Showing posts with label # #Interviewing the Legends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label # #Interviewing the Legends. Show all posts

Saturday, October 18, 2025

SYMPHONIC ROCK PIONEERS ANNIE HASLAM AND JIM MCCARTY PRESENT THE HISTORY OF RENASSAINCE: SPECIAL EVENT ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS WITH RAY SHASHO


 Symphonic Rock Pioneers 

ANNIE HASLAM 

and 

JIM McCARTY

Present

The History Of

R E N A I S S A N C E

November 21st and 22nd at the Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, Illinois 

 November 28th at the Newton Theatre, NJ

 November 29th at the Lansdowne Theatre, PA, in Lansdowne, PA.

SPECIAL EVENT

ON 

INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS 

WITH RAY SHASHO

 Annie and Jim will share an intimate discussion and visual presentation of the band’s extraordinary history followed by a Renaissance performance featuring, for the first time, members of both eras of the band performing their classic songs together.

Renaissance had their farewell tour last October 2024 and did not expect to perform live again. Annie, who’s been at the forefront of the group’s story for 50 years, recently was approached by an Edwardsville/St Louis promoter to return to the Wildey Theatre for a ‘one woman” show! After much deliberation, the idea grew into something bigger when Annie contacted Jim McCarty to be a part of the show and then return to the full Renaissance lineup, the band he, initially, co-founded. A once in a lifetime event of Symphonic Rock at its finest! 

"All Renaissance and McCarty fans are invited to experience our coming full circle," Annie says enthusiastically, “that was destined to happen one day!"  Rising from the ashes of the Yardbirds, Jim McCarty and long-time musical partner Keith Relf envisioned a Renaissance as fusing folk and classical influences with the bluesy rock they'd been playing and giving birth to a new musical direction. 

When Annie Haslam joined the band in 1971 to sing with her ethereal 5-octave voice, the group became more popular, especially with the progressive rock scene. After Jim left, the line up continued notably with Annie, this combined the poetic emotional words of Betty Thatcher and the timeless musical masterpieces that were created by Michael Dunford, John Tout, Jon Camp and Terry Sullivan.

Renaissance was reborn in 2009 with Annie and Michael Dunford at the helm, along with keyboard player/musical director Rave Tesar, and a new generation of musicians. Renaissance has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song “Northern Lights” that still demands airplay to this day.

Annie is “looking forward to singing 'Face of Yesterday' from Jim's band Illusion, which I last performed on a tour of Germany in the early ‘70s. Such a gorgeous song! I’m also excited to be performing with Jim,” who is equally thrilled, stating, “I’ll be talking with Annie about how the band formed and got that sound. Also very pleased to be singing some of my own songs.”

Renaissance is Annie Haslam (lead vocals), Jim McCarty (acoustic guitar and lead vocals), Rave Tesar (keyboards), Mark Lambert (guitars, vocals), Geoffrey Langley (keyboards, vocals), John Galgano (bass, vocals), and Frank Pagano (drums, percussion, vocals).

 FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

JIM McCARTY

AND

 ANNIE HASLAM

Visit

www.jamesmccarty.com

Jim McCarty Official website

https://www.theyardbirds.com/

The Yardbirds Official site

https://www.facebook.com/jim.mccarty.9/

Jim McCarty Facebook

https://anniehaslam.com/annies-welcome-page/

Annie Haslam Official Website

https://renaissancetouring.com/

Renaissance Official Website

www.facebook.com/RenaissanceTouring

Facebook

www.twitter.com/MysticAndMuse

Twitter

www.youtube.com/user/RenaissanceTouring

YouTube


SHOW SCHEDULE

Friday, Nov. 21 The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL (St. Louis) www.cityofedwardsville.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=672

Saturday, Nov. 22 The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL (St. Louis) www.cityofedwardsville.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=673

