By the fall of 1987, The Underdogs were enjoying a modest level of success on Long Island. At the same time there was another big success story in my life... I was finally of legal drinking age! Being 21 and known as a local musician, lended itself to often being out in the bars, playing wherever and whenever possible. Mostly showing up at open mic nights, getting drunk and meeting new players to jam with. On one such occasion I would meet a personality that would alter my life and help pave the road that I was to travel on.

Ed Ryan is a singer/songwriter from Merrick, Long Island who was as popular on his home turf as we were on ours. Ed, a natural entertainer with a magnetic personality was hosting an open mic night that I along with the 'dogs Artie Sgaraglio signed up for. Artie and I performed a number of songs that night which hit home for Ryan, and immediately Ed joined us in a three part harmony. To say that the sound we created together was magical, would be an understatement. The entire room shared in our own amazement. Soon we knew that this electricity was to be contagious.

We were kindered spirits on a quest to find out what we were musically capable of. The chemistry between the three of us was as unique as it was for The Underdogs. We soon thought that combining forces would prove to be a very interesting experiment having nothing but positive results.