Shane Evans back from the brink

Shane Evans breaks silence to discuss highs and lows with students

Shane Evans, the former drummer of Collective Soul and a member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, is breaking a seven-year silence to warn teens about fame, the consequences of lifestyle choices, and his descent and eventual recovery from drug addiction.

Evans, 42, will address a group of students from Lumpkin County Middle School in Dahlonega on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Evans’ speech titled, “Rock, Recovery and Redemption” will touch upon the meteoric rise of Collective Soul, his departure from the group, his substance abuse problem and the long road to recovery.

“I've been clean and sober for three years and I'm finally at a point where I can discuss my triumphs and tragedies in public,” Evans said. “So if I am to tell my story, I want to tell it to someone who will listen and learn from my mistakes. I want this to really count.”

Almost two decades ago, Evans was riding high as the drummer for Collective Soul. The Stockbridge-based quintet shot to international fame with their 1994 release “Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid”, and their mega-hit, “Shine.” In the span of seven years, they tallied a total seven #1 radio hits, 19 Top 40 singles, and sold more than 10 million albums and CDs worldwide. Evans says with fame came the spoils of success and lifestyle choices that almost killed him.

“It's nothing short of a miracle that I'm still alive. Drugs robbed me of almost everything including my family, friends, my home, and my dignity,” Evans said. “Through sobriety I've gained all of those things back and more. My life today is blessed and I want to share my experiences to help others.”

Evans said he was dismissed from the group in 2005 because of his excessive drug use. His mother's demise from complications of diabetes, the accidental death of a girlfriend and a pair of DUI arrests pushed him further into despair. Evans said he hit rock bottom while living on the run from police at a run-down motel in Loganville. He says he was two days away from being homeless when he finally made the decision to get clean and sober in August 2009. Weeks after his decision to get sober, Collective Soul was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and Evans was on hand to celebrate the honor.

“I still love all of the guys in Collective Soul because they are my brothers and we shared a lot of wonderful and life-changing experiences,” Evans said. “Me getting kicked out of the group was entirely my fault because of my addiction. It’s something I’ve finally come to terms with and must own up to in order to remain sober.”

After completing a yearlong recovery program at Waypoint Center in Dahlonega, Evans became a substance abuse counselor, helping others to overcome their addictions. This year he celebrated three years of sobriety and plays drums in the music choir at The Source Worship Center Church in Canton, Ga.

In January 2013 Evans will be the musical headline at the 22^nd annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction hosted by MidAmerica Auctions, and will be featured in Ken Mansfield’s “Rock and a Heart Place”, a book chronicling the spiritual journeys of 20 famous musicians from the rock era.

Turpin headlines A Rock By The Sea benefit concert

Will Turpin and Amy Gerhartz headline Atlanta benefit concert

A Rock By The Sea Christmas offers assistance and healing through music

Musical artists WillTurpin and The Way and Amy Gerhartz are joining forces for a charity concert in support of pediatric cancer research and treatment.

RockBy The Sea, an organization that raises money for worthwhile causes through music, will present the star-studded holiday benefit concert at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at Vinyl, 1374 Peachtree St., Atlanta.

A portion of the proceeds ($10 a ticket) will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Fla.

Turpin, co-founder of the multi-platinum group Collective Soul, contributed the William Dix Classic “What Child Is This?” to the October release of A Rock By The Sea Christmas: Volume Three, a charity CD series of Christmas classics and original tunes. He said the holiday season is best celebrated by finding ways to give back to the community.

“I'm a very traditional person at heart. Celebrating Christmas was a time I looked forward to as a kid, and even more so now that I have children of my own,” Turpin said. “Lending my name and support to fighting pediatric cancer is simply my way of giving back and showing gratitude.”

Gerhartz, who contributed a song to Rock By The Sea’s 2011 charity compilation, is an Atlanta-based singer/songwriter who has opened for several national acts. Her music blends acoustic pop, rock, folk and soul. The bill also includes Lauren St. Jane and the Dead Westerns, Steve Everett, Echo Collection, Travis Denning and other musical guests. All of the artists are available for interviews and appearances to promote the CD and show.

“Cancer happens to everyone. Parents, siblings, spouses, children, friends; cancer is ubiquitous and permeates the fabric that binds us together as human beings. It’s personal,” said Tod Elmore, Rock By The Sea board member and CD and show producer. “Coincidentally, cancer, or rather the fight against it, has the ability to unite us as one, as does music.”

Rock By The Sea is dedicated to planning and producing music festivals, events and products that raise money to financially assist deserving cancer charities that provide direct services to those in need. For more information visit www.RockByTheSea.org.

Tickets for the concert are on sale now at http://ticketalternative.com/Events/21065.aspx.

