|
|
They say timing is everything. This was certainly the case when it came to my joining BlueStone Ivory. I saw the band one night at Meridas and was definitely impressed. To play drums for a band that played Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears had always been a dream of mine. After the first set, I started talking with one of the band members (Tom Cecil – who else!) about sitting in for a song or two. Tom said the band was looking for a new drummer so I thought I had a chance to sit in that night. As Tom told me more about the band I started to become more and more interested. As much as I wanted to get out and play again, family and career responsibilities were (and still are) my top priorities. Until that night, I had always thought I’d be old and gray before I’d be able to play in a band again. When Tom told me that everyone in the band was also dedicated to their careers and families and that the band was back together for the shear enjoyment of getting out and performing again, it sounded too good to be true.
That night I met the rest of the band members, exchanged a couple phone numbers, and arranged for an audition within the next few weeks. I figured I had nothing to loose. My audition went well and I thought it would be a few weeks before I heard from the band. The Saturday following the audition, Gary Rossignol called and said their current drummer would not be able to play that nights gig at Jillians and asked if I could fill in. My wife Maureen’s response - “GO FOR IT!” was all I needed to hear. Maur- THANKS for your support! However, panic soon set in. How the heck was I going to pull this off. I had only learned about 4-5 tunes for the audition. Well, to make a long story short - I must of pulled it off because I got the job as the BSI drummer. Everything happened so quickly, it was really unbelievable. Thanks to all my good friends for coming down to Jillians that night to cheer me on. I really appreciated it! By the way, I never did get to sit in that very first night at Meridas.
My musical background takes me back to the second grade. My next door neighbor, Marty Santacroce, was a heck of a drummer who practiced his drums everyday. Every chance I had, I’d invite myself in and watch him play. I thought it would be great to be able to play like him and have a 5 piece Rogers drum set just like his. Well, the start of my dream came that Christmas when I received the best possible gift from my parents. The gift was start drum lessons. I’m not sure they knew what they were in for because I ended up taking lesson for 9 years. Mom and Dad, I’m grateful for the support you provided. Music has provided me with tremendous opportunities and enjoyment over the years and I couldn’t have done it without you. I started on a practice pad and within a few months was given a red sparkle snare drum and something that resembled a cymbal from my cousin Robert. Somewhere between my first and second year of lessons I got my first drum set. It was a silver sparkle, 4 piece Zimgar that sounded pretty good for an off brand set.
I played in the school bands from elementary thru high school. Growing up in New York City, competition for the first seat was always tough. But despite all the competition, I made some very good friends. We performed at school concerts and plays and had a great time together.
Next was college where I played in both the Virginia Tech Percussion Ensemble and Jazz bands. What a great time that was. It really kept me sane as I worked my butt off studying to get thru engineering school. I also had the opportunity to take music lessons as free elective credits towards my degree. What a deal! I took both Marimba and concert snare drum lessons from “Dr Floyd”. Yes, Dr Floyd had his PhD in percussion. What an eye opening, terrific experience that was. I gained an incredible appreciation for what it really meant to be a true musician. I also joined an R&B band called the Remains during my freshman year. The remains were similar BSI in that a few of the band members had played together previously in a popular local band ( The Remains – get it) and also had a very talented horn section. After the Remains, I played in a top 40 band called Captain Jack. This band played an incredible variety songs - everything from Billy Joel to David Bowie and even some original tunes written by the multi talented Dirk Warner. Those days were a blast.
It was then off to an engineering career that started in 1983 and until BlueStone Ivory, my drum playing was limited to putting on the headphones and playing to the those terrific Chicago and Blood Sweat & Tears tunes that I had grew up on. Who would of thought playing to these tunes all those years would have paid off now when I bumped into BSI. It has been an unbelievable experience getting out and playing again - Especially with such a talented and professional group of musicians.