G-Note Entertainment August 2019

Southwest Michigan’s Source for Music, Entertainment and Culture G-Note’s Feature: Artist Spot Light: Justin Johnson Neil Geraldo G-Note Interviews: ENCORE: Original Woodstock Performer- Melanie TETRARCH’s Pioneering Guitarist- Diamond Rowe EVERCLEAR’s -Art Alexakis ZZ TOP On Tour Celebrating 50 years! Tye Dye Music Fest in Morley Mi Country Boots & Bands coming to Jackson Mi New Music Alerts From: SNOWBALL ii *NEVERWONDER *Legendary Detroit Guitarist - Jim McCarty *Jason Robert *The RODS *Eliot Lewis *SAUL *Bruce Springsteen *Dropout Kings *Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials *Super Sonic Blues Machine *STRIKER *Ray Fuller And The BluesRockers *Billy Price *Charlie Wooton Issue 25 August 2019

www.g-notenntertainment.biz IN THIS ISSUE Facebook & Instagram: Featured G-Note Interview @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine Neil Geraldo……………………...……4-5 EDITOR’S SOAP BOX Interviews by G-Note The Dog Days of Summer are upon us! As are all things hot, this ENCORE: edition is just that! Our feature interview is Neil Geraldo you may Original Woodstock Performer have heard of him and his wife, Pat Benatar. Melanie………………...........................9-11 Neil talks about music and his new ‘gig’ Three Chord Bourdon. (A Heavy Metal Guitar Pioneer proud sponsor of G-Note Entertainment Magazine) Diamond Rowe……………….…....19-21 This month, our ‘ENCORE’ interview features legendary Woodstock EVERCLEAR’s Front Man – Performer, ‘Melanie’! Melanie was the cover and featured interview Art Alexakis………………………..36-39 in our 14th edition in Sept. of 2018.We also we bring back Diamond Rowe the Heavy Metal Guitar pioneer from ‘Tetrarch’ featured in our ZZ Top On Tour……….…………..23-24 4th edition in November 2017. Live Entertainment Events: As always, we always appreciate you throwing us a thumbs up and a Kalamazoo State Theatre Events…12 share and follow us on our Facebook and now on Instagram! Tie Dye Fest Promo…………...……..16 Country Boots & Bands Promo........35 Michigan Metal Fest Promo………..40 Artist Spot Light Justin Johnson……….……..……...13-14 Keep on continuing to support live entertainment and the venues New Music Alerts & Artist Features that bring it to you! SNOWBALL ii…. …….…….………….7 The RODS………….…….………..……..8 Cheers, NEVERWONDER ………….……..…15 Nick & Sam Detroit Guitarist-Jim McCarty…….17 Eliot Lewis..…….…………..….….……18 Publisher. Head Writer. Advertising. Dropout Kings………………………….22 Nick Hatzinikolis Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials….….25 Nick@G-NoteEntertainment.biz Ray Fuller & The BluesRockers....26 Charlie Wooton………………….…….28 Editor. Webmaster. Creative Director. Billy Price………………………………29 Sam McDaniel Super Sonic Blues Machine……..…31 SSMcDaniel91@Gmail.com Jason Robert..………..………………...32 SAUL……………………………….…….33 Contributing Writers. STRIKER……………………………….36 Angie Jackson Bruce Springsteen.…………………….37 Robin Nadolny G-Note Supporters Disclaimer! Samurai Phoenix Design Studio G-Note Entertainment Magazine LLC provides a platform for artists On-Purpose Branding and musicians to promote their work. Because they have a unique Three Chord Bourbon way of expressing themselves, it is important for people who read this stellar publication to understand you might not always like what Keep up with G-Note on Facebook & you see. Articles may contain sarcasm and adult content. This Instagram and of course our website! magazine is intended for mature audiences. 2|Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Samurai Phoenix Design Studio Web Design. Graphic Design. Resume Design. Photo Editing. Video Editing. Custom Computer Builds. @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 3|Page Website Coming Soon! www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz The Man. The Legend (sort of). The CEO:

Interview: Neil Geraldo The G-Note Feature: Neil Geraldo Neil Giraldo is an American musician, record producer, arranger, and songwriter. He has performed, written and produced for many artists including: Rick Derringer, Pat Benatar, John Waite, Rick Springfield, Kenny Loggins, Steve Forbert, The Del-Lords, Scott Kempner, and Beth Hart. Giraldo's diverse work has sold over 45 million records and his contributions have produced five Grammy Awards and an additional four Grammy nominations. Giraldo began his professional music career in 1978 as a member On August 1, 1981, the MTV network launched and of the Rick Derringer band after competing alongside 200 fellow debuted the music video \"You Better Run,\" guitarists for the position. Giraldo provided his guitar, as well as distinguishing Giraldo as the first guitarist to piano skills for Derringer's 1979 recording of Guitars and appear on MTV. Women. In the spring of 1979, Mike Chapman introduced Giraldo to a singer named Pat Benatar who had recently signed a The 1981 album Working Class Dog by Rick recording contract with Chrysalis Records. Chapman felt Springfield featured Giraldo as the guitarist, Giraldo's affinity for arranging and musical direction would bassist, and producer for \"I’ve Done Everything for facilitate the creation of a sound both identifiable and powerful. You\" and the number one hit \"Jessie's Girl” Over the years Giraldo has produced some of Benatar's biggest hits including \"Love is a Battlefield\" and \"We Belong\". Giraldo Giraldo was also the producer for the John Waite has performed on every Benatar album and produced all but album Ignition, released on May 21, 1982. The two. album featured the single \"Change\", which also appeared on the soundtrack for the 1985 film, Benatar's debut album In the Heat of the Night was released in Vision Quest. August 1979 and reached No. 12 in the US in early 1980. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Tropico was released in August 1984, featuring a Association of America in December 1980. The album featured new sound, less hard rock. It, too, earned RIAA and the Giraldo penned hit \"We Live for Love\". CRIA platinum certification. A year later, Seven the Hard Way, was released, earning an RIAA gold The release of Crimes of Passion, in August 1980, featured the certification. Giraldo and Benatar's success single \"Hit Me with Your Best Shot,\" which reached No. 9 on the continued with Wide Awake in Dreamland in the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies in the United summer of 1988, again earning RIAA gold States, achieving a gold certification by the RIAA. Also on the certification. album was the controversial song \"Hell Is for Children,\" co- written by Giraldo, which was inspired by a New York Times In late April 1991, True Love was released, article about child abuse in America The album peaked for five followed by Gravity's Rainbow in 1993, which was conse4c|uPtivaegweeeks at No. 2 in the US and was featured in the the last album recorded with Chrysalis Records. 1981wadwuwlt.aGn-iNmoatteeEd nmtuesritcaailndmraemnat.fbilimz American Pop. *Some content@froGmNWoiktipeeEdian t e r t a i n m e n t M a g a z i n e

