Matt Anton ACA Music & Entertainment matt@acaentertainment.com 262-790-0060
Exclusive Original Artists You’ve Got to See Live
Event with refreshments and give-a-ways on March 1 in Waukesha to showcase the talents of three musical acts on the rise locally and regionally.
ACA Music & Entertainment is the oldest and largest provider of live entertainment in the Midwest. The source for all your entertainment needs, we specialize in helping our clients transform their event into a memorable EXPERIENCE. You already know that we specialize in live music, DJs, and unique entertainment for your wedding, corporate event, or holiday party. Now, we are excited to announce three exclusive additions to the ACA family’s catalog of premier talent.
Please join us for a special VIP showcase featuring live performances by The Barbara Stephan Band, The Last Bees, and Chris Haise Band.
What: Exclusive Original Artist Showcase Where: Northcoast Center for the Arts
705 Larry Ct, Waukesha, WI 53186
When: Sunday, March 1, from 6pm-8pm RSVP: by 2/25/20 to thea@acaentertainment.com
Here is a little more about each of our artists:
Barbara Stephan is an original artist inspired by a combination of R&B and soul. Her newly released EP, Come On Over To Me, debuted at #4 on The Roots Rock Music Report’s soul/blues category.
The Last Bees is an original Beatles-inspired low-fi pop band from Milwaukee. Bruce Johnston, Grammy award-winning member of The Beach Boys, praised Ian’s performance when he competed and won “Best Vocalist” at the Waukesha County Fair, earning him the opening slot for The Beach Boys.
Chris Haise Band, a Milwaukee-based band, is a blend of hook-filled ballads and toe tappers. Mixing folk and rock, Chris’s vocals have been described as “Dylan meets Springsteen.” In 2019, the band released Suburban View, a follow-up to Chris’s solo album, Your Ugly Friends. From there, the band quickly became a staple at many Milwaukee festivals and music series such as Bastille Days, Brady Street Festival, and Homegrown Festival, to name a few.
Each of our three artists will put on a live performance for you, entertainment buyers, and special guests. Refreshments will be served. Join us, and you could win some great give-a-ways!
Entertainment agency, a main staple on the metro-Milwaukee and Midwest scenes since 1948, acquired by seasoned musician and long-time ACA employee Matt Antoniewicz.
Waukesha, Wisconsin – February 1, 2019 – Matt Antoniewicz, a veteran professional musician and an account executive with ACA Music & Entertainment, announced today that he has acquired ACA. The closing of the purchase took place this past Monday, January 28. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
The firm, which has been in business since 1948, prides itself as the oldest and largest provider of live entertainment in the Midwest. The agency’s original owner, Bill Rothe, left the company to his siblings upon his passing. The company was most recently owned and operated by Mr. Rothe’s youngest daughter, Nancy Rothe-Egezeino. Ms. Rothe-Egezeino will continue with ACA as senior sales associate.
“I look forward to carrying on the ACA tradition of providing high-quality live bands, DJs, magicians, comedians, and an impressive array of entertainment options,” Mr. Antoniewicz said, adding, “We’re working diligently to bring in new bands and fresh ideas, like our first all-original artist, The Barbara Stephan Band.”
About ACA Music & Entertainment
Based in Waukesha, ACA has been in business since 1948. While the firm is well-known for its extensive assortment of quality live music acts, its overall entertainment portfolio and event management capabilities is extensive. Among a host of other offerings, ACA can provide DJs, audio/lighting production, celebrity impersonators, balloon artists, comedians, jugglers, magicians, face painters, and even murder mystery productions. Memorable themed-experiences are a specialty of ACA, with some examples including Roaring 20s Gala, Vegas Night, Moulin Rouge, Carnivale in Rio, and Hawaiian Luau.
To learn more about ACA and its offerings, visit it on the Web at www.acaentertainment.com, or call 262.790.0060.
About Matt Antoniewicz
Mr. Antoniewicz studied music performance and jazz studies at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. A long-time freelance trumpeter by profession, he served as a traveling music teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools for 13 years. He is also the founder and owner of North Coast Management, an artist management company that represents, among other artists, the bands Platinum; The North Coast Orchestra; Velocity; Livin’ The Dream; Respect! A Tribute to Aretha Franklin; and The Barbara Stephan Band. Mr. Antoniewicz continues to perform as a freelance trumpeter, and his performance credits include some of the most impressive national acts and productions to come out of the jazz, easy listening, pop, and R&B genres, as well as the touring Broadway circuit.
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Contact
Aaron S. Robertson
414.418.2278
therobertsonholdingsco@yahoo.com
John Domanski and the Daydreamers (sometimes also styled as " John Domanski and The Daydreamers ") started out as a three-piece band. The band is based out of Muskego, Wisconsin, a suburb in the Milwaukee metro area.
In addition to its alternative rock -influenced original songs, the band also performs a variety of classic covers, ranging anywhere from songs by The Beatles and Tom Petty to Nirvana and Foo Fighters.
John Domanski and the Daydreamers personnel:
John Domanski - guitar and lead vocals
Ben Kluge - second guitar
Aaron S. Robertson - bass, manager
Dan Joerres - drums
Noah Stovich - keyboards and percussion
In May 2015, John Domanski and the Daydreamers released its first album, a five-song EP entitled, Ignite.
