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When Jim Babjak picks up the phone, he's juggling a blizzard, a string of upcoming shows, and the emotional weight of selling his late parents' home in Arizona.
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Among the singers who’ve stepped in: Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms, Marshall Crenshaw, and now John Cowsill - whose family band, The Cowsills, inspired the Partridge Family and appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" 18 times.
Cowsill, Babjak said, channels DiNizio's spirit without imitation.
"They all bring their own style. We don't want a tribute band thing. We want authenticity."
Cowsill's history with the band goes back decades. In 1991, the Cowsills recorded background vocals on "Now and Then," a collaboration born from a backstage introduction and a shared love of harmony. The friendship stuck.
"We became friends forever after that," Cowsill said. "To this day, Dennis [Diken, The Smithereens drummer] and I have been very, very close because we're both drummers. When I joined the Beach Boys, he came to the shows, and he would sit in and play drums. I'd go to the front of the stage and sing."
After 23 years with the Beach Boys, Cowsill called Diken, which led to a spot as a Smithereens' guest vocalist. For the first gig, Cowsill learned the lyrics and drum parts for 23 songs in four months.
"They kept calling me to do more, so it's been really fun," Cowsill said. "They also have Marshall Crenshaw and Robin Wilson from the Gin Blossoms. Those guys have their own bands and their own touring entities."
Cowsill said, with a laugh, that he's the third option. When he's not with The Smithereens, he tours with his wife/Bangles guitarist Vicki Peterson.
"They're lovely," Cowsill said about The Smithereens. "I love Robin and Marshall, too. They sound great as well.”"
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