BILLY F GIBBONS TO HEADLINE SKYVILLE LIVE MAY 24
Emmy-nominated online music series Skyville Live announces the star-studded lineup for the May 24th broadcast of their conceptually groundbreaking online music series. Anchored by legendary ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons, the live performance will also feature country music rocker Frankie Ballard, internationally-acclaimed guitar slinger Orianthi, soulful powerhouse ZZ Ward, and Grammy-nominated songwriter and musician Mike Henderson.
"We've had some world-class-kick-ass guitar playing on previous shows....but every artist on here is a brilliant guitarist,” says Producer Wally Wilson. “This one's gonna take us to Six String Heaven with the Rev. Billy G. leading the way!”
The must-watch episode is scheduled to stream live exclusively via AOL.com and go90, a free mobile video platform available across all wireless carriers on Tuesday, May 24th at 8/7c. To access go90, simply download the app via the App Store or Google Play.
Featuring the world's greatest artists spanning generations and musical genres, Skyville Live is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for performers and audiences alike. Each episode is recorded with full HD video in front of an intimate studio audience in Nashville and live-streamed around the world. Thanks to its reputation for inspiring creativity and magical on-stage moments, the show has become a destination for the biggest names in music: Since debuting in January 2015, Skyville Live has welcomed artists like Cyndi Lauper, Kris Kristofferson, Jason Isbell, Gladys Knight, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Taj Mahal, and many more.
Billy F Gibbons is instantly recognizable. He’s best known as the centerpiece and one third of ZZ Top, the band that came together in 1969 and has stayed part of the American musical landscape ever since, the longest running major rock band still composed of its original members. Beyond his work with ZZ Top, Gibbons has recorded with such notable artists as B.B. King, Les Paul, Queens of the Stone Age, Nickelback, Kid Rock, Johnny Winter, John Mayall and others. His debut solo album, Perfectamundo, was released in November 2015 to critical acclaim.
Frankie Ballard burst on the country music scene in 2014 with his breakout album Sunshine & Whiskey, scoring three consecutive No. 1 singles: the gold-certified “Helluva Life,” the platinum-certified title track and one of the Top 3 Billboard Country Airplay songs of 2015, “Young & Crazy.” His upcoming third album, El Rio – recorded at the famed Sonic Ranch outside El Paso, TX – will be released June 10. The project has already earned him early praise with Entertainment Weekly calling it his “strongest musical statement yet” and Rolling Stone including it as one of their “35 Most Anticipated Country Albums of 2016”
Platinum selling artist Orianthi was named "Breakthrough Guitarist of the Year" in 2010 by Guitar International magazine, after being enlisted by the late Michael Jackson for his ‘This Is It’ concert tour. The Australian-born rock goddess is also known for the success of her solo career, playing to international crowds in excess of a hundred thousand fans. Her onstage collaborations over the years have included music icons such as Carlos Santana, Dave Stewart, Steve Vai, Slash and Sheila E, and she’s recorded with Jason Derulo, Adam Lambert, Chris Brown, Dave Stewart, Rascal Flatts, and more.
ZZ Ward’s powerhouse voice and high-wattage charisma led the Village Voice to call her “a force of nature” and The New York Times to say, “Her energy evokes Tina Turner’s, her chops Aretha Franklin’s, and her soul Etta James’.” Over the past few years, the Los Angeles-based artist has built a passionate fanbase with her unique blend of blues, rock, hip-hop, R&B, and neo-soul. Her debut album Til The Casket Drops was released in 2012; her follow-up is due later this year.
Three-time Grammy nominee Mike Henderson has recorded with such artists as Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark, Sting, Bo Diddley, and many others; his songs have been recorded by Adele, The Dixie Chicks, Kenny Rogers, Trisha Yearwood, and many more. In 2006, Henderson formed groundbreaking bluegrass band The SteelDrivers with frequent co-writer Chris Stapleton and in 2015, the multi-platinum songwriter and musician released If You Think Its Hot Here.
For more information, visit www.skyvillelive.com.