Paco

Set list

Influences and inspiration

When asked who most influenced their music careers, most singers would likely respond by naming their own favorite singing artists and genres of songs they like to sing the best. Oh sure, I absolutely have a handful of great entertainers from Neil Sedaka, Bobby Darin, Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Michael Crawford, Andrea Bocelli and Michael Buble’ to point toward in that regard. Everyone who knows “Paco” well would also likely say that they love it when I sing with unbridled passion my very own renditions of 50’s, 60’s & 70’s Oldies, of Christmas Holiday standards, of faith-based classics and of “love songs”, both originals and covers. That is my musical family, and those types of songs give me the greatest inner fulfillment to perform. However, is that what has influenced me the most as an entertainer, singer and actor…no, not really. My real “influences” may surprise you somewhat.

For me “entertaining” (what floats my boat) is not at all about reaching eventual recognition, fame and fortune. In my opinion those goals are greatly overrated in the scheme of things. I could care less. What I do care about, and that which provides me with the greatest inner satisfaction, stability and gratification is being able to share all of life’s positive attributes and blessings with others. To be able to reach out to those around me and through music and acting, to reinforce that each of us has been given a fantastic, tremendous gift; and that gift is the power to love and to be loved, in all of its many iterations. Yes, we all have our daily challenges and struggles as the years pass us by. Life may not be easy, but the key to total happiness is to approach every single day with a true spirit of thanks, for the opportunity of just being alive and the ability to “love”, without limits.

Therefore, my musical influences have been my positive life influences. Those persons, life events, experiences and dynamics that have touched me the deepest and shaped my very character and soul have also shaped my music as well. I was blessed with simply wonderful grandparents, parents, a faith-based upbringing, great childhood buddies and devoted friends. From our big church on the hill where my mother was organist and choir director; to a boy’s camp deep in the Maine woods; to our old oceanfront summer home in Gloucester; to 7 years of college, 5 years in the Navy (2 in Spain), and 37 years as a real estate CEO, my life has been extremely rich and full…with guiders and mentors all along the way to make me who I am today…Paco.
My greatest “life” gifts are my early extended family, my wife (and best friend) of 48 years, our three fantastic children and their respective spouses and of course one of life’s truly greatest of gifts - five incredibly loving grandchildren. That is why I sing and what I sing about. If you can’t hear and feel the love and thanks flowing out of me you simply aren’t listening closely enough. Let go of the world’s current disappointments and distractions and focus on what is good, what we have each been given (if we choose to use it), and celebrate with me, with Paco, through my acting and my songs that incredible force we call “Love”.