PRESS ROOM

  LEVEL 1 = PEACE OF MIND is American Zen's first album of their 8-level spiritual journey
produced by Richard Del Connor on Shaolin Records.

AmZen_eNEWS May 2005
Official newsletter of American Zen

COYOTE PRAYS ONSTAGE

Coyote’s pulled a lot of wild stunts onstage before, but praying onstage appeared to freak out the audience quite a bit.

As Coyote stood, palms together and went into a trancelike prayer, the reverse-guitar solo by Rory G. made it seem even more ethereal, and mysterious. With his eyes closed, wearing his brown cowboy hat with the blue feather, Coyote remained motionless until Tom Calder’s bass solo started.

Raising his hands higher, still in prayer, Coyote’s body occasionally shifted or seem to push upward. Coyote later explained that it was more difficult than he expected, to pray in public.

“When I rehearsed the show, it was easier to enter a meditation type of trance and pray to the best of my ability,” explained Coyote. “I think I started doing the prayer thing because I couldn’t find anything to play during the guitar and bass solos. They are so awesome, I didn’t want to distract from them. Plus, praying really fits the song. It’s about expecting God to protect and provide for you. In a way, I’m actually acting the part of being a Mormon, but I’m really believing in prayer, just as they do. I’m just praying with my own words.”

“Seriously. I was praying to the recently deceased Pope John Paul. I prayed to Buddha. During rehearsals I also reached out to the prophets of all the religions. That was my favorite prayer. But I have to admit. It was more difficult to completely remove myself from the audience. At first I could feel them watching. I could feel their confusion about my praying. But I got past it. I kept my eyes closed and never once even peeked at the audience. Then I realized I was so relaxed, that I thought to myself, ‘wow, I hope I don’t fall asleep standing up or miss my upcoming flute solo.”

Coyote didn’t miss his flute solo. He smoked his solo. Similar to the solo of Jethro Tull’s, “My God,” from the AQUALUNG album, Coyote’s song, “God Will Protect,” has the wildest faster fingered flute solo on this album. Coyote may be the best flutist in the entire folk rock genre.

This will be the second album by American Zen. Their first album, LEVEL 1 = PEACE OF MIND, was released February 4, 2005, on Shaolin Records with 11 songs and 11 recited poems.

The performance, April 9, at RJ’s, in Beverly Hills, was the first time most of the songs had ever been performed in public. Most of us advised Coyote against it. Play, “Simple Lady.” Do “Black Of Night.”

But Coyote seems to have a plan, and we’re all reluctantly realizing he’s right. Coyote refused to play any songs from the first album for a while. He says he needs to work on the new upcoming album. He’s obviously into it and having a great time. One of our criticisms is, “Coyote, you need to stop bouncing around so much.”

I’ve never seen a six foot man, with beard and cowboy hat, bounce around and play tambourine like Coyote does. One fan approached Coyote after the show and commented, “I never knew a tambourine could make so many sounds!”

Coyote may be the best tambourine player in the folk rock world. He puts his heart and soul into it. It’s mesmerizing to watch Coyote immersed in a song like a conductor leading a band. He’s definitely in his own world when he’s onstage.

The singing was great. This was a great gig and there were many incredible performances. Most people commented on the song, “I Know,” in which Coyote sings the first two verses an octave below the lead vocal on the CD being played through the PA system. Coyote has a very wide vocal range from baritone to tenor. With the CD playing the basic tracks, recorded in Utah, for their next album, LEVEL 2 = CHRIST KILLER, it was really cool hearing Coyote sing along with himself.

“I’ wasn’t planning on putting the lower vocal on the record. I just starting doing it to create more dynamics in the performance, and to be able to sing a vocal part that wasn’t already on the basic tracks. It’s kinda grown into something else. People always commented they liked the low vocal when I tested this song in some coffee houses earlier this year.”

Another Coyote antic: he refuses to perform "Christ Killer," the theme song of the album, CHRIST KILLER, by American Zen. Coyote told us he wanted to create some anticipation for the next album release. Coyote said, “If you want to hear the song, “Christ Killer,” you ‘ve got to go buy the album.”

He may be right about that. But I sense something else, mysterious in his motives. We’ll see. I’m producing this next album, CHRIST KILLER, and eventually he’s going to have to let me know what he’s going to do with this song. In a way, I’m looking forward to the surprise.

That’s American Zen’s strengths and marketing nightmares. They make pretty songs into slide guitar instrumentals. They replace electric guitars with ukuleles, and have a flute player that sounds like Jethro Tull.

How do you market that?

That would be like trying to sell a toothpaste that glows in the dark, tastes like a dream with special enhanced vitamins to increase your IQ.

That’s it!

Coyote glows in the dark.

The songs bring his stories and dreams to life.

Coyote’s spiritual quest in the Buddhist path has enriched him with wisdom to make us smarter.

Still. How do you market that?

