Welcome to Musical Chairs!-a project where I release a daily music video featuring myself performing with a rotating lineup of fellow musicians and loved ones.
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/4PSpx7GLhKE
Today’s post (#2 of 31) covers Soul Asylum’s “Runaway Train”. I am joined by my friend of over 50 years, Tom Schoewe playing guitar as well as my (now) long time friend and musical mentor John Paruolo on keyboards. Starting with Tom, I met him in 1969 when I moved to St. Charles. He had only been here a year and was busy starting a band with Frank Joudis and two sets of brothers…the Torrences, (Scott and Greg) and the Mitchells (Grant and Ward). The band was also joined by Randy Spring and Tim Hopkins. Together they formed “Currant Rob”. I was lucky enough to tag along and carry their gear in and out of the local clubs. I was just getting started with finding my way as a musician and they, being older, were showing me how it was done. How lucky was I?! I got invited to their parties and everyone played an instrument! We would sit around and take turns playing songs. Tom finished college while I was finishing high school and he went into the working world and we did not see one another for almost 50 years! Fast forward to COVID and Tom and his lovely wife Karen started watching my live streams. They love the song “RunAway Train” and when I reached out to ask Tom to play a song with me, he said he wanted to play that one. ( BTW, we keep looking up in the video because…I don’t know why we keep looking up!)
John Paruolo has been performing for over 40 years starting with the Eddie Boy Band in Chicago and then on to Jack Mack and the Heart Attack in LA where he met and was produced by Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey. Jack Mack and the Heart Attack was the house band for Joan Rivers and Arsenio Hall. Over the years John has done session work with such notable artists as Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Smokey Robinson. In addition, John has shared the stage with the Eagles, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald and Mavis Staples. Lastly, John has been chosen to be among the top organ/Leslie players in the world by the Hammond Organ company.
Location note: McNally’s Irish Pub. St. Charles IL. for more information about the pub, please visit: https://mcnallyspub.com/
Happy holidays! Please enjoy and share!
For links to all currently released videos, please visit my website http://www.dennisobrienmusic.com/calendar?view=calendar&month=12-2023