Our story begins in 1998 when two Italian/Americans (how else would you start a Doo-Wop group?) met waiting for a commuter train. Although both had lived in Lincoln Park, NJ for more than 20 years, and attended the same church, this chance encounter began a fruitful relationship.

As they talked, they found that they had a great deal in common. For one they both grew up in Italian neighborhoods (The Bronx and Jersey City) and had sung in street-corner vocal groups doing Doo-Wop in that classic acapella style. Remembering those days with great fondness, they once again yearned to sing that tight Doo-Wop harmony that keeps the music of the 50's and early 60's so fresh in our minds.

Pete had wanted to start a new doo wop group for years and when he found out that Frank had the experience and the desire he told Frank what he wanted to do and asked him if he was interested in starting a group. So the seeds of Frankie Canta and the DreaMakers began to germinate in the minds of Pete Moscatello and Frank Pirillo.

The path to starting a Doo-Wop group was not exactly direct however. Frank had been singing in the choir at Saint Joseph's RC Church in Lincoln Park along with Paul Mahler and Alistair Lyon, the next two members of the group. Frank thought that if Pete joined the choir and they all hit it off, that they could persuade the others to sing a little Doo-Wop on the side. So Pete joined the choir and after a few months the four guys began to sing at mass as a quartet. At the same time the two newcomers, Paul and Alistair, got their initiation into the wacky, often nonsensical but always beautifully harmonic Doo-Wop backgrounds.

Their first opportunity to sing publicly came at a church social function when they got up and sang just for the fun of it. Just before they were introduced, Paul, jokingly said "hey, we don't have a name, what are we going to call ourselves?" Well, since the first 50's song the group ever sang together was Dream by the Everly Brothers they came up with the name Dreamers. Thinking it might already be taken it was quickly changed to Dream Makers. Then Paul suggested that since Frankie was the Cantor at the 5:30 mass they should call the group Frankie Cantor and the Dream Makers. The performance went well and put everyone "on the jazz" to do more. Eventually Frank changed Cantor to Canta ("should be more Italian", he said) and thus the stylized name Frankie Canta and the DreaMakers was formed. At that point all the group needed was a gig and a fifth voice to blend lead with that traditional four-part harmony.

In addition to Pete on rhythm guitar, the band consisted of Walt Pickwoad on Bass, Gary Hagen on lead guitar and Steve Chirachella on drums. The band was short-lived however as Jude and Walt went on to persue other musical interests. Pete left the group for health reasons and did not return until early in 2004.

The DreaMakers continued on however, replacing Pete and Jude with Bill and Joe McHale, two of Paul's boyhood friends who had grown up singing Beach Boys harmony. Realizing that another live back-up group would be too difficult to find, the group developed it's own sound using recorded instrumentals. After just one show Bill moved to the West Coast and was replaced by Bobby Barone. Bobby remained with the group until early in 2004. Around the same time, Pete returned.

Frankie Canta and the DreaMakers with Bill and Joe McHale

Frankie        Bill        Paul        Joe        Alistair

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Frankie Canta and the DreaMakers with Bobby and Alistair

Paul        Bobby        Joe        Frankie        Alistair

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A couple of weeks before Pete returned to the group, Trish (The Dish) Florio was discovered singing Karaoke at Rupperts in Riverdale NJ. Frank and Paul were impressed with Trish's dynamic personality and her smooth as silk voice. They asked her to join and the last piece of the puzzle was in place. At this point the group had six members: Pete, Frank, Paul, Joe, Bobby and Trish. Shortly thereafter, Bobby left to persue other interests.

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Frankie Canta and the DreaMakers with Trish Florio

Pete        Frank        Trish        Joe        Paul

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On Monday, April 18, 2005 we gathered for a rehearsal and received a message from Trish saying that for personal reasons she could no longer be in the group. The group decided to remain a quartet for all upcoming performances. We wished Trish the best of luck in her future endeavors.

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Going forward the group ocssionally invites Jude to sing with the group as a guest performer. She also has filled in a couple of times when one of the members could not make a gig due to unplanned business trips or emergencies. She is sort of a permanant part time member of the group and it's nice to have her as a very talented safety net!

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In November of 2006, at the annual Saint Joe's 50's dance, Jude was joined by Pete's daughter Jill for a couple of tunes much to Pete's surprise and delight!

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