1983 - My early musical memories are of looking at my Dads double bass and the old 6ft upright we used to have at the house I grew up in.  I was fascinated by the keys and the sounds that came from them when I banged on them with my 3 year old hands. My mom tells me I used to say, "My name is Dano and I play the pinano!" as I abused the keys.

1988 - While I didn't take piano lessons until the third grade there was always a piano in the house.  I took lessons for just under a year and decided it wasn't cool to play the piano.  Oh the mistakes of youth!

1997 - With a few exceptions, such as writing love songs for grad school girlfriends, I didn't sit on a piano bench again until Junior year of high School.  I borrowed a Korg X2 from the high school that summer and started my trip down composition lane.  I recorded several songs on the keyboards internal sequencer over that summer and upon returning to Keene High that fall I was an addict.  I was that dork who stayed after school in the music room to write and play music until the janitors told me to go home. (Eventually toward the end of the year they gave up and told me to leave thru a particular door that would lock behind me)  I was never the best, but I'd like to think I made up for lack of natural talent with tenacity. My high school teacher Tom Martin must have taught me some thing because I some how talked my way into the Keene State College Music exam and passed!!! I wasn't skilled enough at the old ivories, so my primary instrument was voice for my first year at KSC.  

1998 - I was quite fond of arguing pointless musical points in college. I often pissed of teachers with my unorthodox compositions, to the point of veiled threats for writing a piece for piano and ELECTRIC GUITAR!! GOOD GOD!!!! Later in my college career I won second place in a scholarship competition for my piece entitled "No Place For Dreams".  A piece of work I seem to have lost all sheet music to, and hope there is a recording of some where. Oops.

2001 - The summer of my junior year I joined Yankee Voodoo with Ben and Geoff.  This was my first band.  After about 3 months that band ended with our drummer attacking his drum kit in fit of rage.  Think "Animal"
from the muppet show and you'll be on the right track.  ( In hind sight Andy probably should have been chained just like Animal)
 
2002 - I didn't hear from Ben for about 8 months.  Then out of the blue he asked if I wanted to form a new band.  That day he came to my house and played for me his latest tune, "By Now".  Based on the strength that song and our previous disaster as band mates I thought....hell it couldn't be any worse than Voodoo, and hopped on board the Ben Shippee Band Wagon.  Err Buick.  Gray or Blue.