Tracks from Ignite:
1) As the Sun Goes Down
2) Whatever
3) Talk to Me Hold Me
4) Bad Timing
5) She Wears No Shoes
Check out one of the band's very first episodes of the Daydreamer's Lounge! In this episode, members discuss living life on your own terms and doing what you truly love.
Dear Entertainment Manager,
We are John Domanski and the Daydreamers, a band based in the Milwaukee area (Muskego, specifically). We are currently booking shows around Wisconsin, and we would love the opportunity to perform at your venue.
Founded earlier this year, we perform original music influenced after the alternative rock genre, and can certainly perform a number of classic covers, as well. Our repertoire includes a diverse variety that is sure to please any crowd, ranging from songs by The Beatles and CCR, to The Monkees, Tom Petty, Nirvana, and Foo Fighters.
With a Facebook following of nearly 2,300 fans, a Twitter following of over 1,000, and significant marketing expertise available to us, we are confident that we can drive a considerable amount of these people to your venue to see a performance by us.
A look back at the 70s resurrection of 50s rock 'n' roll by a guitarist who worked alongside one of the great legends there at the very beginning. Plus, thoughts on Chuck Berry, meaningful advice for aspiring musicians, and a whole lot more.
When I was growing up sometime in the early 90s, I remember that one of the very first cassette tapes I ever owned, if not the first one, was a collection of original 50s recordings by Bill Haley and His Comets. I think it came from the local Best Buy store near Southridge Mall, if I remember correctly. See, growing up, my tastes in music were heavily influenced by my parents, other relatives, and all of their friends, via the local oldies and classic rock stations here in the Milwaukee area. By the time I owned this tape, Haley had been deceased for at least a decade, having passed away in 1981, and the music itself was somewhere between 35-40 years old, I'm guessing. But for me, none of that mattered. Good music is good music. It knows no time.
With all of that being said, it was a real pleasure for me to have this opportunity to interview Bill Turner, who served as Haley's lead guitarist from July of 1974 until the end of 1976. Bill and I ended up connecting on Facebook not long ago, and so we've had some back-and-forth correspondence in recent months.
Bill Turner.
In addition to being a member of The Comets during this time frame, Bill is also known for his work as the front man of Blue Smoke, which actually predates his time with Haley and company, going back to 1972. Blue Smoke is still active today, and we'll come back to that band a little bit later on.
Asked how he got the chance to join Bill Haley and His Comets, Bill indicated he worked his way in by getting to know some of the other members over time. But it all started out as being a fan of Haley's as a boy.
"I was always a huge Bill Haley fan," Bill recalled in our approximately hour-long phone conversation on March 30 from his home in New Jersey. "I first heard of him in a newsreel on the TV in the spring of 1958," he said, going on, "I was seven years old at the time. The newsreel was showing a riot that broke out at a concert. The band was Bill Haley and His Comets."
Over the years, friendships formed. "I became friends with some of The Comets. They traveled through New York a lot. I always noticed he [Haley] had a new lead guitarist every time they passed through New York," Bill explained, continuing on, "I got to know Rudy Pompilli [Haley's long-time sax player] well, and I practiced in front of him. I learned all the original guitar solos by listening to the original records late at night with my headphones. I listened to the solos at half the speed."
I was always interested in the 70s revival of 50s rock ‘n’ roll and how that all came to be. I guess I always just assumed that the hit 1973 movie, American Graffiti, was the start of it all. But not so. "Well, American Graffiti definitely played its role, yes, but it can really be traced back to Richard Nader’s Rock and Roll Revival concert," Bill explained. The first of Nader's shows was held at New York’s Madison Square Garden in October 1969, and a tour followed, introducing original rock 'n' roll songs and performers to a new generation of fans.
Bill described to me during our phone conversation and in e-mail correspondence since then, some of the nightly fees that 50s rock 'n' roll artists and groups were getting before the revival:
Bill Haley - $1,000
Chuck Berry - $400
Bo Diddley - $300
Doo-wop groups - $250-500
"Chuck Berry was booked at a college homecoming down south before cancelling his appearance to go on Richard Nader’s tour. Bo Diddley had his car in the shop in Florida and couldn’t afford to get it out," Bill told me.
In a follow-up e-mail April 8, Bill explained, "To me, the biggest irony is how Chuck Berry, at that time, was working for only $400 per night, and yet he, in my opinion, is the most imitated rock 'n' roll guitarist, ever. Well, I guess today it would be Jimmy Page, according to what all the younger guitarists I meet tell me."
We stayed on the subject of Chuck Berry for a bit. I was curious to know if Bill had ever met or worked with him, and what his thoughts were, if any, on Chuck's extreme bitterness over the years, whether real or perceived. See, along with Bill Haley, Chuck Berry is one of the other legends I grew up listening to quite a bit.
.
"Well, Chuck was bitter, yes. And the reason for a lot of it was because his early recordings listed Alan Freed as a co-writer, which wasn't true," Bill told me, continuing, "I had lunch with Chuck once. It was at a restaurant he owned. I had just come out with a new album. Still remember what we both had. I had flapjacks and a hot chocolate. Chuck had hominy grits and black coffee."
