Press Releases - Page 29 of 178

November 8, 2024

MEGADETH Celebrate 30th Anniversary Of First-Ever Band Website—Megadeth, Arizona—And ‘Youthanasia’ Album; Read A Dave Mustaine Q&A

DATE: NOVEMBER 8, 2024

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH/MITCH SCHNEIDER, SRO PR

MEGADETH
CELEBRATE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST-EVER
BAND WEBSITE
—MEGADETH, ARIZONA—
AND ‘YOUTHANASIA’ ALBUM

READ A
DAVE MUSTAINE
Q&A BELOW

In October 1994, MEGADETH and their label took a chance with a new venture. To celebrate the release of the YOUTHANASIA album, the pioneering band established Megadeth, Arizona. It was the first-ever band website on the Internet.

The website—as Billboard (October 31, 2024) noted in a story celebrating its anniversary—was “based on the location of the band’s new studio in Phoenix,” and “was the concept for the first-ever artist website. In addition to the chat room, called the Megadiner, the site featured an art and digital-postcard repository, Vic’s Cactus Hut and Souvenir Shop, a newspaper titled Horrorscopes and links to videos and online-radio tracks.”

“When the internet came into our lives, we really didn’t understand it, just like anyone else,” MEGADETH founder Dave Mustaine explains. “But we had the greatest opportunity because we were the ones chosen to be the guinea pig. When the people over at Capitol had shown us what this was, the basic layout and some of the artwork, the images were all cool. The woman that had done the images had done a bunch of great images and made it really look cool like the stickers that are on the back of campers and shit like that, so I thought it was really great and exciting. Again, no one really knew what it was, so once we clicked on the launch button and it started all whizzing and banging and all that kind of stuff, it was remarkable. There’s been no looking back since.” (See below for DAVE Q&A about Megadeth, Arizona).

Meanwhile, the multi-platinum-selling and GRAMMY® Award-winning rockers just wrapped their U.S. tour which followed successful runs in Latin America (Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and México) and Europe (Sweden, Italy, France, Germany, and more) and garnered stellar reviews (see below). Next up, MEGADETH will head into the studio to record new music, and look for additional dates to be announced for 2025. Here’s some critical feedback from MEGADETH’s recent tour:

“Dave Mustaine and company steamrolled Houston with a setoff of hits encompassing their 40+ year career, highlighted by ‘Angry Again,’ ‘Hangar 18,’ ‘Sweating Bullets,’ ‘Trust’ and the smash ‘Symphony Of Destruction’…The light show was nothing short of phenomenal, especially during songs like ‘Tornado Of Souls’ and ‘Dystopia.’”
–KNAC (Houston, TX, 8/3/24)

“Standout songs like ‘Trust’ and ‘Peace Sells’ made it easy to forget there were even two other bands on the bill, but when Megadeth ripped through ‘Mechanix’ it was sheer bliss.”
–PHOENIX NEW TIMES (Phoenix, AZ , 8/8/24)

“In 2022, when Megadeth released their sixteenth album The Sick, The Dying…And the Dead, it was not just an album that fans loved, it was also one of the band’s most successful. Hearing the title-track of the album kick off Megadeth’s set for the evening really brought the point home – you just don’t mess with the best…Megadeth always puts on a clinic and what separated them from everyone over a period of four decades.”
– CRYPTIC ROCK (Denver, CO, 8/6/24)

“A blistering, hour and a half set filled with a voracious amount of classic Megadeth thrash…”
– WILL TO ROCK (Los Angeles, CA, 8/9/24)

“Something about this Megadeth show felt particularly special above any other that I’ve seen in recent years. The band was truly firing on all cylinders, and by the time the opening notes rang out on ‘Holy Wars…The Punishment Due,’ I was exhausted and completely satisfied. Decades later, Megadeth is still a band worth seeing live.”
– SF SHAMELESS (San Francisco, CA, 8/11/24)

“The thunderous chant of “MEGADETH, MEGADETH, MEGADETH” echoed through the venue, setting the tone for the fans’ unwavering enthusiasm throughout the band’s entire performance…Attending a Megadeth concert is a must for metal fans of all ages.”
– LA METAL MEDIA (Phoenix, AZ, 8/8/24)

“Dave Mustaine has not lost a step, and his current lineup featuring James LoMenzo on bass and backing vocals, Dirk Verbeuren (Drums), and Teemu Mäntysaari (guitars and backing vocals) did not fail to deliver an explosive set featuring their defining songs from all eras. The highlights of the 17-song set were ‘Angry Again,’ ‘Sweating Bullets,’ ‘Skin O’ My Teeth,’ and ‘Countdown to Extinction’- delivered with an intensity unmatched on recorded medium to an ecstatic crowd that remained on their feet from the first note to the fading refrain of the encore.”
–NM ENTERTAINS (Albuquerque, NM, 8/5/24)

“Mustaine was a transfixing figure onstage, his signature flowing hair rippling in the breeze as he ripped solo after solo and led the band through songs from 11 different albums in his catalog.”
– ROCK CELLAR MAGAZINE (Los Angeles, CA, 8/15/24)

“Dave Mustaine was on fire on both nights of the tour in LA…There are just not enough successful words to describe Megadeth’s performance on this evening and throughout the tour.”
– METAL INSIDER (Los Angeles, CA, 8/15/24)

“Megadeth brought their iconic thrash metal mastery to West Palm Beach, and fans of all ages converged to witness one of the most legendary bands in metal… The energy in the amphitheater was electric as Mustaine’s signature riffs and snarling vocals reverberated through the crowd… Megadeth’s performance was a masterclass in precision and passion—brutal yet technical, polished yet raw.”
– CBS 12 NEWS (West Palm Beach, FL, 8/25/24)

“Megadeth’s concert at PNC Music Pavilion Friday may not have been a comeback, but it sure felt like one. A triumphant one in fact. Aided by a killer light show and a trio of seasoned (yet still a bit younger) musicians, 62-year-old Dave Mustaine and his band were in better form than I’d ever seen them.”
–CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (9/7/24)

“Megadeth pulled zero punches with an all-killer-no-filler setlist…Megadeth is a must-see band for any metal fan. Witnessing this level of energy and impact they carry with each note, riff, guitar solo, and bass groove can only be experienced with your own eyes and ears in person, not through a video, to appreciate this level of high-level, unparalleled showmanship.”
– NEW NOISE MAGAZINE (Tinley Park, IL, 9/3/24)

“Megadeth’s creator and sole original member, lead singer and guitarist Dave Mustaine, conjured the vigor that made him a heavy-metal icon on the band’s classic material. His trademark biting vocal delivery on fan favorite ‘Sweating Bullets’ earned some of the loudest and most sustained cheers of the evening, and on ‘Symphony of Destruction,’ he delivered his best and longest guitar solo of the evening.”
–TIMES UNION (Albany, NY, 9/10/24)

A group of men standing together outside Description automatically generated MEGADETH
(l-r: James LoMenzo, Dirk Verbeuren, Dave Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari)
Photo Credit: Ryan Chang

DAVE MUSTAINE Q&A

Q: Without a model, how did you know what would be appealing to fans?

DAVE MUSTAINE (DM): “You know, we didn’t have a model to do that so the only way that I knew that this was going to be appealing to the fans was my experience as a tape trader in the very beginning. When I was in my first band Panic, and then freshly into Metallica, we would trade tapes with people around the world and people would write letters, if you could believe that–Jeez, snail mail back in the day –but we also had really cool other magazines that would tell us stuff that was happening. This cut that down from weeks to get a reply from one of your friends to just a couple of seconds.

With the way that the website was set up, we didn’t really know much about it with the layout or anything like that because when you think about the normal blueprint of stuff and when they say that there is a room here and a room there, you think about a two-dimensional drawing and the overview, looking down into a floor plan. So for me, thinking about what all these different rooms are, it was, I don’t know, maybe a misnomer. It didn’t work for my mind’s eye to see what the layout of what this internet and this website and this chat room would be, but I figured out that that stuff didn’t matter, it was just a word. As we clicked on other stuff like photos and mp3s and then we got into more of the advanced stuff–the chat room and so on–that was something that just blew everybody’s mind.”

Q: There’s a funny story about a call with Gene Simmons, can you recount it?

DM: “When Megadeth Arizona was launched, a lot of people went there because they couldn’t understand, the same way that I couldn’t, what all of these rooms were on the internet and having a chat room and so on. So it was really exciting one by one as we would hear people that noticed it and I was blown away when I heard from one of my favorite musicians and rockstars, Gene Simmons. Legend has it, he said ‘I want a website just like Mustaine’s’ and you can imagine how stoked I was to hear that. And I had asked his manager, Doc McGee, and I had gotten a video sent back to me of Gene repeating what he had said. So hats off to you Gene. Love you guys!”

Q: Media and the internet has changed so drastically since the launch of the site. What/how as a band are you continuing to engage your audience?

DM: “When we first started out, we were stuck having to write to our fans, whether it was typing letters out on typewriters if you can believe that, or getting a handwritten letter, and I used to do that a lot, in fact I got something that was a photocopy just the other day from one of my friends of a letter that I had sent them and it was really nostalgic and cool. But you’re trying to conduct business and when you want to be an international band, it sucked. When we started playing, a lot of the bands we knew in town, they really didn’t look at things like it was going to be an international thing. They were just worried about being popular in their hometown, which for me, never crossed my mind, I wanted to be the biggest band in the world, so we would write, write, write. We would trade tapes with people around the world. Every once in a while, I would pick up the phone and make a long-distance phone call and have to deal with the shock of seeing the phone bill later. But once the Megadeth Arizona site started, that was great. We were able to push the launch button on this site and go into the Megadiner and like I said before, anyone that was a member of Megeadiner in the beginning are definitely IT. They have tremendous street credibility. Now, with the chats and stuff that had happened with the launch of Megadiner, people have chat rooms everywhere. We were just in a chat room the other day getting tech support. You gotta remember that a chat room is a chat room. It was really neat to be able to develop all of this stuff together with the fans that we have become friends with. Megadeth.com was born out of Megadeth Arizona and that has led to some really long lasting friendships. I’m looking forward to the party tonight.

Q: Will you be doing anything on the current site to honor the anniversary? Should fans be looking for any easter eggs?

DM: “In honor of the 30th anniversary for Youthanasia and Megadeth Arizona, I participated in a chat room on the Megadeth Discord server. Fans were able to ask questions and chat with me directly, in real time, just like back in the day. Before the chat started, everyone watched a stream of our old documentary, ‘Evolver,’ which was cool. We are also adding something special to Megadeth.com to pay tribute to Megadeth Arizona and some of the rooms from the past like Megadiner, Vic’s Cactus Hut, and the Digital Drive in if you haven’t seen it already. There will be some easter eggs you can find if you play around with the page and search hard enough.”

Q: The website launch was tied to the release of Youthanasia, which means that album is also celebrating an anniversary. The album was recorded in Arizona, how was the recording process different than in a studio in LA, NY or another big city?

DM: “Youthanasia was recorded in Arizona, but it could’ve been the moon for all I care. We built the different sound enclosures for each artist, and we built a control room for Max Norman to work in, and we had to get this gigantic console and get that moved out to Arizona and into this control room we had built. That was cool if you were taking a shop class in highschool or something, but having to go build a studio you have to build a record in…I don’t know. I liked it, but it was unnecessary.”

Find MEGADETH online at:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X | YOUTUBE

SRO PR
Marcee Rondan, marcee@sropr.com
Kelly Walsh, kwalsh@sropr.com

November 4, 2024

It’s a harvest hoedown at Stoney’s North Forty in November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2024

IT’S A HARVEST HOEDOWN WITH LIVE MUSIC EVERY THURSDAY AT STONEY’S NORTH FORTY

WHAT: Stoney’s North Forty inside Santa Fe Station offers live country music every Thursday, and every Wednesday is Ladies Night with DJ Manda, where ladies drink for $2 and dance lessons start at 7:30 p.m.

Hop on the mechanical bull or take a spin on the dance floor below the mirrored armadillo! Stoney’s has you covered with free two step and line dance lessons Tuesdays through Saturdays. Visit https://stoneysnorthforty.com/dance-lesson/ for times and details.

WHERE: Stoney’s North Forty inside Santa Fe Station

4949 N. Rancho Drive

WHEN:                 Wed., Nov. 6                     Bikini Bull Riding Ladies Night with Pendleton Whisky
Thurs., Nov. 7                   Chad Bushnell
Thurs., Nov. 14                 The Sand River Band
Thurs., Nov. 21                 Ariel Jean

TICKETS: Advance tickets for live entertainment start at just $5 ($10 at the door) and are available at https://stoneysnorthforty.com/.

ABOUT BIKINI BULL RIDING LADIES NIGHT

On the first Wednesday of every month, Bikini Bull Riding Ladies Night features $2 drinks for ladies. All bull riding participants receive a free bikini from Pendleton Whisky and the Pendleton Posse, and ladies can compete for $1,000 in cash prizes.

ABOUT CHAD BUSHNELL

Chad exudes the Americana spirit wrapped up into his lyrics and melodies. Mostly inspired as a child growing up singing in church and constant inspiration from his great grandmother, his Christian Country roots run deep. Chad continues to contribute to the western ranch world working closely with fellow Ranchers alongside his father, mother, and sister Chelsey Bushnell (who is an accomplished roper and rodeo athlete) maintaining livestock while writing country songs. He has opened for Dwight Yoakam, Kris Kristofferson, Neil McCoy, Billy Currington, Mark Wills, Collin Raye, Mark Chesnutt, Jerrod Neimann, Exile, and many others over the years. While Chad isn’t touring and opening for current country stars such as Lee Brice, Aaron Watson, and Scotty McCreery, he’s tucked away with his wife in the rolling, western hills of Red Bluff, California.

Chad’s single “What Would Jesus Do” hit #1 on the Christian Country Music charts in December 2018 right by George Strait and Lauren Alaina. He went on to have two more #1 Christian Country songs including “That Ain’t My Church” and Thank God”. His EP titled “What They Ain’t Tellin’ Us” was produced at Hag Studio by Ace Otten. It features Merle Haggard’s son Ben Haggard on guitar and backing vocals and members of the Strangers. Most recently, Chad has worked with legendary singer/songwriter Dave Gibson who produced and co-wrote most songs for his latest EP titled “Baby I Love You”. He recently finished an album titled “Whiskey to Work” that was produced by Nate Coon (drummer for Aaron Watson) and Derek Hames (owner of Edgewater Studios).

Chad has participated in several contests such as the American Country Star contest in Nashville where he became a top 3 finalist and won the Horizon award for 2014. He was the 1st place winner of the Inspirational Country Showdown in Yuba City, CA. for 2018 and won New Artist of the Year for 2019 at the Inspirational Country Music Awards. He was Contemporary Country Vocalist of the Year at the Josie Music Awards for 2020 and was nominated by Country Evolution as an Artist to Watch in 2023. He recently celebrated the premiere of his first documentary on KIXE PBS titled “North State Roots”. You may have also caught a glimpse of Chad on TV shows such as The 700 Club and Universal Huntress.

ABOUT THE SAND RIVER BAND

Sand River is your go-to band for a night of high-energy country music that’ll get your boots tapping and your heart pumping! They’re not just any country band; they’re the band that brings country to life in a way that rocks. They are a group of passionate musicians united by their love for country music and the power it has to bring people together. For years, they’ve been rocking bars, venues, and private events, delivering a unique blend of country tunes that you can’t help but dance to.

ABOUT ARIEL JEAN

Ariel Jean is a singer/songwriter located in the Sacramento, Ca area, originally from Loomis, a small town outside of Sac. Ariel Has been writing songs since she was 12 years old and established the Ariel Jean Band in 2016. She started expanding and performing at local clubs and then festivals & opening for national acts such as: Sam Hunt at Golden Sky Music Festival Sacramento, Tim McGraw at Country Summer Music Festival Sonoma, Little Big Town, Kip Moore at Country in the Park Sacramento, and more. She has an impressive catalog of songs reaching up to 50 originals she has written and composed. She has expanded to Nashville recording her first debut singles and performing at bars and writers’ rounds. Ariel really incorporates her story of her family of 8, including her sisters she sings with as well in a trio, in her original music and tells stories through many of her songs about her life, friends she’s made, kids, and her love and passion for live music.

ABOUT STONEY’S NORTH FORTY

From the creators of the award-winning, world famous Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, Stoney’s North Forty is a premiere destination for locals and tourists 21 and over who are looking for a boot stomping good ole time with line dancing, mechanical bull riding, beer pong, pool tables, and more. Located inside Santa Fe Station, and open Tuesday through Sunday, Stoney’s North Forty offers special promotions including Ladies Night on Wednesdays where ladies can enjoy $2 wine, well cocktails, and draft beer, Happy Hour from 6 – 7 p.m., and live music from a variety of artists. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there are free line-dancing lessons Tuesdays through Saturdays. Starting September 2024, catch all the college and pro football action on the patio, “The Forty Yard Line,” every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. All active and retired military, teachers, nurses, and first responders with valid ID receive their first drink free. For more information, visit stoneysnorthforty.com. For all the latest news and a live entertainment schedule, follow on Facebook @stoneysnf and Instagram @stoneysnorthforty.

ABOUT SANTA FE STATION

Santa Fe Station is a top entertainment destination in northwest Las Vegas with a 60-lane bowling center, 16-screen multiplex movie theater, premier state-of-the-art sportsbook, and more than 2,000 slot and video poker machines. The property also boasts more than 14,000 square feet of meeting space and 200 hotel rooms and offers guests a variety of dining choices. Santa Fe is in the midst of a property refresh with the arrival of Stoney’s North Forty, Stallone’s Italian Eatery, Nielsen’s Frozen Custard, and an all-new Poker room. The property will add a new High Limit Room this fall. For more information, visit www.santafestation.com or follow us on social media at @santafestationlv.

# # #

STONEY’S MEDIA CONTACT:

Hillary Smoot, SRO PR
hillary@sropr.com
310.367.9056

STATION CASINOS MEDIA CONTACT:

Alex Acuna
Alex.Acuna@stationcasinos.com
702.495.4248

*artist images available upon request*

November 1, 2024

CORY MARKS Releases High Octane Version of Single “(Make My) Country Rock – Harder” (Feat. Sully Erna, Mick Mars & Travis Tritt”

DT: NOVEMBER 1, 2024

FM: KELLY WALSH, MITCH SCHNEIDER / SRO PR

COUNTRY/ROCK ARTIST
CORY MARKS
RELEASES HIGH-OCTANE VERSION OF RECENT SINGLE
“(MAKE MY) COUNTRY ROCK – HARDER”
FEATURING SULLY ERNA OF GODSMACK, MICK MARS AND TRAVIS TRITT
STREAM HERE

MARKS CURRENTLY ON ‘UNPLUGGED’ TOUR ACROSS THE U.S. THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER WITH
THEORY OF A DEADMAN
SOPHOMORE ALBUM
‘SORRY FOR NOTHING’
RECEIVES NEW RELEASE DATE OF DECEMBER 6
VIA BETTER NOISE MUSIC

