Juber heads to Boulevard for next gig

Two-time Grammy-Award winning guitar artist Laurence Juber is heading to the Boulevard for his next gig.

Juber will play 8 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. Tickets are $17.50. Juber will also host a two-hour guitar workshop preceding the concert from 4 to 6 p.m. The cost is $40.

Known for playing lead guitar in Wings from 1978 to 1981, Juber, known as ‘LJ’, has since had a distinguished career as a solo finger-style guitarist. A world-class guitar virtuoso solo artist, composer and arranger, LJ fuses folk, jazz, and pop styles and creates a dynamic multi-faceted performance that belies the use of only one instrument. Laurence has released 20 acclaimed solo albums since Wings folded, including two volumes on The Beatles and one on his former group with McCartney.

His latest, Soul of Light, is a retrospective collection of original compositions that span over 30 years of creative work on solo guitar. All newly recorded, some of these tunes may be familiar from being heard on TV and radio, while others have been touchstones of the solo guitar. “I started out as a composer for solo guitar and I’ve written well over a hundred tunes. The compositions on Soul of Light reflect a particular mood – one of romance,” Juber says. “Not only pure love songs, but also in the sense of using imagination and narrative to expand and transcend the traditional solo guitar genre. It also serves as a complement to the blues/jazz direction that my current composing and arranging is taking me.”

As a studio musician, he can be heard on recent albums from artists as diverse as Barry Manilow, 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 and Dirty Dancing, the James Bond thriller The Spy Who Love Me and most recently The Muppets Movie.

For more information visit: http://laurencejuber.com/

What: Laurence Juber Where: Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, June 16 
Cost: $17.50 Information: 310-398-2583 or http://www.boulevardmusic.com/

Juber heads to Boulevard for next gig

Two-time Grammy-Award winning guitar artist Laurence Juber is heading to the Boulevard for a Culver City gig. Juber will play 8 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. Tickets are $17.50. Juber will also host a two-hour guitar workshop preceding the concert from 4 to 6 p.m. The cost is $40. Known for playing lead guitar in Wings from 1978 to 1981, Juber, known as ‘LJ’, has since had a distinguished career as a solo finger-style guitarist. A world-class guitar virtuoso solo artist, composer and arranger, LJ fuses folk, jazz, and pop styles and creates a dynamic multi-faceted performance that belies the use of only one instrument. Laurence has released 20 acclaimed solo albums since Wings folded, including two volumes on The Beatles and one on his former group with McCartney. His latest, Soul of Light, is a retrospective collection of original compositions that span over 30 years of creative work on solo guitar. All newly recorded, some of these tunes may be familiar from being heard on TV and radio, while others have been touchstones of the solo guitar. “I started out as a composer for solo guitar and I’ve written well over a hundred tunes. The compositions on Soul of Light reflect a particular mood – one of romance,” Juber says. “Not only pure love songs, but also in the sense of using imagination and narrative to expand and transcend the traditional solo guitar genre. It also serves as a complement to the blues/jazz direction that my current composing and arranging is taking me.” As a studio musician, he can be heard on recent albums from artists as diverse as Barry Manilow, 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 and Dirty Dancing, the James Bond thriller The Spy Who Love Me and most recently, The Muppets Movie. For more information visit: http://laurencejuber.com/

What: Laurence Juber Where: Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City When: 8 p.m. Saturday, June 16 Cost: $17.50 Information: 310-398-2583 or http://www.boulevardmusic.com/

Stage 32 a Game Changer for Independent Film

Since its launch last September, social network Stage32.com has resonated with film, TV and theater creatives. The site — founded by Curt Blakeney and Richard “RB” Botto — has attracted more than 50,000 members in more than 180 countries, catering to an audience that is dependent on strong networking connections. Stage 32 is a vibrant meeting place where actors, directors, screenwriters, producers, crew and others connect year round, around the world —a free virtual network of like-minded individuals who collaborate to promote creative growth in film, television and theater. Whether someone is looking to fund a film, cast talent in a project, find crew, get advice or discuss key industry issues, Stage 32 is designed to connect everyone within the industry: seasoned professionals, motivated newcomers, film students and award-winning talent. “Excelling at your craft is only half the battle,” said Richard Botto, co-founder and CEO of Stage32.com. “Networking is just as important, and we’re helping to accelerate that process.” Stage 32 members include award-winning writers Danny Rubin, Rex Pickett and Doug Richardson, whose “tales from the trenches” have resonated with Stage 32 members. "A good friend and intermediary suggested that I might pen a short blog series for Stage 32,” said Richardson, an American screenwriter best known for writing the box office smash Bad Boys and Die Hard 2. “Imagine my greater surprise that, during the run of the blog, I found myself as enamored by the interaction from the Stage 32 members as the actual writing experience. An entirely new and unexpected voice was injected into the story that I found stimulating as hell. I'm very grateful for the Stage 32 experience and plan to stay involved as the site continues to evolve.” Pickett had a similar experience sharing My Life on Spec: The Writing of Sideways, which outlined Pickett’s incredible journey from concept to the Academy Awards. “The crew at Stage 32 approached me about doing a blog for their new social media website for industry professionals, Stage32.com,” said Pickett, the author of the blockbuster book “Sideways.” “I was impressed. Stage 32 deserves to become the Facebook of the entertainment industry.” About Stage 32 Stage 32 is the social network uniquely populated with the most creative people on Earth. Relevant for both newcomers and seasoned entertainment professionals, Stage 32 is the no-nonsense, professional place to get serious about taking a dream and making it a reality. Best of all, Stage 32 is free to join and can easily be linked to an individual’s Facebook account, giving the user easy access to their existing contacts and colleagues. Stage 32 can be found online at www.Stage32.com.

