I FIRST MET TONY PETERS in the late '70s, in Boston. I was carving out a niche for myself as a guitarist, songwriter, and band leader for Heidi and the Secret Admirers, a 1978 Boston Globe "Best of Boston" band. Tony had migrated from the supper club and lounge circuit of the New Jersey shore, Atlantic City and Poconos resorts where he fronted his own combo, the Hip Schmaltz. Donning his signature white dinner jacket, Tony sang from the American Songbook and served up a heaping helping of the swingin' sounds of the '60s crooners like Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Vic Damone, to name a few. Mixing in some bossa nova via Getz, Gilberto, and Jobim, his range was eclectic and compelling.
Since we Admirers had a faithful following and regularly scheduled appearances, there was ample opportunity for me to spot the man in the white dinner jacket at our shows, as he quickly became one of our steadfast admirers. We would chat after shows and discovered that we shared a passion for the tunes of Bacharach/David, Cole Porter, the Gershwins, as well as the lush arrangements of Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, and Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66. I had soaked up some of these influences and was writing material for my band as well as some future solo excursions, which I shared with Tony. He was a big fan of my songs and would repeatedly say, "I'm gonna record and perform these some day!"
THE MUSICAL CLIMATE at the time was not exactly welcoming to the rather arcane artistic direction Tony and I were enthused about. The NYC/NJ scene was dominated by bands playing at Max's Kansas City and CBGBs while in Boston there was a revolution going on in Kenmore Square at the Rat and other spots around town.
​
New music had exploded onto the scene and punk and new wave took a firm hold. Times and tastes were changing as fast as a Ramone's song. I started touring with folk pioneer Tom Rush and later recorded two albums and toured with New York singer-songerwriter Willie Nile. Back in Boston, I co-founded The Band that Time Forgot, went on to be a member of many other bands including vas deferens, Robin Lane & the Chartbusters, the Chuck McDermott Band, and was privileged to play with countless other talented artists. Meanwhile, I became manager, then owner of the Mooradian Cover Company that provided thousands of musicians with padded covers, cases, and gig bags for their instruments. Most importantly, while all of this was going on, I helped raise a spectacular daughter. In other words, lots of life happened!
I LOST TRACK OF TONY. For decades I had no idea where he was or what he was up to. Flash forward to 2023, I stepped offstage at a local club and noticed a gentleman in a white dinner jacket making his way towards me through the crowd. The first thing out of his mouth was, "Don't you think it's about time I record and perform those songs of yours, Peter?" I answered with an emphatic "Yes, let's do this!"
​
So we did, and you have the results in your hands. My long-lost friend Tony and I hope you like what you hear.
- Peter Hoffman​
MUSICIANS:
Peter Hoffman - Guitars
Dave Limina - Piano and Hammond Organ
Ardys Flavelle, Jennifer Kimball, Tony Peters - Vocals
Richard Gates - Bass
Lorne Entress - Drums