Carmen Grillo has been an in-demand session guitarist and vocalist. His credits in the studio include Bill Champlin (Chicago, Sons of Champlin), Rita Coolidge, Donna Summer, Tom Scott and Tim Weisberg to name a few.

Carmen toured the world and recorded with Rita Coolidge. Also, during that same time period, Carmen toured with Bill Champlin promoting his solo albums, "Single" and "Runaway". In 1985, Carmen co-wrote One More Day with James Pankow of Chicago, which appeared on the platinum selling album Chicago XVIII. Carmen then joined the legendary horn-based soul band Tower of Power. His writing, singing and guitar playing made him easily recognized by music fans around the world. He performed and recorded with TOP for the better part of a decade before leaving in 1997 to pursue other musical interests. Those interests included opening the doors to his recording studio, Big Surprise Music, where he is a music producer and the chief engineer.

One of his first recording projects was his solo debut, "Both Sides of the Coin", which showcased all of his talents, from the sensitivity of his lyrics to the fire in his guitar playing. His many recording projects include producing long-time Tower of Power bass player and trumpeter Rocco Prestia and Greg Adams. Carmen is currently a member of the Bay Area band the Sons of Champlin, who were an early influence in the San Francisco music scene of the 1960s and 70s. The Sons continue to have a strong and loyal following to this day, and maintain a high level of musicality.

Carmen just released his second solo record "A Different World" featuring Mike Finnigan, Bill Champlin, Lee Thornburg, Greg Adams, Rocco Pretia, Bobby Watson to name a few. 12 new songs including a cover of Johnny Guitar Watson "A Real Mother For Ya".

For those who missed the tv show THE VOICE USA season 5, Will Champlin was one of the 3 finalists of the competition. Even if he didn't won the first place, now, millions of people are aware of this multi-talented musician, songwritter and singer. His parents Tamara & Bill Champlin can be proud of him.

Since graduating from the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Will has made ends meet by gigging all over Los Angeles as a musician, including singing backup vocals for Glenn Frey of The Eagles and playing with The Sons Of Champlin. Will also released a few cds on his own and a project with Miles Schon "Miles of Will".

Madison Cain and Miles Schon released their debut EP as American Beauty. Unless to reveal who are their fathers except they're both well known musicians from the band JOURNEY. For this first EP Madison delivers great vocal performance which fits perfectly with Miles guitar chords. Check out their music on iTune and Amazon! 

Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, better known as Heart, celebrated the release of their 14th studio album Fanatic with a very special performance at the Caesars Colosseum in Windsor, Ontario. Performing new songs and timeless hits like Alone , 'Dog And Butterfly', Crazy on You and Barracuda with brand new arrangements, this show is a must have for all fans!

Originally broadcast on AXS TV, 'Fanatic Live from Caesar s Colosseum' shows Heart at their rockin' best, captured in stunning HD and 5.1 surround sound

Orleans' lifespan has been full of ups and downs, triumphs and tragedys. In the end, whether good, bad or indifferent, as the title track's lyric states, "All is well, and this too shall pass." Celebrate both merely surviving and joyously thriving for the last 40+ years by having a listen to what Orleans put together in this collection.

Beyond the hand-picked favorites you may (or may not) have on other Orleans CDs, what's NEW on these discs? 2012 studio sound-alike remakes of Still the One, Dance With Me and Love Takes Time by Larry, Lance and John (with Charlie). You'll be amazed at how close the band got to the originals! The last master recordings by Larry Hoppen and Lance Hoppen in 2011.

Regarding Melodicrock.com, Steve Overland is back!!

A legend in his own lifetime. Is there anyone out there who is not familiar with his name? He has a history that goes way back into the late seventies, his first major recording was with the band “Wildlife” in 1980. After the demise of “Wildlife” Steve went on to form the cult British melodic rock band “FM”, a band that released many great albums throughout the eighties and nineties and more recently in 2013. Their popularity has always been at the forefront of British Hard Rock.

Steve originally teamed up with Escape Music to provide lead vocals for the Boston Tribute album. Steve also teamed up with Steve Morris of “Heartland” fame to record the much acclaimed “Shadowman” albums. Steve has also fronted two releases by “The Ladder”, which is a dream come true for all fans of FM as the band is an extension of the great FM themselves.

