Live Video Inc: DAVE SCHULZ IT'S ALL ABOUT CONNECTIONS

DAVE SCHULZ

IT'S ALL ABOUT CONNECTIONS

Connect with Dave Schulz live this week in L.A.

It’s all about connections.

Dave Schulz’s notion to call his debut album–and long awaited foray into the indie pop/rock world–Connect grew out of his realization that nothing happens in the music industry without them.

As a first call session and touring keyboardist and vocalist over the past 10 years, the renowned singer, songwriter and keyboardist has learned that success boils down to building those personal relationships—one studio musician to another, bandmate to bandmate, artist to audience and hired gun to the big cat who tapped you for his or her latest studio or touring gig.

In the late 90s, when he was one of Buffalo’s most popular young keyboardists, Schulz got a call from his old friend, bassist Robby Takac from his hometown heroes the Goo Goo Dolls, who asked him to join them on their famed “Dizzy Up The Girl” tour.

Suddenly, thanks to a connection made long before, Schulz went from playing in front of a few hundred patrons at a local Buffalo bar to jamming at Woodstock for 60,000 and touring the world for two and a half years during the band’s heyday.

In 1999, when the Goos were opening for The Rolling Stones, Schulz became friends with their renowned backup singer and backing musician Bernard Fowler. A few years later, when the singer, songwriter and keyboardist moved out to L.A. to launch the next phase of his career, he again ran into Fowler, whose massive credits include work with everyone from Herbie Hancock to P-Funk legend Bootsy Collins. Fowler helped him make headway on the local studio scene and became a major inspiration.

Upon immersing himself into many diverse musical circles in L.A.—including the hosting of “all-star jams” at numerous clubs, including Ian Copeland’s Backstage Café–Schulz became one of the city’s most in demand behind the scenes forces, adding constantly to a mile long touring, performing and recording resume of artists from across the spectrum. The short list: Bo Diddley, Fuel, Dave Wakeling/English Beat, General Public, Berlin, Ryan Cabrera, , Phil Upchurch, The Rembrandts, Eric Sardinas, Fastball, Glenn Hughes, The Fizzies, Jay-J, Bran Van 3000 and One Tribe Nation.

Branching out, he was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2005 Los Angeles Music Awards, and received a batch of accolades from the 2006 All Access Awards: a win for Best Keyboardist of the Year and nominations for Song of the Year (“Planet 39”) and Album of the Year (for his work with One Tribe Nation).

Now, ten years after first meeting Fowler, Schulz is excited to include the singer as one of the legendary musicians helping him come into his own as an artist and ensure that Connect lives up to its crafty moniker.

The instantly infectious, accessible but often quirky 10 track collection also features extremely well connected players Schulz has admired for years, including Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan, Scott Weiland, Peter Gabriel), bassists Tony Levin (King Crimson, John Lennon, Yes, Pink Floyd, Seal) and Mike Porcaro (Toto) and drummers Robin Dimaggio (David Bowie, Paul Simon) and Randy Cooke (Ringo Starr, Dave Stewart). Three tracks were produced by another longtime Schulz associate Matt Gruber, whose credits include everyone from Carrie Underwood and LeAnn Rimes to Queensryche.

“Not to sound too over the top new agey,” Schulz says, “but a lot of wheels of karma happened to make this record possible. I was very humbled that these great musicians played on my album even though I had no label and limited funds. One of the album’s other producers, Robi Banerji, introduced me to Daniel Lanois, who liked my songs and was very gracious about contributing. This was a huge validation for me as an artist because he was a major influence on my development as a songwriter. Another example of this ‘wheel’ was my opportunity to play on Devo co-founder Jerry Casale’s solo album, Jihad Jerry and the Evildoers. The whole reason I started to play keyboards when I was thirteen was because of my obsession with Devo!

“Even though my dual skills as a keyboardist and singer helped me get a lot of high profile gigs over the years,” he adds, “my goal from those early days jamming in Buffalo was to be an artist, and through all these different connections, I was able to get a bunch of my musical heroes to join me. I still can’t believe my good fortune, but I know I have worked very hard to get to this point—and have drawn on my love for and experience with jazz, classical funk and soul to craft what I feel are very strong pop/rock songs.”

