Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Featuring Author Monica Brinkman


Bio

Monica M. Brinkman believes in stories worth telling. A poet at heart, she delved into novel writing when it became apparent this was yet another venue to bring readers entertainment along with opening minds and hearts to books that hold much meaning and thought, long after the read was completed.
A member of The Missouri Writers Guild, Writers Center, former Columnist for Authors Info, Ms. Brinkman received the reward of one of the best books of 2011 via Readers Choice.  The highly rated reviews of The Turn of the Karmic Wheel, embrace both her creativity and unique story line. You will find her articles and short stories in TheWriteroomblog, A Word With You Press, Enzine Articles, Broowaha, and All Voices, to name a few.  Monica Brinkman’s stand-alone sequel of the Karmic Wheels Series, The Wheels Final Turn, is set to release in 2015 through All Things That Matter Press.

 Along with writing, Monica hosts a weekly radio show, It Matters Radio with co-hosts Kenneth Weene and Kerry Hall.  Each broadcast showcases talented musical artists as well as authors, non-profit organizations, political/news figures or celebrities. If we find something important and meaningful, we will bring it to our listeners. You may visit the It Matters Radio web-site for more information or browse the pod casts @ It Matters Radio Spreecast 

An advocate in funding research for the rare, incurable genetic disease Epidermolysis Bullosa, Ms. Brinkman donates a portion of all sales of her books to EBMRF, a foundation that uses 98% of all funding on actual research. Her website – Meaningful Writings and blog site – A Touch of Karma, reflect her deep-rooted passion in opening eyes and minds to injustice, E.B., and provide inspiration to all who visit.
After living in the East Coast and West Coast for many years, Ms. Brinkman now resides in Missouri with her husband, five cats and Harry the dog.

Links

It Matters Radio Promo: http://youtu.be/tByUR185eJo 
The Wheels Final Turn Promo: http://youtu.be/oRSUZOIukdA 
The Turn of the Karmic Wheel: http://youtu.be/3dbFVLm6jbo 
Photos







Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Featuring Guitarist Leo Al Lawrence

Bio

Music played a significant role in the upbringing of Leo Al Lawrence. From a musical point of view, he saw the Ken Mackintosh big band rehearsing when he was 12 or 13. Watching and listening to him as he picked up several different brass instruments and playing them so as to show his musicians what he wanted from them; Leo was bowled over by his musicianship.

At school Leo had two music teachers (Mr Haynes & Miss Wilkinson) who gave him every opportunity to advance his playing skills and also gave him the confidence to walk on stage and play in front of one thousand people.

With regard to guitarists, Leo’s main influences have been, from an early age, Andrés Segovia, Julian Byzantine who taught me classical guitar, Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Django Reinhardt, Peter Green & B. B. King, amongst many others.

Currently Leo is residing in England. Prior to living in England he lived in Normandy, France, and Ireland. While living in Ireland he worked in a film studio, composing, arranging, and playing background music for TV adverts.

Leo enjoyed listening to Irish music which inspired to him to record, Carrickfergus and The Water is Wide.

A church hall, where there was dance, was Leo’s first gig. While playing the guitar he has travelled to many places such as, Austria, Paris, The Edith Piaf Theatre Bernay, France, and The Stables near Milton Keynes. The Stables was a special gig for his terminally ill sister Moyra which she attended. She heard the music Leo had written for her called Moyrasville. This was one of the memorable moments of his career.

Links


https://www.facebook.com/leoallawrenceguitarist

Photos 









 



 



 

 












Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Featuring Willy Calderon, Musician, Engineer, and Producer

Bio

Willy Calderon is a professional touring and recording musician, an engineer and a producer. He is the founder/CEO of his own label, “The Master Plan” and is chief Production Manager/Producer at IO7 Recording Studios in Reseda, Born in Cartagena, Colombia.

Willy came from a musical family and was raised in Los Angeles by his mother, Jeanine Rosales. Studying the art of music since infancy, he was playing professionally by the early age of 13. Specializing as a percussionist, Calderon is also professionally proficient on piano and bass.