In 2016 Giraldo became involved with the Oakland “I also recognized that the beauty of the perfect melody, the School for the Arts, a public charter school located arrangement of those notes and vibrations of those tones, could in Oakland California. In April 2016, the school impact one’s mood and elicit.” unveiled the Neil Giraldo Recording Studio as a “But we wanted to do more than just create another bourbon. welcome gift to the music department We wanted to shake up the industry yet maintain respect for the tradition and legacy of heritage bourbons. To look at the process Giraldo is and has been a longtime advocate for the differently. To create a taste profile comparable to the finest support of children and their well-being. Since 1996 bourbons in the world. To craft a new classic bourbon with the Giraldo and Benatar have been performing at same precision and passion with which I create music. The fundraising events and aiding the non-profit product we created is Three Chord Bourbon. The process with organization, The Children's Lifesaving Foundation. which it is blended we call “Perfectly Tuned Taste.” The Children's Lifesaving Organization supports the lives of homeless and high-risk youth in Los Angeles 5|Page by providing social, academic and domestic support. www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz In 2016 Giraldo and Benatar were awarded the foundation's Angel of the Year Award for their continued service. Fast forward to his new adventure and passion, Three Chord Bourbon. “One night as I was sipping bourbon with friends, the conversation naturally turned to music. Sound. Vibrations. I had an epiphany: take that same philosophy of making music and apply it to blending bourbon. Use the concept of sound and vibrations that affect our hearts and souls to alter and enhance the structure of bourbon. I understood how bourbon aged in wood. Could rhythmic disruption blend a bourbon that embodies the influence of those three chords: balanced, bold, and Perfectly Tuned?” “We began to wonder how that might affect a bourbon. Could sound impact the complexity and character of a fine spirit?” “What did we know about bourbon? Well, we knew we loved it. We heard that 60 plus percent of the bourbons flavor came from wood aging. Did we know if we could develop an innovative process using rhythmic disruption that would create a distinctive taste profile? Maybe.” “We didn’t know we could … but we BELIEVED we could and so we set out to do just that.” “When I first began playing guitar, I realized that if I could learn to play three basic chords — the roots of the blues — feel their meaning, perfect their sound, I could have a career in music powerful emotions.@” G N ot e Enter t ainm en tM ag azine

6|Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

N New Music Alert: SNOWBALL ii Snowball ii released their dynamic new EP Eaton Super 10 this morning on most streaming sources including Bandcamp, Spotify and Apple Music. The notable LA indie/shoegaze group will be hosting an EP release show and gallery on May 4th at Resident in downtown Los Angeles, featuring support from comedian Neil Hamburger, music by Jason Lerman, Mambo Jumbo Jazz Combo and an art installation by Katbing. Released via Doughnut Records, Eaton Super 10 (ESX) marks the fourth installment in the ongoing adventures of Snowball ii and was written, produced and mixed by group vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Jackson Wargo. The band also announced a special vinyl release of ESX that will be posted online for pre-order later in April. Since the band’s inception, Wargo has continued to craft a unique brand of shoegaze laced with indie rock and power pop that has impressed media outlets including New Noise, Grimy Goods, Buzzbands.la, Grimy Goods and It’s Psychedelic Baby. Snowball ii recently unveiled their first single off of Eaton Super 10, “Lost In Juarez,” which will see a music video released this Spring. To accompany the release of ESX, Snowball ii produced a comic infomercial called “Music You Can Hear!”, which features members of Spacemen 3, Lilys, Maroon 5, Surfer Blood, Collapsing Scenery, The War on Drugs, Atreyu, comedian Gregg Turkington (Decker, On Cinema, Neil Hamburger), among others, and their reactions to Eaton Super 10. The clip is available online and premiered last week via The Big Takeover. @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 7|Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

. New Music Alert: The RODS Some statements are so unambiguous that they require no further explanation: “If you like the first song, then the odds are you’ll like the whole album. It’s balls-to-the-wall heavy metal, song after song. No ballads and nothing your mom will be humming,” promises Carl Canedy, drummer of legendary US metal act The Rods. Canedy is referring to the album’s eponymously titled opener: \"Brotherhood Of Metal\". Both the song and the album title reflect the musicians’ attitude to life, and what is more: it’s the general philosophy of this exceptional band: “David, Garry and I are still close friends all these years later, we’re a band of brothers and proud that we’re heavier than ever and making great Rods music for the fans.” Spring 1980 saw the foundation of the group surrounding vocalist/guitarist David ‘Rock’ Feinstein, a cousin of the unforgotten Ronnie James Dio and former member of their joint band, Elf. Six years and five albums later, The Rods decided to go separate ways in 1986 and disappeared from the scene for more than twenty years, rising again like a phoenix from the ashes in 2011 with their outstanding comeback album Vengeance. The three musicians Feinstein, Canedy and bassist Garry Bordonaro have recorded eleven songs for Brotherhood Of Metal (a twelfth track will be included as a bonus track on the vinyl edition), in other words in exactly the same line-up that cut their 1982 cult release Wild Dogs. \"Brotherhood Of Metal\" is a highlight of the second leg of their career. Recorded at the Barn Castle and the Nire Studio, engineered by Lonnie Park, Carl Canedy and Eric Chesek, the album features spectacular cover artwork courtesy of Belgian artist Eric Philippe and brings a breath of fresh air to the band’s classic metal. The new album \"Brotherhood Of Metal\" was released through SPV/Steamhammer on June 7, 20189 |aPsaCgDe DigiPak, 2LP Gatefold (incl bonus track \"Crank It Up (35 Years)\", www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

ENCORE: Woodstock Alum: Melanie ENCORE Interview with Melanie illuminating the crowd, which supposedly the first time an audience at a concert had done that. “ Our interview with Melanie was featured in our 14th edition, September 2018 “As a New York kid, I was barely known outside of the coffeehouse circuit I used to play in Greenwich Village, I As the 50th Anniversary of the original Woodstock music sang my song \"Beautiful People\" and that had inspired the festival gets underway, we have an original performer lighting of candles and cigarette lighters ever raised at a that went from an unknown to a superstar in the about concert event.” 20 minutes. “That was my inspiration to write to write \"Lay Down In August 1969, the Woodstock Music & Art Fair took (Candles in the Rain\"), which sold more than one million place on a dairy farm in Bethel, NY. Over half a million copies in 1970.” people came to a 600-acre farm to hear 32 acts (leading and unknown performers of the time) play over the G-Note- Please tell me more about your performance and course of four days (August 15-18). what you recall of that. Some of the acts included, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Melanie - “Well, it started to rain during Ravi Shankar's set, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, the Who, Janis Joplin which immediately preceded my performance. When it and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and our featured artist had started to rain, I thought that maybe everybody would in this month’s G-Note Entertainment Magazine, go home or go take shelter somewhere, and it would be all ‘Melanie’ was among the storied musical line-up. over, and that would have been just fine wit9h|mPea, bguet that didn't happen.\" ww w.G- Not eEntert ai nmen t.biz Woodstock is known as one of the greatest happenings of all time and –perhaps- the most pivotal moment in music history. The year after Woodstock, five major music publications named Melanie, ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’. Her other hits include, “Brand New Key,” “Beautiful People,” which she sang at Woodstock, and her cover of “Ruby Tuesday.” Throughout her more than 40 plus years making music, Melanie has sold over 80 million records and continues to tour today. By the time Melanie walked off the Woodstock stage to her own amazement, she had become an instant celebrity. The dark-haired beauty was to many in the crowd, the quintessential ‘flower child” where her music struck a chord with the crowd who sat through her performance as it began to rain just before taking stage. During her set, Melanie said, “I can still see the candles and cigar@etGteNliogthetEernstweretraeirnamiseedn tuMp aingtahzeinaeir,

