MySpace
myspace music my music  featured playlists  top artists  music videos  karaoke  shows  forums 


MySpace.com | rss | sign in
Bill Champlin



Last Updated: 12/10/2009

Send Message
Instant Message
Email to a Friend
Subscribe

City: Nashville
State: Tennessee
Country: US

Blog Archive
[Older      Newer]
 /  / 
Sunday, December 20, 2009 

Category: Music

Message From Bill

Hi everybody. I know it's been a while since I've said anything on the forum, but I've been so busy that it's crazy. First of all, the tour with the guys from the Santa Fe band, and Tamara, was a musical success . Man, if any of you were there you can vouch for these gigs. There were a few voice problems, though easily dealt with when there was a stage full of world class singers, as well as some of the best players I've ever played with. For me, it was so refreshing to play some new and old BC songs, and to present them the REAL way, which means to learn them, practice them, and play and sing them without all the tricks the "Big" bands all seem to use. I've been so underwhelmed musically for the last 10 years or so that to do this was, for me, healing. Now, it's back to the old songwriting thing that I was doing when I got sidetracked quite a few years ago. I was talking with Jim Preston last summer and I said: "I know it's kinda' late in the game to start new." Then he spouted some serious wisdom when he said, "No, Bill. You're resuming YOUR career." A true friend. So, the future. The Sons are playing in March with Geoff Palmer on keys and vibes, Jim Preston on drums and vocals, Carmen Grillo on guitar and vocals (always a baaaaaadddddd boy). Johnnie Bamont and Jeff Lewis are on sax and trumpet--great guys and awesome players. This time we're using Bobby Vega on bass because David Schallock has opted out for this round and moved up to the country. "'Gonna' paint his mailbox blue." Ooops, sorry, I Taj-ed out there for a minute. Tamara, Will and I just moved out of our big house in Nashville and got a smaller place with just enough room over the garage for the studio gear to fit just fine. We'll start putting that gear together after the 1st.
In mid-March I've taken a job with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra for a concert of different songs from the BC book. It's gonna' be awesome doing "Keys To The Kingdom", complete with that awesome beginning that Foster and I put on it......ok, mostly Foster. "Yo' Mama", "Sara", "All Along", "Light Up The Candles"....all kinds of different things to do, and maybe later in the year I'll be doing some other gigs with some old friends over there. More on that later; we'll just write first. Anyway, it's Christmas time again and it was cold as hell today in Nashville; I picked the wrong day to take a walk--sore throat already. It was 80 degrees in LA and I'm going out to meet up with Tamara in a few days for Christmas. She did a beeline for her puppy the minute we were moved. Anyway, new songs are being written and new stuff will be ready to hear in the next 6 months or so. Hope to see some of you out in CA for some Sons' gigs. The Mystic gig, in Petaluma, will have the Will Champlin Band open for us. Think we might get Will to sing "Dream On" with us? Merry Christmas and have a great 2010.

Bill C.
Nashville, TN

1:53 AM 
6 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Thursday, December 03, 2009 

Category: Music

Sons Of Champlin Spring 2010 Tour

Bill Champlin just completed touring the West Coast in support of his new CD / DVD, "No Place Left To Fall". The reviews were fantastic, as was Bill and the band. Everyone was having a blast and the fans wanted more.

So, for your enjoyment, The Sons of Champlin will be touring the West Coast this spring. The confirmed dates are listed below.

You won't want to miss the opportunity to experience the energy and extraordinary musical enjoyment of at least one of these shows.
Please check the list of venues below to order your tickets via the web sites or phone numbers, as soon as they are available.

Friday, March 5, 2010
Cache Creek Casino
14455 Highway 16 (at the corner of Wintun Road)
Brooks, CA 95606
888-772-2243
www.cachecreek.com

Saturday, March 6, 2010
McNear's Mystic Theatre (Will Champlin Opening)
23 Petaluma Blvd. No.
Petaluma, CA 94952
707-765-2121
8:00 PM - Tickets: $25
www.mystictheatre.com

Friday, March 26, 2010
Anthology
1337 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Two Shows: 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM
619-595- 0300
www.anthologysd.com

Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Coach House
33157 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
8:00 PM
949-496-8930
www.thecoachhouse.com

Monday, March 29, 2010
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
1075 E 20th St
Chico, CA 95928
530-893-3520
www.sierranevada.com

5:12 PM 
3 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Monday, November 16, 2009 

Category: Music
Bill Champlin : Bichin' Tour

Review by Brian Bice

Friday night November 13, 2009 my wife and I went to see Bill Champlin perform live at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi, CA. In a word the concert was Awesome! Bill and his band played with a raw energy that electrified the crowd.

This tour is in support of Bill's new album No Place Left to Fall. First off I must say that this album is amazing and it is hands down my favorite album of the year. Bill and his band performed nine of the thirteen songs from this album that night. I was excited to hear so many songs from this album performed live. In addition they performed various songs from Bill's other albums. There were even a few surprises in the set list including Please Hold On from Chicago 17 and Tamara (Bill's wife) singing You Won't Get to Heaven Alive from her 1995 solo album.

Bill Champlin is an amazing musician. During a few of the songs he would transition from keyboards to guitar and no miss a beat. He is very personable not only with the members of his band, but with the audience as well. Bill would give credit where credit is due. All of the band members were given their chance to shine. It was fun to see Bill stand just off-stage during the drum and bass solos. I could see him as he watched in amazement as Rochon (bass) and Eddie (drums) rocked out.
Aside from the music I really enjoyed and appreciated the fact that Bill and his band had no where else they would rather be. One unfortunate thing about the show was that only half of the seats sold. At one point Bill made a comment about this. He said that some groups/artists would whine about this fact, but he did not care because they were there to play. This says a lot about the band.

I have been a big fan of Bill Champlin for a long time. His albums Burn Down the Night and Through It All have spent countless hours in my CD player. Now No Place Left to Fall is in constant rotation in my CD player. Seeing him perform live with a renewed energy is a real thrill. True to form Bill came out front to the lobby after the show to greet some of his loyal fans and sign autographs. My wife and I hung out and got to meet Bill. Both Bill and his wife Tamara signed my copy of the No Place Left to Fall CD. The picture above is a scan of that CD cover.

I really wish I could see his show again on this tour. However, I do not have the time or money to head up to Oregon or Washington. If you have been considering seeing his show, do it! It is well worth the money.

Bill, thank you for a great show! The CD is awesome. I'm glad to see that you are enjoying yourself on stage. I look forward to seeing you again next year!

Band Lineup:
Bill Champlin - lead vocals, keyboards and guitar
Tamara Champlin - vocals (lead vocal on You Won't Get to Heaven Alive)
Jerry Lopez - guitar and vocals (lead vocal on Lovers Tonight)
Jamie Hosmer - keyboards, guitar and vocals
Rochon Westmoreland - bass and vocals
Eddie Garcia - drums


To read the review in full, check out Brian Bice's Music Blog.

Enjoy!

5:50 AM 
5 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Monday, November 16, 2009 

Category: Music

Bill Champlin "Bichin" Solo Tour

Bill Champlin is currently touring the West Coast in support of his new CD / DVD, "No Place Left To Fall". Members of the band include Bill's lovely and talented wife, Tamara, on vocals, along with Santa Fe and The Fat City horns members, Jerry Lopez on guitar, Rochon Westmoreland on bass, Jamie Hosmer on keys, and Eddie Garcia on drums.

This band is comprised of top-notch musicians, who are all superb vocalists as well.

Reviews from the tour have been fantastic. You don't want to miss the opportunity to experience the energy and extraordinary musical enjoyment of at least one of these shows.

There's only a few more shows in the Pacific Northwest and tickets are on sale now. Please check the updated list of venues below to order your tickets via the web sites or phone numbers.

Wednesday, November 18 • Portland, OR - Music Millennium - 503-231-8926 - www.musicmillennium.com

Thursday, November 19 • Portland, OR - Jimmy Maks - 503-295-6542 - www.jimmymaks.com

Friday, November 20 • Langley, WA - Mukilteo Coffee Roaster - 360-321-5262 - www.mukilteocoffee.com

Saturday, November 21 • Langley, WA - Mukilteo Coffee Roaster - 360-321-5262 - www.mukilteocoffee.com

Sunday, November 22 • Seattle, WA - Triple Door - 206-838-4333 - www.thetripledoor.net

5:20 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Thursday, November 12, 2009 

Category: Music

Bill Champlin "Bichin" Solo Tour

Bill Champlin is currently touring the West Coast in support of his new CD / DVD, "No Place Left To Fall". Members of the band include Bill's lovely and talented wife, Tamara, on vocals, along with Santa Fe and The Fat City horns members, Jerry Lopez on guitar, Rochon Westmoreland on bass, Jamie Hosmer on keys, and Eddie Garcia on drums.

This band is comprised of top-notch musicians, who are all superb vocalists as well.

Reviews from the tour have been fantastic. You don't want to miss the opportunity to experience the energy and extraordinary musical enjoyment of at least one of these shows.

There's only a few more shows and tickets are on sale now. Please check the updated list of venues below to order your tickets via the web sites or phone numbers.

Thursday, November 12 • Tuolumne, CA - Black Oak Casino - 209-928-9322 - www.blackoakcasino.com

Friday, November 13 • Lodi, CA - Hutchins Street Square - 209-333-6782 - www.hutchinsstreetsquare.com

Saturday, November 14 • Santa Rosa, CA - Last Day Saloon - 707-545-5876 - www.lastdaysaloon.com

Sunday, November 15 • Newcastle, CA - Constable Jacks - 916-663-9385 - www.constablejacks.com

Thursday, November 19 • Portland, OR - Jimmy Maks - 503-295-6542 - www.jimmymaks.com

Friday, November 20 • Langley, WA - Mukilteo Coffee Roaster - 360-321-5262 - www.mukilteocoffee.com

Saturday, November 21 • Langley, WA - Mukilteo Coffee Roaster - 360-321-5262 - www.mukilteocoffee.com

Sunday, November 22 • Seattle, WA - Triple Door - 206-838-4333 - www.thetripledoor.net

5:59 PM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Thursday, November 12, 2009 

Category: Music

More New Bill Champlin's Solo "Bichin" Tour Articles


There's even more excitement about Bill Champlin's Solo Tour and "No Place Left To Fall". Check out the articles below for more.

Robert Kinsler has written a very nice review of "No Place Left To Fall".

You can read at Music Worth Buying.

John Beck has another very nice article, including an interview, and information about the upcoming show at The Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa on Saturday, November 14th.

You can read the full article at The Press Democrat.

Bobby Gladd's cousin, JoJo, sent some photos and a personal review, which Bobby has posted on his blog.

Check out Santa Fe and The Fat City HOrns Blog to see the photos and more.

Raoul Fernandes also has a nice article at HornDrivenRadio.Com Blog.

There's a fan review by Lisa that's very nice too. You can read it at LisaLee66's MySpace Blog.

RetroDan also has an interesting review at RetroBlog.Net.

*** Thanks to all the writers and publications for a job well done! ***

5:42 PM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Sunday, November 08, 2009 

Category: Music
BILL CHAMPLIN on GOOD MORNING SAN DIEGO - KUSI


Bill Champlin and Jerry Lopez appeared on the Good Morning San Diego TV show at KUSI on the morning of November 7th.

You can watch their segment of the show at KUSI TV - Good Morning San Diego.



BILL CHAMPLIN on The Mark and Brian Show - KLOS Radio


Bill Champlin and Jerry Lopez appeared on the The Mark and Brian show at KLOS on the morning of November 6th.

You can download their segment of the show at KLOS Radio - Mark and Brian Podcasts.


Enjoy!


6:02 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Sunday, November 08, 2009 

Category: Music

New Bill Champlin's Solo "Bichin" Tour Articles


There's lots of excitement about the start of Bill's Solo Tour. Check out the articles below for more.

Jim Trageser has written a very nice article, which you can read at The North County Times.

Michael Hixon has another very nice article, including an interview, and information about the upcoming show at Brixton in Redondo Beach on Sunday, November 8th.

Check out The Beach Reporter for the full article.

According to Beth Peerless in The Monterey County Herald, she can't say enough about Champlin's upcoming show at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz on Tuesday, November 10th.

Check out The Monterey County Herald's Go! Magazine for the full article.

Gary Linehan also had an article that appeared in The Union Democrat this week. It's not currently available online, so it's posted below.


Champlin Once Again A Solo Act

By GARY LINEHAN
The Union Democrat

Singer-musician-songwriter Bill Champlin, a star around the world since his days with the Sons of Champlin in the 1960s and ’70s and the last 28 years as a member of Chicago, will bring his newly revived solo show to the Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne next week.

It will the sixth stop on a West Coast tour promoting Champlin’s new album, “No Place Left to Fall,” his first solo recording in more than 10 years.

Champlin won’t be alone however — he has a backing band on both the album and tour, with three of the members — including his wife, Tamara, on vocals — overlapping.

The Sons are sure to resurface in future projects as well, he said by telephone from Los Angeles.

The casino show, with free admission for guests 21 and over, will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Willow Creek Lounge.

It will be Champlin’s third appearance in Tuolumne.

“We like the casino,” he said. “We’ve been there a few times before and will probably do it again in 2010 with the Sons. It should be a fun show. The album will be available at the gig, and we’ll stick around to sign them.”

The new disc, released on the East Coast independent label DreamMakers, also is available at www.billchamplin.net.

The CD is accompanied by a bonus 70-minute DVD that includes a documentary of the making of the album, live footage of recent performances with the Sons and more.

While Champlin reunites his Sons for touring and recording from time to time, he has been a fixture with the chart-topping band Chicago for nearly 30 years.

He handled lead vocals on the No. 1 hit “Look Away,” traded vocals with Peter Cetera on “Hard Habit to Break” and wrote and sang lead vocals on “Hearts in Trouble” for the soundtrack to the blockbuster movie “Days of Thunder.”

A change in musical philosophy ultimately led to the split in August.

“They wanted to revert back to the early days and sound like their old records,” Champlin said. “When they’re telling me to sing like somebody else, that’s where I have to draw the line.”

He harbors no regrets about the gig, which began in the fall of 1981.

“It lasted a good while and I made a few bucks,” he said.

The Chicago’s Web site simply states: “Champlin left Chicago in August 2009 after a remarkable 28 years with the band, and the band wishes him all the best as he embarks on his new solo project.”

Champlin is the winner of two Grammy Awards, both for songwriting.

He co-wrote both “After the Love Has Gone,” which was a hit for Earth, Wind & Fire and the 1979 Grammy R&B Song of the Year, and “Turn Your Love Around,” which became a hit for George Benson and earned another R&B Song of the Year trophy in 1981.

Champlin said his new album emphasizes vocals, with solid musical backing.

“We’re not doing barbershop quartet by any means,” he said. “On the album I do a lot of stacked vocals, but on stage I like to have the people singing right there. Otherwise it’s not a musical job, it’s an acting job.

“The guitar player on this tour, Jerry Lopez, is also probably one of the best singers on earth, so we’re going to tear it up,” he said.

Champlin formed the Sons of Champlin in Oakland in 1967. Their first album, “Loosen Up Naturally,” was released in 1969, followed by six more albums through 1977.

After the breakup of the Sons, Champlin moved to Los Angeles and worked as a session vocalist on numerous recordings from 1977 to 1985. His first solo album, “Single,” was released in 1978.

Champlin and his wife now live in Nashville.

*** Thanks to all the writers and publications for a job well done! ***

1:56 AM 
1 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Friday, November 06, 2009 

Category: Music
Bill Champlin will be the "live in the studio" guest on the Mark and Brian Show at 9:00 AM PST.

You don't want to miss this!

You can listen online by clicking on the "listen Live" button at: The Mark and Brian Show.

Enjoy!

2:42 AM 
2 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 

Category: Music
Tuesday, November 3, 2009

This was just posted on Bill Champlin's Official Web Site Forum by Tom from Las Vegas. Thanks for the great review, Tom!


Pre Tour Concert At The Palms


If you are still waffling on whether or not to attend one of the Bichin Tour shows, STOP! Get in your car, take a bus or a train, book a flight, get your tickets and get there! Last nights tune up at the Palms was oustanding. I have the good fortune of living in Las Vegas and being able to see Santa Fe on a regular basis and almost always when Bill sits in.

Since some of you are probably wondering what Bill's band is going to sound like when the tour comes around; let me give you a little insight based on last nights performance. First and foremost you must understand that this is not a group of guys from Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns sitting in with Bill and Tamara. This is A BAND! Bill is leading it, but they all feed off of each other and clearly feel comfortable playing with one another. That is something you will pick up on right away. These guys are coming to play hard and have fun.
So, in no particular order, let me introduce you to: Rochon Westmoreland (Bass, Vocals)-Rochon played w/Bill on 'Mayday'. Effortless style. Great stage presence. Eddie Garcia (Drums)-Also on 'Mayday'. Doesn't just play drums, he COMMANDS them. All you former drummers are in for a real treat. Jamie Hosmer (Keys, Vocals)-Jamie and Bill sing perfectly together and when Bill plays guitar, Jamie mans the B3. Jamie also handles a vast majority of vocals for Santa Fe when they do Bill's songs. Jerry Lopez (Guitar, Vocals)-Also on 'Mayday', a musician's musician. A guitar virtuoso and an incredible vocalist. You will be impressed, I guarantee you. Combine with Bill and Tamara you have 6 band memebrs and FIVE vocalists!! You won't believe how rich the vocal harmonies are.

Along with keyboard and B3, Bill looked to be playing a Taylor T5 Electric/Acoustic and a Kramer Classic. Set list you ask?? No way. Go get your tickets and get to the shows!

Enjoy.

5:43 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate