There is much to discuss! Upcoming Kansas tours alongside rock legends, the latest studio news, and new recording ahead. But first, a request:
If you enjoy my music, please head over to my shop at tombrislin.bandcamp.com and pick up a copy that you OWN. I do my best to make my music available on streaming services, but they aren’t always reliable (and not known for being friendly to independent artists such as myself). Weeks ago, I was playing with Kansas on the 70’s Rock & Romance Cruise, and met up with a couple of Spiraling fans from our touring days. I absolutely love connecting with people who followed the band and still say our music is important to them. They later told me that they couldn’t find our music on their streaming service of choice. I knew my albums were supposed to be available there, but so far any attempts at resolving the issue have gone unanswered.
All of this is to say that there’s really nothing as good as owning the music you love. Plus, I hear that CDs are making a comeback.
And now, back to the news.
Kansas announces 2 tours: One with 38 Special and one with Deep Purple!
I’m looking forward to performing alongside our friends 38 Special this June and July. And for the first time in the band’s history, Kansas will be joining the legendary Deep Purple on a tour of the US and Canada, this August and September. Tourdates and details at https://tombrislin.com/shows .
Meet my piano
If you’ve seen my previous newsletters, you know that I’ve been putting together my personal recording studio (an ongoing process since mid-2024). I’ve been only teasing the big reveal of the centerpiece: A 1924 Steinway D Concert Grand that I was fortunate to find close to home.
Have a look at the introduction video:
https://youtube.com/shorts/XODMVnYxl-s?si=Nlz1AmFFGY0hCz4b
The Steinway sound has always drawn me in. Long ago I owned a 1913 M Medium Grand (which can be heard on the Time Travel Made Easy album by Spiraling) and the dream of one day owning a concert grand was always kicking around in the back of my mind. It’s not exactly a realistic dream; they are about 9 feet long, and a new one costs as much as a house. But once I got into the studio, it had the space waiting for it. Plus the model D has been made for over a century, so I knew there must be one out there with my name on it. I was ready to “audition” 100 pianos if needed. After months of searching nationwide, I told a friend (an antique dealer) about my quest, and the NEXT DAY he discovered an upcoming estate sale whose first item on the list was THE ONE. The seller claims that this piano was once owned by the legendary jazz pianist Hazel Scott. I don’t have 100% proof of this, but I have on good authority that it’s possible.
New Music on the Way
That’s what all this is about, right? The fact is, I’ve been writing new music since the release of Kansas’ “The Absence of Presence” in 2020. Once touring resumed in 2021, we’ve been touring A LOT, and I’ve been building up a large archive of new ideas. My mindset has always been to let the ideas happen without thinking too much of what their style or setting should be. Could this be something good for Kansas? Something more like my solo material? Spiraling even? I’ve got pieces that fit into each and every one of these categories. I would like all of these to be realized at some point. I’ve decided that the first music I’ll produce from the studio will be an album of solo piano instrumentals. My good friend and longtime collaborator Dave Edwards will be co-producing the album with me. All real. All human. Seems like we need some of that right now.
Follow the journey on my social channels:
http://instagram.com/tombrislin
http://facebook.com/tombrislinmusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@tombrislin
See you out there!