8/21/14

TURN IT UP! MY YEARS WITH LYNYRD SKYNYRD



Love, Life and Death, Southern Style
By Ron Eckerman





Article & Pictures: Courtesy of Carolyn Day

 Ron Eckerman was an early pioneer in the concert industry. In 1973, he began producing concert tours and created a concert lighting and tour management company, Clearlight Enterprises. The organization toured with the top bands of the era: Fleetwood Mac, Peter Frampton, Willie Nelson, War, Humble Pie, Foghat, Alvin Lee, Waylon Jennings, Trapeze, Montrose, Gary Wright, Foreigner, and many others.

In 1976, he took on the challenge of managing Lynyrd Skynyrd, and witnessed and participated in their meteoric rise to fame and worldwide acclaim. After a sequence of events that resulted in a plane crash and the loss of four friends, Ron carried guilt with him his entire life for the tragic plane crash that put an end to the original Lynyrd Skynyrd.

After recovering from the plane crash, he went on to produce in television, film, and stage, and taught theater and artist management at Santa Monica College.

In May of 2013, Ron took on the biggest challenge of his life when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He unfortunately lost his battle on May 11, 2014.

It was one of his final wishes to have his book re-released and photos added and a cover change, and to have all profits donated to the Leukemia Foundation of Texas.


Love, Life, and Death, Southern Style
Authored by Ron Eckerman
Edition: 2

Join tour manager Ron Eckerman as he reveals the rigors of life on the road as Lynyrd Skynyrd takes the world by storm in 1976, and the ironic turn of events preceding the tragic plane crash in 1977. A crash survivor, Eckerman explores the personalities of Ronnie Van Zant and Lynyrd Skynyrd as they rip their way across the USA, and describes the horror of the crash itself.

This book was originally released in 2011 by Eckerman, in memory of the friends he lost in the plane crash: Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and Dean Kilpatrick.

This is an August 2014 re-release with photos included, in memory of Ron Eckerman. Ron lost a one year battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in May of 2014.

  
To purchase the book please follow the link below and remember that it is for a good cause. All proceeds are going to the Leukemia Foundation in Texas.


8/14/14

CLEOPATRA RECORDS



To Release CD
“Guitars For Wounded Warriors”
Featuring Steve Morse, Billy Sheehan,
Hal Lindes, Bumblefoot and Others.

Press Release: Courtesy of Glass Onyon PR



“Incredible and innovative guitar playing” 
Hal Lindes of Dire Straits.

Los Angeles, CA – From veteran multi-Emmy Award winning producer/composer Brian Tarquin comes this very special project featuring an incredible cast of musical virtuosos playing their hearts out for America’s fallen soldiers! Tarquin produced, engineered and composed ‘Guitars For Wounded Warriors’, which showcases Tarquin’s guitar prowess on every song along side such world-class shredders as Steve Morse, Billy Sheehan, Gary Hoey, Bumblefoot (Guns N Roses), Reb Beach (Whitesnake), Hal Lindes (Dire Straits), Chris Poland (Megadeth) and Chuck Loeb. The album features exclusively released tracks inspired by those military soldiers who have fought for country.


The Multi Emmy Award winning composer/guitarist Brian Tarquin has established himself as a top rate TV composer/recording artist and owner of Jungle Room Studios. In 2002, 2003 and 2005 he won an “Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series” and has been nominated for an Emmy 6 times. In 2006 SESAC honored him with the Network Television Performance Award. Tarquin first graced the Top 20 Billboard Charts back in 1997 with the commercial release; ‘This is Acid Jazz, Vol. 2′ on Instinct Records, followed by several solo jazz albums, which charted Top 10 at Contemporary Jazz Radio in the late 90’s. From 1996 to 2001, Brian recorded four solo albums, ‘Ghost Dance’, ‘Last Kiss Goodbye’, ‘Soft Touch’ and ‘High Life’ and has appeared in over 32 releases, selling over 140,000 records in his career.

“What an honor to be part of this album, to play alongside many of the best players out there! Had a blast trading solos with Brian Tarquin!! And best of all, this album supports an important cause, Wounded Warriors. Love to our Warriors, and to everyone for their support.” – Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal of Guns N Roses


“Absolute perfection!!” – Reb Beach of Whitesnake & Winger


“It is an honor to be a part of this cause. I was just turning drafting age at the end of the Vietnam War, and I still remember that the returning military weren’t always treated with the greatest respect. For our modern, volunteer military, we hopefully have learned to show our respect and gratitude. They don’t set the policy, but they set the standards.” – Steve Morse


“I had a blast playing bass on Black Hawk! It’s a cool riff that pushes the song into a slick overdrive. Nice! Also, and more importantly, the cause it supports is supremely important to me and I’m honored to contribute to our brave soldiers in any way possible. Glad to be involved in this wonderful project!” – Billy Sheehan


“It’s challenging, but always fun working with Brian. I feel we both have similar taste in music and in our approach to creating it. We are both searching for that elusive tone or phrase.” – Chris Poland of Megadeth.


“I had a lot of fun playing on it, The Band killed….!” – Chuck Loeb


“When Brian Tarquin sent me the song ‘Baghdad’ to play on I instantly loved it, very Black Sabbath feel. Brian killed it! 5 Licks To Hell by Brian Tarquin is a very riff driven song ala Dio/Sabbath we do some crazy trade off leads Brian is the real deal!” – Gary Hoey.



“I’m honored and proud to be part of this!” – Alex De Rosso of Dokken


“A huge credit to Brian for giving us…and the other artists appearing here…the ability to practice their craft freely. That vibe resonates deeply with the concept behind this release: recognizing those who’ve fought and were wounded defending our freedom. Here’s to all the freedom fighters that enrich our lives…and our art.” – The Flyin’ Ryan Brothers

“ ‘Freedom’ is freaking awesome…Love the tone from Brian Tarquin & Steve Morse. Thank you for giving Floyd Rose guitars that kind of exposure.” – Mike Plunkett from Floyd Rose


Tracks:
1. Black Hawk feat. Billy Sheehan
2. Taliban Terror feat. Bumblefoot & Rob Beach
3. Charlie Surfs feat. Chris Poland
4. 5 Klicks To Hell feat. Gary Hoey
5. Surgical Strike feat. The Flyin’ Ryan Brothers
6. Hunting feat. Chris Poland
7. Baghdad feat. Gary Hoey
8. Broken Arrow feat. Alex De Rosso
9. Sand & Blood feat. Hal Lindes
10. Escape Kabul feat. Chuck Loeb
11.
Freedom feat. Steve Morse

PRE-ORDER LINKS:

iTunes pre-order link: http://geni.us/2qkS
Amazon pre-order link: http://geni.us/97c

PRESS INQUIRES:

Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.

11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025