The Blend - New England Music Scrapbook

The Blend
Top, l to r: Steven Dore, Jim Drown, Donnie Pomber
Bottom, l to r: Ken Holt, Skip Smith

The Blend
"The Blend" (LP, MCA, 1978)

Steven Dore: guitar, piano
Jim "J.D." Drown: guitar
Ken Holt: bass
Donnie "D.P." Pomber: guitar, piano
Skip Smith: drums

Produced by the Blend, Michael O'Leary, and David Butler

Executive Producer: Carl Strube

Recorded and mixed at Northern Studios, Maynard, Massachusetts, except "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," which was mixed by Gene Paul, Carl Strube, and Michael O'Leary at Atlantic Studios, New York City

Engineered by David Butler and A.W. Dick (assistant)

Saxophone on "All I Need" by John Paine courtesy of Mercury Records

"A Skys the Limit Production"*

Album design by Phil Shima

Logo illustration by John Hamagami

Photos by S. Karin Epstein

* Skys the Limit (or, Sky's the Limit), an interesting outfit, also worked with Oak and the Rings.

The Blend
"Anytime Delight" (LP, MCA 3175, 1979)

Produced by Ed Marshal for Pandora Productions, Ltd. by special arrangement with Sky's the Limit Productions, Inc.

Executive Producer: Bill Szymczyk

Illustration by Lou Beach

Design by Tommy Steele and Jeff Lancaster

Art direction by Tommy Steele

Just before I left Bangor, Maine, my old hometown, Jeff Joseph was on the rise in local clubs. I am reliably informed that he is the same Jeff Joseph who is included in the songwriter credits for "Sky High"--which closes out the first side of this LP--and that he is now based on the West Coast.

The Blend
"Hard Times" b/w "Help Me" (45, Music Designers BL1001, n.d.)

Both songs credited to J. Drown
Label: "Music Designers," Boston, MA.
Jeff Gillman, Production.
Joe Chiccarrelli Engineer
Thanks to Peter Giftos for these details

The Blend

It is in a spirit of sadness that we post this excerpt from the December 5, 2002, issue of the Portland Press Herald's obituary of James N. Drown of the Blend.

ARUNDEL - James N. "JD" Drown, 55, a resident of Abbey Road, died Tuesday, December 3, 2002 at his home after a long illness. JD was born in Biddeford on Feb. 22, 1947, a son of [the] late Francis W. and Blanche E. (Rivard) Drown. He graduated from Kennebunk High School, class of 1965, and attended Jacksonville University and Plymouth State. In 1966, JD joined the U.S. Army in the Security Agency Division. He was stationed in Korea for 13 months, entertaining the troops with his musical talents. JD was [a] founding member of "The Blend" in 1973. The Blend was the first band to open the Portland Civic Center, opening for ZZ Top. The Blend opened for many other famous bands such as The Who and the Charlie Daniels Band, to mention a few. Not only an accomplished guitar player and vocalist, JD's talent as a songwriter became his signature; and The Blend landed a recording contract with MCA for two albums. In the 1980's, JD started his own business, JD & Sons Electricians, in the Kennebunkport area, which continues after his death. His love of kids and sports led JD to become a coach, a passion which spanned fifteen years. He also enjoyed golf and was a member of the Biddeford and Saco Country Club. JD is survived by his wife and soulmate of more than 40 years, Pamela (Budd) Drown, and his two sons, Ty and Casey Drown, all of Arundel; his mother of Arundel [sorry, her name is not in the obituary]; a sister, Judith D. and her husband, John Martel of Kennebunk; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

www.oocities.org/nemsnewz/news/0039.htm#jd

( New England Music Scrapbook Newsletter Update )

Do you have fond memories, favorite stories, mental images, or other reminiscences of the Blend?

Alan Lewis

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