Viewing: California - View all posts

Back Home Again in Downey, California 

Well, the Downey Theatre show was quite fun and rewarding. I saw most of early years in Downey flashing before my eyes after the show! 

Of course, members of my family were there that could make it. But then there's fellow past students and friends from Tot-Time (Pre-Kindergarten!), Kindergarten, and from all the years of Elementary, Middle, and High school! 

BELOW: From the small stage on the left in the 70's, to the big stage in middle in the present!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BELOW: And with a different band, I've played on stage-right stage as well in my younger years!

BELOW: It has been brought to my attention, the middle stage hosted the Warren High Jazz Ensemble way-back-when, which I was a part of on guitar!BELOW: Looking out from the backstage, over on the right, the Downey City Library. I was just a little Stevie when I went here. I believe there is now a small display of "The Carpenters" memorabilia. They were from my town and lived here unbeknownst to me at first while I was working on my guitar skills in my bedroom on the other town side of town. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below photos: Joyce Rybold

And then there's the NEWSPAPER ARTICLE! Check it out HERE

Steve Goes Back "Home Again"! 

Well, I guess I'm "going home again"!

Hotel California - A Salute to the Eagles is set to play in my hometown, Downey, CA on January 25, 2019 at the Downey Theatre! The last time I played there it was for the "Way Outer Broadway" Talent Contest.... in the 70's! And I have the photos to prove it! (Different hair color - same guitar)

Check this out...

Stevie Ray Satin Pants!

 

 

 

My musical journey brings me back around, full circle. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, Louie! Can I Get A Photo With You? 

Here's a selfie with cameraman/artiste', Luis Fuerte. He spent 19 years as camera operator for PBS TV host, Huell Howser, who I previously posted about HERE.

 

 

His book signing event at Galleano Winery near my home brought plenty of behind-the-scenes stories to share with those of us in attendance. 

 

 

 

 

We had a nice one-on-one chat about another rewarding time he had, outside of working with Huell, when he was asked to travel with and film an orchestra. He may have said the LA Phil, but I can't remember. He spoke about working the camera as if it was an art form, not just "filming" an event. 

Check out his book!

The Humble & "Amazing" Legacy of Huell Howser 

PBS TV host, Huell Howser was known and loved by many Californians as well as myself. You could watch his slow-paced, down-home, totally family-friendly program and suddenly all was right with the world. He passed away sadly in 2013, so this past Summer I went to visit his archives all donated by Huell himself to Chapman University in Orange, California. Loved it. Many of the quotes about his creative process, how he found his stories to present - spoke to me about songwriting as well. 

Huell Howser Archives - Orange, California
Feel free to scroll through the photos.

Along with many musical types, he's right up there on the creative inspiration scale for me personally. 

Gigging Right Along 

I was recently discovered online by someone who was looking for a singer to bring some live music in the afternoon to a local Assisted Living/Memory Care Community. Not being sure

Really went back in time for this set list!

 how it would go for me, I said yes of course, anyway. A guy's gotta work right?

For a couple hours that day, that is, before the cares of life responsibilities sneaked back into the forefront of my mind after the gig, it gave me a little perspective-check on life. I have no more words to describe it, but it's nice to work and do some good, bring some joy to the older generation who are way-later in their years.
As some of you may know, Hotel California does quite well with the Active Adult Communities-55+ and up, in different US locales. So this just kind of takes that step further I guess, right? ;) 

On another front, a good friend here in town recommended me to an agent who has given me two Saturdays in March (solo acoustic) at the J.W Marriott Palm Desert Resort (near Palm Springs for those you of out-of-town who may be reading this). Looking forward to this being a monthly thing. Also, things are brewing in Orange County for me with some monthly stuff down there. 
 

Where I Took Guitar Lessons 

Okay, who wants to see where I took guitar lessons, where my black 1974 Stratocaster (the one I still play today) was ordered by my dad from the Fender factory, and where it was placed in my teenage hands?

I was in town a while back, Downey-California, for a dentist appointment and I thought it would be fun to snap a few pictures and share some non-wikipedia-awesome musical history with you all!

First, in this very downtown structure on 3rd Street, I studied classical guitar (back when I could actually make sense of music notation) with Mike Bennett. Then I went to electric guitar, and in the same cozy little building I learned rock licks. I don't remember this teacher's name though (Dear teacher: If you happen to tread this. Please respond). 

I was schooled in the end unit on the left



One song in particular I remember being taught -  the guitar solo in "Dark Eyed Cajun Women" by the Doobie Brothers. It was perfect for a kid just getting acquainted with his blues scales.

Now in the hands of 'Bogie'