THE HITMAKING DUO AIR SUPPLY CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF SUCCESS.
Hollywood,Calif.interviewsofrecordingartists
.com Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply have been caught in a joyfully frenzied
musical whirlwind these past few years, keeping a diverse international schedule that includes
the U.S., The Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Israel, Brazil and even
Vietnam. This fall, the 80s hitmaking duo is inviting hundreds of loyal fans—affectionately known
as Airheads—to celebrate their 35th year of making music together on the “Air Supply And Friends
At Sea Cruise” aboard Royal Caribbean’s “Liberty of The Seas” (October 31-November 7).
Nothing wrong with conquering hearts across the planet with classic hits like “All Out Of Love,”
“The One That You Love” and “Making Love Out of Nothing At All.” After all, they’re still used
regularly on TV commercials and major motion picture soundtracks.
But the ever ambitious Air Supply is about to take several generations of adoring fans to another
realm entirely on Mumbo Jumbo, their highly anticipated debut on Las Vegas based Odds On Records,
distributed by E1 (formerly Koch) Entertainment.
Mumbo Jumbo’s lead single, the infectious pop rocker “Dance With Me,” is set hit Adult
Contemporary radio in March, building momentum a month before the release of Air Supply’s first
studio album of all original material since 2002’s Across The Concrete Sky. Another key track,
“Hold On,” features Australian heartthrob rocker Michael Johns, a season seven finalist on
American Idol.
In 2009, Odds On Records licensed the duo’s mid-2000s recordings Free Love and The Singer And The
Song, which featured revamped acoustic versions of their hit singles and deeper album cuts.
Recorded at Graham Russell’s home studio near Park City, Utah and at Odds On’s state of the art
facilities in Vegas with top session musicians and an orchestra, Mumbo Jumbo was produced by
Russell and engineered by Odds On’s Sean O’Dwyer, whose credits include Pink Floyd, Randy Newman
and Blink-182.
“Because of our crazy touring schedule, Mumbo Jumbo took three years to complete,” says Graham
Russell, “and Russell Hitchcock and I couldn’t be happier with the results. We had been releasing
projects independently for a long time, but felt that Odds On Records was the perfect match for
us. They were looking to sign a band with a strong track record, and we felt they had the
resources to help us launch a new project on a global scale. Russell and I were very committed to
making Mumbo Jumbo a great recording. We came at it with the attitude of, ‘if this were the last
album we ever made, let’s make sure it’s the best we can ever do.’ We worked really hard on the
right song selection, strong vocals and arrangements. While sticking to our vow of never making
an album unless we are convinced it has numerous potential hit singles, we also believe that we
have emerged with our best overall collection to date.”
This will be great news to the millions of Airheads out there who have been waiting patiently for
the duo’s latest work. Among them are Ozzy Osbourne (who has attended their shows in disguise)
and Al Pacino, who recently was spotted hanging out in a dark booth in the back of the Orleans in
Las Vegas,one of the duo’s regular venues.
Hitchcock was even surprised by some Hells Angels who approached him for an autograph when he was
exiting a tattoo parlor on Sunset Strip a few years ago; turns out some of the hard edged biker
dudes were huge fans.
More casual Air Supply fans who think of the duo simply as creators of ultra-romantic hit singles
will likewise be blown away by the depth of Russell’s songwriting and his and Hitchcock’s
powerful vocals as they weave the powerful mythical tale of Zed, an idealistic young man in a
parallel universe. Zed goes off to find the meaning of life, only to be deceived by false hope in
a strangely corrupt, money and greed ruled place called Mumbo Jumbo.
In a time when iTunes-driven commerce dictates that the safest bet for artists is to toss out a
few random hit singles at a time, Russell’s rich storyline will remind listeners of an era when
concept albums and exhilarating rock operas were the norm. He was particularly inspired by the
critical and commercial success of Green Day’s Grammy winning 2004 album American Idiot. Fans
intrigued about the story that Russell penned to set the scene for the 14 emotion-laden tracks of
Mumbo Jumbo can visit Air Supply’s website and read his fascinating 4,000 word short story “Mumbo
Jumbo…A Story So Far.”
Continually amazed at his partner’s prolific songwriting output even after 25 studio recordings
together, Hitchcock says, “He always gives me the best songs to work with, and I couldn’t be
happier. I am really amazed at how well he integrated the songs he wrote over a period of a few
years into the big picture of the Mumbo Jumbo story. One of the reasons I think it’s our best
album is that the songs still maintain melodic simplicity but lyrically, tracks like the title
song are very deep. That’s what makes it work, the combination of great melodies, strong vocals
and good storytelling. The album runs the gamut from incredible, thought provoking ballads and
the loud rocker ‘Me Like You.’
