Billy Mutschler began writing music while attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After earning a degree in American history, he began cataloguing his musical material. He has since released six albums that have received airplay from Texas to New England and across the ocean to Europe. Billy has also penned many a commercial tune (“jingles” to the layperson) that may have tickled your ears through the years. He currently lives in Austin, and continues to write commercially and artistically every day. Larisa Montanaro was born in Plattsburgh, NY. She moved to Austin in 1994 and earned her doctorate in music from The University of Texas at Austin. Her harmonies and percussion round out the band perfectly. When she is able, Larisa joins The Poets on their south Austin engagements. Vinnie Ambrosone grew up in Corning, NY, and was immersed in art and music at an early age. Vinnie soon realized that he wished to follow the footsteps of his father Paul who was an accomplished jazz drummer in upstate New York. In 1999, Vinnie moved to Austin to more deeply pursue his musical aspirations. He has shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Tobey Keith, and Brad Paisley. When he is able, Vinnie lends his considerable talents to the band. Carl LaShiavo studied Jazz at the University of Miami, and has since lived and played from coast to coast…from the southern most tip of Florida, all the way to Anchorage, Alaska…NYC to the central coast of California. He has called Austin, TX home for the past 15 years. He is a member of the AFM, local 433, and has been performing and recording music professionally for 40 years, all across the U.S. and Europe, and to date, have contributed electric and upright bass to more than 100 records.
