Change and the Music World

Many of you know that I have returned to the Tony Corrales Band and no one is happier than me. The support we have received has been amazing with so many telling me that I am back where I belong. Even I saw it as a homecoming but what many people do not know is that even though their favorite local country band is back it is already not the same band that they remember. We have a new bass player, changes to our set list and a different approach to how we're handling our business.

And this is just one of my musical changes.

I am also back with my old Jazz Trio Sonoral Sol and that band is also different than the way it existed before. We are now in a trio format where in the past we worked mainly as a quartet. We are also doing less traditional Jazz and focusing more on Fusion/Funk, Latin and some upbeat Blues. We are also hoping to get some outdoor gigs because we have the urge to not only bring the beat but to also bring some generous volume to our performance.

For me, these changes are all part of the reality of the music world where change can occur as quickly as your next breath. In other words, don't comfortable because the minute you do there will be a permanent change that you aren't expecting or even want for but it still needs to be dealt with.


My First Experience with Change in the Music Scene

The first time I had to accept the unexpected was in my first real band. It was called Fictitious Smith and this was a group that meant a lot to me because I helped start the band when I was a senior in high school with guys who are still life long friends. It was also the first band I ever performed in a nightclub with, the first band I ever recorded with in a professional setting as well as the first band I did business with in the Los Angeles music scene. Aside from all of those firsts I also got my first taste of the ever changing music scene and to be honest, it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Even though it was the early 90's there was still some 80's Rocker sounds that I didn't realize were the last breaths of a now dying decade. Even though we were a proud of what we were doing we still had a sound and image that resembled bands like Queensryche and Iron Maiden so we didn't have that pretty boy look to say the least. We were also very confident and focused but soon learned that. reality was already identifying this band of guys in their late teens and early twenties as dinosaurs.

The musical scene had changed and suddenly people in the industry would say that we were good but needed to sound more like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and even the Red Hot Chili Peppers. At first I just shrugged it off and thought that such people were just not the right people to work with us and that we would just find someone else that believed in the kind of stuff we did. After all, it's not like there weren't different musical genres out there. However, it didn't take long for me to realize that this was the kind of Rock music that was on MTV and the radio and that there was nothing I could do about it.

Sadly, it wasn't long after this realization that the group disbanded so while I took a peak at the music classifieds or met with other musicians that were looking for a drummer I was astounded to hear that Grunge and this other thing called Alternative Rock were now the type of Rock bands that people wanted to put together because that was the new sound. Sadly for me, I hated it.

Amazingly, I did find other bands to work with as the 90's carried on but it wasn't always easy because there were very few musicians out there who dared to do something different rather than people who wanted to be the next version of what was popular that week. Still, the music scene was something I didn't really care for and it was up to me to accept the fact that it wasn't going to stop evolving based on my personal preferences.


Shifting Gears 

When I reached my 30's I was now married and started having children. Before my first child was born I had promised my wife that she would never have to worry about me being around to be the husband and father that I was obligated to be. I decided to work as a hired gun and even went as far as saying that if I was lucky enough to work with a musician or group that was about to break that I still wouldn't change my mind about being around for good. But even as I focused on being a local pro change was still a big part of what goes on even for a part time musician (At this time I was already working full time as a high school teacher).

The first thing I had to do was decide on a set fee for my services and then stand my ground when it came to negotiating with others. That can be easier said than done when you're negotiating with someone who has more experience in business. I was a quick learner and eventually as I got more work I started to establish a reputation in the local music scene, which allowed people to accept my fees as they knew that I was not only available but also someone who would deliver the goods.

I also had to accept the lack of stability in the working scene. Sometimes a gig would last for several months. Sometimes it would be a few shows. Other times I would perform on one song in the studio and just like that I was paid and then went on to the next thing. Networking was a daily thing and I had to make sure that people knew who I was and when I was available in order to keep working. Sometimes I liked the music and sometimes I didn't but since I was now a hired gun it wasn't about personal preferences but giving my temporary boss exactly what they wanted.

While it was nice to have money in my pocket I now had to deal with the fact that I didn't have as much time to write my own music. Of course I didn't stop working on new material but I found myself having to spend more of my free time learning other people's songs rather than writing my own songs. It was kind of a bitter pill to swallow in terms of my ego because after spending years of being a contributor to my former bands I now saw that no one really cared about the music that I wrote. That and the fact that I might have a great idea that the person I am working for could benefit from but they might actually reject the idea and/or not be interested in my creative ideas at all. After all, I'm being paid to play the drums. That's it!

Also, the scene had changed so fast that I either had to learn how to write songs that people wanted to hear right now rather than the music I loved to play just a couple of years ago or try to turn off my creative side. The latter wasn't going to happen so I had to ask myself what I could do creatively that would be worth my time. The answer soon came when I started a project that I did solely for myself.


Music Licensing 

For a couple of years I had led a percussion quartet called Manito that played some of my original tribal drumming compositions along with some arrangements I put together of of some other World drumming songs. We had some success in the local music scene but I was always of the fact that this project would have a limited audience.

In the summer of 2002 I recorded some of the my compositions on my own, which led to the release of my first solo CD called Desert Drummer. https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Drummer-Carlos-Solorzano/dp/B005CXAO56 Sales were what some would expect of music in the genre but I was still very satisfied to get my own music out there. The best thing about it was that it had nothing to do with the current Rock/Pop scene so I could do whatever I wanted with no apologies or expectations.

I would soon find out that I was now going to enter another part of the music world that I knew nothing about.

I had posted a few songs online and that's when the owner of a company with an extensive music library contacted me to see if I could write some more material that he could place on various television shows and films. That wouldn't be a problem as it never took me long to write something within that musical genre but then he started to speak with all of these business terms and I must admit that there were times when I was somewhat intimidated.

I had a lot to learn and fast.

We came to an agreement and lucky for me I had some people I knew that I could turn to for advice that gave me a better understanding of the world I was about to work in. I then took the time after this deal to learn even more about music licensing as well as the importance of being a member of a performance rights organization (I am an ASCAP member).

Thankfully this now business partner of mine was a great benefit to me as he more than came through when it came to getting my music out there. My music has been featured on television shows such as CSI: Special Victims Unit, America's Top Model, as well as shows on MTV/VH1 and the BBC along with other television stations around the world. Aside from that I also started to peddle my work on other websites as an independent contractor, which allowed me to meet and work with other filmmakers who used my music on their films.