Friday, Nov. 28  The Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ

https://skypac.org/the-history-of-renaissance/

Saturday, Nov. 29 Lansdowne Theatre, Lansdowne, PA http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/81373625/the-history-of-renaissance-featuring-annie-haslam-and-jim-mccarty-lansdowne-lansdowne-theate


THE YARDBIRDS

DISCOGRAPHY

Five Live Yardbirds (1964, UK)

For Your Love (1965, US)

Having a Rave Up with the Yardbirds (1965, US)

Yardbirds (aka Roger the Engineer) (1966, UK)

Over Under Sideways Down (1966, US)

Little Games (1967, US)

Birdland (2003)

 

BOX OF FROGS

Box of Frogs (1984)

Strange Land (1986)

STAIRWAY

Aquamarine (1987)

Moonstone (1988)

Chakra Dance (1989)

Medicine Dance (1992)

Raindreaming (1995)

 

JIM McCARTY

SOLO

Jim McCarty has released three solo albums:

Out of the Dark (1994)

 Sitting on the Top of Time (2009)

Walking in the Wild Land (2018)

 He has also released live and compilation albums

 Jim McCarty & Friends (2011)

 and Frontman (2014)

 

RENAISSANCE

DISCOGRAPHY

Studio albums

Year  Title

1969 Renaissance

1971  Illusion

1972  Prologue

1973  Ashes Are Burning

1974  Turn of the Cards

1975  Scheherazade and Other Stories

1977  Novella

1978  A Song for All Seasons

1979  Azure d'Or

1981  Camera Camera

1983  Time-Line

2001 Tuscany

2013 Grandine il vento

Live albums

Year  Title 

1976  Live at Carnegie Hall

2002 In the Land of the Rising Sun: Live in Japan 2001

2011  Renaissance Tour 2011 – Turn of the Cards and Scheherazade & Other Stories Live in Concert (DVD and double CD set)

2016 Renaissance 2012 (recorded April 16, 2015) – Renaissance Live at the Union Chapel (DVD and digital only audio set)

2016 Renaissance Live at the BBC Sight & Sound (DVD and 3-CD set) ―      ―      ―          Contains radio/television broadcasts of three live concerts, one each from the years 1975-77. The DVD contains the video of the televised concert in London on 8 January 1977.

2018 A Symphonic Journey (recorded October 27, 2017) – Live In Concert (DVD and double CD set)

2021 Renaissance 50th Anniversary: Ashes Are Burning - An Anthology - Live in Concert (Blu-ray/DVD/2CD Box)

2023 The Legacy Tour 2022 (2CD)

2025 Renaissance In Gratitude Farewell Tour Live (2CD)

Other releases

In the Beginning (compilation double-album of Prologue and Ashes are Burning), 1978

Tales of 1001 Nights (compilation in two volumes), 1990

Da Capo (Repertoire Germany compilation), 1995 (2 CDs) (Limited Edition in tall digipak with a much more concise, detailed booklet)

Live at the Royal Albert Hall: King Biscuit Flower Hour, 1997 (live performance recorded 1977; two volumes)

Songs from Renaissance Days, 1997 (compilation of out-takes, including one B-side and two Haslam solo tracks, 1979–88)

The BBC Sessions 1975–1978, 1999 (2 CDs)

Day of the Dreamer, 2000 (live performance recorded 1978)

Live at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, 2000 (live performance recorded 1985)[nb 2]

Live + Direct, 2002 (edited 1970 live recording plus demos and miscellany, by Renaissance and related artists, from 1968 to 1976)

Innocents and Illusions, 2004 (compilation double CD of Renaissance and Illusion from the original incarnation)

Dreams & Omens, 2008 (live performance recorded 1978)

Live in Chicago, 2010 (live performance recorded 1983)

The Mystic and the Muse (three-track EP of new songs), 2010

Past Orbits of Dust, 2012 (live performances, plus one remastered studio track, from 1969 to 1970)

Symphony of Light, 2014 (includes all songs from Grandine il vento and The Mystic and the Muse plus one new track)

DeLane Lea Studios 1973, 2015 (live performance recorded 1973)

