The Boys of Summer Band Bio’s
Jim Weldy - Guitar / Keyboards / Vocals
I started playing guitar and piano in fourth grade at the age of 9 and have been playing ever since. From 1977 through 1991, I played in a wide variety of groups, mostly in the commercial Top 40 field, and mostly in Buffalo but also traveled 2 years on the road. In February of 1991, I, along with keyboardist Michael Carroll expanded on the idea of a fun, summertime band. We had met 2 years earlier in a project called Endless Summer in 1989, and did steady Thursdays at Shooters which had just opened. When the band broke up, we decided to reform as we had just too much fun performing together! I suggested the name The Boys of Summer because we planned to do a lot of Beach Boys, Don Henley and the Eagles. The other Boys of Summer the Bisons, were drawing huge crowds at their new stadium at the time and I felt the name The Boys of Summer would get a lot of free exposure, and boy I’m glad it did!
At that point I called on my very good friends Gary (lead guitar) and Steve Edmonds (bass) and asked them to come aboard. They were very talented musicians and tremendous vocalists in the country circuit and the three of us always had a good chemistry whenever we sang together. This was essential to do the music we were planning. They brought on Eric Zak on drums from their country band and we began performing that summer at the Harbor River Café as a summertime only part time band that summer.
I have performed with other bands. I formed New Release in 1983 and 4 years later joined another commercial band, Free Fall. I left Free Fall after 7 years and then played briefly played in Night Life, where along with David Green, the Boys of Summer’s new drummer, met Don Lorentz. Donnie eventually replaced Mike Carroll on keys in The Boys of Summer and that’s almost that! Geff Gismondi became the newest addition in 2009 replacing Steve on Bass and vocals, and that completes our lineup!
I started a solo show back in 2000. After a successful debut at The Tralf I have become well established in the solo field though the Boys Of Summer remain my focus. I feel fortunate to play with these very talented players, and consider them my closest friends. I have been nominated 3 years for top solo artist in The Buffalo Music Awards.
My musical preferences are The Beatles, Surf Rock, Classic Rock, Elton John, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffet and Jim Croce.
I am sole proprietor/owner of a jewelry business called Forever Precious which I started in 1996.
I have two awesome children Casey and Carly who are extremely talented musicians and I am very proud of them.
Gary Edmonds - Guitar / Vocals
Gary Edmonds has been a member of the Boys of Summer band since it’s inception in 1991. He and his brother Steve Edmonds were paired together in the band up until 2008. Gary comes from a country music background where he started his career at 16 years old. His first fulltime venture led him to a group from which his Mom was the singer in, the Vanishing Breed. It was there that Gary established himself as a lead guitar player and singer. He later joined up with his brother Steve in what would become one of the most working country bands in the area, Keith Allen and the Cross Country Express. Working an average of 5 nights a week, Gary became a regular nominee of the Buffalo Music Awards. Gary has written and recorded radio commercial jingles in his home studio, which have aired on local radio stations. Over the years Gary has taken multiple Buffalo Music Awards including Best Country Guitarist in 1991. Also, best Acoustic guitarist in 1995. Then finally after several years of nominations, Gary accepted the Top Rock Guitarist award in 2007. The Boys of Summer continue to be one of the hardest working, and successful bands in the Western NY area. This success is what Gary is most proud to be a part of.
