Pathways to Excellent Ezine managed to catch up with Tommy just prior to embarking on Boston’s summer 2008 tour and he took the time to answer some questions our readers had sent in:

Q. Tell us about your background as a musician prior to recording your tribute to Brad Delp, A Man He'll Always Be. Everything from how your interest in music first started, when you started playing, writing and composing. Did you see yourself as an indie artist, or a semi-pro musician and singer prior to Boston or was the music more of a hobby to you?

Tommy: My interest in music began at a very early age. I recall sitting in the backseat of my parent’s' station-wagon singing along with a Bobby Vinton eight track tape they had in the car. I would also get out my mother's Elvis Presley albums and sing along with the King as well. In elementary school, I sang in our school choir but never was offered a lead singing role in any of our shows. I would try out for them but my music teacher always told me my voice was to soft to sing lead. My interest in playing piano came when I was about 12 years old. I went to a high school talent show and watched as a 12th grader got up on stage and played Elton John's 'Bennie & The Jets.' I was just amazed that someone that young could play the piano that well. I was immediately hooked and went home that very evening and began teaching myself how to play the piano on the old upright piano in our living room. It wasn't until I was in high school myself that I began writing my own songs along with lyrics. One day I had a high school friend over to my house and I was just playing a few notes on the piano, he told me what I was playing sounded like it could be a song. The light bulb over my head went on! I began piecing together chords that sounded good together and I would sing over them with whatever melody came into my head...within a few hours I had written my very first song. I never considered myself to be an artist as singing & playing piano was just a fun hobby. I never shared "my hobby" with too many people, so I never really had much feedback. Some of my close friends would tell me I needed to do something with my singing and/or original songs but I always had the thought, "easier said than done."

Q. Upon hearing of Brad Delp's death, what were your thoughts and how did it lead to recording your tribute?

Tommy: I heard about Brad Delp's passing from my son, who ironically was on the computer that same evening checking the Internet to see if he could find out any news on weather Boston was going on tour that summer. He called for me to come into the room with urgency and I went in there thinking he had found some news on a summer tour, I looked at the on line article and remember thinking to myself, "Oh my goodness I didn't even know Brad was ill." Then, of course, shortly after we all found out he had committed suicide. I remember feeling terrible but more confused than anything. I remember thinking that I would never get to see or hear Brad sing again...which made me very sad. I also remember thinking how terrible his family and band mates had to feel over this. Needless to say it was a very sad night in our home that evening.

I came to write my tribute song "A Man He'll Always Be" when I was sitting at the piano a few days after Brad's death and began playing the Boston hit "A Man I'll Never Be." I began to think while I was playing it that Brad was the complete opposite...he truly was a wonderful man. So I took the original title of the song "A Man I'll Never Be" and changed them to "A Man He'll Always Be" and began writing lyrics to the chords and melody I put together for the song. In the song I reference a number of Boston classic hits as a way for Boston fans to relate to the song a little better. My personal favorite line in the song is "it made me proud to be a fan when he hit the high note Hollyann" 

Q. Out of all the songs by Boston , is there one that stands out as your all time favorite? Is there a lyric in one of the songs by Boston that you find particularly inspiring?

Tommy: I would have to say "Rock-N-Roll Band" is my favorite Boston song however I could add another dozen or so I love them all. My favorite Boston lyric comes from the song "Hitch A Ride": "Gonna hitch a ride head for the other side leave it all behind never change my mind, gonna sail away sun lights another day freedom of my mind carry me away for the last time" I don't particularly know why...they just make me happy...especially the way Brad sang the harmony parts...very soothing.

Q. Did you ever in your wildest dreams even imagine you would hear back from Tom Scholz regarding your tribute or that he would actually ask you to take the stage with Boston ?

Tommy: NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS!

Q. What was it like meeting the band for the first time?

Tommy: I was a nervous wreck, I walked into rehearsal and there were my rock and roll hero's standing two feet away from me. They were all very kind, down to earth and easy to talk to, truly speaking they are a very loving group of people...band members as well as crew members.

Q.What was it like taking the stage with Boston for the first time?

WOW!!! Another nerve wracking moment...but fun...really really fun. I didn't know what to expect when I walked out on stage but, in all honesty, the most comforting moment while I was on stage was the smiles that came across the fans faces once I began singing, that settled me down a little and I started to have fun at that point. After I walked off stage I went back to a quiet place back stage and had to let a few tears go...it was probably one of the most emotional experiences I've ever had. The emotional build up I had going on inside from getting the phone call from Tom Scholz to meeting the band and finally singing with them on stage had finally got the best of me and I just had to let it all out.

Q. What are some of your hopes and expectations about appearing with Boston on the Summer 2008 tour?

Tommy: My biggest hope is that the fans will be happy. The loss of Brad Delp, needless to say, has been very difficult for the Boston fan's and if I can help the band put a smile back on their faces I'll be happy.

Q. Boston 's next album is slated for release in early 2009 and you been invited to sing on it, alongside Michael Sweet of Stryper. What do you see your role as being in this next phase of Boston 's evolution? or is that something you think you may have a better perspective on after the tour?

Tommy: I've given it some thought, certainly I'd be thrilled to be a part of Boston after this tour, but as for now, I'm just going to enjoy this summer and see what happens next.

Q. Any time a band with longevity such as Boston adds new members there are usually two reactions from fans: new members being greeted with open arms or a tendency to unfairly compare the new band members and sound to previous incarnations of the band. Have you experienced any negativity from fans, or for the most part have they welcomed you and see you as the luckiest Boston fan on the planet?

Tommy: The Boston fans have been awesome. They've all been very supportive. I think I will always consider myself to be a fan of Boston even though I am going on tour with them, I feel like a fan who just happens to have a really good seat to every show this summer.

Q. Last Question: If there is any question or questions that you wish would have been asked, go ahead and answer it, in as much detail as you wish or as needed to fully express your ideas and visions about music and the music of Boston .

Tommy: You've asked some great questions already, however I would just like to add that if there is one thing missing from this entire experience...it would be that Brad Delp is not here to share it with me. It truly is an honor to be a part of BOSTON. I just wish it could have been under different circumstances. If I had one wish...it would be to step away from the microphone...take a seat in the crowd and watch this awesome band with Brad.

for more information on the music of Boston including remaining concert dates for their Summer 2008 tour please visit their official website at www.bandboston.com.

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