THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412070158
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Woiziow is:
a) A Polish dessert.
b) A palindrome.
c) A sound preceding a sneeze.
d) A spirit.
e) A rock band.
The correct answers are b, d and e.
The band, active in the 1970s, got back together last year.
``We did a benefit show in Franklin in October - that got us back in the mood,'' said Richard Smith.
The Smith brothers make up three-fourths of the band. Richard plays guitar, George hits the drums and Moody is on keyboards, plays flute and sings.
The other Woiziow guys are bassist-guitarist Donnie Johnson and keyboardist-guitarist-vocalist Donald Goodwin.
``We play classic rock - blues-oriented. If we play a gig with another band - that means the show will have more variety,'' Richard said. ``We never followed the mainstream top-40. That's our problem. We're not mainstream, but Hampton Roads is.''
That means they are keeping their day jobs. At night, they are working on an album of original pieces.
``We would love to do music full time,'' Moody said. ``We would if the money was right and we could pay our bills, but we all have kids.''
Woiziow gets together as often as they can, practicing and exchanging jokes and barbs.
``Our music is about the same as it was when we played in the '70s,'' George said. ``The newer stuff is too far out.''
In the '70s, they opened for people like Vassar Clements, Chuck Lavelle (Eric Clapton's keyboard player), Delaney & Bonnie and Bob Geldolf.
The name Woiziow - even the band members aren't sure of the pronunciation - came from a Ouija board.
``People were messing with them in the early '70s. We couldn't think of a name for the band,'' Goodwin said. ``The Ouija (planchette) went around and came up with the name. According to the board it means spirit.''
Woiziow also liked the idea that the name is a palindrome.
Once they settled on the name the Suffolk-Isle of Wight County musicians hit the road, often winding up in Richmond on the college circuit.
One gig took them to a slightly different atmosphere - the state penitentiary.
``Now, we're concentrating on recordings and benefits,'' Goodwin said. ``We're in our 40s - we're not interested in hanging out.''
Poor old guys.
``In the '70s, when we started, we were really dedicated,'' Moody said. ``Now, we're in our second childhood.''
When they first started, they practiced in an egg carton-lined room on a farm in Myrtle.
After the initial breakup, most of the musicians joined other bands, but they seem happier being together again.
``Nobody in this group has a bad attitude,'' Goodwin said. ``Everybody works together.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
This is Woiziow: In front are the Smith brothers, George, left,
Richard and Moody. In back are Donald Goodwin and Donnie Johnson.
The group plays classic rock music.
by CNB