Mark Pucci Media

11/01/2024

Superb in-depth interview with Benny Turner in Blues.Gr from Greece - and check out the photos!

My fear is that authentic blues, which is pure American music, will be lost completely in future generations as it has already started to be lost today. Benn…

10/31/2024

Excellent review of the new Benny Turner album in New Orleans-based magazine, OffBeat:

BeWhen Nola Blue Records Sallie Bengtson established her label a decade ago, then New Orleans bassman and vocalist Benny Turner, age 75

10/30/2024

Check out this extensive interview with Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
about his career & new album in Blues.Gr from Greece

Blues is roots and roots are always the same. When leaves on the tree die, they are part of the fertilizer that feeds the roots . Kenny Blues Boss Wayne: Oo…

10/29/2024

Thanks Joe Bonamassa for adding Ollee Owens's “Nowhere to Hide” to your Best New Blues & Blues Rock playlist! Check out Cutting Edge Blues playlist here: https://loom.ly/5TZUhqI

Best New Blues & Blues Rock Featuring Amythyst Kiah, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Larkin Poe, Philip Sayce, Ollee Owens, DeWolff and more.

Check out my Cutting Edge Blues playlist here: https://loom.ly/5TZUhqI

10/23/2024

THANK YOU New York Living on PIX11 for hosting Paul Reed Smith & Mia Samone of PRS Eightlock Band this morning! Watch their interview & performance below & if you are in NYC, catch the full band TONIGHT at The Iridium

Guitarist Paul Reed Smith alongside fellow bandmate of Eightlock Mia Samone Davis joins New York Living to discuss making guitars, becoming a part of the Smithsonian Museum, and performing with artists like Santana. The duo also perform live in the studio.

10/22/2024

New Chess Records Tribute Channel Is a Treasure Chest of Vintage Blues, Jazz, Soul, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Gospel Video Clips In One Location

NEW YORK, NY – Marshall Chess, son of legendary Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess, along with his son Jamar and partner Richard Ganter, have launched a “one-stop shop” outlet for vintage video music clips for genres ranging from Blues, Soul and Jazz, to Rock ‘n ‘Roll and Gospel with the rollout of the Chess Records Tribute Channel: https://www.youtube.com/.

“The Chess Records Tribute Channel on YouTube is a deep excursion into the vast Chess Records history, featuring hundreds of rare videos, personal stories and experiences with constant content additions,” says Chess. “There is a podcast section, too, where I play Chess music with added comments. If you love the blues, you have got to check out The Chess Records Tribute YouTube channel.”

Now in his eighth decade, Marshall Chess continues to be at the vanguard of music innovation with the new channel, which follows the successful release of New Moves: The Chess Project, a trailblazing new album collection from his CZYZ Records label. CZYZ was the original family name of his father and uncle before they came over to the USA in the 1920s and had their name “Americanized” into “Chess,” which set the brothers on a path to create their own music history.

Partnering with Marshall Chess on these projects is long-time friend Richard Ganter. Over the years, Ganter was in contact with Marshall after both promoted the “Legendary Masters” series in the mid- 1990s. They hit it off on a friendship that has lasted for several decades. Richard suggested a bunch of ideas for a Chess book to pay tribute to the Chess family legacy to Marshall, which in 2019 came to the concept of an illustrated coffee table-style high-quality photo book. When 2020 came around and Covid 19 hit, Richard used the time to finalize the concept of the book with Marshall’s foreword and full authorized support.

Realizing that the world pretty much stood still in 2020 with the Chess Records Tribute Book finished, Richard started the YouTube channel Chess Records Tribute to support the book release and produce the most unique channel to showcase the legacy of the Chess family and beyond with Marshall’s full support. Marshall at that point revived The Chess Project album he produced with his son Jamar and with several major artists and finalized the album in 2023. Thus, several major Chess projects came together to feature on the YouTube channel with the album now hitting the promo trail in 2024.

“The Chess Records Tribute channel pretty much evolved from launching the book and with such a vast array of music and Marshall’s direct and deep association with Chess and beyond we quickly realized we will produce original and unique content not seen anywhere on YouTube,”” adds Richard Ganter. “The vast and deep combined knowledge we bring to this makes the pods, special features and videos the go- to channel in Blues, and of course, across all other genres. The channel covers Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Soul, Gospel and Jazz, plus Comedy – the entire Chess history; plus we go beyond and cover Marshall’s later Rolling Stones involvement and his productions that take us right up to current times.”

After the initial launch in July, 2020, and the full launch in January, 2024, the YouTube channel boasts over 500 videos-and-counting to date. A unique offer for any music fan to learn and view, listen to some of the most amazing music ever recorded. The channel has over 20 playlists and features some of the most unique Blues videos and special documentaries ever made on the subject.

“The Chess Records Tribute YouTube channel reaches the far corners of the globe,” summarizes Ganter. “More specials are planned for 2024/2025 featuring Marshall Chess and his unique broadcast style to captivate and audience with the stories of his life in the music business that are truly one-of-a- kind. We have in-planning further special series that will become pod style tidbits of Marshall Chess folk tales covering artists and music, life and more.”

About the Chess Records Tribute Channel

The Chess Records Tribute Channel is the only dedicated video channel on all things Chess Records, its legacy and beyond, fully authorized by Marshall Chess. Currently the channel has 5k permanent subscribers and growing.

The channel boasts to date over 500 videos under several key genres such as Blues, Rock, Gospel, Soul, Jazz and Comedy, plus key Chess artist playlists where you get the most exclusive and rare videos seen on YouTube, refreshed every few days with new videos. The channel features over 70 exclusive podcasts by Marshall Chess, produced with Richard Ganter.

In addition to Blues, all other genres that Chess was famous for are covered in depth, including Soul and R&B. Dedicated playlists feature key artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson, Etta James, Little Walter and Chuck Berry, to name a few.

The channel further boasts special films and features including the specially re-colorized and digitized “Bo Diddley Legend” documentary produced by Marshall Chess.

The channel also features exclusive videos produced by Richard Ganter and Marshall Chess on the Grammy-nominated album Hip-Hop –influenced The Chess Project, produced by Marshall and Jamar Chess and Keith LeBlanc, featuring a stellar artist lineup of Bernard Fowler, backing vocalist of The Rolling Stones, world-class percussionist LeBlanc, Skip “Little Axe” McDonald (Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five) and Eric Gales (Santana, Gary Clark Jr., Lauryn Hill) on guitar; Paul Nowinski (Keith Richards, Patti Smith) and MonoNeon (Prince, Ne-Yo) on bass; Reggie Griffin (Kenny” Babyface” Edmonds, Chaka Khan) on keys; Alan Glen (Jeff Beck, Peter Green) on harmonica; and Mohini Dey, an up-and-coming young bass player from India.

Stats:

Videos: Over 550 videos live to date, with new videos published every week.

Podcasts: Over 70 podcasts published to-date every other week paying tribute to the Chess legacy hosted by the special Marshall Chess show covering all things music, social and tales from a lifetime of extraordinary experiences in the business of music, artists and beyond only available on this channel.

Shorts: Special artist and songs featured on short video format.

Community/Posts: Posts to all subscribers happen almost daily across all linked social media platforms such as X, Instagram and Facebook.

Merchandising: A dedicated tagged Merchandise Shop features exclusive designs, which helps maintain the channel production costs. Visit: https://www.youtube.com//store

Key Marketing Stats:

Subscriptions: 5k; The channel was soft launched 3 years ago and started to rack up nearly 600k views in the past 12 months, 30k likes and over 10k comments/interactions with viewers across social media.

Core channel audience markets worldwide: US, Canada, Brazil, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and South Africa

About Marshall Chess

After spending his early years alongside his father and uncle in Chicago studios and record pressing plants, Marshall Chess made his mark at the family label in the late ’60s with his own label Cadet Concept producing the groundbreaking albums Electric Mud (Muddy Waters) and Rotary Connection (self-titled). Marshall continued his innovative work as the founder and head of Rolling Stones Records and president of music publisher, Arc Music. The Chess family continue to be pioneers in the industry today; as this new collection is co-executive produced by Marshall’s son, Jamar Chess: a Billboard “30 Under 30” alum, 2019 ASCAP award-winner, and co-founder of Sunflower Entertainment and Wahoo Music Fund One, partnered by Marshall and Jamar.

