Jon Sudbury

 

After  getting  hooked  on  the  music  of  AC/DC,  Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, The Faces and The
Rolling Stones, Jon Sudbury got  his first guitar aged 13, immediately formed his first  band and  was gigging within 6 months. Having been in many bands over the years and playing all over the world, in 2013 he started as guitarist with Nashville roots rocker Stacie Collins, touring Europe extensively and writing and recording with her. In March 2020, covid struck and stopped all touring so he got stuck into writing more for his own release which has now taken a more prominent role after the sudden tragic death of Al Collins, band leader and husband of Stacie Collins. 

This upcoming album for SWND Records draws heavily on Jon’s early influences of 70’s rock
and also features leanings.

 https://www.facebook.com/JonSudbury/

November 2nd

 

November 2nd was formed in the late 1990s in Hranice and has had successful concerts in Europe and the USA. They jumped ahead of such stars as Alanis Morissette, Suzanne Vega, Spin Doctors, Bryan Adams or David Gahan. They made a great debut with their debut Midnight Desert, for which they were nominated for the APH Anděl award in the "Discovery of the Year" category and won the Report magazine's Ladder Poll. Little Miss Behavin' & the Troublemakers' second album earned nominations at the Óčko TV station's annual awards in the "Best Domestic Singer" and "Best Domestic Pop" categories. So far, the famous singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega helped the band with the last album Night Walk with Me. On her recommendation, Chad Blake was in charge of the final mix. The experienced producer and multiple Grammy award winner is signed to the best albums of Paul McCartney, Black Keys, Peter Gabriel, Sheryl Crow, Pearl Jam and Tom Waits.

 http://www.november2nd.net/

Unsu

 

Unsu is a belgian songwriter (Wim) working together with Ukranian singer (Kate).
We released different singles already.

Song "Hills of Hope" is about a young girl who is rejected by other children and therefor she creates her own fantasty world where she lives in harmony with trees, flowers and animals. But still hopes to be accepted by humans.

"Hills of Hope" is about a young girl who is rejected by other children and therefore she creates her own fantasy world where she lives in harmony with trees, flowers and animals. But still hopes to be accepted by humans.

 https://open.spotify.com/artist/3oUYSXcx82YllWC1WwBLH7

 

Aynsley Lister

 

Aynsley Lister is one of the UK’s hottest contemporary blues guitarists – many consider him to be among the best in the world. His unique brand of blues-based rock delivers contemporary song writing fueled with the kind of heart and soul that’s missing from so much modern music.  Whether passionately writing and recording his own material or mesmerising audiences at his live shows, one thing is abundantly clear: music is hard-wired to his DNA and flows from his fingertips like sonic bolts of lightning. With over 100,000 albums sold, lashings of critical acclaim and years of high profile touring, Lister’s resumé speaks for itself and firmly secures his position as a leading light in the resurgence of British blues-infused music.

In hindsight, it’s clear Aynsley was born to be a musician.  As a child he was hypnotised by his dad’s old guitar and at the age of eight was finally gifted his very own.  The moment he held that first six-string the outcome was inevitable; he was going to be a guitarist.  Blessed with the coolest dad in town, regularly spinning Hendrix, Cream, Fleetwood Mac and a whole host of bewitching blues for his spellbound son, Aynsley taught himself to play with relentless dedication and a precociously attuned ear, spending hours copying his favourite records note for note.  Peter Green, Albert King, Clapton and Kossoff weren’t just his heroes; they became his teachers.

 https://www.aynsleylister.co.uk

Ann-Kristin Dørdal

 

Ann-Kristin Dørdal has been playing around the country for many years, with several different bands. She went solo in 2015, releasing two singles in 2015, 2 singles in 2016, and the album "Shape Up" in 2018. New single May 21. She started her "career" as a 3-year-old in musical kindergarten, through her parents' country record collection and music and revs at school. Has since then been true to the genre, even though the genre was little IN in the 80-90s. 

She has played both domestically, and in Sweden and Spain. She has shared scenes with Bobby Bare and the Bellamy Brothers, and others. She has recently had one of the lead roles in a Norwegian musical. She has done interviews in both domestic and foreign radio stations. NO 1 with “Someone else is gonna get it”, and “album of the month” The music is now being presented worldwide. 

Nominated for “The red carpet awards” (Holland) 2020, in the following categories: Amazing female voice Blues original (which she won), Amazing female voice Traditional cover, Amazing female voice Country rock, Amazing female voice modern country original, and Amazing female voice Traditional original. The award show took place November 7th 2020. New nominations for 2021. 

The Red Carpet Award Show will take place in August 2021. Top 10 in The Netherlands, Top 15 in South Africa, and more You find the music where you stream your music (spotify, youtube and more)

 http://www.annkristindordal.no/

The Rivers

 

Indie rock band, The Rivers, have relentlessly gigged their way from South Wales, from their formation in 2015, to now playing across the UK, highlights being on This Feeling’s bill and supporting the best of the upcoming bands to Headlining their own shows.

 

2 Eps – ‘Life in General’ (2019) & ‘Long Road From Nowhere’ (2021) have only helped gain them a reputation for relatable & classic indie songwriting guaranteed to get people moving. 

 

As of March 2022 the rivers signed with independent Swansea based label SWND Records and are excited to to release their first single ‘Mindfield’ with the help of SWND Media. 

 

 https://www.facebook.com/TheRiversUK/

Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch

Based out of Dallas, TX, "Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch" is an original high-energy trio that blends hard-hitting rock, jump/swing blues, vintage soul/r&b, and traces of 60’s country into a unique-but-familiar sound that maintains the essence of American roots music while simultaneously offering a fresh take on its various genres and sounds. Jason Elmore is uncommonly seamless in his ability to tailor his performance to suit the venue and demographic, without compromising the integrity of the band’s mission, which is to give 110% with every single performance, whether performing for a crowd of 2 or 2,000.

Having grown up with an obsession for all genres of western music, Elmore is remarkable in his ability to appeal to fans of any type of music with his virtuoso-level guitar playing, soulful and powerful old-school vocals, and keen sense of songwriting. It is common to see an artist excel at one of those three things, but Jason is uncanny in his ability to express himself with an original and unique voice as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. All one needs to do is watch him play live one time in order to have a good understanding of how all of these different genres of music have a common thread when it comes to eliciting an emotional response from the listener and taking them to that special place where only the music exists and the troubles of the world are temporarily put on hold.

Most recently, the band released a live concert film called ‘Live From Planet Earth’ on DVD and BluRay. Filmed in HD, it is a 140-minute long live concert of original material (including two new songs). This show captured the band at the top of their game at a beautiful venue in McKinney, Texas from 2017. It’s currently only available right here in our online store, and of course, at any live show.The band released their 3rd full album, titled ‘Champagne Velvet’ in September 2016 on the Underworld Records label. The album debuted at #13 on the Billboard Blues Charts, #3 on the Roots Music Report blues charts, and held the #1 chart position on the Texas music chart for 6 consecutive weeks! It is currently receiving international acclaim and airplay, as is the band's 2010 album “Upside Your Head” and 2013’s “Tell You What”, all of which showcase the band's eclectic sound and versatility. In October 2017, the Dallas Observer named Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch "best blues act" in their 'Best Of Dallas' series and the band was also voted "best blues act" at the Dallas Observer Music Awards in 2012. However, this is not a blues act in the traditional sense of the word. The band's sound is original and eclectic but is at times similar to 70's-era rock such as Cream, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Grand Funk Railroad. They convey a fresh sense of excitement and fire that is uncommon in the contemporary blues scene, effectively making this more of a rock & roll band than a blues act. This is a high-energy act that excels at bringing unrestrained boogie to the party while simultaneously showcasing all 3 band members' mastery of instrument and voice. So get ready to groove with Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch, baby!! These boys can flat GET it!

 https://www.jasonelmore.net

Emily

 

Emily is a singer-songwriter whose songs feature an eclectic mix of musical styles from rock and pop, through to roots and folk. her very distinct, almost contralto voice, carries more than a suspicion of classic female singers like joan armatrading and christine mcvie.

