Kimberley Dahme

How early did you first become involved with music and

what is your

background and training in music?

I started singing lessons before I ever went into

kindergarten.

I studied music all my life. Even went to college on

a music and basketball scholarship. majored in music

and won more scholarships which took me to Europe

performing as early as my Freshman year.



When did you decide to pursue music professionally?

I was 8 years old when I was first paid, prior to that

and many times after that I sang for Pizza and Orange

soda pop.



You play several instruments. Which was the first one

you took up and

which is you favorite to play?

The flute was my first instrument, other than voice.

I still love to play it and recently was given a

beautiful wooden flute which I'm also enjoying.....my

favorite to play really goes between the Bass and

Guitar probably because I can sing while I'm playing

them but I play numerous instruments.



To name some; Guitar, Bass, Flute (Brass and Wooden),

harmonica, Dobro, Slide guitar, Banjo, a little

keyboards, Dulcimer, many I can't think of off the top

of my head but I figure if it's an instrument I can

learn it.....other than the drums....I've tried and

it's not pretty.



Many fans may not realize you are also classically

trained in voice,

including opera, has that training ever come into play

in the studio or

live in a manner that may not have been instantly

apparent to your fans

or an audience?

My classical training has always been very useful. It

is today. I use it all the time like when I'm in the

studio and someone like Tom Scholz wants me to sing

something a particular way, I love it because then I

turn to using my voice as an instrument. I just

follow his lead and think of hitting a note exactly

how it's being described to me rather than what I

might feel. It's fun and challenging all at the same

time. It also comes into play with harmonies which I

love to sing! I hear numerous harmonies all the

time....sometimes this can be a tad frustrating but

I'll take the sometimes sleepless nights hearing notes

- rather than not .



Are their any brands of guitars and basses that you

prefer or do your

instrument brand choices adapt with each new studio

project?

I love Fender Basses and have many different styles, I

tend to like the Jazz Precision with a Hip shot on her

for ease with lowering my Low E to a D immediately. I

also, love my 5 string basses to which are also

Fenders, nothing like hitting a nice low B when the

opportunity arises... I love Guild acoustic guitars,

my favorite at the moment is my D50 Guild, she has a

very warm sound to her and then for my electric I play

a Fender Stratocaster. As you can tell I really love

instruments..



When composing your music where do you usually start?

The music or the

lyrics? And is there a preferred instrument (acoustic

guitar, electric

guitar, bass, piano, flute etc.) that you prefer to

start with?

When I begin a song it's usually with the music first

but not always....sometimes a thought hits me and I

write what seems like a poem and either I turn it into

a song adding on the melody or I leave it as a

poem....I enjoy writing poetry, always have. My

preferred instrument when writing would have to be my

guitar, seems she's in my hands when I sit down to

write.



Your past and present studio and live projects have

been diverse with

regard to genre. Is there one style of music you

prefer above the others

or do you find every genre has its own unique aspects

which draws you

to it?

This has always been my problem if you ask people. I

just love music and whatever comes out of me that day

is what I'm feeling. So, it's very hard for me to

pick a favorite style of music. It changes to which

venue I'm playing really. I always want to audience

to enjoy themselves and so I try to write enough

material that no matter where I'm playing I can lead

the way they're responding.....I just LOVE music!



Tell us about your latest CD Let's Sleep On It

Tonight:

I had some fabulous musicians (a lot of Delbert

McClintons boys) and a dear friend of mine Tom

Hambridge (2 time Grammy nominated Producer) who has

worked with everyone. He played drums and helped me

Co-Produce this CD. I was fortunate to work with Tom

Hambridge for about 2 years before Tom Scholz offered

me my current position playing bass for the band

Boston. We had so much fun with making this cd, it's

raw and real. Real music, real musicians, real fun

and I hope that comes across when you hear it.

As with all of my cd's I write whatever I'm feeling

and this cd shows many sides to what I was going thru

at that time.....I shouldn't tell on myself that way

but it's the truth. We didn't have much time to make

it only 4 days total from recording to mixing and

mastering. That's what I mean by it's just the real

deal.