Academy of Music, 2015 (live performance recorded 1974)

Can You Hear Me? Broadcasts 1974-1978, 2024 (2 CDs, 1 Blu-ray)

 

ANNIE HASLAM

SOLO

DISCOGRAPHY

Annie in Wonderland (1977)

Still Life (1985)

Annie Haslam (1989)

Blessing in Disguise (1994)

Supper's Ready: (Genesis tribute Album) (guest vocalist) (1995)

Tales From Yesterday (Yes tribute Album) (guest vocalist) (1995)

Live Under Brazilian Skies (1998)

The Dawn of Ananda (1999)

Portraits of Bob Dylan by Steve Howe (album) (guest vocalist) (1999)

It Snows in Heaven Too (2000)

One Enchanted Evening (2002)

Icon by John Wetton & Geoff Downes (album) (guest vocalist) (2005)

Miles of Music by Bob Miles (guest vocalist) (2006)

Live Studio Concert (2006)

Night and Day EP with Magenta written for Haslam by Rob Reed and Christina Booth (2006)

Woman Transcending (2007)

Songs of the Century (Supertramp tribute Album) (guest vocalist) (2012)

'Live' Studio Concert Philadelphia 1997 (Re-release) (2014)

Don't Give Up Single, (duet with Jann Klose) (2017)

MORE

“Island” from 2019 w/ Renaissance and Jim McCarty from the DVD/Blu-Ray “50th Anniversary Tour 2019” https://youtu.be/L7PWTiSnCyo?si=F4A1WwM7ZluAb5xz

“Symphony of Light” by Renaissance from 50th Anniversary Tour 2019 https://youtu.be/wnIItVGLPhg?si=xtqfAjEcD6knOvvm

Music Video from Jane Relf-fronted Renaissance

“Kings & Queens” https://youtu.be/nrSCU_3hK34?si=SHJ03wKAUUiVfuOg

BOOKS BY JIM McCARTY

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM






JIM McCARTY
AND
ANNIE HASLAM
APPEAR
OCTOBER 22ND
ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS
WITH RAY SHASHO

RAY'S NEW NOVEL

THE LIBERTY CODE

The Liberty Code is a thrilling blend of science fiction, political intrigue, and military strategy. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and timely themes, this novel offers a captivating journey through a world where the line between fiction and reality blurs. It's a must-read for fans of dystopian futures, extraterrestrial encounters, and high-stakes political drama.

Are you ready to decode the secrets of The Liberty Code and join the fight for Earth's future?

LIBERTY CODE TEASER




AVAILABLE 

NOW!

RAY'S INCREDIBLE NEW 
SCI-FI BOOK!
THE
 LIBERTY CODE

In a near-future America, where democracy has collapsed under the iron grip of the Commonwealth Party, redemption lies in the unlikeliest of places—a novel. The Liberty Code, penned by decorated Marine veteran and journalist Sam Edwards, uncovers the hidden truths of a dystopian world teetering on the edge of annihilation.

Guided by telepathic messages from two Centauri extraterrestrial ambassadors, J-Rod and Naxia, who secretly collaborate with the U.S. Air Force, Edwards reveals a master plan to save Earth. This gripping tale begins as fiction but evolves into a stark reality, reflecting real-world geopolitical conflicts and revolutionary military operations.

OFFICIAL TRAILER



AVAILABLE at 
bookbaby.com
amazon.com
and on audiobooks 
at barnesandnoble.com

PURCHASE HERE
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-liberty-code?srsltid=AfmBOoosm9yL_n_mIiQdRmnY5RgaxapZTnzc8iB1Jy0F7FDLixFQaNOp

Friday, May 16, 2025

WELSH HARD ROCK/ETHEREAL POP GROUP ‘CARDINAL BLACK’ ANNOUNCE NEW RELEASE ‘MIDNIGHT AT THE VALENCIA’ AND EXTENSIVE TOUR: ZOOM SPECIAL EVENT WITH GUITARIST CHRIS BUCK

