Turpin showcases new band at Atlanta venue

Will Turpin, showcases new band at Atlanta venue

Will Turpin and The Way to headline Steve’s Live Music on November 2

Georgia music legend and veteran rocker Will Turpin will showcase his new band, play songs from an upcoming CD release and make his debut appearance at an intimate Sandy Springs listening room next month.

Steve’s Live Music will present Will Turpin and The Way at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012.  The recently opened music room is located at 234 Hilderbrand Drive in Sandy Springs, Ga. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door and available online at www.StevesLiveMusic.com.

“I visited the club in September to hear Ed Roland’s Sweet Tea Project and had a great time,” Turpin said. “The venue is built for real music lovers and I felt it was perfect for us.”

Owner Steve Grossman opened Steve’s Live Music in June 2012 and offers an intimate listening room (120 seats), which features local and national songwriters and musicians performing traditional music, including Irish Folk, bluegrass, Dixieland jazz, polka and blues.

Turpin, who has been the bassist for the multi-platinum group Collective Soul for the past 18 years, says his new band plays a diverse selection of rock and pop.

“We have a different sound and identity from Collective Soul,” Turpin said. “You’ll hear elements of a lot of musical influences in our repertoire. Some Beatle-esque songs, some rockin’ songs and some real laid back stuff.”

In addition to Turpin (keyboards and vocals) the band lineup includes Jason Fowler (lead guitar and vocals), Mark Wilson (bass and vocals) and Scott Davidson (drums).  For this intimate listening room setting Turpin has recruited his friend, Calvin Kelley, to play percussion in lieu of Davidson’s hard-pounding drums.

The band is currently recording their first full-length CD, Serengeti Drivers, at Real 2 ReelStudios in Jonesboro, Ga. Once Serengeti Drivers is released in spring 2013, Will Turpin and The Way will embark on a tour with dates to be announced next year.

With his band, Collective Soul, Turpin is a member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. Collective Soul has attained seven No. 1 songs and 19 Top 40 singles, making them one of the most successful bands of the 1990s.

If you go:

What: Will Turpin and The Way

When: 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2, 2012

Where: Steve’s Live Music, 234 Hilderbrand Drive, Sandy Springs, Ga.

Information: www.StevesLiveMusic.com or (877) 725-8849

NEW HOLIDAY CD BENEFITS CANCER CHARITIES

A ROCK BY THE SEA CHRISTMAS :: VOLUME THREE TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 16

A musical tradition will continue this holiday season with Volume Three of A Rock By The Sea Christmas charity CD series.  This year’s release features a mix of Christmas classics and original tunes that are sure to become a part of your holiday playlist for years to come.

Artists donating songs include Will Turpin of the rock band Collective Soul, Dave Philp, originally from the pop/punk group The Automatics, singer/songwriters Matthew Mayfield, Ernie Halter, Todd Carey and Steve Everett, plus emerging artists Travis Denning and Saints Of Valory. Rounding out the disc are Martin Rivas, Michael Lyons of the rock/reggae band B-Liminal, Lauren St. Jane and the Dead Westerns, Mikey Wax and Mama Gypsy.

Turpin, who contributed the William Dix classic “What Child Is This?”, said the 13-song disc will provide help in a variety of ways.

“I grew up in a musical household and in the church. By the time Christmas rolled around, I pretty much sang and memorized almost every holiday classic,” said Turpin, co-founder of the multi-platinum group Collective Soul. “’What Child Is This?’ particularly resonates with me because it asks a question. I find myself constantly asking questions about life.  A Rock By The Sea Christmas offers financial assistance and healing through the power of music.”

Rock By The Sea is dedicated to planning and producing music festivals and events that raise money to financially assist deserving cancer charities that provide direct services to those in need.  The primary beneficiary for 2012 is the Pediatric Brian Tumor Program at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, FL.  The charity strives to create an outlet for these agencies to gain exposure with the public and facilitate donations. Through compilation CDs, musical concerts, silent auctions, selling merchandise and general donations, Rock By The Sea hopes to create awareness and provide an avenue that leads to involvement and enhancement of the direct services provided.

“As Rock By The Sea grows, the Christmas CD is something that our community looks forward to each year,” said Beth Gosnell, president of the Florida-based charity. “The project is a true labor of love with some tremendous artists donating their talents to our efforts, and the charities we support love it. It’s just one more thing that brings us together at a special time of year.”

A Rock By The Sea Christmas :: Volume Three is available for pre-order now at http://rockbythesea.storeenvy.com and will be available for digital download on October 16 via iTunes, Amazon.com and other online stores.

Turpin gets his Way with new band, CD and tour

Hot on the heels of a national tour with Collective Soul and a year after his debut solo EP, musician Will Turpin is headed into the studio with a new band for his first full-length CD, Serengeti Drivers.

Beginning Oct. 8, Will Turpin and The Way will enter Real 2 Reel Studios in Jonesboro, Ga., to craft their first studio effort. Co-produced by Turpin and Jonathan Beckner, the work will include almost a dozen new tunes.

“You’ll hear elements of a lot of different musical influences,” Turpin said. “Some Beatle-esque songs, some rockin’ numbers, and some real laid back stuff. The vocal mix of the three singers will be smooth enough to savor with a glass of wine or kick up your heels with a beer.”

In addition to Turpin (keyboards and vocals) the band lineup includes Jason Fowler (guitar and vocals), Mark Wilson (bass and vocals) and Scott Davidson (drums).

Some of the lyrical themes focus on love, honesty, betrayal and questions revolving around the universe. Turpin said seven of the songs were co-written by Fowler, an Atlanta-based musician and friend.

“A lot of times I have an idea for a song that is not finished or is halfway complete and Jason is able to help me out with a riff or a vocal melody or theme,” Turpin said. “Then there are times when we can create something right on the spot. We’re a good team.”

Turpin also received songwriting support from his wife Donna on a tune called “On And On” which was inspired by her recent cancer scare; a topic that Turpin went public with in June.

“It’s a song about the strength of love and how love never really dies because it goes on and on,” Turpin said. “Donna actually helped me finish the lyrics to the chorus and that was special for both of us.”  Other song titles include “Either Side Of The Sun”, “Let It Go”, “Belong”, “Tomorrow”, “Faith, Hope, Love”, “One And Done” and “Nothing Without.”

Once Serengeti Drivers is released in 2013, Will Turpin and The Way will embark on a tour with dates to be announced next year.

This year, Turpin’s version of “What Child Is This?” will appear on A Rock By The Sea Christmas:Volume Three, a charity CD series set for release on Oct. 16. Net proceeds from the 13-song holiday compilation will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program in Orlando, Fla.

Turpin’s other group, Collective Soul, is a member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. Collective Soul has attained seven No. 1 songs and 19 Top 40 singles, making them one of the most successful bands of the 1990s. They are planning a 20^th anniversary tour and boxed set CD package in 2014. 

For updates on Will Turpin and the Way, visit http://www.facebook.com/WillTurpinMusic?fref=ts