Finding a balance between the visceral and intellectual is one of the trickiest things to pull off in music, but Lisa Bianco manages to do just that. Her songs, evocative and inventive, straddle the line between punk rock passion and singer/songwriter introspection to create something uniquely her own.

A performer emerging from New York City’s underground scene, Bianco has earned laudatory notices from publications such as CMJ ("Distinctive NYC underground songstress"), the Village Voice ("galvanizing") and East Coast Rocker ("Bianco is spreading a unique sound throughout the New York underground. An interesting blend of alternative, guitar rock, and pure punk aggression has led to a very distinct calling"). That praise has come in the wake of her electric live performances - shows that erase the distance between artist and audience. Lisa says, "I play and tour because it provides a sense of purpose. I often feel like a messenger. When I’m on stage, I feel so alive, and I work to convey that to everyone."

Subsequently, her fan base has been a strong and growing one, cultivated by years of hitting the NYC club circuit at venues such as the Mercury Lounge, the Knitting Factory, Rockwood Music Hall, Arlene’s Grocery, the Bitter End, Maxwell’s and the Saint in NJ. She has recently done an east coast/Canadian tour, performed several times at NYC’s Anti-Folk Festival on a bill with contemporaries such as Nicole Atkins and Regina Spektor, as well as playing the CMJ Music Marathon and the Light of Day concerts in Asbury Park. Her influences, an eclectic mix of artists such as Radiohead, Patti Smith, Led Zeppelin, and power-pop artists like The Bangles and Blondie, have informed her musical sensibility, a combination of the hard and the heady, with an intensely emotional foundation.

The Great Neck Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts through education, exhibition, performance and outreach. Since our founding in 1993, over 100,000 people of all ages and backgrounds have taken advantage of our many classes, live performances, programs, workshops, films and art exhibits.

Take a class! View some art! Enjoy a concert! Preview a hot new film! Be a part of our film festival! Meet an artist! BE an artist!

GNAC is a proud affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: Partners in Education program and the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. and the producer of the Gold Coast International Film Festival!

Born in San Antonio, raised on the high plains of West Texas, MonsterKat recording artist Randell Beck is a renaissance man. "I listened a lot as a kid. Fell in love with the sound of guitar. And I remember listening to Willie and Waylon, Buck and Merle, the Eagles, Poco, and just feeling the emotion of great songs. Even then, I got it," says Beck.

As an accomplished country singer and guitarist, he is also comfortable with tools, instruments, spreadsheets, and computers. He can whip a honky-tonk crowd into a frenzy, renovate a house single-handedly, and install his own complete recording studio from the wiring out.

Currently recording and performing both as a solo acoustic singer and as leader of Silvertrain, Randell has performed in bands and solo since high school. He has filled the lead guitar chair for jazz bands, and has performed with Country Caravan (SPC), members of Sixpence None the Richer, One Bad Pig, and the Nation.

Music was not Randell’s only interest – he is an excellent skier/racer, a qualified ski instructor, a sailor and rider, and an avid participant in several shooting sports. Randell has a light touch on personal issues when writing or performing, yet he has awards for public speaking. Is it any wonder that his songs display so many emotional dimensions, subtle shadings and colorful textures?

Lubbock, Texas is an area packed with musical history. The home of Buddy Holly , Waylon Jennings, Mac Davis, JD Souther, and Joe Ely, is it any wonder Randell grew up with a deep abiding love for guitar and all its musical expression? From his very first band in high school Randell was getting on the radio shows and performing publicly.

Located near Lubbock, Levelland, Texas is Randell’s hometown. He attended South Plains Community College, Texas Tech University, and the University of Texas at Austin. After completing his 4-year degree at Texas Tech University, Randell joined the US Navy as an officer. He was stationed in Japan for 2 ½ years, and has had several interesting assignments, none of which he can discuss. "But they were "interesting’", says Beck. He has been on ships and in the Special Warfare Commands (SEAL Teams).

CHARETTA is a female-fronted modern rock band based out of New York City. Formed in 2007, the band’s sound has hard rock elements similar to artists such as Breaking Benjamin and RED, while layering angst-filled, yet melodic, female vocals. One fan accurately summarized Charetta’s sound by stating, “it sounds like Alanis Morissette punching Chevelle in the face.”

In the summer of 2011, CHARETTA plans to release “A Nation Distracted,” which was recorded at Vudu Studios and produced by Mike Watts (Story of theYear, Theory of a Deadman) and Steven Haigler (Fuel, Brand New). “Great grooves, monster riffs, and killer vocals,” says Watts. To the delight of their loyal fans, the band is currently planning an EP release show at a major venue in New York City this summer.

CHARETTA (pronounced “sha-RET-uh”) consists of Angelina DelCarmen (vocals), Pablo LaFrossia (guitar), Chris Fullam (guitar), Richard Mollo (bass), and Adonis Sanchez (drums). The band started in2007 when Pablo and Adonis, who were long-time friends and veterans of the local scene, wanted to start a new project with an amazing vocalist. Through a Myspace posting, they found Angelina. “She sang on our demos and just blew us away. One audition was all we needed to hear,” says Adonis. It was at that time the project was named, but the band prefers to keep the meaning of CHARETTA a mystery. Only their most dedicated fans know their secret. Several months and many auditions later, the band added Richard as their permanent bassist, and the band’s foundation was born. In July 2009, the band released their debut album “Defying the Inevitable” which was produced by Brett Hestla (Creed, Dark New Day). Since then, CHARETTA has made countless appearances in the Northeast region (opening for national acts such as Saliva and Smile Empty Soul), put out a music video for “Runs In The Blood,” and have had their music featured in the independent film release “5th of a Degree,” as well as the television program “The Mun2 Look” on Mun2. In late 2010, before going into the studio to record what would become “A Nation Distracted,” the band added Chris as their second guitarist. “Chris and I have similar styles. We are both heavily influenced by Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge), so it was a very natural fit,” sharesPablo. Now a 5-piece, the band is performing regionally to promote their upcoming release.

