Diane Sciachitano
Diane’s musical journey began at age four when, after watching Hee Haw, she sat at the family’s upright piano and played a melody she had just heard. Recognizing her gift, her mother encouraged her—though formal piano lessons were short-lived, as Diane preferred to play by ear.
Her creative pursuits extended beyond music. She made her stage debut in third grade as Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, cast for her deep voice. Alongside theater, she excelled in visual arts, leading to a teaching career in art education, a master’s degree, and opportunities in theater directing, set and costume design, and staging productions. Throughout it all, she was a constant writer, crafting short stories and poetry with a lyrical quality that foreshadowed her songwriting.
Mike Sciachitano
Growing up in a musical family in Des Moines, IA, Mike Sciachitano was destined for a career in music. He toured extensively, performing with various bands, including Flipside, a group that frequently played in Kearney at Maxwell’s and was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
After forging strong connections in Kearney, Mike decided to stay, ending his touring days to work at Yanda’s Music and ProAudio. He quickly became a fixture in the local music scene, playing in bands such as The OK Sisters, The Wizards, Code Blue, and Bases Loaded, as well as performing solo acoustic gigs. Recognized as one of the area’s top guitarists, he’s had the opportunity to open for artists like Kenny G, Lee Ann Womack, Restless Heart, and John Elefante of Kansas. His sharp musical instincts allow him to step in and play lead guitar for various groups with little notice.
Blessed with a keen musical ear, Diane has played cello, melodica, ukulele, harmonica, and percussion—but it was meeting her husband, musician Mike Sciachitano, that brought her lyrics to life. While Mike composes music but struggles with lyrics, Diane has always written words but lacked an instrument to perform them—a perfect creative match. Together, they formed The Shockitanos, releasing two albums, with a third on the way.
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