Solar Music

29/04/2024

Time Flies..... It's been 10 years since the passing of my friend JP Richardson Jr, ( The Big Bopper Jr), I have many memories of JP.... Meeting him at Clearlake, Getting him his first shows, our fishing trip to Alaska, getting him on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame show in Cleveland, our trip to England to perform for the Eddie Cochran Festival, in the Studio recording "The Legacy of The Big Bopper", and making some videos that have not seen the light of day. Photo from Video shoot of "White Lightin", and after party at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! A splendid time had by all! I talked to him the night before his heart surgery, with very nervous words he said, "Love ya man, see you on the other side!". I think of him often, he is missed. We had a lot of plans and dreams,

08/04/2024

🌞 Don’t be in the dark about our Solar Eclipse sale on vinyl LP’s! 🌑 Get your hands on “Robby Steinhardt-Not In Kansas Anymore” and “Blues Image- Next Voyage” at a stellar price. 🎶 Click the link in our bio for more celestial deals!

01/04/2024

Release of the Album "Margarita" by Columbian/American artist Margarita Media. Beautiful latin flavored original songs. Recorded in Orlando features the usual suspects Tommy Calton on Guitar, Tim Franklin on Bass, Charlie DeChant on Sax and Flute, Steve Walters on Trumpet/ Flugelhorn, Charlie 3Names on Drums and Orlando Sanchez on percussion. Keys and production by moi!
Just in Time for Chino de Mayo.https://solarmusic.com/music/margarita-medina-digital-download/

17/03/2024

☘️ Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all our followers! ☘️

Celebrate with the beautiful Irish tunes of Timmy Flaherty’s album “Dream of Erin” 🎶🇮🇪 Available now via digital download through Solar Music. Get ready to feel the luck of the Irish with this amazing collection of traditional and original songs. 🎻🍀 🌈

05/03/2024

🎉 Happy Birthday Chris Squire! 🎉 Today we celebrate the legendary bass player of YES, who would have turned 76 today. It was an honor to have Chris be a part of the 1000 Hands family, contributing his incredible talent to Chapter One. His legacy lives on through his music and his impact on the progressive rock genre. Cheers to you, Chris! 🎸🎶

03/03/2024

Happy Birthday to guitar and studio virtuoso . Tommy is an vital part of our Solar Family. Recording on over 40 albums with producer Michael Franklin. Please help us wish our dear friend a Happy Birthday!

29/02/2024

Remembering a night in my rock and roll history. I went to Nashville, actually Lyle, Tennessee, around June 1989 I went to visit my friend , Drummer Jerry Allison. Jerry was the original drummer and song written for Buddy Holly and The Crickets. He was married to "Peggt Sue"! I went there to produce a Christmas song with the Cricket, "Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly" on the Rock and Roll Xmas " on solar Music. While I was there staying in "The Big House", there were guests living upstairs above the recording studio. I didn't find out until dinner time, that the guests were Bobby Keys and Kieth Richards. Kieth had come to get Bobby Bacon the Band. (The Stones) there had been a falling out of sorts. Anyway with out in criminating everyone, libations ensued! More libations than I was used to but I tried casually to keep up. I May have faked my way though it, no one was paying attention to me........ I faded after an hour or so........................... Next morning I woking late to find everyone gone and J.I already in the barn. I hardly remember any of it except I have the Beatle Booleg album, Jerry gave it to me. So much happened before Live Stream and cell phones A Splendid time had by all!
We play bootleg vinyls

20/02/2024

Solar Music Producer Michael Franklin lived in China for more than 10 years, working with famous Chinese musicians and writing music for Felix the Cat and Hello Kitty cartoons. He worked closely with the largest production company in Asia, Impack HK.

After hearing Chinese singer/songwriter Fei Peng (Fei Fei) in concert, he wanted to work with her on a Chinese/English rock concept album.

“I thought she was the best singer in China, and her English was great,” says Franklin. He brought Fei Peng to Solar Studios in Orlando to record her first practically English album. “Using the great studio musicians here, we were able to create songs and sound circa 1980’s Joni Mitchell rock material. The album came out fantastic – we truly love it.”

