24 Hours Until The Cruel Sunrise

Rick Holmstrom's Cruel Sunrise Set For Worldwide Release August 28 Solo Band Dates Set For L.A. Area From September 30 through October 7 Contact: Mark Carpentieri Phone: 631-754-8725 E-Mail: mc@mc-records.com web: www.mc-records.com www.rickholmstrom.com Northport NY - M.C. Records is proud to announce that the wait is over! After five long years, singer, songwriter and right-on guitarist Rick Holmstrom's Cruel Sunrise will be released world-wide on August 28. Rick and the boys will be performing a series of Record Release Parties in the Los Angeles area from September 30 through October 7. Check the dates at the bottom for more. Cruel Sunrise, which features Gosepl legend Mavis Staples on two tracks, is a musical high-water mark for Rick Holmstrom. After years in the backing band - currently as Mavis' bandleader - Holstrom has developed a distinct voice of his own that shows through in his soulful phrasing and rich tone as both a guitarist and vocalist. Add to that a refreshing confidence that Holmstrom brings to his songwriting and you've got Rick's finest and most complete solo recording to date. Rick is joined by long-time band-mates Jeff Turmes and Stephen Hodges guaranteeing that Cruel Sunrise has a tight sound that puts you in the groove and keeps you rockin' from the first note to the last. No doubt both blues aficionados and rock music fans will enjoy Cruel Sunrise, a record that honors Rick Holmstrom’s ongoing reign as a statesman of the blues while pointing to his future as a songwriter to be reckoned with. The recording will also be available as a limited "Deluxe Edition" which features a second disc of all instrumentals - Rick's unique take on classic songs including "You Send Me," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "I'll Take You There." Rick and his band have been recording and touring with Mavis Staples for the last five years. He received a Grammy in 2010 for his playing on Mavis' blockbuster "You Are Not Alone," produced by Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco). Rick continues to be the bandleader for Mavis Staples and has accompanied her on a Summer Coast-to-Coast Tour with Bonnie Raitt. With something wonderful and different at the core of the proceedings (Cruel Sunrise), this is real forward thinking white boy blues that charts the future but can be enjoyed in the here and now. Well done - Midwest Record You can listen to all 24 tracks that encompass "The Deluxe Edition" (including two with Mavis Staples) and read his new bio right here: I was around songwriters like Jeff Tweedy, Ron Sexsmith, and Neko Case while recording and touring with Mavis Staples,” says Holmstrom “I thought there must be a way to write songs like theirs, but with a blues feeling—songs that regular music fans might like, in addition to blues aficionados. - Rick Holmstrom Rick reminds me of my Pops. He's got that soulful feeling. I love playing with Rick. - Mavis Staples Great blues guitarists are about tone, mood, and style. Being nimble helps, but intensity and passion more often exist between the notes. Rick Holmstrom revels in this abundance. All Music Guide Rick Holmstrom Tour Dates 8/28/2012 Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Garden Amphitheater (Bonnie & Mavis) 8/29/2012 Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Garden Amphitheater (Bonnie & Mavis) 8/30/2012 Sun Valley, ID Sun Valley Pavilion (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/1/2012 Boise, ID Idaho Botanical Garden (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/2/2012 Spokane, WA Performing Arts Center (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/5/2012 Eugene, OR Cuthbert Amphitheater (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/7/2012 Troutdale, OR Edgefield Amphitheater (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/8/2012 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/9/2012 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/14/2012 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/16/2012 Santa Cruz, CA Civic Center (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/18/2012 Davis, CA Mondavi Center (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/22/2012 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/23/2012 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl (Bonnie & Mavis) 9/30/2012 Los Angeles, CA Liquid Kitty (Rick Holmstrom Band) 10/5/2012 Long Beach, CA El Dorado (Rick Holmstrom Band) 10/7/2012 Los Angeles, CA The York (Rick Holmstrom Band) 10/17/2012 Washington DC The Hamilton (Mavis Staples) 10/18/2012 Mamaroneck, NY Emelin's 2012 Benefit (Mavis) 10/19/2012 Norwalk, CT Norwalk Concert Hall (Mavis) 10/27/2012 Linköping, SWEDEN Linköping Jazz & Blues Festival (Mavis) 10/30/2012 Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS MC Theatre (Mavis) 10/31/2012 Uppsala, SWEDEN Sacred Music Festival (Mavis) 11/3/2012 Dublin, IRELAND National Concert Hall (Mavis)