Day Job: Software Analyst / Developer specializing in Sales Order and Distribution/Supply Chain business applications.
J.D.Edwards/Oracle technical consultant currently at Regent Sports Corp..

Side Job 1 : Piano teacher - currently 2 students.

Student: Still take a Modern Jazz Improvisation piano lesson once a week, keeps me honest.

Bands and Gigging: One main band playing roots and blues music usually at least 1 gig per week if not more. Also play solo piano cocktail gigs and casuals without vocals. I do sing at my band gigs though!

Reason I play: I just love to play and perform, got in my blood a long time ago!

Influences: All that is good in Jazz and Blues (& Blues Rock) basically with a touch of Classical and New Age.

Day Job: Managing Attorney, Legal Aid office

Bands: three - Jr's Roadhouse All Stars plays old-school R&B, some stuff like Delbert McClinton and John Hyatt, Texana, blues/; Texas Rock Association plays rock with any slight connection to Texas; Work Release plays classic rock.

Influences - All the good players I hear - it all seems to come out in the music. I like Mac Rebennac, Kevin McKendrie, Billy Payne, Ray Charles, Paul Schaffer, I like studying classical, Chopin, Bach, and ragtime.

Why? - Heck I don't know - I have always played piano. I love playing and performing, entertaining people. I like hanging with fellow musicians.

Hey Outkaster... was just listenin to "Wolf". Very nice piano work. The expresive melodies and accompaniment reminds me of Jackie Mitoo, something that is very much missing in modern reggae and ska. Remember Augustus Pablo's work with Israel Vibration on albums like Unconquered People? Thats what Im talkin bout.

I believe Steel Pulse covered this song in their latest album "Afrcan Holocaust". True?

Day Job: Professor, Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I teach the audio production courses.

Band: Off the Record, a seven piece classic rock and soul outfit.

Influences: Jimmy Smith, Groove Holmes, Jack McDuff, Chester Thompson...the list goes on to include everyone who plays B3 better than I do (a very long and eclectic list)

Why: I quit playing out for 20 years. I thought I could live without it. I can't.

Webpage: http://www.thedriveband.net
Day Job:IT Manager; managing a 2 person IT staff; one network administrator; and I support all software applications. As manager, I take all the hits when things don't go as expected - not uncommon in technology even for the best administrators! (don't consider myself as one of the best YET, still workin on it!)
Bands: 2 at the moment - Classic Rock and some current material as well (see the web page above). And 3 of us from that band also do some fifties music with another band - primarily for summer time Cruise Nights with Classic Cars/hot rods.
Influences: Keith Emerson, Greg Allman; Billy Joel
I play because: I love it! and I love watching the people! Currently doing about 2-3 gigs per month, which is just about right for me.

Thanks man. Funny thing about that song. The riff is from an old Itals tune called “In A Dis Ya Time” if I remember correctly. The bridge is something we made up at the time. If you listen to my phrasing it is more Roy Bittan than anything if you listen to those call and answer type parts. I took a one note piano part and did it in octaves on the S-90. It was a demo we did in May of 2005. I came to the studio that day expecting them to have a Hammond BV and Leslie 145 set up for the organ tracks. I told the band I wanted and authentic tone and for the engineer to have it ready in the studio for when I get there. They never did and I was a little pissed. Luckily I had the XK-3 there in case. Then to top it off the singer could not sing it in G Major so they transposed the song to A Major which was fun. I think that is a 2nd take on that song. Jackie is awesome

I remember "In a Dis Ya Time" very fondly now that you reminded me.....

Webpage: http://www.myspace.com/wineandkeyz

Day Job: Technical writer

Bands: Recently joined Fooling Betty - http://www.foolingbetty.com.
Before that, I was a founding member of a band called "Hi Fi" - http://www.thehifiband.com/ - that never quite got rolling due to constant turnover (and possibly the crappy name).
Before that, I played for about 7 years with "Spoonful of Soul" - http://www.spoonfulofsoul.com/ - a 10-piece R&B/soul/funk band. I loved playing with these guys, but it's tough to make any money with 10 folks onstage plus a soundman...
I also fill in occasionally with "Frontiers," a Journey tribute band - http://www.journeytributeband.com/ (these guys are AWESOME!) and with West Street - http://www.weststreetband.com/ - when BluesKeys is overbooked.

