There is a New Kid in Town...And he's Smokin' Ray Burnt. He is a Smokin' young guitarist from the highest peaks of the Smokey Mountains. He is a real throwback to the good ol' days of the Instrumental Blues. Is he the next crazy Hendrix or the younger soul of a B.B. King? Maybe.. Go on, Find Out for yourselfAnd So it Begins...Smokin' Ray was born on June 1, 1977, high on top of Smokey Mountain. His Mother and Father were both musicians ( His father played the fiddle, his mother played the accordion.) They had a decent life, poor but not without. As the story goes, Ray was struck by lightning and burnt nothing but his soul. Something came inside of him and now he is what he is. He wasn't hurt...He was just destined for something... He was destined to play the guitar. So from high upon the tree tops the first song he ever heard was the soft/heavy tone of B.B. King's, 'The Thrill is Gone'. That was like magic to his ears. The next? Jimi Hendrix, 'Red House'. 'WOW! He thought to himself, 'I have to do that'. And so he did. He studied all the greats, even as far back as the great Robert Johnson. He learned from John Lee Hooker, SRV, Leadbelly, Chuck Berry, and many others. Lightning Hopkins, 'Lonesome Dog Blues' scared him to shivers. Tucked away in a little studio he recorded by himself. No one could ever guess what would come out of there next. His tone could fall a mountain, his playing could hypnotise you. His brain...insane.Over his short span of playing I think that he really developed his own style. Is he Chicago? Maybe more Texas Style? Perhaps Modern Electric Blues? I don't know, Whatever it is, He calls it the 'Smokey Mountain Style'. Whether SRB is playing clean or dirty you can tell it's him. As you can tell from his acoustic picture and the way he plays, he likes Heavy Metal, Rock and Punk. He is very much influenced by such bands as Metallica, Megadeth, Nirvana, Green Day, AC/DC, Guns & Roses and more. But his true calling is the blues. All you have to do is hear his songs and you will be shown.Where does all this lead up to? I don't know. Maybe something new or maybe just a blip on the radar. We will have to see.Some day his Guitar will quit burning,But until then... Keep on Smokin' Ray Burnt.Available music is Awesome

The term "justmegan" plain and simply began as a stage name that was used to represent an 18 year old girl, Megan Carlson, a singer/songwriter from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. This name has remarkably evolved from a one-woman-band to a tight, rock and blues group, with each member offering an essential, irreplaceable talent.

You might ponder, "is that a typo?" No! You have read correctly. "justmegan," all lowercase letters and one word, to boot, is completely deliberate. What started as a clear indication of a young woman establishing herself in the musical world, has grown into a close-knit group of musicians completely using their individual talents to accentuate her original songs. Together, they have created a very unique sound that blends blues, rock, and indie music with influences from various other genres to become quite the musical force. The name was originally intended, "Just Megan." to be certain people would know there was, in fact, just Megan: her guitar, her vocals, and her raw implausible gift for writing deep, melodic songs of well beyond her years. Her paradigms were entirely shifted, as her hopes of having a full band to support her music had finally come to pass. "I love to create independently. But, by no means am I the lime-lighter type. I firmly believe that as an artist, you have to be willing to be a team player and work together and compromise. You can't do it all on your own. When that begins, sadly, it's reflected in your music. They don't say two heads are better than one for nothing!" Carlson chuckles. "Besides, there's no feeling better than other musicians wanting to play TO you! It's easy to go strictly acoustic all the time," she articulates.

In June of 2006, the band released their first album as a unit, Blue Avenue, gaining a whole new entourage of fans and radio stations, as well as a well-known author from Alabama, "Quillan." "[The album] is a well "put-together" project [with] excellent music, well written lyrics, and good photo work. I highly recommend it," he raves.

In addition to writing and performing inimitable tunes for all types of listeners, the band is extremely passionate towards using music to benefit assorted organizations. In the past, a track off their debut album was featured on a compilation disc to benefit cancer research. Most currently, the band is working with Illumina Records. Their latest endeavor was participating in a "Rockers for Life" campaign to promote drunk driving awareness.