Now living in Upstate New York and at 82 years old, Marshall Chess is still a record man above all – tending to the Chess Records legacy for his grandchildren and generations to come. He maintains The Chess Records Tribute YouTube channel, which features recorded live performances of Chess Records artists and a multi dozen-part Chess podcast hosted by Marshall where he chats about producing classic Chess albums and songs, many of which are reinterpreted on New Moves.

About Richard Ganter

Richard Ganter Started his career in publishing and studio/live productions covering several continents. During his career, he worked for various Polygram Record labels, MCA Records and Universal Music International, amongst others. A former executive at Universal Music Group International, he conceived the Legendary Masters series to reestablish the Chess Records catalogue to a global audience culminating in the production of the critically-acclaimed 15 CD Chess Story box set in 2000. He also produced several million-selling TV albums such as B.B. King Ultimate Collection. A former executive at Vivendi Universal Mobile, he marketed the first wireless mobile digital content portals globally across all genres from hip-hop to pop, including Eminem’s “8 Mile” film, Mary J Blige, Jay Z, Snoop Dog, The Rolling Stones European tour 2004, Sting, million-selling MTV Frog tune among others.

Richard Ganter is a published author running his own global digital media content management company focused on OTT platforms, video music production and channels .He divides his time between Europe and Africa.

Chess Records Tribute Channel Logo: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Chess-Reccords-Tribute-Channel-Logo.jpg

New Marshall Chess Hi-Res Photo: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Marshall-Chess-Hi-Res-Photo-by-Alex-Healy-scaled.jpg

Vintage Marshall Chess Hi-Res Photo: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Leonard-Marshall-and-Phil-Chess-scaled.jpg

10/18/2024

Blues Lifetime Achievement Winner and Blues Legend
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne Is Back With New Album Ooh Yeah! On CD and Digital Formats, Coming November 15

Listen to the First Single, “Try It Out” and Advance Purchase Links Here: https://stonyplainrecords.com/kennybluesbosswayne/

WATERDOWN, ON – Boogie-Woogie might sound like a silly name for a musical genre, but those who are masters of it should be held in high praise. From Professor Longhair, Otis Spann, and Duke Ellington to Fats Domino, Ray Charles, and Allen Toussaint, these Boogie-Woogie legends are responsible for some of the finest music ever created. But even those icons would be hesitant to do what Ontario-based legend Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne has done with his latest single “Try It Out.” A banjo, horns, Boogie-Woogie piano and a funky ‘70s bass line should not work so well. But thankfully, Wayne didn‘t listen, resulting in a refreshing, upbeat, and incredibly catchy track.

“Try It Out,” from Wayne ‘s forthcoming album Ooh Yeah!, opens with a gorgeous, funky bass line that sounds like it came direct from New York ‘s Studio 54 nightclub. But that‘s just a taste of what‘s around the song‘s corner. From there, a banjo emerges in the mix with some intricate fingerpicking, bringing to mind Ricky Skaggs or Billy Strings. The listener might do a double take at first but Wayne and his fine ensemble of musicians find the majestic mojo to get this single soaring before he‘s finished delivering his initial lyrics. Add horns into the already fine chorus, and the nearly 80-year-old Wayne is steering this party-starting staple to its glorious, good-times conclusion.

If “Try It Out” sounds this solid on Ooh Yeah!, it is beyond anyone‘s expectations how much of a show-stopper this single could be in concert. With the horns, banjo and Boogie-Woogie finesse of Wayne, this tune could easily go on for far longer than its current length of four minutes and thirty-six seconds.

As if Wayne‘s career wasn‘t deep and intriguing enough with his vast discography, “Try It Out” only adds another fine addition for the native of Spokane, Washington, who moved a few times in his early years with his family. Moving from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Wayne played gospel music with the encouragement of his father, the Reverend Matthew Spruell. An uncle would soon introduce the childhood prodigy to the world of Boogie-Woogie and from that a new avenue of expression opened up for Wayne.

