Introducing singer and songwriter, Dean Backholm, our live performer at our Beer & Wine Tasting 2011! Dean has been a volunteer with RTS for a number of years, sharing his professional talents at project sites through his business, Dean Backholm Landscape Design. On Friday, September 30th, Dean will be donating his musical talents to our organization to make our fundraiser a great evening!
Let's hear from Dean!
1. How did you initially get involved with RTS?
MY GOOD BUDDY ANNE QUIGG (former RTS Board member) PRESENTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ME 10 OR SO YEARS AGO TO HELP WITH LAND CLEARING ON A CHRISTMAS IN APRIL PROJECT. I IMMEDIATELY GOT MY BOBCAT (I AM A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AND CONTRACTOR) TO THE SITE AND BULLDOZED A YARD FULL OF BLACKBERRIES, BUILT A ROCKERY, PAINTED, AND ENJOYED THE EXPERIENCE. I HAVE WORKED ON A NUMBER OF PROJECTS SINCE AND ALL SEEM TO HAVE GREAT ENERGY AND OUTSTANDING OUTCOMES.
Dean speaks to Pepsi volunteers at the RTS Zion Prep project (August 2008) with founding RTS Board Member (and current Development Committee member) Mary Herche.
2. Why do you support the mission of RTS?
EVERYONE DESERVES A HELPING HAND WHEN NEEDED. SOME FOLKS NEED MORE THAN A HAND BUT ALSO AN ANGEL. RTS HAS BEEN ANGELS TO SO MANY PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS.
3. Tell us about your two passions – landscape design and music!
I AM GLAD YOU SAID “PASSIONS” AND NOT “JOBS.” I DO NOT HAVE A JOB. I GET TO BUILD GARDENS AND MAKE MUSIC…I THINK THAT IS ANGEL’S WORK. THEY ARE SO CLOSELY ALIGNED, MUSIC AND GARDENS. EACH MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. EACH HAVE MELODIES AND HARMONIES. NEITHER ARE THE SAME WHEN REVISITED. THE TWO OF THEM TOGETHER ARE MAGICAL.
4. When did you develop your passion for music?
I WAS BORN INTO A MUSICAL FAMILY. MOM AND DAD, BROTHERS, UNCLES AND AUNTS, GRANDPARENTS, COUSINS…ALL MUSICAL. MY BROTHER IS THE FINEST PIANO PLAYER I KNOW. MY DAD AND HIS BROTHERS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE HORN SECTION IN THE BAND CHICAGO HAD THEY BEEN BORN 4O YEARS LATER. MY NIECE WILL BE THE NEXT NORAH JONES. I AM SURROUNDED BY THE GIFT OF MUSIC.
5. What instruments do you play?
IN MY FAMILY YOU PLAYED PIANO FIRST, MOSTLY TO LEARN TO READ MUSIC. I THEN PLAYED TRUMPET FOR 12 YEARS LIKE MY DAD. THEN I PLAYED BASS GUITAR LIKE MY BROTHERS. FINALLY I STARTED PLAYING GUITAR WHEN I WAS 17, MOSTLY IN ORDER TO GET THE GIRL. OUR MUSIC ROOM AT HOME HAD A PIANO, A DRUM SET, A HAMMOND ORGAN, A XYLOPHONE, A TENOR SAX, A VALVE TROMBONE, TWO TRUMPETS, A CLARINET, THREE GUITARS, AN ELECTRIC BASS, A STAND UP BASS, AND EVERY BONGO, SHAKER, TAMBOURINE AND MARACA KNOWN TO MAN. SOME SERIOUS JAMS HAPPENED BACK THERE. MY THREE BROTHERS AND I WERE ALL IN BANDS. WE HAD TO RESERVE THE ROOM ON A SIGN UP SHEET. I WROTE MY FIRST SONG IN THAT ROOM ON THE PIANO WHEN I WAS IN 8TH GRADE. HUNDREDS MORE HAVE BEEN PENNED, I STILL NOW THE FIRST ONE.
6. How often do you perform?
I AM NOW PLAYING GIGS ABOUT 4 TIMES A MONTH.
7. Why did you decide to donate your music to the RTS Beer and Wine Tasting?
I LIKE THE PEOPLE AT RTS, I LIKE THE CAUSE, I LIKE TI PLAY MUSIC. THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO DO IT (Great answer, Dean!).
8. What are you looking forward to the most about participating at our event? (Besides the beer and wine, obviously)
I AM LOOKING VERY FORWARD TO THE FACT THAT ALL THE WOMEN HAVE TO WEAR SHORT MINI SKIRTS. JUST KIDDING. ACTUALLY, THE BUZZ IN A ROOM WHERE GOOD IS BEING DONE. IT ALWAYS GETS ME.
Dean is also an avid wine drinker and collector - a perfect fit for our event!
9. Anything else you’d like to add?
I’D LIKE TO ADD ANOTHER BOTTLE OF FINE CABERNET TO MY WINE CELLAR. I’D LIKE TO ADD A SMILE TO ANYONE'S FACE WHO NEEDS ONE.
...
RTS sends a BIG THANKS to Dean for donating his time and talents to our organization on September 30th. We are excited to have you join us for our event!
No comments:
Post a Comment