Calderon has performed and traveled the world with world-class Latin and Pop artists such as Grupo Niche, Sublime (w/Rome), Guayacán Orquesta, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sheila E., Luis Conte, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Fruko y Sus Tesos, Chick Corea, Silvestre Dangond and most recently, Bruno Mars. Calderon also participated in production for master film composer Hans Zimmer in the final installment of the Batman trilogy, "The Dark Knight Rises."

In June of 2013, Willy scored two video game trailers for Nintendo Inc. Calderon is currently participating on an upcoming Pirates Of The Caribbean soundtrack due 2017. He joined the Gon Bops Percussion family as an artist in 2014. 

-Instagram- @willycalderonofficial
-YouTube-
-Facebook-


 


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Featuring Musician Vernon Fuller


What am I passionate about?

Many people and many things. My list starts in order of priority and then tails off into various things.
Faith - I have a Christian faith so the top of my list is having Jesus Christ as my savior. I don't try and push or force my faith on to others but it's the main part of who I am.
Partner - Then comes my love for my wife, Pat, who has been a great source of encouragement to me in life, including with my music making.
Children - My four sons and daughters and my grandchildren are my next passion, even when they don't laugh at my jokes!
Music - This is and has been a passion since I was very young. I am a guitarist, song writer and vocalist who can be found performing solo and in duo's and larger bands. I love good music, whatever the genre but I particularly like and play Soul, Jazz, Funk, Reggae and Blues. I grew up in London and was in the same class at school as the drummer from The Sex Pistols and the same year at school as the guitarist with The Sex Pistols. I also used to hang out with (play football (soccer to my American friends) with the bass player from Culture Club. I started playing in reggae and funk bands in London, including playing upstairs at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and have played many music/jazz festivals (Wigan Jazz Festival, Marlborough Jazz Festival and Southport Jazz Festival for example) in the UK. Two of the highlights were playing support for Courtney Pine CBE at the Nantwich Jazz & Blues Festival and being a featured artist on Jazz FM. I absolutely love the music of Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, George Benson and funk bands of the 1970's. I lead community singing for people who suffer with dementia and I am passionate about making smile and laugh through music. I have been featured on various radio shows including Tracey Edges who has been featured in this blog. Tracey is a legend!!
Oh and I love reading, and, visiting the theatre and art galleries when I can.
Encouraging others
I am passionate about encouraging and supporting other artists (not just musicians) in any way that I can. I believe that we all need encouragement!!
Travel
I have travelled extensively around Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, with an American Multinational Company that I used to work for and also in a private capacity on holiday and doing relief work and I love to travel. My three trips to the USA (Memphis twice and Atlanta once) have been highlights especially visiting Martin Luther King Jr's church in Atlanta, Elvis Presley's home- Graceland's and Sun Studios in Memphis.
Oh yes and there is a certain football team (soccer) called Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) that I follow. They aren't doing very well at the moment but I am still passionate for them to win every game that they play!
I gig regularly in the UK, mainly in the North West of England, but have gigged and  gig in other parts of the country too. I have performed & appeared on Tunisian and Turkish TV.
One of my sisters is a actress, dancer and singer who has performed around the world. We used to pretend we were running shows and performing at them when we were around eight years old. I don't think I have changed since growing up tee hee!
Music Now
I love to deliver a heady cocktail of smooth jazz with a hard edge of funk and soul and laced with reggae, Latin and blues!!
I have released several recordings (albums) to date, mostly cover versions of songs until my most recent release called "What Will You Do?". "What Will You Do?" which is a CD and Digital Release of 16 songs composed by Vernon Fuller. It contains love songs and social commentary songs ranging from soul, jazz, Latin and reggae in style. With guitars, male and female vocals, bass guitar, percussion, drums, keyboards and trumpet, Vernon has already performed some of these songs live on several radio stations.
Here is what the owner of Ghostnote Records, Paula McCool says about the album:
“With this album Vernon displays his guitar prowess and versatility through many musical styles. Being fresh and uplifting as always Vernon and his band are talented, vibrant performers with masses of drive and feel, something that I feel is vitally important in song writing and the production of music. The title track ‘What Will You Do’? stands out with its flowing Latin inspired beats, and hugely danceable rhythm. The Benson feel of ‘For You’ effortlessly blends into the lush reggae of ‘See that Girl’. ‘Last Kiss’ is evocative of Leon Russell’s song writing at its finest, and ‘Love Isn’t Love’ instantly draws you into a New York club atmosphere; the whole sound of this particular track is warm, immediate, and expansive with a whole-band feel. The whole album, in fact, has a wonderfully tactile quality that is timeless and engaging.” 


