This page
contains info on my 3 CD releases and if you scroll down, you can actually
hear the songs, including the tracks from my 3rd CD- Something To
Think About.
The page also
contains info on the radio stations around the world that have played the
CD's and you can even find reviews of the music.
It also contains
info on the book I've written (which is now in its 6th printing) entitled
The Chicago Music Scene: 1960s and 1970s.
If that's not
enough, you can scroll down even further and check out my entire 50 year
long music career through a myriad of mostly embarrassing pictures.
I
like to think my music is accessible to people. By sharing all this with you
I hope you can have a nice experience listening to my tunes. Suggestion:
listen to them at.... a party! While you're driving to work! Or even while
you're playing.......Poker! Anyway,
I hope you like what you hear and let me know if you do....or don't.
The book is now available directly through me- $24.00
postpaid, check, money order or Paypal- or, you can buy it at
most major bookstores.
The third album is officially finished after
more than two years of blood, sweat and fun! I am now taking
orders and can ship immediately. Price is $15 postpaid or $35 for all three
CDs.
Or how about this? For an extra $5 ($20
postpaid) you can custom make your own album. Go through the more than 50 songs
on this page and choose which ones you'd like on your album. Pick as many or as
few as you like, as long as it doesn't total more than 80 minutes worth of
music.
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(If you thought my first CD had little or no
commercial potential......this one's got even less!)
My latest CD-
Something To Think About-is now for sale! A stocking
stuffer of 15 all new songs just as obscure and lacking in commercial potential
as the last two CDs. I guess I'll never learn. Oh well.
Much thanks to the friends and musicians who
donated their time and talents to this project:
Paul Heinz, Jordi
Kleiner,
Jay
Whitehouse,
Russ
Ward,
Greg
Trafidlo,
Ken
Slauf,
Cathy Robel, Dave Ivaz, Debra Jett and Mat Irvine
The lyrics to the songs are at the very bottom
of this page. Scroll down!
Because the album is now finished and for
sale, the following songs are only sample versions instead of full cuts. Click
on the song title for the sample play:
Dean Milano:
Vocals, guitar, percussion and electric bass
Julianne Macarus:
Violins
Dennis Gordon: Guitar
and mandolin
Inspiration:
The War Du Jour
This song actually peaked at #171 on
Neil Young's Living With War Todaywebsite. Probably doesn't sound like
much, but that was out of over 3,500 songs.
All songs produced by Dean Milano with Dennis
Gordon
All songs copyright 2006, except Panama
City 1985
Recording engineer: Scott Braam
Reviews:
Dean Milanos musical sensibilities, humor and craftsmanship are a breath of life
to the singer-songwriter world. For years, his chops have been the backbone of
some of Chicago's premier bands. Songs About Stuff is his turn to show
us his insightful writing, quirky humor, and tasty arranging that have made him
the "go to" guy for decades.
Just listen to Dean's killer songs from "Time Machine" to "Beer Cans and Beanie
Babies," and you know you're in the presence of a solid song maker in control of
his art.
Songs About Stuff is ear candy. Bet you can't listen to it just once!
Greg Trafidlo-President- Kira Records and song scribe
Songs About Stuff is full of delightful
surprises
Eddie O'Strange-
Town &
Country Radio Show, New Zealand
Thanks so much for the EXCELLENT
music.......really enjoyed it!!!!!..
I will be airing it on my shows."
Gerd Stassen - Hillbilly Rockhouse radio show-
Berlin, Germany
Dean Milano represents an entire
cross-section of the independent singer/songwriter community, whether he knows
it or not. It's a profile shared by thousands, as Milano writes musical songs,
with musical arrangements, about topics that used to be important to music. The
lyric's the thing. Milano weaves tales in a melodic but conversational folk
style that penetrates and creates friends just through his clear and relative
content. I thoroughly enjoyed listening.
Don Kimenker - Founder of
EarBuzz.com
Elmhurst singer-songwriter Dean
Milano has been part of The New Seekers and opened for Cab Calloway, but it
seems his biggest achievement is his latest CD, Songs About Stuff,
which manages to be tuneful, intelligent, sometimes humorous, and well-executed
from beginning to end. Milano’s songs are streetwise and smart, a welcome
addition to anyone’s collection of troubadours. “Flashes Of Brilliance” is a
great song, but any choice here is a winner.
Dean is not only a fine
entertainer, but the music in this CD contains insights into all of the
aspects and oddities we see about us in our daily lives. It truly is
an album of songs about stuff!
Norman Whitman- Detours Radio Show, WYSO Ohio
I really enjoyed Songs About Stuff. Milano is
a very good writer, a good singer and bass player.
Steve Hashimoto-News From the Trenches
Have been loving your songs. It's a CD which
I know I will enjoy for many years!
Nic Culverwell- Manager, The New Seekers and the Bee
Gees
There are lots of good songs on your CD...
It's hard to decide what to play next...
Roman and Brenda- Regina's Mighty Shores Radio Show, Canada
We have played (Songs About Stuff) and think
that it is well worth having tracks from the CD included in our playlists. The
character of the music style presented gives this CD a unique feel, with an
individual personality presented inside it's contents. Great work, and we sure
look forward to hearing from you in the future
Graham Barclay- Soundwave FM, New Zealand
A superb album and one which deserves all the
airplay it can get.
Peggy MacNeil - Isles FM, Scotland
Songs about Stuff really caught my attention.
I liked the album already from the fresh looks of it and when I played it, it
sounded great!! Just keep on going with what you're doing.
Paul van Kuik -Radio 0162, Netherlands
It's an excellent album, ........ A very
personal style, music of high quality and a perfect voice make for some very
great performances on this CD. It's very pleasant to listen to these songs.
Thank you for this great CD
Etienne Berthels -Radio Terre Franche, Belgium
What a great sound you have, I have played several of your
tracks to date and plan to schedule more in future programs. Keep up the good
work and please keep me up to date with your progress
Michael Criddle -
Folk Music radio DJ,
Australia
Dean’s music is brilliant!
On “Songs About Stuff” (Kira) he sings about declining moral values, the
futility and immorality of war, man’s inhumanity to man and love. And he does
this in a variety of moods and styles ranging from the bluegrass “Take The Blue
Highway” to the emotional “Catalogue Doll” and in-between there is a lot of
humour with “Just Another Whiney Song” and “The New Politico Cha Cha”. It is an
album that never bores, always delivers something new with each listen and
should be mandatory radio play.
Pete Smith- The Advertiser magazine- Great Britain
Everyone
loves the understated Dean Milano - musically and otherwise.
Bill's Blues- Chicago nightclub
Thank you, Dean, for the good music. .
I will surely air more tracks on upcoming shows
Lilli Kuzma- WDCB Radio
......from
"Flashes of Brilliance" to "Where Did All The Music Go?" you can tell the
experience from 35 years of song writing. An extraordinary album.
Christian Lamitschka -Editor of Country Home, Germany's
Premiere Country Music Magazine
The best
STUFF I've heard in a long time. Great beat and musical backing with lyrics that
have "meat" to them. Songs often are written about nothing, but Dean Milano
writes about real STUFF from his mind and his heart. I drop a song in from his
album every show, just to brighten up the program.
Darryl Lanyon -
101FM
Australia
My second album is entitled
VESTIGES: More Songs About More Stuff. The following 15 songs are
from that CD.
VESTIGES REVIEWS (Sorry, I just didn't send
this CD out to all that many stations. Hey, it gets expensive!)
Putting emotionally-charged stories to
rock music can be tricky, but singer-songwriter Dean Milano
does it quite effectively on Vestiges: More
Songs About More Stuff.
Even “The Scam,” a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of a foreign-based Internet
swindler, comes off without a hint of melodrama. Milano is even better on the
politically charged “One Golden Moment” and the rollicking ghost story “Rock ‘N’
Roll Detour.” His folksy voice also helps keep Vestiges consistently
entertaining.
Terrence Flamm - Illinois Entertainer magazine
Vestiges: More Songs About More Stuff is a
wonderful journey through diverse songs that will keep you entertained with
every turn in musical style, and will leave you fulfilled at each destination
portrayed in Dean's clever lyrics. (DJ's Tops Picks for 2008 and voted
1 of the 3 Top Songwriters for 2008)
Mara Noelle - Click Your Heels Together KFOK Radio, California
Dean Milanos songs reflect his extensive
background in music in multiple genres, and are sparkling compositions that
range from humorous to introspective, solid melodic tunes that cover a wide
range of topics. Dean may have played in country and rock bands and jazz combos,
and those styles are infused into the music and style here and there, but Dean
is a contemporary singer-songwriter in the folk tradition, a troubadour with a
mind, a heart, and a soul. His "Vestiges" album is a gem, with a
too-modest subtitle, "More Songs About More Stuff." They are songs that I
have eagerly shared with the listeners to the Folk Festival show.
