G-Note Entertainment: December Issue

Southwest Michigan’s Source for Music, Entertainmentand CultureA Rekihndled More Featured80s Music Icon: Artists!Greg Kihn Chicago Born BluesLegendary Blues Guitarist: ToronzoHarpist: James CannonMontgomery A Janis Joplin – Stevie Ray Vaughn Fusion: Carolyn Wonderland The Retrospective Phoenix: Reviews of Food, Games, Food, TV & Movies, and…More Food SW MI Event Central (Literally the Center of every Issue!) Issue 5: December 2017

G-NoteEntertainment.biz IN THIS ISSUE Facebook: @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine InterviewEDITOR’S SOAP BOX Rekihndled: Greg Kihn...4-5Happy Holidays from G-Note Entertainment! Interview Legendary Blues Harpist:Some of your pockets may be lighter about this time James Montgomery ..... 7-9and your clothing heavier, but it’s always the righttime to read some good old entertainment Event Central ……….. 10-14magazines (especially ones that decorate for theholidays)! Interview Toronzo Cannon ...….. 15-16We’ve got some interesting articles this month anddon’t forget to check out the review corner. I’ve Interviewadded some Christmas pizazz along with two brand Carolyn Wonderland…20-22new (at least to me) restaurants up in Grand Rapids. Reviews …………………... 19As always, throw us one of your thumbs on theFacebook and sign up for newsletters on our official G-Note Supporterssite! Samurai Phoenix DesignKeep on rockin’, folks! Studio Dunkley International, Inc.Sam The Hatzinikolis Family The McDaniel FamilyPublisher. Head Writer. Advertising.Nick Hatzinikolis Keep up with G-Note [email protected] Facebook and of course our website!Editor. Webmaster. Creative Director.Sam McDaniel If you’d like to advertise [email protected] G-Note Magazine, please contact us today! OurDisclaimer! stellar graphic designer canG-Note is dedicated to providing a platform for artists and make one for you or supplymusicians to promote their work. Because they have a unique your own banner or ad-way of expressing themselves, it is important for people who block.read this stellar publication to understand you might not alwayslike what you see. Articles may contain sarcasm and adultcontent. This magazine is intended for mature audiences.2 | Page @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinewww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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Interview: Greg KihnReKIHNdled: Greg album “ReKihndled.”Kihn G-Note: Greg Kihn! Thanks for taking time out to talk with us here at G-Note Entertainment Magazine! What’s been going on for the last 20 plus years withDecemebr 7th, 2017 | Nick you?Hatzinikolis GK- “Thank you sir, it is my pleasure to talk to you. (Chuckling) I get asked thatGreg will be fondly remembered as an 80s- question a lot, the truth is, we just came out with our first studio albummusic icon for his two catchy, chart-topping hits, “ReKihndled” as in I hope this 'reKihndles' my career! This is the first studio“The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em) in album we have done in 20 years and I'm pretty proud of it.”1981 and the 1983 smash single, “Jeopardy,”which charted #2 on the Billboard Top 100. “Really, I haven't gone anywhere, I have been doing a radio gig for 20 years, including a 18 plus year stint on radio at KFOX in San Francisco, and youFirst signed in 1973 to the now legendary know when you are the morning guy and you have to get up at 4:00am, yourecord label, Beserkley Records, Greg was the don't have much of a life and you aren't going to do much other than thatfocal point of a roster at that time that included because you're too pooped to go out on the weekends and play gigs with theJonathan Richman, Earthquake and The exception of the once a year “Kihncert” that is played at the ShorelineRubinoos…. artists who all performed and Amphitheater every summer.”recorded melodic pop with a strong 60s popsensibility. Kihn continued on “You know when the radio station cut me loose a couple of years ago it like “Oh My God”, I now have my life back! It was liberatingGreg’s groundbreaking video for “Jeopardy” and now I have all this time so I can go back on the road. So, I “reKinndled”became one of the first concept videos and was the band so to speak and I know have my son Ry Kihn on Lead guitar who byplayed extensively on MTV during the early days the way was taught by none other than Joe Satriani. Ry is a shredder in theof the then fledging video channel. The Greg first degree! We also have Robert Berry on Bass who also produces theKihn Band also spent much of the 80’s touring record and owns the studio where we recorded it. Then we got Sammywith the likes of Journey, The Rolling Stones and Hagar's drummer Dave Lauser who after a conversation with Sammy after athe Grateful Dead and appearing on popular TV gig, where I said to him man, do you know any drummers that would beshows including Solid Gold, American available to go out on the road and Sammy says, why don't you take my guyBandstand and Saturday Night Live. because I'll be doing some other projects and he'll have some time off. So, goHe also carved out a very successful 16-year @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinecareer as a top-rated DJ on KUFX in San Jose,California, rising from a late-night host to oneof the top-rated morning jocks in his area inthe nation’s fourth largest market beforeleaving the station in 2012.Greg is also an accomplished author, havingwritten six well-received novels and numerousshort stories, along with two screenplays. Heand his band still tour extensively throughoutNorth America.He just released his first new album in 21years, entitled ReKihndled, and is doing sometouring- look for dates in your area!G-Note Entertainment Magazine chatted withGreg Kihn from his California home beforehitting the road in support of his new 4 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

ahead and take him. So, we start rehearsing and this guy turns out to GK-“I kinda did. “The Break Up” song took a little timebe Keith Moon! He is unbelievable! So hence, I back, I proud and I'm to grow and catch on and it still gets air play same withliberated and can't wait to back on the road with these guys!” “Jeopardy” they get played all over the world which is great for me – more mail box money but “Jeopardy”G-Note: When people hear the new album what do they think of it? again was just one of those songs that was right in front of me just swirling around and I snatched it up and weGK- “People tell me that this sounds like a Greg Kihn album, you know recorded it in like 10 minutes. I knew when we played ayou wonder what we would sound like 20 years later, this it, this is few gigs later that weekend when people were singingwhat we would sound like! I gotta tell you, we had a lot of fun making along without knowing the lyrics that I knew we had athis album! There a lot of first takes and it felt great every step of the hit!”way!” G-Note: Is there anything you would like to share thatG-Note: I have to tell you, your song “Pink Flamingo's” is a little we didn't cover?rockabilly ditty and I was pleasantly surprised by that. Not what onewould expect from a Greg Kihn MTV song. GK- “No man, it's been a blast and I appreciate your time and looking forward to seeing everyone on theGK- “I got to tell you man, that was the first song we recorded on the road!” Go Buy “ReKihndled!”album and it may be my favorite. For all things Greg Kihn including information on hisMy son Ry came into the studio and we were talking. I said I want to tour and his new album 'ReKihndled” check outwrite a song like “Oh Well” by Fleetwood Mac you know where they http://www.gregkihn.com and a link to Greg’splay, they stop and they sing and they play and he says oh, I know Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gregkihn/what you mean like Zeppelin's “Black Dog” and I said that is exactlywhat I meant.”“The next day, Ry comes into the studio and he starts playing the riffthat would become “Pink Flamingo's.” I just loved it and out of theclear blue sky, I started singing big pink flamingos, I don't know whereit came from it was like it is floating around in the air in front of meand I snatched it up and channeled it. We ended up writing it 15minutes! You know it's a good song if you write it in 15 minutes!”G-Note: It looked like you had fun with the Pink Flamingo's video, inall your video's you appear to have a lot of fun!GK- “You know the “Break Up Song” was a hit before MTV back in '81and music videos were just becoming part of the scene, and when“Jeopardy” came out in '83, it was MTV's first concept video so theyplayed the heck out it, pretty much every hour and they liked itbecause it told a story.”“Here's a little back story for you, we did the “Jeopardy” video in a 48-hour shoot. Our producer Joe Day had procured this church that wewere renting for the 48 hours. I gotta tell ya, I am going to Hell for whatI did in that church after hours, I am sure I broke every law of God andman in that church, we were partying our asses off,we were out ofcontrol!”Kihn continued “When “Jeopardy” was a hit we were opening forJourney all over the land, places like Madison Square Garden and justeverywhere and after it became number 1, then “Wierd Al” Yankoviccomes out with this parody of “Jeopardy” and he has to go on the roadto promote it and I have to say, I love all that mailbox money!”G-Note: Did you know when you recorded the “Break Up” song and“Jeopardy” that they were going to be as big as they were?@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLC December, 2017 5 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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Interview: James MontgomeryLegendary Harp Player: released as a CD in October 20, 1998 by Capricorn / Umgd.James Montgomery Track 9 off his first album titled \"Train\" was a fan favorite and became the Number 1 song on WBCN, The Rock of Boston.December 10th, 2017 | Nick Hatzinikolis They played it every day at noon-time for over a year. In 2011, Montgomery brought \"Train\" back as a surprise encore atThe legendary Blues harp player James Montgomery was born shows.on May 12, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan.While attending Boston University, where he earned a degree To say that James Montgomery has toured with many artistsin English literature, Mr. Montgomery started the James in an understatement! Some of the artists he has shared theMontgomery Band. During his junior year, he was hired by the stage with include: Aerosmith, The J. Geils Band, Bonnie Raitt,Colwell-Winfield Blues Band to play harmonica and tour with Bruce Springsteen, The Allman Brothers, The Steve MillerJanis Joplin. By the time he graduated college his band was on Band, The Johnny Winter Band, The Blues Brothers with (Jimthe cover of the Boston Phoenix, heralded along with the late J. Belushi and Dan Aykroyd). Other artist include: B.B. King,Geils and Aerosmith as the city's great contributions to the Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells,music world. Though he said he loved the academic life, when James Cotton, Bonnie Raitt, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith , Bradoffered a $15,000 teaching job at Boston University, Mr. Whitford (Aerosmith guitarist), Charlie Daniels, the late GreggMontgomery decided to take a $250,000 offer to record Allman, LaVern Baker, Patti LaBelle, Jonathan Edwards, Peterrecords and tour with the Allman Brothers instead, and never Wolf, Magic Dick, Danny Klein (The J. Geils Band), Huey Lewislooked back.