Returning to Bill Haley, I was curious to know what he was like. “He was a true gentleman. Great guy. He had some health issues, though. He was a heavy smoker and had a bit of a problem with drinking,” Bill told me, adding, “He had other health issues that he needed to be treated for...but had a big problem trusting doctors. A doctor would give him a medication, and he would throw it away right after walking out of the doctor’s office.” And that famous kiss curl Haley wore in his hair? “He was blind in his left eye. That’s why he had the curl – it was to draw attention away from the eye, which often looked away slightly in another direction.”
But despite whatever shortcomings the man may have had, there is no doubt the role Haley played in rock history, and his place in it is secured. "Bill Haley was there in the beginning. He was playing rock ‘n’ roll before it was named. Rock ‘n’ Roll was originally called ‘Cowboy Jive’. There was no name for it at the time!," Bill said, adding, "Alan Freed coined the term from Haley’s song, ‘Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie’. Listeners would call in and ask Freed, ‘Hey, can you play that rock ‘n’ roll song?’ Because the lyrics included, ‘Rock, rock, rock, everybody...roll, roll, roll everybody...’”
Though he was with The Comets for only roughly 2.5 years, Bill has unintentionally become a go-to, authoritative source for just about all things concerning Bill Haley and his band over the decades.
"Even Dick Clark himself would regularly contact me when he planned to show a vintage video clip of Bill Haley - to identify certain members in it. The Comets had three bass players in succession who each played standup bass and were dark complexioned-Italians...and to complicate things further, each of the three was named 'Al'!" Bill said, continuing on, "There was Al Rex (Piccirilli) in the 1950s, followed by Al Pompilli in 1958, and who was in turn followed by Al Rappa from 1959 through 1969! Today, only Al Rex and Al Rappa are still living, both men in their mid-late 80s!"
In October 1987, Bill got the original Comets back together for the Philadelphia Music Awards, which was a standout feature news clip on prime time TV's Entertainment Tonight. Bill played electric bass with them for the ceremony. Perhaps the most gratifying thing, Bill explained to me, was that this band of original Comets members remained together for the next 25 years, and once again became an international touring attraction. They were performing repeatedly throughout Europe and the UK, and even in far flung places like Dubai. They also successfully held a residence in Branson, Missouri, sharing the theatre stage in a packaged show that also featured Paul Revere and The Raiders and the surviving member of the Righteous Brothers, Bill Medley. "It was a long-time gig they held up until recently, when several of the Comets members eventually passed away, each at a ripe old age, respectively," Bill said.
In the past several years, starting out as an interview subject for Otto Fuchs's book, Bill Haley: The Father of Rock 'n' Roll, published by Wagner-Verlag in Germany, Bill ended up being hired as the English language editor for the book, which was originally published in the German language. Bill had contributed rare vintage photos, as well as corrected literally thousands of errors, ranging from mere typos and grammar to major historical errors regarding dates and places, as well as false rumors and long-believed factual errors.
As for advice for aspiring musicians, Bill has a lot to offer. “Treat it like a business. Form an LLC. Try to be as original as possible. Join the musicians union: the AFM – it’s perhaps the best investment you can make in your career,” he started telling me, going on, “Don’t play for free – it’s a race to the bottom when a band does that. And beware of politicians – particularly the liberal Democratic, 'environmentalist' zealots – for, despite their lofty altruistic goals and promises, the very first 'pollution' they go after, are loud, noisy, and smoky places...precisely the very workplace environment of bands and musicians, and that’s just disastrous for our business as music industry people. It always results in the eradication of our livelihood...and the entire mid-week live music scene in every case...including the many family-owned small businesses which are pretty much what most restaurants, nightclubs, bars and lounges really are!” He cited the efforts of New Jersey's Democratic politicians as the cause for Atlantic City’s downfall, in particular due to the drastic drop-off in attendance. "Even as a lifelong non-smoker, I stand opposed to the smoking ban laws, because by the mid 1990s, the 'Smoke Eater' ventilation systems had solved the second-hand smoke problem in clubs quite satisfactorily; and also because the law itself was foisted upon us under false pretenses - we were assured by the politicians that our business would increase, possibly even double, because the non-smokers would all return to the clubs and venues once again. Instead, the exact opposite had happened - the non-smokers never came back, and the customers who did smoke soon became tired of having to step outside to light up...and soon stopped coming out altogether. Now everybody is sitting home all week....including all the musicians and bands who used to be gainfully employed. So what is the solution that I am proposing? Simple - let each restaurant, bar, nightclub and venue, etc., decide for themselves whether they want to be a smoke-free facility, or a place where customers can smoke as before. After all - this would really be the 'democratic way'...now wouldn't it?"
In addition to advice for aspiring musicians, Bill also has some meaningful words for young people in general: "Be very, very careful with using credit. Those who understand interest collect it; those who don't, pay it."
Blue Smoke.
Coming back to Blue Smoke, the band was formed in February 1972, and it is one of the first Americana/roots rock bands. The band's first three songs learned, Bill told me, were “Rock Around the Clock”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, and Mystery Train”. The band is performing a show during an overseas festival coming up soon on May 30 in Wolfsburg, Germany. "It's the band’s first trip overseas. We're really looking forward to it. The entire event is completely underwritten by Volkswagen," Bill said. Other than that, Bill said there have been many gigs on St. Patty’s Day from Noon to 1:30am over the years (Yes, you read that right). Many casinos over the years. The band has played on others’ albums in a backing role, and it has also won two industry awards for film soundtrack work on an indie spy film, The Crusaders, which is a punk rock takeoff on the British mid-60s spy series, The Avengers, which starred Patrick MacNee and Diana Rigg. "For those of us old enough to remember the height of the mid-60s James Bond craze and everything that followed in its wake," Bill said. He went on to explain that this was a TV movie pilot that was pitched to both VH-1 and MTV, but that both have since passed on it.
In 1996, the band scored a major breakthrough by getting hired by MTV to record the soundtrack music to a series of four, 30-second commercial spots heralding the new "M-2 Satellite Network", which starred a cast of 24 Elvis-costumed actors posing and dancing as Blue Smoke recorded 58 seconds of the famous "C.C. Rider" entrance chaser used on Elvis' live concerts.
In addition to his work with Blue Smoke, Bill is quite the bluegrass fan, and has received many opportunities to work with notable groups and artists from that genre. "Bluegrass is actually my own personal favorite music!," Bill told me. "I'd gotten to appear six times on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville with my friends, 'Uncle Steve Crockett & His Log Cabin Boys' during the 1980s."
Yet, no performances in the Milwaukee area. In fact, Bill has never been to Milwaukee, period. We'll have to work on that. The area is missing out on some exceptional talent.
JOHN
DOMANSKI AND THE DAYDREAMERS PERFORMING AT THE SUBURBAN BOURBON ON MAY 18; PART
OF PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT LIONS CHARITIES
Muskego,
Wisconsin – May 4, 2015 – John Domanski and The Daydreamers, a local band
performing 90s alternative rock -influenced original creations along with their
take on a number of covers we have all come to know and love, will be
performing at The Suburban Bourbon, S76 W17745 Janesville Road, Muskego, on the
evening of Monday, May 18, from 7-9pm.
The $10 admission ticket will
include free beer from 7-9pm, and part of the evening’s proceeds will support
Lions charities. Food will be available from the restaurant’s regular menu.
Attendees will also be sent a free song via e-mail.
The band is just coming off of a
performance at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL for the theme park’s
season opening weekend, and recently completed its first album, Ignite, which will be available for
purchase at the May 18 event.
Tickets will be available at the
door the evening of the performance, or may be purchased in advance online at www.tickethookups.com/events/19558
.
For additional information on
John Domanski and The Daydreamers, as well as upcoming performances and news,
please visit www.johndomanski.com .
Become a fan of the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/johndomanskimusic
.
Contact:
Laura Lawrence President Destinati Agency Phone: 920.650.1835 E-Mail: laural@destinatiagency.com
January 5, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Gallery Nights Blends Local Art and Music in an Exciting Six Month Lineup (Milwaukee, WI)- Prodigal Gastro pub, located in Walker’s Point, is excited to announce the opening night of their Gallery Nights series, which will begin on Friday, January 8 at 8 pm. The Gallery Night series continues throughout the year with a new artist being featured in an opening reception on the second Friday of each month beginning at 8 pm. Admission is free and the artist will be on site to answer questions and to discuss their art work.
The upcoming schedule includes the following artists and musical acts:
January 9
Featuring prominent artist Ari Rosenthal, who will be displaying a number of multi-media pieces, including one of a kind and collaboration pieces. Keanen Kopplin, of The Toys, will be performing an acoustic set of pop, rock, country and indie songs. February 13 Artist Jason Richard, featuring a series of contemporary paintings that focus on the human portrait in a contemplative and dark format. Musician Jay Matthes, will be performing an acoustic set of cover and original songs. March 13
Photographer TH Taylor, featuring a stunning display of his photography with a range of subject matter. TH Taylor is a well-known fixture in photography circles, particularly with his model and fashion series. A musical dynamo on the piano and vocals, Kris Crow will be performing a lively set of favorites, and crowd requests. April 10 Artist Rachel Hughes, is a talented painter who has gained recognition for her bold and unique pieces featuring the female form, graphic design and the day of the dead. New on the Milwaukee scene, folk duo We & I, comprised of Hayden Skaggs and Marco Jaimez, will be performing a set of hauntingly beautiful original songs. May 8 Artist KAB, will be showcasing a series of abstract realism multi-media paintings that focus on the female form. Her paintings are expressive and fluid in their creativity and blending of emotions. Nate Moralez of Ol’ Style Skratch will be performing an acoustic set featuring a variety of blues, rock and country. June 12 Artist Elias Vallejo, featuring a variety of mixed-media paintings with subject matter varying from celebrity portrait art to more contemporary work. Marr’Lo Prada Hollowell of Run Carolina, will be performing an acoustic set of country and rock tunes.
Additional information about the show and the venue are available on the website www.prodigal240.com. Free parking is available in the parking lot for Prodigal Gastro pub, which is located at 240 E. Pittsburgh Ave. A full dining and bar menu will be available for patrons to enjoy.
Up and comer recently out with his second album discusses his broad musical interests, his recent European tour, how he got started in the business, Wisconsin’s famous cheese, musicians he’d love to work with, and a whole lot more.
