Artists: Frontiers - A Tribute to Journey
Frontiers | A Tribute to Journey is the world's premiere tribute to the 80's rock pioneers. Yes,
that Journey - the ones responsible for selling over 75 million records, including some of rock's
most venerable anthems - the Journey rebuffed by critics and the musical establishment, even
as those very critics secretly kept "Don't Stop Believin'" in their Walkmans and saved a
special place for "Faithfully" in their mix tape collection. No one ruled the road from 1979-
1983 like Journey. Twenty-five years after that iconic lineup last graced the stage, Frontiers has
carried on the banner of separate ways, summer lovin', and open arms. As a tribute act, few -
if any - have such a colorful back-story that blurs the line between tribute and the "real deal."
When Frontiers formed in 2002, lead vocalist Jeremey Hunsicker had little motivation other
than to enjoy time in front of audiences singing the songs that he was born to sing. The lure of
fame and fortune was an idle of youth, and as Hunsicker crossed the threshold into his thirties,
he felt it was time to settle down in his career as a shipping sales executive, start a family, and
make music an enjoyable side project.
Fate would play a different hand, however. In early 2007, Journey (yes, that Journey) found
themselves at a critical crossroad. Do they abandon their signature sound, forged by iconic
vocalist Steve Perry - the soundtrack of millions of sweaty backseat hookups in the 80s, and
rediscovered by the youth of the new millennium? New vocalist Jeff Scott Soto - a heavy
sounding tenor with a vocal character miles from the Perry signature - had barely shaken the
road dust from his shoes before the band decided it was time once again to embrace the
"legacy sound." This time their journey would lead them to YouTube, and keyboardist Jonathan
Cain's daughter would lead him to Frontiers vocalist Jeremey Hunsicker.
In late May 2007, Jonathan Cain phoned Hunsicker, and explained the band’s situation. “They
think I’m crazy,” he explained to Hunsicker, “But the way you perform those songs is
inspiring.” Cain managed to convince a skeptical Neal Schon to take a last minute crosscountry
flight to Charlotte, NC, where Frontiers would perform a festival in front of over 5,000
people. For Hunsicker, there would be only two people in the crowd that mattered. By the end
of the performance, Schon’s skepticism was erased, and at dinner later that night, the three
would make plans to meet again in San Francisco, perform for the band’s management (ubermogul
Irving Azoff), and begin writing a few trial songs for a new Journey record.
What followed was a roller coaster ride none could have predicted, with Hunsicker and his
seven-month pregnant wife flying to San Francisco. The band rehearsed and wrote new music,
broke bread together, and made plans for an upcoming tour in 2008. Hunsicker would return
to Virginia that summer, offer in hand, as the new vocalist of Journey. It was an offer he had
never independently pursued, and one that – despite the promise of fortune and some degree
of fame – did not come without a price. With the birth of his first child only weeks away, and
the demand of a years worth of touring over his head, ultimately Hunsicker stepped away from
the situation. “There were a few red flags,” said Hunsicker. “I always told myself that if it was
meant to be, it would happen. When it didn’t fall into that perfect fit, I thought maybe someone
was trying to tell me something.”
But his time with Journey would prove prosperous nonetheless. One of the songs co-written
with Journey would be the lead single off of Journey’s new Wal Mart record, “Revelation.” He
maintained contact with Journey, and began to see additional writing opportunities with other
artists. With burgeoning interest in Hunsicker’s story and the trickle-down effect it soon had on
Frontiers’ booking schedule, there was a clear opportunity to take the tribute act full time. In
June of 2008, Hunsicker stepped away from the daily grind of corporate America to live his
dream of being a professional musician and entertainer – without the weight of that
omnipresent Journey legacy on his shoulders.
Rounding out the touring production of Frontiers would be guitarist Kenny Seay, original
Frontiers bassist Greg Eanes, Ron Haynes on drums, and double-threat Isaiah Osbourne on
keyboards and rhythm guitar. Each musician made a full time commitment to the music, and it
shows in every performance. Perhaps no other tribute so closely replicates not only the music
of the original band – But also that band’s spirit of originality and improvisation…The key to
what made Journey without equal when they walked out on stage every night.
Journey founding guitarist Neal Schon would reflect on Hunsicker’s brief flirtation with stardom
in an interview in June 2008. “Jeremey Hunsicker…He was very good… but he was a bit scary
because he was almost too much like Perry. He was almost like a duplicate, probably the
closest of anyone out there.” Perhaps not the best fit to step into the shoes of a legend. But a
ringing endorsement for a tribute singer who was able to find happiness doing what he loves
on his own terms. |
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