One Love One Community: Musical Tribute Flight 3407

On Friday, April 24, (5pm - 9pm) and Saturday, April 25 (12 noon - 9pm), The Clarence Barnes and Noble will be hosting a 2 day musical tribute in honor of the victims and people involved with Flight 3407. Various local performers are featured including: Geno McManus, Pirate Dreams, Mike Vargovich, John Kloberdanz, Laurie Bordonaro, Peanut Brittle Satellite, Standard of Living, Terry Sulllivan and others.

When speaking with Chuck Schultz, Music Manager for The Clarence Barnes and Noble, we talked of Western New York, the City of Buffalo and the Town of Clarence and how all were affected by this turn of events. Everyone becomes troubled when a situation as this occurs that are often overlooked, such as: fireman, EMT's, police, town government officials, and most importantly, the people living in Clarence and those directly associated with people on the plane. "Hurricane Katrina affected me immensely", stated Chuck, "yet I admired how the musicians came together to rebuild. Music is my passion, when it comes down to it, the times we are going through; we come back to music in the end."

This performance involves local musicians giving their time and energy to turn a negative into a positive. Barnes and Noble in Clarence is the only current location that hosts musical events. Chuck Schulz decided to pull this together after assessing the location of the store and proximity of the tragedy, how it could have been a much worse situation considering and felt blessed to be able to provide in a time when people are in need. Chuck stated, "Giving back to the City, Western New York and the community shaped who I am."

Barnes and Noble is located at: 4401 Transit Road Clarence NY 14221. To contact Chuck: 716-634-1011. To locate store/directions online: http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2301. This event is free and open to the public and all are encouraged to attend, hear great music and join in giving back through the gift of music.

© Susan Marie
Public Relations
www.susanmarie.info
New York USA 2009

2008 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Induction

On October 9, 2008, the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame held it's 25th Anniversary Induction Ceremony at the Tralf in downtown Buffalo. I had the pleasure of covering this event to further promote the talent that is thriving in our city. This years inductees were as follows: Ed Bentley, Bob James, Richard Kermode, Jerry Livingston, Tom Reinhardt, Joe Rozler, The Schulz Family (Dave, Gretchen and Robert), Joanie Sommers, Jimmy Sacca, Mack Luchey, Anthony Marchese and Richard Sargent.

Access Think Twice Radio to listen to the first ever live performance of the Schulz Family (Bob, Gretchen and Dave, along with Joe Rozler and Jerry Livingston), all 2008 Inductees. Gretchen honored 2008 Inductees Joanie Sommers and Richard Kermode by flawlessly performing "Johnny Get Angry" and "Cry Baby."

I spoke with Van Taylor of Van Taylor Production and Taylor Made Jazz who performed during the VIP ceremonies, as well as interviews with Ritchie Derwald and Doug Morgano, (who regularly plays with Gretchen Schulz), all three of them current Board Members, as well as entertainers.

The Hutch Tech Jazz Combo was chosen this year to compliment the event. I was honored to speak with Musical Director, Ben Boyar and three students, Jacob Jay, Dalton Sharp and Samantha Peplowski. After catching Joe Rozler and Celia White, Lance Diamond took the stage and got the crowd going. One of the most honorable moments was speaking with Mack Luchey of Doris Records located at: 286 East Ferry St, Buffalo 883-2410, a staple of Buffalo's entertainment scene since the early 60's.

Shortly after, Van Taylor inducted Jerry Livingston, quite possibly the most amazing bass player I have witnessed in this region. One of the most compelling interviews was with Frances Scharett, a 2003 Inductee who was a part of the Vaudeville scene in the 40's. Doug Ruffin, (a 2004 Inductee) of WUFO and Urban Legacy Filmworks spoke on behalf of Matt Luchey, followed by Joe Rozler's Induction speech, then a duo performance with Jerry Livingston.

The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame was founded in 1983 to recognize groups and individuals who have had a significant impact on the WNY music scene and/or achieved success in the music industry on a national and often an international scale.

The Tralf was packed, the VIP music set the tone for the evening and the event went without a hitch. Parties interested in future sponsorship opportunities, supporting membership or board membership should contact Rick Mathews 716.400.8934 or email them at: info@bmhof.org

Buffalo's Own: America's Got Talent

(Buffalo, NY) On March 15, 2009, classically trained pianist Lenny Revell, arrived in New York City to perform for NBC's "America's Got Talent." Revell was invited to first round auditions at The Jakob K. Javits Convention Center on 35th Street and 11th Ave. Upon checking in, Mr. Revell met with Riverworks Records before his scheduled performance.

Asked to play only cover songs for the audition, Revell tanked out Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire" followed by Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" gaining the respect of three ancillary judges present. After discussing venues in Buffalo, Lenny was introduced to the President of Zero Burn Records, Buffy Rouse.

"I am excited to travel and take a chance with my music", said Revell. "Performers often have to step outside the box, you never know who you will meet or where a simple connection may lead." When asked about his chances appearing on TV, Revell said, "That is not my end goal, I hope I make it but the people and producers I met while in NYC are invaluable resources."

"America's Got Talent" is a hit summer series premiering its third season on NBC in June on Tuesdays. Presented by "American Idol'" producers, "America's Got Talent" showcases performers at the forefront of American culture presided by judges David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan.

Simon Cowell's SYCO Television, Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"), Georgie Hurford-Jones ("Britain's Got Talent"), Jason Raff ("Clash of the Choirs") and James Sunderland ("Dancing on Ice") are executive producers.

Lenny Revell can be reached HERE and lennyrevell@gmail.com to sign up to his email list. Revell has performed all over Buffalo and Western New York, NYC, Florida and Toronto. One of Buffalo's own musicians has a chance to appear on NBC, as well as working with several International multi-media companies in conjunction with Simon Cowell.

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© Susan Marie Public Relations
www.susanmarie.info
susanmarie.info@gmail.com
New York USA 2009

Concert From The Heart: Working Together To Make A Difference

Van Taylor, legendary musician, Armed Forces Entertainment and Educator in Music Business, has traveled globally for over 25 years entertaining the troops. During his trips, he has witnessed hunger and homelessness first hand on a grand scale. Since the economic downturn in Western New York, Mr. Taylor has seen more problems with people going with less or nothing in his own backyard of Buffalo, New York.

Van approached Michael Billoni, Director of Public Relations for The Food Bank of Western New York and Ron Daniels, President of The American Federation of Musicians Local # 92, with his vision to create a concert of local musicians performing with The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Van wished proceeds to benefit The Food Bank of Western New York and The Buffalo City Mission: Two organizational staples that contribute to many smaller organizations in Western New York. Upon approval from all involved, Van quickly put together a team of professionals to promote and perform in order to see his dream come to fruition. This became, "Concert From The Heart."

Van Taylor is a tireless supporter of arts, education, awareness and most importantly, ending world hunger. He produced a CD entitled, "The Hunger Project", where all proceeds go directly to The Hunger Project, an organization currently fighting Global World Hunger.

The British Broadcasting Corporation will do a LIVE interview on the evening of March 17, 2009 from Buffalo, New York to the entire world on World Today BBC. Nina Robinson, multi-platform for the BBC, wishes to interview Michael Billoni and George Scott, President of The Historic Colored Musicians Club, who is performing that night with The George Scott Big Band. Nina requested music during the broadcast and Van Taylor's original, "A Nice Day" from "The Hunger Project" CD is going to be aired LIVE during that interview.

Van conceptualized one form of sponsorship: Angel Sponsors. An individual or company able to purchase tickets and donate them for people who cannot afford to attend. This aids in getting people to Kleinhans, it helps a child attend a beautiful concert, it opens doors to art, music, all genres, to community and culture. The proceeds from this event also go towards an Erie County High School music scholarship. In addition to helping organizations, this event is helping children realize a dream otherwise out of reach. A team of hardworking people, living and working in Western New York, have been going non-stop in order to make this a complete success.

This is an historic event and it has never occurred in Western New York and the fact that The BBC is taking notice is immense. Buffalo will be put out to the world in such a positive light. We are the "City of Good Neighbors." Finally, the world will get a chance to see that.

Today, tomorrow and in the coming months, if there is no support for The Buffalo City Mission and The Food Bank of Western New York, there will be no places to go to in order to feed or clothe people. This is a fact. It is due to the support of both organizations that pantries, churches, soup kitchens, and community centers are able to get assistance. This is a time for all of us to help each other. It is a time of great change. Today is a time for us to work together to make a difference. In the words of Van Taylor himself: To Care for the Least of US, is to Care for All of US. © VT 2009



Public Relations
www.susanmarie.info
susanmarie.info@gmail.com
New York USA 2009

To Contact Van Taylor:
716-604-4365
taylorvan@juno.com
www.taylormadejazz.com