Tony Masterpol
For many of us – especially musicians – it was the Beatles that dropped the bomb that is still going off today – resonating and reverberating with permanence and residency in the worldwide cultural consciousness.
For a lot of us, remembering the television show, the never-heard-before-roar of an audience coming through a little cheesy late 1950’s or early ‘60’s television speaker…is a moment – an episode that changed our lives.
Meet Tony Masterpol. His good-time brand of music is the product that comes from the joy of that time. I’ve seen him and his cool group FATE a number of times and I smile everytime I walk in. It’s happy. He and his gang are having fun, smiling ear-to-ear, which is magnetic because everyone dancing is always smiling right along with the band. The group is 100% committed to 100% fun.
So we HAVE to talk to him.
Chuck Schiele: Hello Tony, thank you for joining us here at Sounds of Syracuse.
You have a good thing going with your group FATE. Before we get to that, please share with us how you got started in music in the first place.
Tony Masterpol: It all started when I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. Soon after that I started my first band with kids on the block. Nobody knew how to play we just knew we wanted to, the passion from playing has never ended.
CS: And you blame it on the Beatles.
TM: The Beatles.
CS: Tell us about your current project FATE and the good people you’re working with, these days.
TM: FATE is definitely a labor of love. The people involved are absolutely amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work and play with. John Gilmour…sound pro John and I have been together since high school. We know each other’s moves with our eyes closed and he is definitely a master of his craft. Jim Murphy, bass player, singer, great voice; our vocals couldn’t be better matched as a bass player, solid and steady. Tim Ryan lead guitarist a man of few words but knows exactly what’s needed and executes it to perfection. Mark Wentworth guitar/keyboards/vocals…his vocals and playing compliments each move of every player in the band. Rick Krzyzak, drummer, my eye Dr. and friend for 30 years has been on board for the last year with us. He’s an amazing guy and drummer; his ability to mesh with us is incredible. Wells Christie, keyboardist/vocals who’s excellent at finding the right fills to round out our rhythm section and vocal harmonies, and our newest members the FATE-ETTES, Evelyn Rivera, Marylou Walker Hemings, Michele Terrinoni, and Rose Marie Procopio Crisalli. These ladies are amazing…they have come a long way in a short period of time. It’s hard to believe by day these ladies are part of the working force and by night, Rock Diva’s. They bring a real show feel to Fate which excites the moral of the band and our audiences.
CS: Tony, what are some of the highlights of your career in music?
TM: Every group I’ve been in has been a highlight, Dynast 5, Garr-Lynd, KANE, my friendships with Matt Forger, engineer/producer for Michael Jackson and countless other artists, Chuck Mellone The Seven, Michael Julian The Brass Buttons, all these amazing guys helped mold my musical career. Matt and I met at an art show at Liverpool HS. He was displaying his light art sculptures and I asked him if he would be interested in putting these around the band I was playing with. He agreed and on the first night he brought them out I didn’t have a sound man and I asked Matt pointing at my mixer, “do you know what that is?” He replied “no,” and I said “it’s a mixer that controls the level of the sound…would you like to do it?” He said “yes,” and the rest is history. The many people that have touched me and influenced me has been amazing.
CS: What’s the best part of being a musician for you?
TM: The friendships you make along the way which doesn’t stop, as you get older. You realize what’s important and I have to say the friendships of people I met and still meet is it.
CS: What’s coming up for this spring and summer for you?
TM: May 17th, Beginnings 2, June 1st, Muranda Cheese Company, July 5th, Pirates Cove Marina, July 9th, Johnson Park, Liverpool, Aug 9th, Pirates Cove Marina, September 5th, Jammers.
CS: How do we all stay in touch with you and your music?
TM: Please friend me on Facebook…Tony Masterpol. I post everything we do on that page or message me with any questions about the group.
CS: Thank you, Tony. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you. Have a great summer.
TM: You too Chuck…thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Chuck Schiele
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