LAKEPORT >> Perhaps it was the way she played the piano or the way she sang. Maybe it was the way she left the Upper Lake audience wanting more, or maybe it was all of the above.
“This is one of those anomalies. You don’t often meet people that are really good singers, songwriters, and musicians. We met someone that has this triple-threat thing going,” said band leader of the Swinging Chads Randy McGowan.
He was talking about the Chicago-native singer, songwriter, and pianist Tricia Danieli. The Illinois artist exposed herself to music at the early age of eight, playing piano and then quickly mastering the violin, mandolin, ukulele, and drums. She found equivalent satisfaction in writing, too. By the age of nine, Danieli began composing music and publishing poetry, even painting. Much like her multi-instrumental talents is her multi-genre background. She is known primarily for singing soul, R&B, and blues. What many might not know, however, is that Danieli also studied jazz, classical, and opera, and gospel. Aside from her original work, she has also performed covers by Bob Marley, Diana Ross, Adele, Rihanna, and Amy Winehouse.
It was Danieli’s impressive take on Amy Winehouse that really captivated McGowan and The Chads. They knew they had to do an Amy Winehouse tribute with her. In fact, after meeting her at a gig in Napa last winter, The Swinging Chads decided to invite her to perform alongside them at the Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake in February.
She was the perfect addition to their show that evening. Mixed with The Chads’ eclectic tunes, sharp guitar hooks and clean rhythm play, Danieli’s strong vocals, and melodic piano compositions naturally synced. The Blue Wing audience was left mesmerized. She was for sure to return to Lake County and perform with the band once again. A road trip was also planned, according to McGowan.
On her way home to Pacifica the evening of their show in Upper Lake, Danieli’s car hydroplaned off the road under rainy conditions and was left with major injuries. As a result, McGowan said, she had 160 stitches across her scalp line. She spent several months of rehabilitation, limiting her time with music for the time being. She has recovered and is currently reconstructing her life.
But it wasn’t easy, and McGowan agrees.
“It’s like telling a kid that’s inside a candy store that he or she could only eat two candies,” said McGowan. He, too, knows what it’s like to have to cut down on one’s passion while trying to heal. That’s because in 2013 he underwent surgery to remove cancer that was detected in his vocal chords. The doctor told him that if he were to sing, he could only sing two songs. His recovery was not a couple-weeks type of situation. “It took about six months to heal and then there I was singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to my wife. I know what it’s like to be healed up.”
After hearing about Danieli’s accident, he knew he had to reach out. From musician to musician, and from a person to person perspective that had undergone health challenges, McGowan made some calls to set up something special for her in one of the places her voice and talent was greatly appreciated. He contacted liaison Tina Lewis to assist in the setup of a benefit concert in Lake County to help offset Danieli’s medical costs.
Now, this Saturday, the work put together by several musicians and local organizations will come to The Soper Reese Theatre to offer An Evening With The Swinging Chads & Special Guests: A Benefit for Tricia Danieli. The benefit show is produced by volunteers from The Soper Reese Theatre and Spotlight On Productions and sponsored by the very own place where Danieli performed — The Blue Wing Restaurant & Tallman Hotel. The show is said to have open seating, with an open dance floor. The Swinging Chads will play Americana, blues, soul, and rock & roll designed for attendees to get loose on the dancing area. To name a few of the musicians, Chads’ McGowan will be on bass, keys, and vocals; Norman Collins on guitar and vocals; special guests George Husarek on flute and James Williams on B3 organ. And, without a doubt, contemporary originals will be performed by Danieli herself on piano and vocals. The show is also said to auction off wine baskets, and some of Danieli’s poems and paintings.
“She’s a Renaissance woman with all those talents she has,” McGowan said.
The show will be held at the Soper Reese Theatre tomorrow from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and the Theatre box office will open two hours before the concert. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the Travel Center, 1265 S. Main St. in Lakeport or online at www.soperreesetheatre.com
