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Brevard Mourns Loss of Local Music Legend-Pizza Bob Neace

On Wednesday, Brevard County lost a local musical icon, father and friend. The "big guy" known as "Pizza Bob" Neace, who provided music for so many people, tragically passed leaving behind his wife and four young boys. Bob was the sole provider for his family who are now on their own. I had the pleasure of interviewing Bob both as a solo artists and as a member of The Rock Foundation. In his honor, I am running the interview I conducted with Bob last October.

Funeral arrangements:
Viewing: Brevard Memorial Duneral Home Sunday November 1, 2009 6-8 PM
5475 US 1, Cocoa, Fl

Funeral: Monday November 2nd First Assembly of God Church at 11:00 AM
3757 N. US1

Donations for the Family can be made:
Kathleen Neace
1100 Typhoon Drive
Merritt Island, FL 32953

FLORIDA TODAY
Shake, Rattle & Know-Pizza Bob Neace
10/05/2008

Shake, Rattle & Know: Pizza Bob Neace

The moniker of “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business” was given to the late legendary James Brown. His “no guts, no glory” approach to making music earned him such a fitting title. Perhaps Brevard’s own “Pizza Bob” Neace is deserving of such a tagline as he prepares for four shows this weekend alone and boasts a schedule that would exhaust a performer half his age.

A native of Kentucky and a Florida transplant since 1988, Bob Neace has been on stage nearly non-stop in his 25 years in the business; 10 of which has been as a full time musician. Married to his wife Kathleen for the past ten years, and the proud father of four boys, Bob Neace is a dedicated father and musician who pours his soul into everything he does.

I spoke with “Pizza Bob” Neace about his work as a tribute artist, his solo work and future in music.  So let’s “Shake, Rattle & Know”: “Pizza Bob”Neace

SRK : The most obvious question I have for you is- how did you get your name-Pizza Bob Neace?
Neace: When I first came to Florida back in 1989 I was talked into buying a pizza place. It was located right across from Universal Studios in Orlando. I owned that pace from 1991 to 1997. I had a band at the time and whenever we would have rehearsals I would bring pizza for the guys in the band. It got to the point; they were saying “Here Comes Pizza Bob”. I’m also ¼ Italian, so the name fits. I sold it when I got married and decided getting out of the restaurant business was a smart business move for my family. The hours I was putting in weren’t exactly conducive to a healthy marriage and home life, so I gave that up, but the name has stuck with me.

SRK : You’ve paid tribute to a lot of different artist through the years. Is there one artist that you enjoy performing as the most?
Neace: I mostly do the tribute stuff for conventions and cruise ships these days, but I would have to say I am most fond of the Blues Brothers stuff I do. It’s just fun music with a lot of soul. I do a lot of Rhythm and blues stuff and I seem to enjoy that the most.

SRK: Who are some of the other acts you pay tribute to in your shows?
Neace: Mostly a lot of the older R&B artists and impersonations of Sam Cooke, Van Morrison and all the early 1950’s rock and roll legends like The Big Bopper, Chuck Berry and artists like that. I also do a lot of the old country music favorites like George Jones, Hank Williams and such. It really depends on the crowd. I try to give people what they want, so it really depends on where I am and who I am playing in front of at the time.

SRK : What has been your proudest accomplishment to date?
Neace: Personally it is my beautiful family. The fact that I can support my family by doing what I do is my proudest personal achievement. My work doesn’t come between my family life and I am lucky to be with them all day and then go out at night and play some shows to help support them. Professionally I am most proud of moving to Florida and setting a goal of making music for a living and see that goal come true. I am proud that I have been able to market my skills and that people pay me to play. I don’t have the cover boy good looks, but I have been able to market myself and my abilities in such a way that I can make my music palatable for a wide variety of people.

SRK : Because you are well known as a tribute artist, do people often forget that you write and record original music as well?
Neace : That happens all the time. Just about every time I have a show people recognize me as “that Blues Brother guy” from the ships and they tell me they never even knew I did original music. A lot of that is my own fault. I was on the boat (Sterling Casino Lines) for over 9, years and sometimes I regret not going out on my own. I had no motivation and no time because it was a steady gig, so I didn’t do too much self promotion and didn’t spend enough time trying to build my solo career either. I do have a CD of all original material that is called “OW3P”, which upside down is demo.

SRK: You perform alongside Rock Foundation, as a tribute artist and as a solo performer. In what format do you feel most at home?
Neace: I feel most at home as a solo artist. I feel I can really connect with the crowd and its just a more laid back feel for me. When I play with the full band (Rock Foundation) it’s full of great seasoned musicians and that has some real advantages to it, but I feel more creative freedom as a solo performer. I can take requests for a song, and if I have a band I have to make sure 4 other guys in the band know the song as well. If it’s just me up there, I’ll try it even if I don’t know it all. People usually appreciate the fact I made an attempt for them.

SRK: Tell me about your experience on the “Nashville Star” television show?
Neace: I was surprised by my wife in Christmas of 2004 with plane tickets and the duty of going to audition for the show. I was up against 25,000 contestants and I made it to the final 20. I was the last male to be eliminated before the show went live with the top ten, so I was number 11. I made it two straight years to the top 20 and made it to on one elimination episode, but never into the top 10. I spent a lot of time in Nashville doing TV production, auditions and promotional concerts. I spent probably 3 months a year up there from 2005 through 2006.

SRK: How do you feel about shows like that and shows like “American Idol” and “Americas Got Talent” who can make an overnight success out of someone that may not have “paid their dues”?
Neace: It’s funny you ask that because my wife and I have this conversation all the time. I am big on paying your dues in this business. These shows are great vehicles for young performers to show what they can do, and shows like this have been around a long time. I guess it’s more a product of the situation than anything else; a 15 minutes of fame type of thing. It’s just something you have to deal with in this business that has some unfortunate side effects. There may be a performer in some smoky bar for the last 25 years with unimaginable talent but will never get a shot at it or a show like that.

SRK: What’s next for Pizza Bob Neace?
Neace: I am excited about the stuff I am doing with Rock Foundation. We’ve established some great success and have some big shows lined up statewide. We are opening for “The New Rascals” on October 17th at the Radisson at the Port and continue to line up shows. I am also going to continue to write songs and record my original music.