Bangor-Based Rockers Win Contest, Open Up For National Acts At Berzerkus Festival

"Out of the 50 years Music Career, it was my BEST DAY,  and to share it with my son Dylan and see the amazement and total pay off for getting to this point... we both hugged each other with tears in our eyes for all the sacrifice it took that just payed off."

That's how bus-driver by day, rock-band front-man by night, Vinny Cormier described the situation that unfolded this past weekend. He and his bandmates got the chance to do something extraordinary.

It's like something out of the movies; local cover band, who's been making the rounds, touring across the nation for decades, finally gets to meet their idols.

Those from the Bangor area, who are familiar with the local music scene, have likely seen the band Dakota play in town a time or two.

They've been playing together, in one form or another since 1985. In 2008, Vinny's son, Dylan, joined the band.

A few years back, the boys in the band decided to start a little side project, an Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Band called "Crazy Train" Ozzy Experience , so that Dylan could experience the touring life, as his dad had in the early days.

In Crazy Train, Vinny portrays Ozzy...

...Dylan, who works at SNS Fabrications during the day, plays guitar in the band and portrays Zakk Wylde...

...New England Wine Delivery Man, Mike Knowles portrays Black Sabbath Bassist, Geezer Butler.

...and local drum teacher, Mike Caliandro, portrays Ozzy's drummer from the 80s, Randy Castillo.

Crazy Train has playing across the US for about 3 years now. They've spent a lot of time on the road, away from family and friends. But this past weekend marked a highlight in Crazy Train's career, and made all of that time away worth it.

As a long shot, and a bit of a joke, Vinny said his son entered a "Battle Of The Bands" competition where the winner of the contest would have a chance to open for the first ever Berzerkus Festival in the Poconos, a festival put on by Ozzy Osbourne's guitar player, Zakk Wylde.

"The fans and a panel of judges will determine which 2 bands, one cover/tribute band and one original band, will earn the opportunity to play live on stage on Saturday, September 14 at Poconos Park in Bushkill, PA alongside Cody Jinks, Black Label Society, Clutch, Rival Sons, Black Stone Cherry, ZOSO, The Atomic Punks and The Iron Maidens."

The band got the call that they had won the cover/tribute band contest, and Cormier said no one believed it at first.

"We forgot about it 'til we got the call 2 weeks prior to the Festival."

A week later they were making arrangements to drive to Pennsylvania for the show.

When they arrived, they were met with encouragement and praise by everyone, including Wylde's team.

"Zakk told me I was killing it as Ozzy and that looking at Dylan was like looking at a pic when he was 22...Mark Strigl of Ozzys Boneyard Sirius XM said our Ozzy Set Killed !!! That's frickin' cool."

"We were treated with total respect from all these National Acts asking to take selfies , asking how we got started etc. We all would secretly look at each other and giggle like kids saying 'Can you believe it? We met Zakk, Ozzy's guitarist and friend, who said we are killing it!'

"At some point got tooo much to take in. We all felt like it was a weird Rock n Roll Fantasy Dream."

"First let me say this, I don't want to take anything away from my Band CrazyTrain or me as an Ozzy impersonator, but what I realized at the Berzerkus Fest is that Ozzy Friends and Fans Truly Loves The Legend Himself ,Ozzy. They love him so much that an Impersonator, I was overwhelmed with how loyal they are and how loved he is."

"Everyone at the Festival made me feel the love they show for Ozzy. When I went to the Pavillion the crowd started to chant Ozzy, Ozzy. I had security in there and thought that some might have mistaken me for the real thing. It was awesome and Scary at the same time."

Riding high on cloud 9, from the energy of this weekend's performance, Crazy Train is heading home and will play a gig next month at The Sports Arena for all their local fans. You can get your tickets for that concert by clicking here.

'I'm still in lala land. I kinda know the feeling of winning the Jack Pot Prize Lottery tix. I'm wondering if it was all a dream?"

Cormier says the band can't wait to come share some of the awesome energy they felt at the Berzerkus Festival with a hometown crowd.

" I'm hoping to get real Ozzy fans and all our friends to share in our hometown show.
We worked Hard and it takes not only talent but dedication to do it and especially do it right, while being RESPECTFUL TO THE ORIGINAL ARTIST OZZY OSBORNE and ZAKK WILDE along with Randy Castellano and Geezer Butler."

"We feel fortunate to be here doing this and having our Home Crowd to Celebrate the Awesome Music of Ozzy Osborne."

Welcome home, boys. Way to represent! Job well done.