Like many American children, he says his interest in music began September 4, 1964 when he saw The Beatles make their first US live appearance on television on The Ed Sullivan Show. After begging his parents for a guitar and getting extra support from his grandmother, he has been playing every since.

Don originally started off playing bass, often playing with his brothers Tom and Ed, but eventually evolved into a percussive-style acoustic guitarist. He touts singer-songwriter Michael Hedges, who died in 1997, as his major influence.

In 1972, Don borrowed an album from his next door neighbor by the group America, their self-titled debut recording.  It has been his favorite band every since then.

In the mid-70's after high school, Brennan started playing bass guitar for a group called Audio. They played together until the early 80's. They played at venues such as The Troubadour, Starwood, Cuckoo's Nest and many others. The band members were Steve Gage, Scott Macedo, Steven Scharf and Don-all from La Mirada, except Scharf (Gage, who also attended Neff High, recently teamed up with another La Mirada rocker, Steve Bravin and formed a group called The Groovetones, performing at last Augusts' La Mirada Blogfest).

Of course, it was around this time that Don started his "regular" job as a printer, a job he held over 30 years until he was laid off about nine months ago. Although he had the printing job, he was always playing music.

After Audio, Don mostly developed his skills as a songwriter and produced recordings in his home sound studio. He released his first solo acoustic instrumental CD entitled, "Well, to begin with..." in 2008.

Around 1997 he met up with Michele Barr, who also played guitar and sings. Michele, it turns out was a neighbor and Don's little sister Jane's best friend growing up in La Mirada! Together, Don and Michele formed The Naked Eye. They wrote and recorded songs together, have released 3 CD's, and "still perform occasionally."

They won Best Folk at the OC Music Awards in 2006 and have performed at The Coach House, BB Kings, The LA Music Awards, and local colleges. Don also won Best Acoustic at the Star Music Awards in 2008.

Brennan mentioned there is an impressive list of La Mirada garage rockers, many of who still perform, including: Kenny Metcalf (Don says he does the best Elton John tribute), Gage (Jimi Hendrix tribute band), Joe Alessandro (Bad Company tribute), Nick Sherwin, Paul Warner, Mark Servi, and Anthony Cortez among others.

Don and his wife Pam are also amateur winemakers and they enjoy traveling.

Of course, Don's music career reached a new platform a few weeks ago when he opened for his all-time favorite band, ""I tried to open for them five years ago when they were here and it didn't happen. This was such a huge thrill."

This horse definitely has a name.

When asked if his music will be enough to support him financially in the future, especially after being laid off, he said, "We'll see, so far so good...."

Photos: Above top right, Don playing at a La Mirada backyard party around 1976; Above top left, Don at his home studio; Above right, Don opening for America last month; Left, America's  Gerry Beckley, left, and Dewey Bunnell, center, with Don.

Visit Don's website at www.donbrennan.com