Drum legend Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs, Dream Theater) has launched a new app for the fans dubbed Tweet Secret. Details in the video clip below:

Since the launch, however, Portnoy has been slagged via his official Facebook page by some fans and has issued the following statement:

"The Tweet Secret app is something fun that I was asked to be a part of (along w several other musicians, athletes, etc). I don't control the fact that there is a monthly subscription fee, but really, it's only $2.99 a month. Is that really worth complaining about?? That's less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks!

I figured you'd enjoy getting an inside, behind the scenes look into my day-to-day life. If this does NOT interest you, then fine, just ignore the posts that automatically go here when a new clip is posted and move on with your day. However, the nasty comments that seem to be popping up here calling me a 'sellout' or personally attacking me because of this app (which is not mine, mind you!) will not be tolerated and you will be banned from this page. There's no need to be mean and nasty around here."

The Winery Dogs will be getting up close and personal with their fans, says bassist Billy Sheehan, thanks to their Dog Camp. Details in the Artisan News Report below:

Dog Camp is the band's first annual immersive program for aspiring musicians of all ages and levels, set for July 21st - 25th at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY.

Produced by Dreamcatcher Events, this special vacation experience offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with the three legends as campers attend instrument-specific clinics, learn songwriting mechanics, and enjoy very special intimate performances and jam sessions from The Winery Dogs and special guests. Look for the daily itinerary for Dog Camp to be announced in the coming weeks and check out a video from Mike Portnoy talking about Dog Camp below.

Tickets for Dog Camp are on sale now at this location. Attendees will have access to all workshops, seminars, gourmet meals, performances, jam sessions, and camp activities.

“We’ve all done clinics over the years, but it’s always been something that’s primarily centered around one instrument that each of us has typically done on an individual basis,” says drummer Portnoy. “Dog Camp is the first time that any of us have hosted or participated in a true ‘Band Camp.’ As a result of that, we’ve got some incredible surprises in store for everybody attending.”
“We’ll be living together, hanging together, and jamming together,” Portnoy continues. “We want you to ask as many questions as possible, and we’re going to engage you on a one-on-one basis to help you realize your goals as a player.”

“What's interesting is to talk about music, concepts, objectives, reasons why you're playing the instrument, what you want to achieve, and how to get to that point, rather than talking about major versus minor scales,” says lead vocalist/guitarist Kotzen. “I love that feeling of sharing concepts with people. In The Winery Dogs, we all have various experiences that a lot of other people don't have. It's an opportunity to share that and grow; the feeling of moving forward and learning and experiencing something new. That's what excites me about Dog Camp. It's the creative process and creativity that make me want to do music, and I want to share that."

"I want to emphasize that players should keep an eye on what we're doing and why during the performances," adds bassist Sheehan. "In between songs or mid-song, I want to stop to make a point about what's going on and why. The expertise of being able to play ensemble is a bit of a lost art with kids today. They don't do what we did when we were growing up. Right away, we just got in a band whether we could play or not. Now, kids want to get up to a level of expertise and then join a band."

“[During the seminars] I like to have back-and-forth communication,” Sheehan continues. “I want to speak with people and hear their opinions, disagreements, and challenges. I believe anyone who attends will see a jumpstart in their quest to achieve their dreams."

Dog Camp offers a variety of pricing options, based on the variety of available accommodations. All activities will be held at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY, which features an eclectic array of comfortable, rustic country-inn accommodations as well as primitive tent camping. All accommodations are just steps away from daily camp activities. Guests can enjoy the spring-fed swimming pool, on-site access to the Esopus Creek, and explore the splendors of the Catskills on the nearby network of hiking trails. Dedicated to the celebration of nature, music and the arts, this one hundred-acre wonderland of mountains, fields, and streams is a world of its own.

More info here.