Away Team

Rock producer and historian Denny Somach today announced the establishment of the Classic Rock Society of America. The organization will be devoted to the preservation, promotion and celebration of classic rock music by the artists, musicians, producers and fans of the most popular musical category of the past fifty years.

Somach is a recognized expert on Classic Rock and considered one of the architect’s of the Classic Rock radio format, which has become dominant in broadcasting and attracts millions of listeners. He has produced over 7500 hours of classic rock programming and maintains one of the largest archives of audio, video and data related to the topic. Somach has also authored numerous articles and books on the subject and appeared as an authority on shows including Today, Larry King , CBS Early Show, Dateline NBC, CNN, CNBC, MTV and others.

“The appeal of classic rock artists like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Doors, Moody Blues, Yes, Grateful Dead, Jethro Tull, Aerosmith, Styx, Deep Purple, Queen, the Allman Brothers and many, many others has never been more popular,” said Somach. “Classic rock has become cross-generational and is the most popular rock music format not just in the US and Canada, but around the world.”

The Classic Rock Society of America (CRSA) is an organization where people from all over the world can experience and commemorate their favorite music. Many colleges and universities have classes about this music and it is being taught everywhere. The CRSA will act as a resource center for students and teachers, enabling them to further enhance their study of classic rock.

CRSA was inspired by the UK’s Classic Rock Society, with a membership of thousands, and Classic Rock magazine, a publisher, recording label and music promoter. Both organizations are dedicated to the growth of all classic rock music. The UK’s Classic Rock Magazine presents a number of live shows, including the recent High Voltage Festival, which featured ZZ Top, Foreigner, Asia, Bachman-Turner, Uriah Heep, Argent and a reformed Emerson, Lake and Palmer to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Rick Wakeman is the honorary Chairman of the U.K. Classic Rock Society. “When I contacted him about the Classic Rock Society of America we were launching, he immediately lent his support and thought it was about time something like this was established in America.” Subsequently the other founding board members including John Wetton of Asia and Dave Cousins of the Strawbs have publically announced their support.
“I have also spoken to over fifty musicians, producers and managers who are more than happy to not only lend their name but become actively involved in the Classic Rock Society of America,” stated Somach.

The Classic Rock Society of America will debut as an interactive web site and its own radio channel. It will also include marketing and promotion entities. The virtual society will eventually have a physical location where musicians and fans can visit and enjoy the many facets of the musical genre. Somach said, “We have already been contacted by a couple of municipal development organizations about locating a facility in their communities.”

For more CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY OF AMERICA click here.

Virginia-based heavy rock band VALKYRIE — driven by brothers Jake and Pete Adams (also of rock unit BARONESS) — will release its sophomore album, “Man of Two Visions“, on July 6 via MeteorCity Records.

Founded in 2002 in Lexington, Virginia, VALKYRIE‘s twin harmonized guitar leads and clean dual vocals display a “musical telepathy” that only brothers can achieve. With a strong nod to classic doom and traditional heavy metal, VALKYRIE‘s “genre-transcending” sound pays homage to classic heavy rock bands like DEEP PURPLE and THIN LIZZY while simultaneously bringing to mind the pastoral and organic sounds of ’70s innovators WISHBONE ASH and JETHRO TULL. With no regard to image or retro-rock posturing, VALKYRIE‘s true, classic heavy metal assault, impressive live shows and soul-stirring conviction has amassed the quartet an army of loyal enthusiasts.

Since the launch of its first tour in 2004, VALKYRIE has been cultivating a presence in the heavy rock and doom metal underground with live dates throughout the East Coast. In addition to playing hundreds of shows in the space of a few years on the regional circuit, the band has made its name via appearances at respected national music festivals such as the 20 Buck Spin Fest (in Washington D.C.), the Templars of Doom (in Indianapolis, Indiana), the Stoner Hands of Doom Fest (in Mesa, Arizona), the Emissions from the Monolith (in Austin, Texas), the Alehorn of Power Fest (in Chicago, Illinois) and the Doom or be Doomed Fest (in Baltimore, Maryland).

VALKYRIE self-released two demos and a seven inch record over the course of 2004-2005. In 2006, the band released self-titled debut, which was engineered by Chris Kozlowski (PENTAGRAM, TROUBLE, THE OBSESSED, SPIRIT CARAVAN, MELVINS, BLUE CHEER). Now with a fully realized vision and a wealth of hard earned experience under its belt, the band has created an effort that will resonate deeply with its diehard supporters and impact new music fans with a bold statement of intent.

“Man of Two Visions” track listing:
01. Running Out
02. Dawntide’s Breeze
03. Green Highlander
04. Apocalypse Unsealed
05. False Dreams
06. The Gorge
07. Man of Two Visions

The tracks “False Dreams” and “Dawntide’s Breeze” can be heard at VALKYRIE’s MySpace page.

VALKYRIE‘s shining sound will find appeal with fans of early PENTAGRAM and classic JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN as well as modern day proto-rock practitioners such as WITCHCRAFT and GRAVEYARD.

VALKYRIE‘s self-titled debut album will also be reissued by MeteorCity on July 6.

“It is great to be working with MeteorCity on the release of both of our albums,” said Jake Adams. “The label is doing a great job of spreading the word about these releases. There are some very strong songs on ‘Man of Two Visions’ and we are glad that more people can have access to the album now.”

In celebration of the proper release of “Man of Two Visions“, VALKYRIE will embark on a 15-city summer U.S. tour, set to kick off on July 23 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Joining the band on the road will be Maryland doom unit EARTHRIDE.

In addition to the Adams brothers, VALKYRIE features Will Barry (bass) and Warren Hawkins (drums).