Rave reviews are pouring in ahead of the January 13th, 2009 release of Crooked X, the self-titled full-length debut by the talented young rockers from Coweta, Oklahoma.

Crooked X on amazon.com

Absolutepunk.net exclaims: “the disc is flawless, with fomenting chords roasted to perfection and drilling beats braiding the tracks with heated-coils,” while Decibel magazines Deciblog raves, “We have to admit. Crooked X’s self-titled debut album … will most likely be better than Chinese Democracy. Axl Rose is gonna get schooled.”

The buzz is loud, earning Crooked X a January 15th slot on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” where they’ll perform the first single from Crooked X, “Rock N Roll Dream.”

For the last three years Crooked X have been banging out their nu blend of kick-ass rock inspired by greats such as Metallica, AC/DC, Pantera and Led Zeppelin. They toured with KISS in Europe and played and toured Stateside and hot young rock artists Black Tide and Black Stone Cherry as well as classic rock legends Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper.

The 14-year-old shredders have been filming an MTV reality special, “Start a Band, Rock the World”; and playing a slew of NBC AST Dew concert dates promoting the October 7th EP release of ‘Til We Bleed’, which includes “Rock N Roll Dream” and live versions of “Adrenaline” and “Nightmare,” which is featured in the successful Rock Band video game. Additionally, Crooked X will have a number of new songs featured for download in forth coming 3 packs from Rock Band.

Their 10-song debut for EMI, was helmed by hit producers Spencer Proffer (Tina Turner, Quiet Riot, WASP) and Michael Wagener (Ozzy, Skid Row, Poison). ‘Til We Bleed’, a digital-only EP, is complemented by their reality special, which will be aired across all MTV networks on January 13, 2009, to coincide with the release of their debut EMI/MPM album Crooked X.

The program shows the real-life Cinderella story of Crooked X’s beginnings as 14-year-olds in Coweta (population 7,000), highlighting how the four young boys started a band in a garage, scored music in the highly successful Rock Band, headlined the Fender/Rock Band Lounge at 2008’s Sundance Film Festival and opened for KISS in front of 35,000 screaming fans in Stockholm. These events led to Crooked X signing with EMI via McGhee Proffer Media (MPM) in August of 2008, all within the span of nine months.

The teenage quartet, comprised of Forrest French (vocals, guitar), Jesse Cooper (lead guitar, vocals), Josh McDowell (bass) and Boomer Simpson (drums), began playing in fifth grade, and cite influences including AC/DC, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Jimi Hendrix, Shinedown, Metallica, Audioslave and Pink Floyd.

They cut their teeth in the Tulsa area, playing Cain’s Ballroom and at Coweta Junior High talent shows. The ambitious and mega-talented rockers sent a tape to a CBS Early Morning Show nationally televised competition and landed in an impressive second place. That’s there where media strategists and managers Proffer and Doc McGhee became aware of the band and hooked Crooked X up with EMI Global Marketing and Capitol Records, forging a unique long-term partnership.

Crooked X will benefit from the teaming of multiple and diverse media and marketing partners including Fender, MTV, Red Bull, Fanscape, AEG’S Band Merch, Music Today and rock-based booking agency TAG (Nickelback, My Chemical Romance, 3 Doors Down), who are booking Crooked X worldwide. While the business side is locked down, Crooked X are fully focused on their music…and high school.

Drummer Boomer says: “Being in a rock band is a lot of work with home school, practice, traveling and playing gigs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything! We like to write lyrics that describe who we are and what we are going through.”

Singer Forrest French concurs, saying, “Some of our songs, like our first single, “Rock n Roll Dream,” have catchy choruses that everyone loves to sing along, then we have songs like “Gone” with lyrics that are deep and come from our souls and personal experiences. Music IS my life! Sometimes juggling family and friends and daily life with concerts and stuff can be tough. I know with family, friends and faith that anything is possible,” French concludes, “and I never put limits on myself or the band.”

Crooked X will appear at the Red Bull Drifting Championships at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA on November 16, 2008.

Notes: photo credit: Jeremy Charles

Crooked X Official Website
MySpace

Shwayze is proud to announce the release of “Corona and Lime” on all digital retail outlets on July 22, 2008.

As the next song to be released from the soon-to-be released debut album, ‘Corona and Lime’, this is yet another tribute to lazy days and summertime soirees in the sand in the tradition of “Buzzin’,” the group’s previous single and title of their upcoming MTV reality show. “Corona and Lime” can be purchased exclusively on Rhapsody and Verizon starting July 15.

Beginning Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 10:30PM ET/PT, fans can catch the misadventures of Shwayze, his wingman and music partner Cisco Adler, best buddy Warren, and manager Jordan as they define a whole new California sound on the MTV reality show “Buzzin’”.

Showcasing the long road from the trailer park to the top of the charts, “Buzzin’” follows the unlikely pair – Shwayze, the self-described “only black kid in Malibu” and Cisco, the seasoned singer/producer and regular tabloid bad boy – and their crew as their path to stardom hits all the twists, turns and bumps along the way.

Listen to “Corona and Lime” on Myspace

Buzzin’ TV Show Trailer

Meet MTV’s newest comedic ensemble as the channel premieres “Buzzin’,” a new reality series starring music artist Shwayze, his best pal and producer Cisco Adler, their partner in crime, tour manager Warren Gumpel and their manager head of Suretone Records, Jordan Schur.

Beginning Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 10:30PM ET/PT, fans can catch the misadventures of Shwayze, his wingman and music partner Cisco, best buddy Warren and manager Jordan as they define a whole new California sound. And rounding out the Wednesday night line-up, “Run’s House” returns with new episodes premiering July 16 at 10pm ET/PT.

Showcasing the long road from the trailer park to the top of the charts, “Buzzin’” follows the unlikely pair – Shwayze, the self-described “only black kid in Malibu” and Cisco, the seasoned singer/producer and regular tabloid bad boy – and their crew as their path to stardom hits all the twists, turns and bumps along the way.

The music and madness get underway as the boys and their fresh Cali sound get ready to debut their self-titled album on August 19, 2008 and as their first single, “Buzzin’” continues to climb the charts. Trying to keep them on track is their tough manager and label honcho, Jordan Schur who has taken artists like Ashlee Simpson and Limp Bizkit all the way to the top. Also along for the ride is their resident right-hand man, tour manager and comrade, Warren. When they guys are in a jam, count on him to be the man with the plan – even if the plan causes more problems than it solves.

Watch video – “Buzzin’” trailer:

Buzzin’ MTV Trailer

The first episode will be available for free on instant release on iTunes, Xbox Live and Amazon for a week beginning July 15. All eight episodes will be available on instant release the day after their on-air premiere.

Fans will also be able to feel the buzz at www.buzzin.mtv.com with exclusive trailers and extended scenes from each episode shot by the cast on their vlog cameras, cast bios and pictures, sneak peaks of Shwayze’s new music video and exclusive performance footage of songs from the new album, including their TRL performance. Viewers can also get personal with the cast and create their very own Buzzin’ profile through IamOnMTV.

Also, kicking off another season, MTV welcomes back a fan favorite as Rev Run and his family return with back-to-back episodes of “Run’s House” premiering Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 10:00 PM ET/PT. The tight-knit Simmons clan once again opens the door for fans to watch the jubilations and tribulations of the royal family of hip hop. Season five picks up with the Simmons’ blazing new trails across the map. Viewers will get a rare treat when Rev Run relives the glory days joining pal Kid Rock on tour, as Justine holds down the fort in Saddle River with new addition, baby Miley. Vanessa and Angela who are now living the bi-coastal life as they balance their expanding Pastry shoe and clothing line with Vanessa’s acting gigs, and JoJo continues his pursuit of hip-hop stardom as Team Blackout grabs the mic and prepares to take center stage, while Diggy embraces his inner tween and Russy proudly accepts his role as big brother extraordinaire. But rest assured the Simmons family will endure all the chaos with love.

The fourth season averaged a 1.59 P12-34 and ranked #1 in its time period (Thu/10-11p) among P12-34 versus all cable competition. “Run’s House” has reached over 67.1 million total viewers (P2+) with over 34.2 million from its P12-34 core.

“Buzzin’” is produced by Suretone Entertainment and Hoosick Falls Productions; Jordan Schur of Suretone Entertainment and George Verschoor of Hoosick Falls Productions serve as executive producers; Mike Powers serves as executive producer; Andrew Freston is co-executive producer; Liz Gateley and Valerie Elustondo are the MTV executives overseeing production. Steve Bilchik is the MTV talent executive overseeing the project.

Jason Carbone is executive producer and Nick Lee is co-executive producer of “Run’s House.” Mike Powers serves as executive producer. Jacqueline French and Valerie Elustondo are the MTV series executives overseeing the project. Tony DiSanto and Liz Gateley are executive producers. Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan, Will Griffin, John Davies, and Sean “Diddy” Combs serve as creators and executive producers.

MTV Official Website

Earlier this year, singer Wendy Alane Wright released her latest CD ‘As I Am’, which has been receiving reviews like: “Wendy Alane Wright is Whitney Houston and Patti La Belle rolled into one, with about 5 pounds of absolutely gut wrenching soul thrown in for good measure. She evokes more passion in one syllable than most vocalists can in an entire song.”

Over the summer she appeared on the ABC Reality TV show Fat March. Her objective was to lose weight and begin touring to support her debut album, ‘As I Am’.

Wendy has a long history in music that began at a young age. She moved from the east coast in the US to the west coast to pursue her musical career, toured Europe and hit the charts. She’s worked with some of the top songwriters and musicians in the biz, has appeared in films and on TV, has written books and continues to record music and play live shows.

We wanted to know more about her.

Wendy Alane Wright interview with BandWeblogs.com
Compiled by Dave Tommo

Dave Tommo: When you were younger, you had to overcome your stage fright to sing. Can you explain how?

Wendy Alane Wright: I forced myself to sing Karaoke in the mall, sing in a contest, take voice classes in college and finally go into the studio doing backing vocals. I was terrified through the entire thing! And After 10 years or so I wasn’t.

When you’re writing music, who or what influences your lyrics?

My heart. I always write about love.

How easy was it to relocate to LA for the first time after growing up in Connecticut? Was there work waiting for you there?

It was so exciting moving to LA at 23. I took over a friend’s apartment and her job assisting a publicist. Within 9 months I had my first record deal.

You have appeared in numerous TV shows and movies. Do you still have an eye on acting – and if so, is there anything in the pipeline?

I want to be on TV always. I love movies, acting, writing. I always have an eye on acting.

How did your involvement on the ABC reality TV show Fat March come about?

I sent in an audition tape on suggestion of my music manager and was selected from about 5,000 people.

Do you have a stylist or do you create your own fashion?

My own ideas. Do I need one? LOL!

Do you play any musical instruments?

Started as a musician playing flute and clarinet until I had a bike accident as a teen and damaged my upper lip, preventing me from blowing correctly.

What is your example of a lazy Sunday?

TV in bed with my hubby, antique shopping or writing.

When you moved to Amsterdam in 1991 and joined the hip-hop trio Def La Desh and the Fresh Witness, did you like living there? Did you feel at home in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam was exciting. I loved being in a new country, different language, getting to France, Germany and Belgium etc. so easily. I travelled the trains everywhere and spent all of my free time exploring for the four years I lived there.

Was singing hip-hop something that you really wanted to do at that time?

I took the opportunities that came my way. That appeared, I took it and it led me to the charts four times. It gave me the opportunity to make two music videos that played on MTV, BET and VH1. It allowed me to tour and sing live and travel. I also love black music. Period.

What would be your favorite film to star in the remake of?

My Fair Lady.

As a person in the public eye, how are you able to speak so freely and comfortably about weight-loss?

I am comfortable with myself and have always been an extremely open person. People who know me will tell you that I am brutally honest.

Can you give us a quick and easy weight-loss recipe?

Yeah – eat less, work out more!

After being on Fat March are you still suffering from the foot pain brought on by planters fasciitis?

Yes.

Can you recommend your favorite song from your repertoire for people new to your music?

“As I Am” is my favorite song. It was written by my good friend Alan Rich who wrote “Run To You” sung by Whitney Houston and “I Don’t Have The Heart” by James Ingram. He is a terrific songwriter.

I especially like the line that says “Once in my life, I gave up who I was in the name of love. Once in my life, I tried to pretend, I’ll never do that again.” I’ve done that, picked people who were not what I really wanted and were not necessarily good for me, just to have love. Then I learned that I get to please me – and not live for others.

For more information about Wendy Alane Wright, her music and more go to Wendy Alane Wright Official Website
Wendy Alane Wright on Myspace.

Losing weight is not a mystery or as Fat March trainer Steve Pfesiter says, “there is no magic bullet.” You have to get moving and do portion size control. That’s it! During the show we were taught that and we walked our bums off in all kinds of weather and terrain. Of course people at home aren’t going to walk 15 miles daily typically. Who has time for that? And people at home aren’t going to lose 50 – 100 pounds in 10 weeks. This is television. The weight loss will be dramatic. But people at home can steadily lose weight, lower their blood pressure, get healthier, feel better every week if they simply walk and reduce their portion sizes.

If you want to learn more about changing your life, your weight, your career, your relationships I highly suggest you read my book “Contrary Action” available on my website www.wendywright.biz in e-book form. I have made many significant changes in my life that I share in the book and YOU too can make significant changes in YOUR life. Each chapter addresses specific issues and give specific steps you can take. Take these steps with me and I promise your life will take a turn in new direction…towards who you REALLY want to be! I’ve quit drinking, smoking, lost weight, have a wonderful marriage, a career I love, money in the bank and I’ll tell you it was not like that 5 years ago. How did I do it? Read CONTRARY ACTION and I will personally share my secrets with you.

It says in the FAT MARCH intro I went on Fat March so I could lose weight and get on stage again, singing to promote my fantastic new CD “As I AM” which can be purchased at CDBABY.com or at my website www.wendywright.biz (A shameless plug But the fact is I did it! I accomplished my goal. I am back on stage singing again. My first show was the other night at a beautiful club in LA, just me with Rita Coolidge’s piano player. I brought the house down!

I loved the FAT MARCH, I’m back on stage again and it has changed my way of thinking about food and exercise. I am grateful for the experience and the life long friends I have made. I am also humbled by and grateful for the people I have the opportunity to help and motivate to become their very BEST! I truly love people and want to see each and every person fulfill their potential. Whatever you want in life, you can do it! I believe in you and I am 100% behind you!

Wendy Alane Wright Official Website

Related: Vocal powerhouse Wendy Alane Wright stars in ABC reality TV show Fat March

Wendy’s objective is to lose weight and begin touring to support her debut album, ‘As I Am’ released in January 2007.

For her freshman offering, Wendy joins forces with some of the finest talents in the music business. The title track was penned by Grammy nominated songwriter, Allan Rich. (Run To You; Whitney Houston, I Don’t Have The Heart; James Ingram).

Steven Cahill, musical director of the television show Touched By Angel, contributed “Just A Miracle” co-written by Carol Hall (Best Little Whorehouse In Texas) a powerful tune that Wendy stunningly delivers with only a piano accompaniment that is sure to bring tears to your eyes. Netherlands Jazz master Rolf Delfos plays saxophone on “Maybe This Time” and Johan Rovenstruck plays piano on the jazzy track “Meant To Be Together” a song written by Wendy and reminiscent of any tune on Anita Baker’s Compositions CD.

“Angel No Heaven Can Hold” is a catchy alternative rock tune while “Lead Me Home” and “My Own Backyard” contain beautiful melodies and soaring string arrangements that show off the astonishing beauty of Wendy’s voice.

Early CD reviews say, “Wendy Alane Wright is Whitney Houston and Patti La Belle rolled into one, with about 5 pounds of absolutely gut wrenching soul thrown in for good measure. She evokes more passion in one syllable than most vocalists can in an entire song.”

Yes, Wendy is quite a singer and we wish her luck on ABC’s Fat March this summer. This girl is on the move and a vocal force to be reckoned with. In fact, Wendy’s voice will land on you in the way that any great vocalist does, “deeply, and memorably.”

‘As I Am’ can be purchased at Wendy Alane Wright’s Official Website www.wendywright.biz or www.myspace.com/wendyalanewright