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

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

A Don Mancuso releases an album of classic driving ROCK n ROLL! Recorded in NY and CA, then mastered in Toronto, this is a trip around North America in album form.

Drums – Mark Shulman
Bass – AD Zimmer
Guitar, Loops, Other – Steve Major
Bass – Dave Quick
Drums – Bobby Bond

Tracks:
1.1 Ddbopp
1.2 Green Bay Reggae
1.3 Help!
1.4 Bugs Bite
1.5 Cocagne
1.6 Breaking Caylee

DDrive began rocking the Northeast in 2004 when guitarist Don Mancuso (The Lou Gramm Band, Black Sheep, Cheater, and Celtic Fire) put together his second solo recording effort after finishing tracks for singer Phil Naro’s (Talas, Peter Criss & 24K) “Glass Mountain” project. Mancuso and Naro joined forces to write the first self-titled DDrive album. Singer Lou Gramm (The Lou Gramm Band, Foreigner, Black Sheep) heard the demos for the DDrive CD, asked if he could come in as guest vocalist/co-writer, and they obliged! Canadian producer Steve Major rounded out the direction and production.

Released in 2005, the first D Drive CD received critical acclaim and airplay in the US, Australia, and Europe. The band’s signature sound blends strong classic rock roots with a modern edge sound all its own. The first DDrive CD did so well that Mancuso and Naro decided to put together the band’s second release in 2007 entitled “Straight Up The Middle.” The new album has received accolades from a rapidly growing legion of DDrive fans, and is in its second pressing. DDrive released a video in summer ’08,

The new third CD entitled “3D” was released on June 1st 2010. 3D is a worthy follow up to “Straight Up The Middle” as the band has become even tighter over the years. 3D has great significance as well, not only as their 3rd release but the CD will be housed in a special first time ever 3D package with 3-D glasses, poster and 11 new rocking tracks.

Tracks:
1. Next Train
2. Dig Down featuring Billy Sheehan
3. Kiss the Ground
4. Chains On You
5. Never Had A Chance
6. Last To Fall
7. Down Deep
8. Always Done
9. 1 to 7
10. Tumblin
11. Welcome To My World

Don Mancuso’s DDrive project was put into motion upon the completion of recording tracks for Phil Naro‘s last release Glass Mountain at Wellesley Studio in Toronto Canada.

Don and long time friend Phil Naro decided to join forces with Steve Major as co-writer/producer. Once 5 of the ideas were etched out and basic tracks recorded, Don’s Friend/Ex-Foreigner/Black Sheep singer Lou Gramm was in town on break from the last Lou Gramm Band tour and gave the tunes a listen. He was so impressed at what he heard that he asked if there was any way that he could come in as a guest vocalist/co-writer.

The rest of the story is documented on this hard rocking CD. Lou and Don had written “Wait till the Sun Goes Down” during the Foreigner 4 tour and decided to put that one on as well as some great tunes written by Naro and Mancuso and a remake of the Beatles “Hey Bull Dog”. On the song “Your Never Alone” (which was written for a friend dying of cancer) extra contributions came from long time friend/producer/musician Tony Gross of GFI Studio.

The core band consists of Don Mancuso (Black Sheep, Cheater, Linda Rutherford & Celtic Fire, Lou Gramm Band) Phil Naro (Talas, Peter Cris, 24 K), Lou Gramm ( Black Sheep, Foreigner, Shadow King, Lou Gramm Band), Dave Quick (Kid Kurry Band), Joe Lana (Uncle Plum), Andy Knoll (Lou Gramm Band) and Richard Gramm (Black Sheep, Lou Gramm Band).

Other guest musicians appearing on the CD are: Jeff Cosco, Jim Crean, Jessie Hamilton, Larry Crozier and Brian Eggleston.

Tracks:
1 A Little Outside
2 Down,Rotten,Dirty
3 Lock Lips
4 Wait Till The Sun Goes Down
5 Can’t Dig Your Way Out
6 Why Is Everybody
7 Down U Go
8 Funny Pages
9 You’re Never Alone
10 Missing
11 Build My Castle
12 I’m Finding Out
13 Hey Bulldog