Maristella Feustle was born in Toledo, Ohio in the disco- and Gremlin-infested summer of 1979. Presumed to have been conceived in Toronto, she has not been back to visit since. Her dreams of NFL stardom thwarted by a career-ending gender, Maristella set about being That Kid in grade school who actually enjoyed school, including music [Read more…]
Leon’s Story
aka: Leon Ashley Peek and Making Music, written July 6, 2010 Leon’s first words when an infant was to sing a verse of “Rock of Ages.” His pronunciation was off: “Wok ov agez queft for me.” It was either music or the revival circuit for him after that start. At age 4 Leon was weepy [Read more…]
Early Hopes and Dreams
As an infant, Steve was very quiet. He didn’t speak when Dr Spock said it was time which made Steve’s parents worry. But soon enough, Steve awakened to the concept of conversation. Mother’s and Father’s worries were cast away by a blast of wind that would dispel any suspicion of shyness. Steve became the neighborhood [Read more…]
The Neighbor’s Trash Heap
…continued from Early Hopes and Dreams Bustling with energy, young Steve was a bundle of ideas and a mouthful of words, therefore a handful for kindly neighbors. Up the street, Ted Minor was an icon of compassion and in the spirit of giving was sure that with each visit, there was a cookie for each [Read more…]
Shattered Dreams & Birthday Joys
…continued from The Neighbor’s Trash Heap Steve had always loved music. Working through the painfully tedious process of learning a handful of chords, he had now learned to love to play as well. Snug in his bed with the lights out, Steve waited for his father to come tell him his routine bedtime story. All [Read more…]
Garage Bands, Psychodelics and Confession
…continued from Shattered Dreams & Birthday Joys Now Steve had learned the savory taste of a new instrument, his first exposure to that which often developes into GAS (guitar aquisition syndrome). Needless to say, he had a natural propensity for this condition and it wasn’t long before he wanted an electric guitar. So an electric [Read more…]
BMOC Learns to Read Music
…continued from Garage Bands, Psychodelics and Confession Steve sought to set a course, to find a path. After a year of stumbling in college, he decided to quit his 50hr/week job and move to Denton to test the waters of the music scene. He streamlined his schedule and started with the absolute, most basic music [Read more…]
From Cage to Binchois–Early too Late
…continued from BMOC Learns to Read Music At North Texas, Steve was exposed to the huge gamut of classical music. The areas that piqued his interest the most were found at opposite ends of the historic timeline, early music and music of the 20th century (not yet having entered the new millenium). There were composers [Read more…]
The Renaissance Buffoon
…continued from From Cage to Binchois–Early too Late Steve always took his musical pursuits seriously, a stanse that could have served all better if relaxed just a bit. Playing in Renaissance groups here and there took a new twist when one such band brought him to the Renn Faire circuit. Playing at a Renaissance Faire [Read more…]
Enter the Banjo
…continued from The Renaissance Buffoon Steve had played Early Music for a number of years, a day-job or two and a couple of marriages. One Friday evening after a day of work in the hot Texas sun, Steve dropped by the local music/pawn shop for a set of strings when he met the next love [Read more…]