Don Nix, Bonnie Bramlett and Klaus Voormann

Klaus Voormann was in Memphis (1/19/09 and 1/20/09) to work on his upcoming album with his old friend Don Nix at Ardent Studios. Bonnie Bramlett flew into town to sing on covers of "Mockingbird" and "My Sweet Lord" backed by Muscle Shoals bassist David Hood, Memphis studio session drummer Joel Williams, keyboardist Rick Steff, guitarists Kelvin Holley and John Fohl. Voormann had a camera crew from Germany film the session as mixing engineer Jason Lattner worked the board. Look for the new album featuring Voormann with several of his all-star friends this spring. Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, Dr. John, Don Preston and others have already contributed on tracks for the project.

Bill Marshall (he was the drummer in Target before spending 23 years with Hank Williams Jr.'s band) has a "great classic rock band" with Tommy Cathey (his old bandmate in Target). Check out Almost Famous around town and at the casinos.

Jimi Jamison & friends

Musician/songwriter Andy Tanas told me a funny story (that I won't repeat) about visiting Jon Hyde (my favorite drummer from the 70's) and Rene Russo's (she was Hyde's girlfriend at the time) apartment in Laurel Canyon.

Rodney Rastall and company have relaunched the Hanahawk Communications site, they do the best multimedia work in Memphis.

The fabulous Down2 Five played during the half time of the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphis 76ers game on 3/7/09. You can catch them most weekends at Wrangler's or the Bel Air club. Come out, eat, have a beverage, and see some old guys continue to fight off the effects of aging.

Pat Taylor and Susanne Jerome Taylor are "planning to be playing live again in the spring, both as a duet, and in bands."

Jimi Jamison has released his new album for Fronteirs Records. Crossroads Moment is a collection of new songs written and co-produced by ex-Survivor member Jim Peterick. Guests artists include Mickey Thomas of Starship, Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger, Mike Reno of Loverboy, Don Barnes of 38 Special, Dave Bickler (Survivor's original lead singer) and Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow. Please visit Jimi Jamison.com, his official website.

Work Release

Work Release is a great new band playing their brand of "roadhouse" blues. Members include guitarist Bill Parsley (formerly of the Memphis Hurricanes, he use to write for CREEM magazine), former Target guitarist Paul Cannon (he was the session guitarist at Steve Cropper's TMI studios), vocalist Gary Hager (from 70's Memphis band Silver Streak), bassist Bob Tait and drummer Chuck Bratton (both were in Wyzard in the late 1970's).

Donna Radle Holland told me about Carl Radle.com, a great site dedicated to her late brother. He was the fantastic bass player behind Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Yvonne Elliman, Rita Coolidge and many others.

Diane Steinberg-Lewis

Diane Steinberg-Lewis (remember her from the Sgt. Pepper's movie?) flew into town with husband Kenny Lee Lewis (the guitarist for the Steve Miller band) to sing a "blues" version of "Happy Birthday" at the surprise party for her uncle Lewie Steinberg. She told me that "by next year" she can "foresee singing somewhere in Memphis or the surrounding area." Is a brass note on Beale in the works for her mother, Martha Jean Steinberg? Take note of this article in the Tri-State Defender.

Michael Stollaire played songs from his album Holy Avenger at the South Bay Music Awards in the Los Angeles Sports Arena on 2/21/09.

Punk blues masetro John "Loewbow" Lowe played with Pat McDonald (of Timbuk 3) and other cigar box guitar players in a showcase at the New Daisy theatre on 2/7/09.

Germantown resident John Black is the publisher/editor/lavatory custodian for the brilliant Satire Bureau that offers "parody and justice for all" while Memphis writer Jimmy James has posted his view of the $700 billion bailout scam.

Derrick King, Gene Simmons and Dustin Starr

Dustin Starr told me about meeting Gene Simmons on Beale Street. "I was hanging with my buddy Derrick King. We are friends with Kevin and Bethany Paige. We were watching them at Alfred's. Kevin and Bethany know Gene from way back and wanted to go say hello. So, they were taking a break from the stage and we went out of the back door of Alfred's and down the street to meet him. There he was. We talked for a few moments and I remember that he was one of the most famous rock stars of all time. So, I reached out as he was walking away and grabbed him by the arm and asked for a quick picture. Boom. There ya have it. It was a brush with greatness, I guess you could say."

Scott Sudbury is "buliding a home studio and getting to work on a new cd."

Phillip and Midori Rauls

Former Memphis record biz guy Phillip Rauls was noted recently in the Memphis newspaper as the "STAX MAN" when his anniversary photo was posted in the Commercial Appeal. Jungleroom anxiously awaits Phillip's forthcoming book of tales of being on the road with rock legends. Plus, he is also preparing the release a calendar featuring his photos from those treasured experiences. For a sneak preview, please go to his web site philliprauls.com or better still, check out his blog: phillipraulsphotolog.blogspot.com for a noteworthy walk through rock's memory lane.

