To recap 2009, I have several highlights to share...
50 States Tour Completed! I completed touring all 50 United States this past summer 2009. Please check out my "USA State Welcome Signs" photo album at myspace.com/willieames (or click here) as I've snapped a photo of myself next to all 50 State's welcome signs! This was accomplished with two cross country USA tours, the first in 2007 covering 30 States, the second in 2008 covering all 48 Contiguous States! Alaska and Hawaii were reached this past summer as individual trips and Hawaii was my 50th toured State while it's also celebrating it's 50th Anniversary as the 50th State in 2009!
SPIN Magazine Unexpected Shout Out! I received an unexpected shout out in SPIN Magazine from actor Eli Roth (who starred in Quentin Tarantino's #1 movie over the summer, Inglourious Basterds, with Brad Pitt) for being in Roth's iPod in an interview he gave with Phoebe Reilly. To see the interview in the August 2009 SPIN issue, click here (4th question).
Featured in Relix & Under The Radar Magazines... I was featured in 2 issues of Relix Magazine (August/September and November) and in the December issue of Under The Radar Magazine with ads highlighting my 50 States Tour accomplishment while also having my well appreciated track titled "Desert Run" featured on the compilation CD of the Relix August/September issue. The graphic ads from both magazines are attached with this email and I'll also be getting featured in both magazines again for Feb/Mar issue 2010 with emphasis at SXSW...
Sensational, spiritual, powerful, and passionate are just some of the words that describe this next artist. Mark "Guitar" Miller delivers with such a deep understanding of Blues music that fans will instantly gravitate towards him. In this recent spotlight with the artist, Mark "Guitar" Miller speaks candidly about his joy of making music. Here is what formulated.
Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?
MGM: Well I was about 6, 7 years old – actually I was younger than that because my two older brothers played music, a lot like the Everly Brothers, so as soon as I was old enough to start moving around I saw a guitar and started messing around with it. I probably got serious and into talent shows when I was about 6, 7 or 8. And then I really got serious at 11 years old and started my first band. I my family, everyone was musical. My two older brothers were a duet like the Everly Brothers, and were fairly well known up in northern Maine. My sister sang and played guitar, and my mother sang in church, and my father sang strictly spiritual songs and played guitar.
Photo By: Sarah Harvey
Isaac: What drew you to pick up an instrument in the first place?
MGM: The sound of it…it was a cool sound.
Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?
MGM: For sure – by the time I was 11 years old, I knew that this was going to be my life.
Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?
MGM: Yeah, I like Michael McDonald, I’d consider that Pop music- I really like Michael McDonald’s voice a lot and I would like to play guitar on one of his tunes.
Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?
MGM: Famous musicians? Well, Lenny Breau is the greatest musician I’ve ever heard – you know, guitarist. Jeff Beck is probably my favorite electric guitarist in the world today. Eric Clapton was a big influence on me in the 70’s, as he was all of us, and a great singer too. Back before that it was Chet Atkins and Duane Eddy and some of the older characters like that.
Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?
MGM: I think my goal has always been to give respect, and to get it in return. All I want to do is perform – it would be nice to see more venues, to branch out.
Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?
MGM: I think there were never many obstacles as far as playing music goes, but politics out and help you a bit. Once I had gone to Massachusetts for awhile and had played with a famous person for a time, when I came back to Maine people seemed to be a little bit more interested in me, the newspapers got on it. But it took some friends to get that going. There was politics that was mostly obstacles.
Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?
MGM: If I talk to a young person – location is a big thing. But, myself at 21 years old I wanted to go to Berklee College of Music, but I couldn’t afford to go, so I didn’t go – and I became sort of what they call a “street musician” – it wasn’t a person who played on the street for music but back then they called them street musicians, guys who didn’t go to school for music but just played in bands. But I would recommend any young person who wants to get into music to go to music school and get a degree so that you would have something to fall back on.
Photo by: Rhonda Farnham
Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.
MGM: The biggest thing that people say to me is “keep playing”, “keep on your dream”, just keep playing, that is what you were meant to do, what you were born to do. It’s a natural thing for you to do, it’s your passion, and it’s your path. Just keep doing it.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?