Discovering the meaning behind the band’s name CHARETTA remains a challenge, but finding their music is definitely not.  You can find them online at Charetta.com, as well as many other popular music websites such as Pandora.com and Jango.com. Their music is also available for sale in major digital outlets such as iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.

http://www.charetta.com/

GrubLife is focused exclusively on connecting students and locals based in college communities with discounted offers from small businesses in their area. As the nation’s premier college-focused social buying network, GrubLife has a revolutionary approach as the only company to offer two deals each day for students and local residents.

Consumers that sign up for a GrubLife account on GrubLife.com receive via email or text message a ‘grub’ deal that includes various discounts at eateries and bars around town, and a ‘life’ deal that is a deep discount on activities like bowling, skydiving or services like hair and nail salons. Daily discounts are 50-70% off regular business prices.

For more information on GrubLife, please visit: http://www.grublife.com

Last Days of Summer is a four-piece rock group from Long Island, NY formed in 2009. Their edgy pop sound, remarkable versatility, and signature dual vocals have gained them much attention among the music scene, earning a sponsorship with Fervency Clothing and joining alongside artists such as Kevin Devine and The Ataris. LDOS just released their first EP entitled, "Moving On" on March 6th and is currently playing shows in support. They recently made their radio debut on 94.3 WMJC with their single "What You’re Leaving Behind". Last Days is still writing and recording, in and out of the studio, for future endeavors. A tour is currently being lined up for summer featuring "The Morning After".

http://www.myspace.com/lastdaysofsummerny

http://www.michaelandmarisa.com

Less than a year apart, Boston-bred siblings Michael and Marisa possess the uncanny ability to get a crowd in the thousands on their feet and begging for more. Their harmonic vocals, accompanied by Michael on guitar and Marisa on drums, overflow with a pop rock resonance and refreshing spirit. Oh. Did we mention they barely just began celebrating double-digit birthdays?

At 12 and 13 respectively, this likely pairing no doubt conjures up images of 1970s-era siblings, The Carpenters, and garage rock pretend-brother-and-sister duo, The White Stripes. Female on drums? Check. Dark hair? Check. But that, combined with their extreme musical talent, is essentially where the similarities end.

Citing musical influences that range from The Beatles to Avril Lavigne to Lady Gaga, Michael and Marisa have accomplished in four years what many musicians can only dream of doing in a lifetime. Having opened for nationally renowned artists such as American Idol finalist David Archuleta, Disney’s Mitchel Musso and Nickelodeon’s Drake Bell, the pint-sized siblings are no strangers to the stage. Their tour roster boasts over 200 shows nationwide, including an impromptu performance with Grammy-nominated recording artist, Lily Allen. To watch them play is to witness a couple of ordinary kids with an extraordinary talent well beyond their years — completely at home in front of a large audience, Michael and Marisa maintain an infectious energy and melodic ability to turn even the most cynical critic into an instant fan.

This should come as no surprise, as Michael and Marisa have been honing their instrumental skills since Michael first picked up a guitar at age 6. “I didn’t really play with toys,” Michael muses. “I was just obsessed with music! I had a tape recorder and a little beat machine. All the artists I liked played guitar, so I thought I’d try it.” It wasn’t long before a 7-year-old Michael was playing covers of Buddy Holly and CCR at open mic nights. Shortly thereafter, bored with the violin and eager to jam with her younger brother, Marisa soon began banging on the drums. It quickly became apparent that this was more than just a hobby. They were good. And so the pop rock power duo was born.

Michael and Marisa spent nearly two years working on their debut album, Kickin’ It Together, which was independently released in the spring of 2008 to rave reviews. They co-wrote the majority of the songs on the 12-track album, along with contributions from Emmy-nominated producer Amy Powers, Boston producer Billy Garzone and Hannah Montana songwriter Jeannie Lurie.

In it for the long haul, the talented pair are set to release their highly anticipated four-track EP in the spring of 2010, which was co-written and produced by Peter Zizzo, an award-winning songwriter who has been instrumental in developing the careers of several artists, including Avril Lavigne and Vanessa Carlton. Gina Schock, drummer for The Go-Go’s, is also credited with a co-write. Though this latest EP may showcase a more evolved pop rock sound, lyrically, the siblings say they will continue to target kids their own age. “I try to write songs where the person listening can think, ‘Oh, I know that feeling!’” Marisa explains. “Like, we talk about bullying in our song, ‘The Same.’ I want kids to hear our songs and then think about changing the way they treat others. I think our music can have an impact and make the world a better place.”

ABOUT STEREO SERENADE
(Kevin: Vox, Nick: Viola, Eli: Drums, Travis: Bass, Dan: Guitar) is a New York based Alternative/Pop band that expresses a new culmination of hip hop flavored groove coupled with the modern day sound of pop melody and soulful lyrical flow.

Breathing a new brand of pop the band offers today’s listening audience a genre of music that has been long awaited. The undeniable groove that gets your foot tappin’ with contemporary narratives that prove relatable, it’s hard to find a flaw with these boys.

This band is “cool” but they boast “classy” as well. They have dynamically introduced the viola to the mix. Leave all your pre-conceptions elsewhere however, because this is not your DMB model. They’ll keep you guessing with driving melodic lines, “hooky” guitar licks, solid grooves and catchy melodies that keep you whistling throughout the day.

