Kyle Wood, Country-Rock-Americana

One of my assistants Steve Sikes-Nova is working an alt. country rocker out of Nashville. His first album of nine originals is The Kyle Wood Project: Off The Rails. OTR has elicited high praise from newgrass' John Cowan to metal's Eric Brittingham (Cinderella). Contact Steve at ssikesno@yahoo.com for a ReverbNation EPK.

http://www.reverbnation.com/kylewoodstuff
http://www.facebook.com/KyleWoodRocksTheMandolin

This is a video of Kyle Wood and his Mandolin.

Joe Deninzon's 2012 Projects

Joe Deninzon interviewed on Bands Like Zappa


Joe Deninzon's EXUBERANCE has been mailed out, and I'm looking forward to talking with friends about this jazz album that features intriguging swing stylings of originals plus covers of songs by Alice In Chains, Fats Waller, Django Reinhart, Jimmy Webb.  I'm taking over management for Joe and his band Stratospheerius at a great time in his career.  Due in 2012 are two amazing projects: a new album and a Mel Bay instructional book on electric violin.  

 A talented artist, he is also the music world's "go to" guy for all things strings.  From creating arrangements for some of today's young bands to playing live in Bruce Springsteen's orchestra at Madison Garden, Joe is terrific.  He's also one of the best singers I've ever heard, and a dynamic frontman.  He's performed for President Clinton, has worked with Sheryl Crow, Ritchie Blackmore, the Kin, Everclear, Trans Syberian Orchestra, Phoebe Snow, Les Paul, and many others.

CASHBOX writer Justin Scro reviews, "Stratospheerius is creating a genre of its own," and "the vocal performance of Joe Deninzon is on par with his stringed abilities."   THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER praises Stratospheerius for its "funky electric violins, driving guitar rhythms, and fevered drumming layered in an explosive fashion." 

http://www.joedeninzon.com
http://www.stratospheerius.com

Jann Klose in the Studio

The WGN-TV Superstation Video of Jann
 

Jann Klose has been receiving even more acclaim for his work. Genya Ravan, who recently featured Jann's "Waiting For the Wave" on her Sirius XM show "Goldie's Garage" on Little Steven's Underground Garage channel says, "Gee, if I had a label I would sign Jann immediately, this is a hit song.  I am going to play it, even though its not garage, too damn beautiful to pass on."

Jann is on Spotify, and an eligible artist for the 2011 New York Music Awards, listed between Carole King and Lady Gaga.

Video-wise, he's got a dynamic :56 second performance of "Hold Me Down" on WGN-Superstation's Midday Lounge at http://www.wgntv.com/videobeta/1e57ca92-c82d-41eb-9f08-9d2729e52d63/News/Music-Lounge-Jann-Klose

Tim Fort, The Kinetic King (a semi-finalist on America's Got Talent), gave Jann's "Doing Time" his trademark praise, "whoo, hoo!"  "That's great!" at http://www.youtube.com/jannklose .

Jann's working on a new album, which will be a follow-up to REVERIE, due out in 2012.

Meantime, these shows are confirmed:

September 10: STEPHEN TALKHOUSE w/ Jonathan Tiersten, Amagansett, NY
September 11: COFFEE-WORKS w/ Jonathan Tiersten, Voorhees, NJ
September 15: BB KING BLUES CLUB w/ Vonda Shepard, New York, NY
September 27: COACHHOUSE w/ Basia, San Juan Capistrano. CA
October 5: HUGHS ROOM w/ Jim McCarty, Toronto, Canada
October 26: IRON HORSE w/ Shawn Phillips, Northampton, MA
October 28: TOWN BALLROOM w/ Brett Dennen, Buffalo, NY
November 9: S.P.A.C.E. w/ Michael Kaeshammer, Evanston, IL (Chicago)
November 26: HIGHLINE BALLROOM, 40TH ANNIVERSARY, CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH, New York, NY
March 2, 2012: MASTER CLASS, LIVERPOOL INSTITUTE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Liverpool, UK
       
http://www.jannklose.com
                                 

Tower of Power Horns, 2011, Adolfo Acosta, Sal Cracchiolo, Stephen Doc Kupka, Tom Politzer, Emilio Castillo

Tower of Power is delighted to announce Sal Cracchiolo as its newest member. Sal has played trumpet with the Grammy-winning Poncho Sanchez for most of his career, and regularly works with Melanie Jackson on jazz standards. Sal has played and recorded with an array of acts including Dizzy Gillespie, Dianne Reeves, Celia Cruz, Tom Jones, Brian Setzer, Harry Connick Jr., and Chick Corea. Says Emilio Castillo, “Sal is a world class lead trumpet player. Super exciting!!! He has an incredibly high range, plays with power and finesse, his soloing technique is unparalleled, and he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known. He’s a great addition to the T.O.P. family.”

http://www.towerofpower.com

I'm seeking funding for a video teaser of an episodic documentary I'm producing called BECOMING AMERICAN.

Attached to it are: Pete Seeger and members of the Smithereens, and Jann Klose.

The focus is on musical immigrants and their contribution to the United States. The show fuses music and civics.

Generally I fund my own projects or am paid to create books, magazines, events, marketing campaigns, or do speeches.  This project is something I've initiated and have gotten far enough to realize that we have a shot, and it includes folks in the TV industry willing to look at it. My track record of successful projects through the years and my multi-media history is support that my team and I can make BECOMING AMERICAN happen.

The next level requires specialty work--especially from TV production people (camera, sound and editing: folks who are masters at creating quality TV work, including field production). Thus the budget calls for $3500.  Anything over that will help with marketing, legal, and office expenses.
  
Please donate to the BECOMING AMERICAN, THE TEASER.  There are some intriguing fan exclusives at
http://thecomingofbecomingamerican.blogspot.com/

(Help fund my TV project to get the Smithereens all over your TV.)

"No one needs to be a superman, just your biggest fan.” Jani Lane's Inspiration To Me From Heaven.

Jani Lane, 2/1/64-8/11/11







Jani Lane's passing caught me at a time when I felt condemned for being myself. You know, relationship problems.

People's opinions--especially on little issues--can get me down, make me insecure.

After a lifetime of being on the receiving end of picky condemnation, I spent two days trying to remember what word defined "wondering if you're capable of accomplishing anything, even something simple like cracking a joke or crossing the street by myself." In the evening of the second day, the word came to me: "unsure."

Even if you're doing great work, you can feel unappreciated. Sometimes one person (that you care about) scolds you, other times it's as though a singular person uses the domino theory to influence a crowd to scorn you.

In Kansas City, before I started an in-person interview with Jani while he was on the road with Poison in 1991, he looked at a fax his management sent on a Sunday. He slammed the paper on the table, and harshly folded it up. It was a less-than favorable review from ROLLING STONE on CHERRY PIE. The critic's opinion mattered.

I should have told him to look at the other reviews in the mag over the course of a few issues. Even records, that sell well, are despised by people in the music business. Besides that, if people pick on you that much, then maybe you're doing something that makes you stand out. I remember a band first suing him, claiming they wrote “Heaven,” (which he wrote before he joined Warrant) and then that band almost succeeding in getting an opening slot from Warrant in California. Maybe these negative people could be better at their craft, instead of being jealous of what an artist has to offer. Through the years I told him to listen to the fans; they felt the perfection of CHERRY PIE--all great songs. A fun listen.

To this day, I want to believe that if Jani Lane had been his own biggest fan most of the time, that maybe he would never have put the music second and the drinking first. He apologized that CHERRY PIE was sexist instead of proclaiming, "This is a pop art video." (It is great pop art!) I think he apologized too damn much because of other people's opinions. Was he surrounded by too many music snobs in LA? Was he trying to impress his contemporaries in other bands--what were the real reasons they didn't like him? Some of it was because he was more into his newer songs, and wished people would listen to him.



In the end, he came to terms with what made him famous, and wrote his own bio a few days before he died at http://www.janilane.net. It included the enthusiastic, "And YES, I LOVE THE SONG “CHERRY PIE!!!'….SWING IT!!"

He was a terrific performer. He knew how to work a crowd, and feed off his band and the vibe of a room. There are videos on youtube where he's interpreting hits in different ways--including a bluesy acoustic performance of "Cherry Pie" for Guitar Hero and a piercing cover of Judas Priest's "Electric Eye." The first four Warrant albums are state of the art in arrangements, performance, and songwriting. I wish all my artists had seen Jani live. He had such a range of emotion as a performer. There was that strutting "down boys" eroticism, something that inspired one male fan to write, "I come to your shows for the music, but love when the girls show their titties!"

He was tender with pure love songs and also the "I'm hurt" break up pieces that made even the most macho guy relate to with "I Saw Red." As a fan, I was slammed for believing in his music even though--quite simply--I loved it. Once, members of an entire music industry bulletin board scolded me when I stated that Jani was the Joni Mitchell of hair bands. They wrote, "Joni Mitchell was a great artist." Yeah, so was Jani!

I worked with him on a benefit for the late Ray Gillen of the blues-rock band Badlands in 1992. Another musician from that era cancelled out on rehearsals and a benefit because he didn't want to be associated with Jani or Trixter who were also on the bill. I asked Jani, "Maybe you'll be friends someday, and you two can dialog," and he responded, sternly, "I don't think so." Glenn Hughes and Joe Lynn Turner loved him, as did the other musicians on the bill--all old school talent. Glenn, in particular, wanted to help Jani with his addictions; he saw himself in Jani. They sang together that night, and were honored to be with one another. Robert Mason, who is the leadsinger for Warrant now and was in bands with George Lynch and Ozzy Osbourne, was also on the bill. For a few months afterwards, I stayed in touch with him, and he always talked about his fondness for Jani as a musician and a person.

A couple of times he went overboard, showing his bitterness on stage. He seemed spoiled rotton, as he criticized the venue. It made the audience feel uncomfortable. He reminded me of Lenny Bruce but without purpose, just a few too many beers.

He lacked dependability. Artists can have a career in any industry, if they're dependable. After that, they'll only go as far as their friends are willing to put up with them. I remember three tours he left, some actually quitting the band. Most notably he left the DOG EAT DOG tour in 1993, and the Poison tour during CHERRY PIE without consulting with the headliners. That would certainly cause everyone involved in marketing the band and their album frustration. Jani should have conferred with their management and they negotiated with Poison's people to make the tour work... or maybe create a publicity campaign even if it was a press war.

