TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss their biggest concert nightmares!

TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss some of their most memorable concert nightmares! Watch the episode HERE.

Jake Shimabukuro releases video for "Why Not" featuring Kenny Loggins

A true cast of diverse greats have joined forces with Jake Simabukuro on his latest album. Check out the new track featuring the ukulele master with Kenny Loggins...Robert Kinsler

See Jake on his US / UK Tour:  https://jakeshimabukuro.com/tour-dates/

June 9, 2022 (Los Angeles): Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro has released a new music video for "Why Not", written and sung by multi-platinum hitmaker and movie soundtrack king Kenny Loggins. The track is a deliciously upbeat slice of soul-pop with hooks for days and an effervescent ukulele solo that will set pulses racing. View the video here.  “Working with Kenny was a blast,” says Shimabukuro. “We started off doing things simply, but once we got going, Kenny wanted to try out different ideas, and I just let him go. Watching him do his thing was a real education in record making.” Shimabukuro’s incredible latest album Jake & Friends (Mascot Label Group/Music Theories Recordings and JS Records) was released on November 12, 2021 and features a who’s who of music royalty: Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Moon Taxi, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Jon Anderson, Ziggy Marley, Warren Haynes, Jack Johnson, Jesse Colin Young, Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel, Sonny Landreth, Lukas Nelson, and Billy Strings. “I have to pinch myself when I see those names on my own album,” he says. “It’s like, ‘Did that really happen?’ Making the album was a real challenge, but I’m deeply honored that all artists agreed to record with me.” Shimabukuro is set to perform two shows next week in New York state before kicking off his UK tour on June 16. For more information on Jake, or to purchase tickets for his tour, please visit www.jakeshimabukuro.com.  ###

Jake Shimabukuro US & UK Tour Dates

June 12 –  Suffolk Theater – Riverhead, NY June 13 –  City Winery – New York, NY June 16 – The Old Market – Brighton, UK June 18 – Grand Northern Ukulele Festival – Huddersfield, UK June 19 – The Trades Club – Hebden Bridge, UK June 20 – St George’s – Bristol, UK June 21 – The Glee Club – Birmingham, UK June 22 – St George’s Hall – Liverpool, UK June 23 – Cavern Club – Liverpool, UK June 24 – St Saviourgate – York, UK June 25 – City Varieties Music Hall – Leeds, UK June 27 – Kings Place – London, UK August 3 – San Juan Capistrano – CA August 4 – The Canyon @ The Libbey Bowl – Ojai, CA August 5 – Buck Owens' Crystal Palace – Bakersfield, CA August 6 – Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA August 7 – Charles Krug Wiery – St. Helena, CA August 10 – The Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX August 11 – 04 Center – Austin, TX August 12 – The Heights Theater – Houston, TX August 13 – Tobin Center for the Performing Arts - San Antonio, TX September 19 – Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI September 20 – Fitzgerald Theater – St. Paul, MN

2022 NAMM Show recap: performances, product innovations and wonderful instruments aplenty

Before attending NAMM Media Preview Day on Thursday, June 2, 2022, it had been more than two years since the music industry gathered in Anaheim for the NAMM Show (read my recap of the January 2020 NAMM Show HERE). 

Writer Robert Kinsler in front of the Anaheim Convention Center 
on June 4, 2022. Photo: Bob Steshetz 

The sense of eagerness for musicians and music industry representatives eager to get back into the world was palpable across the three days I spent at the event held at the Anaheim Convention Center. I wrote a quick update after attending preview events hosted by Martin Guitar and NAMM on June 2 (you can see that HERE), but here is my in-depth coverage of my experience at the 2022 NAMM Show, including reflections on performances and new products / instruments that caught my eye (and ears). And a very special "thank you" to photographer Bob Stesetz for the use of so many of his incredible photos taken during the NAMM Show!

Photographer Bob Steshetz, left, with saxophonist Mindi Abair.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

New Instruments, Gadgets & Gizmos!

Yamaha is always worth visiting and 2022 was no exception. I was truly impressed by the RSP20, one of the flagships of the second generation of Revstar; the affordable electric guitar (which retails for under $800) features carbon reinforcement in the neck and in the chambered body. It has dual humbucking pickups, combined with a five-position selector and a Focus Switch passive boost. I was able to play it for awhile on Saturday and really fell in love with its sound and the ease to play the instrument up and down the fretboard. The new Revstar series comes in three tiers: Element, Standard and the made-in-Japan Professional. Information: usa.yamaha.com. You can learn more on this exciting instrument HERE.

Yahama's Revstar was front and center
at the 2022 NAMM Show.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

After getting a glimpse of Minarik Guitars' 50th Anniversary Haunted Mansion custom guitar on Media Day, I went back to their booth on Friday to see what other guitars the Las Vegas, Nevada-based company was displaying. The company has really tapped into an area of the market with its custom shop's Art Series guitars. Check out the images below and watch a video on the Haunted Mansion guitar posted by TJR HERE. Information: MinarikGuitars.com.

The 50th Anniversary Haunted Mansion guitar.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

'Alice in Wonderland' is celebrated via Minarik Guitars'
Acoustic Series. Photo: Bob Steshetz

An electric guitar model from Minarik Guitars.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Drummers will want to check out the new EFNOTE 7X (EFD-7X) drum kit courtesy of Artesia. The multi-sensor kit will be released in September 2022, and will retail for approximately $4,500. Information: Artesia-pro.com. 

A close-up view of the impressive EFNOTE 7X. Photo: Bob Steshetz

I'm always excited to see the latest products from major brands such as Taylor Guitars, Martin Guitar, Deering Banjo Co. and Rickenbacker, but it's cool to discover new up-and-coming manufacturers as well.

Take the Orba 2, a follow-up to Artiphon's synth, looper and controller. A truly portable instrument that fits in the palm of your hand, the user can deliver the sounds of electric guitar and upright pianos, as well as collected audio sounds and even vocals. The Orba 2 retails for $149.99. Information: artiphon.com.

The Orba 2 retails for $149.99. Photo: Bob Steshetz

Guitar players who use a slide (or would like to) should check out the Thimble Slide, developed by Hermosa Beach, CA-based inventor Cole Coleman. The Thimble Slide is a mini-slide designed to be worn on the tip of a guitarist's 3rd finger, wit the front edge about halfway to tree-quarters down the fingernail toward the base. When worn there, a guitarist will see that all their fingers are available for fretting. The Thimble Slide is available in several sizes. Information: ThimbleSlide.com.

The Thimble Slide is available now. Photo: Robert Kinsler

I was able to meet with saxophonist-composer/vocalist Mindi Abair who came to NAMM to showcase her new signature Mindi Abair 2 alto mouthpiece produced by Theo Wanne. A celebrated artist and in-demand virtuoso musician since the release of her debut album in 2000, Abair told me that she has worked with Theo Wanne for a number of years to get the perfect mouthpiece and she is thrilled that it is available now. Information: TheoWanne.com.

Theo Wanne, left, with Mindi Abair at the NAMM Show on June 3.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Saxophone great Mindi Abair.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Favorite Performances & Special Events!

The first official performance of this year's NAMM Show was staged early Friday during the Breakfast of Champions event with a set from French duo RoSaWay. Fusing European jazz, world music and pop, the songs were built on flute and percussion with inviting female lead vocals. Information: rosaway.com.

RoSaWay performing at the NAMM Show on June 3, 2022. Photo: Bob Steshetz

RoSaWay, from left, Rachel and SteF. Photo: Bob Steshetz

Not long after RoSaWay finished their winning set, Multi-GRAMMY® winner, composer and performer Kenny Loggins was presented with the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) “Music for Life” award by NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. NAMM’s highest industry honor, the award was given at the opening Breakfast of Champions session in celebration of Loggins’ lifelong commitment to inspiring music makers everywhere.

Kenny Loggins, left, with NAMM President & CEO Joe Lamond.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

This writer was really impressed by Loggins' commitment to assisting young people get into music, instilling in them a love of music as opposed to seeking empty fame or stardom. “As far as music goes, music is in our DNA," Loggins said. "When I’m working with young artists, we’re talking about the love of music, its role, and its importance in our lives.” 

Kenny Loggins on June 3, 2022.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Michael Ubaldini performing on June 3, 2022.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

My Friday came to a perfect end with Michael Ubaldini's stirring set at the Sheraton Park Stage. As if performing at the NAMM Show wasn't special enough, June 3 also marked the official release date of the celebrated singer-songwriter's new album Rabbit Foot Carnival. Performing to the accompaniment of his acoustic guitar —  as well as his harmonica at times — Ubaldini's 45-minute set allowed him to offer up a mix of classic material and new songs from Rabbit Foot Carnival. Standouts of Ubaldini's 11-song set included the timely "Free Speech Blues," haunting "Song Of Our Time," rockabilly-mining "Don't Say Goodbye" and tender "The General Store." He ended his set with a powerful take on "The Offended," a powerful song aimed at those unwilling to listen or consider anything beyond their own limited view. For more information, visit rocknrollpoet.com.

I'm still not quite sure what to make of the Jam Galaxy Band's performance on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage on Saturday morning. The ensemble included a cast of real life musicians, as well as a robot named Desdemona — the latter offering up spoken word to a soundscape with layers were progressive rock and jazz meet. I can't say I loved the songs, but it was visually interesting. Information: JamGalaxy.com. 

Desdemona of the Jam Galaxy Band.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Photo: Bob Steshetz

Much better was guitar great Carl Verheyen's 45-minute outing staged on the same stage. Verheyen — best known for his role as lead guitarist in Supertramp and as a session player recording for the likes of the Bee Gees and Dolly Parton — impressed with a set of songs and instrumentals displaying his top-tier guitar and vocal skills. Verheyen was backed by a stellar trio of musicians who collectively elevated the set (bassist Dave Marotta, drummer John Mader and new keyboardist Troy Dexter). Highlights of his fast-moving set (that attracted a big crowd) included the blues-rock original "Stealing Gasoline," bouncy "Queen Bee" (a new song enhanced by a cool guitar intro) and "Clawhammer Man," the latter a track from his latest album Sundial featuring some especially soulful vocals from Verheyen.  Information: CarlVerheyen.com.

Carl Verheyen at NAMM on June 4.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

From left, bassist Dave Marotta and keyboardist Troy Dexter. Photo: Bob Steshetz

I also enjoyed a short set of wonderful instrumental jazz courtesy of Paul Navidad (alto sax), Edmund Velasco (tenor sax) and Sam Montooth (upright bass). The trio attracted an appreciative crowd while performing at the Dakota Saxophones booth on Saturday afternoon.

From left, Paul Navidad, Edmund Velasco and
Sam Montooth playing a set of jazz.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Robert Kinsler

Editor's Note - check out the great interview conducted by the cool folks at MusicUCanSee with WAR founding member Lee Oskar HERE.

You can also watch their interview conducted with Mindi Abair HERE:

Inbox Update: "YACHT ROCK: The Oral History of the Soft, Smooth, Sounds of the 70's and 80's" coming March 6, 2018

‘It’s amazing that this style came to be. Can you imagine being a struggling musician back then? It must take an incredible amount of restraint to play that gently.’–

Actor/comedian Fred Armisen, from his foreword

The first-ever book that tells the full story of the genre of music you know you love!

Featuring interviews with many of the heavy hitters of the genre, including John Oates, Kenny Loggins, and Don

Felder, The Yacht Rock Book leaves no sail unturned. This is the definitive story of the genre’s creation, rise, chart-smashing success, fall, and stunning rebirth.

Just what is ‘yacht rock,’ you ask? Perhaps the easiest description is music that would not sound out of place being played while carousing aboard a yacht back in the good old days. But these songs were also some of the top pop gems of the 1970s and ‘80s. And while some associate yacht rock’s biggest songs with one-hit wonder artists, several of rock’s most renowned artists fall under this category, too – including Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, The Doobie Brothers, Toto, and more. Yacht rock seemed to have become extinct by the early twenty-first century … until a comedic video series, simply titled Yacht Rock, went viral and introduced captain’s hats and blazers to a whole new generation – as well as the emergence of a popular cover band, the Yacht Rock Revue, and of course, Jimmy Fallon’s on-air admiration of all things yacht rock. Now, yacht rock is one of the most celebrated ‘yesteryear’ styles of pop music, and has resonated with a new generation of musicians (including the Fred Armisen/Bill Hader-led Blue Jean Committee and soul/funk/electronica crossover act Thundercat).

THE YACHT ROCK BOOK: The Oral History of the Soft, Smooth, Sounds of the 70’s and 80’s

By Greg Prato

On-Sale March 6, 2018

Published by Jawbone Press

Paperback, 320 pages with 20 color & b/w photos

ISBN: 9781911036296

Inbox Update: Justin Hayward, Bad Religion

Here are the latest highlights pulled from my inbox. Very exciting news that Justin Hayward is set to issue a solo album next month. Enjoy everybody!

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE JUSTIN HAYWARD'S

SPIRITS OF THE WESTERN SKY ON FEB. 26, 2013 

 

On February 26, 2013, Eagle Records is proud to release Spirits Of The Western Sky by Justin Hayward. 

 

As lead guitarist and vocalist of the legendary rock band, The Moody Blues, Hayward is one of the most prolific singer-songwriters in music.  Justin’s songs include “Nights In White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” “Question,” “The Voice,” “Your Wildest Dreams,” and “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere,” to name just a few of his worldwide hits.  Performing and recording for more than 40 years with The Moody Blues, during which the group has sold more than 60 million albums, Justin Hayward has been a driving force in the band’s success. 

 

Spirits Of The Western Sky, recorded in Genoa, Italy and Nashville, is Hayward’s first solo album since 1996’s The View From The Hill.  It features his trademark vocals and guitar work on tracks such as “One Day, Someday,” “On The Road To Love,” & album opener “In Your Blue Eyes,” and also highlights orchestrations by Academy Award-winning composer Anne Dudley. Additionally, Hayward moves into new areas with the three country and bluegrass-influenced tracks “What You Resist Persists,” “Broken Dream,” and “It’s Cold Outside Of Your Heart.”

 

“Anne [Dudley] is one of the true greats,” states Justin, “in the same rarefied class of orchestrators as Peter Knight, who was such an inspiration in my early Moody Blues days. I’ve worked with Anne on different projects over the years and it’s always a joy (when she is arranging, all the studio musicians know it’s going to be wonderful).  I also co-wrote a song with my friend Kenny Loggins for Spirits Of The Western Sky. He and I were both on the road and staying in the same hotel.  We had a great day playing guitar together and we came up with ‘On The Road To Love’. Kenny plays and sings on the track with me. This album is a labor of love. It’s been my whole life for the last few years. I know we all have many choices nowadays and I thank everyone who gives my album a listen and brings these songs into their collection. Every track is truly from my heart”.

 

Building on the best of his work throughout an incredible career, Spirits Of The Western Sky is an album guaranteed to delight Justin Hayward’s legions of fans around the world. For more information, visit Hayward's official site at: http://www.justinhayward.com.

 

Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world.  Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide.  Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

BAD RELIGION STREAMS TRUE NORTH TODAY 

Band Announces North American Spring Tour

 

LA's legendary punk heroes Bad Religion are streaming their new album True North in its entirety starting today (Jan. 15, 2013), in front of their January 22nd album release date. In anticipation of their new release, Bad Religion have announced a North American tour starting in March of 2013 with support from  Against Me! and Polar Bear Club. Tickets for the tour go on-sale  starting this Thursday, January 17th.

To stream the new record, please go to: http://bit.ly/VGb3O1

True North celebrates the power of cogent punk in the face of personal pain and adversity. It is one of the band’s most emotionally accessible albums to date. Beneath the bristling guitars and surging drums exists one of the most cathartic works of the band’s career. WithTrue North, Bad Religion deliberately revisits and refines the fast melodic Southern California sound they helped to define on albums such as Suffer, No Control and Recipe For Hate.

With a new album around the corner, Bad Religion cements their place in punk rock history with 16 studio albums, worldwide critical acclaim and countless world tours  and will continue the celebration of their distinguished career with extensive touring  in 2013, a rare intimate show in Los Angeles on January 23^rd at The Echo in Los Angeles and  their  first ever appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon this January 30th.

Fans can pre-order True North by going here: http://www.kingsroadmerch.com/bad-religion/region/ and can check out the single "True North" via YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKflTc_RT6U

Bad Religion Tour Dates:

1/23/2013	The Echo	Los Angeles	CA
3/8/2013	OC Fair & Event Center	Costa Mesa	CA
3/9/2013	Soma	San Diego	CA
3/12/2013	Backstage Live	San Antonio	TX
3/13/2013	House of Blues	Houston	TX
3/14/2013	House of Blues	Dallas	TX
3/16/2013	The Ritz Ybor	Tampa	FL
3/17/2013	House of Blues- Orlando	Orlando	FL
3/19/2013	The Masquerade	Atlanta	GA
3/20/2013	War Memorial Auditorium	Nashville	TN
3/22/2013	9:30 Club	Washington	DC
3/23/2013	The Wellmont Theatre	Montclair	NJ
3/24/2013	Electric Factory	Philadelphia	PA
3/26/2013	Terminal 5	New York	NY
3/28/2013	House of Blues	Boston	MA
3/29/2013	State Theatre	Portland	ME
3/30/2013	Metropolis	Montreal	QC
3/31/2013	Kool Haus	Toronto	ON
4/2/2013	St. Andrews Hall	Detroit	MI
4/4/2013	Newport Music Hall	Columbus	OH
4/5/2013	Congress Theatre	Chicago	IL
4/6/2013	Pops Nightclub	Sauget	IL
4/8/2013	Granada Theater	Lawrence	KS
4/10/2013	The Fillmore	Denver	CO
4/11/2013	In The Venue	Salt Lake City	UT
4/13/2013	Vogue Theater	Vancouver	BC
4/14/2013	Roseland Theater	Portland	OR
4/15/2013	Showbox SoDo	Seattle	WA
4/18/2013	Hollywood Palladium	Hollywood	CA
4/20/2013	TBD	Pheonix	AZ
5/26/2013	Punk Rock Bowling	Las Vegas	NV

For more information:
www.epitaph.com
www.badreligion.com