Showing posts with label Ray Shasho. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ray Shasho. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

SYMPHONIC ROCK PIONEERS JIM MCCARTY AND ANNIE HASLAM PRESENT 'THE HISTORY OF RENAISSANCE' ZOOM SPECIAL EVENT ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS W/RAY SHASHO

 

 Symphonic Rock Pioneers 

ANNIE HASLAM 

and 

JIM McCARTY

Present

The History Of

R E N A I S S A N C E

November 21st and 22nd at the Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, Illinois 

 November 28th at the Newton Theatre, NJ

 November 29th at the Lansdowne Theatre, PA, in Lansdowne, PA.

SPECIAL EVENT

ON 

INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS 

WITH RAY SHASHO

CLICK BELOW 

TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW

 IN ITS ENTIRETY


 Annie and Jim will share an intimate discussion and visual presentation of the band’s extraordinary history followed by a Renaissance performance featuring, for the first time, members of both eras of the band performing their classic songs together.

Renaissance had their farewell tour last October 2024 and did not expect to perform live again. Annie, who’s been at the forefront of the group’s story for 50 years, recently was approached by an Edwardsville/St Louis promoter to return to the Wildey Theatre for a ‘one woman” show! After much deliberation, the idea grew into something bigger when Annie contacted Jim McCarty to be a part of the show and then return to the full Renaissance lineup, the band he, initially, co-founded. A once in a lifetime event of Symphonic Rock at its finest! 

"All Renaissance and McCarty fans are invited to experience our coming full circle," Annie says enthusiastically, “that was destined to happen one day!"  Rising from the ashes of the Yardbirds, Jim McCarty and long-time musical partner Keith Relf envisioned a Renaissance as fusing folk and classical influences with the bluesy rock they'd been playing and giving birth to a new musical direction. 

When Annie Haslam joined the band in 1971 to sing with her ethereal 5-octave voice, the group became more popular, especially with the progressive rock scene. After Jim left, the line up continued notably with Annie, this combined the poetic emotional words of Betty Thatcher and the timeless musical masterpieces that were created by Michael Dunford, John Tout, Jon Camp and Terry Sullivan.

Renaissance was reborn in 2009 with Annie and Michael Dunford at the helm, along with keyboard player/musical director Rave Tesar, and a new generation of musicians. Renaissance has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song “Northern Lights” that still demands airplay to this day.

Annie is “looking forward to singing 'Face of Yesterday' from Jim's band Illusion, which I last performed on a tour of Germany in the early ‘70s. Such a gorgeous song! I’m also excited to be performing with Jim,” who is equally thrilled, stating, “I’ll be talking with Annie about how the band formed and got that sound. Also very pleased to be singing some of my own songs.”

Renaissance is Annie Haslam (lead vocals), Jim McCarty (acoustic guitar and lead vocals), Rave Tesar (keyboards), Mark Lambert (guitars, vocals), Geoffrey Langley (keyboards, vocals), John Galgano (bass, vocals), and Frank Pagano (drums, percussion, vocals).

 FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

JIM McCARTY

AND

 ANNIE HASLAM

Visit

www.jamesmccarty.com

Jim McCarty Official website

https://www.theyardbirds.com/

The Yardbirds Official site

https://www.facebook.com/jim.mccarty.9/

Jim McCarty Facebook

https://anniehaslam.com/annies-welcome-page/

Annie Haslam Official Website

https://renaissancetouring.com/

Renaissance Official Website

www.facebook.com/RenaissanceTouring

Facebook

www.twitter.com/MysticAndMuse

Twitter

www.youtube.com/user/RenaissanceTouring

YouTube


SHOW SCHEDULE

Friday, Nov. 21 The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL (St. Louis) www.cityofedwardsville.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=672

Saturday, Nov. 22 The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL (St. Louis) www.cityofedwardsville.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=673

Friday, Nov. 28  The Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ

https://skypac.org/the-history-of-renaissance/

Saturday, Nov. 29 Lansdowne Theatre, Lansdowne, PA http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/81373625/the-history-of-renaissance-featuring-annie-haslam-and-jim-mccarty-lansdowne-lansdowne-theate


