July 2018 Issue

Southwest Michigan’s Source for Music, Entertainment and Culture25th KalamazooBlues Fest Don Brewer of Grand Funk Railroad Nick Moss InterviewMore FeaturedArticles!Kev NicholsInterviewIn Memoriam SectionMany More ArtistPromos and Features! Issue 12: July 2018

G-NoteEntertainment.biz IN THIS ISSUE Facebook: @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine PromoEDITOR’S SOAP BOX KVBA Blues Fest …… 4-13Stay cool out there! Interview Don Brewer ………… 14-16As always, throw us one of your thumbs on theFacebook and sign up for newsletters on our official Interviewsite! Nick Moss …………… 17-20Keep on rockin’, folks!Sam Event Central ……….. 21-22Publisher. Head Writer. Advertising. InterviewNick Hatzinikolis Kev Nichols ………… [email protected]. Webmaster. Creative Director. The Elixir FixerSam [email protected] Blues in the Zoo InspiredContributing Writer. by a Dance with KoKo theAngie Jackson Queen ..…...…….. 25-26Disclaimer! In Memoriam …………… 27G-Note is dedicated to providing a platform for artists andmusicians to promote their work. Because they have a unique Promos …………….. 28-29way of expressing themselves, it is important for people whoread this stellar publication to understand you might not always Random Facts ………. 30like what you see. Articles may contain sarcasm and adultcontent. This magazine is intended for mature audiences. G-Note Supporters Samurai Phoenix Design Studio Dunkley International, Inc. The Hatzinikolis Family The McDaniel Family Keep up with G-Note on Facebook and of course our website! If you’d like to advertise in G- Note Magazine, please contact us today! Our stellar graphic designer can make one for you or supply your own banner or ad-block.2 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Visit KVBA.org for more info on this year’s Blues FestSamurai Phoenix Design StudioWeb Design. Graphic Design.Resume Design. Photo Editing.Video Editing. Custom Computer Builds.Website Coming Soon! The Man. The Legend (sort of). The CEO:Sam McDaniel • (269) 362-7950 • [email protected]@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 3 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

25th Annual KVBA Blues FestTHE 25TH ANNUAL KALAMAZOO VALLY BLUES ASSOCIATION BLUES FESTIVALVenue: Arcadia Festival Site in Downtown KalamazooDates: Thursday July 12 – Saturday July 14, 2018Lineup:Thursday July 125:00 – 5:50 pm:Big Trouble6:10 – 7:00 pm:Blue Veins4 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

7:30 – 8:40 pm:Corey Dennison – Chicago sideman finds his own groove!  Played with Carl Weathersby in Chicago for 12 years.  BMA – Nominated for best Contemporary Blues Album, Night After Night9:10 – 10:30 pm:Ghost Town Blues Band – Horns, harmonicas, guitars and a nasty sound.  IBC: 2nd place 2014  Blues Blast Music Awards: nominee for Best Blues Band – 2015  Independent Blues Award winner: Best Contemporary Blues Song 2016@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 5 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Friday July 135:00 – 5:50 pm:Blue Diamond6:10: 7:00 pm:SWB6 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

7:30 – 8:45 pm:Angel Forrest – Canadian blues superstar  Canadian Female Vocalist of the Year 2013  Canadian Female Vocalist of the Year 2014 / Songwriter of the Year  Canadian Female Vocalist of the Year 2015  Canadian Female Vocalist of the Year 2016 / Songwriter of the Year / Recording of the Year  Canadian Female Vocalist of the Year 2017@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 7 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

9:15 – 10:30 pm:Victor Wainwright – Top blues keyboardist in the country!  BMA: won Best Piano Player award (Pine Top Perkins) 2013  BMA: won Best Piano Player award (Pine Top Perkins) 2014  BMA: won 2016 Blues Entertainer of the Year.  BMA: won Best Piano Player award (Pine Top Perkins) 2017  BMA: nominated for best piano player (Pine Tip Perkins Award) 20188 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

10:55 – 11:45 pm:Seventh SonSaturday July 14th12:10 – 12:50 pm:Hilger & DeVos@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 9 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

1:10: – 2:00 pm:Steve Pesch Band2:20 – 3:10 pm:Big Boss Blues10 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

3:30 – 4:20 pm:Blue Soul Express4:40 – 5:30 pm:Crossroads the Resurrection@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 11 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

6:00 – 7:15 pm:Grand Marquis_- Old-time blues and jazz making a return appearance.  Steeped in the musical tradition of Kansas City, they play American roots, blues and prohibition-era jazz.  IBC: Finalist 20117:44 – 9:00 pm:Jason Ricci & Bad Kind  Blues Critic Award for Harmonica Player of the Year – 2008  BMA: won Best Harmonica Player 2010  Grammy: won Best Blues Album 2014  BMA: Nominated for Best Harmonica 201812 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