“She's got rhythm, she's got soul, she's got sensitivity, she's just got it.” says Benjamin Zephaniah, writer and poet.

Emily has been involved with music from an early age, playing a selection of instruments from clarinet to drums to acoustic guitar. she played in a few bands as a teenager and only started to write her own songs when she was in her early 20s. this culminated in the debut album which was released in 2015, followed by a five year break after the arrival of her beautiful daughter.
T

he last two years have been a creative roller coaster, starting with a handful of song ideas in late 2020, negotiating a covid world with a mixture of on-line and real-world musical collaborations, and finally getting into the studio to finish off a second album which Emily is rightly proud of!

Weren’t there is the latest single release from Emily’s highly regarded second album and is a wonderful blend of acoustic guitars, drums, cello, piano and, of course her beautiful and distinctive voice! - release date: 12th august 2022.

The album, letting go, was released on the 22nd July 2022.

https://emilybrowne.co.uk/

Bjørn-Helge Kurseth

 

Bjørn-Helge Kurseth is a singer songwriter located in Sykkylven, Norway.

He is born in 1982, and have been doing music for the most part of his life. He plays multiple instruments like piano, guitar, bass and some  drums. He has released 14 singles on all major platforms. He is totally  independent and releasing under his own label, Kurseth records.

 

 https://www.instagram.com/bjornhelgekurseth/

JAM 66 Radio. New site

New website to hear your preferred radio on It or on your favorite player. Enter: http://jamradio.mex.tl

Blues, blues rock and the newest 24 hours a day.

 

Wes Jeans

 

One of the greatest moments in the never-ending evolution of music was the invention of the Blues. From its beginning in the swamps and deltas of the South the Blues has spread throughout the United States planting its roots across the nation. When the Blues found its way to Texas it fueled such legends as Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lightnin Hopkins, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, ZZ Top, as well as Jimmie and Stevie Vaughan. This generation of Texas Blues has unleashed a powerful young guitar slinger; a player that drops the unsuspecting jaw of Blues lovers everywhere; a player some have said "is destined to be a Texas legend - a truly genuine Texas Blues Player"…. Wes Jeans.

Micheal Wesley Jeans was born in the heart of East Texas on January 13, 1981, only fifteen minutes from where legendary Freddie King was born. Wes grew up in a musically-enriched family and showed an interest in performing at a young age. But it wasn't until the age of fifteen that Wes chose his path. He found an old three-string guitar in his closet andbegan learning the beginning riff of "Sunshine of Your Love." Wes' natural ability to learn music by ear and his relentless passion for playing caused an explosion of talent that most beginners only dream of.

In 1996, after only playing nine months, Wes entered the International Jimi Hendrix Competition held in Austin, TX and placed an amazing second among fifteen hundred otheryoung guitar players. Special guest Al Hendrix, father of Jimi Hendrix, told Wes "In my eyes, you won because you played straight from the heart like Jimi!" The dream of playing music for a living, moral support from his family and friends, and the ever-encouraging words of Al Hendrix set this Texas tornado in motion. Soon, Wes was playing area venues and festivals, attracting booking agents and record labels.

In 1999, Wes signed a record contract with Ice House Records of Memphis, Tennessee and began work on his debut album HANDS ON (pictured above). Wes recruited Al Green's bass player and drummer, John Williams and Lloyd Anderson, as well as Albert King's former B-3 player, Gregg Redding, to record at Sam Phillips studio. After being mastered at legendary Ardent Studio, HANDS ON was released in the summer of 2000. It became the highest pre-sale of any Ice House release and reached ..26 on the National Blues Sales Chart. Along with Wes' growing popularity came the demand for new releases. In response, in 2004, Wes and long-time friend and bassist, Syd Hydro, along with drummer Adam Hagerman, recorded a four-song demo (pictured below) at Night Song Studio in Knoxville, TN. The success of the independently-released demo fueled the group to film a live DVD. So, on New Years Day 2005, Wes and his band recorded LIVE AT JUANITAS DVD (pictured below) in Little Rock, Arkansas. This raw footage of Texas style Blues and Jimi Hendrix flare quickly became Wes' number one seller.

