D I O N RELEASES 'STOMPING GROUND'WITH ALL-STAR CAST OF LEGENDARY MUSIC ARTISTS:EXCLUSIVE ZOOM TV INTERVIEW WITH RAY SHASHO ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

 

 D  I  O  N

RELEASES NEW ALBUM 

entitled 'STOMPING GROUND'

with guest artists

 Boz Scaggs … Mark Knopfler … Eric Clapton

 Peter Frampton … Patti Scialfa

 Bruce Springsteen … Billy F Gibbons

 Keb’ Mo’ … Sonny Landreth

Joe Bonamassa and many more!

EXCLUSIVE ZOOM TV INTERVIEW

WITH

THE LEGENDARY

D I O N

CLICK BELOW

 TO WATCH IN ITS ENTIRETY

DION and his music have long represented a special time and place, reflective of a moment when a song could mean so much. When a singer could sum up what it means to be young, in love and on top of the world. R & B, blues, doo-wop and that first wave of rock all influenced Dion’s approach to music. “I Wonder Why” was Dion’s first hit with The Belmonts and over the next two years the group earned a reputation not only for topping the charts, but for creating some of the most vital and exciting doo wop music on the American scene.

With songs such as “I Wonder Why,” “A Teenager In Love” and “Where or When,” Dion & The Belmonts earned their place in music history. The great music kept coming as Dion ventured out as a solo artist in 1960, racking up a string of #1 hits. Over an incredible four-year run he cut one classic after another from the rollicking “Runaround Sue” to the driving “Lovers Who Wander” to “The Wanderer.” He quickly rose to the top ranks of recording artists. In 1968 Dion shot to the top of the charts once again with “Abraham, Martin and John,” a song that was as much an anthem for that era as his early hits had been for theirs. What followed in the ‘70s and ‘80s was a string of acclaimed LPs, many of which reflected his early interest in roots music.

DION turned increasingly to folk blues and gospel, again earning a reputation as an innovator. In 1989 Dion entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. One of the Hall’s earliest honorees, he was inducted just one year after the Beatles and Bob Dylan and at the same time as the Rolling Stones, Otis Redding and the Soul Stirrers. In over six decades he has never stopped writing, recording and performing new music. His voice is unmistakable. His music is original and entirely his own. His story is more relevant than ever.

Purchase

DION

STOMPING

GROUND

 Pioneering rock n' roll singer/songwriter Dion delivers yet another powerful collection of timeless blues with Stomping Ground. It's the follow-up to his universally acclaimed Keeping The Blues Alive Records debut, Blues With Friends, from 2020. Dion has yet again enlisted the music world's most iconic and talented stars to bring his blues to life.

Available NOW at amazon.com

ALSO

D I O N’ S

BOOK

DION 

THE WANDERER

 TALKS

 TRUTH

(Stories, Humor & Music)

by Dion Dimucci (Author),

 Mike Aquilina

Dion came up out of the Bronx in the 50s and tore through the music charts in a ferocious display of talent. He continued to make great music while slowly returning to his Catholic roots. His hard-won wisdom filters through his stories whether he's recalling how he went shopping with John Lennon and ended up on the cover of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band or what it was like to travel in the Jim Crow South with Sam Cooke.

available NOW at amazon.com

For more information

 about

D I O N

Visit

www.diondimucci.com

official website

www.facebook.com/OfficialDion

facebook

https://twitter.com/thewandererdion

twitter

www.instagram.com/diondimucciofficial

Instagram

  

Discography

DION and the Belmonts

Year  Album       

1959  Presenting Dion and the Belmonts     

1960  Wish Upon a Star with Dion and the Belmonts      

1967  Together Again

1973  Live at Madison Square Garden 1972

DION

Year  Album        

1961  Runaround Sue    

Alone with Dion  

1962  Lovers Who Wander      

1963  Dion Sings to Sandy      

Ruby Baby 

Donna the Prima Donna 

Love Came to Me 

1968  Dion 

1969  Wonder Where I'm Bound       

1970  Sit Down Old Friend      

1971  You're Not Alone 

Sanctuary   

1972  Suite for Late Summer   

1975  Born to Be with You      

1976  Streetheart 

1978  Return of the Wanderer

1979  Fire in the Night

1980  Inside Job   

1981  Only Jesus 

1983  I Put Away My Idols     

1984  Seasons      

1985  Kingdom in the Streets

1986  Velvet & Steel     

1989  Yo Frankie 

1992  Dream on Fire

1993  Rock N' Roll Christmas 

2000  Déjà Nu      –       

2003  New Masters       

2006  Bronx in Blue      

2007  Son of Skip James

2008  Heroes: Giants of Early Guitar Rock 

2011  Tank Full of Blues

2016  New York Is My Home

2020  Blues with Friends

2021  Stomping Ground

 

D I O N

on INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

with RAY SHASHO

STREAMING at

THE CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC REPORTER

(classicrockmusicwriter.com)

Classic Rock Here And Now

Music Tried And True

Facebook LIVE

YouTube

RAY’S BEST-SELLING BOOK

ENTITLED

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

SERIES ONE

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE

BY RAY SHASHO

 …Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover  or E-book  at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of the greatest rock legends the world will ever know.

