We're back......and it looks like Tucson couldn't be happier

The corporate entertainment world and weddings planners across the southwestern U.S. breathe a sign of relief with the return of Joleen Dedmon fresh off her tour with the Air Forces premier variety band "Tops in Blue". Come out and welcome Joleen back as she reunites with me [Ray C. Parrish], drummer Dave Gay and introducing our newest addition Johnny Pesquiera.

I know you are all dying for details and we'll post here and on Facebook as they come available but for now we are currently booking into 2014 so you can contact me at tucsonbassplayer@gmail.com to book a wedding, private or club show.  For corporate events please contact Todd Mellor at info@promusicresource.com

You can count on the same great variety music this team has always brought but we have added "hours" of new music. So stay tuned.

See you out there soon!
Joleen, Ray, Dave and Johnny

Whether you are a musician or not....it's time for YOUR lesson

I often think about the state of music in this country today and while it seems like it has made great advances, with all of the technology and social media making it easier to access, we have actually gone backwards in our attitudes towards who "gets" to play music and who it is with.

One of the true musical ambassadors in the world, Victor Wooten, has been sharing this message through his writings and music for years. But I couldn't help sharing this video form of "the message". Whether you are a musician or not. Maybe you are a parent of a future musician. You need to take a minute to understand....the music lesson.

Tucson's Favorite Son, Brian Bromberg, Brings us Bass on the Broadband

Welcome to Brian Bromberg’s BASS ON THE BROADBAND This is the world’s first radio station devoted to the art of the acoustic and electric bass. Brians goal is to feature music that showcases the bass and the bass player. We want to provide an outlet for bass players throughout the world to have their music and playing heard by an audience that appreciates the bass."

The World’s First Radio Station Devoted to the Art of the Electric and Acoustic Bass

Listen Here! Choose your player Winamp Player Windows Media Player Quick Time Player Real One Player We’ll Feature: Live Broadcasts Recording Sessions Workshops Round Table Discussions Lessons The World’s Greatest Bass Players and More!

Just Click Here and you'll be listening to the ONLY radio station just for bass players!

Thanks to the Polls and Smartmans and What's Next!

Last night was another great night for the GRIND family as we played the Poll/Smartman wedding at The Lodge at Ventana Canyon. GRIND sub drummer, sound tech and pianist extraordinaire Scott McGowan provided all of the wedding and dinner music and the rest of GRIND provided the slamming dance music for the rest of the night as singer Joleen Dedmon marked her official final show with GRIND. Congrats to the bride and groom and Gregs parents Jeff and Aimee Poll for making every detail go off without a hitch.

Next up for me and GRIND it's a special show donating our time to one of our favorite causes the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The venue is the Reid Park Band Shell [also known as the Demeester Outdoor Performance Center] on the west end of Randolph Park Sunday morning March 25th from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m, not a typo. GRIND does the morning thing!

In other music "stuff" this week The Nuevo Flamenco/Spanish Guitar Duo Rumbo Nuevo of Tucson, Arizona has been named by Music Resource Group (MRG) as a Nominee in The 11th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.Our good friends Troy Gray and Todd Mellor of Rumbo Nuevo have been nominated for Best Instrumental Song for “Hotel Espana,” from their highly acclaimed CD Solo Dos. Get over to the IMA page and vote for them by clicking here!

Check out the Tucson Bass Player Facebook page!

Joleens Final Public Show and Going Away Party with GRIND

It's always a great party when GRIND plays the Whiskey Tango but this truly will be a night to remember. As some of you know Joleen has earned a spot in the Air Force premier variety band "Tops in Blue" and will deploy....soon. And this is Joleens final public show with GRIND before she leaves, this show will be Joleens going away party.

And don't forget to congratulate her on her recent win at the Tucson Lucky Break competition and her winning $25,000! That's right, Joleen is on a roll.

This weeks show is also a coming home party for GRIND family member Phil Altpeter. Coming home from his recent deployment serving our country. Come on GRINDERS let's welcome Phil home!

I am encouraging all of you eastsiders to get out and try to show up the GRIND fans on the north west side of town. These guys and gals laid out a "fan show" rarely seen. Come out and show them you east side folks know how to get it done.

Drink Specils all Night! $5.00 Long Islands all night, $2.00 cans of PBR all night and last but not least $3.00 shot specials all night.

We will have lot's of surprises for you so come early if you even dream of getting a seat near the front.

Here is the Facebook event page for this event. Please click "I'm Going" so all your friends know you'll be there. Then send them personal invitations here on Facebook.

See you this Saturday!

Joleens "North West" Going Away Party at the Old Father Inn

It's a big week for me and the whole GRIND family as our own Joleen Dedmon won the Season 3 title of Lucky Break and $25,000 here in Tucson Arizona. And that's just the start for a whirl wind year in 2012 for GRIND and especially for Joleen. As some of you know Joleen has earned a spot in the Air Force premier variety band "Tops in Blue" and will deploy....soon. And the going away party starts this Friday night, February 17th at The Old Father Inn.

It's always a great party when GRIND plays the Old Father Inn but this truly will be a night to remember. We will have lot's of surprises for you so come early and enjoy some dinner if you even dream of getting a seat near the front. Owners Brian and Lynn [god we love you guys] are pulling the pool tables out so believe me we are doing everything we can to make room to pack em in and make this a night no one will forget soon.

Here is the Facebook event page for Friday night so please click "I'm Going" so all your friends know you'll be there. Then send them personal invitations here on Facebook. And don't worry eastsiders, we'll have one last show for you guys to give Joleen a proper farewell. ;-]

The video is a little rough but here is Joleens 1st song from the finals. Click here to watch Joleen sing Jessica Simpsons "I Wanna Love You Forever"

What's Goin on....What's Goin on...Tell Me What's Goin on....

So, What's Goin On? The next 5 weeks or so will be exciting times for me and everyone else in GRIND. If you haven't heard, Joleen [GRIND lead singer] has been excepted and deployed to the Air Force Variety Band, Tops in Blue. So come out to the few shows she has left and look for big changes coming for GRIND, promise, we won't disappoint!

GRIND is off this weekend but this Saturday we are all pulling together and heading down to The Desert Diamond Casino for the "Lucky Break" competition. Joleen has made it to the finals and it's for all the marbles this week. $25,000 to the winner. So come out and party with the GRIND family and cheer Joleen on to victory!

Next stop for GRIND is next Friday, February 17th at The Old Father Inn. And if you have never been to a GRIND show at the Old Father Inn....well, let's just say don't wear your good shoes.


Here's the Facebook event page for the Lucky Break show. Tell all your friends you are going!

Next up on my Musical Journey.....

Almost feels strange, a weekend off from music. Never understood musicians that enjoyed a weekend off, for me....it's almost painful! Love every note I have the honor of being allowed to play while I am on this big round rock.

Next up for me, another show with The Mighty GRIND at our beloved Old Father Inn. Joleen will be back from her audition for the Air Force variety band Tops in Blue, Mike will be further along in his recovery from minor surgery and we will be itching for a night with our northwest side friends, family and fans. And none of them ever disappoint when it comes to a party at Old Father Inn.

Let all of your friends know you are coming by clicking Going at The GRIND Facebook Event page.

A Dark Day in Tucson and U.S. History......

A dark day in Tucson and U.S. History, January 8th 2011. What was I doing?

Thanks to Everyone For a Great New Years Eve!

Just wanted to thank everyone for an awesome New Years Eve evening with GRIND at The Whiskey Tango. 2011 was a great year pf music for all of us and 2012 won't be any different.


Big things coming for me and all of the members of GRIND and our great subs that none of this would be possible without.


Here is just a few shots from New Years Eve. Big shout out to photographer Steven Kain who captured the whole night on film. Check out the complete GRIND photo album here on Facebook.