Vinnie’s band members are the people in each band he plays with. Too many to list here, they all are good musicians with a musical quality and ability that makes working with them easy.
Influences
"Influences turn into styles born from the very people you play with".
Early in his musical career the Violin gave way to Electric and Classical Guitar work. This evolved into Progressive Rock and then turned into Southern Rock. So the Violin came back, but this time Electrified!
A ten year pass at Classic Rock and Original Rock left Vinnie staring at an opportunity to father a New Country band. This led to group and personal Competitions, and the addition of Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro and Mandolin to his stringed arsenal.
Today being "The Fifth Wheel" for that imortant show-opener or for that important club gig is rewarding and challenging. "There is something to be learned at every gig".
Sounds Like
Vinnie has opened for Kenny Chesney, Molley Hatchet, George Jones, Billy Yates, Travis Tritt, BJ Thomas, Colin Raye, Foghat, Mark Wills, Charlie Daniels, Gary Allen, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Wade Hayes, & Jimmy Lehoux. And....of late has played alongside Charlie Farren, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Barry Goudreau, and James Montgomery.
He also owns and operates a Musical Instrument Repair business specializing in all types of electric and acoustic stringed instruments.
He writes and collaborates with other musicians with the goal of allowing music to emerge regardless of style but based on chemistry and ability.
And..He plays for The Jimmy Lehoux Band, Shana Stack and Fastlane, Jonathan Scott and The Blazing Hearts, The Dan Morgan Band, The Tumbleweeds, and O'Brien's Boru.
A year of performance comes and goes again. Many times in this musicians lifetime. Gigging for the good of children, making music with The Jimmy Lehoux Band, opening for name acts, playing alongside All-Star musicians, writing music for enjoyment, recording, Shana Stack, Jonathan Scott, Tommy O'Brien, overnight stays, rehearsals, new equipment, Kim and Scott, Stan Swiniarski, repairing stringed instruments.....this is the list of things that keep my life in check, a reminder of who I am, the memories of where I've been, and the hope for where I will be.
This slide show is about Kenny Chesney's "Next Big Star" program. After being chosen out of four top groups from the Boston area, Jimmy Lehoux Rocked the crowd at Gillette Stadium the next day, opening the "Poets and Pirates Tour" for Kenny Chesney.
There's 36 pictures.
Vinnie is a diverse stringed instrument player who has played with many groups in many venues. Competitions, Concert Openers, Fairs, Clubs and Nightclubs are the proving grounds where Vinnie gets his experience. "Rock, Country, Irish and Folk music are the styles I feel most comfortable in", although occasionally he will do a solo gig. Lately, writing, recording and Instrument Repair have augmented this musicians lineup of activities.
2005 Band of the Year (National,
with TraciLynne and American Pride) 2002 Band of the Year (National,
with The Dan Morgan Band) 2001 Duet of the Year (State & Regional,
with Kim Poesse) 1999 Instrumentalist of the Year (Northeast
State & Regional)
1999
Band of the Year (State, Regional
& National with
Kim & The Jukebox Cowboys) 1998 Band of the Year (Regional Kim
& The Jukebox Cowboys) 1997 Band of the Year (State & Regional,
with Kim & The Jukebox Cowboys)
Vinnie plays with many different groups each year. He is diverse, and concentrates on filling the holes in music. By adding Fiddle, Pedal Steel Guitar, Vocals, Mandolin, and Lead Guitar to a show, the audience hears a fuller sound reminiscent of the original song. "If it has strings, I'll play it" he says, and every song gets a full treatment.