Wings guitarist lands in Valparaiso

Two-time Grammy-Award winning guitar artist Laurence Juber will make an appearance in Valparaiso this weekend. Juber will play 7 p.m. Sunday, May 20, 2012, at Cornucopia Coffee Co., 210 E. Lincoln Way, Valparaiso. Tickets range from $20 to $25. Known for playing lead guitar in Wings from 1978 to 1981, Juber, known as ‘LJ’, has since had a distinguished career as a solo finger-style guitarist. A world-class guitar virtuoso solo artist, composer and arranger, LJ fuses folk, jazz, and pop styles and creates a dynamic multi-faceted performance that belies the use of only one instrument. Laurence has released 20 acclaimed solo albums since Wings folded, including two volumes on The Beatles and one on his former group with McCartney. His latest, Soul of Light, is a retrospective collection of original compositions that span over 30 years of creative work on solo guitar. All newly recorded, some of these tunes may be familiar from being heard on TV and radio, while others have been touchstones of the solo guitar. “I started out as a composer for solo guitar and I’ve written well over a hundred tunes. The compositions on Soul of Light reflect a particular mood – one of romance,” Juber says. “Not only pure love songs, but also in the sense of using imagination and narrative to expand and transcend the traditional solo guitar genre. It also serves as a complement to the blues/jazz direction that my current composing and arranging is taking me.” As a studio musician, he can be heard on recent albums from artists as diverse as Barry Manilow, 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 and Dirty Dancing, the James Bond thriller The Spy Who Love Me and The Muppets Movie. For more information visit: http://laurencejuber.com/

What: Laurence Juber Where: Cornucopia Coffee Co., 210 E. Lincoln Way, Valparaiso When: 7 p.m. Friday, May 20 Cost: $20 to $25 Information: 219-405-1000 or http://cornucopiacoffee.net/

Juber to appear at Stargazers in Colo. Springs

Two-time Grammy Award-winning guitar artist Laurence Juber is heading to the Rockies with a Colorado Springs appearance.

Juber will play at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Stargazers Theatre, 10 S. Parkside Drive, Colorado Springs. Tickets range from $15 to $20.

“I played Stargazer’s last year for the first time, sharing the stage with Peppino D‘Agostino. It’s a cool venue and I’m happy to be making a return trip with a solo headline concert,” Juber said. “I’ll be bringing some new compositions and arrangements to this show, so be prepared for few surprises as well as some favorites.”

Best known for playing lead guitar in Wings from 1978 to 1981, Juber, known as ‘LJ’, has since had a distinguished career as a solo finger-style guitarist. A world-class guitar virtuoso solo artist, composer and arranger, he fuses folk, jazz, and pop styles and creates a dynamic multi-faceted performance that belies the use of only one instrument.

Juber has released 19 acclaimed solo albums since Wings folded. His celebrated arranging skills are featured on two volumes of LJ Plays The Beatles, the first of which was voted among the all-time top ten acoustic guitar records.

The San Francisco Chronicle wrote of Juber: "He gloriously articulates the melodies and never succumbs to show-off playing. The notes spin out of the songs with such finesse and musical agility, it's hard to believe he has only 10 fingers and six strings. His playing is just short of sleight of hand and, like all magicians, he makes it seem effortless."

As a studio musician, he can be heard on recent albums from artists as diverse as Barry Manilow 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 and most recently, The Muppet Movie.

For more information visit: http://laurencejuber.com/

What: Laurence Juber
Where: Stargazers Theatre, 10 S. Parkside Dr., Colorado Springs, CO
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 10
Cost: $15 to $20
Information: 719-476-2200 or http://www.stargazerstheatre.com

LJ still on course and on the run

More than three decades after Wings folded, Laurence Juber is a man still on the run.

The former Wings 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 and has three upcoming CD releases.

