musician

Billy the Fridge and I met up at Blue Moon Burgers in Fremont, where they sell the Code Blue burger with two paddys, peanut butter and all kinds of goodness. It’s big and potent, just like Billy himself. A local boy, Billy the Fridge has competed in wrestling and competitive eating both – he proudly wears a doughnut around his neck, a prize from a Top Pot eating contest he won, but it’s as a rapper he truly shines. At heart he is an entertainer using music as his main outlet, but without limiting himself to that one arena.

Completely befitting the rap image, Billy the Fridge arrived with a small posse of friends in tow, but if you think there was any gangsta attitude, you’d be way wrong. Though it was obvious these guys like to goof around, there was also seriousness and thoughtful answers to my questions. Continue reading…

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Tomo: Songwriting, Doubts and Inspiration

Tomo Nakayama of Grand Hallway

I almost never met Tomo Nakayama. When I was supposed to, his quiet demeanor fooled me into not recognizing the Japanese born singer and songwriter. He is the front man in Seattle based indie band, Grand Hallway, whose recent album “Promenade” has been getting some well-deserved attention and airplay. Luckily, he recognized my ugly mug, [...]

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Don Berman – Jazz Drummer

Thumbnail image for Don Berman – Jazz Drummer

Don Berman lives in my building. For years, I watched him carry his drums down to his car every now and then, and on summer days when the windows were open, I would listen to him drum away in his apartment. It never bothered me. He’s that good. Still, it took me literally years of [...]

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