I received an email from a dear old friend today, Victor, whom I haven’t heard from in a few years. He asked about Gigi and music and Life, then asked: “Hey, what was the name of that band we had? “Saddle Sore” or something like that?”

Well, it was called “Bareback.” I sang and played rhythm guitar, and the other singer was Elena Keating (we sang country stuff and did The Judds; our harmonies were really good together, and she’s a great singer). Victor played lead guitar; Kip Haaheim on bass, and for the life of me I can’t remember the drummer. Dave…something (I’m sorry, Dave!)

I reminded Victor that I had wanted to call the band, “Mustang Ranch,” but was voted down. Then I started remember all the bands I’ve started or been a member of, and really got a big laugh. I’ll name them here, and

I WANT TO KNOW YOURS, TOO! Can you name the bands you’ve been in, and what kind of music was it? I think it would be really fun.  So here are mine:

1. “Plain and Simple” - yes, you read that right. That was MY 13 year old genius idea. We played ONLY Elton John cover tunes. Ricky Briggs wore a zebra cape, big glasses, and played the hell out of that piano. I sang back up and lead on a couple of tunes. We broke up after Ricky started acting like he really was Elton John.
2. “The Townsmen” - my music teacher in junior high, Mr. Pinto. He played clarinet. The other instrumentation was an organ (awful sound) and a drummer. My big number was “Misty.” I was in heaven singing at the Sons of Italy and the Elk Club for a whopping thirty dollars. But that was a lot of money for a 14 year old. Mr. Pinto (didn’t like him)  is not to be confused with Mr. Cerroni (who I worshiped); Mr. Cerroni was my choir teacher in junior high. Fabulous jazz pianist. I sang with him at his house and he is the one who really taught me about music and about singing. He made me practice singing with no vibrato at all. That taught me control, baby. I am mistress of my vocal domain. Thanks, Mr. Cerroni, I wish I could find you and thank you!!!
3. “Times Square” - we really WERE square, OMG! I was lead singer with a bunch of old guys. I LOVED the drummer, his name was Bunny. He was 80. What a doll. He sang “Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider” and that was his big number. My big number was “Evergreen” by Barbra Streisand. Oh, I also sang “What I Did For Love” from “A Chorus Line.” I thought I was Broadway bound. Later,  Bunny went away, we got a young drummer, and started doing disco. Donna Summer (love her!)…The photo is that band, 17 years old.
4. “Can’t Remember This One” - next I was in a ‘rock’ band. Can’t remember the name! We played Fleetwood Mac, and YES. I played bass on “Roundabout.” Of course, I sucked totally on the bass. O man, what was I thinking? I was completely in love with John Solan, the drummer, so I would play any instrument, sing any song, didn’t matter as long as I got to be in the band with him. He had a girlfriend though, darn. I guess I was so in love I totally forgot the name of the band. John is an amazing drummer and musician and sweet guy. I saw him a few years ago in Binghamton, NY in a restaurant. He looks and acts exactly the same. That was so cool, to see him.
5. “Merlin” - After moving to Petaluma from upstate NY after college, I was singing background vocals in a band called “Merlin.” It was sort of a Jethro Tull vibe, the lead singer played flute and sang and was not happy that a ‘chick’ singer was now in the band. Carlos Reyes played harp in that band! THAT was the best part. Love that guy. And my boyfriend was the drummer (I have a thing for drummers…doesn’t everyone. Anyway, I quit that band and joined:
6. “Catalyst” which was a blast. Original rock and New Wave. I sang Pat Benetar, The Motels, The Go Gos, Pretenders, all the really cool stuff that was out then. We played all the sleazy bars and it was cool. Those were the days, my friend.
7. “The First Three Minutes” - Definitely the BEST NAME for a band I’ve been in. We rocked! Chris Christiansen on guitar. My buddy and pal, what a sweetheart. Original rock/new wave stuff. Constantly fought with the drummer who I think had scrambled brains from too much substance abuse. Left that band. Chris contacted me last year, after 25 years. He’s a CHP now and sings/plays in a blues band. He’s awesome. Can’t remember any of the other guys. Here’s a picture of us (below) at the Berkeley Square.
   
8. “The Connection” - this was a Top 40 band, four brothers in the band, and me on vocals. The keyboard player became my first husband, and Gigi’s father. Sang Madonna. Hated it. ‘Nuff said.
9. “Hoi Polloi” - this was SUCH a great band! The instrumentation was Marc Ream (composer for George Coates) on keyboards and bass, Jim Lemmon on guitar, Chris Hallaby on guitar, and Barbara Higby on Harp (strings) and Marimba. AWESOME original songs. Concurrent with being in the band I was a performer with George Coates’ “Actual Sho.” That didn’t quite work out.

   

10. ALMOST got to sing with “Voicestra” but made it to first runner up, not first place. Incredibly bummed. I learned a lot from Bobby McFerrin, who is simply amazing. I also learned a lot about what lengths some people will go to in order to get a gig, and how best to deal with that. I’m proud to say I am friendly with every female vocalist I know….we’re all in this together, and we’re all unique. There’s plenty of audience out there. Anyway, moving on…
11. I decided to start my own band at this time and focus on jazz vocals, finally settling down into something that was challenging and always changing. I’ve been fronting my own trio, quartet, quintet or larger group ever since, and that’s the most fun. I’ve had the honor to play with the best musicians in the Bay Area and it’s always a thrill.

Here ends my Band History…it’s been fun writing this and bringing back so many memories. If you’ve read this entire post, I want to thank you for your patience and endurance!!!  Love and Peace Thru Music!!!  elaine

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Bought tickets last night for the Obama Inaugural Ball which is happening Tuesday (Jan 20) at Yoshi’s San Francisco…I didn’t find out until just now that they are having a contest and you can win free tickets…go here: Obama Ball at Yoshi’s. Anyway, I can’t WAIT! Can’t wait for He Whose Name I Will Not Post in My Happy Joyful Music Blog leaves Washington DC and slinks on down to Dallas, TX. You can have him back, Texas!! Please keep him.

The Ball is sponsored by Green 960 radio (on your AM dial, folks) or streaming on the internet (altho their stream is very tweaky…I can rarely get it to work). Will Durst is performing along with some other comics, jazz music by J. Thomas with Dave Ellis on sax (awesome!)…

Hope springs eternal for ‘rational thinking’ Americans (the majority of us!)!

See you at the Ball!

Love from your

Mama for Obama!

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Try the remedy below to help ease your worried mind during these troubled times.

Warning: If you suspect that you may be terminally cynical, downtrodden or hopeless, and this prescription does not remedy the ailment, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take as directed:

1.  Carefully remove your body from the couch or chair;
2. Move legs, slowly at first (until you feel balanced after months of inaction);
3. Point body in the direction of the nearest Jazz Music Dispensary. These can be found in nightclubs, restaurants, or sometimes in out-of-the-way bars (also known as “dives”);
4. Pay the entrance price charged at the door to Jazz Music Dispensary (also known as the “cover charge,” this minimal cost to you, the consumer, is historically quite low, which in fact has contributed to Jazz Musician Practitioners’ remuneration also not increasing in any significant way since 1904.)
5. Find a seat. Purchase an alchoholic beverage, food, or other libation. Take at least one dose of libation, followed by a large glass of water. WARNING: Avoid driving immediately after consuming, could cause drowsiness or impair movement (water helps alleviate this symptom).
6. Listen. Close your eyes. Let the music take you away from worry, and into the world the talented and dedicated musicians are creating for you in real time, right now.
7. Engage with your neighbors at the next table. Chat with the band. Tip the waitress.
8. Be grateful that we all have the opportunity to share the arts…so many do not have the luxury.
9. There. All better now.

