PRESS ROOM

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tujunga, California – June 20, 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.

Coyote began playing flute after having a dream about living in a renaissance world where sorcery and sex destroyed a kingdom. "I saw this entire story vividly and more dreams kept recurring. I eventually wrote the story down and a lot of songs to go with it. I saw myself in this dream as a wandering minstrel who played flute and a little Spanish guitar. Those were some great dreams." These dreams inspired Coyote to go buy a flute and a how-to-play-flute book. Three weeks later he was performing flute onstage and everyone in the audience thought he'd been playing for years.

"No sissy flute playing here," Coyote announced at the conclusion of his COYOTE RADIO #5 show on January 17, 2004. "I never heard a flute do that before," proclaimed one of the cameramen. Coyote gives credit to Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull for influencing him more than anyone else. Coyote also does a really good solo version of "Bouree" that he's performed onstage a few times.

Coyote began music at the age of five when his mother began teaching him piano. In less than two years his mother said she needed to find a piano teacher because he was playing as good as her. Unfortunately, his piano teacher was teaching him old standards and classics that Coyote found boring.

During a trip to a music store, Coyote discovered a book of "Boogie Woogie" songs. This ignited Coyote's passion for music and taught him to enjoy practicing. At age 13, Coyote's friends persuaded him to take up electric guitar, "because it's cooler."

By the end of the year, Coyote played his first paying gig and became a professional musician. Afterschool concerts featured Coyote on electric guitar and lead vocals. "My favorite song was "House Of The Rising Sun" because nobody else in the band could hit the low notes."

Over the next 10 years, Coyote would perform in over 30 bands and hitchhike across North America with only a harmonica, cowboy hat, and a Bowie knife.

“Some of my bandmates have joined bands like The Eagles and Chicago (Chicago Transit Authority). I probably could be in a big name band myself, but that's not my path. I've got my own stories to tell. Nothing's better than sharing your creativity and getting some applause for it."

Keep creating Coyote. We'll keep clapping.

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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

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