Definition: Promotion Man

DEFINITION:

Pro-mo-tion Man (pro-mo’-shon man) noun 1. An active supporter or advocate of advancement towards success 2. Intermediary between a record company and the media; (a) radio (b) television (c) print (d) electronic viewing 3. A person, regardless of gender, who can break down barriers with dialog (4) Slick glad-handed schmoozer with a persuasive pocket full of tricks (5) Person with a telephone growing out of their ear. *Slang; (a) song plugger (b) bag man (c) a necessary expenditure

Queensryche's First Gold Album "Empire"

Queensryche is honored here at a award ceremony in 1990 at the height of their popularity with their first gold record "Empire". The group was a Seattle Progressive Metal Band that received global recognition. Their monster hit single from the LP was titled "Silent Lucidity" and peaked on Billboard at #9 while their album broke into the Top Ten Chart at #7. Pictured (L-R) EMI NW Regional Promotion Mgr.-Phillip Rauls, bassist-Eddie Jackson, vocalist-Geoff Tate, drummer-Scott Rockenfield, guitarist-Michael Wilton, EMI West Coast Marketing Dir.-Rob Gordon and guitarist-Chris Degarmo. Queensryche has released 16 studio albums and several DVD's and continue to tour and record to this day.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers with EMI's Phillip Rauls

The leading radio & record industry publication, "Hits Magazine" used a front page issue to showcase their twisted humor and spotlight a 1989 photo of EMI Records NW Regional Promotional & Marketing Director Phillip Rauls (L) along with the current hottest alternative band in America, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Photo featured here from an album release party in Seattle during an era when people skills played a paramount role in the breaking of a new band. If a picture could tell a thousand words...

Look, up in the sky. It's a bird or a plane.

Last month while visiting Hawaii for my birthday, we rented a car and drove Southbound from Kona to Hilo on Hwy. #11 on the Big Island. As we rounded a curve on the highway....I couldn't believe my very eyes! We were immediately perplexed by what we saw. In the sky and above our head was a giant circular-shaped cloud that was moving and resembled what I thought looked like a monster UFO. Immediately, cars began pulling over to the side of the road as people were getting out of their vehicles and pointing upwards towards the object. Now, I've been taking photos for a long time but this sight was a very first for me. After reviewing my images and careful study, I found this was called a 'Lenticular Cloud.' It is one of the most rarest types of clouds that form in the atmosphere. The National Weather Service offered this esoteric explanation full of scientific jargon saying; "They are associated with waves in the atmosphere that develop when relatively stable, fast-moving air is forced up and over a topographic barrier that is oriented more or less perpendicular to the direction from which the upper-lever is blowing." Huh! I thought the NWS must be tripping. Anyway, the wife says "It looks like a giant stack of golden pancakes floating in the air." So, without having lunch and with my GPS in search, I immediately sought-out the nearest location of a IHOP Restaurant to order some golden brown flapjacks that was smothered in delicious maple syrup. Yum! Got camera?

Promoting Recording Artists From The Heart of Rock & Roll Music In The Early to-mid1980's

In the early-to-mid 1980's, Rauls Music was a promotion & marketing agency that operated towards the growth and development of recording artists and their associated records. Pictured here is a trade magazine advertisement and description of the services provided while targeting towards the record companies, artists management firms and industry investors. Many aspiring bands and recording artists benefited from this grass roots purveyor.

Turn Back The Clock With George Thorogood

EMI Records' George Thorogood & The Destroyers played Little Rock, AR in 1986 and brought out all the radio heavies (David Alan Cole, Jerry Lousteau and their staffs) After every concert Thorogood would always light-up a cigar to celebrate the evening's grand event (see insert). Thorogood's monster his include "Bad To The Bone," "Move It On Over," "I Drink Alone" and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer." George Thorogood & The Destroyers released over 20 albums, two of which have been certified Platinum and six have been certified Gold. He has sold 15 million records worldwide. EMI Records' Southern regional promotion & marketing manager Phillip Rauls is seen bottom left.

There's a First Time For Everything...

Mid-January, 2023: Holy Toledo Batman! That's not possible. But I'll be the first to admit that I never thought I'd live to see the day that I witnessed a active volcano. Yet I did get the opportunity this month when we were vacationing on The Big Island in Hawaii. Locals had recommended to travel there at night to get the full perspective of color with a bright orange lava flow steaming before your very eyes. Plus, seeing the volcano was free with no park admission cost or parking fee. We were encouraged to visit and loaded our rental car and off we went. About half mile from the Kilauea Volcano the sky was lit up above while guiding us toward our destination combined with the fragrance of burnt sulfur in the air. Once we were there, we hiked down a trail that was several hundred yards from parking lot and fortunately the path had small lamps embedded in the ground to guide you in the dark. Plus, we carried our handy-dandy flashlight for reassurance. Upon arriving at the overlook, it was fascinating to view. You could actually hear the steaming lava as it bubbled into the atmosphere. Below is some additional facts as listed from Wikipedia: 

Kīlauea is an active shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands. Located along the southeastern shore of the Big Island of Hawaii, the volcano is between 210,000 and 280,000 years old and emerged above sea level about 100,000 years ago.

This eruption at Kīlauea's summit is occurring within a closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. High levels of volcanic gas are the primary hazard of concern, as this hazard can have far-reaching effects downwind. Large amounts of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)—are continuously released during eruptions of Kīlauea Volcano. As SO2 is released from the summit, it reacts in the atmosphere to create the visible haze known as vog (volcanic smog) that has been observed downwind of Kīlauea. Vog creates the potential for airborne health hazards to residents and visitors, damages agricultural crops and other plants, and affects livestock. 

Additional hazards include Pele's hair and other lightweight volcanic glass fragments from lava fountains that will fall downwind and dust the ground within a few hundred meters (yards) of the erupting fissure vent(s). Strong winds may waft lighter particles to greater distances. Residents should minimize exposure to these volcanic particles, which can cause skin and eye irritation. 

Other significant hazards also remain around Kīlauea caldera  from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of the rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since early 2008. 

 Copyright (c) Phillip Rauls 2023 - Content Protected - Duplication Restricted  
 

All I Want On Christmas Morning....

 

Plaque Exhibits STAX Records Phillip Rauls

 

In the year 1974 STAX Records President Jim Stewart was going full steam ahead with the label's aggressive pursuit into the lucrative Pop Music field. Consulted by the label's influential Pop Music experts such as artist/producer Don Nix, Stax Attorney Craig Benson, Ardent Studio's John Fry and Pop Music coordinator Phillip Rauls, the label weaved their coordinated efforts with the marketing muscle and distribution system of CBS Records.

With STAX and Ardent artists on the road and touring the country, big results were anticipated. 

Fast forward the story to November 2022 when retired record industry executive, photographer and book author Phillip Rauls created an archived plaque for exhibit displaying his photographs with an original classic basketball jersey from STAX's corporate team from that very time period. The jersey is surrounded by album jackets from that memorable era with pics featuring (top to bottom) Rauls, Larry Raspberry and Don Nix, Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper and with album covers of Booker T. & The MG's, Larry Raspberry & The Highsteppers, Don Nix and Big Star. Top right features Rauls standing in front of the business offices at the entrance of STAX Records and below that with him wearing the original basketball jersey from the mid-1970's. 

The plaque stands a 2' 30" long and 2' 26" wide. Licensing inquires are welcomed.

Saluting Radio Veteran Mr. Henry Nelson

 

In the very beginning sometime around his Junior year in high school longtime radio veteran Henry Nelson once asked himself, "Since I have to work, what kind of job would I do if making money was not my primary consideration?" And radio was definitely my answer. Pictured above during those early days in broadcasting Nelson is now a veteran of 50 years in radio.

Starting out radio has always sparked his early imagination. That flame remains burning today through his experience and memory of sports announcer Jack Buck calling the St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. Buck painted a picture of the game, the players, the fragrance of food in the stands, excited baseball fans and the grand experience of entertaining. While listening to radio in his hometown of West Memphis, AR Nelson also surfed the radio dials from long distances of WLS Radio in Chicago all the way to Wolfman Jack broadcasting from Del Rio, Texas. From there, inspiration was just at a beginning. 

Nelson's first radio gig was in 1972 while volunteering at WLYX Radio at a 10 watt college station located on the campus of Southwestern University (now Rhodes College) where he hosted a blues radio show called Blues on the Bluff. From there he was hired in 1974 at WMC FM-100 in Memphis where the clear channel of Stereo radio boomed throughout the Mid-South. There he would work with the influential DJ voices of Ron Micheals, Greg Siggers, Mike Powell, and David Day (Gingold).In the late 1970's Henry Nelson joined Memphian and GM Lee Armstrong at WNOE in New Orleans where he gained notoriety while working in the Crescent City. From there Nelson would shift to WYLD Radio in New Orleans till 1981. 

