Adams Tries to `Playback' the Good Old Days

DUBLIN, Ohio-Nothing relaxes Dennis Adams, president and CEO of American Share Insurance, like his 12-string Rickenbacker guitar. Unless it is his Paul Reed Smith electric guitar or his Gibson. “[Playing guitar] is very relaxing. It’s one of the most enjoyable experiences,” Adams explained. Unlike his full-time job, he can be obscure and have fun; he does not have to be “the speechmaker.” Adams has been dabbling in music for the last 40 years. He even had a love ballad copyrighted back in his twenties, but would not reveal the title and laughed, saying it never went anywhere. The difference between then and now is funding. In his younger years, Adams struggled to buy one guitar, but now that his kids have grown and are out of the house, he said he has been able to pick up “a few more.” Adams explained, “Here in Columbus, Ohio, we have a classic rock and roll band I organized in ’01.” Some of the musicians in the band-Playback-he has been playing with since college. Tom Schuck, CEO of the privately insured United Telephone Credit Union, also plays in the band. Playback mainly plays corporate events and parties. The band has two gigs coming up next month at an Illinois Credit Union League PAC fundraiser April 21 and an Ohio league reception on April 23. “We’ve been together four years now and had a lot of fun doing it,” Adams said. Playback has a multi-dimensional marketing campaign including a Web site (www.playbacktheband.com), designed by Adams daughter, and puts out DVDs, CDs, post cards and other marketing materials. The group also works with nonprofits, performing for organizations like the local cancer society and the Arthritis Foundation, and the occasional private party. [email protected]