2018 NAMM Show Roundup

The NAMM Show was held at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Article by Robert Kinsler

Photography: Bob Steshetz and Robert Kinsler


Special concert events, under-the-radar on-site performances in merchant booths, the debut of countless new music making-related products and educational sessions make the NAMM Show an essential destination for music lovers.

This year's Winter NAMM Show was held at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 25-28, 2018, with this writer also attending the NAMM Media Preview Day on Jan. 24 to get an early and in-depth look at several highly-anticipated products. 

Here are some of the highlights of my four-day experience at NAMM last weekend.

Concerts and Special Appearances
A couple of decades ago, on-site performances at NAMM were not a focus of the event held every January. But once again this year performances were front-and-center throughout the show.

Andy Grammer performs at NAMM.

The Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage hosted three special high-profile concerts during NAMM. OK Go performed on Jan. 25; an all-star event featuring Michael McDonald, Melissa Etheridge, Marc Broussard, Nathan East, Dave Koz, Butch Walker, Lindsey Stirling, Shelea and others on Jan. 26, and Andy Grammer performed on Jan. 27. 

Brandon "Taz" Niederauer

Those looking for more intimate concert experiences could catch established and up-and-coming artists in booths throughout the show. My favorite event may well have been the mind-blowing performance featuring 14-year-old Brandon "Taz" Niederauer and his excellent four-member band. Performing on Friday afternoon at the D'Angelico Guitars, Niederauer displayed the flashy speed of the late Ten Years After guitar great Alvin Lee with the emotional touch of modern-day bluesman Gary Clark Jr. I have seen young guitarists impress before but Niderauer's virtuoso licks, burgeoning talents as singer and songwriter as well as bona fide stage presence rival many of his considerably-older contemporaries. His wonderful songs included "I Can't Live" (a moody, textured blues rock gem) and "Tell Me Now."

I was lucky enough to catch singer-songwriter/guitar greats Shawn Jones and Stephen Inglis performing together at the Lowden Guitars booth on Saturday. Their short and fiery instrumental set ended with a freewheeling instrumental version of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Little Wing." While at the Lowden booth, I also got to check out and was truly impressed with the Northern Ireland-based company's new GL-10 Electric Guitar. Information: www.lowdenguitars.com.

Miyavi tearing it up at Taylor
Guitars on Jan. 27, 2018.

Taylor Guitars offered a number of must-see concerts. On Thursday, the El Cajon, California-based guitar manufacturer celebrated three emerging Japanese artists. Ai Fujimori, CJ Li and Natsumi Miki showcased the diversity of Japan's burgeoning original music scene and the audience packed into the intimate concert space embraced the three artists and the terrific backing trio of young players who added depth to the material. 

Fast forward to Saturday and I caught three outstanding acts at Taylor Guitars. Country music songstress Brennley Brown, who just turned 16, and Nolan Neal (both one-time contestants on NBC-TV's "The Voice") delivered strong sets in the early afternoon, while genre-defying Japanese singer-songwriter-guitarist Miyavi wowed a packed room with his finger-slapping style of guitar and intoxicating songs, especially the driving rocker "The Others." Information: www.TaylorGuitars.com.

Carl Tosten with FG-TA Yamaha.

NEW PRODUCTS: Guitars aplenty

Yamaha TransAcoustic FG and FS Guitar Series
Yamaha introduced approximately 90 new products at Winter NAMM this year. The Buena Park, California-based company's TransAcoustic guitar series definitely offers something to get acoustic players excited. Building on the success of the company's earlier models, the new FG-TA and FS-TA puts cutting edge technology into the guitar for an affordable price (the FG-TA is priced at $599). "The guitar is able to create reverb and chorus without any external devices," explained Yamaha's Carl Tosten. "It is designed to inspire people to want to play longer." 

