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Three Dog
Night in the 90's
We
toured extensively through the 1990s, and we had a few
road-crew member changes. Losing Ben Farney and Carson Price
was a bit like cutting off our legs (paws), because we were
very close personally and they did a terrific job for us as
well. Ben had some hometown "charting" to do, and Carson's
bad football knees were making it impossible for him to keep
traveling on the road (as much as this band does), plus he
had a great offer from a big sports complex in Phoenix to be
the "house sound guy" -- an offer he couldn't
refuse. On
September 25, 1996, Greg Baker was hired as stage
monitor (mixer), and he was with us until January
1, 1998. Greg's a great guy, and is seen here
"bonding" with Paul Kingery after a show one night.
We endowed Greg with the name "Space Chunks," and
it was NOT because of the Coke in the picture,
either. It had something to do with a record
projectile of stomach contents over a bar one
night. He learned that it only takes one "incident"
to get a title with this band. (Nyuk.) Greg went on
to work with many other national acts as stage
manager, and can be found hammering local stage
crew people all across America. Today
Three Dog Night consists of original members Danny Hutton,
Cory Wells, Jim Greenspoon, and me, as well as our hole card
talents: bass player/singer Paul Kingery and drummer Pat
Bautz. You've heard a little about Paul's experiences in the
band over the years, and I know you'll enjoy seeing some
photos and reading a little about his career in this
chapter. First, let's talk about Patrick.
Pat
Bautz
In
1993, Pat Bautz joined the band on drums. Pat brought a
fresh talent and attitude to the band as well as a
wonderfully rock-solid tempo and groove. I have found Pat to
have a little of Floyd Sneed in him, a little of Jeffrey
Porcaro, and a whole lot of Patrick Bautz; my three favorite
drummers wrapped up into one. He makes reference to Bernard
Purdee as one of his personal favorites. Besides his great
drumming technique, I admire Pat's ability to read charts
fluently. For all you young aspiring drummers out there,
take note. If you want to work in today's music
business--LEARN TO READ. It can make the difference between
simply being a bar band player with hopes of making it big
some day or one who can still have his dream but have a
career as a studio session drummer (a real money-making
job!) as well. There are other areas in the television and
movie industry to be explored, too (something to think
about!). Pat
has turned out to be a multifaceted talent in the band.
Behind the scenes he is a real contributor to the technical
end of things. It was Pat who first suggested that the band
consider using in-ear monitors--small earphones that fit
inside your ear--as opposed to using big floor monitor
speakers. Quite a change for a band who's been doing it the
other way for 30 years. With in-ear monitors the volume of
the band is more reasonable, and we can all hear each other
without the sound blasting on stage. Pat personally
researched and made the recommendation concerning which
monitor console we needed in order to handle the band's
needs. Together, with production manager Matt Patterson, he
developed some clever routing of the audio signals so that
all members were happy. Pat continues to be a great source
in multiple areas, being willing to go the extra mile to
help the band in every way he can. Okay,
now it's time to take a little look at Pat's background. He
was born on September 30, 1960. Let's come right out of the
shoot with a baby picture just to make him cringe a tad.
Check this one out. I can hear you girls going "Ohhhhhh,
isn't he darling!" (God! It just makes me want to vomit!)
The picture on the right is when he was just 16 years old
and posing for a picture in a full marching band uniform at
high school.
Pat
gives his older brothers credit for making a drummer out of
him. His mother said when he was 4 they lived behind the
high school, and when the marching band practiced he would
march up and down the back yard practicing with them. He
first played in public when he was just 5 years old (the
little drummer boy at his school Christmas
show). His
first "paying gig" was at age 15 with Earl and the Blue
Denims at the Moonlight Tavern. His mom gave him a ride to
the gig because he wasn't old enough to drive. Pat says,
"Earl played guitar and sang, changing the beat around
constantly. He kept me on my toes trying to figure out where
'one' was." In school he played in the jazz, concert and
marching bands, and was All State Jazz Band drummer
(Florida) in 1978. He went to college for a couple of years,
and from there he wound up in Houston playing clubs and
working in a recording studio. His resume includes working
with Mickey Gilley, Freddy Fender, Everett Harp, and Kirk
Whalum, just to name a few. He moved to Los Angeles in 1990,
and started playing around town. In 1993 he joined Three Dog
Night, and has been here ever since. Occasionally, in our
off times, Pat has worked with other artists such as Dave
Mason, Little Richard, Little Anthony and the Imperials,
Tiny Tim, and numerous others. Pat
wanted me to insert this quote, so here it is:
"Playing
with TDN has been a great experience. One of my favorite
nights with the band was Corpus Christi, Texas, at a Harley
biker rally. Freddy Fender opened up for us. We were into
about our third song, when all of a sudden this horrible
stench covered the stage--like week-old rotten meat! Get my
drift (no pun intended!)? Every one in the band was totally
gassed out. I looked in the first row, and there was this
huge biker standing up with this satisfied grin on his face,
like he knew he had made his mark!"
So
there you have it. When left to his own choices, these are
the things that permeate his mind. And because it permeates
HIS mind, we get to hear about it every day. A true joy.
(When will the blessings ever end?) Below is a great picture
of Pat when he was 19 years old playing drums in the jazz
band at Brevard Community College.
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