Lilli Kuzma - Folk Festival on WDCB Public
Radio
One Golden Moment
3:23
Dean Milano:
Vocals, guitar and electric bass
Scott Braam:
Guitar
Dave Kovnat:
Drums
Paul Heinz: Keyboards
Jordi Kleiner:
Violin
Inspiration:
Why We Fight- a film by Eugene Jarecki
"Wow, this song is too good. Most
people won't understand or appreciate it" - Fred Glickstein, lead guitar
and singer for The Flock.
Life is Like a Plastic
Model Kit2:42
Dean Milano:
Vocal, guitar and upright bass
Dennis Gordon:
mandolin
Inspiration:
My 40 year long passion/obssession with plastic model
kits.
Dean Milano at Heritage Fest 2009, Downers Grove, Il.
My Heart is Breaking
2:29
Dean Milano: Vocals, guitar, accordion, electric bass
and percussion
Inspiration: All the great Irish ballads
"Oh my, that is
such a pretty song!" -
Hazel Dickens,First Lady of bluegrass music.
"...a
lovely composition. Lovely stuff altogether! Lovely chord progressions." -
Oisin Morrison, composer of the
music for Clann Lir.
Ballad of Willie and the
Bluegrass Kid
4:18
Dean Milano:
Vocals, guitar and electric bass
Dennis Gordon:
Guitar
Dave Kovnat:
Drums
Paul Heinz:
Keyboards
Inspiration:
Carterville, Illinois- Summer of 1973
Sacrificial Lambs
2:38
Dean Milano:
Vocals, guitar, electric bass and upright bass
Dennis Gordon:
Guitar
Inspiration:
Those who would exchange their sanity for their art
Rock 'n Roll Detour
4:01
Dean Milano:
Vocals, acoustic and electric guitars and electric bass
Scott Braam:
Guitar
Dave Kovnat: Drums
Julie Macarus:
Farrah Fawcett vocal
Inspiration:
Just day dreaming
Up
Wisconsin Way
4:07
Dean Milano:
Vocals, guitar and upright bass
Paul Heinz:
Keyboards
Inspiration:
Home, sweet home
The Scam
3:40
Dean Milano:
Vocal and guitar, electric bass
Julie Macarus:
Violin
Dave Kovnat: Clock
Inspiration:
The World Wide Web
Louisiana Road Trip
2:40
Dean Milano:
Vocal, accordion, percussion, electric bass and guitar
Russ
Ward:
Drums
Jordi Kleiner:
Fiddle
Inspiration:
A 1972 road trip in a VW Beetle
Google
My Number
3:57
Dean Milano:
Vocal, guitar and electric bass
Russ Ward:
Drums and vocal
Paul Heinz:
Keyboards
Jordi Kleiner:
Fiddle
Inspiration:
A series of unfortunate events
Just Hold On
2:12
Dean Milano:
Vocals and guitar
Scott Braam:
guitar
Inspiration:
A friend of mine who really should have slowed down
All songs copyright 2008,(Recording engineer:
Scott Braam), except
Deep in the Muddy, You Can Be My Pal, You've Been on My Mind So Long, and
One Night Woman- copyright 1985 (Recording Engineer: Dennis Gordon)
My third CD is entitled-
Something To Think About.
Fifteen new
songs, all bright and shiny and ready for listenin'.
Reviews:
Veteran Chicago
storyteller, author and songwriter Dean Milano has crafted an album full of
characters with stories to tell, and Milano tells them articulately and with
feeling á la Canadian songsmith Gordon Lightfoot or American treasure Paul
Simon… A sense of humor is essential equipment for a folksinger, and Dean Milano
has more than his share… Like much of his music, Milano seems reluctant to leave
the past behind, and perhaps it's that sorrowful realization of time marching on
that informs his music more than any other emotion.
Dean Milano's new
album, "Something To Think About", is a wonderful collection of 'story songs'
influenced by real experiences in Dean's life. The music is solidly entertaining
and well-produced, and the stories are inspiring, insightful, and interesting.
What makes this an especially good listen is the eclectic mix of music styles,
and also that some stories go back a number of decades, with the perspective of
time providing an added depth to the messages in the material. "Something
to Think About" is definitely something to 'listen to' and is the first album on
my "Faves" list of 2011!
Lilli Kuzma- host of "Folk Festival" on 90.9fm WDCB Public
Radio (Glen Ellyn/ Chicago)
Lilli also included the CD on
her Folk Festival show's "Folktastic
Fifteen Fave Albums" list of 2011
One of "Rich's Picks" for
January, 2011
Rich Warren-
Host of the WFMT Midnight Special radio show.
Here's a guy who's got a lot to say -- and who's not afraid to
tell it like it really is. Stories from life making their journeys through the
eyes, through the mind, through the heart, and out into the world again via Dean
Milano's superbly crafted songs. These songs bear Dean's unmistakable stamp of
truth and experience. What some songwriters do with sparseness and economy, Dean
does with detail and extravagance. You SEE what Dean's getting at ... and you
FEEL it, too. That's why the songs invite repeated listening; there's always a
nuance, a subtlety or two that you missed the first time through. Dean crafts
with words AND music -- and it's a joy to hear when it all comes together. This
is one of those rare CDs that gets stronger with every song. Near the end, I was
already on board and ready to travel wherever Dean might want to take me. It's a
journey well spent.
David Simpkins-
The Meadow Creek
Gazette
Singer/guitarist
Dean Milano’s expressive vocals
reflect decades of performing folk music. An
author as well as a musician, his tales of
loners, truck drivers, and late-night
hitchhikers on Something To Think About
ring true and often have a dose of humor.
“I’m Proud To Be Ignorant” is like shooting
fish in a barrel, but Milano crafts sharper
satire on “Musical Chairs” and the title
track. Throughout the CD, there’s a sense of
Milano carrying on a rich tradition.
Terrence Flamm- The Illinois
Entertainer magazine
Built On Mistakes
3:28
Dean Milano:
Vocals, guitar and electric bass
Scott Braam:
Guitar
Inspiration:
Our house,
of course.
Margie's Car
3:55
Dean
Milano:
Vocal, guitar, and electric bass
Scott Braam:
Guitars
Paul Heinz:
Keyboards.
Inspiration:
A lady I knew
and no, I don't know what became of her
Stories From the
Road: Mother and Child 4:14
Dean Milano:
Vocal and guitar
Mim Eichmann:
Hammered dulcimer
Jordi Kleiner:
Cello
Inspiration:
The drivers of Illinois Route 57
Musical Chairs
4:20
Dean Milano:
Vocals, guitar and electric bass
Jay Whitehouse:
Guitar
Scott Braam:
Guitar
Paul Heinz:
keyboard
Russ Ward:
drums
Inspiration: My own musical
oasis
Somethin' I Was Thinkin' About
4:15
Dean Milano:
Vocals, percussion, guitar and electric bass
Dean Milano:
Vocals, guitar, accordion and upright bass
Paul Heinz:
Piano
Jordi Kleiner:
violin
Inspiration:
The truth about
life.
"I think this is probably the best song you've
ever written." - Rich WarrenHost of the WFMT
Midnight Special radio show.
All songs produced by Dean Milano
All songs copyright 2010 except I Just
Might Be In Love With You- copyright 1985, (Recording engineer: Scott Braam,
except The Artist, which is John Pecak).
Folk Festival
WDCB
Illinois 62
times
Also as guest on show 29 times
Midnight Special (Local, Nat. & Sweet Folk Chicago) WFMT-
Illinois 43 times Rich's Pick 3/10, 6/2, 6/9/2007 and 1/15/2011
Detours
WYSO- Ohio
30 times
Click Your Heels Together
KFOK California
26 times
Cited as one of 3 top songwriters of 2008.
