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. Later in life as she pursued her career she played occasionally for her own enjoyment. When her daughter was very young Pat started playing kid's songs at children's birthday parties.

Always juggling motherhood, career, education and family life, the guitar took a back seat till Pat discovered Songmakers in September of 2007. Pat currently lives in Camarillo with her husband - Casey. Their 23 year old daughter Britney, graduated college from UCLA in 2009 and is now working on her Stott Pilates Certification and her Masters Degree for Nutrition in Maui, HI.

In February 2008 Pat joined as a Board Member and serves as our Membership Chair for Songmakers. Having retired from Commercial Interior Design in November 2009 Pat has taken up writing and illustrating children's books. In March 2010, she moved her elderly parents from New Mexico to Atria Assisted Living in Camarillo, where she hosts a monthly song circle for the residents and their guests. Pat now works from home or wherever her laptop takes her, while she is learning more about songwriting, singing and performing on the guitar. Along with her long-time designer friend and author Kelly Davenport, Pat recently published her first children's book entitled "Do Hotdogs Grow on Trees?" She is currently in the process of writing and illustrating a series of ten children's books about the Adventures of Carli, Lola and Dakota (her 2 Maltese dogs and 1 Yorkie) in Camarillo. Pat plans to continue writing her own songs and produce them along with her books. She enjoys good harmony, simple arrangements, uplifting lyrics and interesting rhythms. "There are so many creative ways to incorporate guitar into your life. Stories and music help to enrich our experiences. I am really happy that I can bring stories to life using colorful illustrations and music."

2012

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.

2013

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!

2013

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

2012

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

2013

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

2013

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!

2013

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.

2012

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

2012

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

2012

Sally Charette

Director

Sally first sang harmony as a little kid while her dad drove the family through Indiana farmland in search of cool air and ice cream. Though she was in plays and musicals in high school and college, she switched from Theater major to English/Creative Writing when she moved to L.A. She's been a member of one writing group or another for almost twenty years, and was a PEN Emerging Voices Fellow. She's had stories, poetry, articles and photography published along the way and has kept a blog at www.anygivensundry.com since 2005. She also loves hiking, reading, gardening, cooking, yoga, Zumba, most of her job as a TV/film script researcher, and hanging out at coffee houses and all night diners.

She and her favorite (and only) husband, Dana, joined the organization in 1998. They both know that the support and experience gained through Songmakers has helped them become more confident singers (and player in Dana's case). Sally still sings with her family--sometimes in public--during visits to her Hoosier homeland but credits Songmakers with making SoCal feel like home too. Though she's thrilled to ham it up in front of a crowd, Sally's favorite place is still the virtual back seat, singing harmonies late into the night at the campouts.

2012

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.

2013

Steve Berman

Director

I picked up the harmonica while hitching back to Detroit from Woodstock. After being ejected from many classy joints over the next 38 years, I met the wonderful Sandy Lessner, who actually liked it. We volunteered at the 2007 Solstice Festival, and were invited to join the Santa Monica Traditional Folk Music Club, and then Songmakers.
I'm a retired UCLA neuroscientist with two grown daughters, and plan to spend the rest of the time I'm given making music whenever possible. I sing in synagogue choirs, and with the greater confidence derived from regular "Songmaking" have played harmonica at religious services for a few years. I never took a lesson and can't read music, but I practice to the radio while commuting, and always find it magical when the right notes come out.
Sandy and I began hosting the Agoura Hills song circle after our marriage in 2010. I'm honored to join the board because my grandfather taught me the value of giving back. As a Peace Corps volunteer in the 70s, I learned the African Thumb Piano. I sometimes teach for Hollywood Seido Karate, and am VP of our non-profit dojo. Besides Sandy, I also love dark chocolate, science-fiction, and camping at Rainbow Gatherings and Kenney Grove!

2013

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

2012