# # #

Contact: Tod Elmore | Rock By The Sea | tod.elmore@rockbythesea.org | 404-748-1246

Juber will host birthday bash at McCabes

 Laurence Juber invites fans to his 60th birthday celebration this week at McCabes

Grammy artist Laurence Juber will celebrate a milestone in grand style with a birthday bash at a SoCal institution.

Family, friends, fans and well-wishers are invited to join Juber help ring in his 60^th birthday with a concert performance set for 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2012, at McCabes Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. Tickets are $20.

“I always look forward to my annual McCabes gig. I celebrate my birthday as the anniversary of first picking up the guitar,” says Juber. “I can’t imagine a more appropriate place to play than this legendary guitar store and concert venue.”

The former Wings lead guitarist and virtuoso just may be the busiest man in the music industry. In addition to recently playing a part on tribute albums to Bob Dylan and Linda McCartney, Juber performs almost 100 dates a year, has regular session work, conducts professional workshops, performs on soundtracks for feature films and television. His latest effort, “Soul of Light,” was released this past April. Early 2013 will see the release of two new projects: “Under An Indigo Sky” showcases the jazz/blues 'Noir' side of his playing; “Catch LJ Live” is a concert set CD/DVD combo.

A world-class guitar virtuoso solo artist, composer and arranger, Juber fuses folk, jazz, and pop styles and creates a dynamic multi-faceted performance that belies the use of only one instrument. As a studio musician, he can be heard on recent albums from artists as diverse as Barry Manilow, Donovan, Al Stewart and Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks. He is also featured on the soundtracks to hundreds of TV shows and movies including the Academy Award-winning “Good Will Hunting”, the James Bond thriller “The Spy Who Love Me”, the 1987 smash “Dirty Dancing” and most recently, “The Muppets”. He is also featured on the new Paul Williams digital single “Still Alive”, from the documentary film of the same name.

Known to his fans as ‘LJ’, Juber has released 20 acclaimed solo albums. His celebrated arranging skills are featured on two volumes of LJPlays The Beatles, the first of which was voted among the all-time top ten acoustic guitar records. Juber says fans never tire of hearing him play their songs and he remains endlessly fascinated by their catalog.

"Every time I hear a Beatles record I gain a new appreciation for them," Juber said. "Above and beyond the analytical part of it and creating the arrangements, when I start deconstructing Beatles songs, I find unexpected things. I can never listen to a Beatles record twice and hear exactly the same thing. There’s always something that I’ve missed, or a new discovery where you say, 'Wow, what was that little guitar lick?' Or the way in which the backing vocals come in…there’s always something new to discover in their work."

If you go:

What: Laurence Juber

Where: McCabes Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10

Information: 310-828-8037 or www.mccabes.com

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  

Barbara McQueen named guest of honor at Hamburg Film Festival

Barbara McQueen named guest of honor at Hamburg Film Festival

Barbara McQueen, widow of actor Steve McQueen, has been named as a special guest of honor at the Hamburg Film festival and will co-host a series of photo exhibits, book signings and a special screening of The Hunter with biographer Marshall Terrill in Germany.

“I’m continually amazed at the interest and longevity of Steve’s popularity and that the public finds my photos of interest,” said Barbara McQueen. “The people of Germany have been big McQueen fans for decades and I’m excited to meet them and hear what memories they have of Steve and his films.”

Her photos document their three-and-a-half year history when Steve McQueen lived most of the time away from the spotlight. It took almost 25 years before Barbara was able to review the hundreds of photos she took of her beloved husband. In 2007 she published “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile” and revised that edition this year, which includes several new photographs and passages. Now the photos will be available for the first time ever as an exhibition on display in Germany.

The week-long activity of events include:

·      Sept. 21 – “Biography Days”, kick-off ceremony in Nordwalde, Germany featuring McQueen and Terrill.

·      Sept. 22 – McQueen and Terrill will co-host “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile” and sign copies of “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile…revisited”, which was published in August. For more information visit http://www.biografische-kommunikation.de/steve-mcqueen-exhibition

·      Sept. 26 – Photo exhibition premiere of “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile” at the Prototype 

    Museum in Hamburg, Germany.  

·      Sept. 27 – Guest of honor at the Grand Opening of the Hamburg Film Festival.

·      Sept. 28 – “Steve McQueen Film Night” at the Hamburg Film Festival featuring a screening of “The Hunter” and "Papillon" followed by a Q & A with McQueen and Terrill.

A European-wide tour of the photo exhibit is planned for 2013 and 2014. For more information about
the German exhibitions and book signings, email Matthias Grenda at matthias@dialogbiografie.de