August 2018 Issue

Southwest Michigan’s Source for Music, Entertainment and CultureInterview with More FeaturedLita Ford Articles!Kalamazoo Local Artist Boston Based Blues-Pete ‘Pierre’ Schumann Rock Guitarist Tyler MorrisCanadian BluesMusicians: The Snyders 25 Years of Blues in Kalamazoo: A Reflection from Dennis Massingill Many More Artist Promos and Features! Issue 13: August 2018

G-NoteEntertainment.biz IN THIS ISSUE Facebook: @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine InterviewEDITOR’S SOAP BOX Lita Ford ………………... 4-7Stay cool out there! Interview Pete Schumann ……… 8-10As always, throw us one of your thumbs on theFacebook and sign up for newsletters on our official Promosite! The Snyders ………… 11-12Keep on rockin’, folks!Sam Event Central ……….. 13-20Publisher. Head Writer. Advertising. The Elixir Fixer – AngieNick Hatzinikolis Jackson Article …..... [email protected]. Webmaster. Creative Director. InterviewSam [email protected] Dennis Massingill …. 30 -31Contributing Writer.Angie Jackson G-Note Supporters Samurai Phoenix DesignDisclaimer! StudioG-Note is dedicated to providing a platform for artists and Dunkley International, Inc.musicians to promote their work. Because they have a unique The Hatzinikolis Familyway of expressing themselves, it is important for people who The McDaniel Familyread this stellar publication to understand you might not alwayslike what you see. Articles may contain sarcasm and adult Keep up with G-Note oncontent. This magazine is intended for mature audiences. 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

YOUR AD HERE!Contact G-Note for pricing and information!Samurai 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

Interview: Lita FordLita Ford | Nick Hatzinikolis | August 5th, 2018Lita Ford recently headlined at the 2018 Rib Fest in downtown Kalamazoo Michiganat the Arcadia Creek Festival Site on August 3rd and preformed with her bandmates,Patrick Kennison on guitar, Bobby Rock on drums and Marty O’Brien on bass rockedto a wildly enthusiastic crowd.Lita Ford was born to an English father and an Italian mother in London, England.When she was in second grade, she moved with her family to the United States,eventually settling in Long Beach, California. Inspired by Ritchie Blackmore's workwith Deep Purple, she began playing the guitar at the age of 11.The Runaways Years (1975–1979)In 1975, at age 16, Ford was recruited by recording impresario Kim Fowley to join theall-female rock band he was assembling called the Runaways. The band soon secureda recording contract and released their first album in 1976. The band garneredsignificant media attention and The Runaways became a successful recording andtouring act during their late 1970s heyday. Ford's lead-guitar playing became anintegral element of the band's sound until their eventual break-up in April 1979.In 1977, internal conflicts were erupting within the Runaways, who had by that time already parted ways with producerFowley, lead singer Cherie Currie, and bassist Jackie Fox. Vocalist/guitarist Joan Jett wanted the band to shift to a moreRamones-influenced punk rock sound, while Ford and drummer Sandy West wanted to continue playing the hard rock-oriented songs the band had become known for. With neither faction willing to compromise, the band finally broke up inApril 1979.Lita’s Solo Career (1980–1995)Following the breakup of the Runaways, Ford set about launching a solo career. Her debut solo album, entitled Out forBlood, was released in 1983 and was a commercial disappointment. Her next release, Dancin' on the Edge (1984) achieved moderate success and Ford's popularity began to rise. Dancin' on the Edge included the single \"Fire in My Heart\", which reached the Top 10 in several countries outside the United States. The follow-up single, \"Gotta Let Go\", performed better, reaching number one on the Mainstream Rock charts. Ford said in an interview that she recorded an unreleased album with RCA Records, and Tony Iommi didn't perform on it. Ford signed with RCA Records, hired Sharon Osbourne Management, and re-emerged with a more radio-friendly pop-metal sound. In 1988, she released her most commercially successful album, the self-produced Lita. The album featured several singles including \"Kiss Me Deadly\", \"Back to the Cave\", \"Close My Eyes Forever\", and \"Falling in and Out of Love\", a song co-written by Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe. The ballad \"Close My Eyes Forever\", a duet with Ozzy Osbourne, remains her most successful song, reaching No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Ford followed up the success of Lita with the album Stiletto (1990). Stiletto featured the singles \"Hungry\" and \"Lisa\" (a song dedicated to her mother). However, the album failed to match the success of her previous release. Ford's next release was Dangerous Curves (1991), which featured her last charting single to date, \"Shot of Poison\". Ford's final album prior to a lengthy recording hiatus was Black on the German ZYX Records. Long hiatus (1996–2007)4 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

By the mid-1990s, Ford placed a reduced priority on her music career as she turned her attention towards raising hertwo young sons. Following the release of Black in 1995, Ford did not release new material until the Wicked Wonderlandalbum in 2009.Return to stage (2008–present)In June 2008, Ford re-emerged with a new band with Stet Howland (WASP) on drums, playing several warm-up gigsunder the moniker Kiss Me Deadly prior to Rocklahoma in Pryor, Oklahoma. In June 2009, she toured the United Statesand Europe with a new line-up on her last 14 shows consisting of former Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal,drummer Dennis Leeflang, and Deepfield bassist PJ Farley.After a long recording hiatus, Ford released the new album Wicked Wonderland on 6 October 2009, on the JLRGEntertainment label. In an interview with ExclusiveMagazine.com, Ford spoke about her new material: \"I just wanted tokick ass! I don't know what's popular, or the flavor of the day. I just wanted the music to rock! The lyrics are verypersonal and that's it. I wasn't going to come out in sandals with hairy armpits!\"In May 2011, Ford promised to release a \"real comeback album\" later in the year with drummer Chuck Spradlin, sayingthat 2009's nu metal-inspired Wicked Wonderland, was too much of a collective project with ex-husband Jim Gillette. \"Alot of people have told me that they want a real Lita Ford album, and I know what they mean. They are going to get it\", she was quoted as saying at the time. The album Living Like a Runaway was released in June 2012 on SPV/Steamhammer Records. True to her word, the album was much more in line with her earlier work. The title is also celebratory, as Ford had recently settled differences with her former Runaways' bandmates. In 2013 Lita was awarded by Guitar Player Magazine The Certified Guitar Legend Award. In 2016, Ford released the album Time Capsule – a collection of songs she discovered on old analogue tapes from the 80s featuring recordings she'd made with Billy Sheehan, Gene Simmons, Bruce Kulick, Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Dave Navarro, Rodger Carter and Jeff Scott Soto. *Some information taken from Wikipedia G-Note Entertainment Magazine had a few minutes to ask Lita Ford some questions after her performance. G-Note - Thank you for your time Ms. Ford, Kalamazoo was very excited and ready to see you at the Kalamazoo Rib Fest, did you expect the fans of Lita Ford to have as much enthusiasm as they did at the show? LF- “Man,the fans were incredible and the bandwas like Rolling Thunder! We melted faces and go through the Lita catalog and go all the way back to the Runaway days.It was ferocious with a little fun mixed in.”G-Note - Congratulations on your latest album, “Time Capsule” I love the Blue colored vinyl LP, what made to decide toput the record out?@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 5 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

