Paul Cummins:  

Life Well, to bring you up to date from leaving Northview, I went to SAC as a Music Education Major; transferring to UC Irvine. With only 8 units to go for a teaching credential, I left school after finding absolutely NO jobs for music teachers available at the time in California; and joined a union band playing the Hilton Hotel circuit. A good gig with good pay, traveling the country, etc.; but on our way back from the East Coast, ready for Hawaii, Hong Kong, Tokyo, the drummer was caught with a maid in the kitchen in Amarillo, TX; and that was that. Got the old "Get a REAL job!" from my dad; and landed in the car business. Stayed put for over 20 years- starting as a salesman, then spent the bulk of the time as a Finance Manager or New Car Manager (the last 14 yrs with Savage BMW). Tiring as well as trying at times, it at least paid well; and the Savages (Pete Sr. & Pete Jr.) and BMW treated me very well. Even though I was doing plenty of 60 hr. weeks, I still kept up my music. Managed to sell a couple of songs to Sony (one was recorded by Tracy Chapman). I also did some session work now and then (never left the Musician's Union); and played in a couple of bands. In 1997, some friends pushed me into the Fender Blues Guitar Competition; where I finished as 1 of the 4 Finalists invited to the 1st Annual Fender Blues Festival on Catalina. There, I got to jam with Jimmy Vaughan, Spencer Davis, Carmine Appice, and others; which led to a television gig, which led to being asked to go on a national tour for 4 months as the guitarist in Chuck Berry's backup band for an oldies show that included The Ronettes, and Rosie and the Originals. Savage BMW said "Go for it!", and that the job would be waiting when I got back; so off I went. (It was great) But after 20+ yrs... in 1999 I said "Adios" to the car biz; deciding to use some of my savings to take a year's vacation and see about this music thing. Got together with 2 Northview alums: Doug...Expand for more