WILD SIDE by Laurie Lonsdale
Genre: Mainstream
EBook formats ISBN: 978-1-60313-216-9
Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-60313-215-2

When naïve and sheltered Kelly Carrington agrees to sing back-up for a wild and worldly rock band called Chequered Past, anything can happen…and does! With a dangerous attraction to the lead singer, she finds herself doing things she never dreamed she’d do, and all too soon she’s spiraling downward into the abyss of rock ’n’ roll, losing herself in her new addictions and the outrageous lifestyle.

With a self-destructive lead guitarist and a psychotic fan that’s hell-bent on wreaking havoc for the band at every turn, Chequered Past is on the road to ruin. When tragedy strikes, Kelly and her hard-rocking bad boys come face to face with reality and realize they must make a decision as to their fate. The question is…will they be coherent enough to do so after taking a walk on the “Wild Side?”

When it came time to pen her fifth novel, Toronto author/journalist/songwriter Laurie Lonsdale chose to draw on her observations, conversations, and experiences while working in concert promo in the late 80’s. While penning the novel, award-winning vocalist and friend, Heidi Propp, was pursuing her music career, winning the prestigious title of ‘Best Female Vocalist’ at the IMTA Awards in New York City in 2002, and “Best Female Rock Vocalist – Toronto Online Awards – 2007”. Wishing to pen her first full-length CD, Propp teamed with Lonsdale and the writing process began. Three sets of lyrics that were written into Lonsdale’s manuscript for “Wild Side” were then put to music and became part of the CD. Those songs were “Phantom Lover”, “Turn the Page” and the song that would eventually become the title track – “Strong and Wild”. Taking into account that the concept of “Wild Side” was based on the music industry, the creation of the “Strong and Wild” CD slowly but surely began incorporating more of the story. As a result, five additional tunes were inspired by the book, including “Me”, “Bustin’ Out”, “Who I am Today”, “Three Strikes” and “Please Me”, the adult contemporary number currently receiving air play. Also included on the CD are: “Bleary”, the track requested by Venturian Films for a dark comedy currently in production, “Cruisin” and “Skin Deep”, considered anthems for Propp, and Heidi’s self-written ballad, “Thank You”, dedicated to family and friends who have offered support and encouragement. With celebrated producer Steve Sherman guiding the project and Lonsdale as co-writer on ten of the twelve songs featured, the collection is a mix of good-time rock ‘n’ roll, power-pop, adult contempo and ballads, with a touch of the blues added for good measure. The CD on its own is distributed by RDR Music/Rosedale Records of Toronto and in the U.S. by CD Baby (cdbaby.com). All songs are available as digital downloads from Apple i-Tunes, Sony Connect, Napster, Nexhit, and Puretracks, to name a few. They are also available as ring tones from Verizon Wireless.

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