Romano was born into a musical family. His grandfather, “Ragtime” Bob Darch, was the only living inductee of the Ragtime Hall of Fame. At a young age, Romano was taken with his grandfather to tour the East coast hitting the saloons and scuttlebutts. While Bob Darch pounded on a piano Romano played the spoons and bartended for his Grandpa’s act. At this point in Romano’s life he learned how to be an entertainer. Romano’s mother, Norma Jean, was always a singer and was signed by Smokey Robinson of Motown Records. She taught Romano from a young age how to sing and often placed him on stage with her to sing before an audience.

To pay for college Romano played in a cover band - his first band - called “Fresh Cut Grass”. “Fresh Cut Grass” toured the local Michigan scene while Romano carried a full credit load in college. Receiving a Bachelors in Food Service Management, Romano was led to the Virgin Islands where he tried to pursue a career with his degree. All this time, Romano continued to play in another band called “Jerry, Joe, and Romano” touring the islands. Attracted to other experiences, Romano was hired by an ABC television series in Oregon to work on the set as a production assistant. That work led to film industry jobs as a DGA, First, and Second assistant director in Los Angeles for many different films. While in that profession Romano was fortunate to meet and play with many different musicians such as June and John Cash, Willie Nelson, Pop Staples, Edgar Winter, and John Prine to name a few.

Discouraged with the big city life, Romano went to Colorado to visit his sisters, and after the third visit he remained. Romano discovered mountain music of the likes he’d never heard before. Deeply inspired, Romano began to write his own songs, became prolific on rhythm guitar and learned to play more professionally. To pay the bills, Romano was schooled in the art of luthiery building a variety of stringed instruments both electric and acoustic. He also apprenticed under builders becoming a pretty good carpenter - all the while playing music, and attending festivals and song writing workshops. After about five years, his contracting friends and others put together an investment group to put Romano into the studio to record his first album, “Story of a Lifetime”. The feedback is incredible, and the gigs just keep getting better. He still has to swing a hammer, but music, singing, and performing are beginning to take the lead.

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