Interview with Shawn Amos

Hosted by: LouLombardi aka "Loudini"

Title: Episode 58 - Interview with Shawn Amos

Time: 09/27/2015 01:30 PM EDT

Episode Notes: The Reverend Shawn Amos will release his latest album on October 16. The Reverend Shawn Amos Loves You, produced by two-time Grammy nominee Mindi Abair, collects ten originals and two covers that explore a deep blues sound. The son of Wally "Famous" Amos and nightclub singer Shirl-ee May Ellis, The Reverend Shawn Amos is an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church committed to spreading his secular gospel.

Today we premiere "Days of Depression" from the forthcoming record, which features guest vocals from The Blind Boys of Alabama. The Reverend Amos tells Relix, "What better cure for the blues than singing with the Blind Boys of Alabama. This is a tune about the tension that is life. Finding the strength to keep moving when you want to give up. It's really a meditation disguised as a chain gang tune."

BIOGRAPHY

The Reverend Shawn Amos, son of Wally Amos (Famous Amos cookie brand), attributes his diverse background to growing up in the colorful Hollywood landscape.

Prior to becoming a blues preacher — and ordained minister with the Universal Life Church — Amos was an A&R executive at Rhino Entertainment and vice president of A&R at Shout! Factory, where he produced and recorded multiple Grammy-nominated projects. He produced broadcast, DVD and audio titles for legacy artists ranging from Heart to Quincy Jones, for whom Amos later ran the Listen Up Foundation. Throughout Amos' childhood and adulthood, his mother suffered from schizoaffective disorder and ultimately committed suicide in 2003. The trauma of the event and his subsequent discovery of her early singing career were the inspiration behind his 2005 album release, Thank You Shirl-ee May. Amos has released five albums of music, including his 2014 release, "The Reverend Shawn Amos Tells It," a collection of blues originals and covers that received much acclaim from the blues & roots world, and the sophomore blues album The Reverend Shawn Amos Loves You.

 Amos discovered blues through Peter Guralnick's Feel Like Going Home trilogy. He was at NYU film school and spent his summers driving south exploring the places in Peter's book. “I fell in love with the stories and history, then I got hooked on the music. Howlin' Wolf was first, Willie Dixon followed, then Junior Wells, Muddy Waters. It was virtually all I played during my college career,” says Amos. “My entire DNA is wrapped up in these songs. They have given me a sense of self and a home I never had.”

When not playing blues clubs, Amos hosts a weekly web series, Kitchen Table Blues. He is also known for his expertise in brand marketing, having founded vanguard content marketing agency, Freshwire (sold to ad giant, Omnicom in 2012). Amos speaks to the need for content mindfulness and authenticity in the 24/7 real-time race for relevancy. As an ongoing tribute to his mother, he also serves as Vice Chair of the board of directors of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services.

Certified pure blues singer, harmonica player, songwriter and producer, The Reverend Shawn Amos is on a mission to spread his glorious secular gospel to all. The son of chocolate chip cookie magnate Wally “Famous” Amos and night club singer Shirl-ee May Ellis, he is dedicated to continuing, extending and spreading the tradition of the blues with unsurpassed fervor and emotional expression. Born in New York City, raised up on the gritty Sunset Strip in the seventies and preceding his performing career with many successful musical ventures, Amos breaks nearly every cliché with his talent and unstoppable drive. The results are in evidence on his four previous releases beginning with In Between (2002) and culminating to date with the sizzling and embraceable The Reverend Shawn Amos Loves You. It is required listening for navigating the vicissitudes, meeting the challenges and enjoying the spoils of modern living. The album marks the producing debut of 2x Grammy nominee, Mindi Abair.

