NEWS
Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons, the sons of KISS’ Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, have recorded 10 songs together.
The pair recently shared photos with fans on Instagram showing themselves beside recording equipment as they performed as yet unheard material. Taking to his account last Saturday (February 22), Evan Stanley – the son of KISS singer and guitarist Paul Stanley – wrote: “One song turned into 10 real quick.”
Another post featured Evan and Nick performing an original track with guitarist Jacob Bunton, which Paul Stanley called “magic!!!” while Nick’s sister Sophie joked “we want the album” in the comments. Bunton has also been writing with the duo, although it remains unclear if an actual album will materialise.
It’s not the first time the pair have joined forces. Last December they shared a cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘The Sound of Silence’, prompting the elder Simmons to say their acoustic rendition was “amazing”.
Meanwhile, Simmons recently responded to those who criticised his involvement in the recent Ronald Reagan biopic. The bassist and singer recorded a cover of Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler’s 1933 standard ‘Stormy Weather’ for Reagan, which was directed by Sean McNamara and released in the US last August.
The film, which stars Dennis Quaid as the former President, as well as Penelope Ann Miller, Jon Voight, Mena Suvari and Creed frontman Scott Stapp as Frank Sinatra, received mostly negative reviews, and in an interview last year, Simmons hit back at anyone that took issue with his involvement.
During an appearance on Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News, he was asked if he had received any pushback from his role in the movie. “How do I say this as nicely as I can? I don’t give a squat.”
In other KISS news, the band paid tribute to their late collaborator Karl Cochran last week, taking to Instagram to write: “Our dear friend Karl Cochran was killed in a car accident on Feb. 19th.
“Karl was a vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire who suffered a massive stroke but never stopped fighting to make his way back. He was loved by our fans worldwide through his appearances worldwide and was a constant inspiration as our guest on our KISS Kruises. Our deep condolences to Geri and family.”
Taylor Swift believes Nashville has a music scene that stands apart from anywhere else.
The 36 year old singer moved to Nashville, Tennessee, when she was young to chase her dream of becoming a country music star. After being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on Monday (26.10.26), Taylor took the opportunity to recognise the city and the talented writers who have helped shape its music scene.
In her acceptance speech, Taylor said: "I believe you really get to master a craft by doing it again and again. That's exactly what the incredible songwriters in this wonderful town do every day."
Taylor also spoke about what makes Nashville such a special place for musicians.
The award winning singer, who ranks among the best selling music artists of all time, said: "You won't find another music community quite like this one. Trust me, I've checked them all."
Taylor also shared how being part of Nashville's songwriting scene had taught her valuable lessons about life and working with others.
She joked: "I've learned to be flexible when your co writer turns up with a hangover, or when they need to spend ages talking about their divorce before we can even get started on a song."
Taylor previously spoke about how Faith Hill and Shania Twain inspired her decision to move to Nashville.
Speaking to Time magazine, the singer said: "I couldn't get enough of watching TV biographies about Faith Hill and Shania Twain, and I realised they had both moved to Nashville to get their careers started. After that, I kept asking, pleading and begging my parents to take me there.
"When I was 11, my mum took my brother and me to Nashville during spring break, and we spent the trip driving around Music Row. She stayed in the car while I rushed into record companies one after another, giving my demo CD to the receptionists. I found it fascinating that so many major record labels were gathered along a single street, often inside little buildings and old houses.
"What really stayed with me was how welcoming people were to newcomers and complete strangers like us. We started visiting Nashville more often, and when I was 13, I received an offer for a development deal from a major record label. That was when my parents finally agreed to leave Pennsylvania and move with me."
