About me: I'm a musician from Southern California. Specifically, the South Bay. Torrance, to be exact. Before moving to Torrance in 1964 (at age 5) we lived in Gardena, Hollypark. I had a friend there who I recently found on the net, the wonderful Laurie McClain, a singer/songwriter now in Nashville. Hearing her extraordinary music inspired me to attempt this myspace thing. Bear with me. I'm puter challenged but I'll eventually get this rolling.
In Torrance I grew up with the fine progressive, art rock, R.I.O. drummer Dave Kerman. No he didn't come out of the womb shredding Chris Cutler riffs. We've known each other since age 5. We both had an interest in music and luckily for Dave, piano player Keith Godshaux (latter of the Grateful Dead) lived across the street and convinced Dave's mom to get him a real drum kit. I had a piano at home, and my sisters played, my Grandmother teaching us in the beginning then Bernard Verkike (sp)organist at the First Lutheran Church of Torrance taught us. What a great teacher, Bartok folk tunes, small jazz books, full color cards of all the great composers . . . I picked up piano, trumpet, guitar and bass as well and we gained early performance experience in the Torrance Area Youth Band. In 1974 Dave and I toured California with my churches production of Joseph. We made it up to Carmel, Oakland, etc. I even played Bass !!
After high school I spent the summer playing in an original group with singer Diane Vineyard who was just fricken awesome. She told me about playing with T-Bone and the Bone-ettes (she was a Bone-ette) I remember it being T-bone Burnette, though at the time I had no clue who anybody was. Her manager Beverly Noga had been on the Road with Cream, and Blind Faith (Bev's mom, Helen Noga had owned the Black Hawk in Frisco and discovered Johnny Mathis). We played the Troubadour 20th anniversary that summer. I remember Warren Zevon getting up and playing the same piano I had just played. It was 1977, I was 18.
That fall Helen Noga calls me up and asks "can you play that big Rock and Roll beat" So they the needed a keyboard player for one of their acts. Tony Defranco and the Defranco Family. I had heard their hit record on the radio when I was in high school. But I was able to just come in and be part of the band. They were really down to earth and just great people. The "Wrecking Crew" had played on their recordings so I got immersed in the North Hollywood music scene, going to see their former keyboard player Greg Mathieson at the Baked Potato with Larry Carlton and Abe Laborial
. . . (to be continued) . . .
Who I'd like to meet: John Coltrane, Ghandi, MLK, Keith Jarret, Howard Zinn
I'm just confirming that I have your name on the guest list (plus one) for the Winger / Hollywood Hot Rod show at The Brixton in Redondo Beach. The show is tomorrow night, July 3rd and starts at 8 sharp. Just check in at the will call booth and let them know you're on the Hollywood Hot Rod Guest list. See ya'll there!
My music partner Dana Hayes and I will be performing live with Hollywood Hot Rod on July 17th at the 705 Club in Hermosa Beach! Hope to see ya'll there!
Hi Chuck, I was just thinkin' about them nilla wafers. I'm really excited to play together again. It makes me think about all the great times and cool gigs we've played over the many years. We've got some serious history bro. I look forward to getting together in the future and hopefully doing some more Turange de compositions'! Rehearsal is tomorrow (Wed at 7:00) We'll go over everything especially the godfather theme and blue morning. I could use your help with background vocals on give it to me, blue morning and leave your hat on (if you can't no big deal, I'll try to handle it). See you tomorrow. We should have a pretty good crowd on Friday, there will be alot of old friends there we both haven't seen in a long time. Fun, fun, fun. Thanks again for doing this gig, there is no one else I'd rather have tickling the ivories. See ya tomorrow. Mike
I am so happy we connected again - after all this time, can you believe it?
Steve and scads of other alumni from THS are playing a fund raiser for the school in about 8 weeks at the seaside lagoon - are you in? My God, how I would LOVE to hear you play again.
Hey Chuck profile pics looks just like my High School pic, same hair and all! Thanks for finding the Big Jerks and we really must jam soon! We need to create some more MAGIC!
Hey Chuck...Does this bring back any memories for you?? Everybody was pretty "HAPPY" that night-rang in the new year with a bang!!!! Just thought I would send this to you. Take Care, Debi
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