Category: Singers & Songwriters

What a career singer / songwriter guitarist George Benson has had! Just consider, his very first album for Warner Bros., “Breezin,”‘ was the first album in music history to hold the number one spots on the jazz, pop and R and B charts simultaneously. “Breezin”‘ won four Grammy’s, including Record of the Year for its single (and the only vocal on an otherwise instrumental album) “This Masquerade.” “Breezin’” remains the Best Selling Jazz Album of all time, having sold in excess of six million copies worldwide. To date, George Benson…

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It was “the” song for the Summer of 1974. We’re talking about Sammy Johns “Chevy Van.” “Chevy Van” was so popular it reached Number Two on the national charts and sold close to 3 million copies. What has Sammy Johns being doing all these years? That’s what we wanted to find out. Q – Sammy, how long did it take you to write “Chevy Van”? A – Well, it was a strange thing. The first two verses and the chorus came within about 10 minutes. And, the last verse, for…

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In 1976, the International Association of Discotheque Disc Jockeys officially crowned her the “Queen of Disco”. In 1979, her recording of “I Will Survive” won a Grammy for Best Disco Recording. By now, you know who we’re talking about—–Miss Gloria Gaynor. Last year Polydor Records released “I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Anthology” and Gloria penned her autobiography titled “I Will Survive” ( St. Martin’s Press). Gloria Gaynor has indeed survived and we’re proud to present an interview with the “Queen of Disco”. Q – You’re about to launch both…

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She began her professional career at the age of 12 in a Catskill Mountains talent show. Six months later she signed a major recording contract, and went on to co-star with people like Frank Sinatra, Joan Rivers, George Burns, Bob Hope, Bill Cosby and Liberace, in concert halls throughout the world. These days we find her giving her one woman performances all over the country and promoting her newest CD Pure Imagination on Touchwood Records. The woman we’re talking about is Julie Budd and she shared some thoughts with us…

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Singer/songwriter/guitarist John Hall got his start with the group ” Orleans.” Formed in 1972, Orleans played the upstate New York bar circuit — between Ithaca and Woodstock. Frequent visitors to Syracuse, Orleans was always very popular with the University crowd here. They enjoyed quite a few hits, “Let There Be Music,” “Dance with Me,” “Please Be There,” and “Still The One.” John, along with wife Johanna wrote the song “Half Moon,” which Janis Joplin recorded. In 1977 John Hall left ” Orleans” to pursue a solo career. He also has…

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Bill Wray is one rocker to watch. He’s written songs for Diana Ross, “Fool for Your Love,” and “So Close.” He’s opened shows for a variety of artists including Foreigner, Toto, Rick Springfield, The Kinks, BTO, Peter Frampton and Joe Cocker. As a young boy, Bill met Elvis Presley. That meeting led him to adopt rock ‘n roll as a way of life. Of late he’s been writing with the Motels’ Martha Davis, and working on projects for producer Richard Perry which includes the Pointer Sisters and Julio Iglesias upcoming…

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When Matraca (pronounced Muh-tray-suh) Berg was only 18, she co-wrote the song “Faking Love” which took Karen Brooks and T.G. Sheppard to the top of the charts. Just recently she was a Grammy nominee for Reba McEntire’s number one song — “The Last One To Know.” The daughter of the late Icee Berg (an established Nashville session singer and songwriter), Matraca, at age 26, has released her debut album on R.C.A. Records. Titled “Lying ToThe Moon,” we spoke with Matraca Berg about her life in music. Q – You’re going…

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He’s an actor, a songwriter, a producer, a percussionist and now solo artist with his debut album “Peter Corey Sent Me” (Chameleon Records). He’s Victor DeLorenzo. Q – Victor, I don’t know if there is ever a good time to release a record, but with the recession and trouble overseas, do you feel your record isn’t going to get the attention it deserves? A – Well, to be quite honest I have been part of this band Violent Femmes, and also I’ve made records with a number of different people,…

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Dannii Minogue is on a roll. Her debut album “Love and Kisses” (Savage Records), entered the British charts at Number 8. It was certified Gold in Australia and the UK and was a hit in Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia. Australians have voted Dannii the “Best Female Personality on Australian Television,” “Best New Star of 1989” and “One of the Sexiest People Alive.” The British public voted her “Best Female T.V. Star” and “Number One Woman of the Year” in 1991. And, in 1988 Dannii designed a high fashion clothing…

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She’s a lady who has got it all. A singer, a songwriter, a dancer, and a producer. Lazet Michaels is her name, and “Too Strong” Is the title of her debut album (Zoo Entertainment/BMG Records). Q – How did you get from Detroit to New York City, where you performed in nightclubs, off Broadway theaters, and did recording sessions? Who helped you out? That seems like a pretty big Jump. A – Well, I just decided that I wanted to go. I think I noticed how large the jump I…

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