Throughout his career, Wes has had the honor of meeting and sharing the stage with many musical greats such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, Billy Gibbons, Dick Dale, Eric Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Lynryd Skynyrd, Robert Cray, Joe Bonamassa, Indigenous, Lance Lopez, Chris Duarte, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, just to name of few. After the October 2003 show opening for B.B. King in Shreveport, Louisiana, Wes' performance received a standing ovation and B.B. asked Wes onto his bus where he told him "Son, you keep your head on straight, you are going places."

Not only has he earned the respect of his peers, he has perked the ears of the media and has been featured by many newspapers, magazines and radio stations throughout the country and Canada. When a poll was done by Guitar Player Magazine in late 2003, readers voted Wes number three among the Young Gun Guitar Players in the nation between Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd(GUITAR PLAYER March 2004). In early September 2005, Wes performed and interviewed for a feature-length documentary that focuses on the guitars musicians have preferred over the past fifty years, Fender and Gibson. This Lightning Lab Production was filmed in the Historic Memphis Brewery and is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2006.

Wes' unrelenting talent and genuine down-to-earth demeanor have won him the favor of many wonderful people, sponsors and endorsements. He continues to gain the admiration of his audience on and off stage. Adding on sponsorships that include GHS Stings, Rivera Amplifiers, Robin Guitars, Svetlana tubes, optic-case, and Seymour Duncan pick-ups. In October 2005, Wes' custom cabinet "The Beast," designed by Wes in conjunction with Mills Acoustics, is to be unveiled in Arlington, Texas at the Annual Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembrance Ride.

In June 2006 Wes released his 2nd studio album "Forest Of The Pine" under Texas Music Records. The album was produced by fellow axe-slayer Lance Lopez and is nothing short of blues/rock perfection. The record showcases Wes' amazing blues guitar prowess and guest stars Memphis' Eric Gales. Wes has followed the album release with touring playing shows with such notables as Eric Johnson, Robert Cray, David Lee Roth, and Indiginous. In August 06' XM Radio-Bluesville picked up "Forest Of The Pine" and has kept it in regular rotation on Stone Blue. Bluesville's Aaron Lee has this to say about "F.O.P"…"This cd kicked my ass! Its one of the best blues/rock cds of 2006!"-Aaron Lee

In January of 2007 "Forest Of The Pine" climbed its way up to the 3rd position on the German Blues Charts.

Wes Jeans is a "true to the Blues" Texas star.

https://www.facebook.com/wesjeans/

Excorde

 

Excorde is a multi-genre resourced rock band with founding members Jimena Arroyo, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Jonnie Cook, from Chicago, USA. They met on SoundCloud six years ago and have been writing songs together ever since.  Their chemistry of composition and production stands out from typical mainstream, and promises to gratify listener's desires to discover something innovative and pass the word along to their friends.  Excorde will never imitate another band, and why should they?  Their creations stand on their own merits.

Musically, Excorde's songs feature broad but cohesive influence of the most desired elements of musical genres, blending rock and pop sensibilities and the savvy of classical and jazz musicianship... to the dominant element of Excorde's passion for inventiveness.  Lyrically, expect to find thoughtful and deeply moving phrasings about experiences in love and life.

Jimena’s emotional voice combined with Jonnie’s distinctive instrumental constructions will transport you to another dimension where catchy choruses, killer guitar riffs, and meaningful lyrics are imbued throughout the listening experience with Excorde.  The spectrum from deeply intimate to powerfully epic is thoroughly explored, captured and rendered, frequently within the dynamic range of a single song.  They feel that, within their music, you will identify with the best of familiar components of these genres, blended seamlessly with a true plethora of new ideas and originality.  Exorde promises you will discover the distinctive identity of their very own making within seconds of listening to every new song they release.

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/excorde/resonected

 https://excordeofficial.wixsite.com/excorde

7-Time Blues Music Award-Winner RORY BLOCK Set to Release Her New Album, Ain't Nobody Worried, October 7 from Stony Plain Records

 

 

In a storied career of many accolades and firsts, celebrated seven-time Blues Music Award-winner Rory Block released perhaps her most-ambitious album yet, with Ain’t Nobody Worried, came October 7^th on Stony Plain Records.  

 

As the third volume of her “Power Women of the Blues Series,” Ain’t Nobody Worried follows the logical course of its predecessors. Produced by Rory Block and Rob Davis for Aurora Productions, Ain’t Nobody Worried was recorded and mixed by Rob Davis at Kentucky Studios, Sandy Hook, Kentucky; and mastered by Toby Mountain of Northeastern Digital. Rory Block sang all the vocals, played all the guitar parts, slide, bass and percussion.

“The inspiration for this recording was born during the dreaded shutdowns,” recalls Rory Block about the album’s genesis. “Being quarantined led us to the idea of Home Broadcasts, which soon blossomed into two concerts per week over two years with an incredible following of viewers from around the world. We were all hungry for togetherness and music and found ourselves clinging to the idea that some form of normalcy still existed, somewhere, almost certainly in music. After covering just about every blues, folk and Old Timey song I ever knew, the idea popped into my head to reach into the iconic songbook of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. That meant music that was on the radio over 50 years ago. It could be called historic, early American music. Viewer requests for their own favorites strengthened and expanded this idea, turning the concerts into a major potpourri of material. It was challenging, satisfying, and inspiring. The consensus was that it was time to hear these incredible songs again. 

“While it was challenging, and I never had enough time to really learn the songs properly, no one minded or expected my acoustic versions to be replicas of the originals. We wanted to remember, celebrate, and cling to the emotions and memories these great songs embodied. We wanted to sing along. We wanted it to be a sentimental journey with an unexpected twist. That’s what this record is all about.

“I started referring to it as ‘The Campfire Sessions.’ That meant ‘Hey, pass me the guitar... lemme try that one!’ I was the person saying pass me the guitar- and that was just alright with everyone.

“In keeping with my latest ongoing project, ‘Power Women of the Blues,’ and inspired by the enthusiasm generated by the Home Concerts, I chose hit songs performed or written by female artists whose music changed the world. I could do multiple volumes easily as there are, as always, just too many great songs to choose from. 

“There will be those who will question why I would decide to do songs by legends such as Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, Mary Wells and others. Why attempt to resurrect such untouchable greatness? I suppose the answer is the same reason I dare to do Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith and other early blues legends. I do not do these songs to create a better version than the original. Those versions are enshrined in the halls of Musical Heaven. I do these songs because I play the music I love the most. Creating new versions honors the original artists. And, as I learned during the Home Concerts, it’s time we thought about these amazing songs again.”

  https://stonyplainrecords.com/roryblock/

Evie Eve

 

Evie Eve is an indie folk singer-songwriter, originally from South Wales now based in Manchester. 

 

Channelling the likes of Laura Marling, Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, Evie eve’s anthemic songs are a rich blend of evocative vocals, dynamic instrumentation and dramatic arrangements. Her ethereal mix of poetic lyrics and memorable melodies creates songs centred around vulnerability, curiosity and wonder. 

 

After two years of writing and producing during lockdown, Evie eve is now joined by a six-piece band, performing and selling out shows around Manchester. Formed late last year, the band focuses on creating a powerful acoustic sound that compliments her soulful vocals and the vibrant melodies heard in both trumpet and violin. Her latest single ‘One for sorrow’ tells a story of loneliness in a unique style that is both melancholic and uplifting. 

 

 https://linkfly.to/304041jAxrQ

 

 

Casey Maunder

 

ªI’ve poured my heart and soul into this album and both musically and lyrically I feel it is a reflection not only of my eclectic influences but also my views on the world around me.  The tracks embody my energy, confidence and unwavering positivity in the face of a world gone mad. This a raw, melodic and fresh guitar album that is unique and stands out from the crowdª.

SWND Records is proud to release the debut album from Swansea rocker Casey Maunder, whose first single for SWDN, Click Me, Swipe Me, Follow Me, Like Me, has caused quite a stir on indie airwaves. 

