Interview - Ken Savage - BlancaWhite - "Resurgence of Rock"

When international lawyer and 70’s and 80’s hard rock music lover, Ken Savage, grew tired of listening to his CD collection over and over again while traveling across the world, he decided to do something about it.  He got out a legal pad and started writing his own lyrics.  After accumulating pages of lyrics, Savage thought he may have something of interest. He then presented his lyrics to his longtime friends and musicians, Austin and Rick Schell.  After reading the lyrics, Austin Schell instantly realized that he could create music that would turn the lyrics into rock anthems.

The team of Savage and the Schell brothers then decided that they were going to create a project in which they would create the songs, but use a cast of known vocalists to sing them.  They decided to call their project BlancaWhite, which was named after a world-famous bar in Matamoros, Mexico, near the childhood homes of Savage and the Schell.

The next step for Blancawhite was to find the vocalists to fit the songs.  After months of searching, they found Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot, Rough Cutt, King Kobra), Terry Illous (XYZ, Great White), Lorraine Lewis (Femme Fatale) and Jeff Paris (Cinderella, Vixen, Slash).  All four were excited to be part of the project.  What finally resulted was an anthematic and vintage rock sounding album, entitled “Resurgence of Rock.”  

What follows is an exclusive interview with Blancawhite’s co-founder and lyricist, Ken Savage.  During this interview, Savage discusses the writing process for the “Resurgence of Rock” album and much more.

For interview, click here.

Warrant releases video for "Home"

"Ask yourself what HOME means to you. It is very different for everybody. The song sends a universal message that we all can relate to but has a much different meaning for each individual -such as the military far away, taking a vacation or visiting the moon!" - Erik Turner

Book review - Butch Walker "Drinking With Strangers"

Review by John Jeffrey
 
Although Butch Walker explains how he came up with the main title of his book, "Drinking With Strangers," the subtitle of his work ("Music Lessons From a Teenage Bullet Belt") sums it up much better, as the autobiography (co-authored by Matt Diehl) reads like an episode of VH-1's "Behind the Music."  When reading the hard-cover release, you're taken on a fantastic journey, from Butch's youth in Cartersville, GA, to the pursuit of his musical dreams in Hollywood, CA, to settling down in Malibu, and enjoying being the self-described "Mid-level Artist" he has become.

 For full review, click here.

Kid Rock - press conference - Buffalo, NY Nov. 20, 2011

Review and photos by Diana MacDonald

Buffalo, NY - Not long after finishing a summer shed tour, the multi-faceted entertainer, Kid Rock, announced that he would be doing a special, winter club tour to coincide with the release of his latest single "Care," which comes off of his 2010 album, "Born Free." The purpose behind this 10 city tour was to show support for cities in need, as Kid Rock donated money (provided via the Kid Rock Foundation) to local charities, causes and individuals in each market. With Buffalo, New York being the third stop of the tour, the local charities selected were: Music is Art, Gaunches Unite, Boys & Girls Club Buffalo and Special Spaces Buffalo.
 
On the afternoon of Kid Rock's performance at Buffalo's Town Ballroom, a press conference was held for the local media and RockMusicStar was invited to attend the conference.

For full review, click here.

Concert review - Judas Priest, BLS. Thin Lizzy - Main St. Armory, Rochester, NY Nov 16, 2011



Review by John Jeffrey, photos by Thomas S. Orwat, Jr.

Rochester, NY - The current Judas Priest "Epitaph" tour is not being billed as the 'Farewell Tour' for the group, but more of a statement of the band's intentions to start slowing things down, in terms of touring and recording. However, anyone on hand for the group's recent concert at the Main Street Armory, would not come away from the show thinking Judas Priest has any intentions on stopping anytime in the near future.

For full review, click here.