10
vernonia’s
voice community
may
2009
Bad Penny-- Rock and Roll
That’s All in The Family
By Scott Laird
Bad Penny is the name, and
80’s Rock and Roll is the game. But
screaming guitars, stage explosions
and really tight pants are not part
of the mix for this local Vernonia
power rock trio. In fact, this is just
a family that plays music together
because they truly enjoy working
and being together. And they love
eighties-style rock!
I recently got together with
the members of Bad Penny: fa-
ther, Craig Headley, 52; son, Aaron
Headley, 27; and daughter, Heather The members of Bad Penny, Craig Headley, Aaron Headley,
Graham, 25. After receiving an
and Heather Graham, all from Vernonia
email that briefly detailed their story,
I took a listen to the MP3 file they had attached. These guys are really talented musicians! And
they have a very interesting story to tell as well.
Let’s start at the beginning. Craig and his wife, Karen, moved with their two teenagers
from the suburbs of California to eight acres out on Pebble Creek Road in Vernonia in 1997,
one year after a devastating flood hit this community. The kids initially hated the move to rural
Oregon, but quickly learned to love it. “A little piece of heaven,” is how Heather describes it
now. Both Heather and Aaron graduated from Vernonia High School, and continue to make
their homes here in town.
Music has always been in the family-- Craig majored in music at the University of Oregon
and played bass guitar in a successful rock band during the 1980’s called Z Boy. They came
just inches away from making the big time, and Craig reminisces fondly about his years in the
band. Aaron is an accomplished guitar player in his own right, having started when he was
twelve; and Heather is a talented percussionist, also plays keyboards, and recently figured out
she’s quite a vocalist.
The family has played together for fun off and on over the years. But the flood of December,
2007, and personal disaster forced the family to pull together and find that music can be more
than just a fun hobby. Heather,
a mother of three young
girls aged six, three, and one-and-
a-half, and her husband’s
home was flooded on December
3, which also happened to be
the date of their second wedding
anniversary. They had only
just recently purchased the home
about six months before the
flood. But out of that disaster
some great music was born.
“That was a pretty grey time
for everybody,” remembers
Craig. He and his wife moved into
a fifth-wheel trailer, allowing
Heather’s family to move into their
home while they were dis-
placed. “I was sitting in the fifth-
wheel thinking, ‘We’ve go to
do something different, something
to kind of rally a little bit,’”
said Craig. “And music being what we love, I thought, let’s see what we can do here.”
The family set up a pseudo-recording studio, literally stacking equipment, instruments, com-
puter hard drives and gear into the tightly packed trailer. “It ended up just being a good time for
the family to be together working on something,” said Craig. They played music and recorded
together as a way to cope with the stress and frustration of loss. “And when we were finished with
it, we thought, ‘Hey, this is pretty good-- what should we do with it?’” said Craig.
The family was very aware that a lot of good things had come out the flood-- people help-
ing each other, all the volunteers that showed up to work on Heather’s house, the community
pulling together. They decided to market a four-song CD, called Flood, and donate the pro-
ceeds to Columbia County Community Action Team, as a way to give back for all the help they
received. The CD is now available at some local merchants around town. “People seem to like
what they’re hearing,” says Craig.
So, about their material and song choices, this eighties rock thing. “We all just love eight-
ies rock,” said Aaron. “Dad was in a big eighties rock band, a big-hair band-- really monster
hair, lots of Aqua-net,” laughs Heather. They cover Journey, Pink Floyd, and a band called
Kingdom Come, along with a Headley original on the CD. They have performed live for
friends and hope to play some gigs this summer in Vernonia. Included in their set list are covers
of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Led Zeppelin, Joe Satriani, Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson.
The name Bad Penny goes way back. Aaron tells the story of how years ago Craig was in a band
looking for a name and turned Aaron and Heather loose with a competition for their schoolmates to
come up with a name. “It was maybe my third or fourth grade class,” said Aaron. “And somebody
coined that name, and we didn’t use it then, but throughout the years of us playing together, whenever
we toy with a name, we would toss that one out there. This time around we plugged it in.”
It’s a bit unusual to find a family that seems to enjoy being together as much as the Head-
leys. But after sitting and talking with them, you can tell there’s a really strong bond between
them. And music seems to be a big part of that. “Out here in Vernonia, there’s not a lot of
musicians to play with and we just started jamming together more as a family, than anything
else,” said Aaron. “We just have a natural feel together,” said Heather.
