Kasim's Journal

October shows

2011-10-16T00:49:00.003-04:00

Two upcoming shows...
Tomorrow night, October 16th;

The Brokerage Comedy Club
2797 Merrick Rd., Bellmore NY 11710
at the corner of Bellmore Ave.
Telephone: (516) 781-LAFF (5233)
Doors @ 6 - Show @ 7
Tickets $25.00
http://www.brokeragecomedy.com

Sunday October 22nd
My home town away from my home town, Cleveland!

The Winchester Music Hall
121112 Madison Ave. Lakewood
Cleveland, Ohio 44107
Telephone 216-226-5681
Showtime - 8:30
Tickets $25.00
http://www.thewinchester.net

Got a couple new songs to play for you.

I'll be sharing the stage on both these gigs.
First with Elliot Lewis of Hall & Oats fame and then with Rob Fetters of ..... Rob Fetters fame!

Hope to see you there!

Goodbye January

2011-02-04T14:07:00.000-05:00

Goodbye January...

What a month! I can't remember when a January was this busy.

Usually, the Music Biz shuts down around December 15th and doesn't get rolling again until late January.

I've been busier this month than any January in recent memory.

Certainly busier than if I had continued working with a food group.

Between my solo webcast, the My Record Fantasy Camp, working on demos for my CD and the Utopia shows this past weekend (a very special event), I've barely had time to catch my breath.

One of the highlights of the My Record Fantasy Camp (aside from all the great attendees) was getting to play one of my favorite songs - I Don't Mind At All - on stage with Brent Bourgeois and Larry Tagg.

February is shaping up to be just as jam packed.

I just got back from a recording session for a secret project with Jim Stienman and this weekend I have a solo show in New Hope PA.

February 16th sees me in Connecticut for a corporate party with my good friend Earl Slick and then on the 19th I'll join Glen Burtnik in New Jersey for a John Lennon show. I get to sing two John song's with Glen, 'All You Need Is Love' and 'This Boy'.

As well as join the choir for a massive rendition of 'Because'.

This month ends with me doing 3 shows with Yellow Matter Custard. This is a band formed a few years back with Mike Portnoy, Paul Gilbert and Neil Morse... I'm filling in for Matt Bissonette (I'm a big fan of his). I'll be singing a bunch of Beatle tunes and I couldn't be happier about it.

In between all this, I'll be working working working on my CD.

Just a reminder that there are still a few spots left for the cover so, get your pictures in soon!

I'll be doing an update here on KI beginning of each month to keep everyone apprised of what I've done, what I'm doing and whats coming up so .... check back for the March 1st note!

Kasim

The Traveler Demo

2010-12-25T01:05:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas to everyone.
I promised you a song today. I'm glad to say I've managed to keep that promise.
I know it's Christmas day and not everyone will be logging onto their email account but for those of you who have subscribed to the CD and sent a picture in, you'll be able to hear a little snippet of a new recording.
Mind you, this is only a DEMO. NOT the finished product.
Rough track, rough vocal, rough mix .....
Some of you have heard this song in it's naked phase, just me and a guitar..... this is how I envisioned it sounding.
So, at some point, after Turkey, Egg Nog and the Mother-In-Law, check your in-box for a message on where to go to give it a listen.
Be mindful that this is not available to the general public, only The Project subscribers have access to this first piece of new music.
Have a healthy and happy day today.
Here's to all of us that are restless travelers.......

Kasim

Happy Birthday To Me

2010-12-14T01:42:00.002-05:00

Had a very special day last week.
Made even more special by the outpouring of gifts, love and affection shown to me by people near and far.
Thank you to everyone who got me a card, wished me a Happy Birthday and told me just how much I mean to them.
I know I'm a pretty lucky guy but to be reminded in so many ways is another thing entirely.
I'm back home right now and I have much work to do to meet the self imposed deadline of a new recording by Christmas.
Everyone who has submitted a picture for the CD cover will be getting an email with a link to sample the first of at least a dozen new songs that will be on the record.
Until then, I'll leave you with the most thoughtful and heartwarming Birthday message I got last Wednesday....
It was from TR.
A person I have have known more than half my life.
Someone who I admire, respect and trust.
The one person who has taught me almost as much as my Father.
He said ............

"Blow me old man"

What I did on my Autum vacation

2010-11-26T01:27:00.002-05:00

A long time ago in a land far away I dreamed I would one day become a successful musician.
Cherry Vanilla was one of the first people to help me realize that dream.
She's just written a book about her life's journey. She did a reading this week in NYC and I attended the event. Even accompanied her on piano for her on one of her poems, 'Groupies Lament'. A poem/song I used to perform with her.
She read a few excerpts from her book 'Lick Me' and if you're at all interested in what the New York music scene was like in the 60's 70's and 80's buy this book. It's a great read and written extremely well by someone very dear to me. There's also a foreword by Rufus Wainwright who is a close friend of Cherry's.
In some ways, more than TR and Utopia, I owe my initial break to her.
She introduced me to people like Mick Ronson and Michael Kaman who did more to champion my talents than anyone at the time.
Not only is she a sweet soul, she's also a savvy, smart and deep Woman.
My love and appreciation for her is endless.

On to .....

The HUNDREDS (yes HUNDREDS) of people who have submitted their picture(s) for my upcoming CD cover.
I'm writing, writing, writing songs. Just started recording a batch and, as promised .... will be sending out snippets of what you plunked down your hard earned money for.
As you all know, it has to be as close to PERFECT as I can get before I release any samples but I'm going to let you hear something by Xmas. There.... I said it. Christmas.
There are still spots left for pictures but they are going quickly and before you know it, that window will close.
Don't be left off the cover!
I'm also thinking about some second and third prizes in addition to the main contest prize to have me in your home for a concert, dish washing, cooking, cleaning and reading you a bedtime story. Hell, I'll even walk your dog if you ask nice enough.

I've just managed to squeeze in the recording of a cartoon theme song that should be on TV in the coming months called KIM as well as writing (along with Mark Alexander) the main theme of a documentary titled The 13 Wonders Of Spain that will be airing on PBS later this month.
So even though I haven't been "out there" I've been toiling away in my dungeon for the past couple months.
Hang in there with me guy's ..... it's going to be a great 2011.

Kasim

Slightly Risque

2010-09-23T21:12:00.009-04:00

I've never been provocative. However, as I get older my attitude is tending more towards WTF, ain't hurting anyone really.
Besides, if the above picture can be labeled 'provocative' it's certainly more 'provocative-lite' than anything else.
I'm also planning on cursing at least once between now and tomorrow.
Sue me. No, wait.... don't sue me. That's one of the larger problems in this country today. We've managed to make litigation a pass-time.
But I digress.... what I really wanted to talk about was the overwhelming response to The Project.
I don't want to quote numbers as there are still plenty of spots left for people to get their photos on the cover art but they are going so, don't wait too long.
The writing is going extremely well. I don't think I've had this much material percolating in various forms of undress since I started work on Quid Pro Quo.
Seems to be my cycle. Gimme 10 years and I'll write a complete album!
I debuted one new song in Akron and plan on debuting others at the solo shows I have coming up in October... Joplin MO. and Hoboken N.J.
I'm also talking to Chris Anderson about doing a live webcast from his studio sometime in November.
Also, as I mentioned in my little video accompanying The Project submission form, I will be releasing snippets of songs as I finish them to everyone who signed up for the cover art.
Which brings me to .....
Thanks to EVERYONE who has already sent in photos! You all have a special place on the cover.
I'm in Peoria right now for a Classical Mystery Tour show and next weekend will be in Boston with a star studded cast for a show in support of Right Turn Addiction Services.
That's wutsup!

Kasim

Bad Clown .... BAD Clown

2010-09-10T02:13:00.003-04:00

The only thing Jesse Gress has to do on this tour is play his ass off and imitate Jerry Lewis.
He's batting 500 as you can see.
This pic was taken at our last show in Muskegon, MI. by Her Highness Whitney Sabrina Penelopy Ashton Elizabeth Narnia Grace Burr. It was important I give photo credit at the request of the Government of BonBon.
This 'tour' (all of six shows) is crazy! We have the best fans in the world following us from town to town on a Golden Goose. I swear, that's a true statement.
In any event .... the shows have been great and judging by the audience reaction / participation, we're doing a great job.
One of the highlights for me was the solo show I did the morning of the first show in Akron.
Great turn out and the love in the room was palpable.
Now .....
If you have yet to upload a picture for my next CD, why are you waiting?
I must have taken 1000 pictures with the faithful over the last few days and I'd LOVE to see them on my cover.
Just in case you've been out of the loop or away from a computer for the past few weeks, simply go to:
http://www.kasimsulton.com/the-project/
Watch the video, say hi to Ace and immortalize yourself on the cover of my next CD.
It's really that easy.
Spots are steadily being taken and I would hate like heck to turn anyone away.
So, if I don't see you at the next few TR shows, I'll be looking for your picture in my inbox.

Kasim

The Traveler

2010-05-27T01:32:00.003-04:00

Over the last 11 days I've played seven solo shows and driven nearly four thousand miles.
By myself.
From NYC to Chicago, to Ft. Atkinson, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Cleveland and Boston then back to NYC.
Quite a journey.
Once again, the fans were great. I have the best team of supporters any artist could ever ask for.
I had more fun on this mini tour than I have in the past mainly because I was relaxed and un-rushed.
I played some old songs and last night in Boston did something I've never done. I played a little snippet of a new song I've been working on. One that along with ten or eleven others will make up the new CD I've been talking about.
The one in which ALL my true and faithful fans will have a chance to be a part of.
I'll be making an announcement in the coming weeks laying out the specific details on how exactly I'm planning to do it so please stay tuned.
Meantime, a huge thank you to all who attended one or more of the shows and I can't wait to get back out and do it all over again.

