Crystal Vision band in Groton marks three years together

Bob and Crystal Young are probably best known in Groton for Young and Sons Custom Renovations, owned by Bob, and for Crystal being a member of Groton Town Board. Aside from that, though, the couple launched their band, Crystal Vision, in early 2022, and it has been steadily gaining popularity in the area ever since.

With Crystal as lead singer and Bob on bass guitar, the band also comprises Rick Huyge on saxophone and keyboard, Alex Specker on guitar and Larry Van Etten on drums.

In 2021, Bob, Crystal, Huyge and Van Etten began practicing together in the Youngs’ garage. Specker joined them in early 2022, and the fivesome made their public debut as Crystal Vision as part of that summer’s Groton Summer Concert Series.

The band, which offers a mix of genres such as country, classic rock, blues, oldies and pop, took its name from a song the members enjoy covering: Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.”

Bob was born in Geneva, New York, but lived in many places because his father served in the U.S. Air Force and Navy. Bob also served in the military, joining the Marine Corps at age 17 and serving in Vietnam. Since then, he has worked in painting and started his own business in 2015.

“My dad was a self-taught musician with a unique style,” Bob said. “He played guitar with all 10 fingers in use. My dad taught me to play guitar, and I learned the bass as I went, playing in bands with my brothers and cousins.”

Crystal (née Randolph) grew up in Cortland on Randolph Brothers Dairy Farm, which was owned by her dad, Robert, and her uncle, Earl. Crystal is a 1984 alumna of Homer High School. She worked for a Cortland attorney for three years but has worked at her current job in public safety administration at Ithaca College for the past 37 years, where she is still employed.

“Bob and I met at The Groton Hotel in 1987,” Crystal said. “I was a waitress, and he came in for dinner. After he left, he came back in to talk to me. That was August 1987, and we were married in September 1988.”

Bob had been playing in the Fire Mountain Band since 1983, and Crystal started singing with them in 1989.  

“One day, riding in the car, Crystal started singing with the radio,” Bob said. “When she stopped, I told her to keep going because I literally had goose bumps from her voice. I felt like I was sitting next to a professional singer!”

The Youngs raised their family of five boys — Robert Jr., Joseph, Brandon, Alec and Sam — since settling in Groton in 1988. Brandon, Alec and Sam are all alumni of Groton High School and, interestingly enough, are part of another Groton-based band, Chasing Neon.

After Brandon was born in 1991, Crystal took a 30-year sabbatical from singing, other than on the worship team at Grace Christian Fellowship in Homer, which she and Bob are both a part of.

“Just before we started Crystal Vision, Bob asked me if I was ever going to sing again because if not, he was just going to sell all his equipment,” Crystal said. “He kind of pouted over it for quite a while, so I gave in — and here we are.”

Huyge lives in Homer with his wife, Tamara, and their daughters Ashley, Dana and Maya. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s from the University of St. Thomas in music education. Huyge taught at an international school in Korea, where he studied with a master drummer. Since returning, he taught music at Dryden High School for 15 years and has been teaching in the Syracuse area since 2014.

Specker grew up in New York City, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering in 1978 at City College. He began learning to play guitar in sixth grade and has played in many bands — particularly in the Los Angeles area. He has three brothers who live in the Ithaca area, and his brother Donald invited him to play in his band in 1981. Alex has been here ever since, living in Lansing with his wife, Iska Ziver, and their children, Eric, Charlie, Adam and Noah.

Van Etten lives in Freeville and is a customer service representative at the WordPro Print Shop. He is an alumnus of Dryden High School and Hartwick College, where he earned a degree in business and economics.

“I started playing drums when I was six years old and got my first drum set when I was 12,” Van Etten said. “I love being in this band to have fun and keep up with my drumming.”

Specker similarly said being in the band gives him “a chance to rock out and have fun,” and Huyge said, “It’s great to hang with old friends and their musical kids [the Young family].”

Crystal said she “loves the opportunity to play with really great seasoned musicians who help me sound good and have fun with.”

“The band keeps my mind and body focused,” Bob said. “I get to sing and play with my wife and the rest of the guys. Plus, I got to keep all my equipment!”

The band recorded a demo tape that can be heard on their Facebook page, Crystal Vision Band CNY. They look forward to upcoming gigs at the Marathon American Legion dinner on Feb. 14, McGraw Box Brewing on Feb. 22 and an exciting debut at the Cortland Country Music Park March 1.

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Pancake breakfast in McLean

The McLean Fire Department Auxiliary will host a breakfast buffet at the McLean Fire Station from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 19. On the menu: three different kinds of pancakes with real maple syrup, French toast, scrambled eggs, home-fried potatoes, sausage links, ham, sausage gravy with biscuits, assorted desserts, assorted juices, white and chocolate milk and coffee. Cost for adults is $13; for senior citizens and children over five, the cost is $8. Children under five eat free of charge.

Village tree grinding

Village of Groton employees began grinding Christmas trees on Monday, Jan. 6. Please bring your tree to the curb for pickup. Mulch is available to village of Groton residents free of charge at the wastewater treatment plant.

Library homebound service

Are you stuck at home, or do you know someone who can’t make it to the library for books? The Groton Public Library can help bring items right to your door! Please reach out to director@grotonpubliclibrary.org or call 607-898-5055 and ask for Sara.