Steve's first solo album “Break Away” had fans divided as it was so much different from his work with FM, but many grew to love it as it was something different from the norm. Steve gave us a more classic approach to melodic rock with “Diamond Dealer”, with great songs that have feeling and depth. It's now time for one of the finest starts to 2014 you could possible want to wish for, the album “Epic” which is the brand new release from this famous vocalist. With Mike Slamer and Billy Greer of Kansas involved in the proceedings then we are in for a big big album. “Radio Radio” is one of the most radio-friendly tracks you could ever wish to hear and so easy on the ears. Rockers abound with “If Looks Could Kill”, “Rags to Riches” and the awesome “Down comes the night”. It's the quality of the songs and musicianship on this album that makes it so special and credit to Christian Wolff (Rob Moratti) who has also made this album so remarkable with his great guitar playing and song writing. This is a perfect album from Steve, if you have a penchant for perfect harmonies, big guitars and soaring keyboards topped off with a top-notch production then look no further than this. A Classic – already!

“…Sheryl Crow meets Joe Bonamassa” is the perfect way to describe the musical style of nationally recognized performing artist Lisa Lim. If you’re a fan of Sheryl and Joe, then you will love Lisa's masterful songwriting, burning guitar and distinctive vocals - all with a killer blues-rock edge.

Lisa Lim is a WAMA-nominated singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based out of Fredericksburg, VA. This female blues rockin' versatile axe slinger has been touring, performing solo, in duos, and with her various bands over the past two decades. Her blazing lead, slide and rhythmic guitar chops leave both fans and critics breathless.
Her debut CD, “Crazy Feelin’ This Way”, received a 2008 WAMA nomination for best R&B Blues Recording. The disc is best described as blues-rock with a hint of funk and borderline mainstream.

Her latest release, “Lisa Lim”, reveals significant growth as an emotional songwriter and performer, as she explores the industrial power blues-influenced indie music genre. She brings her unmistakable guitar sound to over 150 live shows a year with an energy and passion unmatched in the DC and Northern Virginia music scene.
Currently, you can catch her performing with her bands "Lisa Lim Band” and “Over The Limit”. She also is part of an acoustic duo project with Don Chapman. Lisa freelances and has performed with many renowned artists including Gaye Adegbalola, Andra Faye, Dick Dale, Tom Principato, Linwood Taylor, Duffy Kane, Sol Roots, Mary Shaver, Devon Allman, Firefall’s Larry Burnett, Albert Castiglia and Patty Reese.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN

Washington, DC, area musician Eric Scott has to date enjoyed a varied and interesting musical journey. As a touring bassist and vocalist, Scott has performed on numerous stages throughout Europe, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and the entire United States. While building his reputation as one of the area's most sought after sidemen & session players, Scott wrote and released three solo records, "Divine Static", "Let's Hear It For The Fools" and "Red", to critical acclaim.

The journey continues with Scott's 4th release "Where The Water Runs Deepest" on the Itzall Goode Music label. The new album further explores the neo-soul, funk, and pop influences of "Red", but Scott's sound continues to evolve. It is no less confessional than "Red", maybe even more so, and is even more personal and intimate with it's stripped down production and arrangements.

While the performances are first rate, this release is all about the songs and the voice; and they are wrapped in a sheerer, warmer, acoustic package.

Says Scott, "I've always wanted to make an acoustic record. Just guitar and voice. Songs seem to be so transparent when they're recorded that way, very emotional, raw, and honest. That was my mind set when I started working on "Deepest".
 With that vision in mind, sessions began with co-producer Scott Smith. Some of the finest guitarists (Mike Stacey, Kajun Kelley, Sol Creech) that Washington, DC, and Baltimore have to offer came on board. But "after we started recording, I wanted to start adding more stuff, drums, bass, keys, ear candy. I couldn't quite get used to hearing a whole set of songs with just my voice and guitars. I needed some grooves!" says Scott.

Compromise was made, small drum kits and percussion were incorporated, and a record was born. "Scott Smith was constantly reminding me of the record we set out to make, very sparse, warm, and intimate. He reigned me in when I wanted to change directions and add things, and I'm glad he did. He really pushed me to be fearless vocally as well".

The result is a record that sounds cohesive, focused, and balanced in it's flow and presentation. Songs like "Boston" and "Get To Me" simmer and groove along nicely right alongside sparse acoustic numbers like "Victim" and "Everybody." The ballad "Forgiven" further illustrates the deep, stark, and uncluttered tone of the record. Recorded with just piano and vocal, it details with painful clarity the ending of a relationship. As with his previous release "Red", on "Deepest" Scott continues his willingness to bare his soul lyrically without compromise. Never has this been more evident than the track "Break Me Open". Perhaps Scott's most confessional and revealing tune to date. The song is a brutally honest foray into the opening of old wounds and facing the ghosts of ones past in order to heal.

"It's tough to reveal so much of yourself in a song", says Scott, "but I've always been most drawn to songs where an artist is unafraid and just lays it out there".
 Not all is serious on "Deepest", as evidenced by the playful, bluesy, tongue-in-cheek romp "Take Me Home" and the sassy, reggae-tinged "Mama Let Yo' Hair Down!". Says Scott, "an acoustic record doesn't have to be slow and somber. I tried to make a record that gets you thinking, tells you a little more about me, and when you listen you notice your toes are tapping and your head is bobbing". "Deepest" promises to bring home what Eric's listeners appreciate most about him - his unique and soulful voice, driving rhythms, and his poets view of the world with all it's surprises, disappointments, thrills, and hope.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN

Called “a master of free verse” in the Boston Globe and “a star in the making” in the New York Post, Peter Gallway has released 15 albums on the Warner-Reprise and various independent labels, including 2008’s internationally acclaimed "Freedom Is". November 2009 heralded the release of "Manhattan Nocturne", 12 songs written for vocal and jazz quartet chronicling coming of age in Greenwich Village in the 60’s and fall 2013 brings the heralded release of "Hello Stranger", brand new material plus an impassioned retrospective of songs written between 1965-1970.


Guests on the new disc include Annie Gallup, Jon Lind, Larry John McNally and John Sebastian.
Along with his solo collections, Peter Gallway has produced over 50 albums and special projects, such as Fift Avenue Band, the Grammy nominated "Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village In The 60's" featuring Chrissie Hynde and Jonatha Brooke, and "Time & Love: The Music Of Laura Nyro" featuring Suzanne Vega and Jane Siberry, as well as, singer-songwriters Laura Nyro, Cliff Eberhardt, Louise Taylor and Japan’s Bread & Butter. He has had his music featured in film and theatre, and has had songs performed and recorded by Bette Midler, Kenny Rogers, Cliff Eberhardt, Bread & Butter, Kalapana and many others.
January 2014 will see the release of the 4th Hat Check Girl CD, an ongoing collaboration with iconic singer-songwriter Annie Gallup. Peter Gallway makes his home in Santa Barbara, California.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN

We are proud to announce the release of Swedish folk-pop-rockers Eastwick’s second album ”Beyond Reason”, co-produced by Gustav Hylén (awarded a Swedish ”Grammis” for his work with Groupa).


Musically inventive, lyrically playful, the album is centered around the organic sound of acoustic cello and fiddle. The string section combines with mandolin, guitars, harmonium, bass and percussion creating a warm, vibrant sound contrasting the band’s sharp and forthright subject matters.
The tounge-in-cheek lyrics pack a political punch, dealing with the spectre of poverty, bigotry, religious and economical fascism, and the general bat-shit craziness of the world today, but any vitriol is counterbalanced by catchy melodies and a bouncy, life-affirming production.

”Music and politcs combined can be pretty dicey stuff”, admits singer Jens Ganman. ”But we have opinions about things, you know? And we think it’s important to stand up for something, especially these days, when so many people are sitting down, faces glued to Facebook, Twitter and their smart-phones. But hey, all pretentiousness aside we’re a happy bunch. Music is supposed to be fun above all. Heck, we did a cover of Aerosmith’s 'Dude Looks Like A Lady' on our first album…”


Hailing from the Northern parts of Sweden, Eastwick consists of four very different musicians. Citing such separate influences as U2, Def Leppard, John Mellencamp, Willie Nile, Hooters, Robert Fripp and Stanley Brothers, they manage to blend their efforts into something truly original.
"We're eclectic in the sense that we're totally unhip", says cellist Katarina Åhlén. "So anything we like, we'll toss in to the mix, regardless of its street credibility. Like most cellists I'm a huge fan of Rostropovitj and Jaqueline Du Pre, but I'm probably more influenced by bands like Gun, Little Angels and Def Leppard, so I'm an 80's fan. Flat out. Let it be known".


Fiddler Peter Roos fills in: "The older you get the less you care about how things are 'supposed' to be played. Or perceived. If a song makes you feel good - well, good for you! Don't fret about if it's in 'poor taste'. There is no poor taste. Just people with a less developed sense of humor!"


Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN