Bonnevilles According to guitarist Geno Antauer, The Bonnevilles were strictly a cover band, but the band's considerable skills still resulted in the opportunity to record an entire album's worth of songs at Musicol Studio.  In addition, The  Bonnevilles appeared on Dance Party, competed in several battle of the bands, and performed at all the hot spots in and around their hometown of Columbus, Ohio. An Interview With Geno Antauer 60s: How did you first get interested in music? Geno Antauer (GV): I came from a musical family.  My mother played accordian.  I barely remember her; she left home when I was five.  My oldest brother was a good singer and later in life I also discovered my musical ancestory connected to relatives whom I've never met from the old country, Austria.  I was raised by appalachian housekeepers whose relatives played country music, so I started playing along with them on my first guitar at age six.  I still have it.  Later I discovered Stevie Wonder and realized I was not cut out for country music. 60s: Was The Bonnevilles your first band? GV: Yes. 60s: Where amd when was The Bonnevilles formed? GV: I formed The Bonnevilles in the east side of Columbus, Ohio in 1961.  The band was Geno Antauer, vocalist and guitarist; Dave Bohn, origianl guitarist; Rich Bishop, bass; John Farley, Farfisa organ; and Michael Smith (Smitty), drums. This original line-up lasted two years. 60s: How would you describe the band's sound?  GV: We started out as a Ventures/ surf music group, but eventually morphed into a British-style rock band.   60s: What bands influenced you? GV: The Rolling Stones, Kinks, Yardbirds, Beatles, Dave Clark Five, Dantes and Rebounds. 60s: What was the local rock and roll scene like in the '60's? GV: There were lots of bands around similar to The Bonnevilles, but some not quite as cool. 60s:  Where did the band typically play? GV: Schools, parties, fairs, street concerts, frat houses and a few bars on the river.  We also played Roller Land, the Linden Roller Rink, and the Reynoldsburg Roller Rink and were the first band to play the Holiday Swim Club before the upper deck was added. 60s: How far was the band's "touring" territory? GV: We were part of a Jerry Razor tour; it took us to Marion, Ohio; Bowling Green; Bridgeport, Ohio; and within a 100-mile radius of Columbus. 60s: Did The Bonnevilles participate in any battle of the bands? GV: Yes...many at Roller Land, Valley Dale, and the Reynoldsburg Roller Rink. I remember The Edicates; one of the kids pulled up with his mom in a big cadillac and pulled his twin reverb out of the backseat. We all thought these boys were sissys from Upper Arlington; afterall, we were east side mutts. Won a few battles, and lost a few. 60s: What other local groups of the era do you especially recall? GV: I loved The Rebounds.  They always knew how to have a good time. 60s: Did The Bonnevilles have a manager? GV: Yes.  Bill Weaver.  We met him at a battle of the bands, while he was managing The Edicates.  He was fairly active in promoting us, but the majority of our bookings were found by our own band members. 60s: How popular locally did The Bonnevilles become? GV: The Bonnevilles reorganized into the new Bonnevilles.  We added Jim and Larry LeMasters on vocals and guitar.  I would say we were very popular, especially on the east side. 60s: What were the circumstances leading to the Bonnevilles' opportunity to record an album? GV: Bill Weaver was friends with the owner of Musicol Studios.  We played background tracks for a singer from The Bob Braun Show; in return, we were given recording time in John's studio.  Most of the tracks were done in one or two takes.  One track, 'Little Black Egg,' we were told was just a rehearsal, but they tricked us and put it on the album. The album was pressed as an acetate and never went to public press.  It didn't have a title; it was just The Bonnevilles.  The song list was: 'Mustang Sally', 'Baby Please Don't Go', 'Lady Jane', 'Bells Of Rhymney', 'You Better Move On', 'Tobacco Road', 'Eight Miles High', 'My Generation' and 'Little Black Egg.' 60s: Did The Bonnevilles write any original songs?  GV: No.  We were a cover band. 60s: Do any other '60's Bonnevilles recordings exist? GV: No.  Just the original album. 60s: Did the band make any local TV appearances? GV: We were on Jerry Razor's Dance Party. 60s: What year and why did the band break up? GV: In1966.  Jim Lemasters was drafted to Vietnam. 60s: Did you join or form any bands after The Bonnevilles? GV: Yes.  I was in The East Chapel Street Blues Band, Geno's Trio, Razzle, Ozzie and The Wizards, Cold Duck, Champagne, Geno's One Man Band, Annies Orphans, and Live Version.  I played full time professionally from 1969 to 1989. 60s: What keeps you busy today? GV: I am a financial advisor.  If the right opportunity came along, I would be playing again.  60s: How do you best summarize your experiences with The Bonnevilles? GV: I remember the friendships that were formed, yet somehow got lost in time.  They were great times. If any members of the band happen to read this, I would love to hear from you. Rock on!