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Bon Jovi
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Check out our exclusive in-studio performance with these legendary rockers.
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Walmart’s original performance series where you get up close and personal with your favorite artists. Check out live performances and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from original in-studio sets – all filmed exclusively in HD. Soundcheck is broadcast in Walmart stores nationwide – or catch us online 24/7.
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We have a top-notch music label relations team that helps us book acts. They are constantly on the phone with music labels around the country trying to get the best bands on Soundcheck.
Soundcheck is an original performance series created by the Wal-Mart Music team, giving you the opportunity to go behind the scenes and get an in-studio look at some of your favorite artists. Soundcheck plays right here on Walmart.com, or, for the full high definition experience, visit any Walmart store and head to the Electronics department to watch it on the Walmart TV Network.
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About The Artist
The Set List
This week, the Soundcheck Crew is in Nashville, Tennessee catching up with legendary rockers, Bon Jovi. And why are they in Music City instead of their native New Jersey? Well, in what they refer to as an "experiment," they stepped out of their comfort zone, and their New Jersey studio, to record an album with "a Nashville flavor." It's not all country, though - just a good blend of heartland mixed with classic Bon Jovi; and as Richie says, "when you hear the songs on 'Lost Highway,' it just sounds like a really good Bon Jovi record."
Evolution
Unlike most hair bands from the '80s who have long faded from the spotlight, Bon Jovi's hits span almost a quarter of a century, and are heard everywhere from bars to karaoke clubs, political rallies and even on American Idol. Jon says, "I think that in order to stay relevant, you have to keep thinking forward and never resting on yesterday's successes." He told us in order to do that, you have to have an open mind, listen to all styles of music and create your own sound. Take some rock, throw in a little country, add a bit of nostalgia and wisdom; age for 20 years. What you get is 'Lost Highway' - and as Jon puts it, it's "a lotta record." If today's performance is any indication, it sure is.
The More Things Change...
"...the more they stay the same," says Jon. The record industry has changed since they recorded their first album 25 years ago, and the guys are glad they don't have to play that game anymore. They've earned the right to do what they want, which is why they say the theme for this project was "freedom." However, some things, like songwriting, never change. They tell us they still get together with a tape recorder, a couple of guitars and a notepad. They've done it this way since the start, and according to Richie that's usually the best way - "we've been telling stories for years," he says, "songs like 'Livin' on a Prayer'."
All About the Music
Plain and simple, the boys in Bon Jovi just love the process of making music, and they even admit to writing songs for the sake of writing. The first single off the new album, '(You Want to) Make a Memory,' doesn't sound like anything on the radio, and they laugh as they say it's too early to tell if that experiment was a success. They hope people feel the same way listening to it as the guys do when they're playing it. Good music makes you feel something, and you really can feel the heart in their set today.
The Closing
I'm not sure that any of us was prepared for the sincerity and heart in Bon Jovi's Soundcheck performance. From the way they interact on stage, it's obvious they enjoy collaborating, appreciate their success and wanted to create something new for this album. The wisdom they've gained over the past two decades together has given them artistic freedom to do what they want, and it really pays off. They truly are legends in the music industry, and Tito shakes his head in disbelief at the idea that new artists are touching on stuff that's 30 years old - some of it even by Bon Jovi.
It's rare that a band that's been around for so long can make you fall in love with them again. But that's exactly what Bon Jovi did today. From the first note of familiar favorites to the last chord of the new tracks, Jon's familiar voice and Sambora's signature riffs beg the question, "Who says you can't go home..."
Pick up 'Lost Highway' today - you won't be disappointed.
-The Crew at Wal-Mart Soundcheck
- Bon Jovi hails from New Jersey and includes Jon Bon Jovi (lead vocals), Richie Sambora (guitar and vocals), David Bryan (keyboards) and Tico Torres (drums and percussion)
- In 2006, Jon, who is well known for his various humanitarian efforts, received the City of Brotherly Love award, which is given to individuals for exemplary humanitarian efforts in the Greater Philadelphia region
- Jon, who is married to his high school sweetheart and has four children, shares his March 2 birthday with Dr. Seuss, Reggie Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev
- 'Wanted Dead or Alive' is the theme song for "Deadliest Catch," a documentary-style television show about crab fishing in Alaska, which airs on the Discovery Channel
- The group won its first Grammy in 2007 for Best Country Collaboration for 'Who Says You Can't Go Home'
- David Bryan studied Pre-Med at Rutgers University, but dropped out to attend Julliard
- The band has built several homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The video for the hit song, 'Who Says You Can't Go Home,' is a documentary on the making of these homes.
- 'We Got It Going On' from 'Lost Highway' features fellow Soundcheck artist, Big & Rich
Bon Jovi kicks off the set with the song that led them down the road to create an entire record with a country sound. They won a Grammy for this upbeat anthem, and everyone is smiling and grooving along. All their experience as a band is summed up in a few lines: "Been all around the world and that's a matter of fact / There's only one place left I want to go, who says you can't go home."
It's My Life
Switching gears from country to true rock, the unmistakable sound of Richie on the talk box kicks off the song credited with bringing them back into the spotlight after a 5-year hiatus. They really rock it out on this one, and their attitude about the new album seems to give new meaning to the words "I did it my way / I just want to live while I'm alive / 'Cause it's my life."
Lost Highway
We get our first sneak peek into the new album with the title track and Bon Jovi proves they're anything but lost. "Yeah, I'm busting loose, I'm lettin' go / Out on this open road." With what could prove to be a great summer anthem, 'Lost Highway' is all about moving forward: "Hey Hey I finally found my way / Said goodbye to yesterday." The lyrics say it all: they're moving forward without looking back.
(You Want to) Make a Memory
Bittersweet and sincere, the first radio single from 'Lost Highway' exhibits the same raw emotion of the ups and downs of relationships as their classic 'I'll Be There for You.' Jon talks about emoting when he sings and you can hear it in his voice: love, angst, pain, happiness - everything that's led to writing this song. "If you go now, I'll understand / If you stay, Hey I've got a plan / We're gonna make a memory." Who hasn't been there?
Wanted Dead or Alive
There are certain songs that everyone inexplicably knows. And there aren't many that cross both gender and age lines. But this is definitely one of them, as the entire crew sings along, "I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride / I'm wanted dead or alive." We won't lie, there might have been a little air guitar, too. Gone are the big hair and tight pants from their 'Slippery When Wet' days, but these guys can still rock.
Whole Lot of Leavin'
So THIS is the Nashville flavor they were talking about! The song starts with some serious guitar picking and fiddle playing that takes you into the deep South, and eventually bleeds into those familiar Bon Jovi guitar riffs. There's no other way to put it than to say this is an ironically upbeat, toe-tapping melody for a song about a relationship that's not exactly working. "I close my eyes and picture your hand in mine / I still hear your voice, it takes me back to that time."
