Kennan - Bands and Friends

New Header photo by Michelle Hoover. Check out her "Wingnut Series", and all her superb work at Michelle Hoover Photography. BANDS: Danny Click - A newspaper writer once wrote that Danny "sounds like Jimi Hendrix beating up Buck Owens." I don't know what that means exactly, I just know I can't top it. Rounding out the band is the Mighty Dave Sampson on guitar, and Joe Oviedo on drums (check out his web site!) www.dannyclick.com Mojo Madness - Tough, Harp and Guitar driven Chicago style Blues. You can dance or get the hell outta the way. Mojomadness.com Dave Matthews Blues Band - Hard working, crowd pleasing, fun loving Blues and R&B band, featuring the vocals of the amazing Tia Carroll, and fronted by "the other" Dave Matthews. A fine time will be had by all! davematthewsbluesband.com The Churchmice - "Power Cover Trio" with me, Dean Allen and Tom "Fee" Falleti. Tons of experience (Alameda All-Stars, Billy Satellite) and a song list thats just a little left of center from your average cover-band gig. Eric Lindell - A native of San Mateo, Eric made a name for himself around the Bay Area with his high energy R&B shows before heading to New Orleans to continue his career. Eric can't seem to sit still, and tours and plays incessantly. Frankie Ramos Band - A 'Showman' with a capital 'S', Frankie wows the crowd with his Louis Prima feel, and two-horn sax solos. Becca and the Chaperones - Becca is a young up-and-coming singing star with more poise and experience than most singers twice her age. beccasmusic.com Eric Delore - Singer/Songwriter, former mastermind behind Random Dudes, and a guy that should be playing out more (hint hint). ericdelore.com Julieann Banks - Being in the band behind a Singer/Songwriter is a lot like being a Rodeo Clown; No one came to see you and they don't really pay you much attention, but the Cowboys know you'll doing anything to protect their backs, so they appreciate you. Sometimes that means acting like a fool, but it's all part of the job. Move to California, Julieann and Chris, and I'll be your Rodeo Clown. http://julieannbanks.com
Friends and Family; Satisfaction The first time Jim Riddick and I met, we we're both about 15 and we sat and played "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out" practically all the way through. We've been friends and some-time band mates ever since. There is no one more qualified than him to be Keith, short of the man himself - guitar-wise, that is! My oldest friend, and someone I don't get to see nearly enough due to our busy schedules, and the fact that he's taken his "Keith" on the road. Frankie G and the Conviction High energy blues played with conviction. Featuring bassist (and buddy) Mac Akin, the first guy I'd call if I couldn't make a gig. Drummer Stewart Burr is a keeper also...hell, man, all these guys can play! You can smell the sweat and beer when they get cookin'. Leroy Jones In the Spring of 2004, I was fortunate enough to be a part of a big, international Jazz & Blues Festival that spent a week in Fiji and then a week in New Zeeland. Needless to say, it was a blast. One of the coolest guys on the show was New Orleans Trumpeter Leroy Jones. Whether it's Brass band, Dixieland, Straight Jazz, Funk, or Pop, Leroy's smooth tone acts as a tourguide to New Orleans Music. Check out his website; he's the Real Deal. He's also one of the warmest, nicest guys in the world. Enchant Prog-Rock with an emotional edge. Bassist Ed Platt is THE MAN, and damn nice to boot. Don't be afraid, the "No Capes" rule is strictly enforced. Steve Lawson "The online home of the U.K's leading solo Bass Guitarist!" Steve is truly an innovator and an amazingly imaginative musician, he's also an absolute joy to be around. Steve has a lot of qualities I aspire to, and that's beyond his bass playing. I follow his 'blogs' daily, even if they get too..."English" sometimes. Badassbassplayers.com The Internet is the biggest boon to bass playing since round wound strings (even if the jury is still out on those!). There are many 'virtual clubhouses' where bassists can gather and swap info and gear, but the best is Badassbassplayers.com. It's a little more grown up, a little snobby, and a lot less whiny than most. Contribute and behave and you'll be welcomed with open arms. Attitude and an argumentative nature will get you tossed through the swinging doors into the dusty street like punk in a John Wayne movie. Peace. Tango Straps Sometimes you have to remember that the Big Picture is made up of many parts, and not to miss the trees for the forest. It's easy to spend a grand on a bass, a couple of hundred on a case, all kinds of money on an amp...and $3.74 on a strap? Your strap ties you to your bass! It handles the heavy lifting while you do the playing! You don't have to spend hundreds, but a few bucks for comfort is totally worth it. It helps even more when that company is made up of Good People making a Good Product, which is exactly the deal at Tango. Check'em out!