Home • About • What's New? • Tour Dates • Bio • Press • Photos • Links • Contact
"Tour the Surfroom" photo gallery

In 1957 in a small red brick ranch style house, in Cudahy, WI, (Milwaukee's south shore) my grandfather Norman Hill had a dream. The dream was to create a sort of Polynesian haven in his basement (the 50's were famous for rec. rooms or party rooms) The result is still intact 47 years later, and is known lovingly as the Surfroom.

The Surfroom is my headquarters, as I now live in the house my Pop grew up in, with my Aunt Noreen, and grandparents Norman and Minnie Hill. Not much has changed through the years, only improvements have been made to the room (paint, carpet, souvenirs from Graceland, new fishnet) I've talked to other people that live in the area, or who have relatives that have had similar décor in their homes, this must have something to do with the South Pacific phenomenon that was so infectious back then, as well as the fact that the house is just 7 blocks from Milwaukee's South Shore.

In my mind, the Surfroom is an original. I have many fond memories of holidays, parties, and just hanging out with my sister, cousins and the Big Kamaalna, Norman Hill here. It's truly a dream come true for me to now occupy the house and the Surfroom. I do most of my brainstorming and song writing there, as it is very inspirational and a true refuge to escape to. When the world seems angry and cold, the Surfroom is like a warm tropical breeze.

The Surfroom is the place where my Pop George and my Aunt Noreen listened to Elvis, Ricky Nelson, The Teenager's, and my cousin Greg's favorite Johnny Pineapple. All of this happened on the old blonde Decca stereo that is still in the same place as it was then. To me it's a full circle, old memories remembered and new ones to be made. If you're ever in the Milwaukee area, look me up and drop by for a tall, cool tropical drink and we'll catch a wave in a true time capsule known as the Surfroom.