LF – “It was originally a set of old analog tapes in my closet that I felt fans needed to hear. They featured a lot ofcelebrities that performing on the songs and just the songs themselves. It just brought us back to the 80’s. A time that alot of us miss. This is a little piece of history – hence Time Capsule.”G-Note -How did you get your special guests to record with you?LF- “The album was recorded at a time in place when rock stars were everywhere. We were always in the same studioand around the street. And that was the case here. Plus, many of them are friends and we would just hang out.”G-Note – I’m sure you get asked this all the time but what is your approach to writing a song?LF – “I don’t really have one single approach to writing because anything can trigger an idea. Something on TV, a text, ariff. There is no one idea. But when you come across one, you better write it down before you forget it.”G-Note -Do you write it on an acoustical guitar or do you prefer to write music with your electric guitar?LF- “Sometimes you need to find an instrument that is inspiring. I recently picked up an Ovation acoustic tuned in C, notsomething I do on a daily basis. This was different and inspired me to want to write something new.”G-Note - I see where you have collaborated with guitarist Gary Hoey when you write music, who is in my opinion andexcellent and somewhat un-discovered musician, how did you andGary get together?LF- “I love Gary! I met Gary years ago in the Caribbean, he told me hehad a studio and invited me anytime I wanted to record. I took him upon his offer. Living Like A Runaway came from that first visit.”G-Note - In 2013 you were presented with Guitar Player magazine’s“Certified Guitar LegendAward.” What does that honor /award mean to you?LF- “I’ve worked my entire life as a guitar player to be recognized asa musician and not just some girl. Starting out in The Runaways, Itook my job seriously and strived to achieve some kind ofrecognition. I finally got it after 40 years. It was huge for me!”G-Note - Do you feel that with an award with all the prestige thatcomes with that, has Lita Ford “Made It”?LF- (Pausing) “I’ve always felt like I’ve made ‘it’. It’s just a questionof how far you have made it. I felt like the award just pushed me alittle further and a little closer to being that guitar player that I’vealways dreamt of being. For those who haven’t read my book, I used to wish upon a star that I always used to wishand pray to. That star would follow me everywhere. Even when I was raising my boys. That star was always watchingover me.”G-Note- In addition to Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple and Rainbow), who were your guitar hero’s growing up?LF- “Loved Hendrix because he was of course, not like anybody else. He seemed to channel noise as well as music andlyrics. Where other players were trying to stop the feedback and hissing, he learned to control it where other peoplefeared it. No people purposely seek these noises and put their guitars out of tune. He had a way of singing and6 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

playing. Johnny Winter was just incredible. The way he worked the stage. He never looked at his guitar neck. Johnny,Jimi, and Ritchie never hid behind anything, they’re amazing musicians.”G-Note - You have been recording music and out on the road for a long time, how do you keep it fresh for you, yourfans and your band?LF, “That’s a good question, we play spur of the moment songs on stage. We don’t follow the set list. It becomesmore of a jam than something that is planned and detailed out. Because every audience is different. Sometimes yourset list does not mold to that audience. We change here and there and that will make it exciting for the band and t heaudience. Spur of the moment fun. It’s the beauty of not following backing tracks as well. It’s liberating!”G-Note- From your days with the Runaways till now, what is the most significant change in the music industry?LF- “Besides analog to digital, there’s so many more women out there kicking ass. Way more female lead singers likeLizzy Hale. I mean come on, she is just wicked awesome. Music is not just for men anymore. We’ve had the Wilsonsisters, Fanny – but now we’ve got the whole front row. Its great to see. Its just rock n roll.”G-Note - Tell me about your B.C. Rich Warlock guitar. What are the features on your guitar? LF- “My original Warlock, I call him Maurice. He is named after Samantha’s father in the old television show, Bewitched. I named it after him because that guitar plays you. You don’t play it. It was actually stolen. The person that stole it brought it back because I think it scared him. That guitar consists of an ebony fretboard, if I remember correctly, it has a mahogany body – it’s very heavy, and a preamp. That tiny switch is like a power booster. The pickups are Dimarzio Super Distortions, the bridge is a Kahler – I got to have my Kahler. It’s an incredibly heavy sounding guitar.” “The red is the same but a little brighter. That headstock has broken twice and still plays like a dream. It is amazing.” G-note - What would be the most surprising thing about Lita Ford that we don’t know? LF- (Chuckling) “I’m very domesticated. I remember a friend coming by the house once and being impressed with all of the baskets with towels and soaps…when you are out on the road so much, it’s wonderful to come home and just cook, sleep, and wash sheets, things I really do like to do!”G-Note - In 100 years from now, what would you want your musical legacy to say about Lita Ford?LF- “Wow, another good question. (Pausing) I can go to my grave and say I was one of the first female guitar playersto walk the planet. There were women before me but The Runaways were teenage girls, not women. I think westand apart because of that.”For more on Lita Ford including tour dates, please go to: www.litafordonline.com@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 7 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Interview: Pete ‘Pierre’ SchumannInterview with Pete ‘Pierre’ Schumann | Nick Hatzinikolis |August 5th, 2018When you hear the phrase, ‘Oh, he’s a nice guy’ or‘The hardest working musician in the area’ or thequestion, ‘Who is that playing the ukulele? Youthink of or should immediately think of Pete‘Pierre’ Schumann.Pete or ‘Pierre’ as his fans know him as, indeed is avery nice man and a very hard worker when itcomes to singing and making music on his belovedukulele.The Delton Michigan resident has been playingmusic for years, you have seen him at open micnights in Kalamazoo and surrounding areas, heplays private parties, he is relentless when itcomes to booking gigs as he shared with me, ‘It really is a full-time job and a big commitment.’G-Note Entertainment Magazine talked with Pierre to see what he was up to and how thinks are musically in and aroundthe Kalamazoo Michigan area.G-Note- Pierre, you are one of the most active musicians in the area, you play everywhere and still find time for otherthings, how did you get started in the music business?PS- “Music is not new to me, every since I was a kid I’ve been singing and writing songs for the last 25 years. The ukulelekind of came along as a joke. I used to live in Hawaii years ago and on one Christmas, my brother as a joke, gave me aukulele as a present. (At least I thought it was a joke) so I was playing around with this gift and really took a liking to it”“Over the years, I have given several guitars away because I could never play them to my satisfaction or to make myselfhappy. Now with the ukulele, that was a different story, I picked it up and learned to play it pretty well and fairly quick.The reach was better for me, I just like a lot about it.”“Some people use it as a gimmick or as a prop instrument, I play it as a legitimate stringed instrument, and what I meanby gimmick instrument is as some ukulele fests that are around, you see people dressed in Hawaiian shirts and otherover the top clothing and accessories.”“What I really like about it you can play pretty much anything on it, I have a Tenor and a Baritone ukulele, the baritoneone plays and sounds like a traditional guitar which is nice when I play Country songs and have so far, only written 1song on the Baritone ukulele and I have not had that one too long, but the Tenor is my go to ukulele and I’ve wrotemany, many song on it.”8 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

