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As my brother progressed, I began to pick up the ones he wasn't using at the time. Unfortunately, I am left-handed and learning everything backwards wasn't to my advantage. Folk Music was the rage made popular by The Kingston Trio, who made a major impression on me musically. Their arrangements have fun, kick butt, delivery of material, etc. pushed me to finally purchase MY first guitar, a Goya g-10 that my brother has today. Turnabout is fair play. By high school, I knew most of the major chords (in their 1st position), because I knew the chords and lyrics to "The House of the Rising Sun", I am now in a rock 'n roll garage band. This adventure lasted until my friends and neighbors gave me a greeting card from Uncle Sam. From California, New York, Vietnam, then home again, the journey lasted 20 months. The Kingston Trio had parted ways, so I began to follow John Stewart's solo career and learn his music. Many years from this point, I was asked to play at our Church's annual fiesta. Never having done a solo act, I swallowed hard and said, "yes". After the first two numbers, chemistry amalgamated into a great evening and I was booked for years to come. (ENTER -- LARRY MACK) A sister parish has a similar festival with entertainment, usually a month after ours. The chairman for entertainment was a fellow named Larry Mack who was short on entries to fill time slots. He made an inquiry to my parish and asked if their might be some acts to fill the holes. I received a call later and once again, swallowed hard -- okay. Larry also entertained and I found that our music was somewhat similar. After two years we finally agreed to get together and do some music. We started doing old folk music (it was all that we knew together). After kicking around a few tunes, Larry asked if it would be alright to call a friend over that really digs The Kingston Trio. I said "great". Larry hadn't put the receiver in its crib when a knock came at the door. (ENTER -- RICH DEBEVEC ) Rich lives maybe 2 or more miles from Larry and this before cell phones; I'll never know how he got there so fast. This started the formation of The California Trio; just a few guys getting together a night or two a week, playing songs with 2 to 3 chords (one chord a piece). As a trio we soon realized there was no bottom to the music. We played a few gigs and knew we really needed a bass player. A good friend and phenomenal banjo, guitar, etc. player and teacher, Adam Speth, helped us out on several occasions; playing bass. Adam was doing studio sessions for some big names in the entertainment field, plus all his other musical endeavors so we knew their could be no commitment from his part. Larry can tell a better story of how (ENTER -- JIM MILES) Jim Miles came to be a board-certified member of The California Trio. It was Larry who knew Jim, through a church organization that they both belonged. We were quite fortunate that Jim agreed to play bass to a music that he never really listened to. That changed quickly when we dropped a truck load of songs, tapes, CD's in his gig bag. For a man with jazz as his main stay, we thought we'd never see him again. Not only did he return but Jim has become an integral part of the group, as critic and musician. This pretty much marks my musical bio. Thank you for spending a little time with us and do come out to see us. Tom Steele Click here for Tom's E-MAIL |
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