TODD RUNDGREN TALKS 'WHITE KNIGHT' WITH RAY SHASHO

THE MUSICAL GENIUS

 OF

T  O  D  D    R  U  N  D  G  R  E  N

INTERVIEWED ON 

THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

Todd Rundgren was inspired by virtuoso trendsetters Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Michael Bloomfield and Harvey Mandel. The Philadelphia native directed his creativities into launching the bands ‘Money’ and ‘Woody’s Truck Stop’ achieving regional success. Rundgren then organized the nationally recognized Nazz in 1967. Initially formed as a psychedelic-blues rock band it discovered an array of eclectic musical styles. Todd Rundgren’s huge hit single “Hello It’s Me” was originally recorded with the Nazz in 1968. The Nazz became successful with the psychedelic tune “Open My Eyes” while opening shows for Jim Morrison and The Doors. After Nazz broke up Rundgren recorded several solo albums under the name Runt and Todd scored commercially with his first big solo hit “We Gotta Get You a Woman” in 1971.

The genius of Rundgren became even clearer with the release of his certified gold double album masterpiece Something/Anything? The album spawned the huge Top 40 singles “I Saw The Light” (#16 Billboard) and Nazz original composition “Hello It’s Me” (#5 Billboard).

Utopia was formed in 1973 but the band’s foundation was established in 1974. Rundgren magnified his musical inventiveness by fusing progressive, pop, psychedelic and hard rock into euphonious orchestrations

Utopia’s signature anthem “Just One Victory” from the 1973 release A Wizard, A True Star is usually played at the end of every concert. Rundgren’s penned “Love Is The Answer” from Utopia’s Oops! Wrong Planet album in 1977 became a huge hit for England Dan & John Ford Coley in 1979 reaching number #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Todd Rundgren maintained a highly successful solo career while recording and performing with Utopia. In 1978 Todd Rundgren released the sentimental “Can We Still Be Friends” becoming #29 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Throughout the 70’s and 80’s Todd Rundgren established himself as an industrious musical genius in the recording studio producing and engineering for legendary artists including classic albums Straight Up by Badfinger, Stage Fright by The Band, The New York Dolls, We’re An American Band and Shinin’ On by Grand Funk Railroad, Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf and Skylarking by XTC, Rundgren also contributed his extraordinary skills as a first rate musician and composer to a legion of legendary artists.

In 1983 Todd Rundgren wrote “Bang The Drum All Day” All the instruments on the song were performed by Rundgren. The tune is widely heard at professional sporting events around the country and used on TV commercials and movie trailers.

Todd Rundgren continues to perform with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. Rundgren recently released his critically acclaimed album “White Knight” on May 12th via Cleopatra Records. The 15-track collection features a dynamic range of original songs and deft studio work by Rundgren, with an impressive array of what he terms “collaborators”, including Dam Funk, Donald Fagen, Daryl Hall, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails, Joe Satriani, and Joe Walsh to name just a few. The album is available to purchase now at amazon.com. 

Find out about all of Todd Rundgren’s tour dates at  
http://www.todd-rundgren.com/tr-tour.html

AND Visit Todd Rundgren on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/toddrundgren 

TODD RUNDGREN

'WHITE KNIGHT'

AVAILABLE 
AT 
AMAZON.COM

T  O  D  D    R  U  N  D  G  R  E  N

INTERVIEWED ON

 THE RAY SHASHO SHOW-BBS RADIO

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THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

 IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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 We Make You Shine

Website http://www.publicityworksagency.com/

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And don’t forget to purchase a copy of my book entitled Check the Gs -the true story of an eclectic American family and their Wacky family business … or the second edition entitled … Wacky Shenanigans on F Street- ‘Proud to be Politically Incorrect in Washington DC’ ... available now at amazon.com. You’ll live it!!!

Have a great week everybody!

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RAY WALKER OF THE LEGENDARY 'JORDANAIRES' ON THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

R  A  Y   W  A  L  K  E  R 

BASS SINGER OF THE LEGENDARY 'JORDANAIRES'

ELVIS PRESLEY'S BACKUP SINGERS

Ray Walker dropped out of school in 1955, moved to Centerville, Tennessee, where he helped to build a radio station, WHLP, worked with the local Church, and, became the youngest school principal in the history of Tennessee. He came back to college in 1956 and graduated in June 1957, with a BA Degree in Speech, Music, Bible, and, Education; worked for Werthan Bag Company during the Summer. By that time Ray and wife Marilyn's third child was on the way.

Ray continued working for the local Church and, in the Fall began teaching school in Davidson County Schools, where he was Assistant Principal, Coach, and commanded a split seventh and eighth grade class. It was April 1958 now, and through a business call to David Lipscomb College, Ray was put in touch with the Jordanaires by his former Choral Director. Gordon Stoker had called there, just prior to Ray's call, to see if the Music Department knew of a bass singer who might fit their requirements. When Ray spoke with the professor, he said to give them his name, which the professor did. Ray was called that afternoon, auditioned at 11:00 that evening, was called at the school the next day and asked to go to Hollywood to do some recording. The school board let him off, he went, came home and completed his school year of teaching, and joined the Jordanaires, officially, June 1, 1958. 

Since that time, while working with the Jordanaires, he had a successful, daily, morning show, "YOUR OWN TIME" on the ABC Channel in Nashville in 1976.  Ray has done modeling, numerous radio, television, magazine and newspaper commercials (locally and nationally). He was a deputy sheriff (as a liaison between trouble youth and distraught families) for twenty-some years and, as were all the Jordanaires, an honorary member of the Tennessee Governor's Staff in Tennessee for many years.

Among the accolades the group has received during his tenure with The Jordanaires is induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the NACMAI (North American Country Music Association International) Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame and others.  Ray was inducted into The Rockabilly Hall of Fame, individually, in 2013.  He was, also, awarded the "Avalon Award", the highest award given for contribution and accomplishment by his alma mater', David Lipscomb University, in 2005.

It is estimated that Ray Walker has been recorded on more than 200,000 songs  and including his professional recording with the Jordanaires, and is reservedly believed to be the most recorded voice in the history of music.

Ray was the Bass Singer in "THE JORDANAIRES" for 54 years and 345 days, when upon the passing of Gordon Stoker, March 27, 2013, "THE JORDANAIRES" as a group, officially, came to an end.  Ray, occasionally, performs with country crooner Ronnie McDowell, and others, in programs dedicated to the memory of Elvis Presley. 

RAY WALKER TALKS 

E   L   V   I   S 

ON THE RAY SHASHO SHOW-BBS RADIO

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PURCHASE … Ray Walker’s "Live in Concert" at the New Opry House

This CD contains 14 All Time Favorite songs by Jordanaire, Ray Walker …

You can purchase this incredible CD at www.raywalker.net

For more information about Ray Walker and The Jordanaires visit …

www.raywalker.net  or www.jordanaires.net

THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

Bi-weekly Monday Afternoon at 3 pm Pacific/6 pm Eastern

On the BBS Radio 1 Network

THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

 IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

‘THE PUBLICITY WORKS AGENCY’

We Shine Only When

 We Make You Shine

Website http://www.publicityworksagency.com/

Contact Ray Shasho at 941-877-1552

Email us at ray@publicityworksagency.com

http://bbsradio.com/therayshashoshow

And don’t forget to purchase a copy of my book entitled Check the Gs -the true story of an eclectic American family and their Wacky family business … or the second edition entitled … Wacky Shenanigans on F Street- ‘Proud to be Politically Incorrect in Washington DC’ ... available now at amazon.com. You’ll live it!!!

Have a great week everybody!