My third single, Black Velvet, is now available on all major streaming services! Being that I love music because it is my therapy, my expression, the very air I breath, I generally stick to my own writing and creations so this is my first cover, but I think definitely a cover completely worth going out there for!
This one became, quite literally, an international affair, and a final mix that I couldn’t be more thrilled with! I owe a huge, HUGE thank you to Turbomaus– the guitarist and lead out of London, who just KILLS the end with that guitar solo (you’ll see!), Ron Niermeyer– my stellar bass player from the Midwest U.S., Tudanstudios– a killer drummer from Scotland who just took it over the top with his performance in this one, and finally Tony Hearn, also U.S., on keys and really putting the finishing touches on the super fun remake of a forever true, true rock-n-roll classic! I also am eternally grateful to Tom Hellsten, TSTstudios (Toms Studio Thailand) who, as you may have guessed, is out of Thailand and was the final mixer/producer on this special gem. Mad love to Unlimited Sounds, my publishing company, for making this happen and being on point with all the pre-release promo, marketing, and radio airplay (and also putting up with my incessive nagging on everything I’m being a perfectionist about at any given time, so much 🙏🏼🙏🏼). I also owe a shout-out to my boy Darren G for giving me the initial idea to do this one since he truly believed I had a little Alannah hidden in me somewhere. This one goes out to you, Darren!
I chose to release this specifically on January 8th this year because it marks the 85th anniversary of Elvis’ birth in 1935, and although the song Black Velvet means MANY different things to many different people with whom I’ve spoken to since taking on this cover (which is beautiful and something I really love about this song, and music in general- individual interpretation), this was written as a paean to Elvis Presley and originally performed and released by Alannah Myles in December of 1989, JUST over 30 years ago.
This being a revered classic, I was in no way trying to improve upon the perfection that was set in stone three decades ago, but to put my own personal twist and interpretation on a song that, in my personal opinion, should live on for generations to come. I hope you all go check it out, support the art and expression, and enjoy it! A lot of sweat, laughter, and tears went into this one and I’ve only just begun!
My last BIG SHOUTOUT is to all of my friends, family, fans, support, listeners- ALL OF YOU. This journey is one I wouldn’t be on without all of you. Keep lifting, keep rising, keep dreaming, YOU are the maker of your life and destiny and no one is on that journey but you. ALL OF MY LOVE to you guys, every last one of you.
So happy BIG 85, Elvis Presley, and thank you again, Alannah Myles. Without you, none of this would even be a thing. 💜🙏🏼💜
Single 4 is coming in March…..details soon to follow!!
