Exclusive Follow-up Interview: Mark Dawson, Lead Singer and Bassist of The Grass Roots

By Aaron S. Robertson

Last fall, 2012, I had the wonderful opportunity to conduct an extensive interview with Mark Dawson, the lead singer and bassist of The Grass Roots, as well as a talented solo artist. But so many exciting things have come his way since that interview just over a year ago, that I felt compelled to do a brief follow-up with him to see where he’s at with some of these exciting projects and developments. Enjoy!

“Busy summer. Where did it go?”, Mark asked in our hour-long conversation by phone on October 9. “The Grass Roots kept really busy. We played a lot of small towns. We also did the American Pop tour with The Buckinghams (author’s note: see my interview with Carl Giammarese, lead singer of The Buckinghams). We still have a few more of those shows this year.”

The Grass Roots on the Happy Together Tour, Wisconsin State Fair, 8/7/11.

Since our last conversation, Mark has launched a weekly radio show on the Internet-based station, Our Generation Radio, which also surely keeps him busy. “I’ve been receiving great ratings,” Mark said of the show, which airs Thursday nights from 9:00-11:00 eastern time and is named after his latest solo album, “Making Noise”. “I’ve been doing the show since the end of January [2013]. So far, I have 35 shows in. They tell me I’m their number one guy,” he explained. The show essentially got started through a mere chance meeting one evening after a concert with The Grass Roots and a number of other acts. “Holly Hammet told me about the station. She’s a friend of Howard Kaylan [from The Turtles]. She was following the Happy Together Tour, and I met her at a meet-and-greet after one of the shows. Took her card. Some time went by, and I decided to call her out of the blue one day, asked for the contact info for the station manager, Rick Wrigley. Was told to send a demo in. Two days later, I was asked, ‘When do you want to start?’”

As for the format of show, Mark describes it simply as, “Things I listen to.” Themes have included, among many others: bands with odd names, songs with the word “summer” in the title, and birthday songs, where you tell Mark the day and year you were born. There’s an occasional character, Frank the Bug Guy. “I write and edit my own comedy skits, and I’ll start on Monday for Thursday’s show,” he told me. Show episodes are now also archived at aircheck.us .

When he’s not on the air, touring with The Grass Roots, or cranking out the tunes in the recording studio, there’s always Simulcast, the local Orlando-area band that’s built up a loyal following and has become a smash hit at all sorts of events, both public and private, throughout Florida.

Performing with Simulcast. Source: Mark Dawson.

And as for the book of hilarious Facebook posts and Tweets mentioned in my first interview that Mark is working to publish? It is currently being edited, and is set to be released in 2014, so stay tuned. It promises to be a real treat.

Be on the lookout for LayZEE pants in 2014, as well - a line of clothing he and wife Cathy are working on. The idea came from the radio show. As Mark explains, “I came to realize that I was often telling listeners at the beginning of the show, ‘It’s time to get into your lazy pants.’ You know, something comfortable, whatever you like to lounge around in. And that’s really how the idea came to be.” Mark and Cathy are currently lining up all the logistics, and there are plans to produce pants for men, women, and children.

Finally, mark your calendars. For the first time ever, and one time only, Mark will be airing a live concert on his radio show on 1/18/14. He’s putting together a talented lineup for the concert and billing the band, Mark Dawson and His Kings of Snack. It will be a one hour show featuring both Mark’s original material and some classic covers. Among the selections will be “She’s Gone Hollywood”, a song Mark wrote and recorded back in 1982 and originally produced as a 45 record.

Do check out my previous, more in-depth interview with Mark, and if you’re free on a Thursday night and find yourself wanting to relax and just be LayZEE, do tune into Mark’s radio show on Our Generation Radio. It’s a lot of fun.

Check out other neat, exclusive interviews by Aaron S. Robertson.

Exclusive Interview: Mark Dawson, Lead Singer and Bassist of The Grass Roots

By Aaron S. Robertson

Author's note: After reading this in-depth interview with Mark, check out my follow-up with him in October 2013!

If you ever get the chance to talk with Mark Dawson, you’ll notice a couple of things right off the bat: he loves humor and will almost certainly make you laugh, no matter the subject; and he listens to you, showing a genuine interest in what you have to say. And so it was during our conversation by phone on September 12. I haven’t even met the man in person yet, and we were talking like old pals for more than an hour and a half, sharing memories of our favorite bands and concerts, talking about sports, and a lot more. We talked briefly about other recent interviews I’ve done, the latest having been with Doug Clifford, the drummer of Creedence Clearwater Revival. As many of my readers and friends know, I’m starting to get into lyric/poetry writing a little bit, and Mark even took some time out to give me a few pointers on the business side of music, which I really appreciated. As with all of my interviews, I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity, and I hope you’re just as excited to read these words as I was in writing them.

