Three Dog Night Drummer Pat Bautz is “Livin’ the Dream”
Pat Bautz says he can’t remember when he didn’t want to be a drummer. Growing up in Melbourne “I always had a set of sticks in my hand.” He credits two of his drum-playing older brothers with influencing what became his life’s work. At Eau Gallie High School Pat was a member of the jazz, concert and marching bands and was All State Jazz Band drummer (Florida) his senior year. Following a brief stint at Brevard Community College Pat went “on the road with a band” eventually landing in Houston where he worked as an audio engineer while playing in clubs and studio sessions. A few years after moving to Los Angeles Pat was “playing at an Irish Pub when (original Three Dog Night member) Cory Wells came in. In typical Hollywood fashion we exchanged cards and I told him if he ever needed a drummer….”
A couple of weeks later a surprised Bautz received the call and, following an audition process, joined the band. “One of the things I love about this band is that we work a lot.” Three Dog Night performs about 80 shows a year, playing dates throughout the world (they performed at the Cocoa Beach Wine and Food Festival earlier this year and an Australian tour is scheduled for November). I’m amazed that nearly every show we play is sold out.”
Pat and his wife Laurie moved to Cocoa Beach in 2001 where his Real Drum Studio is based. “I create drum tracks for people all over the world. I was one of the first people to provide Internet based recoding. Artists upload their session files and I’ll lay down the drum tracks.” In addition, Pat also offers mixing services. “It’s unbelievable how much of that work I’ve been doing.”
Three Dog Night is one of the most successful bands in history. During the 1970’s the group had 21 consecutive Top 40 hits, many of which are on the band’s playlist today. “People come to hear the hits,” says Pat, although they are also currently working on new material. Last year they released their first double-sided single in nearly 25 years-“Heart of Blues” and “Prayer of the Children” are available on ITunes. A recently launched IPhone app keeps fans current on new music, tour dates and other news.
The band recently celebrated 40 years of performing by founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton (lead vocals), original keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon and guitarist Michael Allsup. Pat and Paul Kingery (bass and vocals) joined the group later. “Even though I’m one of the ‘new guys’, we’ve been together now for 19 years; we’re like one big extended family.”
In addition to performing with Three Dog Night, Pat’s resume includes working with artists including Mickey Gilley, Freddy Fender, Dave Mason, Jeffrey Osborne, Badfinger, Everett Harp, Little Richard and Little Anthony and the Imperials. “Ever since I was little this is what I’ve wanted to do. I’m very lucky, I get to do what I love.”
Three Dog Nights’ Top 40 Hits:
Mama Told Me (Not To Come)
Joy to The World
Black And White
Shambala
Easy To Be Hard
An Old Fashioned Love Song
The Show Must Go On
One
Never Been To Spain
Liar
Eli’s Coming
The Family Of Man
Celebrate
Out In The Country
Sure As I’m Sittin’’ Here
Let Me Serenade You
One Man Band
Pieces Of April
Try A Little Tenderness
Til The World Ends
Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)
