John Michael Hersey

Singer/Songwriter John Michael Hersey’s new album Personal Belongings

NEW YORK, NY – March 2017 Hersey releases PERSONAL BELONGINGS, an artful array of rock, pop, blues, folk and country.

John Michael Hersey is a singer/songwriter known for his sophisticated yet accessible melding of rock, pop, folk, blues and country. Hersey is first and foremost a storyteller, one who happens to play a mean guitar.

In March 2017 Hersey released Personal Belongings, an artful array of rock, pop, blues, folk and country.

On this album he runs the seasoned adult alternative singer/songwriter gamut: From the confessional pop/rock of “Get Through,“ and “All My Life;” the folk autobiography of “Gig in the Street,” the soulful blues of “When It Rains,” “Hole in the My Heart” and “La Dolce Blues;” the poignant doo-wop of “Trying Times;” the straight ahead rockers “Junior” and “A Little Lovin’;” the tender ballad “Lady of the Day;” the country two-step “The Beaten Path;” and the Irish folk-flavored “Reachin’.”

Hersey wrote, produced, sang and played the guitar. The album was co-produced and recorded by Rich Gaglia at Psych Music in New York City. Bob Desjardins played bass, John DiGiulio drums and percussion, Jim Wacker keyboards and Jonathan Finkelman lead guitar.

Hersey has released six other albums of original material: Soup Du Jour (1999), Whirligig (2003), Mr. Lucky [with Speedo and the Cadillacs] (2004), How Am I Here? (2007), Adirondack (2014) and You Got to Me (2016).

Hersey grew up in the 1970s in the small town of Franklinville, NJ where he idolized The Beatles. He and his pre-teen friends would pretend to be the Fab Four, playing the records at full volume, using brooms for guitars and coffee cans for drums. As a teen, Hersey formed a Top Forty band called Shale that played local high school dances and college parties.

In the 1980s, he moved to New York City where he eventually got a job playing the guitar with the legendary doo-wop group The Cadillacs. Several years later he wrote and produced an album for them, Mr. Lucky. In the 1990s, he performed in the clubs of NYC and wrote songs about his life there. One such song, on the album Soup Du Jour, is Miles Away. It features the high lonesome harmonica playing of William Gallison and poignantly describes the alienation and loneliness one can feel in the big city. Also featured on this album were the core members of Hersey’s band: Bob DesJardins on bass, John Digiulio on drums and Jim Wacker on Keyboards.

In the 2000s, Hersey began to strut his stuff as a guitarist, forging his own brand of blues on Heartbreak 101 from the album Whirligig and Running from the Blues from How Am I Here? At the end of the decade, Hersey’s life story entered a dark phase. He got himself into some serious trouble and ended up being a guest of the state of New York for a year. He has since righted himself and wrote about his prison experience on Adirondack. 

A folkwords.com review tells the tale: “Having spent time becoming familiar with the harder side of fortune, John Michael Hersey surely writes some strong words, with powerful tunes to carry those words. The folk rock and folk ballad songs on his album ‘ADIRONDACK' relate a journey through tough times laying down feelings in song. It’s raw, hard, observant and thought provoking.”

His song Sittin’ Pretty from that album is about how he returned home to New York City a changed and grateful man.

In 2016, Hersey released You Got to Me. Here’s what beachsloth.com had to say about the album.

“Delivered with true spirit is the impassioned work of John Michael Hersey’s “You Got To Me”. John Michael Hersey’s vocals serve as the heart of the album as his expressive lyricism works wonders. Carefully crafting an intricate narrative over the course of the album John Michael Hersey explores the concept of relationships and the many complications they often run into.

Opening the album off on a high note is the loose and gentle spirit of “You Saved My Life”. With a level of restraint, the song has a slightly jazzy feeling to it as it slowly unfurls.

John Michael Hersey’s “You Got To Me” offers a timeless take on pop music.”