MGM: Well, I have always loved Blues guitar. I love the personalities of the Blues players, not all the Blues players I heard had that, you know there were 5 or 6 of them I could tell them from each other – and then there are a lot of Blues players who copy everyone else. That’s fine too, they have fun with it, but you could tell Albert Collins, you could tell BB, you could tell Eric Clapton playing the Blues – Mike Bloomfield, who’s probably my all-time favorite Blues guitarist. But I love the Blues; it gave me a chance to express myself and my feelings without having to sing. I love that, because I could make the guitar sing from my soul. But I do love Country music - traditional Country music and Folk music, and I like a lot of the music the young folks are doing today, as long as I can understand the words. I love spiritual music, right now Elvis Presley is my favorite spiritual singer - been listening to a lot of his spiritual music, its wonderful, great singer. I like just about everything, but being a guitar player I have to say I'm really fond of playing Blues guitar.
Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?
MGM: That I have done? As you know, I don't spend a lot of time listening to my music, but I like "Tired" a lot - I don't have one favorite piece, but the one I wrote for my mother "It Always Has To Rain To Make A Rainbow" is probably my favorite piece.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
MGM: Most of my important sites - aside from iTunes and Amazon - are listed here:
Isaac: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
MGM: Mr. Douglass Hooper, he was the first gentleman to come along and help me - the first CD wouldn't have been possible without him, I still consider him a great friend. Tim Calahan, who helped in the second CD, helped me - these are folks with hearts of gold. I probably wouldn't have been able to do a CD - financially - without them. Also Mr. Brad Delp who helped me many years as a supportive friend - not a financial thing, but he sang on my new CD. He was a great friend - the king of kindness. And lastly Clarke Nattress and his wife Mary - who built and maintains all my web pages, YouTube, MySpace and all that. Mary has been my friend since I was 15 or 16 years old.
Isaac: Any last words?
MGM: My last word are just thank you for anyone who plays my music, supports it and enjoys it - I feel really fortunate to have a gift that I can share with people on this "magnetic" planet.
Described as Country Pop with some Rock'N'Roll Singer/Songwriters Keri and James Walsh talk country music with Junior’s Cave Online Magazine and JC Internet Radio. Here is what developed. Enjoy!
Isaac: I just listened to one of your songs titled, "Seaside Town". What was the inspiration for making this song and your new album?
Keri: We knew we wanted to work together and the chemistry was certainly right. James and I like the same kinds of music. We enjoy a lot of the same bands.
James: She likes my songwriting and style of guitar playing. Having spent our courting days at the Beach in Santa Monica it was inevitable to us that one day I would write a song that describes some of out experiences in those early days. I certainly used my guitar to woo her (laughs)!
Isaac: Who were your influences?
James: Keri likes U2 a lot. I like John Mayer. I like that he likes blues too. We like Sugarland and Taylor Swift. Oh and I've always liked Dwight Yoakam a lot. He writes good songs. She thinks Celine is pretty cool ... but I also like Oasis, Beatles, and even some Bands like Wolfmother and Velvet Revolver appeal to me on another level. I listened to all kinds of music as a kid, even Mozart.
Isaac: What do you consider to have been the highlight(s) and lowpoint(s) of your career to date?
James: Oh there are so many! When we played at the 3rd Street Promenade live, it was our first outdoor gig. You fly by the seat of your pants. Lots of people play there every week in summer. Alanis Morissette had played there just a few days before! So when it went ok I thought “OK, this could become something good”...When we were living in Victoria BC in 2003 we began to work on our songs seriously. It rained all the time so what else was I going to do? Keri and I began to talk about the music as a way to grow and develop a life that went beyond our day to day routine.
The low point was when someone said we needed more schooling to learn to sing good. But we took it well and here we are...
Isaac: Brief history about your background plus the style of music you play.
James: Keri had originally intended to study medicine but I talked her out of it! I had been on a path of doing storyboards for Friends who were big wheels in Film & TV in Hollywood. I had thought I would work as an Animator or something at Disney. In fact, I was the only outside Artist ever invited inside the place to study with the Artists there. I loved the people there. Still do. Quite a privilege, but I became disenchanted when Eisner got into a tug of war with Roy Disney. So I stuck to guitar more, and this made Keri want to be with me all the time, every day- our New Summer of Love. Lots of walks talking music. I even quizzed her about the industry...like, Q: who are Lieber and Stoller? A: They wrote hits for Elvis. Funny enough they were walking along side of us at the beach when I asked the question and smiled at us. Talk about synchronicity!