Stereo Serenade has made its footprint and is on the rise by captivating audiences everywhere. Their polished live aesthetic and crisp sound makes it easy to love this band and stay for the evening. This is a show that needs to be seen and a sound that must be heard!

http://www.myspace.com/stereoserenadeband

Talking To Walls is not your typical rock band; and with the release of their new album "We Were Not So Tall", which was produced by Greg Giorgio (Interpol, The National, Mates of State) and features guest performances from members of Zox, The Alternate Routes, Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, Rane and many more - they are out to prove it.

From the title track, which has already been featured in a national television ad (NBC) for the Michael Phelps Foundation/Boys and Girls Club of America, to the radio ready "Came To You" and the next big Irish drinking song in the making, "Song For Megan", this is the band’s strongest statement yet.

Since its inception, the band has played over 200 shows from Boston to LA and has been featured in news outlets such as New Haven Advocate, Hartford Courant, Play Magazine, New Haven Register and New London Day. So far, 2010 is proving that the sky is the limit for these boys from the northeast on a mission to save rock and roll!

Additionally, the answer is "Yes" - drummer Matt Krupa is related to that "other" Krupa; famous jazz drummer and bandleader, Gene. The band has gone through several lineup changes since the release of their debut album Naked (2006), including the addition of Wesleyan wiz-guitarist Nathaniel Webb, but singer/band leader Brian Kelly remarked that "this lineup just gels perfectly"; and if you are a classic rock radio fan, you probably know Brian’s brother - who goes by the name of Fingers; long time DJ and music celebrity from 102.3 WBAB FM on Long Island, NY.

For more information on Talking To Walls, please check out http://www.talkingtowalls.com

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MORE ABOUT TALKING TO WALLS

-Licensed music to MTV (at station’s request) for shows in development

-Licensed music to a sports management company for a DVD release that had 20,000 presales

-Worked with photographer Nick Gamma (Art Director and Designer for multi-platinum artists & labels (NSYNC, A Tribe Called Quest, 311, Matthew Sweet, Jive, Silvertone, Merge)

-Provided local tour support for Soul Asylum and Zox

-Showcased at several regional festivals: CT Film Festival, MEANY (NYC) & Millennium Music Conference (Harrisburg, PA)

-Sponsored by Godin Guitars, Aurora Strings, Spectraflex Cables, and Turnpike Music Garage

-Selected as “Band of the Week” by guitar accessories manufacturer Dunlop (6/29/09)

Grand Opening of Salon Rock = Beauty Amplified in Roslyn

It has been said that style has a soundtrack. From the pompadour to the beehive, Mop Top to Mohawk, beauty and music have always shared the stage. On Tuesday December 1st 2009 at 9am, enter Salon Rock, stage left!

This brand new 1000 sq ft salon located at 1372 Old Northern Blvd in historic Roslyn NY and situated on the famous Roslyn Pond is a truly one of a kind full service experience catering to all, even those with the most discerning of tastes. Salon Rock presents a fusion of high quality hair design and the electric culture of rock and roll to Long Islanders in a never before seen way. Patrons frequent Salon Rock for the freedom to express their individuality, and are the types who have the confidence to truly show off their unique sense of style - and sometimes to even make a little noise - visually.

Owner and founder Stephen Marcuccio could be called a modern day renaissance man. Not only is he renowned as a beauty industry innovator amidst a hugely successful 25 year career in operating exclusive and well traveled salons, a search into Stephen’s alter ego finds a man with a dynamic career as a music producer, publisher and the one who created the concept behind Farmingdale’s legendary The Downtown Concert Venue.

Mr Marcuccio remarked “My goal with Salon Rock will be to combine the two great passions of my life – beauty and music - to form something new and exciting”.

The interior design of Salon rock infuses a modern-minimalist style with the theme of rock and roll. This is carefully conveyed through the use of large scale fashionable graphic images and multi-media plasma screens displaying of all genres of music.

From the Salon Rock Website: “Amplify your natural beauty in our newly designed, sophisticated salon. We specialize in superior hair styling and coloring to create a personalized hair design that’s truly indulgent and totally you”.

For more info on Salon Rock check out http://www.salonrock.com or call 516-307-1177

Dominick has been described as having the songwriting ability of the Beatles and the performance ability of Elvis. A very strange statement to make being he only started playing music at the age of 20. In such a short period of time he has carved out a name for himself as one of the best if not the best talent of his time. Dominick’s toured all over playing with a long list of great people the likes of Greg Raposo, Omarion, Gin Blossoms, Twisted Sister, Michael Bolton, Jeff Timmons 98 Degrees, O-Town, Jay Z, Rick Derringer, Eddie Money, 80’s star Tiffany, Alicia Keys, Damon Dash, Debra Cox, Samantha Johnson, a number of American Idol contestants and Cheap Trick to name some. Dominick also had a very big dream come true when he was asked to open up for Jordan Knight from the New Kids on The Block. Also a great honor came when Dominick was asked to play at a New York artist ball hosted by Tony Danza. Saturday Night Live(SNL) asked Dominick to play at their anniversary taping, though he was not able to do so, he played the after party for the cast and a ton of other people. The most notable concert was when he played at Universal Studios Florida in front of thousands of people for Hurricane Relief which was filmed for dvd. His songwriting deal with BMI marked a very proud moment in Dominick’s life.

