Contact for "Let's Get a Genuine Unsigned Band into the Charts”:
Oliver Tooley
(0)20 8926 0857
oliver.tooley@ntlworld.com
http://www.facebook.com/unsigned
Excerpts of songs from all entrants: http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/
Complete songs of the semi-finalists:
http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/index3.html
Two artists hope Facebook group members will buy MP3 singles--Destination's "If I Ruled The World" and Digital Earth's "Charlatan Old Boy."
There are two bands that won the LET'S GET A GENUINE UNSIGNED BAND INTO THE CHARTS contest, and therefore the contest's organizers are spreading the word to have its Facebook group members buy the group's digital singles. Both are, broadly speaking, pop/dance acts: Destination and Digital Earth.
As both Destination and Digital Earth were very close with votes--even swamping the lead throughout finals week, they checked with their fans to see how they felt about both being the winning acts. It was agreed to try and get two unsigned bands into the chart instead of one. Group members and the extended social network will all be buying the singles from Sunday 28th Feb to Saturday 6th March, in the hope of entering the top 40 singles charts on the 7th of March.
Organizer Oliver Tooley started the group on 1st January this year thinking that by summer he might have enough members to achieve the 4,000 - 5,000 sales needed to get a top 40 hit in an average week. In four weeks he had over 5,000 members and over three hours of song samples to consider from six different countries and every possible genre. A series of stages reduced over 100 bands down to just ten of which Destination and Digital Earth were clear leaders from start to finish.
Synthpop duo "Destination" are singer, Bridget Gray, from Aberdeen Scotland and synth maestro, Glynn Jaine, from Huddersfield who collaborate over the internet on songwriting. Despite having less than 300 fans on Facebook they managed nearly 1,000 votes in the contest, which strongly suggests people were listening to the music and voting for the song "If I Ruled The World" and not giving a partisan vote for a particular band.
Digital Earth combine many genres seamlessly, touching on jazz, soul, funk and hip hop. They also polled more than twice their Facebook fanbase for their song "Charlatan Old Boy" once again proving that people were voting for the music and not their mates.
The group has already started taking nominations for the next competition but Oliver says, "Everyone was asked when they joined the group to promise to buy the winning single. If they keep that promise then we will succeed. If they don't then the group will die, I will have to give up on the next contest, and big business will retain total control over what you listen to."
3/1/10
2/21/10
Fred Kevorkian, master of the Gentle Giant re-masters!
Fred Kevorkian at the mixing board
The final part of the job in completing the sound of Gentle Giant albums (IN A GLASS HOUSE, THE POWER AND THE GLORY, FREE HAND, INTERVIEW, PLAYING THE FOOL: THE OFFICIAL LIVE, THE MISSING PIECE, and GIANT FOR A DAY) for CD and vinyl is the mastering process.
Gentle Giant had Fred Kevorkian of New York City's Kevorkian Mastering, Inc. handle the duties. Recently Fred's mastered albums from moe., Phish, Ryan Adams, Charlie Musselwhite, Dave Matthews, Railroad Earth, Willie Nelson, and Willie Nile.
The job includes listening to the artists, finding out what kind of audio shine they want in the albums, plus making sure each song's level and brightness are consistent.
Fred came of age in the '70s in France, and his favorite bands were rockers--AC/DC, Sex Pistols, the Rolling Stones. He liked more simple music, so he didn't listen to Gentle Giant growing up, though he knew of them.
In tackling the Gentle Giant re-releases, he was pretty impressed with the musicians of the band, "They knew how to handle their arrangements. It would seem the music would drift in parts, and then return, and go in a way that was meant to be."
He notes that "50% of the job in mastering recordings is the relationship you have with the musicians. You have to understand the artist's point of view for their songs and sensibility." After Ray Shulman remixed the albums from the band's original 1/4 tapes from the original Abbey Road sessions, they expressed what they were looking for in the masters. The band members even expressed things they didn't like about those albums through the years!
http://www.kevorkianmastering.com/
2/17/10
LET'S GET A GENUINE, UNSIGNED BAND INTO THE CHARTS--TWO ARTISTS' STORIES!
Contact for "Let's Get a Genuine Unsigned Band into the Charts”:
Oliver Tooley
(0)20 8926 0857
oliver.tooley@ntlworld.com
http://www.facebook.com/unsigned
Excerpts of songs from all entrants: http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/
Complete songs of the semi-finalists:
http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/index3.html
Contact for Black Daniel: Contact: Craig Louis Higgins, Jr.
(0)7525740604
clhnyc@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/blackdanielspace
(Unique Internet contest looks to break UK charts with support from fans of truly independent music.)
Black Daniel, a London-based rock and punk band with a range of soulful and classic punk/new wave influences, are one of 10 finalists in the Facebook contest, LET'S GET A GENUINE, UNSIGNED BAND INTO THE CHARTS.
The truly international roster of acts' music spans a gamut of styles: new age/classical (Finland's Anielka), Contemporary Christian pop (United States' Bill Monaghan), electrono synth/dance pop jazz (Destination), electro/rap/soul (Digital Earth), ska with guitars instead of horns (Pablo Eskimo from Scotland), progressive hard rock (Limeshark), commercial dance rock (Trail), grunge (Six Degrees of Separation) and Folk/Punk (Deferred Sucess). (note to editors. There is one "C" in the band's spelling of "Deferred Sucess.)
"I liked the bands that weren't even in the running," said Black Daniel's frontman Craig Louis Higgins Jr., who picked Splash Theory and Me My Head as favorites. "They play the type of music I'm into. I also thought Sundae Club (who have an ELO influence) was pretty good."
Black Daniel worked to get the band's fans to vote, e-mailing and making calls to friend to vote for them at all the contest's levels. On its own, the band has worked very hard the past four years to build its following, including finding opening slots for Bryan Adams and Kasabian. Recently the Rough Trade record store offered to have the band do an instore, which the group is--of course--very excited about. Black Daniel does not look at this contest as a "make or break" for their career, but an opportunity. Higgins says, "We've got good things happening."
The finals of the contest are only on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/unsigned, at the link entitled "Polls."
Contest organizer Oliver Tooley says he did this to allow more people to vote. Previously there was one vote per IP address but this stopped people in the same house or same company from voting. Unfortunately that has led to a small number of complaints from bands that their fans do not have Facebook accounts.
"It doesn't matter what system you use, someone will not be happy, but the group started on Facebook and it is natural to end it there as well." The fact is that with over 1859 votes (as of 6 AM GMT on 17 February) already is clearly not an obstacle for some. The leading band already have more votes than Facebook OR Myspace fans so maybe it is truly about the music and not partisan fans."
Tooley says he's also received support from people from different parts of the music industry. People are scouting bands on his Facebook page, with a recent post, seeking a band to replace a drop out from a battle of the bands at the Chester Hangman, in Chester. He's heard from independent musicians, journalists, and terrestrial and online radio stations. This Friday night, Leeds' based radio programmer Bill Horncastle will be featuring the top 10 artists and other contenders on his radio show on Vixen 101.
Tooley is ecstatic over the amount of people who've joined the Facebook group, which (as of 6 AM GMT on 17 February) was at 8465 members. He's hoping 5000 people vote and also buy the MP3 of the contest winner in hopes the recordings hit the charts...as is whoever wins the contest on February 20. While people are quick to compare Tooley to the judges on X-FACTOR, he shrugs, "I want to align myself with radio legends like John Peel and Steve Lemacq. These people are not afraid of playing stuff that people aren't ready for. I'm interested in new ideas, and it's obvious the acts in this contest are, as well."
###
Oliver Tooley
(0)20 8926 0857
oliver.tooley@ntlworld.com
http://www.facebook.com/unsigned
Excerpts of songs from all entrants: http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/
Complete songs of the semi-finalists:
http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/index3.html
Contact for Black Daniel: Contact: Craig Louis Higgins, Jr.
(0)7525740604
clhnyc@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/blackdanielspace
(Unique Internet contest looks to break UK charts with support from fans of truly independent music.)
Black Daniel, a London-based rock and punk band with a range of soulful and classic punk/new wave influences, are one of 10 finalists in the Facebook contest, LET'S GET A GENUINE, UNSIGNED BAND INTO THE CHARTS.
The truly international roster of acts' music spans a gamut of styles: new age/classical (Finland's Anielka), Contemporary Christian pop (United States' Bill Monaghan), electrono synth/dance pop jazz (Destination), electro/rap/soul (Digital Earth), ska with guitars instead of horns (Pablo Eskimo from Scotland), progressive hard rock (Limeshark), commercial dance rock (Trail), grunge (Six Degrees of Separation) and Folk/Punk (Deferred Sucess). (note to editors. There is one "C" in the band's spelling of "Deferred Sucess.)
"I liked the bands that weren't even in the running," said Black Daniel's frontman Craig Louis Higgins Jr., who picked Splash Theory and Me My Head as favorites. "They play the type of music I'm into. I also thought Sundae Club (who have an ELO influence) was pretty good."
Black Daniel worked to get the band's fans to vote, e-mailing and making calls to friend to vote for them at all the contest's levels. On its own, the band has worked very hard the past four years to build its following, including finding opening slots for Bryan Adams and Kasabian. Recently the Rough Trade record store offered to have the band do an instore, which the group is--of course--very excited about. Black Daniel does not look at this contest as a "make or break" for their career, but an opportunity. Higgins says, "We've got good things happening."
The finals of the contest are only on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/unsigned, at the link entitled "Polls."
Contest organizer Oliver Tooley says he did this to allow more people to vote. Previously there was one vote per IP address but this stopped people in the same house or same company from voting. Unfortunately that has led to a small number of complaints from bands that their fans do not have Facebook accounts.
"It doesn't matter what system you use, someone will not be happy, but the group started on Facebook and it is natural to end it there as well." The fact is that with over 1859 votes (as of 6 AM GMT on 17 February) already is clearly not an obstacle for some. The leading band already have more votes than Facebook OR Myspace fans so maybe it is truly about the music and not partisan fans."
Tooley says he's also received support from people from different parts of the music industry. People are scouting bands on his Facebook page, with a recent post, seeking a band to replace a drop out from a battle of the bands at the Chester Hangman, in Chester. He's heard from independent musicians, journalists, and terrestrial and online radio stations. This Friday night, Leeds' based radio programmer Bill Horncastle will be featuring the top 10 artists and other contenders on his radio show on Vixen 101.
