Now!

Bootsy Collins
Photo by William Simpson
Dolly Parton starts her World Tour in Tulsa, OK
Review by William Simpson
Country music legend Dolly Parton kicked off
her Blue Smoke World Tour at the Hard Rock
Casino in Tulsa, OK on Wednesday night May
22, 2014. Parton sold out two consecutive
shows at the Hard Rock and it will not be the
only sold out shows on this tour. With the
release of Parton’s latest album of the same
name, this tour is shaping up as the country
tour of the year.
Parton’s show consisted of country, bluegrass,
and even a pop song or two, plus she plays a
variety of instruments. She even showed her
funny side by telling a heckler. “I told you to
wait in the truck” as the entire room erupted
in laughter.
What makes a Dolly Parton show unique is
that the songs she writes comes from her life
and her family and she would tell the stories
that the songs were based on. It made for a
very intimate type setting. Parton sang a very
touching version of “Precious Memories” and
shared some of her memories of her Grandfather who was a Pentecostal preacher. In his
honor she sang a medley of Pentecostal songs.
She told the story of not having a coat and her
mother taking different color patches of material and sewed her a coat, hence the world has
the song “Coat of many Colors”. Parton also
expressed that song was her favorite because every time she sings the song it reminds her of her mother. She also
told a story of her loving father. When they built a statue of Parton in her home town, her father would go out
every week and clean the pigeon poop off of her. Parton’s Dad inspired the song “Smokey Mountain Memories”.
Family friends were not even immune to being sung about as in neighbor Applejack and the song named after
him. Parton loves to make connections with people she meets and that’s exactly what she did with the first set of
her show. Before breaking for a 20 minute intermission she played her Gospel version of Bon Jovi’s “Lay Your
Hands On Me”.
The second set consisted of more of her songs from her recently released album “Blue Smoke” including “Banks
of the Ohio” and the fun “Lover de Jour”. She had the entire audience on their feet as she same her mega hits
“Islands In The Stream”, “9 to 5”, and she ended her show with “I Will Always Love You”, and the only thing I
could think as I looked around the room was we will always love you too, Dolly.
This was an amazing concert and the older Parton gets the better and stronger her voice gets. If the rest of the
shows match this one, it will be a very successful and satisfying tour. I can mark this one off my bucket list but I
will do it in pencil because I will be going to see Dolly in concert again.
Foreigner/Stxy/Don Felder Excite Oklahoma City
Article and Photos by Jennifer Reid
On a cool, crisp spring evening in May, three fabled artists seized
the stage at the Zoo Amphitheatre in Oklahoma City, OK.
The show began with former Eagles guitarist and songwriter Don
Felder. Taking the lead to navigating his band, Felder engaged
in such hits as “Already Gone,” “Witchy Woman,” and “Heartache Tonight.” After a few additional selections, he paused long
enough for the crowd to die down. He then began to explain how
the next song was one he loved performing with The Eagles, but
that everyone but him got tired of playing it. He asked slyly, “do
you mind if I play it?” With an eruption of applause, and a smile
from Felder the splendid harmonies of “Seven Bridges Road” ensued. With the set coming to a close, he wanted to share the stage
for the final song with his “good friend” Tommy Shaw. As Shaw entered stage left, he slipped on a guitar, waved
to the crowd, and joined Felder in the opening chords of “Hotel California.” Shaw was the perfect accessory to
the song, and the collaboration closed the set impeccably.
With the sun beginning to set, and evening creeping in, it was time for act two.
Drummer Todd Sucherman led the charge as the inventive Styx graced the
stage. Allowing the thunderous crowd a moment to take it all in, the band
found their way to their instruments, and “The Grand Illusion” ripped open
the set. Keeping the pace steady, they maneuvered through “Too Much Time
on My Hands,” and “Fooling Yourself.” Remarkable guitarist Tommy Shaw
then humbly took to the mic to welcome the crowd. The grin that took over his
face during that welcome remained there the rest of the set. Vocalist Lawrence
Gowan, a phenomenal showman all his own, launched the intro to “Lady.”
With a concise, luminous voice, he delivered the romantic emotion the song
was intended for. 2 additional selections later, guitarist JY Young took his turn
at the mic to explain that the next song “Superstars” had never been played in
OK. With great excitement, he turned to bassist Ricky Phillps and together, the
track kicked into high gear. “Blue Collar Man” followed, which then brought
Gowan center stage. He lead the crowd in a montage of songs including “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,”
“Live and Let Die,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Transitioning from the bridge of Rhapsody to the onset of “Come
Sail Away” was flawless. It was indeed the perfect set end. That was however, until they returned to the stage.
Without any dialogue, the legendary five piece shred their way into “Rockin the Paradise.” Shaw once again took
to the mic, thanking the crowd for their support and response to the performance. After settling everyone down,
a red spotlight shone directly on him as he uttered “Oh Mama I’m in fear for my life from the long arm of the
law……” With hands raised high, the crowd assumed backup vocals, and in complete unison with Shaw, finished
the song and closed the set together.
Darkness blanketed the grounds, but the spirit of the crowd was still bright.
Embarking simultaneously, Foreigner was now center stage. As white lights frantically ran across the stage,
“Double Vision” opened the set. Vocalist Kelly Hansen worked the crowd with his stellar voice, and unique dance
style.
4 StageShottz
Bassist Jeff Pilson, with as much agility as his days in Dokken, exuded energy with head bangs and sprints from
one end of the stage to the other. They followed strongly with “Head Games” and seamlessly transitioned into
“Cold as Ice.” With that, Hansen jumped off stage and into the crowd. A surprised audience embraced him as he
funneled his way through before returning to the stage and wraps the track up. Giving the crowd a moment to
catch their breath, they slowed it down with “Waiting For A Girl Like You.” Kelly asked for everyone’s attention
as he introduced the reason for Foreigner. He was the founder, the writer, and is still the backbone of the band,
Mick Jones. As he entered from stage left, the crowd showed their respect with a standing ovation. He grabbed his
guitar, and without skipping a beat tore into “Feels Like The First Time.” The welcome was warm and evident by
the prolonged applause. “Urgent” was then followed by a small anecdote from Mick. His next selection was “Starrider” which originally was going to be called “Pull Your Panties Down.” They decided collectively that name
would probably receive a few rejections. With a chuckle, he started the tune. Closing the set was the monstrous hit
“Juke Box Hero.” Played and sung with great passion, left the crowd enveloped with a classic. After a brief pause,
Foreigner returned with some guests. A local junior high choir joined them on stage to perform “I Want To Know
What Love Is.” Reminiscent of the choir who brought it to life in the 80’s, the students gave an unblemished rendition. Mick Jones then began “Hot Blooded” the tune that guitar great Marty Friedman once asked him what he
was on when he wrote it since the lead was so insane. Coming together center stage at the conclusion of the tune,
the band paid homage to their leader by directing the crowd’s attention to Jones. He reveled in the moment and
gathered his bandmates together for a unified bow. With gratitude on their faces, and obvious appreciation in their
hearts, they exited for the final time.
Don Felder, Styx, and Foreigner will be touring through the fall. Dates and locations are available on each bands
website.
StageShottz 5
2014 Beale Street Music Festival
Article and Photos by William Simpson
Friends, fun, and some great music on the banks of the Mississippi River, that’s the Beale Street Music
Festival in Memphis, TN on the first weekend in May. And for the first time since I have been going to the Beale
Street Music Festival there was no rain and no mud the entire weekend. While that was nice it took some getting
used to, it’s hard to image this festival with no mud to walk through.
With the beautiful scenery and the perfect weather, the crowds poured in early creating a great atmosphere
for a festival all day long and all weekend long. With three main stages, Orion, Bud Light and Fedex, along with
the Horseshoe Casino Blues Tent and with major headliners such as Avenged Sevenfold, Snoop Dogg, and Kid
Rock, this year’s festival couldn’t help but satisfy all music lovers.
Friday night kicked off on the Fedex Stage with Lord T & Eloise, Grouplove, local rap superstar Juicy
J, and Pretty Lights. Then came this year’s launch of the Bud light Stage and MSMR, Third Eye Blind, Fitz &
the Tantrums, and finally Foster the People. Over on the Orion Stage the festivities began with Project Pat, the
Boston band the Dropkick Murphy’s, 311, and closing out the night was the amazing Snoop Dogg. And for the
southern Blues lover, the Horseshoe Casino Blues Tent started with Lucky Peterson, Will Tucker, Ana Popovic,
and last up was the ex-Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts & Great Southern.
Saturday afternoon saw another great weather day below the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Tom Lee
Park was filled with excited concert goers much earlier in the day than usual. The day started a little after 2:00
pm on the Fedex Stage with Sonny Burgess & the Legendary Pacers, followed by The Carolina Chocolate Drops,
Blues Traveler, the amazing blues guitarist Buddy Guy, Twenty One Pilots, and closing out the Fedex Stage STS9.
