LIVE YOUR DREAM

Music Biography: Tales of Time with The Tropics, Tom Petty's Mudcrutch, New Rascals, Gregg Allman, Cactus, many Rock 'n' Roll friends and beyond his life in music! A story of real musical roots! The life and times of Charlie Souza http://liveyourdreambook.com/

An excerpt from Track 5 California Dreamin' ~ LIVE YOUR DREAM - Endorsed by Tom Petty "At age 27 I had not developed my communication skills to a point where I could make myself clear about my own feelings and expectations. Most of my music friends and acquaintances were in the same boat... My new friend Tom Petty had the same problem. When he picked up me and my bass guitar at LAX with his two seater Opel sports car, I knew then we were both "Runnin' Down a Dream" but while narrating our ride up the 405 and over the "big hill" as Tom described it and then into the San Fernando Valley, he had a hard time conveying to me what his plans were for our future together. Although "T.P." obviously had great skills communicating in music with his songs as we all found out in the years to come!" — Tom has graciously given me his blessings on releasing this book and I am honored and very grateful to have worked with him. Endorsements: "After I left Cactus, Charlie eventually became the bass player in the New Cactus Band. I came to know him as a good bass player and friend. I'm sure he has some great stories to tell!" Tim Bogert - Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, BBA Beck Bogert & Appice "He hits all the right notes. A great player, terrific singer and a gentleman as well! It's always a pleasure to share the stage with my friend, Charlie Souza". Dino Danelli - Rascals The thing I love about Charlie Souza's musicianship is that he comes from the heart - that coupled with his great understanding of what he plays makes for great music. You know, I bought my house from Charlie, and his good energy is in my wooden beams. That's why I sleep good at night. Tim Hauser - Manhattan Transfer

Charlie Souza is a bass player, vocalist, performer, writer and producer who has been in the business over four decades. His music has been released on Columbia, Atlantic, Polydor, Fantasy and Laurie Records. FORTRESS on Atlantic Records was an '80s melodic metal group and still is a cult favorite in Europe with a release on Wounded Bird Records in 2008, FORTRESS "Hands in the Till" with releases on independent Souzaphone Records and Phoenix Records in Europe, Charlie has recently filmed and recorded a Live DVD with the NEW RASCALS "NEW RASCALS RELOADED". Souza has toured with the NEW RASCALS Featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish with Bill Pascali (formerly of the Vanilla Fudge), and is also playing dates in Florida with his band, THE NEW TROPICS (TNT) and has also toured, collaborated and recorded with Tom Petty; Greg Allman; Bill Champlin of Chicago; Mike Pinera, Malcolm Jones and Joe Lala of Blues Image; Cactus; White Witch; Gale Force with producer Wayne Henderson of The Jazz Crusaders; Native American actor Floyd Red Crow Westerman; Santana keyboardist Leon Patillo; and the Darrell Mansfield Christian Band and Fred Willard among many others. Charlie also teamed up with former Robin Trower and Sly & The Family Stone drummer Bill Lordan, with saxophonist Adrian Tapia of Boz Scaggs, and original Tropics guitarist, recording artist Eric Turner (Fortress) on albums Live Your Dream” and "9 Ball in the Corner Pocket. These two CDs were recorded in Anaheim and Hollywood, California. Charlie's song Carry Me Back to St. Petersburg off his New Tropics "Livin' in Paradise" CD, recorded in Tampa Bay area studios, was voted the winner of the official city song contest. http://charliesouza.com