For a limited time, Roger Fisher (the original guitarist in Heart) is offering helpful direction with guitar playing, live performance presence, singing; songwriting, recording and personal evolution. The styles he can focus on are rock and blues. The charge is $70/hour and he teaches out of his studio just north of Lynnwood, Washington. If interested, call him at 425.802.8172.

For the last few months, Bobby Lawson has been the singer/guitarist for The Memphis Blues Society's Jam Band. They host a blues jam at Neil's on Madison from 8-12 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month. He is in the process of cutting a "mostly blues" disc with Steve Wright at his Three Flights Up studio.

Check out the new Voice of Golden Eagle website...

Ron Williams, Willie Mitchell and Carl "Blue" Wise

Memphis producer/songwriter Carl "Blue" Wise of Highway 51 has released a new album of songs co-written with Bobby Maxwell and recorded at Royal Recording. Willie Mitchell mixed and produced a track for the project. Wise was recently profiled at Soul-Treasures.com.

My favorite new find is the Plunk Chronicles. Quite a bit of music in the family bloodline. Mike Plunk toured Europe with James Burton last June. His singer/songwriter cousin Carol Plunk played at Dru's Place in midtown on Valentine's Day and Stacy Michelle Plunk is a background singer with Kid Rock.

Did you know that Joyce Cobb's guitarist Jimmy Arnold recorded an album with Jonathan Cain (the keyboardist/songwriter for Journey) a few years back?

Jeff Beck, Jennifer Batten, and Buddy Davis

The Memphis Rejects are Robert Kent Haines, Kim Lemser, Joey Skelton, Buddy Davis (check out his story of Jeff Beck's oxblood Les Paul customized at Strings and Things) and Frank Monteleone. Look for them to play this spring at Neils's, J.R.'s, The Crossing, Wrangler's and the Bel Air Club.

It was sad to hear from a mutal friend that Chips Moman has suffered a stroke, but he is recovering at home in Georgia.

Bill E. Burk (a/k/a "007"), the music columnist for the Memphis Press-Scimitar, has passed away. I'll never forget "007" telling me about blackmailing the Scorpions at the Peabody.

Jo Jo Jefferies

Jo Jo Jefferies is on guitarist Randy McFarland's new album Age of Zero. She co-wrote "We Dream" and added vocals on others tunes. Jefferies has started singing with the Memphis Jazz Orchestra (at Alfred's every Sunday) and is still with the Monday Night Sirens (an acoustic singer/songwriter project with three other female artists) every Monday at Neil's.

Robert Barthel and his band The Bones went to San Diego to play for his son Sgt Robert J Barthel and his buddies at the Balboa Naval Medical Center during the Christmas holiday.

Ardent records is producing the finest of contemporary Christian music. Joy Whitlock, the newest artist on their roster, is brilliant. She launched her official website (designed by Memphis internet guru Steve Cox) this week.

Don Nix and Larry Nix

Passing Through is the new Don Nix album. This is an unreleased follow up to In God We Trust recorded at Malaco Studios in Jackson, Mississippi in 1978. Nix's brother Larry discovered the master reels buried deep in his ancient tape vaults at Ardent studios last year. "I Belong to my Songs" was co-written with Larry Raspberry.

Mike Simpson lived in Memphis in the 80's playing drums with Roy Howell in a band called The Actors. Later, he worked in the group Avenue with Jerry Dean, Freddie Kirksey and Chuck Jones. Simpson tells me that he is "living in Ohio now, having just celebrated 22 years with FedEx. I flew down to Memphis last year, to play a gig with Freddie, Chuck, and Jerry, and have to say it was probably the most fun I've had since I left!"

the Venus Mission

The Venus Mission will be playing at the Memphis Italian Festival.

John Long was the program director at WHBQ-AM during it's late 1970's heyday. He has started Paper Sound, LLC, a company which provides audio content to newspaper web sites.

Terry Manning

During his return visit to Memphis, legendary producer/recording engineer Terry Manning played a brilliant set of music at the Hi-Tone on Poplar. Featuring songs from his recently re-released Home Sweet Home album from 1970, it was his first public performance in years. Don Perry has posted photos from the show.

Helmut Ploderer

Helmut Ploderer has moved back to Europe. He has a fantastic radio show entitled "Helmut's World Of Jazz" on bounceradio.net every Sunday from 10am until 1pm central. Listen for an interview with Memphis jazz drummer Dave Malone about his new project.

It was great to hear from guitarist Bobby Bell. He told me about his former band Prodigy, who played around Memphis from 1979 until the early ‘80s. "The original band lineup was myself and John McGrory (guitars), Robbie Schupe (bass), Richard Butler (drums) and Steve Gaines on vocals. John McGrory left the band early and the spot was filled by Phil Crittendon, a great left-handed guitarist (and Michael Schenker look-a-like) and eventually Steve Gaines was replace by Jerry Browning. We were basically a ‘70s British influenced hard rock band covering tunes by bands such as UFO, Rush, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, The Babys, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Eddie Money, etc. We played various rock clubs around town and all of Bobby Kizer’s places on the Highland strip (New Horizon and it’s earlier name, but I can’t think of it), Poets, and others, opening frequently for Target, Handmade, Thumbs, and others, as well as occasionally headlining (with opening acts such as The US Kids from NYC).

I remember opening for Creed when they had their big coming out party after cutting their first album for A&M. It was at Poets and the place was packed and rocking with a fair number of local music celebrities and few A&M executives in attendance. Richard Butler was a good friend of Chip Thomas (the drummer for Creed) at the time which helped getting us in with Bobby Kizer (famous or should I say infamous local promoter) and getting our start. I left the band around ’81 to concentrate on school (at Memphis State) and was replaced by a great guitar player who played in a mid 70’s Memphis band called Nova." Bell added that he "still actively plays Christian contemporary and worship here in town and am enjoying every minute of it. Those were some great rocking days with some great memories of seeing some fantastic musicians and bands."

Banged and bruised after his truck was totaled in an intersection collision, Terry Wall is still alive and well.

Joe Davis, drummer for 1960's Memphis band the Guilloteens, passed away on 4/20/2008.

1980's Memphis band Tora Tora reunited to play the Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma.

Andy Tanas has finished writing his book entitled Thoughts From the Indie Frontlines. He tells me that "It's about my life as an indie since I left Krokus in 1985. I went from big time rock star to nobody overnight. It also covers the indie scene today, good guys and bad guys, the oncoming fall of the major labels, what the future holds, growing up in Memphis in the 60's and the slumping local music scene of the early 70's, my time with Skynyrd in 75 and my dysfunctional life in Frayser with my paranoid shizo alcoholic step father. Fun stuff, huh?"

Memphis T is a fantastic rockabilly/blues band from Toulouse, France.

Memphis radio legend Ron Jordan has passed away, he was great at FM 100 in the 70's.

Restorations and new buildings on the Highland strip are the talk of the University district. You never know who you may spot catching breakfast at Brother Juniper's.

It was great to hear from guitarist Ric Moore last week.

After years, it was great to speak with Roger Loyd (Elvis' cousin) over the weekend. He told me about his new book, Growing Up In The Shadow Of A King, you can order it from Barnes & Noble.com.

Mr. nice guy John Fry was in the store last week. He told me that Christian musician Todd Agnew has just finished work on his new project at Ardent studios.

Ann Peebles' keyboard player Paul Brown is playing fantastic solo shows at BB King's blues club on Beale Street.

Karate instructor Mr. Buffalo tells me that Khang Rhee also teaches yoga. For years, everyone has always said that Mr. Rhee is an honorable man, so don't be surprised if you see me signing up for kung-fu lessons.

David Corbett, the Quartermaster of the Wolf River Pipe and Drums corps stopped in the store. He told me about his new business, Birls Gone Wild.

It was great to speak with photographer Phillip Parker at the store last week. Visit phillipparker.com, his work is brilliant.

My buddy Neil Masner retired from the hub at FedEx (at age 75!). He plans to travel abroad and dedicate time to his church, Cherry Road Baptist in East Memphis.

It was great to talk with Dale Hawkins (he wrote the song "Suzy Q") as he was passing through Holly Springs, returning from Dallas scouting a new slide player.

It's an honor to have Debra DeJean visiting jungleroom.com. She said that while living in New York, 9/11 was "up close and personal" for her and she is presently "spending some time with my family in Louisiania after the hurricanes" adding that she "would love to arrange a performance in Memphis" and for me to "tell Ward Archer, "Je t'aime", and Ward, I still wear leather & ride motorcycles."

I asked Bob Tait if he remembered playing at Peaches Records with a group named Wyzard. "You are the you the first person I've heard mention that band in years," he said. "Wyzard was Debra Preston (who later became Debra Dejean) on vocals, Delmar Preston on guitar, myself on bass and Chuck Bratton on drums.We opened for Meatloaf at the Ritz on Madison avenue the first time he appeared in Memphis on the "Bat out of Hell" tour. We opened for alot of bands coming thru memphis and bigger bands from here. Today, Bob plays bass with the Memphis Hurricanes, and on and off with Chuck Bratton in the Killer Minks.

Kyle Aylor has opened River Walk Multimedia, a new audio mastering studio in Memphis. Contact him at 901-531-8238 or rwalk@midsouth.rr.com.