PRE-ORDER IT HERE

A cd cover with a jacket and a cross on it Description automatically generated CORY MARKS – SORRY FOR NOTHING Album Cover Art (Download HERE)

Genre-blending artist CORY MARKS is currently touring the U.S. supporting multi-Platinum rockers Theory of A Deadman through November 23. See the upcoming shows, at which he’s performing a special unplugged acoustic set, listed below. As MARKS wins over audiences with his breakthrough mix of arena-rock and roots country, he’s unveiled “(Make My) Country Rock – HARDER (feat. Sully Erna of Godsmack, Travis Tritt, & Mick Mars)”–a fiery updated version of his current single “(Make My) Country Rock” (released in July), with new guitars added by Cody Quistad of Wage War. The heavier version was mixed and mastered by Joseph McQueen (Bad Wolves, Bullet For My Valentine) at Sparrow Sound Studio. Stream “(Make My) Country Rock – HARDER” at https://corymarks.ffm.to/mmcrh.

“‘(Make My) Country Rock – Harder’ is a beefed up version of the song with heavier guitars, bigger drums and with all of us singing a little bigger and louder for the ones listening that want to rock just a bit harder,” says MARKS.

MARKS has also announced a new release date of December 6 for his sophomore album, SORRY FOR NOTHING, via Better Noise Music. Produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Five Finger Death Punch, Shania Twain, Papa Roach), Kile Odell (Nita Strauss, David Draiman), and Andrew Baylis (Jelly Roll, Brantley Gilbert), SORRY FOR NOTHING’s 13 songs range from Haggard-like country and virtual bluegrass to straight-up arena rock anthems, Eagles-like acoustic country-folk, and almost “Pantera”-like hard metal. Pre-order SORRY FOR NOTHING on exclusive red vinyl, cd, and/or digital download at https://corymarks.ffm.to/sfn.

It follows MARKS successful debut, Who I Am which saw the Canadian-born artist breakthrough to international audiences with its hit single “Outlaws & Outsiders.” The single charted at #1 in the U.S. on Billboard’s “Rock Digital Song Sales” chart and #5 on iTunes “Country Songs, while making history as the first-ever Top 10 rock radio-charting single from a Canadian country act.

CORY MARKS
Credit: Ed Regan

Find CORY MARKS online at:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

SRO PR Assets: www.sropr.com/portfolio/cory-marks

CORY MARKS TOUR DATES
11/1 Toledo, OH – Stranahan Theater ^
11/2 Erie, PA – Warner Theatre ^
11/3 Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre ^
11/6 Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theatre *
11/8 Waterloo, NY – The Vine Showroom at del Lago Casino *
11/10 Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center *
11/12 Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues *
11/13 New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall *
11/15 Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom *
11/16 Huntington, NY – The Paramount *
11/17 Wheeling, WV – Capitol Theatre *
11/19 Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre *
11/21 Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater *
11/22 Wichita, KS – The Cotillion *
11/23 La Vista, NE – The Astro *

^ with Theory Of A Deadman & 10 Years
* with Theory Of A Deadman & Saint Asonia

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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
Andrea Faulk (tour) – afaulk@sropr.com
Mitch Schneider – mschneider@sropr.com

November 1, 2024

GINO VANNELLI Returns With New Album, Releases Debut Single/Video “Keep On Walking”

DT: NOVEMBER 1, 2024

FM: KELLY WALSH, MITCH SCHNEIDER / SRO PR

GINO VANNELLI RETURNS
WITH FIRST NEW STUDIO ALBUM SINCE 2019
AND DEDICATES IT TO HIS LATE WIFE

RELEASES THE ALBUM’S FIRST SINGLE
“KEEP ON WALKING”
ALONGSIDE INTIMATE PERFORMANCE MUSIC VIDEO OUT TODAY, NOVEMBER 1
WATCH HERE | STREAM HERE

‘THE LIFE I GOT (TO MY MOST BELOVED)’
DUE FEBRUARY 7 VIA COA PRODUCTIONS / BFD / THE ORCHARD
PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE HERE

GINO VANNELLI
Live photo was taken on 5-10-2024 at Podium the Vorstin in Hilversum, Netherlands (Download HERE)
Photograph by Erik Wynberg, Provided by COA Productions

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer, and performer GINO VANNELLI is returning February 7, 2025 with THE LIFE I GOT (TO MY MOST BELOVED) via COA Productions, distributed by BFD / The Orchard, marking his 22^nd album and first new studio album since 2019. It is also the most intimate release in his expansive 50+ year career that’s highlighted by 20 million albums sold worldwide. Written through a time of personal hardship as his wife, Patricia, battled cancer and sadly passed earlier this year, its 11 finely etched tracks encompass the emotional turmoil of losing one’s soulmate and finding the will to move forward.

Today (November 1), GINO has issued the album’s first single—a rearranged version of “Keep On Walking,” originally released in 1975 on his third album Storm at Sunup. Its stirring lyrics embody the acceptance stage of grief with an uplifting message: “I love you in my loneliness/And it keeps me hangin’ on/I gotta, I gotta keep on walking.” Stream the track HERE; pre-order THE LIFE I GOT (TO MY MOST BELOVED) now on CD, vinyl, and digital download at https://orcd.co/ginovannellithelifeigot; and see the track listing below.

“This collection of songs was written during my beloved wife’s illness,” says GINO, whose luminous and soaring voice imbues the album with both warmth and urgency. “It’s an account of all the joys and suffering. She passed away when the record was completed. I remain in awe of Patricia’s courage. I miss her so. My love is eternal.”

“Once in every while I come across a song I’ve written in the past. In this case I heard ‘Keep on Walking,’ playing on one of the streaming stations,” shares GINO. “It was written in 1974 and recorded in ’75 for the ‘Storm at Sunup’ album, and even after all these years, it struck me as a melody and lyric that held up quite well. So much so, I started composing a whole new arrangement in my head as it played on. Being a fan of Miles Davis and Gil Evans, I thought this horn arrangement would suit the new version perfectly.”

GINO filmed the video for “Keep On Walking” in the garage of his neighbor who’s an avid car collector, to add to the classic feel of the song. Watch it streaming below:

THE LIFE I GOT (TO MY MOST BELOVED) was written, arranged, produced, and recorded by GINO and co-producer Peter Fil at Inka Studio in Portland, OR, where GINO resides. Coming off his shows last year, look for GINO to tour throughout 2025.

