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Greg Florin started playing when he was nine, and continued through high school in bands and orchestras, community theatre, and even got to march in the 1972 Olympics. Early influences include John Bonham, Ian Paice, Ginger Baker, Clive Bunker, and Bill Bruford. Greg played in bands in central PA starting in high school and made a living at it, until age 26, when he had to find a real job. After playing on and off for many years, Greg began playing in a church band, then branched off and is playing the music he wants to play. Now he even tours nationally with www.Ebzb.org “War Bonds”. Greg recently built his dream set of custom drums (zilladrumz - see Greg's drum project) from scratch. |
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Julie Florin is a freelance musician/musical director focusing on piano, organ, and musical theatre. She tours nationally with “War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of WWII” (Fingertips Music Productions). She plays most any style of music. Early influences were Billy Joel and Elton John. Later influences were learning to play off chord charts and improvisation, so any genre that could do that, she listened and learned. Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Billy Powell are keyboardists to which to aspire. Oh yeah, she sings too. But don’t ask her to rap. That could be messy. Julie enjoys making music with these guys and sharing her passion for learning all music. |
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| Frank Slifer started playing guitar at 7, failed miserably and decided percussion was his real gift. He played drums and percussion in the 6th though 8th grades in concert and performance band in the public schools. At 16 he started playing bass because “nobody else wants to and we already have a drummer”. The first song he learned was “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin and was instantly hooked into lower frequencies. He has played in several bands and projects in and around the Triangle area, Asheville, NC and Greenville, NC. He currently plays an early 1980’s Schector P/J Bass, Danelectro Reissue Longhorn Bass and a Michael Kelly Dragonfly Acoustic. He plays them through either a Carvin PBII head and Peavey 1516 cabinet or an Ampeg BA115 combo. His main Influences are John Entwistle, “Duck” Dunn, Berry Oakley, Tiran Porter and Sting. |
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Rick Sykes started playing at age 14 – we actually think he began in the womb! He likes Zeppelin, the Stones, Clapton, Jimi, Dylan, BB King, JJ Cale, Norman Blake. Ah yes, and he became a big Stevie Ray Vaughn fan when he came out in ‘83 . Of course, also a big Allman Bros and ZZ Top fan- there's too many to name. “These people taught me to play”. Rick played stuff like that with a few small groups 'til the kids appeared in '97, and he quit until 2006. He’s still playing the same type stuff, ‘cause he loves music not just guitar. But if he was to love a certain guitar, he would be partial to Fender. |
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John Toomey (JT) - Music surrounded my childhood as my Father played his Gibson 12-string acoustic guitar throughout our home. Every weekend the sounds of blues, ragtime, folk, classical and rock were echoing from the home-made reel to reel or cassette recordings of his favorite artists. As a child, I tried my best to avoid my limited years of piano lessons and singing in the Church Acoustic Band (Boys are supposed to play outside!). My wife bought my first acoustic guitar and I starting playing in 2005. I quickly surrounded myself with friends and neighbors that enjoy playing music. Musical interests include: Michael Hedges, Jim Croce, Steve Howe / YES, George Winston, Nickel Creek, Wyndham Hill Label. Instruments: Martin Acoustic DC-16 Aura, U.S ‘05 Fender Stratocaster. “Music is the Wine that fills the Cup of Silence” |
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John Walter (JW) started playing guitar at 7. First gig - 5th grade talent show - I played and sung "Snoopy and the Red Baron" and have been hooked since. My biggest influences have been Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi, Gary Moore and just so many musicians I've had and still have the privilege of playing with. Gibson guitars through either a Marshall or Fender amp cranked to "11" - that's my style. Currently, I use a 1991 Custom Shop Gibson Les Paul Deluxe "Hall of Fame" edition, 2005 Gibson SG pumped through a Marshall half-stack or Fender Blues Deville amps and a small pedal board. I have been in numerous bands since the 70's in Buffalo, NY, Houston, Texas. and now Raleigh, with Last Call. |
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