“As the lead singer,” he adds, “the same thing motivates me with every project, and that’s the
excitement I get responding to the maturity of Graham’s writing and rising to the challenge of
delivering the best vocals I can. Because I hear the core of these songs for the first time just
with guitar or piano and Graham’s voice, it’s always a pleasure to ultimately fulfill them with
strong arrangements and full instrumentation. Because we usually only have 4-5 days at a time off
the road to be in the studio, the achievement is all the more gratifying.”
Besides the fact that so many of the songs on Mumbo Jumbo can stand alone and become potential
radio smashes even without the context of the story, Air Supply’s great confidence in the album
can be explained by the overwhelming reception their diehard fans have always given the new
material that Russell and Hitchcock introduce in concert.
“People who haven’t seen us before always leave a bit surprised, and in a wonderful way,” says
Russell. “They may come to see us because of the old songs, but leave wanting to hear more new
songs after the five or six we share with them. We like to say we are cushioning the new material
with the classic stuff. But we’re not just a nostalgia act and we like to think our music doesn’t
have a time stamp on it. I’m the group’s songwriter and Russell, as the lead singer, has for over
30 years been an invaluable and genuine sounding board for the songs I write. If something isn’t
up to par, he’ll let me know. But if it’s working and he says we need to record it, that he’d
love to sing it, I know we’re on the right track.”
Hitchcock adds, “We had 12 songs recorded for the album, which to me seemed like plenty, but
Graham came to me with two more he wanted to record, and I had an equally positive reaction to
those. When he said, okay, now we have everything we need, I knew instinctively that we had a
finished project. Writing and recording new material is our lifeblood that keeps us fresh and
excited. In concert, we know we raise eyebrows when we say we’re going to start playing new
songs, but then we start and the audience realizes how much love and care go into them. We’ve
been around nearly 40 years and are not only holding our own out there but firmly believe, with
albums like Mumbo Jumbo, that our best days are still ahead of us.”
end.
Kenny Rogers.
Kenny Rogers To Share The Stage With Many Of His Favorite Friends.
Nashville,Tennessee.interviewsofrecordingartists
.com Kenny Rogers is a living legend and this evening in Nashville,TN. at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in front of the assembled media, the first details were announced for an upcoming television special worthy of his musical legacy,Kenny Rogers:The First 50 Years.However,this upcoming event is far more than just a music special,Kenny Rogers:The First 50 Years, will be
as star studded as any award show. It will be a rollicking celebration, filled with music and comedy from some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world performing,appearing and sharing stories about Kenny Rogers and his music. Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss,Wynonna and The Oak Ridge Boys are just some of the early names already slated to appear on the
show. The array of artists will be part of the performance,and a few will host different segments of the show travelling through Kenny's six decades of hits. Kenny Rogers:The First 50 Years will tape on April 10th,2010 at the MGM Grand At Foxwoods and will be produced by Dreamcatcher Artist Management and Locomotive Entertainment Group.Filmed in pristine hi-definition,digital 3D, this multi-camera,up-close-and-personal special will find the viewer
“visually surrounded and fully immersed" in the concert.Mark Lucas,who recently directed the 3D concert films for Dave Matthews and Kings of Leon, will direct, and Monty Powell,2009 SESAC Songwriter of the Year and producer,will serve as Musical Director.Tickets may be purchased starting February 11, 2010 at 9 a.m. online at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com,by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Box Office at 1-866-646-0609, by calling Ticketmaster,or in person at the MGM Grand Box
Office.“When this was first proposed to me as a 50-year celebration,something about that sounded final,and I didn’t want that, so I suggested we call it ‘The First 50 Years,’” Rogers said.“I will tell you this, the first 50 years TV show is gonna be awesome,the next 50 years TV show is gonna be a bitch.”