THE YARDBIRDS

DISCOGRAPHY

Five Live Yardbirds (1964, UK)

For Your Love (1965, US)

Having a Rave Up with the Yardbirds (1965, US)

Yardbirds (aka Roger the Engineer) (1966, UK)

Over Under Sideways Down (1966, US)

Little Games (1967, US)

Birdland (2003)

 

BOX OF FROGS

Box of Frogs (1984)

Strange Land (1986)

STAIRWAY

Aquamarine (1987)

Moonstone (1988)

Chakra Dance (1989)

Medicine Dance (1992)

Raindreaming (1995)

 

JIM McCARTY

SOLO

Jim McCarty has released three solo albums:

Out of the Dark (1994)

 Sitting on the Top of Time (2009)

Walking in the Wild Land (2018)

 He has also released live and compilation albums

 Jim McCarty & Friends (2011)

 and Frontman (2014)

 

RENAISSANCE

DISCOGRAPHY

Studio albums

Year  Title

1969 Renaissance

1971  Illusion

1972  Prologue

1973  Ashes Are Burning

1974  Turn of the Cards

1975  Scheherazade and Other Stories

1977  Novella

1978  A Song for All Seasons

1979  Azure d'Or

1981  Camera Camera

1983  Time-Line

2001 Tuscany

2013 Grandine il vento

Live albums

Year  Title 

1976  Live at Carnegie Hall

2002 In the Land of the Rising Sun: Live in Japan 2001

2011  Renaissance Tour 2011 – Turn of the Cards and Scheherazade & Other Stories Live in Concert (DVD and double CD set)

2016 Renaissance 2012 (recorded April 16, 2015) – Renaissance Live at the Union Chapel (DVD and digital only audio set)

2016 Renaissance Live at the BBC Sight & Sound (DVD and 3-CD set) ―      ―      ―          Contains radio/television broadcasts of three live concerts, one each from the years 1975-77. The DVD contains the video of the televised concert in London on 8 January 1977.

2018 A Symphonic Journey (recorded October 27, 2017) – Live In Concert (DVD and double CD set)

2021 Renaissance 50th Anniversary: Ashes Are Burning - An Anthology - Live in Concert (Blu-ray/DVD/2CD Box)

2023 The Legacy Tour 2022 (2CD)

2025 Renaissance In Gratitude Farewell Tour Live (2CD)

Other releases

In the Beginning (compilation double-album of Prologue and Ashes are Burning), 1978

Tales of 1001 Nights (compilation in two volumes), 1990

Da Capo (Repertoire Germany compilation), 1995 (2 CDs) (Limited Edition in tall digipak with a much more concise, detailed booklet)

Live at the Royal Albert Hall: King Biscuit Flower Hour, 1997 (live performance recorded 1977; two volumes)

Songs from Renaissance Days, 1997 (compilation of out-takes, including one B-side and two Haslam solo tracks, 1979–88)

The BBC Sessions 1975–1978, 1999 (2 CDs)

Day of the Dreamer, 2000 (live performance recorded 1978)

Live at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, 2000 (live performance recorded 1985)[nb 2]

Live + Direct, 2002 (edited 1970 live recording plus demos and miscellany, by Renaissance and related artists, from 1968 to 1976)

Innocents and Illusions, 2004 (compilation double CD of Renaissance and Illusion from the original incarnation)

Dreams & Omens, 2008 (live performance recorded 1978)

Live in Chicago, 2010 (live performance recorded 1983)

The Mystic and the Muse (three-track EP of new songs), 2010

Past Orbits of Dust, 2012 (live performances, plus one remastered studio track, from 1969 to 1970)

Symphony of Light, 2014 (includes all songs from Grandine il vento and The Mystic and the Muse plus one new track)

DeLane Lea Studios 1973, 2015 (live performance recorded 1973)

Academy of Music, 2015 (live performance recorded 1974)

Can You Hear Me? Broadcasts 1974-1978, 2024 (2 CDs, 1 Blu-ray)

 

ANNIE HASLAM

SOLO

DISCOGRAPHY

Annie in Wonderland (1977)

Still Life (1985)

Annie Haslam (1989)

Blessing in Disguise (1994)

Supper's Ready: (Genesis tribute Album) (guest vocalist) (1995)

Tales From Yesterday (Yes tribute Album) (guest vocalist) (1995)

Live Under Brazilian Skies (1998)

The Dawn of Ananda (1999)

Portraits of Bob Dylan by Steve Howe (album) (guest vocalist) (1999)

It Snows in Heaven Too (2000)

One Enchanted Evening (2002)

Icon by John Wetton & Geoff Downes (album) (guest vocalist) (2005)

Miles of Music by Bob Miles (guest vocalist) (2006)

Live Studio Concert (2006)

Night and Day EP with Magenta written for Haslam by Rob Reed and Christina Booth (2006)

Woman Transcending (2007)

Songs of the Century (Supertramp tribute Album) (guest vocalist) (2012)

'Live' Studio Concert Philadelphia 1997 (Re-release) (2014)

Don't Give Up Single, (duet with Jann Klose) (2017)

MORE

“Island” from 2019 w/ Renaissance and Jim McCarty from the DVD/Blu-Ray “50th Anniversary Tour 2019” https://youtu.be/L7PWTiSnCyo?si=F4A1WwM7ZluAb5xz

“Symphony of Light” by Renaissance from 50th Anniversary Tour 2019 https://youtu.be/wnIItVGLPhg?si=xtqfAjEcD6knOvvm

Music Video from Jane Relf-fronted Renaissance

“Kings & Queens” https://youtu.be/nrSCU_3hK34?si=SHJ03wKAUUiVfuOg

BOOKS BY JIM McCARTY

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM






JIM McCARTY
AND
ANNIE HASLAM
APPEAR
OCTOBER 22ND
ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS
WITH RAY SHASHO

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Saturday, August 16, 2025

BILLY BOB THORNTON AND THE BOXMASTERS IGNITE CLEARWATER'S CAPITOL THEATRE! CONCERT REVIEW BY RAY SHASHO

 

THE BOXMASTERS IGNITE

CLEARWATER'S CAPITOL THEATRE! 

Concert review by music journalist Ray Shasho

August 15th, 2025 – Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 
Clearwater, Florida

The Boxmasters, fronted by Billy Bob Thornton, didn't just play Clearwater's Capitol Theatre last Friday night – they detonated it! From the first chord, the sold-out crowd was electrified. The house vibrated with an energy that could only be described as a full-blown rock and roll revival. The Boxmasters cultivate a fervent following, a loyal legion of fans who wouldn't dream of missing their dynamic, high-spirited live spectacle.
Billy Bob Thornton (aka "Bud"), along with songwriting partner and rhythm guitarist J.D. Andrew, ignited The Boxmasters' flame in Bellflower, California, in 2007. Since then, they have released 19 studio albums, including their latest, 'Pepper Tree Hill', which dropped in July.
Thornton is known for his acting work. He has appeared in TV episodes and feature films, with his latest role in the TV series, Landman. Season 2, premiering November 16th on Paramount+, will further explore the West Texas oil industry, with Tommy Norris (Thornton) navigating professional and personal battles.
The Boxmasters delivered an incendiary performance in Clearwater! The band played a thunderous set, featuring perennial favorites and a taste of their new album, 'Pepper Tree Hill'.
The evening began with "Emily," a traditional opener written by Billy Bob's late brother, Jimmy Don Thornton. This song, brimming with emotion, would have fit in the Top 20 charts of the 60s. The transitions from one track to the next were exhilarating, and the audience mirrored that energy.
The Capitol Theatre's acoustics were phenomenal, with each riff and vocal clear. The staff was also exceptional.
The Boxmasters then played "Jupiter Man" from their February 2025 release, 'Missing a Heart'. This was followed by "She Looks Like Betty Page," from their 2015 recording, Providence. A screen behind the band displayed The Boxmasters' logo, psychedelic effects, and photos of Betty Page during the latter song. Tracks like “Go Like This” and “Garage” from their 2022 album, Boxmasters 66', followed, encapsulating the raw essence of 1960s rock. "Science Fiction" from their 2016 album, Tea Surfing, rounded out this segment of the set.

The musicianship of lead guitarist Kirk McKim, rhythm guitarist J.D. Andrew, and bassist Raymond Hardy was superlative. McKim's heavier guitar licks were a delightful surprise, while drummer Nick Davidson anchored the sound. Billy Bob Thornton's energetic, hard-driving vocals are the heart and soul of The Boxmasters' sound.

The musical journey continued with "I Still Want to See You" from Tea Surfing, followed by “You’ll Never Be Mine” from their 2022 release, Help… I’m Alive, and the evocative “Jane Mansfield’s Car” from Love and Hate in Desperate Places. Thornton shared the story behind "Jane Mansfield’s Car", recounting how his father would take him to car wrecks. "Light Rays" from their album of the same name and “A River Rising” from Love & Hate in Desperate Places then flowed seamlessly into “The Light of Lenore” from their 2018 release, “In Stereo!” The journey continued with “I Must’ve Been High” from ’69. The final two anthems of the main set were “I Got a Girl” from Help… I’m Alive, and a cover of The Kinks' "I'm Not Like Everybody Else." Thornton invited the audience to surge closer to the stage.
The Boxmasters were phenomenal, and the Clearwater crowd loved every moment! This show marked the kickoff of their U.S. tour. The Boxmasters are set to open for The Who in Sunrise, Florida, on the 16th, and in Newark, New Jersey, on August 19th.
Thank you to the team at The Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre and to Lucine Chammas of R&CPMK and Billy Bob Thornton for making this night possible.

Also important to mention that Donna Betts widow of legendary Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts was in attendance along with high-profile music manager and owner of the Cleveland office of Alliance Artists Ltd. and producer
 David Spero. 

All photo credits: Ray Shasho Jr. and Bill Wallin

Music Journalist Ray Shasho...Billy Bob Thornton...Ray Shasho Jr.

Music Journalist Ray Shasho...Billy Bob Thornton...Bill Wallen

Ray Shasho and David Spero


THE BOXMASTERS

ON TOUR 2025

Saturday, August 16 @ 7:30PM

The Who with special guests The Boxmasters!

Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL 33323

Tuesday, August 19 @ 7:30PM

The Who with special guests The Boxmasters!

Prudential Center, Newark, NJ 07102

Wednesday, August 20 @ 7:00PM

Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre

Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Thursday, August 21 @ 7:00PM

Pickens County Performing Arts Center

Pickens County Performing Arts Center, Liberty, SC 29657

Friday, August 22 @ 7:00PM

Hard Rock Live Bristol

Hard Rock Live Bristol, Bristol, VA 24201

Saturday, August 23 @ 8:00PM

Sweetland Amphitheatre

Sweetland Amphitheatre, LaGrange, GA 30240

Sunday, August 24 @ 7:00PM

Don Gibson Theatre

Don Gibson Theatre, Shelby, NC 28150

Wednesday, August 27 @ 7:00PM

Lincoln Square Theater

Lincoln Square Theater, Decatur, IL 62523

Thursday, August 28 @ 7:00PM

Canterbury Park Concert Series

Canterbury Park Concert Series, SHAKOPEE, MN 55379

Friday, August 29 @ 7:30PM

Stiefel Theatre

Stiefel Theatre, Salina, KS 67401

Saturday, August 30 @ 7:00PM

Phil Long Music Hall

Phil Long Music Hall, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921

Wednesday, September 3 @ 7:00PM

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Langley, WA 98260

Thursday, September 4 @ 7:00PM

Spokane Tribe Casino

Spokane Tribe Casino, Airway Heights, WA 99001

Friday, September 5 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Saturday, September 6 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Sunday, September 7 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Thursday, September 11 @ 7:00PM

Argyros Performing Arts Center

Argyros Performing Arts Center, Ketchum, ID 83340

Friday, September 12 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Saturday, September 13 @ 7:00PM

Bourbon & Bonfire Experience

Hunter Hot Springs Amphitheater, Livingston, Montana

Tuesday, September 16 @ 7:00PM

Joe's Live

Joe's Live, ROSEMONT, IL 60018

Wednesday, September 17 @ 7:00PM

Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center

Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304

Thursday, September 18 @ 7:00PM

Glema Mahr Center for the Arts

Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, Madisonville, Ky 42431

Friday, September 19 @ 7:00PM

Hard Rock Live Rockford

Hard Rock Live Rockford, Rockford, IL 61108

Saturday, September 20 @ 7:00PM

Knuckleheads

Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO 64120

Sunday, September 21 @ 7:00PM

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall, Ardmore, OK 73401

Thursday, September 25 @ 7:00PM

Gruene Hall

Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Friday, September 26 @ 7:00PM

Texan Theater

Texan Theater, Greenville, Tx 75401

Saturday, September 27 @ 7:00PM

Crockett Civic Center

Crockett Civic Center, Crockett, TX 75835

Monday, September 29 @ 7:00PM

Memorial City Hall Performance Center

Memorial City Hall Performance Center, Marshall, TX 75670

Tuesday, September 30 @ 7:00PM

Sand Mountain Amphitheater

Sand Mountain Amphitheater, ALBERTVILLE, AL 35950

Wednesday, October 1 @ 7:00PM

Franklin Theatre

Franklin Theatre, Franklin, TN 37064

Thursday, October 2 @ 7:00PM

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, Montgomery, AL 36104

Friday, October 3 @ 7:00PM

Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Resort Casino

Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Resort Casino, Bossier City, LA 71111

Saturday, October 4 @ 7:00PM

L'Auberge Casino & Hotel

L'Auberge Casino & Hotel, Baton Rouge, LA 70820

Sunday, October 5 @ 7:00PM

Florida Theatre

Florida Theatre, Jacksonville FL 32202

Thursday, October 9 @ 7:00PM

Sellersville Theater

Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA 18960

Friday, October 10 @ 7:00PM

Hollywood Casino

Hollywood Casino, Charles Town, WV 25414

Saturday, October 11 @ 7:00PM

Hard Rock Live Cincinnati

Hard Rock Live Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Monday, October 13 @ 7:00PM

Main Street Crossing

Main Street Crossing, Tomball, TX 77375

Tuesday, October 14 @ 7:00PM

Main Street Crossing

Main Street Crossing, Tomball, TX 77375

Thursday, October 16 @ 7:00PM

Yucca North

Yucca North, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Friday, October 17 @ 7:00PM

Agua Caliente Casino

Agua Caliente Casino, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Saturday, October 18 @ 7:00PM

The Mountain Winery

The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA 95070

PURCHASE

THE NEW ALBUM

BY

THE BOXMASTERS

entitled

PEPPER TREE HILL

Available at

https://theboxmasters.com/store

The Boxmasters Official store

also available to purchase at amazon.com


THE BOXMASTERS

DISCOGRAPHY

The Boxmasters (Vanguard, 2008)

Christmas Cheer (Vanguard, 2008)

Modbilly (Vanguard, 2009)

Somewhere Down the Road (101 Ranch Records, 2015)

Providence (self-released, exclusively available via theboxmasters.com, 2015)

Boys and Girls... And the World (NDR Records, 2016)

Tea Surfing (NDR Records, 2016)

In Stereo! (NDR Records, 2018)

Speck (KeenTone Records, 2019)

Light Rays (KeenTone Records, 2020)

Christmas in California (KeenTone Records, 2021)

Help...I'm Alive (KeenTone Records, Apr 15, 2022)

Boxmasters '66 (KeenTone Records, Dec 24, 2022)

Providence (Remix 2023) (KeenTone Records, Apr 20, 2023)

'69 (KeenTone Records, May 5, 2023)

Stranded in a Stain Vol. 1 + 2 (KeenTone Records, Dec 25, 2023)

Love & Hate in Desperate Places (KeenTone Records, Aug 30, 2024)

I'm Not Like Everybody Else (The Kinks cover, played as the encore song on the "2024 Love & Hate Tour", exclusively available via theboxmasters.com)

Missing a Heart (KeenTone Records, Feb 14, 2025)

Pepper Tree Hill (July 11,2025)


BILLY BOB THORNTON 

AND J.D. ANDREW

of THE BOXMASTERS

CLICK BELOW 

TO WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW!