Gary - Singer, Songwriter, Musician
Gary has been 'Crazy 'Bout Bugs' since he was a young lad chasing fireflies, dodging mosquitoes and listening to the cricket symphony on sultry midwestern evenings. As an adult, Gary has 'kept' bees in Mendocino County, CA, tended the hissing cockroaches at the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary, and assisted with the Sacramento Zoo's 'Bug Zone' Exhibit. Gary has also experienced the joy of watching his own children chase fireflies during their visits to the midwest. In addition to writing and arranging the 'Song of the Bugs,' Gary sings, and plays guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo and dobro on the project.
Jamal Walker - Singer
Jamal Walker’s vocal talents were first discovered at home by his mother while singing a catchy jingle from a fast food commercial. He was ten years old. From then on he sang at numerous family functions, churches, school choirs and the like. Jamal has been singing professionally for 20 years, with styles ranging from gospel to blues, reggae and country. His greatest passion is to share his gifts with the world. On 'Song of the Bugs,' Jamal adds his rich vocals to 'Dragonfly Dreams' and 'Luna Moth Lullaby.'
Michael Meeks - Trumpet
After graduating from the Royal College of Music, Michael Meeks was appointed principal trumpet with the BBC. In 1981 he joined the City of London Sinfonia, a position he held for fourteen years before coming to live in America.
Michael has played with all the major symphony and chamber orchestras in the U.K., the most notable of these being the London Symphony and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields with Sir Neville Marriner. He has played under the baton of many other famous conductors such as Carlos Kleiber, Pierre Boulez, George Solti, Neemi Järvi, Gerard Scharwtz, Simon Rattle and Colin Davis.
During his career in the UK Michael performed for the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Lady Diana, and has played in music festivals around the world including Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, North & South America, Russia, Mexico. He has also recorded on labels such as EMI Abbey Road, Chandos, Philips, Naxos, Virgin records, and has twice recorded the Vivaldi double trumpet concerto.
Michael currently holds the principal trumpet position with the Sacramento Philharmonic Opera, Sacramento Choral Society and performs with Music in the Mountains.
David Thorp - Viola
David Thorp has performed principal viola in the Auburn Symphony, North State Symphony of Chico and Redding, the American Philharmonic Orchestra of Carnegie Hall and the Stockton Symphony. He presently accepts Violin and Viola students in Auburn and Yuba City. A fourth generation Floridian, David grew up fiddling in pine forests, orange groves, and on sandy beaches with his share of sunburns and mosquito bites. Among his favorite quotes about music:
"It all lies in preparation," from his teacher, violist Lillian Fuchs.
From L.v. Beethoven, "It takes a very long time to learn that one cannot play."
And Duke Ellington, "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing!"
David posts many of his performances at twitter/d2t2.
David Eby - Cello
David Eby, cellist, began his studies at age 6, and made his public debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony at age 16. He attended the Eastman School of Music where he received the Performer’s Certificate as well as his B.M., under the tutelage of Paul Katz of the Cleveland Quartet. He continued his studies at Indiana University with Janos Starker, and became the Principal Cellist of the Evansville Philharmonic and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra. He was the founding cellist for the musical storytelling troupe, Tales & Scales, where he developed his composing, improvising, and acting abilities. In 1996 he Portland, where he joined the internationally known band, Pink Martini, which took him to stages throughout the US and France. He has been on the faculty of summer music festivals such as Meadowmount, Point Counterpoint, and the Ithaca Chamber Music Institute, and has performed with the Portland Opera Orchestra and the Oregon Symphony. His discography includes Sympathique with Pink Martini, Mystic Harp 2, Secrets of Love, and Relax: Meditations for Flute and Cello for Crystal Clarity Publishers. He lives and is Music Director at the Ananda Village, near Nevada City with his wife Madhavi and daughter Caitlin.
Sarah Bowman - Artist
Sarah (21) is an expressive and creative artist living in the Sierra foothills of Northern California. She might not be 'Crazy 'Bout Bugs,' but she does enjoy painting pictures of the critters for her Dad's CD!
Lyndsey Barrett - Graphic Arts
Lyndsey has a passion for creatively communicating through the arts. A singer, songwriter and freelance graphic designer, she gratefully enjoys the opportunity each day brings to develop herself as an artist. Lyndsey was happy to partner with Gary on this project and support his vision (and obvious passion!) for music, animals and creation. Lyndsey lives in Northern California with her husband, David, and their oh-so-macho Chihuahua, Pedro.
Anna Campbell - Singer
Anna is an accomplished singer/songwriter, graduating from Simpson University in 2004 with her BA degree in Music and Worship Ministry. She feels privileged to participate in the "Song of the Bugs" project. Anna's passion for music is evident in her many performances throughout Northern California. She and her husband, Lance, look forward to sharing their gifts and talents together in Music Ministry. They reside in Grass Valley, CA.
Heather Henderson - Singer
Jan Jablecki - Singer
Jan Jablecki received her degree in Theater Arts and worked and performed in New York City for 5 years before life took her on many other adventures. She has for the last 25 years, been a Nevada County actress/Singer appearing in productions for Foothill Theater Company and Off Boardstreet and performing with her band, Silverwings. She is happily married and has two grown children, Nathaniel and Alisha. Jan sings the cool vocals on "City Bugs, Country Lights."
Don Stamey - Singer
Don began making music at the age of nine, playing piano, alto sax, guitar, organ, and electric bass (his second favorite instrument). He began playing piano in church at age 15, and has been doing that ever since. Don is a member of the music team at Twin Cities Church, and plays country-rock keyboard in the Denny Russell Band. He sings bass on “Honey Bee Waggle" and "Dung Beetle Blues.” Don is a self-employed software developer, and lives in Grass Valley, California with his wife, Lola.
Tim Schermerhorn - Saxophone
From the age of seven, music has been a big part of Tim's life. At his mother's encouragement, Tim picked up the saxophone, and has been playing ever since. He plays the electric bass in the Denny Russell Country-Rock band, and plays a soulful sax on 'Crazy 'Bout Bugs.'
Mike Askew - Synth Guitar
Mike turned pro at 14, and at age 18 he joined the Air Force Band, based in Washington D.C. Mike performed at Constitution Hall with Percy Faith, as well as at THE White House. At the age of 19, Mike performed a duet with Dionne Warwick in a national TV concert, and during the 70’s Mike played at college campuses throughout the country. More recently, Mike has performed, on stage with Petula Clark, and played guitar for the New York Musical “Hairspray” at the Reno Convention Center. For the 'Bugs' project, Mike laid down some cool squiggly-bug sounds on his synth quitar for "City Bug, Country Lights."
Bill Lapham - Electric Guitar
Robert Russell - Violin/Theremin
Robert began playing violin at age 12 and guitar at age 16. He first began playing in pit orchestras for musicals in high school and college. Robert has been concert master of the Palomar Symphony and Sierra Symphony, and has played with the Apollo Orchestra, Panache Chamber Orchestra and Auburn Symphony. He has played electric violin and guitar in rock, county western, blues and jazz bands. Robert is also a vocalist and has performed many major choral works in classical choirs, and was the 'Fiddler on the Roof' in the Center for the Arts 2006 production of the same name. These days, he utilizes his vocal talents as Grass Valley's official Town Crier. Robert is privileged to also perform with Gary in the acclaimed (and eclectic) duo, the 'Local Motives.' On 'Song of the Bugs', Robert plays fiddle, as well as the theremin.
Frankie Maranzino - Keys/Engineer
Frank is a producer, engineer and musician living in California's Sierra foothills. Currently, Frank is studio engineer for the K-LOVE and Air 1 Radio Networks. Frank is involved with several projects, including playing keyboards with Nevada County's "Mystafya" and the Sammie award-winning group, "Aaron King and the Imperials." Frank also sings and plays bass with the Sacramento-based group, "The Neighborhood." "Song of the Bugs" adds to a long list of engineering and musical credits.
Marc Dallas Nelson - Drums
Marc has been playing drums since age 14. He likes all music, but his passion is in Celebration Arts. "I am flattered to be part of something that matters...serving with Gary is always awesome!"
Bruce Wheelock - Engineer
Bruce began his extensive musical career in 1967, as a drummer, playing in numerous bands. In 1993 Bruce set up the Flying Whale Recording Studio in the Sierra Mountain Foothills near Grass Valley, Ca. "Song of the Bugs" represents the third collaborative effort between Bruce and Gary.