Lee Ross (FMA Board member), Mark Jones, Jay Mason (CA ambassador), Don Raymond and Paul Villa played at the Mahè restaurant at Seal Beach in California Sunday (9/18/2022) evening representing the Flying Musicians. They had a blast while also raising awareness and funds for the Flying Musicians Association and the FMA Solo program scholarship.
East Meets West in this Flying Musicians Association event in Seal Beach, California Sept 18, 2022
Paul Villa of Huntington Beach, California and Lee Ross of Suffern, New York became acquainted through the FMA. While never having met face-to-face, for 7 or 8 years they developed a close online friendship and mutual admiration.
In July of 2021, while Paul was in Connecticut, they tried to get together, but it didn’t quite work out due to other commitments. Then this conversation via Messenger:
Lee: Maybe we should try to meet in Kansas. Lol. Have fun, man.
Paul: Thanks Lee… let’s make it Aspen!
Lee: Can we find a place to gig? Maybe a day to rehearse and fly! . .
Paul: Haha! Well there is something to work on
From that conversation, they decided to make it happen and settled on a date. Paul found the place and reached out to other FMA members and got commitments from Jay Mason and Mark Jones to play. Lee booked a trip out to California. From April of 2022 they began settling on what songs to perform, exchanging charts and videos, and making sure all players were happy with the selections.
It seemed like a long way off but September arrived. Lee landed at LAX on Sept. 15th spending the next 5 days doing what Flying Musicians do. . . rehearsing and flying. Paul flew his Super Turbine Bonanza to Big Bear and then a low’n’slow photo flight in the bright yellow Citabria along the magnificent Southern California Coast. With Paul and his beautiful wife, Barbara, and family dog, Jack, they cruised among the yachts of Huntington Harbor . . .
The gig was a tremendous success—and through tips and donations, raised funds for the FMA scholarship fund.
Paul Villa sent a note along with the donation: “We are sending $300 in tips and donations. We had a blast!”
Joining them on the gig was bassist Don Raymond and Mark’s wife Jackie Jones. . . the location was a classy restaurant/bar right on the famous Pacific Coast Highway at Seal Beach.
L-R Don Raymond (Bass, Guitar & Vocals), Jay Mason (Sax), Paul Villa (Guitar & Vocals), Mark Jones (Keys, Guitar & Vocals), Lee Ross (Guitar & Vocals)
Thank You for Donating 
