Rayzz

Hi All,

Another year gone by and it has been an eventful one, at least health wise. I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and just finished 5 weeks of radiation therapy for Prostate cancer. I call it the ‘old guys cancer’. I know 4 or 5 other guys around my age that have gone through the same thing. Every one of us is still playing music. Haven’t been to a jam lately. That’s by choice. It is a lot more fun just jamming in the my studio in the basement. Myself and Howard Gonyer have been jamming together now for about 40 years and have played every style from jazz to country, rock to fusion. It’s been a real treat to find another musician you gel with.

I took two months off to deal with my cancer treatments and am just getting back to teaching. Haven’t done any gigs yet. Am very apprehensive about gigging. I’ve lost a lot of stamina both from the cancer and from the Parkinson’s. I practice or teach everyday and things are improving. This is very good … good for the mental state. It’s kinda scary when you realize that your playing days might be over. My Parkinson’s is well controlled with medication and hasn’t been an issue when playing drums or guitar.  My vocals seem to be most affected in a negative way by the Parkinson’s.

‘the grey men’ band still consists of myself and Howard. My brother Webb has joined as a bass player, but we are using Marek Orszulik and Peter Boxall as fillins also. Hopefully we will do more gigs this year. Been working on a tune called ‘Growing Old’. Appropriate?

Talk again soon.

Ray

Hi All,

Well, another year has gone by and I’m still plugging along with the teaching and playing. Haven’t done too much gigging this year by choice. I find it harder to move gear as I get older so most of the drumming I do now is in my studio. It’s still fun and most importantly I am still improving. (of course most won’t hear it lol). My recording system crapped out last year so I had to get another one. Sadly, with Covid happening and ‘supply chain’ problems I couldn’t get what I wanted. I’m still waiting for the digitizer I want. Hopefully soon!

Aug. 26 will be the first gig we do as a band (the grey men) with a new bass player. My brother Webb will be joining Howard (guitar) and I to play bass. It marks an anniversary of sorts. The three of us played together in a succcessful band called ‘Network’ about 40 years ago. Wow! How time flies.

Please check out the Original Music on this website to hear some of our original tunes!

Thanks!