Chris Anderson

New Jersey’s MAGs started as a “midlife crisis” of the band members—the acronym stands for Middle Aged Guys. They cover a diverse range of material in the classic rock, soul, and Motown vein: Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, the Beatles, Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin, and Sam & Dave.

DAY GIGS

Steve Sutkin

Steve: Director of a state agency that deals with public bidding.
Chris: Sales manager for a large mortgage company.

HOW WE GOT STARTED
Steve: My then four-year-old daughter began piano lessons 15 years ago. I fell in love with the piano and decided to play myself.
Chris: I took piano lessons in high school and hated them. I managed to learn a handful of Billy Joel songs, despite a 20-year hiatus from keys.

INFLUENCES
Steve: Chuck Leavell and Thelonious Monk.
Chris: Billy Joel, John Jarvis, Johnnie Johnson, Elton John, and Roy Bittan. I love the way Elton and Roy fill the space between verses.

GEAR
Steve: Yamaha S80 through a Roland KC-500 amp.
Chris: Yamaha YPG-225 through a Peavey KB-100 amp. After reading Keyboard’s review of the Casio PX-330, that may be next.

WHY WE PLAY
Steve: It makes me feel good.
Chris: Out of all the things I’ve done, nothing is better than having fans rock out to my band!

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