Tuesday, November 26, 2002

My name is Gib Randall. I am Doug's brother. "We were very close over the years. We were both into the music and one of the many highlights of my life was to go on the road with Doug and play in his band. The memories just flow when I think of all the good times we had. I am hoping to share those stories with everyone of Doug's friends and family and, in turn, would like everyone to share their memories of Doug. Please contact me direct at 916-761-5085 or on my e-mail at gibbytwo@aol.com to share your thoughts. I am in the process of contacting Vince Outlaw about keeping this website open so everyone can share their precious memories of Doug. I have promised to publish a book with all the letters and pictures in the near future. I have so many pictures and many hours of video of Doug and I want to share all of it with you Doug was a gentle soul that always found the soft side of everyone. I am struggling with the reality of what has happened, but Doug would have wanted us to celebrate his memory everyday and I am doing that. Please contact me as I want to get to know you better." Gib used the Comment[] and outlawv@aol.com to get in touch. I will be getting in touch. [Later...]Talked to Gib and he likes what's been done so far at the Doug Randall Memorial Weblog. And he wants to take it to the next level. So we've got a couple of ideas, like a domain name, samples of Doug's music, and seeing what Gib and Lisa do maybe some slick pictures and videos shots of Doug (and I'm sure shot with tender loving care). More news to come. 8:49:05 PM    comment []

Thursday, October 31, 2002

Peter: It's 10/30 and I'm Shocked Peter found out yesterday about Doug's passing and send's the following remembrance... Hello friends of Doug, I had a gig tonight (10/30/02) at the Four Seasons where I first met Doug about 5 years ago and learned of his passing. I'm in shock. We shared the lounge and often subbed for each other. We often played adjcacent shifts and even jammed together on a number of occasions. Doug quickly became one of the most endearing musicians I'd come across and had the joy of sharing music with. We traded CD's and my mother in law became a huge fan. She will be be as shocked as I am. She loved his music at a time in her life when things were really going bad and she often commented on how Doug's music lifted her spirits. So much so that as a special Christmas surprise I took her to see her new favorite piano player. I loved Doug's joyfull spirit which I think makes for a great musician. It was a about a year ago that my 10 year old son and I were at Palomar Airport browsing around the flight schools, having lunch and we had just talked to an instructor about taking us for a spin. I walked around the plane and ran into Doug. He realized what we were up to and insisted on taking my son and I up for a spin. How could we resist. It's a ride Josh and I will always remember as we will always remember the kind hearted joyful piano player and friend. Doug and I knew each other professionally through solo gigs, I'm surprised I didn't hear about it till now. As I sit here writing and remembering I'm listening to his album "Piano Pieces". I've had a really rough day. Extrordinarlily rough, very unusual. In fact it started out with a funeral where I provided music, several pieces of music equipment breaking down, my eye glasses breaking, a threatening letter from the government over a tax issue (misunderstanding), a gig with an overly critical client and the news of Doug's death to end the day. I'll quote Doug's liner notes commenting on his album "It is journey through the times, bitter and sweet, both adding depth and meaning. It is my vehicle...fueled with passion...propelled by love...moving through time and space...living every minute!" Thanks Doug, I'll remember you always, I'll continiue living every minute with the passion of music propelled by love and joy. It was an honor knowing you for a short time and thanks for taking my son and I up for a view of my neighborhood, thanks for buzzing my house. Thanks for being kind. Best, Peter Pupping peter@guitarsounds.com Thanks for sharing Peter. 10:59:45 AM    comment []

Friday, October 4, 2002

Johnny Viau Talks About Doug on The New Jazz Thing, September 26, 2002 Guitarist, band leader, and friend of Doug joined Vince Outlaw and The New Jazz Thing for the Doug Randall Memorial Wake on Thursday, September 26, 2002 and we've got it on MP3. The discussion, part 1 of which is published here, tried to focus on Dougs playing with Johnny and others, but also got into the question of why Doug was liked so much by those he came in contact with. The format of this is MP3 and the size is pretty hefty at around 7MB. If anyone has ideas for squishing the size of it and keeping the quality, please make suggestions at outlawv@aol.com or use the comment[] link below. Here's Johnny... (MP3, 7MB) 9:52:54 AM    comment [] Bob Hitzel Reports on the Doug Randall Memorial at The Belly Up Tavern Bob Hitzel, reports on the memorial at the Belly Up Tavern last Sunday, September 29, 2002... "His son Michael along with other family members was at the memorial at the Belly Up on Sunday and found out what Doug was all about. I don't know if you were there or not but it turned out to be a very inspirational day. Many of the top musicians in the city showed up and performed in Doug's honor. Dave Hodges of the Belly Up Tavern hosted the memorial and provided food and drinks for the estimated crowd of 300. Doug's family and friends celebrated Doug's legacy of music through the performance of Jimmy Woodard and the Swinging Kings, Sue Palmer, Mark Lessman, Johnny View, Robert Savery, Robin Henkel and many more. It was a very memorable occasion for all who attended and turned out to be a fitting remembrance of Doug. As Doug would have said "It's all about the music." Bob is working on some ways to make Doug's music available to friends and new listeners. Hopefully we'll be able to post some of it on-line and play some of it on the show. 9:22:16 AM    comment []

Thursday, October 3, 2002

Bob Hitzel on Dougs Playing and Inspiration Bob Hitzel added used the comment[] area of last week's show posting to talk about his time with Doug... "I was very close to Doug the last 10 years. We shared a studio together and were roommates off and on during those years. I too am a keyboard player and recognized the skill and varied styles that Doug could perform. I have yet to see anyone who could match his ability to go from Bach to Boogie the way he could, not to mention Rag Time, Gospel, Pop, Jazz and even New Age in recent years. He has been an inspiration to many in his life and his music will continue to inspire many beyond his passing. That laugh and smile will never be forgotten. He leaves a legassy of a true freind to many in addition to his musical skills. Doug was very concerned about growing old and many times voiced he felt he would never make it to a grand old age. He knew the risks of flying and embraced them because of the freedom it gave him. I'm sure he would have not changed a thing in his life. I will miss him greatly but cherish the time we got to spend together." 3:55:27 PM    comment [] Kyle Had A Birds Eye View of Dougs Accident Kyle writes about covering Doug's accident from the air as a helicopter news pilot, then finding out it was his old buddy. I felt the same kind of jolt when after knowing about the accident I then found out it was Doug. Kyle goes on to say... "Doug had to be one of the most gentle people I have ever known in my lifetime. So now I sit here at 1:00am and wonder, why is it always the good folks? God Bless you Doug.. I know you are sitting comfortable in heaven getting ready to play your next set. You will be missed.." 3:31:19 PM    comment [] Varden Shares Dougs Smile and Many Piano Stylings Varden Burke, a man much admired by this weblogger, shares his remembrances of Doug... I met Doug for the first time at the back door of the Belly Up Tavern in Solana beach, he arrived from Oregon in a small yellow school bus which had his baby grand piano setup in the back. I remember Doug mostly by his smile and good nature, everyone loved him. From around that time he played a lot at the Belly Up and was much appreciated. He used the house piano which was a grand piano made by Kawai and specifically designed with electric pickups. We would take a direct stereo feed right from the piano into the sound system. Over the mixing desk I could always see Dough's smiling face moving back and forth with the music as he played. The bands he played with were mainly traditional blues and jazz, good guys playing in good time fun bands. There was one unique thing he would do that I remember well, the band would be playing some fast swing and they would come to a syncopated stop, it was like suddenly someone changed the music abruptly, but Doug would still be rocking on the keys. The piano remained and build slowly into a boogie boogie that had the force of a freight train, Doug would make that room rock, people danced and the magic happened. Let there be no mistake Doug was one great piano player. He played many different styles and one could easily see a love for his art and many dedicated hours of practice in his playing. His slow soul felt version of Georgia put you back into another place an time. Doug will be greatly missed. Varden Burke Belly Up House Sound circa 1985 Varden also points out that the others in the Robin Henkel photo here are Mark Lessman and Johnny Almond. Spell checking has not been turned on due to work restrictions! 11:36:40 AM    comment [] The Doug Randall Memorial Wake on Jazz 88, Thursday, September 26, 2002 I held the Doug Randall Memorial Wake and talked to several friends of Doug (Bob, Gil, Johnny Viau) on the radio show. Several pictures of Doug were posted also. Check it out. If you have other pictures you'd like posted here, please send them to outlawv@aol.com. 11:10:13 AM    comment [] Vince Outlaw Remembers Doug Randal Here's a quote from something I wrote about Doug after finding out about his untimely death on Tuesday, September 17, 2002: "Doug was a great player and a great person. He played our piano at Pops Wright's Birthday Bash this last April 20, 2002. And he was sooooo goooood. He was a great boogie-woogie pianist. A great blues pianist. A great standards pianist. A great pianist. And a really nice guy, who seemed to really enjoy the joy he gave to others." There's a bit more. 10:43:55 AM    comment [] The Doug Randall Memorial Weblog - The Idea The idea of The Doug Randall Memorial Weblog is to give Doug Randall a place on the World Wide Web. And to use that place to share rememberances of Doug's life and music with any and all who would like to learn about a man that inspired many people. The remembrances can take the form of words, pictures, and even music (in downloadable format). If others have written about Doug on the web, this will also be the place to quote and link to that writing. I'm not sure about copyright issues regarding posting music, especially from a mostly unheard artist like Doug, so I'd like to hear suggestions from readers. I interviewed several friends and collegues of Doug on my radio show, The New Jazz Thing, on Jazz 88 on Thursday, September 26, 2002. I will also post those audio clips here as time permits. If you would like to contribute written work or comment on this memorial, please send email to me at outlawv@aol.com. Please let me know if you would like your name and email address posted with your contributions...I want to be as discrete as you want me to be. Much Love...VO 10:26:24 AM    comment []

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