Donner’s proprietary FVACM technology in the Arena2000 takes guitarists tone to the next level

Donner leading manufacturer of innovative and feature-rich musical instruments, has introduced the new Arena2000 amp modeling and guitar multi-effects processor. Helping musicians take their sound to new heights, the Arena2000 features Donner’s exclusive FVACM tone/processing technology (Forward Analog Virtual Circuit Modeling) at its core with an IR sample length of Arena2000 is up to 23.2ms, resulting in a tone with a greater dynamic range.

FEATURE-PACKED FOOT PEDAL
Featuring an incredibly diverse library of 80 hi-res amp models, 50 cabinet IR models and 50 slots for loading third-party IRs, the Arena2000 boasts a total of 278 effects, which provides a wide range of legendary guitar tones. Whether it’s fresh urban pop or high-speed thrash metal, the Arena2000 helps players achieve it all.

A customized CTRL control mode, built-in EXP1 expression pedal and external EXP2 expression pedal allow musicians to switch their tone library in seconds with just a tap of their foot. Compact control panels and simple navigation helps both beginner users and professional musicians get started in no time.

With a built-in looper that supports up to 60 seconds of sound and 40 different drum rhythms, the Arena2000 can quickly record demos or allow musicians to perform live as a one-man band. A headphone output allows for music creation in all volume settings. Additionally, users can quickly capture inspiration using a OTG USB cable connecting the pedal to their mobile phone.

POWERED BY DONNER’S EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY
Developed by its leading R&D group, Donner’s powerful FVACM (Forward Analog Virtual Circuit Modeling) tone generating technology is a key highlight in the Arena2000. With its high precision 24bit/44.1kHz audio processing, the FVACM technology excellently restores the characteristics of classic guitar tones and amplifiers, making the tone more dynamic and layered.

The IR sample length of Arena2000 is up to 23.2ms. This ultra-long resolution capability can precisely restore the tone of the IR collection object and reproduce the acoustic environment of the collection space, resulting in a tone with a greater dynamic range and a stronger sense
of spatial authenticity.

Arena200 gives guitarists a huge amount of flexibility to build their dream tones. Players can easily create dream rigs comprising 10 individual FX along with 1 amp model and 1 cab model in a single preset.

FROM THE BEDROOM TO THE STAGE
The Arena2000’s multi-terminal interface makes it ideal for on-stage performance and recording, as well as daily practice at home. The Arena2000’s touch mode complements its small panel design, and user navigation is easy-to-operate — so easy, that even beginners who have never handled a multi-effect processor can get started within minutes. The unit’s small form-factor allows musicians to take the Arena2000 with them wherever they perform their music, whether that’s in their bedroom studio, a professional recording studio or a live stage.

The Arena2000 features a guitar-in, aux-in, MIDI-in, XLR L/R, an unbalanced ¼-inch L/R, phone-out and USB interface capabilities, which make it a potent multi-terminal interface that can operate in any circumstances. A built-in cabinet simulation output option allows users to effortlessly switch between the ¼ output port and the XLR output port— making the unit very handy during live performances.

The Donner Arena2000 is available now globally and retails at $269 on Donner’s Amazon Storefront and Donnerdeal.com.

About Donner Music
Since 2012, Donner has been committed to creating innovative and enjoyable musical instruments for both entry-level and advanced musicians. This mission is what drove Donner to pioneer its mini pedals, which have brought the joy of musical performance to people across the world. Relying on a strong R&D team, Donner’s musical instruments deliver the reflections, ideas and values of today’s musician. Find more information on donnermusic.com

Donner Dobuds One Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds

Retail Cost: $49.99

Features
• 12mm high-quality dynamic driver and a balanced armature driver to fully support the high frequency range.
• Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) function can reduce the noise by 30dB from 80Hz to 2KHz range.
• Beamforming noise cancelling technology for clear and wind resistant calls.
• 5 different sizes of ear tips are available (including XS, S, M, L and XL). The comfortable and waterproof design will keep you free of concerns about drizzle, rain or sweat.
• 32 – hour battery life, With a Type-C port and rapid charging technology.
• Donner Control APP allows customization of (EQ, power display, headphone name, noise reduction transparency mode switching, UI customization, etc.).

Our score 4.5 out of 5 stars

Since 2012 Donner Music has been making affordable, quality instruments for all level of musicians. The company is now branching out into the audio market with the release of their “DoBuds One” wireless earbuds. Available in a variety of colors the earbuds come packed with an abundance of top end features including 12mm dynamic drivers, digital noise cancelling, 32 hr. battery life and 5.2 Bluetooth connectivity. To coincide with the release of the “DoBuds One” Donner has also developed a corresponding app which allows users to fully customize their listening experience.

Construction-
It seems like every-day new earbuds are popping up on the market all boasting a bevy of features so when it comes time to purchase a new pair buyers often don’t know where to start. Donner has recently thrown their hat into the ring with the release of their “DoBuds One” active noise cancelling headphones. The stereo earbuds come packaged in a heavy-duty Type-C charging case along with cable and a 5-piece set of ear tips (XS/S/M/L/XL). Getting the right fit is crucial when it comes to earbuds and it can sometimes be difficult to do so as not all brands offer a variety of tip sizes. This can severely affect sound quality and leave users a bit frustrated. Donner does an excellent job here as not only do they include a full-size range of tips but the tips they include are dual hardness which provides a very secure and stable fit while also providing maximum comfort. The earbuds matte finish is easy to clean and features a IPX4 Waterproofing which eliminates worry of light water or sweat exposure when being used in a gym or outdoor setting however they are not for underwater use. The DoBuds One offer an impressive 32-hour battery life which is maximized by use of a 5.2 Bluetooth connection. Though the case does not feature its own built-in cable you can still charge through the case with the included cable or with any comparable type C-cable. For charging times you can expect around two hours of music play time per every ten minutes of charging. This allows for very short overall charging times which is something earbud users (myself included) tend to worry about as you can quickly get back using your device with minimal downtime.

