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Randy Ward began his musical
career as a classically-trained French Horn player, studying
with brass faculty at Mason Gross School of the Arts while still
in high school. During this time, he picked up the guitar and
electric bass, developing a strong taste for heavy metal, progressive
rock and jazz fusion. Randy was heavily influenced by artists
such as Rush, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Steve Morse Band, Weather
Report and all the bass greats such as Geddy Lee, Steve Harris,
Billy Sheehan, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Jeff Berlin &
Jaco Pastorius.
Randy studied for 2 years with bass virtuoso Dave LaRue (Steve
Morse Band, Dixie Dregs, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, G3),
continuing his musical education by attending the prestigious
Berklee College of Music in Boston. He graduated in 1990 with
a degree in Music Production and Engineering, with a minor
in electric bass performance.
While attending Berklee, Randy worked as a freelance audio
engineer, and after graduating, landed a position as audio
editor and mixer at Sync Sound, Inc., a world-class NYC post-production
sound studio. During this stretch of well over a decade, his
musical performance was placed on the back-burner so that
he could concentrate on his professional audio career while
raising a family that included triplet sons. While at Sync
Sound, Randy amassed an impressive list of audio editing and
mixing credits for TV, Film & DVD projects from clients
such as MTV, HBO, NBC, CBS, ESPN, Atlantic Records, and Sony
Music & Elektra Records.
After a long hiatus from bass playing, Randy dusted off his
basses and began studying and playing again with renewed enthusiasm.
He began gigging in 2007 with several local NJ bands, including
hard rock bands Clutching Freedom & Wildcard.
In early 2008, Randy hooked up with Dan Mecca, having known
him for several years at his workplace, and found out about
the Gashouse Gang’s need for a bassist
and background singer. This immediately appealed to Randy,
as the Gashouse Gang has long been committed
to developing a unique sound and style all their own, and
their repertoire spanned the best music from over 5 decades
of hits. This was a perfect fit for Randy’s active funk-style
bass playing and desire to contribute harmony vocals. One
more piece of the puzzle was in place for The World Famous
Gashouse Gang.
On May 1, 2009, Randy married his
soul mate and best friend, Evelyn Vournakis Horvath. Between
the two, they have 5 teenage boys who keep them very busy. Evelyn
has become Randy's greatest fan and groupie, sharing the same
musical tastes, and providing unending support and encouragement
towards his musical aspirations.
Over the last 4 years, Randy has added fretless and 6-string
basses to his arsenal, and continues to receive musical inspiration
from all those he plays and performs with. Randy is truly
at home with a bass in his hands.
Randy plays Fender Jazz fretless and Spector 6-string basses
through Ampeg amplifiers.
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