Author Archives: glassonyonpr

2012/03/17

Seventies Rock Pioneer Michael Stanley To Release New CD ‘The Hang’

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Seventies Rock Pioneer Michael Stanley To Release New CD ‘The Hang’

3/12/2012 – Philadelphia, PA – Much to the excitement of fans and music critics worldwide, music legend Michael Stanley will be releasing his 25th album ‘The Hang’ on March 2012 on ItsAboutMusic.com. From the mid ’70s to the mid ’80s, the Michael Stanley Band enjoyed a strong and fiercely loyal following, touring with some of the superstar bands of that period including Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Foreigner and The Doobie Brothers. With over 70 minutes of music, the latest CD from Michael Stanley features twelve new original compositions and covers of songs written by Dire Strait’s Mark Knopfler and songwriter extraordinaire Patty Griffin. Once again the album was mixed by legendary Bill Szymczyk and features the talents of Michael’s road band, The Resonators throughout.

“I think it would be fair to say that this is the ‘darkest’ album I’ve ever made as it was conceived during a particularly daunting eighteen month period in my life…but, that being said, I also think it’s a testament of hope and to the power we accrue from those we chose to have at our side on our journey.”

Discovered by New York record producer, Bill Szymczyk, in 1973 Michael Stanley released his debut album ‘Michael Stanley’ (Tumbleweed Records), and second LP, ‘Friends & Legends’ (MCA) to critical acclaim. Both albums featured guest appearances by Todd Rundgren, Joe Walsh and David Sanborn. During this time he formed a trio with two area musicians, Daniel Pecchio and Jonah Koslen, who played Stanley’s solo songs as well as new material live. In 1974, out of work, Michael’s close friend, Joe Walsh (another Cleveland area musician) suggested he pursue music full time. It was a turning point for Stanley, who along with Pecchio and Koslen brought in drummer Tommy Dobeck and the The Michael Stanley Band was born!

There were several Top-20 and Top-30 hits in the early ’80s, among them “He Can’t Love You” (1980) and “My Town” (1983). In late 1982, MSB released their final album for EMI ‘You Can’t Fight Fashion’. The single from the album, “My Town”, made it to number 29 on the Billboard charts. The band released two independent albums, 1983’s ‘Inside Moves’, and ‘Fourth And Ten’ in 1984 (recorded live at Blossom Music Center), before formally disbanding in late 1986, shortly after performing 14 ‘farewell’ concerts at Cleveland’s Front Row.

Michael’s ‘post-MSB’ years found him co-hosting WJW-Channel 8’s ‘Cleveland Tonight’ and ‘P.M. Magazine’, until they were canceled. He also began his long stint as afternoon disc jockey and on-air personality at Cleveland’s WNCX 98.5. After several well-received albums in the ’90s, as well as a MSB reunion concert, Michael Stanley & The Resonators was formed, which became the band’s performing moniker; once again pleasing their loyal MSB fans while winning over new ones, with a set list of old favorites and clever covers interspersed with fresh originals. The pace showed no sign of letting up as the ‘The Ground’, was released on October 21, 2003. Michael continues to man the airwaves as afternoon ‘drive-time’ personality at Cleveland’s popular WNCX, while performing with “The Resonators” and “Midlife Chryslers” throughout Ohio.

In 2011, Michael Stanley and all The Resonators hit the ground running with their critically accliamed CD ‘Shadowland’. And now in 2012, in a career that spans over forty-five years, Michael Stanley’s ‘The Hang’ is a work that sets a new standard in the musical journey of one of rock’s finest singer/songwriters!

For song samples from Michael Stanley ‘The Hang’: http://itsaboutmusic.net/samples/Michael_Stanley/The_Hang/
For more information visit http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/michaelstanley.html

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com
If interested in receiving a copy of Michael Stanley’s ‘The Hang’ CD for review or airplay please contact
Billy James/Glass Onyon PR

Leave a comment | posted in Michael Stanley, Press Release

2012/03/15

I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition DVD set of 1960s TV sitcom To Be Released April 10, 2012

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster
50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition DVD set of 1960s TV sitcom
To Be Released April 10, 2012

Starring John Astin and Marty Ingels

“Still holds up beautifully, fresh and funny” – Mel Brooks

“Powerful – Still funny – I love it” – Jerry Lewis

“I was only 13. But it was my favorite show.” – Jay Leno

“These guys, that show, way before their time” – Bill Cosby

“It’s great seeing them again. What a hoot.” – Carl Reiner

“These are masters of comedy. Razor Sharp – A genius team.” – Dick Van Dyke

“A ‘Gleason and Carney’ even ‘Laurel and Hardy’. I laughed louder now than before” –
George Schaltter (Producer of “Laugh In”)

3/14/2012 – Hollywood, CA – Lightyear Entertainment, in association with TV Time Machine Productions, is proud to announce that the brilliant but short-lived 1962 ABC TV situation comedy, I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster, starring John Astin and Marty Ingels, will be released on April 10, 2012, through eOne Distribution.

