Tom Jacob: Good question. It was never an obligation, it was mandatory! It was as if it was a natural progression from birth, as my parents being "Cotton Club" entertainers for years, were always performing on the road and near our home in Houston. That's how it all started. I got sucked right into it. My brother Lanny always spinning current records and learning from what are now classics, Elvis, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, etc.. He and, my late brother, Ritch  were fast becoming fine musicians it their own right, it was intrinsic. It was all very exciting to me. I was hooked!

Additionally, my recollection of an event that brought superstardom almost on our doorstep...I remember the night Jim Reeves, who was top of the charts at the time and a good friend of my Parents, was on his way home via his private jetliner and was to come to our house later that year, 1964, for Christmas dinner. In a torrential downpour, the landing gear caught power lines on approach to his private landing strip and all aboard were killed. Infamous in an instant! It was that closeness to stardom and the emotional connection that later drew me in.

Calsaga: Your family group traveled to Vietnam during the Vietnam War as part of a USO show. Could you share a memory from that experience?

Tom Jacob: When I first began to actually play coherently I was about 6 years of age. My folks, already having a local hit radio show in town, had ties with the military. They were performing local military bases and doing some radio broadcasts from there as the U.S.'s commitment to the Vietnam War slowly escalated. As a result of those performances, my Father, Randy, was approached to provide entertainment for the military, "In Country." Being former Navy from WWII, he jumped at the chance. My Father was asked to bring name acts in and around areas close to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) to GI's that were so separated from Western civilization for so many months, they were losing touch with reality and their moral. He had already brought Johnny Cash and acts more easily accessible from the Phillipines. He then got this brainstorm to bring our family to Nam. Since he and my mother, "Betty Blue" as she was known already had an act together, it wasn't far to go to add the backup band! My father performed as, Randy Crane, thus "The Randy Crane Family Show", was born.

Here's a particular memorable event; After being choppered into DaNang for an early afternoon show. We were then transported from Da Nang to 2nd show that day in an army issue bus. It was  dark and the road was so narrowly cleared, the palm trees were brushing across the sides of the bus. The sound was frighteningly loud. Suddenly, a shot rang out as a sniper's bullet cracked through the window of the bus and out the other side. This sent everyone into a panic. The driver, an MP, whipped out an M16 and was returning fire out the driver's window while accelerating rapidly and shouting, "Get under the seats! Get under the seats! NOW!" Just my Mom, my two brothers, Rick Jacobs our bassist, myself, and our driver were in this big bus, under fire, doing 50 mph through a clearing barely able to get a vehicle of this size through.

The real concern was behind us, in sort of a convoy, was supposed to be my Father in an open Jeep being escorted by a second MP. Once we were off this tight trail and back on an open road, we arrived at the next show stage in the middle of the jungle for our second show of the night. We had no idea where we were, as the military would not disclose exact locations most of the time. When we arrived, regaining our composure, we realized, Where's the Jeep? We began to worry. Minutes seemed like hours and after 20 minutes, we feared the worst.

After several failed attempts to reach them by radio, still no contact. Out of the blue, we heard a distant engine and they appeared, as if out of nowhere. Their explanation for the delay, "They decided to take an alternate route." The second driver heard a report of hostile fire on the road we were on and worried being in an open Jeep. Good thing they did! They were totally unaware of our incident until we told them.

Calsaga: You and your brothers performed as "Saratoga" with many great groups as well as backing the legendary Big Joe Turner, Chuck Berry and T-Bone Walker. What influence, if any, did these gentlemen have on you musically?

Tom Jacob: They all had a great influence with their connection to rhythm & blues. R & B was the foundation from which rock 'n' roll was born. It was great to play with such legends and to have a close relationship with their interpretation of the blues and rock. Their music is probably the single most influence to me because I was so young and I absorbed everything like a sponge. I learned early on from these masters how to feel the music and get into the pocket. Music from the soul, it's very infectious. Ultimately, it was my Brother, Lanny Ray, that gave me my musical roots and taught me drums and keyboards.

Calsaga: You formed a group with Stevie Heger called, "Hey Stevie." Could you tell us more about the member's of this group?

Calsaga: I believe you mentioned that the song, "The World's A Better Place" was inspired by the events surrounding the Berlin Wall. Could you tell us more about this song and album?

Tom Jacob: I had just moved to San Francisco and I was watching the most incredible "LIVE" event in the struggle and symbol for peace in my lifetime; the demise and destruction of the Berlin Wall. I was so inspired I sat down in front of the large bay window we had atop the 2nd floor of our Sunset district flat and began to write, "The World's A Better Place." It later became the inspiration around our second album. Our first effort, Death By Heartbreak, was very cynical and angry. We got over it! As many events were unfolding around the world at that time in an effort to promote peace. USA and Russia were standing down their perspective nuclear arsenals and we were en route to Mars and initiating the International Space Station program. It felt like the right time to put together an album from the heart. Where we all truly come from.

Calsaga: This album also includes a cover of the Beach Boy's classic, "Sail On Sailor" with new lyrics. Al Jardine makes a guest vocal appearance on this track as well. What led you to record this track?

Tom Jacob: I think it's greatness, yet obscurity. Sail On Sailor was from the Holland LP. The first studio album the Beach Boys recorded outside the US, I believe. It was also a dark period for the Boys due to the minimal involvement of Brian Wilson. Nonetheless, Sail On Sailor was a diamond in the rough. It was also a song that hadn't been covered recently and we thought it was a great song for us to execute as well. We wanted a classic tune that we could present admirably that had not been redone before.

Calsaga: How did you become a member of Al Jardine's Family & Friends Beach Band?

Tom Jacob: It was during our return to the Red Barn for "The World's A Better Place" sessions, that Al became more interested in our sound and our attempt at a remake of Sail On Sailor. After his participation in the recording, we had a chance to be better acquainted, musically and socially. When Al formed Beach Boys Family & Friends, he set out to put together a new backup band.

Stevie had already been co-producing and engineering for the Beach Boys, as well as with Al. Stevie even played the drums on the re-mixed "Loop de Loop" for the Beach Boys "Endless Harmony" CD and "Santa's Got An Airplane" on the Ultimate Christmas CD. After those sessions, Al asked Stevie if he had any players to recommend to round out the already on-board, Billy Hinsche, Darryl Dragon, the Wilson sisters, Carnie & Wendy and his sons, Matt & Adam. Al invited a few players, including myself, up to Big Sur twice for auditions and collaboration on existing, and some new material. 

I knew nothing upon returning home... Then a few weeks later in Hollywood at Cherokee Studios, as rehearsals were getting underway, Al nonchalantly asked me, "Would you like to go on the road with us?"...No arm twisting necessary! Stevie and I were the only musicians at the original auditions to make the cut.

Calsaga: Could you share your thoughts about performing Beach Boys music with Al Jardine?

Tom Jacob: The first time we went out was December 1998 at the Shrine Auditorium. I was a nervous wreck. It was such a rush playing with such legendary players and the greatest honor I had ever had bestowed. I was holding it together pretty well until we played, "Wouldn't It Be Nice." I could hold back no longer and wept during the performance of that song. It rings of such hope and longing. It really struck me very deeply. Ever since, performing with Al has never been less exciting than that first night. It is always uplifting and an absolute thrill every time we hit the stage.

Calsaga: I've heard that "Hey Stevie" plans to record a third album, is that true?

Tom Jacob: Rumor has it that 12 new songs have been written and being considered for a third Hey Stevie release. It is very much in the pre-production stages.

Calsaga: What are your future plans?

Tom Jacob: My immediate plans are to bring whatever I can to the table to keep Al Jardine and the Beach Boys tradition alive. Hey Stevie III is a work in progress. I am also working in Los Angeles with my own group, "Radio Club" around town constantly. I was just married on May 23rd in Maui to my beautiful wife, Candace. Soon to be followed by our first born together late this year.

Closing;
Barbara, Thank you so much for having me for this interview and for all of your stirring questions!. I find CalSaga to be the best website The Beach Boys have to offer, and your guidance and integrity is unparalleled! Keep up the great work!

Ciao,

Tom Jacob (The Right Reverend)

Melinda & Brian Wilson with Tom Jacob at Wendy Wilson's wedding.