Musicians on Net54

[Bosox Blair]

I am a guitar player. Was one of two guitarists in a rock band called Tripping West for 5 years or so. Although the band is now defunct, you can still listen to our recorded songs from our EP on our Myspace site...I really enjoyed recording these songs:

http://www.myspace.com/trippingwest

(BTW, our song called "Not Today" was the #1 single on Cashbox Magazine's Indie Chart for over a month.)

Cheers,
Blair

[forazzurri2axz]

Hey Nate--my brother is a classical concert violinist for the last 30 yrs in Germany; my aunt was one of the first Rockettes in Radio City Music Hall; her husband arranged lots of scores for TV shows and barber shop quartets; I took piano as a kid and quit when it interfered with baseball...Bill---and one of our relatives 100-200 yrs ago played for one of the Popes, but I don't know which instrument

[triwak]

Been playing drums for ~35 years, semi-professionally for ~15 years. I've recorded around 10-11 albums with lotsa different bands. Currently playing with an Indie Folk-rock group called Brother Wiley. Several clips on Youtube.

Ken

[novakjr]

Great voice. Anyways, I had a thread just like this in the forums a while back. There were a few pretty good responses.

I had a band for a while up here in the Cleveland area called Asphalt Juke. www.myspace.com/asphaltjuke We were just a bunch of guys having fun, and kept things on the local level. I played some rhythm guitar and was the lead vocalist. Our lead guitar player also sang lead on a handful of songs.. We put out one cd. Well, actually it was just a cd's worth of rough demo quality recordings. Shortly after these recordings we started to find our groove, figure out our limitations and play to our strengths but things fell apart. One day I plan on getting together with the guys and funding some better recordings of basically the material that was shaping up to have been our second album, plus a few songs that I've written since. I still play and write acoustic material, but with the family and everything, I really don't think I have it in me to put the effort into handling another full band project.. Ya never know though.

[AndyG09]

Nate,

Great story about standing up for your Cubs and great voice. Great dealing with you as well! I only wish I had an ounce of musical talent.

Best,

Andy

[npa589]

These are some awesome details. Like I figured, NET54 has some musically talented individuals.

Asphalt Juke is some good stuff David, listening to it now. I've tried to write things, yet can't seem to focus enough to ever finish a song, so - well done.

Ken: I looked up Brother Wiley on YouTube and watched that awesome compilation of live video of some of your guys songs. I love the implentation of a stand-up bass.


Blair: Also, very good stuff. Listened to "Not Today" - awesome song. "Hurt Like I do" was awesome too. Are you still playing guitar anywhere?


Bill: your brother isn't Stefan, is it?

[Leon]

Nate- my wife listened to your National Anthem. She said "great voice", and that is something coming from her. Her and my daughter have really good voices. As for me, I can't sing a lick. Never could. It's funny listening to me if I try. I play the air guitar really well though!!

[npa589]

I appreciate it Leon.

Everyone can sing, just prolong one syllable when you're talking without really thinking about it...

I play a mean air drums, especially when listening to some "Chicago" (25 or 6 to 4 comes to mind).

Together, we might make a heck of an air band. We just need an air vocalist, and air bass. I've already got an air cowbellist lined up.

[doug.goodman]

I've made my living as a roadie for touring bands for the last 27 years. Nate's story reminded me of this one :

I went to a D-Backs game vs SF in mid-September of 2007, with a band who were going to throw out the first pitch. When we got to the game, the band members were presented with jerseys by the team rep. The drummer threw his on a thanked the team guy. The singer was holding his like it was a dead baby. You could see the gears spinning in the team guy's head, wondering what was wrong, like maybe they spelled the name wrong. The team guy asked what was wrong and the singer pointed to the Cubs hat he was wearing and said "Cubbies, baby, if I put that thing on and the Cubs lose in the playoffs, I'll be the next Bartman and they'll string me up on Rush Street"

After the drummer threw out the first pitch (that was the plan all along), we went to our seats, which were about 4 rows behind the D-Backs dugout. While I was filling in my scorecard before the game started, a guy climbed over the row of seats in front of us and introduced himself to the singer, I wasn't really paying attention, but the conversation was something to the effect of :

Guy who climbed over seats : "I heard there was a problem with our jersey"
Singer : "Once the Cubs knock you guys out of the playoffs, maybe we can talk"
Guy : "That's not going to happen"
Singer : "We'll see about that"
etc, etc

When the guy left, the singer nudged me with his elbow, causing me to draw a line across my neat (up until that point) scorecard.

Me : "Hey, what the f..."
Singer : "How cool was that?"
Me : "What?"
Singer : "Trash talking the owner of the team in his own stadium!"
Me : "Ok, that is kind of cool, even though you messed up my scorecard"

Unfortunately for the singer, the D-Backs swept his beloved Cubbies in the playoffs, so the story doesn't really have a happy ending.

Doug


PS - I play pretty good air drums, but I'm more Clive Burr era Iron Maiden than "25 or 6 to 4" era Chicago

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by npa589

Blair: Also, very good stuff. Listened to "Not Today" - awesome song. "Hurt Like I do" was awesome too. Are you still playing guitar anywhere?

Thanks, Nate! Not officially in a band these days, but still playing a lot of acoustic guitar. I'm trying to form a little acoustic ensemble now to play smaller cafe-type gigs.

Your anthem video was great! I played it and my girlfriend asked why you were so good...must be the talent .

Cheers,
Blair

[gashouse34]

Originally Posted by triwak

Been playing drums for ~35 years, semi-professionally for ~15 years. I've recorded around 10-11 albums with lotsa different bands. Currently playing with an Indie Folk-rock group called Brother Wiley. Several clips on Youtube.

Ken

Wow thats fantastic stuff Ken....I live close to the springfield area and am going to have to make it a point to see you all...Where could I check your tour dates? We enjoy seeing Big Smith as well in this area. Regards, Brandon

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Bosox Blair

I am a guitar player. Was one of two guitarists in a rock band called Tripping West for 5 years or so. Although the band is now defunct, you can still listen to our recorded songs from our EP on our Myspace site...I really enjoyed recording these songs:

http://www.myspace.com/trippingwest

(BTW, our song called "Not Today" was the #1 single on Cashbox Magazine's Indie Chart for over a month.)

Cheers,
Blair

You guys were good... I can listen to that one over and over.

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

You guys were good... I can listen to that one over and over.

Thanks, Dan - the positive feedback is much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed.

Cheers,
Blair

[BCD]

MY parents lived in Port St.Lucie....home of the Mets for years before passing.

[bmarlowe1]

With the likes of Blair, Nate, Ken and Bruce Babcock having posted I hesitate to say anything, but I've been a guitar (and bass) player for decades, though I was more interested in the recording/engineering side of it having set up a 4-track (tape) home studio decades ago. Of course I have long since graduated to digital which allows for processing that almost makes me sound good.

Photos below span a long period of time.

[jbbama]

I play the drums, started playing when i was 21 (weird huh?) was in a "band" on and off for about 12-13 years.......guys got married, started having kids and people moved. It was cool while it lasted, now i just jam with headphones, when i i am allowed.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by jbbama

I play the drums, started playing when i was 21 (weird huh?) was in a "band" on and off for about 12-13 years.......guys got married, started having kids and people moved. It was cool while it lasted, now i just jam with headphones, when i i am allowed.

Not weird at all...my brother started playing drums at 19 or 20..he's 40 now and been playing in bands for the last 20 years...my son is 10 and just started taking guitar lessons..amazing how quickly he's picked it up...also amazing how well my wife is playing guitar from just watching the guitar lessons my son is taking. I have no musical talent at all.

[npa589]

If anyone watched the National Anthem at the beginning of the Bears game, now you know why I say "Hockey is the only one that gets it right anymore." Chicago seems to be one of the only major cities who knows how the anthem should be sung.

That anthem, with the chants of USA after...............wow. Chills, tears, clenching of the jaw, closing of the eyes - all things that happened across the USA as that was going on.

Democrats, liberals, republicans, conservatives - who the crap cares on this day. I just hope the country can begin to rekindle that unity we felt 10 years ago. Only together can we turn this country around. Different viewpoints are healthy because they usually blend together for good. Right now, our government needs to remember this more than anyone ---- BOTH sides.

God Bless America, and my prayers are with all that lost a loved one on this day. They are sorely missed.

[Wayne]

Back in junior high I played the trumpet. I was first and second seat most of the time.
I havent played since 1988. Mainley I used my oldest brothers trumpet and then my little brother used it. When my litltle brother got finished with it he gave it back to me. When I saw my oldest brother when I was a sophmore I gave him his trumpet back. Mainly because this trumpet was made in the 40's and I had no right keeping it because it belong to him. He still playes it from time to time.

[Matt E.]

Spent several summers in my youth at Interlochen playing trumpet.

A truly memorable experience.



Matt E.