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 thebest 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/people/Casey-Maunder/100082859078696/

Studebaker John Grimaldi

 

Studebaker John Grimaldi was born in an Italian-American section of Chicago and started playing harmonica at age 7. Under the spell of music he heard on Maxwell Street, Chicago’s famed blues melting pot, Grimaldi began performing as Studebaker John and the Hawks in the ‘70s. The band name referenced the Studebaker Hawk, a car Grimaldi still owns today, and was also intended as a tribute to his friend, J.B. Hutto and the Hawks. John began playing guitar after a life-changing experience of seeing Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers perform. “…Hound Dog started playing, hitting notes that sent chills up and down my spine. He was versatile and powerful and would play rhythm as well as leads. I left there knowing what I wanted to do. I had to play slide guitar.” 

 http://www.studebakerjohn.com/

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears

 

Austin, Texas-based Black Joe Lewis is a contemporary singer and guitarist with a bent toward vintage blues, soul, and R&B. Backed by his band the Honeybears, Lewis draws inspiration from such legendary "shouters" as Howlin' Wolf, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown, as well as smoother crooners like Sam Cooke. Black Joe Lewis released his debut album on Weary in 2007. 

Around the same time, his appearance at Austin's South by Southwest festival garnered increased fan and press support. In 2009, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears released Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! on Lost Highway, produced by Spoon drummer Jim Eno. The band toured relentlessly over the next year before reconvening at Austin's Public Hi-Fi studio with Eno to record the even grittier follow-up, Scandalous. The set contained an appearance by gospel group the Relatives on "You Been Lyin'." Scandalous was released on Lost Highway in March of 2011. In 2013, Vagrant Records released Electric Slave, which was simply credited to Black Joe Lewis. While Lewis was still working with his band, he'd grown tired of the Honeybears tag. 

But Lewis soon discovered that both fans and promoters imagined that its absence meant he was working as a solo act. After taking some downtime, Lewis brought back the Honeybears billing for 2017's Backlash (his first album for INgrooves Music Group), which also found him exploring harder grooves and a stronger rock & roll influence.  

https://www.blackjoelewis.com/

Todd Barrow

 

A chance encounter at Cook Children’s Medical Center is all it took to set Todd Barrow on his mission to revamp classic country with his signature modern twist. One day, an American Idol contestant was slated to perform for the patients at Todd's place of employment, but the audio tech was nowhere to be found. When he heard the call, “Can anybody here run sound?” Todd answered. In walked Texas Music Hall of Fame Honoree Sonny Burgess just as Todd was setting up the live rig, and the two musicians struck up a conversation. Sonny told Todd about his work with Charlie Pride and Randy Travis, and asked Todd if he might lend his technical skills to help build the recording studio sponsored by Garth Brooks and Troy Aikman he that had in the works. This serendipitous encounter yielded a coffee meeting to review the blueprints for the project, and before long, Sonny was meeting Todd for coffee weekly to discuss music. Eventually, he became Todd’s mentor, forever changing the course of Todd’s career.

Now, Todd Barrow is making a name for himself as a country artist to watch. The Texas singer-songwriter has racked up more than a few accolades, from a PRSA Award of Excellence, to an Akademia Award for Best Country Album, and an artist spotlight in Alternative Roots Magazine, American Pride Magazine and AVA Radio. Recently,featured in Red Silk Carpet magazine as chart topping country artist. Performed along side Allison Balson the TV star from Little House On The Prairie! He has appeared on television shows including Good Morning Texas with Jerry Matheny and Texas Music Café on PBS. He’s even shared the stage and studio with some of country music’s heaviest hitters, from CMA musicians in Miranda Lambert’s band to Fort Worth Producer of the Year Bart Rose. But it’s more than just Todd’s success to date that makes him such a compelling country artist. What’s most readily apparent in Todd Barrow’s music is his heart. 

Todd’s music is no country for old men. While he undoubtedly draws his sonic influence from titans like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, his melodies skew modern. He plays almost every instrument, from piano to guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and drums, and the multi-instrumentalist doubles as a songwriter for himself as well as for other artists. “"If I can put a smile on someone’s face through song, well that just means the world to me,” he says. “I try to get to the real heart and soul of a song. To me, it's not just words but a story, and I do my best to portray that with every line. That’s my main draw to country music; the stories, the people, and the sincerity that comes from the heart." 

