The musicians who we have confirmed will be performing for Mardi Gras for a Cause 2025 are listed below.
All of these musicians are donating their time to help raise money for Backpack Snack Attack.
NOTE: This page is under construction. Please check back often for more information.
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
March 4, 2025
BLACK DIRT BANDITS
Pine Island’s very own “Black Dirt Bandits Mardi Gras for a Cause debut!! Oh Yeah!! Get ready to kick up your boots and dance the night away to some rockin’ American Country Music. Hey, Fandits and soon-to-be Fandits, you’ll want to catch these guys before some smart music promoters sign them to a contract and they start doing arena tours! Get your game on at Mardi Gras with The BDBs!! It’s Gonna be a GOOD Night!
Band members:
Robby Valentine – Lead Singer
Lucas Rau – Lead Guitar
Brian Beaudin – Bass
John Steffens – Keys
Mike Tizzano – Drums
COUNTY ONE
For Immediate Release! County One will be Returning for the 2025 Mardi Gras for a Cause Celebration! Playing the event for the third time, Dara, Terry, Mike, Pete, Dennis and newest band member John Lanzano are looking forward to helping the cause! You might recognize a few of them from local bands dating back to the 80’s and 90’s! County One plays songs you love from the past 50 years. Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Pretenders, Linda Ronstatdt and plenty of others to get you up and dancing . . . and having FUN!
Band members:
Dara Ellen Breitkopf – Lead Vocals
Michael LeRose – Lead Guitar and Vocals
Terry McDonough – Keyboards and Vocals
Dennis Maddalone – Bass Guitar
Pete Wanczyk – Drums
John Lanzano – Percussionist and Vocals
FLIRTIN’ WITH DISASTER
Flirtin’ With Disaster are a five-piece Classic/Hard/Southern Rock, Pop, and Alternative music cover band playing venues across the mid-Hudson Valley, from Poughkeepsie to Central Valley and all points in between. Formed in the fall of 2023, many members of the band have been playing professionally for over 20 years and have been heavily influenced by rock and roll’s legendary acts such as AC/DC, Motley Crue, Poison, Guns N Roses, The Doobie Brothers, Bon Jovi, Journey and more. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses instantly recognizable & popular hit songs with audience participation and a high-energy performance that will make you want to rock and roll all night long!
Band members:
Scott – Lead Vocals
Vinny -Drums
Tommy – Guitar
JD – Guitar
Artie – Bass
FRANK “F BOMB” SORINO
Frank Sorino … Is a musician who specializes in classic and progressive rock covers. Known for his ability to take on almost any song request, each show is unique and entertaining. He has been performing at Mardi Gras for a Cause since the 2013 inaugural year!
IDENTITY CRISIS
Debuting at the 2025 Mardi Gras for a Cause, Identity Crisis plan on performing a wide range of your favorite music, Classic Rock from 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, 70s, Country, Modern Day Pop and even some Disco!! Their goal is to get you up dancing and to have a great time!
Band members:
Kira Moses – Lead Vocals
Eddie Fudge – Guitar
Ron Forte = Bass Guitar
Dan Patsiner – Drums.
MARK SGANGA AND FRIENDS
GUITARIST VOCALIST COMPOSER
Mark Sganga is a virtuoso guitarist whose performance has enthralled audiences from Stockholm to Kuala Lumpur to the Thredbo Jazz Festival in Australia. Mark’s fingerstyle guitar weaves a rich tapestry of beautiful melody, dynamic rhythm, & imaginative improvisation.
Fusing influences from South America & around the world, Mark creates an entrancing travelogue, as an instrumentalist, bandleader, singer-songwriter & educator. He has been featured on tours & recordings with Indian violin virtuoso Dr. L. Subramaniam, alongside Larry Coryell & Herbie Hancock. He has played opposite the legendary Taj Mahal & Les Paul among other greats. Most recently, Mark and his Trio headlined the Clayton Jazz Festival opposite Bernie Williams. He is a repeat featured performer & judge at The Indiana State Fingerstyle Guitar Competition as well as a main-stage performer at the venerable Walnut Valley Festival in Wichita, KS where Mark won first place in the 2009 International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition.
Band members:
Mark Sganga – Guitar and Vocals
John Arbo – Bass
Jerry Squillante – Drums
MISSYPING BAND
An eclectic and electric collection of songs across the rock spectrum.
Band members:
Melissa Pinglora – Mahony- Vocals
Michael O’Brien – Guitar and Vocals
John Goldsmith- Keyboards
Bennett Cohen – Drums
Mike Goliber- Bass Guitar
PAULY DI DIO
Pauly Di Dio is a New York City based guitarist/vocalist known for his passionate vocal delivery and unique guitar picking style. Known as “The Bluesman”, Pauly is sought after by all the “Hot” area music venues. He is an extremely popular performer, and one of the best soloists around! We look forward to his Mardi Gras for a Cause debut.
