Recent Songs
What If I Loved You (from 'Return to Me') (7/8) Tyros4
I Love To See You Smile (10/30) Tyros4
The Minute You're Gone (10/27) Tyros4
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye (2/14) Tyros4
Musical Background
(August, 2014) I was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1940. My wife of 46 years, Nancy, and I reside near Belton, Mo. We have two sons and three grandchildren. I served six years in the Marine Corps and was elected as Cass County Surveyor for 18 years. I have been in private practice as a land surveyor since 1970 and am the Managing Partner of Roger L. Brenizer & Associates Professional Land Surveyors. I am also a computer programmer and have written and sold software, which is a big advantage to understanding the Yamaha Tyros 4 Arranger Workstation.
Musical Background: I was introduced to music, at the age of five, when my parents gave me a plastic accordion for Christmas. I immediately began playing very simple songs, the first being "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." I wanted to learn to play a real accordion and started taking lessons in 1946. After a few years of lessons my mother took me and my sister to see Dick Contino, a world renowned accordionist, perform live on stage at the RKO Missouri Theater in Kansas City. I was so enthralled with his performance that when we left there I said to my mother; "I want to play the accordion just like Dick Contino someday, mommy." Needless to say, that never happened, because there was then and is now only one Dick Contino.
The early years found me playing in recitals, school functions, talent contests and nightclubs, under my parent's supervision, and performing with my sister, who was a dancer, for veteran's homes. In about 1953 I began studying under Don Lipovac, a world renowned accordion player.
My mom and dad had no musical training, but they wanted to learn to play the organ because they had a friend who played piano and organ. They also had friends who played guitar, clarinet and banjo. So in the early 1960's they bought a Magnavox chord organ and thought because I played the accordion I could teach them to play the organ. The organ was totally foreign to me with the keys being horizontal and perpendicular to me, as opposed to the accordion being vertical and parallel with my body. I used to sit sideways on the bench so I could even come close to getting the fingering correct. That was a real laugh. And I had to learn to play left hand chords, which was entirely different than the bass buttons on an accordion. My parents finally learned some easy tunes and enjoyed playing to their own satisfaction. I also became accustomed to the organ and gravitated to it rather easily.
Well, I was off and running with a new love of organs. Since those early days I have owned a Lowery Theater organ, a Thomas organ, a Hammond Drawbar organ, and currently own two Yamaha HS-8T organs, which were built in 1987, a Kohler & Campbell piano, my original Ancona accordion, which is now about 67 years old and a Yamaha Tyros 4 keyboard. I still play the older HS-8T's today and they produce some marvelous sounds.
I love all kinds of music: Church, Big Band, Dixieland, Classical, Latin, Blues, Pop, Easy Listening, Jazz, Polka, etc. All of my music is recorded live. I sight read and play by ear. I don't edit my music, so what you hear is what you get. I hope you enjoy my music.
I owe so much to my wonderful parents who made it possible for me to learn to play music. It's truly the gift of a lifetime. My parents went home to be with the Lord, several years ago, but my dad's words still ring in my ears today, as he always said the same thing when I sat down to play; "How about a little Alley Cat, Roger." I think I wore that song out. And above all, I thank God for what little ability He gave me. I play to honor Him.
Thank you, Joe Waters, for the opportunity to be a part of this great community you have created. I look forward to learning more from what you have spent untold hours producing and hopefully I will be able to contribute in some small way.
Music Is My Life,
Roger Brenizer
Roger's MP3 Song Index
Recent songs are in the Jukebox above. The list below includes all of Roger's songs arranged alphabetically by song title. Click on the song title to listen to and/or download the song. (7/8/21)