Daily Inspiration: Meet Peter Gallinari

Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Gallinari.

Hi Peter, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Stay Strong (and believe). My name is Peter Gallinari. I am a recording artist (Keyboardist, Singer, Songwriter) from NY and now reside in Nashville. I also work for the government. Yes, two separate lives. This is my Story. I have been asked many times how I got involved in the music business and where it started. It was and still is a journey. I am always learning and taking the time to listen to others who know more than I do.
And most importantly, stay humble. You must stay strong and believe in who you are and where you want to be. You need to be the magic to make it happen. It doesn’t just come to you.

My Story:
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Italian boy living in Bensonhurst and Bayridge area. This boy is the one who was picked on from the time I entered school right into my High School years. When I was born, mom was told that there may have been something wrong with me regarding proper motor skills. Well, I fooled them; I was walking at 8 months old. But, over the years, they saw that I couldn’t run like the other kids. I was also very skinny with a narrow face and always had my mouth open. You could still fit your hand in between the space when I closed my mouth. So yes, I guess I was a target for kids to make fun of. This was so hard; every day of my life as a kid was a struggle. Finally, at age 21 a doctor in NY performed free surgery on me to correct my jaw. Amazing and something I will never forget, but in the meantime, I was so damaged with a sense of low esteem and confidence in myself.

To regress, in my teenage years, I discovered I had talent. I could play keyboards and sing. This was my savior. (I never had any formal instructions) In my senior year in high school, the curtains opened, and I was the lead vocalist and keyboardist in one of the best rock bands in Brooklyn. Now suddenly, you have friends and girls who want to say at least hi and have a conversation. Moving forward to my adult years, I have a sense of confidence that I could do something, and something not everyone else can do. Still, I needed more. I would go to concerts and come home and cry in my studio room because I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t that person on stage performing. Since I was never a party person (I never drank, smoked, or did drugs), I stayed in my little studio room and played and wrote songs.

In 1994 I met an amazing lady named Angel Wallenda (Of the flying Wallenda’s – She walked the wire with a fake leg); without going into all this detail about how we met, I wrote a song for her that she used as her theme song for her shows. She also told me I would make something out of myself with my music. At this point, I was already in my mid 40’s and said thank you, but I knew there was no chance of this ever happening.

In 1995, the USA was hit with its first terrorist attack on USA grounds. It was the horrible Oklahoma City bombing disaster. I happened to be out that day, and my family was out of town visiting family. I came home and turned on the TV, and saw the news. One vision that got to me was a fireman carrying this little child full of blood. So, I lost it. My children were out of town, and I had no way of just holding them. My next move was to go into my studio room and write. That’s when my life changed. I wrote this song called ‘Tell Me Why. The next morning, I received a phone call from my friend Pastor Tim who had a Baptist church in Croton Falls, NY. I would, at times, attend his services with my family and sing as part of his group.

Pastor Tim says to me, “did you hear what happened?” I replied yes, and I was so devastated by the whole thing. He then says, “you wrote a song.” I was speechless, and I said yes. He came to my house immediately, and I played the song for him. He started to cry and asked if I could come to his church and perform the song that coming Sunday. I was honored. We got to the church and noticed newspaper people there and photographers. I had no idea what was going on. Only to find out that they were there to see me perform. Again, without all the details, the song reached Oklahoma. I was called by the largest radio station in Oklahoma to be interviewed, not knowing at the time I was the first to write a song. They interviewed me live on the air for over an hour and then played the song for the world to hear. At this point, I was in every newspaper throughout the United States, and TV stations were calling me. It was so amazing and heartwarming to know that I was able to help those who have suffered the loss of their loved ones. I gave the song to Oklahoma as my gift and used it as they wished.

This kicked off other songs I had written and was recognized for. The Lady Senator in Arizona who was shot made me realize that things could happen to anyone at any time, and I wrote a song for her. The Virginia Tech shooting was another terrible event. The Virginia Times asked permission to use my lyrics for the kids’ memorial story and book. The song was also aired. The Tsunami Disaster was another event that got to me, and India wrote me a letter to get permission to use the song in India. Now my amazing opportunities are performing and recording with Rock Stars whom I admired growing up.

In 2000 I was performing at a yearly house party in NY where many musicians would get together and spend the whole day playing music. It was just an amazing yearly event. I was approached by this man who said he liked the way I played and sang and wanted to hook me up with a well-known musician. He asked for my phone number and said he would get back to me. I blew him off, knowing deep inside this wasn’t real, and why would he be interested in this guy in his mid-forties? Amazingly, 3 months later, I received a phone call from this person who said he was stopping by and bringing a rock artist to meet me. Well, he did. He brought Richie Scarlet, probably one of the best rock guitarists in the industry, and has recorded and performed in worldwide concerts with all the great ones. Richie comes to my house and finds me in a suite looking like a business person. Richie is dressed all in black, with eyeliner and long black hair and all decked out like a rock star and looks at me lol I can’t imagine what he thought, but he was gracious and said Eddie told me you could play and sing.