20/02/2024

Absolutely amazing... Hope for the humanity yet. Andrea Bocelli Sold out show at The Amway/Kia arena. 20,000 people to see an opera singer. Several other performers were on the show including Italian rocker Zucchero Fornaciari and Bocelli's 10 year old daughter brought house down. A splendid time had by all. Music is the medicine! once in a lifetime show

13/02/2024

I want to shout out to a great piano player.... My wife Nana and also to youngster Cory Henry.

08/02/2024

Remembering video shoot at Solar Studios. Jon’s Green Screen suit was the smallest one we could find! But it worked perfectly! Pictured with the late .

07/02/2024

Remembering 1000 Hands video shoot at Solar Studios. Jon's Green Screen suit. The smallest one I could find! But it worked perfectly! with Mitch Jacobson, Robby Steimhardt, Russell Chalk and Tim.

05/02/2024

“Every year about this time I think about Feb 3rd 1959. I was only 7 years old and a dear friend of mine wouldn’t be born for another 6 months. J.P. Richardson Jr, son of The Big Bopper was born 3 months after his father’s death. I met JP at the 40th Anniversary of the last concert of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Big Bopper at the Surf Ballroom. That night after the show, they would all perish in a plane crash only 5 miles from the airport. It would be announced to the world the next day. This music and demo record were in the plane crash. They were given to my brother and me for working on 23, “The Lost Songs of The Big Bopper”.
These songs were found in a briefcase in the wreckage of the plane crash. The frame contained the piano music used on the show and the first demo record found in the infamous plane crash. I cherish these Rock and Roll artifacts and would like them to go into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were given to me on a TV show by Big Bopper Jr and Fabian. I miss my friend Jay. We had big plans. I gave him his first concert. I booked him on many shows around the country. I traveled with him to England and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as his conductor. I wish he had lived to see Big Bopper on the HOF. Maybe someday.” - Producer

05/02/2024

Every year about this time I think about Feb 3rd 1959. I was only 7 tears old and a dear friend of my wouldn't be born for another 6 months. J.P. Richardson Jr, son of The Big Bopper. I met him at the 40th Anniversary of the last concert of Buddy Holly, Ricthie Valens and Big Bopper at the Surf Ballroom Feb 3 1959. That night after the show all will perish in a plane crash only 5 miles from t he airport. It would be announced to the world the next day. This music and demo record were given to my brother and I for working on a TV show by Big Bopper Jr and Fabian. The 23 "The Lost Songs of The Big Bopper", were found in a briefcase in the wreckage of the plane crash. The frame contained the piano music used on the show and first demo record found in the infamous plane crash. I cherish this Rock and Roll artifacts and would like them to go in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I miss my friend Jay we had big plans. I traveled with him to England as his MD and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I wish he had lived to see Big Bopper on the HOF> Maybe someday.

04/02/2024

Sending all our love and positive thoughts to founding member of Blues Image, Mike Pinera, as he is currently in the hospital. We’ll keep everyone posted on his progress. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. 🙏

03/02/2024

one of my favorite photos....Silver Springs, Chuck's 75th birthday! Hail Hail Rock and Roll!

28/01/2024

Our college education, a new group every week, playing 5 sets a night , 6 days a week for 6 years, plus the TV show. Little Darlin's Rock and Roll Palace 2 years and then The Wolfman Jack TV series. Recorded in Kissimmee, Florida, Nashville and Baltimore. 46 Shows and several specials

Here's a compilation of the biggest Rock n Roll legends!1. Bryan Hyland - The Joker Went Wild 0:552. The Dixie Cups - Chapel Of Love 3:533. Del Shannon - Run...

27/01/2024

Since its we are taking a look back at the 1992 show. jammming with alongside the late and . Michael has been in the Kurzweil family for the last 30 plus years.

24/01/2024

I want to pay my respects to a great artist, I worked with for many years. Melanie Safka was a truly original artist who performed at the original Woodstock in 1969. The world knew her as Melaine. Her acclaim would come from some well crafted songs, "Brand New Key", which was I think on of the first women empowerment anthemns, "Lay Down Candles in the Rain", which was her tribute to Woodstock. "Ring the Living Bell", "Look What they've Done to my Song Ma" and many others. I am proud to have produced several albums for Melaine. Tim and I toured with her on several "Woodstocks" and in Europe. Photos: Yasgar's Farm for Woodstock 25, The crowds at Bethel and the monument ( the original site). On stage with Melaine, her daughters, Layla and Jordie, Marc Clermont on drums. Melaine and I at the Texas Blues Festival. A guitar she signed for me at Woodstock and the message that I remember fondly. Though I have not seen her in many years after I moved to China and since my return to the US, I was actually going to reach out to her to do an orchestral show. I would have been a good chance to remember all the great work and good times we had back then. RIP and condolences to Beau, Jordie and Layla.

24/01/2024

Check out our awesome new shirts featuring iconic designs from Robby Steinhardt, Blues Image, and more! Rock out in style with these must-have additions to your wardrobe 🤘

22/01/2024

Rockin ......

22/01/2024

Thx to all that have supported a successful release of "Anahata".
Anahata Reviews

https://www.goldminemag.com/reviews/michael-timothy-franklins-jazz-album-anahata-features-guests-tower-of-power-horns-billy-cobham-more-

https://tempest.saymedia.com/ #/content-items/cs02561dad300025d9/ContentArticle/view/ci02cb96b5e00027e5

https://www.rootsmusicreport.com/reviews/view/1788/album-review-of-anahata-by-michael-franklin-timothy-franklin

https://dmme.net/michael-franklin-timothy-franklin-anahata/?fbclid=IwAR3AbYMziGwG_CIRusB_aSSmJ3dkwR5xWGX6ySZPEZaS0_5hmJ0uWElS_x8

https://annecarlini.com/ex_cd.php?id=4876

https://www.bmansbluesreport.com/search/label/Review

http://www.musicstreetjournal.com/index_cdreviews_display.cfm?id=108334

https://www.saitenkult.de/2023/09/03/kult-kompass-august-2023/

https://www.rocktimes.info/michael-franklin-timothy-franklin-anahata-cd-review/

https://www.goldminemag.com/reviews/michael-timothy-franklins-jazz-album-anahata-features-guests-tower-of-power-horns-billy-cobham-more-

https://www.muzikman.net/search/label/Jazz%20Fusion

https://gb.readly.com/magazines/prog/2023-06-23/649116882b63b2b3c71f1833

Grant moon has a rummage down the back of the prog sofa for the ones that nearly got away…

21/01/2024

with at working on a new project with Les. It’s always a great time when these two are in the same room!

21/01/2024

We would like to take a moment and remember a dear friend and devote fan of the band. Bill Hoffman was a wonderful gu🦜followed the band across the country for 36 years. We would be in West Virgina , there's Bill, Palm Springs there is Bill. He often would come to Little Darlin's with his daughter. We truly did appreciate him. We we to perform at Bill's birthday , however he became ill and he passed on 1/2/2024. What a wonderful guy.

William H. Hoffman, 72, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024. Better known as Bill, he was born in Wareham, Massachusetts. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School in Falmouth, Massachusetts

20/01/2024

... One of the greats! ....always wonderful to work with this guy. Check out “Prettiest Kitty in New York City”, on the album “Black Cat Blues”, on Solar Music.

19/01/2024

accepting Lifetime Achievement Award from the Government of Panama last night. was dedicated to Billy and his 80th year and his work. What a treat to be in attendance during this monumental moment! 🥁🎶 Thank you Billy for inviting us

#2024

18/01/2024

Getting the final touches just right with the legendary Robby Steinhardt at Solar Studios. Which track from ‘Not In Kansas Anymore’ is your favorite? Let us know! Available for your listening pleasure on CD, Vinyl, and digital download now. 🎶

17/01/2024

Meet the incredible , our long-time friend and amazing percussionist at Solar Studios! His talent has been featured on countless recordings, making him an essential part of our team. From to , Joseph’s work speaks for itself. We’re grateful to have him as part of our musical family.”

16/01/2024

🎶 Exciting day at Solar Studios as we have the amazing in the house! 🌟 Tommy has been a longtime collaborator and has featured on numerous releases, including records and live band. His talent and passion for music always shines through in every recording session. Stay tuned for some incredible music coming your way! 🎸🎤