Sound-
The Dobuds One come equipped with 12mm dual hybrid drivers which can be easily tailored by the listener via the Donner Connect app. Here users can select from six pre-set EQ settings or they create their own setting via the App’s customizable 8 band EQ making for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Within the App users can also select their desired level of noise reduction as well as their preferred tap control options via the gestures tab. I found this feature to be very useful as I often forget how many taps access what feature. After a couple quick EQ tweaks, I was able to get a great sound out of these earbuds which remained consistent across several different music genres and podcasts. Low, Mid and High frequencies all presented themselves equally while listening to recorded material as well as while on phone/video calls. Another feature worth mentioning is the environmental noise cancellation. This feature when used along with the Donner App allows for wind resistant calls which is something I have struggled with while using other brands. The Dobuds One made a huge difference in the clarity of both incoming and outgoing audio in a variety of environmental settings.

The Dobuds One from Donner are an affordable, well-made product that offer a robust number of customizable options. From the included sizing kit, easy one button Bluetooth pairing and expansive in App customization I think you will be hard pressed to find a better Earbud system in this price range. Yes, the addition of another app to your device might be a bit annoying as is the need for yet another charging cable (thankfully the use of Type-C will eliminate this for most) these small inconveniences are easily outweighed by how many positives this product has to offer. If you are in the market for a new set of earbuds you can’t go wrong with the Donner Dobuds One and with the holidays right around the corner these would be a great idea for that special someone.

To find our more about Donner products visit www.donnermusic.com and to purchase a pair of Dobuds One visit their Amazon store here

Donner Hush Series Silent Guitar Kit Mahogany

Features
• Headless Design and Bone Nut
• Mahogany Body and Neck
• Asymmetrical Neck Profile
• Piezo Pickup
• Onboard Custom Designed Preamp with Phase Button
• All in One Onboard Magnetic Hex Wrench

Our score 4 out of 5 stars

Since 2012 Donner Music has been making affordable, quality instruments for all level of musicians. New from the company is the Donner HUSH-I Silent Guitar. The ultra-compact and lightweight full-scale guitar is perfect for travel and practice featuring a headless and detachable bar-frame design for extreme compaction and quietness with the least amount of wood. The onboard custom-designed piezo pickup and preamp delivers ideal tone via headphones and traditional cable output while also giving you control of Volume”, “High”, and “Low” Knobs as well as an onboard “Phase” button.

Construction-
Donner’s HUSH-I Silent guitar features a small paddle like mahogany body and a headless mahogany neck which comes standard in a matte finish and features an HPL fingerboard, 20 rounded end frets and a bone nut with truss rod access at the body. The natural finish body features an HPL bridge with a bone saddle, custom designed brushed metal barrel tuners and an onboard board preamp with Phase, Volume, High and Low tone settings. The body also features removable ergonomic upper and lower frames which can be installed for a more traditional guitar feel or left off for a more compact footprint. Right out of the included gig bag I could instantly tell that this was a well-built instrument. The neck through construction was nearly flawless and all of the hardware seemed to be of good quality. Though some of the components were a little stiff at first after a couple minutes of play things began loosened up and moving as they should. The hidden magnetic hex- wrench was a nice added touch however if you are moving around a lot the magnet might not be strong enough to keep the wrench fully in place for when you need it next.

Sound-
Though the guitar is marketed as a silent guitar that proved not to be completely the case as prior to plugging in I had to hear just how silent things were going to be. The guitar is considerably quieter than a standard acoustic guitar however given the designs natural acoustic qualities you should expect volumes like that of a highly resonant unplugged electric guitar. With the included in-ear headphones the HUSH-I Donner designed Preamp has a nice mid to high tone with all the EQ’s at noon. If you want a little more low end, I suggest leaving the High at the noon position and turning the Low to around the 3 o’clock position as this creates a nice even tonal blend across all six strings. Upon switching to an amp, I found I was able to achieve a similar balanced tone by dialing the bass back a touch on the guitar as the amp provided more lower frequencies than the headphones provided. The phase button was a nice addition to the pre-amp as it helped eliminate feedback when playing at a louder volume while still allowing for adequate resonance

Playability-
The 25.5” scale gives the HUSH-I a familiar feel despite its drastically unique look. The matte finish and highly polished rounded frets made moving up and down the neck effort free while the near black HPL fretboard simulates ebony quite nicely. I did find the guitar to play a bit stiff with the included strings however a simple change to a lighter gauge should take care of the feel issue and given the guitars silent design the smaller strings should cause for any tonal loss. I also found that when using the guitar with the upper frame bar you have somewhat limited access to the tuners as the lower bout of the bar extends down almost touching B string tuner. The included magnetic wrench did help out in the instance as it just fit in the given space, but I feel shortening the brace all together would have made for a better design.

The HUSH-I’s unique minimalist look might be a little bit too modern for acoustic purists but playing one will quickly make you a believer in that “Looks aren’t everything”. From its rich natural mahogany finish to the superb fret work and versatile onboard preamp Donner’s latest stringed offering is a well-made, nice looking and sounding instrument that won’t break the bank. Guitarist of all levels will enjoy the compactness and sounds that this product offers. Who may even enjoy this product more are parents, loved ones and/or neighbors as the near silent operation make practicing anytime day or night a reality.

For more information on Donner or to Purchase a HUSH-I visit www.donnerdeal.com

Guitar Icon Zakk Wylde Partners With Riffhard For Online
Instructional Guitar Course Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp
Scheduled For Release On October 14th
https://youtu.be/1MTgfPpQw2A

The In-Depth Guitar Course Teaches Fans Some Of Zakk’s Most-Popular Songs and Personal Techniques – Now Available For Pre-Order at
http://zakkwyldeguitarcamp.com

As teased over social media this summer, guitar icon Zakk Wylde is putting on his instructor hat and offering musicians a chance to learn guitar from the man himself.

Taking a break from his guitar duties with Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne and Pantera; Zakk has partnered with the team at Riffhard (the world’s best online school for rock and metal guitarists) to create the Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp.

The online course – it is not really a camp – is suitable for guitar players of all levels, from beginners to advanced guitarists. Zakk teaches his signature techniques like pinch harmonics and vibrato as well as many of his most famous songs and solos. He’s joined by Black Label Society guitarist Dario Lorina to round out the course with his own perspective on how to replicate Zakk’s style.