Aaron will be leaving this fall to join the US Navy. Heather, besides being a full-time
mom, is going to school to complete a master’s degree in Fine Arts, and works part time. She
and her family are back in their house, and are waiting to raise it. Heather made sure to mention
the support the band has received from their biggest fan, mom and wife, Karen. “She’ll watch
all three of my children after a full day’s work, so we can rehearse for a couple of hours. She’ll
tolerate ridiculous practice volumes and vibrations that carry throughout the whole house.
She’ll pay down credit cards after we jack them up from buying music gear. And she loves and
supports everything we try to do. She is an amazing person and we owe everything we’ve been
able to accomplish thus far, to her.”
Heather also mentioned her daughters, who she says support her like no one else can. “When
we go for drives, I sing my eighties heart out, and they smile at me from the back seat and sing along.
I honestly think I sound better when I have a baby on my hip, at least I’m more used to singing like
that. My oldest (Mellody, age 6) says to me, ‘Mommy, you’re the most beautifulest singer in the
whole world.’ She’s my biggest fan and obviously the most favorable critic I could ever ask for.”
The family has found strength in making music together, and a community that they feel
connected to. “Whenever we face difficult times, music is a huge part of what helps us heal--
being able to create together,” says Craig. “It’s good to be part of a community like this, where
we want to give back. It’s been a great experience for us.”
“Dad was in
a big eighties
rock band, a
big-hair band--
really monster
hair, lots of
Aqua-net.”
Senior Center Activities For May 2009
Five Area Luncheon: Held in Vernonia this month on May 26. Join seniors from
throughout Columbia County for this monthly gathering hosted by a different community
Senior Center each month.
AARP Safe Driving Class: Anyone interested call Karen Miller, Senior Services at the
Vernonia Senior Center 603-429-9112.
Connie’s Fabulous Breakfasts: Fabulous breakfasts are available to the public on Fri-
days for a cost of only $3. The event happens at the Senior Center (446 Bridge Street) from
7:00 to 9:00 AM each Friday. Meal price includes a beverage, too. Enter through the side,
parking lot door. What a deal!
Week Day Lunches: The Vernonia Senior Center offers nutritious and tasty lunches
each weekday for only $3. These are available to the public, not just Senior Citizens. (Meal-
time is noon; late arrivals may not be served.) You can reserve your lunch by calling by 11:15
AM, or further in advance if possible, to assist the cooks as they prepare the day’s meals.
Maple Bars available locally!: Connie King, the cook at the Senior Center, is making
maple bars each day. The maple bars are available to the public, too, and only cost $1 each.
Availability is subject to quantity on hand. You can assure yourself of a good supply by pre-
ordering them directly from Connie by calling the Senior Center (503-429-3912) any week
day, from 7:00 AM-3:00 PM. Please allow one day lead time for larger orders. The Center’s
front door opens at 9:00, but the side parking lot door opens at 7:00. Ah, sweet treats!
Thrift Store: Bargain prices can be found in Vernonia’s Senior Center in their Thrift
Store. The retail store is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. It is
also open most Saturdays mornings from 9:00 to noon. The Thrift Store provides funds for
he Senior Center’s facility and its many activities. Donations can also be dropped off during
those same hours, and donated clothes need to be clean and in good condition so they are
“sales ready”. Buy locally and support your local Senior Center.
Membership Dues: Another way to support Vernonia’s Senior Center is to pay the $10
annual membership dues. Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the Senior Center.
A Vernonia Fish Story
By Gordon Compton
I called in sick on Thursday and took the grandkids
to Vernonia pond. We (me and a ten, eight and six year
old) fished from the bank with no luck. One of the float-
ing fishing platforms opened up and we moved over to
greener waters.
Still no luck. Kids getting bored, and my grand-
daughter, Kyla Jepson, wasn’t watching her pink Bar-
bie pole. Splash... all I see is the faint color of the pink
pole going to the bottom.
I grab grandson’s camo GI Joe pole, put on a Nor-
dic jig with treble hook and start to dredge the bottom.
Fifteen or so minutes later, I snag the line and get that Kyla Jepson shows off the fish she caught at
Vernonia Lake
Barbie pole to shore.
Granddaughter starts reeling in the line. “Papa
there’s a fish on my line.” Five minutes later, here’s what she caught!
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