Accordionist Sam Falcetti from Springfield, Mass.and his granddaughter, 10 year old Angela Falcetti, performed on August 19, 2015 for the “Accordion Cool TV Show” by Coach Dave Laprise. Fifth grader Angela sings as she plays the Roland accordion. She studies with her grandfather, Sam Falcetti.
Dave began entertaining as a musician and band leader more than 50 years ago and for many years made his living as professional musician and music teacher. After a hiatus of several years, his desire to once again play music and entertain resurfaced. He worked for quite some time returning to his roots and redefining his musical abilities learned while studying at the Berklee School of Music.
“Accordion Cool” is the title of Dave’s TV show on public access television. It is taped in Attleboro, MA, but if you want the show seen In Your area, call your local cable station and they are required to show it. You can find previous shows on the internet.
On a personal note do not let the cowboy hat mislead you into thinking that Dave is a country act. The hat is worn as a symbol and tribute to Dave’s two brothers , who he did not know existed for more than 60 years and he met for the first time at a family reunion in Scottsdale, AZ several years ago after one brother painstakingly tracked Dave down after all the years.
Coach Dave said, “Like many things that happen in life my TV show came about by accident and being in the right place at the right time. I was playing at a farmers market in Attleboro, in June of 2014. A gentleman stopped by and complimented me on the music I was playing. We chatted for a few minutes and he told me he had a 10 to noon radio show and would I like to appear. After much consideration and thought, about two seconds worth, I said sure. As you know from being at the studio, the radio station is broadcast in the same studio as TV.
After appearing for an hour on his show, he suggested I speak with the TV people. I only thought that perhaps they had a similar show and perhaps I would appear on that. I was informed that there was no such show, but my frown became a smile when they suggested I do my own show. There was a meeting with the station manager to complete paper work, then a meeting with Emily Johnson who is the studio producer.
So before I could say it, I was producing and hosting a TV show. I wanted to call it “Making the Accordion Cool”, but that was too long and the name became Accordion Cool. They had many “canned” music intros but I was asked if I had something original they could record for a theme. I had been messing around a little with “Coach Dave’s Boogie.” Just a blues inprov, we recorded it in one take and it is now the theme.
We taped the first show in August of 2014. We tape two shows each week as we go south for the winter and must have several shows “in the can.” The show is one half hour, is shown three times per week at three different times and changed every two weeks. After that it is placed on the station’s video on demand. Several shows have hundreds of hits and one has almost one thousand. None of the shows is dated in any way except Xmas and can be shown at any time.
I have had several guests and have others coming up. Accordionist, Jim Avedisian, drummer, John Kerr, three time world champion Cory Pesaturo, the great, spectacular Sam Falcetti and his similarly talented granddaughter, Angela and local radio personality Dom catoyia (sp). Upcoming guests include vocalist Linda Walden and Lou and Jan Borelli.
I have done many theme shows, Art Van Damme tribute, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Paul Bisch (piano, organ , arranger, friend, and recording engineer who passed away last march all too soon.). Duke Ellington etc, and a country show. I did a top fifty countdown of all the great jazz and big band songs. I do two Xmas shows which air the entire month of December. I am also doing two Elvis tribute shows.”
For further information: Accordioncool@gmail.com
