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  My Musical Background

Well welcome to my little piece of the world wide web!
 
I guess a good place to start telling of my musical adventure is going way back to the beginning.

 

I recall receiving my first guitar at the age of about 7 by my parents and then again at about 12 from a group of friends
while in hospital and I still have that same little guitar today. But it wasn't until receiving a guitar for my 15th Birthday in 1984 from my best friend, Diego, who
handed me one of his own to have, that I took it up and applied my self to learning how to use it in the coming months.
So I had lessons once a week for about three months and the odd few now and then from other friends, and I still have that
very same guitar with me today, although, it's enjoying retirement!
 
On September fifth, 1986, I appeared on the Australian TV icon variety show,

Hey Hey, It's Saturday

on the Red Faces segment, which aired the next night and where I received a score of three straight eights from the
judges that night who were made up of,
Ernie Sigley, Karen Knowles and of course, Red Symons, where I came second by three points to an act following
me by the name of (Jed The Jerk.)

I sang the Elvis Presley piece, Marie's The Name (His Latest Flame.)

Click here to watch my performance.

My deepest thanks and appreciation to Mr Daryl Somers and Judy Davenport for providing a copy to me!
Thank you!!!
 
In 1987 I joined a band as a guest vocalist called, Syndrome, who's lead singer happen to be a cousin of the brothers,
James and Vince Leigh of the Australian band

Pseudo Echo

who had a big hit with their remake of
We would play the usual weddings, Birthdays, festivals and inter state gigs.

 

Click to listen to us playing our version of
recorded in October, 1987, with an 18 year old me lead singing.
In about 1989, some members moved on to form their own band called The Boys Next Door and I worked both with them
and also with Syndrome, as well as doing solo performances and the occasional gig with other bands.
 
These were very fun days and I have great memories of them!

I think the word (Marriage) emerged soon after and everyone went their own way.

Oh well, One can't stay happy for ever!
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Studio Shot

In early 1991, I made a good friend by the name of Neville Treasure, who also happen to play

the Mouth-Organ, or more widely known as the Harmonica, and he would play while in the Australian Navy.

I had a couple of lessons with him and soon got the hang of it.

He also went on to introduce me to another form of entertaining-...Street Performing or better known as Busking.

I still recall my first busking gig with him and another fellow on a Friday night in the city and it was quite different.

We kept busking occasionally for the next two years, both night and day until I took it up on my own and still get out there occasionally today, although not as offen as I used to.
In 1992, I was introduced to John by a friend, who both mixed and helped me record the 60s classic, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
This recording still holds a special place for me today, even all these years later. Thanks for this John!
 
In 1993, I played in a bar called Joey's, where I came across a fellow who happened to be the drummer for the band on
after me called Zatorski, who's lead singer
Richard Zatorski,
was a former member of the Australian band

Real Life

who had hits with

Send Me An Angel

and

Catch Me, I'm Falling.

I went on to open for them on their gigs for a while, until we played at the Eltham Hotel, where I went
on to play for the next twelve months.
 
During the 1990s, I went solo playing in bars and doing the occasional private home gig, which were interesting, as well as
private functions.
I was even invited to play on Friday afternoons in a bank, yes, bank, to keep the customers entertained while they were in
line, since it was their busiest hours. This went on for about two years in the mid 1990s.
In December 1994, I appeared on a TV talent show called Pot Of Gold, hosted by Australian radio and TV presenter
The judges were made up of Australian Musical Maestro
and a member of the audience.
I yet again came second and yet again sang an Elvis classic, Love Me Tender.
Alfonso happens to be one of my given names and I performed as (Alfonso Rufatt) on this occasion.

 
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Studio Shot

 

I also gave writing a go about the mid 1990s and that's where most of the tracks from the Cheyenne CD emanate from, but
didn't go as far as recording them for another 15 years later in 2008.
I'm currently writing material for the second CD and plan on recording it in 2012.
Have a listen to these three Demo Samples I wrote which will be part of the next CD.
which is what we called our Grand Mother as another name for Granny in Spanish and who is heard at the beginning and end of the track.
 

It wasn't until I got in touch with

Peter Bowman

former member of the early 1990s Australian band

Southern Sons

who had hits with
and who directed me to Cameron Mitchell, that I finally got round to recording for the Cheyenne CD.
 
I've often played with the notion of starting a band and doing it all again one last time and reliving long ago days through
ageless early Rock and Roll music that I think many people would love to hear again cause today's music, they say, isn't the same. But
sometimes it's best to leave the past where it belongs...in the past, and just enjoy the memories.
However, I  do perform today at corporate functions, dinner parties, Champagne Breakfasts or just for relaxing live background music. Visit the
for my Details if you would like to make a booking.

 

I would have to say my highlight would have to be being invited to perform in the Queen's Hall Room in Melbourne's Parliament House for the Penington Award Ceremony in September 2010.
I have also twice auditioned for the Australia's Got Talent TV program in November 2010 and 2011
but wasn't selected to be among those for a possible TV performance.
 
So there you have it!

My back ground in a web page.

 
To all the boys from Syndrome and the Boys Next Door, to John who did the mixing with the Still Love Me Tomorrow recording, to Neville who taught me to play the harmonica, To Diego who pretty much started it all by handing me one of his guitars to keep, to Fab who took me to have my guitar fixed in preparation for the Red Faces performance, thanks to all of you guys for bringing allot of joy into my life and I hope you've all gone on to live for filling lives, where ever you are today.
But as any passionate guitarist would understand, the biggest thanks, besides God, would be reserved for my guitars. I think
sums it up beautifully.
 
Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or comments at-

 

 
It's been a pleasure sharing some fun days with you and to those of you over the age of 40 who may now be feeling old after reading this and recalling the days when the bands mentioned above were at their peak ...hehehehe sorry! :)
 
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Studio Shot
 
 
 
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