Glad you could stop by ...
No.... that's not what I look like now!
That's what I looked like years ago....
That's what I looked like years ago....
Today I just look like an old dude who
probably should not have a picture made!
probably should not have a picture made!
Well ....in a condensed version, I started playing guitar
in high school and when I joined the US Navy I kept at it until I was asked to
be a part of the ship's band. We were called The Silver Strands, aboard the USS
Jason AR-8. I spent four years on that ship and got out about the same time as
some friends I had met in the Navy ... John Gummoe and Dave Wilson\ and Art
Eastlick.
Well, John was not a musician, but Dave and Art were, and we had heard about this local All Navy Talent Contest being held in San Diego so we went for it. We managed third place. We had nothing better to do at the time so we started playing locally around San Diego. The name ..? We called ourselves The Thundernotes!
Dave, Lenny & Art
The Thundernotes
John Gummoe was always there and we needed a manager so .... away we went!
To make a long story short ... we invaded Hollywood one time and one lead led to another until we had managed our first recording contract on the Donna lable, and subsiderary of DelFi Records. DelFi, owned and managed by Bob Keene, had among their roster Richie Valens, Little Ceasar & The Romans, Johnny Crawford, etc.
Our one and only record was instrumental on both sides... "Thunder Rhythm" and "Payday".
We left Delfi and went back to San Diego to regroup. New members were being added to the group that I wasn't getting along with and I was getting antsy to do country, so we had a parting of the ways. Later on, I was invited to attend their new recording session on Valiant Records as a guest. The band was now known as The Cascades.
Well, John was not a musician, but Dave and Art were, and we had heard about this local All Navy Talent Contest being held in San Diego so we went for it. We managed third place. We had nothing better to do at the time so we started playing locally around San Diego. The name ..? We called ourselves The Thundernotes!
Dave, Lenny & Art
The Thundernotes
John Gummoe was always there and we needed a manager so .... away we went!
To make a long story short ... we invaded Hollywood one time and one lead led to another until we had managed our first recording contract on the Donna lable, and subsiderary of DelFi Records. DelFi, owned and managed by Bob Keene, had among their roster Richie Valens, Little Ceasar & The Romans, Johnny Crawford, etc.
Our one and only record was instrumental on both sides... "Thunder Rhythm" and "Payday".
We left Delfi and went back to San Diego to regroup. New members were being added to the group that I wasn't getting along with and I was getting antsy to do country, so we had a parting of the ways. Later on, I was invited to attend their new recording session on Valiant Records as a guest. The band was now known as The Cascades.
The Cascades had already had their first release called
"There's A Reason, written by John Gummoe , who was their lead singer, and it's
success was only local. The session I attended created "Why Don't You Let Me Be"
and "Rhythm Of The Rain". You old timers probably know which side was a
worldwide hit, and I was so happy for them. That song was written by John Gummoe
and it was perfect!
Me, I began playing the clubs with anywhere from 4 to 15 pieces. On the side I began writing more and more and when I felt I had enough of the club scene I headed for Nashville!
I'm not going to bore you with the ups and downs and hits and misses.... suffice to say that I was able to land an exclusive songwriter contract with one of the major publishers ... Acuff Rose Music. Through them, and through my own efforts, I had songs recorded by the likes of The Texas Playboys, Moe Bandy, Floyd Cramer, Pat Boone, Don Gibson, Wynn Stewart, The Cascades, Judy Bailey, and many others.
During these years I wrote and performed a jingle used worldwide by a major heavy construction equipment manufacturer, and enjoyed the thrill of having one of my songs performed at The Academy Of Country Music Awards, and on several TV programs.
Today, I live in northern California ... husband, father, small businessman, and occasional local performer. I have put these pages up because so many friends have asked me to do so.
I have nothing to brag about because I never really made the top of the charts or even close to it! It's the songwriters who will know why I put these pages up .... its because I wanted to encourage them at their trade and their talent... just GO FOR IT!
Lenny Green
Me, I began playing the clubs with anywhere from 4 to 15 pieces. On the side I began writing more and more and when I felt I had enough of the club scene I headed for Nashville!
I'm not going to bore you with the ups and downs and hits and misses.... suffice to say that I was able to land an exclusive songwriter contract with one of the major publishers ... Acuff Rose Music. Through them, and through my own efforts, I had songs recorded by the likes of The Texas Playboys, Moe Bandy, Floyd Cramer, Pat Boone, Don Gibson, Wynn Stewart, The Cascades, Judy Bailey, and many others.
During these years I wrote and performed a jingle used worldwide by a major heavy construction equipment manufacturer, and enjoyed the thrill of having one of my songs performed at The Academy Of Country Music Awards, and on several TV programs.
Today, I live in northern California ... husband, father, small businessman, and occasional local performer. I have put these pages up because so many friends have asked me to do so.
I have nothing to brag about because I never really made the top of the charts or even close to it! It's the songwriters who will know why I put these pages up .... its because I wanted to encourage them at their trade and their talent... just GO FOR IT!
Lenny Green
*Background song: "The Last Surfer"
Written by Lenny Green
Written by Lenny Green