Singer/songwriter Vonda Shepard to release 13th album 'Red Light, Green Light' on September 23

Vonda Shepard is set to return with her 13th album "Red Light, Green Light" on Sept. 23, 2022. The official album artwork and media release follows...Robert Kinsler

SINGER/SONGWRITER VONDA SHEPARD SET TO RELEASE HER 13TH ALBUM RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 23;

FIRST SINGLE/VIDEO “SHINE YOUR LIGHT” WILL HIT THE STREETS ON JULY 29

 

July 6, 2022 (Los Angeles, CA): Singer/songwriter Vonda Shepard is gearing up to release her 13^th studio album, Red Light, Green Light, on September 23. Additionally, the first single and video from this work “Shine Your Light” is due out on July 29.

 

Photo credit: Pamela Springsteen

Vonda spent the last couple of years writing and recording Red Light, Green Light, a stunning blend of songs produced by her husband Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Crowded House, Fleetwood Mac). “The album was written and recorded during the height of the pandemic,” Vonda reveals. “It took a massive amount of discipline to go through this process, but the isolation actually lent itself to going deep into the writing.”

 

The album’s ten songs offer energetic tunes and soulful ballads. The songs are written with both joy and pain, reflecting Vonda’s classic, deeply personal introspection. “It’s truly a gift to work with Mitchell Froom. He is a brilliant musician, composer, arranger, and producer. Working with him is like playing with a genius chess player. He makes one move, and the whole game falls into place.”  

 

In 1997, Vonda was cast on the wildly popular ‘90s TV show Ally McBeal as the resident performer in the bar where the characters would hang out at the end of each show. She had a massive hit worldwide in 1998 with the show’s theme song, “Searchin’ My Soul,” and produced over 500 songs for the series. She has sold over twelve million albums, won two Golden Globes, two Emmys, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. And to this day, Vonda holds the Billboard record for selling the most television soundtracks in history.  

 

Vonda’s dynamic live shows feature James Ralston on guitar (Tina Turner), Jim Hanson on bass (Johnny Cash) and Fritz Lewak on drums (Jackson Browne). “I play songs at the piano and get completely lost in them, then fuse with the band to get the sparks flying. By the end of the show, I love to belt out the soul tunes and whip the audience up into a frenzy!” 

 

Vonda and her band are currently rehearsing for a special live show in Los Angeles around the release of Red Light, Green Light. There is also a Los Angeles event in the works to celebrate the 25-year anniversary of Ally McBeal. Vonda and her band will tour the U.K. starting October 4, 2022. They are currently booking dates on the east coast for January 2023, and Europe in February 2023. Stay tuned for all these announcements, coming soon!

Learn more and connect:

 

Vonda Shepard website

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Summertime soundtrack courtesy of great new releases

When it comes to summer, just the right music can make the days even better. Look no further than recent releases from Vonda Shepard, John Wetton and Giant Sand to make a great day even better.


Artist: Vonda Shepard
Title: Rookie (Hotelé Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Vonda Shepard, Carole King, Aretha Franklin
Tell me more: Vonda Shepard's newly-released Rookie is full-length showcase that fully displays the singer's ability to blend wonderful vocals and fully crafted songs that effortlessly blend soul, R&B and rock. The high-energy "Turn It Up" with Shepard's vocals blended into a chorus is especially effective, while "I Just Don't Get It" starts as a piano-anchored ballad that artfully grows to a more fervent celebration of love. Her ability to mine emotional depth at her piano on the wistful "Long for the Days," the lovely "Train to Inverness" and potent soulful title track provide other strong moments on Shepard's 14th album which also comes 25 years after the release of her self-titled Warner Bros. debut. Information: vondashepard.com.
Purchase 'Rookie' here

