WELSH HARD ROCK/ETHEREAL POP GROUP ‘CARDINAL BLACK’ ANNOUNCE NEW RELEASE ‘MIDNIGHT AT THE VALENCIA’ AND EXTENSIVE TOUR: ZOOM SPECIAL EVENT WITH GUITARIST CHRIS BUCK

  

WELSH HARD ROCK/ETHEREAL POP GROUP 

C A R D I N A L  

B L A C K 

ANNOUNCE NEW RELEASE 

‘MIDNIGHT AT THE VALENCIA’ 

AND EXTENSIVE TOUR 

ZOOM SPECIAL EVENT

 WITH 

GUITARIST 

C H R I S  B U C K 

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH 

THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW

The band's story is a wild one: their very first show was attended by Steve Winwood, fresh off a three-night run at Madison Square Garden with Clapton. He was so taken with the performance that he invited them to record at his studio in the English countryside. Their debut single “Tell Me How It Feels” unseated Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds from the top of the iTunes rock chart, and they’ve since shared stages with Peter Frampton (earning a standing ovation at Royal Albert Hall), Myles Kennedy, and Joe Bonamassa.

Guitarist Chris Buck has emerged as a major force in his own right — named “Best New Guitarist” and “Best Blues Guitarist” by Guitarist Magazine readers in consecutive years and recognized by Total Guitar as one of the greatest blues guitarists in the world. He’s known for a deeply expressive style and a meticulous ear, and his custom Yamaha Revstar has become a signature part of the band’s sound. Frontman Tom Hollister brings a different kind of intensity, having found music after an injury cut short his career as a professional rugby player.

Cardinal Black, the Welsh-formed trio of frontman Tom Hollister, guitarist Chris Buck, and drummer Adam Roberts – take their next monumental step with the announcement of their new album, Midnight At The Valencia – out May 23rd on Thirty Tigers.  Alongside the album news, the band have unveiled their brand new single, ‘Keep On Running’.

Midnight at the Valencia feels like a document of the band's "10,000 hours" — the dive bars, the near-misses, the personal loss. It was tracked live to vintage analogue gear at Powerplay Studios in Zurich, using a ‘70s-era Disney console, and each song feels unfiltered. There’s the stark, grief-laced “Push/Pull” (written the day Buck lost his father), the slow-burn catharsis of “Need More Time,” and the propulsive drive of “Keep On Running.”

PURCHASE

THE NEW ALBUM

FROM

CARDINAL BLACK

Entitled

MIDNIGHT AT THE VALENCIA

AVAILABLE AT

https://www.thecardinalblack.com/store

 FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

CARDINAL BLACK

VISIT

https://www.thecardinalblack.com/

official website

https://www.instagram.com/thecardinalblack/

Instagram

https://www.facebook.com/TheCardinalBlack/

Facebook

https://open.spotify.com/artist/39oKFGoKzTEZlc8PMP7kQ3?si=KP5gCD0aS0uKpzVwnsu3eg&nd=1&dlsi=5aed507d7c7b4b83

Spotify

https://www.youtube.com/c/CardinalBlack?reload=9

YouTube

https://x.com/thecardinalblk

twitter

https://www.chrisbuckguitar.shop/

Chris Buck Guitar Shop

https://www.facebook.com/ChrisBuckGuitar/

Chris Buck Facebook

CARDINAL BLACK

 TOUR 2025

May 25 Sun

Rough Trade Bristol @ 6:30 PM

Bristol, United Kingdom

May 26 Mon

The Lower Third @ 7:00 PM

London, United Kingdom

Aug 6 Wed

Gramercy Theatre @ 7:00 PM

New York, NY, United States

Aug 6 Wed

Mercury Lounge @ 9:00 PM

New York, NY, United States

Aug 8 Fri

Drake Underground @ 7:00 PM

Toronto, ON, Canada

Aug 9 Sat

Kitchener Blues Festival 2025 @ 7:00 PM

Kitchener, ON, Canada

Aug 12 Tue

Schubas Tavern @ 7:30 PM

Chicago, IL, United States

Aug 14 Thu

7th St Entry @ 8:00 PM

Minneapolis, MN, United States

Aug 16 Sat

Playing with Fire 2025 @ 7:00 PM

United States, United States, United States

Aug 18 Mon

The Basement East @ 7:00 PM

Nashville, TN, United States

Aug 19 Tue

Center Stage @ 8:00 PM

Atlanta, GA, United States

Aug 21 Thu

Antone's @ 8:00 PM

Austin, TX, United States

Aug 23 Sat

The Rebel Lounge @ 8:00 PM

Phoenix, AZ, United States

Aug 26 Tue

Troubadour @ 7:00 PM

West Hollywood, CA, United States

Aug 29 Fri

The Independent @ 8:30 PM

San Francisco, CA, United States

Aug 30 Sat

Delfino Farms 2025 @ 7:00 PM

United States, United States, United States

Oct 2 Thu

Rock City, Nottingham @ 7:00 PM

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Oct 3 Fri

Academy 2 @ 7:30 PM

Manchester, United Kingdom

Oct 9 Thu

Opium, Dublin @ 7:30 PM

Dublin, Ireland

Oct 10 Fri

Limelight, Belfast @ 7:30 PM

Belfast, United Kingdom

Oct 11 Sat

The Garage, Glasgow @ 7:00 PM

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Oct 16 Thu

KK's Steel Mill @ 7:00 PM

Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Oct 17 Fri

Stylus, Leeds @ 7:00 PM

Leeds, United Kingdom

Oct 19 Sun

Wylam Brewery Tap @ 7:00 PM

Newcastle-upon-tyne, United Kingdom

Oct 23 Thu

SWX, Bristol @ 7:00 PM

Bristol, United Kingdom

Oct 24 Fri

EngineRooms, Southampton @ 7:00 PM

Southampton, United Kingdom

Oct 28 Tue

Concorde 2, Brighton @ 7:30 PM

Brighton, United Kingdom

Oct 29 Wed

Cambridge Junction @ 7:00 PM

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Oct 30 Thu

Koko, London @ 7:00 PM

London, United Kingdom

Nov 1 Sat

The Great Hall, Cardiff @ 7:00 PM

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Nov 19 Wed

Bitterzoet, Amsterdam (Extra Show) @ 7:30 PM

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Nov 20 Thu

Bitterzoet, Amsterdam @ 7:30 PM

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Nov 23 Sun

Bürgerhaus Stollwerck @ 8:00 PM

Köln, Germany

Nov 24 Mon

Bahnhof Pauli @ 8:00 PM

Hamburg, Germany

Nov 25 Tue

Privatclub @ 8:00 PM

Berlin, Germany

Nov 27 Thu

Backstage @ 8:00 PM

München, Germany

Nov 28 Fri

Eventhall-Airport @ 8:00 PM

Regensburg-neuprüll, Germany

Nov 29 Sat

Flex @ 8:00 PM

Vienna, Austria

Dec 1 Mon

Papiersaal @ 8:00 PM

Zurich, Switzerland

Dec 2 Tue

Brotfabrik @ 8:00 PM

Frankfurt Am Main, Germany

Dec 3 Wed

Substage @ 8:00 PM

Karlsruhe, Germany

Dec 6 Sat

SUPERSONIC @ 7:00 PM

Paris, France

 

CHRIS BUCK

APPEARS

MAY 20TH 2025

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   

Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO

AVAILABLE NOW!

RAY'S INCREDIBLE

 NEW 

SCI-FI BOOK!

THE LIBERTY CODE

In a near-future America, where democracy has collapsed under the iron grip of the Commonwealth Party, redemption lies in the unlikeliest of places—a novel. The Liberty Code, penned by decorated Marine veteran and journalist Sam Edwards, uncovers the hidden truths of a dystopian world teetering on the edge of annihilation.

Guided by telepathic messages from two Centauri extraterrestrial ambassadors, J-Rod and Naxia, who secretly collaborate with the U.S. Air Force, Edwards reveals a master plan to save Earth. This gripping tale begins as fiction but evolves into a stark reality, reflecting real-world geopolitical conflicts and revolutionary military operations.

OFFICIAL TRAILER

AVAILABLE AT

bookbaby.com

amazon.com

barnesandnoble.com

audiobook

LEGENDARY GUITARIST STEVE CROPPER ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘FRIENDLYTOWN’ FEATURING BILLY F GIBBONS … BRIAN MAY … TIM MONTANA … EXCLUSIVE ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS!

 

LEGENDARY GUITARIST

S T E V E   C R O P P E R

ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

‘FRIENDLYTOWN’

OFFICIALLY RELEASED

AUGUST 23^RD ON MASCOT LABEL GROUP

FEATURING

BILLY F GIBBONS

BRIAN MAY

 TIM MONTANA

FIRST SINGLE

“TOO MUCH STRESS”

featuring BRIAN MAY

EXCLUSIVE 

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

CLICK BELOW

 TO LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW 

Not many people start new bands in their 80s, but legendary guitarist, producer, and songwriter Steve Cropper isn’t slowing down any time soon. The triple-threat musician, recently nominated for his first solo GRAMMY for the debut album from his tight and tuneful rock n’ soul quintet, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour, has announced details of his highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Friendlytown,’ due out August 23^rd on the  Mascot Label Group.

Always pushing ahead and never repeating himself, Cropper has brought in the talents of Billy F Gibbons from ZZ Top to play on the record. The album also features guest appearances from Queen guitarist extraordinaire Brian May and country-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Tim Montana, who has balanced a successful solo career with high-profile collaborations with Gibbons and Kid Rock.

In conjunction with the album announcement, Cropper has released the album's first single, “Too Much Stress feat. Brian May,” giving fans a tantalizing taste of the new music. This groovy mid-tempo number features gospel-style backing vocals and a trifecta of the baddest rock guitar players. Brian May sings the duet vocal together with Roger C. Reale and the backing vocals while May and Gibbons trade back-to-back solos. The Queen’s axeman’s trademark snarling tone and lyrical licks perfectly complement Gibbons’ searing blues-based style, with Cropper holding it all down with some signature slinky rhythm guitar work.

PREORDER

THE NEW ALBUM

BY

STEVE CROPPER

and

 The Midnight Hour

entitled

FRIENDLYTOWN

Available August 23rd Via Mascot Label Group

Featuring

Billy F Gibbons, Brian May and Tim Montana

First Single 

“Too Much Stress feat. Brian May” Available Now

Pre-order Friendlytown at

https://lnk.to/stevecropper

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

STEVE CROPPER

VISIT

https://playitsteve.com/

Official website

https://www.facebook.com/stevecropper

Facebook

https://x.com/OfficialCropper?mx=2

Twitter

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Steve+Cropper

YouTube

https://www.instagram.com/thestevecropper/

Instagram

 

DISCOGRAPHY

    1969: With a Little Help from My Friends

    1969: Jammed Together (with Albert King and Pops Staples)

    1971: This Is ... Steve Cropper & His Friends (compilation of With a Little Help from My Friends and Jammed Together, released in France only)

    1981: Playin' My Thang

    1982: Night After Night

    1998: The Interview — Play It, Steve!

    2008: Nudge It Up A Notch (with Felix Cavaliere)

    2010: Midnight Flyer (with Felix Cavaliere)

    2011: Dedicated — A Salute to the 5 Royales

    2017: Steve Cropper, Lou Marini and the Original Blues Brothers Band — The Last Shade of Blue Before Black

    2018: Telemasters (with Arlen Roth)

    2021: Fire It Up 

Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour

2024: Friendlytown

 

Collaborations

With Alabama

• Southern Star (RCA Records, 1989)

With Jimmy Barnes

• Soul Searchin' (Liberation Music, 2016)

With William Bell

• The Soul of a Bell (Stax Records, 1967)
• Bound to Happen (Stax Records, 1969)

With Barbi Benton

• Something New (Polydor Records, 1976)

With Stephen Bishop

• Bish (ABC Records, 1978)

With Frank Black

• Honeycomb (Cooking Vinyl, 2005)
• Fast Man Raider Man (Cooking Vinyl, 2006)

With Bobby and the Midnites

• Where the Beat Meets the Street (Columbia Records, 1984)

With Booker T. & the M.G.'s

• Green Onions (Stax Records, 1962)
• Soul Dressing (Stax Records, 1965)
• And Now! (Stax Records, 1966)
• In the Christmas Spirit (Stax Records, 1966)
• Hip Hug-Her (Stax Records, 1967)
• Doin' Our Thing (Stax Records, 1968)
• Soul Limbo (Stax Records, 1968)
• UpTight (Stax Records, 1969)
• The Booker T. Set (Stax Records, 1969)
• McLemore Avenue (Stax Records, 1970)
• Melting Pot (Stax Records, 1971)
• Universal Language (Asylum Records, 1977)
• That's the Way It Should Be (Columbia Records, 1994)

With Ronnie Baker Brooks

• Times Have Changed (Provogue Records, 2017)

With Billy Burnette

• Try Me (Curb, 1985)

With Jimmy Buffett

• Hot Water (MCA Records, 1988)

With Brian Cadd

• White On White (Capitol Records, 1976)

With Cate Brothers

• Cate Bros. (Asylum Records, 1975)
• In One Eye and Out the Order (Asylum Records, 1976)

With Chicago

• Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three (Chicago Records, 2011)

With David Clayton-Thomas

• David Clayton-Thomas (Columbia Records, 1972)

With A. J. Croce

• Just Like Medicine (Compass Records, 2017)

With Patti Dahlstrom

• Your Place or Mine (20th Century Records, 1975)

With Delaney & Bonnie

• Home (Stax Records, 1969)
• D&B Together (Columbia Records, 1972)

With Ned Doheny

• Hard Candy (Columbia Records, 1976)
• Prone (CBS Records, 1979)

With Yvonne Elliman

• Rising Sun (RSO Records, 1975)
• Night Flight (RSO Records, 1978)
• Yvonne (RSO Records, 1979)

With José Feliciano

• Compartments (RCA Victor, 1973)
• For My Love... Mother Music (RCA Victor, 1974)

With Eddie Floyd

• Knock on Wood (Stax Records, 1967)
• Down to Earth (Stax Records, 1971)

With Peter Frampton

• Where I Should Be (A&M Records, 1979)

With Richie Furay

• I've Got a Reason (Asylum Records, 1976)

With Art Garfunkel

• Breakaway (Columbia Records, 1975)

With Cyndi Grecco

• Making Our Dreams Come True (Private Stock Records, 1976)

With Richie Havens

• The End of the Beginning (A&M Records, 1976)

With Levon Helm

• Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars (ABC Records, 1977)
• Levon Helm (ABC Records, 1978)

With Chris Hillman

• Slippin' Away (Asylum Records, 1976)

With Rebecca Lynn Howard

• Rebecca Lynn Howard (Universal Music, 2000)

With Etta James

• Seven Year Itch (Island Records, 1988)
• The Right Time (Elektra Records, 1992)

With Wynonna Judd

• Tell Me Why (Curb Records, 1993)

With Albert King

• Born Under a Bad Sign (Stax Records, 1967)
• Years Gone By (Stax Records, 1969)

With B.B. King

• King of the Blues: 1989 (MCA Records, 1988)

With Al Kooper

• White Chocolate (Sony Records, 2008)

With John Lennon

• Rock 'n' Roll (Apple Records, 1975)

With Ann-Margret

• Born to Be Wild (Cleopatra Records, 2023)

With Craig Morgan

• Craig Morgan (Atlantic Records, 2000)

With Aaron Neville

• The Tattoeed Heart (A&M Records, 1995)

With Wayne Newton

• Tomorrow (Chelsea Records, 1976)

With Harry Nilsson

• Flash Harry (Mercury Records, 1980)

With John Oates

• 1000 Miles of Life (Phunk Shui Records, 2008)

With Nigel Olsson

• Nigel Olsson (The Rocket Record Company, 1975)

With Roy Orbison

• Mystery Girl (Virgin Records, 1989)

With Dolly Parton

• Heartbreak Express (RCA Records, 1982)

With Wilson Pickett

• In the Midnight Hour (Atlantic Records, 1965)
• The Exciting Wilson Pickett (Atlantic Records, 1966)

With Michel Polnareff

• Michel Polnareff (Atlantic Records, 1975)

With John Prine

• Common Sense (Atlantic Records, 1975)

With Otis Redding

• Pain in My Heart (Atco Records, 1964)
• The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (Atco Records, 1965)
• Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (Stax Records, 1965)
• The Soul Album (Stax Records, 1966)
• Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul (Stax Records, 1966)
• King & Queen (Stax Records, 1967)
• The Dock of the Bay (Stax Records, 1968)

With Bruce Roberts

• Bruce Roberts (Elektra Records, 1977)

With Leon Russell

• Will O' the Wisp (Shelter Records, 1975)

With Sanford & Townsend

• Duo-Glide (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)

With Leo Sayer

• Here (Chrysalis Records, 1979)

With Guy Sebastian

• The Memphis Album (Sony BMG, 2007)

With Neil Sedaka

• The Hungry Years (The Rocket Record Company, 1975)
• Steppin' Out (Polydor Records, 1976)

With Paul Shaffer

• Coast to Coast (Capitol Records, 1989)

With Paul Simon

• Songs from The Capeman (Warner Bros. Records, 1997)

With Broderick Smith

• Suitcase (Mushroom Records, 1992)

With The Soul Children

• Soul Children (Stax Records, 1968)

With Mavis Staples

• Mavis Staples (Volt Records, 1969)
• Only for the Lonely (Volt Records, 1970)

With Ringo Starr

• Ringo (Apple Records, 1973)
• Goodnight Vienna (Apple Records, 1974)
• Vertical Man (Mercury Records, 1998)

With Rod Stewart

• Atlantic Crossing (Warner Bros. Records, 1975)
• A Night on the Town (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)
• Foot Loose & Fancy Free (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)
• Every Beat of My Heart (Warner Bros. Records, 1986)

With Livingston Taylor

• Man's Best Friend (Epic Records, 1980)

With Carla Thomas

• Memphis Queen (Stax Records, 1969)

With Mickey Thomas

• As Long as You Love Me (MCA Records, 1977)

With The Manhattan Transfer

• Pastiche (Atlantic Records, 1978)

With Wendy Waldman

• The Main Refrain (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)

With Dale Watson

• Jukebox Fury (Cleopatra Records, 2022)

With Jerry Lynn Williams

• Gone (Warner Bros. Records, 1979)

 

 

STEVE CROPPER

APPEARS

JULY 27TH 2024

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   

Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO

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