Gene Fleri (1933-2005)

Gene Fleri was more than just a pianist and nothing less than an entertainer.

Born in 1933 in Bronx, New York, Gene began taking piano lessons at age 6 and by the time he graduated from The High School of Music and Art in N.Y.C., had already begun his professional music career. Being under the legal working age at the time, he faked such information on his union card and consequently found himself playing with musicians much older than himself, thus learning practical musicianship skills early-on. Gigs at this time ranged from the Catskill Mountains to various night clubs within the city. He joined The Lester Lannon Orchestra and performed for Concerts on The Green and could also be heard on The Lighthouse Theatre Radio Show.

After serving in the military, Gene traveled the east coast with The Dean Hudson Orchestra and subsequently settled in Miami, Florida, from 1956 to 1972. At a time when Miami Beach was a favorite destination for many celebrities including The Rat Pack and The Beatles, Gene accompanied well-known performers such as: Sammy Davis Jr., Petula Clark, Eddie Fisher as well as The Jackie Gleason Show. Gene, himself, was distantly related to “Poet of the Piano”, Carmen Cavallero of big band, radio and motion picture fame. Gene performed at many popular hotels and nightclubs including: The Yorkshire Inn, Gypsies, The Deauville, The Everglades Club, The Americana, The Sheraton Four Ambassadors, and the legendary Eden Roc. He was a member of the recording and show group, The Dixie Devils for five years and his television appearances included The Dan Fitzgerald Show and The Morning Show at Richard's Department Store.

In 1972, Gene moved his family to the mountains of North Carolina. He first played at The Inn of Seven Devils and then for the Appalachian Ski Mountain Supper Club before eventually residing at Hound Ears Lodge and Club in 1973. Gene became the club's Entertainment Director, performing solo piano and organ six nights a week as well as leading small combos and larger bands for club events and member parties. During this time, he also recorded the album "Gene Fleri at Hound Ears", arranged and directed musical scores for member sponsored charity shows, and played numerous parties and functions throughout the area at such venues as The Blowing Rock Country Club, Elk River Country Club, Linville Ridge Country Club and Grandfather Country Club.

Area musicians that could often be heard performing with Gene included: Rick Dilling, Bobby Taylor, Jim Calabrese, Bob Barnett, Rick Simmerly, Matt Vance, Glenn Hubbard, Todd Wright and son, Jim Fleri. Gene also performed with jazz whistler, Ron McCroby and the legendary trumpeter, Clark Terry. His personal interest in music ranged from jazz to classical. Composers such as Cole Porter, Lerner and Lowe, Rogers and Hammerstein, Henry Mancini and Debussy to performance artists George Shearing and Frank Sinatra, with a special affinity towards Erroll Garner.

Returning to school on a G.I. bill, Gene graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Fine and Applied Arts in 1981. He also taught piano and gave freely of his time and talents, playing at nursing homes, churches and charitable events.

Gene Fleri was more than just a highly skilled pianist that knew literally thousands of songs by request (and could play them in any key) and who could hold a conversation or even read while playing piano. He was a genuine entertainer who used every tool at his disposal to create an inviting atmosphere for people of all ages to enjoy music together. Whether it was through the telling of jokes or remembering not only your name but your favorite song, he did it all and with genuine sincerity.

Playing is like life. Either you feel it or you don't.
-- ERROLL GARNER

Fred Germann

Fred Germann has been playing drums since he attended grade school in the Buffalo area of New York State. He has played all styles of music - big band, country, rock, blues, dixieland and beach. He's performed for church services and was a regular on a local live television show. After moving to Hilton Head Island, SC, he lead a series of bands that played regularly at all the local resorts and country clubs as well as major events on the island.

Fred has been fortunate to sit in and perform with The Dorsey Band, Mel Tormé, Steve Allen, Charlie Bird, Freddie Cole, Chuck Wayne, Joe Williams, Ken Poplowski and a long list of notables. He's been active in the broadcast business since he was 10 years old, both radio and television, as talent, producer and director and is very close to the Johnny Mercer Foundation.

Fred's love of music allowed him to start The Hilton Head Jazz Society and The Blowing Rock Jazz Society in Blowing Rock, NC, which has been quite successful for the last 10 years.

It's always a treat to hear Fred on vocals - something he loves to do. He is very found of Latin Music and is energized when listening to it. Fred and his wife, a fiber artist who is a notable quilter, share a music and sewing studio in the mountains of Tennessee. They call the studio "Cymbals and Thimbles."

Glenn Hubbard

Glenn Hubbard is a “utility” musician who has worked with many of western North Carolina’s top artists, in just about every genre imaginable. You might have heard him playing piano or bass in rock, jazz, bluegrass and top-40 bands, show orchestras, a few classical ensembles, and even the occasional polka band. He has worked on several well-known CD releases, as an engineer/producer as well as a musician.

Glenn’s original music can perhaps best be described as “eclectic pop” – a blend of his many influences, from the Beatles, Steely Dan, Yes, Billy Joel, They Might Be Giants and Phish, to the unmistakable hints of jazz, hard rock, country and Broadway that occasionally slip into his songs. His songs vary stylistically, but they work together to form a surprisingly cohesive album, with lyrics ranging from deeply personal to philosophical to hilarious.

In his other life, Glenn teaches broadcast journalism at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He recently achieved a Ph.D. in Journalism and Electronic Media and is an award-winning radio news reporter. He last worked at 700 WLW in Cincinnati and has filed stories for CBS, ABC, AP Radio and Clear Channel Worldwide networks.

Jamie Blanton

Jamie Blanton is a phenomenal young drummer that grew up in Boone in a family of very talented musicians. He has a passion for progressive rock, but is equally adept at performing jazz, motown, and pop standards.