Jerry's Bio ...
Jerry Slumski
When I was about 4 years old, I learned how to use the record player and soon my dad’s Beatle record collection became my own (in my mind). This was probably a big part of
my musical influence. Now, my 4 year old is currently infatuated with Bad Co. and who else? The Beatles.
I started playing guitar when I was about 9 or 10 years old. My grandpa played and always entertained at the family gatherings. My dad had a couple guitars at the house, so I grabbed one and started learning little things from both my dad and grandpa. I started taking
some lessons, and when I was 10, I played my first solo performance on stage, a recital for the music students from the local music store. I played and sang 'Green,
Green Grass of Home' (sounds like a song about some homegrown pot - just kidding).
I’m sure it was funny, though. I started acquiring a taste for Rush, Boston, Journey, and
Aerosmith a few years later. When I was about 14, I bought my first electric guitar and amp and began to get serious. Zeppelin, Sabbath, Priest, Rush, and Dio dominated my focus. I had a garage band with Rob Garza on bass and Carl Cichowlas on drums.
These guys were Wyandotte, Michigan ’s finest. We gave up the garage and moved on to basements and hall parties. Rob and I started playing with a drummer named Chris Ruelle from Wyandotte for a while and again, it was basements, hall parties - and finally bars. I
think I was barely 21 when I started playing bars. A few years later I joined the band "Double Down". Too many members to mention, though each one of them ROCKED !!
We played the downriver area for about seven years or more nonstop.
We played at almost every bar around at one time or another. Made a lot of great friends.
We did the Wyandotte Street Fair a few times, the Downriver Cruise a couple times,
and the Wyandotte Waterfest and Autumnfest.
Besides guitar, I usually took on most of the lead vocals in each band I was in. Did some classical, jazz guitar, piano, and music theory at Henry Ford Community College in my mid 20s.
Forgot to mention the Scorpions, Deep Purple and Iron Maiden as influences. Phew ! Now I’m gonna catch my breath. Looking forward to ROCKIN’ YOU !!!