Here’s yours truly in 1973. Check out the hair.
Andres Segovia - the “father of the guitar” himself handing me a signed autograph . My brother John and I met him backstage at Kleinhans Music Hall Buffalo, NY in 1976. The guy was simply amazing.
Here’s Alan Dusel and me having a blast jamming away. Alan is an incredible musician, singer, audio engineer. He runs Starfield Studios in Buffalo, NY.
Here’s Shelly Gokey (Helinski) in Hamburg, NY where we practiced our tunes by the Lake (Erie).
Heather in Steve “Gamma” Gora’s basement in Blasdell NY. The monster synthesizer in the background was made by Moog expressly for Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, even bearing his name on it. .
The late Larry Norman - one of my favorite songwriters - seen here performing at the Lambs Theater NYC 1981. Larry went home to be with Jesus in 2008.
A shot of myself (right) and Paul Kriedeman in background jamming away at a church function. Paul’s bass playing blew me away as well as his knowledge of Christian rock. He introduced me to a lot of great music I didn’t know existed at the time. (Paul, I still remember the great trip to Freeville, NY we made, meeting Phil Keaggy and having a general riot of a time!
Yeah, that’s me in 1973. I had just hitch-hiked from Orlando, Florida to San Diego, California.
This is where my music addiction began - with my fun loving father shown in 1968 sporting my cousin’s wig. Also check out those plaid socks!
My concubine: midi guitar, acoustic and classical guitars.
Jamming with a metal sculpture “street band”. Talk about heavy metal!
Vanessa Hill at work- a terrific singer/songwriter who I have had the privilege or working with here in Nashville. Her song “There’s A War Going On” is one of my favs.
Jennifer Sexton sang on “Everything”, “I’ve Got a Line On You”, and “Sinful, Sinful, Sinful”. A very talented singer and graphic artist.
This is the Casio MG-510 midi guitar which I use on most of my recordings.
Movie/Rock Star Me.
Here’s Phil Keaggy and me in 2002. Phil performed at the Vineyard Church where I attended back then and as usual, showed his mastery of his instrument and his love for Christ.
BTW, Phil was blown away when I relayed the story about how an old friend (Paul Kriedeman) and I visited the Christian community he was staying at in Freeville, NY (circa 1978) called “Love Inn” that was run by Peg Harvesty. He said it was among the best times of his life and that he missed it terribly. Me too!
Here I am (2nd from right) having some fun with friend Dean Chance and the group “Eagle Creek” at late country singer Tom T. Hall’s house. Dean is a fine songwriter and singer to boot. We co-wrote the song “Tonight” together, where you can hear his terrific vocals.
Here I am (with alarming haircut) at the “Doghouse” pickers party pretending to know how to sing. No one booed so that's always a plus.
Here is Pat Tambour who sang on “Turd” belting out a tune. A terrific singer and personality.
Gary Armstrong, “Calendar Girl” Linda Aromola and me at Teen Haven, 1977
circa 1981.
Here’s Liz Piccione, a wonderful NYC friend and sister in Christ playing piano at the famous Lambs Theater on W.44th where I rented a room once rented by Fred Astaire in its heydey.
St. Catherine’s of Sienna Music Ministry at work.
(1)Bob Boris, (2) Dan Flintjer, (3) Inga Boris, (4) Cindy Coleman (5) Joe Leszcynski (sp?), (6) Paul Kriedeman, (7) Marie Terese, (8) Linda (“Calendar Girl”) Aromola.
Here’s Michele Gokey (Helinski) I treasure the memories of our time together. One very talented and beautiful girl indeed! (Shell, remember playing at that bluegrass club in Varysburg, NY? That was a RIOT!)
Elmo & The Vegetables, NYC punk/alt rock band. James Prasch was Elmo, while Barry Burns, Steve Gora and myself were the Veggies.
In 1983 I was one of 9 finalists in a “Great American Music Championship” contest . No one threw
bottles at me so I guess I did okay.
Here’s Liz and some old NYC friends surrounding Randy Stonehill (great Christian singer/songwriter) in 1979.
Heather “Peanut” McMahan - so many powerful memories about her remain. Her avant-garde song styling's were a riot to work with. She made me laugh (and cry) like no other before or since.
God’s best to you always Peanut! Love, ‘stashio. (ps...a special hello to Cristina and Jeffrey).
Here’s Peter Rowan and Greg Douglass trading licks in Newburg, NY. I met them at a E&O Mari (guitar string company) party where I endorsed their LaBella strings at the time...they really do make great guitar, bass, mandolin and violin strings. Thank you Richard Cocco for that great get together (and great strings)!
Here’s Laura Eastman Macolm (sister of the late Linda McCartney) playing a tune for me. Laura had a uniquely creative styling all her own. I felt blessed fellowshipping, working on songs, as well as performing at coffeehouses and churches together. BTW, Laura also played a mean dulcimer!
Having a fun time iamming with James Sunquist at the Lambs in NYC. James is a boat load of talent: great singer, player, composer and now author.
Steve “Gamma” Gora (one of the Veggies I played with) and Shelly Gokey Helinski in a NYC subway circa 1980.
Here’s Wanda Addair. Wanda was a fun person to work and an excellent gospel writer. She went to her heavenly reward in 2022. She will be sorely missed.
Laura and me at CBN studio in Virginia Beach recording “Song of St. Francis”
Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam…
Here’s Sue Dusza Barrett who sang on “Holiday, “Brotherly Love Again”, and ”Comin’ Back For Love Tomorrow”. Sue is a wonderful singer who I used to perform at weddings with. Good memories Sue!
Here’s a hitchiker from Venice, Italy that my family let me bring home and stay for a couple of day’s before he headed off to NYC.I had hitch-hiked to California a couple of years before with a guitar on my back as well. Guitar players gotta stick together!
Here’s friend Danny Creed (singer on “Blue As I Can Be” and “Everything”) with Shelly in Central Park circa 1980.
“Larry’s a very sensitive musician”