George and the band are performing THIS SATURDAY at the legendary Wheeling Jamboree! If you're coming, remember to bring your cowbells! It's a Jamboree tradition! If you can't make it, CLICK HERE and LISTEN LIVE on the 'net!!

"I read the news today, oh boy..."-The Beatles

As I was preparing for my radio show this morning, feeling good because it's Friday and Pitt advanced to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, came the news that Dan Seals had died at the age of 61.  I sat in stunned disbelief.  Another country music legend has passed on.

Dan, although he never knew it, was a major influence on my fledgling country music career.  See, I met Dan back in the late 1990's.  He performed at a local high school football field and, being the afternoon DJ at a local country radio station, I had the pleasure of interviewing him that day and seeing him perform later that night.  He played acoustic guitar with another acoustic guitarist and acoustic bassist.  No drums.  No huge laser light show.  No sexy background singers.  Just the three of them with their acoustic instruments.  Dan did whip out the sax during "Bop," but it was mainly the two acoustic guitars and bass.  The music they made that night really stayed with me.  It was simple, heartfelt and real.  The smallish crowd gathered at the football field enjoyed an intimate evening with a pop and country legend.

Following the show, I got to spend a few moments backstage with Dan.  He posed for a picture and we talked for a short while.  I told him I was trying to make it in the country music biz.  He wished me the best of luck and I headed home.

Let's back up for just a second.  In setting up the radio interview with Dan, I got to know Jill (her last name escapes me).  Jill was Dan's PR contact and we spoke for several days before and after the interview.  Hey, a contact is a contact in the music biz and Jill told me to call her anytime!

Months later, I made the trip to Nashville, demo tapes in hand, planning to traipse around Music Row knocking on doors looking for a break.  My first stop that morning, however, was at Dan's office and studio in Hendersonville, just north of Nashville.  I made an appointment through Jill to speak with Tim Rathert, a member of Dan's management team, to review my demo package before I hit downtown.  Tim asked me if I was a songwriter.  I said, indeed, the songs he was listening to were mine, but I didn't really consider myself a professional songwriter by any stretch.  I'll never forget what Tim said next:

"No one in this town needs to validate you!  If you write songs, then you're a songwriter!"

I've never forgotten those words.  Tim legitimized me right then and there and gave me the courage to move forward.

I was feeling like Leo DiCaprio on the bow of the Titanic when a very tall, friendly cowboy walked into the building.

"Hi, Dan!" I said.  He looked at me, pointed, and said, "Don't I know you from somewhere?"  I reminded him of the football field extravaganza from the year before, reintroduced myself, and we spent another moment or two talking.

Now, I'm not about to say Dan Seals and I were close buds.  I will just never forget his kindness and the kindness of the people around him toward a country music wannabe.  I will never forget the hospitality given me in his office in Hendersonville and that night at the football field.

As I write this, I am listening to IN A QUIET ROOM, an acoustic collection of Dan's greatest hits, both solo and with John Ford Coley.  It's the closest you can get to simulating that football field show.  No drums.  No laser light show.  No sexy background singers...although their voices would imply just that!  The music is intimate.  Heartfelt.  Simple.  Beautiful.

Dan will be laid to rest this weekend.  In lieu of flowers, Dan's family has asked for all of us to, quote, "oppose bigotry, intolerance and prejudice."

In Dan's honor, I am going to do just that.

I ask the same of you.

Rest in peace, Dan.  I will miss you.

"911...The Video!" is competing in the final round of Raw Talent Pittsburgh and we need your help! Please log on to http://www.wpxi.com/rawtalentpittsburgh/18178887/detail.html and cast your vote for "911!" With your help, we can win this thing! Tell your friends and vote from every computer you can from now until Friday, December 5, 2008! Thanks and we'll keep you posted!

After two weeks and four edits, "9-1-1...The Video" has been released! I am so proud of the way it turned out! Our 'star' Amanda did an awesome job in her screen debut and our sound man Adam, who was 'pressed' into duty as Amanda's love interest was outstanding! Look for the video on my page and please let me know what you think! And please tell all your friends! I think this is the piece of the puzzle that was missing and we're ready to take on the world!

Thanks for your support!

God bless!

-George

What a weekend! We just finished shooting our first music video. It's for my song "9-1-1" that you can listen to here on MySpace. The band and I had so much fun doing this and our director Brian Keegan was such a professional! We also think we may have launched the career of our female star! Her Name is Amanda Meyers. She's not only beautiful (and my keyboardist's daughter) she was so pleasant to work with! Check out the preview on this page and stay tuned to see the finished product in a few days!

I am sad to hear about the passing of legendary broadcaster Myron Cope. For those that don't know, Myron was the color commentator on Pittsburgh Steelers football games through the 1970's Super Bowl years before he retired just a few years ago. I was one of the Steelers' fanatics that would turn the sound down on the TV and turn the radio up to listen to Myron and Jack Fleming in the 1970's and 1980's and Myron, Bill Hilgrove, Tunch Ilkin and the crew during the 1990's and 2000's. When the games were finished, I would listen to Myron's lockerroom and post-game show, Cope's Cabana! No Steelers' Sunday was complete without Myron. Myron was unique, natural and not contrived. Myron was Myron and Myron was the Steelers for me. I met Myron around 1990 in the lockerroom at Three Rivers Stadium. I was shooting television highlights for a local TV station and was in the lockerroom shooting postgame players' comments. Myron walked in and was standing next to me. I mustered every nerve I had and introduced myself. I told Myron I was one of those that turned off the TV volume and listened to him instead. I felt like I was in the presence of royalty. Myron asked me my name and I told him. He said, "George, it's a pleasure to meet you...but I have to piss like a racehorse and if I don't go right now there's going to be a problem!" What a memory! Myron was a huge part of my life since I am one of the biggest Steelers fans that ever lived! Myron was one of a kind. I feel like I lost a member of my family. As I grow older, more and more of my childhood heroes are passing on. Myron is yet another piece of my childhood that has gone to be with God. Rest in Peace, Mr. Cope. And tell God I said "Yoi."

I am so pleased to announce new band members for 2008! I am very excited to have these guys on board and I am confident in saying you'll dig them as much as I do.

Jim "Smokey" Meyers ~ Keyboards/piano/keytar/vocals ~ Smokey was with me in 2005-2006, then took a year off to try other things. I'm happy to say he is back and better than ever! Welcome back, Smokey!

Terry Gearhart ~ Bass Guitar/vocals ~ Terry and I played together back in the 90's. Our paths have crossed again and I'm glad we're jamming once again!

Chazz Kramer ~ Guitars/vocals ~ Chazz is the newest member of the band and is he fun to have around! Not only is he funy, but he can pick with the best of them! Welcome aboard, Chazz!

Be sure to say 'hi' and come see them when we visit your town!

BFN!

-George

You asked for it...you got it!!!

My CD "Now, Then & Again" is now available on iTunes!  If you already have an iTunes account, just search on 'George Lucas' and you'll find it.  If you do not have an iTunes account, it only takes a minute to sign up...and everyone's doing it!!!  Go to iTunes and sign up now!!!

After you've downloaded the CD, or a song or two, please take a moment and write a review.  Your help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

-George

It seems like it's been forever in coming, but my NEW CD is finally available! It's called "Now, Then & Again!" and I'm so proud of it! It's everything I've recorded since 1998 all on one CD!  You can order your copy by going to my online store. Thanks so much and enjoy!

After the longest year of my life, I now have new music for you to check out! Please play my new songs in the MySpace Player and let me know what you think. I plan on producing a full-length CD very soon, so come back for more details!

Thanks for listening and God Bless!

-George