Interviewing The Legends: PRODUCER MICHAEL FRANKLIN DISCUSSES LATEST PROJECT WITH LEGENDARY KANSAS VIOLINIST/SINGER ROBBY STEINHARDT:EXCLUSIVE ZOOM TV INTERVIEW WITH RAY SHASHO

NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE

A PROG OPERA

By ROBBY STEINHARDT

PRODUCED By MICHAEL FRANKLIN

Featuring an all-star cast

of legendary music artists

Exclusive Zoom TV Interview

with Producer MICHAEL FRANKLIN

ROBBY STEINHARDT

May 25, 1950 ~ July 17, 2021

You know him as the legendary violinist, vocalist and frontman for the band KANSAS, recording 9 albums which reached gold, platinum and double platinum status, and is now making another mark on the world with his first and only solo album. The new album, Not in Kansas Anymore is a powerful, well thought-out offering of Prog Rock magic.

Timely songs with incredible arrangements and virtuoso performances. Robby’s vocals and signature electric violin come through on this continuous work labeled a “Prog Opera”. In his only interview for the project, he spoke with Bill Shafer of PBS. Steinhardt was asked what the meaning behind the title Not in Kansas Anymore was. Steinhardt responded, “It’s no slight against the band, no never! My time with Kansas defined a big part of my life, of which I am very proud of.

Ever since The Wizard of OZ, those words have become an American axiom for moving forward, you can never go back etc.” Robby laughed, “I guess it has a special meaning when it is fixed to me.” The album, produced by our guest today, Michael Franklin, is his latest production since the highly acclaimed Jon Anderson 1000 Hands Chapter One. Franklin used a similar approach using a large cast of renown musicians to lend their talents. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Steve Morse of Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs, Billy Cobham of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Bobby Kimball of Toto, Chuck Leavell of The Rolling Stones, Liberty Devitto (Drummer on Billy Joel’s hits), Jim Gentry, Pat Travers, Patrick Moraz, and many others including Orchestra and Choir.

Michael Franklin with Robby Steinhardt & Patrick Moraz

The songs provide powerful lyrics, hard to forget choruses, combined with crafty playing. All this combined with Franklin’s lavish and complicated arrangements makes listening to Not in Kansas Anymore a wonderful hour well spent. The stunning album artwork created by Tom Lupo of Magnificent Pictures and subliminal song quotes from the Wizard of OZ, are another added feature to this complex Prog Opera. Currently four videos are in the works. Steinhardt was in a reborn state of mind in the months prior to finishing the record.

with Billy Cobham

He and wife Cindy were looking forward to a new chapter in their lives. He had started rehearsals and was preparing to hit the road in August when he became ill in May. Robby’s musical vision, voice and violin lives on with his first and only solo album, Not in Kansas Anymore! Release was delayed due to Steinhardt’s passing July 17, 2021.

PURCHASE

NOT IN KANSAS

ANYMORE

A PROG OPERA

BY ROBBY STEINHARDT

PRODUCED BY

MICHAEL FRANKLIN

Available now at

www.robbysteinhardtofficial.com/album-orders

www.solarmusic.com

9 NEW SONGS PLUS

The Orchestral Remake of The Classic Hit:

"DUST IN THE WIND"

TRACKS:

TEMPEST, TRUTH 2 POWER, MOTHER EARTH,

RISE OF THE PHOENIX, THE PHOENIX, PRELUDE

DUST IN THE WIND, PIZZACATO, TUCK TUCK,

NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE, A PRAYER FOR PEACE

MUSICAL CAST:

Robby Steinhardt, Patrick Moraz, Tim Franklin,

Chuck Leavell, Tommy Calton, Jim Gentry,

Billy Cobham, Michael Franklin, Liberty Devitto,

Ian Anderson, Matt Brown, Pat Travers,

Pat Gulotta, Rayford Griffin, Christopher Keogh,

Paul Fleury, Olga Kopakova, Les Dudek,

Steve Morse, Jocylen Hsu, Billy Ashbaugh,

Sonny Ferguson, Bobby Kimball, Benoit Lajeunesse

Charlie DeChant, Lisa Fischer, Elodir Germain,

Paul Fleury, Pat Frost, Michelle Mailhot

Steve Walters, Billy Boyd, Brian Snapp,

Davonnda Simmons, Jim Stringer,

The Basel Hayden Singers

In my wildest dreams, I never thought a project such as this would be possible. I am honored and privileged to have some of the finest players in our business contribute their talents to make it so. I am thankful to restart my career with these exceptional pieces of music written mostly by Michael and Tim Franklin, without them, their encouragement and hard work, this never would have happened. A lot of love went into the making of this album and when you listen to it I hope you feel moved like we did. My thanks to everyone, musicians and friends alike, who have made my life so much richer than it would have been without them. And speaking of love…

Cindy, you're IT.

...Robby

For more information about

MICHAEL FRANKLIN

And

ROBBY STEINHARDT

Visit

www.robbysteinhardtofficial.com

Robby Steinhart official site

www.conventionmusic.com

Michael Franklin official site

www.facebook.com/michael.franklin.1610

Michael Franklin facebook

ROBBY STEINHARDT

Discography

With KANSAS

Kansas (1974)

Song for America (1975)

Masque (1975)

Leftoverture (1976)

Point of Know Return (1977)

Monolith (1979)

Audio-Visions (1980)

Vinyl Confessions (1982)

Somewhere to Elsewhere (2000)

SOLO:

Not In Kansas Anymore (2021)

MICHAEL FRANKLIN

Discography

The Movement Left Silently 1968

Michael Franklin Future Star 1972

Michael Franklin Old House 1974

Michael Franklin Beverly Shores Massacre & other Love Songs 1978

Franklin Brothers Xmas Treeo 1981

Northern Indiana Choir Northern Indiana Choir 1982

Michael Franklin Rivers of The World 1982

Angie Fradocus Angie Fradocus 1982

Various Artists Reggae Tribute 1982

Ellen Dolak Morning Light 1983

Ellen Dolak Jumpin Up and Down for You 1984

Ron Buffington The Harmony is Missing 1985

Michael Franklin Jazz Vein 1984

Lost Weekend Lost Weekend 1984

Michael Franklin State of the Art Christmas 1985

Tim Franklin Honorable Quest 1986

Various Artists Legends of Rock and Roll 1987

Various Artists Rock and Roll Palace 1989

Various Artists Rock and Roll Christmas 1990

Rick Wakeman Classic Tracks 1992

Various Artists Beverly Hills 91210 1992

Melanie Safka Freedom Knows My Name 1993

Melanie Safka Silence Is King 1993

Patrick Moraz Windows of Time 1994

Timmy Flaherty Dream of Erin 1994

Rockin Robin Reruns 1994

Pat Travers Half Way to Somewhere 1995

Melanie Safka Beautiful People 1995

Carl Gardner One Cool Cat 1996

Big Bopper Junior Legacy of the Big Bopper 1997

Pat Travers Blues Tracks 2 1998

Jon Anderson Uzlot (unreleased) 1998

Margarita Medina Margarita 1998

Melanie Safka Ruby Tuesday 2000

Various Artists Black Cat Blues 2000

Rockin Robin Live on the Radio 2001

Melanie Safka Beautiful People 2001

Melanie Safka Summer of Love 2003

Tommy Roe Salute 2003

Melanie Safka Shine On 2003

Kristie Deluca Analyze 2004

Melanie Safka Moments From My Life 2004

Melanie Safka Dust In The Wind 2004

Avo Uveszian Legacy 2004

Doctor Hook Hookah 2005

Karyn Uvezian Karyn 2005

Gary Puckett Gary Puckett's Greatest Hits 2007

Gloria Gaynor Christmas Presence 2008

Don Orilio When You Gotta Go 2012

Heather Rice Fingers 2016

Jon Anderson 1000 Hands Chapter One 2019

Randi Paul Insight 2020

Michael and Tim Franklin Virtual Smorgasborg to be released 2022

Michael and Tim Franklin Anahata to be released 2022

Michael Franklin Forgotten Secrets in progress

Tim Franklin Wow in progress

Robby Steinhart Not in Kansas Anymore 10/25/2021

Michael Winslow TBA in progress

Jon Anderson 1000 Hands Chapter 2 in progress

Kristie Deluca Voices in My Head 01/2022

Blues Image Next Voyage scheduled release 2022

Fei Peng Curious scheduled release 2022

Abigail Hunang Chick Corea's Children's Songs scheduled release 2022

MICHAEL FRANKLIN

APPEARS WEEK OF

JANUARY 14TH 2022

on INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

with RAY SHASHO

STREAMING at

The Classic Rock Music Reporter

Classic Rock Here and Now

Music Tried and True

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BOOK TRAILER

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.

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