PowerPlay FYInfo

2011-12-09T02:55:00.001-08:00

"The Eyes Have It" is one of our favorite songs on the CD, A Normal Life, due out in February 2012. It was written two years ago and recorded during 2010 and 2011. It captures the spirit of a classic Tower of Power song, "Soul Vaccination", but this one is for the guys who can't get enough of those eyes.

You often hear guys talk about being a "leg" man, "breast" man or "booty" man but it's time we heard from the "eye" men. Join us in a rousing chorus all ye fine gentlemen, "The Eyes Have It!"

2011-12-01T02:29:00.001-08:00

The CD is finally happening. Manufacturing starts in early December. It certainly took more time than planned but life just happens. With a band our size there's plenty of life to tend to. But we think that the effort was worth it. The CD, appropriately titled, A Normal Life, is all about musicians doing what they're passionate about despite any obstacles.

Most of the band members went out for dinner to enjoy each others company and to listen to the mastered tracks. We got a private room and brought along a PC, some headphone amps and lots of headphones. We shared a sense of pride at what we heard and the excitement level is high.

All Over the Place Records is the label for our CD which will be available as a physical product as well as a download. The official release date is not set but it will likely be in February 2012. We'll actually have the CDs in our hands in December and may have some pre-release sales for fans who come out to see us at Navy Pier Winter WonderFest on December 16 at 7:30pm.

We've posted a sample on YouTube at http://youtu.be/Q772IoJbj4Q. Take a listen. More news will be coming out here as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Debut of Two Original's

2011-01-11T16:11:00.000-08:00

The debut of two songs from our upcoming CD took place on Mike Kara's, "Eye on the Community", internet radio show. "The Power of Love" and "The Eyes Have It" are featured at the end of parts 2 and 3 of a 3 part interview with PowerPlay FYI keyboardist and composer, Ruben. The previously release original single, "Amparo" is also featured at the end of part 1.

In addition to the original songs, demo covers of Michael Jackson's, "Thriller", Ne-Yo's, "Closer", and Jeniffer Lopez's, "Let's Get Loud", open each interview segment and showcase PowerPlay FYI's versatility.

This officially kicks off the buzz about the CD which will be titled, A Normal Life. Find out more about the title and the rest of the songs in the interview. You can listen to it at http://www.mikekara.com/radioshow.html.

A Normal Life: Status

2011-01-09T21:23:00.000-08:00

Our debut original CD titled, "A Normal Life", is well on it's way to completion. The CD is a tribute to musicians living a "normal" life and "anormal" life - one life to make a living outside of music and another to pursue their passion to create and perform.

Status

Most of the instruments are done, the lead vocals are done and we just recorded some background vocals (pictured) to sweeten things up. A few more brass sessions and we're on our way to mixing and mastering this massive project. The graphic artwork concept is taking shape. Of course we need to make sure all the legal paperwork is taken care of too (we'll be calling, Bert).

We're targeting a late March to early April release. The buzz will start in earnest with an interview on the Mike Kara Radio Show, Eye on the Community podcast this month where we'll debut pre-release versions of some of the songs.

Enough dreaming for tonight. Gotta get up and go to work in the morning. ;-)

2010-09-15T01:38:00.000-07:00

A HISTORY LESSON

Pictured is the One Way band circa 1979. Recognize any of those handsome dudes? That's PowerPlay FYI keyboardist Ruben (second from right) and PowerPlay FYI alum and vocalist Mike (right).

Also pictured from left to right are "Cisco" (guitar), John (bass and lead vocals), Julian (trombone and lead vocals), Wo (sax and congas).

This is actually the second One Way. The original performed from 1972 to 1977. In 1977, Julian, Wo and Ruben formed the second which lasted until 1979. Members of the original and second later formed The Business and eventually PowerPlay FYI.

DEAR JOHN

In the youthfulness of those early years we formed lifelong bonds. We played together, sang together but mostly we dreamed together. It's with great sadness that we received news of John's passing on August 16, 2010.

John was a joker and kept us laughing all the time. He had a knack for keeping our spirits up through good times and bad. He was a talented bass player and singer. With his vocal range he could belt out the stratospheric arias made famous by Phillip Bailey in the classic Earth, Wind and Fire song, "Reasons". Yet at the same time, he could lay down those solid bass lines.

OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER

Life isn't always fair and musicians often work more for the love of their craft. So it goes that we return a favor and help raise the spirits of John's family by donating of our craft at a "Celebration of Life" fund raiser to be held in his memory on September 19th, 2010, at Bobby McGee's in Chicago Ridge.

Wally (also a great bass player, One Way alum, and John's brother-in-law) along with his wife (John's sister Virge) and John's other relatives are hosting this event. PowerPlay FYI, The Business and other guest musicians will be joining in. All are invited.

Vocalists Hit the Studio for the Demo

2010-05-11T00:12:00.000-07:00

After multiple sessions laying down the instrument tracks for the new demo CD, the vocalists hit the studio and what a relief! You can lay down the slickest grooves but if the vocals don't shine, nothing does.

Pam led the charge in a solo session last Thrsday that kicked open the doors proclaiming, "now hear this!".

Following on the heels of Pam's tour de force, Janie and Pete completed the lead vocal tracks and harmonies just as impressively.

Rounding out the playlist for the new demo will be cuts from our current demo featuring outstanding vocals by Hila and Mike. We're also planning for a voiceover introduction to help tell our story.

The economy is bad all over and the music scene is no exception. Now more than ever, people want to hear before they buy. As part of our new promo kit this demo will go a long way to getting PowerPlay FYI to more ears. We promise to start sharing the results soon.

Back in the Studio

2010-05-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

We're back in the studio working on two major projects; an original CD and cover demo. Why both? PowerPlay FYI covers lots of ground musically. Lots of members with many tastes and experiences. We meet somewhere in the middle and that middle is pretty wide.

The original CD will include our guitarist, Dave's, lush intro to our first single release, Amparo. It really completes the story of love across cultures. Other tunes include Crazy Music, A Normal Life and The Eyes Have It. The CD will also feature a guest appearance by world-class drummer Ernie Adams (Chick Corea, Al DiMeola, Ramsey Lewis, Ernie Adams Forcetet). Other guests are being planned.

Pictured: Ernie Adams (right) and PowerPlay FYI keyboardist Ruben Agosto

The demo pulls together lots of our cover material. Let's face it, there's lots of terrific music out there that we all love to hear and connects with our lives. We take great pleasure in connecting with people through the covers they love.