Sights and Sounds: The Mavericks, Melissa Etheridge, Sammy Hagar

Here is a roundup of today's early news releases...

The Mavericks celebrate their 30th Anniversary in 2019. A number of concert dates have just been announced. Additionally, Mavericks singer-guitarist Raul Malo has also announced a number of solo dates, including a Friday, May 10 date at the legendary Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Here is some of the information in this morning's announcement from the band:

NEW DATES…AND MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED! As many of you know, 2019 marks the 30^th year of The Mavericks since our inception in 1989... We’ve mentioned it in a few of our shows this year, and are most excited to announce a proper 30^th Anniversary Tour, which will highlight music made from every album and incarnation of the band! The live show will be a bit different from what you may have seen in the past, and we know you’re going to love it! 

For more information, visit themavericksband.com.

GRAMMY and Oscar-winning, multi-platinum artist Melissa Etheridge shares her new song and video for “Wild and Lonely,” the latest track from her forthcoming album The Medicine Show, out April 12 via Concord Records. The new track is available now; watch the video here. In the video, fans get a taste of this new material performed live with footage captured on Melissa’s recent UK dates, ahead of her U.S. tour kicking off March 29 (dates below). Pre-order The Medicine Show here.

With “Wild and Lonely,” Etheridge found herself exploring themes of her past, but with a new perspective. The song is about wanting to break out of routines and reach for the extraordinary -- “an angry craving seeps into my skin,” she sings. Melissa explains, “that was like Old School Melissa. It’s fun for me to play with ‘me’ now, for 57-year-old Melissa to play with the angst. The whole song is about being on the road, being hungry, wanting.”

Paired with the title track, “Wild and Lonely” fully sets the tone for the album, sonically and emotionally. She continues, “I wanted the album to have a sound, a feel,” she says. ‘Wild and Lonely’ really dialed that in for me…the song is a perfect example of the sound I wanted.”

The release of “Wild and Lonely” follows “Faded By Design,” the first single to be unveiled from The Medicine Show, which had its premiere exclusively with Rolling Stone, who called it “a proud declaration of resilience.” For this new album, her 15th studio recording, Melissa was reunited with celebrated producer John Shanks (Keith Urban, Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson), and the music was recorded largely live in studio, capturing the raw emotion of the material.

Since the release of her unforgettable self-titled 1988 debut, Melissa Etheridge’s incredible career to date includes sales of over 25 million albums, 5 platinum and 3 multi-platinum records, 15 GRAMMY Award nominations and 2 wins, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an Academy Award for “I Need to Wake Up” from the climate change documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Her last release, MEmphis Rock & Soul, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Blues Chart. Melissa has selflessly dedicated herself as an activist for human rights, LGBTQ issues, breast cancer awareness and alternative medical approaches. 

MELISSA ETHERIDGE U.S. TOUR DATES

*Meet and Greets are available for more information go to MelissaEtheridge.com

3/29/19 Bonita Springs, FL - Southwest Florida Event Center

3/30/19 Bonita Springs, FL - Southwest Florida Event Center

4/10/19 New York, NY - The Town Hall

4/13/19 Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theater

4/14/19 Lynn, MA - Lynn Veteran's Memorial Auditorium

4/17/18 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour

4/19/19 Stateline, NV - Harrah's Lake Tahoe - South Shore Room

4/20/19 West Wendover, NV - Peppermill Concert Hall

4/23/19 New Braunfels, TX - Gruene Hall

4/24/19 Irving, TX - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory with Liz Phair

4/25/19 Catoosa, OK - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa - The Joint

4/27/19 Lake Charles, LA - Golden Nugget Lake Charles

4/28/19 New Orleans, LA - Saenger Theatre with Liz Phair

4/30/19 Chattanooga, TN - Walker Theater

5/1/19 Augusta, GA - Miller Theater

5/2/19 Durham, NC - Carolina Theatre of Durham

5/3/19 Virginia Beach, VA - Sandler Center

5/6/19 Lancaster, PA - American Music Theatre

5/8/19 Springfield, OH - Clark State Performing Arts Center

5/9/19 Jim Thorpe, PA - Penn's Peak

5/11/19 Plymouth, MA - Plymouth Memorial Hall

5/12/19 Portland, ME - State Theatre

6/20/19 Des Moines, IA - Hoyt Sherman Place

6/25/19 Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap with Pat Benatar Neil Geraldo and Liz Phair

6/29/19 Webster, MA - Indian Ranch

6/30/19 New York, NY – Times Square - World Pride Closing Ceremony

7/4/19 Elk Grove Village, IL - Elk Grove Village Mid-Summer Classics Concert Series

7/8/19 Boulder, CO – Chautauqua Auditorium

7/13/19 Chandler, AZ - Chandler Center for the Arts

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AXS TV announced today (Tuesday, March 19, 2019) the return of the popular music interview series Rock & Roll Road Trip With Sammy Hagar Presented By Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL, premiering Sunday, May 5 at 8 p.m. ET. The new season features episodes with Willie Nelson, REO Speedwagon, Rick Springfield, Robby Krieger, Cheech & Chong, Charlie Daniels and more.

The star-studded guest list includes Country legend Willie Nelson; as well as Rick Springfield in a special episode shot on location at his home; multi-platinum rockers REO Speedwagon; celebrity chef/TV Host Guy Fieri; renowned comedy duo Cheech & Chong; Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Daniels; stock car superstar—and seven-time NASCAR champion— Jimmie Johnson; groundbreaking Doors guitarist Robby Krieger; blues rock revolutionary Joe Bonamassa; and a special drummers episode with prolific percussionists Kenny Aronoff, Sheila E.and Jason Bonham,who gives an exclusive insider’s look at the making of his new album.  

As part of AXS TV’s partnership with the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL, the network will present a series of weekly vignettes covering the latest in music news and information in the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Music Minute , covering everything from concert tour dates and artist announcements, to music festival news and profiles of up-and-coming artists. Additionally, the series will highlight events at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL, while taking viewers behind the scenes on the venue’s storied grounds, which includes the renowned Rock Vault—the temporary home to Hagar’s trademark checkered suit worn during his performance with Van Halen at the 1992 VMAs. The iconic ensemble is now on display along the marble-floored concourse of the newly opened casino at the resort, right next to David Bowie’s “Glass Spider” red suit, which he wore during the 1987 tour.

Willie Nelson, left, with Sammy Hagar.
Photo courtesy of AXS TV.

“I am so proud to be able to host this wild and crazy show for a fourth season,” Hagar said. “This is pure fun for me, getting to go around just hanging out and playing music with some of my favorite people in the world. It’s humbling to see that our viewers dig it as much as I do. I’m excited to keep this party going!”

“Sammy Hagar is the quintessential rockstar—simultaneously larger-than-life and incredibly down-to-earth,” said Evan Haiman, AXS TV’s vice president of music programming and production. “He hasn’t just lived through rock history, he’s made rock history, and the deep passion he has for music resonates in every episode. AXS TV is proud to welcome the popular series back for a fourth season, packed with even more of the candid conversations and all-star jam sessions that our viewers love.”

“As one of the most iconic entertainment venues on the planet, it made perfect sense for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood to partner with Sammy Hagar and AXS TV as the presenting sponsor for the Rock & Roll Road Trip series.  Our culture is built on music, having fun and being a little irreverent on occasion. Most of the celebrities that Sammy interviews on the show will most likely have visited or performed at one of our Hard Rock venues,” said Auggie Cipollini, president of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. “This is going to be a great partnership and we are thrilled that we have the opportunity to showcase Rock & Roll history and today’s most interesting celebrities to such a passionate and loyal audience.”  

Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar Presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL is produced in-house by AXS TV. Tom Consolo, Evan Haiman, Kari Hagar, and Sammy Hagar all serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Stephen Stormer.

About SAMMY HAGAR

Sammy Hagar  is a Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter who has sold more than 80 million albums during his four decades as a solo artist and frontman for bands including Montrose, Van Halen, Chickenfoot and The Circle. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Van Halen in 2007, is also a #1 New York Times bestselling author, host of the TV series “Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar,” restaurateur and spirits entrepreneur. He turned his love for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and hand-crafted tequila into an empire with the Cabo Wabo Cantinas and Tequila and has since added nine restaurants throughout the United States, the award-winning Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, and in 2017 launched a new spirit, Santo Mezquila.

About AXS TV

Launched in July 2012 by visionary entrepreneur CEO Mark Cuban, AXS TV delivers the ultimate in music entertainment programming with an eclectic lineup that includes classic concerts from music's most iconic bands, as well as exclusive music festival coverage, original hit series, docs that rock, insightful specials, and knock-out live mixed martial arts and wrestling action. AXS TV is a partnership between Cuban, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and CBS. The network is available nationally in the United States and can be seen in parts of Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For a list of providers, visit axs.tv/subscribe . For more information, see  www.axs.tv and www.axs.tv/press . Follow AXS TV on  Facebook, Twitter   @axstv  and Instagram . Press information is available at axstvmediacenter.com .

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship casino resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.  It is  a world-renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination that features a AAA Four Diamond-rated luxury hotel; expansive gaming offerings including first-in-class slots, high-stakes table games and South Florida’s premier poker room; spa and fitness center; award-winning dining and nightlife; and the popular Hard Rock Event Center which hosts A-list entertainers, comedy and sporting events. A $1.5 billion expansion slated to open in fall 2019 will bring 638 luxury guestrooms to a first-ever, iconic, guitar-shaped hotel and 167 upscale guest accommodations in an adjacent hotel tower overlooking a lush, “Bora Bora” style, private cabana  environment ; a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa®; a 13.5 acre recreationalwater - focused experience for sunbathing, swimming , kayaking, sailing and paddle boarding; 21 distinctive  restaurants, bars and lounges; an expanded gaming floor featuring 3,100 slots, 193 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space; and 26,000 square feet of new retail space.  The highly anticipated 6,500 seat Hard Rock Live theater-style  concert venue will feature headline performances and live broadcast capabilities.  The resort is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole  Reservation along  State Road 7, (U.S. Highway 441). The resort is 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Miami and Miami International Airport. For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood. com , call 800-937-0010 or follow us:

Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly

Gibson's NAMM Jam brings parade of talent to Anaheim

Billy F Gibbons, left, and Peter Frampton at Gibson's NAMM Jam in Anaheim on Jan. 24, 2019.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Gibson Brands, Inc., brought a parade of emerging artists and bona fide superstars to City National Grove of Anaheim on Thursday night (Jan. 24, 2019) to celebrate the guitar maker's return to the NAMM Show.

For just under three hours, an enthusiastic, music industry-filled audience was treated to fast-moving performances that showcased a diverse mix of styles (ranging from country and blues-rock to classic rock), all genres associated in large part with Gibson's signature guitar models. What's more, those styles were performed by the very groundbreaking players who helped popularize the instruments.

Indeed, the amazing bill featured Billy F Gibbons (ZZ Top), Robby Krieger (The Doors), Peter Frampton and Nancy Wilson (Heart). And with a house band that included drummer Kenny Arnoff (John Fogerty, John Mellencamp), bassist Daryl Jones (The Rolling Stones), keyboardist Jeff Young (Jackson Browne, Steely Dan) and guitarist Jimmy Vivino (who led the house band for the Conan TV show), attendees knew they were in for a special night. Gibson had promised a night of "Legends and New Icons," and the event fully delivered on that promise.

The future of rock and blues-rock is often debated but it appears to have a solid future, in part, in the hands of 13-year-old Toby Lee. He impressed leading the aforementioned house band before joining forces to rock with emerging guitar great Jared James Nichols. 

Emily Wolfe performing on Jan. 24.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Helping highlight the diversity of players who use Gibson guitars was country songstress Cam, who performed the tender ballad "Palace" (a song she co-wrote with Sam Smith; the track was featured on that artist's 2017 LP The Thrill Of It All).

More impressive was Raleigh, NC native and long-time Austin, Texas artist Emily Wolfe. 

Delivering a knock out blow from the moment she took the stage, the formidable singer-guitarist was riveting as she used rapid-fire fret work and forceful vocals, notably on her 2016 single "Atta Blues."

Also making quite a musical statement on stage was the hard-rocking duo Black Pistol Fire, with a heavy sound and alternative rock style.

Kevin McKeown of Austin, Texas- based Black Pistol Fire going
airborne during Gibson's NAMM Jam at the City National Grove of
Anaheim on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. Photo: Bob Steshetz

Ray Goren, left, dueling with Doors guitarist Robby Krieger at NAMM Jam in Anaheim on 
Jan. 24, 2019.  Photo: Bob Steshetz

The show's star power really picked up when Doors guitarist Krieger was introduced. His too-short stay was a reminder of his winning skills as guitarist and songwriter, and guest vocalist Lauren Ruth Ward added lead vocal stylings fully in tune with the '60s psychedelic-blues-rock sound developed by the Doors. Performances of "Love Me Two Times" and a 10-minute run through "Roadhouse Blues" were terrific, the latter allowing young Los Angeles guitar player Ray Goren and Krieger to joyfully duel with their electric guitars.

Nancy Wilson at NAMM Jam.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Nancy Wilson delighted and surprised fans with a bluesy acoustic rock-styled take on Paul McCartney's "Let Me Roll It" (a standout cut on 1973's Band On The Run).  Nichols (who Wilson noted was a player she heard about via her 19-year-old son) then teamed up with Wilson for a ferocious take on a Robin Trower song.

Peter Frampton received a hero's welcome, and the crowd was rewarded with a couple of amazing performances. There was a mostly-instrumental arrangement of Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" that was one of the magic moments of the night. Frampton's extended "Do You Feel Like We Do" had the crowd on its feet, singing along and videotaping the British artist's guitar work and talk box vocal delivery.

Peter Frampton coming alive
during the NAMM Jam.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Billy F Gibbons capped off the NAMM Jam affair with a 50-minute appearance that culminated with a full-on jam session featuring most of the night's players sharing the Grove stage.

Enroute to that freewheeling and festive close (a rousing performance of ZZ Top's 1973 classic "La Grange"), Gibbons and the house band showcased several old blues classics, as well as an artfully-reworked take on the Jimi Hendrix classic "Foxy Lady."

Billy F Gibbons performing at NAMM Jam in Anaheim.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

One thing that stood out about the night was the true sense of fun being had by all of the musicians. (I think the images captured by photographer Bob Steshetz that are featured along with this writer's review capture that!)

The audience (including yours truly) was basking in the glow while enjoying some truly great music making.


Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography: Bob Steshetz

Celebrating the blues are 13-year-old Toby Lee, left, with Jimmy Vivino at NAMM Jam.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

2019 NAMM Show: Gibson, Taylor Guitars, Tascam

Only hours away from my arrival to cover Media  Day at the 2019 NAMM Show. There continues to be news releases detailing some of the top-tier talents and music products coming to Anaheim this week...

GIBSON: NAMM 2019 DAILY EVENTS AND ARTIST APPEARANCES IN ROOM #207 ANNOUNCED GIBSON’s NAMM JAM OPENING PARTY SET TO KICK-OFF THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 AT CITY NATIONAL GROVE OF ANAHEIM

In 2019, after more than a century, GIBSON artists, players and enthusiasts will experience the all American-made instrument brand rejuvenated. The guitar of choice for artists in rock, pop, country, blues, folk, jazz and beyond, the new GIBSON era celebrates iconic models while looking to the future with instruments that will nurture new players across generations, genders and genres of music. GIBSONwill showcase the new line-up and artist collaborations at NAMM in Anaheim, CA, January 23-27. Peter Frampton will perform at City National Grove of Anaheim on Thursday, Jan. 24. On Wednesday, January 23 the GIBSON experience will launch with a media preview (3 p.m.) in the NAMM lobby followed by a special surprise for guests around the 4:45 p.m. hour. Beginning Thursday, January 24, the GIBSON space in Room #207 will feature daily events from artist performances, Q&A’s and new product debuts from GIBSON icons and upstarts (starts 10 a.m. daily, see schedule below).  Robby Krieger performing at the NAMM Show in 2014. He returns to the event this week. Later Thursday night (Jan. 24), GIBSON will kick-off their opening party--NAMM Jam at City National Grove of Anaheim (7:30 p.m.) with live performances from Billy Gibbons, Nancy Wilson, Peter Frampton, Robby Krieger, Emily Wolfe, Black Pistol Fire, Cam, Jared James Nichols and more while Jimmy Vivino, Kenny Arnoff, Daryl Jones and Jeff Young round out the house band. Following is the daily schedule for GIBSON artist appearances at NAMM 2019 (Room #207):  For more information on GIBSON, visit: WEBSITE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE About Gibson: Gibson Brands, the world’s most iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for more than 100 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the number one guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, Kramer, Steinberger and Gibson Pro Audio division brands Cerwin Vega, KRK Systems and Stanton. Gibson Brands is dedicated toquality, innovation and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Learn more at http://www.gibson.com and follow us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram. Taylors Guitars Booth to host performances during NAMM Show White Buffalo will perform at the Taylor Guitars booth on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. Taylor Guitars always offers a diverse range of talented artists in its booths during the NAMM Show. Over the years I've caught many amazing performances at Taylor while getting a chance to play some of the Southern California-based guitar maker's fine instruments too! Below is the just-announced lineup of artists set to perform on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, with links to learn more about the musicians and/or catch performances of them posted on YouTube... Thursday, Jan. 24 3 p.m. - El David  https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8485489/el-david-aguilar-latin-grammys-red-carpet 4 p.m. - Bad Flower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLX34h450Ss 5 p.m. - Lights  - http://music.iamlights.com/ Friday, Jan. 25 3 p.m. - Snuffy  & Sara - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I44WkxpeoNo 4 p.m. - Molly Miller -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCpMBH35-F0&t=88s 5 p.m. - Daniel Marly aka Bambaata https://www.last.fm/music/Daniel+Bambaata+Marley/+wiki Saturday, Jan. 26 3 p.m. - Daniel Donato - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es5C5RB4BQs 4 p.m. - Trey Hensley - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TpJiiQVs3g 5 p.m. - White Buffalo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Kk3fVmPxOk D’Angelico NAMM Stage Packed with Performances From January 24th to the 27th, D’Angelico Guitars’ NAMM Booth 212AB will feature performances from some of music’s biggest stars such as Bob Weir, Robert Randolph, Jonathan Butler, and Brandon “Taz” Niederauer. Performances are every hour on the hour starting at noon or 1 p.m., lasting twenty-five minutes per set. Each set will be live-streamed by Relix Magazine. Thursday, January 24th, 2019 12:00 PM — The Spirit Fingers 1:00 PM — Fabrizio Sotti 2:00 PM — Tony Bruno 3:00 PM — Kerry Marshall with Mac Ayres 4:00 PM — Jonathan Butler 5:00 PM — Brandon Taz Niederauer 7:00 PM — Bob Weir and Wolf Bros** private event Friday, January 25th, 2019 1:00 PM — Allan Harris 2:00 PM — Zane Carney with Yoav Eshed 3:00 PM — Phony PPL 4:00 PM — Brandon Taz Niederauer 5:00 PM — Robert Randolph Saturday, January 26th, 2019 12:00 PM — Ruby Leigh Pearson Lit’l Miss Country 1:00 PM — Adam Miller 2:00 PM — Chris Mazuera & Curt Henderson and Special Guests 3:00 PM — Melanie Faye 4:00 PM — Erick Walls 5:00 PM — Fabrizio Sotti **All sets are open to all NAMM attendees unless otherwise marked. Tascam Debuts Model 24 Mixer and more at  NAMM 2019 TASCAM will be  pulling the wraps off their new and hottest products at this year's NAMM show, including some new, as yet unseen surprises. At booth 18910 in the North Hall of the Anaheim Convention Center, TASCAM will be showcasing their brand new Model 24 digital multittrack recorder. Offering 24 tracks of 24-bit, 48 kHz audio capture (22 channels and a stereo main mix) and 22 playback tracks via either USB 2.0 or to the unit's onboard SD Card recorder, the Model 24 delivers quick, easy one-touch recording and includes transport controls, auto and manual punch in/out, and overdub capability. With color-coded knobs, faux-wood sides, and a retro design, the Model 24 is reminiscent of vintage TASCAM products but it's based on the company's industry-leading digital Portastudio technology, as evidenced by its LCD screen and digital recording and Bluetooth® input features. Regular demos of the Model 24 will be shown throughout the day each day of the show. In addition to the Model 24, TASCAM will be unveiling several other new products for professional audio, DSLR video, and installed AV applications. Come by and get a first look at some brand new cutting edge surprises. The TASCAM booth will also be hosting the debut of Gig Performer 3.0, the innovative, feature-rich software platform that transforms your plug-ins into a powerful live performance system. Paired with TASCAM's US-20x20 USB interface, Gig Performer 3.0 offers a complete live performance solution for taking control of your setup. Also at the TASCAM booth, join Nuclear Blast Records, home of Slayer, Death Angel, Accept, Hammerfall and other great metal artists. Nuclear Blast will be hosting a listening station featuring vinyl spun on custom TEAC turntables, as well as giving away slipmats, and other cool swag. Orange County based Burger Records, will also be hosting at the TASCAM booth this year. One of the major forces behind the cassette revival, Burger Records will be hosting a cassette rewind contest, and giving away copies of some of their current releases. And Blue Coast Records, the premier DSD and high resolution audio label, will be joining TASCAM again this year, using the opportunity to showcase their recordings on the TASCAM DA-3000 Stereo Master Recorder. Elsewhere at the booth, the stage will host sets by celebrated singer-songwriter RT Valine, as well as a performance by San Diego's Beebs and her Moneymakers, Gramm-nominated producer/guitarist Johnny K (Disturbed, 3 Doors Down), and Odyssy featuring DJ Johnny Juice of Public Enemy. Between musical performances, check out demos of Model 24, Gig Performer, and presentations on high-resolution recording from Blue Coast's Cookie Marenco and Earful Productions' Jim Stern, as well as DW Fearn and the Hazelrigg Brothers.