Vernon Neilly award winning guitarist and actor (Along Came Polly, Starsky and Hutch, Walk Hard) is certainly not a stranger to lots of media attention, and it seems like this trend is not going to let up anytime soon. Vernon is currently featured in one of jazz’s most respected magazines Jazz Improv Magazine, where he gives a detailed interview about his amazing new CD honoring the “Master Blaster’ Stevie Wonder, his influences musically, his mentors, and what he feels about the current state of the music and entertainment business. Vernon Neilly & Friends “A Tribute To Stevie Wonder” which features other highly respected artists from 3 continents has been reviewed as one of the most diverse works of the catalog of Mr. Wonder, as it includes hits like “Superstition” done in a heavy rock format, “Boogie On Reggae Woman” done is a rocking guitar instrumental format, “Sir Duke” in a brilliant pop vocal format, and other classic hits done musically like they have never been heard before. Vernon says “If you are one of those people who like’s to hear music that sounds the same from track to track, then this CD is not for you, because it covers a vast spectrum musically. It’s very entertaining”. Vernon was also honored recently by being asked to do an interview in India’s oldest English speaking publication “The Statesman”, which has been in circulation for 133 years to a readership of more than 500,000 per issue. This interview also talks about the Stevie Wonder project, but in more detail, Vernon also talks about the type of gear that he uses for recordings, and live performances, and the companies that he endorses. When it rains it pours literally, Vernon is also featured on the front page of the world leading guitar pickup maker, the Seymour Duncan website. Vernon has proudly been a loyal Duncan endorser for many years, stating “they are family”. www.seymourduncan.com/news/kellie/weekly_update/. The CD is available for purchase at select major and independent retail stores nationally, and at major online retailers and digital download retailers internationally.

Kiko Loureiro recently performed at the 2009 Namm Show to enthusiastic crowds admiring his blazing guitar technique, of course he was joined by his ever trusted partner Tagima K1 signature guitar specially built for him by master Brazilian guitar craftsman Marcio Zaganin. In more Kiko news, Kiko was just honored by 2 companies with signature pedals that bear his name. The Kiko Loureiro Distortion Wah pedal by Morely, that was designed specifically for Kiko's a ggressive tone and style of playing, and his GK1 Kiko Loureiro signature effects pedal, programmed by Kiko to achieve is undeniable signature sound that you have heard on Angra products, Kiko's solo projects No Gravity, Universo Inverso, and the critically acclaimed Tribute To Stevie Wonder CD, on which Kiko is a major participant. Kiko also sat down with Joe Satriani to talk about his music, his sound, and playing the guitar in general.

Award winning guitarist Vernon Neilly performed on Brazil's most popular TV talk show Programma Do Jo which is viewed by more than 100,000,000 million people. The programmers at the show liked Vernon and his bands performance so much that they used it in their end of 2008 top performances show. Vernon also hit the big screen again in 2008 in the Sony Columbia picture release Walk Hard which was nominated for 2 Golden Globe Awards. The movie subsequently now can be seen internationally on cable/satellite broadcast entertainment channels along with the other movies Along Came Polly, Starsky and Hutch, and Hit UPN Network show One On One that Vernon participated in. Vernon released his 4th solo CD entitled "Vernon Neilly & Friends" A Tribute To Stevie Wonder, which has been getting great reviews all over the world. Joining Vernon on this amazing project are some other well known guitar and bass talent such as Greg Howe, Kiko Loureiro, Bill Hudson, U-Nam, Miguel Mega, Grammy winn ing bassist Juan Nelson, sax virtuoso Michael Paulo, vocalist Cristopher Clark, Carlos Zema, and Fabyan Irving. Vernon also visited the Seymour Duncan factory during the latter part of 2008 to pay a visit which during this time he was given a personal string winding course by longtime custom shop pickup winding expert Maricela (MJ). Vernon has his favorite Duncan pickups SH-1N, SSL-2, and SH-4 custom wound with plain black covers for his Tagima VN-1 signature series guitars.If you are interested in getting these special Duncan pickups like Vernon uses please contact Seymour Duncan.

Brazilian guitar wizard Edu Ardanuy finally released his long awaited solo CD Electric Nightmare, read about it in the Feb. cover story of Guitar Clinic Magazine. Edu is a longtime Tagima endorser and has the E1 and E2 White Diamond signature models. Also see some awesome video by Edu Ardanuy.