The Bud Light Stage kicked off with Memphis Dawls, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, the Killer and Memphis
legend Jerry Lee Lewis, rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Chick Corea & the Vigil, and lastly the living legend
Patti LaBelle. The Orion Stage opened with Eric Gales, then came Los Rabanes which is from this year’s Memphis in May International Festival honored country of Panama, next up was AER, followed by Australian rockers
Wolfmother. Then Joan Jett and the Blackhearts put on probably the best set of the entire festival. She still puts
on a very intense show. Closing out the Orion Stage was Kid Rock, who thrilled the crowd with another great
performance. The Horseshoe Casino Blues Tent showcased Blind Mississippi Morris, Quinn Sullivan, Reba Russell band, Kenny Neal, and finally Tommy Castro.
The last day of the 2014 Beale Street Music Festival again saw perfect weather and again a huge crowd
early to party with their favorite bands. The Fedex Stage again opened the day’s festivities with Freeworld followed by Black Joe Lewis before the jam band Leftover Salmon from Boulder, Colorado took to the stage and
had everyone in the crowd dancing along to their music. Next up was the electric Bootsy Collins and The String
Cheese Incident ended the festival for the Fedex Stage. Los Rabanes changed stages from the day before and
kicked off a good day on the Bud Light Stage. Then the Dandy Warhols played their set before making way for
Jason Isbell. The Bud Light Stage ended with the Southern jams for the North Mississippi Allstars and the new
hit band Alabama Shakes. The last day of the festival say a day of metal on the Orion Stage beginning with Surrender the Fall, and from Kentucky the hot band Black Stone Cherry. Next up making their Beale Street Music
Festival debut, and subbing in for Motorhead, was thrash Gods Anthrax. Setting the crowd up for the closer was
Seether from South Africa. Closing out the Beale Street Music Festival for 2014 was the band winning all of the
rock/metal awards lately, Avenged Sevenfold. They closed out the festival in style with a very good and energetic show that the fans really got into. The Horseshoe Casino Blues Tent ended the festival with Herman Green,
Ghost Town Blues Band, Tony Joe White, Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings, and Canned Heat.
Another Beale Street Music Festival has come and gone and with something I thought I would never
experience, no rain or mud. With a wide variety of musical acts this has to be one of the top music festivals in the
country. Where most festivals concentrate on one genre of music Beale Street Music festival continues to span all
genres of music so that the fans can easily find something they like. Make sure to get your tickets early for next
year’s festival as it will not doubt again be a great time.
6 StageShottz
Kid Rock
Avenged Sevenfold
Snoop Dogg
MSMR
Blue sTraveler
Wolfmother
311
Joan Jett
&
The Blackhearts
Dropkick Murphys
StageShottz 7
2014 ROCKLAHOMA
Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Rock
Day 1
Article by Jennifer Reid
Photos by William Simpson
Pryor, OK welcomed Rocklahoma 2014 with open arms on May 23, 2014. A humid partly cloudy day would
not keep the boisterious crowd away.
Opening the day on the Hard Rock stage was Swedish band Truckfighters. Beginning their U.S. tour in 2011,
this was their first appearance at Rocklahoma.
The powerful Kentucky bred boys of Black Stone Cherry were up next on the main stage. Chris Robertson’s
stellar vocals, the energy of Ben Wells, and the soulful rhthym section of Jon Lawhon and John Fred Young made
this the kick off performance of Rocklahoma. Covering tunes from their entire catalog, including new release Magic
Mountain, the quartet instantly turned the atmosphere into a party.
Crossing the Red River, Nothing More took the Hard Rock Stage following. With a tough act to follow, the
Texas based band exemplified why they have been chosen as support for fellow Rocklahoma guests Five Finger
Death Punch. A hard hitting show kept the crowd pumped.
Veteran rockers and Rocklahoma alums Skid Row took to the main stage next. Johnny Solinger seemed to be
struggling a bit vocally, and allowed the crowd to cover several lines of lyrics for each song. However, Rachel Bolin,
Scotti Hill, and Sabo the original members of Skid Row, played as flawlessly as ever. They covered “as many classic
songs as we can in 28 minutes” including “Youth Gone Wild,” “I Remember You,” and “Slave to the Grind.”
Italian Goth band Lacuna Coil followed on the Hard Rock stage. Lead vocalist Cristina Scabbia wearing a
long black collared cape covering a black lace dress lead her band thru their 25 minute set. Co vocalist Andrea Ferro
is an excellent accesory to the band who in 2012 received a Golden Gods Award nomination for Best International
act.
Drawing the largest crowd of the day was the next mainstage act Killswitch Engage. Former drummer and
current guitarist Adam Dutliewicz was physically on stage, but mentally seemed somewhere far, far away. Yelling
obscenities during the majority of the show, he didn’t distract the crowd from the music who began whether he was
done ranting or not. Vocalist Jesse Leach did a fine job leading the band, and displayed excellent vocals skills for
their final number, Ronnie James Dio’s “Holy Diver.”
Canadian Christian rockers Thousand Foot Krutch were up next on the Hard Rock. The solidified why they
had been asked to perform for the second straight year at Rocklahoma. Expressing “we love God and rock and roll”
the band put on an impactful performance that undoubtley earned them new fans.
Evening was now upon us, and phase 2 of the day was beginning.
Another set of Rocklahoma alums, Seether were up on the mainstage following. Vocalist Shaun Morgan
sporting a different look with a full beard and much shorter haircut, dove right into “Gasoline.” Continuing with hits
like “Broken,” “Remedy,” and “Rise Above This” they did mention the new album dropping July 1, entitled “Isolate
and Medicate.” Playing the first single “Words as Weapons” it proved to be classic Seether and another notable hit.
As instantly as Seether wrapped, the crowd galloped to the Hard Rock stage for Pretty Reckless. Playing
AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” in it’s entirety before stepping on stage, vocalist Taylor Momsen sauntered out to a roaring
crowd. About midway thru the set, Momsen asked the crowd for their participation in their newest release “Heaven
Knows” she said, “I know you know it, and if you don’t, listen up, it’s not that fucking hard” and demonstrated for
the crowd what she wanted. The crowd obliged, and the tune was the biggest of the set. Momsen is verfiably the new
queen of rock music.
Deftones followed on the mainstage, and vocalist Chino Moreno wasted no time initiating the set. With rumors of a breakup, the band did display some distance with each other on stage. The set was effective, but with very
little interaction with the crowd, and long pauses with no lights on stage during song changes, it was a difficult set to
focus on. The majority of the crowd began to make their way to the Hard Rock stage before Deftones wrapped up, in
anticipation of who was to come.
8 StageShottz
2014 ROCKLAHOMA
Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Rock
Day 1
Article by Jennifer Reid
Photos by William Simpson
Yet another Rocklahoma alum Hell Yeah brought the crowd back to life when they stepped out on the Hard
Rock stage. Drummer Vinnie Paul was the first to appear, and the crowd went wild. His bandmates followed, and
soon they dove into the set. Vocalist Chad Gray, sporting a bright red mohawk seemed more aggressive than ever
when tackling the tunes. With an angry tone, and a growling band behind him, Gray and his Hell Yeah bandmates
were the perfect bridge to the nights headliner.
The act the crowd had waited the entire, exhausting day for was now upon us. Five Finger Death Punch commanded the mainstage just by stepping on it. The crowd was so deafening, that at times it was difficult to hear vocalist Ivan Moody, but with good reason. Covering tunes from albums like 2007’s “The Way of the Fist” to 2013 “The
Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volumes 1 and 2” including the ever popular, and Bad Company remake “Bad Company” the band gave the crowd exactly what they came for. A show worth the price of admission. To those in attendance, it was the ultimate ending to the day.
The Pretty Reckless
Five Finger Death Punch
Skid Row
Nothing
More
Thousand
Foot
Krutch
Lacuna Coil
Seether
Killswitch Engage
Hellyeah
Deftones
StageShottz 9
2014 ROCKLAHOMA
Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Rock
Day 2
Article by Jennifer Reid
Photos by William Simpson
After a brief thundershower, the sunshine pushed the gray clouds aside, and day 2 of Rocklahoma was
ready to begin.
The day began with Gemini Syndrome opening the Hard Rock stage. Led by vocalist Aaron Nordstrom, the
5 piece navigated through a 30 minute set including tracks from their new album “Lux”. They did a great job of
preparing the crowd for a long day.
Returning for their third appearance, Vegas’s own Adelita’s Way inaugurated the mainstage for day 2. Rick
DeJesus, inviting the crowd to move closer to the stage, no matter where they were sitting, led them in crowd
favorites. The band brought out an additional track “Dog on a Leash” from the new album “Stuck” and peeked an
interest to their fans on what was yet to come.
The second Christian rock band of the festival, We as Human took the hard rock stage next. Discovered by
Skillet’s John Cooper, the band delivered a positive message, while still bringing the rock.
Michigan bred Pop Evil returned to the mainstage for their third appearance at Rocklahoma. Covering
songs from their catalog dating back to 2008, the boys reminded everyone why they have been a favorite among
festival goers, and are continued to be asked back.
