One of the first people I had the pleasure of meeting in Yarnell was the owner of the Yarnell Market, Andy Bacon. I remember my dear husband, Lou (my promoter, biggest fan and recording producer) quickly informing Andy of my music career, which he does everywhere we go! (I love it, of course.) Andy was kind enough to sell my gospel CD, “Light My Path”, on consignment at his store and is now selling my new CD “Ash n’ Blues”.
Through the conversation, he shared with Lou and I that he is also a musician – a rhythm guitarist and singer with the band, Man Down, formerly known as The Weaver Mountain Band.That was my first exposure to a fellow Yarnell musician. I have had the pleasure of singing and playing along with Andy in church, and at a fundraiser for Weaver Care Resources. It was fun and refreshing! Since then, I was able to get to know the other members of Man Down. Andy is moving on…life is taking him to New Mexico. The remaining band members have formed under a different name: “Spatz”. Meet them here!
GENRE: Rock, Classic Rock BAND MEMBERS: Cliff Dupuy - Bass Delbert Long - Lead Guitar and Vocals Stephan Gutowski - Drums BOOKINGS INFORMATION: Call Cliff Dupuy @ 928-427-6476
The band’s members are native to California. Cliff Dupuy, bass guitar, has lived in the Yarnell area for 4+ years. While listening to Cliff play the driving force behind all chords, you would never guess that he only seriously started playing almost 2 years. Cliff is a veteran, having served in the US Navy. (Thanks for serving, Cliff). His life partner is Garnet. There is a store in Yarnell called “Patty & Sons”, of which Cliff is one of the sons. This is another place all visitors to Yarnell need to see! It’s full of antiques, jewelry, polished Arizona rocks, you name it. (Great store to acquire some souvenirs, fyi.)
Delbert Long – WOW, lead guitarist PRIMO – is also originally from California. He is the 
newest member of the band and has lived in the Yarnell area for almost a year. Delbert has played guitar for 40 years, and the rest of the band is thrilled he has joined them.
The drummer, who’s been so aptly rockin’ the beat for 53 years, Stephan Gutowski, is also from California, but has called Arizona home for the last 25 years. His seasoned talent is very evident, not to mention Stephan is fun to watch as he becomes one with the sticks.
Thank you Spatz, for keeping Yarnell PUMPED!
Yarnell, Arizona really is a special place. Not only is it nestled in the most beautiful mountainous terrain, but the artistic and musical talent in the area is stunning. I have embarked on a new musical career, based in Yarnell, which has opened my eyes to how things are supposed to be. Having been a musician and music instructor for many years on the US East Coast, my idea of the music and arts community was tainted: “cut-throat”, competitive, filled with puffed-up people and “click-ish” – you get the picture. Not so in Yarnell. In this town, artists and musicians support each other, promote each other, join each other, attend each other’s shows and genuinely respect each other’s abilities. Having said this, we all know that wherever there are people, there are personality flaws, differences of opinions, and clashes of human nature. Yarnell is no different! However, there is a unique measure of respect for individuality that I have not experienced anywhere else I have called home. I know the residents of Yarnell, Peeple’s Valley and Glen Ilah would agree with me when I state that the tragic fire that took place here in late June and early July 2013 brought us all closer to one another. It helped each of us to see that we are pieces of a puzzle, which when melded together form a complete picture.
Yarnell Buzz is my creation of an online scrap book to highlight the amazingly talented and wonderful people I have had the opportunity to meet and work with here. Check back often, as this information will be updated frequently with itineraries for all of you music and artist connoisseurs.
This album is proudly dedicated to the people of Yarnell, Peeples Valley and Glen Ilah in Arizona, whose spirit, determination and amazing strength was the very inspiration for these songs. I am honored to be a part of this community, and pray for God’s continued blessings upon it. Wildfires could not drag us away, and Yarnell truly is rising. Thank you, Yarnell, for your friendships and support of my music. We also honor and pay memorial tribute to the brave men and women who courageously fight the fires for our sake.
Song List:
Keyboards: Denise Roggio - Vocals: Denise Roggio Mixing/Recording: Louis F. Roggio ©2013 Denise C. Roggio - All Rights Reserved
This album is proudly dedicated to the people of Yarnell,
Peeples Valley and Glen Ilah in Arizona, whose spirit,
determination and amazing strength was the very
inspiration for these songs. I am honored to be a part
of this community, and pray for God’s continued blessings
upon it. Wildfires could not drag us away, and Yarnell
truly is rising. Thank you, Yarnell, for your friendships
and support of my music. We also honor and pay memorial
tribute to the brave men and women who courageously
fight the fires for our sake.
1. Yarnell Rising – Lyrics & Music by Denise Roggio
2. The Other Girl – Lyrics & Music by Denise Roggio
3. I’m So Blue – Lyrics & Music by Denise Roggio
4. Love Me Like A Man – Lyrics: Chris Smither
5. I Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl – Lyrics: Clarence Williams,
Dally Small, J.T. Bryman
6. Crazy Blues – Lyrics Adapted/Rewritten from Public Domain
Music by Denise Roggio
7. Alone With You – Lyrics & Music by Denise Roggio
8. Black Coffee – Lyrics: Pal Francis, Sonny Burke
9. Walk A Mile – Lyrics & Music by Denise Roggio
10. Blazing Honor – Lyrics & Music by Denise Roggio
Mixing/Recording:
– Louis F. Roggio
©2013 All Rights Reserved
“We know we could never come close to thanking the hundreds of people or volunteer groups that came to assist Yarnell at its time of greatest need and the people behind the scenes coordinating our recovery.
“But we’d like to try.”
The event will take place from noon to 10 p.m. on the site of the Mule Shoe Animal Clinic and the T-Bird Café at 19225 S. Highway 89 in Peeples Valley. Singer Denise Roggio…”
Read full article at the Daily Courier
“On Saturday, September 14, we had the privilege of attending Yarnell’s first groundbreaking ceremony. This was a monumental first step for the small neighborly town still recovering from the devastating fires that took the lives of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters and destroyed 129 structures within and surrounding this small hillside community here in Arizona. As we traveled through this picturesque community, charred boulders and partial foundations lie next to the neighbors’ homes that escaped the devastating fires.
The wildfire ignited by lightning on June 28, 2013 was finally contained on July 10, 2013. Roughly 9 ½ weeks later, the first permit has been issued to Farm Bureau members and policyholders Roy and Stacy Pizzirusso, to lead the way for this tight knit community to rebuild, one home at a time, raising Yarnell once again.”
“…A sense of hope is rising in Yarnell. We can rebuild. Local musician, singer, DJ & entertainer Denise Roggio was there leading the townspeople in singing ‘raising Yarnell from the ashes’ as well as many other well-known classic songs, providing a much needed festive atmosphere, to go along with the great BBQ potluck you would come to expect in the neighborly community of Yarnell.”
Read full story at The Voice
The first groundbreaking ceremony for a new home in the area devastated by the Yarnell Hill Fire will be held tomorrow. According to the Yarnell Hill Fire Recovery Group, Roy and Stacy Pizzirusso lost their Glen Ilah home in the fire. They plan to celebrate the groundbreaking of their new home with a barbecue and music. Denise Roggio will perform her new song “Yarnell Rising” following the celebration, which runs from 4 to 6. At 6, there will be a campfire sing-along in the Yarnell Presbyterian Community Church parking lot. For more information on these events, go online to yarnellhillrecoverygroup.org.
Read full article at Chino Valley News
