PRIDE OF LIONS (featuring Jim Peterik & Toby
Hitchcock)
October 18, 2003
"POINTE EAST 20th REUNION BASH"
@ Second Dimensions
Schererville, Indiana
by: Wendy and Julie (The Poetry Sisters)
This was the premier concert for the latest musical project of
world renown songwriter/rocker Jim Peterik (Ides of
March/Survivor/World Stage) and it was a remarkable debut, sponsored by
The Midwest BEAT Magazine, a long time
supporter of Peterik's music.
This new duo –– Pride Of Lions –– delivered unto the hungry fans
the fresh new talent of Toby Hitchcock (a vocal dynamo from Kokomo,
Indiana) and the seasoned chops of the Grammy Award-winning Peterik.
The minute Toby opened his mouth to speak, his
effervescent charm and zany wit came shining through. He was the
perfect compliment to Jim’s own tireless energy, exuberant personality
and stage presence.
A sound check started early in the evening with Toby
bolting onstage in “Peterik” tradition wearing black leather pants
and, as what Jim referred to as his “bowling” shirt! Toby seemed
so comfortable working with Jim that he jokingly called him “Dad.”
We enjoyed an impromptu and comical version of “Heart and Soul” to
warm up the piano. Then Toby gave those of us who arrived early, our
first live listen to his incredible and powerful voice ––– WOW!!! Just
from that brief sound check, those in the house knew it was going to be a
special and memorable opening night for these artists.
Ninty minutes later, it was show time.
Taking the stage casually, after a brief introduction highlighted some of
Peterik's accomplishments, Jim and Toby set forth to rock the house!
They performed several new songs from their forthcoming, self-titled debut
CD. Some of the new fare included the rock-edged “It’s
Criminal,” “Gone” and “
"Unbreakable.” Other new songs offered up, were the
romantic ballad, “Interrupted Melody,” the highly melodic “Music and
Me” and their powerful first single, “Sound of Home.”
Toby joined Jim on such Peterik-written Survivor gems
as “Eye of the Tiger,” “I Can’t Hold Back” and brought his own
style and flair to the classic Survivor ballad, “The Search is Over.”
Jim’s and Toby’s vocals blended together perfectly. Toby’s
incredible 4-octave range and versatility can handle ballads like “The
Search is Over,” to the rock classic, “Heavy Metal,” which Peterik
wrote for the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar a few years back.
After pausing to sign a few items given away later tha
night to fans in a free raffle, the duo returned to their respective
microphones for a well deserved encore performance of Peterik's .38
Special hit, “Rockin’ into the Night," which was promptly
followed by a standing ovation!
Larry Millas, long-time friend of Jim’s and founder
of the Ides of March, once again did an awesome job on sound.
These two are truly “Unbreakable” and
“unshakable!” Jim and Toby have proven to be a
perfect match, both share a true passion for music! With the
master songwriting, vocals and guitar work of Jim Peterik now combined
with the amazing vocal talent of his newest discovery, Toby Hitchcock,
watch for the PRIDE OF LIONS to really ROAR!!!!
Their debut CD –– "Pride Of Lions" ––
will be released in Europe and Japan on Novemebr 11. Until a
domestic distribution deal is made, U.S. fans can get a copy for
themselves online at the band's site: www.aprideoflions.com
|