9:30 – 10:55 pm:Nick Moss Band – Chicago blues at its best, nominated in two categories this year.  BMA: Four previous nominations for Best Album of the year – 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006  BMA: Nominated for Band of the Year for 2018  BMA: Dennis Gruenling nominated for best Harmonica 201811:20 – 12:00 am:Kev Nichols and Blue Tuesday@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 13 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Interview: Don BrewerOriginal Founding Member: Don years being used in movie soundBrewer of Grand Funk Railroad tracks and in television/radio advertising. The huge hit wasJuly 1st, 2017 | Nick Hatzinikolis featured in a recent General Motors national TV ad campaign and in “You cannot talk about rock in the 1970s without talking about Disney’s animated feature film TheGrand Funk Railroad!” Country Bears. In 2004, We’re An American Band was featured in the--David Fricke, Rolling Stone Magazine, April 3, 2003 Cuba Gooding Jr. film RADIO, and in 2005 it was featured in theOriginating from Flint, Michigan in 1969, this top selling swashbuckler SAHARA starringAmerican rock group of the '70s is “COMIN’ TO YOUR TOWN TO Matthew McConaughey.HELP YOU PARTY IT DOWN.\" Grand Funk Railroad is extremelyexcited to be touring in 2017 marking a 48 year milestone. After Internationally acclaimed Grand Funkplaying to millions of fans on the band’s tours from 1996 to has toured the world, selling out in the2016, Grand Funk’s 2017 Tour will continue to reach both new U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan andand long-time fans. South America. A 1971 performance at New York’s Shea Stadium sold outKnown as “The American Band,\" the high-energy five-piece faster than the Beatles. The group’sgroup will play forty shows all over the USA this year. Grand widespread appeal is also evident inFunk Railroad includes original founding members Don Brewer its prestigious recording(vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling achievements. Over their career,hit, We’re An American Band) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The Grand Funk has had 19 chartedGod Of Thunder.\" Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.\" singles, 8 Top 40 hits and two NumberSinger Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned One singles (We’re An Americanand sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co- Band and Locomotion, both sellingfounder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart more than one million each). TheAttack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on group has now accumulated 13 goldthe planet.\" Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 and 10 platinum records with recordyears with KISS and has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf sales in excess of 25 million copiesand Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul sold worldwide. The most recent goldStanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) Keyboardist CD award was presented to theTim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the Universityof Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,\" his credits include @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinestints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and English soulman Robert Palmer.Grand Funk laid the groundwork for such bands as Foreigner,Journey, Van Halen and Bon Jovi with its signature hard drivingsound, soulful vocals, muscular instrumentation and forcefulpop melodies. The fact that Grand Funk’s legacy still reignsover the Classic Rock landscape forty years after its 1969 birthin Flint, Michigan is a testament to the group’s influence andstaying power. Mega-hits We’re An American Band, I’m YourCaptain/Closer To Home, Locomotion, and Some Kind OfWonderful still receive continuous airplay on Classic Rock radio.We’re An American Band has received notoriety in recent 14 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

band May 10, 2002 for their greatest hits package D.B.- “Exactly, we called in Todd because weGrand Funk Railroad The Collectors Series. heard so much about him for people in the industry and we were familiar with his songs andThe multi-talented band carries on the tradition of we really liked what he was doing musically. WeGrand Funk hits and creates a new chapter in the called him up and eventually flew him in from hislegacy of Grand Funk Railroad. In August of 2005 home in New York at the time, to our studio inthe band drew 20,000 in Albany, New York, and in Michigan. “September drew 20,000 fans to downtownOrlando, Florida. In April 2006, EMI/Capitol “Believe it or not, he really just let us do our thing,released a new Grand Funk Greatest Hits of course he made suggestions on where to putpackage that includes a bonus DVD of rare the bridge in a song and other helpful ideas, butconcert footage. In July of 2011, GFR drew 25,000 what I appreciated was he just let us do that it waspeople to their Molson Canal Series Concert that we did. Just listening to the songs without alloutside Buffalo. Grand Funk’s 2016 tour was a the editing, and EQ and fades, etc. through yourhuge success and now, with the group’s 2017 headphones in the studio to what you hear in thetour, seasoned Grand Funk lovers and record, is amazingly different and so much better.contemporary rock fans discovering the group for Todd was a great influence in our recordings andthe first time will be able to celebrate with GRAND making us radio friendly.”FUNK RAILROAD! G-Note: Can I ask about the origin of your song,G-Note Entertainment Magazine talked to ‘We’re An American Band’? The story I heard wasfounder, drummer and sometime singer, Don it originated from an argument you had with aBrewer a few weeks before they hit the stage at couple of guys from ‘Humble Pie’ on who hadthe Foellinger Theatre in Fort Wayne IN. on July better bands, Britain or America.14th at 8pm. D.B.- (Chuckling) “That is NOT true! I’ve heard thatG-Note: We really appreciate your time today, too, I have no idea where that came from,let’s get right to it, Grand Funk Railroad has Wikipedia or something. it just goes to show youendured for 50 years, what do you credit your things that are not true become fact after it getslongevity and continued success to? on the internet.”D.B.- “Thanks for having me today! We are all very “No, we did a tour with Humble Pie, and we nevermuch looking forward to being back in had a fight or argument about anything, besidesKalamazoo, it’s been a while. I think we are there isn’t any argument on who is betterplaying right in downtown, that will be fun!” between American or English bands…Of course it the American bands without any question!”“There is a long answer and there is a short (Chuckling)answer. I’ll give you the short answer, I think it is allabout timing. Back when we started, there was “The true story is, we were going through a lot ofpretty much 2 outlets for our music, AM pop radio legal issues and we had lost everything to ourand some underground FM station playing our former manager and some crooked attorneys andsongs like ‘I’m your Captain’. Then FM becamemore and more commercial and we had tomove fast to keep up with the changes. Some ofour biggest hits were ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’,‘Locomotion’ and ‘We’re an American Band’ youknow, the 3-minute songs. Those were the songsthat were in rotation on some AM stations acrossthe country but we were also on the newformatted FM radio stations which gave us alarger audience.”G-Note: Is that when Todd Rundgren came in andhelp you change and refine your sound for thenew commercial FM market?@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 15 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

FM radio was changing form an ‘Underground’ songs over and over the decades because I lovecommodity to more of a ‘Pop’ format so we the watch the audience and now I see multi-needed hit records. generations of fans of grandparents and their grandkids out there dancing and singing ourSo, as we were flying to a show one day, I had this songs and just having a great time! How can getthought as we were getting ready to land…“We you tired of that?”are coming to your town -we’ll help you partydown.” I thinking hey, that sounded pretty good so G-Note: Looking at the rapid rise of technologyI wrote the song around that.” I didn’t even finish today, do you think Grand Funk Railroad wouldthe tag ‘We’re an American band” because I exist or co-exist in today’s computer-age world?couldn’t think of anything, I was racking my braintrying to figure out something then one day I was D.B.- “That’s a great question, all I can say I’m sojust practicing the song and it sang well and It just glad we started and recorded in the era that wecame out of my mouth, ‘We’re an American did. Look at the drum machines and synthesizedBand.” instrumentation that is out there. I told someone the other day, recording isn’t about how perfect“I wasn’t trying to wave the American flag in front you can sound, it’s about the magic you canof anyone or anything like that, that is what Grand capture in that moment in the studio. I believe it’sFunk Railroad is, we’re an American Band, and we for that reason why our songs are still around andwere playing poker with Freddie King, we had are as popular today as they were when wegroupies in Omaha, little Connie in Little Rock and recorded them!”I’m writing all of this stuff down about who we arethat is really were it came from.” “Some Kind Of Wonderful” is probably the biggest wedding reception song in the world! It’s just aG-Note: I still see the video circulating around the song that reflects how people feel with all theinternet you shot for “We’re An American Band” emotion and love on their very special day- Yourecently from the early 70’s, way before MTV. Why know you are “Some Kind Of “Wonderful and youdid you do a video if there wasn’t a commercial are too Kalamazoo, we’ll come to your town andplatform for it? help you party down! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone and having a great time!”D.B.- “Sure, it was pre-MTV, just when bands weredoing videos to showcase their music. Ours was a Grand Funk Railroad is playing the Foellingerlittle different in the way that it had a “Monkee’s” Outdoor Theatre on July 14 at 8 PM.feel to it with us having fun riding motorcycles andjust having fun with a little hipper take on it, that’s The Foellinger Outdoor Theatre is at 3411 Shermanwhat we were trying to do with that video. And we Blvd in Franke Park, in Fort Wayne, IN. 46808.were experimenting a little bit too. Most of that wasfor promotion to show buyers and venues and that Tickets range from $40 to $50.kind of stuff, Capital Records would use them forpromotional purposes to sell records.” The Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/FoellingerTheatre/.G-Note: Are you surprised by how popular GrandFunk Railroad still is after all this time? The website is http://www.fortwayneparks.org/facilities/foellinD.B. “Yes I am, I’m very blessed. We are coming up ger-theatre.html.on 50 years of Grand Funk Railroad and my careergoes 10 years before that. I’m shocked and very For all things Grand Funk Railroad, please go tohumbled and very thankful that we still have the Grand Funk Railroad's Official Web Site:opportunity doing something I love.” www.grandfunkrailroad.com“I tell people all the time that something magicalhappens when you get on stage, it’s hard todescribe but I never get tired of playing the same16 | P a g e Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLCwww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz July, 2018 @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

Interview: Nick MossNick Moss of The Nick Moss BandJuly 2nd, 2018 | Nick HatzinikolisA STAR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE sidelined by aserious kidney ailment, Nick Moss picked up theelectric bass at the urging of his brother Joe, abudding blues guitarist, simply to pass the time.When he rose from his sickbed to sneak out andhear Little Charlie and the Nightcats, his coursewas set: The allure of performing was irresistible,and Nick resolved that night to become amusician.Moss is one of us, and he has repaid the debtmany times over. Fresh out of school, he learnedto love the gritty Chicago blues of the 1970s whileplaying with real deal bluesmen, first as one ofBuddy Scott’s Rib Tips, then with Jimmy “FastFingers” Dawkins. He mastered the subtleties of golden-age postwar electric blues with the Legendary Blues Band ofWillie “Big Eyes” Smith, where he exchanged his bass for the guitar, and later spent three years as guitarist with thegreat Jimmy Rogers.These apprenticeships served him well when he started his own band, Nick Moss and the Flip Tops, and began writingand recording an acclaimed series of hard-hitting albums for his own Blue Bella label, beginning with 1999’s First Offenseand 2001’s Blues Music Award-nominated Got A New Plan. By the time of 2003’s Count Your Blessings, Moss’s work wasattracting the attention in a big way. That recording featured not only the talents of such Chicago-based artists as WillieSmith, Barrelhouse Chuck, and Bob Stroger, but the contributions of national figures like Anson Funderburgh and SamMyers, Lynwood Slim, and Curtis Salgado.Both Blessings and its successor, Sadie Mae (2005), received BMA consideration and strong reviews. Two exciting livealbums (Live at Chan’s and Live at Chan’s: Combo Platter No. 2, the latter featuring Lurrie Bell) followed, bracketing2007’s remarkable Play It ‘Til Tomorrow, recorded with guests Barrelhouse Chuck and Eddie Taylor Jr.An ambitious double album (one arranged in typical electric style, the other an acoustic session), Play It produced yetanother BMA nomination for Album, along with nods for Guitarist and Band, and placed in Blues Revue magazine’s 2010critics’ poll of the “Decade’s Best Blues: 25 Great Albums That Defined the Past 10 Years.” Mythical stories often involveas a central element a quest, and Moss’s true-life experience follows suit.Along the way, he played on records by Smith, Big Bill Morganfield, and Monster Mike Welch; produced and/or releasedalbums for other Blue Bella artists including Cash Box Kings, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Bill Lupkin, Gerry Hundt, andMatthew Stubbs; and produced the all-star Midnight Blues project on Magic Slim & The Teardrops for Blind Pig Recordsin 2008 — all in addition to the growth in his vision achieved over the arc of seven genuinely authentic blues albums,recognized by a total of 16 BMA nominations.Victoria Amps’ Mark Baier, writing for Chicagobluesguide.com, proclaimed Moss “a modern cross generationalmusician.” On 2011’s Here I Am, Moss continued to move forward, adding R&B-based textures, and sometimes anAllman Brothers-esque jam band aesthetic, to his trick bag. In 2014, the more progressive Time Ain’t Free “reached@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 17 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

