Fab's Music Café 'Live'
Fab's Music Café 'Live'
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Fab's Music Cafe, 'Live': Kevin "Brandino" Brandon.
Kevin was born in Compton, California to loving parents, and into a talented family who where from richly diverse musical cities of Chicago , Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana.
From birth he has congenital club feet and a hip displacement , but he did not allow this condition to deter him from pursuing his passion for music and the zest for life. Meeting Louis Armstrong at one of his concerts was also an inspiration in his early years...
Kevin was self-taught at the tender age of 4, playing his sister's piano and at age 7 he took up his
brother's saxophone, as he was gifted and enjoyed playing several instruments.
When he was 9 his father suggested that he find a dedicated instrument of his own to play.
Kevin wanted to play drums, however, his father thought with his handicap, eventually he would become
discouraged.His older brother had a band and persuaded him to play electric bass because it was needed.
Christmas of that year, Kevin received his first bass, a St George bass obtained from a swap meet.
His brother taught him the basic technique and playing position, and the Kevin took it from there.
He listened to various musical styles from Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Big Band swing, Classical,
Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Rock.
During that time there were no stereo systems, stereo sound, or digital technology as we know it today.
There were only records players and vinyl records. Many bass notes were difficult to hear, so Kevin put
his ear over the record player as it played, to hear the bass notes for the songs he would play in his
brothers band.
At 13 years of age he began his formal musical training on the flute with Milton Hall from Watts,CA.
Acoustic bass began during this time with Mr Hamilton also from Watts as well, which he continued
through High School.
At Pius the Tenth High School, Kevin learn to read music on both instruments respectively.
The flute in treble clef and the bass in bass clef. He studied harmony, 20th century western music,
counterpoint, and took other music courses as well.In addition, he performed with the prestigious
all-city Pico Rivera Stage Band, yielding him the experience, and understanding of the bass player's
role in a big band. This band won numerous awards, and the Hollywood Bowl Competitions for
3 consecutive years. In this same band, Kevin received the Jazz Soloist Award at the Orange Coast
College Jazz Band Competitions.
After graduating from Pius the Tenth High School, Kevin earned a full scholarship to the University of
Southern California; however, his love for jazz prompted him to forego the USC Scholarship.
Instead he opted to attend Cerritos and Long Beach Colleges, know for their jazz programs.
Soon after, his desire to play professionally, and an opportunity to work with the Tommy Dorsey
Orchestra, relocated Kevin to New York City.
After his stint with Tommy Dorsey, he returned to Los Angeles, and also returned to his previous
classical acoustic bass training, studying under renowned bassist's: David Borkenhagen,
Nathaniel Gangursky, Ami Porat, and was a protege of Barry Lieberman from the Los Angeles
Philharmonic Orchestra.
While working in the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra, Kevin finished his education at the University
of Long Beach.
As his career escalated, Kevin has become a premier bassist /producer on the music scene.
Today, he has found great success working with many of the world's top recording artists, entertainers, musicians, and is involved in a myriad of events within the music, entertainment, television, multimedia,
web designing and film industries. In 2007 he was awarded by the National Association of Recording Arts and Science Double Grammy 's for his musicianship and participation on the 2007 Grammy Nominated " Album of the Year " and "Best Pop Vocal Album " Justin Timberlake "FutureSex/LoveSounds", 2006 Best R&B Album of the Year "Breakthrough" by Mary J Blige , 2005 Beyonce and Stevie Wonder " So Amazing " single and the 2004 Grammy Album Of The Year , Best Rap Album , " OUTKAST ".
