Interview with Tommy DeCarlo & Jason Scheff by James Fink
Jason Scheff and Tommy DeCarlo may have traveled decidedly different roads but their musical paths are leading the duo to Batavia Downs.
DeCarlo and Scheff are heading the Aug. 16 summer concert finale at Batavia Downs, along with August Zadra from the Dennis DeYoung Band. Both DeCarlo and Scheff play separately as does Zadra.
DeCarlo was the former lead singer with Boston – replacing the late Brad Delp and Scheff spent 31 years singing and playing bass with Chicago.
“And, we are good friends,” Scheff said.
For DeCarlo, the show is a bit of a homecoming.
Born in Rome and raised in Utica and a self-described Buffalo Bills fan, DeCarlo went from working at a Home Depot in Charlotte, N.C. to singing with Boston almost on a lark.
“I have lots of good memories about upstate New York,” DeCarlo said.
A self-proclaimed Boston fan – especially of the band’s 1976 debut album – DeCarlo began singing along to the band’s tunes as a teenager. Later, as an adult and at the urging of his daughter, DeCarlo created a social media page where he posted his versions of Boston’s best known songs as well as a tribute to Delp.
“Brad Delp’s voice just put me over the top,” DeCarlo said. “Singing his songs are a challenge but it is a fun challenge,”
When Boston founder Tom Scholz announced a Brad Delp tribute show, DeCarlo sent a copy of his tapes to the band’s leader.
To DeCarlo’s surprise, Scholz not only responded, he invited him to sing with Boston not only on the 2008 tour but subsequent ones in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. DeCarlo is also heard on four sings on Boston’s sixth studio album “Ice, Love & Hope.”
“It’s safe to say that music has kept me busy,” DeCarlo said.
DeCarlo and his five-member bad focus on songs from Boston’s first three albums.
“We don’t really venture much past that.” DeCarlo said,
Like DeCarlo, Scheff laces his setlist with many of Chicago’s greatest hots including the ones he sang with the band during his 31-year tenure.
That includes Scheff-penned hits like “Will You Still Love Me” and What Kind of Man Would I Be.”
Yes, he also plays some earlier Chicago hits like “25 or 6 to 4.”
“It’ never fails to work up the crowd,” Scheff said. “It’ is a no-brainer.”
And, like DeCarlo, Scheff had to replace a legald – in this case, Chicago co-founder and original bass player/singer Peter Cetera, who left the band in 1985. Scheff was selected at the urging of a former manager.
“In a way, it felt kind of eerie because the songs and the band were just so comfortable to work with,” Scheff said.
Scheff stayed with Chicago until 2016, when he went solo.
Music is a big part of Scheff’s DNA.
A very big part.
The San Diego native is the son of famed studio bass player Jerry Scheff, who was a key part of Elvis Presley’s band from 1969-1977 and also played on such albums as the Doors “L.A. Woman.”
“Like my father, I just love playing the bass,” Scheff said. “It’s my true love. It is what I was born to do.”
Scheff loves touring.
“The planets just lined up beautifully for me,” Scheff said.
Tickets for the show can be had at www.bataviadownsgaming.com
By James Fink
Must be 18 years of age or older to play video gaming machines or wager on horses. Please play responsibly.
