Facing ALS, in love and in tune

By Robert Brum

Wayne Warnecke and Vaneese Thomas have been on quite a journey together: first as musical partners, then as husband and wife, and now as Wayne battles ALS.

The Westchester County couple has deep roots in the music industry — Wayne as an acclaimed engineer and producer spanning many genres; Vaneese as an R&B and blues vocalist. They bonded over songwriting and he later produced her first record.

Over the years they’ve piled up a long list of accomplishments separately and as a team, most recently at Wayne’s home studio, Peaceful Waters.

Then in July 2022, Wayne was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a neurological disorder that causes the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Currently there is no medical treatment for ALS.

“It was way out of the blue, something nobody ever expects,” Wayne said recently. “You spend your life trying to avoid cancer and heart disease, then you get something like you never ever thought of.”

He found the first few days after being diagnosed “kind of head-spinning, and then I would say a good few weeks of bewilderment, and then after that you really start looking for answers.”

Vaneese said her husband’s ALS had “developed in an atypical way” during the last two-plus years, and despite the progression, he was able to produce her latest album, Stories in Blue, in June, and was wrapping up a project with singer-songwriter Michael Horwitz.

“My legs have pretty much become useless,” Wayne said. “My hands and arms have become very weak. I still can [use the] mouse a little bit.”

Breathing with the help of a non-invasive ventilator, his voice remains strong. “The neurologist is quite surprised about that, and the fact that I can still swallow pretty well,” he said.

He added: “As a patient you always hope for the best. You hear some people last six months and other people nine or 10 years; so it’s very individual.”

The disease hasn't robbed Wayne of his dry sense of humor.

“When I had to use a cane I called it Candy,” he said. “Then I graduated to a walker, and we thought the best name was Junior. The wheelchair looks amazing so I call it my Maserati. When you’re in it, it feels fast, but really it’s only a half-mile an hour.”

The outpouring of support since his diagnosis has been a source of strength. The constant stream of visitors keeps his outlook positive.

“As much bad as has been going on, I find that you’re more aware of the good in humanity,” Wayne said. “So many people, friends, their friends, even just acquaintances, clients of mine, have all been incredibly attentive. It really has been an amazing thing to see.”

A Night for Wayne

One of those friends, Westchester County musician Mickey Rosen, is organizing an all-star concert titled “Musicians United for ALS: A Night for Wayne Warnecke” to raise funds for ALS United Greater New York.

The April 15 show at Purchase College will be MC’d by Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos’ “Big Pussy”) with celebrated arranger-composer-producer Rob Mathes serving as music director. Artists expected to perform include Scandal’s Patty Smyth, former Letterman music director Paul Shaffer, Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas, jazz guitarist Gil Parris, Average White Band, Ed Palermo Big Band, Grammy-winning R&B vocalist Lisa Fischer, and Grammy-winning keyboardist Bob James.

Vaneese will be performing, as will her sister, Carla Thomas, “the Queen of Memphis Soul,” known for her 1960s hits for Stax and Atlantic records. Their father is the late R&B/soul performer Rufus (Walkin’ the Dog) Thomas.

The event’s house band is scheduled to include Saturday Night Live drummer Shawn Pelton, former Letterman show bassist Will Lee, keyboardist Robbie Kondor, Oz Noy on guitar, Rob Mathes on keyboards and guitar and Paul Shaffer on Hammond B3 organ.

A silent auction will include a signed tennis ball from Smyth’s husband, John McEnroe, and guitars signed by Willie Nelson, Buddy Guy and Joe Bonamassa.

Mathes, who has worked extensively with Wayne, called him “one of the most gifted and kindest humans on the planet and a miraculous patient. All of his friends and musician colleagues wanted to come together to honor him and help fight this disease.”

Words and music

Wayne, who grew up in Mamaroneck, started playing drums at age 9, later picking up the guitar and playing with the band Friction, which gigged around Westchester County.

He was hired at Minot Sound Studios in White Plains in 1981, where he engineered or assisted on recordings by jazz pianist Bob James, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chaka Khan, singer-songwriter Grace Potter, drummer Lenny White and the legendary Luther Vandross.

Vaneese Thomas and Wayne Warnecke at Minot Sound Studios in White Plains in the 1980s. Contributed photo

Vaneese began co-writing songs with Wayne and Ernie Poccia at Minot in 1983, and in 1987, she launched her recording career as a vocalist during R&B’s sensual “quiet storm era.” Wayne produced her eponymously titled debut album and has since produced eight others, including her forays into the blues starting in 2012.

They left Minot Sound to start PTW Productions in 1987 in Mamaroneck, their production company/recording studio. They married in 1989 and founded Peaceful Waters Music.

Vaneese has been an in-demand background vocalist and studio session singer who has worked with Eric Clapton, David Bowie, Luther Vandross and Sting.

The couple has written or co-written many songs, including Vaneese’s One Shining Moment, which was recorded by Diana Ross. They co-wrote and co-produced Freddie Jackson’s song Still Waiting, from a platinum album Just Like the First Time.

Amid the uncertainties of his condition, Wayne is clear about how he views the days ahead.

“After the first year of going through this, I've come to the conclusion I’d much rather be grateful for everything I've gotten in my life rather than be bitter,” he said.

A Night for Wayne

• What: Fundraising concert for ALS United Greater New York
• When: Tuesday, April 15. Performances start at 7 p.m.
• Where: Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY
• Who: MC’d by Vincent Pastore; musical director Rob Mathes. Performers include Patty Smyth, Paul Shaffer, Rob Thomas, Gil Parris, Lisa Fischer, Bob James and Average White Band.
• VIP sponsorships are available.
• Tickets: $215- $250
• Visit alsunitedgreaternewyork.ticketspice.com/a-night-for-wayne
• Information: Louis Toscano at anightforwayne@gmail.com or 845-507-2885

Robert Brum is a freelance journalist who writes about the Hudson Valley. Contact him and read his work at robertbrum.com.