Ten bone-deep originals and two well-chosen covers contain the combined exceptional ensemble skills of Chris “Doctor” Roberts (guitars), Brady Blade (drums, percussion), Chris Thomas (bass), Anthony Marinelli, Hassell Teekell (keyboards), Mindi Abair (saxophones, producer), Lewis Smith (trumpet), Forever Jones (backing vocals) and Nick Lane (horn arrangements). In addition, guest artists The Blind Boys of Alabama and Missy Andersen lend their illustrious presence to two tracks. “Days of Depression,” with the lauded gospel group adding considerable gravitas, harkens back to the prewar South. Grinding slowly and inexorably forward on a haunting, hypnotic work song guitar riff, it has Amos intoning the poetic lyrics “In my days of depression I could take my hands off the wheel, let me go where the wind blows, let me go with the Lord.” “Brand New Man,” conversely, “tears the roof off the sucka” with a stomping R&B groove to lift listeners right out of their seats. Amos unleashes his soul power while making his carnal desires clear with “Baby gonna make me a brand new man” as a profane, repeating mantra dynamically charged with the stop-time aside “I’m feeling lonely, I’m feeling hungry, you got me wanting you”, as Roberts shreds on his axe. The throbbing “Boogie” would be lascivious merely with the music, though Amos leaves no doubt as to his desires with the invitation “C’mon and boogie (2x), I ain’t got all night, keep this thing locked tight” while the sensuous Missy Andersen urgently concurs “C’mon and boogie (2x), I ain’t got too long, babe, I’ve done something wrong” and Amos blows out the reeds on his harp.

He turns from his basic primal needs to a higher calling with the classic Memphis soul of “Brothers’ Keeper.” It could not be more timely as he confides “I’m gonna lead with my heart, open my hand from the start, and be my brothers’ keeper, be my brothers’ keeper,” his sinewy vocals moving easily from a bluesy growl to a soaring falsetto. The stone funk of “You’re Gonna Miss Me (When I Get Home)” allows Amos to drip malevolence by calling out his unfaithful lover with “I work all damn day and night for you, you take all of my money, choke them credit cards blue. I’m gonna take my good thing back, you gonna feel a cold chill at night in the sack,” his harp wailing in sympathy. A sprightly two-beat cover of Minnie Lawler’s “Joliet Bound” affords Roberts the opportunity to flaunt his impressive six-string skills as he weaves expressive blues lines around Amos relating with appropriate dread his tale of woe regarding the infamous Illinois prison.

The dramatic, hook-heavy R&B of “Will You Be Mine” is a vocal and musical show-stopper with Amos passionately extolling with all his might “You’ve been running with the wrong man, let me get you on the right plan. And we’ll go driving, away from here” in a classic plea for starting over and seeking redemption intensified by his lyrical harp lines. He struts, swaggers and menaces on “Outlaw” as Lucifer’s disciple with lyrics like “The good Lord may be your savior, but never was no friend of mine (2x). I preach the good book of ‘El Paso,’ keep your boots and your pistol shined” as Roberts fires off a distorted solo. The sweet-singing Mindi Abair duets in harmony with Amos on the Jimmy Reed classic “Bright Lights Big City” as the band lightens the mood by loping appealingly in a lilting boogie shuffle.

Album producer, Mindi Abair, co-wrote the swinging shuffle “Hollywood Blues” as a snarling look at life in “Tinsel Town.” Amos accuses with the scalding, uncensored street lyrics of “These folks got gold at their fingertips, while I’m in my piece of shit, driving down the Sunset Strip” and Abair honks and squeals with venom on her alto sax. “Put Together” is a sexy, funky tribute to a modern day “femme fatale,” Amos praising and pleading “…your do rag, honey you’re all right. Baby, you’re put together. I just wanna come home, baby, can you let me come home? I won’t stay too long if you can let me get it” and Roberts wringing prurient licks from his guitar. Amos opts to end his set with the tender soul ballad “The Last Day I’m Loving You”, though he spikes it with a kicker heard in the capper “You got the mojo and the moves to make it hard, to keep my right mind in front and keep me strong. You got them ten dollar words you know how to use, but this is the last day I’m loving you.”                               

As opposed to “saving” souls, the temporal and spirit-nourishing blues of the “right” Reverend will provide “soul” as well as love to one and all. Romantic love and lust, along with vengeance may be standard blues fare. However, in the hands, heart and head of Shawn Amos they become the seeds for sowing and reaping life lessons as well as unqualified entertainment of the highest order. The good Rev may promote what some call the “devil’s music,” but the figurative “religious” experience is a God send.       

