Hey guys, Debbie Nigro here — and if you’re anything like me, you’re holding on to hope, love, and music to lift your spirits… in spite of it all.
That phrase — “in spite of it all” — felt like the perfect segue into one of the most meaningful and emotional conversations I’ve had in a long time on The Debbie Nigro Show. I had the honor of welcoming the incredible Wayne Warnicke, a legendary music producer who was diagnosed with ALS in 2022, and his powerhouse of a wife, the talented and soulful Vaneese Thomas.
Together, they are the heartbeat behind Musicians United for ALS, a one-night-only benefit concert packed with iconic talent — all coming together to raise funds for ALS research and patient support.
Meet Wayne & Vaneese: They Brought Such Great Energy to the Show. Theirs Is a Love Story in Music and Resilience
As you can see from this photo in an article by Seth Harrison published in LOHUD the terrific Westchester County NY newspaper, called “Meet Wayne Warnecke, a music producer with ALS holding a benefit concert at SUNY Purchase”…Wayne now has some challenges. But you’d never know it by listening to him during our conversion.
Wayne’s story is one of deep passion and remarkable perseverance. From starting as a drummer at age 9 to producing legends like Bob James, Luther Vandross, and David Sanborn, Wayne’s music journey has been nothing short of epic. He fell in love with the studio life as a teenager walking into Minot Sound in White Plains — and never looked back.
And then there’s Vaneese. A force of nature. A blues powerhouse. A woman who met Wayne in the studio and never left his side. Now, she’s not only singing the blues, but she’s also living with love and lifting Wayne every step of the way. “She does everything,” Wayne said, with humor in his voice and gratitude in his heart. “I’m a lot of work,” he chuckled.
And yet, his spirit is unstoppable.
Mark your calendars: April 15th at the Concert Hall at SUNY Purchase.
This ADA-compliant venue will welcome a phenomenal lineup of artists, many of whom have deep personal ties to Wayne:
Patti Smythe of Scandal
Paul Shaffer of Late Show with David Letterman fame
Average White Band (hello, 70s groove!)
Lisa Fisher, Grammy-winning vocal goddess
James “D-Train” Williams
Bob James (another Grammy legend!)
Ed Palermo Big Band
Bernie Williams, yes, THAT Bernie from the Yankees
Rising local star Elsa, guitar virtuoso Gil Parris, and more!
And hosting the evening? None other than Vinnie Pastore of The Sopranos — you know it’s going to be a blast.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
The musical direction is in the expert hands of Rob Mathes, a Kennedy Center Honors-level arranger and a dear friend of the couple.
Plus, yes — there will be cocktails and hors d’oeuvres starting at 5:30pm, all included in your ticket!
Why This Matters
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is cruel, mysterious, and currently incurable. Wayne’s journey with ALS began when he couldn’t quite stand up straight… then swimming got harder… and eventually, the diagnosis came. But rather than retreat, Wayne has rallied. He’s using his voice — and his incredible connections — to shine a light and raise funds.
As he put it, “If life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”
This event is about music, yes. But it’s also about love, awareness, accessibility, and hope. The funds raised will go directly toward research and patient support, and the energy in the room will be unforgettable.
Get Your Tickets or Donate Now!
Visit Musicians United for ALS to buy your tickets or make a donation. (Yes, it’s tax-deductible!)
Show Wayne, Vaneese, and the entire ALS community that they are not alone.
Final Thoughts
You know, some people just have that light. Wayne and Vaneese are those people. Their love, their strength, their humor, and their commitment to turning a difficult diagnosis into a night of celebration… it’s just extraordinary.
I promise you’ll be inspired listening to them both in this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show. If you’d rather read than listen the audio transcript of the podcast is below.
0:00:26
(Speaker 1)
Hey, welcome back to the Debbie Nigro Show. Hi guys, hope you’re feeling good today and staying hopeful in spite of it all.
In spite of it all is a nice way to lead into my guest we are about to meet who is dynamic and powerful and compassionate in spite of it all.
We’re going to talk about an event that’s coming up called Musicians United for ALS Fundraiser and you’re going to meet well-known music producer Wayne Warnicke and his lovely wife Vaneese.
0:01:00
(Speaker 1)
Wayne was diagnosed with ALS in 2022 and he organized this and he’s passionate that this go on, this star-studded concert for ALS and they’re going to join me right now to tell us all about the evening that’s going to be emceed by Vinnie Pastore of The Sopranos and led by celebrated arranger and producer Rob Mathis, his musical director. The evening is going to feature well-known talent, Patti Smith, Paul Schaeffer from The Late Show with David Letterman, Average White Band, Lisa Fisher, a Grammy Award winning
0:01:29
(Speaker 1)
R&B artist, James D. Train Williams, Bob James, another Grammy Award winning artist, Ed Palermo’s big band, and Bernie Williams. Hello, Denise and Wayne, welcome to my show.
0:01:40
(Speaker 2)
Hello, Debbie, how are you doing?
0:01:42
(Speaker 8)
Good morning, Debbie.
0:01:43
(Speaker 1)
Girls and boys, you are peppy today. I love that you brought the energy for this show today. Oh, yeah, absolutely. Wayne, Wayne, Wayne, my heart to your heart.
0:01:52
(Speaker 2)
Well, thank you so much.
0:01:54
(Speaker 1)
Yeah, and this is a twist in your life. I know that you are always being innovative, but now you’re having to be innovative with a few challenges. So, how are you doing?
0:02:08
(Speaker 2)
I’m hanging in there.
0:02:09
(Speaker 1)
Yeah.
0:02:10
(Speaker 2)
Ventilator.
0:02:11
(Speaker 1)
Yeah, I saw the pictures in the newspaper today, the Daily Voice. That cannot be simple.
0:02:16
(Speaker 2)
No, but I tell you, the ALS organization has been so helpful. That’s really helping us get through this.
0:02:25
(Speaker 1)
Oh, that’s beautiful. Yeah. I’m sure everybody who loves you like your beautiful wife, Venise, are going above and beyond to make you comfortable and whatever you need. Venise, nice to meet you. Nice to meet you too, Debbie.
0:02:39
(Speaker 1)
Thank you. I heard you’re talented as heck. I know that together you met in the business. Tell me how you met Wayne. Wayne used to work at a studio in White Plains called Minot Sound. Oh, I know it.
0:02:52
(Speaker 1)
I know it. Yeah, it’s a great place. And so many of his clients he met there and they became our friends and most of them are turning out to help for this wonderful event.
0:03:05
(Speaker 2)
It’s amazing. You know you make a couple of phone calls and all of a sudden everybody is
0:03:12
(Speaker 1)
dropping everything. It’s great, it’s great. Well you’re kind of a special guy making a couple of phone calls. Your background is fascinating. I love that you started as a drummer at nine years old.
0:03:23
(Speaker 8)
Oh yeah, couldn’t get enough of it. I’m glad you weren’t my kid at nine.
0:03:27
(Speaker 1)
Making all that noise. My poor parents. Your poor parents, man. And then you had a local band in the in New York area called Friction? Oh yeah, we were fearless.
0:03:37
(Speaker 2)
My kind of guy.
0:03:39
(Speaker 1)
And then you went on and you really started getting into the engineering side when you got to Minot Sound Studios. I walked in to that studio, I think I was 14 or 15 years old, and I took one step in
0:03:53
(Speaker 2)
and said, boy, I’ve got to do this with my life. You know, when you feel it, you feel it.
0:03:58
(Speaker 1)
It is something very, very exciting about being in a recording studio.
0:04:04
(Speaker 2)
Absolutely.
0:04:05
(Speaker 1)
Yeah, I think it’s all the knobs and the buttons that most people have. Radio, too. Yeah, and radio. Debbie, I don’t know if you know, but my father was an announcer, a DJ for 50 years at WDIA
0:04:20
(Speaker 8)
in Memphis.
0:04:21
(Speaker 1)
Oh, wow, I did not know that. So you know the business.
0:04:24
(Speaker 5)
I know it very well.
0:04:25
(Speaker 1)
I’ve always loved radio and I never really did know what all those buttons did. It was like a star ship. I once had to control it all and then, well, I don’t do that anymore. I love the buttons.
0:04:35
(Speaker 7)
You love the buttons.
0:04:36
(Speaker 1)
You like, hmm? Your background, you work with some really terrific talent, man. Bob James, Luther Vandross, David Sanborn. So you were like the guy. You were a really top producer and engineer and must have really loved that you earned that and worked hard for it, huh?
0:04:52
(Speaker 2)
Well, I came up in the business at a really great time. All these fabulous artists were coming out to White Plains.
0:05:00
(Speaker 1)
Really?
