Well y'all, June has really kicked things into overdrive for us! With 24 gigs this month and being squandered away in the studio for the last couple of weeks, I am beginning to feel it...
The good news is... THE ALBUM IS GETTING CLOSE TO DONE!
I am getting excited, it is diverse and really sounds great! I hope that you all will dig it!

This coming Friday, we have the pleasure of opening for Rock and Roll Legend Leon Russell at the fantastic Magic Bag in Ferndale. Last Sunday, we had a blast up in Traverse City opening for Kenny Wayne Shepherd and a host of Blues royalty. His band included Hubert Sumlin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and Chris "Whipper" Layton. I think that we made a lot more fans up north at that show!

I wish you all a great summer and hope that you will come out and see many shows this summer!

Peace and Love,

Laith

Upon finishing my gig last night I was hit with the news that Donald had passed away on April 6th at 69 after a battle with cancer. For those of you who do not know of Donald Walden, he was a staple of the Detroit Jazz scene since the 1950's. An incredible saxophonist, he played with Dizzy, Barry Harris, Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Elvin Jones and many many more greats.
Steeped in bebop and a scholar of Monk, Mingus and all the greats, he was full of passion and fire and had a gorgeous sound. He was always pushing boundaries with complete reverence for the tradition that preceded him.
I had the fortune of studying under him while attending the University of Michigan. As my Jazz Improv. instructor and Combo professor, I learned more from him than i did in my private lessons.
We had a great connection as people and I always had the deepest respect for him and his opinions... though we did not always agree. :)

May you rest in peace, Donald. My life is much richer for having known you, and your concepts and ideas help shape the musician that I am today. You will live on in our hearts and in the ears of anyone that has had the pleasure of hearing your music.

Here's a link to a recent in-studio performance and interview recorded Feb. 1, 2007 in WDET's beautiful studio! The 4 songs that we peformed are all classic BB King. Kudos to Al Hill (piano) for a fantastic job on these tunes... it is always a pleasure to play with you, my brother!

http://www.wdetfm.org/gallery/index.php?action=show_images&cat=1&title=274

Happy Listening!

Follow this link to musical nirvana...
..

So... I didn't win a car that would be too small to fit my gear, or another guitar that I wouldn't love as much as my Teles... I got to meet BB King, John Mayer, Rick Nielsen (of Cheap Trick), Bruce Iglauer (founder of Alligator Records) and many more cool people. I played in front of a sold out crowd at the House of Blues in Chicago, and lit the room up. All I can say is that I did my best. I played well and with much more respect to the blues and the music itself than the winner (who played the guitar between his legs and hopped around like Chuck Berry).
The contest was relatively Jive... I was consoled by the fact that both Rick Nielsen and Bruce Iglauer told me that I was head and shoulders above the rest of the guys. That means a lot to me! ...oh yeah, and they wouldn't let me sing! What kind of blues player doesn't sing???
I guess I'll be local for a little while longer :)
Much Love,
Laith

Well... I did it!!! On May 17th I won the regional finals for the national "King of the Blues" Guitarmageddon 2006 competition at Guitar Center in Chicago. Competition was fierce! Somehow, I managed to come out on top. That means that I get to play at the House of Blues in Chicago to a sold-out crowd before a BB King concert... and meet BB!!!

So... June 8th is the big day. Thanks to all who have supported me!!!

 

I am pleased to announce that I won the district finals in the guitarmageddon competition for
Guitar Center. This was a collection of all the store winners from the entire state of Michigan.
I've got to tell you... there were a lot of good players at this thing! I was NERVOUS!!!
So... on to regional finals held in Chicago. If I can hold my own there, I'll go to Nationals.
Even if it ends there, I won a nice Gibson SG, a napster subscription, $250 gift card for Guitar Center, a couple gig bags, and a whole bunch of accessories and shirts and crap.
I'd thank you guys for rooting me on, but none of you myspace fuckers showed up...
Except Scott and Rob and Paul... and Rusty Wright (who was in the contest).
BTW check out Rusty Wright Blues Band! This guy is a hell of a player and is very cool as well... click on his pic in my friends section.
Peace y'all

If those of you that have my album are so inclined...
Please write reviews of it on CD Baby.
I need more reviews posted and I want to know what you all really
think of it! I hope to start on the next album this fall and
I need feedback and criticism (as well as compliments)!
Go to http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/laithalsaadi
and follow the links to post a review.

Thanks-
Laith

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