The next time you're at AT&T Park, pay close attention to that moment in the 7th inning when you're expected to rise and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." That's a live organist accompanying the baseball classic, and we sat down with the man behind the pipes.
Steve Hogan, who works as the Music Operations Manager at Pandora during the day (he oversees the Music Genome team of musicians and analysts who listen to and code every song before it’s loaded to Pandora), is in his fifth year with the SF Giants (including two championship seasons). How did he end up with such a cool gig?
"It just so happens I work at Pandora with the Giants’ former stadium DJ, Michael Addicott," he said. "I was playing 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame' on the Fender Rhodes at the Pandora offices, and my co-worker overheard me. Eventually, he talked his boss into bringing me in to do it live."
Five years behind-the-scenes at AT&T Park has garnered some interesting memories for Hogan. In particular, a June day in 2012 when the Giants hosted a “Turn Back The Century” game to commemorate the 1912 (then New York) Giants Championship team. The players wore period uniforms and Hogan provided all the music during the game, playing only tunes that would have been heard in 1912.
Fortunately, Hogan's grandfather—who led his own big band in Boston during the 1940s—bequeathed him “The Big Book Of Nostalgia,” a songbook with hit songs from the early 20th century including “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Hello, My Baby,” and “Give My Regards To Broadway.”
When he's not turning his two young sons into the ultimate boy band, Hogan can be found at the piano, playing tennis, sitting atop the pretigious Pandora table tennis ladder, and trying to break his lunch habits.
"For years, I ate a single Trader Joe’s Chile Verde burrito for lunch EVERY DAY. Then, in November 2011, a man I saw on PBS during pledge week stated that everyone should be eating a big salad every day. I found him very convincing, so I decided I would eat a large salad for lunch every day for the rest of my life. So far, so good."
1. What neighborhood do you currently call home? Would you ever move or are you happy in your 'hood?
I had to look this up, but I live in the “Hollywood” neighborhood of San Leandro, near the Dutton Ave exit off of 580. I’m very happy in my ‘hood at present, but would definitely consider living elsewhere in the East Bay if the right opportunity presented itself.
2. What's your hands-down, absolute favorite thing to eat in the East Bay?
I’ve got to give the shout out to Tucker’s Ice Cream in Alameda. I go for straight chocolate, but my wife would say the salted caramel is the best. There’s magic in that ice cream.
3. What's your perfect night on the town?
A couple of choice brews at the Trappist in Oakland, dinner at Flora, and a show at the Fox Theater sounds pretty appealing.
4. When you need a low-key afternoon, where do you go for down time?
I love hiking in Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland Hills. All the trails are great, but I’m partial to the Stream Trail.
5. What's your favorite place to go on a day trip from San Leandro?
When the conditions are right, my family loves to drive out to Stinson Beach. It’s imperative to get an early start to beat the crowds.
6. Quick-fire round:
Burrito or Burger: Burger
Fenton's or Ici Ice Cream: Tucker’s in Alameda rules them all…
Lake Merritt or Lake Temescal: Lake Merritt
The Paramount or The Fox Theater: Fox
Bakesale Betty's or Brown Sugar Kitchen: Betty’s
First Fridays or The Oakland Museum: The Oakland Museum
Shopping on Telegraph or in Temescal: I’m allergic to shopping.
7. Three words that describe your life in San Leandro?
Ghirardelli factory store (I go there a lot…)
