Showing posts with label Websites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Websites. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Interview: Veteran Session Drummer & Voice Actor Larry Cox Launches Website For Aspiring Artists

WWW.LARRYCOXROCKS.COM

As 2023 draws to a close, it also heralds a momentous peak in the realms of budding drummers and voice actors as LarryCoxRocks.com unveils its long-anticipated website. Veteran drummer and voice actor Larry Cox has initiated this groundbreaking platform committed to fostering talent in these competitive domains. The website and its contents are meticulously crafted to guide aspiring individuals toward establishing a professional drumming or voice-acting career.

 

After a drumming and concurrent voice acting career spanning four decades, Cox combines a harmonious blend of passion and precision, making Larry Cox Rocks the go-to destination for individuals driven by the beat of drums or the resonance of their vocal cords. The platform ready to transform how aspiring talents hone their skills and embark on a journey toward professional success.

 

It's been quite some time since I've spoken with Larry and posted reviews of albums for his bands Deaf Symphony and Kick Tommy. Still, I recently caught up with him for a quick Q&A regarding some background about his long career and his desire to embark on this latest project:

 

KH: So, I understand this website project is the culmination of something you've wanted to do since the late 1990s; tell me a little about that.

 

LC: That's right, Keith. My dream has always been to create instructional and career guidance media, but I was too busy throughout my career for such a time-consuming endeavor. Now that I've been mostly retired from mainstream work, I finally had the time to fulfill that dream.

 

KH: Which came first as a profession, the drumming or the voice acting?

 

LC: The drumming. My first pro gig was in 1985 with a band called Looker, based in Buffalo, New York. We started out playing clubs, you know, the routine for a band. Then we got a financial backer and recorded an album, got picked up by a promoter, and ended up touring for about a year, opening for Steppenwolf, Kenny Loggins, and Cheap Trick during that year. It was a great first experience.

 

KH: How long did that last?

 

LC: Just that one year, and like most bands, we broke up. So, I headed for Los Angeles to take advantage of my connections with Looker that year.

 

KH: From our initial conversation, it sounded like things happened quickly for you in LA; tell me about that.

 

LC: Yes, that's true; things happened pretty fast. I was introduced to an agent who got me gigs with some reasonably popular bands on the LA club circuit, which was hopping back then. There were so many venues for original music back then that you could gig somewhere three to five times a week. And since I was playing with two bands, I was busy. Anyway, one thing led to another, and my exposure got me into the studio, not only with the bands I was playing with but with other bands and singers recording demos for the record labels, which was crazy back then.

 

KH: They were signing bands left and right in the eighties.

 

LC: Absolutely. So, during the late eighties, I ended up recording with a couple of great vocalists, trying to get record deals, and eventually went on to great things later. One was Johnny Edwards, who eventually went on to sing with Foreigner on their Unusual Heat album. The other was Jeff Scott Soto, who had already sung with Yngwie Malmsteen then, which was super exciting for me. Jeff went on to big things eventually.

 

KH: Jeff is a monster vocalist, and his recent stuff with Sons of Apollo is top-notch.

 

LC: He was a great dude and one of my favorite to work with. Have you ever looked at his Wikipedia page?

 

KH: No, I haven't. Is it a good read?

 

LC: Oh man, the bands he has been part of are one thing, but the list of guest appearances as lead vocalist and backing vocalist is stunning.

 

KH: I'll have to check it out. Was all of this around the same time you played with Joshua?

 

LC: I joined Joshua in 1988 and recorded and played live with them until 1991. It's a great band, and Joshua Perahia is one of the most amazing guitarists in the world. I can't believe that things fizzled out for him; he should have become a household name among musicians.

 

KH: So, it's almost three years with Joshua. What happened?

 

LC: Well, it's a long story that I don't want to get into in detail, but it was a sad, sad scenario because I thought we were going to be huge. We were on the verge of a deal with Warner Brothers, and our music attorney Stan Diamond, a legend in the music business, said we were going to be the next Journey. As we were recording demos for Warner, the singer had an epiphany that he needed to start singing Christian music and wanted to rewrite the lyrics to the songs; I mean, right then and there, while we were in the studio. Warner said, "That's not going to happen," the singer quit, and everything fell apart within a couple of days. I was devastated. 

 

KH: Damn, that had to be heartbreaking.

 

LC: Oh, big time. I was ready to hang it up. However, at that time, I was getting busy with session work, I mean swamped. So, since I had no band at that moment, I gobbled up every session I could, jingles, soundtracks for movies, television, and video games, artist demos for record labels, and so many other things. It was a great time being a session player.

 

KH: How many sessions would you say you've done in your career?

 

LC: Oh shit, there's no record of that, but thousands, thousands for sure. I still do them almost thirty years later; who could keep count? I wish that I would have kept a ledger, you know, but when the money keeps rolling in, your so damn busy, family life and life in general, who thinks to keep count, you know? You keep doing what you do, and the next thing you know, thirty years have gone by! And with that kind of work, you remain anonymous, so there's no media attention or records for anyone to pull up like with mainstream recording artists.

 

KH: Sure, I get it. That's amazing. And then you have a guy that plays drums on three albums with his band, and he's a household name. 

 

LC: (laughter) Right? (more laughter).

 

KH: So when did the voice acting thing come along, and how did that come about?

 

LC: I had been doing voices all my life. I was a huge fan of Mel Blanc, the guy that did all the Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies stuff in the sixties and seventies, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester and Tweety, and so much other stuff, so much. Most people have not learned how many characters he voiced in his long career. I wanted to be that guy! So, when a connection of mine in the music business heard me doing some voices during a drum recording session in 1999, he was like, "Bro, how come you are not a voice actor?" And he knew a guy, so he hooked me up, and it took off from there. Crazy. That was the beginning of juggling two separate careers for the duration.

 

KH: Wow, people are trying to get one career off the ground, and you've been slamming two virtually impossible jobs to get into.

 

LC: (laughter) Hey, don't be hatin' (laughter).

 

 KH: Okay, you've had a super busy career, so what led you to this current project when most folks would simply be enjoying retirement and cocktails on the beach?

 

 LC: (laughter) I take my laptop to the beach! (laughter). Even though I am still doing select drumming and voice work in my retirement, this stage of my life finally allowed me the time to put together content dedicated to helping others pursue such careers. It's a labor of love for me, so it feels like something other than work. It's more like my retirement hobby; that's how I see it and feel, and the same is true with motivational speaking and drum clinic events. They are both things that I love to do. The moment you sit around waiting for the end, the Grim Reaper detours to your doorstep.

 

For budding drummers and voice actors, Larry Cox Rocks is where dreams take center stage. The site offers a diverse haven to access a treasure trove of resources designed to elevate their craft. The site hosts a wide variety of instructional media, tutorials, guidance material, and personal coaching options, as well as several podcasts covering different subjects. Whether just starting or looking to expand upon one's talent, the platform provides a comprehensive guide for beginner and seasoned skills.

 

One of the standout features of the website is the capability for members to request personalized coaching sessions that focus on specific areas of interest, along with the ability to communicate directly with me. So, whether you're just starting or looking to finesse your technique, Larry Cox Rocks provides an immersive learning experience that transcends physical and geographical boundaries, connecting aspiring talent with a seasoned veteran whose drumming and voice acting career has spanned four decades.

 

Beyond the educational aspects of the site, the platform offers in-person social engagement with Larry Cox through clinics, workshops, and motivational speaking. Such forums allow groups of like-minded individuals to engage in group learning and vibrant discussions and to interact through real-time education that transcends virtual boundaries — adding an extra layer of excitement and fostering a sense of camaraderie among participants.

 

"I believe in the transformative abilities that I possess with my many years of experience," says Cox. "My mission is to empower aspiring drummers and voice actors, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to turn their passions into professions. Launching my website is a significant step towards realizing this vision."

 

Larry Cox Rocks is a visionary platform dedicated to nurturing drumming and voice-acting talent. With a commitment to education, motivation, and inspiration, Larry Cox Rocks is poised to become a terrific launchpad for aspiring drummers and voice actors everywhere.



 

For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonathan Beacon
Artist Relations Manager
artists@cnsenterprises.com

Connect with Larry:
Official Website:
LarryCoxRocks.com
               

Monday, October 3, 2022

Tune In to Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman’s Web TV

Remember when keyboard legend Rick Wakeman hosted Gastank in the 80s? Want to relive his stunning performance with Orchestra Della Svizzera in Lugano, in 2009? Wakeman Web TV has all this and more! No more channel-hopping: here’s your one-stop shop for an array of stunning live performances taken from across the keyboard wizard’s career. And to mark the launch of this new venture, Rick has some exciting news…Welcome to Rick’s web TV channel!

Here you’ll be able to view many of Rick’s TV appearances and old concerts amongst many other hidden treasures, offering films for either rental or purchase, whichever takes your preference.

There’s a host of goodies, with some hard to find items along with better known works, and all in one place! Also Rick Plaice Season 2 can only be seen on Rick Wakeman’s Web TV!So why not treat yourself to an Aladdin’s cave of one of Rick’s golden gems from the past.

It couldn’t be easier.

SURELY THIS HAS TO BE THE WAY FORWARD TO GIVE FANS OLD AND NEW THE BEST WAY TO VIEW AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC…A VERY SENSIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO THOSE PLATFORMS THAT ALREADY EXIST.” – Rick Wakeman

Given the demise of the DVD as a consumable item, no more support at retail for the format or end user demand. Rick Wakeman has always been seen as an innovator and pioneer, not only as a musician, but as a businessman. The logical solution was to commission his team to build an online platform for all his films, videos. Rather than a subscription based approach (ie Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Apple TV). or an ad based system - (ie You Tube). Rick has pioneered a Pay Per View solution, that way the fans can choose and pay for only the film or video they want to see and not get hooked into a monthly fee or subscription.

For more information: https://rickwakemanwebtv.co.uk/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com