PAUL BINOTTO & THE WRAYBAND
Three Professional Musicians with a Five Star rating in every category and voted #1 New York Classic Rock Band by Gigmasters! This High-energy rock ‘n’ roll band plays classics to current hits, and originals too! Lots of great vocals, featuring Paul Binotto and Danny Wrays’ wailing guitar solos!
Band members:
Paul Binotto – Vocals and Bass Guitar
Dan Wray – Vocals and Lead Guitar
Drums – Beau Brady
Paul Binotto
Paul’s work has spanned the globe including six Broadway shows, off-Broadway, international performances, recordings, commercials and a command performance at the White House. He is the real deal!
Dan Wray
Lead guitar/vocals PLAYIN’ WITH FIRE BAND. Lead guitar/vocals Wrayband. Session guitarist Record Plant East and various Recording Studios. Danny will be playing with Spicy Bits this year.
Beau Brady
Beau “Drummer” Brady, a Professional Drummer working out of New York City is always available for touring, recording and local gigs. He Specializes in Rock, R&B, and Motown music that keeps the dance floor full, Beau is returning to perform again with The Wrayband for the 2025 Mardi Gras for a Cause Celebration.
ROB CANNILLO & SUSAN
Rob Cannillo is a passionate, earthy performer his devoted fans have come to love. A frequent performer at festivals and fundraisers, Rob has played a collection of renowned venues ranging from The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, The Turning Point in Piermont, NY, The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, NY, The Falcon in Marlboro, NY, The Town Crier in Beacon NY, The Cutting Room in NYC, The Bitter End and more. Rob has opened for international recording artists including Steve Forbert, Artimus Pyle, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Members of Bad Company, G.E. Smith and more.
He has produced and performed in a series of festivals and fundraising events. These include Rock the Mountain, a two-day festival of music, camping, and artisans at the Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center in Sterling Forest, N.Y. which raises money for Spectrum for Living, a home for adults with developmental disabilities. Rob also helped organize, produce, and perform in The Mighty High Mountain Festival, The Sullivan County Blues Festival ( Now hosted at Bethel Woods).
Rob’s CD, CANNILLO was produced by a former SONY Music executive who worked with John Denver, The Doobie Brothers and Nirvana.
His newest body of work “TAILWIND” which will be released in Spring of ’23 will feature new songs and a tour that will include Nashville, Memphis and Austin Texas! “TAILWIND” is being produced by Rob Ignazio.
Ron Ossi
Ron performs a wide range of music from the 50s to Top 40. His playlists come from 30+ years of performing in the most popular venues from Maryland to Vermont. Expect masterful guitar playing and vocals, and the chance to sing-along to your favorite songs.
STEVEN WING & BRIAN GENS
Two fantastic voices so obviously meant as a duo, the art takes on a new dimension.
THE TONEBENDERS
The TONEBENDERS band consists of seasoned musicians and vocalists with decades of professional experience and have played in some of the most popular spots in the Hudson Valley.
The group covers a wide variety of musical genres including R+B, dance, rock, pop, and classics from any decade to current hits and country favorites. Playing music to listen to or dance the night away to… Tom Petty, Toto, Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Dua Lipa, Steely Dan, and many more…The group makes it a party by taking requests and having a fun night with everyone in the room.
Band members:
Erol Ogut – Guitar and Vocals
Jillian Turner – Vocals
John Diviglio – Bass and Vocals
Gregg Pillar – Drums and Vocals
Matt Durgin – Sax and Vocals
Vince Ferranti – Keyboards
UNCLE SHOEHORN
The 2025 Mardi Gras After Party will feature a Fantastic 10-piece band from Warwick, the Hudson Valley’s premier New Orleans music Tribute Performers Uncle Shoehorns’s Big Easy and the New Yorleans Horns
Uncle Shoehorn’s Big Easy brings the magic of New Orleans to your venue or event. For 25 years Uncle Shoehorn has paid homage to the indelible mark made by New Orleans heritage music, boosting any and all material that is heavy on the “groove”. A Big Easy show delivers infectious and irresistible grooves from New Orleans legends like: The Funky Meters, Neville Brothers, Dr. ohn, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, Jon Cleary, Henry Butler, Preservation Hall, Jazz Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Galactic, Huey “Piano” Smith, Louis Prima, Fats Domino, Walter “Wolfman” Washington Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Jellyroll Morton, Tuba Skinny
and many more!
Band members:
Tony Vee – Lead Singer and Guitar
Todd Lapenna – Guitar and Vocals
Max Aronov – Bass Guitar and Vocals
Warren Congdon – Drums and Vocals
Rave Tesar – Keys
Billy Losier – Trumpet
Steve Wands – Trombone
Wayne Tice – Baritone Sax
Eric Storkman – Trombone
Barton Schindler – Tenor Sax
Mardi Gras for a Cause 