FORMER ELVIS BAND MEMBER & MUSIC BUSINESS ICON JOE MOSCHEO JOINS INFORMATION ARCHITECTS
Information Architects today announced the addition of long time music and entertainment icon Joe Moscheo as Director of Special Projects and member of the board of directors. Mr. Moscheo has been a fixture in the music business dating back to 1960 when the industry was still in the beginnings of becoming the big business it is today. Mr. Moscheo is still a viable force in the music business and has been an integral part of the changes and growth that have taken place having worked alongside some of the biggest names in the music and entertainment industry.
Mr. Moscheo began his career in the music business as a singer, keyboard player, and arranger for the Gospel group The Prophets, then as a member of The Imperials. In 1964 The Imperials began working with Elvis Presley, Jimmy Dean, Roy Clark, Carol Channing, Pat Boone and many other artists of that time. It is at this time Mr. Moscheo worked with Elvis Presley on his Grammy award winning albums. Then in 1969, The Imperials were invited to back Elvis Presley in Las Vegas where they continued to do so for the next 3 years.
In 1977 Mr. Moscheo was reunited through Elvis Presley Enterprise with the other performers that had worked with Elvis Presley for a big concert where the band played live to a video of Elvis performing on a 35 foot JumboTron. This show went on to tour around the world, several times, and every 5 years the estate gathers all the members back together in Memphis for a reunion show. Mr. Moscheo continues to travel throughout the world with Terry-Blackwood and The Elvis Imperials performing 50-60 concerts per year.
Mr. Moscheo has always been very active in the music “business” as well, with accomplishments including being a member of the founding council of Leadership Music. He has also served as a past President and Trustee of the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS, ‘the Grammy people’). He was also a board member (and past president) of the W.O. Smith / Nashville Community Music School. He serves as a permanent board member of the GMA Board of Directors. He is one of a very few people to have been inducted, TWICE, into the GMA, Gospel Music Hall of Fame, once with The Imperials in 1998, and again in 2007, as an Individual who has contributed much time, expertise, and talent to the Gospel Music Industry.
Information Architects is engaged in the development of exciting new theme parks and destination resorts throughout the US.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/former-elvis-presley-band-member-142200208.html
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GEORGE STRAIT! HERE’S A FEW FUN FACTS . . .
George Strait, otherwise known as the “King of Country” turned 62 years old on May 18th. In honor of the superstar’s birthday, we combed through some of the rare interviews with the notoriously press-shy singer — and wanted to share these fun facts to celebrate his special day!
He’s had so many hits — a whopping 60 No. 1s, to be exact —that he can’t remember them all: When asked by USA Today to name one of the songs that surprised him the most when it topped the charts, he started singing it — but couldn’t pinpoint the exact the title, adding: “I’ve cut a lot of songs, man.”
Surprise! He’s not a member of the Grand Ole Opry: Despite selling more than 70 million albums – not to mention collecting numerous awards, including the most recent CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year trophies — Strait has not been asked to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Many in the music community believe this amazing omission is due to the fact that he continues to reside in his home state of Texas. Therefore, it would be difficult for him to devote the amount of facetime at the Nashville-based Opry that is required of members.
His starring role in 1992’s Pure Country came about due to Elvis Presley’s former manager: Colonel Tom Parker, upon checking out one of Strait’s shows, felt he had the star quality that could help him make a foray onto the silver screen. Parker then met with Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub, who got the film financed and written specifically for Strait.
He’s a 62-year-old grandfather, but audiences and critics maintain he still sings like he did in his 20s: What’s his secret? He works out and stays healthy. He rarely drinks – if he does, it’s Jack Daniels – and he never gets “overserved.”
Although, with all he’s accomplished, we certainly wouldn’t begrudge him a few birthday drinks this weekend. Happy birthday, Mr. Strait!
By Wendy Geller | Our Country
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