All lessons in this course will be available to stream forever. Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp is now available for pre-order pricing of $79 until October 14, when the course moves to the full price of $99. Go to http://zakkwyldeguitarcamp.com to order now.

The online course is broken down in to 10 sections with over 94 individual videos and over 12-hours of lessons for the student to dive in to. In each section, Zakk and Dario offer insight to each topic being explored and show first-hand how they play and learned these integral parts of guitar playing. The lessons will enhance all players knowledge of the guitar in fun and informative videos as only Zakk can deliver.

Zakk and Dario also show exactly how to play solos and rhythm parts from Zakk’s work with Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society and Pride And Glory: “Suicide Messiah,” “Stillborn,” “No More Tears,” Angel of Mercy,” “Lost Prayer,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and “Losing Your Mind.”

A trailer video for the course can be seen here: https://youtu.be/1MTgfPpQw2A.

“We’re gonna be going through a whole bunch of stuff. We’re gonna be going through scales, diatonic, pentatonic, intervallic studies, chords, a whole bunch of songs and stuff like that. Nowhere in this course is going to help your bench press or your deadlift and it definitely won’t help you pick up any chicks or get a date. Welcome to Zakk Wylde’s berserker guitar course,” states Zakk Wylde.

The course breakdown for the Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp is:

Section 1: Welcome
Section 2: Palm Muting and Power Chords
Section 3: Harmonics
Section 4: Open Chords/Inversions
Section 5: Scale Basics & Pentatonics
Section 6: Diatonic Modes & Licks
Section 7: Bending And Vibrato
Section 8: Arpeggios, Triads & 7TH Chords
Section 9: Putting It All Together
Section 10: Bonus Section – Chicken Picking

SINGLE FOLLOWS GLOBAL SUCCESS OF
2018 GOLD-CERTIFIED ALBUM
WHEN LEGENDS RISE

Multi-platinum Grammy-nominated hard rock band GODSMACK have released the first glimpse of their forthcoming eighth studio album with their new single “Surrender” via BMG. The track marks the first release from the band in four years, following their globally acclaimed & gold-certified 2018 album, When Legends Rise, which earned the band a #1 spot across US Hard Rock, Rock, and Alternative album charts.

“‘Surrender’ is a very cut and dry song,” says vocalist and guitarist Sully Erna. “It’s simply about the exhaustion we can all feel in relationships at times from the redundancy of fighting with each other. At a certain point in our lives, we submit to putting aside who’s right or wrong, we just want it to STOP! So we wave the white flag.”

Check Out “Surrender” Here

With over 20 years of chart-topping success, the Boson rock band has cemented themselves as 21st-century hard rock titans. To date, they’ve accomplished a staggering 11 #1 singles at mainstream rock radio, including “Bulletproof,” “Unforgettable,” “When Legends Rise,” and “Under Your Scars,” all from the band’s most recent album. Additionally, they’ve enjoyed 20 Top 10 hits at the format–the most of any act since February 1999–as well as four Grammy nominations, and were named Billboard Music Award’s Rock Artist of the Year in 2001. Selling over 20 million records worldwide, the band has released seven studio albums; All Wound Up… (1997), Godsmack (1998), Awake (2000), Faceless (2003), IV (2006), The Oracle (2010), 1000hp (2014), and When Legends Rise (2018).

GODSMACK is Sully Erna (vocals, guitar), Tony Rombola (guitar), Robbie Merrill (bass), and Shannon Larkin (drums).

Donner DST-400 Electric Guitar

• Alder Body with Transparent Finish
• One DONNER Seeker Series Pro Humbucking Bridge Pickup with Coil-Split System; Two DONNER Seek Series Pro Single-Coil Middle and Neck Pickups
• AAA Canadian Maple Neck
• Satin Slim-C Neck Profile
• 9.5” Radius Fingerboard
• 2-Point Tremolo Bridge with Vintage-Style Saddles
• Vintage-Style Tuning Machines
• Includes Gig Bag, Strap, Cable, Set Up Tools

Our score 4.5 out of 5 stars

Since 2012 Donner Music has been making affordable, quality instruments for all level of musicians and they continue that with the release of their Seeker Guitar model. Based on the popular S-Style guitar The DONNER Seeker Series DST-400 sports a two-single coil, 1 tapped humbucker pickup configuration which offers players sonic flexibility capable of both traditional single coil twang and modern humbucking crunch all one instrument making it the perfect tool to express your musical vision without breaking the bank.

Construction-
I had been aware of the Donner company since the company’s introduction in 2012 however I had never tried one of their products until recently. Given the vast number of manufactures trying to enter the music gear market it can be a little daunting when trying to search for that new piece of equipment. Many companies offer lower to mid-priced options while sadly sacrificing tone and quality. I can safely say that the Donner DST-400 does none of those things. Right out of the box the instrument looked great. From its high-quality chrome parts and high gloss transparent teal finish to the satiny smooth neck I could tell this was not just another run of the mill sub $300 priced guitar. Aside from finding a small gap in the neck pocket, several dull frets and the rosewood fret board needing some oil the guitar structurally is solid and almost ready to go right out of the box

Sound-
Before plugging the DST-400 in I wanted to check out the guitar’s overall resonance. A feature common with budget line guitars is a thicker polyurethane finish which while providing a stronger finish can deaden some of the guitar’s natural resonance and tone. After just a few strums I was hooked as both single notes and chords rang out with impressive volume and sustain with an excellent level of clarity. Plugged in the DST-400 continued to accel. The single coil tone is what is to be expected as both the neck and middle position pickups provided a nice mid to low level sound with just the right amount of snappy treble twang. The bridge position humbucker can cover everything from over-driven sizzle to molten high gain and with the pull of the second tone pot you can expand your tone pallet even further as your humbucker is now a single coil allowing you to cover even more tonal territory without switching guitars.

