No Code Blue - Biographies

Guitar, Keyboard & Vocals Frank began his band life in grade 7 playing guitar in a four-piece instrumental group. In his first year at high-school in Niagara Falls, Ont., Frank joined a local rock band called the Riot Squad for one year. The next year, he formed the Pinkerton Colours, a 5-member rock band that played over 150 professional gigs in the Southern Ontario area over the next 3 years. The Pinkerton Colours merged with a St Catharines band called the Majority (whose drummer at the time was Neil Peart) . Frank played in this band until 1970 when he went to the University of Western Ontario to pursue his academic career and becoming a medical doctor. While at university, Frank learned to play the electric bass and played in a jazz trio in Niagara-on-the-Lake as a summer job for several years. After going to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia to study Obstetrics and Gynecology, Frank founded and played in “ Frank’s Band “, a group of 40-somethings “consisting of doctors, nurses and lawyers who played rock and roll to help local charities raise money for their causes. Shortly after re-locating to Abbotsford, BC in 1995, Frank founded a similar band with the help of several doctors, changing personnel several times until the current line-up of No Code Blue was established in 2004.
Keyboard & Vocals Lewis’s musical background began during elementary and high school, studying classical piano in the Royal Conservatory program. In junior and senior high school, the brass section of the school band beckoned and Lewis played the trombone for six years. The University years took over and organized music fell off the map. Almost 20 years later, after completing Medical School and Specialty training in Diagnostic Radiology, the opportunity presented itself to start taking piano lessons again. Lewis dabbled with classical music and then spent several years studying jazz piano. The opportunity to join what was to become No Code Blue presented itself in 2001 and it’s been rock and roll ever since!
Acoustic Guitar, Auto Harp & Vocals Born singing ....doctor slapped me! Didn't sing again until high school - part of a barber shop quartet (there were actually 9 of us, go figure!) Lots of singing- you know, in the shower, out for a walk with the Ipod turned up loud. I was caught singing on a golf course. For some reason Frank immediately asked me to audition for the band. Started to strum the guitar 4 yrs ago. Dispite this Frank has not kicked me out of the band , yet!
Keyboard & Vocals Katherine's musical interests began at 9 years old when she began taking piano lessons in the Royal Conversatory Program. She sang in many chiors through out her life in church as well as school. She joined No Code Blue 8 years ago after Frank Ahman heard about a nurse on Maternity that had sang a rockin tune in church that weekend...the rest is history. She currently works in Abbotsford as the Patient Care Coordinator of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (yes, she sings to the babies!).
Vocals Marg has a love for all forms of music and since a young age has sung along to favourites played on the radio. Outside of high school choir performances, performing on stage was just a dream as Marg concentrated on pursuing a career in Nursing. It wasn’t until she watched her children getting involved in dance and theatre that the child in her surfaced once again. First it was adult jazz dance classes and performing in musical productions and competitions. Then an opportunity to become involved in another musical group in Abbotsford came along – Fraser Valley Stage. Marg has been a member of FVS since 1996, performing in some well known Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, even competitively in Festivals in Britain and Ireland. Marg didn’t know what she was getting herself into when first talking to Frank about joining “his band”. That was in November of 1999 and having had no experience on a small stage as a lead/background vocalist was the ultimate challenge. With no formal musical training, Marg considers every Tuesday night NO CODE BLUE practice to be a learning experience! “Many Thanks to all NCB Bandmates – for the support, laughs and fun! Also to Shawn for putting up with my childhood dreams that have become a reality.” Marg worked for over 20 years at MSA Hospital and currently works full time as a physician recruitment consultant.
