Definitely prioritize here. First, Save The Children. Then, consider saving animals from cruelty. You might go all out and just… Save the Planet! Don’t forget to save yourself or you won’t be saving anyone else.
After all that…!

The Soca Jukebox Live Medley YouTube Video is in dire need of an encouraging fist-bump. It seems we’ve garnered a couple of “dislikes”. At last count it was 7 to 5, for and agin’.

Follow this Link to enjoy the band’s medley on YouTube and if you like it, it would mean a lot if you would LIKE it on-site with us. Soca Jukebox Live Medley

Hey, I don’t like everything. But I do like filthy, dirty Reggae and then I like to shred some guitar over it. Is this heaven?

Under the Influence will be commerating 20 years of playing live music together, this Friday May 11th at Voodoo Lounge at Harrah’s Casino, KC. We will be sharing the stage with Soca Jukebox

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/196448393807847/

Did you know… Soca Jukebox is celebrating 10 years of playing together? You might have seen us touring nationally at a theater new you, at your company’s annual throwdown, cousin Jenny’s wedding, Casino after Casino after Casino OR rockin’ the stages of America’s finest summer festivals.

Soca Jukebox is politely observing a decade of false bravado and Island Percussion Partying, this Friday, May 11th at the Voodoo Lounge at Harrah’s Casino. We will be sharing the stage with Under The Influence. I’ve totally heard of those guys somewhere.

https://www.facebook.com/socajukebox

We went round and round for the proper approach and tone and I’ve got to say they were extremely patient as they reined me in. I had a great time adding a Lindsey Buckingham-style nylon string fingerpicking part and a Santana meets Steely Dan electric outro. Las Chicas sing beautiful harmonies together in English and Spanish as they play original music and traditional mariachi over a Rock landscape. Pretty cool. And I got to play too!

The band is performing 2 shows for Cinco De Mayo 2012 at Knucklehead’s in KC. Technically, I think it’s called the MerleJam and we’re playing with some other great acts including the Nace Bros. and Making Movies.

To commemorate, Maria the Mexican is making available a free download of their newest release, “Ruler” and they’ve been gracious enough to allow us to share it with our friends at jasonriley.com. Muchas Gracias! Follow the Link and enjoy…
Download “Ruler” from Maria The Mexican

Influenced by traditional Mariachi music, Maria The Mexican is a hybrid of Mexican folklore and Rock. For ten years, Teresa and Maria Elena Cuevas performed with Marachi Estrella founded by their grandmother Teresa Cuevas in 1970. As one of the first all female mariachi bands in the country, Maria Teresa Alonzo Cuevas is a pioneer in the Hispanic musical community. Her band flourished in the 80s but was struck by tragedy when four of the seven members were killed in the Hyatt Skywalk collapse in 1981. Once Teresa recovered she began teaching her grandchildren Mariachi music.

In 2000, Teresa and Maria began exploring other genres of music while simultaneously co-directing Mariachi Estrella. Today the fusion of Maria The Mexican is mixed with a touch of blues, soul, funk, and rock n’ roll enhanced by the musical knowledge and sounds of Garrett Nordstrom. With a southwestern flare and melancholy motifs, Maria The Mexican rocks it out in Spanish and English with a host of emotion.

It just doesn’t happen that often. I can probably count on one hand the number of groups with that degree of love, loyalty and stick-to-it-tiveness. We’ve literally outlasted all but 2 clubs we’ve ever played but we’ve managed to keep great friendships and a legion of die-hard fans. I’m grateful to my bandmates and to the great support we’ve had in good times and down times.

We’re celebrating hometown-style with a Joe-town showdown this Friday (Cuatro de Mayo) at the Appleblossom BBQ at Civic Center Park in historic downtown St. Joseph, MO. Sincere thanks to Tom and the Hibernians for bringing us back for a record fourth year to celebrate in a most Rockin’ way with our hometown peeps. There’s also an airshow and the daredevil pilots will be on hand for a meet and greet as well. Did I mention it’s a BBQ too! Music starts at 8 but drop us note if you need any additional info.

Next week we’ll take the party to our KC supporters for a very special show at the Voodoo Lounge with Caribbean Steel impresarios and friends of the show, Soca Jukebox. May 11 at the Harrah’s Casino.

Hope you can make it to help us celebrate a score (20 years) of being Under The Influence!

Soca Jukebox opened the new Hollywood Casino at the Kansas Speedway and performed for multiple private events and fund-raisers. The band continues to write for the upcoming album all while enduring an extremely devastating personal and family loss.

Under The Influence is celebrating 20 years of rocking in 2012. A number of shows under the belt this season including celebrating 20 years of business with our friends at the Felix St. Pub last month (Jim’s been one of our most important supporters and really helped us in our earliest days). The band just played a benefit with Jazz Express for the “backpack buddies” program last night. A great cause supported in our local school district to offset children’s hunger.

I’ve rocked it as a solo a few times too! Had a great time with the kids at Dresden Elementary last month. We juggled, they taught me some spanish, there was a cock-a-doodle or two and it got a little loud. Thank you to the great kids and faculty there.

We’ve done a few JR trio dates and a recording session for a new group from old friends, Maria the Mexican. “Ruler” is a great tune penned by friend of the show, Garrett Nordstrom and features incredible work from Maria and the entire cast. Be on the lookout for that! We be debuting with them on Cinco de Mayo. Es Muy Bien!

We’ve just added a bunch of new dates to the calendar so please check those out, make some plans and come hear some live music.

Coming up…

We’ll be at Magoon’s Friday!
Soca Duo rides again on Saturday this weekend.
The whole Soca band will be doing the Pre-Jimmy Buffett night for the traveling Parrotheads for the Omaha concert this month.

Thank you very much for keeping up with our adventures, for supporting our music and sharing it with friends.

Truly grateful to be able to play with all of these incredible musicians (and great friends) and do all these crazy things. We’re off to a great year and have so many cool things ahead in 2012. Peace to yours!

Jason

Special Thanks to all who have supported us this year…

Our family and friends, Andrew Riley, David Burke, Megan Wyeth, Travis Morgan, Godin Guitars, Michel at Wegen Picks, Dean Markley Strings, the venues, agencies, festival committees and the great artists that have allowed us to play along…

The Nova Project, Soca Jukebox, Under The Influence, Ed Daniels, Steve Jones, Jazz Express, Bryan Alford and The Sugita/Glise Duo.

We’ve collected over 500 gigabytes of video from 120 shows with these acts all over the U.S. Through many hours of editing we fought to get it down to an enjoyable 10 minutes here.
Check it all out one more time through this video montage….

2012, you’re on notice. Happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

5) Funky Folk – The 4th album from JR is perfect for young and old on your holiday shopping list. One thoughtful gift that’s an affordable family gift or a great choice for new parents and grandparents. FREE Shipping when you order 2 or more!

Number of Albums

1 Album $8.00 2 Album Pack $14.00 3 Album Pack $22.00 4 Album Pack $30.00 5 Album Pack $38.00 6 Album Pack $46.00 7 Album Pack $54.00 8 Albums Pack $60.00 9 Album Pack $66.00 10 Album Pack $70.00

4) Music Lessons – How about a gift certificate for some Music lessons. We suggest the guitar but harmonica, ukelele, piano, or your favorite musiker are also acceptable. Everyone should play a little something and that’s the gift that keeps on giving your whole life through.

3) A Night Out to see some live music. (Events Calendar)

2) A New Motorcyle for him, A Tropical Vacation for her!

1) Presence. Make a little time to BE with your loved ones. This life is short, there is no time like the “present”.

Happy Holidays from all of us at jasonriley.com!

Announcing the newest CD release from Alt-country and Americana song-kickers, Pig Farmer. “Makin’ Bacon” is the fifth album in the swine-themed discography from songwriter, James P. Hellerich and his roots music cooperative. The album contains nine original tunes and one Johnny Cash cover all performed in the distinctive Pig Farmer fashion.

The band is celebrating the new arrival with a CD release party at Magoon’s, 8th and Locust in St. Joe with a pre-thanksgiving “Hoe-down,Throw-down” on Wednesday evening, November 23. The band will perform live and have CD’s and Pig Farmer merchandise available for purchase.

Pig Farmer was founded by Singer/Songwriter, James P. (Jimmy) Hellerich of Savannah, MO in the late 90’s as a vehicle to perform and record his original music and select classic rock and roll and country covers. A devotee of Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and Jerry Lee Lewis, Hellerich’s music and lyrics are often about personal events and universal struggles with stylistic nods to early rock and american roots music. The longstanding line-up for the band includes Hellerich on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Jay Albright on drums and backing vocals and guitarist, Jason Riley. Newly appointed bassist, Ben Leimkuhler makes his PF debut on the new record.

This album retains the true-to-life themes that typify Pig Farmer’s subject matter. Songs about strife and redemption, “gratitude for what you’ve got” and more traditional blue collar story lines. Jim shares the inspiration behind the album’s opening track….

“I was setting in the rehab family counseling center looking all around. There was a Millionaire setting next to me and a Mother who worked at Wal-Mart on the other side. There must have been 50 sets of families, from all walks of life, there to help a loved one with their addiction. I listened to all their stories of how addiction has affected their life. A great rumbling in my spirit began to stir and on the way home ‘Catch His Name’ was born.”

“Makin’ Bacon” is the fifth album in the band’s porcine set that also includes “Hambone” (’03) and “Mountain Oysters” (’06). While all of the previous albums were recorded in Nashville, TN, this newest project was recorded at Hellerich’s newly refurbished personal tracking center “The Studio” outside of Savannah. The album contains nine tunes and includes titles such as “I Want My Life Back”, “Hello Little Darlin’”, “I Got Drunk”, “Lonely and Blue”, “Walkin’ Through the Valley” and one cover of Johnny Cash’s “Frankie’s Man Johnny”. The album is already receiving airplay overseas in places like The Netherlands and Sweden. “Our music has always been very well received abroad. There is a real love of American music around the world. The Pig Farmer sound still has a lot in common with those early pioneers in rock-n-roll, rockabilly and American country.” says Riley.

“Makin’ Bacon” and all Pig Farmer titles are available online at iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.com The band shot their first music video for the album late this summer. The “Rebel In My Town” video is also available for viewing on YouTube.