Behold! THE POWER OF 3, the earth-shattering, mind-blowing (not really) supergroup comprised of Orianthi, the guitar-slinging singer-songwriter who once brushed shoulders with greatness; Cindy Blackman Santana, the drumming deity married to actual guitar god Carlos Santana (talk about nepotism!); and Rhonda Smith, the bassist who’s probably wondering how she ended up in this Vegas sideshow, graced the stage on Monday (November 17th, which is totally relevant now) at a pre-game tailgate party for the Las Vegas Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys game. 🏈
Yes, you read that right. Before you watched overpaid athletes fumble a ball, you could witness this “power trio” attempt to make music. Fan-filmed video exists (thanks, Tom deBlonk!), so you can see for yourself whether or not this was a fever dream.
Known for playing backup for actual stars like Michael Jackson, Prince (RIP 🙏), Lenny Kravitz, Jeff Beck (another legend rolling in his grave), and, of course, Carlos Santana, these three decided that their individual talents were so immense, so utterly captivating, that they needed to combine forces to create… something. Described as a “fierce, dynamic sound,” which probably translates to “loud and somewhat competent,” they promise a musical experience that celebrates “virtuosity, groove, and fearless creativity.” Translation: they’ll probably play some solos, maybe nod their heads in unison, and hope someone remembers their names.
Apparently, THE POWER OF 3 (formerly known as the slightly less ridiculous BAND OF 3) has been lurking in the shadows, teasing their collaboration since February 2024 during a Super Bowl party hosted by Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis. Because nothing screams “high art” like performing for a bunch of drunk football fans. 🍻 They even graced the halftime show of a Raiders–Jaguars game! The pinnacle of musical achievement, right there.
But wait, there’s more! THE POWER OF 3 has recorded a debut album (oh, sweet mercy), tentatively scheduled for release in early 2026. Yes, you have plenty of time to mentally prepare yourselves. The album was crafted with the help of legendary producer Eddie Kramer, who once worked with actual legends like THE BEATLES, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, KISS, and THE ROLLING STONES. One can only imagine what Kramer is thinking now. 💰 He mixed the album in analog format, because apparently, they’re allergic to modern technology. The LP will be released on vinyl, because who needs streaming when you can dust off your record player and pretend it’s 1975? 🕰️
Orianthi, bless her heart, wants to “represent real music, and also the value of music, and how powerful it is on vinyl.” Because, you know, streaming is just a fad. She loves the “instant gratification” of streaming, but nothing beats the “actual enjoyment” of listening to vinyl. Said no one under the age of 50. Ever. 🙄
In terms of musical direction, Orianthi describes it as a “BAND OF GYPSYS vibe but the tunes are commercial and we hope to reach a lot of people.” So, basically, they’re trying to sound like Jimi Hendrix but with a pop sensibility. Good luck with that! They’ve “molded” their own sound with Eddie Kramer. One can only hope that sound doesn’t involve kazoos. 🎺 She’s “excited for everyone to hear” the album, which is either genuine enthusiasm or a desperate plea for validation. Either way, buckle up, folks. It’s gonna be a wild ride… straight into obscurity. 🚀
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
