Category Archives: Narada Michael Walden

2022/10/05

DAN ASHLEY Releases New Cover Single “YOU’RE A FRIEND OF MINE” Together with Original Co-Writer and Grammy Winner NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

DAN ASHLEY Releases New Cover Single “YOU’RE A FRIEND OF MINE” Together with Original Co-Writer and Grammy Winner NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN

San Francisco, CA – Accomplished singer DAN ASHLEY brings a distinctive voice and his unique life experience to the Bay Area music scene with his exceptional blend of Americana and rock and roll. Following the release of his full-length album Out There in 2021, DAN ASHLEY is excited to present his new single “YOU’RE A FRIEND OF MINE,” a duet with the legendary Grammy-award winning NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN (Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Sting, George Michael) on October 21, 2022. Narada originally co-wrote the song with Jeffrey Cohen for Clarence Clemons and Jackson Browne, and both the song and music video featuring actress Daryl Hannah were a huge hit in 1985.

NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN recently brought the song to DAN ASHLEY thinking he would be a natural fit for an updated version of the material and recorded this new single with him at his own Tarpan Studios. As with the original version, Narada recorded drums and vocals for the track, and appears with Dan in the official music video. All proceeds from the single will be split between the NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN FOUNDATION and Dan Ashley’s own ROCK THE CASA FOUNDATION. “I’m very proud of my friendship and brotherhood with Dan ‘Dash’ Ashley!” says Narada. “I love Dan, he’s a great human being which inspired me to record this smash song as a new duet for the Narada Michael Walden Foundation and the Rock the CASA Foundation for kids!”

“YOU’RE A FRIEND OF MINE” also features Jackson Allen (guitar), Angeline Saris (bass), Katie Walden and Nate Soulsanger (backing vocals), and Dave Ellis (saxophone). Videographer Tommy Merry shot an official music video on the same day they recorded the track at Tarpan Studios, which also features Katie Walden and her twin sister Kelly Walden along with Dan and Narada. “Narada is one of my dearest friends and an incredibly warm-hearted and talented artist and producer,” says Dan. “I’m deeply grateful for our friendship over the past many years and I’m honored to record this amazing song with him to benefit not only Rock the CASA, but the Narada Michael Walden Foundation.”

As a vocalist, DAN ASHLEY has led his highly acclaimed band for many years, headlining notable venues and opening for such great artists as REO Speedwagon, Rick Springfield, Cheap Trick, Eddie Money, Patti LaBelle, Melissa Etheridge and more. He has also shared the stage with many other consummate performers over the years including Dionne Warwick, Neal Schon (Journey), Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), and multiple Grammy winner Narada Michael Walden, among many others. Dan is regularly asked to perform the National Anthem at a variety of events, including for the NBA, MLB, NCAA, and NHL, and also recently performed alongside headliner Night Ranger in Reno, NV, and Foghat at the Ojai Nest Fest Veterans Benefit in Ventura, CA!

With the release of his remarkable album Out There in October 2021, DAN ASHLEY shared in the joy, heartbreak, love, and loss that are part of our common humanity. From upbeat and driving rockers to gentle ballads, all with a classic Americana and rock music sensibility, listeners will find a variety of songs on the album. Backed by a group of extraordinary musicians who have played and toured with an impressive list of major artists, Out There is the result of a powerful collaboration with his long-time friend, music producer, and writing partner Bill Bentley. Also contributing to the release were well respected musicians such as internationally acclaimed soul artist Cornell “CC” Carter and longtime Y&T drummer Mike Vanderhule.

DAN ASHLEY has been around music and passionate about it his entire life, starting as a child with guitar and piano lessons, and then singing in the junior choir at his church in North Carolina. Always the storyteller, Dan Ashley is also a journalist and news anchor for ABC7 – KGO Bay Area TV, and in his 35 years on television he has reported on a wide range of issues and events that affect our lives. Dan has covered stories all over the Bay Area, the country, and the world, and has received many industry awards including the prestigious DuPont Columbia Award, two Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in journalism, and numerous Emmy Awards for Best Newscast and Individual Reporting.

Dan Ashley also created the non-profit Rock the CASA Foundation to raise money through an annual concert to benefit the CASA organization and other charities, and over the years the event has featured several internationally known bands and artists. Listen for his single “Redbud Road” from Out There on Highway 1 Radio!

To order or stream the new single “YOU’RE A FRIEND OF MINE” please visit: https://lnk.to/DanAndNarada

For more information about DAN ASHLEY and his new single please visit: www.danashleymusic.com

To order or stream DAN ASHLEY music on Bandcamp please visit: https://danashley.bandcamp.com

For Press and Interview inquiries please contact Billy James of Glass Onyon PR: (828) 350-8158 or glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For Digital Marketing please contact Jerome Forney of Independent Distribution Collective: jerome@independentdistro.com

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2018/04/17

Multicultural European Singer-Songwriter EMILY JOHNSON Releases Her Debut EP OPEN YOUR HEART Produced By NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Multicultural European Singer-Songwriter EMILY JOHNSON Releases Her Debut EP OPEN YOUR HEART Produced By NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN

“She has an extraordinary voice, superb.” – John Mclaughlin

San Rafael, CA – Sometimes known as “The Lady of Heart,” EMILY JOHNSON is a Bulgarian-born Nigerian singer, songwriter, and composer. Having performed around the world for many years, she is releasing OPEN YOUR HEART, her debut EP, on May 11, 2018, with the help of Tarpan Records in the United States. This EP was produced by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN and features 4 original songs.

EMILY JOHNSON was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, at a time when the country was still under the influence of the Soviet Union. Her mother is Bulgarian and her father Nigerian, a mix which made her quite different from the other children in her own neighborhood and even her own country. Different by color, but also different in her heightened sensitivity which is expressed so wonderfully in her music.

“Open your heart,” EMILY JOHNSON sings on her soon to be released debut EP of the same name. To her this statement is more than words; it is a way of life. On this release of original songs, she creates her art with something beyond passion, giving herself to her audience with a great generosity, energy, and sincerity. Emily brings others together to ignore prejudices, erase borders, and overcome difficulties. She shares with them a simple pleasure which is to SING!

Emily has been fortunate to work with some music industry greats, including the incredible guitarist John McLaughlin who invited her on stage for an emotional performance of “Redemption Song.” Another is the world famous, Grammy Award-winning American producer NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN (Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin), who graciously opened the doors of his Tarpan Studios to produce OPEN YOUR HEART.

Ever since John McLaughlin discovered EMILY JOHNSON on stage on the Côte d’Azur, the Mahavishnu Orchestra founder has consistently praised her as an artist he already considers “a star.” Emily would certainly reply that she also owes much of her success to his friendship and support. John McLaughlin says, “If one day EMILY JOHNSON is on the top of the charts, it will be because of her talent. She has an extraordinary voice, superb. She has it all! An inner and outer beauty. She can sing everything.”

Emily appreciates this immense compliment coming from an artist with such a career. “He is more than a musician; John McLaughlin is a Legend and a great friend and I am so blessed to know him!” she says. They have performed together several times both live and in the studio. Their relationship is more than beautiful; it is strong, sincere and much more than words.

Even better, John invited EMILY JOHNSON to cross the Atlantic to join NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN, the former Mahavishnu Orchestra drummer who became one of Billboard Magazine’s Top Ten Producers of all time. “John has opened up new horizons for me,” says Emily. “He is not only a friend but also my Light.” “The Light,” as she sings on the track from OPEN YOUR HEART that she wrote and dedicated to him.

OPEN YOUR HEART features some amazing performances, with NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN playing many instruments and featuring performances by Chris “Heist” Walden (Keyboards/Electronic Drums, “Open Your Heart”), Jim Reitzel (Guitar, “Open Your Heart”), and Cornell “CC” Carter and Deedee Simon (Back-up Vocals, “The Light” and “Open Your Heart”). The song “I’m Blessed” features Rapper G-Dub. OPEN YOUR HEART was recorded at Tarpan Studios by Jim Reitzel and mixed by Dave Frasier.

Today this beautiful story continues with new collaborations on both sides of the Atlantic and with the release of her first project, simply titled OPEN YOUR HEART. An obvious choice, isn’t it?

For more information about OPEN YOUR HEART or live EMILY JOHNSON performances please visit her website: www.emilyjohnsonofficial.com

To Pre-Order OPEN YOUR HEART on Digital Platforms worldwide please visit: http://radi.al/EmilyJohnsonOYH

To see the video for the title song “OPEN YOUR HEART” please visit: https://youtu.be/MlNusiSr-dI

For Press and Interview inquiries, please contact Billy James of Glass Onyon PR: glassonyonpr@gmail.com or (828) 350-8158

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2015/11/16

Hong Kong Based Artist Jennifer Saran Releases Holiday Album “Merry Christmas, You Are Loved” Produced By Legendary Narada Michael Walden Due For Worldwide Release November 20th, 2015 on Tarpan Records

By glassonyonpr

Jennifer Saran Merry Christmas You Are Loved

For Immediate Release

Hong Kong Based Artist Jennifer Saran Releases Holiday Album “Merry Christmas, You Are Loved” Produced By Legendary Narada Michael Walden Due For Worldwide Release November 20th, 2015 on Tarpan Records

San Francisco, CA – Jennifer Saran is a North American alt-pop/adult contemporary artist, songwriter and vocalist based in Hong Kong. Her first full-length album Merry Christmas, You Are Loved, will be available both digitally and physically worldwide with its release on November 20th, 2015. This album was created with legendary producer Narada Michael Walden, and is being released through his label Tarpan Records.

Since she was a young child, Jennifer has loved Christmas, and when she had the opportunity to work with one of the most lauded producers in modern recorded music, she jumped at the chance to create and release a modern Christmas album. Jennifer says: “Since meeting Narada Michael Walden I have been constantly inspired to write lyrics. Sitting in a pool in Thailand I was thinking about people I love that are no longer with me, or may not be able to be with me, and I wrote about it. I sent it to Narada with a ‘what do you think?’ He loved it. I called the song ‘You Are Loved’. He wrote a melody around it and we talked for a few days. And it hit me that my first full-length album ‘Walk With Me’ was not going to be released until after the first of the year, why not make it a Christmas Song. I messaged Narada and said, ‘Hey, why not make it a Christmas song?’ He said, ‘Cool! I love Christmas!’ So we called the song, ‘Merry Christmas, You Are Loved’ and now it’s a whole Christmas album.”

The album is a contemporary mix of brand new originals penned by Jennifer and Narada, as well as some very well chosen covers, all of which revolve around the central themes of love and family and the winter holidays. Musically, the album spans ballads to up-tempo grooves, including some swing and gospel influences as well. This album is a perfect complement to a family holiday dinner, or holiday radio shows all over the world. It features a handful of traditional Christmas songs like Oh Come Oh Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, and Hark The Herald Angels Sing to more modern covers of The Carpenters’ Merry Christmas Darling and the classic Baby It’s Cold Outside.

Narada enlisted some amazing musicians and performers for his band on Merry Christmas, You Are Loved including: Frank Martin (Angela Bofil, John Handy Band, Tuck & Patti, Jose’ Neto, Airto & Flora, Sting & Trudie’s Rainforest Band) on Keyboards, Angeline Saris (Gretchen Menn, Zepparella, Ernest Ranglin) on Bass and Vocals, Matthew Charles Heulitt (Zigaboo Modaliste) and Jose’ Neto on Guitars. Additional Backing Vocals on this album include vocalists Nate Soul Sanger and Cornell Carter. All of the strings were arranged and conducted by Minna Choi of Magik*Magik Orchestra.

Jennifer Saran, aka Jennifer Hill, was born in Washington DC to a Canadian mother and American father. It was at the local Episcopal Church while at school in Villars, Switzerland, where she first realized how much she loved to sing, performing Handel’s Messiah a cappella. Jennifer went on to attend high school in Alexandria, Egypt, where she performed in school plays and learned to speak Arabic. She then attended The American University in Cairo, earning a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. Throughout her years growing up in Egypt she and her friends always followed the local Egyptian live bands that performed American and British pop music, dreaming one day of being a singer.

She went through a long dry spell away from music – raising children, working in various corporate roles, singing in the shower or car, rarely having any time to go out dancing. She was moved to Philippines for an international corporate role for 2 years, followed by Singapore for another 2 years, and then to Hong Kong where she has lived for the past 24 years.

Her debut full-length album Walk With Me was recorded and produced entirely at Tarpan Studios in San Rafael, California, by legendary producer Narada Michael Walden and will be released in March of 2016. Narada has produced music royalty like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin. With Narada’s music and Jennifer’s lyrics and vocals, they have created a tremendous debut album that is sure to captivate a worldwide audience.

For Music Samples or to pre-order Merry Christmas, You Are Loved visit: https://tarpanrecords.bandcamp.com/album/merry-christmas-you-are-loved

Check out Jennifer’s website for more information: http://www.jennifersaran.com

For more information on Tarpan Records or any of its releases check out: http://www.tarpanrecords.com

Interview Requests contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR glassonyonpr@gmail.com 828-350-8158

Live Performance Bookings and Management contact Dave Ferguson at The Record Label info@therecordlabel.co.uk +44 203 727 7286.

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2015/09/22

Grammy and Emmy Award Winning Multi-Platinum Producer Narada Michael Walden To Release New Full Length Album EVOLUTION on Tarpan Records

By glassonyonpr

Narada Michael Walden med res

For Immediate Release

Grammy and Emmy Award Winning Multi-Platinum Producer Narada Michael Walden To Release New Full Length Album EVOLUTION on Tarpan Records

San Rafael, CA – Tarpan Records is pleased to announce the international release of EVOLUTION the upcoming full-length album by Narada Michael Walden releasing on October 30th 2015. The albums’ first single, Billionaire On Soul Street, which was released on August 14th, 2015 and the forthcoming album represent a change of direction for Narada, one that brings him back to his roots in Dance and Club Music, Funk and Soul. The first single was, and full-length album will be released on Narada’s own imprint, Tarpan Records.

Narada Michael Walden has produced many household names including: Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Stacy Lattisaw, Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Sister Sledge, Patti Austin, Gladys Knight, Rev Al Green, Barbra Streisand, Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Sting, Carlos Santana, Shanice Wilson, Tevin Campbell, Lisa Fischer, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Wynonna Judd and The Temptations. He was awarded Grammys for Producer of the Year in 1988, Album of the Year for the movie soundtrack The Bodyguard in 1993 and the R&B Song of the Year in 1985 for Aretha Franklin’s Freeway of Love. Billboard Magazine also named him one of the “Top Ten Producers with the Most Number One Hits”.

As impressive a production and songwriting resume as Narada Michael Walden has assembled over the past forty years, he has earned equal acclaim as a recording and performing artist in his own right. Beginning as a drummer with the pioneering Mahavishnu John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra (following Billy Cobham at 20 years old), Narada also toured with Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, and Weather Report. With twelve acclaimed solo albums of his own which produced Dance Hits such as I Don’t Want Nobody Else to Dance With You, I Shoulda Loved Ya, Divine Emotions, Gimme Gimme Gimme and Tonight I’m Alright along the way, he has achieved greatness in a wide range of sonic arenas. Walden’s music includes groundbreaking soundtrack work on such blockbuster films as The Bodyguard, Free Willy, Beverly Hills Cops II, 9 ½ Weeks and Stuart Little including Gladys Knight’s License to Kill for the James Bond Film, Jefferson Starship’s Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now for Mannequin to the EMMY-winning One Moment In Time, the theme to the 1988 Olympic Games.

In early February 2012, Narada Michael Walden returned from a well received 10 day stint of shows at the Blue Note in Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan to perform at the White House in an all-star band for President Obama’s “Red, White and Blues” Concert with legends B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger, Trombone Shorty, Booker T Jones and more.

Narada enlisted some amazing musicians and performers for his band on EVOLUTION including: Nikita Germaine (Train, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, James Taylor, and Patty Austin) on Vocals, Frank Martin (Angela Bofil, John Handy Band, Tuck & Patti, Jose’ Neto, Airto & Flora, Sting & Trudie’s Rainforest Band) on Keyboards, Angeline Saris (Gretchen Menn, Zepperella) on Bass and Vocals, Matthew Charles Heulitt (Zigaboo Modaliste) on Guitars.

Narada explains about the album’s first single: “This album EVOLUTION means the world to me because it reflects my personal feeling of spirituality and that feeling renewed for life by having my children Kelly and Kaylah in my life and my wife Katie. Having children now at this time in my life really has touched my heart to feel like WOW! Look how lucky and how blessed I am by God. I used this slogan, this sentence that I got from Kimrea who works at my Tarpan Studios. Cause’ I feel so good like a Billionaire on Soul Street. “EVOLUTION is a strong statement from Narada, inspired by the “retro” sound that is so prevalent on the radio and in clubs today. The album features mostly original material and two covers; Freedom by Richie Havens and Long and Winding Road by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Tarpan Records will release Narada Michael Walden’s new album EVOLUTION internationally in October of 2015 with help from distribution and marketing powerhouse Independent Distribution Collective. This new album is a Dance masterpiece, with many flavors of Narada’s vast history mixed in.

His label, Tarpan Records is a home to both established and amazing up-and-coming artists as well. Tarpan Records specializes in artist development, full service project management, promotion, and distribution. Initially focused on Narada’s releases, the plan is to apply this business model to up and coming and established recording artists in the years to come.

Narada Michael Walden and his all-star band will perform a series of shows across the USA in the next few months in support of the release of EVOLUTION.

November 13, 2015 – The Iridium – New York, NY http://theiridium.com/
Show Times 8:30pm & 10:30pm

November 17, 2015 – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA http://www.birchmere.com
Showtime: 7:30pm

November 21, 2015 – Reggie’s Music Joint – Chicago, IL http://www.reggieslive.com/
Show Times: 6pm & 9pm

Get the single Billionaire on Soul Street now on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/billionaire-on-soul-street/id1024757144 or any other digital retailer.

For more information on Tarpan Records or any of its releases check out: http://www.tarpanrecords.com

Interview Requests contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR glassonyonpr@gmail.com 828-350-8158
Live Performance Bookings contact Stephan Gehrig SGENT NATION LLC stephan@sgentnation.com
Tarpan Studio Bookings contact Tarpan Studios 415-485-1999 kimrea@tarpanstudios.com
#billionaireonsoulstreet #NMWevolution

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2014/11/20

Granddaughter of Legendary Dionne Warwick, Cheyenne Elliott to Release Narada Michael Walden Produced Singles and an EP in 2015

By glassonyonpr

Dionne_Cheyenne_cover.2 med res

For Immediate Release

Granddaughter of Legendary Dionne Warwick, Cheyenne Elliott to Release Narada Michael Walden Produced Singles and an EP in 2015

New York, NY – A brand new star has appeared on the US music scene; her name is Cheyenne Elliott. Cheyenne is the granddaughter of iconic singer Dionne Warwick, and a cousin of the late superstar Whitney Houston. In early 2014, producer Narada Michael Walden discovered her exemplary vocal talent and invited her out to Tarpan Studios in San Rafael, California, where Whitney, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey and many other artists recorded some of their biggest hits. The young New Yorker was signed to Narada’s Tarpan Records. She will initially release a string of dance music mixes in the winter of 2014-15. Her debut EP is slated for release in early 2015.

Cheyenne’s talent was recognized at the tender age of 9 years old, at which time she started singing in public. Her grandmother, Dionne Warwick, called her to the stage to sing during a performance of her massive worldwide hit “That’s What Friends Are For” in Coney Island, New York. Even as a child she wowed the audience. Cheyenne learned her craft and drew innately from being born into a family of music royalty, including her grandmother, her father David Elliott – who co-wrote Luther Vandross’ massive hit “Here and Now,” and her late superstar cousin Whitney Houston. Dionne would play an instrumental role in Cheyenne’s development as a performer.

By the time Cheyenne was 10 years old, she demonstrated her immense talent while visiting recording studios in the Los Angeles area. She made subsequent appearances with Dionne at renowned venues throughout her youth. The audience’s appreciation of her vocal prowess led to summers traveling with her “Grammy,” performing in dozens of countries all around the world. She made a very special appearance celebrating Dionne’s 45th anniversary of recording at the Hollywood Palladium. Another performance honor included her Carnegie Hall debut at age 12, opening for legendary singer Gladys Knight. At 12 years old, Cheyenne also appeared on Dionne’s My Friends & Me album. She lent her vocals to a duet entitled “Love Will Find A Way,” a song that Dionne had previously recorded with Whitney. Cheyenne later joined Dionne, David, Whitney, Cissy Houston, Dee Dee Warwick, Bobbi Kristina Brown, Felicia Moss and others from the family on the recording of “Family First,” which appeared in the Tyler Perry movie Daddy’s Little Girls.

Cheyenne is following in the socially conscious footsteps of her grandmother, whose 1985 charitable recording of “That’s What Friends Are For” raised awareness and funds all over the world to help people suffering from the plight of AIDS. Cheyenne is featured on Dionne’s brand new release, Feels So Good. Narada produced a touching duet of the dynamic grandmother and granddaughter, entitled “Let There Be Love”.

The song happens to be written by Narada along with Shannon Rubicam & George Merrill, who wrote two of Whitney’s biggest hit songs: “How Will I Know” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” On the Feels So Good album, she joins the company of other luminaries such as Gladys Knight, Cyndi Lauper, Ne-Yo, Cee Lo Green, Jamie Foxx, Billy Ray Cyrus and many other greats.

Tarpan Records, in association with dance music powerhouse Dauman Records, is releasing a series of dance mixes of Cheyenne’s song “With You”. “With You,” which she co-wrote, is intentionally reminiscent of the classic disco era. The mixes are destined to heat up dance floors throughout the winter of 2014-15.

Cheyenne will be making many appearances over the next few months, including some major performances with Dionne Warwick in support of Feels So Good and their duet “Let There Be Love.” Cheyenne currently performs in nightclubs in and around New York City fine-tuning her craft, most often including Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar.

View Dionne Warwick introducing Cheyenne to her audience in Atlantic City, New Jersey earlier in 2014. Cheyenne then performs her original song “Saltwater Tears”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axx2Ny66GZY

Cheyenne’s duet with Dionne Warwick titled “Let There Be Love” is available now on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-there-be-love-feat.-dionne/id933306159

Listen to Cheyenne’s cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Lego House”: https://soundcloud.com/tarpan-studios/01-lego-house

View Cheyenne Elliott’s Video EPK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SefmE2_sQso ;

For more information, please visit Cheyenne’s website: http://www.cheyenneelliott.com or her social networking sites:
http://www.Facebook.com/OfficialCheyenneElliott
http://www.Instagram.com/TheCheyElliott
http://www.Twitter.com/TheCheyElliott (@TheCheyElliott)

For information about her new single, EP and dance mixes, please visit: http://www.tarpanrecords.com

Press and Radio Inquiries: Billy James, Glass Onyon PR, at 828-350-8158; glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Bookings: Jason Abrams, Cheyenne Elliott Entertainment, at 917.576.2835; jeapublicity@aol.com

Leave a comment | posted in Cheyenne Elliott, Dionne Warwick, Narada Michael Walden, Press Release

2013/12/09

Washington Post Carlos Santana Article Featuring Interviews with Narada Michael Walden and Bill Ortiz

By glassonyonpr

Carlos Santana031385167633

Carlos Santana finds Kennedy Center Honors after a lifelong search for the ‘universal tone’

By David Montgomery, Friday, December 6, 2:05 PM

LAS VEGAS — Carlos Santana frowns. The look is so uncharacteristic, because this whole afternoon his expression runs consistently from beatific to boyish and back. He riffs amiably about receiving inspiration from angels and discloses secrets about his quest for the “universal tone,” about how he learned to distill longing and joy in a single note — that pristine, piercing Santana sound that’s instantly recognizable from San Francisco to Singapore.

But now he’s standing on a hotel balcony 43 stories up, where a photographer has just asked him to climb onto a table, the better to pose against the neon skyline.

The guitar player balks: “Why do I have to be put on a pedestal?”

Awkward pause.

Santana winks. He’ll do it, on the promise that the effect will not be pedestal-like.

At 66, he has an uneasy relationship with the pedestal — the one that he at once covets, disdains and sometimes doubts he deserves. The one that people want to place him upon — except when they don’t, during those dispiriting droughts when the music-buying public all but forgets him.

For the rest of the article and the interviews, please visit the Washington Post website!

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2013/08/17

Tarpan Records Announces the Release of ‘Thunder 2013’ by Grammy and Emmy Award Winning Multi-Platinum Producer / Drum Legend Narada Michael Walden

By glassonyonpr

NMW Thunder med res

For Immediate Release

Tarpan Records Announces the Release of ‘Thunder 2013’ by Grammy and Emmy Award Winning Multi-Platinum Producer / Drum Legend Narada Michael Walden

San Rafael, CA, – Tarpan Records is pleased to announce the national release of Thunder 2013, a new full length album by Narada Michael Walden on September 17th 2013. This release features new songs that span Rock, Fusion, Funk and even a ballad or two. This is the first worldwide official release by Narada Michael Walden on his new imprint Tarpan Records.

Narada Michael Walden has produced many household names including: Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Regina Belle, Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Wynonna Judd, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Sting, Carlos Santana, Shanice Wilson, Tevin Campbell, Lisa Fischer, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck and The Temptations. He was awarded Grammys for Producer of the Year in 1988, Album of the Year for the movie soundtrack The Bodyguard in 1993 and the R&B Song of the Year in 1985 for Aretha Franklin’s Freeway of Love. Billboard Magazine also named him one of the “Top Ten Producers with the Most Number One Hits”.

As impressive a production and songwriting resume as Narada Michael Walden has assembled over the past thirty years, he has earned equal acclaim as a recording and performing artist in his own right. Beginning as a drummer with the pioneering Mahavishnu Orchestra (replacing Billy Cobham at 19 years old), Narada also toured with Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, and Weather Report. With eleven acclaimed solo albums of his own which produced Dance Hits such as, I Shoulda Loved Ya, Divine Emotions, I Don’t Want Nobody Else to Dance With You, along the way, he has achieved greatness in a wide range of sonic arenas. Walden’s music includes groundbreaking soundtrack work on such blockbuster films as The Bodyguard, Free Willy, Beverly Hills Cops II, 9 ½ Weeks and Stuart Little to the EMMY-winning “One Moment In Time,” the theme to the 1988 Olympic Games.

Thunder 2013 is a strong new direction from Narada Michael Walden, inspired by his recent successful two-year tour with the Jeff Beck Band. Narada returned home to finish this album and put together his band to tour on his own. In early February 2012, Narada Michael Walden returned from a well received 10 day stint of shows at the Blue Note in Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan to perform at the White House in an all-star band for President Obama’s “Red, White and Blues” Concert with legends B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger, Trombone Shorty, Booker T Jones and more. Narada enlisted some amazing musicians and performers for his band on Thunder 2013 including: Nikita Germaine (Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, James Taylor, and Patty Austin) on Vocals, Frank Martin (Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Jennifer Hudson, John McLaughlin, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen) on Keyboards, Angeline Saris (Gretchen Menn, Zepperella) on Bass and Vocals, Matthew Charles Heulitt (Zigaboo Modaliste, Salvador Santana, Megan Slankard, Eion Harrington) on Guitars.

His new label, Tarpan Records is a home for many great established artists and some amazing up-and-coming artists as well. Tarpan Records specializes in artist development, full service project management, promotion, and distribution. Initially focused on Narada Michael Walden’s releases, the plan is to apply this business model to up and coming and established recording artists in the years to come.

Tarpan Records will release Narada Michael Walden’s new album Thunder 2013 nationally in late September of 2013 with help from distribution and marketing powerhouse Independent Distribution Collective. This new album is a Rock masterpiece, with many flavors of Narada’s vast history mixed in. On September 24th 2013 the label will also release Narada Michael Walden’s Rising Sun, an instrumental EP that features Narada and his fantastic new band performing remakes of his greatest Fusion Hits.

Narada Michael Walden and his band will perform a series of shows across the USA in the new few months in support of the release of Thunder 2013. The first in this series, deemed a “pre-release” concert, will be held at Yoshi’s Oakland – 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA 94607 on September 5th, 2013 doors at 7pm show at 8pm. This show will feature songs from Thunder 2013, Rising Sun, and of course some of the hits from Narada’s legendary catalog. For more info or to buy tickets for this show: http://www.yoshis.com/oakland/jazzclub/artist/show/3751

Physical Distribution Enquires please contact Steffen Franz or Ben Lang at Independent Distribution Collective at 415-292-7007 or via e-mail sales@independentdistro.com

Digital Distribution Enquires contact Jerome Forney at IDCDigital at 415-292-7007 or via e-mail jerome@independentdistro.com

Broadcast Media Interview Requests contact Bobbi Marcus at Bobbi Marcus Pr. PH: 310-889 9200, bobbi.marcus@bobbimarcuspr.com

Booking contact Tarpan Studios 415-485-1999 kimrea@tarpanstudios.com

Press and Radio Inquires contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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