Serving as the bassist and lead singer of The Grass Roots comes naturally to Mark. “I’ve always been a sucker for mid-60s pop,” he explained. “And not just Brit pop, but American pop. The Buckinghams, Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Seeds, Gary Lewis and The Playboys, and of course, The Grass Roots!,” he added.

Wisconsin State Fair, August 2012.

So just how did Mark end up becoming the bassist and lead singer of one of the greatest bands to emerge from the 1960s, filling the big shoes of Rob Grill, who died in July 2011 after dealing with multiple health issues? The back story, as Mark explains, reaches back to the mid-late 70s. “I was just a punk kid, about 21, trying to hook up with other groups. One night, we played at a field house at Western Illinois University. I think this was ’77 or ’78. We had to open for The Grass Roots! Not only did we have to open for them, but we had to supply our gear to them,” he explained, adding, “Well, Rob and I hit it off, and he invited me up on stage to play some songs with them! That was really cool. And we just kept in touch over the years.” But despite this long friendship of nearly 30 years, the timing for joining The Grass Roots was never quite right. Something else always seemed to come along. “It was never the right moment to make the leap [to The Grass Roots],” Mark told me. “There was always a lot of soul-searching taking place.” He thought a chance came along in 1982, when Epic records pulled the plug on a band Mark was working with. But then another project presented itself, and again, and again, until 2004, when Mark, originally from Chicago, moved to Orlando and Rob to Mt. Dora. The two were now only 30 miles or so apart, and they began keeping in touch more. In 2006, the official announcement was made that Mark had joined the group as a bass player and secondary singer. About taking Rob’s place after his passing, Mark explained, “I don’t try to imitate Rob. I try to emulate what he did.”

Performing in January 2011 at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, IN.

But in addition to helping to carry on the legacy of one of America’s greatest groups, Mark is also making a name for himself as a solo artist, as well. He’s currently working on his second solo album, and hopes to have it completed sometime this fall. Entitled, “Making Noise”, he credits his wife, Cathy, for coming up with the title. “I have an in-home studio, and she always says to me, ‘Go make some noise,’” he explained with a laugh. One of the songs on the album, “Cold Sweat on a Hot Night”, is available for free download at Mark’s Web site. The album promises to be a lot of fun, featuring Carl Giammarese, lead singer of The Buckinghams as well as a solo artist in his own right, and at least one member of the Ides of March, among others in an all-star lineup.

Mark can also be heard on a few group albums. He did a couple albums with The All-Night Newsboys in the mid-90s. And a song entitled, “She’s Gone Hollywood”, which Mark appeared on in an album released in 1982, is getting new life, thanks to The Numero Group, a record company known for putting together high-quality, unique compilations. “That was pretty exciting. I just received this phone call out of the blue one day from someone at The Numero Group saying they’d like to use this song in a compilation album, and that they’ll be in touch to discuss the royalty arrangement,” he said. The compilation is named Buttons: From Champaign to Chicago. “They do a great job finding material for their compilations, and they also do great liner notes - they’re so nicely written, and they really provide the reader with rich background info,” Mark added.

A big fan of Paul McCartney, you may see Mark in the crowd if you’re catching McCartney’s show in St. Louis on November 11. “We just bought the tickets this morning, actually, and I’m really excited,” he told me.

L-R: Dusty Hanvey (guitar), Mark Dawson (bass), Joe Dougherty (drums), and Larry Nelson (keyboards) of The Grass Roots. Source: http://www.the-grassroots.com

The Grass Roots are expected to have a new album out in 2013, as well, the first album with Mark as lead singer of the band’s current lineup. The background story on this live album is interesting. As Mark explained it, the band was performing at the Sausalito Art Festival on September 2. That performance was being recorded for this new album, when, about 40 minutes into the show, the entire festival went down - everything was being run on solar power. In the end, the band lost those first 40 minutes or so on the recording, ending up with only 18 minutes. So The Grass Roots are scheduled to be back out in California in October, this time for a private show in Cloverdale, where the band will give the recording a second go.

Mark Dawson's take on a Grass Roots classic, "Temptation Eyes"

In addition to keeping busy with recording, Mark is also an aspiring author - well, of sorts. He’s working on a book he hopes will be out in early 2013. As with his new album’s title, Mark credits wife Cathy for the idea of the book, which he describes as, “…a little paperback, toilet humor kind-of-book.” Based on, “…the silly, ridiculous things I say on Facebook and Twitter,” Cathy noticed one day that he has over 5,000 Facebook and Twitter posts, and that’s where the idea started. It’s a funny book you don’t want to miss, and Mark said he’s in talks with a, “…famous person…” to pen a foreword.

“I don’t try to imitate Rob. I try to emulate what he did.”

When not on the road touring or in the studio recording, Mark enjoys the simplicity of everyday life. “It sounds cliché, but I really enjoy each and every day,” he explained to me. “Cathy and I hang out a lot, do spontaneous things - dinner, farmers markets, the beach. I love playing with the local musicians when I get the chance. I don’t like schedules, like to be spontaneous, be free-flowing.” Mark is also a big pro-sports fan, mostly baseball and football. “Go Pack!,” he told me, in reference, of course, to our beloved Green Bay Packers.

