Biggest Rock Tours of 2013

Check out the rest of the list (which does include some non-rock artists) here.

Ozzy Osbourne Feared He Had Lost His Family

(hennemusic) Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne opens up in a new interview with NME about his recent drug and alcohol relapse, which led to him temporarily separate from his wife Sharon Osbourne and he thought he was going to lose his family.

When Sharon found out about his drug use, he says, "She was very pissed off. I thought I was gonna lose my family at one point. Because when I go out, you wanna be careful when I come back home, because I'll come through anywhere in the house bar the front f**king door. I'm f**king crazy. If you're in a relationship, if you keep coming home and your wife's terrified of you, if she doesn't know if you'll come back with five chicks and a crate of booze… I mean, you name it, I've done it. So she just said, 'Look, I've got my own thing going on, and I can't deal with you any more. Get the f**k out. Sort yourself out, then we'll talk.' I don't blame her in the slightest."

When asked what triggered the relapse, Osbourne replied: "It's like water drips from a tap and you go 'F**k it'. For no reason at all, you'll suddenly think, 'I fancy a drink', and your head will say, 'Let yourself have one'. Next thing you know you're scraping yourself off the garage floor three days later. It's like having a haunted f**king head. You've got these voices saying, 'Don't worry about it Ozzy. Anyone would have a drink if their album went to Number One in all those countries.' But you're doing a deal with the Devil. It's a disease of the mind and body, and you can't control it." more on this story

Metallica Release Historic Antarctica Concert

(hennemusic) Metallica's recent Antarctica concert is now available for sale via download at the band's website. The group offers the audio in multiple formats, including mp3, FLAC, Apple Lossless, ALAC-HD and FLAC-HD.

The December 8 show was held as part of a soft drink-sponsored promotional event that resulted in Metallica setting a world record by becoming the first and only band in history to perform concerts on all seven continents in under a year.

"This was the most unique show Metallica has ever done," posted the group. "The band, contest winners, research station scientists (from Russia, South Korea, China, Poland, Chile, Brazil and Germany), and the ship crew, all crammed in this little dome out on the helipad of Carlini Station in Antarctica! The energy in the little dome was amazing! Words cannot describe how happy everyone was." more on this story

Steve Perry Working With AWOLNATION

(hennemusic) Former Journey singer Steve Perry is working with AWOLNATION on the American electronic band's next album. AWOLNATION frontman Aaron Bruno shared the news of Perry's involvement in a new interview, according to Rolling Stone.

"There are a couple of people I have up my sleeve," hinted Bruno initially. "There are a couple of massive surprises that could happen." Though he is initially reluctant to divulge names, he does give an obvious clue: "I can say, 'Don't Stop Believing.'"

He's talking about Perry, who hasn't appeared on a record since the mid-2000s. "We became friends," explains Bruno. "It feels weird for me to talk about – I feel like I'm bragging about how this legend likes the music I've written. But he asked for my number. He reached out to me." more on this story

Paul Stanley Addresses KISS Rock Hall Induction Rumors

(hennemusic) KISS frontman Paul Stanley has issued a response to rumors about the band's upcoming appearance at the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony next April.

"Gotta laugh," posted Stanley. "Some people want to seem important by talking like they know what we'll be doing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. THEY KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!"

The annual Rock Hall induction typically ends the evening with a big all-star finale where all the inductees do a song together. This week, KISS bassist Gene Simmons was asked by Rolling Stone if he was open to closing the show with the band's 1975 classic, "Rock and Roll All Nite."

"Sure," says Gene. "What other song ends the night?" more on this story

Vince Neil Joining Phil Anselmo, Zakk Wylde and More For Metal All Stars

Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil is the latest artist announced to take part in the upcoming Metal All Stars tour of Europe. Neil will be playing select shows on the trek.

The other confirmed artists include Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down), Joey Belladonna (Anthrax), Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society), Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., Ex-Accept), Cronos (Venom), Max Cavalera (Sepultura, Soulfly), Brian Fair (Shadows Fall), Ross The Boss (Ex – Manowar), Blasko (Ozzy Osbourne), Nick Menza (Ex-Megadeth), Jasin Todd (Ex-Shinedown), Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall), Kobra Paige (Gene Simmons Records Artists Kobra And The Lotus), Jon Donais, Jesse Billson (Heaven Below), Aaron Rossi (Ministry, Prong) and Bones Elias (Rock Of Ages).

Organizers tell fans, "Please be assured that we still have other artists to announce and will do so as soon as reasonably possible as well as more dates!"

Chipster sent over these additional details: Current confirmed dates run from March 23rd to April 9th, 2014, including Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Sweden, Latvia, Finland, and Russia, and will feature sets that include renditions of all the performing artists' respective classics.

In addition to hearing an evening of metal classics being performed in different kick ass line-up configurations, the performances will be benefiting a great cause, as auctions will take place at the concerts to benefit Ride for Dime Inc., an organization that raises funds for such charities as Little Kids Rock, Toys For Tots, IAVA, and many more. more on this story

U2 Returning To Their Roots On New Album

(Radio.com) U2 still haven't announced a release date for their new album, but they're already giving fans hints of what they should expect to hear on the follow-up to 2009′s No Line on the Horizon.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Bono and the Edge talked about the upcoming record, which is slated for an April release. They explained that they came up with a concept for the record where songs are told from the perspective of a young person just figuring things out and partly from someone who is older and wiser. The lyrics are said to focus on the "collision between hard-earned wisdom and youthful hunger."

The band wants to experiment a little this time around, hence the reason they recruited Danger Mouse to produce the album. But the new record with also have them returning to their roots, channeling their classic records from the '80s like War and Unforgettable Fire. And don't worry, Bono's signature falsetto is still front and center on this album. "There's just something about a bloke who sings like a chick," Bono explained.

Bono also noted that their upcoming release was influenced by "stuff we were really listening to when we were younger" like the Clash and Sex Pistols and Kraftwerk, along with with soul and old-school R&B. more on this story

Richie Sambora Open To Reuniting With Bon Jovi

(Gibson) Richie Sambora is open to reuniting with Bon Jovi, saying he harbors no bad feelings toward his former band mates. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the veteran guitarist said he would consider rejoining the group, if asked.

"I would think about it for sure," he revealed. "There's no malice here. You get along for 30 years, that's a damn good marriage. ... I was coming out of something a little bit different with my solo record, Aftermath of the Lowdown, and it just didn't go in the right direction for me artistically, which is not to say it's a bad thing."

Sambora was also quick to discredit reports that his split from the band was rooted in disagreements about money. "[That's] baloney," he said. "You look at your bank account, and you see the currency of love and happiness is more important than the currency of money."

Much of Sambora's downtime has been spent with his 16-year-old daughter Ava, who's an aspiring actress, and tending to his mother, who's recovering from a recent hip fracture. He dropped strong hints, however, that he's preparing to jump back into music with renewed vigor. "I want to get together with people that I like, who I have relationships with, and try to build a brand," he said. "Go out and gig on my own and make a living." more on this story

Foo Fighters, The Roots, Fall Out Boy To Rock Super Bowl Boat Parties

(Radio.com) With the Super Bowl set for New Jersey's MetLife stadium on February 2, the nearby New York metropolitan area is quickly turning into party central over the days leading up to the main sporting event.

For those wanting to rock out and celebrate The Lonely Island's eternal "I'm on a Boat" ethos at the same time, there's a series of concerts to be held on a cruise ship docked at Manhattan's Pier 88 on the Hudson River, with performances from Foo Fighters, The Roots, Imagine Dragons and more.

The shows kick off January 30, with the Roots topping a bill that will also feature Run DMC and Busta Rhymes. The following evening (Janurary 31) is headlined by Imagine Dragons.

On February 1, the Foo Fighters will play a show with the Zac Brown Band, who recently released The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1, produced by the Foo Fighters frontman. It'll be the Foos first show in the area in a minute, following a few years off the road. (Do't worry, they played a pizza parlor to warm up for this boat thing.)

Fall Out Boy and country star Jake Owen will perform on February 2 in the hours leading up the big game. more on this story

Robert Plant's New Album 'Almost Complete'

(hennemusic) Robert Plant has posted an update on the status of a new album with his band, The Sensational Space Shifters. Plant shared an update via Facebook, writing, "Sensational Space Shifters album..lost for words. Almost complete.."

The Led Zeppelin singer is reportedly working on the project at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in southwestern England. After touring the American-based "Band Of Joy" project, Plant was drawn back to classic blues and world music.

"I have had an amazing education the last few years," Plant told LA Weekly this summer. "The time I spent around all of those men and women was an eye-opening experience. The thing about working with musicians in Nashville is that they generally are always moving on to the next thing. [Plant's partner and singer-songwriter] Patty [Griffin] went to work on her solo record and [guitarist] Buddy [Miller] went to produce the Carolina Chocolate Drops." more on this story

Slash Has 17 Songs For New Album

(hennemusic) Slash is working on his third solo album, and he shared an update on the project Thursday via his social media sites. "16 trx worked up & completed. + an instrumental?," he wrote. "Hard 2 decide what goes on the record, what will b bonus trx. It's all cool."

Slash is once again working with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators for his third solo effort, the follow-up to 2012's "Apocalyptic Love" which featured the singer and the backing group.

The album earned Slash his two first-ever #1 US rock radio hits: "You're A Lie" and "Standing In The Sun". The project's third single, "Anastasia", cracked the Top 10 at Modern and Active Rock and Top 5 at Mainsteam Rock. more on this story

Def Leppard Planning New Album

(Gibson) 2014 is shaping up to be a busy year for Def Leppard with plans for a new Las Vegas show celebrating their breakthrough album "Pyromania" and a new studio album.

Having completed a successful residency this past spring in Las Vegas, where they performed their Hysteria album in a series of 11 "Viva Hysteria!" shows, the veteran British rockers are looking forward to giving their 1983 Pyromania album the same treatment.

"The Vegas thing was amazing," says guitarist Phil Collen, speaking with Billboard. "We're also going to be doing 'Viva Pyromania!' at some point at the end of next year."

Collen added that Def Leppard is also preparing to record an album of new material, utilizing a live-in-the-studio approach similar to that used for their 1996 disc, Slang—at least in part. "You paint yourself into a corner with a certain writing style when you have a huge album," observes Collen. "Slang [was] very raw--us playing live--and everyone hated it. You learn from that. You don't want to cop out too much." more on this story

Anette Olzon Reveals That Nightwish Fired Her

(Prog) Former Nightwish vocalist Anette Olzon has admitted to Prog that she was fired from the band in 2012. It's the first time she's spoken about the form of her departure from the Finnish band – and she thinks it happened because she'd become pregnant with her third child.

The sudden split followed the dismissal of previous frontwoman Tarja Turunen in 2006, and came midway through a US tour. An official announcement stated the move had been made "in mutual understanding".

But Olzon insists that's not the case. She tells Prog: "I have been getting frustrated with people saying I left the band – because I didn't. I was fired exactly as Tarja was fired, but maybe in a more quiet way."

She points to her pregnancy as the reason behind her dismissal. See what she had to say about that here.

Reasons For This Week's 'Secret' Beatles and Beach Boys Releases

(Radio.com) Days after Beyonce shook the planet by releasing a new album with no prior warning, two legendary bands from decades past have put out new collections without any pre-release hype, albeit for very different reasons.

Fans who check iTunes every Tuesday morning for new releases may have been surprised to see fresh titles from The Beatles (The Beatles Bootleg Recordings 1963) and The Beach Boys (The Big Beat 1963) this week. New collections and re-releases from both acts, especially The Beatles, are usually heralded with huge press campaigns. The Beatles' collection is comprised mainly of alternate versions of their songs, but also demos of "Bad To Me" and "I'm In Love," both of which were recorded by Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas, who, like the Beatles, were managed by Brian Epstein. Unlike The Beatles, the "new" Beach Boys album is comprised of previously unreleased songs from 1963 rather than merely alternate takes, though much of it has been out on unofficial bootlegs.

Strangely, neither The Beatles Bootleg Recordings 1963 nor the Beach Boys' The Big Beat 1963 even had press releases to announce their existence, and aren't even mentioned on either band's official website or Facebook page. On the face of it, that might suggest that these are unauthorized albums that somehow made their way to iTunes.

However, both have been released via Universal Music. The Beatles collection's page on iTunes reads, "the copyright in these sound recordings is owned by Calderstone Productions Limited (a division of Universal Music Group)," while the Beach Boys' simply lists Capitol Records as the label. Capitol is, of course, the label that issues both bands' catalogs, and is owned by Universal. In other words, both of these albums are legitimate releases. So why the low profile?

The clue lies in the fact that both albums are from 1963. According to European Union copyright law, if a recording isn't released within 50 years of being recorded, ownership of that recording reverts back from the record label into the hands of the artist. By making these recordings commercially available, even without promotion, the labels are retaining the rights to these recordings (for another 20 years, according to the law).

This, no doubt, is a tense situation between the artists and their labels. Surely the surviving Beatles and Beach Boys would like to get the rights to any of their recordings. That would allow them to sell the recordings on their own, or license the sale of the recordings through other companies (and, indeed, Paul McCartney recently took his solo catalog from Capitol to Concord when the rights to those albums reverted to him, something Capitol surely does not want to see happen with even a single Beatles master recording). On the other hand, labels generally won't try to make a big commercial splash with a box set by an artist whom they have a working relationship with, as is the case with Capitol and both the Beatles and the Beach Boys: they still actively promote both catalogs.

A similar release materialized last year when Sony issued a very limited-edition collection of 86 previously unreleased recordings to select record stores in a few European countries. How limited of an edition was it? According to the New York Times, only 100 copies of the four-CD set (cheekily titled The 50th Anniversary Collection: The Copyright Collection Vol. 1) were produced. A downloadable version was available at Dylan's website, but only to fans logging on from France or Germany. Last month, a follow-up, Bob Dylan – 50th Anniversary Collection: 1963 was announced. Again, it's a limited edition set and only available in Europe. more on this story

Alice Cooper Added to Rock Legends Cruise

(hennemusic) Alice Cooper has confirmed that he will be among the acts hitting the high seas in February where they will be performing on the 2015 Rock Legends Cruise.

Cooper joins a lengthy list of confirmed artists, including The Doobie Brothers, Blue Oyster Cult, Uriah Heep, .38 Special, The Edgar Winter Band and more.

Rock Legends Cruise III departs February 19 – 23, 2015 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida aboard Royal Caribbean International's Liberty Of The Seas. more on this story

Trent Reznor Pays Tribute To David Bowie

(Radio.com) Trent Reznor has long been a fan of David Bowie, and he recently took to the pages of the Hollywood Reporter to remind of us of his admiration. The Nine Inch Nails leader was writing for a year-end series called "The Rule Breakers," which also includes features on Gravity director Alfonso Cuaron, the cast of characters from Duck Dynasty, and Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan.

Reznor cut right to the chase with his essay: "To me, David Bowie is in the very top tier of artists — with capital letters. He's proved himself so many times that I sit back and trust him." He noted that, like the rest of the world, he was surprised when Bowie announced the release of his new album in January of this year. And while he initially felt that the production on The Next Day was a bit too "conservative," he later came around: "I'm still unraveling the riddle that he presented. I'm still getting new meanings out of the lyrics. What I thought was conservative production now feels forward-thinking. Like any great album, it's revealed itself to be something that wasn't what I initially thought."

Taking a bit of a dig another band who made a big return in 2013, Reznor said: "It wasn't like the Arcade Fire album [Reflektor] and its yearlong rollout, where it was like, 'OK, I get it. You've got an album out, you've played every TV show in the world.'" (Ironically, Bowie sings backing vocals on that album's title track.)

He closes with this hyperbole: "Bowie is the most important figure to have inspired me… He has found an audience yet challenges that audience and continues moving forward in a fearless way."

The admiration goes both ways. In 2011, when Rolling Stone published their list of the 100 greatest artists of all time, Nine Inch Nails was included at No. 94. Bowie wrote the essay on their inclusion. Speaking about NIN's masterpiece, 1994′s The Downward Spiral, Bowie wrote, "Second to the Velvet Underground, there has never been better soul-lashing in rock…. It still sounds incredible today." Strong words from a man who counts the Velvets as one of his main influences, who covered the Velvets, and collaborated with Lou Reed in his post-VU years.

Bowie summed up his essay about the younger musician, saying, "Trent's music, built as it is on the history of industrial and mechanical." more on this story

Jake E Lee's New Singer Felt Hated At The Band's First Show

(Classic Rock) The frontman of Jake E Lee's new band Red Dragon Cartel has spoken of the "cruelty" he faced as a result of the band's debut show last week. Darren James Smith admits he delivered a poor performance as a result of a hectic rehearsal schedule, too little sleep, a throat infection and taking one drink too many before hitting the stage at LA's Whisky A Go Go.

He tells Mitch Lafon in a video interview: "They gave me some medicine – I didn't know it was prescription – and I had one last shot before walking on. Everybody in the band did one together. It kicked in midstream.

"I've been playing the bar scene for quite some time: I'm the entertainer, I'm a jokester, I'm a ham. I thought they wanted Ozzy — old, party-drunk Ozzy. Boy, was I wrong!

"At the same time, no one told me how to be in the band. No one said, 'You should act like this. You should do this. You should do that.' They just said, 'Do what you do, Darren.'

"So all the haters came out and they told me what they thought. They judged me on that, and that's all they really have to go by, to judge me on it." Read more and watch the interview here.

Bigelf Releasing New Album Which Features Mike Portnoy

(Classic Rock) Bigelf will release their fourth album, Into The Maelstrom, on March 4th in North American and March 3rd in the UK and mainman Damon Fox says it's a "game changer".

Former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy is on board alongside long-time bassist Duffy Snowhill, with guest musicians to be revealed in due course. Track titles include Hypersleep, Edge Of Oblivion and Theater Of Dreams.

"I think ITM is the best Bigelf record yet and I believe it is a real game changer for the band. It's gonna put us over the top! Psychedelic cinematic landscapes and melodic prog-doom set the stage for the new album, I cannot wait for fans (old and new) to experience all of its apocalyptic color." more on this story

Devon Allman Gives Christmas Gift To Stranger

(The Blues Devon Allman has told how he came to buy a guitar for a perfect stranger after being struck by the Christmas spirit. The son of Greg Allman was midway through a tour with his supergroup the Royal Southern Brotherhood when he was sent a teenage chauffeur to take him to the evening's concert venue.

And while young Matt Dylan was delighted to share time with a blues hero, Allman was less impressed – at first. He tells American Blues Scene: "He started talking my ear off; he was very excited to drive me, which was extremely sweet. He was just a super-good kid.

"I talked to him and everything, but I was just really spent from the travelling and I made up some excuse. I told him I needed to study lyrics and I put my earbuds in to kind of tune him out.

"I instantly felt like an a**hole. I took them out and I said, 'So, Matt, you play guitar – what kind of guitar you got?'"

In the conversation that followed Allman realized Dylan's family had been living through hard times, and that the young man was struggling to play a guitar that had been broken by one of his siblings, with no money to repair or replace it." Find out what happened next.

Trout, Cray, Lang, Hart and The Rides on Where Blues Meets Rock CD

(The Blues Provogue Records will release all-star compilation album Where Blues Meets Rock Vol 9 on January 20th. The budget-priced 15-track CD, will contain more than an hour of music.

The latest installment stars Walter Trout, Robert Cray, Beth Hart, Jonny Lang and The Rides, who have contributed tracks from their recent albums.

It also features new material from recent signings Bernie Marsden and Matt Schofield, who'll release albums via Provogue in the coming months. Check out the tracklist and EPK video here.

The Darkness Play Their Hometown For The Very First Time

(Classic Rock) "This is the first time in 13 years I've been embarrassed," Justin Hawkins admits during The Darkness' first ever hometown show. "I've just realised how embarrassing it is to sing songs about going to school in Lowestoft… in Lowestoft, to people who probably went to school with me.

"But don't worry. It didn't last long. I'm already back to feeling awesome, as usual." With the wind howling in off the North Sea, Justin, brother Dan, Ed Graham and Frankie Poullain created their own weather system inside the brand new Aquarium venue, melting a capacity crowd of 800 on its opening night.

The eastern most point of the United Kingdom boasted one of the oldest human settlements in the country but it hasn't had a venue big enough until now for its most famous musical export since composer Benjamin Britten.

"Any old school teachers here?" said the unitarded Justin, who could pass for Benjamin Button, early in the set. "You? You might be an old school teacher but you're not one of mine." more on this story

White Wizzard Offshoot Monument Reveal New Single

(TeamRock Radio) Monument, featuring former White Wizzard vocalist Peter Ellis and guitarist Lewis Stephens, have released the title track of their upcoming album "Runaway."

The band aim to reactivate the spirit of early 80s British heavy metal, and they've set out their stall in this track. Ellis says: "Runaway' is one of my favourite Monument songs; it perfectly showcases what we are all about. It's a great first taste of what the album will sound like."

Judas Priest's latest addition, guitarist Richie Faulkner, is one of the guests who appear on the album, to be released via MGR Music. Check out the new song here.

Birth School Metallica Death Author Discusses Book

(Gibson) Rock biographies are everywhere, but the best ones have great access to the artists. Birth School Metallica Death is one of those books and it's a rollercoaster read.

Like a classic Metallica song, Birth School Metallica Death is long and epic. Indeed, it's published in two separate volumes and co-written by two journalists. Volume 1 is just out and Volume 2 will follow in 2014.

Gibson.com asked co-author Paul Brannigan (his colleague is Ian Winwood, both ex-Kerrang! editors) about getting inside the heads of the world's biggest metal band…

Was Birth School Metallica Death always going to be two volumes? "Yes, always. Obviously, there are many books about Metallica. But we (Brannigan and Winwood) wanted to make it different. So we decided there'd be a jump-point, from when Metallica headlined Madison Square Garden when they played the "Black" album. Quite an idea of theirs to play an 18,000 people venue just to play a new album. Not many other bands would have done that at the time, or even now. Up to then was volume 1. We were quite hard about it with our publishers. It was two volumes or nothing."

Explain your love of Metallica? "The very first issue of Kerrang! I ever bought, issue 115, had a 5-star review of Master of Puppets. I bought the album, and that was the start. I went back and bought the first two albums. I was onboard, if you like. So the early part of the book was more of a challenge as myself and Ian were 15-16 years old at the time of those records. We weren't there. But people who were there helped us a lot. For the second volume (Brannigan later became Editor of Kerrang!) we were there. Lots of great access."

Do Metallica approve of your book? "I don't know. It's outside their world. We contacted Peter Mensch (Metallica's manager) and he said it was OK to go ahead. It was like when I wrote the Dave Grohl book. Artists are so busy they can spend 10 or 20 years before they are ready to think about putting this stuff down. At that point, they may have forgotten things or want to put out a different version of history. That's why some unauthorized biographies are better."

There's a few references in the book about metal being a teen obsession. Yet Metallica are still playing metal and you are still writing about it… "Adolescent obsessions seem to remain close to people's hearts. Some of the best heavy metal is ridiculous. But for people who have grown-up with a love for the music, they don't mind that. Fans all know the inherent ridiculousness of men running around singing about avenging goblins, nuclear armageddon, or not being giving enough cookies by their babysitter.

"But it's part of the appeal. Heavy metal is supposed to be larger than life. The drama, the melodrama, is all part of it. Led Zeppelin, Queen, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden… they all have ridiculousness. That's part of the joy of the music."

Has writing about Metallica and meeting them over many years changed your view of Metallica themselves? "At the start they were very much a street band. They then became an arena band. In the Through the Never movie this year, there are laugh-out-loud moments. But I think Metallica's fans have affection for all the ridiculousness. Again, it comes from liking heavy metal as an adolescent. I think Metallica fans, all metal fans, are almost in on the jokes. Metallica have hit a fine line at times, I guess. But fans understand that." Read the full interview here.

Singled Out: Rob Drabkin Tells Story Behind 'Little Steps'

Today Rob Drabkin tells us about the title track to his recently released sophomore album "Little Steps". (He is no. 3 on the latest Relix Jamband Charts.) Here is the story:

Little Steps & my first gig. Flash back to 2006 (age 23) when I abandoned a career in science and dedicated myself to music. I never had sung a note in my life so naturally I signed up for voice lessons at the wonderful Swallow Hill Music School in Denver, CO.

On day one, I shared the first song I had just written, 'Little Steps' with my voice teacher. She said, "Cool song! Congrats - you get sing it at the voice recital next week!"

Reluctant yet determined, I performed at the voice recital (mostly consisting of 6-13 year old girls, their parents and cookies/lemonade). After the recital, a gent in the audience approached me and said "I have a gig for you tonight. Are you in?" I said yes and this was soon to be my first gig of my career. He said he just decided to propose to his girlfriend and asked me if I'd be willing to sing my song while he proposed. Honored at the opportunity, of course I said yes. That very night, he rented the pavilion in Cheeseman Park. I was to show up as a surprise guest with my guitar while they dined in the park. I strolled up, pulled out my guitar sang and sang my song with all my heart. He went down on knee, popped the question and she straight up said "No"!

Stunned, shocked, and speechless, I quickly fled the scene while he pleaded his case to her. She did not agree... A month later I called to make say hello, ensure sure he was as alive and all was well. He responded, 'Oh Rob, please don't worry one bit... It's no big deal. In fact, I never told you but we'd actually only been dating for two weeks when I asked her to marry me.'

It all made sense. The song 'Little Steps; has stuck with me since day one. It finally debuted on our live album in 2012 and the new studio version in 2013.

The song has served as platform to release a slew of new music from 2012 and pay a little homage to humble beginnings.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and stream the full album here and learn more about the album and Rob right here!