Johnny
Balbino
Bassist
Philadelphia PA
Profile Views: 69
Popular, Ain't I..
Hey, I finally updated this part
Thanks for stopping and checking out my little MySpace page. Believe me, this won't explain every single detail, but you'll get a good idea about who I am and what makes me tick. Also, things on my page change often. I get bored looking at the same page so I'll change it up so I'm happy with it. One of these days I'll be happy to where I can just let it be. Or die, whatever comes first. :)
Ok, another update. By day, a proud union laborer. Working highway, making' money, bustin' ass. Trust me, it just looks easy. But then again, I am a highly trained professional. Actual work should not be attempted without the assistance of a highly trained professional, such as myself. lol Nah, I am a union laborer, and damned proud to be one too. Nobody can ever say I don't earn my wage, cause I do every single day.
I've been a musician practically all my life. Started on drums at 10 years old, played live for the first time when I was 10 years old with a C&W act at the Triest. Moved into guitar then bass when I was a young teen. Bass kinda stuck cause bands could never find a good bassist. I have played guitar, drums, and bass professionally at one point or another. I also write and arrange music. And I have collected quite a number of original tunes along the way. I try to compose from different standpoints when I arrange and write. Some tunes are written from the guitar, some from the bass, and some from the drums. Keeps the whole process interesting for me. I've also had the pleasure of producing as well. It was a learning process that showed me just how involved it really is to produce a song.
I've also had the pleasure of playing with some fantastic musicians as well. Reno West, some know him as my half Brother. He's not only one of the most talented composers I'll ever know. He's just a fantastic musician too. Carmen Lauro (from the Stevie Wonder Band), who is just a great person, and a phenominal guitarist/composer/pianist. I owe it to him for introducing me to some great people (Dave Mason - Ace Frehley just to name a few). And for showing me that I can be the only person in control. His words are some which I live by when he said "as talented as you are, you can pretty much pick and choose what band you want to play in". It's no joke, I am talented. But I don't let it go to my head. I'm as normal as they come. I don't put myself in any different catagory because I play music. I'm happy with being a real good musician in my head. If you think I'm better than good, that's how you feel. Me, I'll always be just a good musician.
And the places I've gotten to play. Some I still look back and just can't believe I was on that stage playing music. I've played to a few people, and I've played to hundreds of people. All that mattered was I was doing something I loved. Something nobody can take away from me. I play music for my own satisfaction. To know I can play a number of tunes and perform them flawlessly. And to do it live just makes it that much more of a personal thing to me. Can't hide mistakes live ya' know. :)
Well now, that pretty much covers the "this and that" 'bout me huh? Beer, yeah I like beer. Moosehead and MGD is preference. Might as well describe what I play too huh? Drums: I play a Tama double bass kit, Paiste cymbals, Zildjian china, 13 and 14 inch high hats (one remote mount), iron cobra pedals and Evans heads. Bass: G&L, Ernie Ball and Fender basses. And soon (keeping my fingers crossed) a Rick to the arsenal. Amps: Carvin R600 atop a Mesa Boogie RR1000 cab OR a Carvin Cyclops. Effects: Line 6 XTLive effects. Guitars: Only one, my Hamer Californian. All I have left is a Marshall 4X12 cab with greenbacks. One day I will find a plexi or modded lead Marshall to put on top of it to complete my guitar rig.
Now that does that. Honestly, I'm just a normal everyday person. I know life is hard. My life didn't come with a manual, so I'm at it day after day. I deal the best I can, and I work at it everyday. Yeah, I am a work in progress huh? lol I learned you never tuck tail and run cause what you're running from is what you want most out of life. I've learned lots of things, because living life is all about learning. And some of the lessons I've learned taught me how to smile, and how to cry. I've been at the top of the barrel, and at the very bottom of it too. That rope we all dangle from? I've swung like Tarzan from the end of that thing too many times. So that's just who I am. Just me, nothing special, just me. And I'm real cool with that. Thanks for stopping by. Now, on your way. lol
