a tale of two Chriss 1974 Detroit. Lonyo Avenue and McGraw. Everyone my age in my neighborhood was an artist. Some painted, some were poets, some were young scientists, some were struggling musicians, others were funny liars and thieves, still others were simply beautiful inside, and others out. Just one family were said to be gypsies and my heart ached to be one too. We gathered on their inner city front porch right across the street from St. Cunegunda Church and talked of what our futures could be like. Gino, Chris, and their family toured the USA as if they were the Partridge Family. They owned a real tour bus. They went in a real recording studio and recorded an album. They played Vegas when we were barely teens. They were on TV and living the show biz life on the road for real. They looked like pop stars to me and I never missed a Conti Family State Fair performance all those years ago. I wanted to do what they were doing but was struggling while exploring my own unstructured musicology. Gino Conti was equally talented as he was obnoxious, though the two go hand in hand, he was the real thing. Gino was a talent equal to young Michael Jackson, with the exception that MJ only wished he was a musician at that time. Gino played the congas with such intensity as if he were in Santana. Hed show us how he did impossible things and laugh as we tried. Gino sang with force and more confidence than i thought existed. Gino played guitar better than i and it pissed me off. He raised the bar to such a height that i couldnt sleep. I couldnt eat and i weighed about 99LBS at 15 years old. I couldnt stay away and Gino was smart enough to ask me how i played certain songs. I was thrilled until hed take it to another level. Gino was/is an important inspiration even today as he battles the demons of a child-star. I have but one regret in life. I regret that i passed on travelling to Florida with Louie, Jimmie Dudansky, and Marc Falsetti. The Conti Family eventually left the neighborhood and moved to Florida to open a recording studio. Jimmies band was invited to record an album and i didnt want to get in the way (huh?). Get in the way. What the hell does that mean? Had i gone, Ginos brother Chris would have jammed my music for a moment. We would have connected naturally and fates fickle chain of events would have begun a different path than had traveled as of today. Chris and i share a similar personality. We share the similar love for diverse music and recognize the importance of authenticity within each style of music. One might say we get it but we ignored each other and proceeded our own individual musical journeys through life on two different planets. On occasion, Chris and I would talk about getting together to jam. It took 40 years but we finally did it. A few weeks ago, Chris texted me to come see his band and i replied how about we open for you? He agreed. Our old neighborhood friends of artists, liars, theives and poets came to celebrate so the bar was jamm packed. I played a cool set of cover songs with Rob Rosinski (one of the neighborhood artists), Chris played his set with his band and the show was completed. Once again i smacked myself because we sat and talked for about an hour afterwards when we could have been jamming together. By the time i got home i was totally pissed off and disgusted for not recognizing Lifes Opportunity once again. The next day, Chris band The Afterwhile were performing at a Moose Lodge Oktober Fest. Louie from the hood (guitarist Horse Cave Trio) brought a sweet Telecaster and amp and i brought my harmonicas. We talked a bit and i drank more than i usually do. After the 4th ot 5th song, the bassist waved me up onto the stage and i didnt leave for the rest of the night. Chris and I jammed for a few hours nonstop. I dig a band that never takes a break. Were really one in the same and Chris Cuchetti is definitely the drummer that got away. We talked about getting together again to jamm someday. Lou talked of going to Florida soon and ill make sure i get in the way this time.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 10:32:47 +0000
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