Eric Carmen Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 I was sitting in my fourth grade classroom at Ridgebury Elementary School one day when they introduced the class to a new student. His name was Tom Consolo and he looked a little nervous, coming in just after Christmas, in the middle of the school year. We were seated alphabetically, so Tom ended up right behind me (Carmen, Consolo). I turned around and said "Hi" and welcomed him to our school and before long, Tom and I became good friends. He had just moved up to Lyndhurst from Little Italy (or" the Hill" as it's sometimes called) and he has since told me he had no idea what to expect. Murray Hill was a pretty tough neighborhood back then, and Tom came to school figuring he would get beaten up every day just because he was the "new" kid. Fortunately, nobody had any interest in beating Tom up, and he settled into life at Ridgebury Elementary in no time at all. Sometimes, after school, Tom would come over and we would play with toy cars in my driveway. Tom remembers me playing classical piano, and my mother painting a mural on our dining room wall., things that seemed quite different from life on "the hill." Well, Tom and I went all through Junior High and High School togetther, although we eventually drifted into different groups. Tom became very handsome and popular and played on a few sports teams. I remained skinny, artistic and terminally shy. Eventually Tom became the lead singer of Brush High's Motown band, The Cellmates, while I became the lead singer of Brush's "Mod" band, The Fugitives. After high school, I went of to college and joined Cyrus Erie and Tom headed for the West Coast. Tom became the tour manager for REO Speedwagon and worked with Survivor and a number of other acts, and from time to time we would run into each other. Tom always managed to make it to the show, whenever I played L.A.Fast forward to last summer. Tom and I had had a couple of phone conversations about a number of things, and one day he said "I'm coming to Cleveland next month with Jewel. She's doing an interesting show with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and I think you should see it." So, Susie and I headed out to the venue on a lovely summer evening to check it out. It was SPECTACULAR! I never realized what a terrific singer Jewel is, and the Orchestra was absolutely wonderful. Great conductor, great charts. All in all, a lovely, intimate evening of beautiful music.A few days later Tom called and said "You know we could do this with you at Severance Hall. I think that would be a great "full circle" kind of event." He was remembering back when I used to sit in the balcony and watch my Aunt Muriel rehearse. It did sound pretty appealing. The same hall where my lifelong love of classical music was formed, the same stage where I had watched the great George Szell conduct Beethoven and Mozart. It all just felt right. And the last piece of the puzzle, Tom now works at Irving Azoff Management in L.A. They know how to do these things right.So, there you have it, fifty-two years in the making! How the stars and planets might just line up for a couple of boyhood friends from Lyndhurst, and make October 6th one very memorable night. Pretty good story, don'tcha think? ec 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggiesjc Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 Yes, great story! Thanks so much for telling it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazumi Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 Eric, Thank you for sharing the wonderful inside story.Kazumi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlene Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 Yes, a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it, Eric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggsherby Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 It is truly amazing that things have fallen in place over the last couple of years...full circle indeed, I'll be there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sterling Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 Eric,Thanks for your wonderful story! Its so nice that you are able to make a really meaningful connection after all the time that has passed. Not many of us are so fortunate to keep those relationships in our modern "mobile" society. Good luck to both of you with your wonderful plans!Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachie Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 It is truly amazing that things have fallen in place over the last couple of years...full circle indeed, I'll be there! Dito! Great story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamacote Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 .......the universal flow is a wonderous thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaAllByMyself Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 Fab story ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Davie Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 It's stories like THIS one from Eric, why ericcarmen.com is the best 'band/artist fan-site' on the web. Not to mention an iPod giveaway for 1,000,000 hits!ANY fan-site is lucky to have the namesake artist contribute ANYTHING. Usually they are too busy. And when they do quickly appear, it's part of a shameless promotion hawking a new product. THIS (having Eric tell personal stories, and giving occasional personal replies to us the fans, etc.) is unique to anything I have ever seen. On the Hollies official site, we're lucky to have Bobby Elliott pipe in once a month, and it's sometimes a snippy response to a criticism from a fan.These 'Reflections With Eric' segments are addicting and inspirational. It gives us all a good look into following the heart to find happiness. And, that certain people are MEANT to be put in front of us for our entire liftimes...and we just don't realize it in the present moment. Just ask Mike Douglas ;^)I'm hooked to this site! And hopefully the funds will be there for a trip to Cleveland in October.Congrats to Spooky Tooth and to the team that makes this site as happenin' as it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 What a fantastic story, Eric. This was "written in the stars" long before Tommy moved from Murray Hill to Lyndhurst, that's why "the planets lined up" so perfectly for it. They were undoubtedly lined up for it long before either of you was born. There is no such thing as serendipity, in my view. Some things are just "meant to be." This story must be as old as time, because I've been wishing for it since I first heard you play the piano. Thank you for making yet another of my dreams come true. I'll be honored to attend this magnificent event. --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 This "Eric Carmen With Orchestra" thing is such a good fit, it should be an annual event...Or at least once every 2-3 years.Of course, a mini-tour to major cities with Pops Orchestras, would be the ideal thing...once the momentum gets going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted May 4, 2006 Author Share Posted May 4, 2006 The thought had crossed my mind.....ec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmichel Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Wow...Eric Carmen with orchestra!...I can't wait to hear the results of that union...I usually prefer to listen to the studio versions of my favorite artists songs...But EC with orchestra...That's gonna bring out even more drama in some already dramatic music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IluvEric Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 In 2000, Brian Wilson did part of his Pet Sounds tour using local orchestras to support him. It would really be a interesting concert and experience for both the fans and Eric if he could tour. My fingers are crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mac Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Paul Davie,I think we all feel what you conveyed so beautifully in your post. Bravo and Ditto.Irving Azoff used to run Giant Records, and is a HUGE Brian Wilson fan. This has me thinking this could be the start of something really good.When Brian Wilson did his "Pet Sounds Live" tour, he used local orchestras in the different cities he played. But some of the shows had no orchestra at all. So if Eric does take this thing on the road, he would have that option as well. In smaller venues, an intimate show with just a good band would be extremely cool. I guess I'm rooting for this not to be a one shot deal, because I think people will come out to see Eric play in many cities across the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspberrywine Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Mr. Carmen, question please: For the songs you have in mind for October 6th, do the orchestral scores already exist for some or will you and/or an arranger have to prepare these along the way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted May 4, 2006 Author Share Posted May 4, 2006 We will be doing new charts for this show. ec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Eric this may sound like a silly question, but does Severance Hall have a dress code?Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Davie Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Lord Almighty...if Eric does do the 'mini-tour', I would be happy to arrange the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (with co-promoters Bob & Tommy Allen! LOL) The grand old Landmark Theater would be perfect. That's the same venue where Eric played with Ringo in 2001...and I caught Ringo's towel!!And thank you Brian Mac for the kind words... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspberrywine Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 According to their web site they do have a dress code. Its formal gowns and pearls,.. and that's just for the men. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 So I guess those in the cheap seats can clap, and those in the expensive seats can rattle their pearls.Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneG Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Does this mean Eric has to wear a shirt? Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesberry Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Anne,Now I'm picturing Eric just in pearls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marie Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Here is a link to info on Severance Hall. It includes history about the renovations and also answers to FAQ. http://www.clevelandorch.com/html/Severance/SevHistory.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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