The I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster Golden Anniversary three-disc set contains over 10 hours of content. It features the first sixteen episodes of thirty-two from the show’s only season, and includes the following:

Sixteen hilarious digitally remastered I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster episodes, many of which haven’t been seen in 50 years!
Video features with all-new interviews including stars John Astin (The Addams Family) and Marty Ingels (The Dick Van Dyke Show), Directors Arthur Hiller (The In-Laws, Silver Streak), Norman Abbott (The Munsters), and Creator/Producer Leonard Stern (Get Smart)
Audio commentaries featuring John Astin and Marty Ingels, Yvonne Craig (Batman), Lee Meriwether (The Time Tunnel), series regular Dave Ketchum (who played “Mel Warshaw”), Chris Korman, son of Harvey Korman (Blazing Saddles, The Carol Burnett Show), and creator/producer Leonard Stern
I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster Get Physical featurette
Video tribute to the late Leonard Stern, Creator/Producer of I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster
The Joke featurette
Love Me, Love My Dog featurette
How Not to Succeed in Business featurette
I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster Commercial Bumpers
Rare I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster ABC TV Network Promo
Rare I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster Cast Commercial
Thank You slide show video featuring the dozens of people who helped make the 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition a reality
I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster six-page Collector’s Booklet
Three discs in a Collector’s Edition Digipak with Slipcase

I’m Dickens… He’s Fenster followed the comic exploits of two construction workers and bosom buddies (played by John Astin and Marty Ingels). After producing thirty-two side-splittingly hilarious episodes, and despite critics’ raves in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter and Time Magazine, the show was prematurely canceled in its first season. By the time its final ratings came in, showing it having beaten Sing Along with Mitch and Route 66 for its time slot, it was too late to reassemble the cast, who had moved on to other projects. The successful and beloved show had become a casualty of timid programming and unlucky timing.

Although short-lived, I’m Dickens… He’s Fenster featured an extraordinary roster of guest stars, many of whom made their television debuts on the show including: Yvonne Craig (“Batgirl” from Batman), Harvey Korman (The Carol Burnett Show), Sally Kellerman (M*A*S*H), Peter Lupus (Mission: Impossible), Lee Meriwether (The Time Tunnel), Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist), Edy Williams (Beyond the Valley of the Dolls), and Jim Nabors (The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle USMC). The series also featured such directing talent as Arthur Hiller (Love Story, The In-Laws), Jay Sandrich (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls) , Norman Abbott, (The Munsters), Claudio Guzman (I Dream of Jeannie) and writers Mel Tolkin (Your Show of Shows, All in the Family), Don Hinkley (The Steve Allen Show, The Muppet Show) and Jay Sommers (Green Acres, Ozzie & Harriet).

In addition to being creator, writer, director and producer on I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster, Leonard Stern’s remarkable career included writing for the Abbott and Costello and Ma and Pa Kettle movies, and the classic TV shows The Honeymooners, Sergeant Bilko and The Steve Allen Show. From 1965-1970, Mr. Stern was executive producer, writer and director on the classic spy spoof Get Smart (starring Don Adams and Barbara Feldon). He also created, produced and directed the TV series He & She (co-starring Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss) and McMillan & Wife (starring Rock Hudson and Susan St. James). He also co-created the immensely popular series of children’s game books, Mad Libs.

2012 is Lightyear Entertainment’s 25th Anniversary year, since its origin in the management buyout of RCA Video Productions in 1987. eOne Distribution is a leader in the distribution of entertainment products through partnerships with the world’s largest physical and digital retailers.

To purchase I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster Golden Anniversary three-disc set:
http://www.amazon.com/Im-Dickens-Hes-Fenster-John-Astin/dp/B00746R3LM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331318524&sr=8-1

Lightyear Entertainment: http://www.lightyear.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com
Promotional copies / Marty Ingels interview inquiries please contact Billy James/Glass Onyon PR

Leave a comment | posted in He's Fenster, Non-Music, Press Release

2012/03/09

Americana Singer/Songwriter Tokyo Rosenthal Pens Anthem For Job Loss, Outsourcing, and Desperation

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Americana Singer/Songwriter Tokyo Rosenthal Pens Anthem For Job Loss, Outsourcing, and Desperation

March 7, 2012 – Chapel Hill, NC – Rock & Sock Records recording artist, Tokyo Rosenthal, has released a new single entitled, “What Did I Used To Be?” It’s a song that captures the frustrations and shattered illusions of workers all over the globe. Outsourcing, reinvention, natural resources, and desperation are all covered by award winning singer-songwriter Rosenthal.

The single, available only by download, is accompanied by a video produced by acclaimed director, Nic Beery. The video can be seen on You Tube (youtube.com/watch?v=LAU_hRBwLTE&feature=youtu.be) and on Rosenthal’s web site (www.tokyorosenthal.com).

Tokyo is joined once again on the track by Chris Stamey on bass, Will Rigby on drums, and Allyn Love on pedal steel guitar. “Toke” plays lead and rhythm guitar as well as piano. He also handles the vocals.

“It didn’t take much to inspire me to write this song”, said Rosenthal. “All you have to do is turn on TV and the stories are all there. These are tough times and hopefully the tune and the video capture some of the frustration and misery that’s all over the world. If it gets people to stop, think, and react, then I’ll be happy. I don’t expect to change things with a song, just stir things up a bit and document our present history.”

Rosenthal has begun performing “What Did I Used To Be?” in concert to great reactions. He will perform it live on Music Fog from South By Southwest in Austin, Texas as part of their video stream from the world famous festival on March 16th. He will be joined there by his touring partner Charlie Chamberlain on mandolin and lead guitar.

Among other sites, the single is available from CD Baby at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tokyorosenthal7 and from iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/what-did-i-used-to-be-single/id506176199

For further information log on to http://www.tokyorosenthal.com

TOKYO HAPPENINGS:

Tokyo, along with Charlie Chamberlain, will be performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas, March 16-18

Toke and Charlie will embark on a three week Northeast tour beginning May 3rd in Hampton, Virginia, which will include a return to The Bitter End in NYC on May 8th

Toke will reprise his appearance at Earth Action Day in Chapel Hill, NC on April 14th,

Press Inquiries Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

Leave a comment | posted in Press Release, Tokyo Rosenthal

2012/03/07

New Single By Music Legend Jon Anderson and Renown Italian Composer/Producer Marco Sabiu “Limitless Lives” Now Available For Digital Download

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

New Single By Music Legend Jon Anderson and Renown Italian Composer/Producer Marco Sabiu
“Limitless Lives” Now Available For Digital Download

3/7/2012 – London, UK – The international music community is buzzing with excitement over the new collaboration between legendary YES vocalist/songwriter Jon Anderson and Italian composer/conductor, international producer and arranger Marco Sabiu. “Limitless Lives” is the new single co-written and performed by Anderson and Sabiu, and is now available as a digital download. The song is also available on Marco Sabiu’s most recent album ‘Audio Ergo Sum’, which was presented on February 18, 2012 on live TV before an audience of 12 million; the album has consequently reached iTunes Italy Top 10.

Music legend Jon Anderson, who has one of the most recognizable voices in music, and is best known for his work with YES, Vangelis and Kitaro, as well as his innovative solo efforts, and is currently in the midst of a successful US solo tour, had this to say about his musical collaboration with Marco Sabiu: “A good friend of mine, musician Alessandro de Rosa put Marco Sabiu and I in touch with each other just last month. I was instantly connected to Marco’s music; he sent me the music track and within moments I had sang the song and lyric and sent back to him. Marco loved my singing, so we talked about releasing the song on his new album. I love his ‘Limitless’ theme for the song, as I wrote the lyric I realized we have so much to learn in this life, and we are truly Limitless human beings”

“The collaboration with Jon was born by chance, as most of the best things often do,” says Marco. “What I found in Jon is the ideal musical partner: I’ve never met anybody who has understood my music and bettered it so quickly and effectively as Jon did. I was always very passionate about prog-rock, and being able to work with a legend like Jon is an honor, and truly exciting.” Along with being a highly respected arranger (Take That, Kylie Minogue, Pavorotti, Morricone), Marco is currently a TV star and crossover chart artist in his native Italy, as well as orchestrator and conductor for major Italian rock stars, including the arena act Ligabue. Jon Anderson and Marco Sabiu are planning to record a full album together and a tour in 2013.

To purchase Jon Anderson / Marco Sabiu “Limitless Lives”:
http://www.amazon.com/Limitless-Lives/dp/B007F5JYP0/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330724273&sr=301-1%20-

To purchase Marco Sabiu – ‘Audio Ergo Sum’: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Ergo-Sum/dp/B00789KPCO/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330724698&sr=301-1

Jon Anderson US 2012 Tour Dates:

3/07/2012 – Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA – http://www.philadelphia-theater.com/theaters/theater-of-living-arts/theater.php
3/08/2012 – Baltimore Sound Stage – Baltimore, MD – http://www.baltimoresoundstage.com
3/10/2012 – B.B. King Blues Club & Grill – New York, NY – http://www.bbkingblues.com
3/11/2012 – The Hamilton – Washington, DC – http://www.thehamiltondc.com/live/calendar#/jon-anderson
3/14/2012 – Infinity Hall – Norfolk, CT – http://www.infinityhall.com
3/15/2012 – Wilbur Theatre – Boston, MA – http://www.thewilburtheatre.com
3/17/2012 – Narrows Center For The Arts – Fall River, MA – http://www.ncfta.org
3/19/2012 – Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) – Englewood, NJ – http://www.narrowscenter.com

For more information on Jon Anderson’s solo tour go to http://www.jonanderson.com/tour.html

Jon Anderson’s OPEN is available as a digital download and can be obtained at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/open-single/id474552662?ls=1

‘Anderson / Wakeman – The Living Tree In Concert Part One’ CD on Gonzo MultiMedia can be obtained at http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15405/Anderson_-_Wakeman-Live.html

http://www.jonanderson.com, http://www.facebook.com/thejonanderson, http://www.olias-jewelry.com

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158. glassonyonpr@cs.com

Leave a comment | posted in Jon Anderson, Press Release

2012/03/06

Sixties Music Legend Tommy Roe To Tour In Support of New CD Release

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Sixties Music Legend Tommy Roe To Tour In Support of New CD Release

3/5/2012 – Hollywood, CA – International ’60s music legend and pop pioneer Tommy Roe is back and better than ever with his first new CD release in many years! In support of his new album Tommy will also be performing several select dates in the US and Canada. A bona fide international star, Tommy Roe wrote and recorded 6 “Top 10” hits between 1962-69, more than any other solo American artist. To his credits he has 11 US Top 40 hits, 6 Top 10s, 4 Certified Gold singles, and 2 #1 Hits. He is a member of the Hit Parade Hall of Fame, The Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. On September 2, 2012 Tommy Roe will be inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Music Association (IRRMA) Hall of Fame. http://iowarocknroll.com/news.php?id=201 Born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Tommy began writing songs at the age of fourteen, and his first recording effort yielded the international #1 hit..SHEILA. In 1963, Tommy Roe headlined the now famous UK tour, in which a rising band called The Beatles were a featured act on his tour.

“I will most likely call the new CD ‘Devils Soul Pile’, after a song I have written and included in the line up,” explains Tommy. “The song is a departure from my normal and expected style, and one that tells the story of dysfunctional families, and the effect it has on our youth and our neighborhoods. Lyrically, this song is a bit serious, and was inspired by the everyday news of violence in our neighborhoods and cities. But a song that ends in hope.” Other new songs include “LA I Belong To You”, “It’s For You I’m Me” and “Water Underneath My Burning Bridge” as well as a re-recorded version of “Kick Me Charlie” from Tommy’s 1965’s ‘Sweet Pea’ album. Also included is a cover of the classic Tim Hardin song “If I Were A Carpenter”, which Tommy has performed in concert for many years.

“Get Ready to party…Tommy Roe sounds better than ever!” LARRY KLEIN-Executive Producer: Dick Clark Productions

AN EVENING WITH TOMMY ROE is a new show featuring all his hits, plus less familiar tunes, and new material as well. The show features full band, unplugged and solo segments. The band is led by veteran guitarist/music director Rick Levy, who plays Epiphone guitars exclusively on tour with Tommy Roe. “I am really excited about my new show,” says Tommy. “I will be featuring some of the new songs I have written, along with some obscure material I have recorded through the years, and get many requests to do. Of course I will highlight the hits, like ‘Sheila’, ‘Everybody’, ‘Hooray For Hazel’, ‘Sweet Pea’, ‘Jam Up and Jelly Tight’ and ‘Dizzy’, along with some of my favorite covers. I will also do a Q&A session in the middle of the show while the stage is being set for my acoustic set with band leader and lead guitarist Rick Levy. This is a new addition to our show, and something I really enjoy. It gives me a chance to get up close and intimate with our audience, kind of like I do at home with family and friends.”

Tommy Roe will be performing on these dates:

April 7-8 – Riverside Casino – Riverside, IA
April 14 – Seneca Niagara Casino – Niagara Falls
May 25 – Century Casino – Edmonton, AB, Canada
June 16 – Fountain of Life Fair – Gray, TN
June 17 (tentative) Ponte Vedra, Fl.
June 18 – The Villages – FL
August 31 – DiamondJo Casino – Dubuque, IA
September 1 – Winnavegas Casino – Sloan, IA
September 2 – Hall of Fame Induction – Arnolds Park, IA

Tommy Roe promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acd5ZTjEKaA&feature=youtu.be

For more information: http://www.tommyroe.com

Contact: Rick Levy Management (904) 806 0817
rick@ricklevy.com

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

Leave a comment | posted in Press Release, Tommy Roe

2012/03/04

Van der Graaf Generator Legend Judge Smith Creates A Movie For Your Ears – A New Concept CD ‘Orfeas’

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Van der Graaf Generator Legend Judge Smith Creates A Movie For Your Ears – A New Concept CD ‘Orfeas’

2/28/2012 – London, UK – Independent composer and recording artist Judge Smith, who in 1967 co-founded with Peter Hammill the influential underground band ‘Van der Graaf Generator’, has created a movie for your ears – a new concept CD titled ‘Orfeas’; a retelling of the ancient myth of Orpheus, the magical musican who travels to the Land of the Dead in search of the lost Eurydice. Since his Van der Graaf Generator days, Judge Smith has been responsible for a wide variety of music projects, including four stage-musicals (with productions at the Edinburgh Traverse, Sheffield Crucible and the Lyric, Hammersmith), opera and cantata libretti, songs for the ‘70s TV show ‘Not The Nine O’clock News’, and songs recorded by Peter Hammill and Lene Lovich. His film ‘The Brass Band’ has won several international awards. Judge Smith’s music is complex in structure and often fragmented, but is always tuneful and strangely memorable, with humor never far from the surface. In the course of a twenty-year independent solo career, he has released ten CDs and DVDs.

“My principal interest is in telling stories with words and music,” explains Judge. “Some of my CDs are collections of songs, the usual format for an album, although people say that my songs are unusual and idiosyncratic. However, three of my projects are in a different category. Over many years, I have developed a new way of making extended musical narratives that I call ‘Songstories’, which are more complex than song-cycles or ‘rock operas’. They are not ‘musicals’ either, since they are pretty well un-stageable, and are each intended to be being complete as an ‘audio experience’. The three Songstories are all very different. The first, ‘Curly’s Airships’, a double CD with a running time of two hours and twenty minutes, was completed in 2000 after six years full-time work, and tells the story of the 1930 R-101 Airship disaster. It is probably one the largest and most ambitious pieces of rock music ever recorded. The second, ‘The Climber’, released in 2009, in complete contrast, is performed by me with an unaccompanied Norwegian male voice choir, and a double bass. The third Songstory is ‘Orfeas’, my own interpretation of the Classical myth.”

This Songstory uses wildly contrasting styles of music to tell its story, including instrumental Rock, Mediterranean guitar music, modern classical string sextet music, classical Trance dance music and Death Metal. ‘Orfeas’ also features a radical, and little-known, technique for transforming recorded speech into melody. “As far as I am aware, I am the only person making work like this, and I think it would be probably fair to say that no one else does what I do,” says Judge.

“Best known for his role in the formation of Van de Graaf Generator, Judge Smith is clearly not an artist with much interest in toeing the line. ‘Orfeas’, a three-act ‘songstory’ in which Smith and a host of guest performers re-imagine the titular Greek legend as he headlines at Wembley Arena, is effectively an exercise in schizophrenic musical theatre, replete with rambling soliloquies and plot-revealing dialogue set to avant-garde chamber music, that takes in everything from Jaunty rock radio-jingles and ethereal pop.” Dom Lawson – Classic Rock Presents Prog

In recent news, on November 6, 2011 a performance of Judge Smith’s ‘The House That Cried’ was held in Como, Italy. The show also took place on November 20, 2011 in Chiasso, Switzerland.

For more information visit http://www.Judge-Smith.com

To purchase Judge Smith – Orfeas CD http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15417

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

Leave a comment | posted in Judge Smith, Press Release

2012/03/02

Prog-Trio BangTower Releases New Videos In Support of Forthcoming Tour

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Prog-Trio BangTower Releases New Videos In Support of Forthcoming Tour

2/24/2012 – Los Angeles, CA – Progressive rock/fusion ensemble BangTower, in association with Pig Light Show and Declassified Records, are releasing several new music video’s over the next four weeks in preparation for the forthcoming 2012 BangTower tour, currently being scheduled by Backstreet Booking of Cincinnati, OH. In addition to celebrated bassist Percy Jones, who is also known for his work with Brand X a band he formed along with Genesis legend Phil Collins, BangTower also features Grammy Award winning guitarist, engineer and producer Neil Citron. Completing this trio of master musicians is drum virtuoso Walter Garces, who also performs with ’60s psychedelic marvels The Electric Prunes and is celebrating a partnership of 25 years with Premier Percussion, Paiste Cymbals and Gongs, and Calato/Regal-Tip sticks as an endorsing artist.

Eight of the new BangTower music videos were created by Marc Rubinstein of the world famous Pig Light Show, as a preview to elements of select upcoming live shows currently being designed. These video releases comprise all the tracks from the band’s internationally acclaimed 2010 Declassified Records release ‘Casting Shadows’, produced by Neil Citron (who also engineered, mixed and mastered) and Jon Pomplin. The holiday video “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” comes from a downloadable song Neil produced for the holiday season which is available for free from the BangTower website.

In addition to these eight excellent videos from Pig Light show, a new music video of the CD’s opening track entitled “BBA”, produced by Declassified.TV, has been released and is available in several formats from the BangTower and Declassified Records websites as well as on the new BangTower YouTube channel “BangTowerTV”. The video was filmed during the recent tour rehearsals in Los Angeles with founding members Neil Citron, Walter Garces and Percy Jones with a guest appearance by LA session musician Gary Crite on rhythm guitar and keyboards.

In addition to the “BBA” video, two additional videos were released on 2/21/2012, with an additional two videos to be released each Tuesday for the next three weeks. They are being made available on the BangTower and Declassified Records websites as well as the BangTower YouTube channel
http://www.youtube.com/bangtower

Here’s what the music press has raved about BangTower’s debut CD ‘Casting Shadows’:

“Totally smoking fusion disc!” – Barry Cleveland – Guitar Player Magazine (editor’s top pick)

“…very intense, well-produced and very diverse.” – Adam Plato – Prog Rock Music Talk

“Just amazing! From jazz and funk to fusion flavored instro rock – it’s all there in BangTower mix.” – Robert Silverstein – MWE3

“Blistering fusion, screaming rock, fiery jazz – whatever you call it, this trio will blow you away.” – Stephanie Sollows – Progressive World

“This is a refreshing take of progressive compositions played with a serious no fear attitude.” – Jason Kot – Bass Musician Magazine

“A great album and one that I recommend to all, it’ll be one of the best purchases you will make this year.” – Jon Nuedorf – Sea of Tranquility

“A power prog album of epic proportions!” – Marty Dodge – Seattle PI

The world famous Pig Light Show is the legendary outfit owned and operated by Marc Rubinstein, who thrilled and amazed concert goers of the Fillmore East in NY and the Capitol Theatre in NJ, from the late ’60s / early ’70s behind legendary music artists and bands like the Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa & the Mothers, Jethro Tull, Santana, Yes, Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, the Allman Brothers and many, many others.

For more information on BangTower and it’s members visit: http://www.BangTower.com

For more information on “Pig Light Show” visit: http://www.piglightshow.com

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158,
glassonyonpr@cs.com

Booking Inquiries: BackStreet Booking, PH 513-442-4405 ext. 11,
jimbb@backstreetbooking.com

Record Label Inquiries: Declassified Records visit: http://www.declassifiedrecords.com
label@declassifiedrecords.com

Leave a comment | posted in BangTower, Press Release

2012/02/22

Santana / Journey Legend Gregg Rolie To Play Acoustic Solo Show At Famed Iridium In NYC

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Santana / Journey Legend Gregg Rolie To Play Acoustic Solo Show At Famed Iridium In NYC

2/20/2012 – Gregg Rolie, co-founder of two multi-platinum super groups, Santana and Journey, will make two unique solo appearances on March 2 & 3, 2012 at the famed Iridium in NYC. The legendary Iridium has a dual history as both a jazz institution and the home of Les Paul, who performed at the venue regularly from 1996-2009. Les Paul Mondays were always an event with such iconic guitarists as Jeff Beck, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren and Ted Nugent sitting in with the Les Paul Trio. Gregg Rolie’s two-day performances at the Iridium come on the heals of his new solo EP, “Five Days”. Gregg, along with his special guest, blues guitarist Alan Haynes, will be playing selections from the new EP along with many old favorites. He’ll share stories from his 40-plus year career and answer questions from the audience during the show. After his performance, there will be a meet and greet with the audience and Gregg will be on hand for pictures and autographs.

Gregg Rolie is the voice behind the classic Santana hits “Black Magic Woman” “Evil Ways” and “Oye Como Va”. In 1998, this world class musician, writer, producer was inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Fame as the unmistakable lead vocalist of the Santana band. In addition to launching- along with Carlos Santana- the now legendary act, Rolie also co-produced their first four groundbreaking albums. Departing Santana after the pioneering jazz fusion offering ‘Caravansarai’ in 1972, band members Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon went on to form the 1980s hit-makers Journey, co-writing and producing that band’s first 7 albums.

Just released in 2011, “Gregg Rolie – Five Days” is Gregg’s latest EP/CD consisting of 6 songs with Gregg playing acoustic piano and singing live. He recorded these tracks in his living room on the piano given to him by his father in the early days of Santana, and as Gregg says, “it’s from my house to yours” He gives beautiful new renditions of 2 classic hits that he sang as the lead singer in Santana – “Black Magic Woman” and Journey – “Anytime” – as well as 4 new songs, his own compositions through solo voice and piano. Recently featured on the cover of the UK’s Keyboard Player magazine, Rolie is a renowned Hammond B3 player, celebrated for his gritty and intense performances. Up close, personal and intimate, the show will feature a side of Gregg that all fans should get to know.

When: March 2 & 3, 2012 – two shows per night 8:00 / 10:30 PM
Where: Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway and 51st Street, New York, NY 10019 – PH: 212-582-2121
For Ticket Info: http://theiridium.com

For more information: http://www.GreggRolie.com

Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDwiZYL21To&

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

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2012/02/20

Legendary Flower Kings Vocalist Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion To Release Second Album ‘Powerplay’

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Legendary Flower Kings Vocalist Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion To Release Second Album ‘Powerplay’

2/17/2012 – Sweden – Much to the excitement of the progressive rock community around the world, legendary Flower Kings vocalist Hasse Fröberg and his group Musical Companion are releasing a new album. ‘Powerplay’ is the second album by Swedish progrockers Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion. About a year after the release of their critically highly acclaimed debut ‘Futurepast’ (Sept. 2010), the band entered the studio to cut the backing tracks for ‘Powerplay’ (April 2012). The line-up of the band is still the same, Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion:

Hasse Fröberg: Lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Anton Lindsjö: Lead guitar, backing vocals
Kjell Haraldsson: Keyboards, backing vocals
Thomsson: Bass, backing vocals
Ola Strandberg: Drums, backing vocals

The debut CD generated gigs in countries such as Sweden, Norway, Germany, Holland and Belgium. With the release of ‘Powerplay’, the band is now confirmed for festivals (“RoSfest”, Gettysburg in USA and “Night of the prog”, Loreley in Germany) as well as gigs on both sides of the Atlantic.

As sound engineer on ‘Powerplay’, the band has chosen to work with Tomas Bodin. He’s a collegue with Hasse in the established and influential prog band The Flower Kings. The collaboration proved to work out just fine and even if Hasse likes to be in the studio, he prefers the live scene: “Playing live is definitely the right element for us. I really can’t wait to take The Musical Companion and and the songs on ‘Powerplay’ on the road”.

Release date 23rd of April, 2012

Pre-orders from http://www.reingoldrecords.com 13th of April, 2012

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

Leave a comment | posted in Musical Companion, Press Release

2012/02/15

Wishbone Ash Drummer Joe Crabtree Develops Innovative New Drum and Music Software

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Wishbone Ash Drummer Joe Crabtree Develops Innovative New Drum and Music Software

2/15/2012 – London, UK – Best known for his drumming with UK classic rock legend Wishbone Ash, Joe Crabtree has developed new and exciting software for the drummer and musician. Crabtree, who has been creating music software for a number of years, is excited to introduce the RhythMachine, OctopuSequencer, Pyramid and PolyNome.

RhythMachine is a tool for generating rhythms and melodies and orchestrating them on the drum kit or pitched instruments. It can be used for ear training, creating vamps to solo over or generating grooves and fills.

“I began work on my first piece of software, the RhythMachine, back in 2008,” Joe explains. “It was inspired by some lessons I took in New York with Robby Ameen. In my lesson with Robby we were playing double drums – both playing a songo groove with a left foot clave. We’d play 3 bars of groove, then Robby would keep the clave going and play a 1 bar melodic fill on the toms. We’d go around the 4 bars again and my challenge was to mimic what he had played. It was challenging and I wanted to develop some software that would replicate that scenario. I wrote RhythMachine to do exactly this.”

OctopuSequencer is a tool for creating multi-layered grooves consisting of overlapping time signatures. Its core feature set allows you to easily program and manipulate grooves in order to discover new ones.

“To play the songo groove in RhythMachine I had to build a step sequencer,” says Joe. “I built in the ability to chose any subdivision rate between 1 and 32, and to loop at any point in the sequence. Once I’d written the step sequencer I realized that I could stack them, and that having four independent step sequencers would allow me to program some of the kind of grooves that Virgil Donato, Marco Minnemann and Mike Mangini were playing – grooves which are essentially combinations of different time signatures layered over each other. That concept evolved into the OctopuSequencer.”

Pyramid is an advanced metronome which allows you to easily program polyrhythms and the rhythmic scale. It includes features which make it easy to learn how unfamiliar rates and polyrhythms sound.

“Someone who’d bought OctopuSequencer asked me how they would use it to program in the rhythmic scale where you work your way up through all the subdivisions between 1 and 16,” Joe explains. “OctopuSequencer wasn’t designed to do this, so I spent a few weeks working with that idea and developed The Pyramid. It’s much simpler than OctopuSequencer but is an invaluable tool for all musicians (not just drummers) who want to become more familiar with unconventional subdivisions.”

PolyNome is the ultimate metronome for the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch.

“Soon after writing Pyramid I met Lucas Ives, a New York-based drummer who used to work for Pixar,” says Joe. “He had experience coding for the iPhone so we worked together to develop PolyNome, which is basically the metronome that I wanted to own. It has all the functionality of Pyramid and more. We built in the option to program clicks with bars of rest so you can use it to improve your internal clock which is proving to be a very popular feature among all musicians. So far we’ve had great feedback from Dave Weckl, Jon Riley, Peter Erskine, Will Lee and others. In the words of Dennis Chambers – it’s the s**t!!!”

“Wow! Polynome is a brilliant tool for drummers and any musician! It allows you to understand precisely what subdivisions among bars of time feel like, teaches you the drum rudiments, and so much more. I love ‘time check’ where it’ll leave bars of silence in between bars of click to see if your groove stays in time. One of the best apps for your toolkit, right up there with a good tuner!” – Will Lee – session bass legend (Late Show, Brecker Bros, Bette Midler…)

Joe Crabtree has been teaching drums for 16 years. He has recorded and toured with UK prog-rock ensembles Pendragon and the David Cross Band and has been a member of legendary UK classic rock band Wishbone Ash for the past 5 years. Joe’s website features many free lessons and software for drummers. “Joe is a drummer who has it all, he has an unbelievable ability to learn complex songs fast with an accuracy and power that makes it feel as though he has been in the band for years,” says Nick Barrett of Pendragon. “He has an astonishing flair for playing odd time signatures and straight fours with easy flowing technique,” adds David Cross, formerly of King Crimson.

Along with the marketing of his new software, Joe is preparing for a world tour with Wishbone Ash on the heels of their critically acclaimed new CD release ‘Elegant Stealth’. For more information visit the official website at http://www.WishboneAsh.com. Joe also has a regular column in Drumhead Magazine in the US. Finally Joe has this to impart to drummers around the world: “Never forget why you started playing drums in the first place. I’ve seen so many drummers get caught up in the business side of things and end up hating the instrument. I’ve always said that if it gets to the stage where I’m not enjoying it I’ll get a regular job and keep drumming for fun.”

For more information on RhythMachine, OctopuSequencer, Pyramid and PolyNome visit http://www.JoeCrabtree.com

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

Leave a comment | posted in Press Release, Wishbone Ash