UNEDITED>>

Drummer Cody Ash came to Niagara to speak with the students at Notre Dame High School. Following that I sat down and chatted with him at STK at the Embassy Suites in Niagara Falls about his drumming career and tour like playing drums with Country Star Jelly Roll.

Cody Ash is the energetic touring drummer for country-rap artist Jelly Roll, known for his powerful style, originating from Mount Washington, Kentucky, and transitioning from a metalcore background with bands like Sylar and O'Kingdom to country music, earning endorsements from drum brands like DW Drums and Remo, and showcasing his skills in viral videos playing heavy metal tracks.

Canadian-born Rick Hughes is the lead singer of the legendary heavy-metal band Sword and of the hard-rock band Saints & Sinners, during his career he has played hundreds of headline shows and has opened for Metallica, Motorhead, Metal Church, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Warlock, Anthrax, Black Label Society, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, WASP, Helix, Styx, and Lee Aaron.

Blessed with a great range and a powerful voice, Rick Hughes has performed in the USA, Canada, Europe, and Japan, and is a highly respected rock and metal vocalist internationally. His main influences are Robert Plant, Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford and French-Legend Johnny Hallyday.

His new solo album "Redemption" was produced by John Webster (Aerosmith, Tom Cochrane, Motley Crue, etc.) in Vancouver and Los Angeles and features some of the top metal and hard-rock musicians in the world, including an incredible reunion for its first single and video.

"After over four decades of touring and recording, it’s truly special to see this anniversary release come to life," Curran says. "The artwork, rare photos, and the discovery of the Cleveland Agora live audio from our very first show in the USA add a perfect finishing touch for the band and our dedicated fans.”

Dixon adds, "Our show at the Redwood Theatre will be the first time presenting the mighty Hatch sound in an Unplugged & Acoustic format. Still intense, with the same tightness and power that all these years together have built, but with more nuance and emphasis on the songs and vocals. We have some surprises planned and we can't wait to show off our skills in a new setting!”

I sat down on ZOOM to Chat with founding member and bass player ANDY CURRAN to talk about the re-issue of the bands debut album, touched on some Andy Curran Solo material and a shout out to local band SUICIDE STAR for the remake of MONKEY BARS