HardieAvenue
“Beautiful Words”
Location: Tulsa, OK
“We want our music to come across as worship songs with encouraging and an uplifting beat.”
L to R: Bryan Norris, Allen Finch, Michael Peterson, Trinity Tate, Brianne Webb
Country music artist Michael Peterson and his business partner Jill Chambers visited Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group to discuss the possibilities of working together on future projects.
With nine tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, six since December 2010, Michael Peterson is the 2008 recipient of the distinguished Bob Hope “Spirit Of Hope” award for his service to the nation and the servicemen and women of the Armed Forces. He is loved for such million selling country music chart toppers as “Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie” and “From Here To Eternity. This multiple Grammy and CMA award nominee has moved audiences all over the globe for over a decade.
Recognized by Billboard Magazine as Country music’s top selling new male artist and top new airplay artist in 1997 -1998, he burst on the scene with 5 consecutive Billboard and R & R top 20 hits between 1997 and 2001 including three top five singles and three number one music videos. His wedding standard “From Here To Eternity” was recently chosen as one of G.A.C’s top 100 greatest love song videos of all time.
Michael has recorded 16 albums during his 25 years, 7 in the past 5 years. As fans would expect, these are filled with his signature up-tempo songs, full of lyrical surprises and straight to the heart ballads that have caused more than a million people to add his music to their favorites play list. One of those recent collections titled “IN BLACK ” prompted Country music’s pre-eminent music critic Robert K. Oermann to remark: “Michael Peterson has made the album of his career.”
A proven hit songwriter with multiple #1 songs in gospel and country, both in the U.S and Europe, Michael’s songs have been recorded by Grammy winning superstars like Travis Tritt, Timothy B. Shmit (The Eagles), The Classic Imperials, Ty Herndon, John Berry and Deniece “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” Williams.
His commitment to “Moving People” has caused organizations as diverse Special Olympics, Selective Service, Ronald McDonald House, the USO, St Jude Children’s research hospital, the American Legion and most recently the New Holland Corporation and the U.S. Army to seek him out as a voice for messages that matter.
Sponsored by Sea-Ray Boats, The American Legion, New Holland Tractors and presenting sponsor the U.S. Army, Michael’s MY REAL LIFE TOUR featuring the highly acclaimed student discovery experience TAG YOU’RE IT! has captivated over 150,000 students and their families since 2007. This marks the first time in history the U.S. Army is backing an innovative tour by a civilian artist.
“34 Bliss! 34 Bliss! 34 Bliss!” the crowd chanted, charged with anticipation. As the band took the stage, fans erupted with cheers and applause and local favorites 34 Bliss opened their eight song set with a wildly intense original called “Scream 2.” The pure raw energy of this talented young band, combined with their natural and commanding stage presence and the hypnotic vocals of lead singer Rocquel, had the crowd on their feet non-stop for the next forty-five minutes. They delivered an inspired, hard-rocking performance that often had me wondering if I wasn’t watching a road-seasoned band playing for thousands of their die-hard fans.
The Emerald Theater in Mount Clemens hosted a free showcase of Michigan rock and roll talent Saturday, Dec. 17. Sponsored by Metro 37 Recording Studios of Rochester Hills, Detroit rock radio station WRIF, and with support from record label Tate Music Group, 34 Bliss celebrated the official release of their debut self-titled CD with other Michigan bands Discrete Heat, Switchline, No Quarter, Through Your Eyes and Citizen Zero, and headliners Pop Evil, a band from Grand Rapids that is enjoying national success.
The show was a strong testament to the fact that Michigan’s long musical legacy is alive and well in many up and coming bands from around the state. I had the opportunity to talk with the members of 34 Bliss before the show and find out just where they get their talent and inspiration.
The current line-up has been practicing and performing together for three years, although several members have known each other much longer and have shared the stage with each other before 34 Bliss.
Lead singer Rocquel, of Metamora, has been singing since she 
was six years old and began vocal training in seventh grade, spending several years studying opera. But with personal hero Aretha Franklin and influences from Stevie Nicks to Kid Rock, it’s no surprise that she soon lent her considerable talent and range to the rock and roll music that she loves. She gained experience through several sessions of Lapeer’s Riverstreet Music & Café’s School of Rock, and is planning to begin giving lessons through her own “Rocky’s Vocal Academy” this spring. On stage, Rocquel is a powerful, riveting frontwoman and focal point of 34 Bliss’s performance.
Jonny Guitar on lead guitar brings his influences from 80’s rock like Eddie Van Halen, Mick Mars (Motley Crue) and George Lynch (Dokken). He says he became interested in music at a young age and “began listening to old Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, and Alice Cooper before he even knew who they were.” After hearing Van Halen’s “Eruption,” for the first time, he knew that was what he wanted to do. Equally proficient with furious shredding and emotive melody, his leads often sound like a second voice intertwined with Rocquels vocals. He has also been busy building custom guitars with his dad.
Also on guitar, Phil Blunt adds his own blend of punk and grunge influenced rhythms. With his distinctive ‘fro and retro stage attire he looks like a throwback to the psychedelic bands of the 60’s, but his aggressive sound is all rock and roll. On stage he’s a fireball, never in one place for very long, and often with both feet off the ground. He cites Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) and Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) as influences and says his approach to the band’s music is carefree fun and high energy.
Palmer Krehel is the foundation of the band’s rhythm section on drums. The youngest member of 34 Bliss at 15, Palmer has been anchoring bands for years. Like Rocquel, he’s also an alumnus of the Riverstreet Music Café’s School of Rock as well as the Lapeer-based Young Musician’s Community’s “Third Degree Burns” project, a non-profit organization that teaches kids the ins-and-outs of playing in a rock and roll band for free and performs at several mid-Michigan events throughout the year. Palmer lists Neil Peart (Rush) and Travis Barker (Blink 182) among his influences, and you can hear them in his performance – a high energy punk drive tempered with economy and precision.
Spider rounds out the band’s lineup on bass. Before 34 Bliss, Spider also spent time with Lapeer’s School of Rock and Third Degree Burns. He takes his cues from the likes of Geddy Lee (Rush) and Steve Harris (Iron Maiden). His aggressive bass lines rumble through the mix, combining with Palmer’s drum engine to propel the band’s songs forward through their set, while on stage he alternates engaging with other members of the band and the fans in the first few rows, never missing a beat.
While 34 Bliss is a young band, it’s apparent that their musical roots run deep. Their original songs combine the sounds of rock and roll from the last forty years, the soulful sound of the blues from even longer ago, and the fresh energy and edge of current alternative rock. At its heart, it’s just plain rock or as Spider describes it, “rock of ages.”
Several of their songs contrast slower, softer verses built around Rocquel’s expert control of dynamics and nuance with powerhouse choruses and razor-sharp guitar breaks.
A crowd favorite at the Emerald was their cover of Heart’s “Crazy On You.” It may be a rock and roll standard, but 34 Bliss made the song their own, incorporating a delicate interlude with Phil’s acoustic picking and Rocquel’s vocal improvisation. While their sound is heavy, their message is positive and they strive to provide an uplifting and inspiring experience for their listeners. Their songwriting is collaborative and comes from their own life experiences. Rocquel says “our music is very personal, passionate, and projects momentum.
And momentum is certainly something that 34 Bliss has experienced as a band this year, from winning a WRIF contest this spring to open for Eddie Money at DTE, to signing with Tate Music Group, to recording their first full-length CD with Metro 37.
Rocquel’s mom and band manager Jackie Wallace says she’s become fully immersed in promoting and supporting the band. “I never imagined I’d be doing this,” she said. “It’s a full time job,” added Rocquel.
As 34 Bliss wrapped up their set with “Give In,” they once again had the audience eating out of their hand as Rocquel sang “I won’t give in” and the crowd sang back “I won’t give up.” The evening was a chance to see that despite the tough times Michigan has faced in recent years, there is still a never-ending well of talented young musicians pursuing their dreams laying here, continuing our state’s legacy of creating music that will be playing for the ages.
—- Jill Fleisher
34 Bliss’s debut CD, “34 Bliss” will be available on iTunes and Amazon mid January 2012, and you’ll also be able to grab a copy at The Parlour in Hadley. For more info or to keep up with the band’s schedule of live performances you can check outhttp://www.34bliss.com/ and www.facebook.com/thirtyfourbliss
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Watch the Official Music Video for “Learn to Fly”:
34 Bliss “34 Bliss”Location: Metamora, MI
“For an energetic, edgy combination of classic rock and new sounds, check out 34 Bliss’ new self-titled album, full of fun and uplifting songs that speak to the soul.”
TMG’s Tiffany Alvord Debuts at #2
Tate Music Group is proud to announce the release of Tiffany Alvord’s newest album. “My Dream” has debuted at Number 2 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts following a pre-sale campaign created by Tate Music Group. Tate Music Group sent out a press announcement for the pre-release to over 4,500 media contacts and premiered the “My Dream” Pre-Release commercial on YouTube and National Television Networks a week prior to her December 20th release. During that time, fans of Tiffany Alvord’s music were able to buy “My Dream” at a special price. Tate Music Group has currently made “My Dream” available for digital download on iTunes worldwide, and her official CD Release will soon follow nationwide. The CD is also available for purchase on the Tate Publishing Bookstore. TMG expects great things from the young YouTube starlet and her new recording career.
Tiffany Alvord
“My Dream”
Location: Palmdale, CA
Buy “My Dream” CD here
Download “My Dream” today on iTunes
Along with the recent pre-sale announcement, Tiffany made a video for her YouTube followers. In the video, Tiffany shares her self-recorded tracks alongside the TMG-produced tracks, her Tate Music Group produced pre-release commercial, and a special message for fans. Check it out below:
New TMG artist on Atlanta Live
Tate Music Group artist T Culler interviewed on Atlanta Live about the growth and success of his Christian Rock career and his new project with Tate Music Group.
Watch all of the T Culler Atlanta Live performances and interview
Tate Music Group was able to get two of their performing artists, Lee Greenwood and Voices of Glory, together in Branson, Missouri this past weekend. Tate Music Group set up their meeting at Lee’s concert, as well as a surprise performance at the Voices of Glory concert when Lee Greenwood joined the Gospel trio on stage. It was an exciting time for the young group as they joined together with CMA veteran Lee Greenwood for a special rendering of “God Bless America.”
WE THE PEOPLE: “We The People thank TMG for such a well organized and successful SXSW experience. We are proud to be apart of such an innovative and talented group of professionals. It was an honor for our band to represent TMG at their first SXSW showcase.” JUSTIN CROSS: “Wow, what to say about SXSW… First off, it was an honor to even be asked to come and take part in the showcase at Friends Bar. To be surrounded by so many musicians and music enthusiasts was a bit overwhelming at first, but I got into the spirit of things very quickly. To see such a broad range of musical styles all together in one city and such a wide range of people coming out just to hang out with one another and listen to tunes was awesome. Austin itself was a beautiful city to play music in and I hope, through the contacts I made while I was there, that I get the chance to go back soon. The Variance Showcase was a blast and it was great to get to mingle with the other bands and encourage one another in what we were all trying to do with our lives and music. All I can really say is that I was honored and thankful for the opportunity and can’t wait to possibly do it again next year!” MICHELLE BUZZ: “Michelle & I would like to express our deepest appreciation to all of you for allowing Michelle to participate in The Variance Showcase. Michelle’s “Texas Swing” was very successful. It was great playing and meeting new folks in Austin, I thought I heard someone say the lead singer of Neon Trees was impressed with Michelle. We are looking forward to promoting her as a showcase artist next year (no moss growing under our feet, Ha!).”
Country Music Hall of Famer and Host of Hee Haw, Roy Clark has been legendary in the entertainment world, and is now in final negotiations with Tate Music Group and Tate Publishing for both music and book deals. Roy Clark and TMG are expecting the release of these projects later this year.
TMG artist Ascension Day featured at Unity Fest
Ascension Day will be performing, alongside big names like Barlow Girl and Rush of Fools.
You can also find them playing at Rocketown and Cornerstone Festival.
Sample their music right here:
“Hope Like This”
“Live”
“Heal”
Tate Music Group continues to create more opportunities for artists to be seen and heard. TMG Marketing Reps work with the artist to set up TV Commercials, Radio Ads, Music Videos and more.
TV Commercials
Through our award-winning multimedia department, we are now offering full production of commercials that we will be airing on national television to gain an entire new level of visibility and promotion for our books, music, and events.
Music Videos
We’re so excited to begin working with artists to create first class HD videos that we can push to television in addition to viral marketing.
Variance Magazine
Our quarterly music magazine, Variance, is now an available resource for our artists. Our Variance staff can create a promotional magazine for your band or business. Your music, your content.
View an artist sample
Read the latest issue of Variance
Radio Ads
With the help of our Radio Dept and our multimedia staff, TMG artists have the ability to spread the good word about their music through radio spots. These campaigns run within the artist’s market and are able to reach thousands of listeners.
