Ryan Carniaux "Reflections of the Persevering Spirit"

There are great musicians, and then there are great musicians who are really saying something. That is the case with the group of intrepid musicians that circle the orb of trumpeter Ryan Carniaux. Ryan and I played together back in Rhode Island at Quidnessett Country Club. He would bring the house down during my duets with local chantreuse Maria Day, who was responsible for writing the classic Ocean State offical song, "Rhode Island, It's for Me". And although I stiffed him for a significant sum of money at Chan's Eggroll and Jazz Series in Woonsockett, we have remained very good friends to this date.

Ryan has since moved to Koln, Germany where he has toured all over Europe with kinetic genius drummer Samuel Duhsler and lush piano prodigy Mike Roeloffs. He has also become the go to sideman for many of the heavy hitter American players that tour overseas.

Ryan also blessed Love is the Message with his sound, blowing his ass off on both the title track and Fingernail Clipping of the Moon.

Released within the same week as Love is the Message, Ryan has birthed his own child into the world. On October 28, Ryan will release Reflections of a Persevering Spirit. I got a sneak preview, of course. It is a sweeping, moody record that explores the dynamism of human experience. Ryan leads the group from peaceful reverence to volcanic eruption, with emotional depth found in few artists. Now available on iTunes!

Dig Ryan Carniaux

#Occupy West Warwick

It has been an incredible 3 weeks of world events. Here in Rhode Island, protestors have taken up residence outside Chipotle on Rt 2, Warwick. It used to be a Bickfords, a fine family restaurant which thrived on the bustling business of major until replaced by Chipotle in 2009. Protestors aren't leaving until their voices are heard, and Bickfords is given another chance to thrive, now that a Trader Joe's was build across Rt 2. Before there was only a Jamiel's shoe world and Papa Gino's, and Strawberry's Records and Tapes had long been run out of business. If you were headed towards the Warwick Mall, it was much easier to stop at Papa Ginos on the right, than cross busy Rt. 2 and turn into Bickfords on the left. Unless you turned around at the light, but then you had to go into the Kids 'R' Us/ Boating World parking lot, which was depressing and a general pain in the rear end.

Anyway, I've spent some time with these people. And they are angry and hurt. But the burrito making team at Chipotles is hurt as well. They are frustrated that the protestors are doing number two in their bathroom, and asking for cups for water, yet filling them up with Orange Slice. They say they have a historic claim to this lot, and it's hard to know who to believe.

I dedicate this song to this conflict. I will also be playing it at our CD Release...

Tickets Now On Sale for CD Release!!

Tickets are hot to trot for the much anticipated CD Release Party at Underground Arts.

Pre-ordered tickets are $11...$15 at the door... Purchase here!


Make sure you check out JOHNNY'S VIP LOVE LOUNGE... $40 tickets include autographed CD and poster, preferential seating and treatment, and your first drink free!

Johnny and the Sons of Thunder are hard at work, rehearsing the hits. Underground Arts is in transition to becoming a premiere Philadelphia Arts venue... We're gonna do it for the people...

Have you rated LOVE IS THE MESSAGE on itunes? Let the people know how you feel...find it here.