By Mark Fenichel

Photo by Roni Depue Morgan Hill Life Advertising Director Mark “Fenny” Fenichel and Greg Kihn at Kihn’s signing of his new book at BookSmart Oct. 15.

Photo by Roni Depue
Morgan Hill Life Advertising Director Mark “Fenny” Fenichel and Greg Kihn at Kihn’s signing of his new book at BookSmart Oct. 15.

The Curtis family has been making and producing music in Morgan Hill since 1997. When Pat and Patty Curtis landed in Morgan Hill, it was Pat’s ambition to do what he could to make Morgan Hill a better place for music. He put together a neighborhood band called East Lane, named after a street in town.

The band played weddings and helped the downtown music scene by performing at many events in the area. After a number of years the band simply decided to change the “E” to an “F” and became Fast Lane, which is still rocking today.

Pat’s wife Patty loved to sing. Pat encouraged her to sing with the band and gradually Patty worked her way into performing regularly. Pat applied his musical experience and ran sound for the main stage at Taste of Morgan Hill 12 years ago. His musical abilities rubbed off on his son Sam who had an interest in music and artistic talents.

Pat and Sam started a music studio in the back of BookSmart while Sam was taking sound classes. Pat taught Sam how to run outdoor sound while they continued to work in the studio recording local bands. They even recorded an album of all original songs in the studio and Sam engineered the project.

The studio moved to Depot Street, then to its current location at Studio 13 inside the Downtown Mall behind the Music Tree where Sam runs the studio. Pat and Sam were involved in running sound for the Friday Night Music Series until the series moved to its current location behind the Community Center four years ago. That’s when Pat, Patty and Sam started the Thursday Street Dance Series, acquiring permits and getting sponsorships. Patty runs the event, making posters and organizing, while Pat and Sam take care of booking and sound. Patty has owned Carta Luna on the corner of Second Street and Monterey Road for six years.

The merchants have been supportive and they are hopeful the Thursday Street Dance will continue in the current location. Donations and sponsorships are being accepted by the Downtown Association. (408) 779-3190. Pat and Patty’s bands Fast Lane and Blue Dog can be found playing throughout South County.

Mark “Fenny” Fenichel is the advertising sales director for Morgan Hill Life and has been making music for 40 years. If you have a local music tip contact him at (408) 410-4782.