Reconnecting With…Michael Sweet… (No Stryper shows for the rest of 2008)
August 26, 2008
For everyone who was wondering what the rest of the year might hold for Stryper, Michael has said in a reset interview posted online today that there will be no new Stryper shows for 2008. Here is the quote I’m going home from the Boston tour September 1, and I requested from Stryper’s management that they don’t book any shows for the rest of this year. I’m just going to stay with my wife and take the next year as it comes.”
Below is the complete interview.
Posted 08/26/08 on Christian Music Planet:
Former Stryper front man Michael Sweet reflects on the inspiration behind his latest album and his current tour with Boston.
Even though he’s always been associated with major bands—first ’80s metal trailblazers Stryper and now as co-vocalist with the newly reconvened Boston on this summer’s arena tour—Michael Sweet’s kept a steady eye on his solo career. Though jump-started in the early ’90s after Stryper’s original hiatus, it maintained steady steam through that act’s reunion at the tip of the 2000s and continues through today. Yet, the brand-new individual offering, Touched, is a complete anomaly when compared to any of the singer’s other projects, not just because of a stripped-down approach, but due to its series of covers dedicated to his wife Kyle (who’s bravely battling stage four ovarian cancer).
“When I was taking care of her during her first treatment, and she would spend a lot of time resting, I would go down [to my studio] and record for an hour,” says Sweet of the project’s genesis. “I basically just recorded a bunch of songs as a love letter to her, which I originally planned on just presenting [privately] to her. But it turned into something she wanted to be available to people, so I [released it online] and then got a distribution deal. What was just a record for her fortunately became something that a lot of people were touched by as well.”
Those expecting all out rock ‘n’ roll won’t find much on this outing, but Sweet’s remarkable range is in tact as he lovingly remakes several familiar favorites. Though not necessarily cut by Christian artists originally, the singer is using tracks like “You Are So Beautiful,” “She’s Got a Way,” “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” and “The Rose” to display his marital covenant of unconditional love, which has in turn inspired other couples across the entertainer’s vast listening audience.
Visit michaelsweet.com for more info.
“We’ve received several emails [from people] saying how these songs have touched them and helped restore their relationship with their husband or wife,” he verifies. “It’s really affected a lot of people as far as love for one another and gaining strength in relationships, which it was never really intended for, but it’s really neat how things like that work out.”
Aside from restoring others, he hopes Touched will showcase the family’s firm faith in a time of crisis, while also prompting prayer from fellow believers over this delicate situation. Though touring has scaled back considerably since Kyle’s diagnosis, Sweet currently has Boston shows on the books through the end of August.
“We talk about it every day, but she’s insisted that I be here [on the road], and she wouldn’t have it any other way,” adds Sweet. “In fact, she wouldn’t let me come home if I wanted because she feels like cancer has taken so much, and she doesn’t want to take away this. It feels odd to be away from her, but I have her blessing and call home all the time. I’m going home from the Boston tour September 1, and I requested from Stryper’s management that they don’t book any shows for the rest of this year. I’m just going to stay with my wife and take the next year as it comes.”
Boston still provides ‘More Than a Feeling’ in feel-good concert.
August 22, 2008
BY HOWARD COHEN
hcohen@MiamiHerald.com
[link]
Something about classic rock gets into one’s DNA like nothing else. The joyous sound of it, cranked on electric guitars, infused with its majestic pop hooks, hits the body’s central nervous system as a rushing wave of euphoric dopamine. This was proven repeatedly Thursday night at Boston’s energetic, 105-minute concert at Hard Rock Live.
You could say it has something to do with being a boomer — like this critic and most of the few thousand fans who were gathered at the Seminole complex near Hollywood to hear a revamped version of the rock band whose only original member remains mastermind guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Tom Scholz.
But it’s more than that. True, we were weaned on the enduring hits from Boston’s first two albums in the mid to late ’70s, nearly all of them performed flawlessly in this expertly paced and filler-free concert. These included, of course, More Than a Feeling, played not as an encore but at the set’s mid-point, Don’t Look Back and Peace of Mind.
But when Boston’s new co-lead singer Michael Sweet, who was plucked from the Christian hard rock band Stryper for this summer tour, introduced the chiming Hitch a Ride as a song ”Boston hasn’t played in 20 years” and then asked if there were any fans 20-years-old or younger in the house, several hands shot upward. These included two brothers who had floor seats and who clearly were indoctrinated by their parents in the heady highs of Boston music because one of them, in particular, looked near rapture when the still mesmerizing guitar-organ festival that is Foreplay/Long Time closed the main set. The teen sang along to every word of the first encore tune, Smokin’, while someone else took the Bicentennial-year song’s lyrics at face value to light up a doobie as the tell-tale smell of a ’70s rock concert sailed through the air.
‘Oooo, are you feelin’ satisfied,” Boston’s other new lead singer Tommy DeCarlo sang from a 1978 cut. Can we give him a “Hell, yeah?”
Later, DeCarlo hoisted a cloth on stage marked with the words, ”Boston Fans Rock,” and his uplifting story attests to that adage.
DeCarlo, who is on-leave from his day job as a credit manager for a North Carolina Home Depot, happened into the vocalist slot for his favorite band when he posted a song on his MySpace page he had written in tribute to Brad Delp, the original Boston singer who committed suicide in 2007. Scholz was tipped to the 43-year-old newcomer, who had never performed professionally, and was struck by DeCarlo’s familiar vocal timbre. He hired him for this tour.
It proved a good choice. DeCarlo did his idol, Delp, proud on numbers like Feelin’ Satisfied and Sweet also approximated Delp’s high tenor money shots on Amanda, Something About You and Peace of Mind. To Be a Man, a lesser track from Boston’s 1986 LP, Third Stage, was dedicated to the late singer. (The superior hit A Man I’ll Never Be, sadly missing from the setlist, would have been even more appropriate). Scholz said, “You don’t see him on stage but we feel he’s been with us on this whole tour.”
However, to quote from another Boston favorite that closed the show, Party, this wasn’t going to be a wake. The upbeat pace of escapist rockers never flagged. Even the relatively new 2002 opener, I Had a Good Time, had the chugging flavor of a vintage Boston rocker.
Best yet, M.I.T. engineering grad Scholz, a boyish 61 who has the same feathered hair and lanky basketball-toned frame he sported when the record-setting Boston came out in 1976 (albeit he wore a knee brace on stage), continues to prove Boston is the ultimate garage band — and dispels that bogus ”corporate rock” tag that has always unfairly dogged this band.
Dissatisfied with the sound of conventional electric guitars, organs and amplification, Scholz, without major-label support, developed and built his own musical equipment to give Boston its distinctive sound. The process is evolving because the crystalline, full-bodied, near three-dimensional fidelity Boston achieved on the Hard Rock stage seemed peerless and gave this nostalgic material remarkable presence.
”If we come back, will you come?” Sweet asked at the concert’s conclusion.
Certainly. We’re powerless to resist. Boston’s hot-wired in our DNA.
Update on Kyle Sweet from Michael! Please Read & Pray!
August 8, 2008
Hello Everyone,
I’m here with Kyle at Brigham and Womens Hospital (8/8, 10:00 am) and they are prepping her for desensitization to Carbo-Platin. Kyle had an allergic reaction to Carbo with her last treatment and it was actually working quite well. Since her cancer responded so well to this particular drug, she is now in the ICU and they will administer small amounts of this drug. If there is a reaction, they will then administer drugs to counteract the allergic reaction. I’ll be here with her until 12:00 and then I fly to Glen Allen to perform tonight. This is a very difficult time for us and we’re asking for prayer, specifically for this process to go as planned and to work perfectly so Kyle can continue receiving Carbo. She’s very concerned due to the first allergic reaction on 7/17. We’re both faithful and we continue to be hopeful as well. There are 3 weeks left to the tour. I ask that you pray for strength and encouragement as we walk through the times ahead. It is comforting to be able to come here and ask for prayer and to know that many of you have been and will continue to do so. We’re grateful and thankful!
Always,
Michael
Stryper Frontman Michael Sweet Joins Legendary Rock Band BOSTON on Tour 8/1/08
August 1, 2008
(Photo Credit: Andy Argyrakis, Charter One Pavilion in Chicago - July 23, 2008 )
(NASHVILLE, TENN.) — Stryper frontman and accomplished solo artist Michael Sweet is touring with the legendary band BOSTON this summer on a headlining tour of North America. Sweet is sharing lead vocals and playing guitar, performing the band’s classic hits like “More than a Feeling,” “Peace of Mind,” “Amanda” and “Don’t Look Back.” Boston has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, including the band’s 1976 self-titled debut which has sold over 17 million copies to date, and was the highest selling debut of all time.
The tour kicked off in Thunder Bay, Ontario on June 6th, and will take the band to 54 cities throughout the USA and Canada before wrapping up in San Juan, Puerto Rico on August 31st. Joining Boston on the tour is equally legendary rock band Styx.
“The tour has been a breath of fresh air and yet so surreal,” says Michael Sweet. “I’m standing next to Tom Scholz, trading guitar solos and having the time of my life. Boston is such a big part of my musical background and this music helped shape who I am as an artist, writer, producer and musician. It truly is ‘More Than a Feeling!’”
Prior to the commencement of the 2008 Boston tour, Stryper put the finishing touches on a brand new studio record to be released in 2009 and titled “Murder By Pride.” The album will include a cover of the Boston song “Peace of Mind” that features Boston guitarist Tom Scholz on the recording. Ironically, Stryper had recorded “Peace of Mind” and planned to put it on their 2009 release long before Michael Sweet was even considered as a new member of Boston. Stryper’s “Peace of Mind” featuring Tom Scholz is now available on iTunes and other digital stores.
With Stryper, Sweet has sold more than 8 million albums worldwide. The group’s unprecedented 1986 album “To Hell with the Devil” went platinum and was named one of the “100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music” by CCM Magazine.
“I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a member of Boston,” adds Sweet. “I feel that it’s a new chapter in my life and I also feel that it’s part of Gods plan upon my life at this time. My wife Kyle has been so supportive and it’s quite astonishing - I couldn’t do this without her.”
Michael Sweet interview 7/30/08
July 30, 2008
By Christopher John Treacy
Boston Herald
In the wake of last year’s suicide of Brad Delp, beloved singer and co-founder of the band Boston, things looked bleak for the storied group, whose 1976 self-titled album remains rock’s best-selling debut ever with more than 17 million copies sold.
Last Aug. 19, musicians, fans and well-wishers gathered at the Bank of America Pavilion for what was understood to be Boston’s last performance, organized in Delp’s honor. Among them was Michael Sweet, longtime fan and leader of the Grammy-nominated Christian metal outfit, Stryper.
Now Boston, - including founder Tom Scholz, 61, is back on the road this summer, packing venues across the country including a hometown show at Mansfield’s Comcast Center on Sunday. Vocal duties are being split between Sweet and fellow newbie Tommy DeCarlo, a die-hard fan and Home Depot credit manager who hit the jackpot with his audition.
We caught up with Sweet recently, and got the lowdown on the tour.
Herald: How did this tour come about?
Sweet: The rehearsals and ensuing show last August came off so well, afterwards Tom asked me if I would consider singing with the band were they ever to tour again. But I was floored at how quickly it came together. Boston’s known for long breaks between projects, so when I got the call six months later I couldn’t believe it.
Why the sudden change of heart?
All I can say is that a lot of healing took place at that tribute concert last year. Tom was deeply saddened by losing Brad, but you could tell he also experienced a great deal of joy getting together with other people and celebrating the music left behind.
Does being part of Boston compromise your faith at all? Are you channeling your inner bad boy?
I haven’t felt that yet, no. Believe it or not, Boston isn’t your typical rock scene with groupies, girls and drugs backstage. We’ve got a vegetarian chef, and lifestyle-wise it’s as normal and boring as it gets.
Is it daunting, walking into a situation like this with an established audience that’s bound to be opinionated about a new member?
It does feel odd, but not in a negative way. I’ve been a fan from the beginning, but my roots are so different - Stryper comes from the flashy ’80s borderline metal scene, big hair and all that. I perform differently than Boston does. I run around onstage and put a lot of energy into the showmanship, sometimes I worry that it’s too much. But I’m truly blessed with this opportunity, and the fan reactions to my stage presence has been overwhelmingly positive, so I must be doing something right.
AN UPDATE FROM MICHAEL SWEET…
July 10, 2008
This was a post taken from the Boston fan website www.www.gonnahitcharide.com that was made by Michael Sweet on his 45th birthday, July 4th.
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to let you all know how the tour is going so far. The shows and crowds have been amazing. Great turnouts, great feedback and very positive reviews. The most important thing (in my opinion) is that everyone is having fun and that people are encouraged and I can tell you this - everyone on this tour is. I’m blessed to have a wonderful family (Kyle, Mikey and Ellena) who supports my involvement here and they have been so encouraging. I’ve seen a lot of healing taking place within many peoples lives and It’s a gift to me to be a part of this. We’re all having such a great time on stage every night and we feed off of each others energy and joy. It’s really a unique experience and a special time. If you haven’t seen a show yet, try to catch one - it’s a great time!
It’s also very touching for me to be able to look over and see Tom enjoying himself and to see him smile throughout - it’s incredible!
And to be able to honor Brad every night with the song “To Be A Man” is overwhelming at times. I never had the opportunity to personally meet Brad but from everything that I have heard, he exemplified every word within this song.
I’m blessed to be here and I’m blessed to know each and every person in this group.
I look forward to meeting all of you out on the road and to those of you who I have already met, thank you for your kind words and it was a true pleasure meeting you.
Stay well and I’ll keep a look out for the rest of you,
Michael
More than a feeling: Tour bittersweet for new Boston singer Michael Sweet
June 14, 2008
For Stryper frontman Michael Sweet, touring this summer with Boston as one of its singers is bittersweet.
“As excited as I am, I’m also incredibly concerned and a bit bummed because I’m leaving my wife, who is very ill,” Sweet said.
Add to that the 2007 suicide of Boston’s lead singer, Brad Delp, and it doesn’t make for a pleasant situation. However, Sweet and the rest of Boston are determined to accentuate the positive.
“This is a tour that’s certainly honoring him,” Sweet said. “Nobody’s trying to be Brad, or replacing Brad or anything. We’re going out there and carrying on the incredible music and trying to have as good a time as we can doing so. Having fun and encouraging one another. So far it’s been a great journey.”
Sweet will appear with Boston, which is co-headlining Doug Fest 2008 with Stevie Nicks, at 7 p.m. Sunday at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Sweet — who is joined in the band by guitarist Tom Scholz, drummer Jeff Neal, fellow singer Tommy DeCarlo, bassist Kimberley Dahme and keyboardist Gary Pihl — said to consider Boston’s summer tour as a celebration of Delp’s life.
“We’re really wanting to focus on the positive,” Sweet said. “We don’t want it to be a down time. We want people to be encouraged. We’re honoring the man with the music. A lot of fans on the (bulletin) boards have been so discouraged by what has happened. They’ve been kind of down. It’s sad what happened, rightfully so. But we’re just wanting to encourage everyone to pick everyone up, and hopefully everyone will leave the show with that feeling.”
Sweet is sharing vocal duties with Tommy DeCarlo. An amateur singer and Home Depot employee, DeCarlo recorded covers of the band’s songs and uploaded them to a MySpace page. A Boston associate heard the music and forwarded it to band members.
“Tommy’s an awesome singer,” Sweet said. “He sounds so much like Brad, so we split everything up. He’s handling songs like ‘Smokin’,’ ‘Party,’ Don’t Look Back,’ those songs with the higher signature Brad range. I’m doing ‘Amanda,’ ‘More Than a Feeling,’ ‘Peace of Mind,’ songs that suit me more.”
Like DeCarlo, Sweet is a longtime Boston fan, a journey that began when he was 13 years old. He explained that the first Boston record inspired him to strive for better guitar tones.
“That’s when I went from just being a kid with a Sears electric guitar and a (clean) amp, to cranking it up to get distortion,” Sweet said. “That’s when I started seeking the ultimate guitar tone. I heard that tone and thought, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I started buying foot pedals and all these gadgets. It changed me a lot as a player, and as a writer — the arrangements, the vocal harmonies, the guitar harmonies. If you listen to Stryper, even though we’re much heavier sounding and classified as a hard rock or metal band, you can definitely hear the similarities, the influence in many ways.”
Although he’s only been in Boston for a couple of months, Sweet is excited about the prospect of writing and recording new music with the band.
“Tom has mentioned on occasion the possibility of me contributing to music. I would be completely honored,” Sweet said. “I know they’re going to be working on a new album when we get back from tour. I think they might use some old songs that Brad sang on and remaster, remix some other songs and record some new songs. I’ve been asked to be a part of that process. In any way, whatever I’m doing, if I can be a part of it, beautiful.”
Boston’s Scholz is reciprocating the favor. Next year, Stryper fans will see a new album with the first single of “Peace of Mind,” a cover of the Boston song.
“Tom Scholz is playing on it. It’s absolutely fantastic,” Sweet said. “That’s going to be released by Big Three Records in early ‘09. At some point, we’ll go out and tour on that. It’s the best record we’ve done. Sonically, musically, it’s got a lot of energy, and I’m really excited about that coming out.”
But for now he’s focusing on Boston and, according to its official Web site, shows are selling out.
“I think that’s surprising,” Sweet said. “It came as quite a surprise to everyone, especially Tom. You never know what’s going to happen in a situation like this.”
by Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | Contributing writer June 13, 2008
Michael Sweet interview in Christianity Today. 5/19/08
May 29, 2008
“Higher Power”
posted 05/19/08
Between his time in the recently reunited Christian metal band Stryper, his solo career, and his remaining time as a dedicated family man, Michael Sweet’s schedule appears to be maxed out. But a recent invitation from Tom Scholz—co-founder/guitarist/songwriter for classic rock band Boston—started a chain of offers that were simply too amazing to refuse. Fans of Boston may recall the death of frontman Brad Delp in early 2007, which was followed by a concert featuring surviving members paying tribute to the powerhouse vocalist behind hits like “More Than a Feeling,” “Don’t Look Back” and “Amanda.” After participating at that show, Sweet was officially asked to join the band, celebrating Boston’s 30-plus-year career with a worldwide tour. Sweet shared with Christian Music Today what it means to him to be part of one of his all-time favorite bands, especially during a difficult time for his wife and family.
You were last seen and heard after reuniting with Stryper and then releasing your solo hymns project Him in 2006. What have you been up to since then?
Michael Sweet: It’s been an interesting year or two to say the least—a lot has transpired that’s good and bad. The hymns record did quite well and a lot of great things came from it. But not long after that, in February 2007, my wife was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. She immediately went through surgery—on Valentine’s Day—and we’ve been going through the ups and downs of treatment over the last year. We just keep praying, believing, and remaining faithful that God is going to get her through. I’ve since recorded the solo CD Touched for my wife, a compilation of covers like “You Are So Beautiful” and “Without You” to really speak to her heart. It’s been an incredibly emotional time—the most frightening time of our lives, through there have been a lot of incredible things as well.
Such as being asked to step in as lead singer for Boston?
Sweet: Right, during that time, I received an e-mail from a gentleman asking if I wanted to comment on the passing of Brad Delp, the lead singer of Boston [who committed suicide in March 2007]. I wrote a few paragraphs about his passing and what his music meant to me.
Boston was a big part of my musical background and I still remember when I first heard the self-titled album back when I was 13 years old—I would play it over and over again.
Though I was a Christian at the time, I’ve never really been one who only listens to Christian music. Boston’s had a strong musical influence on me, shaping the way I approach writing, arranging, guitar sounds, etc.—their debut just floored me.
So after I wrote that paragraph about Brad, I received an e-mail from Kim Scholz, [the wife of founding guitarist/songwriter Tom Scholz], inviting me to participate in a tribute show last August in Boston. It was a night of everyone coming together to raise funds for charities that Brad was a part of, plus it was a celebration of Brad’s life. And Tom Scholz had told me he heard [Stryper's 2005 CD] Reborn and really enjoyed it. He liked my songwriting and my voice, so the door was opened from there.
How did this opportunity factor in with your personal strains?
Sweet: It all came at probably a point in my life where I was emotionally at my lowest. I was so fearful what we were going through with my wife being ill and was so very afraid, asking God why this was happening. It was a really difficult time and then I got this call, which I personally believe was God tapping my shoulder and saying, “I’m still here.” I felt it was completely a God thing.
Once I received the phone call and met up with Boston, we did a short rehearsal for “More Than a Feeling” and “Peace of Mind.” I had also sang a couple [at the tribute concert], as well as other local fans and bands from Boston.
So how did a single show lead to you officially being invited into the band?
Sweet: It was just an incredible night and I can’t really explain it other than the fact that the band and I really hit it off together. I’m officially part of the band now and I’ll be touring with them starting June 6. Just to clarify, I’m not the lead singer of Boston. I’m one of the singers, switching it up with [local fan and artist] Tommy DeCarlo, but I’ll also be playing guitar throughout the set.
Boston’s always been a band with various vocalists.
Sweet: In the early days, it was Brad who primarily sang, though over time, the band has relied on other vocalists too. I view this as an incredible opportunity. The group Boston is full of amazing people, and I’m blessed to know them!
Were they been familiar with your time in Stryper, especially with all of your band’s mainstream success?
Sweet: I know that Kim purchased Reborn, and though she had heard of us, she really hadn’t gotten into us until that record. She started listening to that and was really impressed, so then she started playing it for Tom and he was also very impressed with it. Here I am talking with Tom Scholz, who’s part of the band that released the biggest selling debut album all time [with over 18 million in sales], and someone that had been such a big influence on my music, inviting me to come sing with him—if you could’ve seen my face!
Boston is a band that rarely tours, and given the loss of Brad, it looked less likely that the band would continue. What do you think inspired their return to the road?
Sweet: [At the time of the tribute concert], there was no plan to continue on. It was just going to be a one time benefit show. But I think the band received enough feedback from fans to continue, and I look at it as a way of honoring Brad. He was, in my opinion, one of best vocalists of all time and a one of a kind person. None of us are trying to be Brad or fill his shoes, but the group wants to go out and continue to honor him and the music.
A lot of classic rock bands like Journey, Styx and Queen are still touring these days without the original lead singers, and still drawing sizeable crowds. How are they able to pull it off without the star power?
Sweet: Because I think the songs have touched so many lives. You remember first and foremost the songs, at least speaking for myself because that’s how my mind works. When I’m humming the melody, I’m not necessarily remembering all the members and what each guy did. I think it starts there, and in the case of Boston, these songs are all over radio even today—they’ve become quite powerful. There’s always going to be some fans who don’t want to accept change, but for whatever reason, there are also a lot of people out there who want the group to carry on. As far as press with Boston, it’s been a very positive response. We’ve gotten a lot of offers for shows and there seems to be a real excitement for this tour.
Being a man of faith, were you ever concerned about any of Boston’s lyrics or simply being associated with such an iconic rock band from the 70s?
