Three different lady rockers have caught my ears lately, and you can contact them for more information on their music…. All of them would like reviews on their music, so please keep that in mind when you contact them.
Former NY Loose singer Brijitte West has a new band, The Desperate Hopefuls and some darn good punk-delivery in her vocals. Her web site is http://www.brijittewest.com. Contact her at bw@brijittewest.com. For MP3 files to review, e-mail Paul Unger at punger@neo.rr.com
My friend, guitar maker/piano tuner Rick Davies and Jane Sytek turned me on to Micaela Kingslight, who is doing a show with my artist Jann Klose on May 1 in Kalamazoo at the Strutt. Her album is called STILL. She is an incredible guitarist in a vibe to recordings you’d hear by Mark Almond Band, some of the more stretchier ELP and Led Zeppelin songs, while leaning towards softer rock.E-mail booking@micaelakingslight.com. http://micaelakingslight.com/
I think Susan Barth is a devilishly feminine singer in a vocally-melodic realm as the Carpenters. “Perfect Storm” is a hit song. “Chatworth” is an anthem about inconsiderate people. E-mail Pinksoxsongs@aol.com. The web site is http://www.susanbarth.com.
And while I’m at it, the very manly (and Grand Funk Railroad guitarist) Bruce Kulick has another new album, BK3. http://www.kulick.net. BruceKool@aol.com.
4/21/10
4/4/10
Anne Leighton presents unstaged reading of original play, "The Passion of Mary," April 7
I will be presenting an unstaged reading and group discussion of her original, three-act play, THE PASSION OF MARY, on April 7 at 6 pm, at the Bronx Library Center, 310 East Kingsbridge Road (at Briggs Avenue), in the Bronx, NY. The library phone number is (718) 579-4244. Admission is free.
I am looking for folks to read the play, as well. Those interested should call me at 718-881-8183.
There are some fascinating readers, including friends from music, theatre, and local media. Former Arista A&R exec Valerie Kiligrew, who is now an award-winning playwright, will be the play's narrator. Jonathan Kruk, who is the best storyteller in the Hudson Valley will portray William Dyer. Radio crystal blue personality Dan Herman is the Reverend John Wilson. Irish Center actress/dancer Siobhan Dunne will be "God." NYC commedienne Mindy Matijesavic portrays Endicott, the Governor of Massachusetts. My bands are also stretching their talents: Stratospheerius vocalist/electric violinist Joe Deninzon portraying an angel, Woody Allen/Jann Klose drummer Patrick Carmichael as Roger Williams, and Jann's keyboardist/accordionist Lars Potteiger is Lord Oliver Cromwell and Reverend Joseph Cotton.
After the play is read, there will be a question and answer session.
THE PASSION OF MARY focuses on the story of Mary Dyer, a Quaker from 17th Century America, who was hanged by Puritans in the Boston Commonwealth.
Mary Dyer was one of the early crusaders for religious freedom in America. THE PASSION OF MARY has many historical characters including Anne Hutchinson, who lived for a while in the Bronx and Lower Westchester, plus Roger Williams who founded the State of Rhode Island.
I am a working writer, who -- in addition to promoting Bronx-based pop singer songwriter Jann Klose and working with a number of influential classic rockers (Neil Innes, Jethro Tull, Tower of Power, the Yardbirds, Strawbs, Grand Funk Railroad) -- has an active writing career. My books are USING YOUR ART AND THE MEDIA TO COMFORT PEOPLE (published by Free to Run books) and PAWS FOR THOUGHT: HOW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR CAT IS THINKING (UK's Rockwell Books and now available in the States through mail order by Daedalus).
My first play Reach for the Sun was performed by Poets Repertory Theater of Long island in 1977. In 2005 I presented a staged reading of her play, ONE WAY TO HEAVEN at the Howl Festival in New York City and as part of the Bronx-based series, HIDDEN TREASURE. The play was also performed by the River City Living Church in San Antonio, Texas and won the Jacob C. Hammer playwriting award at Lehman College in the Bronx.
I am looking for folks to read the play, as well. Those interested should call me at 718-881-8183.