Happy to have Schulz emerging into their ranks, a batch of pop/rock superstars cheerfully agree with his humble assessment. Lanois says, “Now THAT sounds like a record.” Pink adds, “Dude, you have the best voice,” and Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik, who can say he knew Schulz when, adds, “I love how talented Dave is. He plays so good it’s unreal. He’s just dripping with soul.” But it’s Fowler who says it all: “Dave, you’re crazy man…”

Schulz didn’t have the overriding concept of Connect in place from the start, but he began noticing as he was writing songs for the project that a similar theme was emerging. While his musical associations are an obvious hook, his lyrics tap into more universal themes about the need for and the conflicts inherent in simple human relationships. One of the symbols he uses to express his sardonic fear that technology (Twitter, texting, etc) may replace actual human contact is the smashed, discarded piano in an abandoned house on the back cover of the CD.

“It’s kind of my lament about the modern studio age as well,” he says, “like, whatever happened to using an actual piano on a recording. These days, everything is simulated and you can play piano and organ on a synthesized unit that sounds exactly like the real thing. So while I use some of the recording technologies available to me, I wanted the instrumentation to be mostly organic. As this developed, my goal became to communicate the idea that there’s an important connection between human beings that is physical and personal. To me, this should trump our world’s crazy materialism. There’s a line in my song ‘Everything’ (written by Schulz and his singer/songwriter sister Gretchen) that goes, ‘If you had everything/Would it mean everything?/Would you feel anything?” I’m asking what’s more important–material gain or being in touch with yourself? I think that song will resonate as people reassess their lives in today’s difficult economy.”

Schulz adds, “I pondered this question when I was living in Las Vegas for a time, working as musical director for a popular cover band at the Bellagio. The more I played there, the more disconnected I felt from myself. I knew it was time to start following my lifelong dream by writing and recording my own music. My first thought was that I needed to connect to pop music fans with my own voice rather than simply carrying on as a sideman. That’s what ‘Back To Me’ is about, returning to and finding my essence as an artist. These songs were written at different times over the past years, but all of them represent the real me.”

Other key tracks include the funky, jangling power pop tune “Fanatic,” about someone obsessed with a woman who doesn’t know he exists (i.e. a failed connection); “Perfect Day,” an edgy post 9/11 rocker which talks about the surprise of “a perfect day to be insane,” but ends on a note of hope as life is viewed through the eyes of a child; and the one cover track, an irresistibly out there version of “Margaritaville,” which wrenches newfound emotion from its familiar words via a classical, operatic, New Orleans funeral march meets mariachi arrangement. The result is something you might hear in a Coen Brothers or David Lynch movie—definitely not what Jimmy Buffet had in mind!

“I think the music on the album reflects the diversity of styles that I have played over the years with some truly incredible musicians,” says Schulz. “I’m really excited for more people to hear it, and I have put together a great new band of close friends to help me convey what it means to truly Connect—and that’s with the most important people of all, the audience.”

Music was a part of Dave Schulz’s life from the beginning. Born in Buffalo, NY, his father wore two hats as pianist and conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. His father would seat him in the orchestra pit during performances as early as seven years old. His brother Robert would soon become a Grammy-nominated classical percussionist, and his sister an accomplished rock/soul singer. Shortly after his father’s passing when Dave was 10, he suddenly took an interest in the piano that was sitting idly in the living room. Osmosis? Within six months Dave had mastered the C Sonata by Mozart, and began an obsession with Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and, of all things, DEVO. Not too bad for an 11 year old. He obviously made the right choice. By the age of 17, he was one of the top keyboardists in his hometown, winning multiple awards consistently for seven years. Finally the big break came, when Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls called and left a simple message from sunny LA: “you wanna come out and tour with us for a year?” In a matter of one day Dave went from playing in front of 300 in a local Buffalo bar to playing Woodstock in front of 60000. This led to a two-and-a-half year relationship with the Goo Goo Dolls that took Dave around the world twice as touring keyboardist/vocalist for the “Dizzy Up The Girl” tour, the landmark album that spawned five top ten singles between 98 and 2000. That experience sealed his fate. Where else do you get to open up for the Rolling Stones?