About GINO VANNELLI:
GINO has remained one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music having sold over 20 million records worldwide. From rock, to jazz, to soul, even classical, he’s left no musical stone unturned. Starting his career in 1973, he was one of the first Caucasian artists to perform on Soul Train and toured with the legendary Stevie Wonder. He gained momentum with his first single, “People Gotta Move” in 1974 and continued to make waves as he releases his hit single, “I Just Wanna Stop” reached #1 in Canada and #4 in US on Billboard’s Hot 100. The single garnered GINO a Grammy Award-nomination for “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” in 1978. In 1979, he won his second Juno Award for “Best Male Vocalist” and continued to churn out hits including the Top 10 singles “Living Inside Myself” (1981) and “Wild Horses” (1987).

GINO caught the attention of Pope John Paul II with his 2001 song “Parole Per Mio Padre” (Words For My Father) and performed it for the Pope himself at the Vatican. He then released Canto (BMG) in 2003 which featured contemporary classical songs sung in English, Italian, Spanish and French.

In 2013, GINO performed for the first time in over 15 years in Los Angeles, CA at the historic Saban Theater which was recorded and released as a CD/DVD compilation, Live In LA, in 2014 and charted at #1 on Amazon. In 2021, GINO released his latest album, More that A Good Thing, which contains a contemporary remake of “The River Must Flow” (from his Gold-certified 1976 album Brother To Brother) featuring Brian Mcknight on backing vocals and Michael Phillips on talk box.

Some things get better with age and GINO is living embodiment of that sentiment. Whether performing piano-voice concerts in theaters, singing before symphony orchestras in concert halls, big bands or a pop ensemble, to throngs of enthusiastic fans, GINO remains impassioned and true to his art as ever. His standing as a powerful and innovative live performer have seen him continue to perform sold-out shows across the globe.

A person with glasses and a beard Description automatically generated GINO VANNELLI – The Life I Got (To My Most Beloved) Cover Artwork

GINO VANNELLI – The Life I Got (To My Most Beloved) Track Listing:
1. I Have Dreamed of Days Like This
2. Stormy River
3. No Where to Go But Up
4. The Life I Got
5. Come to Jesus Moment
6. A Little Bit Broken
7. It’s All Good Mama
8. The Hero You See in Me
9. Good Neighbors
10. Across the Dark Night
11. Keep On Walking

A person with a beard wearing sunglasses Description automatically generated GINO VANNELLI
Provided by COA Productions

Find GINO VANNELLI online at:
WEBSITE | FB | X | YOUTUBE

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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
Mitch Schneider – mschneider@sropr.com

November 1, 2024

SEBASTIAN BACH Teams With Orianthi For “Future Of Youth” Track And Video; Clip Features The Las Vegas Academy Of The Arts Choir

DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2024

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN

SEBASTIAN BACH
TEAMS WITH
ORIANTHI
FOR
“FUTURE OF YOUTH” TRACK AND VIDEO
FROM HIS
‘CHILD WITHIN THE MAN’ ALBUM
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

2024 TOUR DATES CONTINUE
IN THE U.S. AND CANADA
THROUGH LATE NOVEMBER

“There’s only one side when the one side is hate/
Getting on my bad side was the one way you relate/
I put my faith into your lie to my face/
Won’t pledge allegiance to your house of disgrace…”

“Future of Youth”
Lyrics by Sebastian Bach

SEBASTIAN BACH has released a new video—his fifth, from his current album CHILD WITHIN tHE MAN—for “Future of Youth” with special guest performer, singer, songwriter and guitarist ORIANTHI. Watch the video for the musically explosive and lyrically unflinching single HERE.

“I am so excited to share this song and video with the world!” says the singer, songwriter, author, Broadway star, and actor. “This collaboration with my friend Orianthi began many years ago. The song ‘Future of Youth’ has always been very listenable to my ears due to the musicians involved and also the unbeatable combination of Elvis Baskette and Robert Ludwig. The chorus is something I could hear on the radio.”

In tribute to the song’s title, “Future of Youth” features the Las Vegas Academy Of The Arts Choir from BACH’s recently adopted hometown of Las Vegas.

“To have the Las Vegas Academy Of The Arts Choir perform and sing in the video makes my heart pound with emotion,” BACH says, “because I fell in love with singing in my own church choir many, many years ago. It has always been a dream of mine to have an actual choir in one of my rock videos—to have one of the top choirs in the country rock out in ‘Future of Youth’ is exactly what the message of the song is about. The Future of Youth belongs to the Youth and no one else!”

BACH adds, “Thank you so much to Orianthi for the amazing guitars and riffs and to the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Vocal Director Matthew Ostlie—I can’t thank you enough for all of your incredible performances! Thank you so much to my Record label Reigning Phoenix Music for making this happen!”

CHILD WITHIN tHE MAN was recorded in Orlando, Florida; produced and mixed by Baskette; engineered by Jef Moll, assistant engineered by Josh Saldate; and mastered by Robert Ludwig/Gateway Mastering. BACH wrote or co-wrote all the album’s 11 tracks and sang all lead and backing vocals. CHILD WITHIN tHE MAN features guest appearances from John 5, Steve Stevens, and Orianthi—who all co-wrote their respective tracks with BACH—and two tracks co-written with Myles Kennedy (“What Do I Got to Lose?” and “To Live Again’); Devin Bronson on guitars, Todd Kerns (bass) and Jeremy Coulson (drums) round out the players on the album.

“Future of Youth” is the latest release from his CHILD WITHIN tHE MAN album which has yielded four singles/videos, all of which have impacted the rock charts: Freedom,” “What Do I Got To Lose?,” “Everybody Bleeds,” and “(Hold On) To The Dream” along with the “(Hold On) To The Dream” alternate video. The new video is another collaboration between BACH and Jim Louvau and Tony Aguilera. “This video is our fifth in a row with my friends Jim and Tony. Once again, they have blown my mind with their artistic vision,” BACH notes.

Following a successful cross-country tour around the release of the album (May 10, 2024), SEBASTIAN kicked off another leg of fall shows earlier this month. The dates include two shows at The Whisky in Los Angeles, plus 16 dates in his native Canada (see full itinerary below).

