8/28/25

“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 21st 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








8/26/25

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.

8/10/25

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!