Paul Simon, Bob Marley, Tom Petty, Cannonball Adderly, The Band, John Lennon, Hank Williams, Lee Morgan, Manu Chao, Sly and the Family Stone, Bjork, Randy Newman, Thriller. Dave Chappelle, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding to Outkast, Beatles to Buddy Guy, and everything in between. Ray Charles, George Jones, Smokey Robinson, Merle Haggard, Fleetwood Mac, The Roots. Microphones, and recording studios. I love old r&b and country records. Elvis, Shuggie Otis, and Frank Sinatra. Sam Cooke, Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly. The Sopranos, The Godfather, Deadwood. The music that rock and roll evolved from. Sounds like a good party, no? This list goes for days. Some early musical memories: hearing mom and dad sing old country songs in harmony, getting teased by an older brother for singing along to Aretha Franklin's "You make me feel like a Natural Woman, imitating Elvis, and freaking out at the Dire Straits' "I want my Mtv" video. First rock concert was Tom Petty at the spectrum, which would forever warp his impressionable young mind.
George Simon Stanford made his way to the front of the band through the brass section, where he played trombone in every type of band he could as a kid. Trombone proved to be a dangerous 'gateway' instrument, leading him to the bass, guitar, keyboards, and anything else that would make noise. He studied music theory at University of the Arts in his native Philadelphia for a year, where he formed the rock group Townhall. Realizing the academic lifestyle wasn't for him, he left school to set out on the road with his band. After touring, recording, and starving for over five years, the group decided to go their separate ways in early 2006. With the demons of rock and roll calling his name louder than ever, and a new understanding of his own musical voice, George left his home, family, and job at the laundromat for the bright lights of Los Angeles, to record a batch of new tunes. Within weeks of getting to the big city, he found himself in the right place at the right time, and signed a recording contract with Epic Records. After a little shake up in early 2007, George moved to Smash/Mercury Records and became the first artist on the revived classic label. He now lives on the road, and in Los Angeles in his days off.
SO i was sitting in a truck stop on my way home from tennessee ( or i might have been to tennessee, i can't remember but that's not important) and i start singing along with the radio playing in the background, and then suddenly it clicked. They were playing your song "my own worst enemy" . and i thought you should know.
As I sit in a NorthEast Pizza chain restaurant down the street from my house I hear an all to familiar horn and piano intro.. Right then I had My Own surreal moment knowing that Mr. Big Drop is most definitely on his way.. Much Love and Respect for you Geo.. as well as the Mrs.
Hey! I'm so excited to hear that you are playing at Triumph in one of my favorite towns, New Hope! Good music and good beer...I wouldn't miss it for a thing. See you then.
I hope to catch your next gig my friend! i'm sorry i didn't make it on wednesday, i was honoring a previous music date. I do intend on increasing my gingko intake.. If you're in the market for a good time though, come by good ol' Crane's on Monday, i'd love to serenade. -cecilia
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