Bill Fulton on keys or piano with Touch n Go Band
Bill Fulton piano June 20 1986 documents an evening performance with the Touch N Go Band in Portland, Oregon. Fulton played piano and keyboards with the group in the cocktail lounge at the University Place Hotel & Conference Center. At the time, the property was also known as the Red Lion Motor Inn.
Touch N Go Band in Portland
The June 20 engagement was part of a multi-night residency at the hotel. Performances in a cocktail lounge require flexibility, concentration, and a broad musical vocabulary. Therefore, the musicians had to respond quickly to the audience and the atmosphere of the room.
Fulton supported the ensemble from the keyboard chair. His responsibilities included establishing introductions, accompanying featured performers, and helping maintain the musical flow. In addition, the keyboard part supplied harmony, rhythm, and important musical cues throughout each set.
Professional Cocktail Lounge Entertainment
Cocktail lounge engagements gave working musicians an opportunity to develop a large repertoire. A typical evening could include jazz standards, popular songs, dance selections, ballads, and familiar requests. As a result, the band needed to move naturally between different tempos and musical styles.
Long engagements also demanded consistency. Each set needed energy, even when the musicians performed several nights in succession. However, the volume still had to suit a hotel lounge. The goal was to entertain guests without overpowering conversation.
This performance represents an early chapter in Fulton’s professional work as a pianist and keyboardist. He had already begun building the practical skills that later supported his work with touring artists, bands, recording sessions, and television productions.
About the Historic Engagement
The University Place Hotel & Conference Center is now associated with Portland State University. Although the property has changed over time, this event page preserves the date, venue, and performing group connected with Fulton’s appearance.
Explore additional appearances in the Bill Fulton event archive. You can also visit Bill Fulton Music to learn about his work as a pianist, composer, arranger, and orchestrator.
Event details: Touch N Go Band featuring Bill Fulton on piano and keyboards, June 20, 1986, at the University Place Hotel & Conference Center cocktail lounge in Portland, Oregon.
Artist: Touch N Go BandDate/Time: June 20, 1986 12:00 am
Venue: University Place Hotel & Conference Center (fka Red Lion Motor Inn)
Address: 310 SW Lincoln St Portland, OR 97201
