Jazz music is a huge part of my life. Growing up, my dad had all these jazz recordings and so I started out imitating simpler forms on piano, like Boogie Woogie. Photos by Colleen Bies What I didn’t know at that tender age was that I was absorbing the 12-bar blues form, because every Boogie
“Wisconsin’s gentle poet of jazz.” Read More »
There was always music around when I was a kid. I grew up in Rhinelander and lived there for most of my life, but I also lived on the Lac du Flambeau Reservation when I was younger. Photos by Shelby Cheyka I went to UW-Eau Claire after high school, then graduated from dental school in
“It’s never to late to follow your dreams.” Read More »
I was born half a mile down the road as the crow flies from where I live in Cashton. I’ve had chances to go many places with my music but have never moved more than just a quarter mile from home. Photos by Adam Blackbourn Cashton is the best city in the world; it’s a
“If I let go of that, then the tradition is lost.” Read More »
I go by Bobby Bullet St. Germaine. Bobby Bullet is a stage name. In the late 70s, I had a couple songs out, one of them which broke the Billboard top 100. Well, my manager and I had the idea to get the name “Bullet” into the conversation because, if a song was really good,
“Music is a part of me.” Read More »
I write songs. That’s what I do. And it’s a job, so I drive around the country and sell those songs door to door like a vacuum cleaner salesman. Photo by Adam Blackbourn I was born just outside of Houston, Texas, but I don’t have any memories of Texas. Before I was able to be
“Music always makes sense. That’s why I keep coming back to it.” Read More »
My parents never forced me into music and were always super encouraging. My mom’s family is a singing family and she’s a jazz singer who’s been playing my whole life. Growing up we had a family piano and guitar in the house and a big basket of toy instruments—these were the toys I wanted to
“Music is the thing that brings me the most happiness.” Read More »
Ever since I was young, I would always be singing. I remember there was a children’s music record that I loved called Canticuentos that my parents would play for me. I knew all the lyrics. Photo courtesy of Juliana Mesa I would always sing along, oftentimes playing on a little Casio keyboard, and after the
“Music is something I’ve always loved.” Read More »
