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Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan, an Americana/Jersey Shore/Roots Rock and Roll band, will release their 10th CD, "Cause..." on SCR/Schoolhouse Records in March 2006. The 16 song "album" is divided into Side One and Side Two with topics ranging from friendship, war, marriage, oil, soul searching, politics and lost love. As in past offerings, D'Urso mixes his writing and music with full out rockers and quiet observations. "Cause" was recorded with more of a live, garage rock feel than previous offerings and is quite unique as it's "narrated" by wise musings/introductions by the late Harry Chapin. Besides 13 new D'Urso originals, JD&SC take on John Stewart's 1979 Top 5 hit "Gold", Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" and Chapin's "Taxi". JD&SC wll be supporting the new disc with live shows and Radio/TV appearances in the USA and Europe all throughout 2006.
In 2002, D'Urso & Stone Caravan were chosen by House of Blues Concerts and The Harley Davidson Corporation to be the "official house band" for Harley's 100th Anniversary Open Road World Wide Tour. D'Urso was the only independent artist on the tour which performed three day festivals in Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Los Angeles, Toronto, Sydney and Milwaukee with artists such as Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Elton John and many others. D'Urso co-wrote a thirty-minute musical production for Harley Davidson titled "Thunder" that was highlighted throughout the tour.
D'Urso's music is rootsy, introspective, rocking and forceful. Live shows have been recorded and traded worldwide and have attracted a legion of fans in 24 countries as many regularly travel hundreds of miles to attend performances.
In 1996, D'Urso left his job at the legendary Premier Talent Agency in New York City to pursue his career as a singer-songwriter. Since then, D'Urso's music has earned glowing praise from the media. The BBC's Gary Price says, "Joe D'Urso sings like an angel and writes songs like a demon" and New York Times writer Karen DeMasters calls D'Urso "one of the most original and versatile of the current artists writing music based in good, old-fashioned rock and roll".
D'Urso's love for music began with his older sister's record collection; Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Meatloaf, Beatles, Elvis Presley, Bob Seger, Tom Petty, The Doors, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jim Croce, Jackson Browne and countless one-hit wonders from the 1950s to the 1970s. While at Premier Talent, D'Urso typed live performance contracts for hundreds of artists, including some of the very same bands that he listened to in his sister's record collection. This experience allowed him to get an insider's look at the music business and the inner workings of touring bands.
One night after attending the Manhattan premiere of U2's rockumentary, "Rattle and Hum," D'Urso turned to his roommate and said, "We've gotta start a band." They had just left the theater and U2 was in attendance seated ten rows in front of them. During the trip home a quote from Bono played itself over and over in D'Urso's head; "All I have is three chords, the truth and a red guitar". It was it turns out the catalyst for D'Urso's burgeoning new career. Six months later D'Urso's band, "3 Chords and the Truth" played its first concert. The band changed its name and released their first record in 1991.
As an artist, D'Urso has embraced his Indy status. In the process he has created a flourishing global fan base with each CD/Tour and his catalog of music is released on his own label, SCR/Schoolhouse Records. Internationally, his records and merchandise are available via retail stores, Internet sites, and his website: www.jdcaravan.com.
D'Urso remains true to an ideal inspired by the late Harry Chapin: that it is essential to help the less fortunate. He is heavily involved with World Hunger Year (WHY) and AAHAP (Artists Against Hunger and Poverty). WHY was co-founded by Chapin and Bill Ayres. "Joe brings to his life and music the magic combination of passion and purpose," said Jen Chapin, daughter of Harry and Chair of WHY Board of Directors. Ayres adds, "Joe D'Urso's music is passionate, vibrant and filled with great stories." Sue Leventhal, director of WHY's AAHAP calls D'Urso "a wonderful, first-class performer."
D'Urso's fierce independence, dynamic stage presence and altruistic nature have led him down a road less traveled.
StoneCaravan
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