As if this now 22 year old front woman for "justmegan" isn't busy enough with creating music, she is a recent college graduate teaching elementary students, in addition to creating digital art for an accomplished author, while continuing to photograph as a side hobby. Her vocals have been compared to those of Pat Benatar, Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, Tracy Chapman, Chrissy Hynde of the Pretenders, Blondie, Joan Jett, Jewel, Ani Difranco, Lisa Marie Presley, and most recently, Aimee Mann.

Currently, the band has just released their second album, I Get What I Want, and their music is being played on over 100 FM radio stations, as well as numerous Internet stations, podcasts, and XM/Satellite radio. For more information, or to hear sample tracks, visit www.justmegan.net or check out their myspace site at www.myspace.com/justmeganmusic.

We are also currently on TONS of sites so please be sure to check them all out! (listed below)
Visit www.justmegan.net to see them all!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

United States of America (Press Release) February 8, 2008 -- MICHAEL STOLLAIRE PREPARES TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM, "HOLY AVENGER!"

February 8, 2008 (Los Angeles, California, USA)

CD Release Date: February 14, 2008. JetSpeed Records.

JetSpeed Records, the leading independent source for high quality music audio and audio/visual music programming, is proud to announce the release of the debut full-length album of Michael Stollaire via JetSpeed Records.

Recorded in Winter 2007, "HOLY AVENGER" captures the essence of the free-form poetry that Michael Stollaire is famous for, and its transformation into lyrical music that penetrates the listener's heart and soul. Recorded in DTS and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, "HOLY AVENGER" features a genre-spanning set list that includes the first single "Little Princess," the powerful ballad "I Can't Let You Go," the undeniable force of "Watch Her Walk," the pounding resonance of "Just Like Yesterday," the experimental hard-core rock of "Quest 4 Power," the face-melting guitar instrumental, "MGO," and others.

"Trinity" and "Holy Avenger" are available via iTunes and CDBABY.com here:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mstollaire

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=261573972&s=143441

Artist Information, Sample Tracks, and EPKs here:

http://www.sonicbids.com/MichaelStollaire

http://www.MySpace.com/theankhproject

http://blog.myspace.com/theankhproject

http://www.michaelstollaire.com

Bonus tracks on the CD/DVD will include exclusive interviews with Michael Stollaire, along with live performances and promotional video footage, making this a must-have release for both fans and music enthusiasts alike. Stollaire's "TRINTY" EP was released by JetSpeed earlier in November 2007.

See Michael Stollaire and The Ankh Project on tour in 2008!
Look for upcoming shows at L.A.’s Whisky on Sunset Strip, New York City's Pussycat Lounge, and supporting national recording artists! Check out his JetSpeed Records official artist site for details:

http://www.jetspeedrecords.net/michael_stollaire/index.htm

For additional information please visit www.jetspeedrecords.com or contact Joey Little at JetSpeed Records directly.

For more information:

JetSpeed Records Enterprises
1626 N. Wilcox
Suite #605
Hollywood, CA 90028

(310) 487 - 9395

www.jetspeedrecords.com

"Trinity" and "Holy Avenger" are available via CDBABY.com here:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mstollaire

For further information, including booking, interviews, etc., contact Michael Stollaire's management at:

1.818.31.ANGEL (1.818.312.6435)

###

Michael has been singing lead vocals, and playing lead guitar/keyboards in rock bands since the tender age of twelve, playing music ranging from 1950s rock and roll to full-bore thrash metal, and everything in-between. He picked up playing the guitar when he was fourteen and has been amazing audiences with his talents ever since. He began writing and recording in the mid-1990s, and has been a non-stop blur until the current day! His songs and style are inspired by artists like Nickelback, Creed, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Evanescence, Maroon 5, Nightwish, Van Halen, Asia, Boston, Def Leppard, Dream Theatre, Edenbridge, ELP, Judas Priest, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Yes, and ZZ Top.

Michael was fatally infected with FM radio that was playing constantly throughout his childhood, in the house and in the car, along with a scattering of Beach Boys 45s that he inherited from his Mother. He began playing guitar and writing songs around 14 years of age. Magazines, posters, CDs, cassettes and records were constantly scattered throughout his room, and a dream is born. Picture him sitting alone in a room playing and singing into a cassette recorder. Then, he was involved in a seemingly endless string of bands, where he cut his teeth and his unique style was germinated. Then, he moved to California in the mid-90s, following his heart and career. Over the next 15 years or so, he played and recorded with a chain of club rock bands, as well as many solo performances and recordings. Currently writing a book of poetry, based on existentialism and romantic meanderings, with a working title of “Better Late than Never.”

