Chicken wing contest judges. {Photos by David Volz}
Mike Annese has a passion for playing the drums.
A retired Tamarac Fire Chief and now the drummer for the R Train Band, Annese performed on June 20 at Doc Reno’s WingFest at the Margate Sports Complex.
Annese served in the Tamarac Fire Department for 27.5 years and was chief for three years.
“Now I can focus on my music passion. I really love playing the drums and performing. I enjoyed performing in this show, and it is for a fantastic cause,” he said.
My Family Matters Foundation Volunteers.
The R Train Band has been ranked high on Amazon Music, and its recent song “Indigo” was ranked number one on Amazon Music for a few days. In addition, the band plans to release another single in July called “Mariah,” according to Annese.
Len Leuci and Mike Annese of the R Train Band.
Len “Blackjack” Leuci, of Coral Springs, plays bass guitar for the R Street Band and also repairs guitars. “I feel most alive when I am performing,” he said. Jeffrey Black of Hollywood is the lead singer.
The School of Rock in Coral Springs brought its house band to perform. “This is our top band, and they really played well. These are dedicated and experienced musicians,” said Aaron Cowans, who teaches the house band.
Other bands that performed included Friday at Five and Bread Zeppelin.
WingsFest brought musical entertainment, arts-and-crafts vendors, and food trucks together at the Margate Sports Complex. The money raised went to the My Family Matters Foundation.
School of Rock.
The Foundation provides financial assistance to families facing childhood cancer, especially for critical needs such as travel, lodging, and daily living expenses. It works to ensure that no family has to choose between keeping the lights on and being with their child, according to the My Family Matters website.
The event included a wings competition among the food truck operators, and this year, Hangry Joes won first place for Best Tasting and Most Original.
Doc Reno of FM 105.9, the organizer of WingsFest, was pleased with the turnout. “I want people to have a good time. We have a lot of vendors and some good music,” he said.
For Doc Reno, caring for the families of children with cancer is an important mission. “A lot of families really struggle with basic living expenses when their child has cancer. I want to help them anyway I can,” he said.
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