Vince Gill

 

One of the most popular artists in modern country music, Vince Gill is famous for his top-notch songwriting, world-class guitar playing and warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy wit. Gill achieved his big breakthrough in 1990 with “When I Call Your Name,” which won both the Country Music Association’s (CMA) Single and Song of the Year awards as well as a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. Since then, Gill has won 17 additional CMA Awards, including Song of the Year four times – making him the most-awarded artist in that category in CMA history, and a total of 22 Grammy Awards, his most recent one for Best Country Solo Performance – “When My Amy Prays.”  The Academy of Country Music has conferred on Gill eight awards, including its Home Depot Humanitarian Award and the Career Achievement Award.

A gifted songwriter, Gill’s compositions earned him the prestigious BMI Icon award in 2014, and entry into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.

In 2007, Gill was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and in 2012 he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which was placed in cement right next to his wife Amy Grant’s star. In 1991, Gill was invited to become a member of The Grand Ole Opry, a position he treasures. He continues to perform on that historic stage on a regular basis.

Throughout his career he has released 20 albums, sold over 30 million albums, and charted 45 singles.

Known for his many collaborations, Gill has made guest appearances on more than 1000 albums, and has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Sting, Emmylou Harris, Diana Krall, Jimmy Webb, Bruno Mars, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and George Jones. His collaborative efforts also include albums he has produced for Amy Grant, Ashley Monroe, The Time Jumpers and Wendy Moten.

Always considering himself a musician above all else, Gill has over the years been a part of some iconic bands including Pure Prairie League, The Cherry Bombs, and The Time Jumpers. In 2017 Vince was asked to join the Eagles on the road and continues to be a part of that historic band’s tour.

Gill’s current album, the critically acclaimed OKIE, is his most personal album, as he sings about his wife in prayer, about kindness and forgiveness, about his heroes in death, and about his own loves, joys, and regrets.

https://vincegill.com/

The Kabooms

 

 

The Kabooms are a band based in Barcelona and founded in 2014 with members of several well-known groups in the field of 50's rock and roll, Matt Olivera on vocals (Matt and The Peabody Ducks) El Lega on guitar (Legacaster, Locos del Oeste) , Xavi Carajillo on bass (Los Torontos, Los Locos del Oeste) and Jesús López on drums (Pike Cavalero, The Ragtones) form this combo of surf rock and late 50's rock and roll sound that have made their live show wild and full of energy by festivals and stages around the world such as: Viva Las Vegas, Fuss and Holler (USA), The Rockabilly Rave and Hemsby (UK) Let's Get Wild, Get Rhythm Go Wild (Germany), High Rockabilly and Rockin Race (Spain) And a long etcetera.

Their latest full-length “Right Track, Wrong Way” collects another discharge of pure energy, fun and quality as the band has accustomed us, the combo goes a step further to meet the tastes of a wider and more eclectic public, but equally demanding. Matt, the singer, leads the action providing the required claw at all times. Javier and Alex put the precise rhythm and strength to each song. And El Lega on guitar is a phenomenon. In fact, there are four phenomena. Directly. Music that gets you excited, with a catchy rhythm of drums and double bass, a guitar bordering on perfection and outstanding voice work. “50's cut rock played at full blast, furiously, as it should be”.

 https://www.facebook.com/thekabooms

 

Screamin' Jay Hawkins

 

 

 Jalacy Hawkins, better known as Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Cleveland, Ohio, United States, July 18, 1929 - Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, February 12, 2000), was a popular African-American American singer. He had a major hit during the rock explosion of the mid-1950s. Known for his circus performances and (sometimes macabre) aesthetic, he recorded one of the biggest hits of the era, I Put a Spell on You, in 1957. He learned to compose music and play the piano as a child at the Ohio Conservatory. At the age of 14, he drops out of school and lies saying that he has one more year to join the army and fight in World War II. In the army he began to play the sax entertaining the troops. He fell into enemy hands on the island of Saipan when he was parachuted, being rescued a year and a half later.

Van Morrison

 

 Born in 1945, Van Morrison heard his Shipyard worker father’s collection of blues, country and gospel early in life. Feeding off musical greats such as Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Muddy Waters, Mahalia Jackson and Leadbelly he was a travelling musician at 13 and singing, playing guitar and sax, in several bands, before forming Them in 1964. 

Making their name at Belfast’s Maritime Club, Them soon established Van as a major force in the British R&B scene. Morrison’s matchless vocal and songwriting talents produced instant classics such as the much covered ‘Gloria’ and ‘Here Comes The Night’. 

Those talents found full astonishing range in Van’s solo career. After working with Them’s New York producer Bert Berns on beautiful Top 40 pop hit ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ (1967), Morrison moved to another realm.

 Recorded over 3 days with legendary jazz musicians Astral Weeks (1968) is a still singular album combining street poetry, jazz improvisation, Celtic invocation and Afro Celtic Blues wailing. 

Morrison would weave these and myriad other influences into the albums that followed in quick succession. 

