John Velghe Tours Behind Organ Donor Blues

SINGER SONGWRITER JOHN VELGHE EMBARKS ON CHARITY U.S. MOTORCYCLE TOUR IN SUPPORT OF 2ND ALBUM “ORGAN DONOR BLUES”

“The New Hearts MC Road Show” Kicks Off in Kansas City, MO September 16th

Benefiting Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO)

Lakeshore Records Release Features His Band The Prodigal Sons &

Alejandro Escovedo Available Now

“When people talk about the merits of Americana, a sound that can sometimes feel mail-order anonymous, what they want is the rare thing that Velghe has cultivated: music whose familiarity and honesty pull at your gut instead of just reassuring you.” The Pitch

Kansas City-based singer songwriter John Velghe will embark on an ambitious solo motorcycle tour to promote his new Lakeshore Records album Organ Donor Blues—his second which he recorded with his band The Prodigal Sons along with special guest Alejandro Escovedo. The album’s title is a wry reference to those whose passion is motor biking—a passion second only to making music for Velghe (pronounce Vel-jee). He recently was inspired to combined those endeavors by creating The New Hearts MC Road Show—a touring concept he hopes will catch on with other like-minded musicians. As the original ambassador for the organization, Velghe will strap on his guitar and take to the road on his BMW motorcycle. The over 3000 mile tour begins in Kansas City September 16th and will take him to NYC and back (see confirmed dates below). Proceeds will benefit the Kansas City chapter of TRIO—Transplant Recipients International Organization (a 501c3 Organization). The tour will hit traditional concert venues as well as transplant patient support facilities and organ donation memorials in local tour stops.

Organ Donor Blues was released this past June on Lakeshore Records, the independent music division of Lakeshore Entertainment which produced Million Dollar Baby and the Underworld series. Produced by Velghe and the band and recorded by Duane Trower (Season to Risk), the album is an ambitious and poetic slice of Americana—a big sound seamlessly encompassing elements of roots rock, soul and R&B. It features John Velghe on vocals, guitars and keyboards and his band The Prodigal Sons—Mike Alexander (guitars, backing vocals), Matt Anderson (drums), Sam Hughes (saxophone), Hermon Mehari (trumpet), Chris Wagner (bass, backing vocals) and Mike Walker (trombone). Special guest Alejandro Escovedo appears throughout the album including the single “Beaten By Pretenders.” Popdose describes Organ Donor Blues as “a taught, crisp production; rich, full-bodied songs with strong arrangements, brass, backing singers…a beefy album that’s full of melody and warmth.” Organ Donor Blues is available digitally and on CD at Amazon, iTunes and at johnvelghe.com.

Says Velghe: “They call motorcyclists ‘organ donors.’ Its’ a pejorative and I wanted to give the middle-finger to that idea. I’ve done a lot of white van tours, but this time I wanted to make a bolder statement by strapping my guitar to the motorbike and taking a nice long ride. I can’t think of a better way to bring the music and effectively create more awareness to a cause close to my heart?”

Confirmed tour dates:

9/16 St. Louis, MO Cicero’s

9/17 Louisville, KY OPEN Gallery

9/18 Columbus, OH Porter’s Pub

9/19 Cleveland, OH The Barking Spider Tavern

9/20 Pittsburgh, PA Leaf and Bean in the Strip

9/21 New York, NY Rockwood Music Hall

9/23 Philadelphia, PA Gift of Life Family House

9/24 Washington, DC Tree House Lounge

9/25 TBA

9/26 TBA

9/27 Nashville, TN Gray’s on Main