Wayne

Talent/ instrument: -- Piano, organ, keyboards, lead and B/U vocals. other - drums, percussion, bass, harmonica, accordion, and guitar.

When did you start playing? --  Which instrument ? I grew up in a musical family. My father played in "old time" (polka) bands. In second grade each of us was required to pick an instrument we had in our house, and take lessons. After a year if we did everything we were told to do, we could pick any instrument the family could afford. I didn't start teaching myself piano until my late 20's.

Who were your early influences? -- Well on drums I started with The Who, Then got heavily into Led Zeppelin. After that was Rush's Neil Peart. On keys, Jan Hammer, John Lord (Deep Purple), Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and local jazz accordion player Hank Thunander. I started just playing blues, and and jazz piano for my own personal enjoyment. I never thought that I would go this far. I thank my brother for talking me into joining his band.

How old were you when you played your first gig? --  I believe I was 9. I sat in for a couple songs with my dads band. At age 11, I played a paid party gig with a neighborhood band we formed. I played in the bar scene from 16yrs old on up. I looked older, but we were occasionally challenged to let me work with some bars who carded me.

What are you currently listening to? -- I love current bands like Train, Maroon 5, and others. I love Deep Purple, Counting Crows, The Doors, Frank Zappa, and more mainstream artist's like Tom Petty, and John Cougar.

What are your goals musically? --  To pay my bills !!! No really, I love to entertain a crowd by playing great music. I refuse to just play the standard easy stuff. Sure I will gladly play old favorites. If the crowd is happy I'm happy. But If you don't challenge yourself, the band, and show the fans something a little special, you're not doing any good for the music industry or anyone else, especially the fans !