Reflecting on new life in America on the joyous Sinatra soul of Moondance (1970) and the country inflected Tupelo Honey (1971) he summoned old spiritual and ancestral life in the epic St Dominic’s Preview (1972) closer track Listen To The Lion. 

Double live album Too Late To Stop Now (1973) highlighted Morrison’s superlative performing and bandleader skills. Mapping out a richly varied musical course throughout the 70s he shone among an all-star cast including Bob Dylan and Muddy Waters on The Band’s Last Waltz. 

Indeed, borne of his Irish Showband instincts, the magic of the live performance has been a consistent feature of Morrison’s career. 

Settling back into life in the UK in 1980 he released Common One an album centring on Summertime In England an extraordinary invocation of literary, sensual and spiritual pleasure the song would often become a thrilling improvised centrepiece to his live shows. 

Steering his own course throughout the 80s on albums such as No Guru, No Method, No Teacher he claimed Celtic roots with The Chieftains on Irish Heartbeat. Teaming with Georgie Fame brought new impetus to his live show while Avalon Sunset saw him back in the album and single charts by the decades end. 

Van Morrison continued to advance on his status as a game- changing artist through the 90s and into the 21st century. 

Awards and accolades - a knighthood, a Brit, an OBE, an Ivor Novello, 6 Grammys, honourary doctorates from Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster, entry into The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and the French Ordres Des Artes Et Des Lettres - attested to the international reach of Van’s musical art. 

Yet there was never any suggestion that Morrison, one of the most prolific recording artists and hardest working live performers of his era, would ever rest on his laurels.

 The breadth and reach of his collaboration work continues in 2015 with the release of his new album ‘Duets: Re-working The Catalogue’. Featuring singers as influential and diverse as Bobby Womack, Gregory Porter, Mavis Staples and Michael Bublé, the album re-works songs handpicked from Morrison’s catalogue of over 360 tracks across his career. Including songs such as Real Real Gone, Higher Than The World and Irish Heartbeat, the album was recorded in his home town of Belfast and London over the last year, using a variety of musicians and fresh arrangements.

With one of the most revered catalogues in music history and his unparalleled talents as composer, singer and performer Morrison’s past achievements loom large. But, as throughout his extraordinary career, how that past informs his future achievements and still stirs excitement and keen anticipation. 

And so in 2017 Van released his 37th and 38th studio albums, the first of which, Roll With The Punches, is a blues flavoured offering. The 15 track album reconnects Morrison with artists such as Leadbelly, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Little Walter and Bo Diddley…musicians he first heard at home on the family radiogram. But more so, it brings Van together with musicians he encountered on the road during his time with Them in the ‘60s blues boom as Chris Farlowe, Manfred Mann’s Paul Jones and The Yardbird’s Jeff Beck all make contributions to the recordings. The rich jambalaya enjoyed on Roll With The Punches is Van Morrison both looking back, and moving forward. And though he references the past, Morrison always makes it his own, stamping his unmistakable spin on what has gone before.

Following shortly after the release of Roll with the Punches was the aptly titled Versatile. This album sees Morrison cross the genres of blues, soul and reconnect with his love of jazz. Across Versatile’s sixteen tracks, Van Morrison interprets some of the very building blocks of modern music in his own utterly unique style.  As well as songs originally made famous by the likes of Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, the Righteous Brothers, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole, Versatile features the stunning new Van composition Broken Record – a timeless piece of late-night swing – and new interpretations of classics from his back catalogue (I Forgot That Love Existed from the 1987 album Poetic Champions Compose, Start All Over Again from 1990’s Enlightenment and Only A Dream from 2002’s Down the Road).

2018 is a significant year in Morrison’s career, marking 50 years since the release of the iconic Astral Weeks album in 1968. To date, the year has been full steam ahead for Morrison beginning with a string of shows in the USA and further shows scheduled for Europe later in the year. Morrison shows no sign of slowing things down, continuing to work on new material and exciting upcoming projects.

 https://www.vanmorrison.com

 

 

Othar Turner

 

 

Othar "Otha" Turner (June 2, 1907 – February 26, 2003) was an American blues musician, best known as one of Fife's leading musicians and a performer of the Fife blues and drums tradition.

Turner was born in Madison County, Mississippi, and spent his entire life in the northern part of the state, working as a farmer. In 1923, at the age of 16, he began playing fiffari made of bamboo canes here. The Rising Star Fife and Drum Band, consisting primarily of Turner's family and friends, played primarily at farm parties. Wider success was achieved only in the '90s, when the band appeared on Mississippi Delta Blues Jam in Memphis, Vol. 1 (where Napoleon Strickland and the Como drum band, other fife and drum lineups also appear) and other collections. of traditional blues. In 1998 Turner and his band released Everybody Hollerin' Goat, often well received by critics. The title refers to a tradition Turner began in the late 1950s, which he planned to host at his De La Granja picnic on May 1, during which he personally slaughtered and cooked a goat. The rest of the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band provided musical entertainment. This first album was followed by From Senegal to Senatobia in 1999, which also featured some members of Turner's family this time accompanied by professional musicians. The formation is called Afrossippi Allstars. "Shimmy she wobble" also appears in Everybody Hollerin' Goat, which appears in the Martin Scorsese film Gangs of New York. The same director, in his miniseries The Blues, interviews Otha Turner, considered one of the living witnesses at the time of the Delta and country Blues tradition, closely related to the traditional music of West Africa. The project was carried out by Corey Harris, in 2003, with the album Mississippi to Mali. The album is dedicated to Turner, who disappeared a week before the scheduled recording date. His niece, Shardé Thomas, then twelve years old, filled in for him for the recording sessions. Othar 