It's also about bootstrapping. Being determined as in "You've Got Another Thing Coming" by Judas Priest, "If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by, You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die, Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had." Poison, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Sebastian Bach, and smaller acts: Dream Theater, Firehouse, and Southgang's Butch Walker all weathered the influx of grunge and other trends in American music.

In recent years, Warrant as a band--without Jani--rebounded, just fine, too, because they loved music enough to put that first. Without Jani, the group was not ashamed of what they were doing.

Jani tells a famous story about walking into the CBS President's office after the success of two albums, and seeing a poster of ALICE IN CHAINS on the receptionist's wall, "We were no longer a priority for the label because there was a new movement coming, and we just didn't fit in.” I never subscribed to that as the reason Warrant never got famous again till the day Jani died. A label head not paying attention to you is a setback, but it is up to you and your team as to whether you want to work through this adversity, and make it on your own.

Dependability means being sure that you'll do the work without complaining, and that will help you become more sure of yourself, even if you're afraid. We put up with crap every day, but we also get good things. Everyone has an opinion, and most of them are assholes. So it's them, not you--you're an individual. They don't have a life. For instance, if I knew Michelle Bachman, whose credo is "Anyone who is gay is just wrong," I'd be perfectly justified to tell her that her form of scolding, de-programming causes people to be unsure of their unique selves.

Down the line he was calm with me, telling me about finding sobriety. "Jeff Pilson says he's starting a song in the morning, thinking about it all day, and then finishing it at night." How much happier can you get thinking of your writing, and then ending the day with a completed song! Success! Bliss!

I took my gnarly, macho, diehard (and "I Saw Red"-relating) musician friend Paul Nanna to the Lowdown, a 200-capacity club in Mount Vernon, for a routing date for Warrant. Paul's band played there, and he quipped to Jani, "Look, don't spit in the mic... I have to sing in it next week." His eyes popped out of his head as Jani and then keyboardist David White duo'd on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody": two voices, one keyboard, a full house of sound and amazing vocals. "He appreciated being there, was thankful for the gig," Paul said. "He was gracious to the crowd."

I appreciated knowing Jani, not just for the music, but because he was a human being who exchanged info about craft without prodding. On the best days of my life, it was because I started the day writing. That self-centered work helps me realize my personal accomplishments.

I am drawn to artists, and have stayed in touch with most of my friends through the years. One of the first people who told me about Jani's passing was a writer/editor colleague I worked with at HIT PARADER. I told her about this article and the personal anxiety I'd been dealing with, how I'd been unsure of myself. She reminded me to believe in myself and all the things I accomplished, "Everything is baby steps, and you've done it before. You'll do it again. Keep looking at what you've done already." Always go forward, away from those who hold you back and put you down.

The blessing about Jani's death is hearing and reading that he and Warrant did have a place in rock and roll. The band was cherished by the fans, and critics from different eras were sympathetic to him. Now people are listening to his songs without prejudice. "This is a good song," wrote Kenny, from the progressive classic band Wonderous Stories, after he posted "Bitter Pill" for his Facebook page. Former Akron-Beacon Journal and Spin magazine editor Chuck Klosterman wrote that Jani was "less pretentious than most of the credible musicians who usurped his role in the popular culture."
http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/32502/klosterman-remembers-warrants-jani-lane in Grantland.

Chuck Eddy resurrected a story in his Rhapsody obit, ""Warrant's funkish and pretty 'Down Boys' is proto-bohemian--Dion's lonely teen sits at home, whining 'I wanna go where the down boys go,' so he's obviously not a down boy himself, at least not yet; he just worships the wild street kids who head out at a million miles an hour. The synth lines come from The Police via 'The Spirit of Radio,' a Rush song that mimics the Velvet Underground's 'Sweet Jane.' And Warrant's guitarist plays 'Sweet Jane' chords." Jani Lane, like so many Midwestern boys, went to L.A. because that's where the down boys were. For a few years he got to be one, on TV."
http://www.rhapsody.com/#blog/2011/08/jani

I'm not going to beat myself up for not connecting with Jani the last years of his life. I wanted him to know about my artists, especially Jann Klose and Joe Deninzon who have Ohio roots, and have also been major inspiration to me. I reached out to him via his manager, through his myspace, to friends of friends, never to the ex-wives to get to him. I reached out to them to make sure they were all right. My friends remind me that I wouldn't have saved him, that Jani had to admit to having a problem and take time to learn why he did those things and to find out was who he was.

In spite of what he didn't accomplish for himself, Jani Lane has inspired me to keep writing and to be sure of myself. He was the real deal. I had wonderful times with his music, and will forever remember our conversations. I wish his legacy were longer, and hope he knows how much he inspired other folks, including me.

Jani's "Song And Dance Man" stands out as a theme for Jani. It has the lyric, "spoke of a million things before I die I should see. Open up your eyes, life is poetry in motion." After the song he raps about how other bands criticized his group for not playing their instruments in concert. Warrant did, and was very well-rehearsed. All you have to do is watch Joey (the blond acoustic guitarist), and see how he's listening to Jani, and in the moment with his frontman. It took years for Jani and the guys to get respect from other musicians in the scene.

