Brian joined a group of forty fellow NAMM members for a week of lobbying on behalf of strengthening public music education. A second contingent focused on laws protecting intellectual property and anti-counterfeiting. A record 103 meetings were held with members of Congress and their staff. Click here to read an essay that Brian wrote concerning the personal involvement of a fellow member of NAMM’s lobbying group…former Yankee Bernie Williams.
Monster students John Gallo (Bass) Jeremy Wexler (drums) Chris Rispoli (Lead Guitar) and Kevin Carbone (rhythm guitar) performed an incredibly tight and rousing rendition of Guns N Roses’ Sweet Child of Mine.
On February 10th Monster Music held its latest showcase where any Monster Music student who would like to perform has an opportunity to do so. We held this showcase at Madison Hall, which is adjacent to our Rockville Centre store. Seventeen acts consisting of 23 Monster Music students perforned before an audience of more than 100.
The were guitar shredders, singer/songwriters, young vocalists, Jazz sax, piano and cello performers. Ages of the performers ranged from ranged in ages from a 9 year old vocalist right up to a 75 year old blues guitar student! There was no charge whatsoever to perform, and everyone — performers and audience members alike — had an incredible time!
Arnie Carroll, one of the hundreds of adult students at Monster, gets the Showcase started with a blues jam with the help of his instructor, Ed Moreno
Elizabeth Gergel (pictured left) belts out a number from “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” along with her Vocal coach, Jacky Toner (pictured right).
Though only playing guitar for less than six months, Monster students Casey Curran (pictured left) and Steve Cangelosi (pictured right) had no reluctance to take the stage for this showcase. They were joined on drums by Steve’s very talented younger brother, and fellow Monster student, Ryan Cangelosi.
Monster Music Bass student John Gallo, not only looking incredibly cool, but backing it up with some killer playing.
Vocal performance. Mad World a Tears for Fears song beautifully sung by Olimpia E. in the vein of Gary Jules.
Monster Music Student Showcase— January 31, 2010 —Jarrett on Drums
Monster Music Student Showcase— January 31, 2010 — Ryan Hauser-Vocals & Guitar, Ryan Maloney-Drums, Nick Orlowski-Bass Guitar, J.T. Jaronczyk-Rhythm Guitar
Brian Reardon with Les Paul
Brian Reardon, owner of Monster Music in Rockville Centre, recently met with legendary Guitarist Les Paul, who personally signed a Vintage Original Specs 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
Les personally signed a Vintage Original Specs 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard and Brianthen. Les Paul, 92, is an iconic figure and universally considered the father of the modern electric guitar. Reardon, who grew up in Rockville Centre, is seen here with Les Paul after a recent performance in New York City. Monster Music has donated the signed guitar to “New Ground”, a Long Island based charity whose mission is to aid the homeless on the path to self sufficiency.
