G-Note Entertainment Magazine - August Issue

Southwest Michigan’s Source for Music, Entertainmentand CultureExclusive More FeaturedInterview with Artists!Legendary BluesMan & Grammy Alligator RecordingWinner: Artist Tommy CastroBobby Rush and Randy McDonald Don Brewer of Grand Funk RailroadThe Voice ofGenerations:Jesse Colin YoungFuture of Rock:Greta Van Fleet The Retrospective Phoenix: Reviews of Food, Games, Food, TV & Movies, and…More Food SW MI Event Central (Literally the Center of every Issue!) Issue 1: August 2017

G-NoteEntertainment.biz IN THIS ISSUE Facebook: @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine InterviewEDITOR’S SOAP BOX Bobby Rush .…………. 4-6 InterviewWhoa! First Issue! Jesse Colin Young …... 8-10 InterviewIt’s been a long time coming, but G-Note Greta Van Fleet ……. 11-12Entertainment is finally rolling out some real Event Central ……….. 13-18magazine vibes. This issue has some previously Interviewreleased interviews and, drum roll please, a few new Tommy Castro and Randyones! Of course, I’ll be adding my spin on it with a McDonald ………...….. 19-21few reviews of my own. Interview Don Brewer ………….. 22-24More events coming up, so check those out! Always Reviews …………………... 25the center of every issue. So don’t fret! Summer isn’tover! Get out there and enjoy it before those kiddies G-Note Supportersgo back to school (or wait for them to go and ditch Samurai Phoenix Design‘em for some adult entertainment). Studio Dunkley International, Inc.As always, any comments, questions, or general hate The Hatzinikolis Familymail is accepted! Head over to our Contact Page The McDaniel Familyand fill out a form to me, Webmaster and Editor Sam. Keep up with G-Note onKeep on rockin’, my friends! Facebook and of course our website!Sam If you’d like to advertise inPublisher. Head Writer. Advertising. G-Note Magazine, pleaseNick Hatzinikolis contact us today! [email protected] stellar graphic designer can make one for you or supplyEditor. Webmaster. Creative Director. your own banner or ad-Sam McDaniel [email protected]!G-Note is dedicated to providing a platform for artists andmusicians to promote their work. Because they have a uniqueway of expressing themselves, it is important for people whoread this stellar publication to understand you might not alwayslike what you see. Articles may contain sarcasm and adultcontent. This magazine is intended for mature audiences.2 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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Exclusive Interview: Bobby RushLegendary Blues Man and Rush cut his musical teeth in the Pine Bluff, Ark. areaGrammy Winner: Bobby with the likes of Elmore James and Big MooseRush Walker. A move to Chicago in the 1950s put him in the company of Muddy Waters and Jimmy Reed,August 1st, 2017 | Nick Hatzinikolis and led to sessions at the city’s Chess Records. 1971’s “Chicken Heads” proved his breakthrough,When talking with the Blues legend Bobby notching #34 on the Billboard R&B chart.Rush, I found myself getting caught uplistening to the story telling of his childhood He since recorded for a variety of labels andand all the road stories to the point you relocated in the 1980s to the Deep South, wherealmost think you were right there with him. he became one of the “Kings of the Chitlin’Bobby knew and played with the biggest Circuit.” His musical crossover began largely in thenames in the Blues, legends like Elmore early 2000’s when he was included in the MartinJames, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Scorese-produced, Clint Eastwood-directed TheJimmy Reed and on and on and on. I found Blues documentary for PBS. Since then, he’smyself taken back to a different time and received three Grammy nominations and 41 Bluesculture of the world during our Music Award nominations (of which he’s won ten,conversation. including 2015’s award for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year).Bobby’s incredible half century of recordedmusic is ready to be devoured by those Bobby recently won a Grammy for his latest Blueswho’ve never tasted and those who want Album “Porcupine Meat.” At the 59th / 2017another helping on Chicken Heads: A 50- Grammy Awards ceremony. And is currentlyYear History of Bobby Rush. nominated for 3 Living Blues Awards: Best Live Performer, Best Blues Album of 2016 and Blues ArtistBobby started out our interview talking in Of The Year (Male).support of his album Chicken Heads the 50-year history. “I want the world to know that @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinethis is my first time and I want to say it forpeople to be enthused about me. I’m notenthused about all of the songs because atthe time I didn’t think they were all good. Butafter you become a ‘legend,’ you look backand it all looks good. There are things youhad in the can you didn’t want to put out,and then you get asked what you have inthe can that’s never been heard to put itout.”Bobby Rush was born in Homer, La. in 1933,according you Bobby making him the oldestBlues musician around. 4 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

At the age of 83, he still performs all over see in the other children. So he told me, you can survivethe world including a stop in Kalamazoo it. You’re a smart kid. Come on with me. You go towith the scheduled line up on Sunday school three months out of the year, and those kids gobeginning with: Out of Favor Boys, Kevin nine. See, I was this kid who understood things.”Nichols & Blue Tuesday, Toronzo Cannon,Alexis P. Suter and Bobby Rush closing out G-Note – Let’s fast forward to your move in 1947 to Pinethe festival as the headliner on July 16th, Bluff Arkansas, you have been quoted to say, ‘I need to2017 at the Kalamazoo Valley Blues do this Blues music!’Association’s 24th annual Blues Festival atWings Event Center in Kalamazoo. BR: \"My daddy was a preacher, he had a church in Houma and in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He would preach atG-Note Entertainment Magazine had the one church on the first Sunday and the other one onhonor to spend some time on the phone the third. As a kid, I was very involved in church, andwith Bobby Rush as he was preparing for going to church, but I never sung in the choir.”the show in Kalamazoo. “I'd go to church on a Sunday, and the choir would beG-Note – Mr. Rush, I have heard to talk singing, and I'd be singing, but not in the choir. Theabout your days as a young man picking ladies would be shouting and everything. We'd get outcotton and singing gospel songs, is this of church about one o'clock and come home, and myhow you became influenced by the dad would have to go back and preach some more inBlues? the afternoon. I wouldn't go back to church with him. And the same people that had been shouting inBR: “Please call me Bobby, yes, yes I church, man, they'd be boogie-woogiein' with me instarted picking cotton when I was about church just having' a ball. I think I was about 10 or 116-7 years old. From sun up to sun down years old then.