Kasim

First 2010 Solo Shows!

2010-04-27T07:48:00.001-04:00

Kasim's Solo Gigs for May:

- May 15th - Chicago, IL - Abbey Pub - www.abbeypub.com

6:30 doors 7pm show, $20 adv / $25 door

3420 W. Grace, Chicago, IL 60618

- May 16th - Ft Atkinson, WI - Cafe Carpe - www.cafecarpe.com

5pm show, $15

18 S. Water St West, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 920-563-9391

Kitchen will be open prior to the show. Please contact the venue to make a reservation and guarantee show seating.

- May 18th - Kansas City, Missouri – Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill – www.westportfleamarket.com

7pm doors, 8 pm show, $15 ticket, cash only – All Ages

817 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111

Opening act Alan White - Food and drink available

More info contact Diana Parker at Folkommotion, 816-960-3435
- May 19th – Indianapolis, IN – House Concert

- May 22nd - Grand Rapids, MI - The B.O.B. - www.kasimstore.com

Eve Lounge at The B.O.B. 20 Monroe Ave. NW
7pm doors, 8pm show $17 adv / $20 door

Special guest Michael Crittenden of Troll For Trout

All ages show

- May 23rd - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom - www.beachlandballroom.com

15711 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH

6pm doors / 7pm show $18 adv / $20 door

All ages show

- May 25th - Boston, MA - Johnny D's Uptown- www.kasimstore.com

17 Holland Street at Davis Square Somerville, MA

8pm show $18 adv / $20 door

Call 800 373-3935 for dinner reservations to guarantee seating

Special Guest Jacqueline Francis

Tickets are on sale NOW for all shows at the links provided. See you soon!

Radio appearances:

- May 1st midnight Sat until 2AM Sun “The Nightlight with Nana” on 90.3 the Core http://thecore.fm

- May 30th 17:00 to 19:00 Belgium time, 11AM EST Interview with Cozy - Rock Connections on Radio Quartz, Belgium http://www.radioquartz.be/

Philly And .....

2010-02-20T23:32:00.002-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out last night to the M Room in Philly for my solo show.
Sorry I didn't have the band but because the show had been rescheduled twice, all the guys couldn't make the new date and I didn't want to postpone it again.
I had a great time. It was relaxed, fun and just what the doctor ordered.
I did make a couple announcements that raised a few eyebrows and I wanted to confirm them here.
Yes ... I have started work on a new solo album and I'm already extremely excited about the direction it's taking. This is going to be a special one.
This will be the first record I've done with all new material since Quid Pro Quo.
I'm also gong to be doing something with the packaging that will involve all the people who have supported my solo career over the years. It will be more than simply including names in a booklet.
Before I spill the beans on my idea I have to run it by DF to see if it can be done. Once I know that it's possible, I'll be letting you know.
It's something that no one has done before (I think).
And, Yes.... I have left the ML camp.
It was time.
I'm so immersed in other projects right now that I just didn't have it in me to spend another year of my life on that particular tour bus.
I wish him and the band the best of luck with the new record.

I'm already planning solo shows in the spring. Both solo and with a band.
And .... as much as I hate using the term 'It's all good' ... It's all good!
More to follow....

K

Kasim In LA

2009-11-04T01:19:00.000-05:00

So ... for the first time in a VERY long while, I'm going to be doing a solo show in Los Angeles.
Since the little soire I held in Akron before the first AWATS show went so well, I've decided to try
the same thing on the West Coast.

I've been known to give erroneous information out here and there so I've made sure everything
below is correct and factual :

I will be performing solo acoustic.

Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Kasim will be performing solo at the famous Molly Malone's in Los Angeles, CA
Molly Malone's, 575 South Fairfax Avenue
Farifax Ave exit just off the 10
GENERAL ADMISSION - ALL AGES
The venue only holds 150, so please buy your tickets early online at KasimStore.com
The set will be approximately 45 minutes in length.
Tickets are $12 in advance at KasimStore.com
Tickets at the door on the day of show, will be $15 CASH ONLY

If you're in town for the Wizard Show, I'd love to see you the night before at this show!

Kasim
**There is a $2.00 ticketing fee per order in addition to the postage fee. Tickets will be sent USPS First Class Mail unless otherwise specified. The convenience fee of $2.00 applies to each order, not each individual ticket.**

AWATS

2009-09-08T23:05:00.009-04:00

Nine days ago I flew from Nashville TN to Cleveland to start the rehearsals for A Wizard A True Star.
Holed up in a Townsuites Hotel in Middleburg Heights OH, I spent the following six days going over the material for the show. The task was to perform Todd Rundgren's album of the same title from beginning to end.

No breaks, no deviating from the original, no shortcuts, no changes at all except for a slight change in song sequencing.
Anyone who is familiar with the album is well aware of the quirkiness of each song. Time changes, odd bars, weird sounds, dog fights and lots of background vocals. One song runs into the next in 'stream of consciousness' fashion.
All of us, myself, Roger Powell, Prairie Prince, Jesse Gress, Greg Hawks and Bobby Strickland did our respective homework but as much as we tried to be prepared, actually playing the music as a band was harder than anyone expected. Each day we would start at the beginning of the record with International Feel and wind our way through each song. Working out kinks and going over particularly troubling spots.
By the end of the week we were merely tired. Exhaustion would set in soon.
On Friday morning we left the relative comfort of the rehearsal studio in Cleveland for Akron where the first show was to be staged on Sunday.
The Akron Civic Theater is an amazing gem from the past. Sconces on every wall, stars in the ceiling and a stage that would be hard to match in any other Theater. (I have video that I will post at a later date).
The next two days would be the hardest ... running the show twice a day as if we were performing in front of an audience. This included the 'opening act' that a few of us are involved with. Culminating in a final Dress Rehearsal on Sunday afternoon, the day of the FIRST show.
In essence we did nine shows in a row. In 33 years, the most I've ever done without a day off is 4.
I don't want to sound like I'm complaining... I'm not. Sometimes it's the concentration that takes the most out of you.
Now ... to top it all off, on the suggestion of CK, I decided to put a solo show in at 1pm on the day of the first show. Hence the pictures at the top of this post. I did the show in my pajamas and asked the audience to wear theirs as well. The night before was the big Pre-Show soiree and I knew most people in attendance would be up into the wee hours and there would be copious amounts of alcohol involved.
I had over 350 people in the Ballroom at the hotel for my show and I had the best time ever. Played a few songs including a brand new one that I hadn't performed yet and truly enjoyed myself.
Whew, thats about it for now ... there are some exciting things happening in the coming weeks.
Like ... MY band. My new band.
Mark Alexander on Piano, Mike Chiavaro on Bass and Tad McCully on Drums.
It's going to be great.

Kasim

News Flash........

2009-08-21T03:04:00.001-04:00

I now have a band.

Details to follow shortly.

May .... already?

2009-05-19T00:57:00.008-04:00

This past Saturday evening I had the distinct honor and pleasure to perform at a Songwriters Circle in Nashville TN along with (from l to r) Bill Lloyd, Tom Hambridge, Jason Scheff and George Teren.
Tom has been a good friend of mine for some time. A few years ago he relocated from Boston to Nashville where he has become a fixture on the music scene. Managing to make his mark in an extremely competitive town when it comes to songwriting, producing and performing.
Each year he's asked by the owners of a legendary club in Nashville, The Bluebird Cafe to host a songwriters night. When his schedule permits, he accepts, calls a few of his buddy's and for a little over 2 hours on a Saturday night plays MC to some wonderfully diverse and eclectic music.
For the uninitiated, a Songwriters Circle works in the following way;
2 or more (in this case 4) songwriters sit in a circle on a stage and take turns playing a song each. Sometimes explaining what motivated them to write a particular song or how the song came to be written. Each person gets to play four or five songs in a couple hours (we each wound up playing 7 on Saturday). The format is loose, genial and respectful.
I've only done one of this kind of show before in Pittsburgh a few years ago. At this one, I was surrounded by guys that had written multiple hits for some very popular Country and Blues artists. People like Trisha Yearwood, Carrie Underwood, Trace Atkins and a slew of others.
So .... Tom Hambridge called me last month and asked me if I'd be interested in joining him and the others. I wasn't about to turn down the opportunity to play solo in Nashville let alone perform at The Bluebird.
Booked a flight, rented a car, called Randy Flowers to tell him to have his maid make a bed in one of the spare rooms of his newly built mansion and got my butt to Nashvegas Saturday afternoon.
I was slightly nervous given the company I was in but I can't remember having a better time listening to other peoples songs and playing my own as well.
I was especially impressed with George Teren. His lyrics were heartfelt and touching. Simple yet deep. The perfect mix for a good song.
Of course Tom was great and the highlight of the night for me was playing 'Sometimes Love Is A Dangerous Thing' which we co-wrote. Since it has a somewhat Country / Rockabilly feel to it, it went over well with the mainly southern crowd.
I was told by Tom to expect to do 4 or 5 songs at most. Maybe 6. I mulled over which ones I was going to play but because I'm currently working on new material, didn't really sit down to go over my selections till the night before. Being the person I am, I thought to myself "I'll be lucky to get four songs in ... if I have to do one more than that I'll wing it."
After I did my fourth song I thought, hmmm what next? We went around the circle again and I pulled 'Sometimes Love...' out. Whew... made it throught that one with flying colors since I hadn't played it in sometime. Then .... again it came around to me..... un oh ..... OK OK I know, I'll do 'There Goes My Inspiration' .... luckily there were some Utopia fans in the crowd and that one was well recieved .... AGAIN the round comes to me .... Christ! What do I do now? OK OK OK .... 'Before She Was Gone' ... unfortunately, I hadn't played that song in a LONG time and I had forgotten some of the chords and dropped the "F" bomb (quite loudly) in the middle of screwing up the same chord twice .... I sweated through that one but ..... God Damnit AGAIN? The circle came around to me AGAIN? I was forced to play one more song and relied on (and screeched my way through) 'Don't Hold Me Back'.
Thankfully that was the last time I had to play. Only because I would have had to curse again to make it through another song I hadn't rehearsed (apparently the propritors don't appreciate cussin') I think I got away with it because I'm a New Yorker and didn't appologize.
Al in all it was a great night. Tom brought up a buddy of his, Jason Scheff who plays with Chicago to do a song. What a lovely and extremely talented guy he is.
So, there you have it, my Nashville experience. Unfortunately Randy Flowers didn't attend the show ... he was busy making sure his Butler knew exactly what I needed when I arrived back at his Estate.
The pictures above were taken and given to me by The Bill Graham Of 2009,
Doug (Concert Promoter Extrodinare) Ford.
I have his permission to use them here and here alone.
Any unauthorized use of said photos will result in a madatory appearance on Radio Rundgren.
Enough said .....

