50 for 50 is a triple-disc collection of unreleased material that will celebrate Kotzen's 50th birthday.
Los Angeles, CA (January 31, 2020) -- When a person turns 50, they usually spend that entire year celebrating in as large of a way as possible to make it their biggest and most memorable birthday yet. Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Richie Kotzen is taking the concept literally, as he gears up for the release of his most ambitious album to date, and he wants to share this big birthday present to himself with his fans around the world.
50 FOR 50—his 22nd solo album--is due out Monday, February 3 via his own custom label, Headroom-Inc. The self-produced three-disc collection is just what the title implies: a collection of 50 previously unreleased compositions produced, performed and written by Kotzen in honor of his birthday. It’s the follow-up to his critically acclaimed SALTING EARTH album, which was released April 14, 2017 via Headroom-Inc.
Although Kotzen has been hailed as a guitar virtuoso since the release of his first album, it is his emotional lead vocal delivery and diverse songwriting style that separates him from his peers thanks in large part to artists that influenced him in the Philly Soul R&B to Jazz, Rock, Funk, and Fusion Guitar genres. 50 FOR 50 captures the full artistic scope of what makes Richie Kotzen such a unique artist.
“The idea of a 50 song album came to me while I was on tour sometime last year,” Kotzen explains. “I had completed what would have been your typical 10 to 12 song album and was anticipating a 2020 release. Somewhere along the line, I discovered a few completed songs that for whatever reason were never released. Along with that, I found a massive collection of material that was in various forms of completion. Some songs had drums bass and piano with no vocal, other songs were nothing more than a bass line and a vocal melody and so on. I decided to take that summer and fall, stay in the studio, and see how many of these ideas I could bring to completion. The concept was to include the already completed works and finish the other ideas and then stop once I reached 50 songs. Reality is we’ve got way more sitting on the hard drives waiting for attention. I figured if I can walk out of the studio with 50 songs (that I like) mixed and mastered, I can release a 50 song package on my 50th birthday.”
The first song from 50 FOR 50, “Devil’s Hand,” will also be released on Monday, February 3 via all digital retail outlets. As Kotzen says, “The song touches on loss and regret while romanticizing a past that may or may not have been as it is being remembered in the present.”
About SALTING EARTH, Vintage Guitar hailed, “Presenting the best combo meal of blue-eyed soul, ripping guitar, and accessible tunes, this album continues Kotzen’s prolific rise. His one-man-band production style serves an unfettered vision of passion and vulnerability.” While MusicRadar.com praised, “When RICHIE Kotzen picks up his guitar, it literally speaks through him. Those familiar with the American singer/guitarist’s work or who have seen him live will know he occasionally hums along to the runs he’s executing, effortlessly showcasing a level of musicianship very few indeed ever get to. He embodies the kind of player that’s unequivocally in tune with their instrument, and able to improvise using purely the mind’s eye.”
Richie Kotzen will continue to celebrate his big birthday with fans all over the world starting with an appearance at the “Monsters of Rock Cruise” kickoff party on February 7 in Miami, FL at the Magic City Casino. His North American tour will commence with a three-night engagement in New York City at the Iridium Jazz Club on June 23, 24 and 25. The worldwide tour will take the birthday celebration to Mexico, Europe, Latin America, Japan and Southeast Asia. A complete list of international tour dates are posted on Kotzen’s official website and social media pages.
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Richie Kotzen
A 100-watt all-tube head that's individually signed by Richie and limited to just 20 pieces.
England (September 9, 2019) -- Victory Amplification proudly announces the Richie Kotzen RK100 Custom Limited Edition, a 100-watt all-valve head, individually numbered and signed by Richie, limited to just 20 pieces and available only direct from Victory.
Victory launched the Richie Kotzen RK50 Series back in 2017, rekindling a long-standing association between the celebrated American rock musician and Victory chief designer, Martin Kidd. The RK50 has been a great success, offering all-valve no-compromise rock tones with on-board reverb and tremolo. In 2018, Richie approached us with the idea of a bigger RK amp – a 100-watt head for touring that delivers old-school, big-stage rock tones, but with a couple of usability tweaks. It would need to evoke the sounds and feel of the classic, late-1960s British rock heads, but with Martin Kidd’s unmistakeable sonic stamp.
Instead of a traditional two-channel/four-input setup, the RK100 CLE features Normal and Bright channels with a single input; they can be used independently or mixed together. There is also a bright switch to add extra sparkle to the bright channel if required. After the traditional EQ section comes a master volume to enable wonderful drive tones at more friendly volumes, adjusting presence to taste. For even more control over volume and dynamic response, the low-power mode drops the amp’s output to 30 watts. In addition, there is the option of using either EL34 or 6L6 output valves. There is also a bypassable series effects loop for external reverbs, delays and so on.
The Victory RK100 Custom Limited edition is finished in Richie’s preferred white, black and gold colour scheme, limited to just 20 pieces worldwide, numbered and signed. Needless to say, we are immensely proud that Richie chooses Victory!
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Victory Amplification
The pickguard has solderless connectors and is based on the electronics in Kotzen's signature Fender Stratocaster.
Staten Island, NY (October 9, 2018) -- DiMarzio, Inc. announces the release of the Richie Kotzen Strat Replacement Pickguard (FG2108PWA10) for electric guitars.
Known for his playing style that mixes rock, blues, jazz, fusion, and soul, Richie Kotzen is a stellar singer, songwriter, and guitar player. Although he was primarily known for playing Telecaster in the band Poison, Fender Japan released two signature Richie Kotzen Stratocaster models in 1996 that came equipped with DiMarzio pickups.
Featuring electronics modeled on Richie’s signature model Stratocaster by Fender Japan, the Richie Kotzen pickguard has solderless connectors for easy installation on any guitar with a standard 11-hole pickguard.
It comes with a 5-way switch, and the custom pickups are wired as single coils but will also be humbucking in the 2 and 4 positions. The center pickup has a reverse magnet.
These pickups are medium gain, so they’re very articulate. Even with distortion, each and every note can be heard. The tone is punchy and percussive with that bright Strat transparency.
The Richie Kotzen Strat Replacement Pickguard features white pickups and is available in Pearl White.
DiMarzio’s Richie Kotzen Strat Replacement Pickguard is made in the U.S.A. and may now be ordered for immediate delivery. Suggested List Price is $469.99 each (MAP/Street Price $299.99). For more information about the new Richie Kotzen Strat Replacement Pickguard, please visit our website at www.dimarzio.com.
Watch the company's video demo:
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DiMarzio, Inc.