 

Turner died in Gravel Springs, Mississippi, at the age of 95. His funeral was held on March 4, 2003 in Como, Mississippi, along with his daughter, who died the same day as his father. The procession was led by the rising star Fife and Drum Band, at the head of which Shardé Thomas played the same instrument as her grandfather.

Blue Moon Marquee

 

Multi-award-winning Canadian roots-blues duo Blue Moon Marquee are ready to “Scream, Holler & Howl” with the release of their soul-shoutin’ new single — available now! 

Bursting with a loose, let-it-all-hang-out kind of groove, the song is the opening and title track of their forthcoming album set for release this September 9th via their own label, Blue Moon Marquee Music. 

“”Music is a release, and we encourage expression of the spirit with this tune,” co-front A.W. Cardinal says. “It’s a song to honour what music provides for so many — an escape.” 

“We have written many esoteric, dark songs,” co-front Jasmine Colette adds. “This was a surrender to a fun, goes-down-easy, hard-hitting groove tune about the ultimate: to love, and be loved.” 

Recorded live to tape, Scream, Holler & Howl captures their most sophisticated collection of songs yet — all while blazing forward with a full band featuring some of Canada’s finest veteran players. Recorded at Vancouver, BC’s Afterlife Studios, and produced by the band with multi-Blues Music Award-winner Duke Robillard and Erik Nielsen, both the song and its namesake album shine a bright spotlight on the prodigious talents of Cardinal’s vocals and guitar, and Colette’s upright bass and vocals alongside guests Darcy Phillips, Jerry Cook, Matt Pease, Paul Pigat, Bonnie Northgraves, and Señor Erik; Robillard adds his stellar legendary guitar work on several tracks, too. 

The album’s ‘Baker’s Dozen’ 13 tracks include 11 original songs plus two distinctive takes on songs written by the legendary Lonnie Johnson: “Another Night to Cry” and “Long Black Train.”

Born of the wild rose country in Alberta, Canada, both Cardinal and Colette played in punk, metal, and rock and roll bands. Leaving home at a young age, they both spent years traveling on their own, working a variety of jobs and touring with different acts. At one point Colette was hitchhiking throughout North America performing vaudeville with her act of hula hooping, skateboarding, and playing trombone simultaneously, while Cardinal was living in New York City working as a bike mechanic and performing at open mics every night. 

It was in 2012 that they came together in Vancouver to record Cardinal's original material for his album, Stainless Steel Heart; a mutual old friend was engineering the project and they connected deeply on their taste and obsession over music. 

With their distinct energy and style, this acclaimed duo writes and perform original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps, or grooves. Carving a path through blues, jazz, jump jive, folk, country, swing, and Indigenous soul with an authentic spirit, their sound does not idle easily in one certain category. Also known as ‘Badlands Jass,’ Colette not only commands the upright bass but also brings the rhythm with her feet on a custom foot drum kit — all while singing in her signature honey-dipped tones — while Cardinal’s distinctive and soulful vocals barrel out like a raging bull and his guitar crackles with the swinging energy of jazz-tinged blues.

Their gift is bringing all these elements together without anything sounding out of step. They collect the roots and smoothly braid them with lyrics that often touch on the underbelly of society, woven with elements of Indigenous storytelling and poetic cadence. 

"Blue Moon Marquee have their own completely original style,” American Roots UK writes. “Modern Blues doesn't really get any better than this. This is a tremendous sound by a hugely talented duo.” 

“To say A.W. and Jasmine are old souls is an understatement, to say the least,” Robillard pens in the album’s liner notes. “They are poised for worldwide recognition in an amazing genre-bending ride through American blues and folk, gypsy jazz, Native American themes, jump blues, swing, and more. These century-old traditions have been redefined and delivered in a new light here. They are astounding in their depth, groove, and soul on this recording. Written, played, and recorded here in a heartfelt and natural old-school way for the world to hear, feel, dance, drink or be alone with. 

“For me, working with them in the studio was inspiring and a re-confirmation of my own belief in the power of roots music,” he continues. “Special thanks go out to Afterlife Studios, with their long history of great recordings and real echo chambers, vintage gear, and great engineer Erik Nielsen, who converged magically with all these musicians to make some damn memorable music.”

While they have primarily performed as a duo since 2013, Blue Moon Marquee have recently also performed as a trio or quartet with Darcy Phillips (Jann Arden) on piano and Jerry Cook (Colin James) on tenor and baritone saxophone.  

With 2019’s release of Bare Knuckles and Brawn, they were nominated as Blues Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards and Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. With a “totally unique approach…such a powerful original mix of swing styles with jazz and blues, west coast swing and New Orleans feel” (Sound Guardian) the record topped both the Earshot National Folk/Roots/Blues Charts simultaneously with the National Jazz charts — a rare feat. 

Appreciated for their lyrical candor, outstanding musicianship, and vivacious live performances, Blue Moon Marquee was the most-requested band in the country for the Canadian International Jazz Festival Circuit following their 2017 release, Gypsy Blues. That full-length album of original material also garnered the Indigenous Artist of the Year nomination from Western Canadian Music Awards as well as Best New Artist nomination at the Maple Blues Awards. 

“As a long-time fan of Blue Moon Marquee, I've had the pleasure of following and appreciating their development over the years,” says Holger Petersen, Founder of Stony Plain Records and longtime radio broadcaster. “The combination of A.W. and Jazz with Duke Robillard takes their music to another inspired level. 'Scream, Holler & Howl' is a wonderful hybrid of their combined swing, blues, and gypsy jazz influences and unique songwriting often inspired from A.W.'s Metis Cree heritage. It's a joy to hear and to see their on-stage chemistry and natural showmanship. I encourage everyone to get to know them by checking out their website, videos, and original artwork.” 

“Their presentation is spellbinding and their original songs are unforgettable,” legendary award-winning American blues pianist David Vest vouches. “To me, they represent the real core of the folk-blues tradition. They would not seem out of place if they were on stage beside Lonnie Johnson or the young Memphis Minnie.”

“They embrace the retro vein celebrated for decades between ragtime blues, shady mambo, and vintage swing,” Paris Blues Magazine writes from France. “With a smoldering live performance and outrageous vocals… Welcome to the baroque cabaret, where the Charleston disjoins itself!”

"The sound of Blue Moon Marquee is delicious and sacrosanct cross-border blues,” Keys and Chords’ Philip Verhaege adds. 

“Scream, Holler & Howl” is available now. Scream, Holler & Howl, the album, is available September 9th, 2022 via Blue Moon Marquee Music. 

https://bluemoonmarquee.com/

Revolution Rabbit Deluxe

 

Revolution Rabbit Deluxe (RRD) evolved from a solo project into a four-piece band from Blackwood, in the South Wales valleys. Their brand of melody-driven innovative alternative rock has garnered great reviews, along with regular airplay on the internet. They’ve been played on the BBC and are poised to conquer mainstream radio. They signed to SWND records in Swansea  at the beginning of 2022.

RRD’s main influences are The Beatles and Eels for melodic inspiration. The Pixies and Smashing Pumpkins for rawness, power and drive of the rhythm section. The lyrical twists of Divine Comedy and XTC are also prominent influences. Comparisons to Feeder, early Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals have been suggested by reviewers. RRD are not content with sitting back. Their fourth album, The Great Divide, is heading into uncharted seas with experiments in form and content. Due for release in May 2022, this album is more nuanced and delicate in places but retains the hard edge of the early albums. Tales from Armageddonsville, their debut album, came about when the producer of Goldy Lookin’ Chain, approached RecRock for artists suitable for release on Amazon, Spotify, and iTunes. RRD were put forward.

Like the Monkees, RRD live in one house and between writing, recording and gigging, they tour the world looking for crimes to solve. They lost their summer jobs as archaeologists on Time Team after a drunken lunchtime argument with Tony Robinson led to an unfortunate incident with a toilet, some dynamite, and a livid TV host. To this day, Tony twitches violently when he passes a lavatory.

http://www.revolutionrabbitdeluxe.com

Casey Maunder

 

Casey Maunder was born and raised in Swansea and as the son of a local musician was immersed in music from an early age. By twelve years old he was performing with his father’s band and at 14 was writing and performing with local rock bands.

At 19 Casey joined The Cherry Thieves and inspired by the Los Angeles glam rock scene they toured the UK extensively and featured regularly in music publications such as Kerrang and Melody Maker. After the demise of The Cherry Thieves Casey linked up with a childhood friend and formed Four Stories High. The band kept the energy of Casey’s earlier rock projects but fused it with a more imaginative and creative approach to song writing. The band gigged extensively across the UK and their single “Another Day” gained radio play, Welsh TV slots and was released on a compilation of the best emerging UK talent.
 
 2021 saw Casey decide to go it alone and take sole control of his song writing and releases. His sound is defined by overdriven guitars and a dedication to melody that means every track has a huge chorus that will not quit! His first three solo singles have had extensive radio play, including the track “Rolling at The Rathouse” being played on esteemed station Planet Rock. The upcoming album “Until Your Heart Stops Beating” showcases Casey’s vocal, lyrical and song writing range and delivers an eclectic collection of songs that range from hard edged rock to harmony laden power pop.

 https://www.instagram.com/caseymaundermusic/

https://www.facebook.com/Casey-Maunder-107189461940597

The Crawling Eye

 

Following on from the well received debut album ‘Wax Lyrical’ The Crawling Eye are back with the first release from their follow up ‘The Return of The Crawling Eye’.

