Zupe: News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GERMAN TOUR INSPIRES HOLIDAY RELEASE

Altoona, PA, December 1, 2011 – During his military tour in Germany, Zupe learned the language as a necessity. On his new Christmas CD, Yuletides, Zupe pairs his German penchant with his musical talents resulting in an inspirational rendition of "Silent Night."  Singing the first verse verse of this holiday classic in its original language, Zupe is joined by The Singing Sergeants of the U.S. Air Force in an uplifting culmination of the song.

Yuletides is the latest release from the critically acclaimed artist. The fourteen tracks run the gamut from traditional favorites “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” and “The First Noel” to contemporary classics such as “Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”  Zupe brings Yuletides as well as the holiday season to a close with his rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Dave Nichols, Zupe’s long-time collaborator, adds a unique Santo and Johnny-like jazz flavor to “The Christmas Song” (a.k.a. “Chestnuts Roasting”) as well as the rest of the album’s tracks.

Zupe will be performing the songs of Yuletides and other holiday favorites at his various Christmas shows throughout the area. His entire performance schedule can be found on his website at www.zupe.net.

Yuletides can be purchased at Zupe’s website and at any of his shows for $10.00.

First off, it was a beautiful day for traveling.  Unlike last year, when my show was postponed due to a blizzard, the sun was shining and the temperatures were in the upper 50's today!  I played a two-hour show at an open house for a financial services office.  Not your typical Irish gig, to be sure, but rather cool nonetheless. Culbertson Financial Services recently moved into their newly renovated digs in the historic district of Boalsburg.  The offices were stunning and they were showing off to the community with a party.

My agent told me that the opening act was an Irish guy and the client was looking for someone to be "cool and fun" for the closer.  Irish music wouldn't be necessary since the opener was doing it.  Sounds like the perfect gig for yours truly!  But when I arrived, I learned the Irish guy never showed up.  So the first question I get is "How much Irish music do you do?"

Always the trooper, and always prepared, I had a small number of Irish tunes I could intersperse in my regular show, and that turned out to be all that was needed.  Maybe it was the wonderful spread of food.  Or the various wines on hand.  Or maybe it was me.  But by the end of the evening, people were dancing and singing to all of those great "Irish" hits like "My Girl" and "La Bamba."

The good news this week is, in Pennsylvania, it's warm and the snow is melting. The bad news is the continuous rainfall.  It makes things sloppy when you're trying to load music gear in and out of a venue.  I had a showtime of 7:00 at Sherry Lynn's Ballroom Dance Center, about an hour's drive away.  Things were going right on schedule as I headed out for the evening.  But that all came to a sudden end a mere half block from my house. That's when my van's windshield wipers decided to quit working!

After getting back home (a quick trip around the block), I was dismayed to find it wasn't an easy fix like a blown fuse.  Turns out the wiper drive arm broke off of the wiper motor.  Times like this I wish I had a garage to work in!  Standing outside in the rain, with darkness closing in, I tried desperately to fix it.  But this was something that wasn't going to be fixed in a short amount of time.  The area to work in was quite small (especially for my big hands ... great for piano playing, not so good for brain surgery!), it was getting dark, and the rain was coming down harder and harder.

Things were looking bleak.  I called my client who found a guy, 15 miles away, who was willing to come and get me and my gear.  It was then that I noticed my neighbor's Durango in the driveway.  A quick phone call to him, some begging and pleading, and I soon had a set of wheels.  Now don't ask how I got all of my stage gear into this SUV, but I managed somehow and made the gig, albeit an hour late.  I knew things would be okay when the room broke into thunderous applause just because I showed up!  And I was right.  It was a great gig and the party was a huge success.

I was able to fix the wipers the next day.  Ironically, it hasn't rained since!

Greetings!

Well, the first week of my new CD being released has been nothing short of astounding!  My thanks to all of you who have already purchased it.  I hope you're spreading the word about this great collection of dance music!

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Speaking of Dancers ...

The Altoona Mirror newspaper ran a story about guide dogs that featured my pal Joe Fagnani, interim executive director of the Blair County Association for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.  Joe and his wife are regulars at the Holiday Ballroom.  They do a mean jitterbug.  And in case you're wondering, his guide dog doesn't dance ... it has two left feet!

You can read the story here.

For Immediate Release

 

Altoona, PA, February 11, 2010 - Zupe, known as Pennsylvania’s premier entertainer, has released an album of original songs for the ballroom dance crowd.  “Dance” includes twelve tracks written, produced, and performed by Zupe and his talented cadre of musicians from western Pennsylvania. 

