Tag Archives: singer-songwriter

Detour For Some Blues News

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I’m taking a slight detour today to share with you some exciting news about my good friend Jon Shain. Jon recently won the 2019 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, winning in the solo/duo category. No small honor as he had to beat out over 200 other talented artists to claim the title.

Jon is a prolific song writer who performs not only Blues but equal parts Folk and Americana. You can learn more about him and his music at jonshain.com.   You can hear Jon perform a wide variety of his musical styles on ReverbNation. 

Jon’s latest CD, “Tomorrow Will Be Yesterday Soon,” is actually a collaboration with long-time friend, and equally talented musician, FJ Ventre.  They are currently on tour, with dates in cities around the U.S. throughout the year. To see if they are playing near you check out their tour dates at jonshain.com.  Jon and FJ are dynamic and seasoned performers who will deliver a fabulous show you don’t want to miss! Here they are singing and playing together in the studio a song from their new CD.

Penny Pierce

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As promised, here is a preview of my new self-titled album. This is the cover photo. Two days before Chuckles became ill I had a photo shoot down at Carolina Beach. I had this amazing photographer, Mark Maya out of Durham. In a stroke of luck, he happened to be vacationing at Carolina Beach and suggested I drive down (40 min. drive from Wilmington) for the shoot. It was early evening in July and hotter than blue blazes but he was so cool and collected. Good thing, because I had no idea what I was doing! The lighting was wonderful at that time of day even to my untrained eye. He got some great pics and we have used them throughout the booklet insert for the CD (16 pgs. with all lyrics)

The CD contains 10 songs (about 40 minutes playing time), all original except for a traditional English broadside ballad dating from the 1700’s. The album is very eclectic and defies easy categorising by genre. There is everything from a Bossa Nova, to a Country-Western waltz, to a piano number that sounds like it could have been in Burt Bacharach’s oeuvre. Eleven musicians, (including myself), perform on a range of instruments; piano, cello, harmonica, resonator guitar, accordion and more.

My CD is currently in production and the manufacturer is promising completion between Oct.20-24. Once it has shipped it will be available on all the usual sites including Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, etc. both for download and physical copies.

Stay tuned for an official release announcement!