Sweet: I have never felt that they were questioning my faith or that it was going to cause a problem. As matter of fact, Kim sends emails all the time to encourage us with Bible scriptures in the email, which is quite an encouragement regarding my faith. They are probably some of the nicest people I’ve ever met—so giving, so polite, and not your typical rock scene backstage with booze or drugs. There’s none of that stuff. Plus they give a lot to charities, and from my perspective, are doing the right things in their lives. They’ve been a very refreshing example to me my family and I’m certainly not going to judge them—nor are they judging me. The good thing with Boston is they certainly aren’t a band where most people would go after them lyrically, compared to other bands from the ’70s. The only one [I find questionable] is the song “Smokin,’” which refers to “tokin’ [pot]” but I’m not singing that one. I think it will all work out in the end and if anything becomes a moral comprise for me, I certainly will make them aware of that, but it hasn’t been like that at all.
Do you think joining Boston will help your career in the long run?
Sweet: I haven’t really thought that much about that. The icing on the cake is that before I even met Boston, Stryper was interested in covering “Peace of Mind.” Now that I’ve been in contact with Tom, we wound up covering the song with Tom playing guitar on a great rendition for the next Stryper record.
How did your Stryper band members initially react to the news of this new gig?
Sweet: They were a little bummed at first. Their first reaction was, “Oh no, Michael is working with Boston! What’s going to happen with Stryper? Are we done?” After we got through that, they’ve been very supportive and it’s been nothing but good vibes.
So what does this mean for the future of Stryper?
Sweet: Well, I’m not leaving Stryper or calling it quits! It will continue. When exactly, I can’t say, but we just finished the new record and pushing for it to be released this year.
I really enjoy playing, writing, performing and recording, and I feel that’s my calling—to express myself through songs that I believe God has given me. [Being in Boston] is certainly going to open some doors and it might be an opportunity for Boston to introduce itself to Stryper fans who don’t already know them and vice versa. I’ve enjoyed every minute of making [Stryper's forthcoming CD] Murder By Pride and it’s going to be released sometime soon, hopefully supported by a tour in 2008 or 2009. It’s all brand new original material, along with the cover of “Peace of Mind,” and back to our roots as far as vocal harmonies and guitar solos. But at the same time, it’s very current as far as song structures and arrangements. I think it’s our best record.
And what about a new Boston record?
Sweet: I think they were working on some new material before Brad’s passing and I believe they are planning on doing some new material at some point, but I don’t know that for certain. I would hope so and Tom has mentioned a number of times that I should sing on the new record if they ever do something. But I don’t want to give false information and say “Michael Sweet will be on a new Boston record,” and then it never be released. But I’d be honored and it would be a thrill of mine. For now, [Sony Legacy] is only planning to release the remastered Greatest Hits [this summer].
What is your biggest prayer request to fans at this stage of your storied career?
Sweet: My biggest prayer request would be for my wife. Please pray that she would be healed, restored, and strengthened. She’s been very down physically and emotionally, and really needs the Lord’s healing. But I’ve gotta say that [her support of me] is the primary reason for deciding to do all this. Of course I’ve been a big fan of Boston, but my wife is also 100 percent behind it. If she wasn’t, I wouldn’t do it, because my priority is my family and I wouldn’t put her through that. She’s very excited and thrilled with the opportunity—she’d be upset if I didn’t do it! So that’s really been a blessing amidst these treatments. We’re looking forward to [her healing] and she’ll be coming out to see a few shows in what’s going to be a great summer!
[article link] http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2008/michaelsweet-0508.html
Update on Kyle Sweet’s Surgery
May 9, 2008
I saw this on the mesage board over at Boston Fan Site GonnaHitchARide.com. You need a user name to check the mesages.
Anyways, “Komit,” a friend of Tom and Boston wrote the following yesterday afternoon:
“Kyle’s surgery went really well today, and she is already feeling better. Michael is in good spirits, and we all remain optimistic. The strength that the Sweet family exhibits is truly inspiring. Keep praying…it’s working!”