Keith Greeninger didn't seek out being a musician, music kind of found him. Born in Santa Clara, but growing up over the hill in Santa Cruz, Greeninger attended school in Aptos and enjoyed the '70s living the Santa Cruz scene. Soon after high school, Greeninger hit the road with his guitar, picking up construction and carpentry skills along the way making it possible to live just about anywhere.
During his travels, which he refers to as 'his own rites of passage' Greeninger discovered he liked small towns and the small-town vibes that went with them – along with the wilderness, where he solidified his singer-songwriter skills, 'wood-shedding' in the mountains.
Roll the clock forward a few years and Greeninger found himself back in Santa Cruz raising children, and anxious to share with them what he had growing up: the surf, the redwoods and music. Still traveling the country playing music, Santa Cruz seemed like a good central location for home base.
Greeninger will be at Rossi's 1906 Roadhouse on Wednesday, Oct. 26, with an all-star band of North Bay musicians kicking off at 8 p.m. He will also be sitting in with the Coyote Road on the last Tuesday night market act of the season, on Tuesday, Oct. 25,at 5:30 p.m.
Greeninger told us about his love of soul, and how a life in music was inevitable.
Many musicians in our generation cite the Beatles on Ed Sullivan as that moment when they knew music was what they wanted to do. When did you realize you wanted to be a musician?
It's funny, as I never really ever thought about being a musician. There wasn't really music in my house growing up other than the car radio and such that I would sing along to. Then one day I woke up and just realized music was just never going to go away, like many of my other hobbies I had. But I guess the turning point would have been when I was a teenager in the '70s, I had an older female cousin come for a visit for the night with her boyfriend and he whipped out a guitar and started singing and playing and I just thought, 'wow.' That really lit a fire in me.
That first instrument you owned. What was it and do you still have it?
No, I don't have it. It was a cheap nylon string one my folks got me when I was 14 or so. I played that guitar a lot.
Who are your influences?
A lot of soul music actually, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and recently singer-songwriters like Jackson Browne, Jim Croce, Van Morrison. But I've always really liked soul music the most.
What CD is in your car?
Actually, it's just takes from some of the artists we're working with in the studio, demo tracks mostly.
Tell us about your current acts.
Mostly just myself. I have a solo act that I take on the road and just manage to find musicians here and there and that allows me to really play with some great players. I have a band that I assemble from time to time depending on the venue, which is why I'm really excited about the Rossi's show as I get to play with some top-notch guys that I don't get to play with often.
If you could have written one song, which would it be?
Oh man. You ask some tough questions. I would have to say 'Stand by Me.' To me, I just love what that song has to say.
Anyone that has never heard it will be singing along after the first verse.
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