Twice As Good
Biography
By: Richard J. Steward
Is the professional name of the music duo formed by Richard James Steward (Father) and Paul Anthony Steward (Son). Twice As Good is committed to carrying on the tradition of the great Blues, Jazz, Country, Rock and Latin artists who have defined the music we treasure today. Twice As Good is committed to performing the music of the artists like BB King, Albert Collins, Magic Slim, Santana, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, etc., in its purest form with the rock and swing style that only Twice As Good can produce. The Twice As Good style of high energy swing is attributed to the lightning fast fingering Paul displays in his leads and his ability to incorporate jazz chords and techniques that embellish the smooth rock and swing rhythms of the back line.
The name came about simply from Paul hearing a friend say about being Native American, "Why are you trying so hard to succeed, you have to be twice as good as the Non-Native people to make it." This was an attitude that Paul heard about from his father and was taught not to accept in anything as an excuse for failure. Hence, it was our decision that if we have to be twice as good to succeed, then we will be Twice As Good.
Twice As Good, performs as a duo, or with the Twice As Good "Band" which consists of the following members: Danny Figueroa, (Bassist), George Guardino, (Drummer), Russell Sedeno (Percussionist), Earl Knight (Harmonica).
Richard J. Steward, (Rhythm Guitar) is a Pomo Indian and a member of the Elem Indian Colony Tribe of Lake County, California. Self taught and trained over the years by playing in several unknown bands in numerous honky tonks and dives throughout Northern California.
Paul A. Steward, (Vocalist and Lead Guitar) is also a Pomo Indian and member of the Elem Tribe. Paul rose to prominence in his high school jazz band earning awards and praise that led to a music scholarship to the University of Nevada, Reno. Paul enrolled and began attending classes at UNR, until he decided for the time being to continue his education at the Santa Rosa Junior College. His goal is a BA degree in music. Paul's aspiration is to become a music teacher. Paul also plays harmonica, keyboard, and saxophone, in his current performances and will soon add a trumpet and violin.
Danny Figueroa, (Bassist) is a Yuki Indian from Round Valley (Covelo) Reservation. He is well known for his long and distinguished career as a musician and has played with many bands throughout Northern California. His exploits and accomplishments can be found on the Covelo.net web-site.
George Guardino, (Drummer) is a descendent of the Wintun Tribal people. His background in music began as a member of his high school jazz band and grew over the years by performing with bands and friends even during his service in the U.S. Air Force as an MP. George's lifelong jazz influence has transcended him into a perfect match with the jazz, latin, and swing rock beats of Twice As Good.
Russell Sedeno, (Percussionist) is a lifelong musician in the local area, bay area and north counties like Lake and Mendocino. He primarily performed with his brother Louis Sedeno well known for their rock and latin music. His background in latin music makes his style blend with the unique style of Twice As Good.
Earl Knight (Harmonica) is a member of the Little River Band Pomo from the Redwood Valley area north of Ukiah in Mendocino County. Earl has a long history of playing up-beat traditional blues harp with many bands in the north bay and eventually formed his own band, the Knight Blues band in 1995. Earl's harp influence comes from such greats as Jimmy Reed, Paul Butterfield, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter and modern greats like John Popper, Norton Buffalo and Charlie Musselwhite.
Twice As Good has traveled all over from the Southern tip of California in Temucula to the Northern border of Washington in Bellingham, just minutes from the Canadian border. On the Pacific Coast at the wharf in Point Arena, CA to the high desert of Fallon, Nevada. The band has on several occasions played two shows at two separate locations in one day and will do it again. All this has earned Twice As Good a reputation of being one the hardest working bands in the area, not to mention their intense shows. That great intensity and fun loving attitude helped them beat seven other well-established bands and win the Battle of the Bands competition at the Shodakai Casino in November of '04. In February of '05 they released a CD, entitled 2XG(short for Twice As Good). Twice As Good, has played at the following venues, as well as many other places, and continues to get return engagements:
Konocti Vista Casino, River Rock Casino, Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino, Twin Pine Casino, Shodakai Coyote Valley Casino, Hopland Shokawah Casino, Soboba Casino & Bingo (with Red Man Blues), Colusa Indian Casino (with Red Man Blues), Rolling Hills Casino (with Red Man Blues), The Sienna Hotel & Casino of Reno, and The Silver Legacy Casino of Reno as Guest Performers with another band.
Organizations and groups include; Lake County Tribal Health, Sonoma County Indian Health, The Lummi Nation of Washington State, The Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe of Fallon, Nevada, Stewart's Point Rancheria, Redwood Coast Riders and Mendocino County Hog Association and numerious, weddings, birthdays, graduations and private parties.
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