G-Note- Do you play any other instruments?PS- “I play harmonica and just started to pick up playing keyboards again, so I can perform and compose on the piano,I’m not at that level ‘yet’ but I’m working really hard on it and hopefully, but the end of summer I’ll be there becausethere is no better instrument to compose music on like a piano.”G-Note- It seems like you are all over the Kalamazoo / Southwest Michigan area playing and doing open mic nights, tellme about your approach as a steward of the art of music.PS- “Thank you, music is art, and I do take my music very seriously. I have always been a poet and a writer in high school,and I have an English degree that I don’t much with and college gave me the chance to get jobs at various points of mylife, and I never really worked in that field. ““I have always written stories and poetry, poetry became a song. That’s something I’ve been doing for well over 25 yearsbut really got serious, I mean serious in the last 6 or 7 years and since I started playing the ukulele. ““I have a friend, Mike Fleckenstein who in his own right is a great song writer, I would take song to him and say, ‘heyMike, what do you think about this one?’ as he tried to pick up the chords on it, he’s really helped me in my song writingdevelopment. I have written some 300 songs over the years, now I’m not saying they are all good ones!” (Chuckling) “Myjoke is, I’ve written 300 songs and about 6 of them are good ones!” (Chuckling) G-Note- Tell me about your CD “The Light of Your Smile” PS- “Thank you, it is a 7-song album that was produced and mastered by Ian Gorman at La Luna Recording & Sound right here in Kalamazoo. It’s a simple – bare bones with just me and my ukulele and you can get it on all of the streaming formats like Spotify, you can buy it on Amazon and if someone calls me up, I’ll send them a copy.” “I’m happy to have that first one ‘in the books.’ Like I said, it’s 7 songs and I am proud of all of them but ideally what would like to do is rent a space and invite 10 or 15 friends and have one play this on this song and this on another one and have somebody do harmonies on this one, but could do it because of budget constraints, but that’s the goal for the next album.” G-Note- That’s a great point that you just brought up, it seems that the ‘musical network ‘in Kalamazoo and the surrounding area is tight and willing to help another musician or band out then needed. PS- “Oh, without a doubt, we are really fortunate here. I have lived in other communities and by in large, the artists here in Southwest Michigan are incredible. I can’t tell you how many excellent people are in the musical community. I’m talking about everyone from the fans of artists to the bands and solo acts andit doesn’t really matter what genre or musical specialty you are in there is so much support and engagement with eachother it is something for our area to be proud of for sure. There is not a bum among them.”G-Note- What is it about the area musically and diverse that is so different that other cities and towns?@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 9 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

PS- “This is from a narrow perspective, but you have Western Michigan Universityhere in town and educated people that are very active in the community and part ofthat is the music scene. It’s not too uncommon to have a musician playing at nightand teaching a class in the daytime as a college professor or having someone in themusic program out and about playing at a club in the area.”“Another musician segment is the retirees, or close to retiring from the 9 to 5 jobsthat have been playing music for years and years around the area. They are now ableto devote a lot more time to their music and we all benefit from that.”“There seems to be a lot of places to play too, I’m not saying you get paid a lot ofeven a little sometimes, but there are small coffee houses, breweries, Art Hopopportunities, playing at a Summer series in the area, the open mic’s and believe it or not, farmer markets are a greatway to get some exposure for you and your music.”G-Note – What makes someone go up on stage in front of a bunch of strangers not knowing how they will be received?PS- “For me, by nature I’m a pretty shy person, they might not think that, but I am as I think by in large most musiciansare. After a performance when you have to go out into the crowd and mingle, that can be a little awkward for me. Overthe years, I’ve got better at it. But I can tell you, there is something about the stage. Up there playing my ukulele, singingfrom the heart, that’s where I’m un-touchable, I’m locked and loaded and really get a chance to escape to a place whereit’s always good.”G-Note- Pete, what is it like to be a full-time musician? PS- “As a fulltime musician I have a lot of flexibility in time without out the worry of having to get up after playing an open mic or a late- night club gig and having to worry about getting up in time to go to work in the morning. That’s the upside. The other side of the coin is you must work really, really hard and you can’t be shy in order to book and secure paying gigs to be able to pay the bills.” “Generally, Monday and Tuesdays are my marketing days on the phone and computer, searching for venues, open mic’s, etc. for 8 or 9 hours a day. My girlfriend will come in from her job at look at me and ask me if I was lifting weights or somethings because I’m just sitting in a chair exhausted from the research of securing a gig. That is a full-time job!” Check out Pierre “Pete” Schumann on Facebook and his page “Pete Schumann’s House of Music” to see where Pete is playing in and around the area, and always support live music!10 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

The SnydersThe SnydersAugust 5th, 2018 | Nick HatzinikolisIt’s a family affair when it comes to singing andplaying the Blues!The Snyders, formed in the summer of 2011 inMontréal, is a family blues/roots band that digsdeeply from many styles of music. The family unit iscomprised of Indiana born blues-rocker SouthsideDenny Snyder - vocalist/lead guitarist (aka bluesartist Southside Denny), his daughter Lorrie Snyderon Vocals/Bass (21 years old) and his son Phil Snyderon the drums (17 years of age).For the past 30 years, Southside Denny has garneredthe reputation of a legendary blues rocker in hisown right with 9 albums released and performing at may notable blues clubs and festivals in 20 states and 5 Canadianprovinces. Early on he developed a strong association with Luther Allison and Sugar Blue and spent a couple of years inthe 90’s performing regularly at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago.He has a very long list of artists for which he has performed the role of opening act for that resembles a who's who list ofblues and Rock n' Roll music. In 1999 he won the Ole Harv award for artistic contribution to blues music in Michianaarea. In 2004 the Southside Denny Band represented the state of Indiana at the IBC competition in Memphis.Heavily influenced by: Luther Allison, Freddie King, Lonnie Mack, Johnny Winter, The Meters, ZZ Top, Dream Theatre,Céline Dion, Loreena Mckennitt, Bruno Pelletier, Claire Pelletier, Sylvain Lelièvre, Angelo DeBarre, Charles Mingus,Django Rhinehardt, Frank Vignola, Charles Mingus, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan.Inspired and influenced by their father's musical talent, the siblings took interest at an early age and began to 'hone'their craft.Then only 12 years old, Lorrie appeared on two songs of her father's award winning 'Full Circle' album in 2009. In 2010the two made several appearances as a duet at the Montréal Festival du Jazz, the Mont Tremblant International BluesFestival, the Canadian Guitar Festival.One year later, Phil joined and has become the powerhouse drummer that propels the band. The trio recorded theirfirst album together (The Snyders, March 2012) and made numerous concert appearances on both sides of theborder. This debut album was placed number 13 in the Blind Lemon Top 20 Canadian Blues albums of 2012. It was also@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 11 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