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Fab's Music Café: RyanMcGarvey-'Live' Performance
Ryan McGarvey is a star on the rise. In just the past few years his accolades have included being selected by Eric Clapton from over 4,000+ artists worldwide to perform at his 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago, to the Guitar Player Magazine’s Annual Readers Choice Award for “Best New Talent” in 2013. 2014 proved to be another epic year for McGarvey as he voted the winner of “Best Guitarist” in the European Blues Awards. Ryan is constantly on tour internationally, and records whenever time permits. His incendiary, yet dynamic guitar playing leaves crowds around the world marveling, and wanting more. With strong songs, award winning vocals, fierce guitar playing, an unstoppable work ethic, and an undying love for the blues flavored hard rock he pours from his soul, Ryan has been compared to the best in the business. Ryan McGarvey, though already a seasoned professional, has a bright future ahead of him that has only just begun. Catch him when you can!
2017 Best Solo/Acoustic (European Blues Awards)
2016 Best Guitarist (European Blues Awards)
2016 Best Vocalist (Albuquerque The Magazine)
2016 Best Local Musician (The Weekly Alibi)
2014 Best Guitarist (European Blues Awards)
2013 Best New Talent (Guitar Player Magazine)
2012 Best Musician (Albuquerque The Magazine)
2012 Best Blues (Local I.Q. Magazine)
2011 Best Vocalist (Albuquerque The Magazine)
2010 Ernie Ball Play Crossroads Winner (Eric Clapton’s Crossroads)
2010 Best Musician (Albuquerque The Magazine)
2010 Blues Act Of The Year (The Weekly Alibi)
2009 Blues Act Of The Year ( The Weekly Alibi)
2009 Best Guitarist (The Weekly Alibi)
2008 Best Musician (Albuquerque The Magazine)
2008 Blues Act Of The Year (The Weekly Alibi)
2007 Blues Act Of The Year (The Weekly Alibi)
2007 NM Music Award Winner (Blues Song Of The Year)
2006 Guitarmaggeddon Champion Of NM (Guitar Center)
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Scott Sharrard_'live': A Tribute to Gregg Allman
On June 15th, 2017, Scott Sharrard paid tribute to his long-time bandleader, friend and mentor Gregg Allman with a great acoustic, solo show at the Rockwood Music Hall, NYC. Produced and directed by Scott Rosenbaum.
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Fab's Music Café: 'Live': Charlie Starr
Charlie Starr is the lead vocalist, guitarist and principle songwriter for southern rock band, Blackberry Smoke. Starr was named in Music Radar’s top 23 guitarists, a list that includes “rock guitar gods” like Keith Richards of Rolling Stones, Slash of Guns N’ Roses, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, among others.
He recently took part in Willie Nelsons “Come and Toke It” live stream as well as took over some hosting and DJ duties on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country. Meanwhile, Blackberry Smoke’s released a new rendition of The Marshall Tucker Band’s “Take The Highway ".
“Take The Highway” is the latest song unveiled from Blackberry Smoke’s special new EP, Live From Capricorn Sound Studios, which will be released June 19 with a portion of all proceeds going to the Recording Academy’s MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. It was recorded earlier this year at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, GA. The project consists of six new versions of songs that have special ties to the historic studio and town. It was produced by Starr and Blackberry Smoke, the EP is now available for both CD and vinyl pre-order .
The project will be released as a lead up to the band’s anticipated “Spirit of the South Tour: A Celebration of Southern Rock and Roll Music” this summer, with Allman Betts Band & Wild Feathers.
Starr has also been writing new songs for a new full length Blackberry Smoke album, and recently returned to the studio with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb to begin work on their next album, including a new song with Jamey Johnson. The new music follows the release of their latest full-length album, Find A Light, which debuted as the best-selling Country and Americana/Folk album in the country, entered at #3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and #2 on the Billboard Americana/Folk Albums chart in 2018. Of the album, NPR Music praises, “pushes the envelope while providing that famous Blackberry Smoke autonomy, delivered with soulful vocals, haunting harmonies and kick ass songs.” After the release of Find A Light, Blackberry Smoke released two additional projects—a live album and concert film, Homecoming: Live In Atlanta which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Album Sales chart—and a 6-song acoustic EP, The Southern Ground Sessions.
