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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 23, 2005 Weatherman and musician Jon Galfano releases new album By Cindy Blankenship For the Tidings Jon Galfano has been playing the piano since he was 7. Submitted photo Jon Galfano, has been on two rather interesting top ten lists. In 1982, soon after his first album, "Appearance," was released, Galfano collaborated on a bluegrass tribute to the World Series-bound Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals (4 – 3), but "Brew Crew" stayed in the top ten on the Wisconsin charts for several weeks. In 2001, appeared on the David Letterman Show as one of his "To 10" weathercasters. While completing his master's in journalism at the University of Oklahoma, Galfano worked as a tornado chaser from 1990 to 1993 and was the number one severe storm chaser in 1992 for KFOR TV in Oklahoma City. His music, like the weather, can be relaxing or stormy. While his piano solos tend to be relaxing, with the New Age “Gem Mystique” used for healing, Galfano has kicked up more than a little dust in his day, playing with famous rock bands in the 70s and early 80s. "My great passions in this world are my love of music and my love of weather," says the former weathercaster for Medford's CBS affiliate. I hope in the future to still have this wonderful blend." Earlier this year Galfano recorded his sixth album, "Going Home." "The piano composition seem to flow from right inside me … Many have said this is my best work to date," Galfano says. "I was fortunate enough to record this on a wonderful Kawai RX-7 concert grand piano courtesy of Tom Lowell at Piano studios and Showcase in Medford. He has been nothing short of fantastic in assisting with this recording. "The title was given to me by my partner Sharon Williams. After listening to the music, she wanted a title that would be sensitive and sentimental in a great way … and we all have a yearning to return to our roots." The CD cover depicts a Wisconsin farmhouse — Galfano was raised on a farm just south of Madison — the album ranges from the up tempo "Nimble Gypsy," composed in memory of Jack Russell terrier, to "Reflections on New Orleans," inspired by the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Other influences include sailing on the straits of Juan De Fuca between Washington and Victoria, British Columbia, and the soft and reflective "Autumn Moon." All six of his solo piano recordings are original, and his style is often described as soothing, melodic and lush. Galfano began playing piano at age 7, at his mother's prompting. ARTIST SKETCH Name: Jon Galfano Hails From: Beloit, Wis.; Ashland since 1993. Age: "Early 50s." Training: Primarily self-taught; 2 months of piano lessons. Niche: Pianist, guitarist, composer and vocalist. Claim to Fame: Had a top ten hit in Wisconsin and was on David Letterman in 2001, one of ten weathercasters in Letterman's "Top Ten." Inspiration: The Beatles. "I must confess I was torn between piano and my baseball glove. This all changed in February, 1964 when we saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show," Galfano recalls. "The next day, my friends Jim Brill and Ted Stevenson called me, and we were waiting taking guitar lessons within three days…" Within a year, he and his friends were playing at high school assemblies. Shortly after high school, he began playing professionally and went on to play backup with well-known bands like Foghat, Styx and The Grassroots, playing all versions of electric guitar, from standard and open tunings to slide work. Nowadays, a typical week for Galfano goes something like this: a solo guitar gig with vocals on Thursday (mostly up tempo tunes from the Beatles, Eric Clapton and some of his other favorites), classic rock (Clapton, The Who, Beatles, Eagles) with his band, The Storm Chasers on Saturday, and solo piano on Sunday. Galfano performs vocals and on guitar and piano in his free concert from 11 to 12:30 p.m., November 26 at the old armory on B Street. A CD release event for "Going Home" is planned for 1 to 3 p.m. December 3 at Piano Studios and Showcase, 2580 Crater Lake Highway, Medford. His CDs can be purchased in downtown Ashland at The Best of Oregon and sampled on his online at www.jongalfano.com. 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