Album Notes

The story behind the making of this CD started in Junction City KS in 1983. After receiving free studio time courtesy of winning the KJCKFM "Rock To The Top" contest. Track# 6 "Your Disguise" was first recorded in Salina KS in 1983, as an attempt to write a commercial hit.

Donald Dean then decided to go ahead and "try for the Big Time" and move to LA California in 1985 (Donald was due to stay at his aunts house in LA ,but she died during his drive to California, leaving him with no place to stay , with little money, but that is another story!).

"Your Disguise" was the original showcase opener and was re-recorded in 1987. This song was left unfinished till 1995 and was "dusted off" and finished for inclusion on this CD.

In 1985 the first band Donald Dean got together in LA included on keyboards Jay Roewe, who at the time was a producer of rock videos for many major act such as: Journey, Kansas, Poison, Bon Jovi.etc. Donald Dean worked with Jay on a couple of videos including "Livin on a prayer "by Bon Jovi" ( Donald Dean was on the other side of the cable for Jon Bon Jovi's flying over the crowd sequence, as well as having his hands clicking the time counter in the video). The bands' live shows included showcasing at "The Troubadour" as well as playing a wild Halloween party for "The Company" (Jays'. video company) with many actors and Rock stars in attendance including Tommy Lee, Heather Locklear, Bob Seger, and including an all star jam with Vince Neil and Donald Dean on vocals and guitar, Jimmy Bain ( from Rainbow/Dio) Greg Guiffria (from Angel,Guiffria and House of Lords ) on Keyboards as well as he drummer from the LA band "Rough Cut" and later "Jailhouse".

Richard Klotz was the bass player in the first band. His "day gig" at the time was being the location manager for Cagney and Lacey. The first song that was recorded during 1986 was, Track# 9 "Running from the law". A video was shot on film, for this song with Jay producing and Richard finding all the great locations in the LA area. The other track in which Richard and Jay appear on are: the above mentioned "Your Disguise", Track# 11 "If you're Lucky" and Track# 10 "Now's the Time (For us to Rock) was written prior to the bands "Troubadour" gig.

After heavy commitments Jay Rowe was forced to quit the band in 1987( he went on to produce movies such as Madonna's "Truth or dare" and "Jack Ruby" and is currently a VP at HBO.

After Jay left, a new KB player was found and the band started rehearsing at the studio were the TV series "Cagney and Lacey" was filmed. Though 1988 the band showcased most of LA's clubs and the bands' music equipment was used during a bar sequence in on episode. When "Cagney and Lacey ended the band played the "Wrap Party" at the "Stock Exchange in LA with cast and crew in attendance. The band also played the "Wrap Party" for the TV mini series "My favorite Son" in Hollywood, as well as a live concert broadcast in the LA area at MacArther Park in LA .

After heavy commitments Richard Klotz was forced to quit the band in late1988( he went on to be a very successful Location Manager for movies such as: "The Doors", "Terminator 2, Twister, Pearl Harbor, and many others, and is currently writing and recording with Donald Dean..

In 1989 Donald Dean formed the band "Nightshift". This is where the bulk of songs on this CD comes from. The first 3 song home spun 1990 garage demo were (re-recorded for this CD in January 1992 : Track# 2 Cryin' in the Night, Track# 8 Carved in Stone, and Track # 4 Athena. This demo turned out to be a "double edged sword". All three tracks are great performances, thus delayed the professional recording.

The 3 song demo was getting the band independent record contract offers, as well as interest from major labels. It seemed like only a matter of time, so instead of signing with an independent record company (They were honest enough to say all they were going to do was to record the band and sell their contract to a major label).

The game plan was to continue to write songs, and play high profile gigs with expensive advertisement to develop a buzz and larger following. Two thousand people paid to see the band play in a warehouse modified as a concert hall in Anaheim. The parking lot for Anaheim.Stadium was used to accommodate parking for the event!

A financial baker who owned a recording studio offered to help. The band started recording, and played a showcase at the Roxy Theater in LA, in front of A&R people from major labels. Some of the comments were "the best songs I've heard on the strip in a long time", as well as reviews in Screamer magazine "strong vocals". Unfortunately the night of the Roxy concert, the KB player punched out a photographer, signaling his departure from the band.

He rejoined the band six months later and the following tracks on this CD were recorded in January 1992: Track#1 "Don't tell Me", Track#2 "Cryin' in the night ", Track# 3 "Follow your Dream", Track#5 "The other side", Track#7 "Since I've been Lovin' you", Track#8 "Carved in stone", Track#10 "Now's the time (for is to rock)", andTrack#10 "Running from the law2",

Track#4 Athena was the last track recorded in 1995.

The songs on this CD were written between (1983-1990). Shortly after the music climate changed dramatically and song styles of this nature were "old hat". If you long for "arena rock" at it's finest, with soaring tenor vocals and blazing guitars, this CD is for you.

P.S. If this sounds a little like the movie "Spinial Tap", don't laugh, they had to get their material from somebody!