About me:
Originally from Phila, Pa. Mom and Dad were in show business during the vaudeville days. Things were tough because of WWII. Anyhow I have been singing as long as I can remember. Church, glee club { I got to sit with the girls, thank you lord for a high voice } Also talent shows in school and Tony Grants Stars of Tomorrow in the summer on Steel Pier in Atlantic City. As I got older I started singing Doo Wop with my friends on the corner. I lived in a mixed neighborhood so we had black guys and white guys out there singing harmony all night long. I had grown up listening to R&B and early Ray Charles and a bunch of other groups. When Elvis hit the radio I was inspired to learn to play guitar. My first guitar was a $22.00 Stella with strings a half inch high.I didn’t know any better at the time so I just let my fingers bleed until the callus formed. I was writing some songs and got to record on Jamie Records in Phila but I got screwed like everyone else. I moved to New York City and got in with Joey Dee and the Starliters of Peppermint Twist fame. Some of the guys in the band were Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish and Eddie Brogotti who went on to be the Rascals. I was doing some studio vocal and guitar work for four or five producers. I had the good fortune to sing background on a couple of Jay and the Americans hits. I should have stayed in NY longer but I went back to Phila to put a show band together. I did and traveled all over the country. Played Las Vegas at the Flamingo, Dunes and Sams Town. I recorded some during that time and had a couple of regional hits which was enough to keep the good money coming. Moved to Atlanta in 1980. I was a regional manager for Olivetti copy machines. I covered the southeast setting up dealers. I fooled around with some bands but couldn’t find anyone that wanted to play the Corporate circuit. Most just wanted to play the bars on the weekend. It was hard to get across less work, more money. And still play once in a while in the bars. Peggie Hoskins and I teamed up using tracks and eventually we put a band together with Wayne Langford and John Barwick. We were very seccussful playing clubs, parties and Weddings. Peggie and I have a magic that happens when we are on stage. Our voices blend together with little effort. It was great for me to sing with Peggie and have Wayne on guitar at Sophia’s benefit. First gig since 2002 when I retired. The last gig was at Dillons on my 62nd birthday with Peggie, Wayne and John. A great birthday for me.