David Green – Drums / Vocals
In March of 1994, David was asked to fill in for Eric Zak the original drummer for The Boys of Summer and have been with the group ever since. David started playing drums in third grade at the age of 8. He played drums and percussion all the way through High School. His first experience playing in a band was with some close high school friends playing country music at a Moose Lodge in Hamburg. In 1978, he joined the local country band Lone Star Express, and had the privilege of playing with Tom Bath, who at the time was one of the area’s best steel guitar players at the age of 16. In 1979, Tom and David moved to Houston, Texas to pursue music on a full time basis. They played in one of the hottest bands in the city and had the privilege of performing with country music all time greats such as; Johnny Paycheck, Ray Price, Faron Young, and 3 times with John Anderson. In the winter of 1981, David moved back to Buffalo and joined the local country band OK Corral. In 1986, he left the group and joined the band Union Transfer who played a little more of a variety of music including country but also had a complete Elvis show. They performed for 17 months every Sunday night at the Golden Nugget on Seneca St. in Buffalo where he first met Gary and Steve Edmonds. 1n 1991, David joined the wedding band Transition which really helped his skills playing different genres of music including Top 40 dance and rock. After his first experience with the Boys Of Summer in 1994, which was a part time group at that time, Jim Weldy and David joined the wedding band Nightlife were they met Don Lorentz. At the end of 1995, they decided the make the Boys of Summer a full time band and dedicate all of their energy to making that group one of Buffalo’s best. In 2006, with much thanks to Jim Mangano, David received the first of his Top 40 drummer Buffalo Music Awards. He received the award in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 as well. In 2010 he was inducted into the Buffalo Music Awards Hall of Acheivement recognizing him for his 4 consecutive awards. Some of his favorite drummers are Don Henley from the Eagles, Ryan Dusick from Maroon 5 and David Garibaldi from the Tower of Power. David’s drumming philosophy has always stressed solid playing and being the time keeper. He is currently employed at Joe Basil Resale Center in Depew, New York. He has been married to his wife Lori for 19 years and they have 3 children, Emily, Matthew and Katie.
In 2011 The Boys of Summer will celebrate their 20th anniversary and I am proud to have been a part of that for 18 of those years. I consider myself very fortunate to have been with band mates over these years that I do not consider coworkers, but brothers. I look forward to continuing this relationship until the day comes that I can no longer perform.
Don Lorentz - Keyboards / Vocals
Started performing professionally at the age of 15 with the showband Headin’ On. (1971-1984)
• Opened for Bob Seger
• Performed with The Inkspots
• Performed with The Osmonds in Las Vegas
• Opened for Vern Gosdin
• Created the Bong Show in Buffalo
Transformed the band with the addition of a female vocalist to become RAZ. (1984-1987)
• Performed with Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee
• Opened for Lee Greenwood
• Opened for Rodney Dangerfield
Joined the John Kondell Band. (1987-1989)
Started playing solo piano bars. (1989)
Joined the band Night Life. (1990-1998)
Currently performing with The Boys of Summer Band.
Nominated for Best Rock Keyboards by the Buffalo Music Awards for the past ten years.
PROFESSIONAL BIO
Business & Media Productions Teacher for 32 years.
Three-Time President of the Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce.
On the Advisory Board for numerous local companies.
Sound Engineer for the Quaker Arts Pavilion’s Summer Concert Series.
Professional Sound Installation Designer for churches and companies.
Geff Gismondi - Bass Guitar / Vocals
In 2008, Singer/Bassist Geff Gismondi became the first new member of the Boys of Summer Band in 18 years, and brought with him a high-energy playbook to enhance the band’s audience-driven musical catalog. His unique style is the result of a lifetime of musical influence. In his teens, Geff began gigging locally in bands such as Corduroy Road, a semblance of the Tragically Hip, and alternative rock band Shake the Hazy. Geff later joined pop/rock steamroller Hukster and spent the weekends taming live audiences in Lansing, Michigan during his years in law school. He also gained an appreciation for progressive rock and blues as a member of The Jerry Hale Band, an undersized but ear-crushing Battle Creek, Michigan trio. After returning to Buffalo to pursue his law career, Geff seized the opportunity to step into Western New York’s ubiquitous superband, the Boys of Summer. In 2009, the Boys of Summer again took home Buffalo Music Awards honors in the categories of Best Group Vocals and Top Pop/Rock Band, and Geff Gismondi accepted the 2009 Buffalo Music Award for Top Pop/Rock Bassist. Fresh from a lineup change and with an invigorated sound, the Boys of Summer Band are hitting new peaks in their storied 20-year career and will surely be a musical force in Buffalo for years to come.
