JD MALONE & RUPERT WATES

JD Malone was born and raised under a bright blue sky in a small town called Bennington in the Green Mountain State of Vermont, U.S.A. He writes and sings songs about love and hate, angels and demons and the universal struggle to feel safe under the stars.

J.D was the founder and frontman for the pop/rock band Steamroller Picnic from October 1993 – September 2004. During that time, Steamroller Picnic performed more than 200 shows a year. Steamroller Picnic was sponsored by (COORS Light 1996-2000) and (BUD Light 2000-2004) and had billboards on Interstates 95 and 76, (courtesy of COORS Light). In 2002, the band released an independent CD, Grow, engineered by Andy Kravitz (Billy Joel, Paul Simon) and was the featured act on the MTV show Advance Warning, (July 2003). During this time J.D also founded, produced and booked the Y-100 Tuesday Night Music Club, a local, regional and national music showcase.

In September 2004, J.D began to work with Gerry McWilliams and in January 2005 released, Malone and McWilliams, Greatest Hits, engineered by Pete Donnelly (The Figgs, Graham Parker). J.D and Gerry then went out west to record and in March 2006 released Malone and McWilliams, Los Angeles, engineered by Barrie Maguire (The Wallflowers, Natalie Merchant, Amos Lee).

In May 2008, J.D released his first solo EP, Dia de los Muertos, once again engineered by Pete Donnelly and recorded at Philadelphonic Studios in Philadelphia, PA. In December 2007, J.D was selected as a semi-finalist in The Plowshares national songwriting contest and in May 2008, he was one of six winners in The Philadelphia Songwriters Association contest. On October 29th, 2008, JD’s song “Emmitt meets a Demon” was the WXPN (Philadelphia) Pick of the Day.

In January 2010, JD was a featured artist on 6ABC Tuned In. (www.6abc.com) and in March 2010 a video for his song “Emmitt meets a Demon” was featured on Alternate Root TV, a weekly syndicated Americana Roots music video TV program.

In April 2010, J.D released his second solo record, Use This Side and Save My Face, with the help of his amazing band, The Experts (Tommy Hampton, Avery Coffee, Jim Miades and Tommy Geddes) and engineered by James Stapleford at Chaplin’s in Spring City, PA.

J.D has shared the stage with many national acts: Third Eye Blind, Eve 6, Sugar Ray, Vertical Horizon, Fuel, Familiar 48, Living Colour, The Fixx, July for Kings, Lola Ray, Robert Hazard, Silvertide, John Faye Power Trip, The Martians, The Bogmen, Dee Snyder, John Eddie, Danelia Cotton, Craig Bickhardt, Jim Photoglo, Idlewheel, Eric Andersen, Tommy Gillam, Phil Vasser, Terri Clark, Steve Forbert and John Gorka.

http://www.jdmalone.com

Rupert Wates was born in London.

He has been a full time songwriter since 1992 when he signed an exclusive deal with Eaton Music Publishing. He has written songs in all kinds of styles for all kinds of artists. During the 1990s he worked with jazz singer Liz Fletcher, recording the albums ‘Mellowmania’ and ‘Live in the Park,’ both released on the Sanctuary label, and ‘Blue Afternoons’ on Mainstem.

Moving to Paris in 2001, he developed his skills as a singer and performer and formed his own group. In 2005 he recorded the album ‘Sweet or Bitter Wine,’ his first as a solo artist. The album was released on the Mainstem label in autumn 2005.

Since September 2006, Rupert has been based in the USA. His music has found a warm reception in America. Between 2007 and 2011, he has won over 25 songwriting awards.

Rupert Wates plays between 120 and 150 live shows a year, and he has performed in every state in America. Audiences everywhere respond to his brand of acoustic, melodic art/folk: haunting songs that ring true.

Wates' albums 'Coast To Coast' (2007) and 'Dear Life' (2008) have gained outstanding reviews and both continue to be aired on college and mainstream radio all over the world.

In 2010 he released ‘Joe’s Café,” an album of 15 original songs based on true stories, each interpreted by a different vocalist, retelling the stories of ordinary American people. Through them we trace the story of America itself: through two world wars, the Dust Bowl depression, Vietnam and the struggle for Civil Rights, all the way to the present day. Recorded live in the studio in a single weekend, the album's warm sound evokes the welcoming atmosphere of an all-night café, where friends gather to share their stories. Featured virtuoso musicians on the recording include Darol Anger on violin and Michael Manring on bass.

‘Joe’s Café’ has been presented very successfully at the Fringe Festivals throughout North America including Hamilton (Ontario), Kansas City, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Victoria (British Columbia) and San Francisco, and in other venues from New York City to the Southeastern United States.

The show won Best Music Revue in the San Francisco Fringe Festival

http://www.rupertwates.com/