http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:15:00 GMT http://bandzoogle.com http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=199240 Ron Banks, the leader of the Dramatics, best known for the 1970's song What You See Is What You Get died recently. He had such a high sweet falsetto, and was one of the people who influenced and inspired me.. Another great musician that I had the pleasure of jamming with once has also passed away recently. Tom T Bone Wolk played bass for Hall And Oates from 1981 until his death. He was also well known for his big black top hat on Saturday Night Live, where he also played. In addition to being the bassist for H&O, he was also a co-producer of much of their work. So Ron Banks is singing the high end now in the Celestial band, and T Bone is supplying the bottom in the pocket. RIP guys, you done good. Ron Banks, the leader of the Dramatics, best known for the 1970's
song What You See Is What You Get died recently. He had such a
high sweet falsetto, and was one of the people who influenced and
inspired me.. Another great musician that I had the pleasure of jamming with once has also passed away recently. Tom T Bone Wolk played bass for Hall And Oates from 1981 until his death. He was also well known for his big black top hat on Saturday Night Live, where he also played. In addition to being the bassist for H&O, he was also a co-producer of much of their work. So Ron Banks is singing the high end now in the Celestial band, and T Bone is supplying the bottom in the pocket. RIP guys, you done good.

]]> Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:15:00 GMT 864D1E8C4078CCCC8265B6A4F9A164FD http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=189704 I realized that it's been a LONG time since I posted to the blog. There are a lot of reasons for that. For quite a while, I was in the mountains working all week every week, putting in 12-14 hour days. When you are only home on weekends, you have other priorities! Since July, I've had surgery on my right eye to repair a detached retina, treatment for glaucoma in both eyes and surgery on my forehead for a tumor. So that's slowed me down a little as well! I'm starting to write with a collaborator for the first time since Debbie died. I'm excited about that. I'm also revamping The Rhythm Express line-up. I know, AGAIN. I'll keep after it until I get the right lineup. I'm picky. I realized that it's been a LONG time since I posted to the blog. There are a lot of reasons for that. For quite a while, I was in the mountains working all week every week, putting in 12-14 hour days. When you are only home on weekends, you have other priorities!

Since July, I've had surgery on my right eye to repair a detached retina, treatment for glaucoma in both eyes and surgery on my forehead for a tumor. So that's slowed me down a little as well!

I'm starting to write with a collaborator for the first time since Debbie died. I'm excited about that. I'm also revamping The Rhythm Express line-up. I know, AGAIN. I'll keep after it until I get the right lineup. I'm picky.

]]> Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:35:00 GMT D9196500E807A7C54685EF76B0FC021D http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=22711 I've always been the round peg in the square hole, and my business plan reflects that. My motto is "If you're gonna do it, do it right." That means thinking big, so that I have all the financial tools to make it happen. I plan on investing in real estate for both a nightclub and recording studio, vehicles for the transportation of both bands and equipment, as well as a marketing and advertising budget to build our bands' name recognition and credibility. I've always been the round peg in the square hole, and my business plan reflects that. My motto is "If you're gonna do it, do it right." That means thinking big, so that I have all the financial tools to make it happen. I plan on investing in real estate for both a nightclub and recording studio, vehicles for the transportation of both bands and equipment, as well as a marketing and advertising budget to build
our bands' name recognition and credibility.
]]> Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:30:00 GMT 9FABABAA6991B4E5008F76B088AAF8E2 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=10045 I got some sad news today that a guitar player that Jamming Julian knew from N.Carolina was killed in a tragic auto accident on the way back from a gig. He was only 18. I also heard recently about both Arthur Lee of Love and Maynard Ferguson passing away. Different genres, but both extremely creative musicians who did exciting work. They'll be missed. I got some sad news today that a guitar player that Jamming Julian knew from N.Carolina was killed in a tragic auto accident on the way back from a gig. He was only 18. I also heard recently about both Arthur Lee of Love and Maynard Ferguson passing away. Different genres, but both extremely creative musicians who did exciting work. They'll be missed.]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2006 06:50:00 GMT D316CE0674DEFF259CA1400DF1232B84 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=10044 Today I got together with several musicians at RockHouse Studios - Studio C to talk about the production company and play some damn good music as well! Thanks Rob, for all the help getting the studio set up for us . I'm optimistic that the company is going to take shape and blow Denver away. We're going to have some fine players and singers! Today I got together with several musicians at RockHouse Studios - Studio C to talk about the production company and play some damn good music as well! Thanks Rob, for all the help getting the studio set up for us . I'm optimistic that the company is going to take shape and blow Denver away. We're going to have some fine players and singers!]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2006 06:45:50 GMT ADBA4593180BEC459F76710C5283832D http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=9299 The jam at the Lakewood Grill was well attended last night, even though there were not many musicians who showed up to play. X was there and played a killer set! I played a hell of a fun set, as well and after the jam was over, X, Toni and I talked for quite a while and decided to join forces and see what we can make happen.  I think we are going to do some VERY interesting things together. I'm so excited! The jam at the Lakewood Grill was well attended last night, even though there were not many musicians who showed up to play. X was there and played a killer set! I played a hell of a fun set, as well and after the jam was over, X, Toni and I talked for quite a while and decided to join forces and see what we can make happen.  I think we are going to do some VERY interesting things together. I'm so excited!]]> Tue, 18 Jul 2006 06:36:50 GMT 8BCD26EABE4DB9F4FBDE4133B49F0658 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=9298 Syd Barret, a founding member and HUGE influence on Pink Floyd and Milan Williams, a founding member of the Commodores, have both died :( Syd started out as the primary writer, guitarist and vocalist for the Floyd before quitting due to mental health issues. David Bowie, Marc Bolan and of course the remaining members of Pink Floyd were all influenced greatly by Syd, even long after he'd left the music business. A lot of the indie bands out there today sound like they owe a debt to Syd, as well. Milan Williams was a founder of the Commodores(remember Machine Gun?). A great musician and a great human being, he'll also be deeply missed. With the Commodores, he helped to continue bringing Funk to the masses. Thank you fo' tha funk, Milan. I know you're up there jamming with Billy Preston, ain'tcha! :) Syd Barret, a founding member and HUGE influence on Pink Floyd and Milan Williams, a founding member of the Commodores, have both died :(

Syd started out as the primary writer, guitarist and vocalist for the Floyd before quitting due to mental health issues. David Bowie, Marc Bolan and of course the remaining members of Pink Floyd were all influenced greatly by Syd, even long after he'd left the music business. A lot of the indie bands out there today sound like they owe a debt to Syd, as well.

Milan Williams was a founder of the Commodores(remember Machine Gun?). A great musician and a great human being, he'll also be deeply missed. With the Commodores, he helped to continue bringing Funk to the masses. Thank you fo' tha funk, Milan. I know you're up there jamming with Billy Preston, ain'tcha! :)]]> Tue, 18 Jul 2006 06:29:45 GMT EEE0394CF514F40272EFD387DDAF8B83 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=8902 Both Ahmet Ertegun AND Johnny Jenkins have died recently, and the world is much poorer now because of it. Ahmet Ertegun was the Atlantic Records giant who worked with Aretha, Dusty Springfield, The Rascals and the list goes on and on and on. Johnny Jenkins was one of the guitarists who played with Otis Redding and was one of the architects of Otis's incredible sound, in addition to providing some of the tastiest guitar licks on a lot of Stax and Capricorn releases. He also had a huge influence on another guitarist that enjoyed a little bit of fame and recognition - a cat named Jimi Hendrix! Jimi copped a lot of licks from Johnny, as well as emulating Johnny's musical theatre bits, like playing guitar with his teeth and behind his back. Johnny was a hell of a fine guitar player, the kind of musician that Ahmet Ertegun loved listening to. And when Ahmet liked you, you knew you had something going on. :) Both Ahmet Ertegun AND Johnny Jenkins have died recently, and the world is much poorer now because of it. Ahmet Ertegun was the Atlantic Records giant who worked with Aretha, Dusty Springfield, The Rascals and the list goes on and on and on. Johnny Jenkins was one of the guitarists who played with Otis Redding and was one of the architects of Otis's incredible sound, in addition to providing some of the tastiest guitar licks on a lot of Stax and Capricorn releases. He also had a huge influence on another guitarist that enjoyed a little bit of fame and recognition - a cat named Jimi Hendrix! Jimi copped a lot of licks from Johnny, as well as emulating Johnny's musical theatre bits, like playing guitar with his teeth and behind his back. Johnny was a hell of a fine guitar player, the kind of musician that Ahmet Ertegun loved listening to. And when Ahmet liked you, you knew you had something going on. :)]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2006 05:46:17 GMT 88CF4AEFE448D35A239DDC567C7A7D3B http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=8821 Charles Smith, the guitarist for Kool and The Gang, died recently. This guy was way talented -  he could play jazz, soul, funk, R&B, you name it!  He'd been ill for a long time and like Billy Preston, he was way underrated.  I'm bummed :( Charles Smith, the guitarist for Kool and The Gang, died recently. This guy was way talented -  he could play jazz, soul, funk, R&B, you name it!  He'd been ill for a long time and like Billy Preston, he was way underrated.  I'm bummed :( ]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2006 04:05:00 GMT 68BA85D532612E06FA6979DA1FD0FDEF http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=8689 Good jam at the Lakewood Grill, however I'm parting ways with the rest of the band. I'll be putting together a new lineup soon. I'm talking with a fantastic multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, sax and flute, as well as a 2nd guitarist and bass players. And I have a keyboard player that I think will work out well. After playing with Brian and Sharon since last September, it became obvious tonight that the communication just isn't there. And if it isn't there now, it never will be. I wish them the best of luck. Time to move on to something that will be better for me and hopefully what they do will be better for them. Good jam at the Lakewood Grill, however I'm parting ways with the rest of the band. I'll be putting together a new lineup soon. I'm talking with a fantastic multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, sax and flute, as well as a 2nd guitarist and bass players. And I have a keyboard player that I think will work out well. After playing with Brian and Sharon since last September, it became obvious tonight that the communication just isn't there. And if it isn't there now, it never will be. I wish them the best of luck. Time to move on to something that will be better for me and hopefully what they do will be better for them.]]