After a few years performing with The Mars Volta, Thomas turned his attention to forming his own group, incorporating a range of styles as diverse as the experiences of the bands members. Instead of becoming another rock bands' heartbeat, the focus was to collaborate with proficient musicians whom Thomas felt would fill a void he has heard in rock music throughout his life.

Thomas reached out to friends and former students of the esteemed Berklee College of Music,n Viveca Hawkins (vocals), and Nick Brewer (guitars), to join him in his newest endeavor. Recording with his friends yielded a family vibe that enabled a comfortable yet intense recording process. The groups' assets were rounded out with the addition of a bass, organ, synthesizers, and multiple percussive elements. Thomas' impression on first record: "For me it was important to put a band together with my friends, and ya know, the record is a rollercoaster. Some songs are hard, but will make you cry by the end...."

The aura of the recording sessions, and Thomas' vision for the group, are reflected in the views of the bands members. Viveca Hawkins glows when speaking of the project:
"We have totally made this project out of love... This album is made of the best of us, we put our hearts and souls into this."

The passion and intensity of the recording sessions are audible on The Memorials debut effort, as they combine a vast array of sounds atop Thomas and Nick's compositions. Nick's sprawling guitars and Thomas' thick drums serve as the core of the sound, while Viveca's voice brings it together perfectly. The end music is intelligent and calculated, exhibiting certain pop sensibilities within the scope of songs that rock out. The compositions highlight each musician's incredible talent, while creating textured tracks that feel like vignettes of a band finding their stride.

When singer/songwriter/vocalist Eric Lindell first hit the national music scene with his 2006 Alligator Records debut Change In The Weather, critics and fans alike celebrated the arrival of a roots rocker with dozens of unforgettable original songs. With his musical roots planted in Northern California, Lindell's music blossomed in New Orleans. His combination of sweet, blue-eyed soul with foot-stomping R&B, swamp pop, funk and blues have won him critical and popular acclaim across the country. As he toured the U.S., his fan base grew, and before long clubs and festivals were filled with happy, dancing people singing the words to every song. Now he's back with Low On Cash, Rich In Love, a collection filled with solid grooves, insightful lyrics and one emotionally rich song after another.

Recorded at Piety Street Studio in New Orleans, Low On Cash, Rich In Love will delight Lindell's fan base and will capture the attention of music lovers all over the globe. From the first single Lay Back Down to the undeniable groove of a totally reworked version of Gil Scott-Heron's Lady Day And John Coltrane (the album's sole cover song) to the New Orleans bounce of Tried And True, Low On Cash, Rich In Love is Eric Lindell at his very best. His sinewy and soulful vocals recall 1970s Van Morrison, while his guitar and harmonica work are uniquely his own. With sweet saxophones punching in all the right places and grooves building on top of each other, Eric Lindell has created a timeless collection of songs.

The band's third original member, guitarist Zhenya Kolykhanov (he later legally changed his last name to "Rock"), had also emigrated to America and had been spending time playing in Texas. For the first few months Andrey Baranov was the band's drummer, but within that year, the first American in the band, drummer Avi Sills from Austin, Texas, was added to the lineup. The four of them got their start playing on Santa Monica's famed 3rd Street Promenade but became so popular that they were eventually asked to leave. The reason? They drew such huge crowds that the shopkeepers complained it was interfering with business! Soon thereafter the band set forth in its quest for world domination and endless summer nights. Playing countless shows every year, they became known as one of the hardest working bands in show business, as well as being one of the nicest and most accessible.

When they weren't playing on the road they were busy recording and self-producing their own CDs. Grooving to the Moscow Beat was the band's first release in 1996, followed by Surfing in Siberia in 1997. The phrases "Kick-Ass Rock 'n' Roll From Siberia," "Your Favorite Band" and "Good Times Tonight" became well known by fans throughout the country and around the world. At some point soon after the beginning of each show, audiences were assured, then and now, that "We are Red Elvises and we will be Your Favorite Band!" or sometimes, "We are Red Elvises, America's Singing Sweethearts!" Either way, crowds have always responded to Red Elvises' good-natured humor and rocking music by filling dance floors, often dancing onstage, drinking a lot of beer and generally having good times.

On The Spot Trio is: Kris Yunker: Hammond Organ, Bass Keys, & Clavinet. Emery Nelson: Drums. & Danny Mayer: Guitar.

On The Spot is exactly where these three musicians stand when they settle into a heavy funk-laden groove. Formed in July 2006, O.T.S. Trio mixes classic funky soul jazz stylings with modern jazz improvisational chops to create a psychedelic dance party for the ages. Guitarist Danny Mayer and drummer Emery Nelson were introduced through mutual musician friends, and immediately knew they would be musical brothers for years to come. They were fueled by dreams of playing in a Hammond Organ-based trio. Six months later, Mayer met versatile keyboard man Kris Yunker while studying music at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz County, Calif. Along with Nelson, the three musicians quickly found common ground amongst influences ranging from soul jazz greats Jimmy Smith and Lonnie Smith to Medeski, Martin, & Wood; Soulive and uber-guitarist John Scofield.

Guitarist. Bandleader. Songwriter. Singer. Producer. Session musician. And a one-man cheering section for the blues, in all its forms and permutations. And every one of those names has shared recording studio space or stage time with a man who is a legend in the blues community.

The Blues Music Awards (formerly W.C.Handy Awards) have named Duke Robillard "Best Blues Guitarist" four years out of five (2000,2001,2003,2004) making him the second most honored guitarist for that award! He was also nominated in that category in 2005, 2007 and again this year of 2008.

In 2007 Duke received a Grammy nomination for his "Guitar Groove-a-rama" CD and was also honored with the prestigious Rhode Island Pell Award for "excellence in the arts" along with actress Olympia Dukakis, actor Bob Colonna, and R.I. Choreographer/Festival Ballet director Mihailo "Misha" Djuric.The Pell award is named for Senator Claiborne Pell who help establish the the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities in 1965.

Other awards over the last decade include three Canadian Maple Blues Awards in 2001, 2002, and 2003 for "Best International Blues Artist," The Blues Foundation's "Producer of the Year" award in 2004, The French Blues Association "Album of the Year" award in 2002 (Living with the Blues) and "Guitarist of the Year" awards in 1999 and 2002.

BB King himself has called Duke "One of the great players," The Houston Post called him "one of God's guitarists. And the New York Times says "Robillard is a soloist of stunning force and originality.

None of that goes to Robillard's head. He's still on the road, still playing as many as 250 dates a year. And still proving, night after night, that his true talent is bringing people out to hear the music, appreciate the show, and dance to the blues.

Duke had his first band in high school - he was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island - and he was fascinated from the beginning by the ways in which jazz, swing, and the blues were linked. In 1967, he formed Roomful of Blues, and the band was tight enough and tough enough to accompany two of its heroes, Big Joe Turner and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson on record and in live appearances.