Noted internationally for his hand crafted PRS guitars, Paul began playing in the ‘70s in Annapolis area bands.
One of his favorite clubs was the Bayou in D.C. where he became friends with members of Sinbad, Cherry People, DC Star, Nighthawks, Face Dancer, Ground Star, Happy the Man, and others. Tim Tanner, guitarist of Cherry Smash, was one of Paul’s mentor’s and greatest supporters. Tanner often invited Paul to come on stage and play with the band. This gave Paul a taste of what it was like to play in a great band with a large enthusiastic audience. Later he began sitting in with Sinbad at Pier 7 in Annapolis. Guitarist Bobby Stevens always encouraged Paul to play with the band. Eventually Paul joined a band with Sinbad’s drummer Vince Santoro (who was considered one of D.C. area’s top drummers at the time), along with Jan Zukowski (bass), and Pete Ragusa (drums) of the Nighthawks. Paul also spent some time playing in the Band of a Thousand Names, and Root Boy Slim’s band Capital Offense with Tommy Lepson, Dianna Bogart, Ron Holloway, and Scott Ambush. Just before the PRS Guitars factory was started, Paul was in a band with Timm Biery, Wayne Tomlinson, and others called Dangerous Rhythm. He and his band The PRS Dragons, consisting of Smith (guitar, vocals), Ralph Perucci (guitar, vocals, keys), Hugh Mason (bass, vocals, keys), and Bob Mater (drums, percussion), with Robert Aries (keys), and Curt Stevens (backing vocals) released an album in 1997 titled “Jenna’s Eyes.”
Paul sat in with and built guitars for many of the established D.C. and Maryland bands.
In the ‘00s Paul was Managing General Partner of Paul Reed Smith Guitars. The Stevensville, Maryland based company developed a worldwide reputation for building the highest quality electric guitars which are distributed and sold internationally.
A few famous artists that play(ed) PRS guitars include Roy Buchanan, Carlos Santana, John Maher, Alex Lifeson (Rush), Brad Delson (Linkin Park), Dan Estrin (Hoobastank), Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction), Mark Tremonte (Creed), Gary Grainger
Release by The PRS Dragons:
1997(CD) (indie) Jenna’s Eyes