\"we would pick. There was ten of us kids inthe house and I was the kind of kid that “I wanted to play the guitar. I remember my very firstwas a quick learner, so my daddy tells me guitar, I made it out of a broom wire. I had a brick onyou’re kind of bright. You got to come out one end and a bottle on the other end -- it was likeof school because you need to help me what they used to call a diddley bow.”plant all this cotton. That keeps the otherkids in school. And somebody got to do G-Note- Did all that Boogie-Woogy in church give theit.” courage to go out and make your own music later in life?“Apparently, he saw in me what he didn’t BR: “Oh yeah. I went to a place called the \"Jitterbug\" on Third Street in Pine Bluff. I went to the store and bought a fake moustache. You could glue it on. Whit that the man at the Jitterbug let me in. See, you could buy them, and you stick them on your face, and it made you look older. Back then you could get in the club when you was 18, but I wasn't even 18. I went in this club, and I had already been playing at this other club called Drums across the town. But I wanted to go in Jitterbug on Third Street; that was the top of the line club.” “So I went into Jitterbug, got this job, the owner gave me 25 cents, and four hamburgers. And I sell them for 25 cents. I got so good, he would pay me eight hamburgers; I'd sell seven of them and eat one. At 25 cents apiece. So I'm making' money! That was all my pay. And right time the Chitlin’ Circuit came around. The club owner would say \"Bobby Rush, you gong' be the king of my Chitlin’ Circuit. Now, I didn't know what he was talking' about then, but I found out.”@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 5 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Bobby continued to say “There's a book on the Chitlin’ Circuit, but let me set the record straight onthe Chitlin’ Circuit. I'm not the first one that played the Chitlin’ Circuit, but I'm called the Chitlin’Circuit King. Because the Chitlin’ Circuit was really named from chitlin’s. From a hog (intestines).Because up till 1947 or '48, chitlin’s wasn't sold. You could go to the slaughter pen, they would giveyou all the chitlin’s you want. Especially if you were Black. And the Black men who owned thechitlin’ joint went and got the chitlin’s and cooked em and gave ‘em out free to the musicians forno money. And you played for chitlin’s. That's why it's called \"The Chitlin’ Circuit.\"G-Note- Because that's only way the musicians were paid?BR: “Exactly right. Now, you might make two fifty or four dollars a night, but you got to split that withall the musicians that’s working' with you. You making' a dollar a night, working' three or four days aweek, making' three or four dollar, instead of working' in a cotton field making' eight dollars a week,that's about all you're going to get.”“My first gig in Illinois, in ’55 or ’56, in Argo, Illinois, me and Freddie King, I don’t remember the nameof the club at that time, but it became The Cotton Club. I was getting $7 a night. And I, as thebandleader, paid the band four dollar and fifty cents. Early '50s, that's what I'm making'. AndMuddy Waters was making' $15 a night.”G-Note- Let’s talk about your move to Chicago, and your name change.BR: “I came to Chicago in 1951. Muddy Waters was there. Little Walter was there. Willie Dixon wasthere. In 1953 or '54, Pigmeat Markham and Moms Mabley came. In 1955, Chuck Berry came. In1957, Etta James came. I was drivin’ a taxi, picked her up at the bus station, took her to Chess. Ididn’t know her; pure coincidence. Also in 1957, the last of '56, Howlin' Wolf came. In 1957, BuddyGuy came. In 1957, John Lee Hooker came. Smokey Hogg and Lightnin' Hopkins had already beenthere.”“About changing my name, It was about 1953, when I was around 19 years old, I was born EmmitEllis Jr. I moved to Chicago, and not too long thereafter I changed my name to Bobby Rush.”G-Note- How did you select the name Bobby Rush?BR: \"I just went through names. I would listen to the sounds of names -- there was a cousin of minewho's named Bobby, and it had a ring, but Bobby is so common. I needed a name that had thefirst name and last name as a combination. What I mean about that, if you notice, everybody callme Bobby Rush. I tried to pick a name where you say one, you say the whole name, like oneword.”“It’s double entendre too, like, I'm in a hurry, I'm rushing, whatever you want to call it, slow yet fast.But I thought about the name for a year before I adopted it for myself. It came out of the sky. Ialways tell my real name, it's no big secret, but people call me Bobby Rush, not Bobby, and I preferpeople to call me Bobby Rush. You don't have to call me Mr. Rush. A lot of people who work for mecall me by my last name, and that's OK, but I do want people to call me Bobby Rush.\"Bobby went on to lament as we finished our interview that “Someone asked me recently what mybiggest downfall in life is. I guess my biggest downfall, that I didn't take advantage of the peoplewho loved me, who really loved me for me. That was Albert King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf andLittle Walter. Let me tell you what these guys used to do, when I was just a teenager. They used tocall me and say, 'Hey, Blood, come go with me.' I don't know what kind of person I was for a grownman to want a teenager to follow him.”You can keep up with Bobby Rush at: BobbyRushBluesMan.com6 | Page Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLCwww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz August, 2017 @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

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The Voice of Generations: Jesse Colin YoungInterview with Jesse Colin Young Throughout his professional life of recording and touring, Jesse hasAugust 5th, 2017 | Nick Hatzinikolis always taken the time and still does to dedicate his life to giving back toFor 50 years Jesse Colin Young has been singing songs that the world. He has performed onfocus on peace, relationships, and the environment. From behalf of organizations ranging fromhis folk days in Boston and his first record, Soul Of a City Boy, No Nukes, The Dream Foundationhe has articulated and recorded the tumultuous times of and Saratoga Warhorse, to Prep Festthe 60’s, 70’s, 80’s to the present. His musical style is now and the Kona Pacific Waldorf School.considered Americana, but in fact it his unique fusion of Holding environmentaljazz, blues, folk and rock with an emphasis on his accountability, Veteran support andextraordinary voice that sets him apart. quality education as a moral code of action, Jesse remains committedJesse’s career is best defined by his recording of “Get and active as an individual andTogether” with the Youngblood’s. In 1969 this one song performer.propelled him onto the stadium and outdoor concertscene. His touring schedule was with the rock band ‘A’ *Some content taken from:listers of the era, some of the bands include: Led Zeppelin, www.jessecolinyoung.comCrosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Doors, Janis Joplin, TheGrateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, The Beach Boys, The G-Note Entertainment Magazine hadAllman Brothers, Steve Miller Band, Van Morrison and many the chance to talk to Jesse Colinothers. Young as he was on his way to a performance.The Youngblood’s version of “Get Together” has beenheard by millions from the Forrest Gump soundtrack in 1994, G-Note: Jesse, how you been doing?Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore, Fear and Loathing I heard you had pneumonia?in Los Vegas, The Simpsons “Oh Brother where Bart thou”and “Tree of Horror II”, and South Park’s “Smug Alert”. Get JCY: “I’m feeling good! I did have aTogether commercials include: The Pepsi commercial for little bout with pneumonia, but I hadthe 1995 Super Bowl, the Luv's commercial in 2010 andKentucky Fried Chicken in 2014.“Darkness Darkness”, written by Jesse, was in Jack the Bear(1993), was the theme song for the James Cameron movieGhosts of the Abyss in 2003, and the trailer of TV seriesBloodline (2015). A cover of the song by Robert Plant wonthe Grammy for Best Rock Vocal in 2002. Many still cover ittoday.On Sept 16, 2016, he began the re-release of his 1970’s LPcatalogue starting with Song For Juli on Audio Fidelity. Jesseis currently working on a collection of new recordings to bereleased in 2017 and will plan a tour in the fall.8 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

