SSG Rocks!

Surprise SSG Unplugged Show – THIS FRIDAY!!!

Matt Ballenger — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:50:39 +0000

Join us in Louisville, KY at 10pm this Friday at O’Shea’s for a rare SSG Unplugged performance. We don’t do these very often, so take advantage of this unique opportunity and join us at O’Shea’s!

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NAMM 2012 Recap

Matt Ballenger — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:37:34 +0000

SSG just returned from the 2012 NAMM Convention as a guest of sponsor Gretsch Guitars. We were surprised and humbled to learn upon arrival that Gretsch would be featuring the band as part of their display promoting their Electrotone bass. It was truly and honor and a bit surreal to have Steve Sizemore and the band placed along legends such as George Harrison, Billy Gibbons, Duane Eddy, Brian Setzer, and the rest of the stellar Gretsch artist lineup. Do we really belong in such company?

For those unfamiliar with the NAMM show, it is a music industry trade show for manufacturers of musical instruments and merchants. Because the event draws the biggest names in the industry and is closed to the public, it is an incredible networking opportunity. SSG took full advantage. We had several productive meetings, and we’ll be releasing news of those developments as they continue to unfold. Expect big news in 2012.

The sheer amount of talent at NAMM also offers some perspective. It takes a lot to sustain a band on that level both musically and professionally. Let’s just say the band does not yet feel like we’ve reached our potential, and SSG returns home with a new focus, new ideas, and a game plan to make it happen. So it’s right back to the woodshed for some rock & roll boot camp.

But SSG likes to party, too (understatement of the year?). We had lots of time to play. Joe Carducci, Gretsch marketing manager, was kind enough to take the band on a private tour showing the historic sites in Fullerton California where Leo Fender started his company. This was no ordinary tour as Joe lived a substantial part of Fender history since 1973. You can’t get that kind of information from a history book. And if that wasn’t enough, we received a glimpse into Joe’s own personal history as well. It was a night we’ll never forget. Thanks, Joe! And those that follow us on Facebook may have seen photos from our tourist day in L.A. I still can’t believe we had the entire Hollywood Bowl to ourselves! And lastly, oh the people we meet! You never know who you’ll run into at NAMM, and this year was certainly star-studded: Alice Cooper, Nicko McBrain, Mark Tremonti, Tommy Lee, Chad Smith, Dave Navarro, Duff McKagan, Duane Eddy, Ed Roland, Doyle Dykes, Paul Pigat, Johnny Hiland, Neal Schon, Joe Robinson, Earl Slick, Alan Parsons, Steve Stevens, Steve Vai, Muriel Anderson, Dug Pinnick, Orianthi, Stu Hamm, Joey Kramer, Bruce Kulick, Stevie Wonder, Mike Huckabee, and so many more… And the instruments!!! NAMM is the biggest toy store in the world! It was both a successful and fun trip!

NAMM 2012

We had the time of our lives at 2012 winter NAMM! We met so many wonderful people and had so many wonderful things happen. I want to personally thank Joe Carducci for including a photo of me and SSG on the wall of the Gretsch display!!…What an honor! And for the personal tour of the landmarks and history of Fender Guitars, we will never forget it. Thanks to everyone who came to see us and we can’t wait for next year!

~Steve Sizemore

Thanks Fred and Dinah Gretsch, Tim “Proteus” Harman, Kim Falcon, Phil Short (best guitar tech on the planet), and the rest of the Gretsch Guitars family for including SSG in this year’s event. You are the greatest! Thanks Olivia Anne Fuchs for documenting and coordinating (a.k.a. herding cats) all of us loony musical types. We know we’re a handful and we appreciate your patience and all the selfless extra work you do to make everyone else’s experience more enjoyable.

We’d like to give an extra special thanks to Gretsch marketing manager Joe Carducci for believing in and supporting this band. It’s no secret that we love that sweet Gretsch sound, but you’ve been so much more to us than a maker of fine instruments. Your encouragement gives us the confidence we need to continue our musical growth, and your mentorship is invaluable. But most importantly we value your friendship and common love for all things rock & roll. There is no bigger heart in the industry with a genuine desire to see artists recognize their full potential, and if more were like you the world might yet see another band as influential as the Beatles. So thank you, Joe, for being the best friend a musician could ask for!

So that’s the official NAMM recap. What’s next?

This Friday Jan. 27 at 9:30 in Louisville SSG swings back into action at the Rudyard Kipling. This will be a rare SSG Unplugged performance, so you won’t want to miss it. We hope to see you there!

Rudyard Kipling show postponed

Matt Ballenger — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:39:18 +0000

SSG show at Rudyard Kipling in Louisville postponed to Jan. 27 at 9:30. Sorry for the confusion. There was some miscommunication between us, the booking mgr, and venue, but we’re all straightened out now. We hope to see you there on the 27th. The Rud will not be open tonight.

Free Christmas Song Download

Matt Ballenger — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:40:01 +0000

Get into the holiday spirit – SSG style. You can download a free MP3 of SSG’s Matt Ballenger performing Blue Christmas using the button below. Right-click and select SAVE AS to download to your computer.

Blue Christmas

30% off Cyber Monday Sale

Matt Ballenger — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:02:11 +0000

If you missed our promotion over the weekend, don’t worry. We have extended our bargains for you. For a limited time, use coupon code CYBERMONDAY for 30% off everything in the SSG store. We can’t afford to do this much longer, so hurry while they last. This deal ends Monday night at midnight EST.

40% Off Black Friday Sale – all weekend long at SSG Store

Matt Ballenger — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:04:19 +0000

Beginning now and running through Sunday night, ALL merchandise in the SSG Store is 40% off. Just use the following coupon code at checkout:

BLACKFRIDAY

SSG makes a great gift for the holidays. So buy CDs, t-shirts, autographed photos, and more while they are at the lowest prices!

SSG sponsored by Steve Clayton USA

Matt Ballenger — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:39:14 +0000

SSG is proud to officially endorse our latest sponsor, Steve Clayton. We have been tossing out SSG signature guitar picks custom made by Steve Clayton for years, so this partnership was a no-brainer. Clayton USA manufactures a wide variety of guitar picks and custom guitar picks. You’ll also find a wide selection of straps, polishes, slides, drumsticks, and many other excellent accessories.

Despite the sweat, the water show, the hot lights, and all the other abuse we put these through, their colors never run. And every player can find their sweet spot as Clayton offers multiple materials and thicknesses for a truly custom solution. If you want to look cool when you jam, head to an SSG show and snag one of our picks. Or head to Steve Clayton USA and make your own!

Where I’ve Been – Map added to Tour Page

Matt Ballenger — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:34:55 +0000

You may now find a map of cities where SSG has performed on our TOUR page. It’s a fun bit of SSG trivia. Check it out! We’ll do our best to expand on this list as much as possible in the near future. SSG loves the road!

View SSG gigs in a larger map

Steve Miller hangs up his SSG hat

Matt Ballenger — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:04:12 +0000

It is with sadness and great disappointment that we report to you that Steve Miller will no longer be playing with SSG. Sometimes life’s path leads us in new directions, and in Steve Miller’s case he was presented with an opportunity to play music he really enjoys with another band. It was a hard decision for him to leave SSG as he has greatly enjoyed his role with SSG and the music we have made together for the last 4 years. But this is an opportunity he just couldn’t pass up, and unfortunately the competing band schedules are unsustainable.

You can read Steve Miller’s official statement below:

Over the summer I was presented an opportunity to play with a popular cover band in the Lexington area. It was an offer I couldn’t ignore as it involved music I thoroughly enjoy, added income, the companionship of one of my best friends from childhood in the group, and the chance to play often in and near Lexington. While I tried to continue with both groups, the scheduling has increasingly become an issue. My season in life is such that I need to focus on playing near my home. SSG is moving towards bigger and better opportunities, yet their increase in shows and travel presented a problem for me. While I enjoy playing music, it just needed to be more localized. The chance to be in the other band kept me local while still playing for a popular music group. So it is time to announce that I’m stepping down from the SSG stage.

I leave a band that is moving in the right direction and has a great fan following. I’ve enjoyed the friendships that have been made over the past few years and regret that I won’t be a part of the SSG scene. I will have many fond memories and stories due to my SSG experiences! My best goes out to the band, and I would like to personally thank Steve Sizemore for giving a shy keyboardist a chance to be on the big stage with a loud rockin’ band!

Thank you SSG and the many fans who follow “The Prisoners of Rock n’ Roll!”

-Steve Miller

We’ll miss him greatly and we wish him well as he continues his musical journey. We encourage you to do the same. Please send your well wishes and words of encouragement to Steve Miller’s Facebook page here.

SSG is discussing options to fill the very big shoes that Steve Miller is leaving behind. Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, life goes on. Let the auditions begin!

SSG Newsletter – NEW!!!

Matt Ballenger — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:47:52 +0000

Sign up for the SSG Newsletter by visiting our CONTACT page and filling out the subscription form. Get the latest news about the band, tour updates, and exclusive behind-the-scenes scoops. Subscribers also get extras such as free download codes and more. The 1st edition of the SSG Newsletter will include a free MP3 download from Beautiful Dust, so don’t wait!

The SSG Newsletter is safe, easy, and free. The newsletter is administered by MailChimp and complies with anti-spam laws. We never sell or distribute your information, and we never spam. So what are you waiting for? It’s the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Sign up now!