By Michael Picarella for the Acorn

Aspen isn't a household name in music, but famed musicians often show their respect

by requesting that the Thousand Oaks group open for them.

Tomorrow night, Aspen (some compare their sound to The Eagles rock band),

will be the featured group at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills.

Sea Cloud, a local group, will open the show.

"We were one of the first bands to play at The Canyon Club," Rangel said.

Since those early days of the club, Aspen has changed members for various reasons.

In 1998, Rangel, Lou Garcia and Zamora Rodriguez met, and in the next year formed Aspen.

Soon after, the band made a CD called "Blue Skies."

(An instrumental version of the song "Blue Skies" was recently included in the

Shout Productions film, "Fired," starring Tim Allen.)

Aspen's current band lineup includes Rangel on vocals and guitar, Garcia on vocals and guitar,

Cheryl Pederson on vocals, acoustic guitar and the flute, Albert Shotwell on bass, and

Daniel Rangel, Rangel's son, on drums. Rangel's 22-year-old son is the newest member of Aspen.

"Right now, one of the things I'm really loving about life is that I'm playing with my son," Rangel said.

"We've only done two shows together.

But I look back at him and he's got a big old smile on his face, that's become "the ultimate."

The band has established a good reputation for playing on stage

with some of the biggest names in music,

including Los Lobos, Men at Work, Ambrosia, Venice, Herman's Hermits and Eddie Money.

Aspen has also shared the stage with actor Gary Sinise's band Lt. Dan Band,

with comedian Tim Allen and many other notable talents.

"It's really cool because we get the respect from the people we respect," Rangel said.

"That says something about who the band is as far as the musicianship level." 

Rangel said the group is "in talks" with the music label EMI/Capitol in the U.K. for a recording deal.

"If anything hits, that's great," Rangel said. "That would be the icing on the cake.

But at the end of the day, we do this because we love it."

Ventura County Reporter

With soaring four part Eagles like harmonies and a big guitar sound

these guys are poised for the big time. They are fresh off of touring with

Ambrosia and have recently shared bills with Leon Russell and

Steppenwolf. Acoustic and Electric Southern Rock Harmony

Band--imagine the Eagles blending with The Allman Brothers but with

Aspen's own distinctive style. They will start out the evening with an

unplugged and put things into overdrive as the night goes on--turning the

evening into a dance. Catch these guys now in a small venue.

Thousand Oaks Acorn 

IT WAS A MAGICAL NIGHT OF MUSIC.

A PLEASANT BLEND OF TWO GREAT BANDS.

Rock legend Ambrosia, was in Thousand Oaks and entertained about

2000 folks during an afternoon concert that is part of the on going series

produced by the Conejo Recreation and Park District. Opening for

Ambrosia was Aspen, a soft rock group known for its tight harmonies and superior musicianship.

Ventura County Star

HOME GROWN MUSICIANS

They Rocked the House!

The band Aspen recently played the Majestic Ventura Theater as the

opening act to rock legend Leon Russel. Aspen had the audience

dancing in the aisles to the beat to their incredible sound.

Aspen will be coming to Thousand Oaks to play as part of the annual summer concert series.

By Stacy Hale Ojai News

Head over to the bash at the Libbey Bowl and check out the heavy

harmonies of Aspen. These boys have only been together a short time

and already have received such an overwhelming response from fans,

promoters and record labels that one can only wonder if they are the

"next big thing"! When I spoke with front man George Rangel, he was

extraordinarily positive about Aspen's future. And who wouldn't be.

Playing opening slots for such classic rockers as Spencer Davis,

Ambrosia, Eric Burdon, Eddie Money and the like?

HOME