Dan Baird
Dan Baird
The Georgia Satellites
Dan Baird’s career took off when his band, The Georgia Satellites’ single, “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” became a massive hit in 1986 from their debut album, Georgia Satellites. The song reached number two on the charts, and the album spawned off another radio favorite, “Battleship Chains.” The band released two more albums and had another hit with “Hippy Hippy Shake” for the movie Cocktail. In 1990, Dan decided to call it quits and go solo, but the band still carries the torch.
Solo Career and Homemade Sin
Dan released his first solo album, Love Songs for the Hearing Impaired, in 1992, produced by Brendan O’Brien with Executive Producer Rick Rubin. The album produced hits, “I Love You Period,” and “The One I Am.” Dan has released 15 solo albums in total with his band, Homemade Sin, which features former members of the The Georgia Satellites, including Mauro Magellan. Dan decided in 2019 that he would stop touring at the end of the year.
The Bluefields and The Chefs with Stan Lynch
Just because Dan is no longer going to tour, he is always coming up with new projects, including playing bass in the the band, The Bluefields. The band includes Warner E. Hodges and Joe Blanton (Royal Court of China). A new collaboration is The Chefs, with just Dan and Stan Lynch, the former drummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The album titled, Heated and Treated, is an instrumental that has the flavor of the 60’s surf music, especially with Hippy Surf Party, Hurricane, and Keep Calm.
Video interview with Dan Baird
The Chefs “Hippy Surf Party”
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The Chefs
John Scarpulla
Danny Miranda – Part 2
Danny Miranda
We Will Rock You, Queen, Paul Rodgers, and Meatloaf
In part one, Danny talked about his influences as a bass player and how he joined Blue Oyster Cult. In part two, we discuss when he left BOC to audition for the We Will Rock You musical in 2004, and the Queen and Paul Rodgers Tour that followed. They released one album, The Cosmos Rocks. Danny went on to play with Meatloaf until 2017, and later, he found himself rejoining BOC. Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma told Danny that BOC is his home and he is always welcomed. Blue Oyster Cult released their new album in August, The Symbol Remains.
Video interview with Danny Miranda
Blue Oyster Cult “That Was Me”
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Greg Smith – Bassist for Ted Nugent (Part 1 of 2)
Greg Smith- Bassist for Ted Nugent
A bassist who jumped on opportunities
Greg Smith, a bass player with an extensive career in the rock n’ roll world, is currently the bassist and co-vocalist with Ted Nugent. His first break came when he was invited by Gene Simmons to join the touring band in support of Wendy O. Williams’ first solo album in 1984. He then went on to work with Vinnie Moore, and shortly thereafter, was asked to join Alice Cooper in 1991. Greg recorded three albums with him, and officially left Alice Cooper in 2002. During his time with Alice Cooper, he was also working with Tonto Tonto and Red Dawn in 1992 and 1993, respectively. In 1994, Greg was invited to audition for the new Rainbow band that Ritchie Blackmore was putting together, and stayed with the band until 1997. In 2000, Greg jumped at the chance to audition for the Billy Joel musical play, Movin’ Out, The idea and initial rehearsal started in 2000. The pre-Broadway run began in 2002 in Chicago. He stayed through the duration until 2007. In 2007, Greg received a phone call from Ted Nugent to join his band and has been with him since.
Other artists Greg has played and recorded with
Never one to sit still, Greg is also part of bands, Tokyo Motor Fist, and holiday band, Wizards of Winter. Greg has also worked with rock icons, Blue Öyster Cult, Dokken, Joe Lynn Turner, Tommy James & the Shondells, Alan Parsons, The Turtles, Felix Cavaliere, Chuck Negron, Joey Molland, Denny Laine, and Mitch Ryder.
Video interview with Greg Smith
Tokyo Motor Fist “Pickin’ Up the Pieces”
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Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
A legend in his own time
With this being the 30th anniversary we lost Stevie Ray Vaughan, we who love his music should celebrate and reflect on his accomplishments to the music world.
His career lasted only seven short years, but what a legacy he has left us. If you had a chance to see him, you are lucky. I last saw Stevie at Old Orchard Beach in Maine when the Stray Cats opened up August 6, 1989. I was near the stage and not far from him — it was another jaw-dropping experience. I made an attempt to see him with Jeff Beck at Madison Square Garden, to no avail.
Double Trouble and David Bowie
Throughout the early to mid 1970’s, Stevie was in various bands and in 1978, he formed his band, Double Trouble, with bassist Jackie Newhouse and drummer Chris Layton completing the band. The band became a staple at an Austin, Texas club, the Rome Inn. After Newhouse’s departure in 1980, Stevie asked bassist Tommy Shannon to join and he didn’t hesitate. The band was known as Double Trouble, but they were most commonly known as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble.
