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Randall Simon
Simon (left) and Jair Jurrjens on March 11, 2007
Free agent
First baseman
Born: (1975-05-25) May 25, 1975 (age 37) Willemstad, Curaçao
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 1, 1997 for the Atlanta Braves
Career statistics (through 2008 season)
Batting average	.283
Home runs	49
Runs batted in	237
Teams
Atlanta Braves (1997-1999) Detroit Tigers (2001-2002) Pittsburgh Pirates (2003) Chicago Cubs (2003) Pittsburgh Pirates (2004) Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004) Orix Buffaloes (2005) (NPB) Philadelphia Phillies (2006) Rojos del Águila de Veracruz (2007) Potros de Tijuana (2007) Newark Bears (2008) Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks (2009) Gary SouthShore RailCats (2010) Rockford RiverHawks (2010-(2011)

Randall Carlito Simon (born May 25, 1975) is a professional baseball first baseman. He has played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball and one in Nippon Professional Baseball between 1997 and 2006. Simon's debut season came with the Atlanta Braves in 1997, for whom he played until 1999. He also played for the Detroit Tigers (2001–2002), Pittsburgh Pirates (2003, 2004), Chicago Cubs (2003), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004), the NPB's Orix Buffaloes (2005), Texas Rangers (2006) Philadelphia Phillies (2006-2007). Upon his release from the Phillies in spring training, Simon played in the Mexican League, for the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz and Potros de Tijuana. He also played in the Northern League for the Gary SouthShore RailCats in 2010 and Rockford RiverHawks in 2011, and is currently a free agent.

Life and baseball career[link]

Simon was born in Willemstad, Curaçao. Before signing with the Pirates, Simon signed with the Florida Marlins and New York Yankees in the 2000 season, but did not play in the majors for either franchise. In 2003, Simon was traded by Pittsburgh to the Chicago Cubs, where he had a productive postseason, helping the Cubs to the 2003 National League Championship Series. After the season, Simon was released by Chicago.

On February 19, 2004, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Simon as a free agent to secure the team at first base for the upcoming season. After several months into his second tenure with the Pirates, he was released on August 18, 2004. Simon said, "I'm a fighter," Simon said. "I promise you're going to see me again. You don't have to worry about that."

One day after his release from the Pirates, he was acquired by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After less than a month with Tampa Bay he was released and signed with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League.

Randall represented his country in the 2006 World Baseball Classic for Netherlands along with his fellow country man and old teammate Andruw Jones who he played with the Atlanta Braves.

In 2008, Simon played for the independent Newark Bears of the Atlantic League.

In 2009, Simon played in the World Baseball Classic on the team representing the Netherlands.

The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the Northern League signed Simon to a contract for the 2009 season.

Simon played for the Truenos de Tijuana of the Northern Mexican League (Liga Norte de Mexico) in the 2011 season, which ended on July 17, 2011.

Sausage race incident[link]

On July 9, 2003, during the Milwaukee Brewers' "Sausage Race," in which four contestants wearing sausage costumes have a footrace on the field, Simon leaned over the dugout railing and hit college student Mandy Block (in the Italian sausage costume) with a bat, causing her to fall into the path of another racer. It should be noted that his bat struck only the top padded part of the costume, well above her head position, causing her to lose her balance. Block suffered only a scraped knee. Simon was questioned by police and later fined $432.10 for disorderly conduct. MLB suspended him for 3 games.^[1] He issued an apology - and an autographed bat - to Block. In addition, later that year, Mandy Block received a complimentary trip to Curacao(Simon's home island) for two persons from the Curaçao Tourism Board. When he returned to Miller Park later that year as a member of the Chicago Cubs, he purchased Italian Sausages for an entire section, and during the race, his teammates playfully held him back until all the sausages passed the dugout

References[link]

Citations[link]

• 1. ESPN "Sausagegate"
• 2. ESPN: Your Turn "Sports Arrests"

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube

Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Robert Randolph
Background information
Origin	Orange, New Jersey, USA
Genres	Funk, Soul, Jam, Gospel, Sacred steel, blues
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Warner Bros. Records
Website	RobertRandolph.net
Members
Robert Randolph Danyel Morgan Marcus Randolph Adam Smirnoff Lenesha Randolph Brett Haas
Past members
John Ginty Jason Crosby

Robert Randolph and the Family Band is a multicultural American funk and soul band led by pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph. Other band members include drummer Marcus Randolph, bass guitarist Danyel Morgan, vocalist Lenesha Randolph, keyboardist and guitarist Brett Andrew Haas, and one of three rotating rhythm guitarists: Joey Williams of Blind Boys of Alabama, Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff, and Cousin Ray-Ray. Jason Crosby (keyboards and fiddle) and John Ginty (organ) are former members. Rolling Stone included Robert on their list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.^[1]

Band history[link]

Frontman Robert Randolph was trained as a pedal steel guitarist in the House of God Church and makes prominent use of the instrument in the band's music. The instrument is referred to in many African-American Pentecostal churches as Sacred Steel. Randolph was discovered while playing at a sacred steel convention in Florida.

