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STAMFORD, Conn. Stamfords Jim Romaniello once thought his band might be the next Beatles. In the four decades since then, he has transitioned to successful business owner and competitive amateur golfer.
We were going to be rock stars, said Romaniello, whose musical group Fast Fingers started booking gigs in Fairfield County in 1973. He now runs James Daniel Music, Entertainment, A/V and Event Lighting, which provides musical talent, disc jockeys and lighting and more for events. Weve had some good workers who have made it possible,'' Romaniello said. "I have the best team working with me. I think I got lucky in Stamford. Its an entertainment hub. There are not many communities where this could be successful.
Romaniello, a member of Shorehaven Country Club in Norwalk for 12 years, also has a thriving amateur golf career. He is also a perennial contender in the Stamford Amateur golf championship, where he finished second last year. He has won club championships at E. Gaynor Brennan and Sterling Farms and even topped the senior division of the Cape Cod Amateur in 2010.
Its the competition, Romaniello said of his passion for golf, which he practices six days a week. He began when he was 30 and found it a challenge that he needed to conquer. I want to win trophies. After I start something, I go after it.
That is also evident in his business pursuits, which he started when he was a senior at Westhill High. He formed Fast Fingers with Danny Carlucci, Ted Hartlett and Rob Riolo. Romaniello played guitar and was the booking agent and manager. He and Carlucci branched out into the wedding business, and James Daniel Entertainment took off. Carlucci died at the age of 44, and Romaniello has been the lead man ever since.
Weve added some different things over the years, said Romaniello, who still does up to 60 gigs a year as a disc jockey. We carefully select what we add to the mix. The New York Rangers, Diageo and PepsiCo are among those that hire the company's services.
The most recent twist is event lighting and audio/visual services. Gennaro Scarpelli, a disc jockey with the company, took on a new role four years ago and heads the division. The New York Rangers, Diageo and Pepsi Co. are among the groups that use James Daniel AV and Event Lighting.
Romaniello was a standout football player but bypassed his senior year to start his band. He later played in an inner-city football league, where he was a quarterback and middle linebacker. I played sports all my life, Romaniello said. Its in my system.
The only sport in which he now participates is golf. Golf, like life, starts at 55, Romaniello said. He is now old enough to compete in Connecticut State Golf Association senior events and plans to play in more than 20 events this summer.
Romaniello has one more starring role in the next month. He will dance with Kelly Butler in Curtain Calls Dancing With the Stars on May 19 at the Palace Theatre. Its not the way Romaniello once performed, but he has never been shy about being on stage. Its raising money for Curtain Call, thats the main thing, Romaniello said. I didnt think I could do the Cha Cha, but Im learning. Its been a lot of fun.
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