SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Over a decade ago, 63-year-old Phil Nagy decided he wanted to learn how to play the drums.
“I said to my wife, ‘I think my midlife crisis is I’m going to play drums,’” he said.
Nagy, who’s spent his professional career in IT, had no idea the decision would change his life. At the time, he said all he was thinking about was correcting a mistake he felt he made as a child.
“If I have one regret in life, it’s that I never picked up an instrument back in grade school,” Nagy said.
Seeking to remedy that, Nagy purchased a used drum kit and got to work. For the next five years, he took online courses and practiced in his basement, but eventually that got boring.
Then, Nagy learned his daughter had a friend who played guitar and was looking for a drummer to jam with.
“You need to introduce me to this guy,” he said to his daughter.
Nagy’s daughter’s mystery friend turned out to be Tim Marris – an experienced guitarist. Marris agreed to stop by Nagy’s basement and give the drummer a chance to show off his newly-honed skills.
“I was so nervous, because Tim had played in bands his whole life, but he put me totally at ease and made me feel very welcome in my own home,” Nagy said with a chuckle.
Marris thought the duo had potential and suggested they take things to the next level.
Nagy responded by asking his longtime friend and coworker John Liuzzo – who had also been performing in bands for decades – to join them. Liuzzo readily agreed and informed the group he had a son – Jonathan Liuzzo – who was also a musician, albeit a generation apart.
Then, the crew brought in Scott Milnamow – a seasoned bass guitarist who had carved out a successful career in real estate. That gave the band five and they settled on a name: 4 Fellas and a Fifth.
Being a Fella isn’t a full-time job for any of the quintet, but the nights they get to share the stage are everyone’s favorite part of the week.
“We didn’t know each other before this, and we’ve become great friends,” Marris said. “A lot of times it’s hard to keep on task when we’re trying to practice, because we just want to tell each other stories.”
For the Liuzzos, getting to play as a father-son duo makes it even more special.
“It’s wonderful playing with my son,” John Liuzzo said. “To be able to share something we both love, that’s great.”
Jonathan Liuzzo credits his dad for his love of music and the joy he feels when he’s performing.
“I just have fun,” Jonathan said. “That’s what I learned from my dad: don’t take yourself too seriously and have fun.”
Scott Milnamow has certainly been having fun.
“I get done with a gig, and I’m just riding on adrenaline,” Milnamow said. “Normally I’m in bed by 9, but I’m not going to be able to go to sleep for another couple hours after I get home.”
Through music, the five men have made friendships that will last the rest of their lives – all because Nagy decided to pick up drumsticks 10 years ago. He’s beyond glad he did.
“This is a blast, let me tell you,” Nagy said. “It beats the heck out of regular work.”
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: One Syracuse musician is proof it’s never too late to start
Eddie McCarthy: Phil Nagy’s story reminds us it’s never too late to try something new.
Phil Nagy: “My whole life, I’ve always been attracted to drummers. Any time I go to a concert, I clue in on a drummer.”
McCarthy: But it took decades for him to actually pick up the sticks.
Nagy: “When I turned about 50, I said to my wife, I think my midlife crisis I’m gonna play drums”
McCarthy: Learning the drums became Phil’s passion project … albeit a solo one.
Nagy: “Started playing in the basement by myself, played for probably about four or five years, took an online course.
McCarthy: But he wouldn’t be playing alone forever. A new drummer’s a hot commodity in the music world, and a band started to form. Enter Tim Marris — lead guitarist and lead singer. John Liuzzo — guitarist and harmonica specialist … and Scott Milnamow — the bassist. They became 4 Fellas and a Fifth, and, together, they’re having the time of their lives
Tim Marris: It’s a lot of fun to play with these guys, and I really appreciate them.”
John Liuzzo: “The camaraderie, the jamming, the having fun with these guys, being on stage, playing music, sharing something we all love together.”
Scott Milnamow: “I get done with a gig like this and I’m just riding on adrenaline, and I’m not gonna be able to go to sleep for another you know couple of hours after I get home.”
Nagy: “It is a blast, let me tell you. Beats the heck out of regular work.”