GREG
guitar/vocals
Greg was born in Santa Cruz, California where he began playing guitar at age 10. That same year, the Iron Butterfly released “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” Greg was captivated by the sound of the electric guitar. He realized that making noise was fun and formed his first band in high school. After a few gigs and some pocket change, he also realized that music would be a hobby and not a career.
During the 1970's his musical influences included America, Elton John and the Eagles. He began to concentrate on vocals and harmonies. There was also the cool guitar sounds of Boston and the Doobie Brothers that could not be ignored. While in college, his guitar was always by his side as he continued to play in bands and coffeehouses.
Greg has since played guitar and sat in with several bands over the years including Mike Ameral's California Beach Boy's Experience and Copper Valley's Universal Exports. Today he enjoys spending time with his wife and puppy, learning new guitar techniques and home recording. “Private Reserve is my latest venture which, like a fine wine, includes fun music and great friends.”
JENNI
vocals
Jenni is from San Jose and grew up listening to many genres of music while enjoying all of them. In her house it was common to be in the living room singing with the family along her Dad playing guitar. Music is a part of her life, family, friends, and soul.
Jenni has a background in singing, dancing and acting in theater, choir, and a hint of opera. Her day job is in the insurance industry and it was through her work that she joined a band in 2007. Over the years, Jenni has sang with a few different bands, ultimately falling in love with the drummer from one of the bands.
While she loves singing, she may also be found on a quiet shore fishing or on a tennis court. She also enjoys wine tasting all over California and to her, there is nothing like a fine wine with friends and family, along with fun, live music.
Jenny feels that Private Reserve has brought together amazing musicians who love music and who let her sing to her hearts content! She wants nothing more than to continue her music journey and sing at wineries and various events.
RAY
drums
This San Jose native grew up listening to AM radio at an early age, admiring all the greats that started Rock n Roll, while at the same time always craving new music and artists.
His drumming career started by beating pillows to a pulp to the tune of "Freewill" by Rush. This drove his mom crazy, but she supported his love of the drumbeat. Hearing of his pillow skills, one of his best friends recruited him to start a band. He bought an old Ludwig kit and since then have never skipped a beat for the last 3 decades of playing with multiple bands.
(Wine-ology)
After a trip to Europe 12 years ago, my wine drinking days begun. Drinking wine is my other past time profession, and believe it is the key to the fountain of youth.
DAVE
bass
Dave got his start in music relatively late in life. While always a music fan growing up, he didn’t start guitar lessons until the age of 35. Shortly thereafter, some fellow students at the music studio decided to form a band. There were already plenty of guitar players available, so Dave made the switch to electric bass and never looked back.
That first band played a couple of open mic gigs and soon dissolved. His first “real” band was the party rock 3-piece Whiskey Dust featuring Dave Friday. They cut a CD and gigged around the Bay Area and Sacramento for several years.
Life moved on and Dave relocated to Copperopolis with his wife, and eventually formed a community group The Universal Exports Band, which is still going strong in the fabulous Copper Valley.
While Dave is influenced by many musical genres, from rock to jazz to classical to country, his “desert island” album would have to be Dire Straits Alchemy.