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Home CD's/Recordings Contact us Favorite Links Guest Book See Them Live! Reviews Lost Lonely Cowboy History of The Burrmans |
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| Pre-Burrmans |
Pre-Burrmans
Jim Sanders and Steve Vincent started banging it out in garages and family rooms in the mid 1960s. With buddies Albert Menasco, Stan Smith, Randy Roberts, and later Smiley Brion, the Phase Six (which later became Sunday Morning Daze) was soon playing local Demolay dances, the Roller Drome, street parties and school sockhops. By the time high school rolled around, Steve and Smiley joined with Ron Beck, Rick Clark, and Chris Prince to form Arbuckle Tutti & Friends, rocking throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California at school dances, concerts, after-game dances, and a variety of musical occasions. 1968-69 - Phase Six, Grants Pass, Oregon (click on any picture for a larger view)
1969-70 - Sunday Morning Daze
1971-72 - Arbuckle Tutti & Friends
In 1974, Steve and Smiley had left college behind and found each other wandering the streets of Grants Pass looking for a little fun. It didn't take long to realize that music was once again calling, and they were soon pickin' and grinnin' with a local fiddle player from Williams, Willie Warwick. Within a couple of months Alan Klassen also had slid away from college life and was back in GP hammering on the drums with the rest of the boys, and The Hurrman Burrman Band was born. 1974 - Steve's family room 1975 - Grants Pass, Oregon HB2 was soon country-rockin' the bars and clubs of Oregon. The music was hot and flashy, and the beer poured fast! There might have been a slow song in there every now and then, but it was mostly sweaty, swingin', hopping country boogie overlaid with dynamic three-part harmonies blasting through the airwaves. 1978 - Casa del Rio float, Boatnick Parade, Grants Pass, Oregon
The year 1976 found the band producing outdoor multi-band concerts (including the infamous '76 In The Sticks), winning the Talent Night at Los Angeles' famed Palomino Club, which led to several appearances on NBC's Gong Show. By early '77 the band to relocated to Portland in search of bigger venues. Country-rock was hot, and the clubs of Portland were jamming with it. The Last Hurrah, Sak's Front Avenue, Euphoria, The Earth Tavern and more couldn't get enough. The Burrmans shared many "dual band" nights with Hank Rasco and the Wasted Rangers, and the Lone Coyote Club. Seafood Mama had yet to turn into Quarterflash, and Robert Cray was wailing the nights the Burrmans weren't around the clubs. The Portland Trailblazers won the NBA championship, and the city went nuts, and the Burrmans were in the middle of it all. 1977/78 - The Last Hurrah
Don't miss the Last Hurrah Reunion September 14-16, 2007 By late 1978, the Burrmans tired of the club scene and were soon relocated for a long break in Southern Oregon once again. Jim remained in Portland and began a long career as a sound engineer for many of the worlds biggest artists. By 1980, the band was pulled together in yet another version including Smiley, Al, Steve, Ron Stephens, Alison Brion, and Bob Duke. Ron, formerly with Hank Rasco and the Wasted Rangers, had been playing on and off with the Burrmans for several years. The band booked a two-month USO tour of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The band made many new friends across the military bases and Navy ships of the world. 1980 - USO Tour
1981 - Williams, Oregon
The next ten years saw all of the boys wander off and get "real jobs". The music was always around on the side, a party here and a dance there. By 1993, Smiley and Steve were living in Portland. Ron had remained in Vancouver, Washington. Willie was back from a stretch living in Southern California. Al was managing the Paradise Guest Ranch in Grants Pass, and they decided to celebrate Father's Day with a festival there. It was a great day, with fun music including a guest appearances by the Lyle Annis and Dave Bretz. Unforeseen for all, was that this was the last time Al would gift the world with a performance. The following May came, and Al passed from this earth, leaving the rest of the band behind to wonder what music the future might bring. Al's chant of "CD in '93" looked like it might never happen... 1993 - Paradise Ranch, Grants Pass, Oregon
By 1996 Smiley, Jim and Steve had built a 24-track digital studio and began recording the backlog of original tunes they had been crafting through the years. Joined by Stevie Mercer, Willie Warwick and Ron Stephens once again, the licks were soon flying into digital space. Real jobs and children slowed the bands efforts, but the vision and desire remained. It was only a matter of time before the music regained focus and pulled The Burrmans back together again. The summer of 2003 found Smiley, Jim and Steve once again working to finish a CD. Guest artists Atillio (keyboard), Tommy Royer (drums), Jason Ritchie (keyboard) and Mike Walker (B3) added their talents to further enhance the variety of songs on the musical palette. It is available through this website and at selected outlets throughout the Northwest. There's a distant chant in the wind..."CD in 2003... CD in 2003..."
The summer of 2004 saw the Burrmans joining in for Kenny Benny 2, a fund raising benefit for Wheatfield drummer Kenny Sawyer. We love you Kenny!!!
Grants Pass CD Release Party May 2004 The Burrmans were joined by a wonderful group of friends and family at the G Street Bar and Grill in Grants Pass to celebrate the new Burrman CD Never Too Late. Yahoo!!
The Burrmans continue to work on new projects. Please go to Lost Lonely Cowboy, our benefit tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Oregon National Guard. A chance for you to give back to those that protect us.
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