> Mon, 19 Jun 2006 10:12:17 GMT DF2198539C879CD1A71001FCDD23CCC2 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=8482 Billy Preston died early yesterday morning. He was probably the nicest guy I ever met and even though he'd been in failing health for a long time, I'll miss him. God just hired a HEAVENLY piano player :) Billy Preston died early yesterday morning. He was probably the nicest guy I ever met and even though he'd been in failing health for a long time, I'll miss him. God just hired a HEAVENLY piano player :)]]> Wed, 07 Jun 2006 21:23:51 GMT F8A36D8DB9B3C29807DB68E8E91B7964 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=8430 I LOVE private party gigs! They pay well and you can do just about anything musically. Last night was Luau Night for a Housewarming party in Evergreen and it was a blast! The music bounced off the mountains so people all over could hear it and we were so well received that they asked us if we'd play later than we'd contracted. We got a nice bonus and played from 4PM until 10:30!! This gig might lead to a bed and breakfast gig in Evergreen, so I'm SMILING. :) I LOVE private party gigs! They pay well and you can do just about anything musically. Last night was Luau Night for a Housewarming party in Evergreen and it was a blast! The music bounced off the mountains so people all over could hear it and we were so well received that they asked us if we'd play later than we'd contracted. We got a nice bonus and played from 4PM until 10:30!! This gig might lead to a bed and breakfast gig in Evergreen, so I'm SMILING. :)]]> Mon, 05 Jun 2006 06:45:16 GMT A295E966AF7235D45E581C54325584B8 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=8428 Vince Welnick is the latest gentle soul to pass over to the other side. He was the keyboardist for the Dead, Missing Man Formation and The Tubes, among others. I met him years ago when he was playing with The Tubes. He was an incredible musician and a wonderful person, as well. To echo the Dead, may the four winds blow you home, Vince. You'll be deeply missed. Vince Welnick is the latest gentle soul to pass over to the other side. He was the keyboardist for the Dead, Missing Man Formation and The Tubes, among others. I met him years ago when he was playing with The Tubes. He was an incredible musician and a wonderful person, as well. To echo the Dead, may the four winds blow you home, Vince. You'll be deeply missed.]]> Mon, 05 Jun 2006 06:35:27 GMT 63BEB27A9695FF900C60491E95DEC121 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=7414 I just got the news that June Pointer died of cancer. She was a wonderful singer and our sympathy goes to her family. RIP, June. I just got the news that June Pointer died of cancer. She was a wonderful singer and our sympathy goes to her family. RIP, June.]]> Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:45:51 GMT F15ACD7339A69E4A7E0E27D93079BCA1 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=7299 I was really saddened to read online that Gene Pitney had died. He was a huge talent, not only having hits as an artist himself, but writing hits for other artists. A lot of talented people are leaving us and leaving a void that won't ever be filled. I was really saddened to read online that Gene Pitney had died. He was a huge talent, not only having hits as an artist himself, but writing hits for other artists. A lot of talented people are leaving us and leaving a void that won't ever be filled.]]> Fri, 07 Apr 2006 06:10:41 GMT 4D0E87B022BA921DA816E4249039CF5E http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=5757 Well, this was the last weekend the Trouble Brothers hosted at the Lakewood Grill. Starting Sunday February 12th, Tempa and the Tantrums will host the Sunday jam at the Lakewood Grill, rather than Wednesday nights. They're working on a mid-week jam elsewhere - I'll post it when I hear about it.Meanwhile, it was a crazy weekend. I spent ALL NIGHT working with a friend of mine writing songs that have an excellent chance of ending up on a project with a big name producer out of LA. This was one of the most fun collaborations I've been involved in, although we weren't really planning on working until 5AM Sunday morning! But the creative process was firing on 8 cylinders, so to speak, and we kept writing until we couldn't see the page anymore. Well, this was the last weekend the Trouble Brothers hosted at the Lakewood Grill. Starting Sunday February 12th, Tempa and the Tantrums will host the Sunday jam at the Lakewood Grill, rather than Wednesday nights. They're working on a mid-week jam elsewhere - I'll post it when I hear about it.