"Trinity" will be pre-released at the first stadium concert of the 2007 "Holy Avenger" tour on August 25th , 2007 at the "Summerfaire '07 World Peace Concert" at The Orange Show Stadium in San Bernardino, California, along with a half dozen Midwest dates in mid August! “Trinity’s” official release will be in November 2007. The full-length CD, "Holy Avenger" will see its official release on Valentine’s Day 2008, where it will be available at iTunes, eMusic, CD Baby and select retail stores around the world, along with every date and venue associated with the world tour to support this ground-breaking release!

CONTACT:

Michael Stollaire
12407 Moorpark Street, Suite 102
Studio City, CA, 91604, USA
1.818.31.ANGEL (1.818.312.6435)

http://www.myspace.com/theankhproject
http://www.SonicBids.com/MichaelStollaire
http://www.purevolume.com/michaelstollairetheankhproject
http://www.michaelstollaire.com
http://www.musicsubmit.com/MichaelStollaire
http://eventful.com/michaelstollaire

The Southern Urge was born on Vancouver Island in a basement near the University of Victoria in early summer, 2005. Three local musicians were at their campus pub having beers and checking out the open mic players. They were already in a band known around Victoria but “creative differences” in the band had led to their search for a new singer. There they found Ryan Evans and asked him to come out to front the band. After a few practices in the basement they hit the bars at UVIC and in downtown Victoria. The story continues to unfold today…

The Southern Urge is Ryan Evans (vocals/guitar), Tony Garossino (lead guitar), Jonny Milstein (bass/congas/clave/harmonica/backup vocals), and Cameron Duron (drums).

Ryan, who was living in Halifax, had been frequenting the L.A. scene meeting with producer and friend Sheila E after she had taken notice of his songwrting skill a few years previous. During the summer in B.C., and after a couple of rehearsals with the Southern Urge, it was undeniable that there was a definite chemistry between the friends who embraced his songwriting; the L.A. scene would just have to wait.

With the speed of Jimmy Page and the originality of Trey Anastasio, Tony was able to add energy to the solid progressions penned by Ryan. Cam’s drumming style, reminiscent of Jazz-Fusion masters like Carter Beauford, Dennis Chambers, and Steve Gadd, is a rhythmic extension of Ryan’s aggressive acoustic playing. Add solid bass grooves locked to the beat by Jonny and you have an original song by The Southern Urge.

The band’s first EP entitled “…until it hurts” was recorded over one night at Vancouver’s Art Institute, and is scheduled for release this summer. The disc includes the songs, “I am a rolling wind”, “Gimme all your love”, “See you move”, “Better time”, and “Been around”.

All of the songs offer a diverse range of sounds, which is representative of the diversity in the group. From a rocker out of Halifax, to a guitar wizard from Texas, to a drumming inferno from Toronto, to a killer bass player from Vancouver – They all come together to produce something very special.

The band has had extensive experience in Victoria's live music scene. As a band with a social conscience they have headlined benefit concerts around Victoria for such organizations as: Rock for Rwanda, The Tsunami Relief Effort, Engineers Without Borders and Children of War. After securing an opening spot at Steamer’s Pub, one of the biggest and best know live music venues in the heart of downtown, the band has been a monthly headliner on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. Felicita’s, Uvic’s campus pub, has been a local home for the band. On January 21st 2006, UVic hosted it’s first ever winter SUB party. The entire Student Union Building was converted into a five-stage venue for 2,500 people. Some performers featured were Moka Only, Mobile, and The Armchair Cynics. The Southern Urge was given the longest time slot that night, playing for three full hours and ending the night for a sold out crowd.

Individual members have different amounts of recording experience. Ryan has recorded his own demo as a solo artist, working with session players and recording his own compositions. Jonny has had experience recording with two previous bands, as well as many other small session projects. Tony is familiar with home recording, and cam’s first major experience was the current EP.

Upcoming shows: April 11 – Darcy’s pub (Victoria)

Additional info/songs/pics: visit www.ryanevansmusic.com

•  Hard rock. Great Hook.
•  Great lyrics
•  Great song - mediocre recording