a good show last night and all seems to G-Note: That’s great to hear, what does your son play inbe well! That was the first one since I the band?came down with it. I’m really pleased thatI am back and functional!” JYC: “My son Tristan plays the 6-string bass. I had taken a break and quit the road about 7 years ago. Last spring, IG-Note: I know you have been all over went to his senior recital before he was ready tothe world performing, have you ever graduate from Berklee College of Music. The young andmade a stop here in Kalamazoo? very talented kids he was playing with at that recital ‘Blew me away’, I’m here to tell ya, I don’t get blownJYC: “I’m trying to think…Maybe in the away very easily! The first thing that came to my mindearly days but it’s for sure, been a while. was what would my music sound like with all thatWhat is the music scene like in energy?”Kalamazoo?” “In fact, when Tristan graduated from Berklee College ofG-Note: It’s diverse here, there is a good Music, he helped me to put this current group of Berkleepresence of Blues, Rock, Jazz, Hip Hop, music grads together, here are these 20-year-oldFolk, Indie, Country, and some pretty something geniuses, it’s amazing and here they aregood Irish bands here as well. playing my music!“JYC: “That’s great to hear, we need more G-Note: Playing with these excellent and youngcommunities that embrace and support musicians, it must have a whole new fell to your music,different styles of music, way to go correct?Kalamazoo!” JYC: “All I can honestly say it it’s amazing and they justG-Note: Let’s start off about your current give off this new energy and life to my music and theyband lineup, I know your son is a member are a lot of fun to share the stage with.”of your band, I also am aware you havesome young players. Do they understand G-Note: How about your passion for the causes that youwhat profound social an well as musical are passionate about, and how it may or may notimpact you had with your group the intersect into your music.‘Youngbloods in the 60’s and 70’s?’ JYC: “First off, I’m in love with this planet! Here you areJYC: “I do, the exceptionally talented growing up as a kid in the suburbs and you really don’tmusicians in my current band are very in know what going on in the world you’re shielded from alltune with all styles of music and it helps to the stuff, then you become a teenager and I fall in lovehave my son as part of the band. I share with the Blues and thinking to myself… ”Where does thisstories with them about the political and stuff come from?” Then you start to wake up to thesocial issues that we were writing songs suffering, the world suffering and that amazing musicand singing about.” that told the story of all of the generational suffering.” @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine “The folk albums came at a time when I was focused on becoming a good musician and a good recording artist. The one think that was in my face at that time was the draft and the Viet Nam war and was I going to have to go, even though I didn’t want to go. I was very lucky to have been passed over because the artist in me would have been destroyed, my empathy is too strong.” “But I always feel close to the veterans, I have been involved with a project called the “Saratoga Workhorse” which is a therapy program created by a former Vietnam helicopter pilot that told me “You were in Vietnam, every day, you were with me in my helicopter through your music! That’s how I served was through the music.” “I was privileged to go through the program even though I ‘m not a veteran, they teach you to bring all the bad stuff that you carry and with these horses, you end 9 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

up leaving it all behind you in a room when you are done. It a powerful 2 days program!”“My activism, my feeling about the war, all that came in when we went to San Francisco after the’Summer of Love’ The Youngblood’s walked into the Avalon Ballroom in June of ’67 playing to bighouses and crowds. We had been living in New York and playing around the area, but we all movedthere after we had played there. The FM radio stations were starting to change their playing format tolong underground song to the more Pop type.G-Note: How about your work with the ‘No Nukes” movement?JYC: “In the 70's, I was part a group establish the \"No Nukes\" movement. Having been involved from thebeginning, I was part of (and the closer of) the 1979 No Nukes concert and movie. There were lot ofgreat musicians like Jackson Browne, Steve Stills, Graham Nash, and everyone else in attendancesinging the Youngbloods song ‘Get Together’ it was beautiful.” Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLC August, 201710 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Future of Rock: Greta Van FleetMichigan Natives: Greta Van Fleet G-Note Entertainment Magazine talked to Great Van Fleet guitaristAugust 15th, 2017 | Nick Hatzinikolis Jake Kiska while on the road in Fargo North Dakota.I don't know about you, but when I think of Frankenmuth,Michigan, I think about its world-famous family style chicken G-Note: Hey Jake! How is it going outdinners. Arguably, the State’s best indoor water parks, the on the road?fantastic wine and above all, the world’s largest Christmasstore. JK: “Besides the phone cutting in and out all the time, it's going prettyNow add to the already impressive list, the band Great Van good!”Fleet. Already, Greta Van Fleet is one of the most exciting rock‘n’ roll acts to come from the Midwest in very long time! G-Note: Being from Michigan, are you planning any shows in the SouthwestGreta Van Fleet – which took its name from one of the close- Michigan area?knit community’s town elders – is a hard rocking quartet whosecreative ambitions and achievements reach far beyond the JK: “We definitely plan on doing moreages of the four band members, not all of them old enough to shows since we are a Michigan band.have voted in last November’s election. On its debut EP Black We will be playing in Grand Rapids onSmoke Rising, the group deftly straddles the line between Sept. 14th at The Stache. It's going totimeless and future, sounding at once like many things you’ve be a lot of fun and we can't wait toheard before and also something you’ve never heard play there. But for sure, we're trying tobefore. The three brothers – twins Josh (vocals) and Jake get more Michigan shows booked,(guitar) Kiszka, younger brother Sam Kiszka (bass, keyboards) maybe somewhere in Kalamazoo.”and drummer Danny Wagner – have turned their rich andvaried musical background into an arresting mélange of rock G-Note: Do you and your band‘n’ roll with flavors of metal, pop, blues and grunge, the result of mates realize just how successful youyears of practice, study and familial good times. are for being a 'new' band?@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 11 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

