Thursday, February 28, 2013

Jimi Jamison..."The Voice"




Rising out of a bluff on the Mississippi River is the city called home by many pioneers of American music.  Memphis, TN has produced several musical giants including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Otis Redding, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, and Carl Perkins…just to name a few. 


Moving to Memphis as a young child with his mother and claiming himself to forever be a native Memphian, the artist named “The Voice” by Casey Casem got his musical start.   Powerhouse vocalist Jimi Jamison has lived up to the reputation of his hometown, and then some!  Music fans have been blessed with his voice and impressive catalog of hits for 4 decades….and fortunately for us they’re still coming.

Getting his start singing radio call letters, Jamison would go on to front the band Target in the 70’s.  A group of friends who remain in contact today, this band knew how to rock and still does……..Bill Marshall on drums, Buddy Davis and Paul Cannon on guitar, Tommy Cathey on bass, and Jimi on lead vocals.  They released two albums for A&M, “Target” and “Captured”.  When these guys come together for reunion concerts, you want to be there!  In the meantime, here’s a little blast from the past.  Check out their performance of “Holdin On” and “It’s Only Love” from 1979.






















Following his time with Target, Jimi would join the band Cobra producing one album, “First Strike“ on Epic Records.  This hard rockin band included Mandy Meyer and Jack Holder on guitar, Tommy Keiser on bass, and Jeff Klaven on drums.  Sure wish we could’ve heard more from these guys!  Here’s a couple video links.  Watch and listen…see if you don’t agree!


http://youtu.be/cNmiUuArE6M                             http://youtu.be/W7RwF1oO6Mo


As the early 80’s came calling, so did a new opportunity.  A band out of Chicago, Survivor, fresh off their mega smash hit “Eye of the Tiger”, was looking for a new lead singer.  At first hesitant to audition as he saw Survivor’s sound as more pop influenced versus the heavier style to which he was accustomed, fate would step in.  The stars were aligned and as they say…what’s meant to be was meant to be.  Vital Signs, the first Survivor album with Jimi as lead, soared to massive success.  Charting 3 hit singles, “The Search Is Over,” “High On You,” and “I Can’t Hold Back,” Jimi’s place in rock history was confirmed.   And continuing the Rocky connection, 1985’s “Burning Heart” from Rocky IV hit number two on Billboard.

















In 1989 Jimi was considered to replace Ian Gillan as lead vocalist for Deep Purple.  Although a huge fan of Deep Purple, Jimi opted to remain with Survivor.  When Survivor went on hiatus not long thereafter, what followed was an impressive run of solo projects, both musical and charitable. While providing backup vocals for Jeff Healy Band, Krokus and ZZ Top, among others, he also released a CD “Crossroads Moment” with former Survivor mate Jim Peterik.  In 2011, Jamison collaborated with fellow Melodic Rock alum, Bobby Kimball, to produce “Kimball-Jamison.”  He organized the Voices of Classic Rock, as well as, gave his support to charitable functions like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Special Olympics.















Fortunately for Jimi’s legion of fans, he shows no signs of slowing down!  Survivor has just released 2013 tour dates, and he’s also making appearances to promote his solo projects both in the US and abroad.  His 2012 solo CD, “Never Too Late”, is a testament to the talent of this amazing artist.  From the first track to the last, this is a masterpiece!  Take a listen and watch the video for the title track……




To keep up to date on all of Jimi’s happenings, follow him at:

Twitter                 @Jimi_Jamison
Facebook            https://www.facebook.com/jimijamison?fref=ts
Website              www.jimijamison.com www.survivorband.com

We would like to get some feedback from some of Jimi’s faithful fans.  Take a look at the questions below.  Give us your thoughts.

1.  Which album do you feel is Jimi’s best work, and why?

    1. When Love Comes Down
    2. Kimball-Jamison
    3. Vital Signs
    4. Target
    5. Crossroads Moment
    6. First Strike
    7. Never Too Late
                2.  What’s your favorite Jimi tune of all time, and why?


Credits:  Target video courtesy of rockinrythms via youtube
                   Cobra video, Blood On Your Money, courtesy of cometola
                   Cobra video, Travelin Man, courtesy of FantasyAOR
                   AllMusic Jimi Jamison biography


Copyright ©2013 Alicia's View On All Things Music All rights reserved
Copyright ©2013 Music Central All rights reserved


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Legends of Rock Cruise 2...Jimi Jamison w/ Hybrid Ice


       The cruise was winding down, but the excitement was never higher!  The night had arrived.  Jimi Jamison’s performance with Hybrid Ice was imminent.  As they took the stage, the dance floor filled immediately.
Jimi’s voice filled the room, flawless, deep, rich…never better!  Hybrid Ice….rocked as always!  Running through several Survivor hits, including “I Can’t Hold Back” and “The Search Is Over,” the crowd was dancing and singing along.  Some not so willingly!  When Jimi lowered the mic to the gal standing in front of me, she nearly did a backbend trying to avoid it!  I can’t say I blame her.  I’ve had that same experience, and have very candidly said that if he values his sound system, he might want to avoid putting the mic in front of me!  LOL My lack of singing ability could cause equipment damage for sure!
       Much to our delight, all of the performers from the previous nights on the cruise came to the stage for an all star jam!  Perfect way to end the night.  We drank in every moment, relived the memories each song conjured up, and wished the night could go on forever.  Thanks to Jimi, Hybrid Ice and all the artists for a night of new cherished memories!




























Copyright ©2013 Alicia’s View On All Things Music All rights reserved
Copyright ©2013 Music Central All rights reserved

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Lindsay Bruce.......Songs from the Heart

Lindsay Bruce
   As fans, I think we can lose sight of how much of a role we play in whether or not an artist gets to pursue his/her dream. With all the social media sites of today, our involvement has an even more significant impact.  I had the pleasure of speaking with a singer/songwriter who is living her dream and pursuing her passion as a direct result of the support from her fans.  It all started with a song uploaded onto YouTube! 