A poster of a concert

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Execution: Scott M Fischer

SEBASTIAN’s fall 2024 tour dates are as follows:

DATE	LOCATION	VENUE
Tue Oct 29	Halifax, NS	The Bruce Guthro Theatre
Thu Oct 31	Bar Harbor, ME	Criterion Theatre
Fri Nov 1	Hampton Beach, NH	Wally’s
Sat Nov 2	Sayreville, NJ	Starland Ballroom
Sun Nov 3	Harrisburg, PA	HMAC
Mon Nov 4	Johnstown, PA	Pasquerilla Convention Center
Wed Nov 6	Harrison, OH	Blue Note
Fri Nov 8	Ashland, KY	Paramount Arts Center
Sun Nov 10	Kansas City, MO	Knuckleheads
Mon Nov 18	Los Angeles, CA	Whisky a Go Go
Tue Nov 19	Los Angeles, CA	Whisky a Go Go
Wed Nov 20	Roseville, CA	Goldfield Trading Post
Sat Dec 14	Green Bay WI	TBA

About Sebastian Bach:

With an inimitable presence as loud as his instantly identifiable voice, SEBASTIAN BACH has left a San Andreas Fault-size imprint on music, theater, film, television, and culture. Moreover, his influence only continues to magnify. He has penned and voiced some of the most iconic anthems in rock history, crafting a catalog highlighted by generational hits such as “18 and Life,” “I Remember You,” “Youth Gone Wild,” “Slave To The Grind,” “Wasted Time,” and “Monkey Business,” to name a few. He has made history as “the first heavy metal singer on Broadway” with a now legendary turn in Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical in addition to leading roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Jesus Christ Superstar. He has appeared in dozens of television series and films, ranging from “Trailer Park Boys” and “Robot Chicken” to “Spongebob Squarepants,” “The Masked Singer,” and “Hell’s Kitchen.” Speaking to his versatility, he’s the rare force of nature who can duet with Axl Rose and reprise a seven-season recurring role on “Gilmore Girls.”

About Reigning Phoenix Music

Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez, and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme, hard, and heavy music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists, by offering best services and practices in the industry. But most important is to help the artists amplify their art and talent to a winning formula for success! www.reigningphoenixmusic.com

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November 1, 2024

LAURA PURSELL “Three Miles From Christmas Eve” —The New Single And Lyric Video Is Out Today; ‘Need A Little Christmas’ EP Out 11/21

DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2024

FROM: LYNDIE WENNER/SRO PR

LAURA PURSELL
“THREE MILES FROM CHRISTMAS EVE”
THE NEW SINGLE AND LYRIC VIDEO IS OUT TODAY, NOVEMBER 1
TAKEN FROM THE SINGER AND SONGWRITER’S
‘NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS’ EP DUE NOVEMBER 21
WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE AND LISTEN TO THE SINGLE HERE

Nashville – Singer, songwriter, and performer LAURA PURSELL today (November 1) releases her new holiday single and video “Three Miles From Christmas Eve,” which she co-wrote and co-produced with Stephan Oberhoff (Melissa Manchester,Burt Bacharach and Jason Gould w/Quincy Jones). The song is taken from PURSELL’s upcoming EP NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS, due November 21 on Netcom Music, and is available on all streaming platforms. Listen to the song HERE and watch the YouTube lyric video HERE.

“I love the warmth and magic of the night before Christmas,” says LAURA. “There aren’t many songs written about Christmas Eve. Many times, I was far away from loved ones in December and longed to be home on that special night. So this song is about coming home, wherever home may be.’

PRE-SAVE THE EP HERE.

NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS consists of six songs and was recorded at Creation Station East and Bradley’s Barn recording studios in Nashville, TN. It was produced by Rusty Higgins and mixed by Rich Breen, except for “Three Miles From Christmas Eve,” co-produced and mixed by Stephan Oberhoff. Pre-save the EP HERE.

Here’s the NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS EP track listing:

We Need Little Christmas (Jerry Herman)
Silver Bells (Raymond Evans & Jay Livingston)
Let It Snow (Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne)
The Christmas Song (Mel Torme & Robert Wells)
That’s What Christmas Used To Be (Dana McVicker, Kenda Franceschi & Vickie Carrico)
Three Miles From Christmas Eve (Laura Pursell & Stephan Oberhoff)

MORE ABOUT LAURA PURSELL:

Her latest album SHOOTING STAR (released in 2023) includes the title track and her distinctively unique cover of the Bob Dylan-written song that appears on his 1989 album OH MERCY. Watch the video filmed in downtown Nashville HERE. Recently, Pursell was invited on the SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW podcast by the show’s host, Rik Anthony who shares: “In the heart of Nashville, amidst the echoes of country music legends, stands a luminary in her own right. Laura Pursell was born into country music royalty as the daughter of a pioneer in the creation of the iconic ‘Nashville Sound.” Pursell’s journey is steeped in heritage and talent.” Listen to the album Shooting Star HERE.

BIO

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

For press inquiries, please contact:

SRO PR:
Lyndie Wenner – lwenner@sropr.com

###

October 31, 2024

Celebrate Thanksgiving at Vic’s Las Vegas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 31, 2024

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CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING AT VIC’S LAS VEGAS

WHAT: Celebrate Thanksgiving at Vic’s Las Vegas with a savory prix fixe menu featuring traditional favorites and all the trimmings for $45 per person. Vic’s will also offer their full menu featuring Italian-American cuisine, and guests can enjoy complimentary live jazz from the award-winning Las Vegas Academy’s Jazz Trio from Noon – 3 p.m. and 4 – 7 p.m.

Starter – choice of Vic’s House Salad or Butternut Squash Soup with Cream

Entrée – choice of Roasted Turkey Breast, Honey Glazed Ham, or a Turkey and Ham Combo

Sides – choice of three: Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Candied Yams, Green Beans, Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, Mac & Cheese, or Homemade Vegetarian Stuffing

Dessert – choice of pie served a la mode: Apple, Pecan, or Pumpkin

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024
No cover. No minimum purchase required. Reservations are encouraged.

WHERE: Vic’s Las Vegas
355 Promenade Place in Symphony Park

ABOUT VIC’S LAS VEGAS

Created by Porchlight Hospitality in 2023, Vic’s Las Vegas is located in Symphony Park at 355 Promenade Place. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. – 1 a.m., Vic’s features Italian-American cuisine, a full-service bar, gaming, and live entertainment nightly. Reservations can be made by calling 725-755-5299 or visit vicslasvegas.com. Follow on Instagram @vicslasvegas.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:

Hillary Smoot, SRO PR
310-367-9056
Hillary@sropr.com

Image is courtesy of Vic’s Las Vegas

October 31, 2024

Live jazz is bountiful this November at Vic’s Las Vegas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2024

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LIVE JAZZ IS BOUNTIFUL AT VIC’S LAS VEGAS THIS NOVEMBER

WHAT: Vic’s Las Vegas brings world-class jazz artists to entertain diners throughout the month, in addition to nightly live jazz from the Las Vegas Academy’s Jazz Program.

WHO/
WHEN:                 Nov. 1 & 2                         NICOLE ZURAITIS – 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
                             Nov. 8 & 9                         KEN PEPLOWSKI – 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
                              Nov. 21 & 22                     LARRY FULLER TRIO – 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 29 & 30                     GRAHAM DECHTER & FRIENDS featuring Konrad Paszkudzki, Ryan Shaw, Alex Frank, and Melissa Morgan – 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Vic’s Las Vegas
355 Promenade Place in Symphony Park
No cover and no minimums. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

ABOUT NICOLE ZURAITIS

Nicole Zuraitis is a GRAMMY winning and 2X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist and arranger, New York-based bandleader, and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Nicole has positioned herself as one of the top artists and “prolific songwriters” (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond.

As a recording artist, Nicole has released five albums as leader, and her sixth album, How Love Begins, co-produced with eight-time GRAMMY-winner Christian McBride, won BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM at the 2024 GRAMMY® awards and features all original music. Besides leading her quartet, Nicole is the premier vocalist for the Birdland Big Band and frequently headlines iconic NYC jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below and the late, great 55 Bar. She has appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony and Macon Pops and has supported iconic singers like Melanie, Morgan James, Darren Criss and Livingston Taylor on piano and vocals.

Nicole’s arrangement of Dolly Parton’s Jolene, co-written with renowned drummer and bandleader Dan Pugach, was nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY®, spring boarding her career and making her a household name in the modern-day jazz landscape. In 2020, she was named in the top 40 under 40 for 2020 in Connecticut Magazine, and her weekly live stream during the Covid-19 crisis, “Virtual Piano Lounge,” was featured in Forbes Magazine.

Nicole has collaborated with an extensive list of luminaries, including Christian McBride, David Cook, Gilad Hekselman, Veronica Swift, Benny Benack, Stephen Feifke, Cyrille Aimee, Antonio Sanchez, Dave Stryker, Omar Hakim, Rachel Z, Helen Sung, and Bernard Purdie. She is a proud educator and currently vocal faculty at NYU, SUNY Purchase, and the Litchfield Jazz Camp.

An ardent activist with a decade-long track record of giving back, her album release coincided with a self-produced music festival and day of activism for Save the Sound.Org.

ABOUT KEN PEPLOWSKI

“When you grow up in Cleveland, Ohio, playing in a Polish polka band, you learn to think fast on your feet”, says Ken Peplowski, who played his first pro engagement when he was still in elementary school. “From my first time performing in public, I knew I wanted to play music for a living.”

Ken, and his trumpet-playing brother Ted, made many local radio and TV appearances and played for Polish dances and weddings virtually every weekend all through high-school. “That’s where I learned to improvise, ‘fake’ songs, learn about chord changes, etc.- it’s exactly like learning to swim by being thrown into the water!” By the time Ken was in his early teens, he was experimenting with jazz by playing in the school “stage” bands, and by jamming with many of the local jazz musicians. “By the time I hit high school, I was teaching at the local music store, playing in our family band, and playing jazz gigs around town while still getting up early every day for school.”

After a year of college, Ken joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow. “Buddy heard me with my quartet at a Cleveland jazz festival along with Teddy Wilson’s trio and the Dorsey band and made an offer right then and there for me to not only play lead alto, but to have a feature spot on the clarinet with the rhythm section. It was a great ‘road-school’ – we learned the discipline that goes with playing one-nighters every day for 48 weeks out of the year, and Buddy was a great, very generous bandleader.”

Peplowski met Sonny Stitt while on the road with the Dorsey band and studied with him. “He was, and is, an inspiration to all of us who make a living ‘on the road’ – I’ve never heard anybody play with such amazing consistency as Sonny, through all kinds of settings. In 1980, Ken moved to New York City, and was soon playing in all kinds of settings, from traditional to avant-garde jazz. “Everything’s a learning experience in jazz music – there’s always an element of the unpredictable.” In 1984, Benny Goodman came out of retirement and put together a new band, hiring Ken on tenor saxophone.

Peplowski signed with Concord Records, under the tutelage of Carl Jefferson, the founder and president, and recorded close to 20 albums as a leader, including “The Natural Touch” in 1992 which won Best Jazz Record of the Year by the Prises Deutschen Schallplatten Kritiken, and “The Other Portrait”, recorded in Sophia Bulgaria with the symphony orchestra and highlighting Ken’s classical side. He also recorded two records on the Nagel Heyer label, “Lost In The Stars” and “Easy To Remember,” the latter of which features Bobby Short on his last recording. “I loved Bobby Short’s approach to the American songbook, and we’d talked about doing a record together for a while – I’m glad we got this one ‘in the can.’

ABOUT LARRY FULLER

Based out of New York City, Larry Fuller is an internationally acclaimed American jazz pianist known to “swing like a beast!”. He is a Yamaha Artist. Early in his career, Fuller’s undeniable talent earned him the position of musical director and pianist for vocalist Ernestine Anderson, pianist in drummer Jeff Hamilton’s Trio, and final pianist in legendary bassist Ray Brown’s Trio. He also recorded and toured with vocalist-guitarist John Pizzarelli’s Quartet.

Harnessing his extraordinary bandstand experience – Fuller now leads The Larry Fuller Trio. He presents a musical program rarely experienced today – consistently praised for his emotive, swinging style, monster technique, and program versatility. From bop, to stride, to swing, to blues, Fuller’s live performances are simply not to be missed! At Vic’s, expect to hear anything from Stevie Wonder to Oscar Peterson, Wes Montgomery to Cedar Walton, George Gershwin to Joni Mitchell. And a special tribute to Fuller’s mentor and former boss – bass legend Ray Brown – a tribute inspired by years on the road with The Ray Brown Trio.

Larry Fuller has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Kennedy Center, Bern International Jazz Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Shanghai Center Theater, Blue Note (Milan, Tokyo, NYC), Auditorio Ibirapuera with Symphony Orchestra Brazil, and many more.

