For musical clan with Solano roots, the family that plays together — thrives
FAIRFIELD — Don’t believe everything you read.
Especially when it comes to the baseball cap Steve Wallis wears that reads: “Don’t Ask Me, I’m Just the Bass Player.”
Wallis is one-half of the duet called the Pine Dogz. The name comes from the fact that there is a lone pine tree where Wallis and his wife Diana Wallis reside in Cottonwood.
The couple, who used to live in Fairfield, will perform on Mother’s Day at the Suisun City waterfront.
On the same bill is the Amber Snider Band, fronted by Diana Wallis’ daughter. Those going to the event will also get a chance to see mother and daughter perform together.
There was always music in the house while Snider was growing up, she said. And, there were instruments to play, if one decided they wanted to try. Snider started on the piano and it wasn’t long after that her mother handed down her first guitar to her daughter.
“My first good guitar,” Diana Wallis said.
While she loved music, Snider said she had her heart set on being an actress and headed to Southern California. There, she worked for legendary songwriter Diane Warren, who penned Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” and Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing.”
She got homesick and returned to the area, launching her music career. Snider plays many shows in Solano and Napa counties.
Her mother and stepfather have played music together for several years. Diana Wallis also plays the mandolin and percussion, as well as guitar.
Steve Wallis plays the bass and also records the tracks that give the duet the ability to sound like a bigger band.
“She really led by example,” Snider said of her mother.
She said she would often watch Diana Wallis practice with a band and pick a song apart until it became a version she was happy with.
Wallis offers praise for her offspring.
“I am proud of Amber,” she said. “I see how hard she works at her music. She continues to amaze me. You inspire me, kiddo.”
The Pine Dogz specialize in what they call Americana music that includes pop hits from a few decades ago to songs for the senior citizens set. They often perform at skilled nursing facilities and have been called the “Corn Dogs” by many of the residents who have dementia.
Snider’s band plays what she calls “Ambericana,” which is a mixture of folk, rock, country and blues.
Now, Wallis and Snider are observing the next generation of the family find enjoyment in music.
“It’s fun to watch my little niece pick up the guitar and want to make the sounds,” Snider said.
And it may be the opportunity for Snider to pass down to the child the song about life’s lessons that Wallis wrote for her when she was 16.
All three say sharing their music is mostly what it’s about.
“How many people make the big time?” Steve Wallis, a retired firefighter, asked rhetorically.
“He’s the practical side,” Snider said.
Then again, she realized she is doing what she loves and “more often than not, gets paid for doing it.”
Reach Amy Maginnis-Honey at 427-6957 or amaginnis@dailyrepublic.net.
Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=11384
Posted by Amy Maginnis-Honey
on Apr 29 2011.
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