Trombone & Vocals
AKA – Nickname(s):
Stan, Dr. Hook, Duke
Band member since:
Original band member (1979) – never quit… but considered quitting on multiple occasions including when:
> I was forced to disco dance to Pieces of Eight’s performances of “That’s The Way” by K.C. and the Sunshine Band
> Kenny Rogers’ “Love The World Away” was removed from the song list
> Another area band referred to Pieces of Eight Featuring the Lakeside Brass as “Pieces of Sh*% and the Dead Fish”
> A high school Homecoming dance contract said we had to wear our shirts on stage
> I was almost executed at the intersection of 55th and Quincy with a car load of fellow band members and friends
The primary function I serve in the band is as:
Trombone player, lead vocals, background vocals, various shake-able percussion instruments, first aid and medical consultation for band members and crew injured on duty
I can also fumble my way through playing:
Acoustic guitar, harmonica, trumpet, and the maraca thingy shaped like a banana
I started playing music when I was:
11 years old – I played the trumpet; switched to Baritone Horn at age 13. Asked to (forced by my band director!) to learn how to play trombone at a Junior High recital in 9th grade one day before the recital.
I started playing music because:
I was not very good at knitting or crocheting. My mom was a fan of trumpeters Doc Sevrinsen, Herb Alpert and Al Hurt so my house was always filled with music
Besides Pieces of Eight, I currently perform with:
Pair of Eights acoustic duo
Music is a fun hobby, but in real life:
I am a Healthcare Consultant
Outside of performing with the band, I have a life. In my personal life:
I married my best friend from high school in 1987. Created and raised 2 amazing children. Gifted with a grandson in February, 2021
When not performing in a band I like:
Initiating multiple home improvement projects never to be completed
My thoughts on Pieces of Eight are:
We’re a diverse group of musically inclined slugs who get together on a regular basis to perform for the love of performing. None of us ever imagined that the band would still be together after this many years. The chemistry created among the members of the band and crew from endlessly tormenting each other for their shortcomings, odd habits, and bizarre idiosyncrasies has obviously worked so far. What a great brotherhood of friends who continue to create memories of a lifetime!
My favorite band related saying is:
“I be survive” – Bob’s inebriated response when asked if he was still alive following a Put-in-Bay performance
“Gimme the bucket” – Kurt’s request for an upright ashtray (vomit basin) after cutting his finger and seeing the sight of his own blood while loading up equipment after a performance.
“Hey, wanna bullsh*%?” – Mike Sosic’s request to converse with fellow band members on a bed in his birthday suit while in our Daytona Spring Break hotel room.
“OOOO” – Layne’s exclamation when struck in the neck by a chewed up corn cob thrown by Mike Sosic from a distance of 50 yards at Stouffer’s on the Square after a prom gig
My favorite memories of being in the band over the years is probably:
Al playing “Taps” in front of the broken down band truck after the band and crew frantically unloaded the equipment from the demised vehicle onto a rental truck on a busy North Carolina freeway en route to Daytona Beach in 1983.
Being rudely awakened from a deep slumber in the passenger’s seat of the band truck on the way home from Put-in-Bay with Bob driving when the passenger side rear tires flew off the band vehicle. Despite veering sharply to the left upon loosing its tires and heading directly toward a steep bridge embankment, Bob was able to bring the vehicle to a safe stop prior to us unloading our soiled undergarments.
Mr. Bill passing out in front of the Ladies rest room at a Put-in-Bay gig at the Boathouse and being revived by the door hitting him in the head as the ladies exited one by one
Falling in the mud wearing an all-white outfit while packing up after a wedding in a barn after a torrential downpour. Rob, sympathetic to my level of intoxication, assisted me with my shoe application upon helping me change into dry clothes, only to later realize that my shoes were on the wrong feet.