Fox's Minstrel Show
WRFG Georgia
19 times
Wyn's Country & Gospel
Radio 88.3 & 107fm. New Zealand
12 times
FAB-AM
England
10 times
Hillbilly Rockhouse
EVW Germany
10 times
Regina's Mighty Shores
CJTR
Sask, Canada 9 times
The Folk Show WNUR
Illinois 7 times
Also as guest on show four times
Alooga Boom
Alooga Media Germany
6 times
Tony's World of Folk/The Celtic Connection
CFBX BC, Canada 5
times
Town & Country Radio Show
783 AM New Zealand 4 times
Transitions Radio Magazine
KABC FM New Mexico 3 times
Country Cross Roads
CGC Radio England
3 times
Eyebee's Thing North American Broadcasting South Carolina
3 times
Local Anesthetic Capsule
WXRT .....Illinois
3 times
Roadtunes Sessions
KCSB California
Twice
Rompin & Stompin Show
KVMR
California
Twice
Sunday Night Folk Festival
WHUS Connecticut
Twice
Nashville Showcase
Radio Sotra Norway
Twice
Country favorites
2NUR FM
Australia
Twice
Worldwide Independent Country Radio
Australia
Twice
Folk and World Music
WBGU Ohio
Twice
Virus Americana MdM Radio 101.1 France
Twice
In A Nutshell
WRLR
Chicago
Twice
Nick Digilio Show
WGN Chicago
Hootenanny Power
WRKF
Louisiana
General Eclectic
WCVF New York
Charlotte Indie Radio
365.com North Carolina CD is in regular
rotation
Sunny Breeze Show
Radio Minsk Belarus
Saloon
BRTO Radio The Netherlands
UIS Stereo
Universidad Industrial de Santander Colombia
Radio Unerhört Marburg
Germany
Soundwave FM
New Zealand
Radio Seagull
KJLU Missouri
Jazz Radio FM
Poland
Isles FM
Scotland
West Gippsland Community Radio
Australia
Radio 0162
Netherlands
RPS FM
France
Archangel's Music Corner
ECMA Radio Austria
Radio Terre Franche
Belgium
Oz Radio
Triple H-FM Australia
Country Club Productions
Australia
The Country Music Club
Radio Ham Belgium
The Country Channel
Hot Spot Radio Network USA
Rolf's Pladdekaddong
Radio RheinWelle 92.5 Germany
Boot Scootin' Country
WICR/Shoutcast Netherlands
Jazz 88
WAER New York
Afternoon Country
WICR Australia
Murat Kasap Show
Radyo SDU Turkey
Aimar Ventsel
Estonian Radio Estonia
Country Club
KIAK Alaska
Herb Bell
KRRM Oregon
Yarra Valley
FM 99.1 Australia
Darryl Lanyon
101FM Australia
Zulu Kangaroo
Indie Radio CD is in regular rotation
Acoustic Revival
WWSP Wisconsin
Country Club
RPEM-FM Spain
Radio Ermel
Veluwe FM Netherlands
Folk Show
WRUW-FM Ohio
Backroads & Blue Highways
WVTF Virginia
Ballads & Bamjos
WJFF New York
Dick Kay Show
WCPT Illinois As guest on show
Sonic Salad Dressing
WKNH New Hampshire
Gabby Parsons show
WMMM Wisconsin
Andina & Rich Comedy Hour
Red Dragon TV Wisconsin
Sunday Morning Coffeehouse
KOPN Missouri
Night Art
WUVT Virginia
Talk Radio 1240
KLYQ Montana
Old Grumpy Radio
Live 365 Chicago
A Brief History of Popular Music
by Dean Milano
Prior to the 1920s, the greatest music
being written was primarily Classical in nature.
From the mid 1920s to the mid 1930s, a
form of music called "jazz" stood the world on it's ear.
From the mid-1930s to the mid 1940s, big
band music dominated the scene and new forms of country and western music rose
in popularity.
From the mid 1940s to the mid 1950s,
smaller jazz and pop combos came into their own.
From the mid 1950s to the mid 1960s, Rock
and Roll was born and music would never be the same again.
From the mid 1960s to the mid 1970s, there
was an explosion of psychedelic and experimental music, the likes of which had
never been heard and probably never will again. Rock and Roll, Country and
Western, Show Tunes, Folk songs, Jazz, and ethnic tunes could all be heard on
popular Top 40 radio stations across the country.
From the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s-
mostly crap.
From the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s-
mostly crap.
From the mid 1990s to 2005- mostly crap.
Then in 2006, my album SONGS ABOUT
STUFF
was released and the progress of popular music was set back 100 years.
Hope you enjoy it.
2008- My second CD- Vestiges: More Songs About More
Stuff is released. Now we're really in trouble.
2010- My third CD- Something To Think About is
released. Someone stop me before it's too late!
OK- As long as I'm doing a music page,
I may as well post all the obnoxious pictures of my long and winding career, so
here goes........
(P.S. I was also in quite a few bands
that aren't pictured here, but that's because- I don't have any pictures of
them!)
The earliest picture I have of myself with a band. This would've been July,
1966. I'm the only guy in a dark shirt- a rebel right from the start. I
was a "bass-less" lead singer on this gig. (Brad Stiles, myself, Larry
Capps, the late Mac King and Billy Hudson.)
My first "real" band- Grope, 1967-69. I played bass and sang backups.
(Dave Turnquist, Pat Cannon, Bob Baum, Rusty Ward, Steve Zoellin and yours
truly.)
