The ToneKings by The ToneKings

I've always enjoyed working in various blues projects with Pete & Marty as a rhythm section & it always comes down to this: these guys have the best groove around! Working with Dan Merrill, Lyle Divinsky & all the great guest musicians who played & help create our CD was fantastic!"

Phil Divinsky - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

Born and raised in New York City, Phil grew up listening and learning from the great soul and rhythm and blues singers of the 60's and 70's. After living in Boston and Denver, Phil ended up following some of his Boston friends up to the Belfast, Maine area in the mid 70's. and has made Maine his home ever since. He attended the University of Maine in Augusta's music program from 1978-1980 while living in Searsmont. The area had a vibrant musical community and Phil and some friends soon formed the Searsmont Street Band. In the fall of 1981, Phil, his lovely wife Carol and there beautiful 1 year old daughter Chandra went down to St. Croix, V.I. for a winter. On their return, Phil & some friends formed the local band The All Hollow Hot Stuff Band. In 1989, Phil got called to audition for the Port City Allstars. Phil sang lead vocals for this ten piece band from 1989 to 1991. In 1991, Phil. Carol, Chandra and 4 year-old Lyle (more about him later) decided to head down to the big city and make Portland their home. Phil has been lead male vocalist for Jim Ciampi and the Manhattan 9 for the last 14 years. In addition, he has taught and coached many singers through his "Singing for Ordinary People" classes as well as private instruction. Phil reached a life-long dream of working with folks with special needs and has taught at Portland Arts and Technology High School since 1993. Phil is blessed to have such a supportive wife in Carol and thanks her for putting up with him for the last 28 years. Their daughter Chandra is the light of his life along with their grandson Tyler. Phil & Carol's son Lyle is an amazing musician in his own right. Keep your ears peeled for his music.

Phil would like to thank all the folks that come out and see the ToneKings and reminds you to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSIC SCENE & MUSIC EDUCATION in your area.

Marty Joyce - Drums & Vocals

Born in bred in Portland, Maine, Marty majored in jazz at the University of Maine in Augusta, He marched in drum corps in '93-'94, gaining valuable experience and honing his chops, Marty has been a percussion instructor at Deering, Westbrook, South Portland and Waynfleet high schools. He was also an instructor for the Southern Maine Youth Percussion Ensemble which took first place in the national indoor marching percussion finals in 1998.

Most recently. Marty spent 4 years honing his skills in New Orleans, sharing the stage with the likes of Maceo Parker, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly,The Neville Bros. The Average White Band and Eric Bourden. Before he came back to Maine, Marty traveled throughout the US touring with Eric Lindell.

Peter R Masterton-Electric and Acoustic Bass

Born in Bordentown, New Jersey on 6/29/54, Pete moved to Maine in 1962 via St Paul, Minn. He attended Cape Elizabeth HS and played trombone in the band under Donald Curry. He then attended Phillips Exeter Acad. and Colby college (B.A. in Art-1977). It was during this time he switched from trombone to bass and joined the fledgling rock group The Busters in Boston just as the disco craze eradicated much of the club work from working bands. They persevered, however, going totally original, recording and playing in alternative clubs. Pete credits this time as not only one of his most important musical experiences, but an important life experience as well.

Moving back to Maine in 1979, Pete helped form the alternative R+B/ Swing band The Practical Cats in Portland while attending C.M.V.T.I. in Auburn for Graphic Arts. Pete married Kelly J. Burgess from Mexico, Me, in 1983. They have a 21 year old son, Spencer James, who is a wonderful guitarist and songwriter and a daughter Molly Anne, who is a great clarinetist and vocalist. Pete is so very proud of his family.

Since the early 80's, Pete has worked full time in function bands and clubs throughout New England for 20 yrs. He is now semi-retired, subbing for many bands, and a full-time house painter. He is currently playing with the ToneKings, Tracy Moore's group 'Round Midnight ( Jazz and swing) and Standard Edition ( Jazz standards).

Favorite Male vocalist- Nat Cole . Favorite female vocalist- Gladys Knight.

Favorite pop groups a toss-up between Sergio Mendez and Brazil '66 and the Fifth Dimension.

Musical heroes - John Lennon and Elvis Presley

Musical preference - As long as it swings, we'll go with it

"Before I go I'd like to urge everyone who reads this to not only support but become an advocate for strong music and performing arts programs in your schools. These are extremely important ways to help develop a well rounded adult who will get much more out of life ....Thank You+"

Mark "The King" Napoleone - Organ & Piano

Mark comes from a long line of Maine musicians. Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and numerous aunts and uncles, Mark began playing organ and piano at age 10. He formed his first band in high school, but according to him, they "never made it out of the living room."

Since then, Mark has stayed incredibly busy performing in some of the best bands in Maine: The Wildcats, The Persuaders, Doubleshot, The Mark Miller Blues Band, The Dan Merrill Band, Jimmy & the Soul Cats, The Upsetters, Pam Baker & Blue Plate Special and a few others along the way. He has opened for such acts as Roomful of Blues, The J Geils Band, Derek Trucks, Taj Mahal, Pat Travers, Duke Robillard, Peter Wolf, Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Winter, James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins, Son Seals, Debbie Davies, and Bo Diddley and has performed with James Montgomery, Shameka Copeland, and Brad Delp from the band Boston.

Mark is married to Roseann...Together they have 4 kids and 5 grandsons.

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