WESTFIELD-Since the Summer of Love – 1967 – Cory DeGray and the Knightsmen Band have been making music – and relishing every moment.
Cory DeGray, founder of the Knightsmen Band, marks 50 years this summer in the music business.
That love for performing was center stage on Friday night at the Westfield Senior Center as a packed cafeteria cheered on the legendary band during a 90-minute rock ‘n roll concert that celebrated fathers, grandfathers, godfathers and father figures in our lives.
During last-minute sound checks before the concert started at 6 p.m., DeGray and his fellow musicians shared their thoughts on what makes this band so special.
“When the band started we played country music,” said DeGray, noting that during performances he would also receive requests for songs from the 50’s and 60’s and knew they needed to add them to their song list.
“If we didn’t know the song, we spent time learning it,” said DeGray, who is also known around the city as the owner of DeGray’s Service Inc., an auto and repair shop on Meadow Street – now in its 42nd year of business. DeGray and his wife Terri have been married since September 1967.
Bob Burke is the lead guitarist with the Knightsmen Band.
In the early years the band played the local hangouts – from the Westgate Lounge in the city to The Glen in Russell. Over the years the band has performed at venues along the East Coast and in the midwest, and have opened shows for top musical groups including The Drifters, Billy Joe Royal, The Tokens, Firefall, and Joey Dee and the Starlighters.
One of the most memorable gigs for DeGray was opening for Jefferson Airplane.
Korey Bruno has been a member of the Knightsmen Band since she was 14. In addition to vocals, she is the keyboardist.
“The greatest high was performing for three nights in Virginia with Jefferson Airplane,” said DeGray. “We remember those three nights but I’m not sure if the members of Jefferson Airplane do.”
DeGray is known as “The Boss” since he ultimately leads the group, however, he credits all of the musicians with working together as a team.
“We agree to disagree,” he said, and notes that as new members have joined the band over the years – they have brought with them their own “tool box” of songs to share including Bob Burke on lead guitar who is an Eagles fan.
Burke, who was the founder of the band, The Corporation, has been with the Knightsmen for 12 years.
Vocalist Tony Bruno is also the bass guitarist for the Knightsmen Band.
“I’ve known Cory since our days at Abner Gibbs School,” said Burke. “I enjoy playing with the band because we are all good friends and it’s our era of music.”
Drummer Dave Ziemnicki, who joined the band 10 years ago, echoed those sentiments.
“I had filled in for a couple of shows and knew I was born to play in this band,” said Ziemnicki, noting the material and band members were deciding factors when he accepted the job.
“I have always felt comfortable with everyone.”
Dave Ziemnicki has been the Knightsmen Band drummer for 10 years.
For DeGray’s daughter, Korey Bruno, she knew at an early age she wanted to be a part of the band.
“Since I was 4 I knew this is all I wanted to do – to sing in this band,” she said, adding her chance came when she was 14. “Mom was upset and I was nervous but Dad practiced with me two weeks straight to learn all of the songs.”
Bruno is also the group’s keyboardist.
“We have a great time performing together,” said Bruno.
When the band needed a bass guitarist 20 years ago, Korey Bruno said she suggested her husband – Tony – to her dad.
“I didn’t know Tony was a bass player,” said DeGray, adding, “He is the best bass player I’ve ever had in the band.”
Longtime friends Betty Sikes and Christine Michonski were constantly up on the dance floor as the Knightsmen Band played classics at the Westfield Senior Center Friday night.
Tony Bruno said the family atmosphere among all of the members makes performing effortless.
“It’s an honor to play with my father-in-law,” said Tony Bruno. “He is a fantastic showman. I also love being a part of the band because of the caliber of the musicians.”
After all of the last-minute checks, the room was packed with eager listeners – and some were also ready to dance.
Gail and Tom Smith of Westfield have been longtime friends – and supporters – of Cory DeGray and the Knightsmen Band.
Throughout the two sets, the crowd heard classic songs of Elvis, Del Shannon, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Bill Haley and the Comets, Jerry Lee Lewis and more.
DeGray also interspersed jokes and family banter throughout the evening, and recognized Jackson McCutchen of Westfield who he commissioned to design and create his new guitar – which he played all evening – in celebration of 50 years in the business.
“Jackson followed all of my specifications and did a wonderful job,” said DeGray. “I love it.”
The Knightsmen Band rocked the Westfield Senior Center on Friday night during a special Father’s Day themed event. Cory DeGray, founder of the Knightsmen Band, is seen here with his daughter, Korey Bruno, on keyboards.
Gail and Tom Smith of Westfield, who have been married for 51 years, were among the many couples who enjoyed slow dancing to several of the romantic tunes.
“I’ve known Cory for 60 years since we grew up in the same neighborhood,” said Tom Smith. “We have attended his concerts throughout the years to support him and now each morning I visit him at the shop for a cup of coffee.”
Betty Sikes, retired from the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, was also enjoying the music and taking to the dance floor with good friend Christine Michonski.
“The reason we all love the band so much is because of the music,” said Sikes. “They are excellent.”
The evening closed out with “The Twist” by Chubby Checker with more than 20 men and women on the dance floor who still seemed ready to twist the night away.
Cory DeGray, fourth from left, founder of the Knightsmen Band, is joined by Tony Bruno, Bob Burke, Dave Kiemnicki and Korey Bruno Friday night at the Westfield Senior Center.
After a 50/50 raffle drawing and door prize giveaways, everyone left with an extra special gift – a hot fudge sundae to enjoy outside as the sun was setting. As people were enjoying their ice cream treat – everyone agreed that the band once again provided an amazing show.
For the band – any opportunity to share their love of music with others is a gift. For a complete listing of performances, visit www.knightsmenband.com. Upcoming appearances scheduled in the city include the Westfield Food Fest on Aug. 26 from 8 to 10 p.m., and at Amelia Park on Aug. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“It’s been a great run so far and we have no signs of stopping,” said DeGray.
