The "L" in Vitamin L is where the "L" in STUDIO L comes from. It stands for their love of each other and their love of music, and, love in general - you know, love makes the world go 'round... and we are the world... and you're on the world-wide web (hence the world on the home page).

So in 1986, the Witkowski's opened their home recording studio, STUDIO L, a multi-track facility based in Weirton, WV. Getting started, they wrote and produced jingles for local businesses. Then, "the L team" was approached to create a demo for Macmillan Publishing Company of New York City. The rest, as they say, is history.

They were awarded a book-to-tape project for the School Division and have since produced four similar projects for Macmillan/McGraw-Hill and two for Scholastic Publishing also of NYC. These audio cassettes are now being used by school systems across the United States, and have even been distributed for educational use in many countries in Europe. Now, in 1998, STUDIO L has been awarded 5 more contracts from The McGraw-Hill Companies to produce their Social Studies series on tape. These projects are being co-produced by Debbie and Craig Maloney.

R ick's background in music spans over 30 years. Like many others of his age, it all started with The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. If it weren't for that, he would probably be an accountant or an attorney today.

I n the 70's, Rick was the co-founder of the progressive rock group Crack The Sky (CTS). Their debut album in 1975 received critical acclaim and attention. With Rick as guitarist/writer/producer, the band released 5 albums. The song, "A Night On The Town," featured on the SAFETY IN NUMBERS LP, was the first writing effort for the team of Rick and Deb Witkowski (Lifesong/Epic).

In 1980, Rick was guitarist/writer/producer for the pop/rock band the B.E. Taylor Group (MCA/Epic). The B.E. Taylor Group released 3 albums in which Rick was involved, and Rick continued to work with B.E. in his two solo efforts, "B.E. Taylor Christmas" and "Try Love."

He continues to perform at CTS reunions and is still the guitarist/producer for B.E. Taylor. He is currently touring the U.S. with Kathy Troccoli on her "Love and Mercy Tour". In October 1995, Rick, Kathy and B.E. performed for the Pope in Central Park.

B etween performances, Rick is a very busy writer/producer. He has created theme songs for Nickelodeon shows, including GUTS, U to U, Figure It Out, You're On, The Kid's Choice Awards and is the Audio/Music Producer for Action League Now (KABLAM!). He has also produced a variety of ID's, bumpers and jingles for numerous Nickelodeon, Nick At Nite, TV Land. For TBS he created the theme for Real News For Kids.

Rick, in association with his friend, Tom Pomposello, created a variety of bumpers for VH-1 and also created and produced the theme music for the VH-1 show "Divas," which featured Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin and Shania Twain.

Rick's other musical passion is producing bands. He has lately been called "The Puff Daddy of the Pittsburgh music scene" as area groups come to Weirton and STUDIO L for his expertise and "golden ears."

He has produced for B.E. Taylor, Donnie Iris, Dharma Sons, Push, Brownie Mary, The Distractions, Joe Grushecky (including his "Live at Nick's Fat City" show featuring Bruce Springsteen), Bitter Delores, Stone Soup, Wade, Mark Eddie and many, many more.

Behind every good man is a good woman. And Rick's "good girl" is Debbie. Debbie's musical roots began when she heard Little Peggy March sing "I Will Follow Him." How prophetic is that? She was known in the 80's as "Deborah", the Dancer Club D.J.

Not shy at all, Deb has performed with Rick on select venues and is often heard singing the jingles they've co-written and produced for radio and television.

In August 1997, the Witkowski's were invited to perform at the Blues To Bop World Music Festival in Lugano, Switzerland with their good friends Tom and Pat Pomposello in Tom's production, "You Got To Move". It's the step that made 'em global.

T he Witkowski's feel very lucky (another "L" word) that they are able to work and play together.