 

WELSH HARD ROCK/ETHEREAL POP GROUP 

C A R D I N A L  

B L A C K 

ANNOUNCE NEW RELEASE 

‘MIDNIGHT AT THE VALENCIA’ 

AND EXTENSIVE TOUR 

ZOOM SPECIAL EVENT

 WITH 

GUITARIST 

C H R I S  B U C K 

The band's story is a wild one: their very first show was attended by Steve Winwood, fresh off a three-night run at Madison Square Garden with Clapton. He was so taken with the performance that he invited them to record at his studio in the English countryside. Their debut single “Tell Me How It Feels” unseated Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds from the top of the iTunes rock chart, and they’ve since shared stages with Peter Frampton (earning a standing ovation at Royal Albert Hall), Myles Kennedy, and Joe Bonamassa.

Guitarist Chris Buck has emerged as a major force in his own right — named “Best New Guitarist” and “Best Blues Guitarist” by Guitarist Magazine readers in consecutive years and recognized by Total Guitar as one of the greatest blues guitarists in the world. He’s known for a deeply expressive style and a meticulous ear, and his custom Yamaha Revstar has become a signature part of the band’s sound. Frontman Tom Hollister brings a different kind of intensity, having found music after an injury cut short his career as a professional rugby player.

Cardinal Black, the Welsh-formed trio of frontman Tom Hollister, guitarist Chris Buck, and drummer Adam Roberts – take their next monumental step with the announcement of their new album, Midnight At The Valencia – out May 23rd on Thirty Tigers.  Alongside the album news, the band have unveiled their brand new single, ‘Keep On Running’.

Midnight at the Valencia feels like a document of the band's "10,000 hours" — the dive bars, the near-misses, the personal loss. It was tracked live to vintage analogue gear at Powerplay Studios in Zurich, using a ‘70s-era Disney console, and each song feels unfiltered. There’s the stark, grief-laced “Push/Pull” (written the day Buck lost his father), the slow-burn catharsis of “Need More Time,” and the propulsive drive of “Keep On Running.”


PURCHASE

THE NEW ALBUM


FROM

CARDINAL BLACK


Entitled

MIDNIGHT AT THE VALENCIA

AVAILABLE AT

https://www.thecardinalblack.com/store



 FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

CARDINAL BLACK

VISIT

https://www.thecardinalblack.com/

official website

https://www.instagram.com/thecardinalblack/

Instagram

https://www.facebook.com/TheCardinalBlack/

Facebook

https://open.spotify.com/artist/39oKFGoKzTEZlc8PMP7kQ3?si=KP5gCD0aS0uKpzVwnsu3eg&nd=1&dlsi=5aed507d7c7b4b83