Tampa Solo Show

2009-03-01T23:09:00.003-05:00

Just a quick note to thank everyone who attended the Tampa gig last night.
I had a wonderful time.... lots of good company, laughs and a Horseshoe Crab Orgy at the waters edge.

Seriously, it was a great night.

See you in Chicago on March 12th at the Abbey Pub!

The One Sure Thing - LIVE IN ATLANTA

2009-02-23T13:37:00.002-05:00

Finally ..... SHOWS!

2009-02-22T00:42:00.004-05:00

It wouldn't be a year if I didn't miss a month here.
So I forgot January .... shoot me. What went on in January anyway? I had a short trip to L.A. for the NAMM Convention (too inside to comment on).
Met Jon 'Strawberry' Fields ... big-time record producer who as it turns out, is a HUGE TR and Utopia fan.
We all saw a glimmer of hope in a new President...
The economy tanked (I'm still trying to figure out how much of the 1.5 Trillion Dollar bail out I'm responsible for) and I continued to question why I still live in the Northeast US. At this point I'm starting to question living in this country at all. Basically, January was a bust so, there was no sense in belaboring 31 days of snow, freezing rain and a mere 9 hours of sunlight (on a good day).

Now February ... THAT'S another story. Not much better just yet. But don't we all have to stay positive? You know, look on the bright side?
Here's one small bright spot .... I have Solo Shows coming up! Yes folk's that's right .... SOLO SHOWS. 3.5 to be exact. PLUS .... PLUS.... A TV SHOW!
Here's the skinny, this weekend I'll be in TAMPA, FL. At the Rusty Pelican. Nice little dinner theater where I'll be playing for my closest, dearest, most loyal supportive followers. There are a few seats left and if you can get away for a day, I'd love to see YOU there.
Just in case you can't make that show, on March 6th I'll be in WEST CHESTER, PA. That's the .5 show because I'll be performing with a bevy of my peer's for a benefit concert to support St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Now, if you don't find yourself in the Pennsylvania area just wait a few day's and meet me in CHICAGO, IL. Once again, I'm at The ABBEY PUB on March 12th.
Ok, suppose you're not in Florida, Pennsylvania OR Illinois ... How about OHIO?
On March 15th I'll be wrapping up this 3.5 show tour at the BEACHLAND BALLROOM.
I did mention a TV Show didn't I?
Yes, I did ... On March 11th I'll be appearing on the GOOD MORNING show in Cleveland. Channel 3 I believe (that's what The Deli Bitch told me) It's on at 10AM.
Now, I WILL be documenting this whole journey. I'll be driving for the most part and I'm sure there will be some ..... what the hell am I doing ..... moments.
All the finer details of the above appearances can be found on my website(s). You know, MySpace, Facebook, blah blah blah... I'll also send out some mail to the list on addresses, showtime's, ticket prices and gift suggestions.
I really hope you can make one or more ....
If not, I'll come to your house and ask why you weren't there.

Kasim

2008-12-11T01:22:00.004-05:00

Wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who was kind enough to send me a Happy Birthday wish.
I did my best to answer each and every one of you but if you didn't get an email from me, please consider this your personal thank you from me.
Yeah, another year in the history book. Why is it they years just seem to be going faster and I keep wanting things to slow down? Never enough minutes in an hour, hours in a day, days in a year to get as much done as I'd like.
God forbid I leave my cell phone home, or I don't have constant access to the Internet .... I feel like I'm missing something. When in fact, I probably wouldn't miss much.
The trick is to use the above items as tools instead of 'attachments'.

The few Meat Loaf shows I had last week went well. It was great to see all the fans from overseas at the NYC gig. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperating and it was bitterly cold in NY and NJ but I think everyone enjoyed themselves.
It was a bit sad to say goodbye to everyone, Band and Crew at the last show if only because it looks like it's going to be a while (compared to the last few years) before we get to see each other again.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming TR shows next week that go through to Jan 1. And for everyone who can't make it to one of these shows, there's the David Letterman performance on Dec. 22.
The DVD is at the manufacturers as I write this and I'm very pleased with how it looks and sounds. GG should be shipping out orders as soon as they arrive from the pressing plant. I would imagine about a week to 10 days from now.

Many thanks to Gary 'Goat' Govia and his wife Sheila for giving my daughter Kasandra and her boyfriend his extra second row seats at the NYC ML show... that was really kind. He also took the picture that heads up this entry.

If I don't make another post before the end of the month, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and the happiest New Year.

Kasim

2008-11-23T20:51:00.002-05:00

Whew .... been a long three weeks. Started in Manchester, through Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Germany, France, Italy, ended back in London. Pretty much only one day off not counting travel days.
After having done the October shows, I was able to relax a little more on this run and have more fun on stage because I was more comfortable in the 'utility' position.
The best indicator for me is that the show pretty much fly's by. No sooner do I walk on stage and the next thing I know we're 2/3rd's of the way through the set list.
I was more than a little surprised at the amount of fan's coming up to me outside the venues telling me that the last time they saw TR or myself was in ....... ahem ...... 1977 - 78?
I don't feel 30 years older. At least not today.
The picture above is from Milan.... The Domo. It was my first time in Italy. Somehow, in all the years of touring, I never managed to get there. Happy to say I finally did and even though my hotel room was the size of a postage stamp (I broke the window when I put my key in the door), I didn't mind at all because I was IN ITALY! Now... I've grown up on Pizza but let me tell you, I had a Pizza in Milan that was by far the best Pizza I've ever had.
And Paris? The last time I was in Paris had to be 10 years ago .... I didn't think much about it then but this time was somehow different. It was so cool being there. My only regret was not having more time in those two places. Maybe it's time to think about relocating.
I'm not sure when the next time I'm going to be over this way but I'd love it if it was sooner rather than later.
Thanks to all the Fans who came to the shows. It was good to see all of you again. ML up next.

The Bunny Did It

2008-11-03T00:59:00.002-05:00

I'm sure by now most of you have seen a picture or two of me in a Bunny suit taken on stage at the Meat Loaf show this past Friday night - Halloween. I'm pretty sure the last time I put on a costume for Halloween was more years ago than I care to remember. I always thought it wasn't cool to dress up as someone (or something) other than myself.
Well, talk about not cool ... inside that silly Bunny costume was akin to an August day in Iraq. I could barely keep it on for a whole song and had to run over to Charlie to have him strip me of it while in the middle of Rock & Roll Dreams.
I have to admit, it was fun and sharing the stage with The Joker (Randy), Joe The Plumber (Dave), Gene Simmons (Patty), Paul Stanley (CC), Barney Rubble (Paul) and Elvis (Meat) was an experience.
So, Meat shows finished for the time being, I'm off to Manchester tomorrow for the start of the next leg of the Todd / Arena tour.
There will be no dressing up on this one but there WILL be new backstage pass episodes. I have my trusty little camera packed, battery charged and I plan on taking as much footage as I can before people start running away from me because I'm going Scorcese on them.
First gig isn't till the 6th and I'll be cooling my jets for a couple days waiting for the rest of the guys to arrive.
I got a call this afternoon (Sunday) from the Musicians Union reminding me to vote and urging me to vote Democratic.
I got extremely insulted. After all, it was Sunday, and the Musicians Union is a joke anyway .... they take your money and give you nothing in return, and indeed, what right do they have to suggest whom I should be voting for.
However .... it IS important.
I'm sure you've been hammered over the head in the past few weeks here in the US to vote and I'm going to remind you one more time .... it's your right and duty to go in and pull the lever for whomever you believe to be the best choice.
Nothing is going to get fixed anytime soon but the only way we can start to make things better is by being heard.

Is It Safe Yet?

2008-10-09T00:41:00.002-04:00

Yup .... it's safe to say, I'm having a GREAT time playing with Todd, Jesse, Prairie and Rachel.

I returned home from the summer Meat Loaf UK / Euro Tour and I was cooked. Spent. Done and dusted. All I wanted to do was sit, relax and read a book. I managed to get a few days of that in and was called to do a 'one off' gig with the guys from Billy Joels' band backing a really great young female singer named Gabriell Ross. Tommy Byrns, Mark Rivera, Chuck Bergie (ML Alumni)... what a great bunch of musicians.
So, it was off to rehearsals for that for 3 days, then one show in Long Island at some froo-froo Country Club.
That's how I ended August.
I knew that sooner or later I was going to have to start learning 13 new Todd Rundgren songs.
If I was playing Bass, it wouldn't have been half as bad (hard) as the fact that I was learning them on two instruments I'm not as comfortable or adept at playing. Guitar and Keyboards.
I have a system I use to learn new music..... I usually listen to the song once or twice then set about trying to pick out the chords by ear.
I was sent a link to the new material on the Internet and I listened to a song and thought .....
"What did I get myself into? There is NO WAY I can learn all this stuff PLUS the old material I had played Bass on for 30+ years on new instruments!" I might have bitten off more than I could tastefully chew.... and there wasn't a dog around to pass the grizzle to under the table.
The worst thing I could have done was show up unprepared and this was some SERIOUS homework I was going to have to do. I like my head attached to my shoulders and if I didn't come to the first show knowing everything cold, Todd was going to remove the part of me that smiles and serve it up on a platter.
So once again, solo material to the side, I spent the next three weeks ensconced in my dungeon knee deep in chord charts.
As the days past, I rose to the challenge and by the last few days felt I did the best I could without actually ever playing the songs with the band.
Off to Seattle for the first show and I'll admit to being as nervous at that show as I've ever been prior to setting foot on stage. Whether it showed or not isn't important ... what is important to me is that I had more fun than I'd expected I might have.

