Gin Ridge Music - Chris Vallillo

"The Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission is pleased to endorse the Abraham Lincoln in Song - the compact discs of recorded music and the touring program. These projects will serve to entertain and educate visitors and participants about Abraham Lincoln, along with the significant impact he had on Illinois and the nation. "

It's been quite a ride for the past couple months! The new CD Abraham Lincoln in Song (ALIS) was released February 12 th and received an excellent response! The Associated Press ran an article on the project

that was picked up in over 275 newspaper, TV, radio and web outlets across the country including NPR, ABC News Radio and CNN (which ran a text crawler on the project on the TV broadcast!).

I got great reviews in several publication including About.com's music education reviewer (part of the New York Times), but probably my very favorite came from Mix Magazine. Those of you that self produce either know about Mix or should. It is the trade publication for the recording industry and the bible of recording techniques, products and features on recording. I've been a subscriber for over 20 years now and literally taught myself how to record by reading its articles (which were usually WAY over my head). To even be reviewed by them is a rarity and a great honor. Blair Jackson wrote the review and ended with “ The sound is both rich and pristine; top-notch all the way” . I am still stunned at the review! You can read the entire review at Mix online at the following link: http://mixonline.com/cool-spins/chris_vallillo_abraham/ .

All the attention from the AP article caused ALIS to reach #10 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts the week of March the 8 th . Pretty heady stuff to say the least! Of course I've been up and down a few times over the years so I try not to take any of this to seriously. As I say, that and 2 bucks buys you coffee at Starbucks (Ok, 2.10 now)!

Thanks to all of you who have bought the CD. I was highest seller on CD baby for a couple weeks (Amazon.com still hasn't been able to get it listed correctly, don't buy it there! I'm still waiting on one I ordered 6 weeks ago.) and am beginning to get some attention in the educational markets as well.

Just a few days ago, I received word that both the live show of ALIS and the CD have been endorsed by the national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Another very nice honor! http://www.lincoln200.gov

I've been doing lots of live radio including Jonathan Brandmeier at The Loop 97.9 in Chicago . http://www.wlup.com/Airstaff/johnnyb.aspx I hadn't heard Johnny's show before and was expecting a serious interview. Those of you who are familiar with it understand what a morning I had!

All of this has caused a very nice spike in my live bookings. Perhaps the most exciting will be this June the 29 th . I'll be performing ALIS at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of IL at Urbana . While I normally perform the live show as a solo, this performance will be staged with a full band featuring all the original arrangements on the CD. I'll blog more on that as we get closer, but I will tell you I've got EXCELLENT players lined up and we'll be using all the vintage instruments from the recording session for the live show.

Other cool dates include the Great Performers of Illinois Festival in Millennium Park this July 20 th and a performance of ALIS September the 7 th at Ravinia in Chicago (yes, THAT Ravinia) as part of the Celebration of Summer Day winding up the Ravinia Festival season.