Hi, my name is Duane and I’m a bass guitarist and performing song writer. (That kind of sounds like one of those 12 step program introductions doesn’t it?) Yep, I view these as two separate and very distinct musical personalities. I play bass, guitar, ukulele, kazoo, a little keyboard and program various musical robots.
So let’s start with the performing songwriter part of me: I write songs and perform what I’ve written at various venues around the KC area. I perform both as a solo artist and as part of small ‘acoustic’ bands. I’ve been an active member of the Kansas City Songwriters Circle since shortly after it’s inception in ’92. I’ve been a finalist in several songwriting competitions, these songs can be heard on several compilation recordings. I’ve had songs recorded on independent projects by other artists. I’ve produced / appeared on three solo CD’s and one CD as part of the duo “Cosmic Cactusâ€. From ‘98 – ’04; I was the workshop coordinator for NSAI’s KC chapter. I write because it is a part of me, just like eating and breathing.
OK, the bassist in me is screaming “ who cares about any of that unimportant stuff â€. My musical voice as a bassist can overpower my singer / songwriter voice. You see the bassist part of me is not comfortable with being in the spotlight or discussing this personal stuff. The bassist part of me is comfortable speaking in that loud low powerful voice with my hands on the neck of a bass guitar. My bassist job is to listen to everything that’s going on around me, make sense of the chaos and support the music in spite of the personal agendas other members of the band. In this ‘bass-ic’ role I’ve been in bands that have shared billing with groups that have gone on to world fame, played at festivals and played in dives where I learned that beer bottles bounce off chicken wire but shot glasses can make it through if thrown correctly. I've learned, when the fight(s) break out you don’t stop the music until everything is under control or the power is cut. I learned there is no better high than when you're in the "zone" and the music flows effortlessly. I was the bassist for “Ron Teamer & the Smokin’ Guns†when we won the KC blues competition in late 2005, then competed at the 2006 International Blues Competition in Memphis, TN. Since then, I’ve played bass on recording project for several local songwriters and have been the fill in bassist with a couple local blues bands.
I guess if you feel some uncontrollable need for any more information about me, you can either send me a message or drop by one of my shows or one of the blues jams I frequent and we’ll talk.