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Electronic Press Kit
Media Enquiries - Telephone Intl+61 (0)414 44 99 44 |
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"VJ is one of the most versatile young
guitar players I've
seen in my 44 years as a professional
musician."
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Phil Emmanuel
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Artist
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Trivia
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Debut Public Appearance :
08 March 1999 | Castle Hill Show Talent Quest | Open age
event | Finalist
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Debut Professional Performance :
14 May 1999 | Dural Country Club | Courtesy of
invitation by promoter Pat Twohill
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Debut Recording Session :
03 March 2000 | Graham Lockwood Recording Studio |
Raining In My Heart
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Largest Audience :
18 November 2000 | 13,000 | Sydney Entertainment
Centre | Guest Solo Artist - Schools Spectacular
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Debut Talent Quest Win :
12 August 2001 | Hills Talent Search 2001
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Debut Video Appearance :
17 December 2001 | Rising Stars | ABC (compilation)
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Debut Radio Play :
18 December 2001 | Radio 2UE (954) | Brazilian
Moon and Sleepwalk | plus Interview by show host
John Kerr
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Debut Australian Print Media Review
: 15 May 2002 | Sydney Blues Times |
article and CD Review by Julie Fox
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Debut International Print Media Review
: 15 July 2002 | New Gandy Dancer |
article by Kim Humphreys and CD Review by Davy Peckett
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Debut Television Performance :
21 April 2003 | Nine Network 'Mornings With Kerri-Anne' | with Tommy Emmanuel
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Debut Festival Performance :
04 October 2003 | Narooma Blues Festival | Courtesy
of invitation by promoter, Neil Mumme
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Debut International Tour Apprenticeship : 11
October 2006 - 21 October 2006 | accompanying the Wolf Mail
European Tour
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Debut European Performance : 14
October 2006 | Oudenburg, Belgium | with The Wolf Mail Band
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Debut UK Performance : 26
October 2006 | Nottingham | with Walter Trout & The Radicals
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Artist Statement
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"Music
is a gift from the universe. You hold its power in the palm of
your hand every time you perform. You never own it, and you must
keep giving it away or you'll lose it. Sure, I believe I
have something special to say with my music. Every musician
believes that. The key is not whether your music is special but
whether it is beneficial. That's the reason why I strive with my
music to influence and motivate people to do good things so that
we can all work together for a better future. We are all in the
wilderness of life and music is a pathway to the promised land
ahead."
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"There are thousands of young people
blessed with the gift of music and who could play better than me
if given the chance. I've simply been blessed with opportunities
those kids have never had. It is for all of them that I play,
too."
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Artist
Profile
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Colorful Flat pickin' Finger pickin' Australian acoustic/electric guitarist
with an impressive list of unique melodic instrumental Blues / Classic
/ Rock / Ballad arrangements equally suited to intimate club or
large festival audiences
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Appealing to every
gender/age demographic VJ's impish charm coupled with his
undeniable musical abilities, individuality of style & musical expression
is attracting serious attention among audiences and earning genuine
admiration among fellow musicians
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A measure of the high regard in which VJ King Jr is held
by his peers may be seen in both Phil Emmanuel's
and Tommy Emmanuel's invitations to perform guest spots
at their respective 2003, 2004 and 2005 concerts and on two occasions VJ performed
with them on Australia's largest National commercial television channel, TV9
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In October 2006, VJ accompanied US based bluesman, Wolf
Mail, on his 2006 European Tour, at the end of which VJ crossed
the channel to visit the UK. While in the UK, he
met with touring US blues legend, Walter Trout (ex -
Canned Heat, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and, now, of Walter
Trout and The Radicals fame) and performed with the band at
their Nottingham concert
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Nottingham UK 2006 - with Walter Trout & The Radicals |
Nice FR 2006 - with Wolf Mail and Little Jimi |
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Music & Entertainment Industry Testimonials
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As a flat-picker & finger-picker with
a range of sensitive and attack styles across a number of music
genres, VJ has entertained audiences at
music festivals, charity events, clubs, pubs, private and corporate
functions. Here's what a few Entertainment Industry
Celebrities have had to say about VJ King Jr over the
last few years .
. . . .
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"I had the pleasure of meeting Nathan Cavaleri about 10 years ago, and I never thought I would ever meet another
as young and as talented as he in my entire lifetime ... but I just
have!"
Glenn A Baker,
tv music host, presenter & rock historian
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- "VJ's
attitude in the recording studio, from the outset, was as mature as
his playing abilities. Behind that charming smile lies a mind thats
as sharp and focussed as any Ive met. For such a young guy he's
a remarkable musician. What a memorable recording. We both had a lot
of fun. 'OK, VJ, you're off the hook (well, for the moment, at least)'."