Selling Yourself  

As I continued to get placements in films I also continued my work as a drummer for hire. Eventually my resume was now filled with many accomplishments that gave me the confidence to approach some equipment companies about getting on their artist rosters. Fortunately for me many of them saw enough in my music career to offer me an endorsement deal. This meant more to me than I realized because that meant that they wanted to invest in me and not just some drummer that was lucky enough to be in a world famous band. (Here's a shout out to Soultone Cymbals, Ahead Sticks & Percussion Products, Drum Dots and Hansenfutz Pedals)

My composition efforts have also earned me a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts to write and record more compositions for future licensing opportunities. Later I would be awarded multiple ASCAPLUS Awards, which are monetary awards that are given to ASCAP members after their compositions are reviewed by a panel of judges. Most importantly, I added these nods to my resume as I continued to network my drumming and now my composition services.

Of course its important to have an online presence and while this can be a chore for some people I understand that it's a necessary part of being a working musician. There are certainly days when I don't feel like posting updates on what I am doing but I remind myself that it's no different than getting up early in the morning to go to work.

Some artists despise the business end of things and I totally understand where they are coming from. But, every occupation does have a business side so it is always important to know what it means to do good business while also being aware of the changes that are sure to come.

Of course personality is important in getting somewhere as I found out right away how a polite presence along with a professional attitude will earn you more work. However, there are those moments when you have to stand your ground as there are always going to be people out there who either want to low ball you and/or rip you off! That's when I go into what I call Aztec mode:

I am a pro drummer who has performed professionally for over 26 years with countless recording credits who is currently on call with three local recording studios in Tucson, AZ. As a performer I am currently working in two bands who are some of the best in their genre while continuing to freelance with other groups. I have four endorsement deals and I have been featured in DRUM! Magazine as a performer and a writer.  Aside from that I am also a composer with several placements on various television shows & films around the world who has earned awards and a grant for my original compositions. So, please tell me why you think my fee is unreasonable. 

No, it's not unreasonable for any working musician to be fairly compensated for their efforts. We work harder than DJ's and no one ever complains about having to pay a DJ when they book them to provide music at their events? Still, do DJ's earn their money? Absolutely! So tell me why musicians don't deserve the same treatment.


Captain Carlos 

In a perfect world I can show up to a gig, perform, get paid and go home. Or, I could have a manager that does all the business for me and give them their required percentage without any concern that they are taking more than their share. That would be ideal and make my life easier but we all know the horror stories that come from relying on other people.

Bands come and go and the problem with working bands is that the littlest thing can happen from the leader of the band wanting to suddenly pack things in to side musicians being replaced for any reason at any time. Of course when it comes to representation an artist has to make sure that the person speaking on their behalf can be trusted. That's why I have learned that it is always best to be the captain of my own ship rather than follow another leader.

Thankfully when it comes to working with the Tony Corrales Band I am working with four other professionals who have more than proved how much I can actually rely on them. These brothers of mine are so real that even my wife has no doubt in their honesty and integrity. Therefore, when I am negotiating with other people she usually reminds me that, These other people aren't like Tony and the guys so don't you trust them! Yes dear.

In terms of working with Sonoran Sol, this is a band I put together many years ago with guitarist Dan Griffin so the authority I am able to exercise is to my benefit. As far as my independent contractor work (music licensing, session work, fill in gigs, etc), I am more than pleased to have the final say on whether or not I will agree to both the work being offered as well as the gratuity that is being offered for my services.

At the end of the day I am not afraid to fail because I would rather fall on my face due to decisions I have made rather than be tripped up following the coat tails of the wrong person. If I succeed, then great. I'll just add that to my resume and then move on to the next project. If I fail I will learn my lesson and move on. No apologies and no regrets.

Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

Being a Hired Gun

I am currently on my third viewing of the amazing documentary called Hired Gun. For those who don't know why this is occupying my Netflix time I would suggest you get a peak at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfYbLXCHjBM

I really enjoy the movie because it lays out the reality of being a working musician in terms of what a musician has to deal with and expect from the outset. From P!nk treating her musicians like family to Billy Joel treating his band like brothers, until he no longer had any use for them, to the fact that gigs come and go quicker than a high school relationship. Aside from that it also shows how musicians who work in high profile settings rarely become famous themselves, usually get little to no credit on the songs that they perform on while not making as much money as one would assume they would make because they are not a fully invested partner in the projects they work in. This movie has it all as far as I'm concerned and so far I have learned something new at every viewing.


Stepping Into This World

My first taste of being a hired gun was in college when I was studying Music at El Camino Community College and working in my own original projects. Both of these experiences gave me the chance to meet a lot of musicians and before I knew it many of them would approach me from time to time about doing everything from session work to casual Jazz gigs. The best experiences I had was when I worked with older musicians because they pushed me to do better by showing me all that I didn't do well. It wasn't always the most comfortable experience but it let me know on the spot what I had to start focusing on both during my practice sessions and in terms of all of the other things I had to learn about being a working musician.

In my late 20's I then focused most of  musical time on being a hired gun as I used that time as a way of earning extra for my now growing family. At this point I was doing much more studio work and live performances all over Southern California from big shows at places like The Viper Room to private parties in San Diego. It was a very busy time and a great way to make extra money.

Today I am very active in the Tucson music scene doing live shows in the Country Music and Jazz/Fusion scenes to studio work at multiple locations as I am lucky enough to be on call with a couple of local producers. So I guess you can say that I've done quite a bit these last several years and learned a bit about what it means to get around so to speak. So here are some of my observations that I can confirm and/or add on to many of the things shared in the film in terms of what one has to expect if they are going to work as a hired gun.


It's Business: Nothing More and Nothing Less 

In the Hired Gun movie some musicians shared how the artist they worked for seemed to do a 180 degree turn on how they treated them. On a personal level it is always hard because the more time you spend with people the more you develop relationships with them. Your respect for them both as a great musician and as a professional cause you at times to have a certain amount of affection for them and there is nothing wrong with that since that is part of being human.

But...you MUST keep in the back of your mind that this gig is no different than any full time job that you had in your lifetime. Maybe it feels a little different because you're playing music but is still just the tip of the iceberg. The rest of the structure is not a band as much as it is a brand so once you accept that you will at least understand why you might be let go or be more willing to move on and do what is best for you.

