Thank You Vinyl Groov! It's Been A Great Ride

I walked into a stranger's garage in the fall of 2011, to rehearse with a band for an upcoming, "once-and-done" gig at the Whitaker Center in nearby Harrisburg.  It was just going to be that one rehearsal and that one gig.  No more.  I was in the process of leaving another group I had been with for many years and was not at all looking to become part of another regular band, other than the various groups I led myself.  Bands always seem to end up with some type of drama or headache and I didn't need any more of that.  I was content to just freelance and lead my own projects. 

My mind started changing as soon as I walked into the room.  The vibe was chill.  Friendly, yet serious.  Absent was that all-too-common, band room sense of competing egos trying to restrain themselves.  "Ok," I thought, "This is something different."  When the music started, those old school R&B tunes sounded at least as good as the records, tapes and cd's I'd been listening to all my life.  "Maybe I'll stay if they ask me", I thought. 

They did.  And for the next 8 years I had the pleasure of making music with a world class band whose vocalists rival the iconic artists they cover.  I had never played with a group that oozed so much soul and valued the nuances of supporting parts as much as the lead.

Beyond that, they were all genuinely good people of integrity.  That's not as common in the world as it should be, and I appreciated just being around them as much as making music with them. 

This Friday, my run with Vinyl Groov comes to end. We play at Maryland Live casino in Hanover, MD and after that, I don't know when or if I'll get the chance to be on stage with them again.  There was no band blow up or drama of any kind.  I love those people and am always proud to take the stage with them.  But after leaving my teaching job last June, I've had to restructure my time.  It's become difficult for me to give the band as much time as it requires.  I struggled with this decision for months, hoping to somehow figure something out.  But in the end, it seemed most fair to all involved if I left the group, so reluctantly, I did. 

I cannot stress enough the value I put on the relationships I've made with all the people I've met and worked with through Vinyl Groov.  Add to that the fact that, musically, it was the best project I've been involved in on a consistent basis. 

There have been many personnel changes in the band throughout my eight years.  There are many VG alumni, including 3 who have passed away.  I've appreciated the chance to know each person who has come through the band and I'm expecting to stay in contact with my many friends, both current members and alumni. 

As with any band, there are enough stories to fill a book.  Those are for another day.  For now, I want to express my gratitude to everybody I've worked with in VG, past and present, especially Lark Lowery, who leads the group and puts in a ton of work on everybody's behalf.  Thanks also to: Dianne Wilson, Eric Jenkins, Brenda Cammack, Yang Han, Monte Carroll, Joe Schrum, Vinny Hunter, Howard Boots, Al Holton, Tony Fountain, Rodney McKay, Jim Hostetter, Ron Dozier, Tony Dozier, Kenny Peterson, Ric Nelson, Dave Wilson, Billy Wray, Greg Toloumnes, Dave Arnold, Jesse Chavez and BVTLive!

It’s been a true pleasure- thanks everyone!

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