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Accomplishments
See also our "Testimonials" page!
Best viewed with a broadband connection (please be patient if you are using a "dial-up" connection)
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Our Founder...
Dennis J. Barela, RpDJ has worked within the professional entertainment industry for over 30 years.
His professional experience includes (past and present):
All original music © 2010 BMI by Dennis J. Barela
Magazine articles...
Original music tracks & recordings written, performed & produced by Dennis J. Barela: |
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The recently released album "Dennis J." features tracks that our founder has completed in the past few years. Here you can sample some of his experience as a singer-songwriter-guitarist, engineer, producer and computer sequencer programmer. Few DJs in the industry can claim that they have achieved this kind of success and knowledge or that they possess the understanding of the industry that these accomplishments require. Click the links below to play these tracks.
All songs © 2010 BMI by Dennis J. Barela
Dennis and Terminal Romance in one of their promotional pictures
"Vicariously Yours" was chosen for the movie soundtrack "Dirty Pool." The lyrics are that of a modern-day "Cyrano DeBergerac" style love story.
The track "Gotta Find Jeffrey a Girl" was influenced by one of our founder's childhood friends. This song was produced in conjunction with veteran producer Dennis MacKay who has worked with acts such as David Bowie, Stanley Clarke, Al Dimeola, The Jacksons, Jeff Beck, The Commodores and Barbra Streisand (just to name a few).
"Let Me In" is also one of the more recent Dennis J. songs and shows more of what the industry refers to as AOR (adult oriented rock) music. Click the link below to give it a listen!
Here's a rare "live" track of
the founder and Terminal Romance from a song with definite jazz, funk and
rock influences. "Closer To
The Bullet" was written in a barroom on a bar napkin during a dark
period in time for our humble writer.
Closer To the Bullet
(live at The Whisky)
Waiting to go on stage at a famous
Here's a song that was a favorite of the band (Terminal Romance) just prior to breaking up. It's about a girl in the neighborhood where Dennis grew up (thx Missy!). Enjoy!
Here's a track that tells the story of a troubled girl as viewed from the perspective of her dog "Mr Hooper."
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(Original CD art: pencil sketch by Tim Barela) "Cross My Heart" is a cross-over alternative-country ballad. Although Dennis has been educated in many genre of music he tends to specialize in pop-rock ballads. This track, however, is an example of the heavy influence that country music has cast upon the pop music industry.
One of the great things about working with Terminal Romance was that Dennis was encouraged by the band to strive to write, perform, arrange, record and think about music from more diverse, exciting, abstract and contemporary perspectives. “Big Boys Don’t Cry” is an example of a slower rock-ballad that is very “slow-danceable” and was at times a challenge to record and perform.
At work with top industry producer Dennis MacKay
O.K., you knew it was coming: here’s where our founder gets a little political. But before you jump to conclusions about the lyrics to “Losing The Faith,” please understand that the lyrics reflect the author's losing the faith in society and humanity.
…throw
enough against a wall and…
"Wait" is a very hyperactive pop-rock tune that was a favorite at the clubs and is still a big player through "muzak" type music services at a department store near you. Click below to listen!
If you are still here at the end of this list, we’re sure you’ll agree that we will end it “In The Nick of Time.” …another slow rock ballad for your listening pleasure.
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By Popular Demand... Welcome to the "Dennis J" & "Terminal Romance" archive vault. Here you will find old tracks that we dig up from ages past. (Yes, we will continue to add tracks as they are found) Thanks to "Wendy" for forwarding our latest addition. Enjoy!
Here's a
"lost track" from "circa 1995" Terminal
Romance:
Checkout
Girl (MP3 file)
This song was produced by Dennis MacKay and was chosen for the Hollywood motion picture soundtrack "Dirty Pool." (originally © 1992)
Here's a sample of an early 80's tune re-recorded in about 1990:
Realize
(WMA file)
New "Terminal Romance" (amateur) recordings have recently been found from practice/jam sessions recorded in Long Beach, CA in 1999. ...but first... (Kelly...) Help Me Understand was recorded at BandWest Studios in Anaheim on property taken over and now owned by Disney. You don't want to miss these:
(Kelly...)
Help Me Understand (WMA file)
Victim of Circumstance
(live)
(WMA file)
The Love Has Hit The Fan
(live)
(MP3 file)
Dear Alyssa
(live)
.wma
All original music © 2010 BMI by Dennis J. Barela
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Remember, we have literally performed uncountable thousands of performances over the years. This list is just an example of some of our job sites: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, UC Irvine Crawford Hall, Thornton Winery, Falkner Winery - Temecula, South Coast Winery - Temecula, Ponte Winery - Temecula, Churon Winery - Temecula, Embassy Suites - Temecula, Pechanga Casino, Temecula Creek Inn, Eagle Glen Golf Club, Wiens Family Cellars (winery) - Temecula, Bear Creek Country Club, Hilton Hotel - La Jolla, Leonesse Cellars _ Temecula, Sharky’s Officer’s Club MCAS Camp Pendelton, Hotel Del Coronado, Pala Casino, Stuart Cellars Winery - Temecula, Shilo Inn, South Mesa NCO Club MCAS Camp Pendelton, The Mission Inn Riverside, Villa De Amore - Temecula, KCET Channel 28 - Los Angeles, Temecula Valley Unified School District, Callaway Winery - Temecula, Hart Winery - Temecula, Wilson Creek Winery - Temecula, Longshadow Ranch Winery - Temecula, Orange Show Fairgrounds, Sony Studios - Hollywood, Schwarzkopf & Henkel, Onstage Studios, The Troubadour, The Whisky A-Go-Go, Menifee Lakes Country Club, Carlton Oaks Country Club, Black Gold Golf Club, Pala Mesa Resort, Grand Tradition, Los Willows, Irvine Regional Park, Surf and Sand - Laguna Beach, Hidden Valley Golf Club, Assistencia Mission Redlands, Kellogg House Pomona, Foxfire Inn, Heritage Park Irvine, Tortilla Flats, The Castle - Temecula, Sherman Library & Gardens, Newport Beach Marriot, Heritage Palms Country Club, The Forge - Temecula, Sierra Lakes Golf Club, San Clemente State Park, Palm Desert Marriot, Island Club NAS North Station, Idyllwild Nature Center, Dave & Buster’s, Singing Hills Country Club, Barona Casino, The Hacienda, The Orchard, Monteleone Meadows, The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Moreno Valley Ranch CC, Big Bear Lake Visitor’s Bureau, Horton Grand Hotel - San Diego, Bahia Resort, Coronado, Castaways Restaurant - San Bernardino, Cree Estate - Palm Springs, Vintage Hills PCA, Mission Valley Radisson, International Club, The Fleetwood, The Cuckoo’s Nest, El Prado Country Club, Gecko's, Pacific Edge, Sunnymead Ranch Lake Club, Canyon Lake Country Club, The Grapevine Arbor, The Thursday Club, Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club, Walnut Grove Park & Barn, The Queen Mary, Oak Meadows - Temecula, Lake Oak Meadows plus many, many, MANY more! (Too many to waste space over) |
Here's some industry reviews of some work by
TERMINAL ROMANCE:
Terminal
Romance- Dirty Pool ( [motion picture] soundtrack)
10/10
By Nick Baldrian
Terminal Romance are from
California and play gorgeous aor/pop a'la King Of Hearts, Southern Sons, Innuendo,
The Beatles, REM, Rick Springfield, Mark Spiro.
"Vicariously Yours" is a jaw dropping song full of lush
melodies and very sincere vocals from Dennis J Barela, this song features some
very nice violin playing, then things get a bit more up-tempo for the Nelson/
The Rembrandts influenced "Checkout Girl" which is so damn catchy I'm
surprised that the radio stations haven't picked up on this song, it's filled
with great hooklines, this band can write aor songs with the best of them, in
fact it would be fair to say that I personally think that we are going to hear
a lot from this band.
The last track "Gotta Find Jeffrey a Girl" is a lush aor/pop song with huge inspiring vocals. I can't wait to hear these songs in the context of the film the "Dirty Pool," I can imagine them working really well. Overall this band are VERY VERY talented, and I would say that it's probably one my favorite finds of the year. AWESOME every home should have one!!!!
Angelfire Review:
I got this demotape consisting of 3 songs from a friend of mine who really liked it... TERMINAL ROMANCE has qualities to become very popular. Their music is poppy poprock that is only a mile away from THE REMBRANDTS. I call this kind of rock 90s oriented Radiorock.
"Checkout girl", a nice early 80s typed melodic poprocker that reminds me of TOMMY TUTONE, EDDIE MONEY and DANNY WILDE. More info at: http://wwww.TerminalRomance.com
*Disclaimer: Please note that this site does not make references or
claims as to financial and/or insurance services offered under this company to avoid any complications or
contradictions that may exist or that may be contrary to licensing under
the laws of the state of
Dennis would like to also like to thank his good friends and associates Sean Michael Davis and Jason Atenza
of Terminal Romance. Nods also go out to former co-songwriters John C. Avants and Rick Dalton
for their inspiration, conspiracy & cellular surrender so many years ago.
(Feel free to email copies of past performances as we'd be happy to post them on this site in the future)
All original music © 2010 BMI by Dennis J. Barela
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