Ryan Hoyle, Friday January 18th, 2008, Anaheim Convention Center, In the Sun… _____________________________ Every once in a while an opportunity comes along that you just can’t’ pass up. This was the case when I received an email out of the Blue asking if we’d be interested in interviewing Ryan Hoyle of Collective Soul. Collective Soul has been one of my "A List" bands (meaning bands I always enjoy, can always listen to, and just ....
Heartbreaker is a Paul Rodgers tribute band from the West Midlands and was established in June 2006. The band has replicated the authentic classic rock sound from the diffrent eras of Paul Rodgers career, which includes Free, Bad Company, The Firm, Queen + Paul Rodgers. The band plays in various venues in the United Kingdom and audiences appreciate the live experience of Heartbreaker.
Stretch - VOCALS - A well seasoned blues man, Stretch has gigged extensively and has also toured with Peter Green. Surrey's Hoochie Coochie man is the perfect front man for both Free and Bad Company material.
Terry Gregory - BASS - For the last decade, Terry has been the bassist of choice for some of Britain’s finest guitarists (including Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, jazz virtuoso Martin Taylor, modern maestro Shaun Baxter) and has spent much of this time recording and performing on the international stage.
Darren Bazzoni - DRUMS - During his teens, Darren worked hard on an 'originals' project and signed management, publishing and recording deals, opening up for multi-platinum selling artistes. He later played drums for many great artists including Cliff Bennet, Zoot Money, Lol Williams, Freddie Starr, Gary Wilmot and literally scores more, touring the international stage in the process. Darren is now a successful music producer and DJ.
Royston Smith - AXE - Having gigged the London pub and club scene for the last 10 yrs this mad axeman's Les Paul cries and screams for ALL RIGHT NOW. He has shared the stage with Johnny Warman, Henry McCullough, Johnny Fean etc...
Paul Rodgers, legendary singer/songwriter of Free, Bad Company, The Firm and Queen + Paul Rodgers is celebrating his 40th anniversary as a recording artist in 2008. Bursting onto the music scene in 1968 and forming British rock band Free, Rodgers has released over 30 albums with sales exceeding 92 million.
Rodgers wrapped up an amazing year in 2007 writing and recording a new Queen + Paul Rodgers album, due in 2008. An invitation from the Led Zeppelin camp followed and he performed solo for their highly anticipated reunion show at London’s O2 Arena.
Rodgers recently performed with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra for 80,000 plus fans, to which he said “I have never been so deeply moved on so many levels at once; musically, visually, personally and even spiritually. Visionary Paul O’Neill (mastermind behind the Trans-Siberian Orchestra) has created a wonderland of light and sound. Performing with them was pure magic.” To cap it all off, Rodgers’ concert DVD “Live in Glasgow” recently achieved Gold status. “Live in Glasgow” hit the charts at #1 in Canada and peaked at #3 in the U.S. “This particular Gold award is sweet and special in my 40th year as a recording artist,” said Rodgers. “It celebrates the power of music and the fans.
Rodgers ended the year with a sold-out New Year’s show which was streamed live online with an estimated 50,000+ logging on to celebrate at: www.eq.tv/paulrodgers
Currently, Rodgers is set to present at the 2008 Pollstar Awards in Los Angeles, February 7th and in June, Queen + Paul Rodgers will perform at Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Concert in Hyde Park with a highly anticipated European tour to follow this summer.
GET TICKETS ON LINEclick here or Call 1-800-708-1078
This Super Star event will feature NFL & Rock & Roll Legends Attendees include: Mike Ditka, Franco Harris, Ed Jones, Dwight Clark, Harry Carson, Dick Butkus , Eric DickersonJerry Kramer and many others, all gathered in one place to hear a once in a lifetime multi genre rock & roll jam including Paul Rodgers (Bad Co & Queen), Neal Schon (Journey),Pat Travers, Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Jack Blade (Night Rangers), Johnny Gunn (Eddie Money), Dell Bruchette (Greg Kihn Band), Tommy Miller (Gregg Allman Band), Steve Salinas (Cold Blood), Donny Baldwin (Jefferson Starship), hosted by CMT’s Cowboy Troy, special performance by Kyle Turley ( Kansas City Chiefs)
Other star athletes confirmed to attend include: Jason Giambi, MarkGrace, Geoff Jenkins, Pat Brunell, Eric Chavez, Billy Hall, Connor Jackson, Chris Young, Eric Byrnes, Justin Upton, Paul Konerko, Royce Clayton, Dustin Hermanson, Josh Booty, Jake Peevey, Erin Boon, Phil Nevin
Super Jam tickets include food, beverages and alcohol, full access to all VIP areas plus the Gridiron Greats Super Jam show featuring Rock & Roll & NFL stars ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY
Singer-songwriter, guitar whiz & pianist John Findlay has worked with numerous pop,
blues & jazz luminaries including: Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Katrina and the Waves,
Marc Jordan, Carlos Del Junco, Colin Linden, Rita Chiarelli, Georgie Fame, Snooky Prior, Sylvia Tyson, Cindy Church, Richard Carpenter & Carol Welsman.