0:05:01
(Speaker 2)
To do work.
0:05:01
(Speaker 1)
Yeah.
0:05:02
(Speaker 2)
They wanted to get out of the city. So we were really lucky to experience that early on in my career.
0:05:11
(Speaker 6)
Yeah.
0:05:11
(Speaker 2)
Although the guy you just mentioned. Yeah.
0:05:14
(Speaker 1)
You know, it’s funny. I was reading about how this studio, when you were back in Mammaroneck, New York, you had a partner named Ernie Pocha. I think I knew Ernie back when, I’m not sure, his name just popped out. But that’s where you guys produced a whole bunch of albums, and Melbourne Moore’s Stay, and Freddie Jackson’s Still Waiting, and then you got in there, Bernice, and together produced
0:05:36
(Speaker 1)
your latest album, right? Yes. Wayne and Ernie produced my first album that I had on Geffen Records. And then Ernie sort of left the business, the partnership, and Wayne and I continued from there, and he produced a lot of records here at the studio. And then I began singing the blues, patterning myself after my dad and I’ve been doing the blues ever since and Wayne
0:06:06
(Speaker 1)
and loving it I’m loving it I do love it you sound like you love each other very much so this is a moment in time where you really need each other yeah yeah what does she do best Wayne what does Vanessa do best for you come on tell me what does she make for cook does she like rub your feet what does she do you
0:06:25
(Speaker 2)
You know, anything and everything. We’ve got aides coming in every day and then Vanny takes over when they go home and she’s
0:06:39
(Speaker 1)
got to do it all. I know, it’s a lot of effort to care for somebody.
0:06:44
(Speaker 2)
It is.
0:06:45
(Speaker 1)
I keep telling her, boy I’m a lot of work.
0:06:48
(Speaker 3)
You’ve got a great sense of humor, it’s wonderful. Oh he does.
0:06:51
(Speaker 5)
He’s a witty guy and it keeps me uplifted.
0:06:53
(Speaker 2)
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
0:06:56
(Speaker 1)
You’re the best today. And no wonder everybody wants to come and do anything they can for you. You are beloved by so many people. So this is going to be a great night. Oh, my God, I’m coming. The evening will be emceed by Vinnie.
0:07:07
(Speaker 5)
Please come, Debbie.
0:07:08
(Speaker 1)
We’d love to have you. Oh, I’m definitely coming. Vinnie Pastore, who I do know from The Sopranos, is going to emcee. That was a good choice. He’s fun. I’ve known Vinny for years and years when he owned his restaurant and club in New Rochelle. I used to go there.
0:07:26
(Speaker 3)
Yeah? You used to play there with my band Night Sprite. Oh, I probably saw you there and was dancing to you. Yeah, probably was.
0:07:34
(Speaker 1)
And then Rob Mathis, strangely, I know how talented he is. He was my late, really dear friend’s godson. So I…
0:07:40
(Speaker 5)
Yes, that’s right.
0:07:41
(Speaker 1)
Yeah, so I saw him, I’ve seen him do his thing, man. And, you know, that’s musical rangers and directors. God, they had nobody better than Rob Mathis. Nobody better. And we are so lucky to call him our friend.
0:07:51
(Speaker 2)
He’s such a great friend, yeah.
0:07:52
(Speaker 1)
Oh, he’s a major talent. The Kennedy Center honors, I know all about him. Am I saying Patti Smith’s name right? No, it’s Smythe. Patti Smythe. I thought I said it wrong. From Scandal. Paul Schaefer, who everybody knows is a brilliant talent. The Average White Band. I used to dance to them. Love them.
0:08:11
(Speaker 1)
Wayne, they’ve been his client for a long time and he loves Alan Gorey and Arnie.
0:08:18
(Speaker 2)
They’re such great people.
0:08:19
(Speaker 1)
Oh, I can’t wait. And then Lisa Fisher. Magnificent singer. One of the best in the world yeah James D. Train Williams oh my goodness he had so many hits in the 80s it’s unbelievable Bob James the best the best you know I ever met yes he’s a great guy good friend and then the Ed Palermo big band yep so great and Bernie Williams so everybody knows and we’ve got a wonderful local um talent named Elsa she’s a brilliant singer-songwriter and from the Richfield area. Fantastic. Love to see her.
0:08:57
(Speaker 2)
And Gil Paris.
0:08:58
(Speaker 5)
And Gil Paris.