This is "Bitter Pill." My opinion is we never would have had a famous Jani Lane without the savvy and hard-working Warrant. This band really does know what it's doing and is a great judge of talent--listen to Robert Mason, the group's singer. Give him a chance.


"Memories come rushing back, and it makes it pretty hard." What?


I found Jani's version of Frank Sinatra's "This Life" from the hard rock compilation album, "Sin-Atra." The download mistakenly gives credit to Billy Sheehan, but it's Jani, and it's great. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004T6SZ1C/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk12 I found the full recording on youtube, but I think you should buy it.


I always felt that Jani's albums reflected his life at the time he made them. He had created a rock singer-songwriter-styled group around '92-'94 called Jabberwocky. (Jani and ALICE IN WONDERLAND writer Lewis Carroll shared February 1 as their birthday.) "Comfortable With Sad" is one of the songs from the Jabberwocky sessions.


****
I wrote about Warrant for a number of Rock magazines including Hit Parader, Live Wire, Powerline, Music Life Japan, Rock Hard France, and worked as a tour publicist for them after they were on CBS and helped with the band's media transition to CMC Records before they recorded ULTRAPHOBIC.
.

TOWER OF POWER TO PLAY BENEFIT FOR THE FRANCIS HOUSE, IN SACRAMENTO, AUGUST 12

Tower of Power "You're Still A Young Man," from the Alameda County Fair, 2011

Tower of Power will be performing at the 18th Annual Bump City Dance Party, at the Radisson Hotel Grove, 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento, CA, on Friday, August 12 at 7:30 PM. Also on the bill are Nick Martin and the Blues Rockers. Tickets are on sale now at Dimple Records, TicketMaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone, call (800) 745-3000. For dinner or room reservations, please call (916) 922-2020.

Profits from this concert are being donated to Francis House, a Sacramento counseling and resource center for poor individuals and families. Francis House provides a link to caring volunteers, life-changing services and help for those in need. “Give Them Hope” is the theme for this event, which celebrates the life of Francis House Executive Director Greg Bunker, who passed away last December.

The band is available in advance for interviews; please call publicist Anne Leighton at 718-881-8183.

With 43 years of recording and touring experience behind them, Tower of Power have a 40th ANNIVERSARY CD/DVD BOX SET and a new album, THE GREAT AMERICAN SOULBOOK which features covers of soul classics with guest singers Joss Stone, Sir Tom Jones, Huey Lewis, and Sam Moore. 

The group still garners rave reviews, and leaves the audiences dancing in their seats in the arenas, theatres, and outdoor venues they play year 'round. Melding soul, jazz, funk, and rock in a way no group ever has, the ten-piece outfit is, according to the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, “tighter than a clenched fist.”

The late great James Brown was quoted in HEEB magazine about Tower of Power, as saying, "There's no black group that plays my stuff as good as them."   

Well known in the '70s for tunes such as “What is Hip?” and “You're Still a Young Man,” Tower of Power toured with Santana, Sly Stone and Credence Clearwater Revival, eventually creating traffic jams when they headlined their own shows. They performed on records with Elton John, Smokey Robinson, Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, and Dionne Warwick, influencing a generation of musicians (including Sting, who has told Emilio Castillo, founder of the group, that he once had a “Tower of Power clone band” before he formed The Police). In the 1980s, they backed Huey Lewis and the News, Heart, Eurythmics, and Little Feat, just to name a few. 

Tower of Power, after 40 years, is experiencing more popularity than ever before as they tour year 'round packing venues in the United States, the Pacific Rim, and all over Europe. 

On June 6, 2004 The California Music Association honored Tower of Power with a Lifetime Achievement Award and cited their 2003 Sony Legacy anthology “Havin' Fun” as Soul/R&B album of the year, beating out releases by En Vogue and Raphael Saadiq. 

Tower of Power announces the triumphant return of lead trumpet player extraordinaire
Lee Thornburg. Lee played with Tower from 1985 to 1994. His first road experience was with Wayne Cochran & the CC Riders. He was a founding member of Jack Mack & the Heart Attack and toured with Rod Stewart, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Etta James, and Supertramp. After leaving Tower he became the lead trumpet for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He's appeared on countless recordings with other GRAMMY-award winning artists. Tower afficianados will remember Lee's scorching Vocal on "Monster On A Leash" which garnered him the nickname "The Monster Man."

The band's frontman Larry Braggs is also a powerful force. Emilio, who shares frontman duties, is in awe of his singer, "with his astounding range and irresistible energy, he has a soulfulness that knows no bounds, finessing a ballad with the best of them, and then turning right around  to make it as funky as it gets. Larry's joyful spirit is undeniably contagious."   

When asked to describe the band's music, the group members give a variety of responses. Says Emilio, “What Tower plays is Oakland soul music.” Former Tower saxophonist Lenny Pickett, current musical director for the Saturday Night Live band, says “TOP is the world's best rhythm and blues band.” In reality, TOP's horn-driven, in-your-face sound is all its own. Read more about Tower of Power at www.towerofpower.com.


Adolfo Acosta - trumpet
Larry Braggs - lead vocalist
Emilio Castillo - bandleader, 2nd tenor sax, vocals
Jerry Cortez - guitar     
David Garibaldi - drums
Lee Thornburg - trumpet & trombone
Stephen "Doc" Kupka - baritone sax
Tom Politzer - lead tenor sax
Rocco Prestia - bass
Roger Smith - keyboards 

 
 

Bronx News Network: Opinion: Lessons About Supporting Bronx Artists on...

Bronx News Network: Opinion: Lessons About Supporting Bronx Artists on...: "Bronx resident and singer-songwriter Jann Klose (photo courtesy Anne Leighton) By Anne Leighton   I felt so energized after a long day ..."

HENRY MCCULLOUGH TO APPEAR AT THE FEST FOR BEATLES FANS, AUGUST 5-7, IN CHICAGO

Legendary guitarist who played with Wings, Joe Cocker, the Grease Band available for interviews in advance of Fest


Henry's video of his song Failed Christian.

Henry McCullough will be one of the featured artists at the Fest for Beatles Fans, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue, in Rosemont, Illinois, USA Chicago, this August 5-7. The hotel phone is 847-696 -1234. Also appearing are Peter Asher, Joey Molland, and Mark Hudson. Admission for all three days are 96.00. One day rate for Friday, August 5 is $30, Saturday or Sunday's admission is $45. Other pricings, including combo days and for children, can be found on the web site, http://www.thefest.com/. For more information on The Fest, please call 866-THE-FEST between 8 and 4PM Chicago time.

Henry McCullough's new album, UNFINISHED BUSINESS is a tribute to the people Henry's worked with as it includes songs he played on with Wings, Frankie Miller and Ronnie Lane. It is a roots-inspired working, combining folk, British blues rock, and party sounds. The album features a number of originals, including "Failed Christian," that Nick Lowe recently covered on his DIG MY MOOD album. There is also a Johnny Cash/Jean Shepard/George Jones classic called "I'd Rather Die Young" from the 1950s.

Born in Portstewart, Northern Ireland in 1943, he took up the guitar as a boy and was playing in the Irish show band. As the British rock and blues scene developed in the 1968, he moved to London where he met Joe Cocker and the Grease Band.

As a member of the Grease Band, he supported Joe Cocker at Woodstock, with a highlight performance of the Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends." Then the Grease Band went on its own. Henry speaks at the end of "Money" on Pink Floyds DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. He's worked on albums by Marianne Faithfull, Roy Harper, Ronnie Lane, Frankie Miller, Eric Burdon, and Spooky Tooth.

In the the late 1980s he moved to Poland and toured there. Returning to Portstewart in the early '90s, Henry worked in the local music scene, returning to Poland, in 1998, for an album release, BLUE SUNSET and more tours. Henry lives in Northern Ireland these days.


####

Some real quick takes:

Joe Deninzon's Stratospheerius at the Hunter Museum, Chattanooga. (Joe's unplugged in this.)

I'm servicing finally the Joe Deninzon Trio album, EXUBERANCE. It's a terrific jazz album and pays tribute to the late Bob Bowen. Jot me a note if you're interested. http://www.joedeninzon.com/

Tour dates for Grand Funk Railroad are at http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/departures.htm

Strawbs will be here in September and October. Most of the dates will be with the Zombies, and that will include shows in Southern California (to be announced) for the first time in many, many years! Melani Rodgers is the publicist for the Zombies. Her e-mail is melanirogersny@aol.com So far, some dates are up at http://strawbsweb.co.uk/@f/f_1109mp.htm More will be announced soon.

Bruce Pilato (brucetune@aol.com) is handling Carl Palmer's tour this year.
http://carlpalmer.com/tourdates.php

I'll be working two Gentle Giant digital and CD re-releases this September: OCTOPUS and THREE FRIENDS. Fan site for the band: http://www.blazemonger.com/GG/Gentle_Giant_Home_Page

My poetry book, MY BRAIN, THE PARK, AND OTHER THINGS has been bumped to my birthday, October 15. Great way to celebrate. I plan to do a live performance in the Bronx as a celebration around that time. In 2012 I'm arranging shows in New York City and Lehigh Valley/Quakertown/Philadelphia area.

Bronx Music Fans: "Tell Paul McCartney to Have Jann Klose Open The Show at Yankee Stadium, July 15 and 16."

"And Your Jann Can Sing"

Jann Klose performing the Beatles' "Something" at BanglaDesh-revisited, BB Kings, Nov. 2009

Preeminent singer/songwriter Paul McCartney received an offer from the Bronx-based singer/songwriter Jann Klose to open for the legendary Beatles star in the Bronx at Sir Paul's upcoming shows July 15 and 16 at Yankees Stadium. Not for $3000, as the recurring 1970s SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE "Reunite the Beatles" gag used to go, but because the prospect makes sense.

Paul McCartney is performing on Jann's home turf in the Bronx, where Jann has lived for the past 11 years. He has become an international representative of this borough, one of the most multi-cultural cities of the world. He has performed at Bronx Week and An Beal Bocht, and been profiled in Bronx media on TV, radio, internet, and print including a number of Daily News articles. Venues in his community around the Bronx, Manhattan, and Westchester County, include shows at the venerable Tarrytown Music Hall, The Concert Hall, Rockwood Music Hall, the Bitter End, and BB Kings. He's influenced countless residents to make better eating decisions as he appears on the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT along with Julian Lennon, Sweet Honey In the Rock, Russell Simmons, Moby, and St. Louis, MO scenester Beatle Bob.

