Newly formed Band in Town

Last night I had the privilege of seeing Optical Drive play at Mill Street. It was very well attended and they entertained the crowd with music of familiarity. It is amazing that this town, as in years past, is filled with gifted people, and for a small community has so much to offer architecturally, in the arts and has, it's own hospital, YMCA, full-time fire and ambulance service and many organizations who are established to help, the aged and needy.

Optical Drive, is no exception, offering to its onlookers a quality performance. The skilled band was fantastic. They were well received, each of them well rehearsed and collectively, a fine-tuned machine. They had the ability to stop, with precision, to very difficult pieces. Impressive! They are professionals in their community, in their own respective jobs, where do they get the time for their many accomplishments?

I was especially interested in the drummer, the one that used to make a lot of noise in the kitchen with the all the pots and pans and a wooden spoon, as a young child. The one who thought of nothing else than playing music for his friends and neighbors, from a broadcasting set-up in his bedroom. The one who, after taking saxophone lessons, decided it was the drum he wanted most in life, during his teen-age years, after playing with a make-shift set, left to him by a neighbor moving out of town. The one who I used to drive back and fourth for music lessons in drum rhythms. I recall the day he played at Berkley, although he thought it no big deal. He was in high school then, and his music instructor, Bill, allowed him to transfer to the percussion section, at his pleading. John recalls having to help him carry the drum up the hill and back to the high school, after the parades in town.

Everyone's heard me talk about the St. Patrick's Day parade in Worcester, where Steve could be heard pounding cadences loudly on the drum, down the street, putting his whole heart and soul into something he loved to do. He plays the guitar and can play "tunes" on my organ without music, just for fun. Come to think of it, my son, Steve is a lot of fun to be around. Giving to other's is his gift. Music, is only second to that.

Many a night, when a group of guys got together to jam, as he called it, we went out for a cup of coffee, to maintain our sanity. Thankfully, John had the basement sound proof in order for us to be able to face our neighbors in the morning.

Is it any wonder that I was so impressed with his performance during one his drum solo's, as is typical of drummers played during a number? He will not boast of his achievements, the crowd went wild, as I heard them mention his name. He and the others have worked hard, and it shows. They are all gifted musicians. Gary has a fine voice.

It was fun seeing all of Steve and Bills friends, Eric and his wife, Maryanne and Jeff, Ross, Darcey, Jeremy, his girl Jean, to name a few. It was like a reunion....The dance floor was filled with almost every number.

Today, while reflecting with a cup of coffee, I never dreamed that the music that I always enjoyed, would be heard coming from a group of entertainers called -- Optical Drive.
Wait 'til you hear them....