The Alonzo Spirit Band

"THE BRIGHT SIDE" - CREDITS & RADIO PLAYS                                                    

 

Bacon - The Wonder Dog

 

"THE BRIGHT SIDE" enjoyed a successful 4 month run on over 85 TRIPLE A radio stations from Nov. 2016 thru March 2017. 

 

PROMOTIONAL COPY FOR TRIPLE A STATIONS:

NEW ALBUM “THE BRIGHT SIDE” out November 23, 2016

THE ALONZO SPIRIT BAND -- an All-Star Studio band from the Big Island of Hawaii -- is back with their newest CD, once again sharing the upbeat, joyful, soulful and spiritual vibe of the island through their unique sound and style, “guaranteed to lift your mood and brighten your day” as one Hawaiian journalist phrased it.

 “The idea,” says songwriter and producer, Alan “Alonzo” Rosen, “is to put something positive out there into the world.” And so we have The Bright Side.

This All-Star studio group of musicians and singers, including Grammy Award and Hoku (Hawaiian Music Award) winners was recruited by Rosen, former television writer/producer (Archie Bunker’s Place, Elvis Meets Nixon), to record the songs that came to him initially through meditation and dreams.

Featured first: Damon Williams - a star in Hawaii for two decades since a teenager - is here with wonderful versatile results on six tracks, each one unique in its own Alonzo/island way. Highlights are newly imagined reggae versions of The Beatles’ “Across the Universe” and Van Morrison’s infectious “The Bright Side of the Road.” Another Beatles’ song, the insightful “The Word” receives the island/pop sound featuring Damon, Grammy nominated guitarist Pat Eskildsen, and the backing of the Bump City Horns.

Other Damon/Bump City highlights are “Going Thru Time,” and the Steely Dan vibe on “Find the Light.” Lastly is the ukulele, upbeat, loving life in Hawaii song, “Noon Day Sun” with joyful harmonica by guitarist Luke Clebsch.

Two more tracks highlight life in Hawaii: “Island Dream” sung by sisters Melissa Samura and Ginger Bertelmann, with elegant guitar work by Grammy and Hoku award-winning musician Sonny Lim; and the lovely ballad, “The Bright Kona Moon” sung and played by Sonny Lim.

Talented vocalist Iris Downey is back featured on the Motown-like/girl group pastiche “Sweet Soul Singing” along with Ginger and Melissa; and Iris also duets with Alonzo on the country pop "Almost There."

And Rupert Tripp (vocals) and Chadd Paishon (ukulele) return for “Time Plus Time,” again supported by sisters Ginger and Melissa on backing vocals.

The Bump City Horns add flavorful colors throughout the CD as a quartet or as individuals on many tracks, especially Jesse Snyder on both saxophone and flute, and Andrea Lindborg on trumpet solo on Melissa’s “You Oughta Know.”

Three classic songs and nine originals by Alan “Alonzo” Rosen, and as always the guarantee is no sad songs, no heartbreak, and no cynicism -- the Alonzo Spirit Band is all upbeat, positive, spiritual vibe of the island.

We’ve said it before: if you live in Hawaii you can’t be unhappy -- and if you listen to sound of The Alonzo Spirit Band, you’re guaranteed to smile.

So “Aloha” and welcome to The Bright Side!

 

A few fun facts:

In December, 2016 -- “NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DESK” - KBUT - BOULDER, COLORADO writes:

 “The Alonzo Spirit Band The Bright Side – A group of Hawaii’s all-stars bring you sunny, funky reggae-inspired tunes just in time for the coldest days ahead.”

 

KBAC - SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO commercial radio, spun “Across the Universe” almost daily from early November 2016 thru early February 2017.

 A few FAVORITE SPINS on KBAC:

Nov 26 -- Alonzo Spirit Band followed spins by Lyle Lovett, Phish, Norah Jones and The Doors -- and were followed by The Pretenders and The Rolling Stones.

Nov 22 -- ASB was spun in between Adele, Alanis Morrisette and Iggy Pop.

Dec 20 -- ASB followed Stevie Ray Vaughn, Velvet Underground, Fleet Foxes, B.B. King -- and was followed by Ryan Adams and R.E.M.

Feb 5 - ASB was spun in between Chris Isaak, Grateful Dead, Tori Amos and Bob Dylan.

(A fun treat for our little band in Hawaii.) 

 

On ZONE MUSIC REPORTER.COM -- TOP 100 RADIO AIRPLAY CHART --

The Bright Side charted, low on the chart, near Van Morrison and tied with Robert Fripp (of King Crimson).

 

In late January -- "UNDERCURRENTS" -- a daily four hour radio show syndicated to 170 stations in U.S. and Australia picked up “Across the Universe.” And in February on UNDERCURRENTS WEEKEND, our version of "The Bright Side of the Road" was selected.

 

ANOTHER FAVORITE SPIN:

NOV 21 -- radio show OFF THE BEATLE TRACK on 97.1 KOOP, Austin, Texas -- spun our versions of both “Across the Universe” and “The Word.”

 

Most popular tracks "Island Dream", "Sweet Soul Singing" and "Across the Universe" continue to be spun into summer of 2017 on various Triple A stations.

 

MAHALO to all 86 TRIPLE A stations for spinning songs from The Bright Side.

HURRAH for our fantastic RADIO PROMOTER, CRYSTAL ANN LEA!!!