Born January 22, 1953, in Flemington, N.J. I grew up with Danny Federici (R.I.P.) (Bruce Springsteen’s organist), my mentor on the Hammond organ and accordion.
My first Farfisa Compact led me to a Hammond L100 with a 147 Leslie and then on to a 1939 model “A” Hammond heavily modified by Paul Studer of Hammond Organ Service of N.J. At that time, I was forever hooked on the Hammond sound.
I then managed and played B3 in several of my bands, “Pittstown Flyers,” “Pedal To The Metal,” and the Infamous “Shivers (2 E.P.s). After that chapter, I did numerous Resort/Club/Casino gigs all over the South and Midwest in White Fox, a 50’s Show and Dance band. I continued to play at almost every club\bar on the N.J. circuit, focusing on the Asbury Park scene surrounded by Jukes, E Streeters, and Bon Jovi members. I was enlisted by Lance Larson (Lord Gunner), Paul Whistler and The Wheels (Otis-Pickett Show), Donnie “Bird” Bertolson and the Shots, along with Glen Burtnik (STYX), and The Slaves of New Brunswick.
I went on to play the Blues circuit from Boston to Washington (Stanhope House, Full Moon Saloon, and Manny’s Car Wash, to name a few) with the Great Frankie Lee (R.I.P.), A.L. James and Spare Change, Doc Lawrence and The Blues Fix and Wild Bill Holt.
From 1982 to 2002, I also owned and operated Studio 84, a 24-track recording facility, where I recorded, produced, or played on over 100 CDs.
I then took up residency at the Satellite Lounge in Cookstown and opened for acts such as Steppenwolf, Ohio Players, Black Oak Arkansas, Rick Danko, and Leslie West.
After moving to Nashville, I joined an impersonator Country Super Star Show for a year, residing in Tunica, MS. And Laughlin, NV. I then went on hiatus for a few years. Then I reappeared on the Nashville Circuit with extensive club dates (backline B3’s), including a year and a half stint on the Broadway Tootsies circuit with singer Tim Andrews maintaining a close relationship with Larry Van Loon (R.I.P.) and Moe Denham (R.I.P.) -both Hammond Alumni.
While being a frequent flyer to all the Nashville Blues jams and recording studios, I have shared the stage with Delbert McClinton (Tracy Nelson Benefit), Jimmy Hall/John Cowan, Yates McKendree, Al (Piper) Green, Dee Rock, Crooked Eye Tommy, Ronnie Lutrick, Lance Lopez, Markey Blue ’Sista’ Ruth Conley, and Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent), opening for Blue Oyster Cult!
I play a beautifully modified custom A100 every Saturday in a Blues Jam residency at Papa Turney’s BBQ, and I share keyboard duties in “A Springsteen Celebration” with Ham Fam Pete Gallinari.
Performing on the Hammond organ for well over 50 years, this instrument has brought me to many wonderful places (including a backline B3 at Goose Bay Air Force Base in Labrador on the Arctic Circle—lol) and given me the opportunity to meet and enjoy relationships with many musicians and friends. Here’s to another 50!
Discography
Al James and Spare Change,
Doc Lawrence and The Blues Fix,
Lightning Rod Wilson and The Thunderbolts
Matt Nagy,
Trash Mavericks,
Slaves of New Brunswick, SHIVERS,
Ron Lutrick