There are some fascinating readers, including friends from music, theatre, and local media. Former Arista A&R exec Valerie Kiligrew, who is now an award-winning playwright, will be the play's narrator. Jonathan Kruk, who is the best storyteller in the Hudson Valley will portray William Dyer. Radio crystal blue personality Dan Herman is the Reverend John Wilson. Irish Center actress/dancer Siobhan Dunne will be "God." NYC commedienne Mindy Matijesavic portrays Endicott, the Governor of Massachusetts. My bands are also stretching their talents: Stratospheerius vocalist/electric violinist Joe Deninzon portraying an angel, Woody Allen/Jann Klose drummer Patrick Carmichael as Roger Williams, and Jann's keyboardist/accordionist Lars Potteiger is Lord Oliver Cromwell and Reverend Joseph Cotton.
After the play is read, there will be a question and answer session.
THE PASSION OF MARY focuses on the story of Mary Dyer, a Quaker from 17th Century America, who was hanged by Puritans in the Boston Commonwealth.
Mary Dyer was one of the early crusaders for religious freedom in America. THE PASSION OF MARY has many historical characters including Anne Hutchinson, who lived for a while in the Bronx and Lower Westchester, plus Roger Williams who founded the State of Rhode Island.
I am a working writer, who -- in addition to promoting Bronx-based pop singer songwriter Jann Klose and working with a number of influential classic rockers (Neil Innes, Jethro Tull, Tower of Power, the Yardbirds, Strawbs, Grand Funk Railroad) -- has an active writing career. My books are USING YOUR ART AND THE MEDIA TO COMFORT PEOPLE (published by Free to Run books) and PAWS FOR THOUGHT: HOW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR CAT IS THINKING (UK's Rockwell Books and now available in the States through mail order by Daedalus).
My first play Reach for the Sun was performed by Poets Repertory Theater of Long island in 1977. In 2005 I presented a staged reading of her play, ONE WAY TO HEAVEN at the Howl Festival in New York City and as part of the Bronx-based series, HIDDEN TREASURE. The play was also performed by the River City Living Church in San Antonio, Texas and won the Jacob C. Hammer playwriting award at Lehman College in the Bronx.
3/27/10
JANN KLOSE TO PLAY THE SKOKIE THEATRE
Please save this picture file, print it out, and give it to friends in the Chicagoland region.
(Anne Harris Sharing the Bill with Special guest emcees: WGN's Steve and Johnnie)
Contact: Anne Harris: c/o Aaron Krossovitch
630-697-9593
Jann Klose and Anne Harris will be performing at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Avenue, in Skokie, on April 30 at 8 PM. The venue phone is 847-677-7761, and the web site is http://www.skokietheatre.org.
WGN’s Steve King and Johnnie Putman suggested this event after Jann performed on their show this past November when he was part of the Uncommon Ground's Jeff Buckley Tribute for the second year.
In the past few years, Jann's music has been picked up by scores of Chicago-based media people, The Chicago Examiner's Roger Reis, who calls pop singer-songwriter Jann Klose's latest album, REVERIE a "timeless work of art." Popmatters' Lisa Torem praises his live show, writing that he is a "confident performer" who, when one listens, "you can feel a pin drop." Jann's album is being played on over 120 radio stations, including WGN's Life after Dark with Steve and Johnnie.
Based in the Bronx, NY, Jann was born in Germany, raised in Kenya, South Africa, and first came to the United States as an exchange student in Cleveland, Ohio. Recently Jann supported Renaissance on its 40th Anniversary tour, and dates with rock troubadour Elliott Murphy. He has also collaborated with Renaissance's lead singer Annie Haslam and original keyboardist John Tout. Jann has opened for Pete Seeger, Marshall Crenshaw, Willy Porter, The Strawbs, Jonathan Edwards, Old School Freight Train, and Rusted Root's Michael Glabicki.
He has shared the stage Marty Stuart, Roger McGuinn, Rosanne Cash for Martin Guitar's 175th Anniversary Concert, and with members of Alan Parsons Project, Dire Straits, the Rolling Stones horn section for the 3rd Annual Concert for Bangladesh Revisited at B.B. Kings, in New York City.
Chicago based singer-songwriter and violinist Anne Harris was handpicked for this event by Steve and Johnnie, and her new album GRAVITY AND FAITH has been receiving rave reviews from the media, as well. The Chicago Tribune's Andy Downing writes, "Anne Harris' songs frequently sound born of a spiritual awakening." Illinois Entertainer writer Andy Argyrakis says, Anne delivers a "soulful blend of folk, pop, and roots rock...brimming with socially conscious lyrics, as memorable as thought-provoking." The publication also cited GRAVITY AND FAITH as one of the best local albums of 2008.
JANN KLOSE CONFIRMED TOUR DATES 2010
April 10 The Rockwood Music Hall New York, NY
April 21 Revolution Hall w/ Willy Porter Troy, NY
April 22 Fairfield Theatre Stage One w/ Willy Porter Fairfield, CT
April 28 Therese’s Living Room Concert Series Youngstown, OH
April 29 11 PM Steve and Johnnie, WGN Chicago, IL
April 30 The Skokie Theatre w/ Anne Harris Skokie, IL
May 1 The Strutt w/ Micaela Kingslight Kalamazoo, MI
May 2 Haiti Benfir Concert at Rolling Plains UMC Zanesville, OH
May 14 Audio Media Solutions w/ Shawn Phillips East Hartford, CT
May 25 The Cavern Club (IPO Festival) Liverpool, UK
May 26 The Musician w/ Martin Harley Leicester, UK
May 27 Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp London, UK
May 27 The Bedford w/ Robert Carl Blank London, UK
May 29 CB2 w/ Robert Carl Blank Cambridge,UK
June 1 The Cavern Club (IPO Festival) Liverpool, UK
June 12 Prinzenbar Hamburg, Germany
HI-RES IMAGE DOWNLOADS AVAILABLE AT JANNKLOSE.COM/PRESS.HTML
###
3/24/10
NEIL INNES: A PEOPLE'S GUIDE TO WORLD DOMINATION CROSSES THE POND
“I've suffered for my music,” he tells America. “Now it's your turn.”
Neil Innes will be performing 15 dates across the States this April and May.
He is available for interviews in advance of the show, please call Anne Leighton at 718-881-8183 orAnne@AnneLeighton.com .
Neil's upcoming album, INNES OWN WORLD -The Best Bits will be available at the start on the tour. It features a selection of bits from his UK radio shows studded with 8 fabulous songs - a few new ones.
For five decades, Neil Innes made us laugh and sing along. One of the funniest men to hit the charts, he wrote songs like “Camelot” (“Living here in Camelot/We eat ham and jam and Spam a lot”) and “Sir Robin's Song” (“When trouble reared it's ugly head/He bravely turned his tail and fled”) from Monty Python and the Holy Grail; “Cheese and Onions” from The Rutles; the lone hit for the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, “I'm The Urban Space Man”; and his theme song, “How Sweet to be An Idiot.”
Now you can discover how sweet it is to be an idiot by shelling out some cash to see Innes as his one man show A People's Guide to World Domination crosses the Atlantic and lands, waterlogged, in America. In a performance that has been called “A wonderfully wayward evening,” “the hottest ticket in town,” and “you're not wearing those trousers, are you?” Innes lampoons the human condition, lambastes bankers and other latter day clowns, and doesn't leave a dry seat in the house.
Called the seventh member of Monty Python's Flying Circus, Neil Innes has made people laugh and sing since breaking through with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, fresh out of college in the mid-'60s. A talented artist, musician, and actor/raconteur, he fell in with Monty Python, and later, along with former Python Eric Idle, put together The Rutles, the legend that would last a lunch-time. His BBC Television Show The Innes Book of Records has become much watched on YouTube. He also was involved with hundreds of episodes of children's shows, including the long running BBC favorite Raggy Doll.
While Neil says, “If I could describe what it is I do on stage in a sentence or two, or even a cleverly constructed paragraph, then there would be absolutely no need for me to go on stage and do it,” he will continue to perform to small but beautifully formed audiences around the world, and one by one, raise an international army of 'EGO WARRIORS', sworn to defend self-esteem wherever it may be. This is his life's work.
