Forbes Hails Blues Man as "One of Music's Savviest Entrepreneurs"

LOS ANGELES, May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, blues rock guitar phenomenon Joe Bonamassa and his longtime manager Roy Weisman celebrate the Silver Anniversary of their partnership in the music industry. Over the past 25 years, the mavericks have become two of the industry's savviest entrepreneurs and disruptors. Together, they founded record label, management, and concert promotion company, J&R Adventures, and have redefined the kind of success an independent artist can achieve.

Visit this link for the full story and the 25 Anniversary Collection:
http://jbonamassa.com/eblast/2016/25-yrs-of-blues/ 

For most musicians, opening for blues legend B.B. King would be the pinnacle moment of their career. But for Joe Bonamassa, who shared the stage with King in 1989 when he was all of 12 years old, it was only the start. Next, Bonamassa would go on to sign with a major record label, Sony Records, which released his debut album A New Day Yesterday in 2000. But with only 7,500 copies sold, giving Bonamassa barely enough to cover his rent, the label dropped him.

This is how the story would end for many artists. But Bonamassa and Weisman had other plans: to start their own record label. Born from this entrepreneurial spirit was J&R Adventures, and, with the release of Bonamassa's third album, Blues Deluxe, which sold more than 40,000 copies, they realized they were on the cusp of something big.

Since then, Bonamassa has established himself as one of the premier guitar virtuosos of his generation. He has also distinguished himself as an incisive and compelling songwriter, a gutsy and soulful vocalist, as well as one of the most popular touring-and-recording artists around, selling out iconic venues, like The Royal Albert Hall, The Vienna Opera House, Radio City Music Hall, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Carnegie Hall.

He has already racked up more #1 Billboard Blues Albums than any other artist in history – 16 and counting; has been nominated for a Grammy award for his collaborative album with Beth Hart, Seesaw, and jammed with his music hero, Eric Clapton, preserved forever on the platinum-selling DVD Live from the Royal Albert Hall.

His brand-new studio solo album, Blues of Desperation (J&R Adventures), which was released March 25, landed at #5 on the Billboard Top Album Sales, his highest charting yet.

Forbes recently dubbed Joe Bonamassa one of the "world's greatest guitarists… [joining] the ranks of heavyweights such as Hendrix, Page, Slash, and Young." But they also praised his business acumen: "While much of the applause he receives should credit his sheer talent, some of it should be reserved for his foresight and ability to become one of music's savviest entrepreneurs."

Bonamassa and Weisman can attribute this kind of praise to their absolute drive and determination to succeed on their own terms. The past 25 years chronicle a dizzying list of their accomplishments, including Bonamassa's discography, comprising twelve solo studio albums, twelve solo live albums, ten solo DVDs, and twelve collaboration projects with Beth Hart, Mahalia Barnes, Rock Candy Funk Party, and Black Country Communion, respectively; multiple ground-breaking TV specials for PBS; two successful years (with a third on the way) for Bonamassa's maritime music festival Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea; the non-profit foundation Keeping The Blues Alive, which gives back to music programs in schools across the country; and many, many more.

About to turn just 39 years young, one gets the feeling that Bonamassa is still just getting started. Here's to another 25 years from Bonamassa, Weisman, and J&R Adventures, which is sure to continue the wild, exhilarating ride filled with music destined to rank among the classics.

Catch Bonamassa on tour this year: http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/ 

SOURCE Joe Bonamassa

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