Clay Bergren Performs with Liars Holographic Radio Theatre
Clay Bergren, formerly of the Odebolt area, is performing with Liars Holographic Radio Theatre of Marion, Iowa. Started in 1991, LHRT is a talented small group of musicians and actors who combine comedy and satirical skits with great music, spurious sponsors, and occasional tear-jerking fictional stories. Liars Theatre became very popular in eastern Iowa and was picked up by local public radio, KCCK 88.3 FM, and later by Iowa Public Television. The group performs at the Campbell Steele Gallery in Marion, Theatre Cedar Rapids and other venues in Eastern Iowa. After graduating from Odebolt-Arthur in 1969, Clay majored in music at the University of Northern Iowa. In college he developed his electric bass skills and played mostly jazz. He went on the road in the early 70's performing with jazz groups and other groups of varying musical styles. In 1973-74 he toured with recording artist John Davidson. He then taught school and picked up gigs here and there. In 1978 Clay "retired" from music. He built up his own advertising agency in the Cedar Rapids area. Through his music background and work with commercials and promotional videos, he became familiar with many local musicians and performers. In the fall of 1996, Scott Schulte, Nina Swanson, and Cruz Steele, of Liars Holographic Radio Theatre, asked Clay to be a guest electric bass player on one of their shows. The group liked Clay's bass playing so much they decided to offer him a job. Clay debated joining the group. He hadn't played much for 18 years. He had a full-time career and the theatre would take time away from his family. But in January 1997, he decided to give it a try. For the next 6 years his routine was to practice intensively with the group one week per month preparing for the upcoming show. After each show, the process started all over again. Last summer a broken finger caused a forced hiatus and kept Clay from performing or taping radio and television shows with the group in July. As a result he does not appear on some of the upcoming taped radio and TV programs. Clay is not sure what the future will bring but says that it has been a rewarding and memorable experience so far, and has given him a chance to perform with a fantastic group of talented individuals. Visit the Liars Theatre web site www.lhrt3d.com for more information. ************ Note: This article is a result of an email from Todd Gronemeyer, formerly of Odebolt. He saw Liars Theatre on IPTV and was 99% sure the bass player was the same Clay Bergren that played bass just before Todd did in high school. Since I live in Cedar Rapids, I looked in the phone directory and called Clay's number. We had a nice chat! - Barb Horak |
