Friday, November 06, 2009

Early November Update

Hey No-Star Nation;

A few early-November items for you:

1) A couple of important benefit performances are happening in the next few weeks, and we'd love to see those of you that are in the Buffalo/WNY area come out and support these causes.

The first is a fundraiser being put on by our friend and master jazz drummer, Dan Hull, this coming Tuesday night, 11/10 at the new Bobby McGee's (the old Dakota Grill) on Maple Road in Amherst. Danny has been running his weekly star-studded jazz jam session for over 10 years now, and this week's performance's proceeds and any in-coming donations will be to benefit our old aquaintance, and Tommy Z sideman Chu Nero (Blues, Jazz, and Gospel saxophonist, keyboardist, and vocalist extraordinaire). Chu has been battling cancer, is currently undergoing more treatment, and has had to virtually stop working in order to concentrate all of his strength on his fight. Let's face it folks-- full-time musicians don't have a lot in the way of safety nets in this day and age, and Chu has a lot of mounting medical bills as well as daily practical needs to take care of. Chu has been a blessing to many folks through his music for many years; hopefully, we can give some of that back to him in support. Tuesday night at the new Bobby McGee's, at 7:00pm.

Bruce and I will be playing a benefit for a dear friend, vocalist Roseanne Perez, on Sunday the 29th of November in South Buffalo (check your No-Star Update E-mails and our website schedule for upcoming details). Roseanne has been fighting a similar battle as Chu's-- she has been unable to sing or work a day job for months, due to extensive (and expensive!) chemo and radiation treatments. Fortunately for Roseanne, she has some pretty talented friends... Performers at the benefit (besides yours truly and Bruce Rounds) will include Donna Rose, Dolly D, Big Wheelie, Sam Gaurino, Nick Veltrie, Sam Gambino, Jack Civiletto, and many more. Tickets are only $25, and this is going to be quite a show. Stay tuned for more details, and e-mail us directly (Gregg@MightyNoStars.com) if you don't think you can attend, but would still like to make a financial contribution...

2) Look for my byline in this month's issue of Drum! Magazine (issue #162); my debut with the publication as a product reviewer is a feature on the new line of Meinl frame drums, for those of you in a percussive frame of mind (pun intended). Coming soon in an upcoming issue, a review of some very hip, hand-made/boutique djembes and congas from a company called DrumSkull Drums.

3) The band has been laying low lately, dealing with rehearsals and pre-production for our next CD, getting ready for upcoming Christmas shows, and the like. But we've got a gig at Vizzi's next week, Friday the 13th of November. Be there or be extremely square. Vizzi's is always a fun gig (especially if you like sirens). We hope to see you in the crowd (maybe you'll get to dance with Ralph!).

4) Speaking of laying low; not so much! Almost immediately following the gig on Friday, I'm flying down to Nashville for the weekend for a record producer's/engineer's summit at a new retro/analog recording studio called Welcome to 1979. Producers and engineers who have worked with major names in Rock, Pop, R&B, Indie, and yes, of course Country will be there to share experience, tools, and tricks of the trade. We're doing a recording session with a local band on Saturday night (reminds me of the old joke-- How many producers does it take to make the recording session happen? I don't know; what do you think?), and Telefunken is bringing a bunch of microphones that I'll never be able to afford. Sweet! Hopefully, we'll have pictures, annecdotes, and the full skinny for you up on the website when I get back.

Thanks for your attention, and we'll see you at a gig soon.

God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

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