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Lake record label to honor troops at War Memorial concert
EPI Records artist Ellington Jordan will perform his single, “Soldier” on
Saturday.
By
Anne Raker/Assistant Editor - February 18, 2006
A new local
company will introduce itself to the community by honoring our troops and
helping out those in need. Lake Stevens-based Euphoria Productions Inc.
Records will present “A Tribute To Our Armed Forces” at 1 p.m. Feb.18 at the
War Memorial, 18th and Main St., in Lake Stevens.
The free
community event will feature EPI recording artist Ellington Jordan performing
his song, “Soldier,” a heartfelt anthem of thanks to our troops, from his new
album, “Almost Home.” All of the profits from the single, “Soldier” are going
to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, according to EPI executives John and
Lisa Elder.
Speakers at
the event will include Lake Stevens Mayor Lynn Walty, Lake Stevens Fire Chief
Gary Faucett, and Jack Sahlbom, President of the Lake Stevens American Legion
Post 181, who was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service to
our country during World War II and the Korean conflict.
“As a
veteran myself, I was moved to tears by ‘Soldier’ and I wanted to share it
with the community,” said Lisa Elder. “It was really important to us to be
able to honor the troops in this way.” In addition to the tribute concert,
Jordan will perform at La Hacienda in Lake Stevens at 9 p.m. on Feb. 17 and at
the Doubletree Hotel in SeaTac at 9 p.m. on Feb. 18.
EPI Records
was born just shy of a year ago on a drive to the airport when John Elder and
Ellington Jordan were discussing getting back into the music industry. John
Elder previously produced concerts for such luminaries as the Temptations,
Foghat and The Outlaws. Elder and Jordan initially planned to release a
four-song gospel single, but the project grew into the “Almost Home” album,
which was finished in October and released last month.
Lisa Elder,
who has lived in Lake Stevens with her three children since 1999, serves as
Treasurer on the City of Lake Stevens Aquafest board and has helped with
booking talent for the annual event. She and John married in 2004 and they
now run EPI Records out of the basement of their Lake Stevens home. Although
the label is less than a year old, they are already looking to take on
additional talent.
“We’re
looking for new artist, but we believe in quality, not quantity,” said John.
“With Ellington, we’re in the R&B genre, so we’re looking for an artist in a
different genre.” With word about EPI getting around, the Elders are
receiving CDs from potential new talent from as far away as London, England.
EPI is
interested in “message music,” according to John Elder, and will not produce
anti-society music. Their collaboration with Jordan is a reflection of that
priority.
“(Ellington) is 63 now, and he’s grateful for what our troops have done. He
has a good life and he feels its time to say thank you for what he has today,”
John Elder said.
In addition
to “Soldier”, the album features title track, “Almost Home,” which was written
for a documentary about the Vietnam era and the difficulty soldiers have
leaving the war behind when they return home.
Jordan is
critically-acclaimed songwriter, who is best known for co-writing the song,
“I’d Rather Go Blind,” which was recorded by Rod Stewart and the Faces,
Christine McVie with both Chicken Shack and Fleetwood Mac, KoKo Taylor,
Clarence Carter, B.B. King and the Noel Redding Band. Etta James’ version of
the song was featured by director Martin Scorsese in his “Martin Scorsese
Presents The Blues: Best Of’ series.
In 2004,
when Faces guitarist Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones appeared at the Hollywood
Bowl and reunited for the evening with Rod Stewart, it was one of the numbers
they performed together.
Jordan grew
up in Watts, California and later moved to Detroit. He now makes his home in
Fresno, California.
“Fugi” performs in Lake Stevens
Ellington Jordan’s Concert will feature Tunes from his new Album “Almost Home”
By Sharon
Wooton, Special to The Herald - February 16th, 2006
Ellington
“Fugi” Jordan, author of Etta James’ hit “I’d Rather Go Blind”, will perform
music from his new album, “Almost Home”, tonight in Lake Stevens. Expect a
combination of funk, alternative gospel, R&B, hip-hop and soul. Although
Jordan hasn’t scaled musical mountains, he has made his mark.
“I’d Rather
Go Blind” has been covered by Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, KoKo Taylor,
Clarence Carter, B.B. King and others. It’s about not wanting to see your love
interested in someone else.
“I wrote it
in prison. I had never been in love but I thought about it a lot of times”,
Jordan said. “I was trapped in prison and wanting to be loved so bad…I was
more or less singing love and freedom at the same time. I never wanted to get
to the point that love was escaping me.”
A friend of
his, who was also James’ boyfriend, introduced her to the song. She recorded
it, selling 8 million copies and hitting the top of the charts in many
countries.
Rock critic
Dave Marsh eventually included James’s version of the R&B classic in his book,
“Heart and Soul of Rock and Roll: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made.”
“Any time
you write a song from the heart and it’s a song that most people can feel and
they understand what you’re saying, it can (be a winner)”, Jordan said. “We
all experienced those feelings when something tells you its over. We get that
little thing inside of us that warns us something is about to change. “Some
songs can give us that feeling, gives you so much meaning and you can actually
sit there and think about it…True artists understand that and look for that in
a song”.
Jordan
moved form California to Detroit when he was 28 to write for the Temptations,
and later would write for Chess Records. Jordan also provided lyrics and
vocals for Black Merda. They produced two albums and developed a cult
following. Now some of that vinyl is selling for up to $100 on eBay. The band
reunited for a few 2005 gigs, one in a Detroit Club.
“It was
surprising to me that when we announced Black Merda and Fuji were going to
play, they lined up outside (to buy tickets); it was like the Rolling Stones
or something. “I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, these people remembered after all
these years’. Those songs were so revolutionary in terms of the music world.”