A good portion of the songs for this CD were composed

while on the road

touring with Boston.

How easy or challenging was it to get into a country

music frame of

mind to compose the music for your new CD while

simultaneously thinking

in terms of Boston's power guitar rock music?

Like I mentioned, I just write whatever I'm feeling so

it's not hard at all. Some of the songs are more rock

then Blues...with me it's normal to hear all of these

on the cd's I come out with. Maybe someday in the

future I'll have enough money to do 3 different albums

simultaneously: Blues, Rock and Country. I have

enough new material for it just not the backing so

I'll just keep writing and see what happens.



How did the opportunity to become part of the new

lineup for Boston

come about and what have your gained or learned from

your experience with

working and touring with them since the release of

Corporate America?

I was working with Tom Hambridge playing electric

guitar in a place called the Sittin' Bull In Maynard

Massachusetts when Tom Scholz and Gary Pihl from the

band introduced themselves to me while I was signing

autographs.....it was funny because when Tom Scholz

came up to and introduced himself I was like man I

know who you are, I've been a huge Boston fan ever

since I can remember. I've learned so much from

working with Boston. I just love the guys. I learned

the bass for this gig and became a much better

musician. It really brought me to a whole new plain

not only as a player but as a person. It's a tough

position, I was really scared at first, I don't think

I was able to breath until the second tour because I

would look over and see Brad Delp, Fran Cosmo and Tom

Scholz....if I looked around more there was Gary Pihl,

Anthony Cosmo and Jeff Niel all players to be admired

and I just feel so fortunate I only want to do my very

best at all times for them.....especially for Tom

because he believed in me.



In the studio and live Boston is known for being a bit

of a flying

circus with each band member adapting to multiple

instruments as needed and

sharing the duties on lead and backing vocals. Did you

find yourself

able to stretch your musical wings a bit and bring all

of the instruments

you use into play? And were they any challenges in

adapting your

playing style to their music or did it just seem to

"click"?

It all just clicked! It's fabulous!



You were once quoted as saying your children are your

greatest

accomplishment.

How challenging has balancing the demands of a

professional music

career and family been for you? And what advice, if

any, would you give to

others regarding trying to do both?

Wow, this has been the toughest part of all....having

to leave my children has hurt so much I can't even

begin to tell you. I had to keep in mind that if I

didn't follow my dream then what would I be teaching

my children. I also felt a responsibility to women

and girls of all ages to stay true to yourself.

Knowing that my mom and there father were there to

take care of them made it possible for me to leave,

without them I'm not sure if I would've been able to

do it so I'm very thankful for family!

The only advice I can think to give someone in my

position who at times has to leave your children, make

sure they're in the safest hands possible and check on

them all the time. If you can take them with you or

have them visit as often as possible so you and they

have the knowledge that you haven't left them, left

them you're just working and loving them all the time.

I call my kids daily when they're not with me and

reassure them in anyway I can. I also try to keep

them busy with fun things to do like fun day camps

which offer many new adventures.....although I would

like to be a part of there firsts I can't always be so

I just want them to be happy. My kids are my greatest

adventure and I learn something new from them daily.

I thank God for my children, talk about keeping you

humble and giving you reason I can't think of anything

better. I've been very blessed.



Is there any one event in what you have accomplished

so far with your

music that you would consider a pivotal or defining

point in your growth

as a recording artist?

Writing a song that has been on a Boston album was

extremely great and just working with Boston has been

pivotal because I was always told it couldn't be

done....well, I'm a Taurus so don't tell me I can't do

something because then I'll have to prove it....darn,

that Bull in me. :-)



What can you fans look forward to seeing and hearing

from you in the

near future?

Much Much more music and new styles of writing and new

instruments.....I try to always evolve. Thank you to

all of you for your continued support, I have the best

fans and people around me. Like I said I feel very

blessed and I don't take that for granted. Thank you!

I hope you like what's coming next.

Please keep in touch with my web site to find out

"what's she up to now"...

www.kimberleydahme.com

- NAIRA

The Saratogian 06/25/2004
It is Wednesday morning and Kimberley Dahme is in a Boston hotel room caught in an emotional whirlwind of utter exhaustion and outright exhilaration.
'You have to excuse me. We had a late night last night,' says Dahme, whose specialty these days is playing bass guitar alongside classic rockers Tom Scholz and Brad Delp in the band Boston. The group is in production rehearsals for their upcoming tour, which kicks off at the Glens Falls Civic Center July 13.
'We've been rehearsing every day,' Dahme says. 'Eight, 12, sometimes as many as 14 hours a day, but I'm just so excited about it,' she says, while clueing in Boston die-hards who enjoyed the band's show last year in Glens Falls that they may be in for some surprises. 'In rehearsals, we've been switching the show around. We want to keep the fans guessing.'
Dating back to the band's earliest days, longtime fans of Boston are used to the guessing game when it comes to their musical heroes. The band's monstrous wall of sound first blew out over radio airwaves in the summer of 1976 and just kept coming. Their self-titled debut became the best-selling pop debut in history. The multimillion selling follow-up 'Don't Look Back,' came two years later. It was the quickest back-to-back issues the group would produce in their entire career. It would be light years, in record industry terms, in between future Boston releases. Scholz began earning a reputation as being too much of a perfectionist. Scholz held fast. 'Third Stage' would eventually be released in the mid-1980s, 'Walk On' would follow a decade later and the group's fifth album 'Corporate Rock,' was issued in 2002.
'I was a huge Boston fan growing up. My brother was into Boston and introduced me to their music,' she says. 'Sometimes when I'm playing these licks I'm thinking: Oh my God, these are the songs I remember singing along with. These are the songs that I danced to when I was in the in the fifth and the sixth grade.'
Born in California, Dahme would get to live her ultimate rock 'n' roll fantasy. She says it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. While performing with a rock and blues club band, she was approached by Scholz, who was looking to recruit members in redesigning Boston for the new millennium. With Dahme's years of musical training as a vocalist under her belt as well as being capable on guitar, keyboard and flute, Scholz was suitably impressed.
'I have done country, rock and blues. I studied opera and toured Europe for a year when I was younger, so I have done many styles of music,' she says.
With a strong background in country music and a career filled with inspiration by the likes of Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline, Dahme was approached by Scholz who asked the question: Do you play the bass?
She quickly scraped together a couple of hundred dollars she says, ran down to the neighborhood pawn shop and picked up one of those four-string monsters. As her audition date neared, she immersed herself in learning the instrument, even though many close to her were skeptical. 'They said 'There's no way.''
She got the gig. Her first official appearance with the band was on New Year's Day 2002, performing the National Anthem at the Fiesta Bowl in front of tens of thousands of people in attendance and millions more on TV. For the band that doesn't do music videos or live albums, it was also their first televised appearance as a group. In 2002 Boston's 'Corporate Rock' was issued and included the Dahme-penned tune 'With You.'
She prepared for the negative feedback she expected would be thrust upon her as a new member of the classic band, as well as being its first female performer.
'I was anticipating the worst,' she says, 'But all I got was the best. Every night I'm grateful. I always say a prayer to do my best. And every time I step on stage and the curtain goes up and there's Tom (Scholz) and Brad (Delp) and all the guys, I'm just very thankful.'
Dahme continues to write, record and sell her own songs as an independent musician, and her personal life is busy as well with two young children. Her son just celebrated his eighth birthday and her daughter, a 'surprise baby' she laughs, is 20 months old. She spends most of her time with the children home in Nashville, Tenn., although her son has experienced some of the lifestyle of the loud and famous while spending a week on the tour bus.
'He just thinks it's cool having a rock 'n' roll mom,' Dahme says.
In 2003, the band had rehearsals in Glens Falls and gave a live public performance early in the tour. This year's tour will take in an entirely different set of cities -- except for one repeat appearance --the Glens Falls Civic Center. Seemingly something of a lucky charm for the band these days, the site is also the one which will kick off the summer tour.
While living in the present, Dahme is also casting at least one eye on the future.
'We spent some time in the studio recording recently. I got to sing, and it's been very good,' she says, so there is a basic framework for some tracks for a new album.
As for public release of new material, Dahme says she is as hopeful as any fan of the band. 'Just as everyone does, I hope Tom puts out another Boston album -- and he will.'
Fans looking to crack the Boston 'code' may want to look at who is sitting inside the White House. Dating back to their debut release during Gerald Ford's administration, the band's five albums have come one each for five different presidents. (And in case you were wondering, the current administration has already had their share).
'Personally,' Dahme says, 'I just want to keep getting better musically. And always -- I always want to be doing the music.'
Truer words have never been spoken by anyone who has ever picked up an instrument and imagined playing on stage alongside their heroes to thousands of adoring fans. - THOMAS DIMOPOULOS

