Brian Nakagawa: ‘My grandfather started Nakagawa Market'

Name: Brian Nakagawa.

Age: 60.

Family: Mom, Chiyo Nakagawa.

Residence: Yuba City.

Occupation: Semi-retired. I was a professional musician mainly in Los Angeles and still perform here with two bands — 2 Rivers Band and Uno Mundo. I play the guitar and write music.

Hobbies, interests: I like photography, music.

Where do you get your news? Google news, CNN and Appeal-Democrat.

What brought you to the Yuba-Sutter area? I grew up here, went to Kynoch, graduated from Marysville High School, Yuba College and UC Davis. My grandfather started Nakagawa Market at Third and C streets in Marysville and my dad and uncle ran it — and lived in Los Angeles for 20 years.

What do you miss about Los Angeles? People in LA are chasing their dreams. I like that they have the passion to chase their dreams.

What do you like about the Yuba-Sutter area? It has a little bit of a slower pace. I like to go to the Buttes and foothills to get away from the hustle and bustle.

What is the closest you've been to a famous person? I performed with Ben Vereen for 12 years, with Leslie Uggams for seven years and was in the national tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the early 1990s. A buddy of mine is Ricky Minor ,music director of "The Tonight Show." We go to see him every once in a while — we have a picture of my mom kissing Steven Tyler on the cheek at one of the shows.

Tell us about a memorable experience: My kindergarten teacher, a sweet lady, (Mrs.) Ricesinger, I remember going to graduation, and she made us little hats and gave us a diploma.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? I admired Abraham Lincoln — I wanted to be a lawyer.

What would you like to see different in the community? Being a resident in Marysville for long, it's unfortunate downtown is not what it used to be. Because they don't have the big-box stores they may emphasize something different, maybe keep the small-town homey feel.

What is your pet peeve? You see people running red lights — people are rushing around too much.

What do you like about yourself? I like I am creative.

What would you do with a million dollars? Pay off the mortgage, buy a new car, invest some and for good causes.