Dave Rubin, KBA recipient in Journalism

WEBLINKS

OS  www.shawnamos.com

FB: www.facebook.com/ReverendShawnAmos

TW: www.twitter.com/ShawnAmos

TRIBUTE TO GARY RICHRATH OF REO SPEEDWAGON

Hosted by: LouLombardi aka "Loudini" and Kevin O'Connor
Tonights Episode: Tribute to Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon
Episode Notes: Lou and Kevin pay tribute to unsung guitar hero Gary Richrath... plus find out if Kevin is a Slut! ;) Music by Alex Sax, Jeff Fetterman, My Alien Mojo and David Michael Miller
Time: 09/16/2015 07:00 PM EDT

Richrath wrote many of the band's songs including "Golden Country" from 1972, Ridin' the Storm Out (1973), "Son of a Poor Man" (1973), "Flying Turkey Trot" (1976), "Only the Strong Survive" (1979) and "Take It On the Run" from 1981.[1] In 1977, he and other members of the band took over production, which resulted in the band's first platinum album.
Richrath sang several REO Speedwagon songs including "Find My Fortune" (1973), "Wild as the Western Wind" (1974) and "(Only A) Summer Love" (1976). He left REO Speedwagon in 1989,[2] and released a solo album titled Only the Strong Survive in 1992 under the name "Richrath."

On November 22, 2013, REO and Styx announced a benefit concert titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for the affected families of the tornado in central Illinois. The concert was held on December 4, 2013 in Bloomington, Illinois. Richrath reunited with REO for a performance of "Ridin' the Storm Out" to end REO's set at the sold-out concert. Richrath stayed on stage to help with the encore of "With a Little Help From My Friends" along with REO, Styx, Richard Marx and others. Richrath was originally from the town of East Peoria which was damaged during the storm. Families affected by the storm and first-responders sat near the stage for this special concert and REO reunion.
Richrath died on September 13, 2015, as confirmed by his former REO Speedwagon associate Kevin Cronin.[3] He was 65.

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Alex Sax(Oleg Zhovanik-Shevchik) was born in Russia .. He grew up in Ural, where he attended high school. Alex began playing saxophone at age 18!!!. He started college at Moscow University, but finished at the National High Colledge of Music in 1989 with a Bachelor of Music degree with diploma as artist of orchestra, conductor of wind orchestra.
Alex was a member of the Jazz College Band in 1989, and was one of the Composers for Pop World Studio Teens in 1990.
Alex began his own project as composer and arranger with jazz singer Paola in 1992-1997,then opened the Acid pop recording studio in 1998.
Literally having traveled the world playing smooth jazz, Alex Sax has earned a reputation as a versatile saxman, , and creative arranger. He is poised to step up and take his place on the larger international jazz scene.

Alex Sax based in Dubai,in present time working as freelancer performer.
Contacts(jovan46@mail.ru, phone:0506842547)
The smooth jazz fiesta 1998
The Rainbow,International competition of musicians 2000
Composer of Paola Project (pop,acid jazz, dance funk)1999-2002

skills: arrangement,composing(jazz,rock, pop,funk)

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Band Members
Alvin Nacino, drums
Rommel Carrera, vocals
Willy Villa, keyboards/ guitars
Rodel Kalalang, guitars
Gerard Jovellanos, bass

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JFB has formed a brotherhood of blues and beyond that is undeniable for music lovers of raw, energetic, high intensity shows. No show is ever the same with their spontaneous set changes and off the cuff arrangements of any song they feel they want to play at the moment. They are a spur of the moment band which keeps the shows interesting and unique.

JFB is a blues/rock band that has been performing orginal and cover music for more than a decade. The band has 2 CD's to their credit that showcase their writing and instrumentation: Ordinary Man and The Long Hard Road.

From their work on The Long Hard Road,the band was awarded a 3-song publishing contract with Transition Music Corp in California.
They have also had songs featured in film and television, including The Closer, Passions, and the Spanish film Tough Guy. JFB has shared the stage with acts such as Molly Hatchet, Buckcherry, and Three Dog Night.
JFB continues to play live shows to promote their original music.

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“David Miller's music is earthy and soulful. A bluesy rock style, a rich voice and guitar, along with years of experience, it adds up to a musical pilgrimage that attracts attention and stimulates a crowd. People get interested, and that's golden!” - Holt Vaughn, Founder and CEO of the Award Winning group of media companies TheEastcoGroup.com
"Miller is one of the finest soul-based singers in our region, and throughout “Poisons Sipped,” he proves he’s also one of our most vibrant songwriters. Elements of gospel, R&B, electric blues and singer-songwriter leanings collide here to form a collection of elegant, stately and eminently grooving songs, delivered with consistent passion. This is incredibly spirited stuff, and it represents a new high-watermark for Buffalo-born recordings.” -  Jeff Miers, Buffalo News

