Drumming and the Papaleoni family started with my Grandfather, my father, me and my son Zachary. I started playing out professionally at the tender age of 14. At 19, I moved to New York City to play and record with national recording artists, The Free Design (Kites Are Fun - Project 3 Records). Back in Central New York, I was part of several interesting musical groups through the 1970's that forced me to think about what I was playing; some of the standouts included; The Sermon, Cox & Papaleoni, Yugen, Sail and Prizm. A career path in the broadcast and video industry did not deter me from my diverse passion for music. Playing different styles of music has broadened my thinking on what can be done with any particular piece of music and that drums can be both melodic and rhythmic. Some of people and musical groups that have influenced my musical voyage have been; Michael Giles and Bill Bruford of King Crimson - The Moody Blues - Dave Brubeck Quartet - Carter Beauford and the Dave Mathews Band - Lee Michaels & Frosty and my Father, "Topsy" Papaleoni who taught me that, "...a drummer should be felt and not heard."