Slick City Picker are: Kevin Mahan Dobro Dragutin Ilich Guitar Donald “Buzz” Brown Mandolin Dennis Neder Bass California Grass is the fusion of bluegrass with the influences of living thousands of miles away from the Kentucky birthplace. The Slick City Pickers evolved from four players emerging from four diverse musical backgrounds. They have found themselves engrossed with the simple yet arcane beauty of Bluegrass. California Grass is what you get when you mix Bluegrass with four Californians, including two songwriters who have shaped that craft since childhood. So this is not the purist’s pursuit. This is the expression of the California and southwest dweller who has become addicted to the sound and feel that has evolved and mutated out of Appalachia. The Slick City Pickers bring forth these 10 heartfelt songs developed from decades of their own musical quests. Songwriters and band members Kevin Mahan and Dragutin Ilich met during their early morning walks in the hills northeast of Los Angeles. Sharing songwriting and jamming on acoustic instruments they discovered a common bond that had chemistry. They were quick to add friends Donald “Buzz” Brown (mandolin) and Dennis Neder (bass) to make it a band. While writing songs in multiple genres, Kevin has performed most of his life either in early Rock’n’Roll or jazz circles as a saxophone player. “I had a love-hate relationship with the sax. With 30 years of practice and playing I never developed a decent tone. As a songwriter I had ventured into country songs that called for a pedal steel. Try and find a pedal steel player in LA! So I bought one and started to learn this intense instrument. One day a friend brought in a dobro, an instrument you rarely see in California. I starting tinkering around on it. I knew I had found my connection with an instrument.” That started him on a new musical journey of listening to and learning bluegrass. Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs and modern players like Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice and many others now started to infiltrate his songwriting and playing. Even though he was born in California, he knows this type of music is in his blood because his father was born up a holler in the hills of Kentucky. Kevin is a retired actuary. Dragutin has likewise been a songwriter for decades and is long time Californian. His life started in Wisconsin in a family that had migrated from Serbia. His musical journey was shaped by a strong musical background and his years of living in California. His father was a fantastic guitar player who entertained thousands with his band during festivals in their ethnic communities near Milwaukee. The Serbian community complex consisted of a huge hall, a bowling alley and a bar. “Take your pick, you can live it up in the dance hall, go bowling and then go to church to confess whatever you did in the hall or while bowling. The smells and sounds of this place will always be with me. We often had parties at my house with my dad and his friend pulling out their instruments and playing to 50 or more people celebrating birthdays, holidays or just a get-together.” Dragutin’s songwriting has also been influenced by the great bands of the 60’s and 70’s, particularly the Grateful Dead. His guitar picking and singing have a light touch and are reflective of both his ethnic upbringing and years of writing and jamming. Dragutin is a retired lawyer. Mandolin player Donald “Buzz” Brown brings an energy and creativity that really shapes the Slick City Pickers’ sound. Perhaps it is fate that Buzz and Kevin ran into each other at a jam—they were born in the same hospital in Palo Alto, California, but didn’t meet until recently at a bluegrass jam on the LA’s west side. Buzz’s background includes being a fisherman, and some of his tall tales back that up! Bassist Dr. Dennis Neder is an accomplish player who has been around the musical scene for decades with multiple cover bands and orchestras. He leads the band Rock Bottom Betty as their lead singer and bassist. Dennis is an author, a tech-business developer (currently spending way too much time writing code for his new internet project Rankopedia.com) and holds a chiropractor degree too. Songs: Earthquakes Fires Floods and Riots (Kevin Mahan): This is as California as it gets! And the bluegrass influence is very clear in the song structure, style and soloing. I’ve seen winter snow paint the Rocky Mountains white And autumn in New England makes the changing leaves delight The south is gorgeous when azaleas bloom in spring And the northwest summer is perfect for anything They got four seasons most every where They bring new feelings and clear out the air You know the day they start and you know the day they end They come like clockwork again and again Come to California and you can’t tell What time of year it is by the trees or smell They say we got no seasons they say it’s all the same But hang around long enough and soon you’ll claim We got four seasons--Earthquakes Fires Floods and Riots Could start for any reason--Earthquakes Fires Floods and Riots They cause a juggernaut--Earthquakes Fires Floods and Riots Sure enough we got--Earthquakes Fires Floods and Riots It can take a long time, til you’re in an earthquake You’ll know when it’s here ‘cause the ground starts to shake Fires are started by nature or by crime They can happen anywhere, at any time Broken water main or a sudden ocean roar Or a deluge in the mountains will flood mud through your door And riots are sporadic and based on principal They come with lots of violence and are unpredictable Eden (Dragutin Ilich): Saint Thomas More gets an assist on this one as Dragutin lifted a line or two from his poetry to express his emotions after reading the beheaded’s writings. People swear at this sacred life But I have found it full of bliss Til they show me a greater beauty I will content me, my dear with this Out in the west Venus is shining high Heaven is in the sky, so some believe But when I think about you and the life around us The grace in the place is beyond all dreams When the sun shines and the moon glows The Earth is turning so everyone can see They may talk of Edens up above But this Earth is for you love and me Beyond the world, beneath the shadow Heaven on Earth lies quietly When I think of this life with you my sweet darling We are just two notes in nature’s symphony Oil Springs (Kevin Mahan): This is a true story of the time Kevin’s dad took him, his wife and daughter back to experience his Kentucky roots. “Lester Wireman” was a real person and the lyric “just like 17 years before” refers to the 17-year cycle of the locusts’ population explosions. During their Kentucky visit they experienced the overwhelmingly loud constant noise the locust swarms produced. Even the local paper printed articles of menus with locusts being the main ingredient. Oil Springs Kentucky Where my daddy was born He took me back in them hills One hot summer morn He’d left to fight the big one Back in 1941 Be he never forgot where he came from The old school house sits upon the hill Overgrown abandoned but the cemetery’s filled Old Lester Wireman sits outside a parlor door Locust buzzing real loud just like 17 years before Up a hallow live these proud mountain folk Jesus on Sunday morning Monday’s back to mining coal Hard times made them survivors possum pie chitlins and grits Huntin’ fishin’ and cannin’ but mountain culture’s changing quick It’s a long way to California but now I understand The feeling I belong to this distant land Tequila Blanco (Dragutin Ilich): Dragutin was having one of those emotional upheavals while he ventured down south to Mexico. The lyrics explain his quest for reason and calm. He takes the waitress’s advice to try White Tequila instead of a cola. A choice that works. South of the border, looking for order In a world that’s gone mad This desert’s baking, my head aching I need a drink and I need it bad Then I felt a breeze from Sonora Bay So I headed east right away Little village by the sea Wonder why it’s calling me Needed a drink soon, I hit a barroom Muchacha gave me a glance Ordered a cola then she said “hola” Give this tequila a chance Beautiful waitress smiled so fine Holding that bottle and a lime Her firewater was crystal and was bold Her Spanish words, tequila blanco I drank her potion, then my emotions Felt as if I was on fire My head felt so hot, she poured another shot I drank again and got higher Hombre sing me a Mexican song Next thing I knew I was singing along Tequila blanco so easy to hold White tequila, love you more than gold Mandolin Bass Dobro Guitar (Kevin Mahan): While ascending from the BART train station in the financial district of San Francisco, Kevin was mesmerized by the band busking to the passing crowd. This band, The Jugtown Pirates, consisted of mandolin, bass, fiddle and guitar. The lyrics were written to reflect the Slick City Pickers’ instrumentation. Mandolin, bass, dobro, guitar; A train station plaza and a full tip jar Fingerpickin’ harmonies true and clear in a fast-paced city atmosphere Drop a dollar in and give them their share, it lets them eat and it pays the fare They gave up all for the music they play, never a financial redemption day As one train leaves another one brings a businessman with some big dealings He’s come to the city to seal a deal with he hears the music sounding so surreal He stops to listen and it takes him back, a kid playing guitar in a one-room shack He dissed the music that called to his heart and traded it in on a cash flow chart Once dirt poor now his pockets are lined, his heart grew cold and misaligned But he’s got a connection with the band’s expression, the music plays and he starts to question Do you want have wealth? Do you want to be free? Do you want to have time with hardly any money? Do you want to die rich and leave it behind? Or spend it all now when you still have time? The music flows sweet as honey, they sing a song about a man with money Who gave ‘way his wealth for a single guitar, he plays on the streets and sleeps under the stars As the band plays this tale of strife, our man now thinks about a different life How many dollars, how many tip jars? Mandolin, bass, dobro, guitar. Winters’ Light (Dragutin Ilich): Written for a friend who was in dire straits, Dragutin’s metaphor sends a message of hope in a precarious time. They say in darkness there may be light I hear your voice and I hope they’re right And that the light will shine on you. Remember no one said that life was fair There will be times that are hard to bare Remember when there were no cares to bind you. Will you sing me a song? ‘bout how the hard times make us strong I promise you that I will sing along. Summer’s gone and winter came The sun still shines but it’s not the same The sunlight changes with the season The light of spring is a hopeful sight The light of summer burns into the night The light of fall feels so right But winter’s light is fragile and is beautiful for that reason Will you sing me a song? About how the hard times make us strong I promise you that I will sing along. They say in darkness there may be light I hear your voice and I hope that you’re alright And that the light will shine on you. ‘cause winter’s light is fragile and is beautiful for that reason Winter’s light is fragile and so beautiful for that reason. Gravedigger (Kevin Mahan): During his working years, Kevin was in consulting with the CEO of a large financial institution in Texas. He asked the CEO about the character of his right-hand man. The CEO responded “he’s a real gravedigger”. Not sure if that was good or bad, Kevin asked him to explain. The CEO continued, “During the cattle drives of the 1800’s some of the cowboys would be killed. In the midst of extreme stress and danger someone had to have the integrity and strength to dig the graves and send them off with a proper Christian burial.” This song is about strength and integrity. Cowboys on the great plains in 1868 Two thousand cattle herded 'cross the Chisholm trail Outlaws want to loot them, farmers want to shoot them Indians want their hearts impaled Before daylight they're riding and soon the heat beats down Hot windy dust turns their skin to crust Sweat drips from their face, the smell of cows they taste Backs break and every muscle aches Who will be around to ride into town? Who are weak and who are brave? Who will dance with the girls of the night? And who will dig the graves? Two scout ahead for danger looking out for Indian red Still gone at dusk, the worst the others dread A search team sets out, over hills and river beds They find them scalped bloodied and dead Scared and tired they flee except the wrangler with his spade Danger lurks while digging through his pain Deep enough he lowers them, takes his Bible and he prays Bless these men, protect us all, and get our cattle to the train Who will be around to ride into town? Who are weak and who are brave? Who will dance with the girls of the night? And who will dig the graves? Don’t Try (Dragutin Ilich): Sometimes it’s impossible to force things to happen. They say easy come, but all you ever do is run Got no time and stop until you’re through They say easy go, tell me what do they know? When the answers that you’re seeking don’t come into view ‘Cause somewhere, somehow, sometime you’re going to find It’s better if you don’t try, let it come to you Somethings take time no matter what you do Somewhere, somehow, sometime you’re going to find It’s better if you don’t try Live in a crazy world, follow crazy rules Playing whack-a-mole with all those other crazy fools One thing to confess, if you do more you still get less Off ramp up ahead may be what’s good for you Somewhere, somehow, sometime you’re going to find It’s better if you don’t try, You don’t know what to do, try ‘til you’re turning blue, There’s got to be a better way. Somewhere, somehow, sometime you’re going to find It’s better if you don’t try, it’ll come to you Somethings take time no matter what you do. Don’t try, Don’t try. Don’t try. Don’t try. Don’t try! Richard Cory (Kevin Mahan): The verses are the exact poem written by Edwin Arlington Robinson first published in 1897. The language is archaic but certainly powerful. You never know what goes on in another’s mind. Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him: He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean favored, and imperially slim. And he was always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked; But still he fluttered pulses when he said, Good-morning, and he glittered when he walked. Richard Cory, he’s got it all, what about me? Richard Cory, everybody wants to be like RC And he was rich - yes, richer than a king, And admirably schooled in every grace. In fine, we thought that he was everything To make us wish that we were in his place. So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread; And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, Went home and put a bullet through his head. 13 Miles to Zion (Dragutin Ilich): Contemplation of life during a train trip to Zion. Wild moon and the sun, got me on the run Ancient canyon peaks rise in the air Plans that I made are becoming vague Train’s running late and I don’t care North Fork Virgin River flows like blood in the vein My memories scattered like clouds in my brain My parents used to tell me no one wants to hear The burdens that they carry, then why are they so near? Mercy shines like sunlight Sun lights up the moon Thirteen miles to Zion Think we’ll get there way too soon Guardian Angel peaks, one south one north Watch over the horizon as our train barrels forth Then approaching Rockville, I think about my kids The first time I saw them and the things that we did Beauty is a gift, God’s nature flowing wild Mercy inherited from parent unto child I think about my parents and the children I hold dear The beauty that surrounds me as the station edges near Mercy shines like sunlight Sun lights up the moon Thirteen miles to Zion Think we’ll get there way too soon