PHENOMENAL SPLIT BILL
June 5th, 2009 8 pm
Boulevard Music
4316 Sepulveda Blvd.,
Culver City,CA 90230
Tel. (310) 398-2583
Nathan McEuen and Scott Gates
&
Robert Earl Longley
Robert Earl Longley, also known as Robby, is a world-class level guitarist and symphonic composer from New Orleans whose original compositions are available on nine CDs. "Diaspora" (the ninth CD) is the newest release for 2007. In addition, Robert composed two powerful soundtracks for films that screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
In his concert material, Roberts jaw-dropping fingerstyle techniques on the flamenco guitar always deliver fresh, sophisticated Third Stream-like jazzy melodies within classically inspired movements rather than producing traditional flamenco music as one would expect. Besides using a wide variety of musical instruments, the guitar is present in all of Roberts compositions.
Perhaps his love of the acoustic guitar is a throwback from his Andalusian ancestry on his mothers side. To be sure, Its almost as if he is not playing, but instead whatever he is feeling is coming out of the guitar, as one audience member put it.
Robert confirms this in reply, As a child, I strummed the guitar unconsciously. As a young man, I endeavored to strum it consciously. Now, I strum the guitar as I did as a child---unconsciously. That is to say, the guitar plays itself through me.
From childhood, Roberts talent for music was fostered by his parents who exposed him to the inescapable influence of jazz and blues from nearby New Orleans along with the classical composers and such guitar artists as Carlos Montoya, Chet Atkins, Paco de Lucia and Julian Bream. As an adolescent, Robert found himself further inspired by the groundbreaking keyboard virtuosity of Keith Emerson who, ironically, claimed to have been inspired by the guitar work of Pete Townsend and Jimmy Hendrix. Having fused all these influences into his own original fingerstyle guitar sound, Robert then moved to Los Angeles where he entered eight local guitar competitions within a two-year period and took first place in all eight. This was all the impetus he needed to express himself as he does today, unencumbered by style or tradition.
In fact, Roberts music defies the accepted genres of style because to him, the dogma of tradition is quite stifling. This music is not straight flamenco. Although it sounds Spanish, it is not that. It could have been lifted out of a classical film score, but it wasn't. Its polyrhythmic improvisations are jazz-like, but it is not straight ahead Jazz. It wrenches your emotions like Blues, but it isnt that either. When an audience is completely taken in by a piece of music, categorization suddenly becomes irrelevant. And Robert makes no excuses for it either when he says, Theres nothing legitimate about what I do. I know I am the bastard child of flamenco and classical guitar, and I prefer it that way.
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This dynamic duo of performers are definite up and comers. A songwriter, musician, and record label owner, Nathan McEuen maintains a busy schedule. He also acts as his own booking manager and tour manager. However, Nathan knew what he was getting into. He grew up with famed father, John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. At a young age, Nathan began acting as a roadie for his father, selling CDs, and even singing back-up vocals. Nathan McEuen has kept his touring spirit, as he is always on the road with his band.
Nathan McEuen’s shows leave little to be desired. “Live shows are a top priority,” Nathan says, “I like to make it fun and really move people.” With impressive musical talent, stunning vocals, and a dash of humor, Nathan and Scott can wow audience members at every show.
Nathan takes his musical influence from all genres, as is evident in both of his full-length CDs, which have totaled in over 10,000 sold. Grand Design, released from his own record label, Lint Records, in 2005, has been described as “future retro folk rock” (CDBaby.com). His sophomore album, Festival (Lint Records, 2007), is a more “progressive mix of Americana, rock, and bluegrass” (CDBaby.com).
Nathan McEuen has been working hard, but with an impressive list of performances to show for it. Most recently, Nathan performed with Steve Martin, Megan Joy and Michael Sarver on the season finale show of American Idol. He also performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, opened for David Crosby and Gram Nash, Dave Mason, Kenny Loggins, John Denver, Dwight Yoakam, The Avett Bros., Bob Schneider, Monte Montgomery, and more. He also performed with Kevin Nealon (SNL), Brett Dennen, Rissi Palmer, Mario Calire (Ozomatli, Wallflowers), worked with Greg Penny (producer K.D. Lang, Elton John) Paul Willams, Willie Nelson, and many others.
Practically born and raised on the stage, Scott Gates is as close to a musical prodigy at the age of 17 on the mandolin, as one might ever have the opportunity to meet. He plays in a style that is dynamic, energetic and uniquely his own. Scott is considered one of the best young mandolinists in the country, comfortable in bluegrass as well as all of the other genres of music. Scott adds clear vocal harmonies to Nathan and brings an amazing style of playing that will mesmerize the audience.
Starting on mandolin at the early age of seven, he has developed his mastery of the instrument to where he has become in demand in the studio as well as on stage. Scott has appeared on NBC's most talented kids, national radio broadcasts and many cable and live television shows. His on stage credits include The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chelsea Williams, Ken Omalley, Steve Martin, Byron Berline, John McEuen, The Witcher Brothers, James King Band as well as fronting his own band and producing 2 CD projects of his own. Scott recently appeared on the Ellen Show with Steve Martin and recorded on Kenny Loggins newest CD project in 2009.
The future of Acoustic Music is very bright indeed!
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