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Forty years ago today, February 1st 1976, the amazing story of the iconic band BOSTON officially began when Tom Scholz and Brad Delp signed their recording contract with Epic Records. Their first album, Boston, would quickly become the best selling debut album in history, and its founder Tom Scholz would become recognized for his charitable work, promotion of higher education, and technical innovation.
BOSTON recordings are known for their sonic purity and massive "cathedral of sound" (Cameron Crowe, Rolling Stone), thanks to Scholz' novel arranging, production, and instrumental performances, and Delp's artfully layered vocals.
Back in 1976 no one could have guessed that two unknown writer/performers were about to create albums that would eventually sell over 30 million copies. The phenomenon surprised Scholz as well as the staff of Epic Records, at a time when the industry was caught up in the 70s disco bubble. However, the popular description of the debut album as an overnight success, a "Cinderella story," could not have been farther from the truth.
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Gary Pihl, along with the other members of the December People, were awarded the Army National Guard Total Victory Team Medal by the Kansas Army National Guard.
Here's the post from their Facebook page:
The Army National Guard Total Victory Team Medal was intended for National Guard troops post 911 who have been activated and/or civilian that played a part of extraordinary support for their troops and have contributed to supporting freedom. This medal can be worn around the neck, but in honor of those who fell on 911 most keep the medal in a prominent display area. Both civilians or Soldiers can be given this medal in recognition of there outstanding support and actions towards freedom and peace. Supporting and promoting the National Guard Soldiers mark the recipient as one of the Team by supporting Soldiers in achieving Total Victory over those that threaten our freedom and peace.
I was honored to present this Medal to December People. I have determined that December People's goals, values, and actions are those that are in line with the KSARNG. Their giving hearts and passion for our community, country, and Soldiers has greatly impacted the success and call to action to support our community and our Soldiers. December People exemplify the seven Army values; Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. They are truly part of the National Guard Team and deserve to be recognized as such. Please thank them all for me and my Soldiers here from the KSARNG!
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Gary Pihl's band December People have released a new album. A Classic Rock Christmas features 11 tracks of Christmas music.
If you're not familiar with December People, they perform Christmas music with a twist -- the songs are in the style of classic rock artists like Boston, Journey, Santana and Rush.
The album is currently available via Bandcamp and CD Baby and will be available through other vendors like iTunes soon.
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Tommy DeCarlo has released a new single.
I Wanna Be the One is now available for purchase as a download (MP3 or FLAC) at CD Baby for $1.29. Get your copy today.
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By Jonathan Stempel
Reuters
(Reuters) - A federal judge on Monday dismissed most of a lawsuit in which Tom Scholz, the founder of the rock band Boston, accused former bandmate and guitarist Barry Goudreau of trademark infringement over the use of the band's name.
Goudreau played on Boston's self-titled 1976 debut album, which sold more than 17 million copies and contained the song "More Than A Feeling," and the 1978 follow-up "Don't Look Back."
Scholz accused him of repeatedly violating a 1983 agreement over royalties that let Goudreau use the phrase "formerly of Boston" in marketing. He said Goudreau was instead advertised as an "original" Boston member, "playing the hits of Boston" and "lead guitarist rock legend from the band Boston."
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BOSTON has released a new group photo for the Summer 2015 Tour.
Band (L-R): Tom Scholz, Tracy Ferrie, Jeff Neal, Tommy DeCarlo, Beth Cohen, Gary Pihl
If you've been keeping track of the lineup over the last few tours, you probably noticed a new face in the photo. That is Beth Cohen. Beth is joining the tour on vocals / guitar / keyboards. Beth has worked with artists such as Barry Gibb, Pink, Kelly Clarkson and Barbra Streisand. Beth also provided backing vocals on the BOSTON track You Gave Up On Love.
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BOSTON's tour is just around the corner, with the first show April 30 in Tuscaloosa, AL. As many fans know, drummer Jeff Neal's day job is teaching high school. With school still being in session during the start of the tour, he won't be touring with the band right away. You would probably assume that Curly Smith would fill in the role, considering he performed at some of the shows on the last tour, but there'll be a new face behind the drum kit. That face is Nick D'Virgilio.
Photo by Holger Nassenstein (licensed under Creative Commons 3.0)
Gary Pihl revealed this in a recent interview "Our drummer, Jeff Neal, is a high school teacher up in Maine, and he is such a dedicated guy. We said, ‘Gee, we got some dates for the band starting in April and into May,’ and he said, ‘Oh gosh, I’m still in school at that time! Can you find an alternate drummer?’... There are normally six of us in the band, but our seventh person is an alternate drummer and his name is Nick D’Virgilio. He is an excellent musician and he’ll be with us in Florida, for the first month of shows. Then Jeff will take over and do the rest of the tour."
Nick is probably best known as being a long-time member of the band Spock's Beard from the early 90s until 2011. Nick will be performing with the band for the first 12 shows, ending with the May 24 show in St. Augustine, FL.
Here is Nick's announcement he posted on Facebook:
Hello all! I have some really fun news to let you all in on. I will be going out to play some shows, 12 to be exact, with the band BOSTON! How classic is that?! I am very lucky and excited to be able to do these shows. It came out of the blue and thankfully I am able to join Boston for a short time while still maintaining my amazing position at Sweetwater. These shows are coming up quick, I will be on the first 12 dates, and if you live in Florida, Alabama, North or South Carolina then I hope you get some tix and come on out to jam along with some classic music.
Welcome Nick!
Update April 30: Nick posted an update on Facebook:
Just a quick update here:
It is a bit of a bummer, but it is all for the best, that I write that I will not be going out with the band Boston for any shows. After a few rehearsals it was clear that it was not the right fit for them or me. So instead of trying to make something happen that was not happening, we came to the mutual decision that I was not the man for the job. Maybe with more time it could have worked out, but with the time crunch they were under it was the right thing to do for all concerned to step back and move on.
It is not like I don't have anything good musically going on already either. I have a great job at Sweetwater Sound with all kinds of sessions - workshops - teaching - and gear madness happening, my band Big Big Train is going to be releasing some new music soon along with a live DVD and our first ever live shows in London coming up this August, my shiny new power trio The Fringe ( Randy McStine, Jonas Reingold ) will be playing at the New Jersery Proghouse Homecoming show this October and releasing some music in the near future, and I am deep into some new solo material and other things as well.
In closing the gig with Boston was really just not meant to be. I wish for them a great tour with whomever they use behind the kit.
All the best everybody!
NDV
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[Below is a message from Tom Scholz]
We hope everyone has survived the holidays and is looking forward to this year as much as we are. 2014 was a good year for BOSTON and we are already getting excited about plans for 2015. We want to thank all our fans for the amazing response to our tour last summer; we had an awesome time thanks to the incredible support you all gave to us. And even more important, we raised a lot of money for worthy charities that protect lives both human and non human, including the Sea Shepherds, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and numerous other animal protection and hunger relief programs.
In the oddball news department, we have just found out that BOSTON's "Life, Love & Hope" album has been released on vinyl. This had always been part of the release plan, and great expenditures of time and money went into making analogue mixes of much of the album so that serious listeners could hear the original analogue sound of the recording, instead of the now typical sound of vinyl cut from digital mixes. So why aren't we celebrating?
Unfortunately, as the world has converted to digital for virtually everything, even when it's a bad idea, the facilities available to master an album from analogue tape directly to vinyl have nearly all gone away, and those that remain are not equipped or maintained like the rooms were 20 years ago. The end result for the latest BOSTON album was an unacceptable vinyl master that had clicks, static, and drop outs during many of the quiet segues between the cuts.