george mcclure & the matadors

BORDERLANDS MUSIC, original swing, rurabilly and border music!
"One-of-a-kind offering by a unique right-brained individual" [Joe Ross, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble]
"big horns and cool vocals" [rocknworld.com - Gary Schwind]
"We appreciate the artistry" [Tara Austin, Equity Records]
"Relaxed, good-time vibe... George sings with a warm, affable texture." [Joe Ross, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble]
"Highly recommended... very talented" [WVOF-FM & Western Swing Magazine]
"You're going to love it... Great!" [Dr. Celestino Fernandez]
"I love his Mariachi influences" ****** (6 stars)[Nashville Music Guide]
PRESS RELEASE 15 Nov 2007 Nashville TN
"WHAT'S THE WRITER OF 'THE BALLAD OF O.J. SIMPSON DOING NOW?"
Remember the 1994 Tennessean article on The Ballad Of O.J. Simpson? [See attached] Nashville songwriter George McClure wrote the song and guested on TNN Nashville Network TV with it, a trad country-style ballad.
What's McClure been doing since the dramatic Simpson run up the California coast in the white Ford Bronco thirteen years ago? For one thing, in early 1995 he changed his professional name to the George McClure (his original name is Stephen George Miller.) For eight years he toured three time zones, recording two albums, with songs on Dish Cable TV and XM radio. He played Nashville's Riverfront Gibson Guitar Cafe & Showcase to New Braunfels Texas' historic Gruene Hall and he was nominated for Vocalist of the Year, Academy of Western Artists.
Since 2001, McClure has focused on Nashville, writing, and record producing. His credits include working with Laura Becker on the CW Network TV reality show "Pussycat Dolls Present Season 2" (Interscope Records, Warner Bros, CBS, and CW Network.) He produced Veronica Leigh [REVIEW of Veronica Leigh - AC5523 - www.bluesbunny.com "well produced by George McClure - 'I'm A Wild One' really stands out") and the euro-pop Layni Kooper Shower Some Love, doing well in the UK and Europe.
McClure has transcribed Vivaldi, Mozart, and Bach for acoustic ensembles, and is the writer of "The Ballad of O.J. Simpson", featured in the Nashville Tennessean and on TNN Nashville Network TV. A prolific writer, George is the author of a musical, two books, and music ranging from jazz and neo-classical through gospel, Latin, and country. He holds degrees from three top universities and is a former space scientist, NASA Houston.
Most recently, George McClure recorded an album of original material, Playboy Swing, placed in the Pop Vocal Album category in the Grammy Entry List contender round of voting. George is a NARAS writer, artist, and producer voting member. In his copious spare time, he oversees the operation of Nashville School of Music and Star Search International (SSNI *), annual music events hosted in Nashville. (www.nashvilleschoolofmusic.com and www.starsearchintl.com)
For more information see Official George McClure www.TrowbridgePlanetEarth.com/M1/M1.html and George's official dossier at www.georgemcclure.net
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George McClure - Playboy Swing Review http://www.rocknworld.com/features/07/GeorgeMcClure.shtml
by Gary Schwind
. The album begins with the title track, which is not only a great title but a great description of the sound of the song. It is definitely a swingin' tune with big horns and cool vocals.
The title track is followed by "Mass Grass," which is a real interesting tune. It includes some definite bluegrass influence with the banjo and guitar. It also features a soprano sax and piano reminiscent of Vince Guaraldi. "Mood Time" is another song that combines elements of country (Bakersfield twang) with jazz so mellow it almost seems more like classical.
"Mis Pensamientos" is a sort of mariachi song in which McClure sings half in Spanish and half in English. It is a very mellow tune but I think the vocals could be bigger on this one to give it more of a feeling of a romantic canción.
"Dia de Los Muertos (The Matador)" is an instrumental tune that very much puts you in mind of a bullfight. It features saxophone, trumpet and traditional flamenco style guitar. This song would be great in a film.
