Band members change from time to time from 4 to 7 depending on the venue, but the core members are:
Jimmy (Creeper) Smith-Keyboards, Dale Morris -Violin, Dowall Davis - Drums
..
Influences
I'm from Youngstown, Ohio, where I was trained and educated in the field of music performance, common sense in controlled environments, thinking, spirituality and love for life and it's blessings.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, I am proud to salute, thank and represent my family, teachers, aquatints and close friends of both cities for their support of my experiences and successes as a musician.
I had many mentors and supporters that inspired and thereby enabled me to succeed in my career, but the ones who were around me during the early years of my life before I left home are the most important, for they made it possible for me to eventually and successfully come into the view of the world’s community of organized music.
They include:
Charles Rainey, Jr.- My Dad/Piano Player/Steel Worker/Song Writer/Home Stability......
Eloise Rainey – My Mom/Piano Player/Home Maker & Oceans of Love......
Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church – Rhythm & Feeling.......
William Rainey (My Uncle Bill) – Gave me my 1st horn.......
Raymond Wagner (My Uncle Ray) – Saxophone Player.......
Richard Bright – First Professional Band Leader........
John Ramsey – Trumpet Teacher........
Otis Massengale – Trumpet Player........
Joe McBride – Tuba Player.........
Cedric Hobbs - Drummer........
Floyd Folio – High School Band/Trumpet Player.........
John Parrish – College Classmate/Trumpet Player..........
John Busch – The Rayen High School Band Director..........
Levan McKay – Independent Marching Band Director..........
CF Brown – Independent Trojan Band Director.........
'The Premiers' (Richard Montgomery, David Deihl, Louis Floyd, Alfred Bright & Me) – Amateur Do-Wop singing group........
Luther Wells – Guitar Player........
George Jones – The Edsels (Do-Wop National success & fame).........
As you look at my career, I am representing the integrity, ingenuity and creativity of the ‘sidemen’ whose shoulders I stood on and spirits I shared on all projects. When playing the bass, I represent all the bass players I have ever heard and/or seen – without them my career would not be in your view.
Chuck Rainey
Sounds Like
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Spector 4, 5 and 6 String Basses /Genz Benz Amps and Speakers / Tradition- Chuck Rainey Model 4 & 5 String Basses / DR Bass Strings / Tonebone -Radial Engineering............My Music Style/
Jazz Fusion/R&B/World Beat - mostly with vocals
At one time tagged as the hardest working bass player in America, Chuck Rainey's bass playing on successful television shows, motion pictures and recordings illustrate his well-known and legendary style, feel and concept for the instrument and it's role in organized music. His unique bass lines accent numerous commercials and are an integral part of today's music across many music viewing and listening fronts.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio as Charles Walter Rainey III, Chuck boasts a native 'son ship' of Youngstown, Ohio, where he was actually raised and educated. Originally trained in the classics as a trumpet player by C.F. Brown, James Ramsey and John Busch, Chuck switched to Baritone Horn while attending Lane college in Jackson, Tennessee and was an intricate part of the schools well known and traveled 'brass ensemble' in the early 60's.
Learning to play the guitar while on military active duty before college, eventually led him to professionally play the guitar with local bands in Youngstown and Cleveland after returning home from college and military obligations. Since his formal training did not encompass improvisational skills, his guitar playing ability was limited to 'rhythm playing.' He began to play the 'electric' bass instrument after it was obvious that his skills were more valuable playing single note patterns, which he displayed as a guitar player.
His arrival in New York City during the spring of 1962 coincided with the beginning of a new era in American commercial music. After a 3 and a half-year stint with legendary FT. Worth sax man King Curtis in New York, Chuck began an illustrious career as a 'sideman' in the recording studio along with Bernard Purdy, Eric Gale, Richard T., Donny Hathaway, Paul Griffen and Herb Lavelle to name a few. Without any argument, he is the most recorded bass player in the history of recorded music and is the most imitated by bass players as a whole.??During the period 1963 thru 1971, Chuck toured and/or recorded with some of the most prominent artist of that era. They include King Curtis, Sam Cooke, Etta James, The original Coasters, Jackie Wilson, Harry Bellefonte, Al Kooper, The Supremes, Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack and Quincy Jones. Of special note; As a member of 'The King Curtis All Stars', the second Beatle Tour of the US took him to Los Angeles where he made a commitment to return as soon as the Universe saw fit.
Moving in 1972 from New York to Los Angeles as a member of Quincy Jones big band, his career as a studio musician continued to grow. Additionally, his unique style brought him opportunities in the television and film industries where he can be heard performing on musical themes and in the source music of numerous motion pictures, television series and sitcoms, along with radio and TV advertisements. he also has composer, arranger and production credits in his career.
A recipient of a grant from The Ohio Arts Council in 1981, Chuck joins the group of a selected few 'music sidemen' who have been a recipient of prestigious awards. They include; 17 platinum or gold records, The Dean Markely 'Life Time Of Achievement' Award, Bass Player Magazine/New York Bass Collective 'Life Time achievement' Award, a record 35 year consecutive placement in the top 10 music poll (category - bass) in Downbeat and Playboy Magazines and the list goes on.
Thanks in part to a brilliant conceptual nature of his musicianship, he made important contributions to the success of pop, rock, jazz fusion and rhythm & blues during the 60s', 70's and 80's. As the 21st century begins, Chuck Rainey is still very much in his conceptual playing ability and performance throughout the worlds music community.
Chuck Rainey's music activities in education reach far out into the world's organized music communities. As music education is a vital part of his playing career and experience, his textbooks and educational video's are tools used by many educators in the curriculums of their local institutions. Self reliant students are also attracted to his learning tools.
Having written and taught the first bass course curriculums for The Musicians Institute/B.I.T. and Dick Grove Music Works Shops, Adds to his experience in the field of music education. He was among the first celebrated musicians to write teaching columns in Guitar Player and Bass Player Magazines in the 70's. His early monthly columns alongside the crew of that time, set the format of success inherited by columnist writing the same columns today.
The 'Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame' yearly inducts the legends of Rock music. As of 2003, Chuck Rainey's bass lines and rhythm influence are the documented backbone of the original hit recordings of the following artist and the year they were inducted: Aretha Franklin (1987), Marvin Gaye (1988), The Jackson 5 (1997), The Rascals (2000), Steely Dan (2001).
At this time now, no side musician enjoys more legendary honor, prestige, fame or current influence in music.
Chuck Rainey’s Official MySpace page's Friend Space (Top 40)
Chuck Rainey’s Official MySpace page has 7225 friends.
Hi Chuck, I was snooping around on YouTube and saw some videos of King Curtis at Shea Stadium from 1965 with one Charles Rainey on bass and wondered had you seen them. I was going to post the URLs here but I will send you a message.
Thank You for Adding me to your Network. Please Speak for those who have been Silenced... Much Luv, I took the pledge to combatting gang violence Have you? Joseph Adetula Foundation
just trying to spread some love for my man Rocky Ramirez; i recently sessioned bass on his track "What She's Missing" -- just uploaded the track to my pg., hope you'll give it a listen -- this cat keeps the soul jams flavorful. i'd love to know what you think!