“Funny thing was, I almost didn't make it to the festival, my mom picked me up at the airport from London and we start driving towards Woodstock. We hit some traffic. We thought it was an accident ahead or something. I started to realize that this traffic has something to do with the festival. That’s when I really started to get nervous.\" “After making it to the festival site, I remember in this horrible little tent all day long with nothing except a box on a dirt floor and I had a little bit of a sore throat and was coughing a bit, some, Joan Baez came over with some tea for me to drink. All the famous people were in this upper echelon tent with facilities and things. I didn't even have an artist backstage pass.\" G-Note- What do you recall about stepping out on stage and seeing all those people in the crowd? Melanie - “My solo set was a short one compared to some of the others, but I performed at 11 pm on Friday, the 15th. I ended up playing instead of ‘The Incredible String Band’ who refused to play while it was raining.” “At that time, I really had very little performing experience, “I was also just horrified at the idea of playing in front of hundreds of thousands of people.” All day I was in a tent by myself thinking about the possibility of being stoned to death,\" Melanie says. \" Here I am, a girl that nobody has ever heard of. All I could think of was I’m not going to survive this!\" “Somebody from the festival passed out candles to the audience just as I was taking the stage. I went on the stage and I was not even in my body, I was so terrified. I'm singing and I'm not there. I'm watching myself over the crowd. I finally was conscious again. I sensed this amazing flow of humanity, human-connectedness coming toward me, symbolically, watching this field light up with candles. I sat there and watched that field light up with candles like so many fireflies out in the distance and coming closer and closer, it was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.\" “So, I really can say that had an out-of-body experience at Woodstock and I was not on drugs, Seriously!” “That’s a trend that continues to this day at rock concerts, but you can’t use open flame in a venue anymore, everyone uses their phone now. Just as that ritual started and began to be more and more popular at my shows, I had several venues that would not let me play early in my career. I actually had to sign paper stating that I wouldn't sing that song, that was the signal for everybody to light up.\" G-Note- What is the one thing your experience performing at Woodstock stays with you today? Melanie-\"My Woodstock experience is a very, unique one, I always say that the phenomenon of me at Woodstock was that I walked on that stage unknown and I walked off a celebrity. It was almost that instantaneous, almost like a myth.\" “The saying is, if you remember Woodstock, you weren't there!” (Chuckling) G-Note- Melanie, can you tell me about the very early days of your career, before your performance at Woodstock? Melanie- “Before my performance at Woodstock, I was primarily singing and strumming my guitar at small coffee shops around Greenwich Village and was basically unknown as a musician outside of that neighborhood.” “I had some success in Europe with a song called ‘Beautiful People,’ but I really wasn’t ‘popular ‘or well known here in the United States. I had this one record that maybe a percent of the people out there, maybe half of a percent, had ever heard this song play on the radio other than that, I was an unknown person. Every day, I’m still amazed!” G-Note- Melanie, how did you get the call to play Woodstock? Melanie- “I happen to be in the same office building off Broadway as some of the Woodstock organizers. I was dating Peter Schekeryk who later became my husband who also had an office there. I was there a lot to see Peter as well and some of the organizers that knew me asked me if I would play. This was in the early, early stages before it became a ‘thing’.” “I was also pretty busy doing work in England working on a film score with John Cameron and the Rolling Stones were next door to10w|hPerae gI we as, and I started wondering if I should stay in England where my career seemed to be pretty strong and I had a hwitwrewc.oGrd-NinotFeraEnncteecratlaleidnm‘BeonBto.b’sizParty’ or go back to New York.” @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

“Melanie- “All the top television hosts of that time, we’re talking T.V. legends like, Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson, and Dick Cavett were all trying to book me on their shows, after my performance on the Ed Sullivan show I remember Ed saying tha he had not seen such a \"dedicated and responsive audience since Elvis Presley.\" Big praise indeed!” The array of topics we touched on included how UNICEF made her its spokesperson; and when “Jimi Hendrix's father introduced me at the twentieth anniversary of Woodstock. “That was crazy! I have to say; I have led a pretty incredible life!” “I have and still do, live an incredible life. Today as opposed to awhile back, I’m not afraid to voice exactly what I feel, at my age, I have earned that right. I used to feel that I didn't want to say too much, but now I can say anything, anything I fee or think needs to be said. I feel like a person who's never been heard. Maybe people think they've heard me, but they never really have. Today, I feel like a new artist who is having so much fun with my voice, I really shouldn't be having so much fun! I'm the woman I wanted to be when I was a teenager of 15 or 16 years of age.” G-Note- Your songs “Lay down”, “Brand New Key” and “Look What They Done To My Song Ma” are still very popular and crystalize the feeling and mood of the day. Almost anthem like, what is the reaction today as you play them live? \"Lay Down\" became my first Top 10 hit. I followed it up with \"What They Have Done to My Song Ma\" and that song becam a hit, \"Brand New Key.\" after 40 plus years after I recorded it, I enjoy singing the song, but that always wasn’t the case.” \"Brand New Key,\" was written about freedom and roller skates, topped the charts back in 1971. People were always trying to make it ‘dirty’ and ‘tongue and cheek’ but it was really about roller-skates and the freedom it gave you.” \"Truthfully, I had a time when I became, ‘anti’ or reactionary against it, ‘Brand New Key' became so identified with me. It was such a cute little song. It was not the way I was envisioning people perceiving me. Remember, I was very young, and I wanted to be perceived as somebody of relevance. That was like the kiss of death back then. Now, I think it is a brilliant little song and people just love it as much today as they did then.\" My album, “Ever Since You Never Heard of Me\" (2010), is just my little tongue-in-cheek response to people who don't realize that I have never stopped performing live or recording albums. Most people don’t know or realize that I have more than 30 albums out there.” “This was an album that I did just to let everyone know that ‘Melanie’ is still around and just as passionate about the music today as I was in the beginning of my career!” @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 11 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Kalamazoo State Theatre 404 S. Burdick Street Kalamazoo Mi 49007 (269) 345-6500 Behind the curtain - a living legacy Experience the historic State Theatre for your next show The State Theatre has been a fixture in downtown Kalamazoo since 1927. The original founder of the theatre was Colonel William Butterfield. John Eberson was the renowned architect who designed the theatre. The early roots of the theatre were found in the Vaudevillian tradition of performance. Many acts that frequented the State Theatre included opera, dramas, big bands, ballet, dance reviews, stage shows and movies. September 20th Outback Concerts Presents: Delbert McClinton & Self-Made Men September 21st Outback Concerts Presents: Bert Kreischer – Body Shots Tour September 24th Emporium Presents: Black Violin September 25th Tommy Emmanuel, with Jorma Kaukonen Tickets are available through our website, through Ticketmaster online at ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1- 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available in-person-only at The Kalamazoo State Theatre Box Office. 12 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