Learn more at http://www.myspace.com/dominickworld

Like a lot of up and coming DIY bands who eventually rock the world, the quirkily named hard edged powerhouse Gee Davey has been through some wild and woolly personnel changes since first wowing their fellow Long Islanders and indie fans everywhere with their 2003 EP Dear Theo. Now with group founder, guitarist and chief songwriter DJ Pearlman—whose former band Narcotic Gypsy opened for Ozzy Osbourne on the Ozzfest Tour—taking the reins as charismatic lead vocalist from GD’s recently departed original singer, everyone’s all smiles: the revamped lineup (including longtime drummer Michael Bontempi and new bassist Ray Kuhner), the band’s growing legion of fans and even Pearlman’s two year old daughter Charlotte, whose impish grin adorns the cover of Gee Davey’s explosive new disc She Sells Smiles.

In a state of flux for a few years, Gee Davey—whose hard hitting mix of fiery guitars, catchy melodies and poignant lyrics brings to mind superstar bands like Foo Fighters, Incubus and Green Day—was unable to tour in support of their critically acclaimed 2006 release Sparticle. That didn’t stop the album from becoming a major hit on the college radio circuit, with tracks like “Breathe” and “Skye” receiving airplay on over 50 CMJ (College Music Journal) reporting stations nationwide. Beyond spins on their local outlets WBAB, WMJC and WUSB, Sparticle made the Top Ten on several stations and—much to Pearlman’s bemused delight—got the most action in obscure places like Ruston, Louisiana and Valdez, Alaska!

Overseas, a podcaster from Germany has championed Gee Davey and played various tracks from Sparticle on his show “Next Big Thing” (http://www.nextbigthing.co.za/); “Breathe” was a perennial in his Top Ten songs from around the globe. In addition, an acoustic version of “Fall Into You” was chosen for inclusion on Java With Javelyn, a popular promotional sampler of the country’s best indie music created by L.A. based singer-songwriter Javelyn. Texas based indie filmmaker Brandon Powell was so impressed by Gee Davey’s songs that he asked Pearlman to pen the title track for a movie he is currently in the process of editing; Pearlman chose to close She Sells Smiles with the infectious moody rocker he wrote for Powell, “Trial By Self.”

With the new lineup firmly in place, Gee Davey is making up for lost time, performing almost a hundred times in support of the new CD …so far. The first show was attended mostly by friends, but the enthusiasm of the band’s new booking agent, coupled with the venue staff’s excitement over the band’s new music, led to three more bookings there on the spot. They’ve also played popular New York venues like Crash Mansion, The National Underground, The Zebra Club, Sundance, Munchaba Lounge and the Performing Arts Theater. They’ve showcased at the coveted M.E.A.N.Y Festival (NYC), the Millennium Music Conference (PA), the Singer/Songwriter Conference at Cape May (NJ) and the USA Connected Festival (Calverton) and they’re slated to play at most of the regional festivals throughout the Summer/Fall of 2009, Including the Long Island Music Festival, a return to M.E.A.N.Y Fest 2009, and the CMJ Music Marathon.

Check out http://www.geedavey.com

Westfield South Shore is owned by the Westfield Group (ASX: WDC), an Australian-based company with interests in 119 shopping centers in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.  In the U.S., the Group has a portfolio of 52 shopping centers that are home to more than 9,000 specialty stores and comprise approximately 63 million square feet of leasable space in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Washington.

The Westfield Group (ASX: WDC), is an Australian-based company with interests in 119 shopping centers in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. In the U.S., the Group has a portfolio of 55 shopping centers that are home to more than 9,000 specialty stores and comprise approximately 63 million square feet of leasable space in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Washington.

Somerset Investors Corp. has been in business since 1979. Whether you are looking to refinance your mortgage, consolidate your debt, improve your home, or a new home loan, we can help.

Somerset Mortgage Lenders. is a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company.

Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Mortgage Lenders. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.

To this end, Somerset has used its considerable experience and expertise to recruit and train top service professionals. At Somerset Mortgage Lenders we have deployed state-of-the-art technology to process loans in a quick, efficient and compliant manner. This allows us to offer accurate, concise information with an emphasis on customer education. We expedite all loan applications so that borrowers can address their financial needs as soon as possible. Somerset will help you reach your goals, as we have helped thousands of others. Our customers frequently come back to us when they’re ready for new loans, and they send their family and friends to us as well. Somerset Mortgage Lenders can help you when other lenders won’t. We work with people with all types of credit, equity, and income.

Call us toll-free at 1-800-675-9783 or visit us online at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/

The BelAirs released an album titled, StreetMusic to family and friends in the Spring of 1997.  The tracks on the album were a combination of cover tunes along with original music never published since the bands formation in 1989. "BelAir Blvd.," "Growin’ Up," "Cadillac Song," and "She’s Out Tonight" were all written with original memebers Joe Licato, Sean Llewellyn, Frank Maiello, Charlie Silechia, and Joe Ryan.

In 2001, a second group of recordings along with the original, StreetMusic were released as a double disc set.  A large number of these recording were written in a wooded retreat house in upstate New York, Hunter Mountain.  These recordings were played by orginal band memebers, Joe Licato, Sean Llewellyn, Frank Maiello, as well as, Dino Gangale, Ryan O’leary, Mike "Mad Dog" Baker, Dan Wagner, Daryl Foster, Annette Cirillo, and Missy Llewellyn. Only 100 copies were made of this project, titled, A Portrait of the Artists.

Finally, the band went back into the studio, as well as, back to Hunter Mountain to record the entire second disc of, Family Album.  The first disc of the album features the work recorded from 1997-2001, and the second disc features material recorded from 2006-2008.  This album boasts songs written by Frank Maiello and Chris "Crossbay" Bisciello, as well as, Joe Licato and Sean Llewellyn.  Sean Llewellyn can be heard playing bass guitar on the entire disc, and Frank Maiello is featured singing harmony vocals on a majority of the tracks.  Chris "Crossbay" sings three of his self-written tunes, and cannot be missed adding a pallet of colors to the background harmonies.  Dr. Fred "Hot Wax" Waxenberg plays alto and tenor saxophone on a number of tracks.

