PRESS ROOM

 LEVEL 1 = PEACE OF MIND is American Zen's first album on Shaolin Records.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tujunga, California - February 8, 2005: American Zen, America's first Buddhist rock band, is releasing their first album in 2005, Level 1 = Peace Of Mind. The album consists of 11 songs and 11 recited poems by The Coyote.

It used to be a 12-string Alvarez acoustic guitar. "I recorded some really cool stuff with this guitar as a 12-string," sighs Coyote. "I used to play the high notes like a mandolin. That's what it sounded like on "Wishwood Bridge.""

With all 12 strings it is a beautiful harpsichord that sounds even better than David Bowie's 12-string on the SPACE ODDITY album. But with the extra strings off, it sounds deep and full like the acoustic guitar of Greg Lake of ELP, Emerson Lake & Palmer's, "Lucky Man," song.

Nowadays, Coyote travels with 6 strings removed so that it's easier to keep in tune. Plus, he breaks a lot of strings. "I really like the large dreadnought body of this 12-string guitar. It's got a big sound. Plus, it's got a wider neck to accommodate the extra six strings. Now, with the extra room I can bend notes and," Coyote adds with his characteristic sly smile, "I've got big hands--so it's really comfortable for me."

"How'd I find my guitar? Well, I used to live in this little one-bedroom apartment in La Mesa, California. There were a couple really good chess players in neighboring apartments. We had some good games. Anyway, there was this one guy who came over to play--the really good player. One time I noticed that he had a beautiful acoustic sliding around in the back of his station wagon. Actually, I think I heard it hit the side of his car when he parked one day."

"It was like rescuing a damsel in distress. I reached into his car and pulled the guitar out. I held it in my hands and something felt incredibly right. I told him, "you don't appreciate this guitar. I'm going to buy it from you.""

"I can still remember how radical my behavior was. Polite but very spontaneous. I've never done anything quite like that since. It was the right thing to do. I'm still performing and recording with that same guitar. We're best friends."

"I remember this guy looking at me with a puzzled face. I asked him how much he bought it for. He told me. I said, 'I'll pay you next time I see you.'

"Oddly, he seemed to be comfortable with this. He didn't argue in the slightest. I paid him. Sometimes you just know what's right."

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Copyright 2005 Shaolin Communications.
All rights reserved.

The PR_AmZen is the official PRESS RELEASE of American Zen, "America's First Buddhist Rock Band."
This is intended for magazine, news, radio, and distributors.

The AmZen_eNEWS is published monthly and sent to fans, friends,
and anyone wanting more information on the FOLK ROCK band, American Zen:
     Featuring:
        The Coyote - Flute, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Songwriting
        Steve Hixon - Drums
        Rory G - Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Ukulele, Synthesizer
        Tom Calder - Bass, Vox Organ

American Zen is an exclusive artist of Shaolin Records.

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