Don Arnone, received his first encouragement for a musical career from his father, who always loved the sound of the guitar. Don was born in 1920, being the oldest son of six children, it was he who was selected to play the instrument by Papa Arnone. Despite the parental urging and his own desire to master the frets, Don had just a few lessons to begin his study, then continued on his own to learn the fingering and plucking techniques as best he could. He was then but 13 years of age and, to the present day, the few private lessons constitute all of the formal guitar study which Don has received!

During his formative years, young Arnone played with local bands and small combos in and around his home town of Elizabeth, New Jersey. This served as a wonderful training ground and, upon graduation from high school, the young musician headed for Florida to work with some of the promising groups who were constantly gaining notice in those sunny climes. In 1941, he went into the army in the Anti-Aircraft division, where he continued to delight audiences composed of his army buddies with his now-perfected guitar technique.

After his discharge from the service in 1945, Don returned to Elizabeth to revive his career, again playing with some select combos there and in New York. In 1948, he was invited to become a member of the fast-rising instrumental quartette, “The Tune Toppers,” and spent eight months “on the road” with them. Tired of the constant travel, Don regretfully resigned from the Toppers to concentrate his efforts as a single performer, playing club dates in New York for about a year. Late in 1949, he met Al Caiola, who was then the staff guitarist for the Columbia Broadcasting System in New York. Caiola exhibited unusual interest in the self- schooled lad who had come so far on his own, and opened the doors for many TV and recording assignments for Arnone. Encouraged by his engagements for many of the major television shows and record dates, Don then enrolled at the Columbia School of General Studies for the course in elementary music, where he exhibited a rare talent for arranging.

At Thanksgiving of 1959, Don was abed with pneumonia and, while recuperating, made the arrangements for his "Great Pickin'" album. Inspired by the great friendship with his mentor and “career guide,” Caiola, all of the arrangements were especially tailored for their own exceptional talents.

Don is married and is the father of two lovely girls: Lynn, 9 years old, and Leslie, who is 6. Both youngsters are presently studying ballet and tap dancing, and both love music. Mrs. Arnone also is well-versed in the musical arts, having studied piano extensively.

Arnone is a true devotee of his instrument and music in general. He is no musical snob, and his tastes run from the classics to impressionistic jazz. He feels keenly about trite and ordinary efforts by those who settle for mediocrity in the field of music and would someday like to open a school of general music, staffed by honest, well-qualified instructors. In this way, he says, he could contribute to the cause of bringing the “good music” back.

Taken from the "Great Pickin'" album original liner notes