Pop Evil tour mates Devour the Day followed on the Hard Rock stage next. Traveling just a bit west of
their home town of Memphis, the band rocked through tracks from their first studio album “Time and Pressure.”
With a positive crowd response, a return invitation could be in the near future.
90’s phenomenans Filter took the mainstage next. Together since 1993, the band displayed a tight chemistry
during the 40 minute set. Showing their grunge, rock and pop side, the crowd appreciated the diversity of the set.
Big Dad Ritch and his Texas Hippie Coalition boys took to the Hard Rock stage following. Drawing the
largest crowd of the day he treated everyone like family. Expressing, “I just got in my Chevy truck and drove on
over” he kept the crowd engaged during the 35 minute set. After a long, hot day, this act was the heart pounding,
fist pumping energy the crowd needed to press on.
The one, the only, the legendary Jesse James Dupree and Jackyl made their way to the mainstage next. Beginning the set with “My Moonshine Kicks Your Cocaine’s Ass” proved to be the best intro to his new moonshine
that is now available. Dancing, teasing, and crowd surfing, Dupree had the attention of the entire campground and
the focus remained on him. Never one to abide by the rules, the set ran late, but was worth every second more.
We Are Harlot arrived for their second show ever at the Hard Rock stage following. Replacing the ill
Trivium with a very last minute request, the band, who consists of Asking Alexandria vocalist Danny Worsnop,
made their way through a set list that had the crowd demanding more.
After 30 years together, Twisted Sister, who in the past has headlined, was according to Dee Snider “demoted” to the special guest slot on the mainstage next. Displaying the energy and physique of a 20 year old, the 69
year old veteran put on an unbelievable vocal performance. Paying tribute to the ailing Lemmy Kilmister who was
scheduled to perform, Snider led the crowd in Motorhead’s “Born to Raise Hell” and promised the video would be
delivered to the legend.
Continuing with the 80’s rockers, Kix followed on the Hard Rock stage. Working their way through tunes
like “Cold Blood,” “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” and “Blow My Fuse” they gave the crowd a very remniscent trip
back to a time when things were simplistic. After 19 years a new album is scheduled to drop this year.
Rounding out the night were Rocklahoma alums Staind. Aaron Lewis and his band, who have not put out
any new material since 2011, covered tunes from the catalog that dates back to 1996. With a very mellow atmosphere, the band settled the crowd down nicely as the day came to a close.
10 StageShottz
Staind
Twisted Sister
Pop Evil
Gemini Syndrome
Adelitas Way
Devour the Day
Jackyl
Kix
Kill Devil Hill
Filter
Twisted Sister
Gemini Syndrome
StageShottz 11
2014 ROCKLAHOMA
Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Rock
Day 3
Article by Jennifer Reid
Photos by William Simpson
Another cloudy day wouldn’t keep Rocklahoma fans from day 3. What did the final day have in store?
The day kicked off with Australia’s own Twelve Foot Ninja on the Hard Rock stage. Covering tunes from
their debut album “Silent Machine” the band from down under set a steady tone for the day.
Returning to Rocklahoma for their sophomore appearance, Canada’s Red Light King opened the mainstage. Led by vocalist Kazzer, the band navigated through tunes from their debut album “Something For The Pain”
and their newest release “Irons in the Fire.” The set ended with “Bullet In My Hand” an Oklahoma favorite due to
KMOD radio spinning the tune frequently.
Rocklahoma alums Eve to Adam took to the Hard Rock stage following. Being sure to remind everyone the
true reason for the weekend by saluting our men and women in uniform, the New York natives toughed out the heat
and delivered a stellar performance.
Legendary artist Tom Keifer was up on the mainstage next. Covering classic Cinderella tunes like “Night
Songs,” “Nobody’s Fool,” and “Gypsy Road” he always debuted tracks from his new solo album “ The Way Life
Goes.” Taking the crowd down memory lane, Keifer performed as well as he did in his prime.
British born Aaron Buchanan led his band Heavens Basement onto the Hard Rock stage next. The thirty minute set was effective and seemed to keep the crowd satisfied.
As evening was upon us, the heaviest act of the day was before us.
The one and only Black Label Society bombarded the mainstage following. Commanding attention from
beginning to end, Zakk Wylde shred his way through a set that extended 20 minutes past the limit. Whether he was
lost in the music, or just unconcerned with set times, the crowd instigated the extension, and would have been happy
to have him continue to play the remainder of the evening.
Heavy hitting women Heidi Shepard and Carla Harvey with their band Butcher Babies were a great follow
up to BLS to keep the intense pace of the music going. Dressed in their normal scandalous attire, the Hard Rock
stage was thumping with deep beats and growling vocals. Channeling their inner Wendy Williams, their biggest
inspiration, they delivered a show as strong as any of the male bands who were performing.
Reunited Extreme took the mainstage next. Original members Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt came
together on stage looking as tight as they did in the 80’s. That is until Bettencourt began to have technical difficulties
with his guitar and stormed off stage without finishing “Get the Funk Out.” The scheduled 50 minute set came to an
abrupt and disappointing halt, and left the crowd irritated.
Los Angeles’s own KYNG was up next on the Hard Rock stage. Laying down their hard and stoner rock
tunes, they brought a classic feel to a metal day.
Rocklahoma favorites Theory of a Deadman followed on the mainstage. Vocalist Tyler Connelly was suffering from a case of laryngitis, but that didn’t dampen his personality. Humoring the crowd with anecdotes leading
into tunes like “Hate My Life” and “The Bitch is Back” the enormous crowd was in the palm of his hand. Wrapping
with their biggest hit “Bad, Bad Girlfriend” the crowd helped Connelly out by taking over vocals. This was by far
the most crowd entertaining act of the day.
Bringing the crowd back to the heavy side of music, New Orleans based Down was up next on the Hard
Rock stage. Together since 1991 and led by Phil Anselmo, the in your face band ruptured the crowd. From beginning to end, the crowd moshed, punched, and fist pumped throughout the entire set. Like BLS, Down played well
past the set time but unlike BLS seemed to have no regard for the schedule or who was to follow.
The night’s headliner, Kid Rock took the overage of Down in stride and began his set before they completed
theirs. The mainstage lit up with rap, rock, blues and country that is Kid Rock. The hour and a half set to wrap up
the festival and taking us into early Memorial Day morning, kept the crowd focused and engaged. He was the perfect ending to an enduring weekend.
Rocklahoma 2014 once again went off without a hitch and would leave a lasting legacy for all who were
there.
12 StageShottz
Tom Keifer
Theory
of a
Deadman
Kid Rock
Down
Eve to Adam
Black Label Society
Heavens
Basement
Extreme
Butcher Babies
StageShottz 13
Dolly Parton
Article by William Simpson
Country music legend Dolly Parton, never one
to rest on her laurels, released her 42nd studio album
in the US on May 13. It’s a culmination of her career
with some country, some bluegrass, some gospel and
even rock and roll. She has included duets with Willie
Nelson and with Kenny Rogers on the album as well
as Dollyized covers of Bon Jovi’s “Lay Your Hands on
Me” and Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice.”
Parton says she is a girl of many colors and
“Blue Smoke” is definitely an album of many colors.
As Parton describes it, “Well I’m here at this age, I’ve
been around this long, and I’ve had a chance to do
some of everything. I think this album is just an assortment of all the different things I’ve done through the
years.” Parton does not get played on the radio much
anymore so she makes albums that she thinks her fans
would want to hear and means something to her also.
The words Blue Smoke has been in Parton’s head for a
long time. When she started doing her Bluegrass, she
thought about using that as the name of her band. Being
from the mountains of east Tennessee, blue smoke also
represents the blue smoke that rises off of the Great Smokey Mountains. She like the words so much that she sat
down purposely to write a some about blue smoke, which turned out to be about a train. When she got ready to
put together an album and tour, that phrase kept coming back to her, and the title of the album and first song on
the album were set…”Blue Smoke.”
One of the more unusual song on the album is a cover of Bon Jovi’s “Lay Your Hands on Me”, that Parton, of course, made her own. Dolly explains her attraction to the song, “When I heard that song when it first
came out, I thought, WOW, that would make such a perfect Gospel song. I grew up in a Pentecostal church where
we really believed in laying your hands on people and praying for them and you’re always asking God to lay his
hands on you.” When Parton got ready to make this CD she gave Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, who wrote
the song, a call and ask if they would mind if she turned the song into a Gospel tune. The three of them worked
together to transform the song. “Lay Your Hands on Me” is one of Parton’s favorite songs on the new CD and is
very proud of the way it turned out, as is Bon Jovi and Sambora.
Two duets with a couple of guys Parton has great respect for highlight the album. One of Parton’s longest
standing country music friends is Willie Nelson. They arrived in Nashville around the same time and ran in the
same songwriting circles. Their careers ran hand in hand with them starting at Monument Records together then
moved to RCA at the same time. When Nelson got ready to do his album “To All The Girls…”, he told Parton,
“I love your song “From Here to the Moon and Back”. He said I can just play the hell out of that on the guitar.” Parton loved it so much she put it on her new album also. The second duet on the album is a reunion with
Kenny Rogers. She and Rogers had a mega hit with a Barry Gibb written song on 1983, “Islands in the Stream.”
Parton said this collaboration has a different kind of energy that the last time but this time, partially because of
where they are in their lives, had more meaning. Rogers wrote the song, “You Can’t Make Old Friends”, with the
relationship that he and Parton share in mind. Parton’s explains the song beautifully. “The whole idea is that you
can’t make old friends. Which it fits so many people, you know you see them and you maybe have not seen them
in 10 years and the second you see them it’s like you never have not been right with them.” The song fits perfectly on the album and is very emotional and true to the both of them.
14 StageShottz
On fun point on the album is the song “Lover du Jour.” The seeds of the song were planted years ago
while traveling the west coast with her then young nieces. With a little help on the French words, so has a fun
classic. And according to Parton, “I really single out the fiddle player, Jimmy Stewart that plays in our group and
just really rag him to death and embarrass him and flirt with him on stage. It’s one of our cute show numbers
now.”
Parton said when they went into the studio they were not sure exactly what the end product would be, but
she got thinking about all of the possibilities. Parton has always loved Bob Dylan and wanted to record “Don’t
Think Twice”, she was going to record the song with only a guitar but ended up adding more to it. Then her song
“Banks of the Ohio” came to mind and she realized that she could really incorporate all the flavors of her career.
That’s when the album began to resemble what we have today. Parton described it, “I thought wow this really is
all the colors of me, I had a chance to round up my whole career in this one CD.”
An artist that has been around as long as Parton has been and has done so many different things and has
helped so many people, the legacy left behind has to have a place in her mind. “I am old enough to think about
what is my legacy, what is it going to be. But I think its hopefully going to be a while lot of things”, says Parton.
She wants to write better song
and record better records. She
would also like to do a children’s
TV show someday. One of her
greatest accomplishments is her
Imagination Library which gives
out over 2 million books a year
to pre-school aged children to
help foster the desire to read.
Parton’s really just hopes to continue doing good for people and
keep coming up with new music
and ideas.
Parton really loves what
she does, “Songwriting is just as
natural as breathing to me.” She
is always singing, even when she
is sitting around the house. Her
voice is better and stronger than
when she was younger because
she does exercise her voice by
constantly singing. The singing is not by design; it is juts
her and what she feels comfortable doing. This is not a job for
Parton, it is her lifestyle. “I love
to write and of course when you
write them you sing them and if
you sing them you want to get in
the studio and record them and
if you record them you gotta get
a tour going because you want
to sell it. I just love to write, I
write something nearly every
day,” says Parton. This is the
latest album by Dolly Parton but
it will not be the last.
StageShottz 15
The Winery Dogs quench Desire in Ft. Smith
Review by Jennifer Smith
The dogs have been unleased and Fort Smith will never be the same.
Neumeier’s Rib Room and Beer Garden, THE venue for quality music
in Fort Smith, welcomed The Winery Dogs on May 20, 2014. Open to
a bright sky, the garden allowed the cool spring night to breeze through
the crowd. But, high intensity was about to turn the temperature way up.
As he gingerly approached the stage, guitarist Richie Kotzen led the
trio. The always charismatic Mike Portnoy climbed atop his drum
throne to welcome the crowd. Bassist Billy Sheehan smiled and waved
to all, who by this point were frenzied with excitement at the mere
site of the trio. Because of the chemistry the three share, the music
is all they needed to initiate the set. Launching directly into “Elevate” the superior talent that is The Winery Dogs was on full display. “Criminal” a bonus track on the debut album followed, and
the three song opener wrapped up with the powerful “We Are One.”
No words are needed to communicate with the audience as the music speaks volumes. This kept dialogue limited during the hour and
a half set. However, certain moments of the show you could almost see what they were thinking. For instance, during Sheehan’s
bass solo, with the expression not only on his face, but in his hands he said “this is our music, but my extension of it for your listening pleasure. Please enjoy.” And how could we not? With deep bends of the strings,
and hand over hand stretches of the fret board, he has earned his legendary status. And Kotzen, who has soul
so imbedded in his spirit, he loses himself not only in the music, but in the moment. During his guitar solo following “I’m No Angel” I don’t know that he could have told you were he was if asked. This communicated “I
am headed to an unknown destination, would you like to join me?” The audience would have been happy to
oblige. Last, but certainly not least, Portnoy. The super showman is comical and witty and with his antics says
“we are here to have a great time! Let’s get to it!” Bouncing from his kit, to amps, and back again, he was a
large visual focus. The caliber of his playing is mesmerizing as he fills, smashes, and crashes through each tune.
Playing the debut album in its entirety, the band exemplifies what music is. A common core connection with
bandmates to provide quality, meaningful music. An appreciation, not only for what you do, but for the people
who encourage you to do so by purchasing an album, a ticket, a shirt, and providing them with a musical experience that will be permanently imprinted in their brain. Allowing yourself to be confident, vulnerable, angry, happy, sad with raw
emotions front and center for all to see. This show left me speechless, and has replaced the top musical experience I had up to May 20.
The experiences of their past, contribute to the uniqueness of The Winery Dogs
present. The intimacy of the club shows allows a more personal glimpse of the
band, but with artistic ability and talent of this magnitude it is only a matter
of time before arena’s will be selling out. I implore anyone who has not seen
or heard this band, do so immediately. You are cheating yourself if you don’t.
Youtube, album, Itunes. Find it, own it, love it. For the full experience, check
out their tour schedule at their official website www.thewinerydogs.com and see when they will be in a town near you.
16 StageShottz
StageShottz 17
Billy Sheehan
Interview by Jennifer Reid
While racing through the country and selling out intimate clubs along
the way, Billy Sheehan stepped off stage long enough to sit down with
StageShottz Magazine. In Billy’s words, this conversation at Neumeier’s
Rib Room and Beer Garden in Ft. Smith, Arkansas was “a refreshing
rarity” and we discuss The Winery Dogs, what the past has contributed
to the present, and what the future may hold for he and the dynamic trio.
StageShottz
Magazine:
Let’s
talk
about
your
first
connection
with
music.
Do
you
remember
it?
Billy Sheehan: Yeah, my mom was a fan of alot of music. Frank Sinatra,
Tony Bennett, stuff like that. She had it on around the house. That was a
time when I was young from a bit of a different generation where music
meant everything to everybody. TV was there, movies were there, but
music was just the thing, you know. So even as a kid I was lucky to get
exposed to some great stuff. Now, the first show I ever attended was Bobby Darin. The first rock concert I ever attended was Jimi Hendrix, and that was that. I saw Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald in their prime. I was lucky. I got
to see some real quality performers early on so that was the standard that got set. And on television, music was a big
part of every show. There were dozens of variety shows. Ed Sullivan was the most famous but they had all kinds of
them. Johnny Cash had a show, Eric Clapton was on it. Janis Joplin was on it. So you know, music was everywhere.
SSM:
So
what
about
that
time,
that
connection,
that
feeling,
made
you
realize
this
is
what
you
wanted
to
do?
What
you
were
meant
to
do?
BS: Well, when I saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, all the girls screamed. So me, and about 10 million other guys said “I want that job!” It’s really true! It’s funny because we know about the British Invasion, and
the explosion of The Beatles in America, but in fact it happened all over the world. I’ve got bands playing Beatles songs from Ecuador, and Korea, and Brazil, and South Africa, and in every European country
you can think of and in every language and every format you can think of. I have quite a collection of thousands of bands born from that one show, that one moment. Music is a great art. It is the greatest of the arts.
SSM:
What
connects
you
with
music
today?
BS: Well most of my life has been spent performing. The greater part of my life I have performed music. I am
pushing 5000 gigs, lifetime total. I don’t know how many records. Now, oddly, I am more excited, motivated and
enthused by it more than ever. Most people fade away. I have been reinvigorated even more so than when I was
16. I can be driving around LA and I will get an idea and get so excited that I think “I got to get home and try
this out on my bass!” When I was a kid in Buffalo and playing in local bands, people would laugh at me because
I would open the door and I would have my bass on. They would ask me “don’t you ever put that thing down?”
And honestly, no, I didn’t. And now more than ever, I practice, and I play, and I learn, and I realize how much
more there is to learn. I don’t know where it comes from. I try to enhance my powers of observation. I think if
you cultivate your ability to observe, you will realize just how little you actually know. When I start to observe
myself on bass, I realize just how far I am from what I would consider ideal. It really inspires me just to get back
to work and work harder. There isn’t a day that I don’t sit down and find a new thing that I didn’t know before that
is generally sweeping, or at least important. I have been playing for 40 years, and I am just scratching the surface.
SSM: When this project was being developed, what about it spoke to you? What made you want to be a part of it?
BS: It’s a 3 piece band, and I love that. You can easily see the other 2 guys, and everyone can see everyone else, so communication within the band is very strong.
18 StageShottz
It’s always been that way with me for 3 piece bands. I have always been partial to them. Mike and I have worked
together quite a bit on a bunch of stuff. We always had a blast and it was fun. Plus, he’s motivated and wants to
play alot. I want to play alot. So being in a band with him I knew we are just going to play alot. Now Richie, I
worked with him before, during, and after Mr. Big. I just can’t believe he’s not a superstar honestly. One of my
goals in this band is to let the world know. I don’t care about me anymore. I have had some great success. People
are always coming away from the shows blown away. Between the 3 of us we all enhance one another. We all really watch out for each other. The interplay and improvisation in the band is really great, and that keeps it fresh
and alive for us every single night. Every performance something new happens. It has never happened before, and
will never happen again. That is the essence of going to a live show. We play the record. There is always variations. Sometimes alot, sometimes a little. We do stay true to what we have on the record. That is important to us
as well. I knew recording with this band would be easy. To me, recording is a snap shot of what you do as opposed to the people who use the studio as the 5th Beatle and then create stuff that they can’t reproduce live. I’ve
always been one to use a “polaroid camera,” take a snap shot and there it is. That’s what happened at this moment.
That’s pretty much what our album is. Because it was just a moment in time. It was not a calculated thing. When
we perform live, we do those moments in time again, fresh, new in front of new eyes and new ears. It’s exciting.
SSM:
In
comparison
to
some
of
the
other
projects
you
have
been
in,
discuss some of the similarities and differences and what makes this band unique.
BS: The 2 most notable, Mr. Big and David Lee Roth. Now, David Lee Roth wasn’t so much a soulful thing but Mr.
Big had that vocal aspect that was soulful. Richie has a complete and total handle on that and he just kills on that.
People forget that he was in a band with Stanley Clark and Lenny White. 2 of the heaviest hitter jazz guys there are
and he was right in there with them. So, he knows his stuff. So, there is some similarity to Mr. Big in that. But the
sheer amount of chance taking that we do is much different. Mr. Big was a little bit more pop rock, and this is, I don’t
want to say progressive because progressive means alot of different things to alot of different people. But we have
an improvisational edge where we can just go out and just go and not have to worry. We know we will all end up in
the same place a little later. Compared to the David Lee Roth days, now there is alot of entertainment going on and
I learned that from watching Dave with Van Halen before I got to play with him. And also with Hendrix, the first
show I saw. The importance of having it be entertaining. A little bit of entertainment goes a long way. Not necessarily
to sell music, but to draw people in who are not musicians. I do believe it might turned them on to things that they
might not have known prior. So if I am playing a normal bass line, but I can play it with my hand upside down over
the neck, it is going to catch someone’s eye. They’re going to hear the music, and at some point say “I kind of get it
musically now.” Sometimes you have to wave a flag or get someone’s attention. To me, the entertainment factor is
a very legitimate aspect of performing. Alot of classical performers knew it. Mozart knew it. Paganini knew it. Presentation has alot to do with it. It’s true in all fields. You have to reach people who aren’t experts. Don’t know it all. I
want to play to people who aren’t musicians. Of course, I love my brothers and sisters musicians everywhere! But I
like being able to reach out to people, and this band is really entertaining in my humble opinion. Mike is just master
showman. A great player, and writer, and singer and very involved in every aspect of the band. This band is a combination of alot of the strengths of the other bands I have worked in and a great representation of all those strong points.
SSM:You guys have so rock, some blues, got some soul going on, let’s discuss some of the influences that initiate the songwriting, and a little about the recording process. With schedules so busy, how does that work and how that impacts the final piece?
BS: Well, in fact, it should only take a week or 2 to do a record. In my humble opinion! I’ve done records in 3 days.
If you know what you are doing, and you can perform it and play it, I mean it takes you an hour and a half to do a
whole show and that’s the whole record and more. So why should it take you months to record it? That’s how I look
at it. We just sat in a room and played. That’s basically how we wrote too. I have written alot, with alot of different
people in many different circumstances. Writing is generally pretty quick too. I find if you are laboring over something and it is taking alot of time, you are going down the wrong street. Drop it, and let’s go on to another song.
When I do my solo records, sometimes I do up to 60 pieces of music. Pair it down to 40, record 20, mix 16, use 12.
I know some people who write 1 or 2 songs, and they think they are writers. You have to write an encyclopedia of
music before I consider you a writer. It takes alot of work. It’s not hard work, you just have to sit down and hit it.
StageShottz 19
So we just sit around in a room. What’s great about writing together is when one guy goes blank, another guy has something else. Within about 45 minutes we have an outline of a song. The secret is in the rewrite. We get an outline of about
20 songs, go back and listen to them, reconfigure, do what you do what you do. Song writing is not completely codified.
There are variations of it, but the basics are always there. Lay it down, figure it out, do an overview, the secret is in the
rewrite, address the lyrics, maybe readdress them, and hit record. That’s pretty much how it went with us. Very simple,
very easy. It was a very old school approach. Bunch of guys, sitting around in a room, jammin, coming up with ideas. I
have recordings of The Beatles doing that for hours. Just sitting there, talking, hanging out. Someone just let the tape
run. Next thing you know, someone has an idea, it turns in to a thing, and the next thing you know (sings) “Yesterday!”
SSM: You
have
written,
learned
and
taught
numerous
bass
lines,
probably
more
than you can count or remember!
Is there one in particular that is your favorite?
BS: Hard to say. There is a huge mass of things to pick from there. I have an archive at home, and pretty much anything that has ever been documented is in that archive. It’s massive, it’s crazy. So it’s hard to pick a particular thing.
I have been lucky enough to have some success, a couple of times over. Once would be great, twice is unreal. Three
times is crazy, you know? I am very thankful for that. There is nothing that I own or have that isn’t from someone
buying a t-shirt, or ticket, or music so I never forget that. It’s an important part. I press that upon fellow musicians occasionally who seem to forget that. Occasionally. It’s just been an amazing adventure and it continues on.
SSM: What is something musically that you have experienced, whether it be something you did, a conversation you had, a show you saw, that you still carry with you today?
BS: There is a list. I could probably do a top ten, but I will pick one at random. I had made an acquaintance with
Billy Gibbons. One of my favorite musicians. Another trio, you know, ZZ Top. We hung out a bunch of times
and he is just the greatest, most fun, amazing, walking encyclopedia. Plus, he is just so great and I love his playing. I got up the nerve to ask him “Hey Billy, I’m doing a solo record. Would you come lay a solo down?” He
said “sure, why not?” The day he was supposed to come over I was wondering if he was going to show up. Sure
enough, he pulled up and I almost had a tear in my eye! Billy Gibbons in my little home studio to lay a solo down
on a song called “A Little Bit Will Do It To You Everytime” off my “Holy Cow” record. It was great! He brought
his book and signed it to me. He brought gifts for everybody, and hung out. He played an awesome solo! Anytime I ever play it for anybody, I always say “hey, guess who the guitar player is.” They always say “Billy Gibbons?” (Chuckles) Instantly, you can tell it’s him. That was a pretty awesome thing. What an inspirational man.
SSM:
Very
cool!
Ok,
last
question.
If
you
could
sit
and
have
a
conversation with any musical icon of anytime, who would it be and what would you discuss?
BS: That’s a good one. Might be Jimi Hendrix. Might sound a little cliché. Jimi changed the world in ways
that I don’t believe he even gets credit for. Even though he gets credit for a see change in the entire way we
look at music and how it’s played, I think there is still more that he has not be credited. His attitude, his tone,
his coolness, his improvisational skills, his approach to everything. It would be an amazing hang. Just to hang.
SSM:
What
would
you
want
to
talk
about?
BS: Not alot of music. I was at the Rainbow Bar and Grill years ago with Steve Stevens, and we were going to start
a band before Mr. Big happened. It never panned out, but we were talking about it. So we are talking one night. I
was out of David Lee Roth and Mr. Big hadn’t started yet. The waitress was a friend of mine, and Jeff Beck came in.
She came over and said “Billy, I don’t have a table for Jeff Beck. Do you mind if I sit him with you guys?” Me and
Steve looked at each other and both said “Yes!” So as Jeff is walking down the aisle, Steve is kicking me under the
table saying “talk about cars! Talk about cars!” He knew if we talked about music Jeff would think it was another fan
event. So I said, “What do you think of the new Corvette’s?” He was like “oh yeah! My brother this, blah blah.” So
we started talking about cars. Finally at the end of the night, I was like “ok Jeff, I have withheld myself long enough.
Of the big three, you are my biggest! Of Plant, Beck, and Clapton you are the one for me always, and always will
be!” He said, “Thanks man!” He’s the greatest guy. I always advise people, don’t talk about the most obvious.
20 StageShottz
Stella Parton’s
Inaugural Red Tent Women’s Conference
Article by William Simpson
April 18 marked the culmination of a long dream and a lot of hard
work as Stella Parton’s inaugural Red Tent Women’s Conference
kicked off in Nashville. Parton has long dreamed of hosting a conference that would help empower and motivate women and that dream
has finally come to fruition.
