Amalgamated Sound Band Bios
Andy Bogner
Andy is the only sibling in his family not to have appeared at Carnegie Hall multiple times(OK-not even once). His musical experience started with piano at 6, classical violin at 10 and drums at 11. Brass - French Horn, Baritone and Trumpet followed. Guitar, a gift from folk music star Uncle Jay Stielstra, was next in 1964. That started a downward spiral into Rock and Roll (SLHS rock bands from 1966-69), Blues and Fusion Jazz(think Miles Davis with Jimi Hendrix on guitar) that eventually led to the depravity of clawhammer banjo, old timey fiddle, Carter style autoharp, Ragtime and Delta Blues guitar and occasional solo Theramin pieces. Thank goodness punk rock and the Sex Pistols restored order to Andy’s musical path.
Andy is currently playing guitar and harmonica and singing with The Amalgamated Sound and performing Gospel Music in Churches and Concerts. He lives in Grand Blanc, Michigan with his wife and 15 year old daughter(guitar wizard)and is the owner of Bogner Sound and Music based in Flint. Bogner Sound and Music specializes in audio/video design, sales and installation. (Link?)
Andy has shared the stage with(among others) Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, Muddy Waters, Jim Stafford, Buddy Guy, Bukka White, Lydia Lunch, Ted Nugent, Corey Stevens and Dave VanRonk.
Craig Lozo
Craig was born in Greenville, MI., my father was a career Coast Guard enlisted officer. After eleven years and two stations of duty, we returned to Michigan, settling in the Village of Spring Lake. I was active in sports-football, basketball and tennis. I graduated for Spring Lake High School in June 1967. Shortly before graduation, I joined the Amalgamated Sound Band, replacing the lead vocalist. My college years at Muskegon Community College were cut short. The Viet Nam War was raging on! I enlisted in the United States Air Force in February ‘69. I got married in October 1971 to a French Canadian. After my active military duty, my bride and I returned to Spring Lake to start a family. We have two sons. I retained my prior job with an Electrical Wholesale Distributor in Muskegon, MI. In 1979, I accepted a position with an Electrical/Electronic Manufacturer and built a 30-year career. I especially enjoy ’60’s & 70’s Rock for its timeless, enduring qualities. It is my great pleasure to perform this music for audiences, once again!
PHIL SLATER
Married: Wife Micky
Two Children: Daughters Angela and Kim
Grandchildren: CeCe Luke Stella Jane
Retired outside maintenance tech from AT&T.
I started taking guitar lessons at age 17 from Robbins Road Music Center in Grand Haven, Mi. My first guitar was a Harmony acoustic. { it wasn’t to cool } Then purchased a Gibson Melody Maker with a Fender Bandmaster amp and started playing with the Amalgamated Sound. Played for approx. 3 years before Uncle Sam started calling. Enlisted in the Navy in 1970 and after boot camp went to “A” school in Pensacola, Fl, where I learned to copy manual Morse code. The rest of my enlistment was spent on the island of Guam in the south pacific.
After being discharged from the service in 1973, I returned and started a job with Michigan Bell Telephone. My career took me into almost every outside maintenance job within the company. As my career grew so did my family and God blessed my wife and I with two beautiful daughters. And now at age 61, I have three blessed grandchildren and a revival of the 60’s rock and roll band, THE AMALGAMATED SOUND!