Valley Rhythms

by Lola Rossi-Meza

Jam with Greg Veach at the Dillon Roadhouse every Sunday.

Have you ever attended a Jam? GREAT… Then you know, how much fun it is to have an opportunity to play with professional musicians and appreciate a good time, with lots of other talented vocalists, guitarists, bassists, drummers, and those who play other instruments like harmonica, fiddle and keyboard. Whatever the case, all are welcome, male and female, alike.
Guitarist and vocalist Greg Veach is the host of the Sunday Jam at the Dillon Roadhouse every week from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The core members of the “Jam Band” are Veach, Dale Scrivner on bass, and Chris Aldrich on drums, who is filling in while the regular drummer James St. James is out of town. There is no set-list, just lots of jamming with fellow musicians, who may or may not know the song, but it all seems to fall into place.
Camaraderie and love for music is the key to any successful jam. I was told as a child, “when you do something, do your best.” It doesn’t mean, be better than this person or that person, it means do YOUR personal best. Music is truly a Gift from God. We can learn from other musicians, laugh with them, and appreciate the different gifts we all are given.
The photo chosen for this article was taken by photographer, Brian Mauer, who was a musician growing up, and is still one today. That passion never leaves, it is always a part of you. The musicians who are able to make a living only playing music, know it can be a struggle at times, yet still realize, it is all worth it.
Pictured is the late Steve Lopez, Greg Veach, David Atwood and Will Bonnar, known as Radio 60. Veach started this band in 2004 with original members; Michael Menduno on bass, Louis Cope on guitar and Phil Kaylor on drums. They perform in local venues, private parties and country clubs. Veach named his band Radio 60 because in the 1960s, he remembers listening to a radio station in Los Angeles that would feature all types of music like Elvis, the Beatles, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash to Buck Owens. So the concept for the band was to always play a variety of music from the 60s; Pop, Classic Country and Motown.
Since the time this photo was taken, Lopez passed away, albeit way too young. “Steve was such a great guy, he really had a heart. He was a very versatile and talented musician,” said Veach. “I performed with him for years, we miss his sense of humor, his quiet manner and his musicianship.” A Coachella Valley native, Lopez played with almost every musician in the Desert. He could play everything, Rock, R & B, Funk and Jazz. He performed with The Platters and toured the Western states with another local entertainer, John McCormick.
Veach started playing guitar when he was 15 years old, but didn’t play in bands until he was out of college. In high school, he sang in the choir and played football, basketball and tennis. He attended Pepperdine University, majoring in Sociology, and sang in the Madrigals. “We went on five national tours which included a performance with Pat Boone. We would perform mainly at religious schools to recruit new students for the college.”
After moving to the Coachella Valley in 1980, Veach started teaching, was married and settled down. Then in 2000, he met up with other musicians and started having jam sessions with them and as a result, the Classic Rock group, the Str8tjackets, was born. Later, he formed the group Radio 60 with Lopez on bass, Atwood on drums and Bonnar on guitar. “The band has had several different musicians since we started in 2004. Right now, Jerry Steelfox from Hemet plays bass, guitar and sings; Larry Gutierrez plays guitar and sings; and John Weir plays the drums. We have all been in several different bands, but I have played the longest with John.”
Veach started the Jam in 2005 after having the opportunity to perform in Palm Springs at the Blue Guitar with Kal David during his jam session. Since there are so many musicians in town, he thought it was a good idea to start another jam at the other end of the Valley and network with other musicians. “Brad Mercer, Terry Williams, Suzanne Oliver, Eric Frankson, Jimmy Evaro, Gregory John, Stan the Man, Francesco DiCosmo and a lot of other local musicians have been to the jam,” said Veach. “One night after his gig, Johnny Meza stopped by with his band and played a set when we were at Robbie T’s. Also, drummer, Jake Busey, son of actor Gary Busey, who has his own band, stopped by the Roadhouse after performing at Pappy and Harriet’s
After running the jam without ever missing a day in all of these years, Veach will be on vacation this Sunday, July 22, however, guitarist and vocalist, Walt Young, will be taking the lead. Young is performing in The Purple Room at Club Trinidad this Friday, July 20, from 8 p.m. until midnight.
You can contact Greg Veach by calling (760) 831-9805 or by e-mail: g50m53@aol.com.