JOHNNY SMOKE is a rock band that has been playing in concert clubs and at festivals around Central and Western New York for many years. Dubbed “Rochester’s Aerosmith” by local radio personality, Unkle Roger (RIP), word of their crowd-pleasing, high-energy performances quickly spread throughout the area. Over time they have had the opportunity to share the stage with several national artists over the years, including surf-guitar legend Dick Dale, and Firehouse.

They followed their victory at The Made In Rochester Competition in 1999 with the release of their debut disc, Crime Don’t Pay Yet!! in 2000. The CD received airplay in the local showcases on stations in the Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo markets; and music from the album was used in commercials to promote the sports programming on WCMF 96.5 fm.

Songs:
Crocodile
Do Ya
Etched in Stone
Fire
Gimme What I Need
I Resist
Life’s Blood
Miles
Never Easy
Rat Fink
Satisfied
So Far
Writtings On The Wall

“Encouraging Words” stands as a pivotal album by the Rochester rock band Black Sheep, showcasing the collaborative efforts of guitarist Don Mancuso and singer Lou Gramm. Released in 1975, the album follows the success of their self-titled debut and features tracks that blend elements of hard rock with poignant lyricism.

Mancuso and Gramm’s synergy is evident in the album’s sound, with Mancuso’s dynamic guitar work complementing Gramm’s powerful vocals. Despite not achieving the same commercial success as their debut, “Encouraging Words” remains a significant contribution to Black Sheep’s discography, capturing the essence of the band’s musical journey and the creative prowess of Mancuso and Gramm.

Songs:
1. When It All Makes Sense
2. To Whom It May Concern
3. The Change
4. All I Am
5. Chain On Me
6. Encouraging Words
7. Half Way Home
8. I Don’t Need The Worry

Formed in 1995 and based in Hilton, NY (northwest of central Rochester) and fronted by the stunning vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Linda Rutherford the band also includes family members Tony (accordian, keyboards, vocals), Johnny (drums) and Rosheen (electric and acoustic guitars). Linda plays fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, keyboards, tin whistle, saxophone and flute. Celtic Fire also includes Francis White (bass) and Don Mancuso (lead and rhythm guitars, vocals).

Songs:
1. Far Side Of The Sun
2. Freight Train
3. Let Me Stay
4. Little or A Lot
5. Payin Your Dues
6. Power to Heal
7. Shauna
8. Woman
9. Woman Back Home
10. Broken Promises

Now You See It” is Don Mancuso’s debut solo album, marking his venture outside of his role as guitarist and co-writer for the rock band Black Sheep .

Released with 14 tracks, the album showcases Mancuso’s diverse talents as a guitarist and songwriter, with most tracks either written or co-written by him .

Notably, the album features a cover of Badfinger‘s “No Matter What” among its repertoire, adding a unique touch to Mancuso’s inaugural solo endeavor. “Now You See It” serves as a testament to Mancuso’s musical prowess and sets the stage for his subsequent projects and collaborations in the rock music scene

Songs:
1.Alotanerve
2.Black-N-Disease
3. Blazin Glory
4. Brian’s Song
5. Eyes Of God
6. Freedom
7. I Fly
8. I’m Free
9. Little Tail
10. Lonely Look
11. Memory Lane
12. No Matter What
13. Precious Child
14. Waaazzup

Ready or Not is the debut solo studio album by Lou Gramm, released in February 1987 by Atlantic Records.

Looking to step outside the confines of his lengthy creative partnership with Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones, Gramm returned to his roots, hooking back up with former Black Sheep bandmate Bruce Turgon. The duo co-wrote a batch of new songs together, including the future Ready or Not hit “Midnight Blue,” and entered the studio in 1986 with co-producer Pat Moran — familiar to rock ‘n’ roll liner notes junkies as an engineer on recordings by a slew of acts that included Rush and Robert Plant.

With Turgon as a utility player, Gramm assembled a band that included Black Sheep vet Don Mancuso, session ringers like Mark Rivera and Eddie Martinez, and E Street Band vet Nils Lofgren…

Read More: 30 Years Ago: Lou Gramm Goes Solo With ‘Ready or Not’

Ready or Not was a commercial success, reaching number 27 on the US Billboard 200. The album has enjoyed critical acclaim. Bret Adams has given Ready or Not a retrospective rating of four-and-a-half stars out of five on AllMusic. He has described it as “rich with melody and snap”.

Songs:
1. Ready or Not
2. Heartache
3. Midnight Blue
4. Time
5. If I Don’t Have You
6. She’s Got to Know
7. Arrow thru Your Heart
8. Until I Make You Mine
9. Chain of Love
10. Lover Come Back

Formed in 1995 and based in Hilton, NY (northwest of central Rochester) and fronted by the stunning vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Linda Rutherford the band also includes family members Tony (accordian, keyboards, vocals), Johnny (drums) and Rosheen (electric and acoustic guitars). Linda plays fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, keyboards, tin whistle, saxophone and flute. Celtic Fire also includes Francis White (bass) and Don Mancuso (lead and rhythm guitars, vocals).

Songs:
1. Flames Of Eviction (An Gorta Mor)
2 . I Said No
3 . That’s What I Am
4 . King Of The Fairies – Drowsy Maggie
5 . Silence
6 . Too Late
7 . Vengeance
8 . Nowhere To Run
9 . I Believe
10. The Answer

Don Mancuso & DDrive Live @ the Rochester International Jazz Festival

This DVD reproduces the high energy Rock N Roll that DDrive brought to the Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 23rd 2014.

Track Listing Don Mancuso Set:
Blazin Glory
DDBop
Green Bay Reggae
Help
Breaking Caylee
Bugs Bite
I’m Free (Pat Patrone: Vocals)

Track Listing DDrive Set:
Lock Lips
Pray For Tomorrow
Funny Pages
Welcome To My World
Straight Up The Middle
Missing
Payin Your Dues
Build My Castle
Down, Rotten, Dirty – Next Train

Credits
Phil Naro, Pat Petrone & Don Mancuso Vocals
Don Mancuso & Dave Session Guitars
John Taylor Bass
Bobby 00 Bond Drums
Live Engineer Mike Updaw
Recording, Mixing and mastering Engineer Bill Thompson
Produced by Bill Thompson & Don Mancuso
Video production Jim Morris

The album “Straight Up the Middle” by the band Ddrive, prominently features guitarist Don Mancuso’s signature style, blending hard rock riffs with melodic hooks. Notably, Lou Gramm, contributes his powerful voice to several tracks, adding depth and intensity to the album’s sound. Among the songs where Lou Gramm sings are “Straight Up The Middle” and “Sink Your Teeth,” showcasing his dynamic vocal range and emotive delivery.

“Straight Up the Middle” emerges as a standout album, resonating with fans of classic rock and showcasing the enduring talent of both musicians

Phil Naro: Vocals/Acoustic Guitar (Peter Criss(Kiss)/Talas) Don Mancuso: Guitars/Bass/Mando (Lou Gramm Band/Black Sheep) Andy Knoll: Keys(Lou Gramm Band) Joe Lana: Drums, Richard Gramm: Bass (Lou Gramm Band/Black Sheep), with special guest Lou Gramm.

Songs:
1. A Little Bitta Sunshine
2. Straight Up The Middle
3. Lick Your Lips
4. Dead On The Highway
5. Pray For Tomorrow
6. Whose Side You’re On
7. Can You Dig It
8. I Don’t Wanna Wait
9. I Can Feel No Pain
10. Love Me
11. Diamond Star Halo
12. Another Funky Day