Stella Parton’s Red Tent Women’s Conference is an exclusive weekend filled with many strong women telling their stories to inspire and
support others. This was definitely a family affair as three of Stella’s
sisters were in attendance, including the keynote speaker, Dolly.
Stella opened the show as she expressed her excitement to be hosting this event and she even graced the audience
with a few songs. Sharing the stage with Stella was a band of some of the best female musicians in Nashville tabbed
by Stella as The Estrogen Express. Country songstress Mandy Barnett also joined the band for a few songs. Sister
Dolly made it to the stage for the keynote speech/performance. She gave a very inspiration speech mixed in with a
few very appropriate, for the event, songs. Dolly has made it a long way from the hills of East Tennessee to the world
stage and had a great message as she told the audience to “Believe on your dreams and believe in yourself.” The night
ended with everyone on stage including the four Parton sisters in attendance to sing a final couple of songs.
Stella Parton has come up with an idea and an event that will really benefit women and from the looks of things will
be a very enlightening weekend.
StageShottz 21
2014 CMA Music Festival
Day 1
Article by Pam Short and William Simpson
Photos by William Simpson
The 2014 CMA Music Festival kicked off in style in downtown Nashville on June 5. The fans get to see a
good mixture of older country music stars, newer country music acts, starts of the future, and the current biggest
names in country music, all in a 4 day period and on 11 different stages. Despite cloudy skies and the occasional
burst of rain, this may have been the largest first day crowd ever. There is something for every fan at the CMA
Festival.
The beautiful LeAnn Rimes manned the giant scissors for the ribbon cutting in the Music City Center,
home of Fan Fair X. After Rimes opened the festivities and did a Q&A with Storme Warren and sang a few songs,
the stages opened up for the anticipating fans. The big stage during the day is the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage
and opening up that stage is the dynamic Big and Rich, back to make some more noise after a while apart with
their individual projects. Following Big and Rich was the likes of newer country in Eric Paslay, Craig Campbell,
Charlie Worsham, and Cole Swindell. In the meat of the afternoon the stage saw a man who has make a pretty big
name for himself over the last couple of years and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, Dustin Lynch. Ending
the day on the Chevrolet Riverfront stage was Love and Theft, The Voice season two winner, Cassadee Pope and
the legend Wynonna and the Big Noise. Some of the other stages around downtown Nashville was the Bud Light
Stage outside of the Birdgestone Arena, which saw the likes of Trick Pony, Emerson Drive, Jeff Bates, Blackhawk
and Drake White among others. In front of the Country Music Hall of Fame was the Samsung Galaxy Stage and
some of the artists on that stage was Danielle Peck, Gwen Sebastian, Rachele Lynea, who put on an amazing show.
You need to check out this girl when she comes to your town. The stage closed with Ryan Kinder and Canaan
Smith.
The most anticipated concerts of the day were at night at LP field. That’s where the current brightest stars
of country music today show their talents to 60,000 partying, drinking, and excited fans. LP field Stage kicked off
with a legend in country music and a band that inspired most of today’s biggest stars, the band Alabama. What
a great performance they put on. Randy Owens voice is every bit as strong as it ever was. They had the entire
crowd on their feet sing the words to “Mountain Music.” Next to the stage was arguably the best set of the night
when Luke Bryan hit the stage dancing and gyrating and singing his hits with an amazing light show and some
cool smoke covering the stage. It was an amazing set that had every woman in the crowed squealing like a teenage girl. Up next was Brantley Gilbert, who is a fan favorite among the young crowd. He has some really good
hits and was joined onstage by Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett. Then came the party animal Dierks Bentley that
got a big roar out of the crowd when he invited a female fan up on stage to help him shotgun a beer as he lit into
“Drunk on a Plane.” He also told the crowd that he wrote a song that’s describes himself, “I Hold On.” Following
Bentley was Rascal Flatts celebrating their 14th year since their first CD dropped and the song their latest and 15th
number one single, “Rewind.” Ending the night was Tim McGraw, the man, the legend, the amazing entertainer.
What an amazing performance he did creating memories for the fans that will last a lifetime.
The first day of the CMA Music Festival was a great success with even though it was not the best day as far
as the clouds and rain it was an amazing day of music. With huge crowds at the many stages and huge crowds in
the Fan Fair X building meeting the artists and perusing the booths, it is with great anticipation that we look to day
two. Enjoy!
Trick Pony
22 StageShottz
Rachele Lynae_
Gwen
Sebastian
Jeff Bates
Wynonna
Luke Bryan
Brantley Gilbert
Cassadee Pope
Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors
Dierks Bentley
Rascal Flatts
LeAnn Rimes
StageShottz 23
2014 CMA Music Festival
Day 2
Article by Pam Short and William Simpson
Photos by William Simpson
Well, day two of the 2014 CMA Music Festival is in the books and at the half way point there seems to be
a record crowd from all over the world that has descended on downtown Nashville. Everyone seems to be soaking
in everything Nashville has to offer and having a real good time.
The day kicked off early and with great weather down at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage with Craig Morgan. He was not going to let something like the shoulder surgery he had three weeks ago keep him from this
event. He even took off his brace and played his guitar for the first time since surgery. Following Morgan was 17
year old vocal angel Danielle Bradbery, what an amazing voice she has. Next up was the band Paralee then Dan
+Shay. The afternoon at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage saw such acts as Survivor alum and runner up Chase Rice
and legend Collin Raye. Then half of the super group Sugarland, Kristian Bush took his turn on the stage. Bush is
sometimes the forgotten half of Sugarland but he is a great songwriter and musician. He will have his debut solo
album called “Southern Gravity” out soon. Closing out the day at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage was the beautiful
and talented Kellie Pickler and ad other legend in Clay Walker.
The second day of the CMA Music Festival could be known as the days of children of legends playing
their music. By that I mean on the Samsung Galaxy Stage the fans got to see was Jesse Keith Whitley, who is the
son of Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan, who was celebrating her 30th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry
later that night. And of course his Grandfather was the legend George Morgan. Krystal Keith, daughter of Toby
Keith, brought her talents to the Bud Light Stage. Toby definitely does not have a stranglehold on the talent in
that family. Also on the Bud Light Stage was a member of the first family of country music, Holly Williams. Her
Grandfather, well he was just called Hank. And her father, hank Williams, Jr. has droves of fans all over the world.
Even her brother Hank III is in the family business, or is it a family tradition? Also on the Bud Light Stage was
Keith Anderson, Big Smo, who has a new reality show coming on A&E, Sarah Darling, and the beautiful and very
talented Lauren Alaina.
Inside the Music City Center and the Fan Fair X, while fans could check out all of the booths and meet
some of country music’s newcomers they could also catch come great music on the Durango Music Spot Stage.
The acts on this stage were actually live on WSN radio and steamed online. Fans enjoying the air-conditioning got
to see the likes of Billy Yates, Amber Hayes, Kelly Lang and TG Sheppard and Jeannie Seely among other.
This kicker for every day of the CMA Music Festival is the night time shows at LP Field. Filled to capacity again the show locked off with Travis Tritt. He is a great songwriter and can really electrify a crowd. He
expressed everyone’s feeling with “Great Day To Be Alive” and he followed that up with “T-R-O-U-B-L-E”. Next
to the stage was the man they call Chief, Eric Church. He is very electric on stage and even invited surprise guess
Lzzy Hale of the rock band Halestorm to join him for a song. She is an amazing talent with a guitar in her hands
but even more of a talent with her incredible pipes. To grace the stage next was Kimberly and her brothers Reid
and Neil, The Band Perry. They are a young band that has really made a name for themselves. The crowd enjoyed
their number one country hit “If I Die Young” and Kimberly got teary eyed as 60,000 people sang her lyric to her.
The Band Perry also sang their first single off of their newest album “Pioneer”, called “Better Dig Two”. The next
three sets were just electric and you could feel it in the air. Jason Aldean started it off with a little “Dirt Road Anthem”. Aldean also played “She’s Country” with a wicked grungy rock and roll guitar lead in that blew the crowd
away. To end the set Aldean invited Travis Tritt back to the stage for an amazing version of “Homesick.” Aldean
would be hard to follow but if anyone could it would be Miranda Lambert. She was sporting a pair of shorts that
was appreciated by the male contingent in the audience. Lambert high energy set included Mama’s Broken Heart”
and “White Liar”. From her latest album, “Platinum”, just released last week, she played “Little Red Wagon” and
her single “Automatic” before surprising the fans with a duet of “Somethin’ Bad” and being joined onstage by
Carrie Underwood for the delivery of the song. Last to the stage was Lamberts husband and equal megastar, Blake
Shelton. Gwen Sebastian joined Shelton on stage for their hit single “My Eyes.” Shelton also played his first
ever number one hit, “Austin”, followed by a heartfelt “Thank y’all for making that my first No. 1 song.” He also
told the crowd that the CMA festival was his favorite crowd to play for all year, the reason you may ask, well it’s
because they are the world’s biggest country music freaks.
