From folk Masses to Eric Clapton, Catholic bassist has seen it all

Published: 2004-06-16

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- There are probably not too many people who once played and sang in Catholic folk groups at Mass who can say they have shared a stage with rock legend Eric Clapton. Nathan East, though, can make that claim. The bassist, who has toured several times with Clapton over the past 20 years -- including his current tour -- got his start playing bass in church. "When Raymond and David (two of East's brothers) were playing with the folk Mass at Christ the King Church in San Diego, where we all got started, there was a bass laying on the altar," East recalled. "I picked it up. I was surprised how easy it was. I could contribute from day one." Since then East has contributed his talents on the bass on a countless number of albums. When East is not touring, he is with his wife and their two children in California, where they are members of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Encino.

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