I was hesitant to write about the experience before now if only because I wanted to get a few shows under my belt before I opened my mouth about how great it is to be back on stage with TR and the boy's - and gurl - for fear of horribly screwing up some crucial part in a song or tripping on a guitar cable, falling and breaking my fifth metatarsal foot bone and having Todd say "dummy".
However possible those things and more may or may not happen ... I'm grateful to be doing what I'm doing right now. Couldn't be better.
From what I'm told, it sounds good and people seem to be happy I'm back.
I know I am.

FYI ... Atlanta Solo Show DVD

2008-09-05T08:11:00.005-04:00

Quick note to everyone who attended the Atlanta solo show and is patiently waiting for news of the DVD release...
I saw the first rough cut this week and I'm extremely happy with how it looks and sounds. I know it's taking a fair amount of time to finish editing and mixing but... along with Dave, Carrie, Grady, Doug and Mel, we all want to make sure the final product is as good as can be.
I can't narrow the availability date down to a specific day suffice to say, it will be relatively soon. Definitely well before the holiday season.
In other news ... I've just received the last remaining copies of All Sides. A few people have been asking me when more will be available, so once they get out of my warehouse (currently they're residing next to the Lamborghini) and to the assembly plant (even longer story) ... they'll be ready for mailing.
The last of the T-Shirts and Sweat Shirts from the '06 Solo Tour will be available as well.

I'm getting ready for the TR dates in October, November and December and along with the six ML shows squeezed in between Todd shows, the rest of the year is going to be a series of Airports, Rental Cars and Hotels starting in three weeks.

The picture at the top of this post is from Lisbon, Portugal. Wonderful place but WAY too many hills.

A 40 Dollar Personal Pizza and a 15 Dollar Glass Of Ginger Ale

2008-08-09T04:59:00.003-04:00

If you're confused about the title, that is what I paid for my dinner the night before last in Bergen, Norway. I am not kidding.
While this part of the world is certainly beautiful, the same can't be said for the cost of living (and eating) here.
Since we had to stay at a hotel next to the Airport for travel reasons, we all headed down to the lounge after we arrived for a bite to eat. Needless to say the topic of the conversation was the amount of money a beer was ($16.00) and the cost of a Club Sandwich ($38.00). It's a good thing I wasn't that hungry.

So, cat's out of the bag. I'm back with TR starting in October through the rest of the year and this time I get to watch the bass player opposed to being the bass player.
Todd was kind enough to allow me to come crawling back to the fold in the guise of Keyboards and Guitar. Of course I'll be adding my warblings to the mix as well.
To say I'm happy about this would be an extreme understatement.
I know Matt Bolten did a wonderful job but I made Todd an offer he couldn't refuse. ME!
No, no, no, I kid, I kid!
I just told him I'd have Phyllis do his laundry, mow his lawn, grocery shop, wash his dog AND his car, put up, decorate and then take down his Christmas Tree, clean his Infinity Pool, etc ... for the next 10 years. I also convinced Phyllis to carry a child to term for him if that was necessary.
In any case, I might have been gone for a while but if it's at all in my power to remain a current part of Todd's musical history, I'll never be gone for long.

My New Toy

2008-08-04T08:28:00.003-04:00

Considering how well my drive went from Nottingham to London, I decided to treat myself and buy this car for all my future trips to the UK. I'll be storing it in my warehouse along with my Renoir's and extensive Antique Guitar Collection.
I couldn't decide on a color for the car so I just had them Chrome the whole damn thing.
At $500,000.00 I thought it was quite the bargain. Not to be passed up.
I went small because I'm ever aware of my carbon footprint and want to do my part to keep the planet green. I believe this Lambourgini get's roughly 2 gallons to the mile. I'll be switching it over to run on used fast food oil as soon as I see how fast it goes.

I'm in Amsterdam right now and we play the Heineken Music Hall tonight. Show's have been going well, London was good and we're rounding the bend to the finish out here.
The distance from the hotel in London to the venue was about 15 miles. I made it there in my car in 4 minutes. The only thing that slowed me down were the pesky pedestrians. Tourists mainly. Had to take a few out that didn't see me coming - or going for that matter.

As soon as I can drag the rest of the band out of the Bulldog here, I'll be at soundcheck.

Now THATS Commitment

2008-07-22T03:54:00.002-04:00

I've signed paper, Album's, CD's, pictures, tickets, money, clothing and some skin in my day but this is a first... As I left the show last night someone asked to me sign the hood of their car.
Bad enough to get in a fender bender without having to worry about repainting the BOOH 1 cover.
Tomorrow is out last show in Germany. As always, the German fans are up for a good show and make it abundantly clear how appreciative they are that Meat and the band play here.
After tomorrow night's show we go to Portugal for a week. Since there's only one show there I plan on spending the majority of my time contemplating my navel and working on completing a 'medium hard' Sudoko puzzle.
Everyone else is renting Scooters to drive to the beach in Lisbon but I'm convinced if I was to do that I'd fall, break a limb and spend the rest of my days selling trinkets to tourists and pan-handling.
All but one of our shows have been outdoors and all but one of those has been rained on. Not to mention COLD as well. That hasn't stopped everyone from enjoying the performance.
Camp is nice Mom, I'll be home soon.

London Solo Show

2008-07-01T17:50:00.003-04:00

It's official.
I have my first ever London Solo Show coming up next week.
I realize this is very last minute. Nothing I could do about that though. It's just been confirmed and I didn't want to mention it until I knew it was going to happen.

In any case, here are the details;

When - Tuesday July 8th, @ 8 or 8:30 PM (time not confirmed)

Where - 12 Bar Club
Denmark Street
London, WC2H 8NL
(Nearest Tube Station is Tottenham Court Road)

Phone - +44 020 7240 2622

Set Length - 60 Minutes

If anyone happens to be close by, come join me for what I hope to be the first of many solo shows here in the UK.
Be great to see all the London ML fans out to support me.

Kasim

I Missed May!

2008-06-27T20:40:00.002-04:00

Yes, I was home ... yes I wasn't on the road, yes I was writing & recording .... no I didn't update.
My bad.
I'd like to start by saying how upset I was by missing Toddstock. If anyone should have been there it was Moi. Todd is the one person throughout my career that has been a constant. For good reason too. But alas ... I couldn't be in two places at once and I made a decision that I had to stick by. Pesky decisions ... they can be so tiring at times.
I'm know everyone in attendance had a great time and even though it might sound trite, I was there in spirit.

Currently, I'm in Plymouth England. Somewhere near the coast. A place where chilly weather and rain rule.
We had our first show here tonight and it went extremely well. We're doing a spate of new songs and had a great time trying to make sure the 'clams' were kept at bay (or IN the bay, or under the sand in the bay ... thats where clams live anyway).
Patti Russo ... I didn't realize how much she was missed until tonight. She was the best, is the best and will always be the best foil for Meat Loaf that has ever held a mic and sang a song with him. CC's no slouch either ... she has a couple solo spots in the show and just keeps getting better and better with every tour she does. Between the two of them, they make this show the best one we've done in a very long time.
This particular tour has a story line that weaves through the first song all the way up to, and including 'Paradise'. It's not at all hard to follow and personally, I think it works really well.
For the first show, I couldn't have asked for more from a bunch of very talented musicians.
We have a ways to go before we're done and I can only imagine it's going to get better.

There is a slim chance I may do one or two solo shows on this run. If I do, it will consist of me searching out acoustic cafe's on a day off and seeing if I can get a spot performing that night. I know thats no way to let anyone know but I wasn't able to secure any definite bookings before I left the US. Maybe it's a good way for me to start a grass roots movement to come back and tour over here in the future. It's always baby steps isn't it?
I'll be posting some Backstage Pass vid's along with updating here more often.
In the mean time, it's off to Cork Ireland tomorrow...
See you down the road, on the road, off the road ... Why don't we do it in the road? Nah... I'm too shy.

Japan is ....

2008-04-11T03:27:00.005-04:00

One of the most beautiful places in the world.
I spent way too much money, walked for hours each day, ate way too much food and amazingly enough, didn't really have any Sushi!
A piece of Sashimi every so often but no proper Sushi meal. Tons of Korean Barbecue though.
I had a great time. Met some new friends and one day in Osaka, while leaving a store called Tokyu Hands (they have everything in this store from Jewelry to Belt Sanders) I ran into a close buddy from New York. Alan Childs was over doing a musical. Amazing that in a city of 14 million people I can run into a buddy from NYC.
I think the highlight of the trip - besides playing 10 shows in 5 days - was the party that the fans gave us on the second night in Tokyo.
The Fans always do the sweetest things for us each time we come here. They always present us with gifts, cookies with our pictures on them, letters of support ... but I don't think we were prepared for the event.
There must have been 100 people packed like sardines into a small club in the Akasaka district.
We arrived around 12:30am to applause and camera flashes.
I had gotten a letter a few days before from Yoshino the Woman who arranged everything and I was asked if I might join the band on a few songs. I wound up singing for about an hour with them. The best was their version of 'Communion With The Sun'. What a hoot!
All in all it was the best time I've had in Japan since 1976.
Can't wait to go back.

