Rheumatologist Spends Time Playing, Recording Music

“I’ve always played by ear,” Dr. Goldberg says, adding that he also plays other instruments, including the banjo, bass guitar, piano and accordion.

His band typically performs songs by Steely Dan, The Cars, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Etta James and Motown artists. Only once in a while will it play original songs, he says, because people typically prefer to dance to familiar or popular tunes.

And music is all they do. Forget theatrics like dancers, pyrotechnics or smashing guitars on stage. Local fans simply want to hear good music, as evidenced by their t-shirts, which are printed with the band’s name. The town seems to love them. Even reviews among local music critics are “highly favorable,” says Dr. Goldberg.

Dr. Jerry Goldberg with Rob Shulman and his daughter, Hannah Shulman.

Downstairs Magic

In between practicing medicine and playing the guitar, Dr. Goldberg found time to build a recording studio in his basement. He refers to it as a “beautiful live room” that contains a set of Yamaha drums, multiple keyboards, a Hammond B3 organ, a Wurlitzer piano, 15 amplifiers, 40 electric and acoustic guitars, at least 10 bass guitars and all kinds of rhythm instruments. His collection also includes guitar pedals that alter sounds by creating an echo or reverb, for example.

“My adage is that happiness is always one pedal away,” Dr. Goldberg jokingly says. “What I’m looking for is a pedal that gives you talent. I haven’t found one yet.”

No one, however, is laughing at his newfound ability as an audio engineer. Many local musicians and students from the nearby high school and college record their songs in his studio for free. So far, he’s recorded two albums and is in the process of recording a third. He’s currently working with a songwriter whose father was a member of the Grass Roots, a popular rock band during the 1960s and 1970s.

Ironically, he has yet to record an album of original songs by his own band. He explains that life often gets in the way. Up to now, only four of the band’s 10 original songs have been recorded.

“I’ve been writing songs for about 35 years,” Dr. Goldberg says, adding that he’s especially good at writing song titles like, “I Was the Dope She Was Doing.” However, he says, “I haven’t gotten so far as to write the lyrics.”

One idea he’s considering is to record a collection of songs by local musicians and then sell the CD for $5 at local bookstores. He believes it may be an effective way to introduce and promote local talent to the community.