The story behind

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What happens when you mix former computer programmer with a passion for 80's music with a multi-talented musician and his arsenal of digital sound and computer equipment ?

Simple - the result is a great 80's cover "band" capable of reproducing the classic hits of the video music era in exacting detail.

Richmond, VA-based 80's cover band is the result of that diverse mixture. Doug Meacham, the driving force behind the concept, is both the programmer and the musician. Inspired by the success of the VH-1 series, "I Love The 80's", Doug began the project in the Summer of 2002. He had worked in the past with MIDI files; a set of computer commands designed to allow software to play music on MIDI-enabled instruments. If you have ever been to a website and heard a cheesy, muzak-like version of a song playing, then you have experienced MIDI. Fortunately, MIDI can also control sophisticated synthesizers and samplers and can be programmed note for note using special software. This is where Doug, the Programmer comes in.

As a musician with an ever growing collection of guitars, keyboards, and effects processors (thank you EBAY), Doug has the necessary equipment to reproduce all of the sounds from the great songs of the 80's including vintage 80's synthesizers and guitars. He uses computer-based sampling software to reproduce parts such as the background singers from 10cc's "The Things We Do For Love" and the talking scientist in Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science". For harmonies, Doug employs an electronic device called a digital harmonizer, which takes Doug's voice and adds up to four harmony parts. Doug has programmed most of the songs that plays, paying close attention every nuance. Virtually every note is programmed in exacting detail. Even the echo and reverb settings on the instruments and voice are reproduced exactly like the original recording. When playing live, the computer generates the Bass, Drums and many of the instrument's sounds, while Doug completes the mix by playing Acoustic and Electric Guitars or keyboard on every song.

A semi-professional musician in the Richmond area since the mid-seventies, Doug has played in a wide variety of styles in different bands. Way back in Middle School, Doug and classmate Greg Marrs started playing acoustic guitars and covering artists such as Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Loggins & Messina. That duo eventually grew into a five-piece band called Hobbiton Bridge which specialized in progressive rock like Yes, Genesis, Moody Blues and Bowie at the height of the Disco Era. Having multiple keyboardists and guitarists as well as five great singers, HB was well known for covering their complex material just like the original artists. Both Greg and HB's other keyboardist, Bobby Quarles currently play in a great 60's British Invasion band called The English Channel.

After the demise of Hobbiton Bridge, Doug briefly toured the East Coast fronting the Disco/Funk cover band, Buster (ok, we all make some bad choices in life). In an effort to cleanse the disco beat from his brain, Doug moved on to a Country Rock quintet called Blue Ridge. In the mid-Eighties, Doug went back out on the road with Tracks. Tracks capitalized on the resurgence of rock music in the mid-80s and once again reunited Doug and Greg Marrs. As in previous projects with Greg, the focus was always on faithfully recreating the sound. The Nineties brought a number of rock bands including The Red Ball Jets, The Shirts, and Karma Zen and then a several year hiatus from playing to focus on career and family.

Over the last 18 months, Doug has performed opening sets for local Richmond acts to "test the waters". The reception has been great and now, with the full set list complete, will be headlining at venues around town, so check the show schedule often for details.



For further information, visit the band’s website at www.Radio80.net , e-mail at contact@Radio80.net or call 804-967-0683.