MATT RAINES : 7-String Guitarist

John Bruce Wallace is a composer, improvisational guitarist, and painter. He has performed concerts in Russia and Lithuania as well as in the United States. Mr.Wallace has shared performance billings with: Tim Hodgkinson, Evan Ziporyn, John King, Vladimir Tarasov, ZGA, Enver Izmailov, Burham Ocal and Jazz Band Arkhangel'sk, to name a few. His recordings have received radio and Internet airplay across the United States, Canada, and Europe. His performances and recordings have been reviewed in leading foreign and domestic trade journals and publications. His paintings have been exhibited in New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC, as well as other exhibitions across the United States. His computer images have been exhibited on line at the MetaCreations (formerly MetaTools) Users' Gallery web site. He has published a monograph in philosophy on solipsism. His production company, Jace W. Ball Creative Enterprises, serves as an outlet for his music and painting endeavors, as well as graphic arts and record production. He is currently employed as the Information and Marketing Coordinator of a Washington, DC law firm.

The official website of Meredith Brooks.
The contagious, bright eyed smile on the cover of Meredith Brooks' long anticipated Kissing Booth Music/SLG Records debut Shine beautifully reflects the triumphant spirit of the singer/songwriter's life, both personally and professionally, in 2004.

The artist who electrified the world-and established herself as an undeniable creative force in a new generation of female rockers--with her multi-platinum disc Blurring the Edges and its worldwide hit single "Bitch" became a mother to baby Troy in July. She continues to thrive as a producer (Jennifer Love Hewitt, Hilary Duff), and recently signed up and coming teen rock singer Bec Hollcraft to her production company/label Kissing Booth Music.

Best of all to her eager fans, Brooks' solo career gets back in full swing in late September, with the release of Shine and its inspirational title track, chosen by none other than popular TV therapist Dr. Phil for a series of on air TV spots and the anthem for the new season of his show.

Chosen by Dr. McGraw from among hundreds of submissions because it fit the forward thinking, triumph over adversity philosophy of the show, the song's message also reflects Brooks' attitude towards her own survival in the music industry. Earlier label trouble prevented the twelve track collection from reaching its rightful audience for the last couple of years, but Brooks never gave up on her belief that a good song will always get its due. This is truly her chance to "Shine."

"In the song, I say, 'When there's nothing but no, and there's nowhere to go, you find a way'...and I did," she says. "Thanks to this extraordinary opportunity with Dr. Phil, both 'Shine' and the other songs are being given a chance in a new format which perfectly fits where my life is at these days," she says. "My hope is that they will touch people of all ages and life experiences across the board. My life is in a good place now, and the songs have an even deeper meaning to me than when I first wrote them. I was in a slightly different emotional space then, but I had the knowledge that whatever struggles I was going through, I would ultimately come through them and thrive. Life is always about change, good and bad, and my songs are very self-reflective. I knew I'd be rising up to those challenges, and now I have. Now I want to keep having fun and moving forward."

Shine opens with the sizzling, anthemic title track before moving into the crisp rock edges of "Crazy," a colorful statement about asserting one's independence. The blistering, hard grooving "Lucky Day" has a catchy singalong feeling and will no doubt inspire listeners to stand up to a controlling lover. The wistful and optimistic "Where Lovers Meet" offers rich rays of romantic hope, while "Bad Bad One" is a dark, moody exercise in deep self-analysis. "You DonÕt Know Me," which ruminates over the fallout from a hard breakup, begins with a mystical intro featuring filtered vocal and sonic effects. Touches of bluesy twang and funky hip-hop cool fuel the playful upbeat rapture of "Pleasure," which is balanced perfectly by (what else?) "Pain," about the harsh consequences of holding on to a love that still hurts. "Walk Away's" sharp hip-hop scratches echo Brooks' declaration that she's leaving a relationship gone sour, while "Your Name" is a good old fashioned brooding rocker that lets the listener's imagination take control of the plot. Concluding the set are folk meets alt rock tinged "High" and "Stand," a spiritual, "Bridge Over Troubled Water"-type expression of steadfast loyalty that could follow in Shine's footsteps as an inspirational anthem. Shine also includes a Dr. Phil remix of the title track.

The delay between the recording and release of 'Shine'-follow up to her 1999 release Deconstruction--gave the Corvallis, Oregon native a chance to step out as a first call record producer and develop her own production company, Kissing Booth Music, and a growing indie label with that name. In an era where hit albums are made by committee and multiple production teams are the norm, Brooks harkened back to the old days by producing every track of singer/actress Jennifer Love Hewitt's breakthrough project Barenaked, whose Top 30 title song was one 2002's most memorable hits.

She also co-wrote and produced "Party Up," from teen sensation Hillary Duff's 2003 album Metamorphosis, and did tracks with the up and coming Texas based Barefoot, which Brooks describes as "Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young by way of Matchbox 20." The first artist signed exclusively to Kissing Booth is 15 year old Bec Hollcraft, and the two are currently in the midst of recording her debut album ...

Pat Kirtley is a gifted performer who combines a rich musical heritage with masterful contemporary technique on the acoustic guitar.This National Fingerstyle Champion’s musical roots are from the southern country and bluegrass tradition, but it is his original material that places him on the cutting edge of new acoustic music. His repertoire is one that defies categorization, weaving tunes into a tapestry of folk, pop, celtic, and down-home country, translated to the guitar with honesty, humor and depth.

Clean, driving, melodically pure compositions are his trademark. His style expands the boundaries of the folk genre, reflect the far-reaching impact and current popularity of the acoustic guitar. Pat’s CD Kentucky Guitar was named one of the “Top 59 Acoustic Albums of 1996” by Japan’s Player Magazine, and Pat was honored to be named one of “The Next Generation of Hot New Acoustic Acts" by Acoustic Guitar Magazine in the December 1997 issue.
Pat's deadpan wit, engaging personality and splendid versatility are elements that combine to create a unique musical experience. He delights enthusiastic audiences at concerts, festivals, and workshops throughout the United States and Europe ...

Bruce Eisenbeil is a composer, improviser, and guitar instrumentalist who has dedicated his life to the advancement of modern guitar techniques through the growth and evolution of modern improvised music. He has 6 CD's released and has performed throughout North America, Japan, Germany, Brasil, and at many festivals. Eisenbeil has performed, recorded and collaborated with some of the best musicians in the world.

Although Eisenbeil was born in Chicago, he grew up in Plainfield, NJ which is where he began playing the guitar when he was 4 years old. He has been performing professionally since he was 15. Mostly self-taught, he studied with a few great teachers including Joe Pass, Howard Roberts, Joe Diorio, and Dennis Sandole (teacher of John Coltrane and Pat Martino).

Critics have compared him not only with guitarists such as Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Grant Green, Billy Bauer, Sarnie Garrett, Sonny Sharrock, Curtis Mayfield, John McLaughlin, Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck but also with saxophonists John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman and pianists McCoy Tyner and Cecil Taylor. His ensemble writing has been associated with the Art Ensemble of Chicago and the Revolutionary Ensemble.

Eisenbeil has collaborated with many fine musicians including:
Cecil Taylor, David Murray, Milford Graves, Evan Parker, Wolfgang Fuchs, Ellery Eskelin, Andrew Cyrille, William Parker, Katsuyuki Itakura, Micheal Manring, Blaise Siwula, Lukas Ligeti, Klaus Kugel, Shiro Onuma and many others ...