All-Deaf Beethoven's Nightmare Crosses Over to Hearing Music World with Hollywood

From: HLO/WRAD - Jun 12, 2005

Note:

I had the opportunity to attend the all-deaf rock and roll band Beethoven's Nightmare event at the Ocean Way Studios in Hollywood, California yesterday on June 11th as it was a music history with the California release of their first album, "Turn It Up Louder" which contains all original music composed by the three deaf performing artists, Ed Chevy, Bob Hiltermann, and Steve Longo. It was wonderful seeing three fine artists still working together in music. I remembered vividly that 30 years ago, I invited them to give a live rock music in my dorm during my Senior Farewell party at Gallaudet University. The band rocked the crowded house on the top floor of a brand new, unnamed dormitory which was known as Dorm Number 8. The party was a smashing success with hundreds of students and even today, the same three deaf rock and roll musicians have continued to work hard and we are proud that they just released their first CD album !!!! Congratulations to Ed, Bob, and Steve and their supporters!

Bruce Gross
WRAD, Inc. President/ CEO
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Contact Alice Parente
Executive Director, VSA Arts of California
2740 Fulton Avenue Suite 101
Sacramento, California 95821
916-277-6747
vsas77@earthlink.net
www.beethovensnightmare.com

All-Deaf Beethoven's Nightmare Crosses Over to Hearing Music World With Hollywood Launch First Rock and Roll Album June 11, 2005

After more than 30 years of performing before deaf and hard of hearing audiences across the USA, the first all-deaf rock and roll band Beethoven's Nightmare makes music history with the California release of their first album, "Turn It Up Louder" which contains all original music composed by the three deaf performing artists.

Joining the band is the legendary engineer and Ocean Way Studios owner, Allen Sides and guitarist Mitch Holder. Sides engineered Turn It Up Louder and Holder performed on lead guitar during the November 15, 2004 session. I Want to be an American in a Rock and Roll Band and Turn It Up Louder are the lead tracks on the 10-song CD.

As young artists in their teens, Longo ( guitarist) Hiltermann ( drummer) and Chevy (bass player) launched their phenomenal music journey when the three met while attending college at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Their passion for the rock and roll of the 70s kept them playing and inventing ways to enjoy their natural passion for music while defying social sound barriers.

"Turn It Up Louder" is a global deaf awareness and teaching vehicle, said Dr. Betty Lou Williams. The trio has demonstrated with their music that deafness has degrees, and seemingly impossible dreams can be reached, if as an society offers the inclusive supports needed for those achievements.

"It took us a long time to get to this point of working with hearing musicians", deaf-bass player Ed Chevy said. We are ready to take our unique sound and deliver it with deaf pride. People all over the world will relate to our feelings and our songs" Chevy is an ASL instructor at VSA arts of Hawaii - Pacific and University of Hawaii Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu.

"Rock and roll is a symbol of America and our right to be free and happy. We want to show America and the world that being deaf does not exclude you from the American Dream" Bay Area resident deaf-guitarist Steve Longo said.

" We have kept the faith that our dream was achievable; we never gave up " Los Angeles resident drummer Bob Hiltermann said. " We want to dispel the mystery and myths about deafness. We have been playing rock and roll because Beethoven refused to give up when he could no longer hear. We think Ludwig Van Beethoven would have found our music intriguing".

For more information about Beethoven's Nightmare, go to
www.beethovensnightmare.com