Zupe: News

My co-writer, Fabrizio Novo, spent the last week at my place, as we worked on the production of two new songs. As with our songs "Bella, Keep Dancing" and "Is Goodbye On Your Mind," we're taking a different approach to Latin-styled music, and adding elements that lend to a more global sound, including traditional Italian instruments and middle eastern percussion.

Zupe and co-writer Dave Nichols spent the weekend in New York City, attending the 123rd Annual AES Show. Of course, many new contacts and (hopefully) friendships were established, as Zupe and Dave prepare to release their first CD together, but the two also got to experience some of the newest and latest hi-tech music making stuff out there! Fun!!!!

Zupe and Dave wanted to make special note to Roy Elkins of Broadjam for spending time with them and even buying lunch. Thanks, Roy!

... unless you plan on being treated as a criminal.

All I wanted was a beer with my meal. The waitress actually had the nerve to ask for proof of age!!!! HELLOOOOOOO! Look at my pictures ... do I even REMOTELY look like I'm under 21?!?!?!? She told me it was "company policy in compliance with state liquor laws." What crap! She then told me she agreed, but would lose her job if she didn't do it. So I asked to see the manager. Oh, was he glib. He mockingly recited the same thing the waitress did; "Company policy." And he too, also feared for his job.

Well folks, it's wrong. Their "company policy" is just another form of blind compliance to non-existent laws. What law is being broken by NOT carding me? I am CLEARLY of legal age. I am not visibly intoxicated. Hell, I wasn't even driving! And still I'm told the waitress will lose her job, if the liquor control board catches her NOT carding me. (They also threw in a $5,000.00 fine just to add to the fear factor).

No laws were broken. So why is this an issue? Why must my privacy be invaded based on a government controlled ruse? These excuses they use ... "I need my job," "I have a family to feed," despite their own acknowledgment that the "policy" is wrong. The same kind of excuses were used at the Nuremberg Trials. But they don't teach that in public schools anymore, do they?

The Altoona music scene will never be the same. I went out to dinner, with my family, at Burgi's Roundhouse (http://www.burgisroundhouse.com). Besides the food, we were there to hear my friends in their brand new band, "CK & The Boomers" (http://ckandtheboomers.wetpaint.com/). Well, due to a family emergency, Boomer keyboardist John Koeck couldn't do the show. Talk about timing! There I was. There they were. A quick trip home to fetch my gear, and suddenly I'm playing the show!!!!

I had a great time! The fact that I've played with Bob and Patty Helbig numerous times at the UVA Club didn't hurt. And of course, my right hand man and co-writer, Dave Nichols, handles lead guitar duties with this band. We've been working together in the studio for 19 years. Playing with him on stage was the most comfortable transition ever. What a pro!

Since I was set up right next to drummer John Stevens, I was especially glad he uses an electronic kit! I still have nightmares about my band in Germany, and drummer Terry Storm smashing the hell out of the cymbal that was 14 inches from my head!!! (I won't even talk about the time he lost a grip on the drum stick!!!!)

Another of my studio co-writers, Chuck Knepper, also sat in with the band. So the stage was a bit crowded, which made it all the more fun!

Our prayers go out to the Koeck family. As fun as it was to be a Boomer for the night, I only hope you can retake your rightful place soon.

Had another great (and productive) trip in Music City, USA! I started writing with a very talented writer/singer/performer, Diona Devin (http://www.dionadevin.com). I'm very excited about a song idea we started working on.

Also got to spend time with my fellow one-named music guy, Fett (http://www.azaleamusic.com). We enjoyed some coffee and spent some time touring Azalea Music's studio. Definitely place I would want to record when I'm away from home!!!!

I also took the time to stop in at NSAI (http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com) and was impressed enough with their writer services, that I joined right on the spot! They're definitely a good resource for the songwriter and will be a regular stop for me everytime I'm in town.

Lastly, I spent a fun Tuesday night with my fiddle player, John Parrendo (http://www.johnparrendo.com) who was leaving for Korea on Wednesday, touring with Chris Cagle. Bon Voyage and break a leg, guys!

I had a fabulous trip to the west coast this past week. For the 2nd year, ASCAP put on one amazing educational and networking event!

After a great show at the UVA Club, Friday night, I grabbed three hours of sleep before heading to New Jersey for a songwriting workshop with Jason Blume (http://www.jasonblume.com/). Jason has become a mentor, of sorts, and has given valuable information on writing better songs. My thanks to Arlon Bennett and NSAI Princeton for hosting such a great event!

Okay ... I'm just a little bit bummed out because I had to come back home. But can you blame me? The fabulous music, the good food, and the friendly folks just makes me want to stay indefinitely! I met some great people, while I was there, and even managed to pitch a few songs! Keep your fingers crossed.

Due to a snowstorm the week of Valentine's Day, the good folks at Clearfield Graystone Court decided to reschedule Zupe's performance for March. They figured on keeping Zupe safely off the icy roads so they could see me perform another day! Well, can you believe that the very day we rescheduled, a month later, gets hit with another snowstorm?!?!? So once again, Zupe gets to stay warm and safe and hopefully rescedule the date for when there's absolutely no chance of snow (around these parts, that would either be July or August!)

A lot of the songs on this site are now available for digital downloads! Songs are only 99 cents each. Simply go to this site's "Buy" page and click on the link!

"Sao Paulo," a song written by Zupe and Chuck Knepper, premiered at Penn State Altoona, tonight. The Latin influenced instrumental was used for a choreographed piece called "The Reluctant Mambo" and was performed by Allied Motion Dance Company, at the Paul R. and Margery Wolf Kuhn Theatre, in the Community Arts Center. A second performance takes place on Friday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m.

After an exhausting holiday schedule, I finally get a few days to myself! And what does Zupe do? I'll spend the time catching up on my writing. Lots of projects are underway for the new year!

Had a great time on the west coast, this past weekend. I attended the annual TAXI Road Rally and hooked up with some really cool people! TAXI is THE largest independent A&R company out there, and has played a major role in getting my music in film and television. This year, I started working with a great lyricist (Valerie De La Cruz) and was able to have our songs evaluated by some of the top names in the industry! The experience was phenomonal!!!!! More info can be found at http://www.taxi.com and http://www.valeriedelacruz.com .

All I wanted were some lambchops. But as I was walking into the local Martin's grocery store, I noticed the store manager, Tracie Thompson, quickly following a rather rotund man out to the parking lot. "Excuse me, sir. Just a moment please," Tracie called out, but to no avail. Apparently, a shoplifting had just occurred.

Now here's the kicker. This guy had a little girl with him, stashing the loot! This girl was maybe all of eight years old, with an oversized, pink handbag over her shoulder, which happened to be filled with stolen groceries. She stopped and Tracie was able to hang on to her. That's when the rotund greaseball turns around, looks at the girl, and tells her "Stay here." He then gets in his minivan and starts to drive away, abandoning the girl!!!!!

Well, now ... I may not be as fast as I used to be, but every self-respecting musician NEVER leaves home without his cell phone! I was giving 911 this scumbag's license plate and vehicle description before he even got out of the parking lot! (Not to mention the direction he was last heading). He was picked up within the hour.

Let's see, here ... I'm no D.A., but aside from shoplifting, I'm thinking of child endangerment, child neglect, corruption of a minor ...

Zupe is adding a new twist to the annual "Satan's Revenge" chili cook-off, which benefits the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society. As usual, he is entertaining the event, which pits several local restauarants and organizations against each other for the "Best Bowl" award.

This year, Zupe is throwing down the gauntlet for WTAJ-TV 10's Joe Murgo. During the past two chili cook-offs, Joe has had a friendly little "mini-chili-cook-off", on the side, with event organizer Dave Hopkins. And the public judging has always sided with Joe.

This year, Zupe is entering his own chili recipe to compete against the two-time winner.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, November 13th, at Burgi's Roundhouse, just north of Altoona on Old Route 220. For more info, call the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society at 814-942-5402.

I headed south to visit my friend, Bob. He used to live nearby, but now he works for The Mouse. Had a great time. We spent a day at Kennedy Space Center. You REALLY gotta see this place! Maybe I'll post a pic.

Every August, the Shade-Central City Heritage Association puts on a community festival. I've played this event for a number of years. The food - mostly cabbage - is great, and seeing old friends and family is always a special treat. Plus, I get to prove there's a lot more in life than high school football!!!!!! Besides, everyone knows football fields were REALLY made for marching bands!

I recently played the annual fundraiser Gala for the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, at St. Francis College in Loretto, PA. The black-tie affair had a fabulous turnout. The food was incredible and the closed bid auction items were quite extravagant! The heat of the summer does make the tux a bit stuffy, however!

In Altoona?!?!?!?!?!? My buddy Chuck and I wrote a fun little number called "Sao Paulo." It's a great little salsa number reminiscent of early Santana, but with a twist of Bob James thrown in for good measure. I'll post it soon on this website.

Chuck played some mighty fine bass on my song "Rib Joint." He also added some cool acoustic guitar, as well. This thing is really turning out to be a fun song! My sax playing pal, Jerry Sandusky, sat in on the 14th. Between his sax and my trumpet playing, we got ourselves a very cool horn-oriented blues song. It just so happens to be the unofficial theme song for The Phoenix Restaurant in Altoona. Steve used an earlier incarnation of the song for his commercials, and that in turn inspired me to write a full length song out of it. I'll post the results on the website soon.