Artist: John Wetton
Title: The Studio Recordings Anthology (Primary Purpose)
You might like if you enjoy: Asia, Yes
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter John Wetton is best known for his role fronting supergroup Asia, but the talented Englishman has actually issued a slew of strong solo efforts. Although it was issued back in March 2015, now is the perfect time to get a listen of the outstanding two-disc The Studio Recordings Anthology. Always an introspective songwriter, Wetton's ability to look within himself shines bright across the collection. The symphonic opener "The Circle of St. Giles," the beautiful rock ballad "Hold Me Now," haunting "Battle Lines" as well as more propulsive rocker "Another Twist of the Knife" are among the almost three dozen sterling tracks to be heard here. Information: johnwetton.com.
Buy 'Studio Recordings Anthology' here

Artist: Giant Sand
Title: Heartbreak Pass (New West Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Leonard Cohen, Sonic Youth, Grant Lee Phillips
Tell me more: There is something to be said for a band that defies genres, sounds like nothing else and challenges itself and listeners with music that is simultaneously a great listen. Such is the case with Giant Sand's latest album Heartbreak Pass. The Tucson, Arizonia-based band finds frontman Howe Gelb and his collective blending spoken word, alt-country, indie rock, experimental touches and more across 15 essential new tracks. Highlights include the involving "Texting Feist," old school country music-styled soundscape on the aptly-titled "Hurtin' Habit" and sparse "Man On A String." Information: NewWestRecords.com.
Get 'Heartbreak Pass' here


Robert Kinsler

Two-time Golden Globe Winner, Vonda Shepard, to release new album on July 10

Just because it's late on a Friday doesn't mean there isn't music news to share...

Vonda Shepard to Release 14^th Album 'Rookie' on Friday, July 10, 2015

-Two-time Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning singer-songwriter set to release first album of new material in seven years-

Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard announces the upcoming release of her 14th album, Rookie, on July 10, 2015, funded through Kickstarter and under her own label. Shepard will release this album in celebration of being 25 years since the release of her self-titled Warner Bros. debut. 

“For me, Rookie is a landmark album. Suddenly, I’m a highly experienced human, who has nothing to lose, so I’m throwing myself out there on this album in a very raw, real and unadorned way,” says Shepard. “The album features songs looking back on long lost love, fading into the distance, from the perspective of a person who is digging deeper and reconciling these relationships.”  

This is Shepard’s sixth collaboration with producer Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Elvis Costello and Randy Newman). To produce Rookie, Shepard raised $35,000 through Kickstarter, with the help of her family, fans and friends. The album contains original, concrete poetic images that showcase what someone can do with experience, talent and deep belief. The tone of Rookie harks back to the raw soul and sound of the seventies, sometimes reminiscent of the early Aretha days.

“We really should have vinyl for this album with an ‘A’ side and ‘B’ side, as half of the songs I’ve written are these super-funky tunes and the other half is piano/vocal ballads," Shepard says. "I’ve got a few songs that really focus on the soulful groove element—not as a cliché, but in my own way. There are also a couple of very catchy, pure pop songs in the lineup that I’m excited about.”

The optimistic lyrics of the album mirror the stage Shepard is at in her career and the title of the new album plays an ironic comparison to Shepard’s life—she’s an artist that has been around all the blocks. Shepard is coming off of her debut as a musical stage actress in Randy Newman’s “Faust: The Concert,” where critics have raved about her outstanding performance. Theatermania.com critic even stated that Shepard’s performance was “One of the year's great stage moments to date, Newman and multi-Emmy and Grammy winner Shepard brought the house down in the second act with the gorgeous duet "Feels Like Home.”  

   
Shepard released her first hit “Can’t We Try” in 1987 and followed it with “Don’t Cry Ilene” from her first album on Reprise Records in 1989. She went on to record three solo albums before rising to prominence in 1997 as the creative force behind the memorable theme song “Searching My Soul” for the TV series Ally McBeal. She played an integral part in writing and producing the music for the soundtrack as the show’s musical director and appeared in every episode as the resident performer at a bar where the characters would hang out after work.

In the 13 years since the TV hit ended its five-season run Shepard has released five albums and toured extensively in Europe and at her own international and domestic concerts. 

