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Do
you believe in dreams?
Do
you have a passion? Have you ever had a job that you looked
forward to every day? Have you ever had a job that you didn't
care if you ever got paid? Have you ever had an experience where
chills ran down the back of your neck? Commitment, dedication,
creativity, professionalismthese are words that make up the
definition of what it takes to be a Norton.
How
did The Nortons become a reality? I guess you could say that it
all started on a Saturday night in a smoke filled bar when J.B.
and I were listening to another local band go through the
motions of playing the same old generic songs. As we listened to
wrong note after wrong note, off-key singing, bad endings, the
fifth straight song that had the same structure of the old
I-IV-V blues format, we looked at each other and said we could
develop a band that we thought could bring a more contemporary
sound to the clubs of Kansas City.
Our
goal from the start was to bring an up-tempo brand of music,
from a variety of artists, along with original songs, to the
people for their listening enjoyment. We want the people who
come to our gigs to go away with new songs to sing, new artists
to look for in the stores, and to broaden their listening
interests. Where would the world be without music? You can't get
enough of good music.
J.B.
and I thought we had a style of music in mind that people would
love to party to, as well as a joy to play night after night.
From the many nights we spent at the Grand Emporium listening to
great artists such as Robben Ford, Tommy Castro, Tab Benoit ,
Popa Chubby, Chris Duarte, Walter Trout, Bone Shakers. . .the
list is endless. What a great club for live music!!! We felt
that this style of music would be entertaining...
O.K.
We now know what we want to play...
...but,
how do we find the musicians who are skilled enough to play such
creative songs and to share in the mindset and direction of the
band? As everybody knows, musicians are a different breed of
animal who are very individualistic. How do we get everybody on
the same page? That was our problem.
Our
first practice had just three people. John Brandsgard, myself
(Dane Henningsen), and Garret Schaberg. This was the month of
May in 1998. Garret was a sax player who had great vocals who we
had met through a very good friend who was very instrumental in
the forming of The Nortons, Terry Hancock. Terry is a local
musiciana drummer/vocalist by trade, who leads the host band
at a club where The Nortons played their first gig called
"Star Alley." (Thank you, Terry, from The Nortons, for
all that you did for the band. We wouldn't be in the business of
music without your guidance and professionalism.)
Later
that same month we added a singer named Rick Rubeo. Rick had
just moved to Kansas City from Chicago where he had played in a
rock band that played local clubs on the Chicago scene. These
were the original four members of The Nortons: John Brandsgard
on guitar, Dane Henningsen on bass, Gharret Schaberg on sax, and
Rick Rubeo on vocals. We practiced for a couple months, still
looking for a drummer and a keyboard player to finish the makeup
of the band. At this time, we didn't have a name for the group.
Our first gig was at "Star Alley" with Terry Hancock
playing drums in July of 1998.
Gharret
left the band to join the "Star Alley All Stars" for a
regular gig on a weekly basis. During the next few months we
found the final pieces of the band. We added a drummer named
Brian Latham who we found through Rick. We also added a keyboard
player named Randy Kassen, who we found through our friend Terry
Hancock. The makeup of the band was complete and as we started
to practice, we knew that the direction we were headed was going
to be a success.
We
were starting to play on a regular basis, but we still didn't
have a name. We had set up a date to play at one of the best
local clubs in Kansas City, "Blayney's of Westport,"
so at one of our practices we decided to go with the name
"The Nortons." There is no hidden meaning to go along
with the name. Everybody seemed to like the name so we went with
it. We felt that our music was strong enough that we could play
with any name and people would enjoy our band.
The
Nortons were born!!
This
lineup stayed together until April of 1999. In life we have to
make decisions that are best for each of us, individually and as
a family. Rick was at a point in his life that he couldn't
commit the time needed to play in the band. He was a family man
who was expecting a new baby and he felt at this time it was
best for him to step aside and be with his family. It was a
major setback for the band.
Brian
on drums was becoming the backbone for the band as his rhythms
were getting tighter with every practice and gig. Randy on
keyboards was adding a dimension to the band that only a great
keyboard player can add. At this time, the band had become not
only a vision for J.B. and myself, but for Randy and Brian also.
I can't put into words the respect I have for Brian and Randy
for their commitment and patience during the next six months in
the life of The Nortons.
How
do you find a frontman who has the vocal ability to mesmerize a
crowd, as well as great showmanship? This was our problem. We
went through all the usual avenues: ads in the local magazines,
going to the local jams trying to find a diamond in the
crowd...we tried everything. Our patience paid off, big time!! A
friend of mine, who is a musician and also cuts hair as a
profession, Dan Ingram, was at his shop Kartoons when one of his
clients was getting his hair cut and stated that he was thinking
about getting back in the music business.
Dan
knew that Tommy Lane was a great vocalist and gave him my phone
number. Tommy called and we set up a time to get together. He
came to my house and the two of us sat down and I played Tommy
some of the material that The Nortons were playing. I could tell
from the beginning that this was going to be a perfect fit for
the band. Tommy's energy was relentless to go along with his
beautiful vocal ability. I got the rest of the guys together as
soon as possible to introduce Tommy to the band. Tommy was the
final piece of the puzzle. All the patience that we had paid
off.
The
times they are a changin'. . .
I
want to thank everybody for their support of The Nortons. If it
wasn't for our fan base, we wouldn't be as exited about the new
changes and additions to The Nortons.
Since
I last updated the web site, Brian has left the band. His family
responsibilities were his top priority in his life, and he
decided to leave the band. The Nortons want to thank Brian for
his time and effort!!! He is one of the main reasons The Nortons
are where they are today.
Now
let me go back a few months. Gharret Schaberg joined The
Nortons. He is an excellent sax player, percussionist, and vocal
addition to the band. We are very glad to have Gharret with us
again. As you recall, he was one of the original Nortons when we
first started. He has added a new dimension to the band. He has
also taken some of the pressure off of having John and Randy
solo, as well as adding his great vocal harmonies.
We
have also added Greg Schaberg on drums. Greg is another great
addition that we think will allow The Nortons to move in the
right direction. His ability to handle any kind of music will
allow us to expand our musical menu. Just read these guys'
individual bios and you can see how great and lucky The Nortons
are to have them in our group.
We
are still increasing our fan base with each gig. We are going to
start traveling regionally to let people outside of K.C. hear
our style of music. Check the schedule on our website to see
where we'll be playing.
A
CD is still in the future. With the new members we have had to
put this on hold, but it is very high on our list of goals that
we want to accomplish.
The
new members have added so much excitement to the band. Even
though will have a new dimension, we still have the same
direction of putting out fresh material that is unique only to
The Nortons. We hope you enjoy our new journey. We want you, our
friends and fans, to be there with us every step of the way.
See
you soon!!!!!!
Dane
Henningsen, bass guitar
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