Senate Resolution No. 2207

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
1980 Winter Olympics and has grown into an acclaimed singer, sharing the
stage with several Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees; the music
teacher at the New Hartford High School for generations of students,
Michael J. DiMeo has played with numerous bands in his past; Carl
Goodhines, a professional keyboardist, has played professionally since
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.