SOLO SESSIONS: TOMMY SHAW & JACK BLADES

Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) presents a new twist on its popular Solo Sessions series with the ’80s rockers Tommy Shaw (Styx) and Jack Blades (Night Ranger) on Saturday, Feb. 23, in the intimate McCoy Studio Theater.

One of the most prolific duos in the history of rock, Shaw and Blades have sold more than 50 million albums among three bands and have scored 12 Top Ten singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 list. Guitarist, singer-songwriter Shaw is best known for his work with the progressive rock band Styx (1970s-80s) and hard rock band Damn Yankees (1990s). Bassist-vocalist Blades is a founding member of the rock band Night Ranger (1980s), as well as Damn Yankees.

Together, they have been recording and touring as the duo Shaw-Blades since the release of their 1995 album, “Hallucination.” Their latest release is “Influence,” rooted in acoustic guitar and backed by their modern rock influences.

“With Shaw-Blades, we’re able to take liberties that our respective bands couldn’t do,” said Blades. “We need to be Styx-sounding, we need to fit in that Night Ranger world, and we even need to think about Damn Yankees, so that’s what’s fun about Shaw-Blades… “We get to be our alter-egos when we want to be, yet we can truly be ourselves.”

Concert-goers will be treated to a night of hits in their signature acoustic style including, “Come Sail Away,” “Fooling Yourself,” “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and “(Can You Take Me) High Enough.”

Tickets to Shaw-Blades are selling for $45 for standard seats and $65 for premium seating, plus applicable fees. Call the MACC Box Office at (808) 242-SHOW (9469) or visit MauiArts.org.

February 23, 2013 7:30pm - 11:00pm

Maui Arts & Cultural Center
1 Cameron Way
Kahului, Hawaii  96732
www.mauiarts.org

By ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON

The Wall Street Journal
August 28, 2012

“When the lights go down in the city

“And the sun shines on Tampa Bay

“Republicans want to be there…”

…for Journey’s GOP convention concert, sponsored by Citizens Helping Heroes, a nonprofit “dedicated to supporting those who selflessly defend our collective freedoms.”

With Tropical Storm Isaac redirecting its menace to points northwest of Tampa, some 20,000 delegates, lobbyists and fundraisers are ready to rock. Each night after the official convention programming, they will pack into nearly 200 bashes and jams aimed at putting the “party” in Republican Party. Many events are sponsored by companies that hope—just as more deals are struck on the golf course than in the boardroom—GOP movers will bond while waving flags at Space Jam 2012 with Lockheed Martin, or waving lighters for an encore by Jack Blades.

Conventions are always big on theme parties. Republicans this year can indulge in tapas and cigar-rolling with the credit union industry, beer and brats with the Wisconsin delegation, and late-night milk and cookies with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. House Speaker John Boehner will headline a party called The Best Little Warehouse in Tampa, which will occupy three downtown buildings and a 20-foot long tent for smokers like Mr. Boehner. For weeks, planners have been installing palm trees, pirate statues and waterfalls in event venues, as well as spreading tons of sand indoors for the many beach-themed parties.

This year, though, Republicans will be singing a new tune. They will hear from a diverse lineup of acts that breaks out of the party’s familiar country-and-gospel mold. The shift reflects the metal-head tastes of some younger party leaders, including vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, rebuked by Twisted Sister last week for using its tune “We’re Not Gonna Take It” without permission on the campaign trail.

Ted Nugent, the die-hard Republican rocker and outspoken id of the GOP, is off the road having his knees replaced, and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s concert was bumped by Hurricane Isaac panic. But the soul band The Commodores will appear, as will blues group Blues Traveler and vintage rockers Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Journey.

“There’s a tendency to assume that Republicans attract only country acts, so it’s nice to be doing something to help dispel that myth,” says Dave Schnittger, deputy chief of staff to Mr. Boehner, who is a 1980s rock fan and once invited Van Halen frontmen Eddie and Alex Van Halen to tour the U.S. Capitol.

