George Clinton Joins The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown

Get ready for the Big Ol' Nasty Getdown -- the biggest, baddest, bombastic dose of pure funk you'll ever hear. The 60-plus musicians and singers that make up Big Ol' Nasty Getdown are led by ring leaders John Heintz and JP Miller and features an all-star line-up of greats including George Clinton, Michael "Clip" Payne, The Gift of Gab, and P-Funk sirens Belita Woods and Kendra Foster as well as Reverend Desmond D'Angelo, and Laura Reed. The project is guided by the spirit of Garry "Starchild" Shider who, until his untimely passing earlier this year, was a major catalyst in the birth of the band. The band's debut CD, Big Ol 'Nasty Getdown Volume 1, is scheduled for release on the Getdown Entertainment imprint in May 3.

"Working on this record was a dream come true," said Belita Woods, who contributed several songs to the project. "The bond and trust between all the musicians gave us the freedom to be creative and have a lot of fun. I think that shows on the album."

From the opening track, the aptly titled "The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown," listeners know they are in for a wild ride. The 11song collection on Volume 1 will blow your mind. Funk music has been described as a "stew of jazz, blues, rock 'n' roll, soul, gospel and reggae" -- and the stellar line-up of players on this record capture that and more with a spirit and signature sound all their own. "Room 2012," "I'll Wait For You," and College Funk," are just a few of the stand out tracks featured.

The album was recorded in New Orleans in 2007 when 30 of funk music's most influential players gathered in a house on Royal Street to write and record together, some for the very first time. The group included members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Robert Mercurio (Galactic), steel guitarist Roosevelt Collier (Lee Boys), Danny Bedrosian (P-Funk), Grammy Winner Kofi Burbridge (Derek Truck Band), Ian Neville (The Meters/Dumpstaphunk), Tyler Simmons, Sidney Barnes, and drummer Alvin Ford Jr. Additional recording was completed at George Clinton's studio in Tallahassee, Florida as well as Matt Grondin's home studio in Jacksonville, Florida..

The live band takes the music to a whole new level with dozens of musicians taking the stage in a collaboration of soulful vocals, thumping bass, groovin' rhythms, and nitty-gritty guitar. In short, it's a huge party...a Big Ol' Nasty Getdown! In addition to the above named players, the following musicians are part of the live experience: Patryce "Chocolate" Banks (Graham Central Station/Rose Royce); Gemi Taylor (Graham Central Station/Mandrill); Michael Ray (Kool & The Gang); Novena "Baby Stone" Carmel (Sly Stone's daughter); Greg Thomas (P-Funk), among others.

"Funk is the most commercially overlooked genre despite the fact it entirely transformed music as we know it," says co-founder and band leader John Heintz. "My aim is to give a new generation a taste of what True School funk is all about."