Where to begin this story of the long and winding road?
Let’s see……Three major record deals, major publishing deals, MTV videos, national tours, network television spots, magazines, numerous endorsements… Valentine into Open Skyz and all of the individual members are veterans to the music industry.
It all started when childhood friends Adam Holland and Gerard
Zappa began playing in various bands back in high school. Graduating to the
Long Island club circuit along with Neil Christopher on drums, they always had
a strong focus on writing, recording and performing original material. This led
them to talented writer keyboard player Craig Pullman. Always looking for that
certain special voice, their path eventually led them to Hugo. Valentine was
formed.
With a brief
move to LA; major management, label and publishing deals soon followed. With
the demos recorded by producer Neil Kernon, (Hall and Oates, The Romantics,
Dokken) Valentine was signed to Columbia
Records. They soon went into the studio to record their first CD. Soon after
the recording was completed, personnel changes at
After many issues with Giant Records and personnel changes within the group, the band reformed as Open Skyz. After almost a solid year of writing without a label, a new deal with RCA/Zito soon followed. With much relief, the band headed back to LA, into the studio with producers Ritchie Zito (Eddie Money, Cheap Trick, Heart, Cher) and Rob Jacobs. (Don Henley, The Eagles, U2) This CD provided several singles, including the top 20 AOR single “Every Day Of My Life”. Adding Tom Maio on drums, the band headed out on tour opening for Mr. Big and Kiss. Once n
Weary after almost a decade of music industry ups and downs,
jumping from label to label to label, the members of Open Skyz went their
separate ways.
Hugo went on to record three critically acclaimed solo records
(please add info), Adam headed down to Nashville as a writer with Murrah Music,
Gerard became involved in the management side of the business and Craig
continued writing with various collaborators. (including Adam & Hugo)
Hugo, after constantly being reminded of his uncanny resemblance
to Steve Perry, formed ‘Evolution” the ultimate Journey tribute band. He later
convinced Gerard to manage the project Adam to join him on guitar. (see
www.journeyshow.com)
Although the group always remained close friends and would write
and perform together in various combinations, there was never an official
Valentine/Open Skyz reunion. Until now that is.
With an invitation to play at Firefest IV, Valentine officially
reunited bringing Evolution drummer Mike Morales along on drums. The response
at Firefest was so fantastic, it has inspirited the guys to go back and record
new (well, not so new) material for a 2008 release.
After returning from the Firefest UK show, keyboard player, writer
and archivist, Craig Pullman disclosed an amazing discovery to the rest of the
band. He uncovered all of the completed Valentine demos that were going to be
used for the second CD. As the band progressed into Open Skyz and changed
musical directions, these songs were never recorded.
A few of these songs did make it onto Hugo’s early solo CDs –
“Crazy” , Find A Way” and “If You’re Ever Lonely”. The band has also decided to
re record the classic ballad “Never Said It Was Going To Be Easy” from the
original Valentine CD. According to guitarist Adam Holland “ This song was
always one of our favorites. Somehow in 2008 it has taken on a totally
different bluesy feel. We are all excited about it and looking forward to
recording the new version”.