When he's not in the Bronx, Jann tours throughout North America, France, Germany, Georgia, and the UK--including having performed a number of shows in Liverpool, UK-- two at the Beatles former stomping ground, the Cavern Club. In March 2012, Jann returns to Liverpool, where he'll be teaching a Master Class on DIY touring and the importance of collaboration at the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts (the college Sir Paul McCartney co-founded).

Like the Beatles, Jann started performing in Hamburg, Germany, where he spent his teenage years. Hamburg was also where Jann first heard music by Paul McCartney and the Beatles. Born in Germany, raised in Kenya, South Africa, and Germany, Jann first came to the States as an exchange student in Cleveland. After fulfilling his civil service in Hamburg, he returned to the States to start his career.

After a stint in touring companies of Broadway plays (JEKYLL & HYDE, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR) and portraying the Pinball Wizard in the NJPac production of TOMMY, Jann released BLACK BOX EP and the album REVERIE, both critically-acclaimed. In the past seven years, Jann's shared the stage with and opened for an array of artists, including Rusted Root, Renaissance, Marshall Crenshaw, Jonathan Edwards, Roger McGuinn, Pete Seeger, and the late Les Paul. He is now an eligible artist for the 2011 New York Music Awards, listed right between "Carole King" and "Lady Gaga." His music has been featured on MTV Cribs, the soundtrack to the Paul Sorvino film Dead Broke (Warner Bros), plus on compilations in France, Indonesia, and the UK. Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson found him representation in Germany.

Through the years Jann's praised Paul McCartney in his interviews. On the eve of Paul's 2009 tour, The Washington Examiner asked Jann about the former Beatle's impact and reason for longevity. Jann explained the singer's influence, "The melodies are so powerful and catching without being boring. You just don't forget them. I think more than anything that's what has staying power."

SCORE MUSIC's Paul Barile reviewed Jann's album, REVERIE, and wrote, "This sounds like what the Beatles would have made if they had grown old together." Some of the album's songs can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/jannklose .

Links to live music, including Jann's performance of "Something" from ABBEY ROAD at an annual BANGLADESH tribute and cancer benefit from New York City's BB Kings are at http://www.youtube.com/jannklose.

Paul McCartney and his staff have received invitations to any of Jann's upcoming shows. Come on out.

July 1: ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL w/ Tom Brislin, New York, NY
July 2: RECORD COLLECTOR w/ Tom Brislin, Bordentown, NJ
July 3: THE IRIDIUM, sitting in w/ Gary Lucas, New York, NY
July 9: HOUSE CONCERT, Trenton, NJ
August 11: MUSIKFEST 2011, Bethlehem, PA
September 10: STEPHEN TALKHOUSE w/ Jonathan Tiersten, Amagansett, NY
September 11: COFFEE WORKS w/ Jonathan Tiersten, Voorhees, NJ
October 26: IRON HORSE w/ Shawn Phillips, Northampton, MA
November 26: HIGHLINE BALLROOM, BanglaDesh revisited, New York, NY
March 2, 2012: MASTER CLASS, LIVERPOOL INSTITUTE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Liverpool, UK

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KJ DENHERT, AN INTRODUCTION

http://www.kjdenhert.com
KJ's video and story behind "Let It Go"
http://youtu.be/Ld851jNlSN4
KJ's music video of "Help" http://youtu.be/p-ktZ1jARKQ

This is KJ DENHERT, an urban folk singer/guitarist/songwriter, who performs quite a bit. If you're interested in getting her press kit with her current album, ALBUM No.9.  
 
"Album No.9 is about freedom.” says KJ Denhert. There also is a numerology connection as to how and when the album was recorded; production began on Sept. 9, 2009, continued over the course of nine months with nine musicians, and has nine songs. "My life-path number is 9," says KJ. In less than a year of its release on Sept. 9, 2010, KJ's music video of ALBUM No.9’s yearnful "Help" is becoming a minor hit on youtube. She interprets the Beatles' standard as a plea to the world, because of the many tragedies that were complicated due to man’s inhumanity and greed, most recently in Haiti, Louisiana, and Japan. Other classics on the album are "Alfie;" "Pennies From Heaven,” "The Shadow of Your Smile," and "Smoke on the Water."

The reggae anthem "Choose Your Weapon," which won the 2010 Independent Music Award for ”Sing Out for Social Action," "Let It Go," and her first song in French, "Chanson Baz Bar" are three of ALBUM No.9's originals that have become favorites of KJ's fans.

This November, KJ will be celebrating 15 years fronting her own band KJ Denhert and the New York Unit. But, her career dates back to the '60s when she first started playing guitar at age 10, listening to Sergio Mendes and John Hartford, “As I advanced, books by James Taylor and Joni Mitchell were my first official self-study as a guitarist.”

As a young woman in the ‘80s she played guitar and sang with an all-female band called, “Fire” touring throughout North America and Europe. She also spent time in Cleveland, founding and fronting the group, “Cyclone Sisters.” Upon moving back to NY City in 1997, she formed the “NY Unit.” Since then she’s recorded and toured non-stop, playing overseas as an eight-time artist in residence at Italy’s Umbria Jazz Festival, at prestigious events including The Rochester International Jazz Festival.