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO

PAUL NELSON TALKS JOHNNY WINTER AND BADASS GENERATION ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS W/RAY SHASHO -BBS RADIO

P   A   U   L

N   E   L   S   O   N

GUITARIST-SONGWRITER-PRODUCER

with The Paul Nelson Band

JOHNNY WINTER'S PRODUCER/

& RIGHT-HAND MAN TALKS ABOUT PRESERVING JOHNNY'S LEGACY

Paul Nelson - is recognized as one of today's top guitarists/songwriters and producers not only having the distinction of being the hand-picked fellow guitarist to the legendary rock/blues icon Johnny Winter but he has toured the world over performing and or recorded alongside an endless who's who list of top artists from Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy to Slash, Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, James Cotton, Joe Perry, Dr. John, Leslie West, Joe Bonamassa, Dickey Betts to Joe Walsh and more...

Nelson received a Grammy award for his work performing on and producing Winter's "Step Back" release on Mega force/Sony winning "Best Blues Album of the Year" highlighting his already long list of Grammy Nominations. As well as the BMA "Blues Music Award" for "Best Blues/Rock Album" reaching #16 on the Billboard Top 200 and staying at #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts for weeks. He is also a recipient of the Blues Foundation's KBA "Keeping the Blues Alive Award".

His music has reached millions with appearances on Late Night with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and on award winning documentaries: "Down and Dirty" The Johnny Winter Story and "Sideman: Long Road to Glory" (feat: Bonnie Raitt, Gregg Allman, Hubert Sumlin), as well as music written/performed and broadcast nationally on NBC and on multiple major album releases, books, instructional guitar columns, live Concert DVD's, and guest performances on countless recordings.

Staying at #1 on the "Hot New Releases" charts for months Nelson's latest project "Badass Generation" on Sony Records still maintains his unmistakable connection to the Blues, but it also finds the guitarist showing his many other musical dimensions fans have come expect considering him one of music's most respected and influential contemporary artists...

THE 

PAUL NELSON 

BAND

BADASS GENERATION

available at amazon.com

For more information about Paul Nelson visit 

www.paulnelsonguitar.com  and www.facebook.com/paulnelsonofficial

Johnny Winter’s All-Inclusive “Winterfest” In Jamaica 2019 Come join us January 24-31, 2019 for an amazing week of island fun and concerts featuring an A-List of today’s top national acts at Mango’s Beachfront Resort in Jamaica. Featuring: Sonny Landreth, Samantha Fish, Paul Nelson Band, Derek St Holmes, James Montgomery And The All-Star Band. 

Visit …

www.petersplayers.com/johnny-winters-jamaica-winterfest  

…for more information

PAUL NELSON  exclusive interview

on INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

 W/RAY SHASHO

 BBS RADIO

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

Also don’t forget to purchase a copy of my book entitled Check the Gs -the true story of an eclectic American family and their Wacky family business ... available now at amazon.com. You’ll live it!!!

Have a great week everybody!

Johnny Winter Dead at 70: ‘The Blues’ & ‘Rock and Roll’ Will Never Be The Same!

Photo by Steve Hefter

By Ray Shasho

Johnny Winter died early Wednesday morning in Zurich, Switzerland. The news was first reported by Bradenton, Florida resident Jenda Derringer, the wife of classic rock music legend Rick Derringer. Derringer has performed and recorded with both Johnny and Edgar Winter and remained very close friends through the years.

At 7:00 this morning this statement was released on Johnny Winters official Facebook site ...

"Legendary Johnny Winter Dies at 70
Texas blues icon Johnny Winter has passed away on July 16, 2014 in his hotel room in Zurich, Switzerland.His wife, family and bandmates are all saddened by the loss of their loved one and one of the world's finest guitarists.An official statement with more details shall be issued at the appropriate time."

JOHNNY WINTER is acknowledged worldwide as a legendary blues artist, but he also holds the title of American rock ‘n’ roll hero. Winter wore both hats equivalently on stage. Only Johnny Winter could scream ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!  … a battle cry to a generation of rebellion youths in front of sold-out arenas and stadiums with his kind of intensity and emotional reverberation. No other audience could reciprocate to those words more passionately than at a Johnny Winter concert. And who more revered than Johnny Winter (except for the man himself) could follow up his ROCK ‘N’ ROLL battle cry with perhaps one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll songs in history, “Johnny B. Goode.” 

