Greg DiDonato

        Greg DiDonato was born into a musical family. His grandfather was a percussionist in The Philadelphia Amalgamated Orchestra in the 1920's and eventually took over as conductor of the orchestra in the 1930's. His father was a pianist and bassist in many jazz and pop bands from the 1950's through the 1970's. Greg's mother performed in many of these bands as a jazz singer and was one of the first female bass players. Greg was conceived on the road somewhere between Baltimore Maryland and Miami Florida. <His parents wouldn't tell him more than that.>
        His parents did tell him that as a baby he crawled in front of the bass drum during a rehearsal and fell asleep while the drummer was playing.  Anytime they attempted to put him in his crib he would cry. They eventually gave in and let him sleep in front of the bass drum. By the time he was two he knew how to hold the sticks and could play in time to the music. It was then that his parents knew he would be a drummer.
        By the time he was eight his father was taking him to gigs to set up the equipment and sound system as well as teaching him how to repair the equipment when it needed repairing. Greg joined the Musician's Union when he was ten and performed his first professional gig with his father that same year.
        In high school Greg was performing full time with his father while also playing in the school stage band winning many state and national awards. He also played in a rock cover band as well as his first original band. Greg was one of the first drummers to use synthesized percussion and moogs on his drum kit.
        After graduating high school Greg met Bill at a music store in Cherry Hill and was invited to hear Bill's original band called Earthrise. To say the least Greg was blown away to hear musicians playing originals and cover tunes of ELP and Kansas. Greg invited Bill to come hear him play with his father's band and the next night Bill asked Greg to join Earthrise as the new drummer.Their current drummer, Kenn Pierog, moved over to bass Guitar. This was the line up of the band that recorded the original album.
        When Earthrise disbanded in early 1979 Greg played in many different touring bands and recording projects. It was at this time that Greg purchased his first 4 track recording studio. In 1983 Greg upgraded to an 8 track studio and was making a name for himself as an engineer.
        In 1983 Greg also started composing songs and started to play keyboards. Greg's first band as a keyboard player was "Boots" featuring Rene Racine. Greg also played keys for Tangier on a few studio projects before joining Epic recording artists "Smash Palace" in 1986 . Greg still performs and records with Smash Palace and will be releasing a CD next year. Greg also played keys for Mary Lee Kortes of Mary Lee's Corvette.
        After working in many area studios Greg upgraded his own studio in 1995 to 16 tracks doing pre-production work for RCA, and Sony records as well as BMG, and SBK publishing. In 1997 Greg opened a second studio called APPLEWORKS featuring 24 track digital recording.
        In 1997, along with Smash Palace guitarists Steve Butler and Don Merlino, Greg backed up Hooters' bassist Fran Smith Jr. for his solo CD tour. Greg and Steve still do an occasional gig with Fran  at the TLA or North Star bar.
        All through the years since 1979 Greg has had the dream of reforming Earthrise and re- recording the album as well as working on new songs to record. With the availability of two studios Greg showed up on Bill's doorstep one day and asked him if he was interested in reforming the band. After about 3 seconds thought he said "OK, let's go in and call Kenn." One week later Bill, Kenn, and Greg got together for the first time in twenty years to start work on the new EARTHRISE project.
Favorite Drummers... Carl Palmer, Buddy Rich, Bill Bruford, and Phil Collins
Favorite Keyboardists... Keith Emerson, Bill Drobile, and Tony Banks
Favorite Bassists... Chris Squire, Greg Lake, Kenn Pierog, Mike Rutherford and Mike Voggleman
Favorite Guitarist... Steve Butler