Trevor Menear's debut due out July 15

Trevor Menear’s debut album, Introducing Trevor Menear will be released by Shangri-La Music digitally on July 15, 2008 and the CD version on august 1, exclusively through the CIMS retail network (Coalition of Independent Music Stores), it was announced today. The Chicago-based rock guitarist is also scheduled to perform several hometown shows throughout the summer.

Menear, 23 is winning over fans and critics, alike, with a talent well beyond his age. A born musician, he picked up the guitar at the early age of 10 and has been playing festivals since he was a kid, jamming with the likes of Jonny Winter, Sugar Blue, Ted Nugent, Buckwheat Zydeco and many other notable musicians. At the age of 13, he was one of the youngest musicians to play the House of Blues in his hometown of Chicago.

“We’re thrilled to be working with such a gifted young artist,” says Jeff Ayeroff, Co-president of Shangri-La Music. “Trevor embodies the type of inventive musicians we are looking forward to helping develop and expand their careers.”

Menear’s songwriting, guitar playing and producing talents attracted a number of well known guests for this CD debut including Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, kd lang) on pedal steel guitar, Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters) on organ, David Leach (Ben Harper) on percussion, Tony Llorens (B.B. King, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan) on organ and vocals from C.C. White (Ryan Adams) and Grammy-winner Grey DeLisle.

“It was a pleasure to play on Trevor’s new album. He plays with the inspiration and sensitivity of someone far beyond his years,” says Llorens. “I have worked with Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan and can therefore say that Trevor is following in their footsteps.”

Grey DeLisle also spoke to Menear’s talent in saying, “Trevor’s strong point of view and clarity of vision are qualities that most artists struggle a lifetime to establish.”

While Introducing Trevor Menear is his debut album of original material, Menear recently gained attention with his cover of John Lennon’s “John Sinclair” on Warner Bros. Records’ Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. The track, with a retro sound recorded on 78 rpm acetate with a 1930’s resonator guitar, appears on the American Express and iTunes digital box set editions of the compilation. Menear also won over crowds at this year’s SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX with multiple showcase appearances and guest spots with soul artist Chris Pierce.

Journalists worldwide are also taking note of Menear’s guitar skills. CrossRoads Magazine in France raved, “At 21, his playing is on par with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Johnny Lang at the height of their glory.”

In a review of Menear’s live show, the Grand Rapids Press praised his “extraordinary guitar work and voice that belies his age.” The paper went on to say Menear is “on the cusp of something big.”

Trevor Menear will kick off the album release with both solo acoustic and full band shows throughout Chicago this summer and will be returning to Michigan on August 2nd where he will take the stage as part of Grand Haven’s annual Coast Guard Festival. He will also appear as a guest on the WGN 720 Chicago radio show Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan on July 27.

Trevor Menear Tour Dates:

6/25 Underground Lounge Chicago, IL Solo Acoustic Show
7/2 Underground Lounge Chicago, IL Solo Acoustic Show
7/23 Underground Lounge Chicago, IL Full Band Show
8/2 Coast Guard Festival Grand Haven, MI Full Band Show
8/4 The Elbo Room Chicago, IL Full Band Show

About Shangri-La Music:
Headed by Jeff Ayeroff, former Co-Chairman of Virgin Records America, Co-President of The Work Group and Vice Chairman of Warner Brothers Records, and his longtime Rock the Vote partner Jon Rubin, Shangri-La Music is a new joint venture with Shangri-La Entertainment. Along with Trevor Menear, early signings to the label include UK rock band The Duke Spirit and Parisian rock quartet Neimo.

More information on Trevor Menear is available at www.trevormenear.com or www.myspace.com/trevormenear.