24 StageShottz
Miranda Lambert
Craig Morgan
Eric Church
Kellie Pickler
Jason Aldean
Clay Walker
Kristian Bush
Holly Williams
Blake Shelton
Lauren Alaina
Travis Tritt
Krystal Keith
StageShottz 25
2014 CMA Music Festival
Day 3
Article by Lori Simpson and William Simpson
Photos by William Simpson
With the weekend officially here and nice weather, the crowd looked even larger than the last two days.
Country music lovers were being entertained from one end of Broadway to the other with outstanding musicians.
Day three of the CMA Music Festival began with Billy Ray Cyrus on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage
and what a great way to start a Saturday morning. Cyrus has let his hair grow out; he looked the part of a struggling rock star, but put on an outstanding show. He is definitely one of my favorites after seeing that show.
After Cyrus the packed house at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage saw performances from Frankie Ballard, Tyler
Farr and LoCash Cowboys before one of the staples of country music took the stage, Daryl Worley. He is a
great guy with great songs that comes from the heart. With all of the great young acts it is nice to see someone who influenced some of those young artists. The Swon Brother put a great show. It was the first time I
had seen their show but it won’t be the last. Next up was an artist that I think is one of the best voices in all of
country music, Jason Michael Carroll. Not only does he write great songs but what a voice, and he has new
music coming out in July. Carroll played a few of his new songs and I will defiantly be picking up a copy of his
new album. The Chevrolet Riverfront Stage ended with The Cadillac Three and the beautiful Maggie Rose.
Further up Broadway the fans got to experience such as Old Southern Moonshine Revival, Brian Milson, Cowboy Troy, and more on the Samsung Galaxy Stage. Across the street at the Bud Light Stage Striking
Matches opened the day. Other artists included Mark Collie, Chuck Wicks, Leah Turner, and half of the duo
Steel Magnolias, Meghan Linsey.
If there was a day where the fans wanted to stay in the air conditioning and still be entertained, this was
the day to enjoy Fan Fair X. Craig Morgan was the artist of the day answering questions and playing a few
songs for an intimate crowd at the CMA Close Up Stage. If that was not enough, Kix Brooks hosted the American Country Countdown live on the radio from Fan Fair X. Millions of people listen to that countdown every
week but those lucky one in the Fan Fair X building today go to see it live. At the other side of the building
on the Durango Music Spot Stage an array of artists displayed their talents. Lulu Roman from Hee Haw fame
opened the stage. She is a very accomplished Gospel singer. Mark Wills, Lynn Anderson, Teea Goans and
country funny man Ray Stevens also performed. He is one of the funniest men you will ever meet.
The CMA Music Festival is a family event and don’t forget to bring the children when you come. The
can meet new country music artists in their booths and get their autographs, jump in the inflatables, and create
at the crafts section.
Once again what everyone is waiting for is the night shows at LP Field and the biggest country music
stars of today. Unfortunately the night started with heavy rains and the fear that the show will be cancelled but
as they say, the show must go on... and it did, although a little late. The show opened with Sara Evens as the
crowd was trying to find their rain soaked seats. She played several of her hits including her latest, “Slow Me
Down”. After Evens it was Little Big Towns turn to turn on the energy. The quartet played hits such as “Tornado”, “Little White Church”, and with audience participation, “Pontoon”. Darius Rucker entertained the fans
next with “Alright”, “My Bad Come Back Song”. The crowd went wild when Rucker kicked into “Only Want
To Be With You” and they had a full participation sing a long with “Wagon Wheel”. Florida Georgia Line was
next to the stage as beach balls took over the night skies. The Duo kicked off the set with “It’z Just What We
Do”. They also played “Here’s to the Good Times”, “Cruise”, and to a sea of lighters/cell phones held in the
air “Get You Shine On”. Headlining the nights show was the amazing Australian Keith Urban. He is an outstanding guitar player and showed his skills as the crowd wanted more. Urban invited Karen Fairchild of Little
Big Town back to the stage to sing “We Were Us” with him. Urban also played “Sweet Thing” and “Long Hot
Summer”.
26 StageShottz
2014 CMA Music Festival
Day 4
Article by Lori Simpson and William Simpson
Photos by William Simpson
The festivities for the last day of the 2014 CMA Music Festival began at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage
with Terri Clark playing a selection of her many hits. Following Clark was the hit group Gloriana. Then to the
stage were a couple of fan favorites in country rapper Colt Ford and Corey Smith before country legend Lonestar
played to a full house. Next up was a couple if second generation performers who are legend in country music
in their own right. Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis have been touring the country under the moniker of Grits and
Glamour. The ladies put on the best show of the day in front of the Chevrolet Riverfront crowd. Closing out the
day was Uncle Cracker samdwiched in between two young hot artists Jon Pardi and David Nail.
The Samsung Galaxy Stage many good performers such as Sam Hollyman from the UK, The Nelson, Julie
Roberts, Laura Bell Bundy and others. Across the street at the Bud Light Stage the show opened with Bucky Covington fresh off he fan party the night before. One half of the duo Steel Magnolias, Joshua Scott Jones also thrilled
the fans around noontime. Jamie Lynn Spears, sister of pop superstar Brittney, showed she fan that she also have
a lot of talent. Also hitting the stage showing their wares was Sundy Best, Robin Meade, Morgan Fraizer, Austin
Webb, Home Free, and Aaron Watson.
Inside the Fan Fair X building fans got to ask questions to Lady Antebellum and before the day was over
listen to live interviews of Charlie Daniels and The Oak Ridge Boys. Taking a break from the sun, the Durango
Music Spot Stage was grace by such acts as Lesley McDaniel, Mandy Barnett, Sweethearts of the Rodeo and a last
minute addition of David Frizzell. Fans wanting autographs could walk around all the booths of the new artists
that are trying to get their music out to the fans as well as get autographs from more established artists such as Jason Michael Carroll. Outside the Fan Fair X building Chevrolet had setup a location with their new lineup of cars
that the fans could test drive. Favorite rides appeared to be the new Corvette and the new Camaro that can go from
0-60 in less than 2 seconds.
The night time shows at LP Field opened with The Oak Ridge Boys singing the national anthem before the
show kicked off with again with a legend in The Charlie Daniels Band. Daniels is an amazing musician and started
right off showing how a fiddle is to be played. He has a new album released in April called “Off the Grid: Doin’
It Dylan”. He played “Tangled Up In Blue”. And of course he could get out without playing one of the greatest
songs ever, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” with great participation form the audience. Next up was hot new
artist Thomas Rhett who played his hits “Something to Do with My Hands”, “Beer with Jesus” and his brand new
single “Make Me Wanna”. With his talent writing songs and performing, Rhett has a bright future ahead of him.
The next group to perform has really made a name for themselves in country music, Lady Antebellum is establishing a nice catalog of songs that the audiences can sing along to. Lady Antebellum thrilled the crowd with hits
such as “Downtown” off their latest album “Golden” and “Need You Now”. Following Lady A was another young
superstar in Hunter Hayes. He put his guitar playing and piano playing skills on display. He also thrilled the audience with his title track from his latest album, “Storyline”, “Tattoo” from that same album and “I Want Crazy”.
The Zac Brown Band was the next band to perform and had one of the best sets of the entire festival. He played
an oldie in David Allen Coe’s “You Never Even call Me By My Name”. From their vast catalog, the band played
“Sweet Annie”, “Colder Weather”, and “Chicken Fried”. The crowd also launched hundreds of beach balls into
the air for Brown. In the middle of the set Zac invited Richie Sambora formerly of Bon Jovi to the stage. With
Sambora sporting a double neck acoustic guitar, they broke into amazing version of Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or
Alive.” The Zac Brown Band is a hard act to follow but if anyone can, it would be Brad Paisley. Brad opened
with “Water” and played hits such as “Ticks”, River Bank”, “Mud on the Tires.” He even grabbed the cell phones
of those in the front row and took selfies so they would have last memories of this night. The 2014 CMA Festival
ended with Paisley telling the fans that they are the greatest fans in the entire world, then he lit into “Alcohol”.
Another successful CMA Music Festival has come and gone. It was a fun experience for the fans as well as
the artists. Another winner was the city of Nashville with so many fans coming into town from all over the world.
We will see everyone again this time next year.
StageShottz 27
Billy Ray Cyrus
Brad Paisley
Jamie Lynn Spears
Charlie Daniels
Zac Brown
28 StageShottz
Hunter Hayes
Lady Antebellum
Ray Scott
Jason Michael Carroll
Thomas Rhett
TerriClark
Pam Tillis
Lorrie Morgan
Kip Winger
Interview by Jennifer Reid
“Better Days are Coming” as Kip Winger proves in this intimate interview before his electrifying performance at
Neumeier’s Rib Room and Beer Garden in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
StageShottz Magazine: Coming on the scene in the 80’s and remaining there for as long as you have, how do you
feel music has changed?
Kip Winger: Oh God. It’s gone through all kinds of changes. The 80’s thing, the grunge thing, then Emo, and
the Marilyn Manson thing. You know, it’s been that way since Elvis and The Beatles. The younger generation is
always going to take something and twist it. It’s never gonna stop, so what, every 5 or 6 years there is going to be a
changeover.
SSM: How do you feel you yourself have changed? As a musician? A writer? How have you grown and with that
growth, how has your music grown?
KW: It’s kind of a parallel universe with the classical music I write. I think the band has evolved in alot of ways
where it has become more natural. We don’t have to push so hard. It came to us naturally before, but before we had
something to prove. Now, we know what we do and we do it. Reb and I know how to work really well when we
write. Plus, having gone through the musical range that I’ve gone through, I have alot of tricks in my wheel house
to bring to the music now to try and keep it fresh. Alot of bands keep trying to write the same old songs over and
over again.
SSM: “Better Days are Coming” has been called everything from a “solid 9 out of 10,” to “the best musically they
have ever done,” and on to “Winger makes challenging music that’s also warmly human and accessible.”
KW: I appreciate that! Reb and I are the main writers, so it’s been the same since the first album. We just pull out
a drum machine and write riffs. We are a riff oriented band. I have alot to bring to the table and so does he. The
main thing is to be a really good self-editor. To not believe everything you write is good, and to also not cling to
the past. If you try to cling to the past and recreate things musically, it doesn’t tend to work. You ride the wave
of what’s fresh, and be as honest as you can be about how good your ideas are. It usually is 1 to 20, or 1 to 30 on
finding good ideas. You have to be willing to throw alot of stuff out and keep the bar real high, you know, because
you want to be able to connect with your audience in a way that they don’t feel jipped. I know what I’m listening
for. There comes a point where you master something to the point where the energy from the universe is going
through you and you don’t have to fumble through your skill. You know what I mean? It’s hard with music though,
because you are always trying to chase it and you can never really find it.
SSM: Not many bands keep it together as long as you guys have. There was a brief intermission, but not long.
Describe your chemistry and the key to your longevity.
KW: We just really like each other, and that’s really all it is. We have a great time, and are really in it together. We
don’t fight, or have any disagreements. It’s an equal split band. I think we respect each other’s playing alot. It’s
really just fun. We have never really had a problem with any of that. If we did, I probably wouldn’t do it because
then it would just be a drag.
SSM: I always ask this question, because I am truly interested in the distinct answers. Describe the coolest musical
experience you have had.
KW: Without a doubt, putting my first orchestra piece in front of an orchestra and listening to it played back. Definitely! That is the biggest rush! When you step back after you have written it, and you put it in front of people who
play it back to you at that level, there’s nothing like it. I have played alot of rock shows that were amazing, but I
have been doing rock since I was really young. I always wanted to write for the orchestra, but I didn’t start until I
was 35. So achieving that goal was something that I thought was out of reach, and that made it even more intense
when it did happen. It is happening!
StageShottz 29
Steve “Zetro” Souza
Interview by William Simpson
One of the original legends of Thrash music, Steve “Zetro” Souza, is an original that keeps push the envelope of
Thrash. He is best known for his time in Exodus, and as the dual lead singer with Chuck Billy in Dublin Death
Patrol. Zetro took the time to discuss his past and his future with his hew band Hatriot with StageShottz Magazine.
StageShottz Magazine: You have been a part of thrash metal since pretty much the beginning but you have a new
band, Hatriot, tell me a little about the band.
Steve “Zetro” Souza: Hatriot is my one and only band that I’m doing these days, and we play classic Bay Area
style thrash metal with a modern twist. We started off in 2010 when I met my guitarist, Kosta Varvatakis, and
started writing songs with him. In February of 2011 we put out a four song demo and started building a buzz on
the band, and that led us to signing with Massacre Records in the summer of 2012. Last January we released our
debut record, “Heroes Of Origin,” and now we are back with our second album, “Dawn Of The New Centurion.”
The band is completed by Justin Cole on second guitar, my oldest son, Cody Souza, on bass, and my youngest
son, Nick Souza, on drums.
SSM: One of the hotbeds for the beginnings of thrash was the Bay area and you were one of the main ones leading
the charge, what was it like in the early days of thrash trying to get your message out.
Zetro: Well, it sounds very glorious looking back at it in hindsight, but at the time we were just trying to hustle
and make a name for ourselves in the local scene. We had no idea that the music would become a huge thing. It
was all very small and very local at the time. Basically we rehearsed every day, and would go out every night of
the week to watch other band’s shows, and to pass out flyers for our own shows. It was a very grassroots thing,
where all the bands supported each other, and we all had a lot of fun. We all looked up to Metallica because they
had made it, and since they got their start in our town we felt that we all had a chance too. So it was a time full of
big dreams. Once metal became hot, all the record companies rushed out to find the next Metallica, and they basically scooped up everybody in the Bay Area. It was a magical time.
SSM: You must be proud having your sons not only following in your footsteps but also be in the same band with
you. what its like turning around every night and seeing your sons playing onstage with you?
Zetro: It’s the most surreal feeling in the world. I look over and see them both just fucking killing it at every
show, and it makes me the proudest poppa that there is! I bought both of them their first instruments when they
were little, and basically said “here it is - learn it!” Not only did they learn, but they both mastered their craft and
are both killer players now. I had to quit music in 2004 to provide for them, and now we have a band together.
Life has come full circle for me. I have my band and my family all in one!
SSM: Tell me a little about your new album “Dawn of the New Centurion” that is being released April 1st.
Zetro: It’s a 9 song, old school thrash metal record, with a modern twist. Take “Tempo Of The Damned” and
mix it with my work in Legacy and you get an idea of the style we are working toward with this record. There
is a limited edition vinyl LP version, as well as a limited digipak version that contains a bonus track: a cover of
the Krokus classic ‘Midnite Maniac.’ This record fits in perfectly with the rest of the music I have released in my
career. If you like the old shit, you will love this one!
SSM: You have been on some major in your career, from Legacy/Testament, Exodus, Dublin Death Patrol, and the
list goers on and on. What you do consider your greatest accomplishment so far in your career?
30 StageShottz
Zetro: All those are very cool, but the greatest achievement for me is being in a professional band with my sons.
Most dads never have a connection with their kids like I do. It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I know a lot of
older rockers that discourage their kids from getting in the business, because it is a very tough life, but I encourage mine to follow their dreams. It just so happens their dreams are very similar to mine, and that’s to make head
crushing thrash metal!
SSM: Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson and all of those guys that started the Bay area thrash movement are like a
tight brotherhood. You were a big part of that. How do you feel personally when you look at how far the music
has come since the 80s and knowing you are a big part of that happening?
Zetro: It’s a very surreal feeling. When we all stared out in the early 80’s it was a very tight knit scene, and now
the stories have become legendary. Before long the record companies saw a quick dollar and signed up the entire
Bay Area scene, hoping for the next Metallica, but we were all just thrilled to be able to ride the ride. I look back
on it now and see how young and clueless we all were, but we were all very driven and hard working. Nobody
had any idea of how influential it would be on future bands. We just wanted to make a demo and play gigs. Then
that grew into playing gigs in other towns, and then making an album, and then it just kept growing from there.
It was just a very magical time, very fresh and innovative. If somebody had told me back then that I would be
doing interviews 30 years later and would be considered a thrash vocal legend, I’d have said you are out of your
fucking mind! It is amazing to look back on it all now.
SSM: Where does the inspiration for your songs come from?
Zetro: It all comes from the power of the guitar riff. I hear the music and get a melody idea, and then the words
just sort of come from there. Lyrically it can be about anything that catches my attention. I write about dark
subjects, and that can be shit I see in the news, or things from movies, or anything like that. On this record I have
songs about corrupt world leaders, cabin in the woods serial killers, pedophile Catholic priests, and the end of the
world. It has to be dark and it has to be fucking heavy!
SSM: When you were growing up, what was the moment when it hit you that you knew music was the career for
you?
Zetro: I was always into heavy rock. My dad was a biker and he had all the cool rock music of the times. He
would jam to Deep Purple and Ted Nugent in the garage when he was working on his bikes. He bought me a Led
Zeppelin record when I was 8 years old. But the definitive moment for me was when I saw AC/DC live in 1979
at a festival here in California. Bon Scott was the most captivating hard rock singer ever, and I left that show
knowing that I wanted to be a rock star just like him.
SSM: Anything else you want the fans to know about Steve Souza or Hatriot?
Zetro: I just want to thank everyone for supporting my career all these years. I hope you will go out and get both
Hatriot records, and tell your friends about them. Buying the music helps keep thrash metal alive, so please do
your part, thrashers!!!! See you on tour - Zetro
StageShottz 31
Summerland
Tour
2014
Everclear
Photos by William Simpson
Eve 6
Soul Asylum
Soul Asylum
Spacehog
Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum
and
Art Alexakis of Everclear