The red carpet for this event will certainly have to roll for a long way, as there are so many superstars from music, movies, and sports that Kenny has touched over the course of his 50 years in entertainment. It will certainly be an unforgettable night for everyone involved. Kenny is one of a handful of artists to sell over 125 million albums. He also holds the very rare
distinction of having a hit single in each of the last six decades. His television movie “The Gambler” is one of the highest rated TV movies of all time. His duet with Dolly Parton,“Islands In The Stream,”is the #1-selling duet of all time. His extensive history of success also includes 20 platinum, 27 gold records and a Diamond-certified Greatest Hits album that has sold
more than 24 million copies worldwide. He has won three Grammy Awards, five Country Music Association Awards, 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards and 11 People’s Choice Awards. He has recorded 65 albums and is ranked #8 on the R.I.A.A.’s list of Top Selling Male Artists of all time. With his unique storytelling ability and soulful voice, Kenny has continued his amazing run into the 21st century with a critically acclaimed album(Water and Bridges)and a recent gold certification(21 Number Ones). Whether it’s his classic or current hits,or his recent appearance on“American Idol,” his relevance in the world of music and pop culture has never been
stronger.“The First 50 Years will reflect the diverse talent Kenny has crossed paths with and enjoyed friendships with throughout the years,” said Dreamcatcher Artist Management President/CEO Jim Mazza."That is what will make this once-in-a-lifetime celebration so special.” “MGM at Foxwoods has provided us with an incredible venue in which to celebrate the career of a
true icon,Kenny Rogers," said Locomotive Entertainment Group President Gabriel Gornell."We are planning on shooting a television event that will allow viewers to share in what is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime music experience."
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to partner with Dreamcatcher Artist Management’s music industry leadership and the creative production expertise of Locomotive Group,”states Joseph Jimenez,Senior Vice President for Foxwoods Marketing.“Foxwoods is a destination recognized and unmatched in service standards and signature world class entertainment;attracting over 16
million visitors a year.We are truly honored to host this amazing event celebrating our dear friend,Kenny Rogers’50 years of success in the Entertainment Industry.”
end.
LONESTAR DEBUTS NEW STUDIO ALBUM,
PARTY HEARD AROUND THE WORLD,
IN STORES APRIL 27,2010.
Nashville,Tennessee.interviewsofrecordingartists
.com The highy anticipated return to the
charts of a true country music
supergroup,LONESTAR,is near.
The Band is releasing their first
studio album in four years,cause enough for
celebration to the universe of country/pop
cross-over fans who have long embraced them.
And the news gets better.Party Heard Around
The World, their 10th album, is a total
‘hands on’ creative effort, produced by the
band with eight of the ten tracks written by
the foursome. Noted lead guitarist and
original member Michael Britt said in a
recent interview: “We feel that this album
is a complete reflection of the group, circa
2010. It’s personal and powerful music that
reflects the core values of Lonestar through
lyrics, performance and production.”
Lonestar’s commitment to open the new decade
with a new chapter of music will have the
full label support of Saguaro Road Records
and be the subject of a major multi-phase
national retail/radio/media/marketing
campaign set to roll-out in advance of the
April 27,2010 street date.With being known
both for their strong
country roots as well as their multi-genre
crossover appeal that’s led to a history of
success on the pop/rock charts,Lonestar has
only their own career records to break. To
date,the band has RIAA certified sales in
excess of 10 million album units since their
national launch in 1995.The Texas bred band
has had an impressive list of hit singles on
the country charts,including ten #1’s as
well as nine Top 40 songs on the pop charts.
Signature songs in the mid-90’s included
early #1 hits such as “No News,” and “Come
Cryin’ To Me.” Their 1999 album release,
Lonely Grill,produced Lonestar’s biggest
crossover smash to date,the ballad
“Amazed,” which spent eight weeks at the #1
spot on the country charts as well as
reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The
dual win made them the first country act
since Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton’s “Islands
In the Stream” in 1983 to accomplish this
career milestone. Three more singles from
the band(“Smile,”“What About Now,” and
“Tell Her”) followed to #1 as the Lonely
Grill album was certified multi-platinum.
Lonestar dealt listeners a follow-up
platinum hand with the release of their I’m
Already There album (2001) with the title
track lead-off single spending six weeks at
#1 as the album was on the way to platinum
certification.In addition to garnering music accolades,
Lonestar has been oft-lauded for their
continuous outreach in the arena of
humanitarian goodwill. The band was
recognized by The Academy of Country Music
with the coveted Home Depot Humanitarian
Award in 2003 for their continued commitment
to help build the dreams of those in
need—this in recognition to the group’s
single handed dedication to the building of
a playground for children in tornado ravaged
Jackson,Tennessee.America’s military
forces have been a major focus for concert
and fund raising efforts by the band as has
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, to
mention only a few of their ongoing
humanitarian interests.Lonestar consists of
original members Dean Sams,Keech Rainwater,and Michael Britt,as
well as lead vocalist Cody Collins who joined the group in 2007.
