The Ok Fine Band: Heartfelt Pop Forged in Friendship
In 1978, a Villanova dorm room buzzed with the spark of something special. John Blake, weilding a 12-string Alvarez, met Nick Setteducato and his 6-string Guild, and The Ok Fine Band took root. Armed with two mics, a Shure Vocal Master, and an Akai reel-to-reel, they captured “Lately,” the first thread of a pop tapestry. “It was a 40-year album in the making,” they reflect, a bond that pulsed through club gigs in Hazlet, NJ, and Archbald, PA, where their harmonies lit up crowds. For decades, John and Nick sustained their close friendship across states and continents—John in Pennsylvania as a State Senator, Nick in New Jersey, Germany, and later Florida as a University of South Florida Vice Chancellor—reuniting often.
By 2015, The Stude became their creative haven. With Jim Reynolds’ (jr. and sr.) production and Light Weight’s vibrant backing, Lately (2017 album) bottled their raw passion, followed by All at Once (2020), a nine-track jewel shaped pre-Covid and refined during lockdown. Recently, performances at Mastry’s Brewing Co. in St. Petersburg, RiverView Winery in Jermyn, PA, and a heartfelt 2022 Orlando wedding gig showcased their easy rapport, each strum a nod to their roots. Their music, a blend of folk-pop warmth and 2000s heart, drew fans from all walks—senators, scholars, and dreamers alike.
Now, New Beginning (2025) unfurls their boldest canvas yet, with 17+ original tracks woven by eight musicians (and counting!). Nick’s remote Florida sessions, fueled by GarageBand, a new bass and audio interface, sync seamlessly with John’s work in the studio up north, reflecting a mastery honed over years. “John is OK, Nick is Fine,” their mantra hums, as these retired visionaries pour a lifetime of friendship into songs that feel like a long, sunlit drive. [John and Nick, share a defining moment, influence, or Stude memory!]
