This is pictorial history of a part-time band that became

This is pictorial history of a part-time band that became a business.
These dates are guestimates...if you see an error or can add info, let me know.
The “second” Glenn Normand band Fairhope High School Senior talent show 1965 (this event
was held in the auditorium of the now K-1 center on Church St). Richard Beall on guitar with
back to camera, Buddy Phipps playing David Normand’s new Sonar drums, Glenn Normand on
the Wurlitzer 100 electric piano (like Ray Charles used). Song played: “What’d I Say” of course
Glenn Normand
1965
1961 Jaguar Mk IX saloon car –one of several Grand Band limousines (c 1973)
Bother David Normand at Julep Point steak cookout one summer Thursday night 1973
Glenn at the Grand Hotel dining room piano c 1975
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Although Glenn had assembled groups for events in the past, getting steady musicians
was always difficult. The regular band became more viable when Janette came into the
picture, because that provided the band with a full time singer. If a piano was not furnished
her spinet was borrowed from the house, carried down the steps and moved in a U Haul
trailer. That procedure got old quickly so Glenn borrowed Jack’s small Wurlitzer electric piano
made famous by Ray Charles. Now all the equipment fit in the back of a car including a
borrowed Sears microphone and Fender guitar amp to play everything through. We didn’t
know how good we had it, as we now use a 5’x10’ trailer, crammed full, to carry only part of
the sound and lighting equipment we have.
Kevin, the drummer, was 15 and had already played in Robertsdale night clubs with his
father’s band. Sister Jeanine played bass until she moved up the East Coast. Our “fast”
songs were “Kansas City” and “Another Saturday Night.” We would play those, thinking we’d
knock the crowd down, but then a few people would yell out….”play something fast now”.
What a sinking feeling……!! I think this pic was taken at one of the first jobs...maybe
at the Fairhope Elks Lodge on Mobile Avenue for a Woodmen of the World party, and hired
by the infamous Charlie Smith. The picture was taken by Haygood, one of Fairhope’s
longtime commercial photographers.
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1977: I was busy! Five other bands retired, quit, dissolved or
moved and my band got most of all their bookings. The first
year, my band did about 100 events. For about 6 months, I
played the Birdcage Lounge at the Grand, (pictured) from 5
to 7 pm, then raced to Mobile to play the downtown
Sheraton-now Holiday Inn. A fabulous restaurant was on the
top floor, a dressy area on the left and the casual bar on the
right, dance floor in the middle….and fed me steaks whenever I
wanted. Tips were good both places... Then, of course, I had
the band jobs on weekends. I was well off and just didn’t
realize it.
Boy, what a difference it makes when you put some professionals in your band. Jim Allen (left rear)
came in as lead , backup/harmony, singer, guitarist, harmonica, and secondary bass player. Ron
Malinoski, (center rear) fresh off the road with a touring group, added more lead/backup/harmony
vocals and tasty precise drumming. Robert Normand (right rear) added trumpet, bass, keyboards,
drums and dry humor to the mix. My biggest problem (besides trying to keep up with these real
musicians) was to keep Jimmy and Ron straight. When the bookings called for better gear, Jim
Andrews at Andy’s Music was happy to accept $4,800 from me for all new equipment-a keyboard of
my own, amplifiers, speakers, etc. I recently discovered a couple of microphone cables still in use
from this initial purchase, and took it to the music store to brag how long I had used it. I was
Criticized for being so cheap as to keep the cords that long and they made me buy some new ones.
I just can’t win.
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Ron took off to play with a club band, Robert probably got aggravated with my 10 thumbs,
and we made changes. Jimmy Allen brought in drummer Bobby Watson who used to play
with him in “Southern Branch” touring around the country. Bobby just got back from playing
in Canada, and was playing at The Showboat Club, one of the many clubs on the causeway,
with a band called Wheels. This was before hurricane Frederick changed the landscape on
the road across the bay, and there were a dozen bars-restaurants all with live bands. Bobby
was a creature of habit...you could set your watch by what he was doing every day. He
probably went crazy trying to deal with my spontaneous behavior. Bobby eventually left and
went with the Versatiles for many years, and now is with The Outriders. He also owns a
store in Mobile- Music and Sound, which keeps lots of musicians in business with band and
sound equipment. He still drums with us when we can’t find a good drummer to fill in for
Ron.
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Glenn sitting in on drums for Charlie Blanchard at Constantine’s Gaslight Square on
Azalea Road about 1978
Glenn at Julep Point of Grand Hotel playing for convention about 1980. Note holes in front
panel of piano...father Jack had drilled these in the 1950’s so he could hear better over the
sound of the other band instruments. Also note old “black book”-one of two Jack purchased
about These fake books were the musicians’ bibles for all the old standards, and is still in
use today. To Glenn’s left is a Yamaha combo organ sitting on an imitation Leslie rotating
speaker system. On top the piano is a Crumar Orchestrator, which became critical later.
The bass player had an accident the night before an important job, and no one was available
to cover him. The Crumar had a bass output, which allowed Glenn to play keyboard bass,
and the method was successful enough to continue for 27 years and at least 2,500 jobs.
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1978 –we play our first of many KOR Easter Balls, in the
Mobile Civic Center big room. I was really stressed about
having the sound and equipment to do the job right. On
the tape we recorded that night, you can hear me
fussing about the sound man.
In this pic from Summer 1978, Don Benson (left) was
the drummer who talked to his sticks, and Rick Quimby
(right) showed everyone what an incredible rock guitarist
he was. He also really nailed “My Angel Baby”.
I think we did 115 band dates this year and about 140 in
1979. These days, I’m content to send other acts to do
the traveling.
1979 John “Jabbo” Starks showed up to
drum for us. He had just retired from 3
world tours with James Brown, and a stint
with Bobby Blue Bland and wanted to take
things easy. Having a player of that
stature in the band was unnerving to me…
but he taught me a lot and we had fun!!
Here we are at The Country Club of Mobile
on the old piano in the old ballroom, both
of which have been renewed. August
brought hurricane Frederick, which put
me almost out of business for many
months, since I was doing almost all my
bookings at the Grand Hotel, and it was
closed for 9 months. We did the grand
opening of the Hilton-now Mobile Marriott
on Airport Blvd. and they insisted we play
the Sunday bruch (3+ years). By this
time, the biggest agency in Alabama,
Southeastern Attractions was sending us
to Tuscaloosa regularly, and I recall
driving up to the Hilton about 6 am, using
a wind up alarm clock to wake me at 9amgo in the hotel bathroom to shave and get
ready to play the brunch. We were much
younger then.
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1980 upstairs main lobby
of the Grand Hotel in Point
Clear. We played lots of
events in the smaller
rooms as well as big
conventions in the
Ballrooms.
Julep Point, outside dance
pavilion, was tricky due to
the weather. It was a rare
night that the weather was
perfect-normally it was hot &
humid, or so windy that the
tablecloths and plates would
blow off the tables.
Two nights in a row, and for 2
different conventions, we set
up and got rained out before
we could play through the
first songs. We got lots of
exercise moving equipment.
Timmy Cowart (left) on bass and lead vocals, was a real trip! I had played with his dad in Sammy
Zivitz’s Stardusters Band, and Tim played exactly like his dad, so we clicked right away-just had to
get used to him chewing gum while singing. However, Don Benson (2d from right in back) was
too busy talking to his drumsticks to hear the bass beat, so we yelled at each other a lot. Don
has the dubious distinction of being the only person in the world who couldn’t find Thomasville,
Alabama, for the Christmas dance at Pine Needles Golf Club. He had falsely assured me that
recreational drugs did not impair directional senses. On the back right is some nerd just out of
the Air Force band and having a music degree, Eric Marrero. I first used him on bass, but couldn’t
find a groove with him, and then he told me he played guitar, trumpet, sax, flute and keyboardsin addition to singing….so I did my best to make things gel. Eric is still playing with me today,
and I consider him to be one of my best friends. He writes, arranges, and produces all types of
musicals, performances, commercials and jingles. Chances are, you’ve heard something he
either wrote or recorded for radio or tv.
