Even though Dennis “Fergie” Frederiksen is mostly known for being the former vocalist of TOTO (in the “Isolation” era), he has been involved in a lot of other outstanding musical projects too. Trillion, LeRoux, Frederiksen/Philips, Mecca, Frederiksen/Denander and David London (solo album, under pseudonym) are simply a few worthy of mention. In 1999 he debuted as a solo artist with “Equilibrium”, an album which garnered great reviews in Europe and Japan.

Following a few busy years, where he played live and released albums with the Mecca Project and with Swedish musician/producer Tommy Denander, Fergie is now back with a very special new album entitled “Happiness is the Road”.

There is a story to be told surrounding this album:

In June 2010, Frederiksen announced he had been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer. The following months were obviously very difficult for the singer who used music and the recording sessions of this album as a therapy to regain confidence in himself and his strengths. He also found the time and energy to collaborate with Jim Peterik (ex Survivor) on the songwriting of the album’s title track, a real motivational manifesto for a positive approach to life.

About one year later, in the summer 2011, Fergie had two great things to share with the World: the first being the completion of the recording of the new album and the second is the positive results to the cures he was under, with the cancer now being defeated.

“Happiness is the Road” is a story of love and passion to tell and of course of so many great songs expertly produced by Dennis Ward (House of Lords, Pink Cream 69, Place Vendome and Angra).

Fergie Frederiksen is involved in raising awareness of Hepatitis C, a disease he has been struggling with himself. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States. Fergie has arranged benefit shows for the American Liver Foundation, with the cause of fighting Hep C. He went through a successful treatment in 2005, which he is fighting for other patients to receive too.

Well, the future is once again bright and shiny for Fergie, so keep going on in your life as “Happiness is the Road”.

Fergie Frederiksen will be released by Frontiers.it

Work Of Art is what AOR music is all about! Have you ever dreamt of soaring melodies, heavenly hooklines and a musical technique to die for? Then these Swedish boys have it all for you! This band was put together for the first time in 1992 when Herman Furin and Robert Sall met while attending the SÖL school of music. However it took them about 15 years to convince singer Lars Sarfsund to come in to the project full time and devote his time and efforts to the amazing songs the two of them wrote during the years.

In January 2007 WOA released their first official demo which immediately caught the attention of critics and fans on the Melodic Rock scene. This soon led to a record deal with Frontiers Records who immediately picked up the band impressed with the quality of the songwriting and performing abilities. “Art Work” the band’s debut was released about one year after the band finished their demo, causing a huge buzz in the Melodic Rock audience, gathering some comments as “I´m really digging this record for an ultra smooth dose of traditional Westcoast / AOR” by Andrew J. McNeice of Melodicrock.com and “the best album of its type I´ve heard in years” by Phil Ashcroft of Fireworks Magazine.

Influences like TOTO, Journey and Giant can be easily recognized in their sound, but if the debut album “Artwork” could definitely show that the band was trying to find its way, the follow up “In Progress” shows three guys who have matured a lot their abilities and gel together in a very natural way.

“In Progress” gives the Melodic Rock fans all that they’re looking for with songs that stick in your ears from the first second and amazing musical licks. This is the record which everyone was waiting for and if the work’s now “In Progress” who knows what will happen when it will be finally done?

Robert Sall kindly sent me a few words about WOA's brand new songs.

READ THE STORY BEHIND THE SONGS OF "IN PROGRESS"

The Strand was a Classy AOR band of L.A. formed by Moon (Rick) Calhoun (Lead vocals), Scott Shelly (Guitar), Dean Cortez (Bass), Peter Reilich (keyboards) and Kelly Shanahan (Drums). Their self titled LP was released in 1980 and produced by Toto's Jeff Porcaro.

Moon Calhoun later joined Michael Thompson Band and worked with Jeff Paris on their "Moon Over Paris" project.

The Strand will finally be re-released on cd, august 22nd by Rock Candy Records and it's a very good news!

On September 30, the Riverdogs will fulfil a long time promise to fans and to themselves to release brand new material with guitarist Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy, ex-Dio, ex-Shadowking) for the first time since their 1990 debut album. The album is "World Gone Mad" - a short, but succinct collection of personal, reflective and honest songs, powered by some of the best musicians in the world.

Riverdogs was formed by vocalist/guitarist Rob Lamothe and bassist Nick Brophy. Following an introduction to the guys, Vivian Campbell agreed to produce Riverdogs' first demo. Vivian was so impressed by their talent, he joined the band for their debut-album, released on Epic Records in 1990, winning a prestigious Edison Award in The Netherlands. Soon after, drummer Marc Danzeisen joined the band to complete the line-up. Though fans and critics gave the album a warm reception, lack of support from their record label eventually led the band to go independent, with Campbell departing the line-up. Releasing another two albums in Europe, the band continued to pick up fans before eventually disbanding. Campbell settled into the Def Leppard line-up and Nick Brophy become and continues to be a respected engineer and producer. Rob Lamothe continued an acclaimed solo career and Marc Danzeisen an in-demand session player. In 2003 the band gathered again to record new material and play a few reunion shows. Those new songs were recorded as demos, but never completed.

In 2010 MelodicRock Records approached band manager Paul Liszewski about a possible release of these songs. The band liked the idea so much an agreement was reached and over the course of a few week long get-togethers, the line-up of Lamothe, Campbell, Brophy and Danzeisen recorded final versions of the 2003 tracks as well as writing a couple of brand new songs. Added to the new World Gone Mad album is one live cut from the band's 2004 re-union shows, a cover of the Badfinger classic. World Gone Mad is the fulfilment of a long promised release of new Riverdogs material.

Visit MelodicRock Records for more informations and orders!

Swedish singer/songwriter Chris Antblad's long awaited debut solo album "Century",is now available for pre-order and was released officially September 30 via MelodicRock Records/Analogue Baby Studios.

Chris Antblad was a big part of the songwriting and vocal talent behind the acclaimed Spin Gallery release "Standing Tal"l, which came out on Atenzia Records in 2004. Chris has spent the better part of his adult life as a musician and primarily as a songwriter. A mix of versatility and exceptional lyricism, has led to many interesting collaborations over the years. Primarily, the songwriting has been concentrated on adult oriented rock music and country. Two styles of music that both are reliant on advanced vocal-parts and arrangements. After a few years of songwriting, the necessity for good demos fostered a vocal ability that in later years led to more and more vocal work.

The songwriting led to Nashville and collaborations with some of his heroes like John Bettis, Gary Baker, Eric Martin, Paul Carrack, Michael Jay, Joe Lynn Turner, John Capek, Randy Goodrum, Jay Graydon, Brett James and Wayne Kirkpatrick. His interest for AOR always lingered as a result of growing up in the 80-ies and has led to a long time collaboration with Joe Lynn Turner and a few noted appearances, one of which was the noted one-off Spin Gallery project.

After several years of writing and producing, it is now time for the world to hear Chris Antblad the artist. You can order Chris Antblad' "Century" HERE!

Andrew McNeice (Melodicrock.com)says: "I have been waiting forever to get this album out to fans of AOR and melodic rock. The quality of the songwriting and Chris' choice for a more AOR approach had me hooked from the start. He underestimates himself as a vocalist - I think he is superb and a total original. He has one of those voices that just demands your attention."

Flamedown is a new "AOR/Westcoast" band formed in 2009 by session musicians Charlie Giardina (Hardway) on bass, vocals and programming; Javier Vinas on guitar; and Emiliano Gimenez on drums and percussion. Some of the band's main influences are Toto, Journey, Chicago and Mr. Mister.

Flamedown released a four track E.P. back in 2010, featuring renowned guitarist Bruce Gaitsch as a guest musician. The trio has now been signed by Argentinian label Eternal Sunday Records and their debut album is out now. It will also be digitally released via the usual outlets. More information on the band and the album on their myspace!

An Oscar-winner for his portrayal of a grizzled former country music legend in the 2009 film 'Crazy Heart', actor, songwriter, and musician Jeff Bridges will release his self-titled major-label debut album on August 16th, 2011, on Blue Note Records. The album is being produced by Bridges’ 'Crazy Heart' collaborator, the multiple-Grammy Award-winning songwriter, musician, and producer T Bone Burnett. It is an organic extension and culmination of his personal, professional, and now musical friendship with Burnett, whom he has known for more than 30 years.

Recorded in Los Angeles and Brooklyn, NY, "Jeff Bridges" features material by a host of world-class songwriters, including Burnett’s 'Crazy Heart' collaborators the late Stephen Bruton (“What A Little Bit Of Love Can Do”, “Nothing Yet”) and John Goodwin (“Maybe I Missed The Point”, “Everything But Love”, “The Quest”), Greg Brown (“Blue Car”), and Bo Ramsay (“Either Way”).

The album also features several of Bridges’ own compositions, including “Falling Short”, “Tumbling Vine”, I Will Wait” (which he wrote with Burnett and John Goodwin) and “Slow Boat” (which he wrote with Burnett and Thomas Cobb). To perform the songs, Burnett assembled a number of his key repertory players, including keyboardist Keefus Ciancia, guitarist Mark Ribot, bassist Dennis Crouch, pedal-steel guitarist Russ Pahl, and drummer Jay Bellerose, as well as guest vocalists Rosanne Cash, Ryan Bingham, Sam Phillips, and Benji Hughes.

