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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 19, 2006 - 17 The Kings are winning over a new generation of music fans Continued from page 16 met Picard in Vancouver. Picard then recruited fellow Oakville Trafalgar High School students, Max Styles and Diamond, and that's when it all started. Years later, The Kings signed a world-wide record deal with Elektra Records and released their debut album, which went gold in Canada. It's been more than 30 years since they first got together, but both Picard and Diamond say they're sounding better than ever. "I think we've evolved a lot over the years," said Diamond. "We've come a long way since we started. We're definitely better songwriters now." "We were good then and I think we're even better now," added Picard. "We're not hockey players, so you don't have to stop when "I think we've evolved a lot over the years. We've come a long way since we started. We're definitely better songwriters now." David Diamond you're 30. We were pretty young when we started this thing." Original Kings keyboard player Sonny Keyes only plays in some shows, but he'll be playing Friday at Midnight Madness along with Diamond, Picard and drummer Atilla Turi, who has been with the band for the past decade. "When we get together with Sonny, it's great. It's the same as the old days," said Diamond. "As soon as he's there, it's just the whole old ballgame. It's a great feeling." The Kings have managed to stay in the music business so long, both Picard and Diamond say, because of their longtime friendship and a love for music. "I think that the music business goes up and down, and we've been through those ups and downs over the years, but you've got to believe in yourself," said Picard. "If you're a creative person and you like the people you're with, why not keep going? So many people know the band, millions of people know our hit song, and people are still just finding out about us." Even 26 years after their breakout album, The Kings are still making waves. Many of their songs are available on iTunes and the band was recently written up by New York Times' Steve Peak as "We were good then and I think we're even better now. We're not hockey players, so you don't have to stop when you're 30. We were pretty young when we started this thing." John Picard (aka Mr. Zero) being The Best Band You've Probably Never Heard on about.com. "We got an email a little while ago from a guy in New York City ­ a new fan, he didn't know us, but he heard Switchin' to Glide," said Picard. "He said he loved the song and just heard it for the first time. I thought, `Where have you been? How could you not have heard that thing?'" Picard recently produced and edited a DVD documentary on the band's history showing interviews, film clips, concerts, videos and more. He also just finished making the first music video for Switchin' to Glide, because one had never been produced. Both projects are expected to be available to fans in the near future. The Kings play on Stage #6 at Lakeshore and Dunn Ave. during Midnight Madness, Friday July 21. For a complete listing of performances at Midnight Madness, a map and a schedule of shuttle buses, visit www.oakvilledowntown.com/midnightmadness.htm For more on The Kings, visit www.thekingsarehere.com -- Krissie Rutherford can be reached at krutherford@oakvillebeaver.com. FLOORING COVERINGS PAINTING CONCRETE CONCRETE NEW WOOD N' FLOOR We Install all Kinds of Floors "Refinish Your Wood Floor Like New" Quality & Efficiency!! 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