But I should mention too I had been in bands in Hollywood before, with Alx Childand Steve Smulski, you see. Great musicians. We called ourselves the Posh Slags, more or less as a joke. Great parties at the student hotel! Eventually, Keri convinced me to return to music. She was very upbeat and totally enjoying my playing guitar for her.
Isaac: How easy is it to gets gigs for you as an artist? What is the live music scene like in your area?
James: Well, the Sunset Strip is splintered now. You have to go to Bakersfield to regain your sense of direction. And if it wasn’t for American Idol, Rap would dominate everything. We moved out of L.A. to the mountains for that reason. We knew we wanted to be ourselves and be original as we could but sill somewhat familiar. The live music scene in Mammoth is way better than L.A., although I have to say Idol gave us one of the best Country Stars ever! We like Carrie Underwood and really think Taylor Swift keeps getting better and better each year. And Shania Twain too of course, I have to like her - I’m Canadian!
Isaac: What do you think of the state of Country music at the moment? Do you listen to radio much at all? Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?
Keri: Wow you ask good questions. Ok, Country Music is like home. It feels good. Some Rockers have run to it for the fun and the pretty girls. In a way, Country is 60’s pop mixed with Country and it keeps improving. We really enjoy it. For instance, we love Sugarland. We only listen to the radio when were in the car now. Our lives are so busy. The Internet took away some road blocks. It’s wide open so if your good and getting better with time passing it’s a great place to get the word out.
Isaac: If you could create a fantasy band - what would be the line-up and why?
James: While putting superstars in the same Band doesn’t guarantee great chemistry and hit songs it might help a lot. I saw the Grammys and Taylor Swift sang with Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac. That could be explored more. Fantasy Band? Hmm, how about Sugarland is joined by some guys in the Eagles like Glen Frey and Joe Walsh? That could be really something worthwhile and very cool.
Isaac: What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?
Keri: We are actually in a development deal with our Producer. Our CD isn’t done yet , but it’s very close. Anyone interested can find us on MySpace or Sonicbids or Facebook. Seaside Town is a sneak preview and is available for 99 cents. We even put a demo of Under Your Hands on Sonic! A gutsy move on our part. It’s a one off demo really. I put it up there because my pal Steve Smulski plays lead on it. Record in the Living Room Folks! If someone is panting for more they can preorder the CD. We hope to have it finished by Autumn. Not sure of the exact release as our Producer is in charge of that stuff.
Isaac: Where can fans access your music, videos, blogs, and anything else about you online?
James: Here’s Some LINKS: The First Link works well on a Macbook cause it was built on a Macbook. Not sure how it looks on a PC. But the others work fine.
James: Don’t ever let anyone tell you you can’t do something you love to do. They are programming you to fail when they do that! Instead remember this wonderful bit of wisdom I got while at Berkeley: “The more you say it the more it becomes true”.
To me that means life is what you make it. “You create the Reality and it adapts to your point of view”. I stuck with Guitar because I love it. And music is something that gives people more than what they ask for 99 percent of the time! It’s something that you can’t get anywhere else, only here between those notes is there the real magic. And do believe in yourself, kind hearted fans.
Keri: If it makes you smile then it must be good, right?
Junior’s Cave and JC Internet Indie Radio present our latest interview with Blue/Rock Guitarist Rob Carlton as he speaks on his passion for music, his highpoints and lowpoints in his career so far, and what he believes he will bring to the music industry. Enjoy!
Isaac: I just listened to one of your songs titled, "unshackled". What was the inspiration for making this song and your new album? Who were your influences?
Rob: Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Johnson. As for “unshackled”, I got the idea I could write my own all along the watchtower the song Jimi Hendrix recorded. I just love playing “unshackled” live; it’s such a fun song I can really pour my heart out on the guitar.
Isaac: What do you consider to have been the highlight(s) and lowpoint(s) of your career to date?
Rob: The high points there are many! Appearing in Guitar World as the home town hero and recently appearing in Guitar Player Magazine. I also got major endorsements, GHS Strings now featured on their site under Blues Artists, getting a record with Broad Horizon Records and so many more things going on. Plus, the release of my new CD BEAUTIFUL COLLISION. I got the idea from my love and passion for the guitar and always wanting to be the guitar hero.
