Honor Classified's 25th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 3370 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMEMORATING the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the band, Classified WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those talented individuals within our midst, who have had a significant impact on the arts and culture of our communities through their outstanding entertainment; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the band, Classified; and WHEREAS, Originally assembled in the early 1990s, Classified was started by Freddie Faccioli, organist and vocalist from Eric & the Chessmen during the 1960s, and leader of Ascension, the area's premier horn band throughout most of the 1970s; and WHEREAS, Freddie Faccioli had hoped to start a band similar to Ascension, performing the same type of great song, but presented with the technology and sophisticated sound system in use today; and WHEREAS, Featuring many talented musicians from other top current musical acts in the area, Classified's members' resume was so long, it looked like a classified ad, giving the group its name; and WHEREAS, Band members performing today include: Greeley Ford, bass, vocals and bandleader; Larry Desiato, lead vocals and percussion; Scott Rutledge, trumpet and lead vocals; Michael DiMeo, trumpet; Carl Goodhines, keyboards; John Dugan, drums; Bill Mirgo, guitar; Joey Zarr, saxophone and flute; Marty Hollister, trombone and vocals; and Gary Colmey, keyboards and lead vocals; and WHEREAS, Greeley Ford started his musical career in 1964, and has played at every gig since the beginning of the band; Larry Desiato started playing drums at the age of eight and is an accomplished and well-known musician in Central New York; Scott Rutledge came out into the music industry as a member of the Olympic Symphony Orchestra for the

1975, touring the country with lengthy stints in Las Vegas, Nevada; John Dugan has been playing professionally throughout Central New York since the mid-1980s in a variety of bands and has won competitions as a drum and bugle corps veteran; and WHEREAS, Although a self-taught musician, Bill Mirgo has continued to become a gifted guitar instructor and has played guitar in various bands in the Central New York area for the past 25 area; the youngest member of Classified, Joey Zarr has taught elementary music education and served as band director for the American Legion Boy's State Summer Program; Marty Hollister toured playing baritone for the world champion Garfield Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. in the mid-1980s, and is currently the Director for the New Hartford High School Band; Gary Colmey has been playing different types of instruments since his teenage years and has been a member of numerous bands in his past before retiring to open Gary's Music Store; and WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper for this Legislative Body to take note of such a prestigious, musically gifted band, which brings great pride to the music industry as well as the citizens of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, With deep appreciation, this Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to recognize the exceptional talents of the 10 members of Classified, and to wish them continued success in all their future endeavors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the band Classified; and to recognize their many hits and harmonic contributions to this State and Nation; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the aforementioned members of Classified.