Michael Anthony Johnson,
born in 1995, is one of the members of a three piece band called The 3rd Stone.
Too often judges get it wrong at a battle of the bands, but not this time. The 3rd Stone has three members that include:
Rick Razor
(bass guitar)
aka Ricky Woodard. A multi-talented musician whose talents include guitar, piano, and saxophone. His main love now is the bass guitar which he says he turned to because of the deep fulfillment he gets when playing it. Originally from North Carolina he moved to NY at age 5. He has been in a number of bands and is a true showman on the stage as well as off. He believes that " there is nothing you can't do, if you work hard enough for it". He is now having a blast with The 3rd Stone and is "simply enjoying the ride".
Randy Neadom
(drums)
Born in Canton N.Y. in 1956 he started in his first band in 1969 but had stopped playing in 1982. He has worked live radio, as a DJ, Sports annoucing, and now owns a mobile DJ service. Randy says some of his best times were living and playing in Japan. He has just started playing again in 2009 because his grandson started playing drums. He said that he will continue playing "as long as it stays fun".
Last but not least is
Michael Anthony Johnson
(lead guitar).
His guitar heroes include Jimmi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Joe Santriani and Bill Perry to name just a few. Michael's father Daryl Johnson remembers that at age 9 with a gleam in his eye and a big smile on his face he said "dad I want to learn to play the electic guitar like Jimi Hendrix". That was 5 1/2 years ago. Michael says some of his best times were hookin up with Rick and Randy of The 3rd Stone and winning the Battle of the Bands at O'Tooles-A-Palooza. Michael is one of the most humble kids I have ever met that has this much talent. WOW, all this in less the 6 years. Hey Michael, you did Jimi proud.
This band won the battle of the bands after being together for only a few weeks. The crowd did not expect the quality and talent they heard from this band. Half of the crowd was stunned and the other half was too busy screaming to be stunned. They sounded great I can only imagine what they will sound like in the future. The 3rd Stone won $500.00 and some recording time at Middletown Trax.
The headling band Devairia (pictured above) did a great job performing. Being the head line band they were not part of the battle. They did however provide all the PA and Sound equipment for all the bands. Thirteen bands that they set up and off the stage and then performing themselves. Professional job from start to finish.
O'Toole's put on this event to raise money to help young students follow their dreams in the musical arts, great job! It is so ironic and fitting that the winners had a young man of 15 with a dream and a guitar. Best wishes to Michael and The 3rd Stone. We all expect great thing from the three of you. O'Toole's is already making bigger and better plans for next year. All are invited to come.
Thank you O'Toole's, Devairia, and The 3rd Stone. See you next year.
iReporter-CrazyMike