Two Meteors Band

John "Dennis" Mancino

I first met Doug Smith in September, 1961 when I entered fourth grade at Visitation Grammar School in Westchester, California.

By the fall of 1962, while in the 5th grade class of Sister Rose Aloysius, Doug and I had become such good friends that I received my first and only “Unsatisfactory” mark in conduct on my report card. Sister promptly separated Doug and I after that quarter, and my Dad separated me in other ways as well.

In the early winter of 1964 Doug and I were attending the 6th grade class of Mrs. Carter and were very interested in music.

As most kids were, we also were great fans of the Beatles. So Doug and I began playing guitars together. And by 7th grade we’d purchased our very first electric guitars, knock-offs of Fender for which I can’t even remember the brand name.

Doug and I would play our guitars in a shack his Dad had built in their backyard…a shack that had all the comforts of a home, including electricity, heating and two beds. We would play nearly all night on weekends bringing little sleep, but much fun.

Near the end of our 7th grade school year I was asked by friends in the opposite 7th grade class to play for the 8th grade graduation breakfast.

The band included myself, Dennis Grady, Brian Sievers, and Pat Finnerty, and Chuck Daily on drums. The songs: Walk Don’t Run, Bulldog, and two other songs by the Ventures. It was an event I still remember to this day.

The following year in the 8th grade class of Sister Leo Joseph, Doug, Chuck and I continued to play music together, culminating with our performance at our own 8th grade graduation party held by my cousin, Teresa Flynn, also our classmate.

Doug and I played together for the next couple of years and, as most do, we went off into the world after high school to pursue our careers.

I went into manufacturing management and worked in the industry for nearly 30 years.

In 1995 I formed a band with a friend, Kevin McHugh and we played for several gigs throughout the Southern California area. I also performed solo in several clubs, most notably the Crazyhorse Steakhouse & Saloon in Orange County. This was the same venue that featured such well-known celebrities as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Rick Nelson. I played there every Friday and Saturday night for four months, playing songs from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, John Denver, Donovan, Creedance Clearwater, the Byrds, Eric Clapton, the Eagles, the Travelin’ Wilburys, the Turtles, and Bob Dylan.

After spending time with Doug again at our 40th high school reunion, and sharing our own recorded music with each other, we decided to form our own band again.

I have prerecorded tracks using several instruments which Doug and I play and sing along to live, producing a full band sound. We play much of the same music – classic rock and a few alternatives as well.

We are available to play at events of all kinds and believe that our music excites those who share fond memories of the music as far back as the 1950s.

We look forward to playing for your events!!
info@themeteorsband.com

Doug Smith

A life-long folk rock and classic music fan, Doug proudly enters his fifth decade in the music industry as rhythm guitarist and vocalist for the LA-based band, Two Meteors. Doug's passion for all things music began at a young age, where his six brothers and sisters exposed him to everything from Bob Dylan to The Beatles. Doug attended Visitation Catholic Elementary School in Westchester, Los Angeles, where he met Dennis Mancino and Dennis Grady. The three quickly formed their first band, playing at parties and camping trip sing-along’s. Though the band dissolved in high school, the three remain close friends to this day.

Doug graduated from St. Bernard High School in 1970 and began his career in the food service industry. Prior to his 25 years at Sysco, Doug was a “cousin “at the Marina Del Rey's Warehouse Restaurant. It was there where he met Wendy, and the two married a few years later.

At his wedding, Doug reunited with Dennis Grady and performed "Happiness Runs" and “Teach Your Children” to his new bride.

Doug and Wendy currently reside in West Los Angeles, and recently celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary. Their children have since transplanted to Northern California, Jamie and her husband Scott in Davis, and Justin in San Francisco.

Though Doug's musical aspirations took a backseat to his growing family, he picked up his Gibson guitar once again decades later for his daughter's wedding. Doug surprised Jamie and danced with her to his own recording of "The Wedding Song." From there, Doug's recording discography exploded, and 200+ songs later, he continues covering everything from Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell to Mumford & Sons and Adele.

Reuniting with Dennis Mancino today as a fellow Meteor is truly a pinnacle in Doug's life. "I never knew at 60 that such a great 'new' friend would come along. I know we will be playing music together forever, and I can't wait for what's next to come!"
info@themeteorsband.com