.arghhhhh... beginning
I started playing
the guitar at the age of 7 in Buena Park, California. My dad was an avid
music fan. It was all about country, bluegrass, western swing and more.
I guess that's where I first recognized a guitar and what it was. My brother
( Dennis
Reed ) started playing it first. He had a few bands and I guess
I wanted to be like that. Girls always liked musicians. Well, maybe not
flute players, but a guitar...yeah. I began playing and recording little
things with my brother in our bedrooms. Graduated to gatherings. I gained
acceptance. Not bad for painfully shy. Next came real shows. Nervous beyond
description. Then live radio. More performing. We did various folk festivals,
contests and shows. Won some awards, placing 1st & 2nd
in guitar and mandolin at the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest-'75
and '76, Cal State Fullerton Banjo and Fiddle Contest-'74,
'75, '76 , Follow's Guitar and Banjo Festival-'77, '78, '79, '80.
We did McCabes in Santa Monica with Dog in a Hole. An interesting
mix of dudes and hairstyles. Well, the race was on.
later on
I found
an electric guitar. I experimented with a few different band configurations
before settling on a trio. More room for my solos. Funny how a painfully
shy guy can change overnight. I began performing with my little trio the
effects. We did a number
of showcases in Orange County including The Woodstock, Radio City
and many others I can't remember. Later on I joined a punk band-The
Psychotic Fungus. We were decent and I had the upper hand as I
could actually play my instrument. It was cool, though, as the other guys
had a certain command of their stuff that only raw, new and fun feelings
can bring to it. We played some LA clubs like The Starwood, Club Lhasa,
Madame Wongs, The Grand and once again, many others that I fail to
rememeber. Hey, its like if you remember the 60's then you weren't there
syndrome.
much
later
In the
late 80's and early 90's I started doing more lucrative projects. Which
meant, I needed the money. I did a stint with Pat C. Pink that
allowed me to work all day at a factory and then drive 50 miles each way
to a local (?) Marine Base to play. Pat really knew how to book the gigs
and that is one thing that I have never been able to do consistantly.
Give me a talented player that can also market well and I'll give you
whatever I have in my pocket, cause that's a rarity. The two just don't
mix. Sorry for the hard left there. I also started doing more stage and
studio work which allowed playing with the likes of Dick Dale and
the Deltones (king of the surf guitar), Ian Tyson (of Ian and
Sylvia fame), Jackie Deshannon (60's pop icon), J.J. Cale
(Clapton's After Midnite writer) and many others that I CAN remember,
but will not devulge due to legal issues and restraining orders.
even later
I started playing
with a band-The
Lobster Repair. Was a great introduction to legal drugs, loud
parties and gigs with nudity. Sometimes theirs, sometimes ours. We lasted
about 3-4 years and even did a single: No Stinking Badges. I
miss those dudes. I also did a mini-reunion of the effects, which
meant we got together for a birthday or something. Lastly I went to the
dark side and had a 3+ year stint with the country band Marc
Corey Lee & Del Rio which resulted in 2 CDs, numerous gigs playing
with the likes of Tracy Byrd, Ian Tyson, Diamond Rio and many others.
Most importantly, it meant buying lots of cowboy shirts. Seriously, I
made tons of friends and have a lot of good memories. I just have seizures
when I see a 10 gallon hat.
now
In my delicate
age now, I have decided that doing acoustic music again might be fun (which
means amps are heavy and gigs are fewer). I am trying to play more with
my little project the Frette Brothers.
We have a few gigs here and there. The old folks seem to like us. I've
played live and recorded withSandii
Castleberry. She's a great local singer-songwriter with a flair
for marketing. Cool. I have also been supporting my brother Dennis
in various concert settings. I have also guested on several CDs recently
recorded including the freeradicals,
Dennis
Roger Reed, Charlene
Johnson and Psycadelicatesin.
I am now working with super signer-songwriter Joey
Latimer in the mountains of Idyllwild, my home. I've met a number
of great players on the hill, including Bill
Plummer, Paul
Carmen, Barnaby
Finch, Chuck
Alvarez and many more. Lastly and the hardest part is the recording
of my first solo project. I have a number of pieces that need further
polishing and of course money would be nice. Maybe a nice kick in the
ass would do too.
some reviews
A selection of reviewer's comments on Don's playing: "…fiery, compelling guitar work…"Mike Bohem-LA Times, ", "…tuneful, rich tones from Don's guitar give the work presence and distinction…"Jim Washburn-LA Times, OC Weekly Magazine, ".
what i play
acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin, slide guitar, dobro, lap steel, banjo, bass, dulcimer and more!
contact
I do studio work, live work, even subbing for your sick, in rehab, in jail, etc. band members. If you need mandolin, guitar-electric and acoustic, dobro, lap steel and beyond to spice up your music, contact me!
To contact Don Reed for booking: live performance, studio work and more-please email me with the title Don Reed Booking