Artist Spot Light: Justin Johnson Guitarist, Luthier and Performer: Justin Johnson A complete anomaly to the modern music scene, Justin Johnson has forged an iron-clad name for himself and developed a worldwide fanbase, all as an independent artist, with no label or industry support whatsoever. Armed with nothing more than his own signature sound and a desire to connect every day with fans of that sound, Justin has created a Social Media following of well over a half-million fans on Facebook, a quarter-million subscribers on YouTube, and 30,000+ followers on Instagram. Justin has been declared a “must-see act” by Guitar World, lauded as an “American Master” by John Carter Cash, and a “musical visionary” by Ted Nugent. He has had his “funk” praised by Bootsy Collins, and his musical approach described as “timeless” by North Mississippi Allstar frontman Luther Dickinson. He has been recognized as Slidestock International Slide Guitar Champion, and his original music has been licensed to Wieden & Kennedy, Dodge Motor Co, Ken Burns, Florentine Films, the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, PBS, scores of independent films, and the list keeps growing. When legendary filmmaker David Lynch was recently asked by Pitchfork Magazine what current musical a1r3ti|sPt haeg'demost like to wo@rkGwNiotht,ehEenctieterdt aJiunsmtinenJothMnasogna.zine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

After touring non-stop for 5 years, playing shows every night of the week, for audiences from 10 to 10,000, and venues from rural dive bars to international festival stages, Johnson sprouted roots in Nashville, TN, and immediately found himself absorbed into the beating heart of Music City, as an in-demand session player, and also frequently collaborating, co-writing songs with, and co-producing albums with country music royalty, John Carter Cash, who has named Johnson as one of his favorite current artists. Not only has John Carter Cash hand-selected Johnson to co-produce and perform on his own albums, but he also awarded him perhaps the highest honor a session musician could receive, by selecting Johnson to perform, and co- produce songs for, the second installation of “Johnny Cash: Forever Words” a project that joins previously unreleased lyrics from Johnny Cash with the music of A-list artists who share his independent spirit. With his ability to shine in virtually any genre, Justin has shared a stage with a mind-blowing range of musicians, from Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow, Ronnie Dunn, Victor Wooten, Jamey Johnson, and the Allman Brothers, to Bootsy Collins, Stevie Wonder, and more. Always innovating and following his own sound while taking inspiration from the past, Justin Johnson blurs the lines between the traditional and the cutting edge, taking current day music back to its roots while blazing new sonic frontiers. JUSTIN JOHNSON HIGHLIGHTS •Justin Johnson's original song \"Midnight at the Crossroads,\" from his Smoke & Mirrors double album, was licensed to Florentine Films for Ken Burns' PBS documentary film \"Jackie Robinson.\" •\"In the Pines\" from Smoke & Mirrors was licensed to ad agency Wieden + Kennedy for the \"Dodge Brothers\" national ad campaign for Dodge Motor Company. •\"Grinnin in Your Face\" from Smoke & Mirrors is featured on NPR Back Porch Music's \"Best of Back Porch Music Vol. 18: Old Enough to Know Better\" 2015 Compilation Album. •First Place winner of Slidestock International Slide Guitar Championship •Justin Johnson has toured the world as a performing musician throughout mainland Australia and Tasmania, Europe, the United Kingdom, and coast to coast in North America. •Justin Johnson is founder of \"Roots Music School\" in Nashville, TN. Under this umbrella, he has released an Instructional Series currently consisting of 5 DVDs and a Book on Roots Music technique and theory. As Roots Music School founder, Justin Johnson has partnered with educators across the country to develop Roots Music curriculum for schools. 14 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

New Music Alert: L.A. Based: NEVERWONDER As featured in the April 2019 Edition of G-Note Entertainment Magazine NEVERWONDER has also been greeted by positive articles in Indie Pulse Music, Rock N Roll Music Magazine, Anti-Music and Rockwired, to name a few. Titan L.A. rock station KLOS 95.5 just selected NEVERWONDER to be part of their high-profile \"Next To Rock\" competition (request the band's song \"Movin' On,\" \"When NEVERWONDER first made it onto Rockwired's radar in 2006, it was love at first sight and sound,\" writes the popular online magazine's Editor, Brian Lush. \"They're back with a brand-new EP and a lead singer (Fabienne Grisell) with a set of precious pipes that are able to navigate the band's lofty musical ambitions. We are excited to see a new iteration of NEVERWONDER come into their own,\" concludes Lush. NEVERWONDER came into existence from their home base of Los Angeles with a unique sound fusing rock, pop, and funky grooves. Their music is driven by strong musicianship and is rooted in life’s experiences. The band has performed at venues including the House of Blues (Los Angeles and Orange County) The Roxy, Key Club, Viper Room, Whisky A Go Go, Galaxy Theater and The The Coach House, and has been featured on the KLOS 95.5 show highlighting top unsigned L.A. bands, \"Local Licks.\" NEVERWONDER has been a dynamic act in the Rock and Roll Marathon series all over the West Coast and Las Vegas. The pulse and backbone of NEVERWONDER are Andres Ramos and Vincent Ramos. These talented brothers are the heartbeat of the band. The Ramos Brothers have also recorded and performed extensively throughout the Los Angeles area. Andres and Vincent being fans of strong grooves, heavy rock beats and alternative music, accompanied by their combination of creativity and entrepreneurship established the band NEVERWONDER. The new front woman of NEVERWONDER is classically-trained vocalist, Fabienne Grisel. Hailing from Geneva, Switzerland, Fabienne’s vocal style effortlessly ranges from beautiful soprano tones to an edgy growl. Fabienne has been a solo pop/blues/jazz recording artist for many years, and now has joined forces with NEVERWONDER to deliver a fresh blend of rock, pop and funky grooves. As a singer/songwriter, her presence draws you in. The passion and emotions she conveys through her songs, lyrics and performances leaves the audience wanting more. This new partnership with these talented musicians has allowed her vocal abilities to soar to new heights. NEVERWONDER’s new guitarist is Jay Wise. Jay is an accomplished California native who has many years of experience playing nationally and internationally. Jay has been involved in the rock and roll circle for many years, working with successful bands such as Kansas. Jays’ rich musical influences can be traced back to Steve Vai, Joe Pass and AC/DC, to name a few. As fate would have it, it would only be a matter of time until these SoCal natives Jay, Andres and Vincent, ended up crossing paths that lead them to forming this new version of NEVERWONDER. With the addition of Fabienne Grisel and Jay Wise, the band’s creative synergy is an undeniable force to be reckoned with. Their obvious chemistry has already created some powerful songs accompanied by unforgettable performances. NEVERWONDER is excited for the path that lies ahead starting with their new EP which is out now and their next album that is on the horizon. NEVERWONDER continues to produce lasting music that their die-hard music fans will love and for the new musi1c5lo|vPeras tgheey gain along the w@aGy.N ot e Enter t ainm en tM ag a zine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Supporting Our Community 16 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

