7.09.07

Wow! I just realized that it's been far too long since this site was updated! Lots of stuff happening, so will get to the point.......

John Sinclair & The VHP

Former manager of the legendary MC5 and modern activist, poet and radio host John Sinclair has teamed up with the Vincent Hayes Project for a string of dates in Michigan in August of 2007! John has been touring for years with various ensembles of blues musicians promoting his spoken word with impromptu blues arrangements. I had the pleasure of opening one of these shows for John a few years back in Grand Rapids at the old Radio Tavern, and now John & The VHP will be bringing his live show to various West Michigan locals in August. Make sure you plan ahead and make one of these shows-you won't want to miss it! Current confirmations include:

August 9 @ The Grand Theater Bar in Grand Haven, MI

August 11 @ The Sandbar in Saugatuck, MI

Check the calendar at: www.vincenthayes.com/calendar.html for more dates as they are confirmed. Also, make sure you check out John's pod cast at: www.radiofreeamsterdam.com, and visit John's website at www.johnsinclair.us

The New CD

We have finally begun to get our material ready for the new CD! It's looking like we will be recording with Glenn Brown on his infamous Muscle Shoals board in Lansing, MI. Glenn has worked with many accomplished recording artists and has engineered many award winning recordings. We are both excited to begin this venture! We will begin recording sometime in the Autumn of this year. In the meantime, we will be having a fundraiser show or two to pay for the costs of this disk. We'll keep you posted...also, if you would like to donate to our recording cause, please send us an email on how you can be part of this new recording!

Blues Challenge #3

Yep, it's that time again...We have decided to enter another Blues Challenge-this time we'll try for a chance to represent the West Michigan Blues Society in Memphis in 2008. The local competition will be held on Sunday, July 22 at the Ionia Free Fair in Ionia, MI. Our performance time is unconfirmed, but we will let you know as soon as we get word on the details. Come down and show your support for the VHP! It's free!

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1.26.06

Well, Memphis or Bust II has come and gone already. We had a great time, and packed the house once again at The 750 Grill. Thanks to our friends Tailshaker and Tomas Esparza & The Blues Experience for coming out to play.  Thanks also to The 750 Grill, KU Candles, our families & friends, and  the rest of you who keep showing up and with your support. Though we had a great time, unfortunately, we did not make our money goal at the fundraiser.  We still are over $1000 short of having enough to cover food, travel and lodging for the 5 day trip to Memphis. Luckily, we still have three months before February arrives, and additional opportunities to reach our goal. Thanks again to everyone! We can't do it without your support and attendance!

VHP on Myspace.com

For all of you Myspace junkies, we have recently added our own page, which you can find at: www.myspace.com/vincenthayesproject. Drop by and see us, and get in touch with other VHP friends and fans!

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10.26.06

Memphis or Bust II  Sat. Nov. 11 @ The 750 Grill

It's Official! Memphis or Bust II will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006 at The 750 Grill, located at 2190 Whitehall Rd. in N. Muskegon. This will be our second year in a row returning to Memphis for The International Blues Challenge on Beale Street! There will be special guests performances by Tailshaker, and The Tomas Esparza Blues Experience, as well as door prizes, raffles, and drink specials! Every penny received will go towards our travel expenses during our trip in February 2007. We need at $3,500 total to get three band members and two merchandisers to Memphis and back over a 5 day period. We have currently met just under half of that total, and we need your help! Tickets go on sale this week at The 750 Grill, Moore Music on Henry St. You may also reserve early tickets by emailing us, using the contact form on this website. Tell us how many you need, and we will put your name on a list at the front door where you may pay for them and pick them up at the show. Tickets will only be held until 10pm, after which they will be made available to someone else. Last year we sold out within a week, and had to turn away nearly 30 people at the door, so if youcan't make it, please call the 750 Grill before 10pm, or you'll lose your entrance into the party of the year!

Tickets prices are $8 in advance, and $10 at the door (as long as we have some left!)

See you there!

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WGVU 88.5/95.3FM

I recently appeared on WGVU as a guest DJ during the bi-annual pledge drive for Public Broadcasting. PBS is the last true voice of freedom on the airwaves, and it is totally listener supported. That means because there are no commercials, it is funding from listeners that keeps the paychecks, and equipment flowing and working. Thanks to Harvey, Linda & Greg for the hospitality and the opportunity to make a difference.

Though the pledge drive is over until next year, if you listen to the programs on WGVU, even once a month, please drop them a late donation by calling the station, or contacting the website at www.wgvu.org.

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8.15.06

Show Cancelled! I hope that you folks up north get this in time! Unbeknownst to us until recently, it turns out our Friday show at Festival on The Bay in Petoskey, MI  has been cancelled.  In case you were planning on seeing us that night, no worries-you can still catch us in Downtown Cheboygan, MI on the following night to hear us open for Chicago's own Frank Bang at the Annual Tastin' The Blues Festival! The VHP plays from 7pm-8pm!

7.31.06

The video clips have been moved to www.youtube.com! You can still access the clips from the links at the left, but from now on they will be at You Tube, due to excessive downloading from this site. Seems in just under a week since I posted the clips, this site has been flooded with downloads and we are running out of bandwidth! Phew!

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7.27.06

Video clips are here! Use the scroll bar on the left to see live footage of our performance at Muskegon Summer Celebration, when the VHP opened for the Steve Miller band on July 8, 2006! All clips are in Windows Media format, so make sure you've got the latest version of Windows Media Player before downloading.

7.23.06

Wow! I can't believe it's been 2 months since the last update already! This summer is flying by for sure! Thanks to everyone who has been coming out and supporting us and showing up to our shows.  We've made many new friends and had some incredible experiences this year, and without you all, it wouldn't have happened. We all play out of love of this music, and it brings us great joy in being able to share it with you! Thanks to everyone at Alpena Blues Festival, Blissfest, Mid North Michigan Blues Society, and Cheboygan Blues Festival for all of their help in bringing us to Northern Michigan this year! A special thanks also to the folks at Muskegon Summer Celebration for treating us so well, and for giving us the opportunity to open the show for The Steve Miller Band on July 8. For those of you who missed this show, we were able to obtain the video of the entire performance, which we will be posting clips from soon!

Memphis or Bust II-Fundraiser for the 2007 IBC

Plans are in the works for Memphis or Bust II, a fundraiser for our trip to the International Blues Challenge 2007 on Beale Street in Memphis, TN. This year we will be representing The Kalamazoo Blues Association, and unlike last year, we didn't receive a dime, only the opportunity to go! As the cost of fuel and other items has gone up as well, WE NEED YOUR HELP! All proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards our trip in February 2007. We will be accepting donations until we depart for Memphis next winter. Our goal is around $2500, just to cover gas, hotels and food for 4 nights, and so far we aren't even close! Anyone who would like to donate something for the raffle, or help us out, please send me an email asap! We will inform you as soon as we set a date for the M.O.B. II !

Recording of the new CD underway!

Last month we began laying down initial tracks for our upcoming full-length CD at Rockslide Productions with engineer George Nichols. Due sometime in late fall/early winter of 2006, the disk will contain about a dozen tracks or predominantly original material, as well as a few of our favorite songs by other artists, as well as some bonus features! We might post an early preview of a song or two before it's release-so check back later this summer.

Live Blues @ The 750 Grill

Don't forget, The 750 Grill is now featuring live blues bands every Saturday from 9pm-midnite, and live acoustic solo acts and duos every Thursday from 7pm-10pm. All of you who keep asking for more live blues in West Michigan.....well here you go! Get off your couches and see a show at The 750! (or two, or three) Without your support, clubs can't pay the bands, and if the bands don't get paid, then YOU DON'T GET TO SEE LIVE BLUES! Get it? For example, we recently played at "6 Feet Under" blues lounge in Kalamazoo, only to hear that two weeks later the club is closed for good! Why? Because even with no cover charge, people were not coming out to see the bands ....on the weekends! The bands who were playing here were the same fine Michigan artists who play at The 750 Grill. Blues desperately needs attendance at live shows for it to flourish, and that means putting down the remote control for three hours, and hitting a show or two! C'mon! You asked for it, now get out and show some support!

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5.22.06

We are going back to Memphis for The 2007 International Blues Challenge on Beale Street! Last night, on May 21, 2006, The VHP became Semi-finalists in the 2007 IBC by winning the KVBA Blues Challenge at Wonderful's Bar (www.wonderfulsblues.com) in Kalamazoo, MI! We are proud and excited to be representing the KVBA next year in Memphis! (www.kvba.org) Thanks to the KVBA for inviting us to be part of this event! If you would like to go and lend your support, let us know, and we'll keep you posted as we learn more about next year's Blues Challenge. Also, keep your eyes open for a few fundraisers to raise money for our trip! More information about The IBC at: www.blues.org.

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Blues Brews & Barbeques Festival A Success!

The First Annual Blues Brews & Barbeques Festival was a blast! Though chilly weather and a late afternoon down-pour were working against us, all of the bands and folks who came had a great time! We can't wait to do it again next year! Thanks again to everyone who lent their time, support, and energies to making this blues festival one that will be talked about!

Thanks also to KU Candles for holding a raffle to raise funds for our trip tomemphis! Almost $130 was raised, and donated to the VHP for next year's Blues Challenge! The second giveaway claimed no winner, so if you still have your raffle ticket, the winning number is officially: 714177. If this is YOU, email me asap to receive your prize!

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5.15.06

Welcome to the new website! Although most sections are fully up and running, keep checking back as we will be adding more content to the Merchandise and Pics sections soon! All photography can be found soon at" www.mindscapesphoto.com. Lots of cool stuff happening this summer with the band, so let's get started....

Blues Brews & Barbeques Festival Ready to Roll!

Our friends at The 750 Grill and West Michigan Blues Society are proud to be hosting the First Annual Blues Brews & Barbeques Festival this Saturday, May 20, 2006 at The 750 Grill in North Muskegon. There will be 9 different blues bands on the bill, rotating every hour, as well as Founder's beer on tap, barbequed ribs (of course!), and local vendors, including a local candle maker from Muskegon, as well as Killer Blues! Click the link on the bar at the left for more!