nominated for blues album of the year in Québec, and Lorrie won a Lys award for 'Upcoming artist of the Year' in Québec City at the Gala Lys on July 21rst, 2013. On June 8th, 2014 The Snyders released their second album, aptly titled Growing Pains. This album marked a large growing period for the whole band. Many of the songs received lots of airplay across Canada and in Europe as the band continued to advance their reputation. Since their inception, The Snyders have played numerous festivals, concerts series and other venues in Indiana, Michigan, Ontario and Québec including Blissfest, The Kincardine Summer Music Festival, The Rendez-Vous Estivale in Le Gardeur, QC, The Kalamazoo Blues Festival, the Laporte County Bluesfest, the South Bend Firefighters Blues Festival, The Purdue Memorial Union, the Worlds Largest Block Party in Columbus, Indiana. Releasing their third album (Reaching Higher, July 2017), The Snyders are touring this music throughout the next year. Recorded at Golden Mallard Analog Studio by Bryan Lewis in South Bend, Indiana, this album captures The Snyders at their best. Much more a collaboration than their previous two albums, the growth and maturation of all three musicians/composers is amazing. Having a difficult time tagging the musical category of this blues/roots band they are calling it 'Modern Devil's Music'.They have recently broken new ground in Western Canada and continue to set their sights on developing a larger fanbase. The ‘Reaching Higher’ album is in the top ten blues albums of 2017 list of British DJ Ashwyn Smyth on his DigitalBlues radio show and by Gianluca Diana on his Mojo Station in Rome, Italy.12 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Calendar of Events for the Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground CALL 269.383.8778 www.kalamazooexpocenter.com September 2018 Event Schedule09/07 39th Annual NSRA Street Rod Nationals North Friday & Saturday Entire Expo- See more than 2600 street rods, muscle cars, custom and specialty vehicles all 8:00am- 5:00pm Center09/09 thirty years old and older. Plus manufacturer exhibits, arts & crafts, vintage Sunday parts, swap meet, live entertainment, good food and a whole lot more! Produced 8:00am- 1:00pm09/14 by the National Street Rod Association. Admission: Adults $17, Children ages 6-- 12 $6, Children 5 & under are free. Parking is $3 per vehicle. Special discount09/28 tickets are available prior to the event at O'Reilly Auto Parts stores. For more09/15 information contact Jerry Kennedy at 303-776-7841. www.nsra-usa.com09/15 Comstock Lions Club Bingo Fridays Room A Play Bingo on the following Friday nights in September: 14th, 21st, and 28th. 6:30pm09/15 Bingo will NOT be held on September 7th. Lic #A00192 with all proceeds going toward community projects.09/21- Kalamazoo's Vintage Mini-Market Saturday Expo North09/22 Get your vintage fix at Kalamazoo's Vintage Mini-Market. We will have antiques, 9:00am- 3:00pm farmhouse, salvages, retro, and shabby chic to shop! Admission is free. For09/22 more information contact Lorie Money at 269-903-5820 or email [email protected] www.facebook.com/events/53701890024665 Kalamazoo Mom to Mom Sale Saturday Main Expo The biggest mom to mom sale in town this Fall. Find everything you need for the 9:00am- 1:00pm 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 [email protected] www.facebook.com/events/162605077727582/ Fall Expo & Craft Show Saturday Expo South Join us for a great day of shopping unique crafters, artists, and vendors from 9:00am- 4:00pm across Michigan. Admission is free. For more information contact Lorie Money at 269-903-5820 or email [email protected] www.facebook.com/events/16347215096768 2/ The Papercrafting Roadshow Friday - Saturday Expo South The Papercrafting Roadshow is an annual event featuring vendors that 9:00am- 4:00pm specialize in scrapbooking and stamping. Admission is $5.00. Crops will also be hosted from 9am-9pm on Friday & Saturday. Visit the website for crop pricing and registration. For more information contact Claudia or Lindsey at 231-206- 2980 or e-mail [email protected] www.thepapercraftingroadshow.com www.facebook.com/thepapercraftingroadshow Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo Saturday 10:00am- Expo North Buy, sell or trade a variety of reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and other 3:00pm exotic pets, supplies & food. Admission: Adults $5, Children $2, Children under @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 13 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

6 free, Family Max - $20. For more information contact Tony at 269-779-9851 or [email protected]. Visit www.kalamazooreptileexpo.com09/29 Geek Fest Saturday 11:00am- Expo South Geek Fest is southwest Michigan's free, all-ages pop culture event featuring 4:00pm09/29 gaming, cosplay, crafts, robotic, artists, authors, and much more! Admission is- free. For more information contact Stewart Fritz at 269-553-787109/30 or [email protected]. www.facebook.com/SWMGeekFest09/29 Kalamazoo Gun & Knife Show Saturday Main Expo- Presented by Sport Shows Promotion. Admission: Adults $6, Children 12 and 9:00am- 5:00pm09/30 under are free. No one under 18 is admitted without a parent or guardian. For Sunday more information call 517-676-4160 or 10:00am- 3:00pm email [email protected] www.migunshows.com Fall Stamp & Cover Show Saturday Expo North Stamp show with dealers buying and selling stamps, covers, postcards, and 10:00am- 5:30pm supplies from around the world. Plus stamp exhibits and a youth booth with free Sunday stamps for kids - fun for the whole family. Admission is free. For more 10:00am- 3:30pm information contact Jim Smith at 269-375-6188.14 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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Upcoming Paw Paw Playhouse Events1. Fall Night of Comedy (9-22-18)Our last comedy show was amazing! A night full of Fun, Drinks, Gut-Wrenching Laughs and so much more! Let'sPack the house AGAIN!! Below you will find the Bio's of the headliners we will be having at our Fall Night ofComedy!!Luis Valencia tells his story through precisely delivered and well-crafted jokes about how it all brought him tobecome a Nationally Touring Standup Comedian. Luis’ comedy varies from edgy to clean, but his side-splittingjokes have been proven to make anyone bust a gut. Performing in comedy clubs, state universities, and barsthroughout the U.S., opening for acts such as Jeff Dye, Derek Richards, and Frank Roche, Luis is an act that youdon't want to miss!Bob Fredericks a man that has been described as someone who gets up at 10 am and is not afraid to put on achicken suit, in order to get some laughs. He has also been known to wear a flaming PBR hat just for theexperience.It has been said that his comedy can be self-deprecating yet, endearing. Through non-sequiturs, strangeobservations, and stories Bob shares laughs with his audience. He hosts a regular show in Kalamazoo Michiganand travels the midwest bringing laughter to his crowds.Bob has worked with Doug Stanhope, Robert Kelly, Shane Mauss, Nick Thune, Shane Torres, Stewart Huff PaulyShore, Donnie Baker and Auggie Smith. He has performed at the Electric Forrest: Great American Talent Show in2016 and 2018. He has also participated at Laugh Fest in Grand Rapids over the last 6 years. He looks forward tobringing his comedy to you!Ricarlo Winston is a self-described blerd (black nerd) with a heart of gold and quick wit. He has entertainedaudiences all over Michigan and the Midwest with his unique brand of comedy. Ricarlo’s comedy has beendescribed as relatable, playful and fun. He weaves stories of his unique childhood growing up in MuskegonMichigan from having old parents to dealing with thieving cousins. His show is truly a journey of his life, he toucheson topics from having no idea how to raise his kids to trying to avoid the dreaded “friend zone”. Ricarlo is acomedian for every member of the family even his mortal enemy grandmothers!Tim Locke is a West Michigan comic. He is the House Mc at Jack's in Spring Lake. He features all around themidwest. And he can grow a pretty sweet beard in a short amount of time.2. Disney Princess Sing A Long (9-29-18)Sing along with your favorite Disney Princesses! Arrive at 1 PM for fingernail and face painting, treats and drinks atAll Stirred Up! (Sold Separately) before the music begins at 2 PM. Photo opportunities available and kids arewelcome to come in their favorite princess costumes!Ticket price includes sing along, face and nail painting and photos with Princesses.ANYONE 16 AND OLDER DOES NOT NEED A TICKET TO ENTER.3.Blues & BBQ (10-13-18))Big Trouble Blues band hits the stage at 7 pm. Get here early and enjoy Drive Thru Q, Offering three options ofdelicious BBQ dinners. Big Trouble is known for blues, rock, and soul. Ticket price includes your choice of BBQdinner and admission to the show! Come enjoy a night of Blues and BBQ at the Paw Paw Playhouse!4. Halloween Spooktacular (10/26-10/28/18)The Halloween Spooktacular Magic Show is family friendly and packed with tricks that will make you say \"WOW\"!Performed by The Great Alan Kazam! Come in costume, enjoy Halloween treats and drinks and prepare to beamazed! 16 | P a g ewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

Michigan Metal FestMichigan Metal Fest is coming up August 11th and we couldn't be any happier about how last year went!!! We hadclose to 2000 people enjoy the festival last year and we expect that number to double this time around. ArdentEntertainment and Next Level Entertainment are firing this BEAST back up to bring you 40 bands, 4 stages, 10food vendors, arts and craft vendors, 2 beer tents, and endless BRUTAL METAL.2018 Line Up:Whitechapel Lorna Shore Beyond ThresholdRaven Black – Band A War Within SYKOSISThe Convalescence Dead Eyes Always Dreaming ExtortionistNuskin Recorruptor Bog WraithI Transfigure After The Minor ObliterateKrosis DRINK THEIR BLOOD Goat Blood FetishACCURSED CREATOR Heart Of Jordan Trademark ZeroEye Remain The Outliers FalsifierHIVE Coffin Talk NAGAZImetalbandG lethal 9 Laurentian TidesFive Hundredth Year Oceans Beneath Us My Own WillThe Alexander Project Assume Nothing Until SolaceHeartsick U.S. Dead NervesVestigial This EclipseWhatdrivestheweak Guard RailAll ages, $30 presale tickets available through the Bands and showclix.Com. $35 at the gate. 11am-Midnight.@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 17 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

La Luna Recording & Sound expands with new recording studio and services in KalamazooFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Ian [email protected], MI, July 9, 2018 --- La Luna Recording and Sound announcesthe grand opening of their new location at 1501 Fulford Stree t, in Kalamazoo'sEdison neighborhood, on August 25, 2018 . With a primary focus on musicproduction, this 1,800 sq ft, 8-room recording facility features 24-track analogtape, 32-input Pro Tools HD, and a lovingly-curated collection of both vintageand modern sound equipment . Now also offering hands-on audioworkshopsand private lessons, La Luna will further widen its reputation as acenter for sound, art, creation, education, and expression, utilizing both retroanalog recording gear and state-of-the-art digital technology.This is the next step in theevolution and continuedsuccess of La Luna, which hasdeveloped over the past 17years from a modest homestudio into one of the mostpopular and creative recordingdestinations in the state.Originally founded byengineer/producer/musicianIan Gorman as \"Big GreenLamp!\" in 2001, and renamedLa Luna in 2012, the studiohas produced hundreds of projects from some of the most influentialindependent music artists in Michigan, including Greensky Bluegrass , MayErlewine , Seth Bernard, The Crane Wives , Joel Mabus , Dominic18 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Davis , Stephen Lynch , The Go Rounds , and Red Tail Ring . Growing to meetthe demand of an ever-increasing client base, this new location cements itsplace as a major player in the sound of music in Michigan and beyond. Gorman, a veteran of over 500 studio albums, is the go-to soundperson for many of the most popular and prolific artists in the region. His studio work has helped earn his clients 28 WYCE Jammie Awards (with over 250 nominations), as well as his own award for Producer of the Year in 2012. Vastly experienced at both analog and digital recording methods, Gorman is not only a celebrated engineer and producerbut an audio educator as well. His workshops have been presented by WesternMichigan University , Folk Alliance Region Midwest , and The Wheatland MusicFestival . As a performing songwriter and musician, his group The Red SeaPedestrians have released 6 CDs and received critical acclaim throughout thestate.Studio services include both analog and digital recording, mixing, mastering,archiving, consultation, audio workshops, and private lessons. The facilityfeatures a large live performance space, two comfortable isolation booths, aspacious control room carefully designed for optimum acoustics, four smallerspaces available for further sound separation, two reverb chambers, and acourtyard for breaks and relaxation.Located in the heart of the burgeoning Jericho Town campus in Kalamazoo'sEdison neighborhood, La Luna is surrounded by talented artisans and locally-owned businesses. Clients can take advantage of nearby services including acoffee shop ( Fido Motors Cafe ), guitar luthier ( Kal-Tone ), pianorestorer/reseller ( Kalamazoo Piano Company ), and much more.Designed by Gorman, with construction spearheaded by Blesing Constructionand Huizinga Construction, La Luna's new facility is handcrafted by years ofresearch and experience, housed within an extensively-renovated 1940’sfoundry. Tailored to both sonic quality and comfortable workflow, La Luna isgeared toward fostering the innovative spirit of the artist, and helpingmusicians achieve their creative vision.@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 19 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

