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Date |
Notes |
2008-11-06 |
Greetings!
It has been a long time since I paid attention to my little web home...a lot has happened since then. In the last episode of Raynotes, I had joined a group called the SKR project. It evolved into a group called The TAVERNacle Choir...a blues based trio. We played together for a little less than a year. Realizing our musical goals were very different, I elected to resign my commission as lead guitarist and vocalist, and move back towards my own solo roots.
I am now in rehearsals with my good friend and colleague Steve Kloser. Steve is the former owner of Taylors On Main in Hillsboro, where I booked talent for a short time. After selling his restaurant, Steve built this most excellent website for me. Becoming fast friends, we realized our views and goals of music were very similar.
We are now embarking on a musical journey which will come to fruition in March of 2009. Steve is a multi-talented musician, being an accomplished vocalist and vocal arranger, guitarist, bassist, pianist yadda yadda. The guy is talented, OK? In a big way! And, more importantly? We get along really well!
Our music will see a mix of original music from both of us, and a collection of eclectic covers done, say it with me now, OUR WAY!!! Having played in a myriad of bands over our respective careers, we both have grown tired of the standard issue cover material. We hope to bring a freshness and originality to the songs we have all known and loved over the years. Our goal is for you the listener, to hear these songs for the first time!
Until then...Peace to you and yours! |
2007-12-27 |
So a lot of time has passed since I wrote the first installment of Raynotes. I have been remiss in my goal of twice monthly entrees.
In case you missed it in the first Raynotes, the mission of said journal is to provide information regarding the musical journey of Ray Beran for those interested.
One smooth segue later...I recently joined songwriter/musician Steve Rodin, and bass player extraordinaire Kevin "K-Dawg" Eastes to form The SKR Project. Wha...??
The SKR Project is a trio based group, performing a variety of cover songs in many genres (leaning towards classic rock and blues), as well as original songs. With an emphasis on vocal harmonies and varietal guitar arrangements, The SKR Project is a versatile ensemble capable of many configurations.
Steve Rodin plays rhythm guitar and vocals, songwriting, is our music librarian, main sound guy, and handles all the booking and PR duties! He is a hob-knob god, and has us working two to three dates per week! Steve is also the booking agent for the Gotham Tavern, and writes for a local paper Positively Entertainment, based in Hillsboro. By day he is a Ninja-Tri-Met Bus Pilot!!
Kevin "K-Dawg" Eastes is a gentle giant with a likable demeanor. Kevin is one of those guys who can tell you your fly is open without making you feel embarrassed! (OK...sorry! Only the guys can relate!) A formally educated musician with many years on the road and in the studios, Kevin is without a doubt one of the finest musicians I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Possessed of great technical prowess, he is tempered with a sensitive ear for playing just what needs to be played, when it needs to be played. Kevin would rather play than eat!!
And of course, yours truly. In The SKR Project, my primary duties are electric and acoustic guitars, percussion, vocals, songwriting, sound monkey, and vocal arranger coachlike-guy. By day I still teach vocals, work as a free lance sound editor, and continue to record with long time producer, co-arranger, and friend Alan Whiteside.
With the exception of a rewarding three year collaboration with songwriter George Reiswig as "Reiswig and Beran", it has been 25 years since I have played as part of an organized group! It is exciting, and I feel honored to be associated with musicians of such high caliber!!
Stay tuned for the next installment of raynotes where we talk about the vibrovariant frequencial sustanation of a .022 flatwound G-string when fretted at the 13th fret on the body side of the...ummm...doo-bee-doo...yeah
Peace---
RWB
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