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Who would have imagined that a Charms Blow Pop would lead to a group that has been together since 1975. Well...it's
true! The Crosstones' story began in 1975, at the Charms Candy Company in Freehold, New Jersey, where founding members
Fred Pope and Bobby Emmons met for the first time. It was there that their first songs were written, including "Malt Shop
In The Sky", which was released in 1979 by Solid Rock Records in Hollywood, California. The tune received airplay around
the world, including such faraway places as New Zealand, Japan and even Guam.
Since that first release, from the "I Remember"
album (produced by Larry Norman), there have been several singles, including "Bye Bye Baby"/"Look My Way". Three
Christmas albums, consisting of original tunes and old favorites done with the Crosstones' fantastic harmonies, have received
national airplay and international recognition. There have also been several other CD releases including "Don't Hang
Up", the telephone answering machine CD, and "Rock & Roll Baby", a mix of original and cover tunes.
The Crosstones "I Remember" album cover (c) 1979 Phydeaux Records, a division of Solid Rock Records,
Hollywood, California.
The original picture sleeve for the "Bye Bye Baby"/"Look My Way" record which was released in 1982 and
produced by Bobby Emmons & executive producer Wally Frank. Tom Howard arranged the strings for the New Jersey Orchestra.
The group from left to right is Terri DeLorenzo, Bobby Emmons, Janet Pope & Fred Pope
The Crosstones have performed in
various clubs and dinner theaters, as well as concert performances at Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ), the Count Basie
Theatre (Red Bank, NJ), the Strand Theatre (Lakewood, NJ) and the Paramount Theatre (Asbury Park, NJ). The Crosstones
have performed with and shared the concert stage with many recognized recording artists such as: Tommy Roe, Brian Hyland,
Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, Johnny Tillotson and Freddy Cannon, to name a few.
The Crosstones have been featured guests
on several radio stations in the tri-state area, including interviews on WCBS-FM in New York with DJ Don
K. Reed and on WOBM-FM in Ocean County with DJ Joe Stevens. Both stations have played many of their Christmas tunes including
"Johnny (Missing Christmas Day)", "Christmas At The Jersey Shore" and many others. Don K. Reed (CBS-FM) has stated
that the album "It's Christmas Time" is the "greatest Christmas album of all time." The Crosstones have also had
three songs featured in the movie "View From The Stoop" which has just been rereleased on DVD. The Crosstones are currently
in the studio so keep your ears open for another treat!
The front cover photo of the original "It's Christmas Time" album from 1980.
Today, the Crosstones consist of founding members Fred Pope and Bobby Emmons,
and long time members Cherie' Morton, Neil Pasanello and Frank Slingerland. Although the group has had a few personnel
changes over the years, they have never missed a beat. They remain a true force in rock & roll whose vocal
harmonies sound as tight today as they did in 1975.
The Crosstones Today: (back row) Neil Pasanello-drums, Fred Pope-bass, Cherie' Morton-keyboards
(front row) Bobby Emmons-guitar, Frank Slingerland-sax, flute, harmonica, guitar & percussion
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