Sep. 8--John Boggess and John Soper, two cancer surgeons at UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, have created a medical record of a different sort.
The gynecological oncologists and their doctor bandmates are releasing a rock CD today that culminates a lightning journey from one-night wonders to an original artist group signed by a small New York label.
Their album, eponymously titled "N.E.D. No Evidence of Disease," features songs written and recorded by the band of six surgeons, all of whom work to battle cancers that attack women's reproductive organs.
"We've worked very hard to produce a product we think is worthy of the cause," Boggess said. "We're very proud of music. The themes are informed by our experience of taking care of women with cancer. But they're very universal -- it's a good blend of meaning and purpose."
Produced by Motema Music, the album is being sold on Amazon.com and Borders, with proceeds going to benefit research into gynecological cancers.
Boggess, who plays guitar and sings, wrote and co-wrote several of the songs. Soper plays guitar and mandolin and also penned a song.
They came together with the other members -- two from New York, one from Oregon and another from Texas -- as an ice-breaker band to play during a medical meeting. Although all were experienced musicians, none had ever played together. But they hastily ripped through a set of cover music and hoped they'd please the crowd.
They did.
After a similar second gig, they caught some attention from Motema and were encouraged to write their own music. Within months, they went from novelty act to serious musicians.
Word of their work and their mission spread, encouraging help from music producers, graphic artists, public relations crews and others.
In Carrboro, former Mammoth Records chiefs Lane Wurster and Steve Balcom read about the group and volunteered to create the album art, using a photograph of a dove from local artist Tricia McKellar. They also produced a booklet that describes the band and provides information about cervical, ovarian, uterine and vaginal cancers.
Wurster, who now runs an advertising company with Balcom called The Splinter Group, said he was inspired by the doctors' cause.
"There was an added layer to it," he said, adding that he also enjoyed the group's music.
That's a diagnosis Boggess is especially eager to get.
"I'm really excited at this point just to hear people's response," Boggess said. "They may not like all the songs, or whatever, but I'm ready for that and accepting. I'm happy with what we've produced."
savery@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4882
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