Lanark Records: Bio's/Artists
Charlie Gracie
Charlie Gracie is one of a diminishing number of rock-n-roll innovators, who continues to actively perform. A native of South Philadelphia, he became the first successful recording star of the "Rock Era" to emerge from that neighborhood. In 1957, Charlie's 'Butterfly' topped the American and British music charts, selling over 3 million copies. His other late fifties big sellers include: 'Fabulous', 'Ninety-Nine Ways', 'Wanderin Eyes' and 'I Love You So Much It Hurts'. These hits bankrolled Philly's famous Cameo-Parkway record label, making it a dominant force in the music industry for nearly a decade! At the height of his fame, Charlie frequently appeared on 'Dick Clark's American Bandstand', 'The Ed Sullivan Show', and 'Alan Freed's TV Specials'. He headlined shows at the Brooklyn Paramount, the Casino Royale in Washington, The 500 Club in Atlantic City, and Old Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. Charlie's star burned even brighter in Great Britain where he became the second American artist to bring rock-n-roll to the English concert stage. Preceded only by Bill Haley, Charlie headlined the London Palladium and Hippodrome receiving outstanding receptions from the press and public. To this day, Charlie Gracie, is a much loved and respected performer the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.
While Charlie has earned a place in rock music history, this is only one dimension to a career that spans forty years. His versatility makes him the consummate music man! Today, Charlie enjoys a strong following at clubs and resorts along the northeast corridor of the U.S. Twice, annually, he performs to large audiences in countries such as: England, Italy, Germany, Austria, Finland, Spain and Holland. His superb guitar playing elicits the highest of praise from music legends like George Harrison. The ex-Beatle referred to Charlie's
guitar work as 'brilliant' in a March 1996 interview with Billboard Magazine. Paul McCartney paid tribute to Charlie by Recording an updated version of 'Fabulous' in his new 1999 CD series entitled: "Run Devil Run". McCartney honored Charlie again that fall by inviting him to the album's premiere party in London.
The year 2000 found Charlie on the road with Irish blues rocker, Van Morrison. Van, another Charlie Gracie admirer, commissioned him to open his shows at the Wiltern in Los Angeles and The House of Blues in Las Vegas. A short time later, Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young fame, declared that Charlie inspired him to a musical career. Nash then proceeded to contribute vocally on Charlie's latest CD release-his first of the new Millennium.
It is obvious why Charlie Gracie has lasted the course longer than most. He is an accomplished musician and an exceptional talent - a devoted family man who conducts himself as a gentleman both on stage and off. He is a credit to his industry. *Charlie was voted into Great Britain's Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame (1998) founded by "Now Dig This" magazine.
The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns
The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns
Remember when bands loved to play? When they would tour and put out albums of substance? When they didn’t care about soda pop, car commercials, clothing lines or the branding of their name? Remember when a band was a band? The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns is a band. The band has already released two albums, and has toured endlessly off of them. The combination of the records and their touring has earned them critical and commercial acclaim, tons of radio play as well as features in magazines like Hot Rod, CMJ Music Monthly and others. A Google search on the Internet turns up no less then twelve pages that reference the band and said pages are hosted in local cities like Lancaster, PA and as far away as Germany. Good music travels far. The band formed in 1996 in Lancaster, PA, that’s right, Pennsylvania. Home of Herrs Potato Chips and Lebanon Bologna. Quentin and Wendell Jones started out as brothers and now they play guitar (Quentin) and sing (Wendell) for one of the best, screaming ass punk/rockabilly bands this side of the mighty Delaware River. The band is rounded out with Dave Ferrara on drums and new member Bradley Keough on Bass. Their first album, Whip it Out, was released in 1997 and gave the band instant credibility within the Punk/Rockabilly underground. The CD is chock full of tunes that will have you pumping your fist one minute and doing your best Elvis impression the next. Whip it Out was followed up with 1999s Circuit Rider. Rider was produced by rockabilly legend and “ Stray Cat” Lee Rocker. Rider demonstrated the bands growth as well as the chops they had secured while touring for Whip it Out. The new CD found them back on the road playing not only in their native PA, but also in Virginia, Kentucky, NJ, West Virginia and New York City. In NYC they have headlined at CBGBs as well as at the Continental, Brownies, Under Acme, and are featured regularly at the Rodeo Bar. The band has also been featured at the CMJ Music Marathon two years in a row. They were also featured on the CMJ Music Monthly CD sampler. The members of the Reach Around Rodeo Clowns have also worked with many other artists. Quentin played guitar on Robert Gordon’s self titled CD in the late nineties and from time to time plays live with him. He also produced Charlie Gracie’s 2001 CD