ABOUT GRAHAM DECHTER

Graham, an accomplished guitarist, composer and arranger, began studying music at the age of 5 when he began taking violin lessons and composing orchestral pieces. He discovered his passion for guitar and jazz at the Idyllwild Academy of the Arts. Upon graduation, Graham entered the Jazz Studies program at the Eastman School of Music.

After completing a year at Eastman, Graham returned to Los Angeles after being invited by Jeff Hamilton to join the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO); he became the youngest member of the acclaimed orchestra being only 19 years old at the time.

He has traveled extensively in North America, Europe and Asia and has performed and recorded with some of the most respected names in music, including Michael Bublé, Eliane Elias, Benny Golson, James Moody, John Pizzarelli, Larry Goldings, Jon Hendricks, Nancy Wilson, Kurt Elling, Billy Taylor, Benny Green, Bill Charlap, Paquito D’Rivera, Curtis Fuller, Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Clark Terry, Snooky Young, and Wynton Marsalis.

KONRAD PASZKUDZKI

Although raised in Western Australia by Polish parents, Konrad’s musical affinity and passion for swingin’ American jazz revealed itself early on. He was accepted into university at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth at the tender age of 15, studying jazz piano and finishing his undergraduate degree a few weeks after turning 19. The precocious instrumentalist swiftly established a reputation as a leading jazzman in Australia, touring for the next two years and playing with his mentor, jazz trumpeter James Morrison. After being offered a scholarship to the University of Miami, he relocated to the United States in 2009, receiving his master’s degree in 2011 at the age of 22. Upon graduation, he spent a year in Los Angeles playing piano with the likes of the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Jeff Hamilton Trio. Konrad returned to the East Coast in 2012 after being offered a position to lead the house trio at the coveted New York venue, 54 Below.

Following a yearlong residency and two self-released trio recordings, he joined the John Pizzarelli Quartet in November of 2013, leading to over 1000 performances worldwide in the following four years. In 2015 Konrad became a Yamaha artist, and in 2016 began working for Venus Records in Japan. Between 2016-2017 the Konrad Paszkudzki trio recorded seven albums for the label. Aside from touring and recording, Konrad also commenced his role as Artistic Director of Jazz at the Ballroom in 2017, a not-for-profit organization committed to delivering the highest caliber of swinging American jazz across the West Coast.

ALEX FRANK

Alex Frank is a guitarist, composer, and educator based in Kansas City. As a working guitarist, Alex currently leads a trio and quartet under his name, playing at clubs around Kansas City and holding down a nearly two-year residency playing his music at the Green Lady Lounge.

RYAN SHAW

Ryan Shaw is a drummer who performs and/or records with Michael Bublé, Seth MacFarlane, Bill Holman, Gilbert Castellanos, Richard Shelton, Graham Dechter, Melissa Morgan and many more. Performing throughout Southern California, Ryan has performed at most of the best Jazz clubs in the area including the Blue Whale, Catalina, Vitello’s, Vibrato, Spaghettini, and more. He can also be seen traveling regularly throughout the United States and internationally.

Ryan Shaw began his musical pursuits at the age of five on piano. By age 8, he began studying percussion and got his first drum set at the age of 10. He began playing at his church regularly while participating in his school’s Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band and eventually graduated from the prestigious USC Thornton School of Music with a degree in Jazz Studies.

In addition to his vast experience as a performer in many Jazz contexts, Ryan can also be seen frequently performing with various Pop and Indie groups as well as at a variety of churches in the Los Angeles area. Ryan has had the opportunity to perform with John Clayton, Russell Malone, Larry Koonse, Bob Sheppard, Dan Higgins, Gerald Clayton, Chuck Berghofer, Christian Jacob, Bob McChesney, Graham Dechter, Alex Frank, Bruce Forman, Rob Lockhart, Holly Hofmann, Mike Wofford and more, and has had the opportunity to study with Jeff Hamilton, Peter Erskine, Roy McCurdy, Aaron Serfaty, and Joe LaBarbera.

Ryan currently lives in Los Angeles and spends his time outside of music entertaining several hobbies including video editing, baseball, and watching classic movies.

MELISSA MORGAN

Born in New York City, she grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey. Her first musical instrument was the piano, which she began practicing at age four. Her singing began while in high school with local choirs and performing with a few select classical vocal groups across the U.S. and other venues abroad. Most memorable was a seven-country tour of Europe in 1996 with the U.S. Youth Chorale. As a student Melissa received numerous awards including 3 gold cups in the New Jersey Federation of Music solo piano competition, top ranking in the New Jersey all-state choir, and runner up for the New Jersey Governor’s award for vocal music.

Inspired by the classic recordings by Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughn, Melissa pursued her love of Jazz through studies of music. She attended the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, studying with many prominent artists. During her tenure, she appeared with the conservatory’s Jazz and Latin Jazz Orchestras and was featured vocalist with the Purchase Jazz Band during a 1999 tour of Spain. She graduated from the Purchase in 2002 with a B.A. in music.

She has since performed as a regular at several of New York’s top jazz venues; Cleopatra’s Needle, Flute, G Bar, Smalls, Smoke and St. Nick’s Pub to name a few. At that time, Melissa performed with her own trio, as well as with other artists in the New York area. She was featured in performances with Jon Faddis and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars at the Blue Note in New York in 2001. In 2002 Melissa performed at the New York Women of Jazz Festival at Smoke jazz club. Around this time, she was also a guest on the Metro TV-NY program “Where to hear jazz in New York City”.

Melissa competed and became a semi-finalist in the 2004 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in Washington D.C., “the most prestigious jazz competition in the world, hosted by Billy Dee Williams and Herbie Hancock. Judges for the competition were luminaries Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, Kurt Elling, Jimmy Scott, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Flora Purim.” Melissa moved to Los Angeles, California where she pursued a recording career for a few years. She has now moved to the Bay Area, where she continues to perfect her art, and can be heard performing in numerous venues.

ABOUT VIC’S LAS VEGAS

Created by Porchlight Hospitality in 2023, the award-winning Vic’s Las Vegas is located in Symphony Park at 355 Promenade Place. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. – 1 a.m., Vic’s features Italian-American cuisine, a full-service bar, gaming, and live entertainment nightly. Reservations can be made by calling 725-755-5299 or visit vicslasvegas.com. Follow on Instagram @vicslasvegas.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:

Hillary Smoot, SRO PR
310-367-9056
hillary@sropr.com

*Artist images available upon request.

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