He returned to Memphis after that and taught school part-time as a broadcast orientation instructor at The Voice of Memphis City School system. Next, Nelson soon landed at WZXR, Rock 103 a landmark station for Memphis radio. But it all came full-circle when he was hired back at FM-100 Radio doing the evening shift while also working part-time as TV Weatherman under one of his childhood hero's, David Brown. There Nelson also became the music director at FM-100 when Steve Conley became the Program Director.

In 1998 David Gingold called Henry and asked if he would help start-up Soul Classics 103.5 WRBO, Memphis. That was the grand beginning for a fabulous ride while working with Gingold and longtime associate Tony Yoken. There they were partner in raising funds and development of the STAX Music Academy and Museum of American Soul Music and gathering support and funds for the startup Memphis Grizzlies. In addition, Nelson and Gingold came-up with the novel idea and negotiated the Isaac Hayes show and details within. 

Henry Nelson appearing here in 2016 at at the Western Washington residence of retired record executive, book author and photographer Phillip Rauls while holding a coveted STAX Records Basketball Jersey.

In 2015 thru 2017 Nelson did similar work and became Strategic Partnership Director for the Overton Park Shell with a larger footprint on community influence as an assistant to the director of libraries. One of his reasons for releasing his love of radio that is mostly presented having an authentic connection to the community and it's audience. There Nelson started the 5 Fridays of Jazz Series there at the Overton Park Shell. Wow! What a ride. 

Here's saluting to a authentic radio veteran, Mr. Henry Nelson!  

 

    

The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart(s)

 

Okay, here’s one deep from my photo archives. However, it's going to take a bit of flashback and sharp memory to recall this era. So, you might want to put on your thinking cap for this one. It’s a photo image I took in the early 1970’s of a Playboy magazine article that was pinned to the wall above the water cooler at Rogers & Cowan Publicity Agency in Hollywood. When I saw it, and as an old friend of Don Nix, I couldn’t resist taking this photo. Let me explain. In those days Billboard Magazine was the undisputed leader in music research and charts for record sales. The magazine had an additional list called “Bubbling Under the Hot 100” chart. It was a chart for up-and-coming records that did not make it to the original ‘Hot 100.’ Well, Esquire Magazine, another leading publication at the time, decided to do their own 'Bubbling Under Chart.' It was so well received that Playboy Magazine also decided to list their own 'Bubbling Under Chart.' Hmm…How original was that? But the picture of this page that was pinned to the wall of the agency had listed my buddy Don Nix (top row-second from left) and I felt compelled to snap a photo of this rare moment. Anywho, I know this chart-thing can be all too confusing yet history was in the making here. But capturing this novel occasion on film of my dear friend Don Nix and listed in this Playboy Magazine pole and posted there at the #1 PR agency in Hollywood, this was an opportunity that I could not resist. Hope you agree.

In conclusion, Don Nix is cited as being one of the more obscure figures in Southern Blue-Eyed Rock & Soul music. His music helped usher-in the globally recognized and legendary Memphis Sound. Now, trust me if you can. Try to find a chart for that distinction.

Stroll Down Memory Lane with "Phillip's Lens"

 

If you're feeling inquisitive and longing for something to enlighten your soul with a lift of merriment & eye candy, take a bodacious stroll down memory lane for a nostalgic visit captured thru the visual perspective of "Phillip's Lens" 

Annual "Summit At The Deli" in Seattle

 

Photo titled; "Summit at the Deli" (circa 2011) as the Northwest radio & record community were a tight group of professionals. After the late Stan Foreman retired and moved to Palm Springs, he would return once every summer to Seattle and meet at the Lake Union Deli for a reunion of old friends. (L-R) Fred Zaehler-former MCA Records, Gary Crow-former KZOK-KISW Radio, Phillip Rauls-former EMI Records, and Stan Foreman-former Capital Records.

Legendary Drummer Mr. Alan White Passes

 

Deeply saddened to announce that longtime friend, business associate and distinguished member of the R&R Hall of Fame and drummer of legendary rock band, YES, Alan White has passed away. He was 72 years old and had been ill for a short period. He died at his home in Newcastle, (Seattle) WA.

The Northwest Radio & Record Community

The Northwest Radio & Record community in the 1990's were a tightly knit group of professionals with extensive backgrounds. (L-R) Ken Hopkins-KZZU Spokane, Phillip Rauls-EMI Records Seattle, Larry Snider-KWHL Anchorage, Debbie Lipetz-Epic Records Seattle, Larry Reymann-Columbia Records Seattle.