Mark and guitarist Dusty Hanvey represented The Grass Roots for the 2012 Happy Together Tour, their third year in a row doing the tour. The 2012 lineup, in addition to The Grass Roots, featured The Buckinghams, Gary Puckett, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, and The Turtles. Unfortunately for Grass Roots fans, the band will not be represented for the 2013 Happy Together Tour. Asked if there was any one particular moment, show, or venue that really stood out in his mind during this year’s tour, it was tough for Mark to answer. “We had a lot of fun! Choosing one favorite moment is very difficult. That being said though, the Minnesota State Fair does stand out for some reason. The fans are insane up there! They were just so loud and fired up about the show. It was a blast.” And, of course, performing in his hometown of Orlando stands out. “We performed at The Plaza Theatre. A big highlight, my hometown. Less than a 1,000 people in the place, and so many people knew me!”

Asked if he was keeping an eye on anyone in particular as far as up-and-coming talent, Mark was quick to point out a band called The Dunwells, made up of five guys out of England. He noted that The Grass Roots played a show in Rochester, New York, and The Dunwells was the opening act. “They were like Crosby, Stills, and Nash, only more modern, more electric guitar,” he said. “They were awesome. I ended up buying their CD. One night, I turned the TV on, and they were on the Jay Leno show! Excellent songwriters and performers.” He also enjoys the work of The Decemberists, the indie group out of Portland, Oregon.

Source: http://www.nj.com

Mark’s advice for aspiring musicians: “Always make sure you do something because you love it. My father always gave me that advice. He’d often tell me, ‘Be sure to love what you do.’ And be in touch with your audience. Know what you’re playing for them, and make them happy. If you do that, the fans will respond. They’ll come to your shows. They’ll buy your CDs. They’ll tell others about you.”

I was curious to know if there were any musicians that Mark hasn’t performed or recorded with that he would love to. “Chris Isaak,” he said. “He’s just the nicest, most-likeable guy. All that stuff I said about connecting to your fans, he does it!”

And what kind of interview would I be delivering to my readers without a Milwaukee spin? Mark shared some great memories of performing in the Milwaukee area. “I always enjoy playing Summerfest,” he said, adding, “It’s always so well-run, and the talent lineup is great.” He recalls seeing our very own BoDeans playing at Summerfest in what he thinks was 1984. “I was just so impressed with them! A lot of talent there.” And he fondly remembers a performance by Styx in the early ’80s at Summerfest. “I was friends with Tommy Shaw. Tommy was sick and worried he’d have to be hospitalized. A doctor came along, gave him some adrenaline, and he ended up taking the stage that night afterall, and he sang great! You would have never known what had just taken place backstage.” And let’s not forget about that other big summertime festival, the Wisconsin State Fair. One thing that stands out in Mark’s mind is a performance The Grass Roots gave at State Fair a number of years back. “We played with Three Dog Night. It was raining pretty heavy that night, and no one got out of their seats to leave. That was awesome. We really appreciated that.”

And don’t forget to check out the view from the bass. Mark launched a Web site called the “Bass Eye View” - an ongoing collection of photos he takes from the stages of the venues he performs at, with his bass in the shots, of course. As Mark explains, “I’ve played some pretty cool venues. I just love old theaters, just love them. One night, I’m standing in front of the stage of a theater, taking pictures. Then I got the bass in a pic. Our stage manager, Jason Craig, said, ‘Cool bass eye view.’ And that’s how it started.”

For this self-described punk kid with Chicago roots, it’s been a heck of a fun journey, the kind of journey that dreams are made of. The adventures continue, and he invites you to tag along with him.

On the Web:

• Mark Dawson
• The Grass Roots
• Mark Dawson's "Bass Eye View" site
• A general search of The Grass Roots on YouTube
• Mark Dawson's Facebook fan page
• The Bass Eye View on Twitter 

Aaron S. Robertson

Aaron S. Robertson (1982-) is a freelance journalist and president of Muskego, Wisconsin-based Intrepid Innovations Inc., a firm specializing in Web and graphic design, search engine optimization, social media, online marketing, and copy writing, including press release writing and distribution.

Robertson is currently pursuing a master’s degree in management through Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.

As an undergraduate student at Stritch, having graduated in 2007, Robertson earned a major in political science, minors in sociology and philosophy, a certificate in integrated leadership, and a non-credit certificate for a course in entrepreneurship. Among other accomplishments, he served as president of the student government, Model United Nations Club, and Philosophy Club, which he co-founded.

Robertson is author of the book, Beyond Majors and G.P.A.: A Real Philosophy for College and the World Ahead, which he wrote while still an undergraduate student.

Robertson got his professional start in journalism shortly after graduating from college in 2007, right around the time he and long-time friend Phil Burghgraef launched Intrepid Innovations.

In the nearly five years he has written professionally, Robertson has interviewed numerous elected officials, candidates for public office, public servants and professionals of all types, an extensive variety of business owners, entertainers and musicians, and plenty of regular, everyday people like himself who simply have a story to share. He even had his pen and notepad on hand for his 10-year high school reunion.

Robertson's photography caught the attention of The Buckinghams' publicist for his story on the Happy Together Tour's stop at the Wisconsin State Fair in August 2011.

Robertson is an active member in a number of service clubs and business networking organizations, and serves on a number of municipal boards and committees.

Learn more about Robertson by visiting his profile on the IMDb. 

Interviews with a regional or national interest:

• Branscombe Richmond, Hollywood television and film actor; stuntman. September 2011.
• Dr. Terence Roehrig, professor, U.S. Naval War College; Korea expert. December 2011.
• Carl Giammarese, lead singer, The Buckinghams; singer and songwriter. December 2011.
• Alyssa Bolsey, filmmaker; director, The Jacques Bolsey Project. December 2011.
• Godfrey Townsend, New York-based guitarist and singer. January 2012.
• Carl Bonafede, legendary Chicago radio personality, band manager, music promoter, record producer, and booking agent. January 2012.
• Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, drummer, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Creedence Clearwater Revisited (CCR). June 2012.
• Mark Dawson, lead vocals and bassist, The Grass Roots. September 2012.

Upcoming Interview: Mark Dawson, Bassist and Lead Vocals, The Grass Roots

UPDATE: The interview is now published and can be read here.

I am thrilled to announce that I recently interviewed Mark Dawson, bassist and lead singer of The Grass Roots! So stay tuned for this exciting interview, as it promises to be great! I hope to have it wrapped up here within the next few days, tops.

Mark, along with fellow Grass Roots member Dusty Hanvey, just came off of another highly successful Happy Together Tour. In addition to Mark and Dusty representing The Grass Roots, the 2012 Happy Together Tour lineup also featured The Buckinghams, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, Gary Puckett, and The Turtles. For the second year in a row, I was privileged to catch the show at the Wisconsin State Fair in August. You can check out my photography of the 2011 show here, and the 2012 concert here.

2012 Happy Together Tour, Wisconsin State Fair, 8/5/12.

Mark is currently working on his second solo album, "Making Noise", which he hopes will be all wrapped up and ready to go later on this fall. Additionally, he's working on a fun book, as well. You'll learn more about these projects, and so much more, very shortly! So stay tuned!

In the meantime, check out these links and videos featuring both Mark's recent tenure with the band, along with vintage Grass Roots material featuring Rob Grill!



All the Best,

Aaron Robertson 

Mark Dawson's recent take on this classic Grass Roots hit, "Temptation Eyes"


The original recording of "Temptation Eyes", released in 1970, featuring Rob Grill on lead vocals and bass. Grill passed away in 2011.


Web sites:

• Mark Dawson
• The Grass Roots
• Mark Dawson's "Bass Eye View" site
• A general search of The Grass Roots on YouTube  

Happy Together Tour at Wisconsin State Fair on 8/5/12

I just returned a little while ago from the Wisconsin State Fair to see, for the second year in a row now, the Happy Together Tour concert. Wow. What a treat. The weather was perfect, the performers delightful, and the fans responsive. It was also really great to see a good-sized younger crowd in the audience, as well.

This year's (2012) lineup for the Happy Together Tour features The Buckinghams, The Grass Roots, Gary Puckett, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, and The Turtles. They were all right on the mark. If you're thinking of attending a Happy Together Tour concert, I strongly recommend doing so. It's a lot of fun.

For photos of the 2012 show, click here. For photos of the 2011 Happy Together Tour concert, also at Wisconsin State Fair, click here. Also, check out my recent interviews with Carl Giammarese and Godfrey Townsend. Hope you enjoy!

All the Best,

Aaron Robertson

Exclusive Interview: Godfrey Townsend, Accomplished Musician and Singer

By Aaron S. Robertson

New York-based guitarist shares with Milwaukee-area journalist his advice to aspiring musicians, what it’s like to have “…Clapton down better than Clapton!”, projects in the works, what fans can expect in 2012, and thoughts on guitar prodigy Derek Trucks, among other topics.

My first time seeing Godfrey Townsend - in fact, my first time ever hearing of the man, tragically - happened just this past August (2011), when I went to see the Happy Together Tour concert at the Wisconsin State Fair. There he was, on stage, backing up 60s greats The Buckinghams, The Grass Roots, The Association, Mark Lindsay, and The Turtles on a light blue and white Fender Stratocaster. I learned in my interview with Townsend last month that the rest of the backing band on that tour is his own band. “It’s not your standard back-up band. Everyone has their own forte,” Townsend told me during our roughly 70-minute conversation by phone from his home in New York on January 6. “Everyone in the band can sing, and 60s music had a lot of background vocals.” As for his own singing abilities, Townsend said he spent three years with a 50s-style doo-wop group, and it was during his stay with that group that he really learned harmonizing.