Non-ballroom dance enthusiasts will enjoy this collection of songs that crosses a myriad of musical genres.  From the opening sounds of a bygone era to a rollicking honky tonk bar, listeners will experience a cornucopia of emotions.  Even though it may be only a samba, dancers will appreciate the carnival atmosphere created by “Solamente la Samba” and then find themselves transported in time by waltz steps to the strains of “Magnolia.”  Zupe’s lyrics encourage bystanders to “Dance for Me,” preferably the cha cha, while “I’m Hooked on You” will move the feet of merengue dancers and music lovers alike.  Dances from foxtrots and mambos to tangos and boleros can be found in this collection while the music runs the gamut from country to Latin. 

Zupe graces four tracks with vocals, co-written by longtime collaborator and guitarist Dave Nichols.  The rest of the album showcases a variety of talented musicians including Chuck Knepper who co-wrote three tracks and also played guitar.  Bassist Bill Smith, accordion player Dan Crosser (of Galla & Dan fame), violinist John Parrendo, pedal steel guitarist Gary Jacob, saxophonist Jamie Peck, flutist Vickie Jozefczyk, and acoustic guitarist Paul Kuzupas also contributed their considerable talents to “Dance.” Zupe plays the keyboards as well as the various brass instruments while handling all of the drum programming heard on the tracks.    

Zupe performs any number of his works at the various shows he headlines.  His entire  performance schedule can be found at his website, www.zupe.net. 

“Dance” can be purchased at CDBaby.com and at any of Zupe's shows for $10.00. 

Well, not quite.  Fabrizio will be flying in on Saturday morning.  We're scheduled to do some production for his soon-to-be-released CD.  It's a fabulous mix of World/Latin/Mediterranean music with quite the line-up of international musicians.  We'll be working almost non-stop through next week.

Recently, I told you I had a cut on the new Valerie DeLaCruz Christmas Album. Well, it's available now! Click here to take a listen to it. The new album is at the bottom of her page and the song is entitled "You Make Me Believe." Valerie and I wrote the song in New York and she later recorded it in Nashville. Hope you like it!

Friday was quite a day. I was a speaker/presenter, at my son's school, for their annual "Day of the Arts." So I lugged in my stage gear AND brought a very old analog synthesizer (a Crumar DS II). My idea was to teach these kids about soundwaves and how to manipulate them through electronics. (I know, I know ... REALLY GEEKY!!!!!)

But the kids loved it! Maybe because I interspersed my hour-long presentation with songs from SpongeBob. Or maybe it was because I let each kid come up to that old synthesizer and tweak knobs and push sliders and make all sorts of strange electronic sounds. Whatever the reason, they seemed to have a great time ... and so did I.

I had a fabulous time in California, last week. I attended ASCAP's annual "I Create Music" Expo, where I got to do some major networking, meet with some of my musical heroes, and then finished the week writing more songs with Fabrizio.

I also had a chance to hang with my friend (and CEO of Broadjam, Inc.,) Roy Elkins. Broadjam.com is the internet's leading site for independent musicians. And for those of you with a keen eye (and the good sense to have purchased it), Roy is the guy that wrote the forward in my "Speechless" album.

Next Wednesday, I fly back to the west coast to continue my work with L.A. based Italian artist Fabrizio Novo.  While I'm there, I'll also be attending the annual ASCAP "I Create Music" Expo.  This is a huge event that allows me to hook up with producers, publishers, and film & television people who are looking for the next big thing.  At last year's event, I signed several songs with HD Music Now Publishing.

"Dance For Me" is undergoing a little re-work.  This is a really cool song ... sort of like David Bowie meets Los Lobos.  And although, technically, it's a cha-cha, some of my dancers felt it was leaning more towards a rhumba feel.  So I've been reworking the percussion to put more emphasis on the "2-and-3, 4-and-1" that's so prevalent in cha-cha.  I'm blessed to have so many experienced ballroom dancers in my audience.  They have been a HUGE help in my getting things right before press-time!

Zupe Ponders The Weather ...

If you spent any time in Pennsylvania, this past week, then you know what I'm talking about!  Sunny and 60 one day, snow showers the next!  I just hope my magnolia tree can handle it. The buds didn't open, yet, so my fingers are crossed.  Speaking of magnolia ...

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Zupe's Ballroom Album Progress Report ...

"Magnolia" is the title of the waltz I wrote.  I've performed it a number of times, already, and the ballroom dance crowd loves it!  Well, this week, I finally got to replace the computer bass with a real live human being!  Bass player extraordinaire, Bill Smith, stopped by and recorded some fabulous tracks for me. Bill did bass work on the 2007 Zupe & Nichols release, "Speechless," so you already know what he's capable of.

Of course,guitarist and co-writer Dave Nichols was in the studio, as well, and we recorded several more guitar parts for the album. Things are really moving along

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Zupe's Work With Fabrizio ...

The writing continues with L.A. based Italian artist Fabrizio Novo.  We spoke on the phone for about three hours Monday night / Tuesday morning.  We started work on a cool new tune, which should finish up his album.

We recorded the first five songs back in January.  Look for a release later in the year!

