Steve... I guess I was keying while you were posting ...
Great to know that you are a Yankees fan ... Having been born and spent most of my life (I can say that until I'm 81 ) in NYC, I am a Yanks, GIANTS, Knicks fan ...
t.

Tony, You're one great PR guy!! You're review up was so convincing I think I'm gonna stay in Rhode Island afterall. By the way sounds like RI would be a great place for the next East Coast Synth Jam

Well I'm originally from Memphis Tenn. (which probably explains my love for Blues). I later moved up north to Meadville PA. I actually know Frans home town because my mother's entire family is from Levittown and the Bucks county area

I started gigging when I was a sophmore in highschool. I had played in several bands over the years. After highschool I moved to Mesa Arizona. Played in a few bands there as well. In 1997 I moved to Charleston West Virginia. I ended up attending West Virginia State University. Also played numerous solo gigs on campus for various functions.

I met my wife at college. We have one child (just bought our first home), and have moved to a small city in West Virginia called "Hurricane". However the city is not pronounced how it's spelled. People here say it differently.

I don't have to tell you guys all the negative stereotypes associated with the state of West Virginia. Honestly I don't even know how it all started, but this state is nothing like the stereotypes. It is a very beautiful state. Sure you have some dihard country folk down here, but from my experience there are "hillbillys" in every state I don't even see whey they call it a southern state. The north won't claim us, and the south won't claim us either. We're just in the middle I guess.

I haven't gigged in years. I play for personal enjoyment now. I still get offers to play, but don't have the time anymore. I will however take an offer and help a local music store owner sell a few keyboards this Christmas.

Squeak

I have been living in Orange County New York (http://www.orangetourism.org/) in the gorgeous middle Hudson River Valley for the past 20 years. The music scene here is quite robust with influences from above from Woodstock and the Catskills to influences from below from NYC and surrounding areas. It is a huge live music scene.

My day job takes me to lower Manhattan located across from the former World Trade Center site. This area is now becoming exciting and vibrant with many rebuilding projects. The art and cultural impacts are astounding.

Along with my day job for a Wall Street company, I play drums with a Club/Wedding band and keyboards for an oldies band.

We just found time to move into a new house in a sleepy littel town called Salisbury Mills, New York.

Anyone visiting this area, be sure to look me up!!!

Al

I'm from the other Orange County - the West Coast one horribly glorified in a rash of new teen soap operas and reality shows.

Tommy

I'm in Lexington, Kentucky. Moved here in while in High School. Went to Berkley, then back to the University of Kentucky. Play upcale restaurants (35%) and private/corporate events for the State government, horse farm owners, Toyota, IBM, etc. Have had 9 weeks of vacation from playing in 50 years. Work as a single, as a trio and, occasionally, with larger groups consisting of players from the local Jazz Arts Foundation.

Days, I run my communications company...Annual Reports, packaging, literature, film (industrial)etc. Lot's of sound score work for film projects.

There is only one other person using an arranger in this area (approx 300,000 people).This guy uses a laptop and works mainly Motown shows with a singer and percussionist...good player, nice guy and friend.


That's about it...


Russ

I Live in San Jose, Califonia, the heart of Silicone Valley. San Jose is the third largest city in California after Los Angeles and San Diego, and the 10th largest in the United States. We are over a million people, our county is near 3 million and you name it and we have it both the good and the bad.
We have so many bands here that I don't know how they all find work, but they do work here 7 nights a week.
At age 74, I now do most of my playing in my home recording studio. I don't go out for a job unless I am furnished roadies in and out, because my wife won't load and unload the 100 pound amps anymore
I have been a musician since I was 5 but took 30 years out to build and own 5 companies specializing in manufacturing Hydraulic machinery. I have been retired since 1980 part time and full time since 1982. My wife Jann is an accomplished Pianist but only plays anymore when I have brought home a new keyboard. We played concerts all over the US for 5 years after my retirement, and she just got burnt out. Jann is from SW Kentucky, town of Benton. We are having our last marriage and just completed the 30th year LIFE IS GOOD
Bebop

I was born in Queretaro Mexico, I been playing since I was a little boy the mandolin, guitar, accordion, etc...when my father died, as the oldest son, I began to work (to support my family) in a Restaurant playing the accordion and mandolin with the Gym teacher, he sang and played the guitar, later I became a "solo" act, instrumental with the organ and played all over in the country, Acapulco, Ixtapa, Can Cun, La Paz B.C.S.,
Then moved to Chicago Il (suburban area)in 1980 and stayed for 12 years, I start working in Music stores and also got interested in computers, before the internet,and Windows......then, moved back to Queretaro and stay for almost 11 years, moved back to U.S.A. in 2002 and now I made home in Phoenix Arizona, I work in a music store Guitar & Keyboard City and also I play in "Tea Dances" and nite dances dor senior citizens....and is getting busy the playing jobs.....I may go to part time at the store.

I live in Belo Horizonte, the 3rd more important city in Brasil. The first is Sao Paulo and the second , Rio de Janeiro.
I am music theacher ( kbds and acoustic guitar), music entertainer and music composer.
Go to http://www.belohorizonte.mg.gov.br/ing/index.php
to know better my city.
My home is near of Pampulha Lake (You can see at Belo Horizonte map).


Chico




[This message has been edited by ChicoBrasil (edited 09-15-2005).]

Hola from Cozumel Mexico.....I started my singing career at age 18 in Cherry Hill N.J. when I made my first record "Satin Doll"..I continued to perform in the area for a few years then I started touring the states...doing the "Borsht Belt" in the Catskills to the "Sun Belt" Florida...did most of the major hotels and clubs before going to Vegas where I did most of the "older casinos" most of which have been torn down and replaced with new mega casinos
managed to do some tours for the USO during the Vietnam War...got to do a Bob Hope special over there....made some recordings and extra parts in 3 movies and did a few contracts on the cruise ships when music tastes changed drastically....I started to slow down and came to Cozumel Mexico scuba diving in 1984 when I found I liked the area and the people....went home and sold everything and moved down south where I opened a restaurant and perform live every night that the tourist show up
I met my wife 12 years ago and we got married 2 years later and have two children
My daughter Francisca turned 7 in April and my son Anthony just turned 6 this past Saturday....I have my restaurant up for sale
so I can slow down and spend more time with my children..I will continue to perform in the hotels locally...I will be 66 this coming February and looking forward to 76...
Tony Rome