This project was more than a recording session that lasted 19 years.  Enormous time, dedication, and love are the ingredients that make up this album.  Anyone who has played with the BelAirs over the past 19 years has helped to inspire each note and lyric on this album.

In closing, if you have ever sat with your family and enjoyed the tradition of eating sauce on Sunday, it will not be difficult for you to understand what I mean.  It is only fitting for us to call this project, Family Album.

Who could have envisioned that fate would have something new planned for the G7 capo endorsed and widely accomplished NY bass player Nick Shatarah (who cut his teeth in bands such as The Sam Adams Rebellion, BoomStick & S.S.P) and that his career would begin to skyrocket from a chance mistake made by his then-singer on a studio project he was working on last year. Born in RVC and raised in Seaford, the current Bellmore resident remarked "The bottom line is, the guy never showed up, and so i was almost literally pushed into the vocal booth by my producer" Nick said. One listen to tracks like "Girl I Used to Know" and you will be shocked that it took him so long to go solo in the first place! With varied influences ranging from the likes of James Morrison, James Blunt, Mat Kearney and Matt Nathanson, to hitmakers like Josh Kelley, Tyler Hilton and Pete Yorn, his music is instantly catchy and his voice is a perfect compliment to his exquisite pop songwriting.

Nick is currently recording new tracks at Killingsworth Studios with local producer to the stars Anthony "Santo" Santonocito and has previously worked with Kiyano Kim (Ben Jelen, Gwen Stafani, Pete Yorn)

Ready for the big time? You be the judge. For the full story, please check out http://www.myspace.com/nickshatarah

Nicki Richards is many things; a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and performer whose long-awaited new album is simply titled, "Nicki" - 17 songs for the 17 years she’s been away since her 1991 debut, "Naked (To the World)". Over the past decade, Nicki has made a name for herself as an in-demand A-list session and touring singer for the likes of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, Lenny Kravitz, Frankie Knuckles and the Reverend Al Green just to name just a few. It was while on the road with Madonna - singing backup with Donna Delory (her voice can be heard on albums by Carly Simon, Laura Branigan, Belinda Carlisle and others) - that Nicki realized she missed the frontline more than she dared admit.

The album features guest stars including Grammy award winning Bassists Marcus Miller, Will Lee (best known for his work on the CBS Television program The Late Show with David Letterman as part of the CBS Orchestra) and Victor Bailey (who has recorded and/or toured with Weather Report, David Gilmour, Sting and more), pianist Joe Sample (virtuoso who founded The Crusaders and has played with the Myles Davis, Eric Clapton and Steely Dan), Horn Players from national act Tower of Power, drummer Dennis Chambers (who has recorded and performed the likes of Santana and Parliament/Funkadelic), Gregoire Maret on harmonica (some of his performing and recording credits include playing with Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Duke Ellington Orchestra & Meshell Ndegeocello), guitarists Ciro (musical director for Alejando Sanz), Sherrod Barnes (who has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Roberta Flack and Angie Stone) and Monte Pittman, Madonna’s longtime guitarist.

Nicki has also enlisted singers including Lisa Fischer (backup vocalist with the Rolling Stones, Luther Vandross, and currently on tour with Tina Turner), Cindy Mizelle (she has contributed her vocal talents to over 120 albums by artists such as Chaka Kahn, Patti Labelle, Celine Dion and Alicia Keys) & Nicki’s mom Donna Blackmon, and Nicki’s co-producer, mentor and drummer, Lenny White (of Return to Forever and Twennynine fame).

Highlights of the record include "Check Yourself, with the Tower of Power Horns, arranged by Tom "Bones" Malone and the spacey "Alpha Centauri", which showcases Victor Bailey’s fretless bass. Other notable tracks include "Say the Words," "In Bed" and "Happening to Me Again". On a more serious note, the inspiration for the poigniant "Lawdy" came from her personal experience of when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Nicki had cousins, aunts and uncles who were all displaced, their houses destroyed, and lost her grandfather to illness caused by the devastating storm.

Now is the perfect time to see Nicki in action, on stage, up front where she was born to be.

Music School Inc is the Premier In-Home, On Location, One-On-One, Group and Private Lesson music service on Long Island. If you are looking for lessons for your child, or for yourself, please visit our website and learn more about our different programs and faculty.

For more info on Music School Inc, please call 631-656-0373 or check out http://www.musicschoolinc.com

Winner of the Audience Choice award at the 2006 Huntington Arts Council Laff-Off, he has also been featured on News12 Long Island, and has been seen on The Long Island Comedy Festival. Stevie GB has a unique approach to Comedy; it involves how we deal with everyday life, from working for a living to voice mail, HMO’s, married life and living on Long Island. Stevie is also a champion for local causes on Long Island having already played events for Breast Cancer Help, American Diabetes Assoc, Leukemia Lymphoma Foundation, Long Island Cares, Kent Animal Shelter, Cat Rescue Organization, American Cancer Society, Teddy Fund, Avalon Gardens Nursing Home, The Arbors Assisted Living, Rotary Clubs and several Firehouse fundraisers.

Don’t forget to check http://www.steviegb.com/ for regular updates.

