CalProg 2007 – Press Release

[PapaJimH]

Saturday May 19, 2007 in Whittier, California

The Rudess/Morgenstein Project
Frogg Café
Spiraling
Puppet Show
(Dinner Break Patio Performer: To Be Announced)

Tickets on Sale: Saturday February 24 @ 8am PST – All Seats Reserved
Get tickets at: http://www.calprog.com
PayPal or Major Credit Card accepted
First Come First Served, All Sales Final

ABOUT CP07
We are very proud to present the 4th annual progressive rock festival CalProg 2007. Each year we strive to showcase the very best in modern prog, drawing from the diverse sub-classifications that exist in this genre of music. The festival runs for 12 hours and is presented in a comfortable family friendly traditional theater where all seats are reserved. One of our top priorities is superior sound quality so we use the finest state of the art pro-audio equipment for your enjoyment. In addition, CalProg offers a unique opportunity to interact with the performers in our large Vendor area and dining patio. As returning CalProggers will attest, this is an all encompassing total musical immersion marathon.

RUDESS/MORGENSTEIN PROJECT
Our headliners this year represent the very finest in musicianship working today. This rare concert appearance will provide an opportunity to experience these two virtuosos in an intimate concert setting. Jordan Rudess (keyboards for Dream Theater) is known for his versatility at both playing and composing. He is adept at everything from emotionally charged orchestrations (see Dream Theater, 6 Degrees of Inner Turbulence opening), to blistering shredding, as demonstrated going note for note with DT’s renowned guitarist John Petrucci. Rod Morgenstein while perhaps best known for his 30+ years of drumming with the esteemed “Dixie Dregs”, has appeared recently on Jordan’s “Rhythm of Time” solo CD as well as being the drummer for Jelly Jam, Platypus and Winger. His list of album credits reads like a who’s who of the music industry.
When asked about what we can expect to hear from them, Rod replied, “An RPM concert includes a mix of stuff from the RPM studio CD, Jordan's Rhythm of Time CD, solo keyboard extravaganzas, drum solos, and jam improvisations.”

FROGG CAFÉ
This New York based band marks the first “prog/jazz/jam” band to perform at CalProg. They have 2 highly acclaimed studio albums and plan to release a live album in the very near future. But their recorded works don’t begin to do justice to their real strength, live performances! Marked by their instrument versatility you will see many members switching instruments and the incorporation of brass and strings into the symphonic mix. If you are not familiar with the Froggies, prepare to add a new entry to you favorite bands list!

SPIRALING
New Jersey based CalProg alums (CP05) are making a return appearance by popular demand. This young, energetic group takes a prog base rich with synths and snappy guitar work, and infuses it with power-pop sensibilities. The result is a catchy and uplifting sound with more hooks than a tackle box. Keyboardist and primary writer Tom Brislin has very impressive prog credentials, having been the touring ivoryologist with bands like YES (the symphonic tour… that’s him on the DVD!), Camel and even Meatloaf. But you haven’t lived until you’ve seen him do “the Briz Shuffle” live. Even your non-prog friends and loved ones will love this band.

PUPPET SHOW
No, not the act that upstaged Spinal Tap, this is the real deal from Northern California. Bursting back on the prog scene with a new CD (to be released next month) and performances at both CalProg and ROSfest, 2007 promises to be a big year for Puppet Show and their fans. Stylistically they are along the lines of the classic prog acts of the ‘70s, to my ears a direct descendant from Genesis. These guys will remind you why you got into progressive rock to begin with.

We at CalProg look forward to seeing our old friends and making new ones at this year's event!

"Papa" Jim Harrel

[latigid on]

Hi, is this spam, or do you have Moog-related discussion?

[PapaJimH]

Well, SPAM is in the eye of the beholder. The relevance in my humble view of the world is that Tom Brislin from Spiraling was recently in a contest hosted by this site where he came in second IIRC. He uses moog products as do a few of the bands playing this year.

Does that qualify?

[latigid on]

That's cool; you must understand that we get ads from bands who haven't even heard of Moog. I'll make sure to check it out if I'm heading that way. BTW, there is another section for Moog bands to advertise their gigs:

http://moogmusic.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

[PapaJimH]

It's hard for me to imagine ANY self-respecting musician being unaware of the pivotal role of MOOG in modern music.

But then I think of RAP. OK, I'll give ya that one.

[electrical_engineer_gEEk]

haha...another prog rocker dissing rap......i can't wait until the future when there is an epic battle between the two genres.......

but in all seriousness...i detest most rap, r&b and prog rock.....but you prog rock haters bring it to another level.....like you guys really step it up....
I realize as a musician and engineer that we really have to appreciate that there are lots of genres out there and just because the "hot new band" on the scene gets media coverage that they don't necessarily represent the "cream of the crop" for that genre....I have a feeling that rap and r&b are one of these genres....i am convinced that there is some good stuff out there, i just haven't heard it yet......it's interesting that you guys immediately dismiss a genre....and for that matter think that rap artists have never used moogs (which is completely absurd) considering most rap artist's backing beats are electronic.......

you are ABSURD my friend!

[electrical_engineer_gEEk]

Another prime example of this is on Synthesizers.com message boards. The moderator (prog rock lover) literally kick tens of people off the list because they were having a conversation about the use of modular synthesizers in rap music. Simply based on the fact that he hated rap music so much he called an end to the "off topic" conversation and that was that....end of story...
well, come a few months later he starts a topic about "Star Trek DVD releases".....talk about off topic!.....oh the irony....it chokes me to death!

[PapaJimH]

I'm not nearly as passionate about my "lack of like" for rap as what you describe. I don't like it any less than say.. COUNTRY. Not my cup of tea, and from the OUTSIDE it doesn't seem like there is as much technical music background required. But I fully recognize that many people love the stuff, and by all means welcome to it. Actually, I tend to make those types of references as a sort of generic dumping ground for music I tend to categorize as "unsophisticated". But then I have a huge soft spot for James Taylor and he's a simple as can be, so what do I know?

I'm probably not digging myself out of that hole any huh??? Oh well...

[the_bot]

For a truly great rap / hip hop record check out Dr Octagon - Octagynacologist. Amazing music, amazing lyrics. Just a brilliant stretch of the imagination, which is the one element so often missing from rap.

[franklucas]

Guys,

If you're in the area, please do see my buddies
Tom and Jordan.

Both are Moog evangelists and awe inspiring keyboardists.
Great tunes from both camps as well.


FL
www.franklucas.net

[RL]

Hey Frank,
I checked you song demos on your homepage...
Your are a damned good musician!


Have fun,
Rudi