Based on the Hit Single of the Same Title from His New Album, Signs & Wonders.
Produced and directed by Dante Ludovici, No. 6 Magnolia Avenue is a literal film interpretation of the song’s optimistic, uplifting lyric. It is the story of an unknown, down-and-out musician who attains acclaim and stardom after encountering the beautiful “Girl in China Blue” at a bar gig.
Ludovici’s production ably captures all the emotion, pathos, and humor inherent in the recording. Many of the artist’s New Castle, Pennsylvania friends and family form the colorful cast of characters.
Sun King Rising is the musical moniker and alter-ego of John Blangero, who lives in Port Isabel, Texas. By night, Blangero is Sun King Rising. By day, he is a world-renowned genetic research scientist and professor at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley.
Meghan Greenwood, a popular Pittsburgh choreographer/dancer, plays his love interest in the film. Ludovici also featured her in his first Sun King Rising film production, “Free Will in China Blue.” She has retained her “girl in China Blue” identity in the second production.
In addition to the mostly local Newcastle cast, Ludovici also utilizes multiple Newcastle and nearby Poland, Ohio locations to significant effect.
Blangero wrote the song, and producer Ace Acker completed it with a who’s who lineup of Pittsburgh players and singers at David Granati’s Maplewood Studio in Ambridge, PA. Granati engineered Sun King Rising’s first album, Delta Tales. as well.
Fans can enjoy the video here on the special Sun King Rising will webpage
https://www.sunkingrising.com/6premiere
Sun King Rising will give away a free Signs & Wonders CD to the first 50 viewers who subscribe to the Sun King Rising blog “The Lowdown“
Signs & Wonders Sessions
John Blangero – Piano, Keys, Lead Vocals, Orchestral Arrangements
George Perilli – Drums on all tracks except 4 and 10
Roger Humphreys – Drums 4
George Elliott – Bass Guitar on all tracks
Willie Ross – Guitar 1 2,3 4.5,8
Steve Schuffert – Guitar 6,7 8 9
Ace Acker – Acoustic Guitar 3
Fred Delu – Electric Piano 4
Background Vocal Arrangements by
Stevee Wellons and Ace Acker
Background Singers:
Stevee Wellons – All tracks but 10
Joy Brown – 1,3,4,5,7,8,
Bernice Wilkerson – 1,3,4,5,7,8
Pete Hewlett – 6,9
Ace – 2,6,9
Raloh Guzzi – Horn Arrangements
Ralph Guzzi, Eric Defade, Kevin McManus – Horn Section
Kennv Blake – Saxophone 4
Studio Credits
Engineered by David Granati
Recorded at Maplewood Studio, Ambridge, PA
Mixed and Mastered by Brian Foraker
Produced by Ace Acker
Sun King Rising Online
Website: https://www.sunkingrising.com
Bandcamp: https://sunkingrising.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunKingRising
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunkingrising
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIjlf9aROZ-0EHHqvk9hzng
PSR Profile: https://peacocksunriserecords.com/project/sun-king-rising/
PeacockSunrise Records Online
Website: https://peacocksunriserecords.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeacockSunriseRecords
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacocksunriserecords/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SunKingRising1
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIjlf9aROZ-0EHHqvk9hzng