Rock band Boston finds new lead singer on MySpace

One MySpace page gave the rock band Boston more than a feeling about an amateur singer. They ended up hiring the man as their new lead singer.

Tommy DeCarlo lands singer gig with Boston, thanks to MySpace page.

(Credit: BandBoston.com)

For Tommy DeCarlo, a credit manager at a Home Depot in North Carolina, it was literally a dream come true. DeCarlo, 43, had been a fan of the band since his childhood, often singing along with CDs or the radio when songs came on the air.

When Boston lead singer Brad Delp committed suicide last year, DeCarlo recorded his own karaoke versions of Boston songs and uploaded the MP3s to his MySpace page as a tribute. A friend who heard the recordings later encouraged him to contact the band.

DeCarlo, who had never been in a band and whose recent singing experience consisted of performing for a couple of dozen bowlers in a bowling alley, wasn't too confident.

"I sent my MySpace page link to the Boston camp, and I also offered to sing my song at the tribute show, never thinking I'd get a reply," DeCarlo says on Boston's official Web site. "I did end up getting one about two weeks later thanking me for the offer, but at this point there were not going to be any additions to lineup."

And that was the end of DeCarlo's rock 'n' roll fantasy--for a few weeks, anyway. Boston founder Tom Scholz's wife was fiddling around on her PC when something caught her husband's ear.

"My wife was at her computer playing our tunes, and I asked whether it was us playing live," Scholz told USA Today. "She said, 'It's some guy in North Carolina singing your songs.' I said, 'I know Brad's voice, and that's Brad.'"

That was enough for Scholz. He dropped DeCarlo an e-mail and invited him to the tribute, where DeCarlo impressed the band with his covers (see a YouTube video clip of his performance below). He starts his new job on Friday when the band kicks off its summer tour in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

While it's a rather unorthodox way to replace a band member after a tragedy, the practice of a Web audition could become more common. The band Journey recently hired a new lead singer based on a video clip posted to YouTube.

[dbargen]

Coincidentally, both Journey and Boston will be playing together in a concert series in my area in the near future.

Now you have to ask yourself, for someone who just sings the karaoke versions of a bands songs and doesn't really have any experience singing in a more formal environment, how long will it last?

So the guy can shape his voice to sound somewhat like the old lead singer (I don't think it's that close, or at least the way it sounds in the youtube video), can he hold up through all the long performances? Clearly, his memorization of the bands hits makes it easy for a group that's not putting anything new out there. For a group that's going to be making new songs, leadership and creativity from the lead singer is important, so I wouldn't expect this model to fly for more serious developing groups.

[Alan-Williams]

I say FANTASTIC and GOOD ON YOU Tommy ! You are living your dream and rejuvenating Boston and thats wonderful. There will always be someone who tries to belittle any story of fairytale achievement. These people are collectively called 'Losers'. Go TOMMY GO !! You rock !

[scotbotmosh]

Actually this isn't a bad model at all, will it work evertime? No, but the success rate isn't 100% when trying out scores of people in person that responded from a classified ad/ word of mouth. This is just as good as any of those other mediums, if not better as you get to hear and see the candidate before you decide if you are going to spend your time to actually try them out. This will help you speed up the basics, ie can they sing, what do they look like, stage presence, ability to perform the back catalogue. But nothing answers the how well do they write, will they write well with the rest of us, do they have the cojones to tour..the only thing that answers those questions is time. Regardless I have friends that have found replacement members for their touring bands this way. It works just as well as any of the 'old fashioned' ways.

[star6464]

I just think it is a crying SHAME that Tom even considers using the Boston name without BRAD.
This guy is a sound alike, thats cool and a dream come true for him I'm sure.
BUT, Why did Tom just leave the Boston legacy to itself and call this tour a TRIBUTE TO BOSTON???

[star6464]

Well just got back from seeing STYX and THIS TOM SCHOLZ COVER BAND.
THIS ain't BOSTON folks and TOM I feel sorry for you. You are a disgrace to music.

[thughs]

Well I was there last night too and I was entertained by the fact that Tommy DeCarlo could have been put up on stage right out the audience. I enjoyed the concert and watching Kimberly perform was worth the admission price. Is she HOT or what!

[AnythingGoes08]

I too just saw the Styx/Boston concert - in Las Vegas. Styx was pretty good, except they didn't play "Lady", "Babe", or "Mr. Roboto" among other hits. Like Boston, I'm sure its because the only real lead singer for Styx, DeYoung, isn't with them anymore. They had some guy (who was pretty good on the synthesizer keyboard) singing, just wasn't the same. Boston, on the other hand, really sucked without Delp. This new guy from Home Depot, not bad, but I felt sorry for him. He wore some stupid wife beater shirt, is fat, and plays no instruments. When not singing, he was relegated to skipping around with a tamborine. Pretty pathetic actually. Sholtz is a musical genius, I put him up there with the likes of Eddie VanHalen. Having some chick playing guitar for Boston was a letdown too. This IS/WAS rock n' roll wasn't it?

[thughs]

I want to see more of Boston, after all it is their music I like so much. I didn't even know Kimberly was in the band and I certainly wasn't disappointed watching her. Ooo.. I'm feeling satisfied!

[AnythingGoes08]

This BOSTON band and its rights all belong to Tom Sholtz. Sholtz IS Boston. If you look at your history, Delp quit the band at least twice to do "other things". Sholtz doesn't owe him anything.

[jazzytim]

I just saw Styx and Boston in Las Vegas, I was excited to hear the new lead singer after hearing the story on TV. I was pleasantly surprised at the voice of Tommy DeCarlo. His voice fit right in. The band had some sound issues, and the set was not well put together. By the end many fans were leaving before the encore. Tommy looked like a novice on stage, as I expected. Not to his discredit, though. He just looked out of place. Not like a rocker at all, in time I hope he will settle in and be a great fit for a great band.

[TominCR]

I took my teenage boys to see Boston/Styx at Red Rocks last night. I have been a hard core Boston fan since the beginning. I don?t think I?ve ever missed a showing in Denver. I?m sad to say, I have seen my last Boston concert. While Styx started off loud and distorted, by the third song they were dialed in and put on a hell of a show. With Boston as the headliner, we waited with anticipation to hear how the new vocals of the band. I always figured Tom Scholz to be a perfectionist. I was certain Scholz would have been very selective about his choice, since he is Boston. We?ll, after a dismal showing in Denver I have come to this realization, Tom Scholz is not Boston; Brad Delp was.

[bostonfan4ever]

Boston is one of the great old school bands and no matter who they find to take Delp's place they will never compare. Anyone who thinks this tommy decarlo guy is even in the same ball park or has a chance to become a great rockstar must be dreaming. The guy is 43 years old with no experience. He missed the boston spaceship a long time ago. Check out the reviews from those who have attened recent shows if you have any doubts.sorry but the truth hurts.

[Wink813]

you guys need to chill a bit. Boston will never be the same Boston we remember and love. but they can still bring back memories for us. the red rocks show was not what it was supposed to be. it happens. everyone gets sick and with the schedule these groups are keeping they are bound to have an off night. doesn't everyone? and about Tom Scholz, he kept that group together through all the legal junk that a lot of people don't even know about. "to be great, is to be misunderstood". Scholz is just trying to keep the dream alive and the memory of Brad Delp alive with it. just let it be that.

[bradfan]