Jordan has
also written “Soldier” triggered by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. “That was
so traumatic to me to see those guys running in there and trying to save
people and people crying, fireman and police sitting on the ground crying. “I
said, ‘Oh my God. I’ve never taken time to thank anybody for what they’ve done
for me. I just take it for granted.”…I stopped thinking like that.” “Soldier”
is more universal than its military connection; soldiers can be volunteers who
make sure others have a quality of life. “Those are heroes to me, people who
sacrifice.”
Jordan
calls “Soldier” and “Almost Home” (the latter about homeless people) “a
personal map of my life. They reflect my innermost emotions and feelings. I
have to recognize suffering and pain and joy and happiness, and other people
who do good things to enrich our lives.”
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Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Euphoria Productions Announces 2009 Benefit Concert Series Tour for
Special Olympics
Euphoria
Productions is continuing their fundraising initiative for Special Olympics with
announcement of show “Torch of Dreams”, artists, and confirmed dates.
Lake Stevens,
Washington, October 6, 2008 – Euphoria Productions’ 2009 Benefit Concert Series
for Special Olympics, called “Torch of Dreams”, has confirmed dates for two
shows on January 31, 2009 at the Performing Arts Center in Lake Stevens,
Washington; two shows on February 7, 2009 at the IKEA Performing Arts Center in
Renton, Washington; and two shows on February 15, 2009 at the Capitol Theatre in
Olympia, Washington. John Elder, President of Showcase Management Group LLC and
show’s producer, states “Euphoria Productions is pleased to continue our joint
effort in working with Special Olympics to raise money for their athletes.
Euphoria is gratified that Sterling Dietz, an international celebrity of magic,
is headlining the Torch of Dreams tour.”
“Torch of
Dreams” will feature Sterling Dietz, the winner of the coveted Lance Burton
Award as World Teen Champion of Magic. Last year Sterling won two prestigious
awards at the International Brotherhood of Magicians contest in Reno, Nevada:
First Place in Teen Stage Competition and the People’s Choice award. This year
Sterling will represent the United States at the adult World Stage Competition
in Beijing, even though Sterling is still a teenager. Sterling is a member of
the prestigious Magic Castle, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the
Society of American Magicians, and also the Northwest Ring of Fire. Siegfried &
Roy, Las Vegas icons for decades, state “You are the future of magic.”
Special guest on “Torch of Dreams” tour will be Brothers from
Different Mothers. The Brothers, a comedy juggling team,
were recently voted Seattle’s Funniest Prop Comics and are also proud Guinness
World Record Holders.
Brothers recently performed and
received rave reviews on NBC’s hit television show “America’s Got Talent”.
Piers Morgan, of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, raves “You’re young, hip, funny
and well choreographed. You’re the total package!”
More tour dates in Washington, Oregon, and
California are expected to be announced for the first leg of tour.
Euphoria Productions is a division of Showcase Management Group
LLC. Showcase is a full service network of resources for aspiring songwriters,
musicians, and performers in the entertainment industry. Showcase utilizes its
experience working with national acts to produce concerts and effective
fundraisers for non profit organizations.
Local Business looking to hit it big one more time
Giving back to community and embracing local businesses is priority
By Chuck Tuck/Journal Reporter - February 21st,
2007
A Las
Vegas style benefit show for the Special Olympics Washington will be held
Feb. 25, at the Lake Stevens High School Performing Arts Center beginning
at 2pm. This benefit show was conceptualized by John and Lisa Elder of
Lake Stevens, who are co-partners in Mindbenders Live, which is part of
Euphoria Productions, Inc., also run by the Elder’s. The upcoming benefits
show will feature hypnotist Ron Stubbs, “who is on the verge of making it
big nationally”, said John, and the illusionist Brian Ledbetter. Hosted by
KRKO 1380 radio’s “The Fish” Jeff Aaron, the show will feature local
sports celebrities and over two hours of amazing illusions, humorous
skits, and unimaginable magic.
It was
his love for music and entertainment that got John started in the late
80’s while I was producing concerts for the Temptations, Foghat, and for
Alabama I did some recording projects as an executive producer,” John
said. According to the Elders, the idea behind Euphoria Productions Inc.
was to bridge the gap between artists and performers in the business and
management aspects.
Inspired by helping others, John and Lisa said their passions lay in
serving their community, by offering positive roll models in
entertainment. “I’ve always enjoyed this, but we wanted to use our
contacts to help people, and give back to the community,” John commented.
“I also
have a passion for giving back to the community, it’s such a big deal to
me,” said Lisa, who in addition to running a business, works with the
Kiwanis, American Legion and Aquafest. Lisa was quick to mention that
there are many good people who have helped with the Special Olympics and
Aquafest. “They are all wonderful people,” she said.
The
Elders are hoping to build a 10,000 square foot multiplex facility which
will be used for national acts to rehearse prior to a big tour, or for
local musicians looking for a practice studio as well as a recording
studio, or a business looking to shoot commercials. A location has not
been selected yet, but john says it would be nice to keep it in Lake
Stevens or somewhere along Hwy 9 to Stanwood.
“Our
date that we’re looking at, is March of next year to have a first class
video studio and stage which will attract big time stuff,” commented John.
“There are a lot of musicians in Lake Stevens,” Lisa said. John added,
“We’re also embracing the local businesses here in Lake Stevens, if they
need to make a video, we’ll have a place for them to do that.” The
facility could also be used to do ticket printing and CD duplications.
“It’s
exciting,” said John.
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