In our previous two stories, we talked to Rod about his influences and his time at University of Miami in Florida in 1973, where he met Steve Morse, Andy West, and Allen Sloan, playing under the official Studio Music and curriculum title of, Rock Ensemble II.
At the university, The Dixie Dregs recorded their first album in 1975, The Great Spectacular, as a class project. The group was finally signed to Capricorn in 1977, and recorded several albums before they temporarily disbanded in 1983. The band has been nominated six times for a Grammy award.
Winger and Robert Plant
Rod joined Steve Morse’s new band and stayed for two albums before wanting a musical change. In 1987, Rod went to the NYC area, where he hails from, to look for work and his auditions for George Michael, Billy Idol, and Joe Lynn Turner. Rod met Kip Winger and the band in a studio by chance and hit it off. The band released their latest album 7, and currently on tour.
Rod also tells his story about why Robert Plant was looking for him in 1988.
Brenda is a multi-talented musician, as she sings, plays bass, guitar, and piano. Brenda has been a member of The Feelies since 1983 and has recorded with them since their second album, The Good Earth in 1986. The Feelies have been a highly-influential band to such artists as R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Weezer, Wilco, and others. Some of the bands’ highlights are appearing in Jonathan Demme’s film, Something Wild, opening for R.E.M. in 1986, and Lou Reed in 1989. The Feelies currently play 10-15 shows each year (mainly along the East Coast) and have released six albums and several EP’s.
Brenda’s other bands
Brenda has also been involved in other bands associated with The Feelies. She began in 1982 by joining The Trypes, Yung Wu (with Dave Weckerman fronting the band), and the The Willies (a more ambient precursor of the 1983 Feelies lineup). These bands were and still are from Haledon, NJ. Brenda joined Speed The Plough in 1991 after The Feelies stopped playing. She joined other musicians, including future husband, Richard Barnes, in 1992 to form Wild Carnation. They have released two CD’s, and a third to come.
