www.lennyk.com
I have been playing for 35 of 40 years of my life. At 13 years old, I saved an entire year to purchase my very own amp - a 1x12 Mesa Boogie Mark II. I have been playing and touring live ever since with audiences varying from 10 to 60,000.
While attending Penn State University to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree in Management, I performed in the most popular band in Central Pa. up to 6x/wk. A near fatal car accident inspired a renewed life purpose to play music as I started practicing up to 8 hours daily.
I went through a decade of trying to find just the perfect tone through ADA’s, Kettners, Line 6, and Marshall, but was never satisfied. I came back to my original love, Mesa Boogie, while taking on John Petrucci’s practice schedule in a humble attempt to emulate him. Recently, I purchased the equivalent of his former Boogie rack set up with the triaxis and his stereo slant rectifier wedges.
Happily married since 2006 to a very supportive wife, Bobbie (pictured), who is also my business partner and lead singer in several of my projects. Currently, in my life, I am a Senior Vice President of Primerica along with my wife. Our seven offices allow us to have a business that runs without us and free to pursue two passions at once- both leadership and music.
Current projects I’m honored to be a part of:
· Co-Writing, performing , and recording inspirational rock songs with One Night Stand. Our debut performance was at MGM Grand in Las Vegas in the year 2000, with band members from both east and west coasts. The proceeds of our CDs go to Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, AZ, an advanced natural treatment center. The band’s name is now synonymous with all the fundraising we do as taking a “one night stand” against life threatening diseases.
· Performing rock-infused Christmas music with a Trans-Siberian Orchestra Recreation project of Twelve Twenty Four. Touring since 2001, the band plays in sold out high school auditoriums and theater venues to raise money for charities such as school band trips, firefighter community outreaches, and children's organizations. We are also blessed to play at the request of several management companies in the Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem, Landmark theater in Syracuse and the BB King Club on Times Square in New York. We perform the songs within the context of a narrated story, complete with an on stage angel, four piece string section, choreographed dancing, and full-scale concert lighting and sound. For more info please visit: www.twelvetwentyfour.net
· Music director/worship leader of my local church for the past 20 years, including writing and recording contemporary Christian songs in the band Canaan.
My current amp setup is a Mesa Triaxis, 2/90 power amp, and a slant 2x12 Rectifier cab. This year, I will be playing with a full stack of Boogie cabs at the Georgia Dome, with rectifier wedges in stereo for the other concerts. And, of course, my coveted Triaxis rack at every show. Please feel free to contact me.
Lenny Kucinski
1338 Valley of Lakes
Hazleton Pa. 18202
570-401-7416 Cell
570-384-2550 Home
Daily Collegian
Friday, Feb. 16, 1990
Split Decision gives dancers dose of rock
By GREGORY ROTH
Collegian Arts Writer
When "new wave" flourished in America, people began to claim that guitar rock was a dying breed. It was nowhere on the charts and supposedly the technology of synthesizers would rule the rock world.
This theory fell flat on its face with a resurgence of the guitar-driven rock. Hard rock lashed back fiercely. Bands such as Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi seized control of the charts and have refused to relinquish their domination.
Their styles have proved to be successful and have obviously earned a place on the radio.
At this year's Dance Marathon, Split Decision will be providing the dancers with a dose of these heavy sounds. The band features music lifted from such artists as Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica along with other hard hitters.
Split Decision's singer / guitarist Jason Ebsworth said that there is plenty of competition in State College, but he said his band is playing a different selection.
"We're definitely the hardest band that plays the bars regularly," Ebsworth said.
Although Split Decision rocks hard, Ebsworth doesn't classify the band as a heavy metal group.
"We're basically hard rock with a bite on the cutting edge. We try to do songs that aren't often played. We play old songs that are fresh for State College," Ebsworth said.
The band tries to "jar the audience's memory" and memories have probably been jarred simply by the changes in the membership of Split Decision. The band's name dates back two years, but its members have been changing ever since. Split Decision's current lineup of Ebsworth, guitarist Lenny Kucinski, drummer Mike Montgomery and bassist Rob Thear have been together since September.
The band is a staple at the Rathskeller where they play Tuesday nights. Skeller manager Pam Young said Split Decision has been play the weekly slot for more than a year and does a good job of bring in a crowd, especially for Tuesday nights.
"They play a lot of fun stuff and have a lot of audience participation," Young said.
Twelve Twenty-Four
http://www.twelvetwentyfour.netnetMUSIC ON THE MENU: Twelve Twenty Four’s ‘Miracle’
Lenny Kucinski
Hazleton, PA
Plays: Guitar
Co-Founder since 2002
Lenny has been playing guitar for over 35 years. He has performed with many local bands- starting out in small barsall the way to 50,000 and 60,000 people crowds in the Georgia Dome the past several years. He also plays with One Night Stand- a band that does fundraising for Envita Medical Center; and Primerica functions throughout North America. Lenny leads the worship band every Sunday at Full Gospel Fellowship Church the past 20 years.
He received a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State Univerity in 1990, and is currently a Senior Vice President of Primerica along with his wife Bobbie.
Lenny is heavilyinfluencedby Dream Theater, LTE,andJohn Petruccii, but has a growing love for jazz and blues. He plays John's signature 6 and 7 string MusicManguitars, and also holds a Mesa Boogie AmpEndorsement.
Lenny Attributes his often asked about positive attitude to:
1. His personal relationship with Jesus Christ
2. His self improvement program through Primerica
3.The gratitude of being on stage withthis grouphe greatly respects and admires.
Music On the Menu
Alan K. Stout
Music Columnist
11/23/2010
For nearly a decade, the devoted musicians of the local Twelve Twenty Four project have spent the holiday season performing their inspired tribute to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Members say they find the music invigorating and inspiring and that performing it live is something they look forward to each year.
This particular Christmastime, however, is even more special to Twelve Twenty Four, as it brings with it the release of the group’s first CD, the TSO-inspired “Miracle On Rock Street.”
“This is our ninth season playing, and over the last five years, when it seems we’ve really been getting people’s attention, people have been asking us for a CD,” says drummer and co-founder Rich Kossuth. “And we’d always say, ‘Buy TSO music. That’s what we’re doing.’ But when we sat down and decided to come out with our own CD, we wanted it to be our own. We didn’t want to just redo their music. Some of the songs are originals, and some of the songs are just redone covers but are ones that TSO has never done, or maybe they never did a full version of it. They were the inspiration, but we really tried to stay away from everything from TSO.”
The Twelve Twenty Four project consists of founders Kossuth, Jason Santos and Lenny Kucinski, along with a large and important supporting ensemble that can include up to 15 additional musicians. Kossuth says the first time he saw the Trans-Siberian Orchestra was about 10 years ago when it played the F.M. Kirby Center for the first time. He instantly loved what he saw and heard, and when a friend, George Houseknecht, decided to put together a tribute, he was immediately interested in getting involved. And, to this day, he says the entire unit still enjoys spreading the holiday cheer.
“When you have a show like this, you really try hard to please people,” he says. “Especially doing Christmas music around Christmas — everything is festive. Everybody is just really into the music and into the show. When you see their faces, they have energy. It’s like they’re mesmerized by this band playing this music. After the show, you’ll meet people, and they’ll be like, ‘Oh my God, you guys made our Christmas!’ It’s just really a great feeling.”
The Twelve Twenty Four project rehearses year-round but only performs for about two months each year, starting around Thanksgivings and ending shortly after the New Year. The new album was recorded at Rock Street Music in Pittston, which Kossuth co-owns with his family, and at Studio Independence in Hazleton. It was mixed and mastered at Barbershop Studios in New Jersey. Tracks include “God Rock Ye Merry Gentleman,” “What Child Is This,” “Funky Little Christmas,” “Cold December Night” and “Angel Lullaby.”
