Southern California natives, Robert Jon & the Wreck, began their musical journey together in February 2011. Within 6 months the band had not only embarked on a national tour, but also released their debut album, Fire Started. This full-length effort, which is blues-heavy with moments of soft country, tempered by down-beat driven classic rock nuance, earned them a nod from the 2012 Orange County Music Awards in the category of “Best Blues,” as well as a spot in the finals for that year’s “Best Live Band.”

Fueled by this success, the Wreck took the road again in the summer of 2012, drumming up fans from Seattle to Boston to South Carolina and everywhere in between, delivering fierce performances, emblazoned with commitment and dripping in a rawness that’s impossible to fake. Simply put, it is difficult to ignore when these five musicians take the stage. Little wonder they have made an impact on audiences across the country, where they’ve played a run of sold-out shows and proudly shared bills with talent the likes of Billy Sheehan (Steve Vai, David Lee Roth), Walk the Moon and Rival Sons.

They returned to the studio in early 2013 to record their sophomore project, which was produced by Warren Huart (The Fray, Aerosmith), engineered by Philip Allen (Adele), and mastered by Robert Vosgien (Smashing Pumpkins, No Doubt) at Swing House Studios in Hollywood. This new, and even edgier material has simply added more fuel to the fire that Robert Jon & the Wreck ignite while performing. Audiences all over Orange County and Los Angeles have crammed venues, salivating over a band that is determined to not miss the mark. This sharpshooter like mentality was fully recognized when Robert Jon & the Wreck won the title of “Best Live Band” at the 2013 Orange County Music Awards, along with nominations in the categories of “Best Rock,” and “Best Blues.”

To take a line from a track off their forthcoming album, Robert Jon & the Wreck have no plans to “let the fire burn out.” Orange County’s reigning “Best Live Band” is ready to load up the van and hit the road again. Kicking things off in Austin for SXSW, the Wreck will continue their “Rhythm of the Road” tour for 7 weeks, playing over 20 shows across 10 states.

As 2013 dawns, the band finds themselves at the cusp of many new adventures. With the second album due for release in June, and plenty of touring in the cards, fans across the nation should prepare themselves to get wrecked by the lion-strength energy behind the ever-growing beast… ROBERT JON & THE WRECK.

BAND MEMBERS:
-Robert Jon Burrison: vocals, guitar
-Andrew Espantman: drums
-Steve Maggiora: keys, vocals
-Kristopher Butcher: lead guitar, vocals
-Nick Phakpiseth: bass

“Rhythm of the Road” TOUR DATES

SXSW – Austin, TX
3/11 Beacon Lounge (Sweet Relief)
3/12 Nomad Bar
3/13 Warhorse (Heart of Texas RockFest)
3/15 Wahoo’s
3/24 Music City Bar – Nashville, TN
3/25 Red Rooster – Nashville, TN
3/27 Mojo’s – Omaha, NE
3/28 Second St. Slammer – Hastings, NE
3/29 Cunningham’s Journal – Kearney, NE
3/30 Cunningham’s Journal – Kearney, NE
3/31 Parlor City Pub – Cedar Rapids, IA
4/04 R.I.B.C.O. – Rock Island, IL
4/05 Redstone Room (Lounge) – Davenport, IA
4/11 Smiley’s Tavern – New Ulm, MN
4/12 Vishnu Bunny Tattoo – Sioux Falls, SD
4/13 The Garage – Kearney, NE
4/16 Zoo Bar – Lincoln, NE
4/18 Barley St. Tavern – Omaha, NE
4/19 Wahoo’s RJTW Party – Lincoln, NE
4/20 Belle Isle Brewery – Oklahoma City, OK
4/22 Bash Riprock’s – Lubbock, TX
4/24 Marble Brewery – Albuquerque, NM
4/26 Tin Can Alehouse – San Diego, CA
4/27 Stillwater (Renaissance) – Dana Point, CA

PRESS QUOTES:

“Live, their set is derived in a way that makes you want to jump up & down, grow a beard, and close-knuckle-punch a bear in the jaw.” -Unearth Music Hub (OC) “A perfect bar band, as they will be sure to create and enhance the atmosphere in any setting in any city.” -Examiner (LA)

“They may be a friendly and laid back bunch, but this high-energy Americana outfit is die-hard when it comes to performing and touring… these are the kind of nice guys that don’t finish last.” -KROQ

“The five-piece blues/rock outfit is as hardworking as they come… but it’s the sweet licks and smooth jamming style that separates this band from the pack.” - CBS (LA)

“…it might prove wise not to cross Robert Jon Burrison & his crew; with songs such as “Tear you Down,” The Wreck isn’t afraid to use a distortion pedal.” –OC Weekly (OC)

“…enter Robert Jon & The Wreck like a splash of water, or rather whiskey, in your face. The modest stage could barely contain the massive energy these five masters of music bringeth!” –MusicInPress (OC)

The 2009 International Blues Challenge winner J.P Soars will be playing a show sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society on Wednesday, March 27^th at Martini’s On The Rock, 4619 34^th Street, Rock Island IL. Showtime is 7:00; admission is $10, $8 for MVBS members.

J.P. Soars and his band The Red Hots not only won the International Blues Challenge in’09, but that same year J.P. got the coveted Albert King Award for “Most Promising Guitarist”. Since then the raves have continued to roll in with Mr. Soars garnering a Blues Music Award nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Artist of 2012, based mostly on his new release, More Bees With Honey.

And if you’d like a little taste of this year’s upcoming MVBS Fest 2013, make an effort to come to Martini’s and give a listen to this guitarist extraordinaire, who will be teamed with slide guitarist Damon Fowler and pianist Victor Wainwright in an all-star band called Southern Hospitality who will headline the Tent Stage on Thursday July 4^th at 10:00 p.m.

And if that still isn’t enough to entice you, come see J.P. play his homemade, 2-string cigar box guitar for some very old-time blues.

CHICAGO -Windy City Gay Idol, now in its 11th year, kicks off the 2013 search for the best amateur gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) singers in the Chicago area. What began as a fun promotion has grown into the largest and most highly anticipated annual competition in Chicago's GLBT community.

Past Windy City Gay Idol winners have gone on to sing at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, Allstate Arena, Market Days and at festivals around Illinois, Milwaukee, Toronto and Vancouver. In addition, the 2012 Windy City Gay Idol Finals featured Josh "JDA" Davilla who landed in the Top 40 on Fox's American Idol 2013. Plus the 2008 Windy City Gay Idol Finals featured a then-unknown Lady Gaga as a guest performer. Audience members never know what they will see and hear. Come sing, or simply come vote while enjoying the show.

Windy City Gay Idol, produced by Windy City Media Group, kicks off Sunday, April 7 at The Sofo Tap, 4923 N. Clark St. The competition continues through June with competitions in Chicago's bars and clubs.

Windy City Gay Idol 2013 preliminary competitions are one-night-only at different bars. As many as 20 participants sing at each venue, where all contestants compete for the chance to advance to the semi-finals Saturday, June 15 at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted. Results from every preliminary, semi-final and final event come from audience votes. Votes from friends, family and audience members hopefully land them on the stage at the finals Wednesday, June 26 at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse.

The 2013 Windy City Gay Idol Premium sponsor is Smirnoff. Other Sponsors include Ketel One, Tanqueray, Don Julio, Creaoke, Broadway in Chicago, American Airlines, and SpeedPro Printing.

With more than $5,000 in cash and prizes, all contestants will face local celebrity judges that include singers, DJs, actors, talent and casting agents, and others familiar with the performance arena.

Each winner collecting the most votes at each preliminary bar will win $100 cash. Two winners from each bar will advance to the semi-finals. Audience members at each bar also have the chance to win great prizes, such as Smirnoff merchandise, concert and theater tickets, new DVD & CD releases, and much more.

The finals feature big prizes for audience members as well as the top three contestants, including weekend stays at downtown hotels, vacation trips and tickets to top Chicago theaters and concert venues.

The finals winner crowned at Mayne Stage is awarded $1,000 in cash, a premium prize, Smirnoff gifts, theater and concert tickets, plus the coveted title of Windy City Gay Idol 2013.

The promotion is open to all amateur singers age 21 and above, regardless of sexual orientation. There is a $10 signup fee for singers, and a $5 fee for audience members at all preliminary events.

The Windy City Gay Idol 2013 schedule:

Sunday, April 7: The Sofo Tap, 4923 N. Clark, 8pm sign up, 9pm start

Friday, April 12: Hideaway, 7301 Roosevelt Rd., Forest Park, 9pm sign up, 10pm start

Wednesday, April 17: Touche, 6412 N. Clark, 9pm sign up, 10pm start

Sunday, April 21: T's bar, 5025 N. Clark, 7pm sign up, 8pm start

Wednesday, April 24: Mary's Attic, 5400 N Clark, 8pm sign up, 9pm start

Thursday, May 2: The Call, 1547 W. Bryn Mawr, 7pm sign up, 8pm start

Tuesday, May 7: Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark, 9pm sign up, 10pm start

Thursday, May 16: DS Tequila, 3352 N. Halsted, 8pm sign up, 9pm start.

Thursday, May 23: Crew, 4804 N. Broadway, 8:30pm sign up, 9:30pm start