Miss me? Well, I’m back from Vegas-the RadioContraband Convention and the Rock Vegas festival! Great times at both and yours truly was once again honored by my peers winning the Non-Traditional Rock Programmer of the Year! Our own Lou Brutus presented the awards at a luncheon and I was stoked to receive it from him! Great panels where we discussed issues and the importance of rock radio and let me assure you, it isn’t all doom and gloom out there! We’re alive and well, peeps! Meanwhile, got to see some great bands and Lou did interviews with many of the Rock Vegas bands including Brent Smith of Shinedown, Chad Gray of Hellyeah, Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D., Jonny, Greg and Jeff from Art of Dying, Corey Taylor of Stone Sour, Adrian and Ryan of Otherwise, Jake Scher of New Medicine, Phil LaBonte of All That Remains, Dan Estrin and Doug Robb of Hoobastank, I talked to Danko Jones and Red Line Chemistry’s Brett Ditgen. It was good damn times. We were very bummed our interview with Rob Zombie didn’t happen, though. Oh well! Next time! I did get to say hello to John 5 and I saw former Zombie member Blasko backstage. Also saw Chris Kael of Five Finger Death Punch, chatted with Serj Tankian and met his lovely wife Maria, System of A Down’s John Dolmayan was hanging out, Wuv & Marcos of P.O.D., Rick DeJesus of Adelitas Way, the guys from Mindset Evolution, Evan Seinfeld of Attika 7, the guitarist from Machine Head Phil Demmel (he played with Attika 7), and many more who I can’t recall this second! But man, it was a blast! And had good times with our contest winner Jason Jacobs and his lady Kristy! Definitely good times! How can ya now! It’s VEGAS! I won $242.50 and then lost most of it back on the slots! Oh well! …Tonight, I am going to be one of 3 industry folks invited to hear some new music from Kid Rock‘s forthcoming album. The new single “Let’s Ride” is really great! Looking forward to catching up with Bob!….Hey speaking of Serj, heard his new song with Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) and Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) called “We are the 99%.” It was recorded to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement. It reminds me of a Rage song. Check it out at www.axisofjustice.net…..Reminder: Election Day is just over a month away! Let your voice be heard! www.rockthevote.org ……Three Days Grace and Papa Roach both have streams going on of their new album, which both hit tomorrow. Hit Three Days Grace here Hit Papa Roach here….Gotta run! Lots happening in the office! More tomorrow!
