As this summer is progressing, with show after show, it has been great to connect over and over with some of the same fans. As I had been absent for some time from the band's activities, seeing everyone again has been a real pleasure. For some who don't know me, I'm the guy walking around the stage with the cane. I'm Tony LaBarbera and I have been involved with 7th Heaven for every one of it's almost 25 years. I met Richie, and Mike when they were 14 and just stepping on stage for the first time at The Thirsty Whale. It's been one of the absolute joys of my life to see the band progress. I've know Nick for almost as long. I am getting more and more involved in the business side of things with Richie handling the promotions and personal management. It's not a picnic playing as many dates as we do and trying to keep personal relationships from fraying. 7th Heaven is really like a well oiled machine. There is a whole team around this band. While the members of the band who are on stage are the ones getting your adjulation, realize that there are another dozen our so people who are an equally important reason why the performance and presentaion are so enjoyable. So next time you are at a show, and you hear Keith say something like "take it away Dino", understand he means Dino Manzella the bands hard working sound engineer. Or if he says something about the great stage crew who just moved the bands equipment twice that day, and 7 times this week, give them the respect they deserve. Believe me, the band is the first to appreciate their efforts. Sometimes they don't actually say it enough, but Joe, John, and Ryan rock! If you are ever there for one of our night time shows, chances are that I will be behind the light board orchestrating the light show. Stop by and say Hi! There are so many new faces around that I haven't been able to meet everyone yet. If you are at the merch table say Hi to Lisa, Tina, Alan , or Mr. Hoffer who are as dedicated to this band as it gets.
I hope everyone saw the August issue of the Illinois Entertainer. The back cover was a first for the paper. 7th Heaven was front and center with their version of the back cover. Made to be a mock up of the front cover, complete with the Illinois Entertainer logo and everything, it's the first time in 34 years that something like that has been allowed. It's very cool, and we'll settle for this until we are on the front cover heralding or huge record setting recording contract, (one can only dream.)
As summer does wind down it will be a time for everyone to get a little rest, and then regroup. When we said Summer's Gonna Last Forever - we meant it, because "it 's gonna be the time of our lives." Hopefully we helped to make it be that way for you also.
Onward & Upward, Tony Shark