John hit the road at age 15 with the Bobby Trigg Band, playing blues, R&B, soul, funk & jazz. In 1976 he studied jazz piano, guitar, & arranging at the Berklee School of Music.
“My sound is a kind of uptown goes downtown…” Steely Dan meets Little Feat with a touch of Motown: a mix of blues - jazz and funky Nawlins grooves.
Doors - 8.00pm (7.30pm Sun.) Weekday shows normally- 9.00pm, Weekend shows normally - 9.30pm. If there's a support, they'll be on stage earlier. Please check with venue as times can vary, if in doubt, get there early.
Paul performs with the Trans-Siberian Orchrestra-TSO in 4 SOLD-OUT PERFORMANCES
PAUL RODGERS Performs With TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA In Dallas And Houston
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA
violinist Anna Phoebe has checked in with the following update
The BEST of all was the amazing special guest we had for the Dallas and Houston shows - the legend Paul Rodgers joined us to sing 'Bad Company' and 'All Right Now' - INCREDIBLE!!!! When Paul O'Neill was introducing him to the stage you could just see the look of shock on people's faces - and then when he started singing it was TOTAL GOOSEBUMPS!!! I have to say - him, his wife and the people he surrounds himself with MUST officially be the NICEST people in rock n roll.
He's SO lovely!
Haha - I got to play claves for 'All Right Now' - my percussion debut! It was SUCH a thrill being on stage with him...actually, even more amazing was when Angus and I ran out into the audience at the very end - I was standing on the riser behind the soundboard looking back on the stage watching the last minute of 'All Right Now', just thinking how utterly CRAZY it was that I had just come from THAT stage - Paul Rodgers with the lights, the singers, the band - it was SMOKING HOT!!!
Jordan Gonzalez, 15, plays with Chicago Joe Jones and his band at Maddy's Rib & Blues Joint in Decatur.
Top 5 Influences (in alphabetical order) • Sean Costello • Buddy Guy • Chicago Joe Jones • Otis Rush • Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan
Top 5 Favorite Songs • "Third Degree," Willie Dixon • "I Can't Quit You Baby," Otis Rush • "It Hurts Me Too," Elmore James • "Got My Mojo Workin,'" Muddy Waters • "Cuttin' In," Johnny "Guitar" Watson
What he plays • A yellow 1996 American made Fender Stratocaster is his main guitar. "We get along really well," he says about his relationship with the guitar. His back-up is a 1980s Fender Telecaster made in Mexico. Check for future gigs at: http://www.myspace.com/jordangonzalezblues
The guitar tells the sordid story. The strings seem to scream with pain as his fingers run from high-to-low extremes. The minute-long intro brings a once-chatty crowd to near silence.
Finally, with the pent up aggression of a man separated from his woman too long, he steps to the mic: "Well, it's flooding down in Texas, and all the telephone lines are down. I said, it's flooding down in Texas baby, and all of the telephone lines are down. I've been trying to call my baby, but I can't get a single sound."
After his stirring rendition of "Texas Flood," Jordan flashes a quick smile at his parents. They applaud wildly, as does everybody else in the place, at the performance their 15-year-old son had put on.
"I'd say he's definitely one of those people who was born to play the guitar," Andrew Black, a local musician said. "A lot of kids know the notes, but they just don't have the feel for it. He does."
Jordan, a 10th grader at Pace Academy in Atlanta, is a self-proclaimed "shy guy" at school. But after the final bell of the day rings, he causes quite a stir with his guitar.
His musical abilities are not exactly a surprise as his mother, Micki Gonzalez has multiple degrees in music and is a choral director. Jordan has taken lessons since he was 11 and been on stage since he was 12, playing wherever he could. Juggling school work with his budding music career is something he enjoys.
"That's what's really special about Jordan," said Chicago Joe Jones, Jordan's former guitar teacher. "He's committed to the music. He's really committed to being a part of the music."
Jordan's parents have also made a commitment to his music, which is especially helpful because he doesn't have a driver's license. He won't be 16 until March, so one – or both – of his parents accompany him to every gig.
"I'm the driver and part-time roadie," joked his father, an attorney. "I also double as an equipment guy too, I guess."
There are some places Jordan's not allowed to play, because of his age. The young musician hopes that will be the only age-related barrier that will get in his way.
"I really want people to enjoy the music because it's good, not because it's good for someone my age," he said.
This particular night at Maddy's in Decatur, Jordan isn't the youngest one on stage. Jones hosts a jam on Thursdays and encourages his students to come and play before a live audience. Jordan is, however, the youngest in the house band, led by Jones. Jordan performs with Jones' group several times a week, when his schedule allows.
"This kid really is something special," Jones said. "And he's only getting better."
Last year, Jones needed a rhythm man in his band for the 2006 Atlanta Blues Challenge. He asked Jordan to join the band and retire his student status. It was the first time Tommy Brown, an Atlanta blues artist, saw him.
"He was really green," Brown recalled. "At that time he didn't know much about stage presence and things like that."
Paul Rodgers excellent 
