I don’t know about you, but if I can, I always try to bring an accordion on a road trip with me. You ask “Why”? Even though it takes up some extra space in my car, I like to bring it so I can connect with other musicians along the way or possibly do some solo performances when I can. Prior to my trips, I usually try to find other musicians that will be in my planned path by using the social media, such as Face Book. I contact them and let them know I’m heading their way.
Back in 2016, my wife (Janet) and I took a 31 day road trip across America (8,300 miles) and had the opportunity to play in St. Louis, Old Fort Worth Texas, Las Vegas, San Francisco, as well as jamming with a small group of guys I met down in the French Quarter area of New Orleans, LA.
In 2020, when the virus began, we didn’t let that stop us. I packed up my “Travel Accordion” (an IORIO 4 Star Accordion) and we drove to South Dakota. That was about a 4,000 mile trip. Along the way I played a couple of gigs with Frank Rossi and Tom Dorigatti, both from just outside of the Chicago, Illinois area. We had a ball and we got to meet new friends along the way.
This past summer (2021), I took a 19 day road trip (about 3,800 miles), where I left NYC and drove down to Nashville and then headed to Florida. Of course, my IORIO accordion came along.
My first stop was in the Tarpon Springs area (just outside of Tampa) to see my brother Rich De Clemente and his wife, Mary. Rich is not accordion player, but he does like to play the guitar and sing, so on August 26th, we both drove to Craig Park by the Spring Bayou, where we played a duet together, as other people passed by and listened to us. My brother’s singing voice is about a 3rd higher than mine, which gives us the opportunity to harmonize. I loved seeing my brother and taking the time out to share our talents together.
Our next stop was Ft. Myers, FL, where I met Richard Messina, who was in the Military’s Special Services Unit when he was younger. He has been playing the accordion since he was 9yrs old and used to play up to 8 gigs a week. He did that for about 20 years. He has a collection of about 6 accordions, his favorite being the Roland FR-8X which he used when we played together. From time to time, Richard still does a gig or two.
Our next stop was in a Motel by Lake Okeechobee where we stayed a couple of nights. Close by was a Park on the south end of the Lake, so my wife and I parked by a picnic table there to chill out a little. I pulled my IORIO out of the car and started playing. Within a few moments, a guy named Mark Holland stopped by us and asked if I could come over to his picnic table and play for his mom, Berly Holland, which I obviously did. I always love seeing the glow in older women’s eyes as I play and sing songs to them.
From there we drove to West Palm Beach to meet my old friend, Jimmy Petrone, who was originally from the Long Island area. Jimmy has been playing for over sixty years and both of us went to the Lou Bolognese School of Music in North Bellmore, NY. Prior to moving to Florida, Jimmy performed at one of the monthly meetings of the Long Island Accordion Alliance. Jimmy loves to play “Light Jazz” and does it very well. So before we decided to go out for a bite to eat, Jimmy and I decided to do a little jamming together. What a blessing he is.
Our Next stop along the way was Cocoa, Florida which I was able to get together with the Central Florida Accordion Club, headed by Corky Wisneiwski Hall, who has been playing the accordion since she was 10 years old. She did quit playing for a spell, but later re-kindled her love for the instrument and started playing many gigs. Corky loves to play her Modern Accordion and she won First Place in the Michigan Accordion Association and Second Place in the AAA. At the club, I had the great opportunity to meet some of the other accordionists: Clayton Moore, Skip Walters, Klaus Kolb, Quentin Picheco, Carlos Reyna and Buck Cowen. Each of them played several selections, lasting about 10 minutes each. Since I was the visitor, I played last and put on a 40 minute performance for them.
After the Florida tour we drove up to Myrtle Beach, SC to meet up with Michael DelGardo Mike started taking lessons when he was 4 years old and has been playing for 58 years. Mike plays at The Villa Romana Restaurant, in Myrtle Beach, six days a week and he has been playing that gig for over 36 years. Mike like to add a humor to his gigs so he include a number of short jokes he tells the customers there. When he plays the Theme from the Phantom of the Opera, he puts on a Face Mask to add to his performance. The owner of the restaurant, Renaldo Montrosse, gave his permission for me to play a number of duets with Mike. The customers loved it and thought we had been playing together for years. They had no idea that Mike and I had just met for the first time that day. I had a great time playing with him and the owner treated my wife & I to a great meal.
From South Carolina we headed up north to Maryland where we met Brandy Cox Hughes DePhillip andPastor Dan Darrikhuma at his church.
Dan and his family traveled from India, back in 1964, and eventually settled in Takoma MD. Dan took lessons from the Biviano School of Music and some other accordion teachers along the way. He has been playing the accordion since he was 11 years old and for the past 31 years he has been a pastor of a church where he periodically plays his accordion during the services. Brandy has been playing the accordion since she was 10 years old, and has been playing for a number of years. Brandy likes to play her FR-8X accordion while her husband sings to the tunes. In the summer of 2019, Brandy took First Place with her performance at the AAA festival in PA. I was fortunate enough to be at the festival and sit in the back row to listen to her excellent performance. This past year Brandy has increased her repertoire to include some German songs so that she could play for a number of Oktoberfest gigs that she got booked for.
At Dan’s church and we spent a couple of hours playing songs, including some Gospel songs as well. What a blessing it was for all of us. Afterwards, I attended a family BBQ picnic, which was held by Brandy’s family. While there, Brandy and I got the opportunity to play some duets together. We received many compliments while we were there.
After Maryland, Jan and I headed back to New York to conclude our 2021 road trip.
For further information: joedeclemente@yahoo.com