KJ is the founder of recording label, Mother Cyclone Records. She was named a winner of the Kerrville New Folk Song contest in June, 2006 for "Private Angel" and won the Mountain Stage New Song contest later that summer for her composition, "Little Mary." The Album, ANOTHER YEAR GONE BY, LIVE won the 2006 Independent Music Award for Best Live Performance.

   
KJ DENHERT ON THE ROAD
June 18: Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival, Croton on Hudson
June 24:12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar, Peekskill, NY
June 25: 55 Bar, New York, NY
July 7: Underground Wonderbar, Chicago, IL
July 8: Club La Salle, South Bend, IN
July 18: Woodsongs, Lexington, KY
July 23: 55 Bar, New York, NY
July 29: Belleayre Music Festival - Belleayre Mountain Ski Resort, Highmount, NY
July 30: Rams Head on Stage w/ Gregory Porter, Annapolis, MD
August 9: Cape Cod Jazz, Chatham, MA
August 11: New Paltz, NY (duo: KJ Denhert & Jennifer Vincent)
August 20: 55 Bar, New York, NY
August 21: Special Event @the Falcon, Marlboro, NY
August 23: Cornwall, NY
September 2: Union Chapel Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA
September 3: 55 Bar, New York, NY
September 10: The Falcon,  Marlboro, NY
September 17: 55 Bar, New York, NY
October 8: Uncommon Ground, Dobbs Ferry (solo w/ Vance Gilbert)

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Henry McCullough Bio

Henry McCullough will appear in Chicago at the FEST for Beatles Fans, Aug. 5-7. http://www.thefest.com 866-THE-FEST 8-4 PM CST


UNFINISHED BUSINESS is both the name of Henry McCullough's current album, and a motto for his career, which has cut through just about every conceivable facet of rock music and some of its most glorious moments. This UNFINISHED BUSINESS album with Henry's roots-inspired genre that combines folk, British blues rock, and party sounds is receiving a deserved boost in North America as Henry will be a special guest at the Fest For Beatles Fans, August 5-7, 2011, in Chicago, IL.

Growing up in the seaside resort of Portstewart, in Northern Ireland, Henry's first musical venture was as guitarist with Irish show band The Skyrockets and the years to follow found him playing the dance hall circuit with similar outfits, including the popular Gene and the Gents. "I don't strictly play in one area of music; I grew up, playing Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley--whatever was in the top charts then, and I was playing with people who were a generation older than me. The apprenticeship I had with music with show bands with people who were a generation older than me."

When the blues boom hit Ireland, Henry became involved with the rougher side of music through the outfit that became Eire Apparent. Managed for a time by Chas Chandler, Eire Apparent were one of the many bands to take part in package tours of Britain, alongside of The Move, Pink Floyd, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Amen Corner... After an untimely exit from the band, Henry nailed down some of the finest mix of traditional and rock with his work as part of the legendary Sweeney's Men in 1968; It is said that this line-up more or less invented the concept of Folk-Rock.

Within a year, he drifted to London where he became steeped in the blues scene, rubbing shoulders with some of the greats of the genre who were just coming to the attention of the British revivalists. An encounter with a young Sheffield singer led to a job and Henry's first brush with the realIy big time - as part of Joe Cocker's Grease Band. Tours and albums followed quickly, including an appearance at Woodstock and a lengthy period of work in the States.

Breaking with Cocker, Henry and The Grease Band grooved in its gritty blues music that made them a live favourite that has rarely been equalled. He found himself auditioning for a gig with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. Henry, along with Denny Seiwell, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney were the first - and many say best incarnation of Wings. He embellished the single 'My Love' with a graceful solo that is one of the all-time guitar gems and shows once and for all the expressive power of the instrument. At one Wings session at Abbey Road, when Pink Floyd were in the studio next door, Henry made a spoken contribution to the end of the classic song "Money" on DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.

But musical differences with the headstrong Macca followed, and Henry made the decision to leave. Following his instinct for rock he ended up in some very good company, playing guitar and gigging with the Roy Harper, Marianne Faithfull, Ronnie Lane, Donovan, Frankie Miller, Eric Burdon, Viola Wills, Spooky Tooth...

During a visit back home to see his family in the early '80s, an accident with a knife almost cost Henry his livelihood, severing tendons in his playing hand. The enforced lay-off allowed Henry to re-evaluate his life and his career, and he took the decision to stay home in Ireland. The road to recovery was almost complete when Henry started sitting in with the Fleadh Cowboys for their now legendary Sunday afternoon residency in The Lower Deck in Dublin. It soon became apparent that Henry’s contribution was an attraction in itself, so he formed his own band and toured Ireland in 1988.

In the '90s Henry moved back to Portstewart and formed a new band with Percy Robinson on pedal steel and Roe Butcher on bass and Liam Bradley on drums. More recently the band has featured James Delaney on keys, Chrissy Stewart (Frankie Miller Band) on bass, Chris Probst on guitar and Tony Phillips on Drums.

In 1998 he went to Poland, where he rehearsed a band of Polish session musicians for a tour. At the end of the tour, they went into a studio and played ‘live’ for an afternoon. A resulting CD, BLUE SUNSET was released in Poland, and was followed up by a further successful Polish tour.

On returning home, Henry decided that it was time to do record a few studio tracks. With help and encouragement from his many friends, he released "Failed Christian," a harrowing self-penned song that has since been covered by Nick Lowe on his latest Demon album, DIG MY MOOD.

In addition to "Failed Christian," Henry included some originals and chose songs from other artists he'd worked with through the years--Paul McCartney and Frankie Miller. The Ronnie Lane song, "'Kuschty Rye' is something I played mandolin on the original version; I always liked the lyrics. The Grease Band supported the Faces in America." "I'd Rather Die Young" is a song from the '50s (Johnny Cash, Jean Shepard, George Jones), and I thought it was beautiful as a country song. This album is a tribute to the people I've worked with."

Background information of songs are in the UNFINISHED BUSINESS CD, itself. Below is the track listing and writers' credits.
1. "The Last of the Bluemen" (McCullough)
2 "Josie's In The Garden
"McCullough)
3. "Kuschty Rye"
(Ronnie Lane,Kit Lambert)
4) "Belfast To Boston"
McCullough
5) "I Couldn't Sleep For Thinking of Hank Williams"
(McCullough)
6) Ould Piece of Wood"
(McCullough)
7) Big Barn Bed
(Paul McCartney)
8) "Peacock's Waltz"
(McCullough)
9) "Hollis Brown"
(Bob Dylan)
10) "I'd Rather Die Young"
(Beasley Smith, Billy Vaughn & Randy Wood)
11) Let The Four Winds Blow
(Fats Domino/Dave Bartholmew)
12) "Drunken Nights In The City"
(Frankie Miller)
13) Tumble Dry
(McCullough)
14) Failed Christian
(McCullough)

**In the summer of ‘99 Henry was devastated when his beloved 1963 cherry red Gibson ES335 went missing from a British Midlands flight between Warsaw and Heathrow. (However, he still has his gold-top Les Paul that he played at Woodstock.)

###

Jethro Tull's '71 Red Rocks concert forged a place in rock history - The Denver Post

Ian Anderson remembers violence in Colorado, of all places.
Jethro Tull's '71 Red Rocks concert forged a place in rock history - The Denver Post

The Yardbirds' September 2011 tour dates

http://www.theyardbirds.com
http://www.yardbirds.us/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2207073529&ref=ts


THE YARDBIRDS TOUR THE STATES THIS SEPTEMBER
(Legendary rock/blues band available for interviews in advance of tour)

The Yardbirds will be touring the States this September, from Massachusetts to Hawaii, September 1 through the 23. Dates will be in the east and west coast, plus three days of fun, sun, tropical pleasure and rock and roll that influenced musicians from the 1960s to current day.

The Yardbirds is original members: rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja and drummer Jim McCarty, and a new generation of musicians: singer/acoustic guitarist/harpist Andy Mitchell (since 2009), bassist David Smale (since 2009), and lead guitarist Ben King (since 2005).

The Yardbirds innovated 1960s guitar, with fuzz tone, feedback, distortion, backwards echo, improved amplification….and using a bow to play guitar. The group paved the way for the careers of Eric Clapton (1963-'65) Jeff Beck ('65-'66), and Jimmy Page (66-'68, first as bassist, then guitarist when Beck left). The group drew some repertoire from the blues acts of the day, including Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, and Bo Diddley, and the Yardbirds hits were some of the best songs of the British Invasion: “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” "Shapes of Things," “I'm A Man,” and “Over Under Sideways Down,” “Train Kept A- Rolling,” “Dazed and Confused.” “I'm A Man,” and “Over Under Sideways Down,” and “Better Man Than I.”

The Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Soon after the induction, Jim and Chris reformed the Yardbirds, first playing at London's Marquee club, on a bill with the newly reformed Animals.

In 2003, Steve Vai's Favored Nations label released their album BIRDLAND, an album of new songs that featured guest appearances from Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash, Brian May, Steve Lukather, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, and John Rzeznik. In 2005 guitarist Ben King joined the group, who recorded LIVE AT B.B. KING BLUES CLUB on July 19, 2006. That came out in 2007, included a version of “I'm a Man” that played on the Simpsons that year.

The Yardbirds has continued to tour. An institution in popular music, blues, rock and roll, the group made an indelible mark on the music and culture of both the 1960s and future generations.

CONFIRMED DATES:

Sept. 1: Summer Music Series, Springfield, MA
Sept. 2: Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT
Sept. 3: Tupelo Music Hall, White River Junction, VT
Sept. 4: Tupelo Music Hall, Londonerry, NH
Sept. 5 Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT
Sept. 7 BB Kings, New York, NY
Sept. 8: Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, PA
Sept. 9: NYCB THEATRE at WESTBURY, Westbury, NY
Sept. 10: Parilla Center, Rockville, MD
Sept. 11: Rams Head, Annapolis, MD
Sept. 15: New Showroom, Hawaiian Brians, Honolulu, HI
Sept. 16: Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Maui, HI
Sept. 17: Horoka Peoples Theatre, Big Island, HI
Sept. 21 Key Club, Hollywood, CA
Sept. 22: Coachhouse, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Sept. 23: Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA


"I'm A Man" performed by The Yardbirds, Live at B.B. Kings, NYC. Recorded by Unsteady Freddie