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For Kansas’ Drew Gooden it’s Music to His Ears
By Angela Lento
Coaches like to say of their players that they are good listeners. For Kansas junior Drew Gooden, it’s crystal clear -- it’s literally music to his ears.
“A lot of people don't realize I know how to play the piano,” says Gooden. “If I see a piano I will just sit down and bust a quick song out. I did that one time at coach [Roy] Williams’ house and he was amazed. He had no idea I knew how to play.”
What’s more amazing is that Gooden cannot read sheet music. He’ll simply listen to something once or twice, and then proceed to bang it out on the piano.
Growing up, Gooden would listen to his father play the piano regularly. But as a child, it wasn’t exactly music to his ears.
“I got sick of listening to it,” laughs Gooden. “One day I just started banging on the keys. Since I couldn’t read music, I would just listen to a song and play it. Playing by ear is a gift I think I have.”
As Gooden grew, so did his interest in music.
He would attend his father’s concerts, picking up new things, which he would later apply to his love of hip-hop music.
“A lot of my friends rap, so they would go into the studio and make up beats,” Gooden says. When we were in high school we used to go into the studio and I would play the piano and make up sample beats for them.”
A simple riff on the keys would be sampled, looped and placed over a bass line and beat. And the reviews have been pretty good.
“My buddies will think my beats are all right,” laughs Gooden.
Well, how about freestyle rhymes?
“I can freestyle, but it gets a little explicit sometimes,” he laughs. “When I write stuff down it tends to be good. I guess I am just good enough that I won't embarrass myself.”
When he’s not on the court or in the classroom, you can probably find Gooden in the campus library working on the sampler machine, or striking keys on one of the nearly 100 keyboards.
If he’s not recording samples and saving them to floppy disc, he’s likely found in the studio mixing tracks with his friends or just relaxing and listening to Jay-Z or R Kelly tunes.
And while he cannot read a note, piano lessons are something he might consider.
University of Florida All-American center Udonis Haslem would like to learn to play the piano and Gooden would be more than happy to teach him how.
“First, I’d tell Udonis that it’s really not that hard,” he says. “There are two sections of the piano, but they are basically the same except one is in a higher note. If he has a good ear, he can do it.”
And what if Kansas and Florida end up meeting one another at the Final Four in Atlanta?
“Sure,” laughs Gooden, “if it means playing in the Final Four I’ll definitely give him a piano lesson.”
Nicknamed ‘the truth’ because, according to Gooden, ‘his game his real and it doesn’t lie,’ is very capable of providing opposing players a lesson or two as the season progresses.
Gooden has many gifts and few can match his flamboyance.
Last summer, he worked at Michael Jordan’s camp in Santa Barbara, CA. Following that experience he returned to Lawrence, KS with the revelation that Jordan is the best player he’s ever faced.
Gooden is truly a unique individual.
THE BAND IN LARAMIE
College football tailgate parties are always rich in cuisine, camaraderie and music. The band can always be heard, if not seen, marching into the stadium. But pre-game gatherings in Laramie, WY, have probably also gotten an earful of another group, which is simply called, well, the band.
University of Wyoming basketball players Josh Davis and Marcus Bailey have their own band and have performed a few jam sessions on campus parking lots prior to Cowboy football games.
But this isn’t just a collection of guys just beating on instruments in their spare time. These guys will actually be opening for Jimmy Buffet next summer.
“I was really excited when I heard the news,” says Josh Davis. “Jimmy Buffet heard one of our demos and liked it and wanted us to open for him.”
Not too shabby for a group that has only been playing together since last Christmas.
Davis (right), a senior, and junior Marcus Bailey are part of a six-man group that has a fairly large and loyal local following.
The band has nearly 40 original songs and can best described as being of the contemporary rock genre, comparable to The Dave Matthews Band.
Davis is a self-taught bass player and Bailey just picked up the sticks one day and began playing the drums.
So just how long have these two basketball stars been making music?
“I have been playing the drums since I got them last Christmas,” says Bailey. “My grandmother taught band for nearly 40 years so I have a big musical background.”
It must be nice to just decide you are going to pick an instrument and learn how to play it the same day!
At least Davis has been playing the bass for a while, right?
“I took a year and a half of guitar lessons in grade school because my parents made me,” says Davis. “It wasn't that fun to me so I never continued until last year. Jeff (Marcus’ brother) was creating songs and singing them for us and I thought it was cool and wanted to be involved. They needed a bass player, so they asked me. I have only been playing for about a year now.”
One year under their belt and they are ready to open for Jimmy Buffet.