Hersey runs the seasoned adult alternative singer/songwriter gamut: From the confessional pop/rock of “Get Through,“ and “All My Life;” the folk autobiography of “Gig in the Street,” the soulful blues of “When It Rains,” “Hole in the My Heart” and “La Dolce Blues;” the poignant doo-wop of “Trying Times;” the straight ahead rockers “Junior” and “A Little Lovin’;” the tender ballad “Lady of the Day;” the country two-step “The Beaten Path;” and the Irish folk-flavored “Reachin’.”

Hersey has released six other albums of original material: Soup Du Jour (1999), Whirligig (2003), Mr. Lucky [with Speedo and the Cadillacs] (2004), How Am I Here? (2007), Adirondack (2014) [“raw, hard, observant and thought provoking” folkwords.com], and You Got to Me, [“a timeless take on pop music" beachsloth.com].

Hersey wrote, produced, sang and played the guitar. The album was co-produced and recorded by Rich Gaglia at Psych Music in New York City. Bob Desjardins played bass, John DiGiulio drums and percussion, Jim Wacker keyboards and Jonathan Finkelman lead guitar.

Kimberly Bibb Marrs

"Black and White Rag"

acoustic fiddle

Kimberly Bibb-Marrs

NITE*SKY International

Kimberly Bibb Marrs and her husband, Larry Marrs are the owners of Marrs studio in Nashville and sing and produce beautiful music for anyone that is interested in a full production song or a complete album. 

Both of them have been in the music business for years, either on stage, personal appearances with top name artist. They are dedicated to making a quality product. Kimberly with her soft southern accent brings a country song to life as no other. She is also won many awards for her skills in playing the fiddle. 

Larry is a man who has mastered several instruments and sings backup on many of Kimberly's songs. He also has a smooth approach to singing. Between the pair, a good clean sound is the end result. Take a listen and you will enjoy what you hear.

Ed Maly

Basic Band Info

Band Name:

Ed Maly

Album Name:

Middle Chile Goes Wild

Year Released:

2017

Email Address:

edmaly2001@yahoo.com

Website:

http://edmaly.com

Music Style:

blues/rock

Influences:

We Sound Like:

Performing Rights Society:

BMI (USA)

Label Affiliation:

Independent Label

Geographic

Hometown:

Sugar Land

Country:

U.S.A.

Touring your Region?:

No

 

Band Description

Creative blues-rock captured on analog tape!

Weee! It’s finally finished! This latest labor of love from Hot Texas Tunes, Middle Child Goes Wild, has 12 new original songs, and four copy tunes. Thank you, Billy Stull, for the concept, song arrangement, and mastering!

I’ve always been fascinated by birth order and the things we let control us as seen in the opening track, “Middle Child”. There are two drummers on this cut. Greg Partyka played acoustic drums on the analog tracks, and then Mike Snelling added a layer over that using his electric kit when the tracks were moved over to Pro Tools.

Eric Demmer’s saxophone playing sets the mood for “Honky Tonk” as we pay tribute to all the bars and clubs and wonderful people who go every weekend to help keep this music alive!

At heart, every man has a little boy in him just dying to “Do Something Crazy” and then explain it away with something like this!

“Rocket Ball” is dedicated to the idea that someday, someway, Houston will finally have a winning team again, and as of right now, it’s looking pretty good for the Houston Rockets! Those 3-point shots are falling right every night!

“Death Rattler Growl” pushes the lyrical envelop a little, but I like the attitude of the old man in the last verse, “Don’t cry at my grave – it’s just nature’s way – for me to meet the angel – who watched me by day.”

Keith Cannon’s version of “Can’t Always Get What You Want” always goes over well at the live shows. Keith recreates it here with help from Eric Demmer on saxophone, Larry Scott on slide, and Scott Graham on piano.

“Mo Money” is a (sort of) true story. I had a dream that the guys in the band and I drove to Vegas to see about playing a few gigs, and while there, we won $7,000, then doubled the bet, but lost it all! I suppose the dream was just a subliminal reminder that gambling in Vegas would bring better odds for us than playing music. However, in the dream, as in real life, we’re having way too much fun to care, either way! Keyboard-man, John Blau, provides the perfect opening voice and keys for this one!