Playability-
Even with higher end guitar models you must allot for a break in period. Frets need to be worked in, adjustments need to be made to various components and players must get comfortable with the over all feel of an instrument. My first sit down with the DST-400 was as though I had been playing this guitar for years. The neck had a nice smooth feel with no rough fret ends whatsoever. The 9.5” radius allowed for fast runs and effortless string bending. The body contours were all in the correct spots making sitting or standing feel very nature. The guitar is not overly heavy and is balanced nicely. The traditional control layout puts your volume, tones, and switch all with in easy reach while the polished, rolled edge, two-point bridge provides a nice resting spot for your palm. The only issues I came across here was that the pull knob to engage the humbucker coil tap can be a little difficult to operate due to the knobs lower profile and the fact that it is a pull pot as opposed to a push pot. The other flaw I noticed was based around the tremolo bar. I loved that it’s a simple push in bar and not a screw in type however the bar can get pushed down a little bit too far which results in less bridge travel due to the bar hitting on your control knobs. I as was able to remedy this issue with just pulling out on the bar some after which it seemed to stay in place without any problems.

The musical gear market can be very daunting. As more and more companies look to capitalize and expand their budget friendly offerings it can add to the confusion of where to start and who to buy from. I would highly suggest starting with the Donner brand. If you are looking for an S shaped guitar that offers high end features and top-notch craftsmanship all while not breaking the bank, then the DST-400 should be at the top of your list. The company may not have the name recognition like some other instrument makers but what they do provide is a comfortable, great sounding instrument at an affordable price.

For more information on Donner or to Purchase a DST-400 visit www.donnerdeal.com

John Petrucci is the guitarist for the Grammy Award winning Progressive-Metal band Dream Theater. In support of his most recent solo album “Terminal Velocity” Petrucci has announced a multi date tour which will feature bassist Dave Larue and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. Media Mikes had the chance to speak with Mike recently about the album, reuniting with his former drummer and what we can expect from the upcoming tour which kicks off October 5th.

Adam Lawton: What can you tell us about your most recent solo album “Terminal Velocity”

John Petrucci: I did my first solo album “Suspended Animation” back in 2005. That album came about after performing on the “G3” with Joe Satriani and having to write songs to perform on that tour. Those songs ended up becoming the first album. Being so busy with Dream Theater I never really put much emphasis on doing a follow up record despite getting asked quite often about it. As years went by, I just never seemed to have the time but when the pandemic hit and all touring stopped, I knew there was going to be some time. I had been stock piling ideas and riffs since my last record, and I knew if I didn’t do this now it was probably never going to happen. I put all the material I had together and recruited Dave Larue and Mike Portnoy to play on. It was a lot of work, but I think it turned out really cool.

AL: What was it like going back and revisiting this material that you had been collecting for so long?

JP: A lot of these ideas were not full songs. When I am playing guitar and something hits me, I will just hit record. The quickest way is usually through my iPhone. I am pretty organized, and I keep everything in a folder, so I had the seeds of songs to start with. From there I was able to go back through my collection and pick out different things that I thought would work. I started with idea number one and just began working from there re-learning what I had while also adding to it.

AL: What led to you asking Mike Portnoy to play on the album?

JP: I like to keep my solo stuff separate from what I do with Dream Theater. Even though I had played live with both Mike Portnoy and Mike Mangini on “G3” outside of Dream Theater I really wanted to keep things with the solo album totally separate from the band. I wanted the album to be just about guitar and given the fact that Mike Portnoy is no longer in Dream Theater this followed the rule I set for myself. Mike’s a very busy guy and because of the Pandemic he also had some free time so when I asked him if he would be interested, he said yes.

AL: Did you have what you wanted laid out for both Mike and Dave or were they able to bring in their own ideas?

JP: While I was writing and recording the guitars my engineer James Meslin would program drums. Either he or I would then play the bass so even before Dave and Mike were involved the songs existed as completed pieces. We could have released the album just like that, but it is so much better having these guy play on there. When they came in they basically just had to learn compositions. At one point Mike asked me if I wanted things exactly as they were, and I told him these were basically just a guide and that he could do what he felt would make the song work. With Dave it was the same way. The two of these guys really brought the album to life and I was very happy with the end result. Even though we recorded the parts separately I think the album has a live energy and feel to it.

AL: Being very much a “tone” guy when it comes to guitar, how did you approach that aspect of the record?

JP: Dream Theater recently built a new facility to accommodate all of the bands needs. This included a studio space. My solo album was the first album that was recorded there. It was a little bit new however the guitar recording approach was very similar to how I do it with Dream Theater. I am a purest and have been playing my signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitars for 20 years now. I plug that into my signature Mesa Boogie head and then let the engineer mic up my 4×12 cabinet and we are off to the races. After we finished the solo record we went and did “Liquid Tension Experiment 3” in the same studio as well as Dream Theater’s “A View From the Top of the World” which we won a Grammy for! Having recorded guitar for those three very different projects the guitar stayed consistent from one thing to the next. We do experiment with different microphones and such but its basically me plugged straight into my amp. I like to keep things as pure as I can and capture that sound as it is.

AL: When did the idea to tour behind the release present

JP: That was always something I wanted to do. I had done a lot of “G3” tours but never an actual solo tour. Once I put the record out everyone started asking if I was going to tour behind it. When things started to open back up my priority was Dream Theater, so we got back into our cycle so once again I was left with no opportunity to tour solo despite wanting to. I generally know five or six months out what my schedule is going to look like and I saw that there was going to be a small window in the fall that I was going to have free. I asked my booking agent if we could get something scheduled and he was on it.

AL: Were Mike and Dave onboard with touring right away?

JP: Dave has been touring with me since 2001. He has done all the “G3” tours and of course both my solo albums. We had this running joke about if we were ever going to do an actual solo tour. Prior to that I think the joke was if I was ever going to do a second solo album. (Laughs) Dave said he would be there when the time came and he we are. With Mike we hadn’t played together live since he left Dream Theater twelve years ago. It was in my mind right away to ask him and when I did ask him, he said Yes.

AL: You are bringing out the reunited Meanstreak with you on the run. Can you tell us how that came together?

JP: The history there is the Dream Theater guys met the ladies from Meanstreak many years ago. My wife and I have been married 29 years. Both my wife and Mike Portnoy’s wife played guitar in Meanstreak while John Myung’s wife Lisa played bass. We all kind of got married and had families around the same time. We have been this big family for quite some time. Meanstreak’s disbanded and haven’t played for some time so when I started thinking of doing the solo tour, I mentioned to my wife about the ladies getting back together and opening for me. I am very excited for this. In all the years my wife and I have been together we have never toured together. We have played together a few times but never anything like this. This tour is going to be fun for fans on a few different levels as not only will they get to see Mike and I play together again but a lot of people will be getting to see Meanstreak for the first time as well.

