A California Online Magazine with Local Focus and Global Appeal
In Kings River Life Magazine we like to take the opportunity to profile local teachers now and then because they truly make a difference in all of our lives and seldom get any recognition. Randy Lepp is one of those teachers who has touched the lives of so many through the years, not only as a choir teacher at Reedley High School, but also a tennis coach and at times a worship leader at Redeemer’s Church.
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Before I get started, perhaps I should lay all of my cards out on the table. I have been listening to the band Van Halen for most of my life. I loved the band when Diamond David Lee Roth was manning the microphone; was incredulous when he decided to leave the band and chase Hollywood; politely ignored them when they momentarily paired up with Gary Cherone (a wonderful vocalist with his band Extreme, including the brilliant Three Sides to Every Story, but was a terrible choice for Van Halen);
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Interviewing different bands exposes me to local artists that I otherwise would have remained oblivious to and one such band is Saving Temperance. This band out of Kingsburg brings a mix of faith with rock. Although this is not something new, the band’s mix of alternative rock music and lyrics about faith, mercy and so on carry the weight and well of the emotion of the words written.
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2011 Western Music Association Entertainer of the Year Juni Fisher returns to the Valley where she grew up for a couple of concerts this week and next. KRL took some time to chat with Juni about her music and her love of horses.
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On the musical scene today is the post-hardcore band Swimming with Tsunamis, with members from the Dinuba and Tulare areas. New to the local music scene, this band was formed in January of this year.Post-hardcore refers to the area of punk and hardcore, but does not reside in these neighborhoods; post-hardcore is its own sound, as is Swimming with Tsunamis. Their mix of scream and clean vocals doesn’t make for “easy listening” but it is definitely enjoyable.
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Evanescence comes roaring back after a near six-year break with their self-titled record that sees them move into a more cohesive direction. Following the end of their last tour, Evanescence went into hiatus in 2007 with no indication when they would be back. What followed were dabbles out of Evanescence until, in 2009, front woman Amy Lee announced the new lineup of the band with the only other constant Terry Balsamo, and had gotten together to begin writing new material for an album.
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Anthony “Ap” Armour, Bryan Feil, and Garth Richards cannot tell you who “runs” Neighborhood Thrift. What runs the organization is a sense of mission and a vision for what the ministry can and does accomplish in people’s lives. They describe themselves as a “triumvirate,” formed around a common purpose to launch a bold venture in the heart of the Tower District of Fresno.
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Many bands write about life experiences, past experiences, and the relationships you make along that path. River Blind does more than just that. They write songs about their journey in life and all the unexpected twists and turns that everyone experiences.
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Being given the opportunity to write reviews for this magazine, I have been able to explore different types of music, books and so on. This time round, I have been given the opportunity to write a review on the band A Current Affair, who I have placed among my favorites. Their sound (alternative rock) makes you want to bob your head along, while offering meaningful lyrics and messages that are punctuated by said sound. A Current Affair, though, has been around for a while, but you may be surprised to hear that this group has only been performing together for about eight months.
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In the six years that my family and I have been attending Kingsburg Community Church, we have had a few different Worship Leaders. All have been very good, but little did I know how special our current leader was. He wears many different hats: Music Teacher, Choral Director, Composer, Musician, Recording Engineer and Producer to name but a few.
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When Cathy Lookabaugh and Tamera Williams met, synergy led to concrete action and sparks began to fly.
“We’re just a couple of crazy moms who love music and love kids,” says Cathy. “There are a million things to do in this area if you are over 21,” she continues, “but if you are young, there is nothing.” So they put their heads together and dreamed J29 Eleven into existence.
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When I was a kid I fell in love Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire thanks to the old movies they played on Channel 26. From there I discovered a local radio station that played their music, and that of many others like Nat King Cole, Rosemary Clooney and Tony Bennett. Old big band, swing and jazz music has been close to my heart ever since and takes my heart places no other music can.
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Many can certainly say that growing up has definitely taken a toll on the family shaped band, Eisley. Composed of siblings Chauntelle (guitar), Sherri (vocals/guitar), Stacy (vocals/keyboard), Weston (drums), and cousin Garron (bass), the DuPree family has come far away from not only playing in their home environment of Tyler, Texas to sharing a stage with major bands such as Coldplay and Say Anything, but have also come a long way with the music that they have sung over the past decade.
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Today we visit with Paul Chesterton of Old Tire Swingers, a bluegrass band hailing from Fresno’s Tower District. Old Tire Swingers are the latest link in an unbroken chain of the living tradition which is folk music. Old Tire Swingers chose to plant roots in blue grass, although they are known to play anything from Journey to Sublime. Their style is mostly old time string band music with touches of country, bluegrass, and Americana. They play originals, traditional American, and cover songs.
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on Happy Earth Day, Earthlings
on Interview With Mystery Author Elizabeth Zelvin/Review/Giveaway
on Remembering The Original Dark Shadows
on Interview With Mystery Author Elizabeth Zelvin/Review/Giveaway
on Interview With Mystery Author Elizabeth Zelvin/Review/Giveaway
on Interview With Mystery Author Elizabeth Zelvin/Review/Giveaway
on Hounds Abound by Linda O. Johnston: Book Review/Giveaway on Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans by Gerry Bartlett: Book Review/Guest Post/Giveaway
on Edgar Allan and Virginia, Forevermore: An Original Mystery Short Story
