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| New Crooner Brian Evans Begins New CD Brian Evans, the "new crooner" that has been opening for the likes of Social Distortion, Jay Leno, and Joan Rivers, is finally working on his new CD that has been two years in the making. Initially, Emmy winning arranger Harvey Cohen began creating the arrangements for the new CD, which features eight original songs and four covers. However Mr. Cohen suddenly passed away in early 2007, the day he completely the original material outlines. The new CD will feature twelve songs in total, with one track being produced by Ahmet Zappa. "We're also working on getting a duet track done on the new CD, and you won't believe who we're approaching, " says Evans. "This CD has taken a long time to create because whenever you are doing a big band album, it's hard enough just doing covers. However most of this CD has been written by myself, and that takes a long time to do when you hand an arranger a cassette tape featuring just your voice...then saying 'here, make a big band song out of each of these, '" says Evans. Brian debuted at The Desert Inn in Las Vegas prior to playing venues such as The Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas. Evans is also co-creator of a new comic book series in the works. "I'll talk about that one when everything is solidified, but I am thrilled to be a part of it and people will truly be stunned by how big that thing is going to be. We're already talking toys and all sorts of fun stuff, but it would be premature for me to discuss it right now." Evans, who guest-starred on such shows as "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Full House" as a kid, says the new CD is one that will set him apart from the rest. "The folks involved in this new CD blow my mind. I remember growing up to their names, and the fact that they are helping to propel this new record in a competing way makes me feel very gratified." The singer performed last month for republican presidential front-runner Mike Huckabee. Ironic given Evans himself ran as a democrat in the 2004 US Senate primary against Daniel Inouye. "I like to stir it up sometimes." Brian's website is www.brianevans.com, and his MySpace page is www.myspace.com/brianevansonline where visitors can add themselves as friends to see exclusive video performances and music clips. "I'm in a weird business where you just have to keep plugging away, " says Evans, whose song "It Had To Be You" was featured on this season's "So You Think You Can Dance" during contestants "Danny & Anya's" rendition of the "Foxtrot". Evans' version of the song "Witchcraft" was also used on the ABC debut of the hit TV show "Big Shots" starring Dylan McDermott. "I ran into Dylan at CVS in Santa Monica, and he actually remembered the song and said he dug it, so that's always cool and I'm such a big fan of his that it truly meant a lot coming from him, even if it was in the cough drop aisle of a pharmacy, " laughs Evans. Evans will perform several dates in Las Vegas in 2008, but will be performing in Australia and South Africa as well. Evans, who crooned along with Michael Buble' at the Vancouve rnightclub "Babalu" simply states he's been biding his time. "My turn has taken longer because I'm not just covering songs. I'm writing new ones, and I didn't want my original material to be geared at getting radio play, but staying true to the genre and what a real crooner is. I'm trying to keep the genre alive with my original material, I'm not trying to be Anne Murray as much as I love her work." write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |