Difference between revisions of "The Grand Band"
(→Members) |
(→Members) |
||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
|Bandleader | |Bandleader | ||
|1979-present | |1979-present | ||
| + | |||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Jeanine Normand | ||
| + | | | ||
| + | | | ||
|} | |} | ||
Revision as of 11:39, 1 November 2007
 Maybe it needs to be formatted, needs some fact-checking, or was just a work-in-progress that never got finished. If you can help, you're encouraged to edit this article and when you feel it's up-to-par, remove this tag. Thanks. |
The Grand Band is Glenn Normand's show band & booking agency.
The band itself has performed for corporate and social clients for over 20 years, tallying up more than 3,000 individual dates. It was initially formed in the late 80s to handle the weddings and conventions at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama, and has since been asked to play and perform in 97 cities of 8 states.
Among the hallmarks of the band are its members' versatility (with each both signing and playing three or more instruments), a songlist spanning three decades, and a focus on audience participation and interaction.
Venues have included wedding receptions, business parties, fund raising galas and more.[???]
Members
| Member | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Glenn Normand | Bandleader | 1979-present |
| Jeanine Normand |
The below was extracted from a pictoral history of The Grand Band, and is need of reformatting.
Chronology
1976
Although Glenn had assembled groups for events in the past, getting steady musicians was always difficult. The regular band became more viable when Janette came into the picture, because that provided the band with a full time singer. If a piano was not furnished, Glenn played on Jack’s small Wurlitzer electric piano (which he still owns) like Ray Charles used.
Occasionally, Janette’s spinet was borrowed from the house, carried down the steps and moved in a U-Haul trailer and a borrowed Sears microphone and Fender guitar amp to play everything through. Normally, all the band equipment fit in the back seat of a Chevy sedan.
Kevin, the drummer, was 15 and had already played in Robertsdale night clubs with his father’s band. Sister Jeanine played bass until she moved up the East Coast. Our “fast” songs were "Kansas City" and "Another Saturday Night." The band would play those, thinking they would knock the crowd down, but then a few people would yell out, "play something fast now."
1977
In 1977, five other local bands retired, quit, dissolved or moved away, and The Grand Band got most of all their bookings. The first year, they did about 100 events, plus many nights Glenn played solo piano at the Grand Hotel and other places.
For about six months, he played the Birdcage Lounge at the Grand, from 5 to 7 p.m., then raced to Mobile to play the downtown Sheraton (now Lafayette Plaza). They had a fabulous restaurant on the top floor, a dressy area on the left and the casual bar on the right, and fed Glenn steaks whenever he wanted. Tips were good both places. He got $40/night at the Grand and $50/night at the Sheraton and averaged about $60/night in tips. Nice money in 1977 dollars.
This was the year Jim Allen joined the band as lead, backup/harmony, singer, guitarist, harmonica, and secondary bass player. Ron Malinoski, fresh off the road with a touring group, added more lead/backup/harmony vocals and tasty precise drumming. Robert Normand added trumpet, bass, keyboards, drums and dry humor to the mix. As the bookings piled up, it was clear the band had to go “professional.” Jim Andrews at Andy’s Music was happy to accept $4,850 from Glenn for all new equipment: a keyboard of his own, amplifiers, speakers, etc.
Ron eventually took off to play with a club band, Robert probably got aggravated with Glenn's ten thumbs, and the band made changes. Jimmy Allen brought in drummer Bobby Watson who used to play with him in “Southern Branch” touring around the country. Bobby just gotten back from playing in Canada, and was playing at The Showboat Club, one of the many clubs on the causeway with a band called "Wheels."
This was before hurricane Frederick changed the landscape on the road across the bay, and there were a dozen bars/restaurants all with live bands.
Bobby was a creature of habit; you could set your watch by what he was doing every day. He probably went crazy trying to deal with Glenn's behavior, and eventually left and went with the "Versatiles" for many years, and now is with "The Outriders." He also owns a store in Mobile (Music and Sound), which keeps lots of musicians in business with band and sound equipment. Bobby still drums with the band on occasion.
1978
The band plays their first of many KOR Easter Balls, in the Mobile Civic Center big room.
In the summer of 1978, Don Benson was the Drummer, and Rick Quimby showed everyone what an incredible rock guitarist he was, really shining on “My Angel Baby”.
The band did 115 dates in 1978.
1979
John “Jabbo” Starks showed up to drum for the band. He had just retired from three world tours with James Brown, and a stint with Bobby Blue Bland and wanted to take things easy. Having a player of that stature in the band was unnerving to Glenn, but he taught him a lot and they had fun.
August brought hurricane Frederick, which almost put Glenn out of business for many months, since he was doing almost all his bookings at the Grand Hotel, and it was closed for 9 months. They did the grand opening of the Hilton (now Mobile Marriott) on Airport Blvd, and they insisted The Grand Band play the Sunday brunch (for 3+ years). By this time, the biggest agency in Alabama, Southeastern Attractions, was sending the band to Tuscaloosa regularly.
I recall driving up to the Hilton about 6 a.m., using a wind up alarm clock to wake me at 9am to go into the hotel bathroom to shave and get ready to play the brunch. -- Glenn
The band did 140 dates in 1979.
1980
The band played lots of events in the smaller rooms as well as big conventions in the ballrooms. The Julep Point outside dance pavilion was tricky due to the weather. It was a rare night that the weather was perfect-normally it was hot & humid, or so windy that the tablecloths and plates would blow off the tables. Two nights in a row, and for two different conventions, the band set up and got rained out before they could play through the first set. They got lots of exercise moving equipment. Timmy Cowart on bass and lead vocals, was a real trip! Glenn had played with Timmy's dad in Sammy Zivitz’s Stardusters Band, and Tim played exactly like his dad, so we clicked right away. However, Don Benson was too busy talking to his drumsticks to hear the bass beat, so he and Glenn yelled at each other a lot. Don holds the dubious distinction of being the only person in the world who couldn’t find Thomasville, Alabama, for the Christmas dance at Pine Needles Golf Club. He had assured Glenn that recreational drugs did not impair his sense of direction. Also joining the band, just out of the Air Force band and having a music degree, was Eric Marrero. He first played bass, but Glenn didn’t like his feel, and then he told Glenn he played guitar, trumpet, sax, flute and keyboards-in addition to singing….so Glenn did his best to make things gel. Eric is still playing with Glenn today, and Glenn considers him to be one of his best friends. Kim Dragota was a great bassist/singer who joined the band in 1980, and he made the band practice-he wanted it right! Lots of musicians wanted to play in The Grand Band, but it wasn’t a good fit for everyone: sometimes the best musicians didn’t want to play cover tunes and wear uniforms. One guy quit his first night, saying would not, under any circumstances, wear black shoes with the tuxedo Glenn furnished. (He called Glenn about 15 years later and said he would be happy to wear black shoes-he just wanted to work.) Another really good musician called Glenn desperately wanting work-but declared he would never play in a band that played “Proud Mary”.
1981-1982
As Glenn and Janette's relationship crumbled, Rachel Stevens came in as female vocalist with her boyfriend (soon to be husband) guitarist Bart Jennings. The band was thrilled to have the world’s greatest bassist, Butch Wagoner, play with us before he moved to Florida, and drummer Mike Fore added some jazzy licks to our sound. The fall of ‘81 added a real heavyweight, Daryl Phillips, on saxes and vocals. His extensive show experience helped the band to be more professional. The band this year was an ecclectic group: the yankees, Daryl and Mike Garlo (drums), were seasoned travelling lounge musicians, and Bart Jennings (guitar) and Rachel were new to the music scene and locals from Baldwin County...and then there was Glenn trying to figure out why there are black and white keys on the keyboard, trying to book dates, handling the business of the band and trying to keep his personal strife out of the band. Glenn moved to Mobile after Labor Day 1981, living with Mike Garlo while awaiting new apartment. Rosemary Mack also joined on piano and Glenn found Renee Howard in a talent contest at the same time. He thought one would prevail with more talent and force the other out-but they worked very well together and gave the group more visual and vocal presentation. Rosemary was probably the best vocalist ever to sing in the band. Renee was a terrific pianist and wanted to do her own thing, so it worked out. The band later found out Rosemary was just a teenager...and never acted like it. Mike wasn’t but he acted like it with her, and it eventually caused Glenn to split up this incarnation of the group.
1983-84
Renee settled into playing solo piano at the Riverview and the Days Inn, so Rosemary covered us with her exceptional voice. Mitchell Till played guitar, Hollis Davis was on vocals , and Wendell Vincent on drums. Phyllis Vincent eventually replaced Rosemary. Robin Visel also played guitar & bass for the band during this time. Robin was mixing Sound for the band in early 1979, when Rick Quimby quit, Robin played guitar and sang so he was an instant fill in back then. When hurricane Frederick put Glenn out of business temporarily, Robin and Jimmy Allen started Sidetracked. In 1983 he started playing with the band again.
1985-86
Glenn and Robin married in 1985 and she started singing in band and getting the booking agency organized from years of neglect. In 1986 Chris Grissom adds tasty guitar to the sounds. He moves in with the newlyweds and begins work to convert half of the garage to an office overlooking the pool. Ron Malinoski tries to keep up with Glenn’s marriages and weds Joanne. Dave Sandy (sax & vocals) fools everyone by not getting married again. Glenn surprised Robin by shaving beard for first time since 1974. She surprises him by not recognizing him and telling him to grow it back. Chris works on the office by day and rides his bike all night. Now that the business end of band is more stable, dependable musicians are easier to find. “Old coot” Ron Tait, former bandleader of The Tait Brothers and The Good Life Band and nightclub owner of The Jolly Roger Club, came in on drums. After playing in Hawaii with “The Unusuals” , the only thing more unusual was playing with Glenn. World class trumpeter, Larry Carter, also dropped in to teach everyone how to really play music. Chris Grissom, a gentle man and a great musician, recently succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
1987-88
Some of the band's customers are in politics: Ron Tait, (drums), Glenn, his sister Laurie Normand (bass), and Robin play for Vice President Geroge Bush. Glenn reached in his coat for a business card to give Mr. Bush, and a secret service agent reached for his weapon. Eric Marrero returned to the band-he couldn’t take the late night club routine anymore. In 1988 Terry Youngblood, joined on vocals, trumpet, trombone and humor.
1989
Eric left again and the band took on Henry Jones on guitar. He brought his trumpeter wife, Susan, with him. Daryl Phillips was back on Sax.
1991
Dave started wearing flag after Desert Storm to honor his son. The band now always plays their patriotic medley, even at weddings. Ron grew his beard back; Terry Youngblood didn’t; Robin got a new hairstyle, and Glenn didn’t. Eric took his glasses off and Dave trimmed his mustache.
1992-93
Glenn chose a new name and logo for the booking agency...and then later sold that company and the name.
1995
I don’t know where Eric is, But Bart Jennings came back on guitar & horns. In the back is Brad Breeding, who started as singer, then booking agent, then bought the agency in 1996. He was a great front manbut moved back to Arkansas. Robin decided she wasn’t getting any younger, and it was time to start her litter. Elliott came along July 1997 and Robin forgot all about the band. Paula Broadwater, diva devine, graced us with her presence while Robin attended to motherly duties. Eric comes back again. Now we have six regulars in the band, and since several play multiple instruments, we have combinations of 2 trumpets, 2 saxes, 2 trombones, 2 guitars, 2 keyboards, flute, drums, bass. And everyone sings lead and backup. WOW! Paula cracks the whip and makes us play real music. We become famous in Grand Bay and Opelika. 1997-2000 One was not enough...Robin wanted a clone, so along came Meredith in 1999. One day, she may be the band singer. By this time, Paula was tied up in shows, so she sent us a vocalist we had originally met in 1990, and blossomed! Michelle Broadus set the stage on fire when she performed. What a Treat! 1999-2003 She is now a regular at the Perdido Beach Resort lounge. 2003: We’re all back together for a Christmas party at the Nix Center in Fairhope. There sure is a lot of grey hair going on here. That’s why I shaved my beard again. 2003-2005 One of the sweetest and most photogenic singers was Jacque Nguyen. She just got married Sept. 06. Summer 2006—a wedding at the Nix Center in Fairhope again. Bart is doing a beachside wedding today. IF you have pics of the band, and wouldn’t mind sharing them, please either email or contact me. Glenn Normand.
Extracted Data
These are nuggets of anecdotal info or trivia which didn't belong inline at the time. They should be worked into the article somewhere eventually.
- we now use a 10’ trailer to carry only part of the sound and lighting equipment we own.
- Glenn is content to send other acts to do that now. (referring to 1978 when the band did 1115 dates and 140 in 1978)
