Music Publicity

Santa Rosa, CA - After 40 years, one of music's greatest gospel-rock hits 'Spirit In The Sky', penned by Norman Greenbaum, remains as popular today in 2012 as it did in 1970 when it rocketed to number #1 in the US and UK. While being named song of the year by Cashbox magazine, the track would go on to sell two million copies in 1970 and through the next 4 decades would be featured in 47 movies and dozens of commerical ads and TV series. In addition, two British cover versions of “Spirit In The Sky” also made it to number one on the charts, making the song a three-time number one hit!

So the question remains, why does 'Spirit In The Sky' still resonate with the music listener today? Norman explains, “A few reasons: It's just a great song, with a terrific production that has stood the test of time, still sounding as vibrant today as 40 years ago. It also sounds great in the car, yep, car radio. When we mixed it, we made sure it sounded as great on car stereos as it did on home systems. It has an unforgettable opening musical riff, at times referred to as 'the heavy duty industrial fuzz tone'. It gives people chills listening to it. Plus, when it was included on Rock Band 2 it brought a new generation into the mix. Now that the song is aging in years, but not excellence, many fans have aged with it and now recognize it not only as a great song that reminds them of their life back then, such as taking their first date to my concert, 'Spirit' being the first album they ever bought, their parents screaming to turn the volume down, love making in the back seat to it and my favorite, naming their car 'the green-bomb', and as a song to take with them as we near the time to go up to the Spirit In The Sky. Because I answer my own e-mail, many people relate to me the circumstances of a loved one passing and how my song has brought them solace and each time they hear my song, either on the radio, in a movie or on TV, they are reminded that their loved ones are OK and looking down on them."

The story behind the song “Spirit In The Sky” is an interesting one. The original idea for the song came from Norman watching a performance on TV one night by country legend Porter Wagoner, who was singing about a preacher. This inspired Greenbaum to write a religious rock song. Although many have believed through the years that Norman, born of Jewish heritage, was a 'born again Christian', in truth, this is not the case. He made the decision to challenge himself to writing a gospel lyric, hoping he wouldn't flub it and meticulously crafted music that went on to surpass everyone's expectations. The guitar riff to 'Spirit In The Sky' undoubtedly is just as important to the song's success as the words and music. “My riff is a take on old blues riffs, common in the '20s and '30s,” Norman explains. “Although a few other songs have similar riffs, my riff really stands out, as I infused a few original notes and changes the others do not have. Plus, the fuzz just ripples your mind. It is a sound that has never been reproduced, another reason the song stands so well.”

Recently, Norman Greenbaum has redesigned his official website – www.spiritinthesky.com and has made available his much sought after CDs from the '60s and '70s, along with T-shirts, hats, mouse pads, signed photos and other memorabilia! Although Norman has not recorded anything in recent years, he is very active with his new website, posting messages to his fans and making available rare photos for viewing. “Since my website has been redesigned it is much more efficient and compact, with photo viewers and better links,” says Norman. “It also has an improved store, where I have introduced a new product, Going-Greenbaum tote bags; the small-sized bag is made of cotton and the large-sized bag is made of canvas. The new site also has music clips of all of my songs available on CD and 'The Best of Norman Greenbaum' import is available again. I also will be introducing some new shirt designs soon.”

Much to the excitement of his fans, Norman will be making a rare live appearance in February! “I'll be doing a guest performance of 3 songs with the band Time In A Bottle at The Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa, CA on February 18th,” says Norman. “My original back-up singers The Stovall Sisters will be joining me, the first time ever this has happened on stage! Time In A Bottle is a local rock/soul band. The Stovall Sisters will also be doing a few of their own songs with the band.”

Finally, Norman has this to impart to aspiring songwriters everywhere: “Keep at it until it all fits, you'll know when. One song will stand out. Put all your effort into that song. Of course, 'catchy' helps.”