AL: Any other projects or releases you might want to mention?

JP: There have been a lot of big things that happened for me personally over this last year. I have a new line Ernie Ball Majesty and JP15 guitars that came out in June. I released a Neural DSP plug-in that was a lot of fun as well. We just released out first video from the record for the song “Temple of Circadia” it’s an animated “Wayne’s World” meets “Indiana Jones” type story. (Laughs) Dream Theater will be touring next year and will be releasing more info on that later on but the biggest thing right now is this upcoming solo tour which kicks off October 5th in Providence, RI.

For more information on John Petrucci and all his projects visit www.johnpetrucci.com

Band Announces Claus & Paws Holiday Party US Tour Dates
Adding to Previously Announced Canadian Res-Erections Run This Fall
https://steelpantherrocks.com/pages/tour

Just as England recently announced a new King, California rock legends Steel Panther have crowned Spyder as the new R.O.L.E…Ruler Of Low End.

The story of Spyder and Steel Panther is like one pulled from any great American love story. If you have seen The Notebook or Jaws, then you know exactly what we mean. Spyder and the guys have known each other for decades. But it was in 2018 that Spyder did his first live show with the band. Little did they know that those shows would be a foreshadowing of what destiny had in store for their collective futures. In 2021, the band found themselves in a pickle, they needed a bass player. An exhaustive search brought many submissions and fans were treated to a variety of bassists on different tours.

The band had even considered a few well-known bassists to fill the void. Throughout the five-week European tour in summer of 2022, it became quite evident to all four guys that this lineup was unstoppable. A few more months of touring together perfected the new lineup and now anyone that has seen the band recently knows that Spyder is the perfect addition for Steel Panther. In other words, Spyder is the chocolate to Steel Panther’s peanut butter.

“We wanted it to be you. We wanted it to be you so badly. So, it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day, but we want to do that because we want you. We want all of you, forever, you and us, every day. To us, you are perfect. You had us at hello. You complete us. We’re gonna need a bigger boat,” explains Steel Panther.

To coincide with the new bassist announcement, the newly whole Steel Panther are announcing a new US tour, Claus & Paws Holiday Party. The eight-city tour will kick off In late November after the band wraps up their recently announced Canadian leg of the Res-Erections tour 2022. The holiday shows will be sure to bring out the ho-ho-hoes to Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, New York and Connecticut. More information on tickets and purchase links for all shows can be found at: https://steelpantherrocks.com/pages/tour.

Res-Erections 2022 Fall Tour Dates

10/28 – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Casino
10/29 – Enoch, AB – River Cree Casino
10/30 – Grand Prairie, AB – The Bowes At Bonnetts Energy Centre
11/1 – Saskatoon, SK – The Coors Event Centre
11/3 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina Show Lounge
11/4 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
11/5 – Minot, ND – The Original Bar & Grill *
11/7 – Green Bay, WI – Epic Event Center
11/9 – London, ON – London Music Hall
11/10 – Toronto, ON – History
11/11 – Ottawa, ON – Algonquin Commons Theatre
11/12 – Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre

* Steel Panther Only/No Black Stone Cherry

A Claus & Paws Holiday Party Tour Dates

11/26 – Sault St. Marie – Kewadin Casino
11/27 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live
11/29 – Warren, OH – Packard Music Hall
11/30 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Piere’s Entertainment Center
12/2 – Waterloo, NY – Del Lago Casino *
12/3 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance Theater
12/4 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
12/29 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
12/30 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom

* On Sale Soon

Steel Panther has been hard at work at new material that will be released throughout 2022.

More information for all things Steel Panther can be found at www.steelpantherrocks.com.

METALLICA’s ALL WITHIN MY HANDS FOUNDATION
Presents
THE HELPING HANDS CONCERT & AUCTION
DECEMBER 16 AT THE MICROSOFT THEATER IN LOS ANGELES

Tickets On Sale to the Public Friday, September 23 at 10:00am Local Time HERE

Metallica’s All Within My Hands foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation focused on creating sustainable communities by tackling issues including hunger and workforce education, brings its Helping Hands Concert & Auction back into the physical world for its third year: On December 16, Helping Hands will make its Southern California debut with Metallica and special guests performing at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Tickets will be on sale to the public from 10:00am local time Friday, September 23 with a two-ticket limit per customer. As always, 100% of proceeds from this years Helping Hands event—tickets, fees and auction items—will go directly to help those in need. For further information, pre-sales etc., go to: www.axs.com/events/449833?skin=microsofttheater

Metallica’s previous Helping Hands Concert & Auction was live-streamed November 14, 2020, raising more than $1.8 million—funds used to work with partners at Feeding America and the American Association of Community Colleges, as well as various COVID and disaster relief efforts. All Within My Hands was established in 2017 as a way for the Metallica family to give back to communities that have supported the band. All Within My Hands expenses are covered entirely by the band, the board, and friends who have worked with the band over many years, ensuring that 100% of proceeds go directly to help those in need. To date, All Within My Hands has donated over $5.8 million to critical local services and the fight against food insecurity, working with partners around the world to feed more than 10 million people. In addition, the foundation’s Metallica Scholars Initiative has pledged a total of $5.9 million in grants benefiting 33 community colleges across the USA.

For more about All Within My Hands, please visit allwithmyhands.org.

New Lyric Video | Watch HERE

Third Track from Upcoming Album, Pawns & Kings
Album Scheduled for Worldwide Release on October 14 | Pre-Order HERE

Get Tickets for Pawns & Kings Tour Global Tour Dates HERE

[Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann]As the band’s current single, “Silver Tongue,” moves up the Active Rock radio charts and its music video crossed a million plays in less than a month, acclaimed rockers ALTER BRIDGE are back with another track from their upcoming seventh studio album, Pawns & Kings – scheduled for worldwide release on October 14 via Napalm Records. “Sin After Sin” is the latest epic track released by the quartet comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums. The song clocks in at 6:43 and is the second longest song on the new album. The lyric video was created by ALTER BRIDGE visual collaborator Wayne Joyner and can be seen below.