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Fab's Music Café, 'Live': Tony Franklin; Deconstructing The Firm's "Radioactive"
Known as the “Fretless Monster”, Tony Franklin has played alongside some of the greatest names in music history. He got his big break in 1984 as bassist in stellar supergroup The Firm, with guitar legend Jimmy Page, vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Chris Slade (AC/DC, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band). Franklin’s signature fretless growl was a distinctive and instantly recognizable element of the band’s first hit, Radioactive.
After two hit albums and substantial touring with The Firm, Franklin subsequently performed with Blue Murder (John Sykes, Carmine Appice), David Gilmour, Kate Bush, Whitesnake, Roy Harper, Pat Travers, Tony McAlpine, Gary Hoey, Donna Lewis, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Italian superstars Vasco Rossi and Eros Ramazzotti and many others. An in-demand session bass ace, he has appeared on hundreds of albums.
In January 2006, Fender proudly introduced the Tony Franklin Signature Model Fretless Precision Bass guitar, a replica of the instrument Franklin has used throughout his career. In it's 14th year of production, Fender introduced a new color, Lake Placid Blue to the line in January 2020.
2006 also saw the Sony release of Tony Franklin: Not Just Another Pretty Bass, Franklin’s first sample loop library.
In 2011, Franklin joined Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s band, and toured extensively throughout the world. Franklin can be heard on Shepherd’s album, “Goin’ Home”, released in Summer 2014.
2015 saw Franklin recording and touring with Heart Of Storm, live Rock Ballet - with world class Russian ballet, and live rock band featuring Doug Aldrich, Gregg Bissonette, Derek Sherinian, Brent Woods and Brandon Fields. A Live DVD was shot at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles.
Franklin closed the summer of 2015 touring with Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band opening for Van Halen, culminating in two shows at the legendary Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
2016 brought further touring with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, numerous recording sessions, and saw Franklin as a Rock Star Counselor at Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp, alongside Zakk Wylde, Warren Haynes, Steve Vai, Ginger Bakerof Cream and David Crosby. As of March 2020, Franklin has appeared at thirteen Rock Camps, alongside members of Deep Purple, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, REO Speedwagon, Jon Anderson of Yes, Judas Priest, Alice In Chains, Van Halen, Paul Stanley of KISS and Cheap Trick - where Franklin was enlisted as Musical Director, arranger and conductor for the band's performance of The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper album. Franklin is also a featured artist in the upcoming Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp documentary, set for Summer 2020 release.
In 2017, Franklin toured Japan extensively with Japanese superstar Eikichi Yazawa, culminating in 5 nights at the Budokan, the legendary Tokyo venue.
Summer 2018 brought the release of Franklin’s Fretless Bass Instructional Course through TrueFire. Autumn 2018 saw Franklin fronting his own band in Europe playing material from his extensive career including music from The Firm, Whitesnake, Blue Murder and Pink Floyd.
In the summer of 2019, Franklin toured with Jason Bonham and his Led Zeppelin Evening show, opening for Peter Frampton on his Farewell Tour. Franklin also played numerous shows with Raiding The Rock Vault, the awarding winning Las Vegas music show, including dates in London on their maiden voyage to the U.K.
With a bass solo album nearing completion, Master Classes, counseling, constant writing, touring and recording, Franklin says: “I’ve only just begun!”
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Fab's Music Café, 'Live': Alastair Greene
Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Alastair Greene has been a mainstay of the Southern California music scene for close to 3 decades. Alastair was born April 18th, 1971 in Santa Barbara, CA. He discovered music through his mother's piano playing at home and whose record collection included classics by The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John, while his father's tastes at the time leaned toward Bach and Beethoven.
Alastair was inspired to pursue music as a career by his grandfather, the late Chico Alvarez, who played trumpet as a member of the Stan Kenton Band in the '40s and '50s. Growing up, Alastair took piano lessons and played the saxophone before discovering the guitar in high school.