Graham Lockwood,
lockwood recording studios
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Coming
from a musical background, and a bass player since age13, I look at VJ Jr and wonder many things. How can his little hand be so flexible
and make its way with such agility around his Strat . . . and how
does someone so young play a tune with all the feel and expression of
a 30 year old? I was truly delighted to have VJ sign my wall of fame
along side guys like Don Burrows, Andrew Oh, Bob Gebert, Col Nolan,
Doug Williams, Craig Calhoun, Peter Northcote, Chris Conolly . . . and
the list goes on . . . and VJ will, too.
Derek
Bruce & Janette Bruce,
satchmos
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"VJ has
a feel for his instrument far beyond his years. Shadow Of A Dream has
been permanently on my CD player since receiving it last November. VJ
King Jr is a name we will hear a lot more of in the future. I hear he
wants to play with Hank [Marvin] . . . if he keeps going the way he
is, it will be Hank wanting to play with him."
Geoff Strachan, shadowsland
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- "A defininite
child prodigy!"
Tommy Emmanuel, cgp
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- I am
so thankful to have had the opportunity to watch VJ's playing evolve
from a very early age. Dynamics, feel, phrasing, interpretation - its
all there. And he plays the guitar with such passion and persuasion.
A true natural? - or supernatural? - Im not sure which!
Jeff Mallia,
musician & luthier
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- Not so
long ago I had the pleasure of loaning 7-year-old VJ my Fender Telecaster.
Its true . . . he could not lift it! During the weeks and months that
followed I watched in amazement as those tiny young fingers quickly
turned a learning curve into seasoned accomplishment, making the owner
of that old, treasured Telecaster very happy, extremely proud . . .
and green with envy.
Barry Brady,
50s-70s R 'n R band, the ramrods
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"Please
have your booking agent contact me personally ... you're awesome"
Jim Strawser,
talent buyer, sapphire blues festival, montana usa
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- A waft
in the air, one I recognise . . . it's Pete Cornelius and the DeVilles
for entree. Pete's guitar playing is even slicker and his dad Bruce
on drums and Phil on bass makes your ribs vibrate. This year a little
blond entree with red cap named VJ King Jr (age 12 or less) played lead
guitar duels with Pete (now18) on his sixth year at the Festival. The
music we love is in good hands.
David 'TUG' Hooper,
the blues times (sydney) march 2003
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Nottingham UK 2006 - with Walter Trout & The Radicals |
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Back
in May 2001 The Bellhops did a blues cruise on Sydney Harbour and a
young unknown named VJ wanted to play a song with us. This kid astounded
us not just with his playing but his confidence and maturity. He didn't
overplay, had excellent phrasing and timing and actually initiated a
call and answer solo with our guitarist. All the best VJ!
Mark Roulston,
the bellhops
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- VJs
impish charm will undoubtedly make him a media magnet and, coupled with
his undeniable musical abilities, trying to keep the lid on this potential
juggernaut is going to be a full time job. Add to this mix, managing
the bubbling career of his 14-year old sister, Chantelle Marie King
(who is receiving similar accolades for her powerful Broadway-style
vocal abilities) and you realise this is one set of parents with their
work cut out for them!
Kim Humphreys,
"new" gandy dancer (UK) vol 65, july 2002
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"
At the
various cabaret shows that we do, it has been my pleasure to introduce
to my audience a number of household names, and seasoned performers;
none have elicited the response on the air that VJ King Jr did following
each of his two stage appearances. I hope I get first crack at interviewing
him when his star starts to shine very brightly."
John Kerr,
host, New Day Australia radio 2UE and satellite stations
throughout NSW, QLD, and the ACT
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- "It's
hard to believe that one so young has so much talent on the guitar."
John Pickering,
The Picks (Buddy Holly & The Crickets)
- "I'm Jealous!!"
Marshall Lytle,
Bill Haley's Original Comets
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- "I
have had the great pleasure, on more than one occasion, of
welcoming the prodigious talents of VJ King Jr to my stage.
Quite simply, this young man is the future of Australian
musicianship, and what a bright future that is!"
Ross Ward,
Ward's Xpress
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- " 'Flabbergasted' is too simple a word to express my
feelings on first hearing this "Shadows" prodigy ... I'm now
hooked on this youngster's style...!!
Hank [Marvin] unknowingly has now given us a talented soul for
our further inspiration and listening pleasure! "
John DePaul, Slingshot - orlando,
florida, usa
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- "He's not kidding about the
"junior" part. In the fields of country-pop and finger-picking
that measure the finest licks by their aura of dusty, time-worn
wisdom, VJ King recorded his first album in 2001 at the ripe old
age of eight. He has since become a minor icon in his native
Australia, drawing attention as an astonishing spectacle but
keeping it as a legit axeman."
Editor, music.download.com
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