I spent a few days in Nashville and got to work with Singer/Songwriter Diona Devin.  We met in L.A., a few years back, and really clicked.  We wrote a song together and hopefully we'll be pitching it soon.  Check out Diona Devin!

Another pleasant surprise in the mailbox this week.  L.A. based publisher, Triple Scoop Music, sent me a nice little check for the use of "O' Tannenbaum" from my "Christmas Piano" CD.

Triple Scoop Music caters to the visual arts community, offering soundtrack music for videographers and photographers who make slide shows for their websites.  This is a great example of how music gets used outside of the normal venues!

My longtime co-writer, Dave Nichols, and I recently signed on with Hitt Music Group in Los Angeles.  The Hitt Music Group is the leading Placement, Development and Resource service for emerging independent artists. According to Hitt Music Rep Kirsten H., "We discover and introduce unsigned artists who's dreams go beyond that of their rehearsal studios and small bar venues by scouting talent world wide, paying special attention to music that has potential for possible deals with record labels, music publishers, as well as Film, TV, AD and video game placements."   

Okay, so maybe we didn't win a Grammy this year, but now there's a good chance we'll be in the next version of "Grand Theft Auto!"

Another of my talented co-writers, Valerie DeLaCruz, will be releasing a new Christmas album this year.  Yours truly has an original song on the disc!  I wrote this song, with Valerie, on a previous trip to New York.

Valerie is also involved in a wonderful organization called Girls Inc.  Girls Incorporated of the Greater Capital Region serves over 200 girls per day with their after-school programs.  Their mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold.  They accomplish their mission by providing award-winning research-based programs in six areas: Leadership & Community Action, Career & Life Planning, Sports & Adventure, Self-reliance & Life Skills, Culture & Heritage, and Health & Sexuality.  They believe empowered girls develop into achieving women and are committed to helping girls build skills and capabilities for a responsible, confident and self-sufficient adulthood.

A few years back, Valerie wrote a song called "My Girlfriend's Quilt," with proceeds going to this organization.  She's hoping to raise money again this year for scholarships.  If you're interested in sending a charitable contribution of $25.00 or more, please donate through PayPal to the e-mail account girlsingr1@aol.com.

Bob Baker is an indie musician, former music magazine editor and author of several books, including the highly acclaimed Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook and BerkleeMusic's "Music Marketing 101" course.  I sat down with him in Los Angeles and we discussed getting music into film and tv.  Click here to give a listen to the podcast.

My longtime co-writer, Dave Nichols, and I spent the last three days in New York City. We attended ASCAP's annual membership meeting and sat in on an exclusive interview with Matchbox 20 singer, Rob Thomas. 

We also received congratulations from ASCAP staff for our showing in the 51st Annual Grammy Awards nominations.  As we heard countless times this week, the fact we got as far as we did is quite impressive!  We're feeling pretty good!!!

One of these days, this cold weather will end.  Right?   Somebody?  Anybody?!?!  Makes me want to get back to California. But that won't happen until April, when I'm off to L.A. for ASCAP's annual "I Create Music Expo." It's a huge gathering of writers, publishers, and record folk exchanging ideas and phone numbers. Woo-hoo! Last year's event led to me signing with a new West Coast publisher and getting noticed by the Grammys. 

After the Expo, I'll be working with Fabrizio as we continue recording his new album. The first five songs are sounding really good. We record at Veneto West Studios in L.A. with Ronan Chris Murphy being our engineer.  Bassist Lalo Carrillo and drummer Roberto Cerletti are amazing musicians and are doing a fabulous job for us! Fabrizio's album should be out this summer. 

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Zupe's New Album

My upcoming ballroom dance album, "Dance," is coming along nicely. I've been spending the last several days editing drums for the final piece on the album, a salsa, entitled "I'm Hooked On You." I'm hoping on a late spring release! 

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New York, New York ...

My longtime co-writer, Dave Nichols, and I are going to New York City next week. We're attending ASCAP's annual membership meeting and then a writing workshop with Rob Thomas. Along with the typical networking and schmoozing, we'll be eating like kings, too!

I'm staying busy in the studio, and with the weather being the way it is, that's really a good thing! Fabrizio and I recently finished up some recording in Los Angeles for his upcoming CD. We're still writing a few more songs. 

Meanwhile, I'm busily preparing my next release "Dance." It's a fourteen track album of music specially suited for ballroom dancing. But that doesn't mean the non-dancers of the world won't like it! My main reason for putting this project together was to give people some really cool music to dance to. Both, instrumental pieces AND vocal performances will be on this album. I'm currently finishing writing the final piece ... a salsa ... with my longtime writing partner, Dave Nichols. Let me tell you, if our previous album, "Speechless," would have had vocals, then THIS is the song that would have been on it. Dave and I recorded last night, and he laid down a BRILLIANT guitar solo! He makes my life as a producer so easy!!!!! :-)