Cabs: Hi Jim, tell us a little bit about yourself. I see you live in Tracy
CA, not far from Silicon Valley in California

JR: Hello, I'm Jim Raasch. I'm 47 years old and still a practicing
musician. I make my living as a Heating & Air Conditioning service
technician. I'm still married to Karen Brewer Raasch. Have one son Jeremy,
he is my life. He's a sheetmetal worker by trade but is also an accomplished
musician and song writer. I quit playing music twice in my life but my
friends and family, mostly my son, got me back into playing music again.
It's great playing, helping my own son. Well, enough about me..... 


Cabs: How did you come to know the guys in Ambrosia?

JR: I first met David Pack when he played in the Cymbles of Time at the
Grand Theater in Torrance, CA. At that time they were a ten piece show band,
they were GREAT. I met him through a mutual friend, my lead player Manual
Blanco.
 
I met Joe a little later, we went to Narbonne High together.
At that time he was a track star. Really, he used to be a great runner. I
think during my junior year our nine piece soul band had pretty much
dissolved and I was looking for some guitar player to play with. I'm a bass
player and vocalist. I never changed. Manuel guitar and vocals. Sonny drums,
Joe on guitar and vocals.   


Cabs: Do you have any stories you can relate to us about those days?

JR: Let me tell you, Joe was an AWESOME vocalist and guitarist. What an
addition to a group!! Well, it didn't last too long. The other guitarist had
too many problems and Joe got a offer he had always wanted: to be solid with
David and Chris and the first Ambrosia drummer. In theory anyway, he didn't
stay very long then they found Burleigh. The guy was Incredible, we thought.



Cabs: Do you have a special moment that sticks out in your mind?

JR: We thought it was great when they got their record deal. We were all
pretty jealous, but man, they deserved it more than anyone. They worked real
hard, learned their craft better than anyone could imagine. 


Cabs: Did the guys in Ambrosia ever think they would make it big someday
during the early years?

JR: Dave always knew what he wanted out of his music and how you have to
do it, that's another story!!! LOL. Joe also was very demanding on his
fellow musicians and how to get it out of you. Oh yeah, he made you play up
to HIS caliber!
 

Cabs: Did you continue to follow Ambrosia's music throughout the years?

JR: I followed them as much as possible, always knew they would be
great.
 

Cabs: Is it possible for you to pick one Ambrosia album and explain why
you rate it as your favorite?

JR: Album: LIFE BEYOND L.A.


Cabs: What is it about Life Beyond L.A. that makes it your favorite?

JR: The album Life Beyond L.A. is, in my estimation, when the group was
peaking on a very great crescendo. With their worldly travels, it influenced
their music tremendously because it had many flavors but it stayed within
the loving heart & soul of a more experienced Ambrosia.


Cabs: Do you have any song that holds a special meaning to you?

JR: I like "Nice, Nice, Very Nice" and "Livin On My Own".


Cabs: Why those two songs?

JR: "Nice, Nice, Very Nice" because I love its rock & roll. "Livin On My
Own" has a great melody and the lyrics, it seems, was a break up time for
Dave.
 

Cabs: You mentioned that you are still a practicing musician. What are you
currently involved with these days?

JR: Yes, I still do lead vocals and bass guitar for the Tracy, CA based
group THE GOO. We would like to open for Ambrosia next time they are in the
Central Valley. Visit our web site at www.garytittle.com to see THE GOO.