Jason Riley

2011 – The Year In Review

Jason Riley News — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:40:21 +0000

The “Funky Folk” album, Pig Farmer’s “Makin’ Bacon” Release, breaking 10,000 views on YouTube,live web streaming, multiple tours, shredding show-downs and charitable throw-downs are a few of the highlights that reflect the year ’11. Besides a couple of private events for Soca J, it’s all but in the can.

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!

Homepage for the Holidays

Jason Riley News — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:13:20 +0000

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Funky Folk Fo’ Yo’ Holiday

Jason Riley News — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:48:58 +0000

We know during this busy time of festive preparation we can all use a little help in finding that perfect gift idea for those special someones. Here’s the Top 5 bestowal solutions from our experts at jasonriley.com.

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!

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!

Makin’ Bacon CD Release Party

Jason Riley News — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:01:03 +0000

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.

To the Good Friends We’ve had…

Jason Riley News — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:06:16 +0000

“… and to the good friends we’ve lost, all along the way.”

Welcome Back to JasonRiley.Com!

We here at the dotcom were very disappointed to hear of the closing of one of our favorite venues. “O’Dowd’s Little Dublin” in North Kansas City was a favorite stomp for Soca, the JR Trio and JR solo over the last several years. The Soca Duo also had a record run on Wednesday nights there.
Great spot with a stellar staff and fairly close to home. We hear this landmark venue may have succumb to the faltering economy and to excessive rent prices in the bustling KC shopping area of Zona Rosa (“kill my landlord”). Wishing the great people there all the best in their next adventure. Any other business would be lucky to get them. We’ll say “thanks for the good times” and “adieu” with a traditional Irish toast…

“May you be in Heaven a half an hour before the devil knows your dead”

On to the next area Irish Pub…
Soca Jukebox returns to NKC this Saturday. First time for the band at the last bastion of Island flavor (Emerald or Gilligan’s) north of the river, Paddy O’Quigleys. It’s Irie-ish!

JR Goes Solo

Jason Riley News — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:04:11 +0000

JR returns to the one-man show with two special performances this week.

Thursday our guy comes back to the Snake Bite Club for his first ever solo evening. Jason performed twice previously at the venue with Gypsy Jazz virtuoso, Steve Jones to wild acclaim. Show begins at 9:00 P.M.

On Saturday night, he’ll be appearing at the newly relocated 36th Street Restaurant and Lounge at the Holiday Inn in historic downtown St. Joseph, MO. Show starts at 8:00 P.M.

Both shows are free! Come to the shows, you will – now quick to the millennium falcon!

Soca Jukebox Returns to O’Dowd’s Little Dublin

Jason Riley News — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:29:26 +0000

Caribbean Steel and Island Party Impresarios, Soca Jukebox come home to the O’dowd’s Stage this friday night. Catch the band as they kick into the most awesome “off-season” ever. “O’Dowd’s is one the few clubs we play on a regular rotation. It has all the benefits of the Emerald Isle and Soca brings all the advantages of Gilligan’s Isle.” says JR.
Show starts at 10pm, see you there!

Check out the band performing their original Latin Anthem, Cinderella from the upcoming Soca album.

Funky Folk Fight Hunger

Jason Riley News — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:32:09 +0000

Jason Riley’s Funky Folk Band will perform this Saturday for the 2nd annual “Blue Grass Battles Hunger”, a charity event to benefit Northwest Missouri’s Second Harvest Food Bank. This 2-day event takes place at the Coleman Hawkins Park in St. Joseph, MO and will include local, regional and national artists all weekend long. Jason and Co. take to the Gazebo stage at 5pm to warm up for the evening’s headliner, the celebrated Sierra Hull and Highway 111. Funster Bassist, Craig Kew had this to say about Sierra…

“Y’all better plan on sticking around to get your faces melted off by a fetching 19 year-old with the voice of a Appalachian angel and her nuclear mandolin.” Say no more. Come out for a great cause. Nay, the greatest cause.

