BILLY BOB THORNTON & THE BOXMASTERS RELEASE ‘PEPPER TREE HILL’ ALBUM WITH EXTENSIVE U.S. TOUR: ZOOM SPECIAL EDITION ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS WITH RAY SHASHO

 

BILLY BOB THORNTON

AND THE BOXMASTERS

RELEASE

PEPPER TREE HILL

WITH EXTENSIVE TOUR

ZOOM SPECIAL EVENT

WITH

BILLY BOB THORNTON

AND 

J.D. ANDREW

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

CLICK BELOW 

TO WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW

In conjunction with the release of their newest album on July 11th, “Pepper Tree Hill”, The Boxmasters will follow by kicking off a tour of the United States in August. This marks their 19th release as the ever-prolific J.D. Andrew and Bud Thornton showcase their love as always for the sounds of the sixties and the inspiration of their studio on an album called “Pepper Tree Hill.” “Abbey Road was the studio the Beatles recorded their album “Abbey Road” in and are a huge influence on us,” says Bud. “In a way , since our studio is called Pepper Tree Hill , you could say this is our Abbey Road and you can hear odes to our influences the British Invasion including the Beatles, Badfinger, The Kinks etc.” Joining The Boxmasters on the title cut “Pepper Tree Hill” is the legendary trumpeter and bandleader Herb Alpert. 

Says Bud. Also joining on the song “Pepper Tree Hill” is longtime collaborator and Boxmaster alum Brad Davis. “Brad was out at the studio while we were working on another album with him and we thought that “Pepper Tree Hill” would be a great song to have him play guitar on and of course he played an amazing part.” Says J.D. Aside from the song “Pepper Tree Hill”, the rest of the album contains all of the familiar sounds of the sixties that The Boxmasters are fond of. Jangly guitars, Mellotrons, and solid backbeats drive the songs about nostalgia, hope, happiness and with the title song “Pepper Tree Hill,” a salute to the creative atmosphere that The Boxmasters thrive in.

The “2025 Pepper Tree Hill Tour” starts in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on August 20^th and ends in Los Angeles on October 19th. Some familiar stops like in Kansas City at Knuckleheads, and Tomball, TX at Main Street Crossing are joined by 5 nights at the Bourbon and Bonfire weekends in Livingston, Montana and many other new towns and venues across the country.Formed in 2006, The Boxmasters have recorded an impressive and diverse catalogue of music that touches on their love of a wide array of influences, but most importantly, the rock and roll of the 1960’s. Listening to The Boxmasters, one can hear obvious odes to the Beatles, Byrds and Beach Boys, but also important to The Boxmasters are The Mothers of Invention, The Allman Brothers, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine and Big Star. As a touring band, The Boxmasters have cultivated a rabid cult fanbase across the United States, Canada and now Europe and the United Kingdom. Opening for the likes of ZZ Top, Steve Miller, George Thorogood and Bubbles and The Sh*t Rockers, The Boxmasters have proven to win over large audiences.

As a headliner, frequent stops in Kansas City at “Knuckleheads”, Los Angeles at “The Troubadour” and in Sellersville, PA at the “Sellersville Theater” have shown dedicated yet still growing audiences. Two appearances at Levon Helm’s “Midnight Ramble” in Woodstock, New York were highlight performances for the band, as well as the “Ramble at The Ryman” that Levon hosted in 2008. Other highlights include The Boxmasters performing on “The Grand Ole Opry” in 2015, and in 2023 The Boxmasters fulfilled a life-long dream of playing The Cavern Club in Liverpool.

PURCHASE

THE NEW ALBUM

BY

BILLY BOB THORNTON

AND

THE BOXMASTERS

entitled

PEPPER TREE HILL

Available at

https://theboxmasters.com/store

The Boxmasters Official store

also available to purchase at amazon.com

PEPPER TREE HILL

BY THE BOXMASTERS

"PEPPER TREE HILL BY BILLY BOB THORNTON AND THE BOXMASTERS SPOTLIGHTS INCREDIBLE LYRICAL CONTENT, MUSICAL PROWESS, AND INSPIRING NOSTALGIA. IT’S ONE OF THOSE ALBUMS THAT YOU’RE GONNA WANT TO LISTEN TO OVER AND OVER AGAIN."

BY MUSIC JOURNALIST RAY SHASHO

  5 STARS!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

THE BOXMASTERS

VISIT

https://theboxmasters.com/

Official website

https://www.facebook.com/TheOfficialBoxmasters/

Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/the_boxmasters_official

Instagram

https://www.youtube.com/@theboxmasters6030?reload=9

YouTube

 

THE BOXMASTERS

PEPPER TREE HILL TOUR

 2025

Friday, August 15 @ 7:00PM

The Nancy & David Belheimer Capitol Theatre

The Nancy & David Belheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater, FL 33755

Saturday, August 16 @ 7:30PM

The Who with special guests The Boxmasters!

Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL 33323

Tuesday, August 19 @ 7:30PM

The Who with special guests The Boxmasters!

Prudential Center, Newark, NJ 07102

Wednesday, August 20 @ 7:00PM

Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre

Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Thursday, August 21 @ 7:00PM

Pickens County Performing Arts Center

Pickens County Performing Arts Center, Liberty, SC 29657

Friday, August 22 @ 7:00PM

Hard Rock Live Bristol

Hard Rock Live Bristol, Bristol, VA 24201

Saturday, August 23 @ 8:00PM

Sweetland Amphitheatre

Sweetland Amphitheatre, LaGrange, GA 30240

Sunday, August 24 @ 7:00PM

Don Gibson Theatre

Don Gibson Theatre, Shelby, NC 28150

Wednesday, August 27 @ 7:00PM

Lincoln Square Theater

Lincoln Square Theater, Decatur, IL 62523

Thursday, August 28 @ 7:00PM

Canterbury Park Concert Series

Canterbury Park Concert Series, SHAKOPEE, MN 55379

Friday, August 29 @ 7:30PM

Stiefel Theatre

Stiefel Theatre, Salina, KS 67401

Saturday, August 30 @ 7:00PM

Phil Long Music Hall

Phil Long Music Hall, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921

Wednesday, September 3 @ 7:00PM

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Langley, WA 98260

Thursday, September 4 @ 7:00PM

Spokane Tribe Casino

Spokane Tribe Casino, Airway Heights, WA 99001

Friday, September 5 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Saturday, September 6 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Sunday, September 7 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Thursday, September 11 @ 7:00PM

Argyros Performing Arts Center

Argyros Performing Arts Center, Ketchum, ID 83340

Friday, September 12 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Saturday, September 13 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Tuesday, September 16 @ 7:00PM

Joe's Live

Joe's Live, ROSEMONT, IL 60018

Wednesday, September 17 @ 7:00PM

Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center

Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304

Thursday, September 18 @ 7:00PM

Glema Mahr Center for the Arts

Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, Madisonville, Ky 42431

Friday, September 19 @ 7:00PM

Hard Rock Live Rockford

Hard Rock Live Rockford, Rockford, IL 61108

Saturday, September 20 @ 7:00PM

Knuckleheads

Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO 64120

Sunday, September 21 @ 7:00PM

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall, Ardmore, OK 73401

Thursday, September 25 @ 7:00PM

Gruene Hall

Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Friday, September 26 @ 7:00PM

Texan Theater

Texan Theater, Greenville, Tx 75401

Saturday, September 27 @ 7:00PM

Crockett Civic Center

Crockett Civic Center, Crockett, TX 75835

Monday, September 29 @ 7:00PM

Memorial City Hall Performance Center

Memorial City Hall Performance Center, Marshall, TX 75670

Tuesday, September 30 @ 7:00PM

Sand Mountain Amphitheater

Sand Mountain Amphitheater, ALBERTVILLE, AL 35950

Wednesday, October 1 @ 7:00PM

Franklin Theatre

Franklin Theatre, Franklin, TN 37064

Thursday, October 2 @ 7:00PM

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, Montgomery, AL 36104

Friday, October 3 @ 7:00PM

Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Resort Casino

Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Resort Casino, Bossier City, LA 71111

Saturday, October 4 @ 7:00PM

L'Auberge Casino & Hotel

L'Auberge Casino & Hotel, Baton Rouge, LA 70820

Sunday, October 5 @ 7:00PM

Florida Theatre

Florida Theatre, Jacksonville FL 32202

Thursday, October 9 @ 7:00PM

Sellersville Theater

Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA 18960

Friday, October 10 @ 7:00PM

Hollywood Casino

Hollywood Casino, Charles Town, WV 25414

Saturday, October 11 @ 7:00PM

Hard Rock Live Cincinnati

Hard Rock Live Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Monday, October 13 @ 7:00PM

Main Street Crossing

Main Street Crossing, Tomball, TX 77375

Tuesday, October 14 @ 7:00PM

Main Street Crossing

Main Street Crossing, Tomball, TX 77375

Thursday, October 16 @ 7:00PM

Yucca North

Yucca North, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Friday, October 17 @ 7:00PM

Agua Caliente Casino

Agua Caliente Casino, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Saturday, October 18 @ 7:00PM

The Mountain Winery

The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA 95070

THE BOXMASTERS

DISCOGRAPHY

The Boxmasters (Vanguard, 2008)

Christmas Cheer (Vanguard, 2008)

Modbilly (Vanguard, 2009)

Somewhere Down the Road (101 Ranch Records, 2015)

Providence (self-released, exclusively available via theboxmasters.com, 2015)

Boys and Girls... And the World (NDR Records, 2016)

Tea Surfing (NDR Records, 2016)

In Stereo! (NDR Records, 2018)

Speck (KeenTone Records, 2019)

Light Rays (KeenTone Records, 2020)

Christmas in California (KeenTone Records, 2021)

Help...I'm Alive (KeenTone Records, Apr 15, 2022)

Boxmasters '66 (KeenTone Records, Dec 24, 2022)

Providence (Remix 2023) (KeenTone Records, Apr 20, 2023)

'69 (KeenTone Records, May 5, 2023)

Stranded in a Stain Vol. 1 + 2 (KeenTone Records, Dec 25, 2023)

Love & Hate in Desperate Places (KeenTone Records, Aug 30, 2024)

I'm Not Like Everybody Else (The Kinks cover, played as the encore song on the "2024 Love & Hate Tour", exclusively available via theboxmasters.com)

Missing a Heart (KeenTone Records, Feb 14, 2025)

Pepper Tree Hill (July 11,2025)

BILLY BOB THORNTON

AND J.D. ANDREW

APPEAR

AUGUST 12TH 2025

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

In the following videos we show our

 gratitude and appreciation for just a

 few of the music legends who

 created the spirit of rock and roll

PART I

PART II

PART III

PART IV

PART V

PART VI

PART VII

PART VIII

PART IX

PART X

PART XI

PART XII

RAY'S NEW NOVEL

THE LIBERTY CODE

The Liberty Code is a thrilling blend of science fiction, political intrigue, and military strategy. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and timely themes, this novel offers a captivating journey through a world where the line between fiction and reality blurs. It's a must-read for fans of dystopian futures, extraterrestrial encounters, and high-stakes political drama.

Are you ready to decode the secrets of The Liberty Code and join the fight for Earth's future?

LIBERTY CODE TEASER

MUSIC VIDEOS

 BASED ON

 

THE LIBERTY CODE NOVEL

PRODUCTIONS

AVAILABLE 

NOW!

RAY'S INCREDIBLE

 NEW 

SCI-FI BOOK!

THE

 LIBERTY CODE

In a near-future America, where democracy has collapsed under the iron grip of the Commonwealth Party, redemption lies in the unlikeliest of places—a novel. The Liberty Code, penned by decorated Marine veteran and journalist Sam Edwards, uncovers the hidden truths of a dystopian world teetering on the edge of annihilation.

Guided by telepathic messages from two Centauri extraterrestrial ambassadors, J-Rod and Naxia, who secretly collaborate with the U.S. Air Force, Edwards reveals a master plan to save Earth. This gripping tale begins as fiction but evolves into a stark reality, reflecting real-world geopolitical conflicts and revolutionary military operations.

OFFICIAL TRAILER

AVAILABLE at

bookbaby.com

amazon.com

AND SOON ON audiobooks

PURCHASE HERE

https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-liberty-code?srsltid=AfmBOoosm9yL_n_mIiQdRmnY5RgaxapZTnzc8iB1Jy0F7FDLixFQaNOp

WE NEED YOUR HELP! PURCHASE THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES BY RAY SHASHO TODAY AT BOOKBABY.COM OR AMAZON.COM AND HELP SAVE ROCK AND ROLL AND RELIVE THE GLORY DAYS OF YOUTH!

 

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES 

BY RAY SHASHO

WE ARE ASKING OUR VIEWERS TO PURCHASE THE BOOK TO HELP US CONTINUE WHAT WE DO BEST.

 

Buy now at bookbaby.com

and amazon.com

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES 
BOOK TRAILER

HERE'S IS MY APPRECIATION AND TRIBUTE TO JUST A FEW OF THE LEGENDARY MUSIC ARTISTS THAT CREATED THE SPIRIT

 OF ROCK AND ROLL

PART I

PART II

PART III

PART IV

PART V

PART VI

PART VII

PART VIII

PART IX

PART X

PART XI

PART XII

Overview

I refused to simply write about the music and artists that influenced countless generations and millions upon millions of music fans worldwide, that would be way too easy, and its already been done a gazillion times over the years, instead, I brought the actual music legend to the reader. From January 2010 through the present day, I've conducted over 1000 candid interviews with some of the greatest music legends of our time. After reading each interview, it will seem as you're the one chatting with your favorite rock hero. Even though their music lives on … the artists are vanishing and will soon be gone forever! These recent and candid interviews include … life changing events, band feuds that have lasted for decades, love affairs with bandmates, drug induced stories, spirituality, metaphysical beliefs, Woodstock memories, Joplin and Hendrix tidbits, mafia owned record companies, untold stories about The Beatles, royalties issues, management and record company thieving and conniving, political views, conspiracy theories, humorous and tragic anecdotes, transitioning to Christianity and suicide.