“ I’m All Right” and plays guitar and bass on it, and from time to time plays guitar live with Charlie. He has done live shows for Hermans Hermits in the past. Dave has played drums for such artists as Freddie Boom Boom Canon, Charlie Gracie, Nick Kane of The Mavericks, and is the drummer for Hermans Hermits. The Rodeo Clowns have been called psychobilly and rockabilly with a punk edge but they are a style unto themselves. They do not care about their clothing, haircuts, or what you call them, they just write music that they and others enjoy. Since they all have a background in rockabilly, punk and rock-n-roll, you will find elements of all these styles in their music. We are very happy to add Bradley to our line up. Bradley will also be playing with Quentin’s new band “The Comancheros”. He is now adding his bass tracks to the Clowns 17 plus song CD which will be out in late 2008 or early 2009.
The Comancheros
“The Comancheros” are the new band in town, playing shows and knocking folks out with their amazing performance and sound, already garnering glowing reviews and new fans by the minute. The band’s music and style could best be described as a perfect combination of all the great western, rockabilly, old school country, and 50's through 70"s rock and roll. In the spirit of artists like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Tex Ritter, and Bo Diddly to name a few, along with some great original tunes.
The 3-piece band consists of renowned guitarist/singer Quentin Jones who has produced and played for world class artists including Herman’s Hermits, Charlie Gracie, Robert Gordon, Stray Cats’ Lee Rocker, Nick Kane, and The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns.
Jay Sorrentino on drums and vocals, acclaimed musician and producer. He performed and produced records with the indie-band fave, “Suddenly, Tammy” for Warner Bros. Records and has also worked with and produced for numerous world class record labels and artists including Live, Jeff Buckley, Lilys , Tsunami, Solution AD, and many others. Bradley Keough on the upright bass. He is a highly regarded musician and artist who has been involved in the Bluegrass and Rockabilly scene for the past twenty years.
The Comancheros aim to make a difference with music, inspire and entertain people, leaving them wanting more, and the band’s dynamic range and versatility allow them to perform in a wide range of venues to a wide range of people, everything from bars, clubs, private parties,
retirement communities, corporate events, to larger concerts.
The Comancheros know how to deliver!
Lanark Studio
Lanark Recording Studio is a small, but great vintage sounding affordable studio based in Lancaster Pa. The studio was originally built to record the artists on Lanark Records, but we have open our doors to outside bands who need great recording and help with releasing their projects.
The Label and the Studio is owned and operated by Quentin Jones, a veteran of the music business. In recent years, Quentin has worked in the studio with such notable artists as Robert Gordon, rock legend Charlie Gracie, Stray Cat Lee Rocker, Mavericks guitar Player Nick Kain,
Philly rocker Tommy Conwell, The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns and many other independent
labels and artists.
The studio is equipped with great mics and pre’s, analog 16 track recording, 32 track Adat digital recording, a 24x8x48 mixing desk and gear by Alesis, Joe Meek, DBX, Shure, Lexicon, Fostex, Tascam, Rain, Pro Tools, and more.
The most important things we have to offer is the right ears and experience to get the job done and sounding right. There is more to recording then just gear! It’s knowing what microphones to use and how to place them, what the rooms sound like and were to place the instruments, how to apply compression, what reverb and delay to use and so many small things that can only be learned by years of experimenting and doing. We have those years of hard work!
We are looking for Artist who want to release and promote their music. We have many ways of helping with this task!
Contact Quentin Jones for more information.
