David Abbinanti

Growing up, Massapequa Park native David Abbinanti always loved music, "the universal language of mankind." When he told his melody-loving mother he wanted to play the drums in school, she told him that he could, but that he had to learn the piano or the guitar first.

"That was the best thing I ever could have done. Now I make my living playing the guitar," said 29-year old Abbinanti who prefers the genres of Rock & Roll and Pop music.

On November 2, singer and songwriter and Pequan David Abbinanti won the Songwriters Guild of America’s Eastern Regional Award for Best Pop Song with "Back to Las Vegas." A fun tune, he said, that was jotted down upon his return from a rollicking vacation with his pals. Its chorus goes:

"I wanna go, I wanna go, I wanna go back to Las Vegas

I wanna throw, I wanna throw my hard-earned money all away

And I know I’m gonna be in luck

I’ll be drinking ‘till the sun comes up

In my little town no one knows about...Las Vegas"

"You never know what your best song will be," he said. "People just keep requesting this one over and over. They love it."

"We thought David’s song was incredibly entertaining and worthy of this high award," said Mark Saxon, head of the New York office for the Songwriters Guild of America.

Although there were dozens of songwriters from different states along the Eastern seaboard who entered the contest, Abbinanti came out on top and now his song will be entered into the national contest.

Abbinanti, whose self-titled CD will be done in March, also teaches Music Theory and Rock & Roll History at Nassau Community College. Before "hitting gold," the singer worked many odd jobs such as landscaping and in a golf shop - anything that kept his nights free to work on his music.

Even if he becomes famous, Abbinanti, who graduated from New York University and has been married to another local for three years, never intends on leaving the area in which he grew up.

"If I could live in Massapequa Park for the rest of my life, I’d be thrilled," he said.

Abbinanti performs locally every Thursday night at Sidekicks in Massapequa Park, has sung at Mucahey’s in Wantagh and puts on shows all over the New York metropolitan area.

"The first time I heard him, he blew me away," said fan/friend Joy Russell. "He sings his songs with such passion...between his talent and his determination, he’ll make it big someday."

His friend and band mate, Tom Stainkamp said, "In a world of mediocrity, it’s refreshing to see someone so passionate pursuing their dreams." The 31 year old grew up with Abbinanti in the Village.

In his spare time he can be found biking all over Long Island or spending time with his wife, Vicki.

More information about the songwriter, his schedule and his CD can be found at his website, www.davidabb.com. - Massapequa Post