New website suggests Ann is forming a band named “Ann Wilson of Heart” (or AWOH) with Craig Bartock, Chris Joyner, Andy Stoller and back after a long time: Denny Fongheiser on drums. And has Ann changed management?
While surfing to www.theannwilsonthing.com, I was forwarded to another website: www.annwilsonofheart.com, with a simple placeholder. Taking a detour through www.lineofannwilson.com and hitting “news + updates” I was taken to a functioning website that seems to be undergoing a make over from TAWT to AWOH (you can also go in via her January 2nd Twitter update). This makes you wonder: Is this the end of TAWT? Another explanation might be that TAWT is still the name on the road but her online presence will be “Ann Wilson of Heart”.
While checking out the listed names under “musicians” you can see an important difference with TAWT: Heart and TAWT drummer Ben Smith is replaced with Denny Fongheiser. He played on Heart’s “The Road Home” in 1994/1995. Chris Joyner (of TAWT and Heart) plays the keys and is the only musician listed as member of AWOH and Nancy’s new side-project: ROADCASE. Nancy is joined by Heart bassist Dan Rothchild and the already mentioned Ben Smith. So all musicians that played on Heart’s last tour have found a home in Ann & Nancy’s side-bands. As reported earlier, it is currently unknown if and when Heart tours again in the near future.
Another important development: the old TAWT website had Carol Peters and Sacha Guzy listed as TAWT’s management. Both known as manager for Heart as well. AWOH has listed as management: Walter Versan. Google goes absolutely blank on this name, so that might be a temporary fake name?
It seems likely to me that Ann will take this formation on the road soon. EXCITING!
Added January 9th 2017:
The Facebookpage for TAWT has been transformed into AWOH. A clear signal that things will be different in 2017. Today a huge announcement was promised by Ann for tomorrow January 10th 2017 with hastag AWOH. In the meanwhile an unconfirmed April 2017 Eastcoast tourdate has popped up for Ann Wilson on Twitter.
Added January 11th 2017: A tour “Ann Wilson of Heart” has been announced and Chris Joyner is no longer listed as a musician.
These side projects,are they merely distractions OR all about drawing things into focus?
I am disappointed… perhaps I need a drink.
“Crazy On U ”
So afraid of one who’s so afraid of you
“Under My Thumb”