APRIL 11 OCEAN COUNTY LIBRARY TOMS RIVER NJ (732) 349-6200
APRIL 13 TURNING POINT PIERMONT NY (845) 359-1089
APRIL 14 NIGHTCAT EASTON MD (443) 786-2750
APRIL 15 JAMMIN JAVA VIENNA VA (703) 255-1566
APRIL 16 RECORD COLLECTOR BORDENTOWN NJ (609) 324-0880
APRIL 18 IRON HORSE NORTHAMPTON MA (413) 586 8686
APRIL 20 BB KING'S NEW YORK NY (212)-997-4144
APRIL 21 THE LOVIN CUP ROCHESTER NY (585) 292-9940
APRIL 22 HUGH'S ROOM TORONTO ON (416) 531-6604
APRIL 23 THIS AINT HOLLYWOOD HAMILTON ON (905) 529-9500
APRIL 25 THE DOIUG FIR PORTLAND OREGON OR (503) 231-9663
APRIL 26 TRIPLE DOOR SEATTLE WA (206) 838-4333
APRIL 28 COBBS SAN FRANCISCO CA (415) 928 4320
APRIL 30 McCABES LOS ANGELES CA (310) 828-4497
MAY 1 ACCOUSTIC MUSIC SAN DIEGO CA (619) 303-8176
MAY 2 SKYE PHOENIX AZ (623) 334-0010
http://www.neilinnes.org
Industry Page: http://www.neilinnes-on-tour.com/
3/21/10
PRISON SHIRTS AND HATS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS ONLINE AT www.thewaronkids.com
(Filmmaker Cevin Soling says, "if kids are going to be treated like prisoners, let them dress the part and dispel any hypocrisy.)
An authentic prison T-shirt and cap at http://www.thewaronkids.com
Cevin Soling is making available authentic prison shirts and hats in support of his movie, THE WAR ON KIDS. These shirts and hats are the same clothing issued to prisoners when they have to serve time. No logo or web site appears on the clothing, just black and white stripes will be on these shirts, while the word “Inmate” is printed on the hats. The cost for a shirt or hat is $15.00, and the shirts are available in Small, Medium, and Large. Visit http://www.thewaronkids.com, and click on "buy the DVD."
Soling is making people aware that schools have taken away children's civil rights and THE WAR ON KIDS shows the uncanny similarities between schools and prisons. As a result of appearances on THE COLBERT REPORT, MSNBC, The Leonard Lopate Show, Mancow, and other top media, THE WAR ON KIDS is also heavily downloaded illegally online.
The Huffington Post's Jonathan Kim calls it a "must see documentary." Ronnie Shreib of Variety writes, "A startling wake-up call about appalling conditions prevailing in American schools," Jeannette Catsoulis in the New York Times notes, "A shocking chronicle of institutional dysfunction, 'The War on Kids' likens our public school system to prison and its disciplinary methods to fascism. At least now you know why little Johnny won’t get out of bed in the morning." John Whitehead, who established the human rights organization, The Rutherford Institute, cites THE WAR ON KIDS as an insightful film. He writes: "Ironically, America’s public schools were once considered the hope of freedom and democracy, the place where young people were to be instructed in the principles of freedom so that they could someday effectively participate in the democratic process. Sadly, that is no longer the case."
Soling is interested in following up on stories about kids who wear these shirts to school. He predicts that efforts will be made by teachers and administrators to prohibit them from dressing like a prisoner which would be supremely ironic. Soling states: “Every aspect of their being is so rigidly controlled that they are not permitted to display the degree to which they are controlled. By not being allowed to wear the shirts, students would then become instruments of propaganda designed to present an image of free choice when no real choice is permitted. How are children expected to grow up and perform the most essential obligation of citizenry in a democracy - protest tyranny - when any attempt to exercise civil rights in school is immediately squelched? If students are not permitted to complain about unbearable conditions in their school, they will not attempt to protest breaches of government power."
An authentic prison T-shirt and cap at http://www.thewaronkids.com
Cevin Soling is making available authentic prison shirts and hats in support of his movie, THE WAR ON KIDS. These shirts and hats are the same clothing issued to prisoners when they have to serve time. No logo or web site appears on the clothing, just black and white stripes will be on these shirts, while the word “Inmate” is printed on the hats. The cost for a shirt or hat is $15.00, and the shirts are available in Small, Medium, and Large. Visit http://www.thewaronkids.com, and click on "buy the DVD."
Soling is making people aware that schools have taken away children's civil rights and THE WAR ON KIDS shows the uncanny similarities between schools and prisons. As a result of appearances on THE COLBERT REPORT, MSNBC, The Leonard Lopate Show, Mancow, and other top media, THE WAR ON KIDS is also heavily downloaded illegally online.
The Huffington Post's Jonathan Kim calls it a "must see documentary." Ronnie Shreib of Variety writes, "A startling wake-up call about appalling conditions prevailing in American schools," Jeannette Catsoulis in the New York Times notes, "A shocking chronicle of institutional dysfunction, 'The War on Kids' likens our public school system to prison and its disciplinary methods to fascism. At least now you know why little Johnny won’t get out of bed in the morning." John Whitehead, who established the human rights organization, The Rutherford Institute, cites THE WAR ON KIDS as an insightful film. He writes: "Ironically, America’s public schools were once considered the hope of freedom and democracy, the place where young people were to be instructed in the principles of freedom so that they could someday effectively participate in the democratic process. Sadly, that is no longer the case."
Soling is interested in following up on stories about kids who wear these shirts to school. He predicts that efforts will be made by teachers and administrators to prohibit them from dressing like a prisoner which would be supremely ironic. Soling states: “Every aspect of their being is so rigidly controlled that they are not permitted to display the degree to which they are controlled. By not being allowed to wear the shirts, students would then become instruments of propaganda designed to present an image of free choice when no real choice is permitted. How are children expected to grow up and perform the most essential obligation of citizenry in a democracy - protest tyranny - when any attempt to exercise civil rights in school is immediately squelched? If students are not permitted to complain about unbearable conditions in their school, they will not attempt to protest breaches of government power."
3/4/10
YOSO, New Classic Rock Super-Group to Play the Frankfurt Musikmesse Festival: March 24th to 27th
Billy Sherwood {Bass,Vocals}
Bobby Kimball {Vocals}
Jody Cortez {Drums}
Jimmy Haun {Guitar,Vocals}
Tony Kaye (Organ,Keyboards}
photographer: Michi Sherwood
Management: Derek Shulman
Leonardo Pavkovic
http://www.myspace.com/yosohq
http://www.youtube.com/user/YosoHQ
YOSO, New Classic Rock Super-Group to Play the Frankfurt Musikmesse Festival: March 24th to 27th
(Creative Force of YOSO features former YES and TOTO members)
On March 24-27, YOSO will premiere in Europe at the "Frankfurt
Musikmesse" Festival in Frankfurt, Germany 24th March, as well as
another to-be-announced venue in Frankfurt on March 26th.
Close to 700,000 people attend Musikmesse every year to play the latest gear, and see very well known bands, as well as selected new acts. YOSO lead singer Bobby Kimball says, "We couldn't have gotten luckier, than to play
Musikmesse, because the crowd ranges from promoters, equipment company
endorsement people, and musicians of all levels."
YOSO was formed in late 2009 by Kimball (TOTO’s lead vocalist) and
YES keyboardist and founding member Tony Kaye. Former YES member/producer
Billy Sherwood plays bass and vocals, and Jimmy Haun of CIRCA handles all guitars.
Drummer Jody Cortez, who has toured with Boz Scaggs and Crosby, Stills and Nash, rounds out the group.
The group made its premiere appearance in Mexico in November 2009.
YOSO will be releasing its debut CD "YOSO" via the group's
on line web-store, coming soon to http://www.yosohq.com."
The CD will then be made available to all worldwide retail and digital
outlets via major distribution in the late Spring/Early summer of 2010.
YOSO will be filming several live concerts and producing a YOSO LIVE
DVD in the Spring of 2010.
In the works are tours in Europe, South America, NORTH AMERICA,
SOUTH-EAST Asia, and include dates further dates Mexico in mid April.
To hear YOSO live, (music & videos), please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/yosohq or http://www.myspace.com/yosohq
3/1/10
"DESTINATION" and "DIGITAL EARTH" win the LET'S GET A GENUINE UNSIGNED BAND INTO THE CHARTS Contest
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."
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."
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
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