Sometimes it's hard because the band you're working with is in the midst of doing well in the music business rat race and you are proud of the fact that you helped propel this brand into becoming a well respected entity. That and because the one in the group with the most leverage and/or management treats you well and even goes as far as expressing their gratitude on a regular basis. That's fine and I'm sure in most cases it's very sincere but again, this is no different than many of the employers we have worked for in the past. When business is good we are useful and even appreciated. The same can't always be said if business is bad or if something goes wrong and those in charge are looking for someone to blame. In other words, a musical brand is no different than corporate America.

The best advice I can give for this is to remember the truest statement that has been conveyed to musicians for years: always have your eye on your next gig. You never know what's going to happen. You might miss a few gigs and the sub they bring in works out really well. It is no different than a back up quarterback that fills in and does a better job than the starter. When that happens the team at times will ride to wave created by the replacement. It's not good or bad as it's just the way of the world.


Continuing with Business: Keep Networking  

The last thing you should do is get comfortable with your gig. Again, anything and everything can happen so NEVER stop networking. When you're onstage, yes, you need to do your job and do your best for the band but you are still performing and representing yourself as an artist and you never know who is out there watching. Aside from that, keep up a good looking website and/or some type of music networking site that features YOU, not the band(s) you are playing in. This site is about putting your name out there so while you can refer to the bands you play in make sure the site is all about you in terms of what you are currently up to as well as other things you have done in the past.

Keep your business cards handy and pass them out to any musician, producer, recording engineer, promoter, etc. that you encounter. Be courteous and professional regardless of how others present themselves. There are certainly times when another person's attitude leaves a lot to be desired but at the end of the day you are representing yourself and people do notice how musicians conduct themselves. As the saying goes, personality defeats talent every time. 

On a musical level, don't ever settle in to your gig and think it's going to last forever. Aside from working on material for the bands your are working for keep developing your other musical skills. Even though most pro musicians are diverse when it comes to playing different styles of music rust will set in if you haven't worked in certain genres in a while. Aside from keeping your chops fresh playing different styles of music on a regular basis improves a person in their totality so even if a gig does last several years your musicianship will always get better if you continue being a well rounded musician. Aside from that, since we can never predict when a door opens or closes one must be always be ready to deliver the goods.


Even More Business: Public Behavior 

Even though I strongly encourage people to be as detached from emotion as possible when it comes to musical relationships I know that we will always take things personally when we are mistreated. It is no different than being treated like a product in the work force, which also hurts because most people put a lot of pride into their work and want their efforts to be acknowledged with more than a financial reward. Work is part of who we are and for many of us it can define us.

With that being said, yes, there are times when we might be fired, given ultimatums that we are not comfortable with or mistreated in one way or another. When these things happen continue with being professional in your dealings with others even though a big part of you wants to react differently.

The first thing you should NEVER do is air out your feelings publicly. Don't sit with your friends at a club and rant about the way you were mistreated. Music is a public business and you know that your words will NOT remain private. We all have trusted friends for a reason and if you're smart you'll share these feelings with your non-musical friends and a spouse or significant other who also understands the importance of keeping your feelings private. When people ask what happened be as vague as possible: It was time for a change, everyone wanted to go in a different direction, etc. And for God's sake, DO NOT post your feelings on social media. There is nothing wrong with announcing a change in your performance life but keep these announcements short and sweet. Thank the band and wish them well while also thanking their following but do not start with calling people out for anything because that is almost guaranteed to backfire in one way or another.

Musicians are a self-centered bunch and the most important thing you can have besides talent and a professional demeanor is a good reputation. And that is the thing you will lose faster than anything if you allow yourselves to react. This world is no different than the business world where human resources people will look at your social media pages while also being aware of your personal behavior and we already know what will happen if your behavior risks the company's good name. So, while you are an artist you are still a business person so it is important to act accordingly.


Final Thoughts 

Gigs are fun and when you find a gig where the band has some serious chemistry it is totally unforgettable. But reality is not so kind, which is why I always see great moments like this as nothing more than just a moment in time. It's almost like looking back on a great day you had with some amazing people that brings a smile to your face before you nod your head and say, yes, that was a good day. 

Band leaders can be finicky so changes are almost a given from changing song arrangements to members. Band members themselves are always on different paths so while you're locked in to a gig and enjoy each member of the band someone has an eye on something else and before you know it they are out of there and doing something else. It's just the way of it is so it's more important to accept that instead of trying to change it because it's never going to change.

So enjoy your moments and hopefully when you have a chance to look back you will not only have great memories but also know that you and your professional demeanor were part of what made those moments great not only for you but for everyone you worked with. 


Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

Coming Home to the Tony Corrales Band

Last week I was enjoying a nice evening at home as I sat at my desk and did some writing. It was the end of a great day as I had just arrived home from an appointment with my orthopedist. My fractured leg was now fully healed and it was now time to focus on physical therapy. I was relieved to finally have that walking boot off when I received a text from a dear friend...Tony Corrales!

We went back and forth a bit with a little bit of small talk and then continued our conversation the following day via email as I was on a bus taking my St. Augustine Catholic High School Thunder Wolves Percussion Ensemble to the State Capitol for a performance at the Catholic Schools Rally. Soon he brought something up that I suspected might be on his mind and that was the idea of putting the Tony Corrales Band back together.

Some of you might recall in one of my recent blogs that I had planned on stepping out of the country scene for a while: http://desertdrummer.blogspot.com/2018/01/time-for-change.html But, I also know from many years of experience that when one makes a change in their life musically that it usually leads to some type of surprise. This was not the surprise I expected and I am most grateful to say that this was a most pleasant surprise.

I can't put into the words how much the possibility of this happening excited me because I have missed my band of brothers for the past year but, most people already knew of my plans to have a much less demanding schedule once I returned to the stage. Before I could bring that to the table Tony stated that he too wanted to work with a schedule similar to mine as did the rest of the guys as we are all people with families and a home life (this also leaves me room to work with Sonoran Sol http://desertdrummer.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-return-of-sonoran-sol.html and to still have lots of time for my family and my own creative endeavors).

My response, to put it mildly...I AM SO IN!!!!!!

There are so many reasons why this band means so much to me. I started working in this group back in 2012 and had been with them through early 2017. From the first rehearsal we had a very special chemistry and I knew right away we'd have a great run once we hit the stage. Playing music with these guys was such a gift and that is why every gig felt like a party.

During that time we also had our moments of stepping out of the music scene for various reasons from taking time off for family activities, illnesses, the passing of some of our loves ones, lineup changes or other bumps in the road. Still, no matter what happened we always found our way back to each other.

Finally, the thing that has always meant the most to me is the absolute transparency that we've had with each other since the first day we got together. I have never been in a band where business was so easy due to the fact that everyone has always been straight up with each other. The guys are also quick with compliments and with picking each other up when we needed it and just as straight with each other when anyone dropped the ball. It wasn't always comfortable but it was real and that's why there was always great trust within our circle.

Therefore we all know that we have a bond that cannot be broken and that came from not only playing lots of gigs together but also experiencing life's ups and downs just like a true family. Some of those rough spots were the struggles that come from being involved in the music business. Many people are completely unaware of the fact that even a working local band must have a united front because of the tough business practices that are still a reality for such bands. I was always proud of the fact that the members of TCB always had each other's backs, which meant that if you crossed one of us you had to deal with all of us.

Aside from the gigs the other thing I had missed were our rehearsals. These were the moments when it was just us in our sloppy clothes in the same room facing each other as we played music together. Sometimes the songs sounded great and sometimes they didn't but it didn't matter because the brothers were together and having a great time. Of course we had breaks in rehearsal or just hung out a bit afterwards and whenever that happened it was always full of joy and laughter. Then those goodbye hugs were as real as they got and...yeah, I should stop before I start cutting some onions.  

Of course the man whose namesake is written across our banner, the great Tony Corrales, is the both the face and the voice of the band. He has amazed so many people for years with his amazing voice along with his great stage presence and I know that there are so many people out there who are more than happy to hear that he is going to perform again. The man loves the songs he sings and everyone could always see that during his performance. Having the chance to return to the stage with him again will definitely feel like a homecoming because when it comes to playing country music I know that this is the band I belong with and his voice is the defining factor of this band.

Then there is the amazing Joey Cota whose lightning leads and powerful stage presence brings a special type of energy to the band like no one else. He is a true brother to me as we have done over 130 shows together. People love Joey's playing and stage presence and he is the kind of performer who really feeds off of the crowd so this is even more reason for me to be excited about our future gigs. I have always enjoyed throwing down a groove and watching my brother move along to my beat. More than that, we've always had those moments on stage where we just lock eyes and smile when we knew that we are feeling it.

Robert Rojas will continue with the band on rhythm guitar and vocals but that alone doesn't display the musical talent that this brother has. Aside from being the best rhythm player out there he brings a knowledge of music that enhances the sound of the band while also filling in spaces that only he can do. He is also the most precise of all when it comes to pulling a song apart so with his help we always  play the songs correctly, even when that means accepting his comments about my tempo. 😆 Aside from that, he also has a very unique and dry sense of humor and is able to rib me in ways that... well let's just say that he gets me good.

Finally, we welcome new bassist Alex Quinonez, who is someone I played with (along with Robert) in the Rock scene a few years ago. We had a short run together but created a special bond within our groove so once TCB knew that we had to find another person to handle the bottom end I jumped at the chance to tell the guys about my boy Alex. Alex brings both great skill, experience and enthusiasm to our group. I can't wait for you all to hear our groove once we hit the stage.

(An important side note: I need to give a shout out to the other members of the family. Mike Yanoska, AJ Gonzales and Thomas Charbonneau. Love you guys!) 

I have always cherished my time with TCB so to have another chance to saddle up with my brothers again is such a blessing. I know we will create even more amazing memories and we can't wait to share it all of you who will be join us for the party...

...and the party begins on April 13th at Casino del Sol in the Paradiso Lounge.

We hope to see you all there!

It is so good to be home!!!

Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

The Return of Sonoran Sol

It was the summer of 2006 and I had made the decision to post an ad in the musician's wanted section on Craig's List in Tucson. It was about a month before I was going to move my family from the Los Angeles area to the Tucson desert and one thing I learned about working in that highly competitive Los Angeles music scene was that if anyone was not on top of things that they would be left behind. Being a teacher even back in those days meant that I had some time on my hands so I figured it would be in my best interest to start networking for gigs in what was soon to be my music scene.

It was at this time that I met an amazing guitarist named Dan Griffin as he was one of the first few people to respond to my ad. Right away we seemed to be on the same page musically so we decided to get together some time after I was somewhat settled both at home and at work. Thanks to Dan I was able to meet some great musicians as we put this new Jazz/ Fusion band together. I came up with the name Sonoran Sol as I was thinking both about the desert we lived in and the fact that we had so much sun around here!

Prior to my move I have investigated the Tucson music scene and had some idea of the best places to play for such a musical group. Of course being a native of the Tucson area Dan gave me an even greater insight on what I needed to know before both of us got in touch with those in charge of booking bands and before we knew it our group shot out of the gates. We performed at a lot of city events, at the 4th Ave Street Festival, at local cafes and even a few times on public access television. Every time we performed we got great reviews and I credit the fact that Dan and I always recruited great players to work with us who not only had great talent who also carried themselves like real professionals.

Once things slowed down a bit thanks to the economic crash of 2008 our gigs were off and on and the nice thing about the way the band had always operated was that we never believed in what I call musical monogamy. In other words, everyone was allowed to work with other groups so long as they committed to whatever gigs Sonoran Sol had already booked. There were even times when we didn't work together for a couple of years because the reality for instrumental groups is that performance opportunities could be thin and that leads such musicians to look for work elsewhere. That or the fact that one of us scored a really good working gig for a while so we gave that person room to earn some money. In other words, it was never personal because that's just the way the music business works.

Of course now that I've been living in the Tucson area for over ten years, like Dan, I have made a lot of musical contacts over the years. And, since Sonoran Sol was always known to be a solid band these contacts always seemed to remember us when they needed a band like ours for an event.

One thing that I believe helped our band stand out was that Dan and I never wanted a group that focused on straight ahead Jazz or standard Latin tunes. We always wanted to have an edge to our sound so we always made the point to create our own arrangement of a famous standard while also adding funkier instrumental tracks such as Jeff Golub's version of "Cold Duck Time," Billy Cobham's "Crosswinds" or "Cissy Strut" by The Meters. In other words, our group has great energy but it's not overwhelming as we are always conscious of dynamics.

So as 2018 arrived we were all in one of those extended breaks when an email showed up in my inbox from a good friend named Jonas Hunter, who is someone we had worked with in the past. He was already looking for bands for his Summer Concert Series at Main Gate Square on University Blvd and once again asked if we were available. All it took was a simple text message to Dan and away we go...again! It also took Dan about ten minutes to recruit the amazing Bobby Elias to join us on bass guitar with all us being very excited about performing together.

We are scheduled to begin performing this coming April with our first performance being on the Tucson Morning Blend television show. We will then perform at The Artful Space before our scheduled performance at Main Gate Square. You can follow our updates as well as see our current performance schedule at: https://www.facebook.com/sonoransoltucson/ 

We are looking forward to seeing you all at one of our shows real soon.

Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

Partners in Crime: A Nod to my Brother Bassists

It's been close to six weeks since my last gig and while I wait patiently for my leg to heal up I am also looking forward to my musical future. While I am anxious to finally have a chance to do some of the things I have planned I am just as excited for the uncertainties that await me. The reason for that is because in the past those unknowns usually led to meeting some amazing musicians who made their mark on my life as they were not only a joy to play with but also people who taught me more than they could ever know.

In reflecting on such an idea I must say that I think a lot about some amazing bassists I had the pleasure to work with these past few years. Aside from the musical bond we created by working as the rhythm section there is that personal connection that is almost unbreakable. In fact, it has been my bass brothers who have checked in on me the most during this time of rest and recuperation so I thought I would return the favor by taking some time to give them the nod that they deserve.


AJ Gonzales

My most recent rhythm section partner is someone I go way back with. We have worked with each other in various bands as well as in the studio off and on for close to ten years so any time we have a chance to get together we know it's going to be a good time because we are very familiar with each other's style.

Aside from being a great bass player AJ is also a singer and a songwriter so he is very song friendly when it comes to playing bass lines that fit what the song needs. Sound wise he has this awesome Fender bass that I nicknamed the Soul Sista because it has this bottom end that makes my bass drum really happy. For the past year we had the chance to lock in together at so many gigs and it is something I really miss right now. The last couple of months were really special because there were times we would just look at each other onstage and know exactly what to play. At the end of such songs we would just smile and say, "Yeah, I felt that."

Backstage with AJ

One thing I also appreciate is that he is very attentive to dynamics and textures so he is never shy about telling me when I may be pounding a little too hard or if I need to approach something in a more musical way.  Then we would hit the stage again and once we nailed whatever it was that we had to adjust we smile and nod in order to pat each other on the back because for us it's always about being a team.

I miss grooving with him but we both know that something will come up in the future that will allow us to play together again.


Thomas Charbonneau

For about five years I had the chance to groove along with this brother of mine in a couple of different bands. His technique was downright frightening at times but his humility always made him approachable and easy to talk to.  Then there was his sense of humor that made me want to hang with him as much as possible because I knew that I would be laughing both loudly and often.

His tone filled every room we played in and since it had such a big sound I had to pay more attention to the sound of my bass drum to make sure it was on par with the power that Big T brought to the table. Our grooves were always very precise because Thomas has a very active and intelligent musical mind that knew how to pick a song apart. It was actually a great exercise for me to work with him because his extensive musical vocabulary made me access a lot of the music education I learned over the years as our communication went beyond just humming parts to each other. He definitely kept me on my toes.

Thomas was also very protective of me because, as he would always say, "We are a team." I always appreciated that because if I was not on my "A" game he was more concerned about my well being than resentful of the fact that I wasn't perfect that night. In other words, it was never about his ego because it was about the band sounding great and not how he looked or sounded on stage.

Recently he moved to Florida and while I really miss him we are still in touch and always will be. That is because our bond in unbreakable to the point where I believe we will get the chance to play together somewhere down the road.

With Thomas and Peter

Peter Gorritz 

While I didn't get a chance to play with Peter as long as I would have liked to we did have a chance to perform several gigs together. These gigs were fun because Peter loved to perform and was always the most visual member onstage.His energy brought more out of me and while I am not the most visual performer out there it still made me take my energy up a notch.

He always fascinated me because he had this ability to really pound his bass when the groove had to be strong, which was great for me because I would have to match his presence with more power from my bass drum. Then he had this way of moving around the fret board in the most gentle way where I would back off on the bass drum in order to give him the room he needed. During those moments I usually did more cymbal work in order to add a light texture to his beautiful bass runs. I always enjoyed it when we had a chance to go in both directions in the same song because that gave us a chance to showcase our dynamics as a rhythm section.

This contrast in his playing led me to give him the nickname of Delicate Danger, which he liked a lot. Plus, I also think the nickname described him well as a person because you'd see this guy walk in the room that was dressed in black with a a Mohawk...who was also the nicest guy in the room.

One day I'm going to find myself onstage with him again and hopefully it will be in a situation where we can blow off some steam because I know that the two of us have a lot more to explore together.


Michael Young

Recently I had a chance to reunite with an original band from my college days when the Blue Note Ritual reunited to record an EP (yes, it's coming out soon).  It was a 22 year gap from the time of our last show in the Southern California area to the rehearsal we had in my living room here in the Arizona desert. This was a great surprise to me because we all now live large distances from each other but found a way to come together to finish a project that we never completed back in the day.

Post-rehearsal with Michael

Michael was the greatest rhythm section partner I had during my time in the Los Angeles music scene. He pushed me in ways that I had never been pushed before because while the music we played was already intense it was Michael's style of playing bass that brought so much to the sound of the band. I always had to be at my best just to keep up with him and that included those moments when we worked on new music because he has such an extensive rhythmic vocabulary.

Having a chance to play music with him again was a blessing and I can only hope that our band is able to maintain some time of working schedule to allow us to work on some new music real soon. I love the way he hears other rhythmic patterns within the grooves that we play and then he'll push me to add even more to my parts in order to further orchestrate what we are doing. For years we always called him The Funkster because the brother has some serious soul. So you can imagine how awesome it is for a drummer to be able to throw down with him.


Alex Quinonez 

Some gigs just don't last long enough and unfortunately that happened to me a couple of years ago when I played in a Rock band for a brief period. Thankfully I am still good friends with two guys from that band with one of them being bassist Alex Quinonez. Our bond really started at the first rehearsal as we had both showed up prepared and ready to lay down the groove. One of the first things he said to me was, You and I are going to be practically married. And he was right.