My low point was taking some time off a few years ago and things happen in life as they always do but I’m back big time now…
Isaac: Brief history about your background plus the style of music you play.
Rob: I play blues /rock mostly instrumental but have had vocals in the past.
Background info: I started playing at age of 12, played in high school, moved on to the club scene, and toured with major bands like Blue Oyster Cult, Joe Bouchard, Zebra, and Cinderella. One of my past bands, Empyre, went on to record a CD that did well in Europe produced by Joe Bouchard of Boc. I was looking for a teacher to help me go to the next step, and I found it a few years ago from Jimmy Brown the Senior Music Editor of Guitar World Magazine. He has helped me a lot taking my music to the next step.
Isaac: How easy is it to gets gigs for you as an artist? What is the live music scene like in your area?
Rob: Local scene is not good for original music in my area but I am close to New York and New Jersey which helps out.
Isaac: What do you think of the state of Rock music at the moment? Do you listen to radio much at all? Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?
Rob: I listen to Satellite and Internet radio; that’s the future of music!! The rock scene seems to be going well. Guitar hero I think helped it along back to where it used to be …solos are back!
Isaac: If you could create a fantasy band - what would be the line-up and why?
Rob: Fantasy band would include me on guitar, Jimi Hendrix on guitar, Jason Bonham on drums, Michael Anthony on bass, and Robert Plant in his prime would put together as my favorite fantasy band.
Isaac: What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?
JC Internet Radio knows that this next band is certainly going to take music into a whole new direction; but that is a good thing especially if Sickhoose is making fantastic music like they are now. Frontman Davy recently spoke to our magazine community about the band’s music and what fans can expect from them in the next few years.
Isaac: I just listened to your song, "TIA". What was the inspiration for making this song and your new album?
Davy: Hmmm...... A cross between a serious speech given by the prime minister publicizing our thoughts and feelings on matters BUT agreements from his assistant Roland Rat, I prefer Roland!
Isaac: Who were your influences?
Davy: Excluding Boo & the obvious (Diablo & China Drum) Stereophonics, Greenday, Muse, Slipknot, The ventures, Eddie Izzard, Jalapenos, Pizza & Boo again.
Isaac: What do you consider to have been the highlight(s) and lowpoint(s) of your career to date?
Davy
Davy: Winning the competition was a good one. Supporting UFO was canny. Writing with Ad was a goodin. Low one, hmmmmm, I dont have one...... our fan loves us!!!
Isaac: Brief history about your background plus the style of music you play.
Davy: I quite like the quote from the competition.... “A cross between Queens of The Stoneage & Biffy Clyro with a lamb constantly being knocked back from interviews. If you like melodic, blowing your balls off, cheeky style, you'll want our babies! You can have them, they're on Ebay!!”.
Isaac: How easy is it to gets gigs for you as an artist? What is the live music scene like in your area?
Davy: Newcastle is one of the greatest areas in the world for local music. Every band supports one another and the talent is top draw! It’s just shocking how you have to go down to be spotted.
Isaac: What do you think of the state of Indie Music at the moment? Do you listen to radio much at all? Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?
Davy: Don’t listen to much radio unless we are on. Would love to go on more radio stations live and have a good chat about everything in the world. Did Egyptians build them triangle things, I don’t think so but why do people have the urge to climb on the top? They'll only see the other side of the mountain!
Everyone seems to think music has to be different - WHY??? If it sounds good who gives a rats a$%£!!!!
Isaac: If you could create a fantasy band - what would be the line-up and why?
Davy: Dave Peckett (Snr) on Drums. Adam Lee on Drums with vocals. (Yes 2 drummers!) Steve Lodge on Bass. Paul McMullen Lead Guitar. Davy Peckett on second guitar & vocals. How many am I allowed? Can the 2 Dave's from China Drum join in???
Sickhoose
Isaac: What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?
Davy: We have an Album coming out real soon. You can buy it if you contact us via MySpace, Facebook or our email address. Or you can download it from iTunes, Amazon, etc...
Isaac: Where can fans access your music, videos, blogs, and anything else about you online?
Davy: Anyone out there who likes what they hear, play it again and again... Tell a friend, pass it on. We want to do this full time. Can we get you all in our music video? Hmmmm!!??
