DJ REM STUDIOS Webzine October 2013 Issue 6 | Page 2

How often are you guys able to get together and practice?
We shoot to rehearse once a week and try to play out every other week for now.
Where do you guys practice at?
We have a monthly room in Greenlight Studios, Farmingdale, NY.

What got you into music, and what are your influences?
I remember listening to my father play Willie Nelson, Fleetwood Mac and The Doors on the reel to
reel player when I was really young. The sound was so vibrant and it moved me so much, though I
had no idea what it really meant. It made such an impression on me. I love the sound and attitude
of Willie Nelson, the drama of Fleetwood Mac, and the weight of the Doors. Charlie, growing up in
Nashville, is also a big fan of classic American sounds like Merle Haggard, Nancy Sinatra, and Patsy Cline. Tom likes a lot of the Alternative bands of the 90s as do I and Joe is an all around music
enthusiast, but loves Queen and listening to a lot of the great drummers like Steve Gadd in particular.
What sacrifices have you had to make to do what you love?
This question always sparks a lot of interest from people, mainly because I gave up a career in
medicine to pursue music. I graduated from Upstate Medical University (Syracuse) in 2007 as a
doctor, but decided to go into music instead. This decision brought a lot of resistance, but it really
wasn't a hard choice for me. I knew what I really wanted to accomplish and I had put it off long
enough. I will say that the financial burden of paying off medical loans with a musician’s salary and
struggling to get by for so many years certainly hasn't been without consequence for me though.

Who did you get your musical talent from?
Not sure, but I may have bartered it for a few diamonds behind an old saloon in a past life. Nobody
in my family really plays music that I am aware of.