The Vincent Hayes Project & The Steve Miller Band!

That's right! On Saturday, July 8 we will be opening for The Steve Miller Band on the main stage @ 6pm at Muskegon Summer Celebration! Bring your lawn chairs (if you must), and come down and see us! We will also be there again on the following afternoon, July 9, at 2pm at The Community Foundation Stage, as well as an "after party" that evening at The 750 Grill! For all of you folks up North, don't forget to catch us on Friday, July 7 at Blissfest in Harbor Springs! More show dates are available on this site!

Blues Challenge in Kalamazoo!

On Sunday, May 21, 2006 The VHP will be heading to Wonderful's in Kalamazoo, MI for the annual KVBA Blues Challenge! Yea, we must be crazy, but we are excited at the chance to show our stuff at the IBC in Memphis again next year. Come down to lend your support and cheer us on! For more info, go to: www.kvba.org and www.wonderfulsblues.com.  Tickets are $10, so if you haven't had enough blues after The Blues Brews & Barbeques Festival, then we'd love to see you in Kalamazoo!

New Tank Tops For Summer!

Girls, wait until you see the new sexy orange & black VHP spaghetti tanks we have for you! Sport your support for the VHP by wearing one of these hot new tanks! Shirts are on order and should be here any day now, for the unveiling at The Blues Brews & Barbeques Festival! Pics and online ordering info coming soon in the "Merchandise section of the site!

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4.16.06

The First Annual Brews Blues & Barbeques Festival will take place on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at The 750 Grill in N. Muskegon!  With help from The West Michigan Blues Society, local vendors, and some of the best blues bands in Michigan, it's sure to be the most happening party of the summer! Plans are in the works for rib tasting, children's activities, some yummy Michigan beer, and more! Confirmed acts include Tailshaker, Brian Fedewa, James Reeser, Tomas Esparza, and of course The Vincent Hayes Project! Ticket information will be available soon. Contact The 750 Grill, or join the mailing list on this website to stay informed. Interested vendors and bands contact me ASAP!

Speaking of Tailshaker...

Caught their set last night at The 750 Grill. Wow! The place was packed, and the house was rockin'! James Reeser stopped in, and so did Tomas Esparza, who sat in for a set of ear shredding harp work! Between James, Tomas, and Catfish Johnny, there was a triple threat "harp attack" waiting to happen right there in one room! It got so damn hot in there I had to keep going outside for a cigarette break just to cool down! Phew! I highly recommend you be sure to check out Tailshaker live sometime! (at least whenever the VHP isn't playing!)

Summer Festivals

Summer is drawing nearer, and we have been busy booking some cool summer festivals you won't want to miss! The Vincent Hayes Project has already been confirmed for this year's Blissfest in Harbor Springs, MI, The Alpena Blues Festival, The First Annual Brews & Barbeques, and about a half-dozen more in the works! We are also headlining this year's Chili Blues Festival on Saturday, April 22 at The Kirby in Grand Haven! Check out the VHP Calendar for more!

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2.11.06    

Back From Memphis & Ready To Go!

Wow! What an adventure we had on our trip to The International Blues Challenge! On the way to Memphis, we stopped in Louisville Kentucky to play at the jam session at The Longshot Tavern. After 7 hours on the road, and waiting for another 3 hours to play, the locals let us get up and play three of our favorite tunes at about 2am. (The bars in Louisville are open to 4am!) While there, Donny played one of the most kick ass drum solos I've ever heard as he stood up at the drum kit and waked casually around the whole kit in a circle playing each drum with only one stick! Even the house dogs were barking after we finished out the last few measures of "Them Changes" by Buddy Miles/Hendrix! Phew!

We arrived in Memphis on Wednesday January 25, groggy and hungry, but anxious to play. The town and our hotel was swarming with musicians from around the world, as well as press, photographers, and many blues stars such as Bob Margolin, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones and more! The VHP played both Thursday & Friday at The Club 152 on Beale. We made some new friends with the bands in our club such as Michele and the Midnight Blues , PJ O'Brien Band, Jeff Strahan and Bill "Howl-N-Madd" Perry. I also ran into many Michigan friends such as Paula Adams from MNMBS, Felix Ybarra from WMBS, and Mike Irelan from KVBA. We also made some new friends with the other Michigan bands such as Stan Budzynski & Third Degree from Lansing, and Luther "Badman" Keith from Detroit. Check out these bands at the IBC page at Sonicbids: http://www.sonicbids.com/events/event_view.asp?event_id=190

We gave it our all, and honestly we feel that we played two of our best sets to date! One of the judges even broke the "no contact" rule and gave Dave a big hug after we finished our second set on Friday! On Saturday night, the winning band was announced at The New Daisy Theatre as Joey Gilmore. Congratulations to Joey for his win!

And again, thanks to everyone for your continued support, and for helping us get to Memphis! Although we didn't win the IBC, just being able to go and have the experience was a win/win experience we will never forget!