About Corky

Born in Seattle, I started studying the accordion in 1953 when I was 11 years old.  I studied all through my teen years.  It seems I took to music

very quickly and was teaching by age 14.  I fronted a Country band called the Buckaroos, about the same time, and we went on to win many amateur contests!

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After high school, I taught 50 students per week in Fairbanks, Alaska.  Accordion was extremely popular back then as Dick Contino was a superstar accordionist with millions of fans. 

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I stayed in Fairbanks for a year and then began a life of a touring musician.  I became the comedic half of a musical/comedy team called "Raymond & Bennett" and played all over the country. 

In 1981, while performing in Las Vegas, I actually met Dick Contino and started working with him as his conductor and musical arranger.  I stayed with Dick until 1993, at which time I moved to Reno, Nevada, where I have resided ever since.

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I became quite well known in Reno and played all the top venues.  I have recently retired from performing and now work online as an accordion and piano teacher.  I produce YouTube Music theory courses, design webs for entertainers, record background tracks for singles and duos and I author music theory books.  

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This change of career has been a good move and my business is growing every day!

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