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| The Days of "Blind Owl" were short but fun. We also did classic rock. I basically filled the Bass Slot. I seem to find myself doing that alot. We happened around 1993. It was Jim Sullivan, Larry Light, Roger Curtis, and My Old friend Lynn Bowers was the Bass player before me. He was a Mentor of mine when I was young. |
| This beauty is the guitar I made in high school shop class. It took me through many a gig. I got a 99 on it. I worked almost my whole senior year on it. My friend Allan Harrington Made the neck and gave me pointers on it. It plays like a dream. Its got sort of a Fender feel with a Gibson sound |
| "The Blue Valley Boys" was a great start for me, when I was 16. My parents brought me to the gigs and I made great money at it. The experience was a good thing too. It got me started on the concept of professionalism, and I got to hear a lot of cool stories from the guys in the band. |
| "Dick Thompson and the Driftwoods" was one of my drumming gigs from 1985-1997. I played a lot of gigs with them. They were "Pinnacles" of the business. We Played all over NY for a lot of important people. Including the governor of NY State. Dick and his family are very talented people who care greatly about public performance, starting at the earliest ages. We were Allan (Bunny) Fos, John Thompson, Me and Dick Thompson. Sometimes Dick's kids and their kids would join us. Dick passed away in 2004. He will be missed by us all. |
| Broadstreet was an exclusive organization from Oneonta NY that played 50's & 60's dance music at all the dance clubs and restaurants around the area. I enjoyed this gig. We played all over and the music was always a good time. People really loved my beats to dance to. I was a good club drummer. Broadstreet was named after an old street in Oneonta where all the good bars once were. Members were: Gary Johnson, Joe McMullen, Jim, Dave, and Me. |
Nirvana - That's what we were called. It was about a year before the famous Nirvana came out. We didn't know
any better, but it didn't matter. All we cared about was our world of original music and the wonderful world of the
Catskill Mountains. We practiced every week all day and night and were very serious about our project. I even
brought our demo tapes to a Major producer who was proud of the work we had done. Alcohol eventually drove
us apart, but it was a wonderful hey-day for us all that summer in 1989. Mike and Eric were brothers who moved
up to Worcester NY from New York City when they were teens. We got along good, and they backed me up well,
as a bass and drum team. I played the guitar, sang and we did tunes that we all wrote. We even played some kick
ass parties that held some good memories. I am not sure of what they are doing today.
any better, but it didn't matter. All we cared about was our world of original music and the wonderful world of the
Catskill Mountains. We practiced every week all day and night and were very serious about our project. I even
brought our demo tapes to a Major producer who was proud of the work we had done. Alcohol eventually drove
us apart, but it was a wonderful hey-day for us all that summer in 1989. Mike and Eric were brothers who moved
up to Worcester NY from New York City when they were teens. We got along good, and they backed me up well,
as a bass and drum team. I played the guitar, sang and we did tunes that we all wrote. We even played some kick
ass parties that held some good memories. I am not sure of what they are doing today.
| Mr. Meanor. This group was probably my favorite. It's my old friends from "growing up". We all went to school together. Me and Craig go back as far as before school for me. It was great to come back from California to meet up with my old friends again, whom were keeping the music spirit we had built going. The Band was well practiced by this point. I joined in as a sound-man for their gig at Roche's Tavern in South Edmeston NY. That is a small town near our hometown (Morris). The Club is a popular little dive. We spent many nights playing and partying there. Had a couple New Years Eve parties there too. In fact I can remember driving there to sit outside to listen to the local bands before we were old enough to even be let in. Ahh the grass roots. The band went on a long time as a few different names and with a few different members as the years progressed. I played in the act a few times as a drummer, and a bass player. We were always good, loud, and played the finest in hard classic rock for our friends. |
Members of the evening were:
Craig Morgan - Lead Voice and Lead and Rhythm Guitar.
Terry Hoag - Lead and Rhythm Guitar.
Terry Edwards - Loud Drums
John Gonsalves - Bass
Mike Wilcox - Sound and Equipment Manager
Bobbie Vaughn - Chief Roadie
Dwayne DeLong - Sound Reinforcement and Lights
Craig Morgan - Lead Voice and Lead and Rhythm Guitar.
Terry Hoag - Lead and Rhythm Guitar.
Terry Edwards - Loud Drums
John Gonsalves - Bass
Mike Wilcox - Sound and Equipment Manager
Bobbie Vaughn - Chief Roadie
Dwayne DeLong - Sound Reinforcement and Lights
| The later rock days brought forth continuations of groups like "Mr.Meanor". We were loud at anything we did. Metal was the word of the day. The guys were young friends of mine, whom I got together when they were 15 to keep the "Mr.Meanor" name alive. They Jammed together for a long time and even put out a CD as "Balcom Hill Road". They practiced a lot until 2002 when they broke up. Age old problems caught up with them I guess. |
| The group was busy. We played in cities like Binghamton and Syracuse at all the good underground clubs. Most any gig or project was a success. We always thrived on our original material and jammed out the good tunes everyone knew. After me they went on to record a project with Reeve Loncoy, a screamin' singer who drove the band more toward their goal of local fame and musical stardom.The members were: Jim (Vegas) Rotundo, Mike Kuhn (now known as Michael Hawthorn), Sean Sullivan, and Terry Hoag. These guys are all writing genius's. Sully and Terry were always an unbeatable guitar duo. Before I actually joined the band, they spent some time with our old mentor Craig Morgan, who was a great guitar player and had an incredible voice. They still tell stories of Craig's antics and unique personality. This band went on from 1985-1995 for me. They finally stopped this year, 2002. Good luck boys. |
| Next I could only find a couple pics of this one: "Circle of Confusion". Me, Jamie McGregor, Cecil Barrows, Ted Brooks, and Dale Morey formed the band and played all around Madison and Chenango Counties. We even played a party in Otsego County. All in NY, USA. |
| Around 1995 I got with this group: "Overdrive" we were called. Our name fit us. We did Classic Rock and turned it up. Our lead guitar player was a blind man who played better than anyone who could read the music. He was Sean Kelly, also was Rich Thompson, Corey Ladd, and Dan Suppello. I did the singing. It was probably the best time I ever had in a band. It really gave me a chance to get better at showmanship. We also played the clubs in Binghamton and around the area. Its funny, we were too loud for Morrisville and were kicked out of "the Fort". It also gave me a chance to show the singers in my past how to sing. hehe. |
The newest project I am involved with is bringing me back into the musical world. We are called
"From the Young to the Old". It is a coming back of the unbeatable musical power that existed
between me and my young friend Dale Morey, which dates back to the "Circle of Confusion"
band, and before that. Dale is now almost 30, and we enlisted our even younger friend Matt
Holmes to keep the beat. Our tunes range from "Bang Your Head" to the tunes that Dale and I
have written through the years. It is a robust combination of talent and steam, that keeps
Morrisville rockin' almost every Sunday afternoon. We are looking forward to jammin' at the new
club when it opens. Thanx guys for getting me back into the swing.
"From the Young to the Old". It is a coming back of the unbeatable musical power that existed
between me and my young friend Dale Morey, which dates back to the "Circle of Confusion"
band, and before that. Dale is now almost 30, and we enlisted our even younger friend Matt
Holmes to keep the beat. Our tunes range from "Bang Your Head" to the tunes that Dale and I
have written through the years. It is a robust combination of talent and steam, that keeps
Morrisville rockin' almost every Sunday afternoon. We are looking forward to jammin' at the new
club when it opens. Thanx guys for getting me back into the swing.
| I couldn't possibly notate all 24 band projects (or more) I've been with. But this may give you a little view of what it all was about. I performed many styles and did many things in the music business. I even taught music at a couple local high schools for 2 years. My message to you is clear: KEEP JAMMIN' for all its worth. you may just get somewhere someday |
| "The Henchmen" was a unique classic rock group where comedy was our middle name. We were good, and had a large following. People still ask me about the group. It was: Jon Foote on the guitar, Dewy Wilcox on the drums, Tracy Dutcher was our best singer, and I played the bass. We also had a guest appearance from Santa Claus who was really Al Galladoro, a great horn player from the days of old. He played with the likes of the Dorseys and Judy Garland. This unit went on from 1990-1994. |
Fortune Hunter/Ruby Shoes - Named after our mentors "the Firm", and
"the Wizard of Oz", Me, Nick Buttice, and Josh Wheeler had dreams of big
things. We went out of our way to meet some of the greats in the business,
and gained their insight as much as we could. We practiced and recorded
in my little trailer studio for about 2 years and even managed a couple gigs.
We made great music, most of which we wrote, and made many memories
along the way. Josh went on to become a studio and touring musician after
going to Fredonia School of Music for his degree, and Nick went on to tour
in many bands around the state. Our time was well spent, but drugs and
alcohol drove us apart, as it does in many bands.
"the Wizard of Oz", Me, Nick Buttice, and Josh Wheeler had dreams of big
things. We went out of our way to meet some of the greats in the business,
and gained their insight as much as we could. We practiced and recorded
in my little trailer studio for about 2 years and even managed a couple gigs.
We made great music, most of which we wrote, and made many memories
along the way. Josh went on to become a studio and touring musician after
going to Fredonia School of Music for his degree, and Nick went on to tour
in many bands around the state. Our time was well spent, but drugs and
alcohol drove us apart, as it does in many bands.
the Led Ratt - My very first band. We were young highschool students doin' the best
we could. We only did about 10 songs, but we did them over and over and got good at
them. We practiced in my garage and Mike & Doug's Dad's Shop. We played at a
number of "underground" parties, and some school dances. It was an awesome
experience since we were 15 and 16 years old. This is a picture of us playing at my
senior prom. We were: Mike Wilcox on the drums, Doug Hoag on the guitar, Jim Carr on
the guitar and his awesome synthesizer, Lori Trieber as a guest vocalist, I sang and
played guitar also. We had a few bass players, including myself, John Gonsalves, Mike
George, and Carlos Moscurdini (who also played a mean metal guitar).
we could. We only did about 10 songs, but we did them over and over and got good at
them. We practiced in my garage and Mike & Doug's Dad's Shop. We played at a
number of "underground" parties, and some school dances. It was an awesome
experience since we were 15 and 16 years old. This is a picture of us playing at my
senior prom. We were: Mike Wilcox on the drums, Doug Hoag on the guitar, Jim Carr on
the guitar and his awesome synthesizer, Lori Trieber as a guest vocalist, I sang and
played guitar also. We had a few bass players, including myself, John Gonsalves, Mike
George, and Carlos Moscurdini (who also played a mean metal guitar).
the Tim Santiago Project - I was in the band for a short time, but is it
clearly worth mentioning. Tim Santiago was a very talented musician with
great dreams, and a lot of "go power". He took me into my home when
times were down for me, and welcomed me into his band project. I don't
have any pictures from that period, but it was made up of some of the
members of "Blind Owl" (Larry Light and Lynn Bowers), and we had a very
good groove. Tim was the front man/guitarist/ lead singer and drove us
through a plethora of classic rock tunes. We played a number of
memorable gigs in the region, and were very successful. He had a number
of original songs that were very good and quite bluesy. Times got hard for
Tim, so he had to move out of town, but I will never forget the memories we
all shared in that band. Good Luck Tim, Where ever you are now!
clearly worth mentioning. Tim Santiago was a very talented musician with
great dreams, and a lot of "go power". He took me into my home when
times were down for me, and welcomed me into his band project. I don't
have any pictures from that period, but it was made up of some of the
members of "Blind Owl" (Larry Light and Lynn Bowers), and we had a very
good groove. Tim was the front man/guitarist/ lead singer and drove us
through a plethora of classic rock tunes. We played a number of
memorable gigs in the region, and were very successful. He had a number
of original songs that were very good and quite bluesy. Times got hard for
Tim, so he had to move out of town, but I will never forget the memories we
all shared in that band. Good Luck Tim, Where ever you are now!
| "Sunrise" was the first band I got into after the Marines. We played at all the bars all over the Catskill Mountains, and we became very good friends along the way.. I learned a lot about the local band business from my time with Sunrise. I had to part ways at one point to move a long to other projects, but I will never forget my time with those guys, and miss them a lot.. |
| Jim Foote and Sean Sullivan - were the first of the "young dudes" I trained for the business. We were all young and had our dreams and ambitions, I just had a little head start. We cruised for many miles in an old Monte Carlo named AGNUS, and did all we could to pursue our goals of playing rock and roll and chasing "hot snapper" (as we called it back then). We played a few high school shows, and at some underground parties, and always managed to party along the way. We would listen to Hot Tuna, or Jimmy Page while going to all the places we pursued. These really helped me make life great after my time in the Military. Miss you guys a lot! |
First Marine Division Band US Marine Corps - After completing the
Navel School of Music. I found myself out west at Camp Pendleton
California performing in the First Marine Division Band. We were very busy
providing music for the various ceremonies and occasions the Marine
Corps needed. We also trained in the Desert (29 Palms California USA)
acting as the perimeter guard, armed with M-60 Machine Guns. Our
Musical performances brought us all up and down the west coast of the
United States and Mexico. We took a Navy Helicopter carrier to Acapulco
Mexico once to assist in some off shore operations while performing one
concert a night for the ship. We also found ourselves in Oregon and
Washington flying in C-130's and C-9's with our equipment, to perform
concerts and parades for the Marine Corp League. My favorite trips were to
Treasure Island to perform shows in and around the San Francisco area.. It
was great to drive down to the abandon beaches on our base to take long
walks on Sunday nights. Southern California was a leading influence on my
life. Someday I hope to return.
These pics are of my band, some modern pics from the Internet, and pics
from the Quantico Marine Corps band when they visited Morrisville in 2003.
Navel School of Music. I found myself out west at Camp Pendleton
California performing in the First Marine Division Band. We were very busy
providing music for the various ceremonies and occasions the Marine
Corps needed. We also trained in the Desert (29 Palms California USA)
acting as the perimeter guard, armed with M-60 Machine Guns. Our
Musical performances brought us all up and down the west coast of the
United States and Mexico. We took a Navy Helicopter carrier to Acapulco
Mexico once to assist in some off shore operations while performing one
concert a night for the ship. We also found ourselves in Oregon and
Washington flying in C-130's and C-9's with our equipment, to perform
concerts and parades for the Marine Corp League. My favorite trips were to
Treasure Island to perform shows in and around the San Francisco area.. It
was great to drive down to the abandon beaches on our base to take long
walks on Sunday nights. Southern California was a leading influence on my
life. Someday I hope to return.
These pics are of my band, some modern pics from the Internet, and pics
from the Quantico Marine Corps band when they visited Morrisville in 2003.