\" by Pamela Marean, Standard-Times (Huey Lewis and the News), Kim Wilson (The Fabulouscorrespondent, September 6, 2007. Thunderbirds), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Rick Derringer, RickyIn 1970 Montgomery formed The James Montgomery Band. His Byrd (formerly with Joan Jett and the Black Hearts), Barryharmonica playing, singing and energetic stage show led to his Goudreau (former guitarist for Boston), Fran Sheehan (formerband gaining a reputation as one of the hottest bands on the bassist for Boston), Sib Hashian , Chad Smith (The Red HotNew England music scene. James Montgomery was signed by Chili Peppers) and former band mate, Billy Squier.Capricorn Records to a multi-album deal and released his firstvinyl LP album titled The James Montgomery Band – First Time Montgomery recalls the night he played with Muddy WatersOut in 1973. The original LP recordings were remastered and at Paul's Mall in Boston, Massachusetts. \"I couldn't believe it. @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 7 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Here I was on stage with Muddy Waters,\" Montgomery recalls Butterfield? There were some great clubs back then and inwith a smile. \"It was such a great feeling.\" those days, places like the Chessmate, Blues Unlimited, Mr. Kelly's where B.B King played, back then you could just knockJames had his own syndicated radio show for five years called on the dressing room door and meet Johnny Lee Hooker or\"Backstage With the Blues\" on these stations: WJZS Swing 99.3 Muddy Waters, you know there wasn't security back then. IFM Block Island, Rhode Island, WADK 1540 AM Newport, Rhode go back to when I was 16, 17 years old where I metIsland and Fall River, Massachusetts WFNX 92.1 FM Portland,Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire and KUSH 1600, Cushing, Junior Wells and James Cotton and we became friends andOklahoma. mentors of mine to the point where James Cotton called me son and I called him dad. When I would call, I would talk toThe show combined great Blues songs along with the stories James Cotton's wife because he had a hard time talking butbehind the music, told by the musicians themselves, it provided a she would always say hang on your father wants to talk tobridge between the listeners and the artists as they reminisced you.”about the history of their music. Some of his special guests wereJohn Lee Hooker, James Cotton, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Koko “If Junior (Wells) was in town and had a night off and I wasTaylor, Ruth Brown, Otis Clay, Son Seals, Duke Robillard, Rod playing, he would come in and pull a seat right up front of thePiazza, and many more. stage and would either nod his head for a good job or shake his head and say “you got something to learn buddy. Again,G-Note Entertainment Magazine had the opportunity to catch up growing up in Detroit was a wonderful experience at awith James Montgomery between shows in the New England area wonderful time.”to see what projects he has been working on. G-Note: I heard a story about you working with Buddy GuyG-Note: Thank you for your time today Mr. Montgomery, in full when you were a teenager, did you really perform with Buddydisclosure, I have been a fan for a long time. Guy when you were 17?JM- “Well thank you, that last quality you have is very admirable! JM- “Oh yeah, I met Buddy Guy when I was 17, when heSo, tell me, what’s going on in Kalamazoo Mi.? I haven't been would come out to Boston for a long period of time hethere in a long time, I played Grand Rapids with Johnny Winter wouldn't bring his band because of costs, why spend theyears ago but maybe I need to come back to Kalamazoo.” money on airfare, hotels and such.G-Note: Absolutely! We would love to have you performing a So, he would have us back him up on stage and play. Whenshow or two in the area. If you don't mind me asking, why did you Buddy and Junior played Boston they would have 2 or 3 guysleave Detroit for New England? stay at my apartment.”JM- “Yeah, I grew up in Detroit and it was a fantastic time it was “I did a couple of dates with Buddy a couple of years ago and Ivery active musically. There were 5 or 6 blues clubs that were was instructed to call him Mr. Guy. I said there is no way I'malways jumpin'. I would see acts like Johnny Basset, Little Sonny calling him Mr. Guy, I known him before you were born!”and a bunch more and Chicago was only a few hours away so all ofthose Chicago acts would play Detroit and vice versa.” G-Note: Being from Detroit what led you play the harp (harmonica) instead of a guitar or drums?“I was under age, so of course I had to sneak in to some of theseplaces to see these blues legends playing on any given night so JM-” Every musician has a 'moment' where you have toyou had to make up your mind on who you wanted to see, do I decide, I love rock and roll so do I play the guitar or play thewant to see Muddy Waters tonight or Johnny Lee Hooker or Paul drums or whatever. Same for Blues musicians, the very first time I heard the blues, I mean real blues I said 'wow' it struck 8 | Page like a lightning bolt, it hit a chord deep inside of me, you know? You have to decide when you play the blues what your www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz 'moment' is.” James continued on to say” I was about 15 when I saw a jug band play in Detroit and I was thinking that man, this stuff is cool the band was playing ragtime music then when I heard the blues, live blues with Cris Cioe (Uptown Horns) playing the harmonica and that's when I knew. That was what I wanted to do, play blues harmonica.” “The second reason is I wanted to be on stage playing! I figured if I played guitar it would take a couple of years to be good enough to play in a band, same with piano and the drums who knows, I don't think I have enough rhythm. So, if I learned how to play harmonica I could be playing on stage in 4 or 5 months! (laughing) and 5 months later I was the lead @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