At 24, Jefferson Grizzard has a lot to be proud of so far. He just released his second album, Learning How to Lie, last fall. The album, which has garnered a number of rave reviews, was followed by a great companion music video this spring. The Georgia native also did a mini European tour this past winter, with dates in Ireland, Germany, and the U.K. It was his first time performing in Europe, though he has been there as a tourist before.
Courtesy: Back Porch Syndicate Records
“In Europe, they really take the time to sit down and listen to the music. There’s more of a fan base over there for real music, as opposed to the cookie-cutter pop stuff here in the U.S. There’s more of an appreciation for the art,” Jefferson explained to me during our roughly 50 minute conversation by phone on June 24. “London, in particular, was great for me. A lot of fans over there. I got to talk with a lot of drunk British guys at our London stop. Couldn’t understand a word they said, but we all had a blast,” he added with a laugh.
Jefferson also had the opportunity to team up with Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, recording some tracks at that band’s studio in Buffalo. “Robby’s a great guy. We cut four songs that haven’t been released yet. It was a great experience,” Jefferson told me. Later on this September, Jefferson will be performing at an arts festival in Buffalo that Robby has a hand in. “Mike, my drummer, is from Buffalo, so he has a lot of connections there. I have a lot of fans up there,” Jefferson continued.
So how did it all start, I wondered? “Well, I really liked writing, even before playing. I grew up in a pretty boring, little town in Georgia. That’s how I passed the time,” Jefferson said, continuing, “I’ll often forget about the songs I’ve written, until I find them again later on - scrap paper sheets that just pop up again.” The guitar playing started when, “My sister got a guitar for Christmas one year. A cheap little Yamaha or something. I played for weeks, and then months. I played until my fingers bled.”
He counts among the songwriters who have influenced him Jeff Tweedy, Bryan Adams, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan. “The first songwriter I really got turned on to,” Jefferson said of Dylan.
Jefferson certainly has some powerful, moving, thought-provoking lyrics in his portfolio. I can see he’s a serious writer. What are his influences or inspiration when it comes to lyric writing, I wondered? Does he like to go anywhere in particular to get away? What is his process like? “I get that question a lot. I really have no process. It just happens,” he explained to me. Jefferson continued: “I’ll be outside doing something, and then it just comes. Or something just brews in the subconscious for a while before it comes out. I never really spend over an hour on a song. The ones I do spend that much time on never really turn out good.”
When asked about the moment he realized, Hey, this is for real - I’d like to do this as a profession, for a living, Jefferson said it came about more as an evolution than as a single moment. “It just kept evolving. I felt I was a different person when I did the first album compared to when I did the second one [the latest, Learning How to Lie],” he explained, continuing on, “For the second album, I really felt like I was a part of the larger process. With the first one, I was younger, I just went in and was told what to do. The second felt more like a true album, as opposed to just a collection of songs.”
I got my hands on a copy of Learning How to Lie before my interview with Jefferson, and I can attest that it really is a lot more than just a collection of songs. For starters, the album case features some great photography and design layout, and it comes with a booklet featuring the lyrics for all 12 songs along with more eye-catching photography and design. It’s packaged nicely, to say the very least. The lyrics are profound, which unfortunately seems pretty rare these days in most mainstream American music, as Jefferson was alluding to earlier. Jefferson’s voice is soulful, and the music is rich and diverse, featuring a good variety of instruments like horns, keyboards and organ, tambourine, and soul-filled background vocalists in various tracks. Drawing from elements of many musical forms, Jefferson explained, “I really wanted it to be an Americana album, with R&B, blues, rock, gospel, and country in it, even in one song.”
In his spare time, “I love to people watch, travel, and take in
inspiration and information from the world.” A sci-fi fan, Jefferson
enjoys watching Star Trek, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and reading. “I
have the goal of writing a sci-fi rock opera someday,” he told me.
We got into talking about Milwaukee a little bit. Jefferson was here for the first time at the end of this past January for a show at Club Garibaldi. I felt pretty bad for him when I learned that, knowing that he arrived in our otherwise beautiful and hopping city in the middle of one of the longest, most bitter winters we’ve had in recent memory. But it wasn’t all that bad for him. “We stopped off at a roadside cheese shop. I bought the best cheddar cheese I ever bought in my life! That was my cultural experience there,” he told me.
Asked about dream musicians he would love to perform or record with, Jefferson presented a well-rounded, all-star lineup: bassist Catherine Popper (“The best bass player I’ve ever seen live”), drummer Glenn Kotche from Wilco, and British singer Laura Marling (“The greatest female voice around right now. The greatest songwriter of the Millennial generation. A great poet, songwriter, and guitar player”). He would also love an opportunity to work with British producer Ethan Johns.
His advice for aspiring musicians is as powerful as any of his lyrics: “If you’re a songwriter or musician, or any kind of artist, don’t look for an end goal. Always be satisfied in the present. Don’t look forward to the future. The music is the end, not a means to an end,” he said. And, for a young man who grew up in the Internet age, he warns, “Stay away from the Internet as much as possible. It’s too easy to get wrapped up with what others are doing or trying to do. I avoid it at all costs.”
And his parting words for fans and those who happen to come across his music - simple: “Listen to the words!”
You can learn more about Jefferson and follow along on his journey at jeffersongrizzard.com .