This spring Mr. Schnittger saw Mr. Blades, lead singer of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees, touting Republican values on television and invited him to perform in Tampa.

“I’ve been a fan of Night Ranger since the early 1980s, and I had no idea [Mr. Blades] ever had a political affiliation,” Mr. Schnittger said. Further, Mr. Blades’s song “Back in the Game” is “a potential unofficial anthem for the convention,” with a theme of “a better future,” Mr. Schnittger said.

“I’m pretty pumped up,” said Mr. Blades. “The message I’d like to bring to this whole thing is, ‘We’re Americans. C’mon, let’s get it going, let’s get back in the game.’ ” He’ll be on hand all week to support Mr. Romney and see concerts by his friends in the band Journey.Beyond that, he says, “If somebody throws me a guitar, I’ll sing.”

The convention will offer other entertainment options, too. After days packed with policy events, such as the American Land Title Association’s “A Vibrant Real Estate Market is the Key to a Vibrant Economic Recovery,” weary wonks on the A-list can try the National Rifle Association’s “Shootout” for charity.

For kids with connections on the House and Senate commerce committees, there’s batting practice at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

“It’s a very exciting time to be a Republican, and this is where politics, policy and entertainment collide,” says Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. Mr. Bonjean is spokesman for Liberty Plaza Events, which is staging a weeklong series of rock concerts organized by Rob Jennings, a Republican fundraiser.

Many trade groups are offering classic policy-heavy fare by day and an open bar at night. The American Petroleum Institute wants to make energy a key election issue with daytime policy panels. But late Thursday night, there’s “Fueling the Future,” a party in a cruise-ship terminal with Southern rockers the Zac Brown Band. Rumor has it the Romney family may turn up.

Iconic Entertainer Joins GOP in Tampa to Help Show America is “Back in the Game”

TAMPA, FL — You can still rock in America — and with his blend of common-sense conservatism and rock n’ roll credentials, Jack Blades is out to prove it.  The songwriter, bassist, lead singer and front man of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees is in Tampa, Florida this week to participate in the 2012 Republican National Convention, where he’ll perform “Back in the Game,” the lead track from his latest solo effort, Rock ‘n Roll Ride, and make appearances in support of Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and other GOP candidates.

“This country was built on the hard work of individual Americans who took a chance and pursued a dream,” says Blades, who has sold more than 25 million albums throughout his remarkable career and performed in front of millions of fans worldwide.  ”Too often today I see that sort of initiative being discouraged and punished.  We can do better.  That’s why I’m honored to have been asked to be involved in the convention.”

Blades’ music has long had a patriotic flavor, evident in Night Ranger’s classic 1983 hit “(You Can Still) Rock in America” and emerging more recently in his solo hit “Back in the Game,” the video for which made its debut earlier this year on radio and TV host Sean Hannity’s website.  Night Ranger also performed for U.S. troops stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2008, an experience Blades found deeply inspiring.

With a career spanning three decades, Blades has recorded with, penned songs and produced albums for some of the music industry’s biggest names, including Aerosmith, Cher, Ringo Starr, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey, Journey, Vince Neil, Ozzy Osbourne, Styx, Ted Nugent, and Motley Crue.

Blades has brought his common-sense conservatism and passion for America to television, appearing as a guest on Fox News’ “Hannity” and “Red Eye” programs.

Blades’ music has been featured in films such as Armageddon, Oscar-nominated Boogie Nights, Tommy Boy; television shows such as South Park and American Dad, the wildly successful Rock Band and Guitar Hero video games; and the Rock of Ages hit Broadway musical and feature film.

Celebrate this Memorial Day with some rockin’ merchandise from Night Ranger! We are running a 50% OFF sale on select items, including awesome NR T-Shirts, Stickers, and more! 

Cool contest with chances to meet Night Ranger at the San Mateo County Fair! Click HERE for more info.