A winner of Canada’s JUNO Award in 2006 for Best Blues Album and several Maple Blues Awards over his career, Wayne in 2017 was inducted into the Boogie-Woogie Piano Hall of Fame while performing as part of the Cincy Blues Festival. In 2023 he received the Bobby Blue Bland Lifetime Achievement Award from Atlanta‘s Jus Blues Music Foundation. And most recently was the winner of the 2024 Blues Music Award for ‘The Pinetop Perkins’ Piano Player of the Year as well as Living Blues magazine‘s Keyboardist of the Year honor.

Performing throughout Canada, the United States, and on various Blues Cruises, Wayne released his last studio album in 2022 entitled Blues From Chicago to Paris: A Tribute to Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon. In addition to these accolades, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne has shared the stage with a horde of legends including Pinetop Perkins, Johnnie Johnson, and Floyd Dixon. He also worked with a bevy of rock heavyweights including Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, the Doobie Brothers and Delaney and Bonnie among others. It‘s no surprise then that his nickname of “Blues Boss” is so accurate.

“Try It Out” is one of 12 great tracks from Wayne‘s Ooh Yeah!, which features great local guests including guitarist Jimmy Bowskill and a great horn section from Quebec. The album is described as “remarkably adventurous” as it “stretches the boundaries of instrumentation for the blues.” Judging by how much oomph is packed in “Try It Out,” listeners would be very fortunate and blessed to take Kenny “Boss Blues” Wayne up on his suggestion.

Track Listing:
Ooh Yeah!
Whatcha Gonna Do Now?
Baby, I’m Your Man
Sailing with the Sunset
My Point of View
Try It Out
Wishing Well
Honey, Honey, Honey
Blacklist
I Wish Things Were Different
It’s Pouring Down
That Crazy Monkey

Hi-res cover: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Kenny-Wayne-Ooh-Yeah-Hi-Res-Cover-scaled.jpg

Hi-res photo: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Kenny-Wayne-Hi-Res1-by-Anne-Harvey.jpg

For More Information:

US – Mark Pucci Media: 770.804.9555 / [email protected]

Canada – Eric Alper: 647-971-3742 / [email protected]

10/09/2024

Colin James Releases New Video For Single, "Protection,”
(Featuring Lucinda Williams); Chasing The Sun Tops Roots Music Canada Album Chart For 8 Weeks

After releasing his great Chasing The Sun album earlier in 2024, Canadian musician Colin James continues to be on fire thanks to the album's second single, "Protection” (featuring Lucinda Williams). James says a music video was shot in Nashville recently for the song, and a certain someone makes a special appearance in it.

"This song was written by Lucinda, and I was so, so happy that she agreed to sing on it and join us for the video shoot as well," James says. "She is a treasure. Hope you enjoy!"

Williams, who wrote the track, originally recorded "Protection" for her 2014 double-album Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone. The cover, meanwhile, came together near the end of the album recording. "When I first had to sing it, she was in on the couch in the listening room, and I didn't know she was coming over that early," James told Canadian journalist Terry David Mulligan in an August 2024 episode of the Mulligan Stew podcast discussing "Protection." "I hadn't even sung the song yet because it was a late choice for us. ’Protection' was at the last minute.

"We were going to do a song of hers that was much quieter, much more really played down and sad. I think we decided we needed tempo. So, (co-producer) Colin Linden phoned me one morning and said, 'What about 'Protection'? Do you know it?' I said, 'I think I know it.' We listened to it, and I said, 'Oh, I think it would be awesome!'" After James and Williams had a "nice dinner," Williams ended up singing on the track the following day.

The video release is the latest big news for James, but not the only feather in his proverbial cap. Chasing The Sun, released on Stony Plain Records, has topped the Roots Music Canada Album Chart for eight weeks. The album, co-produced and co-arranged by James and Colin Linden, was released in late August and has been steadily gaining new fans and listeners ever since.

With a new music video for "Protection,” a chart-topping studio album in Chasing The Sun and an extensive Canadian tour slated to start next February, the only thing currently hotter than the sun might be Colin James!

From Colin James' latest album "Chasing The Sun" Available now:https://stonyplainrecords.com/colinjames/Credits:Director/Editor: Adam JonesAssistant Camera: ...

10/09/2024

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐘 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
The ballot is now open & Zac Harmon's "Floreada's Boy" is up for Best Contemporary Blues Album consideration. First-Round voting closes on Friday October 15. Thank you voters for your consideration!

10/09/2024

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐘 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
Ballot is now open and Colin James' "Chasing the Sun" is up for Best Contemporary Blues Album consideration and his song "Protection" is up for Best Americana Performance consideration. First-Round voting closes on Friday October 15. Thank you voters for your consideration!

10/09/2024

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐘® 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
Voting for the First Round Grammy®️ Ballot is now open and Mike Zito's "LIFE IS HARD" is up for consideration for "𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌".
First-Round-Voting closes Friday, Oct. 15. Thank you Recording Academy voters for your consideration!

09/23/2024

Thank you Blues.Gr for showing our artists the love! Arlen Roth interview here:

I hope people never forget about the Blues as the 'root' of it all, and I hope people continue to 'grow' within the Blues, and use it for their own creativity…

09/23/2024

Check Out Eric Bibb's interview in Blues.Gr......

Happily, there is good and great music in every era. However, today's popular music often seems less heartfelt than the music I grew up listening to. I pray t…

09/20/2024

Rock and Blues Muse has just premiered the "Some Days" video from Ollee Owens, the first single off her upcoming album due out October 25. Check it out here:

Photo: Travis Nesbitt Video Premiere: Ollee Owens ‘Some Days’ Rock & Blues Muse is pleased to premiere the new video for Ollee Owens’ new single “Some Days” from her forthcoming album ‘Nowhere to Hide’ set to release on October 25th. Produced by Bobby Blazier,

09/20/2024

Nola Blue presents: 𝘽𝙏, the new album from Benny Turner. It hits the streets on October 18, just in time for his 85th birthday. He is one happy bluesman!

09/17/2024

Nola Blue Announces New BT Album from,Benny Turner on October 18th

BT Being Released to Honor Benny Turner’s 85th Birthday and the Close of Year-Long Celebration of Nola Blue Records’ Ten Year Anniversary

LANCASTER, Pa. – Nola Blue Records proudly announces the October 18 release of BT, a musical walk down memory lane with

Benny Turner, one of the last living links to Chicago’s gospel and electric blues scene in the mid-fifties and beyond. Turner revisits his special musical connections through the years, including tunes from Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Dee Clark, Hank Ballard, and more. Special guests include Billy Davis (last original member of Ballard’s Midnighters band), Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport and Sax Gordon. Three originals complete this soulful salute to his remarkable musical journey. “There is something very endearing about BT,” notes Grammy-winning engineer John Porter, who mastered the album. It is Turner’s fifth release on Nola Blue Records since 2014 when he joined the label with their inaugural release: his Journey album.

“I had a great time working on this album with some of my favorite musicians and reminiscing about my musical history, from picking up the guitar again to revisiting my gospel roots, to finally recording some of my favorites,” says Turner. “Including the songs ‘Born In This Time’ and ‘Who Sang It First’ are a very important reminder of the history of slavery and the roots of the blues that should never be forgotten.”

“BT has been a long time coming: recording began on July 23, 2018, at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and continued, intermittently, through the final session on August 12, 2024 at Right Coast Recording in Columbia, Pennsylvania,” says Nola Blue President Sallie Bengtson . “With stops, starts and detours including Cash McCall’s terminal illness (Benny put this project on pause so that he and Cash could have the opportunity to record Going Back Home together and brighten Cash’s final days), COVID lockdown, the devastation to his New Orleans home from Hurricane Ida, and ultimately a move to the Northeast, this album is truly a testament to tenacity, determination, and most especially endurance! Thankfully, we couldn’t have planned a better time to cross the finish line than now, as we release BT in honor of Benny’s 85th birthday and as we close the year-long celebration of Nola Blue Records’ ten year anniversary. Bursting with equal, if not more, pride than when launching the Nola Blue label in October, 2014, with Benny’s Journey album in celebration of his 75th birthday. You’re invited to savor the sounds of this vastly experienced and deeply soulful man who has claimed his well-earned place in the annals of blues history. “

