Advisory Board Simon Kirke Advisory Board Member & Special Projects Simon Kirke holds a seat on the Advisory Board and is on the roster of a division of the American Veterans Aid Fund that works with the music industry to raise funds for veterans and their families and create awareness campaigns. Simon Kirke was born in London on July 28, 1950 and spent his early years living in the borderlands of Wales. Leaving school at the age of 17, he returned to London and set about finding a drumming job in the booming blues scene. After a fruitless 18 months he was resigned to returning to the country when he met Paul Kossoff who was playing in a band called the Black Cat Bones. Simon was offered the drumming position in the band for which he played for 6 months. Simon and Paul Kossof left the band and together with Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser formed Free. In the four years Free were together they had an enormous influence on many bands on both sides of the Atlantic. Their biggest hit "Alright Now" has become a rock classic and recently polled over 2 million plays on the radio. After the disbanding of Free in 1973, Simon and Paul Rodgers once again teamed up to form Bad Company. They were joined by guitarist Mick Ralphs (Mott the Hoople) and bassist Boz Burrell (King Crimson). Bad Company became one of the biggest and best live acts which have sold approximately 60 million singles and albums to date. As well as touring with Ringo Starr's All Star Band on three separate occasions, Simon is an accomplished songwriter releasing "Seven Rays of Hope" in 2005. He has also worked on projects with Wilson Pickett, Bo Didley, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Keith Richards, Ronnie Woods, and Eric Clapton. A governor on the board of NARAS (the Grammy Committee) Simon now lives in Manhattan with his wife Lorraine and four children. Caroline Purr Advisory Board Member & Special Projects Caroline Purr is on the roster for a division of the American Veterans Aid Fund that works with the music industry to raise funds for veterans and their families and create awareness campaigns. With her distinct soulful sound and deep love for music, New York born-and-raised fledgling singer/songwriter Caroline Purr proves that she is finally ready to come into her own. Since she was a child, Caroline was always surrounded by music. As a teenager, she always had her guitar in hand, playing songs and harmonizing with friends where ever and whenever possible. At the age of 16, she hit the stage along with her brother in their first cover band and has not left since. Music has always been an obvious driving force in her life, and it is apparent in everything she writes. As an adult, she brings her beliefs and passion to the forefront of each song with distinct charisma, conviction and true beauty. Throughout her career as a singer, usually as a front woman for numerous cover and original bands, Caroline always draws a crowd with her powerful voice, charm, and eccentric talent for knowing how to please an audience. Ranging in vocal styles from Folk, Americana, Pop, Punk, Rock and Roll, and even Hardcore, Caroline's voice has always been her strongest and most finely tuned instrument. As a solo artist, she embeds warmth and a sincere message into every bit of her art. Her songs unfold like stories, and touch on topical, emotional issues with complete, unfaltering grace. Caroline reaches out to her audience with powerful, thought-provoking and positive messages. Her heart, soul, and deep understanding of humanity are laid out on the table in each song, and her hopeful messages make her music turn into truth, and strength for everyone who is lucky enough to hear it. RJ Grady Advisory Board Member & Special Projects RJ Grady is on the roster for a division of the American Veterans Aid Fund that works with the music industry to raise funds for veterans and their families and create awareness campaigns. ….and now for something completely different…….. PIPAPELLI plays Rockin' Blues with a Celtic-Knotted Twist! Many of the tunes are driven by the Great Highland Bagpipes run thru a wah peddle, creating the Original "Western Carolina Wah-Pyps". From Robert Johnson to the Blues Brothers to Led Zeppelin with many eclectic journeys in-between. Other instruments utilized are Native American Love Flutes, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, 5 String Bass and double kick Drums/Percussion. Corinne Trang Advisory Board Member CULINARY ARTS & EVENTS Corinne Trang holds a seat on the Advisory Board and is on the roster of a division of the American Veterans Aid Fund that works with the music industry to raise funds for veterans and their families and create awareness campaigns. Born in France's Loire Valley and raised in Phnom Penh, Paris, and New York; extensive study and travel throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, shaping my culinary and cultural palates. Award-winning author of five culinary titles focused on Asian cuisine and contributor to several more: winner of book awards from Food & Wine and the World Cookbook Fair; garnered critical praise from, among others, Publisher's Weekly and the Washington Post, where I was dubbed the "Julia Child of Asian Cuisine." Published in premier food and lifestyle magazines such as Food & Wine, Health, Eating Well, Cooking Light, and Saveur, where I held the positions of Test Kitchen Director and ProducingEditor. The