Goodbye Winter Months. Spring Has Sprung!

Winter say goodbye. Spring has sprung! Plant a flower or a plant today to help feed the butterflies and bumble bees to help pollinate and balance the all important eco-system. And do it all barefooted!

The 1972 Tour & Release of Stephen Stills' Manassas Album On Atlantic Brings The Troops

Here's a flashback of yesteryear: From 1972, here's a photo of former Atlantic Records promo exec. Phillip Rauls and 'Manassas' Road Manager Buddy Zoloth (1948-2007) while traveling to the next tour gig when suddenly they discovered a scaving review in Rolling Stone Magazine of Stephen Stills' new album and group Manassas. The real issue here was that Stills and Manassas were packing areas and concert halls and FM Radio airplay for the Manassas's album was blanketing the airwaves. Yet, the negative review was saying just the opposite. As you can see, the shock from both tour members reading the contradicting article was definitely worth a Kodak moment. Their reaction was, "Say wha....."

Red Hot Chilli Peppers First Gold Record

 The Red Hot Chili Peppers are the original bad-boys of alternative rock and funk music. Their first gold record was on EMI Records titled "Mother's Milk." Seen here from 1991 is EMI Records Phillip Rauls with band members Chad Smith, Flea, John Frusciante and Anthony Kiedis. With over 70 million albums and 50 million singles sold worldwide, they are one of the best-selling bands of all time. They are the most successful band in the history of alternative rock, with the records for most number-one singles (13), most cumulative weeks at number one (85) and most top-ten songs (25) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.[3] They have won six Grammy Awards, and in 2012 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Dan Hill's album "Longer Fuse" Hit Gold Status

Pictured here from 1977 is the gold record award ceremony of the monster hit "Sometimes When We Touch" song by Canadian pop rock artist Dan Hill. Presented here by the 20th Century Fox Records Midwest Regional Promotion & Marketing Director Phillip Rauls and awarded to Memphis radio station FM-100's P.D. John Wagnor and DJ Ron Olsen. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Pop Charts with (lyrics) written by Dan Hill and (music) by Barry Mann. Since its original release "Sometimes When We Touch" has been recorded by numerous artists and considered as a classic hit song. a

Pictured below from the Hollywood office of 20th Century Fox Records is Dan Hill discussing a forthcoming tour and promotion plan with 20th's V.P. of Promotion Barry Goldberg.

Jane Wiedlin's "Fur" Album Produces Hit Single

 

In 1988 EMI Records released an album by noted singer/musician Jane Wiedlin titled "Fur" that produced the hit single 'Rush Hour' while peaking at #9 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Wiedlin was also the co-founder of the 'Go-Go's' who became the first successful all-female rock band ("We Got The Beat"). Plus, she was an accomplished actress while appearing in numerous films.

Pictured below at an music industry function is Jane Wiedlin with EMI Records Northwest Promotion and Marketing Manager Phillip Rauls.

Pictured below is Wiedlin (R) with EMI's Regional Promotion Manager Rauls (L) also with well respected Program Director Sean Lynch (Center) of Z100 Radio in Portland OR

Also

Joel Selvin's Book "Here Comes the Night" the Story of Music Genius Bert Berns Gets 5 Stars

One of my favorite activities since retirement is having the actual time to catchup on reading and enjoying books that feed my robust appetite for the history of popular music. Even in my own book, “The Rock Trenches” I share that same interest while expressing the story with my own photographs and words that originate from my soul. Yet recently, I stumbled on a book that blows-away all recent texts titled “Here Comes the Night” by noted author Joel Selvin. The book also has an accompanying DVD (purchased separately) by the same title that underlines this powerful music journey.

Selvin tells a fascinating story of the development of the noted songwriter, and producer, and publisher and record label owner by the name of, Mr. Bert Berns of Bang Records. Burns wrote the monster hit songs; “Twist & Shout” – “Hang on Sloopy” “Piece of My Heart” and many more. Berns also had giant hit productions like; “Brown Eyed Girl” - “Under the Board Walk” – “Baby, Please Don’t Go” and more. Equally important here, he is also credited for initially discovering the superstars Van Morrison and Neil Diamond. Personally, and at that very same time, I find it interesting that I was on the same musical wave-length with Berns' early recordings and didn't realize it until reading this book. You may find yourself in that same scenario upon reading the content. An example of that parallel here, in the photo below taken earlier this week in August, I am holding original copies from those founding productions of Bert Berns from years earlier. Both albums by Van Morrison & Them and a Neil Diamond were saved from my longtime record collection. Truth is, earlier and upon release I was a huge fan of Bert Berns and his productions - and I didn't even know it.  

Bang Records was created by Bert Berns in 1965 together with his partners from Atlantic Records: Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler. The first letters of their names Bert, Ahmet, Nesuhi and Gerald formed the record label’s name; B-A-N-G. But Selvin’s great book starts well before that period and details Bert Berns long and arduous road to success starting from the streets of New York and peaks all interests as it unfolds in the shady world of rhythm and blues music and untold developments of the difficult task of making a hit songs. Plus in Selvin's book, he mentions numerous heavyweights and some of those music legends in a very unfavorable manner.  

Perhaps one reason this book captured my keen interest is mainly because I too worked for Atlantic Records. In addition to that, in the mid-to-late 1960’s I promoted the new releases for Bang Records while working at the regional record distributor in Memphis, Hot Line Records. It seems that in every chapter of  Selvin's book I read the names of people that I had worked with and fraternized with at various music functions including Berns widow, Ilene Berns. As a matter of fact, Ilene Berns took over running the record label after her husband died suddenly in 1967 as a result of a rheumatic heart condition. Bern's wife, who has also since passed away, and their son, were heavily resourced in the making of this fine book. The developments of my connections came through working for both Atlantic Records and Hot Line Record Distributor which promoted and marketed the label, Bang Records. And I'm not going to lie to you but until reading this great book, I didn't have a clue that somehow I had reached full-circle.  

Consider Joel Selvin’s book a classic as his background as a noted writer started as a music critic for The San Francisco Chronicle. From there, he has written many articles including those in the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone Magazine, Billboard and Melody Maker. Plus, he has written many outstanding books all focusing on the music scene and pop culture.  

So, if you haven’t already - and if you have any interest in the music business - you should definitely read this historical book. Next to my original music journal titled “The Rock Trenches” … I definitely think that Joel Selvin’s book of the life of Bert Berns and his music career titled, “Here Comes the Night” is my most recent favorite!        

5 STARS             

 

 

Northwest Promo Legend Stan Foreman Passes

Sad news. It was announced Sunday, Aug. 8th that former Capitol Records NW Promotion Director Mr. Stan Foreman has passed away. Pictured here in the Capitol-EMI Records office on Lake Union in Seattle in the late 1980's is Stan (sitting) with Phillip Rauls (R) while enjoying an afternoon discussion. Stan was my close business associate and good friend. When I first moved to Seattle in the mid-1980's, it was Stan who introduced me to all the important movers-and-shakers in the business community and taught me the streets. RIP Mr. Stan Foreman. You will be missed.

Two Original Rock Music Record Promoters Share A Rare 1975 Photo-Op Moment

Here's a classic photograph deep from the image archive: Two trailblazing promoters hailing from Memphis and landing in the music biz during the early rock music era. Both party's long music industry backgrounds reads like an Encyclopedia Britannica. Pictured here (from circa 1975) as Phillip Rauls (L) and Phil Rush (R) actually knew each other in High School as Rauls was from Treadwell High and Rush from neighboring Bartlett High. Rauls broke into the business first in the mid-1960's as the road manager of the noted garage band The Gentrys and later hired by STAX Records as local promo manager. From there he went Hot Line Record Distributor as Mid-South promo mgr. Rauls later had successful career stints with Atlantic Records, 20th Century Fox Records and then in the mid-to-late 1980's to the mid-1990's as NW Regional mgr. with EMI Records. Phil Rush came onboard at Hot Line Distributor the early 1970's as promo mgr. when RCA Records noticed him and snatched-him up as their local RCA record rep. Rush later joined Capricorn Records in the mid-1970's where he had a successful run with the Macon GA based rock label. Both Rauls and Rush were well-respected record guys long before the promotion business bandwagon became a herd mentality. 

