Mona Gnader: A life less ordinary

By Fae Woodward /Staff Writer

Of her job with Sammy Hagar and the Wabos, Mona Gnader, who plays electric bass, says she has had an interesting life since joining the band.

I had dreams, she says, but this job has far exceeded what I had in mind. It has gone far beyond that.

Gnader has traveled all over the United States and abroad with this band which differs from many other popular groups because of its audience participation. Parents, grandparents and children have become fans of Sammy and his Wabos. Gnader says you can look out in the audience and see the children singing the words to their songs.

She recalls fans telling her they would wait for two hours in line only to have members of other bands pass right by them without even acknowledging them as they entered a concert hall. From what Gnader says, Sammy and members of the band are not like that, and they often visit with those gathered when they are not playing.

She says Sammy Hagar always takes the band to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico for two weeks for his birthday in October. Fans from around the world join them there for the occasion.

They come from all over, she says. They come from England, Holland, Japan and Scotland to help celebrate.

While she has been with the band, the Willits girl has had the opportunity to travel in Europe and Australia, and says she was particularly excited when they went to Germany where her mother was born.

I try to get out and see things, but the time is limited because of the hours we play, she says.

The bands popularity still overwhelms her. Even after eight years, when I go out on stage, its exciting to realize all those people are here to see us, she says.

Gnader, who was born in San Diego, came to Willits at the age of 6 with her mother, Margo Gnader; her brother, David Burgess; and her sister, Linda Gnader. It was when she was attending Baechtel Grove School that she studied guitar with McKell Frey, who now is principal at Blosser Lane School.

She was my guitar teacher for two years, the bass player says. Gnader took bass as her second instrument for band when she attended Willits High School. I played acoustical bass, which I exchanged later for electric bass, she says. After high school she attended Mendocino College and played in its Jazz Ensemble.

I also played in a lot of bands, like cover bands and original bands, she says. Ive always loved music and played whenever I could. I wanted to be prepared if anything came along and it did. She says it came along when she had quit trying so hard.

Gnader had played with Wabos drummer, David Lauser, in another group and when Hagar needed a bass, Lauser recommended her. Sammy Hagar is lead guitar and vocalist for the band. Victor Johnson plays guitar, Lauser drums, Gibby Ross, percussion and Gnader bass.

Although Hagar is the songwriter, Gnader says they all pretty much help with arranging. They have just been finishing up eight songs for a CD.

Its a wonderful experience, she says. Next summer we will be on tour again.

According to the Willits bassist, when the band is on tour they are on the road for six or eight weeks and then come home for 10 days, go back out for another six to eight weeks, and then come back again for 10 days. Almost all the band members have families to come home to.

Sams family travels with us when the kids are not in school, she says.

Like most teenagers, when Gnader was in high school she thought Willits was boring. After spending a lot of time in cities, she says she feels fortunate to live in this small town.

I feel lucky to be able to do what I do and live here, she says. Its great working with the band, there are interesting things every day, but it is so good to come home to Willits.

At home with her retired mother, Mona, Gnader has two Devon Rex breed cats. She wants her music career to continue as long as it can, but when its over she says she has her cats.