At the present time, I am a solo/free lance artist. The musicians who dedicated their time and talent to my first solo attempt are Norman Nardini-gtr/voc), Glen Pavone-gtr, Tom Valentine-bass, Whitie Cooper-backing vocals, Fred Delou-keyboards, Herman Granotti-keyboards, Gene Ludwig-keyboards, Mark Stutso-drums, lead and background vocals.
Influences
Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich, Don Brewer, Tommy Aldridge, drummers of Motown and too many more to list!
Welcome brother, sister drummers and all music fans,
I find it quite difficult to write about myself. How far back do you go? How much do you remember? How much do you even want to remember?! I've got over 35 years worth of street corner performing, the local "cut & shoot", the hotel circuit, the rock band tours, disco, and blues! So here's a short summary of my whereabouts.
I was in the second grade when I first tapped on a real drum. One of those blue sparkle snare drums from Sears. And like every musician, that was the magic moment. It cannot be explained to one who does not play.
My cousin, Jimmy Stutso and I formed our first band in the summer of 1963. At that early age, we actually worked steady in my Uncle Jimmy's beer garden. While watching TV shows like "Shindig", "Hullabaloo", "American Band Stand", we saw all of that cool equipment! I figured I had better get the rest of the drum kit! I only had a snare drum and one cymbal!
I am a self taught drummer and singer. I really never spent time learning drum music or taking instructions. I did take piano lessons for a short time, but I started right off working on drums. I think of myself as a blue collar musician..... Had to work. The players we would pick up wouldn't sing. Somebody had to do it. I wasn't shy! So, in my formative years, I learned to sing while teaching myself the drums.
In those years, the music was a bit more simple. A little more groove, a lot less solo. It still is that way for me. Instead of learning all the speed fills, flash and so on, I went for the groove. Protect that beat, and sing with soul. Doesn't matter what type of music you're playing. But that also doesn't mean one shouldn't take the proper instruction! I did not. Then the Beatles came, and that changed the approach for a lot of us. How we looked, how we played, and taught us different ways to record. Anyway......
I started playing steady in the southern to central WV areas, southwest VA and KY with various bands from 1966 to 1977. My first real professional band job came while I was a junior in high school. Ron Dash had one of the biggest and best local bands around. I used to watch them in awe as a kid. As time passed I ended up getting a gig with them. The musicians were much older than I! They were in their upper to late 30's, I was about 15! I worked with them for a couple of years. I jumped into the Bluefield, WV music scene around 1972 and played with bands such as Shades Of Soul,(I was the only white guy!), Tea & T Co., Leather and Sneekie Pete. I then hit the road with a rock band called "Tricks", from VA Beach, VA. One album," Turn a Trick" was released in 1980, on Blue Sand Music. I toured with Tricks from 1977 to 1987 on a national circuit, doing clubs and support for many major rock events. I took a break from "Tricks" in 1983 and toured with "RuffRyder",(former members from "Black Oak Arkansas") for one year. That was a helluva ride! There was one release, "Tidewaters Best Kept Secrets" also on Blue Sand Music in 1983. That was ten fantastic years for me.
In 1987 I moved to Washington, DC. There I joined "The Smut Brothers Band". They were some great players who gave me my first taste of the real blues. We did the late night jams down in Georgetown and the bigger blues shows in D.C. and Baltimore, MD.
It was then in 1991 I joined "Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers", the band I have been with for seventeen years now. We tour constantly over the entire US, Canada, The Caribbean, and 13 countries in Europe.
We currently have nine releases on Blind Pig Records including a 2006 release of "Essential Jimmy Thackery" and five on Telarc records. We released "We Got It", our 7th CD, on Tel-Arc records in March of 2002, "True Stories" in April 2003, "Jimmy Thackery Guitars" in 2004 and "Healing Ground" in April of 2005. Jimmy, The Cate Brothers and I recorded a record in 2006 titled "The Natural State" which has been released on Rykodisc Records. The spring of 2007 brings us the release of "Solid Ice" back on the Telarc label. 2008, A live CD was released and I recorded my last CD with the Drivers earlier in 2008 which has not been titled or released as of yet.
I recorded a CD in Pittsburgh, PA that was released in April 2008, "Rock My Soul", on Moondog Records, which featured me on all vocals and drums! The project was produced by Norman Nardini, who also wrote the material for me to sing AND played guitar as well. The great Glen Pavone provided the lead guitar solos and Tom Valentine laid down the bass tracks. Gene Ludwig and Herman Granotti shared the keyboard duties. This is not totally a blues record. We did whatever the **** we wanted! There is some blues, R&B and even some rockers!
I chose to leave the Drivers in August 2008 in search of other musical avenues. I will be doing all the vocals on a new CD by Pittsburgh drummer/songwriter, Mike Flocari and produced by Norman Nardini this summer. I will began to prepare for a second solo CD in the very near future!
