John Parker & Forced Call
Blues / R&B / Indie
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"Blues that Rocks"
Los Angeles, California
United States
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11262
Last Login:
1/4/2009
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| John Parker & Forced Call: General Info
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| Member Since | 8/8/2005 | | Band Website | forcedcall.com | | Band Members | JOHN PARKER
LEAD GUITAR & VOCALS
John was raised in the Santa Cruz area, playing for hire at age 14. A score of
bands later, he wound up in the Atlanta, Georgia music scene where he found
the blues calling. Now, he's back in California playing what he loves about Georgia
the most - The Blues. Favorite artists he has had the pleasure to perform with
include Chicago Bob Nelson, Big Joe Jackson, Tinsley Ellis, Butch Travette & the
Alley Cats, Coco Montoya and the late Piano Red.
DANNY COSTELLO
LEAD GUITAR & VOCALS
Originally from New Jersey, Danny began playing at age 13. His early influences
were Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Johnny Winter. Their great technique and
use of raw emotion was a great inspiration to Danny as he was moving on in his
career and performing with members of Toto and Joe Cocker. Danny has also
been privileged to open for Edgar Winter, B.J. Sharp, Dick Dale and Three Dog Night.
TOM COSTELLO
DRUMS
Tom also hails from New Jersey. His early influences were The Beatles, Jimmy
Hendrix, Toto and drummers Jeff Pocaro and John Bonham. Toms had the good
fortune to work with such great artists as Ike & Tina Turner, The DeFranco
Family, Christopher Cross, Eddie Money, Rick Springfield, The Elton John Band,
Joe Cocker and Jace.
STEVE HALTER
KEYBOARDS
Steve, better known as The Lord of the Boards, started playing piano at age 5
and worked as a full time session player/arranger for over 20 years. Steve grew
up under the influence of the old time rock & roll piano and organ players
like Jimmy Smith. When its time for his solo, he just closes his eyes, feels the
vibe and lets his soul take over.
BRIAN DUNNAGAN
BASS & BACKUP VOCALS
Brian was born in New York to Kentucky parents who exposed him to a family
full of Bluegrass Musicians and he started playing guitar at a young age. In his
teens, he fell in love with the Bass and he switched from 6 strings to 4. His
influences are Cream, Jimmy Hendrix, John Mayall and Tommy Shannon, he
studied with Tim Bogert and Bunny Brunel and has opened for Joe Diffie, Tammy Wynette and Rick Van Shelton.
"Off The Clock" is available for sale at www.CDBaby.com.
Buy the CD or Download the MP3 Here. 
"OFF THE CLOCK REVIEWS ON CD BABY:
Off The Clockauthor: Jordana CapraForced Call's music touches your soul, in fact it does more than touch, it ENLIVENS your soul! I have had the privilege of enjoying John Parker performing live at a couple of different events and Man-Oh-Man there is nothing better! I just can't get enough of this CD...author: Harold, "Blues 4 U"What a great CD..I just keep playing it over and over. The songs flow so seamlessly from one to another. I keep it in my car and play it constantly while I drive. This cd is just plain Great!author: Kayla B.Every song has its own feel and they are all terrific. This cd is so solid that I can listen to it all the way through over and over - I never get tired of it! What a great blend of rock and blues!author: Kyle Jones, Blues City RadioA DJ friend of mine turned me on to this cd by Forced Call and I was amazed when I gave it a listen....half rock, half blues and a great mix of both. This band is really entertaining and the music on this new cd shows how much heart and soul went into the production. Very good, guys! I hope another cd is soon in the works - I can't wait to hear it. I was completely blown away!!author: Bluesorama RadioJust caught these guys at a concert at the Redondo Beach Pier and I was completely blown away!! They're just bigger than life on stage and put on a really great show. I couldn't wait to get my hands on one of their cds to play it for the world. I hear a new cd is in the works for an early 2006 release and I know it will really be hot as well. GREAT CD !! Love the originality.. and you too, Parkerauthor: Alicia ClarkOriginal songs by very talented people. The last song touched me..Good Job! I AM LOVING THIS CD!!!!!!!!author: DEBII HEARD BITS OF EACH SONG ONLINE...AND HAD TO HAVE THIS CD!!! YOU GUYS ROCK!!! What a great variety of music...author: Patricia KenneyThere's a lot of different sounds here and they are all great. The layout of the songs is perfect. I can't stop playing it over and over. How about those keys?author: Martin SchillerBoy, the keyboard player, Steve sure is the "Lord of the Boards".
