Article

Business and pleasure

People of the propane industry are linked by a burning passion for business. But when the business day ends and night falls, the musicians come out and the party starts.

Some of these musical talents have been on display at industry events over the years – some in the public spotlight, some behind closed doors. The more you inquire, the more you discover a unique group of people with a long history in music.

“I am constantly finding musicians in the propane business,” says Mike Boggs, director of education and technical services for the North Carolina Propane Gas Association. A classical guitarist, Boggs studied music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Georgia, and he still makes an effort to practice every day.

Perhaps it’s from the passion and creativity, which run deep in the propane industry, suggests Casey Harvey, regional sales manager for Ray Murray Inc. Harvey has played guitar for 17 years. His band, Thrushes, for whom his wife plays bass, just released its second album. PBS licensed one of the band’s original songs for the opening-credits theme on the national documentary series “Roadtrip Nation,” Harvey says.

Or perhaps it’s the strong friendships that are built in such a social industry that accentuates members’ talents, says Mark Pennington, president of Pennington Gas Service. Pennington’s name is spoken frequently throughout the industry for his piano-playing ability. The classically trained Pennington began playing at age 6, learning from at least six teachers and majoring in piano performance for two years in college.

“My parents are musically talented,” Pennington says. “They had my brothers and me singing three-part harmony when we were all under 10.”

Pennington was once on the piano at an NPGA board cocktail party with Sam McTier behind the microphone. McTier, president of Propane Technologies, went down memory lane from his early days in El Paso, Texas, where he began taking violin lessons in first grade and has played for 78 years. His impressive resume also includes the viola, ukulele and guitar. McTier formerly played viola with the El Paso and Lake Forest (Ill.) symphonies.

“Sam McTier is probably one of the most accomplished musicians in the industry,” says Bruce Swiecicki, senior technical adviser at NPGA, and another notable propane musician identified by his industry peers.

Swiecicki has played guitar for 36 years, with percussion, harmonica and vocals in his background. Most of his experience playing at industry events and meetings comes behind closed doors, “mostly jamming in someone’s hotel room after dinner,” he says.

Ed Varney has a background in music, attending The Boston Conservatory and graduating from the Berklee College of Music. The director of sales for Fisher Emerson studied performance and songwriting, and can play the saxophone, flute, clarinet and blues harmonica as well as sing. Varney has played in everything from symphonies to rock bands, and is currently developing a duo with his son, Eric, to perform in various venues in the Dallas area.

The list of propane musicians is long. The industry has identified, at NPGA, Rick Roldan (violin), Bob Elliott (guitar), Phil Squair (piano) and Stuart McLean (trombone) for their musical talents. In addition, Naomi Cordill, wife of NPGA Chairman Joe Cordill, has impressed with her singing at industry events. Stuart Flatow of PERC (guitar), Erich Wolf of Cavagna North America (accordion) and Milt Swenson of Arrow Tank and Engineering (guitar) are just some of the industry talents mentioned. And there are probably plenty more.

LP Gas columnist and safety advocate Jay Johnston is often seen with his guitar at industry events. He began playing 11 years ago, now traveling with a guitar that he bought at a pawnshop on his way to a PERC meeting in Maine.

Whatever drives that connection between propane and music, Johnston is right on when he says, “My philosophy is that life is too short to be too serious. Let’s have a little fun while we do business.”