deeper into soul, funk, and rock ‘n’ roll,” according to Billboard.com, “with shades of P-Funk, Little Feat, Faces, andworld music, all filtered through Moss’s deep blue lens, sparking exciting new directions.” Nick is a gifted storyteller, asongwriter that takes his craft seriously and a musician with a daunting work ethic.He is a walking encyclopedia of blues and music knowledge, and his deep understanding of the genre shines on the newrelease From the Root to the Fruit (Blue Bella Records, 2016). “From the Root to the Fruit was really born out of theconcept that American music is connected by the blues and each generation adds something new to the mix.“I made the decision a couple of years ago to do a double record, sort of a concept album, as my band was learningsome traditional blues tunes for our shows,” says Moss. “The guys in my band, true to form, were adding something newto the blues mix. Part of the growth I want to showcase with From the Root to the Fruit wasn’t only my owndevelopment as a band leader, but the incredible musicianship of the people I play with. Nightly, the people I am onstage with simply amaze me.” “The more traditional blues record of the double disc set is a little looser,” says Moss.“There’s a little bit of 40’s and 50’s jump blues, 60’s and 70’s style blues, Texas style, Chicago, and uptown blues.” The second CD encompasses a more progressive look at the blues; it’s more modern and experimental. It’s blues with a soul and garage punk sound with some Rolling Stones blues tossed in for good measure.” Music elicits a right reaction, a heart reaction, whether you’re three or thirty or ninety. My mission with my music is to reach like-minded people. I want to reach people with music that want to be reached.” G-Note Entertainment Magazine spoke to Nick Moss from his home ahead of him hitting the road with The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Greunling including a stop at the 25th Anniversary of the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association’s Blues Festival at the Arcadia Creek Festival Site in Downtown Kalamazoo Mi. on July 12th – 14th. The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling willtake the stage on Saturday July 14th at 9:30pm and a show in Walker Mi. at the 97LAV Summertime Blues Series onAugust 22nd at the DeltaPlex Arena.G-Note- I appreciate you taking time out of your schedule and before getting on the road to talk with us and updating uson all thing Nick Moss and the Band.NM- “No problem at all, actually I get out of cutting grass for a little bit! Yeah, let’s get in this. Let me start by saying thatIt’s been a genuine pleasure to work with all the good people at Alligator Records, after 30 odd years of doing it on myown it is so much less pressure to let someone else do all the hard work you know? ““My wife Kate has been awesome! She really has been the one to keep everything afloat for me and my career byrunning all day to day ‘stuff’ behind the scenes while I was on the road. My wife is a wonderful graphic designer and hastons of work for other artists and record labels over the years in addition to doing all my stuff and raising our daughterand helping the artists that were on our record label as well.”“We are currently taking a hiatus with that because Kate took a job in the public sector as a art director in a PR firm. Iwas wonderful having her home for the last 15 years but now she is out of the house commuting back and forth to herjob, so our record label is kind of on hold. ““Hooking up with Alligator Record was nothing short of a blessing! 20 years ago, when I put out my first record, Ishopped it to Alligator Records as well as a few others, but I was wan an unknown, pretty much a sideman and a backingguitar player for Jimmy Rogers, Jimmy Dawkins. Although that does carry some weight, being young and not reallyexperienced, it does not necessarily translate to record sales.”18 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