Great sounds!!!! Hottest tracks I've heard in years.They're great live onstageauthor: George "DUFFY" DuffieldIn a day when most of what you hear is techno-hi speed sampling, this is raw music, directed to the soul and with no holds barred. A pleasure to listen to and you'll find yourself playing it over and over. It is a "must buy" for any serious music lover. If you get the chance you need to check them out live. It's the bomb. After over 25 years in the music business I know a hit when I hear it. The last song is so beautiful, it makes me cry.author: Judy WatsonI love rock and I love blues and "Off the Clock" is a really cool mix. All the songs are really good and the last one "When I Reach My Destination" is so incredibly beautiful. It should be a hit single.
Keep up the great sounds... This guitar is incredible!author: Andy V.This cd sounds exactly like listening to Forced Call at a big concert. I saw them perform in front of over 4,000 people and they were great. Listening to this cd gives me chills. What a great "live" sound it has! You guys ROCK!!!!!!!!!!author: Carol CarlsonThis is such a great blend of music...I just keep playing it over and over!!!
WE JUST WON OUR 2ND ROCK CITY MUSIC AWARD - "2008 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR BLUES"!!!
THANKS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FANS WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE - WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS HONOR!!!!
WE WON THE "2007 OUTSTANDING BLUES BAND" AWARD LAST NIGHT AT BB KING'S IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD!! THANKS EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR US!!
Thanks again to all our Family, Friends and Fans who voted for us. Without you, we couldn't have done it! Also, thanks to Rock City News for holding such a wonderful event. It was Spectacular!!
| | Influences | Tinsley Ellis, Eric Clapton, BB King, Jimmy Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Jimmy Smith, Stevie Ray Vaughn | | Sounds Like | Robben Ford, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, BB King | | Record Label | Parker/Costello | | Type of Label | Indie |
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John Parker & Forced Call's Latest Blog Entry
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We won the 2008 Rock City "Lifetime Achievement for Blues" Award
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JOHN PARKER & FORCED CALL WINS "BEST BLUES BAND AWARD"
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"EASY READER" NEWSPAPER FEATURED ARTICLE ON JOHN PARKER
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"Off The Clock" Songs Appear On The Hit TV Series "NCIS"
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JOHN PARKER IS CHICAGO MUSIC GUIDE FEATURED ARTIST - JULY/07
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Forced Call is a "House Rockin" Blues band that will make you leave your seat and get up on your dancin' feet. Their high energy style is something you won't soon forget. It's really a must to see them in person!
John Parker is the leader and driving force behind the popular LA group. All the band members have much more in common than just great music - they are all union brothers and work in the Film and Television Industry as well.
Four years ago, the band never anticipated the popularity they are currently enjoying. "John Parker & Forced Call" has been playing local music festivals like "Redondo Beach Pier Summer Concert Series" (4 seasons), Santa Clarita Valley Blues Festival", "Ride Across America", "Write 4 Hope Blues Festival", South Bay Navy Days", "Calimigos Ranch Concerts", "Ventura Art Walk" and assorted "Relay for Life" Concerts for Santa Clarita, North Hollywood, Burbank and Beach Cities. They also perfom at showrooms like the Sunset Room, the White Lotus, BB King's Blues Club, Cozy's, the Sportsmans' Lodge, the Highlands Club, Arcadia Blues Club, Yesteryears, the Pearl Room and of course, a lot of Film and Television Union events and wrap parties. Last summer, Forced Call had the opportunity to open for "The Beach Boys" in LA.
"John Parker & Forced Call" is much more that just a group of musicians who love to play together. The individual members each have a long history of performing the Blues and are considered among the "Best of the Best in Blues"...
John Parker recently became the President of the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society and has his hands in just about "everything Blues" in the Los Angeles area. He has very high ideals for the Music Style and is in the planning stages for some upcoming Concerts in the Santa Clarita Valley. He is also implementing a new "Blues In The Schools" program in conjunction with The Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society for the area.
John is also a Legislative Ambassador for the American Cancer Society and works very closely with the Organization and our Government. He recently attended the "Celebration on the Hill" in Washington, DC and spoke before Congress in an effort to increase Cancer Research Funding. John is a four year Cancer Survivor himself, so this is a subject very dear to his heart. His disease also required him to a Liver Transplant and he now also works as an advocate to teach the public about Organ Donor Awareness.
John is the Entertainment Chairman for the Santa Clarita Valley "Relay For Life", which is the largest Relay in California. Last year, we had more than 4,500 people in attendance at the Relay. The Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society was a Bronze Sponsor and funded the Santa Clarita Valley "Wall of Hope" that was erected with those from other areas around the Country at the "Celebration On The Hill". The "Walls of Hope" are signed by Cancer Survivors from each area of the Country. They are displayed in a "Maze" type of fashion since their lenth would cover 9 miles if displayed end to end. To date, "John Parker & Forced Call" has been involved in ACS events that have made more than $3,100,000 in funds for more Cancer Research.
Anyone wanting more information about any of the above subjects, feel free to contact him at the email listed.
Thanks to all our many Friends and Fans...without you, it would all be meaningless.
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