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Andrew Colyer on the Moody Blues Cruise with the Prog Rock Orchestra – Day Four
Moody Blues Cruise 2014, Day Four
Another beautiful day on the ship! Woke up in Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos.
Moody Blues Cruise 2014 – Day Four – Good Morning!
I went for a awesome morning run on the ship! It felt so good to be warm, after the brutal winter we’ve had in New York. I then stood outside in the sun too long talking to Jim Wood from Washington, D.C. about his Moody Blues tribute band – Cosmic Rocker Jamboree. (I got sunburned.)
4:45 pm – Saw Little River Band on the pool stage – they were so great – five guys performing live, and they sounded just like their records!
Little River Band performing on the 2014 Moody Blues Cruise
7:15 pm – I really loved seeing The Orchestra [featuring former members of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)] on the pool stage.
![“The Orchestra” [featuring former members of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)] – Performance #2](http://colyermusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/IMG_20140405_193831_9551.jpg)
“The Orchestra” [featuring former members of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)] – Performance #2a
![“The Orchestra” [featuring former members of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)] – Performance #2b](http://colyermusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/IMG_20140405_193602_6911.jpg)
“The Orchestra” [featuring former members of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)] – Performance #2b
11:30 pm – saw Sound of Contact (performance #1) on the Black & White stage.
Sound of Contact (featuring Simon Collins) on the 2014 Moody Blues Cruise – Performance #1
Andrew Colyer getting some programming tips from Bill Jenkins (Sound of Contact, Enchant, Thought Chamber)
I also met the entire staff of Trading Boundaries, the center/gallery/venue in England where Roger Dean has his collection on display and for sale.
Trading Boundaries – center / gallery / venue
Roger Dean Gallery at Trading Boundaries
The other bands/acts that performed/spoke today included: Roger Daltrey, The Moody Blues, Roger Dean, Starship, The Strawbs, The Zombies, Heavy Mellow, Cheap Thrill, Glass Hammer, Lighthouse, Little River Band, Shawn Phillips, Danny Vaughn, The Big Knobs, Mellow Yellow, and Carl Palmer.
Bed time was 3:00 am!!
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Andrew Colyer on the Moody Blues Cruise with the Prog Rock Orchestra – Day Three
Moody Blues Cruise 2014, Day Three
What a great day! There are too many activities on board to list, so I’ll just share the ones that I participated in.
I woke up to a peaceful, endless ocean view.
Moody Blues Cruise 2014 – the view from my balcony
I performed on keyboards/vocals with the Prog Rock Orchestra’s second performance tonight. We were able to spend a couple of hours this afternoon doing sound check, rehearsing, and fixing technical glitches before our 6:45 pm show. The show tonight was good, solid. (Video of that performance coming soon.)
Andrew Colyer’s second performance with the Prog Rock Orchestra on the 2014 Moody Blues Cruise
Brook Hansen of the Prog Rock Orchestra jamming out at rehearsal
Paul Simmons of the Prog Rock Orchestra is seriously irritated with the monitor chick.
Joe Parker of the Prog Rock Orchestra is just waiting to play.
Tom Tutino of the Prog Rock Orchestra is tweaking his rig, to get it just right.
Brook Hansen leading the Prog Rock Orchestra rehearsal. Tim Marshall (lead vocals) is center stage.
On the way into the dining hall, I met and hung out with Alan Hewitt, the lead keyboard player for The Moody Blues (see photo below). In addition to touring with The Moody Blues, Alan also has a fusion band, One Nation, and does film scoring.
Andrew Colyer with Alan Hewitt (Moody Blues)
I had breakfast with Brandon Gibbs, the lead singer/guitarist for Cheap Thrill.
Diane Gibbs (Brandon’s mom) and Tammy Prock of Creative Defense Music were also breakfast buddies. Shelly Davine, music marketer and owner of one of the School of Rock franchises near Toronto, stopped by to hang with us after breakfast. Shelly and her husband Henry Titleman (one of those people who are “walking encyclopedias of Progressive Rock”) are here on the cruise with the great band Lighthouse.
In the afternoon, I saw Cheap Thrill give an awesome performance in the Atrium,
doing originals and unique versions of cover songs. These dudes were awesome.
I can see why they get booked playing all over the world. (Video of that performance coming soon.)
Cheap Thrill performing in the Atrium on the Moody Blues Cruise
I then had the thrill of a lifetime, meeting two of the founding members of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)! ELO was my very first favorite band of all time. In the late 1980’s, the next version of ELO became ELO II, and the current iteration (since 2000) is The Orchestra. Photos with Louis Clark (keyboards) and Mik Kaminski (electric violin) are below.
Andrew Colyer with Louis Clark (Electric Light Orchestra)
Andrew Colyer with Mik Kaminski (Electric Light Orchestra)
Prog Rock Orchestra‘s lead singer (Tim Marshall) and drummer (Paul Simmons) met and hung out with Roger Daltrey for a few magical moments – very cool.
At the end of the night, I ran into another ELO member – bass player and lead vocalist Glen Burtnik. I’m looking forward to connecting more with him when we get back to the East Coast.
The other bands/acts that performed/spoke today included:
Roger Daltrey, The Moody Blues, Roger Dean, Starship, The Strawbs, The Zombies, Heavy Mellow, Cheap Thrill, Glass Hammer, Lighthouse, Little River Band, Shawn Phillips, Danny Vaughn, The Big Knobs, Mellow Yellow, and Carl Palmer.
Here are a couple more pics from today:
Prog Rock Orchestra’s Paul Simmons and Joe Parker having a little fun
Prog Rock Orchestra co-founder and leader Brook Hansen with the promo poster for the first album.
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Andrew Colyer on the Moody Blues Cruise with the Prog Rock Orchestra – Day Two
Moody Blues Cruise 2014, Day Two
Today was another exciting day! There are too many activites onboard to list, so I’ll just share the ones that I participated in.
I performed on keys/vocals with the debut performance of the Prog Rock Orchestra!
Andrew Colyer Performs with the Prog Rock Orchestra on the 2014 Moody Blues Cruise
Rehearsing with the Prog Rock Orchestra on the same stage as the Moody Blues
Andrew Colyer’s keyboard/vocal rig with the Prog Rock Orchestra
Glass Hammer gave an outstandingly awesome performance on the pool stage.
It was so great to see them in all their glory, with a huge epic sound that only the outdoor pool stage can provide (videos coming soon from that show).
Carl Palmer‘s Q&A session was very inspiring. “I started playing when I was 15 years old, and now I’m 64. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing in a stadium or a phone booth. It doesn’t matter how many people are in the audience. I play to kill every night. And if you can get everyone in the band to have that same mentality, then you’re going to have a great band.”
“The Orchestra“, which is actually the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), was the best band yet on the entire ship. They sounded just like the record! The three-part harmony vocals were PERFECT! They had the whole ship rocking out and singing along.
!["The Orchestra" [featuring former members of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)] - Performance #1](http://colyermusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_20140403_162243_1631.jpg)
“The Orchestra” [featuring former members of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)] – Performance #1
Sound of Contact Q&A with Simon Collins and Matt Dorsey
Andrew Colyer with Bill Jenkins and Simon Collins (Sound of Contact)
The other bands/acts that performed/spoke today included:
The Moody Blues, Starship, The Strawbs, Heavy Mellow, Cheap Thrill, Glass Hammer, Lighthouse, Shawn Phillips, Danny Vaughn, The Big Knobs, and Carl Palmer.
Here are a couple more pics from today:
Welcome to the Bahamas! – 2014 Moody Blues Cruise
Tom Tutino (composer/guitars/vocals, , Prog Rock Orchestra) so rarely eats fruit or vegetables that this moment had to be captured. Tom’s son Anthony (musician/guitar tech) is laughing because he can’t believe it!
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Andrew Colyer on the Moody Blues Cruise with the Prog Rock Orchestra – Day One
Moody Blues Cruise 2014, Day One
Today we boarded the ship with the rest of the bands and passengers, and it’s really exciting to be here! We’ve already been meeting other bands, hanging out with the passengers, and reconnecting with people from last year’s cruise.
Starship was the “sail away” band starting at 5 pm,
and the other bands/acts that performed today included:
The Moody Blues, Heavy Mellow, Cheap Thrill, Glass Hammer, Lighthouse,
Shawn Phillips, Danny Vaughn, and Carl Palmer.
I perform tomorrow night for the first time with the Prog Rock Orchestra!
Here are some pics from today:
Almost There!
Boarding our home for the next 2 weeks on the Moody Blues Cruise and the YES Cruise to the Edge
Life Jacket Drill.
I’m taking a picture of Prog Rock Orchestra bass player Joe Parker taking a picture. This was on the TV in my room!
Starship opened the Moody Blues Cruise
Sail Away Concert at the Pool Stage
Glass Hammer – Day One
Lighthouse – Day One – this 10-piece band was awesome – very similar to Chicago
Glass Hammer Set List – Day One – these guys were great!
Pool Stage people at dusk
The Moody Blues Concert – Day One – #1
The Moody Blues Concert – Day One – #2
The Moody Blues Concert – Day One – #3
This man is a True Fan. He’s waving a Vinyl LP at the Moody Blues!
Danny Vaughn performs music of The Eagles
Videos will be coming soon………………
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Andrew Colyer with Progressive Rock Tribute Band Downing Grey – Emerson Lake & Palmer’s “Tarkus”
While most tribute bands pay homage to one specific band, supergroup Downing Grey pays tribute to the entire genre of progressive rock – covering nine different bands.
Tarkus is the second album by British progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released in 1971. This video was shot live on location at Keegan Ales, Kingston, New York, on December 7th, 2013.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are a sporadically active English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and have sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson (keyboards), Greg Lake (bass guitar, vocals, guitar) and Carl Palmer (drums, percussion). They are one of the most popular and commercially successful progressive rock bands.
Andrew Colyer with Progressive Rock Tribute Band Downing Grey – Genesis’ “Firth of Fifth”
While most tribute bands pay homage to one specific band, supergroup Downing Grey pays tribute to the entire genre of progressive rock – covering nine different bands. This Genesis song “Firth of Fifth” is from the 1973 album Selling England by the Pound.
This video was shot live on location at Keegan Ales, Kingston, New York, on December 7th, 2013. This was lead singer Billy Spillane’s first performance with the band, with only ONE REHEARSAL before the gig!
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band consist of their three longest-tenured members: founding members Tony Banks (keyboards) and Mike Rutherford (bass, guitar); and Phil Collins (vocals, drums), who joined in 1970. Former members Peter Gabriel (vocals, flute), Steve Hackett (guitar) and Anthony Phillips (guitar) also played major roles in the band in its early years. Genesis are among the highest-selling recording artists of all time, with approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide.
NAMM 2014 – Sunday – Day Four
Sunday, January 26th – last day at NAMM 2014! Starting at 9:30 am with a ridiculously amazing one hour demonstration of PG Music’s Band-In-A-Box, the day continued with talking to the Directors of Digital Strategy and Artist Relations from JAMMIT software about doing a series of keyboard videos for them!
Have you checked out the music industry network Numubu? It’s a great way to stream live concerts. “Making Money Making Music” – was a terrific panel, led by the top two guys (musician/attorney Paul Quin, and musician/author/educator Dom Famularo) from TheSessons.org; this panel included Billy Joel’s drummer Liberty DeVitto, and rock drumming legend Carmine Appice. Jim DeCicco’s “Millionaire Mindset for Musicians” workshop used principles of NLP, metaphysics, and business conditions analysis to get us to shift our mental thinking processes around making more money as professional musicians.
I also had the pleasure of hanging out with sax player Jimmie “Thari” Highsmith (Alicia Keys), vocalist Fatima Razic, electric violinist/vocalist Razz, and sound engineering consultant Doug Gould.
At the Pigtronix booth, I was so blown away by the debut of their new Pigtronix Rototron pedal, I bought one, getting the NAMM convention artist discount! It will hopefully arrive soon……
Sunday night brought tons of fun hanging out with Tony Antoniou of Psicraft designs and David Lovelace of Packrat Comics and Parallax Music (OMIGOD he’s a shredder)! We were playing David’s beloved Roland Juno-106, that has now been outfitted with Tony’s Kiwi-106 microchip board and software update. Videos coming soon……
Andrew Colyer with the new Pigtronix Rototron – rotary speaker simulator pedal
Roland Juno-106 with Kiwi-106 circuit board installed
Andrew Colyer with Tony Antoniou (Psicraft Designs)
Andrew Colyer with David Lovelace (Packrat Comics, Parallax Music)
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NAMM 2014 – Saturday – Day Three
NAMM 2014 – Day Three – it’s half over already!! Saw an awesome demonstration of one of the coolest keyboards in history – the PianoArc (look for videos coming soon), and got to hang out with the only artist in the world performing on it at the present time – Brockett Parsons (Lady Gaga). I got to hang out and grow my relationships with jazz musician/composer/producer/author Michael Gallant, rock musician/composer/producer/author Robbie Gennett, and Dave Medd (The Tubes). Dave Medd is also co-owner of Kryptonite Cases, the BEST case company on the planet. I spoke to guitarist/educator Jesse Gresse and composer/bassist Doug Lunn about opening for their band Mahavishnu Project on some new tour dates! I also got to see some amazing new in-ear and stage monitoring systems, courtesy of the recent merger between Behringer and Midas. I had a great time playing the very cool and unique instrument Haken Audio Continuum Fingerboard, even doing a duet on the Haken Continuum with Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard)!
Michael Gallant, Andrew Colyer, and Robbie Gennett
Andrew Colyer, Brockett Parsons (Lady Gaga), and Dave Medd (The Tubes)
Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard) demoing the Haken Continuum
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NAMM 2014 – Friday – Day Two
Day Two of NAMM was spent renewing my relationships with Yamaha Musical Instruments, Tony Antoniou of Psicraft Software Designs, Vyzor Software, Vycro MX Software, Brook Hansen of the Prog Rock Orchestra, Bobby Kimball (Toto), Arturia and the KeyLab 61, Arturia’s V Collection, Richard Whittington at Sweetwater Pro Audio, Cakewalk and Sonar X3, Studiologic, Jeff Lorber (jazz/fusion legend), and Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard). Friday night was the Muse Research Receptor dinner, with fellow artists and sound designer Tim Swartz.
Andrew Colyer with Brook Hansen (Prog Rock Orchestra)
Brook Hansen (Prog Rock Orchestra) demoing the new Arturia KeyLab 61
Andrew Colyer with Jeff Lorber
Andrew Colyer with Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard)
Andrew Colyer at the NAMM Cakewalk Booth.
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NAMM 2014 – Thursday – Day One
NAMM 2014 started off with a bang! I attended workshops by singer-songwriter Ben Folds (stay tuned for video of that presentation), composer and music producer Jerry Gerber, musician/teacher/producer Keith Hatschek, digital sheet music on your iPad from Airturn, and an awesome workshop on the “New Rules for the Music Industry” by producer Jeffrey Weber. I also attended a very cool panel discussion on the state of 21st Century Synthesizers with Gerry Basserman, producer/composer/sound designer Edmund Eagan, composer/synthesist Drew Neumann, sound designer and founder/creative director of Spectrasonics Eric Persing, and synthesizer pioneer Dave Smith; moderated by journalist/historian/teacher/performer Mark Vail.
I was very excited to put down a deposit on a new ROLI Seaboard, one of the most expressive keyboards ever made. I will be one of the first people in the world to own a ROLI Seaboard when they come off the assembly line in fall 2014!
Andrew Colyer with Evan O’Brien, ROLI Head of Artist Relations
NAMM 2014 – Day One – the afterglow
