This Father’s Day, we’re shining a spotlight on a special kind of dad—the kind who doesn’t just tell bedtime stories, but might strum a lullaby on guitar; who cheers from the stands and then hops on stage for a gig… Sometimes, even enlisting your kids to be your roadies! These are the dads who rock—musicians whose fatherhood journeys are just as meaningful as their musical ones. We caught up with three such dads, here in Benicia, whose lives strike a powerful chord between parenthood and performance: Andy Brunt, Chris Robinson, and Nick Orosco.
Andy Brunt: The Family Band Man
Having come to Benicia by way of the UK, Andy Brunt’s musical journey began with a ukulele and a Chuck Berry tune. By the time he was a teenager, he was forming bands and dreaming big—he even once proposed the name “Oasis” for a band in 1979, only to be overruled by his bandmates. “Who knew 10+ years later Oasis would become one of the biggest bands in the world,” he laughs.
Now, decades later, Andy plays with his own kids. His son Ruben rocks the keys in their band Uncommonwealth. You may know Ruben as a co-host of the popular podcast Benicia Voice. “It is an absolute treat for me to play music with my kids,” he says. His daughter Phoebe is a globe-trotting singer-songwriter. Music was never optional in their home—it was woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Andy’s favorite musical dad moment? Watching Ruben play drums during soundcheck at the Royal Albert Hall alongside Mark Knopfler’s band. “It brought tears to my eyes,” he recalls, “watching my son play with such incredibly talented musicians in an iconic venue.”
You can find Andy tending shop at The Escape, a multi-use fitness and events space in the Benicia Industrial Park. And yes, he also plays the spoons.
Andy Brunt
Chris Robinson
Chris Robinson: The Quiet Pro
Australian-born Chris Robinson’s relationship with music began at four, noodling on a ukulele in front of a speaker. “Technique or discipline wasn’t really a factor,” he says, “just following my ears.” That ethos—joy over competition—guides how he’s introduced music to his kids. Over the years, that balance between music and family life became second nature. “We forced so many work settings to be family friendly—pushing strollers through the crowds at Montreux Jazz, spilled cranberry juice and diaper changes backstage at Carnegie Hall… you do what you’ve got to do,” he laughs. “Keeping music as a happy place is really important, as opposed to treating it like a sport,” he reflects.
Chris may fly under the radar, but he’s a seasoned musician with a custom-made guitar and a history of working with elite drummers like Peter Erskine and Dave Weckl. Yet while he and his wife, Deb, have produced music festivals and concerts around the world for two decades, including producing live music at Lucca Beer Garden and for Porchfest Benicia, many didn’t even know he played. “A classical conductor we worked with for 15 years had no idea I played music until he heard a record I was on,” he says.
Fatherhood shifted his musical perspective. “Professionalism kicks in,” he says. “No longer is it about playing from club to club… it’s more like, ‘send me the proposal.’” His pride now is in watching his daughters “ace life, school, and beyond.”
Nick Orosco: From Saxophone to Church Drums
For Nick Orosco, music was love at first sound. “I was in fourth grade when I first heard a saxophone at a school assembly—I was in utter awe,” he says. That awe evolved into musicianship spanning jazz, gospel, rockabilly, and blues.
These days, Nick plays drums at his church and recently joined a group playing jazz/rock/hits at The Inn at Benicia Bay—his first “jam session” in over 15 years. “We hadn’t met before, but we connected immediately,” he says. “It’s like you’re speaking the same language without needing to say a word.”
Nick’s musical roots run deep—his father played keyboards by ear, and the two still share jam sessions together. “I’d love to have that with my boys too,” he says. One of those boys is already showing promise, humming tunes and marching in the Benicia Middle School band.
For Nick, music is more than melody—it’s a lifeline. “When a friend passed away in high school, I didn’t know what to say, but I could express it musically,” he shares. “Music is an expression of emotion.”
Nick Orosco
Why These Dads Rock
Whether jamming with their kids, sneaking musical talents past unsuspecting colleagues, or passing on jam sessions across generations, Andy, Chris, and Nick prove that music and fatherhood don’t just coexist—they amplify each other.
This Father’s Day, we salute the dads who not only rock the cradle, but also the stage. Here’s to more impromptu jams, unforgettable gigs, and family sing-alongs. Because in the end, being a rock & roll dad isn’t about fame—it’s about the joy of sharing music with the ones who matter most.
Want to catch these dads in action? Head to Porchfest Benicia on September 13th, or peek into one of Benicia’s live music venues—you might just catch a jam session in the wild!
