Ron

I started playing bass at age 18. During my senior year in high school, as class vice president, I would book bands for dances and proms. This was my first exposure to meeting and becoming friends with musicians that played in local “rock bands”. Occasionally, I’d hang out with a friend in the next town over, Rob Uhl, who played bass in a local Connecticut band. He knew I was extremely into music, but also knew I had no musical talent and that I only wished I did. He encouraged me to learn bass guitar and sold me an old beat up bass, stashed in his closet, for $10. I would watch and study him when I went to see him play out. He showed me a few basic pointers, but most of my playing was all self taught, playing by ear. I would listen vigorously to various rock albums and play along with songs and dissect out bass notes with my bass plugged into my stereo. I was obsessed with learning and challenging myself with more and more intricate bass lines. Within a year, I found myself in my first band called “Melrose”, playing high school dances and keg parties. I also was intrigued with other instruments and learned basic guitar and drums.

Not long after, I found myself in bands playing the New England club and college circuit during the 80's and early 90's. I met drummer Mike Baracchi at age 19 and was in my 2nd real band with him. He and I continued for the next ten years to play on and off together in various bands and recording session work. Through out the years, I’ve played mostly classic rock, alternative/new wave/modern rock, progressive and R& B in several established cover bands. After a long musical sabbatical, 2 and ½ years ago started playing again and became a founding member and continued to play with a popular area band called “Busted”. I parted ways recently with them, remaining great friends, to focus more time and energy with the band, “Equinox”. I met Keyboardist, Brian Skynard back in the spring of “05” and several months later, invited me to check out a band he had been working with for the past year. Among the members were, guitarists’ Todd Merrill, and Paul Szubelick and singer Gary S. Jones. I was impressed with the musicianship and proceeded to work with them as a side musical project, while still a member of “Busted”. After several months, the project/band reformed, and added long time friend and drummer, Mike Baracchi, and emerged as the band “Equinox” in early winter of “05”. 

Some of the other notable Hartford/Springfield based bands I’ve played with years before were Alaska, Silkwood Forest, Portrait, The Proof, Swift Kick and Out Of Control. During that time, I was also involved songwriting, studio recording and playing out with a Springfield based all original band called “Salesmen from Iowa” that actually got radio airplay and out into the club scene performing all original music.