The human characters who appeared in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe were mostly imaginary versions of people who lived in Mr. Rogers' "real" neighborhood. Like other stations, WTAE eventually devoted more resources to local news and sports, and no longer needed a musical director. Betty Aberlin/Lady Aberlin. Joe said about his character, The handyman doesnt just fix things he also fixes problems. It wasnt until television that I got into flatwounds because engineers were always fussing about the sound of fingers sliding on strings.. Joe Negri may be famous to generations of Mister Rogers fans as a handyman. The collection was donated by Negri in 1999 to the Center for American Music within the University Library System (ULS) at the University of Pittsburgh. Directed by Bill Moates King Friday does not immediately recognize the queen with her new hat on. Lady Elaine shows them a three-cornered scarf that Chef Brockett made for her. [27] Other movies have used a rather tired formula of sexy-handyman meets bored-housewives, such as The Ups and Downs of a Handyman, a 1975 movie in which "Handsome Bob also finds he's a fast favorite with the local housewives, who seem to have more than small repairs on their minds. And he still lives nearby, on a quiet side street in the South Hills. People like Bucky managed to hold on and continue, he reflects. Negri played on various live programs and composed theme music as well. Mr. Negri, who many will recognize as the affable "Handyman Negri" on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," developed his skills at 16, playing acoustic rhythm guitar for the famous Shep Fields. [16] Franchises offer training, advertising and information technology support, lower procurement costs and access to a network of established operators. I was always a little gun-shy about playing solo guitar, but in the last 10 years, Ive gotten much more comfortable., People associate the guitar with [Mister Rogers Neighborhood] more than I thought they would., How Ron Woods New Barbarians Saved the Stones, Guitarist/Producer Yates McKendree Shines on Wise, Vinnie Moores Pandemic Musical Inspiration. For more than 300 episodes over 35 years. [7][8], Many people can do common household repairs. Air Date: March 5, 1974 (Joe) played the smaller DAngelico hollowbody Les-Paul-style guitar painted white like a refrigerator., With Pittsburghs better clubs hosting top vocal stars, Negris skills as an accompanist impressed three in particular. All three musicians play a song together. [13] The reporter preferred the second worker, despite the fact that he "doesn't have a fancy van or carry proof of insurance". That I would have really jumped at. the use of our cookies. "He found me a music shop, decided it should be Negri's Music Shop. In the children's television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Handyman Negri was one of the characters who resided in The Neighborhood of Make-Believe, as well as in the neighborhood where Mister Rogers resides. He met Tal Farlow when Fields played Philadelphia. "[17] There are indications that these businesses are growing. Funny Handyman Directions Cap Hat. December 17, 2022 / 12:45 PM Audrey Roth/Miss Paulifficate. Information Genre Kids & Family Released 1968 Rated TV-Y 2018 The Fred Rogers Company Languages Original Audio English (United States) Audio and Subtitles He sings Its You I Like and says its not the things you wear that make you you, but its the person inside that counts the most. But Negri says his character on the show is pure make-believe. Shep used me as a different tonal color. And he makes so many models, solidbodies, too., Asked about string and pick choices, he adds, I used to use the little teardrop picks, but Ive gone to a little more triangular shape, rather heavy. Joe played both himself as owner of Negris Music Shop and Handyman Negri in Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe. After listening to Negri during a February, 1943, Pittsburgh engagement, he hired him on the spot. Not just a Pittsburgh treasure, but a musical treasure.". I guess I was a little advanced when I went to Vic. Chuck and Robert give Henrietta and X hats just for fun and fancy. Lady Elaines delivery turns out to be an onion-shaped hat that is round and very different from everyone elses three-cornered hats. King Friday restates his rule that everyone must wear a three-cornered hat. "Most people know him as an actor. When guests included high-volume rock bands, The engineers hated it! he laughs. Somebody had to take them to the park to play. [13] Customers liked handymen wearing hospital booties (to avoid tracking dirt in houses). He has also taken an active role in several of the Neighborhood operas and plays. CBS Pittsburgh App. What you may not know is that Joe is a highly-respected jazz guitarist in the mold of Django Reinhardt and at 91 . Mike bought his