Fans can download Rookie on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and at www.vondashepard.com.

To learn more about Shepard’s latest album, watch behind the scene videos or to learn more about her upcoming performances please visit www.vondashepard.com. 

About Vonda Shepard

Vonda Shepard is a singer-songwriter and musician, best known for being former musical director of Ally McBeal and recently acting and singing on stage in the New York revival of Randy Newman’s “Faust: The Concert” starring Randy Newman. Shepard is currently recording her fourteenth album, Rookie, set to be released in July 2015. The album, which has been funded through Kickstarter, will feature a mixture of moods and tempos, with slightly more emphasis on the upbeat than previous albums.

For more information on Shepard and her music, visit www.vondashepard.com. Become a fan at Facebook.com/VondaShepard or follow on Twitter @VondaShepard.

Sights & Sounds: Vonda Shepard launches Kickstarter campaign to fund new album; Richie Sambora & Orianthi coming to TV

Happy Friday everybody. Here are the latest news items of note to land in my inbox! Fans of talented singer-songwriter-keyboardist Vonda Shepard will want to participate in her forthcoming Kickstarter effort. And there is also news about a special television special featuring a performance on "Happy Xmas/War is Over" on the anniversary of John Lennon's tragic murder on Dec. 8, 1980...

Vonda Shepard Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Fund New Album

Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician turns to fans to raise funds to produce new record

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (December 5, 2014) – Kicking off on December 8, singer/songwriter Vonda Shepard, turns to fans and followers to help raise the funds to record her fourteenth album through Kickstarter. Most people know Shepard as the musical voice and bar singer in every episode of Ally McBeal as well as the behind the scenes producer for artists such as Gladys Knight, Sting, Barry Manilow, Al Green, Chubby Checker and Jon Bon Jovi. Recently Shepard performed in the revival of Randy Newman’s “Faust: The Concert,” starring Randy Newman, and garnered rave reviews from top critics. “Ms. Shepard’s soulful singing brought out the yearning quality in Mr. Newman’s own,” said Charles Isherwood of the New York Times. David Gordon from Theater Mania stated, “And in one of the year’s great stage moments to date, Newman and multi-Emmy and Grammy winner Shepard brought down the house in the second act with the gorgeous duet, ‘Feels Like Home.’”

From private house concerts to signed platinum records, Shepard has created rewards for those who support, including nostalgic memorabilia and once in a lifetime experiences. This holiday season, Shepard is setting out to raise $35,000 to cover the costs of production. If the campaign exceeds that goal, the funds will go towards adding real strings, horns and other production to the recordings as well as marketing and promotion efforts for the album once released. The campaign kicks off December 8 and will last a month, ending on January 5.

“I have been writing songs for this album for several years now, and I am really excited to share these with my friends and fans,” said Shepard. “The material for the album is comprised of two very diverse styles with half of the songs having a strong emphasis on upbeat, funky dance tunes and the other half focusing on my classic singer/songwriter, heart-wrenching style that I have been known for in the past. I feel that these songs are going to be really gratifying to play live.”

Throughout the Kickstarter campaign, Shepard has set milestone markers to create incentives and perks for her loyal supporters. When she hits specific fundraising goals, Shepard will post behind the scenes video previews of the new record to give followers a taste of what is to be expected. All donors and supporters who give $20 or more to the campaign will also receive a copy of the final album once it is completed and for a $25 donation Shepard will send a signed album. Near the middle of the campaign, Shepard has a scheduled performance at the WitZend in Venice Calif. on December 20 to keep the energy rolling throughout the Kickstarter.

Shepard had her first hit in 1987 with “Can’t We Try,” and followed it up with “Don't Cry Ilene” from her first album on Reprise records. Still, she was a relative unknown when she was picked up in 1997 for “Ally McBeal,” where her popularity skyrocketed. While on “Ally McBeal”, Shepard recorded four albums for Sony 550. Since then, Shepard has released four more albums of original material, two live albums, a live DVD and toured extensively, further solidifying her fan base with her electrifying shows. In addition, she opened for Sugarland’s summer 2010 and 2011 tours and has been performing at her own international and domestic concerts, plus numerous private and fundraising events.

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Following the Kickstarter campaign, Shepard has scheduled shows at Feinstein’s in San Francisco on January 16 & 17. She also has a planned concert at the Belly Up in San Diego with date to follow.

To support and follow the progress of Shepard’s Kickstarter campaign, or to learn more about her upcoming performances please visit www.vondashepard.com.

About Vonda Shepard:

Vonda Shepard is a singer/songwriter and musician, best known for being former musical director of Ally McBeal and recently acting and singing on stage in the New York revival of Randy Newman’s “Faust: The Concert” starring Randy Newman. Shepard is currently writing her fourteenth album with plans for a summer 2015 release. To fund the album, Shepard created a crowdfunding Kickstarter campaign that will run from December 8 to January 5. For more information on Shepard and her music visit www.VondaShepard.com. Become a fan at Facebook.com/VondaShepard or follow on Twitter @VondaShepard.

Rockers coming to Hallmark Channel on December 8, 2014 to celebrate message of peace during holidays

Guitarist Richie Sambora

Richie Sambora, Orianthi and a children’s choir from the School of Rock LA will take the Home & Family stage on Monday, December 8, 2014 for a moving performance of the classic song “Happy Xmas/War Is Over.” Tune into the Hallmark Channel at 10 a.m. ET/PT. After choosing this song to perform at The 83^rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, Richie had the children over to his home to rehearse and spoke to them about the peaceful message of the song. He was taken aback by how beautiful they sounded – the children singing the John Lennon lyrics pays ultimate tribute to the spirit in which the Beatle wrote the song. A torrential rain storm prevented the Parade performance from happening, and now they finally have the opportunity to perform the song together for the first time on Home & Family. Be sure to tune in to catch this special moment! 

Orange County Concert Round-up: Vonda Shepard, Pacific Amphitheatre, Deep Purple summer tour

Good morning everybody. While I continue to mine a number of new albums that have landed in my inbox this past week I want to update you on a number of strong concerts coming our way this summer...

Vonda Shepard to Perform at The Coach House on July 10

Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician to will take the stage with long-standing band members to perform songs from her hit albums

Vonda Shepard, the singer/songwriter who has worked with artists such as Gladys Knight, Sting, Barry Manilow, Al Green, Chubby Checker and Jon Bon Jovi, will be at The Coach House on Thursday, July 10. Shepard will perform an intimate trio show featuring long-standing band members, James Ralston and Jim Hanson (Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, respectively) and will be playing songs from her hit albums including From The Sun, By 7:30, Chinatown, It's Good, Eve, as well as a few favorite cover tunes from her years as the “Ally McBeal” musical director and on-screen performer.

Shepard had her first hit in 1987 with “Can’t We Try,” and followed it up with “Don't Cry Ilene” from Shepard's first album on Reprise records. Still, she was a relative unknown when she was picked up in 1997 for the “Ally McBeal” show, here her popularity skyrocketed as she wrote much of the music for the show as the musical director and appeared in numerous episodes as a performer at a bar where the characters would hang out after work.

Since the end of “Ally McBeal,” Shepard has released five albums and toured extensively, further solidifying her fan base with her electrifying shows. Most recently, in addition to opening for Sugarland’s summer 2010 and 2011 tours, Shepard has been performing at her own international and domestic concerts, plus numerous private and fund-raising events. Along with touring and performing songs from “SOLO,” and previous albums, Shepard is currently working on a new album.

“SOLO” is Shepard’s latest album which features many originals (“Lose My Way,” “Don’t Cry Ilene,” “The Sunset Marquis,” “Soothe Me,” “I Know Better”), as well as some favorite cover ballads (“Walk Away Renee” and “You Belong To Me”). “SOLO” is Shepard’s fifth collaboration with producer Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Elvis Costello, Randy Newman).

Shepard’s show at The Coach House will begin at 9 p.m., with doors at 6 p.m. She will go on at 9:30 p.m. after two openers. Tickets are priced at $20 and can be purchased in advance here. The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA.

About Vonda Shepard

Vonda Shepard is singer, songwriter and musician. Her new album, “SOLO,” is a showcasing of Shepard’s earthy, accessible style and intimate interaction with her audience through her original songs. For more information on Shepard and her music visit www.VondaShepard.com. Become a fan at Facebook.com/VondaShepard or follow on Twitter @VondaShepard.

Pacific Amphitheatre summer concert series kicks off Friday, July 11 with performance from The Offspring

Friday, July 11 marks the opening day at the Orange County Fair. That includes another summertime schedule of concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre. Kicking things off on July 11 is a strong bill including both The Offspring and Adolescents. I am also excited about the hard-rocking tandem of Deep Purple and Blue Öyster Cult set to perform at the venue on Wednesday night, Aug. 6. Click here to see the full schedule of Pacific Amphitheatre shows playing out in July and August.

Speaking of Deep Purple, the band has announced its full 2014 North American Tour. The legendary outfit continues to tour in support of its excellent 19th full-length studio album NOW What?!. Here is the media release:

DEEP PURPLE 2014 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

IN SUPPORT OF LATEST ALBUM NOW What?!

Deep Purple, fresh off a European tour to support their 19^th studio album NOW What?!, is heading stateside for a North American trek! The tour kicks off August 4 in Scottsdale, AZ (all tour dates below).

NOW What?! was originally released in North America in April 2013 via earMusic / Eagle Rock Entertainment. The album marked the next great chapter in the band’s 40+ year career, blending the classic 70s Deep Purple spirit with modern production and a progressive mindset. Having reached #1 in Germany, Russia, Czech Republic and Austria, charting Top 5 in 7 countries and Top 10 in 10 countries, not to mention hitting the British Top-20 for the first time in 20 years, Deep Purplecelebrated with the release of NOW What?! Gold Edition earlier this year, which included additional songs and a live bonus disc.

In anticipation of their return to North America, Deep Purple will release their next single to radio: “All The Time In The World.”

Blazing off the success of NOW What?!, Deep Purple is ready to bring the sizzle to the States this summer!

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Deep Purple US / CANADA Dates:

08/04/14    Scottsdale, AZ                  Talking Stick Casino         8:00pm

08/05/14     Ventura, CA                      Ventura County Fair       8:00pm

08/06/14    Costa Mesa, CA               Orange County Fair          8:00pm

08/08/14    Lincoln, CA                       Thunder Valley Casino Amphitheatre          8:00pm

08/09/14    Roseburg, OR                   Douglas County Fair          8:00pm

08/10/14     Snoqualmie, WA             Snoqualmie Casino             8:00pm

08/13/14     Saratoga, CA                     Mountain Winery               8:00pm

08/14/14     Valley Center, CA             Harrah’s Rincon Casino Event Center           8:00pm

08/15/14     Las Vegas, NV                  Fremont St. Downtown    8:00pm

08/16/14     Wendover, NV                   Peppermill Casino Concert Hall           8:00pm

08/20/14    Elgin, IL                             Festival Park                       8:00pm

08/21/14     Windsor, ON                     Caesars Casino                    8:00pm

08/22/14    Rama, ON                          Casino Rama                       8:00pm

08/24/14    Morristown, NJ                  Mayo PAC                            8:00pm

08/25/14     Englewood, NJ                  Bergen PAC                         8:00pm

08/26/14    Westbury, NY                     NYCB Theatre at Westbury           8:00pm

08/29/14    Biloxi, MS                          Hard Rock Casino              8:00pm

08/30/14    Orlando, FL                        Hard Rock Live                    8:00pm

08/31/14     Hollywood, FL                  Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena  8:00PM