Originally interested in hard rock bands and guitar players, he was exposed to blues and roots music through some records loaned to him by a friend of his father. Those records included: B.B. King ‘Live at the Regal’, Buddy Guy ‘A Man and the Blues’, Johnny Winter ‘Second Winter’, The Allman Brother Band ‘Live at Fillmore East’ and Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble ‘Couldn’t Stand the Weather’. After High School Alastair received a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied for two years before returning to southern California to begin playing with blues and rock bands in the early ‘90s.
Alastair formed the Alastair Greene Band in 1997 and celebrated the 20 anniversary with a live concert recording in early 2018.
Alastair has released 8 solo albums (including 2 live records and a compilation record) the most recent of which is LIVE FROM THE 805 (released in 2018). LIVE FROM THE 805 was nominated for Rock Blues Album of the Year by Blues Blast Magazine in addition to being included on many ‘Best Of 2018” year-end lists by multiple publications.
His most recent studio album DREAM TRAIN (2017) features guest appearances by Walter Trout, Debbie Davies, Mike Finnigan, Mike Zito and Dennis Gruenling. DREAM TRAIN was given 4 stars by Down Beat Magazine and was included as one of their ‘Best Albums of the Year’.
Alastair was lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the Alan Parsons Live Project from 2010 - 2017 with whom he literally toured the world. Greene has also toured with Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Blues legends Debbie Davies, Mitch Kashmar, and most recently as a member of powerhouse vocalist and Blues Music Award winner Sugaray Rayford’s band from 2018 - 2019.
In 2019 Alastair signed with Tab Benoit's Whiskey Bayou Records and will have a new CD released in the summer of 2020 produced by Benoit titled THE NEW WORLD BLUES.
Fab's Music Café 'Live'
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Fab's Music Café, 'Live': Kirk Fletcher
Kirk Fletcher has a reputation as a bonafide can’t-miss performer. His soulful playing and singing never fails to elicit chills, and his unique approach to Rhythm & Blues music is both refreshingly modern and completely authentic.
Widely considered one of the best blues guitarists in the world, he has commanded the respect and acclaim of critics, peers and fans across the globe. He is a four-time Blues Music Award and a 2015 British Blues Award nominee and has played with a variety of popular artists, including Joe Bonamassa and a three-year role as lead guitarist of The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
He released three studio albums and a live album. His new CD will be released in October 2018.
EARLY YEARS
Kirk first picked up a guitar at age eight, playing alongside his older brother Walter in their father’s church.
One day with his older brother, Kirk visited a small L.A. guitar shop, Music Works, which ultimately became his second home after meeting Jeff Rivera, Robben Ford’s guitar tech. “We started hanging out and I would help load gear, change strings and just be a fly on the wall to some of the most amazing music I’ve ever heard,” Kirk remembers.
KIRK’S BLUES
It was in the next few years that Kirk’s full introduction to traditional blues occurred. He started seeking out other musicians who shared this same understanding – enter Al Blake, lead singer and harp player for the Hollywood Fats Band. After hosting dinner every Sunday, Al would offer Kirk early 20th Century blues records as dessert. He also helped establish connections to other famous West Coast blues artists like Junior Watson and Richard “Lynwood Slim” Duran. So followed Kirk’s first gigs as a blues guitarist and eventually the recording of his first album I’m Here & I’m Gone for the JSP label out of England.
Al Blake would also introduce Kirk to Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Wilson brought Fletcher further into the blues family from California to Texas and then out touring the world. One highlight during this time was at Antone’s Night Club 25th Anniversary Week in Austin, Texas, which gave Kirk the opportunity to perform with his blues heroes Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton and Hubert Sumlin. Wilson also tapped Kirk to play on his Grammy-nominated Smokin’ Joint live album. Shortly thereafter a call to collaborate came from blues legend Charlie Musselwhite, confirming that Kirk was becoming one of the most in-demand blues guitarists on the scene.
