Gung Hay Fat Choy, Everybody- it’s 2008, the Year of the Rat, in Chinese astrology. Should be a good one, maybe we’ll lose some of those rats, in high places! A Peace of My Mind is now enjoying international airplay on many internet radio stations, many thanks to WorldSound Productions’ tireless efforts at getting this CD heard. Streetlight records in hometown Santa Cruz says A Peace Of My Mind is one of their top ten best local sellers!

I am currently performing with the White Album Ensemble, doing sets of Beatles albums, live. This 8-16 peace group includes Tiran Porter, Ken Kraft, Richard Bryant and other stellar talents. We will be at the Kuumbwa Jazz center this weekend, Feb16, 17th “Unplugged”. April we will be at the Kennolyn Hilltop Hacienda for the Waterbird Garden concert series, the prettiest gig ever, high on a hilltop in Soquel, redwoods, ocean view, hawks circling overhead. Also have the Santa Cruz Civic auditorium booked with the Symphony, always a treat. The bookings come at us fast, if you like Beatles music done right, check out www.whitealbumlive.com and get on the mail list for updates. Shows almost always sell out.

Another very cool project will be a concert of Alexander “Skip” Spence’s music, featuring Omar, Skip’s son a remarkable singer. From the press release-

Plans are being made for a concert of music by the late SF rock legend Skip Spence- performed by his son, Omar Spence and band, this April 26th, an 8 o clock show, in Santa Cruz, ca. at the Rio Theatre. Omar approached friend Dale Ockerman after watching a White Album Ensemble concert (doing the Beatles' Sgt. Peppers, and Magical Mystery Tour albums, live with a 17 piece group) in Santa Cruz, where they both live, asking if WAE members Dale, former Doobie bassist Tiran Porter, and ace guitarist/vocalist Stephen Krilanovich could put together a similar quality concert of his Dad's music. The show will include reproducing much of "Oar", Spence's only, and much celebrated solo album. The tribute album, “More Oar”, which featured performances by Robert Plant, Tom Waits, Beck and many others, honored “Oar”. "More Oar" producer Bill Bentley says he's excited about the concert, and plans to attend. Other songs include the lovely "My Best Friend” from the Jefferson Airplane album "Surrealistic Pillow", and of course the Moby Grape powerhouse rockers like "Omaha" (“Listen my Friends") and "Indifference'.  Gordon Stevens, who played viola on Moby Grapes’ “Chinese song” will be there, along with some other special guests. Dale is trying to find an electric Chinese Koto.

Alexander "Skip” Spence was a true pioneer and visionary of the west coast psychedelic, and folk rock movement of the '60s. Often remembered for his non-conformist behavior, tragic lifestyle, and galvanizing stage presence as a singer and guitarist more than for his great songs, this is an opportunity to celebrate the artist and his work. Skip was in an early version of Quicksilver Messenger Service. Then he was the first drummer in the Jefferson Airplane. He was a founding member of Moby Grape, and was one of the key elements in the formation of the Doobie Brothers. It would be hard to find another individual with as great an influence on so many bands of the rich 60's SF music scene, whether folk- rock, or psychedelic.

Meanwhile- Musicscool, the "school of Ock" as the Santa Cruz Sentinel calls it, is flourishing, I'm teaching piano, keyboards, guitar, and have a stellar roster of other teachers including Mike Schermer (Maria Muldaur, Elvin Bishop) and other great guitarists, bassists, drummers, violinists, singers and trumpeters, that's 831 426 6060- (512 Front Street at More Music).

Coming up (again) in March or April- I teach so much Zeppelin that we are going to do a concert soon called GuitArmy- an army of guitar students, from 10 to 20, male and female doing mostly Zeppelin (“Kashmir” alone had 50 overdubs, they say, many great LZ songs have many different guitar parts - acoustic, electric, 12 string- that were never performed live with all the parts). This show will feature David Tucker on drums, Tiran Porter on bass.

The last Guitarmy Invasion was a smashing success, people expected a ‘kid band”, but got a “great band” instead!

The idea is a GuitArmy "Invasion"- "We Come in Peace"- a benefit for Musicscool scholarship program, Guitars Not Guns, and Resource Center for Non-Violence.
Peace—

buy the Dale Ockerman CD

Praise and reviews for A Peace Of My Mind:

“There’s a lot to like, beginning with some wonderfully made music. Well-produced, well performed — it’s polished and pleasurable to listen to. Ockerman’s cadre of musicians deliver the funk convincingly, laying down a groove that’s decidedly New Orleans-influenced, perhaps due to the strong presence of Big Easy native Joseph ‘Zigaboo’ Modeliste, who performs on several tracks.  Solos are plentiful and strong.”

Offbeat Magazine, New Orleans, May 2006

“He’s recorded and toured with the Doobies, anchored incredible live reproductions of the Beatles’ White Album and Revolver, and backed many other frontliners, so it’s great that the outstanding and multitalented Ockerman finally steps out front to deliver his first solo CD. He penned most of the tunes, which cover an eclectic mix of rock, gospel, soul, and New Orleans funk, and plays wicked keys — tons of kick-ass B-3 plus Rhodes, synths, and piano — and guitar. Among those joining him in this celebration of song are bassist Tiran Porter and saxman/vocalist Cornelius Bumpus (both of the Doobie Brothers), Joseph ‘Zigaboo’ Modeliste (the Meters), brassman Mic Gillette (Tower of Power), Jerry Miller (Moby Grape), and a variety of vocal artists. Peace was two years in the making. Maybe it can carry worldwide influence.”

— Mark Vail
Keyboard Magazine, ’05

“Good things come to those who wait and A Peace of Mind, by Dale Ockerman, was well worth the wait! This CD is awesome! Dale, keyboardist/guitarist for an incredible number of bands ranging from Moby Grape to the Doobie Brothers and beyond, shows why he is a player so in demand. Dale shines on these tunes, playing Hammond B3, piano, lead, rhythm, slide and acoustic guitar, and a host of other instruments. He's joined by a mulitude of friends, including Tower of Power trumpet/trombonist, Mic Gillette; Doobie Brother bassist, Tiran Porter; Meters drummer, Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste; Moby Grape guitarist, Jerry Miller; and, one of my personal favourites, Doobie Brother saxophonist, Cornelius "Corny" Bumpus. The selections move through a myriad of styles, from blues- to-funk-to-Rock and Roll. ‘Judgment Day (Badlands Lullaby)’ floors me. This song should receive major airplay. It has to be the first acoustic Blues song to utilize not only keys, bass, drums, and guitar, but tamboura, mandolin, tablas, and Egyptian frame drums! Gregg Allman needs to check this tune out! This is definately an ‘maximum stars’ recording. Buy yourself a copy now. You won't forgive yourself, otherwise!”

— WandrinStar Reviews
Amazon.com

“Dale- that is a BAD mutha#$%^! Congratulations, my man. You have outdone yourself.”

— Tom Johnston (lead vocalist,
lead guitar Doobie Bros,
"China Grove", "Listen to the Music")

“Yeah Baby! This is the closest thing to the West Coast Meters I've ever been involved with. A Peace Of My Mind is a classic!”

— Mic Gillette ( trumpet and brass,
original Tower of Power horns )

“I played your new CD three times last night. The best compliment I can pay it is that I never tired of the songs. Each selection was different, each was unique, and each was memorable. I am staggered by the amount of talent represented in this CD — including the artwork!”

— Stanley Krippner, Ph.D
One of the world's foremost scholars in the fields of shamanism, parapsychology, dream research and consciousness studies. Professor of psychology at Saybrook Institute in San Francisco