Johnny Winter was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas. In 1969, Winter signed with Columbia Records in one of the largest solo deals of the time. Winter was enticed to join his first band after listening to local deejay J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper of “Chantilly Lace fame”) spinning 50s rock ‘n’ roll music over the airwaves. But it was the blues that would become his essence, and his admiration for legendary American blues artists like Robert Johnson, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters to name just a few.

Winters first album was entitled, The Progressive Blues Experiment originally issued by Austin’s Sonobeat Records in 1968, and rereleased by Columbia Records in 1969. Winter’s self-titled second album with Columbia was also released that year, the album included covers by Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Lightnin’ Hopkins and B.B. King. Winter’s successful debut album set the stage for an appearance at the famed Woodstock Festival in New York. Winter was not included in the Woodstock movie or initial soundtrack because of contractual issues between Steve Paul (Johnny’s former manager) and festival organizers. 

Johnny Winter’s next album, Second Winter, featured some of his predominant concert setlist material, Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode,” and Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited.” In 1970 Winter formed a new band featuring several members of The McCoys (“Hang On Sloopy”) including legendary guitarist and songwriter Rick Derringer. Steve Paul was also The McCoys manager and responsible for bringing them together. The band released, Live Johnny Winter And spotlighting Derringer’s penned, “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” It was during this time that Winter fell under the spell of Heroin addiction.

In 1973, Johnny Winter returned to the music scene with his fifth studio album, Still Alive and Well followed by Saints and Sinners (1974) and Captured Live (1976). 

In 1977, Chess Records, long-time record label for legendary blues guitarist and vocalist Muddy Waters, dissolved. Johnny Winter revitalized Waters by inviting him into the studio to record what would be recognized as Muddy Waters comeback album. Winter produced and played on the Chicago-style electric blues album entitled, Hard Again. It was Muddy Waters first album released on Blue Sky Records, a label created by Steve Paul for Columbia.  The album won a Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording.

Johnny Winter continued to produce and play on several studio albums and a best-selling Live album with his good friend Muddy Waters … I’m Ready (1978), Muddy “Mississippi” Waters Live (1979) and King Bee (1981) Waters final release. Two of those albums won Grammy Awards. The string of Johnny Winter albums initiated for Muddy Waters produced the most lucrative period in the career of the legendary bluesman. Muddy Waters died in 1983.

Since 1984, Johnny Winter focused solely on blues oriented-material in the recording studio. His heart was saying no to rock and roll while his soul was saying yes to the blues. Winter abandoned rock ‘n’ roll to resurrect the blues.

Johnny Winter has headlined the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, Swedish Rock Fest and Europe’s Rockplast. Winter performed with The Allman Brothers Band at the Beacon Theater for their 40^th Anniversary of the bands inception. He’s also performed at the 2007 and 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festivals.

 In 2008, The Gibson Guitar Company released the Johnny Winter signature Firebird guitar in a ceremony presented by Slash (Guns N’ Roses guitarist) in Nashville.

Johnny Winter earned the title of one the hardest working performers in the music business by consistently touring worldwide.

His latest studio releases … the critically acclaimed Roots (2011) CD which featured compositions by some of Johnny’s favorite blues artists and included guest performances by … Vince Gill, Warren Haynes, John Popper, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, selected by Johnny’s producer/manager and guitarist Paul Nelson.

Johnny Winter’s most recent CD is entitled ‘Step Back’ and is a follow-up to the ‘Roots’ CD  featuring guest artists … Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Ben Harper, Mark Knopfler, Joe Perry (Aerosmith),  Dr. John, Brian Setzer, Joe Bonamassa, Leslie West (Mountain), and Jason Ricci. The release contains classic blues covers and is set to be released on September 2nd.

Winter is currently a headliner on the ‘Rock ‘N’ Blues Fest’ starring Johnny Winter, (Brother) Edgar Winter, Vanilla Fudge, Peter Rivera (original voice & drummer of Rare Earth) and Savoy Brown’s Kim Simmonds. The concert is scheduled to arrive at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida on August 16^th.

I chatted with Johnny’s Brother, Edgar Winter, on Tuesday (July 15^th 2014) about the event.

                Nobody played the blues & rock and roll like JOHNNY WINTER

                          ‘The Blues’ & ‘Rock and Roll’ will never be the same!

                                       RIP JOHNNY WINTER 1944-2014

        Contact classic rock music journalist Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com

           

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