HIS TURN
So began three years on the road with the Thunderbirds. Kirk contributed to the Thunderbirds’ Paint It On album and time spent with many famous blues artists along the way, including a brief stint with the late Doyle Bramhall Sr. and a few guest appearances playing for Cindi Lauper, Michelle Branch and a world tour with Italian mega-star Eros Ramazzotti. Kirk more recently has been part of two projects with close friend Joe Bonamassa Muddy Wolf at Redrocks and the Grammy nominated Live at the Greek Theatre.
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Fab's Music Café 'Live': Kenny Aronoff; Beat, Time, Groove & Creativity
Kenny Aronoff is one of the world’s most influential and in demand session and live drummers and in this exclusive Fab's Music Café 'live' masterclass Kenny talks about and demonstrates some of his most iconic techniques, styles, grooves and much more. Rolling Stone Magazine, in fact, cited him as one of the “100 Greatest Drummers of All Time” and Modern Drummer named him #1 Pop/Rock Drummer and #1 Studio Drummer for five consecutive years. The list of artists he’s worked with on the road and/or in the studio reads like a who’s who of the music industry, and includes:
John Mellencamp, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sting, The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Gibbons, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Bob Seger, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Jon Bon Jovi, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Joe Cocker, Steven Tyler, Dave Grohl, Chris Cornell, Garth Brooks, Don Henley, Melissa Etheridge, Keith Urban, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Beyonce, Mick Jagger, Slash, Bonnie Raitt, Ricky Martin, Santana, Crosby Stills and Nash, Celine Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Vince Gill, The Buddy Rich Big Band, Leonard Berstein, Aaron Copeland and many others.
With a style of playing that combines power and finesse, his unique and versatile sound has been instrumental on over 60 Grammy-nominated or awarded recordings representing over 300 million in sales, with more than 1300 that were RIAA certified Gold, Platinum or Diamond.
Kenny’s winning approach to drumming and to life has given him the ability to sustain a successful career for four decades.
In addition to performing and creating amazing music, Kenny is an inspirational speaker.
He talks about Living Your Life by Your Purpose, Teamwork Skills, Innovation, Creativity, Hard Work, Self Discipline, Perseverance, and staying Relevant in your career and life. Striving to always be better have been the tools that have kept Kenny at the top of his game for four decades.
Author is the most recent addition to his long line of credits. Sex, Drums, Rock ‘n’ Roll! The Hardest Hitting Man in Show Business (Backbeat Books, November 15, 2016). This is not about sex; it is about the same passion that drives us all to be the best we can be doing what we love with those with whom we want to share our talents.
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Fab's music Café 'Live': Piano & Keyboard Genius; Otmaro Ruíz
FMC 'Live': Otmaro Ruíz began his formal musical studies at the age of eight on piano, classical guitar, harmony, history and aesthetics. His formal musical studies were done in the Juan Manuel Olivares Music School in Caracas. In the meantime, he also was exposed to other artistic activities such as drawing and acting. At the same time, he studied organ and pursued a scientific career as a biologist at the Simón Bolívar University, but kept playing keyboards on the side, landing his first professional work in a pop group in 1980.[1]
Decided to focus entirely on music, Ruíz dropped out of school in 1983 while playing in his native Venezuela, where he toured and recorded with local and visiting musicians, and also became a busy studio musician as a jingles composer and arranger.
In 1989 Ruíz moved to Los Angeles, California, where he finished his academic training at CalArts, obtaining a master's degree in jazz performance in 1993. In between, he was also playing with percussionist Alex Acuña, appearing in two albums during the early 1990s.[1] and later recorded with Arturo Sandoval, which was followed by a world tour supporting Gino Vannelli in 1996.
