User talk:Alansweetproject

Alan CK Sweet-Drummer,guitarist,bassist,song writer and producer of the Alan Sweet Project & Silverland USA 1st Annual Christian Fest at the beautiful Silverland Inn & Suites,Virginia City,Nevada.

Born: April 28th 1960 Norwood,Mass

Married to: Michelle "Cute Little Eskimo" Sweet

Since age three Alan used to to rock back and fourth in almost perfect 4/4 time to the songs and drum beats he heard on the radio. His beautiful mom, Ilene, and his handsome/smart dad, Walter used to tell his two sisters, Linda & Cynthia along with his big brother, Steve, how good of a beat Alan would hold down to the recorded song tracks being aired on the radio.

They all agreed the baby had something cooking. At age 11 Alan got his first real Indian drum and at age 12 his first electric VOX bass guitar. In elementary school he entered a talent contest where he was able to bring his bass and his brothers borrowed Silver Tone amplifier. Alan performed his best version of Credence Clear Water Rivals/CCR's99.21.227.77 (talk) 13:37, 22 December 2010 (UTC) song: "Down on the corner" and Iron Butterflies song: "Inn-a-ga-da-di-via", or something like that, and at the volume of 10! on the amp & the bass. Not only did he blow away his sixth grade class, he blew the speakers out of his brothers amp too! He wondered why the principle of the school had come to unplug him before he could hit the last E note on the bass, only to find out his brothers amp was a guitar amp with speakers designed for guitar only, and not a bass! Needless to say how upset Alan was, but, not half as upset as his big brother was when he had found out his baby brother just decided to borrow without asking one of his prized collectibles.

Such as life.

Anyway, Alan decided to move to something he could truly call his true calling in life, so it is on to the drums. He was listening to his next door cousins drum teacher try to give his cousin some lessons on his "Tony the Tiger" drum set, but, to no avail. Meaning, his cousin Teddy, was not getting it on what the teacher was trying to shoe him so Alan asked Teddy if he could play his drums. In a moment of frustration and as Teddy was going into his house to get a drink of water he said to Alan: "Go ahead!" "I don't care anymore."

So, Alan started to bang out something out that sounded a little like Gene Krupa's: "Sing,Sing,Sing" drum solo from his Big Band Days. Alan's brother and his hard core biker friend, Art said to themselves: "Wow, Teddy sounds like he is getting pretty good, lets go check it out." As they peaked into the window to see, Art said to Steve: "Wow!!!!, Sleve..(Art called my brother "Sleeve",not Steve. Nick name. Oh you get it!)

"Its not Teddy, its your brother, Al!"

A.S He was sooooooooo excited about his baby bro being a drummer now, and it has been with me, and in the blood ever since. I then entered my Jr.HS in 1972 and asked my 7th grade art teacher, who was in charge of the school events, if i could do a drum solo during the bands break at the dance.

They all hated me in Jr.high prior to that day, calling me all kinds of names and against my last name of Sweet. I was very nervous as i went out to the front of the stage dragging my carpet with my Pearl drum kit set up on it. I got behind the mic and introduced myself to the entire school and telling them how i have been playing drums for a whole six months and how i wanted to do a drum solo for them. I was very badly heckled and more nervous now than ever before, however, the Lord had His hand on me even back then without me knowing it and so i proceeded fourth to play anyway.

My brother,dad and a future rock band leader and friend, Bob Brasier where on the sidelines watching me do this thing. They said as soon as i started drumming, it was like Beatle mania all over again! Everybody suddenly rushed the stage and actually started rocking out! The next day, i suddenly had the entire school as my new found friends. Imagine that! I still don't get it. ?

Fast forward, 1974-1977 Joined the HS Mariners as drummer and toured Europe twice.(Award winning vocal pop group) 1980-1981 Joined a new wave band called the "Tweezers" with guitarist/band leader, Bob Brasier, Dorthy Zink on vocals, and Tim Davis on bass. Opened up for 20/20,Tom Verlaine,the Bangles with many others and put out my first record E.P called: "Lovable & Fearless" with it receiving radio air play etc..

1981-Joined the musicians union local 47 in Hollywood and decided, via a friends suggestion, to call up my favorite drummer, Jeff Porcaro, to see if i could take some drum lessons from him. Just expecting to leave him a message with his answering service, they told me to hold on a minute. Much to my shock they put him on the phone with me! Jeff Porcaro was the drummer for Toto, Boz Scaggs, Steely Dan, and on one of Sir Paul McCartney's albums, "Give My Regards To Broad Street"

I said: "JJJjj Jeff?"

He said yes Alan what can i do for you?

I said: "I know you are really busy and all, but i was wondering if it would be possible if i could get a drum lesson or two from you when you get time?"

He said: "Alan, i would like to if i could but i am on the road with Toto." "Who you want is my dad, Joe." "Here is his number and tell him i sent ya."

I thanked him greatly and then called him to get some lessons set up with the man that taught all three of his sons music/drumming and all of them in the super rock band, Toto! Jeff, Steve and Mike Porcaro. Joe Porcaro had recorded and drummed for: Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, many other greats, Madonna and Toto too!

He was great and very patient with me, teaching me some very good technique and out of a Buddy Rich book on charts/rudiments etc..

I was so sadden to hear when Jeff Porcaro had died due to a bad allergic type reaction to spraying pesticides in his back yard and NOT what the media printed regarding drugs! That is coming as straight forward and honest news from his wife, Susan, who was there.

1982-1988 Multiple bands, recordings and live performances until the high light of my 35 years of drumming/song writing etc..

I joined a rock group that was formed from the healthy remaining members of Tweezers and a few other groups in the OC & L.A area called: "Bad JuJu"

I was the drummer for Mark Kendall that later was a founding member of the rock group: "Great White" and I had performed live with Neal Schon from Santanna/Journey at the NAMM show, but, Bad JuJu had also opened up for many top rock groups that included Living Color. I helped the group by co-producing a rock video that was aired in front of an audience of 150 million viewers worldwide on MTV. It was a great experience as so many of our local rock groups that were in competition with us could only dream about a shot like that in the music business that we had, but it was just that. A shot that got us some phone calls from the major and independent record labels.

After the same old same old business as usual of not receiving enough air play, record sales and large concert attendance as just an opening rock act, I decided to branch out doing music on my own and writing/producer etc.. I met some great people along the way and made some excellent connections, but, i wanted to stay a BMI song writer and publisher and write and perform to serve the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My last cd production was started by a great Christian music producer i met in So Cal named: Joey Arrequin of Love & Laughter music productions. I was introduced to him by an engineer great, John Vestman who was also a producer/mastering engineer for the band: "Great White: and my old buddy, Mark Kendall. Joey got me started with other greats like Ray and Pat Hurley for what is now the Alan Sweet Project and the CD called: "Dig-it-al" The very last recording production i did for that cd was at a studio in Lake Tahoe near Tahoe City with Damon Gold. His studio is called: "Big Water" and i hired Abraham Laboriel Sr. on bass, Michael Landau on guitar, Rick DePiro on keys and co-producer along with his sister on lead vocals, Jacki DePiro as very special guest musicians. The cd was on hold since 2003, but is about to be re-mastered, pressed up and released for sale to bring a 100% of the proceeds to benefit a nonprofit organization i am the founder of called: The I AM Workshop Tour-"Pure Compassion" that can be seen at our first national profile at: Www.guidestar.org

We help those that truly want the help of breaking addictions to drugs and alcohol for good! We provide the much needed treatment dollars to low income,disadvantaged,minority teens/adults that do not have medical insurance by writing large federal grants, state and private foundation grants. Also, by doing fund raisers like the one coming up in Virginia City, NV with rock drum legend, Prairie Prince from the Tubes, Jefferson Starship, Todd Rudgren, the New Cars, George Harrison etc.. It is on 1/22/11 with room,pizza & beer/benefit concert/drum workshop tickets as a package deal for 199.00 dollars with a reservation/booked room at the Silverland Inn & Suites on 1/21/11 required for event entry. If interested is seeing hearing and meeting this rock legend personally, contact me at: alansweetproject@yahoo.com Proceeds benefit: Northern Nevada HOPES for HIV/AIDS victims, the I AM Workshop Tour and the Community Chest in Reno and Virginia City Nevada.

Its not about the money and fame for Alan Sweet anymore although many still have those dreams and aspirations. It is all about loving God, serving others, and telling your story. Hope to see you at our "Silverland USA First Annual Christian Fest" featuring Prairie Prince & a great band with him in Virginia City 1/21/11-1/22/11 and to support our causes with you also helping to save some lives. Please read up on Prairie Prince at: Www.prairieprince.com

Thank you & God bless you for caring and your tax deductible donations of any amount if you can't make the benefit concert/drum workshop this time. This will be a monthly ongoing series and please feel free to stay in touch with me. We also have Latin/Jazz drummer & percussion great, Alex Acuna from "Weather Report" & Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, Blonde recordings, etc.. helping us sometime in June of 2011, as it stands now, with one great drummer, bass player, keyboardist, and vocalist each month over the next year.

Peace be with you!

His peace, Alan Sweet

99.21.227.77 (talk) 13:37, 22 December 2010 (UTC)