son a round-hole Stella and taught him enough chords to perform on a Kelly show in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In the mid 50s, Negri, by then using an Ampeg amp, briefly joined the nationally famous instrumental guitar-organ-accordion pop trio the Three Suns, recommended by departing Suns guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, known in the band as Johnny Buck., I had to play their dumb white-painted guitar, he laughs, referring to the smaller of the Suns two custom white DAngelicos. Chuck Aber and Maggie discuss how the rule is silly. Gene Kellys dance skills, of course, took him to international fame. Forty years later, the 84-year-old Negri laughs at the memory. In one way, it took the emphasis off my playing. Produced at Pittsburghs WQED, Mister Rogers Neighborhood went nationwide in 1968 with Johnny Costa as Musical Director. [11] American homes are aging; one estimate was that in 2007, more than half of all homes are older than 25 years. Handyman Negri appeared in several of the Neighborhood operas and plays including the following parts: In early episodes, Handyman Negri was referred to as "Mr. Negri" before taking on "handyman" status. Please enter valid email address to continue. Music Director: John Costa, Produced by Family Communications, Inc. in association with WQED, Pittsburgh, The people who gave the money to make this television visit are the people of The Sears Roebuck Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. He shows a picture of Alan Morrison who plays the pipe organ and also shows the type of shoes that Alan wears while working. I met Chuck Wayne, Johnny Smith, Gene Bertoncini Johnny was very, very nice. Music was so important to Fred Rogers and such an important part of the series, that he wanted to be sure to include a musician and a Music Shop in his neighborhood. Joe Negri was known to generations of children as the handyman in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. The handyman image recurs in popular culture. They catch that love of music. Franchise maintenance staffing firms sometimes feature clients asking . Actor David Newell, who played Mister McFeely on the show, says Negri introduced thousands of kids to jazz. Negri taught jazz guitar for 49 years at the University of Pittsburgh, [2] where jazz guitar was first offered as a discipline in higher education. such as a jumpsuit, a carpenter's pencil and a work hat. He joined the local musicians' union and began playing professional engagements. Chuck Aber/Neighbor Aber. Discover Joe Negri's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. As an accomplished jazz musician in real life, its natural that Joe Negri is cast as the proud owner of Negris Music Shop in Mister Rogers real neighborhood. In a book by author Carolyn See called The Handyman, a handyman is really an aspiring but discouraged artist who transforms the lives of people he works for, as well as having sexual encounters with some of his clients, and his experiences improve his artistic output. [1] He appeared on the 1959 children's television program Adventure Time and with Johnny Costa on the 1954 TV series 67 Melody Lane hosted by Ken Griffin. A teenage guitar prodigy, he became a first-generation bopper who evolved into a peer of the giants of jazz guitar. Lady Elaine Fairchilde -- wearing a periscope hat -- is keeping a watchful eye herself. [1] He appeared as himself and as "Handyman Negri" in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe segments on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Here is a partial list: "Handiwork" redirects here. "I always felt I needed a little more support -- a horn or a piano, or something.". Listed on 2023-03-01. When a new school was being considered for the Neighborhood of Make-Believe children, Handyman Negri went to work and built a school at Someplace Else. | In many parts of the world, there are professional handyworker firms that do small home or commercial projects which claim possible advantages such as having workers who are insured and licensed. The kids had babysitters. Still at WTAE, in the early 70s he hosted Joe Negris High School Talent Scene, showcasing area students. Over the years he taught many students including Ralph Patt,[5] the inventor of major-thirds tuning. But he's not putting away his guitar", "Joe Negri Donates Musical Collection to Pitt", "Personality Profile ..Negri: Composer, Performer, Teacher, Music Director", "Galleria Budget Cuts Sounding Somber Notes For Jazz For Juniors", "Camera, Modern Music Illuminate Pittsburgh", "Porter's 'Kate' to TV: Goulet, Carol in Leads; Either Fate or Planned That Way", "Joe Negri Credits Success To Gene Kelly", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joe_Negri&oldid=1125264025, Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts alumni, University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives and Collections, United States Army personnel of World War II, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 December 2022, at 02:49. He went on tour with a big band. If you or someone you love grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, you may remember Joe Negri as Handyman Negri, the affable guy who solved problems in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.. Performed By: Joe Negri, Handyman Negri is the royal fix-it man in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. He played the banjo, a bit of fiddle, some Dixieland. After arriving in the U.S., he came to Pittsburgh and married Rose Viggiano, whose dad and brother were local street musicians. Corner image by Spencer Fruhling. He and Mister Rogers agree that no matter what you wear, its the inside of you that matters most. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. [13] And, as populations worldwide tend to become older, on average, and since increasingly elderly people will be less inclined and able to maintain their homes, it is likely that demand for handyman services will grow. He said, 'Don't worry about it, it's pretend.' The donation became the 1,000th collection at the ULS to have an electronically accessible finding aid (i.e., a guide that describes the contents of an archival collection and creator). Joe Negri is best known for playing the musical Handyman Negri alongside the puppets of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe on the long-running children's classic " Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The guys at the Union would say Ah, its just a bunch of flatted fifths nothing to it! The Nat King Cole Trios success inspired the first Joe Negri Trio; Joe, a bassist, and 17-year-old brother, Bobby, who was evolving into a formidable jazz pianist in his own right. I study him when hes up there doing a concert. And that was a wonderful part of the show, I enjoyed that. [16] In 2005, according to a survey released by the Washington-based International Franchise Association showed 909,000 franchised establishments in the United States employing some 11 million people. In 32, Mike replaced the Stella with an inexpensive Epiphone Beverly, followed later by a higher-end Epi Triumph, both purchased from Pettey Music. I have the body done. He visits the Colonial Williamsburg Millinery shop where Jennay Whitaker shows him some clothing from the past, all made by hand. But it made me recognized, he explains, adding, People associate the guitar with the Rogers show more than I thought they would. A future West Coast jazz star, Conte returned from leave in New York bearing the groundbreaking bebop disc Groovin High by Dizzy Gillespie with Charlie Parker. The substitute must be an opera singer whose last name begins with an "R" and has seven letters. . Negri: "But you don't have to pay them until the work is finished, sire. A franchise contract typically gives a franchise owner the exclusive right to take service calls within a given geographical area. He is an actor and composer, known for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968), Alongside Night (2014) and Old Friends New Friends (1978). It was great.. Johnny used to fly all over the place. They vary in quality, professionalism, skill level, and price. The first reference to "Handyman" Negri comes in Episode 0020. Daniel shows Bob Dog the hat that he made for his imaginary friend Malcolm Apricot Dinko. Because her scarf has three corners, he compromises and lifts the rule. Fields, famous for his bland, syrupy 1930s Rippling Rhythm, now led Shep Fields and his New Music, a bold, unorthodox show band featuring saxes no trumpets or trombones playing pop, swing and showcase tunes. 1994, Episode 1672 The 60s were good to Negri, but his New Yorker didnt fare as well. While I don't recall Mr. McFeely every wearing a cap in this style, the color of this strap-back cap and the patch are spot on with what you'd find on his regular uniform. Circa 1934, Joe began studying with guitar teacher Vic Lawrence at Pittsburghs venerable Volkwein Music. They look out the bus window at different hats people are wearing. [17] Technicians do a range of services including tile work, painting, and wallpapering. She states that she will wear what she wants. First of all, hes one of the most gentle men and hes a pure artist. He met Fred Rogers at WTAE, when Rogers hosted a short-lived children's show. The neck was slimmer and had a different profile than the Guild shorter scale, with a built-in (B-6) pickup. [18] "One firm" charges $88 per hour. Clocking Mr. Fix-It", "Franchising heats up as economy cools down", "WHERE WE LIVE; They Make House Calls: The Range of Services Grows", "Rent-A-Husband handyman service raises questions", "Even to Save Cash, Don't Try This Stuff at Home", "Review: 'Maneater' Jennifer (Marla Sokoloff), the sweet-faced rich girl who has the hots for her handyman", "Home Improvement Carolyn See's handyman hero can manage the tasks that matter most", "The Ups and Downs of a Handyman (1975) movie review; alternate title: The Happy Housewives", "Much-loved Czech 'handymen' Pat and Mat star in new feature film", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Handyman&oldid=1142140733, Heating and air conditioning system tune-up, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 18:56. Including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Ellis Marsalis and guitarist Kenny Burrell. Martins Nazareth factory. King Friday responds that he never promised him an "easy job" and, further, that he expects Handyman Negri to go around the kingdom and alert everyone about the new rule. If I had a solo comin up, he says, Id have to get rid of the DA and pick up the electric. He had John DAngelico fit the New Yorker with a DeArmond Rhythm Chief pickup, then jettisoned the L-7. On his new CD, Negri's guitar work is in the spotlight. "This poor Guild was a great guitar, and they referred to it as the Timex!". Do not duplicate or distribute any material from this site without the consent of The Fred Rogers Company. I had to learn rhythm. Im about as handy as a he trails off. The websites of these firms put possible customers in touch with local owners, which have handymen and trucks. Lady Elaine puts on a wig to be a big wig. Lady Elaine, Mayor Maggie, Betty, and Handyman go to talk with King Friday. King Friday tells Negri to give the birds and Bob Dog their three-cornered hats. I have high regard for his musicianship, and hes a gentleman. [13] The reporter concluded that "with few licensing requirements and standards for the industry, prices are all over the board. Took me to Long Island met his wife. For example, Joe "Handyman" Negri, a respected Pittsburgh jazz guitarist, was a music shop proprietor on Rogers' street. I might have made a mistake by not just coming back from the Army, staying a month to help my parents, then getting out of here. Doing guest appearances on KDKA radio, Negri met another regular guest homegrown jazz pianist Johnny Costa, who would become a lifelong friend, collaborator, and occasional bandmate. A franchise firm fixed it for $1,530; a second (non-franchise local handyman) fixed a similar ceiling for $125. 2023 The Fred Rogers Company. Handyman Negri : Mini Bio (1) Joe Negri was born on June 10, 1926 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The hats are given to Handyman Negri and Lady Aberlin who are given the task of finding Daniel's missing clock. City Scenic designs and fabricates creative interactive environments and displays for the trade show, film, event, and retail industries. But Rogers did find ways for Negri to perform on the show. [17] Trends such as a "poverty of time" and a "glut of unhandy husbands" has spurred the business. First MRN Appearance: 0001 Duquesne will honor more than 400 members of the Class of 2022 on Friday, Dec. 16, along with famed "Mr. Rogers' Handyman" Joe Negri, during the University's Winter Commencement. Robert puts off answering the kings queries about what was in the box for Lady Elaine. Cause I said to him, 'Handyman? At the age of 84, Negri has just released a new CD, his first in the stripped-down setting that showcases his finger-work. He appeared on the Ken Griffin Show, the Buzz and Bill Show and, finally, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood -- all shot in Pittsburgh. Mr. Negri is a jazz guitarist from Pittsburgh, PA. Negri, who lives in Scott, teaches jazz guitar as an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University. $18.15 $14.52 ( Save 20%) Handyman Tool Box Logo Trucker Hat. For small jobs, the cheapest way is to pay time and material. "My dad and I would always take yearly trips here every spring, catch a Pirates game, and visit campus. Sometimes the fix-it skill is seen as genetic, and people lacking such skills are said to "lack the handy-man gene". | Chuck explains the situation to Betty Templeton Jones who says she will try to help the silly situation of squirts and diplomatic impasse. He shares a film about "daddies who wear hats.". In 2010 he recorded the album Fly Me to the Moon with Michael Feinstein[1] and performed with him during the next year at the Newport Jazz Festival. True, yet Negri refuses to stand still. KDKA Fan N'ation. As Negri pondered entering the priesthood in the late 40s, Costa suggested joining him at Pittsburghs Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie-Mellon University) to study composition with respected pianist-composer Nikolai Lopatnikoff. Long before becoming amiable Handyman Negri on Public TVs Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Joseph Harold Negri was already a Pittsburgh institution. TV Shows. They're orchestrating on the instrument," he says. Teachers all got a Guild Manhattan, up through (guitar chairman) Bill Purse, Joe recalls. IT/Tech. Content copyright The Fred Rogers Company. Handyman Negri honored at Duquesne graduation. And thats become the basis of my approach to guitar visualization with triads. President Ken Gormley will preside at the ceremony, which will be held at 11 a.m. in the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. Given the later erosion of New Yorks recording scene, he feels it was for the best. Wed gone to the club to hear him the night before, and the next day he comes to the theater because he was fascinated with reading music. Okay, I get it now! One thing I really love about Joes playing is his accompaniment, his rhythm. Negri says he might've enjoyed playing a little more jazz on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. There werent many guitar players reading and playing lines with the horns. "JoeNegri: From handyman to jazz guitarist", "Iconic Pittsburgh musician Joe Negri retires from Pitt", "Joe Negri retires from teaching at Pitt. But Fred told me I would be fine.. Courtesy of the artist They've been working very hard, Handy.". Bob Trow stops by to pick up the dog suit and participates in the exercises. Mister Rogers makes a hat out of construction paper, clothes pins, and paper plates. "I'm overwhelmed, honored, and humbled, and I'm really, really very happy to be here today," he said to the graduating class. His transition to guitar began on a September day in 1931 when he and Bob were staging a show in the living room. The citys private clubs and private functions, including country club dances, provided additional work. Children all over the country know him as Handyman Negri, but to music lovers, Joe Negri is in a class by himself. James Michael Jones, Chuck Aber, and Bob Dog discuss why Lady Elaine will not wear a three-cornered hat. In fact, he always liked it. Negri occasionally accompanied guests including Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, and Kenny Burrell, playing the closing theme, he says. Its run abbreviated by the hosts unwillingness to do toy and cereal commercials, he left and re-tooled the program for Public TV. For more than 25 years, he was rarely seen without his lavishly appointed 1942 DAngelico New Yorker. Fred Rogers and musical director Johnny Costa took care of those duties. But not everyone at home shared his gusto. Joe Negri always laughed about Fred Rogers assigning him the role of Handyman Negri because he wasnt at all handy. In 1968, Negri began appearing as Handyman Negri in the children's program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for nearly 40 years until Rogers stopped producing new episodes in 2000. "Not in the least bit. Mister Rogers and Mr. McFeely read the book together -- Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Mister Rogers explains and demonstrates what spotting means in gymnastics. Negri grew up in a middle-class, mainly Italian neighborhood on Pittsburgh's south side. ), An estimate was that in 2003, the market for home-maintenance and repair spending was up 14% from 2001 to 2003. Old school? The neck was not quite what he liked, the overall feel and the weight of the instrument never really worked for him. Fred was a jazz fan, and had an appreciation for chord substitutions, because he wrote his songs in simple triadic chords. When Negri and Costa enriched them with complex chords, Fred never complained. Pittsburgh-based MCG Jazz released three Negri albums. Weather. He recalls DAngelico really nice, like a good Italian uncle. King Friday XIII asks Handyman Negri to retrieve two detective hats from the castle's D.H. Room. You've gotta be kidding.' Ill tell you, every time I play with him its always a memorable meeting, says longtime friend Bucky Pizzarelli. And his harmony chops are just incredible. "Going to Duquesne has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember," said 2022 graduate Caroline Kucko. ", First published on December 17, 2022 / 12:45 PM. 1994. He probably finishes better than anybody Ive ever met, including DAngelico and DAquisto, and I knew both. Between that and hearing both Charlie Christians groundbreaking Rose Room with Benny Goodmans Sextet, and Django Reinhardts fiery gypsy jazz, reignited Negris musical passions. Joe Negri began performing on radio at age three, playing the ukulele and singing. "I'll never forget, we had a big joke about that. Now, his station colleagues jokingly equated the Ds replacement, a less-flashy Guild Stuart X-500, with a plain Timex wristwatch. $19.20 $15.36 ( Save 20%) Handyman Service Trucker Hat. The Neighborhood operas wouldnt be complete without Joe Negri joining in, ready to take on any role with his guitar in hand whether they need a balladeer, a groovy cow, or a somewhat out of character mean-spirited W. I. Norton Donovan. I was breaking a lot of strings breaking the wound G all the time. He sent the instrument to New York, where Jimmy DAquisto replaced the neck. We really swung. Chuck tells Henrietta and X that Lady Elaine is spraying with her hose anyone who mentions a three-cornered hat. Negri says he warned Fred Rogers about that early on. Many handymen are insured under a property damage liability policy, so that accidental property damage from negligence or accidents are covered. Mike also had Joe studying the ancient system of Solfeggio, learning music by singing do-re-me syllables. My wife is actually handier than I am! And I think a lot of kids caught music from the neighborhood," said Newell. If I had to compare it with anything, I would compare it to my Bravo model. He inlaid Joes name in abalone on the tailpiece. Some jurisdictions require paid handymen to be licensed and/or insured. $18.80 $15.04 ( Save 20%) Bull as Handyman with Hammer Trucker Hat. Joe is one of the few remaining guys of that era who play all those beautiful inner lines. A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reviewer declared, Young Joe Negri, a Pittsburgh lad, easily demonstrates why he is right up there with the wizards of the electric guitar.. In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe hes Handyman Negri, where hes often called upon by King Friday XIII to make repairs, build things, guard the castle and to sing and play his guitar. He promised my mom and dad Id be in good hands and he would look after me. After a brief posting in Germany, the Army rotated him to a Special Services dance band at Fort Lee, Virginia, that included trumpeter Conte Candoli, whose older brother, Pete, played lead trumpet in Woody Hermans progressive First Herd orchestra. 1994, Episode 1674 At his recent CD release party in Pittsburgh, Negri led his trio through several tunes from his new album, Dream Dancing. Afternoon in Rio (1999) was his first solo album in 30 years, followed by Uptown Elegance and Guitars For Christmas (duets with guitarist/MCG Executive producer Marty Ashby). King Friday XIII asks Handyman Negri to retrieve two detective hats from the castle's D.H. Room. King Friday repeats his rule that everyone must wear a three-cornered hat. Negri taught guitar and later helped Duquesne University establish a jazz guitar program. With the demands of his work, hes sometimes too busy to stop and talk with the puppet characters, helping viewers understand there are times when adults cant give children their full attention. Watch as King Friday announces the arrival of a very special guest, Handyman Negri builds a balcony and moves tents from the castle, and Margie Nebraska uses a crystal ball! / CBS Pittsburgh. Sometimes they advertise in newspapers or online. Mister Rogers tries on several items of old clothing, including a couple of wigs and a three-cornered hat. The non-make-believe version of Betty Aberlin was an actress. But he is also a jazz guitar virtuoso. The late Fender CEO Bill Schultz, a Pittsburgh native and Duquesne alumnus, began donating gear to the universitys music department in the 90s. Lady Elaine and Handyman Negri figure out that Reardon fits these criteria. They dont come any finer; hes a supreme player., Bob Benedetto, who built Negris current guitar, agrees. Handyman Negri is a talented musician and often performs for and with his Neighbors. $17.20 $13.76 ( Save 20%) World's most awesome Maintenance Worker Trucker Hat. When he briefly abandoned music for baseball in 1939, Mike asked a friend, professional accordionist Dom Trimarkie, to jam with Joe and introduce him to other professional players. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Allegedly Raced UGA Assistant Before Fatal Crash, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Their branch offices schedule service appointments for full-time and part-time handymen to visit and make repairs, and sometimes coordinate with sub-contractors. Ultimately, it led to my making him another guitar, with a smaller (16) body, 2 " deep all around, Benedetto continues. I would sing a song, and then we would tap dance. There have been songs about handymen recorded by Elvis Presley in 1964, Del Shannon in 1964, James Taylor in 1977. He and Negri buckled down and mastered bops fundamentals. In 1960, he joined a morning TV talk show at WTAE, eventually becoming Musical Director, playing and composing for local shows and documentaries. Negris schedule today includes club dates, jazz concerts, and guest appearances with orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops Concerts. But he wasnt so sure about staying in town, admitting, I always had that dream of the studios in New York. His trio, with accordionlist Dom Trimarkie and bassist Lou Mauro, were the regular band on the live KDKA variety show "Buzz and Bill," hosted by the team of Buzz Aston and Bill Hinds. [24] Handymen have been portrayed in books and films, generally positively, as do-gooder helpful types, but not particularly smart or ambitious.