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About 1980…..Janette in front; in back (L-R) Eric Marrero, Glenn, Don Benson, Kim
Dragota. Kim was a great bassist/singer and made us practice-he wanted it right!
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Look at the customers we had in just 4 years...lots of musicians wanted to play in The Grand Band….but it wasn’t a good fit
for everyone...sometimes the best musicians didn’t want to play cover tunes and wear uniforms. One guy quit fist night-he said
would not, under any circumstances, wear black shoes with the tuxedo I furnished. He and his white tennis shoes walked off.
He called me about 15 years later and said he would be happy to wear black shoes-he just wanted to work. Another really
good musician, called me, desperately wanting work-but declared he would never play in a band that played “Proud Mary”.
1980-81 As the Glenn-Janette relationship crumbled, Rachel Stevens came in as female
vocalist with her boyfriend (soon to be husband) Guitarist Bart Jennings (left). We were
thrilled to have the world’s greatest bassist, Butch Wagoner (rear), play with us before he
moved to Florida, and drummer Mike Fore (front) added some jazzy licks to our sound.
1981? We added another pro to the lineup, Daryl Phillips, on saxes and vocals. His extensive show
experience helped us to be more professional. Notice the ruffled shirts-we had 6 pastel colors plus
white, and huge matching ties for most of them. Didn’t everyone?
By now, I had established a relationship with MMI Music Store in Mobile. Leroy Clark, formerly of
Rosie Simon and Easy Chair and later Hickory Wind Band sold me all new equipment-several times.
The owner, John Mathern, an easy going Cajun, loves to see me walk in the store, and he and
Tommy “Flash” Jordan advise me on the newest music gear for me to spend money on.
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Summer 1981. Photo taken at the lagoon at the Grand Hotel by the late Richard Scardamalia,
quite a creative photographer and a friend since junior high. Daryl Phillips, sax; Bart Jennings ,
guitar; Mike Garlo, Drums, and Rachel Stevens vocalist. This was an eclectic group. Daryl and
Mike the Yankees who were seasoned traveling lounge musicians. Bart and Rachel-new to the
music scene and locals from Baldwin County….and Glenn ..trying to figure out why there are
black and white keys on the keyboard, while trying to book dates, and handling the business of
the band bookings.
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I moved to Mobile after Labor Day 1981.
Chris Grissom’s sister in law, Rosemary
Steiner (now Mack) joined, and I found
Renee Howard in a talent contest. They
worked well together and gave the group
more visual and vocal presentation.
Rosemary was a fabulous vocalist and very
creative. Renee was a terrific pianist and
aspiring songwriter and wanted to do her own
thing, so she soon left to play solo piano.
L-R: Mike Garlo, Rosemary Steiner, Daryl
Phillips, Renee Howard; Glenn in front.
1982 or 83 at the Stafford hotel
In Tuscaloosa-one of many wild
nights playing for the party
hardy crowd.
L-R: Bart Jennings-guitar,
Rosemary Steiner-vocal, Wes
Mohler-drums, Jimmy Allenbass, Renee Howard-vocal,
Glenn-keyboards.
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Somewhere about
Mid 1983…
L-R: Bud Kersey-drums;
Bart Jennings, Guitar;
Glenn; Jim Allen -bass…
holding Renee.
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Late 1983 or early 84Renee settled into playing solo
piano at the Riverview and the
Days Inn, so Rosemary became
main vocalist.
L-R Mitchell Till-Guitar, Hollis
Davis on vocals , Wendell Vincent
on drums.
