RADIOUGLY - NEWS

The next article was taken from

Black Book Entertainment Group - Rock and Roll That Gives Back to the Community

The Rock and Roll Report is excited to be teaming up with Black Book Entertainment Group for a regular series of charity concert events in Southern California. We chatted with Black Book founder Church of the group VIZIONZ to get some insight on what Black Book is all about and what his vision (pun intended!) is for the company.

Church: The motivation for Black Book, I wanted to simply give back. I have been given a second chance so i promised myself if I ever had the opportunity to do so, I would. As I was watching VIZIONZ get bigger and bigger it hit me that maybe I should use the VIZIONZ shows to help others. So I asked my band mates to lend a helping hand, to support a charity at each one of our shows. Not to many promoters welcomed the idea at all. So I created Black Book to promote and book shows the way I wanted to do them.

Church: The response to the shows has been so overwhelming, at first I thought this is not going to work. But that has not been the case at all. There is so many people willing to help out Black Book. Its hard now because I have so many and only one night a month to do a show.

Church: Black Book has had 2 very succesful shows with the 3rd on its way January 24th.

Church: The January 24th show is to raise awareness for my friend Megan Tomczak’s Big Cat Foundation. There is several kick ass bands helping out, Kottak, VIZIONZ, Ronny North, and Brothers. We also have an all star jam after including all members of the bands and a very special guest, Briana Alexis of Absinthe. At the event we will also have a red carpet, coverage of the event will be by VM Underground, Radiougly.com, Raginpitmagazine.com, and of course The Rock and Roll Report. Daisy Rock Guitars is also donating a guitar to give away. I want to thank them for giving guitars away at all the events we have had and a special thank you to my partner in Black Book Mary Elizabeth who does an awesome job in the post show recaps. We also have some great sponsors who help as well and they are Mental Metal, Tsunami Cables, and Bill of The Mission Tobacco Lounge.

Church: I picked the first charity we did which was Covenant House, the are doing awsome things with the youth. As far as the other charities we raised awareness for they kinda just fell in the Black Book lap, they were brought to our attention by people at the shows. So as we raised awareness for one, we ourselves were made aware of others. Pretty cool.

Church: For the last 2 shows the admission was free but the 3rd we have a low coverage charge to cover the expense of putting on a larger show. Black Book only raise’s awareness for the charity and does not solicit money at the show, instead we direct them to where to donate. If the charity wants to come in solicit funds they are more than welcome to do so.

Church: At the moment, I’m taking one event at a time. Im still learning on how to organize these events, and trust me there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes, I hope one day to have a full time staff working on Black Book to bring the biggest and meanest Charity Events this planet has ever seen.

Church: VIZIONZ is currently recording its debut cd titled Aganist the Grain, its due to be release for internet sales in February and a physical CD release in Spring 09. The band is gaining a lot of momentum in LA and we are talking to a few national acts about touring in summer of 09.

Church: I would love to host an event outside of California at some point, maybe several events in several states on the same day for the same charity, that would rock!!!

Church: People should come to a Black Book event, not only are you going to see and hear some of the best rock bands in so cal, but the events are held like a Hollywood movie premire and lets not forget your going to learn about some kick ass charities that make a real impact in people lives.

Church: I want people to know Im not alone doing this, there are a lot of people who help, and one that rocks behind the scenes in our writer Mary Elizabeth, who flies out from Arizona for these events on her own dime, Also Lori who takes hundreds of photos for us. There is so many and I just cant thank them enough.

Church: You can info on all the Black Book events at www.myspace.com/blackbookeg. I can use all the help I can get so drop me a line if your willing to help in anyway.

This article should have appeared in the September issue of Artist Launch Web Magazine. But since there wasn't a September issue I have been given permission to post this piece that I wrote as I see fit.

This band is an excellent example of what hard work and determination can do for serious musicians. They deserve much more recognition and attention than I can give them with simple blog posts. If you would like to re-post this blog you may, as long as it remains in it's original form and includes my by-line. No additions or deletions may be rendered to the any of the contents of this text.

Airiel Down is known throughout the business as one of the hardest working bands in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, they tour nationally, playing over 200 shows in 21 states in the past year and a half, from east coast to west coast. They have radio airplay in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

They pride themselves on their work ethic and relentlessness. Packing as much high energy into their live shows as possible making their fans want to come back for more. Their introductory statement on Myspace says, "Go Fast an' Take Chances". That keen advice has obviously worked for them.

This band has been in the works, setting up their infrastructure for five years, and have been playing music full time for three years. Their expectations are so high that they have barely scratched the surface. Such drive and devotion should take them to the top.

Beaux Foy handles lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Michael Ave also plays rhythm guitar, violin, and keys, while Taylor Traversari keeps the tempo on drums and percussion. Miche Barbachan, the lead guitar player also plays didgeridoo and keys. Cade Edmundson helps keep the beat on bass while singing background vocals, playing mandolin and covering the harmonica parts.

All the band's booking is done by drummer Traversari, who has some background in this field. They have brought in a manager from Southern California to help them with national touring, but plan to keep most of the management within the band.

Beaux started writing songs from the age of 13, and gets his inspiration from life experiences. Both his parents were involved with music, giving him a rich background with all types of music, and when asked about his biggest influence, his reply was "Life".

Cade initially played guitar and had been in and out of bands since he was a teenager. He auditioned for Airiel Down playing bass three years ago and was immediately welcomed as a member. One of his most influential bands is Three Days Grace. His influences are very well rounded, covering several genres, and is described by others in the group as an 'Encyclopedia of Rock'.

Miche (pronounced Meesh) is from Lima, Peru and has been playing guitar for most of his life. He is very passionate about his music and it shows. He brings an international flavor to the band and joined the group three years ago.

Mike Ave joined the group two years ago, replacing Gordon Harris who is at this moment in Southern California getting his Master's Degree at USC. Mike is Hawaiian from the island of Oahu, yet he grew up in North Carolina. Very intensely laid back, he lives through his music. His guitar is his girlfriend and her name is Jenny.

All the Airiel Down guitar players play Gibsons and have met Les Paul in person at a gig.

As stated on their Myspace page, "Airiel Down's band members are influenced by a wide range of music." Their diverse influences are reflected in their music, and as a result, no two Airiel Down songs sound alike.

In the past Airiel Down has opened on the main stage or second stage for Army of Anyone, Counting Crows, Goo Goo Dolls, Gin Blossoms, Saliva, Shinedown, .38 Special, Helmet, Jani Lane of Warrant and Badfish.

On Sept 6th the band opened for Soul Asylum and Foreigner at the Raleigh Wide Open, the biggest outdoor party in the history of Raleigh, NC with somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 people in attendance.

The group is currently working hard in the studio recording their new album which should be released sometime this summer. They will be celebrating with a CD release party. Details about this party are not available at this time. Please contact Airieldown to find out more.

The articles below were written for THE TUB Magazine and ARTIST LAUNCH by a DJ from the station, A VERY talented girl and an asset to all who are blessed with her help in getting the Independent Artists heard. This station is very thankful to have her on board.

We are working our ugly butts off renovating radiougly.com. We appreciate your patience through this transition and are excited to share so many new things with you! Stay tuned as we are expanding to a multi-genre internet radio station! Until then, "you ain't seen ugly yet"...