Brandon Budenz Biography

It all started in a small town called Frostbite Falls, Minnesota. Actually, the official name of the town is Cottage Grove. I spent 25 years in a deep freeze, but other than the obvious, it was a great place to live. I had the chance to explore much of the outdoors with a canoe and hiking boots, and the people there are a right friendly crowd. Ice hockey is truly a great sport. My music interest started at a young age. My first record album was The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “you’re a big boy now” Soundtrack which my mother purchased for me when I was six. The first album I purchased myself was “Hi Infidelity” by REO Speedwagon (which is a good album once you get to know it). Albums are like people, first impressions are important, but you can’t judge a book by its cover. I was a college disc jockey in the late 80s. By the second year I had landed an afternoon spot (much better than my first years spot, which was 2 - 6 am). I have always been a purveyor of the “best stuff” so I was unfamiliar with the regular playlist of a college radio station. I found out that there is always something good from every genre (well, maybe not country). I have some formal education culminated by the earning of two degrees: a Bachelor’s and a Master’s, both in Chemistry. I received the Bachelor’s from the University of Minnesota and the Master’s from University of Delaware. I also enriched myself with many music courses, but I fell two courses short of a composition minor. I have a couple other interesting hobbies. I’m very interested in East Asian culture, the food, the recreation; and I’ve also spent a few years learning Taekwondo. As for the domestic side of me, I have a passion for baseball and softball. I now live in Elkton, Maryland, a small town on the Chesapeake Bay (Heather thinks it is interesting that I use the term “folks”). My primary trade is spectroscopist, and they say science and music are a rare combination. Maybe so, but I can listen to whatever I want when I’m working in the lab; it makes work go by much faster.