Another review, this time by It Matters Radio said:
 ‘Free Butterfly’ is one of the most beautiful yet haunting songs I’ve heard in quite a while.
 Vernon’s voice emits such emotion.'- It Matters Radio
 
Links to contact Vernon Fuller
Facebook: Vernon Fuller
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/VernonFullerGrooveMusic
Twitter: @FretJazz
Links to hear music by Vernon Fuller
 
Free Android Mobile/Cell Phone App for Vernon Fuller 
Vernon Fuller on YouTube
Buy individual songs or complete Vernon Fuller albums
Some of the online digital retailers that you can buy from are:
Amazon MP3; iTunes; Google Play; Deezer; eMusic; Last.fm; Rhapsody; Rdio
Photos



 
 

 
 

 


 
 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Featuring Under Surveillance a Rock Band from Charleston

Bio

UNDER SURVEILLANCE is a rock band from Charleston, WV. Their debut CD, "Between the Lines" was released in 2013 on their own label, Revolution Records; You can check out samples from the CD:
http://youtu.be/PDHNNGJjt3Y

US blends 70's and 80's style power pop melody with big hooks, driving rhythms in an aggressively catchy modern rock sonic.

Following is a live video clip of US performing "Pictures of You" at Rock the Park, Charleston WV on August 29, 2014:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1537758446442443&id=154565708071785

US is comprised of guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Philip Hatfield, bassist Phil Crace; drummer/vocalist Randy Brown; and vocalist/guitarist Jon Mullins.

Hatfield, Brown, and Crace are former members of nationally recognized indie rock band, "The Score". Their debut album "Private Ideas" achieved international airplay and distribution.

Incidentally, Hatfield is also a sound engineer with credits that include live mixing major artists such as Steve Walsh (Kansas), Atlanta Rhythm Section, Ray Charles, Bob Welch and Cheap Trick. Hatfield holds a PhD and is also a nationally known author/historian.He has written several books and scholarly articles related to the American Civil War including "The Other Feud", related to the famous fratricide available on Amazon.com.

Critic Rudy Pannuci (Pop Cult, Charleston Gazette) recently described US: "...a pure delight...Their sound is solidly in the power pop school of Cheap Trick and The Knack...they sound like a very hard-edged version of The Shoes...This CD is perfectly at home beside of your Replacements CDs...it has a timeless quality..."

Future Magazine in Valencia, Spain, said in their October 2014 edition, that US is "...delicious well-crafted power-pop with an uncompromising rock core. Between the Lines has no bad songs..."


US is also getting airplay on many indie, satellite and other internet live feed radio stations / podcasts in the US, England and Spain. The tune, "Broken Lullaby" has recently received airplay on the Police (as in Sting et al.) radio network on Sirrus-chosen by the artists themselves.

Under Surveillance Facebook page:
https://side www.facebook.com/#!/wvundersurveillance

Other recent Media:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=243768182484870&id=154565708071785i-,cv

They perform in the southeast and midwestern US. Our second CD, "Savannah Moon" will be released in summer 2015.


Between the Lines is available on most major digital music outlets including itunes, tunecore, and amazon.

 Photos and Album Covers