Anne Leighton To Speak About Her Cats and Musicians She’s Worked with at The First Music and Cats Symposium on Thanksgiving Weekend

Leighton Selfie of Anne and Arnold (or Arnie).

Cat Lover/Public Speaker/Poet/Publicist Anne Leighton is grateful for the opportunity to deliver a speech about some of her “Successful Musicians Because of Their “Mewses” online on Thanksgiving Weekend. She will join a range of over 40 music and cat lovers including from the world of Academia to speak at Leuphana Universität Lüneburg in Germany's first ever "Music and Cats" Symposium on Nov. 28 and 29 from 11 till 7 pm Germany time, which is 5 AM till 1 PM ET.

Most of Anne’s cats and classic rock stories focus on Jethro Tull, Renaissance, Grand Funk Railroad, classic rock artists that she publicized. Anne shares how her clients found ways to help cats and other animals through their music.

Anne will be telling her stories on November 29 at 15:15 CET/9:15 AM ET.   

“My research embraces cat folklore and science. In comparing notes about my cats with musicians I work with, they’d speak passionately of the many ways they love cats. These stories are more about ways working on animal—especially cat—welfare have changed their lives.” Anne observes, “In knowing them, these artists have much in common with animals.” Anne’s cat book, “Paws for Thought: How to Understand What Your Cat is Thinking” (Rockwell Books, UK) and other writings are available for mail order at her website anneleighton.com/store.

The Music and Cats Symposium is the first ever dedicated to the intersection of music and cats, bringing together research from various fields, including music history and theory, popular music studies, human-animal studies, psychology, behavioral biology, media and cultural studies, literary studies, and artistic practice, among others.

Those interested in attending this two day free symposium of speeches about Music and Cats can register at www.eventbrite.de/e/music-and-cats-online-symposium-tickets-1595714708649?aff=oddtdtcreator

photo by Holly Van Voast

Mark Andes w/ guest interviewer Tom Ciurczak on The Anne Leighton Inclus...

After Technical Difficulties, I'm reposting Tom Ciurczak's and my interview with Mark Andes. https://youtu.be/-X0rCFxYgKk?si=29xze4pS9ggwySeS

Renaissance's Annie Haslam on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

Renaissance's Annie Haslam on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show.  I’m excited to have spoken with Annie Haslam, who has co-created “The History of Renaissance” tour with the band’s co-founder Jim McCarty, who you know from the Yardbirds.  Annie’s also going to be at ProgStock this weekend. This interview has no boundaries--we talk about many of her passions. It’s a pleasure, also, to work with her these days.

Lisa Wright on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

Lisa Wright is a marketing person that wrote to Hit Parader about writing an article on Cheap Trick. I wrote back and explained what we were looking for. My response meant the world to her, and we recently connected. We have a lot in common. I was on her interview show and now she's on mine!

Elliott Murphy’s “Night Surfing” Music Video

 

Filmed along the Beach and City of Le Havre, France

Elliott Murphy’s stunning video “Night Surfing” from his current “Infinity” album (2025), is now available on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/UpCeqz00zHE?si=SXhHhbhnCy4z_T7D     Directed by acclaimed French cinematographer Matthieu Hiebel (Résistance), this evocative black and white video was filmed entirely in and around the French port of “Le Havre.” Elliott calls the city of Le Havre “The Liverpool of France” due to its historical role introducing American rock‘n’roll, blues and jazz to the French public, as sailors would often disembark with records bought in the USA.   Le Havre is also the hometown of Elliott’s long-time musical partner and virtuoso guitarist Olivier Durand, a relationship that began twenty-nine years ago and continues to this day. With Olivier by his side Elliott has performed thousands of shows all over Europe and the USA and recorded dozens of albums.   “Let’s go down to the beach – where everything is slightly out of reach.” Catch a spiritual wave and go “Night Surfing” with Elliott Murphy.   “Infinity,” the 52nd album by internationally acclaimed American rock singer-songwriter (and long-time Paris resident) Elliott Murphy, contains nine musically eclectic songs with the kind of provocative lyrics long associated with Elliott since his ground-breaking debut album “Aquashow” (1973). “Night Surfing” and the album “Infinity” were produced by Gaspard Murphy, son of Elliott and a gold record winning producer in the French pop music world, at Murmure Studio in Paris with Olivier along with Murphy stalwarts Melissa Cox (violin) and Alan Fatras (cajon and percussion).

NIGHT SURFING (Elliott Murphy)   Let’s go down to the beach Everything is slightly out of reach We’ll be riding high tonight Underneath that sad starry light   And there ain’t nothing you can do anyhow There ain’t nothing you can do   Bring your sleeping bag along While you listen to my song You’ll find it so satisfying You just won’t think about dying   And there ain’t nothing you can do anyhow There ain’t nothing you can do   Let’s go swimming in the rain Even if you don’t feel the same I don’t feel anything at all Bouncing like a bouncing beach ball   And there ain’t nothing you can do anyhow There ain’t nothing you can do   Night surfing my life is flying by Night surfing my life is flying by Night surfing my life is flying by Night surfing under moonlit skies   Something’s pushing me along A power that’s very very strong It’s a force I can’t describe Just a ride on a good vibe And there ain’t nothing you can do anyhow There ain’t nothing you can do   C 2025 Elliott Murphy/Murphyland SACEM/BMI ######

Mark Andes w/ guest interviewer Tom Ciurczak on The Anne Leighton Inclus...

Mark Andes w/ guest interviewer Tom Ciurczak on The Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show.

Tom Ciurczak does most of the heavy lifting in this interview with Mark Andes, who I met when working with Firefall during the Pandemic. I was thrilled when Tom mentioned Spirit and JoJo Gunne as favorites, and said, “I’ll hook you up with Mark.  Thanks, Mark, for a good time...

The History of Renaissance w/ Annie Haslam and Jim McCarty

 

Symphonic Rock Pioneers Annie Haslam and Jim McCarty will present the History of Renaissance on November 21st and 22nd at the Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, Illinois (St. Louis), on November 28^th at the Newton Theatre, NJ, and on November 29^th at the Lansdowne Theatre, PA, in Lansdowne, PA.

Annie and Jim will share an intimate discussion and visual presentation of the band’s extraordinary history followed by a Renaissance performance featuring, for the first time, members of both eras of the band performing their classic songs together.

selfie from Annie

Renaissance had their farewell tour last October 2024 and did not expect to perform live again.  Annie, who’s been at the forefront of the group’s story for 50 years, recently was approached by an Edwardsville/St Louis promoter to return to the Wildey Theatre for a ‘one woman” show! After much deliberation, the idea grew into something bigger when Annie contacted Jim McCarty to be a part of the show and--then—return to the full Renaissance lineup, the band he—initially—co-founded.

A stupendous evening of Symphonic Rock at its finest! "All Renaissance and McCarty fans are invited to experience our coming full circle," Annie says enthusiastically, “that was destined to happen one day!"  

Rising from the ashes of the Yardbirds, Jim McCarty and long-time musical partner Keith Relf envisioned a Renaissance as fusing folk and classical influences with the bluesy rock they'd been playing and giving birth to a new musical direction. When Annie Haslam joined the band in 1971 to sing with her ethereal 5-octave voice, the group became more popular, especially with the progressive rock scene. After Jim left, the line up continued notably with Annie, this combined the poetic emotional words of Betty Thatcher and the timeless musical masterpieces that were created by Michael Dunford, John Tout, Jon Camp and Terry Sullivan. 

Renaissance was reborn in 2009 with Annie and Michael Dunford at the helm, along with keyboard player/musical director Rave Tesar, and a new generation of musicians.

Renaissance has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song “Northern Lights” that still demands airplay to this day.

Annie is “looking forward to singing 'Face of Yesterday' from Jim's band Illusion, which I last performed on a tour of Germany in the early ‘70s. Such a gorgeous song! I’m also excited to be performing with Jim,” who is equally thrilled, stating, “I’ll be talking with Annie about how the band formed and got that sound. Also very pleased to be singing some of my own songs.”

Renaissance is Annie Haslam (lead vocals), Jim McCarty (acoustic guitar and lead vocals), Rave Tesar (keyboards), Mark Lambert (guitars, vocals), Geoffrey Langley (keyboards, vocals), John Galgano (bass, vocals), and Frank Pagano (drums, percussion, vocals).

Left to Right: Frank, Rave, Geoffrey, Mark, and John. Photo by Brian Bortnik 

Row 2: Annie

Jim McCarty and Annie Haslam will be presenting the History of Renaissance Fall 2025 in Conversation and in Concert. Friday, Nov. 21 The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL (St. Louis) www.cityofedwardsville.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=672 Saturday, Nov. 22 The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL (St. Louis) www.cityofedwardsville.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=673 Friday, Nov. 28 The Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ https://skypac.org/the-history-of-renaissance/ November 29 Lansdowne Theatre, Lansdowne, NJ http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/81373625/the-history-of-renaissance-featuring-annie-haslam-and-jim-mccarty-lansdowne-lansdowne-theate

ProgStock 2025 - October 9-12, 2025 International Progressive Rock Festival The Williams Center, Rutherford, NJ

Featuring Steve Hogarth of Marillion, IO Earth,  Pattern-Seeking Animals, Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins, Derek Shulman, Armando Gallo, Kevin J. Anderson  and Many Others!   The American Northeast’s Only International Progressive Rock Festival, takes the stage October 9-12, 2025, at the Williams Center, 15 Sylvan Street, in Rutherford, NJ. There are a variety of tickets available, including VIP Passes. Visit The Direct Ticket link at ProgStock.simpletix.com/   Experience ProgStock, The American Northeast’s Only International Progressive Rock Festival, now in its 9th incredible year at the Williams Center in Rutherford, New Jersey. From October 9th through October 12th, your favorite progressive rock artists, up close and truly personal. Stunning performances and unique collaborations…far beyond a typical festival or meet-and-greet, ProgStock is a deep, rich, and fully immersive musical community with a convention atmosphere.   Pattern-Seeking Animals   This year, you’ll experience headliners IO Earth and the Orchestra of Sound & Emotion, Pattern-Seeking Animals, and Marillion’s Steve Hogarth, in his first-ever US solo appearance as h Natural. There will also be special, once-in-a-lifetime performances by Melanie Mau & Martin Schnella, We Came From Space, Rachel Flowers, Points North, Funhouse Mirrors, Peter Jones of Camel and Tiger Moth Tales, Discipline, Flaming Row, Dave Bainbridge & Sally Minnear, Mike Keneally & Beer for Dolphins with Rick Musallam, Bryan Beller and Joe Travers, Kate Hinote Trio, The Cyberiam, and for the first time as SERENGAZER…Saga’s Michael Sadler with his son, Seren, and Jimmy Keegan, Matt Dorsey and Paul Bielatowicz.   Derek Shulman, Gentle Giant frontman and successful record industry executive, will discuss his new career-spanning book, “Giant Steps,” with synthesizer pioneer, Larry Fast (Synergy). Famed rock-n-roll journalist and photographer, Armando Gallo, will fascinate you with incredible stories and showcase his renowned work. World-famous science fiction author, Kevin J. Anderson, co-author of books from the Dune saga and of the Clockwork Angels series with Neil Peart of Rush, will exhibit his most recent works, up close and personal. EMEAPP, a collector and preserver of historically significant rock-n-roll gear, will demonstrate some amazing music technology. Annie Haslam of Renaissance, Michael Bennett of ProgDay, and Victoria Flowers will share their fine art. World-renowned pumpkin sculptor, Deane Arnold and his team will dazzle you with their art and even teach you to sculpt. PLUS…Spontaneous performances by Robeone and other visiting musicians, new album listening parties, and many more once-in-a-lifetime experiences await you in the Plaza every day at ProgStock.   Thursday, October 9 starts off the party with a separately ticketed prefestival show featuring the Rush tribute band, Fred Barchetta, with an opening set by Robeone (Robert Schindler) and followed by Last Call Live, a pro-am showcase of progressive musicality, featuring ProgStock attendees and some members of our mainstage lineup. Passes to ProgStock are going fast and are still on sale now at ProgStock.com. Don’t miss seeing these rare performance artists, October 9th through 12th at the Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ.! Rachel Flowers Quotes:  “It was just incredible, in every way! wow…Wow…WOW! What a thrill to be there and see those incredible bands. I almost do not have sufficient words to describe how fantastic the entire experience was.”  — RH, 5-Year Patron of ProgStock   “I have been working in this field of music for over fifty years as a recording artist, producer and advancing the technologies necessary to this style of music. ProgStock Festival has given me the opportunity to interact with my fan base and for me to work with and encourage the next generations of artists.”  – Larry Fast, Synergy Electronic Music, Inc. Derek Shulman   Official website: https://www.progstock.com Direct Ticket Link: ProgStock.simpletix.com/   Livestreaming Ticket Link: Stageit.com/ProgStock

