Member Profile
Primary tabs
Video Links:
PRIMARY INSTRUMENT(S):
Bass Guitar
Guitar
ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENT(S):
Keyboards, drums, Ukulele
TYPE OF WORK DESIRED:
TOURING
RECORDING
CLUB GIGS
PRIVATE PARTIES
TEACHING MUSIC LESSONS
Other
CHART READING/WRITING SKILLS :
WRITE
READ
WRITE
READ
HOME STUDIO :
Home Studio:Yes
No
ENGINEER :
Engineer:Yes
No
ADDITIONAL SKILLS :
Additional Skiills:PRODUCER
ARRANGER
BAND LEADER
ROAD MANAGER
Other
Description:
I'm a singer/songwriter, guitarist. I've been playing guitar with Michael McDonald since 1988. I've also written several songs with Michael that appear on his albums including, "No Love To Be Found", which is a regular song in his live show.
Resume / Bio:
Bernie Chiaravalle hails from Marin County, CA, just north of San Francisco. At age 9 he first started piano lessons but his life changed drastically after watching The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. He begged his parents for a guitar (which they bought him) and he hasn't put it down since!
Before long he was learning Beatle songs as well as music by CSN, Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds. His parents had also bought him a Philco guitar that came with a record player that he could plug into and play along with records. It wasn't long before he started writing his own songs and started his first band, Logos, along with drummer Mitch Hinard and guitarist Dennis Spadini. Soon they were joined by guitarist/bassist John Lovrien with whom Bernie struck up a songwriting partnership that lasted the better part of 15 years. Other members of Logos through the years included Dave Obedio, Michael Byrnes, Greg Elmore, Ross Bell and Danny Bertoldi. When Logos disbanded in the early 1980s, John and Bernie joined forces with bassist Flavia Paulsen and drummer Mike Morris to form Page One. In 1984 the band made the big move to Los Angeles, in pursuit of the big record deal. It wasn’t to be, and the band broke up in 1987.
One great thing about the move to LA was when Bernie got the gig playing guitar for Michael McDonald (formally of The Doobie Brothers) and continues to play for him to this day. Michael and Bernie struck up a writing relationship and have written over 2 dozen songs together, which have appeared on Michael’s records. Bernie also co-produced McDonald’s Blue Obsession album.
In 1998 Bernie and his family moved to Nashville Tennessee. Since living there he has written with many songwriters including McDonald, Jon Vezner, Larry Carlton, John Goodwin, Amy Holland and many more. He also produced and co-wrote Amy’s record “Journey To Miracle River”. He has released 6 solo albums with another one on the way. He has performed or recorded with Vince Gill, Billy Preston, Tommy Sims, Kenny Loggins, Jeff Bridges, David Pack, Hall & Oates, BB King, Robben Ford, Steve Lukather, Dan Needham, Drea Rhenee’, Pat Coil and many more…
Bernie has released 7 solo albums. His latest, "ONE BRIGHT MOMENT" showcases 11 new songs written mostly by himself. He also plays and sings all the instruments and vocals. He co-wrote the title track with his longtime friend and bandmate Michael McDonald.