Sammy Hagar w/ Special Guest Baxton Hughes

SAMMY HAGAR

There is a new board game that's out with lots of music trivia. There is a question about tequila and cantinas and the answer is obviously Sammy Hagar. Duh. The better question is name a singer who has gold records as a member of three different bands and as a solo artist? Same answer, Sammy Hagar. Now name another voice who can equal that. Sorry, there is only one. Sam's in a league of his own. Surprised? OK, but now let's throw in all the multi Platinum soundtracks and a whole list of other records that haven't gone Gold, but are still loaded with great songs. Sure we all know about Sammy's Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame induction, but now they need to find a special place in there for this guy. Hello
Cleveland?

From the Montrose albums that are an essential cornerstone of what became heavy metal, through a solo career that produced I Can't Drive 55, an icon of car culture in American music, Sammy Hagar is a vital force. Undeniably his Van Halen years are the summit of hard rock's transition into the mainstream. Now with a new group, Chickenfoot, Sam has reestablished his roots in a blues based rock band.

Perhaps tequila and cantina are not the best question to a trivia question, but they are really great answers to how to turn your passion for great food and drink into a business and lifestyle that you totally love. The continued success of the Cabo Wabo Cantinas in Cabo San Lucas and Lake Tahoe has led to the latest Cabo Wabo Cantina in Las Vegas, Nevada. But that will be Sam's second Vegas watering hole, the first is Sammy's Beach Bar and Grill in the McCarren International Airport. This is another in a chain of restaurants, in partnership with Host International, that will bring a welcome dining experience to airports across America. Sam's profits from the Sammy's beach Bar and Grill fund the Hagar Family Foundation which benefit local children's charities in those cities continuing a relationship with his fans of giving to those in need.

So with a new band, and a premium tequila that continues to grow in popularity, Sam has a lot on his plate. No problem. He has the energy to power a small town and continues to expand the envelope of possibility. What's next? A new restaurant? A new brand? A new song? Whatever it is will probably be a part of our lives as so much of what he does has been a part of us for decades now.

BAXTON HUGHES

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality” – John Lennon.

This concept has never been more apparent than in the musical collaboration of Sarah Buxton and Jedd Hughes to form BUXTON HUGHES.

A country girl at heart, Sarah Buxton was born and raised in Lawrence, KS, just about as far as one can get from Quorn, the small south Australia country town Jedd Hughes once called home. Even with the more than ten thousand miles between them growing up, radio has been the link between their love for music, especially country music. “Music has always been the thing that excites me. Even as a little kid, I remember running around the house freaking out because a song on the radio would have such a magnificent affect on me,” Jedd admits. “I started singing to the radio when I was 2 years old. And from the moment I heard Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain”, I knew I wanted to write songs about life, Country songs, “ Buxton reflects.

The duo met when Buxton’s now fiancé produced Jedd Hughes’ solo record. The magic of their voices together, an almost sibling-like sound, led producer Dann Huff, to insist Buxton and Hughes record the Hughes penned duet “Big Blue Sky”. Since then, BUXTON HUGHES has been on tour with Martina McBride and Trace Adkins on the “Shine All Night Tour” and Kevin Lyman’s recent “Country Throwdown Tour”. They are currently writing for their next studio album and touring Fairs and Festivals throughout the US.

Buxton and Australian singer-songwriter Jedd Hughes are joined in a beautiful, harmonious marriage—of the musical variety, of course. The womanly grit in Buxton’s voice goes hand-in-hand perfectly with Hughes’ sweet harmonies and otherworldly guitar playing.

Hughes influence can’t really be overstated enough. His playing and singing match Buxton step for step. If they stick together, their future is bright. The duet performances of Buxton with Hughes are just more convincing. Their fun and surprisingly catchy interplay on “Radio Love” along with the more subdued sentimentality of “Wings” are shameless radio friendly ear candy.

Buxton has a knack for finding talent and surrounding herself with it - Jedd Hughes, who sings lead and penned the song, qualifies in spades.