Pat Cronin

2nd Vice President
Membership Chair

Pat Cronin grew up in Nebraska and New Mexico, moving to Southern California in the late 70's to study guitar at G.I.T., start a new life and pursue a new career path. As a child she played the violin, sang in choirs for church and school, played music with family and friends, always enjoying music as a hobby. Pat lives in Camarillo with her husband - Casey, daughter -Britney, who is a Junior at UCLA...and their two Maltese dogs - Carli and Lola. As time permits, Pat continues to seek out opportunities to explore her musical interests. She recently discovered Songmakers through an ad in the local Camarillo newspaper. After attending a hoot at T.J. Zeiler's home in September 2007, she became a member. In February 2008 Pat joined as a Board Member. Still very busy with a career in commercial design and healthcare furniture consulting, she is looking forward to learning more about songwriting, singing and performing on the guitar. Pat enjoys simple, uplifting songs with positive lyrics and interesting rhythms.

2010

Louise "Weezie" Dobbs

Treasurer

Louise Dobbs was born in east L.A. (Boyle Heights) and has lived in Venice/Santa Monica for the last 30 years. Louise loves singing and many kinds of music including Folk, Old Country, Old-Timey, Cowboy, Bluegrass, Classic Rock and Roll, and last, but definitely not least, African pop. She loves A Cappella singing too, is a member of a 5-person A Cappella group called A Cappella Jam, and leads singing jams in Santa Monica. She loves Songmakers and has been a devoted member since 1992. Since 1996 she has served as Songmakers' Treasurer and she regularly leads the West LA Hoot. She is also a member of the California Traditional Music Society and the Santa Monica Folk Traditional Music Club. Her latest endeavor is memorizing at least one song per week! Her hobbies include walking and fitness, spirituality, reading and movies.

2011

Patty Quintana

Recording Secretary

I joined Songmakers in 1981 having heard about the club from a woman with whom I was taking an oil painting class. She was going to a "HOOT" that night, at Phee and Ken's house, in Sherman Oaks. I arrived at 8:00, and quietly sat in the back, just listening. Now some MIGHT say that this was the very LAST TIME I EVER sat quietly in the back, but...I was barely able to play the guitar, but I loved to sing, and soon was learning all those wonderful folky songs, meeting great people, and sharing in the wonderful world of Songmakers. One thing led to another, and for a few years became a member of a band called "Green River" with some fellow Songmakers, particularly Eva and John McFadyen. Over the years I have served as a board member, and look forward to serving this coming term. Thank you Songmakers for a great 27 years!

2011

GARY LYNCH found us in 1989, then promptly moved away for eight years. He first joined the board in 1997. He was 2nd Vice President/Membership Chair for a couple of years and President for a couple of years. He originated our web site, the E-Chord, and the Kenney Grove spring and fall campouts. After a subsequent hiatus from the board, he rejoined in March 2008 and is reprising his role as 2nd VP/Membership Chair. Gary enjoys Songmakers' supportive rather than competitive environment and the genuine fondness we all feel for each other. He believes we should also share our music with those in the community whose spirits need uplifting. He plays guitar, harmonica, ukulele and bass. Gary is a native Southern Californian who has also lived in Maryland, Oregon, Hawaii and the Bay Area. He is a software engineer with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Cal State, Long Beach. Gary met Kathy through Songmakers, and they were married in 1999. They have a collective "Brady Bunch" of two sons and two daughters, with eleven grandchildren (and counting). Gary enjoys bicycling, camping, and anything computer related.

Gary Lynch

Bard Chord Editor

2010

Bobbi Gore is my name and Songmakers is my game. I joined Songmakers eight years ago thanks to the invitation of one Simon Lucas. I grew up in a musical family as my mother was a singer and my sister also loved to sing and my twin brother played the drums, harmonica and piano. I sang with Sweet Adalines in Palm Springs while I lived there. I played the accordion for several years until I got too big for it or it got too big for me! I love the comradery that Songmakers affords and knowing such great people. So, folks, I’m here to stay!