singer and harp player for that jug band!”G-Note: This may seem like a silly question, but have you had lessons or are you self-taught?JM-” Nah, I don't know of any player that has had a lesson, everyone I know was self-taught. We just torture people when we playfor a few months while we are learning. But you don't have to plug it in or carry it in a case. We just keep it in the pocket and pull itout when we are ready to play.”“My new CD is dedicated to Paul Butterfield, so I'm also in the process of doing a documentary but he learned to play the harmonicain 6 months and I've been playing for 50 years and I still can't play some of the stuff he did back then, it was unbelievable. It really isamazing little instrument and you always learn something, you never really master it.”G-Note: It seems to me that the harmonica is really the most personal instrument that you can play, agree?JM- “It really is the most personal instrument you can play, Paul Butterfield called it a 'horn from the heart' the thing that makes itreally personal if you play it correctly you are taking your vocal chords and turning it into a reed to make the sound and the way youshape your mouth is exactly how you would play the note as if you were speaking them. You also move your body the same way asif you were going to speak that note which to me, make it literally an extension of you.”G-Note: What do you think of guys like Kim Wilson, Jason Ricci, Billy Branch, John Popper, etc.JM-” Well you just named off a bunch of great ones. At this point of my life, without bragging I think I'm a pretty good harmonicaplayer, with that said these guys you mentioned are such better players than me, I'm understanding that they can do stuff that Ican’t. There is a ton of great players out there now and I think it would be fair to say that Little Walter is their home base, my style ispretty straight forward, not busy or complicated.”G-Note: If I could, I would like to go back a bit and ask you why you left the Detroit blues scene for New England?JM-” It wasn't what I would call natural, my high school band was pretty successful I went to the east side of Detroit to find the bestguitar player, the best bass player and drummer was because I joined that jug band when I was 15 or 16, the other members wentoff to college and I got bit by the bug, I wanted to have a band and of course, we turned electric after we saw Paul Butterfield nottotally but we were plugged in. So I go to the east side of the city to find the best players and I asked them to leave their currentband. They were playing “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen, and the Beach Boys and stuff like that.I played a Muddy Waters album and they said no, not leaving for that, then I played a Paul Butterfield album and they all said yep,I'll play that.”“I had a great band almost overnight. We did pretty well, it was called the Montgomery-Miller blues band. Later that year, I took ahit and the next day re-named it the “Great Cosmic Expanding” the very next day and got a review in the 5th Estate, which was anunderground paper in Detroit where they compared us to Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. So, I was deep into music andI knew of all of these places and clubs and because of the college wanted to hear something different than Top 40.“That was the beginning of my time there, we started playing in and around Boston. I was slated to take a teaching position at BUbut we got a call from the Allman Brothers record label (Capricorn) we were asked to 2 two albums for a bunch of money and tourwith the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker so.... it really wasn't much of a decision.”“For a while there people were saying there were only 3 bands in Boston, James Montgomery, J.Geils Band and Aerosmith, in the70's we were the biggest band from Boston and New England.”“Here what I can say, every-time I get on stage, give me the ball and I'll will always go over and give it all I got!”Check out James Montgomery's music, bio and tour dates at www.jamesmontgomery.com Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLC December, 2017@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 9 | Page www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Kalamazoo offers so much more than a memorable name. We effortlessly blend energy and innovation withfriendliness and a humble attitude. Located in Southwest Michigan, about two hours from Chicago, Kalamazoofeatures a vibrant and progressive downtown that sets the stage for quality dining, eclectic shops and galleries, and live entertainment. Plus, you’re never far from lakes and outdoor recreation, festivals, and world-class attractions. Experience the place with a big city mindset and a small town heart. Once you make the trip, you’ll be back for more. We promise. www.DiscoverKalamazoo.com10 | 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 January 2018 Event Schedule01/02 Kalamazoo Indoor Flea Market Tuesdays & Expo North- Come check out the market for some great deals and great Wednesdays01/31 merchandise! Choose from new and used items, antiques, handcrafted 8:00am-2:00pm Room A items, and much more! Held every Tuesday & Wednesday from October Expo North01/05 3, 2017 - April 11, 2018. Admission is free. Hours: 8am-2pm. For booth Fridays 6:30 p.m.- space, call 269-383-8761 or visit www.kalamazooexpocenter.com Main Expo01/26 Saturday 10:00am-01/06 Comstock Lions Club Bingo 3:00pm Main Expo Play Bingo on the Friday nights in January: 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. Lic01/06 #A00192 with all proceeds going toward community projects. Saturday Expo South- Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo 9:00am-5:00pm01/07 Buy, sell or trade a variety of reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and other Sunday Expo North exotic pets, supplies & food. Admission: Adults $5, Children $2, Children 10:00am-3:00pm &01/13 under 6 free, Family Max - $20. For more information contact Tony at 269- Saturday Main Expo 779-9851or [email protected]. Visit www.kalamazooreptileexpo.com. 9:00am-6:00pm01/13 Expo South Kalamazoo Gun & Knife Show Saturday 8:00am-01/20 Presented by Sport Shows Promotion. Admission: Adults $6, Children 12 3:00pm Entire Expo- and under are free. No one under 18 is admitted without a parent or Center01/21 guardian. For more information call 517-676-4160 or Saturday email [email protected] www.migunshows.com 9:00am-4:00pm01/20 Healthy & Fit