Perfectly at ease at both the acoustic piano and electric keyboards, and keeping versatility as one of his biggest assets, Ruiz marked the transition into the new millennium performing / recording with Rock icons Jon Anderson and, Robbie Robertson, Latin Crossings Project, featuring Latin legend Tito Puente, Steve Winwood and Arturo Sandoval, Herb Alpert and Fusion giant John McLaughlin, also taking part in recordings and multiple World tours with multi Grammy Award winner vocalist Dianne Reeves, Frank Gambale, Alain Caron and Lee Ritenour.
Ruiz also participated in an international jazz group named JB Project, along with American bassist Brian Bromberg and Japanese drummer Akira Jimbo. This group released three studio albums: Brombo (2003), Brombo II (2004) and Brombo III (2017). Additionally, he appeared on Akira Jimbo's CDs projects for eleven consecutive years as member of a Trio/Quartet format.
In 2012, the Cornel School of Contemporary Music of Shepherd University awarded Ruiz with an Honorary Doctorate in Music Arts. Then, in 2016, he was nominated for the Best Arrangement Instrumental & Vocals at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards for his version of the tune Girl from Ipanema, which was part of his production Catina DeLuna and Lado B Brazilian Project, featuring Otmaro Ruiz. This CD also got raving international reviews, including four stars by DownBeat magazine and also was included in their issue Best of 2016.
Furthermore, Ruiz has worked extensively by conducting workshops and lectures worldwide and formed part of the faculty of USC Thornton School of Music for five years. Otmaro also worked as a member of the Cornell School of Contemporary Music based at Shepherd University faculty, as part of a team that includes long time friends and collaborators Abraham Laboriel and Jimmy Branly. In recent years, Otmaro Ruiz released his long dreamed "electric" CD in Trio format with famed musicians Jimmy Haslip and Jimmy Branly entitled "Elemental" to amazing international reviews, also became a member of Simon Phillips' influential Jazz Rock Fusion Band "Protocol" and Toured with SoulBop, a Modern Electric Jazz ensemble conducted by Randy Brecker and Bill Evans. In addition, Ruíz remains active up to the present day, generally recording and touring with L.A.-based groups and vocalists, as well as commanding his own projects.
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Fab's Music Café 'Live': Derek Day
Derek Day, 24. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA he infuses the power of Rock N' Roll N' Other Genres (R&B, Soul, Punk and Pop) as he engages with and captures the audience theatrically. He's on the lead, licky, riffy Electric Guitar to accompany his burning-lead, gritty, soulful contralto Vocals.
Paying dues and starting small, he was a self-taught street performer out in Santa Monica since he was 13, formed a number of stylistically-interchanging bands and recorded a few EP's and one full length by the first year of Community College-
A couple months after releasing his first official solo-experimental EP in Summer 2016, he took the opportunity to be the direct support for the final days of Steve Vai's 25th Anniversary tour of the Passion And Warfare album, which Day, himself, was majorly influenced by. This quick success launched a snowball for 2017 Immediately performing at NAMM, the Sundance Film Festival and by the end of May, opening up for Living Colour in Scottsdale , Arizona.
As the winds of the Day kept whistling through the music world, he was asked to open up for the MOTOR CITY MADMAN- Ted Nugent- for his “Rockin America Again” tour. And so he bought a mom-van , assembled a fresh band (Tosha Jones and Steaks Lyons) and traveled sea to shining sea playing nearly sold out theaters. Amidst that, he did a few unrelated shows , one of which was at the Lincoln Center performing with Living Colour's Vernon Reid and Corey Glover for the Chuck Berry tribute.
Right before the band drove back home to LA, Day released his latest single, FACE ME, co-written with his most inspiring friend, Debby Holiday- which includes performances from Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai/Slash), Roger Carter (John 5/Rick Springfield) and Paul Trudeau (Billy Idol/Lifehouse).