G-Note – Is that what that brought you to start your own independent record label?NM- “It did, I’ll tell you this Nick, I am completely at a loss for words on how and why we were as successful as we wereover the last 20 or so years putting our music out there and getting the word out and getting all of the accolades andawards I could not be any prouder of that or of all of the very hard work my wife and all of the bandmates over the yearsput into it as well!”“Who knows, maybe down the road we can do something with it again, not for me but for all of the other musicians atare having a hard time with getting signed, because right now, I’m having a ball with Alligator records and really, reallylike working with Bruce (Iglauer) the founder of the record company!”“We had kept in touch over the years and Bruce would send some compliments our way every once in an awhile aboutthe work that we were doing and that always made us feel good. We never thought that he would be interested inanything we were doing at the time and come to find out since we were doing pretty well on our own that we didn’thave any interest in working together so we didn’t pursue each other.”G-Note- You have had a change in line up recently, does that affect the ‘goal’ of what you want to accomplish as amusician or as a band?NM- “We had Michael Ledbetter in the band for a long time, we loved and still love Michael. We were doing a lots ofawesome things together as a band, and like all good things, sometimes they come to an end with no hard feelings. Justabout the same time Michael was set to leave, I got a call from Dennis Gruenling, I known Dennis for 20 years plus. Ihave also liked and respected Dennis as a friend and as a musician. Dennis had called and asked if we would be hisbacking band for a tribute show to William Clark in Grand Rapids Mi. and of course, I said yes!”“Here’s a quick side story for you, like I said earlier, having Dennis as a bandmate is more that I could have hoped for.Just knowing Dennis as a musician, I knew that if I had the chance, I would love to work with him in a band. ““Dennis wrote me a letter, an actual letter 20 years ago, when I first released my first CD, ‘First Offender’, I got this letterthat said ‘Hi, I’m Dennis Gruenling, I’m a harmonica player from New Jersey, if you are ever in need of a harp player orneed a gig or 2 if you are in the area, hit me up.’ It was about a your or so later, I was putting together a tour and hadsome open dates in the New York- New Jersey area.”“I remembered that letter, so I called the number that he gave me, and he answers the phone and I say, Hey Dennis, thisis Nick Moss, you had sent me a letter a year back and just checking to see what’s going on. Sure, as shit, he lined up acouple of gigs for me. I had him set in and I was blown away! He is so talented and immediately impressed me with hisprofessionalism and more importantly, I felt like kin to him, we just got along so well, and I knew we were eventuallygoing to do something that was great together.”“Back on track now, we get together and while we are playing together on stage, I look over and just had a great feelingand realized that ‘this’ is my comfort zone and exactly what it is that I like to do! I had so much fun performing withDennis that I asked him off stage if there was a reason why he and his regular musician Doug weren’t doing anythinganymore and Dennis said, ‘no, it just kind of ran it course.’ I shared with him that Michael was moving on and asked himif he had any interest in working together with us. Dennis said, ‘Absolutely man!’. I said, hey look, I have a tour that willbe starting in a couple of weeks, you should join on. It worked out so well that I brought him on the ‘Blues Cruise’ withme. That was to be Michaels last shows with us and sharing with the world what was next to come. It was over-whelming positive”“Kid Anderson (Record Producer) came up to me and said, ‘you guys should be recording’, which I already had on mymind and I know exactly what Kid wanted to hear and he knows what Bruce wants to hear and he knows what I likeregarding traditional Blues.”“This whole thing we ‘destined’ you know? The feel of the project was incredible, I got to play what I wanted and in thestyle that I am most comfortable with, and I also know that Bruce thought very highly of Dennis as well. So, I send off anemail to Bruce to let him know that Kid Anderson was on the project as producer, Dennis is playing harp and I’m goingback to the more traditional Blues sound. “@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 19 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to hear anything back from Bruce any time soon, but I got a response back within the hour and said send it to me when it’s done. We finished the recording in 3 days, Kid had to go on tour, so the mixing still need to be worked on and that wasn’t done till mid-August. We sent the ‘rough’ to Bruce, he liked what he heard and the began the dance and courtship with Alligator Records.” G-Note- So what are some of the steps you must go through getting signed to a label? NM- “Well, I’ll tell how it was with Alligator Records, first off, Bruce is meticulous! He covers every detail including sales of records history, touring history, band history, do I like to tour, do I like to do interviews, and questions include how healthy you are, can you stand the rigors of touring and still perform at a high level.” G-Note- What is the biggest change in the music industry from when you had your own label to being signed on now to Alligator records? NM- “When you are responsible for your own label, there is aton of stuff you have to do, it’s all business. You do all the bookings, interviews, press marketing, print up posters forshows, making all the phone calls to venues managers and owners, make sure your band mates were ready and hadeverything they needed on the road as well.”G-Note-What, if anything come with the experience of, paying your dues and all the ‘stuff’ you must go through as acareer musician?NM- “Well, I can tell you, I am a different person than I was 15, 10 or even 3 years ago. I am so grateful. I have had andstill do, great friends that over the years have given my pieces of advice on my performance or how I may look or act onstage asking If I were even aware of it, maybe if I changes something about my approach or the way I react or considertwisting my thinking a little bit may go a long way in your presentation. All I can say is ‘Thank you’ for taking the time toshare with me somethings I could do better.”“As I get older I tend to not take things like critiques personally like I may have had in the past. I’m always learning,always trying to improve myself and I remember something my brother said to me, ’There is an abundance ofeverything for everybody’ and I try to keep that in mind every day and keep up my awareness and continue to bethankful for all I have.”*some content from www.nickmossband.comFor all Things Nick Moss including tour dates go to: www.nickmossband.com Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLC July, 201820 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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Interview: Kev NicholsKev Nichols and Blue TuesdayJuly 3rd, 2018 | Nick HatzinikolisOnce again, one of our favorite bands in the SouthwestMichigan area is Kev Nichols and Blue Tuesday. Knownfor their fun, engaging and energetic shows, Kev Nicholsand his excellent band, continue to win awards, and fansfrom all over the area and beyond.Last January, Kev made his 9th trip to the InternationalBlues Challenge held in Memphis, TN. His 8 previous trips(which include 2 appearances in the event Finals) hadbeen in the band category but this time around he wastrying his hand in the solo / duo category. He and hisBlue Tuesday band mate Mike Crupi (guitar andharmonica) were representing the Capital Area BluesSociety out of Lansing, MI as their duo Slim Nichols. When the dust settled, Kev and Mike were happy to have been ableto make it to the semi-final round of this year's IBC.\"It always seems to come back to blues,\" says bandleader Kev Nichols when discussing Blue Tuesday. \"We're a group ofmusicians who really just enjoy being on stage with each other, and it starts with that, and it just kind of goes fromthere.\" Kev Nichols has been around the blues music scene in one band or another for almost 20 years. Around 2012,Kev had hosted jam sessions in his basement, this evolved into his band Blue Tuesday.This Jackson area four piece power house of a Blues band consists of Kev Nichols – Guitar and vocals, Rex Hambone onDrums as well as Heather Kulaga on Bass. Finishing out the band is Mike Crupi on guitar, lap steel, harmonica andsaxophone. “We try our best to sound like an eight-piece band in a four-piece body”.Kev also is involved as a music worship leader at the church he attends in Jackson (Westwind’s Community Church). “Iplay Blues on Saturday night at juke joints and worship music just as hard on Sunday morning with my guitar. Some saythe Blues is the devils music, but music that is as good as the Blues has to come from God”!Kev really enjoyed being back in Memphis for the 34th Annual International Blues Challenge in 2018. The competitionran from January 17th to the 20th, 2018.“It’s always a madhouse, completely crazy,” Nichols said. “You have over 1,000 musicians from all over the world andthen a ton of Blues fans having a great time soaking up the Blues on Beale Street; hopefully you can get some new fansand get your music in other people’s ears.”The bands compete for prizes at the IBC. However, Nichols said that’s secondary to what it means just to be part of thechallenge and be in Memphis that week. “The cool thing about the IBC is that it makes the Blues world a small world,”Nichols said. “It’s really all about the networking, meeting new fans and Blues lovers as well the camaraderie.” “Itbecomes a Facebook, Twitter kind of party. You will start to see your videos and pictures of people take of you, it’s a@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 23 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

