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GC Studios Review
By Jonathon Freeman-Anderson

Wanna jam? With gas prices going up, people are parking their cars in the garages, and destroying garage rock-band jam space. Kids who have become obsessed with pseudo-instrument, rhythm-skill building video game platforms like Guitar Hero or Rock Band want to try real instruments, make real music, record, and learn to do it for real more. The question is where can one go on a moderate budget with state-of-the-art equipment, to learn or just jam, and be at any experience level? Few locations in the world cater to the needs of an ever-growing music industry professional and hobbyist community.

Seeing the necessity for such a space with ample room to stretch and feel comfortable with an instrument, Guitar Center created GC STUDIOS. With eight beautiful, well-kept, and clean rehearsal rooms featuring today's top-quality music equipment with brand names like Tama, PEARL, Line 6, Marshall, Fender, JBL, Shure, and Monster, GC STUDIOS is the first to go beyond just another industrial center warehouse-style rehearsal space.

Located on the south side of Victory Blvd., just west of Canoga Ave., the GC STUDIOS is between Staples and Men's Wearhouse, across the street from Best Buy. There is sufficient parking and easy access to the other local businesses. GC STUDIOS is hard to miss. If in the lot, looking at Zen Buffet, just listen for the sounds permeating across the asphalt from this incredible and cool rehearsal location.

Inside the facility, the double-thick dark wood walls lined with treaded chrome metal scuff bumpers provide a cool, clean, and safe atmosphere. At this rehearsal space, it is clear upon entering that the needs of the musician come first. Inside every room are microphones set up to record each relatively inexpensive session. A free master CD, as well as, up to five copies, of the rehearsal can be recorded, burned, and kept for memories or review. Open most days from 12PM-Midnight, each room comes with a 16-channel mixing board that any one of the employees there can help explain and setup, if needed.

This unique space is geared towards the entire range of musician; beginner to experienced, offering interesting and fun opportunities to learn an instrument, meet fellow musicians, or record and create the next great musical masterpiece of the 21st century. With qualified staff, GC STUDIOS teaches vocals, guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, and offers Pro Tools 101, and 110 with a free Saturday, 1PM, workshop for anyone.

GC STUDIOS customizes the lessons to the students with one-on-one 30 minute to 1-hour instruction that gives both the student and the instructor the ability to play instruments simultaneously. For example, it is one thing to sit next to someone and teach guitar, but generally, teaching drums requires instructors and students to waste valuable lesson time by switching back-and-forth on one kit, but not at GC Studios. In the drum lesson rooms, there are two kits. Beyond the lesson, GC STUDIOS offers the opportunity for students to jam out exclusively on the huge, main stage in the central room with their instructors while family and friends can watch on Monday nights.

On Thursdays, there is an open jam for the public starting at 7PM. Bring the axe, sticks, or whatever is the preferred instrument, meet fellow musicians, and rock out. Who knows what could happen, maybe someone will meet and create the next big thing. The gear that GC STUDIOS has is direct from Guitar Center, top-of-the-line, and so they guarantee that they will never have any cracked or broken equipment. As a musician, dirty, beat-up, smelly, rehearsal rooms are nowhere near as fun to play. The sounds may not come out right because the amp is slightly busted, the cymbals or drumheads could be cracked and taped up, or the walls, floor, and general space could simply be musty. GC STUDIOS may be loud in the central full-stage setup, but each rehearsal room is bright, clean, and double-walled. There are rooms for working bands as well who want to roll there equipment right in from the back lot into an empty space and go to work.

Throughout the summer, there will be various workshops and specialty seminars, most open to the public, including a free Open Drum Circle starting July 8, as well as a Summer Drummer Program, also in July. All the events and can be found online at GCStudios.com.

The space is extraordinary. Such a positive, new, and unique environment, catering, especially, for the growth and recreation of music, is exciting to be within and feel as a musician. GC STUDIOS appreciates musicians allowing them the access for an actual opportunity to establish the groundwork, apply their skills with a talent in music, and potentially reach their dreams.

GC STUDIOS is located at 6400 Owensmouth Avenue in Woodland Hills, CA 91367 ~ 818.883.4GCS

One Night in a 'Million
Billy Million & the Hip, Slick & Cool Band
By Annabelle G

Just over the hill and into the Valley lies the not-so-little Aura Night Club, plush with red velvet couches, walls and tall sparkling beers where a not-so-little-known band brought the house down and the audiences' spirits up.

Standing on stage of the Aura Night Club, was none other than Billy Million & the Hip, Slick & Cool Band; a long-time veteran to the rhythm and blues music world. You might have been there, or you might have been at home watching the Lakers game.

Nevertheless, the club was filled with an eager and enthusiastic crowd; mostly fans of the veteran singer and his band members; ranging from 20 years of music loyalty, to the next
generation.

Million, originally from Chicago, IL, began his career at age 16 and has since toured and worked with legends such as Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Ike & Tina Turner, and the Righteous Brothers, to name a few. He formed his 'Hip, Slick & Cool' band in the 1980s and has played with them for over twenty years.

Billy Million seduces the audience with his rapturous rhythm and blues vocals that surf themselves with ease over an eight-piece band; accompanied by back-up singer, the sultry Amy Deegan. Million more than impressed with originals like, "Audience For My Pain," as well as with classics like, "Stand By Me," "I'm Gonna Wait Till Midnight Hour", and "To Love Somebody".

He starts his show by introducing each band member who leads in with their individual sound. On lead guitar is Jimmy Dale (The Drifters, Tommy Roe and the Imperials), Bobby Efford on bass (Genesis, Phil Collins), Alicia McCrackin Morgan on keyboards and her son, Sam Morgan; one of three saxophonists.

Steve Clothiers and Mike Parlett make up the rest of the horn section with Andrew Duncan on trumpet. The sterling ensemble is flawlessly kept in tempo by drummer Stevie Steven. The proud sounds coming from Million's sassy horn section leave you feeling hot, bothered and positively 'over-saxed!' No complaints here.

The band has a solid, unique and complete resonance. Unlike other rhythm and blues bands, 'Hip Slick' is more of a 'Memphis-Style' Motown, with an added pinch of funk. Million and his band perform effortlessly in sync with each other as the audience clapped, drank, danced and shouted for more.

Other voices that come to mind in similarity with Million's vocals are Joe Cocker and the contemporary Ray LaMontagne. It's a spectacular night of honest, formidable musicianship that leaves you feeling like a million bucks; the kind of music that sings to your gut.

Million played a full set giving way to a special guest star performance by Calista Carradine, the late David Carradine's daughter. Her voice filled the club with a soulful sensuality particularly in "Baby I Love You." It was an honor to be in the presence of her courage and vulnerability.

In the digital age, it's more than nice to know that the good ole stand bys are still standing by.

On a night where some were betting on the Lakers, my bet was on the 'Million'.

Catch Billy Million & the Hip, Slick & Cool Band for a night of outstanding music, dancing and fun.
www.billymillion.com

Hollywood Hamilton: A Radio Icon's Journey
By Staff Writer

2009 is the thirty-year anniversary for one of the America's most recognizable and most listened to radio personalities, Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton. Over the years, Hamilton has interviewed some of the biggest stars, developed the hottest radio shows and influenced the masses. His story begins in 1979, at the age of sixteen years old, when he constructed an illegal pirate radio station in the basement of his parent's home. His pirate radio station was shortly pulled off the air by the Federal Communications Commission, but resulted in him immediately landing his first job in commercial radio in his hometown of Reno, Nevada. Interestingly enough, later in 1990, New Line Cinema released a popular motion picture called "Pump up the Volume" starring Christian Slater. Sean was friends with Slater's mother, which, resulted in Sean working with and training Slater for his role.

Everyone has dreams, and after spending a year broadcasting in his hometown, Sean decided to hit the road hoping to achieve the big time one day. After three years of working for a couple radio stations, he ended up in Long Branch, New Jersey. His big break happened in 1983 one night while broadcasting. Radio executive Scott Shannon was flying privately over Long Branch and heard Sean on the air. Upon this radio executive arriving at his destination, Sean was immediately offered a job to be part of creating and premiering what is now the largest and most influential radio station in the world, New York's Z-100. At just 20 years old and only four years after building his small pirate radio station in Reno, Nevada- he was now on the air in the Big Apple.

During the four years working in New York, Sean helped launch and introduce such new artists as Madonna, Duran Duran, U2, Cyndi Lauper and Prince, just to name a few. He still claims Madonna has been his best interview of all time. Sean also created one of the most successful syndicated radio shows in the history of radio called Hollywood's Midnight Love Lines. Years later his idea would become MTV's longest running talk show called "Love Line" with Adam Carola and Dr. Drew.

In 1987, he found even more success when he was asked to head out west to join then uber popular disc jockey Rick Dees at 102.7 KIIS FM. Later in 1997, WKTU in New York City convinced Sean, now one of radio's most successful radio hosts (in the industry) to relocate back to New York and work his "magic" on their afternoon drive time slot. His hip, funny and frenetic personality has earned him top ratings consistently ever since. Today, his show can currently be heard weekdays from 3-7pm and is the second highest rated show in New York City. A year later, Hollywood Hamilton's Weekend Top 30 was established in conjunction with the AM/FM Radio Network. In one year, the show became the fastest growing syndicated program in America. Now, Hollywood Hamilton's Weekend Top 30 is with United Stations Radio Network and is listened to by approximately 5.7 million people every weekend. He counts down the 30 biggest songs of the week while having the biggest celebrities in the business join him, either in-studio or backstage. The show is heard in over 200 cities throughout America and also around the world.

As of April 13th of this year, Sean returned to us here in Los Angeles on 104.3 MYfm weekdays from 3-7 p.m. Impressively, he is Clear Channel's only (music) talent to be heard on both coasts during the afternoon drive time slot. With an estimated listening audience of 5.6 million people, spanning over five different shows Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton is clearly one of the most listened radio personalities in the country today. Often compared to radio and TV personality great, Ryan Seacrest, Hollywood Hamilton has definitely reached radio superstardom.

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