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Band History
Freddie Faccioli
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The band, Classified, was originally assembled in the early 90's. It was the concept of Freddie Faccioli, organist and vocalist from the legendary group Eric & the Chessmen, during the 1960's and leader of Ascension, the area's premier horn band throughout most of the 1970's.
Freddie had this idea that a band like Ascension could be formed again, performing the same type of great songs but presented with the technology and sophisticated sound systems in use today.
In addition to Freddie Faccioli and Greeley Ford on bass, the original Classified lineup also featured Ascension veteran Pat Putrello on trumpet & vocals. While it truly was "getting the band back together," it also featured many talented musicians from other top current musical acts in the area.
Their collective resume was so long, it looked like a "classified" ad, thus, the name was created and so was the mission of the band…. EOE, that's "equal opportunity entertainment" for all!
Freddie isn't on stage with us anymore, but he's still our mentor and is always there in spirit (or at least behind the scenes making sure all the production crew is on the mark!)
What Maurice White is to Earth, Wind & Fire, Freddie Faccioli is to Classified.
Thank you Silver Fox.
The History of Classified
Over the years, Classified has become the number one musical group in the Central New York area. The band was voted number one group in the area by the readers of the Utica Observer Dispatch in their Readers Choice Poll for two years in a row. In addition, Classified has performed with or shared the bill with many international artists, including Maynard Ferguson, Benny Mardonis, Rare Earth, Eddie Money, KC & the Sunshine Band, Jason Masalis, Gap Mangione and Earth, Wind & Fire to name a few. The abilities of the members of Classified encompass all styles of music, which is why they are the most sought after black-tie affair act in the area, and beyond.
Band Menbers
- Greeley Ford Bass Guitar, Vocals and Band Leader
- Larry Desiato, Lead Vocals, Percussion, Drums
- Michelle Rushford, Lead Vocals
- Scott Rutledge, Lead Vocals and Trumpet
- Michael J. DiMeo, Trumpet and Vocals
- Carl Goodhines, Keyboards
- Marty Hollister, Trombones and Vocals
- John Dugan, Drums
- Joe Zarr, Saxophones, Flutes and Vocals
- Bill Mirgo, Guitars
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Greeley Ford
Bass Guitar, Vocals
Band Leader
Greeley is from Asbury Park, New Jersey, where he graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ.. He came to upstate New York in the early seventies to earn a Syracuse University BA in Speech Communications/Dramatic Arts from Utica College.
When he left the Jersey Shore, fellow bar bands like Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band were playing the same club circuit.
Besides playing in Ascension, Greeley was a founding member and leader of the legendary progressive rock show band, Mr. Edd which performed all up and down the east coast and Canada. Later, while playing keyboards and bass with the Todd Hobin Band, he also toured with the Beach Boys and the Kinks.
Greeley began taking classical piano lessons in 1964 and played various brass horn instruments until finally settling down with the electric bass in the early seventies.
Greeley is the "Cal Ripkin" of Classified. He is the only member of the band who has never missed a single gig.
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Larry Desiato
Lead Vocals
Percussion
Drums
Larry is the next original founding member of Classified that is still performing with the band. He was actually the original drummer for the first five years of the band when the band was establishing itself as the "biggest" band in Central New York.
He is a 1974 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Utica and has played professionally ever since. He has played drums and/or sang lead vocals for bands such as Preacher, Breezin', Airtime, Mirage, Metro and of course, Mr. Edd.
Larry learned to play the drums when was eight years old and played in various drum and bugle corps such as The Magnificent Yankees and DCI finalist, The Auburn Purple Lancers.
Larry has shared the stage with national acts such as Orleans and Las Vegas showroom stars The Scintas, whom Larry subbed on drums for several shows when their regular drummer was out ill.
He is an accomplished and well known musician in central New York who utilizes his talent to not only just sing and play, but also to entertain the audience as well with breathtaking impersonations of artists like Louie Armstrong & Johnny Mathis.
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Michelle Rushford
Lead Vocals
Michelle Rushford is a native of Rome, New York. She graduated Rome Free Academy and went on earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from the esteemed Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. After completing those requirements, Michelle studied at SUNY Cortland to earn a masters degree in children's literacy.
She has taught music for the past eleven years and either directed, performed or starred in numerous musicals and dramas.
In addition to teaching private piano and voice lessons for 15 years, Michelle also sang in such well known bands as Ovation and Top Secret before joining Classified in the summer of 2003.
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Scott Rutledge
Lead Vocals and Trumpet
While enrolled at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, Scott studied with players from the Syracuse Symphony. After completing his A.A.S. degree in music performance, he went on to Crane School of Music in Potsdam to earn his B.A. degree in music education.
While at Crane, Scott served as director of the wind ensemble and brass instrument instructor at the Grenville Christian College in Brockville, Ontario.
At the end of his time at Crane, Scott played with the Olympic Symphony Orchestra for the Winter Games at Lake Placid.
He has regularly toured the Caribbean as a featured vocalist and trumpeteer on a variety of Norwegian and Carnival cruise ships including the Norway.
Scott has performed in countless local, regional and national productions playing for artists such as The Temptations, The Ink Spots, Little Anthony & the Imperials and The New Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.
Scott is the remaining original founding member of Classified.
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Michael J. DiMeo
Trumpet and Vocals
Michael DiMeo received his B.S. in Music Education from SUNY Potsdam and his M.S. in Music Education in 1973.
Michael just retired after teaching music at the New Hartford High School since 1976, having served as department chair since 1980.
He led the NHHS Spartan Marching Band to several NYS Field Band Class AA Champions in 1982, 1990, 1991 & 1996. He's been an adjunct professor at Utica College of Syracuse University since 1997 and the brass caption head for the legendary drum and bugle corps, The Syracuse Brigadiers in 1991, 1992 and 1994-1998.
Michael has taught generations of students. In fact, he was the original instructor for Scott Rutledge! Michael himself has a huge following. Parents and kids alike, both of whom Michael taught, come out to see him play in Classified on a regular basis.
Before joining Classified in the mid 1990's, Michael played with Fuel and the Sal Alberico Big Band. Since then, he has played for the Four Tops, the Temptations, Bobby Vinton and Frankie Avalon just to name a few.
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Carl Goodhines
Keyboards
Carl graduated high school in Utica, New York and later attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Carl has played professionally for twenty-five years. He has toured all over the country, including lengthy stints in Las Vegas. He has performed onstage in 46 states with as many as 13 keyboards at one time!
During the eighties, he toured with the absolutely legendary central New York RCA recording artists "805".
But one of the most spectacular and memorable shows Carl ever played was a very special concert on the White House front lawn in celebration of our nation's bicentennial in 1976.
Like his fellow bandmates, Carl is also fluent on other instruments as well. However Carl possesses a unique, God-given talent…he has perfect pitch.
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Marty Hollister
Trombones and Vocals
Marty is a native of central New York. He is a graduate of Fredonia State and has a Masters Degree in Music Performance from Youngstown State University.
During the mid eighties, Marty toured playing lead baritone for the world champion Garfield Cadets Drum & Bugle Corp.
He has performed with the Utica, Hamilton, Colgate, Catskill, Schenectady and Youngstown Symphony Orchestras in addition to performances with the Temptations and the Supremes.
Besides playing trombone for Classified, Marty has just become the Director for the New Hartford High School Band, having taken over this position from the retiring Michael DiMeo.
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John Dugan
Drums
John Dugan lives in Sherrill, New York, and is a graduate of the Mount Markham High School in West Winfield, New York.
He holds a Civil Engineering AAS degree from Mohawk Valley Community College.
John has played professionally throughout Central New York since the mid-eighties in a variety of bands that performed a variety of styles. He's worked with Rollin' Easy, Trainwreck, Backflash and the Steve Webb Band.
Like the horn section players, John is also a drum and bugle corp veteran, having played with the Tanner Drum & Bugle Corp which won various regional competitions during his tenure.
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Joe Zarr
Saxophones, Flutes and Vocals
Joe Zarr is the youngest member of Classified. He is a graduate of West Genesee High School and the Ithaca College School of Music with a BA in Music Education.
Since graduating, in addition to regular performances, he taught elementary music education, served as band director for the American Legion Boy's State Summer Program and the Morrisville SUNY Collge instrumental instructor.
He has and/or continues to perform with groups such as the Syracuse Symphony Pops Orchestra, the Mario DeSantis Orchestra, the Central New York Jazz Orchestra, the Danny DiImperio Big Band and Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha-Chas.
Onstage, Joe is known for his infectious enthusiasm and fancy dance steps as he leads the horn section back and forth across the stage.
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Bill Mirgo
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Bill Mirgo
Guitars
Bill Mirgo is the newest addition to the rhythm section of Classified. Quiet and unassuming, he is an incredible soloist as well.
He has played guitar in various bands in the Central New York area for the past 25 years including, but not limited to, the Dynamic Imports, Murphy's Law and Lonesome Dove.
He also regularly plays for the great Joe Angerosa Elvis Tribute Show.
Bill is a self-taught musician. But he has also studied with the legendary guitarist Carmen Carmonica before continuing on to become a a gifted guitar instructor himself, having taught hundreds of students over the past several years.
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Call us today at 315-339-6398 to book your event!
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