The Welcome Wagon began as husband and wife singing in the privacy of their home.* Having little to no previous musical experience or training, Vito purchased a guitar with the desire to sing hymns with his family.* With Monique accompanying on toy glockenspiel or harmonica, the two would amble through old hymnals, psalters and prayerbooks. Their inability to read music was no big issue; Vito simply made up new tunes to old words.
*
While their most familiar venue was (and is) their living room, the Welcome Wagon have been periodically coaxed to small stages at bars, parties, and seminaries throughout the New York City area, often joined by friends on upright bass, drums, piano, and banjo.* These intimate arrangements preserve the delicate nature of the Welcome Wagon's identity.