 

Songwriter, guitarist and keyboard player Matthew Witherstone has bought in vocalist Regan Meredith and bassist Sean Davies to complete this line up. Once again Frank Naughton is back to produce and provide additional instruments.

 

This album continues in the familiar eclectic manner of its predecessor with perhaps a more electronic feel. 

 

First up is the Single ‘You Don’t Live Around Here Anymore’ which has also been remixed by Australian multi instrumentalist and producer Dunstan DMT and Irish producer George Reilly. This release also includes the track ‘Leave You Standing’.

 

The Crawling Eye are also putting the finishing touches to their live acoustic set and have a few appearances booked in this summer.

 

 https://p.facebook.com/tydrwg/

Zac The Locust

 

After years and years of writing songs, but never having the opportunity to turn them into anything but home recorded demos, Keryn Isaac felt it was time to call upon some musicians from the South Wales music scene and start taking things seriously.

Keryn Isaac began recording with John Harrison on drums. They began working on Keryns songs and demos were recorded at Channel View, Johns home studio setup.

March 2020 was booked for a studio session at Redrocks Recording Studio with Producer Lyndon Price, but due to the Covid 19 outbreak this had to be put on hold.

Later that year between August and September, Keryn and John went to Redrocks recording studio in Pengam, South Wales. The music for five songs was recorded with Lyndon as recording engineer and producer. Vocals were recorded at John's home recording set up as well as new songs. A band of
musicians was put together but after a few line up changes, the guys parted  ways soon after.

During 2021 more songs were written and recorded at Channel View.

In April 2021 Keryn signed ZacTheLocust to South Wales Record Label SWND.

October 2021 saw the release of the debut album "Years In The Making", received enthusiastically by critics and radio alike.

Drawing influences from a wide variety of bands from Green day to Metallica, Blink 182 to Rancid, The Offspring to The Clash, Nirvana to Sum 41 and many,  many more!! ZacTheLocust's sound is punk/rock with big choruses and melody.

 https://www.facebook.com/zacthelocust

Targetspot expands to Latin America with top-tier partnerships

 Targetspot, a world player in AdTech and monetization in the high-growth area of digital audio, opens its multidimensional audio services portfolio to the Latin American market and partners with major publishers in the industry including Resso, SBS, Univision, VIX, and Spreaker from iHeart.

Resso is a social music streaming app designed for the new generation of music enthusiasts. The platform allows users to express, connect and interact with music and artists with a unique social streaming experience. In Brazil, where it was launched in 2020, the music streaming app Resso soon became very popular. Apart from Brazil, Resso is also present in India (Mumbai) and Indonesia.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS) is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States. It owns and operates radio stations located in the top U.S. Hispanic markets of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico, airing the Tropical, Regional Mexican, Spanish Adult Contemporary, Top 40 and Urbano format genres. Amongst other media and digital companies, SBS also operates AIRE Radio Networks, a national radio platform of over 290 affiliated stations reaching 95% of the U.S. Hispanic audience.

 

Keep reading  https://investors.targetspot.com/news/targetspot-enters-latin-american-market/

Cancel The Apocalypse

 

Cancel The Apocalypse is a bridge between cultures and ages. It started simply: Audrey and Arnaud, graduates of Bordeaux conservatoire and baroque specialists, imagine a new hybrid style, blending today’ styles.

They are under the charm of the singer of My OWN PRIVATE ALASKA who is performing in Nimes arenas before Metallica. Matthieu will be the singer of the band. And Karol of GOROD, another well known artist of the French metal scene, will join him at the drums. The press, specialized and main stream, takes immediate notice of this new vibe, with Telerama awarding them. Reviews acclaiming the first opus keep coming, with the tour starting in Frame, then Germany and ending in a blaze of glory with the Fusion Festival. The warm welcome they received allows the quartet to let its ambition and emotions roam free.

Amidst the standardized engineered harmonies of the self congratulating music industry, Cancel the Apocalypse emerges as a sparkling celesMal oasis, soothing yet disturbing. The result is both avant-garde and unifying. Even more melodious and deep, "terminus stairway" continues the quest initiated by its predecessor "our own democracy". 

https://cancel-the-apocalypse.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/canceltheapocalypseofficial

Jeff Wisnom

 

Jeff Wisnom is a Brussels-based American musician, performing USA classic rock songs on his acoustic guitar and bringing an older American perspective to the European live music scene where he performs. His repertoire is based on traditional folk, country and southern rock music, and inspired by popular American performers from the 70s to the 90s. His style is built upon vintage rock sound and enriched by a very personal touch and interpretation, as well as his deep singing voice. 

https://jefferywisnom.com

Sami Chohfi

 

The Extraordinary World singer/songwriter Sami Chohfi from Seattle mashes up rock and blues on his latest offering; an exciting sonic journey through love and love lost…

 

Expertly spinning the yarn on a familiar fable of falling for and failing to reckon when it falls apart, Chohfi’s exquisite lyrics, delivered in his signature rasp and undeniable singing prowess, bring a modern flair and uniqueness to the track’s unrequited love story. 

  

“‘Little One’ was written while watching an episode of one of my favorite TV shows, AMC's The Walking Dead,” Chohfi reveals. “I was watching a woman devour her lover and it got me thinking, ‘wow, this is a lot like a real relationship…’”

  

Marrying fact with fiction, Chohfi spins the tale on the ups and downs, craziness, and realities of relationships. The track features a variety of flair including ukulele, a 1960’s vintage piano solo, and a cameo by Kellii Scott (Failure) on percussion. “I wanted to write a catchy blues rock song with a unique vibe inspired by the one thing that inspires us to be at our most crazy, love,” Chohfi says. 

  

Paired off with a visual component, the music video for “Little One” brings Chohfi’s story to life… Or, rather, ahem, to death. 

  

Featuring an undead cast of characters for a Zombie-apocalypse-esque mini-drama, Chohfi’s unique double entendre is spelled out in his creativity to tell a tale. (‘Where are you going with my heart, Little One?’ he croons both figuratively, and in this video, literally.) Our protagonists make a quick stop at a gas station where the lead actress becomes infected. From there, her unassuming partner is seemingly ignorant of her venture into the land of the dead and, as she slowly descends into making him her next meal, the world around them is falling further into the hell flames of a full Zombie take-over. 

  

“The intro features the voice of legendary radio personality, Marco Collins, over the car radio,” Chohfi explains. “We hired makeup artist Christina Kortum, who worked on the American TV show Grimm and is currently working on the new season of American Horror Story, to ensure the special FX makeup was top notch. 

“The song and video tell the story of a romantic relationship that is not only infectious but consumingly toxic in all the right ways,” he continues. “Sometimes we find ourselves in love with the wrong person but, for some reason, we love the way it hurts and we keep coming back for more.”

“Little One” and “The Awakening” both serve as Sami Chohfi’s latest singles and, with the world slowly regaining its footing after a multi-year pandemic, the songwriter is venturing out on tour overseas this winter. 

No zombies allowed. 

https://samichohfimusic.com/

The Strongman Blues Remedy

 

Readying itself as an antidote for the weariness worn on the sleeves of blues music lovers everywhere, a new collective project makes its way to the scene with the Strongman Blues Remedy, Volume 1 —available June 17 via Stony Plain Records.

Conceived by producer, songwriter and artist Steve Strongman, the “collective”  features a veritable who’s who of the blues, including Dawn Tyler Watson, Crystal Shawanda, Steve Marriner, Jesse O’Brien, Alec Fraser, and Harrison Kennedy — who can be heard on the album’s newly released single, “I Like To Ride.”

With seven albums as a solo artist — plus Canada’s JUNO Award, the Mel Brown Blues Award, International Blues Challenge’s Best Guitarist winner, four Maple Blues Awards, and more — deep into his career Strongman is an acclaimed bluesman known for liberally applying swampy swagger and sweetness to shuffles, blues ballads, and four-on-the-floor chuggers alike.  The Strongman Blues Remedy, Volume 1 is the Hamilton, Ontario-based musician’s first time producing, a process he calls “a huge learning curve, but incredibly rewarding.” 

By doing songwriting sessions with a stellar cast of multi-award-winning and -nominated Canadian blues artists, he developed an album that touches on a wide cross-section of experiences and viewpoints. The result is an expansive 10-track album with one overarching message within: the best remedy for the world we’re living in right now is to fill it with music that celebrates life and focuses on the joys of being on the other side.

The Strongman Blues Remedy, Volume 1 is available June 17 via Stony Plain Records. “I Like To Ride (feat. Harrison Kennedy)” is available now.

https://strongmanbluesremedy.com/  

  www.stonyplainrecords.com

 

Kirk Fletcher releases new song

Today acclaimed blues guitarist/singer-songwriter Kirk Fletcher releases the title track from his long awaited seventh studio album, “Heartache By The Pound,” out Friday, July 29. 

The title track conjures a warm spirit with nostalgic lyrics and simmering playing. Produced by Fletcher at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, “Heartache By The Pound” is available now at all DSPs and streaming services. A lyric video accompanies the single’s release.

Listen to “Heartache By The Pound” and watch the lyric video below.

“My family is from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and I remember visiting them as a kid,” he goes on. “My uncle would play Little Milton and Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland. Everyone felt good. The song has the feeling of a summer barbeque in the South. Blues music comforts you. We all go through heartache, but we have people like myself who make music to help us through.”

“Heartache By The Pound” marks Fletcher’s most personal and potent work to date, highlighted by robust vocals, spirited songcraft, and of course, the fiery guitar work that has earned him international acclaim as one of the preeminent bluesmen of the current era. A five-time Blues Music Award-nominee, Fletcher spent much of the pandemic living in Switzerland, writing new songs remotely in partnership with his long-time friend, legendary bassist Richard Cousins (The Robert Cray Band, Van Morrison). 

