Sunday, May 22, 2011

He's Not Really Little....

 I stayed up for 24 hours the other night. Totally worth it. Work, as normal (early morning news hours), then had plans to see a band that night. Oh, not just any band. THE MIKE CUSATO BAND. Yup, there's a relation. He's my little brother. He's 6'5", so he's not really that little, but he is younger than me, which means I've got bragging rights forever :) And brag about him I do!!! I am so proud of him. He's so freakin' talented. An architect who plays music (lead singer/lead guitar) as just one of his hobbies. He was playing Friday night as part of Bandapalooza, a 12 band competition, for 3 opener-band slots at Alive at 5 in Stamford this year. He could open for bands like MC Hammer, or the B 52's, or Vertical Horizon. Pretty cool, huh? His set Friday night started at 10:30pm, with a scheduled jury arrival at 12:15. That's when 20 people with lanyards walk in, the band immediately starts playing original tunes, and those 20 people rate them on music, showmanship, energy. Mike and his bandmates played original and cover tunes for two hours first. I hadn't heard some of the original tunes, so I was pretty blown away. Maybe it's because I'm related to him, maybe because it's been a helluva year for us, maybe because music fills my soul, maybe because he's really that good. Shredding guitar solos, harmonies, well written lyrics, all that and more.
 Back several years ago, (2005) his old band BIG BONED opened for Third Eye Blind at Fairfield University, in front of a lot of screaming college kids. It was an amazing moment. After his rockin' set, with a smile so huge, he turned his back to the audience, then spun back around and flung a pick into the crowd. Ha! Rock Star.
 So, when the jury members walked in at about 12:40 the other night (morning) and I watched as they took a few steps and turned to the band, and smiled, or found their beat, or said out loud to anyone who was listening "Wow. They're awesome!" I said to myself, and maybe to some of them...."That's my little brother! He is awesome!" My smile was huge then. He will always be a Rock Star to me, his big sister.
*Music is the elixir of life, people, make sure you take the time to take a good, long drink.*
(6 bands go on the finals this week, I will keep you posted :)