Live Music for All Occasions
Weddings - Clubs - Corporate Parties - Private Affairs




















     Planet Groove exploded onto the music scene in 1991. Whether performing at an Outdoor Festival, Wedding, Club or Major Venue (Nassau Collisium), Planet Groove always delivers a dynamic show that leaves the crowd longing for more.  From Manhattan to Montauk and New Jersey to Boston, Planet Groove is the perfect high energy entertainment for any occasion. 
     Planet Groove is composed of extremely talented and professional musicians with incredible stage presence and undying energy. Their eclectic range of musical genres is sure to please even the most discerning palette.



Jon Lehrer : Guitar and Vocals

Planet Groove founder, 1991

Since jamming with Lionel Hampton at age twelve, Jon has played and recorded with many major artists. He has played with Ceril Neville of the Neville Brothers, John Medeski (Medeski, Martin, and Wood), Trey Lorenz (Mariah Carey), and Gavin Degraw. His soulful diverse guitar style makes Jon a featured performer in Planet Groove.




Frank Stainkamp : Keyboards and Vocals

Joined Planet Groove in 1997

With over 15 years of performing and recording experience, Frank’s versatility makes him one of the hottest keyboard players in the New York Tri-State area. Frank has studied privately with Greg Schleich of the Funk Filharmonik Band and has performed with Ralphy Rodriguez of Menudo, Trey Lorenz of the Mariah Carey Band, Lenny Rocillo of the Bonnie Tyler Band, world renowned drummer Steve Hass, and bassist Matt Rubano of  Taking Back Sunday.  Frank also works with the 80's bands Pop Rocks and Rubix Kube, as well as Elvis Impersonator Steve Mitchell.

Over the years, Frank has also developed the skill of covering the electric bass parts flawlessly with his left hand while playing the other keyboard parts with his right hand.  With many diverse influences, Frank has hundreds of songs in his repertoire.  




Don Prager: Lead Vocals / Percussion / MC
Joined Planet Groove in 1993

With his rich soulful voice, incredible stage presence, and outgoing personality, Don is a major musical force to reckon with.  Don has worked with the great Little Buster, guitar legend Tommy Burns of Billy Joel, with Alice Cooper’s Greg Smith, and with Grammy award winning producer Dennis Wilson of the Count Basie Orchestra. Don consistently pleases the crowd on a nightly basis.




Christina (Nina) Raniolo: Lead Vocals
Joined Planet Groove in 2010


Based in Long Island, NY, Christina (Nina) has been involved in the music scene professionally for over 15 years. . Nina had the opportunity of participating in All State, NYSMAA, All County, and All Eastern from 2004 through 2009. In addition, she was also part of a chamber choir and vocal ensemble for 2 years, which presented her with the distinct honor of singing at both St. Patrick's Cathedral and Lincoln Center. Nina is no stranger to the stage or recording studio. Over the years, she has been involved with several successful bands, which showcased her outgoing personality and wide-range vocal ability.

Every chance to sing is a chance to expand and grow. Christina learns and gains musical influence from those around her and truly enjoys sharing the gift of music with others. Some of Christina's musical inspirations include, Whitney Houston, Andrea Bocelli and Martina McBride. Christina whole-heartedly believes that the strongest muscle in your body, when it comes to singing, is your heart.





Joie Giordano: Lead Vocals
Joined Planet Groove in 2007

Joie, NY based, 21 yr old, born on Long Island. Since the time she was 5, she instinctively started singing at family parties, and hasn't stopped. At 13 she started hitting studios, recording, and building her skills in the studio process. As a teen, she played all the typical mall spots, opening the Columbus day parade twice, and opening for Arron Carter for a Z-100 event, then catching the ear of Tommy Mottola. After a live audition with Tommy, she was offered a deal by what was to be an imprint label that Motolla was to launch with Sony, but the label never launched. Joie spent the next 3 years getting better, out in Nashville recording, and hooking up with various producers like Kaygee of Divine Mill Records, Gary Burr, and famed producer Toby Gad for a series of sessions that returned some pretty impacting tracks. Joie is currently in the studio, recording, working with various producers, developing her sound, and the songs that will be on her debut release.




Fernando Menendez: Drums
Joined Planet Groove in 2008

Fernando Menendez is an accomplished drummer and percussionist who has played with various cover and original bands in the New York/Tri-State area. His musical background includes experience with rock, funk, dance, pop and R&B bands.

In 1986, Fernando joined Gordon Gano, of the Violent Femmes, in a side project, which led to two extensive U.S. tours, one European tour, and one Warner Brothers album, The Mercy Seat. In 2009, Fernando re-joined Gordon Gano along with the Ryan Brothers (of the Bogmen) for their newest original project, Gordon Gano and the Ryans. He played drums in the studio for the live recording, appeared in a video, toured the Northeast and played in a live NPR radio broadcast.







Dan Prine: Bass
Original member of Planet Groove, 1991.

New York resident and performing bassist for 25 plus years. Performances have included countless live shows and recording sessions with the following artists: Wheat - Original Rock / Blues / Jazz, The Jeff Prine Group - Original Rock / Blues / Jazz, Blues Mama Juanita Dixon - Blues, Joey Gilmore - Blues ,Winner 2006 International Blues Festival, Memphis, Second Hand Rose - Country, The Mad Trio - Jazz Standards, Jennifer Vazquez - Singer Songwriter, Robert Marcic Band - Classic Rock Cover Band, Zychophonic - Modern Classic Rock, The Usual Suspects - Corporate Party Band, Ford Falcon Blue - Modern Country Urban Rock, Ann Regina - Singer Songwriter,John " The Cat " Gatto - Guitarist - Producer - Arranger, Original member of The Good Rats, Sweet Suzie and The Blues Experience - Blues, Elvis Presley Tribute Band - Pre Vegas and Vegas

Dan has studied with the following players / instructors: Joe Fuoco, Izador Rosovsky, Jerry Jemmott, Victor Bailey, and John Pattitucci

www.danielprine.com




Michael Weisberger: Saxophone
Joined Planet Groove in 2005


BIO COMING SOON



Trey Lorenz: Lead Vocals - Available on a limited basis at this time. Call us for details!

Singer, songwriter, producer and Grammy nominated artist Trey Lorenz began his career supporting singer Mariah Carey on her first promotional tour in 1990, and the following year he provided background vocals on her album Emotions. Lorenz again served as Carey's backing singer on her 1992 appearance on the television show MTV Unplugged, where he and Carey sang a cover of The Jackson 5's "I'll Be There." Their performance was released as a single that went to number one in the United States.

Lorenz was subsequently offered a record deal and recorded a critically successful self-titled debut album. The single "Someone to Hold" (co-written and co-produced by Carey) peaked at number five on the U.S. HOT 100 R&B singles chart.

Lorenz returned to a career in background vocals, working for artists such as Beyonce, Usher, Will Smith, Vanessa Williams and the late Selena. He began to support Mariah Carey on her albums and concert tours again in 1997, including a featured spot in the 2003 Charmbracelet World Tour, and he recorded the songs, "Make You Happy" for the Men in Black soundtrack, which he co-wrote with Carey and Cory Rooney, and "I'm Still Not Over You" for the Money Train soundtrack.


 


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