   Lindsay Bruce is a California girl transplanted to the heart of the country music scene.  She brings the lyrics of her life to the hub for the greatest songwriters in the world, Nashville, TN.  Lindsay has truly come home.



AV:     How did a California girl find herself in Nashville?  What drew you to country music?  When did you decide to pack up and make that cross-country move?

LB:      I got to Nashville thanks to a big sister who believed in me, supportive parents, and my YouTube listeners. It was a total team effort.  I wasn’t someone who grew up having leads in school musicals or singing in talent shows.  I was always really shy, and really insecure about my voice. So, when I finally got the courage up to post a song on YouTube, and a few people left some comments, it was honestly a life-changer. My sister took me to Nashville one Spring break using her free miles.  After that, I knew I had to move there as soon as I finished college.

AV:     You’re a songwriter.  However, you started out writing something else.  Tell us about the Mudd Jeans “Mudd Girls Move the World” ad campaign.

LB:      Mudd Jeans did a campaign one year that focused on young girls working to “change the world.” I’d just written a children’s book to raise money for the Red Cross and, by some amount of luck, I was selected along with four other girls to be in their national ad campaign. It was crazy! They flew us to New York and donated money to our causes.  It was the first thing that ever happened because of my writing.

AV:     Do you prepare differently when sitting down to write books versus songs?  Creatively….what are the differences/similarities?

LB:      When I’m writing children’s poems, which I only do now for fun for my nephew, it’s all about creating a story. With my songs, it’s about telling a story.  That makes songs more difficult, but much more rewarding.

AV:     You’ve created quite an impressive catalog of songs.  When did you write your first song?  How did it feel to create it?

LB:      Aw, thank you! I wrote my first song when I was 7 and it made no sense. It was mainly me fitting words into a melody in my head. Then when I was 11 I started writing songs with my best friend.  I still have our ‘catalog’ and it’s pretty embarrassing, but again, they were based on melodies. My first real song, one that had personal lyrics, was called “You Chose Her.”  I wrote it when I was 17. I knew it was different from what I’d written in the past because the idea of anyone hearing it was terrifying. 

AV:     Your single “Stupid and Seventeen”…Wow…all of us can relate to the lyrics of this song.  Tell us what its like to create a piece of work that so many will connect with and say “that’s my life!”

LB:      That’s such a huge compliment! Although I think you’re being way too complimentary!  I wrote it one night after literally texting a boy I knew “I can’t keep being stupid and 17 with you.”  I opened up the notepad in my phone and wrote it right then, putting the song on YouTube the next day. I honestly didn’t think people would really like it, but I was really attached to it.  I was living it, so I decided to post it. That’s just made everything that’s happened from it that much more special.

AV:     Could never be too complimentary on this song.  It’s a gem!  Here’s the link to the video for “Stupid and Seventeen” on YouTube….judge for yourself!           http://youtu.be/7nA85J3cFP0

AV:     If someone were to compare you to another mainstream artist, who do you think it would be?  Why?  Who would you most like to be compared to…or do you want to be?

LB:      Taylor Swift! We’re both tall, have blonde hair, and write songs about boys. It’s been a struggle being in Nashville and having so many similarities, but something I take as a compliment. I think she’s a great writer.

AV:     Who would you most like to write/tour with?

LB:      My dream co-writer is Shane Mcanally. I was Wikipedia-ing songs one day and realized that almost all my favorite songs in the last two years had been written by the same person, him. I’d love to write with him someday.  For now, I just favorite all his tweets.

AV:     You frequent open mic nights and writers rounds.  Where are some of your favorite places to perform?  Can you describe the most memorable event at one of these performances?

LB:      I love playing the Commodore Grille. It’s homey and you always see familiar faces. There’s always a good crowd, and the sound is great.  A memorable moment… I went to an event that featured Darryl Worley and a few hit writers.  The host asked if I’d play some songs after the show while people mingled.  I went to put my guitar backstage and met Darryl Worley, who later called me up onstage to sing a song! I was sitting next to the guy who wrote “Waitin On A Woman” for Brad Paisley.  I was like “don’t mess this up, don’t mess this up.”

AV:     What has it been like to perform songs that you’ve written in front of a live audience?

LB:      At first, terrifying! The first time was at an “open mic” that my college dorm put on. I sang one song and I was a nervous mess. After I did it I called my entire family, including my parents who were on vacation, and they were all shocked. I think I did it to show them, and myself, that I could do it. By now, it’s just fun!

AV:     I understand that you have an acoustic album on the way.  Tell us about that.

LB:      Yes! It’s ten of my songs from YouTube and it’s almost done! You can hear one of the songs, “That’s How I Feel About You” on SoundCloud.

AV:     Here’s the link to “That’s How I Feel About You” on SoundCloud….

AV:     What else can we look forward to from you in 2013?

LB:      I have some shows lined up in Nashville, some new songs to record and, of course, the acoustic album coming out in February.  I’m not sure exactly what the year has in store but I’ll be sure to post updates on my Facebook page and LindsayBruce.org!

   2013 has many great things in store for Lindsay….of that I am certain.  Thank you for taking the 
time to chat, Lindsay!  All the best to you!

For the latest news from Lindsay, follow her at these sites:

Website           http://www.lindsaybruce.org/Index.html
           
Twitter            @CowboyBootsB


Youtube          http://www.youtube.com/CowboybootsBruce


Reverbnation   http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/lindsaybruce



Copyright ©2013 Alicia's View On All Things Music All rights reserved
Copyright ©2013 Music Central All rights reserved