im Rahmen unserer Labelarbeit für Steve Vai‘s Label FAVORED NATIONS,
möchten wir Euch hiermit über das neue Unterlabel FAVORED NATIONS
ACOUSTIC informieren. Wie schon das Hauptlabel, werden auch die unten
aufgeführten Veröffentlichungen über ZOMBA vertrieben.

STEVE VAI über die Gründung von FNA:
To dedicate oneself to playing an instrument solo and creating inspired
music is usually a result of being compelled by an inner desire to
express true artistry. When an artist does this it’s a gift to the rest
of us. Favored Nations Acoustic is set up to seek out and cultivate
these treasure.

Anstehende VÖ’s:
10.09.2002 Peter Huttlinger - Naked Pop
10.09.2002 Andy Summers - Invisible Threads
24.09.2002 Peppino D'Agostino - Every Step Of The Way
24.09.2002 Tommy Emmanuel - Only
08.10.2002 Philip Aaberg - Christmas

ALLE KÜNSTLER stehen auch für Interviews zur Verfügung.
Nachfolgend die Infos zu den kommenden VÖ‘s.

Da es sich hier um Spezialthemen, werden wir nur selektiv bemustern, bei
Interesse verschicken wir aber gerne einen Sampler (enthält jeweils 3
Tracks von den anstehenden Alben) zum Kennenlernen.

Fragen etc. beantworten wir gerne unter den bekannten
Rufnummern/mailadressen.

Mit freundlichem Gruß,

Jörg Timp / die Starkult Crew

=====================================

PETER HUTTLINGER

Album : Naked Pop
VÖ : 10.09.2002
Label : Favored Nations Acoustic / Zomba

“…an amazing display of all-around fingerstyle mastery.”
GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE

After a day of demanding music classes at Berklee College of Music,
Peter Huttlinger would grab a friend, rush to the Harvard Square subway
station and spend the afternoon there playing music for tips. The two
always came back with their pockets filled. For Huttlinger, this routine
symbolized what has become his abiding outlook toward music: Perfect
your art, but play to the crowd.

Since his days of subway buskin, Huttlinger has developed into a
world-renowned guitarist. Even as a must-have sideman, he occupied some
pretty choice real estate, including the Hollywood Bowl and London’s
Royal Albert Hall with John Denver, Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas with
George Burns and stadiums around the world with numerous other pop and
country superstars.

He has been a featured artist with the San Diego and Houston symphonies
and is a favorite guest artist of the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. In
2000 Huttlinger won the title of National Fingerstyle Champion at the
prestigious Walnut Valley Festival.

These days, the dazzling guitarist is stepping solo into the spotlight.
His latest triumph is his affiliation with Favored Nations Acoustic, a
new imprint of Favored Nations, the label founded by guitar legend Steve
Vai. The first fruit of that affiliation is Naked Pop - a breathtaking
instrumental showcase of original compositions, traditional fare and
songs made famous by the Beatles, Sting, Judy Garland, Steely Dan, the
Allman Brothers Band and Stevie Wonder.

"I came up with the idea for Naked Pop quite a while ago," says
Huttlinger. "After college, I played a lot of weddings, restaurants and
parties - wherever the gig took me. About two weeks into it, I got tired
of playing the same old pop tunes the same way everyone else was playing
them. So on slow nights I'd mess around with tunes I'd never heard
anyone do as solo pieces. Basically I looked at it as paid practice.
Soon people started asking me where they could buy my records. I logged
the idea away."

Born in Washington, D.C., Huttlinger descended from two lines of
prominent journalists. His grandfather on his mother’s side, Fred
Walker, was an editor of the San Francisco Call-Bulletin, reporting
directly to its owner and publisher, William Randolph Hearst.
Huttlinger’s father, Joseph, was a White House correspondent and a
publisher of his own newsletter on the oil industry. “My dad took my mom
to the White House on their first date,” Huttlinger says, “and while
they were walking around, President Truman came out and said, ‘Hi, Joe.’
That got Mom’s attention.”

When Huttlinger’s father died in 1964, his mother moved with her six
children to northern California. "My mom played piano all the
time—almost every evening," Huttlinger recalls. "It was real comforting
to hang out and listen. She wasn’t trained, but she had a real melodic
sense about her."

By the age of 12, Huttlinger had begun music lessons and by 14 he had
settled on the guitar. Soon after he graduated from high school, a
relative left him a small inheritance. He decided to use this windfall
to study at Berklee College of Music, the Boston-based academic home of
such musical luminaries as Quincy Jones, Kevin Eubanks, Melissa
Etheridge, Brandford Marsalis, Bruce Cockburn and Paula Cole. It was
there that Huttlinger found he had a knack for music theory and harmony.
"All that made sense to me," he says.

Huttlinger graduated cum laude from Berklee in 1984 and moved to
Nashville. During the eighteen years since that move, Huttlinger has
established himself as a top-notch session player, composer, arranger,
bandleader, songwriter and sideman.

During the early ‘90’s, John Denver’s tour manager and producer Kris
O’Connor heard Huttlinger on another project and was so impressed that
he recommended him for Denver’s band. Huttlinger toured, recorded and
performed on television with Denver from 1994 until the singer’s death
in 1997.

Huttlinger has performed on numerous Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated
projects. He has also been nominated for an Emmy for music he both
composed and performed for a PBS special. His performances have been
used in several national TV series, including the PBS Nature special
"Let This Be A Voice." He created the theme song for ESPN’s Flyfishing
America, a program on which he recently made his first "guest fisherman"
appearance.

Peers consider Huttlinger one of today’s finest fingerstyle guitarists.
Dirty Linen magazine labeled him "….a powerhouse guitarist," and Vintage
Guitar said, "Fingerpicking phenom Peter Huttlinger has succeeded in a
big way… [This] player is a major talent."

Huttlinger lives in Nashville and plays everywhere.
http://www.petehuttlinger.com/

=====================================

ANDY SUMMERS / JOHN ETHERIDGE

Album : Invisible Threads
VÖ : 10.09.2002
Label : Favored Nations Acoustic/ Zomba

Millions of people have been beguiled by an Andy Summers guitar lick
over the past two decades. When The Police left the stage in 1986 as
the biggest rock band in the world, Andy Summers has followed his own
muse, cultivating the ambient and improvisatory streaks always evident
in his distinctive soundscape. In fact, Summers' numerous solo albums
resonate with a spirit and invention only hinted at by his Police work.
Embracing strains of jazz, classical and world music, his records reveal
him as an enterprising artist, resolute in his aim to reconcile the
accessibility of his pop past with the thrill of the unexpected. His
last solo CD was an idiomatic homage to the music of Charles Mingus
-Peggys Blue Skylight. In 1994 after leaving the increasingly pastoral
confines of Private Music label, Andy paused for an acoustic interlude.
Titled “Invisible Threads” (originally released in 1994 on Mesa
Records), it’s a classic acoustic duet disc with fellow British
guitarist and longtime friend John Etheridge.

John Etheridge has been at the top of the jazz and contemporary guitar
world for 25 years. His career has covered a huge range of musical
territory combining powerful improvising, technique, a feel for idiom
and an individual concept, which makes his output eclectic but highly
personal. Etheridge was first touted by the music press in the early 70s
while playing with a number of progressive rock and early fusion units.
In 1975 he was offered the chance to replace Allan Holdsworth in the
legendary jazz-fusion group Soft Machine. International touring and
recording followed until the band’s demise at the end of the 70s. More
or less simultaneously (starting in 1976) Etheridge joined the touring
group of the celebrated jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. For a number
of years these two commitments ran parallel ? revealing the broad range
of his abilities. He is currently on a world tour in the band of
legendary classical guitarist John Williams.

Andy recalls, “…I first met John in late '76. We were both playing in
bands around London. Not long after we became friends I dyed my hair
bright orange and announced that I was in The Police. John went off to
Europe with the Soft Machine, our paths diverged but whenever we were
both in London we would get together and jam.

After years of other projects, the two musicians met up in the studio in
1993. The bond, the friendship, and musicianship between the two soon
produced the collaboration called “Invisible Threads”.
Comprising extrovert originals and affectionate takes on Django
Rheinhardt and Thelonius Monk, the album put a charge back into the
unplugged format. Adds Summers “… John and I met up from time to time
and we worked out a nice acoustic version of songs like ‘Round
Midnight’. We went to Hampstead Heath with our guitars and it rained.
So we sat under a tree and discussed the health benefits of negative
ions. It’s been going on like this for years. Is this record the
beginning or the end?” Its Casablanca…..”

Long out of print, FAVORED NATIONS ACOUSTIC is proud to reacquaint the
world with the re-release of “Invisible Threads”. The beginning or the
end?… More like a re-birth!

