Crazy Twists in Life

My life has always been a rather unique journey with hills, valleys and some downright unusual coincedences. I think its this trend that makes my life so fascinating at times. I'd like to reflect on the most current of details that in some sense or another just blows my mind.

I was diagnosed in July 2011 with a central nervous system disorder & an autoimmune issue which seems to run adjacent to my syndrome, Dysautonomia. When it was determined the severity of the syndrome based on all my ongoing symptoms made me a prime target victim of this "sudden death syndrome" it changed a lot of the ways I always viewed myself as invisible. I now go to bed praying to awaken the next day to beat this syndrome yet another day. So far I'm winning but its taking a toll on me both physically & mentally.

My kids are truly my inspiration, that's an obvious fact. Its their smiling faces that make me fight back the daily pain I have to ensure they have the best day with their dad they can possibly have. Along with my children, I accidentally & I truly mean ACCIDENTALLY awoke a musical appreciation side of myself that has laid dorment some 20+ years. There are some people I'd like to acknowledge that through different events, my life has taken on a different path so to speak in both the musical appreciation as well as social media.

With the interest I had in watching #RHONJ due to the fact it is filmed so close to my home town as well as my family having mutual friends with cast members of the show, it was this show that brought me back to Twitter. Originally to follow Teresa Guidice & Caroline Manzo, I then found a new addiction to the once perceived notion that Twitter was stupid, I was now hooked. I began to add people based on my strong opinions of who I'd want as friends if I was truly in their circle of friendship.

Well along comes a show called Carfellas. Well I can totally relate to this show, I was in the automotive field for 30 years & these guys are fucking hysterical as well as being Italian! I added them on my Twitter list and something I never expected happened, they actually interact with their fans!! I don't mean like a quick RT, I'm talking full comments, interest in what's been asked of them etc... This was very cool! To this day, even after their show was dropped, the cast of Carfellas, Mike D, Mario & even Mike's wife Nanci D still take time out of their day to communicate with fans. Wouldn't be long others like Giovanni from MamasBoysoftheBronx would also interact daily and so many other "REAL" reality people & friends of those people to where I feel my Twitter family is like my extended Italian family!

I then met the Dutchess! Not only one of the most beautiful woman I've ever met but she's also a Hip Hop/Soul/R&B/Rap artist who I find to have some real talent. She can be enjoyed at www.reverbnation.com/deebabee for those of you who appreciate that cut of music. By meeting her my ears are WIDE open & I'm following/meeting all kinds of artists in person, on social networks, even in the oddest places (overheard a waitress singing acapela at Olive Garden) I did a standing ovation for that one, she was awesome.

Now who am I & what musical background do I have? Professionally......none!! What makesmy opinion matter? It matters to me to be upfront & honest about how someone sings, if iI think you need work or I think you are a Superstar its an opinion!! I will say that regardless of the vocal show I'm watching, XFactor, The Voice or American Idol, I can usually pic top 10 right from the first auditions and even have picked the top three remaining on said shows. This is my feelings on their talent not at all decided because one of the judges swayed my decision. I hear what I hear and I've been pretty accurate on who finishes on top. I don't waste time blowing smoke up someones ass pretending they are good when I can hear clearly they just don't have it. You'd be surprised how many up & coming vocalists ask me to listen to their music on Twitter. I'm not by ANY means a music professional nor am I the go to person for approval yet my opinions on Twitter have brought forth people to sought me out so I can decide how I feel about their music. What a twist of life for me! I meet Dutchess & now its opened a new chapter in my life towards music that I thought I had shut forever!

I wrote some music after meeting her as well, stuff that may suck to some which I'm OK with, never said I was Lionel Richie or David Foster, I'm just a guy who put some words on paper & people that read it thought I should pursue getting it produced. (I still haven't, I'm not convinced its good enough, I'm my toughest judge). As for singing, after completely walking away from it for over 20+ years, scale of 1 to 10, I give myself a 3 at best. I've lost the range & control I once had & I'm pitchy which DRIVES ME NUTS! So if you are a contestant on one of the vocal shows and you are pitchy, I'm the guy wanting to throw the remote at the TV & I'm yelling at you to please stop singing! I have a good ear for what's right & if you give me goosebumps when you sing it usually means that you WILL be a star. (Kelly Clarkston, Jennifer Hudson, Jessica Sanchez ALL gave me goosebumps) This leads me to where I intended to direct this blog, to a chance meeting of a real Star on Twitter.

One day, a post from a Twitter Buddy entitled something to the effect "my cuz has amazing voice" my Bud Frankie Eyes from TwoFranks&aMike , uploads an excerpt of a vocal performance by an AMAZING vocal talent Gaetano. It was a short few bars but I have to tell ya, I WAS BLOWN AWAY!  It gave me goosebumps & I remember listening to it numerous times just wondering why this talent had not been discovered. Over a short period of time I come across the artist himself, Gaetano who goes by just G for the most part. I heard another song which even though I wasn't familiar with the song he chose I was just captivated by his talent & immediately following that performance which should still be available at www.YouTube.com/officialgmusic I began to flood Twitter with the link to his music. I am truly impressed with this artist to the point I go on Twitter rants to get well known artists/producers to just take a listen. There is NO WAY I'm wrong about this guy, HE IS TRUE TALENT & WILL HIT THE BIG TIME MARK MY WORDS! Its just finding that correct platform of entry to carry on the musical dream.

I'm not one that likes to take credit for anything I might do or say to help someone out, its not in my nature to request recognition for something I believe in. I do the things I do because I want to do them for someone & quite honestly, I'd rather just be a loud voice of support but be invisible when the spotlight is near so the person I'm promoting has ALL the attention. Thats how I truly roll & anyone of my friends that truly know me know I'll always put others before me before I do for myself.

Well tonight I was truly humbled by something G (Gaetano) included in his artist bio. The fact that I was so relavent to him to specifically name me in his bio really made my day, my year! I was not expecting it nor did I EVER expect I deserved ANY recognition for just being a fan of someone I truly believe has a long future in music. Words cannot express how great that made me feel & I want to thank G for acknowledging me (something you didn't have to do) and let him know that no matter where his craft takes him, I'll be a fan regardless of who knows it or not. I'm not a fair weather friend, I'm there up or down, that's what its about, keep it real!

In closing I'd like to point out that even though I'm plagued with a non treatable medical syndrome that has a track record for consuming its victims, I'm ALWAYS optimistic there isa tomorrow & i certainly dont approve of sympathy for me. If I'm OK with what I have, then just put your energy towards living with me, not feeling sorry for what might be. Its all about attitude people, positive attitude brings about positive results! Doctors told me I might not see my daughter turn 2 after I was diagnosed, my symptoms were so escalated. NEWS FLASH she turns 4 later this year so who's getting the last laugh? Before I go, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you check out www.revernation.com/officialgmusic as soon as you possibly can. I think you'll be as impressed as I am! Ciao for now!