From: Kristine Ashton-Magnuson
Steve Vai's Inaugural Vai Academy Song Evolution Camp
Set To Debut June 23-27
At Gideon Putnam Resort In Saratoga Springs, NY
The inaugural Steve Vai's Vai Academy Song Evolution Camp will take place June 23-27 at the pastoral Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs, NY. This unique vacation experience will be hosted by multi-platinum three-time Grammy Award-winning guitar legend Steve Vai, who will be joined by various respected guitar and music industry heavies, including Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Guthrie Govan, and Vernon Reid.
(photo by Neil Zlozower)
The camp will focus on the evolution of a song. Attendees will learn how a song gets written, recorded, mixed, mastered, packaged, copyrighted, registered, digitally distributed, and marketed. Each special guest will conduct their own master classes as well.
View a video of Steve Vai talking about Vai Academy Song Evolution Camp here: www.VaiAcademy.com.
Produced by Dreamcatcher Events, Steve Vai's Vai Academy Song Evolution Camp (www.VaiAcademy.com) will follow the entire process step-by-step as taught by an iconic virtuoso and a team of music industry professionals. Steve Vai's Vai Academy Song Evolution Camp is the entire manual for being an independent musician condensed into three days of classes.
"I like to bring something different to the table. That's the idea behind this 'Song Evolution' program." says Vai. "You'll enjoy a unique experience if you join us this summer. Although there will be a lot of guitar playing, this camp focuses on all aspects of creating your music, getting it into the world and launching your career."
Vai continues, "I want everybody to learn how a song evolves and moreover how a career in music evolves. You're going to have fun, and you're going to leave knowing how to do this professionally. This is the entire manual for being an independent musician condensed into three days."
(photo by Larry DiMarzio)
Tickets for Steve Vai's Vai Academy Song Evolution Camp are on sale now at www.VaiAcademy.com. Admission includes lodging, meals, classes, live performances and jam sessions. As an added bonus, attendees who sign up by March 31, 2014 will receive a free Ibanez RG Electric Guitar, courtesy of Hoshino.
For Steve Vai's Vai Academy Song Evolution Camp, guests will choose from a variety of lodging options at Gideon Putnam Resort (www.gideonputnam.com). Nestled in the southernmost foothills of New York's Adirondack region and surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Saratoga Spa State Park, the Gideon Putnam Resort features spacious guest rooms, luxurious bedding, wireless internet access and upscale bath amenities. The 124 guestrooms, including 22 suites, offer relaxing, retreat-like accommodations in an unforgettable location.
About Steve Vai
Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, visionary composer, and consummate producer who sculpts musical sound with infinite creativity and technical mastery. At age 12, he started taking guitar lessons from Joe Satriani. At 18, he began his professional musical career transcribing for, and then playing with, the legendary Frank Zappa. More than three decades, over 15 million in album sales, and three GRAMMY Awards later, Vai has proven himself, in his own right, to be one of music's true originals. Vai's full discography encompasses more than 60 albums, including many with Zappa, others from his stints with David Lee Roth (just after Roth left Van Halen) and Whitesnake—at the peak of its popularity—along with live releases, collaborations, compilations, and orchestral works.
Vai's work has been recognized with a long list of awards, including an even dozen from Guitar Player. Most recently, the TEC Foundation honored him with the prestigious Les Paul Award, created in 1991 to salute those who have set the highest standard of excellence in the creative application of technology. Past winners include Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, and Bob Clearmountain.
Vai's signature instruments include the Ibanez JEM guitar, which he designed in 1985 with first-of-its-kind features including the floating tremolo and the monkey grip. The JEM is now one of the longest running, most successful signature series guitars in history, and for over a decade its sister model—the RG—is second in worldwide sales only to the Fender Stratocaster. Also for Ibanez, Vai designed "The Universe," the first commercial 7-string electric guitar. This instrument inspired a revolutionary metal subculture that started in the mid '90s. Among his many other innovative collaborations with equipment manufacturers, he designed the Steve Vai Legacy V3 series of all-tube amplifiers with Carvin Corporation. In addition, in 1998, Vai established (with Ruta Sepetys) the Make a Noise Foundation to provide instruments and music education to young musicians without means.
www.vai.com
About Dreamcatcher Events
Dreamcatcher Events is the leading independent producer of musical and other event-related immersive retreats for young adults and adults. Dreamcatcher retreats provide unique, intimate, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for fans to spend several days with a legendary artist, while at the same time providing the artists a chance to connect with premium fans and earn impressive non-tour revenue. Dreamcatcher Events is privately owned, independently financed, fan-centric, artist-friendly, and provides completely turn-key operations. 2014 events will feature Todd Rundgren, Steve Earle, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Mike Keneally, The Chieftains, and many more.
www.dreamcatcher-events.com
About Gideon Putnam Resort
The Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa combines over 75 years of historic character with exceptional service and modern facilities. This distinctive Saratoga Springs resort offers guests a wealth of desirable amenities that include newly renovated accommodations, casual upscale dining, Roosevelt Baths & Spa and gracious service. Surrounded by 2,200 acres of lush, natural beauty, the resort provides guests with the opportunity to get away from it all — and enjoy Mother Nature's bounty — in each and every season.
www.gideonputnam.com