Wednesday, August 22, 2012


Evan Ginzburg’s Legends Radio co-hosted by Dr. Mike Lano
#1 source for comedy celeb interviews on Net
Wednesdays 7-9:20PM EST Archived 24/7 
Inexpensive advertising and sponsorship opportunities available to reach a worldwide audience

Stars of Comedy who have appeared on Legends Radio have included:
David Alan Grier (In Living Color)
Paul Mooney
Marty Allen
Pat Cooper
30 Rock’s Judah Friedlander
Heather McDonald (Chelsea Lately)
Jackie “The Jokeman” Martling
Shelly Berman
Norm McDonald (Saturday Night Live)
Robert Shields of Shields and Yarnell
Will Durst
Dana Gould
Eddie Pepitone
Sarah Colonna
The Sklar Brothers
Alex Reymundo
Sebastian Maniscalco
Aries Spears
Ngaio Bealum
Tim Hornbacher
Harriet Rose
Lisa Clarke
Grep Proops
Jim Short
Marc Maron
Brent Weinbach
Ian Edwards
Amy Schumer
Ralphie May
Billy West
Jim Jefferies
Gina Yashere
Dobie Maxwell
Dom Irrera
Big Jay Oakerson
Martin Moreno
Greg Fitzsimmons
Hal Lipson
Anthony Jeselnick
Dat Phan
Paul Mecurio
Tim Lee
Jake Johannsen
Tommy Johnagin
Rachel Butera
Nick Griffin
Mo Mandel
Mike E. Winfield
Corey Holcomb
Neko White
Rick Herrera

Evan Ginzburg's Legends Radio Promo
Click below to view:
Promo made by Rye Joseph director of Theresa Sareo Alive Again
Legends Featured in this commercial: Ray Manzarek of The Doors, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Judy Collins,  Roberta Flack, Paul Mooney, David Alan Grier, Jackie The Jokeman Martling,  Jenny McCarthy, Shelly Berman, Judah Friedlander of 30 Rock, Wayne Brady, Bruno Sammartino, SuperStar Graham, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Frank Shamrock

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Evan Ginzburg's Summer Concert Mini-Reviews Part 3


Evan Ginzburg’s Summer 2012 Mini Concert Reviews Vol. 3

The Orchestro Poly-Rhythmo
July 19 BAM Metro Tech R&B Fest

Flawlessly mixing Afrobeat, vodoun music and James Brown inspired licks, this band from Benin made a joyful noise and was a pleasure to watch and groove to.

Nile Rodgers and Chic
July 25 Lincoln Center Out of Doors Fest

Although Nile Rodgers is renowned as a producer of mega-hits for mega stars such as David Bowie (Lets’ Dance), Madonna (Like a Virgin), Diana Ross (I’m Coming Out) and countless others, the band Chic itself has unfairly gotten that disco stigma and even been dismissed by some.
In fact, they are a magnificent live R&B band straight down to the funky horn section.
Looking stylish and sounding tight as can be, classics like Good Times, Le Freak, Dance, Dance, Dance, I Want Your Love and My Forbidden Lover sound as fresh today as when they came out over thirty years ago.
Poignantly, Rodgers noted that he is battling cancer and spoke of regrets of partying too hard. He was nonetheless in great form with his signature guitar licks that have influenced generations.
I never tire of seeing this tremendous band live and tonight was no exception. Just a great, great evening.
DJ KS*360 warmed up the crowd with infectious dance classics that didn’t much need to be tampered with. If you’re playing James Brown from the 60’s, no need to mess with perfection, Mr. DJ.

Blitz The Ambassador
Aug. 2 BAM Metro Tech R&B Fest

THIS is what a rap show should be.
Backed by a blazing seven piece live band, with a sizzling, choreographed stage show, the Ghana born rapper gave his tightest of tight band plenty of space between his own socially relevant yet fun raps.
Compared to most guys rapping to tracks (as great as that can be in the proper hands), Blitz and crew were on a whole different level.
Just a pleasure to watch, I’d pay good money to see this guy again, and that says something from jaded, old school moi.
Search out and support his music, folks. You certainly won’t regret it.

5th Annual Gospel Explosion 2012- Hezekiah Walker and Friends
August 5 SummerStage Central Park

Being the only Jew in America at a gospel concert today (or one of the rare few), I must say that I LOVE HEZEKIAH WALKER.
Whether you “believe” or don’t in the words he’s saying, this is gorgeous, rich music that warms the heart. And soul if you will.
When absolute strangers walk up to you, kiss you on the cheek and hug you, saying “God bless you,” you can only walk out feeling moved and enriched.
Vashawn Mitchell and other top gospel stars warmed up the crowd before Brooklyn’s own Walker tore the house down.
A beautiful show and beautiful vibe. Just great.

!!! and Lenny Williams
Aug. 9 Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival NYC

As former lead singer of Tower of Power and a hit maker on his own, Lenny Williams has been out there for forty plus years making great music.
Tonight was no exception.
The crowd pleasing Williams did many of hits from “Cause I Love You” to TOP’s “What Is Hip?” in a powerful one hour set that garnered a standing ovation. Williams, like so many old school R&B giants knows how to get the crowd in the palm of his hand and did just that through charm, talent and old-fashioned sweat.
Marvelous.
As was !!! (pronounced Chk Chk Chk), a dance-punk band that featured elements of The Talking Heads, The Clash, The Stones and Chic.
Interesting combination.
Rocking hard, yet soulful, their lead singer had Jagger like mannerisms and was a crowd-pleaser for sure.
As I had come to see Williams and had no idea who they were, !!! turned out to be a great surprise, particularly when they brought Williams out to do a show stopping number.
This show from start to finish was a huge winner for sure.

29th Annual Roots of American Music Festival
Aug. 11 Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival NYC

The Triple Goddess Twilight Revue, celebrating the music of Laura Nyro was a pleasure to witness, as the late, great Nyro is a beloved figure in NYC. This was most certainly proven by the name talent who came out for her this evening.
Showstoppers included Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx of LaBelle doing multiple numbers, the still great Melba Moore, one of my favorites in Felix Cavalier, Melissa Manchester, and a cavalcade of others. Although the set started off slowly, it built to a climax and proved to be memorable.
This was followed by the Soulful Songwriters Circle featuring Dan Penn (Do Right Woman), Teenie Hodges of Hi Records Fame and Stax Records’ own William Bell. Why this needed a host/interviewer in Nelson George was beyond me, as songwriters of this stature could have easily made this work rather than bogging it down with chit chat. Simply put, classic music of this stature stands on its own and tells its own stories. Nonetheless there were some great, great moments, particularly hearing THOSE classic Hodges’ guitar chords on Love and Happiness which sent chills down my spine.
The show ended with Otis Clay, who is one of the remaining R&B greats still out there on the road. I’ve seen Clay many times and have never, ever been disappointed and tonight he was in top form, particularly when he called out William Bell and Teenie Hodges for a show-stopping finale of Love and Happiness. During this epic number they threw in some Soul Man and other classics to sweeten the pot.
Bravo.
And bravo to Lincoln Center for putting on an extravaganza like this absolutely free and outdoors on a beautiful, memorable night.





--Evan Ginzburg is Associate Producer of The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke
Producer of the new film Theresa Sareo Alive Again www.aliveagainmovie.com
Producer/Director of the upcoming film The Stage is an Altar
Host of Legends Radio www.legendsradio.net
Booker at Gizzi’s in NYC www.gizzisnyc.com
He is Publicist for Wrestling Reunion and various other events







Wednesday, August 15, 2012

On Promotion- A Club Booker/Publicist/Promoter talks about promoting


On Promotion-
A Club Booker/Publicist/Promoter talks about promoting

For every musician who misguidingly thinks that posting on Facebook the day of their gig is promotion- here are a few tips.
The real trick to promotion, and I've been Publicist for various events over the years- is a person needs to be REMINDED SEVEN TIMES for it to stick. Proven statistical fact. So lets’ say you have a gig in Mid-September. Over the next month, if you and EACH performer in the band (don’t let the sidemen  pull the old- “It’s his band” bull- they’re part of the team) that night called and e-mailed ALL their contacts repeatedly and posted 2 or so times a week on their various websites and social networks that this show is going to be great, it'll stick in people’s minds. And, of course, promote a NIGHT of music (as there are other bands on bill) as it'll have added appeal rather than just “come out for my set.”
Plus every human being in the word statistically knows an average of 33 people and being you’re involved in the arts, that # is probably higher. A portion of those friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc. WILL come out when reminded sufficiently.
Playing the artist role, “My job is just to play,” in this economy when most people don’t come out to clubs, lands you a one and only night in said venue. Promotion IS part of the job whether you like it or not. And the old, “Nobody comes out anymore so I don’t bother publicizing” shtick is admitting defeat in advance and does nobody any good.
Another trick is fliers. Every flier given out statistically has a 1-2% success rate. If  EACH band member gives out a ton of fliers (and friends/family of the singers can too), particularly at other gigs where people enjoyed you, if you’re a quality act who is attentive to your supporters, you'll draw just from that.
Build your band’s mailing list- that’s gold. At each gig get e-mails and let your fans know you’re playing.
Update your websites and social networks. “No shows are scheduled” when there IS a show scheduled is lazy and self-defeating. Sorry.
And if the gig is no cover and/or no minimum hype that as well. Money’s tight and that could be a selling point.
Easily accessible by mass transit, etc. is also a selling point worth noting.
In short, promotion is living and breathing an event 24/7. If the gig does well, you can probably do something regularly in a venue and build a bigger following. It all builds off of each other. But the problem with most bands is when it's a low or non-paying gig, they kind of stroll in the night of because they're "busy," play in front of a small crowd (or horribly none at all) and it becomes meaningless. When a band- an entire band doesn’t draw a single human being, it doesn’t matter how good, very good or great you are. Owners have no desire or need to have you back. In fact, they can’t afford to have you back. They’ve already lost money on staffing while you’re there.
But if they promote the Hell out of it, assuming they’re worth hearing, they will have a larger crowd, which leads to a buzz, sells CDs and gets more tips, more gigs, and more networking opportunities, etc. In short it's never a bad thing to play because you don't know what it'll lead to. But it is a bad thing to play in front of nobody or just the bar staff.
If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it, did it fall? Well, if you play in front of nobody, did it really count?
Hope this helps. Pass it along to an artist who it may do some good for.

--Evan Ginzburg is Associate Producer of The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke
Producer of the new film Theresa Sareo Alive Again www.aliveagainmovie.com
Producer/Director of the upcoming film The Stage is an Altar
Host of Legends Radio www.legendsradio.net
Booker at Gizzi’s in NYC www.gizzisnyc.com
He is Publicist for Wrestling Reunion and various other events


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

World Class Acts Coming to Gizzi's


Upcoming from Evan Ginzburg at Gizzi's- 16 W 8th St. NYC No Cover World class jazz band from Russia return tonight with 4 other top acts plus great shows Fri. and next Tues. www.gizzisnyc.com

Tuesday Aug 14
7PM Frank M. Giallombard 12 String Frank
8PM Max Baranov Jazz Quartet feat. Max Baranov on keyboards, Brad Baker on sax, Ivan Rakhmanov on guitar, and Pavel Timofeev on drums and percussion. Ivan is famous in Russia and has appeared at the Blue Note in NYC and throughout Europe and Russia
9PM Operation Infinite Sunrise Jazz This group plays original material from an experimental jazz /blues/funk perspective. Lineup: Ken Silverman - Gtr, John Murchinson-Bass, Andy O'Neill - Drums.
10PM Ryan Barrett Singer/Songwriter inspired by Folk and Blues music from the days of old!
11PM Nathyn Knott Gizzi’s favorite www.nathynknott.com

Friday Aug 17
7PM Josh Sachs RAD recording artist
8PM Val Kinzler Top rocker www.reverbnation.com/valkinzler
9PM Drew Kelly www.drewkellymusic.com Drew is a young up and coming singer/songwriter from Scranton, PA. Drew started gaining attention in May of 2010 when he started playing on the streets of downtown Scranton for money under the pseudonym Tom Riley. Drew used to play by this name until the Scranton Times wrote a front page feature story which led to more exposure and opportunities. Since then he has played shows all over Northeastern Pennsylvania, including the historic Scranton Cultural Center as well as appearances in Chicago and New York City. Drew has a large catalog of original songs and is always writing new material. He plays his songs on the guitar, harmonica, and piano. The sound of his music is rooted in Folk, Blues, Country, and Rock and Roll and does not conform to today’s modern sound. Drew has a very unique style and persona and is in every way his own artist.

Tuesday Aug 21Incredible jazz night featuring Theresa Sareo of the film Theresa Sareo Alive Again www.aliveagainmovie.com
6PM-10PM Ethan Hartshorn birthday celebration featuring Theresa Sareo & Curtis Becraft and many others
10PM Ken Silverman jazz group : Ken Silverman, Gtr., Chris Konopka, Bass, Andy O'Neill, Drums.