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

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.

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Glenn at the Grand Hotel dining room piano c 1975

Bother David Normand at Julep Point steak cookout one summer Thursday night 1973

1961 Jaguar Mk IX saloon car –one of several Grand Band limousines (c 1973)

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 trail-

er. 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.

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 9am-go 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 keyboards-in 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! Notice the “Urban Cowboy” shirts?

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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 Stei-ner (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.

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1982 or 83 at the Stafford hotel In Tuscaloosa-one of many wild nights playing for the party har-dy crowd. L-R: Bart Jennings-guitar, Rosemary Steiner-vocal, Wes Mohler-drums, Jimmy Allen- bass, 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.

Late 1983 or early 84- Renee settled into playing solo piano at the Riverview and the Days Inn, so Rosemary became main vocalist. L-R Mitchell Till-Guitar, Hollis Da-vis 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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1986:Chris Grissom (back left) adds tasty guitar to the sounds. Ron tries to keep up with Glenn’s marriages and weds Jo-anne. 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.

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?

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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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1988 This cute place doesn’t exist anymore- The 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. Rob-in’s braces are finally gone.

What a good looking couple-about 1988

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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.

in Montgomery Civic Center playing for Southern Debutante

Cotillion...I think we played 11-12 years for them.

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Eric Marrero: I was trying to get a promo shot of him… I like this photo

Our evolution of businesscards

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Next couple pages are of bridal magazine ads

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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 sing-er, 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.

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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L-R Ron Tait, Glenn Normand, Dave Sandy, Robin Normand, Eric Marrero, Bart Jennings

Summer 2006—a wedding at the Nix Center in Fairhope again. Bart is doing a beachside wedding today.

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Back row L-R Dave Sandy, Ron Tait, Eric Marrero. Front: Robin and Glenn Normand

Not sure where taken: Eric, Ron, Dave, Glenn

New logo

logo

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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.

Photos by Storybook Photography

L-R Dave Sandy, Eric Marrero, Bart Jennings, Ron Tait, Glenn Normand

Eden Kentner Brown

IF YOU have any pictures of The Grand Band you can share, please contact us. 41

Eric

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September 08

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2010: Dave, Ron, Bonnie Spradley, Glenn , Eric at the now closed Magnolia Manor

2011

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At Second Inaugural ball for Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley: 2015-(we didn’t take a group pic of us at the first) L-R: John Taylor, Hays Hopper, Rocco Wiley, Jay Garrett, Adam Bradley, Eric Marrero, Robin Normand, Steve Garrett, Glenn, Bart Jennings

The King’s Supper 2014 at the Mobile Convention Center. L-R: Terry Youngblood, Tom Ray, Chrissy Brown, Glenn, Daryl Phillips, Steve Garrett, Eric Marrero, Adam Bradley, Jay Garrett, Tony Bowers, Bart Jennings

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2015

Kings Supper 2016. L-R: John Taylor, Blake Nolte, Adam Bradley, Cliff McClure, Eric Marrero, Glenn, Bart Jennings (front), Carol Downey. Not pictured: Jessie Howell, Sidney “Skip” Skipworth, Robin Normand, Bill Oppenheimer, Jay & Steve Garrett. Production by Phillip Belcher www.facebook.com/electra tech entertainment

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