Another Round for the History Books

2008-03-29T01:59:00.002-04:00

Just finished playing the last gig on this round of solo shows tonight at The Bitter End in NYC.
Once again, I'm really glad I decided to do these shows.
From Atlanta, to Florida, to Texas, to Chicago, Cleveland and New York, I couldn't ask for a more appreciative audience.
I never cease to be amazed and humbled at the length's some people go to catch one of my shows.
Maybe thats why I repeat ad infinitum, Thank You.
Unfortunately, Jessie was ill tonight and couldn't make the drive down from his home in Upstate NY. Even though he was sorely missed, Phyllis and myself did our best to fill in the gaps.
I had the pleasure of working with CC Coletti tonight. When I booked the Bitter End I thought it would be great to have CC and her band open up for me. They were great. "Greasy" is the proper term.

My schedule gets a little hectic for a minute starting next week. I'm off to Japan on Wednesday for ten days, then another 2 weeks of shows in the US with TR. A short break during May and then, ML duties until mid August.

At which point ........ well, I wish I knew.

K

March Madness

2008-02-29T00:49:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Just finished throwing some things in a bag, changed some guitar strings, set my alarm for tomorrow mornings flight to Atlanta.
I have two shows this weekend. One just outside Atlanta at The Academy Theater in Avondale Estates, GA. @ 8:00PM. Then on Sunday I'm playing in Ft. Lauderdale at the annual Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tournament. Should be fun.

In honor of a new year and some new gigs I've posted a brand new song on my Myspace page. I kinda rushed putting it up - read - it's really not done yet. I just wanted you to hear what I've been working on. More will be coming as the months progress.
I like this one because it's slightly different from the kind of stuff I usually find myself recording.

After this weekend, I'll be back in NY for a day then to Texas for some 'private shows'.
I'm really looking forward to the end of the month, Chicago, Cleveland and finishing off in NYC at The Bitter End.
Just in time for a trip to Japan with Todd.
I've been shying away from Sushi after reading an article about increased Mercury levels in fish these days but I just might have to ignore that warning for a week.
If I come back from Tokyo with a silvery glow about me, you'll know I've gone a bit overboard.
So, if you have a spare 4 minutes check out the new tune "Watching The World Go By" at; http://www.myspace.com/kasimsulton

Kasim

Notes from the Tundra

2008-01-24T01:47:00.000-05:00

Man is it cold here or what? Above is a quick shot of myself with a new fan ... Caroline.
Her Dad took her to our show tonight in Milwaukee at The Pabst Theater. They were sitting in the front row and I nearly took this poor childs right eye out with a pick. After meeting her and her Dad, and apologizing for nearly blinding her, I thought I would try my best to make up for it by posting her picture here. She was a sweetheart and it's always good to see young people at the shows.
We've been venturing into the 'too cold to go anywhere' region of the country for the past week. The last two days were spent in Minneapolis where the high for the week was +9. The HIGH for the week! I have a friend who lives there and when I asked him how on earth he puts up with it, he said "Oh it's not that bad." HUH? Eddie ... get a grip man! This weather is only normal if you're a Penguin or a Polar Bear! Tomorrow we go to Chicago and I doubt it will be any better temperature wise.
As always, these shows are the best. We usually arrive at the venue around 5 for soundcheck, do a couple songs, pick at the deli tray, watch Randy scurry about the stage setting everything up then, it's Show Time. They call these types of tour's 'Plug In And Play'. Mainly because thats about all you do. No stage set, no pyro, no lighting rig, no Tour Manager, no Tour Assistant, no catering (only if you count the deli tray), no Tour Bus, no Private Planes, no Ritz Carltons or Four Seasons, no one picking up my bags an hour before lobby call, no daily sheets, no bed's, no shoes, no Promoter Dinners, and the best is ... NO COMPLAINING! Ummmmmm, wait a second .... THIS SUCKS! No, only kidding. I love it. The set flies by. No sooner do I get on stage than I realize we're doing Mystified (oddly enough a Utopia song) and theres only another 20 minutes left in the show.
The audience is always great. The fans ... our fans .... my fans .... are the best. I do my best to make it out to the house afterwards to show my appreciation for the years of support Todd and myself have gotten.
There's only one week left on this run but I'm sure Todd will be doing this show again in the not-to-distant future. At least I hope so.
I'm gearing up for the March solo dates and I've been told that by end of next week all the dates will be confirmed. Right now only the beginning and end is etched in stone.
Please, please try and make it to one or more of the shows as I will be doing some new material and will have at least one new face on stage with me.
I hope you're all well and safe. I'm looking forward to some warmer days ahead!

Kasim

52 And Still A Big Baby

2007-12-10T01:28:00.001-05:00

I have tried to post here at least once a month but theres always something that seems to find me putting it off again and again. Selective procrastination. It's important to me that I update you as often as possible. The last few months have been interesting to say the least. As you probably know, the Meat Loaf tour was cut short and I found myself back home roughly three weeks sooner than expected. I used that time to do some long overdue home-work. Mundane stuff really. I was never good at finishing my homework.
Before I knew it, it was time to pack again and head out for the Todd tour. It's been a gas. It's been just what I needed after three weeks of boring homework. Besides, the teacher's just gonna fail me anyway. So, I ran away with the Circus.
One thing thats been especially cool for me is working with Mike Urbano. As a sometimes Bass Player, there are a handful of Drummers that make a big difference in the enjoyment level on stage. Willie Wilcox, Prairie Prince, Kenny Aronoff, John Miceli to name a few. I first met Michael in San Fransisco while recording a track on Todd's 'Nearly Human' record. I had known of his work with Bourgeois / Tagg and thought he was excellent. In any case, this tour was the first time I really got to work with him for more than one day on more than one song and I'm adding him to my list of favorite's. A real special person too.
Ok, enough Michael.
I'm working on some new songs (yes I know I've said that a million times). I should have something for you all to hear very soon.
And now the most important thing ... actually, the reason I sat myself down to write this in the first place (I got sidetracked).
Day before yesterday was my 52nd Birthday. I woke up to a couple calls from my family wishing me a Happy Birthday but two other things touched me most.
First were the emails I received from friends and fans from all over the world.
Second was the Birthday video posted on Youtube. How lucky am I?
I can't begin to tell you how good it made me feel. That you took the time out of your day to do this for me. It was the best gift I could have ever gotten. I truly am blessed to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of people.
If I didn't answer your Bday email personally please accept this as my thank you for everything you do for me.
Thats about it for now. It's late and Mr. Sandman is beckoning....

I love you all.

October 6

2007-10-05T21:36:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to write. I really have. I'm not sure if I've been waiting for something significant to write about or ... if I've just been putting it off for no good reason.
It's not like I haven't been busy. So busy in fact that I decided to reschedule plans for a round of solo shows until after the new year. I just didn't have the time to properly prepare for any in December.
Right now I'm in the UK. Stoke on Trent to be exact. Someone with extremely deep pockets has Meat Loaf and the band performing at this Birthday Party. Tomorrow I will be in someones backyard with the rest of the guys rubbing noses with the upper echelon of Stoke on Trent's elite.
The Todd tour was more than fun. Although the venues were small and there weren't very many days off, the audience's made it all worth it. I don't have the chance to play on the west coast all that much so, it was good to reconnect with those people I don't see as much as I do when I'm touring in the States.
I'm on my way back home on Sunday for a week off then, right back to Koln Germany for the start of the last leg of the Bat III tour.
It's been a long year. One that has seen me on three separate tours. I think thats a record for me.
I'm going to take December and January to work on some new material. A few things are already recorded and waiting to be finished. My plan remains the same. More solo shows in 2008.
I'll make sure to keep you all in the loop on the upcoming Meat shows and once again, I get to miss Thanksgiving at my Sisters house!

Kasim

Alligators Up Your Alley

2007-08-30T02:48:00.000-04:00

Just got back to the hotel after playing at Alligator Alley here in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
This was the third and final solo show for me in between Meat Loaf gigs.
I'd like to give a huge thank you to all the Meat fans who came out to see me on these shows ... especially the people who weren't necessarily planning on going but with a little gentle prodding from me, took the time out of their travel schedule to make one or more, pick up a CD or a T-shirt and show their support.
I always truly enjoy doing these shows and, like I've said before, look forward to the day when I do this a lot more frequently.
I'm in the process of putting the dates together for my December run and I can assure you all there will be a whole new spin to what I do on stage. Maybe some new songs? For sure.
Anyway, it's late right now and I have another show tomorrow with Meat Loaf. This one is a make-up for the one we only got 4 songs into last spring. The one where I bravely went out on stage to say Meat was too ill to continue. The one where I was labeled a DWEEB! Well, dweeb or not, I'll take the stage tomorrow here in Boca Raton and I'm sure Meat will more than satisfy everyone there.
Hey ... The New Cars played tonight too! I still have to figure out this cloning thing.

Kasim

Hello Cleveland!

2007-08-11T01:52:00.001-04:00

Well, I gotta say ... I had a Wonderful time the other night.
As you can see, I was joined on stage by two very special people. Randy was kind enough to come and play part of the show with me and CC graced the stage for an encore with us.
That was my big surprise for the evening. Randy is one of the best musicians I know and to have him playing some songs with me was great.
Not only that but Paul, Aspen, T.C., Grady, Nate and Joe Libretti also stopped by to catch the show. Their presence made the night even more special for me than it normally would have been.
Not to mention ALL OF YOU who took the time to come and see me.
Doing a solo show in the middle of a Meat Loaf tour was a little tougher than I had imagined if only because I take both very seriously. I would never dream of sacrificing one for the other. Luckily, the Meat Loaf shows have been going so well, I wasn't worried about taking a day to do a solo show. Meat Loaf had threatened to come as well but he told me afterwards it had slipped his mind! Oh well ... There ARE two more left!
Toronto on the 15th and Ft. Lauderdale on the 29th. I'm really looking forward to these two shows because I've never played a solo show in these cities.
I'll have some more copies of ALL SIDES at these shows and as usual, I'll be more than happy to sign them for anyone who purchased one.
I'm hoping I'll make some new fans at these upcoming solo shows and I'm already planning another run of shows just before the holidays.
Thank you so much everyone.

Kasim

Update

2007-08-05T10:17:00.001-04:00

My apologies for having to POSTPONE the August 3rd Tin Angel show. I'm in the process of choosing another date sometime after my touring responsibilities have ended this Fall. I'm planning on doing a few shows between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Although it's been announced on a few other websites, I wanted to confirm that I will be joining TR in September for a short tour (a little over 2 weeks) mainly on the West Coast.
These shows will be the same as the the ones he did earlier this year with Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta and Jesse Gress. Obviously, myself and Prairie will be taking over rhythm section duties.
The remaining solo shows I have this month WILL NOT be canceled or postponed. As a matter of fact, I have a very special surprise for those attending this Wednesday's show in Cleveland that should not be missed. If you're planning on coming, be prepared to sing along to one of the most popular songs in history.
I'll have copies of ALL SIDES available at these shows as well.
Hope to see you there!

Kasim

Tin Angel Show, August 3rd

2007-08-01T12:17:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately, due to changes in my travel schedule I'm going to have to reschedule this show.
We were supposed to be staying a lot closer to Philly on our day off but that has changed.
Not to worry though, I'm looking into available dates sometime in the near future so, please hold on to your tickets!

Kasim

Summer '07

2007-07-26T21:27:00.001-04:00

Hey You ...

How have you been? It's been a month or so since I've posted here and I thought it was time for a little blurb about my comings and goings.
As you all know, I've been working pretty much non-stop since February. I believe I've been home for a total of a week since then. No rest for the weary huh?
Canada, the US, UK, Europe ... two weeks with The New Cars and now back in the US with Meat again for the summer dates on the Three Bats Tour.
Things have been going pretty well. The band (Meat Loaf) is in good spirits and playing well.
I did have a wonderful time jumping back to The New Cars for a second and can't say enough good things about those guys. I'm hoping that there will be more time for me next year to play with them. As of now, nothing is booked but I do know that there are plans for them to tour in '08.
In the middle of all of this are the solo shows I'll be playing in the coming weeks. Philadelphia, Toronto, Cleveland, Miami and Atlanta to be exact. If you happen to be within driving distance to any of these places, please try and make one of these shows. More info is always available through the usual websites (Mine and of course Sue's).
I've been working on a few new songs and hope to have at least one finished for some - or all - of these shows.
My latest CD 'All Sides' is also available through www.KasimSulton.com and I keep getting emails from everyone who has purchased a copy telling me how much they enjoy it.
I've also been in discussions with my good friends at Interstate Music regarding making a few 'special' versions of my K-Bass. We've been talking about doing a very limited run in White with Gold Hardware, individually signed and numbered along with some other collectible items. No date as of yet as to when these will be available but most likely before the years end.
I'm continuing to do the 'Backstage Pass' videos for Youtube which for me have become almost a side business. It's a little tough coming up with new ideas if only because, how many times can I take the same footage of the band getting ready for a show. Nothing changes really! Maybe it's time to go out to the audience again and bother the fans for a change.
Lastly, I'd like to say thank you to all of you who take the time out of your busy life to drop me a note telling me how much you like a particular show, enjoy my contribution to Meat Loaf, The New Cars or my solo effort. It means so much to me to hear that.
I'll keep you posted in the coming weeks either here or on Youtube or on my website, or on Sue's website or in the papers but hopefully NOT on America's Most Wanted.

Kasim

Goodbye Britain ..... for now

2007-05-29T21:49:00.001-04:00

The two Gentlemen you see me standing with here are Andrew Miller and Danny Betesh. They are Meat's Promoters for the UK. Have been since 1983. They are a class act and over the years I've become close with them both.
I chose to post this picture for another reason as well ...
Danny, the gentleman to my left has been in the promotion business for close to 45 years. He started in the early sixties as an Independent Concert Promoter in Manchester England.
One of his first acts was a band from Liverpool that was starting to get a lot of attention.
It seems a good friend of his, someone he did business with on more than one occasion was looking to book a nation wide tour for his band. Brian Epstein told Danny that he didn't think his boys were big enough to headline a tour all by themselves so he asked if Danny could ring someone with a large following to guarantee ticket sales throughout the country. Danny called Roy Orbison to ask if he would like to headline the tour and Roy said yes. By the time the tour was to start, the boy's from Liverpool had a number one single and were poised to create the most lasting impression on popular music since Elvis Presley. There was no way they could possibly play in any other place on the bill other than Headliner. Danny called Roy Orbison back and explained what had transpired in the months since booking the tour, asked him if he wouldn't mind playing under The Beatles and well ... the rest is history.
Both Danny and Andrew are the good guys. Don't get me wrong, their business men and like to make money just like the other guys but .... I'm proud to call them my good friends.
W played the last of our shows here in the UK last night in Sheffield. Off to Ireland tomorrow then the Continent after that.
The shows have been going extremely well and we couldn't ask for a more appreciative crowd.
Kinda homesick right now but there's only another four weeks to go before I get back to the states.
Then I get to go do some Cars shows, start again with Meat AND do my solo shows too!
I can't wait!

Love, K

Work Work Work

2007-05-04T14:02:00.000-04:00

As you can see, I can't get away from the job. I was supposed to have two weeks off after the last Meat Loaf show on April 18 (a private show in NYC) and take a well deserved 2 week break, canceled shows not withstanding. As is usually the case, I got called out to LA to do more work on the Live DVD at the last minute and my two week break turned into a 5 day break.
I wound up working in LA from April 24th to May 2nd. Left LA on the 2nd, arrived in NY that evening and the next day left for the UK.
Now, it may seem like I'm complaining but trust me, I'm not. I love what I do and the fact that I'm so busy makes me appreciate it even more. Someone once told me never to complain about being busy.
LA was cool and I ran into Kyle McLaughlin and the guy from The Amazing Race who says, "Jim and Alice ... You are the last couple to arrive. I'm sorry but you're eliminated."
Alanis Morrisette was in the studio along with me but try as I might, I couldn't get her to stay out of my way. What a pest. She kept trying to get a glimpse of Meat (no pun intended) but he managed to avoid her.
So, it's time for the big rock tour over here and more Backstage Pass episodes. I know you're all on the edge of your seats waiting for Season Two to start.
Another heartfelt thank you to everyone who has ordered All Sides. I'm truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of fans.

Kasim

And then I .....

2007-04-21T02:04:00.000-04:00

So...
Thought you might like an update on my crazy life.
We did finally play the other night in Washington D.C. after the string of canceled dates due to Meat being ill. I felt bad for Meat because no one felt worse than he did about not being able to perform. There was just no way, given his condition that a show was possible until he got the OK from an ENT MD.
As you can see from the picture above, some work went on anyway and the band and myself spent a couple of days cleaning up some errant notes from the show that was filmed in London Ontario. Unlike most other bands who tend to take a live show into the studio and turn it into anything BUT live, we didn't go overboard in re-recording anything. Just a few very wrong notes here and there.
So, the band is on a break right now but, me? No such luck. I'm going to L.A. next week to finish cleaning the live show up and then meeting with James Michael who will be mixing over 72 separate tracks (instruments and vocals, not songs!) from the show. He's a good guy and a great songwriter and I know he'll do a wonderful job.

I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has been enjoying the YouTube videos. I've read all your comments and it seems like you're getting a kick out of my directorial efforts. I certainly have fun doing them and now, whenever people see me walking around the backstage area with my camera held out, they tend to roll their eyes and run for cover. You would have thought Randy would know better than to talk to me anymore. I guess he likes the attention.

Now, I know most of you are aware that my latest CD 'All Sides' is in stock but just in case you think I'm crying wolf check out this little commercial I made ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sINHrHDvbH8

I'm not the best salesman in the world (YA THINK?) but I did want as many people as possible to know it's out and available.

So, once I get home from L.A. I get to sleep for a few hours then hop on a plane for London to start the second leg of the Bat III Tour.
Our first break comes in July but since there is about three weeks off I've managed to talk the boys from The New Cars into letting me do as many shows as I can in July. I'm happy they want me back. And I'm also NUTS for working pretty much non-stop.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Meat Loaf shows in the UK, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland ... the live DVD should be a real treat to watch and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ...
Pick up a copy of ALL SIDES. It's a wonderful way to have a total KASIM experience (you'll also need to be wearing a Kasim T-Shirt, Sweat Shirt, Ball Cap or Diamond Studded Name Plate for the full effect).

Items can be purchased through http://www.kasimsulton.com
Just click on Everything Kasim Store of course!

Love, Kasim

Winnipeg, Manitoba

2007-03-12T03:18:00.000-04:00

We had a special Guest at tonight's show.
Meat's good friend Dennis Quaid was here shooting a movie and came to see the show.
Not only did he stay for the whole show, he graced the stage with his presence performing a song with the band.
It seems Dennis is an accomplished musician in his own right and has his own band as well that plays at least once a week in Los Angeles.
He's a really nice guy and the crowd (and the band) was excited to have the opportunity to hang with a true Movie Star.
The shows have been getting better and better. We're almost at the end of this Canadian run getting ready to head back into the States for the rest of this leg of the tour.

I know some of you have been enjoying the You Tube videos and I'm glad my small attempt at humor is working out. I'm going to continue doing them as long as you find them, interesting, boring, funny, not funny, silly, inane, meaningless or otherwise unwatchable.
Episode 5 is up now.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=kasimsulton

For those of you patiently waiting for your copy of 'All Side' I promise you it's only a few days away. I'm very sorry it's taken this long.