Watch the lyric video for “Sin After Sin” HERE:

From the opening riffs of “This Is War” to the title track album closer “Pawns & Kings,” ALTER BRIDGE returns with an album of intense tracks that were born after the cycle for their last album was cut short by the global pandemic. Songs like “Dead Among The Living,” “Holiday” and “Last Man Standing” showcase the signature songwriting the band is known for. The album offers numerous epic adventures, with three songs clocking in over six minutes each. The opus “Fable Of The Silent Son” clocks in at 8:29 and is the longest recorded song in the band’s catalog – a distinction held by “Blackbird” until now. Mark Tremonti steps out of his backing vocal role to take the lead on “Stay,” an introspective ballad that is sure to become a fan favorite live. The band released a lyric video for the title track that can be seen here: https://youtu.be/aTqN0nh7Avk.

Known for its signature dual-guitar attack backed by a driving rhythm section, the album’s fast-rising chart-climber “Silver Tongue” is one of the harder songs in the band’s recent catalog. Its animated music video was created and directed by Ollie Jones of Better Feeling Films (Myles Kennedy, Prodigy, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets) and can be seen here: https://youtu.be/snl8OANQ948.

Pawns & Kings found ALTER BRIDGE reuniting with longtime collaborator and producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette to create a collection of memorable new additions to the band’s impressive catalog.

The track listing for Pawns & Kings is:
1)  This Is War
2)  Dead Among The Living
3)  Silver Tongue
4)  Sin After Sin
5)  Stay
6)  Holiday
7)  Fable Of The Silent Son
8)  Season Of Promise
9)  Last Man Standing
10)  Pawns & Kings

ALTER BRIDGE’s Pawns & Kings is now available for pre-order in the following configurations:
-CD Digisleeve
-1 LP Gatefold BLACK Vinyl
-1 LP Gatefold INKSPOT BLACK/GOLD Vinyl w/Slipmat and Record Butler (Napalm mail order only, limited to 500 worldwide)
-1 LP Gatefold MARBLED WHITE/CRYSTAL CLEAR Vinyl (Napalm mail order only, limited to 400 worldwide)
-1 LP Gatefold MARBLED ORANGE/BLACK Vinyl (Band Shop only)
-1 LP Gatefold MARBLED WHITE/BLACK Vinyl (Band Shop only)
-1 LP Gatefold CRYSTAL CLEAR Vinyl (Band Shop only, limited to 300 only)
-Deluxe Box Set w/ CD Digisleeve, Pendant, Tote Bag, Guitar Pick tin (Napalm mail order only, limited to 700 worldwide)
-Music Cassette BROWN TRANSPARENT (Napalm mail order only, limited to 150 worldwide)
-Digital Album

Pre-Order Pawns & Kings HERE:

ALTER BRIDGE will tour extensively in support of Pawns & Kings. The band announced a tour of Europe that will make 25 stops over the course of six weeks, kicking off November 1 in Germany and making stops in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and others before ending on December 12 at O2 Arena in the United Kingdom. Longtime friends Halestorm and Mammoth WVH will lend their support on the upcoming European tour. 

The band also just announced a North American tour for 2023 – their first in the market in almost three years. The 30-city tour – split into two legs – kicks off on January 25 in Tampa, FL and wraps up April 1 in Highland, CA, making stops in Nashville, TN (January 30); Toronto, ON (February 11); Kansas City, MO (March 11) and Seattle, WA (March 23). Mammoth WVH will join them as direct support on the entire tour, with rockers Red playing on the first leg of the tour and newcomers Pistols At Dawn playing on the second leg. Tickets for all shows are now available and more information on tickets and VIP experiences can be found at https://alterbridge.com/pages/tour. 

European Tour Dates
Nov 1 – HAMBURG, GERMANY – Sporthalle
Nov 2  – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – Falconer
Nov 4  – PARTILLE, SWEDEN – Partille Arena
Nov 5 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene
Nov 7 – KATOWICE, POLAND – MCK
Nov 9 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG – Rockhal
Nov 11 – BERLIN, GERMANY – Columbiahalle
Nov 12 – HLAVNÍ MĚSTO PRAHA, CZECH REPUBLIC – O2 Universum
Nov 14 – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Budapest Arena
Nov 16 – PARIS, FRANCE – Palais Des Sports
Nov 18 – MADRID, SPAIN – Vistalegre
Nov 20 – BARCELONA, SPAIN – Razzmataz1
Nov 22 – MUNICH, GERMANY – Zenith
Nov 23 – ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND – Samsung Hall
Nov 25 – ASSAGO, ITALY – Mediolanum Forum
Nov 26 – ZAGREB, CROATIA – Dom Sportova
Nov 28 – VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Wiener Stadthalle
Nov 30 – KÖLN, GERMANY – Palladium
Dec 1 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Ziggo Dome
Dec 5 – NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – Motorpoint Arena
Dec 6 – GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – OVO Hydro Arena
Dec 8 – DUBLIN, IRELAND – 3 Arena
Dec 9 – MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AO Arena
Dec 11 – BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – Resorts World Arena
Dec 12 – LONDON, ENGLAND – O2 Arena

