Biography
A True Child of the 60's , Sage grew up opening for such artists as Janis Joplin { with Big Brother and the Holding Co}. , Moby Grape, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and the original Buffalo Springfield , as a drummer in a local San Francisco rock band in 1966 at the famed Avalon Ballroom.
40 years later he's still gigging non stop- as a guitarist / Singer/ Songwriter with something to say, opening for such acts as Jason Mraz, Janiva Magness,Tristan Prettyman, Shooter Jennings/ Stargunn , Gypsy Soul, Mark Spoelstra ,Reckless Kelly,Quiet Riot, Mark Erelli and Kris Delmhorst , and Paula Nelson,to name a few, and having the dubious honor to be beaten by recent American Idol winner Jordin Sparks several years ago in the Alice Coopers' Christmas Puddding Finals, which he has made finalist 4 out of 5 years up to 2008, choosing not to compete in 2007.
Recently nominated " Best Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year" in the 2008 Phoenix Music awards,he also WON the producers choice award for the same event and his song " Thanksgiving Day" was placed on the awards sponsored compilation CD " Best of 2008" alongside 17 other artists from Phoenix and L.A. beating out 10,000 submissions.
He currrently has two songs { 2009} under consideration for two separate major motion pictures.
Recently Narada Michael Walden { producer- Aretha Franklin , Mariah Carey , Whitney Houston , Stevie Wonder...} offered to re-cut one of Sage's song's and that is pending right now.
He also was a winner in the sonicbids sponsored song contest " We call this Music Fab" in 2007 and Placed two out of three submissions.
His journey can be found described at length on his personal website at www.sagegentle-wing.com .
Currently he lives with friends in Mesa Az and teaches guitar at VOICES music Studios in Scottsdale and gigs solo at night throughout the valley at venues such as the famed Yucca Tap Room in Tempe, Hazelwood's 1st place, and other local hotspots in The Phoenix valley area.
He can be found sitting in on electric guitar with local heroes Easton Ashe at their regular gig at the world famous Harold's in Cave Creek, and recently backed up Luther Jackson { Michaels' uncle } { Playing guitar with} the Arizona Alligators on New Years Eve 2009 . Luther who used to have a band with his brother Joe { Michaels father}that in turned backed up Muddy Waters and many other iconic blues stars in Chicago in the 50's.
Sage has written hundreds of songs and none of them are filler.
His new CD " Roadside Revelations" was released in 2007 on www.CDBABY.com www.itunes.com and www.indiependencemusic.net and boasts a "Full band " arrangement of his songs.It has been fully recorded by local icon Terry Garvin, and has been mastered and packaged through OASIS.
Sales on this CD have been brisk and reviews glowing.
The sound of Sage's acoustic and electric guitars ring true to his live solo performances as do the vocals.
This album will take you back to a time when songwriting was about CRAFT and not just "sounds in a machine". It will also remind you of the early Beatles if you are old enough to remember the 60's as they really were.
Sage's LIVE acoustic shows however expand to include many , many styles and sounds that have been described as "brilliant" , "transcendant"and "inventive".
Recently , Sage was invited to contribute an original track to an upcoming compilation CD : Lovin Haight Guitars" produced by Billy Cioffi and Olivier Zahm of Electric Lotus Studios in Phoenix Az.
Sage sometimes performs with his band " Sage Gentle-Wing and Runaway Train," playing many of the cuts on the new CD and much more drawing from forty years of playing in a vast array of musical circumstances.
last year, a 'LIVE" version of his song ' Song For Beatrice" was included on a new locally produced CD compilation " Live at Rula Bula Open Mic" - the premiere showcase for valley talent in Tempe Az.
Also two live cuts " Simplicity" and When We Choose Love" made it onto a benefit concert CD for local performance venue " Fiddlers" Dream coffeehouse.
Sage has recently been added as a member of " THE TRAVELLING WILDBERRY'S - a Travelling Wilbury's tribute band with a twist- it's fronted by Ukelele Ray- a fender endorsed recording artist who once sold several ukelele's to George Harrison.
they are currently working on a new album of Harrison/ Wilbury's covers featuring the ukelele to be released under the fender label called " If not for Uke".
Sage has recently been invited to play the ear candy Stage at this years McDowell Mt Music Festival featuring Hot Tuna , Michael Franti and Spearhead and New Riders of the Purple Sage to name a few.
Sage will be recording a new solo CD this year and it promises to be his best yet.
Instrumentation
Sage Gentle-Wing - Singer/Songwriter / acoustic / electric guiitars, Lead / Bkg vocals
Sometimes performs as a trio/or quartet with "Sage Gentle-Wing and Runaway Train"{ JIm Bannister on Drums , Ryan Prier on Bass ,Don Young on pedal Steel Guitar.
Discography
" March of the Drum Spirits" 1989 CD -Out of print
" Portrait of the Artist as a Complete Unknown" 1996 { cassette-out of print}
" 12 Degrees of the Heart- CD released 2000 { out of print]
" Roadside Revelations - CD released APRIL 15th 2007
Best of Phoenix 2008- a compilation fo 18 artists from L.A and Phoenix Az put out by the Phoenix Music Awards - promo only - not for sale
many alternate version cuts from the Cd + rarities and b sides can be streamed at: www.sagegentle-wing.com }
or buy the Cd sold at www.cdbaby.com
or digitally downloaded on itunes , Digstation.com and many other sites
Out now: 'Lovin Haight Guitars" 1 track " Dragonfly"on a compilation for Haight Guitar shop demoing their fantastic upscale acoustics.
Best of 2008 _ not for sale includes Sage's track ' Thanksgiving Day"
Best of Phoenix 2009 Cd Compilation- features " "Layin' Your Heart on the Line"
Links
| http://www.sagegentle-wing.com |