Tooley is ecstatic over the amount of people who've joined the Facebook group, which (as of 6 AM GMT on 17 February) was at 8465 members. He's hoping 5000 people vote and also buy the MP3 of the contest winner in hopes the recordings hit the charts...as is whoever wins the contest on February 20. While people are quick to compare Tooley to the judges on X-FACTOR, he shrugs, "I want to align myself with radio legends like John Peel and Steve Lemacq. These people are not afraid of playing stuff that people aren't ready for. I'm interested in new ideas, and it's obvious the acts in this contest are, as well."
###
2/10/10
LET'S GET A GENUINE UNSIGNED BAND INTO THE CHARTS: TWO ARTISTS' STORIES
Internet contest based in the UK and featuring talented musicians from all over the world
Voting Page: http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/index3.html
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=404204360003
Vote for Jann Klose site:http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/klose.php
New York City-based pop singer/songwriter Jann Klose's song "Doing Time" is in the semi-finals of an intriguing Facebook "battle of the bands"-styled Internet contest called, "Let's Get a Genuine Unsigned Band into the Charts." The contest allows everybody to listen to songs by independent musicians, rate them by how they like the songs at the link http://www.french4tots.co.uk/unsignedbands/index3.html . On February 21st a winner will be chosen, publicised, and members can buy the artist's MP3 single over the course of a week, making the song hit the charts.
The contest was thought up by Oliver Tooley, a London-based singer who fronts the group Led Zep Too. He also has a volume of original music, and has always supported independent music. An example is how Klose met him, after his agent mistakenly called Tooley's number to find a gig in London. As Tooley was familiar with the talent buyer's name, he gave the agent advice and UK leads for gigs, and then turned out for Klose's first show in England.
Through the years Tooley's presented small battles of the bands on MySpace, and only "got as many as 12 votes for one band!"
In late 2009 he realized it takes about 5000 people to buy an MP3 to have it place on the UK radio charts, and decided to start up the Facebook group. First, he invited all his friends, on the first day he had 250 members in his group, by day two there were 500 people. Says Tooley: "It was growing exponentially, at the end of the first week there were over 2500 people. Now we have 8000 members and this is only five weeks old."
84 bands were in the first round. The second round of voting features 31 bands. Most are from the UK. One group, Anielka, is from Finland. Klose (who was born in Germany, raised in Kenya and South Africa) lives in New York City. Power trio-with-a-singer Paint Box and songwriter Bill Monaghan are from Pennsylvania.
The contest has found Internet airplay, including BBC 6 and Hamiltonradio.net, as well as terrestrial radio in the UK. Birmingham, UK recording studio XRP has been featuring contestants' music on its station and self-promoting heavily on the Facebook page to the point that members are listening to that station throughout the day.
Tooley understands that some of the voters work with bands in the running, and will purposely down-rate competing artists. He also understands that some of the contestants, who lose the contest may not stick around to buy the winning recording. "I believe there'll be 10,000 group members by the time we assault the charts. If half our members buy it, the song will get into the top 40." He hopes the musicians will be supportive in order to have this contest run again and--maybe--other people in different countries run their own contest to get onto the indie charts.
While Tooley agrees that all musicians would like to have their music at the top of the charts, he says, "My target number for this Facebook page is to have one of our bands hit “37” on the charts. After that, let the rest of the UK get them to the top. There's a band in the contest called Deferred Sucess, and they have a song that states the sentiment, 'Make a living.' That is what this contest is about."
1/24/10
CEVIN SOLING'S THE WAR ON KIDS, THE MOVIE
Cevin Soling is doing interviews for his movie, THE WAR ON KIDS which is about how schools today are being run like prisons. The documentary had a successful this past November at the Quad Cinema, and he's been showing the film for discussion nights at conventions and colleges.
ReThinkFilm.com/Young Turks' film critic/The Huffington Post columnist Jonathan Kim says that The War on Kids "may be the scariest movie you'll see all year."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-kim/rethink-review-emthe-war_b_421321.html
MSNBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman and Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert also had Cevin on their shows, and quite a conversation. Here's the link for Colbert Nation.
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/256926/november-30-2009/cevin-soling
Please contact me if you're interested in connecting with Cevin for your media outlet.
http://www.thewaronkids.com
ReThinkFilm.com/Young Turks' film critic/The Huffington Post columnist Jonathan Kim says that The War on Kids "may be the scariest movie you'll see all year."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-kim/rethink-review-emthe-war_b_421321.html
MSNBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman and Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert also had Cevin on their shows, and quite a conversation. Here's the link for Colbert Nation.
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/256926/november-30-2009/cevin-soling
Please contact me if you're interested in connecting with Cevin for your media outlet.
http://www.thewaronkids.com
KIM WILSON’S BLUES ALL-STARS
Kim Wilson, the Blues.
I'm realizing singer/harpist Kim Wilson is at the forefront of iconic blues singers for this and generations to come. His appreciation of the genre has led him to collaborations with other great artists, being called to play for folk festivals, jazz festivals, and continuing on to sessions with Eric Clapton, plus getting Grammy nominations for his work on the Cadillac Records soundtrack.
Kim's very vocal about the purity of the Blues. He leads both the Fabulous Thunderbirds and another group with known players from today's scene called The Kim Wilson Blues All-Stars. There are tour dates up on the Fabulous Thunderbirds site for both groups.