For more information visit Norman Greenbaum's official website at www.spiritinthesky.com

Press Inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
glassonyonpr@cs.com
PH: 828-350-8158

Artist: My Shadow and I
Title: Summer Cycle
Genre: Instrumental
Label: Nonexistent Records
Website
Amazon Link
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Brad Podray is a Philadelphia native who began his love affair with music at the young age of eight, when he drove his parent’s crazy demanding piano lessons. Aspiring to become a concert pianist, plans have a way of changing and as a teenager; Podray and his friend Daniel Dolan formed the rock band Kryoteck and released their first album. ...READ MORE...

Artist: Brandon McHose
Title: Late Night EP
Genre: Rock
Label: Independent
Website
Amazon Link
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Brandon McHose developed his passion for music as a child when his father shared his eclectic music collection and began to teach him on his 74 Les Paul guitar. As McHose grew in his musical talent, he spent a lot of time in the Austin music scene and then landed in Chicago...READ MORE...

St. Augustine, FL – The music industry is buzzing about the debut CD release by David Watt Besley titled 'Believe These Eyes', which upon listening will make a believer out of you! Featuring former Bon Jovi member Kurt Johnston and RPM member Barry Dunaway, along with a host of other top Northeast Florida musicians, David has created a unique sound. If you molded Cat Stevens and John Prine you would come up with David Watt Besley. Freelance writer Richard Wall says, “I really got the Cat Stevens influence, particularly in David's singing style. But the songs have a newness to them; they are well written, telling his stories from the heart, along with some sterling accents on a solidly enjoyable musical foundation, which suits the material.” Inside sources say that ex-Bon Jovi Kurt Johnston contributes some memorable piano and guitar parts to 'Believe These Eyes'. “He is a good friend and we have done many projects together through the years and have played a lot of music together,” says David.

Virginia-born singer/songwriter David Watt Besley currently resides in Saint Augustine, Florida. In the mid-seventies David was part of the band Saucer, who were one of the first US bands looked at by Virgin Records. In the late seventies David played bass and wrote music with the NorthStar Band, one of Washington, DC's most influential music groups. In the early 1980s David toured with Bob Margolin (Muddy Waters). In 1986 he joined his brother Ed Pickett and formed The Seiners, based out of Jekyll Island, Georgia and toured the southeast. In the early '90s David joined the group Those Guys (several times voted Saint Augustine's #1 band). The band also included Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynrd) and Banner Thomas (Molly Hatchet). In 2009 he reformed Northstar with his brother Ed and signed a publishing deal with Shadow Mountain Music. In 2010 David put together The Big Lonesome, a group featuring some of David's favorite local players and writers. During this time he also started a solo career simply called “DAVE”. Even though David loves to get together with Northstar and The Big Lonesome, he has found that his solo career is the most enjoyable – Dave and his music. Which leads to the release of his critically acclaimed debut CD 'Believe These Eyes'; a CD that has been receiving praise from press and fans alike worldwide.

“There is no real concept behind the CD,” David explains. “It was just a group of songs I put together for my first solo release. A friend of mine called me after listening to 'Believe These Eyes' and jokingly said, 'Stop writing songs about my life!' Whatever is in my heart at the time comes out in my song lyrics.” David is currently playing select gigs in support of his latest CD release.

With longtime friend and co-producer Jim Stafford (Eclipse Recording Company), David had been busy over the last year and a half recording his sophomore CD 'Hopeless Romantic' to be released later this year. Along with Kurt Johnston and Barry Dunaway, who also worked with Survivor, Pat Travers, Yngwie Malmsteen and many other notable bands, David has used many talented people to record on 'Believe These Eyes' and his forthcoming release and is very proud of the contributions they made: Wayne Johnston, Rob Peck, Chris McVey, Ed Pickett, Woody Pernell, Rusty Springfield, Janine Newfield, Michael Howard, Michael Houpt and Marc Douglas Berardo. David also had two lifelong friends he played with in the '60s, Jim Miner and Chuck Caudill, join him on the recording sessions.

Finally David had this to impart: “Music is my life, it is what makes my world go around. I have had the chance to hang with many great writers and players over the years. I have been blessed with a great audience that supports my music. There have been so many magic moments over the years. To me that's what music is all about, sitting down with other writers and creating something.”