TV? Their music can currently be heard on Nickelodeon in the shows Zoey 101 (featuring Jaime Lynn Spears) and Drake & Josh. They’ve also been featured on MTV shows such as Pimp My Ride, Room Raiders, NEXT and on an episode of the show "Boiling Points". Big Gigs? They’ve played for 13,000 sports fans as between period entertainment at a New York Islanders NHL game, played sold out engagements with Sugar Ray, with Spin Doctors, Something Corporate and Gin Blossoms at the now defunct The Downtown in Farmingdale, and their performance for the nationwide Verizon FiOs Festival had a corresponding web video contest online for the song "Gasoline" - check out the winning video on Youtube. Contests? Iridesense was a semi finalist in the Q104.3 Mojito Band Search, in the Shift 2 Nissan Battle of the Bands, and were also semi finalists (top 20 out of 1000’s of entries nationwide) in the National "Be A Radio Star" Competition where they recieved airplay in rotation at Z100 radio in NY in addition to a nationally broadcast radio interview with Elvis Duran from the Z Morning Zoo and Actress Amanda Bynes. This band is truly "history in the making".

Check out http://www.iridesense.com

Once again live and direct from this tiny strip of land that just keeps on giving; the beautiful and eclectic Long Island NY (whose 2nd Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Gala just honored the likes of Pat Benetar, Public Enemy and Mariah Carey) comes three italian-lebanese sisters from Deer Park; Jessica (vocals), Rebekah (drums and keyboards), and Destiny (guitar) who go by the soon to be household name, Petrel.

If you are familiar with the resurgence of tween rock movement which has recently been associated with another Long Island band by the name of Push Play, then the hook laden, music school trained and gibson sponsored Pop/Rock attack put forth by these super sisters will put them squarely between the "next fab four" and acts like Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers and Miranda Cosgrove on your radar, and hopefully in your hearts.

Recently performing live at The Bitter End in NYC for the “Official Fashion Show After Party of Jazmin Whitley’s Fashion Line, Li Cari” life seems like a dream for these ready for the next level budding superstars. Need more proof? Petrel just completed a 17-city national tour as the opening act for the popular Razor & Tie label CD Series "Kids Bop", where the sisters performed at such venues as The House of Blues in Chicago, UCLA Royce Hall in California, and Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, NH. Next stop for the group was Downtown Disneyland in Anaheim, CA for the “Downtown Disney’s Indie Fest USA 2008”, where the girls hobnobbed with other performers such as Lucy Walsh, Savvy and Mandy from Radio Disney, Malese Jow and Madison Beaty.

This past summer, proving their worldwide meddle and commitment to charity work, Petrel worked at many villages in Mexico helping dole out food to several thousand needy children and performing a benefit concert for over three thousand Mexican music aficionados. In February of 2008, the girls went to Port au Prince, Haiti to participate in a charity mission’s outreach and perform their music in front of over forty thousand Haitian music lovers.

Currently performing and giving interviews in support of their debut EP, featuring the hit "All Right", the sisters are gearing up for bigger and better in 2009; more charity work for inner city kids, more writing and recording, more performing, and most of all more ambition than ever to reach their ultimate goal of superstardom. Some would say it is their "Destiny".

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For the full story, please check out http://www.petrelmusic.com/

Mixing hard rock hooks with clever lyrics and a frontman to rival Scott Weiland, these boys from Manchester New Hampshire are destined for the big time. Their new album, entitled "Molotov Season" explodes from your speakers with the radio ready hit "Shotgun". The rest of the album does not disappoint, blending pieces of old rock heroes like led Zeppelin with newer acts such as Switchfoot and Godsmack. A clear winner from the north east and a band to be reckoned with for years to come

 http://www.myspace.com/vegastempernh

ABOUT JOHN HAMPSON
John Hampson first burst on to the scene as lead singer and songwriter for Nine Days, a rock/power pop band who hit Gold with "Absoluely (Story of a Girl)" in the early 2000s and who still has populararity today. John has since pursued a solo career, with a new album planned for a 2009 release. His songs have been heard in many TV shows and Films and the hit song that made the band famous is still a modern rock radio staple.

For more information on John Hampson, please check out his website at http://www.myspace.com/johnhampson

Drawing influences from acts such as The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and John Mayer, THE TURN create songs that follow in these famous footsteps; combining the pop sensibility that made them superstars, with the same soulful touch that made them icons.

The partnership of lead singer/guitarist Brian Ripps and Pat McDermott on vocals, guitars and keyboards is the driving force behind the band, playing anywhere and everywhere in many shapes and forms, increasing their visibility and fanbase and all the while gearing up their voices and instrument technique for the inevitable world tour to come.

Their new single "Christiana" has already graced the airwaves at Q104.3 and 94.3 WMJC in New York, and the sky is the limit for this hot commodity among the New York rock scene. The band recently participated in and reached the final round of the Emergenza Festival, which included an earlier performance at Crash Mansion and culminated with a performance at Webster Hall.

They will be performing in many capacities in the coming weeks and months including big gigs on Thursday August 21st at The Mile Square in Hoboken, NJ, on Saturday August 23rd at the LI Maritime Museum Seafood Festival and on Thursday August 28th at JFK Plaza (Love Park) in Philadelphia, PA and at coffehouses, rock clubs, festivals and even at a High School and College near you this Fall!
For the full story, please check out www.rocktheturn.com

Although she came in second place on “The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll”, Melissa Reyes is proving you "Can’t Stop This Girl" with the long anticipated release of her iTunes singles and in performances throughout the world; her new music video is also currently being edited for worldwide distribution!

For the uninformed, on the show Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll, Reyes, age 18 at the time was chosen to be one of nine finalists and made it to the top two. On Tuesday June 24th she played a sold out show with Demi Lovato of the Jonas Brothers movie “Camp Rock” at The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, NY. She has also recently performed the Pink Panther/Fever Medley with the English burlesque group Girlesque (alongside fellow contestants Chelsea Korka and Melissa Smith) at the Fashion cares event.

