Celebrating the Life & Music of Matt LaPorte...
Sunday, May 29 2011
A memorial concert in memory of Matt LaPorte will be held on Saturday, July 23rd 2011 at Ferg's.
Ferg's is located at 1320 Central Ave in St. Petersburg, FL. The doors will open at 7:00pm. The cost will be a $10 minimum donation, with the proceeds going to the Matt LaPort Scholarship Fund.
Matthew David LaPorte- September 11, 1970- April 20, 2011
Thursday, April 21 2011
It is with great heartache and sorrow that we relay the passing of our dear friend, band-mate, guitarist and brother Matthew LaPorte. Matt passed away in his home shortly after 6 pm on Wednesday. No information regarding his cause of death is currently available.
Matt was a brilliant guitar player on all levels. He understood that instrument better than almost anyone. His knowledge of music in general was just amazing. His contributions to JOP and every band he ever played with was also without measure. He was truly a one-guitar army when he needed to be and his solo performances on all the JOP cd's will forever send chills down our spines. A near 20- year history and friendship with one of the true greats has now ended and we are deeply saddened.
Matt was a fan of all kinds of music and instruments, having even embarked on a mission to conquer the hammered dulcimer...one of the hardest instruments to play. He was always trying to expand his musical horizons and influences. He marveled at the musical greats, both
old and new. He was never one to rate his talents above others and often commented about the great new music and artists he had just discovered.
Criss Oliva was without a doubt his most profound influence, and anyone who saw him play Savatage songs knew that Criss was channeling his talents via Matt. Matt's attention to detail and always striving to play everything perfect is without comparison. We would sit for hours
during rehearsals with him muddling over whether a guitar chord was played exactly as recorded. Sometimes frustrating, but always appreciated in the end. He was the professionals' professional when it came to his guitar skills, and the loss of such a talent will be
forever felt.
Matt was a gentle soul, and would avoid conflict at all costs. He got along with everyone and greeted all with a smile on his face. There was a shyness and almost embarrassment felt by him from the adoration of his fans around the world...and he had many.
He was humbled by the love and respect music fans gave to him, but in a quiet way, that made him work just a little bit harder. He had a hilarious, twisted and often sarcastic sense of humor that was unique to him. A very funny man indeed.
We miss you terribly Matt, and we will celebrate your music and life each and every day. That great band in the sky just got a whole lot better, and you are in the most peaceful place you could have ever hoped for. Until we meet again...
Our condolences....
Sunday, December 5 2010
Earlier this week 19 year old Joey Oliva, son of Jon Oliva's cousin Joe, died in a car accident in Yonkers, New York.
Joey was a big fan of music and attended his first ever
concert when he came to see Jon Oliva's Pain in Yonkers in 2008. Joey was inspired by Jon Oliva's musical and songwriting ability and had become a very good guitar player in his own right.
As a tribute to Joey, the New York Institute of Technology (where he was an "A" student) shut down for a half day and held a candlelight vigil to extend it's deep respect and celebration for this wonderful human being.
The extended Oliva family and all his friends morn the tragic loss of his life and the spirit he shared with everyone he touched.
Any condolences can be sent to:
Mr and Mrs. Joe Oliva
7 Bruce Lane
Syossett, NY 11791
Final preparations...
Tuesday, September 14 2010
Alrighty people...time for final preparations
for the upcoming JOP show at the State Theatre
in St. Pete Florida on Friday Sept 17th.
Go to www.statetheatreconcerts.com for ticket info.
This is an all-ages show!
In other news:
Due to personal obligations here at home, bassist
Kevin Rothney and guitarist Tom McDyne will be
unable to join us for this show and the upcoming
tour. Everything possible was done to insure that
they would be able to attend, and we will miss not
having them with JOP for this tour.
So, please welcome back Jerry Outlaw on guitar.
Many will remember Jerry from JOP's past tours in
support of our first release, 'Tage Mahal.
Jerry is one of the most brilliant guitar players anywhere.
His stellar tribute band to Frank Zappa (Bogus Pomp), is one
of the most recognized Zappa bands in the world.
Check him out for yourselves on the net.
Taking over bass duties for the tour is Tampa's
phenom-bass player, Jason Gaines. With credits
such as Basic Rock Outfit, and Groove Altar, he
is one of the most sought after and busiest bass players
around. We are grateful to find such a talent to
round out the line-up for these shows.
Rehearsals are going great and we will be ready
to bring the JOP/SAVATAGE catalog to life in just
a few days.
See you at the State Theatre and on tour in Europe
beginning September 28th in Berlin, Germany.
Don't forget the live DVD filming at The 013 in Tilburg,
Holland on October 15th!
