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I’m very happy to say that
2008 has gotten off to a great start! It’s a year of ‘firsts’ so far…
In January I had the pleasure of working with several great New York studio
musicians and the Orlando Symphony Orchestra at a big IBM event. My old
friend Ira Siegel, brother Lane Hoppen, Paul Guzzone (he and Ira are also in
the Bacon Bros. Band) and the rest of us had a blast; I’d never played in a
rock band with a full orchestra at the same time!
Here in late February, I’ve just returned from a week in Tokyo with Robbie
Dupree and the band that’s been going to Japan for about 5-6 years now. In
2007 we cut a CD together, as a band, and at the Cotton Club (Tokyo) we
played 10 shows featuring the entire new album! Reception to this new
collection of songs was excellent. I’m excited for the May 10 Japan release
on the new MusicAir label, a Partner to a major Japan TV station.
www.RobbieDupree.com
On March 1, Rock & Pop Masters
www.RPMconcerts.com has its first show with one of my true musical
heroes – Felix Cavaliere of Young Rascals fame. I grew up on Long Island
with Felix’ songs, voice and Hammond B3 being a BIG part of my teen life.
It’s a thrill to be working with him – AND, he’s just a great guy, as well!
You can see on the Tour Dates at
www.OrleansOnline.com that Orleans has a busy schedule coming up, as
well – including our first-ever performances in Europe. We’ll be in Holland
mid-April, after we do a return to my home town of Bay Shore, NY and an
important fundraiser for a terrific Food Kitchen in Kingston, NY which helps
thousands of people each month get good meals.
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Orleans’ first-ever DVD* now available at
www.OrleansOnline.com
I’m very excited about this. It features BOTH John Hall and his replacement,
our old friend Dennis “Fly” Amero – as well as an expanded band with
percussionist Manuel Quintana and Hall & Oates’ veteran saxman Charlie
Dechant. There’s 16 great songs running the entire timeline of Orleans’
history – including some brand new, unreleased songs – and some terrific
extras: interviews with each band member, our Nation Anthem performance at
Fenway Park and the very funny Fly blues song “Mall Cop” as Bonuses. I’m
proud of it – the music’s great, production excellent and the vibe in the
intimate old church filled with a houseful of fans is unbeatable.
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Also off to a great start, the way I see it, is the engagement of so many
more people in the country during this historic and high-stakes election
year.
I hope that everyone who is eligible to vote will exercise that right.
Without the men and women who have given their service and lives to secure
our freedom for the last 200+ years, I know I would not have the privilege
to make a living as a musician. So many of our advantages and privileges
here in the USA are taken for granted, but the fact is that unless we
participate in our government and election of good leaders, our freedoms
become more at risk.
Please vote, and may the best men and women win!
Thanks for visiting; Spring’s just around the corner! Larry
All
the best,
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