Most Reverend Richard J. Stoecker D.D. Archbishop of New York National Chief of Chaplains AVAF Capt. Civil Air Patrol –Air Force Auxiliary richard.stoecker@njwg.cap.gov Advisory Board Member & Special Projects Martin on the Radio Zach is currently syndicated throughout America through the Jones Radio Network. Recently, Zach enjoyed ratings success hosting mornings at WNNJ in North New Jersey and weekends at WAXQ in New York. While at Q104.3, Martin had an opportunity to interview musicians including Paul Rogers, David Crosby, Robert Plant, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr Graham Nash, Carlos Santana, Nick Mason and John Bon Jovi. For two years Martin hosted afternoons at WGRX in Baltimore and has been rocked the airwaves of WMMR and WPLY in Philadelphia and WIYY in Baltimore. Martin is a veteran of all various formats including Classic, Active, Mainstream, Alternative and Christian Rock, Oldies and CHR. Zach Martin is available for air shifts and voice tracking. No job or market is too small or large! Zach Martin: Production Wizard While at Q104.3, Zach was executive producer for one of radio’s biggest legends: Scott Muni. Martin has utilized his creative and production talents at Christian Rock WAWZ in New Jersey and now at Sports Radio 66 WFAN in New York. Martin has his own production studio, using multi-track-digital recording and the latest version of Pro-Tools. Think about utilizing Zach’s talents for your imaging and commercial production needs! Zach Martin: Writer and Publish Author In 2005, Martin teamed up with best selling true crime writer Clifford L. Linedecker co-writing “Death Angel,” which was published by Kensington Books. In the paperback which is available for purchase, Martin gets personal and tells the tragic tale of his mother’s death, one of many victims to serial killer Charles Cullen. Martin promoted his story on CNN and Court TV and plans to publish more books in the future. Put Me In Coach! While at WGRX, Zach started to assist, coach and train on-air talent. Martin has no problem sharing his experience and knowledge with anyone who has the desire to live his or her dream of becoming on-air talent. Zach has the networking, production skills and patience to work with potential or misplaced talent. Southern Rock Society/Band Advisory Board Member & Special Projects The Southern Rock Society/Band holds a seat on the Advisory Board and is on the roster of a division of the American Veterans Aid Fund that works with the music industry to raise funds for veterans and their families and create awareness campaigns. The Southern Rock Band genuine Southern Rockers who play Southern Rock music, as well as, promote other bands and Southern Rock events. Currently, a few original songs are in process, and many cover tunes are played with heart and soul. Songs from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, The Outlaws, Marshall Tucker Band, .38 Special, Johnny Van Zant Band, Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels and ZZ Top. We hope that the songs are some of your favorites and that you have fun with us at the shows as we party and promote Southern Rock music. The Southern Rock Society that is. As well as, our strategic alliances that are being cultivated to provide the synergies necessary to ensure that our special and unique genre of music lives on and grows for generations to come. Please check out the "Scene" page for schedule details and links to the venues. With the most sincere appreciation, we look forward to seeing you at a show, and getting to know you while you are there. Remember to talk to us, get to know us too, and ask for your personalized and nicely laminated Southern Rock Society membership card. Legendary Musician Marty Sanders - JAY AND THE AMERICANS Advisory Board Member ® & Special Projects Being born in Brooklyn at a time when only AM radio existed, didn't afford me many choices in the music I listened to, but the radio was always on & Mom played the piano & sang.. Dad, by his own admission was tone deaf.. I can remember harmonizing in my crib. One day while searching the dial on the radio, I was held captive by the plaintive honesty of a guy singing a country song. His name was Hank Williams & I became an instant fan, giving up my piano lessons for a pawn shop guitar (to my mom's consternation). I became somewhat of an anachronism wandering around on my bike, guitar on my back committing attempted sideburns & looking for other like-minded kids or trying to make converts. At about the same time, another form of music was being born out of the Black Race Music & kids my age were singing their versions on street corners, subways and hallways. Some were actually making records with local and sometimes national success. I sang along with these kids & started a duo with my neighbor Dave and some other 4 & 5 piece groups.. Most sang acapella but with my guitar they had an added benefit so I was always welcomed. We were doing local record hops and TV shows when we got word that a Baltimore DJ Fat Daddy had broken She Cried. When he saw us at our first out of town gig at the Rocket Room in DC he said "I thought you guys were black". It was at this time that I was asked to be a full partner in Jay & The Americans by their manager Danny Kessler. I was touched & honored until I discovered that I would be earning less money than as a hired hand! Of course with our continued success this became a