Brad Colerick Puts Some ‘Zip’ into Latest Release

Singer/songwriter used Nine Ten Thirty, South Pasadena’s ZIP code, for the name of his newest CD

PHOTO; Bill Glazier | SouthPasadenan.com News | Singer/songwriter Brad Colerick used Nine Ten Thirty, South Pasadena’s ZIP code, for the name of his newest CD.

Within its ZIP Code – 91030 – is a town Brad Colerick dearly loves, and it became the inspiration for his latest album.

All the musicians performing on it are from South Pasadena, or have strong ties, and Colerick wanted to showcase their talents in a musical tribute to the city in “Nine Ten Thirty.”

“We have a wonderful community here,” said Colerick. “I love the creative community. I love the proximity to Los Angeles and Hollywood, but still feeling removed in our small town. No billboards.”

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Local contributors include David Plenn, Tim Flemming, Dave Tull, Sally Dworsky, Jim Hill, Scott Feldmann, Luke Halpin and Guillermo Guzman, the co-producer along with Colerick. Halpin now lives in Colorado, but “gets a pass” since he lived in South Pasadena a long time, insists Colerick, adding that the city’s former Chamber of Commerce president, Scott Feldman, now living in Pasadena, “was grandfathered in.”

He slipped in Grammy award-winning pianist Billy Childs, featured on the title cut, playing the keyboard. Child’s son, Aaron, also lends his talents to the album.

“I call it a musical barn-raising,” Colerick said of the collaboration from his South Pasadena friends. “It’s a little local nod to the town I love.”

Most of the songs were recorded in his small South Pasadena studio, 1510 Oxley Street, Suite H, not far from the iconic Rialto Theatre, the heart of the town Colerick loves.

The title song in Nine Ten Thirty opens with sounds of wild, red-crowned Amazon parrots and closes with another city staple – the relentless noise from Athens Services trucks.

“Parrots open it and an Athens truck closes it with a lot of fun in between,” said Colerick, enjoying a good laugh.

Eleven other songs can be found on the album, including “Bachelorette Party, “about an encounter on an early morning flight amidst a group of young Las Vegas revelers who embrace life’s unexpected moments,” he explained.

There’s also Bobby Troup’s old standard “Route 66,” which celebrates the famed road, parts of which go through South Pasadena today.

Locals know Colerick for his dry wit, good laugh and solid voice, heard weekly during a Wednesday night music series – Wine & Song – at Arroyo Golf Course in the Blue Guitar Room. Other musical guests join him during the typically three-hour event he dubs, “a mid-week, spirit-lifting hootenanny.”

“I love these Wednesday gatherings,” said Colerick. “Every show is unique and inspiring. We get a steady stream of outstanding artists touring through town who have heard about the great scene and receptive audiences here in the Arroyo. It’s also a great place for me to test drive new songs.”

The CD launch is slated for Saturday, August 25, as part of the second annual Bradfest at the Arroyo Seco Golf Course.

For more information, go to bradcolerick.com