Monday, November 16, 2009 

Copycats, Ripoffs and Shameless Followers

I was recently contacted by yet another person who found it easier to copy something I'd done, vs. actually creating something original themselves. Although this person didn't know it was me - he thought he was soliciting a show from an online property I own - he was looking for a gig for his band (I will not give him the luxury of a mention here, he won't be getting any promo push from my side). Here it is:

This joker actually auditioned for my tribute band nearly two years ago. Although he isn't the best drummer around by any stretch, he was pretty enthusiastic/watchable; and my tribute doesn't require the best drummer, making him acceptable for the job. When things didn't pop for shows as quickly as we'd all hoped, the guy sent me a shitty email, telling me not to contact him again. Hmmmm....

So imagine my train of thought when I get an email from him, pushing forth the regular PR spin about his tribute "playing to packed rooms," "Chicago's premier tribute," etc. The fact is, I'm now directly responsible for THREE CCR tribute bands in the Chicago market. Not sure what that fact means (although I am sure it doesn't mean any extra money in my pocket), but here's the funniest part: Plans & actions are already underway with the musicians in my tribute to move away from being a tribute band! We've already hit our goals as live performers - we are knocking out every audience, every time - and now we're focusing on how to transfer whatever chemistry we have working with cover tunes to original tunes. A deliciously fun challenge, actually.

And so... assuming things go well along these new lines, these other jokers actually will be the premier CCR tributes, doing their damndest to catch up to an empty wagon with cardboard cutouts waving in the wind - we will have vacated the throne towards greener pastures...

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Wednesday, August 05, 2009 

Woodstock 40th Anniversary Tribute Show

I thought this was a dynamite idea when I was first contacted about it in early 2009 by Michael Stanard. Michael seems to wear many hats in Woodstock (Illinois), including owning Galt Airport. The airport is also used as an outdoor concert venue; the concept was to re-create the original Woodstock of 1969 with tribute bands. LOVE IT.

Unbeknownst to many, Creedence Clearwater Revival played at Woodstock, although somehow nobody bother to film them?!?!?!? Now, that is crazy - arguably one of the best American bands ever with more top-ten hits than even the Beatles, and the cameras ignore them?

Regardless, Creedence Again (our CCR tribute) is on the bill, and it should be a fun one. We're hearing about a 5-camera video shoot with jibs, HD cameras, multi-track audio recording, etc. We perform Saturday, August 15 around 4PM (?). And watch for our appearance on WGN Morning News the day before, between 8 - 9AM.

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Thursday, March 19, 2009 

Creedence Again | 5 Song Sampler

Just got this one done (for the most part). It has to be said that while using Chicago Recording Company for a video shoot is like killing a cockroach with an atom bomb, it does convey a certain image that's over and beyond what other tributes would ever do for their recordings. Truth is, unless folks weren't always bugging us for CDs at these shows, we would never bother messing with re-doing these classics - I mean, you're only going to suffer by comparison, right?

And so, although this video is far from perfect (we recorded & taped everything in 2 hours), I think it gets across the idea of our somewhat unique approach to a tribute band: we're a sort of tribute. In other words: Since we definitely don't look anything like the original guys in CCR - especially John Fogerty - why bother trying? As long as we do justice to those timeless classics (I think we do); as long as we're entertaining (we definitely are); as long as we sound good (and I know we do, especially Rich Perez's vocals), I'd like to think that's enough for any true CCR fan.



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Monday, March 17, 2008 

Rich Perez | Creedence Again Singer

We're excited to announce the arrival of vocalist extraordinaire Rich Perez - aka "El Camaleón" (The Cameleon) for future Creedence Again shows (and probably a lot of other musical projects, too). (see video below).

Rich is an in-demand session & live performer. In 2000, his band Detours took
first prize in Ed McMahon's national Next Big Star contest. Rich's uncanny ability to get "into character" as a famous singer - including John Fogerty, Bob Seger, Axl Rose, Paul Rodgers and other rock greats - keeps him busy with producers and recording sessions. As a performer, he blends his fiery Latin roots (Cuban American) with blue-eyed American rock, which elevate the timeless CCR/Fogerty classics to a completely new, electric level.


Creedence Again | CCR Tribute from Rocknrollchef on Vimeo.

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