Ghost Of, a new rock band based in Savannah, Georgia, are getting ready to release their first single “Lost in my Mind.” Ghost Of are collaborating with Director Todd Wood to film the official music video to “Lost in my Mind.”

Ghost Of consist of former Dead Stays Alive bassist, songwriter and Savannah native Tony Allen, singer and co-writer Alex Gold, guitarist James Lee Smith, and drummer Nick Barnhill.

Tony Allen, who has reached previous successes with Dead Stays Alive, is excited to unveil Ghost Of. Allen plays the bass guitar and writes much of the band’s music and lyrics. Allen has obtained achievements throughout his 8 year music career including making the Top 40s Rock list in the U.S., holding a spot on the Top 10 Rock requests in Italy, being featured in magazines such as O.K., UsWeekly, Virgin Radio’s Italian magazine The Rocket, and The South magazine.

E! Television ran a feature story on Allen, 99x interviewed the bassist, and Extra TV claimed an exclusive interview with Allen. Allen and his music have also received reviews from Wildysworld.com and Popcruch.com. Singer Alex Gold comes from a well-versed early career in Hip-Hop.

Gold, at 22, has received many honors in the music industry. Gold’s single “Doubted” was featured on the popular mix tape “Coast 2 Coast 50: the Celebration Edition” alongside major artists like T.I. and Yung Joc. Gold was booked as an opening act for Soulja Boy’s “Tell ‘Em Tour” stop in Savannah, GA.

He received a contract offer from local label 9Twelve Records to be their signature artist as a solo rapper. Gold performed the first and only live rap show at Savannah’s esteemed Saya Lounge, along with many other performances and appearances at popular Savannah clubs and bars.

Guitarist James Lee Smith has over 16 years of playing experience. Smith is one of the most sought after guitarists in the southeast and says he is influenced by the likes of George Benson, Earl Klugh and Stevie Wonder. A former member of local groups Savannah Avenue and One Sound Band, Smith continues to perform and write original music with both on occasion.

Smith has played with celebrated and Grammy nominated artists, including Trae Gurley, Jackson Evans, Billy Currington and Greg Williams. Professionally trained, Smith’s sound consists of a unique blend of jazz, bluegrass, and rock. Ghost Of put emphasis on Smith’s eclectic guitar style.

Nick Barnhill claims his spot on the drums. Barnhill hails from Savannah, Georgia, and has perfected his skills on drums over the last nine years. He has played with several bands throughout the Southeast region of the country. Barnhill is trained by Mark Vaquer, a legend in the local music scene who has more than 30 years of experience performing with the likes of The Long Awaited, Shut Up and Drive, and Monajam, as well as touring in the Mystic Orchestra – The Classic Rock Experience.

Multiple Georgia Press Association-award winning “Lost in my Mind” video director Todd Wood has worked as a cinematographer and as an international photojournalist earning a reputation for capturing memorable news and sports images. Wood has been contracted by ESPN for his unique and brilliant skill. Wood’s talent and knowledge have enabled him to form a creative and recognizable look to his work.

Multi-platinum Atlanta-based record producer Joel Mullis, who requested to work with Ghost Of on this single, speaks highly of the potential this group contains. Mullis has worked with many well-known talents, including Shinedown, Ludacris, Bubba Sparxx, Gucci Mane, Yung Joc, YoungBloodz, Faith Evans, and the Ying Yang Twins.

Ghost Of describe their sound as “haunting guitar rock with Gold’s soulful vocals adding to the ethereal experience.” The music has a bold bass sound, a rhythm undeniably deep and strong, and guitar tones that are yet to be exploited. Ghost Of are excited for the upcoming release, and to give the public their first taste of what this band is bringing to Rock music as a genre. Their first single “Lost in my Mind” is new, fresh, and, as their band name alludes to… haunting.

The single “Lost in my Mind” is mastered by multi-platinum engineer Chris Griffin. Griffin has worked with Live and Drivin N Cryin. Ghost Of are rehearsing in preparation for their upcoming projects including a full LP projected to be completed later this year with “Lost in my Mind” expected to be released in the next month.

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Memphis fans finally have something to cheer about after a successful 2010 season for their beloved Grizzlies, coming within one game of the Western Conference Finals, and winning their first playoff series’ in franchise history. So what moves does Memphis make in order to get over the hump and become a true force in the NBA.

Memphis found a way to turn things around this season under head coach Lionel Hollins after an unimpressive 2009 season. The Grizzlies finished 40-42 and were an irrelevant stepping stone in the powerhouse Western Conference last season, but that’s all in the past.

After squeaking into the playoffs this season, and drawing the No. 1 seed San Antonio Spurs in round one, Memphis was written off by most analysts and fans before the playoffs even began. Nobody thought that this small-market team, with Rudy Gay sidelined by injury, could make any real noise in the post-season. The Grizzlies had other plans.

Not only were they able to handle the Spurs, they dominated them, and though they went on to lose in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder, they proved something to basketball fans everywhere: that first series was no fluke.

The scrappy 2010 squad was a throwback to the physical style of basketball fans were accustomed to watching in past decades. In fact they became my favorite team to watch in the playoffs for that very reason. Leading the NBA in points in the paint behind star-forward Zach Randolph and budding young center Marc Gasol, Memphis forced teams to outwork them, and proved that they would not roll over for anybody.

Not only was this team big and strong, but they had arguably the best perimeter defense in the league. Signing former Celtics guard Tony Allen in the off-season and trading for veteran forward Shane Battier at the deadline sparked a new attitude in this team, one we hadn’t ever seen out of Memphis before.

As the old saying goes “offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.” Too many teams seem to have lost sight of this adage of late, but Hollins kept his team focused on locking down the other teams scorers and rebounding the basketball en route to becoming a team that was near impossible for opposing coaches to prepare for.

On the offensive end, Memphis caught a crushing blow when their best wing scorer Rudy Gay injured his shoulder midway through the season, requiring surgery which would keep him sidelined through the playoffs. Gay was quickly becoming the “go-to-guy” on the team, but Hollins was able to rally his troops to pick-up the slack, causing some to believe that the injury turned out to have a positive impact on the team in the long-run.

Fourth year point guard Mike Conley finally came into his own and is looking like the franchise point-guard that the Grizzlies had aspirations for him to be on draft day in 2007. Conley knocked down key shots throughout both playoff series’ and has become the leader of the young team which in prior years was yearning for stability.

Although having the worst season of his short career, and almost being traded at the deadline, OJ Mayo was true to form in the playoffs, scoring in bunches off the bench and proving to be extremely difficult for any other backup guard to deal with.

With all of these key pieces in place alongside young talent in Sam Young, Darrell Arthur and former Maryland star Greivis Vasquez, what other pieces do the Grizzlies have to put in place to make the next step and become a serious championship contender? The answer may be none.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley in a recent interview insisted that Rudy Gay will not be traded as much speculation had pointed to. With an off-season to prepare with the same team, and the possibility of adding more size off the bench in the upcoming draft, Hollins’ team may be poised for a big run next season.

If Gay can return to form, Randolph and Gasol can continue their domination down low, Mike Conley can continue to improve, and OJ Mayo can finally find his place with this team, there is no reason that they can’t improve looking forward, and build upon what 2010 started.

With the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavericks all aging very quickly, the young Grizzlies could contend with Oklahoma City as favorites in the Western Conference for years to come. Don’t worry Memphis fans, 2011 was not a fluke, it was the beginning. With hard work in the off-season, many more playoff victories are on the horizon. The future is in their hands.

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