New Music Alert: Legendary Detroit Guitarist-Jim McCarty Jim McCarty is an American blues rock guitarist from Detroit, Michigan. He has performed with Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, the Buddy Miles Express, Cactus, The Rockets, the Detroit Blues Band, and more recently, Mystery Train. Since about 2014 Jim McCarty has joined forces with Detroit blues guitarist/songwriter Kenny Parker in The Kenny Parker Band along with several other veteran Detroit blues/rock musicians. He also makes guest appearances with other Detroit bands, most notably for an annual pre-New Year's Eve party at one of his favorite clubs, \"Callahan's”, with The Millionaires, a nine-piece jump blues band. He also recorded with Jimi Hendrix and Bob Seger. He plays in a heavy blues-rock style that has inspired fledgling guitar players for more than 40 years. In an August 2006 interview on VH1 Classic, Ted Nugent remarked \"I'm the only guy in rock'n'roll that plays that hollow body jazz guitar and it's because in 1960 I saw Jimmy McCarty creating those big fat full chords like I do on \"Stranglehold\"; I learned that from Jimmy McCarty. Remember the name Jimmy McCarty. He is as important as Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry and Les Paul. Jim McCarty is out with his latest CD, ‘Talkin’ To Myself’ and be on the lookout for G-Note Entertainment M17ag| aPzianegse upcoming i@nGteNrvoietweEwnitthertthaeinlemgeenndtaMryagDaeztrioniet guitarist, Jim McCarty in an upcomwinwg wed.Giti-oNno! teEntertainment.biz

New Music Alert: ELIOT LEWIS From Hall & Oates: Multi-instrumentalist: Eliot Lewis ‘Life Happens’ Check out G-Note Entertainment’s interview with Eliot Lewis in the ‘Previous Editions’ section of G-Note Entertainment Magazine at: www.g-noteentertainment.biz in Nov. 2017 edition 18 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Interview: Heavy Metal / Guitar Pioneer Diamond Rowe G-Note Entertainment In 2009, Tetrarch started working with producer Russ-T Magazine interviews: Cobb at Bang Studios in Atlanta. The band released the \"Disciples of Sorrow\" single from those sessions. The Diamond Rowe single caught the attention of Atlanta's biggest Rock Station, \"Project 9-6-1\" (96.1FM), where the band was G-Note’s original interview with featured for multiple weeks on the air. Tetrarch hit the Tetrarch’s Diamond Rowe was featured studio again in late 2010 with producer Matthew Laplant at Bieler Bros studio in Pompano Beach, FL. in our 4th Edition, November 2017 On May 5, 2011, while the EP was being finished, they According to Wikipedia, the word Tetrarch may refer were asked to play the main stage, supporting Avenged to: Tetrarchs, the four co-emperors of the Roman Sevenfold, Seether, and Alter Bridge at Verizon Wireless Empire instituted by the Emperor Diocletian. Portrait Amphitheater in Atlanta. With this performance, the of the Four Tetrarchs - a sculpture of the four co- band saw their fan base continue to grow. As a result, emperors of the Roman Empire. Tetrarchy (Judea), the band released their biggest EP to date, The Will to formed by the sons of Herod the Great. Fight, in the summer of 2011. \"We Are The Hunters\", the first single released from the EP,] quickly gained It can also mean an American Nu-Metalcore band attention from the metal blogs and consumers alike. from Atlanta, Georgia. Tetrarch was formed in 2007. They are now located in Los Angeles, Ca. In the summer of 2011, Tetrarch got their first taste at extensive touring by doing a 40-day east coast tour in According to lead guitarist Diamond Rowe, \"Tetrarch support of the EP. According to MetalArchives.com, The began their live shows in the local scene, playing their Will to Fight EP \"is a collection of thrash-based songs that first show at the 7 Venue in Douglasville, Georgia. come across as very modern. While perhaps less thrashy They spent the rest of 2007 perfecting their live than some of Tetrarch's previous output, i1t9's|cPleaargtheat performance by playing close to 100 shows, which the band aren't fowrgwetwti.nGg-tNhoetirerEonottse.rtai nmen t.biz started a buzz in the Atlanta area. They released their first EP, Pravda in the summer of 2008, which was recorded at Ledbelly Studios by Matthew Washburn. To support their first release, Tetrarch continued to play in Atlanta while expanding their reach regionally with mini tours in the south east. The band's sound is often described as heavy thrash, similar roots to those of Metallica with the melodies of Iron Maiden. According to a 2011 Sound Scene Press interview with lead guitarist Diamond Rowe, \"bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, and Lamb of God are pretty big influences. We love bands that know ho@wGNtooetnetEernttaeinr!t”ainm en tMag azine

The band finished the year off with a few local shows in Atlanta and prepared for the busy year that was ahead of them. According to OurStage.com, Tetrarch reached two \"Top 100 and three Top 40 finishes\" with this EP. In the summer of 2012, Tetrarch was in Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, FL with Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi working on a their Relentless EP, a follow up to 2011's The Will to Fight. Tetrarch consists of Diamond Rowe -guitar, Josh Fore- vocals, Ryan Lerner on bass and Ruben Limas on the drumkit. G-Note Entertainment Magazine talked to lead guitarist Diamond Rowe to see what has been going on with her, the band and projects they are working on. G-Note: Hello Diamond Rowe! So, what’s a nice girl like you doing playing guitar in a thrash metal band? D.R.- “(Chuckling) Huh, well to tell you the truth, I was always a little strange and pretty much open to new things. So, I guess it was sometime in the 7th grade I had this friend that was really into grunge music. Stuff like Nirvana and Pearl Jam and since she was kind of my first friend at this school that I just started attending I figured let’s check this out and I did, and I liked it but not like her.” “I was getting into bands Metallica and System Of A Down and bands like that. After that, I never looked back! These kinds of bands fit my personality you know, aggressive because I can be pretty aggressive. I stuck with that kind of music for a while and I had met some friends that were into playing the music that I was into and I just asked them if I could jam with them and as they say, ‘the rest is history’. That’s how Tetrarch was formed and started playing shows.” G-Note: Let’s go back a bit Diamond, when did you first pick up the guitar and when did you realize ‘that’s what I want to do forever!’ D.R.- “It was actually on my 13th birthday. I was randomly listening to music and I said to my mom ‘hey mom, I want to play the guitar’. Literally, I was just hanging out with my mom and a though popped into my head -playing an instrument would be kinda cool and I decided on the spot that’s what I wanted to do.” “So, I was walking around, and I told my mom what I was thinking. My parents were very cool, and my mom said ‘ok’, you want to get some lessons? “This was only a 10-minute conversation. A few days later she took me down to the local guitar shop and I got a shitty, super cheap guitar, I had lessons I thought it was cool to do and really, that’s it.” G-Note: I think that is a great story Diamond! I look at you as a pioneer. What I mean by that is it tough even being in a band let alone, a thrash metal band and to be a African American female guitar player in a typically male dominated work…you’re a pioneer! D.R.- “Well thank you, I really appreciate that!” G-Note: Let’s talk about the new single Tetrarch has out now “Break the Trend” D.R.- “It’s going good! We spent a good amount of time on this project and we also had a drummer change when we moved to California so in the process of all of that, we started writing new music and this and some stuff coming may be a little less ‘thrashy’ that the music we put out before but it has a heavy Nu-Metal vibe to it. It’s cool and people seem to like it. It’s exciting to see the fans react and we’ll see how it all goes.” G-Note: How is the Metal music scene these days especially out on the road? D.R.- “Coming from Atlanta to California is different, Atlanta has a couple of metal bands with good following like Mastodon, but Atlanta is a lot different. Here in L.A. all the bands here are striving for their recognition and their place they take their craft super seriously. It’s different that the east coast but it cool either place.” G-Note: Tetrarch often gets compared to bands like Megadeath, Pantera, Metallica. How do you separate yourself form those iconic bands? 20 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

D.R.- “The music we are currently is a departure from the earlier thrash roots that we had starting out. We had those elements of Metallica and Megadeath, with the new music you still hear some of that influence but it’s a little more on the modern side. That wasn’t necessarily a conscious effort, but we have evolved a bit as writers and performers we aren’t riffing out for 10 minutes like we used to which is a LOT of fun, but attentions spans are shorter that they used to be.” G-Note: When you (and or your band) write a song, what motivates you or what inspiration do you usually go to? D.R.- “It’s usually it’s when we are just hanging out and talking with friends a topic or situation comes up or it can be as silly as when we do dishes at home and some melody pops up. Just real-life situations.” G-Note: What has been the biggest change or challenge you have had since you began as a musician? D.R.- That’s a tough one, I still have the same ideals and goals and outlook as I did when I first started out as a musician, but I would have to say maybe the way I now deal with band members. We have had the same lineup me, Josh and Ryan pretty much since the beginning, we have had a few drummers. I think in the beginning I may have been a little less receptive to other’s ideas or opinions on the band.” “Being in a band is like being in a family, you should be open and listen to ideas and opinions. Everyone has feelings and the relationship go so much smoother. I can’t be like ‘my way or the highway’ anymore.’ “I have become a much more patient person and we all have a really good time together and I’m sure I am not supposed to be doing anything else but rocking out!” Catch Tetrarch out on the road or on their social media at: www.facebook.com/tetrarchmusic and at www.bandpage.com/tetrarchga and at www.reverbnation.com/tetrarch @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 21 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

New Music Alert: DROPOUT KINGS When you take a group of six degenerates from all over Arizona and put them under one roof, the results are proven dangerous. After the dust settled from this eruption, out came Dropout Kings “We just want you to come out and shake that ass this summer! We’ll be on tour all summer long, so you better come out and part with us #trapmetal style!” DROPOUT KINGS are: Adam Ramey - Vocals Eddie Wellz - Vocals Chucky Guzman - Guitar Staig Flynn - Guitar Rob Sebastian - Bass Trevor Norgren – Drums For More Info On DROPOUT KINGS visit: www.dropoutkingsmusic.com www.facebook.com/DropoutKingsAZ www.twitter.com/dropoutkingsaz www.instagram.com/dropoutkingsaz 22 | P a g e www.napalmrecords.com www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

Time To Get Excited! 50 years ago this summer, three musicians by the names of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard all came together to form what they still call that “little ol’ band from Texas”, but what we call one of the most influential rock/blues bands ever, ZZ Top. Yup, this legendary band has been around for 50 whole years, but it honestly feels like yesterday that we were asking our parents for ticket money to go and see then live. It’s been 50 years, but they have NO intention of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, they’ve just announced that they’ll be embarking on a tour commemorating their 50th anniversary and they’re covering cities all throughout the U.S. And what’s even more is that they’re bringing Lynyrd Skynyrd and Cheap Trick with them! @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 23 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

ZZ Top Tour Dates-Celebrating 50 years Aug. 16 – Ridgefield, WA – Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre* Aug. 17 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Casino Theater Aug. 20 – Yakima, WA – Yakima Valley SunDome Aug. 21 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle* Aug. 23 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre** Aug. 24 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion** Aug. 25 – Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre* Aug. 27 – Santa Barbara, CA – Arlington Theater Aug. 28 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU* Aug. 29 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre* Sept. 1 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre* Sept. 4 — Milwaukee, WI – BMO Harris Pavilion” Sept. 6 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre* Sept. 7 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre* Sept. 8 – Sterling Heights, MI–Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill* Sept. 10 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights* Sept. 11 – Burgettstown, PA – KeyBank Pavilion* Sept. 13 – Ocean City, MD – Ocean City BikeFest Sept. 14 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion* Sept. 18 – Boston, MA – Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion* Sept. 19 — Wantagh. NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater* Sept. 21 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica* Sept. 22 – Louisville, KY – Champions Park Oct. 5 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek Amphitheatre* Oct. 6 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion* Oct. 9 – Charleston, SC – Volvo Cars Stadium* Oct. 11 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee – Event Center* Oct. 12 — Manchester, TN – Exit 111 Festival Oct. 13 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Amphitheatre* Oct. 15 – Augusta, GA – The James Brown Arena* Oct. 16 —St. Augustine, FL — St. Augustine Amphitheatre* Oct. 18 — Estero FL – Hertz Arena* Oct. 19 – Tampa, FL – MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre* Oct. 20 — West Palm Beach, FL — Coral Sky Amphitheatre* 24 | P a g e * with Cheap Trick @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz **with Lynyrd Skynyrd

Still Bring You the Blues: Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials Electrifying, raucous, pure Chicago blues...Lil’ Ed is a guitarist extraordinaire...slashing slide and flamboyant stage persona.” --Chicago Tribune “Rough and ready blues played with unmitigated intensity…swirling, snarling, riveting slide….The Blues Imperials pound out riffs and rhythms like they’re overdosing on boogie juice. Scorching and soulful, joyous and stomping.” --Living Blues Currently celebrating over 30 history-making years together, Alligator Records recording artists, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials ply their musical talents with skills that have been honed to a razor's edge. Mixing smoking slide guitar boogies and raw-boned shuffles with the deepest slow-burners, Lil' Ed Williams and his Blues Imperials -- bassist (and Ed's half-brother) James \"Pookie\" Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton -- deliver gloriously riotous, rollicking and intensely emotional blues. They have played virtually every blues festival in the U.S.A. as well as fests in Canada, Great Britain, France, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Japan, Australia, India, Turkey and Panama. The band won the coveted 2017 Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year, the same honor they received in 2009 and 2007. They received the Living Blues Award for Best Live Performer three times in five years. In 2017 they were named Blues Band Of The Year by Blues Blast Magazine. The band's most recent Alligator Records release, The Big Sound Of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, is musically electrifying, emotionally intense and downright fun. It features Lil’ Ed Williams' incendiary guitar playing and soulful, passionate singing, with the ragged-but-right Blues Imperials cooking like mad alongside him. Williams wrote or co-wrote all but two of album’s 14 songs (those two being written by Lil' Ed's legendary uncle, Chicago slide guitar king and master songwriter J.B. Hutto). With the Big Sound Of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials (the group's ninth Alligator release), the ba2n5d| Pcoangtienues to bring @thGeNirobtleisEtnetreinrgtaCihnimcaegnotMblaugeasztione“Ed Heads” new and old. www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

