REIGN DOWN PEACE

Growing up with 6 brothers and 5 sisters and living in a small house I learnt from a very early age the meaning of 'sharing' in every sense of the word.

My parents stressed 'equality' and 'unity' as the key to happiness and peace, this was paramount in our household, it was only when selfishness was present that tears flowed or we experienced conflict.

The words of my parents rooted deeply in my heart!... I believe the seed of peace must first be planted and cultivated from within.

In 1999 I came across the SMT announcement for 'The Song for Peace in the World Contest' I seized this opportunity to express my feelings about this hot global issue.

Vincent Pace

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Vincent Pace was born in 1953, Sydney Australia, the ninth of twelve children. He studied classical piano from the age of 9 and by the age of 15  could also play Bass, Drums and Guitar.

At the age of thirteen Vince was diagnosed with depression triggered after witnessing an accident involving his younger brother. He lost six months of school that year. Steeped in despair and a feeling of hopelessness he eventually had to be hospitalised. His condition caused him to believe that he would not live to see the end of that year. Battling with anxiety and depression again two years later forced him to quit high school permanently. He continued to study music with brutal intensity determined to beat the odds and become a successful musician.

Every Saturday morning without fail Vince would cycle a long way in all weather conditions to his master piano lesson which used to last one and a half hours. In the early years he would clock in six gruelling hours of solid practice everyday. Classical music training is extremely demanding, mentally and physically but reaps many positve outcomes...he learned about rhythmic discipline and the importance of correct technique, an appreciation of structure, form, texture and dynamics.

He anylized and listened to hundreds of recordings and taught himself how to play: rock, blues, funk, soul and many other styles of music. When he turned fourteen his two older brothers invited him to jam with their established pop/rock band the Starlights.Vince became very nervous about the whole idea. Being very young and lacking experience felt the pressure of expectation and had to prove himself in front of his piers. Neverthe less he accepted the invitation. The jam in reality turned out to be an audition. He went on playing in the band for five years, first as a bass player and then as the bands keyboard player doubling on backing vocals.

He has written and produced numerous songs. Some are very well known in the not so mainsteam circles. In 1998 and 1999 he wrote two songs for the National Italian Song Festival which helped catapult the carreer of a young Italian singer. His achievements also include: Three Christian rock albums, many of the songs are still receiving airplay on US FM radio stations and internet radio. An International award winning 'Peace' song. In 2004 recognition from Billboard USA for songwriting. A Unity award for production and songwriting presented to him by Howie D of Backstreet Boys in Washington DC 2002.

For the past twelve months Vince has been working diligently on various projects: An ambient cd with his long time friend and colleague Alex Keller whom plays cello, bass and also a sound engineer, a Latino/soul album, songs for a European project and his first solo album to be released early in 2011.