Soca Jukebox returns for a few KC area dates to finish out the month. This weekend the boys of Island steel will be on stage at the Argosy Casino both Friday and Saturday at 9pm. Friday, Sept. 30 you can catch them at Odowd’s Little Dublin in NKC. Ah.. the emerald isle and her reggae rhythms! Aloha? Wait, that’s all wrong.

“7 Days” Tour – On the Road with Ed Daniels

Jason Riley News — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 06:37:21 +0000

Entertaining two-man show on the road this week between Las Vegas and Nashville to appointments with industry folks in the music city.
Ed Daniels is an acclaimed singer/songwriter from Las Vegas out promoting his latest release and introducing new music on an invitation from his Nashville connections. JR will be accompanying Ed on this tour as he remains advancing his own recent solo instrumental project, Funky Folk.

The acoustic duo performs Daniels’ original songs as well as fresh arrangements of well-known repertoire in pop, jazz, blues, rock, country and classical for guitars, loops, effects and vocals.

Monday – Road Trip
Tuesday – 11 am. Eric Hurt – Nashville, TN
8 pm. Featured Writer at Legends – Nashville, TN
Wednesday – 2 pm. Tim Dubois ASCAP – Nashville, TN
4 pm. Song Source ASCAP – Nashville, TN
Thursday – Branson, MO
Friday – The Neptune on Pine – Warrensburg, MO
Saturday – Wildhorse Saloon – Tarkio, MO

Ed Daniels

Currently breaking through to pop/rock consciousness with Better Me, his compelling and heartfelt but frequently rockin’ debut EP, singer/songwriter Ed Daniels will no doubt draw on his budding success story to inspire other struggling artists who feel stuck in a day job that takes precious hours and energy away from pursuing their musical dream.

With musical influences ranging from John Denver and Counting Crows to Dave Matthews and Jason Mraz, it’s not surprising that Daniels is poised to be an influential singer/songwriter himself. The key for him is honesty, and most of the tracks on Better Me are reflections of past relationships and memories from the perspective of one who has learned from his mistakes and gained wisdom along the way. While he considers himself a romantic writer, he takes a harder look at the world on the opening track “7 Days,” in which he somehow finds optimism to “run the human race” even after all the bad and frustrating news of any given day.

Daniels gets to the romance on the tender and graceful “Lower The Moon,” a “Love will make you do the wildest things” kind of song inspired by Jimmy Stewart’s “lasso the moon” speech in “It’s A Wonderful Life.” After the title track, which is about striving to be “somebody better for somebody else,” Daniels taps beautifully into his folk-y acoustic side on “I Can’t Wait To Dream Of You,” which was originally inspired by thinking about his unborn baby while his wife was pregnant. “Behind Her Smile” is a mid-tempo rocker about a person’s true talents and personality that lie beneath the surface of what the world sees. This is followed by the haunting and image rich piano driven ballad “The Rest Of Us,” in which he reflects upon the emotional baggage and unfulfilled dreams left behind after a breakup. Better Me wraps on an upbeat note with “The Addiction,” a high spirited country flavored pop/rocker about the way new love can take our lives over completely—and for the good.

“After so many years having fun but basically knocking around in bands and playing other people’s material,” says Daniels, “I’m really excited about the opportunity to finally get my music out there and let people hear my songs. While I’m looking forward to getting back onstage and performing for people, what’s been really gratifying is being able to exhale after finishing a song I am really proud of. Everything starts out with a cool idea, a couple good lines, a few great lines, and then you have to figure out what to do with them. The stress creeps in as the pressure mounts to turn those thoughts into a great song—and then when it happens, it’s the most incredible thing a songwriter can experience. It’s such a wonderful feeling listening back to it when it’s all produced, hearing all the little nuances and knowing I’ve truly given my best.”

One Night Outlaw by Ed Daniels