When the lockdown ended, he headed to the hallowed ground of FAME Studios for three days of sessions, joined by a truly all-star backing band comprised of keyboardist Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Buddy Guy, John Mayall), drummer Terrence F. Clark (Robert Cray, Joss Stone), bass players Travis Carlton (Sara Barellies, Larry Carlton) and Randy Bermudes (The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Charlie Musselwhite), backing vocalist Jade MacRae (Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Barnes), trumpet player Mark Pender (Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul), and saxophonist Joe Sublett (Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band, Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat).

“FAME is the mother church for soul music,” Fletcher says. “It’s the same building where all these fantastic people like Otis Rush and Aretha Franklin have recorded. I wanted the vibe. I needed to bring these songs there.” 

Caroline Parker

 

 

 "I wrote my first song in 2008, and have been jotting down lines in spurts and starts ever since. Most of the time I use real life experiences, using songwriting to revive all sorts of emotions. There are also songs where I completely make up the entire story line, allowing myself to just let go and dream for an afternoon! (Its a Great Escape!)  

I am quite isolated on a farm in the middle of cattle country in western Canada. My daily interactions are with my husband and four young children, and my husband`s parents. Thank goodness for the internet, to allow for more visiting! I am always busy with cooking and cleaning and laundry and have a big garden each summer, preserving much of our food, and cooking (almost) every meal from scratch (if you need a recipe, just ask!).

It`s difficult to find any stretch of time to concentrate, but as my friend Tammy says, you can`t get diamonds without pressure. While I am sometimes overwhelmed with simple daily tasks, I find that my mind can often find a glimmer of a small crack, and squeezes out something refreshing, creative, and beautiful, through words and melody.

It`s a beautiful thing, this world."

CAROLINE PARKER.

https://www.carolineparkemusic.com

David A. Tobin

 

When covering a classic hit song, the tricky part is, how do you keep the integrity of the song but make it your own?

International Soul Artist, David A. Tobin and Rob Hardt of SedSoul Records have found that perfect balance on their cover version & new single of Spandau Ballet's 1983, 'TRUE'.

The genius of a great producer is to keep what you love about the song and add just enough to make the artist shine by what they bring to the table. Mr. Hardt did exactly that by keeping the sexy pop that the original has but adding a soulful edge...

Enter David A. Tobin's soulful vocals with just enough tenderness and respect. They have added some new backing vocals that you would swear are on the original, but it's their 'original' take that makes this sumptuous, glorious celebration of the song yet a new perspective that is a Soulful lament for all the right reasons.

This is SedSoul, Rob Hardt and David A. Tobin taking the soulfulness we have expected from them and working outside the box to craft a luminous recrafting of pop royalty into Soulful Nobility!!! This is sure to take David A. Tobin to a new audience around the world and extend Rob Hardt's indelible mark on the reshaping of Soul Music.

Something old, Something borrowed Something new and something so...............'TRUE'

  https://www.facebook.com/david.a.tobin

Jay Douglas

 

If you have a hankering for soulful blues and big band swing, then reggae icon Jay Douglas is the perfect choice of sweet, sweet symphony with his newest single, “I’m In Love With You” – available now!

  

Following the release of a string of reggae singles, including “Stone In Love With You,” “Muschange,” and “Pattidemic,” Jay Douglas slows things down and takes a stroll down the bass line to deliver a smashing blues single – “I’m In Love With You.”

  

Jay Douglas has always had a strong connection with blues and jazz, which shows throughout this icon’s catalog. What makes “I’m In Love With You” special is its ability to transport the listener to a time when big bands were the norm and warmly embraced. Warm brass swells and slick guitar riffs draw the listener in, reminiscent of the appeal of jazz bars back in the 60s.

  

“I’m In Love With You” is brimming with rich layers of instrumentation – even on multiple listens it’s hard to narrow a definitive list. That’s always been the appeal of Jay Douglas, and he doubles down on this musical prowess here in his newest single. 

  

With guest features from Hammond organs and Leslie cabinets, they are appropriately accompanied by jazz piano movements by walking bass lines; the whole track feels cinematic in its magnitude.

  

“Many years ago, a promoter allowed me to put a band together for a famous blues singer from the USA whose name is Roscoe Gordon. His music is one of the main reasons we're enjoying Reggae music today. Working with Roscoe gave me so much inspiration for my blues recordings. “I'm in Love With You” was produced by the Maestro Eddie Bullen – lending to that blues style.”

  

Jay Douglas’ ability to connect with listeners and paint a picture with his lyrics is truly something special and always humbling. Growing up in Jamaica, Douglas was drawn to blues, jazz, gospel, country, mento, and calypso styles of music early on. He draws much of his inspiration from this love affair he has with these genres and writes music he loves that he believes will love him back. 

  

“Writing my music gives me a platform to share the truth and experience of my musical journey with others. The idea behind my music is all about the truth, and good vibrations for our souls. Just moving and grooving. The connections between me, my instruments, bandmasters, and collaborators - it's a love affair under one foundation to share with the younger generations who are the gems of the future.”