“At first we didn’t know what we were doing, but we came together pretty good,” says Bailey.
I’d say that’s an understatement.
Bailey’s brothers, Jeff and Brian, formed the band, with a little help from cousins Luke and Paul Shanor.
Paul plays guitar, while Luke plays guitar and does vocals. Brian, who has his own CD out of piano solos, is on keyboards and Jeff handles lead guitar and lead vocals.
“Jeff and Brian Bailey are very musically talented,” says Davis. “They write all the songs and then Marcus and I just come in add lib on bass and drums. You wouldn’t think so, but it all just comes together.”
How about vocals, Josh?
“No, I’ll stick with bass and leave the singing to the guys that can sing,” he laughs.
Some of the bands songs include, “Sunshine,” “By Your Side,” “Hold On” and “Spring Time in Jackson,” which is the group’s anthem because it’s about the state of Wyoming.
And, as Marcus (left) explains, the band just wrote a new song, which reaches well beyond the borders of Wyoming.
“We just recorded, ‘Hero,’ which is about the terrorist attack on September 11,” he says. “We just put together a CD that has nine songs on it and ‘Hero’ is one of them. It’s one of our favorites.”
The band is a local favorite. In addition to tailgate jamming, they have gigs at local bars, Jubilee days, private parties and more.
“The band has a nice little following,” says Bailey. “A lot of people have asked when we are going to come out with a CD for sale. It’s cool to see the interest in the band.”
The band, the band, the band -- Does this group have a name?
“We’ve had several names over the year,” laughs Davis. “We were the ‘Bailey-Shanor’ band for a while, but we haven’t settled on anything yet. We figure we don’t need a name until we start making money.”
No matter the name, it’s clear that they have talent and perhaps a bright future in the music business.
Right now, basketball takes center stage and there is little time for music, but there seems little doubt that music will be part of their lives for quite a while.
“I know the band will stay together because even now when we are playing basketball the guys are still writing songs,” says Davis. “Personally, I am going to try and play basketball after college and I think Marc will, too, but we still want play music at some point. I think we are good enough and we have shown that by the opportunity to open up for Jimmy Buffet. We are good enough to get paid someday.”
And what does head basketball coach Steve McClain think about all of this?
Coach McClain thinks this is great as long as we're not getting paid,” laughs Bailey. “Right now we’re just playing the music to have fun with it.”
And “the band” plays on.
ON THE RUNWAY
Wow, I still can’t believe all the emails that keep pouring in for ‘The Runway to the Fashionable Four.’
Missouri’s Quin Snyder and Iowa’s Steve Alford have gotten quite a bit of support from fans that felt they were deserving of a spot in the ‘Fashion Power Index.’
In his email, Denver Colorado’s Dean Marquart said:
“I believe that Quin Snyder is one of the best-dressed coaches in college basketball. He has a clean classy look and great ties.”
That’s a great point on the ties, Dean. Snyder brings a young, dapper look to the stage. With excellent coaching pedigree, Snyder also picked up a few fashion facts from Coach K. This terrific Tiger is a future star on the catwalk and among the sharpest in the Big 12.
Iowa City resident, Jason Netland has this to say of coach Alford:
“Steve Alford has both my 48-year old mom and my 20-year old girlfriend raising an eyebrow. That man has style!”
Last season Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins received a similar email, regarding his style and appearance. According to the fan, and yes he actually wrote this, his wife would get very excited watching coach Huggins on television.
The fan actually thanked coached Huggins, in the email, for making his late night’s with his wife more engaging. Coach Huggins response; “How about that!”
Speaking of coach Huggins, who advanced to the Fashionable Four last season, Drexel coach Bruiser Flint is at it again with his opinions of coach Huggins’ three-piece suit look.
“That three-piece looks nice,” says Flint, “but when he takes off his coat that vest looks like a chest protector on him. He looks like he should be umpiring a baseball game.”
Flint, the defending champion on the runway, is rated No. 1 in the first ‘Fashion Power Index’ of the season. The next FPI will be released on December 1, which is also the date for the first fashion index for assistant coaches.
While coach Alford and coach Snyder received a lot of emails on their behalf, no one has gotten as much email support as Valparaiso assistant, Mark Morefield (right).
“That’s just him with a ton of aliases,” says fellow Valparasio assistant Scott Drew. “He’s not all that stylish.”
I beg to differ coach Drew. Mark is very fashionable with his DKNY ties and shirts. The Kenneth Coles shoes add the final touch to an exceptional ensemble. Steve at “Backrack” does a nice job of outfitting coach Morefield.