All of the buzz turned on the chief marketing department of the legendary guitar company, Fender. Derek Day is officially endorsed by Fender, and just in the right time:
In October/November, Day opened up for Living Colour in roughly 14 major southern US cities for their Shade in the USA tour. Halfway through was an opening show for Steel Panther in Ft. Lauderdale.
The crew came home by December and had several successful headliner shows In the LA gig scene and even again opening for Steel Panther at The Roxy.
Right at midnight on Jan 1 2018, Day flew to New York to write a handful of songs with Vernon Reid as they formed a friendship from the tour days. He Came back after a week to record 2 singles , play NAMM again for VocoPro, Vocal Eze and Fender and get things ready for a trip to Nairobi, Kenya for more writing and a short tour the beginning of February.
Day returned in March and was approached by up-and-coming band Classless Act to be their frontman. This hot new Rock N Roll band not only had a bit of a buzz in the LA scene but also a huge pull in South and Central America. Day accepted and so far the band has had great success, eventually opening up for Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators at the Palladium in October. That was their 6th show as a band.
“It’s a great way to exercise myself in performance art without the guitar. But rest assured, you’ll be seeing plenty new things from the Solo Project,” says Day.
And he kept his word opening for Lynch Mob in April , releasing a modern neo-rock single “Social Kitten” and toured Sweden and England in August where 2 of the shows have been at the politically charged music and arts event, The Byline Festival - headlined by Pussyriot.
One of the more interesting events was right after the euro-tour in September for a charity event thrown by ExtraordinaryFamilies and Steve Vai to help foster children throughout the USA.
52 hours of non-stop music by huge hitters , and Derek not only had his own set , but also got to perform onstage with Steve Vai himself, Vernon Reid, and Moby. The event was viewed by 850,000 people worldwide.
To bring this bio to a close , perhaps a shout out from nationwide satellite radio personality Eddie Trunk : “talented kid, very impressive and a promising , great player...”
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Fab's Music Café, 'Live': Josh Smith
Blues rock guitar virtuoso, singer-songwriter and producer, Josh Smith, is hailed the world over as a master guitarist with raw talent and power to spare. Blending his signature mix of blues, rock and jazz into dynamic original songs, Smith is known for his incendiary live performances, whether at the Grammy Awards or the Kennedy Center Honors with Mick Jagger, Raphael Saadiq and others.
Born in 1979, Josh started playing guitar at age six. Praised as a blues prodigy by the time he was 12 years old, he began playing at professional blues jams in South Florida, sitting in with such greats as Jimmy Thackery, Tinsley Ellis, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Johnny “Clyde” Copeland, Double Trouble, Joanna Connor and Kim Simmonds, among others. Jimmy Thackery said of the 14-year-old, “Josh is three heartbreaks away from being a true blues guitar genius.”
That insight from Jimmy Thackery proved true as Josh began releasing CDs at age 14. His first national tour with his power trio, Josh Smith and the Frost, featured Josh as bandleader, vocalist as well as guitarist. The legendary producer Jim Gaines (Santana, SRV, Luther Allison, Steve Miller, Jimmy Thackery) produced Josh’s third CD, Too Damn Cold and Woman. By 1998, he had completed four national tours with his band. Josh was then asked to support the great B.B. King on a number of shows.
Opening for B.B. King was just the beginning for this in-demand artist and lead guitarist for artists such as Taylor Hicks, Ricky Fante (Virgin Records), Raphael Saadiq, actress Taryn Manning, Universal Music Group hip-hop artists Benny Cassette and Tara Ellis, and more. He has the distinction of inducting Neil Diamond into the Kennedy Center Honors with Raphael Saadiq’s band and honoring Solomon Burke at the Grammys with Mick Jagger.