So, we went into my studio room, and I performed for him. (Again, I am leaving out all the details and will move to where I am today). Because of Richie, I have accomplished more than one can ever imagine from where I come from—performed and recorded with Leslie West and Mountain. I performed with artists from these iconic bands like Alice Cooper, Toto, Kiss, Guns n Roses, Anton Fig (David letterman Drummer), and Carmine Appice (Drummer – Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart). The Misfits and many other great artists that I highlight in my BIO. I happen to sound just like Dennis DeYoung of the band STYX. This reputation follows me no matter where I go, which is not bad. Dennis called me just recently and let me know how he was impressed. That was a special moment in my life. Hammond has also taken me under their wings and made me a part of the Hammond Family of artists, special recognition in the industry. I take the opportunity to speak with young musicians to let them know that they need to keep their dreams going and, at the same time, have something on the side that they can do if this doesn’t work out. Since I started my music career later in life, I was already established as a businessman on wall street. I have a background in Data Security and work for the government. Everyone at the government offices where I work loves what I do. The journey continues, and there is still so much more to do. My latest and very rewarding music venture is that I was asked to play keyboards for Mary Wilson (The Supremes), her last few records after her unfortunate passing. This, to me, is so honorable to be one of a handful of musicians on her final records for such a legendary artist.

My sister taught me something that has always stuck with me. I was down and out about thinking I would never make it in music because I was putting a monetary value on this to determine fame. She set me straight and reminded me that my music had impacted many lives by helping them through their struggles. Wow, that hit me hard, and I finally grew up. Even with all this that I had to go through, it is nothing compared to many people who struggle with disabilities, diseases, and financial situations. I am so fortunate to have what I have today—my family, a beautiful home here in Tennessee, and some great friends. I have no bitterness towards those who did what they did to me growing up. I used that energy to help me with who I am today, and maybe it was just what I needed to make it to what I have achieved in my life. I love performing and love to write. I am still waiting for my next opportunity in the music business. But I am not waiting for it to come to me. I am going after it just like I did, getting through my struggles as a kid and teenager. All of this that I have learned has helped me as a person both in my musical and business career. I have set goals and created my own set of principles to help me get through all types of situations. Maybe not always successful, but I know that I have always put in my best effort to be successful, which leads to no regrets.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have a unique situation. I have two completely different lives. My background is in Cybersecurity/Data Privacy, and I have worked for the government. As stated in my story – I was founded in the music industry at 44. I was already established as a businessman on wall street and worked for major corporations in NY. When I was discovered and someone realized I did have musical talent, I decided to do both. Stay a businessman, and be a rocker. Yes, and it worked. If you put your mind to it, you can do it without sacrificing the things in life that are also important to you. Having nice things, having a beautiful family who you can support, and at the same time play/record with some of the greatest rock stars in the industry. I am a keyboardist/singer/songwriter. I am also part of the HAMMOND Family of Hammond keyboard artists. I work with multiple publicists shopping for my material. Much of my music is movie-style tracks.

This is what has been written about me, and maybe it will help:
At age 8, Peter began his musical career playing the keyboards. Due to his limitations of not having the needed space for a piano being raised in Brooklyn, NY, apartments, he had to settle on electronic synthesizers/organs. Typically you start your keyboard training on the piano, but this was not in Peter’s case; because of this, Peter over-extended his right-hand capabilities and has been known for his blistering rock riffs and hammering styles on the keys. His blues phrasing on the Hammond Organ has a strong rock influence which people have enjoyed both in the blues and rock world. Peter utilizes his rock and blues skills to create his unique style of phrasing and technique.

Peter’s recording and performing credits include: Richie Scarlet of (Ace Frehley’s Comets, Mountain), Dennis Dunaway of (Alice Cooper), Leslie West & Mountain, Carmine Appice of (Vanilla Fudge), Anton Fig (David Letterman), Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal (Guns n Rose’s), John Regan (Peter Frampton, Stones, Bowie, Dave Edmond), Matt Beck (Matchbox20), Larry Hoppen (Orleans), Dez Cadena (The Misfits), The Sundown Band, Kenny Aaronson (Bob Dylan, Foghat, Hall, and Oates, Sammy Hagar), Rich Eckhardt (Toby Kieth), Sandy Genaro (Cindy Lauper, Pat Travers)

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Wow, this is a tough one. I was that kid picked on throughout my younger days right through my school years back in Brooklyn. But, I remember that I had 3 great friends who were there for me and watched over me at times (Richie, Frankie, and John). And then my music buddy Alfred. He played in a band with his 2 brothers, and they asked me to play keyboards for them and sing. The curtains opened up at a high school concert, and I was on stage and singing rock n roll. Oh sure, then I had some friends because back then, we were the coolest rock band around  But I wouldn’t change anything about the way I was brought up. My family was great. And all this made me who I am today. Confident in what I do and accomplish both musically and in my business life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.petergallinarimusic.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.gallinari
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/songtyme/sets/lost-in-my-world