Randolph cites Stevie Ray Vaughan as a primary influence in his own technique and style.^{[citation needed]} The group's sound is inspired by successful 1970s funk bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire and Sly & the Family Stone, another multicultural band composed of former members of the Church of God in Christ.^{[citation needed]} Randolph himself has explained that in his adolescent years before his discovery by the secular community, he was almost completely unaware of non-religious music, saying "I never heard of The Allman Brothers Band, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, none of them. I wasn’t into that music, only the church thing."

Before releasing albums with The Family Band, Randolph was selected by avant-garde jazz organist John Medeski to join him and the North Mississippi Allstars on their 2001 jam project, The Word. Just prior to the release of The Word's debut album, Randolph was brought to the attention of music fans through an enthusiastic review^[2] by Neil Strauss in the New York Times in April 2001. On their first non-church tour of the East Coast, Randolph's new Family Band band opened for the North Mississippi Allstars and then rejoined the musicians after their set, with Medeski, as The Word.

The first Robert Randolph and the Family Band album, Live at the Wetlands, was released in 2002 on Family Band Records, recorded live on August 23, 2001, just prior to the club's closing. The band released their studio debut, Unclassified on August 5, 2003. They attracted the attention of Eric Clapton, and have subsequently toured as a supporting act with the English blues guitarist. Clapton later guested on their 2006 album Colorblind, playing on a cover of "Jesus Is Just Alright".

In 2002, they were hired by ABC to make the network's new NBA theme song. The song, "We Got Hoops", only appeared in three telecasts, though it was used throughout both the NBA and WNBA seasons during promotions for both leagues. In September 2003 Randolph was listed as #97 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list. Robert entered the list following Leigh Stephens and directly preceding Angus Young.^[1] In February 2004 Robert Randolph and the Family Band along with the band O.A.R. released a cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain", which was subsequently placed for purchase online in the iTunes Music Store. This version was played live with O.A.R. at their August 15, 2009 show at Madison Square Garden.

Their third album, Colorblind, was released October 10, 2006. The song "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That" was used in several commercials for NBC. In June 2008 the Discovery Channel used this same song in a popular promo entitled "It's All Good" for their summer lineup. The song "Thrill of It" was used throughout the 2007 college football season by ABC during their College Primetime games. They worked with producer T-Bone Burnett on their fourth studio album We Walk This Road, released in 2010. They released the supposed first single from that album entitled "Get There" but this song did not appear on the album. The first official single from the album is "If I Had My Way."

Live appearances[link]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2010)

Randolph's concerts are known for their lively stage performances, with Randolph content to let the rest of the band play on while he dances. Dance is an integral part of the concerts. During "Shake Your Hips", women are encouraged to dance onstage. For the song "The March", Randolph leaves his instrument to instruct the crowd on how to properly perform the intricate dance move. In the band's earlier days, Randolph would temporarily stop the show if members of the audience were not dancing and appeared not to be enjoying themselves.^{[citation needed]}

Other noteworthy concert regulars involve the entire band trading instruments allowing each member to show off their musical proficiencies. When he becomes completely enthralled by his music, Randolph will kick the chair away from his pedal steel guitar and dance while he plays. A microphone is occasionally passed around the front row of the audience, so they can sing during the song "I Need More Love". Audience members are also called up on stage to sing ("Purple Haze") or be a guest guitarist for one song.

In 2004 Robert Randolph and the Family Band was the opening act on the Eric Clapton tour. They are featured prominently in the Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival DVD (2004). The band also appears on Bonnaroo Music Festival DVDs. The length of the concerts can vary greatly depending on what songs are played (the band does not use a set list) and how long jams last. Concerts go over the allotted time if the band and the audience are having fun. Most concerts don't have an intermission; instead, band members will exit the stage leaving one or two members a chance to shine with solos. The one time the band does stop is so the band can relax, get hydrated, and plan the encore. On October 9, 2004 Robert Randolph and the Family Band appeared on the PBS television show Austin City Limits.^[3]

Robert Randolph and the Family Band performed on the David Letterman Show on December 13, 2006, playing the song "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That." On January 24, 2007, they played in Dallas at Victory Plaza outside of the American Airlines Center as part of the 2007 NHL All Star game festivities. The band also played before the start of the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. The Family Band has opened for Dave Matthews Band for some shows on their 2002-09 tours. In 2005 Robert Randolph appeared on the Dave Matthews Band release Weekend on the Rocks. Robert Randolph has performed as a guest during the Dave Matthews Band set on songs such as "All Along the Watchtower", "Louisiana Bayou", "Stand Up", "Smooth Rider", "You Might Die Trying", and "Two Step", among others.

In 2007, Robert Randolph and the Family Band played at the inaugural South Padre International Music Festival. In 2008, They opened for Eric Clapton and were also one of four featured artists on the Music Builds Tour. Robert Randolph and the Family Band played in Oxford, Mississippi on April 25, 2009 as part of the 14th annual Double Decker Arts Festival. In 2009 Randolph also sat in on two live performances of Led Zeppelin's "Fool In The Rain" with the band O.A.R.. ^[3]

Soundtrack appearances[link]

• Paparazzi - "Going in the Right Direction"
• The Game Plan - "Ain't Nothing Wrong with That"
• Stomp the Yard - "Ain't Nothing Wrong with That"
• Grey's Anatomy - "Ain't Nothing Wrong with That"
• NBA on ABC - "We Got Hoops"
• Saturday Night Football - "Thrill of It"
• NBA Live 07 - "Thrill of It"
• Malcolm in the Middle - "Going in the Right Direction"
• A series of Subway restaurant commercials - "Ain't Nothing Wrong with That"
• Discovery Channel - "Ain't Nothing Wrong with That"

Guest appearances[link]

• "Garden of Love" and "Opportunity" - Demolition String Band on Pulling Up Atlantis
• "Oh My Lord" - Ringo Starr on Choose Love
• "Trinity" - Santana and Kirk Hammett of Metallica on All That I Am
• "I Am an Illusion" - Rob Thomas on ...Something to Be
• "Mas Y Mas" - Los Lobos on Live at the Fillmore (DVD version)
• "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" - Sawyer Brown on Mission Temple Fireworks Stand
• "Out in the Woods" and "That's My Home" - Buddy Guy on Skin Deep
• "The Good Life" - Rachael Lampa on Rachael Lampa
• "Lay Lady Lay" - Buddy Guy on Bring 'Em In
• "Crosstown Traffic" - Soulive on Break Out
• "Cissy Strut", "Ruler of My Heart" and "Tell It Like It Is" - Dirty Dozen Brass Band on Medicated Magic
• "Train's A Comin'" - JD & The Straight Shot on Right On Time
• "Exodus" and "Louisiana Bayou" - Dave Matthews Band on Complete Weekend on the Rocks
• "Otherside" - Third Day on Revelation
• "I Want to Take You Higher" - Sly & The Family Stone on Different Strokes by Different Folks
• "There's No Tomorrow" - Elton John & Leon Russell on The Union

Other appearances[link]

In 1999, Arhoolie Records released Sacred Steel Live! including performances recorded live in two House of God Churches in 1998 and 1999 one of which was Robert Randolph performing “Without God“. In 2001, they released Train Don't Leave Me: The First Annual Sacred Steel Convention including performances recorded live March 31 - April 1, 2000, one of which was Robert Randolph performing “I Feel Like Pressing My Way“. In 2004, Robert Randolph and the Family Band covered "Purple Haze" for the album Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix. In 2009, Robert Randolph, along with The Clark Sisters, released a version of the song “Higher Ground” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration.^[4][5]

Discography[link]

• Live at the Wetlands, April 2002
• Unclassified, August 2003. U.S. #145
• Colorblind, October 2006. U.S. #75
• We Walk This Road, June 2010. U.S. #74
• Live In Concert, October 2011

Guest singles[link]

Music videos[link]

External links[link]

• Official Robert Randolph and the Family Band website
• Robert Randolph and the Family Band collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
• Interview: Robert Randolph December 28, 2006
• "Pedal power: Can Robert Randolph steel success?" The Hook #515, April 13, 2006

See also[link]

• Sacred Steel
• The Word

References[link]

Warren Haynes
Haynes performing with Govt Mule, July 9, 2006
Background information
Born	(1960-04-06) April 6, 1960 (age 52) Asheville, North Carolina United States
Genres	Southern rock, hard rock, blues, blues-rock
Occupations	Musician Songwriter Record producer
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1982-present
Labels	Epic, Sony, Sanctuary, Evil Teen Records
Associated acts	The Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule, The Warren Haynes Band, Dickey Betts Great Southern Band, The Dead, Dave Matthews Band, David Allan Coe
Website	Official website,
Notable instruments
Gibson Les Paul

Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American rock and blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Haynes is best known for his work as long time guitarist with The Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov't Mule.^[1] Early in his career he was a guitarist for David Allan Coe and The Dickey Betts Band.^[2] Haynes also is known for his associations with the remaining members of The Grateful Dead, including touring with Phil Lesh and Friends and The Dead.^[3] In addition, Haynes founded and manages Evil Teen Records.^[4] He is ranked number #23 on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time.

