A Teen Found His Dad’s Unreleased Song From The '70s And It's Going Viral

A teen found his dad’s unreleased song from the '70s and it's going viral
Rachel Paula Abrahamson - Yesterday 2:28 p.m.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/music/new...sedgntp&cvid=6363852124e245599d59b440ed3e4518

If you’ve ever questioned the power of social media, meet Zach Montana. Montana, the son of drummer William “Curly” Smith, used the platform to help his father’s unreleased song from the '70s go viral in February.
Nine months later, the catchy tune is making the rounds again.
"My dad has had a career that he's really proud of, and this is just like the cherry on top," Montana told TODAY Parents on Nov. 8. "He thought he was done, and then this happened."
"People just really love this song," Montana added.
Montana, a 20-year-old musician, unearthed the disco-inspired tune titled “Surrender to Me,” when he was driving Smith’s truck in January and it was in the CD player.
“I’m listening and I’m thinking, ‘Whoa, this is really good,’” Montana told TODAY in March. “Then the vocals come on and I hear a very familiar voice — and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that’s my dad.”


Zach Montana developed his love of music from his dad, William© Courtesy Zach Montana
Montana was so impressed that he decided to play the track for his TikTok followers.
“There’s a horn section!” Montana exclaims. "Just wait… It’s so good.”

Smith’s infectious song “Surrender to Me,” has more than four million streams on Spotify. Earlier this year, Montana, an aspiring musician, and Smith, 70, performed together on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
Smith is best known as Boston’s drummer — he toured and recorded with the rock band from 1994 to 2001 — but the singer and guitarist has also done session work for artists such as Rick Springfield, Bette Midler and Bonnie Raitt.
Montana noted that Smith has "been out of the game for a little while," but is now experiencing a career resurgence thanks to TikTok.


Montana hung out backstage at© Courtesy Zach Montana
“Of course, my dad is more excited about what it means for me,” Montana revealed. “He’s like, ‘This is gonna get your music so much attention.’ That’s what kind of person he is.”

Montana explained that “Surrender to Me,” which was recorded roughly 43 years ago, was never released because Smith didn’t have a record deal. Smith co-produced the single with singer-songwriter Mark Olson, who has since passed away.

“At the time, the market was flooded with this kind of music,” Montana said. “I believe they pitched it to Motown Records and a few other subsidiaries, but nothing happened. And back then, they had no way of distributing it without a label. Obviously, there were no streaming platforms.”

Since going viral, Smith has been praised by thousands including Meghan Trainor, who wrote “it’s so good” in the comments on Montana's original TikTok video.

“It’s just incredible,” Montana said. “He’s always been an amazing father — the best I could possibly ask for. This experience has only brought us closer together.”

 

Boston - Live at Hamilton, Ontario 1988 video
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