"Dave has a great soulful voice that may be the best sounding to have come out of WNY since Billy McEwen, his songs are catchy, funky, full of meaning as is his tasty guitar work."  - Tommy Z, International Recording Artist

"Poisons Sipped is a perfect cocktail of Blues, Soul, and Gospel flavors! Do yourself a favor and treat your ears to one of the best albums of the year!” -  Selwyn Birchwood, Alligator Records Recording Artist

“From “old-school” blues/ rock to sweet soul and gospel David Miller knows his stuff. A singer/songwriter and storyteller singing from what he has experienced, Miller is one of those guys who plays it from the heart. The notes falling from his guitar are drenched with passion and, when he opens his mouth and begins to sing, you know it’ nothin’ but the pure unadulterated truth. David Michael Miller is the real deal. If I had to label Miller, I would most likely call him a soul singer but, he is so much more. With each time that I listen to Poisons Sipped, I hear something new. This is an album that is destined to become a classic, passing down through the ages as one of those things that we all come to know and love.” - Bill Wilson, Reflections in Blue

Interview with Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon

Here is the LATEST on the Loudini Rock and Roll Circus Interview Series featuring Betsie Brown.

BETSIE BROWN has over twenty-five years of experience in entertainment and music promotion, media relations & marketing communications, based in Memphis, San Diego, New York and London. Brown established Blind Raccoon in 2008, after a seven-year partnership in Crows Feet Productions. We provide radio promotion and publicity services, social media promotion and marketing consultation in the blues, roots, rock, R&B, soul, Americana and folk music genres.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Recipient of the 2009 KBA Award “Publicist of the Year” bestowed by The Blues Foundation

Member of the Board of the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy 2010-12 and 2007-9

Former Board Member of the Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission

Board Member (2007-10 & 2002-5) and Vice President (2005) of The Blues Foundation

Corporate Member of The Blues Foundation

Member of the Americana Music Association

Member of the Folk Alliance

2004 and 2005 Chair of the International Blues Challenge, produced by The Blues Foundation

Board Member and Communications Chairperson of the former Blues Music Association

SERVICES

Simply put our task is to spread the word about an artist and their music to media, radio, music industry professionals and music lovers. Our job is to get reviews, features, interviews, radio airplay, and social media buzz. While working with a client, we act as advisers, mentors, and consultants on most promotional issues.

We work new music projects in these genres – blues, rock/blues, roots, Americana, folk, and funk/soul/R&B.

We present the music to chart reporters in the hope of placing on such charts as the Living Blues, Roots Music Report, Folk-DJ, Jamband, and Alternate Root charts.

We work with an extensive media and radio list that reaches around the globe as well as a significant list of music industry professionals. We are working social media every day and continue to build up our presence on Facebook, Twitter, Storify and SoundCloud. We place each client’s music on our password-protected digital platform in addition to mailing out physical product to maximize exposure.

Most of our campaigns are customized. However we do have a blues/roots targeted campaign for $3,275 all inclusive. More information can be obtained by emailing us at info@blindraccoon.com.

We also have additional promotional opportunities for our clients, including our sampler CD Blind Raccoon Collection, inclusion in our showcases, nomination promotions, Rocky’s Jukebox playlists, to name just a few.

PO Box 40045, Memphis, TN 38174

901.268.6065 • info@blindraccoon.com

Interview with Janelle Rogers of Green Light Go Publicity

Hosted by: LouLombardi aka "Loudini"
Title: Interview with Janelle Rogers of Green Light Go Publicity
Time: 09/08/2015 06:00 PM EDT

Armed with gritty determination, I’m the queen of defying the impossible and what most people would say “can’t be done.” Never one to admit defeat until every avenue has been exhausted, I’ve conquered a few personal milestones in my forty years.

Whether personal or professional, I turn every no into a giant yes. Small town girls don’t move from Wyoming to Seattle to pursue a dream job in the music industry. I did. “You won’t get a job.” And yet stints at SXSW Music & Media Conference, BMG Distribution, and Sony BMG in the alternative marketing department are all parts of my career repertoire. Ride 300 miles through Michigan on a bicycle for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Challenge accepted and completed.

I might also add I’ve worked with some very cool bands. I say this not to brag, but because, I mean, c’mon it’s cool. Kings of Leon, The White Stripes, The Strokes, Starfucker, The Handsome Family, Belle & Sebastian, Morrissey are just a few I could name.

When I started Green Light Go in 2002, I heard a lot of naysayers tell me how most businesses fail. They do. But I’m not most people and as you can see, I don’t take no for an answer. My brother says I’m resilient. It’s my resilience, determination and passion that is infused into every single campaign we work. I don’t believe in can’t. If you say you can’t do something, I’ll ask for five reasons you can.

Professional (and brief bio)

Janelle Rogers began her 20 year music industry career working for SXSW Music and Media Conference. She then went on to work for BMG Distribution for 10 years in the alternative music department where she championed bands like Kings of Leon, Ray LaMontagne, The Strokes, Belle & Sebastian and The White Stripes. In 2002 she launched Green Light Go Music PR as a haven of honesty, integrity and passion for underrepresented artists and labels. She has since been named Mentor of the Year by the University of Michigan, Dearborn, appeared as a panelist at NXNE and been an official SXSW mentor.

If interested in booking for panelist, mentor or interview opportunities please contact at janelle [at] glgpub.com

http://facebook.com/janellerogersrox

http://twitter.com/janelle_rogers

Interview with Tanisha Jackson

TANISHA JACKSON, FOUNDER AT TANISHA JACKSON, ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT

Music Industry Veteran offering bespoke strategic, management and marketing solutions for artists, labels, venues and nonprofits. My objective in any given scenario is to bring complementary parties together to achieve mutually beneficial objectives that promote music, art, technological advancement and social development.

Specialties: Artist Liaison, Media Relations, Live Event Production, Production Coordination, Image Consulting, A&R

Tanisha provides management, publicity, contract negotiation, live production and booking services to clients in several areas of entertainment; primarily music, but also film and publishing. Clients include multi-instrumentalist and producer Morris Pleasure, saxophonist Mike Albert.

Her work as a writer is featured in the liner notes and all copy associated with soul legend and Four Top Ronnie McNeir's critically acclaimed 2007 release, "Ronnie Mac & Company." 

Jackson Talent handles a myriad of entertainment needs including official artist biographies, press campaigns, contract negotiations, booking, and career management aimed primarily at the independent artist.

Tanisha's Latest Venture is Posh Pittsburgh.

Interview with Joe Deninzon

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Joe Deninzon has been hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” because of his innovative style on the electric seven-string violin and his compositions combining jazz and rock with Gypsy influences. A musician who transcends many genres, he has worked with Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Phoebe Snow, Everclear, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Smokey Robinson, Robert Bonfiglio, and Les Paul among many others. He has also performed as a solo electric violinist with the New York City Ballet and has performed, co-written, and musically directed the of Broadway show, “Spider Dance” with percussionist Alessandra Belloni.

Joe is the lead singer and violinist for the band Stratospheerius, who have just released their 5th CD, “The Next World” on Steve Vai’as Digital Nations label , and were named “Best Jam Band” in the Musician’s Atlas Independent Music Awards. He can be heard on over a hundred CD’s and jingles as a violinist and string arranger.

A 12-time BMI Jazz Composer’s grant recipient and a winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, his original music has been used on CMT, MTV VH1, Comedy Central, National Geographic, the Travel Channel, the History Channel, and most recently, the Will Ferrell/Adam McKay-produced film “Virginity Hit.”

Joe has released a CD with his acoustic Jazz Trio, entitled Exuberance, which mixes the style of Stephane Grappelli with covers of Radiohead and Alice in Chains. He also recently joined the Sweet Plantain String Quartet, which combines classical, jazz, hip-hop, and Latin styles. An active clinician, Joe has taught rock violin at Mark Oconnor’s String Camp and Mark Wood’s Rock Orchestra Camp, and made repeated appearances performing at the Grand Canyon Music Festival, where he co-founded the Grand Canyon School of Rock. He has recently published a book on electric violin techniques for Mel Bay Publications, entitled “Plugging In.” Joe holds Bachelor’s degrees in Violin Performance and Jazz Violin from Indiana University and a Master’s in Jazz/Commercial violin from Manhattan School of Music. Joe holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University and a Master’s from Manhattan School of Music.

“As at home in the world of Grappeli and Oconner as he is in the world of Steve Vai and Jimi Hendrix, Joe Deninzon may very well be our next national violin treasure!!”

-Jedd Beaudoin

www.seaoftranquility.org

Get HELP with your Music Career. Lou and Kevin Explain it ALL!

Hosted by: LouLombardi aka "Loudini" and Kevin O'Connor
Episode Notes: There are so many people out there who can help you meet your goals. Check out past podcasts to hear some of the best of them. This week the boys feature music by Album, Tarra Layne, David Michael Miller, Xander Demos and March to May. Birthday shout outs to Michael Derosier of Heart Tarra Layne Ken Hensely of Uriah Heep Jim Capaldi of Traffic Plus a brand new feature "Where are they now?" This week's WATN artist is Kim Mitchell

#loudini #loulombardi #loulombardimusic #loudinirockandrollcircus

Here's the LATEST from the Loudini Rock and Roll Circus !
Title - Get HELP with your Music Career. Lou and Kevin Explain it ALL!
Hosted by: LouLombardi aka "Loudini" and Kevin O'Connor
Episode Notes: There are so many people out there who can help you meet your goals. Check out past podcasts to hear some of the best of them. This week the boys feature music by Album, Tarra Layne, David Michael Miller, Xander Demos and March to May. Birthday shout outs to Michael Derosier of Heart Tarra Layne Ken Hensely of Uriah Heep Jim Capaldi of Traffic Plus a brand new feature "Where are they now?" This week's WATN artist is Kim Mitchell

Tarra Layne resides in a place where Grace Potter, Beyonce, and Gretchen Wilson collide – where gritty, care-free, home-grown soul meets sultry pop-rock ‘n roll. Combining her heavy 90s R&B upbringing with a love for rock and blues, Tarra is uprooting and constructing a style of her own. It has been referred to as Funktry due to her big, soulful timbre, southern attitude, and contemporary twist. This red-headed blues broad will rattle your emotions and free your raw rebellious side.

Introducing, Tarra Layne was released in November 2011 and she quickly earned a spot gracing the stage with Gavin DeGraw and Vanessa Carlton for the Origins Rocks Earth Month concert at Webster Hall in 2012. Beautiful Day has been featured in Origins Skin Cares campaigns and she captivated the Pittsburgh regional area being recognized by the Iron City as an artist on the rise. The Yellow Couch Sessions, recorded live in a small studio in Pittsburgh, feature three rocking tunes that have earned Tarra quite a following. She has recently been finishing up recording a blues project based out Minneapolis featuring renowned players such as Steve Cropper, Dr. Fink, Sonny T, Leland Sklar, Waddy Wachtel, Russ Kunkel, Michael Bland, and Jellybean Johnsonn - to name a few. With countless of followers and thousands of downloads later, Tarra is creating something quite extraordinary.

Her next third-coming EP, featuring her roof-blowing single "Cherry Moonshine," is just the beginning of a new musical journey for all to experience.

I grew up mostly in the country south of Buffalo, NY. At a very young age I began singing in church, surrounded by gospel music, which has impacted my writing to this day. Growing up through the 70's and 80's I was exposed to many to write and perform. Blues and soul music always inspired me though I never embraced those forms until much later. In college I did a short internship in Nashville and was somewhat disallusioned by the music industry. Not long after, I got married to my high school sweet heart, started a family and got away from persuing music for a few years.

Around 1995 I started a band called Painted By Moses, releasing a couple albums of songs I had written that sold over 2500 copies in a couple years. We had radio airplay all around the United States on college and niche stations, playing several large festivals in Western New York through Chicago.

After several more years of playing gospel music, I began writing more roots music, finally letting blues and soul influences rise to the surface. Inspired by Buffalo artists such as Tommy Z (www.tommyzband.com), I started a band called Beautiful Bones with my son Joshua, my nephew Nick Peterson and the legendary keyboard player, Jim Ehinger focusing on blues and soul. We had the priviliege of opening for several national acts including Joe Bonamassa and David Allen Coe.

Most recently I helped form and am the lead singer and main songwriter for the band Dive House Union (www.divehouseunion.com). Dive House Union (DHU) has also continued to share the stage with many national acts such as Jonny Lang, Gary Clark Jr., Bobby Blue Bland, Jimmie Vaughan and many others. This band has toured regionally and competed in the International Blues Challenge, making it to the semi-finals. DHU has released two live albums, recorded in iconic local theaters and continues to fuse blues and soul with a jam band philosphy.

Most recently I am working with producer, Jesse Miller, to bring a solo project to life. This led me to work with the world famous, The Campbell Brothers (www.campbellbrothers.com), and now planning to tour with members of this band to promote my first solo album, "Poisons Sipped."