=====================================

Peppino D’Agostino

Album : Every Step Of The Way
VÖ : 24.09.2002
Label : Favored Nations Acoustic / Zomba

"a poet...among the best talents around"
--San Francisco Chronicle

"one of the most capable composers among fingerstyle guitarists"
--Acoustic Guitar

"[a] phenom in the same league with John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Doc Watson
and John Renbourn."
--Jazziz Magazine

Italian born guitarist Peppino D'Agostino immigrated sixteen years ago
to America to pursue his dream as a composer and performer. Those early
days as a struggling street musician (and sometimes house painter and
vegetable seller) in San Francisco now seem far behind. Since then,
Peppino has released eight critically acclaimed albums, has composed a
soundtrack for a major film and is found on many guitar samplers, videos
and books with some of the leading guitarists of our time. His
international touring schedule reaches from The Great American Music
Hall in San Francisco to The Atrium in Prague, and from the Vancouver
Festival in Canada to the Strawberry Music Festival in California.

Few can match Peppino's combined technical prowess and lyrical artistry
on the steel string, and not many are as eager to challenge the limits
of their instrument. Peppino’s unique way of playing on the fretboard
with the left hand while simultaneously creating percussive effects with
the right hand, combined with his use of unconventional tunings, results
in a sound that seems almost impossible on one guitar. This unique
sound caught the attention of Steve Vai’s new all acoustic label FAVORED
NATIONS ACOUSTIC, and an all new re-recording of Peppino’s music was
soon in the works.

“Every Step of The Way” contains a collection of instrumental guitar
solos, which Peppino wrote during the course of 35 years of making
music. “When I was re-recording these old compositions a sequence of
scenes, faces, feelings, smells and experiences came to my mind and
suddenly I felt like a long forgotten part of me was coming back.” As
Peppino writes these notes to the listener, the semblance of himself as
a little 10-year old Italian kid playing his first 7-note guitar
composition to his proud mamma seems real. In addition to these
favorite compositions of his, Peppino includes two brand new pieces -
"The Blue Ocean" and "Under the Same Sky.” These tunes will stir your
emotions the same way they grasp Peppino’s.

On September 24, 2002 FNA is extremely proud to release Peppino

D’Agostino’s “Every Step Of The Way” on this exciting new label. The adventure that Peppino started many years ago in Italy as a boy strumming his first chords on an old guitar continues today in America as he strives for the perfect balance between virtuosity and finesse.
http://www.peppinodagostino.com

=====================================

Philip Aaberg

Album : Christmas
VÖ : 08.10.2002
Label : Favored Nations Acoustic / Zomba

As a composer, Philip Aaberg writes music that puts the listener smack
in the New American West with all its bittersweet complexity. As a
world-class keyboardist, he stands virtually alone in his ability to go
to the heart and soul of any musical style, sounding as if he were born
playing that music and that music alone, yet still keeping his singular
'voice'. It’s all ‘one music’ to him.

Philip’s musical career is as varied and expansive as the Montana
landscape he calls home. His music discovers what is possible, breaking
down boundaries between genres to create a sound that's rooted in
tradition but not afraid to blend, experiment, and re-invent itself at
every turn. Phil's performances have consistently drawn standing
ovations, leaving crowds dazzled by his dynamic, emotional range and
captivated by his unique compositions and between-song repartee.

He finds devoted listeners among rock, country, new age, blues, jazz,
and classical music fans, and his range of performances includes
everything from solo piano concertos with the Boston Pops Orchestra to
appearances with luminaries like Peter Gabriel Elvin Bishop, and John
Hiatt. He tours and records in two duos: with slide guitar innovator Roy
Rogers, and with master fiddler Darol Anger. Phil has been a guest on
over two hundred albums, from multi-million selling pop and country to
experimental jazz with bassoonist Paul Hanson. His album "Live From
Montana" was nominated for a 2002 Grammy. In addition, his performance
on PBS's "All-American Jazz" was nominated for an Emmy.
During the 80's and 90's, Windham Hill produced a series of best-selling
Winter Solstice recordings. Philip was a mainstay of the Winter Solstice
Tours. On “Christmas” are new versions of some of his compositions from
those landmark CDs, as well as new tunes and creative arrangements of
traditional carols and hymns.

“Christmas” is not a party album. Play this after your guests have gone
home, all the presents have been opened, and you want to get "straight
to the actual" as poet Richard Hugo says. This album was recorded in
Phil's living room in November with a pair of hand-made microphones that
heard everything. They heard the sound of a sleigh pulled over snow on a
full-moon Montana night, they heard the stories and lore of Christmas
coming through the ages, they heard the lullabies written for the birth
of one baby and lullabies played for all children, they heard the sounds
of hope and Charity, and they heard the clarity of a still Winter night.

=====================================

TOMMY EMMANUEL

Album : Only
VÖ : 24.09.2002
Label : Favored Nations Acoustic

“ One of the greatest players on the planet.”--Chet Atkins

“I have played with Tommy, he is amazing!” --Martin Taylor.

“ I hesitate to refer to Tommy Emmanuel simply as a guitar player,
because he is unquestionably one of the most gifted artists of our
time.” --Acoustic Guitar Magazine.

The year 2001 was one of tremendous growth, both in audience attendance
and musical collaboration, all over the world. After Tommy’s appearance
on the Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games, and his debut at
the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, in late 2000, everyone
wanted to know who this mysterious Australian guitar virtuoso was.

In January, Tommy was invited to open for Italy’s most famous band,
“Pooh” and spent the month performing to sold-out crowds all around the
country. He then followed up with major solo appearances. In March and
April he returned to play New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong appearing
on major TV programs and a run of sold-out shows. In May he appeared on
Mountain Stage, a US National Public Radio nation-wide program. In
July, his beloved friend Chet Atkins passed away and Tommy came to
Nashville for the annual Chet Atkins Appreciation Society convention
shortly after Chet’s passing to celebrate his life with other great
guitarists and friends.

The events of September 11th, 2001 prevented Tommy’s return to the
Walnut Valley Festival on September 12th. But he finally arrived on the
first available flight to the United States to commence a large-scale
tour encompassing brand new territories including Colorado, New Mexico,
Arizona, Northern California, Oklahoma, Connecticut, and New York
State. His appearances included a performance at the Australian Embassy
in Washington D.C. where he was introduced by the Australian Ambassador
to members of the US government community and transplanted Australians.

November marked the limited release of his album “ONLY” in England,
which was distributed by the indie Southbound Records. He supported the
release with a full tour of the country including ten days in Ireland.
This tour recruited a large legion of new fans in the UK and Ireland
regions, and generated tremendous media coverage.

Tommy Emmanuel has become a household name in his native homeland of
Australia. His music and his life have become part of legend. Through
hard work and endless tours, he has earned a success unequalled by any
instrumental artist ever in Australia. With 4 platinum & 3 gold albums
and many awards, he sets the standard for others to emulate. As a
songwriter, his compositions have been recorded by Olivia Newton-John,
Al Jarreau and Sheena Easton. His career has spanned 4 decades and
continues to forge on into the 21st century with a new CD titled “ONLY”.
It’s his first solo acoustic album and finally being released
internationally on Steve Vai’s newly created FAVORED NATIONS ACOUSTIC
imprint. Tommy’s mission is to expand his audience and take his music
to the rest of the world.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
**Tommy’s presence was first felt in the USA when his album “Midnight
Drive” was in the top 5 for 16 weeks, which made him the “most added
artist” on the NAC radio charts in 1997.

** Grammy Award nomination for his participation with mentor Chet Atkins
on his "The Day Finger Pickers Took Over The World" (Columbia Records,
1998).

**In Nashville in 1999, Tommy was honoured by his mentor, Chet Atkins,
receiving the Certified Guitar Player (CGP) award, for his contribution
to finger style guitar. It was a crowning moment for the “Kid from Down
Under.”

**His versatility has taken Tommy from international Jazz Festivals to
special events at The Sydney Opera House, The Grand Ole Opry in
Nashville. Plus performing for the King of Thailand and the Australian
Prime Minister and going to remote areas in Peru and Africa to name a
few.

**Tommy has toured and worked with; Sir George Martin, Stevie Wonder,
Eric Clapton, Michael Bolton, Olivia Newton-John, Tina Arena, Bill
Wyman, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, James Burton, John Denver, Albert Lee,
Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Dave Koz, Martin Taylor, Leo Kottke, Hank
Marvin, Joe Walsh, Warren Hill, James Morrison, John Farnham, Roberta
Flack, Randy Goodrum, David Hirshfelder, The Chieftains and many more.

“I’ve spent all my life from the age of 4 playing music and entertaining
people, I never wanted to do anything else, … music truly brings people
together” he explains.