FALL 2010 TOUR DATES:
17.09.2010 FL- St. Petersburg @ The State Theatre
28.09.2010 DE-Berlin @ Halford
29.09.2010 CR- Praque @ Exit Club
01.10.2010 DE - Gunzendorf @ Prog Metal Night
02.10.2010 DE - Essen @ Turock
03.10.2010 NL- Progpower Europe 2010
05.10.2010 Tue DE - Hamburg @ New Ballroom
06.10.2010 Wed DE - Aschaffenburg @ Colos-Saal
08.10.2010 Fri DE - Köln @ Werkstat
09.10.2010 Sat DE - Memmingen @ Kaminwerk
10.10.2010 Sun DE - Ludwigsburg @ Rockfabrik
12.10.2010 Tue FR - Colmar @ Grillen
13.10.2010 Wed CH - Pratteln @ Z7
15.10.2010 Fri NL - Tilburg @ 013 (Live DVD Concert-No support)
16.10.2010 Sat BE - Vosselar @ Biebo
JOP Show - State Theater
Monday, August 30 2010
Friday, September 17th @ State Theater, St. Petersburg, FL
Bourbon St. show has moved....
Saturday, August 14 2010
Bourbon St. show has moved to the State Theater and the date has been changed from Saturday, Sept. 18th to Friday, Sept 17th.
WHAT: LIVE IN CONCERT
WHERE: THE STATE THEATRE
687 Central Avenue
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727-895-3045
WHEN:FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH 2010
DETAILS: Doors 7PM Tickets $15
statetheatreconcerts.com
Also JOP can now confirm the headlining position for the Pathfinder Metal Festival @ The Local Venue in Marietta, Georgia on Saturday October 30th.
The FLORIDA METAL ALL-STARS...
Thursday, July 22 2010
The FLORIDA METAL ALL-STARS(featuring current and former members of Savatage/Jon Oliva's Pain/Crimson Glory/Circle II Circle/Doctor Butcher/Deuxmonkey, and others.) will be headlining the Rock Against Lymphoma benefit concert at Quaker Steak & Lube in Pinellas Park on Sunday, August 1st at 8:00 p.m.
This one-time-only line-up includes Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, JOP), Zak Stevens (SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Matt LaPorte (JON OLIVA'S PAIN, CRIMSON GLORY, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), Ben Jackson (CRIMSON GLORY), John Zahner (SAVATAGE, JOP, CRIMSON GLORY), Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY, LEATHERWOLF, DEUXMONKEY), Todd LaTorre (CRIMSON GLORY), John Osborne (DOCTOR BUTCHER, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), Tom McDyne (JOP, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), Kevin Rothney (JOP), Jerry Outlaw (JOP, GENITORTURERS, BOGUS POMP) and others.
The band will be performing metal and hard rock classics from such bands as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple,
Savatage and more. Also performing on this day will be former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle (w/ Skynyrd tribute act Nuthin' Fancy) and rising Nashville country star Glenn Cummings. The concert is being held to help raise money to help Tampa Bay musician Joe "Cellfish Joe" Koltay, who was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and needs to pay for expensive chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Like so many other musicians, Koltay finds himself without health insurance and this event's proceeds will go to help his medical expenses.
Bourbon Street show 9/18/10
Tuesday, June 1 2010
Fall kick off show at Bourbon St. annoucned...
Tuesday, May 18 2010
Jon Oliva's Pain has announced their fall tour kick-off concert on Saturday, September 18th at Bourbon Street Nightclub in New Port Richey Florida. Special guests for this show will be Seven Kingdoms, Holes and Hearts, and The Eternal Effect. Tickets will go on sale soon at www.clubbourbonstreet.com
JOP will launch it's Euro-headlining tour in late September in support of their new release "Festival". Special guests for this tour will be Need from (Greece) and Neverland from Turkey). The tour will center around a live DVD concert to be filmed at The 013 in Tilburg, Holland on October 15th. A release date is tentatively set for early 2011. Confirmed dates so far are listed below.
Oliva: " It's finally time to bring our "FESTIVAL" to the stage. We are blessed to have had such an amazing reaction to the new record. We will play 5-7 songs from the new Cd and some real Savatage treats. It's gonna be awesome and filming an official live concert of JOP music and the Criss Oliva era of Savatage will be something special for the band and all who attend....don't miss it"!
Also JOP can now confirm the headlining position for the Pathfinder Metal Festival @ The Local Venue in Marietta, Georgia on Saturday October 30th. More bands and info to be announced soon.
