Annie Bosko Delivers Tribute to the Man in Black with "Cash"

Adding to her repertoire of tracks dubbed by Billboard as “tailor-made for rousing live shows,” rising singer/songwriter Annie Bosko releases “Cash,” a dynamic tribute celebrating the impact and influence of Johnny Cash, via Stone Country Records. Listen to “Cash” below.
 
“Years ago, I was performing my first concert for inmates,” Bosko reflects. “I knew I was singing for the women, but I wasn’t aware I’d also be performing for the men. Without a fitting song for the occasion, I went home and began writing ‘Cash.’
 
“I later finished it with Griffin House, who is truly a talented poet. Both of us share a love for Johnny Cash, and out of that spirit, this song was born,” she reflects. “Johnny was such an inspiring renegade, especially in the way he connected to those who felt forgotten.”
 
Written by Bosko with House and produced by Bosko with Tommy Sims, “Cash” captures the essence of the icon’s multifaceted persona:

Today’s release follows “Heart Burn” ft. Dwight Yoakam and “Higher Ground” ft. Vince Gill, both of which landed on Rolling Stone’s all-genre “Songs You Need To Know” upon their release.
 
Bosko recently performed at California’s Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles as direct support for Jelly Roll and joined him onstage for a collaboration on “Friends in Low Places” (watch HERE), while Detroit Free Press boasts of her set at Faster Horses earlier this month, “California singer-songwriter Annie Bosko turned in a barnstorming performance…bringing rock energy and an old-school country feel to a 40-minute set that included a romping ‘Boots On’ and midtempo ‘Neon Baby.’”
 
Following additional performances at Tortuga, Stagecoach and CMA Fest earlier this summer, Bosko has upcoming festival plays at Watershed tomorrow, August 3, and Country Thunder Florida on October 19.
 
For more information, visit AnnieBosko.com or follow along on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X @AnnieBosko and Facebook.com/AnnieBoskoMusic.
 
Annie Bosko Tour Dates

August 3         Watershed Festival || Quincy, WA
October 19      Country Thunder Florida 2024 || Kissimmee, FL

About Annie Bosko
With a voice that beams like a ray of California sunshine, Stone Country Records/Brown Sellers Brown Management singer-songwriter Annie Bosko’s latest releases, “Cash,” a rollicking tribute to the Man in Black, and “Heart Burn,” a steamy duet featuring Dwight Yoakam, are available now. A student of legendary crooners like Patsy Cline with added inspiration from Shania Twain, George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, The Beatles and more, the Golden State native pairs a sound anchored deep in the organic twang of ‘90s country with simple songs told from the heart, preaching equal parts healing and honky-tonk hope. Bosko broke out in 2014 with the SiriusXM/CMT hit “Crooked Halo,” bucking the bro-country trend for a traditionally flavored anthem that has now amassed more than 3 million streams. She went on to write songs recorded by Willie Nelson and Jessica Simpson, tour alongside Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley and Blake Shelton, sell out the famed Troubadour and perform on the Grand Ole Opry and at Ryman Auditorium–the fabled Mother Church of Country Music–while also becoming an in-demand studio vocalist and earning the title Artist to Watch from rolling Stone Country. After years of hard knocks and creative shapeshifting, Bosko is now embracing her true nature for creative rejuvenation. Working with producers Derek George and Mickey Jack Cones, her self-titled EP pairs unapologetic twang, clever wordplay and deep compassion with her long standing downhome-diva vocal, capturing the full range of timeless American art in its purest form. In 2023, Bosko released the powerful-yet-tender ballad “Dandelions” in memory of the victims of Nashville’s Covenant School shooting–a track written alongside Danny Myrick which has now become a beacon of community remembrance and faith. Lost in grief and capturing the reverberating shock of that day’s unfathomable loss, the track has been embraced by the Covenant School families themselves, with all proceeds being donated for their benefit through ACM Lifting Lives. For more information, visit AnnieBosko.com or follow along on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X @AnnieBosko and Facebook.com/AnnieBoskoMusic.