PRESS COPY:
David Michael Miller, Buffalo-based singer/songwriter, has his roots deep in the church and gospel music. His music is anchored deeply in a roots gospel, blues and soul foundation. He fronted several bands as lead singer and primary songwriter, getting airplay all around the country in college markets and gospel stations with previous projects. After a hiatus from music, in 2005 he launched back into the local scene and inspired by professional artists such as Tommy Z, he carried his gospel roots into the nationally known blues and soul scene. This led him to the last 3+ years with Dive House Union (DHU) as lead singer, primary songwriter and secondary guitarist. Dive House Union has shared the stage with such greats as Gary Clark Jr, Bobby Blue Bland, Jonny Lang, Jimmie Vaughan, Shemekia Copeland, Joe Bonamassa, and many more. They also represented Western New York in Memphis, for the International Blues Competition in early 2013. DHU has released two live albums recorded locally at iconic rooms, Kleinhans Music Hall and The Aurora Theater.

Recently, David has partnered with local producer Jesse Miller for a couple of solo albums. The first of which, “The Poison’s I’ve Sipped,” to be released in December of 2013 and a gospel album to follow in 2014. He competed this past September in the local Memphis Bound competition with his son, Joshua Miller, and won the privilege of representing Western New York again in Memphis January 2014.

‘David Miller's music is earthy and soulful. A bluesy rock style, a rich voice and guitar, along with years of experience, it adds up to a musical pilgrimage that attracts attention and stimulates a crowd. People get interested, and that's golden!”
- Holt Vaughn, Founder and CEO of the Award Winning group of media companies TheEastcoGroup.com

"No one can define soul. This minor inconvenience of a fact has never deterred people from trying to do so, though. Some say it has something to do with the color of your skin. Others insist it is something that can be learned. Still others will have you believe that we are born with it, or we’re not, and if we’re not, well, we’re out of luck. Most of these explanations are inherently flawed.It’s a silly endeavor, really, but it does often yield some entertaining results, and spurring discourse is always a good idea, right? In the end, all that we can say about soul, as it pertains to music, is that it cannot be defined with any accuracy in mere words, but when we hear it, we know exactly what it is, and at that point, statements of definition just seem vain at last. Words can be soulful, certainly, but they aren’t soul itself.
The first time I heard local guitarist and vocalist David Michael Miller, my response was not an intellectual one, and I didn’t put it into words and then mumble it to myself under my breath. I simply felt something. Miller’s playing and singing were dripping with soul, and before I could truly think about what was happening, I’d already had a physical reaction to it.
Perhaps Miller’s background in church music, gospel in its various guises, had something to do with the deep emotional resonance his performance with Dive House Union instilled in me on that particular day. Who knows? ... But it was dripping with that elusive indefinable quality: soul."
— Jeff Miers, Buffalo News

“Dive House Union is perhaps the pre-eminent band among a new generation of blues-based outfits in the region. Fronted by uber-soulful vocalist/guitarist David Michael Miller - and including guitarist Todd Eberwine, drummer Shannon Street, bassist Dave Herr, keyboardist Tom Scime and saxophonist Barry Arborgast - the band's sound is far too diverse and far-reaching to be labeled strictly blues. But the blues is certainly at the core of the DHU funk/soul/R&B/rock mélange. Early on, the torrid soul-blues tune "Love Ain't So Blind" and the homage to the band's musical forebears, "Son of Many Fathers," combined to tell the DHU story. These guys are serious players who come together as a musical melting pot, blending styles into a soulful, spicy gumbo. A jet-fueled soul-funk take on Bill Withers' "For My Friend" drove this point home, and was peppered with stellar guitar playing from both Eberwine and Miller. jmiers@buffnews.com (August 12, 2012)”
— Jeff Miers, Buffalo News

“Song of the Day Bill Withers, Let Us Love, The Good ...from The Good Neighborhood - 17:28:05 GMT. Dive House Union's David Miller is one of those musicians, and as such he has chosen Withers' Let Us Love, as the gold star cover he'll perform at Wednesday night's Song School song swap at the Sportsmens Tavern supporting Music is Art.”
- Music is Art

Xander Demos is one of today’s premier shred metal guitarists. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, he currently fronts his own band, XDB and has performed as a member of national tribute act, James Rivera’s Sabbath Judas Sabbath, as well as playing in Rivera’s solo band and Raxus Prme. Xander performs in excess of 100 times a year, and he is active in recording collaborations with artists all over the world. Xander plays guitars from Suhr, McNaught and Conklin, with whom he has endorsement deals. His endorsement from these guitar companies is a testament to his impressive skills and his deep commitment to playing the best guitars in the world.

Xander's style ranges from the beautifully melodic to the jaw-droppingly insane. His playing encompasses much of what he has learned and absorbed from other players over the years; artists like Shawn Lane, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore, Jason Becker, Neal Schon, Michael Romeo and John Sykes. One constant in his music is a focus on strong guitar melodies. In 2012, Xander released his debut solo CD, Guitarcadia. Mixed by CJ Snare of Firehouse, the album was named among the Best Albums of 2012 by Hair Metal Mansion.

Recently, Xander has been making quite the name for himself and his solo band by appearing as support for acts like Symphony X, Stryper, Metal Church, Adrenaline Mob, Buckethead, UFO, Lizzy Borden, Kip Winger, Neil Zaza and Dio Disciples, as well as performing at Rock Harvest II, Wolf Fest, Skull Fest and NAMM Metal Jam. Xander’s videos have received more than 500,000 Youtube views, and Xander has regularly been featured on The Real Radio Show with AJ Pero of Twisted Sister, Steve Vai’sGuitarTV.com, GuitarWorld.com, Hair Metal Mansion, Iron City Rocks, Metal Temple, Bravewords and many other top rock and metal shows and websites. In August 2012, Xander was named Guitar Shop TV’s New Artist Showcase Winner. Named the 2013 Iron City Rocks Pittsburgh Music Awards Guitarist of the Year, Xander’s playing appears on several releases from other artists: Ged Rylands (Ten, Tygers of Pan Tang,) Derek Buddemeyer (Down Boys Records) Modern Superstar and Liberty ‘N’ Justice’s long awaited “Cigar Chronicles,” also featuring George Lynch (Dokken) Jeff Labar (Cinderella) and Jerry Dixon (Warrant.) He was included on “Guitar Feast” a compilation of international guitarists. His latest single release, “Dancing Through Daggers” was mixed by JK Northrup of King Kobra/XYZ fame, and it is the #1 Metal song on OnlyLyrics.com.

In addition to these accomplishments, Xander is an avid animal lover. Always looking for projects that will aid these beautiful creatures, Xander is donating a portion of his album sales to the ASPCA.

Xander plays: V-Picks, the Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra as well as Hughes and Kettner amps, Matrix Amplification, Mission pedals, ISP Guitar Systems and Suhr Guitars, Amps & Effects, McNaught Guitars, who completed production of the first Xander Demos Signature Guitar, Conklin Guitars and John Dixon Cases. Many of Xander's guitars are outfitted with EMG pickups and accessories. He exclusively uses the FloydUpgrades tremolos or the GraphTech LB-63 piezo-equipped Floyd tremolo. He also is endorsed with Rock-N-Roll GangStar Apparel, Lampifier Microphones, JH Audio In-ear monitors, and INTEX Cables. 

Thousands of years after the annals of prehistory closed, man has fashioned sound as terrible as exploding stars. Gods will tremble at the sonic slaughter unleashed by our races hands. Music is humanities calling card to the universe and its’ message is clear: “Beware the might of man.”

Since man awakened from his primordial slumber, he has sought to harness the essence of life through sound. The rumble of earth, scream of storm and call of the predator. Man offers his music to the heavens in awe, anguish and anger hoping his place in existence be remembered by all things.

Deep in the foothills of the ancient Appalachians lies the tiny crossroads of Rogers. There, the last vestiges of somber, proud hill–folk wax into legacy and wilderness swallows ancestral lands back into inhuman mystery. It is amongst this quiet and isolated realm that a thunder summoned from an age forgotten, heralds a new dawning for the music of man. That thunder is named ALBUM.

When listening to ALBUM one cannot help but feel as though death stared them in the face and they some how managed to laugh. When one sees ALBUM it is as though rock n roll became personified in three living beings for the next half hour. Through eight songs you will have tamed a wolf, battled eagles and conquered the world.

ALBUM songs are as much songs as incantations intended to ward demons and turn desk-jockeys into warriors. With an electric arsenal of Holier-than-thou hard rock riffs, heads will bang and fists will pump. Pop-tinged melodies and sluggish heavy progressions will follow you for days.