ON BROADWAY

I was listening to a number of Teddy Randazzo’s songs the other day and it dawned on me that each song was a “play in itself”. Teddy was a genius and it got me thinking about writing a musical. That’s right, a musical. Before you start shaking your head in wonder, a musical based on Teddy’s songs would be “entertainment at its Broadway best”.

I’ve been listening to all of our recordings with Teddy Randazzo and Don Costa – mostly the songs we did from 1964-67 – and I am amazed at how elaborate all of those productions were. I did not realize the real genius of Teddy Randazzo’s music but as I sat there listening I had an epiphany of sorts. All of his songs would lend themselves to a musical in the vein of “Jersey Boys” so I’m going to write a “treatment for a musical” utilizing the words and sentiment of the late great Teddy Randazzo. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

MOHEGAN SUN

I mentioned in an earlier column that LA&TIs were planning to do a special 50^th anniversary concert in January or February ’09. I have to thank Paul Simon for suggesting the idea.  Paul said we should consider doing “something special to celebrate our 50^th anniversary”. We had a lot of time to talk back then since we were his “special guests” at his “Capeman” week-long shows at the Brooklyn Academy of Music back in April. Paul knew what he was talking about.

That suggestion is now something concrete and we have locked in the Mohegan Sun arena in Connecticut. It will be a live concert, special guests and filmed for a DVD release later in ’09. “The Imperials” and I have had numerous talks about a 50^th anniversary show and Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Harold Jenkins and I were so excited and complemented by the superstar responses we received. Cyndi Lauper, Flo Rider and Seal have all expressed a commitment to doing a show with us. There are a number of other artists but until they are signed, I’ll withhold their names for now.

Producer Richard Flanzer is organizing the concert and there is also a possibility Paul Simon will join as well. It was his idea and he was trying to clear his schedule when we last talked. I can’t tell you how wonderful this event is for us and the overall industry response literally knocked me over. There is nothing better than being recognized by your peers and that is one of the basic reasons I love show business so much.  

Oh, I forgot to tell you, this is “an exclusive news item” and we’ll announce soon when tickets go on sale. This LA&TIs show has been 50 years in the making – no lie. A show of this nature takes months to plan and implement but it will be that “perfect something” Paul Simon suggested. I promise you that.

BEACH MUSIC REDUX

When I mentioned the CBMA’s “Beach Awards” in a previous column, a lot of people wanted to know what I was talking about. The states in the Southeast know and it refers to a “style of music”, mostly R&B music that was sung and performed during the 60s through the early 70s. Remember in “Animal House” where they go on a “road trip”? They head to a club where Otis Day & The Knights are tearing the house down. Well, the whole club circuit from North Carolina to Florida then, was exactly like the one in “Animal House” – only on the beach.

College kids from Myrtle Beach to Virginia Beach and all the way down the Atlantic seaboard including Atlanta would flock to these clubs. They were white kids who wanted to “let their hair down and be cool”. The black acts of this era like The Tams, Jerry Butler, The Temptations, Ray Charles, The Contours, Archie Bell and The Drells, etc. would blow the lid off these places night after night. Many of these clubs are now long gone but the “beach memories” they instilled live on.

On Sunday, the 9^th of November, LA&TIs will be presented with “The Joe Pope Pioneer Award” and we are going to Myrtle Beach’s Alabama Theater not only to thank “the Beach fans” but perform as well. We are so honored and maybe, we can touch those times just one more time.

FAMILY MATTERS

My grandson, Trey is coming to visit me and my wife Linda here in Vegas during the Christmas holidays and I promised to take him to several of the shows along “The Strip”. I am putting out “guest list feelers” to see what shows we should go to. This is where “comp tickets” come in handy – send me an email. No kidding,

Then, Clarence’s nephew, Pepe Willie has just re-released a CD from his Minneapolis band, 94 East. Back in the day, Pepe had a “new kid age 16” playing guitar on a couple of tunes. His name was Rogers Nelson, known now worldwide as Prince. Koch Distribution just re-released the CD and it would make an excellent holiday gift. 94 East still performs live and recently did a benefit for “Regal Swan” in Orlando, FL. This is an incredible charity that works tirelessly to save swans from extinction by providing a safe refuge right in the middle of “Disney Country”. 

COMING TO LAKE TAHOE 1/3/09

We’re headlining Harrah’s Hotel Casino Lake Tahoe on Jan 3^rd and this is one of the casinos we love to perform at. Like the Tropicana on “The Strip”, the room is perfect for LA&TIs since it echoes “the casino days of Sinatra and his Rat Pack”. New Year’s Eve falls on a Wednesday this year and if you are in or around Lake Tahoe, save some of your holiday dollars and drop by our show on Saturday, the 3^rd.