Expo Sunday- An expo encompassing all facets of Health and Wellness including the 10:00am-4:00pm01/21 physical, mental, and spiritual! Admission: Adults $2, kids are free. For more information contact Joel Eisinger at 517-706- Saturday01/26 1011 or [email protected] or 9:00am-3:00pm- visit www.facebook.com/events/609291092594566/ Sunday01/28 Weekend Kalamazoo Indoor Flea & Antique Market 10:00am-3:00pm Special Weekend Market! Come check out the market for some great deals and great merchandise! Choose from new and used items, antiques, Friday handcrafted items, and much more! 75 Booths Available! For booth space 4:00pm-8:00pm call 269-383-8761 or visit www.kalamazooexpocenter.com Saturday Kalamazoo's Vintage Market 9:00am-5:00pm The area's largest vintage market with three rooms filled with antiques, Sunday vintage, shabby chic, handmade furniture, salvaged items, boutique clothing, 9:00am-12:00pm home decor, and more! $1000 giveaway to shoppers! Check the Facebook page for details http://www.facebook.com/events/460575457610415 Admission is free. For more information contact Lorie Money at 269-903- 5820 or [email protected] http://loriesevents.vpweb.com/events Ultimate Ladies Weekend - LulaZOO & More Fun weekend planned for ladies with LuLaRoe reps and all your favorite vendors and crafters. Live demonstrations, giveaways, and local businesses giving away coupons, food & more! Check the Facebook page for all the details www.facebook.com/events/373797286397750. Admission is free. For more information contact Lorie Money at 269-903- 5820or [email protected] loriesevents.vpweb.com Traditional Bowhunters Expo & Stick and String 3D Featuring the Nation's top Traditional Bowyers, Dealers and Traditional Craftsmen. Try out new bows and shop for all your traditional archery supplies. Admission: $10.00 covers all weekend, Kids under 12 are free. For more information about the expo contact Great Northern Quiver Company at [email protected] www.gnqco.com Don't miss the 2nd Annual Stick & String 3D Shootout with cash prizes! Pre- registration is required for the tournament. To register contact the Potawatomi Bowmen at [email protected] or visit facebook.com/potawatomi.bowmen@GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 11 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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January Events 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall | Kalamazoo, MI 49007 | 269.384.6756 | www.millenniumrestaurants.com/union Mon-Thurs 11:00am-11:00pm | Fri 11:00am-1:00am | Sat Noon-1:00am300 E. Water St., 13 | P a g eKalamazoo, www.G-NoteEntertainment.bizMichigan, 49007Mon-Thurs 11a-Mid,Fri 11a-2a, Sat 10a-2a, Sun 10a-Mid(269) 210-0075 @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

www.KazooState.com Big Head Todd and Dwight Yoakam Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) The Monsters: Winter Tour 8:00 PM | Reserved Seating $45+ 8:00 PM | General Admission $5-$10 7:30 PM | General Admission $32.50 January 20, 2018 January 19, 2018 January 18, 2018 Kalamazoo State TheatreDoors: 6:30pm || Start Time: 7:30pmBuy Tickets HERE Jam scene pioneers and blues rock slayers, Kalamazoo State Theatre Big Head Todd and The Monsters, will be Doors: 7:00pm || Start Time: 8:00pm performing at Kalamazoo State Theatre January 18th. Join Big Head Todd Kalamazoo State Theatre Buy Tickets HERE and the Monsters as they tour for theireleventh studio album release, “New World Doors: 7:00pm || Start Time: 8:00pm What is your quest? To seek the Holy Grail Buy Tickets HERE at the Kalamazoo State Theatre! Arisin.” Luther Dickinson , of NorthMississippi Allstars, will be opening for Big County Music pioneer Dwight Yoakam will be Join the knights of the round table to see returning to the historic Kalamazoo State Monty Python and the Holy Grail on the KST Head Todd & The Monsters. Theatre on January 19th, 2018. Dwight big screen January 20th. Look forward to a night of ridiculous fun including concessionsHear Billboard chart topping favorites such Yoakam has recorded more than 20 albums, as “Bittersweet,” “Strategem,” “Beautiful charted numerous singles on the Billboard and a full bar with signature cocktails. World,” “Rock Steady,” “Black Beehive,” Hot Country Songs charts, sold more than 25 Experience this four-decade old comedy “Sister Sweetly” and newly released hits million records, and has won several awards from their LP “New World Arisin” LIVE at for his celebrated work in country music. gold like never before. See Dwight Yoakam perform his classic hits IMDB Storyline: Kalamazoo State Theatre this January! such as “Guitars, Cadillacs” and “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere” to tunes from his latest History is turned on its comic head when, inJoining Big Head Todd and The Monsters is 10th century England, King Arthur travels four-time Grammy nominated blues album “Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…” released in 2016. Yoakam has been rocking the countryside to find knights who will join musician Luther Dickinson. Luther is best the charts for over 30 years with no signs of him at the Round Table in Camelot. known for being the lead vocalist and slowing down. Gathering up the men is a tale in itself butguitarist for the North Mississippi Allstars, a after a bit of a party at Camelot, manypast member of The Black Crowes, and the decide to leave only to be stopped by God host of Guitar Xpress on Mag Rack. who sends them on a quest: to find the Holy Ticket Information: General Ticket Information: Grail. All seating is general admission. Pit is first come first serve. This is an all-ages show. This is an all ages event with reserved Ticket Information: There’s an 8 ticket per person limit. Day of seating. There is an 8 ticket limit. This is an all ages event. Under 13 years of show, price increases to $35.  $45 – $125 age requires a legal guardian to be present. VIP and fan club tickets available online All seating is general admission. There’s an through Tickets Today. VIP Ticket Information: 8 ticket limit.VIP includes: 1 ticket to the show/ Pre-showM&G/ 1 exclusive Commemorative 2018 VIP VIP can be bought online only. There’s a 4  $5 General Admission College-Student Laminate & Lanyard / 1 exclusive limited ticket limit. Ticket – Must present a valid student ID. edition Hand-Numbered Poster signed by  $10 General Admission Non-College Student the group and a photo-op.  $225 – Limited quantity available Ticket VIP’s will be escorted inside the venue BUY TICKETS HERE BUY TICKETS HEREbefore Doors (6:30pm) to greet the band BUY VIP TICKETS HERE RSVP On Facebook HEREand collect your VIP items (30-60 minutes RSVP On Facebook HEREprior to doors). You will be granted access Visit The Artist Website HEREto remain inside the venue prior to doors opening to the public.14 | P a g ewwwB.UGY-TNICoKEtTeSEHnERteE rtainmen t.biz @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine RSVP On Facebook HERE

Interview: Toronzo CannonChicago Born Blues Guitarist: Toronzo Cannon Theresa’s Lounge. Today he’s one of Chicago’s new greats.\"December 15th, 2017 | Nick Hatzinikolis G-Note Entertainment Magazine talked to Toronzo asChicago blues guitarist Toronzo Cannon was born on Valentine’s day in he was taking a film crew from CNN around ChicagoChicago, Illinois. In addition to being an accomplished guitarist, Toronzo showing them the Blues clubs around town and talkingis a vocalist and songwriter. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago about his latest CD, “The Chicago Way.”near the Robert Taylor Homes and Theresa’s Lounge where he heardblues artists including Buddy Guy and Junior Wells. G-Note- Tell me about the CNN crew that is following you today, what’s going on?Toronzo started out played reggae music before playing blues. He was abig fan of the 80’s MTV videos like the, Blondie, Devo, Earth Wind and TC- “Well my record company, Alligator records had aFire and the Police (where he discovered his fondness for reggae music), request from CNN (CNN online) to have someone showPsychedelic Furs, etc. them around the city and since I drive bus for the CTA, (Chicago transit Authority) and I know the streets andAmong the blues influences he has named are Albert Collins, B.B. King, the places to go for blues, it just worked out.”Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks and Jimi Hendrix to name a few. G-Note: Toronzo, even though you have been on theCannon has also played guitar with the likes of Tommy McCracken, music scene for years paying your dues, how does itWayne Baker Brooks, L.V. Banks and Joanna Connor beginning in 1996. feel to be an “over-night” sensation?Toronzo started his own band, The Cannonball Express in 2001. Herecorded My Woman (self-released in 2007), Leaving Mood (Delmark, TC- “(Chuckling) man, I don’t know about the overnight2011) and John The Conqueror Root (Delmark, 2013). The third album sensation, but you got that right, all of us in thewas nominated for a Blues Music Award as Rock Blues Album of the Year business we still pay our dues by traveling around thein 2013. country and the world playing to small crowds andHere is a little-known fact that you may be interested to know: Toronzo 15 | P a g edoes have a day job, when he isn’t out and about playing the Blues onthe road, he is a professional bus driver for the Chicago Transit Authority www.G-NoteEntertainment.bizbus during the day and performs at night, on weekends and duringvacation breaks.Toronzo’s band mates include: Toronzo Cannon - Vocals, Lead Guitar,Rhythm Guitar, Background Vocals, Luca Chiellini – Keyboards, DaveForte – Bass and Melvin “Pookie Stix” Carlisle – Drums.Toronzo signed with Alligator Records in 2015. His Alligator Recordsdebut, The Chicago Way, co-produced by Cannon and Alligator Recordspresident Bruce Iglauer, was released on February 26, 2016 and hadseveral B.M.A’s (Blues Music s Awards) nominations including: BestAlbum of the Year (The Chicago Way), Best Contemporary Blues Album(The Chicago Way), Best Contemporary Blues Male Artist and Song ofthe Year (Walk if Off).Toronzo mentioned to me when discussing the success of his CD ‘TheChicago Way’ “You know I was getting ready for work around 4 in themorning and I stumbled on this magazine from England called ‘Mojo’,they said in the magazine that ‘The Chicago Way’ was in the top 50 CD’sof 2016! And I was like Wow! That CD received a LOT of attention and Ican’t be happier about it!”The Chicago Sun-Times said of Toronzo, “The Bridgeport resident (andCTA bus driver) was immersed in the world of blues by hanging around @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

large ones. As a performer, you have you give the same keeps me grounded is that I will get back on the bus the next day,energy and commitment to the people paying their money to or the next Monday or whenever and I turn back into Clark Kentsee you perform whether you play to a packed house or mode.”festival or if there are just a few people at a club.” G-Note- What is best advice you have received from one of the“I’m very appreciative of the cats that have taken a chance ‘Blue elders’ over the years?and that helped me along the way, you know? They didn’tknow me, they took a chance on me when no one knew me, TC- “I have been given a lot of advice throughout the years, butSteve at Delmark Records (Steve Wagner Delmark general the one that stands out is something that the late, great Lonniemanager, producer and engineer) took a chance and now Brooks once said to me, ‘always wear a sharp hat and comfortableBruce at Alligator Records, I thank them all the time for shoes’. That one stands out to me.”taking a chance on me and for letting me do my thing.” To date, Cannon has performed at the Chicago Blues Festival nine“I’m not one of those guys that say, I’ve deserved this! Now times. He headlined in 2015. He has also toured and brought hispay me my due as they stand on the hill before the hill was special style of Blues music to dozens of cities across the Unitedbuilt for them! No, I know it’s a lot of work, believe me, I’ve States as well as Europe. His overseas tours include Mexicobook my own gigs and call the clubs and making sure the (2010), South Africa (2011), Armenia (2013 and 2014), France andhotels are set I did all the leg work and follow up, those are Netherlands (2013), France and Spain (2014) and Sweden, France,jobs that need to be paid. It’s a lot of work- real work.” Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (2015). Toronzo said “It isn't easy, but, like all of the Chicago greats who haveToronzo continued “Before, it was (playing clubs, etc.) just come before him, blues is my calling.”something to do on the weekend and that was cool, but nowthere is a bigger demand or a different light looking at me. Blues Matters (UK) said, \"Toronzo is the real deal. Blistering guitarAlligator is a step up on getting the attention. It’s a real and inventive songs: jealousy, double-crossing, knives and harndthing!” grenades…Chicago style.\"G-Note- Is it hard to keep both of your careers separate? Blues & Rhythm (UK) said, “Without sounding like I'm going over the top with praise, this release is terrific and top heavy withTC- “Sometimes, now they are blending into each other. superb musicianship and quality material and is worthy of anyRecently I have done a couple TV things in Chicago whereas blues lover's attention. It also highlights the cream of the nextbefore, I could fly under the radar but now there’s always a generation of blues musicians starting to make their names on thenews agency calling and asking about the CTA bus driver Chicago blues scene.\"that’s playing Blues.” For all things Toronzo Cannon including all tour dates and his“My music career is blossoming to the point where I can’t appearance at the 24th annual Kalamazoo Valley Blues Festival athide it anymore. I don’t need to be the king of the hill; I just Wings Event Center, please go to: www.toronzocannon.comwant to be part of the movement. I'm proud to be standingon the shoulders of every great Chicago blues musician who Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLCcame before me.\" December, 2017“I still have a couple of0 years to go as a CTA driver, and I still @GNoteEntertainmentMagazinevery much enjoy it (except the winters in Chicago) I’m theguy that keeps the line of people coming into the busmoving, lots of people have their headphones on and don’tpay attention to the line behind them and I’ll be saying ‘comeon now, step on up, come on in and make a friend’. I’m niceabout it but I definitely keep ‘em moving!”“There are some people that I work with and they’ll look atmy Facebook posts of pictures me in Moscow on a Friday andI’ll be back to work on Monday morning, I keep gettingasked, weren’t you just in Moscow? ‘How do you do that?’You just keep doing it.”G-Note- Is it all the attention that’s on now as a Blues artistwhat you had wished or thought it would be?TC- “It’s cool, I used to look at all of these guys in themagazines and would think ‘Oh man’ that would be great if Icould be there someday, I do like the attention when I seemy picture of an article about me and my music in the paperor in a magazine. Now, I’m not saying I’m like Otis Rush orBuddy Guy or anything like that, but yeah, it humbling! What 16 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

Interview: Carolyn WonderlandA Janis Joplin/Stevie Ray Carolyn, do you want to talk a little about your early 'rebel' days?Vaughn Fusion: Carolyn “Sure, I didn't have to try too hard to get kicked out of school. AtWonderland the time, I was in high school outside Houston it was the height of the 'Satanic Panic' or whatever. I got in trouble for leading aDecember 16th, 2017 | Nick Hatzinikolis protesting and things like that.”G-Note Entertainment Magazine had a nice conversation with “It's funny, but I remember I was like 17, and I was going to theCarolyn Wonderland about her musical journeys and that's school board with my 'Roberts Rules Of Orders' in my hand andahead on the horizon. (After she got good reception on her all excited because I was going to show them that I was allphone.) prepared and talk about legal precedent and whatnot. I was just ready for them, then they opened the meeting talking about howCarolyn Wonderland is a musical tsunami that is often compared Satan was infiltrating our schools, and I'm thinking 'shit' I broughtto the soulful Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt and the guitar skills of the wrong book!”Stevie Ray Vaughn, Carolyn says “You know, I really don't mindbeing compared to those legends. It's pretty humbling to be 17 | P a g ehonest with you. Those are mighty big shoe to fill and I havelittle feet!” www.G-NoteEntertainment.bizCarolyn Wonderland goes deep into the Texas blues traditionwith the pedal to the metal. She commands the stage withpassion and presence, she does indeed fill the shoes of theartists she gets compared to.Carolyn grew up the child of a singer in a band and began playingher mother’s vintage Martin guitar and she told me when I askedher about not using a pick to play the guitar, she said” That'sright, I don't use a pick because I got grounded from my motherwhen I scratched her Martin guitar by using a pick.”Was it hard to play your guitar without using a pick? “Oh yeah, Ireally had to focus and think about every note being strum orplucked. In hindsight, it worked out pretty good for me.”One of the questions I just had to ask her was about hermarriage to actor / comedian and SNL alum A. Whitney Brown.And being married by none other than Monkee original guitarist,Mike Nesmith. Carolyn told me “Yeah, me and Whit had metMike on set at one of his video ranches. He introduced us toeach other and before you know it, we were getting married andMike Nesmith had offered to officiate the ceremony, and we hellyeah! I think Whit had paid the $20 or so for him to be ordainedonline. Nesmith came down to Austin Texas and we gotmarried.”“I was dressed in white, and barefoot, Whitney was looking in indress casual clothes and it was all of 15 minutes, we do-let's goget Tequila. It was a hoot and a great experience. I like thosekinds of weddings. My brother had the 3-hour Catholic wedding.It was cool, but I liked my style of wedding better!” @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine

Was it that rebel side of you caused you to be homeless for a while? “Yeahit did, it shaped me and it definitely got me ready for touring because Iknew that there would be showers involved. (Chuckling) You know itprepares for for the long stretches on the road and after a while you getthis empty nest syndrome from my van, I always felt safe and sheltered inmy van.”Is all of the travel and all that goes with it the worst part of being a touringmusician? “I think so, you don't eat right, you don't sleep right, you haveto unpack and reload after shows and the long drives after a bit kindawears on you. Like now, I broke a toe, can't do anything about it, it's justthe way it is. But I'll also say that when we all travel together we all haveeach other’s back and that helps a lot.”“As musicians, we always look for that perfect balance of travel life andhome life. You don't want to be out so long on the road to where it'sbecomes bad and you miss your life and you don't want to home so muchto wear you don't want to stay there all of the time. It's tough, but you dothe best you can.”I read where you like to write song in the quiet of the night when you aredriving you van from gig to gig can you talk about that? “I am a creature ofthe night! Don't care much for the daytime or sunshine so when the bandis sleeping or being quiet and there isn't anything I want to hear on theradio, I'll focus on something and will sing about a star, or something, I doget creative like that because I do like the chance to just think andsometimes you just go fishing for songs or song ideas but now my newthing is “Haiku”, Remember that from elementary school? The 3 lines of 5-7- 5 words that make a story, it's not as easy as you might think but it sureis a lot of fun and opens a bunch of other stuff, I really like it.”That could be something you do when you get home, you collect all ofyour Haiku and you publish them? What do you think about that? “Well,probably not, I really like to paint when I get home, I'm not very good at itbut I like to do it. “What is the subject topics you paint, is it people orlandscapes? “Ah, it's more “psychedelic” You know, the inner Carolyn, it'shard to explain you just have to see it to get it. It starts as a theme but itbecomes something else.”When you are on the road, does your husband travel with you?“Sometimes, lately he has been getting into gardening and really into hotpeppers. It delicious! We can out on tour take some of his sauce (one droponly) and put it on some food but it's just enough to liven it up!”Carolyn, does talent win or does marketing win in the music industry? “Ohtough one, that can be subjective everyone does their thing -some folksmusicians speak to and some folks they don't. Some of my friends do notunderstand why I love Bob Dylan's voice. But I've learn to accept whatpeople like and don't like with singers. Everyone has their like and dislikesabout singers.When you get home after this 9-week tour, are you going to go check outlive music in your area?“Hard to say, maybe, I'll bet you I stay on the couch for a few days!”Carolyn, what is the one thing that people would be surprised to knowabout you? “I'm not really not all of that interesting, but I can crochet ahat in half of an afternoon!”Please go and buy Carolyn Wonderlands new album, “Moon Goes Missing”18 | P a g e Copyright G-Note Entertainment, LLCwww.G-NoteEntertainment.biz @GNoteEntert a inm entMagaDzeicnemeber, 2017

The Retrospective PhoenixFood, Gaming, Movie, and TV ReviewsWhat an Atmosphere! The Meat Gods have Spoken! If you’re looking for a nice, Wow. Just wow. relaxing place after work in Grand Rapids or even just I could leave it passing through and need a at that, but I’ll sick place to eat, The explain it a little for y’all.Knickerbocker is your jam. Space might be limited here. WORTH IT! Sit on theThe architecture in this place is frickin’ amazing. frickin’ floor.Whoever designed this place deserves some sort of Parking might be a challenge. WORTH IT! Walk fromaward. wherever the heck you are.The food isn’t half bad either. I had their pulled pork My god, the burger I had? The best burger of my life.BBQ, and let me tell ya, they exceeded my Seriously. And I’ve had my share of cow pattyexpectations for such a simple dish. sandwiches. If you like whiskey, they’ve got tons. Our very own Nick Hatzinikolis had one their bourbon’s. ItAnd of course, you can’t go wrong with some locally was one of his all-time favorites.brewed beer and cider (I’m more of a hard ciderguy). Go here. You’ll thank me later. Just some of my There are so many 15 favorite Holiday TV amazing Christmas episodes! movies, it’s hard to say which is jolliest! So, THE BOB NEWHART this list is in no way from SHOW - Bob Has To best to worst, just some Have His Tonsils Out, So of my favorites! He Spends Christmas Eve In The Hospital 1. Elf 2. A Christmas StoryEVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND - The Toaster 3. It’s a Wonderful LifeKENAN AND KEL - Merry Christmas Kenan 4. National Lampoon’s Christmas VacationNEW GIRL – The 23rd 5. The Nightmare Before ChristmasSEINFELD – The Strike 6. The Polar ExpressMR. BEAN – Merry Christmas Mr. Bean 7. The Grinch (Jim Carrey one)HEY ARNOLD – Arnold’s Christmas 8. ScroogedFRIENDS – The One with the Holiday Armadillo 9. Santa ClauseCOMMUNITY – Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas 10. Santa Clause 2THE OFFICE – (Basically every season’s holiday ep.) 11. Four ChristmasesMODERN FAMILY – Undeck the Halls 12. Fred ClausPARKS AND RECREATION – Christmas Scandal 13. Jack Frost 14. Jingle All the Way @GNoteEntertainmentMagazine 15. The Muppet Christmas Carol 19 | P a g e www.G-NoteEntertainment.biz

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