0:08:59
(Speaker 1)
Oh, wow. And Ernie Williams, who believe it or not, since he started playing guitar, has been
0:09:05
(Speaker 3)
Wayne’s client.
0:09:06
(Speaker 2)
I was a fan then. I’m a fan now.
0:09:08
(Speaker 1)
Well, you must have been a lot of fun to work with. I can tell you that right now. It was a lot of fun. Just the way you vibe, man. So this is Musicians United for ALS fundraiser all the money that’s raised is going to be going to be donated To hopefully find a cure or figure out what’s going on with this this disease. That’s the problem
0:09:26
(Speaker 2)
I don’t support and patient support
0:09:28
(Speaker 1)
Can I ask you a ridiculous question and you don’t you know Wayne I want to talk more about your wonderful Things that are going on not the things that are challenging you, but how did you first feel this coming on? How did you know this was happening to you?
0:09:44
(Speaker 2)
Well, I started to having trouble standing up straight. My sisters would say, stand up straight. I’m telling them, I really can’t. And then, when I was swimming in a pool, I noticed my breast was a little less. It was harder to swim under water. And then you start getting muscle twitches.
0:10:13
(Speaker 2)
And we all get them, but they go away. Mine didn’t go away. It took like a year and a half for the doctor. It’s very difficult. I figured that because nobody knows. It’s so hard to figure out what’s
0:10:26
(Speaker 1)
going on with people in general and this one is a tough one to identify, right? Yes. Well I finally found the right place to go. We did very thorough testing. In fact,
0:10:35
(Speaker 2)
his wonderful doctor, Kunal Desai, is at Greenwich Hospital. He’s coming to the show.
0:10:42
(Speaker 1)
Oh wonderful. Well that’s good advice for everybody listening, you know, where to go if you think maybe you have some of these symptoms or…
0:10:53
(Speaker 2)
Yeah, neurology is hard.
0:10:55
(Speaker 1)
Yeah, neurology is hard. So this was 2022 and now here we are in 2025 and you’re still going strong and using all your energy to make this topic loud so that people can be more aware of it and we can find out more about this disease and get money. We’d love to have, you know, it’s an ADA compliant theater, the concert hall at Purchase, and
0:11:21
(Speaker 3)
there’s room for people with wheelchairs.
0:11:22
(Speaker 2)
I’ll be there.
0:11:23
(Speaker 3)
Wayne will be there in his wheelchair.
0:11:25
(Speaker 1)
So please, you know, buy tickets to come and we have space for all of you who are ADA. Wonderful. There shouldn’t be a place on the planet where somebody can’t access with a wheelchair. I agree. Yeah, we’re getting there, but we’re not quite there yet. Yeah, I know, but some restaurants, you know,
0:11:48
(Speaker 1)
but really, if you can’t accommodate, you shouldn’t be doing it. But okay, so this is going to be April 15th at SUNY Purchase. How much of the ticket, do we even know how much the tickets are, or does it matter? It’s a write-off anyway, right? It’s a deduction and donation. In fact, if you go to Musicians United,
0:12:11
(Speaker 1)
Search it. Yeah, go to the website, then you’ll find a donation link and a ticket link. Right. All right, fascinating. So, there’s nobody playing instruments and singing,
0:12:25
(Speaker 1)
you guys aren’t doing any of that? You’re just gonna be there rooting? I’m gonna sing a little bit. I knew that! I was like, Venice is definitely gonna get up there because I could just tell by your nature of your personality. Yeah, I’m gonna do a little bit for
0:12:37
(Speaker 2)
my sweetie. That’s beautiful. So look, there’s a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres. Yes. Oh, I like
0:12:44
(Speaker 1)
hors d’oeuvres and cocktails a lot. Yeah, so tell everybody that’s included in the ticket price. I don’t want to miss that part.
0:12:52
(Speaker 2)
5.30.
0:12:54
(Speaker 1)
5.30? I’ll be there. Alright. Hey, a joy meeting you Wayne and Venice. Thank you so much for both joining me. You guys just tuning in, we’re talking to Wayne Warnicke and his beautiful wife, Venice, because they’re behind Musicians United for ALS. It’s a night for Wayne, who has ALS, and all the funds are going to the cause to find out what’s going on with
0:13:16
(Speaker 1)
this disease to help the patients and it’s a well a night well spent it’ll be a great music night and I hope you join us okay great meeting you both have a wonderful day you’re welcome bye now.