Yamaha introduced approximately 90 new products at Winter NAMM, and the new TansAcoustic models were getting plenty of attention throughout the show. My MUSIC WORTH BUYING co-host TJR and I videotaped several segments at the Yamaha booth and will be posting those on this website soon. 

Cal Campbell holding Ovation's
the Glen Campbell 2018
American Artist Model guitar.

Ovation Guitars / Two Glen Campbell Signature Guitar Models
While country music legend Glen Campbell passed away in August 2017, his legacy lives on in ways that stretch beyond his notable recordings. Fans of the late artist's legendary skills on the fret board got an early look at two special signature guitar models released by Ovation Guitars that made their debut at NAMM this year. Campbell's son Cal Campbell was at NAMM to share the release of the Glen Campbell 2018 American Artist Model, an acoustic guitar crafted in the Ovation Custom Shop in New Hartford, CT. 

"This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the creative relationship between Ovation's founder, Bill Kaman, and my dad," said Cal Campbell in a statement released by Ovation. "Growing up, his guitars were a fixture in our lives and it has been a pleasure to work with the artisans at Ovation to ensure the look and the sound of his original gars was faithfully recreated and it's our family's hope that they will inspire future generations of artists to play, write and create for another half century and beyond."

Perhaps even more prized than Glen Campbell's acoustic instrument was the elusive "Bluebird" model. Designed and hand-crafted exclusively for Campbell in the late 1970s, the Bluebird's design was based on the Ovation Viper solid body and was produced in both 6-string and 12-string models. The Campbell family loaned Ovation Guitars Glen's original Bluebird to the guitar maker in order to create the extremely limited run of Bluebird replicas (only 10 of the 6-string models and five of the 12-string models will ever be produced!).

Information: www.ovationguitars.com.

Eric Johnson at the Fender booth at NAMM.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation 
Eric Johnson Stratocaster® Thinline
Virtuoso guitarist Eric Johnson was at NAMM on Jan. 26 to showcase the latest edition of his Eric Johnson Signature Stratocaster Thinline. At an afternoon press conference, Johnson explained he began working with Fender in 2015 to co-create a new guitar that combined the tones of his favorite semi-hollowbody guitars and his Stratocaster. "To me, my go-to instrument is a Strat. But I've always loved hollow body guitars," Johnson explained. "I used it (the new Thinline guitar) last night (at the City National Grove of Anaheim) and I used it all night." Johnson's new guitar will officially be available on Feb. 20, 2018 and will retail for approximately $1,999.99.

Paul Waller: Prestige 9-Neck Guitar
No overview of new guitars spotted at NAMM would be complete without a mention of Paul Waller's Prestige 9-Neck Guitar featuring nine popular pre-CBS models and scales Fender produced before 1965. Necks featured include those from a four-string mandolin, Mustang, Jaguar, Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, Bass VI, Jass Bass and Precision Bass. It retails for $96,000 (yikes!). See the photo I snapped on the left; in this case, seeing is believing.

Information: www.fender.com.



INNOVATIONS
In addition to the impressive guitars I checked out at NAMM, several other products caught my attention. Stillwater, MN-based Portastand has a line of music stands that are the most impressive I've ever seen. They are not only portable and collapse into small sizes, but are durable and have the ability to serve a variety of roles on stage, in the studio or even around the office. Visit Portastand.com for more information.

Studio engineers and audiophiles should check out the Tascam DA-6400 Recorder. I met with Eric Larsen, director of marketing for Montebello, CA-based TEAC America, Inc., and I was simply blown away at the relatively small size and impressive power of the unit. It can record 64 channels of audio at 24-bit/48kHz, or 32 channels at 24-bit/96kHz! For more information visit www.teac.com or www.tascam.com.

Jim Stern, of Phoenix-based Earful Mastering, at
the Tascam booth at 2018 NAMM Show.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Jim Stern, with Phoenix-based Earful Mastering, was at the Tascam booth and explained the many wonders of how the Tascam equipment enhances the dynamic range of recordings and reduces the compression that diminishes many modern-day recordings.

"I built a 1bit mastering lab (in Arizona). I can go 1bit to analog and back to 1bit," he explained. "1bit is as close to analog as we have come in digital...I'm an old audiophile and I love it. I love Tascam equipment."


For more information on NAMM, visit www.namm.org.



A very special "thank you" to Bob Steshetz for the use of his wonderful photography

Leon Russell remembered

I am so very sorry to hear the news that the world has lost Leon Russell. He died earlier today in his Nashville home; he was only 74. I only saw the legendary artist once, but it was a show I will long remember. Below is my review of his performance at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano in December 2010…You can also view the review on the Orange County Register Web site here. Photographer and good friend Bob Steshetz shot the photo here and was a long-time fan of the artist and thankfully encouraged me to see Russell back in 2010. He achieved fame as a session musician (with L.A.'s "Wrecking Crew"), as a songwriter and solo artist. He will be missed...

Leon Russell rousing in Coach House solo set

By ROBERT KINSLER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Dec. 16, 2010 

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

Leon Russell performing at the Coach House.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Fresh on the heels of Wednesday's announcement that he will be honored with the Award for Musical Excellence (previously known the Sideman category) at the next Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in March, singer, songwriter and piano virtuoso Leon Russell headlined a packed Coach House in San Juan Capistrano later that night.

Anyone hoping Elton John might swing by -- seeing as the pair's collaborative album The Union has been one of the year's most celebrated releases, earning a Grammy nomination for the track “If It Wasn't for Bad” -- might have been disappointed, but there seemed to be few sad faces in the San Juan Capistrano crowd as the Oklahoma native and his four-man troupe tore through more than 90 minutes of his time-honed blend of blues, gospel and good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll.

Looking a bit like Santa Claus -- that is, if jolly St. Nick donned a cowboy hat and Hawaiian shirt -- Russell's voice and keyboard work were solid throughout the roughly two dozen songs he played. The countless colorful Christmas lights dangling from the roof of the Coach House only added to the festive atmosphere.

Russell, 68, juggled original material and reworked remakes with his gift for storytelling. There is often an understandable desire to want to see our musical heroes do a bit less talking and a bit more rocking at concerts, but Russell was expert at finding the perfect mix here; his tales about meeting or working with the likes of Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, Freddie King and Willie Nelson were every bit as magical as the music he made.

And make no mistake: there were highlights aplenty.

For starters, Russell's band gets it: although these guys are a clearly rehearsed unit, they also revealed a loose and raucous quality enhancing Russell's approach. Bassist Jackie Wessel, guitarists Chris Simmons and Beau Charron (who also adds slide fretwork) and drummer Brandon Holder all had space to shine, though never at the expense of the show or the songs. The bouncing version of “Hummingbird,” with Russell's gruff vocals and the band's full vocal harmonies fused wonderfully, was one of many shining moments.

Russell's well-known knack for reinterpreting others' classics was showcased often. A fast, driving version of the Rolling Stones' “Wild Horses” (a tribute to Mick & Co. as much as Parsons) and a similarly high-octane version of the Beatles' “I've Just Seen a Face” were featured in the first half of the show, while a creatively melancholy take on “Georgia on My Mind” and a jazzy “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” surprised later on.

The show gained momentum as it went along. The last 30 minutes or so featured powerful versions of “Jumpin' Jack Flash” (his take was made famous via 1971's Concert for Bangladesh with George Harrison) rolled into a medley that included parts of “Paint It, Black” and a couple other oldies. His 1972 hit “Tight Rope” also came in a spirited performance, while the encore had many on their feet, as Russell and his band drove it home with Jerry Lee Lewis' “Great Balls of Fire” and Chuck Berry's “Roll Over, Beethoven.”

Through all of it, Russell tackled and tickled his keys with all of the characteristic fervor that made him a favorite session man to music's greatest names, from the Byrds and the Beach Boys way back when to an appearance with Zac Brown Band at the Grammys earlier this year.

Opener Shawn Jones didn't waste a second of his 45-minute appearance before a capacity crowd at the Coach House, fully unleashing his astounding combination of talents as a singer, songwriter and virtuoso guitarist.

Having been blown away when I saw him open for Jimmie Vaughan on this same stage in September, Jones proved yet again that he is one of Southern California's most talented unsigned artists. Throughout his seven-song set, folks around me -- even positioned less than ideally at the rear of the club, by the bar -- seemed immediately impressed by Jones' ability to perform original music and reworked rare blues in a way that makes unfamiliar listeners feel as though they're hearing well-known favorites.

Whether on the Eric Clapton-mining “Heaven's Daughter,” the confessional spiritual gem “Glorybound” or the soulful blues of “Runnin' Out of Time,” Jones and his excellent three-man band ensured the night was a winner even before Russell played a single note. To learn more about this amazing artist -- who next performs a full night of music on Saturday at Lucille's, 1639 Imperial Highway in Brea -- visit his website.

Photo by Bob Steshetz.

Day 1 at NAMM 2014: Jonny Lang, Blue Öyster Cult, Shawn Jones, Alana Springsteen, more

While NAMM certainly offers a great place to discover the latest innovations in music making-related technology and the rollout of new instruments, it is also a wonderful way to catch established and up-and-comers performing in front of the most discerning of audiences.

Day 1 at the 2014 NAMM Show (Jan. 23, 2014) offered the chance to see established acts such as Jonny Lang and Blue Oyster Cult, as well as talented under-the-radar and rising stars. Believe me, this post will not be the last time you hear the name Alana Springsteen.

Jonny Lang in sonic flight at NAMM. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Jonny Lang brought his powerful fusion of blues-rock, soul and gospel to the official opening night concert held on the GoPro stage on the outdoor plaza positioned in front of the Anaheim Convention Center. His 90-minute set was another ideal setting for the 32-year-old artist to make a case to celebrate the power of blues-rock. Opening with "(Blew Up) The House," the single from his latest album Fight for my Soul, Lang and his band fired up the chilly evening with his distinctive mix of powerful vocals (notably on "Turn Around" and "Red Light") and blazing guitar work that just keeps getting better (as evidenced by "A Quitter Never Wins"). He closed out his concert with the jam-minded "We Are the Same" (with several of his band mates featured) before offering up a Muddy Waters cover, "Forty Days and Forty Nights," as a fitting encore.

Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser of Blue Öyster Cult . 
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Blue Öyster Cult is not known as an acoustic band, so the curiosity factor was palpable when the band took the stage inside Peavey's booth armed only with acoustic guitars. With the Peavey booth (actually a large room on the second level of the convention center) having a capacity of only 200, many fans simply couldn't get into the showcase if they didn't arrive early for the 2 p.m. set. BÖC didn't disappoint; lead singer-guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser led the classic rock outfit through fiery acoustic versions of some of the band's most beloved material. Opening with the 1981 hit "Burnin' for You," it was clear that Roeser's talents on guitar translated just fine to via the unplugged setting, and harmonies provided by Eric Bloom and Richie Castellano brought the ambitious songs (which have always featured a mix of progressive and hard rock strains) to life. The crowd positioned right up against the stage greeted the announcement the band was going to play "Then Came the Last Days of May" (off the group's 1972 debut) with wild cheers, and the masterwork allowed the group to flex its musical muscles in full; the song's shifting tempos, blend of sterling guitar work from Roeser and Castellano, and lush textures of all three guitars together was outstanding.

From left, Alex Skolnick with Blue Öyster Cult members Eric
Bloom, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser and Richie Castellano.

BÖC had still one other surprise for the fortunate gathering, with the announcement that lead guitarist Alex Skolnick (of the pioneering metal band Testament) was going to join the band for their final song. With four talented guitarists on stage, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was given the ultimate NAMM treatment with an extended version that featured Skolnick and Roeser trading licks, and the crowd getting in on the act with a sing-along of the "Don't Fear the Reaper" chorus.

Shawn Jones frequently performs in Orange County, but his appearance at the GHS Strings booth was something special. He performed instrumental versions of four of his original songs, showcasing his chops that are frequently on display as lead guitarist for singer Deana Carter (including on her just-released album Southern Way of Life). At NAMM, Jones  showcased his love of the blues with a potent take on "Bottom of the Bottle" and a nuanced, graceful version of the Celtic-styled "Missing the Mourns" featuring some beautiful harmonics.

Alana Springsteen at NAMM. Photo: Robert Kinsler

There was nothing short of genuine surprise and awe when 13-year-old Alana Springsteen began to perform her song "Waste of Time" in the lobby of the Anaheim Marriott. She had been invited to participate in a "Song Round" performance with well-known area artists Tim Moyer and Kerry Getz. After Springsteen (no relation to the Boss) played her first song, it was clear her shining soprano, effortless acoustic guitar work and warm personality are a potent package. She was then instructed she should play another song which was equally powerful and cast an obvious spell on the large crowd seated around the stage. She was then told by the veterans sharing the stage she should go ahead and just play her songs for the remainder of the session.

Her next songs provided a glimpse that Springsteen's talent is for real and the depth of her collective talents clearly outdistance her youth. The Norfolk, Virginia native closed her set with the original ballad, "What I Wouldn't Give," which featured her textured acoustic guitar work and a powerful lyrical message of thanks to the military. She was then given a standing ovation, something that I can't recall seeing happen in the intimate afternoon showcases that feature top-tier songwriters from around the world during NAMM. 

Although I never checked in with the media folks to see what other surprises were at NAMM, I did literally walk into Vintage Trouble guitarist Nalle Colt, whose band blew away this writer in an afternoon set at Coachella last year. He broke the news that the band will be going back into the studio later this month to begin work on their sophomore album and followup to 2012's The Bomb Shelter Sessions.

Sights and Sounds: Shawn Jones, Dandy Warhols, mewithoutYou

I hope to see many of you at the annual Orange County Music Awards on Saturday night (March 3) in Anaheim. But in the meantime, I've rounded up some breaking news on upcoming releases and and related tour dates, and posted it all here...


Shawn Jones set to celebrate his latest release with upcoming concert dates



One of my favorite independent singer-songwriter-guitarists is Ventura, California-based Shawn Jones. Having blown me away when I first caught him at the Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point in May 2008, he has subsequently impressed me at outings whether backed by a full band or in his winning solo acoustic outings.

Jones will be performing all over the Southland this month as he celebrates his latest CD release, a 5-song EP. Here are Shawn's upcoming dates:

Mahe, 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA
Friday, March 2, 2012
7 p.m. (a solo acoustic show)
Call 949-240-6243 for more details

Lucille's Long Beach, 7411 Carson Street, Long Beach, CA
Friday, March 9
7 p.m. (a solo acoustic show)

W Gallery (Gardner Building), 21 South California St. (Main Street), Ventura, CA
Saturday, March 10
7:30 p.m. - Admission $10

For more information on those concerts and other upcoming shows, visit www.ShawnJonesMusic.com.


Dandy Warhols Premiere "Well They're Gone" On Rolling Stone

This Machine out April 24, 2012 On The End Records



The Dandy Warhols have been a band for 18 yrs.

This Machine is the Dandy's 8th official studio album and was recorded over the course of 2011 at The Dandy Warhols rock clubhouse/ entertainment megaplex/studio The Odditorium. The band recorded the album with their longtime engineer - producer Jeremy Sherrer. Taylor-Taylor describes this record as "stripped down, woody and extremely guitar centric."

The album was mixed Tchad Blake who also mixed The Dandy Warhols Odditorium or Warlords of Mars and Come Down. Tchad is well known for his recent work with The Black Keys, Blitzen Trapper and Pearl Jam. The album cover for This Machine was painted by local Portland, Oregon painter Hickory Mertsching.

Famed Science Fiction writer Richard Morgan penned the band’s official Bio for This Machine. It’s 4 short stories that do a much better job entertaining than this bullet point list. You can get more information on the band at their official Web site.

Stand out track, Autumn Carnival was co authored by Courtney Taylor Taylor and David J of Love and Rockets. About the album, Courtney says, "We've been told that its our gothiest. I thought it was our grungiest so I'm really hoping its a hit with goths who are...um, really outdoorsy?"

And do check out their various incarnations and side projects. Blue grass blues to Berlin '77. Some pretty deep and interesting music. And stories: Pete International Airport, Immigrant Union, Brush Prairie, One Model Nation.

This Machine Tracklisting:

1. Sad Vacation
2. The Autumn Carnival
3. Enjoy Yourself
4. Alternative Power To The People
5. Well They're Gone
6. Rest Your Head
7. 16 Tons
8. I Am Free
9. SETI vs Wow! Signal
10. Don’t Shoot She Cried
11. Slide


mewithoutYou Announce New Album Ten Stories

Set for Release May 15, 2012

Photo Credit: Ben Sasso


Select Live Shows Begin March 3, 2012

mewithoutYou returns with their 5th studio album Ten Stories, set for release May 15, 2012. A deluxe vinyl edition will be available as well. Helmed by producer and friend of the band Daniel Smith (Sufjan Stevens) and mixed by Brad Wood, Ten Stories is an allegorical collection of songs that, at first listen, follows a winding narrative about a circus train crash in 19th century Montana. But long-time fans of this band know that although we are immediately introduced to a talking elephant, fox and tiger, there is always more than meets the eye.


mewithoutYou – frontman Aaron Weiss, guitarist Michael Weiss, bassist Greg Jehanian and drummer Rickie Mazzotta – will be previewing the new songs during a run of select live shows in early March, beginning March 3, 2012 in Baltimore at Metro Gallery. A U.S. Spring tour will be announced in the coming weeks.


Ten years into their life together as a band, mewithoutYou are still searching, and they still compel us to join them in their search. Well-loved for their introspective and eccentric ruminations on life, love, loss, spirituality and temptation, Ten Stories is the result of a lot of living and a lot of death. After experiencing the joy of a newborn baby in the Weiss family in early 2010, it wasn’t too long before several deaths of relatives and friends shook the band to its core. They spent some time apart to live their lives, but it is their deep friendships that always bring them back together again.

Reflecting on their history together, drummer Rickie Mazzotta says, “Think about everything that happens in the course of a decade – death, taxes, scholastics, break-ups, birth, illness, World Series Championships, foggy memories, whack decisions, the loss of innocence, the highest highs and the lowest lows. We’ve been through a lot together. When we came together to make Ten Stories, it was spawned out of being apart for a while, home with friends and lovers, pursuing other interests and naturally gravitating back towards one another in space and sound.”

This natural reunion led to the band beginning work on Ten Stories with a relaxed approach, leisurely enjoying the summer sun and leaving behind any pre-conceived ideas of what kind of songs they wanted to make. The result is an incredibly expansive album, encompassing where the band has been and where they are going. mewithoutYou’s last album, 2009’s It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All a Dream! It’s Alright!, was a marked departure into the world of folk and written around an acoustic guitar, Ten Stories adds the band’s raucous vocals and hard-hitting instrumentation back into the mix. Still present are their melodic overtones and lush orchestration of more recent years, making for a riveting musical journey at the album’s every turn.

Through the fable-like interactions of fictitious animals, Ten Stories offers up deep ponderings and keen observations about human character flaws and the circle of life. As the band further explores their signature themes of romantic disaster and quasi-mystical speculation, a naive rabbit falls for a footloose fortune teller and a monastic walrus for a hedonistic owl. A pretentious Fox has a prophetic dream, a starving Bear has a vision of a martyred saint and an indecisive Peacock and gnostic Tiger learn the virtues of megalomania from an ego-annihilated Potter Wasp. From the urgent suspense of album opener “February 1878,” to the sweeping drum patterns and gritty vocals of “Grist for the Malady Mill,” to the psychedelic gem “Aubergine” to the special guest artist on “Fox’s Dream of the Log Flume,” it’s clear that Ten Stories is one of mewithoutYou’s most dynamic albums to date.

The cover art for Ten Stories, which will be revealed through puzzle pieces on the band’s Facebook page over the course of the next week, was illustrated by artist Vasily Kafanov, who also created the artwork for The Smashing Pumpkins’ Machina album. Additional pieces of art by Kafanov will be included in the album layout and an individual illustration of each song will be featured in the deluxe vinyl booklet.


www.mewithoutyou.com / www.facebook.com/mewithoutyou


Ten Stories Official Tracklisting:

1.February 1878
2.Grist for the Malady Mill
3.East Enders Wives
4.Cardiff Giant
5.Elephant in the Dock
6.Aubergine
7.Fox’s Dream of the Log Flume
8.Nine Stories
9.Fiji Mermaid
10.Bear’s Vision of St. Agnes

mewithoutYou Upcoming U.S. Tour Dates:

March 3rd Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
March 4th Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
March 5th Kalamazoo, MI @ The Strutt
March 6th Toledo, OH @ Frankie’s
March 7th Palatine, IL @ Durty Nellies
March 8th Columbus, OH @ Rumba Café
March 9th Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall
March 10th Lemoyne, PA @ Championship

Area concerts bring Jeff Peterson, Geoff Tate and Deana Carter to So Cal this weekend

Just because NAMM has ended doesn't mean there are no special concerts being staged in the Orange County area here in Southern California. In fact a wide-range of artists will be bringing their music to the region this weekend.

Lord of the Strings concerts bringing the sounds of Hawaii to the OC this weekend


Jeff Peterson is coming in from Hawaii for two Lord of the Strings concerts in South Orange County. If you have seen the highly popular Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe Award winning movie The Descendants starring George Clooney you no doubt noticed the fantastic slack key guitar music throughout the film. Peterson recorded five songs that are featured in the movie.

In related news (guitar player take note!), LOTSC only have 3 openings left (of seven total) for the guitar workshop with Jeff Peterson this Saturday (Jan. 28) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in San Juan Capistrano. All levels welcome! The cost is $75 and will include lunch. Call Tim at (949) 842-2227 to make your reservation.

Tickets for Peterson's Friday evening show in Dana Point or his Saturday night performance in Mission Viejo can be purchased online at www.LordOfTheStringsConcerts.com. For further information please call 949 842-2227 or visit the LOTSC site.




QUEENSRYCHE'S GEOFF TATE "AND FRIENDS" TO PERFORM AT THE COACH HOUSE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

After touring extensively in 2011 with his band, Queensryche, Geoff recently announced that he will be doing a handful of acoustic solo dates billed as "Geoff Tate and Friends" beginning on Thursday, January 26 at Anthology in San Diego, California.

What can fans expect on the brief run of dates?

According to Tate, he'll be "playing acoustic versions of all my favorite Queensryche songs as well as some songs from my solo album." And that certainly gives him a lot to choose from...

Not one to remain idle, Tate is anxious to hit the road again next year despite an incredibly busy 2011 that found the band performing over 75 dates along their 30th Anniversary tour primarily in support of their 12th studio album, Dedicated to Chaos (Roadrunner Records/Loud & Proud), that was released in the summer.

Towards the end of the tour, Geoff and the band pulled out "all the stops" by performing Rage for Order in its entirety for the first time ever (New York City on Halloween) and Operation: Mindcrime from beginning to end on this year's ShipRocked Cruise (with In This Moment's Maria Brink handling vocal chores as "Sister Mary") for the first time in three years. Both shows were a pure treat for fans!

"Mindcrime" (1988) is universally respected as a classic concept release about rock, revenge and redemption and, ultimately, regarded as one of the most important and essential hard rock records in the genre's expansive canon. 1990's follow-up, Empire, yielded a number one single, the Grammy-nominated ballad "Silent Lucidity," which Queensryche performed at the 1992 Grammy Awards accompanied by a supporting orchestra.

In 2006, the band released Operation: Mindcrime II, a scorching sequel to their original. The band then hit the road performing both albums Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II back-to-back in their entirety in an incredible theatrical presentation throughout the year. The final performance was recorded at The Moore Theatre in Seattle that October and the Mindcrime at the Moore double CD/DVD release debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Music DVD Chart and eventually reached gold status.
For more information, please view the official Queensryche website at www.queensryche.com.



GEOFF TATE TOUR DATES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 - ANTHOLOGY IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 - THE CANYON CLUB IN AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 - SLO BREW IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 - THE COACH HOUSE IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 - CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN GRASS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 - EL REY IN CHICO, CALIFORNIA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 - UPTOWN IN NAPA, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 - FINAGHTY'S IN SNOQUALMIE, WASHINGTON



Deana Carter & band to perform at the Fender Museum on Saturday


I ran into singer-songwriter-guitarist Shawn Jones at NAMM last weekend and he noted that he will be playing lead guitar for Deana Carter when she performs in the Rhythm Lounge at The Fender Museum at 8 p.m. on Saturday night (Jan. 28).

The Fender Museum is located at 365 N. Main Street, Corona Ca 92880. The direct number to call is 951-735-2440.

This is a benefit concert, with proceeds going to benefit the Kids Rock Free Music Education Program.

For more details, check out Shawn Jones' Web site or the Fender Museum site.

NAMM notes: Footdrums, LumaSkinz, Godin Guitars, Taylor Guitars & more!

Here are a few random news, notes and pics covering my first three days at the NAMM Show. I am off in a bit to see what's going on today...

At the Media Preview Day, guitarist Molly Gene showcased her skills at performing her guitar and foot drum at once at the Farmer Musical Instruments booth (Booth #2665 D). Information: www.footdrums.com.

LumaSkinz is a new Palm Desert-based company that makes custom "drum skinz" for drum kits, and equally-impressive skins for laptop computers, deejay booths - you name it. I got a tour of the company's work (made in the U.S.A. too!) and I recommend that people check out Booth #1575 at the Anaheim Convention Center. It is especially impressive to see the "Illuminated Skinz" in action at NAMM. Information: http://lumaskinz.com/lumaskinz-namm.

Orange County-based singer-songwriter-rocker Michael Ubaldini (pictured here on the left) was spotted at Godin Guitars, where he was playing a beautiful Godin 5th Avenue hand-painted guitar by artist-musician Joseph Arthur. Those wanting to check out (and yes, you can play the custom-painted guitars too!) should visit Godin Guitars at Booth #211A (that is upstairs on the second floor of the Anaheim Convention Center folks).


My Music Worth Buying co-host and musical pal TJR is a fantastic guitar player and pianist, so it should come as no surprise that I spied him at the Taylor Guitars booth (#213 ABC) checking out a custom-made ukulele. I had met the editor of Ukeeku.com (Tim Szerlong) in the press area earlier in the day and he raved about the instrument so it was great to see TJR give it a try! Taylor Guitars has been a great place to check out strong performances, and get to play great guitars.

Brad Weinholtz of La Mirada, CA-based Bridgecraft USA, Inc. with Chuck Phillips (seen in the photo at the end of this post) in front of several eye-catching attractions at NAMM 2012. You can check out all the cool instruments and have your photo taken with a gigantic guitar or small toy piano at Booth #1680. Information: www.xmusicpro.com.