In 1966, Joe Smith and Larry Davis got together and started playing at party's. By the first part of 1967, Bob Justen and Dan Bazzy had joined the group and The New Dawn was born. For the next two years, the band played at party's, dances and local bars. In 1969, the group quit their day jobs and signed with a booking agent. They added a fifth member, Bob Green, to front the group and share the lead vocal load with the drummer and lead singer, Dan Bazzy, and went on the road. They played in clubs in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska. In 1970, Bob Green was replaced by Bill Gartner, and the group recorded and released their first album "There's a New Dawn". Shortly therafter, Larry Davis retired from the group and was replaced by Steve Howard on the keyboards. By the end of 1971, all the members in the group were married, and a few of the wifes started having babies. Along with the babies came the desire to settle down and start roots. So, the group came off of the road, got "normal" jobs, and settled in to playing in local clubs on weekends. Over the years, most of the original members retired from the group and were replaced by other local musicians. Bill Gartner moved back to his native Chicago and started a group called Isaiah 53. He taught creative writting and literature at local college's in the Chicago area for a number of years, and went to work for a large corporation as a software engineer. Sadly, he passed away in May of 2008 after a long battle with cancer. Bob Justen returned to driving truck, and passed away in 1998 from head injuries received from an accident at work. Larry Davis went back to work for the phone company and moved to eastern Oregon. He retired from the phone company and still lives in eastern Oregon. Steve Howard returned to Yakima and started his own group and played out on the road for another 10 years. He came off the road and started an apple orchard near his native Yakima, Washington. Joe Smith started his own fabrication and welding shop and is still at it, building and welding projects for local companies. Dan Bazzy returned to driving a log truck and is the only original member left in the group. Russ Hosley joined the group in 1987 as the lead guitar player and vocalist. Karen Purdom joined the group in 1994 as the bass player and vocalist. And Dan's son, Daniel Bazzy, joined the group in 2005 as rhythm guitar player and vocalist. Others who were with the group briefly over the years include Vic Smith, Beaver Kilstadius, Jim Dent, Jimmy Shelbourn, and Danny Ellis.
The year 2005 started a new page in the history of the group. I have always wanted to do a Christian Rock album. So, I said a little prayer, took a deep breath, and jumped in with both feet. The "Rekindled" album is the result. The messages in the songs come from the heart. It tends to be upbeat and uplifting, with a light rock flavor. I sincerely hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it. If any of the songs touch your heart, inspire you, or help you in your walk with the Lord, then I will consider the album a success. Thanks and may God bless.
Dan