La Luna Recording & Sound • 1501 Fulford St, Kalamazoo MI 49001 ph: 269.743.6777 • [email protected] LaLunaRecording.com20 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Interview: Tyler MorrisTyler MorrisAugust 5th, 2018 | Nick HatzinikolisThere a lot to be impressed with the not even 21 years old Tyler Morris. Tyler has been playing guitar at a professionallevel since he was 11, and recently released his third album internationally. But Tyler is not just another young musicalgenius — his gift runs deeper than an amazing set of ears paired with two very skillful hands. Ever since he picked up aguitar, Tyler has been driven to get to the roots of the songs and styles he learns and absorbs, and to reflect his hugeand growing body of influences onto his own interpretations and eventually, his own compositions. Tyler give credit and thanks to his father’s music collection, Tyler developed love for Blues and Rock music around the age of 6 and settled on guitar as his primary obsession at 9. He would study the works of songs by Eric Clapton, Aerosmith, and B.B. King until he could do a faithful rendition of the originals, his focus moving from Rock to Blues and back again, exploring AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Led Zeppelin. Tyler then turned to Van Halen, learning their catalog and channeling that style so thoroughly that he was later featured in a blazing tribute video to Eddie Van Halen’s technique for Vintage Guitar magazine. After a few years, Tyler turned his attention to more classically rooted Rock musicians such as Deep Purple/Rainbow’s Ritchie Blackmore, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Jason Becker, and became interested in Andy Timmons, Gary Moore, Bon Jovi and Journey. At that point Tyler came back to the Blues, digging deeper this time. He began to learn entire catalogs of songs from Freddie King, Albert King, Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, Little Walter, Lonnie Mack, Junior Wells, Johnny Winter and others. Soon he started consuming the more modern Blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix as well. Tyler then took this huge body of knowledge, took a sharp left turn, and began to apply it to the task of deconstructing Aerosmith’s catalog. Along the way, Tyler became a strong, prolific songwriter, and a performer. Tyler has always enjoyed playing onstage. At the age of 11, he started playing in the clubsaround his home near Boston, MA. When Tyler was 12, he was trying out a guitar at a Guitar Center in West Palm Beach,Florida where he happened to be heard by Gary King, musical director of the band at the local B.B. King’s Blues Club.That night King recognized Tyler in the audience and called him onstage; the crowd went crazy, and Tyler became aregular guest player at the club. Since then he has had the opportunity to perform with legends and heroes includingSammy Hagar, Yngwie Malmsteen, Leslie West, Mark Farner, Ronnie Montrose, Robben Ford, Kip Winger, JamesMontgomery, Gary Hoey, Zakk Wylde, and many more.@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 21 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Tyler began writing songs at 13, and released his debut album, “And So It Begins,” in 2015. This auspicious debut got theimmediate attention of guitar fans around the world, with reviews and features in Guitar Player magazine, VintageGuitar, Heavy Riff in Mexico, Guitar Plus in Asia, Metal to Infinity, and Korea Guitar as well as many other onlineMagazines and media outlets. In June 2016, Tyler released his second album, “The Chaos Continues”, and the mediabuzz and attention continued to grow.Tyler’s new album, NEXT IN LINE, was released in February 2018 through the VizzTone label group and RedeyeWorldwide distribution. For this album, Tyler worked with Grammy-award- winning producer Paul Nelson (Formerguitarist and producer for Johnny Winter) and incorporated guest appearances by music Hall of Famer, Joe Louis Walkerand the Uptown Horns.Tyler continues to develop his signature sound — channeling a classic Blues mindset into modern Rock phrasing andsyncopation. He is very aware of the melding of styles as he references a combination of phrases from Freddy King andAerosmith’s Brad Whitford in his soloing on one song and draws strong inspiration in others from Ritchie Blackmore, JoePerry, Eddie Van Halen, Johnny Winter, and Joe Walsh.Tyler Morris is constantly challenging himself, learning and growing as an artist. When he’s not performing onstage,Tyler demonstrates for Dean Guitars, REVV amps, and Fishman Electronics, and is designing his own line of guitar effectspedals. Tyler has accomplished so much in such a short time, it will be a pleasure to see where he goes from here. —*Some material from BratGirlmedia/Vizzable Music.G-Note Entertainment Magazine recently talked to TylerMorris from his home in between gig and school.G-Note – Hey Tyler! Thanks for the time today. What’s beengoing on with you?TM- “Thank you too. Glad to be part of your magazine. Well,there is a little bit going on, I’m in college taking classes tobe an electrical engineer, I also have an internship at Boseand I play guitar as much as I can, and I recently released analbum called ‘Next In Line’ other than that, not much else.”(Chuckling)G-Note Let’s introduce you to people that may not befamiliar with your story on how you got started to thecurrent day.TM- “Well, it really started with my dad, he is a musicianand always collected guitars and from the time I was around4 years old, I wouldn’t ‘sit in’ with him but I would have aguitar in my hand just strumming to a tuned open ‘D’ or ‘G’cord and I be playing along to Rolling Stone or Beatles songsjust kind of standing along my dad. I really have beenaround music and guitars from a young age, my dad’s bandwas the house band at The Hard Rock Café in Boston andthey would play every Thursday night.”“So, what happened was I was about 11 years old when Ireally started to learn the guitar and I took lessons and I22 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

really learned a lot by playing by ear. I went through a lot of different styles as I developed like Jazz, R&B, Rock andBlues. Then I started to get into stuff like Van Halen and what I would call ‘Fusion Rock’.”G-Note – What was the name of your dad’s band when he was the House Band at the Hard Rock Café in Boston?TM- “His band was called ‘Contagious’ because my dad is a dentist and the other band members were all different typesof doctors so that’s the name they came up with. It all started when a couple of guys would come over to the house andjam.”“I remember playing or really, strumming along with them at a 40th birthday party, I remember it because that’s when Ibroke my first string! I have broken thousands of them since!”G-Note- Tyler, are you a formally ‘trained’ guitarist or do you play by ear teaching yourself how to play?TM- “Well, I started out by having my dad teach me some things, then I kind of started to play songs by ear, at that time,it was Clapton and Aerosmith. Being in Boston, we knew some of the guys in Aerosmith and still do talk with them, therewould be shows where I would be standing next to Lenny Kravitz watching an Aerosmith show, I had been around thatfor so long that dad and Clapton really got me at a young age.”“I learned all that stuff by ear, but then I went to Joe Stump (Berkeley Music Professor) for many years who I stillconsider a friend of mine and I still go to his house maybe once a week to jam and to talk. Joe is great at everything butis excellent at the Ritchie Blackmore - Deep Purple, 70’s style which was a good transition style wise for me. As Imentioned a bit ago, I was doing the Van Halen stuff and I learned from Joe that Eddie got his sound and licks fromRitchie Blackmore and I knew that it was what I needed to learn too.”“Then came the Blues, guys like Freddie King, Albert King, Robert Johnson, T-Bone Walker, Elmore James and the listgoes on and on.”G-Note- Well, you cover a lot of ground and styles, from Robert Johnson to Freddie King, to Clapton to T-Bone Walker.TM- “One of my all-time favorites is T-Bone Walker, I was backstage at a show with Jimmy Vivino (Band leader of ‘Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band, the house band for the TBS late night program Conan’) at the Jimmy Vaughn show, Steve Miller was there too, and Steve was telling us when T-Bone Walker would come over to his house and gave him his first guitar lesson. Just to hear it first hand from Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Miller was incredible also what amazed me was that he considers T-Bone Walker as one of the great pioneers of any musical genre, not just the Blues.” “I had been thinking about that before the Steve Miller conversation, if you think about it, everyone knows Robert Johnson and B.B. King but unless you are schooled in the Blues, you wouldn’t know that T-Bone Walker was the influence for B.B. King and a ton of others including a lot of Jazz musicians.” G-Note- Let’s back up just a bit, here you are backstage at a Jimmy Vaughn show with Jimmy Vivino and you meet Steve Miller, details please.@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 23 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

TM- “We happen to be in New York, and I texted Jimmy who I know is in andout of New York quite a bit and I asked him if there was anything going on thatnight. I knew Jimmy Vaughn was in town playing but I didn’t think there wouldbe any tickets available, so he replies, yeah, I’m going to the Jimmy Vaughnshow. Jimmy Vivino got 4 tickets right away, and since we got there early, wewere up at the front in the club.”“Jimmy Vivino knows Jimmy Vaughn and he did an introduction for me. Afterthe show, he found me, and we went backstage and Steve Miller happened tobe there and that’s how it happened, it was pretty cool”G-Note- So, how did you get to meet Jimmy Vivino?TM- “I met him about a year or so ago, I go to L.A. about 5 times a year for NAMM and for some other things, so I was inL.A. and happen to meet him a couple of weeks after. He took me around the set of Conan and he let me play on thebackstage lounge area and we were jamming on a couple of acoustic guitars using a pedal that I had made. He doesmake the rounds from New York, Boston and L.A. that he is around quite a bit.”“Not to change subjects, but do you know who Bob Margolin is? He is the guy that founded VizzTone Label Group and isstill a partner of, Bob is also a great guitarist and musician. The Tyler Morris Band will out with Bob Margolin on a touron the East coast and Jimmy will be coming back here again after leaving here last week, we’ll meet us with him and Boband I will sit in playing some music together.”It’s pretty amazing how much time I get to spend with Jimmy in the short time since I’ve met him, I really look at him asa mentor and I’ve had the chance to make a lot of pedal for him.”G-Note -Tyler, do you honestly realize how much and how far you have gotten in a very short amount of time in yourmusical career, you’re not even 21 years old yet right?TM- “No, I’m not 21 yet, not to sound un appreciative of everything because believe me, I am! But I go day to day and alot of my success has to do with the effects pedal that I have made for these incredible musicians like Jimmy (Vivino) andBrad Whitfield of Aerosmith that gives me a lot of publicity from shout outs and reviews. That has been an incrediblepart of the puzzle.”“Sometimes it hits you, I have an email from guitar great Al Di Meola, he is one of my big influencers and he was sayingsomething about getting together and possibly making a pedal for him, and when I had the chance to meet Steve Miller,and he’s talking to me about the song writing process, not for a few minutes, like for 40 minutes and you try to focus onthe conversation and not act all start struck as he’s telling me about how his manager said that he’ll never have anotherhit because he’s over 35 years old, well, he fooled them with the song ‘Abracadabra’ a song he wrote after he was 35years was a huge hit for him. He’s telling me a lot of old and stories like that. That is when I reflect and think, man, that’sincredible!”For more information on about Tyler Morris including his custom pedals, his latest album ‘Next In Line’ the equipmenthe uses, and tour information please go to: www.tylerdmorris.com24 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

A New Spirited Neighbor in SW Michigan –Grand Traverse Distillery in KalamazooAugust 5th, 2018 | Angie JacksonWe have a new neighbor in SW Michigan. Proper introductions are inorder. This is the neighbor you will want to introduce your out-of-townfamily and friends to when they come visit. This neighbor is Pure Michigandeliciousness in spirited liquid form. This new neighbor is Grand TraverseDistillery and the Kalamazoo Tasting Room is the new kid on theHaymarket District block of downtown Kalamazoo. The tasting room andretail store is open for business and is located at 224 E. Michigan Ave. (formerly Winston’s) nestled in between FuzeKitchen and Bar and Kelvin & Co. BBQ. The space hadn’t been occupied in a number of years and Grand TraverseDistillery felt this was a perfect spot to bring a taste of Pure Michigan True North in liquid form to SW Michigan. Grand Traverse Distillery is one of the oldest and largest distilleries in Michigan beginning in 2005 and they take the craft spirits business very seriously. They were the first distillery to receive the Pure Michigan stamp of approval for their spirits due to their commitment to local agriculture and pure Michigan water. Milling, mashing, fermenting and distilling are all done in-house. All of the grains used to craft their spirits are grown within an 11 mile radius of the distillery (Send Brothers Farms, Williamsburg, MI). According to distillery founder Kent Rabish, the region’s water, hilly terrain and harsh seasons all contribute to hearty, high-quality crops. From these locally sourced grains, Grand Traverse Distillery distills an array of high quality award winning spirits that include several styles of vodka, gin, rum and whiskey.The name “vodka” is a diminutive form of the slavic word “voda” (water) and is interpreted as “little water” - the waterof life. Vodka sustained many countries long before water filtration was available. Grand Traverse Distillery has takenthe voda water to new levels of Pure Michigan deliciousness with the european styled True North 100% Wheat Vodka.This spirit has sweet wheat buttercream flavors with a soft finish. The Polish styled 100% Rye Vodka is clean andcrisp with hints of spiced pepper. It’s the perfect Ying to the Yang of the salty and savory Dirty Martini. One couldn’tpossibly craft spirits in Traverse City without including the cherry. Grand Traverse Distillery’s Cherry Vodka begins as thewheat vodka that is infused with the tart Montmorency cherry grown on the Leelanau Peninsula. With an ever changingpalate of cherry, chocolate and hints of vanilla, this “adult” flavored vodka isn’t too sweet and is perfect for a twiston the classic Moscow Mule cocktail. Cherry Lime Mule, anyone?For juniper junkies searching for the perfect botanical balance, Grand Traverse Distillery’s Small Batch Botanical Ginleads the London Dry pack with a clean, crisp, light and bright flavor profile. The Gin begins with Grand TraverseDistillery’s award winning wheat vodka that is then infused with six different botanicals to make a balanced symmetry ofspice, citrus and juniper. The Barrel Aged Gin, currently available in tasting rooms only, was recently awarded 4 out of 5stars by BevX.com and rated “A” for Cool Factor. “We love Gin and all of its variations. Barrel aged Gins have been a bitof a hit or miss but when it’s right on target like the Grand Traverse Distillery Barrel Finished Gin it’s very cool” - SeanLudford, BevX.com.@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 25 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

