When we moved here almost six years ago, we knew no one.  We had been visiting Punta Gorda for more than 25 years, but it is a lot different vacationing in Punta Gorda versus living here.  Trying to move our business did not work at all…so I ‘resorted’ to my passion, playing music, to earn a living.  Little did I know what would ‘happen’ as a result. How much more than income we would make!   As we began to play music in various venues, little by little we began to connect with people.  I remember one couple in particular whom I had met through their requesting ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’.  I would see them time and time again and I would always play ‘their song’…:)  We became friends.  The music connected us to one another and allowed a platform for us to get to know each other.  This has happened time and time again.  I try to find a favorite…a song that may bring back a memory…or even create one.  If I don’t know it, I try to learn it.  Then, when I see them again, I play ‘their song’.  That connects me to the person.  That is what I love about music.  It creates a platform to get to know people.  And it is the people who matter.

The people you see in these photograph compilations are just a few of the people we know.  People we care about.  People we would never have met, but for the music.  If I were to put a photograph of every person we have met and care about, there would not be enough room here.  I am limited by my own site.  :)  Beyond the people who enjoy ‘listening’ to my music, we have met many talented musicians who enjoy playing too.  Some of these have become very good friends too…  all connected by music.

Every time we go out and play a job new people are added to our lives.  When it is all said and done, relationships are what matter in life.  Things are temporal and pass away…or they can rust and rot or be stolen.  The relationships we make while we are on our life journey are what truly matters.  We are thankful for the friendships we have made…we look forward to making many more.  Hopefully our music will touch your hearts and we in turn will become part of your lives.  Because …it is about more than just the music…it is about getting to know you!

This weekend will prove to be, for many of us, a busy time full of activities….for me, my weekend is the height of my ‘work week’.  I am not complaining.  It is so good to be busy!  This weekend I will be playing at a beautiful marina (Waterside Grill), an outdoor Patio/Restaurant (Trabue)…and unbelievably beautiful location right in the heart of Downtown Punta Gorda.  Sunday I will be playing at Jack’s on the corner of Marion and Taylor.  This week has already been busy for me, playing in Cape Coral at their monthly Sunset Celebration, this one kicking off Breast Cancer awareness month.  I even bought a pink shirt for the occasion!  Last night I played at Trattoria 13, a wonderful Italian restaurant …a place where the locals go. (Placida)…but a short 40 minute drive from Punta Gorda, my hometown.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of fall, holidays loom in the near future.  It gets busy this time of year.  Our northern friends are starting to return.  The other day I saw a Jersey tag and said to Donna, “look a snowbird is back!  It’s almost like when you see the first robin!”  We are obviously from the Northeast…Pennsylvania, to be exact.  That was always an exciting time…seeing the first Robin (Springtime there; I still get the seasons confused down here) .  For us…here and now…it is the first ‘snowbird’.  So thankful for our snowbirds.  They provide us with work and we have a great time!   We try to create atmosphere wherever we play…making new memories and rekindling old ones with our music.

This weekend is Octoberfest!  A sure sign of Fall and the beginning of our busy season!  We just want to take a minute to thank you ‘snowbirds’ for your faithful migration every single winter.  We look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.  Enjoy the colors up north…but when they turn to brown…head on down to Paradise.  We are waiting for you!

This week will be a very busy week…as was last.   We will again be playing 6 times in 5 days from Cape Coral to Placida to Punta Gorda, Florida.   Busy time…thankful and glad to be busy!  Three years ago we sat wondering what we were going to do down here in a horrible economy and I was most definitely ‘led’ to do this.  Since then it has been building and growing and now we are to the point where we are thankful to have one day off.

Last Sunday we had just completed a very similar week …just different places (some the same!).  We got home, collapsed on the sofa and quickly fell asleep.  Just a cat nap, for sure, but much needed!  When we both woke up the sun was just getting ready to begin it’s descent into the Gulf of Mexico.  We looked at each other…grabbed the camera and went over to the new Tiki Bar that sits right on the Harbor.  We grabbed our seats and our tropical drink and waited.  Not only did our eyes take in the sight…but our hearts, our beings, our souls.  It was as if God were exclaiming “It is finished”…at the end of another day!  Breathtaking and inspiring…that is what a sunset is.  We all need to take the time to watch and wait.  To realize there is something much bigger than ourselves out there.  We left refreshed and excited…anticipating another brand new day.

Hope to see you this week!  New songs coming!  God bless!

Exciting News!

Well, finally, my first blog!  I expect I’ll get better at it as it goes…but for now, I hope you enjoy staying in touch.

There have been crazy things going on in our lives (me and my wife, Donna).  Probably, the most exciting thing is watching the Punta Gorda in The Sun flash mob video which currently has over 15,000 views, grow around 1,000+ each day.  This is significant because my brand new song, “Other West Coast”,  is featured as the credits roll.  I just found out “Florida Governor Scott has assembled a trade delegation to encourage foreign investment in Florida; the Airport Authority part of that delegation has asked to use our film, “Punta Gorda in the Sun”, as the opening for their presentation in Brazil next month,” said Keith Tracy, owner of LLC Other West Coast Media.  Keith is also responsible for creating and producing along with the help of Director, Elizabeth Billings for the Flash Mob.  Our very own Flash Mob Film took first place in the Peace River International Film Festival held just a few weeks ago!  Exciting News!  Keith will be working with me on producing a music video soon showcasing one of my original songs!  So watch for it!

I hope to see you around.  I’ll keep you posted about next week and any other unusual things happening.  In the meantime, browse my site and see the videos of some of my music.  I think you will enjoy them!  Remember, I am available for holiday parties, lanai parties, just about any party you can think of.  Or, I’ll see you around town, at one of the fine places I work for.  Have a great weekend!