This originally started out as a blog to provide more details about the music on Iowa Music Showcase.. But now it also features tags that have to do more with the individual artists and bands.
Jonny Lipford is an award-winning instrumentalist who specializes in music produced with the Native American style flute and various world flutes crafted using wood and bamboo. His movements and melodies on the wooden flutes are done with such grace and agility; one can’t help but be engaged in his music.
He started playing the wooden flute at age 13 and is widely known for adding a contemporary and invigorating flare to a music scene consisting of mostly traditional and relaxing music. His debut album, Transitions, created a trend for his artistry and his second release, Cross Roads, put him on the map as a musician to carefully watch. Since then, Lipford has released several more albums; each gaining popularity amongst the public and music industry professionals. He's a well-decorated artist for being one of the youngest in his industry - truly a versatile flutist and can adapt to any genre of music with an ease that’s unique. However, he is also a musician that knows his heart and artistry to which his artistry remains true.
Lipford is currently working on new music, touring the United States and Canada, teaching the art of playing the Native American style flute to students of all levels and continuing to build his fan base across the globe.
The future for Jonny Lipford, his music and his fans looks very promising. Lipford is a very hard-working individual whose passion lights the way for future projects, fan engagement, touring and producing music. Keep your eyes on this multi-talented artist; great things are happening.
- - from his home page
I am a native of Cleveland,Ohio now living in Omaha,NE . I am also the former lead singer of the r&b group The Dazzband .I am currently a singer songwriter and producer as well as a live performing entertainer . I have a top 40 show of r&b/pop music.
- from his Facebook page
Lineup:
Juan Lively - vocals
Alfonzo Lee Jones - vocals
Jim McDonough began selling his distinctive brand of soothing piano music in gift shops near his hometown of Monticello in eastern Iowa just six years ago. Today, his fourteen CDs are available in nearly 1000 stores across the country and via his Web site, www.PianoFavorites.com. His Christmas concert tour -- complete with a 14-piece orchestra, a cast of singers and dancers, and an on-stage snowfall -- has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families across the Midwest, and his music has caught the attention of fans from coast to coast. Through his independent record label, Jim McDonough Productions, Inc., the International Steinway Concert & Recording Artist has already sold more than 200,000 CDs...
- from his Facebook page
The youngest of four children, Jim McDonough was born in Monticello, Iowa (population: 3,600). When Jim was seven years old, his mother grew too busy to continue taking piano lessons, so Jim stepped in to fill the spot. And he discovered a talent and love for music that propelled him into a career as a professional musician.
The night before Jim left for college, a friend who dabbled in recording asked if Jim would let him record a few songs. Jim pushed aside his suitcases and sat at the piano, plinking out a few favorite tunes.
He didn't think of the impromptu recording session again - until his family visited him at school with the news that his tape was being sold all over his hometown of Monticello. Jim parlayed the success of that first tape into a second, holiday-themed tape.
Jim graduated from Wartburg College in Iowa with a degree in Music Education, and he took a job as band director for the senior high school in Waukon, Iowa. After a year, he was offered a position at a larger school in LaPorte City, Iowa, and found himself directing two concert bands, two jazz bands, and offering private lessons.
Thrilled to be involved with music, but unimpressed with the politics of teaching, Jim decided to pursue a non-musical career -- as long as he could continue playing piano as a hobby.
Far from home -- and from his beloved Steinway -- Jim found himself spending his off-hours lingering at piano stores, pretending to be considering a purchase and playing as much as he could. "Music was what defined me, and I had given it up," Jim says. "It was who I was, and it had almost entirely vanished from my life."
In the summer of 2000, Jim was contacted about a job playing piano on a cruise ship. He auditioned -- over the phone! -- and was offered a two-week fill-in gig. The only catch: they needed someone immediately. Could he be on a plane at 6:30 the next morning? He decided that it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up, so he used his vacation from the air traffic center to give it a try. He loved every minute of it, and was quickly offered a full-time job on the largest cruise ship in the world.