Bobbi Gore

Corresponding Secretary

2011

I have been a member of Songmakers for over 30 years. I have spent most of them serving on the Board in various capacities. I am currently the Historian and host of the Board meetings. Professionally, I have been a music teacher for 35 years and am currently teaching music full time at The Help Group, a non-public school for children with autism spectrum disorders. I also give private guitar and recorder lessons in my home. Since 1975 I have produced Noble House Concerts, a concert venue featuring acoustic music. I also play in a Klezmer Band called Shir Madness.

Barbara Greenspan

Historian

2011

Simon Lucas

Election Chair

I have enjoyed music all my life. My father played piano and organ, I learned guitar and flute! I left England in 1983 and arrived in California some 11 hours later. I have been here ever since! I was introduced to Songmakers in 1985 and have served on the Board almost constantly since. I had a Hoot at my house for some years. I also edited the Bard Chord for a while. I usually play guitar and sing English songs, but have been known to play dulcimer. I am an avid instrument collector, most of which I cannot play and some of which I do not recognize! I played bass for the Heart of England Folk Group, but that was in another life!

2011

Anne Redstone

Hoot Liaison

I'm Anne Redstone, appreciator extraordinaire of Songmakers. The late Alice Eldred introduced me to Songmakers more than 20 years ago; I enthusiastically became a member. I like its history and respect the tradition of promoting and presenting homemade music. My instrument is voice - been singing all my life. I give voice workshops and play "at" several stringed and percussion instruments. As a member of the Torrance Chorale, we toured Europe and sang in parks and cathedrals along the way. I now sing with A Cappella Jam. Music and song have enriched my life in ways nothing else can. I'd been Wagon Mistress of our Leo Carrillo campouts for about 10 years and am the coordinator for Camp de Benneville Pines "Music in the Mountains", Songmaker badges, Hoot Liaison, co-facilitator for the W.L.A. Hoot --- It's been my privilege to serve some 18 years on the Board. It's a wonderful feeling to give back to Songmakers.

2010

Paul Tatto’s musical tastes started forming early, having grown up listening to his mother’s record collection of artists ranging from philharmonic orchestras to jazz trios, and the great swing-era sounds of groups like the Glenn Miller Orchestra and The Four Lads. By the early 1960’s, he was raiding his sister’s rock ‘n roll record collection, listening to early American Rock ‘N Roll and even some of the new folk artists like Peter, Paul & Mary, and The Smothers Brothers. But Tatto (rhymes with “shadow”) found new inspiration that fateful Sunday night when Ed Sullivan reared back and introduced us all to the single most influential act in the history of recorded entertainment, and from then on they (The Beatles, not Sullivan!) were his new heroes.

Paul (this Paul, not Beatle Paul) took his first piano lessons while in the fourth grade and by his high school years had started playing guitar, then electric (and later, upright) bass and over the years, has performed with a variety of local groups. “I’m not a songwriter,” he says, “from Mozart to McCartney, I’ve always enjoyed playing someone else’s songs and, since I’m a bass player, Songmakers gives me the great honor of being able to accompany a fascinating mix of other talented musicians, playing an equally diverse variety of styles.”

Paul Tatto

Publicity Chair

2010

I was born backstage during a Rock show in Passaic, New Jersey. My mother was a drummer in a heavy Metal band and my father was the manager. I started singing at age 6, (months). I sang in the stairwell cause I liked the echo it created. My first instrument was the drums at age 11 years, then the double keyboard Thomas organ, then the bass guitar, Hagstrom. My first professional performance was at age 13 years, singing and playing. At age 15, I started the electric guitar, garage bands and some high school dances. Jump ahead 35 years. I was seduced into joining Songmakers by Launice Walker about 3 years ago. I’m a regular at Terry Zeiler’s Camarillo Hoot. My music roots are Beatles, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Hendrix, Crosby Stllls and Nash and Perry Como. I want to join the board because we all need to chip in and help. I’m testing the waters for my political career actually.

Warren Hasselberger

Director

2010

I am a native of Iowa. At age 22 I packed up and moved to California where I've been ever since. Searching the Los Angeles area job market I found a job as a Tool and Die Maker Apprentice. After a few years of learning the trade I started my own shop which is located in San Fernando. James Higby Engineering has been in business now for 25 years making metal parts for a variety of companies. Sometime around the age of 30 I attempted to play the guitar.

Not long after I learned the required 3 chords I started to write my own songs. This led to an association with Dawn Breaker Publishing (Seals & Crofts Company) which led to nothing. With that I put my guitar and dreams up on the shelf and forgot about playing music. Then came Songmakers. Wow! I found good music, good friends, and a good excuse to pick up where I left off.

I have a son Michael and many of you already know my daughter, Jodie. My hobbies/interests include History, Politics, Bicycle Riding, Books, T.V./Movies, Drag Racing my homemade Hot Rod, and pickin and grinning. Thank you Songmakers.

Jim Higby

2010

Gigi Johnson

Director

Gigi joined the board in 2008. She has been a member of Songmakers since she showed up at her first Kenney Grove campout in 2005 with her dad's old guitar in hand and a tiny blue tent. She now brings her tenor ukulele or guitar, sometimes along with her husband and/or her three children, valiantly trying to get them to sing along. Gigi has been singing standards since she was 14. In 2004, she and guitarist Mike Salas began folk concerts for libraries, schools, and museums as "Gigi & Mike" (www.gigiandmike.com)- which turned into a small cable TV show, CD (Crunchy PartyMix), and continuing concert series around Southern California, teaching storytelling, history, and language skills through song. In her "civilian" life, Gigi is on her 9th career - she presently runs Maremel Ventures, a new media consulting and venture company, and teaches part-time at UCLA Anderson.

2010

Sandy Layne

Director

Storming out of West Texas like a "dust devil", Sandy Layne ended up in Southern California playing guitar and bass in coffee houses, honky-tonks, concert halls and on road tours. All the while singing folk, country, 50's rock & roll and some standards. As a bass player she has performed in some of the largest country music venues in Southern California with award winning musicians Al Bruno, Archie Francis, Guitar Hall of Famer-J.D. Maness, Red Rhodes, and the Crawfish Band (led by Leo Eiffert, Jr.). Sandy is long time member of the Academy of Country Music and has worked as a committee member on the Award Show and Annual Golf Tournament for many years. She joined Songmakers in July,1998 at Patty Quintana's first hoot. Part of a duo "Sugar Magnolia," and the Topanga award-winning group "Fair Sister," with other Songmakers Ann, Maureen, Ruth, Louise and Leigh.

2011

Launice Walker

Director

I was introduced to Songmakers by Jack Zigray, through the Camarillo Café venue. Then I went to Cliff & Jill Nichols' hoot for about 5 years, sitting quietly on the couch, until somebody made me sing on some country tune, and I was hooked. I haven't had this much fun singing since I was a girl in Pacoima, cruising Van Nuys Blvd. with my gal posse and my tambourine. My influences are Motown, Soul, and Rock &Roll, and I was born in the right era. (Ask me about seeing the Beatles at Dodger Stadium). You can find me at KG singing with Dean and the Darlings, or my sister Janice. I'm in awe of those who can play, and I like to put on a harmony. It's all about making each other sound good. In my "day job", I teach deaf kids, and I'm a professor in the CSU credential programs. In my spare time, I memorize song lyrics, analyze hot rod songs, and imagine ways to live permanently in Hawaii. My next project will be putting together a '50s Girl Song Doo-wop Group. Wanna join??

2011

She started dancing to the ice cream truck at two and quickly progressed to dancing at the Westward Ho Hotel in Phoenix by the age of four. Between then and now she sang folk music in coffee houses while at University of Arizona and performed on stage as an actor/dancer/singer. In the '60s she was lead singer in a group called The Chataqua Circuit with a sound of Manhattan Transfer meets Fleetwood Mac under the tutelage of David Geffen. The group broke up and Ms. Scott then started a career as a motion picture/television/stage actress and also worked as an actress/dancer/singer on The Dean Martin Show, which paid for court reporting school. She runs a court reporting agency by day and sings in a duo, Sugar Magnolia, around Southern California, as well as other gigs across the country, mostly Arizona, Tennessee and Louisiana. She is a member of Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and a recent proud member of the Academy of Country Music.

Donna Leigh Scott

Director

2010