“The Big Win” – Ready to Read Yacht Rock

 "Getting kids into reading and yacht rock is a noble quest!"

-Adam Bernard, Adam’s World Blog

The song, “The Big Win” is a gift for Yacht Rock lovers and their children. Appearing on both the digital release, “Leenie’s Library” and a new album, “Arise Together-Songs to Inspire,” now streaming on all major platforms,“The Big Win” might lay claim as the first Yacht Rock song written and recorded for children.  

Featuring a smooth melody, soft rock vibes, breezy lyrics, and the lucid tenor voice of Ricky Persaud Jr., the empowering song’s history dates back to the 1980s. Composer Gail Bluestone and her lyricist sister Eileen Bluestone-Sherman were hot off an Emmy-win of “The Odd Potato” for Chicago TV, and wrote "The Big Win" as the opening production number for a children's musical about robots and A.I.  Hence the song’s opening outer space vibe of zoning into the music!

Gail, who loves timeless R&B and Motown classics including her favorites Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, as well as the Temptations, the Four Tops, Sly and The Family Stone, plus soulful women artists notably Laura Nyro, Carole King, and the 5th Dimension, used their sensibilities to compose the song’s melody.

Then came the future—the second decade of the 21^st Century when both A.I. became a reality and the Bluestone Sisters began work on “Leenie’s Library” with the mission of inspiring the Next Generation of New Readers. They wrote and chose songs from their catalogue with catchy tunes and literacy-building content. Eileen and Gail knew that singer/arranger/multi-instrumentalist Ricky Persaud Jr. was the man for the job. His rhythmic tribute “Selena” to the slain Latina pop star was played on regional and indie radio, and a favorite among Eileen, Gail, and their friends. Gail said, “Ricky is a gifted musician with a great thirst for learning, a great ear for listening, and great creativity with sound. He is a perfect collaborator and a true perfectionist.” Ricky is “The Big Win’s” sole instrumentalist, playing all the instruments and singing the song! Instrumentation on the piece includes keyboards, bass guitar, drums, glockenspiel/percussion. Ricky’s influences are like other musicians in the Yacht Rock community, including Prince, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Nirvana, Bob Marley and—of course-- Selena Quintanilla 2. 

“Leenie’s Library” is designed to promote literacy through repetition, rhyme, and engaging visuals. The recordings and videos are available for free on YouTube, making it accessible to families and educators everywhere.

“Arise Together-Songs to Inspire” benefits Pickleberry Pie, an organization that provides live entertainment in children’s hospital wards around the nation, comforting ailing children and their parents at the most difficult of times.    

A.I., the initial inspiration of “The Big Win” before the technology came to be, states these immortal words about the song, “If this is the beginning of a new genre—Yacht Rock for Kids—it might be ‘The Big Win’ is a simple part of musical history!”

Brian Tarquin Receives Two Josie Nominations Guitarist/Label Head Continues to Produce and Support Good Causes

Brian Tarquin has received his 7th and 8th nominations from the Josie Music Awards in Nashville. This year The Josies nominated him as Guitarist of the Year and his record label BHP Music-Guitar Trax as Label of the Year. "The Josie Music Awards are the real deal! There are no entry fees, no buying awards if you win, no BS like so many so-called award shows. It is purely based on the merit of the artist's talent. No buying vanity awards!" Brian previously won Best Music Video for “Speed of Sound,” his A.I. collaboration with Joe Satriani and Best Instrumental Album of the Year for "Beyond the Warrior's Eyes."

