Kevin Chalfant News

[SuiteMadameBlue]

This was posted on the front page, it wasn't suppose to be out until the Press Release (LOL)

As you may have heard, Kevin Chalfant (707, The Storm, Two Fires) is the new vocalist with the reformed Shooting Star. The band have recorded a new studio album and have signed a new label deal for it's release. I have been waiting for the official press release, which should be with me any day now.

[Abitaman]

You keep me waiting on the news . When, where, and how about some background on the group, if you know any-ERIC

[DreamAfterDream]

"You Keep Me Waiting"...was that intentional?

[Abitaman]

"You Keep Me Waiting"...was that intentional?

Yep -ERIC

[DreamAfterDream]

That's a good CD, I think I'll dig that one out.

[Monker]

You keep me waiting on the news . When, where, and how about some background on the group, if you know any-ERIC

As posted to one of the Kevin Chalfant mailing lists on Yahoo...

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Hi Mary,

Just wanted to say thank you for inviting me into the Kevin Chalfant mailing list. And I wanted to let you in on what Kevin will be doing for (hopefully) many years to come.

Shooting Star was founded in 1977 by a pair of musicians who've been playing for years in the Kansas City music scene: Van McLain (Shooting Star & The Galaxies) & Gary West (The Chesmann, The Beckies). Together they brought in more local talent and toured under the name Shooting Star.

Then in 1979, they became the very first US band to sign for Virgin Records, who had wanted to make headways into the American market. In 1980, Virgin-Epic released their self-titled, debut album to critically rave reviews. In 1981, they released Hang On For Your Life which featured their signiture song. From 1980-1985, they released five studio albums: Shooting Star, Hang On For Your Life, III Wishes, Burning, & Silent Scream. Unfortunately, bad management deals and poor representation from their record labels made their attempts for success nearly impossible. So in March of 1987, the band (with no record deal) broke up.

But in 1989, something interesting happened. Van McLain knew that CDs were the latest thing. And he was disappointed that none of their classic albums were available on CD for fans to enjoy. So with the assistance of band member Ron Verlin, they got with both Virgin and Epic Records to gather some of their best material to make a compilation album.

They also invited some new musicians, including Keith Mitchell on lead vocals, to record a brand new song called "Touch Me Tonight" for the greatest hits CD. The CD, called The Best of Shooting Star, was released on their own label V&R Records, and 10,000 copies were printed. And all of them sold out within a week! After that, Van & Ron decided that maybe Shooting Star could be reborn after all.

Then Enigma Records, known for their pop metal acts like Poison, asked V&R Records if they would let them release the CD on their label. After Enigma released their version, called Touch Me Tonight: The Best Of Shooting Star, the CD made Billboard Chart history! The CD became the first ever album to chart on the Billboard Top 200 album chart without the benefit of being available on 33 1/3 RPM vinyl format. It was a big deal back in 1989 as it signaled the beginning of the end of vinyl records.

Unfortunately, Enigma Records dropped the ball on Shooting Star as the label's fortunes waned with the end of pop metal. So in 1991, the band released It's Not Over - once again on V&R Records. And once again, regional album sales prompted a big record label (JRS Records, then subsidiary to SBK Records) to take a chance on Shooting Star. Unfortunately, JRS turned out to be a losing label. Just as JRS couldn't get Asia's Aqua into the Billboard Charts, they failed to do anything for Shooting Star. The label filed for bankruptcy in 1992 still owing the band more than $180,000!

V&R Records finally got the rights to release their original 5 albums in 1997. The year before, they released their first live record. And they toured off and on through the 90s. In 1998, I founded a mailing list for Shooting Star called the Shooting Star Maniac Asylum on Listbot. During that time, dozens signed up including band members old and new. Van McLain, co-founder of the band, & Bill Guffey, keyboardist on the first era of Shooting Star, are regular contributors to the Asylum.

In 2002, Shooting Star released their seventh studio album Leap Of Faith. In '03, they released their second greatest hits album: The Best Of Shooting Star v.2. But in late 2005, Shooting Star went to the studio to record their eighth studio album when Keith Mitchell left the band due to personal and professional reasons. So Van McLain sought out a new lead singer. On February 10th, 2006, MelodicRock.com announced that the band had invited Kevin Chalfant (707, The Storm, Two Fires) to be their third lead singer.

A good way to find out what Kevin will be doing, you can visit the Shooting Star Maniac Asylum, the "official" fan web site & the only officially sanctioned mailing list, by heading over to http://www.geocities.com/ssmaniac_2000 and taking a look. We have tons of pictures and sound bytes. And we feature a weekly MP3 Of The Week that features live lesser known tracks from Shooting Star's history. All of you on the Kevin Chalfant mailing list are invited to join the list.

And, once again, thank you for inviting me into your community. I'm sure that both the band and Kevin Chalfant will have a wonderful time together.

Take care,
Robert Landrum
List/Web Master
The Shooting Star Maniac Asylum
http://www.geocities.com/ssmaniac_2000

[The_Noble_Cause]

Chalfant is a brilliant vocalist in any capacity.
I don't know who in god's name "Shooting Star" is, but I'll be looking forward to this.

[Rockindeano]

Chalfant is a brilliant vocalist in any capacity.
I don't know who in god's name "Shooting Star" is, but I'll be looking forward to this.

Shooting Star? Sounds gay.

He should be fronting Journey, and that is a no brainer.

[Monker]

It's hard to believe people haven't heard of Shooting Star. They must not have broken outside of the midwest. Back in the 80's, I hard "Hollywood" constantly on the radio...as much as any Journey song. It's a great song. I don't remember hearing anything else by them. They are very much in the same melodic rock vein as Journey...Shooting Star always reminded me a lot of early Survivor...

I think it's a very good fit for Kevin. It could benefit both Kevin and the band, in many ways. I REALLY hope they tour and stop here...I want to see them.

[jrnyman28]

I have one Shooting Star CD. I got it of a used rack becaus ei knew the name was floating around. There was one song that I recognized a little. Pretty good stuff. It's like 80's AOR that came out earlier...sort of paved the way I guess...

[DreamAfterDream]

http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/pa ... index.html

[DreamAfterDream]

http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/pa ... index.html

[DreamAfterDream]

http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/pa ... index.html

[DreamAfterDream]

Sorry about the multiples my computer is acting funny.

[DreamAfterDream]

Sorry about the multiples my computer is acting funny.

[Mike S]

[quote]I don't know who in god's name "Shooting Star" is, but I'll be looking forward to this.
[/quote]



Shooting Star's Debut album was produced by Gus Dudgeon - (Elton John - among others..)
Second Album (Hang On For Your Life) - produced by Dennis McKay (BTO)
Third Album-(III Wishes) - produced by (ahem..Journey fans...) - Kevin Elson
Fourth Album-(Burning) - produced by (again...you should recognize the name) - Kevin Elson
Fifth album - (Silent Scream) - produced by Ron Nevison, Greg Ladanyi, Spencer Proffer...

6th Album - Shooting Star Live - self produced by Van McLain -
7th album - It's Not Over - again, self produced by Van McLain -

8th album - Leap of Faith - produced by Kevin Beamish...(REO Speedwagon - among others)

Need anything more about producers for that group of albums? Shooting Star's bad luck with the business side of the rock and roll world is most likely why you don't really "know" them...

My guess is that you have heard of them...

Shooting Star opened for Journey, REO, Robin Trower, Jefferson Starship, Cheap Trick...the list goes on...

For example, Rolling Stone magazine compared the debut album to Boston's debut...as far as quality of music and production.

Me, on the other hand, I have no idea who Kevin Chalfant is, and I just hope this collaboration works out for all...

Looking forward to learning more about Kevin....

[Mike S]

I should also mention -

Van McLain owns and operates Cowtown Records, the label that Shooting Star would be recording on...and you can hear tracks on the website -

http://www.cowtowndigital.com/

and, also visit http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/ssmaniac/. to learn more about them!


All the best!

[jimmy19029]

I've been a Shooting Star fan since their first album in 1980 and got to see them in 1981 on their second album tour. I've loved Kevin Chalfant since I heard him on 707's third album. This is wonderful news!