New Music Alert: Ray Fuller RAY FULLER from New Albany Ohio, was given his first guitar at the age of 8, a Gibson Melody Maker. At an early age, Fuller was inspired by the British Invasion; Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and the Animals bands. Fuller's first Blues album he ever heard was John Mayall and the Blues Breakers featuring Eric Clapton. \"I could tell good blues guitar when I heard it...it was different.\" Fuller's passion for the Blues was fueled with the discovery of the original Blues greats; John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, BB King, Elmore James. Young Ray Fuller was especially fond of John Lee Hooker. The Ray Fuller Band was formed in 1974, evolving into Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers in 1978; releasing a self-titled album on vinyl and Fuller has not looked back since. Mastering his craft throughout the 80's and 90's, Fuller was quick to become the \"go to act\" throughout Ohio to open for iconic Blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and Albert Collins to name a few 26 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

Wings Event Center | 3600 Vanrick Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 27 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

New Music Alert: Charlie Wooton Charlie Wooton was born to play. The Lafayette, Louisiana native grew up in one of the richest musical environments on earth, surrounded by Cajun, Zydeco, rockabilly, swamp pop, blues, gospel music. His four older brothers, all exceptional musicians, paved the way for Charlie. \"I grew up in Lafayette, where I had four older brothers that played,\" says Wooton. \"One of them, Dr. John Wooton, is the head of percussion at the University of Southern Mississippi. So, I had a lot of influence from him, a lot of jazz influence. I studied classical, jazz in school, I went to college on an orchestra scholarship, but I was making money playing Zydeco and Cajun music.\" Charlie played in bands with his brother David at night while studying classical and jazz music during the day. He gigged the marathon dances at Zydeco at the LaLa with Chubby Carrier. All the while he was playing close attention to everything going on in the larger world of rock, jazz, pop and world music and he knew he had to leave Lafayette to pursue wider goals. \"My dream was to go to L.A. or New York and become a session player for Al Jarreau or Chaka Kahn,\" he says. \"My dream band would be Weather Report, but I'll settle for Spyro Gyra.\" Woo28to| Pnawgaes a huge fan of Weather Report's bassist Jaco Pastorious, so much so that he acquwiwrewd.Gt-NheotneEicnktenrataminem\"etnht.ebiCz ajun Jaco.\" @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

New Music Alert: Billy Price Billy Price Releases His Latest Album Dog Eat Dog On Gulf Coast Records “Billy Price is an outstanding singer and artist. He’s simultaneously steeped in the Soul tradition and 100% original and instantly recognizable. He will make you believe anything he sings.” — Christoffer ‘Kid’ Andersen On August 2nd, Gulf Coast Records will release Dog Eat Dog, the new studio album from soul blues singer Billy Price. After the critically acclaimed success and Blues Music Award nomination of his last album, Reckoning, Billy was excited and eager to get back into Greaseland Studio in San José, California with producer Kid Andersen. Kid and Billy’s mutual love for the music and commitment to making an original contribution to the soul blues genre is evident in this new collection of recordings. Kid and Billy assembled a first-class group of musicians on Dog Eat Dog, which features Price on vocals along with Andersen (guitars and assorted instruments), Alex Pettersen (drums), Jerry Jemmott (bass), Jim Pugh (keys), Eric Spaulding (tenor sax), Jack Sanford (baritone sax), and John Halblieb (trumpet). Andersen added congas to most tracks, covered by Jon Otis (son of the great Johnny Otis) and Vicki Randle (Jay Leno Tonight Show Band, Mavis Staples). Randle also provided background vocals along with Lisa Leuschner Andersen, Charlie Owen, and the Sons of the Soul Revivers gospel group. Dog Eat Dog also features guest appearances by Rick Estrin, Alabama Mike, and Mike Zito. Estrin plays harmonica on the title track, which he wrote and recorded on one of his earlier albums. A big fan of Alabama Mike, Price was thrilled to share the lead vocals with Mike on “Dog Eat Dog.” Gulf Coast Records2c9o| -Pfoaugneder @GNMoitkeeEnZtietrotaailnsmoecnotnMtargibauzitneed a scorching guitar solo on w“Awlwl .NGi-gNhotteLEonntgerCtaaifnem.”ent.biz

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New Music Alert: Super Sonic Blues Machine @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 31 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

New Music Alert: Jason Robert Rapidly-ascending Southern California-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Jason Robert has a busy schedule in the days ahead. Robert - who capped a solid 2018 with a \"Best Video\" nomination for \"Mr. Bell\" from the 2018 L.A. Music Critic Awards - released his new album \"The Death of Stone Stanley,\" on February 5. \"Jason Robert’s talent as a composer, guitarist, and vocalist is undeniable. He has taken the premise of Delta Blues and infused it with a sound that is rough, raw, and, indeed, unique. His originals are created in the style of the past masters, and, “The Death Of Stone Stanley” is a crowning achievement!\" - Nashville Blues & Roots Alliance. Jason recently released two of the tracks on The Death of Stone Stanley as videos: Mr. Bell (\"a spooky, haunting track...the story of a town doomed to last forever in that place between worlds\" - Indie Pulse Music); and, John The Revelator (\"an amazing cover of the 1926 blues classic\" - L.A. Music Critic). Robert's previous 2017 album The Mudstomp Tapes, (released under the Stone Stanley moniker) received great reviews both in the U.S. and abroad. Robert describes the Mudstomp sound as \"a very muddy sound predicated on the back-beat of drums and distorted acoustic guitars with a lot of re-verb on the drums and vocals. It's something that has organically grown out of my solo work. The feeling is one of stomping through the Desert during a Mid- Sum3m2 |ePr aragien on a Saturday night.\" Musically, Robert says, \"it encompasses an eclectic mix of bluewsw, wfo.Glk-,NrootecEk,ntaenrtdaianmhienntt.obifzreggae, that takes on a life of i@tGs NoowtneE.\"ntertainmentMagazine

New Music Alert: SAUL SPINEFARM RECORDS SIGNS SAUL DEBUT SINGLE \"BROTHER\" REACHED NO. 1 AT SIRIUSXM OCTANE + IS CURRENTLY CLIMBING THE ACTIVE ROCK CHARTS BAND NAMED ONE OF FIVE BANDS LIKELY TO BREAK OUT IN 2019 BY REVOLVER FAN POLL SPINEFARM RECORDS is pleased to announce the worldwide signing of rock band SAUL. The band has been steadily building a buzz at rock radio in the U.S., with the single \"Brother\" landing at No. 1 on SiriusXM Octane. The song is currently climbing the Active Rock radio charts, as well. Watch the video for \"Brother,\" a poignant lament on life and death. The Iowa-based hard rock band is anchored by brothers Blake and Zach Bedsaul, who sing and play guitar, respectively. The lineup is rounded out by William McIlravy (bass + backing vocals) and Joe Nichols (drums). The band was also anointed one of the five bands most likely to break out in 2019 by a Revolver fan poll, which called attention to the band's \"catchy yet heavy take on the alternative- metal genre.\" \"We have dedicated our lives to the music and idea behind Saul,\" say the Bedsauls. \"We prepared, hoped, and worked diligently toward the day that we could take the leap to the major stage. Today is that day. Signing with Spinefarm/Universal is an honor. It is amazing to33h|aPvea gae like-m@iGndNeodtelEabnetel rbtaaicnkminegnutMs aagta1z0in0epercent. It's a life-changing exwpwerwie.Gnc-Neo.\"teEntertainment.biz

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STRIKER Announces Their 'Summer of Shred' w/ North American Tour Dates w/ Death Angel, Steel Panther, Holy Grail, Bewitcher Photo Credit: Dana Zuk Sixth Studio Album \"Play To Win\" Out Now! 2019 is officially STRIKER's 'Summer of Shred' as they will hitting the road this summer for multiple North American tour dates with DEATH ANGEL, STEEL PANTHER, HOLY GRAIL and BEWITCHER. Their shredding adventures will begin in Oklahoma City, OK on May 14th for US dates with DEATH ANGEL followed by a headlining show for Calgary's East Town Get Down Festival that includes Anvil. STRIKER will then support STEEL PANTHER for their Canadian dates from June 14th to June 25th and then kick off a short headlining tour from July 2nd to July 7th before joining HOLY GRAIL and BEWITCHER for the 'Deadly Ripping North American Tour', which will invade 21 cities in USA and Canada from from July 12th to August 4th. STRIKER is touring in support of their sixth studio album \"Play To Win\" released this past October via their independent label Record Breaking Records. Champions in blending classic heavy metal, hard rock, and 80’s hair metal, Canadian shredders STRIKER's sixth studio album \"Play To Win\" features 10 fist pounding shredtacular anthems produced by the band plus mixed and mastered by Hendrik Udd (Firewind, Powerwolf, Hammerfall, Delain). The album follows their 2017 self-titled full length that the band supported with tours across Europe and North America with Sonata Arctica, Dark Tranquility, and Warbringer along with festival appearances at 70,000 Tons of Metal, Bang Your Head Festival (Germany) and more to add to their almost 1000 shows performed in their decade-plus career. That fifth studio album also garnered them a nomination from Canada's JUNO awards, the country's highest music prize, along with wins at the Edmonton Music Awards and Western Canadian Awards. Guitarist Tim Brown comments on \"Play To Win\": \"Play to Win: if you want to win you have to play the game. Find the rules and break them. This is our 6th album and 3rd independent release. If we followed the rules and listened to the industry people we'd have gone absolutely nowhere. Play To Win is about listening to yourself, following your own path, and playing that 5th ace hidden in your sleeve. This album is designed to light a fire under your ass and get you moving, and we made sure to get the most modern, ear melting sounds possible. It's all about where metal is going, not where it has been, and this is our soundtrack to success.\" 36 | P a g e AlbwuwmwC.GD-oNrodet er,Esntrteearmt aai nndmdeonwt.nbloizad available on www.Striker-Metal.com@,GiTNuonteesE, nAtmear tzaoinnmanednStMpoatgifayz. ine

New Music Alert: Bruce Springsteen Be sure to check out the latest from ‘The Boss’ Bruce Springsteen: Western Stars @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 37 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

EVERCLEAR’S Art Alexakis G-Note Entertainment Interview with “For me, it’s important to use your air quote Everclear’s front man, Art Alexakis ‘celebrity’ opportunity and use the voice you have while you have it to talk about issues that I think to August 1st through August 3rd is the 2019 RibFest Kalamazoo be discussed and addressed.” located at the Arcadia Creek Festival site in Downtown “I still do get involved with causes that I’m passionate Kalamazoo. about issues like Compassion for Children and Child Support Enforcement Act. Through ACES, the This year’s entertainment features on Thursday, Aug. 1st Jake Association of Children for the Enforcement of Kershaw, Meagan Rae. Friday August 2nd, EVERCLEAR and Support.” Kaleido and Saturday August 3rd features, The Spin Doctors and Joan Osborne. Alexakis was also a delegate for the 2004 Democratic National Convention representing Oregon's 3rd G-Note Entertainment Magazine talked with Everclear front congressional district. man, Art Alexakis via phone from his home. Everclear recorded the Woody Guthrie standard \"This Our conversation began with Art trying to pronounce my last Land Is Your Land\", which he performed at several name, this is always a fun exercise especially when the person political events. I am talking to also happens be of Greek decent. Of course, like most, he had a difficult time, but it was a great way to Art shared with me that has also been involved in break the ice. drug awareness programs, including the taping of public service announcements for the Office of G-Note- Art, it’s been a while since you have in been in National Drug Control Policy. Kalamazoo, as I recall you were here with an Indie band several years ago, is that correct? Along with Everclear, he has performed for U.S. AA- “You are absolutely correct! Yeah, I had just gotten sober soldiers in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Hawaii. He has and was in Kalamazoo with a different band, it was an Indie music band and we like the town so much, we decided to also performed for Snowball Express, which provides hang out and check out the scene for a time. We can’t wait to get back; we have always enjoyed playing in Kalamazoo and events for military families who lost loved ones in the the crowds are always great and have always supports us.” @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine war. G-Note- You are one of the organizers of the Summerland tour which started coming up on7 or 8 years now, why did you do it? AA- “For a couple of reason, we are bands that can play, and we have hit songs that people know and remember. It’s also about the nostalgia of the music and the time and if you look around the political scene, you’ll see a lot of similar things that are happening now that happened in the early to mid-90’s, there is a lot of similarities don’t you think?” G-Note- I do indeed, that leads me to my follow up question, I recall you being at a political convention in the mid 90’s for MTV 3d8oi|nPg caogmementary on the floor, do you still get involved with pwowlitwic.sGo-rNsootceiaEl ncatuesret as?i nmen t.biz

G-Note- Are there any other projects that you are working on? AA- “I am actually getting ready to teach some music classes on line, I had done a little teaching of music students and while ago and we were on the topic of song writers. I had gone around the room asking the students who their favorite song writer was. I was getting responses like Katy Perry and Justin Bieber and quickly realized that the students didn’t know that Katy Perry or Bieber didn’t write their own songs, they used or was part of a song writing team, or even worse, I asked the students who Stevie Wonder was, not a one of them knew of him. I was blown away, no one knows who Stevie Wonder was? Seriously?” “So, I asked to have more time on the next day, I was granted the extra time, so I went home to re-write the entire curriculum. I’m talking about music going back to the cave man days to the present. As I get ready to launch it, keep an eye on my social media for details!” G-Note- Let’s talk a bit about the 2019 Kalamazoo Rib Fest, this lineup includes, Everclear and opener, Kaleido. AA- “Man, it’s going to be a blast! We aren’t doing this to get rich, we really want to get out there and share our music with people that still enjoy it What’s great to see is that the crowds we have been getting have been incredible. Everyone is having a great time, from the bands, to the crew. So far no one have gotten mad at anyone yet!” Everclear released the highly successful album \"Sparkle and Fade\" in 1995, which was followed up by the double platinum \"So Much for the Afterglow\" in 1997. the latter spawned the hit singles \"Everything to Everyone,\" \"I Will Buy You a New Life\" and \"Father of Mine.\" @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 39 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

40 | P a g e @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 41 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz