> In 1984 I met Jimmy Harnen (another resident of NE Pa.), who was taking his band Synch into the studio to record, and was looking for producers. He chose Jerry Hludzik and Bill Kelly (leaders of Dakota) to produce, and I came along as part of a package deal. I wound up playing keyboards, arranging and co-producing "Where Are You Now?", which went to #10 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart, and #3 on the Contemporary Adult Chart. The song still shows up on 80's rock compilation albums from time to time.

> In 1996 Jimmy and I co-wrote"The Best I Can Do (without you)"which went Top 5 on Tampa Bay's Mix-96 (WMTX-FM), and got major airplay on 15 radio markets across the U.S.  Jimmy has since finished his new album, All About Time, at Franklin, Tenn.'s North Beach Studio with producers Cliff Downs and Randy Goodrum (who's written songs like Toto's I'll Be Over You, Michael Johnson's Bluer Than Blue, and Steve Perry's Foolish Heart). Also included on this new release will be 2 other songs co-written by moi: 'Blind Lead the Blind' (Harnen / Manwiller / Brophy / Downs) and 'Can You Hear Me When I Talk to You?'(Harnen / Manwiller) The album was never released on a major label.

> In 2004, Ashley Gearing recorded the song 'Can You Hear Me When I Talk to You?' which was released on Lyric Street Records, and she became the youngest female to ever chart on Billboard's Country Chart.

> Jimmy and his wife Lynn have recently moved to Nashville, where Jimmy is now Senior V.P. of Promotion for Capitol Records Nashville. Jimmy and Lynn have 2 children now, son Lucas and daughter Katie. 

A while back I released my first solo album..."...another fine Mesozoic"
                   It went 'triple-plastic' (it sold over 30 copies.)
(Actually, it's gotten some good reviews..)

The 2nd one was released August 1, 1998.   "Living at Square One"

MP3 SOUND SAMPLES

The new one, Chocolate Detox, is coming... I swear....

Discographies: DAKOTA............. Runaway <MCA 5502 >
                                        ................. Mr.Lucky <ESM005>
                                        ................. The Last Standing Man <ESM-023>
                                        .................. Little Victories <DAK-002>
                                        .................. Deep 6 <DAK-003>

           RICK MANWILLER.............'...another fine Mesozoic.'<Confidential Records 1001 >
                                       .................. Living at Square One <Confidential Records 1043>
               JIMMY HARNEN.............Can't Fight the Midnight <WTG-pk45243>
                                       ..................All About Time <Confidential Records 1022>

BUY DAKOTA / RICK MANWILLER CD's