I certainly appreciate your commitment to the music and memories of Boston. I too have loved this band since I owned their 1st album on 8 track. But I do believe that you are somewhat confused about the so-called "band" that Tom Scholz held together through all that "legal junk". Tom has made it abundantly clear in numerous press releases that HE was the band (Boston). It's great to fantasize about how marvelous our favorite artists are, but let's all remember "that MORE than the feeling" (had to go there) is the much stronger drive- the almighty dollar. Clearly that's why Tom couldn't let the dirt settle on Brad's grave before he hit the road with yet another half-baked re-creation of what people perceive as a bunch of guys enjoying each other's talents while they entertain us. What's really bizarre is how the ex-lead singer from the 80's Christian metal band Stryper isn't even mentioned in all these commentaries. It was my hope that his presence might have a positive influence on Tom's world view which I assume is anything but Christian (judging by his recent slam of former Republican candidacy hopeful Mike Huckabee). It was my hope that Mr. Sweet was still a witness for Christ and would influence Tom's hardened heart. Hopefully that's the case and we can expect better from Tom in the future than what has become a commonplace attitude towards deceased bandmates (i.e. Townsend and Daltrey's quick recovery over the loss of Entwistle and resumed tour). Rock and roll will never die, but my pumped up "heroic" perception of it has sadly decomposed.

[jcl23]

I always get a kick out of all the whiners that come out of the woodwork when bands lose and replace members. What do you expect them to do, quit? Would Brad Delp want Boston to die with him? I doubt it. I saw Boston and Styx last night outside of Atlanta, and both bands put on fantastic shows. I first saw Boston back in the 70s, and last night they were hitting on all cylinders. God bless, Mr. Home Depot! Right after the show I heard one guy say it was the best concert he'd ever seen. Music, and particularly live concert experiences are often a reflection of the person experiencing it. If you bring a negative mind set, that's what you'll get. If you keep an open mind and take a more positive approach, you'll generally have a good time. Lighten up, get over yourself, and enjoy the music. Long Live Boston!

[bradfan]

hey D-bag. YOU lighten up. Were you too stoned in the 70's or do you remember that only 1 guy is left "hitting on all cylinders".

Get over YOURself

[Sazznak]

Thank God Steve Walsh of KANSAS returned some time ago & is still crushing with his awesome vocals!

I was worried they'd hire some clown on a Karaoke stage or YouTube video!!

[Sazznak]

Thank God Steve Walsh of KANSAS returned some time ago & is still crushing with his awesome vocals!

I was worried they'd hire some clown on a Karaoke stage or YouTube video!!

[jeeeze]

You morons...do you seriously think this guy is really trying to take Delp's place? He is just a fan, living a dream, being apart of a band he idolized his entire life. This world is full of cinic's, negative, jealous, ungrateful people, try being positive for a day, im sure more people would like to be around you...and for you idiots that think this, your one of these bastards. Delp was an incredible gift to rock n' roll, but he chose another path. They are doing him an honor by playing, (and DeCarlo) singing the songs that brought Boston to the pinnacle of Rock.

End of Story

[bradfan]

I sure do appreciate all of your positivity. A "moron" " bastard" "idiot" like myself needs more people around me- especially like yourself.

I guess the dope is stronger these days

[jreese7]

Greeting from Batavia, New York. OMG, is this the guy who sings on Corporate America? Easily the best Boston Album ever. Like most comments, and post you see, and read, they all the say same. I'm way beyond every Boston album up to Corporate America. In 1976 it was a different time than 2002. I personally, never heard of Corporate America, until 2008, What a recording. Best Singing, writing, Engineering, Production and Feeling. Did Tom Scholtz graduate from MIT or what? Congratulations.
As Classic rock bands and era begin their demise, It is a complete privilege to be a fan of Boston. Although i never seen them in concert, having cd's is great. Not only is Corporate America the best Boston Album, It is easily the best classic rock album of this short millennium. The title track, is the most exciting title track, in the history of title tracks, ever, in the usa, even more exciting than Are You Experienced, Truly amazing. It was the right song, for the right time. Corporate radio stations missed out.
Thank you Boston, you are truly an American institution, throughout the years, and diversity of American pop music.

[thebirdsnest]

Mark Dixon was the original replacement for Boston as lead vocalist when Brad Delp was leaving the band back in 1981. He answered an ad in Rolling Stone magazine that advertised a "famous" band was looking to replace it's singer. Dixon beat out over 3,000 singers that had submitted audition tapes for the position as Boston's "new" singer. He was let go just before the Third Stage album was released. He never knew why he was released from this coveted position. Just a little info for you Boston fans.