T.S.O. if you’ve never seen them, this is the biggest show of the year. More lights, lasers, smoke, snow and effects than any show I’ve EVER seen. As for the music, if you know me at all you know I’ve been singing their praises for the last 9 years. The band is beyond awesome, and when you factor in the string section, all the singers, narrator, 2 guitarist, 2 keyboard players, electric violin, bass and drums there are about 20 members on stage throughout the night.

Paul O’Neill is the writer, producer and main man for T.S.O. Paul and I have been friends for almost 12 years now. Back in 1993 I went to New York, and Paul, who was the producer for one of my favorite bands, Savatage wanted to meet and have dinner. It seems I was one of the very few radio people that played Savatage on a regular basis. Anyway Paul and I met at Gallagher’s, a legendary steak house in Manhattan. We clicked right away, and after dinner Paul showed me around the big city, he took me to places that had inspired lyrics for several Savatage songs like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Astoria and the Empire State Building.

It has been a real treat know Paul for so long. I remember our conversations when they were deciding on what name to use for what would become Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
I remember introducing him to Sabrina on one of my frequent trips to New York. This was before we got married. Paul connected with her right away and still calls the house every now and then just to see how her battle with cancer is going.

Over the years I’ve been invited to sit in the studio with the band during the recording of “The Christmas Attic” and “The Lost Christmas Eve”. I got a credit for the art concept on the “Beethoven’s Last Night” CD, Sabrina and I both got thank you mentions in the last 2 CDS, and we’ve become friends with several members of the band.

Lastly, the main reason I went to Toledo was to record the Chop Shop Christmas special with TSO guitarists Chris Cafferry and Alex Skolnick. Chris and Alex are both great people and sick, amazing guitar players, and they are kind enough to co-host my annual Chop Shop Christmas show. Look for it on Christmas day at 9am on WRIF and wrif.com.

Black out