Got a new email from The Wrecking Crew film project. What a magical time in music and our lives! Some links...

http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com/premiumjackiekelso/index.html

http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com/technology/index.html

http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com/premiumdonrandi/donrandi.html

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Dear WC friends and family

Another out-take means we are moving forward.

Just want to let everyone know that we're trying our best to release the film. Companies are finally approaching us and we'll just keep going until that glorious day happens. When this all comes together, its because of the Grassroots approach that we took. (Wrecking Crew played on the Grassroots -if you want to know) Its all because of people talking and telling each other about the website, Facebook and blogs that you've started.

Over the last 2 months, we've lost some amazing musicians. Al Delory was not only Glen Campbell's producer but one of the great pianists of the time. Another great WC pianist that we lost was the amazing Mike Melvoin who was one of the greatest Jazz piano players around. Billy Strange was one of the original rock and roll guitarists whose countless solos could be heard on Beach Boy albums and then worked closely with Elvis and Nancy Sinatra as musical director. Last week we lost a one of a kind, Frank Marocco. Frank had to be the most recorded accordion player in the world. If you heard an accordion in film, tv or on records, you most likely hear frank. He played that instrument like no other person. From Beach boys to Sinatra, and Pink Floyd to Tony Bennett. He did it all. All of these men will be missed but their music and memories they gave will stay forever.

We have a few screenings to announce. To make these screenings feasible, I've been fortunate enough to receive help from local sponsors who would like to participate. If it wasn't for them, we'd never be able to cover some of the costs of travel, publicity and rental of theaters.

Bill ... some really interesting stuff, especially the second one talking about the "art" of recording today ...
As much as we love our KBs and doing the OMB thing, there is NOTHING like playing a live gig with other good musicians ...

This is GOOD STUFF. I moved to California in 1962 and ran into lots of these guys.

Didn't know about this project at all. Bill, is the Pittman in this a relative of yours? He's talking about a Dan Electro
"tic tac" bass guitar...6 strings, used on most Motown to double an upright.

I still have my original Dan O and a repro, bought about 10 years ago. Lots of Duane Eddy was played on this instrument.


Fascinating!

Russ

Russ, I see what you are talking about now, but he spells his name different. I wish I had a connection.

I love his Dano sound!

Yep, Russ, all of the outtakes of that film are just fabulous. I listened to all of them, there are a bunch! I am so privileged to have grown up with that music!

Are real drums something special? Check this out.

http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com/premiumbillystrange/index.html

Don't know how many watched AI this week, but on one of the songs the drummer was SO great they talked about him almost more that the contestant ...

BTW ... when I first watched those clips I was wondering how many of these guys Russ may have known ...

Tony, I knew Tommy Tedesco, Leon Russell, of course, and Glenn Campbell.

I was hanging around Dick Dale's studio. The Beach Boys were a part of this bunch. Tommy was all over the place. Saw Burton, but was too much in awe to introduce myself...watched every lick on "Rick Nelson's "Travelin Man" a hundred times. Really want to get with DonM to beg for an intro.

Glenn Campbell appeared on a show done in Bakersfield by Buck Owens I was on. That was another famous group just now getting a lot of recognition for their contributions to pop music.

My main influences during this time were Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, Steve Allen, Clark Terry, Ella and all the folks associated with the Steve Allen syndicated show.

My mentor was Tony Belsom, brother of Louis, who was married to "Pearlie May". They got me work in LA.

I was living in Victorville (dad was in the Air force), going to school in San Bernadino, Playing during the week in Apple Valley; on the week-ends in LA, with occasional gigs in Bakersfield and Andrews AFB.

Lived there from June 1962 until the summer of 1964. thought women, weed and whiskey would kill me, so I packed up my equipment on an Air Force surplus three-wheeled Harley (still have it)and headed back to Kentucky.

These guys were all giants. I was more associated with the surfer guys on the pop side and the be boppers on the jazz side.

In my case, I was lucky as could be, being in the right place at the right time.

This is going to be one HELL of a movie.

Russ