It’s precisely that heart that has won over audiences around the world. Todd Barrow’s recent single, “The House That Love Built”, co-written with Sonny Burgess, was featured on RightNow TV and was honored by PRSA Fort Worth for its fundraising efforts on behalf of the Ronald McDonald house. He is a big giver to charities and a elite actor with Backstage Casting. Todd was featured in the lineup for Bo’s Extravaganza festival at John Schneider’s Studio, alongside such artists as Kid Rock and Tom Wopat from Dukes of Hazzard. He has received radio airplay from Italy Radio 6.75 for his single “Hot Southern Night”. 

Todd Barrow just released his latest single, “Girl Like You,” he is  hard at work on new music in the studio. Todd is a proud member of the Harry Fox Agency, the Country Music Association, the International Singer-Songwriters Association, the Texas Music Office, BMI, the Fort Worth Songwriters Association, American Music Podcasting, the NSAIDFW Songwriters Association, the Dallas Songwriters Association, the British Country Music Association and the Bayou Country Music Association.

 https://www.toddbarrowmusic.com

Lance Wing

 

Hello, I'm Lance Wing, a songwriter, singer, and entertainer based in the Nashville area. I've been performing music for over 30 years (whoops, I'm telling my age) and writing songs nearly as long. For about 12 of those years I played 5 nights a week in clubs with many one nighters, corporate, and jazz gigs thrown in also. I worked with many of the best players along the coast in Northwest Florida. In Nashville, now I get to work with some of the best players in the world.

I've had songs on five grammy winning albums by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, the "King of Polka". On two of those I had the title cut, 'Let's Polka 'Round' and 'Polka In Paradise'. My songs have been sang by many independent artists as well as Bobby Vinton, T. Graham Brown, Whispering Bill Anderson.

As a recording artist I've put out a number of my songs in the soulful Carolina Beach Music scene, some of which have charted there, including 'Heat', 'To A T', 'Be My Lady', 'Shag Time', 'Haul Off And Love Someone', 'All Done With Me'.

I moved to Nashville in 1992 to further pursue songwriting which I'm still very busy with and I also have a corporate/casino style show that I perform. I grew up listening to the great songs of the 50's, 60's and 70's. Rock, Pop, Country, Rhythm and Blues, Jazzy, Vegas, Easy Listening, whatever. I just love great songs of all styles, so that's what I do. My variety show has songs of all those styles or I have a show called - 'It Happened In Vegas - The Songs, The Singers, The Era, The Place' - featuring songs from back in the heyday of Las Vegas entertainment by many of the great singers like Dean Martin, Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Tom Jones and Elvis.

 https://www.lancewing.com/

Black Merda

 

Black Merda were a funky rock combo with a significant debt to Jimi Hendrix, mixing fuzz-toned, psychedelic blues-rock with folky acoustic passages and contemporary late-'60s soul. Featuring guitarists Anthony and Charles Hawkins, bassist VC Veasey (aka Veesee L. Veasey), and drummer Tyrone Hite, the group got its start in the late '60s after Veasey, Hite, and Anthony Hawkins had spent time in a band called the Soul Agents, backing Edwin Starr and Gene Chandler. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix's Are You Experienced?, they added Anthony's younger brother Charles on second guitar and christened themselves Black Merda. Despite some interest around their Detroit base -- including Norman Whitfield and Eddie Kendricks -- Black Merda signed to Chess, thanks in part to the psychedelic soul eccentric Fugi (aka Ellington Jordan), who they also backed on his Mary, Don't Take Me on No Bad Trip LP for Chess.

Black Merda's self-titled album sounded revolutionary enough, although the bandmembers were disappointed that it didn't reflect their heavy live shows. They then moved to the West Coast to continue playing with Fugi, but returned to Chicago to record a second album. Shortening their name to Mer-Da, the group returned in 1971 with Long Burn the Fire, a funkier outing that bore a likeness to early Funkadelic. The band quickly fizzled out, but over the next three decades, continued record-collector interest in the group eventually resulted in a reunion with Veasey, both Hawkins brothers, and Fugi, although Hite had died in 2004. 

 http://www.blackmerda.net/