For the lover boats, beaches and pirates, Grand Traverse Distillery also crafts a stunning Silver Reserve Rum and Barrel Aged Rum using Carribean Molasses. This is what rum is supposed to taste like and Grand Traverse Distillery nails it. When visiting Traverse City, be sure to stop in the Grand Traverse Distillery Front Street Tasting Room and order the Hemingway Daiquiri, a unique and clever interpretation of the classic cocktail using the True North Cherry Vodka in place of Maraschino Liqueur. No excuses and no shortcuts, Grand Traverse whiskeys are barrel aged for a minimum of four years in 53-gallon barrels. There is GOOD whiskey then there is GRAND. Grand Traverse Distillery’s Small Batch Bourbon is a stunning artistic interpretation of an early American Rye Bourbon. The beautiful three-part harmonic blend of corn, rye and malted barley has its own voice with earth tones, grains and hints of fresh cut grass. This is true Pure Michigan Grain to Bottle whiskey at its finest. Grand Traverse Distillery’s Ole George Rye Whiskey is a 100% straight Rye whiskey that will transport you back to early colonial days with every sip. This is the stuff the Protestant Scots Irish and German Immigrants crafted when they brought the still to America. Old school all the way, our great grandparents would have had Ole George Rye Whiskey on the bar for proper highball consumption in the late 30’s and 40’s. Of course the Cherry Capital of the World needs a whiskey and Grand Traverse Distillery has produced a beautiful work of art with their Cherry Whiskey. Beginning with a two-year old blended Bourbon, this whiskey is infused with the tart Montmorency Cherry grown on theLeelanau Peninsula that lends a whisper of cherry on the finish. Once again,Grand Traverse Distillery has produced a quality flavored spirit for adults. You willnever see the words “tastes like a Luden’s cough drop” when describing thiswhiskey. It’s great to sip on by the campfire with your favorite fleece, hoodie, jeanjacket or sweatshirt. It’s also great in other forms such as the Bourbon Cherry BBQsauce and Cherry Vanilla Maple Whiskey Sour recipes listed below. Aneighborhood Bourbon and BrisketFest among friends sounds like a “yes please”RSVP gathering and Grand Traverse Distillery spirits are ready to be invited - andare guaranteed to be the life of the party.Be sure to stop by the Grand Traverse Distillery Kalamazoo Tasting Room forproper introductions and bring friends. They love it when you bring friends. Whentraveling, stop by one of the other Grand Traverse Distillery Tasting Roomslocated in Leland, Frankenmuth, Grand Rapids, Mackinaw City and when inTraverse City, stop by the Front Street location for a cocktail then head over tothe distillery for a tour. It’s worth every bit of fun you may have planned on your vacation to Northern Michigan. Cheers!26 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Bourbon Cherry BBQ Sauce Featuring Grand Traverse Distillery Cherry Whiskey 2 tsp. Olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 1 cup tomato sauce 1 cup ketchup 2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce 6 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbls. Black Strap Molasses 2 tbls. Light brown sugar 2 tbls. Dijon mustard ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 1 ½ cups apple juice 3 tbls. Grand Traverse Distillery Cherry Whiskey 1 tsp. Kosher salt 1 tsp. Black pepper ½ cup honey 3 cups pitted fresh cherries, stems removed Preheat a medium size saucepan over medium heat. Heat the oil and saute onion and garlic until lightly browned. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pan and stir well. Allow sauce to cook over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Put sauce in a blender or food processor and blend well.Store in a jar and refrigerate. Sauce will be good for two weeks.Cherry Vanilla Maple Whiskey Sour2 oz. Grand Traverse Distillery Cherry Whiskey1 oz. Maple Syrup¾ oz. fresh pressed lemon juice2 drops pure vanilla extract1 egg whiteCombine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake ingredients without ice for 20 seconds. Add ice to shaker and shake anadditional 10 seconds. Strain into an ice filled old fashioned glass and garnish with an orange twist and fresh LeelanauPeninsula Cherry. Cheers!@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

Interview: Dennis MassingillDennis Massingill | Nick Hatzinikolis | August 5th, 2018 That’s a Wrap! The 25th annual Kalamazoo Valley Blues Associations Blues Festival that began promptly at 5:00 pm on Thursday July 12th ended around 12:15am Sunday morning July 15th with Kev Nichols and Blue Tuesday playing the great classic, “Hallelujah” as the crowd waved their arms and sang along. It was an amazing 3 day of the best Blues music preformed by the best musicians around in and around Southwest Michigan, New Orleans, Nashville Tennessee, Memphis Tennessee, Chicago Illinois, Kansas City Missouri, New Jersey. G-Note Entertainment Magazine talked to long time festival coordinator and board member of the KVBA, Dennis Massingill on his thoughts and some reflection on the 25 years of Kalamazoo Blues Festival. G-Note- Dennis, can you give us a quick over view of the last 25 years of the Blues festival here in Kalamazoo? DM- “You have to go back to the beginning, with the group of people that had the vision and formed the Blues festival from its humble origins back in the late 90’s, nobody would have envisioned the level of success that we have enjoyed, nor would anyone had guessed that we would be having the festival 25 years later!”“It is a tribute to not only to the Kalamazoo Blues community, but to the KVBA (Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association)board members, which you know is a year-round commitment with all of the activities need to pull this all together. It’sa lot of work, but with that there’s a lot of love.”“It’s the supervisors, volunteers over the many years and for sure, the fans that come out each year, you have to tipyour hat to all of them. Some have been with us from the beginning and we are fortunate enough to attract new fans ofthe Blues. It continues today and hopefully, it will continue for years after, it really is a success story in Kalamazoo andthe Blues community!”G-Note- Over the 25 years of this festival, you have had some legendary artists that performed and some that are nolonger with us, any one act or artist stand out to you?DM- “Boy, that’s a tough one, we have had bands or artists that have done what I would call, historic performances overthe years, you know the well-known ones. What brings me a lot of joy is booking a band or artist to Kalamazoo that nota lot of people have heard of or don’t know a lot about, the “Not name brand” and they play so well that people talkabout and say, “Who was that, where did you find them?” and they end up buying their merchandise after theirperformance. I really like that part a lot!”“A great example of that is Victor Wainwright who’s playing this year’s festival again for the second time. When he washere a few years ago, nobody really knew who he was around here but was very popular around the South. Ever sincehe had one of those’ historic’ performances I was talking about a few minutes ago, everyone in the Blues community30 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

around here knows and loves Victor Wainwright, same could be said about an artist we had last year, Sugaray Rayfordwho brought down the house at Wings Event Center, incredible entertainers, I can go on and on and give you exampleafter example.”“The fun for me is going to Memphis or Toronto or somewhere maybe at another festival and seeing someone whatcan’t get out of the club circuit down there, bringing them here to play Kalamazoo and they just knock people’s sock off,that’s what I like to see!”“So, to go back to your question, I don’t think I can pick out one particular act or band, they all have been incredible andenjoyed all of their performances and very happy we have had several came back to the festival over the years.”G-Note- 25 years of anything these days is a long time, is this a typical life span throughout the festivals community?DM- “It depends on the festival, and where it’s located in the country. The Chicago Blues festival close to us is ‘iconic’and has been around for a long time. For what I would call a smaller festival as compared with some others around thecountry with limited budgets, without a title sponsor or financial underwriter we are well known for our talent and ourhospitality that we offer to the musicians that play at our festival, the word on that is been spread far and wide, so toanswer your question, we are exceptional!”G-Note- Last question Dennis, what are your thoughts or expectations of the KVBA Blues festival going forward,hopefully for another 25 plus years?DM- “The challenge for the KVBA as well as other Blues or you can even throw in other musical genres like Jazz is thatthe music is typically associated with the ‘Baby Boomer’ generation and that true but with the diminishing numbers ofpeople as we all get older and start to pass on makes it even more important or maybe even critical that we expose theyounger generation to the art of the Blues music.”“It’s our mission and written into our by-laws to promote the Blues not only through our festival and various events wehold through out the year but to share the music with children in the local schools. To explain to them that any musicthey like today whether it’s Country, or Pop, and Rap it all began with the Blues, unfortunately, it’s not happening at therate that I personally hoped it would be today.”“There is so much competition out there for people’s attention through all of the media outlets today. Even the musicallandscape of Kalamazoo has drastically changed since we began the festival. With the Micro-breweries, and liveentertainment venues has put a lot ofpressure not only on us but with allvenues that host live music.”“Back in the day, there wasn’t so muchgoing on with the expectation of thefestivals downtown which made it adestination, something everyonemarked on their calendar whichturned into great participation andmore of a gathering and celebrationthan it has been lately.”“As I have said in the past, ifeverything was perfect each timeevery time, it wouldn’t the Blues!”@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 31 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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