Bobby McFerrin's Historic Ride with His Monster Number #1 Hit Record "Don't Worry Be Happy"

Let's turn back the clock to 1988 when Bobby McFerrin's monster hit "Don't Worry Be Happy" went to the well-coveted # 1 spot on the Pop Charts. Plus, shortly afterwards in 1989 at the Grammy Awards the song was recognized as the 'Song Of The Year.' Yet, believe it or not, it was then awarded as the "Record Of The Year.' Truth is, those outstanding achievements were unheralded accomplishments for this newly established Jazz music artist! This was a never before virtuosic task. It was the first A Cappella song to reach number # 1 in Billboard's Hot 100 Chart. The 'instruments' in the song are entirely overdubbed voice parts and other sounds made by McFerrin while using no musical instruments in the composition at all. Ample credit goes to promo guru Jack Satter of EMI-Manhattan Records and his skilled promotion staff. Needless to say, I am very honored to be a part of that well-recognized EMI Records promotion & marketing team while reaching those historic feats! Thank you Bobby McFerrin for the fabulous ride!

EMI Records Northwest Promotion & Marketing Director Phillip Rauls and EMI Records recording artist Bobby McFerrin share a moment before McFerrin's sold-out concert performance in Portland, OR in 1988.

Bobby McFerrin's EMI-Manhattan Records Grammy winning album cover that was awarded Platinum status.

 

A Blast From The Past From The Year 1991

When the national music publication 'Hitmakers Magazine' held their Seattle Seminar in 1991, here is a selected photograph from the magazine that featured the radio and record executives: (L-R) Kevin Chase-KMOK Radio P.D./M.D. Lewiston, ID - Phillip Rauls-EMI Records Regional Promo Mgr. Seattle, WA - Paul Walker-OK95 Radio P.D. Tri-Cities, WA - and Jay Stevens-KFTZ Radio P.D. Idaho Falls, ID.

 

44 Years Ago This Very Week

The first week of June in 1977 was a special one when three entities joined together in Memphis to promote a film & music soundtrack titled "All This In World War 2" released on 20th Century Fox Films while the music was released on a box set by their in-house record label, 20th Century Fox Records. Joining in that grand promotion was radio station powerhouse WMC-FM-100 and the hottest local music venue on the scene, The Ritz. The event's coordination was laid-out by promoter Phillip Rauls (below) as attendance was grand while providing fond memories for all in attendance. 

copyright (c) phillip rauls photo archives 

A Readers Comment Of "The Rock Trenches"

On occasion we might get flattered with words while mostly shrugging it off as a polite compliment and then move on. But not this time! On the Amazon book site for my self-penned non-fiction journal titled, "The Rock Trenches"...here a reader's complimentary book review that brought a sincere tear to my eye.

"Hi Phillip,

I am posting to say how much I am enjoyed your book, 'The Rock Trenches.' You are a deft wordsmith and a humorous guy, really charming with your self-effacing comments, nicely leavened by your candor and honesty. I love your openness about your feelings, at various junctures in your immersion into your rock promotions career, and with your depictions of standard youthful awkwardness and wonder. The whole thing reminded me of being young, and thanks for that.

More than that, it all reads in an authentic way, free of pretense and artifice, and that makes your book a real achievement in todays world of pretense and artifice. You could have played the old showbiz vet routine and gotten away with it, considering where you've been, but instead you come off as a guy who loves music and enjoys artists. Really refreshing.

Most of all, I see that your book has literary qualities, and really good ones.

You are a wonderful photographer and story teller. You should consider becoming a novelist too, assuming you haven't already. Perhaps there is more to learn about that. Anyway, great work!"

Rick Alan Rice

Rarwriter Publishing Group

www.rarwriter.com

New Video Interview with Phillip Rauls

These days there's not much to crow about. Unless it's a 22 minute Video Interview with book author and photographer Phillip Rauls telling about his past and present. Whoo-whoo! Presented by NPUSA.

Click-on link to view: 

 https://vimeo.com/508935501/72f4baa36c

Stephen Stills Masterful Guitar Skills Should Definitely Not Be Underestimated (+ Video)

Stephen Stills came on the music scene in the mid-1960's with the Buffalo Springfield who recorded on Atlantic Records. The West Coast group changed the dynamics of rock music while Stills was indeed the frontman. The first album that I promoted by the group was in 1968 titled, "Retrospective." Among the Atlantic staff, strong rumor had it that the company's President Ahmet Ertegun considered Stills as his 'golden boy' and gave him creative control of all his projects. Then, in 1969 the formation of Crosby, Stills & Nash literally invented the genre of acoustic rock music with beautiful 3-way harmonies. With monster new record releases like this in my briefcase, I felt very fortunate to be able to promote their first 3 albums, "Crosby Stills & Nash", "Deja Vu (w/Neil Young) and "4-Way Street"(Live) all which featured Stills magical acoustic guitar work on his vintage Martin guitars, a D-28 and D-45. Next came Stills solo album titled, "Stephen Stills" that produced the classic hit, "Love The One Your With" while being the unofficial theme song for a generation of Baby Boomers. Next came two big album releases by "Manassas" which was predominantly a vehicle for Stephen Stills music. Among that title wave of gold and platinum albums that were generated from that 7 year hit spree, somehow several of my gold & platinum record awards received for my courageous duty while serving in "The Rock Trenches" have since then simply vanished and are now in someone's attic catching dust. But, in spite of my long line of service from that era, I still have my treasured archive (c) photographs (above) which I gladly share. Here's an excellent video supporting the storyline of Stephen Stills' masterful command of a Martin acoustic guitar. Hope you enjoy!