Within a year of moving to L.A. in 2002, Josh was retained by Virgin recording artist Ricky Fante and performed nationally and internationally with Ricky for the next two years. In 2006, Josh recorded his fifth CD, Deep Roots and continued to play with a variety of artists such as actress Taryn Manning, Universal Music hip-hop artists Benny Cassette and Tara Ellis, to name a few. In 2007, Josh was hired by 2006 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks to be his lead guitarist. They completed two national tours before Josh was hired as lead guitarist by Grammy Award winner Raphael Saadiq. Josh continues to tour with Saadiq.
In 2009, Josh released his 6th studio CD, Inception and in 2010 he was signed to Crosscut Records based in Germany. Crosscut re-released Josh’s breakout album, Deep Roots as I’m Gonna Be Ready. In 2013, Josh’s CD Don’t Give Up On Me was also released in Germany, followed by Over Your Head in 2014. In 2016, Josh’s jazz album, Still was released to critical acclaim as was Burn To Grow in 2018.
Along with touring the world, recording and performing with renowned artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons, Kirk Fletcher and others, Smith is also a producer and owns Flat V Studios in Los Angeles. He has produced artists Reese Wynans (Joe Bonamassa), Artur Menezes (winner of the Eric Clapton 2019 Crossroads Festival) Seth Rosenbloom, Jamey Arent and many more.
Josh’s latest and 11th album, Live At The Spud, was released January 8, 2020 on Flat V Music, and features Smith and his power trio recorded live over two nights at the legendary Baked Potato in Los Angeles. The new album features Smith on guitar and vocals, Gary Novak on drums and Trevor Carlton on bass. The goal was to present an unedited look at a normal night at the Baked Potato. Compelling, improvisational and explosive. Josh is currently touring worldwide in support of the live album.
Josh lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
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Fab's Music Café 'Live': Kris Barras: 'live' at home
ONE OF THE UK’S BREAKOUT ARTISTS OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS, THE KRIS BARRAS BAND HAVE HAD A WHIRLWIND RISE WHICH HAS SEEN THEM SELL OUT A STRING OF DATES ACROSS THEIR BIGGEST HEADLINE TOUR TO DATE IN OCTOBER 2019, AS WELL AS CRASHING INTO THE UK OFFICIAL CHARTS TOP 50 WITH THEIR LATEST ALBUM RELEASE.
The rise? Well, from the release of 2018’s ‘The Divine And Dirty’, there have been the A-list radio singles, sold out shows across every headline tour they have taken on, and played to an audience of 3 million on BBC Radio 2 on two occasions, which is extraordinary for a new artist. Making history along the way, the Kris Barras Band are the only band to play 3 years in a row at Ramblin’ Man Fair, including 2019’s explosive main stage appearance. They are also the only artist ever to have an unprecedented one in-one out performance at 2018’s Planet Rock Radio’s Rockstock Festival, where they returned in December 2019 to play the main stage.
The Devon-born Barras and his band have barely had the time to catch their breath, having a non-stop year that has seen them zig-zag the UK and Europe supporting the likes of Jon Bon Jovi, Kentucky arena-rockers Black Stone Cherry, Beth Hart, The Magpie Salute (Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes), Joanne Shaw Taylor, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Walter Trout and Jonny Lang. They capped this off with a flood of critical praise and an ever-growing fervent fan base which contributes to them winning Planet Rock Radio’s prestigious 2019 ‘Best New Band’ Award.
As a side project, Kris Barras is the frontman for USA super-group, Supersonic Blues Machine. The band features legendary artists such as ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Steve Lukather (Toto), Eric Gales, Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule) and Walter Trout. Kris is currently working on new material with the band and will feature on all upcoming releases.
Kris is signed to world-renowned record label Provogue/Mascot Label Group. He joins a roster that includes names such as Joe Bonamassa, Black Stone Cherry, Monster Truck, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Walter Trout.
"It's hard hitting, down 'n' dirty, oil stained Blues Rock - and we love it" Guitarist Magazine
"Barras is fast maturing as an artist with a growing live performance reputation thrillingly captured here on record" Daily Express