STONED COLD COUNTRY DOCUMENTARY ON CREATION OF A 60TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE ALBUM TO THE ROLLING STONES AVAILABLE NOW

STONED COLD COUNTRY DOCUMENTARY 

ON CREATION OF A 60TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE ALBUM TO THE ROLLING STONES AVAILABLE NOW

 

DOCUMENTARY CELEBRATING THE ALBUM PRODUCED BY ROBERT DEATON FEATURES BROOKS & DUNN, BROTHERS OSBORNE, ERIC CHURCH,
STEVE EARLE, ELLE KING, MARCUS KING, LITTLE BIG TOWN,
ASHLEY MCBRYDE, MAREN MORRIS, ELVIE SHANE, KOE WETZEL,
THE WAR AND TREATY, LAINEY WILSON & ZAC BROWN BAND

In celebration of The Rolling Stones’ 60th anniversary, Country’s biggest stars came together for Stoned Cold Country, released earlier this year, and a documentary of the album's in-studio creation, available now via BMG. The documentary, available now to rent or purchase, takes fans behind-the-scenes and into the creation of this love letter to The Rolling Stones from Nashville. 


Filled to the brim with reimagined versions of the legendary Rock band’s catalogue, producer Robert Deaton and BMG enlisted superstars Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Steve Earle, Elle King, Marcus King, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Elvie Shane, Koe Wetzel, The War And Treaty, Lainey Wilson & Zac Brown Band, sitting down with each to dive into the Stones influence on their individual careers.

All of these artists share the same spirit as The Rolling Stones – rule breakers and trailblazers. Music is in these artists' make up, fame or no fame, each of them would be playing music even if they didn’t have a record deal. Stoned Cold Country also illustrates the recording process of each of these iconic songs with each artist.

The viewer will get a deep look inside the studio and how all the tracks and vocals were recorded in the same room. The Stones created their music together, and by doing so, you can feel the intimacy and connection when it’s done that way. Singers, musicians, engineers and producers are working fully together and feeding off their combined creative energy. 

Not only is Stoned Cold Country showcasing and celebrating The Rolling Stones but it is hands down a spotlight on the best country music has to offer as a genre. From the honky tonk stylings of Brooks and Dunn, to the genius musicianship of the Zac Brown Band and the eloquent harmonies from Little Big Town, country music can proudly state that it is second to none when it comes to artists of integrity and creativity.

Long fascinated by the The Rolling Stones – and specifically their Country roots – Deaton, long-standing executive producer of the CMA Awards, spent the past several years on a specific mission: namely to shine a light on the Stones’ influence not only on Country music at large, but more specifically on some of its most convention-busting contemporary artists.

Featuring 14 vibrant performances of classic Stones tracks, each recorded in some of the most-respected Nashville-area studios by an unmatched selection of the Country world’s most vital musicians, Stoned Cold Country is an absolute eruption of a tribute album that pays homage to Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the rest of the world’s most dangerous band’s most-celebrated tunes.


Rental/Purchase Links
:
- Amazon Prime Video:
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- Google Play:
HERE
- Kaleidescape:
HERE
- Microsoft Store:
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- Vudu:
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- YouTube Rentals:
HERE

BEYOND THE GATES 2024 Announces An All-Star Tribute to Quorthon and The Music of Bathory

Blood Fire Death,

A Tribute to Quorthon and the Music of Bathory

The all-star tribute will feature members and ex-members of Bathory, Aura Noir, Darvaza, Emperor, Enslaved, Gorgoroth, Mayhem, Primordial, Satyricon, Watain + Whoredom Rife

The epic four-day metal event will take place once again in the heart of Bergen (NO) from July 31 - August 3, 2024 with performances by Behemoth, Satyricon, Watain, Venom, Trelldom (first concert ever!) + more!

BEYOND THE GATES 2023 FESTIVAL PASSES

Beyond the Gates Festival 2024 is now pleased to reveal a very special and rare all-star tribute to Quorthon and the music of Bathory! Under the banner of Blood Fire Death, the unique set will not only see former members of Bathory take the stage, but will also feature current and past members of Aura Noir, Darvaza, Emperor, Enslaved, Gorgoroth, Mayhem, Primordial, Satyricon, Watain + Whoredom Rife.

Beyond the Gates comments, "2024 marks 20 years since the passing of Thomas ‘Quorthon’ Forsberg. Quorthon is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians and composers in the world of extreme metal. It’s safe to say that Black Metal as we know it today would never have been the same without the music of Bathory. The trademark riffing, the production and all over aesthetic is omnipresent in all the bands that has later made their mark on the genre.

"On the final day of Beyond the Gates 2024 a massive line-up featuring members and ex members from bands like Aura Noir, Bathory, Darvaza, Emperor, Enslaved, Gorgoroth, Mayhem, Primordial, Satyricon, Watain and Whoredom Rife will gather in Grieghallen to pay tribute to Quorthon’s legacy and the music of Bathory.

"The concert will be rounded off with a spectacular production, elevating the music and the imagery of the legendary band like you’ve never seen before.

"Gather, Bathory hordes!"

Beyond the Gates Festival previously revealed the first wave of bands who will grace the 2024 lineup! The lineup consists of a mixture of legendary artists and purveyors of the true cult underground, which can be found below! The epic four-day metal event will take place once again in the heart of Bergen (NO) from July 31 - August 3, 2024!

Current Beyond the Gates 2024 lineup:

Behemoth

Satyricon

Watain

Venom

Blood Fire Death (A Tribute to Quorthon and the Music of Bathory)

Trelldom (First concert ever)

Vreid (Celebrating 30 years!)

Djevel

Cult of Fire

Dødheimsgard

Darkspace

Manbryne

Night Shift + Day Shift Lineup:

Aura Noir

Ahklys

Ritual Death

Issolei

Doombringer

Old Tower

Fir

Bad Omen

Grab your limited Gold Passes now HERE. These includes all live concerts, including the Day and Night Shift concerts.

In addition, day tickets for the festival will be available starting this Friday, December 8 @ 10:00 A.M. CET.

BEYOND THE GATES EXPERIENCE TICKETS

Beyond the Gates Festival recently revealed the return of its third annual Beyond the Gates Experience, which offers special guided tours in the heart of Bergen (NO) by some of the Norwegian music scene's own icons! These once-in-a-headbanger-lifetime experiences will be offered to fans during the festival, which includes a tour to the infamous Fantoft Stave Churchwith Finn Håkon Rødland, the Black Metal Landmarks tour with Tore Bratseth, and Beyond the Black Metal Classics - a guided tour of Grieghallen with Pytten!

Fans can purchase their tickets and select their preferred date and time HERE.

The experience details are as follows:

Black Metal Landmarks with Tore Bratseth

Metal legend and storyteller bar none, Tore Bratseth (Old Funeral, The Batallion, Bömbers) will take you on a trip to the outskirts of Bergen to show visitors a series of key locations in the Norwegian black metal lore. The trip includes stops at the Lysekloster ruins, where a series of legendary photo and video shoots have taken place, as well as the bunker where Euronymous was photographed for the “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” promo cycle. Another stop on the trek is the location of the original Os Rock Club where Mayhem rehearsed before the recording “DMDS” in Grieghallen, and also regular rehearsal place for Old Funeral and Amputation.

This trip will go by bus from outside of Grieghallen (Nygårdsgaten).

Beyond the Black Metal Classics - a guided tour of Grieghallen with Pytten

If you want to get an in-depth look at how some of the most renowned black metal classics from the 90s came together, look no further! Legendary producer Pytten has offered to take the Beyond the Gates audience on a guided tour of Grieghallen, where he recorded seminal albums such as Enslaved’s Vikingligr Veldi, Frost and Eld, the first two Emperor albums, In the Nightside Eclipse and Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, Gorgoroth’s Pentagram and Antichrist,Mayhem’s De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, and Immortal’s Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism, Battles in the North. Without a doubt, all of these records were instrumental in shaping what became the sound of the inimitable Norwegian Black Metal scene in the 90’s.

In an effort to make this an intimate experience for all attendees, there will only be a very limited number of tickets available for each group.

Fantoft Stave Church Tour with Finn Håkon Rødland

Any self-respecting black metal aficionado knows the dark story of the genre's origins, which includes the infamous Fantoft Stave Church arson that took place on June 6, 1992. Now rebuilt exactly as it was before the fire, fans can get a personal tour of this legendary site with black metal historian Finn Håkon Rødland.