Spotify

https://www.youtube.com/c/CardinalBlack?reload=9

YouTube

https://x.com/thecardinalblk

twitter

https://www.chrisbuckguitar.shop/

Chris Buck Guitar Shop

https://www.facebook.com/ChrisBuckGuitar/

Chris Buck Facebook


CARDINAL BLACK

 TOUR 2025

May 25 Sun

Rough Trade Bristol @ 6:30PM

Bristol, United Kingdom

May 26 Mon

The Lower Third @ 7:00PM

London, United Kingdom

Aug 6 Wed

Gramercy Theatre @ 7:00PM

New York, NY, United States

Aug 6 Wed

Mercury Lounge @ 9:00PM

New York, NY, United States

Aug 8 Fri

Drake Underground @ 7:00PM

Toronto, ON, Canada

Aug 9 Sat

Kitchener Blues Festival 2025 @ 7:00PM

Kitchener, ON, Canada

Aug 12 Tue

Schubas Tavern @ 7:30PM

Chicago, IL, United States

Aug 14 Thu

7th St Entry @ 8:00PM

Minneapolis, MN, United States

Aug 16 Sat

Playing with Fire 2025 @ 7:00PM

United States, United States, United States

Aug 18 Mon

The Basement East @ 7:00PM

Nashville, TN, United States

Aug 19 Tue

Center Stage @ 8:00PM

Atlanta, GA, United States

Aug 21 Thu

Antone's @ 8:00PM

Austin, TX, United States

Aug 23 Sat

The Rebel Lounge @ 8:00PM

Phoenix, AZ, United States

Aug 26 Tue

Troubadour @ 7:00PM

West Hollywood, CA, United States

Aug 29 Fri

The Independent @ 8:30PM

San Francisco, CA, United States

Aug 30 Sat

Delfino Farms 2025 @ 7:00PM

United States, United States, United States

Oct 2 Thu

Rock City, Nottingham @ 7:00PM

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Oct 3 Fri

Academy 2 @ 7:30PM

Manchester, United Kingdom

Oct 9 Thu

Opium, Dublin @ 7:30PM

Dublin, Ireland

Oct 10 Fri

Limelight, Belfast @ 7:30PM

Belfast, United Kingdom

Oct 11 Sat

The Garage, Glasgow @ 7:00PM

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Oct 16 Thu

KK's Steel Mill @ 7:00PM

Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Oct 17 Fri

Stylus, Leeds @ 7:00PM

Leeds, United Kingdom

Oct 19 Sun

Wylam Brewery Tap @ 7:00PM

Newcastle-upon-tyne, United Kingdom

Oct 23 Thu

SWX, Bristol @ 7:00PM

Bristol, United Kingdom

Oct 24 Fri

EngineRooms, Southampton @ 7:00PM

Southampton, United Kingdom

Oct 28 Tue

Concorde 2, Brighton @ 7:30PM

Brighton, United Kingdom

Oct 29 Wed

Cambridge Junction @ 7:00PM

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Oct 30 Thu

Koko, London @ 7:00PM

London, United Kingdom

Nov 1 Sat

The Great Hall, Cardiff @ 7:00PM

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Nov 19 Wed

Bitterzoet, Amsterdam (Extra Show) @ 7:30PM

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Nov 20 Thu

Bitterzoet, Amsterdam @ 7:30PM

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Nov 23 Sun

Bürgerhaus Stollwerck @ 8:00PM

Köln, Germany

Nov 24 Mon

Bahnhof Pauli @ 8:00PM

Hamburg, Germany

Nov 25 Tue

Privatclub @ 8:00PM

Berlin, Germany

Nov 27 Thu

Backstage @ 8:00PM

München, Germany

Nov 28 Fri

Eventhall-Airport @ 8:00PM

Regensburg-neuprüll, Germany

Nov 29 Sat

Flex @ 8:00PM

Vienna, Austria

Dec 1 Mon

Papiersaal @ 8:00PM

Zurich, Switzerland

Dec 2 Tue

Brotfabrik @ 8:00PM

Frankfurt Am Main, Germany

Dec 3 Wed

Substage @ 8:00PM

Karlsruhe, Germany

Dec 6 Sat

SUPERSONIC @ 7:00PM

Paris, France

 

 













CHRIS BUCK

APPEARS

MAY 20TH 2025

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

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




AVAILABLE NOW!

RAY'S INCREDIBLE
 NEW 
SCI-FI BOOK!

THE LIBERTY CODE

In a near-future America, where democracy has collapsed under the iron grip of the Commonwealth Party, redemption lies in the unlikeliest of places—a novel. The Liberty Code, penned by decorated Marine veteran and journalist Sam Edwards, uncovers the hidden truths of a dystopian world teetering on the edge of annihilation.

Guided by telepathic messages from two Centauri extraterrestrial ambassadors, J-Rod and Naxia, who secretly collaborate with the U.S. Air Force, Edwards reveals a master plan to save Earth. This gripping tale begins as fiction but evolves into a stark reality, reflecting real-world geopolitical conflicts and revolutionary military operations.

OFFICIAL TRAILER


AVAILABLE AT
bookbaby.com
amazon.com
barnesandnoble.com
audiobook