I asked a young fan, Haley, after the concert for any marketing ideas. I asked her, “How would you describe Coyote?”

Haley replied, “The man with the hat.”

All our fans who attended received FREE CDs at the concert. Thanks for being there!

I’m really looking forward to producing their next album. This is a killer album.

Sincerely,

Richard O’Connor
Producer, Shaolin Records

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Next LIVE PERFORMANCE by American Zen will be __________________________

See our shaolinCOM.com WEBPAGE regarding THIS GIG for more information.
http://www.shaolinCOM.com/Pages-S/events-S.html

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There are several websites of SHAOLIN COMMUNICATIONS
WITHIN shaolinCOM.com
featuring AMERICAN ZEN.

http://www.shaolinRECORDS.com is the website of SHAOLIN RECORDS
http://www.americanZEN.org is the website of THE BAND MEMBERS of American Zen
http://www.folkrockTROUBADOUR.com is the website of THE COYOTE

Here's a section of www.shaolinRECORDS.com
devoted to American Zen:
http://www.shaolinRECORDS.com...

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PRODUCER'S NOTE: (Richard O'Connor, President & Producer of Shaolin Records)

This month’s song from American Zen’s first album, LEVEL 1 = PEACE OF MIND, "All Screwed Up." was recorded in Utah on our Shaolin Records 4-track recorder.
Channel 1 Drums Steve Hixon
Channel 2 Bass Tom Calder
Channel 3 Electric Guitar Rory G
Channel 4 Acoustic Guitar + Vocal The Coyote

I especially enjoy listening to this song when I’m driving in my car. “All Screwed Up” is a song that inspires foot tapping and makes you think. The lyrics are about how American family’s have become successful by failing.

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Here is your FREE SONG for MAY:

"All Screwed Up"

"All Screwed Up" by American Zen and written by The Coyote features Rory G burning his Fender Stratocaster through a Marshall amplifier.

Rory cut this song in one take. Because we couldn’t overdub his guitar solo, Rory had to cut his solo riffs and licks all in one take with his rhythm strumming that powers this song along.

http://www.shaolinCOM...

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FEATURED
PLACE TO PURCHASE

CD: AMERICAN ZEN LEVEL 1 = PEACE OF MIND
Rule Radio
This is a cool internet radio station that has been playing the American Zen LEVEL 1 CD a lot.
The owner, Sam Funchess, is really nice and been supportive of our band.
You can purchase the CD directly from RULE RADIO at this LINK:
http://www.ruleradio.com/

MORE PLACES TO BUY OUR CDs:
iTunes
Click on your "MUSIC STORE" link in your iTunes window.
Search for "American Zen" and you'll find the entire album there.
You can order individual songs from the album.
Check out "IN THE DARKNESS" with Tom's bass solo!

shaolinCOM.com Shopping Cart:
http://www.shaolincom.com

Shaolin Records online:
http://www.shaolinRECORDS.com

TOWERrecords.com
Shaolin Records doesn't have distribution yet, so our records aren't in every record store -- yet.
However, you can order our record from their ONLINE TOWER RECORDS STORE:
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=2983724
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HOT LINKS

The LEVEL 1 website begins here:
http://www.americanZEN.org
(click the "FORWARD" buttons to proceed from page to page of the story.)

American Zen has its' own website which will also be updated each year:
http://www.americanZEN.org

MUSIC SAMPLES of American Zen can be found on the American Zen website:
http://www.americanzen.org/LEVEL_1/album01A.html

To order American Zen's first album, "LEVEL 1 = Peace Of Mind" go to our shopping cart:
http://www.shaolincom.com

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Enjoy your journeys elsewhere and here.

Sincerely,
Richard Connor
Producer, Shaolin Records

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“AmZen_eNEWS”
is the official newsletter of American Zen, "America's First Buddhist Rock Band."

The AmZen_eNEWS is published monthly and sent to
fans, friends, and anyone wanting more information on the FOLK ROCK band, American Zen:
featuring:

The Coyote		Flute, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Songwriting
Steve Hixon		Drums
Rory G		Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Ukelele, Synthesizer
Tom Calder		Bass, Vox Organ
Richard O'Connor		Record Producer
Don DelaVega		Recording Engineer

iTunes AMERICAN ZEN albums
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=7403290

American Zen is an exclusive artist of Shaolin Records: http://www.shaolinRECORDS.com

American Zen homepage: http://www.americanZEN.org

American Zen’s MySpace page is: http://www.myspace.com/americanzen1

Shaolin Records MySpace page is: http://www.myspace.com/shaolinrecords1

If you wish to be REMOVED from the AMERICAN ZEN email list,
please follow the link below:
emailremoval@shaolin...

Publisher-Editor: Richard Connor
http://www.shaolinCOMMUNICATIONS.com/webmaster.html

Copyright 2005 Shaolin Communications.
All rights reserved. ASCAP

To view our privacy/anti-spam policy, please visit:
http://www.shaolincom.com/support-S.html
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