Drums & Vocals As a child Randy always had a need to bang on whatever he could find that would make a cool noise like metal oil drums at his father’s saw mill or the kitchen pots and pans. His first formal training was in 1964 at the age of 11 when he joined the Fraser Valley Junior Pipes and Drums. Advancing to drum sergeant, he toured with the band to numerous military tattoos, parades and other ceremonies at various venues throughout the Pacific Northwest. By the time he reached high school it was 1966 and music interests shifted from Celtic to rock and roll. The first garage band he and his friends put together was called “It’s Better Than Nothing” and technically speaking, it was (just). He played in a band called Blind Truth which practiced at an Abbotsford orphanage. One of band members and resident of the orphanage was (to be) punk artist Art Bergman. Art went on to fame and fortune many years later while Randy and five friends formed a band called “The Young Society”. In 1968 they made a television appearance and cut a record titled “Games” and “Flyin’ Away”, both composed by their late lead singer, Jim McWilliams. They performed at many venues from hotels in Hope to the Vancouver night club scene and numerous dances on the west coast. The band broke up in 1969. From there Randy played with several groups including country rock bands “The Rancheros” and “The Jane Clark Five”. He started drumming for No Code Blue in 2004 when friend and neighbour, Dr. Don Ross hosted an outdoor concert called “Ross Stock”. After attending the venue, he told Don that if he ever needed a drummer he would volunteer his services as the band was pursuing a noble cause and appeared to be having a great deal of fun. The drums had been sitting around collecting dust and that opportunity to play came a few short months later. He has been with No Code Blue ever since.
Guitar, Keyboard & Vocals It all started for Al when he turned 10 years old. That was the year that his big sister gave him his first guitar and The Venture’s Walk Don’t Run album. He proceeded to listen to the album and learn the guitar parts by ear. That same year his sister once again surprised him by waking him up the night The Beatles were guests on the Ed Sullivan Show for the first time. What an incredible event! Little did he know at that time what influence the 4 lads from Liverpool would have on the world and his musical career. Al’s favourite memories of home life revolved around the piano, where Mom and Dad would play songs from the war and traditional songs from the 30’s and 40’s. His brother and sister were also involved in music (big sister sang and danced, and little brother played saxophone). In Grade 7, Al joined Junior Band at the local secondary school, playing drums. By Grade 8 the music teacher had encouraged Al to play a “real” instrument (sorry Randy), and suggested the French Horn. As difficult as it was to go from a “cool” instrument (drums) to a “Nerdy” instrument, it was the beginning of a great musical journey, which followed him from high school to the Fraser Valley Symphony in later years. During secondary school and high school Al played in a garage band, called Sad Apple, with his neighbourhood buddies. They played a few gigs and participated in a couple of Battle Of The Bands, and even wrote some original tunes, before breaking up after graduation. From there, he played sporadically with other bands, but full time work took over and he strayed from playing for many years. Finally, after getting married and having children, the musical bug came calling again. He encouraged both his children to get involved in music programs, so at an early age they were enrolled in the Yamaha Music School to learn piano, some basic theory, and rhythm. When they got older his son moved on to being a drummer, and his daughter stayed with piano, enrolling in the Royal Conservatory Of Music program. Towards the end their high school years Al was asked to join a bunch of guys to jam on Friday nights, which ultimately led to the formation of a band called Big Fun. The best part of this band was the fact that both his daughter and his son were part of it, so it was particularly thrilling for him to be on stage with his children playing the same rock music, and exposing them to songs that he grew up with. During this time he had an opportunity to become part of the band now known as No Code Blue. Starting out on bass, just to get his foot in the door, he eventually switched instruments with Don Ross and became the rhythm guitar player. Joining this band has been the answer to a lifelong dream; to play in a band of great people who share his love of music and performing, while at the same time learning a lot from everyone, especially the band leader and great guitarist, Frank Ahman. Al would like to thank everyone in No Code Blue for the great times and memories. It has been a rewarding experience and continues to be more fun than work (with the exception of slogging amps and speakers up and down stairs……………we need roadies!!)
Bass Guitar & Vocals EVOLUTION OF A BASS PLAYER 1958 __ First stringed instrument, a ukulele for Christmas. 1959 -1962 __ A budding career as a boy soprano in the Rotary Boys Choir Abruptly brought to an end by puberty. Late 60’s and early 70’s __ long hair, paisley shirts, acoustic guitar, folk music. The 90’s __ less hair, long fingernails, classical guitar 2000 – present __ almost no hair, long in the tooth, bass player for No Code Blue