Description

WHERE HAVE ALL THE ROCK STARS GONE? Rock and Roll, the Blues, and Jazz are America's contribution to the arts, so why are we not fighting to preserve our own musical legacy and culture? Rooted from the early blues pioneers, the longevity of rock and roll is second to none. But strangely enough those legendary rock heroes that we were so accustomed to hearing every time we turned on our radios had mysteriously vanished from the mainstream. The music of the 1960's, 70's and even the 80's was an important juncture in all of our lives. So many of us timeline life's precious moments with the music we remember, when the music was so great, when the music mattered. The baby-boomer generation is financially imperative yet many of its entertainment standards have been renounced. One day, the plug was pulled on those legendary music artists. Hackers began stealing music across the internet. Online music stores popularized cheap digital singles and neglected to promote full-length albums. Radio stations changed formats to accommodate talk show radio jocks while rappers and electronic dance music menaced the airwaves. Notorious record companies began folding in droves. Record companies and radio stations that were once owned and operated by visionaries were now run by accountants and lawyers and the music world began promoting untalented wannabes. The economy plummeted, and radio stations became more concerned about how many consecutive commercials they could run instead of providing quality radio programming and entertainment value. Radio stations became corporate machines leaving no room for innovation. Throughout the 2000s, recording studios and live performances began using an audio processor called "Auto-Tune" to disguise off-key inaccuracies in vocal tracks. The device allowed virtually anyone without music skills to become a singer and new waves of mainstream radio stars were instantly fabricated. The business of music became stronger and more important than the art of music. For more than a decade, I've been on a rock and roll pilgrimage to help promote and save the greatest music the world has ever known. Before the internet and Napster, virtuoso musicians traditionally introduced their music by way of mainstream radio stations while anxious music enthusiasts hurried to their favorite record stores and purchased a copy of the artist's latest release. Talk radio wasn't popular because there was way too much great music to play over the airwaves. Advertisers didn't rule the airwaves, the music did. Rock legends toured the world to promote their latest albums and prices of concert tickets were extremely affordable. Proficient musicians, singers, and songwriters are what made the music so great.

About The Author

Ray Shasho published his first novel entitled Check the Gs, a comical and awe-inspiring novel about growing up in the family business. Shasho subsequently released a second edition entitled, Wacky Shenanigans on F Street -Proud to be Politically-Incorrect in Washington D.C. Shasho became a classic rock music journalist. It started out as a fun gig to help promote his book but something very extraordinary transformed. Shasho began covering concerts and music events around the Tampa Bay area and decided to take a crack at interviewing some of the rock music legends that he idolized all of his life. Ray quickly became one of the top music journalists in the country. His online music publications are read by thousands of music enthusiasts daily and Shasho's in-depth interviews, album and concert reviews are featured on artist websites around the globe. More than a million visitors have read Ray's interviews online. Currently, Ray is the director of The Publicity Works Agency, a public relations firm specializing in publicity plans for musicians and authors. Ray is also the host of Interviewing the Legends a very popular show on BBS radio that spotlights exclusive interviews with legendary music artists, authors and celebrities.

BOOK REVIEW

GOLD STAR WINNER

-By Literary Titan 

(5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   Gold Award Winner

Ray Shasho's Rock Star Chronicles is a fantastic journey through the history of the world's most influential music, and the artists who lived it. Ray's superior knowledge of the era, the players, studios, and the great music that came to be, are all brought to life in this fantastic book! I definitely recommend this for all serious readers of the genre, makes an excellent gift for the "Classic Rock" historian, and is a great way to relive the moments in music by those who created them!

Book Review
-By Trace Keane
Music Journalist
Publicist to Classic Rock Legends

THE 
ROCK STAR
 CHRONICLES 

Featuring intimate conversations with 
these legendary music artists ...

CHRIS SQUIRE

Y  E  S
SQUACKETT

DR. JOHN

"THE NIGHT TRIPPER"

GREG LAKE

KING CRIMSON

ASIA

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER
RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND 

HENRY McCULLOUGH

JOE COCKER GREASE BAND

SPOOKY TOOTH

PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS

JACK BRUCE

CREAM

WEST, BRUCE & LAING

ROBIN TROWER

RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND 

JOE LALA

BLUES IMAGE

STEPHEN STILLS & MANASSAS

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG

THE BEE GEES

JOE WALSH

FIREFALL

JOHNNY WINTER

KEITH EMERSON

THE NICE

EMERSON,LAKE & PALMER

PAUL KANTNER

THE JEFFERSON AIRPLANE

JEFFERSON STARSHIP

RAY THOMAS

THE MOODY BLUES

RONNIE MONTROSE

THE EDGAR WINTER GROUP

MONTROSE

GAMMA

VAN MORRISON

TONY JOE WHITE

Best known for his 1969 hits"Polk Salad Annie" and 
 "Rainy Night in Georgia"

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS
BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS

MIKE LOVE

THE BEACH BOYS

TOMMY ROE

Best-remembered for his hits "Sheila" (1962),
1966's "Sweet Pea"

"Hooray for Hazel" and "Dizzy" (1969)

BARRY HAY

GOLDEN EARRING

CHRIS THOMPSON

MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND 

JESSE COLIN YOUNG

THE YOUNGBLOODS 

JOHN KAY

STEPPENWOLF

JULIAN LENNON

Beatles John's son

MARK LINDSAY

PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS 

MICKY DOLENZ

THE MONKEES

PETER RIVERA

RARE EARTH

TOMMY JAMES

THE SHONDELLS

TODD RUNDGREN

THE NAZZ

UTOPIA

RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND 

DAVE MASON

TRAFFIC

DELANEY & BONNIE

EDGAR WINTER

EDGAR WINTER GROUP

RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND 

FRANK MARINO

MAHOGANY RUSH

GREGG ROLIE

SANTANA 

JOURNEY

RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND 

IAN ANDERSON

JETHRO TULL

JIM "DANDY" MANGRUM

BLACK OAK ARKANSAS

JON ANDERSON

Y E S

LOU GRAMM

FOREIGNER

MICK BOX

URIAH HEEP 

RANDY BACHMAN

THE GUESS WHO

BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE

RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND 

BACHMAN CUMMINGS

ROBIN TROWER

PROCOL HARUM

ROBIN TROWER BAND

ROGER FISHER

HEART

STEVE HACKETT

GENESIS

GTR

SQUACKETT 

ANNIE HASLAM

RENAISSANCE

"MELANIE" SAFKA

MELANIE 

PETULA CLARK 

SUZI QUATRO 

COLIN BLUNSTONE

THE ZOMBIES

DAVE DAVIES

THE KINKS 

JIM McCARTY

THE YARDBIRDS

PETE BEST

THE BEATLES

PETE BEST BAND

 New Post on LITERARY TITAN

Ray Shasho Author Interview

The Rock Star Chronicles uses your interviews with rock legends to humanize them and preserve their contribution to the genre. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I was fortunate to have lived through two of the greatest decades for music. It was a time when radio played incredible music and rock concerts were a bargain and a happening thing to do. Rock groups featured incredibly talented musicians with guitarists and lead singers in the spotlight. There has never been a generation to match that period of music expertise and staying power. I wanted the reader to understand and realize how great a talent they really were and still are. Especially to wannabe musicians and the young. Many of the artists I have interviewed have passed on and others nearing retirement. It was important to me to tell their stories at a vulnerable period in their lives and be recognized as the greatest music legends the world will ever know.

What is one interview in this book that stands out as the most exciting one you had?

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull has always been a rock hero to me. He has written and performed complex music and always had an incredible stage presence. Going to a Tull concert back in the day was a huge event. I will admit the first time I interviewed Ian Anderson I was quite nervous. I remember when the phone rang for the interview, I thought, that’s Jethro Tull calling me! During the second interview I got him to chat about politics, religion, ancestry, and world events. I tried not to ask the same mundane music questions that have been asked of him many hundreds of times. He was intellectual and I was on my best game that day.

What do you think is one thing modern musicians have to learn from the icons of the rock and roll genre?

Bands must perform live. All the legends started performing at school dances, bars, clubs, and anywhere they could be seen by an audience big or small. If they are talented eventually someone will give them a break, but it will not be easy. Having a You Tube video with a lot of page views is a start, but it will never have the impact of playing in front of live audiences.

What do you find is a common misconception people have about music?

People that pay big money to watch an artist lip sync on stage and still call it a great show. Music lovers who go see a legendary rock band and there are no original members in the band. Ringo Starr would never bill himself as The Beatles, instead he created an All-Starr band. All generations need to do a little homework before purchasing expensive tickets to concerts nowadays. My book will certainly help identify who the real legends are.