[shootingstarmaniac]

The Shooting Star Maniac Asylum just got an e-mail from Van McLain saying that the recording of their upcoming album is near completion. Kevin's done put in the vocals. And as of today, four songs have been mixed by Kevin Elson.

For those who don't really know about Shooting Star, I'd like to invite you to check out the Asylum.

http://www.shootingstarmaniac.com

It's the offical fan club for Shooting Star. And it's the only officially sanctioned mailing list for the band. You can learn the history of the band, see plenty of pictures, and hear some good tracks.

I honestly believe that once you listen to Shooting Star's music, you'll see that Kevin will be a wonderful fit.

Check it out!
Robert Landrum
Web/List Master
The Shooting Star Maniac Asylum
http://www.shootingstarmaniac.com

[jrnyman28]

Me, on the other hand, I have no idea who Kevin Chalfant is, and I just hope this collaboration works out for all...

Looking forward to learning more about Kevin....

www.cliquerecords.com

Kevin has been a well known vocalist among the Journey community because of his vocal similarities to Perry. This was heightened by his participation in the VU with Ross Valory and Prarie Prince (original Journey drummer) as well as his participation with the Storm with Ross, Steve Smith and Gregg Rolie. He has also hooked up with Josh Ramos (guitar for the Storm and Neal's replacement in Hardline) in another band called Two Fires. Kevin started many years ago with 707 and also has a couple solo CDs out. Latest work was on the Shadow's Fade (I think) CD. And one last bit of a Journey connection: Kevin was a part of the Journey reunion in 1994 along with Smitty, Ross, Neal, Jon AND Gregg!! After Sony got involved, the reunion gained momentum with Perry and Kevin and Gregg were out...

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Eric wrote:

You keep me waiting on the news . When, where, and how about some background on the group, if you know any-ERIC

Eric, at least you knew before it was posted!!!

I should be doing the interview later this month or early next month with Kevin

[Abitaman]

Me, on the other hand, I have no idea who Kevin Chalfant is, and I just hope this collaboration works out for all...

Looking forward to learning more about Kevin....

www.cliquerecords.com

Kevin has been a well known vocalist among the Journey community because of his vocal similarities to Perry. This was heightened by his participation in the VU with Ross Valory and Prarie Prince (original Journey drummer) as well as his participation with the Storm with Ross, Steve Smith and Gregg Rolie. He has also hooked up with Josh Ramos (guitar for the Storm and Neal's replacement in Hardline) in another band called Two Fires. Kevin started many years ago with 707 and also has a couple solo CDs out. Latest work was on the Shadow's Fade (I think) CD. And one last bit of a Journey connection: Kevin was a part of the Journey reunion in 1994 along with Smitty, Ross, Neal, Jon AND Gregg!! After Sony got involved, the reunion gained momentum with Perry and Kevin and Gregg were out...

Solo cd was Running with the Wind
plus 1n 2004 had
Back to Square One
Christmas With Friends. Both simply awesome cds.-ERIC

[usedtobadnews61]

I had all the Shooting Star LP's in the Gary West years...I saw them open for Todd Rungren...Call me a purist, but I have no interest in hearing them with another new singer. Gary West had a very unique voice that seem to fit the songs. It also seems an odd fit for Chalfant.



Jim

[Mike S]

Just happened to think about something here - Robert had mentioned that Van McLain was working on the mix of the new Shooting Star album...assisting Van with the mix is none other than Kevin Elson.

[leczorn]

I'm excited with the addition of Kevin Chalfant to Shooting Star and I'm happy to announce that I run a discussion list for the group! To join, go to:

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/shootingstarforum

I hope to see you all there!

Lec
http://www.leczorn.com

Join Shooting Star Forum
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/shootingstarforum

[Greg]

Does anybody have any soundbytes for Shooting Star? I don't remember them at all....

[jrnyman28]

Does anybody have any soundbytes for Shooting Star? I don't remember them at all....

http://www.cowtowndigital.com

http://www.geocities.com/ssmaniac_2000

http://www.shootingstarmaniac.com

http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/palladium/6217/index.html

[Greg]

Thanks!