harvey's, with her combination of strength and sensuality." (CL) Impact Press

NYN CD Rick DePofi and singer/song-writer Benna are collaborating on an album of original children's songs. With lyrics ranging from daydreaming about the magical shapes seen in clouds to the joys of making new friends, Rick has approached production from an "Un-plugged" perspective, wrapping Benna's whimsical vocals with a spare, mostly acoustic blanket. This is not NYN's first foray into children's material outside of commercials. Rick, along with John Leventhal, worked with Carly Simon on tracks for Disney's 2002 release, "Piglet's Big Movie".