Early 1968 Photo Reveals Photographer's Eye For The Gloomy Living Of A Manhattan Apt.

Early in my photo journey I did not want to focus solely on concert photography or rock stars. However, my earliest recognition in photography was just that. And naturally I'm proud of those accomplishments as everyone needs a launching platform. Truth is, everyone has their own viewpoints and opinions and appreciates photography in their own way. My early influences were former Look Magazine photographer Stanley Kubrick who later became a film maker (2001: A Space Odyssey, Clockwork Orange, The Shinning). Plus, I always admired photographer Diane Arbus for her eye for capturing the mundane. Yet still in search, I eventually settled on a wider scope and considered photojournalist as 'the real artists who recorded the facts.' With a early break in the music business I began to travel extensively thus allowing me to shoot photos during my journey. Featured here in one of my early photos in1968 while taken on a visit to New York as one afternoon I peeked out my hotel room window and was petrified at the sight of typical New York hi-rise apartment living. No disrespect to my long-time New York friends but being a Southern boy from Tennessee I was so accustomed to the open spaces and greenery from my home state that this view from my window was a big downer. Subsequently, I titled this (c) photo, "Images don't change, but we do."

A Music Legend Lost Fifteen Years Ago

On this day 15 years ago on Jan. 11^th, 2005, I lost a dear friend whom I admired. And to this very day, his passing still weights heavy because he will always be in my heart. And that person’s name is Jimmy Griffin (as seen above on right). Truth is, we lost a global superstar. Not only did we lose a superstar of the music world, but we also lost an outstanding man with a gentle soul. He was charming in character and with cultural refinement. I am speaking of the co-founder to the soft rock mega-group BREAD. He was the singer/songwriter/musician, Mr. James Arthur ‘Jimmy’ Griffin. Jimmy’s background reads like an historical novel while revealing the many twists-and-turns of hectic life in the music business. So much so, that I need to share his story publicly. Hailing from Memphis, TN and after graduating from Kingsbury High in 1962, Jimmy traveled to Los Angeles to visit his former neighbors also from Memphis, Johnny & Dorsey Burnett. The Burnett Brothers had recently relocated there to become established musicians and encouraged young Jimmy to come for a visit. Upon that visit and through those initial business contacts, Jimmy landed a record deal with Reprise Records and never looked back.

Jimmy and his long ascent to fame is such a remarkable and inspiring story. Consider this; Griffin wrote songs that were recorded by, Gary Lewis and The Playboys, Brian Hyland, Leslie Gore, Ed Ames, Bobby Vee, The Standells, Sandy Nelson, Cher, and many more. And all this was done during the developing period of the cultural phenom called Rock ‘N’ Roll. In the middle 1960’s Griffin soon landed several small acting roles in the movies, “For Those Who Think Young” and “None But The Brave.” But an incredible surprise came in 1970 when Griffin won an Academy Award for co-writing the Carpenters song “For All We Know” from the film “Lovers and Strangers.” Plus, while reaching further heights, and as mentioned earlier, Jimmy Griffin was the co-founder of the pioneering soft rock group, Bread. If the truth be known, Bread had more charted singles in Billboard Magazine and was awarded more gold & platinum album awards than many of their contemporaries. Their music was so popular that it helped create a new radio format, Adult Contemporary. Years later, Jimmy relocated back to Memphis and recorded an album with Terry Sylvester formerly of the popular British group, The Hollies. Still later, Griffin moved to Nashville where he revived his career with even more hits and stardom. Plus, he was back on the charts again!

Me personally, I was so inspired by Jimmy Griffin’s grand accomplishments that I included an entire chapter (chapter #20) of his long career in my non-fiction memoir titled, “The Rock Trenches ~ Journal of a Music Industry Executive” (available at Amazon Books online). This is must reading for music lovers and those of inquisitive minds.

