Reflections

George was born and raised in Washington, DC, where he originally studied classical guitar at the request of his father. At the age of 14, he switched to rock and roll and started his first band. It was with this band that he played along side luminaries such as Link Wray (Rumble), Bryan Hyland (Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini), and Marv Johnson (You’ve Got What It Takes).

The late 60s marked George's change to psychedelic music with a band called The Urge. In addition to teen-oriented dances, the Urge started playing the club scene in the DC area.

The 70s again brought a change in music style.  The Fabulous Continentals, a ten-piece soul group, formed and brought soul music to the Washington, DC scene.

In the 80s and up until recently, the music of choice was a mixture of classic rock and roll and country music. Some of George's more notable musical endeavors during this period were playing backup for country music star Narvel Felts (Lonely Teardrops) and Sun Records recording artist, Vernon Taylor. An occasional guest performer with George's Night Shift band was Del Puschert (Elvis Presley's and Chuck Berry's sax man).

Now with Reflections, George is enjoying the company of some of North Carolina’s best musicians who offer the best of rock & roll, country rock, beach music and more.

1965: Paul is feverishly scribbling the lyrics to “She Loves You” for a classmate. Sister snatches the notepad away before it’s completed. The nun barely reads “It’s you she’s thinking of” before bellowing “What’s this?! I’ll see your parents on Sunday after Mass! You will learn to appreciate REAL music instead of this dreck!” Sister is perplexed because Paul is unfazed by her threat. She wasn’t prepared for his parents' reaction: “Yes, Sister, what’s wrong with The Beatles? We love them too.”

Even though he was only six years old, he vividly remembers the evening of February 9, 1964 watching The Beatles’ debut on Ed Sullivan. But with his father, older brother, and other close relatives being musicians, he was surrounded by and appreciated all types of music, well before that ground-breaking evening.

Above describes Paul’s musical foundation, and nothing has changed since. His favorites are British Invasion and other 60s rock and pop, but he’s also into big band and jazz, classic country and western, progressive rock, certain metal bands, even some “guilty pleasure” pop. Paul is thrilled to be a member of Reflections, playing some of his favorite songs with guys who love the music as much as he does.

Paul lives right outside of Southport with his wife Pat and their cat Hazel Nut. He’s also a car enthusiast, and enjoys arguing in his spare time.  

Roy was born and raised in and around Boston until age 11, when his family moved to New Hampshire. He moved to the Southport area around 2014. He’s been playing the bass guitar since he was a teenager in the 1960s. He is a born musician – his parents were both musicians that also taught music. “Both of my parents were graduates of the New England Conservatory of Music. My dad was a jazz musician and a church organist; my mother had a Master’s degree in music and played the pianoforte. Mom started teaching me piano when I was six or seven, but the day I picked up a bass guitar, at the age of 16, that was it. There’s just something about that bottom end and holding the whole band together. Working closely with the drummer, the bassist is the foundation and driving force of a good rock band, it provides the rhythmic energy.”

Besides his parents, Roy’s other influences include powerhouse bassists like Geddy Lee from Rush, and jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius; also, keyboardist Keith Emerson.

Roy’s musical career has run the gamut. He’s played in all different kinds of rock bands, and has also done studio work for hire. Before joining Reflections, he was already a well-known bassist in the Southport area, by musicians and audiences alike.

Roy says the key elements of a good band are always the same. “It’s all about the show and about getting along. Above all else, the most important thing is camaraderie – if bandmembers can’t get along, it’s never going to work. Second is musicianship, and thirdly, professionalism. I was in a great band in Maine for 23 years, and it worked because everyone got along. I got that same vibe the very first time I played with the other three guys in Reflections.”

(Note: Roy’s bio is adapted from an article by Carla Edstrom that appeared in the June, 2019 issue of “Southport Magazine.”)