“As a festival, Beyond the Gates is immediately lovable. Bergen is intrinsically part of that embrace… Sure, Norway’s expensive, but seeing the best bands out there, taking in a Tolkienesque fjord or two, pilgrimaging to Fantoft church, hitting up Gaahl’s art gallery (Galleri Fjalar) nestled in the quaint houses at Bryggen while Freyr gleefully and continually pisses rain on you from the heavens? All worth its weight in hordes of kroner.” - Decibel Magazine, December 2022 issue

Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does - the Norwegian metal scene.

More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more...

Links:

Official Beyond the Gates Website

Facebook

Instagram

Tickets

Dance Gavin Dance Drop Brand New Track In Tribute To Late Bandmate, Tim Feerick

Chart topping progressive post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance has released a surprise new single and accompanying visualizer titled “The Ghost of Billy Royalton” today in tribute to their late bassist and dear friend, Tim Feerick, who tragically passed away last year.

The emotional track features vocals from Tilian Pearson, Jon Mess, Andrew Wells, and Will Swan, who shares:

“I made this video as a tribute to Tim, just as the song is. I made sure to incorporate Jurassic park and Star Wars which were 2 of his favorite things. This is the kind of thing I would make and just share with him and my friends. But because he’s not here, I’m sharing it with you all.”

“The Ghost of Billy Royalton” debuted live last night in Tempe, AZ on the opening date of Dance Gavin Dance’s mostly sold-out Jackpot Juicer US Tour. The surprise single serves as a poignant memorial to the late Feerick from his beloved bandmates and a beautiful way for the band to celebrate his legacy with their fans at their upcoming live shows.

The Jackpot Juicer US Tour kicked off in Tempe last night and will travel throughout 26 further cities ending in Detroit at the Masonic Temple Theatre on October 4th. Fans can also see Dance Gavin Dance at upcoming US festivals, including the band's very own one-day festival, Swanfest, on October 1st. This year's Swanfest marks the first ever East Coast edition, which will feature a special extended set from the band as well as performances from Periphery, Set It Off, SiM, Rain City Drive, Stolas, Within Destruction, Body Thief and Dwellings. Full 2023 routing below.

THE JACKPOT JUICER US TOUR

w/ SiM, Rain City Drive, and Within Destruction

*Non Live Nation date

+No SiM

August 24 || Tempe, AZ || The Marquee Theatre*

August 25 || Las Vegas, NV || Brooklyn Bowl

August 26 || Los Angeles, CA || Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall*

August 29 || Seattle, WA || Showbox SODO*

August 30 || Portland, OR || Roseland Theater

September 1 || Garden City, ID || Revolution Concert House

September 2 || Salt Lake City, UT || The Union Event Center*

September 3 || Denver, CO || Mission Ballroom*

September 5 || Austin, TX || ACL Live At The Moody Theater

September 6 || Oklahoma City, OK || The Criterion*

September 8 || Houston, TX || White Oak Music Hall*

September 9 || Dallas, TX || The Factory in Deep Ellum*

September 10 || Birmingham, AL || Iron City*

September 12 || Fort Lauderdale, FL || Revolution Live at the Backyard

September 13 || Orlando, FL || Hard Rock Live

September 15 || Nashville, TN || Wildhorse Saloon*

September 16 || Atlanta, GA || Coca-Cola Roxy

September 18 || Raleigh, NC || The Ritz

September 19 || Silver Spring, MD || The Fillmore

September 21 || Chicago, IL || Radius*

September 23 || Milwaukee, WI || The Rave II*

September 25 || Cleveland, OH || Agora Theatre*

September 27 || Boston, MA || MGM Music Hall at Fenway

September 29 || New York, NY || The Rooftop at Pier 17

September 30 || Asbury Park, NJ || Stone Pony Summer Stage

October 3 || Pittsburgh, PA || Stage AE*+

October 4 || Detroit, MI || Masonic Temple Theatre*+

FALL FESTIVAL DATES

September 22 || Louisville, KY || Louder Than Life

October 6 || Sacramento, CA || Aftershock

SWANFEST 2023

October 1 || Philadelphia, PA || Mann Center

About Dance Gavin Dance

Rejecting tired formulas at every step, Dance Gavin Dance merge progressive rock and post-hardcore with thick groove, brilliantly combining experimental music with hooks and a warped sense of humor. The group has amassed over 1.6 billion global streams, and 1.4 million album equivalent units sold across their catalog in the US alone. With hundreds of thousands of rabid fans engaged with Dance Gavin Dance on socials and their very own festival event, Swanfest, which sold out both its inaugural edition in 2019 and its triumphant, post-pandemic return in 2022 in the band's hometown of Sacramento last April and is now set to hit the East Coast for the first time, it all amounts to a full force band facing a mainstream that has overlooked them for too long.

As the undeniable statistics keep mounting up, the fact becomes more and more clear that Dance Gavin Dance are becoming one of this generation's most popular and enduring forces from the world of heavy music. As Pollstar put it "Sacramento, Calif.-based Dance Gavin Dance is not just any band."

Find Dance Gavin Dance Online

dancegavindanceband.com

BLAKE SHELTON AND GWEN STEFANI RELEASE REDEFINED VERSION OF “LOVE IS ALIVE” OFF A TRIBUTE TO THE JUDDS

Today, multi-award-winning artists Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani released their rendition of The Judds’ iconic ballad “Love Is Alive.” The track serves as the first single off of A Tribute to The Judds, the highly anticipated compilation record in celebration of the beloved duo's 40thanniversary, to be released on October 27 on BMG.

Nearly 40 years since its original release on the best-selling album Why Not Me, and reproduced by
Brent Maher, “Love Is Alive” seamlessly intertwines the timeless production of the original track coupled with the soulful vocals of Shelton and Stefani. Mastering the combination of Pop and Country, the track infuses both artists' signature sound while paying homage to the original song. You can listen to “Love Is Alive” below.

“I have always admired The Judds, and I am so thrilled to be part of this album,” said Gwen Stefani. "'Love Is Alive' is an iconic track and performing the song with Blake is a perfect way to honor their timeless discography.” 

"The Judds are one of the greatest country acts of our lifetime. 80’s country music is my favorite decade, and I’ve been singing Judd songs for as long as I can remember,” said Blake Shelton. "‘Love Is Alive’ was on their first album, and we wanted to stick pretty close to the original version, and Gwen just nails the vocal. We’re thrilled to be part of this tribute album.”

“What a treat it was to re-record this wonderful song written by Kent Robbins. All I can say about Gwen’s vocal is, it’s perfect, and Blake’s harmony parts are wonderful. I absolutely love how this recording turned out,” said Brent Maher. “I think we captured the original essence of the song with Don Potters acoustic part and Eddie Bayers groove. Richard Bennett’s Electric guitar and Bobby Ogdin’s Keyboards gave this track the fresh vibe we wanted. Glen Worf’s bass part sealed the deal.”

A Tribute to The Judds brings together the music industry’s biggest power players across genres revering the original music of The Judds into a powerful homage of their discography. 

About Blake Shelton:

As the genre’s chief ambassador, Blake Shelton has been delivering country music to a diverse audience for more than 20 years. With 28 #1 singles, 52 million singles and 13 million albums sold and nearly 11 Billion Global Streams, Shelton has received numerous awards, including six ACMs, three AMAs, ten CMAs, 11 CMTs and six People’s Choice, among many others. His “Back To The Honky Tonk” Tour recently wrapped to rave reviews and sold-out crowds that landed him on Billboard’s Top Tours of the year so far. As an original coach on the Emmy Award-winning television show The Voice, Shelton brought a steady diet of current and classic country music to the NBC primetime audience. After 23 seasons and nine championships, he stepped away from the show in May. He and Carson Daly have teamed up to executive produce and star in the high-spirited, celebrity game show, Barmageddon. Hosted by Nikki Bella, the show airs on USA Network and premiered as the networks highest rated debut episode in more than three years. Season Two is set to air this fall. The Grand Ole Opry member also remains focused on his Ole Red partnership with Ryman Hospitality, with locations currently in Tishomingo, Nashville, Gatlinburg, and Orlando, they recently broke ground on a new venue in Las Vegas, which is slated to open late this year. A noted humanitarian, Shelton has helped raise millions of dollars for children’s hospitals, disaster relief organizations, food banks, the OK POP Museum and more in his home state of Oklahoma and throughout the entire country. For more information, please visit www.BlakeShelton.comand follow @BlakeShelton

About Gwen Stefani:

A three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, Gwen Stefani has achieved global success as a songwriter, performer, charismatic frontwoman of No Doubt, and as a multi-platinum solo artist.  Throughout it all, Stefani has remained a trend-setting music and fashion icon with an impressive array of honors – four MTV Video Music Awards, two Billboard Awards, an American Music Award, and a Brit Award.   To date, she’s sold more than 60 million units worldwide, including her four-times platinum debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. – that delivered the hit singles “Rich Girl,” “What You Waiting For?” and the Pharrell Williams produced No. 1 hit “Hollaback Girl.”  Her sophomore album, The Sweet Escape, featured the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single “Wind It Up” and the unforgettable anthem “The Sweet Escape.”  Her critically praised latest album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart and includes her powerful No. 1 single “Used To Love You.”  In 2020, Stefani had two No. 1 hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with husband Blake Shelton, “Nobody But You” and “Happy Anywhere.”   Stefani released new song “True Babe” in June ahead of a series of major festival performances in for the U.K. and Europe this summer.  Stefani also returns this September for her seventh season as a coach on the Emmy®-winning NBC series The Voice. Before the music there was makeup. Stefani’s passion for makeup was integral in the launch of her beauty brand GXVE in early 2022 (pronounced ‘give’). Available at Sephora, Sephora.com and GXVEBeauty.com, the clean, high performance GXVE color cosmetics collection is inspired by Stefani’s iconic looks and created for the community of makeup lovers that find their inspiration, individuality and self-expression through artistry. One of pop culture’s most magnetic style icons, Stefani is one of the first artists to brilliantly merge music stardom into a series of global lifestyle brands including her fashion-forward clothing line, L.A.M.B., sister label Harajuku Lovers and her eyewear line gx by Gwen Stefani. Stefani continues to make giving back a focus in her life supporting a number of charities & Foundations including Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides medical treatment to children facing a number of life-threatening conditions.

TRIBUTE TO THRASH METAL GUITARIST JIM DURKIN BY DREAMS OF DAMNATION VOCALIST

On Wednesday, March 8th, 2023, the worldwide metal community lost a TITAN of thrash metal: JIM DURKIN of DARK ANGEL.

While best known for creating ear-blistering, adrenaline-inducing, soul-slaughtering guitar riffs and writing songs that would become legendary in a genre of metal that his band helped create, he was also a gentle giant with an incredible singing voice who would never hurt a spider and would stop everything to move an injured animal -- insect, bird, reptile, mammal -- out of harm's way.

Humble to his core, he never understood why anyone made a fuss about him. I remember my nervousness at meeting him in-person for the first time at The Brave Bull in San Gabriel, California in 2000, after his 3-piece band, DREAMS OF DAMNATION, played their set. My hands shook as I handed him my DARK ANGEL albums to sign. Here was the man who wrote Darkness Descends and Leave Scars -- two life-defining albums that articulated and gave full voice to my rage which had no other outlet but heavy metal music. Being such an esteemed & influential guitarist, his humility, genuine kindness, and very Irish sense of humor immediately impressed me. 

Jimmy's friendship was the gift of a lifetime. He introduced me to mixed martial arts & the UFC, Hellboy comics, and DEFLESHED's Fast Forward album. Though he worked long days and weekends, he patiently listened to me vent about work and L.A. traffic, made me howl with laughter until my sides and cheeks hurt, and always remembered my birthday (and Randy Rhoads's and Scott Gorham's and Phil Lynott's and Gary Moore's). We had comic book reading marathons, watched Japanese kaiju movies in his living room (Go Go Godzilla!), and grilled burgers in his backyard. He invited me, an unknown & unproven nobody, to front DREAMS OF DAMNATION and write lyrics to his music. He saw something in me that I didn't. He believed in me.

It is inconceivable, unjust, and utterly devastating for a human being as beautiful as Jim to be taken from us. To me, he will always remain a shining example of -- as guitar tech Willie Gee appropriately said -- "the tenacity of the human spirit." 

To KISS, MOTÖRHEAD, SLAYER, METALLICA, TANK, VENOM, WARGASM, WITCHERY, THE HAUNTED, AT THE GATES,  DEFLESHED, and the long list of bands residing in his music library: YOU INSPIRED HIM.

To guitarists Randy Rhoads, Mick Tucker, Cliff Evans, Scott Gorham, Gary Moore, Brian Robertson, Michael Schenker, Paul Chapman, Neil Carter, Neal Schon, Rik Emmett, John Norum, John Sykes, Joe Bonamassa, Patrik Jensen, Anders Björler, Gary Holt, Michael Amott, Akira Takasaki, Doug Aldrich, Adrian Vandenberg, and so many others: YOU LIVE IN HIS DNA.

To singers Algy Ward, Steve Perry, Phil Lynott, Phil Mogg, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner, Tony Thurlow, Mickey Thomas, Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, Tony Martin, Terry Ilous, John West, Joey Tempest, Ray Gillen, Tony Kakko, Roy Khan, Kal Swan, and Josh Groban: YOUR VOICES MADE HIS HEART SOAR.

To composers John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith, and Howard Shore: YOUR WORKS WERE A WELL OF CREATIVITY HE DRANK DEEPLY FROM.

To the NWOBHM bands who launched a still-relevant, historical musical movement: YOU OWN A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HIS HEART.

To the Chilean fans in Santiago who gave Jimmy & the band a hero's welcome at the airport in 2014 and raged in the pit with road flares: YOU AMAZED HIM.

To the 2014 SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL attendees who drove hours & crossed borders to come see him play: YOU HUMBLED HIM.

To those present at Finland's JALOMETALII FESTIVAL in 2014 for the band's inaugural live debut: YOU MADE HIM GIVE HIS BEST.
To the HELLFEST 2014 crowd in France (the largest audience he'd ever played for): YOU TOOK HIS BREATH AWAY.

To the Irish & English fans at BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2015 (and the fans that embraced him at the pub afterwards): HE CHERISHED YOU FOR KNOWING HIS GREEN CONVERSE WERE A TRIBUTE TO GARY MOORE.

To the 2018 LORDS OF THE LAND fans in Glasgow, Scotland who spent their hard-earned money on concert tickets: HE DEEPLY APPRECIATED YOUR FINANCIAL SACRIFICE AND REVERED THE SACRED BEAUTY OF YOUR HOMELAND.

To the promoters & metalheads of JAPAN: THE FINGERPRINTS OF YOUR POLITENESS & ATTENTION TO DETAIL LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON HIM.

To the 2019 tour organizers & audiences of AUSTRALIA: HE WAS AWED BY THE PURITY OF YOUR PASSION AND THE ANIMAL LIFE OF YOUR CONTINENT.

A todos los metaleros mexicanos de MÉXICO METALFEST IV 2019: DICHOSOS TODOS USTEDES -- YOU WERE THE LAST AUDIENCE TO EXPERIENCE HIM LIVE ON STAGE.


To the veteran headbangers of FENDER'S BALLROOM in Long Beach & the ULTIMATE REVENGE 2: HE HAS NEVER FORGOTTEN YOU.
 

To ALL generations within our beautiful, worldwide heavy metal scene: 

Jim was HONORED to be a tape-trading founding member of what has become this immense, loving, globe-spanning community. He's been EXTREMELY proud of the many ways all younger generations are carrying the torch forward into metal's future. HAMMER ON!
 

To ALL of us around the world left behind with broken, heavy, grieving hearts: 

Let us HONOR HIM by living our lives rich with meaningful friendships and with kindness toward all creatures great & small.
 

To Annie, his wife of 34 years: Jimmy's love for you can only be measured by an INFINITY OF INFINITIES. 


Dearest Jimmy, Our Cú Chulainn,

My life improved with you in it.

The light of your strong and generous heart reached the depths of my soul. There are no words that could express my everlasting gratitude. 

You will be deeply missed all the rest of my days. In quiet moments, I will listen for your laughter.

May your beloved mother & uncles and the line of your people -- all of your ancestors all the way back to the beginning -- welcome you among them with their everlasting light and love.

Strength and Honor.

Now you are free.

Loana dP Valencia
DREAMS OF DAMNATION