First, can you let me know how you got involved in the music business?
Really, I’ver been doing it for years now. When I started I had no background in music. I just put some stuff on Youtube then later got in contact with some producers.
This was when the Strip District had clubs – I performed in some of those. I was more of an outcast – I was just freestyling then. I just jumped into it and people were asking who this guy was.
Knowing how to network was a big part of things – I got to meet a lot of people. Then I started doing more Pittsburgh-based stuff. I got to meet more Pittsburgh sports people and then started a traditional sports site – Yinzercrazy.com
What inspired you to get into the music and sports worlds?
My dad growing up – he was a professional body builder and I went to a lot of sporting events with him. My uncle was a high school football coach as well. So I got that blue collar influence from them.
We’d go to church every Sunday and rush home before Steelers kickoff. My mom would have food cooking in the crockpot.
You just can’t be from Pittsburgh and not be a Steelers fan. If you’re a true Pittsburgher you have to pay attention to the tradition of the sports teams, food and blue collar people of the city.
How about the website – how did that start?
Me and my good friend Mike Nicastro started Yinzer Crazy . It was crazy – our first interview was with Jason Kendall – I grew up watching him. Now he’s like a friend – we text each other a lot.
Mike – he’s good at everything. I do the humor and grind and he does the rest. We have content and now the Yinzeritas – our female podcast. We’re building a network for all of the Pittsburgh sports teams. It’s been a wild ride. We’ve only been doing it for a year but it’s continuing to grow – it’s becoming a full-time thing.
Any new projects on the horizon?
I haven’t really announced it yet but I’m two songs away from launching a new album. I’ll have a song for each team – all original songs. The Pittsburgh music seems to be working for me – Yinzers love Pittsburgh stuff. The music put me on the map I guess as that “Pittsburgh kid.” I still do the other stuff but the Pittsburgh thing has worked well.
Any good experiences with some of the local players?
Michael McKenry – he and I became good friends. I’ve had some great interviews including one with Devlin Hodges. Everything I’ve done I’ve met people with a genuine presence – it’s a great to experience so many positive people.
I worked for Pitt’s football department when we beat UCF and knocked them of their unbeaten streak. Everywhere I’ve been I built good relationships with.
Mike worked for the Steelers in their marketing department and with AT&T SportsNet. He’s the knowledgeable one and I’m the guy with the hot takes and network.
In terms of music – I got to open up for Afroman – I grew up listening to him. My first how I opened up for Waka Flocka Flame at IUP.
When you look back at it all so far, what memories stand out most?
It’s funny – I was talking to Mike – it’s crazy when I look at my phonebook and have the numbers there for guys like Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden – guys who won Super Bowls. These were guys I grew up watching and now I talk to them almost every week.
One memory I have is going out for dinner with my wife to Hines Ward’s restaurant. There weren’t many people there – so Hines came over and sat down with us. He was one of my favorite guys – to be able to sit and eat with him and just talk about his experiences was amazing.
And talking to AJ Burnett. He was such a cool guy. It was awesome talking to him – he is so down to earth. And he’s a guy who won two World Series.
But the best thing is just being able to give back to charities like the United Way and Salvation Army. Helping people who are less fortunate. I’ve had amazing opportunities to give back to those that are less fortunate. That’s the most rewarding thing for me.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