In 1982, record producer Jerry Wexler helped the band to get a slot at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The next night, Double Trouble was at a gig at the Montreux Casino, and among the attendees was Jackson Browne, who even got up and jammed. Browne told the band they could use his studio to record for free. While recording, Stevie received a call from David Bowie, and asked if he would be interested in playing on his next studio album, Let’s Dance. The record was a hit and started to make Stevie a name. As David Bowie was planning Let’s Dance tour, Stevie did not want to agree to David’s terms and went back to Texas.
Texas Flood and the beginning of a legacy
The recordings used from Jackson Browne’s studio, turned in to their first album, Texas Flood, including radio favorites, “Love Struck Baby” and “Pride and Joy.” In 1984, Double Trouble recorded their follow up-album, Couldn’t Stand the Weather, the title track of the same name was a hit on MTV and solidified the band as a concert draw. The band began to play bigger venues on their own and even headlined a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 1985, Double Trouble’s third album, Soul to Soul, was released and by this time, their live performances were in demand and resulted in the 1986 release, Live Alive, recorded in Austin at the Austin Opera House, and the Dallas Starfes in Dallas. Stevie also admitted himself to rehab for substance and alcohol addiction.
In Step and another day music died
The divorce of Stevie and his wife Lenny in 1987 prevented him from releasing any new material. Finally, in 1989, the much anticipated fourth album, In Step, was released. Stevie was concerned that now being sober would have an effect on his playing, he was right. In Step was a smash hit with such radio favorites as, Crossfire, Tight Rope, and The House is a Rocking’. In Step was the most commercially successful release to date and won a Grammy Award. The band continued to support the album through 1990.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble were invited to open for Eric Clapton at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin for two sold-out shows, August 26 and 27, 1990. Unfortunately, this show would be Vaughan’s last, as the helicopter carrying Stevie and some of Eric Clapton’s crew crashed into a nearby ski hill shortly after takeoff, killing everyone on board.
Stevie’s last show August 27, 1990 (audio only)
Stevie playing Hendrix’ “Little Wing”
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Phil Varca and The SlamJammers
Phil Varca and The SlamJammers
A Blues Rock Trio from Long Island
Phil Varca & The SlamJammers, a powerful rockin’ blues band from Long Island, New York. The band formed in 1989, with Phil Varca, guitar and vocals, and drummer, Russell Stone, who have been together since the beginning. Current bassist, Tom Porter, has been in the band since 1998.
First album and live performances
The band released their first album in 1992 “Lightning & Thunder,” an original five-song collection. The release was was met with great response, and the band was chosen to appear at The New York Music Seminar in 1992, and the 1993 South by South West Music Conference in Austin, Texas. Their first full album, “Ready, Willing, and Able,” was released in 1997, a culmination of eight years’ persistence, hard work, and determination, landed the group coveted showcase slots at the 1997 North by North East Music Conference in Toronto, Canada, 1998 CrossRoads Music Conference and BluesStock 1999, both held in Memphis, Tennessee.
The band’s live shows are where they show their talent. Extended improvisational jams and musical interplay have come to define the group’s live performances and reflect their experience. They are a solid working unit that consistently delivers. 2004, saw the release of “Live at Riverhead“ – recorded live at the 2002 Riverhead Blues Festival in Riverhead, New York. The recording features extended versions of original and cover material and a guest appearance by guitarist, Andy Aledort, senior editor for Guitar World magazine.
Video interview with Phil Varca
Phil Varca and The SlamJammers “Don’t Push Me”
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Ready, Willing & Able
CC Coletti- Meat Loaf, Solo Career & Janis Joplin Tribute
CC Coletti – Vocalist
CC Coletti Band
CC, a New Jersey native, started singing and creating music at a young age. Her main influences are: Janis Joplin, Robert Plant, and Aretha Franklin. CC has two solo releases, Woodstock Lane, released in 2008, and her sophomore release, Let It All Hang Out in 2013. In addition to her second solo release in 2013, she recorded Bring It On Home with Chesky Records, a modern play on Led Zeppelin songs. Her latest release is a single with Anthony Krizan, called Crazy.
The CC Coletti Band has been the opening act for: The Doobie Brothers, Meat Loaf, The Outlaws, Brett Michaels, The Smithereens, South Side Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, and more.
Experience Janis
In 2009, CC put together “Experience Janis,” a tribute to Janis Joplin. The first song she learned to sing was, Me and Bobby McGee, so it came naturally for her to form the band. The success of “Experience Janis” has grown enough where the demand requires them to play theaters.
Meat Loaf 2003-2011
CC Coletti (Carolyn Coletti Jablonski) is known worldwide as a background vocalist with rock and roll legend, Meat Loaf and his Neverland Express World Tours from 2003 through 2011. CC can be heard on the Bat Out Of Hell Live With The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra CD/DVD and 3 Bats Live DVD.
Video interview with CC Coletti
“Mercedes Benz” Video
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