Meet Tom "Mellencamp" Reitz

Age: Born 12/25/1962 (A Christmas Baby!)

Band contributions: Lead singer, guitars, saxophone, recorder, banjo...and I get to direct the band!

Experience: I started playing drums at age 8. Playing the sax in sixth grade is when I really kicked it in! No stopping me there. I started playing the guitar when I was 13 and had my first band at 17. We didn't go very far, but we played some great AC/DC!

Other bands played with: Delusions Of Grandeur, The Fabulous Remakes, Angel White and several jam sessions!

Other music-related accomplishments: I like the Montain Dulcimer, not many people play it. It has a very cool sound, and maybe someday I'll incorporate it into this project. I also play the Indian Flute!

What I do when not rehearsing or performing: Well, I'm a dentist! That's demanding. I like helping out our community of Edgerton. We put on CHILIMANIA which is a cool chili contest and music festival. I do stuff on the computer, but I'm not great at it...the internet is awesome!

Favorite musical group: Van Halen really got me going...but so did AC/DC...and The Ramones....High energy there! Dream Theater...unreal!

How I first got into playing music: Music is just in me...got that from my parents I guess!

Bands/Artists that have most influenced me: Eddie Van Halen. I feel a connection there! Angus Young from AC/DC, great licks! Once again The Ramones but because I could play every song they did in a minute!

Favorite Mellencamp song memory: At several gigs in the past, R.O.C.K. In The USA always got everyone going!

Favorite songs: 5150, Van Halen; Scenes From A Memory; Dream Theater; Blitzkrieg Bop. Ramones; Whole Lotta Rosie, AC/DC; Green Day...it can go on forever.....

Favorite Pastimes that aren't music-related: Gardening, motorcycle, computer, hiking, community service. "The Big Lebowski" is a fun movie!

Guilty Pleasure Confession: Pickles! I make my own!

Hometown: Edgerton, WI (Editor's note: Humming "I was born in a small town...")

Things that inspire me and keep me going: Just keep a full plate in life...that way you don't have time to stop! Nature keeps a person grounded and lets you know what's really important and worth worrying about!