After Christmas, everything comes up Golden at Crystal Bay

There will be a Golden sparkle to the Crown Room on Friday, Dec. 27.

The Greg Golden Band celebrates the release of its long-anticipated sophomore album, “Storyteller,” with a performance at the Crystal Bay Casino. The band will perform a set of exclusively original music with a classic 1970s rock ‘n’ roll flavor. Their debut album was released in 2015 with an EP in 2017.

The follow-up to the self-titled album released in 2015 was planned to come out a few years ago.

“I had been working on many new tunes that I recorded and tweaked with Tesla’s founding guitarist and great friend Frank Hannon the last two years,” Golden said.

“He produces all of our music. We were waiting for the right singer for these songs and found our guy in Joe Retta, who wrote all vocals and also helped with recording and production of these tunes.”

Retta sang with Sweet, Heaven & Earth, Dio Disciples and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, just to name a few.  

Also in the band are guitarist Jeff Montgomery, drummer Boris Tavcar and bassist Dave Strelz.  Golden and Strelz played in bands together since the late ’60s, and Tavcar and Montgomery have been mainstays with Golden for years.

Greg Golden plays a modified 1954 Les Paul gold top guitar and a 1960 Gibson Les Paul triple pickup custom. He is proud of his Native American heritage. The song “Cherokee” from the first album is played at each show and tells of his heritage. The tune was written by Golden with lyrics by Hannon.

When he’s onstage, he celebrates his Native American heritage by wearing python skin boots and a turquoise bear medallion. His family name used to be Golden Bear. 

“I have a whole catalog of music and I was waiting for the right guy to come along to sing it and I finally have him,” Golden said. “He’s one of the best singers in the world.”

“Storyteller” will be released on Dec. 27.  Two more records scheduled to be released in 2020. All Greg Golden Band music is recorded at Hannon’s RedHawk Productions in Cameron Park, California. The band will be performing at the Crystal Bay Casino for the second time. VIP seating is available. Show is for those 21 and older.

Golden is the founder and owner of Bizarre Guitar at 2677 Oddie Blvd. in Reno.

Greg Golden Band
CD Release Party
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27
Where: Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the show, $25 for VIP seats
Red Room after-party: Rock A Roke