The Kim Wilson Blues All-Stars currently are: Guitarists Billy Flynn and Little Frank, bassist Randy Bermudes (from the Thunderbirds) and drummer Richard Innes, plus piano player Barrelhouse Chuck.
Grand Rapids' Tastemakers writes, “such a tight collection of first-rate players that they perceptively know just what tune they'll do next by the time Kim begins to count off. During the course of the show just a nod from Kim or some brief eye contact, and the band was off into the next number. Audiences get their money's worth each night as Wilson wastes no time between the end of a song and the beginning of the next, ala Van Morrison.
“Only first-rate musicianship allows Wilson to cut a wide swath in order to uncover all the elements of true blues music; songs and styles that may go by the wayside with Wilson's other band, the guitar forward Fabulous Thunderbirds ... Kim is the one with the most signature sound, style, and presentation. He looks just as comfortable without a harp in hand all while sweating out a soulful vocal number by Little Milton. Wilson is either gracious, yes, or just smart enough to let his band do their work.”
http://www.fabulousthunderbirds.com
http://www.myspace.com/kimwilsonblues
EMI TO RELEASE GENTLE GIANT's ALBUMS IN CD FORMAT
NOTE: THIS MEDIA RELEASE HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF JAN. 27, 2010.
(IN A GLASS HOUSE, THE POWER & THE GLORY, FREE HAND out January 26, More discs, DVDs and gift packs to follow in 2010)
On January 26, 2010 Gentle Giant will be re-releasing three CDs: In A Glass House (originally released 1973), Free Hand (1975) and The Power & The Glory (1974) via their own Alucard label through EMI Music's Label Services unit and Caroline Distribution.
On February 9: Interview, Playing the Fool: the Official Live will be released. On February 23, look for The Missing Piece and Giant for a Day in CD formats. Later this year there will be vinyl releases of the catalog. Look for a new DVD, GG at Winchester College, which is the first show that Gentle Giant ever performed; it includes songs never released on any commercial release. Box sets and live recordings are also being planned.
All seven of the albums are remastered from the original 1/4 inch tapes through Hi-Resolution (24bit 96k) transfer that the band recorded at UK's Abbey Road Studios in the 1970s. Band member Ray Shulman was in charge of the new remasters.
This progressive rock band, which was active from 1970 through 1980, was made up of multi-instrumentalists, and lived to expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular. The group's dozen albums combine a range of musical styles-jazz, pop, classical, British soul, rock, blues, medieval, pop, blues, Gentle Giant's legacy has become influential to a range of artists from the arena rock, jam band, virtuoso players, chamber pop, jazz, and-of course-progressive rock genres.
FOR JUST THE DIGITAL RELEASES, the band chose favorite live versions of songs from each album and some obscure radio sessions. Two of the bonus tracks “Intro 74” and “Intro 76” were partially re-recorded, embellished and remixed by Kerry Minnear of the group.
Minnear, plus Gentle Giant bandmates Ray Shulman, Gary Green, John Weathers, and Derek Shulman are available for interviews. Other promotion includes radio, print, Internet, and mobile phone outreach.
http://www.blazemonger.com/GG/Gentle_Giant_Home_Page
(IN A GLASS HOUSE, THE POWER & THE GLORY, FREE HAND out January 26, More discs, DVDs and gift packs to follow in 2010)
On January 26, 2010 Gentle Giant will be re-releasing three CDs: In A Glass House (originally released 1973), Free Hand (1975) and The Power & The Glory (1974) via their own Alucard label through EMI Music's Label Services unit and Caroline Distribution.
On February 9: Interview, Playing the Fool: the Official Live will be released. On February 23, look for The Missing Piece and Giant for a Day in CD formats. Later this year there will be vinyl releases of the catalog. Look for a new DVD, GG at Winchester College, which is the first show that Gentle Giant ever performed; it includes songs never released on any commercial release. Box sets and live recordings are also being planned.
All seven of the albums are remastered from the original 1/4 inch tapes through Hi-Resolution (24bit 96k) transfer that the band recorded at UK's Abbey Road Studios in the 1970s. Band member Ray Shulman was in charge of the new remasters.
This progressive rock band, which was active from 1970 through 1980, was made up of multi-instrumentalists, and lived to expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular. The group's dozen albums combine a range of musical styles-jazz, pop, classical, British soul, rock, blues, medieval, pop, blues, Gentle Giant's legacy has become influential to a range of artists from the arena rock, jam band, virtuoso players, chamber pop, jazz, and-of course-progressive rock genres.
FOR JUST THE DIGITAL RELEASES, the band chose favorite live versions of songs from each album and some obscure radio sessions. Two of the bonus tracks “Intro 74” and “Intro 76” were partially re-recorded, embellished and remixed by Kerry Minnear of the group.
Minnear, plus Gentle Giant bandmates Ray Shulman, Gary Green, John Weathers, and Derek Shulman are available for interviews. Other promotion includes radio, print, Internet, and mobile phone outreach.
http://www.blazemonger.com/GG/Gentle_Giant_Home_Page
JOE DENINZON TRIO: DEBUT CD AND TOUR
There will be a new Stratospheerius album at some point in 2010 or 2011, and definitely Stratospheerius gigs including a late night show on February 10 at Phat Baby in New York City.