Kasim

What A Day .....

2007-02-28T01:27:00.000-05:00

Rarely do days like the two that just past happen. A series of events so unfortunate that all you can do is laugh .... until the humor at the situation goes from funny to downright insanity.

Yesterday morning found us just outside beautiful Palm Springs in Indio, CA. The plan was to get a late check out from our hotel, drive 2.5 hours to LAX and get on a plane that would take us first to Seattle, change planes then onto Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). Sounds simple enough right? Listen to this...
We got to LAX about 5PM, checked our 24 pieces of luggage and proceeded to the gate. Arriving at the gate in plenty of time to have a coffee, get some reading material and find a choice seat in the waiting area until.... Flight delayed an hour. Ok, no problem. Not too bad. We still had more than enough time to make our connection in Seattle for the Victoria, BC flight. After about 45 minutes it's becoming apparent that the 'one hour' was going to be more like a two hour delay. Then, 2 hours turned into 3 hours and our window of opportunity to make the connection in Seattle was rapidly vanishing. Our courageous Tour Manager Bill was being told not to worry, the flight to Victoria was going to wait for us! Cool, ok. So it was safe to get on this first flight instead of waiting it out in LAX overnight and traveling the next day. Unfortunately, Bill got some erroneous information. By the time we took off at 10PM! there would be no plane 'waiting for us' in Seattle. We arrived in Seattle at midnight and were told not to worry, we would be put on the first flight out the next morning at 7:15AM. Ummm, this is a rock band your dealing with. That hour doesn't exist on the road unless you're just calling it a day about then. The next flight was at 10:17 so we opted for that one. Now ... do they keep all our bags in the airport or do we ask to have them pulled and tote them back over in the morning from the Hotel at the Airport? Pull the bags please. There is no 'leaving bags' anywhere on the road if it can be helped.
We were all re booked on the 10:17 flight except for Meat and Bill who choose to take the flight after that at 2PM.
By the time we got our bags off the carousel and out to where the Marriott shuttle would pick us up from it was 2AM. We got to the Hotel by 2:45.
Only now we have to get up by 7:30 to go back over to the Airport and recheck the bags on to the flight to Victoria at 10:17.
Made it. Got there, got boarding passes, checked luggage and proceeded to the gate in Seattle.
An hour later .... Flight Cancelled. OH WHAT A DAY ALREADY. Now ... this was supposed to be a nice relaxing day off. OK, they could get us all on an Air Canada flight to Vancouver then onto Victoria. We decided to take it. BACK down to Baggage Claim, get our bags and check them onto the Air Canada flight. I was beginning to question if we were supposed to go to Canada at all.
We got our bags, struggled over to the Air Canada ticketing desk and hoped for the best.
No problem. About an hour and a half later we were boarding the flight to Vancouver.
The story doesn't end here .....
We arrive in Vancouver only to find that 14 out of 18 pieces of luggage didn't make it. Mine included. @@@@##$$%%*****!!!!!!!!
We went through Immigration and Customs in Vancouver with no luggage, onto Victoria with no luggage, checked into the hotel with no luggage. I treasure the little things I take with me on the road. My tea, my boil pot, my honey, a toothbrush, my Mug, and it was somewhere other than where I was. UGH!
Well, the story has a happy ending...
Late tonight, all the missing luggage was delivered to the hotel here in Victoria.
I just had to share this nutty story.

K

Carpe Noctum

2007-02-26T14:49:00.000-05:00

The first two shows are in the history books.
The rust is clearing and we're on our way the The Great White North.
Although we did have a full five days of production rehearsals in L.A., nothing really beats being in front of a crowd.
The show is pretty much the same as the one we debuted last year in London, Toronto and N.Y.C.
There are some additions in terms of staging and extras which I'm not at liberty to give away.
You'll just have to wait for someone else to let that cat out of the bag.
I have decided to do a little filming backstage before the shows so you all can get a glimpse into the glamorous life all of us lead out here.
Matter of fact, I did a short one last night which you can view here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7agxh7xl1A
I've typed that address in as it appears in my browser. If it doesn't work, just try going to YouTube and typing my name in the search.

For those of you patiently waiting for the All Sides CD, I've been told that our first order will be delivered sometime this week. So, don't fret... your order is but a few days away from being filled.
I'll make sure to let you know the minute we get them in from the duplicating house.

K

All Sides

2007-02-03T02:22:00.000-05:00

For those of you who weren't able to come to the last round of solo shows, I thought it would be fitting to impart the short story / explanation I've shared on why and how I decided to put the above mentioned CD together.
Last year I celebrated a milestone. Three decades playing, performing and recording. During that time I managed the amazing feat of four (yes, thats right, I said four!) solo albums. Well, one was a collaborative effort but 'three solo albums' sounds so unexciting I decided to designate Price / Sulton as a solo effort.
So, sitting in my suburban version of a cave this past December, I thought ... "Might be time to put the requisite compilation CD together." After all, I did have enough material from the FOUR solo albums to make a decent package. Some of the stuff was hard to get and I had fairly decent copies of my first EMI album and Price / Sulton. All the material on The Basement Tapes I have on DAT Tapes and Quid Pro Quo was easy enough to lift songs from.
I then said to myself ... "self, why not put those three new songs you've finished on as well? Make it slightly more interesting."
Well ... as long as I was doing that much, didn't I have some older demos lying around that people might want to hear? I sure did! I have more Demo's than Imelda Marcos has shoes.
I settled on 27 tracks. Pretty much the kitchen sink of material from my first decent recordings at Bearsville Studios in 1976 to the latest warblings of my dulcet tones.
The next hurdle came in terms of fitting all the pieces together. The biggest problem was re-mastering the older stuff to today's standards. Jim LaForest to the rescue. He's a good buddy of mine from the S.F. Bay Area who generously gave up a month of his time to the project. Tweaking knobs and plug-in's like the pro that he is to make it sound the way these things should sound before being presented as a body of work.
Most of the songs on the CD have gone through a dozen small changes before we were satisfied enough to say they were as good as they could be. I think anyone listening will appreciate Jim's relentless pursuit of a good sounding record.
The Artwork was another story. I didn't want to take the easy way out. Put a mug shot on the cover with some cheesy all knowing smirk and soft lighting so, Dave F. and I went out on a limb and tried to create a story with the cover. I have to hand it to him. The cover and artwork inside is the most creative stuff I've ever had my name associated with. The only budget we had was me buying him dinner after each photo session. I think I still owe him one.
It's done now. It's being assembled and printed as I write this (well, maybe not right now as it's 3:30 AM) and I'm thrilled at the final result.
I think you will be too.
Now I can start number five.

Kasim

How Grateful I Am

2007-01-29T08:05:00.000-05:00

Early morning Monday and I'm getting ready for a long ride home with Dug.
I had to take a minute out of packing, stretching, scratching and yawning to tell you all how wonderful these last ten days have been. From Schenectady to Valparasio and everything in between, it's been an amazing trip. Once again, I've been shown a huge amount of support and love by everyone who came to the shows.
I did my best to thank you all at the gig's, personally and from the stage. If you didn't get a hand shake or a hug from me, consider yourself thanked now.
I plan on doing a lot more of this work in the future and seeing all of you at these shows proves to me there is more than good reason to think I can count on at least a few more years of solo shows.
I have a couple of weeks to myself before I have to leave for the Meat Loaf tour which will take up most of the year but I'm already thinking of what I'd like to do next time I have a solo show. New songs, new stories and new cities to play in.
In the mean time, if you didn't get to one of these seven shows, check out the CD 'All Sides' set to be available on February 25th.
http://everythingkasim.bigcartel.com/

I'll keep you all in the loop over the next months with pictures, videos and personal observations.

Love, Kasim

The Kaz & Doug Show Episode 2

2007-01-24T05:41:00.000-05:00

Check it out ....

www.youtube.com

Search under Kasim Sulton.

See the boys stump an unsuspecting waitress at a Perkins Pancake House in Ohio.

The laughts never stop!

Address for The Kaz & Doug Show

2007-01-23T13:35:00.000-05:00

It seems the link I provided for the new video doesn't work.

If you go to www.youtube.com then type Kasim Sulton in the search, you will be able to find it there.

Kasim

Here We Go Again...

2007-01-22T22:13:00.000-05:00

Hi All,
Just rolled into Pittsburgh after a nice leisurely drive from N.Y. I've been looking forward to these dates for a while now.
I've finally put the finishing touches on the new CD, ALL SIDES.
I had hoped to have it in hand and available by the time I did these shows but my desire to make it the best it could possibly be meant delaying the release for a week.
It just so happened to be the week I was scheduled to do these shows.
Part of the problem was the shere volume of material I wanted to include. Transferring songs from my four solo albums wasn't easy. The source material was less than pristine so the first order of business was to use every tool available to bring it back to it's original condition. Then, I had to get the unheard Demo's together. A lot of these tapes were recordings of recordings making another restoration process necessary. After that, I had to finish mixing the three new songs I planned on including, polish them up and send them off to my Mastering Engineer Jim LaForest in California to make them record worthy.
The biggest obsticle came in trying to making all 27 tracks sound cohesive. Like they belonged together. All this while working with Dave Fletcher creating and putting together the Artwork for what is my one and only compilation CD. Just the simple fact that I can say "compilation" means something special to me. I trust you'll appreciate all the hard work by so many people on this project.
It looks like I'll be able to have the CD available in just a few weeks time. February 25th to be exact.
I'm doing some piano songs on this little tour, and enjoying the fact that people recognize songs that were never officially part of my repertoire. I hope you'll enjoy hearing them as much as I do playing them.

Well, if you made it this far, I think you deserve a treat so ... go to;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLFrxL1Ydyc

There you will find the first episode of the Kaz & Doug show!

Love, Kasim

Happy New Year

2006-12-30T02:54:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came to the show last night at The Bitter End.
I think we had some fun.
It was great to see all the familiar faces and some new ones as well. I hope you all enjoyed my attempt at some post Christmas Christmas songs. I think I might just keep Blue Christmas in the set for the January shows.
The new CD ... 'All Sides' should be ready to go out within the next two weeks and, as always, there'll be a few surprises on it.
Also, the T-Shirts came out great and thanks to everyone who picked one up at the show or ordered them on line.

Have a truly Happy New Year everyone. Here's to a wonderful 2007! I love you all.

Kasim

Last New Cars Show .... for now

2006-12-18T06:23:00.000-05:00

Well, thats it. Played the last show tonight in Anehiem, CA at the House Of Blues. The end of a tour is always a bitter sweet thing (I think I said that exact same thing at the end of the last tour).
Turns out, I did a lot more shows with The New Cars than I originaly thought I might. Mainly because of changes in the Meat Loaf promo schedule. Everytime I had a day off or a free few minutes, I found myself on a plane or in a car traveling to do a show with the guys. Considering my relationship with them, it was always well worth the added effort on my part to do it.
I'm very much looking forward to a little time off and the solo shows I have coming up.
So for now ... enjoy the last pictures I took tonight and know that I had a great time with this band.

2006-12-18T06:22:00.000-05:00

The long process to prove we aren't entering Disney Land to steal Top Secret Mouse info

2006-12-18T06:21:00.001-05:00

More waiting

2006-12-18T06:21:00.000-05:00

Signing some fan stuff backstage

2006-12-18T06:16:00.001-05:00

Elliots guitars

2006-12-18T06:16:00.000-05:00

Tom, guitarist with Persephonies Bees, he

2006-12-18T06:15:00.001-05:00

Rip, guitar tech extrodinare

2006-12-18T06:15:00.000-05:00

Pre Show Prair

2006-12-18T06:14:00.001-05:00

Tour Manager Allan Zullo

2006-12-18T06:14:00.000-05:00

Angelina from Persephonies Bees

2006-12-18T06:13:00.002-05:00

Awwww, ain't he cute?

2006-12-18T06:13:00.001-05:00

My buddy Prairie

2006-12-18T06:13:00.000-05:00

From Monitor world

2006-12-18T06:12:00.001-05:00

you caught me!

2006-12-18T06:12:00.000-05:00

TR Rockin' Out

2006-12-18T06:11:00.001-05:00

Interesting pic

2006-12-18T06:11:00.000-05:00

Sharing a moment during Elliots solo in 'You're All I've Got Tonight'

2006-12-18T06:10:00.000-05:00

Bang The Drum I think

2006-12-18T06:02:00.000-05:00

Me & TR

2006-12-18T06:01:00.000-05:00

Me and Drummer Paul from Persephonies Bees

No sane person would ever be doing this

2006-12-04T19:26:00.001-05:00

It's roughly 12:30 AM London time. I just got back from the Royal Variety Performance.
I'm pretty sure I was in Chicago earlier this week and tomorrow I fly to Los Angeles, get off the plane, drive to the House Of Blues for soundcheck with The New Cars for a show there that night.
Life is good. Glamourous? No. Enviable? Depends on your perspective.
Even though I didn't actually perform on the show tonight, I was on stage. For those of you with access to the BBC broadcast of this show in a couple of weeks, you might be able to pick me out of the gaggle of dancers I was standing with by a pin-ball machine during 'Blind As A Bat' and the beginning of 'Dead Ringer'. After I made sure that things were running smoothly, I made a dash off the stage to go play a late night set in a local Pub (kidding). Although, if someone offered, I probably would have done it.

So, It looks like I'm finishing off this year with one more Meat Loaf TV taping (Dick Clarks NYE Show) and a week of New Cars gigs on the West Coast.

I'm kind of looking forward to a little time to myself.
I'm still sifting through the Christmas tunes you've all sent for my consideration and anyone who has another suggestion, feel free to drop me a line on it.
Oh, oh, and don't forget I have all those cool 'All Sides Tour' Sweat & T-Shirts for sale at www.everythingkasim@thebigcartel.com.
If the link doesn't work, you can get there over at www.kasimsulton.com

I'll try and make another short post before I shut down for the holiday. For me shutting down isn't easy, but I think I've earned the right to at least try.

Kasim

2006-12-04T19:25:00.000-05:00

Who

2006-12-04T19:24:00.000-05:00

Meat and TC on the set of the Royal Variety Show

2006-12-04T19:23:00.001-05:00

Meat and Camilla

2006-12-04T19:23:00.000-05:00

Meat reaheasing with the Royal Variety Dancers

2006-12-04T19:22:00.002-05:00

Meat and Jamellah

2006-12-04T19:22:00.001-05:00

Meat and Germellah

2006-12-04T19:22:00.000-05:00

Meat and Gemmella

2006-12-04T19:21:00.002-05:00

Meat and Jemilla

2006-12-04T19:21:00.001-05:00

Meat and Jamella

2006-12-04T19:21:00.000-05:00

More rehearsals

2006-12-04T19:20:00.001-05:00

Now ... you're ANGRY

2006-12-04T19:20:00.000-05:00

The British Andrew Sisters

2006-12-04T19:19:00.001-05:00

Tim Curry

2006-12-04T19:19:00.000-05:00

Cast Of Spamalot

2006-12-04T19:18:00.000-05:00

The Sugar Babes?

2006-11-05T02:51:00.000-05:00

Judge Milian! Yes, from The Peoples Court. I LOVE her. She attended the New York show and was kind enough to climb all over me for a picture. She's my new Legal Council.

New York / Toronto

2006-11-05T01:49:00.000-05:00

Whew ...
I'm tired.
It's been non stop since August. The hardest part is over. The three most important shows are done. London, New York and Toronto. All in preparation for the release of Meat's most important record in 13 years. Now, I'd be less than honest if I said anything other than these were the best shows we've played in years.
The amount of planning and preparation that went into making these dates special was daunting to say the least. Everyone, band, crew and management came together to put all the individual pieces in place but, I'm especially proud of my boss. Remember, he's literally been around the world doing promotion for Bat III since August. I've done that in the past with him. It is not fun. A day in one country, arrive early in the morning, drive to a hotel, spend the morning with the press, do a TV show in the afternoon, more interviews in the evening, go to bed and do it all over again in a different country the next day. A week of that would be enough to drive the most dedicated artist up a wall. Yes, Meat was tired through out the rehearsals but also, excited to put a new show together. One that would have to involve all three Bat records. The idea of doing the show in two parts was brilliant. It allowed for setting up the newer material with the more familiar songs. Every concert I've ever played with Meat Loaf has ended with Paradise By The Dashboard Light. It's a staple in the Bat lexicon. In starting with Paradise, we're basically welcoming the entire audience into our home. I'm fascinated by Meat Loafs' ability to gauge his audience. What to do and when to do it. Sure, he's gone overboard in the past ... Witness the Storytellers Tour a few years back, he would get so into answering questions from the audience that I took to bringing a stool on stage with me because there was so much time between songs. But isn't 'overboard' synonymous with Meat Loaf?
In anycase, I digress...
The shows were great. As perfect as anyone could hope for in a live situation. We're not scheduled to start touring until March of next year but this is one show you can't miss. I know I can't wait until we're doing this on a regular basis.

Royal Albert Hall

2006-10-17T18:00:00.000-04:00

I can breathe a sigh of reliefe. Most of the work I've done starting in August stretched all the way through to two nights ago. I'm refering to endless rehearsing going over old material, learing new songs, auditioning a replacement for someone we didn't want to replace, trying to find yet another band member who would play an instrument that hadn't been utilized in this band before ... it was madness all the way around. The rehearsals were done, auditions ended. It was now, make it or break it.
Last night was the culmination of that work and at the same time, the start of it too.
We played to a packed house at the Royal Albert Hall here in London and I can honestly say I don't ever remember enjoying a show as much. Everyone tried their hardest and did their best to make it as perfect a show as any live show could be and we managed to rise to the occasion.
I'm very proud of the Band and I thought Aspen did a wonderful job. It's no secret that she had some serious shoes to fill and I think she proved that she can do it. Marion Raven was a star as well.
In a very ironic way, the work has just begun. Now all we can do is turn to the next show, the next venue, the next TV or radio performance and do what we did at Albert Hall.
I wanted to save the best for last ... Meat sang his ass off last night. I've never heard him better.
So ... on to NYC.
There aren't any guarantees life, let alone in my chosen profession so the thought of Bat III becoming a success on the level of it's two predecessors is ify at best. We'll do our best to make it so.

2006-10-17T17:05:00.000-04:00

Statue of Victoria just across the street from Royal Albert Hall

2006-10-17T17:03:00.000-04:00

You can't tell but they made me wear a Hard Hat on stage. I was threatened with expulsion from the venue if I didn't have it on

2006-10-17T17:02:00.000-04:00

What blog would be compleat without a picture of Randy posing?

2006-10-17T17:01:00.000-04:00

Paul Crook as ... well ... Paul Crook

2006-10-17T17:00:00.001-04:00

A very excited Pre-show Marion Raven

2006-10-17T17:00:00.000-04:00

Laura was one of Three Cellists we had on stage with us.

2006-10-17T16:59:00.000-04:00

Mark putting his game face on

2006-10-17T16:58:00.000-04:00

Randy and some new guy named Dave mugging it up

2006-10-17T16:57:00.000-04:00

Here we see Aspen in her Cheerleader outfit going into her dressing room. She doesn't look too happy that I took a picture.

2006-10-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

Paul, Brain May and Randy after the show.

2006-10-17T16:54:00.000-04:00

What can I say? Do you blame me for the Thumbs Up sign?