The idea for the song, “Why Don’t You”, came after hearing a jealous man yell at his wife across the room at the bar one night, “Why Don’t You Love Me Like You Used To!” Wow, I thought…now, there’s a song!
“The Black Widow” is a fictitious tune written to warn all about the existence of these 2-legged creatures, who at the very least, deserve to be exposed in song! 

On one of my many trips to Austin for their songwriters’ symposium a few years back, I heard a young fiddle prodigy named Ruby Jane Smith. She was only fifteen back then, but she played country fiddle like a seasoned pro. Her mom managed her, and she toured for years as “The Ruby Jane Show”. I wrote this song back then and forgot all about it until recently when I heard she had switched styles completely and started a new band called Ruby and the Reckless.

One of the happiest tunes we play live is “Jambalaya” with Don Irby on vocals. People always love that song. Don does a great job on it here, and John Blau adds his “squeeze-box” accordion keys for just the right Cajun touch to make it dance!

If money is the root of all evil, then misguided love runs a close second in this fictitious soap-opera called “Money and Love”.

Looking back over my life, it seems like music has always been my anchor, getting me through the highs and lows in life. For me, the definition of “lucky” is to have a tolerant wife, a strong live band, and a host of local guys who do killer overdubs in the studio as needed! As the song says, I am, indeed, a very “Lucky Guy”.
Made famous by Bo Diddley, “Can’t Judge a Book” is one of the many Willie Dixon tunes that is always a favorite to play live.

I’ve always loved the Jimmy Barnes’ version of “She’s Looking Good” (by Roger Collins), as well as Wilson Pickett’s, but I think our version here is unique, too, thanks to Eric Demmer, whose saxophone playing blew the lights out at the studio!

“Rock You Crazy” is the promise all good garage rock bands make to their audiences. That is, we just want the listener to “turn it up”, and dance with reckless abandonment! Or, if not that, then at least escape into the music and enjoy being lost to the world for a while because that’s how it was for us while recording it! -Ed Maly

Jenn Beaupre

Artist: Jenn Beaupre Title: Reach Out Label: Indie Release Date: April 2017 Genre(s): AC / Easy / Pop Focus Tracks: 1. Angel Who's Lost (AC / Easy) 2. Sunburn (Pop) (Rickie Lee Jones / Van Morrison style) 3. Socks (AC / Easy)

Norah Jones is actually a timely and appropriate comparison, as Beaupré recently worked with members of Jones’ band while recording her latest CD, Reach Out, in NYC. 

She even met Jones while recording “Reach Out” at Sear Sound. 

Though she counts the late soul-folk artist Eva Cassidy as one of her main influences, modern artists like Alicia Keys, Emili Sande, and Adele also inspire her song writing. 

Beaupré was a finalist on Canadian Idol, and performed at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. She has opened for the Moscow Ballet on a national tour, as well as picking up notice by winning Calgary Stampede’s annual Talent Search (also awarded to Paul Brandt, MBF); and was runner up nationally. 

Most recently (2016), Beaupré drew attention from talent producers at Cirque du Soleil.

While Beaupré does have a variety of cover songs on her YouTube channel to showcase her vocal and piano talents, her original music has been primarily soulful, heartfelt personal songs – very much piano driven along the lines of contemporaries like Sarah McLachlan and Norah Jones. 

Saturday Nite Fish Fry

Artist: Saturday Nite Fish Fry
Title: Vol II
Label: 7 Arts
Genres: Blues / Jazz 

Volume #2 is a big energy easy ride, with serious attention to the roots of jump blues, soul-jazz and urban blues. Digging deep into the vault of rhythm history – The Lucky Millinder’s, Lionel Hampton’s, Louis Prima’s, Tiny Bradshaw’s, the Trenier’s, – that glorious period when blues and jazz were on the same page.

With a few jump blues and boogie woogie’s in the book, the band began stretching the form and expanding the repertoire. Along with the vocals of Shakura S’Aida and Bill King, the band was awarded ample space to shine. This was no ordinary band, but one made up of some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians. The horn section - John Johnson alto sax, Bob Brough tenor sax, Alexis Baro and William Sperandei trumpets and Chris Gayle baritone sax. Rhythm section – Rick Gratton, Davide DiRenzo and Mike Sloski, drums. Bass – Artie Roth, Scott Alexander and Howard Ayee and guitar – Neil Chapman – King, piano, composer and arranger.

King began composing for the band borrowing on his long history playing rhythm & blues, blues and jazz. New pieces – “Soul Sermon”- a homage to saxophonist King Curtis – New Orleans funk with “Jasper Talks” – the lazy roll of “Memphis Ivory Jag” – Chuck Higgins zoot-suit/low-rider L.A classic – “Pachuko Hop” – Eddie Vinson’s swinging romp – “Friday Fish Fry” – Albert Ammons take on “Lady Be Good” – bad-ass boogie – the down-home blues of King/Chapman’s, “Room #13 Blues” and King’s own “Carlton Street Boogie.

1.Lady Be Good 3:06
2.Jasper Talks 4:10
3.Pachuko Hop 3:58
4.Soul Sermon 5:57
5.Friday Fish Fry 3:56
6.Room #13 Blues 5:48
7.Carlton Street Boogie 2:40
8.Memphis Ivory Jag 5:23

Bill King: Producer/arranger/composer/piano
Neil Chapman: guitar
Bob Brough – tenor sax
Chris Gayle – baritone sax
Alexis Baro #2, #3, #4, #7 / William Sperandei #1, trumpets
John Johnson – alto sax
Davide DiRenzo #1/ Ted Warren - #2, #4, #5/Rick Gratton #3, #7 – drums.
Artie Roth #2, #3, #4, #5, #7/Scott Alexander #1/ Howard Ayee #, #8 - bass.

MATTHEW ALEXANDER - Three Minute Movie

 In his sixth full length album, independent artist Matthew Alexander offers his most accomplished work yet - Three Minute Movie – 14 songs that cover a broad scope of the human experience including themes such as betrayal, redemption, grief and love.

Raised in Manhattan by his classical composer father and poet mother, Alexander took lessons in acoustic style guitar from the late Artie Traum and Jack Baker. He was discovered at age 16 by Tin Pan Alley songwriter Lou Stallman who published his first twelve compositions. Early in his career, he opened for Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Tim Weissburg.

 Alexander’s songs have drawn comparisons to such acoustic pop artists as Jim Croce, Paul Simon and J.J. Cale. He is known for his unique finger picking style, expressive voice and powerful melodic sensibility. Produced by Michael McGinnis.

Three Minute Movie displays an array of acoustic and electric instruments that are tailored to the emotional heartbeat of each song. The title track bristles with country rock energy. Other songs, such as “Rainy Afternoon” and “Indigo and I”, show a more laid-back jazz-folk style.

Two folk-oriented cuts ­- “Lost in this World” and “If You Didn’t Know Me” - tackle profound themes of alienation and caring for a mother with Alzheimer’s Disease while two instrumentals - “Tagalong” and “Citizen Train” - showcase Alexander’s mastery of Travis picking.

Also included on the disc are two covers - “Beyond the Sea” and “Ramblin’ Rose” - which demonstrate Alexander’s talent for bringing a fresh approach to classic songs.

 In a pre-release review of Three Minute Movie, Freddy Cellis of Rootstime wrote: “striking attention to melody and lyrics…brilliant guitar playing reminiscent of Mark Knopfler…marvelous.” Matthew Alexander’s music can be heard on Pandora Radio at Matthew Alexander Radio. www.alexandertunes.com matthew@alexandertunes.com

 

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