The Chaz Browne Band plays classic rock as they’ve lived it for one simple reason—they have. Original members Doug Davis (keyboards and vocals) and Rod Nichols (guitar and vocals), along with original drummer John Griffith, formed the group in 1967. Adding Joe Recla (bass and vocals) and Glenn Hashitani on vocals, they named the group Charley Browne’s Allstars. Fast forward to 2019 and the name has been shortened to the Chaz Browne Band, but Doug, Rod and Joe are still playing, with the addition of Frank Beale (drums) and Roger Witt (lead vocals and rhythm guitar). Over the years, the songs may have changed from current tunes to primarily classic rock, but their enthusiasm for the music has not waned.
Neither has the enthusiasm waned for the audiences who come to see them. In a packed room in January at Boise’s Sapphire Room at the Riverside Hotel, they still had the crowd dancing and singing along. Waving cigarette lighters may have been replaced with waving cellphone flashlights, but the guests at the Sapphire Room show enjoyed just as much the tunes that they grew up with. As Doug related to the Boise Beat, one group said, “Our entire table was singing along with them on every song!”.
Covering the Treasure Valley and well into Ontario and Baker City, Oregon, the Chaz Browne Band plays clubs and events, class reunions and more. But they always make sure to dedicate time to charitable events, donating a lot of their time to cancer victim fundraisers. Doug emphasized, “This is more than just a band. It’s a fraternity of music brothers that enjoy performing together, rehearsing, and joining forces to help those in need”.
With that in mind, the Chaz Browne Band will be performing in Baker City on April 27 for another charitable event. Hunt For A Lifetime, an organization dedicated to making hunting and fishing dreams come true for children 21 and under with life-threatening illnesses, is holding a major fundraising event at the Baker County Fairgrounds. The event, sponsored by Hunt of A Lifetime: Eastern Oregon, features a live auction, raffles, a great meal and an old fashioned barn dance featuring the Chaz Browne Band. Another chance to hear the Chaz Browne Band will be during the2019 Weiser River Music Festival, which will run from June 20th through the 22nd.
Leading up to the present day, the Chaz Browne Band has had its challenges. John got married in 1968 and left the band. By the end of 1968, college pursuits and the military caused the breakup of Charley Browne’s Allstars. Years later, they held a reunion dance, eventually winding up with a resurgence of gigs. Roger Witt replaced Glenn, who had moved to Portland and the band was renamed the Chaz Browne Band. Jeff Sutton, who had replaced John Griffith on drums, recently stepped down and was replaced by Frank Beale. Through it all, songs were added and the group went from a 60’s group to covering songs from many more eras.
Playing music in front of an audience is what the Chaz Browne Band really enjoys. As Doug Davis said, “The fans make it fun for us. We love our fans and we strive to give them our best”. Straight from the audience at the Sapphire Room came the comment on the band, “These guys are really talented and fun to watch. If you’re dancing, you miss a lot of what they do, but the music makes you want to dance. So ya have tah choose, I guess”. Indeed, for many years audiences have listened, danced, sang along, laughed and even cried to the songs that the Chaz Browne Band plays.
Part of the enjoyment of the songs is their familiarity, both for the band and the audience. Songs like Route 66, Runaway, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ and Do You Love Me? bring the early 60’s back, while Magic Carpet Ride, Light My Fire, I Got a Line on You, Long Cool Woman and Nights in White Satin ushered in the turbulent late 60’s. For the 70’s, songs like You Are So Beautiful wowed the audience. The 90’s are represented by the Black Crowe’s Hard to Handle, while even current tunes such as Uptown Funk are in the band’s repertoire.
The bottom line with the Chaz Browne Band is this—they’ve been there through all that music. They were playing and singing during the years that made that era what it is to so many. Drummer Frank Beale saw the Beatles perform live after he started playing drums at age 8; while Doug Davis started his organ playing at 6 years old, playing in bands from 1966 onward and adding various keyboards to his collection. The rest of the band has been playing and singing for a long time also. They all know the music—because they’ve lived it.
Chaz Browne Band Facebook Page
Chaz Browne Band on Jambase
Chaz Browne Band at the Sapphire Room 1/25/19 photos courtesy of Pam Davis.
Rolls-Royce group photo by Ed Simon
