No. 4 Up to date 

Well, it's been too long since I wrote again, but let's continue. We now come to 2005, and I felt that it was time to put the current group on record, so in June of that year we met at Bryan Shaw's studio in Costa Mesa and put down the tracks which would become "Swingers and Novelties". It went well, though it was nerve wracking for me, as I was conducting, singing, and trying to play good trumpet solos with Bryan ( a great trumpeter himself ) listening. After all the work that goes into a recording (…

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No. 3 More History 

Yep, I've been away from the blog too long again...but let's continue As I related earlier, Ed Slauson joined in 1998, making us a five piece group. Ed was a wonderful drummer and a great person - unfortunately he only did two gigs with the band during his time with me, though he was on hand for our first professional recording ( Swing That Music ) which was done at Dick Hamilton's LA studio in March of 1999. I was able to get it released on cassette in time for the summer and our appearance at the Big…

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No. 2 - About The Swingsations 

Well, as I feared, these blog entries may turn out to be bi-weekly...wrapping up my school teaching year, etc. is keeping me busy. Hopefully I'll have more time soon Anyway, I wanted to write about the origin and history of my band. The beginnings go back to 1993 when I started rehearsing a four piece group - I had just started writing a few arrangements. I still have a cassette tape somewhere of that group. Nothing much happened until the next year when the personnel stabilized and I started…

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Entry Number One - about Yours Truly 

Hello friends I suppose that it's about time for me to join the world of blogging, so here goes. This will be the first in a series of weekly ( or perhaps bi-weekly ) postings about myself and my band, The Swingsations, as well as other observations on life and music that you may find interesting. I welcome your comments, would love to hear from any of you who enjoy my group or if something I say appeals to you First of all, a little about myself. I am originally from Missouri, was born and raised in…

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