ROGER TOUVELL BIO
I am a native of Zanesville. I have lived here all my life with the exception of a year at BGSU.I have been writing my whole life. I wrote mostly poetry when I was young, and was accepted into Oberlin college to study creative writing on the strength of the poems I submitted. Personal issues got in the way and I didn't follow through on this. I started a refrigeration business as I had knowledge of this through my family. I operate this company to this day.
Although I had performed in a couple of musicals early on, I didn't play music or sing until my late 30's. I started playing guitar and singing in church. I found it to be the overriding passion of my life. I was fortunate to have many outlets; musical theater, choral music, and collaborations with other artists. I sang with Jan Smith in the Blues Brothers for 20 years, and was in the classic rock band Flashback for 8 years. I have been blessed to play in the St. Paul AME gospel band with Phil Palmer and others for 20 years. Other local musicians that I have been influenced by are Logan Addis, Tyler Clark, Chuck Spires, and Sonny Klimcyck. And my great friend who has taught me how to be a guitarist, Steve Spires. Important musical influences outside of Zanesville are; Tom Waits, Janis Ian, Paul Simon, John Mellancamp, Joe Cocker and Nina Simone, among others.
PAUL MAININI BIO
Bio coming soon…