Well, that's about as short as I can make it for now. I would like to give thanks to God for granting me the ability to play my drums and sing. And for keeping me alive throughout my travels. Also to my Father, Joseph Stutso (God rest his soul) and Mother, Marjorie Stutso my biggest fan! And to Elaine, Gracie and Anna. They are my reason! I could not have had better help or support. There are no words to describe my feelings for my parents and family.
Below I have listed some of the musicians I have had the pleasure of playing drums and singing with over the past couple years. I continue working with many of these great players but I'll try and only list them once!
If there's any questions or comments, just let me know. I'd be thrilled to respond, good or bad! markstutso@hotmail.com , markstutso@msn.com . I can also be reached at markstutso@markstutso.com Ya'll talk to me! Until I update again, ya'll keep the faith!
2009:
Norman Nardini, Harry J. Bottoms, Kenny Blake, Gil Snyder, Freddie Felger, Fred Delou, Dan Donahoe, David Bryan, Mick Hayes, David Frost, Alan Kroll, Ken Kaufman, Craig King, Warren King, Bub's Mckeg, Donny Hollowood, Larry Seifers, Gary Beloma, Frank Giove, Frank Czuri, Gene Sweeny, Randall Troy, Max Woodhall, Shane, Dwight, Kevin Stewart, Robin Rogers, Mike Allman, Jim Doctory, Vinny Q, Sharie Richards.
2008:
Jimmy Thackery, Mark Bumgarner, Norman Nardini, Harry Bottoms, Whitey Cooper, Tommy Castro & Band, Tab Benoit, Magic Dick, Roomful Of Blues, Ron Perry, Sean Carney, Tim Anderson, Mark Hummel, Reba Russell, Wayne Russell, Michael Burkes, Mitch Woods, Deanna Bogart, Billy Gibson, Bill Stuve, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, Danny Morris, Harper, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Roxanne Potvin, Dave Maxwell, Bob Margolin, Wes Jeans Band.
2007:
Norman Nardini, Harry Bottoms, Whitey Cooper, Kevin Selfe, Bill Smith, James Pace, Tom " Mookie" Brill, Carey Bell, Dean Hall, Tim Hoback, Deborah Coleman, Billy Crawford, Jerome Heitmann
2006:
Tab Benoit, Carl Dufrene, Daryl White, Jimmy Carpenter, Anthony Gomes, Biscuit Miller, Deanna Bogart, Tommy Castro, Joe Bonamassa, Deborah Coleman, Jimmy Thackery, Mark Bumgarner, Honey Alexander, Buckwheat Zydeco, Paul Senigal, Ana Popovich, Bobby Bland Band, Billy Branch, Mitch Woods, Kenny Neal, Rod Thomson Band, Earl Cate, Ernie Cate, Ron Eoff, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones, Billy C. Wirtz, Fiona Boyes, Janava Mageness, Bob Margolin, Tom " Mookie" Brill, Paul Oscher, Zack Weisinger, Steele Cookin', Under The Gun, Sweet Betty, Tom Brown, Albe Shoal, Diunna Greenleaf, John Anderson, Tony & Robin Rogers, John Mooney, Johnny Sansone, Waylon Thibadeaux, Ian Segal, Billy Crawford, Ken Faltinson, Jeff Sarli, Reba Russell, Murali Coryell, David Reinko, Aristotle Georgio, James Harmon, Don West, Mark & Keith Pennington, Bill Gillespie, Carl Miller, Bill Archer.
2005:
Norman Nardini, Harry Bottoms, Whitey Cooper, Chuck Kohler, Phil Bronz, Ron Esser, Jimmy Thackery, Chris Grant, Kevin McKindrie, Greg Wetzel, Terry Emory, John Rich, Kid Rock, Bobby Radcliff, Zack Wiesinger, Gene Ludwig, Herman Granatti, Coco Montoya, Edd Earley, Ian Lamsom Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, John Mooney, Jeff Sarli, Mark Bumgarner, Bob Margolin, "Mookie" Brill.
2004:
Jimmy Carpenter, Ken Faltinson, Glenn Pavone, Little Roger & Cheap Thrills, Wendy DeWitt, Steele Cookin' Band, Too Slim & The Taildraggers, Mitch Woods, Keith Crossin, Reba Russell, Robert Nighthawk, The Cate Brothers, David Reinko, The Zig Zag Band, Billy Crawford, George Hammonds, Bob Margolin, Pinetop Perkin, Tom "Mookie" Brill, Pat Boyack, Tab Benoit, Carl Dufrene, Daryl White, Jill Watkins Band, Larry Garner Band, Tempa & The Tantrums, Carolyn Wonderland, Frankie Lee, Paul, Metza, Fancyfree Band, Tommy Hannigan, Pete Kanaras, Flat Foot Sam, Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, Cory Duplichin, Tom Valentine, Michael Rhodes, Kenny Greenburg, Gary Nicholson, Reese Wynans, Jimmy Hall
2003:
Omaha Blues All-stars, New York Express, Mick Hayes Band, Hadden Sayers Band, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, John Mooney, Josh Smith, Tinsley Ellis, Roger Gregory, Bruce Katz Band, Lauren Ellis, John Roth, The NIghthawks, Joe Louis Walker, Mike Vlahakis, Renee Austin, James Harmon, Cathy King, Tommy Lepson
2002:
Danny Morris, Peter Bonta, Joe Wells, Gene Taylor, Mike Finnigan, James Armstrong, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Lee Oskar, The Thunderbirds, Little Ed, Warren King, Tommy Castro, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Chubby Carrier, Shawn Benjamin, Tim Hall Band, Dave Elliott Band, Scott Holt, E.C. Scott, Charlie Pastorfield, Steve Riggs, Debbie Davies, Anders Osbourne, Brian Stoltz, Big Chief Monk Boudreux.
2001:
Joe McGlohan, Charlotte Monday Night All Stars, Dan "Boney" Fields, Mary Ann Redmond, Deborah Coleman Band, George Lay, Brad Perry, Patrick Sweaney Band, The Bel-Airs, Eddy Clearwater, Deanna Bogart, Kelly Ritchie, Anthony Gomes, Baby Jason & The Scorchers, John Cage, James Solberg, Kenny Gradney, Mike Melchione, Andy Margileth, Andy Zok, Steve Waters
2000:
Walter Trout, Arlan Roth, Studebaker John, Nikki Yarling, David Raitt, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Raitt, Anson Funderburgh, Kelly Hunt, Maria Mulduar, Sam Meyers (RIP), Luther Allison (RIP), Johny Lang, Robert Jr. Lockwood (RIP), Snooky Prior(RIP), John Hammond, Duke Robillard, Rod Piazza, Honey Alexander, Alex Shultz, Jimi Bott, Bill Stuvall, Kim Wilson, Kid Ramos, Taj Mahal, Bobby Murry, Johanna Conner, Lamont Cranston Band, Wayne Burdette, Mike Patrick, Johnny Reno, Chris Cain, Jimmy McCracklin, Jerry Moss, The Witch Doctors, Lil' Jimmy King(RIP), Charlie Musselwhite, Roy Rogers, Bill Kirtchin, Ron Holloway, Joe Kubick, Francine Reed, Miranda Louise, Skeeter Brandon, John Carroll, Henry Vestine(RIP), Jimmy McCarty, Willie Green, Jonathan Edwards, Johnny Johnson(RIP), Bernard Allison, Tom Principato, Linwood Taylor, Sarah Brown, Eddie Van Shaw, Al Gamble, Tommy Cox, A-440, Mason Ruffner, Larry McCray, Evin Johns, Bill Wharton, Otis McLennon, Pierre Beauregard, Syl Johnson, Tom Hunter, Jeff Lavine, Luther Gtr Jr. Johnson, Dave Hole, Root Boy Slim(RIP), Ann Rabson, Ratso
Every one of these musicians have become friends of mine and I'd like to thank each and every one of them for sharing their gifts and talents with me. I would like to think that I learned something positive from each one of them. They all are wonderful human beings and I hold a great amount of love and respect for them all. And I pray for the brothers who are no longer with us on stage but forever in our minds and hearts. We'll sing this song for you. Thanks, ya'll!
Love and Peace
Mark Stutso
this layout is from whateverlife.com!
OMG Yvonne is so addicted to the surround sound, its hilarious...would love to see it on you tube!! Have a great vacation with Elaine, and Have way to much fun....heehee
Wanted to share .. I just got my first surround sound.. 100 watts (stop laughing)well your on it just bout everyday..gotta turn ya down cause Subwoofer clicks !..lol I will up grade soon though got this off Craigs list..Need 500 watt receiver w/100 watt Woofer ! Then I can here ya like you were ment to be heard ! : ) Hey do you remember that 64 Buick Turbo and I had, with the Stereo speaker we wired and layed in back seat?, and that night in Louisiana Holiday Inn, the naked guy was hiding out in it !?..LMAO !! So how do i get my Tricks album on CD ? Well love to the Girls.. And keep on taking us on your Fab trip in life !
Mark, as soon as the server is fixed, -- which should be soon -- I want you to think about coming back on the air. I loved your idea of doing a Pittsburgh show!! You know we love playing your tunes and will continue to do so but I miss you doing your show!! Hope to see you guys soon -- like for the Chesapeake Blues Fest? E said something about you guys maybe coming down for the Sunday show. And our door is always open to you guys too!
hey im doing ok still hanging in there working and school all the time and trying to still keep the best friends in there also wanna come see you guys this summer hopefully depends on all the vaction time at work if ya know what i mean but hey thanks for checking in miss you guys lots and i will talk to you sometime soon!
Hey Mark! You guys really rocked at Moondogs last Friday!! We had such a great time -- thanks for the wonderful hospitality. Can't wait to take another roadtrip to the "burg". Merry Christmas!
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