Musician. Entrepreneur. Hustler. I think those are three good words to describe David Koltai. And just so we’re clear, I mean hustler in the best sense of the word. When I arrived at the Pigtronix/Supro office in Port Jefferson, NY, David was juggling several calls, pausing shortly in between to confer with any of his staff who poked their head in for a quick word.
Roger Sadowsky is very clear that he never wanted his business to feel like a factory. The world in which he builds his instruments should feel more like a workshop than anything else. Wandering through his shop, past the several workstations occupied by his master builders, it's clear that he has succeeded.
It's no secret that for years the "road" has been a male-dominated workplace. However, that's quickly changing, and women like Rachel Ryan are forging new and indelible paths, demonstrating their might and talent, making way for a new generation of roadies.
I've known Mike Fratantuno for a while now. We met as he was making the transition from founding member and bass player with the Black Eyed Peas, to scoring music for various high-profile film and television productions with his bandmates Brian Lapin and Terence Yoshiaki, also former members of the Peas.
Growing up in the '70's, Blood, Sweat, & Tears was definitely on heavy rotation in our house. "Spinning Wheel," "What Goes Up," "Sometimes in Winter"; these tunes are etched in my memory. I can't even tell you how many times my mom sang verse after verse of "God Bless the Child" to both my sister and I.
In all honesty, I didn’t know much about Harvey Citron before our interview. I had met him at a few random events in Woodstock, NY, but we never had an opportunity to get to know each other. And, I knew nothing about his guitars or basses. As I prepped to sit down with him, I quickly picked-up on the care, precision, and thought that he brings to each instrument and to each new design endeavor that he approaches.
"Record with John Lennon." That was Alex's response when I asked him what the future holds for him. Thing is, if he had the chance, he would probably be the kind of producer Lennon would want. I've seen Alex in action in his studio Starr Ridge, in Brewster, NY., and he never stopped moving during the entire session. It was inspiring to say the least.
I first met Cindy Cashdollar when I was shooting the documentary film BRASS, GLASS, & STEEL: THE MAKING OF ARLEN ROTH’S SLIDE GUITAR SUMMIT. She was in the middle of a small tour with Sonny Landreth, and they were stopping in to record a few tunes with Arlen at Starr Ridge Studios in Brewster, NY. She was gracious, professional, and incredibly focused.
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