 So, in my recognition of this 15^th year of Jimmy Griffin’s passing, I can honestly say that I am disappointed from the lack of career recognition that Jimmy Griffin has received in Memphis which supposedly is a landmark music town. Let it be known, I have a major gripe. I angrily shake my finger at those who claim any musical knowledge of his hometown’s historic heritage and have somehow overlooked him. First of all, those decision makers from his hometown have not done anything to preserve his good name and honor it with a ceremonial plaque, or a famed Music award to the music legends from Memphis, or any institutional recognition of his greatness in local museums. It drives me absolutely bonkers when those so-called 'music experts’ from his hometown that in turn want to acknowledge and worship a 1980's rock band who never even had a hit record and then they institutionalized the band (now defunct) with greatness that never happened. And I should know as I promoted their record(s) all of which never got off the ground. Or how about the local institution that recognized a record producer (deceased) who, without consulting others, unceremoniously self-proclaimed himself as the designated speaker for an entire music community and boastfully talked his way into being (falsely) honored. In a business of monumental hype, I think those gullible believers on that approval committee have completely gulped-down the big one. And now they are trying to drum-up support for a nobody named Fav Talco & Penis Burns. What's wrong with these decision makers in Griffin’s hometown? Where are the officials who are in an authoritative position and control the ‘nominees’ names while denying Griffin from being awarded and deserving his rightful place in the music history in his very own hometown. What's wrong with this picture? As a long-time and accomplished music industry veteran, I think those official decision makers need to have their monster egos checked with a giant dose of reality, or they should be replaced.

In closing: Let it be know that I have always abided to the sacred omen to never write or publicially say anything offensive about someone. And I feel that in this story I have adhered to that principle. If you will take notice, no names other than Jimmy Griffin's name are punctuated here. So, let the guilty parties expose themselves by standing up to complain. I have one more true story that some might relate to my frustration on this matter. One time I was being interviewed on TV on the Tim Mullins Show when he asked me, “Phillip, why is it that so many musicians and industry people have had to leave Memphis before they can truthfully say they have made it?” My response was, “Well, there's a city located just 200 miles from Memphis and they call it, ‘Music City.’ The truth is...man, did we miss the boat.” 

Jimmy Griffin is gone but he is certainly not forgotten. I rest my case. Can I get a amen? 

(copyright (c) 2021 all rights reserved - the phillip rauls photolog)

 

Photographer Captures His Music Icon

 Without a doubt, one of my favorite photos of Robert Palmer is one that I had taken of him in Portland, OR in the early 1990's while on tour with him. Here Robert is conducting an radio interview on the evening of his Portland performance when an incoming phone inquiry asks, "I want to know are the 'dancing girls' from your video backing you in performance tonight." Palmer quietly cleared his throat, took a breath, and then responded to the caller, "No". The interviewing DJ noticing the possible friction created by the question and promptly said, "Next caller please." (editors note: From earlier, it was my clear understanding that this subject was not one of Palmer's favorite topics) Follow the story below as the truth is revealed by an important and trusted Robert Palmer band member. Read about Robert Palmer's long and brilliant career in the non-fiction journal titled, "The Rock Trenches ~ Journal of a Music Industry Executive" by Phillip Rauls and available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon Books.

That very same question has been asked many times. Please note: I posted my same photo with my identical commentary on the Robert Palmer Fan Group and several viewers from that website group asked the very same question. So, I brought-in my friend & former business colleague who was Robert Palmer's long-drummer, Mr. Dony Wynn, and he replied to Palmer's friction to the subject:

Dony Wynn said: "Philip is spot on correct. During the Addicted Tour, everyone involved was absolutely beleaguered day in day out with the question from everyone, Are the girls here? So much so the crew had shirts made that said, Fuck no, the girls are not here! The ridiculous question got old fast. In truth the American press never gave the man credit for anything. All they talked about was the video - the girls, that song, his suits, his punishment for being too good looking, too talented, living an idyllic life, making music EXACTLY how and when and why he wanted. Ultimately there was a price to pay... jealousy DOES exist. All he cared about was the music, everything else was secondary. I will add this, Robert was blessed with the patience of Job. In the 25 years I worked with him I only saw him lose his temper ONCE in soundcheck with an obstinate musician who had it coming. The man just wanted to groove and enjoy this life, and for the most part, he did." Direct quote from Palmer's drummer, Mr. Dony Wynn.