Doug at 17

Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My earliest recollections are singing with my two older brothers in the back seat of the car. My father had a good singing voice and an ear for harmony which he passed on by example rather than any formal teaching. He also played guitar and when I was nine I started plucking out two or three simple songs. My oldest brother, Carl, was also interested in guitar and began taking lessons. When the Beatles appeared we were instant star-struck musical wannabes with an assured future of playing guitars and running away from mobs of screaming girls.My other brother, Craige, began playing a snare drum and cymbal. Word spread quickly (which doesn’t take long in a town of 500) that the three of us were a combo and we were invited to perform at a P.T.A. meeting. Since we did not have a name, we were dubbed, The Bottorff Beat Band, which we all thought was about as lame a name as one could possibly create. After all, there were cool names like Rolling Stones, Kinks, Byrds and Animals. 

Other kids in the town also played various instruments and we often had get-togethers with all of us, a genuine garage band, providing the music. I took my first solo job singing in a nightclub just out of high school and over the next several years played in a variety of clubs—some nice and some forgettable. I attempted to work in several bands but found singing and playing solo to be the easiest. 

I was in my mid-teens when I discovered Unity and the songs I would write began reflecting a spiritual theme. As I entered the ministry some of my colleagues enjoyed my music and I was invited to do a CD, One World, for Unity. A little over a year later I did a second, Vision of Hope. A church audience, I found, is much more attentive than a club audience that likes to talk with music in the background. Still, I have struggled with blending my ministerial mindset with my musical persona, though I’ve never quite figured out why. 

The music I have shared, especially the recorded version, has had unexpected impacts. Surgeons have used my music in the operating room. Others have told me they listen to it every day. One man even told me how one song helped his dying girlfriend find peace in making her transition. Music touches all of us in special ways and I’ve always felt blessed to be able to share mine in ways that touches others in meaningful ways.

John Slay

MUSICAL BACKGROUND & MUSICAL GROUPS: I began taking piano and voice lessons when I was 5 years old . I sang in church youth choirs and played and sang in “recitals” for many years . We never owned a piano, so I practiced on the church (Southern Baptist ) piano where ever we lived . Churches were not locked ” way back then”. 

Somewhere, I bought a set of drums and mostly taught myself to play, because someone told me ” the drummer gets all the girls “!  My first ” pay gig ” was with a country band at the American Legion in Pine Bluff , Arkansas every Saturday night.  I was 13 years old and was paid $8.00 a night. I continued to play in various dance bands during my youth and use that as an excuse why I do not know how to dance — except for ” rock & roll ” music, which only requires that I jump around in a poor imitation of a prehistoric cave dweller ! 

I played trombone in Jr. High, but changed to drums in the 9th grade. Of course, I played in the high school band  I was also First Chair Snare Drummer in Arkansas Allstate Band in my Jr. and Sr. year.  After high school , I joined the Air Force.  After a year in a ” field ” band  at Barkdale AFB , La. , I was accepted in the Air Force Academy Band in  Colorado Springs , CO . Quite an assignment for a 19 year old “kid” from  Arkansas! 

After eight years of active duty, I left the Air Force and began studies in Anthropology/Archaeology at the U. of Colorado. During my years  at the U. of Colorado, I played in many bands in the Denver/Boulder area . None that were famous, but it paid the bills !  After completing my M.A., I took a job as an archaeologist for the U.S.  Forest Service . I worked in South Dakota , Arkansas and Colorado in this capacity.  During my Forest Service assignment in Arkansas, I joined the Arkansas Army National Guard and was a percussionist with the 106st Army Band.  . In 1987, my Forest Service job moved me to Colorado and I joined the 101st  Army Band ( Colorado Army National Guard ) . 

After two years , I was offered a  promotion through the Wyoming Army National Guard and transferred to the 67th Army Band in Cheyenne , WY … where I served as the Band Commander and the  First Sgt.  I was officially retired  as a Master Sgt. from the Army in 1998 .    My duties with the Army National Guard ( part-time ) were performed at the same time that I worked full-time for the Forest Service, from which I retired in 1995 . I mention this because people sometimes get  confused about this .   

Somewhere in all this , I played in community bands in Custer , SD and  Russellville , AR and Ft. Collins , CO and , finally in the Grand Junction Centinnial Band . I have also played in various clubs here in Grand Junction  –  Moose , VFW , Boomer’s … but stopped this about a year ago , because I am  now too lazy ( old ? ) to be constantly moving and setting up my drums !  I have played drums and percussion during the Unity musical performances for  nearly a year . 

Performing with Diane West and the Unity Singers helps me to  feel more a part of the church and gives me a special feeling that I am  contributing to the Sunday services . I am pleased that many church members  have complimented me and have said that I create some special effects and bring  an added dimension to the music at Unity .  I hope to be able to continue to perform at Unity , as long as I am able to blend in with the performances and add to the quality and mood of the music . I always enjoy performing with Diane West ; she has that special beat and lilt  to her music that makes it fun to add a few , selected percussion ” rifts ” ,  as well a solid blend of the sounds and rhythmic beats of a drum kit . I especially enjoy the music when Diane and I are joined by Rev.Doug on guitar  and Bev Jackson on bass! 

I also want to say a special ” Thank You ” to Diane ; it was she that  searched me out and invited me to begin playing drums and percussion at the  Unity of Grand Junction .

As a very young girl in Minneapolis, I remember my mom teaching Swedish hymns to my sister and me. She then would accompany us on the piano while we performed at church or other places.

Tell us about the musical groups and projects you are involved with.

I started taking flute lessons when I was about 10 and played through high school and college, only to stop playing for about 8 years in my twenties. When I started playing again, I joined a flute choir and have been playing in various groups ever since. I especially enjoy the harp, violin, flute trio of which I am now a part.

I began playing in the Early Music Ensemble about 15 years ago. This group of recorder players performs mostly Renaissance music and we play for 2 or 3 events every year. The recorder is one of the oldest musical instruments.

How long have you been providing music at Unity?

 A couple of years ago I took up the electric bass and have enjoyed playing it at church on a regular basis.

How does playing music at Unity make you feel? What kind of impact do you hope to make with your musical contributions?

 I’m grateful to be able to share the gift of music with others. There is something so soothing and comforting about it and I hope that I am able to provide listeners with a few moments of hope and joy.

In addition to her bass playing, Bev sings with the Unity Singers and plays her flute regularly with the Unity Musicians.

>Thank you Bev.  We deeply appreciate the beautiful gift of music you share with us here at Unity.

Diane West

I majored in vocal performance at Metro State College, completing my bachelors requirements, but dropping out to go “pro” in 1972. In college I met my partner Fred Johnson, an accomplished classical guitarist. As half of the musical duo “Orion” I spent five years of my early twenties schlep-ping a Fender Rhoades electric piano, an Arp Odyssey synthesizer and my flute to various Holiday Inn, Ramadas, and other lounges in Denver and eastern Colorado, playing from 9:00 pm–2:00 am six nights a week. We played the pop fare of the 70’s… lots of Seals & Crofts, Loggins & Messina, Brewer & Shipley, It’s A Beautiful Day, and my favorite-the Moody Blues. We had lots of cool arrangements intertwining Fred’s classical guitar solo pieces into the pop songs, and al-ways fun vocal harmonies.

After the dissolution of Orion, I joined as the singer for a five-piece jazz band where I met my future hus-band. Rob West was a brilliant saxophone and flute player, as well as a guitarist and composer. The band broke up but Rob & I moved to Vail and continued as the duo “Tabernash”, playing jazz, pop rock & origi-nals. We played a lot of Al Jarreau, Sergio Mendez, George Benson, Basia, as well as Carol King, Nicolette Larson and Linda Ronstadt. I also did some solo piano bar apre ski in Vail.

Throughout my life I have always had “church jobs”. My first was as Choir Director for Montclair Luthern Church in Denver. I was the organist for the Christian Scientists at the Vail Interfaith Chapel, and subbed for the Episcopalians. I produced the midnight Christmas Eve programs for the Avon & Minturn Presbyterian churches. Upon moving to Grand Junction, my first job was organist at Crossroads Methodist Church.

My favorite of all of course is Unity. “Where My Heart Feels at Home.” I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to serve as Music Director here. I started in May of 1993 as “Soloist” when Dan Kellerstrauss was the minister and Dennis Woodrich was Music Director. Dennis really took me under his wing and gave me an opportunity to share my music. When Dennis left I assumed the Music Director position and held that through Dec 31st, 2000. During that time, Unity had a few ministerial changes and a few times when we were without a minister, but the music played on. I partnered with Katherine Conrad when Ed Conrad was minister, and had an assistant music director, Joni Rumsey, for several years. During a hiatus from Unity, I worked as music director for the Uncompahgre Unitarian Universalist Society. Rev. Doug invited me to return to Unity, so I did that on Jan 1st of 2006. Rev. Doug is such a joy and it is an honor to work with him. He is an “awesome” musician and songwriter, and it feels a little like “the old days” when I get the chance to play and sing backup for him. The other musicians I regularly work with, Bev Jackson and John Slay, are consummate professionals in their own right. Getting to work with the Unity Singers is always inspiring, and their dedication and hard work always amazes me.

 Being part of Unity of Grand Junction is my heart. I love being able to share music every week. I love the inspiration I have received to create my original songs. I look forward to the continued creative expansion of our musical endeavors.

Blessings,  Diane

Diane West, Music Director

singer/songwriter, who presented the Sunday morning service; followed by her concert. Karen‘s music is moving and inspiring. Her CD‘s are in the Bookroom.

Our Easter Sunday musical celebration will begin with prelude music by

More April music offerings will include Karen Bibby‘s beautiful dance interpretation for Earth Day music.

The monthly Musician of the Month column will feature Unity Musicians Look for that in another section of the news letter.

This month, try this: You know all those thoughts that are always going on in your head? Try setting them to music. Close you eyes, open your mouth and sing your thoughts. Are your thoughts loving? Invent a sweet melody. Are they sad? Sing your heart out with the blues. Music is expression – it is release. Make your own kind of music. Let it cleanse and heal you. Let it lift you!

Heart Haven and a bell introit presented by the children. ―Jubilate Deo‖ will set the mood for a joyful celebration of resurrection and new beginnings. Light Chimes and Unity Singers will join with Heart Haven for a special presentation of ―Jesu, Joy of Man‘s Desiring.‖ Unity Sing-ers accompanied by Heart Haven will sing ―Great Joy in the Morn-ing‖, for our offertory.