Influences: My dad, Mrs. Zuleima Eddy (my piano teacher), Phil Rosen (an older kid from my hometown who played in a "real" rock band!), Floyd Cramer, Chuck Leavell, Billy Powell, Stevie Wonder, Jack McDuff, Keith Emerson, Billy Preston, Billy Payne, Sly Stone, Rick Wakeman, Mark Farner (yeah, the guy from Grand Funk!), Seth Justman, and more that I just can't think of right now...

I play because: It's rewarding, challenging, invigorating, cathartic, and just about the most fun you can have with your clothes on... Oh, and every now and then, you can actually make a little money at it...

Webpage: http://www.musicbysterling.com
http://www.randommanor.com

Day Job: Independant manufacturer's rep for QSC, Audiotechnica, Allen & Heath, Whirlwind, Auralex & Symetrix

Band: Sterling - a corporate party/wedding band that my wife and I own and operate.
Random Manor - original pop/rock/Americana

Influences: Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Kenny Barron, Benmont Tench....way too many to mention!

I play because: It's my source of inner peace and happiness.

Webpage http://edwall.biz/

Day Job: Leadperson RTS Packaging

Side Job: Teaching piano (blues & rock)

Bands: J.B. Kline band (original and cover blues and roots rock),Soul Custody (classic rock and soul covers),John Bushnell band (original and covers hard rockin blues and rock band) Links to these are on my website

Influences: Russ Ferante,Jon Cleary,Charles Brown,Wynton Kelly, Marc Broussard, Steve Winwood.

I play because: I cant imagine not. The joy I get from making music with my friends and reaching and effecting the people I play for....it's unbelievable. I'm a lucky man.

I am bringing this back on top since there are a few new members who might like to add to this...

UPDATE
Webpage: none at the moment

Day Job: Unemployed architect, food pantry volunteer

Band: Worship band at Greentree Community Church in Kirkwood, Missouri and the Cruiser Band, a 5-piece blues, oldies & whatever party band.

Influences: Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Tony Banks, Benmont Tench, Michael W. Smith, my bandmates and whoever plays keys on the original recordings of the songs we're doing on Sunday.

I play because: Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and God has given me the ability and opportunity to be a participant and no longer just a listener. Making music with your friends and for your friends is just about the most fun you can have legally. And it keeps me sane through my very not-fun job search.

Webpage: http://www.that80sbandstl.com (various myspace and facebooks linked from there)
Day Job: Sr. Sales Representative for Micro Motion division of Emerson Electric ( Web Site ). I basically sell Mass Flow meters and Densitometers to industrial customers - mostly Chemical, Refining, Food & Beverage, etc. My degree is Engineering Management with a preference in Electrical Engineering and a Minor in Economics.
Band: That 80's Band
Influences: Sparks, Devo, New Order, Soft Cell, Information Society, Duran Duran
I play because: I enjoy performing and it gives me a chance to blow off steam on the weekends and have fun.

Webpage: http://www.f-music.co.uk
Day Job: Electronics teacher.
Bands: Freefall (80's pop/rock) & Titan (rock). Same band members but using a different name for the heavier stuff stops corporate gigs from being pulled 'cos "we're too heavy".
Influences: Everybody.
I play because it keeps me sane.

An Update

Webpage: None at the moment

Day Job: Computer Service Desk Agent at Harris corporation. I work on the AVS program. So through this program, I work for the Service Desk for the Aviation Safety division of the Federal Aviation Administration

Band: The OldMen Brothers. We're a 5 piece band that plays a wide variety of genres, including Classic Rock, Blues, & Country. We're just a buch of old farts that have been gigging an average of 30+ years getting together and playing some truly great music. We've been together for 9 months, and in 3 weeks we will hit our 50th gig together. Plus we appreciate the value of family time, so we NEVER play on Sunday, so we can spend the day with our loved ones.

Influences Pine Top Perkins, Roosevelt Sykes, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Dave Brubeck, Al Stricklin, Jon Lord, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, Allan Toussaint, Chester Thompson, Jimmie Smith, many more too numerous to mention.

I Play Because: I love the interaction between like-minded players. I've been playing so long, that I cannot remember a time when I didn't play. As Donald Fagen said, "It's in my DNA". Plus, my wife tells me that if I don't play, I can be a total bear to live with.

Webpage: Myspace Facebook Youtube

Day Job:
Nationwide Insurance - Senior Analyst ESM (1st level tech suppport for agents)

Band:
MHB(church) and FO/MO/Deep

Influences: Too many cats mainly Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock

I play because: It's my way of expressing myself

Ok, I'll bite...

Webpage www.footnoteband.com

Day JobTechnical Service Representative for Pitney Bowes, contracted to IBM for the support and maintenance of their networked printers. I handle the IBM site here in Rochester and also do remote support for the IBM sites in the NE region.

Band(s) Footnote, a 5 piece jazz/funk original band. We also do some contemporary jazz covers from George Benson, The Rippingtons and Steely Dan. We've been together for around 3 years now and have amassed somewhat of a following. We recorded our first CD about 2 years ago and it has gotten regular airplay on a local smooth jazz station. Currently working on new material for our next CD.

Steve Grills & The Roadmasters, a 4 piece outfit specializing in traditional Chicago-style blues. We cover stuff from Freddy King, Earl Hooker, Albert Collins, etc. I've been with this band for over 16 years now and have been gigging steadily with them until recently.

I've just recently joined Soul On Tap, a 6-piece swing/funk/blues outfit.

InfluencesDr John, John Cleary, George Duke, Charles Brown, Ray Charles, Professor Longhair, Henry Butler, Jimmy Smith, Chester Thompson, Keith Emerson, Tom Schuman, Theolonius Monk

I Play Because...For me, it's a gas to be on stage, the energy exchange with the crowd. Several years ago, this music thing started as merely a hobby which became ingrained in my soul. Looking forward to some fun nights with Soul On Tap.

Webpage In my signature.

Day JobAdvertising Copywriter.

Band(s)

MoJones (Classic Rock/ Blues / Funk Jam Band, covers and original)
Giovanni Caruso e o Escambau (keyboardist for a singer songwriter in the folk/psychedelic vein)

Influences Greg Allman, Greg Rollie, Dr John, Ray Charles, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Winwood, Leon Russell, Danny Louis, Jon Lord, Ken Hensley, Ian McLagan, Art Neville...

I Play Because...I can´t live without it.

One little sugestion to the thread: the rig used by each weekend warrior.

Webpage: www.myspace.com/majusculeuppercase
Day job: High school student... unfortunately. Part-time busboy at a mexican restaurant bar.
Band: MAJUSCULE: A fusion of the individual tastes in the band. We mix funk, reggae and ska plus whatever else happens, happens. High energy french high school band.
Influences: All my teachers, my bandmates, my family and way too much music to mention everything.

I play because: There is nothing on this earth that makes me happier while I'm being productive and possibly making money.

Webpage: http://www.retrosynth.com/~analoguediehard/ (under construction)
Day Job: professional crash test dummy
Band: Dixie Dawgz (southern rock & blues)
Influences: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Billy Powell, Bill Payne, Chuck Levell, Josef Zawinul, Larry Fast, Art Tatum, Scott Joplin (way too many more to list)
I play because: I love to entertain and I am a creative person. I also love the alchemy of recording arts.
Pet's name: felix
Favorite non-musical Interest: Trains (the ones that go choo-choo)
Favorite Color: brunette
Last seen skinny dipping: with or without the brunette?
Pet Peeve: stupid polls like this one. Oh wait...