Mary McCaslin's Roundup

Jan 13, 2005

A GATHERING OF CAPRICORNS

Norman Louis and Peter Clark didn't know that both of their birthdays fall on January 14th until it came up at a party. They had already been playing music together and this fact became one more bond between them. They met in the mid 1970s and formed the country-rock Louis & Clark Expedition with other local musicians. Louis and Clark quickly gained a league of loyal fans, performing at the Crow's Nest, O.T. Price's, Your Father's Mustache (now the Aptos Club) and other Santa Cruz area clubs. The first Capricorn Birthday Party took place 26 years ago.

In the early 1980s the Expedition disbanded and a few years later Stormin' Norman and the Cyclones formed. They have recorded 2 CDs, the first of which came out the week of the Loma Prieta Earthquake. Late in the afternoon of October 17^th, 1989 Norman dropped a copy off at KPIG with dj Felton Pruitt. He was on his way to O.T. Price's to work out the details of the upcoming CD release party. Shortly after arriving at O.T.'s he went upstairs just in time to experience the earthquake.

Stormin' Norman and the Cyclones have continued to play in Santa Cruz and around the San Francisco Bay area. Their local gigs take place once or twice a year and almost always at the Crow's Nest, including the annual Capricorn Birthday Party every January. The band's sound has evolved from country-rock to rhythm and blues, rockabilly, a splash of Reggae and cover tunes. Also featured are originals written by both Norman and Peter.

Along with Norman, other band members are Peter Clark on guitar and vocals, Tiran Porter (of the Doobie Bros.) on bass and vocals, Ken Kraft (of Snail and now the "White Album" and "Rubber Revolver" re-enactments) on lead guitar and vocals, Jim Norris ( Snail, Fly By Night, the Humans and Lacy J. Dalton) on drums and Frankie Ramos on saxophone.

The annual Capricorn Birthday Party is a January tradition. Usually booked on or around January 14, these musical evenings have become star-studded events, with guest performances by some of the top musical talent of the area. You never know who's going to drop by to join the band onstage. Over the years singers Ginny Mitchell, Cher Peterson, the late Sarah Pond and Karen Phoenix have graced the stage for the evening's festivities. The Trailer Park Troubadours' sax player Bruce Wandmayer, harmonica player Mark Bass (an original Louis & Clark member) and guitarist Bob O'Neill have also stopped by to play a few songs.

These days fans and friends from the old times seldom venture out for a late night of music and partying in a club. In fact, the Capricorn Party is often one of the only chances each year that these folks see each other. As well as catching up, we all get to hear some mighty fine music.

That's it for now. Happy New Year and Happy Trails. And congratulations to Ginny Mitchell for being honored with a Gail Rich Award!

Email Mary McCaslin at roundup@marymccaslin.com

(If you go: The 26th Annual Louis & Clark Birthday Bash

with Stormin' Norman & the Cyclones and special guests

at the Crow's Nest, Santa Cruz / Fri. Jan 14, 9:00)