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Gary Lee Rollins / Blog

Four Albums Available

While my website gets updated, the links to my albums are on my Facebook pages: Gary L Rollins; Gary Lee Rollins (Artist).

Concert At Arizona State University's Kerr Center

Gary Stroutsos and I are taking our "In Stone Circles" Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) project on the road to Arizona State University next week for a concert on February 8th in Scottsdale, AZ. We are really excited and I'm looking forward to visiting friends there and getting into some nice desert weather! Here is the link to the concert: http://www.asukerr.com/more/featured_artists.shtml

In The Recording Studio

Recording sessions resumed this week for "The Music Of Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)" project with Gary Stroutsos (flutes) and me on guitar and vocals. We got two more songs laid down. I chose acoustic 12-string for one of them - a rubato, introspective piece called "In A Stone Circle." Here we have created variations on a theme that we hope will transport the listener to the Scottish Highlands! We are also working on an Irish Celtic suite where I will be featured on mandolin. Ultimately, this album will encompass several different facets of not only Ian's music, but also, we feel, the essence of Great Britain and Ireland - which have been major musical influences on Gary S. and myself. There will be some heavyweight guest appearances shaping up for the album as well. Meanwhile, join us for our next performance on Whidbey Island on December 22nd. (Check my events and shows for details.)

Kris & Alix In Concert - The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.

Kris and Alix Angelis are singer/songwriter twin sisters from Los Angeles. I have been supporting their music for some time. They are terrific! While in town, I made sure to see them perform at The Hotel Cafe on N. Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood. The Hotel Cafe is a venue that features singer/songwriters performing solo or with a band in the folk-pop tradition. Late-night talk show host Carson Daly of "Last Call With Carson Daly" on NBC often films his show from there in the daytime and also often airs performances from the evening shows. Kris and Alix headlined this show and it was packed with people in the cozy little club. I sat right up front after saying hello to the girls. They (and their band) put on a real entertaining performance with inspiring tunes. Afterwards, I hung out with them a bit and got some photos! More from L.A. to follow…

TAXI Music Licensing Conference - Los Angeles

I was in Los Angeles for two weeks this month. Initially, for a 4-day conference on music licensing and other music and film industry - related subjects. Licensing one's music for film and television is a big business these days. Someone I know who has been successful doing this is my friend in Los Angeles, singer/songwriter Charity Chapman. She is a great artist who has been helping me learn about this world of licensing. Check out her website at: charitychapman.com. More to follow from L.A.

Recording Sessions For "The Music Of Ian Anderson Project".

This week, World Flutist Gary Stroutsos and I began recording tracks for an EP of some of the great songs of Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull). The arrangements are for acoustic guitar and vocals, by me, C-flute and alto flute, by Gary S. and guest appearances on various instruments. The sessions are being recorded at Gary Lanz Studios. Gary L. is a master engineer and the brother of Grammy-nominated pianist, David Lanz. The EP will be part of our evolving tribute to the legendary Ian Anderson, with a particular nod to the Isle Of Skye in The Inner Hebrides of Scotland, of which two of his songs that will be on the EP are written about.

Wahid In Concert October 6, 2012

Dimitris Mahlis (oud) and Chris Wabich (tuned percussion) in concert at Empty Sea Studio. Superb musicianship at this performance of what Dimitris likes to call "Modern Byzantine" music. His brother, percussionist Larry Mahlis and I hung out with the guys at the after party.

David Lanz In Concert featuring Gary Stroutsos with Louis Landon

Hanging out with David and Gary at their concert Sunday, August 26th at Bake's Place. Louis Landon, a pianist from NYC was also on the bill.

In The Recording Studio

My solo album is still in the mixing stage but is progressing. In the meantime, I decided to record a new track to be released exclusively as a single with an alternate take of one of the album tracks as the "B-side." The new song is called "Don't Make Me Cry" and we recorded it Monday, August 6th. I played acoustic guitar and sang all the parts with producer and bandmate, Fred Taylor, engineering the tracks. I'm really happy to be adding this song and look forward to getting everything released in the not too distant future! - Gary Lee Rollins/Guitarist

Thanks New ReverbNation Fans!

Thanks folks for the nice compliments. I've fanned everyone back now and I will check you guys out. I've been so busy working on projects that I just haven't been able to catch up, but I will. Continued success to all! -Gary Lee Rollins/Guitarist