So, after two years as an air traffic controller, Jim decided to dive headfirst into playing piano professionally. For more than two years, he performed on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in piano lounges, during cocktail hours, and in an 1,800-seat dining room. "I went from the most stressful job in the world -- literally -- to the least stressful job in the world," he says.
On break from the cruise line, Jim recorded his first CD, Requests, which he sold to passengers when he returned to the ship. Dry land eventually beckoned, and in 2002, he moved back to Monticello to concentrate on producing and distributing his music. In Fall 2003, he released his second album, a collection of holiday favorites called Home for Christmas.
Since then, Jim has produced fifteen more CDs...
- from his home page
I can't put this on the podcast because I can't get the rights from the composer, but I like it, so I'm putting it on the blog at least!
Jazz vocalist Max Wellman is enticing music lovers across the country by evoking his own fusion of the vintage stylings of legends Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald with the modern twists of Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Buble. His latest endeavor, You Must Believe in Spring (December 2013), brings these influences to a new level with a unique collaboration featuring a string quartet led by the talented arrangements of renowned composer Sam Wells. The album showcases a refreshing mix of jazz with the romantic and classical musical traditions of the Great American Songbook.
This young showman from Des Moines doesn’t balk at you calling him an “old soul.” And, he didn’t become the polished performer he is overnight. In fact, it’s the Renaissance Man aspect of Wellman – elbow grease and a thirst for knowledge in spades – that makes him a sound and sight to behold. He’s a vocalist. An arranger. A writer. An entrepreneur. His musicianship is a vehicle for the entire package.
- from his home page
A group of friends who really, really like playing music together. We plan on doing whatever we can to bring you something pleasant. Harmonies? Got 'em. Banjo? Done. Love you? Forever.
- from their Bandcamp page
We think that playing music is one thing we can do together and share with the world.
Playing Music for 15 years, Fixing guitars for five years, and teaching music theory and guitar playing for three years.
- from his Facebook page
I'm Billy Catone. I've been playing guitars for over 15 years, and I've always maintained a variety of musical styles, everything from guitar interpretations of classical pieces such as Moonlight Sonata and Silent Night, to classic rock like ZZ Top and George Thorogood, up to 80's thrash such as Metallica and Slayer, all the way to modern metal like Bullet For My Valentine and Lamb of God.
- from his business page
The Dennis Wayne Gang not only brings the great cover music you want in a premium live band but also brings the balance of talent and a social media awareness. The energetic Southern Rock Country band that keeps you actively moving and celebrating while creating the atmosphere for good times. Find the latest in modern and classical country rock, plus rock & roll performances that keep the temp going, slow song ballads for dancing and overall music and fun.
- from their Facebook page
The Dennis Wayne Gang is unique mix of musicians that play both cover and original music that spans from the most recent popular rock to some high paced country. Adding in 15 yr old Savannah Jane DeGroote creates yet another dimension to the groups broad flavor for the fans of DWG.
- from their ReverbNation page
Lineup:
Dennis Halverson - lead vocals, guitar
Elvin Johnson - lead guitar, vocals
Brandon Mills - bass, vocals
Mike Linsey - drums
Savannah Jane DeGroote - guest vocals
Five years ago, Martin could hardly play his acoustic guitar. Recently he began to focus on songwriting and improving his guitar playing and singing.
“I used to play open mic. nights at the late, lamented Boheme — now Mother’s — in Ames. I met like-minded people there and started jamming with them,” Martin said. “It was a whole new world compared to the stay-at-home-and-play-to-the-cats-in-your-basement mode. Then I found students in my landscape architecture department who shared my interests, and we began playing ‘guerrilla gigs’ last fall in the atrium of the Design building. Eventually, Cup of Tea was formed, which is me and three [landscape architecture] students. I’m the old man of the band by far.”...
Encouraging students to play music and sing is one of his unique teaching qualities.
“I think it’s important because it gives everyone a chance to do something they wouldn’t normally be able to do in other places. It gives them a place to express themselves. When Boheme closed, I had to find somewhere else to do that,” Martin said.
Martin said he never gets bored with his everyday life.
“With teaching, things never get old. There are new projects and new people all of the time. With music, it’s constantly changing and growing and getting developed further, too,” Martin said.
Despite having a busy work schedule, Martin never forgets about his ultimate passion: songwriting and playing music.
“I love music whole-heartedly and also really love the design of things,” Martin said. “I just get lost in it. But it’s a more solitary endeavor, like songwriting. There’s really no parallel in the act of designing with that synergy that sometimes occurs while playing or singing with others. When that synergy makes something happen that never existed before … it’s the greatest thing in the universe.”
- from an Iowa State Daly article by John Lonsdale
Lineup:
Michael Martin - 2 guitars, mandolin, tambourine
Dylan Boyle's existence manifests as a giant ball of negativity, covered by too much hair, slowly receding into the inevitable skullet.
Drawing inspiration from early blues, surrealist film and existential philosophy, Dylan is a solo blues artist, guitarist, writer and curator of what has been called "the worst Instagram account on the internet."
Dylan has released two solo full-length albums, "648 19th St." and "N.F.7.D.", and the full-length "Too Lonesome to Cry," with Peace, Love and Stuff.
Born and raised in Burlington, Iowa, Dylan stepped into music playing saxophone - which he was pretty terrible at - before starting to play guitar in middle school. Dylan played guitar in the Burlington High School Jazz Ensemble - which he was pretty terrible at - until moving to Ames, Iowa after graduation to pursue a degree and career in journalism - which he was pretty terrible at, but won a few student media awards for, which is more than he can say about his saxophone career.
After moving to Ames in the fall of 2007, Dylan formed Max Power and the Freeman Threemen with people on his dorm floor, which spawned the blues act The Most Handsome Duo in the World, with David Smit. MHD went on to win the 2010 Iowa Blues Challenge and perform in the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. During that time, David and Dylan joined the rockabilly-pop group Peace, Love and Stuff, which Dylan still plays guitar with. Shortly after graduating Iowa State University with a pretty unpromising journalism degree, Dylan joined Mumford's as its touring guitarist for two national tours alongside Fairfield's Utopia Park. Dylan returned to Ames and fronted the blues band Risky Revival, while recording Peace, Love and Stuff's first full-length album "Too Lonesome to Cry."
Risky Revival slowed down shows in 2013, and in 2014, Dylan and Adam Brimeyer formed Electric Jury, with the sole intent of stealing The Night Owls - Caleb Swank and Vedran Surlan - from Holly Figueroa, but not really because they still play with her too, but their exceptional abilities as a rhythm section were too powerful to contain in just one act. Although founded as a blues act, Electric Jury quickly redirected its sound to a progressive band, drawing on inspirations from Swans, Pink Floyd and King Crimson. Electric Jury is currently putting finishing touches on an EP, due out in fall of 2015, and a full-length album, expected for late 2015 or early 2016, with producer Phil Young.
In 2015, Dylan also joined Mumford's as their lead guitarist.
Over the last few years, Dylan has also worked as a sell sword backing songwriters like Dan Tedesco, Courtney Krause and Damon Dotson, as well as working as a studio musician.
After moving to Des Moines, Dylan began working with improviser Betsy Soukup to create improvised scores to silent films, curated by Blake Fisher, of the Center for Image and Spatial Politics. Inspired by Alejandro Jodorowsky, Dominic Rabalais and Chris Burden, Dylan developed an interest in video art and started making Instagrams - which he is pretty terrible at.
- from his Facebook page
Lineup:
Dylan Boyle - guitar
Stolen from sound effects records by Dan OlderMusicGeek - bells
