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G r o o t n a ' s M a r v e l o u s T i n d e r B o xkindling for kindred minds
Through the mica filter of memory, a band named Grootna
appears somewhere to the West of my youth, and then vanishes like ozone
Grootna was an early-70s West Coast band produced by Marty Balin (of Jefferson Airplane fame).
Members were Kelly Bryan (bass), Allen "Slim" Chance (rhythm guitar), Greg Dewey [aka Dewey DeGrease] (drums), Anna Rizzo (vocals), Vic Smith (lead guitar), and Richard Sussman (keyboard). Their self-titled album is now available on CD. Note: this used to say that "Slim" was aka Austin DeLone, but I've been corrected on that score by a friend of theirs: Austin "Audie" DeLone is a musician in his own right, and a songwriter who co-wrote some of Grootna's material. Martha also tells me that Grootna's first record was called "The Masked Marauders". |
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Years ago, life was boring: work, eat, TV, sleep, repeat.
In desperation, I forced myself from my warm and comfy sofa, pushed out the door, and headed for a local coffeeshop which was rumored to have an open-mike night going. Next thing I knew, there was a guitar in my hands; I played a few tunes and had the first really good time in - well, too long.
Aromas coffeeshop is long gone from Kingwood, and so am I, and I'm still playing.
Around the same time,
I was trying to find the sheet music to an old song - Hobo's Mandolin, by
Michael Smith
- and I learned he was scheduled to play at a
Writers in the Round
gig near home. I talked a friend into going along and bought some tickets.
Michael came down with a cluster headache and couldn't play, but I got to hear some music
by people I'd never even heard of:
Slaid Cleaves ,
Don Conoscenti,
and
Eric Taylor.
I caught the music bug all over again - I thought disco had killed it forever.
Michael Smith and Eric Taylor have passed on, and Don Conscenti has decided performance isn't his top priority.
So far as I know, Slaid Cleaves is still playing.
Now, I've decided to promote the things I like: music, friends, chili, and memories. I hope you'll explore: