by Peter Twitchell
Since I was a boy growing up in Bethel, my favorite person way beyond my age range was Sonny Hoffman. Every time he saw me with my Dad or walking the streets of Bethel he made time to stop and say, “Hi Stud,” and gave me a big smile and walked away.
I didn’t know what the word was but he made me feel like I was grown up.
I felt sad when Dad died in an accident August 21, 1965, I wasn’t alone. I had a friend in Sonny Hoffman. When my Dad wasn’t in our lives all of a sudden, no Bristol Bay fishing money coming in, no mink, otter, or other fur bearing animals money coming in to our home, I all of a sudden became self-conscious. My inner self telling me every person in the city of Bethel was looking at me, and saying or thinking, “Poor Peter, he doesn’t have a dad anymore!”
This changed my mind and I swore to myself – I was going to prove them wrong, I was going to succeed and be a success!!
I took the guitar out and looked through my record albums and found a group, The Ventures, with Nokie Edwards, Cherokee Indian bass player and a virtuoso guitar player and instrumentalist. He inspired me to learn The Ventures instrumental in rock music!!
I proceeded to make a list of friends who I thought could be part of our band of musicians. I wrote down Jack Hopstad, whom I had met when Dad visited with Jack’s dad Olaf Hopstad, one of Dad’s best friends.
Friends: Sam Oscar, Stan Nevak, John David, and my first cousin Charlie Beaver.
Charlie went to school every fall at Chemawa Indian School in Oregon. He was a natural guitar player self taught, and quick learner who picked up rock bands he was exposed to in stateside such as “Paul Revere and the Raiders” and other vague rock groups. One hit wonders came and went but Charlie was a great addition to the Strange Tones every summer when my iluqs Bobby, Stuffer, Johnny Guinn, and Wass Mute were attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Johnny was serving in the military in Vietnam. Thank you Johnny for serving your country and your fellow man.
The Strange Tones had the Cowan Hut dance hall to themselves. The Strange Tones band was Jack Hopstad (lead guitar), John David (drums), Stan Nevak (rhythm guitar), and my first cousin Charlie Beaver filled in during the summer months.
Yours truly, Peter Twitchell, bass guitar, and fender jaguar guitar.
My Dad’s absence from our lives and mine prompted me to be a success. I have been putting bands together for the last 73 years. My current band being “The Willow Buds”. Elder Frank Hunter (lead guitar), Tom-Tom (drummer), Jerry John (lead and rhythm), yours truly Peter Twitchell (bass/rhythm), and we all sing.
