Whirlwind Life of JJ McCoy

Nashville recording artist and resident of Lake Placid, Florida, JJ McCoy expressively claims "For the last few months, I've felt like I'm living in a hurricane. Things are just moving so fast and every day looks different."

Since JJ's December 15th release of his debut solo EP, "Redneck, White and Blue", life has accelerated to mach speed for the normally laid back, burly singer/songwriter and lead guitar player.  Laying down tracks in Nashville's Beaird studio last summer, witnessing the simultaneous electronic and physical release during late autumn, transitioning from studio mentality to the reality of putting a touring band together, then hitting the road to promote the new work has left McCoy both physically and mentally drained yet spiritually and emotionally uplifted in all aspects.  He's been especially pleased by the public's response to his first single, "Sunshine State", a powerful tune about a homesick soldier exposed to the terrors of war in the middle east, a piece that brings a tear to the eye and a patriotic tug to the heart.  McCoy says, "I never realized how writing a song about a soldier who gave his all before returning home could affect so many people and so many lives.  Almost everyone can relate to it."

JJ and the newly formed touring band, The Shurkan Playboys, have quickly transitioned from a south Florida honky tonk band to one of national prominence with appearance requests pouring in every day from all over the country. JJ has surrounded himself with a world class wall of sound consisting of Leo August on bass and back up vocals, guitarist and singer Rob Tolp, Mark Sturman on drums, and Charlie Brown wailing on the pedal steel.

During the the past week, JJ McCoy Music entered into a collaborative management agreement with RWB Promotions and i2 Visual, Inc. to handle the day to day business operation allowing JJ and the band creative time to focus on new music and the perfection of their chops.

Today, i2 unveiled the new JJ McCoy brand/logo displayed below:

Yesterday, Kix Country 92.9 in Port Charlotte featured an interview with JJ and his hit song "Sunshine State" during the Country Top 40 countdown with DJ Dave Darrell. JJ's tune "Redneck, White and Blue" is also pitted against three others on the same station for the Red Hot Spotlight Battle Zone for January. Please log onto http://www.wikx.com/pages/davedarrel.html and show your support by voting for JJ at the bottom of the page.

Tomorrow, JJ will interview with DJ Tina Passatino, the host of Josie's Hard Country of the The Southern Star Network, the largest independent artist site in the world, with an audience of over 3 million listeners, for a show that will air on February 9th.

On Saturday JJ and will play the Homestead Rodeo Dinner and Dance near Miami.

After fulfilling currently booked gigs,  JJ and the band depart early March for a tour of north Florida, and Georgia, with a special appearance March 12th at Tootsie's World Famous Orchid Lounge on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee behind the infamous Ryman Auditorium.

McCoy announced yesterday that he has written enough material for a new album and by burning the candle at both ends, squeezing in studio time while touring, he anticipates the release of the full length title on August 1, 2012.

For updated information, news and current schedule, please visit www.JJMcCoyMusic.com or call RWB Promotions at (615) 257-1961.  Join the website mailing list for updates and incredible prize giveaways.

Enjoy this "bootleg clip of JJ and the band debuting "Taking These Boots to Texas" from the upcoming full length album.

Happy Birthday Janis!

Janis Lyn Joplin, born on this day in Port Arthur, Texas, burst into musical prominence in the early 1960's during a very tumultuous time in American history.  The country simultaneously fought am unpopular war in Viet Nam while dealing with tremendous internal strife in regard to civil rights and the equalities that our nation was founded upon.

Janis, along with others like Joan Baez and Jimi Hendrix, symbolized a new generation, one in which man idealized peace and love, as well as the optimistic possibility that we could inhabit earth in harmony with one another.

Janis' gut wrenching, bluesy vocal prowess influenced many others who followed, even after her untimely death in 1970 from an overdose induced by alcohol and heroin.

Happy Birthday Janis on what should have been your 69th!  Rest in Peace, we miss you!

Enjoy this clip of Janis performing "Piece of My Heart"

Expect Big News from JJ McCoy

A grinding rumor mill indicates that Nashville recording artist and Lake Placid resident, J.J. McCoy of "Sunshine State" fame plans to announce some major news sometime within the next few days.  JJ gained national prominence recently with the single "Sunshine State", a song from a soldier's perspective in the middle east anxiously awaiting his return home to the good times awaiting him in Florida.  This song has provided inspiration for multitudes of young men and women deployed overseas facing the rigors of fighting a tough war in a harsh environment.  Many rank JJ as one of the finest voices currently performing in the country music genre.

You may find his debut EP, "Redneck, White and Blue" available on iTunes and Amazon for what most find an extremely reasonable price, or pick up an copy autographed by the band at any live show, or send me a message and I'll get one mailed to you for $10 plus shipping.  