Playing the Blue Village in Westmont.At this point, around 1969, I
had switched from bass to keyboards. Mistake. Back to the bass!
And of course, here we are for our reunion 2011 gig. Grope has come back to
haunt you!
My foray into jazz, around 1970. A whole new experience. (Ralph Muha,
Connie Ball and myself.)
And then- I discovered folk music. (Myself and Pat Cannon)
Off to college at Southern Illinois University and my next band- Pontiac
Jones, 1971-73. (Mike Potter, Pete Special, Rusty Ward and myself)
My uncle Conti Milano, lent me his stand up bass for a few years back in the
1970s, and it gave me a chance to get the feel of that instrument. The Panama
City sign is in reference to a song I wrote by that name back in 1971. (Check
out the song at the top section of this page)
Playing a Pontiac Jones gig at the Ponderosa Nudist Colony in 1972. Yes, one
of the guys is nude and no, it's not me.
Pontiac Jones, warming up for Leo Kottke in Carbondale. I could fill several
screens with the story of what happened that night. Do the words "Nightmare Gig"
mean anything to you?
1974 and back home in Chicago. Dean and brother Mark decide to "get down".
Playing bluegrass with Scuttlebucket, 1974-75. My first new band after moving
back to Chicago. (Rick Shryock, Chuck Wahlstrom, myself and Jim Bertolin)
Next came the Casualaires, 1976-78. Probably my favorite of all the bands
I've ever been in. (Myself, Jean Gordon, Julie Macarus, Rick Shryock)
Not a picture of my band per se, but it is my bands equipment. Left to right:
Ray Tate, former Director of the Chicago Old Town School of Folk Music and
Win Stracke, a founder of the school. The Casualaires were playing a book
signing party for Studs Terkel that night (you can see his name on the
sign behind Win) and Ray, Win and eventually Studs all got up for some improv
singing. The bass guitar on the stage behind Win is mine as well as the guitar
case with the old Pontiac symbol on it (for Pontiac Jones, my old rock band) and
Win is actually singing into my microphone. Ah, fame is so fleeting.....
A legend in my own mind.
In 1979, a few partners and I formed Airflow Deluxe, a big band. The venture
was not particularly successful, but it was certainly a learning experience.
One of the highlights of my time with Airflow Deluxe was performing at
Chicago Fest on several occasions.
Onstage with Airflow Deluxe the night we opened the show for Cab Calloway.
In 1980, I joined The New Seekers and toured on and off with them for 4
years. The photo is of our performance at Milwaukee Summerfest.
I have to say, The New Seekers private jets and limo lifestyle was quite
different from anything I'd experienced prior. Hard not to get spoiled!
Playing jugband music at my surprise 30th birthday party. (Greg Trafidlo,
myself, Rick Shryock)
The Singing Bananas- 1980-81. A short lived, but really fun band.
(Myself, Mick Scott and Jeff Jones)
The Lost Tourists- 1982-83. Another short lived, but fun band that was also
the beginning of a long musical partnership with Dennis Gordon. (Clockwise
from top: Jan Lewis, myself, Dennis and Ted Kendros, photo- Pat Cannon)
Dennis Gordon and Dean Milano- a couple of mild guys who think of themselves
as Wild Guys. We worked together from 1982 til Dennis passed away in 2007
and during that time we made a lot of great music... that probably not too many
people were actually interested in.
Rubbaband! A fun country band I was in sometime around 1983-4. We got a gig
at the Deluxe Budget Motel and we were told we might be expected to haul cases
of beer up from the basement once in a while. The gig didn't last too long.
(Dennis Gordon, Julie Macarus, John Benishek, Jim Bromm and yours truly)
During the summer of 1984, I headed down to Osage Beach in the Ozarks of
Missouri to do a six month long show at Marriotts Tan-Tar-A resort. Gettin' paid
to have fun! (Note: There's a reason why this pic looks particularly good.
The fellow who took it went on to win a Pulitzer Prize in photography)
The Milano boys "rockin' out" on the driveway of their folks house in Glen
Ellyn, Illinois- Summer of '85. It was fun til the cops came. Actually, we were
bummed because no one came to watch, including the cops! (Phillip, Steven,
Mark and myself. Where was Paul hiding?)
In the Fall of 1985, I got a call to sub for the bass player at a country
western dinner theatre called the Dry Gulch. He quit, and I ended up staying for
7 years, eventually becoming the music director.
And I even talked them into putting my accordion into the show. Love that
Cajun music!
Ah, yes- my dream come true. Surrounded by the showgirls of the Dry Gulch.
And what could be better than an imaginary cigarette after imaginary sex?
A Milano Christmas invariably ended up in an absolutely insane jam session as
can be seen here. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging or anything, but man-
we rocked! I mean, we brought the house down! (Myself, Paul, my Aunt Toni
and Mark)
Tumbleweed Junction 1991-92. Obviously....a country band. (Lida Bringe,
Dennis Cahill, Karen Dale, Rich Kreegier and myself)
Little Country Band 1993-95. This band was a smaller version of the Born to
Boogie Band, which I then ended up joining the following year. (Mike Arturi,
Bill Gordon, the late Danny Patton and myself)
The Born To Boogie Band 1994-95. This was a band fronted by Big John Howell,
a local DJ on a Chicago country music radio station (US 99). (John Howell,
myself, Mike Arturi on drums)
1995-The five brothers singing at a festival in the town of Gioia Del
Colle, home of our ancestors in Italy. Our cousin John was in charge of the
music stage and asked us if we'd like to perform. I don't want to imply we
bombed, but John did say his reputation was "destroyed".
Nighthawk 1996-97. A short lived country band I was in that had some of the
tightest 3 part harmony of any band I've been in. (Bob Maller, Don Casper,
Sharon Arnold, Mike Miller and myself)
Sitting in with a local Mariachi band somewhere in Mexico, 1997
Black Alley Blues Band 1997-98. The band wasn't so hot but the scenery was
nice. Can't remember the woman singers name (Laurie something?) or the other two
guys, but that's Bob Maller in the center of the picture to the right of me.
User Friendly 1998- present. This band performs with a variety of different
players, depending on who's available that day. (Dennis Gordon, Rick Mann,
Jeff Dumas, Todd Jackson, Dave Ivaz and myself)
A Dry Gulch reunion, 1999. (Todd Jackson, Peter Seman and myself.)
An historic event, to be sure! The Five Singing Milano brothers onstage
together at my wedding- 2000. We certainly weren't going to let some silly
festival in Italy stop us. If at first you don't succeed....... (Paul,
Phillip, myself, Steve and Mark)
Sitting in with the band in Soho, London, 2000. They sure love that American
rock and roll over there.
Duck Soup- a band I worked with on and off from about 1996 til they broke up
in 2002. One member, Ken Slauf was actually in Grope, my high school band.
(Rich Hughes, Lee Shibovitch, myself and Ken)
Sitting in with a local band in Cuba -2000. We didn't really speak each
others languages too well, but when music is involved, it hardly matters.
Sharing a tune with a fellow in Crete, Greece -2001. Actually, I think he was
more interested in having his picture taken than he was in singing.
Actually, this scene isn't quite as legitimate as it looks. I believe we were
playing LOUIE, LOUIE when the photo was taken. (Peter Seman's hand,
Charlotte Volkman-Jackson and myself)
Another version of User Friendly, this time playing the Beer Garden at
Chicago's Navy Pier- 2002. (Dave Ivaz, Dennis Gordon, Brad Lake and myself)
Jobbing with Tony Smith and His Almost Famous Band- I've been doing dates
with Tony's band on and off since 2000.
Teaching Abby, my 6 year old granddaughter, the art of Flamenco. "Abby, I
said 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4!!!!! Now do it
again and do it right!"
Jamming with the band in Puerto Vallarta- 2005. I'll do anything for a free
meal.
Jamming with the band in Nicaragua- 2005. I'll do anything to get my
kidnapped wife back.
I hadn't played the stand up bass since the late 1970s, but I suddenly got an
urge to play one again, so I went out and bought me one. Totally cool, daddy-o!
After 40 years in show business, I finally broke down and had a head shot
taken. How embarrassing.(Photo-Mike Kelly)
Singer/songwriter Mick Scott and I performing at the Heartland Cafe in
Chicago, 2007 (Photo Tery Veras)
The Grass Stains, a great little band I worked with for a couple of years. (Jordi Kleiner, Donald Terao, myself, Carol Francis, Irene and Mike Kelly)
Chatting with Martin Hayes, the Irish fiddle player at the Willie Clancy
Music Fest in Doolin, County Clare, 2007
Jay Whitehouse and I kickin' out the Jams at Bill's Blues, a club in
Evanston, Illinois.
In the stu-stu-studio, just a sing-sing-singing. Workin' on the new CD-
Vestiges: More Songs About More Stuff
It was quite an honor to meet Hazel Dickens (right) and Alice Gerrard (left),
the First Ladies of Bluegrass Music at Folk Alliance 2008. Greg Trafidlo and I
were lucky enough to be part of a private jam session with Hazel, Alice and
John Lilly, in which we swapped songs for over 2 hours in a hotel conference
room.
The Silverbeams, a great little country band I started gigging with in
2007- complete with it's own dance instructors! Left to right: Rick Veras,
Maryann Renquillo, yours truly, Barb Silverman and
Pat Stamer.
Nice little reunion at the Masthouse in Woodstock, Il. From left to
right: Russ Ward, Greg Trafidlo, Ken Slauf and myself. And yes, there were more
than two people in the audience that night.
Dave Humphreys introducing me onstage at the Downers Grove Heritage Fest,
June 28th 2008. Irene Kelly is standing next to me and just out of the picture
are Carol Francis and Jay Whitehouse. Later in the afternoon, I was part of an
impromptu jam with Michael Miles, Chris Walz and Keith Bauman. We definitely
rocked.....
On October 19th, 2008 we held a memorial jam session for my Uncle Connie Milano,
who had passed away in July. I was honored to be able to play my uncle's bass,
which he had passed on to me in his will. Accompanying me are Eddie Piccard on
piano and Rusty Jones on drums.
Toots! (and a dude). This is a fun trio I've been working with lately,
specializing in 1920's through 1940s tunes. The ladies are Pam Brunkalla and
Katie Bendorf.
On June 2, 2009, I was asked to be part of a symposium on the Lincoln Park music
scene of the past 40 years. The event was hosted by DePaul University, moderated
by Rick Kogan. Other panel members were Ed Holstein, Lino Darchum, Steve
Hashimoto and Earl Pionke. It was a very interesting evening, to say the least.
November 22nd 2009. The party for the release of my book- The Chicago Music
Scene: 1960s and 1970s. Over 75 musicians from the book were at the event
meeting fans, playing music and signing autographs. Just at a glance, in this
group shot I see Victor Sanders, Tom Webb, Russ Ward, Steve Justman, Mike
Gasman, Jim Pilster, Paul Petraitis, Jeff Quinn, Greg Tarfidlo, Muriel Anderson,
Tony Smith, Ronnie Rice, Ken Slauf, Amy Lowe, Chris Farrell, Alejo Poveda,
myself, Annie Schwartz, Tommy Furlong, Jeannie Lambert, Jimy Sohns, Jimy Rogers,
Ruth Tobias, Steve Hashimoto, Greg Cahill, Marc Edelstein, Annie Hat, Elliott
Delman and many more..... (Photo courtesy of Moe the Photographer)
A few months after my book came out, I received two tickets from John Prine
for his upcoming show in Joliet. He wanted to swap the tickets for a signed copy
of my book. I think I got the better deal!
Another band I'd been working with recently- The Blackbyrds. This group
was put together by Peter Nye in order to showcase some of our favorite
Roots/Americana and original tunes. And yes, our cellist does have eyes, just
not in this picture apparently.
Singing away at the 2010 WDCB Radio Holiday Hoot party. That's me on the
left with the deer in the headlights look, joined by Kate Early, Bob Holdsworth
and Sue Fink.
On Jan.21, 2011 I held a CD Release Party at Two Way Street Coffeehouse for my
3rd album (yes, I still call them albums- cuz they are!) called Something to
think about. Performing were Jordi Kleiner on violin, Paul Heniz on piano, Mim
Eichmann on hammered dulcimer and vocals, Russ Ward on percussion, guitar and
vocals, Ken Slauf on harmonica, guitar and vocals and Jay Whitehouse on guitar
and vocals, Cathy Robel on vocals as well as Diane Ward and Scott Braam on
guitar. (Thanks Norm Siegel for the photo)
Performing at one of my gigs with Bob Abrams, aka Bobby Hollywood and the
Hills.
A group shot of the musicians who took part in Eric Kinkel's concert at the
Schaumburg Center for the Performing Arts. L to R: Bob Abrams, Traci Cass, Jon
Abel, Eric Kinkel, Salina Norman, Patti Prendergast and myself.
The Grope reunion 2011. First time we performed together in 42 years- and
we sounded great! L-R: Myself, Pat Cannon, Bob Baum, Russ Ward and Ken Slauf.
The Earl (of Old Town) Pionke birthday party, June 2012. I'm standing
between John Prine and Bonnie Koloc in the first photo.
