When Gaunt ’s gear was stolen from their van after a November 1996 gig in San Francisco, Jerry Wick saw it as a sign from the cosmos ..read more

In the mid-80s, Columbus musician and producer Chris Powell was on a promotional tour with his Motown act Koko Pop when he realized something surprising. While teenage boy bands were everywhere, there were no major teenage girl groups akin to The Supremes nationally. With this idea, Powell returned to Columbus and leveraged his local connections to form Tag Team Productions, aiming to bring this concept to life. Teen Dream Let's Get Busy Warner Bros. Records – 25493-1 1987 Tag Team Productions was a powerhouse of Columbus talent, including Chris Dawkins, Cornell Scott, Barry Mastrine, a ..read more

Having set the template of their gritty, raw, meat-and-potatoes style of rock with their self-titled debut, The Godz toured relentlessly to support the record. Although sales were steady, the record wasn’t taking off. Their label Millennium Records quickly ushered the band into the studio to record the follow-up in the late summer of 1978. It had been less than a year since The Godz was released, but things move fast in the recording industry as they would for the Columbus band. Nothing Is Sacred was released in January 1979 and, while the album captured the band’s unyielding spirit ..read more

Roland Kirk recorded three albums before his deal with Mercury Records in 1961 began a period on major labels that lasted the rest of his all too brief life. Recorded live in Rudy Van Gelder’s Englewood Cliffs, NJ studio on July 11, 1961, Prestige Records released Kirk’s Work later that year after Kirk had signed and recorded an album with Mercury. Prestige couldn’t compete with Mercury’s distribution, and Kirk’s Work would get overlooked upon its original release as We Free Kings, released just weeks later, established ..read more

Few bands of the 21st century captured the global attention of heavy space rock enthusiasts quite like Columbus’ EYE. When recording sessions began for their album Vision And Ageless Light, EYE had firmly established their reputation for creating mesmerizing soundscapes with their intricate compositions and mind-blowing live shows. 2016’s Vision And Ageless Light is a testament to the unique niche EYE’s creative vision carved in the realm of heavy psych and progressive rock. EYE Vision And Ageless Light The Laser's Edge – LE1077LP 2016 The genesis of EYE can be traced ba ..read more

Nancy Wilson was taking a walk with Rusty Bryant in New York when they bumped into saxophonist Cannonball Adderley at the corner of Broadway and 52nd Street. Rusty and Cannonball knew each other, and Wilson and Adderley were introduced. It was 1958 and Adderley mentioned that his band was breaking up and he was joining Miles Davis’ band. This chance encounter would ultimately lead to Wilson’s move to New York, her signing with manager John Levy and Capitol Records, and help pave the way for the recording of the timeless Nancy Wilson / Cannonball Adderley record. Nancy Wilson / The Cannonball ..read more

In the mid-2000s, a song sprang from WNCI's playlist to listeners across the nation and put a spotlight on a Columbus band: ,,Saving Jane's ",,Girl Next Door." I remember the first time I heard Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” on the radio. “Is she covering that Saving Jane song?” I thought to myself. It’d been a few years since “,,Girl Next Door” was released, but I’d heard it enough to remember some lyrics. It was all over Columbus radio before hitting the top 40 and going gold. The songs are different musically, and I suppose young women singing about unrequited love isn’t exactly unusua ..read more

The passing of ,,Carlton Smith on September 23, 2023, dealt a heavy blow to the Columbus community. His significance extended beyond his prowess as a drummer, although that was undeniable. While I can't claim to have known him closely, it was widely acknowledged that Carlton possessed an innate ability to connect with anyone he encountered. This was evident in my interactions with him; Carlton exuded openness, humility, thoughtfulness, and genuine sincerity. Of all the music he created, it's clear that his time with Royal Crescent Mob was near and dear to Carlton’s heart. The band's ,Midn ..read more

In 1982, drummer Artimus Pyle inked a five-year, seven-album deal with MCA, marking a significant milestone in what had been a whirlwind career to that point. From struggling in lesser-known bands to surviving Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crash in 1977, Pyle's life took unexpected turns. The Artimus Pyle Band's debut album, A.P.B., didn't meet commercial expectations, setting the stage for the recording of their sophomore release, Nightcaller, in 1983. A.P.B. Nightcaller MCA Records, Carousel Records - MCA-39003 1983 Although not from Columbus, his father's career took the family to Colum ..read more

The story of ,,Charlie Bleak provides a glimpse into the relentless and often unpredictable world of the music business. Despite the '68 Upper Arlington grad's talent and a promising break with Pickwick's P.I.P. Records, external business decisions kept the tantalizingly close opportunity for wider recognition just out of Bleak's grasp. Charlie's music industry journey reflects the harsh reality that many artists face, where success is not only about talent but also about navigating through complex industry dynamics. Today, not enough people know the name Charlie Bleak even in his hometown. Bu ..read more