Phyllis Vincent replaced Rosemary
Shortly after this photo.
This was a Mobile Chamber of
Commerce skit. Somewhere, we
have a pic of us in Mexican
outfits and sombreros for
another of their campaigns.
John Goodroe in membership was
famous for thinking up weird
things for us to do. He is now in
the athletic department of USA
Who’s old enough to
remember paper
clip art? Before
computers, the
print shop artists would
draw, glue and piece
my ads together.
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About 1983: Back Left-Robin Visel, guitar & bass..former leader of Sidetracked; -Robin was
mixing Sound for us in early 1979, when Rick Quimby quit, Robin played guitar and sang so
he was an instant fill in. When hurricane Frederick put me out of business temporarily,
Robin and Jimmy Allen (page two) started Sidetracked. This is the only picture Robin is in
although he dates back a while. (back right) Mitchell Till on guitar & bass; (Right front)Wendell Vincent-Drums, an engineer: and Rosemary Steiner. Do I have enough hair?
Are the bow ties big enough?
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1985: Glenn & Robin marry and she starts singing in band
and getting the booking agency organized from years of
neglect.
1985-1986??
L-R: Chris Grissom-guitar; Glenn; Ron Malinoski-drums; Robin; Dave Sandy-sax
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Now that the business end of band is more stable, dependable musicians are easier to find. Ron Tait, (left rear)
former bandleader “The Tait Brothers” and “The Good Life Band” and nightclub owner (The Jolly Roger Club), comes
in on drums. After playing in Hawaii with “The Unusuals” , the only thing more unusual was playing with Glenn.
Dave Sandy,(L front) world famous front man and pictured in the movie “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” ,
shows what a great sax player he is in addition to his vocals. World class trumpeter, Larry Carter (rear center)
drops in to teach everyone how to really play music. Glenn surprises Robin by shaving beard for first time since
1974. She surprises him by not recognizing him and telling him to grow it back. Can you see her retainer?
1986:Chris Grissom (back left) adds tasty guitar to the sounds. Ron tries to keep up with Glenn’s marriages and weds
Joanne. Dave fools everyone by not getting married again. Glenn grows beard back. Chris works on converting
our garage into an office by day and rides his bike all night.
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September 1987
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This shows us, in 1986 or so, wearing the
old Jack Normand Band coats from the
early 1960’s. I felt like I was someone
important when I wore this coat-almost
like a real entertainer.
Yes, we were skinnier then. Robin is
wearing her “Imelda Marcos” outfit. Silk,
I think, no elastic, lots of beads...she had
to just stand still while I lowered the
dress down over her. I don’t think she
could bend over in it so it wasn’t very
practical on stage.
Glenn, Ron, Dave,Chris, Robin
Same folks, different clothes. Ron shaved his beard to see if he was still
good looking. Dave started growing a pony tail. Chris Grissom in back,
a gentle man and a great musician, recently succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s
Disease.
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1987
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In the Grand Ballroom-this is another pic
by Richard Scardamalia. The props behind
us are for some convention we played
for. Why do I have 3 keyboards and only
2 hands? Eric Marrero has returned to
the band-he couldn’t take the late night
club routine anymore. Ron still has black
hair. 1988-89
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1987: Some of our customers are
in politics. L-R Ron Tait, drums;
Laurie Normand-Bass; Glenn;
VP George Bush. Robin still has
braces, but George doesn’t notice–
he’s too busy talking about country
music. Glenn reached in his coat
for a business card to give Mr.
Bush, and the secret service guy
reached for his weapon.
Provided Dixieland
band and sound
system for political
event at Mobile
Municipal Airport
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What a good looking couple-about
1988
1988
This cute place doesn’t exist anymoreThe oak tree terrace at the Country
Club of Mobile.
L-R: Terry Youngblood, vocals,
trumpet, trombone and humor. Dave
Sandy, sax & vocal; Eric Marrero,
guitar, trumpet and sax; Glenn the
temporary Parrothead; Ron Tait,
drums, vocals and commentator.
Robin’s braces are finally gone.
1988 flyer. A surprising number of these acts still exist.
1989:Eric left again and we took on
Henry Jones on guitar. He brought
his trumpeter wife, Susan with him.
Daryl Phillips is back on Sax.
Same group at the Country Club on top of Signal Mountain, TN for a
wedding of the Granddaughter of one of my mother’s best friends.
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Flyer from 1989- I think 13 of these acts are still entertaining
1962 Benley S2 (converted
to RR Silver Cloud)
Used as limo 1990-1995
Our FIRST rack card.
Printed by drummer’s
shop- Port City Printing
in Mobile
Photo by Dennis Palmer
1991: Dave started wearing flag after
Desert Storm to honor his son. We
now always play our patriotic medley
even at weddings.
Ron grew his beard back; Terry
Youngblood didn’t; Robin has a new
hairstyle, I don’t. Eric took his glasses
off and Dave trimmed his mustache.
Here we are in Montgomery Civic Center playing for Southern Debutante Cotillion...I
think we are on our 11th year for them.
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Our evolution of businesscards
Next couple pages are of bridal magazine ads
About 1992-93...looking for a new name and logo for the booking agency...these are the rough drafts from the
artist. We selected the 2d one down and it looked great! Unfortunately, I sold that company and the name.
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About 1995: I don’t know where
Eric is, But Bart Jennings came
back on guitar & horns. In the
back is Brad, who started as
singer, then booking agent, then
bought the agency in 1996. He
was a great front man-but moved
back to Arkansas.
L-R Ron Tait, Bart Jennings,
Brad Breeding, Robin Normand,
Dave Sandy...Glenn in Front
Robin decided she wasn’t getting any
younger, and it was time to start her
litter. Elliott came along July 1997
and Robin forgot all about the band.
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Paula Broadwater, diva devine, graced us with her presence while Robin attended to motherly
duties. Eric comes back again. Now we have six regulars in the band, and since several play
multiple instruments, we have combinations of 2 trumpets, 2 saxes, 2 trombones,
2 guitars, 2 keyboards, flute, drums, bass. And everyone sings lead and backup. WOW!
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Paula cracks the whip and makes us play real
music. We become famous in Opelika,
her hometown, Lucedale and Ft Walton.
1997-2000
One was not enough...Robin wanted a clone, so
along came Meredith in 1999. One day, she may
be the band singer.
By this time, Paula was tied up in shows, so she
sent us a vocalist to cover for her. As we recalled,
Robin and I had originally met Michelle in 1990 at
church-when Michelle was still a teen.
Michelle Broadus set the stage
on fire when she performed.
What a singer! 1999-2003
L-R. Dave Sandy, Bart
Jennings, Michelle, Ron Tait,
Glenn Normand
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2003: We’re all back
together for a Christmas
party at the Nix Center in
Fairhope. There sure
is a lot of grey hair going
on here. That’s why I
shaved my beard again,
and left it off.
L-R Ron Tait, Glenn Normand, Dave Sandy, Robin Normand, Eric Marrero, Bart Jennings
2003-2005
One of the sweetest and
most popular singers we
had was Jacque Nguyen.
L-R: Eric, Ron, Bart,
Jacque, Glenn and
Dave at the bottom.
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Summer 2006—a wedding at the Nix Center in Fairhope again. Bart is doing a
beachside wedding today.
Back row L-R Dave Sandy, Ron Tait, Eric Marrero. Front: Robin and Glenn
Normand
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2007 brought fresh talent to the band. Eden Kentner is terrific!
Although she didn’t win on American Idol, a lot of people feel she should have.
L-R Dave Sandy, Eric Marrero, Bart Jennings, Ron Tait,
Glenn Normand
Eden Kentner
Photos by Storybook Photography
IF YOU have any pictures of The Grand Band you
can share, please contact us.
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September 08
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