Meanwhile, it was a crazy weekend. I spent ALL NIGHT working with a friend of mine writing songs that have an excellent chance of ending up on a project with a big name producer out of LA. This was one of the most fun collaborations I've been involved in, although we weren't really planning on working until 5AM Sunday morning! But the creative process was firing on 8 cylinders, so to speak, and we kept writing until we couldn't see the page anymore. ]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2006 03:58:50 GMT 643C9EE3166BF5619B53BF74740674E0 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=5603 I'm checking out a few different acts needing booking and management help, and expect to sign with 3-4 acts soon. Not only will this be an additional form of revenue for me, it'll help these acts get to a higher level in their careers. Right now, I'm looking at a couple of really good bands and a couple of good solo acts in Denver. I'm checking out a few different acts needing booking and management help, and expect to sign with 3-4 acts soon. Not only will this be an additional form of revenue for me, it'll help these acts get to a higher level in their careers. Right now, I'm looking at a couple of really good bands and a couple of good solo acts in Denver. ]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2006 05:13:16 GMT 6D730D09CD880B74F746D87DFEA07746 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=5517 I heard about Wilson Pickett's death of a heart attack yesterday and was so shocked and sad, I couldn't talk for a minute. Wilson was larger than life. He was a creative giant, an absolutely incredible singer and writer and I miss him. He was a legend, but he never got all the accolades he was due. I think part of the reason for that was because he made what he did seem effortless;he was so smooth. Anyway, RIP Wilson, we love you, man. I heard about Wilson Pickett's death of a heart attack yesterday and was so shocked and sad, I couldn't talk for a minute. Wilson was larger than life. He was a creative giant, an absolutely incredible singer and writer and I miss him. He was a legend, but he never got all the accolades he was due. I think part of the reason for that was because he made what he did seem effortless;he was so smooth. Anyway, RIP Wilson, we love you, man.]]> Sat, 21 Jan 2006 00:21:08 GMT 89354235E5724B02A53B7054CB5E6D53 http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=5451 Brian is setting up a jam of some of the top musicians in the area, including a hot player coming up from New Mexico! There will probably be between 18-20 players involved, and these players are among the cream of the crop. Blues, R&B, possibly even some jazz - you won't want to miss this jam!! As soon as all the details are worked out and it's scheduled, I'll post it. We're aiming for a date within the next month or so; It should be quite an event! Brian is setting up a jam of some of the top musicians in the area, including a hot player coming up from New Mexico! There will probably be between 18-20 players involved, and these players are among the cream of the crop. Blues, R&B, possibly even some jazz - you won't want to miss this jam!! As soon as all the details are worked out and it's scheduled, I'll post it. We're aiming for a date within the next month or so; It should be quite an event!]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2006 01:42:35 GMT EE25815E506C1C215E5C574BB981174D http://therhythmband.com/rhythmnotes.cfm?feature=92103&postid=5286 I am so happy that 2005 is over. Putting a band together is HARD work, branching out to book & manage other groups isn't so easy either! On top of that, a lot of great musicians were taken from us this last year. This year didn't start so hot either with Lou Rawls' death. Here's hoping everyone stays healthy this year! I am so happy that 2005 is over. Putting a band together is HARD work, branching out to book & manage other groups isn't so easy either! On top of that, a lot of great musicians were taken from us this last year. This year didn't start so hot either with Lou Rawls' death. Here's hoping everyone stays healthy this year!]]> Tue, 10 Jan 2006 04:57:31 GMT 2DF5339F589C8281564F2C6AADAFB336