People to Know
Friday, February 23, 2024
“Real George’s Backroom” creator joins the Thomas Edison Capital Region Music Hall of Fame ALBANY—George Guarino is an innovator, creator and a man ahead of his time. Before MTV was even a thing, there was Albany’s very own music television show, “Real George’s Backroom.” Guarino’s instinct for timing was apparent:... Read more » ... Read More
Monday, May 1, 2023
SCHENECTADY — An artist and choreographer with extensive stage and teaching experience and a lengthy history working with the Collaborative School of the Arts and Capital Repertory Theatre has joined the school as director of dance programming. Freddy Ramirez, an artistic associate at theREP who has worked with the school... Read more » ... Read More
Friday, March 24, 2023
ALBANY — Mike Campese started playing guitar at the age of 13 and his mastery of the instrument has brought him all over the world. Growing up in a musical household, his dad a violinist and brother an acoustic guitar player, Campese was always influenced by music. “But at the... Read more » ... Read More
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Felicia Collins is inducted in the 5th Eddies Music Hall of Fame class ALBANY — Felicia Collins learned to play guitar by ear in Catholic elementary school because it didn’t offer music classes. She graduated to an “adult” instrument when she was 11, talking a shop owner into letting her... Read more » ... Read More
Monday, March 20, 2023
RENSSELAER — Decades after founding Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen in Michigan and disbanding the act nine years later in California, John Tichy and George Frayne found themselves nearly together once again, separated by just 30 miles in the Capital Region. The story begins in Michigan. Tichy, born... Read more » ... Read More
Thursday, March 16, 2023
NISKAYUNA—Martin Benjamin’s photography career can be summed up as “when skill and opportunity come together.” In 1968, Benjamin needed an “easy” college credit and took a photography class. In the half century since he has gone to capture the likes of U2, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Elton John, Elvis Presley,... Read more » ... Read More
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
SCHENECTADY — Wanda Fischer has spent over 40 years broadcasting folk, bluegrass and blues music to radio listeners. After a stint volunteering with WCUW in Worcester, Massachusetts, she became host of WAMC-FM/Northeast Public Radio’s weekly “The Hudson River Sampler” show in 1982. Her show has continued on the airwaves every... Read more » ... Read More
Friday, March 10, 2023
ALBANY – Sister Mary Anne Nelson’s vision post-secondary music education put The College of Saint Rose on the map as possessing one of the top U.S. music industry degree programs. An alumnus of St. Rose (’72, ’76), Nelson, steered the school’s music industry program towards a greater focus on popular... Read more » ... Read More