Summer Festival Appearances are:
Graspop Metal Meeting: Sunday June 27
Bang Your Head Festival: Friday, July 16
Zwarte Cross Festival: Saturday July 17
Fall Tour dates confirmed so far:
Friday, September 17th, 2010- Florida @ State Theater
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - DE-Berlin @ Halford
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - CR-Praque @ Exit Club
Friday, October 1, 2010 DE - Gunzendorf @ Prog Metal Night
Saturday, October 2, 2010 - Essen, DE - @Turock
Sunday, October 3, 2010 - NL- Progpower Europe 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - Hamburg, DE - @New Ballroom
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 - Aschaffenburg, DE - @Colos-Saal
Friday, October 8, 2010 Fri DE - Köln @ Werkstat
Saturday, October, 9, 2010 - Memmingen, DE - @Kaminwerk
Sunday, October 10, 2010 - TBA
Tuesday, October, 12 2010 - Colmar, FR - @Grillen
Wednesday, October, 13, 2010 - Pratteln, CH - @Z7
Friday, October 15, 2010 - Tilburg, NL - @013 NO SUPPORT
Saturday, October 16, 2010 - Vosselar, BE - @Biebob
RIP Ronnie James Dio
Tuesday, May 18 2010
"Two days has passed and I still cannot come to grips with the tragic passing of Ronnie James Dio. My heart is sad once again.I have always considered Ronnie as a God, a hero, a pioneer,a legend, and one of the nicest people I have ever met.
Ronnie gave Savatage their first break when he took us on tour so many years ago. We were so young and did so many stupid things on that tour. But Ronnie let it all go, and took care of us. The world has lost more than an icon...we lost so much more than that this past Sunday. I can't properly express my sadness.
Thank you Ronnie and for all you have given us as a musician, but most of all for your sweet and caring soul. You will be missed, and we will celebrate your life forever."
Jon Oliva
Drummer joins Metal Lessons Radio this week!
Monday, May 10 2010
Metal Lessons Radio welcomes Christopher Kinder (Jon Oliva’s Pain) into the studio to co-host the show this week. He joins hosts O’Brien & Mahoney as they go through three hours of metal, call-ins, war stories, and live chatting! Expect lots of requests, some of Mr. Kinder’s favorites, and a heavy dose of Jon Oliva’s Pain new release “Festival”. Class Is In
Session!
Lessons Radio" Live, Monday May 10, 2010. 8-11pm EST. The chat is located at OldSchoolMetal.net
Tune In:
CMSradio.net
HardRockin80s.com
HardRockin80s.com
UncontrolledNoize.com
"Metal Lessons Radio" also replays Saturday 10am EST on PureRockRadio.net
JON OLIVA: "Stories, Carols,.....and Pain"
Thursday, April 8 2010
Be one of a lucky few who will join Jon Oliva (mastermind of SAVATAGE and JON OLIVA'S PAIN, co-creator/songwriter of the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) for this special intimate performance/songwriting clinic.
This will a be a rare glimpse into the mind of this legendary singer/songwriter. Joining Jon will be his long-time guitarist, Seminole Music's own Matt LaPorte,....as they discuss and perform many of the songs that have helped define the legacy of this hard rock icon. There will be a Q&A session, as well as a meet & greet/autograph signing immediately following the performance.
Only 50 seats are available, and a handful of "standing room-only" tickets will be released upon this guaranteed sell-out, once-in-a-lifetime event. Tickets are $15 and available at or through Seminole Music. Tickets CAN be purchased over the phone (727-399-9516) by credit card.
DO NOT HESITATE TO GET YOURS as seating is SEVERELY limited.
Jon Oliva's Pain has begun confirming fall tour dates
Wednesday, March 17 2010
Jon Oliva's Pain (from the Mastermind of Savatage), has begun confirming fall tour dates in support if their new CD "FESTIVAL" which was released in Europe/Japan in March. A U.S release date us set for April 12th. More show dates to be added and the band is currently working on U.S tour dates as well.
Highlighting the fall tour will be the live DVD concert filming at the 013 in Tilburg, Holland on October 15. The live DVD has a tentativerelease date set for early 2011. This will be the first official live DVD release with Oliva handling all the vocal duties. It promises to be a once in a life-time show featuring an assault of SAVATAGE classics and the 4 JOP CD's. Limited VIP ticket packages for the live DVD show will be offered in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for details.
JOP's "FESTIVAL" has received critical acclaim all over Europe with album of the month honors in many countries and cracking into the German Media Control Charts (similar to Billboard Top 100) at #87 in just it's first week of reported sales.