Personal background and style[link]

In addition to singing and playing acoustic and electric guitar, Haynes is also a songwriter. He spent his formative years in Asheville, North Carolina, where he lived with his two older brothers and his father, Edward Haynes. Warren began to play the guitar at age 12. His primary guitar is a Gibson Les Paul '58 Reissue Electric Guitar. His choice of a '58 is most likely because of Duane Allman's famed '58 Les Paul and the tone he achieved with that, rather than the more commonly used '59 Les Paul model, popularized by guitarists such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page).

Haynes has referred to himself as a "Gibson man", often playing Gibson Firebird and Gibson ES-335 models as well as the Les Paul models. This was acknowledged by the American guitar maker Gibson Guitar Corp. which has included a limited edition Warren Haynes signature Les Paul in its product line. Built according to Haynes' specifications and modeled on his '58 Les Paul.^[5] Haynes is married to Stefani Scamardo, a DJ for Sirius radio and the long-time manager of Gov't Mule.

Influences[link]

In a 2006 interview with Gibson.com's Backstage Pass Haynes explains his early influences ^[6]: "When I first started—chronologically speaking—Hendrix and Clapton and Johnny Winter were the first three people I got turned on to. That was the Cream era of Clapton. Then eventually, I heard the Allman Brothers and everybody else from that era that I stole something from (laughs). Of course, I would read interviews with all these people and find out who they listened to. And they all listened to B.B. King and Freddie King and Albert King and Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters and Elmore James, so I would go back and discover that stuff."

During the same 2006 interview Haynes talked about his realization of how much the blues had influenced his one-time employer, David Allen Coe. "When I joined Coe’s band, I realized how much he loved blues. Whenever his voice was tired on tour, we would go out just the two of us and open up with a bunch of Jimmy Reed songs. Then segue that into the show. One by one, the drummer would walk on and the bass player would walk on, and eventually the whole band would be onstage. He was really influenced by Jimmy Reed and Lightnin’ Hopkins. That stuff was way back in his formative years, so whenever it came out, it was very genuine." ^[6]

Professional career[link]

The early years and David Allan Coe[link]

Warren Haynes joined David Allan Coe's touring and recording band in 1980 when he was 20 years old. He remained with Coe's band for four years.

After Coe, Haynes got a gig with The Nighthawks, while continuing to play with local musicians and doing session guitar and vocal work. One notable achievement of this period is a song he co-wrote^[1] with Dennis Robbins and Bobby Boyd for the famed country-rock musician Garth Brooks, titled "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House", which was released on the album No Fences and remained the number 1 single on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for twenty weeks.

Dickey Betts Band and The Allman Brothers Band[link]

Around 1987, Haynes got a call to perform back up vocals on a studio album by Dickey Betts, along with Dennis Robbins. Betts, who had concentrated on his solo career following the break-up of The Allman Brothers Band, decided to add Haynes to his band as his guitarist after the session. With Matt Abts on drums and Johnny Neel on keyboards the now formed Dickey Betts Band released the 1988 album Pattern Disruptive. In the same year, Haynes also co-wrote the title track for Gregg Allman's solo album Just Before the Bullets Fly.

In 1989, The Allman Brothers Band decided to reunite, and Betts recruited Haynes to join the band. Also joining were Johnny Neel on keyboards and Allen Woody on bass guitar. Haynes has since played on four well-received studio albums, including the gold certified Where It All Begins (1994). He also has played on four official live releases from the band, including the 2003 DVD Live at the Beacon Theatre. Haynes and Woody left the group in March 1997 to focus solely on their side project Gov't Mule. Shortly after Woody's untimely death on August 26, 2000, Haynes began appearing with The Allman Brothers Band again in 2000 alongside young guitar prodigy Derek Trucks. He returned to the band as a full time member a few months later.

Gov't Mule[link]

Haynes playing with Gov't Mule, 2008

In 1994, Haynes formed Gov't Mule with Abts and Woody. Haynes and Woody initially split time between Gov't Mule and The Allman Brothers Band, but after The Allman Brothers' last show of their 1997 run at New York's Beacon Theatre on March 26, 1997, both left the band to focus on Gov't Mule full-time. They released three albums and became known for their powerful live performances. Some of these performances have been released as official live albums (Live At Roseland Ballroom, Live With A Little Help From Our Friends and Mulennium – the latter two capture their annual New Year's Eve shows).

In August 2000 Woody died, and a decision was made to finish the tour acoustically as the "Smile at Half-Mast" tour. Gov't Mule released two studio albums (The Deep End, Volume 1 and The Deep End, Volume 2) and a live album/DVD (The Deepest End, Live in Concert) featuring many of Woody's favorite bass players. In 2003 Andy Hess (bass) and Danny Louis (keyboard/organ) were added as permanent members to the group and in late 2004 they released their first studio effort, Deja Voodoo, which later included an EP of newly recorded material titled Mo Voodoo. After recording 2006's High & Mighty, Gov't Mule also released a dub EP titled Mighty High and a DVD titled Tail of 2 Cities that contained two full performances recorded in 2004 and 2006. The two shows on the DVD captured the first show of the Deja Voodoo Tour and the last show of the High & Mighty Tour, serving to encapsulate what was created over those two years. In 2008, Andy Hess left Gov't Mule to pursue other projects and was replaced by relative unknown Jorgen Carlsson. By a Thread, the first studio album from Gov't Mule with Jorgen, was released in 2009 on Haynes' own label, Evil Teen Records.

In 2010 they went back to the vault and released Mulennium a 3 disc recording of a show from New Year's Eve 1999 in Atlanta. This was the first official recording released of the original trio since the death of Allen Woody in 2000. It also featured an appearance by Little Milton, one of Haynes's guitar heroes from his youth.

The Dead[link]

Since the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995, Warren has performed and toured with many of the remaining members of the Grateful Dead. In 1997 Haynes and Abts came onstage to jam with Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman in a small club that was being filmed for Robert Mugge's film on Robert Johnson, Hellhound On My Trail. Then in 2000 Phil Lesh approached him to play lead guitar and sing for his solo group Phil Lesh & Friends, where he played for 3 years. In 2004 when The Dead (remaining members of the Grateful Dead) were in need of a new guitarist they called upon Haynes to come play lead and sing for that summer's "Wave That Flag Tour". His run with The Dead ended on a night where he came in with them, then performed a solo acoustic set, and then ended the night playing with The Allman Brothers Band and started out on his next tour with them. He played lead guitar for The Dead again in late 2008 when they performed at a benefit at Penn State for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama and then toured with them in the Spring of 2009.

Solo artist and guest appearances[link]

Performing at Peaches Records, Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida

In 1993, Haynes released his first solo album, Tales of Ordinary Madness, which was produced by former Allman Brother keyboardist Chuck Leavell. He toured briefly in support of the record with various musicians.

In 2003 and 2004, Haynes released two solo acoustic albums, The Lone EP, a collection of live performances and Live From Bonnaroo which documents his solo performance at the 2003 Bonnaroo Music Festival. When not touring with one of his electric bands, Haynes will often take time out to do solo acoustic shows which include a variety of well-known and rare covers along with his own material. In 2004, Warren Haynes performed five full-length solo acoustic shows, as well as opened 23 times for The Dead and once for The Allman Brothers Band.

He has also made 45 song appearances and 28 concert appearances with Dave Matthews Band, including on two released live albums: Live at Central Park Concert in which he performed "Cortez the Killer", and "Jimi Thing", and Live at Piedmont Park where he performed "What Would You Say".

In 2005 Haynes performed a one time only show under the name Warren Haynes & Friends. The band included Abts on drums, Dave Schools of Widespread Panic on bass, John Medeski of Medeski Martin & Wood, and Skerik the avant-garde sax player of bands such as Critters Buggin' and Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade. The group played a selection of blues songs, including songs of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Waits, and Gov't Mule standards. The band was also featured as the house band during a number of tapings of Carson Daly's late show in early February 2005. During one of these tapings, the scheduled musical act was absent, so Haynes performed an acoustic rendition of U2's One. The song also appeared on his Live from Bonnaroo album. Haynes covered the Bob Dylan song "I Shall Be Released" with the band Coheed and Cambria in 2008 as a part of an encore performance the band played during their Neverender shows.

After recording Gov't Mule's By a Thread album, Haynes formed The Warren Haynes Band. The group included George Porter Jr. on bass, Ivan Neville on keys and Raymond Weber on drums. Also joining them on keys was Ian McLagan, as well as vocalist Ruthie Foster and Ron Holloway on tenor sax. The Warren Haynes Band made their debut performance at Haynes' annual Christmas Jam in Asheville, North Carolina on December 11, 2010.^[7] The album Man in Motion was released in May 2011 and debuted in the Billboard Top 20. An extensive tour occurred after the release through the rest of 2011; the touring version of the band included Holloway, drummer Terence Higgins of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, bassist Ron Johnson, keyboardist Nigel Hall, and various vocalists, either Foster, Alfreda Gerald, or Alecia Chakour.^[8].

The Warren Haynes Band "Live at The Moody Theater" 2CD/1DVD package came out in April of 2012 on Stax Records with the lineup of Warren Haynes (Vocals & Guitar), Ron Holloway (Sax), Ron Johnson (Bass), Terence Higgins (Drums), Nigel Hall (Keys) & Alecia Chakour (Vocals).

Haynes has stated that his further solo efforts might take him into still other fields. "There are other projects I want to do, too," he relates. "I'm interested in recording a singer-songwriter oriented album with more acoustic instruments, a jazzy instrumental CD and a straight-up blues record. But like Man In Motion, those albums will have to wait until the time is right." ^[9]

The Christmas Jam[link]

Starting in 1989, Haynes put together an annual charity benefit show, inviting musicians originally from his home town of Asheville who were home for Christmas, the only time of year they would all be in town at the same time. The first show, held at the 45 Cherry club in Asheville on December 29, 1989, was dubbed "The Christmas Jam: Musician's X-Mas Reunion." Some of the artists at the first Christmas Jam were Warren Haynes, Mike Barnes, Crystal Zoo, The Stripp Band and the McBad Brothers Band.

In the initial years the proceeds from the concert were donated to various charities but eventually the organizers decided to focus on Habitat for Humanity,^[10] a charity that builds houses for the disadvantaged. In tribute to his financial support of Habitat for Humanity, a subdivision in Lower Hominy, North Carolina, a suburb of Asheville, North Carolina has a street named after Warren Haynes.^[11] In 2002, Haynes was presented the Key to the City of Asheville by Mayor Charles Worley. In 2003, Mayor Worley proclaimed December 18 "Warren Haynes Day." ^[12]

The event has continued to grow every year and is now dubbed "Warren Haynes Presents: The Christmas Jam." Due to increasing audience demand the show was eventually moved to the Asheville Civic Center, and was now featuring many well known artists and friends Haynes played with over the years.

Some past performers include The Allman Brothers Band, Blues Traveler, Jackson Browne, Johnny Winter, Drive-By Truckers, DJ Logic, Peter Frampton, Gov't Mule, John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby, Hot Tuna, John Paul Jones (musician), Ray LaMontagne, Phil Lesh & Friends, Umphrey's McGee, Little Feat, Living Colour, Branford Marsalis, Dave Matthews, Neville Brothers, New Orleans Social Club, North Mississippi Allstars, Phish's Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, John Scofield, Dr.Ralph Stanley, Marty Stuart, Taj Mahal Trio, Susan Tedeschi, The Derek Trucks Band,Bob Weir, Widespread Panic's John Bell, Dave Schools, John (Jo Jo) Herman, Todd Nance & Jimmy Herring, Kevn Kinney from Drivin' N Cryin', and Edwin McCain.

In 2008, for its twentieth anniversary, "The Christmas Jam" consisted of two nights of music; including "The Christmas Jam By Day," ^[13] a series of events including daytime concerts, movie screenings, and art, photo, and poster exhibits taking place in downtown Asheville on the days leading up to the show. The event reverted to one night in 2009 but retained the "The Christmas Jam By Day," and included the new "Christmas Comedy Jam." ^[14] The same format was repeated in 2010.

Instructional Videos[link]

Haynes has recorded two instructional videos; Electric Blues & Slide Guitar ^[15] and Acoustic Slide and the art of Electric Improvisation.^[16] He discusses his influences and shows an array of techniques such as "call and response", string bending, vibrato, slide guitar in standard tuning and some acoustic open tuning licks in G and E tunings. For the demonstrations of the Electric Improvisation section of the second video he is accompanied by Allen Woody and Matt Abts.

Taping policy[link]

All of Warren Haynes' projects allow audio taping/trading/online distribution. He does not approve of video recording or photography of his performances and does not provide 'soundboard patches'.^[17] The Allman Brothers Band also allows pro-taping/trading, but discourages distribution of their shows via the internet via applications such as BitTorrent. In a 2005 USA Today article, Haynes stated that while widespread tape-trading may cut into band profits, "it does more good than harm. It brings more people into the fold"^[18]

Discography[link]

Allman Brothers Band[link]

• Seven Turns, 1990
• Shades of Two Worlds, 1991
• An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: First Set, 1992 (live)
• Where It All Begins, 1994
• An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: 2nd Set, 1995 (live)
• Hittin' the Note, 2003
• One Way Out, 2004 (live)

Gov't Mule[link]

• Gov't Mule, 1995
• Live at Roseland Ballroom, 1996
• Dose, 1998
• Live ... With A Little Help From Our Friends, 1998
• Life Before Insanity, 2000
• Wintertime Blues: The Benefit Concert, 2000
• The Deep End, Volume 1, 2001
• The Deep End, Volume 2, 2002
• The Deepest End, Live In Concert, 2003
• Deja Voodoo, 2004
• Mo' Voodoo (EP), 2005
• High & Mighty, 2006
• Mighty High, 2007
• Holy Haunted House, 2007 (Live)
• By a Thread, 2009
• Mulennium, 2010 (Live)

Dave Matthews Band[link]

• Live at Piedmont Park
• The Central Park Concert
• Live Trax Vol. 20

Warren Haynes[link]

• Tales of Ordinary Madness - 1993
• The Lone EP - 2003 (live)
• Live at Bonnaroo - 2004 (live)
• Man in Motion - 2011
• Live at The Moody Theater - 2012 (live CD/DVD)

Phil Lesh & Friends[link]

• There and Back Again - 2002

Garth Brooks[link]

• No Fences, writing credits on song "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House" - 1990

David Allan Coe[link]

• Live - If That Ain't Country... , 1997 (live)

Corrosion of Conformity[link]

• America's Volume Dealer - Stare Too Long - 2000

The Derek Trucks Band[link]

• Already Free, writing credits on song "Back Where I Started" - 2009
• Out Of The Madness, vocal obligato and lead guitar on "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl", "Forty-Four" and "Death Letter" - 1998

Compilation[link]

• Freeway Jam: To Beck and Back Jeff Beck Tribute - 2007 - Track #7 "The Pump"

Kevn Kinney (Drivin' N Cryin')[link]

• The Flower & The Knife - Producer, Backup Vocalist and Guitarist on most of the tracks - 2000

References[link]

External links[link]

• Warren Haynes

David Guetta
David Guetta at the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards
Background information
Birth name	Pierre David Guetta
Born	(1967-11-07) 7 November 1967 (age 44) Paris, France
Genres	House, electro house, hip house
Occupations	DJ, record producer, songwriter
Years active	1984–present
Labels	EMI Music France, Virgin, Positiva, Astralwerks, Jack Back Records
Website	DavidGuetta.com

Pierre David Guetta (7 November 1967), known professionally as David Guetta (French pronunciation: [daˌvid ɡɛˈta]), is a French house music producer and DJ.^[1] Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster (2004) and Pop Life (2007). His 2009 album One Love included the hit singles "When Love Takes Over" (featuring Kelly Rowland), "Gettin' Over You" (featuring Chris Willis, Fergie & LMFAO) and "Sexy Bitch" (featuring Akon), the last becoming a top five hit in the United States and all three reaching #1 in the United Kingdom, as well as another internationally known single called "Memories" featuring Kid Cudi which became a top five hit in many countries. Guetta has sold over three million albums and 15 million singles worldwide.^[2] He is currently one of the most sought-after music producers.^[3] As at 2012 David Guetta is the world's most popular DJ, claiming the #1 poll position of the DJ Mag 100 popularity poll.^[4]

Biography[link]

1984–2000: Early life and career[link]

At age 17, Guetta began DJing at the Broad Club in Paris.^[5] He first played popular songs, and he discovered house music when he heard a Farley master Funk track on French radio in 1987. The next year, he began hosting his own club nights.^[6] In 1990, he released "Nation Rap", a hip-hop collaboration with French rapper Sidney Duteil.^[7]

In the mid 1990s Guetta played in clubs including Le Centrale, the Rex, Le Boy, and Folies Pigalle.^[5][8] Released in 1994^[7] Guetta's second single, a collaboration with American house vocalist Robert Owens titled "Up & Away", was a minor club hit.^[6] In 1994, David Guetta became the manager of Le Palace nightclub and he continued to organise parties there and in other clubs, such as the "Scream" parties in Les Bains Douches.^[9]

[edit] 2001–2006: Just a Little More Love and Guetta Blaster

In 2001, David Guetta along with Joachim Garraud founded Gum Productions, and in the same year Guetta's first hit single, "Just a Little More Love", featuring American singer Chris Willis was released. Willis was vacationing in France when he met Guetta.^[6] Guetta's debut album Just a Little More Love was released in 2002 on Virgin Records and sold over 300,000 copies. The follow-up singles, ("Love Don't Let Me Go", "People Come People Go" and "Give Me Something"), were released in 2002. Guetta released a compilation, Fuck Me I'm Famous, in 2003, named after his party in Ibiza. It included "Just for One Day (Heroes)", a remix of David Bowie's song "Heroes".^[6] Later in his career, Guetta continued recording compilations under that title.

Guetta's second album, Guetta Blaster, was released in 2004. It released four singles: "Money" and "Stay" featuring Chris Willis and "The World Is Mine" and "In Love With Myself" featuring JD Davis. In 2006 the Just a Little More Love single "Love Don't Let Me Go" was re-released as a mash-up with the Tocadisco remix of "Walking Away" by The Egg. The mash-up single entitled "Love Don't Let Me Go (Walking Away)" was charted higher than the original release of the song.

[edit] 2007–2008: Pop Life

Guetta performing, May 2007

In 2007, Guetta's third album Pop Life was released. The album was successful in the UK and Ireland as well as in mainland Europe. According to EMI in 2010, the album has sold a total of 530,000 copies worldwide. The lead single "Love Is Gone" reached Number 1 on the American Dance Chart and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

He played in many countries around the world to promote the album. He played in Mauritius in January 2008, accompanied by French rapper JoeyStarr. In the same year, he and his wife Cathy also planned a new event which took place in the Stade de France on 5 July 2008. The event was called "UNIGHTED", he performed with Tiësto, Carl Cox, Joachim Garraud and Martin Solveig in front of a crowd of 40,000.^[10]

In 2009, he was placed third in the "Top 100 DJs" poll by DJ Magazine,^[11] and was elected "Best House DJ" by DJ Awards in 2008. Since April 2009, Guetta had his own radio show on the internet radio station RauteMusik on Saturday evening. The show was afterwards moved into Radio 538, being aired every Friday evening after Tiësto's Club Life. Its name is DJ Mix. Guetta performs a one-hour set of house music, presenting mainly new talents inside.

[edit] 2009–2010: One Love and international breakthrough

David Guetta's fourth studio album, One Love, was released in August 2009. Its first single "When Love Takes Over", which featured Kelly Rowland, peaked at #1 on the UK Singles Chart and topped many other countries worldwide. His second single from the album, "Sexy Bitch" featuring Akon, became his second #1 in the UK. "One Love" featuring Estelle, "Memories" featuring Kid Cudi and "Gettin' Over You" featuring Chris Willis, Fergie and LMFAO followed. As of May 2011 the album had sold three million copies worldwide.^[12] Guetta's fourth studio album One Love was nominated as "Best Electronic/Dance Album" at the 52nd Grammy Awards.^[13] His song "When Love Takes Over" featuring American R&B singer Kelly Rowland received two nominations; Best Dance Recording and Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical, and won the latter. After conflicts over whether or not an album re-issue should go ahead, One More Love was released on 29 November 2010. First single, titled "Who's That Chick?" featuring Rihanna was released a few weeks prior.^[14]

On 16 June 2009, The Black Eyed Peas released the David Guetta-produced "I Gotta Feeling" as their second single from their fifth studio album, The E.N.D.. It became a worldwide hit topping the charts in seventeen countries. It became the most downloaded song of all-time in the United States with almost 7.5 million downloads and in the United Kingdom selling more than 1 million copies.^[15][16] He was nominated twice for his work with The Black Eyed Peas at the 52nd Grammy Awards; in the category Record of the Year for "I Gotta Feeling" and Album of the Year for their album The E.N.D.. In 2010, David Guetta co-wrote and produced Kelly Rowland's "Commander" from her third album Here I Am. It peaked at number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart in the United States, and reached top ten positions in Belgium and the United Kingdom. Guetta has also co-produced "Forever and a Day", which was Kelly's next UK single from that album.^[17][18] Guetta also produced the singles "Acapella" and "Scream" for American singer-songwriter Kelis's fifth studio album, Flesh Tone, released on 14 May 2010. "Acapella" was released as the lead single on 23 February 2010 and topped the dance charts in the United Kingdom and United States. On 28 June 2010 American rapper Flo Rida released the single "Club Can't Handle Me" featuring David Guetta. The song is included on the soundtrack album to the American 3D dance film Step Up 3D.

Guetta on the One Love Tour, January 2010.

[edit] 2011–present: Nothing But the Beat

Guetta's fifth studio album, Nothing But the Beat was released on August 30, 2011. It was released as a double-disc album; one disc being vocal and the other being electronic.^[19] The French DJ was inspired by rock bands such as Kings of Leon and Coldplay to add rock influences to his dance productions.^[20] "Where Them Girls At" featuring Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, the first single off the album, was released worldwide on May 2, 2011.^[21][22] "Little Bad Girl" featuring Ludacris and Taio Cruz, was released as the second single on June 28, 2011.^[19][23] The third single "Without You" featuring Usher was released on September 27, 2011. Guetta also released three promotional singles for Nothing But the Beat, "Titanium" featuring Sia, "Lunar" with Afrojack and "Night of Your Life" featuring Jennifer Hudson. The album also features the hit single "Sweat" with Snoop Dogg.

Guetta is also scheduled to perform alongside Nicky Romero and Nervo at London's Alexandra Palace on June 1, 2012.^[24]

Personal life[link]

Guetta and his wife Cathy in January 2012 at the NRJ Music Awards ceremony.

His father was a restaurateur of Moroccan Jewish descent,^[25] and his mother is of Belgian descent.^[26][27][28] He is married to socialite and night club manager Cathy Guetta; they have two children, Tim Elvis Eric (born 2004) and Angie (born 2007).^[29]

Discography[link]

• Just a Little More Love (2002)
• Guetta Blaster (2004)
• Pop Life (2007)
• One Love (2009)
• Nothing but the Beat (2011)

Awards and nominations[link]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2010)

References[link]

External links[link]

• David Guetta on Myspace
• David Guetta on Twitter
• David Guetta's channel on YouTube
• David Guetta at the Internet Movie Database
• David Guetta official store
• David Guetta information at Ultra Records
• Review of 'Memories' on the Daily Music Guide
• David Jeffries. "David Guetta biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p572357. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
• David Guetta in PACHA NEWS
• David Guetta at Billboard.com
• Review of 'Gettin Over you' on the Daily Music Guide