For more information visit www.DavidWattBesley.com

To Purchase David Watt Besley - 'Believe These Eyes' CD: www.cdbaby.com/cd/davidwattbesley

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

Madrid, Spain - With 5 albums released since 2000, including the highly acclaimed 'Omphalos' (nominated for 'Best Foreign Record' by ProgAwards in 2006) and 'Ouroboros' (Winner – 'Best Foreign Record' by ProgAwards in 2009), Kotebel is one of the main progressive rock acts to emerge from Spain and Latin America. And now, much to the anticipation of prog fans across the globe, Kotebel is preparing to release their 6th album 'Concerto for Piano and Electric Ensemble'. “The main body of the album is formed by the four movements that comprise the 'Concerto for Piano',” explains keyboardist and founding member Carlos Plaza Vegas. “It is pure music; no reference to extra-musical elements. However, the other four pieces on the album are based on conceptual elements.”

Formed in 2000, Kotebel is an eclectic project, immersed in the mainstream of progressive “art” music. Kotebel's music is an elaborate, yet accessible blend of avant-garde symphonic rock, with a wide range of influences from classical to jazz to world music. The group sites influences as diverse as Genesis, Debussy, YES, ELP, Ravel, Messiaen, Thinking Plague, The Enid, Steve Hackett, Gentle Giant, King Crimson and Chopin. Kotebel has participated in prestigious festivals including BajaProg (Mexico – 2004), Gouveia Art Rock (Portugal – 2007/2010), ProgSud (France – 2007), Madrid Art Music Festival (Spain – 2008/2009), Go Prog (Portugal – 2009), Crescendo (France – 2010), sharing the stage with artists like Robert Fripp, Magma, After Crying, IQ, Allan Holdsworth, Deus Ex Machina, Isildurs Bane, Jerry Marotta, Pat Mastelotto and others.

Here's what the press has said about Kotebel:

“This is one stellar disc of symphonic progressive rock!” - Jerry Lucky – The Progressive Rock Files

“This is a masterwork!” - Vitaly Menshikov – Progressor

“Outstanding symphonic prog!” - César Inca – Progarchives

“One of the great contemporary prog rock bands!” - Nuno – Prognosis

“Kotebel appear to be content on exploring and extending the boundaries of their chosen genre, and are definitely a band to watch out for.” - Dave Sissons – DPRP.net

“The musicianship is top-notch!” - Yves Dube – Sea of Tranquility

Kotebel's current line-up:

Carlos Franco Vivas – drums and percussion
César Garcia Forero – guitars
Jaime Pascual Summers – bass
Adriana Nathalie Plaza Engelke – keyboards
Carlos G. Plaza Vegas – keyboards

Between the years 2000 and 2008 Kotebel went through a number of line-up changes, with Carlos Plaza Vegas remaining as the driving force throughout. Kotebel's configuration as a five piece instrumental ensemble in 2008 quickly became an efficient performance engine, exploring aesthetic grounds that required more complex and demanding skills as individuals and collective performers. Along with releasing an album 'Ouroboros' in 2009, Kotebel toured Japan in the summer of that year and participated in a number of music festivals and performances in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. Between September and December 2011 the ensemble recorded their forthcoming album 'Concerto for Piano and Electric Ensemble', in which pre-orders are currently being taken. To be released in early 2012, the album will also include a DVD with a full rendition of the recording of the Piano Concerto.

“Since the first Kotebel album back in 2000, one of our goals has been to integrate elements of classical music in a language based in progressive rock,” explains Carlos. “'Ouroboros' (2009) was a further step in that direction (for example, the 'Ouroboros' song is constructed upon a 'Theme and Variations' structure). However, it is in the 'Concerto for Piano and Electric Ensemble' where this integration has been taken to its greatest extent in our music.”

Finally, Carlos has this to impart to the listening public: “For those still not acquainted with our music, I would invite you to visit our website where we have plenty of fragments from each and every track on our albums. Kotebel's language is very eclectic and appealing to both fans of more traditional prog as well as more adventurous ones.”

To pre-order Kotebel 'Concerto for Piano and Electric Ensemble' CD:
www.kotebel.com/e-store/concerto.php

For more information: www.kotebel.com

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com