  

Jay Douglas found his introduction to the limelight in Montego Bay, Jamaica. From there, his natural charisma and irresistible charm have led to a successful and continuing 45+ year career in entertainment, through which he has developed a passion for American Blues, West Indian Rhythms, and Jazz Standards. 

  

Douglas’ tactile and impactful performances are the reason he was announced the winner of NOW Magazine’s “Toronto’s Best R&B Act” in 2006 and Toronto Reggae Awards “Male Reggae Vocalist Of The Year” in 2007. These accolades drew the attention of Seattle-based Light In The Attic, choosing Douglas as the Headliner of the “From Jamaica to Toronto” tour. 

  

More recently, Douglas was nominated for “Reggae Recording of the Year” at the 2012 JUNO Awards and was the recipient of “G98.7 FM Entertainment Award” at the Harry Jarome Awards. His most recent nomination was for his collaboration with General Trees on “Jah Children,” receiving his second JUNO nomination during 2020. 

  

Jay Douglas’ connection to his homeland has been the foundation of his career, which has led Douglas’ to form lifelong friendships and musical collaborations with many of the founding musicians of ska, rock steady, and reggae. His upcoming single teasing his new album is set to feature a collaboration with one of his old friends, the legendary guitarist Ernest Ranglin.

 

 https://linktr.ee/jaydouglasmusic

Durham County Poets

 

There’s no stopping anyone with the right attitude and some ambition and, for Canadian powerhouse blues band Durham County Poets, the drive to get “Back at the Groove Shack” after our pandemic pause is creatively evident with this, their soulful new single and album, Out of the Woods — both available now! 

  

While we all hunkered down for the long haul of COVID, DCP lead vocalist and songwriter Kevin Harvey knew that the time was right to get working on new music that could have the power to uplift and inspire just when we all perhaps need it the most. 

  

“The idea was for it to be a positive, uplifting experience for all involved — creators and listeners,” notes Harvey.

  

The result of this experience? The band’s fifth album, Out of the Woods, produced by Bill Garrett; the smooth, funky, and smile-worthy title track is the lead single that introduces the new collection in both style and substance.

 

From the one-word vocal intro of “alright”, the album’s title track, “Out of the Woods,” takes us down a path heading straight for the light at the end of the tunnel. Along the way, there’s continuous, rhythmic reassurance that everything is indeed going to be alright. 

  

“The number one inspiration for the single ‘Out of the Woods’ was my mother,” says Harvey. “She has always been a rock and the kind of mom that has the ability to set you straight! Get me off my high horse and or kick my behind if I start feeling sorry for myself, and always with love.”

  

We ain’t home yet but we’re out of the woods

Come on now, take a look at this world and start acting like we know we should

  

DCP has a lot to live up to and surpass after scoring a 2020 JUNO nomination for Best Blues Album of the Year for their fourth record, Hand Me Down Blues, and watching it stay on Roots Music Report’s Top 50 chart in Canada for more than 12 months. The album also received two Maple Blues Awards nominations and a Canadian Folk Music Awards nomination for Kevin Harvey.

  

While Harvey is the voice out front, Durham County Poets are a “band in the truest sense of the word,” they share. 

  

“Every member writes and arranges and brings something unique to the table,” says Harvey. “You’ll hear a variety of genres and a broad range of styles.” Those DCP members are David Whyte on guitar and backing vocals, Neil Elsmore on guitar and backing vocals, Carl Rufh on bass and backing vocals, and Rob Couture on drums.

  

“The guys in the band wrote songs that bolster that positive uplifting vibe, it’s peppered all over the album,” he continues. “Even when the content is somewhat sobering and can be a tad weighty, the end result is relevance and beauty, and a bit of humour never hurt nobody either.”

  

Positivity, forward-thinking, and passion are the key drivers for bandleader Kevin Harvey, who has been in a wheelchair since 1981 after what he calls a “stupid accident.“ He sees it as just one experience among many in his life and will not allow it to define or confine him. With the grace of God, the collective power of the band, and the slowly changing views of society towards the disabled, DCP has been able to realize some of the hopes and aspirations they all have as musicians. Harvey sums it up with his personal motto, “Music is a precious gift too important not to be shared.”

  

The belief in and celebration of that precious gift has been palpable when the band has fired up at key festivals such as Ottawa Blues, Rochester Jazz, Montréal Folk, Deep Roots Nova Scotia, Wintergrass Seattle, Port Credit, Ontario’s Southside Blues Shuffle, and the Pop-up “Superfolk” in Morin Heights, QC. 

  

The positive power that a DCP show can have was observed by Bill Hurley of Extended Play Sessions when he wrote, "There's something about the Durham County Poets that leaves you feeling that everything might be OK in the world after all. There's a human spirit that lives in these people and their music is the medium that allows that spirit to roam free."

 

In the coming months, the Durham County Poets will be sharing that spirit with enthralling performances increasing their usual five members to seven with a horn section. They’ll be hitting stages throughout Québec and Ontario and in the U.S. in New England and New York State in support of their fifth album Out of the Woods. Visit durhamcountypoets.com for dates.