When Glass Prism, RCA's exclusive recording group hailing form the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, was searching for something distinctive for its debut album, one of the quartet, Augie Christiano, an Edgar Allan Poe buff, suggested basing their material on the works of the great 19th century American poet. These are represented in the combo's initial Victor album, "Poe Through the Glass Prism" (LSP-4201). The group performs eleven of Poe's works, set to music by Glass Prism's Thomas Varano and Augie Christiano, and translates into a contemporary vein the vital feeling of the "lyrics" written more than a century ago. Glass Prism consists of Carl Siracuse, Thomas Varano, Augie Christiano, and Rick Richards. Carl Siracuse, a native of Kingston, Pennsylvania, plays organ and rhythm guitar with Glass Prism. A graduate of Wilkes College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he recently received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Carl had been performing for the past eight years in a local group called El Caminos, with Tom Varano and two others. Through attrition, Rick Richards and Augie Christiano came into the group and the four performed as El Caminos until recently when they began searching for a new name. Carl, whose sister is a nurse, was thumbing through one of her physics books and came upon a diagram of a glass prism. Voila! Thomas Varano, from Shonokin, Pennsylvania, has harbored the ambition of becoming a great jazz guitarist since his high school days. It was a particular thrill that Glass Prism's debut RCA album was recorded at Les Paul's own studios in Mahwah, New Jersey, with the famed guitarist engineering the session. In addition to performing with the group, playing guitar and piano, Tom runs a recently-opened girls' boutique, Bedroom, in Wilkes-Barre. He and Augie collaborated with "lyricist" Edgar Allan Poe on the album "Poe Through the Glass Prism." Augie Christiano, Scranton's contribution to Glass Prism, plays bass guitar. Except for a childhood desire to grow up to become a pro football star, his driving ambition was music. Following graduation from West Scranton High School, he did a two-year hitch with the United States Army, and then became lead singer with a group called The Henchmen. When he heard that El Caminos was looking for a bass player, Augie, whose instrument was the rhythm guitar, faked his way through the audition, was chosen, and then learned how to play bass guitar. Drummer Rick Richards, the group's "old man" at 26, is the only out-of-stater --- he's from the Bronx --- in Glass Prism ("but I moved out before I was two"). He has always wanted to be a drummer and won first place in countless talent shows through his days in Scranton Technical High School. He spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, is now Glass Prism's percussionist, and works as a licensed electrician in the Scranton area. As Glass Prism, the quartet disperses light making meaningful, by today's standards, words which are part of our literacy heritage --- and makes itself unique among contemporary music groups.

	Tom Varano Guitar and Piano Studied guitar with classical cellist, Enzo Liva and jazz guitarist, Joe Bedwavik. Played with the El Caminos, The Glass Prism and Shenandoah, 1960-1976.
	Rick Richards Drums Started playing drums at 13. Played in high school marching band and orchestra. Also while in high school played with a rock band “ King Tones”. In 1960 wrote and sang with a Doo Wop group, “Treasures”. Recorded 1961 Crown Records “I Walk With An Angel”. Did 4 years in USAF. While stationed in Mass, played with different groups around the Boston area. Joined El Caminos in 1966…to Glass Prism, then to Shenandoah. The rest is history.
	Louie Cossa Bass, Organ, and Guitar I started playing guitar in 1964 and added keyboards in 1969. I performed with the "Hip Pocket"(N.Y.C.) in 1970, with a 10 piece horn band "RALPH" for about a year, and then with an original band, "Shenandoah" from 1971 to 1975. For the next 3 years or so I worked with "the BOX TOPS". A road band version of the original."DAKOTA" was the next band for two years. We were signed with CBS, EPIC, COLUMBIA and after I left, MERCURY RECORDS. "DAKOTA" opened up for many name artists, including PAT BENETAR, JOE COCKER, and we were the opening act for the 1980 "QUEEN" tour. Ending my music career by returning to Scranton, i’ve worked with a wedding band, the “Exact Change”, A Pocono Band “Thea and leclic”, And as of late An electronic duo “Solo-Tu” and A 4 piece RB band “The Next”. I have worked in the retail music business since 1978. I started by helping a friend of mine and eventually opened my own store in 1987. I have been trained for keyboard programming, Sound System set up and installation.
	Augie Christiano Bass Guitar Augie and his cousin Johnnie started a band called The Marvels in 1961. It lasted one year. Then Augie went into the army. In 1965-66 when he returned he joined the Henchmen, a Scranton based rock band. In the summer of 1966 while visiting Atlantic City in the famous Scranton Bar, the first manager of The El Caminoes, Gary Ciccerini was sitting across from him. Gary new Augie and told him that there was an opening for a bass player. Augie auditioned and was hired on the spot. In 1969 the RCA record deal came and the bands name changed to The Glass Prism. Later when the band went three piece in late 1970 -71 the name changed again to Shenandoah. About a year later Augie went with a few other popular local area bands, The 8th Street Bridge, Button Gwinnet and Mule. After leaving Mule, Augie moved to New Jersey. Augie answered an add for a bass player/vocalist in Circus Circus magazine and met guitarist, Anthony Gelona and drummer, Mike Cazzupi. They formed a power trio called, Thunder Pussy. Then came Central Frieght for about a year and Appaloossa for another year. After playing with Dragonwyck, Augie retired from playing in about 1981-82. Then came the call from Tommy to do the reunion of The Glass Prism in 2008.