In all
seriousness, the music lessons lasted about 3 years and ended when John's
piano teacher moved away. At some point in his early teenage years he
picked up a guitar and started to learn some songs. Back then if you
could play 4 chords, you could play most of the popular rock and roll
numbers on the radio. So knowing those 4 chords, John and one of his
buddies formed a garage band. Well to be honest, it really wasn't much
of a band, just a guitar and a very old set of drums. Since John's buddy
knew 6 chords, as opposed to John's 4, he played the guitar and John
played the drums. They picked up a few more players, and actually got
good enough to play a few gigs for some teen dances. Well the guitar
player got married and the band broke up, much to the gratitude of the
neighbors.
John became a police officer and left the guitar to his little brothers,
who actually learned how to play very well. In 1972 he moved to Florida.
He continued in police work in West Palm Beach and was assigned as a
boat captain for US Customs and US Border Patrol. In 1984 he transferred
from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office to Fire Rescue, where he
worked until his retirement in 2001.
Shortly after retirement John bought his first banjo. He tuned it to
the first four strings of the guitar and tried playing some old tunes.
It became quite obvious that this banjo was not made to be tuned that
way, it sounded horrible, and he sold it. He then purchased another
banjo and joined a banjo group in Punta Gorda. After a while he became
a bit disillusioned with the group as the only thing they did was simply
strum and sing. He realized that he would never get any better unless
he had a challenge. Luckily he had met Bill Lowe and Talley Graves,
both of whom played with the Gulf Coast Banjo Society.
It took a while but he was able to join the Society and then started
playing in earnest. Since joining the GCBS, he has been taking lessons
from Mike Currao and has been able to greatly improve. Mike has been
quoted as saying "John's banjo playing abilities have improved
360 degrees in the past year, and he is now able to play any song I
give him and at any tempo. He makes me proud"
John has said many times that he enjoys playing with the Society so
much that he plans his weeks around Thursdays. He was honored this past
year by being elected President of the Society, and feels very privileged
and humbled by the confidence the rest of the members have shown in
him.
To hear John play and sing today, is an absolute treat. When John performs
in his Louie Armstrong motive, he brings down the house singing "Hello
Dolly" or "Mame". He is very dedicated to the banjo and
all of the related aspects, including his devotion to the Gulf Coast
Banjo Society. Recently, John experienced a once in a lifetime event
when he was invited by Mr. Jack Canine to join him, his family, and
friends at Lake Tippecanoe, Indiana. Mr. Canine is co-founder of the
Banjo Museum/Hall of Fame, and he asked John to come to his lake house
for three days of banjo playing, boat rides, food and drinks. The highlight
of the invitation was flying in Mr. Canine's private multimillion dollar
jet plane. It was a wonderful experience that John will never forget.
There isn't a member of the Society who is not grateful to John for
all of the work he does. If he isn't taking care of the electronic equipment,
he is stacking up and loading chairs in the van. If he isn't doing manual
labor, he is working on the GCBS web site or writing letters or taking
care of all of the paper work that needs to be done to keep the Society
going.
From the GCBS Music Director, Paul Jacques, "John's enrollment
into our Banjo Society a couple of years ago, was like a fresh gulf
breeze. With his laughter, enthusiasm and ability to get along with
everyone. As the Music Director, I find it to be a real pleasure playing
and working with him."
And in closing, Bill Lowe, the Past President of the GCBS Society, had
this to say about John, "I would like to add my thanks to John
for all he does for the GCBS, which made my job as President and co-equipment
person with John so much easier. You never have to question whether
he will be there to help because he always is, and he does it without
ever complaining or being asked. He is truly a huge asset to all of
us!"
Ed. Note: This Bio was written by a few members of the Banjo Society.
I am honestly and truly humbled by their kind words and hope to live
up to their expectations. My membership in the Banjo Society has been
a wonderfully entertaining and fantastic learning experience for me.
I thank them all for allowing me to be a member.
jw
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