Tom Mann &
West Coast Country
by Dorothy Timpy
Professionalism in performance derived from talent, experience and
attitude; mixed with love of music, comes across as Tom Mann and the
West Coast Country Band take the stage.
This fact cannot be more evident as dancers eagerly move to the floor
on the first tune of the set at Jollie’s in Ridgefield, Wash.
This group of talented musicians are: Tom Mann out front on guitar;
Cathy Moberg on bass; Gary Lapado, lead guitarist; and Bob Rouille
on drums. All four aptly provide strong vocals along with a high measure
of instrumental expertise.
The band demonstrates the performing abilities that placed them at
the top of the May Colgate Country Showdown at Jubitz. The win gave
them the opportunity to provide opening music for the Countryfest on
July 24 at Columbia Meadows. National artists also appearing in this
event were Keith Urban, Leann Rimes, Restless Heart, Jeff Bates and
Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
Tom Mann and West Coast Country will move from winning the Colgate
Country Showdown, chosen from a listing of nine competitors, to the
state competition Aug. 14 at Chinook Winds. Winners of the state contest
will go on to regional and then to national competition with the top
winner awarded a trip to Disneyworld.
In the meantime, Mann and band will appear Aug. 6-7 at Jollies, north
of Vancouver, back to Jubitz’ Ponderosa Aug. 24 and 25 with a
couple of weddings thrown in for good measure.
Mann began his interest in performing country music at an early age
but it took a stint in the Air Force while stationed in Germany to
provide a chance to get serious enough to hit the stage with a bona
fide band. They played at NCO clubs and Mann recalls his first high-profile
appearance took place in 1990 when Charlie Daniels was touring the
area and their group was asked to open for Daniels’ band. He
recalls this as a highlight of his early career.
After 12 years in the air force, Mann returned to the states and settled
in New Mexico where he did some summer stuff, then moved to the Portland-Vancouver
area in 1995. For a couple of years, he focused on his job at Intel
where he is involved as a manufacturing technician in the wafer department.
Mann’s current group of musicians has played together about two
years and the chemistry seems to work well for them.
Moberg has played the music scene for 10-15 years and brings an awesome
level of vocal talent which blends well with the three male vocals.
Lapado, who has worked in the area for a good many years, provides
a large measure of sensationalism on his guitar, as well as his vocals;
as does Rouille on drums and vocals.
In addition to the ability to perform, Mann explains he
has a CD of original tunes called Heartbreak Road. These are available
off
the
stage, as well as on the website www.cdbaby.com/cd/tommann. Mann
explains he is currently working on a website for Tom Mann and
the West Coast
Country. (See Bandstand for information.)
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