November 22, 2019 (Boston, MA)
MelodicRock Records is thrilled to announce the first signing in the next phase of the label’s history.
MRR will bring the brand-new self-titled KING OF HEARTS album to fans of exquisitely produced and performed melodic rock.
MRR will handle the CD release for the world except for North & South America and Japan. The band will handle those territories via their own distribution.
The band recently released the first single from the all-new studio record, a masterpiece of mature AOR with performances only studio veterans of this calibre could deliver.
The first single, “Don’t Wait,” is a poignant reminder to reach out to those we love today for tomorrow might be too late.
For this album, KING OF HEARTS is:
Lead Vocalist TOMMY FUNDERBURK
Founding Member and Lead Guitarist BRUCE GAITSCH
Producer/Engineer/Keyboardist CJ VANSTON
Bassist JOHN PATITUCCI
Drummer KEITH CARLOCK
"We were so excited about this new music and can’t wait to share it with everyone!" says King Of Hearts founding member Tommy Funderburk. The group’s lead vocalist has good reason to be elated. King Of Hearts has recorded their fabulous new album at Addiction Sound Studios in Nashville and Tree House Studios in LA with a band comprised of a who’s who of writers and players and one of the most recorded voices in music.
"The sound of the record is “modern classic rock." Funderburk explains "If you mix the sound of the Eagles, Don Henley, Bruce Hornsby with Toto and Def Leppard with a splash of Keith Emerson and Coldplay, what would that sound like?" It sounds awesome! We started referring to it as Modern Classic Rock because of all the different elements and textures to the music we were creating."
According to producer/engineer/keyboardist, CJ VANSTON, King Of Hearts might be the most famous band you’ve never heard. But, while you might not know them by name, you’ve heard them on thousands of hit recordings for some of the world’s most successful artists.
In addition to recording with Toto, John Mayer, James Taylor, Diana Ross, Larry Carlton and many more, drummer, KEITH CARLOCK, has for the past 15 years been the driving force in the studio and on the road for Steely Dan. Sting calls Keith ”one of the greatest drummers in the world.”
Multi Grammy winner, bassist, JOHN PATITUCCI, has played on countless albums and toured with artists such as B. B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, and Sting. In 1986, John was voted by his peers as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences MVP on Acoustic Bass and most recently won his third Grammy as member of the legendary Wayne Shorter Quartet.
Composer, producer, arranger, keyboardist, CJ VANSTON has worked with artists such as Prince, Toto, Def Leppard, Celine Dion, Justin Timberlake, Bob Seger and countless others. In addition to scoring the Christopher Guest’s films Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show, Almost Heroes and For Your Consideration, CJ has performed as musical director and keyboardist for Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Tears For Fears and the legendary Spinal Tap along with recently produced Toto’s highly acclaimed album, Toto XIV.
Founding member and lead guitarist, BRUCE GAITSCH has written with and for numerous platinum artists including Chicago, the number one songs “La Isla Bonita” (Madonna) and “It Don’t Mean Nothin” and “Right Here Waiting For You” (Richard Marx) and recorded with artists such as Roger Waters, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Chicago, Richard Marx, Celine Dion and many more.
TOMMY FUNDERBURK established his recording career as lead vocalist in the critically acclaimed group, Airplay with David Foster that featured the original recording of the classic number one song, “After The Love Is Gone.” Tommy’s vocals are featured on hundreds of recordings with artists as diverse as Boston, Jimmy Page, Celine Dion, Whitesnake, Rod Stewart, David Foster, Toto, Bon Jovi, Heart, Spinal Tap, Elton John, Cheap Trick, Pat Benatar, Yes, Bad Company, REO Speed Wagon, Motley Crue, Spinal Tap and many others.
Some of today’s most respected studio musicians and legendary artists have adding their talents to the album including Timothy B Schmit (Eagles), Peter Cetera (Chicago), Phil Collen (Def Leppard), Chris Rodriguez (Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Vince Gill), and Janey Clewer (Sarah Brightman, Julio Iglesias, George Benson).
KING OF HEARTS ‘King Of Hearts’ available worldwide November 22.