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Official Web Site of Gretchen Christopher,
BMI Million Airs Songwriter, Solo Artist, Dancer/Choreographer and
The Fleetwoods' Founder |
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A Note from Gretchen:
This Calendar reflects some of the fun parts of making my life and living in
the Arts, as both a Generative Artist and a Performing Artist, and occasionally
nourishing my soul as a member of a family or that larger family, the
Audience.
In a very few instances, I have listed an event to which I have been invited
but may not be present; yet I want to extend the invitation to you, to support the Arts, the
Entertainers, and those for whom I am sentimental. This may be as simple as
acknowledging, and celebrating in our hearts, the birth dates of some very special people.
With love to share,
Gretchen Christopher
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"2010 Blog updates
courtesy of Darrell French"
Send comments and questions to,
webmaster@TheFleetwoods.com
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2007 was the year of completion for
GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN!
(SUITE 16),
her premier autobiographical solo CD, years in the making.
Gretchen's greatest holiday gift?
Learning that hers is among the year's
10 BEST ALBUMS, according to BILLBOARD
CRITICS' PICKS!
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Thurs, 1/28/10
Happy Birthday, SONJA CHRISTOPHER,
sister of Gretchen, and first
SURVIVOR voted off the island.
(See article
and photos, 1/16/08.)
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Sun,
2/14/10
Happy Valentine's Day
& BIRTHDAY
to "Heart
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and "Clever
Bastards"
Co-Founder ROGER FISHER.
www.rogerfisher.com
GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER & ROGER FISHER performed
"Come Softly To Me" in huge 60TH BIRTHDAY
CONCERT on Valentine's Day, to BENEFIT HAITI, at
KING CAT THEATER, Seattle, WA.
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VENTURES' Don Wilson
(to play guitar on Gretchen's "Come Softly To
Me") Gertrude, Karen, FLEETWOODS'
Gretchen Christopher, CURVES' Shelley
Tomberg |
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Karen Choyce,
following HEART Founding Guitarist Roger
Fisher's 60th Birthday wishes to "dress
outrageously sexy" for concert |
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Click on PhotoS to Enlarge |
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Tue,
2/16/10
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Happy Birthday, Broadcaster
JOHN HENDRICKS
Click on Photo to Enlarge |
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Sat,
2/20/10
Pisces Birthday of Original
Fleetwood, BARBARA LIANE ELLIS
(I phoned, played
piano and sang "Happy Birthday" to Barbara on
her message machine). |
Tue,
2/23/10
Pisces Birthday remembrance of
Fleetwood Gretchen's Co-Songwriter, LEE J.
JACKSON, 1936-1999.
Hear
his fine lyrics on "Autumn Gold", "What Good Is
Pride (When You're Dying Inside)" & "Standing At
My Window" on GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN (SUITE
16), at
www.GoldCupMusic.com
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Wed,
2/24/10
Pisces Birthday of Replacement
Fleetwood, GENE HOWARD. |
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Fri,
2/26/09
Pisces Birthday of Fleetwood
Gretchen's Son, CHRISTOPHER MATZEN,
http://wacoly.com |
Sat, 2/27/10
Pisces
Birthday
remembrance of Fleetwood Gretchen's
Dance Partner, DANIEL SCHWARTZ
(Feb 27, 1922
- Feb 23,
2007)
Gretchen's favorite dance partner, Daniel
Schwartz, suffered a stroke on the weekend
of 2/17/07. Dan died peacefully
Feb 23, 2007,
with his family at his side, just four days
before his 85th birthday.
Dan
is remembered forever and acknowledged
in the Album Notes of Gretchen's Sweet
Sixteen and the following:
(See
TRIBUTES)
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Sun, 2/28/10
Pisces Birthday of Fellow Singer-Songwriter,
SANDY ST. JOHN - and
fond
remembrances of her husband, Dick St. John (1940
- 2003), singing partner, hit songwriter and
(with Dee Dee Phelps) co-founding member of Dick 'n'
Dee Dee.
