AND THE BAND PLAYED ON

When you think of soft rock, ballads, lush chords and poetic lyrics, a few bands or artists come to mind. But none more so than the icon 70's band "America."  Anyone who grew in the 70s remembers classics like "Horse With No Name", "Ventura Highway", and "Sister Golden Hair" playing in full rotation on AM radio, and even if you didn't know the band's name, you knew most or all of the lyrics. Move forward to 2011 and America hasn't skipped a beat. Original members and founders, Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, tour around the world over 100 days a year to packed houses of enduring fans.

With a connection to the band via bass player Rich Campbell's wife Glynnis, I was invited down to the Palmdale Amphitheater in Palmdale, California with my camera. After spending a few moments in the tour bus chatting, we headed backstage where the guys were preparing to go on stage.

Dewey Bunnell & Gerry Beckley hang out backstage before the show

Michael Woods - Guitarist

Rich Campbell - Bassist

For 40 years "America" has been consistently touring and recording and are probably one of the hardest working bands in show business. Guitarist Michael Woods and  drummer Willie Leacox, have been venerable mainstays, both playing with the band for nearly 30-years and newcomer, bassist, Rich Campbell, has been performing with the guys for 11-years.


The band played a 90-minute set of their classic hits as well as works from music's elite artists Joni Mitchell and Crosby, Stills and Nash.For an encore the band returned to play their number 1 hit song and probably the song most associated with America, "A Horse With No Name."  The crowd on their feet, swaying and singing along, as the Grammy winning duo performed.

America plays worldwide for packed theaters of adoring fans.

Bonnie & Donna : A Mother and Daughter Photoshoot

My friend Donna came to me with a request.  She wanted to give her mom something special for Mother's Day. She wanted to give her something she could cherish forever. A mini mother & daughter photoshoot. I was flattered she wanted me to document and photograph this special day.

It was a late July afternoon when Donna and her mom, Bonnie, came to my office.  This was my first time meeting Bonnie and I was instantly won over by her warmth and genuineness. Everyone's a little nervous before a shoot, so it's my job to keep everything light and relaxed. I knew Donna had been looking forward to this day and I knew how much it meant to her, so I wanted to make sure everything was perfect.


Together, we walked over to a local park in Burbank.  It was an extraordinarily beautiful summer day. I started with Bonnie, taking a few portraits so she could relax and get comfortable with the process. Then we moved into the mother and daughter session.

During the mother and daughter session I could see the genuine bond between these two. Mom at one point,  gently pushed the hair from her daughter's shoulders, just as she probably did years ago. It was touching. We got some incredible shots that day, but most of all, Donna has something personal she can give to her mom, something she can cherish and look at forever.  ~Renee Silverman~

It's Still Rock 'n Roll To Me

I had the opportunity to shoot two bands this week at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California.  8mm, a pop-rock indie band, fronted by chanteuse Juliette Beavan, who captivated the crowds in her skin tight red dress with a Marilyn Monroe-esque appeal. 

Juliette shares her life on and off stage with her guitarist / husband, Sean Beavan, who's  worked with such bands as Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails. When these two get together you can feel the sexual energy exude from the stage.  

The house was packed for this shared bill with Kidney Thieves, another female fronted band. Free Dominquez, lead vocalist of this Industrial/alternative rock band, is a powerhouse, commanding the stage as she ripped through the tunes.

Kidney Thieves had a film crew shooting a video on this night, so the band and the crowd were really pumped. Their use of risers and lighting added another level of dynamics to their performance.

For more Info on 8MM ::   
FACEBOOK 

8mm Website

For more Info on KIDNEY THIEVES ::
FACEBOOK  

Kidney Thieves Website