Who is John DiResta?

John DiResta is the real deal. He was raised on the rough and tumble streets of Long Island, where all he did was drink beer, listen to heavy metal and make fun of people. If you got mocked by John DiResta then you were in with the in crowd.

After dropping out of two colleges (New Paltz and Nassau Community) John took the New York City Police Exam. On July 15th, 1986 John was sworn into the worst police department in the history of the world, the New York City Transit Police. For the next 12 years John stood in a puddle of hot human piss in the Coney Island Stillwell Station, alone, with no partner, with a radio that might work if he was lucky. The motto of the Transit Police was 'you ride, we hide.' John had nine arrests in twelve years. His gun was so rusted shut that he would have had to throw it at a perp to take him down. The only thing that made John's job interesting was his homeless friends, with no one else to talk to John became buddies with hundreds of bums in the New York City Subway.

In 1992 John started his comedy career in the bowels of the New York comedy circuit. Five years later his one man show, BEAT: A Subway Cop's Comedy, open to raved reviews. The New York Times called him "UPROARIOUS!" John quickly signed a huge development deal with ABC/Disney. John quit the police department and moved his wife and three kids to the west coast.

In the fall of 1998 John's sitcom, 'DiResta', launched on the UPN Network. John then went on to secure very big rolls in the movies Miss Congeniality and 15 Minutes with Robert De Niro. During that period John made two very memorable appearences on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the Howard Stern Show. In the spring of 2004 John's show, Trash to Cash, premiered on the FX Network. John then went on to star in How To Loose a Guy in Ten Days and Miss Congeniality Two. In the fall of 2007 John began work on his next two TV adventures: American Body Shop was on Comedy Central for one year and Hammered lasted two seasons on HGTV/DIY Networks.

John currently lives on both coasts, spending his time in both the San Fernando Valley and in New York City. He travels the world as a killer live stand up and can be seen coming to a town near you. When not on the road John can be found in his North Hollywood Hills shop fabricating his unique rustic furniture and artwork.

John DiResta has been around the block, twice. John DiResta is a true comedic mixed martrial artist of the highest order; on TV, on film or live on stage, John gets it done. John DiResta is the funniest human being that ever lived. John DiResta is your mom.

johndiresta.com

Natalie Hawkins (singer-songwriter) Hailing from the Bay Area, CA, Natalie's vocals have been seasoned via her 20+ year background in live music and theatre performance. She began writing songs in her early teens and caught the ear of Blondie's writing partner and lead guitarist, Chris Stein, who brought Natalie in to write seven songs on the album including the US single "Sugar on the Side." Natalie relocated to Los Angeles in 2013 and immediately began writing and immersing herself in the scene already landing cuts with Chris Lawrence (Mr 305 Pitbull's label), Nicole Millar (Universal Australia), Bobi (Hollywood Records), and Christina Grimmie.

Michael zigon is an LA based musician who blends funk blues and hip hop elements to create a unique style. Michael has lent his talents to Carnival Cruise lines, lineage Dance company,Universal Studios Hollywood and Leonard Nimoy. Recently Michael teamed up with the United States forest service to release an EP centered around conservation and will be releasing it in late November. More information can be found at zigonmusic.com.

About Ali Handal

“Ali’s CD, Make Your Move, is a melange of riff-fueled rockers that could stand up to anything broadcast on ‘The Midnight Special’ in the ’70s, dreamy singer/songwriter fare, funk workouts, and ballads spritzed with Beatles essence.”

~ Guitar Player Magazine

“[Ali Handal is] earthy, natural, real and loaded with talent…She’s a singer-songwriter with something to say… a gifted artist who brings insight and intelligence to her art.”

~ Music Connection Magazine

Moved early on by wise and resilient women, singer/songwriter Ali Handal wore out Carole King’s Tapestry album. As a cat-obsessed six-year-old (some things never change), Ali honored her initial musical heroine by naming her very first kitten “Carole.” Over the years, the sweet melodies and lyrics penned by musical sages King, Dylan, Lennon and McCartney captivated her. She had an epiphany when, as a teenager, she heard Led Zeppelin for the first time. Completely mesmerized by Jimmy Page’s seductive guitar riffs, Ali quit her piano lessons to pick up the guitar.

Now based in Los Angeles, Ali unleashes sultry, groove-filled songs upon live audiences, setting the stage ablaze with fiery guitar passages and soulful lyrics delivered by her powerhouse voice. She holds her own among the ranks of fierce female performing songwriters like ani difranco and formidable guitarists such as Jimmy Page. Music Connection magazine describes her as “earthy, natural, real and loaded with talent…a singer/songwriter with something to say… a gifted artist who brings insight and intelligence to her art.” When asked about her music and stage presence, fans simply say “badass.”

Ali’s songs have been featured in numerous films and hit shows like Sex and the City, Dawson’s Creek and iCarly. She’s toured Australia, Japan and beyond, provided backing vocals for Neil Young, and shared the stage with songwriting legend Paul Williams as his featured vocalist. Also a published author, Ali penned Guitar for Girls (Hal Leonard), an exceptional guitar method book & CD brimming with advice for aspiring female musicians, as well as encouraging quotes and remarkable songs from female songwriters in all genres.

Ali is currently writing and recording music for her fourth full-length album, an acoustic collection of songs embodying the strength and sense of humor necessary to thrive as a woman in the 21st century. Cheeky songs like “I Love My Pussy.cat” and “Thank God For Birth Control” tap into her natural sass, while others, including “You Get What You Settle For” and “Better Man,” are chock full of an older sister’s tough love and the wisdom Ali has gained as she’s evolved as an artist and a woman.

alihandal.com

Guerin Lewis is an experienced vocal performer and musician. His infectious personality and unique vocal talent has landed him countless performance opportunities, radio slots and the adoration of his hometown of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. There was no question when Guerin graduated high school and turned 18 that he would be packing up his life and making the move to Los Angeles to pursue his career professionally.

Guerin’s musical journey began as a small child. His father, a music teacher, noticed his ear for music and rythmic ability. By third grade Guerin had taught himself to imitate his favorite artists and asked his father to accompany him in his school talent show singing Simple Plan’s “I’m Just a Kid”. After feeling the rush of performing in front of a live audience, he fell in love. Since then Guerin has spent every waking moment singing, playing guitar and picking up any musical instrument that piqued his interest. In sixth grade he started playing guitar to accompany his singing and was soon asked to play with the school’s jazz band. Along with guitar, Guerin can play piano, bass, drums, percussion, ukulele and has over 8 years of experience playing trombone in the school concert band. In high school Guerin auditioned and was accepted to Western Slope’s Colorado Choir Conductors Honor Choir.

It wasn’t long before his talent picked up notice from more than his peers at school. Soon Guerin was being paid to play at birthday parties, weddings, fundraisers, charity events, bars and restaurants. After opening at a local concert he was asked to play on Steamboat’s KFMU 104.1 and the Mountain 95.5 several times a month. Guerin went from playing on the street corners to make tips, to being paid to play at local ice cream shops and at the farmer’s market.

Although music is his greatest passion, it is not the only venture you will see him pursuing. Since he was a child, Guerin has been identified as the “master of all trades”. His passion for life, determination and willpower to make things happen catch him dreaming big and in return, making big things happen. He is an adventurer, leader and “all or nothing” type of guy who attracts the following of dreamers alike. Whether it is throwing himself off an 85 foot big air jump on his snowboard, placing 1st in nationals for brazilian jiu jitsu, country swing dancing, wrestling and tumbling on his high school cheerleading team, Guerin will truly try anything and accept any challenge.

As Guerin opens the next chapter of his life, these are the qualities that will undoubtedly make him successful at whatever he does.

Who is RO ?

They say things happen in 3’s.. well that’s the perfect way to explain how Ro DelleGrazie made her way into stand up comedy in 1999. After performing a dramatic monologue about kids dying in a fire and the entire front row laughing, being told by her management team she was a little to “charcter-ey” for them and finally an acting coach advised “You should try stand up comedy cause you’re not afraid to embarrass yourself in public”. Um thanks? So she ventured into the world of comedy and was hooked instantly.

Originally from New York at the start of her stand up career she was coached by Lisa Lampanelli. Ro went on the road opening up for her and working with her for 6 years. Ro has been featured on the Oxygen Network, Comcast TV and Sirius XM Radio. She also filmed a short movie called Cinderelli’s, the NY version of the fairy tale classic Cinderella. You can also see her in several different original webisodes “Ordinary Girl” and “Buona Sera News”. Ro also co-hosted a radio show with the legendary adult actress Ginger Lynn Allen called “Blame it on Ginger” where she learned things she had no idea she needed to know!

Ro grew up in Long Island where she got a degree in “ball busting” and every night drama was served for dinner! Ro moved to L.A. in 2005 and started studying at the I.O West where she graduated and was part of an improv group called Tentatively Marty. Ro has performed at the top comedy clubs across the country including Comic Strip Live, Caroline’s on Broadway, The Comedy Store and The Improvs throughout California, Laugh Factory and Flappers Comedy Club just to name a few. As well as International tours for our Troops overseas.

Ro stars in her own webisode every Monday on YouTube called “Ro’s Restau-RANTS!”. She brings you into the world of what servers have to deal with and provides tips on how to behave while you’re dining out.

The best way to describe Ro’s stand up is this….

Ro has been dubbed the “Annoyed Optimist”. She’s New York on the inside and California on the outside. People bother her…a lot. Ro isn’t one to hold back on her opinion of the public, while sharing how life is different with her 6’7 giant husband all while trying to prepare to have a family, because there’s definitely material with kids right?? Take a break from normal people life and check out Ro!

VERONIKA KRAUSAS

Of Lithuanian heritage, composer Veronika Krausas was born in Australia, raised in Canada, and lives in Los Angeles. She has directed, composed for, and produced multi-media events that incorporate her works with dance, acrobatics and video. The Globe & Mail (Toronto) writes "her works, whose organic, lyrical sense of storytelling are supported by a rigid formal elegance, give her audiences a sense that nature's frozen objects are springing to life."

Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times said of her chamber opera The Mortal Thoughts of Lady Macbeth “Something novel this way comes.” Performances ?include Ensemble musikFabrik (at the Darmstadt Music Festival), The Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York City Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Esprit Orchestra, The Vancouver Symphony, San Francisco Choral Artists, Alexander String Quartet, Fort Worth Opera, Motion Music, and the Penderecki String Quartet. Her work was an official selection of the US for the 2012 World Music Days in Belgium and she was the featured composer at the 2013 Céret Music Festival. She was one of the composers for The Industry’s mobile opera project Hopscotch. The Los Angeles Philharmonic has commissioned a work for 5 basses to be performed in a tent designed by artist Ana Prvacki in the fall of 2016.

Krausas has music composition degrees from ?the University of Toronto, McGill University in Montreal, and a doctorate from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she is currently on faculty.

www.veronikakrausas.com

David Leach, percussionist, servant to the song and midwife to the muse was born in the shadow of the Manhattan skyline in Plainfield, New Jersey. His love of music was forged in the basement

of his parents’ home while his father and godfather told and re-told stories as the strains of Miles Davis, Theolonious Monk and Stanley Turrnentine played in the background. If jazz wasn’t the

norm for a young kid, David never knew it. The music spoke to him even then.

At 12, David got his first set of drums. He doesn’t remember making a decision about what instrument he would play; rather, the instrument chose him. It was to be the choice that began his

lifetime journey into music. In his teenage years David took the opportunity to see as many concerts as possible and two of them changed the direction of his life. He saw Angela Bofill,

accompanied by percussionist, Sammy Figueroa, and then the legendary band Earth, Wind and Fire. Figueroa mesmerized him with his array of musical toys that colored the music, and the

sheer showmanship of Earth, Wind and Fire convinced him that music was to be a powerful force in his life. Little did he know then, that he would eventually play and record with the venerable

group.

David went to Rutgers University like any nice, middle-class young man, but knew within days that he had to change his major from business to music. During college he spent much of his

free time in New York City, listening to all types of music in all kinds of venues, including the theater. He remembers the magic of discovering how involved musicians were in the success of

most Broadway shows, even though they were rarely seen. It was then that he developed the attitude that it is better to be heard than seen; an attitude that has served him well over the years.

David graduated with a degree and a hunger to make a life that included music. Directly after graduation he moved to Los Angeles, and as they say, the rest is history.

He has circled the globe, playing on six of seven continents, in innumerable countries and with the finest musicians of our time. His joy of music comes out in every note he plays and in every

rhythm he creates. And like his musical hero, Paulinho de Costa, he makes it his mission to play exactly what every song needs. No more, no less.

ALEJANDRO MILLAN

My music journey inspired me to diversify. Having started as a songwriter, I expanded my abilities to different areas in music with the goal of becoming a well rounded artist, allowing me to do what I am most passionate about and lucky to call my life profession. Nowadays, I can write songs,produce, sing, perform, play keyboards and make arrangements.

It’s always a huge honor when I am asked to contribute in a project, because I am aware of the tremendous amount of work that’s involved in creating an album, and the kind of energy and talent that has to come together to make the magic happen. Every project is an adventure and I get to experience it everyday. Whether I am recording or touring, or sharing knowledge with my students, my two constants are always: dedication and passion.

BOB MALONE has toured the world as a solo artist for two decades and has played keyboards with rock legend John Fogerty since 2011. Classically trained, with a degree in jazz and a lifetime playing rock & roll clubs, theatres, and arenas, Bob’s sound is a one-of-a-kind hybrid of rock, blues, and New Orleans R&B, delivered with high-energy piano virtuosity and a voice all his own.

BOB MALONE has toured the world as a solo artist for two decades and has played keyboards with rock legend John Fogerty since 2011. Classically trained, wiBOB MALONE has toured the world as a solo artist for two decades and has played keyboards with rock legend John Fogerty since 2011. Classically trained, with a degree in jazz and a lifetime playing rock & roll clubs, theatres, and arenas, Bob’s sound is a one-of-a-kind hybrid of rock, blues, and New Orleans R&B, delivered with high-energy piano virtuosity and a voice all his own.

Born and raised in New Jersey, he has lived in New York City, New Orleans and Boston, and is currently based in Los Angeles. As a solo artist, Bob plays around 100 shows a year in the US, UK, EuropeBOB MALONE has toured the world as a solo artist for two decades and has played keyboards with rock legend John Fogerty since 2011. Classically trained, with a degree in jazz and a lifetime playing rock & roll clubs, theatres, and arenas, Bob’s sound is a one-of-a-kind hybrid of rock, blues, and New Orleans R&B, delivered with high-energy piano virtuosity and a voice all his own.

Born and raised in New Jersey, he has lived in New York City, New Orleans and Boston, and is currently based in Los Angeles. As a solo artist, Bob plays around 100 shows a year in the US, UK, Europe and Australia – including sets at Glastonbury Music Festival (UK), Colne Blues Festival (UK), Long Beach Bayou Fest (US), Falcon Ridge Folk Fest (US), Blue Mountains Music Fest (AU), and Narooma Blues Fest (AU). He has been featured twice at WWOZ Piano Night in New Orleans, and has opened for Boz Scaggs, Subdudes, The Neville Brothers, Rev. Al Green, BoDeans, Dr. John, Marcia Ball and many others. As a member of John Fogerty’s band, he has played with Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffett, and Alan Toussaint.

Malone’s 2015 album, Mojo Deluxe, has received a long list of rave reviews, spent months on the Living Blues, Relix/Jambands.com, Roots Music Report and Americana Music Association (AMA) radio charts in the US, and reached #1 on the Independent Blues Broadcasters Association (IBBA) chart in the UK. Videos from Bob’s upcoming Mojo Live DVD have recently been premiered by Relix Magazine and Alternative Root Magazine.

Bob’s music is heard regularly on Dr. Phil, Entertainment Tonight and The Rachel Ray Show, and he has appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman and The View with John Fogerty.

Kurzweil Music Systems chose Bob to make the demo videos for their new Forte digital piano, and he is endorsed by QSC Audio, Hammond Organ and Fishman Acoustic Transducers.