Born and raised in the steel city of East Chicago with 3 brothers and 1 sister.
Graduated from East Chicago Washington High School. The city I grew up in was of very mixed ethnic backgrounds.
My love for music came at an early age. Both parents loved to sing. My father is a professional singer. I loved hearing them both sing. When my dad would get a vacation in the summer, we would go to Larado Texas to my grandparents house and on some nights the family would gather with my aunts and uncles who also played instruments and we would all sing. One of my uncles was a famous blues pianist and singer who toured the world in the 30's, 40's, and 50's. As I got older my sister would play all of her 45 Lp record collection, which I loved to sit and listen too. She had all the latest music all the time. She also had early 50's and 60's music galour. She had everything fom Fats Domino, Elvis, Everly Brothers, and Motown. She even had rock and roll like Little Richard to the Beatles and the Stones. Thanks to her I learned to appreciate different types and styles of music. As a young kid, one of the best things to do was to watch music shows like Ed Sullivan, Lawrence Welk, Halabalu, Loyd Thaxton, American Band Stand. Later shows I watched were In Concert and the ever popular Soul Train. I used to play on coffee cans with coat hangers and pretend they were drums. The Beatles were and are one of my favorite groups. I used to think to myself "man if they got rid of Ringo, I'd be a better drummer and singer"(When I was a kid) At age 11 I got my first drum set (red sparkle). I was on my way (look out Ringo) LOL I taught myself to play by ear. I loved to sing, so I learned the words and listened to what the drummer was playing and tried to play along and sing at the same time. At age 12 I formed my own band. A few months later, then at the age of 13, I was in a real group playing in sox hops and highschool proms, dances and weddings. At 14, I played my first professional gig at the Cadilac Ballroom in East Chicago, where famous blues musicians performed, like BB King, Albert King and Buddy Guy. From then on I've been a Chicagoland musician. I've had the opportunity to play with groups from hard rock to rock and roll. From heavy metal to country, soul, R&B, funk and pop, and blues. I've played with some of the best and some of the worst. But I had a blast doing it. I have had the pleasure and honor of sharing the stage with musicians like Bill Chase, The Boys from Illinios, Foghat, Frank Marino, Pat Travers, Rare Earth, Black Oak Arkansas, The Kind, and Brownsville Station. I was with my hometown friend, Blues Man Carl Weathersby, as his world tour drummer, until I was struck with cancer for the second time. But by Gods grace and his love, I am alive and well and cancer free. Thank you Lord! I've also had the pleasure to play along with The Legendary Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie and Wayne Brooks, Buddy Guy, Phil Guy, the wonderful CoCo Taylor, John Primer, Billy Branch, LiL Ed, Bernard Allison, Anthony Gomes, Shirley King and many many more. I have received several awards and honors over the years, for my music and playing, including the Midwest Beat Magazines Award for "entertainer or the year 2001". I've been blessed so much and many times in my life. I give all the glory to God and I thank Him for all my many blessings. I would also like to thank my parents for their support and faith in me. My brothers and sister for the love they give me. My son, LiL Stan, who enlisted in the Armed Forces and served 4 years in the army. He and his new wife, Freya, are happily married and doing very well. I also have a beautiful daughter, Amber Raye, who is married to a great guy, Tim. They have given me two lovely granddaughters, Kattie and Sicily. I'm very proud of both of them. Next, I would like to thank the love of my life, Annette, for her love, devotion and support in everything I do. Lastly, I would like to thank my fellow musicians for their love and support. Last but not least a big thank you to all the friends I'm made along the way.
Music to me is--I can see it, I can hear it, I can feel it, I can taste it, I can make it, music is in my heart and soul, that's why I play it!!!!!!!!
StanleyGil
Use our Free Myspace Banner Maker! Click Here!
found this layout at HOT FreeLayouts.com