After another cocktail tune ("Champagne Saturday"), McClure includes two poems. I'm not going to criticize his ability as a poet. In fact, I think he's quite a wordsmith. I will say this though, the two spoken-word poems don't really fit with the mood of the rest of the CD. The CD moves along, genre-hopping from jazz and country to Latin sounds, then it comes to these two spoken-word poems. They seem a little out of place.
McClure finishes the CD with reprises of "Playboy Swing," and "Mass Grass" on either side of"Across the Alley." These are good tunes, but I'm not sure why he decided to include each of these two songs twice on the CD.
Overall this is a very solid CD. I like how McClure moves so easily from one sound to another. This album easily appeals to fans of jazz, Latin and people who like a little twang in their music. And I'm not going to lie to you, a few of these tunes will make you feel like you should have a cocktail in your hand. I think the ending of the album could be a little stronger, but "Playboy Swing" is definitely worthwhile.
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GEORGE McCLURE – Playboy Swing JIP Records JIP-7007 PO BOX 70403, Nashville, TN. 37207 EMAIL [email protected] OR [email protected] www.jiprecords.com Playing Time – 46:13 Review by Joe Ross staff writer, Bluegrass Now - Amazon.com - Yahoo.com
George McClure’s “Playboy Swing” continues his signature calling to present contemporary western swing music that also incorporates elements of bluegrass, big band, and even bilingual Tex-Mex border music. George’s talents are diverse and varied. Before embarking on a fully professional music career, he studied cognitive anthropology, business, computers, math and more. Obviously, he’s a creative right-brain type of guy who also knows how to handily apply his aptitude and skill to playing, singing and producing music. In his younger days, he’s played Arizona and New Mexico, performed in the pit for live theatre, and picked bluegrass and country with the Salt River Ramblers. McClure has lived in, and toured from, Nashville TN since late-1992.
Now he’s following up on his second successful 1999 album “Champagne Saturday” that included the likes of Bobby Hicks, Judy Lynn, Joey Miskulin, Rick ‘L.D.’ Money, Johnny B. I kind of miss the accordion on “Playboy Swing,” but George has arranged his music with plenty of other instrumentation to personalize his sound. Besides George’s guitar, there are primarily trumpets, saxes, drums, bass, and piano. Sadly, John Heinrich’s pedal steel only appears in William Young’s “Little Miss Santa Clause” from his repertoire recorded in 2006. The bow work of fiddlers Jon Yudkin and Andrea Zonn is essential to this kind of material, and they all rise to the occasion without grandstanding.
The two bonus tracks offer selections recorded in 1992 (“Mass Grass”) and 1998 “Across the Alley from the Alamo”), and they seem to illustrate McClure’s musical evolution from playing banjo in more acoustic arrangements to the added instrumental dimensions he presents today. Stephen George Miller’s “Mass Grass” is an instrumental with a relaxed sophistication that featured David Grier, Mark Howard, and Terry Eldredge. “Across the Alley from the Alamo” is a fun remake of the Bob Wills’ classic, and it has Johnny Bellar’s lap steel, Bobby Hicks’ fiddle, and Mark Schatz’ bass in the mix.
McClure’s newest material has developed more into big band and jazz music. At track 2, an updated 2006 rendition of “Mass Grass” still has George picking banjo, but also has grand piano, violin, bass, drums, sax and electric guitar. The tune takes a completely different ambiance of relaxed, good-time vibe, as does “Mood Time” with its shimmering piano, sax and taste of banjo. McClure also remakes his own “Champagne Saturday” (with Kathy Chiavola’s background vocals) into a grooving little number for the front-porch swing. In his songs like “Texas Blues” and “Mis Pensamientos,” George sings with warm, affable texture. I guess that’s what he refers to as “romantico” music with tints of Mexican mariachi melodies. Jim Hoke’s wailing trumpets really fill out the score for “Día De Los Muertos (The Matador).” McClure’s music is a little enigmatic at times. For example, why does he begin the album with a 3-minute version of “Playboy Swing,” but revisits the song with a 5-minute version (entitled “Playboy Loop”) at track 12? All in all, this CD’s a one-of-a-kind offering from a unique right-brained individual. It’s rather entertainingly off-beat. Hang loose, and enjoy it. (Joe Ross)
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Celestino Fernández, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology University of Arizona
June 17, 2006
If you like swing music, you’re going to love this CD! Simplemente, bonita música para bonitos tiempos! What a great mix of instrumentals, bilingual songs, and soothing vocals... and it gets better with every listening. Often throughout the CD, one gets the feeling of being in the live presence of the artist, listening to the music, interacting with him between songs, and dancing the night away.
"Mis Pensamientos" begins in Spanish and switches to English; the listener soon gets the feeling of being in the desert, on either side, of the U.S.-Mexico border. The refrain, "solo tu, solo tu..." (Only you, only you...) is both soft and moving.
My favorite song on the CD is "Día De Los Muertos (The Matador)" (Day of the Dead - The Matador). The title plays on the Día de Los Muertos (All Souls Day - November 2nd) that is celebrated in Mexico and on the theme of bullfighting and specifically on the killing of the bull. This is a beautiful instrumental with a clear and vibrant trumpet that builds, leading the listener to imagine the end of the bullfight when the bull is killed. A bit sad, really.
On the happy side, Champagne Saturday is an upbeat little love swing to relax by on a Saturday afternoon, or on any day of the week for the matter. Slow, smooth, and soothing.
Disfruten!
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I Made Love to an Alien Last Night
FrogDaddy Talks With George McClure
FrogDaddy considered himself a lucky dude on the night of March 10, 2005 when he got an e-mail from someone calling themselves George McClure. I thought to myself ... yeah sure ... right, like George is going to write to "me" about our website.
http://www.alienlove.com/modules.php?name=News&file=arti cle&sid=382&mode=&order=0&thold=0
After studying Georges websites and several more emails I realized there was a whole lot more to George McClure than his famous song "I Made Love to an Alien Last Night" (Alien Love) .... I mean a whole lot more. There aren't enough bytes on AlienLoves servers to tell you all about George McClure, his music, his life, his interests and his political views. But at the end of the interview I have listed his websites and business interests, and highly recommend that you investigate him. He is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting, peaceful, and loving people I've ever met.
FrogDaddy: Tell me George, what do you call yourself? ... a musician, songwriter, performer ... all of the above?
George: "George", usually; also "beautiful" and "handsome."[smile]. I'm a writer, and producer, showman, singer and musician as well. In terms of income, i'm a producer and entrepreneur, but all successful music people are entrepreneurial.
I toured and played for a living two periods in my life; five years in from 1979 to 1983, and eight years in Nashville through about 2001.
I transposed Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in Am for acoustic ensembles, I've written two books and a musical, and I've written hundreds and hundreds of songs.
FrogDaddy: Well what made you want to be all those things :-)
George: I was exposed to a great depth and array of classical music as a child. I was taken out of school to attend symphonies and concerts on a regular basis.
In my first year of college, a friend forced me to go to an Earl Scruggs Review concert with him and a group of friends. It revolutionized my life. I never saw anything like it before or since. All I could think of was "banjos" after that, and about a year later I bought my first one and started learning with the Pete Seeger book.
Two and a half years later I was playing for a living. The coupling of my extensive ear training in childhood with diving very very deeply into a few genres of music as a musician and writer and performer, has given me depth and vision as a producer. It's a natural progression with my talent set, I think.
FrogDaddy: Would you summarize your music for me? What's it all about?
George: It's about me and it's about life.
Frog, I've played and sung and written many forms of music. I write Latin jazz (Romantico) now, in Spanish. I played and wrote bluegrass and country from the very beginning, and experimented with jazz and neo-classical too. I've written and recorded blues, and funny songs, and childrens ditties.
I got very deeply involved with cowjazz (Western swing) touring, and still play it. The TexMex led into Romantico. I aculturated with the native sounds of Sonora, Ranchero, ranch & country, bluegrass, Western swing jazz, Apache and Tohono O'odom, Mariachi, and so on. I would say my music is rooted in the depths of mankind.
I've studied songs historically, for example ancient Apache songs and dances rooted back 5,000 years, and I've traced songs back across the ocean to the British Isles to sources dating back three and four hundred years (and more), in some cases. I'm convinced tunes like "Temperance Reel" are a thousand or more years old.
Nashville players have said about me "He has a way of making every song his own" [Billy Rose] and "You're a true original" [Britt Savage]. I'm a stylist, playing all the songs my way.
FrogDaddy: Hey George, tell us here at AlienLove, what's "I Made Love to an Alien Last Night" (Alien Love) really about? [big smile]
George: That's a funny question ... It's about different things to different people, I suppose. Kids seem to love it. I was watching a 60-minute pseudo-documentary on aliens and the Roswell Incident, around 1995. They said in the program that one of four Americans claims to have been abducted or molested by space aliens. I wrote the song "I Made Love To An Alien Last Night" right then. I actually wrote it on banjo.
FrogDaddy: That's amazing that you can do that George. But I guess thats how some things come to artists ... just all of sudden, wham! it's there. Did you ever do anything except music?
George: No.
Oh, I spent eight years in computers and math, culminating in artificial intelligence research for the Space Station Program at Johnson Space Center, Houston. I left there August 1991 to return to my first career, music.
FrogDaddy: OK George, people always want to know, what's your favorite song or songwriter?
George: Very complex question. [smile] In country, Merle Haggard and the Carter Family (the latter collectors, of course.) In pop, Rogers & Hammerstein. R&B, Ray Charles. Ray Charles' "Hit The Road Jack" was and is a driving force in my life like no other, perhaps equalled by the Supremes. Roger Miller's "King Of The Road" effected me similarly. (I heard these few snatches of popular song on the radio as a young boy.)
"Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" (Selena), "Amazing Grace" (John Newton), "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (Ian McCall), "Pieces Of You" (Jewel), "I Will Always Love You" (Dolly Parton)
FrogDaddy: Lot's of influences hey George, :-) ... here's a question from our membership. We are all avid readers here at AlienLove.com. What kind of books do you read?
George: I have very little time for pleasure reading now, but when i do, it is usually history of Arizona/Sonora and native american things. In work, I read about the music business, and have a small reference library.
I read voluminously as a boy, up to five and seven books a week, and I have a $200,000.00 library. I've read many of my books two and three times over.
FrogDaddy: Who/What do you think has been the most important person or event in your life?
George: Man ... You go for the tough ones, don't you? [smile]
FrogDaddy: Ha ha ha ... OK George how about this one, Are you helping underlings/wannabe's/young people (musicians etc.) develop themselves?
George: Yes, I like to take time to help others. We give the Trowbridge Youth Achievement Award every year, to a deserving youth or child. http://www.nashvillestarsearch.com I give extra personal time to any young person whose parent or parents come with them to learn.
I give back to my community as well. On Christmas Day I gather (or buy) candy and food and clothes, and with some friends, deliver to the people living on the streets and byways.
FrogDaddy: Do you feel pressure/stress in your work?
George: Rarely. It's mostly a time thing. You have to be able to manage certain types of stress very well to be an independent in the music business. I basically love those stresses, they keep my feeling alive, so I like it.
FrogDaddy: Can you talk about your latest project?
George: We are releasing a country single by Gus Rhein; recording a soul gospel single to release in May, by Debbie Tucker; and starting on a 15-song album - video project for Jacqui Watson.
The Gus Rhein single is part of the Band of Writers series on JIP Records (Just Iss Planetary Records) and the Jacqui Watson record will release on Artist Choice CD later this year.
You can watch for these releases on Tower Records, GAC, iTunes, cdbaby.com and jiprecords.com Ask for them in your favorite record store.
FrogDaddy: George, we ask this question of all our guests and there are no exceptions [smile] .... Have you ever had any unusual or paranormal experiences in your travels?
George: Yes. I called the spirit deer out of the woods to me as a boy. She came to me and stood by me, a wild white tailed doe. I charmed the wild grouse and walked up to it and felt its wildly beating heart.
I had an astral projection at about nineteen years of age, shooting out over the West and looking down on the Rockies, from Canada to the Southwest. This happened when I was awake. (Later I hitchiked the route, from Fairbanks to Tucson.)
In more recent years, twenty eagles circled overhead while I and my friend Danny visited Geronimo's Grave in Medicine Park, Oklahoma. I saw the spirit pony at his grave. I believe this could have been a vision.
I have witnessed amazingly strange phenomena in Texas, near the military ranges. I assume they were Harriers hazing me. The Roswell Daily Record reporter who wrote about the Roswell Incident is a friend of mine.
When I was about nine, I was fishing on a creek with my father and we witnessed a fireball fall out of the sky. It was so huge and close, I was convinced it landed in our valley. I was also convinced it was something like "The War Of The Worlds" [HG Wells]. I suppose it was a close meteorite. It was fantastic!
I have a PhD physicist friend who worked Los Alamos as a research scientist. It was all very top secret so he couldn't tell me anything specific, but one day he came back and said "I saw IT" with this huge awe. I said "What?" and he said "I saw IT". Well, you and I probably both know what it was he saw. I was also top secret clearance at one point in my computer career.
FrogDaddy: Wow ... that was intense ... how about 2 more quick questions? Do you feel that you are 'political' - in your music or in other ways?
George: I don't feel my music is political, however I write op-ed pieces and press releases on major issues that I feel profoundly. Being a public persona, expressing political views can be a detriment to business, so I try to keep relatively low key in political matters now.
I write to my representatives regularly to let them know how I feel about various issues however. I am passionate about freedom in every form.
FrogDaddy: Last question George [smile] ...How do you feel about the direction American is heading?
George: You're free to read some of my letters and press releases on http://www.georgemcclure.net/ it's all there [smile]
FrogDaddy: George .. I want to thank you personally, and, from our readers and guests on AlienLove.com. You are a true gentleman and made it a pleasure to talk to you, and get to know you at a deeper level then just hearing your music. Exposing an inner piece of yourself to the public is not always an easy thing to do, and I want you to know we appreciate the time you took from your busy life to allow us a clearer and more educated view of the inside of your world. We wish you and yours the absolute best, and continued success in whatever you do. If there's ever anything AlienLove.com can do for you or anyone in your circle ... just let us know, AlienLove will be there for you. Thank You.
As promised, here is a list of links that George is about:
http://georgemcclure.net/
http://trowbridgeplanetearth.com/M1/M1.html
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Champagne Saturday [1999] - "a classic" [Country Western Corner]
McClure's "Can't Drown Your Memory" is 2 on European charts Radio Hilversum
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BIO BRIEF - GEORGE McCLURE
Borderlands writer George McClure went pro at age 21-22 after graduating University of Arizona, playing banjo and bass in bars and clubs. Trained in classical, he quickly absorbed his native Apache "chicken scratch", Mariachi, Western swing, bluegrass, and ranchero musics. Since 1992, McClure is based in Nashville TN, writing touring recording and producing.
McClure is also a published poet and writer and publisher. He wrote Variations on Theme (c.1980 S.G.Miller), the 5-string banjo improvisation book . A prolific songwriter, his musical compositions range from Western and Latin, old-time country gospel and instrumentals to neo-classical and jazz pieces. McClure has transcribed Mozart, Vivaldi, and Bach for the 5-string banjo and acoustic ensembles, and is author of a musical "The Green Grass of Indiana".
George McClure's influences and musical styles are diverse and his understanding of the many idioms he explores, deep. John Steinbeck's writings had a profound effect early in his life along with visionaries like Salvador Dali and M.C. Escher. Selena, Haggard, Santana, Ray Charles, and thousands continue to enthuse George. But don't typecast him or his work, he will surely disappoint you if you do.
Inspired and unique, McClure has been called "a true original" and "impeccable" by his peers, resulting in a widespread fan base.
George McClure learned Western swing in Arizona and New Mexico bars and clubs while playing banjo and bass for a living. "We couldn't get off the stage without playing a few Bob Wills and Texas swing numbers", George says. "And we had a guy in our band who grooved on all the swing. The complex chords and structures thrilled me. Later, an old black bluesman from Carolina showed me a couple chords on guitar, and I worked everything out from that."
McClure's name is called for Golden Music Awards at Nashville NAMM George is nominated for Academy of Western Artists Vocalist of the Year You'll hear "I Made Love To An Alien Last Night" and "America" on Dish Cable TV and Muzak.
Champagne Saturday CD - "McClure's second album shows just how hot this cow jazz performer really is." [Country Music Round Up] The "Alien McClure" mentioned on the Simpsons
Check out George's autobiography [language]
McClure's sponsores include Stetson Hats and Gibson Banjos. His Nashville appearances include NeA's Gibson Showcase Cafe, Wolfy's, and a variety of private halls. Other McClure venues include the historic Greune Hall in New Braunfels, TX and the Marriott chain nationally.
Appearances include Nashville Network TV (TNN) Country News (as Stephen George Miller), singing and playing his "CottonPatch Blues" and speaking in an interview. His "The Ballad of O.J.Simpson", was featured in the Nashville Tennessean/Banner. Stetson Hats sponsors George, as does Gibson Banjos who even built a custom gold-plated model for his use. McClure acted in Paramount's The Thing Called Love [River Phoenix] and Dreamwork's The Last Castle [Robert Redford] filmed in Nashville, Tennessee.
McClure recorded "Champagne Saturday" following six years touring with his three piece vocal acoustic ensemble, Little America", who played up to 250 shows a year from 1993 - 2001.
DISCOGRAPHY
"PLAYBOY SWING 2" [2008] - CD album releasing now
"Playboy Swing" [2008] - DVD
"PLAYBOY SWING"[2006] - CD - Reviews "unique offering" "Big horns and cool vocals".
"CHAMPAGNE SATURDAY" [1999] - Reviews "Highly recommended..." "Hot..." "No disputing the musicianship."
"Sunny Summer Blues" [1992] - album of original old-time country and Americana music garnered fair reviews. (Bluegrass Unlimited said "...projects a sense of style and identity", "...a lot to enjoy.")
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OTHER REVIEW QUOTES
"great! I love the blends" Rambles.net Review
Listen.Lycos.com Review "Warm and twangy songs..."
[Country Music Round-Up] "McClure's second album shows just how hot this cow jazz performer is." "Innovative..."
[The Advertiser] "...a breath of fresh air..."
[Country Music People ] "...no disputing the musicianship..." "Intriguing..."
[DISC COLLECTOR] "This is genuine Western Swing..." "A lively project and fine Western Swing."
[Rope Burns] "The opener is a hot version of Take Me Back To Tulsa, and Across The Alley From The Alamo swings as well. These two, along with Wahoo! are my favorites from this album."
[GEORGE McCLURE Champagne Saturday from The Advertiser ] [Sounds Country]
GEORGE McCLURE -- Champagne Saturday - (JIP) Though we are regularly treated to a little swing thanks to superstars like George Strait, over here in the UK we rarely get to hear real western swing and when we do it is usually reissues of Bob Wills and the other 40's/50's exponents.
McClure therefore is like a breath of fresh air, proving that western swing is very much alive and part of the contemporary scene with 11 hot tracks that include George's originals Alien Love and Champagne Saturday, Bob Wills' standards Take Me Back To Tulsa and Across The Alley From The Alamo, the Gene Autry favourite El Rancho Grande and El Lumino, which is actually Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.