Party Heard Around The World is set to make a legion of new fans,
as well as re-connect Lonestar to a universe of dedicated fans for
whom their latest studio project has been
eagerly awaited.Tour dates in support of
the new album release are expected to be
announced within the next few weeks.
end.
Becky Schlegel's New CD,'DANDELION'.
Nashville,TN.interviewsofrecordingartists.com Recording artist Becky Schlegel's brand new CD,'DANDELION',on LILLY RAY/IGO Records,
is rich with magical music and poetic lyrics.Co-produced by Schlegel and Brian Fesler and
recorded in Minnesota,the recording project is slated to be released April 6,2010."We took a more
relaxed,spontaneous approach on,'DANDELION',"notes Becky, who has become a new Nashville
resident.She continued,"We let the songs be free to end up where they were destined to be."
The 13-song collection resonates with Schlegel's insightful originals and ever-engaging voice.
Two special guests appear on the disc:Randy Kohrs and Josh Williams.Among the musicians adding
their talents include:Brian Fesler (Banjo, Acoustic/Electric Guitars); Richard Dworsky, Benny
Weinbeck (Piano); Gordon Johnson (Bass); Marc Anderson, Phil Hey (Percussion/Drums); Michael
Witcher (Resonator Guitar); Kenny Wilson (Pedal Steel, Electric Guitar); Clint Hoover
(Chromatic/Diatonic Harps) and Josh Williams,Jeff Midkiff and Joe Cruz on Mandolin.
An Appalachian thread runs throughout the recording project,and Schlegel draws heavily upon her
bluegrass heritage to add an earthy,yet subtle shine to each track.From the memories of her
grandmother, glimpsed throughout the disc's opener "Anna," to the haunting vignettes invoked by
the title track, her imaging paints portraits that are startling in their vividness. Her current
single, "Colorado Line," is a mid-tempo look back at a well-remembered goodbye - and what might
have been, while the engaging "I Never Loved You Cowboy," is a tune inspired by a real-life
teenaged breakup. Schlegel confronts infidelity in "So Embarrassing," which features the artful
harmonies and signature Resonator Guitar of Kohrs."When It Rains" showcases Williams joining
Schlegel to create a mesmerizing vocal pairing.DANDELION is her most "country" effort to date;
the result of songs pulled from past memories and dreams unfulfilled and heretofore unspoken.
The disc will be in stores nationwide on April 6,2010 however fans can order copies online
now.'DANDELION',is Becky's fourth solo album of originals,following,'RED LEAF','DRIFTER LIKE
ME',and,'FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE'.
end.
TONIA TECCE.
TONIA TECCE IS THE ONE WHO DARED TO DREAM.
Hollywood,Calif.interviewsofrecordingartists
.com Long before Susan Boyle took the stage and shocked Simon Cowell, Tonia Tecce was living her
own dream,embodying the exciting truth that it’s never too late. The Philadelphia based crossover
soprano was captivating thousands of fans everywhere from the Kimmel Center for the Performing
Arts in Philly to Carnegie Hall with her powerful, soaring vocals and the tale behind the amazing
journey which led her to center stage.
Anyone who thought Tecce was crazy to start pursuing her singing career in the early 1980s after
deferring her lifelong dream to raise six kids might think she’s madder yet to launch a recording
career at an age when most people are settling into retirement. The singer, who also has 12
grandchildren, has two responses for them: What A Wonderful World, her 2006 independent debut and
Smile, her glorious new, ten-track collection of uniquely selected secular and spiritual songs
that,like Tecce herself, can’t help but lift us during these uncertain, troubling times.
While Tecce may be a new name to those outside her regular performing base on the East Coast, her
collaborators on both projects are world renowned. Grammy nominated
arranger/accompanist/conductor Byron Olson has worked with legends of opera (Placido Domingo),
pop (Gloria Estefan, Johnny Mathis), jazz (Carmen McRae) and folk rock (Richie Havens) and The
London Symphony. Repertoire consultant Ettore Stratta has conducted The London Symphony, The
English Chamber Orchestra and The Royal Philharmonic.
John Vanore, producer of both What A Wonderful World and Smile, was a featured trumpet soloist
with the Woody Herman Orchestra and has accompanied everyone from Tony Bennett and Sammy Davis,
Jr. to Nancy Wilson. He also earned a gold record for producing Michael Crawford’s 1998
inspirational album On Eagle’s Wings.
With a set list that includes Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” the Disney classic “When You Wish Upon A
Star,” “His Eye Is On The Sparrow,” “Amazing Grace,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “Sometimes I Feel
Like A Motherless Child,” Vanore is helping Tecce tap into the same emotional longings and
spiritual aspirations as the Crawford project. A reviewer from Midnight Jazz once compared
Tecce’s voice to that of Julie Andrews, which makes the artful medley of “You’ll Never Walk
Alone” and “Climb Every Mountain” all the more appropriate and poignant.
Tecce says, “For me, this is about uplifting people and I truly believe in the sentiment that we
can always find a way to ‘Smile’ through the hard times. My hope is that listeners who hear my
interpretation will experience a positive moment that makes them feel better. The album can work
on that level or simply be a nice afternoon of easy music to listen to. I wanted to keep it
secular but spiritual, simply reflecting how we feel in times of trouble. I closed What A
Wonderful World with just Byron on piano and we took the same route this time, wrapping Smile
with Irving Berlin’s “Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep” from ‘White Christmas.’”
Speaking of Christmas, when Tecce was originally tossing around ideas for the follow-up to What A
Wonderful World, her older daughter urged her to do a holiday album. “Needless to say,” Tecce
says, “I would have loved to make a Christmas album and hope to do so someday. But I wanted to do
more than that. I wanted to touch the hearts of my listeners in a very special way – to give them
something that went beyond the music. Because so many wonderful people have drawn me into their
lives and shared with me their personal stories, both happy and sad, I began to think of making a
recording dealing with a wide range of emotions and feelings. I think Smile conveys the fact that
I’m a very optimistic person at heart. I firmly believe if you want something badly enough you
can get it. You may not always get the gold at the end of the rainbow, but it’s important to
reach for your dream and passion.”
Tecce has told her story on local media and before live audiences throughout the Delaware Valley.
Accompanied by her heart-filled renditions of favorites from Broadway and the Hollywood screen,
as well as classical songs and arias, her story has captivated listeners and enhanced her
reputation as one of the most popular –and beloved– performers in the region.
Lest anyone think her emergence as a popular song stylist was anything but a too-long-delayed
destiny, it’s important to note that she began singing onstage when she was eight years old and
planned to head to New York to pursue her career. But her family, including her father-- a small
town New Jersey doctor who came from an era when they still made house calls--placed greater
value on education. So she went off to Rosemont College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Tecce employs
the romantic imagery of Cupid’s arrow to explain how her dream got sidetracked for very
worthwhile reasons—seven of them, in fact: her husband (whom she married six days after
graduation) and the six wonderful children they raised.
More than 20 years after putting her dreams on hold, and as her family responsibilities lessened,
Tecce auditioned for master voice teacher Florence Berggren (Julliard), who accepted her as a
student and referred her to voice coach Martin Rich, conductor of the Metropolitan Opera. Maestro
Rich was so impressed with her voice that he began working with her immediately. One of her
fondest onstage moments was performing at Carnegie Hall with Rich in 1991; a few years ago, after
he passed away, she sang there for the third time in tribute and was the only singer onstage who
was not from the roster of the Met Opera.
To draw from an old showbiz cliché, the “practice” that got her to Carnegie Hall also earned her
performances at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts,
where she made her debut as a headliner in “Tonia Tecce Sings!” She’s done eighteen seasons with
the Ocean City Pops and has performed at the French Embassy in Washington D.C. and for the
President of the United States (at a Presidential Salute and Inaugural Ball) and two inaugural
ceremonies for the Governor of Pennsylvania. In addition to appearing onstage with leading
operatic voices, Tecce also finds time to perform at benefit concerts and fundraisers for
colleges, churches and hospitals. The Scleroderma Federation of the Delaware Valley awarded her
its Humanitarian Award in recognition of her artistry and her dedication to this worthy cause.
The key philosophy she uses in all of her motivational talks is: “Living your dream takes
determination and hard work, but if you want it badly enough, nothing can stop you. Life is not a
dress rehearsal, so if you have a dream, follow it…”
“If the fact that I’m fulfilling my dream of being a recording artist at this age can inspire
someone in their 60s, 70s or even 80s to live their life fully and passionately, that would make
me very happy,” Tecce says. “One woman who read my story in the Philadelphia Inquirer went back
to get her master’s in English, which she had begun pursuing long ago. So take that cover off
your piano, pull that violin out of your closet, begin writing that book. When I auditioned for
the Met, I didn’t let anything hold me back. If you’ve always thought you can do it, you can. If
someone walks away from one of my performances or talks and thinks, ‘Well she did it, why can’t
I?’ that’s the kind of thing that makes me truly Smile.”
end.