Joe Bonamassa has reported on Facebook that he is currently writing for the next album. New studio album is due for release in May. Recording sessions start next week in Las Vegas with Kevin Shirley. 2012 marks Joe’s seventh year working with the legendary Kevin Shirley. More details to come! Next month Joe’s live at the Beacon DVD will be released. Make sure you pre-order and get it before the street date!

Due out for release on March 27th is a new album from Tommy Bolin and friends. Joe plays with Black Country Communion bandmate Glenn Hughes on a track titled Lotus. Other artists featured on the CD include Peter Frampton, Warren Haynes, Myles Kennedy, Derek Trucks, Brad Whitford, Steve Lukather, and Sonny Landreth. With an allstar lineup like that, this is an album that can’t be missed.

1.  The Grind w/ Peter Frampton
2.  Teaser w/ Warren Haynes
3.  Dreamer w/ Myles Kennedy and Nels Cline
4.  Savannah Woman w/ John Scofield
5.  Smooth Fandango w/ Derek Trucks
6. People People w/ Big Sugar and Gordie Johnson
7. Wild Dogs w/ Brad Whitford
8. Homeward Strut w/ Steve Lukather
9. Sugar Shack w/ Glenn Hughes and Sonny Landreth
10. Crazed Fandango w/ Steve Morse
11. Lotus w/ Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes and Nels Cline

Rock Guitar Daily had this to say about the new CD..

“I’ve just heard Lotus, a cut off of Great Gypsy Soul by Tommy Bolin and Friends, that features Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, and Nels Cline – 2012 is on it’s way to being amazing. The whole album is gonna blow some minds. Not out until March 27, but it’s good to have something to look forward to – Wow!!!”

So folks, there you have it, just another piece to add to Joe’s agenda for 2012. We’re not even out of January yet and it’s turning out to be a great year!

On Joe’s Planet Rock radio show , he said that he will be sitting in Dave Mason on a new release soon. Joe was invited to join in on the session. No other details are available as of now. I know many of you are fans of Dave Mason. Who wouldn’t be? Dave has played with plenty of legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Fleetwood Mac, and Eric Clapton. He’s also known for his work with traffic and his successful solo career. We will update you as the news comes in!

Time to run out to your local Barnes and Noble (for those in the United States) and grab your copy of Classic Rock magazine. This publication is huge in Europe. When you want all the big music news, you read Classic Rock magazine! Joe is on the cover, also included in the magazine is a “greatest hits” CD. The disc includes twelve tracks from Joe’s various studio records. A lot of news is unveiled, Joe outlines his plans for 2012! The magazine runs about $15, well worth the price. It will look great with a signature!

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of Joe’s first live DVD shoot, A New Day Yesterday Live. The DVD was shot on December 21, 2001 at Piere’s in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A lot has changed since then, this was Joe’s only show where he played with women dancing on stage. He’s  moved on from the bar scene, he no longer drives around in an astro van and trailer. Even though Joe did not have a big production team like he does now back then, Joe’s sound was still dead on. Some of you who have been Joe fans for years will agree. It was not rare to see Joe standing behind the soundboard mixing the sound to just the way he likes it. Hope everyone has a great holiday season and I know I’m looking forward to the next ten years of Joe’s career!

Guitar World Magazine has recently released their listing of the top 15 blues and roots rock albums of the year. Joe Bonamassa is a former winner at Guitar World for various awards. He came in first place this year with his album Dust Bowl. Other finalists in the top 15  included Warren Haynes, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Johnny Winter, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Congrats are in order for Joe because  put out three killer albums in 2011 (Dust Bowl, BCC2, & Don’t Explain).  Looking forward to 2012! Read more at Guitar World.’

One of Joe’s only Christmas Songs, Merry Christmas Baby. The song is now available for the holiday season as a free download from Joe’s website. All you have to do is click here and sign up for Joe’s email list. You’ll be emailed a link where you can download the MP3. Enjoy!

USA Today picked Don’t Explain as the Pick of the Week. This is just some of the great press we are seeing about this great album.. hope you’re enjoying it!

I’ll Take Care of You, Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa
What a thrilling reworking of the Brook Benton soul classic, made famous — and definitive — by Bobby “Blue” Bland in 1959. This version, a highlight of the new album of soul covers Don’t Explain, finds Los Angeles songstress Hart slowly stating her case for devotion over a somber piano figure and strings. Just as her vocal builds to a scatting emotional peak, blues-guitar ace Bonamassa drives things home with a searing solo. Purists might quibble with the borderline excess, but this song can take it.

You can also check out the full article on their website.

Almost two years after the release of Royal Albert Hall in iTunes, it is still hanging in the top 10. Joe’s RAH album comes with 19 tracks, most are exclusive to the album. The album in it’s entirety must be purchased to get all of the tracks. We are just shy of seeing 200 five star reviews for this album.

Joe’s other album in the top 10 is Dust Bowl. The album in iTunes has over 200 reviews, with 4.5 being the average rating. Dust Bowl has been in the top 10 since its release in March 2011.

These two albums are pretty impressive. Not to mention, the feedback behind each album on iTunes is great. I don’t think everyone will buy music from iTunes. I know for a fact that there are a lot of people like myself who like to have a physical copy of the album to give to others or even to get signed.

None the less, these numbers are a good indication. iTunes is the best selling digital music store on the internet. To have Joe be on iTunes is great and to have him be in the top 10 of blues is even better. It will only continue to grow and get better from this point forward. Rock on..