By Harvey Sid Fisher

Los Angeles,CA(Hollywood Today)2/12/12/—Please turn off your cell phone so you won’t be disturbing the other people who might be reading this over your shoulder. Thank you.  Glen Campbell is my kind of guy; talented, friendly and funny.

I was in the men’s room of the Grammy Museum with four other guys doing their business before the show and Glen came in announcing his entrance with, “Is this where all the pricks hang out?” (men’s room laughter) Of all the bathrooms in all the world… I know I am going to have to try that  line one day. Thank you, Glen. It could be dangerous but I can’t let that stop me. I am a professional.

Glen has  a long history of successfully crisscrossing the landscape of the entertainer’s dreams. Glen was a member of a nucleus of studio musicians called the Wrecking Crew  run by drummer Hal Blaine with Tommy Tedesco and Leon Russell. These guys played on thousands of recordings and many became hits for The Beach Boys, Mamas & Papas, Monkees, Phil Spector’s wall of sound productions…

Glen is a  multi Grammy winner in country and pop, a movie and tv star and recording artist.

GLEN: I was John Wayne’s (handpicked) sidekick in True Grit. I gave him the push that he needed. (audience laughter)

JOHN WAYNE: My daughter wants to meet you so you must be good. You wanna be in a movie?

GLEN: Yeah, but I never acted before.

JOHN WAYNE: I’ll drag ya through it. It’s all right.

This guy Glen has done it all and he is still going. His new album is called, Ghost On The Canvas.

This evening Glen  performed   a wonderful mix of old and new songs with his band comprising his two sons, Cal, drums, Shannon, guitar, and his daughter Ashley on banjo. And three other musicians, including his long time musical director, DJ, Siggy Sjursen, bass and Ry Jarred, guitar. Bob Santelli, exec director of the Grammy Museum opened with a well handled and entertaining onstage  interview:

SANTELLI: Tell us about your new album., GHOST ON THE CANVAS.

GLEN: I’m happy with it. Best album I ever had.

SANTELLI: I think you said that about album #2, album #3, album #4… (audience laughter)

Your kids helped you make the album and they’re in your band as well.

GLEN: Yes, it’s great to have my kids here and they can cut it. That’s cool.

SANTELLI: Glen, you have been in music for 50 years and you have had your musical director, DJ, and your manager around for a long time. You keep the family together, so to speak.

GLEN: Oh yeah, definitely.  Now what did you say? (audience laughter)

And how do the offspring feel about playing with dad? Ashley thinks it’s fun while getting to spend time with her dad. Shannon gets to watch and learn new guitar licks every night. And for Cal it’s a dance. A beautiful, complicated dance. (audience laughter)  At one point Glen was having difficulty finding the right chord to start a song.

GLEN: I’m getting whatta ya call it?

ASHLEY: Forgetful?

GLEN: Yeah, I’m gettin forgetful.

ASHLEY: It’s okay, dad. I’ll remember for you. (some small audience aww)

On finishing his set the audience stood and applauded loudly for one minute and eleven seconds. I later went up to the green room and in reciprocity I told Glen my musician’s joke. “What do you call a beautiful woman who comes into a party on the arm of a trombone player?…A tattoo.” (audience of one laughter)

I asked daughter Ashley if she could describe on audio tape how beautiful she is and Siggy was trying to coach her with ‘gorgeous’ and ‘beautiful’. Siggy, don’t lead the witness, please. Ashley Campbell with Cal, Shannon, Siggy Sjursen and Ry Jarred have a band of their  own called INSTANT PEOPLE and they are working on their first cd which will be out sometime this 2012.

Beautiful music, beautiful children, beautiful person

It must be fun being you, Glen Campbell.

Harvey Sid Fisher

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