Here is her PCD performance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXIvHQJlKN4

The Hollis, Queens born and current Hollywood, California resident was Audrey Magazine’s cover girl for the June/July 2007 issue, which included a five-page spread titled A Real Doll where she stated that she hopes to become a recognized artist as well as a role model for Asian girls, whom she thinks are not represented enough in the industry.

For the full story, please check out
http://www.myspace.com/officialmelissareyes

Equal parts The Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin and The Allman Brothers, this five piece act can easily be categorized; they are the epitome of a real rock & roll band!

The Headie Berrie is only a few years old, but their musicianship and songwriting skills are wise beyond their years. Songd Like “Acid Bitch” and “Mushroom T” showcase the dual guitar attack from the brothers Obenauer, harkening back to the intricacies of the first Blind Melon record.

Their summer 2008 tour covers the east coast from NYC to Atlanta and back, stopping along the line in North Carolina, Virginia and Philadelphia. If you are looking for rock, no screaming, no emo, you’ve found it here.

The band is currently gearing up for their next performance and will also be releasing the record very soon…enjoy your advance CD! And don’t forget to keep your bookmarks refreshed on www.myspace.com/theheadieberrie to stay in the know.

ROCK & ROLL – REVIVED!

With their loyal fan base in place and their sing along radio friendly anthems, there has been quick success for the band. Get in on the ground floor of something special in the works; get to know the next big thing!

Ted’s appeal crosses generations and party lines. His music gets the keg pumping, gets the ladies dancing, and makes for one heck of a soundtrack to your night. Forget the inhibitions, affiliations and stereotypes; just good time music to have a good time to!

He also does an amazing The Beatles cover set which he regularly disperses between originals; it really keeps the crowd moving and the girls screaming!!!

www.tedrosedale.com

Phillip Skiba: Vocals
Christina Vitucci: Drums
Steve "V" Valdez: Guitar
Vik Sakhoury: Guitar
James Pavlis: Bass

New York’s Tragic Orange, who has been garnering positive radio play, gotten several endorsement offers and regulary receive favorable press reviews while sustaining an impressive online presense, have announced they will be undertaking a campaign to further spread their music to the masses.

Their balance of rough-around-the-edges rock combined with melodic phrasing can be found throughout Tragic Orange’s self-titled album. The group names inspirations such as Tool and Stone Temple Pilots, but they also embrace the classic sounds of bands such as Led Zeppelin.

Co-produced by the band and Steve Eigner (Nelly, John Entwistle), the album is “mystical hard rock, both dark and uplifting,” says Skiba.

For anyone with a melodic hard rock affection, Tragic Orange is your new favorite band. Just take a listen! Look for them to hit a city near you starting this summer

http://www.myspace.com/tragicorange

Formed in 2005 as a "new voice" for the ignored 35-and-over crowd who still love new hard rock music, The John Sullivan Brigade is a musically diverse bunch of rockers that have created an atmosphere of power and professionalism throughout the New York City metro area.

The band’s second release, A Sound Opportunity For Your Last Music Purchase, is a 12-song project (co-produced with Doug Kwartler) that expands their core sound, incorporating newer elements such as saxophone, pedal steel guitar, a string quartet, and mandolin into the mix. John Sullivan, the founder/songwriter who has showcased his vocals, guitar and piano work on the indie rock circuit since the mid-1990s, launched his solo-fronted band with an untitled 10-song CD back in 2005. Rock fans who listen to the JSB will hear similarities to the early Seventies records of Bruce Springsteen.

Part of the John Sullivan Brigade’s recent success the past three years has been playing its original music in a variety of settings throughout the New York City metro circuit – playing at well-known venues such as NYC’s the Knitting Factory and Long Island’s The Stephen Talkhouse; participating in music festivals such as the ongoing M.E.A.N.Y Fest; performing in acoustic open mic podcast recording events; and, selected as the feature band in large, private outdoor shows.

As for the Brigade itself, it is George Gelish’s steady mix of melodic backing vocals and rhythmic bass, Johnny Leone’s swirling tenor, soprano and alto saxophone sounds, Steve Glover’s three-plus decades of power drumming and percussive experiences and Russ Rogers’s varied acoustic and electric stylings that are displayed both in concert and the recording studio.

Sullivan has also created a parallel creative music world as the author of two rock music novels – 2005’s Rock and Roll Murder (iUniverse) and 2007’s Opportunity Rocking (xLibris) –and has already begun work on a third book. The writings are an outgrowth of a three-year weekly music web blog, Sully’s Music View, via Blogger.com with readers around the world.

The band’s 2008 release is available on Apple iTunes and CD Baby and their latest video is available on YouTube. Hyperlinks to all of these projects can be easily found on the band’s website homepage at  http://www.johnsullivanbrigade.com/.

Destined to make an impact on the musical landscape, Push Play offers great melodies, driving beats and a firm determination in reaching their goals.

“We are the new generation and we need to set higher standards. That’s why a portion of the proceeds from our CD sales and concerts will be set aside for a variety of charities.” Push Play is the new breed of rock star.

