| Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers joined by Andrew Ripp, will perform for troops stationed abroad in Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Bahrain, Kuwait and Portugal on tour with Armed Forces Entertainment from March 4 – March 30, 2009.
Rising to critical acclaim with Glassjaw Boxer, the Massachusetts natives scored a place on USA Today’s list of Top 5 Albums in 2007. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers combines talented musicians and exceptional songwriting to offer a personal glimpse into common everyday struggles. For example, “Fourth of July” speaks of patriotism, but instead of leaving it confined to a single day, calls to mind individual moments throughout the years. The band’s forthcoming release on Vanguard Records builds on their early success and continues to showcase Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers’ musical and songwriting skills.
Their Americana, alt-country/rock sound is instantly familiar appealing to a full spectrum of audiences. Themes of family life, fatherhood, and friendship abound throughout all of their work, which evokes the spirit of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty while still managing to sound unique. Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers’ music also translates well into live performance, which is both engaging and invigorating. The band earned their stripes over the last five years playing over 200 live shows a year and sharing the stage with the likes of O.A.R, Guster, Hanson, Jason Mraz, and George Thorogood & The Destroyers.
Joining Kellogg for select performances will be Chicago-native, musician and songwriter, Andrew Ripp. With a vocal style that Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine describes as “A mix between Ray LaMontange and someone else I can’t quite put my finger on,” Ripp has received critical acclaim among the music industry. His debut album, Fifty Miles to Chicago is reminiscent of a classic 70s sound, recalling artists like Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, and Hank Williams. From the electricity of the full band-backed, organ-driven groove of "Get Your Smile On," to the solo acoustic guitar and vocals of "It’s All Good," and the heart-wrenching rock ballad "Dresden Wine," Ripp demonstrates the kind of range that makes for exceptional talent and entertaining performance.
“We know both Andrew Ripp and Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers will make great additions to our tour lineup,” says Navy Lieutenant Jarod Trujillo. Armed Forces Entertainment circuit manager for Europe and the Mediterranean. “They’ve built notoriety and an impressive following, which we know will only continue to build as they perform for our troops stationed abroad.”
###
Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment. Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.
To learn more about Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, visit http://www.stephenkellogg.com/.
To learn more about Andrew Ripp, visit http://www.myspace.com/andrewripp.
|