JK: “Yeah we do, it's pretty overwhelming and we JK: “I like to think that's true, it started at a youngtry not to think about it too much because really it's age, my father used to play a lot of Blues music inwas unexpected being from Michigan and from the house when we were growing up. That isthe small town of Frankenmuth. But we are so something made an impression on my very earlyappreciative it how it's been going so far. What in my life when I was 3 or 4. As I got older and waspeople may not realize is that we have been listening to other genres it seemed to me that thetogether playing for 5 years now.” other music forms didn't have as much truth to it like the Blues did. The same goes for Sam andG-Note: Is everyone from Frankenmuth? Josh as well. It's what we grew up on and it’s what we know.”JK: Yes, we all from there, we all come from thesame school district. The band is made up with me, G-Note: Who were some of the artists you weremy brothers Josh and Sam and we have Danny influenced by growing up?Wagner as well. JK: “I always appreciated to the 'darker' stuff, toG-Note: What had been the best part of being me it's more of the true Blues. I am a fan of Howlin'Greta Van Fleet so far? Wolf, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williams, Muddy Waters and Lightin' Hopkins and I can't forgetJK: ”I think the best part for all of us is writing music, Robert Johnson, the man that started it all. I alsothen we get to perform it for people and at the really like the guitar playing of Chicago Blueslevel that we are performing at. It been special man, Johnny Lee Hooker.”with the material that has a purpose and to beable to share that with the audience is G-Note: You just played the National Cherryincredible. We are all so very thankful for the great festival in Traverse City recently, what was thatreception we have playing while we share our like?message.” JK: “That was incredible, we played in front ofG-Note: Since you have been playing for 5 years something like 10,000 people. We weren'tnow and you are still young guys, when did you all expecting that, the biggest crowd we played torealize that you may be on to something that is so far.”commercially successful? G-Note: How do you define the sound of GretaJK: “Early in the beginning of my musical career, I Van Fleet?wanted to do something that was serious in music. Iwanted to create a band that was powerful in the JK: “It's more on the rock side of the spectrum,performance and in the songwriting. I didn't think it they aren’t anything too modern in music that iswould be with my brothers in a band but so of influence to us. We have so many differenthappens that this is what I had imagined from the records playing in the house growing up , jazz,beginning. It was pretty obvious to the 4 of us that folk, blues . Listening to the newer music neverwhen we play there is magic to what it is we do, really appealed to us. Our sound is hard to classifywe felt very good about our product and we want into any specific genre because our influencesto share it with as many people as possible.” are eclectic, but the path is closer to rock and roll than anything else -so far.”G-Note: Since there are 3 family members and afriend in the band, are the decisions of the band G-Note: Last question Jake, what is the plan forand direction shared equally? Greta Van Fleet in 5 years?JK: “Yeah, band decisions are brought up and are JK: “You know it would be great if we could fill andiscussed by everyone, what we want it what's arena full of people, playing our songs andbest for the band – it's all got to be all for one. Of spreading our message to a larger audience.the 4 of us making decisions it has never (so far) That would be fantastic, because if I wasn't doingbeen a 2 /2 tie it's usually all of us deciding all the this, I would still be doing something that betterssame way. the world!”G-Note: Jake, I'm told that you have the deepest If you can, go check out Great Van Fleet, you’llknowledge of Blues music in the band, how did you be glad you did! Follow them at:get this knowledge and influence into your music? www.gretavanfleet.com www.facebook.com/gretavanfleet Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLC twitter.com/gretavanfleet August, 2017 @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 12 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Calendar of Events for the Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground CALL 269.383.8778 www.kalamazooexpocenter.com September 2017 Event Schedule09/01 Comstock Lions Club Bingo Fridays Room- Play on the following Friday nights in September: 1st, 15th, 22nd, and 29th. Bingo 6:30pm A09/30 will NOT be held on September 8th. Lic #A00192 with all proceeds going toward community projects.09/08 38th Annual NSRA Street Rod Nationals North Friday & Entire- See more than 2600 street rods, muscle cars, custom and specialty vehicles all Saturday8:00am- Facility09/10 thirty years old and older. Plus manufacturer exhibits, arts & crafts, vintage parts, 5:00pmSunday swap meet, live entertainment, good food and a whole lot more! Produced by the 8:30am-2:00pm National Street Rod Association. Admission: Adults $15, Children ages 6-12 $5, Children 5 & under are free. Parking is $3 per vehicle. Special discount tickets are available prior to the event at O'Reilly Auto Parts stores. For more information contact Jerry Kennedy at 303-776-7841. www.nsra-usa.com09/16 Kalamazoo Mom to Mom Sale Saturday Main The biggest mom to mom sale in town this Fall. Find everything you need for the 9:00am-1:00pm Expo kids in one place at the fall sale including gently used kids clothing, toys, books, and furniture along with baby and maternity items! Sign up to sell or shop and save! Strollers welcome. Admission: Adults $2, kids are free. For more information contact Lorie Money at 269-903-5820 or [email protected] loriesevents.vpweb.com/09/16 Fall Expo & Craft Show Saturday Expo Join us for a great day of shopping unique crafters, artists and vendors from across 9:00am-4:00pm South Michigan. Admission is Free. For more information contact Lorie Money at 269-903- 5820 or [email protected] loriesevents.vpweb.com/09/16 LulaZOO Saturday Expo Love LuLaRoe? Come shop the new event LulaZOO. Get your shopping on in the 9:00am-3:00pm North ZOO, Kalamazoo! Thousands of leggings in all patterns and sizes!! Admission is free. For more information contact Lorie Money at 269-903- 5820 [email protected] loriesevents.vpweb.com09/23 Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo Saturday 10:00am- Expo Buy, sell or trade a variety of reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and other exotic pets, supplies & food. Admission: Adults $5, Children $2, Children