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Randy Civello & Generations III Regarding 3rd Generation Flashback
3rd Generation Flashback is an attempt to capture a sampling of music expressed by three
generations of musicians with the same DNA. As someone expressed when told about the project
"what you are creating is a family heirloom" for the Civello family.
Randall J. Civello, (Randy) of the 1st generation was born in 1942 to parents of Italian descent.
His grandparents on his father Russell's side of the family were born in Sicily, Italy as
were his great grandparents on his Mother Lena's side of the family. Randy started singing
for the neighbors in south Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the age of four or five. His father Russ
played the mandolin and violin. Listening to his dad play inspired Randy to have the
desire to someday be a professional musician. His dream was to play the piano but in those
days buying a piano was out of the question due to the cost. On his twelfth birthday he
was surprised with a Sears & Roebuck Silvertone electric guitar. This sealed his fate and
he has never stopped playing music at every opportunity. Randy finally got a piano in
his late teens and since then has studied and performed with several instruments including
guitar, piano, bass, organ and harmonica. He became a band leader in his teens, got
married at the age of 20 and started raising a family. Two of his boys (2nd generation)
Kevin then four years old and Tracy, then three years old sat in the corner of the practice
room watching and listening to all that went on. Randy taught guitar lessons, and played
in any band that had a gig to support his family. One Christmas Randy bought a miniature
drum set and baby Tracy then four could not get enough of it while the guitar became an
extension of Kevin's body as he hardly ever put it down. It became apparent that Kevin
had an exceptional singing voice and played the guitar better than some older musicians
playing in bands. Tracy was a natural on the drums and soon Kevin and Tracy were taking
over the practice room and the two of them became so intuitive of each others playing
that they sounded like pros at a very early age. What really cinched it for Kevin was
the time he was invited by the music teacher of Glen Oaks High School in Baton Rouge to
sing a song in their auditorium for the student body. Kevin was only seven at the time. The
high school kids in the audience were restless and cutting up as they do at that age. When
pitch as he played his guitar with the music director accompanying him on piano. After
that standing ovation, Kevin was hooked for life and is still one of the greatest singers
and musicians in Louisiana. Tracy has become one of the most sought after percussionist.
Tracy also excels as a recording engineer, musical arranger, music programmer, keyboardist
and bass player. Kevin and Tracy signed a record contract in 1992 with Rendezvous/RCA
records and performed their album "C'vello". In 2010, Kevin and Tracy along with the rest
of their group, Ken Hulin and Sammy Bracoto were inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall
Of Fame. Kevin and Tracy both have sons of their own,
(enter 3rd generation); Kevin's son Dakota Civello was born in 1994 and Tracy's son Jullian
Civello was born in 1995. As a toddler, Dakota spent a lot of time at his grandfather, Randy
Civello's home who he and all the grand kids call "Poppie". Dakota could barely sit on
the stool of Poppie's grand piano but loved to play little simple melodies with Poppie
guiding his little hands. Before long he didn't need too much guidance. Like his dad, Kevin
he also loved to play Poppie's guitar. Between his dad Kevin and his Poppie, Randy he picked
up the guitar and soon, just like his father he and his guitar became inseparable. Guitars
have always been Christmas or birthday gifts to all the grand kids as soon as their little
fingers could hold it up. Music, as in all endeavors, some kids are passive about it
and some take to it with a passion. So it is with 16 year old Dakota who performs many
of the solos on this CD (3rd Generation Flashback). Tracy's son Jullian is fifteen years old at
this writing and has performed on all of the tracks of 3drd Generation Flashback. Like
Kevin and Tracy, Jullian grew up watching and listening to his extremely talented father
Tracy. The drum set was always set up and Jullian took to it as a natural. His timing
is perfect and he is way beyond his years in the ability to play many genres of music
as evidenced by his performance on this 3rd Generation Flashback CD. Jullian can also
play guitar and piano although his main instrument so far is drums and percussion. Jullian has
somewhat of a photographic memory as he retains the knowledge of facts such as names of band
players, songs of many genres, as well as facts in sports like names of sports players
and even their jersey numbers, etc.
We of the three generation have come together in the spirit of love for each other as well
as the love for our common passion, Music. May future generations of Civellos appreciate
and cherish what we have left for them in this "family heirloom". If the general public
appreciates it as well, so much the better.
Randy talks about the songs:
Each song on 3rd Generation Flashback has meaning and a story connected to the journey
through three generations.
One Candle Power: Randy Civello, 1967 was originally recorded at Capital City Sounds
Recording Studio in downtown Baton Rouge, Bill Triche, Randy's lifelong friend was owner/chief
engineer. The song is about yearning for illumination of even the dim light of a candle to find
meaning in one's life. It was re-recorded at Randy's Cypress Lake Studio in 2011.
The Light: Randy Civello, 2010, is the song about a phenomenon in the early 60's known
as "The Light". It was in the swamp in Gonzales, Louisiana. Many said it was swamp gas but
no one really knew. It was however a convenient spot to park and what we referred to as "smooch".
Nuff said. Bantam Days: Randy Civello, 2010 is about
the Bantam Club in Prairieville, Louisiana. In 1961, our senior year at Baton Rouge High
School, my best friend Jimmy Dillard and I would head out every Friday night in his 1957
Pontiac to the Bantam Club to hear "Sugar Boy and The Cane Cutters". Although we were
slightly under age we would knock on the stage door outside the back of the club and the
band would let us in. We had a ball and most of the time we didn't get kicked out for being
too young. California Sun, Louisiana Moon: Randy Civello,
2011. Jimmy and I decided in our senior year to quit school and join the Navy on "The Buddy
Plan". When we got there all hell broke loose. The short of the story is, we were just 17
years old and too young for the Navy. We both got deathly ill and got sent home (Honorable
Discharge). We went back to Baton Rouge High and graduated that same year.
Slow Down Suzie: Randy Civello,1980, Suzie was a friend of mine who drove a big Winnebago
RV. She really put the pedal to the medal in that vehicle and I always liked to tease
her about it. Abilene: Randy Civello and Lynn Anselmo 1970
something. Lynn is a good friend and great songwriter. Abilene was Lynn's title and basic
song idea that I really liked but felt it needed a different vibe to fit me so I wrote
some additional lyrics and changed the melody. Many thanks to Lynn.
All You Are: Andrew Bernard, 1970 something. Andrew is a great musician, arranger, and
songwriter. He has written dozens of songs that have been recorded by several artist.
His greatest song feat was "Judy In Disguise" sung by John Fred and The Playboys Band that
it all went by in the blink of an eye. What a journey I have had and all the participants
All songs on this CD were written by Randy Civello with the exception of "All You Are"
for all the support in the long studio hours it took to complete "3rd Generation Flashback".