"There's always something going on. Knock on wood, I'm as busy these days as I've ever been, including my days with Wings," says the affable two-time Grammy Award-winning guitar artist.

Juber is scheduled to make an East Coast swing in early 2012 with a handful of appearances in New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

"This trip finds me playing at some new venues and making my solo Broadway debut. The jazz club ambiance of Times Square’s Iridium will no doubt encourage me to stretch out," Juber said. "I’m also looking forward to sharing the bill with Boston Blues Artist of the Year, guitar ace Johnny A, at a pair of shows at TCAN in Natick, Massachusetts. This will be my first time at New Hampshire’s excellent listening room the Tupelo Music Hall. I round out the run with an afternoon show at the Greenwich Library which I’m told has a fantastic concert hall.”

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 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 and most recently, The Muppet Movie.

Known to his fans as LJ, Juber has released 19 acclaimed solo albums. His celebrated arranging skills are featured on two volumes of LJ Plays 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."

For more information visit: http://laurencejuber.com/

Tour dates are as follows:
1/11 NYC - The Iridium Jazz Club
1/12 Londonderry, NH - Tupelo Music Hall
1/13 & 1/14 Natick, MA - TCAN Center for the Arts
1/15/12 Greenwich, CT - Greenwich Library


Photo credit Randi Anglin - taken at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium Nov. 2011

McQueen tops bill at Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction

MidAmerica Auctions, the world's largest seller of antique motorcycles, will host the 21st Annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction and Races Jan. 12-14, 2012, at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

500 antique and classic motorcycles will be up for auction, including three motorcycles owned by legendary actor and biking enthusiast, Steve McQueen. Serving as guest of honor is his widow, Barbara McQueen, who will share memories of her famous husband and sign copies, "Steve McQueen: The Last Mile." Joining her will be McQueen biographer Marshall Terrill, who will sign copies of his 2010 book, "Steve McQueen: A Tribute to the King of Cool."

Barbara McQueen's photographs record a behind-the-scenes life of personal pleasures and enthusiasms. They include hitting the road in Steve's pickup trucks, visiting collectors' shows and swap-meets, driving 700 miles to view a rare World War I motorcycle, flying a vintage mail plane, and generally ducking out of Hollywood life. But when work did call, Barbara was also on hand to capture marvelous candid shots on the sets of McQueen's two last films, "Tom Horn" and "The Hunter."

The life and career of Steve McQueen is a classic example of the American dream made real: of a small town boy from a broken home triumphing over adversity to become one of the richest and most sought-after superstars in the world. McQueen lived every day as if it were his last, and by doing so he lived an extraordinary life, both on screen and off.

Barbara McQueen's "Steve McQueen: The Last Mile" tells the story of a simple love affair with life. Barbara, who had carved a very successful career for herself as a fashion model, met Steve McQueen in 1977. Together for less than four years, these rare and private photographs share Steve's rugged, blue-eyed features him in a relaxed and uninhibited setting, doing the things he loved. Barbara's photographs show a tough guy at peace but who retained an inner strength. In one particularly striking shot his hair is wild, his beard thick, and unkempt, and he is looking over his shoulder with a troubled vulnerability. Barbara catches him unaware perhaps in a deeply pensive mood.

MidAmerica Auctions have on display and for sale McQueen's Husqvarna, which he rode for the cover of the August 23, 1971 issue of Sports Illustrated as documented by factory and dealer bills of sale. Also available for auction will be two other Steve McQueen motorcycles – a 1938 Triumph Speed Twin and a 1940 Indian Four Cylinder. A 1970 Bell motorcycle helmet that was owned by McQueen will also be auctioned.

Barbara McQueen will be at the opening event dinner on Jan. 12 and available through Jan. 14 to sign books and greet fans. For information or questions, please contact MidAmerica Auctions at 651-633-9655 or by email at midauction@aol.com


Event Schedule for 21st Annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction:
•Thursday, Jan. 12, 5 p.m. Children’s Hospital Benefit Dinner Auction featuring Barbara McQueen as guest of honor; 6 p.m. auction; 6 to 10 p.m. auction of 75 premium vintage and collectible motorcycles.
•Friday, Jan. 13, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., auction of 200 vintage and collectible motorcycles; 7 p.m. Champion Indoor Short Flat Track Series.
•Saturday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. auction of 225 vintage and collectible motorcycles; 7:30 p.m. Championship Indoor Short Track Flat Track Series.

About MidAmerica Auctions
St. Paul-based MidAmerica Auctions is the world's largest seller of antique motorcycles and has sold more than 15,000 bikes since 1990. Their Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction has become a mecca for antique motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide and sets more world records for motorcycles than all other auctions companies combined. Please visit www.MidAmericaAuctions.com for more information.