Former KISS guitarist BRUCE KULICK (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD) has issued the following update:

"It is finally time to get you all the news on my new CD and the photo shoot I just completed. With a busy Grand Funk summer, it was hard to find the time to book my shoot, but Neil Zlozower and I finally got it done on a very magical day in early August. I say magical as the sky in August is rarely filled with high clouds during the summer in LA. Neil (who is quite an amazing and famous rock photographer, visit www.zloz.com) likes to do some pix on his roof and he knew we would get some great pix with the sky looking so interesting behind me. It looked like something out of Star Trek behind us!

Neil recommended Peggy McIntaggart who is a former Playmate to do my hair and make-up. I was very pleased with her work and I told her I was ready for my Rock Of Love type TV show after she was done! The picture taking was easy and Zlozower is great with direction and encouragement for taking great shots. It is no accident that KISS loves to use him for their photo sessions, and tour books, and he did some great work with me years ago when I was with the band.

We went for 3 looks, last one being on the roof, and I have plenty to choose from. I have not done a real photo shoot in many years, so you can imagine that I was more than prepared but anxious as to what results we could get. Here are some behind the scene pix of the day. I will be sharing some of the real ones soon. I don't want any of the ones that will be used for the magazines and CD artwork out there yet, not until some more of the details of my BK3 release are ironed out. As you all know I have it all sequenced and mastered, and I just need the final artwork package to complete the process of making CDs.

Neil also took some great close ups of two of my guitars, in a really artistic style that could be incorporated in my CD booklet. I brought a custom ESP and my trusty old Les Paul was the other one chosen. I am planning for a CD package that will have lyrics etc, so I am excited to see that very soon. A few days after the pix of me were taken, we hooked up again to photograph many guitars of mine, as Vintage Guitar Magazine loves to feature a few instruments when they do an interview. I was proud to see them in high quality photos.

Regarding the release date of BK3, I still have no firm date yet. So many factors will decide the proper time. I don't want to give you all a 'business 101' course on what's involved with releasing a new CD in 2009... I think your heads would spin! So please be patient, you all know how excited I am about BK3. In the meantime I have been swamped with Grand Funk shows, as the best time to be the "American Band" is summer time. I had a really great time in Vegas with GFR, and then jammed KISS tunes with my friends the SIN CITY SINNERS at the Green Valley Ranch later that night. It was long day, but have guitar will travel as they say.

Had an awesome suite at the GVR, and as you know Vegas is always a great place to perform and stay up late with friends. For those of you wondering about Monster Circus, that is on hiatus. And of course KISS's announcement about a Carnival Of Souls Vegas extravaganza, that is especially cool for me to hear about. Grand Funk did a huge show in Walker, MN where we were on the bill with YES and ASIA. (I love Steve Howe's guitar playing). We were up in Canada doing a big rodeo a few hours from Calgary. The people were so into the band that night, I felt like I was the mayor of Medicine Hat!

You are all aware of Sonic Boom the new KISS disc coming out later this fall, and I have not heard anything more than what you got on KISSonline. But I am very excited about their new disc. Eric has shared some insight from time to time, but not any music so far. It seems like this is the season for new music from all angles of KISS, as a new one is coming from ACE FREHLEY in September as well. This is all good, and I think it is a very exciting time for all the KISS fans.

I of course hope to share my music with all the people I meet with my other work like the Fantasy Camp attendees, and all my new GFR fans. Speaking of the Fantasy Camp (www.rockcamp.com), the one coming up in November has Ace Frehley and MEATLOAF as guests! So that will be really interesting for me as you all know about the connection with Ace, but I did also play guitar with brother Bob years ago with Meatloaf. Small world isn't it!

So more news as it develops, and thank you all for your support and kindness. I never forget how fortunate I am to have fans like YOU!"