Breaking News:
Hello Everyone. I am asking you to please take the time and click this link and sign the petition to get my mentor and dear friend Wayne Perkins into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Although long overdue, time has come for him to be acknowledged and to receive the respect he worked so hard to earn and deserve. Wayne, in my honest opninion is the greatest guitarist the world has ever known. He is a treasure to American music and a gift to the world. Help him get into the Alabama Music Hall Of Fame!
Thank You!
KV
Online petition - Nominate and Induct Wayne Perkins Into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Official Statement/Letter From Ken:
Well, since it’s been taking longer than expected, I figured I’d go ahead and let y’all know a lot of my goings on as of late...including most of THE NEWS I’ve been hinting at the last couple months.
First off, I have been playing a lot with my acoustic project featuring cello phenomenon Michael Kott. The reaction has been so great, yet, so overwhelming that we decided to take it on the road. Our shows have seen a myriad of guests and some players who are now a part of our family which include Mike Chavez and Josh English on percussion and Matt Bucher on 2nd guitar. The second half of this year will see a few tours with Ken Valdez featuring Michael Kott: Acoustic Mayhem. So be on the lookout. The midwest is first up. Speaking of Michael Kott, here’s yet another addition to an already impressive resume. Michael appears in the Penguin Books release of bass virtuoso/author Victor Wooten’s "The Music Lesson - A Search For Spiritual Growth Through Music" as a skateboarding angel/sage. I think Victor nailed that one on the head.
Moving on, we recently bid Big Party Eric Owens a fond farewell. He has been thumpin’ the bass for me and the guys for damn near a couple years and now has gone to pursue other endeavors. We wish him nothing but the best in all he does. His departure left some big shoes to fill...um...literally...we didn’t call him Big Party for nothing. Coming into the fold and helping us out is 505 homeboy (by way of L.A.) Carlos Cordova. Carlos fell right into place musically and on a personal level. Our first encounter (which was our first show together) had us scratching our heads. We have played in a lot of the same circles for years and have a few of the same friends in common (in the 505, but ironically in L.A.). We did find it quite strange we never met. Now he’s helping us out and I will say his bass playing is nothing short of awe inspiring. What a great player and wonderful addition.
Speaking of old friends...I approach this with caution and excitement...it is official. For those of you who never got a chance to experience the, um, experience...and for those of you still recovering from it, the entire 3520 Band of deviants are getting back together for a reunion of sorts. Yep, all craziness aside, the years have shown us that those were some of the best times of our lives and there really was a magic to what we were doing. Thusfar, it looks like we will be hitting selected cities and are keeping things open ended because of all we’re involved in. So, mothers, lock up your daughters and get the Beamsicles ready! Mark, Jeff, Isaac and I are gonna go old school. No one is safe.
For whatever reason, that bit of news makes it hard to follow, however I will do my best. I have 3 new CDs in the works (embryonic stages but in the works nonetheless). The first will be my follow up to "Every Little Lie". This will be my first electric/full band CD in years. I have been writing like crazy and have been in talks with a few high profile producers. I can’t wait to see what happens with this one. Next, Michael Kott and I will be recording our follow up to "Thoughts & Time". Our acoustic journey has opened a lot of doors and has given us a very real chemistry that can’t be denied. This project is also very exciting to me and also to Michael. Lastly, I am going back to my roots and to my first love of the blues and will be recording a full scale blues CD. The fans have asked and they will receive. I have held off on doing anything of the sort because I wanted it to be real...the blues ain’t what they used to be. So much of the purist mentality which hasn’t allowed growth has slowed the process. Don’t even get me started on a lot of the blues acts/bands found today. Right now I feel the time is right for me personally to put my stamp on the blues. I’m paying tribute to my heroes. I am keeping it real. I’m playing my kinda blues. I hope y’all enjoy my offerings.
When family calls, you answer. That is the case with Manzanares y Sol, a very prominent latin based band whose founders David and Michael are my cousins. While life does what it does, I have found myself playing in this wonderful band as a guitarist. I am lending a hand in Michael’s absence and have found this new gig rewarding and challenging. For more on them and their music (which is awesome!), check out www.manzanaresysol.com. Nuevo Flamenco baby!
I am officially starting the KV Asylum. This is for the fans who wanna get more involved. I am looking at building the fan base on the grassroots level and need your help. My team and I are looking for street teams, website developers and much more. Feel free to email me if you wanna get involved.
That’s about it for now. I will tell you there’s some talk of hitting the road with some old friends, new friends and folks I’ve never even met. So, again, keep checking back. As always, tell some people about this music I create and keep listening! I can’t do it without ya! Much love!
KV
Check out the
KEN VALDEZ MySpace site.
There’s lots of cool things going on there and lots of great people. Want more information on Ken, the band and their music, then check out MySpace!
KEN VALDEZ is now endorsed by
BONEPICKER AMPLIFIERS.
These are custom, handmade amps by tone guru Jim West. Check out KV live to hear the latest in Bonepicker creations.
View Ken Valdez ’s EPK
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5/16/08
Tin Star
Santa Fe, NM
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Review of the Taos Solar Music Festival as found in "Tempo" the Arts & Entertainment magazine of The Taos News.
Best Man Rock - KEN V...
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