Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
Just happened to peak at the off-topic, saw Tom Petty, and thought I'd see what was happening. And, found out he was gone. Really tragic. Always loved his stuff, ever since I first heard Break Down. Loved the grooves and his vocals, and the way he fused into the old souls of rock and roll with Harrison, Lynne, Dylan, and Orbison. Just played sweet rock and roll you could not help but love. Too many great ones have left us in the past 2 years. So sad. RIP Tom.
Now CBS and others have said the death cannot be confirmed.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
This is so prevalent in the entertainment world. Not just music it's everywhere in "Hollywood", acting, music, TV shows, news anchors, everywhere.
Big stars like Prince and MJ surrounded themselves with rabid yes men who will say anything to protect their idol so all this BS comes out about how he treated his body like a temple, nobody ever saw him doing anything etc, etc. All BS.
At least Petty admitted it and we all know the recidivism rate for this, right? Anybody read the Carry Fisher autopsy tox screen results? She writes this book years ago telling all about it, becomes a hero, basks in the glory of coming clean. Right, all BS.
This has nothing to do with their influence, their writing, performances, all the joy they gave to their fans. No, this is my personal rant against the Hollywood hypocrisy about this. I'm using the word Hollywood generically. It could be New York, Nashville, anywhere. If you're not doing this stuff and partying hard as a player, actor or wannabe trying to get your foot in the door, you're out. I'm sure there's exceptions but basically, that's it. It's been that way for 100 years and it's still that way now.
I'm a big fan of music obviously and lots of movies and TV shows. Love them, great performances and entertainment value. BUT, I have no illusions about the personal lives of these people. Enjoy their art but don't waste any time reading or listening to interviews about anything and have zero interest in what they say personally. It's all pure 100%, finest grade BS.
Not the first time the media has incorrectly speculated about someones passing, I would wait until we have official information from his family, manager or himself.
This is so prevalent in the entertainment world. Not just music it's everywhere in "Hollywood", acting, music, TV shows, news anchors, everywhere.
Big stars like Prince and MJ surrounded themselves with rabid yes men who will say anything to protect their idol so all this BS comes out about how he treated his body like a temple, nobody ever saw him doing anything etc, etc. All BS.
At least Petty admitted it and we all know the recidivism rate for this, right? Anybody read the Carry Fisher autopsy tox screen results? She writes this book years ago telling all about it, becomes a hero, basks in the glory of coming clean. Right, all BS.
This has nothing to do with their influence, their writing, performances, all the joy they gave to their fans. No, this is my personal rant against the Hollywood hypocrisy about this. I'm using the word Hollywood generically. It could be New York, Nashville, anywhere. If you're not doing this stuff and partying hard as a player, actor or wannabe trying to get your foot in the door, you're out. I'm sure there's exceptions but basically, that's it. It's been that way for 100 years and it's still that way now.
I'm a big fan of music obviously and lots of movies and TV shows. Love them, great performances and entertainment value. BUT, I have no illusions about the personal lives of these people. Enjoy their art but don't waste any time reading or listening to interviews about anything and have zero interest in what they say personally. It's all pure 100%, finest grade BS.
Bob
So why don't you tell us what you REALLY think Bob! Hehe.
Well, Bob may have sounded insensitive to some of you, but he is essentially correct. How many times are we expected to feel sorry for someone who uses substances that either speed up or slow down the heart until that one time they push a little too hard? How often do we read stories about people who overcome a habit that they chose to partake in, and we are supposed to laud their "courage". Does it take courage to take a loaded gun out of your mouth, or common sense?
It's sad when ANYBODY dies, but reality is that we are all going to die. Natural causes is quite different from dying from something that was a conscious choice. It's just that in the case of "normal" people, only a handful of people will care. In my case, I can count them on less than one hand. (I tend to burn bridges.)
However, all that said, I DO wish news sources like TMZ would fact check before they start rumors. I read that Petty died early in the day. Within an hour it changed to heart attack and he was taken off life support. I don't even know where it stands now. Rolling Stone actually picked up the story from TMZ and incorrectly stated he had died about 2 this afternoon.
I was thinking about him a few day before, wondering how old he is now. Must of pick up the vibes. They come here with so much talent and creativity then leave it here for generations to come, job done, going back home to a higher place. I'm fixing a jukebox at the moment, all working good now and it's got Full Moon Fever and The Wilburys on it playing now as I type.
Hopefully, we can see a bright side to his passing.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Hopefully, we can see a bright side to his passing.
And hopefully part of that bright side is that if you use drugs and smoke like he did, stop or you may join him when you are short of your 67th birthday, too. He used heroin, cocaine and was a chain smoker for years.
For me I remember driving around at a young age and hearing "Here Comes My Girl" and I'm thinking that's the coolest song I heard since the Beatles, maybe the best song ever! Around 1981 my band went to LA to try to "make it" in the music business, stopped in LA for gas and "The Waiting" is playing on the speakers there and i think, man, we could open for the Heartbreakers, that would be big enough and good enough for me. Of course we never got that far. One of the band members was from the area and at a later time we went to find some parts for something electrical, can't remember, but I'm riding in the passenger seat as we're headed to Reseda. I asked my bandmate if that was Reseda down to the right from the freeway. The freeway was running thru the yard where some kids were tossing a ball. I knew that I was experiencing a moment of inspiration that Tom had. There are many other instances and connections. The first time I listened to Wildflowers and was just blown away with how good it is. It's always worth a listen, end to end.
Today the Philly radio station is playing nothing but Tom Petty, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Mudcrutch. I wanted to just keep driving, best radio I've heard in years.
(edited the town name, as I get older the memory isn't as good, I said Pomona when it was Reseda)
I remember reading Don Felder's (of the Eagles) autobiography where he talked about teaching the neighborhood kid, little Tommmy Petty, how to play guitar.
I'm thinking it took...
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean