|
GARY LYNCH found us in 1989, then promptly moved away for eight years.
He first joined the board in 1997.
He was 2nd Vice President/Membership Chair for a couple of years and President for a couple of years.
He originated our web site, the E-Chord, and the Kenney Grove spring and fall campouts.
After a subsequent hiatus from the board, he rejoined in March 2008 and is reprising his role as 2nd VP/Membership Chair.
Gary enjoys Songmakers' supportive rather than competitive environment and the genuine fondness we all feel for each other.
He believes we should also share our music with those in the community whose spirits need uplifting.
He plays guitar, harmonica, ukulele and bass.
Gary is a native Southern Californian who has also lived in Maryland, Oregon, Hawaii and the Bay Area.
He is a software engineer with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Cal State, Long Beach.
Gary met Kathy through Songmakers, and they were married in 1999.
They have a collective "Brady Bunch" of two sons and two daughters, with eleven grandchildren (and counting).
Gary enjoys bicycling, camping, and anything computer related.
|
Gary Lynch
2nd Vice President Membership Chair
|
2008
|
|
MARGE SCOTT, a native Californian, joined Songmakers in 2000 and was appointed to the board in 2001 to fill a vacancy.
She has been re-elected regularly since, and has filled the position of Recording Secretary for three years and
Second Vice President (Membership) for one year.
Marge has been involved in music since toddlerhood.
For over fifteen years she was very active with the championship Channelaire Chorus of Sweet Adelines, acting in a
leadership capacity as well as a quartet member.
She loves performing standards, jazz, country, blues, just about any kind of music, with excellent backup from her husband, Tom.
She continues her struggle to attain some proficiency on guitar.
Marge and Tom are enjoying retired life and are having fun going to as many hoots as possible.
They look forward to a "happy, wild and free" life in Mexico.
|
Marge Scott
Recording Secretary
|
2009
|
|
Louise "Weezie" Dobbs
Treasurer
|
Louise Dobbs was born in east L.A. (Boyle Heights) and has lived in
Venice/Santa Monica for the last 30 years. Louise loves singing and many
kinds of music including Folk, Old Country, Old-Timey, Cowboy,
Bluegrass, Classic Rock and Roll, and last, but definitely not least,
African pop. She loves A Cappella singing too, is a member of a 5-person
A Cappella group called A Cappella Jam, and leads singing jams in Santa
Monica. She loves Songmakers and has been a devoted member since 1992.
Since 1996 she has served as Songmakers' Treasurer and she regularly leads
the West LA Hoot. She is also a member of the California Traditional
Music Society and the Santa Monica Folk Traditional Music Club. Her latest
endeavor is memorizing at least one song per week! Her hobbies include
walking and fitness, spirituality, reading and movies.
|
2008
|
|
Carl has been a member of Songmakers since 1997, and has been active in hoots, camping trips,
weekend getaways, concerts and many other activities.
He has been on the Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest Board of Directors for the same period and is a member of BASC.
He is active in the folk music and bluegrass communities attending hoots and jams, performing at open mics and other venues
and emceeing concerts and events including Topanga.
|
Carl Gage
Webmaster
Asst. Bard Chord Editor
|
2009
|
|
Anne Redstone
Hoot Liaison
|
I'm Anne Redstone, appreciator extraordinaire of Songmakers.
The late Alice Eldred introduced me to Songmakers more than 20 years ago; I enthusiastically became a member.
I like its history and respect the tradition of promoting and presenting homemade music.
My instrument is voice - been singing all my life.
I give voice workshops and play "at" several stringed and percussion instruments.
As a member of the Torrance Chorale, we toured Europe and sang in parks and cathedrals along the way.
I now sing with A Cappella Jam. Music and song have enriched my life in ways nothing else can.
I'd been Wagon Mistress of our Leo Carrillo campouts for about 10 years and am the coordinator for
Camp de Benneville Pines "Music in the Mountains", Songmaker badges, Hoot Liaison, co-facilitator
for the W.L.A. Hoot --- It's been my privilege to serve 13 years on the Board.
It's a wonderful feeling to give back to Songmakers.
|
2008
|
|
|
I have been a member of Songmakers for over 30 years. I have spent most of them serving on the Board in various capacities. I am currently the Historian and host of the Board meetings. Professionally, I have been a music teacher for 35 years
and am currently teaching music full time at The Help Group, a non-public school for children with autism spectrum disorders.
I also give private guitar and recorder lessons in my home.
Since 1975 I have produced Noble House Concerts, a concert venue featuring acoustic music.
I also play in a Klezmer Band called Shir Madness. |
Barbara Greenspan
Historian
|
2009
|
|
Jack Cherrix
Publicity Chair
Event Coordinator
|
Jack was raised in Southern Virginia where his father was a lighthouse keeper at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay.
He and his wife Monica have lived in California since 1971 due to a work-related transfer and are now retired and living in Oxnard.
During his school and working years in the financial world Jack had little time for music and had no musical training.
In retirement his two main hobbies became music and tennis.
Jack was fortunate enough to discover Songmakers in early 1997 where he has learned a lot about music, and where he has been a very active member for the past ten years.
He is fond mainly of singing, plays rhythm on the ukulele and sometimes the 4 string banjo and 4 string guitar, likes old songs mainly from the 40's through 70's, and likes writing parodies.
|
2009
|
|
|
Bobbi Gore is my name and Songmakers is my game.
I joined Songmakers eight years ago thanks to the invitation of one Simon Lucas.
I grew up in a musical family as my mother was a singer and my sister also loved
to sing and my twin brother played the drums, harmonica and piano.
I sang with Sweet Adalines in Palm Springs while I lived there.
I played the accordion for several years until I got too big for it or it got too big for me!
I love the comradery that Songmakers affords and knowing such great people.
So, folks, I’m here to stay!
|
Bobbi Gore
Corresponding Secretary
|
2009
|
|
Simon Lucas
Election Chair
|
I have enjoyed music all my life. My father played piano and organ, I learned guitar and flute!
I left England in 1983 and arrived in California some 11 hours later. I have been here ever since!
I was introduced to Songmakers in 1985 and have served on the Board almost constantly since.
I had a Hoot at my house for some years. I also edited the Bard Chord for a while.
I usually play guitar and sing English songs, but have been known to play dulcimer.
I am an avid instrument collector, most of which I cannot play and some of which I do not recognize!
I played bass for the Heart of England Folk Group, but that was in another life!
|
2009
|
|
|
I was born backstage during a Rock show in Passaic, New Jersey.
My mother was a drummer in a heavy Metal band and my father was the manager.
I started singing at age 6, (months). I sang in the stairwell cause I liked the echo it created.
My first instrument was the drums at age 11 years, then the double keyboard Thomas organ, then the bass guitar, Hagstrom.
My first professional performance was at age 13 years, singing and playing.
At age 15, I started the electric guitar, garage bands and some high school dances.
Jump ahead 35 years. I was seduced into joining Songmakers by Launice Walker about 3 years ago.
I’m a regular at Terry Zeiler’s Camarillo Hoot.
My music roots are Beatles, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Hendrix, Crosby Stllls and Nash and Perry Como.
I want to join the board because we all need to chip in and help.
I’m testing the waters for my political career actually.
|
Warren Hasselberger
Director
| 2009
|
|
Kathy Lynch
Splinters Editor
|
Kathy hails from Lafayette, IN, but now remains firmly rooted in Southern CA.
Kathy started playing guitar in junior high school.
She and her friends would sit in a circle, sing and play music.
She was destined to be a Songmaker!
Kathy moved to Moopark in 1988, and learned to play mandolin.
She studied with Tom Corbett for 4 years at the Blue Ridge Pickin Parlor.
She also attended 3 summer sessions of Bluegrass Camp at South Plains College in Leveland, TX gaining
instruction from past members of County Gazette (Dawn Watson, Alan Mundy, Joe Carr) and special guest
instructors (including Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum, Lynn Morris, Charles Sawtelle).
Kathy was a founding member of BASC (Bluegrass Association of Southern California) and originated their
"Home Away From Home" committee, opening up her home to bands traveling in the Southern California area.
She assisted behind the scenes at many of the Southern California concert series, the Topanga Banjo-Fiddle
Contest, and Bluegrass festivals.
Gary believes there isn't anyone out there who doesn't know her!
Kathy's good friend Dee Gregory introduced her to Songmakers in 1990 but it wasn't until Kathy met Gary,
the love of her life, in 1998 that she rejoined Songmakers.
Kathy and Gary married in 1999 and reside in Moorpark.
They have a band "KG" with best bud Patty Quintana and play in the local So. Cal area.
Kathy is back on the Board after a hiatus, and is currently the pen behind the "Splinters" column in the Bard Chord.
|
2008
|
|
Gigi Johnson
Director
|
Gigi just joined the board in 2008.
She has been a member of Songmakers since she showed up at her first Kenney Grove campout in 2005 with her dad’s
old guitar in hand and a tiny blue tent.
She now brings her tenor ukulele and her three children, valiantly trying to get them to sing along.
Gigi has been singing standards since she was 14.
In 2004, she and guitarist Mike Salas began folk concerts for libraries, schools, and museums as “Gigi & Mike” –
which turned into a small cable TV show, CD, and continuing concert series around Southern California,
teaching storytelling, history, and language skills through song.
In her “civilian” life, Gigi is on her 9th career – she presently runs Maremel Ventures, a new media
consulting and venture company, as well as programs cable on-demand channels,
sits on the advisory board of Live365, and teaches at UCLA Anderson School’s Entertainment and Media Management Institute.
|
2010
|
|
Paul Tatto’s musical tastes started forming early, having grown up listening to his mother’s record collection of artists
ranging from philharmonic orchestras to jazz trios, and the great swing-era sounds of groups like the Glenn Miller Orchestra
and The Four Lads. By the early 1960’s, he was raiding his sister’s rock ‘n roll record collection, listening to early
American Rock ‘N Roll and even some of the new folk artists like Peter, Paul & Mary, and The Smothers Brothers.
But Tatto (rhymes with “shadow”) found new inspiration that fateful Sunday night when Ed Sullivan reared back and introduced
us all to the single most influential act in the history of recorded entertainment, and from then on they
(The Beatles, not Sullivan!) were his new heroes.
Paul (this Paul, not Beatle Paul) took his first piano lessons while in the fourth grade and by his high school years had
started playing guitar, then electric (and later, upright) bass and over the years, has performed with a variety of
local groups. “I’m not a songwriter,” he says, “from Mozart to McCartney,
I’ve always enjoyed playing someone else’s songs and, since I’m a bass player,
Songmakers gives me the great honor of being able to accompany a fascinating mix of other talented musicians,
playing an equally diverse variety of styles.”
|
Paul Tatto
Director
|
2010
|
|
Pat Cronin
Director
|
Pat Cronin grew up in Nebraska and New Mexico, moving to Southern California in the late 70's to study guitar at G.I.T.,
start a new life and pursue a new career path.
As a child she played the violin, sang in choirs for church and school, played music with family and friends, always enjoying music as a hobby.
Pat lives in Camarillo with her husband - Casey, daughter -Britney, who is a Junior at UCLA...and their two Maltese dogs - Carli and Lola.
As time permits, Pat continues to seek out opportunities to explore her musical interests.
She recently discovered Songmakers through an ad in the local Camarillo newspaper.
After attending a hoot at T.J. Zieler's home in September 2007, she became a member.
In February 2008 Pat joined as a Board Member.
Still very busy with a career in commercial design and healthcare furniture consulting, she is looking forward to learning more about songwriting, singing and performing on the guitar.
Pat enjoys simple, uplifting songs with positive lyrics and interesting rhythms. |
2010
|
|
I am a native of Iowa. At age 22 I packed up and moved to California where I've been ever since.
Searching the Los Angeles area job market I found a job as a Tool and Die Maker Apprentice.
After a few years of learning the trade I started my own shop which is located in San Fernando.
James Higby Engineering has been in business now for 25 years making metal parts for a variety of companies.
Sometime around the age of 30 I attempted to play the guitar.
Not long after I learned the required 3 chords I started to write my own songs.
This led to an association with Dawn Breaker Publishing (Seals & Crofts Company) which led to nothing.
With that I put my guitar and dreams up on the shelf and forgot about playing music.
Then came Songmakers. Wow! I found good music, good friends, and a good excuse to pick up where I left off.
I have a son Michael and many of you already know my daughter, Jodie.
My hobbies/interests include History, Politics, Bicycle Riding, Books, T.V./Movies, Drag Racing my homemade Hot Rod, and pickin and grinning.
Thank you Songmakers.
|
Jim Higby
|
2010
|
|