The Josie Music Awards in Nashville will be held at the Grand Ole Opry on November 2.  Created by Josie Passantino-Boone and her mother Tinamarie Passantino, the Josies honor independent artists from many genres around the globe. This event since its inception in 2015 is known for its grand, glamorous red-carpet, memorable award presentations, spectacular live performances, legendary recognitions, special presentations, and the positive, supportive atmosphere. 

Multi-Emmy award winning Brian Tarquin is an established top rate composer/guitarist/ producer. Over the past 30 years he has enjoyed Top 10 radio hits in several formats as Smooth Jazz, Roots Music Awards, NACC Loud Rock, Metal Contraband, Jam Band & CMJ’s RPM charts. His music has been heard by tens of millions on a plethora of television and film scores such as: “CSI,” “Ellen,” “Extra,” “TMZ,” “60 Minutes,” “Sex and the City,” “20/20,” “SNL,” “Godzilla,” “Seinfeld,” “Cheers,” “Charmed,” “Good Morning America,” “The Watcher” (Keanu Reeves), “Desert Heat” (Van Damme), “The Sender” (R. Lee Ermey), and “National Lampoon’s Repli-Kate” (Ali Landry)….

Since 2009, Brian’s produced a range of fusion and rock compilations for his record label, BHP Music-Guitar Trax to help charities. Recent causes have included support for Catholic Charities of Central Florida and Hope for the Warriors.

Currently Brian is finishing work on an album, “Tyranny of Tone” to release in September to benefit the California Fire Foundation https://www.cafirefoundation. org .  The album will help survivors of the West Coast fires from earlier this year and will be released on BHP Music-Guitar Trax. The album will be a fusion collection of instrumentals including guitarists Joe Satriani, Gary Hoey, Gus G (Ozzy/ Firewind)  Guns N’ Roses/Asia’s Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and Hal Lindes (Dire Straits), plus Kansas/Stratospheerius violinist Joe Deninzon, and bassist Stu Hamm.   

Voices on the Hudson Premieres Sept. 7 in Nyack w/ Jeremy Aaron & Kirsten Maxwell

 

Nyack, NY, August, 2025:  Voices in the Heights, in collaboration with ArtsRock and The Angel Nyack, is proud to announce the launch of its satellite concert series, Voices on the Hudson, premiering Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at The Angel Nyack (18 South Broadway, Nyack, NY).

 

This series is designed to offer intimate, high-quality musical experiences featuring distinctive voices singing original songs. Their premiere concert will feature Nyack native Jeremy Aaron and the generational talent Kirsten Maxwell in an evening that promises warmth, nuance, and artistry.

 

Featured Artists:

 

Jeremy Aaron, a homegrown talent from Nyack, crafts intimate songs that portray modern society, the nature of love, and the challenges we all face. His poetic style incorporates jazz, soul, pop, and folk. His guitar stylings are rich and complex, and he occasionally adds fiddle music to the mix. Founder of The Greenwich Village Showcase, he has performed at venues and festivals both as a solo artist and with bands Spuyten Duyvil and Gangstagrass. As award-winning singer-songwriter Christine Lavin remarked: “If you have Tim Buckley and Dave Van Ronk on your shelf, make a little extra room for Jeremy Aaron.”

 

Kirsten Maxwell’s powerful vocals and well-crafted songs have propelled her into being one of the most dynamic singer-song-writers on the acoustic music scene today. She has toured with Judy Collins and opened for the likes of Melissa Etheridge, Tanya Tucker, and The Bacon Brothers. Judy Collins describes Maxwell as “an amazing writer and powerful, evocative singer whose performances are a sheer joy.” In 2020, she was one of five artists selected to receive a grant from the Joe’s Pub Working Group—an artist development program of The Public Theater in NYC.

 

Series Vision and Future Lineup:

 

Voices on the Hudson continues this fall, bringing more extraordinary artists to the historic ambiance of The Angel Nyack:

 

Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

Spencer LaJoye and Lula Pilar perform. LaJoye, known for queer indie folk, combines crystalline vocals, loop pedals, and heartfelt storytelling, earning accolades like the 2021 Kerrville Songwriting Competition and 2024 Songwriter Serenade. Lula Pilar, a Nyack-raised singer-songwriter, invites audiences into her intimate world of indie pop and jazz–infused acoustic music, blending nature metaphors and winding melodies—featured on Yale’s “Tiny Dorms” series.

 

Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

Eureka Shoes, a powerhouse trio of Charlie Burnham, Jean Rohe, and Skye Soto Steele—backed by bassist Rashaan Carter—will deliver lush three-part harmonies, twin fiddles, and a fusion of jazz, folk, and pop, with emotionally rich lyrics.

“America” (from West Side Story) The New Single from the Grammy®️ Winning Guitar Trio, The String Revolution featuring 5x Grammy®️Nominated Sax player Lakecia Benjamin

An adventurous, genre-blending reimagining of the West Side Story classic. This powerful arrangement features Lakecia Benjamin on saxophone, Luis Conte on percussion, and Byron House on upright bass, with The String Revolution’s signature guitar arrangement artistry.

Recorded at Cash Cabin and Produced by John Carter Cash and Steve Schnur, engineered by Trey Call and Rafa Sardina, and mastered by Emerson Mancini, this track celebrates the diversity and dynamism of America through bold musical storytelling.

"America" taps into a diversity of music resources that evoke the mid-century melting pot with a modern flourish. Hoping this fresh take will win new fans."
-Paul Cavalconte, Radio Host- WFUV, WBGO, WQXR-New York

“This is GREAT!”
- Tom Morello, Guitarist, Rage Against the Machine

“Loved it!!! Great musicianship by all involved and a totally refreshing take on a classic song. Brings a smile to my face. Well done!!!”
-Emilio Castillo - Bandleader for Tower of Power  

The String Revolution won for “Best Arrangement Instrumental Acapella” for their collaboration with Tommy Emmanuel of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” The String Revolution was originally formed in 2015 by Randy Rhoads student Janet Robin who was influenced by her time in Lindsey Buckingham’s first solo band and it’s 5-member “guitar army.” Named in the “Top 50 Acoustic Guitarist bonus list” by Guitar Player Magazine, 2017, Janet has played live in bands with Meredith Brooks, Air Supply, as a member of Precious Metal…. The String Revolution also features award winning and Master of the Arts, Austrian guitarist Markus Illko, and Cuban multi-instrumentalist and guitarist Rober Luis.

Photo 1: Rober Luis & Lakecia Benjamin

Photo 2: Janet Robin and Markus Illko and engineer Rafa Sardina 

Photo 3: Janet upfront, L to R  Rafe, Lakecia, and Rober

Jon Provost & Laurie Jacobson on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

The Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show presents a fun chat with Lassie's Jon Provost and producer/author (including of "Top of the Mountain-the Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965) Laurie Jacobson goes live at 6 pm ET/3 pm PT today! Both are animal lovers.

Ian Anderson & Anne Leighton Talk About Cats & Music

My interview on Cats and Music with Ian Anderson goes live at 8 am ET/1 pm UK/5 am PT on Sunday, August 10. Stories from this interview will be included in a speech I'll deliver this Thanksgiving for an online Cats and Music Symposium presented by Leuphana University of Lüneburg in Germany. The topic focuses on my timeless classic artists--Jethro Tull, Grand Funk Railroad, and Renaissance's Annie Haslam--helping cats. including rescue groups and taking in strays.

I plan to make these interviews a regular thing beyond just my artists, and will do interviews with many more music people that have helped cats and learned from them!

Lisa Torem on the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show

Live on YouTube is my interview with Chicago's Lisa Torem, author of five books on Billy Joel, Suzanne Vega, Tori Amos, including co-writes with Ava Cherry and Jim Peterick. She's also a music journalist, songwriter, public speaker. A big topic in our interview is resilience.