JEFFERSON GRIZZARD UNVEILS NEW VIDEO, "LEARNING HOW TO LIE," SCHEDULES UPCOMING PERFORMANCES WITH WILLIE NILE
For many rock acts, a memorable music video is crucial to their development and for building a global fan base.
And with Jefferson Grizzard's new video for the title track of his latest
album, 'Learning How to Lie,' the singer/guitarist has certainly
accomplished this.
For
the clip, Grizzard has hooked up with famed director, Matt Mahurin,
whose track record speaks for itself - directing such classic videos
over the years as the Black Crowes' "She Talks to Angels," Queensryche's
"Silent Lucidity," Metallica's "The Unforgiven," and Alice in Chains'
"Angry Chair," among others.
"Working
with Matt was an amazing experience," explains Grizzard. "His expertise
and relaxed style made being in front of the camera easy. Somewhere
between the beauty of Topanga Canyon and the experience of working with
an expert film maker, the shoot was surreal. Mahurin is truly a master
of his craft."
Thursday, July 10th, 2014 [Opening for Willie Nile]
White Plains City Center
White Plains, NY
The
Georgia native is best described as either a "poetic singer/songwriter
with his roots in American Rock" or "'65 Dylan and the Hawks meet Cohen
and Petty," and the proof is in the music throughout 'Learning How to
Lie,' which runs the gamut from rocking tunes ("Long Time Coming") to
ballads ("Lorelei"), and also strikes a chord lyrically (especially the
aforementioned title track, which offers commentary on the human
condition).
And Grizzard's talents are being recognized by his peers, including fellow
singer-songwriter Willie Nile, who has had praise for the new release
(and even contributes vocals to a bonus track, "When Levon Sings").
“Brilliant new CD by Jefferson Grizzard. Thunder and lightning in
letters from the underground. Strangers and outcasts learning how to lie
in the search for truth and salvation. Tom Waits meets the Stones at
the Heartbreak Hotel. Great album.”
The administrator of the Clark County Museum discusses his love for learning, the show’s origins and what it’s like working on it, Howard Hughes, advice for those looking to enter the profession, classic rock, and so much more.
Imagine this: You’ve been a museum administrator for many years, just going about your life and work. The role alone doesn’t carry any kind of celebrity status. On the contrary, it’s, for the most part, a pretty quiet, stable, behind-the-scenes, everyday kind of professional job. Until a couple of TV producers come to your town (Las Vegas) with a great idea, albeit, no pun intended, a gamble. Actually, it’s a little more complicated - we’ll get to that shortly.
That’s exactly the fortune that befell Mark Hall-Patton when an idea formed for a TV show that would bring together a love for history, collectibles, rare artifacts, and interesting trivia with the oldest form of credit here in the U.S. - the art of the pawn deal. Of course, I’m talking none other than the now world-famous show, Pawn Stars, now entering its fifth year.
But in the beginning, Mark, who has come to be affectionately known as “the beard of knowledge”, was actually very skeptical about the show’s future. “I thought a show about people coming into a pawn shop would not be interesting,” Mark told me during our roughly 90-minute conversation by phone on May 27 from his office at the Clark County Museum. It is my second interview with a Pawn Stars expert (see my interview with Rebecca Romney from early last year).
And to be fair here and give credit where credit is certainly due, the show’s origins are actually more complex. “Well, the show was actually Rick [Harrison]’s idea,” Mark explained, adding, “Rick is the one who really had the vision, who saw the potential. He pursued it. Even the Old Man [father Richard] thought it was a dumb idea. Rick talked to HBO, but HBO had different ideas for it. He then took it to Leftfield Pictures, which is the producer of the show,” and the rest is, again no pun intended here, history. Okay, it was intended.
As for Mark’s role, he goes back to the very beginning, having appeared in a pilot episode. “I still don’t know all the details of how my name came up,” he noted. He was doing a show for the local access channel at the time, when, one day, he received a call asking him if he’d come down to the pawn shop to take a look at a military jacket. “I told them I couldn’t offer a value. I don’t appraise items,” he recalled, noting that he was never in the appraisal business and doesn’t follow market values. They went ahead with the filming anyway, and Mark has been invited back ever since to offer his expertise on a wide array of artifacts. And his appearances on the show have paid big dividends for the museum system he oversees.
“We as experts on the show are not paid anything. You do it for the publicity,” Mark told me. The result of all this publicity? “Attendance has increased 66% over the last two years. And they come from all over, including many from out of the country. All over the world. You name it.” To that point, the show itself is now shown in 151 countries and dubbed into over 30 languages. “A lot of kids watch the show, and they’ll drag their parents out to the museum because they want to meet me,” Mark explained. And if you happen to go out there when he’s not around, you can have your picture taken beside the life-size cutout bearing his image.
Asked what his method or best practices are for constantly taking in new information and acquiring new knowledge, seeing as how there never seems to be enough time in a day, Mark told me, “I’ve been asked similar questions, and to be honest, I don’t have a good answer for that. I’m always reading five or six books at the same time. I like learning. I like research. I do all my own research. I like writing articles that seem to have absolutely nothing to do with each other. I usually have a few articles I’m working on simultaneously in my briefcase. If something’s interesting, I’m curious about it.” He went on to add, “Most of the time, there’s a book in my hand, even while waiting in a dentist’s chair or at a doctor’s office. For me, I don’t really see it as time management. I just have a running list that I work off of, and I just tackle those items.”
