Thursday, September 9, 2021

Tommy Decarlo and Rudy Cardenas in concert


The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce The Music of Boston with Tommy DeCarlo, Boston singer since 2007, and The Music of Journey with American Idol’s Rudy Cardenas on Friday, September 17, 2021 at 8 p.m.

Tommy DeCarlo has been on the road touring with legendary rock band Boston since 2007, playing to sold out audiences all over the world. This show closes with a full set of Boston classic hits from the 1970's and 80's with a top-notch band of touring professionals including August Zadra on lead guitar/vocals (Dennis DeYoung Band), Steve Ferlazzo on keyboards/vocals (Avril Lavigne/Nuno Bettencourt), John Douglas on drums (Sammy Hagar/Michael Anthony), Tommy DeCarlo Jr. on guitar/vocals and Payton Villigan on bass/vocals.

Born in Rome, New York, Tommy’s interest in music began in elementary school when he joined the school choir. He recalls, “Every year I would try out for one of the lead singing solo parts and every year I never got one. They always told me my voice was too soft.” Many years later, he would show the world that was not the case.

Tommy started playing piano when he was 14 years old, self-taught on an old upright in his living room. And as far as singing goes, DeCarlo explains, “Well, I truly have to thank Brad Delp for helping me develop my vocal abilities. I have said that I never took singing lessons but that's not exactly true. It was Brad who taught me how to sing, even though he never knew it. When I first began to listen to BOSTON as a young teenager, I absolutely loved Brad’s voice and it gave me hope and inspiration at times in my life when I needed it. It wasn’t like I was trying to sing like Brad, it was just that I loved to sing along with him.”

His journey that led to BOSTON happened many years later when in 2007 he posted BOSTON cover songs and other music on his myspace page, and even wrote a song in honor of Brad Delp upon his passing. Hearing of a tribute being planned, Tommy reached out to the band offering to sing should they need any additional vocalists. “I sent an email to the BOSTON camp which included covers of the songs Smokin' & Don't Look Back, never thinking I’d get a reply."

Several weeks later, Tom Scholz happened to hear Tommy’s cover of “Don’t Look Back,” and was shocked. Knowing every nuance of Brad’s voice, he could not believe that this was not Brad singing, exclaiming, “I haven’t heard anyone else sing like that in 35 years.” Scholz contacted Tommy and invited him to come and sing a few songs at the Brad Delp tribute. DeCarlo’s reaction was, “I would have never believed this could happen in a million years. The next thing I knew I was on my way to Boston to sing with BOSTON … are you kidding me?"

Tommy was asked to join BOSTON on their 2008 tour and has sang on every Tour since. Prior to that, Tommy was working as a credit manager at The Home Depot, had never been in a band, and the largest crowd that Tommy had sung in front of was a talent show in high school. Tommy has been touring and playing to sold out audiences all over the world.

In a bestclassicbands.com interview with Boston founding member Tom Scholz said, "Tommy does for Boston on stage what Brad Delp did for Boston in the studio. Brad was the best male studio singer I've ever heard and Tommy is the best male stage singer I've ever heard."

In 2012, Tommy co-founded with his son, Tommy Jr., DECARLO. The band released their original debut album Lightning Strikes Twice in 2020, earning them a featured article in popular BILLBOARD MAGAZINE as 2021 Grammy® contenders. Their chart-topping hit “You Are The Fire” went viral on streaming platforms world-wide shortly after its release.

The two show package starts with The Music of Journey with singer Rudy Cardenas of American Idol. Rudy is a finalist from Season 6 of American Idol, and here he'll perform a full set of Journey classic hits, including the hits from both the Steve Perry and Gregg Rolie-eras. Rudy has a long relationship with Journey music, starting in 2007 when he debuted on American Idol singing "Open Arms" on national TV. He went on to cover two Journey songs; "I'll be Alright Without You" on his album Fly (2012), and "Separate Ways" on his album Son of a Gun (2016).

The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre is sponsored by Community First Credit Union. For a complete list of upcoming events or to buy tickets visit the Theatre’s official website, floridatheatre.com.

 
Tommy DeCarlo
& Rudy Cardenas

DATE: Fri., Sept. 17, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $25 – $35

LOCATION:The Florida Theatre
      128 East Forsyth Street.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 355 - ARTS (2787)

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