12/27/25

Emmy Award Winning Guitarist Brian Tarquin's “Vegas Blue” In Memory of Las Vegas Tragedy

Featuring guest artists Steve Morse, Trey Gunn, Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, Phil Naro, Hal Lindes, Tony Carey and others!



Las Vegas, Nevada, Mandalay Bay Hotel, October 1st, 2017. This was the site of a tragic and, all too familiar, occurrence involving a deadly mass shooting at the hands of a deranged gunman. What began that evening as a peaceful and celebratory country music concert ended in bullet-riddled chaos and carnage for countless patrons and innocent by-standers. This latest recording project by multi-Emmy winning guitarist/producer/engineer Brian Tarquin and company is dedicated to helping the families and survivors of this horrific mass shooting. And, in doing so, may also shine the spotlight on the need for sensible, responsible and humane gun laws and safety.

Says Brian, “This release is dedicated to the victims of the tragic events that occurred at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas October 1, 2017. All of our hearts and prayers go out to them and their families. Through this music we have tried to creatively express our deepest feelings.”

If music is, indeed, a supreme healer then one needs look no further than this visionary endeavor. And, as with many of Tarquin’s previous charitable compilations, the material, guest stars and production is first rate. From start to finish the listener is transported to that fateful evening, yet uplifted through the power of these stellar performances.

Says Brian, “Time after time we watch senseless acts of gun violence in the news media creating a sense of indifference in our consciousness. We musicians have come together to bring emotion and awareness through our performances.”

Multi Emmy Award winning Brian Tarquin is an established top rate composer/guitarist. He has won 3 Emmy's for “Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series” and has been nominated for an Emmy 6 times. In 2019 Tarquin received a Global Music Gold Award for his release “Orlando In Heaven” for “Best Album.” Three years in a row (2016-2019) Tarquin received “Best Album Of The Year” nominations from the Independent Music Awards for his releases “Guitars For Wounded Warriors,” “Orlando in Heaven” and “Guitars for Veterans.” On which, Tarquin shows his guitar prowess along side such world-class shredders as: Steve Morse, Larry Coryell, Mike Stern, Billy Sheehan, Gary Hoey, Bumblefoot (Guns N’ Roses), Reb Beach (Whitesnake), Hal Lindes (Dire Straits), Chris Poland (Megadeth) and Chuck Loeb (FourPlay). In 2006 SESAC honored him with the Network Television Performance Award. Tarquin has graced the Top Billboard Charts with such commercial releases as: “This is Acid Jazz, Vol. 2,” “Sweet Emotions,” and “Bossa Brava: Caliente” on Instinct Records, followed by several solo jazz albums, which charted Top 10 at Smooth Jazz Radio R&R and Gavin charts. Brian has appeared on 38 releases, selling over 140,000 records in his career.

 

Produced & engineered by Brian Tarquin

Recorded at Jungle Room Studios, Florida 2018-2019 entirely thru an analog Trident mixing console on a 24 track Ampex 1200 tape machine and a Otari Radar, mixed down to a Ampex 440c 1/4” tape machine.

Mastered by David Glasser & Geoff Gray at Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO

Tracks:

1. Distant Light featuring Steve Morse & Hal Lindes

2. Lights of Las Vegas featuring Phil Naro & Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal

3. Demonic featuring Trey Gunn

4. Tomorrow's Another Day featuring Phil Naro

5. Vegas Blue

6. Evil In Men's Hearts featuring Tony Carey

7. Forgiveness featuring Phil Naro

8. Know Me featuring Phil Naro

9. Hallowed Ground featuring Trey Gunn

10. Run For Cover featuring Phil Naro, Randy Coven & The Flyin’ Ryan Bros

11. Distant Light (vocal) featuring Phil Naro, Steve Morse & Hal Lindes

 

Here's what the press has said about “Vegas Blue”:

The material, guest stars and production is first rate. From start to finish the listener is transported to that fateful evening, yet uplifted through the power of these stellar performances.” - Eric Harabadian, Progression Magazine

Tarquin writes with soul and fire and plays with passion and precision. Once again, he has enlisted a first-rate squad of guests performers, including Trey Gunn (King Crimson), Steve Morse (Deep Purple) and Bumblefoot (GN'R), who help bring these rich, vivid recordings to life.”- Mark Nardone, Music Connection

“…every note, phrase, tone color, and impact of pick and/or finger on string will send shivers down your spine.” - Guitar Player Magazine

 “…his passion for purity is more than evident – in both the music he makes and the way it’s recorded.” - Professional Sound Magazine

 

To order:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/                       

iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/

 

For more information:

BHP Music-Guitar Trax Records, LLC

www.gtrtrax.com

www.jungleroomstudios.com

www.briantarquin.com

https://guitartrax.bandcamp.


12/16/25

Girl With a Hawk's Linda Viens on The Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview ...


I loved interviewing Linda Viens, who's contributed much to Boston's rock scene. We talk about her music career, how things have changed through the years, stoicism.... She offers a Wiccan ritual for the Winter Solstice coming on December 21.

12/12/25

Holiday songs 2025

Tom Ciurczak "Santa's Got a Brand New Bagmale vocals, similar timbre as Bruce Springsteen with horns, it's about Santa getting a new bag. The first few notes sound like James Brown's "Papa," but the song swings into theatrical rock. It mentions the children all over the world, way up in the sky.


"I Ruined Christmas This Year" 2025  Refestramus featuring Alina Golosova  slow pop rock with emo and goth undertones, vocals like Billie Eilish and Lana Delray, she wanted to do a good job on Christmas but "I ruined Christmas this year."

 


"I Ruined Christmas" (2024)   Contemporary art-rock band, female fronted-vocals like Miley Cyrus, bells, "I ruined Christmas this year...It's like I told you before, 'it won't happen again, my dear."  This is a list of things she's done to reindeer, family members, and the eggnog! 


 Rachael Sage Hanukkah in the Village



Dan Berggren "Never Take Love for Granted" 


 Cindy Hughlett & Stephen Mellilo  "Away in a Manger" Kate Bush tones with an orchestra behind her.




12/11/25

Michael Cleveland on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show



My interview with the Grammy-winning and nominated Michael Cleveland is live on YouTube.  We talk about how he fell in love and committed to playing fiddle, his collaborators most notably Jason Carter for the new album "Carter Cleveland," and his love for the Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky part of our country. Michael does sessions and is open with how he's done right with his vision impairment.  

12/7/25

Red32's Steve Bonino on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

I had a great time talking with songwriter Steve Bonino on what makes him tick and the new RED32 album "Cryogenic Dreams" on my Interview Show. https://youtu.be/_TXYFF6KHNc?si=e9Sa35cmyW45QYBf via @YouTube