Along similar lines, Mark really couldn’t come up with an answer for what a usual day is like for him. “I don’t know what a typical day would look like,” he said with a laugh, continuing, “I oversee three museums, and anything can come up. The show has definitely increased requests to look at artifacts. It has led me to spend more time in the gift shop, meeting visitors and taking pictures with them. Aside from all of that, the usual reports, research, managerial duties.”
A young Howard Hughes.
We got into talking about Howard Hughes a little bit. I told Mark that I’ve been fascinated with Hughes’ life and work ever since seeing 2004’s The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the brilliant and famously reclusive industrialist, aviator, movie producer, and just all-around innovator. In fact, I did a couple of papers and presentations on Hughes in college. Mark quickly responded, “Don’t rely on that film, though. I went to see it just to find out everything that was wrong with it.”
The conversation about Hughes was prompted by me asking Mark what he could tell me about Hughes’ stay in, and influence on, Las Vegas. Were there any artifacts or spots dedicated to his life and work in the area, either in the museums or in the more touristy, commercial settings, I wondered? “There is no Hughes property out here now,” Mark told me, explaining that his companies were broken up and absorbed into other businesses over the years following his death in 1976. “There is a house behind Channel 8 here that was owned by him. Whether or not he actually used it, though, is highly doubtful.” Mark told me something that I wasn’t really aware of in my own research on Hughes over the years - “He was instrumental in getting Nevada to allow corporations to own casinos, which, as we know, completely changed the landscape.”
Mark continued on Hughes: “I’ve lectured about him. I knew people who knew him, and they liked him. But he was so brilliant, that he was off. If you’re not discussing something these kind of people find interesting, they’re gone. You’ve lost them. They’re off thinking about something else.”
We also briefly discussed the hotly-debated subject of pre-Columbian expeditions, a topic that my colleague Kyle is interested in exploring. “I’ve read some of the literature on it. Some of that is documented well enough where I think we can say, ‘Yes, it happened.’ Theories surrounding the Japanese are problematic. It is an interesting area. But I’m not an expert. There is a lot out there for those interested. Check out some of the archaeological publications.”
Having served on my city’s library board for a number of years now, I was wondering if museums find themselves faced with questions of relevancy today. I know that, across the library profession and industry, those discussions are taking place all the time - essentially, how do we remain relevant today in such a technologically-advanced world?
“In ways, similar questions are being asked, yes. We’re both in the informal education business. One of the things we tend to do in both is grab onto technology as a savior of what we want to be,” Mark said, adding, “We sometimes lose sight of the fact that technology is merely a tool. And if you lose sight of what your original purpose was, you’re losing what you can provide. You can’t control what it is someone is going to want in books. You can’t control what it is someone will take away from your exhibit. But your visitors will teach you what they want, if you listen.” He went on to explain that, for museums, “What we provide is a place where people can connect with real artifacts. There’s real stuff in museums. And kids understand the difference between real and unreal. They know there’s a big difference between seeing an artifact of some sort on TV, which is nothing more than a bunch of pixels on a screen, and being up close and personal with the real deal.”
I was curious to know what Mark particularly enjoys discussing himself, seeing as how he is quite the expert in a wide range of fields. “I’m really fascinated by bridges and bridge engineering. It’s a subject I enjoy lecturing on. Learning how they’re made has always captured my interest. Beyond that, I would say obscure history and mining history in the West. The nice thing about history is that you can specialize in everything relating to XYZ, or you can learn a little bit about everything.”
His advice for those thinking about entering the profession: “Get your M.A. You’ll need your master’s. And volunteering. You’ll need a master’s these days to go far in the profession, but the degree itself won’t really teach you how to run a museum. That’s where volunteering comes in. Get out there, get into the field while you’re working on your degree. In the next 10-15 years, you’ll see a wholesale turnover in museums because of retirements. At least in history museums anyway, art museums are a little different.” He continued, “You won’t get rich working for museums, but it is a lot of fun. I truly love my work, and I can say I’m genuinely happy to come in every day after all these years.”
We discussed music a little bit, mostly classic rock. Many of my interviews these past few years have been with musicians from the 60’s and 70’s era, including Doug Clifford and Stu Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). “My son loves classic rock and is a big CCR fan,” Mark told me. “He brought his music to Afghanistan while serving with the Nevada National Guard. The Afghans he worked with over there loved the music!” Mark also shared with me that his brother, Mike, was the bass player for the Middle Class.
Like Rebecca Romney, Mark hasn’t been to Milwaukee yet. But he did at least step foot in the state. “I drove across the bridge one time from Woodbury, Minnesota into Wisconsin while visiting relatives in Minnesota. And I applied for a director’s job in Green Bay many years ago. I remember being told during the interview it was necessary to be a Green Bay Packers fan. I thought, ‘Uh…okay,’” he said with a laugh.
As for final thoughts, “Come by the museum when you’re here, and go visit your local museum! And I hope you like the show!”
