Literally Talking About “Stuff”!
Chad Watson with wife, Pam Loe
Chad Watson is a world class bass player, songwriter, side man and side kick ( just ask his lovely wife, Pam Loe)
Artists he’s tour and /or records with include John York, Ronnie Milsap and Charlie Rich, Freebo and Bonnie Raitt, James Lee Stanley, Chris Hillman, The Burrito Brothers, Janis Ian, Ezra Mohawk and others.
Some of the things I talk about with Chad include: Playing at one of my favorite venues, Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood with Freebo who used to be Bonnie Raitt’s bass player, and the Kulak’s Woodshed archives, which have been relocated to their Youtube channel, where you can still see live performances from some of the performers mentioned in our conversation.
He also takes about his days on the road with Ronnie Milsap; A brush with Kim Fowley, reminisces about some of the old clubs like the Palomino and a missed opportunity to sit in with Stuff, the original house band from Saturday night live when we swapped stories about missed opportunities. I mentioned the I chickened out when Marty Rifkin invited me to sit in with the house jam at the Palomino.
And then there’s great tale about country star Dale Watson – sorry, no spoilers.
Chad is currently working on a few recording projects and has just wrapped up a project with James Lee Stanley. He continues to perform live with his lovely wife, Pam Loe.
CHAD WATSON LINKS
Chad’s Website (Your best bet in viewing it is with the Firefox browser. It requires the Flash plugin)
http://www.chadwatson.us
Kulak’s Woodshed Archives
https://www.youtube.com/user/paulkulak1/featured
James Lee Stanley – Freelance Hyman Being
https://jamesleestanley.com/
CHAD’S UPCOMING SHOWS
March 5th, 2019 Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth, CA
March 13, 2019 at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon in Reseda, CA
Music from the Show
Intro (most epsiodes): Playa del Spain by Joe Walla
Joe Walla music availble on Broadjam
Outro (most epsodes): I’m Goin’ For a Drive by Hal Cohen
Produced by Barry Keys for Xenon Records
Piano: Barry Keys
Lead Guitar: Aaron Wolfson
Hi Hal – very nice post about Chad Watson. It was an interesting read. I’m not familiar with all of the artists that you mentioned, but my favorite is Bonnie Raitt. Very cool that he played with Freebo at Kulak’s Woodshed. And what a missed opportunity on not sitting in with Stuff from Saturday Night Live.
Nice job,
Michele
Thank you, Michele… yes, we all have our moments. Sometimes we shine, other times, we get shined on.
Thank you Michele. If you knew Chad, you would know that the guys in theStuff band missed out on playing with such an incredibly talented guy as Chad! If you get a chance, check out my latest episode. Peter Tork Tribute
Hope you enjoy it!
This is actually inspirational I love the performances at the kulaks woodshed archive. it was amazing how I watched a lot of talent been displayed and they lived as a family playing good music and having fun. I love his charisma,he his indeed a survivor. Can’t wait to hear the recordings with James Lee.
If you’re serious about hearing the recordings with James Lee Stanley, check out James’s website. Chad played bass on the Wood and Doors 2 album and also on the soon to be released Wood and Led. These are all acoustic versions of Doors songs (or Led Zeppelin), respectively.
Thanks, Seun! I recently spoke with James Lee Stanley about his performing with Peter Tork of the Monkees. I just uploaded the entire Peter Tork Tribute earlier today. Check it out when you have a chance, there is a link to their performance on the show page.
Do you know Chad Watson personally? How did you approach him to do your podcast? That’s awesome 🙂 I love your podcast by the way. He sounds like an amazing guy, would love to hear him play live. Does he come to NYC? Love when he said I stay in the same pool and outlived the competition lol I need to adapt that into my life. He is a funny guy.
Yes, I know Chad…. I’m not sure when Chad will be in New York. These days, he spends .kst of his time in recording studios working with several artists. He plays live locally in the L. A. area clubs with a couple different bands.
Hi Nuttanee,
Yes, I’ve known Chad a very long time. But I find that most people that I have asked to do my podcast said “yes” – even the ones I didn’t know very well. It seem to me that more people e are willing to share their stories than we think. All you can do is ask nicely . The worst they can say is no. ANd if they do, maybe ask agin another da. Maybe they’l change their mind.
I just took a look around your website. It’s an interesting site, and I listened to your podcast with Chad Watson.
I then read the “About” section – you have had an interesting career! Your Road Warrior Tales – I can tell it is a passion of yours. You are giving an opportunity to put a person behind the mike in front of a different audience, and get to know them as a person. Am I right in that assessment?
Everybody has story to tell, some tell it better than others. I found a place where I can get myself a mike and a desire to do a podcast. That was part of my purpose in writing to you. I’m learning to set up a website now.
Would you be open to giving me some pointers on the webcast setup?
Hi Russ,
I will be happy to help you get started. I’ll message you privately when I have a chance.
Love reading this. We attended William Jewell College together in 1975/76 as Music majors. He was a great guy.
I know Chad since his days as a Doo Wah Rider. I used to sitin with them and also participate in the local Talent Shoes. Later Chad formed his own band and he started hanging out at a place called The Revere House in Costa Mesa. The Late Travis R Parker would work for him there. Travis is also on there with my friend The Late Jenny L Richards. We became close,and Chad produced my Demo (still a work in progress.) Mary White is now my producer. Chad did some bass work on my latest tracks.
Hey Ronnie,
Thanks for stopping by. If you listened to the whole thing, then you know I can’t say enough great things about Chad. I also go way back with Mary White, too. So, I can safely say that you’re in league with some massively talented people! Back in the day, Mary used to play in a little bar across the street from where I was living in Van Nuys, called “McReds” (I think it’s a Walgreens now, so you can buy drugs there legally – LOL). Her duo partner at the time was a talented musician named Julian. I would sit in with them, occasionally. I’ll have to check out YOUR music, too! Please keep me posted.