And then there was one...

This photo was taken of David Cook and the Anthemic in November 2008 at the Album release of Cook's self titled debut.  From right to left: Andy Skib, Cook, Kyle Peek, Neal Tiemann, and Joey Clement. This was the second of three concerts I saw of the band before Bassist Clement left in favor of Monty Anderson early the next Summer.  Perhaps it was always the plan for him to leave or perhaps the rumors that RCA fired him are true but it doesn't really matter, Clement is having a successful career elsewhere and it wasn't long before Anderson found a place in my heart. 

March 2009

March 2009

The above picture was taken at This Loud Morning's release last June and, though I didn't know it at the time but it would be the last time I saw Tiemann mastering guitar alongside longtime friend Cook. This loss was a bit harder than Clement, no offense to Joey but Tiemann's whole persona was amazing- he played as well as the Rock Gods of yesteryear, yet shy and sweet the way you wouldn't think when looking at him (we talked at the Borgata in Atlantic City for probably about a half hour like we were old friends.) More than that though, he was David's longtime friend and the idea that he's leaving could've been because that ended was sad. 


I continued to believe that Devin Bronson was just a temporary replacement and couldn't have cared less about him last December.

Poor guy was so nice and was playing with Gigi that in retrospect I actually feel kind of bad but that is not the saddest part of this photo. Saturday night, David announced Kyle Peek was leaving to be a stay at home Daddy' leaving Andy Skib as the sole original Anthemic member.  My heart Sank.

There is something special about Peek, who plays like Animal from the Muppets. Maybe it's because I feel like we've grown up together.  When he joined David after he won Idol, they hadn't known each other but in the years since they (and he and the fans) have forged a close bond.  He was only 20 at the time and when he turned 21 a few months later, Peek performed a solo show which Cook and pals crashed, got Peek drunk, and turned it into a Karaoke Party broacasted live across the web!!




Peek also had a toddler at the time who has grown into a school aged, little gentleman who has even appeared on stage playing guitar with the band!   and Kyle has been kind enough to keep fans up to date on every milestone with pictures and updates galore. 


Since the first time Peek played with the band he's grown as a musician,gotten married to his beautiful wife Nichole, and became a father once more to baby Elle born last Summer. Now he's moving on to his next phase of life and, while I am happy for him, I just hope he keeps everyone in the loop of what happens next.