under 6 free, 3:00pm North Family Max - $20. For more information contact Tony at 269-779-9851 [email protected]. Visit www.kalamazooreptileexpo.com. Kalamazoo Gun & Knife Show Saturday Main Presented by Sport Shows Promotion. Admission: Adults $6, Children 12 and under 9:00am-5:00pm Expo are free. No one under 18 is admitted without a parent or guardian. For more Sunday 10:00am-09/23 information call 517-676-4160 or 3:00pm- email [email protected] www.migunshows.com09/2409/30 Fall Stamp & Cover Show Saturday 10:00am- Expo- Stamp show with dealers buying and selling stamps, covers, postcards, and 5:30pm Sunday North10/01 supplies from around the world. Plus stamp exhibits and a youth booth with free 10:00am-3:30pm stamps for kids - fun for the whole family! Admission is free. For more information contact Jim Smith at 269-375-6188.09/30 Candle Relay to benefit Community Homeworks Saturday 11:00am- Expo Candle Relay is an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the most number 6:00pm South of candles lit in a succession that remain lit until the record is broken. Participants sit & or stand in an organized line with an unlit candle and wait for the flame to reach South them; after lighting their candle they light the next and so on. The current record is Lawn 366 candles lit. Admission is free. For more information on how to participate contact Todd Holm at 269-998-3275 x 205 or [email protected] 13 | P a g e www.communityhomeworks.org @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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Barn Theatre 13351 West M-96BarnTheatreSchool.org Augusta, MI 49012 Kalamazoo offers so much more than a memorable name. We effortlessly blend energy and innovation withfriendliness and a humble attitude. Located in Southwest Michigan, about two hours from Chicago, Kalamazoofeatures a vibrant and progressive downtown that sets the stage for quality dining, eclectic shops and galleries, and live entertainment. Plus, you’re never far from lakes and outdoor recreation, festivals, and world-class attractions.Experience the place with a big city mindset and a small town heart. Once you make the trip, you’ll be back for more. We promise. www.DiscoverKalamazoo.com@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 15 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

September Events 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall | Kalamazoo, MI 49007 | 269.384.6756 | www.millenniumrestaurants.com/union Mon-Thurs 11:00am-11:00pm | Fri 11:00am-1:00am | Sat Noon-1:00am Reservations available for parties of 10 or more.300 E. Water St., @GNoteEntertainmentMagazineKalamazoo,Michigan, 49007Mon-Thurs 11a-Mid,Fri 11a-2a, Sat 10a-2a, Sun 10a-Mid(269) 210-0075 16 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

www.KazooState.com Steve Earle & The Dukes Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) A Memphis Soul and Rhythm & Blues The Mastersons Enhanced by WMU Musical Revue National Tour featuring music by William Bell, Charlie Musselwhite Friday, September 22, 2017 Theatre Students || Saturday, Doors: 7:00pm || Show: 8:00pm October 21st 2017 and Bobby Rush plus a special documentary screeningJoin Steve Earle & The Dukes Doors: 9:00pm || Show: 10:00pmSeptember 22nd at Kalamazoo Sunday, November 12th 2017State Theatre! Three-time Grammy Join us at Kalamazoo State Doors for Documentary: 3:30pm ||Award recipient and 11-time Theatre for an intimate evening asGrammy nominee Steve Earle is a we enhance Rocky Horror Picture Start Time: 4:00pmcornerstone artist of Americana Show on Saturday, October 21st. Doors for Concert: 6:30pm || Startmusic. One of the most acclaimed We’re bringing this 1975 musicalsinger-songwriters of his horror comedy film to life with the Time: 7:30pmgeneration; he has released enhancement of a live shadowtwenty albums\"---a number of cast from the WMU Musical Join us at Kalamazoo State Theatre for athem were Steve Earle and the Theatre Department! You can double feature event of the 2014 filmDukes--one was Colvin and Earle, come as a spectator or you can “Take Me to the River,” followed by a liveone was Steve Earle and the Del give yourself over to absolute performance featuring some of the artistsMcCoury Band etc. Earle’s songs pleasure by upgrading to the full from the film.have been recorded by such VIP experience! Join Brad, Janet,music legends as Johnny Cash, Frank N. Furter, Riff Raff, Magenta, Documentary:Emmylou Harris, Carl Perkins, Colombia, and Eddie in the Directed by Martin Shore & named afterWaylon Jennings, Vince Gill and Kalamazoo State Theatre “Castle” the Al Green classic, this documentary is aJoan Baez. He has created such this coming October! celebration of the musical influence ofcountry successes as “When You Memphis, paying tribute to old-schoolFall in Love,” “Guitar Town,” Ticket Information: blues and R&B masters as they work with“Goodbye’s All We’ve Got Left,” “A This is an all ages event. There is an hip-hop artists of today, bridging theFar Cry From You” and “Nowhere 8 ticket limit. Day of show all prices communication gap betweenRoad.” increase $2.50. generations. This feature film follows them  $40 VIP experience includes a through the creative process of recordingTicket Information: a new album to reimagine and mergeAll seating reserved for this all ages reserved seat with priority time-honored and newer idioms. Featuringevent. There is an 8 ticket limit. selection before the general Terrence Howard, William Bell, Snoop public Dogg, Mavis Staples, Otis Clay, Lil P-Nut, $34.50 - $49.50 reserved seating  $12.50 General admission Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby \"Blue\" Bland,  $5 Student ticket ** Limited Yo Gotti, Bobby Rush, Frayser Boy, The Artist Website – quantity, available for purchase North Mississippi All-Stars and many more. www.SteveEarle.com in-person only with a student ID. Concert: Limit 2 tickets per ID. ** Watch members of the movie’s cast, More Information -  $5 Interactive props bag Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, WilliamKazooState.com/Event/SteveEarle Bell, Frayser Boy, Al Kapone, The Hi Rhythm The $40 VIP Experience Includes: Section, and The Stax Academy Alumni -One reserved seat with priority Band with Music Director Boo Mitchell take selection before the general the stage in a live performance following public, early access pre-party with the footsteps of the film. enhancement cast in mezzanine Ticket Information: lobby from 8:30pm-9:30pm, This is an all ages, general admission interactive props gift bag for the event. There’s an 8 ticket per person limit. showing, one complimentary drink, and light snacks  Movie price: $10.00  Movie & concert price: $32.50@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 17 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

