For the second year, the ASCAP Presents… Heineken Ampt Music Series showcased top local artists and bands (signed and unsigned) in their home cities. The showcases were designed to bring these deserving performers and songwriters to the attention of both the music industry and the public, in line with ASCAP’s long-standing commitment to developing new musical talent and Heineken USA’s efforts to support performing arts.
The series featured showcases in five of the nation’s most vibrant music scenes: Atlanta, Minneapolis, Portland, New Orleans and Nashville. ASCAP wishes to thank Heineken USA for supporting local music.
"Just as Nice"
Man of the Year
Written by Morrisey, Kreiter, Simmons and Sanford. © 2000 Man of the Year Music (ASCAP). Man of the Year appears courtesy of Tiny Beat Records/ Loveless Records.
Portland’s Man of the Year is really three men and one woman: Tod Morrisey, Lance Kreiter, Kelly Simmons and Katy Sanford. Their debut CD, The Future is Not Now, is a blend of hummable tunes with ambient, all-enveloping keyboards, sparking guitars, and swoonworthy harmonizing vocals.
"Killing Machine"
My Regrets
Written by My Regrets Music, Clark Stiles Music (ASCAP).
My Regrets plays music like nothing else matters, with lots of barbed attitude and a classic guitar crunch. Front man Caleb Spiegel’s delivery is ferocious, and his slinky stage moves are reminiscent of Iggy Pop. Their melodies sparkle with a glitter-sprinkled glam-rock sense of drama and undulate with the sly innuendo of the best Britpop. The band’s five-song debut CD, It’s Alright To Look Good, was released in April 2001.
"She Walked Away"
Cameron Meshell
Written by Cameron Meshell © 2001 (ASCAP).
This brother, drummer Brandon Meshell, and bassist Wesley Garcia, the Cameron Meshell Band blends pop, jazz and rock with compelling lyrics that explore simple themes such as honesty, hipocrisy and being true to oneself. Meshell’s vocal power and range have been compared to his greatest influence, Freddie Mercury. In the summer of 2000, the band released their debut CD, self-titled under the band’s original name, Cosmic Soul.
"Red Sky"
Dazy Head Mazy
Written by Will Bauermeister. © 2000 Wrensong Publishing (ASCAP). Dazy Head Mazy appears courtesy of Angel Beach Records 2000.
Dazy Head Mazy is a rootsy pop-rock band from Minneapolis comprised of Will Bauermeister on twelve string acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Andrew Clark on drums and background vocals, Justin Mishler on bass guitar, Ben Wilinski on mandolin, guitar and vocals. Their debut release, They’re All Wearing Pearls sold over 10,000 copies, and their second album, Shift, was released in November 2000.
"Who Was I"
Wes Cunningham
Written by Wes Cunningham. © 2001 Ora-Le Publishing (ASCAP).
Cunningham’s debut Warner Bros. release, 12 Ways to Win People To Your Way of Thinking, has tracks ranging from the multi-layered energetic to the minimalist and contemplative. His music mixes the acoustic with the electric, mates samplings with saxes, beat boxes and bones with keyboards and bass, and he makes it abundantly clear that in his universe, "The song is always king."
"A Lot of Water"
A.C. Cotton
Written by Alan Charing. © 2001 Ahab Was Right Music (ASCAP).
After receiving critical praise for his 1999 release Seconds West, Alan Charing has returned with a new band and a new record of hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll. The first full length album from A.C. Cotton, Half Way Down, straddles the crossroads of power country, back porch blues and whiskey-soaked rock. Fueled by Charing’s evocative stream-of-consciousness lyrics, the band create a high-energy electric rock sound.
"White Noise"
The Bella Fayes
Written by Lael Alderman, Adam Wayne, Jason Henry, Davey Hall and Shane Fisher. © 2001 (ASCAP). The Bella Fayes appear courtesy of Secret Decoder Records.
The Bella Fayes were formed in the summer of 2000 when Lael Alderman, former Geffen recording artist, joined forces with former members of Drive, Architecture and Thrillbilly. Equally comfortable at delving into sonic layers of heavy psychedelic rock as they are at breezing around a lap-steel guitar in a country-tinged tune, the Bella Fayes combine ambitious instrumental landscapes with songs that are melodic and accessible.
"Girl After God’s Own Heart"
hue
Written by Warren Lee. © 2001 Oliver P. Shagnasty Music (ASCAP).
hue’s sound draws from a diverse collective of rock energy with force enough to spearhead a major change in the world’s perception of "Music City USA." Their CD release party was broadcast live on Nashville’s two top rock radio stations and secured them the #1 slot on Tower Record’s local artist chart for 5 consecutive weeks!
"The Gate"
Jason Blackwell
Written by Thomas Bess, Javon Green and Lionell Andrews. © 1999.
Jason Blackwell is a collection of musicians, poets, visual artists and photographers with the sole purpose of expanding the horizon of modern entertainment with the freedom of expression flowing through the veins of their music. They use the medium of truth to paint timeless portraits of innovation on the canvases of mankind’s minds.
"Living the Life"
Seek
Written by Lisa Terry, Freddy Luster , Chris Kournelis and Seek. © 2001 Times 7 Music (ASCAP).
The soulful, thought provoking lyrics of the group Seek are woven through jazz inspired grooves to complete a sound that is elegant in its composition and inspirational in its delivery. After three weeks in stores, their debut release, Venus And Mars, earned the #11 spot in the top 40 at Atlanta’s Tower Records.
"Hot Shot"
Rob Giles
Written by Rob Giles. © 2000 Mama Don’t Dig My Music (ASCAP).
Dallas-based Rob Giles in the fearless leader and namesake of this unique four piece. Many of Rob’s songs come to life through humorous irony and a vocal truckload of candid emotion. He has a song for any mood, from upbeat pop and straight-up guitar rock, to beautifully crafted piano ballads.
"Freedom Song"
Billy Johnson’s Roadshow
Written by Billy Johnson. © 2001 billy johnsons
roadshow music.
The creation of singer/songwriter Billy Johnson and drummer/producer David J. Russa, Billy Johnson’s Roadshow is an ensemble of some of the Twin Cities’ finest and friendliest musicians playing something one might call organic funk and roll. Their songs bring acoustic guitar, bass, and drums together with drum loops, keys, organic sounds and very cool production.
To see other issues of The Ear, click here:
The ASCAP Ear, Vol. 5
The ASCAP Ear, Vol. 4
The ASCAP Ear, Vol. 3
The ASCAP Ear, Vol. 2
The ASCAP Ear, Vol. 1
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