But Joe Deninzon, Stratospheerius' lead singer/electric violinist has some other fascinating activities coming to fruition this year. He is writing a violin book for Mel Bay, teaching at Mark O'Connor's string camp in New York City this summer, and releasing a jazz trio album.
The Mel Bay electric violin book focuses on improvisation techniques in rock, jazz, blues, and funk, and will also have chapters devoted to amplification for strings, effects, and electric violins. Joe Deninzon has become the music world's “go to” guy for sessions, improvisation technique, and the one everyone asks for info on effects, so this book will be a “God”-sent for colleagues and fans. (He recently also played in Bruce Springsteen's back up group at Madison Square Garden for “New York City Serenade.”)
Joe is honored to be the Rock teacher at Mark O'Conner's renowned String Camp this July 26-30, in New York City. Mark O'Conner is considered one of the greatest violinists and composers of our time, who transcends many genres. He's played for and performed with Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Mayer and James Taylor. Here is the link for info about the String Camp: http://markoconnor.com/index.php?page=about
JOE DENINZON TRIO-DEBUT CD AND TOUR.
Violinist Joe Deninzon and his Trio will be releasing their debut CD, Exuberance, in February of 2010 and will be touring February 10-21 in support of the new release. Tour dates include Hoboken, Youngstown, Erie, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Bloomington, abd Cincinnati.
The Joe Deninzon Trio is comprised of violinist Joe Deninzon, bassist Robert Bowen, and guitarist Stephen Benson. On tour, the group will be joined by drummer Lucianna Padmore.
The goal of the Exuberance sessions was to capture the essence of three musicians in a room, playing live with no overdubs and no “production." The group draws influences from jazz stylists including the gypsy explorations of Django Reinhardt and the hot swing of violinist Stephane Grappelli along with rock and pop standards of the past 50 years including compositions from Steely Dan, Alice in Chains, and Radiohead. It poses the question, “What if artists such as Django Reinhardt were alive today and creating their unique interpretations of music they heard on the radio?”
One of the group's original songs, “Sun Goes Down” (featuring Luba on lead vocals), has been featured in the independent film, “What's Up Scarlet?” and a recent winner in the Jazz category of the Billboard and John Lennon International Songwriting Contests.
Tour Dates
February 10 Be Vocal Hoboken NJ
February 16 2010 International Competition of Indianapolis Laureate Series
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center Indianapolis, IN
February 17 Bear's Place Bloomington, IN
February 18 Blue Wisp Jazz Club Cincinnati, OH
February 19 Nighttown Cleveland, OH
February 20 The Jive Erie, PA
FREE CONCERT!
February 20 Therese's Great Nights Youngstown, OH
http://www.joedeninzon.com
http://www.myspace.com/joedeninzontrio
But Joe Deninzon, Stratospheerius' lead singer/electric violinist has some other fascinating activities coming to fruition this year. He is writing a violin book for Mel Bay, teaching at Mark O'Connor's string camp in New York City this summer, and releasing a jazz trio album.
The Mel Bay electric violin book focuses on improvisation techniques in rock, jazz, blues, and funk, and will also have chapters devoted to amplification for strings, effects, and electric violins. Joe Deninzon has become the music world's “go to” guy for sessions, improvisation technique, and the one everyone asks for info on effects, so this book will be a “God”-sent for colleagues and fans. (He recently also played in Bruce Springsteen's back up group at Madison Square Garden for “New York City Serenade.”)
Joe is honored to be the Rock teacher at Mark O'Conner's renowned String Camp this July 26-30, in New York City. Mark O'Conner is considered one of the greatest violinists and composers of our time, who transcends many genres. He's played for and performed with Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Mayer and James Taylor. Here is the link for info about the String Camp: http://markoconnor.com/index.php?page=about
JOE DENINZON TRIO-DEBUT CD AND TOUR.
Violinist Joe Deninzon and his Trio will be releasing their debut CD, Exuberance, in February of 2010 and will be touring February 10-21 in support of the new release. Tour dates include Hoboken, Youngstown, Erie, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Bloomington, abd Cincinnati.
The Joe Deninzon Trio is comprised of violinist Joe Deninzon, bassist Robert Bowen, and guitarist Stephen Benson. On tour, the group will be joined by drummer Lucianna Padmore.
The goal of the Exuberance sessions was to capture the essence of three musicians in a room, playing live with no overdubs and no “production." The group draws influences from jazz stylists including the gypsy explorations of Django Reinhardt and the hot swing of violinist Stephane Grappelli along with rock and pop standards of the past 50 years including compositions from Steely Dan, Alice in Chains, and Radiohead. It poses the question, “What if artists such as Django Reinhardt were alive today and creating their unique interpretations of music they heard on the radio?”
One of the group's original songs, “Sun Goes Down” (featuring Luba on lead vocals), has been featured in the independent film, “What's Up Scarlet?” and a recent winner in the Jazz category of the Billboard and John Lennon International Songwriting Contests.
Tour Dates
February 10 Be Vocal Hoboken NJ
February 16 2010 International Competition of Indianapolis Laureate Series
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center Indianapolis, IN
February 17 Bear's Place Bloomington, IN
February 18 Blue Wisp Jazz Club Cincinnati, OH
February 19 Nighttown Cleveland, OH
February 20 The Jive Erie, PA
FREE CONCERT!
February 20 Therese's Great Nights Youngstown, OH
http://www.joedeninzon.com
http://www.myspace.com/joedeninzontrio
BILL LEVERTY
Bill Leverty's Deep South album.
I'm starting work soon with Bill Leverty, who you might know as Firehouse's guitarist. He's created a folk rock folk rock (or as he calls it “Ametal-cana”) album called Deep South, which features traditional songs done in Bill's style, not Firehouse's, who had hits “Don't Treat Me Bad” and “Love of a Lifetime” in the 1990s.
Some of the songs (from “Boll Weevil” through “Rain and Snow”) are on Bill's REVERBNATION page. Bill's dad taught him these songs as a child. It's as though Bill blended the rock blues genre made famous by Cream and combined it with folk and church songs and attitude. (He also threw in Ray Charles' “Hit The Road Jack.”)
Vocally, he's got a rich baritone with blues-rock, gruff and wail. My focus is to get him to all the folk and songwriting media (though metal and classic rock folks can certainly contact me on Bill), because the album is unique, and should be heard by folks outside just the “hair band” community.
http://www.leverty.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/billleverty
TOWER OF POWER
If you're on Facebook, Tower of Power's web outreach folks would love for you to join the Official TOP Facebook Fan page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Tower-of-Power-FAN-Page
New guitarist in Tower of Power is Jerry Cortez, and the band is playing songs off its Great American Soulbook album. “Me and Mrs. Jones” and “The James Brown” medley, “Star Time” are favorites live. Visit the band's web site for show info.
http://www.towerofpower.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Tower-of-Power-FAN-Page
New guitarist in Tower of Power is Jerry Cortez, and the band is playing songs off its Great American Soulbook album. “Me and Mrs. Jones” and “The James Brown” medley, “Star Time” are favorites live. Visit the band's web site for show info.
http://www.towerofpower.com
DON BREWER, DAVID GARIBALDI, DOANE PERRY, LUCIANNA PADMORE, CARMINE AND VINNY APPICE FEATURED WITH OVER 500 DRUMMERS IN THE BOOK, STICKS'N'SKINS!
Jethro Tull's drummer, Doane Perry in Sticks'n'Skins.
Sticks 'n' Skins: A Photography Book About the World of Drumming makes its debut at www.SticksnSkins.com! Discover the heartbeat of music in this 560 page coffee table book illuminating the eclectic world of drumming over the past 70 years. Fotos By Folletts photographers traveled to 53 cities in four countries and photographed over 500 drummers to be included in the pages of this captivating hardcover book.
Dedicated to the late drumming photographer Lissa Wales, Sticks 'n' Skins opens with a special tribute to her work. Well known to the drumming community, Lissa was a trail blazer in her field, specializing in capturing the heart and soul of drummers around the world. (To learn more about Lissa, please visit DrumPics.com.)
The first of its kind, Sticks 'n' Skins features never-before-seen photos and stories of legendary artists David Garibaldi (Tower of Power), Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad), Carmine Appice (SLAMM), Doane Perry (Jethro Tull), Louie Bellson (Benny Goodman), Steve Gadd (Barbra Streisand), Jim Keltner (Bob Dylan), Hal Blaine (Elvis Presley), Ginger Baker (Cream), Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones), Stefanie Eulinberg (Kid Rock), Jack Bruno (Tina Turner), Danny Seraphine (Chicago), Anton Fig (Late Night with David Letterman), Nigel Olsson (Elton John), Chad Smith (The Red Hot Chili Peppers), Keith Carlock (Steely Dan), and many more. Stratospheerius' drummer Lucianna Padmore is also highlighted.
Sticks 'n' Skins not only provides visual inspiration with its stunning photos but also preserves the legacy of the diverse and unique drumming community. Sure to become a music lover's collector's item, this extraordinary book offers an opportunity for fans young and old to see a new side of the biggest names in music history.
"This book documents our drumming history, thus preserving our talents and our reasons for why we do what we do for future generations to feel. It is a compelling and moving glimpse into the drumming community" - Dom Famularo, Drumming's Global Ambassador.
“I have been privileged and blessed to have met and photographed this amazing group of musicians... the drummers,” says author Jules Follett. “I thank them all for helping me capture their talent, energy and passion visually.”
For more information or to purchase your copy today, please visit www.sticksnskins.com.
http://www.sticksnskins.com
JANN KLOSE
Jann Klose's "The Beginning"
If you present or attend house concerts, I would love to talk with you about having Jann Klose perform for you. He's played house concerts through the years, and they've been a great setting for his unique pop stylings. They've helped him also build lifelong fans in new markets, who keep coming back to his shows whether at the same house or in a club.
We're also making free downloads available from his album, Reverie via WFUV's HD Radio site. (Three of Jann's songs are now in the Top Five there with “Doing Time” at number one.) Please visit http://jannklose.com/audio.html
This April we're releasing Jann's songs “This Sacrifice” and “Waiting for the Wave,” which were recorded during the Reverie sessions but didn't make the album. They'll be available on iTunes.
WGN Radio's Steve and Johnnie in Chicago are presenting and emcee-ing Jann Klose live at the Skokie Theatre on April 30. Also on the bill is Anne Harris, please mark your calendars. Roger Reis of the Chicago Examiner wrote that Reverie is a “phenomenal piece of music that should be a part of everyone's musical library.” He's right.
