Intrepid Artists is excited to welcome late night Television Musical Icon/Musical Director and Band leader for The Conan O’Brien Show and The Tonight Show for over two and a half decades Mr. Jimmy Vivino aka Jimmy V.

While Jimmy has always considered himself “a blues man with a job” he is probably best known for serving 26 years as Conan O’Brien’s musical director, guitarist, and bandleader while his experience in the music business predates that by 20-plus years.

Jimmy V has produced bands, led bands, and recorded with a countless number of rock and roll and blues artists for five decades including the likes of Hubert Sumlin, Warren Haynes, Bob Weir, Keith Richards, Elvis Costello, Johnnie Johnson, Son Seals, Shemekia Copeland, Lil’ Ed Williams, Levon Helm, Phoebe Snow, Dion, Laura Nyro, Bob Margolin, Lowell Fulson, John Sebastian, Joe Louis Walker, and Al Kooper to name a few. When not producing, recording, or touring with other artists Jimmy still tours the country and the world with his own band and is due to release a new blues album later on this year (2022).

Jimmy is currently touring as a 4-piece band; however, he can be packaged as a solo, duo, 4-piece, and up to a 7-piece band.

“This record definitely reflects happier times and good solid dose of classic blues!”, says Popa from his studio full of guitars in the Hudson Valley. “I specifically included covers like Hoochie Coochie Man and Dust My Broom to show respect for the Fathers. Willie Dixon has always been my idol, you know.”

But the real gems here come in Popa’s original compositions. “Equal Opportunity” is a light hearted sing along that celebrates the feminine at a time when it is seriously needed. And songs like “Fly Away” and both versions French and English of “Why You Wanna Make War?” Are big standouts! There is more than an ample amount of pure guitar bliss on this record and slide guitar on tracks like “Tonight I’m Gonna Be the Man” add flavor to a savory mix!

Rest in Peace Kevin Hopkins February 25, 1980 – March 4, 2022

Dear Friends of Intrepid and Friends of Kevin Hopkins,

This is the hardest note I have ever had to write. It is with the heaviest of Hearts that I must break the news to all of you that our Beloved K Hop, Kevin Hopkins, has left this earth. Kevin passed away on Friday, March 4, at 12:42pm EST.

His heart stopped the morning of February 25 on his 42nd birthday and he was found unresponsive. He lost oxygen to the brain for an undetermined amount of time and while paramedics were able to miraculously revive his heart to transport him to the hospital, the damage was already done and he showed little to no brain activity. He had been on life support since then and Friday we were informed of Kevin’s passing.

I think it goes without saying we are all devastated over this tragic loss of life. K Hop was our comrade for the past 15 yrs. Jake in our office had known Kevin for 20 plus yrs. We have all been grieving hard since we received the news and this is something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. With that said K Hop LOVED Intrepid, LOVED his job, LOVED the Artists he represented, and had STRONG BONDS with many of the promoters he worked with. He would be extremely upset with all of us if we did not honor his legacy by going out, looking adversity in the eye, and proceeding to kick it’s ass. This is the way K Hop rolled! It is the way Intrepid Rolls.

A GoFundMe campaign has been started to assist Kevin’s family as they deal with the effects of their beloved husband and father’s passing. Money donated will to go directly to helping his wife, Kristin, and his two sons, Hunter, 6, and Wilder, 5:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-kevin-hopkins-family?qid=3341930d0a6431e5e8328d4725bd210a

Any amount you can contribute will be greatly appreciated.

Please keep Kevin and his family in your prayers and know that life is precious.

If you would like to leave messages, share stories, or reminisce about Kevin please visit the Intrepid Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=4740070892708640&id=118949298154179

God Bless,
Rick Booth
President
Intrepid Artists Int’l Inc.

On Tuesday, March 8, the four-decades-running tradition of the Austin Music Awards returned to celebrate the best and brightest locally-sourced music of the past year.

Carolyn took home two awards, Best Blues Band and Best Guitarist.

In addition to taking home her two awards Carolyn also performed as part of a fundraiser presented by the Society for the Preservation of Texas Music, The Austin Chronicle, and Capital Metro for the essential artist-serving nonprofit the SIMS Foundation.

Congratulations Carolyn!