MIKE CONCANNON BAND Debut Album, “Better Late Than Never”, Available January 15, 2018

The Mike Concannon Band announces their debut album, Better Late Than Never, set to release on January 15, 2018. The first single, Eyes of Sand, will be available in Fall of 2017. The song has recently been critiqued by TAXI remarking that “the song has tinges of Jeff Lynne and Dire Straits, which is some great company of potential influences.”

TRACK LIST

ALBUM NOTES

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Better Late Than Never” is in a real sense a literal truth for me. There’s this voice in my head saying, “…you better get off your ass now and get some of these here songs out there, you’re running out of time son….” (I think that’s Robert Duvall’s voice I hear)

I should have put this album out 30 years ago. I have drawn on a lifetime of influences but am very grounded in the music of the 60s and 70s such as delta blues, rock and roll, Motown, soul and traditional country sounds, beats, riffs, textures and vocals. Even though there are a variety of styles on the record I like to think my personal vocal style, phrasing and lyrics approach is the common thread that makes it all make sense, maybe not. - Mike Concannon

GET IN TOUCH

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://concannonband.com/music/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeconcannonnband/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concannonband/

BAND BIOS

Mike Concannon || Singer/Songwriter || Lead Vocals and Drummer I was raised on Broadway musicals and really can’t remember a time when I wasn’t singing something. I am heavily influenced by the music of the 60s, 70s, rock, blues, soul, Motown and country. I was in my first cover band around age 12 in junior high school. I moved a lot so it was hard to get a job as a drummer but the bands always needed a lead singer, so this is what I have always done, full time front man, part time drummer. I received traditional, classical voice training in high school and in private lessons after high school. I applied all of this knowledge to being a singer in a rock and roll band. I began writing songs when I was 17 but through the years, because of all the great music already recorded, and the difficulty in getting a record deal, it was hard to get any of my band mates interested in doing original material. My longest running band was named Pulse and Pulse Ave. depending upon the day, and broke up at the end of the 90’s. At that point, because of the changes in the music industry and the digital technology, I saw a way into the business. I began making demos of my songs in early 2001 and was ready to record an album but life got in the way. “Better Late Than Never”, my debut album of 11 original songs, came together over a one year period from 2016 to 2017. In addition to music, I have a couple of degrees, a day job and a great wife and kids. Dave McWilliam || Drummer I have been a professional drummer for over 25 years and have been playing since the age of 6. After attending The Berklee College of Music in Boston, I returned to Michigan to focus on teaching and playing. I spent many years touring the country playing in various groups sharing the stage with artists such as Fuel, Sara McLaughlin, Rick Nielsen, The Dixie Chicks and Richie Havens. I have recorded with Kari Newhouse, Ryan Racine, Hoodang, Kid Logic, Giraffe and Mike Concannon. John Sperendi || Bass Player John Sperendi grew up in a musical family. He cut his teeth playing with the jam rock outfit, Plum Loco. Delta 88, a mostly alt-country band, was the next project that took him on the road, playing a variety of venues, from beautiful listening rooms, theaters to dive bars, throughout the U.S. Since then, he has become an in demand sideman and session player for many of Ann Arbor’s best musicians. Sperendi plays both upright and electric bass.

Ryan Gimpert || Guitarist

Ryan Gimpert is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, pedal steel, keyboards) based out of southeast Michigan. He is currently a member of the bands Misty Lyn & the Big Beautiful and Will Sessions, but has recorded and/or performed with a diverse list of artists such as Chris Bathgate, Black Milk, Elzhi, Danny Brown Dennis Coffey, Mayer Hawthorne, Kendra Morris/Jeremy Page, Timothy Monger, Christopher Norman, Odu, Kate Peterson (Nervous But Excited), Toots & The Maytals the Volebeats and Mike Concannon. Ryan feels his greatest strength is as a collaborator and finding the ‘song within a song’. When he is not making music, Ryan enjoys trying new food, improving his racquetball game, digging for old records, cuddling with Little Cat and spending time with family.

Bobby Emmett || Keyboard Player /Hammond B Organ and Piano

Currently touring and recording with Sturgill Simpson, whose album was just nominated for a Grammy. He was a member of the The Sights, a rock and roll band, that was based in Detroit, MI. He has done many sessions and studio work with artists including the Black Keys.

Jim Roll || Producer, Engineer, Singer/Songwriter, Guitar and Bass Player

Growing up in suburban Chicago and taking in the folk, blues, and early rock traditions that the city offered, Jim Roll began his musical evolution as a member of Midwest rockers the Bald Willies before uprooting to Frankfurt, Germany, and becoming a street musician. Having suffered thusly for his craft, Roll returned stateside to further sharpen his skills while hitting the folk club circuit. By October of 1996, Roll's reflective songwriting and sometimes bizarre stage persona had resulted in a sizable following, a record contract, and a debut release in 1998's Ready to Hang. After playing most of the large American singer/songwriter festivals, Roll signed to New West Records in 1999 and teamed with the Silos' Walter Salas-Humara to record his follow- up, Lunette. Drawing on more eclectic and mature sounds, Lunette garnered significant critical praise. He then signed with the Telegraph Company, a Brooklyn- based label on which he released his third full-length, 2002's Inhabiting the Ball. This album features songs co-written with two of Roll's favorite modern authors, Dennis Johnson (Jesus' Son) and Rick Moody (The Ice Storm) and was very well-received. It was named in the top ten on Amazon editors' Best of 2002 rock list, among others.

CAROL CATHERINE GRAY || Vocalist and Background Singer A classically trained violinist and vocalist who broke all the rules to learn to fiddle and sing with rock bands, Carol dedicates herself to finding the soul in every song she plays. Her uncanny knack for harmony and her steady hand on the tambourine make

her a force to be reckoned with. An energetic, captivating performer, she prides herself on connecting with audiences and melding her natural talents with a careful ear to blend perfectly with each group she plays with.

Current live acts: The Charlie Dentel Band 2016-present charliedentel.com youtube.com/watch?v=fkPhXbHuZAY Dynamic, unique blend of folk and soul. Backing vox & auxiliary percussion. Saturday Looks Good To Me 2012-present www.polyvinylrecords.com/artists/index.php?id=291 Popular indie pop group equally influenced by sixties girl groups and nineties rock. Backing vox, auxiliary percussion, fiddle. Featured on “One Kiss Ends It All” (2013). Misty Lyn & The Big Beautiful 2006-present mistylyn.bandcamp.com Gothic folk, alt-country, rock. Backing vox, auxiliary percussion, fiddle. Selected to perform at the 2009 Ann Arbor Folk Festival, along with Pete Seeger & Kris Kristofferson. Jim Roll Band 2005-present allmusic.com/artist/jim-roll-p291275 jimroll.bandcamp.com/album/the-continuing-adventures-of-the-butterfly-kid Original alt-country tunes. Backing vox & auxiliary percussion. Featured on “The Continuing Adventures of the Butterfly Kid.” Matt Jones 2005-present mattjones.bandcamp.com Ragtime- and Civil War-incluenced folk rock. Completely original, with lush string arrangements and three-part harmony. Backing vox, auxiliary percussion, fiddle. Featured on “Right To Arms” (2005), “The Black Path” (2009), and “The Deep Enders” (2015). Other selected groups: Mike Concannon concannonband.com Chris Bathgate chrisbathgate.org Annie Palmer myspace.com/anniepalmermusic Drunken Barn Dance drunkenbarndance.com Dave Boutette daveboutette.net

Nathan K nathank.bandcamp.com The Lonesome Plowboys (Chad Williams) reverbnation.com/thelonesomeplowboys Descent of The Holy Ghost Church

Other selected recordings: Fred Thomas, “Kuma” Featured on “Well”, “Leave It Alone”, and “Waterfall” youtube.com/watch?v=vTv7cV34QU0 Neil Cleary, “I Was Thinking Of You The Whole Time” Featured on “Genevieve” youtube.com/watch?v=VWBSuwunJ4E

Merrill Hodnefield || Vocalist/Background Singer Merrill Hodnefield’s voice has been described by reviewers as “sultry,” “silky,” and “velvety.” A singer, musical saw player, and reluctant fiddler, she is best known as the original vocalist for the eclectic Ann Arbor band Orpheum Bell (2004-2010). More recently her studio work has supported the records of local musicians such as Jim Roll (“The Continuing Adventures of the Butterfly Kid”), Matt Jones (“The Black Path”), and Kevin Meisel (“Black Orchard Songs”).Merrill is a Michigan native with a law degree to her name and a film credit for her portrayal of a violin-playing zombie. When not playing music, she dabbles in website content development, poor housekeeping, and regretful dog-owning. Brian Lillie || Producer/Singer-Songwriter/Guitar Player Brian Lillie is a musician and songwriter from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since starting 35 years ago, he’s written a few hundred songs, recorded four albums of original material (on his own and with The Squirrel Mountain Orchestra), and produced or co-produced zillions of albums for local artists including Jim Roll and Kevin Meisel.

Dan Bennett || Saxaphone Dan Bennett isn a saxophonist, multi reed player, and composer who lives in Ann Arbor, MI. He performs and records regularly in the Ann Arbor/ Detroit area and internationally with his own ensembles and groups such as Nomo, Colin Stetson’s Sorrow, the Planet D Nonet, and more.