Kevin Lucas

Just received this press release from local musician Kevin Lucas:

"Africa" by Kevin Lucas just won a 'Silver Medal' in the 2018 Global Music Awards in the "Instrumentalist" category.  The GMA's receive thousands of submissions worldwide every year.  This is Kevin's 43rd music industry award or nomination from 9 different organizations since 2014.  Along with the new award, this is Kevin's first with a new name and concept reinventing himself as an artist called "The Kevin Lucas Experience".   The song is a remake of the 1980s mega hit by Toto, arranged by Kevin Lucas and Jeff Moore, Professor of Percussion and Dean of Fine Arts at University of Central Florida in Orlando.  The remake features international celebrity flute player Wouter Kellerman. Wouter is a Grammy Award Winner and Number 1 Billboard Artist.  The song and music video were produced on 3 continents: Africa, India, and North America.  The video was filmed at Misunderstudio in Murphysboro, IL by Dan Johnson and in South Africa.  Africa was mixed by Grammy Award Winning producer Ricky Kej in India, and also by Mike Lesceslius at Misunderstudio.  The song also features Dave Gross from Seattle (Hammond B3, synthesizer, and percussion), Jerome Lawrence from Maryland (bass), and Alek Razdan from Massachusetts (saxophone).  The Carbondale Science Center let Kevin use their PVC pipe marimba made by SIU School of Engineering students for the video and song.

"I am extremely proud of everybody involved in this project, especially all of the local artists.  It really says a lot for what we have here in Southern Illinois! Wouter Kellerman was also just added to the video and its so amazing having footage of him in South Africa edited with local Misunderstudio footage.  This was a very complex and exciting project that was integrated internationally", said Lucas.  Kevin also said "The name change was recommended by my great friend, music artist, and attorney Valerie Giglio from Boston.  She thought the new name really fits what I currently do both live and in the studio.  And I also feel that 'Africa' is also a reinvention of myself as an artist.  It is so different than anything I have ever done.  It has really surprised people!"  Kevin will also be doing another local homeless benefit concert for the Carbondale Good Samaritan House in late April, so stay tuned for upcoming information!