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!
10/1/25
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
C 2025 Elliott Murphy/Murphyland SACEM/BMI |
9/23/25
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...
9/20/25
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 28th at the Newton Theatre, NJ, and on November 29th 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
9/15/25
ProgStock 2025 - October 9-12, 2025 International Progressive Rock Festival The Williams Center, Rutherford, NJ
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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.
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!
7/29/25
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.
7/22/25
Christmas in July
Santa's Got a Brand New Bag Tom Ciurczak male vocals, similar timbre as Bruce Springsteen, rock band with horns. This song is about Santa getting a new bag. The first few notes sound like James Brown's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," but the song swings into theatrical rock. It mentions the children all over the world, way up in the sky.''
Christmastime in Hollywood Tom Ciurczak upbeat rock with sleighbells, male vocals, looking for the soul of Christmas, thinking of "It's a Wonderful Life." trying to imagine life with snow in Hollywood, "None of this is real in tinsel town." "I just want my Christmas to be with you" jingle bells interludes.
A Million Matzoh Balls Dean Friedman acoustic guitar with male singer and children, humorous folk-show tune, tall story about his mama making a million matzoh balls, and everywhere they were at his home! "There were so many matzoh balls I didn't know what to do!"
A Million Matzoh Balls | Dean Friedman
Ave Maria (Instrumental) Stephen Melillo instrumental, slow, strings of classical piece, “Ave Maria.”
Glogg Emily Hurd Clever lyrics like “Let’s go shovel the sidewalk in a relative sense.” There is an underpinning lyric “Because there’s wine” throughout the song. bells and electric guitar.
I Ruined Christmas Refestramus 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!
Never Take Love For Granted Dan Berggren Shopping in the malls for Christmas. “You’ll never take love for granted if you always give love in return.” Male bass/baritone and acoustic guitar. Folk styled.
7/15/25
Charu Suri on The Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show
Charu Suri, who is playing Carnegie Hall for the fifth time, is the guest on my Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview Show. We talk about the calming magic of ragas, family, travel, and kindness. Her concert is July 25. Lots of special guests, and she'll be sharing a new album, "Shayan" for our healing. https://youtu.be/3e3fxA_B3-k?si=WGDdvAjZ5N3Bz_ZK
7/11/25
Sharon Katz & The Peace Train - September 2025 East Coast Shows
and get ready for a New Song Book!
Put on your Dancing
Shoes, bring your singing voice & join Sharon Katz & the Peace Train Coast
to Coast celebratory concerts and release of The Peace Train Songs &
Stories Book!
Thursday Sept. 18th - New York
City
Joe's at The Public Theater (Joe's Pub)
425 Lafayette St.,
NY, NY 10003
https://publictheater.org/performances-jp/2025/s/sharon-katz-the-peace-train/
and
Saturday Sept. 20th – Philadelphia
The Folk Factory at the Unitarian Church of Mount Airy
6900 Stenton Ave., in Philadelphia
https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk
Special Guests: Anna Crusis Feminist Choir
also
Saturday &
Sunday Sept. 28th -29th
South African Food, Wine
& Music Festival at Grayhaven Winery, 4675 W. Grey Fox Cir, Gum Spring, VA
https://southafricanwinefestival.com/
For more information and tickets: SharonKatz.com
The Peace Train band features Sharon on guitar and vocals, Wendy Quick (vocals); Richard Hill Jr. (bass), Suzzette Ortiz (keyboards); Eric Roberts (Drums); Jan Jeffries (Percussion) and David Church (sax & flute).
World renowned for leading South Africa’s first 500-voice multiracial and multicultural performing
group to help promote Nelson Mandela’s election in
Post-Apartheid South Africa, Sharon Katz is a guitarist,
singer and composer from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth/ Nelson Mandela Bay)
in South Africa. A multiple award-winning film, When Voices Meet was
made about Katz’s social activism.
In recent years, she has
facilitated musical projects with children living on the USA Mexico border, who
survived torture and trafficking rings in San Diego and Tijuana. Sharon has
conceived and directed productions with orchestras, and choirs in South
Africa, the United States, Cuba and Mexico and has many albums to her credit
including the most recent “We Can Be The Change” and “For You.”
This year she’ll be
publishing a multi-media songbook, “Songs and Stories of Sharon Katz &
The Peace Train” featuring ten of the Sharon’s songs along with choral
parts, guitar chords, and archival photographs of The Peace Train project. The
book also features QR codes and links to videos and recordings of the songs.
Look for the book’s physical and digital release on all platforms on September
18th.
Songs from the new Songbook
will be performed at the upcoming concerts, as well as songs from other albums
that have been on the Grammy ballot. She will
include favorite covers from South African
superstars, most notably Miriam Makeba.
Sharon has worked with
Ms. Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Pete Seeger, and is
featured on the “Carnival!” album with Sting, Madonna and Elton John. In
2019 she received the Phil Ochs Award in recognition of her music and activism.
In addition to the
September concerts on the East Coast, this October, the San Diego based
Classics4Kids will present 7 concerts featuring Sharon Katz performing with the
Classics4Kids Philharmonic Orchestra. Several of the songs in “Songs and
Stories of Sharon Katz & The Peace Train” will be on the program that will
reach thousands of San Diego school students.
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