And with all of the countless gigs, radio & film appearances, interviews and songwriting sessions under their belt, it’s hard to believe the members of Push Play all under the tender age of 18. But upon witnessing them live and listening to the maturity in their prose and the complexity of the compositions, you get the feeling that these boys are for real. And you would be right.

http://www.pushplaysite.com

Steve Lieberman the Gangsta Rabbi is the new York Underground music scene’s favourite oddity. He is a punk-rocker who doesn’t know how to play the guitar so he plays the chords on a distorted bass from hell held upside-down and backwards--and adds flutes, trombones, melodica’s and exotics from all over the world. dismissed in the late 1980’s as someone who will go away soon--thousands of cd sales of his 10 releases and a million + downloads--Lieberman survived and will survive long after the ’flavours of the week’ perish into obscurity. VIVA THE GANGSTA RABBI SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF anti-racism and Jewish pride through his music and life Lieberman has released 10 cd’s since 2002-- Bad’lania Rising(2002) Jewish Lightning(2003) Desert Fever Brigade(2003) Liquidatia-455(2004) Arbeiter At The gate(2004) Jewish Riot Oy Oy Oy (Live) (2005) Jew In the Underground(2005) Punkifier(2005) viva The Gangsta Rabbi(Live)(2006) Jewish Pirate (2006) Melancholia Falling(2006) Lieberman is currently finishing up a 2nd charity covers album LAST OF THE JEWISH PIRATES to benefit animal charities which are conspicuously ignored my charity pools. the first JEWISH PIRATE raised hundreds of dollars for such causes AND WATCH OUT FOR "SHAKE THE MISSILE BASE"-LATE FALL 2007

http://www.gangstarabbi.com

Rich Albergo and Antonio Gabriele have come together to create Testing For Echo.  Each brings their diverse musical influences and talents to the venture.  As front man for the duo, Rich uses his relaxed, playful personality during live performances to introduce and sing his original songs.  Antonio’s rich sound and expressive mood creates a wonderful melodic atmosphere within each song.   Energy is important for these two who strive to create music that moves the listener emotionally and physically.  During live performances the duo has been known to employ a group of very talented musicians to compliment their show.  This may include a combination of violins, saxophone, bass guitar, and percussions.

Richard Albergo is a musician/singer/songwriter from Long Island, New York.  He began his formal music education at 9 years of age.  His earliest experiences include participation in school choir and talent shows.  Years of guitar lessons, learning theory, rhythms and techniques culminated in Rich’s solid playing ability.  Over time he took part in a series of bands as a guitarist, songwriter and back up vocalist.  Playing the local venue circuit allowed Rich to develop a level of confidence and a rapport with the live audience. 

Antonio Gabriele is a guitar player from Long Island, New York.  Antonio has had years of guitar lessons along with music theory training.  His ability on guitar is a perfect compliment to the sound of Testing For Echo.

Together; Testing For Echo has played over 90 shows, and over 130 open mic events, in such states as California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.  They have shared a stage with The Sleeping (Victory), Endwell (Victory), Deciding Tonight (Hotfoot), Dave Melillo (DriveThru), Quietdrive (Epic), TheJuniorVarsity (Victory), and Gym Class Heroes (Fueled By Ramen).  On February 23rd, 2007, their song “I Will” was featured with an animated video at the New York City Comic Con convention.  On July 1st, 2007, their song “Palmetto” was written to be used as the theme to a web-television show which will air on September 18th, 2007.   

Through cunning us of rhythm, soul and storytelling; Testing For Echo shed new light on life experiences. They exude a timelessness that brings warmth and intimacy to

musicians and listeners alike. Together, Testing For Echo creates lyrics and melodies people can connect with.  Their objective is to be inspirational fuel for the listener.

http://www.testing4echo.com

ABOUT MADISON PROJECT
Madison Project was formed in the Winter of 2006, Ryan MacNeill (guitar/vocals) and Forrest Thomas (drums) left their previous band to pursue a different path musically. Ryan started to turn a new direction in writing, with heavier songs and more focus on songwriting and hooks. In the Fall of 2006, they met up with bassist Ben Kogan from Boston, MA. The diverse backgrounds from each musician gives an interesting twist on modern rock music. Madison Project lyrics touch on the subject life, loss, nightmares, addiction, and this other world that we might find but are blind to see.

Ryan MacNeill grew up in the suburbs of Worcester, Massachusetts and heavily influenced by the expanding community of the local street punk scene. Then branching out to the West Coast underground scene of the mid 90’s punk rock bands, most of the bands located in the Southern California area. Ryan has played on the Van’s Warped Tour stage and shared the stage with national acts such as The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Dispatch. Forrest spent his early days in Los Angeles; playing drums frequently at clubs like The Roxy, Troubadour and The Whiskey Go-Go. Then relocated back to his homestate of Vermont.

Madison Project connected with producer and engineer Frank Aversa (Spin Doctors/The Hazies) and Robby Baier to record their debut album, "I Am The Target." Madison Project is a high energy live show that will bring your soul to a new level and leave you in bliss. "I am the Target,’ is set to release on ThunderCreek Records.

http://www.myspace.com/madisonproject

TAUK is an eclectic group of five guys from Long Island, NY. Each of the members, Adam Akpinar (Drums), Alric Carter (Keyboard/Organ), Charlie Dolan (Bass Guitar), Matt Jalbert (Guitar), and Alessandro Zanelli (Vocals), use their varying taste in music to create their sound which uses these different genres of music and encapsulates the many years each of the members has dedicated to studying music at a serious level. Each of them met in high school and formed a band that has been committed to creating innovative music that all age groups can enjoy. Their skill at improvisation specifically propels them into directions that many could not even imagine, while their love for melody and harmonic structure allows them to create a dancing, sing-along atmosphere at their shows. The band plays at various different venues for many different occasions within the entire Tri-State area of New York. They have had the opportunity to play various benefit shows for La Fuerza Unida of Glen Cove, which helps the underprivileged Latino population in that city, and also has had the opportunity to open up for the nationally acclaimed O.A.R. for an AIDS benefit concert. Their road tested material has allowed them to create three demos up to this point which they are all very proud of, hopefully you can catch a show in the very near future where you can pick up a demo CD. Enjoy the music! for bookings or other info contact rick eberle at 516-729-6872 / taukrocks@gmail.com

http://www.taukrocks.com