410 South Main Street (574) 293-4469 / (800) 294-8223 Box Office Hours:Elkhart, IN Fax: (574) 293-8096 M-F: 9am - 5pm Sat: 9am - 1pm Email: [email protected] Online sales: www.thelerner.comLunchtime Live! Free Concert Featuring HiFi2WiFi Buddy GuyHiFi2WiFi started their journey in 2006. Matt Kennedy At age 79, Buddy Guy is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famemet Tim Gardner and the two quickly became friends. inductee, a major influence on rock titans like JimiThey decided to form a band, but not just a regular Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, abar band. They searched out and found Josef Szaday pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West Side sound, and aand with a keyboardist and sax player on board, they living link to the city’s halcyon days of electricstarted rehearsing and playing gigs around South blues.Buddy Guy has received 7 GRAMMY Awards, aBend/Mishawaka and Southwestern Michigan. 2015 Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, 34 BluesHiFi2WiFi fuses Classic Jazz with R&B, Rock with Soul, Music Awards (the most any artist has received), thePop with Funk, what we call grown up music. Billboard Magazine Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement, a Kennedy Center Honor, and www.hifi2wifi.com the Presidential National Medal of Arts. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #23 in its \"100 Greatest Guitarists Wednesday Aug 30 of All Time.\" Doors open 10:00AM Show starts 11:00AM Saturday Sep 09 General Admission FREE Doors open 7:00PM Show starts 8:00PM 5 Decades Rewind Reserved Seating $39.85 - $79.85Decades Rewind is a National touring concert, dance Elkhart County Symphony: The Power of Brassparty and theatrical performance all wrapped up inone blockbuster show! It celebrates the hits of the 60s, Artisans in Brass, a brass quintet performing together70s and 80s, the most prominent decades in music since 2002 will join the Elkhart Symphony for anhistory. Disco, Funk, Rock and Motown all take centerstage in this brand new theatrical concert featuring evening filled with a variety of music, classics andover 60s songs, 100 costume changes and nostalgic contemporary music spanning five centuries.video. From Aretha to Zeppelin, Decades Rewind willhave you singing and dancing in the aisles. This IS the Members of the group are Richard Nichols (horn), J.story of your life! Fred Powell (trumpet), George Dougherty, IV Thursday Sep 14 (trumpet), Dave Brown (bass trombone), Corey Doors open 6:30PM Dawson (tuba). Show starts 7:30PM Reserved Seating $35 - $45 Saturday Sep 16 Doors open 6:30PM Show starts 7:30PM Reserved Seating $30 Adults $25 Seniors $15 Students Purdue Varsity Glee Club The Purdue Club of Elkhart County Foundation is excited to once again be bringing the worldfamous PurdueVarsity Glee Club to The Lerner Theater on September, 17. This is the major fundraiser of the Foundation, so that scholarships can be awarded to students from Elkhart and LaGrange Counties who are attending Purdue University, with most recently over $23,000 being awarded to qualified students.Sunday Sep 17 Doors open 1:30PM Show starts 2:30PM Reserved Seating $25 Adults $20 Seniors $15 Students18 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Tommy Castro and Randy McDonaldAlligator Recording Artists: Tommy audience with his intenselyCastro and Randy McDonald passionate vocals and his memorable songs, licks and grooves. It’s where heAugust 10th, 2017 | Nick Hatzinikolis learned to turn his band into a dynamic, high-performance engine,Some days, it’s good to be me! I’m lucky enough get the able to bring down the house with aopportunity to talk to and spend some time with the most soulful ballad and then bring fans totalented people in the music industry. An example of this is their feet with a blistering blueswhen I talked to Blues guitarist and ‘B.B. King Entertainer Of The rocker. In the words of Blues Revue,Year’ winner, Tommy Castro and his incredible bass player and “Tommy Castro can do no wrong.”current Painkiller, Randy McDonald for almost an hour a whileback in Kalamazoo during the “Six Strings Down’ show with Painkiller and bass thumper Randyfellow guitarist Mike Zito. McDonald brings 20+ years of both road and studio experience. He hadAward-winning guitarist/vocalist Tommy Castro and his band his own CD out called “On The WideThe Painkillers performed a series of shows - dubbed the \"Six Side.” His ten-year gig with TheStrings Down Tour\" - with fellow guitarist/vocalist Mike Zito. They Dynatones, and a more recentblew the roof off the Kalamazoo State Theatre in Kalamazoo decade with The Tommy Castrowhen they performed back on Friday, April 21, 2017. Band, have paid off by gifting him with extraordinarily deep grooves.It indeed was a rare treat for fans of both artists and for fans ofthe blues in general! The show featured two of the most \"Randy McDonald creates bass linesaccomplished and acclaimed entertainers on the blues scene as intricate as any I've ever heard,today. Tommy Castro and Mike Zito have a combined eight weaving through Castro's guitarBlues Music Award wins. Tommy was excited to share thatDelaney guitars were now offering the “CastroCaster” guitar in 19 | P a g ehonor of T.C. (http://www.delaneyguitars.com/Castro) forinformation on how to purchase one. ‘n’ roll with flavors of www.G-NoteEntertainment.bizmetal, pop, blues and grunge, the result of years of practice,study and familial good times.As the accolades and awards continue to roll in, DownBeatmagazine gives Tommy Castro’s current album 'Method To MyMadness' (Alligator) four stars and rave reviews. Jazz Timesproclaims Mike Zito's \"music flows into the veins and moves thebody in ways that can only be described as free and wild.\" Theevening featured both vocal and guitar collaborations onTommy Castro’s and Mike Zito’s favorite songs, creatingsomething new and fresh when these acclaimed guitaristscombine their individual styles of playing and singing. Backedby Tommy Castro’s incredible band the Painkillers, the energywas intense that great evening in Kalamazoo Michigan!Tommy Castro is a fierce and fiery road warrior, ferventlydelivers his driving, blues-soaked, soul-baring music to fans allover the world. The road is where he honed his guitar playingto a razor’s edge. It’s where he learned how to captivate an @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

work,\" said Philip Elwood of The San Francisco acoustical, that’s just something I’ve never doneExaminer. And lest one entertain ideas about bass before.”players making peculiar front men, Randy's epic Castro wrote or co-wrote 10 of 12 tracks—aretouring schedule (he's logged well over a million raw, and rocking. From the opening one-twomiles) has borne fruit in the rousing persona of punch of everyman anthems Common Groundroadhouse party ringleader. along with the brand new video Common Ground which Tommy and Randy say that it is anYou may have seen Randy step to the mike on observation of world events and how we all needoccasion to lead the band through any number of to seek common ground. Tommy said, “The videoraucous R&B and original tunes. \"Randy McDonald is fast and busy and there’s a lot of news clips ofcreates bass lines as intricate as any I’ve ever what’s happening currently in and around theheard, weaving through Castro’s guitar work\" -- world with the message man, regardless ofPhilip Elwood (San Francisco Examiner). political affiliation we all have to work together. Because we really do have more in commonCastro formed The Painkillers in 2012, creating a than we like to admit or acknowledge.”lean, mean four-piece lineup and leaving his tight We talked a few minutes about the Kalamazoohorn section behind. Fueled