CoachBrendaWagner.com

I am very flattered at the amount of people that visit this blog and listen to my old recordings here! With the exception of the first song (which is a recent one that I just think is fun), all the songs are in chronological order from oldest to newest. I blushed today when I was talking to a fellow business person, who commented to me about it. I always get questions about the different bands, and what instruments I play, etc.

So here’s a little history, and it will help you picture the best times of my life!

As you listen to the songs, which most are live recordings either from radio shows I’ve done, from just from my moms boombox she would have at her table when she would come and watch me play. You should know, everyone knows me by my maiden name, Brenda Morehouse, that is what I used all throughout my music career. I have played all over New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, a FEW gigs  one rainy night in Nashville (now that is a crazy story for another time, OMG, crazy!)

There are also a couple of studio records on this little player here, one single was recorded in Nashville, a prize that we won for coming in 1st place in the WGNA Talent Search 1982………Mind you, I had never played in a band before, and the contest was only 2 weeks away when I was approached by Aged in the Hills to be in their band for the contest. I think I was only 19 at the time. To make matters worse, it was held all week………LIVE ON THE RADIO….talk about being scared to death! But we won the dang thing, and from then on, my life changed BIG TIME.

Here is the line up, members, and what we all played:

1982-1986, Aged in the Hills. Won WGNA Talent Search 1982 to record in Nashville. Played several states, radio & TV, etc. Amazing to be with this group! George Schacher: vocals, fiddle, lead, steel, mandolin; Cherry Schacher (George’s wife): bass; Dave Wagner (my ex-husband, and yes, we are still great friends):drums, vocals; Brenda: vocals, guitar.

The first guitar I played with AITH was George’s 1965 Fender Mustang, God I loved that guitar! Then I eventually got my own guitars. Aged in the Hills is still going strong!!! Visit their website, lots of history and old pictures: www.agedinthehills.com

Aged in the Hills: L to R: Dave Wagner, Brenda, George and Cherry Schacher

1986-1997: High Noon. NECMA Award Winners 1986: Best Vocal Band, Female Vocalist (Brenda), Best New Band and Entertainers of the Year. Lots of travel and radio & TV. Brenda: vocals, guitar, keyboard; Dave Wagner (my ex): drums, vocals; Paul Stockwicz ( the best singing partner!) bass, vocals; Gary Warner: vocals, lead, steel; Mike Petryk: lead; Jimmy O’brien: vocals, lead; Bill Morehouse (my brother): vocals, bass.

Yes, this band was so much fun too! I LOVED singing with Paulie! We did a lot of top forty country (as far as I am concerned, that was the last years of GOOD country music).  Now, I had been playing piano by ear since high school, so in this band, I played them along with the guitar. Plus……Paulie and I would switch instruments on one song, it was a Travis Tritt song, and I played bass on it, and he would play my ovation.

High Noon: L to R: Gary Warner, Mike Petryk, Dave Wagner, Brenda, Paul Stockwicz

Me and My Ovation and Piano, in High Noon

1997-1998: Quick Draw: Southern rock. I have some recording here, but no pictures. It was fun, but by this time, I was really missing Aged in the Hills and High Noon.

Present: The Band of Misfits (2007-2008), and jamming with friends! We are a loose bunch, we just play for fun. I still jam with those guys once in a while, along with other local musicians.

The Band of Misfits Top-Bottom: Al Poole, Dale Good, Larry Good, Brenda

Back Yard Jammin! That's me on my knees, lol.

Sometimes when I listen to these old tunes from Aged in the Hills and High Noon, I get a tear because those people and those times, were the best times in my life, with the exception of those years I used to go and watch my dad’s insane band called Waterwitch (now that is a crazy story for another time!!!).

I did everything from bluegrass, cajun, classic country, newer country, classic rock, southern rock, and alternative country. I love it all. Yeah, I loved playing guitar and piano, most of all singing with the guys!! I am looking forward to some new adventures!

So, enjoy the tunes, they aren’t perfect, but we sure had a lot of fun, and made a lot of people super happy. That’s what life is about!!

Look to the right, play the jukebox, and crank it up for a good time.

Enjoy everyone!

Coach Brenda