2003 was quite the year for Kimberley Dahme. Years earlier she was a up and coming country singer trying to break in Nashville. Then when touring in the Northeast, she was spotted by Tom Scholz and the rest is history. 411 recently caught up to a very busy Kimberley Dahme to talk about her career, her contribution to Corporate America and what it was like to work with Tom Scholz.

Jodes: If you wouldn’t mind Miss Dahme, could you please tell our readers a bit more about yourself and
your previous works before joining Boston?

KD: Jodes, Thanks so much for asking and for waiting so long for me to get back to you...I've been a musician ever since I was born and I'm not joking. I was in singing lessons before I could even read and could barely even talk. I seem to always have been the soul female in male bands so, when I received this honor of working with BOSTON a band I've always looked up to it was such an honor and I just fit right in.


Jodes: Now you must have had this question asked of you since you’ve joined the band, but how does one go from being a relatively unknown country singer to playing bass and singing with one of the biggest
American rock bands of all time?

KD: It's a pinch me situation...I mean looking over at Tom Scholz (a genius in so many ways), Brad Delp (such a wonderful person), Fran Cosmo (man can he hit the notes), his son Anthony Cosmo (a great songwriter and musician), Jeff Neal (a great drummer) and one of my favorites although it's so hard to say but Gary Phil (who spent many extra hours of his and his families time helping me become the bass player I now am) I can't tell you how it feels because it's so beyond words. It's a family. It's become my family and I feel so blessed. I was one of the biggest Boston fans and then to become a member is astonishing....it's all thanks to Tom!



Jodes: I know that Boston must be taking up most of your time as of late, but do you have any other side
projects that you are involved with? If so, could you please tell us a little more about it?

KD: Well, Jodes I'm a musician and always working on something....lately I've been writing up a storm and
recording, traveling performing, mothering. I'm so lucky! There's a lot I'm working on I'm hoping Tom
will be interested in some of it but I also write here in Nashville, TN where I live, for others to sing.
So, I not only write for myself but pitch songs to others because I do write so many different styles.
Whatever song is coming out I just let it come...



Jodes: Now it seems you and Anthony Cosmo have made quite an impact with the band, each having your own songs recorded for “Corporate America”. Was “With You” something you had been working on before joining Boston?

KD: I'd written "With You" in one day and recorded it the next for a friends wedding. My web site designer and his wife, dear friends of mine who live in Berlin, Germany. Tom never let me re-record it either. It's the same recording he just added his magic to it and I've been so thankful and amazed with the way it went over. The crowds this summer were so giving. Thanks to all of you from the bottom of my heart, Thank You! A song written from the heart and meant only for true love and you all Got It! Thank you!


Jodes: Corporate America has had some pretty mixed reviews (See here for my review Corporate America. I myself have grown to enjoy it more over time, but how do you react to fans that are disappointed with the current sound of Boston? Or did the live performances from the new CD silence the critics?


KD: Knowing this is after the fact now...I believe the fans truly came around. Myself, I'd heard the cd
Corporate America over and over again and was in love with it so I didn't concern myself with that...You
can only do music from the heart, if you're into it and enjoy it your only hope is that people will enjoy
it with you.


Jodes: Many bands from Boston’s genre have been doing very successful “co-headlining” tours for the past few years now (Reo Speedwagon/Styx/Journey to name one tour) do you think that the Corporate America tour might suffer a bit attendance wise since you don’t have any other “major” bands (i.e. Kansas,
Foreigner, etc) on the road with you? Do you think Co-Headlining is the way of the future for classic
rock bands?


KD: Jodes that's a hard call for me to make and thankfully one that's not my decision. What I do know
is that our full show was amazing. It ran two hours and forty five minutes and we really had to scale back
on what songs to perform, so I'm really not sure how the co-headlining shows worked out but as it was we
had to cut our show down to fit into many of the select performances. You've got to remember that
BOSTON has so many great hit's and I just wanted to play as long as I could with the guys.

Jodes: When I saw Boston back in 1988, they toured Canada in support of children’s charities. They have
been involved with many worthwhile causes over the years. What was the main charity that Boston
was contributing to on this tour, and which causes/charities do you personally support?

KD: I know that a dollar of every ticket sold went to the Sierra Club and that ended up being a very substantial amount to help our planet Earth. Tom Scholz helps so many different causes please look at the pages of the cd, he cares so much and shows it in all he does. Personally, I stand for so many causes but I guess the most prominent at the moment is the “Peacekeeper” organization. There's so much more I want to help with and with the help of you and all those who enjoy Boston and my own music will only allow me to do more good...


Jodes: Being a performer and now having celebrity status, how do you feel about the whole Dixie Chicks
fiasco? Do you think that if they would have been a rock n roll band that there would have been a
different reaction to their comments?

KD: That's so hard to say! I believe everyone has a right to there own opinion-maybe it wasn't the best place and time for them to discuss it obviously but for some reason they did? I've been a big fan of there music ever since day one. I'm kind of sad they did say what was on there mind at that time for there own sakes. It's not like I know them or anything but people can be so hard on others.....


Jodes: Let’s get back to your role in the band. What do you feel you bring to the band that other bass
players (Fran Sheehan, David Sikes) didn’t? (Well other then your svelte good looks!)

KD: I could never let myself think of my being in there shoes or I would get too nervous, I've been such a
huge fan from the very beginning and I admire both there styles so much. So, I just went out there on
stage with all my heart (stuck in my throat for the first few songs) all my soul and did My best every
night, so thankful for the fans (I call friends) and just loved every second of it!


Jodes: There have been rumors abound about how Tom runs his “empire”. How was working with Tom Scholz in the studio, is he the control “freak” everyone claims him to be? Or did he make your transition from country to rock easier then you had expected?




KD: You know there's rumors about everyone...lord knows I've had a number of them sent in my direction. I'll give you my take; Tom Cares! He get's some tough press regarding that but that's the bottom line he's a
genius and he has strong ideas which personally I really appreciated. I didn't find him hard to work
with at all I treasured every moment. Just think about it...I was being allowed to work side by side
with Tom Scholz, Brad Delp, Gary Phil, Fran Cosmo, Anthony Cosmo and Jeff Neal I'd say that's a huge
blessing. They've all been great to me and I've learned so much of which I'm applying to my music
now...


Jodes: Did Brad Delp give you any advice when it came time to lay down your vocals?

KD: Brad's great! Man, what a voice and what a man! I don't know if you know this but he's hilarious. To
answer your question though he was extremely helpful. Brad had great suggestions and it was a pleasure
following his and Toms leads. I did my best to keep it all classic Boston sounding, just like it should be
because it's still the best.


Jodes: I must say the vocal blend that you, Fran and Brad have on this CD is truly amazing. Did it take
much work or was it magic from day one?

KD: For me it was magic but I guess Tom would have to give you the most honest answer on this question because he was the one who had to sit alone and listen to us over and over for months on end. We all just sang or played our parts and left, Tom did all the hard work.


Jodes: What has been your biggest thrill so far since you’ve joined Boston?

KD: The music and the fans. The people have been wonderful to m. I expected the worst and they've
treated me so lovingly I'll never be able to thank them all enough. Then to be playing the music that
I've truly loved for years oh my goodness it's crazy good.



Jodes: Were you a fan of classic rock before joining Boston? If not, what were your influences? What’s
currently in Kimberley Dahme’s CD player?

KD: Extremely-who couldn't love classic rock when you know from the first note who was playing that guitar and who was singing, wailing away.....I've had a number of influences, Boston being a major factor and I continue to be influenced daily. Check out my web site if you
will; www.kimberley.de



Jodes: What do you think of bands going out on the road with say one or two original members and keeping the original name of the band? Do you think it’s misleading or do you think that’s just the norm in
rock n roll these days?

KD: I think as long as it's the key original nucleus of the band that it's great. You have to realize the
road can be tough and not every musician cares to stay out for too many years. If the key members are
keeping the music alive and the newer members are true fans of the originals and want to recreate that sound then it's a true blessing for all of us not to lose that music-It's so sad when great music is forgotten
on some shelf...keep it alive is what I say!!!!! Rock On!!!!


Jodes: Finally, In your opinion, which rock n roll band or artist should call it quits?

KD: Call it a day?....Man, music is what musicians do.It's who we are it's up to each individual to decide
if they care to pursue another venture in there life but I could never call it a day....


Jodes: Thank you so very much for the opportunity to interview you Miss Dahme, all the best to you and
yours in 2004!

KD: Thanks and blessings to you Jodes and all of you reading this thank you so much for all your support.
I look forward to sharing more great music and conversation with you in 2004! Thank You! - By Jodes Serner on 01.11.04

Posted on Fri, Jul. 30, 2004
Grand Forks Herald

Boston makes memorable music. Listeners remember the circumstances of the first time they heard a song - "More Than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind," "Don't Look Back," "Rock & Roll Band" and "Smokin'. " The band has been described as one of the most influential rock bands in history.

Boston will stir up those memories in their 2½-hour show Saturday in the Alerus Center. The band plays straight through with no opening act.

Boston doesn't tour often, so a chance to see the band live is a rarity. The Grand Forks stop is on their route to a Sunday performance in the Grand Beach Manitoba Summer Fest.

The band has its own sound, based on leader Tom Scholz's classical musical training, which began at age 5. Study at MIT and work for Polaroid as a product engineer led to his building a multitrack tape machine and a basement recording studio.

The first Boston album was released in 1976 and quickly became the largest-selling debut album of all time. A Grammy award as "Best New Artist" rocketed the band from obscurity to playing sold-out venues across the country. A world tour followed the 1978 release of "Don't Look Back."

Along with Scholz, band members are Brad Delp, Fran Cosmo, Gary Pihl, Anthony Cosmo, Jeff Neal and Kimberley Dahme, the first woman to perform with the band. She plays bass, acoustic guitar, piano and flute, along with the vocals. Her first official appearance with the band was the national anthem in the Fiesta Bowl in January 2002.

Dahme has opened for Jonny Lang, Johnny Winter, Wynonna Judd, Dwight Yoakam, Ricky Skaggs and George Thorogood.

Taken from life

She writes from real-life experiences and translates that experience to her music and stage performance.

"I sing from the heart," she said in a recent telephone interview. "My cause is to get people to enjoy the music, dig down deep in their soul or to just have fun."

Audience response to the band's 31-city summer tour has been outstanding.

"I've been so impressed with the demographics," she said. "The kids know every word to every song."

She said the band's music is a tribute to the audience.

What is the attraction to Boston's music for young people?

"The strongest radio stations are classic rock," Dahme said. "They play Boston. The band has had one song or another ... played on the radio since 1976."

Boston has been described as one of the most influential rock bands in history.

"When you're driving on the road and a Boston song comes on," Dahme said, "it immediately takes people to when they first heard it."
- By Carol Graham