non-issue…….. Walter E. Hughes, 504 PIR 82nd ABN Div. WWII Advisory Board Member and Special Projects Walter Hughes can’t remember ever not working. Born in 1925, he grew up during the Depression and lost his father, a coal worker, to black lung disease at a very young age. Walter worked a variety of jobs, from shinning shoes in front of saloons in Brooklyn to delivering telegrams and selling newspapers. At the age of 12, he started working as a deckhand on the Canal Tug Fidelity of the Conners Marine Company before his mother urged him to return to school. In 1939 he returned to working on the boats at the tender age of 14 and remained on the tugs after the war started, working for the War Shipping Administration. He rejected his deferment from the draft due to his status as a merchant seaman and enlisted in the Army in 1943. He volunteered for the Paratroopers, the new elite airborne troops, and after qualifying at Fort Benning, headed overseas as a replacement. He joined the 504th PIR in England and would take part in the Waal River Crossing to take the Nijmegen Bridge. He earned two Purple Heart Medals, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge and also served in Berlin as part of General Eisenhower’s Honor Guard. After being discharged, he returned to the tugboats where he worked on the East Coast and the Great Lakes. He married his wife Mary in 1952 and he left the tugs as a Captain in 1957. He worked in the office in the marine operations until his retirement in 1988. Terence E. Cash Advisory Board Member Terence Cash served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 to 1972 and his service in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 included time spent as Company Commander, Security Rifle Company in Dong Ha. He received a Purple Heart for injuries suffered during a rocket attack at Dong Ha and is currently undergoing treatments for Agent Orange related cancer. A married father of three adult sons, he lives in Atlanta, GA and has over 10 years experience in the financial services industry there. He currently holds memberships in the National Order of the Purple Heart, the Military Officers Association, and the Vietnam Veterans of America, Georgia Chapter. Mr. Cash resides in the Atlanta area, married with three sons. Brendan T. Burke Advisory Board Member Currently Director of Human Resources for Disney ABC-Media Networks and has 35 years experience in Human Resources. 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam from 1969-1970, previously participated as a volunteer with the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program. He is a graduate of Marist College and presently serves on their Board of Trustees. Kirsten J. Kupferschmidt Advisory Board Member Special Events & Projects K2 Global Communications Executive Vice President for Special Events and Projects, Kupferschmidt, is an event professional with over six years of experience. Her professional experience includes specializing in meeting and events production. She has worked for various non-profit organizations and Universities in the metropolitan area. Kirsten also consults on a project basis for select local charities. In addition to event production, she has extensive experience with individual giving, direct mail campaigns, sponsorship cultivation, and Board / Volunteer management. Ms. Kupferschmidt graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College of the City University of New York where she majored in History, with a concentration in American and East Asian histories, and a minor in Business and Liberal Arts (BALA). She is a member of the New York Metro Chapter of the International Special Events Society, where she served on the Board of Directors from 2004-2006 as well as on various committees. She resides in the New York Metro area. John E. Wehrum, Jr. Advisory Board Member John E. Wehrum, Jr. joined PLC Program in 1960 and upon graduation from Villanova University was commissioned and entered active duty in August 1965. He retired as a Captain in 1969 due to exacerbation of leg, arm and back injuries while serving with the Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in Okinawa. After entering Catholic University School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 1969 under the Vocational Rehabilitation Program of the Veterans Administration, he served as Student Bar Association President and Associate Editor of the Law Review. Upon graduating in 1972 with a juris doctor degree, he was appointed Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division for the Eastern District of New York where he was responsible for the investigation and prosecution of several organized crime, skyjacking, high jacking, international drug smuggling and bank robbery cases. In 1975 he was appointed Chief of the Official Corruption Bureau for the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office where he helmed the bureau responsible for the investigation and prosecution of criminal acts committed by public officials, employees and those enterprises which conduct business or provide services to government entities. By 1981 he had been appointed Division Attorney/Litigation Department for the New York Telephone Company. Five years later he began serving as Regional Director of ERISA Enforcement for the United States Department of Labor, a post he held until 2003. Now a practicing attorney, he is married and the father of four sons.