OVER THE RAINBOW, a new band that features four former members of Rainbow and Jurgen “J.R.” Blackmore, the son of ex-DEEP PURPLE guitarist and Rainbow founder Ritchie Blackmore, have issued the following from keyboardist Tony Carey:

"The view from the back of the bus... otherwise known as the 'Jesse James seat' (no one can sneak up on you...).

OTR in Russia -

We rehearsed like madmen for several days in a Moscow studio - JR and I had pre-rehearsed, at my house in Germany and Bobby and Greg in New York.

After the first 10 minutes it was pretty clear that when we didn't suck, we were pretty good. The tricky part is playing balls-out, take-no prisoners, and still being (reasonably) accurate.

If you start thinking about what you're playing, you're automatically using a safety net...

First couple of shows had great moments and some fairly dodgy ones, as well. What surprised me was the turnout and the excitement level coming back to the stage.

The last 4 gigs were light-years better, Everybody had sort of figured out how they wanted to play the songs (this doesn't include Greg and Bobby, they had it cold from the beginning, for which they've both earned my eternal emnity).

I think Joe's doing a great job on songs he'd never sung before, great frontman, and Jürgen - well, I knew he was good going in but he's killer and growing with each performance. And yes, he IS a Blackmore.

The band reminds me of my highschool R&B; group - we played at my senior prom - in that the 'little kid' in each of us is alive and kicking (although we might have been more serious back in high school). They say 'don't sweat the small stuff' and we've all been around the block once or twice since then.

So 'Cool's the Rule.' It's a big help when nobody's plastered, too.

As for me, I'm having a ball playing organ and synths again, After 30 years of singer-songwriter stuff. I have to be reminded to sing background vocals. Usually Greg either 1) cues me or 2) shoots me 'the Look' when I miss the cue. Workin' on it, though.

The dressing room running gags are pretty sophomoric... more like a locker room back in the day. The band has a good chemistry goin on. Some of the funniest moments I won't relate here, but if you ever run into Rondinelli you can ask him how he responded when the Tour Manager said he (The Tour Manager) was getting fat... that one woke me up laughing at least twice...

With my eerily empathetic talent for saying the worst possible thing at the worst possible moment, the 'Tony Carey Charm School' is now open and accepting applications.

So, on to Japan. I'll keep you posted."

Upcoming Over The Rainbow tour dates:

April

27 - Osaka, Japan - Namba Hatch
29 - Nagoya, Japan - Diamond Hall

May

1 - Tokyo, Japan - Kosei-Nenkin Hall