Ian and I go way back. Way back! The first time I saw Ian he was boarding a bus when we were both riding home from junior high school. I noticed that Ian looked much more mature (and much taller) than his schoolmates, and was wearing a multi-colored cowboy shirt. Very rare for anyone, especially a junior high schooler in NYC at that time. I was wearing 'Beatle boots'. But I was so impressed, I had to go home and ask my mother if she would give me the money for a similar shirt. My mother said "You wanted to be a Beatle last week, now you want to be a cowboy!" P.S. . . . she relented and gave me the money. God rest her soul.
Ian and I started talking, and within a respectable period of time we were playing, him bass, and me guitar, respectively, in the same band. A story I remember vividly from back then, was when we were playing in the Catskill Mts. (think scenes from the film "Dirty Dancing" for a visual) in upstate New York. Kutcher's Resort and Country Club to be specific. Ian came to me one afternoon with some unfortunate, saddening news. The owner of the resort sent word to tell him that if I, specifically, didn't find more 'suitable' attire, even while performing, that the whole band would be fired. Very, very sad 😜. That if I didn't "relieve myself" of my inch-or-two too short top (on a muscular frame, as I worked construction part-time with my father during that time period also), a lion's head belt buckle 'precariously placed' below my waist on rawhide-laced-tied-up (on the sides) hiphugger jeans, black boots up to my knees, and whatever else . . . that we would be gone. I responded indignantly. "What's wrong with my clothes?" I asked. Well, thanks to Ian's friendship with the owner's son, he patched things up and we didn't get fired. I think I started wearing my wilder outfits after that on spite 😊, the former outfit was my conservative version. Another rebel.
Ian is one of the best, or *the best bass player I have ever played with. From multiple bass guitar influences over decades (Jack Bruce, Phil Lesh, etc., etc.) he has developed a true command of his instrument that has afforded him the ability to create his own unique style that is always played with virtuosity and taste.
He's honed and in turn performed his craft with many groups over the decades, including a 5-year stint with, and during the John Dawson stage of THE NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE, the 'sister' group of the GRATEFUL DEAD. The NEW RIDERS toured extensively with the DEAD at one point, and also, Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh were featured on one of their albums. They and THE BYRDS helped bridge rock and country 'way back when.
Proudly I can say, Ian has performed on many of THE AMERICAN RELICS yet-to-be-released recorded tracks. I so look forward to those releases and the inclusion of his acknowledged talent.
In addition, he is a darn good songwriter and vocalist in his own right. Be sure to listen to a song on our Relics Music page titled 'BLUE DREAM' (a tune I love) that Ian has written, and in which he's singing the lead vocal amidst the backdrop of a beautifully surreal, nature-on-display video.
Gee, I wonder what was an inspiring factor in the writing of that song?
Ian and I started talking, and within a respectable period of time we were playing, him bass, and me guitar, respectively, in the same band. A story I remember vividly from back then, was when we were playing in the Catskill Mts. (think scenes from the film "Dirty Dancing" for a visual) in upstate New York. Kutcher's Resort and Country Club to be specific. Ian came to me one afternoon with some unfortunate, saddening news. The owner of the resort sent word to tell him that if I, specifically, didn't find more 'suitable' attire, even while performing, that the whole band would be fired. Very, very sad 😜. That if I didn't "relieve myself" of my inch-or-two too short top (on a muscular frame, as I worked construction part-time with my father during that time period also), a lion's head belt buckle 'precariously placed' below my waist on rawhide-laced-tied-up (on the sides) hiphugger jeans, black boots up to my knees, and whatever else . . . that we would be gone. I responded indignantly. "What's wrong with my clothes?" I asked. Well, thanks to Ian's friendship with the owner's son, he patched things up and we didn't get fired. I think I started wearing my wilder outfits after that on spite 😊, the former outfit was my conservative version. Another rebel.
Ian is one of the best, or *the best bass player I have ever played with. From multiple bass guitar influences over decades (Jack Bruce, Phil Lesh, etc., etc.) he has developed a true command of his instrument that has afforded him the ability to create his own unique style that is always played with virtuosity and taste.
He's honed and in turn performed his craft with many groups over the decades, including a 5-year stint with, and during the John Dawson stage of THE NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE, the 'sister' group of the GRATEFUL DEAD. The NEW RIDERS toured extensively with the DEAD at one point, and also, Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh were featured on one of their albums. They and THE BYRDS helped bridge rock and country 'way back when.
Proudly I can say, Ian has performed on many of THE AMERICAN RELICS yet-to-be-released recorded tracks. I so look forward to those releases and the inclusion of his acknowledged talent.
In addition, he is a darn good songwriter and vocalist in his own right. Be sure to listen to a song on our Relics Music page titled 'BLUE DREAM' (a tune I love) that Ian has written, and in which he's singing the lead vocal amidst the backdrop of a beautifully surreal, nature-on-display video.
Gee, I wonder what was an inspiring factor in the writing of that song?