Since then Dave moved to Los Angeles, touring/performing/recording with a diverse array of artists running the musical spectrum: Goo Goo Dolls, Fuel, English Beat, Bran Van 3000, General Public, Berlin, Ryan Cabrera, Bo Diddley, Jihad Jerry and the Evildoers (Jerry Casale from DEVO’s solo project) Glenn Hughes, Bernard Fowler, One Tribe Nation, Phil Upchurch, Meleni, Fastball, The Rembrandts, Carmen and Camille, Hilary Hawn, When In Rome, Mesner, Michael Mccarthy and the Beautiful Fools, Last Conservative, Kristine W., Duke Graham, Daniel Morones, Derek Sholl, and Eric Sardinas. Dave also composes music for various TV and Film projects. In addition to his keyboard skills, Dave was recognized for his vocal and songwriting abilities in 2005 when The Los Angeles Music Awards nominated him for Male Vocalist of the Year. The Los Angeles “All Access Music Awards” also nominated him for both Pop/Rock Keyboardist of the Year and Song of the Year in 2006.

Received “Honorable Mention” for both the 16th Annual Billboard World Song and 12th Annual Unisong International Songwriting Competitions for 2009, for the song “Everything”.

Inducted into the 2008 Buffalo Music Hall Of Fame (see ‘Press’ above)

Released solo record April 10, 2009 with guests Daniel Lanois (U2, Peter Gabriel), Tony Levin (King Crimson, John Lennon), Bernard Fowler (Rolling Stones), Mike Porcaro (Toto) and many others…

Releasing record in 2009 with trip-hop/lounge/experimental band “The Smart Set” featuring producer/guitarist Rick Torres (Supreme Beings Of Leisure, Bittersweet), vocalist Brandi Emma, and bassist Wayne Lothian (English Beat, General Public)…

Keyboard sessions for new releases by House Music legend Jay-J , Outkast producer/vocalist Sleepy Brown, Power Pop troubadours The Fizzies, Montreal’s Bran Van 3000, The Rembrandts, singer-songwriter Miranda Frigon, Dobro wiz Eric Sardinas, as well as new artists Lizzie (GadgetGirl), Hensley, DJ Eric Ill, Courtney Fine, John Romano, and Mesner

Producing/writing for new artists at DAVE SCHULZ ENTERTAINMENT (Los Angeles)

Also performs currently with: Solo Project (Dave Schulz) / The Smart Set / Berlin / Astroglyde / One Tribe Nation / (see ‘Tour Dates’ above)

Past Projects:

Goo Goo Dolls – all live recordings from the ‘Dizzy Up The Girl’ tour 1998 – 2001

Jihad Jerry and the Evildoers (www.jihadjerry.com) released on Cordless/Warner Bros. w/ Jerry Casale (DEVO co-founder), Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails/Perfect Circle)

Keyboard/Vocal sessions for Bernard Fowler, Goo Goo Dolls, Ryan Cabrera, Van Nuys Music Project, Jihad Jerry and the EvilDoers, Rachel Stacy, Silversteel, One Tribe Nation, Stacy Michelle, Dave Wakeling/English Beat, Duke Graham, Fabienne Shine, Fastball, Meleni Smith, Radio Romeo, Daniel Morones, Samantha Sanchez, DJ Eric Ill, and acclaimed hometown Buffalo artists Lance Diamond, Terry Sullivan, Klear, Jolson’s Lip, Pine Dogs, Marvelous Sauce, Gretchen Schulz and the Morvelles, Steam Donkeys, Geno McManus, The Quakes, and The Buffalo Sabres to name a few…

Wrote theme song/soundtrack for the “True American Story” series on E! Entertainment for 2005

Composed/Performed theme song/commercial promo for 2005 season of E! True Hollywood Story

Musical Director for the ONYX rock show 2005-06 at Mandalay Bay / Bellagio / Monte Carlo - Las Vegas , NV.

Composed / recorded music for the CGI / live action cartoon “The Kernies”, Producers: Tom Walsh / Phil Roman / Ron Hilton

Recorded CD by Michael Sanders’ One Tribe Nation (www.onetribenation.com) with guests including Bernard Fowler, Louis Conte, Jean Michael Byron, Chuck Prada, Andy Vargas, Claude Schnell, Jimmy Roberts, Produced by Joshua Eagan (see awards at top)

Released two original CDs independently (under the name C.O. JONES)

Soundtrack for E! True Hollywood Story – 9 episodes: Jennifer Lopez, Jenna Jameson, Michael Jackson, The Mitchell Bros., Beverly Hills: 90210, Carrie Otis, Lara Flynn Boyle, Christie Brinkley, and N’SYNC !!

Radio / Film / T.V. Appearances:

Jay Leno, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Craig Ferguson, Rosie O’Donnell, CNN

VH1’s Backyard Barbecue, VH1’s Live At The Hard Rock, VH1’s Fashion Awards

MTV’s Total Request Live, MTV’s The Road Home

MTV’s Live in Times Square / Millennium Countdown 2000

American Music Awards, The GQ Man Of The Year Awards, MAD TV

Various European, German, Australian and Japanese television programs

BBC LIVE on the air (Britain)

Cameo appearance in “Charlie’s Death Wish” horror film with Lemmy, Tracii Guns, Dizzy Reed, Ron Jeremy, Phoebe Dollar

Was part of winning team (BERLIN vs. TIFFANY) on “Rock a Hard Place” game show with host Meatloaf. All proceeds went to PETA charity!

And last but not least…Taxicab Confessions #6 Las Vegas!

Tours:

Opened for Rolling Stones on the “No Security” Tour 1999

Various tours in U.S.A., Canada, Europe

Bosnia

Australia & New Zealand

Japan

United Kingdom

Middle East

South Africa

Performed with:

Goo Goo Dolls

Berlin

Justin Lanning

English Beat

General Public

The Rembrandts

Fastball

Bo Diddley

When In Rome

Glenn Hughes (formerly of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze)

Gary Schieder / Andre Foxxe (P-Funk)

Maceo Parker

Kristine W.

Carmen and Camille

Hilary Hawn

The Jazz All-Stars with Phil Upchurch

Derek Sholl

Tenley

Fabienne Shine

Warrant

XYZ

Mitch Perry (Edgar Winter Band)

Awards:

Received “Honorable Mention” in the Rock/Alt Category for the 12th Annual Unisong International Songwriting Competition 2009 for the song “Everything” (www.unisong.com)

Nominated for three awards: Best Keyboardist, Song of the Year (”Planet 39″) and Overall Album of the Year (”One Tribe Nation”) 2006 All Access Music Awards (Los Angeles)

Nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, 2005 Los Angeles Music Awards

Outstanding Keyboardist 1994, Artvoice Music Awards

Best Live Act 1996 (C.O. JONES) 1996, Gusto Awards (Buffalo, NY)

Best R&B Group 1997 (C.O. JONES) 1997, Buffalo Music Awards

Best Original Keyboardist 1998, Buffalo Music Awards

Best Original Keyboardist 2000, Buffalo Music Awards

Best Original Keyboardist 2001, Buffalo Music Awards

Shared the stage with:

Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Marilyn Manson, Pete Townshend, Bon Jovi, Rolling Stones, Spice Girls, Elvis Costello, Buffalo Tom, Sugar Ray, Fastball, New Radicals,
Shania Twain, Blink 182, Missing Persons, DEVO, Berlin, Dramarama, Pet Shop Boys, N’SYNC, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Fishbone, Maceo Parker, Dido, Smashmouth,
too many more to name…

Gear:

OpenLabs Miko Gen 4
Yamaha Motif ES6
MicroKorg
Korg Triton
M-Audio Keystation Pro-88
Hammond M3
Fender Rhodes
Wurlitzer electric piano
Hohner Clavinet
Dave Schulz is proudly endorsed by OpenLabs (www.openlabs.com)

OpenLabs has opened up the door for keyboardists/producers worldwide by providing the world’s first PC/synth hybrid. This enables playback of virtually any softsynth available in one portable unit, in addition to a host of other possibilities (ProTools, Reason, etc)…..awesome!

yes, you can even check your email and watch “educational” videos onstage…

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New Sony Playstation TV - Kurt Kelly

Check out the New Sony Playstation Games: MAG and God Of War III
Voice Overs on the New Sony PlayStation games by Kurt Kelly

God Of War III

[NEW] God Of War III - It Only Does Epic Trilogies "Dear Playstation TV Spot [HD]
GOD OF WAR 3 Kurt Kelly Voice Over

Ad starring Kevin Butler, who will also play his part to promote God of War III with a new TV commercial that begins airing the end of this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sKgX6Z9dSA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFiSu33jwwE

MAG

MAG was recently released by Sony. MAG Sony PlayStation features Kevin Butler and Voice Overs from Kurt Kelly in Commercial[s] for the game designed for PSN PS3 PlayStation Network

In the near future, governments are supposedly at peace. But force is still used to keep the status quo. A shadow war, fought by private military corporations, emerges. You are dropped into this unprecedented war the first to have battles of 256 real players on a global battlefield. Prove yourself alongside your 8-man squad and become an elite fighter or earn the right to lead a squad, platoon or ultimately an entire army of players.