By: Justin R. Beckner, Rock Concerts Correspondent

Rich Williams is too modest to tell you himself, but he is one of the greatest and most enduring guitarists of his generation. Kansas has been together and touring for 40 years now and unlike most bands of that era who still tour, they still have the original core of the band. I remember the first time I saw Kansas, it was at a festival in Northern Minnesota and I was blown away by Rich’s guitar playing. I found myself wondering why they weren’t headlining the festival.

This summer Kansas is United in Rock with Styx and Foreigner for a rigorous nationwide tour. But that’s nothing new for a man who churns out 70-75 shows every year with his Kansas bandmates. But don’t worry, there’s some fun along the way too. Below is an interview with Guitar Legend, Rich Williams.

JB: What is your least favorite interview question?

RW: Well there are some. One we get is, “Where are you guys from?” but I think my least favorite is a question that they ask more over in Europe but we get it here too is, “What can we expect from you guys when you come to town?”. You know, what can you say to that, “I’m not gonna play that night. I’m going to put on a sausage making seminar.” It’s kinda obvious. But I don’t want to be a dick about it so I just tell them that were going to play a great show and blah blah blah. I guess maybe they’re looking for some cheap pro wrestling type bit.

JB: How is the vibe with the band right now, are you working on any new material?

RW: Things are going really well, today we were going over some old songs that we’re adding to the set this year to change things up a bit. We’re going to spend most of the summer promoting the new DVD we just put out. We do have some future plans although I cant really discuss them right now because not all of the parties have been spoken to yet. But its going to be a very busy year for us. We’re doing 50 – 70 dates with Foreigner and Styx this summer as well as a bunch of symphony gigs on our own. So we might hit 100 dates this year which is very busy for us. We work at a pretty casual pace most of the time. This year is going to be different but usually we leave on Friday and come home on Sunday all through the year. So we usually end up with 70-75 dates a year. This year we’ll be out for three months at a time doing four or five nights a week. So that’s something that will be different for us that we’re getting ready for.

JB: I wanted to ask you about how you feel the role of technology has changed the music industry. Particularly things like Guitar Hero, MySpace, iTunes, etc. Is it good or bad?

RW: Well, Guitar Hero has been great. I hear people complain all the time that its not really a guitar which its not, it’s a game. But it gets kids involved in classic rock music. The music is kind of a by product of the game. And I’m sure there been many a kid who has played the game and thought, ya know, I think I’d like to learn how to play a real guitar. And if the game can spark that, then I cant see any harm in it. As with the internet, you have to get on board and change with the times. You cant stop people from buying albums (or not buying albums) online. So might as well embrace it. Its just the way things are done now. I’ve seen where a band is on the radio and you buy an album for those two songs and the rest of it is crap. Well, now you can download the songs for 99 cents a pop. So why go into a studio and record 12 songs – run up a quarter of a million dollar bill in recording costs when you can just record four songs and put out an EP. It gets music out to the fans quicker, reduces recording costs. The people get more of what they want.

JB: Now, you’ve got some great looking PRS Guitars. Have you thought about getting some new guitars?

RW: My two main guitars are PRS and one of them is the first PRS guitar I bought, God, about 25 years ago. And I also have a Dragon PRS that I use more as a backup. I got that 18 years ago. I got that guitar the same year my daughter was born. I love those guitars.

JB: What does your practice regiment look like these days?

RW: We don’t get together that much in our off time anymore. I play everyday – some days more than others. It is very important to pick up a guitar everyday and fiddle with it.

JB: You’re playing a few dates in the Midwest this year. Do you have any memorable moments that come to mind when you think about the Midwest?

RW: The first one that comes to mind, we were playing at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, so it was a really big gig for us. I hadn’t thought about it much and we were working on a lot of new material at the time so we decided that we would try out some new songs at the show that night. I remember driving up to the stadium and you can see inside as you’re driving up and that place was jam packed. So, we decided not to unveil any new songs that night. We were too nervous. But we played a great show. The crowd was amazing and they brought in a huge sound system. I remember sitting in my dressing room before our set and hearing this amazing guitar playing. And I was like, who the fuck is that? Turns out it was Van Halen. They were just getting started.

JB: Who is the greatest guitar player of all time in your mind?

RW: Jeff Beck. Without a doubt. He’s not all flash but he can be if he wants to. Another one might be Eric Clapton. His Bluesbreakers album really opened my eyes. It was the first time I had heard a Les Paul plugged into a Marshall cranking out the blues. The Yardbirds had Jeff Beck, Clapton, and Page. That’s kinda the gold standard for guitar playing minus Jimi Hendrix.

JB: Are there any lessons you’d like to share that you had to learn the hard way?

RW: Yeah on a personal level, its never too early to get off the party wagon. I drank a little more than I should have. It went from a fun thing to being a problem. I’m glad I stopped. Best thing I ever did. I never played really too drunk. It was more off the stage stuff. Another thing people ask us is how we’ve stayed together so long. I was never the greatest guitar player in the world but I have a good attitude. You really have to surround yourself with good people with a common goal. Its hard to work with people with one foot out the door. It’s a lot harder to be in a band and be on the road in a van with a bunch of assholes.

For more info on Kansas, check out their website.

LOS ANGELES – Styx, Foreigner and special guests Kansas will hit the road this summer on the United In Rock tour, which kicks off in May. “I am very excited to be performing this summer with both Foreigner and Kansas on our United In Rock Tour. These three bands represent the more rocking side of the classic rock genre.
With the countless great rock songs each band will be performing this is going to be a guitars-a-blazin’ good time had by all.

STYX is a band that one of our best known songs is about the blue collar man in the unemployment line and we totally identify with the average hard working people that are facing difficult economic times.
We want to say thank you with affordable tickets for you and your family,” said James “JY” Young of Styx.

“Super line up, amazing songs, can’t wait, let’s rock,” said Foreigner’s Mick Jones.

The three rock legends will team up for an evening full of some of the most memorable rock songs ever recorded, mining 30 years of hits on a tour that will take them to Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, Virginia Beach, DC, New York, Boston, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Detroit and more cities to be announced.
For additional information on the United In Rock tour, please visit LiveNation.com. Tour dates so far are listed below:

5/14 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
5/15 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
5/18 – Los Angeles, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre
5/21 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre
5/23 – Jackpot, NV - Cactus Petes Casino
5/25 - Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion
5/30 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
6/3 - Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre
6/4 - Maryland Heights, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis
6/5 - Chicago, IL – Charter One Pavilion
6/7 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park
6/13 - Gilford, NH - US Cellular Pavilion
6/20 - Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion

WALKER, MINNESOTA (March 1, 2010) – Collective Soul, Jonny Lang, Don Felder, Hoobastank and Blackberry Smoke have all been added to this year’s Moondance Jam schedule, joining the previously-announced Lynyrd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar (with Neil Giraldo) and Buckcherry. Now the country’s largest classic rock festival, this year’s event will take place July 14-17, 2010 in Walker, Minnesota. Tickets are available now at www.moondancejam.com or by calling 1-877-MOONJAM.

Collective Soul is still touring behind its self-titled 2009 release that featured the hit single “Welcome All Again,” and makes its first ever Jam appearance this year. The quintet is still best known for its massive singles “Shine,” “December” and “Heavy,” and has sold over eight million records in the U.S. during its 15 year career.

Lang returns for the second time to Walker and the first since he won a Grammy in 2007 for his “Turn Around” record. Former Eagle Felder will perform his “Evening at the Hotel California” set that features many of his former band’s greatest songs. Atlanta-based southern rocker group Blackberry Smoke is still touring behind its “Little Piece of Dixie” set, while modern rockers Hoobastank bring its big hits “My Turn,” “The Reason,” “Crawling in the Dark” and “Running Away” to the ever-expanding party.

Tickets are now available in a variety of packages. Concert goers can purchase Rockstar All Access (with onstage viewing), three-day VIP, three-day general admission, weekend packages and single day admission, as well as camping sites and parking passes by contacting the Jam office in Walker. At the festival, general admission tickets get you front row access-there is no VIP in-front seating in Walker.

An official announcement concerning the entire festival line-up is due sometime later this month. Expect 15 bands to pack the main stage over three days and many more side stage acts to be added in the coming months.

The Moondance Jam has been held at the same location in Walker since 1992. This year marks the 19th edition of the festival, which was started by resident Bill Bieloh. The Moondance Jam and its sister festival, Moondance Jamming Country Fest, help bring thousands of music fans to the Walker area every summer. Its idyllic location, situated in the middle of Chippewa National Forest on a private 300-acre ranch and located on the third largest lake in Minnesota, houses thousands of camping sites during the festivals, and has been cited by many as to why they return year after year to Walker for the shows.

PRESS RELEASE: He’s sold more than 22 million albums, and there seems to be no end to his potential. Kid Rock will play in concert at the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground Monday, Aug. 4, the official start date of the annual Sturgis Motorcycyle Rally.

Frontiers Records is very proud to announce the signing of legendary rock band Whitesnake.

David Coverdale and band are gearing up for their latest endeavour. Whitesnake has already started composing new material that promises to deliver one of the finest chapters in Whitesnake’s career. “We are off to a very good start, with the new songs taking positive shape. It feels good, fresh & exciting,” explains Coverdale.

The next release already feels like a solid, natural progression to their last opus, the successful, critically acclaimed ‘Good To Be Bad’ album, awarded by the influential Classic Rock magazine as “Best Album of the Year” in 2008. “As always, we want to take it to the next level,” states’ Coverdale. “I feel that with the last album we achieved a strong Whitesnake ‘cocktail’ that comfortably embraced & mixed all the previous musical aspects & styles of the band’s history, while taking our identity a little further…all on one album.”

Born in 1977, Whitesnake have been among the most influential representatives of the their genre, having produced numerous rock music classics such as ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Is This Love’, ‘Still Of The Night’, ‘Fool For Your Loving’, ‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’ or ‘Walking In The Shadows Of The Blues’.

Coverdale said the production team for the new album will most likely be the infamous Brutal Brothers, or Los Bros Brutalos, who handled the recording of “Good To Be Bad”. “The new songs are in the very familiar and recognizable Whitesnake territory of soulful, bluesy, melodic power rock, with a couple of ballads thrown in for good measure… It can’t be a Whitesnake album without ballads, mate!”

Whitesnake have conquered the love and respect of the audiences all over the world with their driving shows and music. The new album promises to follow in the steps of a great heritage of solid and timeless songs.
For more information, please visit www.whitesnake.com and www.frontiers.it.

Press Release: Thunder Mountain RockFest is coming to the Rock Dakota Ranch in Sawyer, North Dakota. Thunder Mountain RockFest is a three day outdoor rock festival that will feature different eras of music on each day.

The festival is slated for July 8 -10th, with a pre-party to be held on July 7th at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased online or at www.rockdakota.com; camping is also available. Signed acts include Night Ranger, Hinder, KIX, Default, and Great White. Complete lineup details are below:

Thursday:

ASIA feat. JOHN PAYNE:  John Payne fronted ASIA for 14 years. In 2006, John formed “ASIA Featuring John Payne.” The current lineup is John Payne- Vocalist/Bassist, Erik  Norlander – Keyboards, Jay Schellen – Drums, Mitch Perry – Guitar. They are currently performing songs from the entire history of Asia, including “Heat of the Moment.”

FOGHAT: A British rock band who had their peak success in the mid- to late-1970s. The band has achieved five gold records. Their song “Slow Ride” was featured in the 1993 American movie Dazed and Confused.

THE SWEET: British glam rock band Sweet became popular during the 1970s with hit songs such as “Ballroom Blitz,” “Wig Wam Bam” and “Fox On the Run.”

BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS W/CHUCK NEGRON OF 3 DOG NIGHT: Throughout the years, BS&T sold over 35 million albums and won several Grammy Awards. Since late 2005, the band often does shows backing up former Three Dog Night singer Chuck Negron, where the group will play its own set and then another set that includes Chuck’s Three Dog Night hits.

THE GUESS WHO: The world famous Canadian band that broke into the charts with songs such as “Shakin’ All Over”, “These Eyes” and “American Woman.”

Friday

NELSON: Glam metal band founded by Matthew and Gunnar Nelson. They had a No. 1 hit in the United States with “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection.”

JANI LANE FORMERLY OF WARRANT: American recording artist who was the lead vocalist and songwriter for the glam metal band Warrant. “Cherry Pie,” which is arguably Warrant’s most well-known song was written by Lane in about fifteen minutes.

GREAT WHITE: Gained popularity during the 1980s and early 1990s. The band released several albums in the late 1980s and gained airplay on MTV with music videos for songs like “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.”

KIX: Their self-titled debut album featured live favorites like “Atomic Bombs” and “The Kid.”  Their 1983 follow-up, “Cool Kids,” showcased a slightly more commercial side of the band. Spearheaded by the single “Body Talk,” They also released “Midnite Dynamite” — their “self-proclaimed favorite record ever.” The album featured a great single, “Cold Shower,” and some other notable cuts like “Sex” and “Bang Bang.”

SURVIVOR: The band is best known for its Double Platinum-certified 1982 mega-hit “Eye of the Tiger,” the theme song for the motion picture Rocky III. Singles like “Burning Heart,” “The Search Is Over,” “High on You“ and “I Can’t Hold Back.”

NIGHT RANGER: One of the most successful touring and recording bands of the 1980s. Their popularity was fueled by an impressive string of instantly recognizable hit singles  including “Sister Christian,” “(You Can Still) Rock In America,” “When You Close Your Eyes,” “Sentimental Street,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and “Restless Kind,” to name but a few.

Saturday

THE VEER UNION: Released their debut album, “Against the Grain,” on April 21, 2009. “Against the Grain” has reached number 32 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers. Their first single, “Seasons”, has reached number 10 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. “Seasons” was also the official theme song for WWE Backlash 2009. The band has toured with Hinder, Theory of a Deadman, Seether , Black Stone Cherry, Sick Puppies and Hurt.

EGYPT CENTRAL: Rising from the streets of Memphis, Tennessee. Their self-titled CD debuted at #1 for independent releases in Memphis – going on to sell nearly 7,000 copies within a few months. “Taking You Down” was selected to be on the soundtrack for the movie The Cave. In the summer of 2007, Egypt Central played several dates with Ozzfest. They also played several dates with the Family Values Tour, were they opened the main stage.

CAVO: An American post-grunge/hard rock band from St. Louis, Missouri. Their single “Champagne” has reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. The band has toured with Crue Fest 2, Daughtry, LifeHouse, Puddle of Mudd, Sick Puppies just to name a few.

FRAMING HANLEY: A five-piece outfit from Nashville. They are best known for their songs “Hear Me Now” and “Lollipop.” According to their Twitter, once they reach 10,000 followers, they will release the name of the next album. On January 25th 2010, they got 10,000 followers and it was announced that the next album will be titled “A Promise To Burn” and will be released on 5/4/2010.

DEFAULT: A Canadian post-grunge/alternative rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. Since forming in 1999 they have released four albums, and have sold more than a million records. They gained popularity in the United States for their hit singles “Wasting My Time” and “Deny.”

HINDER: Released “Extreme Behavior” in 2005. The album generated five singles, including several that crossed over onto the pop charts. “Lips of an Angel” was the biggest smash. Their follow-up album,” Take It to the Limit,” on November 4, 2008. The lead single, “Use Me,” quickly climbed up the mainstream rock charts.

Stop the presses – it looks like the endless Aerosmith lead singer drama may be coming to an abrupt end. All five boys from Boston have been signed to play the Download Festival 2010 in the United Kingdom, and yes – that’s with Steven Tyler.

By now everyone is familiar with at least part of the story. Aerosmith played the Buffalo Chip Amphitheater at the Sturgis Bike Rally in August and the tour came to a halt when Tyler took a rough fall from the stage. We covered that historic concert, and you can view photos at this link.

Nasty slip aside, it was the ensuing war of words that bruised the band as Joe Perry and Steven Tyler gave conflicting reports about the state of the group. But now, the Download Festival has a reunited Aerosmith in writing. Classic Rock Magazine reports that as part of the contract to play the gig, Tyler must be present as lead singer.

AC/DC, Rage Against the Machine, and Them Crooked Vulture are among the other bands signed for Download. Tickets are available at this link.

Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant has been working on a new solo album, his first in five years. Titled “It’s Rude to Say No,” the release is set to hit stores later this year with a guest appearance from Nashville singer/songwriter Darrell Scott. With producer Buddy Miller, Plant has been at work on the album for the better part of the last two months.

Darrell Scott spoke to writer Tom Netherland about working with Plant, “Those two-plus weeks were some of the most memorable times I’ve ever had in the studio. The number one thing is that Robert loves music. You think they’re posing and just getting through it, but I was humbled with how Robert Plant loved the music…old country, blues, rockabilly.”

It’s not known if Alison Krauss (pictured with Plant) will be featured on the new solo effort. Other musicians comprising Plant’s line-up have also yet to be revealed. On February 25th, the singer will take the stage for a cause at the Abbey Road Studios in London with a choir of 72. Proceeds will benefit Cancer Research UK; more information can be found at Plant’s official website.

Two highly respected solo artists have been added to an already impressive line-up at the Moondance Jam in Walker, Minnesota, set for July 15, 16, and 17 this summer. Former Eagles member Don Felder, and blues singer/songwriter Jonny Lang will grace the stage on separate nights of the three-day festival. Buckcherry, Pat Benatar, REO Speedwagon, and Lynyrd Skynyrd are also on the list of bands confirmed.

Don Felder hit the big time in the early 1970s when he was asked to join the Eagles as their lead guitarist. He was a member of the band until its breakup in 1980, co-writing such hits as “Hotel California” and even singing lead on “Visions“, an album track from One of These Nights. On Friday, July 16, Felder will present “A Night at the Hotel California” for the Jammers in Walker.

Jonny Lang is only 29 years old. But the North Dakota native’s music and vocal talent is in the mold of a much more experienced blues musician. Lang began playing guitar at 12, and was signed to A&M Records by age 14. Since then, he’s toured with The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, B.B. King, Sting, and Jeff Beck – releasing five acclaimed studio albums in between.

The Moondance Jam features festival seating and a rock concert atmosphere that is second to none. Tickets are available by calling 1-877-MOONJAM, or by visiting MoondanceJam.com. You can view our coverage of last year’s festival by clicking here.

PRESS RELEASE: More than 38 bands will once again come together to celebrate rock at the fourth annual Rock on the Range, set for May 22 and 23 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The lineup includes first-timer “Rangers” Rob Zombie, Godsmack (in their first announced show of 2010), the return of Limp Bizkit and the festival solo debut of Velvet Revolver/ex-Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. The two-day lineup for America’s premiere destination rock festival includes some of the most rocking artists in music today. In addition, marking another first for Rock on the Range, Mistress Juliya of Fuse TV has signed on as the hostess and Mistress of Ceremonies for the event.

Del Williams, co-executive producer of the event for Right Arm Entertainment, explains: “We designed ROTR 2010 to be the biggest weekend of ROCK at an incredibly low ticket price for the fans affectionately referred to as the ‘Rangers.’ This year’s line-up represents the most compelling mix of bands that we have ever had. Godsmack is one of the most prolific active rock bands of all time, and the intrepid Rob Zombie is an unrivaled performer. We are particularly excited about the return of Limp Bizkit, who have been tearing it up at European festivals. It is time for them to come back to America and remind people why they were at one time one of the biggest bands in the world.”

“In four short years, this festival has become like no other in the United States,” added Joe Litvag, co-executive producer of the festival for AEG Live. “We’ve been fortunate enough to create something that caters to a very specific music lover, and the fans have become truly rabid for it. Rock on the Range has become the summer destination for an entire nation of rock fans…It’s amazing, really.”

Two-day weekend festival passes start at just $99.50. A special pre-sale for Rock on the Range fans will start February 16 and for the first time, fans can buy their tickets this year via a layaway plan.

“The vision of Rock on the Range has always been to provide a premiere rock festival for a very affordable price,” said Mark McCullers, President and General Manager of the Columbus Crew. “Each year we look for new ways to enhance the fans’ experience. Two specific improvements for 2010 are an increased viewing area for our fans at the Jägermeister stage and a layaway plan as an additional payment option for our Rock on the Range fans.”

Details of the layaway plan as well as VIP packages that include festival tickets, hotel accommodations and festival merchandise can be found at RockOnTheRange.com. All tickets go on sale February 20 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) via RockOnTheRange.com and Ticketmaster.com, all local Ticketmaster outlets and at the Crew Stadium box office.

The 2010 Rock on the Range lineup is as follows: Godsmack, Rob Zombie, Limp Bizkit, Three Days Grace, Slash, Seether, Rise Against, Papa Roach, Deftones, Theory of a Deadman, Mastodon, Killswitch Engage, Coheed & Cambria, Bullet for My Valentine, Puddle of Mudd, Five Finger Death Punch, Apocalyptica, Drowning Pool, Halestorm, Sevendust, Skillet, Mushroomhead, Helmet, Airbourne, Amberlin, Cold, Nonpoint, 2Cents, Adelita’s Way, Shaman’s Harvest, Year Long Disaster, Like a Storm, Taddy Porter, Janus, and Noise Auction.