Music
Although I've never been a musician other than occasionally playing a handful of chords or the same couple of scales over and over again on guitar, I have been into music since as long as I can remember. I'm not sure how old I was but I recall my first forty-five being Chain Gang by Sam Cooke. I possibly got it from an older cousin but I really have no idea because it was recorded in 1960, a year after I was born. I was influenced by the music that various friend's older brothers listened to. Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, CCR and Sly Stone were the sounds I loved while most of my friends were listening to bubble gum bands. In the seventies I gravitated toward English hard rock and progressive rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, ELP, Yes and countless others. I would save up money so that I could buy three or four albums at a time (about $3 each) and then I would lie on the floor of my room and read everything that was printed on the jacket, sleeves and label while listening to my new treasures. My friends throughout time have commented that I know way too much about bands and songs and don't understand why I don't work in the field. I'm not sure why I don't either! There was a time when I aspired to be a recording engineer but nothing beyond working for a few local bands as a roadie ever really materialized as I fell into the world of computer technology. My love for music continues with an inclination for rock and blues but I enjoy most every type of music.
I have significant family ties to A&M Records on both the business and creative side. Clearly this was to my advantage to get my foot in the door, but for the most part, this was unknown by my co-workers. I can say with a clear conscious that my eleven years there was earned by hard work, being a good employee and showing interest when opportunities became available. From Shipping/Receiving to Merchandising and an evening extra gig making tape dupes for Publishing, I ended up in the Data Processing department. I began as a Data Control Clerk and migrated to be a Computer Operator eventually turning this experience into my lifelong career in Information Technology.
My time at A&M was an absolute blast. I met many fun and wonderful people and a few famous musicians along the way. It also presented an opportunity to moonlight as a roadie for some local LA bands that my co-workers were in. It wasn't much for money but the memories of wild times and being in an element that I loved so much was priceless. My roadie highlight was working a few weeks of rehearsals and live performances for keyboardist Claude Schnell, during his gig with the Hughes Thrall band (Glenn Hughes and Pat Thrall). Google these folks for a bit of rock n roll royalty history.
My son has a similar passion for music but to his credit he actually has talent and works at further developing his musicianship. He has been a drummer for years and has played in a couple of bands, Eighth Round and Irieality that have had marginal success in San Diego. He has received an Associate's degree from The Recording Arts Institute in San Diego and earned a Bachelor's degree from Western Washington University in audio production. So maybe he will acquire the career that dad never attained. You can find his Beats online under the name "_Houseplants" (underscore Houseplants) or "Houseplants" on Spotify, Apple Music and Sound Cloud.
I have significant family ties to A&M Records on both the business and creative side. Clearly this was to my advantage to get my foot in the door, but for the most part, this was unknown by my co-workers. I can say with a clear conscious that my eleven years there was earned by hard work, being a good employee and showing interest when opportunities became available. From Shipping/Receiving to Merchandising and an evening extra gig making tape dupes for Publishing, I ended up in the Data Processing department. I began as a Data Control Clerk and migrated to be a Computer Operator eventually turning this experience into my lifelong career in Information Technology.
My time at A&M was an absolute blast. I met many fun and wonderful people and a few famous musicians along the way. It also presented an opportunity to moonlight as a roadie for some local LA bands that my co-workers were in. It wasn't much for money but the memories of wild times and being in an element that I loved so much was priceless. My roadie highlight was working a few weeks of rehearsals and live performances for keyboardist Claude Schnell, during his gig with the Hughes Thrall band (Glenn Hughes and Pat Thrall). Google these folks for a bit of rock n roll royalty history.
My son has a similar passion for music but to his credit he actually has talent and works at further developing his musicianship. He has been a drummer for years and has played in a couple of bands, Eighth Round and Irieality that have had marginal success in San Diego. He has received an Associate's degree from The Recording Arts Institute in San Diego and earned a Bachelor's degree from Western Washington University in audio production. So maybe he will acquire the career that dad never attained. You can find his Beats online under the name "_Houseplants" (underscore Houseplants) or "Houseplants" on Spotify, Apple Music and Sound Cloud.