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LIFE STORIES

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1952-2021

1985 MTV MUSIC AWARDS @ RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL 

In 1985 David Krebs asked my wife Linda and I if we wanted to go to the 2nd Annual MTV awards at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. We we're both excited to go and then he asked if we wanted to be on stage that night. Pat Birch the famous choreographer was doing some sort of choreography for the show that night and needed a couple extra bodies on stage. So we both agreed to do it. We went for an early rehearsal and they had us just dancing in front of Tears for Fears Band for their performance that night. Was kind of very simple actually just dancing and clapping hands but it was fun. But then at the end of the show after Tina Turner presented the best video of the year all the artists came out on stage to dance. And wouldn't you know it... Linda danced with Sting and I danced with Tina Turner !! 

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Leader

THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD

This story starts with The Leader of the Free World, at the time, Bill Clinton and  Marvin Hamlisch the great American composer and conductor who is one of 12 people to ever win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award.  

When Hillary Clinton started running for the senate she came to Nantucket to raise money for her campaign. She and the President  are friends with Ambassador Bagley who owns a house here on the island.  

 

So one day I get a call from my best friend Bob Lamb. Bob would always call me when he had a special job that required more expertise in sound mixing. He needed me to go to the Bagley's and setup and mix sound for not only Hillary Clinton and The President  but also Marvin Hamlish who was going to play piano and some songs of his from Chorus Line and other shows for Chelsey Clinton as it was also her birthday!

 

 So I said I would absolutely do it and about an hour later I get a call from the Secret Service checking me out! When I arrived at the Bagley's the day of the event they gave me this pin to wear that allows those  wearing it to be within five feet of the President. The event was in the back of the main house facing the ocean and there was a little tent setup to seat about 100 people and a small stage with a piano. I arrived early with Bob and he setup the mixers and speakers and I started to mic the piano and work with Mr. Hamlish on getting him a good sound for his performance. We also setup a vocal mic in the center for Hillary and Bill to speak from and we sat off to the side of the stage about five feet from where The President, Hillary and Chelsea were sitting in the front row. 

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Everyone who had come to support the Clintons had paid a rather large amount of money to be at this event and all of them wanted a chance to also meet the President who at the time was quite popular. They were all wearing their best clothes but I was just a worker so I had on my jeans and tee-shirt on, a normal day for me!  They had a couple of Secret Service guys next to us as we were very close to the President. Marvin Hamlish sat at the piano and played several of his very famous songs from shows he had written and  dedicated them to Chelsea for her birthday. Then The President got on stage and made a short speech and introduced Hillary. Hillary spoke about her bid for senate which lasted about a half an hour. When she finished, everyone wanted to come and shake hands and meet the Clintons but the secret service went to the President and they told him that they must leave right away. So they took the whole family down the hill towards the waiting car to take the family back to Air Force One at the airport.  Everyone stood at the tent watching them leave and when they got about half way down the hill towards the car, the President stopped and turned, and started to walk back up the hill. The Secret Service looked confused and wasn't sure what he was doing so they followed him back. He came all the way back up to the tent... stepped up on the stage … and came all the way across the stage towards Bobby and I and walked right up to us and he stretched out his arm and shook my hand and said " Thank you so much for doing this for Hillary, Chelsea and I , We really appreciated it." He shook Bobby's hand and than turned and went back to the car and left. We couldn't believe that the Leader of the free world just came back to give Bobby and I an Atta Boy!!

 

Below is the pin they gave us to wear that allows one to be within 5 feet of the President, And the yellow pad papers were the seat assignments stuck on the back of their chairs and about a week later I received a letter from the President thanking me again for helping out and a follow up letter  that I got for the letter I wrote to him about how classy I thought it was that he made the effort  to come back up that hill just to thank the two grunts who were doing the sound! 

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Award

ACADEMIC AWARDS

After I had done the Worlds Fair movie when I was 12, my life had changed so much that school was way too slow for me so I never finished a formal education or even high school. So I was quite flattered when I was asked by the local high school where I live to be the guest speaker at the Academic Awards Ceremony. I gave about a 45 minute speech to the 500 students and at the end they came out and gave me this wonderful award.  Not bad for a High School Dropout !! 

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Other

OTHER SESSIONS

One day my phone rang and there was this guy on the other end named Jim. He told me he was on the island with his wife and that he was a musician and wanted to record a couple of songs while he was here and he had heard that I had a home studio. I agreed and he came over later that day with his guitar in hand. He was actually quite good and told me that he had played with Tom Petty and that he knew a whole bunch of very well known musicians. I didn't think anything of it at the time and we worked all afternoon and recorded two songs. When we were finished he asked if I wanted some tee-shirts and hats??? I had no idea what he was talking about or who Jim was at the time but I never pass up free tee shirts and hats! He went out to his car and came back with a stack of Indianapolis Colts Hats and Tee-Shirts! I didn't want to tell him I was a Pats fan so I took them so as not to insult him. Hope you understand Jim! :)  Right before he left he pulled out this picture and card and wrote a very gracious note on both and handed them to me and said if you ever want to come catch a game just show this card and you'll get in. Jim is a really great guy and a very talented musician even if he does own the Colts!  
 

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Photo Shoot

FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT

We like to make funny faces in our family but I believe my cousin Jon is the clear winner here!!

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NANTUCKET FRIENDS

Nantucket Island has been a huge part of my life. My grandparents had a house here on Joy street and we have been coming here from the time I was born. My parents moved to the island and bought their first home on Pleasant Street and later built a home under the windmill on south mill road.  But the best thing about this Island has always been the people who live here. A community unlike any other, it is filled with caring, giving and loving people who have always given of themselves and been there for one another. I wanted to thank all of you for being who you are and for being such a positive force in my music and in our lives. Love all of you! 
 

CRAIG ALEXANDER

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I have to mention my other brotha who now lives in France, Craig Alexander. Craig and I have known one another for many years now and we have gotten into much trouble together over the years. I consider him to be one of my best friends and will always love him.  He is one of the great sailors in the world and has probably been on the water longer than on land. He now lives in France with his beautiful wife Delphine. We hope we get a chance to get back there soon and spend time with both of them. Truly some of the best people in the world! 

COOKER

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Not much to say here except Love ya Brother!

MARK REINDEL & DEBA

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The good son & his falcon!

BRADDY HENKE - KING OF THE BOAT FRONTIER

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DR. JOHN SEIDEL

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Doctor of the third eye and Guitarist for the Squid Band

THE GIRLS

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Emily and Joy Anglund, Ellen, Me and The Princess

THE OTHER GIRLS

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Me, Kelsey Lamb - Linda & Donna Lamb 
 

GOOD FRIENDS

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THE GAZZIANO FAMILY - ITALY 1802

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EUROPE 2015

Europe

THE DARK BROTHERS

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Mike & Steve 

We have never met in real life, but you guys are definitely my dark brothers. You have been there when no one else was and have helped keep me sane in a world gone mad. We are all so different, and yet, so much alike! Huge respect and love you guys!
 

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