vOz was born in 1953 and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, vOz’s introduction to music began with violin lessons. While the violin would not be his primary instrument these early lessons provided vOz the basic rudiments of music theory and a lifelong passion for music.
In junior high school vOz began to play Bass Guitar. He joined the rock trio “Katmandu” in high school and remained a performing member throughout college. In college vOz studied music and history, receiving a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University.
After graduation, vOz moved to Mississippi and joined his father and brother in the family’s Greek/Italian restaurant, Vanelli’s Bistro. No longer playing in bands, vOz continued to write music, songs, poems, essays, short stories, screenplays, and publish books. A lifelong learner, an avid art enthusiast, vOz has supported artists throughout his career, collaborating with many on his creative projects.
In 1997, vOz founded Songshine LLC as a platform for all his creative endeavors. In 2005 at the beginning of the transition from Analog to digital sound and video, Songshine Entertainment was conceived and became a part of Songshine LLC. It has since grown into a multifaceted music publishing, recording, animation, game development, and film studio located in Tupelo, MS. vOz continues to work on Songshine projects writing and producing music, songs, screenplays, and animation projects.
vOz is currently collaborating with “Mississippi Blues Trail Artist” Tony Wayne Hooper, Animator Ken Calloway Videographer & Screenwriter Glenn Payne, Vermont Artist Nick Piliero, and many more talented, creative artists. All collaborating, writing, recording, and producing music and videos for “Songshine”.
PEACE / vOz