NICK BEARDEN

friends

Bryn Loosley - Bryn is the primary songwriter for Buffalo Creek and a founding father. Bryn is also one of the most solid character individuals that I have had the pleasure of meeting. An excellent songwriter, trivia guru, and all around funny guy.

Tim Bluhm - Aside from being the front man and primary songwriter for The Mother Hips, TIm is also a gentle natured, good hearted California-in-the-blood, all around good guy. I feel weird saying it, but Tim could quite possibly be among one of the finest songwriters that California has to offer to boot.

Tyler Smith - Old school Chico buddy / ex-neighbor. Tyler is sharp, quick witted, and a solid guy. His personal web site has quite a few entertaining blogs.

Scott Smith - Not related to Tyler Smith, Scott Smith has been a musical and personal buddy of mine for years. A highly skilled drummer, I owe much credit to Scott as being a major influence in my early years of development on the drums.

August Germar - Bass player for Buffalo Creek, owner of ChicoNet and 2Interactive, LLC, Burrito expert, and all around weirdo-wizard of a guy- August at surface level is an eyebrow-raised munchkin who appears to be up to no good... but below the layers of grease and sour cream stains, lies a mysteriously intelligent guy who will pull some tricks out of his hat, leaving you to say "Where in the hell did you learn how to do THAT?!"

Selena Ryan - Selena is a very close friend of mine dating back to early Chico days. Selena is a gifted songwriter / singer / performer who is also a good definition of what it means to be genuine to the core, all the time. If I were you, I would keep an eye on Selena and where she is going with music... every time I chime in she is becoming more and more and more popular, and is definitely going places with her talent and music.

Shannon Curtis - While Shannon is relatively new on the friend roster, she is also very genuine. Formerly the front woman for a widely respected group, Paradigm, Shannon has split to do her own 'thing'. Recently transplanting to Los Angeles from the greater Sacramento Area, Shannon is quickly gaining a lot of respect everywhere she goes. I am a firm believer that musicians either 'have it' or they 'don't have it' ...Shannon is someone who definitely "has it".

Ana Gilmour - A Wisconsin transplant to California, transplanted to Granada Spain, then Jordan - Ana Gilmour is one of the quickest leaning and fastest growing musicians that I have seen in quite some time. When I first met Ana, she was very eager to jam and sit in on just about anything, but sometimes was limited with chord structures and strumming patterns. In less than 2 years time, Ana has far surpassed most guitar players who have been playing for that duration of time and has honed incredible rhythm guitar chops, singing abilities, and songwriting. Having supported herself through about 8 months of travel in europe based upon performing her music on the streets, Ana is a force to be reckoned with.

Glen Phillips - Most folks know Glen as one of the members of Toad Toad The Wet Sprocket ...but Glen has also cranked out some wonderful solo records post-sprocket as well. One of my favorites is Abulum.

Justin Ancheta - Justin is most widely known as the front man and primary songwriter / lead guitarist for San Francisco's Sinclair. I know Justin my buddy of years and years and years first, and a musician second. Always down for a good time, one of the finest and most creative songwriters I know, and an all around good natured guy. I enjoy jamming, writing, and being challenged by Justin's work. Never a dull moment.

Jesse Olswang - Or AKA "Jesse Balls", Jesse is one of the finest drummers I know. A joker at heart, always down for a good time, and also a highly talented guitarist / songwriter. Jesse is another one of those musicians who "has it".

Scott Cummings - My drum brother from another mother - Scott is the authority when it comes to Jazz Drumming. When we were both living in Chico, California and I would get asked to do any type of Jazz drumming, I would just throw up my hands and say "Man, that is a job for Scott... I can't touch what he does". Scott and I also see eye to eye on vintage drums, good humor, and Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles.

Seth Friesen - 4 days apart in age (I'm the oldest, must rub it in) - truly brothers from different mothers. Seth and I began playing music together at a very young age, and began challenging each other musically on drums & guitars from the very beginning. We were involved in musical bands and projects together from the 3rd grade, all the way through college, and even beyond college. We have shared the stage together acoustically, while he was on drums and I was on guitar, while I was on guitar and he was on drums, in Hip Hop, Brit Pop, Roots Rock, and Funk Rock bands, have toured the west coast, and more. I was the best man in his wedding and couldn't ask for a better friend for life. Seth was also the front man and primary songwriter for Caveat.

Burhan Qazi - Uber music guru - Burhan is the ultimate authority on who played in what band, what other bands they played in, who recorded the album, what mic was used on _____, and ALL KINDS of other random information. Currently residing in Nashville, he is an inspiration for having the balls to pack his shit up into a car, move to Nashville, TN, and within 2 years work in one of the sweetest recording studios in Nashville, buy a house, and have a hell of a good time.

Erin Morgado - Very close friend for as long as I can remember, and also a highly gifted singer / songwriter who is currently working on fine tuning her writing and stylistic ventures.

Nick Giusto - Yet another insanely talented and funny guys, Nick is / was the lead & rhythm guitar player for Indecisive Youth. Nick is also highly talented with media, design, etc. Check his web site out for samples of his work.

Arn Whitman - A fellow music lover and pearl-snap western shirt sporting good chap. "West Memphis Arn" is good peeps.

Joe Reynolds - One of the original members of Buffalo Creek, Big Joe is the owner of Phamily Graphics T-Shirt company who makes all of the Buffalo Creek t-shirts, as well as some of the T-shirts that I like to wear on a regular basis, such as the "TV Sucks" shirt, "I Heart My Bike" shirt, "The Bike Races" shirt, "Fuckenhatem" shirt, etc. Check the PG site out... I think they have some very funny and creative shirts.

MORE TO COME... (there are many friends who do not have a web site or myspace page to link to... and if you have one and feel as thought you have been left off of here, PLEASE let me know and I would love to include you in the mix...)

Musicians and bands of note

Whiskeytown (MySpace) - Quite possibly one of my favorite bands right now. Their album, "Strangers Almanac" can be on repeat for days and I don't think twice about it.

Ryan Adams (MySpace) - Not to be confused with Bryan Adams (barf), Ryan was the front man for the above mentioned Whiskeytown, and is quite possibly one of the finest songwriters we have out there today in the younger generation category. Simply incredible.

The Jayhawks (MySpace) - Some of the best harmonies since The Beatles, and some fine songwriting as well. Among one of my top favorite bands of all time.

Tim O'Reagan - (MySpace) - Tim is the drummer for The Jayhawks, another one of my all-time favorite bands. While Tim has been the drummer, often taking the back seat, he recently came to the forefront with a solo record where he plays most of the instruments and does all of the songwriting. It is definitely a good album worth checking out.

Donavon Frankenreiter - Just another good songwriter

The Mother Hips - (MySpace) - Tim Bluhm, Greg Loiacono, Paul Hoaglin, and John Hofer make up one of California's finest and hardest working bands. Originators of "California Soul", these guys are probably coming to a town near you sometime soon, and I would suggest that you go see them.

Carsie Blanton - (MySpace) - I met Carsie while out in Ardmore, PA doing some shows back east. She is a unique songwriter and I really enjoy her lyrical twist-of-phrase.

Don Ross - (MySpace) - Don is one of the most bad-ass acoustic guitar players I have ever had the honor of meeting. Coining the style "Heavy Wood", Don is the man. Just take a listen. YouTube him and look up the tune "Michael, Michael, Michael". It will change your life, and the way you think the acoustic guitar can be played.

Golden Smog - Excellent example of a bunch of band sluts in 1 group.

Starsailor (MySpace) - If you are a fan of Jeff Buckley , you will more than likely enjoy Starsailor.

Susanna Hoffs - From The Bangles, Susanna is so slammin' hot I can't even begin to describe.

Mathew Sweet - (MySpace) - Multi-instrumentalist singer / songwriter who has been around for a LONG time.

Government Mule - (MySpace) - Dude, tone to the bone and sweet guitar licks for days. Warren Haynes could sing about takin' a shit and it would sound awesome.

MORE TO COME...