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03-26-05

"Mudd" Singer/Songwriter Comes Clean at Turning Stone

March 17, 2005

Wes Scantlin, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of the alternative rock band Puddle of Mudd will take center stage on Thursday, May 5 at the Showroom of Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Tickets to the 8 p.m. show are $35, $40 and $50.

Scantlin was surrounded by musical inspiration while growing up in Kansas City. His mother played piano and sang and his uncle played guitar. As a young boy he would listen to Elvis music and watch all of his movies. He was so hooked on "The King of Rock and Roll", that his father nicknamed him Wesley Presley.

At 12, Scantlin's mom purchased his first guitar and amp. Practicing and listening to AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Pink Floyd and Van Halen consumed much of his time. As a young man, Eddie Van Halen was Scantlin's biggest influence and later influences were Stone Temple Pilots and Nirvana. These bands brought about a new style of music and Scantlin said it intensified his desire to become a musician.

In 1993, out of a warehouse in his hometown, Puddle of Mud emerged. This unique name was inspired by the Missouri river. When its banks overflowed during harsh flooding, the band's rehearsal space literally became a puddle of mud.

The 1994 release of "Stuck" was a big hit locally, but the group was having difficulty getting discovered and in 1996 the band broke up. An angry Scantlin locked himself in his parents' basement for days working on new material and in 1997 Puddle of Mudd reunited to release their second CD, "Abrasive." Creative differences later forced the second split of the group.

This didn't deter Scantlin. He was determined to have a career in music. A variety of career paths followed including a short stint as a plumber, a construction worker and a cook, all while playing late night gigs in local clubs.

Fate stepped in six years later when Scantlin was convinced by a friend to go to a concert and he brought along the last of his demo tapes. Someone he knew gave him a fake backstage pass and he met a security guard that worked for Fred Durst of "Limp Bizkit". Durst had recently started his own record label, Flawless Records and was looking for a "diamond in the rough." He passed his tape onto the guard and he assured Scantlin that the tape would get into the right hands.

Durst listened to the demo and wanted Scantlin in Los Angeles immediately. When he arrived, he was joined by Doug Ardito, a bass player from Bedford, Mass.; Paul Phillips, a guitarist from Jacksonville, Fla.; and Greg Upchurch from Kingston, Okla. In 2001 they recorded their first album together titled "Come Clean." The album was a huge success with hit singles "She Hates Me," "Control," "Blurry" and "Drift and Die." It sold 5 million copies and went triple platinum.

At the 2002 Billboard Awards, the new Puddle of Mudd took home Rock Group of the Year, Rock Single of the Year for "Blurry", Modern Rock Group of the Year and Modern Rock Single of the Year for "Blurry."

In May 2003, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers recognized Scantlin for his achievements with two awards. He won the Song of the Year Award for "Blurry" and also the award for one of the most played songs of 2002 with "Blurry".

Their latest effort, "Life on Display" was released in late 2003 and the single "Away From Me" immediately hit the top of the charts.

Scantlin is currently touring and writing songs for the band's new album.

Tickets are available by calling the Showroom box office at 361-SHOW or toll-free at 1-877-833-SHOW Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster location or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

> EDITORS NOTE
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