Kossuth credits the entire Twelve Twenty Four ensemble for making the project a reality. He says it takes a lot of time, work and creativity to pull it all together, and he credits Santos with crafting most of the arrangements. He adds there was plenty of collaboration between Santos, Kucinski and himself on the songs, and that all of the musicians and singers on the project made important contributions. One track, “Carol The Drum,” features a vocal performance from every member.
The CD is available at Rock Street Music and at www.twelvetwentyfour.net, where it can be purchased in either CD form or as a digital download. A portion of all sales will go to the Earthly Angles Autism Fund of the Luzerne Foundation.
After nearly 10 years of offering its TSO-inspired show to fans across NEPA, Kossuth says it feels wonderful to now also have a TSO-inspired album of its own, especially since the group was able to do it while also presenting something original.
“I just hope it makes them happy and makes them smile, and that they go, ‘Wow, these are the guys we’ve been going to see for all of these years, and they have they’re own music,’ ” he says. “I am, personally, so proud of it, and I know the whole band is proud of it.”
December 31, 2010
Light in the darkness
Autism support group offers family night out
EILEEN GODIN Times Leader Correspondent
KINGSTON – Reaching out to families and individuals coping with autism, Earthly Angels Autism Fund offered a night of seasonal music Thursday at Wyoming Valley West Middle School.
About 90 families and individuals affected by autism enjoyed the free entertainment provided by Twelve Twenty Four, a rock music orchestra.
Earthly Angels Autism Fund, a nonprofit group of the Luzerne Foundation, offered complimentary tickets.
Ron D’Eliseo of Duryea, organization co-founder, said families with autistic children often do not have an opportunity for family social outings.
Autism is a developmental disorder affecting the neurological processes of communication and social behavior.
D’Eliseo said the disorder is a condition that affects more children than cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.
He said the idea to provide complimentary tickets to the concert came after watching his 14-year-old son’s positive reaction to a recent show. Robert, who is living with autism, has become the inspiration for D’Eliseo and his wife, Brenda, to reach out to help others with the disorder.
“Those with autism are known to react positively to music,” D’Eliseo said.
When he found out a concert was scheduled at the middle school, he thought it could be a great opportunity to offer this gift to other families affected by autism. Working with Twelve Twenty Four and local agencies, Earthly Angels got the word out about the free concert. As people began to pre-register, D’Eliseo began purchasing $15 tickets.
“The tickets were available for pickup at the will-call window,” he said.
He said Twelve Twenty Four members are known for their charitable donations. The musical group performs some Trans-Siberian Orchestra pieces as well as its own compositions. The group had agreed to donate a portion of all sales of its album “Miracle on Rock Street” to the Earthly Angels Fund.
D’Eliseo said Earthly Angels formed in 2000, when his son was diagnosed. D’Eliseo said he and Brenda wanted to do something to help others affected by autism.
“We got involved with the Luzerne Foundation,” he said.
Using this as a starting point, the couple soon began developing the concept of the Earthly Angels Fund. D’Eliseo said the goal of the organization is to raise money to help other agencies to offer services.
Since the start of Earthly Angels, D’Eliseo said, the fund has donated in excess of $135,000 to local nonprofit organizations benefiting individuals with autism.
“We are very thankful for the support and funding local businesses and individuals provided to aid various agencies to provide services to these children who would otherwise have no opportunities,” he said.
Allentown Morning Call
Twelve Twenty Four
Eighteen-piece rock orchestra
December 10, 2010
•Members: Richie Kossuth, Lenny Kucinski, Jay Santos, Bobbie Kucinski, Kyle Segarra, Cornelius Goodwin, Kevin Reilly, Dirk Yahraes, Frank Gruden, Hannah Levine, Tanisha Redding, Mallory Shaw, Jill Trapane, Michaelina Trapane, Larissa Lycholaj, Andrew Collinsworth, Christine Barnes, Kelsey Barnes.