great networking opportunity to get festival work and, hopefully, it will just open up to other musical opportunities forall the great musicians that go there to keep making the music they love for a bigger audience.”Nichols has been to the IBC nine times:2004 -- The WhooDoo Band -- IBC Semi-Finalist (representing the Detroit Blues Society)2005 -- The WhooDoo Band -- IBC Top Ten Finalist (representing the Capital Area Blues Society)2008 -- 6 Hands Down -- IBC Semi-Finalist (representing the Capital Area Blues Society)2009 -- 6 Hands Down -- IBC Top Ten Finalist (representing the Capital Area Blues Society)2011 -- 6 Hands Down -- IBC Semi-Finalist (representing the Capital Area Blues Society)2014 -- Kev Nichols & Blue Tuesday -- IBC Semi-Finalist (representing the Capital Area Blues Society)2016 -- Kev Nichols & Blue Tuesday -- IBC Semi-Finalist (representing the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association)2017 -- Kev Nichols & Blue Tuesday -- IBC Quarter-Finalist (representing the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association)2018 -- Slim Nichols (duo) -- IBC Semi-Finalist (representing the Capital Area Blues Society) When asked about the state of the Blues genre, Kev said, “The Blues, compared to other genres, definitely has a smaller following; but that following is a very, very dedicated one. So, as long as there are still people out there loving and supporting what musicians like myself are putting out there, I think the life of the blues will go on and on!\" If you are a fan of the Blues like I am as well a fan of live music, do yourself a favor, go check out and support Kev Nichols and Blue Tuesday, and please go support live music at your local venue!The International Blues Challenge is put on by the Blues Foundation (www.blues.org). For moreinformation, visit blues.org. Follow Kev Nichols and Blue Tuesday on Facebook (www.facebook/KevNichols), Twitter(www.twitter.com/KevNichols), and at his website www.kevinnichols.com Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLC July, 201824 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Blues in the Zoo Inspiredby a Dance with KoKo the QueenJuly 7th, 2018 | Angie Jackson Street just south of Chicago Avenue, across the street from Blue Chicago. After two years, the club merged with theAccording to Wikipedia, the definition of “The Blues” is: original “Chef” himself, Isaac Hayes, to become Isaac“Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a Hayes’ Music, Food, Passion with Famous Dave’s BBQ. Themusic genre that originated in African-American club was an enormous 2-story structure with a stage tocommunities of primarily the \"Deep South\" of the United house at least 12 musicians. The seating area wasStates at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work decorated and set to resemble being below Chicago’ssongs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple famous EL train tracks. An enormous square bar with a tinnarrative ballads. The blues form, ubiquitous in jazz, roof meant to resemble a Delta-Blues juke-joint was at therhythm and blues, and rock and roll is characterized by other end facing the stage. Oh yes, I was home in Sweetspecific chord progressions, of which the twelve-bar blues Home Chicago and I was ready to hang my bartending hatchord progression is the most common. The blue notes here for quite some time.that, for expressive purposes, are sung or played flattenedor gradually bent (minor 3rd to major 3rd) in relation to the I crossed paths with many of the great blues players, Eddiepitch of the major scale, are also an important part of the “The Chief” Clearwater, Lonnie Brooks, Buddy Guy, yousound.” name them, I probably poured their beers, mixed their drinks, ordered their food, chased after them to pay theirSounds pretty difficult and complicated; but, if you tabs, listened to their sets and wished them well whenpresented this definition to any blues they left, even if they stiffed me. Although each one ofaficionado/player/singer, they would look at you with a these artists gave me great memories, one encounter withblank stare. Most would probably correct you by saying, a legendary performer gave me an unforg2e5tta|bPle a g e“honey, you thinkin’ too much. Blues gotta come fromwithin, from the soul. You gotta FEEL it and you gotta LIVE www.G-NoteEntertainment.bizit. That’s all I know.”Kalamazoo has a nice little thing going with KalamazooValley Blues Association (KVBA). KVBA was originallyfounded in 1994 with the sole purpose of organizing thefirst annual Kalamazoo Blues Festival. The resulting successgave birth to the ideals in which the organization embracesand utilizes today. Their goal is to keep the blues alive inSouthwest Michigan, and they do a great job doing so. I’vealways been impressed with SW Michigan’s musicaltalents.I’m sure these talented musicians study, and one cannotpossibly study music without crossing paths with the 12-bar blues. KVBA keeps the opportunity alive for theseaspiring musicians by bringing in national performers andsupporting the local blues music scene. I began my love ofthe blues with this organization and had the pleasure ofexperiencing these events before moving across the pondto Chicago, where I knew I was going to experience theblues firsthand.Many years ago, I worked at one of the best blues clubs inChicago. Originally, this masterpiece of a music venue wasFamous Dave’s Rhythm, Blues and BBQ, located on Clark @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

experience that I will never forget. I smile fondly when I hink of this memory. The club was hosting one of the pioneers ofthe Chicago blues scene, the Queen of the Blues herself, Koko Taylor. We had a back stairway area where artists enteredand exited the Green Room. The back stairwell area was a space allotted for artists and employees to smoke. I was back inthis area taking a break when I heard the band begin playing one of Koko’s most signature songs, “Wang Dang Doodle.” Ilove this song and didn’t want to miss one of my idols perform this live at the venue I happened to be working. I camerunning out of the back stairway area which led to the kitchen area entrance where artists entered the stage. I wasgrooving along, dancing to the music when I looked up and saw Koko Taylor standing in front of me smiling. She said tome with a sly grin on her face, “Girl, you got some smooth moves!” and began dancing with me. What a thrill! I was happyjust to be able to see her and now I was dancing with her in the kitchen area of the club I worked at to her most famoussong. We briefly danced together, both smiling and laughing when I said, “sweetheart, you probably should go out thereand get on stage. I think the band is waiting for you.” She replied again with a little smirk, “They can wait. I’m busy.” Whata thrill to continue dancing for another minute or so with the Queen of the Blues herself, KoKo Taylor! The time camewhen the Queen needed to be on stage. I promptly kissed her hand and said, “You are fabulous! Thank you for spending afew minutes with a fan.” She smiled, continued dancing through the doorway, turned to me and blew me a kiss as shegrabbed her microphone and began singing and heading towards the stage shaking her wang dang doodle like no other.Mixmaster Hannah Madagame has created a beautiful, sweet and smooth with a layer of decadence cocktail that isperfect for a tribute to the Queen of the Blues. Hannah has agreed to change the name to the Kazoo KoKo Taylor to honorthe Queen and welcome the opening of Grand Traverse Distillery’s Kalamazoo Tasting Room location (date TBA) whereyou may purchase the True North Chocolate Vodka and craft one of Hannah’s creations at home while you shake yourcocktail AND your wang dang doodle. Cheers!Kazoo KoKo Taylor - Created by Hannah Madagame/Photo credit2 oz. True North Chocolate Vodka¾ oz. Half n’ Half¼ oz. Simple SyrupDrizzle of Chocolate Syrup (dependent on how intense of a chocolate flavor you may want)Crushed Oreo Cookies (rim)Rim a cocktail glass with Oreo cookie crumbs. Shake vodka, cream and syrup with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and add adrizzle of chocolate syrup. True North Chocolate Vodka is a wheat-based vodka crafted from locally grown grain that hasbeen naturally infused with organic cocoa. Fresh navel oranges are infused secondary and impart a natural sweetness anddeeply satisfying citrus twist. Created in small batches, this product is only available at Grand Traverse Tasting Roomlocations (Distillery, Industrial Parkway; Front Street, Traverse City; Leland; Frankenmuth; Soon to be open: Grand Rapidsnew location; Kalamazoo; Makinaw City) Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLC July, 201826 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

In MemoriamRICHARD HARRISONHarrison, known as \"Old Man\" on the hit reality show Pawn Stars, hasdied. He was 77. Harrison's son, Rick, confirmed his death in anemotional Instagram post on June 25, calling his father his \"hero.\"VINNIE PAUL The legendary drummer who played in metal bands Pantera, Damageplan and HELLYEAH — died at the age 54. The Texas native's death was confirmed early June 23 in a statement on Pantera’s social media pages. The musician, born Vincent Paul Abbott, co-founded Pantera in 1981 with his brother, Dimebag Darrell — who was shot and killed onstage inColumbus, Ohio, while the two were performing in December 2004.XXXTENTACIONRapper XXXTentacion was fatally shot on June 18 in whatinvestigators believe was a “possible robbery” as he left amotorcycle dealership north of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, PEOPLEconfirmed. The shooting was first reported at 3:57 p.m. at aDeerfield Beach motorsports shop, according to the BrowardCounty Sheriff’s Office.@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 27 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Morris Day & the Time With Special Guest DJ Chuck Friday, September 21st, 2018 Kalamazoo State Theatre Doors: 7:00pm | Show: 8:00pmMorris Day and The Time, a vibrant funk band that has been thrilling audiencessince the early 1980’s, will perform at Kalamazoo State Theatre on Friday,September 21st.Formed in Minneapolis in 1981, the Time was the brainchild of Prince, who putthe group together as an outlet for his funkier leaning. Fronted by the colorfuland charismatic Morris Day and featuring a talented cast of players, the Timeracked up a string of hits in the early ‘80s, gaining an additional popularity boostfrom their featured role in Prince’s classic 1984 rock musical, Purple Rain. Withhis dynamic dancing and smooth yet gutsy vocals, Morris Day and the Timeplayed an essential role in the development of the Twin City dance/club sound ofthe 1980’s. Ice Cream Castle, the groups most popular album, is bestremembered for the infectious singles Jungle Love and the Rufus Thomasinfluenced, The Bird. With their palpable pop energy and catchy choruses, bothsongs were hits on both urban and pop radio.Morris Day and the Time will get Wild and Loose together again on the Kalamazoo State Theatre stage, Friday,September 21st.General Ticket Information:All seating is reserved. There’s an 8-ticket limit.  $35 - $65VIP Ticket Information:VIP can be purchased online or in-person in the box office. There’s a 4-ticket limit.  $100 – Includes closest seats to the stage and meet & greet!BUY TICKETS - http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/080054D3E88263CB?brand=kalamazoostRSVP On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pg/kazoostate/events/More Information - https://www.kazoostate.com/event/morris-day-the-time28 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Upcoming Kzoo State Theatre EventsAN EVENING WITH DAWES: COMEDIAN JO KOY:Passwords Tour Break The Mold TourSeptember 9th, 2018 September 23rd, 2018Indie roots-rockers, Dawes are returning to the Kalamazoo StateTheatre on Sunday, September 9th! Drawing on the folksy, gentle The hilarious and talented stand-up sensation, Jo Koy is taking theacoustic based musical trappings and rich vocal harmonies Kalamazoo State Theatre stage September 23rd! Jo Koy sells outcomparable to seventies singer-songwriters like Crosby, Stills & comedy clubs & theaters across the nation with his infectious,Nash, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell, Dawes creates breezy explosive energy onstage. The comedian pulls inspiration from hisemotional songs that converge retro California vibes with family, specifically his son, that inspires humor across all boundaries.contemporary folk-rock. Koy has starred in two acclaimed Comedy Central specials (Don’tDawes is bringing those folk-rock California vibes to the Kalamazoo Make Him Angry and Lights Out), appeared as a guest on over 100State Theatre on September 9th. Join us under the stars in the State episodes of Chelsea Lately, and made hilarious appearances on VH1,Theatre’s Spanish courtyard for an evening with Dawes. World’s Funniest Fails, The Joy Behar Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live,Ticket Information: Last Call with Carson Daly, and Jamie Foxx: Laffapalooza. His mostThis is an all ages event with reserved seating. There is an 8 ticket recent stand-up special is the acclaimed 2017 Netflix Original, Jo Koy:limit. Buy your tickets today to reserve the best available Live from Seattle.seats. Every online ticket purchase for this Dawes show comeswith your choice of a physical CD or digital copy of their upcoming Don’t miss the hilarious Jo Koy LIVE at the Kalamazoo State Theatre,album Passwords. Instructions on how to redeem your copy will be Sunday, September 23rd.sent via email within 14 business days of your purchase. Offer notvalid on re-sale tickets. General Ticket Information: This is an event recommended for mature audience ages 12 and  $38 - Any seat! over. All seating is reserved. There’s an 8 ticket limit.Buy Tickets | RSVP on Facebook | More Info $38 - $48 VIP Ticket Information: @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine VIP can be purchased online or in-person in the box office. There’s a 4 ticket limit. All VIP tickets are to be picked up from will call day of show, one hour prior to the event. $113 – Includes closest seats to the stage, meet & greet, autographed tour poster, t-shirt and photo with Jo Koy. Limited quantity available. Buy Tickets | RSVP on Facebook | More Info 29 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Random Facts & Trivia - JulyPringles Innovator Was Buried in a Pringles CanFred Bauer, the Procter & Gamble employee who devised the idea of stacking Pringles intocans, eschewed an urn upon his death and instead asked that his family bury him in onehis signature cans.Vegetables Can Make You TanEating veggies has plenty of health benefits, but it also has cosmetic ones, according toresearchers at Leeds University and the University at St. Andrews. They found that thosewho consumed vegetables with high levels of red and yellow pigments had a healthyyellow glow compared to those who did not. This is due to a process called “carotenoidcolorization.”PEZ Comes from the German Word for PeppermintEduard Haas III, the Austrian inventor of the flat, sort of chalky candy PEZ, came up withthe name by riffing on the German word for peppermint—PfefferminzHewlett-Packard Was Decided by a Coin TossIf things had been just slightly different, the company might have been called Packard-Hewlett. When they decided to go into business together, founders William Hewlett andDavid Packard knew their company name would just be a combination of their last namesbut were unsure of the order. So, in Packard’s Palo Alto garage, they simply flipped a coin,and Hewlett won.George Washington Invented Instant CoffeeIt’s true! Though it was sadly a different George Washington than the man who led theAmerican Revolution. The man behind instant coffee was George Constant LouisWashington, a Belgium immigrant to New York who held over two dozen patents foreverything from early cameras to food processors. But his biggest hit was “Red E Coffee”(get it?) which required no brewing (but reportedly tasted gross).30 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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