Old friends and the people they become...

**E-man** · 03-30-07, 05:02 PM

As most of you know, Iam a cop. Not to hard to figure out. Some of you know I also play drums. I wanted like all people to be a professional drummer. Never happened. OK like 11 years ago I was at a big chain bookstore and picked up a copy of Modern Drummer magazine. It had been 4-5 years since I was in the scene.
In the back of the mag they had up and commers, guys making it in the business. I recognized a guy, Scott Farinella who know {then} started playing on Broadway in musicals and plays. THATS big time...
I went to college with him and I ended up dropping out of college and becoming a cop.
Fast forward to last week...Me reading the new copy of Modern Drummer{See a trend here?} and another name sounds familiar.
I just googled him and HOLY CRAP, he is famous....
Kid I went to school with {another trend?} We were decent buddies and I even have some pics of us in a year book playing in different school band things.
I dont really have a point to this thread but thinking of the way things COULD HAVE BEEN. He is famous rock drummer, other guy plays on Broadway {at least did 12yrs ago} and me, just a small town cop...

Here is this guys myspace.
www.myspace.com/anthonybiuso

**armygrnt502** · 03-30-07, 05:09 PM

Ummm ok, whats stopping you from picking the bongos back up and working your way back into a small band for local gigs?

Gotta start somewhere.

**Jenna** · 03-30-07, 05:14 PM

What LEOs do for society is a lot more valuable than what drummers do for society. You've probably saved more people's lives than your now-famous boyhood friend has.

Besides, if you have any compromising pictures of him, maybe you can make some money by blackmailing him and/or selling them to tabloids. You'd get the benefit of his money, without the hassles of his fame!

**gozling** · 03-30-07, 05:18 PM

oh Eman... you make me wanna give you a HUGE hug...

You are far from JUST a small town cop....
If there is something you think you are good at and can do something with.. .even if right now its on a teenie tiny level, go and do something with them sticks

I think the hardest thing to live with are regrets...
We all have them to some degree...

I also can understand that there are realistic factors that keep us from getting to do the things that we desire
but please dont think of yourself as just a small town cop....
I think you are incredibly smart, funny, and your also my brother.

ok so now i am done with the mushy shit...

there are these guys that play at the bandshell on the beach for free on thursday nights... It is funny because they are all jewish and wear the little hat thingys... they are dressed in their black suits and the guitarist has the hair twisties that curl down the side of his cheeks... they are pretty good and people dance etc... it is funny because if you just listen to the music i would NEVER put the visual to it... lol...
i only bring that up because of your quote next to your donuts up there

maybe they need a drummer?
he heee

**E-man** · 03-30-07, 05:56 PM

I just dug out my H.S. year book, 1987. Nice pic of me all skinny and stuff and ANthony Tiny B playing at the annual winter concert. Big smiles and all.
WOW, I dont want to sound or make this into a depressing thread BUT geez, he was good but not one of a million. I was good too.
I know we cant 'go back' thats what reunions are for and my 20th is coming up in 3 months. Now I dont know if I want to go.
I have a good life, married, kids house, motorcycle, family etc.
I might not be famous or rich but I have been told I AM RICH, FAMILY RICH. Boy and a girl. Thats all that matters, well not while they argue with each other....LIKE NOW

Every time I go home, to Long Island I try to visit the Long Island Drum Center. Thats where ALL the NY drummers go. Every single time I walk in, which has only been a few times over the pat 12 years the owner has a BIG smile and remembers me BY FIRST NAME..
Unbelieveable. Here is a guy who knows ALL the world famous most amazing drummers byu first name, Steve Gadd, Neil Peart, Dave Weckl, ANY drummer, he remembers my name....

In the words of Marlon Brando "You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley."
Well Iam not a bum but I coulda been a contendah....

Ok for now, thanks for all the nice words and comments, I need some happy thoughts now.

**Willowdared** · 03-30-07, 06:10 PM

I think you need to watch The Right Stuff....remember how no one knew who Chuck Yeager was, but he was a hero to the Apollo astronuats?

E-Man, you are a hero to many, and the lives you touch are changed forever.

**E-man** · 03-30-07, 07:20 PM

Cool, I jut 'spoke' with Tiny on myspace. He remembers me {geez that sounds like a loser

}
He told me to look him up in Cali if I ever get there.
Maybe soon...
Thanks for the replies....

**Buttercup** · 03-30-07, 07:25 PM

They're right, E-man. So you chose a different path - as you said, you ARE rich. Money and fame aren't everything, you know. Instead of comparing yourself to someone else (because as we know, when we do that we never seem to quite measure up to what we perceive to be greatness and achievement), think about what you have created and the lives that you've touched. You have a lot more than you think. And you really could always try to get into a band if time allows.

You're a good man, Charlie Brown.

**Lazy Fed** · 03-30-07, 07:49 PM

But at least your not like this

**E-man** · 03-30-07, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by Lazy Fed

But at least your not like this

Now them are funny

**gozling** · 03-30-07, 09:26 PM

the last thing you should do is go to a fucking reunion...

no one ever changes and its just a freak fest of weird shit

I went with my ex to his and it was awful... I never went to any of mine...

I was voted most likely to end up in jail LOL.... funny how things work out.

It would be neat to hook up with him sometime and play some... that seems like it would be alot of fun! I know you count your blessings with all that you do have with your life... and it is very normal to think of what could have been... I do that all the time... specially when I think about giving up that stripper career

so.... dont make the guys here take your man card away for a day

**Jackalope** · 03-31-07, 01:47 AM

I'd give my left nut to be "just a small town cop."

**k-9max** · 03-31-07, 02:18 AM

when your a small town cop, the village council pretty much takes your nuts from you and slams them in the door jam everyday

i seen way to many awesome cops get ruined by small village police departments, i worked for a small village for 5 years, seen way to much drama in that 5 years, council owns you, so they think,
the S.O., was the best move i ever made.

so really think about giving any of your nuts up to be a small town cop, lol

**Trojan 42** · 03-31-07, 02:55 AM

If it's any consolation Eman, I was a professional drummer before I joined the Police and took a pay cut!

No regrets here though.

**lewisipso** · 03-31-07, 04:11 AM

In my humble opinion Cops rock better than drummers. You made a great career choice. Let it go or drop what you have and go get it.

**E-man** · 03-31-07, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by k-9max

when your a small town cop, the village council pretty much takes your nuts from you and slams them in the door jam everyday

i seen way to many awesome cops get ruined by small village police departments, i worked for a small village for 5 years, seen way to much drama in that 5 years, council owns you, so they think,
the S.O., was the best move i ever made.

so really think about giving any of your nuts up to be a small town cop, lol

Oh so true.
Especially in a town where its been overheard that we are just a neccesary evil and if they could do without cops, they would.
Working in a nice middle-upper class hood, nothing happens. Meaning? Even when things DO happen , it never happened. No news, no media coverage NO NOTHING.
Loose lips sink ships though....

**E-man** · 10-27-09, 04:55 PM

Well, after talking with my old school buddy on Facespace and stuff, he is playing Pittsburgh tomorrow night. He got me on 'the list' and Ill probably end up getting backstage.
He is playing in Rhino Bucket. Kinda like bluesy punky rock. Ac/Dc type stuff.

PLus he and the band are getting a private tour of Heinz Field, where the Steelers play. He told me to meet them there at 2pm. He wants me to go on the tour with them, cool
Ill probably take some pics, could be a good day