By DONNA BALANCIA
Carol Casey says some of the best friends in her life have been her band members.
“Singing and playing music is my salvation,” she said. “I decided three years ago to get back into music and I surrounded myself with top quality musicians who are top quality people.”
Her band, Carol Casey and The Shakers, is well-known on the local circuit, and has been an important part of the Los Angeles music scene. The petite powerhouse with the tremendous voice plays with some of the biggest names in music.
On Saturday, her big band will be supporting The Chambers Brothers at Casa Escobar in Malibu.
Carol Casey: Music for Life
“I’ve been in and out of music my entire life,” she said. “And I always have multiple players, some of the best players around.”
Over the years, Carol Casey and the Shakers has evolved into a dance band with a big sound. They’re regulars at some of the well-known Los Angeles haunts where people like to come have a drink and have a good time.
At Casa Escobar, Carol Casey and the Shakers will support the Chambers Brothers whose longevity blows some of the younger musicians away. Willie Chambers is almost 80 years old but still plays Sundays at the Kibbitz room on Fairfax. Lenny Goldsmith and his band will also support on Saturday.
Casey says her band is often a rotating cast of top-notch characters. But The Shakers on Saturday are: Greg Kage on bass; Mark McKinniss on keyboards; Billy DiBlasi on drums; Chris Hansen on harmonica; Randy Volin on guitar; and backup singers Paula Salvatore, Julia Holland and Kim Ledoux.
“We’re all friends,” Casey said. “That’s what makes this all so special.”
Check out Carol Casey and The Shakers at Casa Escobar Malibu on Saturday.