A Long, Strange Trip to His Passion

Mark Russo retired at 46 to follow his passion for guitar. Now, at 51, he rocks out with "Neon Picasso."

“What a long strange trip its been.” I play guitar in a local rock band. Our name is Neon Picasso. We are in the beginning stages of recording our first CD.

I was in corporate management for years, raising 4 children, paying 2 mortgages, and all the other responsibilities we aging family people have. I owned an auto dealership for many years, but grew tired of playing character roles when upper level management would visit; I finally decided this was not who I was. 

I was located in an area that had quite a few musicians and bands. Bands that had CDs and albums under their belts. It wasn’t long until I developed friendships and a great customer base with many of them. I was quickly tied in with the Buffalo music scene.

I felt like this is who I am, and wanted to become a musician. So I slowly closed the business and sold the dealership, and picked up a guitar. At 46, I was retired.

I pushed myself to learn. I bought DVDs, music books, teaching guides, etc., and practiced relentlessly. After about a year of steady practice, I was ready to jam, and knew a lot of the basics – scales, some riffs, many songs. So I went to the local Guitar Center and met a few musicians just by talking with them. We agreed to meet at my house, which was already prepped and ready for a band.

We became a garage band, and played out. Eventually, disappointment set in and I put the guitar down. I stopped playing for over a year. These guys had no vision; they were happy doing what we were doing. I wanted to expand, create, live as a musician…So our band was history.

After that year hiatus, where I could not even look at a guitar, I got the feeling back. I opened an e-business, hooked up with a few distributors, and started selling instruments online. I met some great people online, beginners to big-name musicians.

I sold my Les Pauls and Strats, and bought a PRS Custom “blue chip,” an EB/Music Man Petrucci, and a full Marshall Stack, and was off again.

We are now a new band with a lot of the right things going on. It is sites like this that just keep my inspiration strong, and my passions stronger. Thanks.

Mark Russo (Neon Picasso)
Buffalo, New York