by Tommy’s voice and music scene. Tommy and Randy reminiscedguitar plus bass, drums and keyboards, the band about the various Blues clubs that were oncereleased The Devil You Know in 2014, winning over jumping and jiving in Kalamazoo but are nohordes of new fans. Castro stripped his music down longer around. “Club Soda was a place we usedto its raw essence with the band hammering their to play back in the day with the Dynatones, manpoint home on the bandstand. Jambands that goes way back!”declared, “Tommy Castro And The Painkillers are a Tommy continued on to say “I have been tocrackling, stripped-down band with plenty of grit Wonderful’s a few times and after a show andand a rocking soul.” everyone wanted to buy me a drink, and back in those day I would accept them and we wouldOriginating from the San Francisco area, Castro, party all night long, and I mean all night long!along with his band, The Painkillers (in addition tobassist Randy McDonald are keyboardist Michael @GNoteEntertainmentMagazineEmerson and drummer Bowen Brown), play musicthat is guaranteed to fire up fans and leave criticssearching for new words of praise. Billboard saysthe band plays “irresistible contemporary blues-rock” with “street-level grit and soul.” Now, withMethod To My Madness (Alligator Records) thegroup turns the intensity up another notch.I asked Tommy and Randy about the differencewith this new album Method To My Madness versushis past efforts “My main objective when making anew album,” says Castro, “is to do somethingdifferent from before. I’ve always been a bluesguy; it’s what I’m meant to do. But I’m alwayslistening and watching as well as reacting towhat’s going on in the outside world. I also havebeen experimenting with my guitar tone(s), the useof different amps and mic’s and such. But mysongwriting approach has been constantly keepthe music fresh.”Randy and Tommy were in agreement that thehardest thing these days whether on stage or therelease a new album is to keep his loyal fan basehappy and try to capture new fans. Randy said”It’s a tough balance sometimes. That’s why we tryto do something different with each album.”Tommy jumped in to say “maybe the next album is 20 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

I did hurt myself because we partied so hard! But I Castro joined Alligator Records in 2009, releasinghaven’t drunk anything in 12 years, but man, did Hard Believer to massive acclaim. He won four ofwe have some great times.” his six career Blues Music Awards including theWhen asked about his musical influences growing coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Awardup Tommy told me that he picked up a guitar at (the very highest award a blues performer canage 10. He was mesmerized by Eric Clapton, Elvin receive). His song Hard Believer took first place inBishop, Mike Bloomfield and other blues rock the blues category of the Internationalplayers. As he got older, Castro discovered the Songwriting Competition.blues guitar work of Muddy Waters, B.B. King,Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James and the His next release, 2011’s Tommy Castro Presentsdeep-rooted soul of singers like Ray Charles, Wilson The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue–Live! was aPickett and James Brown. By his 20’s he was fiery collection of the highlights from a series ofplaying in a variety of San Francisco-area blues live performances anchored by Castro and an all-and soul bands. star collection of nationally recognized bluesCastro joined Warner Brothers’ artists The musicians, including Rick Estrin, Michael “IronDynatones in the late 1980s before forming The Man” Burks and Joe Louis Walker.Tommy Castro Band in 1991. He released his debutalbum in 1996 on Blind Pig and hit the road hard, Tommy and Randy were both excited andpicking up new fans everywhere he went. In the wanting to talk about the upcoming Legendarymid-1990s The Tommy Castro Band served as the Rhythm & Blues Revue cruise in October. Tommyhouse band for three seasons on NBC Television’s said “It’s 20- 25 of the biggest and the best BluesComedy Showcase (airing right after Saturday musicians anywhere! We have our scheduled setsNight Live), bringing him in front of millions of that we play but it’s something to see Taj Mahalviewers every week. During the 1990s and into the or Tab Benoit or any other artist at their own2000s, Castro released a series of critically shows, that’s something we really look forwardacclaimed CDs for Blind Pig, Telarc and 33rd Street doing since we don’t get that opportunity whenRecords, as well as one on his own Heart And Soul we are on the road.”label. Tommy shared a story, “Tab Benoit has this after @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine hours’ jam session that he hosts and he calls ‘the bacon jam’, here’s why. Tab and a bunch of other artists will jam well into the morning or until they smell bacon being fried for breakfast for the passengers on the ship. That’s when they know it’s time to go to bed!” If you have ever made it to a Tommy Castro and the Painkiller’s show in the past, you will notice a few things. Tommy and his band mates not only put on a hell of a show but they are the nicest and fan friendly guys in the music business. Tommy and band will spend as much time with their fans as needed or wanted to say hi, take a picture or get an autograph. In my opinion, a lot of bands out there can learn from these guys how to handle a crowd like they do. Be sure to check out the new album Stompin’ Ground coming September 29th! PREORDER YOUR COPY OF “STOMPIN’ GROUND” TODAY. ALL PRE-ORDERS WILL BE SHIPPED ON 9/29 AND WILL BE SIGNED BY TOMMY. Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLC August, 2017 21 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Don Brewer of Grand Funk RailroadOriginal Founding Member: Don years being used in movie sound tracks and in television/radioBrewer of Grand Funk Railroad advertising. The huge hit was featured in a recent General MotorsAugust 11th, 2017 | Nick Hatzinikolis national TV ad campaign and in Disney’s animated feature film The “You cannot talk about rock in the 1970s without talking about Country Bears. In 2004, We’re AnGrand Funk Railroad!” American Band was featured in the Cuba Gooding Jr. film RADIO, and in--David Fricke, Rolling Stone Magazine, April 3, 2003 2005 it was featured in the swashbuckler SAHARA starringOriginating from Flint, Michigan in 1969, this top selling Matthew McConaughey.American rock group of the '70s is “COMIN’ TO YOUR TOWN TOHELP YOU PARTY IT DOWN.\" Grand Funk Railroad is extremely Internationally acclaimed Grand Funkexcited to be touring in 2017 marking a 48 year milestone. After has toured the world, selling out in theplaying to millions of fans on the band’s tours from 1996 to U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and2016, Grand Funk’s 2017 Tour will continue to reach both new South America. A 1971 performanceand long-time fans. at New York’s Shea Stadium sold out faster than the Beatles. The group’sKnown as “The American Band,\" the high-energy five-piece widespread appeal is also evident ingroup will play forty shows all over the USA this year. Grand its prestigious recordingFunk Railroad includes original founding members Don Brewer achievements. Over their career,(vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling Grand Funk has had 19 chartedhit, We’re An American Band) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The singles, 8 Top 40 hits and two NumberGod Of Thunder.\" Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.\" One singles (We’re An AmericanSinger Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned Band and Locomotion, both sellingand sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co- more than one million each). Thefounder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart group has now accumulated 13 goldAttack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on and 10 platinum records with recordthe planet.\" Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 sales in excess of 25 million copiesyears with KISS and has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf sold worldwide. The most recent goldand Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul CD award was presented to theStanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) KeyboardistTim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the Universityof Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,\" his credits includestints 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 recent22 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.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 before they hit the stage at this year’s couple of guys from ‘Humble Pie’ on who hadRibfest Kalamazoo On August 5th at the better bands, Britain or America.Downtown Kalamazoo Arcadia Creek Festivalsite. D.B.- (Chuckling) “That is NOT true! I’ve heard that too, I have no idea where that came from,G-Note: We really appreciate your time today, Wikipedia or something. it just goes to show youlet’s get right to it, Grand Funk Railroad has things that are not true become fact after it getsendured for 50 years, what do you credit your on the internet.”longevity and continued success to? “No, we did a tour with Humble Pie, and we neverD.B.- “Thanks for having me today! We are all very had a fight or argument about anything, besidesmuch looking forward to being back in there isn’t any argument on who is betterKalamazoo, it’s been a while. I think we are between American or English bands…Of course itplaying right in downtown, that will be fun!” the American bands without any question!” (Chuckling)“There is a long answer and there is a shortanswer. I’ll give you the short answer, I think it is all “The true story is, we were going through a lot ofabout timing. Back when we started, there was legal issues and we had lost everything to ourpretty much 2 outlets for our music, AM pop radio former manager and some crooked attorneys andand some underground FM station playing oursongs 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 23 | 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 Check out www.grandfunkrailroad.com for morelittle different in the way that it had a “Monkee’s” band information and more!feel to it with us having fun riding motorcycles andjust having fun with a little hipper take on it, that’swhat we were trying to do with that video. And wewere experimenting a little bit too. Most of that wasfor promotion to show buyers and venues and thatkind of stuff, Capital Records would use them forpromotional purposes to sell records.”G-Note: Are you surprised by how popular GrandFunk Railroad still is after all this time?D.B. “Yes I am, I’m very blessed. We are coming upon 50 years of Grand Funk Railroad and my careergoes 10 years before that. I’m shocked and veryhumbled and very thankful that we still have theopportunity doing something I love.”“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 same24 | P a g e Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLCwww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz August, 2017 @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

The Retrospective PhoenixFood, Gaming, Movie, and TV Reviews HopCat: Take Me There The Union: BBQ Right Meow! Every Time Well, they definitely have a lot of To be perfectly honest, I get taps as they say. With all the fancy some form of barbeque man beer they have, some at $12 a whenever I go to this glass, they also have some “lighter” fabulous institution. Most of the time, the pulled porkoptions. They’ll make you a mixed drink or wine too, if shoulder with a variety of sides, usually theirdrafts aren’t your thing. The wait staff if awesome! awesome mac’n’cheese and buttermilk mashedThey recommend drinks if you aren’t sure what your taters. They even have 5 different BBQ sauces to try,taste buds are yelling for. from mild and sweet to hot and zesty. I actuallyThe food, though, like crack, literally. The crack fries haven’t discovered a better BBQ place in the areaare seriously a-meow-zing, especially with the cheese yet, but I’m always searching!sauce. I’ve also had their classic burger, quesadilla, They usually have some good live music on theand Angry Bird (basically a buffalo chicken weekends, so go during Friday or Saturday nights tosandwich). Simple bar food, but mouthwatering. check out some sweet tunes.The atmosphere is stellar! Sit outside when you can. Always great seating anytime I go, even the bar isThey have a nice fire pit out there too and heaters comfortable. Waiters and waitresses are never meanfor winter it seems. or rude, so tip well, my friends.Sushi Sundays The Binge Watcher: Brooklyn Nine-NineIt gets fairly fishy during lunch or dinner on Sundaysfor me. I tend to try some of the sushi places in this If you asked me my favoritearea on Sunday. I know, a little risky since we aren’t episode or character of thisreally on a coastal state, but my middle name isn’t show, I’d say “Yes.” So many good ones andtake-a-risk-and-eat-some-sushi for nothing! everyone is frickin’ hilarious. You’re probably thinkingSakura 2 over on Westnedge is always a great “Oh, great. Another cop show.” It’s quite unique,choice. First time I had sushi here at the sushi bar. actually. I’m about 6 episodes left until I’ve seen theOne of the cooks (sushi dudes?) treated me to a entire series and they are making more as I type this.beautiful tulip shaped avocado and mystery fish dish I’d say this could be a show you can start in the(yup, didn’t ask or have a damn clue) as I waited for middle, but you would definitely not get the fullmine. It was quite good, and I wolfed it before I effect of some jokes if you did. I’m not one to laughcould get a pic (oops). I tried one of their special out loud without anyone in the room, but this showrolls, the Bettina roll. It had shrimp tempura, avocado, really did make me lol. Andy Samberg is mostly theeel sauce, and spicy mayo. They have hibachi too, same as always, like how he was on SNL. Terry Crewswhich I get all the time. Best Frist rice, hands down. I is, well, Terry. Try to catch Scully and Hitchcock in thealso tend to get D&W sushi. Always fresh and background of some shots. They do some gags youdelicious. Not too bad at either place, but I have yet have to be quick to catch.to find sushi like this place in Boston, called Fin’s.@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 25 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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