North American Tour Dates:
Jan 25 – TAMPA, FL – Seminole Hard Rock *
Jan 27 – ORLANDO, FL – Hard Rock Live *
Jan 28 – ATLANTA, GA – Coca Cola Roxy *
Jan 30 – NASHVILLE, TN – Ryman  Auditorium * 
Feb 1 – MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Wellmont Theater *
Feb 2 – HUNTINGTON, NY – The Paramount *
Feb 4 – SILVER SPRING, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring *
Feb 5 – PHILADELPHIA, PA – Franklin Music Hall *
Feb 7 – WALLINGFORD, CT – The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre *
Feb 8 – BOSTON, MA – Roadrunner *
Feb 10 – WATERLOO, NY – Del Lago Casino Resort (On sale soon) ^
Feb 11 – TORONTO, ON – HISTORY ^
Feb 14 – DETROIT, MI – The Fillmore *
Feb 15 – INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre *
Feb 17 – PRIOR LAKE, MN – Mystic Lake Casino Showroom *
Feb 18 – CHICAGO, IL – The Riviera Theatre *
Mar 10 – QUAPAW, OK – Downstream Casino Resort #
Mar 11 – KANSAS CITY, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland #
Mar 14 – CHESTERFIELD, MO – The Factory #
Mar 15 – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Criterion #
Mar 17 – HOUSTON, TX – 713 Music Hall #
Mar 18 – DALLAS, TX – South Side Ballroom #
Mar 20 – DENVER, CO – Mission Ballroom #
Mar 21 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Union Event Center #
Mar 23 – SEATTLE, WA – The Paramount Theatre #
Mar 25 – AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^
Mar 26 – AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^ 
Mar 28 – ANAHEIM, CA – House Of Blues #
Mar 29 – TEMPE, AZ – Marquee Theatre #
Mar 31 – RENO, NV – Silver Legacy’s Grande Expo Hall #
Apr 1 – HIGHLAND, CA – Yaamava Theater at Yaamava Casino Resort ^

^ ALTER BRIDGE – Mammoth WVH 
* ALTER BRIDGE – Mammoth WVH – Red
# ALTER BRIDGE – Mammoth WVH – Pistols At Dawn

The Omens Tour w/Killswitch Engage and More Kicks Off September 9
Omens Album Drops October 7

With potent and palpable intensity, the momentum continues for Omens, arguably Lamb Of God’s most aggressive and ambitious work to date … and today the Grammy-nominated goliath unleash their third single “Grayscale” from the forthcoming Omens album out October 7 on Epic Records.

Watch “Grayscale” here: https://youtu.be/jWyd_9LK75Y

Willie Adler says “‘Grayscale’ has just a smack you in the face, bit of hardcore feel to it. We had basically finished writing the record and I wrote this song thinking it won’t necessarily be a Lamb song. I sent it to Josh Wilbur, our producer, to check out and he responded with ‘Perfect, this is the last song we need for the record!'”

The heavy “Grayscale” includes Blythe’s vibrantly unhinged vocal attack plus Morton and Adler’s threatening riffage to challenge and devastate headbangers alike and also features Cruz and Campbell’s unstoppable rhythms.

Buy “Grayscale” here: https://Lamb-of-God.lnk.to/Grayscale

Across their career Lamb Of God grew from basement shows and grimy DIY venues to arena headliners. The New Wave of American Heavy Metal architects earned a reverence akin to musical forefathers (and road companions) Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. For millions of headbangers, Lamb Of God are simply the most important contemporary metal band in the world, whose timeless songs became anthems in the heavy metal songbook, with gargantuan vocals born from both righteous anger and devotion, and unrivaled riffs for the ages.

The new single is available everywhere for download and streaming. The Omens album arrives on October 7, 2022, on Epic Records. Don’t miss the gargantuan Omens Tour this fall.

Omens follows 2020’s self-titled No. 1 Hard Rock Album, saluted by the likes of Rolling Stone and NME. Omens is perhaps their angriest album yet. Produced by longtime collaborator Josh Wilbur (Korn, Megadeth), Omens is a vicious new testament for the Richmond, Virginia-based band, a furious entry in their beloved catalog. “The world is crazy and keeps changing. Omens is a reaction to the state of the world,” Blythe explains. “It’s a very pissed-off record.” He pauses for emphasis. “It is extremely pissed-off.”

The New Wave Of American Heavy Metal architects tracked Omens at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, a location that birthed classics from The Doors, The Ramones, and Soundgarden, among others. “The inner workings of the band have never been better,” explains guitarist Mark Morton. “You can hear it in Omens. You can see it in our performances, and if you’re around us for five minutes, you can feel it.”

The Omens album pre-order is live now at Lamb-Of-God.com, boasting special bundles and several exclusive items, including colored vinyl, shirts, hoodies, box sets, and CDs with an alternate color cover.

Pre-order link: https://lamb-of-god.lnk.to/Omens

Omens tracklisting:

1. Nevermore
2. Vanishing
3. To The Grave
4. Ditch
5. Omens
6. Gomorrah
7. Ill Designs
8. Grayscale
9. Denial Mechanism
10. September Song

Tickets are on sale for The Omens Tour, featuring Lamb Of God and special guests Killswitch Engage, Motionless In White, Spiritbox, Baroness, Animals As Leaders, Suicide Silence, and Fit For An Autopsy joining on different legs. The tour kicks off on September 9th in Brooklyn, New York.

Tickets & VIP Packages: http://lamb-of-god.com/tour

The Omens Tour dates are as follows:

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Baroness, Suicide Silence

Sep 09 – Brooklyn, NY – Coney Island
Sep 10 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Sep 11 – Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Music Festival
Sep 13 – Youngstown, OH – Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater
Sep 14 – Baltimore, MD – Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena
Sep 16 – Atlanta, GA – Coca Cola Roxy
Sep 17 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
Sep 18 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sep 21 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sep 23 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life Festival *No KSE, No Suicide Silence
Sep 24 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Sep 25 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amp at Freedom Hill
Sep 26 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
Sep 28 – Minneapolis, MN – Armory
Sep 30 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Motionless In White, Fit For An Autopsy

Oct 01 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Great SaltAir
Oct 02 – Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park
Oct 04 – Fresno, CA – Selland Arena
Oct 07 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival *No Fit For An Autopsy

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Spiritbox, Fit For An Autopsy

Oct 09 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Oct 10 – Kent (Seattle), WA – Accesso ShoWare Center
Oct 11 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Animals As Leaders, Fit For An Autopsy

Oct 13 – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater
Oct 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theater
Oct 15 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Oct 16 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center
Oct 18 – San Antonio, TX – Freeman Coliseum
Oct 19 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
Oct 20 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

Roger Waters: This is Not a Drill

T-mobile Center/Kansas City, MO

September 3, 2022

IN THE FLESH AND OUTSIDE THE WALL

• “Weird Al ” Yankovic w/Emo Philips
• Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts/Kansas City, MO
• September 2, 2022

Roger Daltrey.  Tina Turner.  Robert Plant.  Freddie Mercury.

These amazing people possess some of the greatest and most powerful voices in the history of Rock and Roll.  To that list I humbly add Mr. Alfred Matthew Yankovic.  That’s right…”Weird Al.”

In a show that, except for the Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer,” included only original songs – there was a brief medley of some of his more popular parody songs towards the end – Yankovic gave a show that I would put up against any concert I have ever seen.  After opening the show with “Fun Zone,” Yankovic reminded the audience that this was going to be a show that some fans have complained about, because he was doing the “funny” stuff.  He noted that “the name of the tour should have tipped you off.”  And he was right, as the show was billed as “The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour.”  Not a lot of leeway there.  And while I secretly hoped he’d break out his new “Hamilton” medley, I went home utterly amazed at what I’d just witnessed.

True fans of Yankovic are, of course, familiar with his parody hits, but also enjoy his original tunes as well.  On this night, he interspersed several of his more popular originals – “One More Minute,” “You Don’t Love Me Anymore” and “The Night Santa Went Crazy” with an array of great tunes, some done much differently then their album versions.  “Dare to Be Stupid” was done like a 60s lounge song, while “Craigslist” could have easily been included on an album by the Doors.  He really let his rock chops loose when he introduced a song he claimed he’d written for the band Rage Against the Machine.  Apparently, the band didn’t record it, so he did.  The song, “I’ll Sue Ya,” brought the audience to its feet with its growling vocals and kick ass music.  And I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that the musicians accompanying Yankovic on stage were amazing, showing the skill, and tightness, of a band that had been together for over four decades!

Opening the show was comedian Emo Philips, whose comedy I was introduced to late at night while listening to Dr. Demento with my friends.  I always enjoyed his style of comedy and it was a true treat to have the opportunity to see him in person.  Speaking of Dr. Demento, early next week (September 14^th) will mark the 42^nd Anniversary of when I heard “Weird” Al live on Dr. Demento’s radio show introducing his first big parody song, “Another One Rides the Bus.”  Wow!  I should write a book titled “Everything I Need to Know About Life I Learned from Dr. Demento!”

“Weird” Al’s “The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour” continues through the end of October.  Many shows are sold out, but if you’re thinking about going – and after reading this review,  why the hell aren’t you? – click HERE

SET LIST:  Fun Zone, Close But No Cigar, Melanie, Bob, One More Minute, Dare to Be Stupid,  Dog Eat Dog, Velvet Elvis, Craigslist, You Don’t Love Me Anymore, I’ll Sue Ya, Franks 2000” TV, Don’t Download This Song, The Night Santa Went Crazy, Skipper Dan, Good Old Days, Albuquerque.  ENCORE:  Psycho Killer, UNPLUGGED MEDLEY – Amish Paradise/Smells Like Nirvana/White & Nerdy/Word Crimes/Yoda.

“Worldwide icon of melodic rock Stan Bush is best known for his song “The Touch,” made famous by Transformers: The Movie (1986). An anthem for Transformers fans around the world, “The Touch” was remixed in 2013 by High Moon Studios for their hit video game Transformers: Fall of Cybertron. It has also been featured on ABC’s The Goldbergs, NBC’s Chuck, FOX’s American Dad, in RBN’s Guitar Hero, Deep Silver’s Saints Row IV and in the motion picture Boogie Nights. In 2014, Stan was inducted into the Transformers Hall of Fame.”

Visit stanbush.com to check out great merch and autographs! Also if you are located in the Florida area, Stan will be attending Hero Convention in Fort Myers during the weekend of November 18-20!

• HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR
• Kauffman Center – Kansas City, Missouri
• August 21, 2022

Part two of my wonderful musical weekend!

What if I told you that you could see the Cowsills, the Vogues, the Buckinghams, the Association, Gary Puckett and the Turtles all in one night?  No, really!  They are all together on the most recent HAPPY TOGETHER tour, which made a stop in Kansas City this past weekend.

For those who may not know this, the Cowsills was a group made up of a mother and her musical children.  Sound familiar?  That’s right.  The Cowsills were the inspiration for television’s “Partridge Family.”  On this night, brothers Bob and Paul, along with sister Susan, opened the show with a set of the most popular songs.  They even threw in the theme to television’s “Love, American Style,” which I had no idea they’d done. 

The Vogues took the stage and opened with their classic “Five O’ Clock World.”  The group was in fine voice, with amazing harmonies.  The Buckinghams were represented by original members Nick Fortuna and lead singer Carl Giammarese, who was celebrating his 75^th Birthday this evening.

Next up was the Association, who sounded as good on this evening as they did in their heyday.  Songs like “Cherish” and “Never My Love” filled the Kauffman Center, with the crowd signing along.  Next up was the amazing Gary Puckett.  I had seen him in 1986 when he opened for the Monkees.  He didn’t disappoint then, and he didn’t disappoint on this evening.  With his distinct voice, songs like “Young Girl” and “This Girl is a Woman Now” rolled over the audience.  Mr. Puckett noted that Carl Giammarese was 75 but that Susan Cowsill was 63.  He also noted that he had them both beat as he will be turning 80 later this year!

Closing out the night was the Turtles, whose hit “Happy Together” gives the tour its name.  A big bonus, for me anyway, was that Ron Dante was the lead singer.  Dante, who turns 77(!) today also was the lead vocalist on the biggest selling song of 1969, “Sugar, Sugar.”  Which means that I can legitimately tell people that I saw the Archies in concert!

The night ended with everyone one stage in a mini-medley of some of the night’s best moments.

The HAPPY TOGETHER tour continues through the year.  You can find tickets for it HERE.

SONG LIST:  Cowsills:  The Rain, the Park and Other Things, We Can Fly, Indian Lake, Love, American Style, Hair.  The Vogues:  Five O’Clock World, My Special Angel, Turn Around Look at Me, You’re the One.  The Buckinghams:  Don’t You Care, “Hey Baby (They’re Playing Our Song), Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Susan, Kind of a Drag.  The Association:  Windy, Never My Love, Cherish, Along Comes Mary.  Gary Puckett:  Lady Willpower, Over You, This Girl is a Woman Now, Woman, Woman, Young Girl.  The Turtles:  She’d Rather Be With Me, You Baby, It Ain’t Me Babe, You Showed Me, Sugar, Sugar, Eleanor, Happy Together.