Jann Klose Shows:
February 5 Rockwood Music Hall, NYC
March 13 John Street Jam, Saugerties, NY
March 19 Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, Middletown, CT
April 30 The Skokie Theatre, Skokie, IL w/ Anne Harris
May 1 The Strutt, Kalamazoo, MI w/ Micaela Kingslight
http://www.jannklose.com
1/23/10
News From Friends
Jordan Rudess and his daughter Kayla recorded a pop song, “For the Moment” to help benefit the non-profit Central Asia Institute (www.ikat.org) that helps community education in regions throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Check out their website to hear a sample and download it!
http://www.jordanrudess.com/forthemoment
*****
I want to rave about New York Mac Geeks, an incredible Apple Macintosh computer consulting firm that has both saved my butt with the various computer issues I've had this past year. NYMacGeeks also showed me a range of web design tips, and is helping me set up an internet “cloud” so I can collaborate with my team of artists and behind-the-scenes folks. If you're a Macintosh user, save their contact info for the future: http://nymacgeeks.com, 718-395-9327. info@nymacgeeks.com
Check out their website to hear a sample and download it!
http://www.jordanrudess.com/forthemoment
*****
I want to rave about New York Mac Geeks, an incredible Apple Macintosh computer consulting firm that has both saved my butt with the various computer issues I've had this past year. NYMacGeeks also showed me a range of web design tips, and is helping me set up an internet “cloud” so I can collaborate with my team of artists and behind-the-scenes folks. If you're a Macintosh user, save their contact info for the future: http://nymacgeeks.com, 718-395-9327. info@nymacgeeks.com
11/8/09
EMI TO RELEASE SEVEN GENTLE GIANT IN DIGITAL FORMAT ON NOVEMBER 10
http://www.blazemonger.com/GG/Gentle_Giant_Home_Page
Private Page for Media, Journalists includes downloads and other bio and press materials.
http://www.gentlegiantmediakit.com
On November 10th 2009 Gentle Giant will be digitally releasing seven of their best-known albums and tracks in digital form for the very first time via their own Alucard label through EMI Music's Label Services unit.
This progressive rock band, which was active from 1970 through 1980, was made up of multi-instrumentalists, and lived to expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular." The group's dozen albums combine a range of musical styles-jazz, pop, classical, British soul, rock, blues, medieval, pop, blues, Gentle Giant's legacy has become influential to a range of artists from the arena rock, jam band, virtuoso players, and chamber pop genres.
In a Glass House, The Power & The Glory, Freehand, Interview, Playing The Fool-The Official Live, The Missing Piece and Giant For a Day will become available through all digital channels.
The digital releases will also include previously unheard bonus tracks and artwork.
The band has chosen favorite live versions of songs from each album and some obscure radio sessions. Two of the bonus tracks “Intro 74” and “Intro 76” have been partially re-recorded, embellished and remixed by Kerry Minnear of the group.
Minnear, plus Gentle Giant bandmates Ray Shulman, Gary Green, John Weathers, and Derek Shulman are available for interviews. Other promotion includes radio, print, Internet, and mobile phone outreach. Digital listening parties are being set up on line, and will include competitions to win special Gentle Giant gift sets.
More Gentle Giant music will be available in a variety of formats in 2010, starting with the January release of the seven CDs Re-Mastered from the original 1⁄4 inch tapes through Hi-Resolution (24bit 96k) transfer. First quarter of 2010 will also find box sets and Limited Edition Vinyl LPs.
GENTLE GIANT DIGITAL RELEASES
TRACK LISTINGS
IN A GLASS HOUSE - 1973
1.The Runaway
2. An Inmates Lullaby
3. Way Of Life
4. Experience
5. A Reunion
6. In A Glass House
Digital Bonus Tracks:
The Runaway/Experience Live 1975
Way Of Life - Radio Session 1973
THE POWER AND THE GLORY - 1974
1. Proclamation
2. So Sincere
3. Aspirations
4. Playing the Game
5. Cogs in Cogs
6. No God's A Man
7. Valedictory
8. (The Power And The Glory)
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Intro '74
Proclamation - Live 1975
Aspirations - Radio Session 1974
Cogs In Cogs - Live 1975
FREE HAND - 1975
1. Just The Same
2. On Reflection
3. Free Hand
4. Time To Kill
5. His Last Voyage
6. Talybont
7. Mobile
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Just The Same - Live 1975
On Reflection - Radio Session 1975
Free Hand - Live 1975
INTERVIEW - 1976
1. Interview
2. Give it Back
3. Design
4. Another Show
5. Empty City
6. Timing
7. I Lost My Head
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Intro '76
Interview - Live 1976
Give It Back - Live 1976
PLAYING THE FOOL - THE OFFICIAL LIVE - 1977
1. Just the Same
2. Proclamation
3. On Reflection
4. Excerpts from Octopus
5. Funny Ways
6. The Runaway
7. Experience
8. So Sincere
9. Free Hand
10. Sweet Georgia Brown (Breakdown in Brussels)
11. Peel the Paint / I Lost My Head
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Just The Same - Radio Session 1975
Excerpts From Octopus - Radio Session 1973
THE MISSING PIECE - 1977
1. Two Weeks In Spain
2. I'm Turning Around
3. Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It
4. Who Do You Think You Are?
5. Mountain Time
6. As Old As You're Young
7. Memories of Old Days
8. Winning
9. For Nobody
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Two Weeks In Spain - Live 1978
I'm Turning Around - Live 1978
For Nobody - Live 1978
GIANT FOR A DAY - 1978
1. Words from the Wise
2. Thank You
3. Giant For A Day
4. Spooky Boogie
5. Take Me
6. Little Brown Bag
7. Friends
8. No Stranger
9. It's Only Goodbye
10. Rock Climber
Digital Bonus Track:
Giant For A Day - Live 1980
Private Page for Media, Journalists includes downloads and other bio and press materials.
http://www.gentlegiantmediakit.com
On November 10th 2009 Gentle Giant will be digitally releasing seven of their best-known albums and tracks in digital form for the very first time via their own Alucard label through EMI Music's Label Services unit.
This progressive rock band, which was active from 1970 through 1980, was made up of multi-instrumentalists, and lived to expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular." The group's dozen albums combine a range of musical styles-jazz, pop, classical, British soul, rock, blues, medieval, pop, blues, Gentle Giant's legacy has become influential to a range of artists from the arena rock, jam band, virtuoso players, and chamber pop genres.
In a Glass House, The Power & The Glory, Freehand, Interview, Playing The Fool-The Official Live, The Missing Piece and Giant For a Day will become available through all digital channels.
The digital releases will also include previously unheard bonus tracks and artwork.
The band has chosen favorite live versions of songs from each album and some obscure radio sessions. Two of the bonus tracks “Intro 74” and “Intro 76” have been partially re-recorded, embellished and remixed by Kerry Minnear of the group.
Minnear, plus Gentle Giant bandmates Ray Shulman, Gary Green, John Weathers, and Derek Shulman are available for interviews. Other promotion includes radio, print, Internet, and mobile phone outreach. Digital listening parties are being set up on line, and will include competitions to win special Gentle Giant gift sets.
More Gentle Giant music will be available in a variety of formats in 2010, starting with the January release of the seven CDs Re-Mastered from the original 1⁄4 inch tapes through Hi-Resolution (24bit 96k) transfer. First quarter of 2010 will also find box sets and Limited Edition Vinyl LPs.
GENTLE GIANT DIGITAL RELEASES
TRACK LISTINGS
IN A GLASS HOUSE - 1973
1.The Runaway
2. An Inmates Lullaby
3. Way Of Life
4. Experience
5. A Reunion
6. In A Glass House
Digital Bonus Tracks:
The Runaway/Experience Live 1975
Way Of Life - Radio Session 1973
THE POWER AND THE GLORY - 1974
1. Proclamation
2. So Sincere
3. Aspirations
4. Playing the Game
5. Cogs in Cogs
6. No God's A Man
7. Valedictory
8. (The Power And The Glory)
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Intro '74
Proclamation - Live 1975
Aspirations - Radio Session 1974
Cogs In Cogs - Live 1975
FREE HAND - 1975
1. Just The Same
2. On Reflection
3. Free Hand
4. Time To Kill
5. His Last Voyage
6. Talybont
7. Mobile
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Just The Same - Live 1975
On Reflection - Radio Session 1975
Free Hand - Live 1975
INTERVIEW - 1976
1. Interview
2. Give it Back
3. Design
4. Another Show
5. Empty City
6. Timing
7. I Lost My Head
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Intro '76
Interview - Live 1976
Give It Back - Live 1976
PLAYING THE FOOL - THE OFFICIAL LIVE - 1977
1. Just the Same
2. Proclamation
3. On Reflection
4. Excerpts from Octopus
5. Funny Ways
6. The Runaway
7. Experience
8. So Sincere
9. Free Hand
10. Sweet Georgia Brown (Breakdown in Brussels)
11. Peel the Paint / I Lost My Head
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Just The Same - Radio Session 1975
Excerpts From Octopus - Radio Session 1973
THE MISSING PIECE - 1977
1. Two Weeks In Spain
2. I'm Turning Around
3. Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It
4. Who Do You Think You Are?
5. Mountain Time
6. As Old As You're Young
7. Memories of Old Days
8. Winning
9. For Nobody
Digital Bonus Tracks:
Two Weeks In Spain - Live 1978
I'm Turning Around - Live 1978
For Nobody - Live 1978
GIANT FOR A DAY - 1978
1. Words from the Wise
2. Thank You
3. Giant For A Day
4. Spooky Boogie
5. Take Me
6. Little Brown Bag
7. Friends
8. No Stranger
9. It's Only Goodbye
10. Rock Climber
Digital Bonus Track:
Giant For A Day - Live 1980
11/2/09
SONGS FOR SHOES, NOV. 8, NYC
"Songs for Shoes" is a fundraiser concert on Sunday, November 8th at 3:30 at St. Marks Church. This is a family-friendly event and children under 17 are allowed free of charge, but encouraged to bring a pair of children's shoes (new or gently used) to donate. Tickets for adults are $20 and can be purchased at the door.
Artists in the disciplines of music, dance, and story telling will showcase their many talents and proceeds will go to support the Casa Hogar Eirene Orphanage in Mexico. Casa Hogar Eirene is a grassroots organization whose mission is to show love to abandoned children in the area by providing a loving family environment, nutritious food, and medical care.
This concert is being produced by Musical Offerings, whose mission is to produce fundraiser concerts for charities because we believe "Everyone Can Help Anyone."
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