The JOP summer festival season is also taking shape with Graspop, Bang Your Head, and Zwarte Cross confirmed. More festivals and summer shows to be announced as they happen.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - DE-Berlin @ Halford
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - CR-Praque @ Exit Club
Friday, October 1, 2010 DE - Gunzendorf @ Prog Metal Night
Saturday, October 2, 2010 - Essen, DE - @Turock
Sunday, October 3, 2010 - NL- Progpower Europe 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - Hamburg, DE - @New Ballroom
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 - Aschaffenburg, DE - @Colos-Saal
Friday, October 8, 2010 Fri DE - Köln @ Werkstat
Saturday, October, 9, 2010 - Memmingen, DE - @Kaminwerk
Sunday, October 10, 2010 - TBA
Tuesday, October, 12 2010 - Colmar, FR - @Grillen
Wednesday, October, 13, 2010 - Pratteln, CH - @Z7
Friday, October 15, 2010 - Tilburg, NL - @013 NO SUPPORT
Saturday, October 16, 2010 - Vosselar, BE - @Biebob
Monday, October 18, 2010 - ES-Madrid @ Hieneken (www.salarena.com)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - ES-Barcelona @ Rassmatazz 2 (www.salarena.com)
JOP cd "FESTIVAL" right here!
Wednesday, March 3 2010
The new release is now available for purchase!
Digipacks only: $18.00 + $2.00 shipping within the US and Canada via Paypal or money order only.
Paypal account: ckindercash@hotmail.com
Money Orders to:
Christopher Kinder
1478 Lake Side Court
Dunedin, Florida 34698
Be sure click on payment for "services" so we don't get screwed on the fee's.
Bourbon Street show cancelled...
Sunday, February 28 2010
Its is with great disappointment to report that JOP will be postponing the upcoming April 24th show at Bourbon Street. We're sorry if this puts a wrench in anyone's plans. We will re-schedule this show at the start of our next tour. Thanks for your understanding and please except our sincere apology.
JOP Fall tour schedule
Monday, February 22 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010 - Bamberg - Prog Metal Night
Saturday, October 2, 2010 - Essen, DE - @Turock
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - Hamburg, DE - @New Ballroom
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 - Aschaffenburg, DE - @Colos-Saal
Friday, October 10, 2010 - Köln, DE - Werkstatt
Saturday, October, 9, 2010 - Memmingen, DE - @Kaminwerk
Sunday, October 10, 2010 - TBA
Tuesday, October, 12 2010 - Colmar, FR - @Grillen
Wednesday, October, 13, 2010 - Pratteln, CH - @Z7
Friday, October 15, 2010 - Tilburg, NL - @013 NO SUPPORT
Saturday, October 16, 2010 - Vosselar, BE - @Biebob
More shows to be added.
Jon Oliva comments of the 1st 3 songs on upcoming album "Festival"
Sunday, January 31 2010
Tour dates (more to come)
Tuesday, January 26 2010
April 24: Bourbon Street Nightclub- New Port Richey, Florida
www.clubbourbonstreet.com for tickets and info
April 30: May 1: Triton Power Cruise
www.tritonpowercruise.com for tickets/info
May 15-16: Wacken Rock Brazil (Sao Paulo)
June 26-27: Graspop Metal Meeting Festival - Belgium
July 6-7: Bang Your Head Festival- Germany
October 15: JOP LIVE DVD CONCERT- 013 Tilburg, Holland
Tickets now on sale!
October 16: Biebob-Vosselar
Tickets now on sale!
Date change for Bourbon Street show
Friday, January 8 2010
JOP's U.S. CD release concert has been moved to Saturday, April 24th at Bourbon Street Nightclub in New Port Richey, Florida
Cancellation of Spring 2010 Tour
Tuesday, January 5 2010
Due to logistical and technical problems that could not be resolved in time, the spring 2010 Jon Oliva's Pain "FESTIVAL" Live DVD tour will be postponed until October, 2010. The DVD concert was scheduled to be filmed at the 013 in Tilburg, Holland on March 19th. And although the date will change to October, the DVD concert will be held at the 013!
JOP's summer Euro Festival Tour continues to move forward with Bang Your Head and Graspop festivals already confirmed.
From JOP Drummer Christopher Kinder:
"Having just finished the recording of our new CD "FESTIVAL", we simply do not have enough time to finalize the seemingly endless amount of details needed to make the DVD concert happen in such a short time. Trying to plan for such a big production here in the U.S. for a show in Europe makes it even harder. AFM, The 013,and Roax Films had everything ready to go, but with stage, video production, lighting and pyro design's still unresolved...we have no choice but to move this show and the tour until October when we can be sure that everything is just right.
Our sincere apologies to the fans the promoters and everyone involved. You and your hard earned money deserve the best JOP can possibly offer and it's better to wait a few more months to insure that this show is just that. A live-DVD is very expensive to produce, and we only get 1 shot at it!"
JOP's U.S. CD release concert has been moved to Saturday, April 24th at Bourbon Street Nightclub- New Port Richey, Florida prior to their appearance on the TRITON POWER CRUISE (April 20-May 3). JOP is finalizing May tour dates for Brazil/South America.
JOP will release their new CD "FESTIVAL" worldwide on February 19th via AFM Records.