Stay tuned and follow JJ at http://www.jjmccoymusic.com

Queen Dementia - Condemned

What would happen by mashing up the thrash metal guitar of Metallica with the ethereal, soaring goth vocals of Lacuna Coil along with the lyrical depth of Staind? I believe the result would sound a lot like Queen Dementia, the hard hitting goth metal trio from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Difficult to top what they already say about themselves, I submit this quote from the band's Facebook page:

Queen Dementia offers a sound that's aggressively passionate, soulful and intelligent, yet beautiful. Best known for creating a unique sound which stems from a myriad of musical influences, Queen Dementia successfully synthesizes various aspects of psychology, the human condition and emotion into an abstract, often comprehensible musical format that catches you off guard.

Queen Lana takes you on a roller coaster of emotion with her unique vocal style which sets her apart from all other female front women and has been hailed as “One of the finest front women I have ever heard” - (Outloud Magazine). Drawing on influences ranging from PJ Harvey to Maynard Keenan (Tool) makes her sonic range versatile and unpredictable. Lyrically, she explores subjects such as human emotions, loss, politics, religion, cries of the soul, and the trials and tribulations of daily life and in an abstract fashion. The combination of her vocal melodies that rise above her throbbing bass lines defines her as a musician.

Joseph dominates as the only guitar composer of the trio, able to use his prowess to create a wall of sound with his crushing riffs, unforgiving chord progressions and symphonic solos. Drawing on influences ranging from Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) to Adam Jones (Tool), Joseph has formulated a style all his own which has resulted in the band’s signature sound.

Jav holds it down on drums as the backbone of rhythm for Queen Dementia. Utilizing pounding patterns in contrast with intricate, creative beats complements the melodies, bringing it all together as the glue for the band. Drawing on influences that range from Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) to Lars Ulrich (Metallica) Jav successfully blends old school techniques with modern day style which delivers yet another unique element to the band.

Formed in late 2009, Queen Dementia has since rocked audiences from West Palm Beach to the Florida Keys participating in notable shows such as Kryptonite Metalfest, Xtreme Annual Music Festival, and Femme Fest. “Queen Dementia is getting rave reviews as a creative metal band” -(Florida Rock Stars) and successfully have made a name for themselves in the local South Florida scene. With the latest addition of Jav on drums, the band has positioned itself to establish a footprint beyond hometown boundaries. Queen Dementia is female fronted, melodic metal at its best.

I certainly look forward to experiencing this band live in the near future.  Enjoy this clip released New Year's Eve of their most resent single, "Condemned."

FlipBoard - Incredibly Cool New iPhone/iPad Ap

Quite by accident yesterday while exploring Twitter, I discovered a new iPhone/iPad app that I felt deserved a test run.  I downloaded the free application from Apple's App Store and browsed the set-up help to dial in my preferences.  Within a matter of minutes, I consolidated my Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts into one very user friendly interface, and allowed news feeds from various sources.  Elegant in it's simplicity, FlipBoard allows users to basically "Flip" through their vast network of social media outlets by emulating turning the pages of a book.

For anyone desiring access to all of their social media accounts and news feeds with one touch to the screen, this app completely serves the purpose.

I highly recommend this app to anyone with an iPhone or an iPad as a step in the right direction to eliminate clutter and some chaos from the intense, overwhelming media blitz that we encounter each day.

David Crowder Band Release Final Album

Unfortunately, today marks the final chapter in the evolution of the David Crowder Band.  At midnight, they released their finale, "Give Us Rest" or by the secondary title in typical Crowder humor (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]).

Two things happen almost immediately when I crank up David Crowder on my iPod.  I can't help but think of the auto ads from the 1980's that state, "This isn't your father's Oldsmobile".  David Crowder Band is certainly not your father's brand of worship music.  Secondly, I enter almost immediately into a deep state of worship.  I'm not exactly sure how or why but it happens every time.  I guess that indicates a meaningful annointing from God placed upon David and the other band members.

This final release from the band delivers in typical DCB fashion.  The eccentric, eclectic, group of young musicians with the crisp sounding unique guitar tunings and the truly soulful vocals and modern harmonies bare their souls and offer up a fragrant aroma, pleasing to the Lord.

DCB broke down many barriers 14 years ago with their indie, folk, bluegrass, alternative version of worship so don't expect anything groundbreaking here although this well produced, perfectly executed collection delivers the experience that all fans expect. Whether unleashing a uniquely created original tune or adding their twist to a traditional hymn, the enunciated guitar, laden with banjo and fiddle, along with the unique sound effects invented by drummer Jeremy Bush, and the powerful yet quirky, Crowder vocal delivery offers everything one would expect from this group of highly talented individuals.

Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. Requiem Aeternam Dona Eis, Domine
2. Oh Great God, Give Us Rest
3. Lux Aeternam Shine 
4. Come Find Me 
5. God Have Mercy (Kyrie Eleison)
6. Why Me? 
7. Fall On Your Knees
8. A Burial 
9. Let Me Feel You Shine
10. Reprise #1 
11. Blessedness of Everlasting Light
12. The Sound of Light 
13. Interlude 
14. Sequence 1 
15. Sequence 2 
16. Sequence 3 
17. Sequence 4 
18. Sequence 5 
19. Sequence 6 
20. Sequence 7 
Disc 2:
1. Reprise #2
2. Oh My God 
3. I Am a Seed
4. After All (Holy)
5. The Great Amen 
6. There Is a Sound 
7. Oh, Great Love of God
8. Our Communion 
9. Sometimes 
10. A Return 
11. Oh, My God I'm Coming Home
12. Leaning On the Everlasting Arms / 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (Medley)
13. Jesus, Lead Me to Your Healing Waters
14. Because He Lives

Enjoy the band performing the title track from the album at the House of Blues in Houston last September.

 

Van Halen New Single - Tattoo

Maintaining the tease that began New Year's Eve when they released their new album cover for "A Different Kind of Truth", continued as they debuted the band reunited with David Lee Roth at the 250 seat Cafe Wha in Greenwich Village, released 2012 tour dates with tickets going on sale this morning, leaked track listing from new CD, launched teaser video on YouTube, and now today, officially release their first single from the same, "Tattoo".

"Tattoo" proves itself classic Van Halen, reminiscent of their first release, "Van Halen", from 1977.  If you're musical taste have evolved into the numetal or matalcore genres, this music may be too tame for your taste.  However, if you love classic rock but tire of the same AC/DC and Led Zeppelin tunes blasted from your radio, then this tune's for you!

Browse this site for other articles which include all North American tour dates and track listing from, "A Different Kind of Truth".

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Friday marked the birthday of one of rock music's greatest but most overlooked pioneers, the deceased Syd Barrett, original member and founder of psychedelic innovators, Pink Floyd.

Syd founded the band along with Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright in 1965.  Originally, Barrett fronted the band and wrote most of their material until 1967 when due to mental illness and heavy use of LSD, he acted very erratically and unpredictable. He would at times play one chord through an entire show, or slowly detune his guitar while playing, and at other times wander around the stage aimlessly. The band brought in David Gilmour at that time to compensate for Barrett's lack of dependability, and to fill in on guitar and vocals as needed.  Eventually, according to Gilmour, the band just stopped picking Syd up for gigs.

After his departure from Pink Floyd, Syd never returned to the limelight but instead focused on painting and gardening until his death in 2006.  The band paid tribute to Barrett often, most notably with 1975's smashing album "Wish You Were Here". 

Enjoy David Gilmour below playing "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", an incredible tribute to friend and Pink Floyd's founder, Syd Barrett.

Van Halen New Album Track Listing

Slowly leaking bits and pieces of their new album with David Lee Roth and upcoming tour, Van Halen today released this track listing for "A Different Kind of Truth" which hits store and download outlets on February 7, 2012.

"A Different Kind of Truth" Track Listing

1. Tattoo
2. She’s The Woman 
3. You and Your Blues 
4. China Town 
5. Blood and Fire 
6. Bullethead 
7. As Is 
8. Honeybabysweetiedoll 
9. The Trouble With Never 
10. Outta Space 
11. Stay Frosty 
12. Big River 
13. Beats Workin’


A few hours later, Van Halen leaked this trailer of a video for the tune "Tattoo"

Riverside Church Takes on Pro Wrestling

Curiosity tugged hard on my psyche yesterday as I flipped through a community magazine, "The Corridor", and landed on a rather unusual full color, full page ad promoting a professional wrestling event at Riverside Church in Fort Myers, Florida.  What an ironic combination I thought!

The intrigue won out and I attended today's event, a benefit for Verity Pregnancy and Medial Resource Center.

Never much of a wrestling fan, I still must admit that today proved to be extremely entertaining and the outdoor event lent itself as an excellent opportunity for a good, clean, fun family outing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the personas and characters created by the wrestlers and laughed hysterically at the performance they employed.  I found it rather astonishing that so many of the fans appeared to take the fighting seriously, although many of those were kids.

The event promoter, Kingpin Promotions, ran the day as a Kingpin Cup Tournament with eight wrestlers. Local comedian, Jordan Owens, served as the event MC.

In the first round, Bully Bob Bronson defeated Omaha Hustler Funky Fresh, Jerome Hendrix beat Michael Patrick, Frankie Ciatso whipped Milo Beasley, and Superstar Steve Boz won by disqualification when his opponent, Tokyo Monster Kahagas, started beating him with a giant stick.

Enjoy the video below as Tokyo Monster Kahagas beats Superstar Steve Boz with a stick!

In the semi-final round, Bully Bob whipped Jerome Hendrix, and Superstar Steve defeated Frankie, the King of Florida Ciatso.

In between tournament rounds, we enjoyed a special Turbo-Weight Division match-up between South Florida's Joker and James "G.I. Jamm" Anthony.  For most of the fight, Anthony appeared to have the upper hand but after a few long two counts by the cute ref, Leva, the Joker managed to turn things around and pin G.I.

Enjoy the video below of the match between South Florida's Joker and James "G.I. Jamm" Anthony

Finally, in the hard fought final match, Superstar Steve Boz decimated Bully Bob Bronson to win the cup and end the eventful day.

Not exactly my cup of tea, but certainly an entertaining afternoon of time well spent.  I would highly recommend this fun filled family event, especially to parents of pre-pubescent boys.  The young boys seemed to enjoy the sporting more than any others.