9/26: STEVE BROWN IN DEF LEP, SLASH PODCAST, SNAKE SIRIUSXM, MORE

Very happy for my old friend Steve Brown guitarist for NJ band Trixter. Steve has landed the gig filling in for Vivian Campbell in Def Leppard while Viv continues his treatments for cancer. Steve is a talented guy that had success in the early 90’s with Trixter and has been playing in a variety of bands ever since, including a reformed Trixter as of a few years ago. Steve is just one of MANY great players from that era that unfortunately were limited in the opportunities they get regardless of their talent because they are part of that “80’s scene”. If you recall even Jake E Lee said on That Metal Show he was passed over for many gigs because people associated him with “hair metal” (another reason I hate that term). It still carries a stigma for many and is so unfair because so much talent was around at that time. Steve is one of those examples of a talented guy from that time period that now thankfully is getting a great shot on a huge stage as a member of a huge band even if just temporary. Hopefully it will bode well for other artists with talent from that era to be given  a fair shot at bigger and better things. I love stories like this. Guys who stuck it out, played bars, never stopped believing when the industry looked past them, and then to get a huge shot. Similar story for Mark Tornillo who has now made 3 great albums as the lead singer in Accept. Went from playing clubs in NJ and working as an electrician, to overnight opening for AC/DC in a stadium as lead singer of Accept. So good luck to Steve and kudos to Leppard for giving him a shot (not to mention having an American in the band!). Most importantly get well soon to Vivian. Yes I am happy for Steve to have this temporary gig, but let’s all pull for Viv to get healthy and return to his gig as soon as he is up for it.

Great response to my all new interview with Slash on this weeks podcast. Grab it free and worldwide via Itunes or www.podcastone.com

All new radio show tonight on Q104.3 & WAAF 11P ET. Remember both stations also stream. Q104.3 via iHeartradio app and WAAF at www.waaf.com As usual the show airs on all affiliates over the weekend listed on this site.

All new live SiriusXM show Monday 6-10P ET on channel 39. Skid Row guitarist and co-founder Snake Sabo will be sitting in.

New TMS scheduled to start taping in Jan. Shows to air in Feb. Details when I have them from VH1C.

See you at Overkill at Starland this Saturday if in the area.

Have a good weekend. My Giants 2-2 and 1-0 in the division, I’ll take it!