[CubsFanCurt]

I play bass guitar and love Johnny Thunders, Motley Crue, and Guns n Roses. few pics of the bass:

[Streetsideguy]

Hey there. Just finished doing four shows today at the Kansas State Fair with my group. We are an Acappella group and started the group at Kansas State University in 1988. Have the same four guys in the group and we have done nearly 2,000 shows since then. Just started recording our seventh album and have opened for the Doobie Brothers, Leann Rimes, Spyro Gyra, the KC Symphony, and numerous others over the years. Mainly do shows in the midwest. Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and Missouri. Still fun after 24 years of performing. Have done the National anthem numerous times for the KC Royals, and Kansas State University. If you get a chance check us out at.

www.facebook.com/streetsideguys

www.streetsideguys.com

Jason

[leftygrove10]

You have a great voice, Nate. I listened to you sing the Lord's Prayer as well. Very, very nice.

[npa589]

Thanks Brad.

Wow Curt, that may just be the best bass I've ever seen.

Jason - when I get a chance, I'll definitely check it out. That's awesome that you have been together for so long.

[Buythatcard]

Nice to see that some forum members have other talents besides just collecting cards. You have a great voice, Nate.
I enjoyed the story how you stuck to your guns by not removing your Cubs shirt.

[npa589]

Hey all, after a few years off from the hobby --- spending a lot of time on Net54 has of course accompanied that return. I remembered this thread, and wanted to start it back up with a link of what I had been partially focused on the last couple years. I'm also excited to learn about more Net54 musicians. It's been nearly 5 years since this thread was active. Amazing.

At this point in time, I have two dream goals.

1. Sing the National Anthem at Wrigley (I'd love to be the default singer, and would move there to do so)
2. Play the role of Jean Valjean on Broadway.

Though this wasn't Broadway, I had the opportunity to do it locally last year. I've never fully pursued it as it's hard for me to just quit my jobs and uproot my young family. Here is a link to a profile with some links:

https://www.backstage.com/u/nathaniel-adams/media/

[ramram]

Nate, I didn't see this thread back in 2011 but I have to say I am surprised you aren't bow-legged considering the cajones it took to wear that Cubs shirt to perform at the Cardinals game!

Rob M.

[frankbmd]

I have owned a saxophone since grade school. In my mid-life crisis I switched from alto to tenor, but alas there have been several decades when my horn has been neglected.

Several months ago I opened my sax case and the horn was still there. I now have an 86 year old mentor who insists I still have time to learn a lot. My mentor resumed playing his sax at 66 after a 40 year hiatus.

So I now have two new goals in life,

Playing as well as Stan Getz and

Living longer than Stan Getz.

Big band, jazz and classics of the Cole Porter era are my bread and butter. I’ve begun to jam a little as well and will post a link to my first YouTube video whenever it happens.

Desafinado and the Girl With Emphysema are likely selections.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Desafinado and the Girl With Emphysema are likely selections.

That's insensatez to those of us with respiratory problems.

[npa589]

Originally Posted by ramram

Nate, I didn't see this thread back in 2011 but I have to say I am surprised you aren't bow-legged considering the cajones it took to wear that Cubs shirt to perform at the Cardinals game!

Rob M.

So...this wasn't your intent, but I am literally bow-legged. Well, my left leg is crooked due to a pelvic issue stemming from being born 2 months early. I sure do wish I were bow-legged for the reasons you suggested - haha!


Frank, I'm pretty sure we could write a book with your Net54 quotes - either with or without context, and it would be a Net Fifty-Fork Times Best Seller.

In Girl With Emphysema, is the setting of this song in a cigar lounge instead? Loose tempo with coughing solos?

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by npa589

Hey all, after a few years off from the hobby --- spending a lot of time on Net54 has of course accompanied that return. I remembered this thread, and wanted to start it back up with a link of what I had been partially focused on the last couple years. I'm also excited to learn about more Net54 musicians. It's been nearly 5 years since this thread was active. Amazing.

At this point in time, I have two dream goals.

1. Sing the National Anthem at Wrigley (I'd love to be the default singer, and would move there to do so)
2. Play the role of Jean Valjean on Broadway.

Though this wasn't Broadway, I had the opportunity to do it locally last year. I've never fully pursued it as it's hard for me to just quit my jobs and uproot my young family. Here is a link to a profile with some links:

https://www.backstage.com/u/nathaniel-adams/media/

Bring Him Home always brings a tear to my eye. Your rendition didn't disappoint. I applaude you sir.

[npa589]

Originally Posted by whitehse

Bring Him Home always brings a tear to my eye. Your rendition didn't disappoint. I applaude you sir.

I really appreciate that Andrew. Thank you. I've sung that since high school, but it takes on a completely different life when you become a father.