The season for outdoor music festivals is upon us, so if you've been looking for a cheap way to get your Milwaukee music fix, then Jazz in the Park might be just what you've been looking for. This free outdoor concert series, which started up back in 1991, features thirteen great acts in 2014 in a range of musical genres including jazz, big band, blues, funk, R&B, and reggae.
The festival, which draws in an average of 8000 people per event, runs every Thursday evening from June 5th to September 4th (except for July 10th when the city holds Bastille Days) between the hours of 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Cathedral Square Park. The park is located in downtown Milwaukee surrounded by Kilbourn Avenue on the north, Jackson Street on the east, Wells Street on the south, and Jefferson Street on the west.
Some people come to Jazz in the Park to dance, while others prefer to stroll around the grounds with their friends or loved ones. If you are more into sitting and relaxing while enjoying the music and friendly atmosphere of the park, then simply bring your own blanket or some chairs. Do be prepared to carry them a couple blocks, however, if you aren't planning on arriving early as finding nearby street parking can be troublesome on most Thursday evenings.
The music portion of the night begins at 6 p.m., but visitors are welcome to attend the pre-show happy hour starting at 5 p.m. where you can enjoy some great specials on beer, wine, and cocktails from one (or more) of the many vendors located around the park. As all proceeds from the happy hour sales go straight back into maintaining the festival, the event organizers ask that you do not bring outside alcohol into the park during festival hours.
The 2014 Jazz in the Park schedule is as follows:
June 5: Nabori
June 12: Dumpstaphunk
June 19: Hood Smoke
June 26: Paul Spencer Band
July 3: King Solomon
July 17: AhVantSoul featuring Jon Pierre Gee and Kat Web
July 24: Nick Waterhouse
July 31: Calje: Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble
August 7: Wicked Knee
August 14: 5 Card Studs with special guest Jim Liban
August 21: Terry Sims Band
August 28: Forq
September 4: Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Alter Boys
So if you happen to be in the Milwaukee area and find yourself looking for something to keep you musically entertained on a Thursday evening, then be sure to head on over to Cathedral Square Park between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. The music is great, the people are friendly, and with it being a free event, the price couldn't be more right.
Jack Bruce's latest solo album, "Silver Rails", is slated to be released tomorrow (Tuesday, April 15, 2014) here in the U.S., having already been released in the U.K. back on March 24. It is well worth the investment.
The legendary bassist, vocalist, and song writer, perhaps most easily identifiable for his work with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker as the '60s British power trio Cream, which quickly rose to international stardom in its short two-year run from 1966-68, is also quite the successful solo artist, with nearly five decades under his belt now and still going strong.
Long known for his ability to team up with other musicians and reach across multiple musical genres to produce unique and innovative sounds, Mr. Bruce hits the high mark again with "Silver Rails", his first studio album in a decade. Featuring elements of blues, rock, jazz, and R&B, his vocals are soulful, his bass playing on target, and, just as important, he has a solid team backing him. The guitar work, horns, keyboards/organ, drums/percussion, etc. - all done to perfection. Again, well worth the investment. A must-have for anyone who simply appreciates good music. I'm already particularly hooked on the songs, "Candlelight", "Fields of Forever", and "No Surrender".
--Aaron S. Robertson
Here are the songs featured on "Silver Rails":
1) Candlelight
2) Reach for the Night
3) Fields of Forever
4) Hidden Cities
5) Don't Look Now
6) Rusty Lady
7) Industrial Child
8) Drone
9) Keep it Down
10) No Surrender
For further information and for details on special editions and packages, please see the official press release announcing the album. Visit Jack Bruce's Web site at www.jackbruce.com .
Esoteric Antenna is proud to announce the release of the eagerly awaited new studio album 'Silver Rails' by the legendary Jack Bruce,
one of the greatest popular musicians Britain has ever produced. A
supremely talented instrumentalist and vocalist, eminently respected by
his peers, Jack's pioneering bass playing style has influenced
successive generations of bassists, including such luminaries as Paul
McCartney, Jaco Pastorius and Sting, alongside more contemporary
musicians such as Flea of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. He is also the
possessor of one of the most powerful voices in modern music and a
composer of some of the most original and influential music of the past
forty-five years. As a songwriter he has written some of popular music's
enduring classics such as 'Sunshine Of Your Love', 'White Room', 'I
Feel Free' and 'Theme From An Imaginary Western'.
Released on 24th March 2014, (and on 15th April in USA) 'Silver
Rails' is Jack's first studio album in ten years, recorded at the world
famous Abbey Road Studios. Produced by Rob Cass, 'Silver Rails' is a
splendid collection of carefully crafted songs written in partnership
with lyricists Pete Brown, Kip Hanrahan and Margrit Seyffer. He is
joined on the album by a host of celebrated instrumentalists including
Phil Manzanera, Robin Trower, Bernie Marsden, Uli Jon Roth, John
Medeski, Malcolm Bruce and Cindy Blackman Santana. 'Silver Rails' is the
next chapter in the recorded legacy of one of popular music's most
respected innovators.
JACK BRUCE 'SILVER RAILS'
Standard Single CD - Esoteric Antenna EANTCD1028
1. Candlelight
2. Reach For The Night
3. Fields Of Forever
4. Hidden Cities
5. Don't Look Now
6. Rusty Lady
7. Industrial Child
8. Drone
9. Keep It Down
10. No Surrender
