TESLA's FRANK HANNON Releases Video For Cover Of BLACKBERRY SMOKE's 'Sunrise In Texas'

TESLA's Frank Hannon has released the official music video for his cover of BLACKBERRY SMOKE's "Sunrise In Texas", taken from his recent album "From One Place… To Another Vol. 1". The album features special guest appearances by Paul Jackson (BLACKBERRY SMOKE),Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts of the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND),Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (sons of Ricky Nelson),Roger Fisher (original HEART guitarist) and many others.

"BLACKBERRY SMOKE is one of my favorite bands," says Frank. "I've watched them work hard and develop over many years as they opened for TESLA a few times and my solo band 15 years ago. I have become friends with them and admire their music.

"The lyrics and vibe of 'Sunrise In Texas' really inspired me creatively and I felt it fit well on this project 'From One Place... To Another' as the words speak of another world outside the world were living in. I can relate to that concept as I think many of us can and we all need an escape from reality sometimes. We all need a new 'Sunrise' sometimes."

The second installment of Hannon's solo cover series, "From One Place… To Another Vol. 2", is set to release on Friday, May 18. As with "Vol. 1", the album features a number of special guests, this time including Roger Fisher of HEART, Graham Whitford (son of AEROSMITH's Brad Whitford),Duane Betts (son of ALLMAN BROTHERS' Dickey),Randy Hansen and Jared James Nichols.

The album is now available for pre-order at PledgeMusic in all formats plus gain access to exclusive merchandise including two instant song downloads of "Sing Child" (featuring Roger Risher) and "Lord Of The Thighs" (featuring Graham Whitford).

"This volume is definitely a step up for me as an artist," declares Hannon. "I chose to sing some of my favorite songs from very different genres ranging from AEROSMITH, Chaka Khan, BLACK SABBATH to Seal. I am proud of 'Volume 1' but 'Volume 2' came out a lot edgier and with some heavier tones."

While "Volume 1" was more roots and acoustic focused, "From One Place… To Another Vol. 2" is all electric with full backing band, recorded in various locations with a portable recorder and eventually assembled back in Hannon's home studio.

"As it turns out, singing is becoming a lot of fun for me," Hannon admits. "I've left the smoking guitar duties to some very special guests including the Jimi Hendrix tribute master Randy Hansen, HEART founder Roger Fisher, Jared James Nichols, as well as other guest artists who contributed flavors."

Randy Hansen and Roger Fisher have always been heroes of Frank's. "Known for his 'Magic Man' guitar sounds, Roger and I recorded a HEART classic 'Sing Child', which is almost as funky a song as the man himself," Frank says.

A chance meeting south of the border led to the recording of a classic AEROSMITH cut. "I ran into guitarist Graham Whitford in Mexico while on tour and asked him if he'd be interested in recording guitars on his dad's song and he graciously obliged," Frank says. "Six months later, we put it together via the Internet and 'Lord of the Thighs' became a highlight for me."

The biggest surprise of the album is Frank's take on Seal's "Kiss From A Rose". "It's a vocal melody that has haunted me for years," he says. "When I decided to record it, I spent weeks researching Seal and learned how he wrote the song with no instruments, using only his voice as the music background. This really opened my eyes and ears to the power of a vocal melody that drives a song and I recorded it similarly on my portable 8-track in a dressing room on tour."

"From One Place… To Another Vol. 2" track listing:

01. Hush (featuring Randy Hansen)
02. Lord Of The Thighs (featuring Graham Whitford)
03. You Can't Always Get What You Want (featuring Duane Betts)
04. Tell Me Somethin' Good
05. Kiss From A Rose
06. Sing Child Sing (featuring Roger Fisher)
07. I Can See Clearly Now
08. Spanish Castle Magic (featuring Randy Hansen)
09. I Can Help
10. Sweet Leaf (featuring Jared James Nichols)