Bridges and Burnett, who is known for his work with Allison Krauss and Robert Plant, Elton John and Leon Russell, and the Grammy-winning soundtracks to 'O Brother, Where Are Thou?', and 'Walk The Line', met in 1980 when Kris Kristofferson introduced them during the filming of the motion picture 'Heaven’s Gate'. The relationship has continued over the years as Burnett selected the songs that appeared on the soundtrack to the 1998 film 'The Big Lebowski', starring Bridges, as well as co-wrote several songs for the soundtrack to 'Crazy Heart', including “The Weary Kind,” which earned Burnett his second Oscar nomination and first win for “Best Original Song,” along with Bingham, who also took home an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy Award for co-writing “The Weary Kind”.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at Hemifran

Sugar Hill Records released on July 12th 'Little Bird' from one of Australia’s most accomplished singer-songwriters, Kasey Chambers. The 14 song collection – her first solo project in four years - is the result of an outpouring of new material from Kasey written within a hectic two week period in February of 2010, and Chambers is confident in calling 'Little Bird' the best recording of her career.

Recorded a month later in brother Nash’s Foggy Mountain Studio 'Little Bird' features an all-star band that Kasey dubs The Millionaires; John Watson on drums, Jeff McCormack on bass, Shane Nicholson, Jim Mogine (Midnight Oil) and Kasey’s dad Bill Chambers playing all manner of guitars and stringed instruments. Guest vocalists Missy Higgins, Camille Te Nahu, Patty Griffin and more accompany Kasey on various tracks.

“These guys are some of my favorite musicians and singers, including the backbone of my touring band, so there is a familiarity and intuitive understanding of where this music should go”, says Kasey. Nothing in the recording process sounds forced or labored; every track sounds fresh, positive, exciting. “When the songs are that fresh, there’s something magical about taking them into the studio and bringing them to life, right then and there”.

The new album, which is already certified Gold in Australia, represents a diverse spread of musical styles from Kasey’s glittering career, which has reaped multiple ARIA and APRA awards, number one hits and multi-platinum sales in Australia and around the world.

Despite the upbeat and optimistic vibe of 'Little Bird', Kasey notes that it also reflects on a young woman’s insecurities. “I started remembering how I felt when I wrote ‘Not Pretty Enough’ and comparing it to how I feel now. I was wondering how that sentiment would come out if I revisited it”, says Kasey. “I still have moments like that, of feeling insecure and unsure, but I feel differently about that now. I feel stronger and more powerful, not willing to compromise so much. This record is like the strong, secure version of ‘Not Pretty Enough’.”

Kasey excitedly rates 'Little Bird' as the best recording of her career. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited by a bunch of songs. They all came out completely differently. I was back in that same frame of mind that I had for the early albums. And it made me feel so confident. I was so absolutely in love with all these songs, I could not wait to make them come to life”.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at Hemifran

Vocal legends Bobby KIMBALL (Toto) and Jimi JAMISON (Survivor) team up for forthcoming album due out in October.
 "Hold the Line", "White Sister", "English Eyes", "Goodbye Elenore", "Rosanna", "Is This Love", "Burning Heart", "The Search Is Over", "High on You", "I Can't Hold Back"... These songs from Toto and Survivor are true musical evergreens and are still played on radio stations all over the world. Each band has sold sold millions of records, respectively and have created a legendary melodic rock sound. The soaring vocals that kept these melodies in so many fan’s minds come from two amazing singers: Bobby Kimball (Toto) and Jimi Jamison (Survivor).

For the first time in their career, Bobby and Jimi have joined forces together for a “duets” album, which will see the light of day on Frontiers Records on October 14th in Europe and October 18th in North America.

“We always talked of doing something like this, musically we like the same stuff and we’ve been in the same kind of bands and when the opportunity arose we jumped on it” said Jimi Jamison. “I’ve always wanted to do a CD with Jimi because he is one of my best friends, we work well together and we have fun together” added Bobby Kimball.

The album features Kimball and Jamison’s signature vocal styles in a familiar musical environment created for them by such esteemed songwriters as Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Jim Peterik (Survivor), Randy Goodrum (Steve Perry, Toto), John Waite, Erik Martensson (W.E.T.) and Robert Sall (Work of Art), among others, and directed by the expert hands of German producer Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner, Kiske Somerville).

While not exactly a “supergroup”, the Kimball-Jamison alliance is not just a one-off studio project, as the main motivation behind this album is an ongoing collaboration between the two singers who have been singing live together with the “Legends of Rock” and the “Voices of Classic Rock”, both ensembles featuring singers and musicians from very popular classic rock groups. “Kimball Jamison” is a labour of love & friendship and is set to become a true classic among melodic rock fans.