In addition to his work with the Happy Together Tour, Townsend is involved with the Hippiefest tour, as well, both of which will be returning in 2012. He’s also blogging for Guitar World; working on putting together a tour called Sons of Cream, which will feature the sons of Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker (Malcolm and Kofi, respectively); is a regular staple at the B.B. King Blues Club in New York City; and is the star attraction each year for a birthday tribute show in honor of legendary blues-rocker Eric Clapton, also held at the B.B. King Blues Club.

Source: www.godfreytownsendmusic.com

Townsend is particularly proud of the annual Clapton tribute show, and he should be. As the story goes, Lee Dickson, Clapton’s guitar tech, turned to John Entwistle (bassist for The Who) one night after hearing Townsend performing some Cream tunes, and exclaimed, “This guy’s got Clapton down better than Clapton!” As Townsend explains, “We’ve been doing that show since 2001, and there have been many years where it sold out. It’s the longest-running, most successful show at B.B. King’s Club.” Asked what kind of Clapton material tends to get play time, with his catalog as expansive and diverse as it is, Townsend said the show, “…tends to gravitate more towards the Derek and the Dominos stuff, as that material tends to be more audience-friendly.” Townsend, who cites Clapton as being his first major influence when he was learning lead guitar, said he has never jammed with him. In a chance encounter, the two of them met very briefly one time as Clapton was leaving a show, Townsend said.

Godfrey Townsend and his band performing Layla, by Derek and the Dominos.


Asked if there’s anyone he’s keeping his eye on as far as up-and-coming talent, Townsend mentioned Derek Trucks. Now 32 years old, Trucks mastered the guitar at an early age and is particularly known for his soulful slide guitar work. He’s been a member of The Allman Brothers Band since 1999, of which his uncle, drummer Butch Trucks, is a founding member. With wife Susan Tedeschi, another blues-rock performer of note, Derek co-founded the Tedeschi Trucks band in 2010. “I wouldn’t necessarily call him up-and-coming anymore, I think he’s already established himself. But he’s still young enough where there remains a lot more to be seen from him,” Townsend said. “He’s just awesome. He’s a real-deal player.”

The Allman Brothers Band performing a smoking version of Elmore James' blues classic, The Sky is Crying, in 2009. Derek Trucks is on slide guitar.


For those aspiring to make it as musicians, Townsend said it all comes down to focus. “It takes a good 10 years to really establish yourself. And by the time you’re in your 30s-40s, there’s not much time left if you’re still aspiring. So stay focused and serious, and be true to yourself.”

Over the years, Godfrey Townsend has jammed with a who’s who list of rock’s royalty. That said, I was curious if there was anyone missing from that list that he would really love to work with someday. “Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin,” he said without hesitation. “I know some people that have worked with Pink Floyd. I grew up with Pink Floyd. There will be nothing like ‘[The] Dark Side of the Moon’ again,” he declared, referring to their 1973 album which became a smash hit. As for Led Zeppelin, Townsend said he had the opportunity to meet Jimmy Page at John Entwistle’s memorial service in England, and that his (Townsend’s) drummer has a high enough pitch to be able to sing like Robert Plant. Townsend did a lot of work with Entwistle, who was the bass player for The Who, before he passed away in 2002.

An interview with Godfrey Townsend in 2011.


As if it’s not apparent by now that Townsend is a big fan of British Invasion-era rockers and blues greats, he was also involved in the highly successful A Walk Down Abbey Road tribute tour to the Beatles in 2001-02 and, in addition to his work with John Entwistle, has also done a considerable amount of jamming with Jack Bruce, the bass player for Cream.

So what can fans expect for 2012? Here’s a brief breakdown:

• May: Kick off the Sons of Cream tour at the end of the month with a few dates on the East Coast
• Summer: Happy Together Tour, Hippiefest
• Fall: Sons of Cream tour really gets going in full force

And for Milwaukee-area fans, the Happy Together Tour will be returning to the Wisconsin State Fair again this year! The 2012 lineup for that tour includes The Buckinghams, The Grass Roots, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, and The Turtles.

For further information, visit:

www.godfreytownsendmusic.com

Godfrey Townsend videos on YouTube

Godfrey Townsend's blog on Guitar World

Exclusive Interview: Carl Giammarese, Lead Singer of The Buckinghams

Carl Giammarese at Wisconsin State Fair, 8/7/11. Credit: Aaron S. Robertson.

By Aaron S. Robertson

Frontman of Chicago-based 1960s hit-makers talks to Milwaukee-area journalist about advice to aspiring musicians, Haley Reinhart, Lauren Frost, treasured memories, performing for two presidential balls, and the Packers and Brewers, among other topics.

Author’s note: The genesis of this interview goes back to August of this past year, when I shot photography and did a write-up for Muskego Patch of The Happy Together Tour’s performance at the Wisconsin State Fair. My photography and write-up caught the attention of The Buckinghams’ publicist, and we had some nice e-mail exchanges. A big fan of The Buckinghams and music in general, I decided to take a shot and reach out to lead singer Carl Giammarese a few weeks ago for an interview, to which he happily agreed.

Please note that I intentionally sought to avoid asking the interviewee questions about the origins and history of The Buckinghams, as those questions have been answered by countless others before me over the course of more than four decades. He also has an autobiography coming out soon, which will cover a lot of those areas. For more of a historical background on The Buckinghams, see their Wikipedia entry. A brief history of the band and commentary by me leading up to this interview, along with video clips of both vintage and modern performances and interviews conducted by others can also be found at my blog.

Before we begin, I’m really sorry to have to break this to all of you ladies who grew up on Buckinghams music and still have those girlhood crushes – Carl Giammarese is married – for many years now, and very happily.

“I respect the Green Bay Packers, I think they’re a great organization,” the die-hard Bears fan told me over the phone from his Chicago home during our roughly 80-minute conversation, after I expressed my condolences to him for his team’s loss to the Packers less than two days prior, on Christmas Day. “But they do need to get their defense in order.”

A big sports fan, the singer and songwriter next brought up the Milwaukee Brewers, whom he said he was paying close attention to and rooting for this past October when the Brew Crew was battling our mutual archenemy, the St. Louis Cardinals, in the playoffs. “They have a great team, and I was really rooting for them.”

Speaking of sports, The Buckinghams are privileged to be offered the opportunity from time to time to perform the National Anthem at sporting events, largely around the Chicago area. Giammarese recalled that they’ve performed it for White Sox and Bulls games. “We performed it some years back at a Colts game, too. Various sports teams are always looking for national acts for it, and we’re really grateful for those opportunities,” Giammarese said, adding, “I’m emotionally moved every time I sing it. It means a lot.” A big Cubs fan, Giammarese said he’s hoping that team will call on The Buckinghams for the National Anthem one of these days. They’ve already performed “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” a few times during the seventh inning stretch.

Giammarese, an original member of The Buckinghams, with memorable hits like “Kind of a Drag”, “Don’t You Care”, “Susan”, and “Hey Baby (They’re Playing Our Song)”, has been the band’s lead singer since 1983, when original front man Dennis Tufano decided to pursue a solo career. Giammarese was the guitarist in the original lineup, which lasted from 1966-70. Three of the five original Buckinghams (Giammarese, Tufano, and bassist Nick Fortuna) reunited in 1980, originally intended just for that year’s ChicagoFest. Keyboardist Marty Grebb was not interested in the reunion, and drummer John Poulos, who had battled drug and alcohol addiction, had passed away just five months prior.

With fellow original Buckingham Nick Fortuna on bass (left).

Giammarese took some time to reflect on Poulos, who passed away just shy of his 33rd birthday in March 1980. It was apparent during our conversation that the death of Poulos still leaves a void in the hearts of Giammarese and bassist Fortuna, the band’s other remaining original member. “We miss him so much. He was a great friend, like a brother, really, and always fun to be around,” Giammarese recalled. “John was really the instigator for getting the band back together. He really pushed for that. And sadly, drugs and alcohol had gotten the best of him, and he died five months before our reunion.” Giammarese wrote this very moving tribute to Poulos in his soon-to-be released autobiography.

Asked if he ever imagined The Buckinghams would last as long as it has after that initial 1980 reunion, Giammarese replied, “That’s an easy question. A big fat NO,” with a hearty laugh. “I thought it would last maybe a couple, a few years, but the momentum just continued to grow from there.” He credited the original Happy Together Tour in 1985 as being a major help.

When not on the road performing for one of upwards of 75-80 concerts per year, Giammarese enjoys his time working out a few times per week, going out to dinner, seeing movies, taking in a good game of tennis, and running his publishing company, Chiway Publishing. There’s always some sort of music project going on, and the business side of things keeps him busy, as well.

Though most people may know Giammarese through his association with The Buckinghams, many may not know that he’s also a songwriter, as well, an aspect of the business he got into during the 1970s when he was one half of the duo Tufano & Giammarese. The duo produced three albums during the decade. Giammarese continues to write frequently, and has recorded a number of solo works independent of The Buckinghams.

“There’s really no set thing,” Giammarese told me, when I asked him if there were any particular places or things he likes to turn to for inspiration when he’s working on new material. He said a lot of writing takes place in his office, mostly late at night when the phones aren’t ringing. “Sometimes it will take me a day to write a song, sometimes it can take a week. It really depends.” “Oh Lord (Make Me More Like You)” only took 20 minutes or so to write, he noted. “I wrote that shortly after my father passed away, and I was feeling very spiritual at the time.” The song, which appeared on his 2003 solo album, Trying Not To Fade, was soon playing on The Fish, a Christian Rock station based out of Chicago, and was later recorded by a Christian artist in Nashville. “That was a neat experience, sort of different. I never thought of myself as a Christian artist.”

Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 12/5/12.

Giammarese’s advice for aspiring musicians: stay focused and be prepared to sacrifice big time. “Things have certainly changed a bit since I started,” pointing out the advances in technology, new forms of media, and his observation that it appears as though many more people are trying to break into the business.

“One thing that will never change though is that you really have to be willing to dedicate your life to it. You just can’t do it part-time. And be prepared for the possibility of sacrificing relationships.” Giammarese said he missed out on his high school prom, along with many birthdays and family functions over the years. “And you really have to be yourself. Find your own way and style, and hope there’s an audience that appreciates it.” He emphasized the importance of being one’s own self, warning that trying to imitate someone else may take one to the level of being a great cover, but that’s about it. “We were very fortunate to have the right look and style, the right management, and the right songs coming our way back in the 60s.” He said old-fashioned word-of-mouth is still the best way to get noticed for one’s efforts.

I wanted to know if there are any acts on the Chicago music scene Giammarese is keeping his eye on as far as new, up-and-coming talent. “Admittedly, I’ve been out of the loop as far as the Chicago scene goes,” he said. But two young Illinois natives he sees great talent and a lot of future potential in and whom he’s been following from time to time are Haley Reinhart and Lauren Frost. “There’s a lot of talent there, and they certainly already have a number of great credentials established.” Reinhart’s parents, who are musicians themselves, recently opened for The Buckinghams at Viper Alley, a newer entertainment venue in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Reinhart placed third in the tenth season of American Idol. Frost, who is also an actress, portrayed a young Barbara Streisand in Streisand’s “Timeless” concert tours.

The Buckinghams were privileged in recent years to perform for two presidential inaugural balls, the Twilight on the Prairie Ball in 2005 for President George W. Bush, and the Bipartisan Illinois Agricultural Ball for President Barack Obama in 2009. “Great experiences,” Giammarese said of them. Asked how he landed these unique gigs, he credited close friend Terrence (Terry) Duffy, who has served as executive chairman of Chicago-based CME Group since 2007. “Terry’s a wonderful man, has a great family. We performed for a number of fundraisers he held, and that’s how we became close friends.”

One particular memory that he’ll never forget occurred in 2005 before the ball for President Bush. “Terry, myself, our wives, we were headed to a dinner that Terry invited us to that was also being attended by a number of members of Congress, among other guests. I walk into the room, and the whole room breaks out singing ‘Susan’. That was really special.” Giammarese also recalled the enthusiasm he witnessed during President Obama’s inauguration. “No matter what your political preferences are, it would have been very hard not to notice the level of excitement, of enthusiasm, that was present.”

Wisconsin State Fair, 8/5/12.

Giammarese said he received plenty of e-mails from fans after performing for both inaugural balls. “Fans were writing me asking, ‘How could you play for Bush?’ or ‘How could you play for Obama?’ We really have no political preference in that respect. It’s a business call, we were simply booked to perform.”

I was curious to know if there were any particular causes Giammarese and band members like to contribute to, either monetarily or through their time and talents. “Children,” he simply said, going on to talk about various charities they really care about, including UCAN, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wish Upon a Star, and Toys for Tots. “It really does break your heart to see these children, what they’ve been through, what they are going through. So we try to do whatever we can to help.” A pet owner, Giammarese also likes to work with various organizations that promote animal welfare.

Bassist Nick Fortuna, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 12/5/12.

We spent a few minutes talking about memories he has of staying and performing in Milwaukee. “Milwaukee’s like a second home to us,” Giammarese said. “A great city. Many fond memories going back to the 60s, not just of Milwaukee, but the entire state.” The Buckinghams always stay in downtown Milwaukee when they’re in town, and typically do several shows a year around the state, he said. Past venues around the Milwaukee area have included Potawatomi Bingo Casino, Wisconsin State Fair, and Festa Italiana, among many others.

“They’ll always overshadow to some extent,” Giammarese said, when asked if he thinks the original Buckinghams hits overshadow their new material, both the band’s and his solo works. “But are we frustrated by that? Do we have any regrets? Not at all,” he declared, adding, “We’re really grateful for those hits, because they allowed us to separate ourselves from other bands.”

Among the highlights you can expect from The Buckinghams in 2012: the band will be playing a concert with a symphony orchestra next fall, which is a first, and The Happy Together Tour will be back. Giammarese and Fortuna will once again be representing the band in a lineup that includes The Grass Roots, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, and The Turtles.

Just how long does Carl Giammarese and his fellow Buckinghams intend to stick around on the music scene? “Until they have to build ramps to get us up on the stage. Then we might have a problem,” he said with a laugh.

For further information, visit:

www.thebuckinghams.com

www.carlgiammarese.com

Upcoming Interview: Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams

UPDATE ON 1/23/12: THE INTERVIEW IS NOW PUBLISHED HERE.

The Buckinghams performing Kind of a Drag, which debuted on December 31, 1966 and peaked to #1.


I am thrilled to announce that, over the last couple of days, I've been working out the details for an interview with Carl Giammarese, the lead singer of the legendary 60's group, The Buckinghams!

Intertwined with a little history and commentary from me are some neat performances and interviews pulled from YouTube. Enjoy, and stay tuned for my interview with Carl!

All the Best,

--Aaron Robertson, president, Intrepid Innovations Inc.

The Buckinghams, based out of Chicago, were formed in 1966 after, in simplified terms, some merging and shuffling around between members of two bands, The Centuries and The Pulsations.

The original group broke up in 1970. Shortly after, Dennis Tufano, who was the original lead singer of The Buckinghams, along with Giammarese, the band's guitarist, formed a duo called Tufano & Giammarese. They recorded three albums under that name.

The Buckinghams performing Don't You Care, which debuted on March 11, 1967 and peaked to #6.


In 1980, three of the original five Buckinghams (Tufano, Giammarese, and bassist Nick Fortuna) got back together to perform for ChicagoFest. Original drummer John Poulos passed away earlier in the year, and keyboardist Marty Grebb was not interested.

In 1983, Giammarese became the band's front man after Tufano decided to continue work on a film and solo career.

Touring full-time as The Buckinghams since 1983, Giammarese and Fortuna are joined by, in the current line-up, Dave Zane (guitar), Bruce Soboroff (keyboards), and Bruce "Rocky" Penn (drums).

The Buckinghams are also frequently accompanied by a horn section consisting of Carlo Isabelli (trumpet), Steve Frost (trumpet), Chuck Morgan (trombone), Jim Kaczmarek (tenor sax), and Kevin Flanigan (tenor sax).

A great interview from August 2009 with lead singer Carl Giammarese (right) and bassist Nick Fortuna of The Buckinghams. They offer a wealth of history and background here. Giammarese, who was the guitarist for the original 1966-70 Buckinghams, became the band's front man in 1983.


I first saw The Buckinghams perform at Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee a few years back. They had opened for Tommy James and the Shondells. My second time seeing The Buckinghams took place this past August. They performed at the Wisconsin State Fair as part of the Happy Together Tour. For that show though, it was just Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna performing, as all the groups in the show used the same accompanying band.

A soft rock version of Kind of a Drag, recorded by the duo Tufano & Giammarese for their second album in 1975. The duo recorded a total of three albums through the 1970s.


You can see my photography and write-up of the Happy Together Tour's stop at Wisconsin State Fair here. My photography caught the attention of The Buckinghams' publicist, Dawn Lee Wakefield, who e-mailed me to compliment my work. We had some nice e-mail exchanges for a while, and that is sort of what prompted me to reach out recently to Carl for an interview.

Singer Carl Giammarese and bassist Nick Fortuna of The Buckinghams performing Kind of a Drag in 2010 during the Happy Together Tour.


In addition to entertaining crowds with the original hits that first catapulted them onto the national scene, The Buckinghams continue to develop new material and recordings. Giammarese, who is also a song writer, continues to do so, as well, in a solo capacity.

The Buckinghams performing Don't You Care at Hoffman Estates Fest (Illinois) in July 2010.


To learn more about The Buckinghams and Carl Giammarese, visit these Web sites:

www.thebuckinghams.com
www.carlgiammarese.com

The Buckinghams performing their rendition of The Turtles' classic, Happy Together, at an Illinois festival in August 2009. Nick Fortuna's bass adds some nice kick to the song.

The Happy Together Tour Visits the Wisconsin State Fair

We're always talking about various Milwaukee business networking opportunities, Milwaukee business news, Milwaukee networking events, etc. on this blog, so let's take a moment and talk about something that is arguably a little more fun.

Many of you know that, in addition to serving as president of Intrepid Innovations and being primarily responsible for this blog, I'm also a freelance journalist. Lately, I've been trying to dabble more in photography as a means to enhance my written skills when the opportunity arises.

That being said, if you are a fan of 1960s rock/pop, you must check out my recent photo shoot (92 photos in all that made the final cut!) and accompanying commentary for Muskego Patch on the Happy Together Tour, which made a stop at the Wisconsin State Fair last Sunday, August 7th.

The tour consists of The Buckinghams, The Grass Roots, The Association, Mark Lindsay (the voice of Paul Revere and the Raiders), and The Turtles.

It was a great concert! Though I enjoy the music of all the groups that performed, I'm particularly a big Buckinghams fan, so admittedly, that's what ultimately sealed the deal for me and prompted me to purchase a ticket.

And speaking of The Buckinghams, the group's publicist contacted me the same afternoon my story was published and complimented my photos. That was a pretty neat and exciting experience!

So check it out:

http://muskego.patch.com/articles/muskego-at-the-fair-happy-together-tour-makes-stop-at-wisconsin-state-fair

Also, if you scroll down to the comments section of the story, you'll see that I posted links to all of the bands' Web sites, as well as to some vintage performances and interviews!

Enjoy!

--Aaron Robertson