Author Archives: glassonyonpr

2019/11/05

New Group RUFFYUNZ Featuring Guest Artists Pat Travers & T.C. Tolliver To Release Debut Album

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

New Group RUFFYUNZ Featuring Guest Artists Pat Travers & T.C. Tolliver To Release Debut Album

Featuring Pat Travers and members of The Plasmatics and Cactus!

RUFFYUNZ is a partnership between Randy Pratt (Cactus/The Lizards), Emmy winning engineer JZ Barrell, and singer Ed Terry and a collection of drum and guitar masters. Guest artists include guitar legend Pat Travers and drummer T.C. Tolliver from The Plasmatics. The songs are mainly about sex, animalistic sex, with a couple of “Dark Dread” numbers thrown in for bad measure.

“Funky, Heavy & Tight” is RUFFYUNZ credo!

Bassist Randy Pratt on bass, pedals and riffs and is best known for his work with The Lizards & Cactus. Singer Ed Terry has sung live with Stevie Wonder, Sister Sledge, John Oates, Sissy Houston, Slash and recorded with John Lennon, Keith Richards, Talking Heads, Simply Red, Little Steven, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, David Lee Roth, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner! JZ Barrell handles recording, engineering, mixing and arranging…he earns his writing credits. Jesse Berlin is the band’s “go-to-first guitarist” usually and helps set a bedrock with embellishments.

The band’s concept is to use “known” drummers and guitarists as guests on their records. Once the guest guitarist has done his or her thing, Jesse trades solos with them…and he really throws down the gauntlet, as he SHREDS!!

Says Randy, “The songs are written bass/drums first, creating a lot of grooves and BIG RIFFS. From decades of reading Bass Player magazine, it seems most song writing bassists don’t write on bass…so I hope that gives us a bit of a unique vibe….plus my ever growing collection of uncommon effect pedals, not intended for bass, influence the way I play and the stuff I come up with. After the sessions, my partner JZ Barrell arranges the music into more  defined song form. Usually, Ed Terry writes his vocals and lyrics, quickly, and records them at his home studio. Amazingly, it seems like we go with his first takes 90% of the time! Also, he writes most of his vocals to bass and drums, which is ‘different’, too, isn’t it? Josh and I produce the records. Then guitar is added to make the compositions come alive, searching for that sweet spot where James Brown and Black Sabbath collide.”

RUFFYUNZ next record is in the works now with and exciting new cast of guest players!

Listen to RUFFYUNZ new album: https://soundcloud.com/user-322817446/sets/ruffyunz-1

To purchase: genius@optonline.net

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in Press Release, Ruffyunz

2019/11/04

Gentle Giant Members Reunite To Unbox “Unburied Treasure” Limited Edition 30-Disc Box Set

By glassonyonpr

Gentle Giant Members Reunite To Unbox Unburied Treasure Limited Edition 30-Disc Box Set

Limited Edition 30-Disc Box Set Released December 6, 2019

Authorised by all band members

Madfish proudly present the ultimate box set of Gentle Giant music – Unburied Treasure. Highly regarded in the prog-rock world for the 12 albums they released between 1970 and 1980, this comprehensive set sees the band’s catalogue augmented by 15 new concert albums: seven never previously released, seven never previously officially released and one never previously released on CD. The 30-disc total also includes two posthumous live/outtake albums and a Blu-ray bonus disc. Also included are books, posters, replica promotional items and much more.

Unburied Treasure will be released on 6th December and is limited to 2000 copies. Fans can pre-order it from here now: https://madfish.lnk.to/GGunburiedtreasure

Gentle Giant members – Malcolm Mortimore, Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman & Gary Green – reunited to unbox the first-ever copy of Unburied Treasure in front of fans at the 20th anniversary of GORGG (Global On-Reflection Giant Gathering) in New Jersey, USA, October 2019.

Watch the band also reminisce over photos, albums, performances and memorabilia: https://youtu.be/5L6kwOdTjHA

Giant emerged from the ashes of chart hitmakers Simon Dupree and the Big Sound to become standard-bearers of the Seventies progressive movement. Their career often paralleled Genesis, their neighbours in the record racks, but while they frequently fought shy of commerciality – largely due to their pop past – and paid the price in sales terms, their uncompromising attitude won them a strong following in continental Europe.

They also enjoyed cult status in the States. When Frank Zappa was asked in 1978 who he was currently listening to, he namechecked Queen and Gentle Giant. (Coincidentally, Roy Thomas Baker not only engineered Giant’s earliest sessions but went on to produce the iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody”.)

Strictly limited to 2,000 copies, this lavishly presented collection is clad in Bob Venables’ new artwork, based on the iconic sleeve created by illustrator and Bowie alumnus George Underwood for the band’s Vertigo label debut in 1970. That full album has been remixed for this release’s Blu-ray disc by prolific rock musician Steven Wilson, whose reputation for remixing prog-rock classics in recent years is second to none. The remix is available in high resolution 96/24 Stereo LPCM, 96/24 5.1 surround LPCM and DTS-HD 5.1 surround mixes, and the instrumental mixes for every track are also included.

The foundation of the set is the dozen albums officially released during Gentle Giant’s 11 years as a recording act – but, for all their studio skills, Giant’s musical abilities were given freest rein on stage. Yet only one live album, 1977’s double vinyl Playing The Fool, was issued in their lifetime, so fans will be in seventh heaven at the prospect of 15 unreleased sets. Covering almost every period of the band’s existence, they allow the individual members’ multi-instrumental abilities to be appreciated to their fullest extent.

Arrangements were changed and refined from tour to tour, including many segues and medleys, so these concert recordings offer year-by-year evidence of the band’s progression. All the music, live and studio, has been remastered by Pete Reynolds, acclaimed for his work on the Wishbone Ash box of 2018.

The audio experience is enhanced by a magnificent 136-page coffee table book. This combines rare photographs and memorabilia with a painstakingly researched history by Alan Kinsman. A fan for 45 years, he has achieved the near impossible by interviewing all members of the band in depth, including Phil Shulman who left brothers Derek and Ray to pilot the band in 1973 after providing much of the initial impetus. The result is a must-read that will unlock many mysteries, clear up misunderstandings and finally give the music the context it deserves.

Also exclusive to this limited-edition set are:

A band photo signed by the classic line-up of Derek Shulman, Ray Shulman, Gary Green, Kerry Minnear and John Weathers.

An exclusive 96-page tour history book compiled by Jack Skelly offering informed commentary on the live recordings, set lists, on-the-road memorabilia and more.

Two replica posters, one from Giant’s debut gig in 1970 and the other promoting 1974’s classic The Power And The Glory album.

Replicas of album giveaway items: the Playing The Fool LP booklet (included with the initial pressing only) and the Giant For A Day mask.

A replica of the jigsaw used to promote the Missing Piece album.

The chance to win a reproduction of Giant’s rarest ever piece of memorabilia – a screen-printed mirror produced to promote The Power And The Glory; only 100 were originally created. A golden ‘missing piece’ included at random in one box set may be traded in by the lucky winner for this coveted item.

For too long prog-rock’s best-kept secret, Gentle Giant finally achieved wider recognition in 2015, upsetting the odds to scoop Prog magazine’s coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. Two years later, their home city of Portsmouth honoured their achievements both as a band and individually by inducting them into the Hall of Fame at the Guildhall; Derek went on to become a leading record-business figure, Ray a noted producer. Unburied Treasure is further recognition that this was a band ahead of its time, and one whose unwillingness to compromise has ultimately enhanced its legacy.

“Giant always set out to have a good time and to make sure the audience had a good time,” says drummer John Weathers. “We’d always go on and see if we could play better than we did the night before. I can’t wait to see this definitive box set.”

Derek Shulman would “like Gentle Giant to be remembered as a group with integrity. It wasn’t done for any other reason than simply being together playing music and challenging ourselves to be better. We hated compromise, and we had a lot of integrity in terms of what the music was about.”

For fans of quality progressive rock, Unburied Treasure is the motherlode.

Watch the Unburied Treasure trailer here: https://youtu.be/xlGEKIAyVJo

Pre-order the box set here: https://madfish.lnk.to/GGunburiedtreasure

Media link – Sleeve, logo, promo photo and box set content image: https://www.madfishmusic.com/media/gentlegiant/

Twitter: @GGIANTMUSIC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gentlegiantband/
Instagram: @gentlegiantband

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in Gentle Giant, Press Release

2019/10/31

BLACK CAT 6 Featuring Guitarist Neil Citron Release First Single “Don’t Hesitate” On Oct. 31, 2019

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

BLACK CAT 6 Featuring Guitarist Neil Citron Release First Single “Don’t Hesitate” On Oct. 31, 2019

Declassified Records is proud to announce the first single from their newest artist BLACK CAT 6 entitled “Don’t Hesitate” will be released on Halloween, October 31, 2019 to all major digital music outlets. Black Cat 6 was formed in August of 2019 and features Grammy winning musician/producer Neil Citron on guitars, keyboards and vocals, Luke Fattore on drums and Jon Pomplin on bass guitars.

“Don’t Hesitate” is the first single from the upcoming Black Cat 6 album “Scratching My Itch” due for international release from Declassified Records in November 2019. The music touches on the best of blues, prog, fusion and metal, with a contemporary edge that’s provided in part by the addition of an 8 string electric guitar. Classic yet modern, with a groove satisfying to music fans of all ages and tastes.

After relocating to Nevada, Neil Citron began doing sessions with drummer Luke Fattore on various recording projects both as a guitarist and producer/engineer. Immediately they hit it off and following the successful release of his latest album with “BangTower” and plans to tour on temporary hold, Neil began recording some basic tracks with Luke for a couple songs he’d recently written that were more vocal based rock. It became apparent very quickly this new music was something special. They enlisted bassist and label owner Jon Pomplin and the songs were added to and finished within a few weeks.

“Don’t Hesitate” was engineered, mixed and mastered by producer Neil Citron at Hidden Fortress Studios, Las Vegas and will be available 10/31/19 on all major Digital music outlets including Amazon, CD-Baby, BandCamp, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube and others.

The new Single is officially released and can be found at the following locations:

CD-BABY – https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/blackcat61
BANDCAMP – https://blackcat61.bandcamp.com/releases
APPLE MUSIC – https://music.apple.com/…/a…/dont-hesitate-single/1484586618
SPOTIFY – https://open.spotify.com/artist/6tp8PFFiljBxx1KYh2NfEO
AMAZON MUSIC – https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Hesitate-Black-Cat-6/dp/B07ZJPXQ8X

For more information on Black Cat 6:
Face Book – www.facebook.com/blackcat6band
Official Website – www.blackcat6.com
Declassified Records – www.declassifiedrecords.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in Black Cat 6, Press Release

2019/10/30

Blues-Rock Guitarist Chantel McGregor Releases New Live Album “Bury’d Alive”

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Blues-Rock Guitarist Chantel McGregor Releases New Live Album “Bury’d Alive”

Chantel McGregor has released her highly anticipated new live album “Bury’d Alive” which is available on CD and digital download.

Chantel and her band recorded “Bury’d Alive” at the prestigious venue, The Apex in Bury St Edmunds, UK on the 29th of March 2019. Being one of Chantel’s favourite venues, The Apex seemed the obvious place to record her first live album.

“Bury’d Alive” brings together tracks from her first two albums, “Lose Control” and “Like No Other”, together with crowd favourite, the anthemic track “April” which is only available on this album, all played by a power trio, with no studio trickery or multiple night recordings, this is exactly the excitement and performance as it was on the night!

Produced, mixed and mastered by Wayne Proctor of House of Tone at Superfly Studios, the album was sure to sound incredible and capture the night as it was, a night and album to remember.

Watch the album preview here:  https://youtu.be/1sr2fmUEx30

About Chantel McGregor:
‘Up next was someone I have seen before, Yorkshire’s very own Chantel McGregor. Her shy, “girl next door”, off stage persona combined with her soft spoken Yorkshire accent belie the power and energy of her performance on stage. Chantel didn’t become a professional musician by accident.

She’s been performing live gigs since the age of 12, schooled at a music college and achieved a First Class Honours Degree in Popular Music. Along with her current band members, Colin Sutton on bass and Thom Gardner on drums, they form an awesome power trio playing an eclectic mix of blues based tunes, composed by Chantel, ranging from traditional blues numbers complimented perfectly by the purity of her singing voice, to a much more raunchy blues rock style.

And boy, can that girl play guitar! With several complicated solos she proved that she can shred with the best of them as her and her guitar became one. I know that there were plenty of people there at the Blues Stage to see Ritchie Kotzen later that day, Chantel included, however I was left completely mesmerised and for me, Chantel was guitarist of the festival.’

For more information: https://www.chantelmcgregor.com/

To purchase Chantel McGregor’s “Bury’d Alive”:
https://www.chantelmcgregor.com/
Amazon EU – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Buryd-Alive-Chantel-McGregor/dp/B07X58NH4J/ref=sr_1_1
Amazon USA – https://www.amazon.com/Buryd-Alive-Chantel-McGregor/dp/B07X58NH4J/ref=sr_1_1
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/gb/album/buryd-alive/1480855158

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in Chantel McGregor, Press Release

2019/10/29

District 97 Announce the Release of New Studio Album “Screens” – OUT NOW!

By glassonyonpr

District 97 Announce the Release of New Studio Album Screens – OUT NOW!

DISTRICT 97 is undoubtedly the most musically adventurous rock band in the world to feature an American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. For over a decade, this quintet from Chicago has melded an adventurous instrumental prowess with the look, sound, and stage presence of Leslie Hunt.

Bill Bruford on Screens: “It’s almost intimidatingly skilful; tremendous refinement on previous work – you’re doing what you do only better. Great recording sound.”

Mike Portnoy: “District 97 continue to prove to be one of the most unique bands in modern Prog!”

Through world tours and a stream of studio and live releases, the band has garnered a worldwide fan base; collaborating with the late John Wetton and drawing praise from numerous rock luminaries along the way.

“Screens retains the essential elements of the District 97 sound, while also incorporating fresh, exciting influences” the band says. “The synergy of the new lineup is well beyond what we could have expected. We’re so excited for everyone to embark on this next chapter of District 97.”

District 97 will celebrate the Screens CD Release in Chicago at Martyrs’ on Wednesday, 11/13. Tickets available at http://www.martyrslive.com/wed-nov-13-8pm-12.

Look for Spring 2020 dates with Prog/Fusion masters Brand X to be announced soon.

A video for one of the new compositions “Sheep” can be seen here: https://youtu.be/Zut3IONmZXE

Screens and its accompanying live show are their most ambitious effort to date.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

The album can be bought/streamed digitally here: http://district97.net/news/screens-now-available

The CD is OUT NOW and available here: https://geni.us/D97004CD

For more information: http://www.district97.net/shows

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in District 97, Press Release

2019/10/28

Magma’s Simon Goubert Releases New Album “NOUS VERRONS…”

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Magma’s Simon Goubert Releases New Album “NOUS VERRONS…”

Featuring Stella Vander of Magma!

The voice has always been part of Simon Goubert’s life.

First, in the theater background of his childhood, it was spoken in all its forms. Sometimes whispered, other times recited, in the end it was always applauded.

Then it was sung. Whether divine when illuminating György Ligeti’s Lux Aeterna, velvety as Billie Holiday’s or husky like Tina Turner’s, the voice has always transported Simon Goubert… all the way to his meeting Magma.

His ten years collaborating with Christian Vander, whose music revolves around voices, have taught him to fine-tune this very special instrument.

Throughout his career, Simon Goubert has always used the voice, be it singular or plural, subtle or orchestral. But for this album, the musician wanted the voices to be front and center: Stella Vander giving life to Pierre-Michel Sivadier’s lyrics, Annie Ebrel elevating Breton poems and, finally, American rapper and slam poet Mike Ladd.

The instrumentalists are also an eclectic group of kindred spirits, first-rate artists met by Simon Goubert over the decades.

These musicians, whom Simon has always admired, excitedly embarked on this new journey with him. To succeed in this unprecedented adventure, these performers and improvisers have pooled together all of their know-how.

Gathered around Simon Goubert, these artists form an extraordinary band with Michel Edelin (flutes), Vincent Lê Quang (saxophones), Sylvain Kassap (clarinets), Sophia Domancich (piano), Emmanuel Bex (organ) and Hélène Labarrière (double bass).

With all of those talents combined, Simon Goubert has delivered his most beautiful album: the one that most resembles him.

Watch the album trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7Mu5Wk4RXc

To order: https://www.seventhrecords.com/en/catalogue-ex-tension-33/simon-goubert-nous-verrons–1290.html

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in Magma, Press Release, Simon Goubert

2019/10/25

“The Fall: Box of Ten #2” with Free Bonus Disc “Cork 21st July 2012” Now Available For Pre-order

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

“The Fall: Box of Ten #2” with Free Bonus Disc “Cork 21st July 2012” Now Available For Pre-order

The Fall were an English post-punk band, formed in 1976 in Prestwich, Greater Manchester. They underwent many line-up changes, with vocalist and founder Mark E. Smith as the only constant member.

First associated with the late 1970s punk movement, the Fall’s music has always pushed & challenged boundaries, with Mark. E. Smith at the helm on and off stage, the band has always been characterised by an abrasive, repetitive guitar-driven sound and tense bass and drum rhythms, along with Smith’s caustic lyrics, described by critic Simon Reynolds as “a kind of Northern English magic realism that mixed industrial grime with the unearthly and uncanny, voiced through a unique, one-note delivery somewhere between amphetamine-spiked rant and alcohol-addled yarn.”

The Fall have been called “the most prolific band of the British post-punk movement.” From 1979 to 2017, they released thirty-two studio albums. They were long associated with BBC disc jockey John Peel, who championed them from early on in their career and described them as his favourite band, famously explaining, “they are always different; they are always the same.” Earlier this year, Smith died at the age of 60, effectively putting an end to the group.

No other band in the world can touch The Fall’s magnificence and sheer volume, which are captured here in ‘Box of Ten #2’. Issued on Cog Sinister, The Fall’s official label, and following on from the “Set of Ten”

This is a limited-edition set (only 500 units) of 11 discs of previously unreleased live recordings, spanning three decades. The earliest recording taken from 1984 and the most recent 2014.

Includes free bonus disc The Fall – Live in Cork 2012.

Each limited edition box set contains:
The Fall – Live in Hanover 1984
The Fall – Live from New York Tramps 1984
The Fall – Live in Motherwell 1996
The Fall – Live in Edinburgh 2001
The Fall – Live at the Manchester MOHU 2009
The Fall – Live in Newcastle 2011
The Fall – Live in Leeds 2012
The Fall – Live in Cork 2012
The Fall – Live in Nantes 2013
The Fall – Live in Dublin 2013
The Fall – Live in Nimes 2014
The Fall – Live in Nimes 2014

Release date 1st December 2019

To pre-order: https://www.musicglue.com/cog-sinister/products/the-fall-box-of-ten-number-2-with-free-bonus-disc-cork-21st-july-2012

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in Press Release, The Fall

2019/10/24

Prog Ensemble Potter’s Daughter to Release Holiday Inspired Track “This Winter’s Child”

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Prog Ensemble Potter’s Daughter to Release Holiday Inspired Track “This Winter’s Child”

NYC – Art Rock & Jazz Folk Fusion artist Potter’s Daughter to release holiday-themed single “This Winter’s Child” on November 1st, 2019! The single will be available both digitally, and as a CD single for the band’s debut on MRR, the single made its debut during pre-sales at this year’s ProgStock.

Potter’s Daughter was formed in New York City while Dyanne Potter Voegtlin was studying classical piano performance at the Manhattan School of Music. A pupil of Robert Goldsand and Mike Longo, Dyanne searched for the marriage of classical theory and virtuosity with the freedom and innovation of jazz both in study and performance. Together with a rotating group of masters from many schools of music, Dyanne performed regularly in New York City, as well as in north-eastern Pennsylvania.

Now, together with long-time friend, Amit Chatterjee, (producer, arranger, and guitarist), and Ian C. Voegtlin (composer, bassist, guitarist, and saxophonist), they are looking forward to releasing their second single, “This Winter’s Child.” This single returns to the acoustic and eclectic sound of their debut album, “The Blind Side.”

Featuring beautiful virtuosic piano and haunting vocal melodies, “This Winter’s Child” is indicative of the Progressive Folk style of Potter’s Daughter’s vocal music. Potter’s Daughter’s unique mix of Progressive Folk vocal music and instrumental Prog/Fusion makes them one of today’s most interesting new artists!

Recording and Production Info:
“This Winter’s Child”
Featuring Ian C. Voegtlin: Bass and Guitar
Dyanne Potter Voegtlin: Piano and Vocals
Amit Chatterjee: Percussion
Lyrics by Ronda Dubiel and Dyanne Potter Voegtlin.
Produced by Amit Chatterjee
Cover art by Ian C. Voegtlin

Quotes:
“…Great writing and performing. Absolutely beautiful and rich music…brilliant, poetic, fresh…” –  Grammy Award winning composer and arranger Lee Johnson (The Grateful Dead Symphony)

“…just beautiful..I love your voice, and chord progressions are sublime” – Jon Anderson (lead singer of progressive rock band, Yes)

Potter’s Daughter Online: 
Website: https://pottersdaughterband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PottersDaughterBand/
MRR Artist Profile: https://mrrmusic.com/potters-daughter/

Listen // Buy // & Share:
Amazon: amzn.to/2qsUdKn
Bandcamp: bit.ly/2Mqk1PM
CD Baby: bit.ly/33JPG4E
iTunes: apple.co/2P1hTQm
Spotify: spoti.fi/35O57uo

Media & Booking:
pottersdaughterband@gmail.com

Label Contact:
Nick Katona
nick@melodicrevolution.com
Melodic Revolution Records ● 1705 Edgewater Drive ● Box 540212 ● Orlando, Florida ● 32854-0212

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in Potter's Daughter, Press Release

2019/10/24

Todd Rundgren Presents Braille Copy of His Autobiography “The Individualist” To The Library of Congress

By glassonyonpr

Todd Rundgren Presents Braille Copy of His Autobiography “The Individualist” To The Library of Congress

Longtime fan of Todd Rundgren Julie Dye attended his show in Cleveland on May 6th and presented Todd with a Braille version of his book “The Individualist” that Chelsea, her blind daughter, had made by hand.

As the first leg of the current White Album Tribute tour featuring Todd Rundgren, Micky Dolenz, Christopher Cross, Joey Molland and Jason Scheff was ending in Washington, DC on October 20th, Todd thought of presenting the book to the Library of Congress (specifically the National Library Service For The Blind And Disabled division).

A presentation at the Librarian of Congress Ceremonial Office was held the morning of October 21. Todd flew Julie and Chelsea to Washington to attend the DC concert and the ceremony the following morning.

The brief ceremony was held in the Librarian’s Ceremonial Office at the historic Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library Of Congress on Capitol Hill. The Library was represented by Karen Keninger, Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Jason Yasner, Deputy Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, and Mark Sweeney, Principal Deputy Librarian Of Congress.

The second leg of the White Album Tribute tour resumes on November 30th in Pittsburgh.

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com


CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.  
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

Leave a comment | posted in Press Release, Todd Rundgren

2019/10/24

Musicians Contact Celebrates 50 Years Of Referring Musicians To Working Bands

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Musicians Contact Celebrates 50 Years Of Referring Musicians To Working Bands

Musicians Contact is celebrating their 50th year in business connecting bands and musicians to each other. Founded by Sterling Howard in 1969, Musicians Contact still remains the place where working bands locate members and individual players find gigs with bands.

Notable past members include Billy Joel, Todd Rundgren, Rick Springfield, Danny Elfman, James Williamson, Kim Fowley, Earl Slick, Robin Zander, Barry Manilow, Tower of Power, Lita Ford,  Jimmy Greenspoon, Terri Nunn, John Lydon, Dr John, Stiv Bators, Bobby Kimball, Terry Bozzio, Iron Butterfly, Robert Palmer,  Art “Killer” Kane, George Lynch, Stu Hamm, Bobby McFerrin, Warrant and many others.

But Sterling says, “It’s important to stress that even though we’ve had famous clients seeking players, obviously the vast majority of our incoming gigs come from working cover and original acts, part time, full time, local, traveling, festival, wedding, casino, club work, etc. And we’ve always been a free service to bands needing players. Some individuals have listed themselves as many as 20 times over the years because they are finding gigs here that they don’t find elsewhere. I’m trying to point out that it is still the ‘bread and butter’ jobs that pay the bills, and these are the ones we get from band leaders.” (On the website Click https://www.musicianscontact.com/recent-jobs to read some partial examples.)

Sterling explains, “Why did I start the business? My working band broke up in 1967 because two of our members were drafted into the military and there was no place to find musicians except for tiny ads on music store bulletin boards. The idea struck me to form an organized musicians referral. That’s when I rented an office upstairs in the Whisky a GoGo. I had resumes and ad forms, and individuals and bands would come in the office, (or call) to connect. I even had many Union members register, since the Union provided no resumes at that time. I was 22 when I started this company, and no, who would have guessed I’d still be doing it 50 years later!”


Sterling Howard – founder

Within a year after starting, the office was moved to a larger location. In the early 1970’s, traveling bands found members as they passed through California and as word spread, groups from other states called for replacements. Full time working cover acts became more popular, hiring players for road gigs.

By the end of the decade, the office staff had grown to five, and a branch office was opened near Disneyland. Las Vegas groups imported players, and country artists and jazz acts started using the service to hire available players.

In those days, the job listings were distributed to individual musicians either by phone or in person, but a major change was soon to come. Sterling hired a team of technicians to build a custom made computer connected to seven tape recorders. Members could now call 24 hours, enter a password into their phone, and hear current available jobs. It was primitive by today’s standards, but it worked and remember, the year was 1983!

By 1990, cruise ship jobs became more popular and gigs arrived from Asia, seeking players for r&b, funk and soul groups. The “antique” computer eventually gave way to the science of voicemail, so a new computer was put into action to distribute job listings. Entering the era of music videos for TV, managers viewed photos of musicians for use in commercials and videos.

In 1995, it was time to upgrade the call-in hotline yet again with an advanced voice mail system, allowing musicians to record their profiles and demos right over the phone. By 1998, Musicians Contact went online with it’s first website, and became truly a national service.

There have been various website updates and changes to the site, culminating in what you see today. But, the basic function has always been the same since 1969 – a referral service for bands and musicians to find each other.

Stories about famous players? “Well, I still have Billy Joel’s resume from 1972 where he states ‘I’m not interested in messing around, I just want money’. But later he came in when he tried to form an original band and asked the guitarist sitting next to him if he wanted to join. “Is it a paying situation?’, the guitarist asked. ‘No’ said Billy, ‘this is an original band’. “Then sorry, I’m not interested’ replied the guitarist. I’m sure this has happened thousands of times to thousands of musicians!

“Burleigh Drummond, drummer for Ambrosia, hooked up with them through us about 1972 and is STILL with them. Berlin found Terri Nunn around 1979 and she is STILL with them as well. International Celtic rockers The Young Dubliners found their drummer here about 25 years ago, and they just put in an ad seeking a bassist! (and yes, David Ingraham is STILL their drummer).”

Famous past members: https://www.musicianscontact.com/famous-past-members to see many famous members who have used Musicians Contact.

Need a band member?: https://www.musicianscontact.com/find-band-members to enter a free ad and view profiles of available players.

Need a gig?: https://www.musicianscontact.com/join-a-band to list yourself as an available musician.

For more information:
https://www.MusiciansContact.com

Contact:
Sterling Howard, founder/owner
info@MusiciansContact.com
818-888-7879

Press Inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US)
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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