Good placement in the ‘Fashion Power Index’ could land coach Morefield a modest clothing deal from “Backrack.”
St. John’s assistant Mike Jarvis II, known as ‘Deuce,’ has received some attire from “Hugo Boss” for his fashion ranking, while St. Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli and Iona’s Jeff Ruland are both on the verge of clothing contracts.
“My friends at International Marketing Group are lining up a nice clothing deal for me,” says Ruland. “Once that falls into place, nobody is going to be as well-dressed as me. I cannot believe that I am not in fashion top 10, but that is going to change soon.”
Lastly, Coastal Carolina coach, Pete Strickland is negotiating an attire arrangement with the “Gentry House,” in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Tailor Grayson Kendall has sold coach Strickland some nifty threads in the past; hence Strickland was named best-dressed coach in the Big South Conference last season.
Come on Mr. Kendall, I think a clothing deal is in order for stylish Strickland!
Thanks to all of you for your emails. I make sure that I respond to all of them.
Angela Lento is a big supporter of the “Bobbi Olson Foundation” and would like to urge you to make a contribution. For more information Click Here
CLICK HERE TO SEND ANGELA YOUR COMMENTS
(Head Coach: 3-8-2002) 1. Bruiser Flint
2. John Calipari
3. Gary Waters
4. Willis Wilson
5. Jay Wright
6. Paul Graham
7. Tubby Smith
8. Rick Pitino
9. Melvin Watkins
10.Mike JarvisPlaying Catch with Satchel Paige
The Captivating Conference Champions
Coach Brent Encourages Players to Build Professional Look
The Renaissance Man and Wrestling Alligators
Coaches Give Fashion Statements on Coaches
A Look at New Jersey's Stylish Coaches
Feb 4 FPI: John Calipari Remains No. 1
Sideline Style Poll is Clothes Call
Being No. 1 Suits Rutgers' Gary Waters Just Fine
Jan 21 FPI: John Calipari Tops Fashion Power Index
Carter, Felton, Lutz and Scruggs Combine Coaching and Style
Terry Gets Rave Reviews in North Carolina
Jan 7 FPI: Gary Waters Tops Fashion Power Index
Though Styles Differ, Smith and Pitino at Top of Their Game
December FPI: Georgetown and Drexel Top The Lists
Jesse "The Body" Ventura and a Kid at Delaware
Musical Talent in Kansas and Wyoming
The FPI, The Natural and a 7-Footer from Wal-Mart
Pennsylvania: America’s Most Stylish State
In Search of Bigfoot with Dale Brown
Auctioning off Auburn coach Cliff Ellis
UCLA's Steve Lavin Talks Fashion
John Feinstein Plugs Fashionable Four
(Assistant: 3-8-2002) 1. Wayne Brent
2. Gary Stewart
3. Steve Sauers
4. Ronny Thompson
5. Tony Jones
6. Patrick Sellers
7. Reggie Hanson
8. Lew Hill
9. Tom Schuberth
10.Jennifer Johnston
AMERICA EAST:
Tom Brennan
ATLANTIC COAST:
Skip Prosser
ATLANTIC SUN:
Don Maestri
ATLANTIC 10:
Bob Hill
BIG EAST:
Gary Waters
BIG SKY:
Joel Sobotka
BIG SOUTH:
Pete Strickland
BIG TEN:
Jerry Dunn
BIG 12:
Melvin Watkins
BIG WEST:
Kevin Bromley
COLONIAL:
Bruiser Flint
CONFERENCE-USA:
John Calipari
HORIZON:
Ed Schilling
IVY LEAGUE:
James Jones
METRO ATLANTIC:
Don Harnum
MID-AMERICAN:
Stan Joplin
MID-CONTINENT:
Homer Drew
MID-EASTERN:
Cy Alexander
MISSOURI VALLEY:
Barry Hinson
MOUNTAIN WEST:
Charlie Spoonhour
NORTHEAST:
Bobby Jones
OHIO VALLEY:
Kyle Macy
PACIFIC-10:
Paul Graham
PATRIOT LEAGUE:
Sal Mentesana
SOUTHEASTERN:
Tubby Smith
SOUTHERN:
Bob McKillop
SOUHTLAND:
Mike Deane
SOUTHWESTERN:
Lafayette Stribbling
SUN BELT:
Dennis Felton
WEST COAST:
Michael Holton
WESTERN ATHLETIC
Willis Wilson
Take a stroll down last season's Runway to the Fashionable Four
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