JEFF SCOTT SOTO Hits The Road

Former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and current TALISMAN guitarist Jeff Scott Soto has posted the following message to his official web site, www.jeffscottsoto.com:

"Hey all, Jeff here...I wish 2 send u all a message of thanks 4 all the support & positive feedback from the 'Prism' [solo] album. It has been the most enthusiasm I've EVER received in my entire career from critics 2 fans alike.

"I promised u all in recent interviews I would be taking my 'Best Of' show on the road this year & believe me, I gave it my every effort to be out before summer, but the rules of touring have changed so much through the years, I'm forced 2 now wait until the fall of '03. I even went as far as taking YOUR suggestions of what U want 2 hear at my show, which I will still honor once we finally embark on it.

"Unfortunately, our live music has been suffering so much recently, it's difficult 2 get promoters & venues willing 2 chance the outcome of recoupment, much less profit...unless of course you're BON JOVI or METALLICA!

"I've been out of the 'live' loop 4 so long, which doesn't help much in being a proven entity, that once I finally do get things booked, I'm hoping I can count on the lot of u 2 show & support there is a demand 4 some 'old school'
left...hell, I aint that old!

"I promise 2 see u all soon, 1 way or another!"

According to Soto's web site, "Jeff will be joining forces again with the SAS BAND for some upcoming dates in Southampton, the Brook, on Fri, Apr. 25 & Sat, Apr 26. The SAS BAND are also shooting a TV pilot (a music oriented variety show with Spike Edney as the host & MC) which will feature some 'named' artists as well as up & coming names, which in Jeff's case, he is still considered to the masses. More on the show's progress & artists involved as we get closer to the date.

"While in the UK, Jeff & the band (Howie Simon, Gary Schutt & Alex Papa) will be doing a few JSS shows in the Midlands area (Liverpool, Birmingham & Crewe) with a great QUEEN tribute band, QUEEN ROCKS, as support act, the week May 3-8. We'll post dates as soon as confirmed. The set will consist of everything from Jeff's past to current 'Prism' release.

"The dates end with a performance of Jeff & the band at the UK annual QUEEN Convention on May 10. This set will consist of ONLY QUEEN songs."

On the TALISMAN front, the band "will make its triumphant return with former guitarist, Fredrik Åkesson, for a few record release shows in May. They have also incorporated Jeff's solo band guitarist, Howie Simon, into the live line-up as the band plan to expand on the type of set they would like to do.

"The 1st date is at the annual Metal festival in Bengstfors, Sweden on May 17. From there, the band will do a local date in Stockholm, followed by their appearance at the annual Gods festival, Bradford, England, on Sun, May 25. They go directly to Rome for a proposed showcase/release party sponsored by the band's label, Frontiers Records.

"There are also dates in Milan, Turin & Alessandria Italy booked the weekend of the 30th. From there is an attentive return to the Sweden Rock Festival on June 8.

"The new TALISMAN release, 'Cats & Dogs', will be released on Frontiers Records May 1. JSS's 'Live At The Gods' is also set for release on May 1, with the DVD coming out June 14th."

In other session news, "Jeff has recently done more session appearances. Aside of singing a duet with Ken Tamplin on his new release, 'Wake The Nations', as well as with a Swedish hard rock act, LAUDUMUS, which was produced by Tamplin. Jeff has also just provided backing vocals to former ANTHRAX/KUNI vocalist, Neil Turbin's new solo album, 'Threatcon Delta', as well as on the soundtrack for the sequel of 'George Of The Jungle', in which Jeff sang backgrounds on the original."