With Alex after rehearsal

Even though the band only did a handful of gigs I am proud to say that Alex and I did our part to make sure the music was spot on. In fact, many people commented that we were the two best musicians in the band. While we appreciated that it came from hard work and a constant communication between the two of us. I had a blast playing with him because he was a solid bassist who kicked the groove hard. It didn't matter if it was a straight ahead beat, a shuffle, a ballad or an uptempo rocker. I knew that Alex would be wherever I was and that gave both of us a lot of comfort.

We also connected so much on a personal level from our common faith life to the way we see the world. Once I got to know him in that way I was not surprised that we connected so well on  a musical level because we had so much in common as people. I really miss playing with him and hope something will come up in the future that will give us a chance to throw down some beats again.


Conclusion

Anyone who has ever played in a band knows of the bond that you create with those you work with. The longer the group stays together the stronger the bond but even within each group there are those little circles that are formed based on everyone's job within the group. For me it's always been about the beat so bass players are the ones I have usually created these bonds with.

It's true that maybe we aren't seen as much onstage as the rest of the band. Maybe you don't even know our names. But, if you're dancing, if you're tapping your foot or just nodding your head to the beat then you do know us more than you realize.

Thank you brothers for allowing me to groove with you.


Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

Time For a Change

For the past 5 years it's been non-stop for me with gigs and more gigs in the Tucson Country Music Scene. Nothing makes a working musician happier than to be on the go and working with other great musicians on a regular basis. I have been blessed to work with so many great bands while also meeting some amazing people that work at the local music venues as well as those who patronize these venues. The support that I have received from so many people has been overwhelming and I cannot put into words how much it has meant to me. Such people have honestly become family to me as I love them all very much.

However, the one thing that many people in the crowd do not know is that many of the musicians who are onstage each night are also people with families as well as artists who have their own creative endeavors that are usually set aside in order to focus on making their working band the best it can be. I was more than happy to do this for the time that I did it but I have reached a point where I can no longer ignore the things that matter so much to me.

The first sign that something had to give was one busy weekend when I had left home for yet another show and saw the look on my children's faces when I said goodbye to them. I was tired from the show the night before so I spent most of the day resting, which also meant that I didn't spend a lot of quality time with them. Even though my kids were used to their father being a working musician their facial expressions told me that my absence was beginning to weigh on them and I was starting to see the same facial expression all too often. This was because my performance had been the busiest that it had ever been and I was doing this while I continued to work a regular career outside of music.

At times I didn't worry too much about being away from home because my performances usually began at a time when my children were already in bed. But there was one thing I didn't think about and I am ashamed to say, was something that showed how selfish I had beacome. My wife is a principal and there are times when she comes home late. Sometimes her schedule was such that if I had a Friday evening gig I would leave for my show before she would get home from work. That meant I would only see her briefly that Friday morning before we both left for work and not see her again until the following Saturday morning when I am far from focused on anything other than a huge cup of coffee. And like most families, our Saturdays are filled with errands and chores to do around the house so that led me to ask the big question: How much quality time did I have with my wife?

Something had to give.

On a creative level I still compose my own music while also writing books & blogs and since I have a full time job a lot of my free time was used to gig and learn new material for these gigs. I always enjoyed the performing experience while also making that extra money but the artist inside of me was dying to get out and my schedule was not giving me the chance to fully express myself. Right now I have all of this music inside of me that needs to get out and more literary ideas that need my full attention. Aside from that, I was also not putting enough attention into promoting the books that I already had out so that's not going to get my literary works anywhere if I just have them out there and do nothing to get them into the hands of more readers.

Something had to give.

On December 18, 2017 I slipped on the stairs at my home, rolled my ankle and heard a pop before feeling a pain that I had never experienced before. This greatly concerned me since the injury took place on the right side of my body, which is the side of my main bass drum foot. Then I became very concerned when I found out that I actually did break the lower part of my shin bone. It was now time to focus on healing and that meant that I would be confined to my home (when I wasn't walking around on crutches at work) and since my mobility was very limited it also meant that I had a lot of time to sit and think...and these moments of self-reflection were not always comfortable.

That doesn't mean that each moment was one of sadness or regret. In fact, while I was laid up I had to find things to do and while I was unable to play a drum set (I still did some work on a practice pad) I was not unable to sit at my laptop and get back to writing stories and blogs. I was also able to sit with my guitar, bass guitar, keyboards and/or drum machine and start composing music again. It felt good to be able to spend time doing such things again and they served as a great distraction to any discomfort that had been caused by my injury. There were so many moments when I was so lost in what I was doing that I had to actually look at my leg to remind myself that I was either in a splint or a walking boot. Most importantly, I was able to do this while I was... home with my family!

Once I got the taste of this again it was hard to go back to such an intense performance schedule. Still, to walk away from a scene that has meant so much to me will not be easy because no decisions are made without some sort of sacrifice. Growth cannot happen without some experience of pain so while I look forward to my creative future I am also sad that I will miss more good times that were certain to come. Still, nothing is more important to me than my family so while failures and longings are certain to come they will also occur while I am with those who have missed me and worried so much about me during these late nights away so how could that be a bad thing?

Finally, I have already  been asked by several people if I am walking away from performing for good and the answer is no. It is true that I am going to focus more on my creative projects but I still plan to continue performing once I am fully healed up. The only thing I can say is that I won't be out gigging as much as I have these past few years but still, performing is part of who I am so there is no point in denying that part of my being. So here are my future plans, for now:

1) To continue composing more tribal drumming songs along with more of my instrumental tracks. I have so many unfinished songs that need to be completed and now that I have already upgraded some of my gear I am really excited to see how all of this material comes out. I also plan to get back into the music licensing world as one of the great honors of my music career has been when my music has been featured on various television shows around the world.

2) Working on some new drum set ideas and composing more drum set solos that will be posted on You Tube once they are completed. I also plan to get back into doing more drumming exhibitions and master classes.

3) Doing more session work for Richard Newell at Alegria Productions and probably more fill in gigs from time to time since there will be a big change in my availability.  I am also on call for some other recording studios in town so it will be nice to be able to do more work in the recording studio.

4) I was recently contacted by a promotion company that I had worked for in the past to do a Latin Jazz gig this summer. That led me to call on some musicians I worked with in the past in a  Jazz/Fusion combo called Sonoran Sol to see if they wanted to pull the band out of mothballs for this gig and possibly for some other gigs from time to time and they were all for it.

5) Then there are the surprises that are certain to come. Once I went down with my injury many of my musician friends contacted me to see how I was doing. It was really good to hear from them as it has been quite a while since I had spoken to some of them so their concern meant a lot to me. Aside from that, some ideas were exchanged as I was asked of my future plans. All I can say is that if any of these ideas come to fruition it could be an exciting time because it would mean that I get a chance to get back into playing other styles of music that I haven't played for quite some time with some dear friends that I have missed greatly.

Regardless of what happens I know that most of my musical work will now be done at home so I will be much closer to my family. Since I am an early riser I have already committed to working on my music before my kids get out of bed and after they are asleep for the night. My future gigs won't be as often and most likely end earlier than the gigs I had been playing these past several years so it will be nice to have more time at home and to get home from a show before the calendar rolls over. 

After all, I have already missed so much already.

So to all of the great musicians I have worked with over the past 5 years in the Tucson Country Music Scene, thank you for the great times, for challenging me and for the creative connection I was privileged to share with you. You will all hold a special place in my heart because everyone knows that if you work with people in a musical group on a regular basis you establish a bond that cannot be broken. Of course since these are also human relationships that means that there were also those moments of tension and discomfort so for that I ask these same people to forgive me for the times I let you down. I know that I wasn't always easy to work with but you always had my respect even when I failed to show it.

To all of the great people who filled our dance floors all of these years...all I can say is WOW! I have never been around such amazing people when it came to showing support and loyalty to both a group and to a particular musician. You taught me so much about love and friendship and I will never forget that. To be honest, you are the ones I will miss the most because you never owed any of the bands I worked a thing yet your constant support was such a gift to all of us. So for that, I say thank you and God bless you all.

I hope to see you all soon and wish everyone nothing but the best.


Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

      

Vinnie Vincent: A Defense of the Musician

The KISS Army eagerly awaits the return of Vinnie Vincent at the KISS Expo that will take place in Atlanta on January 20, 2018. The thing that excites fans the most is that Vincent will have news in terms of what his future musical plans are while also meeting with fans and answering their questions.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsQtY4V7dGQ

No former KISS member has caused more controversy and yet has been more mysterious than the man known legally as Vincent Cusano. From stories of why he was fired from KISS to hearing about why he didn't sign his contract with the band (one story is that an attorney familiar with the case said that Vincent could see that the contract was not favorable to him) along with stories of what it was like to deal with him once he was out of the KISS and working as a solo artist.

Speaking for myself, I am not too interested in any stories he may tell us about his time with KISS as I am more interested in his future musical plans. That is because Vincent is a true talent and I have been a fan of his work since he was a member of KISS in the early 1980's. I even had a chance to see the Vinnie Vincent Invasion perform at Long Beach Arena from a 3rd row seat on their first tour as they opened for Iron Maiden. Talk about an amazing night as they were absolutely amazing!


Was It the Player of Was It the Era? 

Very few people seem to contest the idea that Vincent did some amazing things with KISS from writing great songs with the band to performing great solos on the albums. Yes, we all know of his eccentric solos onstage as he was one of many gunslingers from the 1980's determined to show the world how flashy he was. From what I can remember he didn't really do anything that many other guitarists weren't also doing except for the fact that he was a far better player than many of them.And since guitarists have egos and love to show off you can imagine how many of them felt when they saw this short strange looking player out dueling them.

KISS also continued to deal with the same issue but on a smaller scale since Vincent's replacements didn't have as much involvement in the songwriting process. The late Mark St. John was also a gunslinger that gave the band some trouble during the creative process (see Face the Music: A Life Exposed by Paul Stanley's pgs. 297-298) and while Bruce Kulick was a great team player, there were some things that Gene Simmons had said about his playing that showed that he needed a few records to figure out the attitude one needed to play with the band. (see KISS Extreme Closeup). If you look at the time period, this was the way people played guitar and the truth is, if KISS was being formed at that time and writing songs that were typical of that time period then original guitarist Ace Frehley would not have made it through the audition.

I remember when I saw Vincent do his guitar solo during the first VVI tour. The band had just finished the song "Animal" and then Vincent took the stage to himself. It was long and he really went crazy with it but at the same time, he did some amazing things. Many people in the crowd were booing him and calling out names like Eddie Van Halen and Yngwie Malmsteen and while such guitarists are also true talents even my teenage self could see that Vincent was doing things that many guitarists from that era simply could not do. Does anyone think that might cause some resentment? And, such a reaction is not exclusive to that era of music. Just look at the drumming world today and see how many drummers react to the talents of players like Mike Mangini, Thomas Lang, Virgil Donati, Marco Minneman, etc. Well, can he groove? Why does it have to be some complicated? Etc  (side note: sometimes these remarks are also said by many world renown drummers). True, there are some people out there who simply don't like this style of drumming or even shredder guitarists for that matter. That's okay and I will always respect a person's preferences when it comes to the kind of music they like.

But we all know a dirty little secret about musicians and music fans who are real possessive of their favorite artists. Every now and then someone comes along who is simply at a different level than the musician or the preferred musician and while their style might not be to their liking it's hard to deny the talent that one sees . Being a musician myself I am willing to admit to the fact that I have seen other players that blew me away with me having to admit to myself that: This person is doing things that I can't do and possibly, will NEVER be able to do. Therefore, some of my criticisms of such players were in fact a mask for my wounded ego and I am not afraid to say that other musicians are guilty of the doing the same thing.

Finally, when people have great talent they also get very restless. They are usually known to be difficult to work with because it's hard to find people that can match their level of competency or intensity for that matter. That doesn't excuse their behavior if they are in fact rude to others but on a musical level there are times when they simply want to explode. Does anyone think that Vincent wanted to simply play Frehley licks for a living? Or, from an egotistical point of view, if he sees that he has enough ability to surpass the level of talent that is heaping words of praise why not go out there and show the world what you can do? I'm not saying that it's not a self-centered thing to do but hey, how many people would go for it and how many guitarists back in the day did in fact, go for it?



Digging For Treasure

That is not a pun to one of Vincent's old bands but a suggestion to look beyond the screaming guitar lines and to the things that demonstrated Vincent's true brilliance. Some say that it is impossible because getting through Vincent's wild guitar playing to whatever was underneath it is impossible but I would argue that it is not impossible because I know that I've had to do the same with other bands. Take for example the song "Humans Being" by Van Halen. It's one of my favorite songs by this great band but the middle section absolutely irritates me because while EVH isn't necessarily shredding I always wonder, does this middle section have to be this long?! If I could ever sit in the same room with him and listen to this song I know what I would say: Yes Edward, I know that you play the guitar? Yes Edward, I know that you're a guitar hero. Please Edward, just play the damn song! Geez....and yet, I can still listen to the whole song because overall, it's a great song!

Every artist knows that they are responsible for whatever they release to the world as it is part of their musical legacy. In this case, Vincent has talked about how the first VVI album was the moment he took the time to exorcise some of his pent up anger  (Start at 8:15). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnqv7nRNcrA But within that anger there is some brilliance in terms of what he did as a songwriter and all of it is pretty amazing for someone who doesn't really see himself as a songwriter (previous link, start at 6:09) and I will do the best I can to share what I hear because while I do play a little bit of guitar I am more of a drummer so please keep in mind that I am more of a fan and not an expert on the guitar.


First Album

Of all of the records that people criticize the most it is Vincent's debut album. Yes, there are plenty of moments where he is really out there but he has never shied away from what he did and stated many times in the past that he did all of that for himself. Further, it's not like he was the only guitarist from that time period that played in that way. He is just the one who gets the most heat for doing it. Seriously though, to my ear he was doing things that other players simply couldn't do and again if you're that person with that kind of talent you're going to be the target, especially if you're not in those inner circles of those considered to be the guitar god of the moment. Still, let's take a look at some tracks from this album as I offer what I think are some great things that Vincent did:

1) Boyz Are Gonna Rock: The song is a real rocker and God knows that Vincent really went out of his way to go nuts on this track. However, the song in itself is pretty cool in terms of structure, lyrics as well as some of the sounds that Vinnie came up with. I have always liked his rhythm guitar sound as well as the tone he gets on his solos but that roar that comes out of his guitar at 3:15..WOW!

2) Shoot You Full of Love: Yes, an eccentric 80's song but it has a sexy riff to say the least. The thing that stands out to me is the vocal line after the solo. Robert Fleischman really gets up there and the first thing that comes to mind when I hear that is imagine Paul Stanley singing this song at the peak of his vocal abilities. It's too bad KISS and Vincent couldn't work things out as this might have been a great KISS song.

3) No Substitute: Honestly, this is a beautiful song and the lyrics are just amazing. This was certainly a tune that any teenage boy at the time (myself included) could relate to as the song said exactly what a lot of us were feeling at that time for that special lady we had our eyes on.

4) Animal: The opening riff is awesome and the chorus is very catchy for what we knew of 80's music. And when it comes to throwing throwing one's hat into the circus known as 80's guitar soloing...well let's just cut to the chase...Vincent wins.

5) Back on the Streets: This is just a great song. The vocal part is heart breaking and let's be honest, when Vincent actually holds a note during his solo it feels as painful as the song. There is feel here and yes we would have liked to have felt more of it.


All Systems Go

On the second album they seemed to have tamed the beast...well, a little bit. But we do get to see so much of Vinnie the songwriter as well as Vincent the producer because there is a lot going on with some of these songs and the there are in fact many textures in what we hear. 

1) Ashes to Ashes: This is such a great song as it has such a great groove with some great guitar riffs. The vocal melody is awesome and the guitar solo is amazing. The beginning draws you in and when Vincent does get into his rip roaring licks it's not as intense as what he heard on the last album but again, it's the way it was back in the day.

2) Dirty Rhythm: A different type of groove than what we were used to hearing in the 80's but it has a sexy feel to it. Again, great guitar riff and a very upbeat song that is a lot of fun. It is both different for Vincent as well as the era. 

3) Love Kills: I have to say that this is still one of the most amazing power ballads I have ever heard! The lyrics give me chills as it brings up haunting memories of my own painful experiences. The guitar work behind the vocals adds to the emotion of the song and the movement of the verses into the choruses is just phenomenal because it brings a rise out of the listener that convinces them of the message of the song, that love does in fact, kill! The guitar solo was most surprising to all of us when we first heard it because we were used to the shred master doing his thing over everything. However, on this song Vincent shows his ability to play with taste, feeling and dynamics. It's a spectacular performance.

4) Burn: This is just a great rocker and I can never get tired of the amazing tone of Vinnie's rhythm guitar. The intro is super cool and the main riff is just the perfect thing to hear right out of the rocking intro. Again, another song that is just fun.

5) That Time of Year: For those of us with dreams of rock stardom this song stopped you in your tracks. The story line was heart breaking because while we wanted to feel that thrill of the stage we also wondered what it might be like if we had to leave our beloved behind. Aside from that, Vinnie's clean guitar work is just beautiful and his rhythm guitar is once again smooth and grooving. I especially love those kicks that go into the verses because while this song can be seen as a ballad it still rocks! Finally, another great solo that was both current to the era that also helps tell the story of the song.


Feeling Hopeful

Like many fans from the KISS family I hope this coming convention is the moment where Vincent tells us that he has something planned for all of us. We already knew back in 1992 when he helped KISS resurrect their career yet again by contributing to the best songs on the Revenge album that he knows how to write music and not just songs dated to the 80's. Everyone from Adam Mitchell to Mark Slaughter have said that he knows how to play just about anything on guitar and not just the shred master stuff so in my perfect world I would love to see him show us every side of his musical abilities. However, just something new would be great.

I know most people are jaded by past horror stories and I am not hear to ignore such things. However, we do know that this is not abnormal for musicians in general from any musical genre. Buddy Rich? Ray Charles? Barbra Streisand? Whitney Houston? And how about Gene Simmons? I have seen similar behavior even among local musicians who have never tasted the type of success Vincent has experienced in his life so that should tell us enough of what can happen to anyone that gets up on a stage. And with that being said, we all know that we love the music and support the career(s) of artists who are just as bad if not worse than Vincent. Isn't that interesting?  And why is this so? Because of the fact that true talent and good people skills don't necessarily go hand in hand. But if anyone has true talent they have the ability touch someone in someway. Speaking for myself, I have no problem saying that I have been touched by the artist known as Vinnie Vincent and hope to hear something new really soon that will move me in a similar way.


Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano