It’s been a busy few months! I apologize for not keeping up with my site updates. So much has happened both good and not- so good. My wife Karen’s brother lost his battle to liver cancer on August 5th after a year long fight. He was only 49. I have known him since he was a kid making his way in the world- learning bass guitar and making trouble. He was always testing his boundaries- but a kinder more decent man doesn’t exist. We will all miss him. Since his passing he has been sending all sorts of gifts to his loved ones. I personally feel I have been the recipient of some good quality inspiration from Andy. One night soon after he died, in the middle of a dream, i saw the vision of Andy and his voice said, “You know, Jimmie, you don’t have to wait till you’re six feet under, you can have heaven on earth”. I then heard a melody and a set of chord changes. I shook myself out of sleep and went downstairs to record what I was hearing. Two days later the song was complete and being recorded at my next session for the new Pride Of Lions album. It is probably the most exciting new song I have written in years. The response from the record company and fans and friends has been overwhelming. It seems lately when there is a fortuitous coincidence or a stroke of good luck- both Karen and I have taken to saying “thank you Andy!” I can’t wait for the whole world to hear this song- it totally rocks!

I’d like to thank everyone who came to the Pride Of Lions show at Moraine Valley College on Oct 7th. I am still flying high off of that one. (For a review and photos please click HERE) Toby Hitchcock was in magnificent voice and the band was fine tuned to a fever pitch. Lisa McClowry joined us for a few tunes from the Peterik solo record and she soared, as did Chuck Soumar on percussion. Toby and I are so blessed to have this team- Ed Breckenfeld on drums, Mike Aquino on guitar, Klem Hayes on bass, Christian Cullen on keys. The hours they spend wood shedding for this show could never be compensated for. Behind the scenes and invaluable are Larry Millas- front of house mixer, Toby Berman- stage manager, Chuck Soumar and Bob Bergland- tour direction, Amy Blaze- merchandise, Terry Becker- marketing, Scott May- publicity, Roy and Sharon Ferrar- photography, of course everyone at Moraine Valley was fantastic, and I’d like to especially thank Bob Hood who did the lighting (I forgot to thank him onstage- I’m surprised he didn’t shut my lights out!) Also- to all the radio stations, press and television that helped us get the word out- a huge thanks!

All the recording is completed now for the third Pride Of Lions album entitled- The Roaring Of Dreams.
Larry and I are now in the fine tuning and mix stage.
I feel it is our strongest yet and the most “now”. We haven’t forsaken the 80’s but it just feels fresher to me- possibly because the songs have all been written recently. Release is planned for Feb 07, on Frontiers Records.

So many events have taken place since I last checked in. A few weeks ago I took part in the second annual Benefit for Rock Hep C in Minneapolis- a concert to raise consciousness and funds for the research and treatment of hepatitis c, spearheaded by Fergie Frederickson, my good friend and ex member of Toto, Trillion, Laroux and Mecca. This year I brought Karen and she flipped out over the show which this year included Fergie singing hits by Toto, John Cafferty and Tunes of the Beaver Brown Band, Randall Hall formerly of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alex Ligertwood of Santana, Barry Goodreau and Sib Hashian of Boston, Pat Travers, Tris, and of course the Allstar band that learned everyone’s tunes to the T.

For me- the highpoint was former Survivor lead singer Jimi Jamison joining me onstage to sing a few Survivor classics. After I did my solo set with the band- consisting of “Hold On Loosely” and “Vehicle”- Jimi took the stage and we did a piano only version of “The Search Is Over.” It was magic and the audience seemed to agree. Then the band took the stage and we did “I Can’t Hold Back”- it rocked. We closed with a take no prisoner’s version of “Eye Of The Tiger.” It was a real déjà vu moment for me. Jimi was in great voice. It felt good to restore a small part of that legacy. I wish him all the best. Hopefully this concert will be a building yearly event. Thanks to Fergie and the whole foundation for a real caring job. This disease is coming into light more and more. Let’s do our best to support its research.

The Ides just wrapped up a wonderful summer season of shows. The band was in top form playing to thousands at various fests around the Midwest.
We have one more show this year in November at the Beverly Center- please check elsewhere on this site for details and please come out and see our final 06 show.

On the writing front- I just finished a great writing session and recording with Marty Casey, best known as the front man for the popular Chicago act- The Love Hammers- and as the runner up in the Rockstar TV show from last year- the one that was looking for a new lead singer for INXS. Millions of people saw Marty’s tremendous talent and stage presence and he is now embarking on a solo album for Epic Records. The song we wrote entitled “Spirit Rise” is a killer. Stay tuned.

I had the pleasure of taking the stage with my good buds 38 Special in September at the Last Fling in Naperville, IL. They attracted nearly 10,000- people at this show- and of course they majorly rocked. They invited me up for “Hold On Loosely” and the encore package. It was a great time and a night I’ll never forget. We will be writing more songs for their upcoming album this winter.

Also- I am continuing to write with Loren Ellis of the Drew Davis Band- the popular country rock band from Los Angeles that just got signed to 903 records in Nashville. Two of the songs “Son Of A Smoking Gun” and “Rattlesnake” are being considered for the album- as well as “Doll In The Pink Bra” (no this is not a typo!)

Anyway- thanks to everyone who supported me in my various incarnations this year- without you it would be the sound of one hand clapping. You are royalty in my book. In the next months I will be spending lots of time with my family- writing in Nashville- watching the development of my son Colin’s new ban- Lobster Newberg- preparing for the next World Stage concert- May 18th at the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center- and getting ready for Karen and my trip to New Zealand in January. This is the hub of Karen’s New Life Hair wig business.

Special thanks to my good friend and webmaster Tom Soares for keeping the flame of my career alive- even when I can’t attend to the reporting as well as I’d like- he and his wife Diane and daughter Cory are like family to me.

Jim

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