NEW YORK (RoadRunner Records) - New endorsement deals, scoring for ESPN, and an up-coming headlining tour prepare Zakk for world domination!
Legendary Grammy winning guitarist Zakk Wylde and his band Black Label Society (BLS) are preparing to release their new studio album Shot To Hell on September 12th. Produced by Zakk and executive produced by Michael Beinhorn (Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers) this latest offering is his 8th album since becoming Ozzy Osbourne's lead guitarist and co-songwriter 20 years ago. Shot to Hell is the first BLS release for Roadrunner and follows the band's success of selling nearly 2 million albums in the U.S. to date. Currently headlining the second stage at Ozzfest, BLS will announce a US headlining tour shortly.
The buzz is already starting to build dramatically as the September 12th release date approaches. In June, Zakk appeared on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine and he's on the cover of the September 2006 issues of Guitar World and Metal Edge Magazines. Radio is hotly anticipating the July 24th add date of the first single off Shot to Hell, which is "Concrete Jungle."
Shot To Hell is the follow up to Mafia, which debuted in March 2005 at No 15 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and at No 1 on the Top Independent Albums chart and No 15 on the Top Internet Releases. Zakk is Guitar World Magazine's 3 time reigning MVP who in their year end readers poll was named No 1 most valuable player, No 1 best metal guitarist and No 1 best shredder. In addition he was the recipient of Metal Hammer Magazine's 2005 'Riff Lord' Golden God Award.
Capitalizing on the buzz and Zakk's diverse fan-base, (including Hard Rockers, Bikers, a CNN anchor, professional Athletes, ESPN Analysts, Teachers, Stock Brokers, Housewives and Kids) companies are calling upon him to help give a face to their products. Recently, this father of three who married his high school sweetheart has garnered new endorsement deals from Gibson and Epiphone Guitars, Marshall Amps, Dunlop strings and pedals and more. Many of these companies have created special Zakk Wylde models such as the Marshall Amp Zakk Stack. Additionally, Zakk and the gift emporium Spencer's partnered up to offer one lucky fan tickets to an Ozzfest show and a personal guitar lesson with the legend himself.
Never one to rest on his reputation or past accomplishments, Zakk is keeping himself very busy touring the world with BLS. He is, once again doing double duty on Ozzfest, a tour for which he has played more shows than anyone, including the tours namesake Ozzy Osbourne. Last year, Zakk's original compositions for ESPN helped promote the popular X-Games and this year his piano based songs will promote other sporting events either for or on ESPN. Zakk is a sports fanatic whose son can even claim notable MLB All-Star, Mike Piazza as his Godfather.
In 1986, at the age of 19, Zakk was plucked from a gas station in NJ to be the new guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. He quickly asserted not only his guitar skills but also his songwriting prowess, having co-written some of Ozzy's best-selling albums including, No Rest For The Wicked, No More Tears and Ozzmosis. Additionally, he has released one album with the short-lived project Pride & Glory, one solo album and five albums with Black Label Society. BLS has released the DVD Boozed, Broozed & Broken-Boned - Live with the Detroit Chapter, which is certified Platinum. Zakk is also a budding actor who appeared in the 2001 movie Rock Star with Mark Wahlberg as well as voicing the Zakk Wylde character in the Cartoon Networks hit series Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
For more information visit www.ZakkWylde.com.