Born in Gilmer, Texas, in 1939, Benny Turner and his older brother, Freddie King, learned to play guitar from their mother, Ella Mae (King) Turner. Although best known for his role as bassist for the Freddie King band, he later played with Mighty Joe Young and then with “Blues Queen of New Orleans” Marva Wright. Turner’s earliest musical endeavors include work as a recording artist for the M-Pac! and One-Derful! labels. He also appears on gospel recordings with The Kindly Shepherds and Otis Clay, including co-producing Clay’s hit, “When The Gates Swing Open” (he also played guitar, bass, and sung tenor and bass). Benny toured with Dee Clark and the Soul Stirrers in 1961. Turner’s award-winning utobiography, Survivor-The Benny Turner Story, was published in 2017. A Blues Music Award nominee (instrumentalist – bass), Turner is also an inductee into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame.

An album release celebration will be held on Turner’s 85th birthday, Sunday, October 27, at The Philadelphia Blues Society Launch Party at Jamey’s House of Music in Lansdowne, PA. He is also performing with the Nola Blue R***e, a showcase of blues veterans on the label who celebrate their shared roots in the down home blues tradition. Upcoming performances include the Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival (Lancaster, PA) on September 27 and The Lucerne Blues Festival (Luzern, Switzerland) in November. Benny will also be performing at the King Biscuit Festival (Helena, AR) on October 12.

Album preorders begin September 27. For additional information, visit facebook.com/bennyturnerbass and bennyturner.com/.

Benny Turner – BT Album Track Listing and Credits

Bump Miss Susie 2:52 – Rudolph Toombs; Unichappell Music, Inc.
Lead Vocals – Benny Turner;
Background Vocals – Charlie Burnett, Bobby Gentilo, Paul Murr, Nate Young
Guitar – Bobby Gentilo
Upright Bass – Charlie Burnett
Piano, B3 – Nate Young
Drums – Paul Murr
2. Going Down Slow 5:35 – James Oden; Universal-MCA Music Publishing Division of Universal Music Corp.
Lead and Background Vocals – Benny Turner
Guitar – Will McFarlane
Harmonica – Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport
Bass – Benny Turner
Keys, B3 – Clayton Ivey
Drums – Justin Holder

3. The Walk 4:01- Jimmy McCracklin; Arc/Conrad o/b/o Arc Music, Inc.
Vocals – Benny Turner
Guitar – Derwin “Big D” Perkins
Horns – Sax Gordon
Bass – Benny Turner
Piano, B3 – Shawn Allen
Clavinet – Bobby Gentilo
Drums – Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander

4. When I Call On You 4:12 – Dee Clark; Arc/Conrad o/b/o Conrad Music
Lead Vocals – Benny Turner
Background Vocals – Tiffany Pollack, Bobby Gentilo
Guitar – Will McFarlane
Guitar – Bobby Gentilo
Upright Bass – Charlie Burnett
Wurlitzer, B3 – Clayton Ivey
Percussion – Bobby Gentilo, Benny Turner
Drums – Christy Engel

5. Born in This Time 4:28 – Willie Boyd and Maurice Jarre; Sony/ATV Harmony and Sony/ATV Melody
Lead Vocals – Benny Turner
Background Vocals – Tiffany Pollack
First Rhythm Guitar – Will McFarlane
Second Rhythm Guitar – Bobby Gentilo
Banjo – Benny Turner
Bass – Benny Turner
Upright Bass – Charlie Burnett
Piano – Keiko Komaki
Wurlitzer, Hammond B-3 – Clayton Ivey
Percussion – Bobby Gentilo
Drums – Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander

6. Finger Poppin’ Time 4:11 – Hank Ballard; Embassy Music Corporation
Lead and Background Vocals – Benny Turner
Guitar – Billy Davis
Bass – Benny Turner
Piano, B-3 – Keiko Komaki
Piano, Wurlitzer – Nate Young
Claps – Benny Turner, Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander, Sallie Bengtson, Keiko Komaki
Drums – Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander

7. Smoke My Peace Pipe (Smoke It Right) aka A Tribute to Big Chief Bo Dollis 3:32 -Wilson Turbington; GOPAM Enterprises Inc. o/b/o Turbine Music
Lead Vocals – Benny Turner
Background Vocals – Warner Williams
Background Vocals – Marva Wright
Lead Guitar – June Yamagishi
Rhythm Guitar – Bobby Gentilo
Rhythm Guitar – Jack Miele
Bass – Benny Turner
Keys and B-3 – Keiko Komaki
Clavinet – Nate Young
Bass Drum – Norwood “Geechie” Johnson
Drums – Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander

8. Drunk 2:51- Benny Turner; Nola Blue Music
Lead Vocals – Benny Turner – Bass and Vocals
Background Vocals – Benny Turner, Sallie Bengtson and Bobby Gentilo
Guitar – Will McFarlane
Guitar – Steve Grills
Harmonica – Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport
Bass – Benny Turner
Piano – Bobby Gentilo
Wurlitzer – Clayton Ivey
Percussion – Bobby Gentilo
Justin Holder – Drums

9. Sleepy Time in the Barnyard 4:59 – Benny Turner; Nola Blue Music
Lead Guitar – Benny Turner
Guitar – Bobby Gentilo
Upright Bass – Charlie Burnet
Piano – Nate Young
Drums – Paul Murr

10. Who Sang It First 3:59 – James George and Benny Turner; Nola Blue Music
Vocals – Benny Turner
Background Vocals – Kassie Netherland Miele and Tiffany Pollack
Guitar – Will McFarlane
2nd guitar – Jack Miele
Bass – Benny Turner
Wurlitzer – Clayton Ivey
B-3 – Joe Krown
Drums – Justin Holder

All tracks produced by Benny Turner; Tracks 4, 6, 8 co-produced by Bobby Gentilo
All tracks mixed by Bobby Gentilo at Right Coast Recording, Columbia, PA except
Track 10 mixed by Jack Miele at Music Shed Studios, New Orleans, LA

Hi-res cover: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Benny-Turner-CD-Hi-Res-Cover.jpg

Hi-re photo: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Benny-Turner-Hi-Res-Publicity-Photo-1-by-Sallie-Bengtson-scaled.jpg

09/12/2024

Blues Rock Review just premiered the new video from the
Matt "Guitar" Murphy Tribute Album. Check it out here:

In a Blues Rock Review premiere watch the music video for “Rocket 88,” a tribute to Matt “Guitar” Murphy. The

09/09/2024

Canadian Soul/Blues Powerhouse Singer Ollee Owens
Set to Release New Album, Nowhere to Hide, on October 25

CALGARY, CANADA – Canadian soul/blues powerhouse singer Ollee Owens announces the release of her new album, Nowhere to Hide, on October 25th through her Ollee Owens Music label imprint. The first single from Nowhere to Hide, “Some Days,” was released on August 30. The song and upcoming album will be released by DistroKid Distribution.

Produced by Bobby Blazier, the music on Nowhere to Hide is also graced by the presence of Muscle Shoals all-star guitarist Will McFarlane on eight of the album’s eleven tracks.

“The writing of ‘Some Days’ came out of a desire to acknowledge the ups and downs of our day-to-day experiences and at the same time call out the resilience of the human spirit no matter what we come up against,” Owens says. “Sonically, we imagined it as a blues-infused song that leaves the listener feeling happy. It was recorded in Nashville with some of the best session musicians in Music City: Chris Rodriguez, Craig Young, Bobby Blazier, and DeMarco Johnson. The energy in the room that day was palpable as the song began to take shape, capturing exactly what I heard in my head when we wrote the song, resulting in a soulful and hope-filled anthem.”

After returning to music a decade ago and releasing 2022's Cannot Be Unheard, the Calgary-based blues/rock singer is better than ever with her latest dazzling, down-to-earth studio album Nowhere to Hide. It's one teeming with stylish, sophisticated jewels mined from blues, rock, and soul.

Nowhere to Hide features eight co-writing credits by Owens and a few covers, including Bob Dylan's "Lord Protect My Child." Whether it's Owens' confident delivery fueling the driving title track, the infectious "Some Days," or the deliciously well-crafted "Shivers and Butterflies," Owens is as dynamic as the eleven-track album is flawless.

"I learned so much," Owens says of the creative process, "especially, vocally, as there was real opportunity to dig deeper and embody the lyrics."

Nowhere to Hide, recorded at Nashville's Sweetbriar Studio and Gnome Studios, shines with help from a who's who of acclaimed Nashville session musicians Blazier brought to the album. "Bobby has an incredible ability to bring people together," Owens says of Blazier. "We all got in the studio together, gave it everything we got, and made some great music."

That great music derives from Owens' backstory in the farming community of New Bothwell, Manitoba. As a teen, she gravitated toward Dylan, Delta Blues, The Staple Singers, and Etta James. "When I came back to creating music, I really realized the depth and influence that particular style of music had on me," Owens says of her early listening habits.

Owens and her husband started their family early and had three daughters, one of whom has a cognitive disability. After some soul-searching, and realizing her daughter had exceptional needs, she took a hiatus from music. "I focused on being present and engaged for my daughters," she says.

As a result, "Lord Protect My Child" strikes an emotional chord as Owens pours her soul into it. "That song has really become close to my heart," she says. "My daughter is twenty-three now, but there's still a lot of vulnerability there. The desire for protecting and taking care of her will never go away."

Owens will be playing a Canadian concert in October celebrating the release of Nowhere to Hide and has plans for further touring in the spring. She's also performed at the Roots Blues and BBQ Festival in Drumheller, Alberta, and Calgary's National Music Centre, among several other venues.

Now with Nowhere to Hide, Owens will have a larger fan base thanks to an amazing album you would be wise to experience wherever you get your music.

Nowhere to Hide Track Listing and Credits

Nowhere To Hide 3:55
2. Solid Ground 2:47
3. Some Days 4:15
4. Roots 4:52
5. Love You Better 3:45
6. Still in Pieces 4:14
7. Shivers and Butterflies 4:42
8. My Man 3:22
9. Love Hung Around 3:59
10. The Neighborhood 4:06
11. Lord Protect My Child 6:29

Produced by: Bobby Blazier
Recorded at: Gnome Studios, Nashville TN (Tracks 1,2,4-6,8-10) Sweetbriar Studio, Nashville TN (Tracks 3,7,11)
Engineered by: Ty Callahan at Gnome (Tracks 1,2,4-6,8-10) Mike Kyle at Sweetbriar (Tracks 3,7,11)
Mixed by: Mike Kyle
Mastered by: Nathan Dantzler at The Hit Lab

Guitar: Will McFarlane (Tracks 1,2,4-6,8-10) Phil Hughley (Tracks 1,2,4-6,8-10) Chris Rodriguez (Tracks 3,7,11)
Bass: Tommy Sims (Tracks 1,2,4-10) Craig Young (Tracks 3,11)
Drums/Percussion: Bobby Blazier (All Tracks)
Keys/Organ/Piano: DeMarco Johnson (Tracks 3,4,6,7,10,11) Gabe Klein (Tracks 1,2,5,8,9)
Horns: Rahsaan Barber (Sax on tracks 2,10) Cord Martin (Sax on track 11) Roland Barber (Trumpet on track 10)
Background Vocals: Joey Richey (Tracks 2-11) Gene Miller (Tracks 2-10) Minnie Pearl (Track 11)

Songwriter Credits

Ollee Owens, Kornelius Colyn: Some Days/Love You Better/Still in Pieces/Roots/Shivers and Butterflies
Ollee Owens, Will McFarlane: Solid Ground/My Man
Ollee Owens, Phil Hughley: Nowhere to Hide
Will McFarlane, Tommy Coomes: Love Hung Around
David Hidalgo, Louie Perez: The Neighborhood
Bob Dylan: Lord Protect My Child

Hi-res cover: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/NTH-ALBUM-ART-HIGH-RES-JPG-scaled.jpg

Hi-res photo by Riana Lisbeth: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Ollee-Owens-Hi-Res-Photo-by-Riana-Lisbeth.-scaled.jpg

US/Europe Publicity Contact: Mark Pucci Media - [email protected] / (770) 804-9555

Canada: Eric Alper – [email protected]