Local musician produces new children’s CD decades after starting

Sometimes it takes a few months to record a CD, and sometimes it takes more than 30 years.

David Petri of Sonoma, a lifelong musician, former wine industry worker and recently retired Realtor, got distracted by parenthood, earning a living and working on various musical endeavors, and walked away from his pet project in the mid-’80s.

Now his animal-themed album, “Animal Convention,” is ready to share with the world, featuring original songs such as “Birdbath,” “Cat Rap” and “Cow.”

“Birdbath” made its radio debut Sept. 15 on KVSY, 91.3 FM, with free distribution online through iTunes and other outlets set to gear up during the remainder of this year.

“It’s not for sale,” said Petri, 65.

“The only way I’ll make money on this album is on royalties from airplay.”

“Animal Convention” began as a labor of love.

“Around 1985, I decided I wanted to do a children’s album,” Petri said, “so I began to write songs.

The lyrics are written from the perspective of animals. The original concept came from a photograph of my son’s stuffed animals.” (Petri’s son is now a 35-year-old Navy officer.)

So what took so long? His first plan to collaborate with a sponsor fell through and, in 1986, Petri turned to other projects.

It wasn’t until 2011 that he returned to “Animal Convention,” his 12th album

“I did a lot other records in the meantime,” he said.

Once Petri got started on the children’s album again, he still took his time, spending three years on the cover artwork alone.

“Then I hit another wall, and the wall was not ‘Why am I recording it?’ or ‘When am I recording it,’ but ‘How?’”

To start recording the songs, Petri drew on contacts from at least four decades of experience on the local music scene - including a run with his own band, 27 Dollar Snap On Face.

“There are 12 pieces, six are songs. The others are stories narrated by an old man named David. I tried to do my best Walter Brennan voice,” Petri said.

In addition to Petri on vocals and instrumentals, the album features guitarist and recording engineer Paul Rodriguez and bassist Steve Shirrell, co-owner of Stanroy Music Center in Santa Rosa.

Musicians on the album also include professional saxophonist Ari Camarota, now co-owner of the Gaia’s Garden in Santa Rosa, and vocals by two singer-songwriters with long local reputations: Kate Ketchum and Mike Japser, who now lives in Texas.

Petri continues to write new music. His first digital-only release, “Buttons from Russia,” is framed as an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin and is currently getting airplay in Europe.

However, Petri has no desire to perform live as a full-time pursuit.

“As far as doing three or four sets a night in a bar - no," he said.

"I did that for years and years. The bands don’t start until 9:30 and I’m usually in bed at 8."

You can reach staff writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @danarts.