Review Fix chats with Beginnings singer and guitarist Mason Swearingen, who discusses his band’s Broadway premiere on June 28. Tributing Motown classics and the work of Chicago, it’s a throwback bonanza featuring special guests, for a great cause.
Beginnings is a celebration of the music of Chicago performed by world-class musicians and vocalists who recreate the sound, excitement and emotion of three decades of hits from Chicago’s hey-day.
Member Credits include performances with platinum recording and Hall-of-Fame Rock & Soul artists including: Peter Frampton, Don Henley, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Warren Haynes, Spyro Gyra, KC & the Sunshine Band, Will Lee (The Tonight Show Band), and the Broadway hit musical “Rock of Agesâ€!
In 2016 the band was joined on-stage by former Chicago guitarist, Donnie Dacus (Hot Streets & Chicago 13) who was quoted as saying “These guys are so good it’s scary!â€
Performing without the use of pre-recorded tracks, Beginnings offers audiences a vibrant and high-energy live performance of some of the greatest songs of Chicago including: Saturday in the Park, 25 or 6 to 4, Just You ’n’ Me, Hard To Say I’m Sorry, and of course, Beginnings. These timeless classics are guaranteed to be enjoyed by music fans of all ages when performed by this talented group of musicians.
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Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?
Mason Swearingen: My parents loved listening to all kinds of music, including Chicago and Motown! So from a very early age, I remember music being a big part of our lives. My mother signed me up for piano lessons and I really took to them. Through those lessons, I learned to read music. Then it was playing trombone in the school band. The arts can be so influential on young people’s lives and playing in the school band certainly helped fuel my passion for playing music. When I was about 14 my father gave me a bass guitar and I was off and running; love at first feel!
Review Fix: Who are your influences?
Swearingen: A lot of my influences come from classic rock. I’m a fan of it all! Numerous bands from the 60s, 70s and 80s left a real impression on me, but of course, CHICAGO is top of the heap! Being a singing bass player, Peter Cetera was a huge influence. His vocal style is world-class, but he’s also a phenomenal bass player; very underrated. And of course James Jamerson, Bob Babbitt of Motown fame and Carol Kaye who played bass on thousands of songs from Sinatra to the Beach Boys.
Review Fix: What makes your brand of music special?
Swearingen: The music of CHICAGO is so very special because it has something for everyone. The songwriting is brilliant. The melodies and lyrics are both powerful and emotional. There are classic guitar riffs, horn solos, ballads, instrumentals and all of it elicits great memories and emotions for so many people. Their songs have helped make up the soundtrack to our lives. And these songs translate perfectly to the live stage, making for a great concert experience!
Review Fix: Why do Chicago & Motown still matter?
Swearingen: They both matter for the same reason; it’s fun, beautiful music performed by some remarkably talented musicians and singers. Their songs bring out emotions of wonderful times in people’s lives; proms, first loves, historic moments, first-dances, summer days with the radio on. It’s music that makes people happy, and that’s a timeless effect. Younger generations are moved by the songs just as the older generations are. It’s a beat, a rhythm and a melody that everyone feels!
Review Fix: How do you want your music to affect people?
Swearingen: We want people to have a good time, dance, smile, laugh; really enjoy themselves. This is a celebration of wonderful music that makes people feel good. We’re on stage smiling and dancing around because we love it just as much as the audience does. It’s all one big happy musical family! People leave the shows saying, “I had so much fun!†That’s what it’s all about.
Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2018?
Swearingen: Beginnings will be touring for the next few months. We are so very lucky to play this great music all over the country and we’ve got about 40 shows for the rest of the year. It’s a challenge but we love it. We’ll also be releasing another CD in the coming months. It’s a very exciting year for us.
Review Fix: What are you currently working on?
Swearingen: Currently we’re adding new video accompaniment to the show that is a lot of fun live. We’ll be recording a number of the shows this summer to be used on the upcoming album release. We’re also adding a few B-Sides and deep cuts to go with the many hits that are part of the show. Chicago has such a vast catalog of amazing music which allows us to constantly upgrade our show.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Swearingen: Hopefully the Chicago Meets Motown show will carry on into other cities. It’s such a great combination of music, I think it would be well-received wherever we go. I can think of two cities that would be perfect… Chicago & Detroit! 
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