News

Orianthi joins Alice Cooper

Australian guitar prodigy and Dean Markley endorsee, Orianthi joined Alice Cooper’s band for his 2011 ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy’ world tour, which started in September. Currently in progress, the tour hits ninety-plus cities, covering five continents, including Europe and North America twice over.

At the young age of 26, Orianthi has already experienced what most aspiring musicians only dream of. She’s opened for her hero, Steve Vai; backed Carrie Underwood; traded solos with Carlos Santana; shared the stage with the King of Pop (Michael Jackson) and accompanied Alice during his live performance of ‘School’s Out’ on the 2010 season finale of American Idol.

‘It’s very difficult to find someone to match the talents of Damon Johnson,’ commented Cooper, ‘but not only did we find someone who is more than up to the challenge…she also looks WAY better.’

Orianthi will join world-renowned guitarist Steve Hunter (toured and recorded with Cooper and Lou Reed) and Tommy Henriksen (co-wrote and played on Cooper’s upcoming release); drummer Glen Sobel and Alice’s longtime bassist Chuck Garric round out the band.

‘I’m super excited to go on tour with Alice,’ said Orianthi. ‘It’s a huge honor to be able to get on stage and jam with an icon.’

Check out Youtube for clips of Orianthi in action with the ‘Coop’.

Dean Markley Helix HD Strings

Developed exclusively by the Dean Markley Music Labs, the new patent-pending Hyper- Elliptical Winding process is the most innovative break-through in string technology in since the beginning. Helix HD’s newly engineered ‘genetic string code’ provides a smoothness and performance unrivalled by any conventional string. The Hyper-Elliptical Winding process allows an increased number of wraps along the length of the string. This increases the mass of your string, without changing its diameter or material. More mass means more tone, more life. The acoustic ($19.95) and electric ($17.95) ranges are available in all popular gauges. Watch the video below for Ronnie Montrose's insight in to why he loves the Helix strings.