Happy 5th Birthday, Little Pisces goddess
LILLIAN,
Grammy Gretchen's 4th "Grammy Award". (:o) |
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Hey, It' would be great to
have HEART in the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME,
along with THE VENTURES, who were inducted in
2008. That same year I performed at the
VOCAL GROUP HALL OF FAME 10TH ANNIVERSARY
INDUCTIONS & CONCERTS, in celebration of THE
FLEETWOODS' 2006 induction (our 4th HALL OF
FAME).
Congratulations to All these NORTHWEST ARTISTS
whose music continues to touch people throughout
the WORLD! |
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FRIENDS & PISCES!
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Thurs,
3/4/10
Pisces Birthday of former Disc
Jockey, RALPH KOAL.
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Sat
3/13/10
Pisces Birthday of Replacement
Fleetwood, Cute Cousin KAREN CONE from
Connecticut
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALL YOU FELLOW
PISCES!
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Mon,
4/12/10
Actress,
Director, Musician, Arts Activist HELEN
CHRISTOPHER Honored, seven years ago today as
Recipient of 2003 Salute to the Arts Award, "for
your numerous and outstanding contributions to
the Arts in the South Sound Area."
Capital city official for over a quarter
century, former Olympia City Manager ELDON
MARSHALL wrote on 3/28/03 in a personal note of
congratulations to Helen Christopher (who had
been the only woman appointed to serve on The
Mayor's Committee of the '60's), "I just want to
express my thanks for your leadership in
achieving the 'Performing Arts Center' for our
community. If not for your efforts and
persistence I doubt that we would have it
today." Helen Christopher chaired the
Auditorium Committee and decades of volunteer
work to make a reality the auditorium which
would be known as The Washington Center for the
Performing Arts, of which Marshall wrote, "You
are the 'mother' of the Auditorium."
Six years
later, Eldon Marshall again spoke of her
accomplishments at the celebration of her life
which ended Friday, September 19, 2008. Helen
Christopher died but left the capital city
multiple legacies to enrich the lives of all who
survive. See
TRIBUTES. |
Mon, 4/26/10
Happy Birthday, dear brother! JAMES
CHRISTOPHER, Great Grand Master Laser
Sailracing Champion of the United States,
repeatedly since 2001. Congratulations, again
and again! |
Thurs, 4/29/10
Birthday, remembrance of JOSIE WILSON
(April 29, 1915 - January 18, 2007), Blue
Horizon Records Label Founder, original Producer
of The Ventures' music and Mother of The
Ventures' Co-Founder Don Wilson, who were last
year inducted
into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame on March 10,
declared The Ventures Day, by Washington
Governor Christine Gregoire. Congratulations,
Josie; that sunshine must be you, beaming! (:o).
(See
TRIBUTES) |
Fri, 4/30/10
APRIL 30, 9PM,
GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER will Come Softly to
Seattle's new HARD ROCK CAFE, Sing, Sign CDs &
Celebrate STEPPENWOLF keyboard player GOLDY
MCJOHN'S 65th Birthday, with ALL STAR LINE-UP
kicking off THE MAGIC CARPET RIDE Tour.
Are you ready to be a V.I.P.? (very important
partier!!!) Well April 30th is the date and you
don't want to miss it! And guess what??? You
don't have to bring a gift... because the
present is for YOU!!! Rock keyboardist icon and
living legend, GOLDY MCJOHN (original
keyboardist from Steppenwolf) and his all-star
band are kicking off their 2010 "MAGIC CARPET
RIDE" tour with GOLDY'S BIRTHDAY BASH at the
Hard Rock Cafe - Seattle, featuring an array of
special guests, including: The Magic Carpet
Ride (featuring Goldy McJohn formerly of
Steppenwolf) Gretchen Christopher (Founder of
the Fleetwoods, Multi Million Seller Songwriter)
Leon Hendrix (Brother of Jimi Hendrix) SOMAR
(featuring Steve Fossen - Founding member of
HEART) Roger Fisher (Founding member of HEART)
Heartless (Seattle's "Heart" Tribute Band)
Devorah Witchburn and more!!! Also making
their debut: The "Born to be Wild Babes!"
WHEN: April 30,2010 WHERE: Hard Rock Cafe
ADDRESS: 116 Pike Street, Seattle, WA DOORS OPEN
AT: 8: PM CONCERT: 9:00 PM TICKETS: $10.00
advance online at:
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=1274705&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeed
$12.00 at the door (21 and over ONLY with valid
ID) MASTER OF CEREMONIES FOR THE EVENING
INCLUDE: Rockfish (KZOK 102.5 FM Seattle's ONLY
Classic Rock Station) John Maynard (legendary
Seattle radio personality) Mark
Christopher (WARM 106.9 FM) For more
information: GOLDY MCJOHN
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Goldy-McJohn-formerly-of-Steppenwolf-and-his-band-THE-MAGIC-CARPET-RIDE/356866579509?ref=ts
THE MAGIC CARPET RIDE
http://www.gmandfriendz.com HARD ROCK
http://www.hardrock.com/seattle
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Goldy McJohn and Hard
Rock audience are introduced by Gretchen
Christopher to her Show Band incl.
Singer/Dancer Nikki Stewart |
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Sat, 5/1/10
| The morning after a
triumphant performance at the Hard Rock
Cafe, Gretchen Christopher recorded
"Come Softly To Me" with Roger Fisher in
geodesic dome studio in Duval, WA.
Photo by Jeanne Galarneau who, with
Photographer Terry Divyak, enjoyed $80
worth of King Crab Legs from the Pike
Place Market and shared them with
Gretchen and Rog for a delicious break! |
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Sun, 5/2/10
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BIRTHDAY of GOLDY MCJOHN, former
keyboard player of Sparrow, Steppenwolf,
Humble Pie. |
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Tue,
5/3/10
Happy
Birthday, ELLIE O'SHEA FRONEY (talented,
lifelong friend, "since before we were
born;" sounding board and ongoing champion for
Gretchen's SWEET SIXTEEN)! |
Sun, 5/9/10
MOTHER'S DAY was lovely; perfect,
except for not having my daughter Kimari with
me. She was in New Orleans for a weekend
alone with her husband, for the first time since
her children were born (over seven years)! And
the rest of the family have the pleasure of her
two lovely little girls, Lillian (5) and Kamiel
(7) - who had overnighted with their cousins,
Gray (4-3/4), Avery (7) and Tessa (9-1/2).
Then my son Chris (with the assistance of wife
Gina) prepared a sumptuous Mothers Day brunch of
Eggs Benedict Northwest (with wild salmon lox).
Mimosas, et al, served at my place, on the
bright, sun-lit deck, overlooking the bay.
My brother Bill made a great start washing
windows looking out on the bay (a Christmas gift
promised by Gina and Chris, which they'll finish
next Wednesday and then stay for dinner).
The children played down at the beach and then
joined us for a sail (nine of us, only Vos
remained at home) on my brother Bill's boat,
from the marina down Budd Inlet to in front of
my home and back again.
A spontaneous invitation to return to Chris and
Gina's place for pineapple and Canadian bacon
pizza topped off a perfect Mother's Day.
Then Vos and I took Lillian and Kamiel home to
feed their dog, brush their teeth and get a
goodnight's sleep. before school in the morning.
There I will assist with Kamiel's first grade
class, plus be a a guest (along with little
Lilli, who will miss her ballet class) for a
Mothers Tea. Kamiel will deeply miss her
mother, so I'm glad I can be there in her place.
Afterward, I'll take Kamiel to her ballet class,
probably singing together, by request, the songs
from my CD, as we drive there. They are
among my biggest fans, and I feel so blessed. |
Mon 5/10/10
Wedding
Anniversary of
N.W.
Concert Producer DAVID HARRIS &
GLENNA GIBSON. (I enjoyed writing and singing
special lyrics for your wedding!)
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Happy
Birthday, VICTORIA MACDONALD
(emerging
Screenwriter
whose
award winning screenplay includes two
songs from
Gretchen's
SUITE
16)!
(Victoria MacDonald & Elsa Dorian)
Click on photo to
enlarge |
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Tue,
5/11/10
GOLDY FOX ate out of my hand today -
perhaps a year to the day from when I last had
that experience. I'm not sure if this is
one of the three individual foxes who ate from
my hand last year, but he responded to my voice.
Actually came when I called him.
I'd put some chicken skin in the feral cat's
dish and called out, "Here Foxy, here's some
food for you." Of course there was no fox
in sight and I had no reason to believe there
would be. I just wanted there to be, and
went inside. A few moments later, I came
outside again and walked to the railing,
overlooking the bay. there, near the dock,
40 feet below, was a red fox with a large bushy
tail, wholly visible. I called gently to
him and asked if he was hungry. I called
to him to come here. and he did, making
his way up the switchback trail about 150 feet,
perhaps 200 by the time he joined me on the
lawn.
I tossed him a bit of chicken, which he ate.
Then I held out the cat's dish to him. He
came close and took a piece of chicken skin from
it, then another. I went inside and got
another piece of chicken, came back outside.
The fox and the cat were arched at each other
and frozen motionless. I walked between
them and the feral cat ran off. I knelt
where I had been before and extended my hand
with a piece of chicken on the flat of it (like
I'd been taught to feed a horse, so he doesn't
nip your fingers). I was a bit concerned,
knowing that my fingers were covered with
chicken fat and smelled delicious. The fox
came close and neatly ate the chicken from my
palm, careful not to graze my palm with his
teeth. I could see that one of the large
lower fangs was splayed outward; the other may
have been missing, or at least was not
prominent.
I went inside and got the "popes nose" and by
now the fox was climbing up onto the deck and
heading for the other side. I opened the
sliding glass door, slightly, and invited him
over as I knelt down inside and extended my hand
outside. Again, he came over and ate from
my hand. My heart was so happy. I
watched him exit the other side of the deck;
then I went back in, satisfied, and washed my
hands.
When I came out again, there was no sign of the
fox. And that was as it should be. I
felt so blessed to have him trust me as he did,
unlike the feral cat who eats the food Vos buys
for it - and even rubs up against the door in a
seeming desire for affection - but it will not
allow itself to be touched nor eat from anyone's
hand. When I tried to pet it, months ago,
it batted my hand and ran off. Twice.
Each time, I was thankful it didn't use it's
claws on me. I've since given up on taming
the cat. Foxes are friendlier.= |
Sun 5/23/10
Happy Birthday, adorable ELSA DORIAN
(Fleetwoods Replacement), Olympia,
WA
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Sun, 5/30/10
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In memory of the
Birthday of
P. STERLING RADCLIFFE,
May 30, 1929 -
January 18, 2007.
CoSongwriter of
Barry White's "You're the
First, the Last, My Everything".
Songwriter
and Producer of "City of the Angels",
recorded by Gretchen Christopher.
Click on photo to enlarge (See
TRIBUTES)
(Photo courtesy
Deborah Page,
www.myspace.com/emagineeringpage
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Thurs,
6/24/10
Remembering BOB - ROBERT REISDORF
- The Fleetwoods'
Producer & Dolphin/Dolton Records President, born 87 years ago this day,
and who, seven years ago, June 15th, passed away.
He may be gone, but the beautiful,
ground-breaking, now-classic music he produced
lives on. We love you Bob!
(See
TRIBUTES) |
Sun,
6/27/10
In remembrance of
LENORE
O'CONNOR SEVERSON and our final musical
celebration of her life, "Encore for Lenore." |
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Sun, 7/4/10
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
AMERICA!
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Tue, 7/27/10
VOS & GRETCHEN'S 54th ANNIVERSARY
of the day we met, and he'll once again take me for a boat ride on the
bay! (:o)
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Wed, 7/28/10
54th ANNIVERSARY of VOS & Gretchen's
(Sweet
Sixteen!) First Date!
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Sat, 7/31/10
Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary to Gretchen's
nephew (former Special Effects Artist for George
Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic
on Twister;
Star Wars: Episode 1,The Phantom Menace),
DAN SHUMAKER and his bride TONI NAYLOR.
Together,
they've earned their Master of Theology
degrees. Dan now teaches Graphic Arts full time
at the San Francisco Art Institute University in
San Francisco. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,
DAN & TONI! |
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Wed, 8/4/10
Birthday of GINA
(daughter-in-law of The Fleetwoods' Founder). |
Thurs,
8/5/10
Tenth wedding
anniversary of GINA and CHRISTOPHER
MATZEN, (Gretchen's son), |
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Thurs,
9/23/10
8th BIRTHDAY OF "TWIN" COUSINS, Kamiel &
Avery, born the very same morning -- September
23, 2002 -- to "Grammy" Gretchen's daughter and
son (and their spouses : ) |
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| VOCAL COACHING, Individual or
Vocal Group, by appointment, call Gold Cup Music
(360) 866-7866.
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Mon,
10/25/10
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
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Tue, 11/2/10
Happy Birthday to Fleetwoods Replacement
John Worsley. Hear his Flute Echos recordings at
CDbaby.com |
Wed, 11/10/10
Happy Birthday, shimmery
KIMARI, darling
daughter of Grammy Gretchen. You are such a
blessing! |
Sat,
11/27/10
Happy Thanksgiving! |
Sun,
11/28/10
Happy Birthday, GARY ROBERT
TROXEL, an Original Fleetwood. We who are left
to carry on appreciate your contribution to the
original sound and especially your unforgettable
"Umn Dooby Doo, Dom Dom" back-up, which
Fleetwoods founder Gretchen
arranged in counterpoint to include you in the
song, "Come Softly To Me," and musical history!
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Tue, 11/30/10
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DICK CLARK!" Hear Gretchen Christopher read her Poem for DICK
CLARK
(Click Here) |
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November 30th! Another
year older?
Don't be "Mr. Blue"
Dick Clark, you're loved the whole world
over.
These greetings attest it's true.
How many teens might have lost their way
Had Bandstand not been born?
"Lovers By Night, Strangers By Day,"
All of us would mourn.
Another man spinning hits in your place
May help them climb the roster,
But millions of us who know your face
Say, "He's The Great Imposter."
"Outside My Window," you may "Runaround"
Or retreat to your Caribbean pleasures.
Wherever you go, good wishes abound;
You're one of our national treasures.
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"Goodnight My Love," you're "The Last
One To Know"
"You Mean Everything To Me"
Since the first time we Fleetwoods were
on your show
And sang "Come Softly To Me."
Some feel each birthday's a "Tragedy"
("Graduation's Here" and gone)
But with you, dear Dick, we're eternally
young;
The music plays on and on!
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| by
Gretchen Christopher copyright 1992, All
Rights Reserved - |
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Tue, 12/21/10
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY, KK RYDER, SINGER, SONGWRITER,
CHARACTER ACTRESS, and INTERVIEWER! |
Sat, 12/25/10
Happy Tenth
Birthday, TESSA NOEL ("Grammy" Gretchen's
very first Grammy Award! :o)
 Wishing
EVERYONE Warm & Wonder-filled
Holidays blessed with Health & Happiness and a
New Year of Working & Playing together in Peace
& Harmony,
throughout the World! |
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Order autographed SWEET SIXTEEN! (SUITE 16)
CD here |
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Order autographed
"Mr. BLUE" CD
here! |
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Return to top of page
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Treble clef image courtesy of
Lisabeth's Music Images at
http://www.gymell.com/doc/musicimages.shtml |
RockStar ReUnion with Roger Fisher and friends
WHERE: Columbia City Theater
CITY: Seattle, WA USA
WHEN: 2/2008
PAINTING: Live Painting Artist Greg Kalamar
http://www.gregkalamar.com/
EVENT PLANNER: AC ICE RockStar PR
Gretchen Christopher
Ann Catherine Ice (on left, at foot of stairs), Thank you so much for posting this painting by Greg Kalamar. It's especially interesting having the names of the different players. Yes, that's me in the red pants and gold leather jacket (my Rock Star outfit :o)- and Rog beside me, having played and sung "Come Softly To Me" together. There's the keyboard I played when I sang "Autumn Gold", solo. In the back is Alan White whose drumming I confess I shushed a bit for "Come Softly", but would have welcomed on "Everything I Wanna Be" to which he so graciously added drums in the studio (you can hear it at www.GoldCupMusic.com )
Click on Photo to Enlarge