Although I've never performed publicly, I have been woodshedding for years and am not only an ace air guitarist -- if I do say so myself -- I'm a fine air drummer, too. Likely a better air drummer than actual drummer, in fact.
And, lately, I've started giving lessons.
The other day, while watching The Muppets' brilliant version of "Bohemian Rhapsody," I couldn't control myself -- you know what part of the song I'm talking about, people -- and let loose with some super-fine air drumming and air guitar-ing. My son looked on in speechless, jaw-dropped astonishment.
That led to his first lessons in the ancient arts of air instrumentation. I don't think he's hooked quite yet but there's time.
However, I don't expect either he or I will take part in the third annual Milwaukee Air Guitar Showdown, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 26 at 10 p.m. at Stonefly Brewery in Riverwest.
But I thoroughly encourage you to go, enjoy a set by DJ Tarik Moody and then rock the crowd with your best air guitar skills.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