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Back into booking gigs for myself and the guys. Yoshi’s SF was the last nightclub I played at in 2008, back in October when we did our CD release party for “Let’s Live Again.” We had some private parties and holiday gigs, and did a big Obama fundraiser, but I had spent so many months working on the CD and then the lead up to the CD release parties, that almost the very moment that Yoshi’s gig ended I got really sick for about two weeks. I needed to take a break for the rest of the year, get through the election of our new President Barack Obama (thank you Gods and Goddesses! and the American people!!), the holidays, and now, here we are. Whew…2009…we’ll be fine. No. Really. Please.

Now that I need to continue booking some gigs and tours to promote the CD, gotta keep up the promoting and marketing. And over and over I keep running into the word “Diva” to describe singers, mostly jazz or cabaret artists, and sometimes pop singers like Christina Aguilara (who really is an amazing vocalist) or Celine Dion or Mariah Carey….

According to Wikipedia, “A diva is a term usually used to describe a celebrated female singer or actor. The term was originally used to describe a woman of rare, outstanding talent. It derives from the Italian word ‘diva’ meaning “goddess” or “fine lady…”  The term “diva” was used commonly, before its overuse as a descriptive term for contemporary singer, to portray “a distinguished female operatic singer; a female operatic star.” Its meaning has definitely changed over the recent years. Oh darn, they’ve ruined it.

Really, call me the opposite of a diva, rather an

AVID singer!

Always. Vocally. Inspired. and Devoted!

No DIVA here…Demanding. Impossible. Volatile. Argumentative.  I don’t know…am I being too hard on divas?? What are some other acronyms? Now now, ladies…don’t get mad. We must laugh at ourselves. I’m the first one to admit that really…WHO CARES if I’m a singer, so what? I’m one out of thousands…millions. Life’s too mysterious…don’t take it serious!!

TRUE divas…Goddesses of the Voice, were strong, opinionated, and confident in who they were, but who acted with class, confidence, kindness, and inspired artistic gifts:

Ella Fitzgerald
Nina SImone
Beverly Sills
Peggy Lee
Dusty Springfield
Miriam Makeba
Sarah Vaughan
Mahalia Jackson

I know, that’s an eclectic list, but they’re my idols…goddesses…

Living divas..COOL women, strong, loving, giving, grateful and humble…hmmmm

I LOVE Queen Latifah (what a voice, and she’s so beautiful…LOVE YOU Queenie!)

Cesaria Evora (oh, I just love her. period. she’s amazing. I feel healed every time I listen to her)

k.d. lang (she’d probably hate being called a diva, even if it’s meant in a good way, but man, she’s awesome)

Tina Turner (sexy, strong, sense of humor, doesn’t seem to take it too seriously and has fun with her young boyfriend..go girl!)

Winona (she kicks ass, no doubt about it, in every way…yikes, watch out!)

The Dixie Chicks - oh Natalie, thank you for bravely speaking out against You Know Who…we all knew you were right, all along…you ROCK, girlfriend and I worship your voice)

Karrin Allyson ( she’s like a gentle little goddess with the voice of an angel…she makes me wonder why I continue to dream that I might some day be a jazz singer)

Joni Mitchell (folk goddess jazz goddess poet goddess earth goddess Joni I love you and wished fervently during my childhood that I was your long, lost daughter you gave up for adoption…and that James Taylor was my father…)

I could go on and on….you name some….come on, let’s hear it for the true divas…

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After starting a discussion on my Facebook page, I think I could gather up some of us SF Bay Area singers and collaborate in a project, something like a “Singers Summit,” and see if we can get more people out of their homes, off their butts, turn off the TV…to go out and listen to some LIVE MUSIC!!

Things are tough right now, and when the going gets tough, the tough make Music, Art, Theater, Dance, Books…Art explodes during down times! We’re searching for comfort, inspiration, illumination. Some people find it in a bottle, a drug, or in front of the TV.

We can create something joyful and healing, AND have an opportunity to get in front of some audiences. Charge very little for tickets so that anyone could attend…maybe even get some sponsors (I can dream, can’t I?).

Let’s harness the incredible creative energy we’ve got here in SF and the Bay and spread the love the love the love. Who’s with me?

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